第2章

Notasoulathome，anywhere，andIhadtotakemychanceofsurprisingMrs。DickKentonwhenIsawyourdooropenhere:Helaughedforlornly，asthegleamfadedoutofKenton’seyeagain。"Andtheworstofitisthatmyownmotherisn’tathometome，figurativelyspeaking，whenIgoovertoseeheratBallardsville。Shegotwindofmymisfortune，somehow，andwhenImadeacleanbreastofittoher，shesaidshecouldneverfeelthesametometillIhadmadeitallrightwiththeKentons。Andwhenaman’sownmotherisdownonhim，judge！"

BittridgeleftKentontoimaginethedesperatecase，andinspiteofhisdisbeliefinthemanandallhesaid，Kentoncouldnotkeephishardnessofhearttowardshim。"Idon’tknowwhatyou’reafter，youngman，"hebegan。"Butifyouexpectmetoreceiveyouundermyroofagain——"

"Oh，Idon’t，judge，Idon’t！"Bittridgeinterposed。"AllIwantistobeabletotellmymother——Idon’tcareforanybodyelse——thatIsawyou，andyouallowedmetosaythatIwastrulysorryforthepain——ifitwaspain；orannoyance，anyway——thatIhadcausedyou，andtogobacktoherwiththehopeofatoningforitsometimeorsomehow。That’sall。"

"Lookhere！"criedRenton。"Whathaveyouwrittentomydaughterfor？"

"Wasn’tthatnatural？IprizedheresteemmorethanIdoyourseven；butdidIaskheranythingmorethanI’veaskedyou？Ididn’texpecthertoanswerme；allIwantedwastohaveherbelievethatIwasn’tasblackasIwaspainted——notinside，anyway。Youknowwellenough——anybodyknows——

thatIwouldratherhaveherthinkwellofmethananyoneelseinthisworld，exceptmymother。Ihaven’tgotthegiftofshowingoutwhat’sgoodinme，ifthereisanygood，butIbelieveMissEllenwouldwanttothinkwellofmeifIgaveherachance。Ifevertherewasanangelonearth，she’sone。Idon’tdenythatIwashopefulofmercyfromher，becauseshecan’tthinkevil，butIcanlaymyhandonmyheartandsaythatIwasn’tselfishinmyhopes。Itseemedtomethatitwasherduetounderstandthatamanwhomshehadallowedtobeherfriendwasn’taltogetherunworthy。That’sasnearasIcancometoputtingintowordsthemotiveIhadinwritingtoher。Ican’tevenbegintoputintowordsthefeelingIhavetowardsher。It’sasifshewassomethingsacred。"

ThiswasthefeelingRentonhimselfhadtowardshisdaughter，andforthefirsttimehefoundhimselfoncommongroundwiththescapegracewhoprofessedit，andwhoselight，mockingfacesolittleenforcedhisprofession。IfBittridgecouldhavespokeninthedark，hiswordsmighthavecarriedaconvictionofhissincerity，butthere，inplainday，confrontingthefatherofEllen，whohadeverywishtobelievehimtrue，theeffectwasdifferent。Deepwithinhiswishtothinkthemanhonest，Kentonrecoiledfromhim。Hevaguelyperceivedthatitwasbecauseshecouldnotthinkevilthatthiswretchhadpoweruponher，andhewassensible，ashehadnotbeenbefore，thatshehadnosafetyfromhimexceptinabsence。Hedidnotknowwhattoanswer；hecouldnotrepelhiminopenterms，andstilllesscouldhemeethimwithanywordsthatwouldallowhimtoresumehisformerrelationswithhisfamily。Hesaid，finally:"Wewillletmattersstand。WearegoingtoEuropeinaweek，andIshallnotseeyouagain。IwilltellMrs。Kentonwhatyousay。"

"Thankyou，judge。AndtellherthatIappreciateyourkindnessmorethanIcansay！"Thejudgerosefromhischairandwenttowardsthewindow，whichhehadthrownopen。"Goingtoshutup？Letmehelpyouwiththatwindow；itseemstostick。Everythingfastup-stairs？"

"I——Ithinkso，"Kentonhesitated。

"I’lljustrunupandlook，"saidBittridge，andhetookthestairstwoatatime，beforeKentoncouldprotest，whentheycameoutintothehalltogether。"It’sallright，"hereportedonhisquickreturn。"I’lljustlookroundbelowhere，"andheexploredtheground-floorroomsinturn。

"No，youhadn’topenedanyotherwindow，"hesaid，glancingfinallyintothelibrary。"ShallIleavethispaperonyourtable？"

"Yes，leaveitthere，"saidKenton，helplessly，andheletBittridgeclosethefrontdoorafterhim，andlockit。

"IhopeMissLottieiswell，"hesuggestedinhandingthekeytoKenton。

"AndBoyne"headded，withthecordialityofanoldfamilyfriend。

"IhopeBoynehasgotreconciledtoNewYorkalittle。Hewasratheranxiousabouthispigeonswhenheleft，Iunderstand。ButIguessDick’smanhaslookedafterthem。I’dhaveofferedtotakechargeofthecocoonsmyselfifI’dhadachance。"Hewalked，gaylychatting，acrosstheinterveninglawnwithKentontohisson’sdoor，whereatsightofhimbra。RichardKentonevanescedintotheinteriorsoobviouslythatBittridgecouldnotoffertocomein。"Well，Ishallseeyouallwhenyoucomebackinthefall，judge，andIhopeyou’llhaveapleasantvoyageandagoodtimeinEurope。"

"Thankyou，"saidKenton，briefly。

"Remembermetotheladies！"andBittridgetookoffhishatwithhislefthand，whileheofferedthejudgehisright。"Well，good-bye！"

Kentonmadewhatresponsehecould，andescapedin-doors，wherehisdaughter-in-lawappearedfromtheobscurityintowhichshehadretiredfromBittridge。"Well，thatfollowdoesbeatall！How，intheworlddidhefindyou，father？"

"Hecameintothehouse，"saidthejudge，muchabashedathisfailuretodealadequatelywithBittridge。Hefeltitthemoreinthepresenceofhisson’swife。"Icouldn’t，seemtogetridofhiminanywayshortofkickinghimout。"

"No，there’snothingequaltohisimpudence。Idobelievehewouldhavecomeinhere，ifhehadn’tseenmefirst。Didyoutellhimwhenyouweregoingback，father？Becausehe’dbeatthetraintoseeyouoff，justassure！"

"No，Ididn’ttellhim，"saidKenton，feelingmoveshakennowfromtheinterviewwithBittridgethanhehadrealizedbefore。HewasashamedtoletMaryknowthathehadlistenedtoBittridge’sjustification，whichhenowperceivedwasnone，andhewouldhavelikedtopretendthathehadnotsilentlycondonedhisoffences，butMarydidnotdrivehimtothesedeceptionsbyanyfurtherallusionstoBittridge。

"Well，now，youmustgointothesitting-roomandliedownonthelounge；

IpromisedDicktomakeyou。Orwouldyourathergoup-stairstoyourroom？"

"IthinkI’llgotomyroom，"saidKenton。

HewasasleepthereonthebedwhenRichardcamehometodinnerandlookedsoftlyin。Hedecidednottowakehim，andMarysaidthesleepwoulddohimmoregoodthanthedinner。Attabletheytalkedhimover，andshetoldherhusbandwhatsheknewofthemorning’sadventure。

"Thatwasprettytoughforfather，"saidRichard。"Iwouldn’tgointothehousewithhim，becauseIknewhewantedtohaveittohimself；andthentothinkofthatdirtyhoundskulkingin！Well，perhapsit’sforthebest。Itwillmakeiteasier，forfathertogoandleavetheplace，andthey’vegottogo。They’vegottoputtheAtlanticOceanbetweenEllenandthatfellow。"

"Itdoesseemasifsomethingmightbedone，"hiswiferebelled。

"They’vedonethebestthatcouldbedone，"saidRichard。"Andifthatskunkhasn’tgotsomesortofnewholduponfather，Ishallbesatisfied。

TheworstofitisthatitwillbeallovertowninanhourthatBittridgehasmadeupwithus。Idon’tblamefather；hecouldn’thelpit；henevercouldberudetoanybody。"

"IthinkI’lltryifIcan’tberudetoMr。Bittridge，ifheeverundertakestoshowinmypretencethathehasmadeitupwithus，"saidMary。

