下载辰思小说免费APP
"Mama!"
Mrs。Adamslookedup。"It\'sallright，"shesaid，inaloudwhisper。"Gertrudefelldownthecellarstairs。Somebodyleftabucketthere，and——"ShewasinterruptedbyagaspfromAlice，andhastenedtoreassureher。"Don\'tworry，dearie。Shemaylimpalittle，but——"
Adamsleanedoverthebanisters。"Didshebreakanything？"heasked。
"Hush!"hiswifewhispered。"No。Sheseemsupsetandangryaboutit，morethananythingelse；butshe\'srubbingherself，andshe\'llbeallrightintimetobringinthelittlesandwiches。
Alice!Thoseflowers!"
"Iknow，mama。But——"
"Hurry!"Mrs。Adamswarnedher。"Bothofyouhurry!IMUSTlethimin!"
Sheturnedtothedoor，smilingcordially，evenbeforesheopenedit。"Docomerightin，Mr。Russell，"shesaid，loudly，liftinghervoiceforadditionalwarningtothoseabove。"I\'mSOgladtoreceiveyouinformally，thisway，inourownlittlehome。
There\'sahat-rackhereunderthestairway，"shecontinued，asRussell，murmuringsomeresponse，cameintothehall。"I\'mafraidyou\'llthinkit\'salmostTOOinformal，mycomingtothedoor，butunfortunatelyourhousemaid\'sjusthadalittleaccident——oh，nothingtomention!Ijustthoughtwebetternotkeepyouwaitinganylonger。Willyoustepintoourliving-room，please？"
Sheledthewaybetweenthetwosmallcolumns，andseatedherselfinoneoftheplushrocking-chairs，selectingitbecauseAlicehadoncepointedoutthatthechairs，themselves，werelessnoticeablewhentheyhadpeoplesittinginthem。"Dositdown，Mr。Russell；it\'ssoverywarmit\'sreallyquiteatrialjusttostandup!"
"Thankyou，"hesaid，ashetookaseat。"Yes。Itisquitewarm。"Andthisseemedtobetheextentofhisresponsivenessforthemoment。Hewasgrave，ratherpale；andMrs。Adams\'simpressionofhim，assheformeditthen，wasof"adistinguished-lookingyoungman，reallyelegantinthebestsenseoftheword，buttimidandformalwhenhefirstmeetsyou。"Shebeameduponhim，andusedwitheverythingshesaidacontinuousaccompanimentoflaughter，meaninglessexceptthatitwasmeanttoconveycordiality。"OfcourseweDOhaveagreatdealofwarmweather，"sheinformedhim。"I\'mgladit\'ssomuchcoolerinthehousethanitisoutdoors。"
"Yes，"hesaid。"Itispleasanterindoors。"And，stoppingwiththissingleuntruth，hepermittedhimselfthebriefestglanceabouttheroom；thenhiseyesreturnedtohissmilinghostess。
"Mostpeoplemakeagreatfussabouthotweather，"shesaid。
"TheonlypersonIknowwhodoesn\'tmindtheheatthewayotherpeopledoisAlice。Shealwaysseemsascoolasifwehadabreezeblowing，nomatterhowhotitis。Butthenshe\'ssoamiableshenevermindsanything。It\'sjusthercharacter。
She\'salwaysbeenthatwaysinceshewasalittlechild；alwaysthesametoeverybody，highandlow。Ithinkcharacter\'sthemostimportantthingintheworld，afterall，don\'tyou，Mr。
Russell？"
"Yes，"hesaid，solemnly；andtouchedhisbedewedwhiteforeheadwithahandkerchief。
"Indeeditis，"sheagreedwithherself，neverfailingtocontinuehermurmuroflaughter。"That\'swhatI\'vealwaystoldAlice；butsheneverseesanythinggoodinherself，andshejustlaughsatmewhenIpraiseher。SheseesgoodineverybodyELSE
intheworld，nomatterhowunworthytheyare，orhowtheybehavetowardHER；butshealwaysunderestimatesherself。Fromthetimeshewasalittlechildshewasalwaysthatway。Whensomeotherlittlegirlwouldbehaveselfishlyormeanlytowardher，doyouthinkshe\'dcomeandtellme？Neverawordtoanybody!Thelittlethingwastooproud!Shewasthesamewayaboutschool。
Theteachershadtotellmewhenshetookaprize；she\'dbringithomeandkeepitinherroomwithoutawordaboutittoherfatherandmother。Now，Walterwasjusttheotherway。Walterwould——"ButhereMrs。Adamscheckedherself，thoughsheincreasedthevolumeofherlaughter。"Howsillyofme!"sheexclaimed。"IexpectyouknowhowmothersARE，though，Mr。
Russell。Giveusachanceandwe\'lltalkaboutourchildrenforever!AlicewouldfeelterriblyifsheknewhowI\'vebeengoingonabouthertoyou。"
InthisMrs。Adamswasright，thoughshedidnotherselfsuspectit，anduponanalmostinaudiblewordortwofromhimshewentonwithhertopic。"OfcoursemyexcuseisthatfewmothershaveadaughterlikeAlice。Isupposeweallthinkthesamewayaboutourchildren，butSOMEofusmustberightwhenwefeelwe\'vegotthebest。Don\'tyouthinkso？"
"Yes。Yes，indeed。"
"I\'msure_I_am!"shelaughed。"I\'lllettheothersspeakforthemselves。"Shepausedreflectively。"No；Ithinkamotherknowswhenshe\'sgotatreasureinherfamily。IfsheHASN\'Tgotone，she\'llpretendshehas，maybe；butifshehas，sheknowsit。
Icertainlyknow_I_have。She\'salwaysbeenwhatpeoplecall\'thejoyofthehousehold\'——alwayscheerful，nomatterwhatwentwrong，andalwaysreadytosmooththingsoverwithsomebright，wittysaying。YoumustbesurenottoTELLwe\'vehadthislittlechatabouther——she\'djustbefuriouswithme——butsheISsuchadearchild!Youwon\'ttellher，willyou？"
"No，"hesaid，andagainappliedthehandkerchieftohisforeheadforaninstant。"No，I\'ll——"Hepaused，andfinishedlamely:
"I\'ll——nottellher。"
Thusreassured，Mrs。Adamssetbeforehimsomedetailsofherdaughter\'spopularityatsixteen，dwellinguponAlice\'simpartialityamongheryoungsuitors:"ShenevercouldBEARtohurttheirfeelings，andalwaystreatedallofthemjustalike。
AbouthalfadozenofthemwerejustBOUNDtomarryher!
