第5章

MissEmmelinewroteasshewasdirected。Alonglistofnameswasthenputdown；therehadalreadybeenaprivatefamilymeetinguponthesubject，atwhich，aftermanyendeavoursofMrs。Hilsontounitethetwoadvantagesofextremeexclusiveism，andthelargestnumberofinvitationseverheardofatLongbridge，Mr。

Hubbardhaddecidedthematterbyinsistingthathisdaughtersshouldaskeverypersonwhohadeverbeenaguestattheirhousebefore，andallthosefromwhomtheythemselveshadacceptedinvitations。

“Don\'ttalktomeoffashionablepeople，andexclusivesandinclusives——Ichoosetohaveallmyoldneighbours，doyouhear，girls，andanyoneelseyouplease。“

Thiswastheonlypointuponwhichtheirfatherinsisted；andashelefttheexpenseofthearrangementsentirelytothemselves，theladiesthoughtitmostprudentnottoarguethematter。

Instead，therefore，ofaimingathavingtheirpartyveryselect，itwasnowagreedthatitshouldbeverygeneral。

“Itwillbearegularmob，“saidMrs。Hilson，asshefinishedreadingtohersisterscrapsoflistsofwhichherlapwasfull；

“butwithsolargeavisitingcircleasours，itwasnottobeavoided，Isuppose。Haveyouputdownthebonedturkey，Emmeline？

thatatleastwillgivetotheentertainmentanaristocraticcharacter，atonce。“

“Yes，tobesure，hereitis，“saidEmmeline，takingupanothersheetofpaper。“Wemusthavebonedturkey，ofcourse。“

NowitsohappenedthatneitherMrs。BibbsnorMrs。Tibbs，thoughsuchfascinatingladies，hadeverseen，tasted，orheardofbonedturkeybefore。But，ofcourse，theydidnotconfesssuchshamefulignorance。BonedturkeyhadneveryetfiguredatapartyatLongbridge。Wesayfiguredataparty，andwespeakadvisedly，asallmustknowwhoareawareoftheall-importantpositionoccupiedatanAmericanpartybytherefreshments，intheopinionofbothhostandguests。Thebrilliancyofthelights，theexcellenceofthemusic，thewitandgallantryofthegentlemen，thegraceandbeautyoftheladies——wouldbeofnoavailingivingfametoapartyiftherefreshmentswerenotasabundant，andasvariedaspossible。Itistruethesegoodthingsaregenerallyexcellentintheirway，whichisprobablyonereasonwhytheyreceivesomuchattention。Thehighestdistinctiontobeattainedinthesemattersistheintroductionofsomenewdelicacy；nexttothis，isthehonourofbeingoneofthefirsttofollowsobrilliantanexample；but，ofcourse，thoseunfortunateindividualswhohaveneglectedtoprocurethefavouritedaintyoftheseason，afterithasonceappearedonfashionabletables，loseallclaimtohonourablemention，andsinkbeneathnotice。Inthisway，eachdishhasitsday；ayearortwosince，CharlotteRussewasindispensableatanentertainment；lastwinterBombeswereinhighrequest；andattheperiodoftheHubbardhouse-warming，BonedTurkeyhadreceivedtheplaceofhonourontheNewYorksupper-tables。

Peoplecouldneitherflirtnordance，theycouldtalkneitherpurenonsense，norpurespeculation，withouttheBonedTurkeyinperspective。Thefashionhadindeedspreadsofar，thatithadatlastreachedwhatMrs。Hilsongenerallycalledherclique。

“Pathinksweshallhavesomedifficultyingettingbonedturkeyatthisseason；itisratherearly；butIamdeterminedtohaveitifmoneycanprocureit。YouknowIamveryambitious，Mrs。

Tibbs——Iamnoteasilysatisfied。“

Mrs。Tibbs，aprettylittlewomanwithlighthair，wearingafashionablelilacmuslin，assented，ofcourse。

“Takingforgrantedthen，thatwehavethebonedturkey，whatshallweputdownnext？”askedMissEmmeline。“Terrapin-soup，pickled-oysters，lobsters，chicken-salad，andanythinginthewayofgamethatcanbefoundinthemarket；doyouthinkthatwilldoforthesubstantialdishes，Mrs。Bibbs？”

Mrs。Bibbs，aprettylittlewomanwithblackhair，wearingafashionablegreenmuslin，assented，ofcourse。

“Ithinkthatwilldo，Emmeline，“saidMrs。Hilson；“alargesupplyofeach，youknow。By-the-byewemusthavefourdishesofbonedturkey；nothingsomeanastohaveasmallquantity。“

Thenfollowedalonglistoflighterdelicacies；gallonsofice-creamwitheverypossiblevarietyofflavour；flourandeggs，creamandsugar，preparedineverywayknowntoNewYorkconfectioners。KissesandMottoeswereinsistedupon。Thencamethefruits，beginningwithpeachesandgrapes，andconcludingwithbananasandothertropicalproductions，untilatlengthevenMrs。Hilson\'s“ambition“wasthusfarsatisfied。

{“KissesandMottoes“=wrappedcandiesenclosingshortwittyversesor“mottoes“——ancestorsofthe“fortunecookie“}

“Ithinkourset-outwillhavequiteanaristocraticappearance，Emmeline；including，ofcourse，thebonedturkey。Thenwemusthavecoloredcandles，theyaresomuchmoretasty——allgreenandpink。Alonzowillsecuretheorchestra，thebestinthecity；——

\'sband。Wemusthavetwodressing-roomsinthethirdstory，oneforthegentlemen，onefortheladies——andalittlefainting-roombesides；thesmalleastroomwilldoforthat——wecanputinittheeasy-chair，withthewhitebatistecoverI

broughtoverfromthecity，withapitcheroficed-water，andrestoratives，allready。Itisalwaysbest，Mrs。Bibbs，tohaveaprettylittlefainting-roompreparedbeforehand——itmakesthethingmorecomplete。“

TheladyinthegreenmuslinagreedentirelywithMrs。Hilson；

shethoughtitwouldbeunpardonablenottohaveafainting-room。

“Thethirdstorywillbereservedforthedressing-rooms，thesecondentirelydevotedtothesupperandrefreshments，andthefirstfloorgivenuptothedancersandpromenaders。IdeclareI

shan\'tknowhowtolookifwecan\'tprocurethebonedturkey。“

Theladyinthelilacmuslinagreedthatwheneverythingelsewassogenteel，itwouldbeunfortunateindeedtofailinthebonedturkey。

Thedispositionofthefurniture，thevarietyoflemonades，&c。，wasthensettled，aswellasotherminormatters，whenthefourladiessatdowntowritetheinvitationsontheveryelegantandfancifulnote-paperpreparedfortheoccasion。

“ThefirstthingIshalldo，Emmeline，willbetowritealetterexpresslytoAlonzo，toinsistupontheconfectioner\'sprocuringthebonedturkey。“

Weshallpassoverthelaboursoftheensuingweek，devotedtotheexecutionofwhathadbeenplanned。VariousweretherumoursfloatingaboutLongbridgeintheinterval；itwasassertedbysomepersonsthatasteamboatwastobringtoLongbridgeallthefashionablepeopleinNewYork；thatitwastobeasortof“Mass-Meeting“ofthe“Aristocracy。“Byothers，allthefiddlersinNewYorkandPhiladelphiaweresaidtobeengaged。Infact，however，nothingwasreallyknownaboutthematter。Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbshadconfidedallthedetailstoascoreoffriendsonly，andeveryoneofthesehad，asusual，spreadabroadadifferentversionofthestory。Wehaveit，however，onthebestauthority，thateverydaythatweekaletterinMrs。Hilson\'shandwriting，directedtothemostfashionablecookandconfectionerinNewYork，passedthroughtheLongbridgepost-office，andwehappentoknowthattheywereallwrittenuponthenegotiationforthebonedturkey，whichatthatseasonitwasnoteasytoprocureinperfection。

Theeventfuleveningarrivedatlength。Thefancifulnote-papershadallreachedtheirdestination，thepinkandgreencandleswerelighted，thefainting-roomwasprepared，thekissesandmottoeshadarrived，andthoughlast，surelynotleast，fourdishesofbonedturkeywerealreadyonthesupper-table。Mrs。

