第9章

Whatdidsheknow？Whathadshefoundout？Hadsheseenherfatherandtalkedtohim？Thatwasscarcelypossible，sincehermotherhadbeenillandshehadleftatonce。Austenhadaskedhimselfthesequestionsmanytimes，andwasnonearerthesolution。Hehadheardnothingofhersince，andhetoldhimselfthatperhapsitwasbetter，afterall，thatshewasstillaway。ToknowthatshewasatFairview，andnottobeabletoseeher，weretortureindeed。

Thenotewasformalenough，andattimeshepretendedtobegladthatitwas。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Andwhyshouldheinterpretherinterestinhiminothertermsthanthoseinwhichitwaswritten？Shehadawarmheart——thatheknew；andhefeltforhersakethathehadnorighttowishformorethanthenoteexpressed。Afterseveralunsuccessfulattempts；hehadanswereditinaline，“Ithankyou，andI

understand。“

CHAPTERXVI

THE“BOOKOFARGUMENTS“ISOPENED

TheHonourableHilaryVanereturnedthatdayfromFairviewinnoveryequableframeofmind。ItisnotforustobepresentattheCouncilsonthePalatinewhenthe“BookofArguments“isopened，andthosefittingtheoccasionarechosenandsentouttothefaithfulwhoownprinting-

pressesandfreepasses。TheHonourableHilaryVaneboreawayfromtheresidenceofhisemperoragreatmanymemorandainanenvelope，andhemusthavesighedashedrovethroughtheleafyroadsforMr。HamiltonTooting，withhisfertilemindandactivebody。Ayearago，andMr。

Tootingwouldhaveseizedthesememorandaofmajesty，andcoveredtheirmarginswithnewsuggestions:Mr。Tooting，onoccasions，hadevenmadeadditionstothe“BookofArguments“itself——additionswhichhadbeenusedinNewYorkandotherStateswithtellingeffectagainstMr。Crewesthere。Mr。Tootingknewbyheartthetimeofgoingtopressofeverycountrynewspaperwhichhadpasses(inexchangeforadvertising！)。Itwastwoo\'clockwhentheHonourableHilary，reachedhisoffice，andbythreealltheedictswouldhavegoneforth，andthegrape-shotandcanisterwouldhavebeenontheirwaytodemolishthearroganceofthispettyLordofLeith……

“Tooting\'sadangerousman，Vane。Yououghtn\'ttohavelethimgo，“Mr。

Flinthadsaid。“Idon\'tcareasnapofmyfingerfortheotherfellow。“

HowMr。Tooting\'searswouldhaveburned，andhowhisbloodwouldhavesungwithpridetohaveheardhimselfcalleddangerousbythepresidentoftheNortheastern！

Hewho，duringallthevaluableyearsofhisservices，hadneverhadasignthatthatpotentatewascognizantofhishumbleexistence。

TheHonourableBrushBascom，asweknow，wasacleverman；andalthoughithadneverbeengivenhimtoimproveonthe“BookofArguments，“hehadideasofhisown。OnreadingMr。Crewe\'sdefiancethatmorning，hehad，withcharacteristicpromptitudeandadesiretobeuseful，takenthefirsttrainoutofPutnamforRipton，torangehimselfbythesideoftheHonourableHilaryinthehourofneed。TheFeudalSystemanticipates，andMr。Bascomdidnotwaitforatelegram。

OnthearrivalofthechiefcounselfromFairviewothercaptainshadputinanappearance，butMr。Bascomalonewassummoned，byanod，intotheprivateoffice。Whatpassedbetweenthemseemstoosacredtowriteabout。TheHonourableHilarywouldtakeoneoftheslipsfromthepacketandgiveittoMr。Bascom。

“Ifthatwererecommended，editorially，totheHullMercury，itmightservetoclearawaycertainmisconceptionsinthatsection。

“Certain，“Mr。Bascomwouldreply。

“Ithasbeenthoughtwise，“theHonourableHilarycontinued，“tosendanannualtotheGrovetonNews。Roberts，hisnameis。SupposeyourecommendtoMr。Robertsthataneditorialonthissubjectwouldbetimely。“

Slipnumbertwo。Mr。Bascommarksit\'Roberts。\'Subject:“WhatwouldtheStatedowithouttheRailroad？“

“AndGrenville，beingaProhibitioncentre，youmightgetthisworkedupfortheAdvertiserthere。“

Mr。Bascom\'sagateeyesarefulloflightashetakesslipnumberthree。

Subject:“Mr。HumphreyCrewehasthebest-stockedwinecellarintheState，andchampagneeverynightfordinner。“Slipnumberfour，takendirectfromthesecondchapterofthe“BookofArguments“:“Mr。Creweisareformerbecausehehasbeendisappointedinhisinordinateambitions，“

etc。Slipnumberfive:“Mr。Creweisasummerresident，withahouseinNewYork，“etc。，etc。

Slipnumbersix，“BookofArguments，“paragraph，chapter:“HumphreyCrewe，DefamerofourState。“Assigned，amongothers，totheRiptonRecord。

“PaulPardriffwentuptoLeithto-day，“saidMr。Bascom。

“Gotoseehim，“repliedtheHonourableHilary。“I\'vebeenthinkingforsometimethattheadvertisingintheRiptonRecorddeservesanadditionalannual。“

Mr。Bascom，havingbeendespatchedonthisbusiness，andhavingvoluntarilyassumedcontroloftheEmpireBureauofPublication，thechiefcounseltransactedothernecessarylegalbusinesswithStateSenatorBillingsandothergentlemenwhowerewaiting。Atthreeo\'clockwordwassentinthatMr。AustenVanewasoutside，andwishedtospeakwithhisfatherassoonasthelatterwasatleisure。WhereupontheHonourableHilaryshooedouttheminorclients，leanedbackinhischair，andcommandedthathissonbeadmitted。

“Judge，“saidAusten，asheclosedthedoorbehindhim，“Idon\'twanttobotheryou。“

TheHonourableHilaryregardedhissonforamomentfixedlyoutofhislittleeyes。

“Humph“hesaid。

Austenlookeddownathisfather。TheHonourableHilary\'sexpressionwasnotonewhichwouldhavearoused，intheordinarymanwhobeheldhim，afeelingofsympathyorcompassion:itwastheimpenetrablelookwithwhichhehadfacedhisopponentsformanyyears。ButAustenfeltcompassion。

“PerhapsI\'dbettercomeinanothertime——whenyouarelessbusy，“hesuggested。

“WhosaidIwasbusy？“inquiredtheHonourableHilary。

Austensmiledalittlesadly。Onewouldhavethought，bythatsmile，thatthesonwastheolderandwiserofthetwo。

“Ididn\'tmeantocastanyreflectiononyourhabitualindustry，Judge，“

hesaid。

“Humph！“exclaimedMr。Vane。“I\'vegotmoretodothansitinthewindowandreadpoetry，ifthat\'swhatyoumean。“

“Youneverlearnedhowtoenjoylife，didyou，Judge？“hesaid。“Idon\'tbelieveyoueverreallyhadagoodtime。Ownup。“

“I\'vehadsternerthingstothinkabout。I\'vehad\'toearnmyliving——

andgiveyouagoodtime。“

“Iappreciateit，“saidAusten。

“Humph！SometimesIthinkyoudon\'tshowitagreatdeal，“theHonourableHilaryanswered。

“IshowitasfarasIcan，Judge，“saidhisson。“Ican\'thelpthewayIwasmade。“

“Itrytotakeaccountofthat，“saidtheHonourableHilary。

Austenlaughed。

“I\'lldropinto-morrowmorning，“hesaid。

ButtheHonourableHilarypointedtoachairontheothersideofthedesk。

“Sitdown。To-day\'sasgoodasto-morrow，“heremarked，withsententioussignificance，characteristicallythrowingtheburdenofexplanationonthevisitor。

Austenfoundtheopeningunexpectedlydifficult。Hefeltthatthiswasacrisisintheirrelations，andthatithadcomeatanunfortunatehour。

“Judge，“hesaid，tryingtocontrolthefeelingthatthreatenedtocreepintohisvoice，“wehavejoggedalongforsomeyearsprettypeaceably，andIhopeyouwon\'tmisunderstandwhatI\'mgoingtosay。“

TheHonourableHilarygrunted。

“ItwasatyourrequestthatIwentintothelaw。Ihavelearnedtolikethatprofession。Ihavestucktoitaswellasmywandering，Bohemiannaturewillpermit，andwhileIdonotexpectyounecessarilytofeelanyprideinsuchprogressasIhavemade，Ihavehoped——thatyoumightfeelaninterest。“

TheHonourableHilarygruntedagain。

“IsupposeIambynatureafree-lance，“Austencontinued。“YouweregoodenoughtoacknowledgetheforceofmyargumentwhenItoldyouitwouldbebestformetostrikeoutformyself。AndIsupposeitwasinevitable，suchbeingthecase，andyouthechiefcounselfortheNortheasternRailroads，thatIshouldatsometimeoranotherbecalledupontobringsuitsagainstyourclient。Itwouldhavebeenbetter，perhaps，ifIhadnotstartedtopractiseinthisState。IdidsofromwhatIbelievewasadesirecommontobothofusto——tolivetogether。“

