下载辰思小说免费APP
Thenextdayhepackedatrunkandleftfortheneighboringcity。Hisapartmentsweretobekeptinreadinessforhisreturnatanytime。Ifyouhadseenhimwalkingovertotherailroaddepot，youwouldhavetakenhimforamanofforty-five。
Whenhearrivedathisdestination，Mr。Tolmanestablishedhimselftemporarilyatahotel，andspentthenextthreeorfourdaysinwalkingaboutthecitylookingforwhathewanted。Whathewantedwasratherdifficulttodefine，butthewayinwhichheputthemattertohimselfwassomethinglikethis：
"Iwouldliketofindasnuglittleplacewhere，Icanlive，andcarryonsomebusinesswhichIcanattendtomyself，andwhichwillbringmeintocontactwithpeopleofallsorts——peoplewhowillinterestme。Itmustbeasmallbusiness，becauseI
don\'twanttohavetoworkveryhard，anditmustbesnugandcomfortable，becauseIwanttoenjoyit。Iwouldlikeashopofsomesort，becausethatbringsamanfacetofacewithhisfellow-creatures。"
Thecityinwhichhewaswalkingaboutwasoneofthebestplacesinthecountryinwhichtofindtheplaceofbusinesshedesired。Itwasfullofindependentlittleshops。ButMr。
Tolmancouldnotreadilyfindonewhichresembledhisideal。A
smalldry-goodsestablishmentseemedtopresupposeafemaleproprietor。Agrocerystorewouldgivehimmanyinterestingcustomers；buthedidnotknowmuchaboutgroceries，andthebusinessdidnotappeartohimtopossessanyaestheticfeatures。
Hewasmuchpleasedbyasmallshopbelongingtoataxidermist。Itwasexceedinglycosey，andthebusinesswasprobablynotsogreatastooverworkanyone。Hemightsendthebirdsandbeastswhichwerebroughttobestuffedtosomepracticaloperator，andhavehimputtheminproperconditionforthecustomers。Hemight——Butno。Itwouldbeveryunsatisfactorytoengageinabusinessofwhichheknewabsolutelynothing。Ataxidermistoughtnottoblushwithignorancewhenaskedsomesimplequestionaboutalittledeadbirdoradefunctfish。Andsohetorehimselffromthewindowofthisfascinatingplace，where，hefancied，hadhiseducationbeendifferentlymanaged，hecouldintimehaveshowntheworldthespectacleofacheerfulandunblightedMr。Venus。
Theshopwhichatlastappearedtosuithimbestwasonewhichhehadpassedandlookedatseveraltimesbeforeitstruckhimfavorably。Itwasinasmallbrickhouseinasidestreet，butnotfarfromoneofthemainbusinessavenuesofthecity。
Theshopseemeddevotedtoarticlesofstationeryandsmallnotionsofvariouskindsnoteasytobeclassified。Hehadstoppedtolookatthreepenknivesfastenedtoacard，whichwasproppedupinthelittleshow-window，supportedononesidebyachess-boardwith"HistoryofAsia"ingiltlettersontheback，andontheotherbyasmallviolinlabelled"1dollar。"Andashegazedpastthesearticlesintotheinterioroftheshop，whichwasnowlightedup，itgraduallydawneduponhimthatitwassomethinglikehisidealofanattractiveandinterestingbusinessplace。Atanyrate，hewouldgoinandlookatit。Hedidnotcareforaviolin，evenatthelowpricemarkedontheoneinthewindow，butanewpocket-knifemightbeuseful。
Sohewalkedinandaskedtolookatpocket-knives。
Theshopwasinchargeofaverypleasantoldladyofaboutsixty，whosatsewingbehindthelittlecounter。Whileshewenttothewindowandverycarefullyreachedoverthearticlesdisplayedthereintogetthecardofpenknives，Mr。Tolmanlookedabouthim。Theshopwasquitesmall，butthereseemedtobeagooddealinit。Therewereshelvesbehindthecounter，andtherewereshelvesontheoppositewall，andtheyallseemedwellfilledwithsomethingorother。Inthecornerneartheoldlady\'schairwasalittlecoalstovewithabrightfireinit，andatthebackoftheshop，atthetopoftwosteps，wasaglassdoorpartlyopen，throughwhichhesawasmallroom，witharedcarpetonthefloor，andalittletableapparentlysetforameal。
Mr。Tolmanlookedatthekniveswhentheoldladyshowedthemtohim，andafteragooddealofconsiderationheselectedonewhichhethoughtwouldbeagoodknifetogivetoaboy。Thenhelookedoversomethingsinthewayofpaper-cutters，whist-
markers，andsuchsmallmatters，whichwereinaglasscaseonthecounter。Andwhilehelookedatthemhetalkedtotheoldlady。
Shewasafriendly，sociablebody，verygladtohaveanyonetotalkto，andsoitwasnotatalldifficultforMr。Tolman，bysomegeneralremarks，todrawfromheragreatmanypointsaboutherselfandhershop。Shewasawidow，withasonwho，fromherremarks，musthavebeenfortyyearsold。Hewasconnectedwithamercantileestablishment，andtheyhadlivedhereforalongtime。Whilehersonwasasalesman，andcamehomeeveryevening，thiswasverypleasant。Butafterhebecameacommercialtraveller，andwasawayfromthecityformonthsatatime，shedidnotlikeitatall。Itwasverylonelyforher。
Mr。Tolman\'sheartrosewithinhim，buthedidnotinterrupther。
"IfIcoulddoit，"saidshe，"Iwouldgiveupthisplace，andgoandlivewithmysisterinthecountry。Itwouldbebetterforbothofus，andHenrycouldcometherejustaswellasherewhenhegetsbackfromhistrips。"
"Whydon\'tyousellout？"askedMr。Tolman，alittlefearfully，forhebegantothinkthatallthiswastooeasysailingtobeentirelysafe。
"Thatwouldnotbeeasy，"saidshe，withasmile。"Itmightbealongtimebeforewecouldfindanyonewhowouldwanttotaketheplace。Wehaveafairtradeinthestore，butitisn\'twhatitusedtobewhentimeswerebetter。Andthelibraryisfallingoff，too。Mostofthebooksaregettingprettyold，anditdon\'tpaytospendmuchmoneyfornewonesnow。"
"Thelibrary！"saidMr。Tolman。"Haveyoualibrary？"
"Oh，yes，"repliedtheoldlady。"I\'vehadacirculatinglibraryherefornearlyfifteenyears。Thereitisonthosetwouppershelvesbehindyou。"
Mr。Tolmanturned，andbeheldtwolongrowsofbooksinbrown-papercovers，withashortstep-ladder，standingnearthedooroftheinnerroom，bywhichtheseshelvesmightbereached。
Thispleasedhimgreatly。Hehadhadnoideathattherewasalibraryhere。
"Ideclare！"saidhe。"Itmustbeverypleasanttomanageacirculatinglibrary——asmallonelikethis，Imean。Ishouldn\'tmindgoingintoabusinessofthekindmyself。"
Theoldladylookedup，surprised。Didhewishtogointobusiness？Shehadnotsupposedthat，justfromlookingathim。
Mr。Tolmanexplainedhisviewstoher。Hedidnottellwhathehadbeendoinginthewayofbusiness，orwhatMr。Canterfieldwasdoingforhimnow。Hemerelystatedhispresentwishes，andacknowledgedtoherthatitwastheattractivenessofherestablishmentthathadledhimtocomein。
"Thenyoudonotwantthepenknife？"shesaidquickly。
"Oh，yes，Ido，"saidhe。"AndIreallybelieve，ifwecancometoterms，thatIwouldlikethetwootherknives，togetherwiththerestofyourstockintrade。"
Theoldladylaughedalittlenervously。Shehopedverymuchindeedthattheycouldcometoterms。Shebroughtachairfromthebackroom，andMr。Tolmansatdownwithherbythestovetotalkitover。Fewcustomerscameintointerruptthem，andtheytalkedthematteroververythoroughly。Theybothcametotheconclusionthattherewouldbenodifficultyaboutterms，noraboutMr。Tolman\'sabilitytocarryonthebusinessafteraverylittleinstructionfromthepresentproprietress。WhenMr。
Tolmanleft，itwaswiththeunderstandingthathewastocallagaininacoupleofdays，whenthesonHenrywouldbeathome，andmatterscouldbedefinitelyarranged。
