第7章

"Whichshallneverhappen！"criedthatgoodlady。"Ifnothingelsecanbedone，itmustbetakenapartandhauledoffincarts。Butnomatterhowitismanaged，itmustbemoved，andthatimmediately。"MissCarsonnowprevaileduponhermothertogointothehouse，andIstayedandtalkedtothemenandafewwomenwhohadgatheredoutside。

Whentheyhadsaidalltheyhadtosay，andseenalltherewastosee，thesepeoplewenthometotheirbreakfasts。I

enteredmyhouse，butnotbythefrontdoor，fortodothatI

wouldhavebeenobligedtotrespassuponMrs。Carson\'sbackporch。Igotmyhat，andwasabouttostartforthetown，whenI

heardmynamecalled。Turningintothehall，IsawMissCarson，whowasstandingatmyfrontdoor。

"Mr。Warren，"saidshe，"youhaven\'tanywayofgettingbreakfast，haveyou？"

"Oh，no，"saidI。"Myservantsareupthereintheircabin，andIsupposetheyaretoomuchscaredtocomedown。ButIamgoingtotowntoseewhatcanbedoneaboutmyhouse，andwillgetmybreakfastthere。"

"It\'salongwaytogowithoutanythingtoeat，"shesaid，"andwecangiveyousomebreakfast。ButIwanttoaskyousomething。Iaminagooddealofperplexity。Ourtwoservantsareoutatthefrontofthehouse，buttheypositivelyrefusetocomein；theyareafraidthatyourhousemaybeginslidingagainandcrushthemall，so，Ishallhavetogetbreakfast。Butwhatbothersmeistryingtofindourwell。Ihavebeenoutside，andcanseenosignsofit。"

"Wherewasyourwell？"Igasped。

"Itoughttobesomewherenearthebackofyourhouse，"shesaid。"MayIgothroughyourhallandlookout？"

"Ofcourseyoumay，"Icried，andIprecededhertomybackdoor。

"Now，itseemstome，"shesaid，aftersurveyingthesceneofdesolationimmediatelybefore，andlookingfromsidetosidetowardobjectswhichhadremaineduntouched，"thatyourhousehaspasseddirectlyoverourwell，andmusthavecarriedawaythelittleshedandthepumpandeverythingaboveground。Ishouldnotwonderabit，"shecontinuedslowly，"ifitisunderyourporch。"

Ijumpedtotheground，forthestepswereshattered，andbegantosearchforthewell，anditwasnotlongbeforeIdiscovereditsrounddarkopening，whichwas，asMissCarsonhadimagined，underoneendofmyporch。

"Whatcanwedo？"sheasked。"Wecan\'thavebreakfastorgetalongatallwithoutwater。"ItwasaterriblydepressingthingtometothinkthatI，orrathermyhouse，hadgiventhesepeoplesomuchtrouble。ButIspeedily，assuredMissCarsonthatifshecouldfindabucketandaropewhichIcouldlowerintothewell，Iwouldprovideherwithwater。

Shewentintoherhousetoseewhatshecouldfind，andItoreawaythebrokenplanksoftheporch，sothatIcouldgettothewell。Andthen，whenshecamewithatinpailandaclothes-

line，Iwenttoworktohaulupwaterandcarryittoherbackdoor。

"Idon\'twantmothertofindoutwhathashappenedtothewell，"shesaid，"forshehasenoughonhermindalready。"

Mrs。Carsonwasawomanwithsomegoodpointsinhercharacter。Afteratimeshecalledtomeherself，andtoldmetocomeintobreakfast。ButduringthemealshetalkedveryearnestlytomeabouttheamazingtrespassIhadcommitted，andaboutthemeanswhichshouldbetakentorepairthedamagesmyhousehaddonetoherproperty。IwasasoptimisticasIcouldbe，andtheyoungladyspokeverycheerfullyandhopefullyabouttheaffair，sothatwewerebeginningtogetalongsomewhatpleasantly，when，suddenly，Mrs。Carsonsprangtoherfeet。

"Heavensandearth！"shecried，"thishouseismoving！"

Shewasnotmistaken。Ihadfeltbeneathmyfeetasuddensharpshock——notsevere，butunmistakable。Irememberedthatbothhousesstooduponslightlyslopingground。Mybloodturnedcold，myheartstoodstill；evenMissCarsonwaspale。

Whenwehadrushedoutofdoorstoseewhathadhappened，orwhatwasgoingtohappen，Isoonfoundthatwehadbeenneedlesslyfrightened。Someofthebrokentimbersonwhichmyhousehadbeenpartiallyrestinghadgivenway，andthefrontpartofthebuildinghadslightlydescended，jarringasitdidsotheotherhouseagainstwhichitrested。IendeavoredtoprovetoMrs。Carsonthattheresultwasencouragingratherthanotherwise，formyhousewasnowmorefirmlysettledthanithadbeen。Butshedidnotvaluetheopinionofamanwhodidnotknowenoughtoputhishouseinaplacewhereitwouldbelikelytostay，andshecouldeatnomorebreakfast，andwasevenafraidtostayunderherownroofuntilexperiencedmechanicshadbeensummonedtolookintothestateofaffairs。

Ihurriedawaytothetown，anditwasnotlongbeforeseveralcarpentersandmasonswereonthespot。Afterathoroughexamination，theyassuredMrs。Carsonthattherewasnodanger，thatmyhousewoulddonofartherdamagetoherpremises，but，tomakethingscertain，theywouldbringsomeheavybeamsandbracethefrontofmyhouseagainsthercellarwall。Whenthatshouldbedoneitwouldbeimpossibleforittomoveanyfarther。

"ButIdon\'twantitbraced！"criedMrs。Carson。"Iwantittakenaway。Iwantitoutofmybackyard！"

Themastercarpenterwasamanofimaginationandexpedients。

"Thatisquiteanotherthing，ma\'am，"saidhe。"We\'llfixthisgentleman\'shousesothatyouneedn\'tbeafraidofit，andthen，whenthetimecomestomoveit，there\'sseveralwaysofdoingthat。Wemightrigupapowerfulwindlassatthetopofthehill，andperhapsgetasteam-enginetoturnit，andwecouldfastencablestothehouseandhaulherbacktowhereshebelongs。"

"Andcanyoutakeyouroaths，"criedMrs。Carson，"thatthoseropeswon\'tbreak，andwhenthathousegetshalf-wayupthehillitwon\'tcomeslidingdowntentimesfasterthanitdid，andcrashintomeandmineandeverythingIownonearth？No，sir！

I\'llhavenohousehauledupahillbackofme！"

"Ofcourse，"saidthecarpenter，"itwouldbeagreatdealeasiertomoveitonthisground，whichisalmostlevel——"

"Andcutdownmytreestodoit！No，sir！"

"Well，then，"saidhe，"thereisnowaytodobuttotakeitapartandhaulitoff。"