TheHonourableHilaryreachedforhisHoneyDew，buthedidnotspeak。

“Tolivetogether，“Austenrepeated。“Iwanttosaythat，ifIhadgoneaway，IbelieveIshouldalwayshaveregrettedthefact。“Hepaused，andtookfromhispocketaslipofpaper。ImadeupmymindfromthestartthatIwouldalwaysbefrankwithyou。Inspiteofmydesiretoamassriches，therearesomesuitsagainsttheNortheasternwhichIhave——

somewhatquixotically——refused。HereisasectionoftheactwhichpermittedtheconsolidationoftheNortheasternRailroads。Youarenodoubtawareofitsexistence。“

TheHonourableHilarytooktheslipofpaperinhishandandstaredatit。“Theratesforfaresandfreightsexistingatthetimeofthepassageofthisactshallmotbeincreasedontheroadsleasedorunitedunderit。“Whathissensationswerewhenhereaditnomanmighthavereadinhisface，buthishandtrembledalittle，andalongsilenceensuedbeforehegaveitbacktohissonwiththesimplecomment:——

“Well？“

“Idonotwishtobeunderstoodtoaskyourlegalopinion，althoughyouprobablyknowthatlumberrateshavebeensteadilyraised，andifasuitunderthatsectionweresuccessfultheGaylordLumberCompanycouldrecoveraverylargesumofmoneyfromtheNortheasternRailroads，“saidAusten。“Havingdiscoveredthesection，IbelieveittobemydutytocallittotheattentionoftheGaylords。WhatIwishtoknowis，whethermytakingthecasewouldcauseyouanypersonalinconvenienceordistress？Ifso，Iwillrefuseit。“

“No，“answeredtheHonourableHilary，“itwon\'t。Bringsuit。Muchuseit\'llbe。Doyouexpecttheycanrecoverunderthatsection？“

“Ithinkitisworthtrying，“saidAusten。

“Whydidn\'tsomebodytryitbefore？“askedtheHonourableHilary。

“Seehere，Judge，Iwishyou\'dletmeoutofanargumentaboutit。Suitisgoingtobebrought，whetherIbringitoranotherman。IfyouwouldpreferforanyreasonthatIshouldn\'tbringit——Iwon\'t。I\'dmuchratherresignascounselfortheGaylords——andIampreparedtodoso。“

“Bringsuit，“answeredtheHonourableHilary，quickly，“bringsuitbyallmeans。Andnow\'syourtime。ThisseemstobeapopularseasonforattackingthepropertywhichisthefoundationoftheState\'sprosperity。“(“BookofArguments，“chapter3。)

Inspiteofhimself，Austensmiledagain。LonghabithadaccustomedHilaryVanetoputbusinessconsiderationsbeforefamilyties；andthishabithadbeenthesecretofhisparticularsuccess。Andnow，ratherthanadmitbytheleastsigntheimportanceofhisson\'sdiscoveryofthestatute(whichhehadhadinmindformanyyears，andtowhichhehadmorethanonce，bytheway，calledMr。Flint\'sattention)，theHonourableHilarydeliberatelybelittledthematteraspartandparcelofthepoliticaltacticsagainsttheNortheastern。

Searscausedbydifferencesofopinionaresoonhealed；wordscountfornothing，anditisthesoulthatattractsorrepels。Mr。Vanewasnotanalytical，hehadbeenthroughaharassingday，andhewasunawarethatitwasnotAusten\'sopposition，butAusten\'ssmile，whichsetthetorchtohisanger。Once，shortlyafterhismarriage，whenhehadcomehomeinwrathafteraprotractedquarrelwithMr。Tredwayovertheorthodoxyofthenewminister，inthemiddleofhisindignantrecitalofMr。Tredway\'sunwarrantedattitude，SarahAustenhadsmiled。Thesmilehadhadinit，tobesure，nothingofconscioussuperiority，butithadbeenutterlyinexplicabletoHilaryVane。Hehadknownforthefirsttimewhatitwastofeelmurderintheheart，andifhehadnotrushedoutoftheroom，hewassurehewouldhavestrangledher。Afterall，theHilaryVanesofthisworldcannotreasonablybeexpectedtoperceivethehumourintheirendeavours。

Nowtheson\'ssmileseemedthereincarnationofthemother\'s。ThatsmilewasinitselfarefutationofmotiveonAusten\'spartwhichnowordscouldhavemademoreemphatic；ithadinit(unconsciously，too)

compassionforandunderstandingoftheHonourableHilary\'smoodandlimitations。Outofthecornerofhismentalvision——withoutgraspingit——theHonourableHilaryperceivedthisvaguely。Itwasthesmileinwhichaparentprivatelyindulgeswhenachildkickshistoylocomotivebecauseitsmechanismisbroken。Itwasthesmileofonewho，unforgetfuloftheschemeofthefirmamentandthespinningplanets，willnotbemovedtoangerbyhimwhoseesbutthefoursidesofapit。

HilaryVanegrewredaroundtheeyes——adangersignaloftheolddays。

“Takethesuit，“hesaid。“Ifyoudon\'t，I\'llmakeitknownallovertheStatethatyoustartedit。I\'lltellMr。Flintto-morrow。Takeit，doyouhearme？YouaskmeifIhaveanyprideinyou。Ianswer，yes。I\'dliketoseewhatyoucando。I\'vedonewhatIcouldforyou，andnowI

washmyhandsofyou。Go，——ruinyourselfifyouwantto。You\'vealwaysbeenheadedthatway，andthere\'snousetryingtostopyou。Youdon\'tseemtohaveanynotionofdecencyororder，oranyideaoftheprincipleonwhichthisgovernmentwasbased。Attackpropertydestroyit。Somuchthebetterforyouandyourkind。JointheHumphreyCrewes——youbelongwith\'em。Givethoseofuswhostandfororderanddecencyasmuchtroubleasyoucan。Brandusasrascalstryingtoenrichourselveswithpolitics，andproclaimyourselvessaintsnoblystrivingtogetbacktherightsofthepeople。Ifyoudon\'tbringthatsuit，ItellyouI\'llgiveyouthecreditforit——andImeanwhatIsay。“

Austengottohisfeet。Hisownexpression，curiouslyenough，hadnotchangedtooneofanger。Hisfacehadset，buthiseyesheldthelookthatseemedstilltoexpresscompassion，andwhathefeltwasasorrowthatwenttothedepthsofhisnature。Whathehadsolongfeared——whatheknewtheyhadbothfeared——hadcomeatlast。

“Good-by，Judge，“hesaid。

HilaryVanestaredathimdumbly。Hisangerhadnotcooled，hiseyesstillflamed，buthesuddenlyfoundhimselfbereftofspeech。Austenputhishandonhisfather\'sshoulder，andlookeddownsilentlyintohisface。ButHilarywasstiffasinarigour，expressionlesssaveforthedefiantredinhiseye。

“Idon\'tthinkyoumeantallthat，Judge，andIdon\'tintendtoholditagainstyou。

StillHilarystared，hislipsinthetightlinewhichwastheemblemofhischaracter，hisbodyrigid。Hesawhissonturnandwalktothedoor，andturnagainwithhishandleontheknob，andHilarydidnotmove。Thedoorclosed，andstillhesatthere，motionless，expressionless。

Austenwashailedbythoseintheouteroffice，buthewalkedthroughthemasthoughtheplacewereempty。Rumourssprangupbehindhimofwhichhewasunconscious；thelong-expectedquarrelhadcome；AustenhadjoinedthemotleyranksoftherebelsunderMr。Crewe。Onlytheofficeboy，JimmyTowle，interruptedthejokesthatwereflyingbyrepeating，withdoggedvehemence，“Itellyouitain\'tso。AustenkickedHamdownstairs。NedJohnsonsawhim。“NorwasitonaccountofthisparticulardeedthatAustenwasaheroinJimmy\'seyes。

Austen，findinghimselfinthesquare，lookedathiswatch。Itwasfouro\'clock。HemadehiswayunderthemaplestothehouseinHanoverStreet，haltedforamomentcontemplativelybeforethefamiliarclassicpillarsofitsporch，tookakeyfromhispocket，and(unprecedentedaction！)enteredbythefrontdoor。Climbingtotheattic，hefoundtwovalises——oneofwhichhehadbroughtbackfromPepperCounty——andtookthemtohisownroom。Theyheld，withalittlecrowding，mostofhispossessions，includingaphotographofSarahAusten，whichheleftonthebureautothelast。Onceortwicehepausedinhispackingtogazeattheface，strivingtofathomthefleetingqualityofherglancewhichthephotographhadsostrangelycaught。Inthatglancenaturehadstampedherenigma——forSarahAustenwasachildofnature。Herswasthegentlelookofwildthings——butitwasmore；itwastheunderstandingof——theunwrittenlawofcreation，thelawbywhichtheflowersgrow，andwither；

thelawbywhichtheanimalspringsuponitsprey，and，unerring，seeksitsmate；thelawofthesongofthewaters，andthesongofthemorningstars；thelawthatpermitsevilandpainanddumb，incomprehensiblesuffering；thelawthatfloodsatsunsetthemountainlandswithcolourandthesoulwithlight；andthelawthatrendsthebranchesinthebluestorm。Ofwhatavailwasangeragainstit，orthepunyrageofman？

