第1章

HENRYGOWERwasdeadatsixty-one——theendofalifelongfraudwhichneverhadbeensuspected，andneverwouldbe。Withtheworld，withhisacquaintancesandneighbors，withhiswifeandsonanddaughter，hepassedasagenerous，warm-hearted，good-naturedman，readyatalltimestodoanythingtohelpanybody，incapableofenvyorhatredormeanness。Infact，notonceinallhisdayshadheeverthoughtordoneasinglethingexceptforhisowncomfort。Likeallintenselyselfishpeoplewhoarewise，hewascheerfulandamiable，becausethatwasthewaytobehealthyandhappyandtohavethosearoundoneagreeableandinthemoodtodowhatonewishedthemtodo。Hetoldpeople，notthetruth，nottheunpleasantthingthatmighthelpthem，butwhattheywishedtohear。Hisfamilylivedinluxuriouscomfortonlybecausehehimselfwasfondofluxuriouscomfort。

Hiswifeandhisdaughterdressedfashionablyandwentaboutandentertainedinthefashionable，expensivewayonlybecausethatwasthesortoflifethatgratifiedhisvanity。Helivedtogetwhathewanted。hegotiteverydayandeveryhourofalifeintowhichnoraineverfell。hedied，honored，respected，beloved，andlamented。

Theclevertrickhehadplayeduponhisfellowbeingscameveryneartodiscoveryafewdaysafterhisdeath。Hiswidowandhersonanddaughter-in-lawanddaughterwereintheliving-roomofthecharminghouseatHangingRock，nearNewYork，alternatingbetweensorrowingsoverthedeadmanandplanningsforthefuture。Saidthewidow：

``IfHenryhadonlythoughtwhatwouldbecomeofusifheweretakenaway！’’

``Ifhehadsavedevenasmallpartofwhathemadeeveryyearfromthetimehewastwenty-six——forhealwaysmadeabigincome，’’saidhisson，Frank。

``Buthewassogenerous，sosoft-hearted！’’

exclaimedthewidow。``Hecoulddenyusnothing。’’

``Hecouldn’tbearseeinguswiththeslightestwishungratified，’’saidFrank。

``Hewasthebestfatherthateverlived！’’criedthedaughter，Mildred。

AndMrs。GowertheelderandMrs。Gowertheyoungerwept。andMildredturnedawaytohidetheemotiondistortingherface。andFrankstaredgloomilyatthecarpetandsighed。Thehideoussecretofthelifeofduplicitywassafe，safeforever。

Infact，HenryGowerhadoftenthoughtofthefateofhisfamilyifheshoulddie。Inthefirstyearofhismarriedlife，atatimewhenpassionforabeautifulbridewasalmostsweepinghimintogenerousthought，hehadlistenedforupwardofanhourtotheeloquenceofalifeinsuranceagent。Thentheagent，misledbyGower’seffusivelygenerousandunselfishexpressions，hadtakenafalsetack。Hehaddescanteduponthesupremesatisfactionthatwouldbefeltbyadyingmanashereflectedhowhisyoungwidowwouldbeleftinaffluence。Hemadeavividpicture。Gowersaw——

sawhisbridehappierafterhisdeaththanshehadbeenduringhislife，andattractingaswarmofadmirersbyherbeauty，wellsetoffinbecomingblack，andbyherindependentincome。Thegenerousimpulsethenandthereshriveledtoitsweakandshallowroots。Withtearsinhiskind，cleareyeshethankedtheagentandsaid：

``Youhaveconvincedme。Youneedsaynomore。

I’llsendforyouinafewdays。’’

Theagentnevergotintohispresenceagain。

Gowerliveduptohisincome，secureintheknowledgethathisabilityasalawyermadehimcertainofplentyofmoneyaslongasheshouldlive。Butitwouldshowanutterlackofcomprehensionofhispeculiarspeciesofcharactertoimaginethathelethimselfintothesecretofhisownicy-heartednessbyceasingtothinkoftheproblemofhiswifeandtwochildrenwithouthimtotakecareofthem。Onthecontrary，hethoughtofiteveryday，andplannedwhathewoulddoaboutit——to-morrow。Andforhisdelayhehadexcellentconvincingexcuses。Didhenottakecareofhisnaturallyrobusthealth？Wouldhenotcertainlyout-

livehiswife，whowasalwaysdoctoringmoreorless？

Frankwouldbeabletotakecareofhimself。anyhow，itwasnotwelltobringaboyuptoexpectations，becauseeverymanshouldbeself-supportingandself-

reliant。AsforMildred，why，withherbeautyandherclevernessshecouldnotbutmakeabrilliantmarriage。

Really，therewasforhimnoproblemofanorphanedfamily’sfuture。therewasnoreasonwhyheshoulddenyhimselfanycomfortorluxury，orhisvanityanyofthetitillationsthatcomefromsocialdisplay。

Thatoneofhiscalculationswhichwasthemostvitalandseemedthesurestprovedtobeworthless。Itisnottheweaklingswhodie，afterinfancyandyouth，butthestrong，healthymenandwomen。Theweaklingshavetolookoutforthemselves，receiveamplewarninginthedisastrousobviouseffectsoftheslightestimprudence。Therobust，eventhewariestofthem，eventheHenryGowers，overestimateandovertaxtheirstrength。Gower’sdownfallwaschampagne。Hecouldnotresistabottleofitfordinnereverynight。

Assooftenhappens，thecollapseofthekidneyscamewithoutanywarningthatamanofpowerfulconstitutionwoulddeemworthyofnotice。Bythetimethedoctorbegantosuspectthegravityofhistroublehewastoofargone。

Frank，candidlygreedyandselfish——``Suchacontrasttohisfather！’’everyonesaid——wasmarriedtotheprettiestgirlinHangingRockandhadasatisfactorylawpracticeinNewYork。Hisincomewasaboutfifteenthousandayear。Buthiswifehadtastesasextravagantashisown。andHangingRockisoneofthosesuburbsofNewYorkwheregatherwell-to-domiddle-classpeopletoliveluxuriouslyandtodeludeeachotherandthemselveswiththenotionthattheyarefashionable，richNewYorkerswhoprefertoliveinthecountry``liketheEnglish。’’Thus，HenryGower’swidowanddaughtercouldcountonlittlehelpfromFrank——andtheyknewit。

``YouandMillywillhavetomovetosomelessexpensiveplacethanHangingRock，’’saidFrank——itwastheliving-roomconferenceafewdaysafterthefuneral。

Mildredflushedandhereyesflashed。Sheopenedherlipstospeak——closedthemagainwiththeangryretortunuttered。Afterall，Frankwashermother’sandhersoledependence。Theycouldhopeforlittlefromhim，butnothingmustbesaidthatwouldgivehimandhismean，selfishwifeachancetobreakwiththemandrefusetodoanythingwhatever。

``AndMildredmustgetmarried，’’saidNatalie。

InHangingRockmostofthegirlsandmanyoftheboyshadgivennamestakenfromBurke’sPeerage，theAlmanacdeGotha，andfashionablenovels。