BibbsandMrs。Tibbshadgonetheroundswiththetwoladiesofthehouse，andadmiredeverything，afterwhichtheyreturnedtothedrawing-room。Mrs。Bibbsinblue，andMrs。Tibbsinpink，wereplacedinfullarrayonasofa。Mrs。HilsonandMissEmmelinestationedthemselvesinacurtseyingposition，awaitingtheirguests。Mr。andMrs。Clapp，withMissPatseyandCharlie，werethefirsttoarrive。Ourfriend，Patsey，lookedpleasant，good-natured，andneatlydressed，asusual；thesilksheworewasindeedthehandsomestthingofthekindshehadeverowned——itwasapresentfromUncleJosie，whohadinsisteduponhercomingtohishouse-warming。Patsey\'stoilette，however，thoughsomuchmoreelegantthanusual，lookedlikeplainnessandsimplicityitself，comparedwiththegauzesandflowers，thelacesandribbonsofMrs。TibbsandMrs。Bibbs，whoweresittingonthesofabesideher。Presently，athin，dark，sober-lookingyoungmanwalkedinataside-door；itwasAlonzo，Mrs。Hilson\'shusband。

Honest，warm-heartedMr。Hubbardsoonfollowed，lookingasusual，inaverygoodhumour，andmuchpleasedwiththeholidayhehadprovidedforhisdaughters，andthesatisfactionofseeingallhisoldfriendsinhisnewhouse，whichhehadpreparedforhimself。Ifevertherewasamanwhospoilthischildren，itwasMr。JosephHubbard。Hadhehadsons，itmightpossiblyhavebeendifferent；buthiswifehadbeenaverysilly，verypretty，veryfrivolouswoman；thedaughtersresembledherineveryrespect，andMr。Hubbardseemedtohaveadoptedtheopinionthatwomenwereneverotherwisethansillyandfrivolous。Helovedhisdaughters，laughedattheirnonsense，wasindulgenttotheirfolly，andletthemdopreciselyastheypleased；which，ashehadmadeafortune，itwasinhispowertodo。AsforUncleDozie，thebacheler{sic}brother，whohadlivedallhislifewithMr。JosephHubbard，hewasalreadyinthedrawing-room，seatedinacorner，withfoldedarms，takinganap。Itwassingularwhatatalentfornappingthisoldgentlemanpossessed；

hehadbeenknowntodozeoveranewbook，pronouncedbythepapers“thrillinglyinteresting，“and“intenselyexciting；“hehassleptduringapoliticalspeech，reportedasonecontinuedstreamofenchainingeloquence，deliveredamidthundersofapplause；andnow，undertheblazeofastrallamps，andpinkandgreencandles，whilethemusiciansweretuningtheirfiddles，andproducingallsortsofdiscordantsounds，hewasdozingasquietlyasifinhisownrocking-chair。UncleDozieseldomtalkedwhenhecouldhelpit；thechiefbusinessandpleasureofhislifeconsistedinsuperintendinghisbrother\'svegetable-garden；

hehadneverbeenknowntotakeanapamonghisbeetsandcabbages，whichheseemedtoadmireasmuch。ashedidhisnieces。Thevegetables，indeed，engrossedsomuchofhiscareandattention，thatthreetimesinthecourseofhislife，hehadlostbycarelessnessacomfortablelittleindependencewhichhisbrotherhadmadeforhim。

{“astrallamp“=avarietyofArgandlamp(thebrightestoillampoftheperiod)especiallydesignedtocastitslightdownward}

Thecompanybegantopourin。Mrs。Taylorandthetalkativeoldfriendwereamongtheearliest，andtooktheirseatsonthesofa，nearMissPatsey，Mrs。Bibbs，andMrs。Tibbs。Adeline，withtheSaratogafashionables，soonfollowed；havingremainedlongerinthedressing-room，inordertowaituntileachcouldappearwithabeautoleanon。TheLongbridgeelitearrivedinlargenumbers；

UncleDoziewokeup，andUncleJosieshookhandsashisfriendswishedhimmanyhappyyearsinhisnewhouse。MissEmmelineandMrs。Hilsonflittedhitherandthither；whilethedarkandsober-lookingAlonzooccasionallybenthisheadgentlyononeside，toreceivesomeprivatecommunicationsanddirectionsfromhismoreelegantmoiety。Noonewasreceivedbytheladiesofthehousewithmorefascinatingsmiles，thanatall，slimEnglishman，withaverybushyheadofhair，whohadmadeMrs。Hilson\'sacquaintanceattheirboarding-housenotlongsince，andbeingtiredofoccupyingathirdorfourth-ratepositioninhisowncountry，wasnowdeterminedtoshowoffwhathethoughtairsofthefirstwater，inthis。HewasjusttheattendantinwhomMrs。

Hilsongloried。

“IthinktheWest-Endisfullyrepresentedhere，thisevening，Emmeline，“saidthefairladyasshetrippedpasthersister，followedbyCaptainKockney，aftertheroomswereuncomfortablyfull。

“Someveryprettywomen\'ere，Mrs。\'Ilson，“observedCaptainKockney；“that\'sreallyalovelycreaturejustcomein，andwhatapieceofuglinessitisalongsideofher。“

“MissGraham？Yes，sheisourgreatbeauty。ShallIintroduceyou？”

“Notnow，forpity\'ssake；waittillthatuglyfacehasmovedoutofsight。“

“DoyouthinkMissWyllyssoveryugly？Perhapssheis；butsheisoneofourcountryneighbours，andIhaveseenhersofrequentlythatIamaccustomedtoherappearance——indeedwearequiteintimate。Whenoneknowsher，herconversationisexcessivelydelightful；thoughshewantsmoreassociationwithcity-lifetoappeartoadvantage。“

“Now，praydon\'tintroducemethere，Ibeg。IsawtoomanyuglywomenthelastseasonIwasat\'ome。Ourcolonelhadthreedaughters，\'orridfrights，butofcoursewehadtodothecivilbythem。Italmosttemptedmetosellout；theywereparvenues，too——thatmadethematterworse，youknow。“

{“parvenues“=upstarts(French)}

“Oh，yes，Ihateparvenoos；Iamthoroughlyaristocraticinmynature。Indeed，itisagreatmisfortuneformethatIamso，oneisobliged，inthiscountry，tocomesooftenincontactwithplebeians！Iamafraidyoumustsufferfromthesamecause，whiletravellingintheUnitedStates。“

“What，fromtheplebeians？Oh，ImadeupmymindtothatbeforeI

came，youknow；IbelieveIshallenjoythechangeforatime。

Onedoesn\'texpectanythingelsefromyouYankees；andthenIhadasurfeitofaristocracyinLondon，thelastseason。Wehadhalf-a-dozencrownedheadsthere；andfirstonemetthemeverywhereintown，youknow，andthenateverycountry-house。“

“Howdelightfulitmustbetolivesurroundedbyroyaltyinthatway！”

“Thereyou\'requiteout。It\'sagreatbore；onehastomindtheirp\'sandq\'satcourt，youknow——InevergotoWindsorifIcanhelp，it。“

“Well，Ishouldnevertireofacourt——Iamthoroughlypatricianinmydisposition。Ihaveagoodrighttosuchtastes，CaptainKockney，forIhaveagreatdealofnoblebloodinmyveins。“

“Now，really！whatfamilydoyoubelongto？”

“ThedukeofPercy；anoblefamilyofScotland。Pa\'snameisJosephP。Hubbard。Don\'tyoupitypeoplewhohavenonobilityintheirfamilies？”

“\'Ponmysoul，Idon\'tknowhowamanfeelsundersuchcircumstances。It\'saqueersensation，Idaresay。“

“Dr。VanHorne，“continuedMrs。Hilson，toayoungmanwhocameuptomakehisbowtoher，“Ihaveagreatmindtoaskafavourofyou。Willyouundertaketobleedme？”

“Ishouldbesorryifyourequiredmyservicesinthatway，Mrs。

Hilson。“

“Ah，butitwouldbearealobligation；IwanttogetridofallbutmyPercyblood。Perhapsyoudon\'tknowthatourfamilyisdistinguishedinitsdescent？”

“From\'oldMotherHubbard，\'“thoughtyoungVanHorne；buthemerelybowed。

“Yes，ourancestorsweredukesofPercy，whowerebeheadedinScotlandforbeingfaithfultotheirking。ItisverypossiblewemightclaimthetitleofaScotchPeer。“Mrs。HilsonhadreadtoomanyEnglishnovels，nottohaveasupplyofsuchphrasesatcommand。“Ifyoucouldonlyfindtherightvein，Iwouldinsistuponyourtakingawayallbutmypatricianblood。“

“Wouldnottheoperationleaveyoutooperfect，Mrs。Hilson？”

“Perhapsitmightmakemevain。Butitcouldscarcelyunfitmemoreforlivinginarepublic。HowIwishweweregovernedbyadespot！——don\'tyou？”

“Notintheleast，“——\'butIwishyouwere，\'theyoungmanadded，tohimself，ashemovedawaytowardsJaneandElinor，whowereinacornertalkingtohissisters。“Allthefoolsinthiscountryarenottravelledfools，asIwishmyfatherwouldremember，“hecontinued，asheedgedhiswaythroughthecrowd。