HilaryVane，notrecognizingit，hadspenthisforceuponit，likeahawkagainstamountainwall，butAustenlookedathismother\'sfaceandunderstood。Initwasnotthewisdomofcreedsandcities，buttheunworldlywisdomwhichcomprehendsandcondones。

Hispackingfinished，withonelastglanceattheroomAustenwentdownstairswithhisvalisesandlaidthemonthedoorstep。ThenhewenttothestableandharnessedPepper，puttingintothebuggyhisstableblanketandhalterandcurrycomb，and，drivingaroundtothefrontofthehouse，hitchedthehorseatthestonepost，andpackedthevalisesinthebackofthebuggy。Afterthathewalkedslowlytothebackofthehouseandlookedinatthekitchenwindow。Euphrasia，herthinarmsbaretotheelbow，wasbendingoverawash-tub。Hespokehername，andassheliftedherheadalightcameintoherfacewhichseemedtomakeheryoungagain。Shedriedherhandshastilyonherapronasshedrewtowardshim。

Hesprangthroughthewindow，andpattedherontheback——hisusualsalutation。Andassheraisedhereyestohis(thoseordinarilysharpeyesofEuphrasia\'s)，theyshonewithanadmirationshehadaccordedtonootherhumanbeingsincehehadcomeintotheworld。Termsofendearmentshehad，characteristically，neverused，shethrewhersoulintothesoundingofhisname。

“Offtothehills，Austen？Isawyoua-harnessingofPepper。“

“Phrasie，“hesaid，stillpattingher，“I\'mgoingtothecountryforawhile。“

“Tothecountry？“sherepeated。

“Tostayonafarmforasortofvacation。“

Herfacebrightened。

“Goin\'totakearealvacation，beyou？“

Helaughed。

“Oh，Idon\'thavetoworkveryhard，Phrasie。YouknowIgetoutagooddeal。Ijustthought——IjustthoughtI\'dliketo——sleepinthecountry——

forawhile。“

“Well，“answeredEuphrasia，“Iguessifyou\'vetookthenotion，you\'vegottogo。Itwasthatwaywithyourmotherbeforeyou。I\'veseenherleavethehouseonabrightSabbathhalfanhourbeforemeetin\'tobegonethewholeday，andHilaryandalltheministersintowncouldn\'tstopher。“

“I\'lldropinonceinawhiletoseeyou，Phrasie。I\'llbeatJabeJenney\'s。“

“Jabe\'sisnotmorethanthreeorfourmilesfromFlint\'splace，“

Euphrasiaremarked。

“I\'vethoughtofthat，“saidAusten。

“You\'dthoughtofit！“

Austencoloured。

Thedistanceisnothing，“hesaidquickly，“withPepper。“

“Andyou\'llcomeandseeme？“askedEuphrasia。

“Ifyou\'lldosomethingforme，“hesaid。

“Ialwaysdowhatyouwant，Austen。YouknowI\'mnotabletorefuseyou。“

Helaidhishandsonhershoulders。

“You\'llpromise？“heasked。

“I\'llpromise，“saidEuphrasia，solemnly。

Hewassilentforamoment，lookingdownather。

“IwantyoutopromisetostayhereandtakecareoftheJudge。“

Frightcreptintohereyes，buthisownweresmiling，reassuring。

“Takecareofhim！“shecried，theverymentionofHilaryraisingthepitchofhervoice。“IguessI\'llhaveto。Haven\'tItookcareofhimnighonfortyyears，andsmallthanksandrecompenseIgetforitexceptwhenyou\'rehere。I\'veworeoutmylifetakin\'careofhim“(moregently)。“Whatdoyoumeanbymakin\'mepromisesuchathing，Austen？“

“Well，“saidAusten，slowly，“theJudgeisworriednow。Thingsarenotgoingassmoothlywithhimasusual。“

“Money？“demandedEuphrasia。“Heain\'tlostmoney，hashe？“

AlightbegantodanceinAusten\'seyesinspiteoftheweightwithinhim。

“Now，Phrasie，“hesaid，liftingherchinalittle，“youknowyoudon\'tcareanymoreaboutmoneythanIdo。“

“Lordhelpme，“sheexclaimed，“LordhelpmeifIdidn\'t！Andaslongasyoudon\'tcareforit，andnosensecanbeknockedintoyourheadaboutit，Ihopeyou\'llmarrysomebodythatdoesknowthevalueofit。IfHilarywastolosewhathehasnow，beforeitcomesrightlytoyou，he\'doughttobeputinjail。“

Austenlaughed，andshookhishead。

“Phrasie，theLorddidyouagraveinjusticewhenhedidn\'tmakeyouaman，butIsupposehe\'llgiveyouarecompensehereafter。No，IbelieveIamsafeinsayingthattheJudge\'ssecuritiesarestillsecure。NotthatIreallyknow——orcare——“(shakesoftheheadfromEuphrasia)。

“PooroldJudge！Worsethingsthanfinancearetroublinghimnow。“

“Notawoman！“criedEuphrasia，horror-strickenattheverythought。“Hehasn\'ttookitintohisheadafteralltheseyears——“

“No，“saidAusten，laughing，“no，no。It\'snotquiteasbadasthat，butit\'sprettybad。“

“InHeaven\'sname，whatisit？“shedemanded。

“Reformers，“saidAusten。

“Reformers？“sherepeated。“Whatmighttheybe？“

“Well，“answeredAusten，“youmightcallthemanewkindofcaterpillar——

onlytheyfeedoncorporationsinsteadoftrees。“

Euphrasiashookherheadvigorously。

“Go\'long，“sheexclaimed。“WhenyoutalklikethatInevercanfollowyou，Austen。IfHilaryhasanyworries，Iguesshebrought\'emonhimself。Ineverknewhimtofail。“

“Ambitiousanddesigningpersonsaremakingtroubleforhisrailroad。“

“Well，Inevertookmuchstockinthatrailroad，“saidEuphrasia，withemphasis。“Ineverwasonitbutanenginegaveout，andthecarswasjammed，anditwasn\'tlessthananhourlate。Andthenthey\'reeternallysmashin\'folksorrunnin\'\'emdown。Youserved\'emrightwhenyoumade\'empaythatMeadermansixthousanddollars，andItoldHilaryso。“Shepaused，andstaredatAustenfixedlyasathoughtcameintoherhead。

“Youain\'tleavin\'himbecauseofthistrouble，areyou，Austen？“

“Phrasie，“hesaid，“I——Idon\'twanttoquarrelwithhimnow。Ithinkitwouldbeeasytoquarrelwithhim。“

“Youmeanhimquarrelwithyou，“returnedEuphrasia。“I\'dliketoseehim！Ifhedid，itwouldn\'ttakemelongtopackupandleave。“

“That\'sjustit。Idon\'twantthattohappen。AndI\'vehadalongingtogooutandpayalittlevisittoJabeupinthehills，anddrivehiscoltsforhim。Yousee，“hesaid，“I\'vegotakindofaffectionfortheJudge。“

Euphrasialookedathim，andherlipstrembled。

“Hedon\'tdeserveit，“shedeclared，“butIsupposehe\'syourfather。“

“Hecan\'tgetoutofthat，“saidAusten。

“I\'dliketoseehimtryit，“saidEuphrasia。“Comeinsoon，Austen，“shewhispered，“comeinsoon。“

Shestoodonthelawnandwatchedhimashedroveaway，andhewavedgood-bytoheroverthehoodofthebuggy。Whenhewasoutofsightsheliftedherhead，gavehereyesavigorousbrushwithhercheckedapron，andwentbacktoherwashing。

ItwasnotuntilEuphrasiahadsupperonthetablethatHilaryVanecamehome，andsheglancedathimsharplyashetookhisusualseat。Itisacuriousfactthatitispossiblefortwopersonstolivetogetherformorethanathirdofacentury，andattheendofthattimeunderstandeachotherlittlebetterthanatthebeginning。ThesolebondbetweenEuphrasiaandHilarywasthatofSarahAustenandherson。EuphrasianeverknewwhenHilarywastired，orwhenhewascold，orhungry，orcross，althoughsheprovidedforalltheseemergencies。Herservicetohimwasunflagging，buthehadneverbeenundertheslightestdelusionthatitwasnotaninheritancefromhiswife。TheremusthavebeensomeaffectionbetweenMr。Vaneandhishousekeeper，hiddenawayinthestrongboxesofbothbutuptothepresentthiswasonlyatheory——notquiteasprobableasthatabouttheinhabitantsofMars。

Heatehissupperto-nightwithhisusualappetite，whichhadalwaysbeensparing；andhewouldhaveeatenthesameamountiftheNortheasternRailroadshadbeengoingintothehandsofareceiverthenextday。