Naturally，herfatherandIconsideredanysuchidearidiculous；
shewastooyoung，ofcourse。"
Thusthemotherwentonwithherbiographicalsketches，whilethepaleyoungmansatfacingherunderthehardoverheadlightofawhiteglobe，settotheceiling；andlistenedwithoutinterrupting。ShewasgladtohavethechancetotellhimafewthingsaboutAlicehemightnothaveguessedforhimself，and，indeed，shehadplannedtofindsuchanopportunity，ifshecould；butthiswasgettingtobealtogethertoomuchofone，shefelt。Astimepassed，shewaslikeanactorwhomustimprovisetokeeptheaudiencefromperceivingthathisfellow-playershavemissedtheircues；butheranxietywasnotbetrayedtothestilllistener；shehadavaliantsoul。
Alice，meanwhile，hadarrangedherlittlerosesonthetableinasmanyways，probably，astherewereblossoms；andshewasstillatitwhenherfatherarrivedinthedining-roombywayofthebackstairsandthekitchen。
"It\'spulledoutagain，"hesaid。"ButIguessthere\'snohelpforitnow；it\'stoolate，andanywayitletssomeairintomewhenitbulges。Icansitso\'sitwon\'tbenoticedmuch，I
expect。Isn\'tittimeyouquitbotheringaboutthelooksofthetable？Yourmother\'sbeentalkingtohimabouthalfanhournow，andIhadtheideahecameonyouraccount，nothers。Hadn\'tyoubettergoand——"
"Justaminute。"Alicesaid，piteously。"DoYOUthinkitlooksallright？"
"Theflowers？Fine!Hadn\'tyoubetterleave\'emthewaytheyare，though？"
"Justaminute，"shebeggedagain。"JustONEminute，papa!"AndsheexchangedaroseinfrontofRussell\'splateforonethatseemedtoheralittlelarger。
"Youbettercomeon，"Adamssaid，movingtothedoor。
"JustONEmoresecond，papa。"Sheshookherhead，lamenting。
"Oh，Iwishwe\'drentedsomesilver!"
"Why？"
"Becausesomuchoftheplatinghasrubbedoffalotofit。JUST
asecond，papa。"Andasshespokeshehastilywentroundthetable，gatheringtheknivesandforksandspoonsthatshethoughthadtheirplatingbestpreserved，andexchangingthemformoredamagedpiecesatRussell\'splace。"There!"shesighed，finally。
"NowI\'llcome。"Butatthedoorshepausedtolookbackdubiously，overhershoulder。
"What\'sthematternow？"
"Theroses。IbelieveafterallIshouldn\'thavetriedthatvineeffect；Ioughttohavekepttheminwater，inthevase。It\'ssohot，theyalreadybegintolookalittlewilted，outonthedrytableclothlikethat。IbelieveI\'ll——"
"Why，lookhere，Alice!"heremonstrated，assheseemeddisposedtoturnback。"Everything\'llburnuponthestoveifyoukeepon——"
"Oh，well，"shesaid，"thevasewasterriblyugly；Ican\'tdoanybetter。We\'llgoin。"Butwithherhandonthedoor-knobshepaused。"No，papa。Wemustn\'tgoinbythisdoor。Itmightlookasif——"
"Asifwhat？"
"Nevermind，"shesaid。"Let\'sgotheotherway。"
"Idon\'tseewhatdifferenceitmakes，"hegrumbled，butneverthelessfollowedherthroughthekitchen，andupthebackstairsthenthroughtheupperhallway。Atthetopofthefrontstairsshepausedforamoment，drawingadeepbreath；andthen，beforeherfather\'spuzzledeyes，atransformationcameuponher。
Hershoulders，likehereyelids，hadbeendrooping，butnowshethrewherheadback:theshouldersstraightened，andthelashesliftedoversparklingeyes；vivacitycametoherwholebodyinaflash；andshetrippeddownthesteps，withherprettyhandsrisingintimetotheliltinglittletuneshehadbeguntohum。
Atthefootofthestairs，oneofthoseprettyhandsextendeditselfatfullarm\'slengthtowardRussell，andcontinuedtobeextendeduntilitreachedhisownhandashecametomeether。
"Howterribleofme!"sheexclaimed。"Tobesolatecomingdown!
Andpapa，too——Ithinkyouknoweachother。"
Herfatherwasadvancingtowardtheyoungman，expectingtoshakehandswithhim，butAlicestoodbetweenthem，andRussell，alittleflushed，bowedtohimgravelyoverhershoulder，withoutlookingathim；whereuponAdams，slightlydisconcerted，puthishandsinhispocketsandturnedtohiswife。
"Iguessdinner\'smore\'nready，"hesaid。"Webettergositdown。"
Butsheshookherheadathimfiercely，"Wait!"shewhispered。
"Whatfor？ForWalter？"
"No；hecan\'tbecoming，"shereturned，hurriedly，andagainwarnedhimbyashakeofherhead。"Bequiet!"