“AndhethatayehaslivedfreeMaynotwellknowthemisery，Thewrath，thestrife，thehate，andall，That\'scompassedinthenameofthrall。“

{Ihavenotidentifiedthisverse}

“Youhavemusteredquiteaprettysetoflittleplebeians\'ereto-night。Now，that\'squiteanice-lookinglittlecreaturestandingbythedoor，“continuedCaptainKockney；“whatdoyoucallher？”

“HernameisTaylor——AdelineTaylor；theybelongtothearistocracytoo；shallIintroduceyou？”

“Isshemarried？Ifsheis，I\'venoobjections；butifsheisn\'t，Ihadrathernot。It\'ssuchabore，youknow，talkingtogirls——bread-and-buttermisses！”

“Howungallantyouare！”

“Ungallant！Why？Isupposeyouknowit\'sasettledthingthatnoneofUStalktogirlsinsociety。Mostofthemaresomilk-and-water，andtherestaresodeep，they\'realwaysfancyingamanmeanssomething。Why，lastspringwecutLordAdolphusFitzFlummery，ofOURS，justbecausehemadeafoolofhimself，danglingafterthegirls。“

“Butdon\'tgentlemeneverspeaktoanunmarriedladyinEngland？”

“Thesapsdo——butnotyourknowingones。Wemakeanexceptionthough，infavourofaregularbeauty，suchasthatlittlegirlontheothersideoftheroom；thatThomsongirl，didn\'tyoucallher？”

“MissGraham——youaredifficulttopleaseifnothingelsewillsuityou。Butofcourseitisnaturalforaristocraticmindstobefastidious。“

“Tobesureitis，that\'swhatmakesusEnglisharistocratssoexclusive。IfthatlittleGrahamgirlcomesinourwaythough，I\'venoobjectiontomakingheracquaintance。Andifyouhavegotagreatfortunehereto-night，I\'llmakeanexceptionforher——youmayintroduceme。Istheresuchathingasanheiressintheroom？”

“Anheiress？No，Ibelievenot——butMissTaylorisquiteafortune。“

“Isshe？Wellthen，youmayintroducemetheretoo。Wehavetodotheciviltotherichgirls，youknow；becauseafterawhilemostofusaredrivenintomatrimony。That\'sthegovernor，Itakeit，nearthedoor。“

“Thegovernor？Oh，no，ourgovernordoesnotliveatLongbridge。“

“Doesn\'the？Well，Ithoughtyouintroducedhimjustnowasthegovernor，andIfanciedsomeonecalledhim\'Ubbard；that\'sthegovernor\'sname，isn\'tit？”

“No，indeed。That\'sPayouarespeakingof。“

“Justso——thatiswhatIsaid。YoucallyourpaternitiesPA，doyou？——wealwayscalltheoldfellowsgovernors，inEngland。“

“DoyoucallyourfatherGov。Kockney？IdidnotknowthatgovernorwasanEnglishtitle；itsoundsveryplebeianinmyears。“

“Now，whatDOyoumean？ha！ha！——youaredelightful。Youputmeinmindofagoodsceneatthedrawing-room，lastJune。Though，perhaps，youdon\'tknowwhatthedrawing-roomis？”

“Oh，yes；IknowthatitmeansCourt。Mytastesaresoexclusive，thatImaysayIhavelivedinEnglishHigh-LifefromthetimeI

married，andbecameintimatewithMrs。Bagman。Ifeelquiteathomeinsuchscenes，forIreadeverynovelthatcomesoutwithLordsandLadiesinit。WhatwereyougoingtotellmeaboutCourt？”

ThestorywasinterruptedbyMissHubbard，whotrippedacrosstheroomtocarryhersisteroffwithher。

“Nowyouarenotgoing，Ihope？Whynotstay\'ere；Iamsurethissofaisthemostcomfortablethingintheroom。“

“Imustgotoreceivesomefriendsofmine，comeoverexpresslyfromthecity。“

“Pray，keepmeclearofthecits！Butnow，ifyouwillgo，justleavemeyourbouquetasaaconsolation。Thankyou——Oh，yes，I\'lltakegoodcareofit。“

“Ihopeyouwill，forit\'satendollarbouquet，andI\'mveryproudofit。Youmustnotstealasingleflower，mind。“

“Mustn\'tI？——Doyoudareme？”andtheagreeableCaptainbegantopulloutseveralflowers。Mrs。Hilson，however，washurriedaway。

Mr。Taylor，Mr。Hubbard，andAlonzomovedtowardsthesofawhereshehadbeensitting。

“DoyouthinkthatStewartwillbechosenPresidentoftheFranklinInsurance？”inquiredMr。Hubbard。

“Ithinknot，sir——herathermismanagedtheaffairsoftheHobokenBank。LippincottwillbethePresident，Itakeit。Hehasmagnificenttalentsforbusiness。Youknowhehaspurchasedthethirtylotsin50thstreet，thatweresoldatauction，yesterday。“

“Agoodpurchase，Ishouldsay。“

“How\'stheHobokenstocknow？”inquiredAlonzo。Amurmuringabout\'fivepercent。\'——\'sixpercent。\'——\'par\'——\'premium，\'followed，andwasonlyinterruptedbytheapproachofyoungVanHorneandElinor。

“Ibegyourpardon，MissWyllys，“saidMr。Hubbard，makingroomforher。“Oh，yes，Mr。VanHorne，hereisaplaceforyou，andanothercouplebesides。Whomareyoulookingfor？”

“CharlesHubbard，sir；Iwanthimforavis-a-vis。“

“Charlieisalreadyplaced，Isee；buthereisagentleman；

perhapsyouwouldliketodance，sir？”——addressingCaptainKockney，whowasstillinpossessionofthesofaandtheflowers。

“Ihopemydaughterhasintroducedyoutosomeoftheyoungladies。“

“Now，really；ifIamtodance，IpreferMrs。\'Ilson。“

And，accordingly，theCaptain，bynomeanssorrytobeforcedtodance，rosewithavictim-likelook，halfstrode，halfsidledtowardsMrs。Hilson，andputtinghiselbowinherfacebywayofaninvitation，ledhertothequadrille。Thecontrastbetweenthesetwocouples，placedoppositetoeachother，wasstriking，andyetcommonenoughinamixedballroom。CaptainKockneywasdesperatelynonchalant，hispartnerfullofairsandgraces；

theirconversationwassilly，ignorant，andconceited，beyondthereachofimagination——suchthingsmustbeheardtobebelieved。

YoungVanHornewasclever，andappearedtolessadvantageindancingthaninmostthings。Elinorthereaderknowsalready；itwasapleasuretofollowherasshemovedaboutwiththehappygracewhichbelongedtohernature。Herpartner，halfinjoke，halfinearnest，wasengagingherinterestwithhisfatherinbehalfofthevisittoEurope。Elinorpromisedtodoallinherpower；andtheychattedawaycheerfullyandgaily，fortheywereyoungandlight-hearted；andyet，eveninaball-room，theymeantwhattheysaid，andknewwhattheyweretalkingabout，forbothweresensibleandwelleducated。JaneandyoungBernardwerenexttoMrs。Hilson；AdelineandCharlieHubbardnexttoElinor。MissTaylorhaddeclaredthatshewouldallownoonebutherselftofilltheplaceoppositetoJane，causingbyherdecisionnolittleflirtation，andrattlingmerriment；but，ofcourse，thiswasjustwhattheyoungladyaimedat。Thesetwopretty，thoughtlesscreatures，thebelleandthebeauty，heldamiddlepositionbetweenMrs。HilsonandElinor。Frivolousastheywere，therewasmorelatentgoodaboutthem，thancouldbefoundinthe\'citylady，\'whowasonefrothycompoundofignorantvanity，andvulgaraffectation。Theclasssherepresentedwasfortunatelyassmallinitsextremefolly，asthattowhichElinorbelonged，initssimpleexcellence。

Anyone，indifferenttodancingorspeculation，seekingamusementasalooker-on，wouldhavebeenstruck，atUncleJosie\'shouse-warming，withthegenerallyfeminineandpleasingappearanceofthewomen；therewerefewfaces，indeed，thatcouldbecalledpositivelyugly。Then，again，oneremarked，thatpuerileasthegeneraltonemightbe，mixedasthecompanywas，therewerenotraceswhateverofcoarseness，noneofthatboldvulgaritywhichissorevolting。

Therewasacertainproportionofelderlymencollectedontheoccasion——theywereseen，withafewexceptions，standinginknots，talkinggreatspeculationsandlittlepolitics，andlookingratheranxiousforsupper，andthebonedturkey。Ofthemothersandchaperons，whofilledthesofas，asrepresentativesofahalf-forgottencustom，somewerewatchingtheflirtations，otherslookingonandenjoyingthegaietyoftheyoungpeople。