OftenhedidnotexchangeawordwithEuphrasiabetweenhome-comingandbed-going，andthiswasapparentlytobeoneoftheseoccasions。Aftersupperhewent，asusual，tositonthestepsofhisporch，andtocuthispieceofHoneyDew，whichnevervariedamilligram。Nineo\'clockstruck，andEuphrasia，whohadshutupthebackofthehouse，wasonherwaytobedwithherlampinherhand，whenshecamefacetofacewithhiminthenarrowpassageway。

“Where\'sAusten？“heasked。

Euphrasiahalted。Thelampshook，butsheraisedittothelevelofhiseyes。

“Don\'tyouknow？“shedemanded。

“No，“hesaid，withunparalleledhumility。

Sheputdownthelamponthelittletablethatstoodbesideher。

“Hedidn\'ttellyouhewasa-goin\'？“

“No，“saidHilary。

“Thenhowdidyouknowhewasn\'tjustbuggy-ridin\'？“shesaid。

HilaryVanewasmute。

“You\'vebe\'ntohisroom！“sheexclaimed。“You\'veseenhisthingsaregone！“

Heconfesseditbyhissilence。Then，withamazingswiftnessandvigourforoneofherage，Euphrasiaseizedhimbythearmsandshookhim。

“Whathaveyoudonetohim？“shecried；“whathaveyoudonetohim？Yousenthimoff。You\'veneverunderstoodhim——you\'veneverbehavedlikeafathertohim。Youain\'tworthytohavehim。“SheflungherselfawayandstoodfacingHilaryatalittledistance。WhatafoolIwas！Whatafool！Imighthaveknownit，andIpromisedhim。“

“Promisedhim？“Hilaryrepeated。Theshaking，thevehemenceandanger，ofEuphrasiaseemedtohavehadnoeffectwhateveronthemaintrendofhisthoughts。

“Wherehashegone？“

“Youcanfindoutforyourself，“sheretortedbitterly。“IwishonyouraccountitwastoChina。Hecameherethisafternoon，asgentleasever，andpackeduphisthings，andsaidhewasgoin\'awaybecauseyouwasworried。Worried！“sheexclaimedscornfully。“Hisworryandhistroubledon\'tcount——butyours。Andhemademepromisetostaywithyou。Ifitwasn\'tforhim，“shecried，pickingupthelamp，“I\'dleaveyouthisverynight。“

Shesweptpasthim，andupthenarrowstairwaytoherbedroom。

CHAPTERXVII

BUSYDAYSATWEDDERBURN

Thereisnoblastsopowerful，sowithering，astheblastofridicule。

Onlythestrongestmencanwithstandit，onlyreformerswhoaresuchindeed，andnotaloneinname，cansnaptheirfingersatit，andlikenittothecracklingofthornsunderapot。ConfuciusandMartinLuthermusthavebeenridiculed，Mr。Crewereflected，andalthoughhedidnothavetimetoassurehimselfonthesehistoricalpoints，thethoughtstayedhim。Sixtyoddweeklynewspapers，filledwithargumentsfromtheBook，attackedhimallatonce；andifbychanceheshouldhavemissedthebestpartofthisflatteringpersonalattention，theeditorialswhichcontainedthemostspicewerecopiedattheendoftheweekintothecolumnsofhiserstwhilefriend，theStateTribune，nowtheorganofthatmysteriouspersonality，theHonourableAdamB。Hunt。\'Ettu，Brute！\'

Moreover，Mr。PeterPardriffhadsomethingofhisowntosay。Somegentlemenofprominence(notamongthetwentysignersofthenewDeclarationofIndependence)hadbeeninterviewedbytheTribunereporteronthesubjectofMr。Crewe\'scandidacy。Herearesomeoftheanswers，dulytabulated。

“Negligible。“——CongressmanFairplay。

“OnelessvotefortheHonourableAdamB。Hunt。“——TheHonourableJacobBotcher。

“Amonumentalfarce。“——Ex-GovernorBroadbent。

“WhoisMr。Crewe？“——SenatorWhitredge。(Ahha！Senator，thiswantshallbesupplied，atleast。)

“Ihavebeenverybusy。Idonotknowwhatcandidatesareinthefield。“——Mr。AugustusP。Flint，presidentoftheNortheasternRailroads。

(Theunkindestcutofall！)

“IhaveheardthataMr。Creweisacandidate，butIdonotknowmuchabouthim。TheytellmeheisasummerresidentatLeith。“——TheHonourableHilaryVane。

“Amillionaire\'sfreak——nottobetakenseriously——StateSenatorNathanielBillings。

TheStateTribuneitselfseemedtobeespeciallyinterestedinthepastcareersofthetwentysigners。Whocomposedthisdauntlessband，whosemembershadarisenwithremarkableunanimityandmartyr\'szealinsuchwidelyscatteredpartsoftheState？Hadeachbeensimultaneouslyinspiredwiththesamehighthought，and——moreamazingstill——withtheideaofthesamepeerlessleader？TheTribunemodestlyventuredthetheorythatMr。Crewehadappearedtoeachofthetwentyinadream，withaflamingswordpointingtothesteamofthedragon\'sbreath。Or，perhaps，astarhadledeachofthetwentytoLeith。(ThislikeningofMr。H——nT——gtoastarcausedmuchmerrimentamongthatgentleman\'sformerfriendsandacquaintances。)TheTribunecouldnotaccountforthisphenomenonbyanynaturallaws，andwasforcedtobelievethatthethingwasamiracle——inwhichcaseitbehoovedtheNortheasternRailroadstoreadthehandwritingonthewall。Unless——unlessthetwentydidnotexist！Unlessthewholethingwereajoke！TheTribunerememberedatimewhenasignedstatement，purportingtocomefromacertainMrs。

AmandaP。Pillow，of22BlairStreet，Newcastle，hadappeared，totheeffectthatthreebottlesofRand\'sPeachNectarhadcuredherofdropsy。

OninvestigationtherewasnoBlairStreet，andMrs。AmandaP。Pillowwasasyetunborn。TheonesurethingaboutthestatementwasthatRand\'sPeachNectarcouldbehad，inlargeorsmallquantities，asdesired。AndtheTribunewaspreparedtostate；onitsownauthority，thataMr。

HumphreyCrewedidexist，andmightreluctantlyconsenttotakethenominationforthegovernorship。InindustryandzealhewassaidtoresemblethecelebratedandlamentedMr。Rand，ofthePeachNectar。

Ingratitudemerelyinjuresthosewhoarecapableofit，althoughitsometimesproducessadnessingreatsouls。WhatwereMr。Crewe\'sfeelingswhenhereadthisdrivel？Whenheperusedtheextractsfromthe“BookofArguments“whichappeared(withastonishingunanimity，too！)insixtyoddweeklynewspapersoftheState——anassortmentofargumentsforeachcounty。

“BrushBascom\'sdoin\'thatworknow，“saidMr。Tooting，contemptuously，“andhe\'sdoin\'itwithashovel。Lookhere！He\'sgotthesamesquibinthreetownswithinadozenmilesofeachother，theonebeginning\'PoliticalconditionsinthisStateareascleanasthoseofanyStateintheUnion，andtheUnitedNortheasternRailroadsisacorporationwhichis，fortunately，abovecalumny。Asummerresidentwho，tosatisfyhislustforoffice，isrollingtodefame——\'“

“Yes，“interruptedMr。Crewe，“nevermindreadinganymoreofthatrot。“

“It\'sbotched，“saidMr。Tooting，whoseartisticsoulwasjarred。“I\'dhaveputthatinAvalonCounty，andWeave，andMarshall。IknowmenthattakeallthreeofthosepapersinPutnam。“

Noneedofballooniststoseewhattheenemyisabout，whenwehaveaMr。

Tooting。

“They\'restung！“hecried，asheranrapidlythroughthebundleofpapers——Mr。Crewehavingsubscribed，withcharacteristicgenerosity，totheentirepressoftheState。“Flintgave\'emoutallthisstuffabouttherailroadbein\'asacredinstitution。You\'vegot\'emontherunrightnow，Mr。Crewe。You\'llnoticethat，DemocratsandRepublicans，they\'vedroppedeverybodyelse，thatthey\'veallbeensickedontoyou。They\'rescared。“

“Icametothatconclusionsometimeago，“repliedMr。Crewe，whowassortingoverhisletters。

“Andlookthere！“exclaimedMr。Tooting，tearingoutaparagraph，“there\'sthebestcampaignmaterialwe\'vehadyet。Say，I\'llbetFlinttakenthatdodderingidiot\'spassawayforwritingthat。“

Mr。Crewetooktheextract，andread:——

AsummerresidentofLeith，whoissaidtobeamillionairemanytimesover，andwhohadasomewhatfarcicalcareerasalegislatorlastwinter，hasannouncedhimselfasacandidatefortheRepublicannominationonaplatformattackingtheNortheasternRailroads。Mr。HumphreyCrewedeclaresthattheNortheasternRailroadsgovernus。Whatiftheydo？Everysober-mindedcitizen，willagreethattheygiveusaprettygoodgovernment。Morepowertothem。“

