下载辰思小说免费APP
Travispoundedonthetable."Wakeup，Condy，I’mtalkingtoyou，"shecalled.
"It’s’Life’sHandicap，’"heanswered，withastart;"butwhyandbutwhyhaveI——"
"What’sitabout？Ineverheardofit，"shedeclared.
"Youneverheardof’Life’sHandicap’？"heshouted;"youneverheard——younever——youmeantosayyouneverheard——buthere，thiswon’tdo.Sitrightstill，andI’llreadyouoneoftheseyarnsbeforeyou’reanotherminuteolder.Anyoneofthem——openthebookatrandom.Hereweare——’TheStrangeRideofMorrowbieJukes’;andit’sastem—winder，too."
Andthenforthefirsttimeinherlife，thereinthatairy，goldenChineserestaurant，inthecityfromwhichhehastedtoflee，TravisBessemerfellunderthecharmofthelittlespectacledcolonial，towhosesongweallmustlistenandtowhosepipeweallmustdance.
Therewasone"point"inthestoryofJukes’strangeridethatCondypridedhimselfuponhavingdiscovered.Sofarasheknew，allcriticshadoverlookedit.ItiswhereJukesisdescribingtheman—trapoftheCityoftheDeadwhoarealive，andmentionsthattheslopeoftheinclosingsandhillswas"aboutforty—fivedegrees."Jukeswasacivilengineer，andCondyheldthatitwasacapitalbitofrealismonthepartoftheauthortohavehimspeakofthepitchofthehillsinjustsuchtechnicalterms.AtfirsthethoughthewouldcallTravis’attentiontothisbitofcleverness;butashereadheabruptlychangedhismind.Hewouldseeifshewouldfinditoutforherself.Itwouldbeatestofherquickness，hetoldhimself;almostanunfairtest，becausethepointwasextremelysubtleandcouldeasilybeignoredbythemostexperiencedoffictionreaders.Hereadsteadilyon，workinghimselfintoapositiveexcitementasheapproachedthepassage.
Hecametoitandreaditthroughwithoutanyemphasis，almostslurringoveritinhiseagernesstobeperfectlyfair.Butashebegantoreadthenextparagraph，Travis，herlittleeyessparklingwithinterestandattention，exclaimed：
"Justasanengineerwoulddescribeit.Isn’tthatgood！"
"Gloryhallelujah！"criedCondy，slammingdownthebookjoyfully.
"Travis，youareoneinathousand！"
"What——whatisit？’sheinquiredblankly.
"Nevermind，nevermind;you’reawonder，that’sall"——andhefinishedthetalewithoutfurtherexplanation.Then，whilehesmokedanothercigaretteandshedrankanothercupoftea，hereadtoher"TheReturnofImri"andthe"IncarnationofKrishnaMulvaney."HefoundheraneasyandenraptconverttothelittleEnglishman’screed，andforhimselftastedtheintensedelightofrevealingtoanotheranappreciationofaliteraturehithertoignored.
"Isn’thestrong！"criedTravis."JustaLITTLEbetterthanMarieCorelliandtheDuchess！"
"Andtothinkofhavingallthosestoriestoread！Youhaven’treadanyofthemyet？"
"Notaone.I’vebeenreadingonlythenovelswetakeupintheWednesdayclass."
"Lord！"mutteredCondy.
Condy’sspiritshadbeensteadilyrisingsincetheincidentaboardthewhaleback.Theexhilarationofthewater—front，hisdelightoverthestoryhewastomakeoutoftheoldmate’syarn，Chinatown，thecharmingunconventionalityoftheirlunchintheChineserestaurant，thesparklingserenityoftheafternoon，andthejoyofdiscoveringTravis’appreciationofhisadoredandveneratedauthor，hadputhimintoamoodborderingcloseuponhilarity.
"Thenexteventuponourinterestingprogramme，"heannounced，"willbeabanjosephineobligatoinA—siaminor，bythatjustlyrenownedimpresario，SignorCondeTin—paniRivers，speciallyengagedforthisperformance;withapleasingandpan—hellenicsong—and—danceturnbyMissTravisBessemer，theinfantphenomenon，otherwiseknownas’BabbyBessie.’"
"You’renotgoingtoplaythatbanjohere？"saidTravis，ashestrippedawaythecanvascovering.
"Orderinthegallery！"criedCondy，beginningtotuneup.Theninarapid，professionalmonotone："Ladies—and—gentlemen—with—
your—kind—permission—I—will—endeavor—to—give—you—
an—imitation—of—a—Carolina—coon—song"——andwithoutmoreado，singingthewordstoarattling，catchyaccompaniment，swungoffinto——
"F——orMYgal’sahigh—bornleddy，SHE’Sbrack，butnottooshady."
Hedidnotsingloud，andtheclackandsnarlofthebanjocarriedhardlyfurtherthantheadjoiningroom;buttherewasnoonetohear，and，ashewentalong，evenTravisbegantohumthewords，butatthat，Condystoppedabruptly，laidtheinstrumentacrosshiskneeswithexaggeratedsolicitude，andsaiddeliberately：
"Travis，youareagood，sweetgirl，andwhatyoulackinbeautyyoumakeupinamiability，andI’venodoubtyouarekindtoyouragedfather;butyou——can——not——sing."