Whenthethreemet，thebargainwassoonstruck。Aseachpartywassodesirousofmakingit，fewdifficultieswereinterposed。Theoldlady，indeed，wasinfavorofsomedelayinthetransferoftheestablishment，asshewouldliketocleananddusteveryshelfandcornerandeveryarticleintheplace。ButMr。Tolmanwasinahurrytotakepossession；andasthesonHenrywouldhavetostartoffonanothertripinashorttime，hewantedtoseehismothermovedandsettledbeforeheleft。Therewasnotmuchtomovebuttrunksandbandboxes，andsomeantiquatedpiecesoffurnitureofspecialvaluetotheoldlady，forMr。Tolmaninsistedonbuyingeverythinginthehouse，justasitstood。Thewholethingdidnotcosthim，hesaidtohimself，asmuchassomeofhisacquaintanceswouldpayforahorse。ThemethodicalsonHenrytookanaccountofstock，andMr。Tolmantookseverallessonsfromtheoldlady，inwhichsheexplainedtohimhowtofindoutthesellingpricesofthevariousarticlesfromthemarksonthelittletagsattachedtothem。Andsheparticularlyinstructedhiminthemanagementofthecirculatinglibrary。Sheinformedhimofthecharacterofthebooks，and，asfaraspossible，ofthecharacteroftheregularpatrons。Shetoldhimwhomhemighttrusttotakeoutabookwithoutpayingfortheonebroughtin，iftheydidn\'thappentohavethechangewiththem，andsheindicatedwithlittlecrossesoppositetheirnamesthosepersonswhoshouldberequiredtopaycashdownforwhattheyhadhad，beforereceivingfurtherbenefits。
ItwasastonishingtoseewhatinterestMr。Tolmantookinallthis。Hewasreallyanxioustomeetsomeofthepeopleaboutwhomtheoldladydiscoursed。Hetried，too，torememberafewofthemanythingsshetoldhimofhermethodsofbuyingandselling，andthegeneralmanagementofhershop；andheprobablydidnotforgetmorethanthreefourthsofwhatshetoldhim。
Finallyeverythingwassettledtothesatisfactionofthetwomalepartiestothebargain，——althoughtheoldladythoughtofahundredthingsshewouldyetliketodo，——andonefinefrostyafternoonacart-loadoffurnitureandbaggageleftthedoor，theoldladyandhersontookleaveoftheoldplace，andMr。Tolmanwasleftsittingbehindthelittlecounter，thesolemanagerandproprietorofacirculatinglibraryandastationeryandnotionshop。Helaughedwhenhethoughtofit，butherubbedhishandsandfeltverywellsatisfied。
"Thereisnothingreallycrazyaboutit，"hesaidtohimself。
"IfthereisathingthatIthinkIwouldlike，andIcanaffordtohaveit，andthere\'snoharminit，whynothaveit？"
Therewasnobodytheretosayanythingagainstthis，soMr。
Tolmanrubbedhishandsagainbeforethefire，androsetowalkupanddownhisshop，andwonderwhowouldbehisfirstcustomer。
Inthecourseoftwentyminutesalittleboyopenedthedoorandcamein。Mr。Tolmanhastenedbehindthecountertoreceivehiscommands。Thelittleboywantedtwosheetsofnote-paperandanenvelope。
"Anyparticularkind！"askedMr。Tolman。
Theboydidn\'tknowofanyparticularvarietybeingdesired。
Hethoughtthesamekindshealwaysgotwoulddo。AndhelookedveryhardatMr。Tolman，evidentlywonderingatthechangeintheshopkeeper，butaskingnoquestions。
"Youarearegularcustomer，Isuppose，"saidMr。Tolman，openingseveralboxesofpaperwhichhehadtakendownfromtheshelves。"Ihavejustbegunbusinesshere，anddon\'tknowwhatkindofpaperyouhavebeeninthehabitofbuying。ButI
supposethiswilldo。"Andhetookoutacoupleofsheetsofthebest，withanenvelopetomatch。Thesehecarefullytiedupinapieceofthinbrownpaper，andgavetotheboy，whohandedhimthreecents。Mr。Tolmantookthem，smiled，andthen，havingmadearapidcalculation，hecalledtotheboy，whowasjustopeningthedoor，andgavehimbackonecent。
"Youhavepaidmetoomuch，"hesaid。
Theboytookthecent，lookedatMr。Tolman，andthengotoutofthestoreasquicklyashecould。
"Suchprofitsasthatareenormous，"saidMr。Tolman，"butI
supposethesmallsalesbalancethem。"ThisMr。Tolmansubsequentlyfoundtobethecase。
Oneortwoothercustomerscameininthecourseoftheafternoon，andaboutdarkthepeoplewhotookoutbooksbegantoarrive。ThesekeptMr。Tolmanverybusy。Henotonlyhadtodoagooddealofenteringandcancelling，buthehadtoansweragreatmanyquestionsaboutthechangeinproprietorship，andtheprobabilityofhisgettinginsomenewbooks，withsuggestionsastothequantityandcharacterofthese，mingledwithafewdissatisfiedremarksinregardtothevolumesalreadyonhand。
Everyoneseemedsorrythattheoldladyhadgoneaway。ButMr。Tolmanwassopleasantandanxioustoplease，andtooksuchaninterestintheirselectionofbooks，thatonlyoneofthesubscribersappearedtotakethechangeverymuchtoheart。Thiswasayoungmanwhowasforty-threecentsinarrears。Hewasalongtimeselectingabook，andwhenatlasthebroughtittoMr。Tolmantobeentered，hetoldhiminalowvoicethathehopedtherewouldbenoobjectiontolettinghisaccountrunonforalittlewhilelonger。Onthefirstofthemonthhewouldsettleit，andthenhehopedtobeabletopaycashwheneverhebroughtinabook。
Mr。Tolmanlookedforhisnameontheoldlady\'slist，and，findingnocrossagainstit，toldhimthatitwasallright，andthatthefirstofthemonthwoulddoverywell。Theyoungmanwentawayperfectlysatisfiedwiththenewlibrarian。ThusdidMr。Tolmanbegintobuilduphispopularity。Astheeveninggrewonhefoundhimselfbecomingveryhungry。Buthedidnotliketoshutuptheshop，foreverynowandthensomeonedroppedin，sometimestoaskwhattimeitwas，andsometimestomakealittlepurchase，whiletherewerestillsomelibrarypatronscominginatintervals。
However，takingcourageduringashortrestfromcustomers，heputuptheshutters，lockedthedoor，andhurriedofftoahotel，wherehepartookofamealsuchasfewkeepersoflittleshopseverthinkofindulgingin。
ThenextmorningMr。Tolmangothisownbreakfast。Thiswasdelightful。Hehadseenhowcosilytheoldladyhadspreadhertableinthelittlebackroom，wheretherewasastovesuitableforanycookinghemightwishtoindulgein，andhelongedforsuchacoseymeal。Therewereplentyofstockprovisionsinthehouse，whichhehadpurchasedwiththerestofthegoods，andhewentoutandboughthimselfafreshloafofbread。Thenhebroiledapieceofham，madesomegoodstrongtea，boiledsomeeggs，andhadabreakfastonthelittleroundtablewhich，thoughplainenough，heenjoyedmorethananybreakfastathisclubwhichhecouldremember。Hehadopenedtheshop，andsatfacingtheglassdoor，hoping，almost，thattherewouldbesomeinterruptiontohismeal。Itwouldseemsomuchmoreproperinthatsortofbusinessifhehadtogetupandgoattendtoacustomer。
BeforetheeveningofthatdayMr。Tolmanbecameconvincedthathewouldsoonbeobligedtoemployaboyorsomeonetoattendtotheestablishmentduringhisabsence。Afterbreakfast，awomanrecommendedbytheoldladycametomakehisbedandcleanupgenerally，butwhenshehadgonehewasleftalonewithhisshop。Hedeterminednottoallowthisresponsibilitytoinjurehishealth，andsoatoneo\'clockboldlylockedtheshopdoorandwentouttohislunch。Hehopedthatnoonewouldcallduringhisabsence，butwhenhereturnedhefoundalittlegirlwithapitcherstandingatthedoor。Shecametoborrowhalfapintofmilk。
"Milk！"exclaimedMr。Tolman，insurprise。"Why，mychild，I
havenomilk。Idon\'tevenuseitinmytea。"
Thelittlegirllookedverymuchdisappointed。"IsMrs。