Richardtenderlyfoundoutfromhisfather’sshamefacedreluctance，later，thatnogreatmischiefhadbeendone。ButnoprecautiononhispartavailedtokeepBittridgefromdemonstratingthegoodfeelingbetweenhimselfandtheKentonswhenthejudgestartedforNewYorkthenextafternoon。Hewastherewaitingtoseehimoff，andheallbuttooktheadieusoutofRichard’shands。Hegotpossessionofthejudge’svalise，andpressedpasttheporterintothesleeping-carwithit，andremainedloungingonthearmofthejudge’sseat，makingconversationwithhimandRichardtillthetrainbegantomove。Thenheranoutside，andwavedhishandtothejudge’swindowinfarewell，beforeallthatleisureofTuskingumwhichhauntedthearrivalanddepartureofthetrains。

MaryKentonwasfuriouswhenherhusbandcamehomeandreportedthefacttoher。

"Howintheworlddidhefindoutwhenfatherwasgoing？"

"Hemusthavecometoallthethroughtrainssincehesayhimyesterday。

ButIthinkevenyouwouldhavebeensuited，Mary，ifyouhadseenhisfailuretowalkofffromthedepotarm-in-armwithme:

"Iwouldn’thavebeensuitedwithanythingshortofyourknocking，himdown，Dick。"

"Oh，thatwouldn’thavedone，"saidRichard。Afterawhileheadded，patiently，"Ellenismakingagooddealoftroubleforus。"

ThiswaswhatMarywasthinkingherself，anditwaswhatshemighthavesaid，butsinceDickhadsaiditshewasobligedtoprotest。"Sheisn’ttoblameforit。"

"Oh，Iknowsheisn’ttoblame。"

V。

ThefatheroftheunhappygirlwasofthesamemixedmindasherodesleeplesslybacktoNewYorkinhisberth，andheardthenoisesofslumberallroundhim。Fromtimetotimehegroanedsoftly，andturnedfromonecheektotheother。Everyhalf-hourorsohelethiswindow-

curtainflyup，andlaywatchingthelandscapefleetingpast；andthenhepulledthecurtaindownagainandtriedtosleep。AfterpassingAlbanyhedozed，butatPoughkeepsieazealousportercalledhimbymistake，andtherestofthewaytoNewYorkhesatupinthesmoking-room。Itseemedalongwhilesincehehaddrowsed；thethinnaphadnotrestedhim，andtheoldfacethatshoweditselfintheglass，withthefrostofatwodays’beardonit，wasdry-eyedandlimplysquaredbythefallofthemusclesatthecornersofthechin。

Hewonderedhowheshouldjustifytohiswifethethingwhichhefeltasaccountableforhavinghappenedtohimasifhecouldhavepreventedit。

Itwouldnothavehappened，ofcourse，ifhehadnotgonetoTuskingum，andshecouldsaythattohim；nowitseemedtohimthathisgoing，whichhadbeensoimperativebeforehewent，wasaltogetherneedless。Nothingbutharmhadcomeofit，andithadbeenaselfishindulgenceofaculpableweakness。

ItwasalittlebetterforKentonwhenhefoundhimselfwithhisfamily，andtheywentdowntogethertothebreakfastwhichthemotherhadengagedtheyoungerchildrentomakeaspleasantastheycouldfortheirfather，andnotworryhimwithtalkaboutTuskingum。Theyhad，infact，gotovertheirfirstseasonofhomesickness，andwerepostponingtheirlongingforTuskingumtilltheirreturnfromEurope，whentheywouldallgostraightoutthere。Kentonranthegauntletofwelcomefromtheblackelevator-

boysandbell-boysandthehead-waiter，whowentbeforehimtopulloutthejudge’schair，withcommandingfrownstohisunderlingstodothelikefortherestofthefamily；andashisownclumsyIrishwaiterstoodbehindhischair，breathingheavilyuponthejudge’shead，hegavehisorderforbreakfast，withacurioussenseofhavinggothomeagainfromsomestrangeplace。HesatisfiedBoynethathispigeonsandpoultryhadbeenwellcaredforthroughthewinter，andhetoldLottiethathehadnotmetmuchofanybodyexceptDick’sfamily，beforeherecollectedseeinghalfadozenofheryoungmenatdifferedtimes。ShewasnotveryexactingaboutthemandhermindseemedsetuponEurope，oratleastshetalkedofnothingelse。Ellenwasquietasshealwayswas，butshesmiledgentlyonherfather，andMrs。Kentontoldhimofthegirl’spreparationsforgoing，andcongratulatedherselfontheirwisdominhavingpostponedtheirsailing，inviewofalltheyhadtodo；andshemadeKentonfeelthateverythingwasinthebestpossibleshape。Assoonasshegothimaloneintheirownroom，shesaid，"Well，whatisit，poppa？"

Thenhehadtotellher，andshelistenedwithominousgravity。Shedidnotsaythatnowhecouldseehowmuchbetteritwouldhavebeenifhehadnotgone，butshemadehimsayitforher；andshewouldnotlethimtakecomfortinthenotionofkeepingthefactofhisinterviewwithBittridgefromEllen。"Itwouldbeworsethanuseless。Hewillwritetoheraboutit，andthenshewillknowthatwehavebeen，concealingit。"

Kentonwasastonishedathimselffornothavingthoughtofthat。"Andwhatareyougoingtodo，Sarah？"

"Iamgoingtotellher，"saidMrs。Kenton。

"Whydidn’tpoppatellmebefore？"thegirlperverselydemanded，assoonasheranotherhaddoneso。

"Ellen，youareanaughtychild！Ihaveagreatmindnottohaveawordmoretosaytoyou。Yourfatherhasn’tbeeninthehouseanhour。DidyouwanthimtospeakbeforeLottieandBoyne！"

"Idon’tseewhyhedidn’ttellmehimself。Iknowthereissomethingyouarekeepingback。Iknowthereissomeword——"

"Oh，yonpoorgirl！"saidhermother，meltingintopityagainstallsenseofduty。"Haveweevertriedtodeceiveyou？"

"No，"Ellensobbed，withherfaceinherhands。"NowIwilltellyoueverywordthatpassed，"saidMrs。Kenton，andshetold，aswellasshecouldremember，allthatthejudgehadrepeatedfromBittridge。"Idon’tsayheisn’tashamedofhimself，"shecommentedattheend。"Heoughttobe，and，ofcourse，hewouldbegladtobeinwithusagainwhenwegoback；butthatdoesn’talterhischaracter，Ellen。Still，ifyoucan’tseethatyourself，Idon’twanttomakeyou，andifyouwouldrathergohometoTuskingum，wewillgiveupthetriptoEurope。"

"It’stoolatetodothatnow，"saidthegirl，incruelreproach。

Hermotherclosedherlipsresolutelytillshecouldsay，"Oryoucanwritetohimifyouwantto。"

"Idon’twantto，"saidEllen，andshedraggedherselfupoutofherchair，andtrailedslowlyoutoftheroomwithoutlookingathermother。

"Well？"thejudgeasked，impatiently，whenhecameinassoonafterthisashedecentlycould。TheyobservedformswithregardtotalkingaboutEllenwhich，afterall，wereratherforthemselvesthanforher；Mrs。

Kenton，atleast，knewthatthegirlknewwhentheyweretalkingabouther。

"ShetookitaswellasIexpected。"

"Whatisshegoingtodo？"

"Shedidn’tsay。ButIdon’tbelieveshewilldoanything。"

"IwishIhadtakenourticketsfornextSaturday，"saidKenton。

"Well，wemustwaitnow，"saidhiswife。"Ifhedoesn’twritetoher，shewon’twritetohim。"

"Hassheeveransweredthatletterofhis？"

"No，andIdon’tbelieveshewillnow。"

ThatnightEllencametohermotherandsaidsheneednotbeafraidofherwritingtoBittridge。"Hehasn’tchanged，ifhewaswrong，bycomingandsayingthosethingstopoppa，andnothinghaschanged。"

"ThatisthewayIhopedyouwouldseeit；Ellen。"Hermotherlookedwistfullyather，butthegirlleftherwithoutlettinghersatisfythelonginginthemother’shearttoputherarmsroundherchild，andpullherheaddownuponherbreastforacry。

Kentonsleptbetterthatnightthanhiswife，whowaskeptawakebyaformlessforeboding。Fortheweekthatfollowedshehadthesenseofliterallypushingthehoursaway，sothatattimesshefoundherselfbreathless，asiffromsomeheavyphysicalexertion。Atsuchtimesshewasfranticwiththewishtohavethedaysgone，andthedayoftheirsailingcome，butshekeptherimpatiencefromherhusbandandchildren，andespeciallyfromEllen。Thegirlwaspassiveenough；shewasalmostwilling，andinthepreparationfortheirvoyageshedidhershareoftheshopping，anddiscussedthedifficultpointsofthisbusinesswithhermotherandsisterasifshehadreallybeenthinkingaboutitall。Buthermotherdoubtedifshehad，andmademoreofEllen’ssunkeneyesandthinfacethanofherintelligentandattentivewords。Itwasthesethatshereportedtoherhusband，whomshekeptfromtalkingwithEllen，andotherwisequelled。