"Whichwouldmakeanawfultimeatthebackofmyhousewhileyouweredoingit！"exclaimedMrs。Carson。

Inowputinaword。"There\'sonlyonethingtodothatI

cansee！"Iexclaimed。"Iwillsellittoamatchfactory。Itisalmostallwood，anditcanbecutupinsectionsabouttwoinchesthick，andthensplitintomatches。"

Kittysmiled。"Ishouldliketoseethem，"shesaid，"takingawaythelittlesticksinwheelbarrows！"

"Thereisnoneedoftriflingonthesubject，"saidMrs。

Carson。"Ihavehadagreatdealtobear，andImustbearitnolongerthanisnecessary。Ihavejustfoundoutthatinordertogetwateroutofmyownwell，Imustgotothebackporchofastranger。Suchthingscannotbeendured。IfmysonGeorgewerehere，hewouldtellmewhatIoughttodo。Ishallwritetohim，andseewhatheadvises。Idonotmindwaitingalittlebit，nowthatIknowthatyoucanfixMr。Warren\'shousesothatitwon\'tmoveanyfarther。"

Thusthematterwasleft。Myhousewasbracedthatafternoon，andtowardeveningIstartedtogotoahotelinthetowntospendthenight。

"No，sir！"saidMrs。Carson。"DoyousupposethatIamgoingtostayhereallnightwithagreatemptyhousejammedupagainstme，andeverybodyknowingthatitisempty？Itwillbethesameashavingthievesinmyownhousetohavetheminyours。Youhavecomedownhereinyourproperty，andyoucanstayinitandtakecareofit！"

"Idon\'tobjecttothatintheleast，"Isaid。"Mytwowomenarehere，andIcantellthemtoattendtomymeals。Ihaven\'tanychimney，butIsupposetheycanmakeafiresomewayorother。"

"No，sir！"saidMrs。Carson。"Iamnotgoingtohaveanystrangeservantsonmyplace。Ihavejustbeenabletoprevailuponmyownwomentogointothehouse，andIdon\'twantanymoretrouble。Ihavehadenoughalready！"

"But，mydearmadam，"saidI，"youdon\'twantmetogotothetown，andyouwon\'tallowmetohaveanycookingdonehere。WhatamItodo？"

"Well，"shesaid，"youcaneatwithus。ItmaybetwoorthreedaysbeforeIcanhearfrommysonGeorge，andinthemeantimeyoucanlodgeinyourownhouseandIwilltakeyoutoboard。ThatisthebestwayIcanseeofmanagingthething。ButIamverysureIamnotgoingtobeleftherealoneinthedreadfulpredicamentinwhichyouhaveputme。"

WehadscarcelyfinishedsupperwhenJackBrandigercametoseeme。Helaughedagooddealaaboutmysuddenchangeofbase，butthought，onthewhole，myhousehadmadeaverysuccessfulmove。Itmustbemorepleasantinthevalleythanuponthatwindyhill。Jackwasverymuchinterestedineverything，andwhenMrs。Carsonandherdaughterappeared，aswewerewalkingaboutviewingthescene，Ifeltmyselfobligedtointroducehim。

"Ilikethoseladies，"saidhetome，afterwards。"Ithinkyouhavechosenveryagreeableneighbors。"

"Howdoyouknowyoulikethem？"saidI。"YouhadscarcelyanythingtosaytoMrs。Carson。"

"No，tobesure，"saidhe。"ButIexpectIshouldlikeher。

Bytheway，doyouknowhowyouusedtotalktomeaboutcomingandlivingsomewherenearyou？Howwouldyoulikemetotakeoneofyourroomsnow？Imightcheeryouup。"

"No，"saidI，firmly。"Thatcannotbedone。Asthingsarenow，IhaveasmuchasIcandotogetalongherebymyself。"

Mrs。Carsondidnothearfromhersonfornearlyaweek，andthenhewrotethathefounditalmostimpossibletogiveheranyadvice。Hethoughtitwasaveryqueerstateofaffairs。Hehadneverheardofanythinglikeit。Buthewouldtryandarrangehisbusinesssothathecouldcomehomeinaweekortwoandlookintomatters。

AsIwasthuscompelledtoforcemyselfuponthecloseneighborhoodofMrs。Carsonandherdaughter，Iendeavoredtomakethingsaspleasantaspossible。Ibroughtsomeofmymendownoutofthevineyard，andsetthemtorepairingfences，puttingthegardeninorder，anddoingallthatIcouldtoremedythedolefulconditionofthingswhichIhadunwillinglybroughtintothebackyardofthisquietfamily。Iriggedupapumponmybackporchbywhichthewaterofthewellcouldbeconvenientlyobtained，andineverywayendeavoredtorepairdamages。

ButMrs。Carsonneverceasedtotalkabouttheunparalleleddisasterwhichhadcomeuponher，andshemusthavehadagreatdealofcorrespondencewithhersonGeorge，becauseshegavemefrequentmessagesfromhim。Hecouldnotcomeontolookintothestateofaffairs，butheseemedtobegivingitagreatdealofthoughtandattention。

Springweatherhadcomeagain，anditwasverypleasanttohelptheCarsonladiesgettheirflower-gardeninorder——atleast，asmuchaswasleftofit，formyhousewasrestinguponsomeofthemostimportantbeds。AsIwasobligedtogiveupallpresentideaofdoinganythinginthewayofgettingmyresidenceoutofaplacewhereithadnobusinesstobe，becauseMrs。

Carsonwouldnotconsenttoanyplanwhichhadbeensuggested，I

feltthatIwasofferingsomelittlecompensationinbeautifyingwhatseemedtobe，atthattime，myowngrounds。

Mylaborsinregardtovines，bushes，andallthatsortofthingweregenerallycarriedonunderdirectionofMrs。Carsonorherdaughter，andastheelderlyladywasaverybusyhousewife，thehorticulturalworkwasgenerallylefttoMissKittyandme。

IlikedMissKitty。Shewasacheerful，whole-souledperson，andIsometimesthoughtthatshewasnotsounwillingtohavemeforaneighborastherestofthefamilyseemedtobe；forifIweretojudgethedispositionofherbrotherGeorgefromwhathermothertoldmeabouthisletters，bothheandMrs。Carsonmustbemakingagreatmanyplanstogetmeoffthepremises。

NearlyamonthhadnowpassedsincemyhouseandImadethatremarkablemorningcalluponMrs。Carson。Iwasbecomingaccustomedtomypresentmodeofliving，and，sofarasIwasconcerned，itsatisfiedmeverywell。IcertainlylivedagreatdealbetterthanwhenIwasdependinguponmyoldnegrocook。

MissKittyseemedtobesatisfiedwiththingsastheywere，andso，insomerespects，didhermother。ButthelatterneverceasedtogivemeextractsfromsomeofhersonGeorge\'sletters，andthiswasalwaysannoyingandworryingtome。Evidentlyhewasnotpleasedwithmeassuchacloseneighbortohismother，anditwasastonishinghowmanyexpedientsheproposedinordertoridherofmyundesirableproximity。