"Oh，well——"hemuttered。
"Sitdown!"
Hewasthoroughlymystified，butobeyedhergestureandwenttotherocking-chairintheoppositecorner，wherehesatdown，and，withanexpressionofmeekinquiry，awaitedevents。
Meanwhile，Aliceprattledon:"It\'sreallynotafaultofmine，beingtardy。TheshamefultruthisIwastryingtohurrypapa。
He\'sincorrigible:hestayssolateathisterribleoldfactory——terriblenewfactory，Ishouldsay。Ihopeyoudon\'tHATEusformakingyoudinewithusinsuchfearfulweather!I\'mnearlydyingoftheheat，myself，soyouhaveafellow-sufferer，ifthatpleasesyou。Whyisitwealwaysbearthingsbetterifwethinkotherpeoplehavetostandthem，too？"Andsheadded，withanexcitedlaugh:"SILLYofus，don\'tyouthink？"
Gertrudehadjustmadeherentrancefromthedining-room，bearingatray。Shecameslowly，withanairofresentment；andherskirtstillneededadjusting，whileherlowerjawmovedatintervals，thoughnotnowuponanysubstance，butreminiscently，ofhabit。ShehaltedbeforeAdams，facinghim。
Helookedplaintive。"Whatyouwanto\'me？"heasked。
Forresponse，sheextendedthetraytowardhimwithagestureofindifference；buthestillappearedtobepuzzled。"Whatintheworld——？"hebegan，thencaughthiswife\'seye，andhadpresenceofmindenoughtotakeadampandplasticsandwichfromthetray。"Well，I\'llTRYone，"hesaid，butamomentlater，ashefulfilledthispromise，anexpressionofintensedislikecameuponhisfeatures，andhewouldhavereturnedthesandwichtoGertrude。However，asshehadcrossedtheroomtoMrs。Adamshecheckedthegesture，andsathelplessly，withthesandwichinhishand。Hemadeanotherefforttogetridofitasthewaitresspassedhim，onherwaybacktothedining-room，butsheappearednottoobservehim，andhecontinuedtobetroubledbyit。
Alicewasaloyaldaughter。"Thesearedelicious，mama，"shesaid；andturningtoRussell，"Youmissedit；youshouldhavetakenone。Toobadwecouldn\'thaveofferedyouwhatoughttogowithit，ofcourse，but——"
ShewasinterruptedbythesecondentranceofGertrude，whoannounced，"Dinnerserve\'，"andretiredfromview。
"Well，well!"Adamssaid，risingfromhischair，withrelief。
"That\'sgood!Let\'sgoseeifwecaneatit。"Andasthelittlegroupmovedtowardtheopendoorofthedining-roomhedisposedofhissandwichbydroppingitintheemptyfireplace。
Alice，glancingbackoverhershoulder，wastheonlyonewhosawhim，andsheshudderedinspiteofherself。Then，seeingthathelookedatherentreatingly，asifhewantedtoexplainthathewasdoingthebesthecould，shesmileduponhimsunnily，andbegantochattertoRussellagain。
CHAPTERXXII
Alicekepthersprightlychattergoingwhentheysatdown，thoughthetemperatureoftheroomandthesightofhotsoupmighthavediscouragedalessdeterminedgayety。Moreover，thereweredetailsasunpropitiousastheheat:theexpiringrosesexpressednotbeautybutpathos，andwhatfaintodourtheyexhaledwasnorivaltothelustyemanationsoftheBrusselssprouts；attheheadofthetable，Adams，sittinglowinhischair，appearedtobeunabletoflattentheuprisingwaveofhisstarchedbosom；andGertrude\'smannerandexpressionwereofarecognizablehostilityduringthelongperiodofvainwaitingforthecupsofsouptobeemptied。OnlyMrs。Adamsmadeanyprogressinthisdirection；
theothersmerelyfeinting，nowandthenliftingtheirspoonsasiftheyintendedtodosomethingwiththem。
Alice\'stalkwaslittlemorethancheerfulsound，but，tofilladesolateinterval，serveditspurpose；andhermothersupportedherwithever-faithfulcooingsofapplausivelaughter。"Whatafunnythingweatheris!"thegirlranon。"Yesterdayitwascool——angelshadchargeofit——andto-daytheyhadanengagementsomewhereelse，sothedevilsawhischanceandstartedtomovetheequatortotheNorthPole；butbythetimehegothalf-way，hethoughtofsomethingelsehewantedtodo，andwentoff；andlefttheequatorhere，rightontopofUS!Iwishhe\'dcomebackandgetit!"
"Why，Alicedear!"hermothercried，fondly。"Whatanimagination!Notaverypiousone，I\'mafraidMr。Russellmightthink，though!"HereshegaveGertrudeahiddensignaltoremovethesoup；but，astherewasnoresponse，shehadtomakethesignalmoreconspicuous。Gertrudewasleaningagainstthewall，herchinmovinglikeaslowpendulum，herstreakedeyesfixedmutinouslyuponRussell。Mrs。Adamsnoddedseveraltimes，increasingtheemphasisofhergesture，whileAlicetalkedbriskly；butthebroodingwaitresscontinuedtobrood。Afaintsnapofthefingersfailedtodisturbher；norwasacoverthissingwhisperofavail，andMrs。Adamswasbeginningtoshowsignsofstrainwhenherdaughterrelievedher。
"Imagineourtryingtoeatanythingsohotassouponanightlikethis!"Alicelaughed。"WhatCOULDhavebeeninthecook\'smindnottogiveussomethingicedandjelliedinstead？Ofcourseit\'sbecauseshe\'sequatorial，herself，originally，andonlyfeelsathomewhenMr。Satanmovesitnorth。"ShelookedroundatGertrude，whostoodbehindher。"Dotakethisdreadfulsoupaway!"