Bothfathersandmothers，however，wereverydecidedlyintheminority，and，accordingtoAmericanprinciples，theyallowedthemajorityundisputedsway。Theyoungpeople，ingeneral，heldlittlecommunicationwiththeirelders，andamusedthemselvesaftertheirownfashion；theyoungladies\'bouquetsaffordedafavouritesubjectforsmall-talk；theywereallcarefullyanalysed——notbotanically，butaccordingtothelasteditionofthatelegantwork，theLanguageofFlowers，whichafforded，ofcourse，awidefieldfortheexerciseofgallantryandflirtation。

{Probably，FredericShoberl(1775-1853)，“TheLanguageofFlowers，“(numerouseditions，somepublishedbytheCooperfamily\'sregularpublisherinPhiladelphia)——butthereweremanysimilarbooksonthe“poeticmeaning“ofdifferentflowers}

Amongthedancers，thefouryoungladieswehavepointedoutwereacknowledgedthemostconspicuous。AccordingtoMrs。TibbsandMrs。Bibbs，Jane\'swasthemostbeautifulfaceintheroom，althoughthereweretwoorthreecompetitorsforthetitle；

Adelinewaspronouncedthemostsuccessfuloftherivalbelles；

Mrs。Hilsonthemostelegantandairy；Elinortheplainestofthegaytroop。Probably，mostofthosewhothoughtaboutthematter，wouldhavedecidedastheLongbridgeladiesdid——although，onthepointofMrs。Hilson\'selegance，manywouldhaveprotested。Therewasoneperson，atleast，whofollowedElinor\'sgracefulfigurewithpartialinterest；MissAgnesfoundsomuchthatwaspleasingtoher，inthefresh，youthfulappearanceofheradoptedchild——inthesimplegood-tasteofherwhitedress——intheintelligenceandcharacterofherexpression——inherengagingmanner，thatsheforgottoregretherwantofbeauty；shenolongerwondered，asshehadsometimesdone，thatHarryshouldsoearlyhaveappreciatedherniece。ThosewhoknewElinorthoroughly，lovedherfortheexcellenceofhercharacter；

strangersneglectedherforanyprettyfaceatherside；buteveryonethrowninhersociety，musthaveacknowledgedthecharmofhermanner。Thispleasingmanner，however，sofrank，yetsofeminine，sosimple，yetsograceful，wasonlythenaturalresultofhercharacter，andherverywantofbeauty。Shewasnevertroubledbytheflutteringhopesandfearsofvanity；sheneverseemedtothinkofeffect；wheninsociety，herattentionwasalwaysgiveninthesimplestandmostamiablewaytoothers。

Forgetfulofself，shewasastrangertoeveryforwardaffectation，toeveryawkwardnessofmauvaisehonte；hergoodsense，hergaiety，asweetdisposition，andanactivemindwereallowedfullplay，undernootherrestraintsthanthoseofagoodeducation；thoseofprinciple，andthoseofyouthful，womanlymodesty。SuchwasElinorintheeyesofheraunt，butitmustnotbesupposedthatthiswasthegeneralopinionofUncleJosie\'sguests；bynomeans；manyremarksweremadeuponMissWyllys\'sbeingsodecidedlyplain；andevenherdancingwasthoughtinferiorbysomeofthecompanytothemorelabouredgracesofMrs。Hilson，orthedownrightindifferenceofAdeline：asforJane，sheunfortunatelyneverdancedintime。

{“mauvaisehonte“=bashfulness，falseshame(French)}

Atthepropermomentsupperwasannounced——thebonedturkeyappearedinfullglory。“Whatisthat？”——“Bonedturkey“——“ShallI

giveyoubonedturkey？”“I\'llthankyouforalittlebonedturkey“——weresoundsheardineverydirection。Itwasveryevidentthebonedturkeywasfullyappreciated，andgavegreatsatisfaction——thusputtingthefinishingtouchtothepleasuresofUncleJosie\'shouse-warming。Wemustnotforgettomentionthemottoes，whichwerehandedaboutinsilverbaskets，for，asusual，theycausedmanytenderandwittyspeeches。ThiswasapartoftheentertainmentinwhichAdelinedelighted；Janeseemedquitesatisfiedwithit，andMrs。Hilsonwasinherelementamongtheselittlebitsofpinkpaperandsentiment。

Beforethesupperwasmorethanhalfover，however，therattlingofspoonsandplates，therequestsfor“bonedturkey，“andtheflirtingovermottoesweresuddenlyinterrupted，andeverythinghushedforamoment，bycallsforadoctor！“WhereisDr。VanHorne？”“HaveyouseenDr。A？”“ThereisDr。B。“

“Alonzo，thefainting-room；remember，“saidMrs。Hilson。

Butitprovedtobenoneofthecompanywhorequiredaphysician。

Astranger，asailor，someonesaid，whohadbeenforthelastweekatalowtavernopposite，hadbeenseizedwithafit；Dr。

VanHornewassoonfound，andhastenedtothereliefofthesickman。Theinterruptionwassoonforgotten；themottoesandbonedturkeywereagainindemand。Dr。VanHornedidnotreturn，however；hisfamilywenthomewithouthim；andMrs。Clapp，onlookingaroundforherhusband，foundthathealsohaddisappeared。

“IsawClappgoingintothetavernlastevening，“observedUncleJosie。“Perhapsthispoorfellowissomeclientofhis；hemayhavegonetolookafterhim。“

Mrs。ClappwasobligedtoaskUncleDozietoaccompanyherhome；

andashewasnosomnambulist，withallhisnapping，hecarriedhisniecesafelytoherowndoor。

MissWyllyswasoneofthosewholeftthehouseimmediatelyaftersupper。AdelineandJaneranupstairsbeforeElinorandherself——liketheSiamesetwins，eachwithanarmencirclingtheother\'swaist。ThecloseintimacybetweenJaneandAdelinecontinuedtosurpriseElinor。Shebegantothinktheremustbesomethingmorethancommon，somethingoftheimportanceofamysterywhichdrewthemsooftentogether，causingsomanyconfidentialmeetings。Evenwhenthetwogirlswereinsociety，shecouldnotbutobservethatAdelineoftenmadesomeallusion，orwhisperedsomeremarkthatseemedbothpleasingandembarrassingtoJane。MissTaylorwasevidentlyplayingconfidante，andoccasionallyJaneappearedtowishherlessopenandperseveringintheaffair。AsforMrs。Graham，shewastoomuchoccupiedwiththecareofheryoungerchildrentopaymuchattentiontoherdaughter\'sintimacies。SheratherdislikedAdelineandallherfamily，andMr。GrahamhadarealantipathyforMr。Taylor；stillJanewasallowedtodoasotheryounggirlsabouther，selectwhomshepleasedforherassociates。Mrs。

Grahamwasoneofthosemotherswhodevotethemselveswithgreatassiduitytothecareoftheirchildrens\'{sic}bodies，theirfoodandraiment，painsandaches——leavingallanxietyfortheirmindstotheschool-mistress，andtheircharacterstothemselves。

Withtheeldestdaughterthisplanhadsucceededverywell；

LouisaGrahamwascleverandwell-disposed，andhadtakenofherownaccordwhatiscalledagoodturn；andMr。RobertHazlehursthadeveryreasontocongratulatehimselfuponhischoiceofawife。Mrs。Grahamseemedtotakeitasamatterofcoursethatthesamesystemwouldsucceedequallywellwithallherfamily。

ButJane\'sdispositionwasverydifferentfromhersisterLouisa\'s；shehadnostrengthofcharacter，andwaseasilyledbythoseabouther。Thegreatestfaultinherdispositionwasthoughtbyherfamilytobeindolence；butMissWyllyssometimeswishedthatshehadlessselfishness，andmorefrankness。

{“Siamesetwins“=ChangandEng(1811-1874)，bornjoinedtogetherinThailand(Siam)，ofChineseparents，whowereexhibitedinAmericaformanyyearsbyP。T。Barnum；theconditionwasnamedafterthem}

ElinorwasnotalittlestartledatsomethingwhichpassedinMissHubbard\'sdressing-room，betweenJaneandMissTaylor，andwhichsheaccidentallyoverheard，beforeshewasawaretheconversationwasconfidential。

“Don\'tpretendanylonger，Jane，thatyoudidn\'tknowit，“

whisperedAdeline，astheywerestoopingtogetheroverabundleofhoodsandshawls。Janemadenoanswer。“Now，confessthatyouknewhewasseriousbeforeyouleftParis。“