Walkergoneawayforgood？"saidshe。
"Yes，"repliedMr。Tolman。"ButIwouldbejustaswillingtolendyouthemilkasshewouldbe，ifIhadany。Isthereanyplacenearherewhereyoucanbuymilk？"
"Oh，yes，"saidthegirl。"Youcangetitroundinthemarket-house。"
"Howmuchwouldhalfapintcost？"heasked。
"Threecents，"repliedthegirl。
"Well，then，"saidMr。Tolman，"herearethreecents。Youcangoandbuythemilkforme，andthenyoucanborrowit。Willthatsuit？"
Thegirlthoughtitwouldsuitverywell，andawayshewent。
EventhislittleincidentpleasedMr。Tolman。Itwassoverynovel。Whenhecamebackfromhisdinnerintheevening，hefoundtwocirculatinglibrarysubscribersstampingtheirfeetonthedoor-step，andheafterwardsheardthatseveralothershadcalledandgoneaway。Itwouldcertainlyinjurethelibraryifhesuspendedbusinessatmeal-times。Hecouldeasilyhavehischoiceofahundredboysifhechosetoadvertiseforone，butheshrankfromhavingayoungsterintheplace。Itwouldinterferegreatlywithhiscosinessandhisexperiences。Hemightpossiblyfindaboywhowenttoschool，andwhowouldbewillingtocomeatnoonandintheeveningifhewerepaidenough。Butitwouldhavetobeaverysteadyandresponsibleboy。Hewouldthinkitoverbeforetakinganysteps。
Hethoughtitoverforadayortwo，buthedidnotspendhiswholetimeindoingso。Whenhehadnocustomers，hesaunteredaboutinthelittleparlorovertheshop，withitsoddoldfurniture，itsquaintprintsonthewalls，anditsabsurdornamentsonthemantelpiece。Theotherlittleroomsseemedalmostasfunnytohim，andhewassorrywhenthebellontheshopdoorcalledhimdownfromtheircontemplation。Itwaspleasanttohimtothinkthatheownedalltheseoddthings。Theownershipofthevariedgoodsintheshopalsogavehimanagreeablefeelingwhichnoneofhisotherpossessionshadeveraffordedhim。Itwasallsooddandnovel。
Helikedmuchtolookoverthebooksinthelibrary。Manyofthemwereoldnovels，thenamesofwhichwerefamiliarenoughtohim，butwhichhehadneverread。Hedeterminedtoreadsomeofthemassoonashefeltfixedandsettled。
Inlookingoverthebookinwhichthenamesandaccountsofthesubscriberswereentered，heamusedhimselfbywonderingwhatsortofpersonstheywerewhohadoutcertainbooks。Who，forinstance，wantedtoread"TheBookofCats，"andwhocouldpossiblycarefor"TheMysteriesofUdolpho"？ButtheunknownpersoninregardtowhomMr。Tolmanfeltthegreatestcuriositywasthesubscriberwhonowhadinhispossessionavolumeentitled"Dormstock\'sLogarithmsoftheDiapason。"
"Howonearth，"exclaimedMr。Tolman，"didsuchabookgetintothislibrary？Andwhereonearthdidthepersonspringfromwhowouldwanttotakeitout？Andnotonlywanttotakeit，"hecontinued，asheexaminedtheentryregardingthevolume，"butcomeandhaveitrenewedone，two，three，four——ninetimes！Hehashadthatbookforeighteenweeks！"
Withoutexactlymakinguphismindtodoso，Mr。TolmandeferredtakingstepstowardgettinganassistantuntilP。
Glascow，thepersoninquestion，shouldmakeanappearance，anditwasnearlytimeforthebooktobebroughtinagain。
"IfIgetaboynow，"thoughtMr。Tolman，"GlascowwillbesuretocomeandbringthebookwhileIamout。"
Inalmostexactlytwoweeksfromthedateofthelastrenewalofthebook，P。Glascowcamein。Itwasthemiddleoftheafternoon，andMr。Tolmanwasalone。Thisinvestigatorofmusicalphilosophywasaquietyoungmanofaboutthirty，wearingalight-browncloak，andcarryingunderonearmalargebook。
P。Glascowwassurprisedwhenheheardofthechangeintheproprietorshipofthelibrary。Still，hehopedthattherewouldbenoobjectiontohisrenewingthebookwhichhehadwithhim，andwhichhehadtakenoutsometimeago。
"Oh，no，"saidMr。Tolman，"noneintheworld。Infact，I
don\'tsupposethereareanyothersubscriberswhowouldwantit。
Ihavehadthecuriositytolooktoseeifithadeverbeentakenoutbefore，andIfindithasnot。"
Theyoungmansmiledquietly。"No，"saidhe，"Isupposenot。Itisnoteveryonewhowouldcaretostudythehighermathematicsofmusic，especiallywhentreatedasDormstocktreatsthesubject。"
"Heseemstogointoitprettydeeply，"remarkedMr。Tolman，whohadtakenupthebook。"Atleast，Ishouldthinkso，judgingfromallthesecalculations，andproblems，andsquares，andcubes。"
"Indeedhedoes，"saidGlascow。"AndalthoughIhavehadthebooksomemonths，andhavemorereadingtimeatmydisposalthanmostpersons，Ihaveonlyreachedthefifty-sixthpage，anddoubtifIshallnothavetoreviewsomeofthatbeforeIcanfeelthatIthoroughlyunderstandit。"
"Andtherearethreehundredandfortypagesinall！"saidMr。Tolman，compassionately。
"Yes，"repliedtheother。"ButIamquitesurethatthematterwillgroweasierasIproceed。IhavefoundthatoutfromwhatIhavealreadydone。"
"Yousayyouhaveagooddealofleisure？"remarkedMr。
Tolman。"Isthemusicalbusinessdullatpresent？"
"Oh，I\'mnotinthemusicalbusiness，"saidGlascow。"Ihaveagreatloveformusic，andwishtothoroughlyunderstandit。
Butmybusinessisquitedifferent。Iamanightdruggist，andthatisthereasonIhavesomuchleisureforreading。"
"Anightdruggist？"repeatedMr。Tolman，inquiringly。
"Yes，sir，"saidtheother。"Iaminalargedowntowndrugstorewhichiskeptopenallnight，andIgoondutyafterthedayclerksleave。"
"Anddoesthatgiveyoumoreleisure？"askedMr。Tolman。
"Itseemsto，"answeredGlascow。"Isleepuntilaboutnoon，andthenIhavetherestoftheday，untilseveno\'clock，tomyself。Ithinkthatpeoplewhoworkatnightcanmakeamoresatisfactoryuseoftheirowntimethanthosewhoworkinthedaytime。InthesummerIcantakeatripontheriver，orgosomewhereoutoftown，everyday，ifIlike。"
"Daylightismoreavailableformanythings，thatistrue，"
saidMr。Tolman。"Butisitnotdreadfullylonelysittinginadrugstoreallnight？Therecan\'tbemanypeopletocometobuymedicineatnight。Ithoughttherewasgenerallyanight-belltodrugstores，bywhichaclerkcouldbeawakenedifanybodywantedanything。"
"It\'snotverylonelyinourstoreatnight，"saidGlascow。"Infact，it\'softenmorelivelythenthaninthedaytime。Yousee，wearerightdownamongthenewspaperoffices，andthere\'salwayssomebodycominginforsoda-water，orcigars，orsomethingorother。Thestoreisabright，warmplaceforthenighteditorsandreporterstomeettogetherandtalkanddrinkhotsoda，andthere\'salwaysaknotof\'emaroundthestoveaboutthetimethepapersbegintogotopress。Andthey\'realivelyset，Icantellyou，sir。I\'veheardsomeofthebeststoriesI
everheardinmylifetoldinourplaceafterthreeo\'clockinthemorning。"
"Astrangelife！"saidMr。Tolman。"Doyouknow，Ineverthoughtthatpeopleamusedthemselvesinthatway——andnightafternight，Isuppose。"
"Yes，sir，nightafternight，Sundaysandall。"
Thenightdruggistnowtookuphisbook。
"Goinghometoread？"askedMr。Tolman。
"Well，no，"saidtheother。"It\'srathercoldthisafternoontoread。IthinkI\'lltakeabriskwalk。"
"Can\'tyouleaveyourbookuntilyoureturn！"askedMr。
Tolman。"Thatis，ifyouwillcomebackthisway。It\'sanawkwardbooktocarryabout。"
"Thankyou，Iwill，"saidGlascow。"Ishallcomebackthisway。"
Whenhehadgone，Mr。Tolmantookupthebook，andbegantolookoveritmorecarefullythanhehaddonebefore。Buthisexaminationdidnotlastlong。