AgainMildredflushed。buthereyesdidnotflash，neitherdidsheopenherlipstospeak。Thelittleremarkofhersister-in-law，apparentlysoharmlessandsensible，wasinfactapoisonedarrow。ForMildredwastwenty-three，hadbeen``out’’fiveyears，andwasnoteveninthewaytobecomeengaged。Sheandeveryonehadassumedfromherlovelybabyhoodthatshewouldmarrysplendidly，wouldmarrywealthandsocialposition。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Hadshenotbeauty？Hadshenotfamilyandposition？Hadshenotstyleandcleverness？Yet——fiveyearsoutandnota``serious’’proposal。Animpudentpoorfellowwithnoprospectshadaskedher。AnimpudentrichmanfromfashionableNewYorkhadhungafterher——andhadpresentlyabandonedwhateverdarkprojectshemayhavebeenconcealingandhadmarriedinhisownset，``astheyalwaysdo，themiserablesnobs，’’

ravedMrs。Gower，whohadbeenbuildinghighuponthoselavishoutpouringsofcandy，flowers，andautomobilerides。Mildred，however，hadacceptedthedefectionmorephilosophically。ShehadhadenoughvanitytoliketheattentionsoftherichandfashionableNewYorker，enoughgoodsensetosuspect，perhapsnotdefinitely，whatthoseattentionsmeant，butcertainlywhattheydidnotmean。Also，inthebackofherheadhadbeenanintentiontorefuseStanleyBaird，ifbychanceheshouldaskher。Wasthereanysubstancetothisintention，sprungfromherdislikingtheconceited，self-assuredsnobasmuchasshelikedhiswealthandstation？Perhapsnot。Whocansay？Atanyrate，maywenotclaimcreditforourgoodintentions——solongas，eventhroughlackofopportunity，wehavenotstultifiedthem？

Witheverynaturaladvantageapparently，Mildred’sfailuretocatchahusbandseemedtobesomehowherownfault。Othergirls，lessendowedthanshe，weremarrying，weremarryingfairlywell。Why，then，wasMildredlagginginthemarket？

Theremayhavebeenotherreasons，reasonsofaccident——for，inthehigherclassmatrimonialmarket，fewarecalledandfewerchosen。Therewasonereasonnotaccidental。HangingRockwasnoplaceforagirlsosuperioraswasMildredGowertofindafittinghusband。Ashasbeenhinted，HangingRockwasoneofthoseupper-middle-classcolonieswheresplurgeandsocialambitiondominatethecommunitylife。Insuchcoloniestheyoungmenareoftwoclasses——thosebeneathsuchagirlasMildred，andthosewhohadthelooks，themanners，theintelligence，andtheprospectstojustifytheminlookinghighersocially——inlookingamongtheveryrichandreallyfashionable。IntheHangingRocksortofcommunity，havingallthesnobbishnessofFifthAvenue，BackBay，andRittenhouseSquare，withtheaddedtormentofthesnobbishnessbeingperpetuallyungratified——insuchcommunities，beneathasurfacereekingcultureandidealisticfolderol，thereisacoarseandbrutalmaterialism，apassionformoney，forluxury，fordisplay，thatequalsaristocraticsocietiesattheirworst。Noonecanliveforawinter，muchlessgrowup，insuchaplacewithoutbecomingsaturatedwithsycophantry。Thus，onlybysomeimpossiblecombinationofchancescouldtherehavebeenatHangingRockayoungmanwhowouldhaveappreciatedMildredandhavehadthecourageofhisappreciation。Thiscombinationdidnothappen。

InMildred’sgenerationandsettherewereonlythetwoclassesofmennotedabove。Themenoftheoneofthemwhichcouldnothaveattractedheracceptedtheirfateofmatingwithsecond-choicefemalestowhomtheywerethemselvessecondchoice。ThemenoftheotherclassrarelyappearedatHangingRockfunctions，hungabouttherichpeopleinNewYork，Newport，andonLongIsland，andwouldassoonhavethoughtoftakingaHangingRocksocietygirltowifeasofexchanginghundred-dollarbillsfortwenty-five-centpieces。Havingattractionsacceptableinthebestmarkets，theytookthemthere。HangingRockdenouncedthemassnobs，forHangingRockwasvirtuouslyeloquentonthesubjectofsnobbishness——wehumancreaturesbeingneversoeffectiveaswhenassailinginotherstheviceorweaknessweknowfromlifelong，intimate，internalassociationwithit。Butsecretlythesuccessfullyambitiousspurnersofthatsuburbansocietywereapproved，wereenvied。AndHangingRockwasmostgracioustothemwheneveritgotthechance。

InherfiveyearsofsociallifeMildredhadgoneonlywiththevariousclassesoffashionablepeople，hadthereforeknownonlythemenwhoarefullofthepoisonofsnobbishness。Shehadbeenbornandbredinanenvironmentasimpregnatedwiththatpoisonastheairofakitchen-gardenwithonions。Sheknewnothingelse。ThesecretintentiontorefuseStanleyBaird，shouldhepropose，wasthereforethemoreastonishing——andthemoresignificant。Fromtimetotimeinanygivenenvironmentyouwillfindsomeisolatedperson，somepersonality，withatraitwhollyforeignandoutofplacethere。Nowitisasoftvoiceandcourteousmannersinaslum。againitisalongingforalifeoffreedomandequalityinamemberofaroyalfamilythathasknownnothingbutsordidslaveryforcenturies。Or，inthepettyconventionalityofaprosperousmiddle-orupper-classcommunityyoucomeupononewhodreams——perhapsvaguelybutstilllongingly——ofanexistencewhereloveandideasshallelevateandglorifylife。Inspiteofhertraining，inspiteoftheteachingandexampleofallaboutherfromthemomentofheropeninghereyesupontheworld，MildredGowerattwenty-threestillretainedsomethingofthesedreamflowerssowninthesoilofhernaturallygoodmindbysomebookorplayorperhapsbysomecasuallyreadandsoonforgottenarticleinmagazineornewspaper。Wehavethehabitofthinkingonlyweedsproduceseedsthatpenetrateandprospereverywhereandanywhere。Thetruthisthatfineplantsofallkinds，vegetable，fruit，andflowerofrarestcolorandperfume，havethissamehardinessandfecundity。Pullawayattheweedsinyourgardenforawhile，andseeifthisisnotso。Thoughyoumayplantnothing，youwillbeamazedattheresultsifyoubutclearalittlespaceofitsweeds——whichyouhavebeenplantingandcultivating。

Mildred——womanfashion——regardeditasareproachuponherthatshehadnotyetsucceededinmakingthemarriageeveryone，includingherself，predictedforherandexpectedofher。Onthecontrary，itwasthemostsavageindictmentpossibleofthemarriageableandmarryingmenwhohadmether——oftheirstupidity，oftheirshort-sightedandmean-souledcalculation，oftheirlackofcourage——thecouragetotakewhatthey，asmenoffleshandbloodwanted，insteadofwhattheirsnobbishnessordered。AndifStanleyBaird，thenearesttoaflesh-and-bloodmanofanywhohadknownher，hadnotbeensoprofoundlyafraidofhisfashionablemotherandofhissister，theCountessofWaring——Buthewasprofoundlyafraidofthem。so，itisidletospeculateabouthim。

WhatdidmenseewhentheylookedatMildredGower？Usually，whenmenlookatawoman，theyhaveahazy，eitherpleasantorunpleasant，senseofsomethingfeminine。That，andnothingmore。Afterward，throughsomewhimorsomethrustfromchancetheymayseeinher，orfancytheyseeinher，thethingfemininethattheirsouls——itisalways``soul’’——mostyearnsafter。Butjustatfirstglance，socolorlessorconventionallycoloredistheusualhumanbeing，theaveragewoman——indeedeverywomanbutshewhoisexceptional——createsuponmanthemereimpressionofpleasantorunpleasantpetticoats。Intheexceptionalwomansomethingobtrudes。Shehasastonishinghair，orextraordinaryeyes，oramouththatseemstodrawamanlikeamagnet。oritistheallureofapeculiarsmileorofafigurewhosesinuositiesasshemovesseemtocauseacorrespondingwave-disturbanceinmasculinenerves。Further，thepossessionofoneofthesesignalcharmsusuallycausesallhercharmstohavemorethanordinarypotency。Thesightofthemanissobewitchedbytheonepotentcharmthatheseesthewholewomanunderaspell。

MildredGower，ofthemediumheightandofaslenderandwell-formedfigure，hadafaceofthekindthatiscalledlovely。andhersmile，sweet，dreamy，revealingwhiteandeventeeth，gaveherlovelinessdelicateanimation。Shehadanabundanceofhair，neitherlightnordark。shehadafineclearskin。Hereyes，grayandratherseriousandwellsetunderlongstraightbrows，gaveheralookofhonestyandintelligence。