Traviswascrossinamoment，allthemoresobecauseCondyhadspokentheexacttruth.Itwasquiteimpossibleforhertocarryatunehalfadozenbarswithoutentanglingherselfinasmanydifferentkeys.Whatvoiceshehadwasnotabsolutelybad;butasshepersistedinsinginginspiteofCondy’sguying，heputbackhisheadandbeganamournfulandlugubrioushowling.
"Ho！"sheexclaimed，grabbingthebanjofromhisknees，"ifI
can’tsing，Icanplaybetterthansomesmartpeople."
"Yes，bynote，"ralliedCondy，asTravisexecutedabanjo"piece"
ofnolittleintricacy."That’sjustlikeamachine——likeahand—
piano.
"Orderinthegallery！"sheretorted，withoutpausinginherplaying.Shefinishedwithagreatflourishandgazedathimintriumph，onlytofindhimpretendingaprofoundslumber."O——o——
o！"sheremarkedbetweenherteeth，"Ijusthateyou，CondyRivers."
"Thereareothers，"hereturnedairily.
"Talkaboutslang."
"NOWwhatwillwedo？"hecried."Let’sDOsomething.Supposewebreaksomething——justforfun."
Thensuddenlythegayetywentoutofhisface，andhestartedupandclappedhishandtohisheadwithagaspofdismay."GreatHeavens！"heexclaimed.
"Condy，"criedTravisinalarm，"whatisit"’
"TheTea！"hevociferated."LaurieFlagg’sTea.Ioughttobethere——rightthisminute."
Travisfetchedasighofrelief."Isthatall？"
"All！"heretorted."All！Why，it’spastfournow——andI’dforgotteneverylastthing."Thensuddenllyfallingcalmagain，andquietlyresuminghisseat："Idon’tseeasitmakesanydifference.Iwon’tgo，that’sall.Pushthosealmondshere，willyou，MissLady？——Butwearen’tDOINGanything，"heexclaimed，withabrusquereturnofexuberance."Let’sdothings.What’llwedo？Thinkofsomething.Isthereanythingwecanbreak？"Then，withoutanytransition，hevaulteduponthetableandbegantodeclaim，withtremendousgestures：
"ThereoncewasabeastcalledanOunce，Whowentwithaspringandabounce.
HisheadwasasflatAstheheadofacat，ThisquadrupetanticalOunce，———ticalOunce，ThisquadrupetanticalOunce.
"You’dthinkfromhisnamehewassmall，Butthatwasnotlikehimatall.
Heweighed，I’llbebound，Threeorfourhundredpound，Andhelookedmostuncommonlytall，——monlytall，Andhelookedmostuncommonlytall."
"Bravo！bravo！"criedTravis，poundingonthetable."Hear，hear——
none，Brutus，none."
CondysatdownonthetableandswunghislegsButduringthenextfewmoments，whiletheywereeatingthelastoftheircheese，hisgoodspiritsfellrapidlyawayfromhim.Heheavedasigh，andthrustbothhandsgloomilyintohispockets.
"Cheese，Condy？"askedTravis.
Heshookhisheadwithadarkfrown，muttering："Nocheese，nocheese."
"What’swrong，Condy——what’sthematter？"askedTravis，withconcern.
Forsometimehewouldnottellher，answeringallherinquiriesbyclosinghiseyesandputtinghischinintheair，noddinghisheadinknowingfashion.
"Butwhatisit？"
"Youdon’trespectme，"hemuttered;andforalongtimethiswasallthatcouldbegotfromhim.No，no，shedidnotrespecthim;
no，shedidnottakehimseriously.
"ButofcourseIdo.Whydon’tI？CondyRivers，what’sgotintoyouNOW？"
"No，no;Iknowit.Icantell.Youdon’ttakemeseriously.
Youdon’trespectme."
"Butwhy？"
"Makeabloomingbuffoonofmyself，"hemumbledtragically.
IngreatdistressTravislaboredtocontradicthim.Why，theyhadjustbeenhavingagoodtime，thatwasall.Why，shehadbeenjustassillyashe.Condycaughtattheword.
"Silly！There.Iknewit.Itoldyou.I’msilly.I’mabuffoon.——Buthaven’twehadagreatafternoon？"headded，withasuddengrin.
"Ineverremember，"announcedTravisemphatically，"whenI’vehadabettertimethanI’vehadto—day;andIknowjustwhyit’sbeensuchasuccess."
"Why，then？"
"Becausewe’vehadnofoolishness.We’vejustbeenourselves，andhaven’tpretendedwewereinlovewitheachotherwhenwearenot.
Condy，let’sdothislots."
"Dowhat？"
"Goroundtoqueerlittle，interestinglittleplaces.We’vehadaglorioustimeto—day，haven’twe？——andwehaven’tbeentalkedoutonce.
"Aswewerelastnight，forinstance，"hehazarded.
"ITHOUGHTyoufeltit，thesameasIdid.ItWASabitawfulwasn’tit？"
"Itwas."