"Howanybodyofcommonsensecantakeanyinterestinthisstuffisbeyondmycomprehension，"saidMr。Tolman，asheclosedthebookandputitonalittleshelfbehindthecounter。
WhenGlascowcameback，Mr。Tolmanaskedhimtostayandwarmhimself。Andthen，aftertheyhadtalkedforashorttime，Mr。Tolmanbegantofeelhungry。Hehadhiswinterappetite，andhadlunchedearly。Sosaidhetothenightdruggist，whohadopenedhis"Dormstock，""Howwouldyouliketosithereandreadawhile，whileIgoandgetmydinner？Iwilllightthegas，andyoucanbeverycomfortablehere，ifyouarenotinahurry。"
P。Glascowwasinnohurryatall，andwasverygladtohavesomequietreadingbyawarmfire；andsoMr。Tolmanlefthim，feelingperfectlyconfidentthatamanwhohadbeenallowedbytheoldladytorenewabookninetimesmustbeperfectlytrustworthy。
WhenMr。Tolmanreturned，thetwohadsomefurtherconversationinthecornerbythelittlestove。
"Itmustberatherannoying，"saidthenightdruggist，"nottobeabletogoouttoyourmealswithoutshuttingupyourshop。
Ifyoulike，"saidhe，ratherhesitatingly，"Iwillstopinaboutthistimeintheafternoon，andstayherewhileyougotodinner。
I\'llbegladtodothisuntilyougetanassistant。Icaneasilyattendtomostpeoplewhocomein，andotherscanwait。"
Mr。Tolmanjumpedatthisproposition。Itwasexactlywhathewanted。
SoP。Glascowcameeveryafternoonandread"Dormstock"whileMr。Tolmanwenttodinner；andbeforelonghecameatlunch-timealso。Itwasjustasconvenientasnot，hesaid。Hehadfinishedhisbreakfast，andwouldliketoreadawhile。Mr。
Tolmanfanciedthatthenightdruggist\'slodgingswere，perhaps，notverywellwarmed，whichideaexplainedthedesiretowalkratherthanreadonacoldafternoon。Glascow\'snamewasenteredonthefreelist，andhealwaystookawaythe"Dormstock"
atnight，becausehemighthaveachanceoflookingintoitatthestore，whencustombegantogrowslackinthelatterpartoftheearlymorning。
Oneafternoontherecameintotheshopayounglady，whobroughtbacktwobookswhichshehadhadformorethanamonth。
Shemadenoexcusesforkeepingthebookslongerthantheprescribedtime，butsimplyhandedtheminandpaidherfine。
Mr。Tolmandidnotliketotakethismoney，foritwasthefirstofthekindhehadreceived；buttheyoungladylookedasifshewerewellabletoaffordtheluxuryofkeepingbooksovertheirtime，andbusinesswasbusiness。Sohegravelygaveherherchange。Thenshesaidshewouldliketotakeout"Dormstock\'sLogarithmsoftheDiapason。"
Mr。Tolmanstaredather。Shewasabright，handsomeyounglady，andlookedasifshehadverygoodsense。Hecouldnotunderstandit。Buthetoldherthebookwasout。
"Out！"shesaid。"Why，it\'salwaysout。Itseemsstrangetomethatthereshouldbesuchademandforthatbook。Ihavebeentryingtogetitforeversolong。"
"ItISstrange，"saidMr。Tolman，"butitiscertainlyindemand。DidMrs。Walkerevermakeyouanypromisesaboutit？"
"No，"saidshe，"butIthoughtmyturnwouldcomearoundsometime。AndIparticularlywantthebookjustnow。"
Mr。Tolmanfeltsomewhattroubled。Heknewthatthenightdruggistoughtnottomonopolizethevolume，andyethedidnotwishtodisobligeonewhowassousefultohim，andwhotooksuchanearnestinterestinthebook。Andhecouldnottemporizewiththeyounglady，andsaythathethoughtthebookwouldsoonbein。Heknewitwouldnot。Therewerethreehundredandfortypagesofit。Sohemerelyremarkedthathewassorry。
"SoamI，"saidtheyounglady，"verysorry。ItsohappensthatjustnowIhaveapeculiaropportunityforstudyingthatbookwhichmaynotoccuragain。"
TherewassomethinginMr。Tolman\'ssympatheticfacewhichseemedtoinviteherconfidence，andshecontinued。
"Iamateacher，"shesaid，"andonaccountofcertaincircumstancesIhaveaholidayforamonth，whichIintendedtogiveupalmostentirelytothestudyofmusic，andIparticularlywanted"Dormstock。"Doyouthinkthereisanychanceofitsearlyreturn，andwillyoureserveitforme？"
"Reserveit！"saidMr。Tolman。"MostcertainlyIwill。"Andthenhereflectedasecondortwo。"Ifyouwillcomeherethedayafterto-morrow，Iwillbeabletotellyousomethingdefinite。"
Shesaidshewouldcome。
Mr。Tolmanwasoutalongtimeatlunch-timethenextday。
Hewenttoalltheleadingbook-storestoseeifhecouldbuyacopyofDormstock\'sgreatwork。Buthewasunsuccessful。Thebooksellerstoldhimthattherewasnoprobabilitythathecouldgetacopyinthecountry，unless，indeed，hefounditinthestockofsomesecond-handdealer，andthatevenifhesenttoEnglandforit，whereitwaspublished，itwasnotlikelyhecouldgetit，forithadbeenlongoutofprint。Therewasnodemandatallforit。Thenextdayhewenttoseveralsecond-
handstores，butno"Dormstock"couldhefind。
WhenhecamebackhespoketoGlascowonthesubject。Hewassorrytodoso，butthoughtthatsimplejusticecompelledhimtomentionthematter。Thenightdruggistwasthrownintoaperturbedstateofmindbytheinformationthatsomeonewantedhisbelovedbook。
"Awoman！"heexclaimed。"Why，shewouldnotunderstandtwopagesoutofthewholeofit。Itistoobad。Ididn\'tsupposeanyonewouldwantthisbook。"
"Donotdisturbyourselftoomuch，"saidMr。Tolman。"Iamnotsurethatyououghttogiveitup。"
"Iamverygladtohearyousayso，"saidGlascow。"Ihavenodoubtitisonlyapassingfancywithher。Idaresayshewouldreallyratherhaveagoodnewnovel。"Andthen，havingheardthattheladywasexpectedthatafternoon，hewentouttowalk，withthe"Dormstock"underhisarm。
Whentheyoungladyarrived，anhourorsolater，shewasnotatallsatisfiedtotakeoutanewnovel，andwasverysorryindeednottofindthe"LogarithmsoftheDiapason"waitingforher。Mr。Tolmantoldherthathehadtriedtobuyanothercopyofthework，andforthissheexpressedherselfgratefully。Healsofoundhimselfcompelledtosaythatthebookwasinthepossessionofagentlemanwhohadhaditforsometime——allthetimeithadbeenout，infact——andhadnotyetfinishedit。
Atthistheyoungladyseemedsomewhatnettled。
"Isitnotagainsttherulesforanypersontokeeponebookoutsolong？"sheasked。
"No，"saidMr。Tolman。"Ihavelookedintothat。Ourrulesareverysimple，andmerelysaythatabookmayberenewedbythepaymentofacertainsum。"
"ThenIamnevertohaveit？"remarkedtheyounglady。
"Oh，Iwouldn\'tdespairaboutit，"saidMr。Tolman。"Hehasnothadtimetoreflectuponthematter。Heisareasonableyoungman，andIbelievethathewillbewillingtogiveuphisstudyofthebookforatimeandletyoutakeit。"
"No，"saidshe，"Idon\'twishthat。Ifheisstudying，asyousayheis，dayandnight，Idonotwishtointerrupthim。I
shouldwantthebookatleastamonth，andthat，Isuppose，wouldupsethiscourseofstudyentirely。ButIdonotthinkanyoneshouldbegininacirculatinglibrarytostudyabookthatwilltakehimayeartofinish；for，fromwhatyousay，itwilltakethisgentlemanatleastthattimetofinishDormstock\'sbook。"
Soshewentherway。
WhenP。Glascowheardallthisintheevening，hewasverygrave。Hehadevidentlybeenreflecting。
"Itisnotfair，"saidhe。"Ioughtnottokeepthebooksolong。Inowgiveitupforawhile。Youmayletherhaveitwhenshecomes。"Andheputthe"Dormstock"onthecounter，andwentandsatdownbythestove。
Mr。Tolmanwasgrieved。Heknewthenightdruggisthaddoneright，butstillhewassorryforhim。"Whatwillyoudo？"heasked。"Willyoustopyourstudies？"
"Oh，no，"saidGlascow，gazingsolemnlyintothestove。