Mr。Crewepermittedhimselftosmile。

“Theyareplayingintoourhands，sureenough。What？“

Thisisanexampleofthespiritinwhichtheridiculeandabusewasmet。

ItwasSenatorWhitredge——only，lastautumnsopleasedtomeetMr。CreweatMr。Flint\'s——whoaskedthehypocriticalquestion，“WhoisHumphreyCrewe？“Abiography(inpamphletform，illustrated，——sendyournameandaddress)isbeingpreparedbytheinvaluableMr。Tooting，whoonlysleepssixhoursthesedays。Weshallseeitpresently，whenitemergesfromthatbusyhiveatWedderburn。

Wedderburnwasahive，sureenough。Nothavingaballoonourselves，itisdifficulttoseeallthatisgoingonthere；buttherecanbenomistake(exceptbytheHonourableHilary\'sseismograph)thatithasbecomethecentreofextraordinaryactivity。Theoutsideworldhaspausedtodrawbreathatthespectacle，andmembersofthemetropolitanpressarefillingtheroomsoftheRiptonHouseandaddingtotheprosperityofitslivery-stable。Mr。Creweisadifficultmantoseethesedays——therearesomanyvisitorsatWedderburn，andtherepresentativesofthemetropolitanpresshitchtheirhorsesandstrollaroundthegrounds，orsitontheporchandconversewithgentlemenfromvariouscountiesoftheStatewho(astheTribunewouldputit)havebeenledbyastartoLeith。

Ontheoccasionofoneofthesegatherings，whenMr。Crewehadbeeninaccessibleforfourhours，Mrs。PomfretdroveupinavictoriawithherdaughterAlice。

“I\'msureIdon\'tknowwhenwe\'regoingtoseepoordearHumphreyagain，“

saidMrs。Pomfret，examiningthegroupontheporchthroughhergold-

mountedlenses；theseawfulpeoplearealwaysherewhenIcome。Iwonderiftheysleephere，inthehammocksandloungingchairs！Alice，wemustbeverypolitetothem——somuchdependsonit。“

“I\'malwayspolite，mother，“answeredAlice，“exceptwhenyoutellmenottobe。ThetroubleisIneverknowmyself。“

Thevictoriastoppedinfrontofthedoor，andtheirreproachableWatersadvancedacrosstheporch。

“Waters，“saidMrs。Pomfret，“IsupposeMr。Creweistoobusytocomeout。“

“I\'mafraidso，madam，“repliedWaters；“there\'salineofgentlemenwaitin\'here“(heeyedthemwithnouncertaindisapproval)。andI\'vepositiveordersnottodisturbhim，madam。“

“Iquiteunderstand，atatimelikethis，“saidMrs。Pomfret，andadded，forthebenefitofheraudience，“whenMr。Crewehasbeenpublic-spiritedandunselfishenoughtoundertakesuchagigantictask。TellhimMissPomfretandIcallfromtimetotimebecausewearesointerested，andthatthewholeofLeithwisheshimsuccess。“

“I\'lltellhim，madam，“saidWaters，ButMrs。Pomfretdidnotgivethesignalforhercoachmantodriveon。

Shelooked，instead，atthepatientgathering。

“Goodmorning，gentlemen，“shesaid。

“Mother！“whisperedAlice，“whatareyougoingtodo？“

Thegentlemenrose。

“I\'mMrs。Pomfret，“shesaid，asthoughthatsimpleannouncementwerequitesufficient，——asitwas，forthemetropolitanpress。NotamanofthemwhohadnotseenMrs。Pomfret\'simportantmovementsonbothsidesofthewaterchronicled。“Itakethelibertyofspeakingtoyou，asweallseemtobeunitedinacommoncause。Howisthecampaignlooking？“

Someofthegentlemenshiftedtheircigarsfromonehandtotheother，andgrinnedsheepishly。

“Iamsointerested，“continuedMrs。Pomfret；“itissounusualinAmericaforagentlemantobewillingtoundertakesuchathing，tosubjecthimselftolowcriticism，andtohavehispuremotivesquestioned。Mr。Crewehasrarecourage——Ihavealwayssaidso。Andweareallgoingtoputourshouldertothewheel，andhelphimallwecan。“

Therewasoneclevermantherewhowasquicktoseehisopportunity，andseizeitforhisnewspaper。

“AndareyougoingtohelpMr。Creweinhiscampaign，Mrs。Pomfret？“

“Mostassuredly，“answeredMrs。Pomfret。“Womeninthiscountrycoulddosomuchiftheyonlywould。Youknow，“sheadded，inhermostwinningmanner，“youknowthatawomancanoftengetavotewhenamancan\'t。“

“Andyou，and——otherladieswillgoaroundtothepublicmeetings？“

“Whynot，myfriend；ifMr。Crewehasnoobjection？andIcanconceiveofnone。“

“YouwouldhaveanorganizationofsocietyladiestohelpMr。Crewe？“

“That\'sratheracrudewayofputtingit，“answeredMrs。Pomfret，withherglassesraisedjudicially-“WomeninwhatyoucallIsocietyare，I

amgladtosay，takinganincreasinginterestinpolitics。Theyarebeginningtorealizethatitisaduty。“

“Thankyou，“saidthereporter；“andnowwouldyoumindifItookaphotographofyouinyourcarriage。“

“Oh，mother，“protestedAlice，“youwon\'tlethimdothat！“

“Bequiet，Alice。LadyAylestoneandtheduchessarephotographedineveryconceivableposeforpoliticalpurposes。Wymans，justdrivearoundtotheothersideofthecircle。“

Thearticleappearednextday，andgave，asmaybeimagined，atremendousimpetustoMr。Crewe\'scause。“AnewerainAmericanpolitics！“

“SocietytotakeahandinthegubernatorialcampaignofMillionaireHumphreyCrewe！““Notedsocialleader，Mrs。PattersonPomfret，declaresitaduty，andsagathatEnglishwomenhavetherightidea。“AndaphotographofMrs。PattersonPomfretherself，inhervictoria，occupiedagenerousportionofthefrontpage。

“What\'sallthisrubbishaboutMrs。Pomfret？“wasMr。Crewe\'sgratefulcommentwhenhesawit。“Ispenttwovaluablehourswiththatreportergivin\'himmaterialandstatistics，andIcan\'tfindthathe\'susedawordofit。“

“Neveryoumindaboutthat，“Mr。Tootingreplied。“Themoreadvertisingyouget，thebetter，andthisshowsthattherightpeoplearebehindyou。

Mrs。Pomfret\'sasmartwoman，allright。Sheknowsherjob。Andhere\'smoreadvertising，“hecontinued，shovinganothersheetacrossthedesk，“afinelikenessofyouincaricaturelabelled，\'AjaxdefyingtheLightning。\'Who\'sAjax？TherewasanItalian，astreetcontractor，withthatname——orsomethinglikeit——inNewcastleacoupleofyearsago——intheeighthward。“

Inthesedays，whenfalserumoursflyapacetotheinjuryofinnocentmen，itiswelltogetatthetruth，ifpossible。ItisnottruethatMr。PaulPardriff，ofthe\'RiptonRecord，\'hasbeentoWedderburn。Mr。

Pardriffwasgettingintoabuggytogo——somewhere——whenhechancedtomeettheHonourableBrushBascom，andthebuggywassentbacktothelivery-stable。Mr。TootinghadbeentoseeMr。Pardriffbeforetheworld-quakingannouncementofJune7th，andhadfoundMr。PardriffareformerwhodidnotbelievethattherailroadshouldruntheState。ButtheeditoroftheRiptonRecordwasamanafterEmerson\'sownheart:afoolishconsistencyisthehobgoblinoflittleminds“——andMr。PardriffdidnotgotoWedderburn。HewentoffonanexcursionuptheStateinstead，forhehadbeenworkingtoohard；andhereturned，asmanymendofromtheirtravels，aconservative。HelistenedcoldlytoMr。

Tooting\'simpassionedpleasforcleanerpolitics，untilMr。Tootingrevealedthefactthathispocketswerefullofcopy。Itseemsthatabiographywastobeprinted——abiographywhichwould，undoubtedly，beingreatdemand；thebiographyofapublicbenefactor，illustratedwithoriginalphotographsandviewsinthecountry。Mr。TootingandMr。

Pardriffbothbeingmenoftheworld，someexceedingplaintalkensuedbetweenthem，andwhentwosuchmindsunite，awayoutissuretobefound。Onecanbebothaconservativeandaradical——ifoneisclever。

TherewereothercolumnsinMr。Pardriff\'spaperbesideseditorialcolumns；editorialcolumns，Mr。Pardriffsaid，weresacredtohisconvictions。Certainthumb-wornscheduleswerereferredto。PaulPardriff，Ripton，agreedtobethepublisherofthebiography。

ThenexteditionoftheRecordwasanexampleofwhatMr。Emersonmeant。

Threecolumnscontainedextractsofabsorbinginterestfromtheforthcomingbiographyand，onanotherpage，aneditorial。TheHonourableHumphreyCrewe，ofLeith，isanestimablegentlemanandagoodcitizen，whosepublicendeavourshavebeenofgreatbenefittothecommunity。AcitizenofAvalonCounty，theRecordregretsthatitcannotsupporthiscandidacyfortheRepublicangubernatorialnomination。Wearenotamongthosewhoseektoimpugnmotives，andwhilegivingMr。