Butthecharmthatwonmen，hercharmofcharms，washermouth——mobile，slightlypouted，nottoonarrow，ofawonderful，vividlyhealthyandvitalred。Shehadbeauty，shehadintelligence。Butitwasimpossibleforamantothinkofeither，oncehisglancehadbeencaughtbythoseexpressive，invitinglipsofhers，soyoung，sofresh，withtheirever-changing，ever-

fascinatinglineexpressinginathousandwaysthepassionandpoetryofthekiss。

Ofallthemenwhohadadmiredherandhadedgedawaybecausetheyfearedshewouldbewitchthemintoforgettingwhattheworldcalls``goodcommonsense’’——

ofallthosemenonlyonehadsuspectedtherealreasonforherphysicalpowerovermen。AllbutStanleyBairdhadthoughtthemselvesattractedbecauseshewassoprettyorsostylishorsocleverandamusingtotalkwith。Bairdhadlivedintelligentlyenoughtolearnthatfemininecharmisnevergeneral，isalwaysspecific。HeknewitwasMildredGower’slipsthathaunted，thatfrightenedambitiousmenaway，thatsentmenwhoknewtheyhadn’taghostofachancewithherdiscontentedlybacktothesecond-choicewomenwhoalonewereavailableforthem。FortunatelyforMildred，StanleyBaird，toowisetoflatterawomandiscriminatingly，didnottellherthesecretofherfascination。Ifhehadtoldher，shewouldnodoubthavetriedtotrainandtouseit——andsowouldinevitablyhavelostit。

Togoonwiththatimportantconferenceinthesitting-roominthehandsome，roomyhouseoftheGowersatHangingRock，FrankGowereagerlyseizeduponhiswife’ssubtlynastyremark。``Idon’tseewhyinthunderyouhaven’tmarried，Milly，’’saidhe。``You’vehadeverychance，theselastfourorfiveyears。’’

``Andit’llbehardernow，’’moanedhermother。

``Foritlooksasthoughweweregoingtobewretchedlypoor。Andpovertyissorepulsive。’’

``Doyouthink，’’saidMildred，``thatgivingmetheideathatImustmarryrightawaywillmakeiteasierformetomarry？Everyonewhoknowsusknowsourcircumstances。’’ShelookedsignificantlyatFrank’swife，whohadbeenwailingthroughHangingRockthewoefulplightofherdeadfather-in-law’sfamily。

TheyoungMrs。Gowerblushedandglancedaway。

``And，’’Mildredwenton，``everyoneissayingthatI

mustmarryatonce——thatthere’snothingelseformetodo。’’Shesmiledbitterly。``WhenIgointothestreetagainIshallseenothingbutflyingmen。Andnomanwouldcometocallunlesshebroughtachaperonandawitnesswithhim。’’

``Howcanyoubesofrivolous？’’reproachedhermother。

Mildredwasusedtobeingmisunderstoodbyhermother，whohadlongsincebeenmadehopelesslydullbythesuffocatinglifesheledandbypainfromherfeet，whichneverleftherateaseforamomentexceptwhenshehadthemsoakingincoldwater。Mrs。Gowerhadbeenbornwithordinaryfeet，neitheruglynorprettyandentirelyfitfortheusesforwhichnatureintendedfeet。Shehadspoiledthembywearingshoestomakethemlooksmallerandslimmerthantheywere。

Insteadyweathershewasplaintive。inchangeableweathershevariedbetweenirritableandviolent。

SaidMildredtoherbrother：``Howmuch——JUSThowmuchisthere？’’

``Ican’tsayexactly，’’repliedherbrother，whohadnotyetsolvedtohissatisfactionthemoralproblemofhowmuchoftheestateheoughttoallowhismotherandsisterandhowmuchheoughttoclaimforhimself——insuchawaythattheclaimcouldnotbedisputed。

Mildredlookedfixedlyathim。Heshowedhisuneasinessnotbyglancingaway，butbytheappearanceofacertainharddefianceinhiseyes。Saidshe：

``Whatistheverymostwecanhopefor？’’

Asilence。Hermotherbrokeit。``Mildred，howCANyoutalkofthosethings——already？’’

``Idon’tknow，’’repliedMildred。``Perhapsbecauseit’sgottobedone。’’

Thisseemedtothemall——andtoherself——alameexcuseforsuchapparenthardnessofheart。HerfatherhadalwaysbeenSENDER-HEARTED——HADNEVER

SPOKENOFMONEY，ORENCOURAGEDHISFAMILYINSPEAKINGOFIT。

ALONGANDPAINFULSILENCE。THEN，THEWIDOW

ABRUPTLY：

``YOU’RESURE，Frank，there’sNOinsurance？’’

``Fatheralwayssaidthatyoudislikedtheidea，’’

repliedherson。``thatyouthoughtinsurancelookedlikeyourcalculatingonhisdeath。’’

Underherhusband’sadroitpromptingMrs。Gowerhaddiscoveredsuchaviewofinsuranceinherbrain。

Shenowrecalledexpressingit——andregretted。Butshewassilenced。Shetriedtotakehermindofthesub-

jectofmoney。But，likeMildred，shecouldnot。Thethoughtofimminentpovertywasnaggingatthemliketoothache。``There’llbeenoughforayearorso？’’

shesaid，timidlyinterrogative。

``Ihopeso，’’saidFrank。

Mildredwaseyinghimfixedlyagain。Saidshe：

``Haveyoufoundanythingatall？’’

``Hehadabouteightthousanddollarsinbank，’’

saidFrank。``Butmostofitwillgoforthepressingdebts。’’

``ButhowdidHEexpecttolive？’’urgedMildred。

``Yes，theremusthavebeenSOMETHING，’’saidhermother。

``Ofcourse，there’shisshareoftheunsettledandunfinishedbusinessofthefirm，’’admittedFrank。

``Howmuchwillthatbe？’’persistedMildred。

``Ican’ttell，offhand，’’saidFrank，withvirtuousreproach。``Mymind’sbeenon——otherthings。’’

HenryGower’swidowwasnotwithouthershareofinstinctiveshrewdness。Neitherhadshe，unobservantthoughshewas，beenwithinsightofherson’scharacterfortwenty-eightyearswithouthavingunconfessed，unformedmisgivingsconcerningit。

``Youmustn’tbotheraboutthesethingsnow，Frankdear，’’saidshe。``I’llgetmybrothertolookintoit。’’

``Thatwon’tbenecessary，’’hastilysaidFrank。``I

don’twantanyrivallawyerpeepingintoourfirm’saffairs。’’

``MybrotherWhartonisthesoulofhonor，’’saidMrs。Gower，theelder，withdignity。``Youaretooyoungtotakealltheresponsibilityofsettlingtheestate。Yes，I’llsendforWhartonto-morrow。’’

``It’lllookasthoughyoudidn’ttrustme，’’saidFranksourly。

``Wemustn’tdoanythingtostartthegossipsinthistown，’’saidhiswife，assisting。

``Thensendforhimyourself，Frank，’’saidMildred，``andgivehimchargeofthewholematter。’’

Frankeyedherfuriously。``Howashamedfatherwouldbe！’’exclaimedhe。

Butthissolemninvokingofthedeadman’sspiritwasuneffectual。Thespecterofpovertywastooinsistent，tooterrible。Saidthewidow：

``I’msure，inthecircumstances，mydeardeadhusbandwouldwantmetogethelpfromsomeoneolderandmoreexperienced。’’

AndFrank，guiltyofconscienceandanexpertinthewaysofconventionalandhighlymoralrascality，ceasedtoresist。Hiswife，scentingdangertotheirgettingthesharethat``rightfullybelongstotheson，especiallywhenhehasbeenthebrainsofthefirmforseveralyears，’’madeangryandindiscreetbattlefornooutsideinterference。Thelongershetalkedthefirmerthewidowandthedaughterbecame，notonlybecausesheclarifiedsuspicionsthathadbeentoohazytotakeform，butalsobecausetheydislikedherintensely。