"IwilltakeupsomeotherbooksonthediapasonwhichIhave，andsowillkeepmyideasfreshonthesubjectuntilthisladyisdonewiththebook。Idonotreallybelieveshewillstudyitverylong。"Thenheadded："Ifitisallthesametoyou，I
willcomearoundhereandread，asIhavebeendoing，untilyoushallgetaregularassistant。"
Mr。Tolmanwouldbedelightedtohavehimcome，hesaid。Hehadentirelygivenuptheideaofgettinganassistant，butthishedidnotsay。
Itwassometimebeforetheladycameback，andMr。Tolmanwasafraidshewasnotcomingatall。Butshedidcome，andaskedforMrs。Burney\'s"Evelina。"Shesmiledwhenshenamedthebook，andsaidthatshebelievedshewouldhavetotakeanovel，afterall，andshehadalwayswantedtoreadthatone。
"Iwouldn\'ttakeanovelifIwereyou，"saidMr。Tolman；andhetriumphantlytookdownthe"Dormstock"andlaiditbeforeher。
Shewasevidentlymuchpleased，butwhenhetoldherofMr。
Glascow\'sgentlemanlyconductinthematter，hercountenanceinstantlychanged。
"Notatall，"saidshe，layingdownthebook。"Iwillnotbreakuphisstudy。Iwilltakethe`Evelina\'ifyouplease。"
AndasnopersuasionfromMr。Tolmanhadanyeffectuponher，shewentawaywithMrs。Burney\'snovelinhermuff。
"Now，then，"saidMr。TolmantoGlascow，intheevening，"youmayaswelltakethebookalongwithyou。Shewon\'thaveit。"
ButGlascowwoulddonothingofthekind。"No，"heremarked，ashesatlookingintothestove。"WhenIsaidIwouldletherhaveit，Imeantit。She\'lltakeitwhensheseesthatitcontinuestoremaininthelibrary。"
Glascowwasmistaken：shedidnottakeit，havingtheideathathewouldsoonconcludethatitwouldbewiserforhimtoreaditthantoletitstandidlyontheshelf。
"Itwouldservethembothright，"saidMr。Tolmantohimself，"ifsomebodyelseshouldcomeandtakeit。"Buttherewasnooneelseamonghissubscriberswhowouldeventhinkofsuchathing。
Oneday，however，theyoungladycameinandaskedtolookatthebook。"Don\'tthinkthatIamgoingtotakeitout，"shesaid，noticingMr。Tolman\'slookofpleasureashehandedherthevolume。"IonlywishtoseewhathesaysonacertainsubjectwhichIamstudyingnow。"AndsoshesatdownbythestoveonthechairwhichMr。Tolmanplacedforher，andopened"Dormstock。"
Shesatearnestlyporingoverthebookforhalfanhourormore，andthenshelookedupandsaid："Ireallycannotmakeoutwhatthispartmeans。Excusemytroublingyou，butIwouldbeverygladifyouwouldexplainthelatterpartofthispassage。"
"Me！"exclaimedMr。Tolman。"Why，mygoodmadam，——miss，I
mean，——Icouldn\'texplainittoyouifitweretosavemylife。
Butwhatpageisit？"saidhe，lookingathiswatch。
"Pagetwenty-four，"answeredtheyounglady。
"Oh，well，then，"saidhe，"ifyoucanwaittenorfifteenminutes，thegentlemanwhohashadthebookwillbehere，andI
thinkhecanexplainanythinginthefirstpartofthework。"
Theyoungladyseemedtohesitatewhethertowaitornot；butasshehadacertaincuriositytoseewhatsortofapersonhewaswhohadbeensoabsorbedinthebook，sheconcludedtositalittlelongerandlookintosomeotherpartsofthevolume。
Thenightdruggistsooncamein，andwhenMr。Tolmanintroducedhimtothelady，hereadilyagreedtoexplainthepassagetoherifhecould。SoMr。Tolmangothimachairfromtheinnerroom，andhealsosatdownbythestove。
Theexplanationwasdifficult，butitwasachievedatlast，andthentheyoungladybroachedthesubjectofleavingthebookunused。Thiswasdiscussedforsometime，butcametonothing，althoughMr。Tolmanputdownhisafternoonpaperandjoinedintheargument，urging，amongotherpoints，thatasthematternowstoodhewasdeprivedbythedead-lockofallincomefromthebook。Buteventhisstrongargumentprovedofnoavail。
"ThenIwilltellyouwhatIwishyouwoulddo，"saidMr。
Tolman，astheyoungladyrosetogo："comehereandlookatthebookwheneveryouwishtodoso。Iwouldliketomakethismoreofareading-room，anyway。Itwouldgivememorecompany。"
Afterthistheyoungladylookedinto"Dormstock"whenshecamein；andasherholidayshadbeenextendedbythecontinuedabsenceofthefamilyinwhichshetaught，shehadplentyoftimeforstudy，andcamequitefrequently。SheoftenmetGlascowintheshop，andonsuchoccasionstheygenerallyconsulted"Dormstock，"andsometimeshadquitelengthytalksonmusicalmatters。Oneafternoontheycameintogether，havingmetontheirwaytothelibrary，andenteredintoaconversationondiapasoniclogarithms，whichcontinuedduringthelady\'sstayintheshop。
"Theproperthing，"thoughtMr。Tolman，"wouldbeforthesetwopeopletogetmarried。Thentheycouldtakethebookandstudyittotheirheart\'scontent。Andtheywouldcertainlysuiteachother，fortheyarebothgreatlyattachedtomusicalmathematicsandphilosophy，andneitherofthemeitherplaysorsings，astheyhavetoldme。Itwouldbeanadmirablematch。"
Mr。Tolmanthoughtoverthismatteragooddeal，andatlastdeterminedtomentionittoGlascow。Whenhedidso，theyoungmancolored，andexpressedtheopinionthatitwouldbeofnousetothinkofsuchathing。Butitwasevidentfromhismannerandsubsequentdiscoursethathehadthoughtofit。
Mr。Tolmangraduallybecamequiteanxiousonthesubject，especiallyasthenightdruggistdidnotseeminclinedtotakeanystepsinthematter。Theweatherwasnowbeginningtobewarmer，andMr。Tolmanreflectedthatthelittlehouseandthelittleshopwereprobablymuchmorecoseyandcomfortableinwinterthaninsummer。Therewerehigherbuildingsallaboutthehouse，andevennowhebegantofeelthatthecirculationofairwouldbequiteasagreeableasthecirculationofbooks。Hethoughtagooddealabouthisairyroomsintheneighboringcity。
"Mr。Glascow，"saidhe，oneafternoon，"Ihavemadeupmymindtoselloutthisbusinessshortly。"
"What！"exclaimedtheother。"Doyoumeanyouwillgiveitupandgoaway——leavetheplacealtogether？"
"Yes，"repliedMr。Tolman，"Ishallgiveuptheplaceentirely，andleavethecity。"
Thenightdruggistwasshocked。Hehadspentmanyhappyhoursinthatshop，andhishourstherewerenowbecomingpleasanterthanever。IfMr。Tolmanwentaway，allthismustend。Nothingofthekindcouldbeexpectedofanynewproprietor。
"Andconsideringthis，"continuedMr。Tolman，"IthinkitwouldbewellforyoutobringyourlovematterstoaconclusionwhileIamheretohelpyou。"
"Mylovematters！"exclaimedMr。Glascow，withaflush。
"Yes，certainly，"saidMr。Tolman。"Ihaveeyes，andIknowallaboutit。NowletmetellyouwhatIthink。Whenathingistobedone，itoughttobedonethefirsttimethereisagoodchance。That\'sthewayIdobusiness。Nowyoumightaswellcomearoundhereto-morrowafternoonpreparedtoproposetoMissEdwards。Sheisdueto-morrow，forshehasbeentwodaysaway。
Ifshedoesn\'tcome，wewillpostponethematteruntilthenextday。Butyoushouldbereadyto-morrow。Idon\'tbelieveyoucanseehermuchwhenyoudon\'tmeetherhere，forthatfamilyisexpectedbackverysoon，andfromwhatIinferfromheraccountofheremployers，youwon\'tcaretovisitherattheirhouse。"
Thenightdruggistwantedtothinkaboutit。
"Thereisnothingtothink，"saidMr。Tolman。"Weknowallaboutthelady。"(Hespoketruly，forhehadinformedhimselfaboutbothpartiestotheaffair。)"Takemyadvice，andbehereto-morrowafternoon——andcomeratherearly。"