"Fromnowon，let’smakearesolution.Iknowyou’vehadagoodtimeto—day.Haven’tyouhadabettertimethanifyouhadgonetotheTea？’"
"Well，RATHER.Idon’tknowwhenI’vehadabetter，jollierafternoon."
"Well，now，we’regoingtotrytohavelotsmoregoodtimes，butjustaschums.We’vetriedtheother，anditfailed.Nowbesincere;didn’titfail？"
"Itworkedout.ItDIDworkout."
"Nowfromthistimeon，nomorefoolishness.We’lljustbechums."
"Chumsitis.Nomorefoolishness."
"Themomentyoubegintopretendyou’reinlovewithme，itwillspoileverything.It’sfunny，"saidTravis，drawingonhergloves."We’redoingafunnything，Condy.Withninety—ninepeopleoutofonehundred，thislittleaffairwouldhavebeenallendedafterour’explanation’oflastnight——confessing，aswedid，thatwedidn’tloveeachother.Mostcoupleswouldhave’driftedapart’;buthereweare，planningtobechums，andhavegoodtimesinourownoriginal，unconventionalway——andwecandoit，too.There，there，he’sathousandmilesaway.He’snotheardasinglewordI’vesaid.Condy，areyoulisteningtome？"
"Blix，"hemurmured，staringathervaguely."Blix——youlookthatway;Idon’tknow，lookkindofblix.Don’tyoufeelsortofblix？"heinquiredanxiously.
"Blix？"
Hesmotethetablewithhispalm."Capital！"hecried;"soundsbully，andsnappy，andcrisp，andbright，andsortofsudden.
Sounds——don’tyouknow，THISway？"——andhesnappedhisfingers.
"Don’tyouseewhatImean？Blix，that’swhoyouare.You’vealwaysbeenBlix，andI’vejustfounditout.Blix，"headded，listeningtothesoundofthename."Blix，Blix.Yes，yes;
that’syourname."
"Blix？"sherepeated;"butwhyBlix？"
"Whynot？"
"Idon’tknowwhynot."
"Well，then，"hedeclared，asthoughthatsettledthequestion.
Theymadereadytogo，asitwasgrowinglate.
"Willyoutiethatforme，Condy，"sheasked，risingandturningthebackofherheadtowardhim，theendsoftheveilheldunderherfingers."Nottootight.Condy，don’tpullitsotight.
There，there，thatwilldo.Haveyoueverythingthatbelongstoyou？Iknowyou’llgoawayandleavesomethinghere.There’syourcigarettecase，andyourbook，andofcoursethebanjo."
Asifwarnedbyamysteriousinstinct，thefatChinamanmadehisappearanceintheouterroom.Condyputhisfingersintohisvestpocket，thendroppedbackuponhisstoolwithasuppressedexclamationofhorror.
"Condy！"exclaimedBlixinalarm，"areyousick？"——forhehadturnedapositivewhite.
"Ihaven’tacentofmoney，"hemurmuredfaintly."Ispentmylastquarterforthosebeastlycrackers.What’stobedone？Whatistobedone？I’ll——I’llleavehimmywatch.Yes，that’stheonlything."
Blixcalmlytookoutherpurse."Iexpectedit，"shesaidresignedly."Iknewthiswouldhappensoonerorlater，andI
alwayshavebeenprepared.Howmuchisit，John？"sheaskedoftheChinaman.
"Hefahdollah."
"I’llneverbeabletolookyouinthefaceagain，"protestedCondy."I’llpayyoubackto—night.Iwill！I’llsenditupbyamessengerboy."
"ThenyouWOULDbeabuffoon."
"Don’t！"heexclaimed."Don’t，ithumiliatesmetothedust."
"Oh，comealonganddon’tbesoabsurd.Itmustbeafterfive."
Half—waydownthebrass—boundstairs，heclappedhishandtohisheadwithastart.
"AndNOWwhatisit？"sheinquiredmeekly.
"Forgotten，forgotten！"heexclaimed."IknewIwouldforgetsomething."
"Iknewit，youmean."
Heranback，andreturnedwiththegreatbagofcrackers，andthrustitintoherhands."Here，here，takethese.Wemustn’tleavethese，"hedeclaredearnestly."Itwouldbeashamefulwasteofmoney;"andinspiteofallherprotests，heinsistedupontakingthecrackersalong.
"Iwonder，"saidBlix，asthetwoskirtedthePlaza，goingdowntoKearneyStreet;"IwonderifIoughttoaskhimtosupper？"
"Askwho——me？——howfunnyto——"
"Iwonderifwearetalkedout——ifitwouldspoiltheday？"
"Anyhow，I’mgoingtohavesupperattheClub;andI’vegottowritemyarticlesometimeto—night."
Blixfixedhimwithaswiftglanceofgenuineconcern."Don’tplayto—night，Condy，"shesaid，withasuddengravity.
"FatlotIcanplay！WhatmoneyhaveIgottoplaywith？"
"Youmightgetsomesomewheres.But，anyhow，promisemeyouwon’tplay."
"Well，ofcourseI’llpromise.HowcanI，ifIhaven’tanymoney？
Andbesides，I’vegotmywhalebackstufftowrite.I’llhavesupperattheClub，andgoupinthelibraryandgrindoutcopyforawhile."