"MysonGeorge，"saidMrs。Carson，onemorning，"hasbeenwritingtomeaboutjack-screws。Hesaysthatthegreatestimprovementshavebeenmadeinjack-screws。"

"Whatdoyoudowiththem，mother？"askedMissKitty。

"Youlifthouseswiththem，"saidshe。"Hesaysthatinlargecitiestheyliftwholeblocksofhouseswiththemandbuildstoriesunderneath。Hethinksthatwecangetridofourtroublehereifweusejack-screws。"

"Buthowdoesheproposetousethem？"Iasked。

"Oh，hehasagoodmanyplans，"answeredMrs。Carson。"Hesaidthatheshouldnotwonderifjack-screwscouldbemadelargeenoughtoliftyourhouseentirelyovermineandsetitoutintheroad，whereitcouldbecarriedawaywithoutinterferingwithanything，except，ofcourse，vehicleswhichmightbecomingalong。Buthehasanotherplan——thatis，toliftmyhouseupandcarryitoutintothefieldontheothersideoftheroad，andthenyourhousemightbecarriedalongrightoverthecellaruntilitgottotheroad。Inthatway，hesays，thebushesandtreeswouldnothavetobeinterferedwith。"

"IthinkbrotherGeorgeiscracked！"saidKitty。

Allthissortofthingworriedmeverymuch。Mymindwaseminentlydisposedtowardpeaceandtranquillity，butwhocouldbepeacefulandtranquilwithaprospectivejack-screwundertheverybaseofhiscomfortandhappiness？Infact，myhousehadneverbeensuchahappyhomeasitwasatthattime。Thefactofitsunwarrantedpositionuponotherpeople\'sgroundshadceasedtotroubleme。

ButthecomingsonGeorge，withhisjack-screws，didtroublemeverymuch，andthatafternoonIdeliberatelywentintoMrs。

Carson\'shousetolookforKitty。Iknewhermotherwasnotathome，forIhadseenhergoout。WhenKittyappearedIaskedhertocomeoutonherbackporch。"Haveyouthoughtofanynewplanofmovingit？"shesaid，withasmile，aswesatdown。

"No，"saidI，earnestly。"Ihavenot，andIdon\'twanttothinkofanyplanofmovingit。Iamtiredofseeingithere，I

amtiredofthinkingaboutmovingitaway，andIamtiredofhearingpeopletalkaboutmovingit。Ihavenotanyrighttobehere，andIamneverallowedtoforgetit。WhatIwanttodoistogoentirelyaway，andleaveeverythingbehindme——exceptonething。"

"Andwhatisthat？"askedKitty。

"You，"Ianswered。

Sheturnedalittlepaleanddidnotreply。

"Youunderstandme，Kitty，"Isaid。"ThereisnothingintheworldthatIcareforbutyou。Whathaveyoutosaytome？"

Thencamebacktoherherlittlesmile。"Ithinkitwouldbeveryfoolishforustogoaway，"shesaid。

ItwasaboutaquarterofanhourafterthiswhenKittyproposedthatweshouldgoouttothefrontofthehouse；itwouldlookqueerifanyoftheservantsshouldcomebyandseeussittingtogetherlikethat。Ihadforgottenthattherewereotherpeopleintheworld，butIwentwithher。

Wewerestandingonthefrontporch，closetoeachother，andIthinkwewereholdingeachother\'shands，whenMrs。Carsoncameback。Assheapproachedshelookedatusinquiringly，plainlywishingtoknowwhywewerestandingsidebysidebeforeherdoorasifwehadsomespecialobjectinsodoing。

"Well？"saidshe，asshecameupthesteps。OfcourseitwasrightthatIshouldspeak，and，inasfewwordsaspossible，I

toldherwhatKittyandIhadbeensayingtoeachother。IneversawKitty\'smotherlooksocheerfulandsohandsomeaswhenshecameforwardandkissedherdaughterandshookhandswithme。

Sheseemedsoperfectlysatisfiedthatitamazedme。AfteralittleKittyleftus，andthenMrs。Carsonaskedmetositbyheronarusticbench。

"Now，"saidshe，"thiswillstraightenoutthingsintheverybestway。Whenyouaremarried，youandKittycanliveinthebackbuilding，——for，ofcourse，yourhousewillnowbethesamethingasabackbuilding，——andyoucanhavethesecondfloor。Wewon\'thaveanyseparatetables，becauseitwillbeagreatdealnicerforyouandKittytolivewithme，anditwillsimplybeyourpayingboardfortwopersonsinsteadofone。Andyouknowyoucanmanageyourvineyardjustaswellfromthebottomofthehillasfromthetop。Thelowerroomsofwhatusedtobeyourhousecanbemadeverypleasantandcomfortableforallofus。I

havebeenthinkingabouttheroomontherightthatyouhadplannedforaparlor，anditwillmakealovelysitting-roomforus，whichisathingwehaveneverhad，andtheroomontheothersideisjustwhatwillsuitbeautifullyforaguest-chamber。Thetwohousestogether，withtheroofofmybackporchproperlyjoinedtothefrontofyourhouse，willmakeabeautifulandspaciousdwelling。Itwasfortunate，too，thatyoupaintedyourhousealightyellow。Ihaveoftenlookedatthetwotogether，andthoughtwhatagoodthingitwasthatonewasnotonecolorandtheotheranother。Astothepump，itwillbeveryeasynowtoputapipefromwhatusedtobeyourbackporchtoourkitchen，sothatwecangetwaterwithoutbeingobligedtocarryit。Betweenuswecanmakeallsortsofimprovements，andsometimeIwilltellyouofagoodmanythatIhavethoughtof。

"Whatusedtobeyourhouse，"shecontinued，"canbejack-

screwedupalittlebitandagoodfoundationputunderit。I

haveinquiredaboutthat。OfcourseitwouldnothavebeenpropertoletyouknowthatIwassatisfiedwiththestateofthings，butIwassatisfied，andthereisnouseofdenyingit。

AssoonasIgotovermyfirstscareafterthathousecamedownthehill，andhadseenhoweverythingmightbearrangedtosuitallparties，Isaidtomyself，`WhattheLordhasjoinedtogether，letnotmanputasunder，\'andso，accordingtomybelief，thestrongestkindofjack-screwscouldnotputthesetwohousesasunder，anymorethantheycouldputyouandKittyasunder，nowthatyouhaveagreedtotakeeachotherforeachother\'sown。"

JackBrandigercametocallthatevening，andwhenhehadheardwhathadhappenedhewhistledagooddeal。"Youareafunnykindofafellow，"saidhe。"Yougocourtinglikeasnail，withyourhouseonyourback！"