ThenextmorningMr。Tolmanwentuptohisparloronthesecondfloor，andbroughtdowntwobluestuffedchairs，thebesthehad，andputtheminthelittleroombackoftheshop。Healsobroughtdownoneortwoknickknacksandputthemonthemantelpiece，andhedustedandbrighteneduptheroomaswellashecould。Heevencoveredthetablewitharedclothfromtheparlor。
Whentheyoungladyarrived，heinvitedhertowalkintothebackroomtolookoversomenewbookshehadjustgotin。Ifshehadknownheproposedtogiveupthebusiness，shewouldhavethoughtitratherstrangethatheshouldbebuyingnewbooks。
Butsheknewnothingofhisintentions。Whenshewasseatedatthetablewhereonthenewbookswerespread，Mr。TolmansteppedoutsideoftheshopdoortowatchforGlascow\'sapproach。Hesoonappeared。
"Walkrightin，"saidMr。Tolman。"She\'sinthebackroomlookingoverbooks。I\'llwaithere，andkeepoutcustomersasfaraspossible。It\'spleasant，andIwantalittlefreshair。
I\'llgiveyoutwentyminutes。"
Glascowwaspale，buthewentinwithoutaword，andMr。
Tolman，withhishandsunderhiscoat-tail，andhisfeetratherfarapart，establishedablockadeonthedoorstep。Hestoodthereforsometime，lookingatthepeopleoutside，andwonderingwhatthepeopleinsideweredoing。Thelittlegirlwhohadborrowedthemilkofhim，andwhohadneverreturnedit，wasabouttopassthedoor；butseeinghimstandingthere，shecrossedovertotheothersideofthestreet。Buthedidnotnoticeher。Hewaswonderingifitwastimetogoin。Aboycameuptothedoor，andwantedtoknowifhekeptEastereggs。
Mr。Tolmanwashappytosayhedidnot。Whenhehadallowedthenightdruggistaveryliberaltwentyminutes，hewentin。Asheenteredtheshopdoor，givingthebellaverydecidedringashedidso，P。Glascowcamedownthetwostepsthatledfromtheinnerroom。Hisfaceshowedthatitwasallrightwithhim。
AfewdaysafterthisMr。Tolmansoldouthisstock，goodwill，andfixtures，togetherwiththefurnitureandleaseofthehouse。AndwhoshouldhesellouttobuttoMr。Glascow！Thispieceofbusinesswasoneofthehappiestpointsinthewholeaffair。Therewasnoreasonwhythehappycoupleshouldnotbemarriedverysoon，andtheyoungladywascharmedtogiveupherpositionasteacherandgovernessinafamily，andcomeandtakechargeofthatdelightfullittlestoreandthatcunninglittlehouse，withalmosteverythinginitthattheywanted。
OnethingintheestablishmentMr。Tolmanrefusedtosell。
ThatwasDormstock\'sgreatwork。Hemadethecoupleapresentofthevolume，andbetweentwooftheearlierpagesheplacedabank-notewhichinvaluewasverymuchmorethanthatoftheordinaryweddinggift。
"WhatareYOUgoingtodo？"theyaskedofhim，whenallthesethingsweresettled。Andthenhetoldthemhowhewasgoingbacktohisbusinessintheneighboringcity，andhetoldthemwhatitwas，andhowhehadcometomanageacirculatinglibrary。Theydidnotthinkhimcrazy。Peoplewhostudiedthelogarithmsofthediapasonwouldnotbeapttothinkamancrazyforsuchalittlethingasthat。
WhenMr。TolmanreturnedtotheestablishmentofPusey&
Co。，hefoundeverythinggoingonverysatisfactorily。
"Youlooktenyearsyounger，sir，"saidMr。Canterfield。"Youmusthavehadaverypleasanttime。Ididnotthinktherewasenoughtointerestyouin——forsolongatime。"
"Interestme！"exclaimedMr。Tolman。"Why，objectsofinterestcrowdedonme。Ineverhadamoreenjoyableholidayinmylife。"
Whenhewenthomethatevening(andhefoundhimselfquitewillingtogo)，hetoreupthewillhehadmade。Henowfeltthattherewasnonecessityforprovinghissanity。
MYUNWILLINGNEIGHBOR
Iwasabouttwenty-fiveyearsoldwhenIbeganlifeastheownerofavineyardinwesternVirginia。Iboughtalargetractofland，thegreaterpartofwhichlayupontheslopingsideofoneofthefoot-hillsoftheBlueRidge，theexposurebeingthatmostfavorabletothegrowthofthevine。Iamanenthusiasticloverofthecountryandofcountrylife，andbelievedthatIshouldderivemorepleasureaswellasprofitfromthecultureofmyfar-stretchingvineyardthanIwouldfromordinaryfarmoperations。
Ibuiltmyselfagoodhouseofmoderatesizeuponalittleplateauonthehigherpartofmyestate。Sittinginmyporch，smokingmypipeafterthelaborsoftheday，Icouldlookdownovermyvineyardintoabeautifulvalley，withhereandtherealittlecurlingsmokearisingfromsomeofthefewdwellingswhichwerescatteredaboutamongthegrovesandspreadingfields，andabovethisbeautyIcouldimagineallmyhillsideclothedingreenandpurple。
Myfamilyconsistedofmyselfalone。ItistruethatI
expectedsomedaythattherewouldbeothersinmyhousebesidesmyself，butIwasnotreadyforthisyet。
DuringthesummerIfounditverypleasanttolivebymyself。Itwasanovelty，andIcouldarrangeandmanageeverythinginmyownfashion，whichwasapleasureIhadnotenjoyedwhenIlivedinmyfather\'shouse。ButwhenwintercameIfounditverylonely。Evenmyservantslivedinacabinatsomelittledistance，andthereweremanydarkandstormyeveningswhenthecompanyevenofaborewouldhavebeenwelcometome。SometimesIwalkedovertothetownandvisitedmyfriendsthere，butthiswasnotfeasibleonstormynights，andthewinterseemedtomeaverylongone。
Butspringcame，outdooroperationsbegan，andforafewweeksIfeltagainthatIwasall-sufficientformyownpleasureandcomfort。Thencameachange。Oneofthoseseasonsofbadandstormyweatherwhichsofrequentlyfollowanearlyspringsettleddownuponmyspiritsandmyhillside。Itrained，itwascold，fiercewindsblew，andIbecamemoreanxiousforsomebodytotalktothanIhadbeenatanytimeduringthewinter。
Onenight，whenaverybadstormwasraging，Iwenttobedearly，andasIlayawakeIrevolvedinmymindaschemeofwhichIhadfrequentlythoughtbefore。Iwouldbuildaneatlittlehouseonmygrounds，notveryfarawayfrommyhouse，butnottoonear，andIwouldaskJackBrandigertocomethereandlive。
Jackwasafriendofminewhowasreadinglawinthetown，anditseemedtomethatitwouldbemuchmorepleasant，andevenmoreprofitable，toreadlawonaprettyhillsideoverlookingacharmingvalley，withwoodsandmountainsbehindandabovehim，wherehecouldrambletohisheart\'scontent。
IhadthoughtofaskingJacktocomeandlivewithme，butthisideaIsoondismissed。Iamaveryparticularperson，andJackwasnot。Helefthispipesaboutinallsortsofplaces——sometimeswhentheywerestilllighted。Whenhecametoseemehewasquiteaslikelytoputhishatovertheinkstandastoputitanywhereelse。ButifJacklivedatalittledistance，andwecouldgobackwardandforwardtoseeeachotherwheneverwepleased，thatwouldbequiteanotherthing。Hecoulddoashepleasedinhisownhouse，andIcoulddoasIpleasedinmine，andwemighthavemanypleasanteveningstogether。Thiswasacheeringidea，andIwasplanninghowwemightarrangewiththenegrowomanwhomanagedmyhouseholdaffairstoattendalsotothoseofJackwhenIfellasleep。
IdidnotsleeplongbeforeIwasawakenedbytheincreasedviolenceofthestorm。Myhouseshookwiththefuryofthewind。
Therainseemedtobepouringonitsroofandnorthernsideasiftherewereawaterfallaboveus，andeverynowandthenIcouldhearashowerofhailstonesrattlingagainsttheshutters。Mybedroomwasoneoftheroomsonthelowerfloor，andeventhereI
couldhearthepoundingofthedelugeandthehailstonesupontheroof。
Allthiswasverydoleful，andhadatendencytodepressthespiritsofamanawakeandaloneinagood-sizedhouse。ButI