ThefollowingdayWhartonConoverbecameunofficialadministrator。HehadnodifficultyinbafflingFrankGower’shalf-heartedandclumsyeffortstohidetwolargefeesduethedeadman’sestate。Hediscoveredclearassetsamountinginalltosixty-

threethousanddollars，mostofitavailablewithinafewmonths。

``Asyouhavethegood-willofthefirmandasyourmotherandsisterhaveonlywhatcanberealizedincash，’’saidhetoFrank，``nodoubtyouwon’tinsistonyourthird。’’

``I’vegottoconsidermywife，’’saidFrank。``I

can’tdoasI’dlike。’’

``Youaregoingtoinsistonyourthird？’’saidConover，withanaccentthatmadeFrankquiver。

``Ican’tdootherwise，’’saidheinadogged，shamedway。

``Um，’’saidConover。``Then，onbehalfofmysisterandherdaughterI’llhavetoinsistonamoredetailedaccountingthanyouhavebeenwillingtogive——andontheproductionofthatsmallbookboundinredleatherwhichdisappearedfrommybrother-in-law’sdesktheafternoonofhisdeath。’’

AwaveofrageandfearsurgedupwithinFrankGowerandcrashedagainsttheseatofhislife。Fordaysthereafterhewasfromtimetotimeseizedwithviolentspasmsoftrembling。yearsafterwardhewasattributingprematureweaknessesofoldagetotheeffectsofthatmomentofhorror。Hisuncle’swordscameasasudden，highshotclimaxtoweeksofexasperatingpeepingandpryingandquestioning，ofsneerandinsinuation。Conoverhadbeenonlymoderatelysuccessfulatthelaw，hadlostclientstoFrank’sfather，hadbeenbeatenwhentheywereonoppositesides。Hehatedthefatherwiththesecret，hypocriticalhatredofthehighlymoralandreligiousman。Hede-

spisedtheson。ItisnotoftenthataChristiangentlemanhassuchanopportunitytocombinejusticeandrevenge，tofeedtoburstinganancientgrudge，thewhileconsciousthatheisbutdoinghisduty。

SaidFrank，whenhewasabletospeak：``Youhavebeenlisteningtotheliesofsometreacherousclerkhere。’’

``Don’tdestroythatlittlebook，’’proceededConovertranquilly。``Wecanprovethatyoutookit。’’

YoungGowerrose。``Imustdeclinetohaveanythingfurthertosaytoyou，sir，’’saidhe。``Youwillleavethisoffice，andyouwillnotbeadmittedhereagainunlessyoucomewithproperpapersasadministrator。’’

Conoversmiledwithcoldsatisfactionanddeparted。

Therefollowedaseriesofquarrels——betweenFrankandhissister，betweenFrankandhismother，betweenFrank’swifeandhismother，betweenMildredandhermother，betweenthemotherandConover。Mrs。Gowerwassuspiciousofherson。butsheknewherbrotherforapinchpenny，exactingthelastdropofwhatheregardedashisown。Andshediscoveredthat，ifsheauthorizedhimtoactasadministratorforher，hecould——andbeyondquestionwould——takealargeshareoftheestate。TheupshotwasthatFrankpaidovertohismotherandsisterforty-seventhousanddollars，andhismotherandherbrotherstoppedspeakingtoeachother。

``Iseethatyouhaveturnedoverallyourmoneytomother，’’saidFranktoMildredafewdaysafterthesettlement。

``Ofcourse，’’saidMildred。Shewasinamoodofhighscornforsordidness——amoodinducedbythespectacleoftheshamefulmannersofConover，Frank，andhiswife。

``Doyouthinkthat’swise？’’suggestedFrank。

``Ithinkit’sdecent，’’saidMildred。

``Well，Ihopeyou’llnotlivetoregretit，’’saidherbrother。

NeitherMrs。Gowernorherdaughterhadeverhadanyexperienceinthecareofmoney。Tobothforty-

seventhousanddollarsseemedafortune——forty-seventhousanddollarsincashinthebank，readytoissueforthanddotheirbiddingatthemerewritingofafewfiguresandasignatureonapieceofpaper。Inasensetheyknewthatformanyyearsthefamily’sannualexpenseshadrangedbetweenfortyandfiftythousand，butinthesenseofactualitytheyknewnothingaboutit——astateofaffairscommonenoughinfamilieswherethemanisinabsolutecontrolandspendsallhemakes。Moneyalwayshadbeenforthcomcoming。{sic}

thereforemoneyalwayswouldbeforthcoming。

Themourningandthelossofthepersonwhohadfilledandemployedtheirlivescausedthewidowandthedaughtertoliveveryquietlyduringthesucceedingyear。Theyspentonlyhalfoftheircapital。Forreasonsofselfishandfar-sightedprudencewhichneednodetailingFrankmovedawaytoNewYorkwithinsixmonthsofhisfather’sdeathandreducedcommunicationbetweenhimselfandwifeandhismotherandsistertoafrigidandrapidlycongealingminimum。

Hecalculatedthatbythetimetheircapitalwascon-

sumedtheywouldhaveleftnofeelingofclaimuponhimorhefeelingofdutytowardthem。

Itwasnotuntileighteenmonthsafterherfather’sdeath，whenthetotalcapitalwassunktolessthanfifteenthousanddollars，thatMildredawakenedtothetruthoftheirplight。Afewmonthsatmost，andtheywouldhavetogiveupthatbeautifulhousewhichhadbeenherhomeallherlife。Shetriedtograspthemeaningofthefactsasherintelligencepresentedthemtoher，butshecouldnot。Shehadnopracticaltrainingwhatever。Shehadbeenbroughtupasarichman’schild，tobemarriedtoarichman，andnevertoknowanythingofthematerialdetailsoflifebeyondwhatwasnecessaryinmanagingservantsaftertheindifferentfashionoftheusualAmericanwomanofthecomfortableclasses。Shehadalwayshadamaid。shecouldnotevendressherselfproperlywithoutthemaid’sassistance。Lifewithoutamaidwasinconceivable。

lifewithoutservantswasimpossible。

Shewanderedthroughthehouse，throughthegrounds。Shesaidtoherselfagainandagain：``Wehavegottogiveupallthis，andbemiserablypoor——

withnotaservant，withlessthanthetenementpeoplehave。’’Butthewordsconveyednomeaningtoher。

Shesaidtoherselfagainandagain：``Imustrousemyself。Imustdosomething。Imust——must——

must！’’Butshedidnotrouse，becausetherewasnothingtorouse。Sofaraspracticallifewasconcernedshewasasdevoidofideasasanew-bornbaby。

Therewasbuttheonehope——marriage，arichmarriage。Itisthehabitofmenwhocantakecareofthemselvesandofwomenwhoaresecurelywelltakencareoftoscornthewomanorthehelpless-bredmanwhomarriesformoneyorevenentertainsthatidea。

Howlittleimaginationthesescornershave！Tomarryforamereliving，hardlybetterthanonecouldmakeforoneself，assuredlydoesshowapitifullackofself-

reliance，amelancholylackofself-respect。Butformenorwomenalltheirlivesusedtoluxuryandwithnoabilitywhateveratearningmoney——forsuchpersonstomarrymoneyinordertosavethemselvesfromthemiseryandshamethatpovertymeanstothemisthemostnatural，themosthumanactionconceivable。Themanorthewomanwhosaysheorshewouldnotdoit，eitherisahypocriteoristalkingwithoutthinking。

Youmayinhonestycriticizeandcondemnasocialsystemthatsuffersmenandwomentobesocrudelyandcriminallymiseducatedbybeinggivenluxurytheydidnotearn。Buttocondemnthevictimsofthatsystemforactingasitslogiccompelsissheerfollyorsheerphariseeism。