"Letheralone，"sheinsisted，onemorningofthelastweek。"Whatcanyoudobyspeakingtoheraboutit？Don’tyouseethatsheismakingthebestfightshecan？Youwillweakenherifyouinterfere。It’slessthanaweeknow，andifyoucanonlyholdout，Iknowshecan。"

Kentongroaned。"Well，Isupposeyou’reright，Sarah。ButIdon’tliketheideaofforcinghertogo，unless——"

"Thenyouhadbetterwritetothatfellow，andaskhimtocomeandgether。"

ThisshutKenton’smouth，andhekeptonwithhisshaving。Whenhehadfinishedhefeltfresher，ifnotstronger，andhewentdowntobreakfast，whichhehadalone，notonlywithreferencetohisownfamily，butalltheotherguestsofthehotel。Hewasalwayssoearlythatsometimesthedining-roomwasnotopen；whenthishappened，heusedtogoandbuyanewspaperattheclerk’sdesk，foritwastooearlythenforthenews-

standtobeopen。Ithappenedsothatmorning，andhegothispaperwithoutnoticingtheyoungmanwhowaswritinghisnameinthehotelregister，butwholookedbrisklyupwhentheclerkbadeKentongood-

morningbyname。

"Why，judge！"hesaid，andheputoutahandwhichKentontookwithtremblingreluctanceandadazedstare。"IthoughtyousailedlastSaturday！"

"WesailnextSaturday，"saidKenton。

"Well，well！ThenImisunderstood，"saidBittridge，andheadded:"Why，thisismoneyfoundintheroad！Howareallthefamily？I’vegotmymotherherewithme；broughtheronforakindofalittleouting。

She’llbethemostsurprisedwomaninNewYorkwhenItellheryou’rehereyet。Wecametothishotelbecauseweknewyouhadbeenhere，butwedidn’tsupposeyouwerehere！Well！Thisistoogood！IsawDick，Friday，buthedidn’tsayanythingaboutyoursailing；IsupposehethoughtIknew。Didn’tyoutellmeyouweregoinginaweek，thatdayinyourhouse？"

"PerhapsIdid，"Kentonfalteredout，hiseyesfixedonBittridge’swithahelplessfascination。

"Well，itdon’tmattersolongasyou’rehere。Mother’sintheparlorwaitingforme；Iwon’trisktakingyoutohernow，judge——rightoffthetrain，youknow。ButIwanttobringhertocallonMrs。Kentonassoonafterbreakfastasyou’llletme。ShejustidolizesMrs。Kenton，fromwhatI’vetoldherabouther。Ourroomsready？"Heturnedtotheclerk，andtheclerkcalled"Front！"toabellboy，whoranupandtookBittridge’shand-baggage，andstoodwaitingtofollowhimintotheparlor。"Well，youmustexcusemenow，judge。Solong！"hesaid，gayly，andKentoncreptfeeblyawaytothedining-room。

Hemusthaveeatenbreakfast，buthewasnotawareofdoingso；andtheeventsofhisleavingthetableandgoingupintheelevatorandfindinghimselfinhiswife’spresencedidnotpresentthemselvesconsecutively，thoughtheymustallhavesuccessivelyoccurred。Itdidnotseemtohimthathecouldtellwhatheknew，buthefoundhimselfdoingit，andherhearingitwithstrangequiet。

"Verywell，"shesaid。"ImusttellEllen，and，ifshewishes，wemuststayinandwaitfortheircall。"

"Yes，"thejudgemechanicallyconsented。

ItwaspainfulforMrs。KentontoseehowthegirlflushedwhensheannouncedthefactofBittridge’spresence，forsheknewwhatastrifeofhopeandshameandpridetherewasinEllen’sheart。Atfirstshesaidthatshedidnotwishtoseehim，andthenwhenMrs。Kentonwouldnotsaywhethershehadbetterseehimornot，sheadded，vaguely，"Ifhehasbroughthismother——"

"Ithinkwemustseethem，Ellen。Youwouldn’twishtothinkyouhadbeenunkind；andhemightbehurtonhismother’saccount。Heseemsreallyfondofher，andperhaps——"

"No，thereisn’tanyperhaps，momma，"saidthegirl，gratefully。"ButI

thinkwehadbetterseethem，too。IthinkwehadbetterALLseethem。"

"Justasyouplease，Ellen。Ifyouprefertomeetthemalone——"

"Idon’tpreferthat。Iwantpoppatobethere，andLottieandBoyneeven。"

Boyneobjectedwhenhewastoldthathispresencewasrequestedatthisfamilyrite，andhewouldhaveexcusedhimselfiftheinvitationhadbeenoftheformthatonemightdecline。"WhatdoIwanttoseehimfor？"hepuffed。"HenevercaredanythingaboutmeinTuskingum。What’shewanthere，anyway？"

"Iwishyoutocomein，myson，"saidhismother，andthatendedit。

Lottiewasnotsotractable。"Verywell，momma，"shesaid。"Butdon’texpectmetospeaktohim。Ihavesomelittleself-respect，iftherestofyouhaven’t。AmIgoingtoshakehandswithhim！Inevertooktheleastnoticeofhimathome，andI’mnotgoingtohere。"

Bittridgedecidedthequestionofhand-shakingforherwhentheymet。Hegreetedhergloomingbrotherwithajolly"Hello，Boyne！"andwithoutwaitingfortheboy’stardyresponsehesaid"Hello，Lottie！"tothegirl，andtookherhandandkeptitinhiswhilehemadeanelaboratecomplimenttohergoodlooksandhergaininweight。Shehadcometardilyasaproofthatshewouldnothavecomeinatallifshehadnotchosentodoso，andMrs。BittridgewasalreadyseatedbesideEllenonthesofa，holdingherhand，andtryingtokeephermobile，inattentiveeyesuponEllen’sface。Shewasalittlewoman，youthfullydressed，butnotdressedyouthfullyenoughforthedry，yellowhairwhichcurledtightlyinsmallringsonherskull，likethewigofarag-doll。Herrestlesseyeswereroundanddeep-set，withthelidsflungupoutofsight；shehadalax，formlessmouth，andananxioussmile，withwhichsheconstantlywatchedhersonforhisinitiative，whilesherecollectedherselffromtimetotime，longenoughtosmoothEllen’shandbetweenherown，andsay，"Oh，IjustthinktheworldofClarence；andIguesshethinkshismotherisaboutright，too，"andthendidnotheedwhatEllenanswered。

Thegirlsaidverylittle，anditwasBittridgewhotalkedforall，dominatingtheroomwithalarge，satisfiedpresence，inwhichthejudgesatwithdrawn，hisforeheadsupportedonhishand，andhiselbowonthetable。Mrs。Kentonheldherselfupright，withherhandscrossedbeforeher，stealingalooknowandthenatherdaughter’savertedface，butkeepinghereyesfromMrs。Bittridge，who，whenevershecaughtMrs。

Kenton’sglance，saidsomethingtoheraboutherClarence，andhowheusedtowritehometoheratBallardsvilleabouttheKentons，sothatshefeltacquaintedwithallofthem。Herreminiscenceswereperfunctory；

Mrs。Bittridgehadvoluntarilybutonetopic，andthatwasherself，eitherasshewasincludedintheinteresthersonmustinspire，orassheincludedhimintheinterestshemustinspire。Shesaidthat，nowtheyhadmetatlast，shewasnotgoingtoresttilltheKentonshadbeenovertoBallardsville，andmadeheragood，longvisit；hersonhadsomedifficultyinmakingherrealizethattheKentonsweregoingtoEurope。

Thenshelaughed，andsaidshekeptforgetting；andshedidwishtheywereallcomingbacktoTuskingum。

Ifitisamerittotreatafatuousmotherwithdeference，Bittridgehadthatmerit。Hisdeferencewasofthecaressingandlaughingsort，whichtookthespectatorintothejokeofherpeculiaritiesassomethingtheywouldappreciateandenjoywithhim。Shehadbeenakittenishandpettedpersoninheryouth，perhaps，andnowshepettedherself，aftershehadlongceasedtobeakitten。Whatwasrespectableandwhatwaspatheticinherwasherwishtopromoteherson’sfortuneswiththeKentons，butshetriedtodothisfromnotaveryclearunderstandingofherpart，apparently，andlittlesenseofthemeans。ForEllen’ssake，ratherthanhers，thefatherandmotherreceivedheroverturestotheirlikingkindly；theyansweredherpatiently，andMrs。Kentoneventriedtoleadthewayforhertoshowherselfatherbest，bytalkingofherjourneyontoNewYork，andofthecity，andwhatshewouldseetheretointeresther。LottieandBoyne，sternlyalooftogetherinoneoftheirmomentaryalliances，listenedtoherreplieswithasilentcontemptthatalmostincludedtheirmother；Kentonborewiththewomanhumblyandsadly。