Ithinkmyfriendwasalittlediscomfited。"Don\'tbediscouraged，Jack，"saidI。"Youwillgetagoodwifesomeofthesedays——thatis，ifyoudon\'ttrytoslideuphilltofindher！"

OURARCHERYCLUB

Whenanarcheryclubwasformedinourvillage，Iwasamongthefirsttojoinit。ButIshouldnot，onthisaccount，claimanyextraordinaryenthusiasmonthesubjectofarchery，fornearlyalltheladiesandgentlemenoftheplacewerealsoamongthefirsttojoin。

Fewofus，Ithink，hadacorrectideaofthepopularityofarcheryinourmidstuntilthesubjectofaclubwasbroached。

Thenweallperceivedwhatastronginterestwefeltinthestudyanduseofthebowandarrow。Theclubwasformedimmediately，andourthirtymembersbegantodiscusstherelativemeritsoflancewood，yew，andgreenheartbows，andtosurveyyardsandlawnsforsuitablespotsforsettinguptargetsforhomepractice。

Ourweeklymeetings，atwhichwecametogethertoshowinfriendlycontesthowmuchourhomepracticehadtaughtus，werehelduponthevillagegreen，orratheruponwhathadbeenintendedtobethevillagegreen。Thisprettypieceofground，partlyinsmoothlawnandpartlyshadedbyfinetrees，wasthepropertyofagentlemanoftheplace，whohadpresentedit，undercertainconditions，tothetownship。Butasthetownshiphadneverfulfilledanyoftheconditions，andhaddonenothingtowardtheimprovementofthespot，furtherthantomakeitagrazing-placeforlocalcowsandgoats，theownerhadwithdrawnhisgift，shutoutthecowsandgoatsbyapicketfence，and，havinglockedthegate，hadhungupthekeyinhisbarn。Whenourclubwasformed，thegreen，asitwasstillcalled，wasofferedtousforourmeetings，and，withpropergratitude，weelecteditsownertobeourpresident。

Thisgentlemanwaseminentlyqualifiedforthepresidencyofanarcheryclub。Inthefirstplace，hedidnotshoot：thisgavehimtimeandopportunitytoattendtotheshootingofothers。Hewasatallandpleasantman，alittleelderly。This"elderliness，"ifImaysoputit，seemed，inhiscase，toresemblesomemilddisorder，likeagentlerheumatism，which，whileitpreventedhimfromindulginginallthewildhilaritiesofyouth，gavehim，incompensation，aposition，asoneentitledtoacertainconsideration，whichwasveryagreeabletohim。Hislittlediseasewaschronic，itistrue，anditwasgrowinguponhim；butitwas，sofar，apleasantailment。

Andso，withasmuchinterestinbowsandarrowsandtargetsandsuccessfulshotsasanyofus，heneverfittedanarrowtoastring，nordrewabow。Butheattendedeverymeeting，settlingdisputedpoints(forhestudiedallthebooksonarchery)，encouragingthedisheartened，holdingbacktheeageroneswhowouldruntothetargetsassoonastheyhadshot，regardlessofthefactthatotherswerestillshootingandthatthehumanbodyisnotarrow-proof，andsheddingabouthimthatgeneralaidandcomfortwhichemanatesfromagoodfellow，nomatterwhathemaysayordo。

Therewerepersons——outsiders——whosaidthatarcheryclubsalwaysselectedladiesfortheirpresidingofficers，butwedidnotcaretobetoomuchbounddownandtrammelledbycustomsandtraditions。Anotherclubmightnothaveamongitsmemberssuchagenialelderlygentlemanwhoownedavillagegreen。

Isoonfoundmyselfgreatlyinterestedinarchery，especiallywhenIsucceededinplantinganarrowsomewherewithintheperipheryofthetarget，butIneverbecamesuchanenthusiastinbow-shootingasmyfriendPepton。

IfPeptoncouldhavearrangedmatterstosuithimself，hewouldhavebeenbornanarcher。Butasthisdidnothappentohavebeenthecase，heemployedeverymeansinhispowertorectifywhatheconsideredthisseriouserrorinhisconstruction。Hegavehiswholesoul，andthegreaterpartofhissparetime，toarchery，andashewasayoungmanofenergy，thishelpedhimalongwonderfully。

Hisequipmentswereperfect。Noonecouldexcelhimin，thisrespect。Hisbowwassnakewood，backedwithhickory。Hecarefullyrubbeditdowneveryeveningwithoilandbeeswax，andittookitsreposeinagreenbaizebag。HisarrowswerePhilipHighfield\'sbest，hisstringsthefinestFlandershemp。Hehadshooting-gloves，andlittleleathertipsthatcouldbescrewedfastontheendsofwhathecalledhisstring-fingers。Hehadaquiverandabelt，andwhenequippedfortheweeklymeetings，hecarriedafancy-coloredwiping-tassel，andalittleebonygrease-

pothangingfromhisbelt。Hewore，whenshooting，apolishedarm-guardorbracer，andifhehadheardofanythingelsethatanarchershouldhave，hestraightwaywouldhaveprocuredit。

Peptonwasasingleman，andhelivedwithtwogoodoldmaidenladies，whotookasmuchcareofhimasiftheyhadbeenhismothers。Andhewassuchagood，kindfellowthathedeservedalltheattentiontheygavehim。Theyfeltagreatinterestinhisarcherypursuits，andsharedhisanxioussolicitudeintheselectionofasuitableplacetohanghisbow。

"Yousee，"saidhe，"afinebowlikethis，whennotinuse，shouldalwaysbeinaperfectlydryplace。"

"Andwheninuse，too，"saidMissMartha，"forIamsurethatyououghtn\'ttobestandingandshootinginanydampspot。

There\'snosurerwayofgettin\'chilled。"

TowhichsentimentMissMariaagreed，andsuggestedwearingrubbershoes，orhavingaboardtostandon，whentheclubmetafterarain。