Thusdirectlyaddressed，Gertrudeyieldedherattention，thoughunwillingly，andasifshedecidedonlybyahair\'sweightnottorevolt，instead。However，shefinallysetherselfinslowmotion；butoverlookedthesupposedheadofthetable，seemingtobeunawareoftheswelteringlittlemanwhosatthere。Asshedisappearedtowardthekitchenwithbutthreeofthecupsuponhertrayheturnedtolookplaintivelyafterher，andventuredanattempttorecallher。
"Here!"hesaid，inalowvoice。"Here，you!"
"Whatisit，Virgil？"hiswifeasked。
"What\'shername？"
Mrs。Adamsgavehimaglanceofsuddenpanic，and，seeingthattheguestoftheeveningwasnotlookingather，butdownatthewhiteclothbeforehim，shefrownedhard，andshookherhead。
UnfortunatelyAlicewasnotobservinghermother，andasked，innocently:"What\'swhosename，papa？"
"Why，thisyoungdarkywoman，"heexplained。"Sheleftmine。"
"Nevermind，"Alicelaughed。"There\'shopeforyou，papa。Shehasn\'tgoneforever!"
"Idon\'tknowaboutthat，"hesaid，notcontentwiththisimpulsiveassurance。"SheLOOKEDlikesheis。"Andhisremark，consideredasaprediction，hadbeguntoseemwarrantedbeforeGertrude\'sreturnwithchinapreliminarytothenextstageofthebanquet。
Aliceprovedherselfequaltothelonggap，andrattledonthroughitwithaspiritrichlyjustifyinghermother\'spraiseofheras"alwaysreadytosmooththingsover"；forherewasmorethanlongdelaytobesmoothedover。ShesmoothedoverherfatherandmotherforRussell；andshesmoothedoverhimforthem，thoughhedidnotknowit，andremainedunawareofwhatheowedher。Withallthis，throughoutherprattlings，thegirl\'sbrighteyeskeptseekinghiswithaneagergayety，whichbutlittleveiledbothinterrogationandentreaty——asifsheasked:
"Isittoomuchforyou？Can\'tyoubearit？Won\'tyouPLEASE
bearit？Iwouldforyou。Won\'tyougivemeasignthatit\'sallright？"
Helookedatherbutfleetingly，andseemedtosufferfromtheheat，inspiteofeverymanlyeffortnottowipehisbrowtoooften。Hiscolour，afterrisingwhenhegreetedAliceandherfather，haddeparted，leavinghimagainmoistlypallid；aconditionarisingfromdiscomfort，nodoubt，but，consideredasadecoration，almostpoeticallybecomingtohim。Notlessbecomingwasthefaint，kindlysmile，whichshowedhiswishtoexpressamusementandapproval；andyetitwasasmileratherstrainedandplaintive，asifhe，likeAdams，couldonlydothebesthecould。
HepleasedAdams，whothoughthimafineyoungman，anddecidedlythequietestthatAlicehadevershowntoherfamily。Inherfather\'sopinionthiswasnosmallmerit；anditwastoRussell\'scredit，too，thatheshowedembarrassmentuponthisfirstintimatepresentation；herewasanapplicantwithbothreserveandmodesty。"Sofar，heseemstobefirstrateamightyfineyoungman，"Adamsthought；and，promptedbynowishtopartfromAlicebutbyreminiscencesofapparentcandidateslesspleasing，headded，"Atlast!"
Alice\'slivelinessneverflagged。Hersmoothingoverofthingswasanalmostcontinuousperformance，andhadtobe。Yet，whileshechatteredthroughthehotandheavycourses，thequestionssheaskedherselfwereascontinuousastheperformance，andaspoignantaswhathereyesseemedtobeaskingRussell。Whyhadshenotprevailedoverhermother\'sfearofbeing"skimpy？"Hadshebeen，indeed，ashermothersaidshelooked，"inatrance？"
Butaboveall:WhatwasthematterwithHIM？Whathadhappened？
Forshetoldherselfwithpainfulhumourthatsomethingevenworsethanthisdinnermustbe"thematterwithhim。"
Thesmallroom，suffocatedwiththeodourofboiledsprouts，grewhotterandhotterasmoreandmorefoodappeared，slowlybornein，betweendeathlylongwaits，bytheresentful，loud-breathingGertrude。AndwhileAlicestillsoughtRussell\'sglance，andreadthelookuponhisfaceadozendifferentways，fearingallofthem；andwhilethestragglinglittleflowersdieduponthestainedcloth，shefeltherheartgrowasheavyasthefood，andwonderedthatitdidnotdieliketheroses。
Withthearrivalofcoffee，thehostbestirredhimselftomakeknownahospitableregret，"ByGeorge!"hesaid。"Imeanttobuysomecigars。"Headdressedhimselfapologeticallytotheguest。
"Idon\'tknowwhatIwasthinkingabout，toforgettobringsomehomewithme。Idon\'tuse\'emmyself——unlesssomebodyhandsmeone，youmightsay。I\'vealwaysbeenapipe-smoker，pureandsimple，butIoughttorememberedforkindofanoccasionlikethis。"