Hewas，infact，ratherbewilderedwiththesituation，forwhichhefelthimselfremotelyifnotimmediatelyresponsible。Bittridgewasthereamongthemnotonlyongoodterms，butapparentlyinthecharacterofamorethantoleratedpretendanttoEllen’sfavor。Therewerepassagesoftimeiswhichthefatherwasnotsurethatthefellowwasnotengagedtohisdaughter，thoughwhentheseinstantsweregonehewasawarethattherehadbeennoovertlove-makingbetweenthemandBittridgehadneverofferedhimself。Whatwashedoingthere，then？Thejudgeaskedhimselfthat，withoutbeingabletoanswerhimself。Sofarashecouldmakeout，hiswifeandhewerelettinghimseeEllen，andshowherofftohismother，mainlytodisgustherwiththemboth，andbecausetheywereafraidthatiftheydeniedhertohim，itwouldbetheworseforthemthroughhersuffering。Thejudgewasnotaccustomedtoapplythetestsbywhichpeoplearefoundvulgarornot；thesewerenotofhissimpleworld；allthathefeltaboutMrs。Bittridgewasthatshewasaveryfoolish，falseperson，whowastrueinnothingbutheradmirationofherrascalofason；hedidnotthinkofBittridgeasarascalviolently，buthelplessly，andwithaheartthatmeltedinpityforEllen。

Helongedtohavethesepeoplegone，notsomuchbecausehewassounhappyintheirpresenceasbecausehewishedtolearnEllen’sfeelingaboutthemfromhiswife。Shewouldknow，whetherAllensaidanythingtoherornot。ButperhapsifMrs。Kentonhadbeenaskedtodeliverhermindonthispointatonceshewouldhavebeenalittlepuled。Allthatshecouldsee，andshesawitwithasinkingoftheheart，wasthatEllenlookedmoreatpeacethanshehadbeensinceBittridgewaslastintheirhouseatTuskingum。Hereyescovertlyfollowedhimashesattalking，orwentabouttheroom，makinghimselfathomeamongthem，asifhewerewelcomewitheveryone。Hejokedhermorethantherest，andaccusedherofhavingbecomearegularNew-Yorker；hesaidhesupposedthatwhenshecamebackfromEuropeshewouldnotknowanybodyinTuskingum；andhismother，playingwithEllen’sfingers，asiftheyhadbeenthefringeofatassel，declaredthatshemustnotmindhim，forhecarriedonjustsowitheverybody；atthesametimesheorderedhimtostop，orshewouldgorightoutoftheroom。

Shegavenoothersignofgoing，anditwashersonwhohadtomakethemovementforheratlast；sheapparentlydidnotknowthatitwasherparttomakeit。ShesaidthatnowtheKentonsmustcomeandreturnhercall，andberealneighborly，justthesameasiftheywereallathometogether。Whenhersonshookhandswitheveryoneshedidsotoo，andshesaidtoeach，"Well，Iwishyougood-morning，"andlethimpushherbeforehim，inhighdelightwiththejoke，outoftheroom。

WhentheyweregonetheKentonssatsilent，Ellenwitharaptsmileonherthin，flushedface，tillLottiesaid，"YouforgottoaskhimifwemightBREATHE，poppa，"andpacedoutoftheroominstatelyscorn，followedbyBoyne，whohadapparentlynowordsatthecommandofhisdumbrage。Kentonwishedtoremain，andhelookedathiswifeforinstruction。Shefrowned，andhetookthisforasignthathehadbettergo，andhewentwithalightsigh。

Hedidnotknowwhatelsetodowithhimself，andhewentdowntothereading-room。HefoundBittridgethere，smokingacigar，andtheyoungmancompanionablyofferedtobestowoneuponhim；butthejudgestifflyrefused，sayinghedidnotwishtosmokejustthen。HenotedthatBittridgewasstillinhischaracteroffamilyfavorite，andhishandtrembledashepasseditoverthesmoothknobofhisstick，whilehesatwaitingforthefellowtotakehimselfaway。ButBittridgehadapparentlynothoughtofgoing。Hewaslookingattheamusementsfortheeveninginapaperhehadbought，andhewishedtoconsultthejudgeastowhichwasthebesttheatretogotothatnight；hesaidhewantedtotakehismother。KentonprofessednottoknowmuchabouttheNewYorktheatres，andthenBittridgeguessedhemustgettheclerktotellhim。

Butstillhedidnotpartwiththejudge。Hesatdownbesidehim，andtoldhimhowgladhewastoseehisfamilylookingsowell，especiallyMissEllen；hecouldnotremembereverseeinghersostrong-looking。Hesaidthatgirlhadcapturedhismother，whowasinlovewithprettymuchthewholeKentonfamily，though。

"Andby-the-way，"headded，"IwanttothankyouandMrs。Kenton，judge，forthewayyoureceivedmymother。Youmadeherfeelthatshewasamongfriends。Shecan’ttalkaboutanythingelse，andIguessIsha’n’thavemuchtroubleinmakingherstayinNewYorkaslongasyou’rehere。Shewasinclinedtobehomesick。Thefactis，thoughIdon’tcaretohaveittalkedaboutyet，andIwishyouwouldn’tsayanythingtoDickaboutitwhenyouwritehome，IthinkofsettlinginNewYork。I’vebeenofferedashowintheadvertisingdepartmentofoneofthebigdailies——I’mnotatlibertytosaywhich——andit’satoss-upwhetherIstayhereorgotoWashington；I’vegotachancethere，too，butit’sonthestaffofanewenterprise，andI’mnotsureaboutit。I’vebroughtmymotheralongtoletherhavealookatbothplaces，thoughshedoesn’tknowit，andI’dratheryouwouldn’tspeakofitbeforeher；I’mgoingtotakeherontoWashingtonbeforewegoback。Iwanttohavemymotherwithme，judge。

It’sbetterforafellowtohavethathome-feelinginalargeplacefromthestart；itkeepshimoutofalotofthings，andIdon’tpretendtobebetterthanotherpeople，ornotmoresuperhuman。IfI’vebeenabletokeepoutofscrapes，it’smorebecauseI’vehadmymothernearme，andI

don’tintendevertobeseparatedfromher，afterthis，tillIhaveahomeofmyown。She’sbeentheguiding-starofmylife。"

Kentonwasunabletomakeanyformalresponse，and，infact，hewassopreoccupiedwiththequestionwhetherthefellowwasmoreafoolorafraudthathemadenoansweratall，beyondafewinarticulategrumblingsofassent。ThesesufficedforBittridge，apparently，forhewentoncontentedly:"WheneverI’vebeentemptedtogoalittlewild，thethoughtofhowmotherwouldfeelhaskeptmeonthetracklikenothingelsewould。No，judge，thereisn’tanythinginthisworldlikeagoodmother，excepttherightkindofawife。"

Kentonrose，andsaidhebelievedhemustgoupstairs。Bittridgesaid，"Allright；I’llseeyoulater，judge，"andswungeasilyofftoadvisewiththeclerkastothebesttheatre。

VI。

Kentonwassounhappythathecouldnotwaitforhiswifetocometohimintheirownroom；hebrokeinuponherandEllenintheparlor，andathiscomingthegirlflittedout，inthenoiselessfashionwhichoflatehadmadeherfatherfeelsomethingghostlikeinher。Hewasafraidshewasgrowingtodislikehim，andtryingtoavoidhim，andnowhepresentedhimselfquitehumblybeforehiswife，asifhehaddonewrongincoming。

Hebeganwithasortofapologyforinterrupting，buthiswifesaiditwasallright，andsheadded，"Wewerenottalkingaboutanythinginparticular。"Shewassilent，andthensheaddedagain:"SometimesI

thinkEllenhasn’tveryfineperceptions，afterall。Shedoesn’tseemtofeelaboutpeopleasIsupposedshewould。"

"Youmeanthatshedoesn’tfeelasyouwouldsupposeaboutthosepeople？"

Mrs。Kentonanswered，obliquely。"Shethinksit’sabeautifulthinginhimtobesodevotedtohismother。"

"Humph！Andwhatdoesshethinkofhismother？"

"Shethinksshehasveryprettyhair。"

Mrs。Kentonlookedgravelydownattheworkshehadinherhands，andKentondidnotknowwhattomakeofitall。Hedecidedthathiswifemustfeel，ashedid，adoubtofthechild’ssincerity，withsenseofherevasivenessmoretolerantthanhisown。YetheknewthatifitcametoaquestionofforcingEllentodowhatwasbestforher，orforbiddinghertodowhatwasworst，hiswifewouldhaveallthestrengthforthework，andhenone。Heaskedher，hopelesslyenough，"Doyouthinkshestillcaresforhim？"