Peptonfirsthunghisbowinthehall，butafterhehadarrangeditsymmetricallyupontwolongnails(boundwithgreenworsted，lesttheyshouldscratchthebowthroughitswoollencover)，hereflectedthatthefrontdoorwouldfrequentlybeopen，andthatdampdraftsmustoftengothroughthehall。Hewassorrytogiveupthisplaceforhisbow，foritwasconvenientandappropriate，andforaninstanthethoughtthatitmightremain，ifthefrontdoorcouldbekeptshut，andvisitorsadmittedthroughalittlesidedoorwhichthefamilygenerallyused，andwhichwasalmostasconvenientastheother——except，indeed，onwash-days，whenawetsheetorsomearticleofwearingapparelwasapttobehunginfrontofit。Butalthoughwash-dayoccurredbutonceaweek，andalthoughitwascomparativelyeasy，afteralittlepractice，tobobunderahigh-proppedsheet，Pepton\'sheartwastookindtoallowhismindtodwelluponthisplan。Sohedrewthenailsfromthewallofthehall，andputthemupinvariousplacesaboutthehouse。Hisownroomhadtobeairedagreatdealinallweathers，andsothatwouldnotdoatall。Thewallabovethekitchenfireplacewouldbeagoodlocation，forthechimneywasnearlyalwayswarm。ButPeptoncouldnotbringhimselftokeephisbowinthekitchen。Therewouldbenothingestheticaboutsuchadispositionofit，and，besides，thegirlmightbetemptedtostringandbendit。Theoldladiesreallydidnotwantitintheparlor，foritslengthanditsgreenbaizecoverwouldmakeitanencroachingandunbecomingneighbortothelittleengravingsandthebigsamplers，thepicture-framesofacornsandpine-cones，thefancifullypatternedornamentsofcleanwheatstraw，andallthequaintadornmentswhichhadhunguponthosewallsforsomanyyears。Buttheydidnotsayso。Ifithadbeennecessary，tomakeroomforthebow，theywouldhavetakendownthepencilledprofilesoftheirgrandfather，theirgrandmother，andtheirfatherwhenalittleboy，whichhunginarowoverthemantelpiece。

However，Peptondidnotaskthissacrifice。Inthesummereveningstheparlorwindowsmustbeopen。Thedining-roomwasreallyverylittleusedintheevening，exceptwhenMissMariahadstockingstodarn，andthenshealwayssatinthatapartment，andofcourseshehadthewindowsopen。ButMissMariawasverywillingtobringherworkintotheparlor，——itwasfoolish，anyway，tohaveafeelingaboutdarningstockingsbeforechancecompany，——andthenthedining-roomcouldbekeptshutupaftertea。SointothewallofthatneatlittleroomPeptondrovehisworsted-coverednails，andonthemcarefullylaidhisbow。AllthenextdayMissMarthaandMissMariawentaboutthehouse，coveringthenail-holeshehadmadewithbitsofwall-

paper，carefullysnippedouttofitthepatterns，andpastedonsoneatlythatnoonewouldhavesuspectedtheywerethere。

Oneafternoon，asIwaspassingtheoldladies\'house，saw，orthoughtIsaw，twomencarryinginacoffin。Iwasstruckwithalarm。

"What！"Ithought。"Caneitherofthosegoodwomen——OrcanPepton——"

Withoutamoment\'shesitation，Irushedinbehindthemen。

There，atthefootofthestairs，directingthem，stoodPepton。

Thenitwasnothe！Iseizedhimsympatheticallybythehand。

"Which？"Ifaltered。"Which？Whoisthatcoffinfor？"

"Coffin！"criedPepton。"Why，mydearfellow，thatisnotacoffin。Thatismyascham。"

"Ascham？"Iexclaimed。"Whatisthat？"

"Comeandlookatit，"hesaid，whenthemenhadsetitonendagainstthewall。"Itisanuprightclosetorreceptacleforanarcher\'sarmament。Hereisaplacetostandthebow，herearesupportsforthearrowsandquivers，hereareshelvesandhooks，onwhichtolayorhangeverythingthemerrymancanneed。Yousee，moreover，thatitislinedwithgreenplush，thatthedoorfitstightly，sothatitcanstandanywhere，andthereneedbenofearofdraftsordampnessaffectingmybow。Isn\'titaperfectthing？Yououghttogetone。"

Iadmittedtheperfection，butagreednofurther。IhadnottheincomeofmygoodPepton。

Peptonwas，indeed，mostwonderfullywellequipped；andyet，littledidthosedearoldladiesthink，whentheycarefullydustedandreverentiallygazedatthebunchesofarrows，thearm-

bracers，thegloves，thegrease-pots，andalltherestoftheparaphernaliaofarchery，asithungaroundPepton\'sroom，orwhentheyafterwardsallowedaparticularfriendtopeepatit，allarrangedsoorderlywithintheascham，orwhentheylookedwithsympathetic，lovingadmirationonthebeautifulpolishedbow，whenitwastakenoutofitsbag——littledidtheythink，I

say，thatPeptonwastheverypoorestshotintheclub。Inallthesurfaceofthemuch-perforatedtargetsoftheclub，therewasscarcelyaholethathecouldputhishanduponhisheartandsayhemade。

Indeed，IthinkitwasthetruththatPeptonwasbornnottobeanarcher。TherewereyoungfellowsintheclubwhoshotwithbowsthatcostnomorethanPepton\'stassels，butwhocouldstandupandwhangarrowsintothetargetsalltheafternoon，iftheycouldgetachance；andtherewereladieswhomadehitsfivetimesoutofsix；andtherewerealsoallthegradesofarcherscommontoanyclub。ButtherewasnoonebuthimselfinPepton\'sgrade。Hestoodalone，anditwasneveranytroubletoadduphisscore。

Yethewasnotdiscouraged。HepractisedeverydayexceptSundays，andindeedhewastheonlypersonintheclubwhopractisedatnight。Whenhetoldmeaboutthis，Iwasalittlesurprised。

"Why，it\'seasyenough，"saidhe。"Yousee，Ihungalantern，withareflector，beforethetarget，justalittletooneside。Itlightedupthetargetbeautifully，andIbelievetherewasabetterchanceofhittingitthanbydaylight，fortheonlythingyoucouldseewasthetarget，andsoyourattentionwasnotdistracted。Tobesure，"hesaid，inanswertoaquestion，"itwasagooddealoftroubletofindthearrows，butthatIalwayshave。WhenIgetsoexpertthatIcanputallthearrowsintothetarget，therewillbenotroubleofthekind，nightorday。However，"hecontinued，"Idon\'tpractiseanymorebynight。TheothereveningIsentanarrowslam-bangintothelantern，andbrokeitalltoflinders。Borrowedlantern，too。

Besides，IfounditmadeMissMarthaverynervoustohavemeshootingaboutthehouseafterdark。Shehadafriendwhohadalittleboywhowashitinthelegbyanarrowfromabow，which，shesays，accidentallywentoffinthenight，ofitsownaccord。

Sheiscertainlyalittlemixedinhermindinregardtothismatter，butIwishtorespectherfeelings，andsoshallnotuseanotherlantern。"

AsIhavesaid，thereweremanygoodarchersamongtheladiesofourclub。Someofthem，afterwehadbeenorganizedforamonthortwo，madescoresthatfewofthegentlemencouldexcel。

ButtheladywhoattractedthegreatestattentionwhensheshotwasMissRosa。

Whenthisveryprettyyoungladystoodupbeforetheladies\'

target——herleftsidewelladvanced，herbowfirmlyheldoutinherstrongleftarm，whichneverquivered，herheadalittlebenttotheright，herarrowdrawnbackbythreewell-glovedfingerstothetipofherlittleear，herdarkeyessteadilyfixeduponthegold，andherdress，wellfittedoverherfineandvigorousfigure，fallingingracefulfoldsaboutherfeet，weallstoppedshootingtolookather。