"Notatall，"Russellsaid。"I\'mnotsmokingatalllately；butwhenIdo，I\'mlikeyou，andsmokeapipe。"
Alicestarted，rememberingwhatshehadtoldhimwhenheovertookheronherwayfromthetobacconist\'s；but，afteramoment，lookingathim，shedecidedthathemusthaveforgottenit。Ifhehadremembered，shethought，hecouldnothavehelpedglancingather。Onthecontrary，heseemedmoreatease，justthen，thanhehadsincetheysatdown，forhewasfavouringherfatherwithathoughtfulattentionasAdamsrespondedtotheintroductionofaman\'stopicintotheconversationatlast。"Well，Mr。
Russell，Iguessyou\'reright，atthat。Idon\'tsaybutwhatcigarsmaybeallrightforamanthatcanafford\'em，ifhelikes\'embetterthanapipe，butyoutakeagoodoldpipenow——"
Hecontinued，andwasgettingwellintotheeulogiumcustomarilyprovokedbythistheme，whentherecameaninterruption:thedoor-bellrang，andhepausedinquiringly，rathersurprised。
Mrs。AdamsspoketoGertrudeinanundertone:
"Justsay，\'Notathome。\'"
"What？"
"Ifit\'scallers，justsaywe\'renotathome。"
Gertrudespokeoutfreely:"Youmeanyouastin\'meto\'tendyou\'
frontdo\'feryou？"
Sheseemedbothincredulousandaffronted，butMrs。Adamspersisted，thoughsomewhatapprehensively。"Yes。
Hurry——uh——please。Justsaywe\'renotathomeifyouplease。"
AgainGertrudeobviouslyhesitatedbetweencomplianceandrevolt，andagainthemeekercoursefortunatelyprevailedwithher。ShegaveMrs。Adamsastare，grimlyderisive，thendeparted。Whenshecamebackshesaid:
"Hesayhewait。"
"ButItoldyoutotellanybodywewerenotathome，"MrsAdamsreturned。"Whoisit？"
"SayhenameMr。Law。"
"Wedon\'tknowanyMr。Law。"
"Yes\'m；heknowyou。SayheanxioustospeakMr。Adams。Sayhewait。"
"TellhimMr。Adamsisengaged。"
"Holdonaminute，"Adamsintervened。"Law？No。Idon\'tknowanyMr。Law。Yousureyougotthenameright？"
"SayhenameLaw，"Gertrudereplied，lookingattheceilingtoexpressherfatigue。"Law。\'Sallhetellme；\'sallIknow。"
Adamsfrowned。"Law，"hesaid。"Wasn\'titmaybe\'Lohr？\'"
"Law，"Gertruderepeated。\'Sallhetellme；\'sallIknow。"
"What\'shelooklike？"
"Heain\'tmuch，"shesaid。"\'Boutyou\'age；gotbrustlywhitemoustache，niceeye-glasses。"
"It\'sCharleyLohr!"Adamsexclaimed。"I\'llgoseewhathewants。"
"But，Virgil，"hiswiferemonstrated，"dofinishyourcoffee；hemightstayallevening。Maybehe\'scometocall。"
Adamslaughed。"Heisn\'tmuchofacaller，Iexpect。Don\'tworry:I\'lltakehimuptomyroom。"AndturningtowardRussell，"Ah——ifyou\'lljustexcuseme，"hesaid；andwentouttohisvisitor。
Whenhehadgone，Mrs。Adamsfinishedhercoffee，and，havingglancedintelligentlyfromherguesttoherdaughter，sherose。
"IthinkperhapsIoughttogoandshakehandswithMr。Lohr，myself，"shesaid，addinginexplanationtoRussell，asshereachedthedoor，"He\'sanoldfriendofmyhusband\'sandit\'saverylongtimesincehe\'sbeenhere。"
Alicenoddedandsmiledtoherbrightly，butupontheclosingofthedoor，thesmilevanished；allherlivelinessdisappeared；andwiththischangeofexpressionhercomplexionitselfappearedtochange，sothatherrougebecameobvious，forshewaspalebeneathit。However，Russelldidnotseethealteration，forhedidnotlookather；anditwasbutamomentarylapsethevacationofatiredgirl，whofortensecondsletsherselflookasshefeels。Thensheshothervivacitybackintoplaceasbysomepowerfulspring。
"Pennyforyourthoughts!"shecried，andtossedoneofthewiltedrosesathim，acrossthetable。"I\'llbidmorethanapenny；I\'llbidtuppence——no，apoorlittledeadrosearoseforyourthoughts，Mr。ArthurRussell!Whatarethey？"
Heshookhishead。"I\'mafraidIhaven\'tany。"
"No，ofcoursenot，"shesaid。"Whocouldhavethoughtsinweatherlikethis？WillyouEVERforgiveus？"
"Whatfor？"
"Makingyoueatsuchaheavydinner——ImeanLOOKatsuchaheavydinner，becauseyoucertainlydidn\'tdomorethanlookatit——onsuchanight!Butthecrimedrawstoaclose，andyoucanbegintocheerup!"Shelaughedgaily，and，rising，movedtothedoor。
"Let\'sgointheotherroom；yourfearfuldutyisalmostdone，andyoucanrunhomeassoonasyouwantto。That\'swhatyou\'redyingtodo。"
"Notatall，"hesaidinavoicesofeeblethatshelaughedaloud。
"Goodgracious!"shecried。"Ihadn\'trealizeditwasTHATbad!"