"Ithinkshewishestogivehimanothertrial；Ihopeshewill。"Kentonwasdaunted，andheshowedit。"Shehasgottoconvinceherself，andwehavegottolether。Shebelieves，ofcourse，thathe’shereonheraccount，andthatflattersher。Whyshouldshebesodifferentfromothergirls？"Mrs。Kentondemandedoftheangryprotestinherhusband’seye。

Hisspiritfell，andhesaid，"Ionlywishsheweremorelikethem。"

"Well，then，sheisjustasheadstrongandassilly，whenitcomestoathinglikethis。Ouronlyhopeistoletherhaveherownway。"

"Doyousupposehecaresforher，afterall？"

Mrs。Kentonwassilent，asifinexhaustiveself-question。Thensheanswered:"No，Idon’tinthatway。Buthebelieveshecangether。"

"Then，Sarah，Ithinkwehaveadutytothepoorchild。Youmusttellherwhatyouhavetoldme。"

Mrs。Kentonsmiledratherbitterly，inrecognitionofthefactthattheperformanceoftheircommondutymustfallwhollytoher。Butshemerelysaid:"Thereisnoneedofmytellingher。Sheknowsitalready。"

"Andshewouldtakehiminspiteofknowingthathedidn’treallycareforher？"

"Idon’tsaythat。Shewouldn’townittoherself。"

"Andwhatareyougoingtodo？"

"Nothing。Wemustletthingstaketheircourse。"

Theyhadagreatdealmoretalkthatcametothesameend。Theyplayedtheirsadcomedy，heinthepartofafatherdeterminedtosavehischildfromherself，andsheinhersofresistingandwithholdinghim。Itendedasithadsooftenendedbefore——heyielded，withmorefaithinherwisdomthanshehadherself。

AtluncheontheBittridgescouldnotjointheKentons，orbeaskedtodoso，becausethetableheldonlyfour，buttheystoppedontheirwaytotheirowntable，themothertobridleandtossinaffectedreluctance，whilethesonbraggedhowhehadgotthelasttwoticketstobehadthatnightforthetheatrewherehewasgoingtotakehismother。Heseemedtothinkthatthefacthadaspecialclaimonthejudge’sinterest，andshetowishtofindoutwhetherMrs。Kentonapprovedoftheatre-going。

ShesaidshewouldnotthinkofgoinginBallardsville，butshesupposeditwasmorerulableinNewYork。

DuringtheafternoonshecalledattheKentonapartmenttoconsulttheladiesaboutwhatsheoughttowear。Shesaidshehadnothingbutablack’barege’along，andwouldthatdowiththehatshehadon？Shehadwornittoletthemsee，andnowsheturnedherfacefromaidetosidetogivethemtheeffectoftheplumes，thatfelllikeadishevelledfeather-

dusterroundandoverthecrown。Mrs。Kentoncouldonlysaythatitwoulddo，butshebelievedthatitwasthecustomnowforladiestotaketheirhatsoffinthetheatre。

Mrs。Bittridgegaveahoarselaugh。"Oh，dear！ThenI’llhavetofixmyhairtwoways？Idon’tknowwhatClarenceWILLsay。"

Thementionofherson’snameopenedthewayforhertotalkofhiminrelationtoherself，andtherestofherstaypassedinthecelebrationofhisfilialvirtues，whichhadbeenmanifestfromtheearliestperiod。

Shecouldnotrememberthatsheeverhadtohitthechildalick，shesaid，orthathehadevermadehershedatear。

Whenshewent，Boynegloomilyinquired，"Whatmakesherhairsomuchdarkerattherootsthanitisatthepoints？"andhismothersnubbedhimpromptly。

"Youhadnobusinesstobehere，Boyne。Idon’tlikeboyshangingaboutwhereladiesaretalkingtogether，andlistening。"

ThisdidnotpreventLottiefromanswering，directlyforBoyne，andindirectlyforEllen，"It’sbecauseit’sbeguntogrowsincethelastbleach。"

ItwaseasiertograpplewithBoynethanwithLottie，，andMrs。Kentonwaswillingtoallowhertoleavetheroomwithherbrotherunrebuked。

ShewasevenwillingtohavehadtheveilliftedfromMrs。Bittridge’shairwitharudehand，ifitworldhelpEllen。

"Idon’twantyoutothink，momma，"saidthegirl，"thatIdidn’tknowaboutherhair，orthatIdon’tseehowsillysheis。Butit’sallthemoretohiscreditifhecanbesogoodtoher，andadmireher。Wouldyonlikehimbetterifhedespisedher？"

Mrs。Kentonfeltboththedefianceandthesecretshamefromwhichitspranginherdaughter’swords；andshewaitedforamomentbeforesheanswered，"Iwouldliketobesurehedidn’t！"

"Ifhedoes，andifhehidesitfromher，it’sthesameasifhedidn’t；

it’sbetter。Butyouallwishtodislikehim。"

"Wedon’twishtodislikehim，Ellen，goodnessknows。ButIdon’tthinkhewouldcaremuchwhetherwedislikedhimornot。IamsureyourpoorfatherandIwouldbeonlytoogladtolikehim。"

"Lottiewouldn’t，"saidEllen，witharesentmenthermotherfoundpathetic，itwassofeebleandaimless。

"Lottiedoesn’tmatter，"shesaid。ShecouldnotmakeouthownearlyEllenwastosharingthecommondislike，orhowfarshewouldgoinfortifyingherselfagainstit。Shekeptwithdifficultytohernegativefrankness，andsheletthegirlleavetheroomwithafretfulsigh，asifprovokedthathermotherwouldnotprovokeherfurther。ThereweremomentswhenMrs。KentonbelievedthatEllenwassickofherlove，andthatshewouldpluckitoutofherheartherselfifshewereleftalone。

ShewasthengladBittridgehadcome，sothatEllenmightcomparewiththerealitythecounterfeitpresentmentshehadkeptinherfancy；andshebelievedthatifshecouldbutleavehimtodohisworst，itwouldbethebestforEllen。

Intheevening，directlyafterdinner，BittridgesentuphisnameforMrs。Kenton。Thejudgehadremainedtoreadhispaperbelow，andLottieandBoynehadgonetosomefriendsinanotherapartment。ItseemedtoMrs。Kentonapieceofluckthatsheshouldbeabletoseehimalone，andshecouldnothavesaidthatshewasunpreparedforhimtocomein，holdinghistheatre-ticketsexplanatorilyinhishand，orsurprisedwhenhebegan:

"Mrs。Kenton，mymother’sgotabadheadache，andI’vecometoaskafavorofyou。Shecan’tuseherticketforto-night，andIwantyoutoletMissEllencomewithme。Willyou？"

Bittridgehadconstitutedhimselfanoldfriendofthewholefamilyfromtherenewaloftheiracquaintance，andMrs。Kentonwasnowmadeawareofhisbeingherpeculiarfavorite，inspiteoftheinstantrepulsionshefelt，shewasnotaversetowhatheproposed。HerfearwasthatEllenwouldbeso，orthatshecouldkeepfrominfluencinghertothistestofherrealfeelingforBittridge。"Iwillaskher，Mr。Bittridge，"shesaid，withaseveritywhichwasapreliminaryoftheimpartialityshemeanttousewithEllen。

"Well，that’sright，"heanswered，andwhileshewenttothegirl’sroomheremainedexaminingthedetailsofthedrawing-roomdecorationsineasysecurity，whichMrs。Kentonjustifiedonherreturn。

"Ellenwillbereadytogowithyou，Mr。Bittridge。"

"Well，that’sgood，"saidtheyoungman，andwhilehetalkedonshesatwonderingatanaturewhichallmodestyanddeferenceseemedleftoutof，thoughhehadsometimesgivenevidenceofhisintellectualappreciationofthesethings。HetalkedtoMrs。Kentonnotonlyasiftheywereinevery-wiseequal，butasiftheywereofthesameage，almostofthesamesex。

Ellencamein，cloakedandhatted，withherdelicatefaceexcitedinprospectoftheadventure；andhermothersawBittridgelookatherwithmoretendernessthanshehadeverseeninhimbefore。"I’lltakegoodcareofher，Mrs。Kenton，"hesaid，andforthefirsttimeshefeltherselfrelentalittletowardshim。

AminuteaftertheyweregoneLottiebouncedintotheroom，followedbyBoyne。

"Momma！"sheshouted，"Ellenisn’tgoingtothetheatrewiththatfellow？"

"Yes，sheis。"

"Andyoulether，momma！Withoutachaperon？"