"Thereissomethingstatuesqueabouther，"saidPepton，whoardentlyadmiredher，"andyetthereisn\'t。Astatuecouldneverequalherunlessweknewtherewasaprobabilityofmovementinit。AndtheonlystatueswhichhavethataretheJarleywax-

works，whichshedoesnotresembleintheleast。Thereisonlyonethingthatthatgirlneedstomakeheraperfectarcher，andthatistobeabletoaimbetter。"

Thiswastrue。MissRosadidneedtoaimbetter。Herarrowshadacurioushabitofgoingonallsidesofthetarget，anditwasveryseldomthatonechancedtostickintoit。Forifshedidmakeahit，weallknewitwaschanceandthattherewasnoprobabilityofherdoingitagain。Oncesheputanarrowrightintothecentreofthegold，——oneofthefinestshotsevermadeontheground，——butshedidn\'thitthetargetagainfortwoweeks。ShewasalmostasbadashotasPepton，andthatissayingagooddeal。

OneeveningIwassittingwithPeptononthelittlefrontporchoftheoldladies\'house，whereweweretakingourafter-

dinnersmokewhileMissMarthaandMissMariawerewashing，withtheirownwhitehands，thechinaandglassinwhichtheytooksomuchpride。IoftenusedtogooverandspendanhourwithPepton。Helikedtohavesomeonetowhomhecouldtalkonthesubjectswhichfilledhissoul，andIlikedtohearhimtalk。

"Itellyou，"saidhe，asheleanedbackinhischair，withhisfeetcarefullydisposedontherailingsothattheywouldnotinjureMissMaria\'sMadeira-vine，"Itellyou，sir，thattherearetwothingsIcravewithallmypowerofcraving——twogoalsI

fainwouldreach，twodiademsIwouldwearuponmybrow。Oneoftheseistokillaneagle——orsomelargebird——withashaftfrommygoodbow。Iwouldthenhaveitstuffedandmounted，withtheveryarrowthatkilleditstillstickinginitsbreast。ThistrophyofmyskillIwouldhavefastenedagainstthewallofmyroomormyhall，andIwouldfeelproudtothinkthatmygrandchildrencouldpointtothatbird——whichIwouldcarefullybequeathtomydescendants——andsay，`Mygrand\'thershotthatbird，andwiththatveryarrow。\'Woulditnotstiryourpulsesifyoucoulddoathinglikethat？"

"IshouldhavetostirthemupagooddealbeforeIcoulddoit，"Ireplied。"Itwouldbeahardthingtoshootaneaglewithanarrow。Ifyouwantastuffedbirdtobequeath，you\'dbetterusearifle。"

"Arifle！"exclaimedPepton。"Therewouldbenogloryinthat。Therearelotsofbirdsshotwithrifles——eagles，hawks，wildgeese，tomtits——"

"Oh，no！"Iinterrupted，"nottomtits。"

"Well，perhapstheyaretoolittleforarifle，"saidhe。"ButwhatImeantosayisthatIwouldn\'tcareatallforaneagleI

hadshotwitharifle。Youcouldn\'tshowtheballthatkilledhim。Ifitwereputinproperly，itwouldbeinside，whereitcouldn\'tbeseen。No，sir。Itiseversomuchmorehonorable，andfarmoredifficult，too，tohitaneaglethantohitatarget。"

"Thatisverytrue，"Ianswered，"especiallyinthesedays，whentherearesofeweaglesandsomanytargets。Butwhatisyourotherdiadem？"

"That，"saidPepton，"istoseeMissRosawearthebadge。"

"Indeed！"saidI。AndfromthatmomentIbegantounderstandPepton\'shopesinregardtothegrandmotherofthosechildrenwhoshouldpointtotheeagle。

"Yes，sir，"hecontinued，"Ishouldbetrulyhappytoseeherwinthebadge。Andsheoughttowinit。Nooneshootsmorecorrectly，andwithabetterunderstandingofalltherules，thanshedoes。Theremusttrulybesomethingthematterwithheraiming。I\'vehalfamindtocoachheralittle。"

Iturnedasidetoseewhowascomingdowntheroad。IwouldnothavehadhimknowIsmiled。

ThemostobjectionablepersoninourclubwasO。J。

Hollingsworth。Hewasagoodenoughfellowinhimself，butitwasasanarcherthatweobjectedtohim。

Therewas，sofarasIknow，scarcelyaruleofarcherythathedidnothabituallyviolate。Ourpresidentandnearlyallofusremonstratedwithhim，andPeptonevenwenttoseehimonthesubject，butitwasalltonopurpose。Withaquietdisregardofotherpeople\'sideasaboutbow-shootingandotherpeople\'sopinionsabouthimself，heperseveredinastyleofshootingwhichappearedabsolutelyabsurdtoanyonewhoknewanythingoftherulesandmethodsofarchery。

Iusedtoliketolookathimwhenhisturncamearoundtoshoot。HewasnotsuchapleasingobjectofvisionasMissRosa，buthisstylewassoentirelynoveltomethatitwasinteresting。Heheldthebowhorizontally，insteadofperpendicularly，likeotherarchers，andhehelditwelldown——aboutoppositehiswaistband。Hedidnotdrawhisarrowbacktohisear，buthedrewitbacktothelowerbuttonofhisvest。Insteadofstandingupright，withhisleftsidetothetarget，hefaceditfull，andleanedforwardoverhisarrow，inanattitudewhichremindedmeofaRomansoldierabouttofalluponhissword。Whenhehadseizedthenockofhisarrowbetweenhisfingerandthumb，helanguidlyglancedatthetarget，raisedhisbowalittle，andletfly。Theprovokingthingaboutitwasthathenearlyalwayshit。Ifhehadonlyknownhowtostand，andholdhisbow，anddrawbackhisarrow，hewouldhavebeenaverygoodarcher。But，asitwas，wecouldnothelplaughingathim，althoughourpresidentalwaysdiscountenancedanythingofthekind。

Ourchampionwasatallman，verycoolandsteady，whowenttoworkatarcheryexactlyasifhewerepaidasalary，andintendedtoearnhismoneyhonestly。Hedidthebesthecouldineveryway。Hegenerallyshotwithoneofthebowsownedbytheclub，butifanyoneonthegroundhadabetterone，hewouldborrowit。HeusedtoshootsometimeswithPepton\'sbow，whichhedeclaredtobeamostcapitalone。ButasPeptonwasalwaysverynervouswhenhesawhisbowinthehandsofanotherthanhimself，thechampionsoonceasedtoborrowit。

Thereweretwobadges，oneofgreensilkandgoldfortheladies，andoneofgreenandredforthegentlemen，andthesewereshotforateachweeklymeeting。Withtheexceptionofafewtimeswhentheclubwasfirstformed，thechampionhadalwayswornthegentlemen\'sbadge。Manyofustriedhardtowinitfromhim，butwenevercouldsucceed；heshottoowell。