"Condy，"saidBlix，"Ithinkthatdiver’sstoryisalmosttoogoodfor’TheTimes.’Whydon’tyouwriteitandsenditEast？SendittotheCentennialCompany，whydon’tyou？They’vepaidsomeattentiontoyounow，anditwouldkeepyournameintheirmindsifyousentthestorytothem，eveniftheydidn’tpublishit.
Whydon’tyouthinkofthat？"
"Fine——greatidea！I’lldothat.OnlyI’llhavetowriteitoutofbusinesshours.Itwillbeextrawork."
"Nevermind，youdoit;and，"sheadded，asheputheronthecablecar，"keepyourmindonthatthirty—thousand—wordstoryofadventure.Good—by，Condy;haven’twehadthejolliestdaythateverwas？"
"Couldn’thavebeenbetter.Good—by，Blix."
Condyreturnedtohisclub.，Itwasaboutsixo’clock.Inresponsetohisquestion，thehall—boytoldhimthatTracySargeanthadarrivedafewmomentsprevious，andhadbeenaskingforhim.
TheSaturdayoftheweekbefore，CondyhadmadeanengagementwithyoungSargeanttohavesuppertogetherthatnight，andperhapsgotothetheatreafterward.AndnowatthesightofSargeantinthe"roundwindow"ofthemainroom，buriedinthefileofthe"GilBlas，"Condywaspleasedtonotethatneitherofthemhadforgottenthematter.
Sargeantgreetedhimwithextremecordialityashecameup，andatonceproposedadrink.Sargeantwasasleek，well—groomed，well—
lookingfellowofthirty，justbeginningtoshowtheeffectsofacertainamountofdissipationinthelittlepuffsundertheeyesandthefaintbluenessofthetemples.ThesuddendeathofhisfatherforwhicheventSargeantwasstillmourning，hadlefthiminsuchpositionthathismonthlyincomewasaboutfivetimesaslargeasCondy’ssalary.Thetwohadsuppertogether，andSargeantproposedthetheatre.
"No，no;I’vegottoworkto—night，"assertedCondy.
Afterdinner，whiletheyweresmokingtheircigarsinawindowofthemainroom，oneofthehall—boyscameupandtouchedCondyonthearm.
"Mr.Eckert，andMr.Hendricks，andMr.GeorgeHands，andseveralotherofthosegentlemenareupinthecard—room，andareaskingforyouandMr.Sargeant."
"Why，Ididn’tknowtheboyswerehere！They’vegotagamegoing，Condy.Let’sgoupandgetin.Shallwe？"
Condyrememberedthathehadnomoney."I’mflatbroke，Tracy，"
heannounced，forheknewSargeantwellenoughtomaketheconfessionwithoutwincing."No，I’llnotgetin;butI’llgoupandwatchyouafewminutes."
Theyascendedtothecard—room，wheretheairwasheavyandacridwithcigarsmoke，andwherethesilencewasbrokenonlybytheclickofpoker—chips.AttheendoftwentyminutesCondywasplaying，havingborrowedenoughmoneyofSargeanttostarthiminthegame.
Unusuallytalkativeandrestless，hehadsuddenlyhardenedandstiffenedtoarepressed，tensecalm;speechless，almostrigidinhischair.Excitableunderevenordinarycircumstances，hiseveryfacultywasnowkeyedtoitshighestpitch.Thenervousstrainuponhimwaslikethestretchingandtighteningofharp—strings，tootauttoquiver.Thecolorlefthisface，andthemoisturefledhislips.Hisprojectedarticle，hispromisetoBlix，allthejollityoftheafternoon，allthoughtoftimeorplace，fadedawayastheoneindomitable，evilpassionofthemanleapedintolifewithinhim，andlashedandroweledhimwithexcitement.Hisworldresolveditselftoaroundgreentable，columnsoftri—
coloredchips，andfiveever—changingcardsthatcameandwentandcameagainbeforehistiredeyeslikethechanging，weavingcolorsofthekaleidoscope.Midnightstruck，thenoneo’clock，thentwo，three，andfour.Stillhispassionrodehimlikeahag，spurringthejadedbody，rousinguptheweariedbrain.
Finally，athalf—pastfour，atatimewhenCondywaspreciselywherehehadstarted，neitherwinnernorloserbysomuchasadime，aroundofJack—potswasdeclared，andthegamebrokeup.
Condywalkedhometotheuptownhotelwherehelivedwithhismother，andwenttobedasthefirstmilk—wagonsbegantomaketheirappearanceandthenewsboystocrythemorningpapers.
Then，ashistiredeyesclosedatlast，occurredthatstrangetrickofpicture—makingthattheovertaxedbrainplaysupontheretina.Aswiftseriesofpicturesoftheday’sdoingsbegantowhirlTHROUGHratherthanBEFOREthepupilsofhisshuteyes.