Forthis，thoughhecontrivedtolaugh，heseemedtohavenoverbalretortwhatever；butfollowedherintothe"living-room，"
whereshestoppedandturned，facinghim。
"Hasitreallybeensofrightful？"sheasked。
"Why，ofcoursenot。Notatall。"
"Ofcourseyes，though，youmean!"
"Notatall。It\'sbeenmostkindofyourmotherandfatherandyou。"
"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"you\'veneveroncelookedatmeformorethanasecondatatimethewholeevening？AnditseemedtomeI
lookedratherniceto-night，too!"
"Youalwaysdo，"hemurmured。
"Idon\'tseehowyouknow，"shereturned；andthensteppingclosertohim，spokewithgentlesolicitude:"Tellme:you\'rereallyfeelingwretchedly，aren\'tyou？Iknowyou\'vegotafearfulheadache，orsomething。Tellme!"
"Notatall。"
"Youareill——I\'msureofit。"
"Notatall。"
"Onyourword？"
"I\'mreallyquiteallright。"
"Butifyouare——"shebegan；andthen，lookingathimwithadesperatesweetness，asifthiswereherlastresourcetorousehim，"What\'sthematter，littleboy？"shesaidwithlispingtenderness。"Tellauntie!"
Itwasamistake，forheseemedtoflinch，andtoleanbackward，however，slightly。Sheturnedawayinstantly，withaflippantliftanddropofbothhands。"Oh，mydear!"shelaughed。"I
won\'teatyou!"
Andasthediscomfitedyoungmanwatchedher，seemingabletolifthiseyes，nowthatherbackwasturned，shewenttothefrontdoorandpushedopenthescreen。"Let\'sgooutontheporch，"shesaid。"Wherewebelong!"
Then，whenhehadfollowedherout，andtheywereseated，"Isn\'tthisbetter？"sheasked。"Don\'tyoufeelmorelikeyourselfouthere？"
Hebeganamurmur:"Notat——"
Butshecuthimoffsharply:"Pleasedon\'tsay\'Notatall\'
again!"
"I\'msorry。"
"Youdoseemsorryaboutsomething，"shesaid。"Whatisit？
Isn\'tittimeyouweretellingmewhat\'sthematter？"
"Nothing。Indeednothing\'sthematter。OfcourseoneISratheraffectedbysuchweatherasthis。Itmaymakeonealittlequieterthanusual，ofcourse。"
Shesighed，andletthetiredmusclesofherfacerest。Underthehardlights，indoors，theyhadservedheruntiltheyached，anditwasaluxurytofeelthatinthedarknessnogrimacingsneedcalluponthem。
"Ofcourse，ifyouwon\'ttellme——"shesaid。
"Icanonlyassureyouthere\'snothingtotell。"
"Iknowwhatanuglylittlehouseitis，"shesaid。"Maybeitwasthefurniture——ormama\'svasesthatupsetyou。Orwasitmamaherself——orpapa？"
"Nothing\'upset\'me。"
Atthatsheutteredamonosyllableofdoubtinglaughter。"I
wonderwhyyousaythat。"
"Becauseit\'sso。"
"No。It\'sbecauseyou\'retookind，ortooconscientious，ortooembarrassed——anyhowtoosomething——totellme。"Sheleanedforward，elbowsonkneesandchininhands，inthereflectiveattitudesheknewhowtomakegraceful。"Ihaveafeelingthatyou\'renotgoingtotellme，"shesaid，slowly。"Yes——eventhatyou\'renevergoingtotellme。Iwonder——Iwonder——"
"Yes？Whatdoyouwonder？"
"Iwasjustthinking——Iwonderiftheyhaven\'tdoneit，afterall。"
"Idon\'tunderstand。"
"Iwonder，"shewenton，stillslowly，andinavoiceofreflection，"IwonderwhoHASbeentalkingaboutmetoyou，afterall？Isn\'tthatit？"
"Notat——"hebegan，butcheckedhimselfandsubstitutedanotherformofdenial。"Nothingis\'it。\'"
"Areyousure？"
"Why，yes。"
"Howcurious!"shesaid。
"Why？"
"Becausealleveningyou\'vebeensoutterlydifferent。"
"Butinthisweather——"
"No。Thatwouldn\'tmakeyouafraidtolookatmeallevening!"
"ButIdidlookatyou。Often。"
"No。NotreallyaLOOK。"
"ButI\'mlookingatyounow。"
"Yes——inthedark!"shesaid。"No——theweathermightmakeyouevenquieterthanusual，butitwouldn\'tstrikeyousonearlydumb。No——anditwouldn\'tmakeyouseemtobeundersuchastrain——asifyouthoughtonlyofescape!"