Onthemorningofoneofourmeetingdays，thechampiontoldme，asIwasgoingtothecitywithhim，thathewouldnotbeabletoreturnathisusualhourthatafternoon。Hewouldbeverybusy，andwouldhavetowaitforthesix-fifteentrain，whichwouldbringhimhometoolateforthearcherymeeting。Sohegavemethebadge，askingmetohandittothepresident，thathemightbestowitonthesuccessfulcompetitorthatafternoon。

Wewereallrathergladthatthechampionwasobligedtobeabsent。Herewasachanceforsomeoneofustowinthebadge。

Itwasnot，indeed，anopportunityforustowinagreatdealofhonor，forifthechampionweretobethereweshouldhavenochanceatall。Butweweresatisfiedwiththismuch，havingnoreason——inthepresent，atleast——toexpectanythingmore。

Sowewenttothetargetswithanewzeal，andmostofusshotbetterthanwehadevershotbefore。InthisnumberwasO。

J。Hollingsworth。Heexcelledhimself，and，whatwasworse，heexcelledalltherestofus。Heactuallymadeascoreofeighty-

fiveintwenty-fourshots，whichatthattimewasremarkablygoodshooting，forourclub。Thiswasdreadful！Tohaveafellowwhodidn\'tknowhowtoshootbeatusallwastoobad。Ifanyvisitorwhoknewanythingatallofarcheryshouldseethatthememberwhoworethechampion\'sbadgewasamanwhoheldhisbowasifhehadthestomach-ache，itwouldruinourcharacterasaclub。Itwasnottobeborne。

Peptoninparticularfeltgreatlyoutraged。Wehadmetverypromptlythatafternoon，andhadfinishedourregularshootingmuchearlierthanusual；andnowaknotofusweregatheredtogether，talkingoverthisunfortunateoccurrence。

"Idon\'tintendtostandit，"Peptonsuddenlyexclaimed。"I

feelitasapersonaldisgrace。I\'mgoingtohavethechampionherebeforedark。Bytherules，hehasarighttoshootuntilthepresidentdeclaresitistoolate。Someofyoufellowsstayhere，andI\'llbringhim。"

Andawayheran，firstgivingmechargeofhispreciousbow。

Therewasnoneedofhisaskingustostay。Wewereboundtoseethefunout，andtofillupthetimeourpresidentofferedaspecialprizeofahandsomebouquetfromhisgardens，tobeshotforbytheladies。

Peptonrantotherailroadstation，andtelegraphedtothechampion。Thiswashismessage：

"Youareabsolutelyneededhere。Ifpossible，takethefive-

thirtytrainforAckford。Iwilldriveoverforyou。Answer。"

Therewasnotrainbeforethesix-fifteenbywhichthechampioncouldcomedirectlytoourvillage；butAckford，asmalltownaboutthreemilesdistant，wasonanotherrailroad，onwhichtherewerefrequentafternoontrains。

Thechampionanswered：

"Allright。Meetme。"

ThenPeptonrushedtoourliverystable，hiredahorseandbuggy，anddrovetoAckford。

Alittleafterhalf-pastsix，whenseveralofuswerebeginningtothinkthatPeptonhadfailedinhisplans，hedroverapidlyintothegrounds，makingaveryshortturnatthegate，andpulleduphispantinghorsejustintimetoavoidrunningoverthreeladies，whowereseatedonthegrass。Thechampionwasbyhisside！

Thelatterlostnotimeintalkingorsalutations。Heknewwhathehadbeenbroughttheretodo，andheimmediatelysetabouttryingtodoit。HetookPepton\'sbow，whichthelatterurgeduponhim。Hestoodup，straightandfirmontheline，atthirty-fiveyardsfromthegentlemen\'starget；hecarefullyselectedhisarrows，examiningthefeathersandwipingawayanybitofsoilthatmightbeadheringtothepointsaftersomeonehadshotthemintotheturf；withvigorousarmhedreweacharrowtoitshead；hefixedhiseyesandhiswholemindonthecentreofthetarget；heshothistwenty-fourarrows，handedtohim，onebyone，byPepton，andhemadeascoreofninety-one。

Thewholeclubhadbeenscoringtheshots，astheyweremade，andwhenthelastarrowplumpedintotheredring，acheerarosefromeverymemberexceptingthree：thechampion，thepresident，andO。J。Hollingsworth。ButPeptoncheeredloudlyenoughtomakeupthesedeficiencies。

"Whatinthemischiefdidtheycheerhimfor？"askedHollingsworthofme。"Theydidn\'tcheermewhenIbeateverybodyonthegroundsanhourago。Andit\'snonewthingforhimtowinthebadge；hedoesiteverytime。"

"Well，"saidI，frankly，"Ithinktheclub，ASaclub，objectstoyourwearingthebadge，becauseyoudon\'tknowhowtoshoot。"

"Don\'tknowhowtoshoot！"hecried。"Why，Icanhitthetargetbetterthananyofyou。Isn\'tthatwhatyoutrytodowhenyoushoot？"

"Yes，"saidI，"ofcoursethatiswhatwetrytodo。Butwetrytodoitintheproperway。"

"Propergrandmother！"heexclaimed。"Itdoesn\'tseemtohelpyoumuch。Thebestthingyoufellowscandoistolearntoshootmyway，andthenperhapsyoumaybeabletohitoftener。"

Whenthechampionhadfinishedshootinghewenthometohisdinner，butmanyofusstoodabout，talkingoverourgreatescape。

"IfeelasifIhaddonethatmyself，"saidPepton。"IamalmostasproudasifIhadshot——well，notaneagle，butasoaringlark。"

"Why，thatoughttomakeyouprouderthantheother，"saidI，"foralark，especiallywhenit\'ssoaring，mustbeagooddealhardertohitthananeagle。"

"That\'sso，"saidPepton，reflectively。"ButI\'llsticktothelark。I\'mproud。"

Duringthenextmonthourstyleofarcheryimprovedverymuch，somuch，indeed，thatweincreasedourdistance，forgentlemen，tofortyyards，andthatforladiestothirty，andalsohadseriousthoughtsofchallengingtheAckfordclubtoamatch。Butasthiswasgenerallyunderstoodtobeacrackclub，wefinallydeterminedtodeferourchallengeuntilthenextseason。

WhenIsayweimproved，Idonotmeanallofus。IdonotmeanMissRosa。Althoughherattitudeswereasfineasever，andeverymotionastruetoruleasever，sheseldommadeahit。

Peptonactuallydidtrytoteachherhowtoaim，butthevariousmethodsofpointingthearrowwhichhesuggestedresultedinsuchwildshootingthattheboyswhopickedupthearrowsneverdaredtostickthepointsoftheirnosesbeyondtheirboardedbarricadeduringMissRosa\'sturnsatthetarget。Butshewasnotdiscouraged，andPeptonoftenassuredherthatifshewouldkeepupagoodheart，andpractiseregularly，shewouldgetthebadgeyet。Asarule，Peptonwassohonestandtruthfulthatalittlestatementofthiskind，especiallyunderthecircumstances，mightbeforgivenhim。