“Ididnotthinkmuchofitforsometime，“saidJane。

“Well，Isupposedfromyourlettersthatyouknewlongagothathewasdesperatelyinlovewithyou。Trustme，we\'llsettleitallbetweenus。“

“Oh，hush，“saidJane，“thereissomebodycoming——Iknowit\'swrong——“

“Nonsense——wrongindeed！Ishouldliketoknowwhereisthegreatharmifhedoesbreakhisengagement？”

Elinormovedawaywhenshefoundtheconversationwasmeanttobeprivate。ButshehadunintentionallyheardenoughtomakeheranxiousforJane。“WasnotAdelineleadingherintodifficulty？”

Shefeltuneasy，andthoughtofnothingelseduringherdrivehome。ItwouldnotdotoconsultMissWyllys；butshedeterminedtospeaktoJaneherself，thefirsttimeshesawher。

Unfortunately，hercousinwasgoingtoNewYork，andnothingcouldbedoneuntilshereturnedtopassafortnightatWyllys-Roofbeforegoingtotownforthewinter。

CHAPTERXV——

“therewardIsintheracewerun，notintheprize。“

ROGERS。

{SamuelRogers(Englishpoet，1763-1855)，“Italy：ACharacter“

lines39-40}

MISSPATSEYhadnever，inherlife，beentoaregularball，beforethishouse-warmingofUncleJosie\'s；butnoteventhenoveltyofaballcouldkeepherinbedanhourlaterthanusual。

Charlieandherselfhadreturnedhomesometimeaftermidnight，withtheWyllyses；butthenextmorningsherosewiththechickens，andbeforetheOctobersun，topursue，asusual，herdailylabours。ItwastrulysurprisinghowmuchPatseyHubbardfoundtimetodoinasingleday，andthatwithoutbeingoneofyourfussy，utilitarianbusy-bodies，whoseactivityisallphysical，andwholookuponhalfanhourpassedinquietthought，orinnocentrecreation，assomuchtimethrownaway。OurfriendPatsey\'scareer，fromchildhood，hadbeenoneofhumbleindustry，self-forgetfulness，andactivecharity；hertimeinthegayhoursofyouth，aswellasinthecalmeryearsofmatureexperience，hadbeendevotedtothewelfareandhappinessofherparents，herbrothersandsisters。Fromalonghabitofconsideringthewantsandpleasuresofothersfirst，shealwaysseemedtothinkofherselflast，asamatterofcourse。Shehadhadmanylaborious，anxioushours，manycares；butitisfarfrombeingthosewhohavethemosttroubleinthisworld，whocomplaintheloudest；noonehadfewerwants，fewervanities，feweridlehoursthanMissPatsey，and，consequently，noonecouldbemoregenerallycheerfulandcontented。Thereisnothingsoconducivetotrue，healthfulcheerfulness，astheconsciousnessoftimewell-spent：

thereisnobettercureforthedullspiritofFrenchENNUI，orthegloomofEnglishBLUES，thanregular，usefuloccupation，followedbyharmlessrecreation。

AnyonewhohadfollowedPatseyHubbardthroughthevarieddutiesofasingleday，wouldhaveacknowledgedthatthereisnospectacleinthisworldmorepleasant，thanthatofahumanbeing，dischargingwithuntiringfidelity，andsinglenessofheart，duties，howeverhumble。Thesimplepietyofherfirstmorningprayer，theplaingoodsenseofherdomesticarrangements，andthoroughperformanceofallherhouseholdtasks，herrespectful，consideratekindnesstoherstep-mother，andevenashadeofundueindulgenceofCharlie——allspokehercharacter——allwasconsistent。

HappywasPatsey\'slittleflockofscholars。Everymorning，atnineo\'clock，theyassembled；theTaylorchildrenusuallyappearedinLeghorngipsies，andsilkaprons；therestofthetroopingingham“sun-bonnets，“andlargeapronsofthesamematerial。Therewereseverallittleboysjustoutofpetticoats，andhalf-a-dozenlittlegirls——enoughtofilltwobenches。TheinstructionPatseygaveherlittlepeoplewasofthesimplestkind；reading，spelling，writing，andarithmetic，learningafewsimpleverses，withsewingandmarkingforthegirls，madeuptheamountofit。Mostpeople，inthesedaysofenlightenment，wouldhavebeenverymuchdissatisfiedwithherplan，foritactuallyexcludedallthesciences，andalltheaccomplishments。Patseyhadtworeasonsforconfiningherselftotheplainestbranchesofeducationonly；inthefirstplace，shedidnotthinkherselfcapableofteachinganythingelse；and，secondly，shedoubtedwhetherherscholarswerecapableoflearninganythingbetterormoreusefulforthemselves。Mr。Taylorthoughtshehadverylowviewsofinfanteducation；andyet，youcouldnothavefoundanywhereasetofchildren，betweenthreeandten，whoweremorethoroughlytaughtwhattheirinstructorprofessedtoteach。Happywoulditbefortheselittlecreatures，iftheyneveracquiredanyworseknowledgethantheygainedunderPatsey\'scare！Shehadaneyetotheirtempers，theirmorals，andtheirmanners；shetrainedthelittlegirlstobemodestandgentle——thelittleboystoberespectfulandobliging；whilesheendeavouredtomakeallalikehonest，open，cheerful，andsincere。Werenottheselessonsquiteasimportanttomostchildren，betweentheagesofthreeandten，aschemistry，astronomy，andnaturalphilosophy？

{“Leghorngipsies“=fashionablehats(namedafterLeghorn，Italy)withlargesideflaps；“marking“=embroideringidentifyingnamesorinitialsonlinen}

ThedayfollowingUncleJosie\'shouse-warming，MissPatseyreleasedherlittleflockanhourearlierthanusual；theywereallowedtopassthetimeplayinginanadjoiningmeadow，untilsentforbytheirparents。Therewastobeatea-partyatthe“oldgrayhouse“thatevening——averyunusualevent；teninvitationshadbeensentout。Thefactis，MissPatseyhadreceivedabasketofnoblepeaches，thedaybefore，fromoneofherneighbours；andUncleJosiehadalready，earlyinthemorning，sentoverawagon-loadofgoodthingstoreplenishhisniece\'slarder——theremainsofthelastnight\'ssupper；amongotherdelicaciestherewasabitofbonedturkey，forMrs。

Hubbard\'sespecialbenefit。Patseyscarcelyknewwhattodowithsomanyluxuries。Shesentabasketoffruitsandjelliestoacoupleofsickneighbours，byCharlie；still，therewasmorethanhermother，Charlie，andherself，couldpossiblydojusticetoinaweek。Shedeterminedtogivealittletea-party；itwaseighteenmonthssinceshehadhadone，andthathadbeenonlyfortheWyllyses。Dr。andMrs。VanHorne，theTaylors，theWyllyses，andtheClappswereaccordinglyinvited；andPatseyproceededtoburnsomecoffee，andmakeshort-cake。Thelittleparlourwasmorecarefullysweptanddustedthanever，fiveadditionalchairswerebroughtin，andafirewasmade，onaccountofMrs。Hubbard。

Then，aboutfouro\'clock，theladiesmadetheirtoilette；Mrs。

Hubbardwasdressedinasmartnewcalico，withacap，madebyElinor，andwasthenseatedinthebestrocking-chair。AsforPatsey，herself，shecouldnotthinkofwearingtheelegantnewdress，UncleJosie\'spresent——thatwasmuchtoofine；shepreferredwhathadnowbecomehersecond-best——ablacksilk，whichlookedsomewhatrustyandwell-worn。Totellthetruth，thisgownhadseengoodservice；ithadbeennotonlyturned，butre-turned——havingtwicegonethroughtheoperationofrippingandsponging；anddoubtfulasthefactmayappeartothereader，yetwehaveMissPatsey\'swordforit，thatagoodsilkwillbeartwiceturning，butthenitmustbeasilkofafirst-ratequality，likeherown。Ithadbeen，indeed，thestandingopinionofthefamilyforthelastfiveyears，thatthisparticulardresswasstill“asgoodasnew。“Asforthechangesinfashionthatthisblacksilkhadoutlived，whoshalltellthem？Itwaspurchasedinthedaysofshortwaistsandbelts，“gig-ohs，“and“pal-reens，“astheywerecalledbythecountrydamsel，whosescissorsfirstshapedtheglossy“grodenap。“Waists，long，longer，longest，succeeded；sleeves，full，fuller，fullest，followed；beltswerediscarded，boddices{sic}begantoappear；

stillMissPatsey\'ssilkkeptupwiththechanges，orrather，didnotentirelylosesightofthem。Ifyouhadseenheratalittletea-partyatWyllys-Roof，wearingthissilk，“nearlyasgoodasnew，“withaneatandprettycollarofElinor\'swork，youwouldhavebeenobligedtoconfessthatherdressansweredarulegivenbyacelebratedphilosopher——youwouldnothaveremarkedit。HadyouchancedtomeetherofaSunday，inMr。Wyllys\'scarriage——theWyllysesalwaysstoppedontheirwaytoSt。John\'sChurch，atLongbridge，toofferacoupleofseatstotheHubbards，whoweresetdownatthedooroftheirfather\'soldMeeting-house——hadyouseenherofaSunday，withaneatstrawhat，andtheblacksilkgown，youwouldhavebeenobligedtoacknowledgethatherdresshadthedoublemerit，bynomeanscommon，ofaccordingwithhercircumstances，andthesacreddutiesshewasgoingtofulfil；thedevotionofherneighbourswouldnotbedisturbedbyadmirationofhertoilette。