"ButIhaven\'t——"
"Youshouldn\'t，"sheinterrupted，gently。"There\'snothingyouhavetoescapefrom，youknow。Youaren\'tcommittedto——tothisfriendship。"
"I\'msorryyouthink——"hebegan，butdidnotcompletethefragment。
Shetookitup。"You\'resorryIthinkyou\'resodifferent，youmeantosay，don\'tyou？Nevermind:that\'swhatyoudidmeantosay，butyoucouldn\'tfinishitbecauseyou\'renotgoodatdeceiving。"
"Oh，no，"heprotested，feebly。"I\'mnotdeceiving。"I\'m——"
"Nevermind，"shesaidagain。"You\'resorryIthinkyou\'resodifferent——andallinoneday——sincelastnight。Yes，yourvoiceSOUNDSsorry，too。Itsoundssorrierthanitwouldjustbecauseofmythinkingsomethingyoucouldchangemymindaboutinaminutesoitmeansyou\'resorryyouAREdifferent。"
"No——I——"
Butdisregardingthefaintdenial，"Nevermind，"shesaid。"Doyourememberonenightwhenyoutoldmethatnothinganybodyelsecoulddowouldeverkeepyoufromcominghere？Thatifyou——ifyouleftmeitwouldbebecauseIdroveyouawaymyself？"
"Yes，"hesaid，huskily。"Itwastrue。"
"Areyousure？"
"IndeedIam，"heansweredinalowvoice，butwithconviction。
"Then——"Shepaused。"Well——butIhaven\'tdrivenyouaway。"
"No。"
"Andyetyou\'vegone，"shesaid，quietly。
"DoIseemsostupidasallthat？"
"YouknowwhatImean。"Sheleanedbackinherchairagain，andherhands，inactiveforonce，laymotionlessinherlap。Whenshespokeitwasinaruefulwhisper:
"IwonderifIHAVEdrivenyouaway？"
"You\'vedonenothing——nothingatall，"hesaid。
"Iwonder——"shesaidoncemore，butshestopped。Inhermindshewasgoingbackovertheirtimetogethersincethefirstmeeting——fragmentsoftalk，momentsofsilence，littlethingsofnoimportance，littlethingsthatmightbeimportant；moonshine，sunshine，starlight；andherthoughtszigzaggedamongthejumblingmemories；but，asifshemadeforherselfapictureofallthesefragments，throwingthemuponthecanvashaphazard，shesawthemalljusttouchedwiththeonetaintingqualitythatgavethemcoherence，thefaint，falsehazeshehadputoverthisfriendshipbyherownpretendings。And，ifthisterribledinner，oranything，oreverything，hadshownthatsaffrontintinitstruecolourtothemanatherside，lastnightalmostalover，thenshehadindeedofherselfdrivenhimaway，andmightwellfeelthatshewaslost。
"Doyouknow？"shesaid，suddenly，inaclear，loudvoice。"I
havethestrangestfeeling。IfeelasifIweregoingtobewithyouonlyaboutfiveminutesmoreinalltherestofmylife!"
"Why，no，"hesaid。"OfcourseI\'mcomingtoseeyou——often。
I——"
"No，"sheinterrupted。"I\'veneverhadafeelinglikethisbefore。It\'s——it\'sjustSO；that\'sall!You\'reGOING——why，you\'renevercominghereagain!"Shestoodup，abruptly，beginningtotrembleallover。"Why，it\'sFINISHED，isn\'tit？"
shesaid，andhertremblingwasmanifestnowinhervoice。"Why，it\'sallOVER，isn\'tit？Why，yes!"
Hehadrisenasshedid。"I\'mafraidyou\'reawfullytiredandnervous，"hesaid。"Ireallyoughttobegoing。"
"Yes，ofCOURSEyouought，"shecried，despairingly。"There\'snothingelseforyoutodo。Whenanything\'sspoiled，peopleCAN\'Tdoanythingbutrunawayfromit。Sogood-bye!"
"Atleast，"hereturned，huskily，"we\'llonly——onlysaygood-night。"
Then，asmovingtogo，hestumbledupontheverandasteps，"YourHAT!"shecried。"I\'dliketokeepitforasouvenir，butI\'mafraidyouneedit!"
Sheranintothehallandbroughthisstrawhatfromthechairwherehehadleftit。"Youpoorthing!"shesaid，withquaveringlaughter。"Don\'tyouknowyoucan\'tgowithoutyourhat？"
Then，astheyfacedeachotherfortheshortmomentwhichbothofthemknewwouldbethelastofalltheirverandamoments，Alice\'sbrokenlaughtergrewlouder。"Whatathingtosay!"shecried。
"Whataromanticparting——talkingaboutHATS!"
Herlaughtercontinuedasheturnedaway，butothersoundscamefromwithinthehouse，clearlyaudiblewiththeopeningofadoorupstairs——alongandwailingcryoflamentationinthevoiceofMrs。Adams。Russellpausedatthesteps，uncertain，butAlicewavedtohimtogoon。
"Oh，don\'tbother，"shesaid。"Wehavelotsofthatinthisfunnylittleoldhouse!Good-bye!"
Andashewentdownthesteps，sheranbackintothehouseandclosedthedoorheavilybehindher。
CHAPTERXXIII
Hermother\'swailingcouldstillbeheardfromoverhead，thoughmorefaintly；andoldCharleyLohrwascomingdownthestairsalone。
HelookedatAlicecompassionately。"Iwasjustcomin\'tosuggestmaybeyou\'dexcuseyourselffromyourcompany，"hesaid。
"Yourmotherwasboundnottodisturbyou，andtriedherbesttokeepyoufromhearin\'howshe\'stakin\'on，butIthoughtprobablyyoubetterseetoher。"
"Yes，I\'llcome。What\'sthematter？"
"Well，"hesaid，"_I_onlysteppedovertooffermysympathyandservices，asitwere。_I_thoughtofcourseyoufolksknewallaboutit。Factis，itwasintheeveningpaper——justalittlebitofanitemonthebackpage，ofcourse。"
"Whatisit？"
Hecoughed。"Well，itain\'tanythingsoterrible，"hesaid。
"Factis，yourbrotherWalter\'sgotinalittletrouble——well，I
supposeyoumightcallitquiteagooddealoftrouble。Factis，he\'squiteconsiderableshortinhisaccountsdownatLambandCompany。"
Aliceranupthestairsandintoherfather\'sroom，whereMrs。
Adamsthrewherselfintoherdaughter\'sarms。"Ishegone？"shesobbed。"Hedidn\'thearme，didhe？Itriedsohard——"
Alicepattedtheheavingshouldersherarmsenclosed。"No，no，"
shesaid。"Hedidn\'thearyou——itwouldn\'thavemattered——hedoesn\'tmatteranyway。"
"Oh，POORWalter!"Themothercried。"Oh，thePOORboy!Poor，poorWalter!Poor，poor，poor，POOR——"
"Hush，dear，hush!"Alicetriedtosootheher，butthelamentcouldnotbeabated，andfromtheothersideoftheroomarepetitioninadifferentspiritwasascontinuous。Adamspacedfuriouslythere，poundinghisfistintohisleftpalmashestrode。"Thedangboy!"hesaid。"Danglittlefool!Dangidiot!Dangfool!Whyn\'theTELLme，thedanglittlefool？"
"HeDID!"Mrs。Adamssobbed。"HeDIDtellyou，andyouwouldn\'tGIVEittohim。"
"HeDID，didhe？"Adamsshoutedather。"Whathebeggedmeforwasmoneytorunawaywith!Heneverdreamedofputtingbackwhathetook。Whatthedangnationyoutalkingabout——accusingme!"