CreweeverycreditthathischargesagainsttheNortheasternRailroadsaremadeingoodfaith，webegtodifferfromhim。Thatcorporationisaninstitutionwhichhasstoodthetestoftime，andenricheseveryyeartheStatetreasurybyalargesumintaxes。Itsmanagementisinsafe，conservativehands。NoonewilldenyMr。Crewe\'szealfortheState\'swelfare，butitmustbeborneinmindthatheisanewcomerinpolitics，andthatconditions，seenfromthesurface，aresometimesdeceptive。WepredictforMr。Crewealongandusefulcareer，butwedonotthinkthatatthistime，andonthisplatform，hewillobtainthegovernorship。“

“Moralcourageiswhattheageneeds，“hadbeenMr。Crewe\'strueandsententiousremarkwhenhereadthiseditorial。But，bearinginmindabiblicaladage，hedidnotblameMr。Tootingforhisdiplomacy。“Sendinthenextman。“

Mr。Tootingopenedthestudydoorandglancedoverthepublic-spiritedcitizensawaiting，ontheporch，thepleasureoftheirleader。

“Comealong，Caldwell，“saidMr。Tooting。“HewantsyourreportfromKingston。Getahustleon！“

Mr。Caldwellmadehisreport，receivedmanybriefandbusiness-likesuggestions，andretired，impressed。WhereuponMr。CrewecommandedMr。

Tootingtoorderhisautomobile——anoccasionalandrapidspinoverthecountryroadsbeingtheonlydiversionthecandidatepermittedhimself。

Wishingtobealonewithhisthoughts，hedidnottakeMr。Tootingwithhimontheseexcursions。

“Andbytheway，“saidMr。Crewe，asheseizedthesteeringwheelafewmomentslater，“justdropalinetoAustenVane，willyou，andtellhimI

wanttoseehimupherewithinadayortwo。Makeanappointment。Ithasoccurredtomethathemightbeveryuseful。“

Mr。Tootingstoodonthedrivewaywatchingthecloudofdustsettleontheroadbelow。Thenheindulgedinalongandpeculiarlysignificantwhistlethroughhisteeth，rolledhiseyesheavenward，andwentintothehouse。HerememberedAusten\'sremarkaboutridingacyclone。

Mr。CrewetooktheTunbridgeroad。OnhisexcursionofthedaybeforehehadmetMrs。Pomfret，whohadheldupherhand，andhehadprotestinglybroughtthecartoastop。

“Yourhorsesdon\'tfrighten，“hehadsaid。

“No，butIwantedtospeaktoyou，Humphrey，“Mrs。Pomfrethadreplied；

“youarebecomingsoimportantthatnobodyeverhasaglimpseofyou。I

wantedtotellyouwhataninterestwetakeinthissplendidthingyouaredoing。“

“Well，“saidMr。Crewe，“itwasaplainduty，andnobodyelseseemedwillingtoundertakeit。“

Mrs。Pomfret\'seyeshadflashed。

“Menofthattypearescarce，“sheanswered。“Butyou\'llwin。You\'rethekindofmanthatwins。“

“Oh，yes，I\'llwin，“saidMr。Crewe。

“You\'resomagnificentlysureofyourself，“criedMrs。Pomfret。“Aliceistakingsuchaninterest。Everydaysheasks，\'WhenisHumphreygoingtomakehisfirstspeech？\'You\'llletusknowintime，won\'tyou？“

“DidyouputallthatnonsenseintheNewYorkFlare？“askedMr。Crewe。

“Oh，Humphrey，Ihopeyoulikedit，“criedMrs。Pomfret。“Don\'tmakethemistakeofdespisingwhatwomencando。TheyelectedtheHonourableBillyAylestone——hesaidsohimself。I\'mgettingallthewomeninterested。“

“Who\'veyoubeencallingonnow？“heinquired。

Mrs。Pomfrethesitated。

“I\'vebeenupatFairviewtoseeaboutMrs。Flint。Sheisn\'tmuchbetter。“

“IsVictoriahome？“Mr。Crewedemanded，withundisguisedinterest。

“Poordeargirl！“saidMrs。Pomfret，“ofcourseIwouldn\'thavementionedthesubjecttoher，butshewantedtoknowallaboutit。Itnaturallymakesanawkwardsituationbetweenyouandher，doesn\'tit？“

“Oh，Victoria\'slevel-headedenough，“Mr。Crewehadanswered；“IguesssheknowssomethingaboutoldFlintandhismethodsbythistime。Atanyrate，itwon\'tmakeanydifferencewithme，“headdedmagnanimously，andthrewinhisclutch。HehadencircledFairviewinhisdrivethatday，andwas，curiouslyenough，headedinthatdirectionnow。Slowtomakeuphismindinsomethings，aseveryeligiblemanmustbe，hewasnowcomingrapidlytothenotionthathemighteventuallydecideuponVictoriaasthemostfittingmateforoneinhisposition。Still，therewasnohurry。AsforgoingtoFairviewHouse，thatmightbeawkward，besidesbeingopentomisconstructionbyhisconstituents。Mr。Crewereflected，asherushedupthehills，thathehadmissedVictoriasinceshehadbeenabroad——andamansocontinuallyoccupiedashedidnothavetimetomissmanypeople。Mr。CrewemadeuphismindhewouldencircleFairvieweverydayuntilheranacrossher。

Thegoddessoffortunesometimesblessesthepersistentevenbeforetheybegintopersist——perhapsfromsheerwearinessattheremembranceofpreviousimportuning。Victoria，onabrand-newandsomewhatsensitivefive-year-old，wascomingoutofthestonearchwaywhenMr。Crewe(withoutanysignalthistime！)threwonhisbrakes。Anexhibitionofhorsemanshipfollowed，onVictoria\'spart，whichMr。Crewebeheldwithadmiration。Thefive-year-oldswungaboutlikeaweathercockinagustofwind，assuminganuprightposition，liketheunicornintheBritishcoatofarms。Victoriacuthim，andhecamedownonallfoursanddancedintothewirefencethatencircledtheFairviewdomain，whereuponhegotanotherstingingreminderthattherewassomeoneonhisback。

“Bravo！“criedMr。Crewe，leaningonthesteeringwheelandwatchingtheperformancewithdelight。Never，hethought，hadVictoriabeenmoreappealing；strangelyenough，hehadnotrememberedthatshewasquitesohandsome，orthathercolourwassovivid；orthatherbodywassostraightandlongandsupple。Helikedthewayinwhichshegaveittothathorse，andhemadeuphismindthatshewouldgraceanyposition，howeverhigh。Presentlythehorsemadealeapintotheroadinfrontofthemotorandstoodtrembling，readytobolt。

“ForHeaven\'ssake，Humphrey，“shecried，“shutoffyourpower？Don\'tsittherelikeanidiot——doyouthinkI\'mdoingthisforpleasure？“

Mr。Crewegood-naturedlyturnedoffhisswitch，andthemotor，withadyingsigh，wassilent。Heevenlikedthenotionofbeingcommandedtodoathing；therewasarelishaboutitthatwasnew。Theotherwomenofhisacquaintanceaddressedhimmoredeferentially。

“Getholdofthebridle，“hesaidtothechauffeur。“You\'vegotnobusinesstohaveananimallikethat，“washisremarktoVictoria。

“Don\'ttouchhim！“shesaidtotheman，whowasapproachingwithatruemachinist\'sfearofahigh-spiritedhorse。“You\'vegotnobusinesstohaveamotorlikethat，ifyoucan\'thandleitanybetterthanyoudo。“

“Youmanagedhimallright。I\'llsaythatforyou，“saidMr。Crewe。

“Nothankstoyou，“shereplied。Nowthatthehorsewascomparativelyquiet，shesatandregardedMr。Crewewithanamusementwhichwasgraduallygettingthebetterofheranger。Afewmomentssince，andshewishedwithgreatintensitythatshehadbeenusingthewhiponhisshouldersinstead。Nowthatshehadtimetogatherupthethreadsofthesituation，theirresistiblycomicaspectofitgrewuponher，andlittlecreasescameintothecornersofhereyes——whichMr。Creweadmired。Sherecalled——withindignation，tobesure——theconversationshehadoverheardinthediningroomoftheDuncanhouse，butherindignationwasparticularlydirected，onthatoccasion，towardsMr。Tooting。HerewasHumphreyCrewe，sittingtalkingtoherintheroad——HumphreyCrewe，whosecandidacyforthegovernorshipimpugnedherfather\'smanagementoftheNortheasternRailroads——andshewasunabletotakethematterseriously！

Theremustbesomethingwrongwithher，shethought。

“Soyou\'rehomeagain，“Mr。Creweobserved，hiseyesstillbearingwitnesstotheindubitablefact。“Ishouldn\'thaveknownit——I\'vebeensobusy。“

“IstheLegislaturestillinsession？“Victoriasoberlyinquired。

“Youarealittlebehindthetimes——ain\'tyou？“saidMr。Crewe，insurprise。“Howlonghaveyoubeenhome？Hasn\'tanybodytoldyouwhat\'sgoingon？“