WouldMildredGowerhavemarriedformoney？Astheweeksfled，asthebankaccountdwindled，shewouldhavegraspedeagerlyatanyrichmanwhomighthaveofferedhimself——nomatterhowrepellenthemighthavebeen。Shedidnotwantabareliving。shedidnotwantwhatpasseswiththemassofmiddle-classpeopleforcomfort。Shewantedwhatshehad——thebeautifulandspacioushouse，thecostlyandfashionableclothing，theservants，thecarriagesandmotors，thethousandandonecomforts，luxuries，andvanitiestowhichshehadalwaysbeenused。InthebrainofayoungwomanofpoororonlycomfortablyofffamilythethoughtsthatseethedinMildredGower’sbrainwouldhavebeensomanyindicationsofdepravity。InMildredGower’sbraintheywerethenatural，theinevitable，thoughts。

Theyindicatedeverythingastohertraining，nothingastohercharacter。So，whenshe，thinkingonlyofarichmarriagewithnomatterwhom，andcontrastingherselfwiththefinewomenportrayedinthenovelsandplays，condemnedherselfasshamelessanddegraded，shedidherselfgraveinjustice。

Butnorichman，whetherattractiveorrepulsive，offered。Indeed，nomanofanykindoffered。Instead，itwashermotherwhomarried。

AwidowernamedJamesPresbury，elderly，withanincomeoffivetosixthousandayearfrominheritedwealth，stumbledintoHangingRocktolive，wasimpressedbythestylethewidowGowermaintained，believedtherumorthatherhusbandhadleftherbetteroffthanwasgenerallythought，proposed，andwasaccepted。AndtwoyearsandamonthafterHenryGower’sdeathhiswidowbecameMrs。JamesPresbury——andceasedtoveilfromhernewhusbandthetruthastoheraffairs。

Mildredhadthoughtthat，thanthefamilyquarrelsincidenttosettlingherfather’sestate，humannaturecouldnolowerdescend。Shewasnowtobedisillusioned。

Whenayoungmanorayoungwomanblundersintoapoormarriageintryingtomakearichone，heorsheisusuallywithheldfromimmediateandfrankexpressionbythetimidityofyouth。Notsotheelderlymanorwoman。Aswegrowolder，nomat-

terhowtimidlyconventionalwearebynature，webecome，throughselfishnessorthroughindifferencetotheopinionofothersorthroughimpatienceofpettyrestraint，moreandmoreoutspoken。OldPresburydiscoveredhowhehadtrickedhimselffourdaysafterthewedding。HeandhisbridewereattheWaldorfinNewYork，a-honeymooning。

Thebridehadneverprofessedtoberich。Shehadsimplycontinuedinherlifelongway，hadsimplyactedrich。Shewellknewthegaudydelusionsheradmirerwasentertaining，andshesawtoitthatnothingwassaidordonetodisturbhim。Sheinquiredintohisaffairs，madesureofthesubstantialityofthecomparativelysmallincomehepossessed，decidedtoaccepthimasherbestavailablechancetoescapebecomingachargeuponheranythingbuteagerandgenerousrelatives。Sheawaitedtheexplosionwithserenity。

ShecarednotaflipforPresbury，whowasasoftandsillyoldfool，fullofantiquatedcomplimentsandsodrearilytheinferiorofHenryGower，physicallyandmentally，thatevenshecouldappreciatethedifference，thedescent。Sheratherenjoyedtheprospectofacombatwithhim，oftheendofdissimulatinghercontempt。Shehadthoughtoutandhadputinarsenalreadyforuseavarietyofsneers，jeers，andinsultsthatsuggestedthemselvestoherasshelistenedandsimperedandrespondedwhilehewascourting。

Hadtheopportunityofferedearlierthanthefourthdayshewouldhaveseizedit，butnotuntilthatfourthmorningwassheinjusttherightmood。Shehadeatentoomuchdinnerthenightbefore，andhadfolloweditaftertwohoursinastuffytheaterwithanindigestiblesupper。Helikedthebedroomwindowsopenatnight。shelikedthemclosed。Aftershefellintoaheavysleep，heslippedoutofbedandopenedthewindowswide——toteachherbythenight’shappyexperiencethatshewasentirelymistakenastotheharmfulnessoffreshwinterair。Theresultwasthatsheawakenedwithafrightfulcoldandasplittingheadache。Andastheweatherwasabouttochangeshehadshootingpainsliketoothachethroughhertoestheinstantshethrustthemintohershoes。

Theelderlygroom，believinghehadarichbride，wasallsolicitudeandinfuriatingattention。Shewaiteduntilhehadwroughthertotheproperpitchoffury。Thenshesaid——inreplytosomeremarkofhis：

``Yes，Ishallrelyuponyouentirely。Iwantyoutotakeabsolutechargeofmyaffairs。’’

Thetearssprangtohiseyes。Hisweakoldmouth，rapidlyfallingtopieces，twistedandtwitchedwithemotion。``I’lltrytodeserveyourconfidence，darling，’’saidhe。``I’vehadlargebusinessexperience——

inthewayofinvestingcarefully，Imean。Idon’tthinkyouraffairswillsufferinmyhands。’’

``Oh，I’msurethey’llnottroubleyou，’’saidsheinasweet，suretoneasthepainsshotthroughherfeetandherhead。``You’llhardlynoticemylittlemiteinyourproperty。’’Shepretendedtoreflect。``Letmesee——there’sseventhousandleft，butofcoursehalfofthatisMillie’s。’’

``Itmustbeverywellinvested，’’saidhe。``Thoseseventhousandsharesmustbeoftheverybest。’’

``Shares？’’saidshe，withagentlelittlelaugh。``I

meandollars。’’

Presburywasabouttoliftacupofcafeaulaittohislips。Instead，heturneditoverintotheplatterofeggsandbacon。

``We——MildredandI，’’pursuedhisbride，``wereleftwithonlyforty-oddthousandbetweenus。Ofcourse，wehadtolive。So，naturally，there’sverylittleleft。’’

Presburywasshakingsoviolentlythathisheadandarmswaggledlikeajumping-jack’s。Hewrappedhiselegantwhitefingersaboutthearmsofhischairtosteadyhimself。Inasuffocatedvoicehesaid：``Doyoumeantosaythatyouhaveonlyseventhousanddollarsintheworld？’’

``Onlyhalfthat，’’correctedshe。``Oh，dear，howmyheadaches！Lessthanhalfthat，fortherearesomedebts。’’

Shewasimpatientfortheexplosion。theagonyofherfeetandheadneededoutletandrelief。Buthedisappointedher。Thatwasoneofthesituationsinwhichoneappealsinvaintotheresourcesoflanguage。Heshrankandsankbackinhischair，hisjawdropped，andheventedastrange，imbecilecacklinglaugh。Itwasnotanexpressionofphilosophicmirth，ofsenseofthegrotesquenessofananti-climax。Itwasnotanexpressionofanyemotionwhatever。Itwassimplyasignalfromamindtemporarilydethroned。

``Whatareyoulaughingat？’’shesaidsharply。

Hisanswerwasarepetitionoftheidioticsound。

``What’sthematterwithyou？’’demandedshe。

``Pleasecloseyourmouth。’’

Itwasatimelypieceofadvice。forhisupperandfalseteethhadbecomepartiallydislodgedandthreatenedtodropupontheshirt-bosomgaylyshowingbetweenthelapelsofhisdark-bluesilkhouse-coat。Heslowlyclosedhismouth，movinghisteethbackintoplacewithhistongue——agesturethatmadeherfacetwitchwithrageanddisgust。

``Seventhousanddollars，’’hemumbleddazedly。

``Isaidlessthanhalfthat，’’retortedshesharply。

``AndI——thoughtyouwere——rich。’’

Apeculiarrollingoftheeyesandtwistingofthelipsgavehertheideathathewasabouttoventthatrepulsivesoundagain。``Don’tyoulaugh！’’shecried。