{“burnsomecoffee“=roastsomecoffee；“gig-oh“=apuffed“gigot“or“legofmutton“sleeve；“pal-reen“=“pelerine“，acapeormantle；“grodenap“=“grosdeNaples“，aweaveofsilkwithacordedeffect(French)}

Atfiveo\'clock，MissPatsey\'scompanybegantoassemble；theWyllyseswerethefirsttoappear；thencameMrs。Taylor，Mrs。

VanHorne，andMrs。Clapp；Adelineexcusedherself，shethoughtitabore，Charliewasnotworthflirtingwith。Thedoctor，Mr。

Taylor，andMr。Clapp，wereexpectedaftertea。Andapleasant，good-naturedeveningitprovedtobe。MissPatsey\'scoffeewasexcellent；thelittleblackgirl，engagedfortheoccasion，performedherdutiestoadmiration。Mrs。Taylorthoughtthatshehadscarcelypassedsuchaquiet，pleasantafternoon，sincethehalcyondaysbeforeherhusbandwasarichman；shewasmuchinterestedindiscussingwithMissPatsey，andMissWyllys，andMrs。VanHorne，variousrecipesformakingbread，hoe-cake，andothergoodthings。AsforElinor，shetoldCharlieshehadleftherworkathome，onpurposethatshemighthavetimeenoughtolookoverallhissketches——everythinghehadtoshow，oldandnew。Thedrawings，andseveraloil-paintingswereaccordinglyproduced，andlookedoverbytheyoungpeople，andMr。Wyllys，whohadtakenachairbythetable，andjoinedthem。Elinorknewnothingofdrawing，buthergeneraltastewasgood；sheaskedmanyquestionsaboutthedetailsoftheart，andwasamusedandinterestedbyCharlie\'sremarks。

{“leftherworkathome“=theknittingorsimilarhand-workengagedinbyladieswhiletheyconversed}

“Showuseverything，Charlie，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Ibefriendedyourgenius，youknow，inthedaysoftheslateandcompoundinterest；and，ofcourse，Ishallthinkitduetomyowndiscernmenttoadmireallyourworks。“

“Ofcourse，youarenotafraidofmycriticisms，“saidElinor；“I

don\'tknowenoughtobesevere。“

“Peoplewhoknowlittle，mychild，generallymakeveryseverecritics，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“WhentheyknowLITTLE，grandpapa；butmineishonest，humbleignorance。Iknownothingatallonthesubject。“

“Doyouremember，MissElinor，thatHogarthsaidanybodypossessingcommonsensewasabetterjudgeofapicturethanaconnoisseur？”

{“Hogarth“=WilliamHogarth(1697-1764)，Englishartistandprintmaker。}

“DidHogarthsayso？——Ishallbegintofeelqualifiedtofindfault。Thatisaveryprettygroupofchildren，grandpapa。“

“Verypretty；——someofMissPatsey\'slittlepeople。Andhereisanother，quitenaturalandgraceful，Charlie。“

“Ineverseemysister\'slittlescholarsbutIamtemptedtosketchthem。Childrenaresuchacharmingstudy；butIamneversatisfiedwithwhatIdo；apictureofchildrenthatisnotthoroughlychildlikeisdetestable。Thosearemerescratches。“

“Whatarethesefaintoutlinesoffigures，withdashesofcolouringhereandthere？”askedElinor。

“Oh，thosearemerefancies，madeentirelyforamusement。TheyarerudesketchesofmyownideasofcelebratedpicturesthatI

haveneverseen，ofcourse；onlyasexercisesforidlemoments——onewayofpractisingattitudesoffigures，andcomposition。Ikeepthemmoreasalessonofhumilitythananythingelse，formetoremembermyownpoorconceitswhenIseetheoriginals，ifthathappydayevercome。“

“Ithoughtyougaveyourselfupentirelytolandscapes，Charlie——doyouthinkseriouslyofpursuingbothbranches？”askedMr。Wyllys。

“No，sir；Igivethepreferencetolandscapes；Ifind，atleast，thatfieldquitewideenough。Itseemsscarcelypossibletouniteboth，theyaresodifferentincharacteranddetail，andrequiresuchadifferentcourseofstudy。“

“Thatisthegreatpointwithyou，myboy；youmustnotwastetoomuchtimeupontheidealportionoftheart；youmustrememberthatthemostbeautifulideasintheworldwillbelost，iftheexecutionisnotinsomemeasureworthyofthem。“

“Iamsowellawareofthat，sir，thatIhavedonenothingbutstudythepracticalpartofmytradeforthelastthreemonths，andIfeelthatithasbeenofservicetome。“

“Thereiswaterinallyoursketches，Ibelieve，“saidElinor。

“Youmustbeverypartialtoit。“

“Iam，indeed——itisamostdelightfulstudy——IshouldbeafraidtotellyouallthepleasureIhaveinpaintingwater——youwouldlaughatme，ifIoncesetoffuponmyhobby。“

“Notatall；youhavemademeanhonestadmirerofeveryvarietyoflakesandrivers，sinceIhaveseenyourpictures。“

“Whendidyoufirsttaketowater，Charlie？”askedMr。Wyllys。

Oh，longago，sir，whenIwasalittlebitofashaver。Haveyouneverwhenachild，MissElinor，receivedgreatpleasure，perhapsalastingimpression，fromsomenaturalobjectthatyoustillrememberdistinctly？”

“Yes，Iknowwhatyoumean——Irecollectperfectlyseveralthingsofthekind。Ibelievechildrenhavemoreobservation，andfeelingforwhatisbeautiful，thanisgenerallysupposed。“

“Itisveryprobablethatmostchildrenhavesimilarsensations。

Iamgladthatyoudonotlaughatme；therearefewpersonstowhomIconfessmyviolentpartialityforwater；mostpeoplewouldthinkitridiculous。“

“Youareright，Charlie；onecantalktotheworldinactiononly；itneverbelievesthetruthinanyshape，untilforcedtoacknowledgeit。Youarepursuingtherightcourse，however；youhavespokenquiteclearlyinyourviewfromNahant——yourfriendshaveeveryreasontourgeyoutopersevere。ButdoesnotMr——

tellyoutopaymoreattentiontoyourfoliageandbuildings？youratherneglectthemforthewater。“

“Yes，sir；Iamwellawareofmydefectsinthatrespect，andnextsummerIhopetodevoteagreatdealoftimetofoliage。“

TheconversationwashereinterruptedbythearrivalofMr。VanHorneandMr。Taylor，followedshortlyafterbyMr。Clapp。

“Youarelate，William，“saidprettylittleMrs。Clapptoherhusband。“Didyouleavethechildrenallsafe？Didthebabycryforme？”

“Perfectlysafe——allsoundasleep，“repliedMr。Clapp，passinghisfingersthroughhiscurls。Buthiswife，whokneweveryexpressionofthefaceshethoughtsohandsome，fanciedWilliamlookedpaleanduneasy；somebusinesshadgonewrong，perhaps。

“Quiteaselectcircle，“observedMr。Taylor，sittingdownbyMissWyllys，leaninghischairback，androllinghisthumbs，oneovertheother。

“Ihavenothadapleasantereveninginagreatwhile，“saidMrs。

Taylor。“Itputsmeinmind，husband，ofoldfashionedtea-parties，whenwelivedaltogetherinthecountry。Weusedtogoattwoo\'clock，andstayuntilsunset。Ithinksuchsociablepartiesaremuchpleasanterthanlate，crowdedballs。“

“Ha！ha！——thatmaybeyouropinion，Mrs。Taylor；aquietpartydoesverywellwhereoneisintimate，nodoubt；butIconcludethatyoungerladies，Adeline，andherfriendsMissGrahamandMissWyllys，wouldgiveadifferentverdict。“

“MissTaylorseemsquitepartialtolargeparties，“saidElinor，quietly，fortheremarkwasaddressedtoher。