shookoffthisdepression。Itwas，notagreeabletobeupherebymyselfinsuchaterriblestorm，buttherewasnothingtobeafraidof，asmyhousewasnewandverystronglybuilt，beingconstructedoflogs，weather-boardedoutsideandceiledwithin。
Itwouldrequireahurricanetoblowofftheroof，andIbelievedmyshutterstobehail-proof。So，astherewasnoreasontostayawake，Iturnedoverandwenttosleep。
IdonotknowhowlongitwasbeforeIwasawakenedagain，thistimenotbythenoiseofthestorm，butbyacuriousmovementofmybedstead。Ihadoncefelttheslightshockofanearthquake，anditseemedtomethatthismustbesomethingofthekind。Certainlymybedmovedunderme。Isatup。Theroomwaspitchydark。InamomentIfeltanothermovement，butthistimeitdidnotseemtometoresembleanearthquakeshock。Suchmotion，Ithink，isgenerallyinhorizontaldirections，whilethatwhichIfeltwasmorelikethemovementofashipuponthewater。Thestormwasatitsheight；thewindragedandroared，andtherainseemedtobepouringdownasheavilyasever。
Iwasabouttogetupandlightthelamp，foreventhefaintestcandle-flamewouldbesomesortofcompanyatsuchagrewsomemoment，whenmybedsteadgaveanothermovement，moreshiplikethanbefore。Itactuallylurchedforwardasifitweredescendingintothetroughofthesea，but，unlikeaship，itdidnotriseagain，butremainedinsuchaslantingpositionthatI
begantoslidedowntowardthefoot。Ibelievethatifithadnotbeenabedsteadprovidedwithafootboard，Ishouldhaveslippedoutuponthefloor。
Ididnotjumpoutofbed。Ididnotdoanything。Iwastryingtothink，tounderstandthesituation，tofindoutwhetherIwasasleeporawake，whenIbecameawareofnoisesintheroomandalloverthehousewhicheventhroughthedinofthestormmadethemselvesnoticedbytheirpeculiarity。Tables，everythingintheroom，seemedtobegratingandgrindingonthefloor，andinamomenttherewasacrash。Iknewwhatthatmeant；mylamphadslippedoffthetable。Anydoubtonthatpointwouldhavebeendispelledbythesmellofkerosenewhichsoonfilledtheairoftheroom。
Themotionofthebed，whichInowbelievemusthavebeenthemotionofthewholehouse，stillcontinued；butthegratingnoisesintheroomgraduallyceased，fromwhichIinferredthatthefurniturehadbroughtupagainstthefrontwalloftheroom。
Itnowwasimpossibleformetogetupandstrikealight，fortodosowithkeroseneoilallovertheflooranditsvapordiffusedthroughtheroomwouldprobablyresultinsettingthehouseonfire。SoImuststayindarknessandwait。IdonotthinkIwasverymuchfrightened——Iwassoastonishedthattherewasnoroominmymindforfear。Infact，allmymentalenergieswereoccupiedintryingtofindoutwhathadhappened。Itrequired，however，onlyafewmoreminutesofreflection，andafewmoreminutesofthegrating，bumping，tremblingofmyhouse，toenablemetomakeupmymindwhatwashappening。Myhousewasslidingdownhill！
Thewindmusthaveblownthebuildingfromitsfoundations，andupontheslipperysurfaceofthehillside，probablylashedintoliquidmudbythepouringrain，itwasmakingitswaydowntowardthevalley！Inaflashmymind\'seyeranoverthewholesurfaceofthecountrybeneathmeasfarasIknewit。Iwasalmostpositivethattherewasnoprecipice，noterriblechasmintowhichmyhousemightfall。Therewasnothingbutslopinghillside，andbeneaththatawidestretchoffields。
Nowtherewasanewandsuddennoiseofheavyobjectsfallingupontheroof，andIknewwhatthatmeant：mychimneyhadbeenwrenchedfromitsfoundations，andtheupperpartofithadnowtoppledover。Icouldhear，throughthestorm，thebricksbangingandslidingupontheslantingroof。Continuoussoundsofcrackingandsnappingcametomethroughtheclosedfrontwindows，andthesewerecaused，Isupposed，bythedestructionofthestakesofmyvinesastheheavyhousemovedoverthem。
Ofcourse，whenIthoroughlyunderstoodthestateofthecase，myfirstimpulsewastospringoutofbed，and，asquicklyaspossible，togetoutofthatthumpingandslidinghouse。ButIrestrainedmyself。Thefloormightbecoveredwithbrokenglass，Imightnotbeabletofindmyclothesinthedarknessandinthejumbleoffurnitureattheendoftheroom，andevenifI
coulddressmyself，itwouldbefollytojumpoutinthemidstofthatragingstormintoaprobablemassofwreckagewhichIcouldnotsee。Itwouldbefarbettertoremaindryandwarmundermyroof。Therewasnoreasonwhatevertosupposethatthehousewouldgotopieces，orthatitwouldturnover。Itmuststopsometimeorother，and，untilitdidso，Iwouldbesaferinmybedthananywhereelse。ThereforeinmybedIstayed。
Sittingupright，withmyfeetpressedagainstthefootboard，Ilistenedandfelt。Thenoisesofthestorm，andthecrackingandthesnappingandgrindingbeforemeandunderme，stillcontinued，althoughIsometimesthoughtthatthewindwasmoderatingalittle，andthatthestrangemotionwasbecomingmoreregular。Ibelievedthehousewasmovingfasterthanwhenitfirstbeganitsstrangecareer，butthatitwasslidingoverasmoothsurface。NowInoticedasuccessionofloudcracksandsnapsatthefrontofthehouse，and，fromthecharacterofthesounds，Iconcludedthatmylittlefrontporch，whichhadbeenactingasacutwateratthebowofmyshiplikehouse，hadyieldedatlasttotheroughcontactwiththeground，andwouldprobablysoonbetornaway。Thisdidnotdisturbme，forthehousemuststillbefirm。
ItwasnotlongbeforeIperceivedthattheslantingofmybedwasbecominglessandless，andalsoIwasquitesurethatthehousewasmovingmoreslowly。Thenthecrackingsandsnappingsbeforemyfrontwallceasedaltogether。Thebedresumeditsordinaryhorizontalposition，andalthoughIdidnotknowatwhatmomentthehousehadceasedslidingandhadcometoastandstill，Iwassurethatithaddoneso。Itwasnowrestinguponalevelsurface。Theroomwasstillperfectlydark，andthestormcontinued。Itwasuselessformetogetupuntildaylightcame，——Icouldnotseewhathadhappened，——soIlaybackuponmypillowandtriedtoimagineuponwhatlevelportionofmyfarmI
hadstranded。WhiledoingthisIfellasleep。
WhenIwoke，alittlelightwasstealingintotheroomthroughtheblindsofmyshutters。Iquicklyslippedoutofbed，openedawindow，andlookedout。Daywasjustbreaking，therainandwindhadceased，andIcoulddiscernobjects。ButitseemedasifIneededsomelightinmybraintoenablemetocomprehendwhatIsaw。Myeyesfelluponnothingfamiliar。
Ididnotstoptoinvestigate，however，frommywindow。
Ifoundmyclotheshuddledtogetherwiththefurnitureatthefrontendoftheroom，andassoonasIwasdressedIwentintothehallandthentomyfrontdoor。Iquicklyjerkedthisopenandwasabouttostepoutsidewhen，suddenly，Istopped。Iwaspositivethatmyfrontporchhadbeendestroyed。ButthereIsawaporchalittlelowerthanmineandagreatdealwider，andontheothersideofit，notmorethaneightfeetfromme，wasawindow——thewindowofahouse，andontheothersideofthewindowwasaface——thefaceofayounggirl！AsIstoodstaringinblankamazementatthehousewhichpresenteditselfatmyfrontdoor，thefaceatthewindowdisappeared，andIwaslefttocontemplatethescenebymyself。Irantomybackdoorandthrewitopen。ThereIsaw，stretchingupthefieldsandfarupthehillside，thewidepathwhichmyhousehadmadeasitcamedownfromitselevatedpositiontothevalleybeneath，whereithadendeditsonwardcareerbystoppingupagainstanotherhouse。AsIlookedfromthebackporchIsawthatthegroundstillcontinuedtoslope，sothatifmyhousehadnotfoundinitspathanotherbuilding，itwouldprobablyhaveproceededsomewhatfartheronitscourse。Itwaslighter，andIsawbushesandfencesandoutbuildings——Iwasinabackyard。