Boyne’sfacehadmirroredtheindignationinhissister’s，butatthisunprecedentedburstofconventionalityheforgottheirmomentaryalliance。"Well，you’reaprettyonetotalkaboutchaperons！WalkingalloverTuskingumwithfellowsatnight，andgoingbuggy-ridingwitheverybody，andoutrowing，andherefairlybeggingJimPlumptontocomedowntothesteamerandseeyouoffagain！"

"Shutup！"Lottieviolentlyreturned，"orI’lltellmommahowyou’vebeenbehavingwithRitaPlumptonyourself。"

"Well，tell！"Boynedefiedher。

"Oh，itdon’tmatterwhatabratofaboysaysordoes，anyway，"saidLottie。"ButIthinkEllenisdisgracingthefamily。EverybodyinthehotelislaughingatthatwiggyoldMrs。Bittridge，withherwobblyeyes，andtheycanseethathe’sjustasgreen！ThePlumptonshavebeenlaughingsoaboutthem，andItoldthemthatwehadnothingtodowiththemathome，andhadfairlyturnedBittridgeoutofthehouse，buthehadimpudenceenoughforanything；andnowtofindEllengoingofftothetheatrewithhimalone！"

Lottiebegantocrywithvexationasshewhippedoutoftheroom，andBoyne，whofelthimselfdrawntohersideagain，said，veryseriously:

"Well，itain’tthethinginNewYork，youknow，momma；andanybodycanseewhatajayBittridgeis。Ithinkit’stoobadtolether。"

"Itisn’tforyoutocriticiseyourmother，Boyne，"saidMrs。Kenton，butshewasmoreshakenthanshewouldallow。Herowntraditionsweresosimplethatthepointofetiquettewhichherchildrenhadurgedhadnotoccurredtoher。ThequestionwhetherEllenshouldgowithBittridgeatallbeingdecided，shewould，ofcourse，goinNewYorkasshewouldgoinTuskingum。NowMrs。Kentonperceivedthatshemustnot，andshehadhershareofhumiliationintheimpressionwhichhismother，asherfriend，apparently，wasmakingwithherchildren’sacquaintancesinthehotel。IftheywouldthinkeverybodyinTuskingumwaslikeher，itwouldcertainlybeveryunpleasant，butshewouldnotquiteownthistoherself，stilllesstoafourteen-year-oldboy。"IthinkwhatyourfatherandIdecidetoberightwillbesufficientexcuseforyouwithyourfriends。"

"Doesfatherknowit？"Boyneasked，mostunexpectedly。

Havingnootheranswerready，Mrs。Kentonsaid，"Youhadbettergotobed，myson。"

"Well，"hegrumbled，ashelefttheroom，"Idon’tknowwherealltheprideoftheKentonsisgoneto。"

InhissenseoffallengreatnessheattemptedtojoinLottieinherroom，butshesaid，"Goaway，nastything！"andBoynewasobligedtoseekhisownroom，whereheoccupiedhimselfwithacontrivancehewasinventingtoenableyoutocloseyourdoorandturnoffyourgasbyasystemofpulleyswithoutleavingyourbed，whenyouweretiredofreading。

Mrs。Kentonwaitedforherhusbandinmuchlesscomfort，andwhenhecame，andasked，restlessly，"Wherearethechildren？"shefirsttoldhimthatLottieandBoynewereintheirroomsbeforeshecouldbringherselftosaythatEllenhadgonetothetheatrewithBittridge。

Itwassomerelieftohavehimtakeitinthedullwayhedid，andtosaynothingworsethan，"Didyouthinkitwaswelltohaveher！"

"YoumaybesureIdidn’twantherto。ButwhatwouldshehavesaidifI

hadrefusedtolethergo？Icantellyouitisn’taneasymattertomanageherinthisbusiness，andit’sveryeasyforyoutocriticise，withouttakingtheresponsibility。"

"I’mnotcriticising，"saidKenton。"Iknowyouhaveactedforthebest。"

"Thechildren，"saidMrs。Kenton，wishingtobejustifiedfurther，"thinksheoughttohavehadachaperon。Ididn’tthinkofthat；itisn’tthecustomathome；butLottiewasverysaucyaboutit，andIhadtosendBoynetobed。Idon’tthinkourchildrenareverymuchcomforttous。"

"Theyaregoodchildren，"Kentonsaid，said——provisionally。

"Yes，thatistheworstofit。Iftheywerebad，wewouldn’texpectanycomfortfromthem。Ellenisaboutperfect。She’sasnearanangelasachildcanbe，butshecouldhardlyhavegivenusmoreanxietyifshehadbeentheworstgirlintheworld。"

"That’strue，"thefathersadlyassented。

"Shedidn’treallywanttogowithhimto-night，I’llsaythatforher，andifIhadsaidasinglewordagainstitshewouldn’thavegone。Butallatonce，whileshesattheretryingtothinkhowIcouldexcuseher，shebeganaskingmewhatsheshouldwear。There’ssomethingstrangeaboutit，Rufus。IfIbelievedinhypnotism，Ishouldsayshehadgonebecausehewilledhertogo。"

"Iguessshewentbecauseshewantedtogobecauseshe’sinlovewithhim，"saidKenton，hopelessly。

"Yes，"Mrs。Kentonagreed。"Idon’tseehowshecanendurethesightofhim。He’shandsomeenough，"sheadded，withawoman’ssubjectivelogic。

"Andthere’ssomethingfascinatingabouthim。He’sverygraceful，andhe’sgotagoodfigure。"

"He’sahound！"saidKenton，exhaustively。

"Ohyes，he’sahound，"shesighed，asiftherecouldbenodoubtonthatpoint。"Itdon’tseemrightforhimtobeinthesameroomwithEllen。

Butit’sforhertosay。Ifeelmoreandmorethatwecan’tinterferewithoutdoingharm。Isupposethatifshewerenotsoinnocentherselfshewouldrealizewhathewasbetter。ButIdothinkheappreciatesherinnocence。Heshowsmorereverenceforherthanforanyoneelse。"

"Howwasithismotherdidn’tgo？"askedKenton。

"Shehadaheadache，hesaid。ButIdon’tbelievethat。HealwaysintendedtogetEllentogo。Andthat’sanotherthingLottiewasvexedabout；shesayseverybodyislaughingatMrs。Bittridge，andit’smortifyingtohavepeopletakeherforafriendofours。"

"Iftherewerenothingworsethanthat，"saidKenton，"Iguesswecouldlivethroughit。Well，Idon’tknowhowit’sgoingtoallend。"

Theysattalkingsadly，butfindingacertaincomfortintheirmutualdiscouragement，andintheirknowledgethattheyweredoingthebesttheycouldfortheirchild，whosefreedomtheymustnotinfringesofarastodowhatwasabsolutelybest；andthetimepassednotsoheavilytillherreturn。Thiswasannouncedbythemountingoftheelevatortotheirlanding，andthenbylow，rapidpleadinginaman’svoiceoutside。

Kentonwasabouttoopenthedoor，whentherecametheformlessnoiseofwhatseemedastruggle，andEllen’svoiceroseinamuffedcry:"Oh！Oh！

Letmebe！Goaway！Ihateyou！"Kentonthedooropen，andEllenburstin，runningtohideherfaceinhermother’sbreast，whereshesobbedout，"He——hekissedme！"likeaterrifiedchildmorethananinsultedwoman。ThroughtheopendoorcametheclatterofBittridge’sfeetasherandown-stairs。

VII。

WhenMrs。Kentoncamefromquietingthehystericalgirlinherroomshehadthetask，almostasdelicateanddifficult，ofquietingherhusband。

Shehadkepthim，bythemostsolemnandexhaustiveentreaty，fromfollowingBittridgedownstairsandbeatinghimwithhisstick，andnowshewasanswerabletohimforhisforbearance。"Ifyondon’tbehaveyourself，Rufus，"shehadtosay，"youwillhavesomesortofstroke。

Afterall，there’snoharmdone。"

"Noharm！DoyoucallitnoharmforthathoundtokissEllen？"

"Hewouldn’thaveattempteditunlesssomethinghadleduptoit，I

suppose。"

"Sarah！Howcanyouspeaksoofthatangel？"

"Oh，thatangelisagirlliketherest。Youkissedmebeforewewereengaged。"

"Thatwasverydifferent。"

"Idon’tseehow。Ifyourdaughterissosacred，whywasn’thermother？

Youmendon’tthinkyourwivesaresacred。That’sit！"

"No，no，Sarah！It’sbecauseIdon’tthinkofyouasapartfrommyself，thatIcan’tthinkofyouasIdoofEllen。IbegyourpardonifI

seemedtosetheraboveyou。ButwhenIkissedyouwewereveryyoung，andwelivedinasimpleday，whensuchthingsmeantnoharm；andIwasveryfondofyou，andyouweretheholiestthingintheworldtome。IsEllenholytothatfellow？"