“Yes，Adelineandher\'chum\'bothlikeplentyofballsandbeaux，Ireckon。“

“Whathasbecomeofyourpatient，doctor？”inquiredMissPatsey。

“Thepoormanatthetavern——doyouthinkhewillgetwell？”

“Ihavenodoubtthefellowwilloutlivehalf-a-dozensuchfits。

Ilefthimlastnightunderguardoftwomen，tokeephimfromhanginghimself；andthismorning，whenIwenttolookafterhim，hewasoff。Hewassomuchbetter，thathehadbeenpersuadedbysomemessmatetoshipforacruize——onlyathreeyears\'whalingvoyage。RegularJack-tarfashion——afroliconeday，afitthenext，andofffortheendoftheworldthethird。“

“HehasleftLongbridge，hashe？”saidMr。Wyllys。“Iwasjustgoingtoinquireafterhim，fortheyhaveastorygoingabout，thatheusedverythreateninglanguageinspeakingofmyselfandHazlehurst。Didyouhappentohearhim，doctor？”

“Hedidusesomewild，incoherentexpressions，sir，tothateffect，whenIwaswithhim；butthethreatsofaravingmanarenotofmuchconsequence。“

“Certainlynot。ButIhavenoideawhothemancanbe；Idon\'tknowasinglecommonseamanbysightorname——atleast，theonlyoneIeverknewislongsincedead。Itissingularthatthisfellowshouldhaveknownmynameeven；theysayhewasastrangeratLongbridge。“

“Entirelyso，Ibelieve。“

“Whatwashisname？”

“WilliamThompson，theytoldme。“

“Ifheisasailor，heprobablyhasadozenaliases，“interposedMr。Clapp，whohadbeenlisteningveryattentively。

“By-the-bye，Clapp，theysayheincludedyouinhiskindwishes。“

“Yes，sir，soIunderstand。“

“William，younevermentionedittome！”saidhiswife。

“No，mydear；Ididnotattachanyimportancetothestory，“

repliedthelawyer，pullingouthishandkerchiefwithonehand，andrunningtheotherthroughhishair——lookingalittlenervousanduneasy，notwithstanding。

“Hedidnotexactlythreatenyou，Mr。Clapp，whileIwaswithhim，“saidthedoctor；“heseemedrathertodependuponyouasanally。“

“Stillmoresingular，“saidMr。Clapp，withaglanceatMr。

Wyllys。

“Thatwasverystrange！”exclaimedhiswife——“whatcouldthemanmean？”

“Itisbynomeanseasytoexplainthemeaningofadrunkenman，mydear。Itisjustpossiblehemayhaveheardmynameasamanofbusiness。Ihavehadseveralsailorsforclients，andonequiterecently，stayingatthesametavern。“

“Idaresay，ifexplained，itwouldprovetobeMuchadoaboutNothing，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Sincethefellowwasdrunkatthetime，andwentoffassoonashegrewsober，thedangerdoesnotseemveryimminent。“

{“MuchadoaboutNothing“=anallusiontoShakespeare\'splayofthatname}

“Preciselymyopinion，sir，“saidMr。Clapp。

“Grandpapa，doyourememberthesailorwhowasfoundnearourhouse，onenight，abouttwoyearsago？Itwasmybirth-day，andwehadalittleparty——haveyouforgotten？”

“True，mychild；Ihaveneverthoughtofthefellowsince；butnowyouspeakofhim，Irememberthefact。“

“Doyounotthinkitisprobablythesameperson？——youknowHarryhadhimlockedup：perhapsheowesyoubothagrudgeforthetreatmenthereceivedatWyllys-Roof，uponthatoccasion。“

“Thataccountsforthewholeaffair，MissElinor——youhaveclearedupthemysteryentirely，“saidMr。Clapp，lookingmuchrelieved。HenotonlyappearedgratefultoElinorfortheexplanationgiven，butseemedtoextendtheobligationtoallthefamily；forhewasparticularlyattentivetoMr。Wyllys，andMissAgnes，duringthewholeevening——andthenextmorning，early，droveouttoWyllys-Roof，expresslytocarrysomebrook-trout，forMr。Wyllys\'sbreakfast。Thelawyerinformedseveralpersons，whoalludedtothestory，ofthissimpleexplanation，whichseemedtosatisfyallwhoheardit。Thewholeaffairwassoonforgotten，foratime，atleast。

CHAPTERXVI。

“Weakandirresoluteisman；

Thepurposeofto-dayWovenwithpainsintohisplan，To-morrowrendsaway。“

COWPER。

{WilliamCowper(Englishpoet，1731-1800)，“HumanFrailty“lines1-4}

AFTERanabsenceofaweek，ortendays，HarryreturnedtoWyllys-Roof，notatallsorrytohearthathewastoolatetoseetheGrahams，astheyweregoingtoNewYorkthenextmorning。HewasveryattentivetoElinor——pointedlyso。Onceortwice，shewasgoingtojestwithhimuponthesubject，andinquirethecauseofthisstudiedgallantry；butobservinghewasstillalittleoutofspirits，shecontentedherselfwiththankinghimforthebookshehadbroughther。

Thenextdayprovedsomild，sohazy，andIndian-summer-like，thatHazlehurstproposedtotakeadvantageofit，togivetheladiesarowontheriver。Theywereoutforacoupleofhours，landedontheoppositebank，andpaidavisittotheirfriends，theBernards，wholivedamileortwobelowthem。Theairwasdelightful，thecountrylookedbeautiful——fresher，perhaps，thanatmidsummer；fortheheatwasnolongerparching，andtheSeptembershowershadwashedawaythedust，andbroughtoutthegreengrassagain。Harryhadbecomeinterestedintheconversation，andwasparticularlyagreeable；MissAgneswaspleasedwithhisremarks，andElinorthoughtshehadneverpassedapleasantermorning；shewaslittleawarethatitwastobefollowedbymanyanxious，painfuldays。

Theylanded，asusual，attheboat-house；andtheladiespreparedtowalkslowlyacrossthelawn，whileHarrysecuredtheboatandoars。Astheyapproachedthehouse，theyweresurprisedtoseeseveraloftheservantscollectedonthepiazza，listeningsointentlytoaladthattheydidnotseetheladies。OldHetty，asuperannuatednegrocook，whohadlivedallherlifeinthefamily，waswringingherhandsandwipinghereyeswithherapron；whileMammySarah，Elinor\'sformernurse，arespectablewhitewoman，wastalkingtotheboy。

Elinorquickenedherpace，andhastenedbeforeheraunt，toinquireintothecauseofthisdistress。

“Whatisit，Mammy？”sheasked，onreachingthepiazza。“Whatisthematter？”

“Oh，dearieme；MissElly，MissElly！”exclaimedoldHetty；withafreshburstoftears。

“Tellus——Hetty——Mammy——whathashappened？”saidMissWyllys，assheapproached。

“Oh，MissAggess，MissAggess——dreadfulnews！”saidtheoldnegrowoman，buryingherfaceinherapron。

“Myfather？”askedMissAgnes，faintly，andtremblingwithalarm。

“No，ma\'am，“saidMammySarah，lookingverysad，however；“Mr。

Wyllysisverywell，andwewerehopinghewouldcomeinbeforeyou，sothatwecouldgetatthetruth。“

“Letushearwhatyouhavetosay，atonce，Mammy，“continuedMissAgnes，anxiously。

“Billy，here，hasbroughtbadnewsfromLongbridge。“

“Dreadfulnews！”interposedoldHetty。“Oh，MissAggess！BillysayMissJane——“

“Whatisit？——Speakplainly！”criedMissWyllys。

“There\'sanaccidenthappenedtothesteamboat，“addedMammy。

“B\'ilerbust——dearieme——MissJane\'sscalltodeath！”exclaimedHetty。

AcryofhorrorburstfromElinorandheraunt，andtheyturnedtowardsMammySarah。

“Ihopeitisn\'tquitesobad，ma\'am，“saidMammy；“butBillysaysthesteamboatboilerdidreallyburstaftershehadgotonlyhalfamilefromthewharf。“

AsecondsufficedforMissAgnesandElinortorememberHetty\'sfondnessformarvelsanddisasters，andtheyhopedardentlythatthepresentaccountmightbeexaggerated。Theyturnedtotheboy：

“Whathadheheard？”“Whomhadheseen？”Billyreportedthathehadseentheboathimself；thathehadheardthecriesfromherdecks，whichthepeopleinthestreetthoughthadcomefromsomehorsesonboard，thatmusthavebeenscalded；thatanotherboathadgoneouttotheLongbridgesteamer，andhadtowedhertoawharfafewrodsfromthespotwheretheaccidenthappened；thathehadseen，himself，amanonhorseback，comingforthedoctor；

andthepeopletoldhimfivehorseshadbeenkilled，twomenbadlyhurt，andMr。Graham\'seldestdaughterwasscaldedsobadlythatshewasnotexpectedtolive。