"HeNEEDEDit，"shesaid。"Heneededittorunawaywith!HowcouldheexpecttoLIVE，afterhegotaway，ifhedidn\'thavealittlemoney？Oh，poor，poor，POORWalter!Poor，poor，poor——"
Shewentbacktothisrepetition；andAdamswentbacktohisown，thenpaused，seeinghisoldfriendstandinginthehallwayoutsidetheopendoor。
"Ah——I\'lljustbegoin\'，Iguess，Virgil，"Lohrsaid。"Idon\'tseeasthere\'sanyusemytryin\'tosayanymore。I\'lldoanythingyouwantmeto，youunderstand。"
"Waitaminute，"Adamssaid，and，groaning，cameandwentdownthestairswithhim。"Yousayyoudidn\'tseetheoldmanatall？"
"No，Idon\'tknowathingaboutwhathe\'sgoingtodo，"Lohrsaid，astheyreachedthelowerfloor。"Notathing。Butlookhere，Virgil，Idon\'tseeasthiscallsforyouandyourwifetotakeonsohardabout——anyhownotashardasthewayyou\'vestarted。"
"No，"Adamsgulped。"Italwaysseemsthatwaytotheotherpartythat\'sonlylookingon!"
"Oh，well，Iknowthat，ofcourse，"oldCharleyreturned，soothingly。"Butlookhere，Virgil:theymaynotcatchtheboy；
theydidn\'tevenseemtobesurewhattrainhemade，andiftheydogethim，why，theolemanmightdecidenottoprosecuteif——"
"HIM？"Adamscried，interrupting。"Himnotprosecute？Why，that\'swhathe\'sbeenwaitingfor，allalong!Hethinksmyboyandmebothcheatedhim!Why，hewasjustlettingWalterwalkintoatrap!Didn\'tyousaythey\'dbeensuspectinghimforsometimeback？Didn\'tyousaythey\'dbeenwatchinghimandwerejustaboutfixingtoarresthim？"
"Yes，Iknow，"saidLohr；"butyoucan\'ttell，especiallyifyouraisethemoneyandpayitback。"
"Everycent!"Adamsvociferated。"Everylastpenny!Icanraiseit——IGOTtoraiseit!I\'mgoingtoputaloanonmyfactoryto-morrow。Oh，I\'llgetitforhim，youtellhim!Everylastpenny!"
"Well，olefeller，youjusttryandgetquieteddownsomenow。"
Charleyheldouthishandinparting。"Youandyourwifejustquietdownsome。YouAIN\'Tthehealthiestmanintheworld，youknow，andyoualreadybeenunderquitesomestrainbeforethishappened。Youwanttotakecareofyourselfforthesakeofyourwifeandthatsweetlittlegirlupstairs，youknow。Now，good-night，"hefinished，steppingoutupontheveranda。"Yousendformeifthere\'sanythingIcando。"
"Do？"Adamsechoed。"Thereain\'tanythingANYBODYcando!"Andthen，ashisoldfriendwentdownthepathtothesidewalk，hecalledafterhim，"YoutellhimI\'llpayhimeverylastcent!
Everylast，dang，dirtyPENNY!"
Heslammedthedoorandwentrapidlyupthestairs，talkingloudlytohimself。"Everydang，last，dirtypenny!ThinksEVERYBODYinthisfamilywantstostealfromhim，doeshe？
Thinkswe\'reALLyellow，doeshe？I\'llshowhim!"Andhecameintohisownroomvociferating，"Everylast，dang，dirtypenny!"
Mrs。Adamshadcollapsed，andAlicehadputheruponhisbed，whereshelaytossingconvulsivelyandsobbing，"Oh，POOR
Walter!"overandover，butafteratimeshevariedthesorrytune。"Oh，poorAlice!"shemoaned，clingingtoherdaughter\'shand。"Oh，poor，POORAlicetohaveTHIScomeonthenightofyourdinner——justwheneverythingseemedtobegoingsowell——atlast——oh，poor，poor，POOR——"
"Hush!"Alicesaid，sharply。"Don\'tsay\'poorAlice!\'I\'mallright。"
"YouMUSTbe!"hermothercried，clutchingher。"You\'vejustGOT
tobe!ONEofushasgottobeallright——surelyGodwouldn\'tmindjustONEofusbeingallright——thatwouldn\'thurtHim——"
"Hush，hush，mother!Hush!"
ButMrs。Adamsonlyclutchedherthemoretightly。"HeseemedSUCHaniceyoungman，dearie!Hemaynotseethisinthepaper——Mr。Lohrsaiditwasjustalittlebitofanitem——heMAY
notseeit，dearie——"