Condysawagainabriefvisionofthestreet，andBlixuponthecornerwaitingtocross;thenitwasthegay，briskconfusionofthewater—front，theoldmate’scabinaboardthewhaleback，Chinatown，andaloopofvermilionclothoveragalleryrail，thegoldenbalcony，theglintoftheStevensonshipuponthegreenPlaza，Blixplayingthebanjo，thedelightfulandpicturesqueconfusionofthedesertedChineserestaurant;Blixagain，turningherheadforhimtofastenherveil，holdingtheendswithherwhite—kidfingers;Blixoncemore，walkingathissidewithhertrimblackskirt，herroundlittleturbanhat，heryellowhair，andhersmalldark，dancingeyes.
Then，suddenly，herememberedthepromisehehadmadeherinthematterofplayingthatnight.Hewincedsharplyatthis，andtheremembranceofhisfaultharriedandharassedhim.Inspiteofhimself，hefeltcontemptible.Yethehadbrokenhispromisestoherinthisverymatterofplayingbefore——beforethatdayoftheirvisittotheChineserestaurant——andhadfeltnogreatqualmofself—reproach.Hadtheirrelationschanged？Ratherthereversefortheyhaddonewith"foolishness."
"Neverworriedmebefore，"mutteredCondy，ashepuncheduphispillow——"neverworriedmebefore.Whyshoulditworrymenow——
worrymelikethedevil;——andshecaughtontothat’point’abouttheslopeofforty—fivedegrees."
ChapterV
Condybeganhisweek’sworkforthesupplementbehindhand.
NaturallyheoverslepthimselfTuesdaymorning，and，nothavinganychangeinhispockets，wasobligedtowalkdowntotheoffice.
Hearrivedlate，tofindthecompositorsalreadyfrettingforcopy.Hiseditorpromptlyaskedforthewhalebackstuff，andCondywasforcedintopromisingitwithinahalf—hour.Itwasoutofthequestiontowritethearticleaccordingtohisownideainsoshortatime;soCondyfakedthestufffromtheexchangeclipping，afterall.Hisdescriptionoftheboatandhiscommentsuponhermission——takenlargelyatsecondhand——servedonlytofillspaceinthepaper.Theywerelackingbothininterestandinpoint.Therewerenoillustrations.Thearticlewasafailure.
ButCondyredeemedhimselfbyawittyinterviewlaterintheweekwithanemotionalactress，andbyasolemnarticlecompiledafteranhour’sreadinginLafcadioHearnandtheEncyclopedia——onthe"IndustrialRenaissanceinJapan."
Buttheideaofthediver’sstorycamebacktohimagainandagain，andThursdaynightaftersupperhewentdowntohisclub，andhidhimselfatacornerdeskinthelibrary，and，inaburstofenthusiasm，wroteoutsometwothousandwordsofit.Inordertogetthe"technicaldetails，"uponwhichhesetsuchstore，heconsultedtheEncyclopediasagain，and"workedin"anumberofunfamiliarphrasesandodd—soundingnames.Hewassoproudoftheresultthathefelthecouldnotwaituntilthetalewasfinishedandinprinttotryitseffect.Hewantedappreciationandencouragementupontheinstant.HethoughtofBlix.
"ShesawthepointinMorrowbieJukes’descriptionoftheslopeofthesandhill，"hetoldhimself;andthenextmomenthadresolvedtogoupandseeherthenextevening，andreadtoherwhathehadwritten.
ThiswasonThursday.AllthroughthatweekBlixhadkeptmuchtoherself，andforthefirsttimeintwoyearshadbeguntospendeveryeveningathome.InthemorningofeachdayshehelpedVictorinewiththeupstairswork，makingthebeds，puttingtheroomstorights;orconsultedwiththebutcher’sandgrocer’sboysattheheadofthebackstairs，orchafferedwithurbaneandsmilingChinamenwiththeirbalancedvegetablebaskets.Sheknewthehouseanditsmanagementatherfingers’ends，andsupervisedeverythingthatwentforward.LaurieFlaggcomingtocalluponher，onWednesdayafternoon，toremonstrateuponhersuddendefection，foundherintheactoftackingupacurtainacrossthepantrywindow.
ButBlixhadtheafternoonsandeveningsalmostentirelytoherself.Thesehours，heretoforetakenupwithfunctionsandthedischargeofobligations，draggednotalittleduringtheweekthatfolloweduponherdeclarationofindependence.Wednesdayafternoon，however，waswarmandfine，andshewenttotheParkwithSnooky.Withoutlookingforitorevenexpectingit，BlixcameacrossalittleJapanesetea—house，orratheratinyJapanesegarden，setwithalmosttoyJapanesehousesandpavilions，whereteawasservedandthinsweetishwafersforfivecents.BlixandSnookywentin.TherewasnobodyaboutbuttheJapaneseservingwoman.Snookywasinraptures，andBlixspentadelightfulhalf—
hourthere，drinkingJapanesetea，andfeedingthewaferstothecarpandgold—fishinthetinypondimmediatelybelowwhereshesat.AChinaman，evidentlyofthemerchantclass，camein，withaChinesewomanfollowing.AshetookhisplaceandtheJapanesegirlcameuptogethisorder，BlixoverheardhimsayinEnglish：
"Bringteafor—umleddy."