Almostbreathlesswithamazementandconsternation，Iranagaintothefrontdoor。WhenIreacheditIfoundayoungwomanstandingontheporchofthehousebeforeme。Iwasabouttosaysomething——Iknownotwhat——whensheputherfingeronherlipsandsteppedforward。
"Pleasedon\'tspeakloudly，"shesaid。"Iamafraiditwillfrightenmother。Sheisasleepyet。Isupposeyouandyourhousehavebeenslidingdownhill？"
"Thatiswhathashappened，"saidI。"ButIcannotunderstandit。Itseemstomethemostamazingthingthatevertookplaceonthefaceoftheearth。"
"Itisveryqueer，"saidshe，"buthurricanesdoblowawayhouses，andthatmusthavebeenahurricanewehadlastnight，forthewindwasstrongenoughtoloosenanyhouse。Ihaveoftenwonderedifthathousewouldeverslidedownhill。"
"Myhouse？"
"Yes，"shesaid。"SoonafteritwasbuiltIbegantothinkwhatanicecleansweepitcouldmakefromtheplacewhereitseemedtobestucktothesideofthemountain，rightdownhereintothevalley。"
Icouldnottalkwithagirllikethis；atleast，Icouldnotmeetheronherownconversationalgrounds。IwassoagitatedmyselfthatitseemedunnaturalthatanyonetowhomIshouldspeakshouldnotalsobeagitated。
"Whoareyou？"Iaskedratherbrusquely。"Atleast，towhomdoesthishousebelong？"
"Thisismymother\'shouse，"saidshe。"MymotherisMrs。
Carson。Wehappenjustnowtobelivingherebyourselves，soI
cannotcallonanymantohelpyoudoanything。Mybrotherhasalwayslivedwithus，butlastweekhewentaway。"
"Youdon\'tseemtobeabitastonishedatwhathashappened，"
saidI。
Shewasratheraprettygirl，ofacheerfuldisposition，I
shouldsay，forseveraltimesshehadsmiledasshespoke。
"Oh，Iamastonished，"sheanswered；"or，atleast，I
was。ButIhavehadtimeenoughtogetoversomeofit。ItwasatleastanhouragowhenIwasawakenedbyhearingsomethingcrackintheyard。Iwenttoawindowandlookedout，andcouldjustbarelyseethatsomethinglikeabigbuildinghadgrownupduringthenight。ThenIwatchedit，andwatchedit，untilI
madeoutitwasawholehouse；andafterthatitwasnotlongbeforeIguessedwhathadhappened。Itseemedasimplerthingtome，youknow，thanitdidtoyou，becauseIhadoftenthoughtaboutit，andprobablyyouneverhad。"
"Youarerightthere，"saidI，earnestly。"Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleformetoimaginesuchathing。"
"AtfirstIthoughttherewasnobodyinthehouse，"saidshe，"butwhenIheardsomeonemovingabout，Icamedowntotellwhoeverhadarrivednottomakeanoise。Isee，"sheadded，withanotherofhersmiles，"thatyouthinkIamaverystrangepersonnottobemoreflurriedbywhathashappened。ButreallyI
cannotthinkofanythingelsejustnow，exceptwhatmotherwillsayanddowhenshecomesdownandfindsyouandyourhousehereatthebackdoor。Iamverysureshewillnotlikeit。"
"Likeit！"Iexclaimed。"Whoonearthcouldlikeit？"
"Pleasespeakmoregently，"shesaid。"Motherisalwaysalittleirritablewhenhernight\'sresthasbeenbroken，andI
wouldnotliketohaveherwakenedupsuddenlynow。Butreally，Mr。Warren，Ihaven\'ttheleastideaintheworldhowshewilltakethisthing。Imustgoinandbewithherwhenshewakes，sothatIcanexplainjustwhathashappened。"
"Onemoment，"Isaid。"Youknowmyname。"
"OfcourseIknowyourname，"sheanswered。"Couldthathousebeupthereonthehillsideformorethanayearwithoutmyknowingwholivedinit？"Withthisshewentindoors。
IcouldnothelpsmilingwhenIthoughtoftheyoungladyregrettingthattherewasnomaninthehousewhomighthelpmedosomething。Whatcouldanybodydoinacaselikethis？I
turnedandwentintomyhouse。Ienteredthevariousroomsonthelowerfloor，andsawnosignsofanyparticulardamage，exceptthateverythingmovableineachroomwasjumbledtogetheragainstthefrontwall。ButwhenIlookedoutofthebackdoorI
foundthattheporchtherewasagooddealwrecked，whichIhadnotnoticedbefore。
Iwentup-stairs，andfoundeverythingverymuchasitwasbelow。Nothingseemedtohavebeeninjuredexceptthechimneyandtheporches。IthankedmystarsthatIhadusedhardwoodinsteadofmortarfortheceilingsofmyrooms。
Iwasabouttogointomybedroom，whenIheardawomanscream，andofcourseIhurriedtothefront。ThereonthebackporchofherhousestoodMrs。Carson。Shewasawomanofmiddleage，and，asIglancedather，Isawwhereherdaughtergothergoodlooks。Buttheplacidityandcheerfulnessoftheyoungerfacewereentirelywantinginthemother。Hereyessparkled，hercheekswerered，hermouthwaspartlyopened，anditseemedtomethatIcouldalmostseethatherbreathwashot。
"Isthisyourhouse？"shecried，themomenthereyesfelluponme。"Andwhatisitdoinghere？"Ididnotimmediatelyanswer，Ilookedattheangrywoman，andbehindherIsaw，throughtheopendoor，thedaughtercrossingthehallway。Itwasplainthatshehaddecidedtoletmehaveitoutwithhermotherwithoutinterference。AsbrieflyandasclearlyasIcould，I
explainedwhathadhappened。
"Whatisallthattome？"shescreamed。"Itdoesn\'tmattertomehowyourhousegothere。Therehavebeenstormseversincethebeginningoftheworld，andIneverheardofanyofthemtakingahouseintoaperson\'sbackyard。Yououghtnottohavebuiltyourhousewhereanysuchthingcouldhappen。Butallthisisnothingtome。Idon\'tunderstandnowhowyourhousedidgethere，andIdon\'twanttounderstandit。AllIwantisforyoutotakeitaway。"
"Iwilldothat，madam，justassoonasIcan。YoumaybeverysureIwilldothat。But——"
"Canyoudoitnow？"sheasked。"Canyoudoitto-day？I
don\'twantaminutelost。Ihavenotbeenoutsidetoseewhatdamagehasbeendone，butthefirstthingtodoistotakeyourhouseaway。"
"Iamgoingtothetownnow，madam，tosummonassistance。"
Mrs。Carsonmadenoanswer，butsheturnedandwalkedtotheendofherporch。Thereshesuddenlygaveascreamwhichquicklybroughtherdaughterfromthehouse。"Kitty！Kitty！"criedhermother。"Doyouknowwhathehasdone？Hehasgonerightovermyroundflower-garden。Hishouseissittingonitthisminute！"
"Buthecouldnothelpit，mother，"saidKitty。
"Helpit！"exclaimedMrs。Carson。"Ididn\'texpecthimtohelpit。WhatIwant——"Suddenlyshestopped。Hereyesflashedbrighter，hermouthopenedwider，andshebecamemoreandmoreexcitedasshenoticedtheabsenceofthesheds，fences，orvegetable-bedswhichhadfoundthemselvesinthecourseofmyall-destroyingdwelling。
Itwasnowwelloninthemorning，andsomeoftheneighborshadbecomeawareofthestrangedisasterwhichhadhappenedtome，althoughiftheyhadheardthenewsfromMrs。Carsontheymighthavesupposedthatitwasadisasterwhichhadhappenedonlytoher。Astheygazedatthetwohousessocloselyjammedtogether，allofthemwondered，someofthemevenlaughed，butnotoneofferedasuggestionwhichaffordedsatisfactiontoMrs。
Carsonormyself。Thegeneralopinionwasthat，nowmyhousewasthere，itwouldhavetostaythere，fortherewerenotenoughhorsesintheStatetopullitbackupthatmountainside。Tobesure，itmightpossiblybedrawnoffsidewise。Butwhetheritwasmovedonewayortheother，alotofMrs。Carson\'streeswouldhavetobecutdowntoletitpass。