``Ican’tbearyourlaugh——evenatitsbest。’’

Suddenlyhegalvanizedintofury。``Thisisanoutrage！’’hecried，wavinghisuseless-lookingwhitefists。

``Youhaveswindledme——SWINDLEDme！’’

Herheadstoppedaching。Thepainsinherfeeteitherceasedorsheforgotthem。Inasuspiciouslycalmvoiceshesaid：``Whatdoyoumean？’’

``Imeanthatyouareaswindler！’’heshouted，bangingonefistonthetableandwavingtheother。

Sheactedasthoughhismeaningwerejustdawninguponher。``Doyoumean，’’saidshetranquilly，``thatyoumarriedmeformoney？’’

``ImeanthatIthoughtyouasubstantialwoman，andthatIfindyouareanadventuress。’’

``Didyouthink，’’inquiredshe，``thatanywomanwhohadmoneywouldmarryYOU？’’Shelaughedveryquietly。``YouAREafool！’’

Hesatbacktolookather。Thismodeofcombatinsuchcircumstancespuzzledhim。

``Iknewthatyouwererich，’’shewenton，``oryouwouldnothavedaredofferyourselftome。Allmyfriendswereamazedatmystoopingtoacceptyou。

YourfatherwasanIrishTammanycontractor，wasn’the？——asortofcriminal？ButIsimplyhadtomarry。

SoIgaveyoumyfamilyandpositionandnameinexchangeforyourwealth——agoodbargainforyou，butapooroneforme。’’

ThesereferencestoHISwealthweremostdisconcerting，especiallyastheywereaccompaniedbyremarksabouthisorigin，ofwhichhewassoashamedthathehadchangedthespellingofhisnameintheefforttoclearhimselfofit。However，someretortwasimperative。

Helookedatherandsaid：

``Swindlerandadventuress！’’

``Don’trepeatthatlie，’’saidshe。``Youaretheadventurer——despitethefactthatyouareveryrich。’’

``Don’tsaythatagain，’’criedhe。``IneversaidorpretendedIwasrich。Ihaveaboutfivethousandayear——andyou’llnotgetacentofit，madam！’’

Sheknewhisincome，butnoonewouldhavesuspecteditfromherexpressionofhorror。``What！’’shegasped。``YoudaredtomarryMEwhenyouwerea——

beggar！Me——thewidowofHenryGower！Youimpudentoldwreck！Why，youhaven’tenoughtopaymyservants。Whatarewetoliveon，pray？’’

``Idon’tknowwhatYOU’LLliveon，’’repliedhe。

``_I_shallliveasIalwayshave。’’

``Abeggar！’’sheexclaimed。``I——marriedtoabeggar。’’Sheburstintotears。``Howmentakeadvantageofawomanalone！Ifmysonhadbeennearme！Butthere’ssurelysomelawtoprotectme。Yes，I’msurethereis。Oh，I’llpunishyouforhavingdeceivedme。’’Hereyesdriedasshelookedathim。

``Howdareyousitthere？Howdareyoufaceme，youmiserablefraud！’’

Earlyinheracquaintancewithhimshehaddiscoveredthatdeterminingfactorsinhischaracterweresensitivenessabouthisoriginandsensitivenessabouthissocialposition。Onthisknowledgeofhisweaknesseswassecurelybasedherconfidencethatshecouldactasshepleasedtowardhim。Toeaseherpainssheproceededtopouroutherprivateopinionofhim——allthedisagreeablethings，alltheinsultsshehadbeenstoringup。

Shewatchedhimasonlyawomancanwatchaman。

Shesawthathisragewasnotdangerous，thatshewasforcinghimintoapositionwherefearofherrevengingherselfbydisgracinghimwouldovercomeangeratthecollapseofhisfatuousdreamsofwealth。Shedidnotdespisehimthemoredeeplyforsittingthere，fornotflyingfromtheroomortryingtokillherorsomehowcompellinghertocheckthatflowofinsult。Shealreadydespisedhimutterly。also，sheattachedsmallimportancetoself-respect，havingnoknowledgeofwhatthatqualityreallyis。

Whenshegrewtired，shebecamequiet。Theysattherealongtimeinsilence。Atlastheranupthewhiteflagofabjectsurrenderbysaying：

``What’llweliveon——that’swhatI’dliketoknow？’’

Aneavesdropperupontheprecedingviolenceofupwardofanhourwouldhaveassumedthatatitsendthispairmustseparate，nevertoseeeachotheragainvoluntarily。Butthatidea，evenasapossibility，hadnotenteredthemindofeither。Theyhadlivedalongtime。

theywerepracticalpeople。Theyknewfromtheoutsetthatsomehowtheymustarrangetogoontogether。

Thealternativemeantamerepittanceofalimonyforher。meantforhimsocialostracismandthesmallincomecutinhalf。meantforbothscandalandconfusion。

Saidshefretfully：``Oh，Isupposewe’llgetalong，somehow。Idon’tknowanythingaboutthosethings。

I’vealwaysbeenlookedafter——keptfromcontactwiththesordidsideoflife。’’

``Thathouseyoulivein，’’hewenton，``doesitbelongtoyou？’’

Shegavehimacontemptuousglance。``Ofcourse，’’

saidshe。``Whatlowpeopleyoumusthavebeenusedto！’’

``Ithoughtperhapsyouhadrenteditforyourbuncogame，’’retortedhe。``Thefurniture，thehorses，themotor——allthosethings——dotheybelongtoyou？’’

``Ishallleavetheroomifyouinsultme，’’saidshe。

``Didyouincludethemintheseventhousanddollars？’’

``Themoneyisinthebank。Ithasnothingtodowithourhouseandourproperty。’’

Hereflected，presentlysaid：``Thehorsesandcarriagesmustbesoldatonce——andallthoseservantsdismissedexceptperhapstwo。Wecanliveinthehouse。’’

Shegrewpurplewithrage。``SellMYcarriages！

DischargeMYservants！I’dliketoseeyoutry！’’

``Who’stopayforkeepingupthatestablishment？’’

demandedhe。

Shewassilent。Shesawwhathehadinmind。

``Ifyouwanttokeepthathouseandlivecomfortably，’’

hewenton，``you’vegottocutexpensestothebone。Youseethat，don’tyou？’’

``Ican’tliveanywaybutthewayI’vebeenusedtoallmylife，’’wailedshe。

Heeyedherdisgustedly。Wasthereanythingequaltoawomanforfolly？

``We’vegottomakethemostofwhatlittlewehave，’’saidhe。

``ItellyouIdon’tknowanythingaboutthosethings，’’repeatedshe。``You’llhavetolookafterthem。

MildredandIaren’tlikethewomenyou’vebeenusedto。

Weareladies。’’

Presbury’srageboiledoveragainatthementionofMildred。``Thatdaughterofyours！’’hecried。

``What’stobedoneabouther？I’vegotnomoneytowasteonher。’’

``YoumiserableTammanyTHING！’’exclaimedshe。

``Don’tyoudareSPEAKofmydaughterexceptinthemostrespectfulway。’’

Andoncemoresheopenedoutuponhim，wreakinguponhimallherwrathagainstfate，allthepent-upfuryoftwoyears——furywhichhadbeendeniedsuchfury’susualandnaturalexpressionindenunciationsofthedeadbread-winner。Thegenerousandever-kindHenryGowercouldnotbetoblameforherwretchedplight。and，ofcourse，sheherselfcouldnotbetoblameforit。So，untilnowtherehadbeennoscapegoat。

Presburythereforereceivedthewholeburden。He，alarmedlestacreatureapparentlysoirrational，shouldinwildragedrivehimaway，ruinhimsocially，perhapsinduceasympatheticcourttoawardheralargepartofhisincomeasalimony，saidnotawordinreply。Hebadehiswrathwait。Lateron，whentheperilwasover，whenhehadafirmgripuponthesituation——thenhewouldtakehisrevenge。