"HehadtospeakinEnglishtoher，"shewhispered;"isn’tthatsplendid！Didyounoticethat，Snooky？"
OnthewayhomeBlixwaswonderinghowsheshouldpassherevening.ShewastohavemadeoneofatheatrepartywhereJackCarterwastobepresent.Thenshesuddenlyremembered"MorrowbieJukes，""TheReturnofImri，"and"KrishnaMulvaney."Shecontinuedonpastherhome，downtown，andreturnedlateforsupperwith"PlainTales"and"ManyInventions."
Towardhalf—pasteighttherecameatitteroftheelectricbell.
AtthemomentBlixwasintheupperchamberofthehouseofSuddhoo，quakingwithexquisitehorrorattheSeal—cutter’smagic.
Shelookedupquicklyasthebellrang.ItwasnotCondyRivers’
touch.SheswiftlyreflectedthatitwasWednesdaynight，andthatshemightprobablyexpectFrankCatlin.HewasafairspecimenoftheYoungerSet，asortofmodifiedJackCarter，andcalleduponheraboutonceafortnight.Nodoubthewouldhintdarklyastohisriotouslivingduringthepastfewdaysandrefertohisdietofbromo—seltzers.Hewouldbeslangy，familiar，callherbyherfirstnameasmanytimesashedared，discussthelastdanceoftheSaturdaycotillion，andtrytomakeherlaughoverCarter’sdrunkenness.Blixknewthetype.Catlinwashardlyoutofcollege;buttheoldergirls，eventheyoungwomenoftwenty—
fiveorsix，encouragedandpettedtheseyoungsters，driventothealternativebytheabsolutedearthofoldermen.
"I’mnotathome，Victorine，"announcedBlix，interceptingthemaidinthehall.ItchancedthatitwasnotFrankCatlin，butanotherboyofpreciselythesamebreed;andBlixreturnedtoSuddhoo，Mrs.Hawksbee，andMulvaneywithalittlecuddlingmovementofsatisfaction.
"ThereisonlyonethingIregretaboutthis，"shesaidtoCondyRiversontheFridaynightofthatweek;"thatis，thatIneverthoughtofdoingitbefore."Thensuddenlysheputupherhandtoshieldhereyes，asthoughfromanintenselight，turningawayherheadabruptly.
"Isay，whatisit？What——what’sthematter？"heexclaimed.
Blixpeepedathimfearfullyfrombetweenherfingers."He’sgotiton，"shewhispered——"thatawfulcrimsonscarf."
"Hoh！"saidCondy，touchinghisscarfnervously，"it’s——it’sveryswell.Isittooloud？"heaskeduneasily.
Blixputherfingersinherears;then：
"Condy，you’reanice，amiableyoungman，and，ifyou’renotbrilliant，you’regoodandkindtoyouragedmother;butyourscarfsandnecktiesaresimplyimpossible."
"Well，lookatthisroom！"heshouted——theywereintheparlor.
"Youneedn’ttalkaboutbadtaste.Thosedrapes——oh—h！thosedrapes！！Yellow，s’helpme！Andthosebisquefiguresthatyougetwitheverypoundofteayoubuy;andthis，this，THIS，"hewhimpered，wavinghishandsatthedecoratedsewer—pipewithitsgildedcat—tails."Oh，speaktomeofthis;speaktomeofart;
speaktomeofaesthetics.Cat—tails，GILDED.Ofcourse，whynotGILDED！"Hewrunghishands."’Somewherepeoplearehappy.
Somewherelittlechildrenareatplay——’"
"Oh，hush！"sheinterrupted."Iknowit’sbad;butwe’vealwayshaditso，andIwon’thaveitabused.Let’sgointothedining—
room，anyway.We’llsitinthereafterthis.We’vealwaysbeenstiffandconstrainedinhere."
Theywentoutintothedining—room，anddrewupacoupleofarm—
chairsintothebaywindow，andsattherelookingout.Blixhadnotyetlightedthegas——itwashardlydarkenoughforthat;andforupwardoftenminutestheysatandwatchedtheeveningdroppingintonight.
Belowthemthehillfellawaysoabruptlythattheroofsofthenearesthouseswerealmostattheirfeet;andbeyondthesethecitytumbledraggedlydowntomeetthebayinaconfused，vaguemassofroofs，cornices，cupolas，andchimneys，blurredandindistinctinthetwilight，buthereandtherepiercedbyanew—
lightedstreetlamp.Thencamethebay.TotheeasttheycouldseeGoatIsland，andthefleetofsailing—shipsanchoredoffthewater—front;whiledirectlyintheirlineofvisiontheislandofAlcatraz，withitstriplecrownofforts，startedfromthesurfaceofthewater.BeyondwastheContraCostashore，avaststreakofpurpleagainstthesky.Theeyefolloweditssky—linewestwardtillitclimbed，climbed，climbedupalongslopethatsuddenlyleapedheavenwardwiththecrestofTamalpais，purpleandstill，lookingalwaystothesunsetlikeagreatwatchingsphinx.Then，furtheron，theslopeseemedtobreaklikethebreakingofanadvancingbillow，andgotumbling，crumblingdownwardtomeettheGoldenGate——thenarrowinletofgreentide—waterwithitsflankingPresidio.But，furtherthanthis，theeyewasstayed.