"Iknow，"Mrs。Kentonrelented。"I’mnotcomparinghimtoyou。AndthereisadifferencewithEllen。Sheisn’tlikeothergirls。IfithadbeenLottie——"

"Ishouldn’thavelikeditwithLottie，either，"saidthemajor，stiffly。

"ButifithadbeenLottieshewouldhaveboxedhisearsforhim，insteadofrunningtoyou。Lottiecantakecareofherself。AndIwilltakecareofEllen。WhenIseethatscoundrelinthemorning——"

"Whatwillyoudo，anoldmanlikeyou！Icantellyou，it’ssomethingyou’vejustgottobearitifyoudon’twantthescandaltofillthewholehotel。It’saveryfortunatething，afterall。It’llputanendtothewholeaffair。"

"Doyouthinkso，Sarah？IfIbelievedthat。WhatdoesEllensay？"

"Nothing；shewon’tsayanything——justcriesandhidesherface。

Ibelievesheisashamedofhavingmadeascenebeforeus。ButIknowthatshe’ssodisgustedwithhimthatshewillneverlookathimagain，andifit’sbroughthertothatIshouldthinkhiskissingherthegreatestblessingintheworldtousall。Yes，Ellen！"

Mrs。Kentonhurriedoffatafaintcallfromthegirl’sroom，andwhenshecameagainshesatdowntoalongdiscussionofthesituationwithherhusband，whilesheslowlytookdownherhairandprepareditforthenight。Herconclusion，whichshemadeherhusband’s，wasthatitwasmostfortunatetheyshouldbesailingsosoon，andthatitwasthegreatestpitytheywerenotsailinginthemorning。Shewishedhimtosleep，whethershesleptherselfornot，andsheputthemosthopefulfacepossibleuponthematter。"Onethingyoucanrestassuredof，Rufus，andthatisthatit’salloverwithEllen。Shemayneverspeaktoyouabouthim，andyoumustn’tevermentionhim，butshefeelsjustasyoucouldwish。Doesthatsatisfyyou？SometimeIwilltellyouallshesays。"

"Idon’tcaretohear，"saidKenton。"AllIwantisforhimtokeepawayfromme。IthinkifhespoketomeIshouldkillhim。"

"Rufus！"

"Ican’thelpit，Sarah。Ifeeloutragedtothebottomofmysoul。I

couldkillhim。"

Mrs。Kentonturnedherheadandlookedsteadfastlyathimoverhershoulder。"Ifyoustrikehim，ifyoutouchhim，Mr。Kenton，youwillundoeverythingthattheabominablewretchhasdoneforEllen，andyouwillclosemymouthandtiemyhands。Willyoupromisethatundernoprovocationwhateverwillyoudohimtheleastharm？IknowEllenbetterthanyoudo，andIknowthatyouwillmakeherhateyouunless——"

"Oh，Iwillpromise。Youneedn’tbeafraid。Lordhelpme！"Kentongroaned。"Iwon’ttouchhim。Butdon’texpectmetospeaktohim。"

"No，Idon’texpectthat。Hewon’toffertospeaktoyou。"

Theyslept，andinthemorningshestayedtobreakfastwithEllenintheirapartment，andletherhusbandgodownwiththeiryoungerchildren。

Shecouldtrusthimnow，whateverformhisfurthertrialshouldtake，andhefeltthathewaspledginghimselftoheranew，whenBittridgecamehilariouslytomeethiminthereading-room，wherehewentforapaperafterbreakfast。

"Ah，judge！"saidtheyoungman，gayly。"Hello，Boyne！"headdedtotheboy，whohadcomewithhisfather；Lottiehadgonedirectlyup-stairsfromthebreakfast-room。"Ihopeyou’reallwellthismorning？PlaynottoomuchforMissEllen？"

Kentonlookedhiminthefacewithoutanswering，andthentriedtogetawayfromhim，butBittridgefollowedhimup，talking，andignoringhissilence。

"Itwasasplendidpiece，judge。YoumusttakeMrs。Kenton。Iknowyou’llbothlikeit。Ihaven’teverseenMissEllensointerested。I

hopethewalkhomedidn’tfatigueher。Iwantedtogetacab，butshewouldwalk:Thejudgekeptmovingon，withhisheaddown。Hedidnotspeak，andBittridgewasforcedtonoticehissilence。"Nothingthematter，Ihope，withMissEllen，judge？"

"Goaway，"saidthejudge，inalowvoice，fumblingtheheadofhisstick。

"Why，what’sup？"askedBittridge，andhemanagedtogetinfrontofKentonandstayhimatapointwhereKentoncouldnotescape。Itwasacorneroftheroomtowhichtheoldmanhadaimlesslytended，withnopurposebuttoavoidhim:

"Iwishyoutoletmealone，sir，"saidKentonatlast。"Ican’tspeaktoyou。"

"Iunderstandwhatyoumean，judge，"saidBittridge，withagrin，allthemoremaddeningbecauseitseemedinvoluntary。"ButIcanexplaineverything。Ijustwantafewwordswithyou。It’sveryimportant；it’slifeordeathwithme，sir，"hesaid，tryingtolookgrave。"Willyouletmegotoyourroomswithyou？"

Kentonmadenoreply。

Bittridgebegantolaugh。"Thenlet’ssitdownhere，orintheladies’

parlor。Itwon’ttakemetwominutestomakeeverythingright。Ifyoudon’tbelieveI’minearnestIknowyoudon’tthinkIam，butIcanassureyou——WillyouletmespeakwithyouaboutMissEllen？"

StillKentondidnotanswer，shuttinghislipstight，andrememberinghispromisetohiswife。

Bittridgelaughed，asifinamusementatwhathehaddone。"Judge，letmesaytwowordstoyouinprivate！Ifyoucan’tnow，tellmewhenyoucan。We’regoingbackthisevening，motherandIare；sheisn’twell，andI’mnotgoingtotakehertoWashington。Idon’twanttogoleavingyouwiththeideathatIwantedtoinsultMissEllen。Icaretoomuchforher。IwanttoseeyouandMrs。Kentonaboutit。Ido，indeed。Andwon’tyouletmeseeyou，somewhere？"

Kentonlookedaway，firsttoonesideandthentoanother，andseemedstifling。

"Won’tyouspeaktome！Won’tyouanswerme？Seehere！I’dgetdownonmykneestoyouifitwoulddoyouanygood。Wherewillyoutalkwithme？"

"Nowhere！"shoutedKenton。"Willyougoaway，orshallIstrikeyouwithmystick？"

"Oh，Idon’tthink，"saidBittridge，andsuddenly，inthewantonnessofhisbaffledeffrontery，heraisedhishandandrubbedthebackofitintheoldman’sface。

BoyneKentonstruckwildlyathim，andBittridgecaughttheboybythearmandflunghimtohiskneesonthemarblefloor。Themenreadinginthearm-chairsaboutstartedtotheirfeet；aportercamerunning，andtookholdofBittridge。"Doyouwantanofficer，JudgeKenton？"hepanted。

"No，no！"Kentonanswered，chokingandtrembling。"Don’tarresthim。

Iwishtogotomyrooms，that’sall。Lethimgo。Don’tdoanythingaboutit。"

"I’llhelpyou，judge，"saidtheporter。"Takeholdofthisfellow，"hesaidtotwootherporterswhocameup。"Takehimtothedesk，andtelltheclerkhestruckJudgeKenton，butthejudgedon’twanthimarrested。"

BeforeKentonreachedtheelevatorwithBoyne，whowasrubbinghiskneesandfightingbackthetears，heheardtheclerk’svoicesaying，formally，totheporters，"Baggageoutof35and37"andadding，asmechanically，toBittridge:"Yourroomsarewanted。Getoutofthematonce！"

ItseemedthegatheringofneighborhoodaboutKenton，wherehehadfelthimselfsounfriended，againsttheoutragedonehim，andhefeltthesweetnessofbeingpersonallychampionedinaplacewherehehadthoughthimselfvaluedmerelyfortheprofitthatwasinhim；hiseyesfilled，andhisvoicefailedhiminthankingtheelevator-boyforrunningbeforehimtoringthebellofhisapartment。

VIII。

Thenextday，inTuskingum，Richard，KentonfoundamongthelettersofhislastmailonewhichheeasilyknewtobefromhissisterLottie，bythetightlycurled-uphandwriting，andbytheunliterarylookoftheslantedandhuddledaddressoftheenvelope:Theonlydoubthecouldhavefeltinopeningitwasfromtheunwontedlengthatwhichshehadwrittenhim；Lottieusuallypractisedalaconicbrevityinhernotes，whichweresuitedtothepovertyofherwrittenvocabularyratherthantheaffluenceofherspokenword。