TheygaveuptheexpensivesuiteattheWaldorfthatverydayandreturnedtoHangingRock。Theyalternatedbetweensilenceandthecoarsest，crudestquarrelings，forneitherhadtheintelligencetoquarrelwittilyortherefinementtoquarrelartistically。AssoonastheyarrivedattheGowerhouse，Mildredwasdraggedintothewrangle。

``Imarriedthisterriblemanforyoursake，’’wastheburdenofhermother’swail。``Andheisabeggar——

wantstoselloffeverythinganddismisstheservants。’’

``Youareapairofpaupers，’’criedtheoldman。

``Youareshamelesstricksters。Becarefulhowyougoadme！’’

Mildredhadanticipatedanunhappyendingtohermother’smarriage，butshehadnotknowledgeenoughoflifeorofhumannaturetoanticipateanysuchhorrorsasnowbegan。Everyday，alldaylongthevulgarfightraged。Hermotherandherstepfatherwithdrewfromeachother’spresenceonlytothinkupfreshinsultstoflingateachother。Assoonastheywerearmedtheyhastenedtogivebattleagain。SheavoidedPresbury。Hermothershecouldnotavoid。andwhenhermotherwasnotincombatwithhim，shewasweepingorwailingorrailingtoMildred。

ItwasatMildred’surgingthathermotheracquiescedinPresbury’splansforreducingexpenseswithinincome。Atfirstthegirl，evenmoreignorantthanhermotherofpracticalaffairs，didnotappreciatethewisdom，nottosaythenecessity，ofwhathewishedtodo，butsoonshesawthathewasright，thattheservantsmustgo，thatthehorsesandcarriagesandthemotorsmustbesold。Whenshewasconvincedandhadconvincedhermother，shestilldidnotrealizewhatthethingreallymeant。Notuntilshenolongerhadamaiddidshecomprehend。Toawomanwhohasneverhadamaid，orwhohastakenonamaidasaluxury，itwillseemanexaggerationtosaythatMildredfeltashelplessasababylyingaloneinacribbeforeithaslearnedtocrawl。Yetthatisratheranunderstatementofherplight。Themaidleftintheafternoon。

Mildred，notwithoutinconveniencesthathadinthenoveltytheiramusingside，contrivedtodressthateveningfordinnerandtogettobed。butwhensheawakenedinthemorningandwasreadytodress，thelossofTheresebecameatragedy。Ittookthegirlnearlyfourhourstogetherselftogetherpresentably——andthen，neverhadshelookedsounkempt。Withherhair，thickandsoft，shecoulddonothing。

``WhatawonderfulpersonTheresewas！’’thoughtshe。``AndIalwaysregardedherasratherstupid。’’

Hermother，whohadnothadamaiduntilshewasaboutthirtyandhadneverbecomecompletelydependent，faredsomewhatbetter，though，hearinghermoans，youwouldhavethoughtshewasfaringworse。

Mildred’sunhappinessincreasedfromdaytoday，asherwardrobefellintoconfusionanddisrepair。Shefeltthatshemustrisetothesituation，mustteachherself，mustsaveherselffromimpendingdowdinessandslovenliness。Butherbrainseemedtobeparalyzed。

Shedidnotknowhoworwheretobegintolearn。Sheofteninsecretgavewaytothefutilityoftears。

Therewerenowonlyacookandonehousemaidandamanofallwork——allthreenewcomers，forPresburyinsisted——mostwisely——thatnoneoftheservantsoftheluxurious，wastefuldayswouldbeusefulinthenewcircumstances。Hewasoneofthosesmall，orderlymenwhohaveageniusforjustsuchsituationsastheonehenowproceededtograpplewithandsolve。Inhispleasureatmanagingeverythingaboutthathouse，indistributingtheworkamongthethreeservants，inmarketing，and，ininspectingpurchasesandnosingintothegarbage-barrel，inlookingfordustonpicture-

framesandtable-topsandforneglectedweedsinthegardenwalks——inthismultitudeofengrossingdelightsheforgothisangeroverthetrickthathadbeenplayeduponhim。Hestillfoughtwithhiswifeanddenouncedherandmetinsultwithinsult。Butthat，too，wasoneofhispleasures。Also，hefeltthatonthewholehehaddonewellinmarrying。Hehadbeenlonelyasabachelor，hadhadnoonetotalkwith，ortoquarrelwith，nothingtodo。Themarriagewasnotsoexpensive，ashiswifehadbroughthimahouse——anditsuchaoneashehadalwaysregardedastheapogeeofelegance。LivingwasnotdearinHangingRock，ifoneunderstoodmanagingandgavetimetoit。Andsociallyhewasatlastestablished。

Soonhiswifewasaboutascontentedasshehadeverbeeninherlife。Shehatedanddespisedherhusband，butquarrelingwithhimandrailingagainsthimgaveheroccupationandaim——twovaluableassetstowardhappinessthatshehadtheretoforelacked。Herliving——shelter，food，clothingenough——wasnowsecure。

Butthemostimportantfactorofallinhercontentwastheoneapparentlytootrivialtobeworthyofrecord。

Fromgirlhoodshecouldnotrecallasingledayinwhichshehadnotsufferedfromherfeet。Andshehadbeenashamedtosayanythingaboutit——hadneverletanyone，evenhermaid，seeherfeet，whichwereabouttheonlyunsightlypartofher。Nonehadguessedthecauseofherchronicill-temperuntilPresbury，thatgeniusforthelittle，saidwithinaweekoftheirmarriage：

``Youtalkandactlikeawomanwithchroniccorns。’’

Hedidnotdreamoftheeffectthischancethrusthaduponhiswife。Forthefirsttimehehadreally``landed。’’Sheconcealedherfrightandhershameasbestshecouldandwentonquarrelingmoreviciouslythanever。Buthepresentlyreturnedtotheattack。

Saidhe：

``Yourfeethurtyou。I’msuretheydo。NowthatIthinkofit，youwalkthatway。’’

``IsupposeIdeservemyfate，’’saidshe。``Whenawomanmarriesbeneathhershemustexpectinsultandlowconversation。’’

``Youmustcureyourfeet，’’saidhe。``I’llnotliveinthehousewithapersonwhoismadefiendishbycorns。

Ithinkit’sonlycorns。Iseenosignsofbunions。’’

``Youbrute！’’criedhiswife，rushingfromtheroom。

Butwhentheymetagain，heatonceresumedthesubject，tellingherjusthowshecouldcureherself——andhekeptontellingher，sheapparentlyignoringbutsecretlyactingonhisadvice。Heknewwhathewasabout，andherfeetgrewbetter，grewwell——andshewashappierthanshehadbeensincegirlhoodwhenshebeganruiningherfeetwithtightshoes。

Sixmonthsafterthemarriage，Presburyandhiswifeweregettingonaboutascomfortablyasitisgiventoaveragehumanitytogetoninthisworldofincessantstrugglebetweenuncomfortablemanandhisuncomfortableenvironment。ButMildredhadbecomemoreandmoreunhappy。Hermother，sometimesangrily，againreproachfully——andthatwasfarhardertobear——blamedherfor``mymiserablemarriagetothislow，quarrelsomebrute。’’Presburyletnodaypasswithouttellingheropenlythatshewasabeggarlivingoffhim，thatshewouldbettermarrysoonorhewouldtakedrasticstepstoreleasehimselfoftheburden。Whenheattackedherbeforehermother，therewasaviolentquarrelfromwhichMildredfledtohideinherroomorintheremotestpartofthegarden。Whenhehuntedherouttoinsultheralone，shesatorstoodwitheyesdownandfaceghastlypale，mute，quivering。Shedidnotinter-

rupt，didnottrytoescape。Shewaslikethechainedandspiritlessdogthatcrouchesandtakestheshowerofblowsfromitscruelmaster。