Furtherthanthistherewasnothing，nothingbutavast，illimitableplainofgreen——theopenPacific.Butatthishourthecolorofthescenewasitsgreatestcharm.Itglowedwithallthesombreradianceofacathedral.Everythingwasseenthroughahazeofpurple——fromthelowgreenhillsinthePresidioReservationtothefaintredmassofMountDiabloshruggingitsruggedshoulderovertheContraCostafoot—hills.Astheeveningfaded，thewestburneddowntoadullredglowthatoverlaidtheblueofthebaywithasheenofruddygold.Thefoot—hillsoftheoppositeshore，Diablo，andatlastevenTamalpais，resolvedthemselvesinthevelvetgrayofthesky.Outlineswerelost.
Onlythemassesremained，andthesesoonbegantoblendintooneanother.Thesky，andland，andthecity’shuddledroofswereone.Onlythesheenofdullgoldremained，piercingthesinglevastmassofpurplelikethebladeofagoldensword.
"There’saship！"saidBlixinalowtone.
Afour—masterwasdroppingquietlythroughtheGoldenGate，swimmingonthatsheenofgold，amereshadow，speckedwithlightsredandgreen.InafewmomentsherbowswereshutfromsightbytheoldfortattheGate.Thenherredlightvanished，thenthemainmast.Shewasgone.Bymidnightshewouldbeoutofsightofland，rollingontheswellofthelonelyoceanunderthemoon’swhiteeye.
CondyandBlixsatquietandwithoutspeech，notcaringtobreakthecharmoftheevening.Forquitefiveminutestheysatthus，watchingthestarslightonebyone，andtheimmensegraynightsettleandbroadenandwidenfrommountain—toptohorizon.Theydidnotfeelthenecessityofmakingconversation.Therewasnoconstraintintheirsilencenow.
Gently，andalittleatatime，CondyturnedhisheadandlookedatBlix.Therewasjustlightenoughtosee.Shewasleaningbackinherchair，herhandsfallenintoherlap，herheadbackandalittletooneside.Asusual，shewasinblack;butnowitwassomesortofdinner—gownthatleftherarmsandneckbare.
Thelineofthechinandthethroatandthesweetroundcurveoftheshoulderhadinitsomethingindescribable——somethingthatwasrelatedtomusic，andthateludedspeech.Herhairwasnothingmorethanawarmcoloredmistwithoutformoroutline.Thesloe—
brownofherlittleeyesandtheflushofhercheekweremereinferences——likethefainteststarsthatarenevervisiblewhenlookedatdirectly;anditseemedtohimthattherewasdisengagedfromhersomethingforwhichtherewasnoname;somethingthatappealedtoamysterioussixthsense——asensethatonlystirredatsuchquietmomentsasthis;somethingthatwasnowadim，sweetradiance，nowafaintaroma，andnowagainamereessence，aninfluence，animpression——nothingmore.Itseemedtohimasifhersweet，cleanpurityandwomanlinesstookaformofitsownwhichhisaccustomedsensesweretoogrosstoperceive.Onlyacertainvaguetendernessinhimwentouttomeetandreceivethisimpalpablepresence;atendernessnotforheronly，butforallthegoodthingsoftheworld.Oftenhehadexperiencedthesamefeelingwhenlisteningtomusic.Hersweetness，hergoodness，appealedtowhatheguessedmustbethenoblestinhim.Andshewasonlynineteen.Suddenlyhisheartswelled，theachecametohisthroatandthesmarttohiseyes.
"Blixy，"hesaid，justaboveawhisper;"Blixy，wishIwasabettersortofchap."
"That’sthebeginningofbeingbetter，isn’tit，Condy？"sheanswered，turningtowardhim，herchinonherhand.
"Itdoesseemapity，"hewenton，"thatwhenyouWANTtodotheright，straightthing，andbecleanandfine，thatyoucan’tjustBEit，andhaveitoverwith.It’sthekeepingitupthat’sthegrind."
"Butit’sthekeepingitup，Condy，thatmakesyouWORTHBEING
GOODwhenyoufinallygettobegood;don’tyouthink？It’sthekeepingitupthatmakesyoustrong;andthenwhenyougettobegoodyoucanmakeyourgoodnesscount.What’sagoodmanifhe’sweak？——ifhisgoodnessisbetterthanheishimself？It’sthegoodmanwhoisstrong——asstrongashisgoodness，andwhocanmakehisgoodnesscount——whoistherightkindofman.That’swhatI
think."
There’ssomethinginthat，there’ssomethinginthat."Then，afterapause："IplayedMondaynight，afterall，Blix，afterpromisingIwouldn’t."