"DearDick"[herletterran，trippingandstumblinginitscourse]，"Ihavegottotellyouaboutsomethingthathasjusthappenedhere，andyouneedentlaughatthespeling，orthewayItellit，butjustpayattentiontothethingitself，ifyouplease。ThatdisgustingBittridgehasbeenherewithhishorridwiggyoldmother，andmommalethimtakeEllentothetheatre。Onthewayhomehetriedtomakeherpromiseshewouldmarryhimandatthedoorhekissedher。Theyhadanawfulnightwithherhiseterics，andIheardmommagoinginandout，andtryingtocomforthertilldaylight，nearly。InthemorningIwentdownwithpoppyandBoynetobreakfast，andafterI

cameup，fatherwenttothereading-roomtogetapaper，andthatBittridgewastherewaitingforhim，andwantedtospeakwithhimaboutEllen。Poppawouldentsayawordtohim，andhekeptfollowingpoppaup，tomakehim。Boynesaysbewouldenttakenoforanansir，andhungonandhungon，tillpoppathreatenedtohitthimwithhiscane。Thenhesawitwasnouse，andhetookhishandandrubbeditinpoppa’sface，andBoynebelieveshewastryingtopullpoppa’snose。BoyneactedlikeIwouldhavedone；hepoundedBittridgeintheback；butofcourseBittridgewastoostrongforhim，andthrewhimonthefloor，andBoynescrapedhiskneesothatitbledd。Thentheporterscameup，andcaughtBittridge，andwantedtosendforapoliceman，butfatherwouldentletthem，andtheporterstookBittridgetothedeskandtheclerktoldhimtogetoutinstantlyandtheyleftassoonasoldWiggycouldgetherthingson。Idon’tknowwheretheywent，buthetoldpoppatheyweregoinghometo-dayanyway。Now，Dick，Idon’tknowwhatyouwillwanttodo，andIamnotgoingtoputyouuptoanything，butI

knowwhatIwoulddo，prettywell，thefirsttimeBittridgeshowedhimselfinTuskingum。Youcandojustasyouplease，andIdon’taskyoutobelievemeifyou’rethinkI’msoexciteablethatIcanttellthetruth。IguessBoynewillsaythesame。MuchlovetoMary。Youraffectionatesister，"Lottie。

"P。S——EverywordLottiesaysistrue，butIamnotsurehemeanttopullhisnose。Thereasonwhyhethrewmedownsoeasilyis，I

havegrownaboutafoot，andIhavenotgotupmystrength。BOYNE。

"Thisisstrictlyconfidential。Theydon’tknowwearewriting。LATTIE。"

Afterreadingthisletter，RichardKentontoreitintosmallpieces，sothatthereshouldnotbeevensomuchwitnessasitboretofactsthatseemedtofillhimwithfurytothethroat。Hisfurywas，inagreementwithhistemperament，thewhitekindandcoldkind。Hewasabletokeepittohimselfforthatreason；atsupperhiswifeknewmerelythathehadsomethingonhismindthathedidnotwishtotalkof；andexperiencehadtaughtherthatitwouldbeuselesstotrymakinghimspeak。

Hesleptuponhiswrath，andinthemorningearly，atanhourwhenheknewtherewouldbenoloafersintheplace，hewenttoanout-datedsaddler’sshop，andaskedtheowner，aveteranofhisfather’sregiment，"Welks，doyouhappentohaveacowhideamongyourantiquities？"

"Regularoldstyle？"Welksreturned。"Kindtheymakeoutofacow’shideanduseonaman’s？"

"Somethingofthatsort，"saidRichard，withaslightsmile。

Thesaddlersaidnothingmore，butrummagedamongtheriff-raffonanuppershelf。Hegotdownwiththetapering，translucent，wicked-lookingthinginhishand。"Ireckonthat’swhatyou’reafter，squire。"

"Reckonitis，Welks，"saidRichard，drawingitthroughhistubedlefthand。Thenhebuttoneditunderhiscoat，andpaidthequarterwhichWelkssaidhadalwaysbeenthepriceofacowhideevensincehecouldremember，andwalkedawaytowardsthestation。

"How’stheoldcolonel"Welkscalledafterhim，havingforgottentoaskbefore。

"Thecolonel’sallright，"Richardcalledback，withoutlookinground。

Hewalkedupanddowninfrontofthestation。AlocaltraincameinfromBallardsvilleat8。15，andwaitedfortheNewYorkspecial，andthenreturnedtoBallardsville。Richardhadboughtaticketforthatstation，andwasgoingtotakethetrainback，butamongthepassengerswhodescendedfromitwhenitdrewinwasonewhosavedhimthetroubleofgoing。

Bittridge，withhisovercoathangingonhisarm，advancedtowardshimwiththerest，andcontinuedtoadvance，inasortoffascination，afterhisneighbors，withtheinstinctthatsomethingwasabouttohappen，partedoneithersideofRichard，andleftthetwomenconfronted。

Richarddidnotspeak，butdeliberatelyreachedouthislefthand，whichhecaughtsecurelyintoBittridge’scollar；thenhebegantobeathimwiththecowhidewhereverhecouldstrikehiswrithingandtwistingshape。Neitherutteredaword，andexceptforthewhirofthecowhideintheair，andtheraspingsoundofitsarrestuponthebodyofBittridge，thethingwasdoneinperfectsilence。Thewitnessesstoodwellbackinadaze，fromwhichtheyrecoveredwhenRichardreleasedBittridgewithatwistofthehandthattorehiscollarlooseandlefthiscravatdangling，andtossedthefrayedcowhideaway，andturnedandwalkedhomeward。ThenoneofthempickedupBittridge’shatandsetitaslantonhishead，andothershelpedpullhiscollartogetherandtiehiscravat。

ForthefewmomentsthatRichardKentonremainedinsighttheyscarcelyfoundwordscoherentenoughforquestion，andwhentheydid，Bittridgehadnothingbutconfusedanswerstogivetotheeffectthathedidnotknowwhatitmeant，buthewouldfindout。Hegotintoahackandhadhimselfdriventohishotel，buthenevermadetheinquirywhichhethreatened。

InhisownhouseRichardKentonlaydownawhile，deadlysick，andhiswifehadtobringhimbrandybeforehecouldcontrolhisnervessufficientlytospeak。Thenhetoldherwhathehaddone，andwhy，andMarypulledoffhisshoesandputahot-waterbottletohiscoldfeet。

Itwasnotexactlythetreatmentforachampion，butMaryKentonwasnotthinkingofthat，andwhenRichardsaidhestillfeltalittlesickatthestomachshewantedhimtotryadropofcamphorinadditiontothebrandy。Shesaidhemustnottalk，butshewishedhimsomuchtotalkthatshewasgladwhenhebegan。

"ItseemedtobesomethingIhadtodo，Mary，butIwouldgiveanythingifIhadnotbeenobligedtodoit:

"Yes，Iknowjusthowyoufeel，Dick，andIthinkit’sprettyhardthishascomeonyou。IdothinkEllenmight——"

"Itwasn’therfault，Mary。Youmustn’tblameher。She’shadmoretobearthanalltherestofus。"Marylookedstubbornlyunconvinced，andshewasnotmoved，apparently，bywhathewentontosay。"ThethingnowistokeepwhatI’vedonefrommakingmoremischiefforher。"

"Whatdoyoumean，Dick？Youdon’tbelievehe’lldoanythingaboutit，doyou？"

"No，I’mnotafraidofthat。Hismouthisshut。Butyoucan’ttellhowEllenwilltakeit。Shemaysidewithhimnow。"

"Dick！IfIthoughtEllenKentoncouldbesuchafoolasthat！"

"Ifshe’sinlovewithhimshe’lltakehispart。"

"Butshecan’tbeinlovewithhimwhensheknowshowheactedtoyourfather！"

"Wecan’tbesureofthat。Iknowhowheactedtofather；butatthisminuteIpityhimsothatIcouldtakehispartagainstfather。AndI

canunderstandhowEllen——Anyway，Imustmakeacleanbreastofit。

WhatdayisthisThursday？AndtheysailSaturday！Imustwrite——"

Heliftedhimselfonhiselbow，andmadeasiftothrowofftheshawlshehadspreaduponhim。

"No，no！Iwillwrite，Dick！Iwillwritetoyourmother。WhatshallI

say？"Shewhirledabout，andgotthepaperandinkoutofherwriting-

desk，andsatdownnearhimtokeephimfromgettingup，andwrotethedate，andtheaddress，"DearMotherKenton，"whichwasthewayshealwaysbeganherletterstoMrs。Kenton，inordertodistinguishherfromherownmother。"NowwhatshallIsay？"