MissWyllys\'sanxietyincreasedonhearingtheboy\'sstory；sheorderedthecarriageinstantly，determinedthatunderanycircumstances，itwouldbebesttogotoLongbridgeatonce，eithertodiscoverthetruth，ortoassistMrs。GrahaminnursingJane，ifshewerereallybadlyinjured。Atthismoment，Harryreturnedfromtheboat-house。

“Whatisthematter？”heexclaimed，springingupthepiazzasteps，andlookingrounduponthesadandanxiousfaces。

“WehaveheardbadnewsfromLongbridge，“saidMissWyllys；butbeforeshecouldexplainherself，oldHettyburstintotearsagain，andturningtoHazlehurst，exclaimed：

“Oh，MassaHarry！——dreadfulnews！——MissJanescalltodeathinsteamboat！”

MissWyllyswassomuchstruckwiththeeffectofthesewordsonHarry，thatforaninstantsheforgottosay“shetrustedthestoryhadbeenexaggerated。“Hazlehurstlostallcolour——stoodspeechlessandmotionlessforamoment。Elinorwastoomuchagitatedherselftospeak。Suddenly，HarrymetMissAgnes\'eye；

heturnedfromher，rushedthroughthehouse，andcontinuedwalkingrapidlyupanddowntheavenue，apparentlyforgetfulofeverythingbuthisownfeelings。AmidallheranxietyforJane，MissWyllyscouldnotbutremarkHazlehurst\'smanner——heseemedentirelyovercome，byhisemotion；andyethehadnotaskedonequestion，normadeoneoffertodoanythingforElinor，orherself；andonewouldhavethoughtitmorenaturalthatatsuchamomentheshouldhaveremainedwiththem，painedanddistressedastheywere。ElinoronlythoughtthatHazlehurst\'sfeelingsdidcredittohisheart；herownwasfullofgriefforthesufferingofherplayfellowandcompanion，whomshehadlovedalmostasasister。

Sometwentyminuteswerepassedinthismannerbytheauntandniece，withfeelingsbetterunderstoodthandescribed。Theywerewaitingforthecarriage，andnothingcouldbedoneinthemeantime；itseemedanagetoElinorbeforethecoachmancouldbefound，andthehorsesharnessed。Whileherauntandherselfwereintears，pacingthepiazzatogether，theyweresurprisedbytheappearance，ontheLongbridgeroad，oftheold-fashionedchairinwhichMr。Wyllysusuallydroveabouthisfarm。MissAgnesdistinctlysawherfatherdriving，withaladyathisside。Theywereapproachingataverysteady，quietpace。Astheyenteredthegate，MissAgnesandElinorhastenedtomeetthem；theysawHarrystoppingtospeaktoMr。Wyllys，andthenMissWyllysheardherfather\'svoicecallingtoherself。

{“chair“=alight，one-horsecarriage}

“Allsafe！”hecried。“Itwasamisunderstanding；Janeisquitewell；thoughapooryoungwoman，bearingthesamename，hasbeenscalded。“

“Wewereinhopesthenewshadnotreachedyouyet，“saidMrs。

GeorgeWyllys，whoaccompaniedherfather-in-law。“Wewerealldreadfullyalarmed，atfirst，fortheaccidentwasverymuchexaggerated。“

MissWyllysandElinorweretoothankfulforJane\'sescape，toexpressanythingbuttherelieftheyfeltonhearingofhersafety。

“Noonekilled，“continuedMr。Wyllys。“Theylostacoupleofhorses；twoofthemenwerehurt，butnotdangerously；andthenewchambermaid，whosenameisJaneGraham，hadherfeetbadlyscalded。Butthereissolittleharmdone，consideringwhatmighthavehappened，thatwehavereasontobeverythankfulforeveryoneonboard。“

“YoumayimaginehowmuchalarmedIwas，“continuedMrs。Wyllys；

“forIhappenedtobesittingatmyownwindow，whichoverlookstheriver，youknow，andIheardthenoiseandcriesfromtheboat，andknewtheGrahamswereonboard。“

Longexplanationsfollowed：Mr。Wyllyshadhadhisfrighttoo。Hehadheardatthesaddler\'s，thathalfMr。Graham\'sfamilywerekilled。Now，however，itonlyremainedforthemtobethankfulthattheirfriendshadallescaped，andtohopeJane\'snamesakewouldsoonrecover。

“Buthowlongisitsinceyouheardthestory？whydidyounotsendHarryoffatonce，togetatthetruth？”askedMr。Wyllys。

“Weweregoingourselves，“repliedMissAgnes。

“WhathasbecomeofHarry？——Whereishe？”askedherfather。

ButHarryhaddisappeared。

“Hewasmuchdistressedatthenews，“saidElinor。

“Nowonder；itwasahorribleidea。Butheshouldhavejumpedonhorseback，androdeovertoLongbridgetofindoutthetruth。“

ElinorlookedroundoncemoreforHazlehurst，astheyenteredthehouse；buthewascertainlynotthere。

“AndwhataretheGrahamsgoingtodo？”askedMissWyllys。

“Theyareoffagainthisafternoon，“repliedherfather，takingaseatonthesofa。

Hazlehurstwasnotseenagainallthemorning。Dinnercame，andhehadnotjoinedthefamily。

“Heisinhisroom，“saidElinor；“IheardhimwalkingasI

passedhisdoor。Iamafraidheisnotwell。“

Theservantwhowassenttolethimknowthatdinnerwasontable，returnedwiththeanswer，thatMr。Hazlehursthadabadhead-ache，andbeggedMissWyllyswouldexcusehim。

“ThatlongrowinthesunmusthavegivenHarryahead-ache，AuntAgnes，“saidElinor；“Iamsorrywewentsofar。“

“Perhapsso，“saidMissAgnes；althoughshedidnotseemwhollytobeofElinor\'sopinion。

“Hazlehurstisnosuchtenderchicken，Nelly；youmustnotspoilhim，child——doyouhear？”saidhergrandfather，smilinginawaythatmadeElinorcolour。MissAgneswassilentduringdinner；butasthewholefamilyhadscarcelyrecoveredfromthealarmofthemorning，theshadeofanxietyonherfacewasnotremarked。

Harryremainedinhisroom。Ashehadrequestednottobedisturbed，hewasleftalone。Once，however，inthecourseoftheevening，aknockwasheardathisdoor，andaservantappeared。

“MissElinorsendsyouacupoftea，sir，andhopesyourheadisbetter，“saidThomas。

“MissElinorisverygood——Iammuchobligedtoher，“wasHarry\'sanswer，inalow，thickvoice；butthecupoftearemaineduntasted，whileHazlehurstresumedhiswalkacrosstheroom。

When，shortlyafter，Elinor\'svoicewasheardsinginghergrandfather\'sfavouriteairofRobinAdairinlowertonesthanusual，Harryagainstartedfromthetable，wherehehadlaidpenandpaperpreparatorytowriting，andstrikinghishandagainsthisforehead，heexclaimed：

{“RobinAdair“=Irishfolksong，thoughoftenidentifiedwithScotland，withwordsca。1750byLadyCarolineKeppel；itistheonlyspecifictuneElinoriseverheardtosing}

“Ungratefulwretch，thatIam！”

ThenextmorningElinorwasupearly，andtakingthegardenbasket，shewentouttogatherallthelateflowersshecouldfind，tofillajarforthedrawing-room——singinggaily，asshewentfrombushtobush，andgatheringhereasprigofhoneysuckle，therevioletsoralaterose，bloomingoutofseason，andafewotherstragglingblossoms。Afterloiteringaboutthegardenforhalfanhour，shereturnedtothehouse。Shewassurprisedtoseethecoachman，atthatearlyhour，drivinguptheavenueinthelittlewagonusedforerrandsaboutthecountry。

“Wherehaveyoubeen，Williams？”sheasked，ashedrovepasthertowardsthestable。

“TocarryMr。HazlehurstovertoUpperLewiston，intimeforthesixo\'clockboat，Miss。“

Elinorcouldscarcelybelievewhatshehadheard。Atthesamemoment，Mr。Wyllyssteppedoutonthepiazza。

“Whatisthis，Elinor？”heasked。“TheytellmeHarryisoff；didyouseehimthismorning？”

Elinorwasobligedtosayshehadnot。

“Whatcanitmean！didhegetanylettersbylastnight\'smail？”

“NotthatIknowof，“saidElinor，muchsurprised，andalittlealarmed。