Wherecouldshego？Nowhere。Whatcouldshedo？Nothing。Inthedaysofprosperityshehadregardedherselfasproudandhighspirited。Shenowwonderedatherself！Whathadbecomeofthepride？

Whatofthespirit？Sheavoidedlookingatherimageintheglass——thatthin，pallidface，thosecircledeyes，thedrawn，sickexpressionaboutthemouthandnose。

``I’mstunned，’’shesaidtoherself。``I’vebeenstunnedeversincefather’sdeath。I’veneverrecovered——norhasmother。’’Andshegavewaytotears——forherfather，shefancied。infact，fromshameatherweaknessandhelplessness。Shethought——hoped——thatshewouldnotbethusfeebleandcowardly，ifshewerenotlivingathome，inthehousesheloved，thehousewhereshehadspentherwholelife。Andsuchahouse！Comfortandluxuryandtaste。everyroom，everycornerofthegrounds，fullofthetenderestandmostbeautifulassociations。Also，therewasherpositioninHangingRock。Everywhereelseshewouldbeastrangerandwouldhaveeithernopositionatalloroneworsethanthatoftheutteroutsider。There，shewasofthefewlookeduptobythewholecommunity。Nooneknew，orevensuspected，howshewasdegradedbyherstep-

father。Beforetheworldhewascourteousandconsideratetowardherastowardeverybody。Indeed，Presbury’snaturalinstinctsweregentleandkindly。HishatredofMildredandhispassionforhumiliatingherweretheresultofhisconvictionthathehadbeentrickedintothemarriageandhisinabilitytogratifyhisresentmentuponhiswife。Hecouldnotmakethemothersuffer。buthecouldmakethedaughtersuffer——andhedid。Besides，shewasofnousetohimandwouldpresentlybeanexpense。

``Yourmoneywillsoonbegone，’’hesaidtoher。

``Ifyoupaidyourjustshareoftheexpensesitwouldbegonenow。Whenitisgone，whatwillyoudo？’’

Shewassilent。

``Yourmotherhaswrittentoyourbrotheraboutyou。’’

Mildredliftedherhead，agleamofherformerspiritinhereyes。Thensheremembered，andbenthergazeupontheground。

``Buthe，likethecurthatheis，answeredthroughasecretarythathewishedtohavenothingtodowitheitherofyou。’’

MildredguessedthatFrankhadmadethemarriageanexcuse。

``Surelysomeofyourrelativeswilldosomethingforyou。Ihavemyhandsfull，supportingyourmother。

Idon’tproposetohavetwostrapping，worthlesswomenhangingfrommyneck。’’

Shebentherheadlower，andremainedsilent。

``Iwarnyoutobestiryourself，’’hewenton。``I

giveyoufourmonths。Afterthefirstoftheyearyoucan’tstayhereunlessyoupayyourshare——yourthird。’’

Noanswer。

``YouhearwhatIsay，miss？’’hedemanded。

``Yes，’’repliedshe。

``Ifyouhadanysenseyouwouldn’twaituntilyourlastcentwasgone。You’dgotoNewYorknowandgetsomethingtodo。’’

``What？’’sheasked——allshecouldtrustherselftospeak。

``Howshould_I_know？’’retortedhefuriously。

``youareastrangertome。You’vebeeneducated，I

assume。Surelythere’ssomethingyoucando。You’vebeenoutsixyearsnow，andhavehadnosuccess，foryou’reneithermarriednorengaged。Youcan’tcallitsuccesstobeflatteredandsoughtbypeoplewhowantedinvitationstothishousewhenitwasasocialcenter。’’

Hepausedforresponsefromher。Nonecame。

``Youadmityouareafailure？’’hesaidsharply。

``Yes，’’saidshe。

``Youmusthaverealizeditseveralyearsago，’’hewenton。``Insteadofallowingyourmothertokeeponwastingmoneyinentertaininglavishlyheretogiveyouachancetomarry，youshouldhavebeenpreparingyourselftoearnaliving。’’Apause。``Isn’tthattrue，miss？’’

Hehadawayofpronouncingtheword``miss’’thatmadeitanepithet，asneeratherunmarriedandun-

marriageablestate。Shecolored，paled，murmured：

``Yes。’’

``Then，betterlatethannever。You’lldowelltofollowmyadviceandgotoNewYorkandlookaboutyou。’’

``I’ll——I’llthinkofit，’’stammeredshe。

Andshedidthinkofit。Butinallherlifeshehadneverconsideredtheideaofmoney-making。Thatwassomethingformen，andforthemiddleandlowerclasses——whileHangingRockwasregardedasmostnoisomelymiddleclassbyfashionablepeople，itdidnotsoregarditself。Money-makingwasnotforladies。Likeallherclass，shewasaconstantandaseverecriticofthewomenofthelowerorderswhoworkedforherasmilliners，dressmakers，shop-attendants，cooks，maids。But，asshenowrealized，itisonethingtopassupontheworkofothers。itisanotherthingtodoworkoneself。

She——Therewasliterallynothingthatshecoulddo。

Anyoccupation，eventhemostmenial，waseitherbeyondherskillorbeyondherstrength，orbeyondboth。

Suddenlysherecalledthatshecouldsing。Herprostratespiritsuddenlyleapederect。Yes，shecouldsing！

Hervoicehadbeenpraisedbyexperts。Hersinginghadbeenindemandatcharityentertainmentswhereamateurshadtocompetewithprofessionals。Thendownshedroppedagain。Shesangwellenoughtoknowhowbadlyshesang——thelongandtoilsomeandexpensivetrainingthatlaybetweenherandoperaticorconcertorevenmusic-hallstage。Hervoicewasfineattimes。Again——mostofthetime——itwasunreliable。

No，shecouldnothopetogetpayingemploymentevenasachurchchoir-singer。MissDresserwhosanginthechoiroftheGoodShepherdfortendollarsaSunday，hadnotnearlysogoodavoiceasshe，butitwasreliable。

``ThereisnothingIcando——nothing！’’

Allatonce，withnoapparentbridgeacrossthevastchasm，herheartwentout，notinpitybutinhumanunderstandingandsisterlysympathy，tothewomenofthepariahclassatwhom，duringherstopsinNewYork，shehadsometimesgazedinwonderandhorror。``Why，weandtheyareonlyastepapart，’’shesaidtoherselfinamazement。``Weandtheyaremuchnearerthanmymaidorthecookandthey！’’

Andthenherheartskippedabeatandherskingrewcoldandafogswirledoverherbrain。Ifsheshouldbecastout——ifshecouldfindnoworkandnoonetosupporther——wouldshe——``OmyGod！’’shemoaned。

``Imustbecrazy，tothinksuchthoughts。Inevercould！I’ddiefirst——DIE！’’Butifanyonehadpicturedtoherthekindoflifeshewasnowleading——thehumiliationanddegradationshewasmeeklyenduringwithnothoughtofflight，withaneverstrongerdesiretostayon，regardlessofprideandself-respect——ifanyonehadpicturedthistoheraswhatshewouldendure，whatwouldshehavesaid？Shecouldseeherselfflashingscornfuldenial，sayingthatshewouldratherkillherself。Yetshewasliving——andwasnotevencontemplatingsuicideasawayout！

AfewdaysafterPresburygaveherwarning，hermothertookadvantageofhisabsenceforhisreligiouslyobserveddailyconstitutionaltosaytoher：

``Ihopeyoudidn’tthinkIwasbehindhiminwhathesaidtoyouaboutgoingaway？’’

Mildredhadnotthoughtso，butinhermother’sguiltytoneandguiltiereyesshenowreadthathermotherwishedhertogo。

``It’dbeawfulformetobeleftherealonewithhim，’’

wailedhermotherinsincerely。``Ofcoursewe’vegotnomoney，andbeggarscan’tbechoosers。Butit’djustaboutkillmetohaveyougo。’’

Mildredcouldnotspeak。