“Ionlycameuptendaysago，“sheanswered，“andI\'mafraidI\'vebeensomethingofarecluse。Whatisgoingon？“

“Well，“hedeclared，“Ishouldhavethoughtyou\'dheardit，anyway。I\'llsendyouupafewnewspaperswhenIgetback。I\'macandidateforthegovernorship。“

Victoriabitherlip，andleanedovertobrushaflyfromtheneckofherhorse。

“Youaregettingonrapidly，Humphrey，“shesaid。“Doyouthinkyou\'vegot——anychance？“

“Anychance！“herepeated，withsomepardonableforce。“I\'msuretobenominated。There\'sanoverwhelmingsentimentamongthevotersofthisStatefordecentpolitics。Itdidn\'ttakemelongtofindthatout。Theonlywonderisthatsomebodyhasn\'tseenitbefore。“

“Perhaps，“sheanswered，givinghimasteadylook，“perhapssomebodyhas。“

OneofMr。Crewe\'sgreatestelementsofstrengthwashisimperviousnesstothiskindofaremark。

“Ifanybody\'sseenit，“hereplied，“theyhaven\'tthecourageoftheirconvictions。“SuchweretheworkingsofMr。Crewe\'smindthathehadalreadyforgottenthatfirsttalkwithMr。HamiltonTooting。“NotthatI

wanttotaketoomuchcreditonmyself，“headded，withbecomingmodesty，“Ihavehadsomeexperienceintheworld，anditwasnaturalthatI

shouldgetafreshview。AreyoucomingdowntoLeithinafewdays？“

“Imay，“saidVictoria。

“Telephoneme，“saidMr。Crewe，“andifIcangetoff，Iwill。I\'dliketotalktoyou。YouhavemoresensethanmostwomenIknow。“

“Youoverwhelmme，Humphrey。Complimentssoundstrangelyonyourlips。“

“WhenIsayathing，Imeanit，“Mr。Crewedeclared。“Idon\'tpaycompliments。I\'dmakeitapointtotakealittletimeofftotalktoyou。Yousee，somanymenareinterestedinthisthingfromvariouspartsoftheState，andwearesobusyorganizing，thatitabsorbsmostofmyday。“

“Icouldn\'tthinkofencroaching，“Victoriaprotested。

That\'sallright——youcanbeagreathelp。I\'vegotconfidenceinyourjudgment。Bytheway，“heaskedsuddenly，“youhaven\'tseenyourfriendAustenVanesinceyougotback，haveyou？“

“Whydoyoucallhimmyfriend？“saidVictoria。Mr。Crewperceivedthattheexercisehadheightenedhercolour，andthetransitionappealedtohissenseofbeauty。

“PerhapsIputitalittlestrongly，“hereplied。“Youseemedtotakeaninterestinhim，forsomereason。Isupposeit\'sbecauseyoulikenewtypes。“

“IlikeMr。Vaneverymuch，——andforhimself，“shesaidquietly。“ButI

haven\'tseenhimsinceIcameback。NordoIthinkIamlikelytoseehim。Whatmadeyouaskabouthim？“

“Well，heseemstobeamanofsomelocalstanding，andheoughttobeinthiscampaign。Ifyouhappentoseehim，youmightmentionthesubjecttohim。I\'vesentforhimtocomeupandseeme。“

“Mr。Vanedoesn\'tseemtometobeapersononecansendforlikethat，“

Victoriaremarkedjudicially。“Astoadvisinghimastowhatcourseheshouldtakepolitically——thatwouldevenbestrainingmyfriendshipforyou，Humphrey。Onreflection，“sheadded，smiling，“theremayappeartoyoureasonswhyIshouldnotcaretomeddlewith——politics，justnow。“

“Ican\'tseeit，“saidMr。Crewe；“you\'vegotamindofyourown，andyou\'veneverbeenafraidtouseit，sofarasIknow。IfyoushouldseethatVaneman，justgivehimanotionofwhatI\'mtryingtodo。“

“Whatareyoutryingtodo？“inquiredVictoria，sweetly。

“I\'mtryingtocleanupthisStatepolitically，“saidMr。Crewe，“andI\'mgoingtodoit。WhenyoucomedowntoLeith，I\'lltellyouaboutit，andI\'llsendyouthenewspapersto-day。Don\'tbeinahurry，“hecried，addressingoverhisshouldertwofarmersinawagonwhohaddrivenupafewmomentsbefore，andwhowereapparentlyanxioustopass。“Windherup，Adolphe。“

Thechauffeur，standingbythecrank，startedtheengineinstantly，andthegearsscreamedasMr。Crewethrewinhislowspeed。Thefive-year-

oldwhirled，andbolteddowntheroadatapacewhichwouldhaveseemedtochallengearacingcar；andthegirlinthesaddle，bendingtothemotionofthehorse，wasseentoraiseherhandinwarning。

“Betterstaywharyoube，“shoutedoneofthefarmers；don\'tgotofollerin\'her。Thehoesisrunnin\'away。“

Mr。CrewesteeredhiscarintotheFairviewentrance，andbackedintotheroadagain，facingtheotherway。Hehaddecidedtogohome。

“Thatladycantakecareofherself，“hesaid，andstartedofftowardsLeith，wonderinghowitwasthatMr。Flinthadnotconfidedhisrecentpoliticaltroublestohisdaughter。

“Thathossisugly，sureenough，“saidthefarmerwhohadspokenbefore。

Victoriaflewon，downthenarrowroad。Aftertwentystridesshedidnotattempttodisguisefromherselfthefactthatthefive-year-oldwasinafrenzyoffear，andrunningaway。Victoriahadbeenrunawaywithbefore，andhavingsomeknowledgeoftheanimalsherode，shedidnotwasteherstrengthbypullingonthecurb，butsoughtrathertoquiethimwithhervoice，whichhadnoeffectwhatever。Hewasbeyondappeal，hisheadwasdown，andhisearstremblingbackwardsandstrainingforasoundoftheterrorthatpursuedhim。Theroadranthroughtheforest，andVictoriareflectedthatthegrade，onthewhole，wasdownwardtotheEastTunbridgestation，wheretheroadcrossedthetrackandtooktothehillsbeyond。Onceamongthem，shewouldbesafe——hemightrunasfar，ashepleased。Butcouldshepassthestation？Sheheldafirmrein，andtriedtokeephermindclear。

Suddenly，ataslightbendoftheroad，thecornerofthelittleredbuildingcameinsight，somehundredsofyardsahead；and，onthesidewhereitstood，intheclearing，wasawhitemasswhichVictoriarecognizedasapileoflumber。Shesawseveralmenonthetopofthepile，standingmotionless；sheheardoneofthemshout；thehorseswerved，andshefeltherselfflungviolentlytotheleft。

Herfirstthought，afterstriking，wasoneofself-congratulationthathersafetystirrupandhabithadbehavedproperly。Beforeshecouldrise，amanwasleaningoverher——andintheinstantshehadtheimpressionthathewasafriend。Otherpeoplehadhadthisimpressionofhimonfirstacquaintance——hissize，hisgenial，brick-redface，andhishonestblueeyesalldoubtlesscontributing。

“Areyouhurt，MissFlint？“heasked。

“Notintheleast，“shereplied，springingtoherfeettoprovethecontrary。What\'sbecomeofmyhorse？“

“Twoofthemenhavegoneafterhim，“hesaid，staringatherwithundisguisedbuthonestadmiration。Whereuponhebecamesuddenlyembarrassed，andpulledoutahandkerchiefthesizeofatablenapkin。

“Letmedustyouoff。“

“Thankyou，“saidVictoria，laughing，andbeginningtheprocessherself。

Hernewacquaintancepliedthehandkerchief，hisfaceabrighterbrick-

redthanever。

“ThankGod，therewasn\'tafreightonthesiding，“heremarked，soferventlythatVictoriastoleaglanceathim。Thedustingprocesscontinued。

“There，“sheexclaimed，atlast，adjustingherstockandshakingherskirt，“I\'meversomuchobliged。Itwasveryfoolishinmetotumbleoff，wasn\'tit？“

“Itwastheonlythingyoucouldhavedone，“hedeclared。“Ihadagoodviewofit，andheflungyoulikeabeanoutofashooter。That\'sapowerfulhorse。Iguessyou\'rethekindthatlikestotakerisks。“

Victorialaughedathisexpressivephrase，andcrossedtheroad，andsatdownontheedgeofthelumberpile，intheshade。

“Thereseemstobenothingtodobutwait，“shesaid，“andtothankyouagain。Willyoutellmeyourname？“

“I\'mTomGaylord，“hereplied。

Hercolour，alwayssonearthesurface，rosealittleassheregardedhim。SothiswasAustenVane\'sparticularfriend，whomhehadtriedtoputoutofhiswindow。AHerculeantask，Victoriathought，fromTom\'sappearance。Tomsatdownwithinafewfeetofher。

“I\'veseenyouagoodmanytimes，MissFlint，“heremarked，applyingthehandkerchieftohisface。