OnedayPeptoncametomeandannouncedthathehadmadeadiscovery。

"It\'saboutarchery，"hesaid，"andIdon\'tmindtellingyou，becauseIknowyouwillnotgoabouttellingeverybodyelse，andalsobecauseIwanttoseeyousucceedasanarcher。"

"Iamverymuchobliged，"Isaid，"andwhatisthediscovery？"

"It\'sthis，"heanswered。"Whenyoudrawyourbow，bringthenockofyourarrow"——hewasalwaysveryparticularabouttechnicalterms——"welluptoyourear。Havingdonethat，don\'tbotheranymoreaboutyourrighthand。Ithasnothingtodowiththecorrectpointingofyourarrow，foritmustbekeptclosetoyourrightear，justasifitwerescrewedthere。Thenwithyourlefthandbringaroundthebowsothatyourfist——withthearrow-

head，whichisrestingontopofit——shallpoint，asnearlyasyoucanmakeit，directlyatthecentreofthetarget。Thenletfly，andtentooneyou\'llmakeahit。Now，whatdoyouthinkofthatforadiscovery？I\'vethoroughlytestedtheplan，anditworkssplendidly。"

"Ithink，"saidI，"thatyouhavediscoveredthewayinwhichgoodarchersshoot。Youhavestatedthecorrectmethodofmanagingabowandarrow。"

"Thenyoudon\'tthinkit\'sanoriginalmethodwithme？"

"Certainlynot，"Ianswered。

"Butit\'sthecorrectway？"

"There\'snodoubtofthat，"saidI。

"Well，"saidPepton，"thenIshallmakeitmyway。"

Hedidso，andtheconsequencewasthatoneday，whenthechampionhappenedtobeaway，Peptonwonthebadge。Whentheresultwasannounced，wewereallsurprised，butnonesomuchsoasPeptonhimself。Hehadbeensteadilyimprovingsincehehadadoptedagoodstyleofshooting，buthehadhadnoideathathewouldthatdaybeabletowinthebadge。

Whenourpresidentpinnedtheemblemofsuccessuponthelapelofhiscoat，Peptonturnedpale，andthenheflushed。Hethankedthepresident，andwasabouttothanktheladiesandgentlemen；butprobablyrecollectingthatwehadhadnothingtodowithit，——unless，indeed，wehadshotbadlyonhisbehalf，——herefrained。Hesaidlittle，butIcouldseethathewasveryproudandveryhappy。Therewasbutonedrawbacktohistriumph：

MissRosawasnotthere。Shewasaveryregularattendant，butforsomereasonshewasabsentonthismomentousafternoon。I

didnotsayanythingtohimonthesubject，butIknewhefeltthisabsencedeeply。

Butthiscloudcouldnotwhollyovershadowhishappiness。Hewalkedhomealone，hisfacebeaming，hiseyessparkling，andhisgoodbowunderhisarm。

ThateveningIcalledonhim，forIthoughtthatwhenhehadcooleddownalittlehewouldliketotalkovertheaffair。

Buthewasnotin。MissMariasaidthathehadgoneoutassoonashehadfinishedhisdinner，whichhehadhurriedthroughinawaywhichwouldcertainlyinjurehisdigestionifhekeptupthepractice；anddinnerwaslate，too，fortheywaitedforhim，andthearcherymeetinglastedalongtimetoday；anditreallywasnotrightforhimtostayoutafterthedewbegantofallwithonlyordinaryshoeson，forwhat\'sthegoodofknowinghowtoshootabowandarrow，ifyou\'relaidupinyourbedwithrheumatismordiseaseofthelungs？Goodoldlady！ShewouldhavekeptPeptoninagreenbaizebag，hadsuchathingbeenpossible。

Thenextmorning，fulltwohoursbeforechurch-time，Peptoncalledonme。Hisfacewasstillbeaming。Icouldnothelpsmiling。

"Yourhappinesslastswell，"Isaid。

"Lasts！"heexclaimed。"Whyshouldn\'titlast！"

"There\'snoreasonwhyitshouldnot——atleast，foraweek，"

Isaid，"andevenlonger，ifyourepeatyoursuccess。"

IdidnotfeelsomuchlikecongratulatingPeptonasIhadonthepreviousevening。Ithoughthewasmakingtoomuchofhisbadge-winning。

"Lookhere！"saidPepton，seatinghimself，anddrawinghischairclosetome，"youareshootingwild——verywildindeed。Youdon\'tevenseethetarget。Letmetellyousomething。LasteveningIwenttoseeMissRosa。Shewasdelightedatmysuccess。Ihadnotexpectedthis。Ithoughtshewouldbepleased，butnottosuchadegree。Hercongratulationsweresowarmthattheysetmeonfire。"

"Theymusthavebeenverywarmindeed，"Iremarked。

"`MissRosa，\'saidI，"continuedPepton，withoutregardingmyinterruption，"`ithasbeenmyfondesthopetoseeyouwearthebadge。\'`ButInevercouldgetit，youknow，\'shesaid。`Youhavegotit，\'Iexclaimed。`Takethis。Iwonitforyou。Makemehappybywearingit。\'`Ican\'tdothat，\'shesaid。`Thatisagentleman\'sbadge。\'`Takeit，\'Icried，`gentlemanandall！\'

"Ican\'ttellyouallthathappenedafterthat，"continuedPepton。"Youknow，itwouldn\'tdo。Itisenoughtosaythatshewearsthebadge。Andwearebothherown——thebadgeandI！"

NowIcongratulatedhimingoodearnest。Therewasareasonforit。

"Idon\'toweasnapnowforshootinganeagle，"saidPepton，springingtohisfeetandstridingupanddownthefloor。"Let\'emallflyfreeforme。Ihavemadethemostgloriousshotthatmancouldmake。Ihavehitthegold——hititfairintheverycentre！Andwhat\'smore，I\'veknockeditcleanoutofthetarget！Nobodyelsecanevermakesuchashot。Therestofyoufellowswillhavetobecontenttohitthered，theblue，theblack，orthewhite。Thegoldismine！"

Icalledontheoldladies，sometimeafterthis，andfoundthemalone。Theyweregenerallyaloneintheeveningsnow。WetalkedaboutPepton\'sengagement，andIfoundthemresigned。

Theyweresorrytolosehim，buttheywantedhimtobehappy。

"Wehavealwaysknown，"saidMissMartha，withalittlesigh，"thatwemustdie，andthathemustgetmarried。Butwedon\'tintendtorepine。Thesethingswillcometopeople。"Andherlittlesighwasfollowedbyasmile，stillsmaller。

TheEnd