“AndI\'veseenyou——once，Mr。Gaylord，“somemischievousimpulsepromptedhertoanswer。Perhapstheimpulsewasmoredeep-seated，afterall。

“Where？“demandedTom，promptly。

“Youwereengaged，“saidVictoria，“inastruggleinawindowonRiptonSquare。Itlooked，foratime，“shecontinued，“asifyouweregoingtobedroppedontheroofoftheporch。“

Tomgazedatherinconfusionandsurprise。

“Youseemtobefond，too，ofdangerousexercise，“sheobserved。

“Doyoumeantosayyourememberedmefromthat？“heexclaimed。“Oh，youknowAustenVane，don\'tyou？“

“DoesMr。Vaneacknowledgetheacquaintance？“Victoriainquired。

“It\'sfunny，butyouremindmeofAusten，“saidTom，grinning；youseemtohavethesamequeerwayofsayingthingsthathehas。“Herehewasconsciousofanotherfitofembarrassment。“Ihopeyoudon\'tmindwhatI

say，MissFlint。“

“Notatall，“saidVictoria。Sheturned，andlookedacrossthetrack。

“Isupposetheyarehavingalotoftroubleincatchingmyhorse，“sheremarked。

“They\'llgethim，“Tomassuredher，“oneofthosemenismymanager。Healwaysgetswhathestartsoutfor。Whatwerewetalkingabout？Oh，AustenVane。Yousee，I\'veknownhimeversinceIwasashaver，andI

thinktheworldofhim。IfheaskedmetogotoSouthAmericaandgethimazebrato-morrow，IbelieveI\'ddoit。“

“Thatisrealdevotion，“saidVictoria。ThemoreshesawofyoungTom，thebettershelikedhim，althoughhisconversationwasapttobeslightlyembarrassing。

“We\'vebeenthroughalotofrowstogether，“Tomcontinued，warmingtohissubject，“inschoolandcollege。Yousee，Austen\'sthekindofmanwhodoesn\'tcarewhatanybodythinks，ifhetakesitintohisheadtodoathing。ItwasagreatpieceofluckformethatheshotthatfellowoutWest，orhewouldn\'tbeherenow。Youheardaboutthat，didn\'tyou？“

“Yes，“saidVictoria，“IbelieveIdid。“

“Andyet，“saidTom，“althoughI\'masgoodafriendashehas，Ineverquitegotunderhisskin。There\'ssomethingsIwouldn\'ttalktohimabout。I\'velearnedthat。Inevertoldhim，forinstance，thatIsawhimoutinasleighwithyouatthecapital。“

“Oh，“saidVictoria；andsheadded，“Isheashamedofit？“

“It\'snotthat，“repliedTom，hastily，“butIguessifhe\'dwantedmetoknowaboutit，he\'dhavetoldme。“

Victoriahadbeguntorealizethat，inthefewminuteswhichhadelapsedsinceshehadfoundherselfontheroadside，gazingupintoyoungTom\'seyes，shehadsomehowbecomequiteintimatewithhim。

“Ifancyhewouldhavetoldyoualltherewastotellaboutit——ifthematterhadoccurredtohimagain，“shesaid，withtheairoffinallydismissingasubjectalreadytooprolonged。ButTomknewnothingoftheshadesandconventionsoftheartofconversation。

“He\'snevertoldmeheknewyouatall！“heexclaimed，staringatVictoria。ApparentlysomeoftheaspectsofthisnowsignificantomissiononAusten\'spartwerebeginningtodawnonTom。

“Itwasn\'tworthmentioning，“saidVictoria，briefly，seekingforapretexttochangethesubject。

“Idon\'tbelievethat，“saidTom，“youcan\'texpectmetosithereandlookatyouandbelievethat。Howlonghasheknownyou？“

“Isawhimonceortwicelastsummer，atLeith，“saidVictoria，nowwaveringbetweenlaughterandexasperation。Shehadgotherselfintoaquandaryindeedwhenshehadtoparrytheappallingfranknessofsuchinquiries。

“Themoreyouseeofhim，themoreyou\'lladmirehim，I\'llprophesy，“

saidTom。“Ifhe\'dbeencontenttotravelalongtheeasyroad，asmostfellowsare，hewouldhavebeencounselfortheNortheastern。Insteadofthat——“hereTomhaltedabruptly，andturnedscarlet:“Iforgot，“hesaid，“I\'malwaysputtingmyfootinit，withladies。“

HewassopainfullyconfusedthatVictoriafeltherselfsufferingwithhim，andlongedtocomforthim。

“Pleasegoon，Mr。Gaylord，“shesaid；“Iamverymuchinterestedinmyneighbourshere，andIknowthatagreatmanyofthemthinkthattherailroadmeddlesinpolitics。I\'vetriedtofindoutwhattheythink，butitissodifficultforawomantounderstand。Ifmattersarewrong，I\'msuremyfatherwillrightthemwhenheknowsthesituation。Hehassomuchtoattendto。“Shepaused。Tomwasstillmoppinghisforehead。

“Youmaysayanythingyouliketome，andIshallnottakeoffence。“

Tom\'sadmirationofherwasheightenedbythisattitude。

“Austenwouldn\'tjoinMr。Creweinhislittlegame，anyway，“hesaid。

“WhenHamTooting，Crewe\'smanager，cametohimhekickedhimdownstairs。“

Victoriaburstoutlaughing。

“IconstantlyhearoftheseferociousdeedswhichMr。Vanecommits，“shesaid，“andyetheseemsexceptionallygood-naturedandmild-mannered。“

“That\'sstraight——hekickedhimdownstairs。ServedTootingright，too。“

“Theredoesseemtohavebeenanelementofjusticeinit，“Victoriaremarked。

“Youhaven\'tseenAustensincehelefthisfather？“Mr。Gaylordinquired。

“Lefthim！Where——hashegone？“

“GoneuptolivewithJabeJenney。IfAustencaredanythingaboutmoney，heneverwouldhavebrokenwiththeoldman，whohassomelittleputaway。“

“Whydidheleavehisfather？“askedVictoria，nottakingthetroublenowtoconcealherinterest。

“Well，“saidTom，“youknowtheyneverdidgetalong。Ithasn\'tbeenAusten\'sfault——he\'stried。AfterhecamebackfromtheWesthestayedheretopleaseoldHilary，whenhemighthavegonetoNewYorkandmadeafortuneatthelaw，withhisbrains。ButafterAustensawthekindoflawtheoldmanpractisedhewouldn\'tstandforit，andgotanofficeofhisown。“

Victoria\'seyesgrewserious。

“WhatkindoflawdoesHilaryVanepractise？“sheasked。

Tomhesitatedandbegantomophisforeheadagain。

“Pleasedon\'tmindme，“Victoriapleaded。

“Well，allright，“saidTom，“I\'lltellyouthetruth，ordieforit。

ButIdon\'twanttomakeyou-unhappy。“

“Youwilldomeakindness，Mr。Gaylord，“shesaid，“bytellingmewhatyoubelievetobetrue。“

TherewasanoteinhervoicewhichyoungTomdidnotunderstand。

Afterwards，whenhereflectedaboutthematter，hewonderedifshewereunhappy。

“Idon\'twanttoblameHilarytoomuch，“heanswered。“IknowAustendon\'t。Hilary\'sgrownupwiththatwayofdoingthings，andintheolddaystherewasnootherway。HilaryisthechiefcounselfortheNortheastern，andherunstheRepublicanorganizationinthisStatefortheirbenefit。ButAustenmadeuphismindthattherewasnoreasonwhyheshouldgrowupthatway。Hesaysthat\'alawyershouldkeeptohisprofession，andnotbecomealobbyistintheinterestofhisclients。Helivedwiththeoldmanuntiltheotherday，becausehehasarealsoftspotforhim。Austenputupwithagooddeal。AndthenHilaryturnedlooseonhimandsaidalotofthingshecouldn\'tstand。Austendidn\'tanswer，butwentupandpackedhisbagsandmadeHilary\'shousekeeperpromisetostaywithhim，orshe\'dhaveleft，too。TheysayHilary\'ssorry，now。He\'sfondofAusten，buthecan\'tgetalongwithhim。“

“Do——Doyouknowwhattheyquarreledabout？“askedVictoria，inalowvoice。

“Thisspring，“saidTom，“theGaylordLumberCompanymadeAustenjuniorcounsel。Heranacrossalawtheotherdaythatnobodyelseseemstohavehadsenseenoughtodiscover，bywhichwecansuetherailroadforexcessivefreightrates。Itmeansalotofmoney。HewentrightintoHilaryandshowedhimthesection，toldhimthatsuitwasgoingtobebrought，andofferedtoresign。Hilaryflewoffthetrack——andsaidifhedidn\'tbringsuithe\'dpublishitallovertheStatethatAustenstartedit。GalushaHammer，ourseniorcounsel，issick，andIdon\'tthinkhe\'llevergetwell。ThatmakesAustenseniorcounsel。ButhepersuadedoldTom，myfather，nottobringthissuituntilafterthepoliticalcampaign，untilMr。Crewegetsthroughwithhisfireworks。

Hilarydoesn\'tknowthat。“

“Isee，“saidVictoria。