Foratimeshedidnotanswer，andwhenshespoke，shespokequietly："Well——I’mgladyoutoldme";andafteralittlesheadded，"Can’tyoustop，Condy？"
"Why，yes——yes，ofcourse——I——oh，Blix，sometimesIdon’tknow！
Youcan’tunderstand！Howcouldagirlunderstandthepowerofit？
Otherthings，Idon’tsay;butwhenitcomestogambling，thereseemstobeanothermethatdoespreciselyashechooses，whetherIwillornot.ButI’mgoingtodomybest.Ihaven’tplayedsince，althoughtherewasplentyofchance.Yousee，thiscardbusinessisonlyapartofthisclublife，thiscitylife——likedrinkingand——othervicesofmen.IfIdidn’thavetoleadthelife，orifIdidn’tgowiththatcrowd——Sargeantandtherestofthosemen——itwouldbedifferent;easier，maybe."
"Butamanoughttobestrongenoughtobehimselfandmasterofhimselfanywhere.Condy，ISthereanythingintheworldbetterorfinerthanastrongman？"
"Notunlessitisagoodwoman，Blix."
"IsupposeIlookatitfromawoman’spointofview;butformeaSTRONGman——strongineverything——isthegrandestthingintheworld.Womenlovestrongmen，Condy.Theycanforgiveastrongmanalmostanything."
Condydidnotimmediatelyanswer，andintheintervalanideaoccurredtoBlixthatatoncehardenedintoadetermination.Butshesaidnothingatthemoment.Thespellofthesunsetwasgoneandtheyhadevidentlyreachedtheendofthatsubjectoftheirtalk.Blixrosetolightthegas.Willyoupromisemeonething，Condy？"shesaid."Don’tifyoudon’twantto.Butwillyoupromisemethatyouwilltellmewheneveryoudoplay？"
"ThatI’llpromiseyou！"exclaimedCondy;"andI’llkeepthat，too."
"Andnow，let’shearthestory——orwhatyou’vedoneofit."
Theydrewuptothedining—roomtablewithitscoverofbluedenimedgedwithwhitecord，andCondyunrolledhismanuscriptandreadthroughwhathehadwritten.Sheapproved，and，ashehadforeseen，"caughton"toeveryoneofhispoints.Hewasalmostreadytoburstintocheerswhenshesaid：
"Anyonereadingthatwouldalmostbelieveyouhadbeenadiveryourself，oratleasthadlivedwithdivers.Thoselittledetailscount，don’tthey？Condy，I’veanidea.Seewhatyouthinkofit.
Insteadofhavingthestoryendwithhisleavingherdownthereandgoingaway，doitthisway.Lethimleaveherthere，andthengobackafteralongtimewhenhegetstobeanoldman.Fixitupsomewaytomakeitnatural.Havehimgodowntoseeherandnevercomeupagain，see？Andleavethereaderindoubtastowhetheritwasanaccidentorwhetherhediditonpurpose."
Condychokedbackawhoopandsmotehisknee."Blix，you’retheeighthwonder！Magnificent——glorious！Say！"——hefixedherwithaglanceofcuriosity——"yououghttotaketostory—writingyourself."
"No，no，"sheretortedsignificantly."I’lljuststaywithmysingingandbecontentwiththat.Butrememberthatstorydon’tgoto’TheTimes’supplement.AtleastnotuntilyouhavetrieditEast——withtheCentennialCompany，atanyrate."
"Well，IguessNOT！"snortedCondy."Why，thisisgoingtobeoneofthebestyarnsIeverwrote."
Alittlelateronheinquiredwithsuddenconcern："Haveyougotanythingtoeatinthehouse？"
"Ineversawsuchaman！"declaredBlix;"youarealwayshungry."
"Ilovetoeat，"heprotested.
"Well，we’llmakesomecreamedoysters;howwouldthatdo？"
suggestedBlix.
Condyrolledhiseyes."Oh，speaktomeofcreamedoysters！"
Then，withabruptsolemnity："Blix，IneverinmylifehadasmanyoystersasIcouldeat."
Shemadethecreamedoystersinthekitchenoverthegas—stove，andtheyatethemthere——Condysittingonthewashboardofthesink，hisplateinhislap.
Condyhadawayofcatchingupinhishandswhateverhappenedtobenearesthim，and，whilestillcontinuingtotalk，examiningitwithapparentdeepinterest.Justnowithappenedtobethemorning’spaperthatVictorinehadleftonthetable.ForfiveminutesCondyhadbeenpickingitupandlayingitdown，frowningabstractedlyatitduringthepausesintheconversation.
Suddenlyhebecameawareofwhatitwas，andinstantlyreadaloudthefirstitemthatcaughthisglance：
"’Personal.——Youngwoman，thirty—one，goodhousekeeper，desiresacquaintancerespectablemiddle—agedgentleman.Object，matrimony.AddressK.D.B.，thisoffice.’——Hum！"hecommented，"nothingequivocalaboutK.D.B.;hastheheroismtocallherselfyoungatthirty—one.I’llbetsheISagoodhousekeeper.Righttothepoint.IfK.D.B.don’tseewhatshewants，sheasksforit."
"Iwonder，"musedBlix，"whatkindofpeopletheyarewhoputpersonalsinthepapers.K.D.B.，forinstance;whoisshe，andwhatisshelike？"
"They’renottough，"Condyassuredher."Isee’emoftendownat’TheTimes’office.Theyareusuallyaplain，matter—of—factsort，quiteconscientious，youknow;generallymiddle—aged——orthirty—one;outgrowntheiryouthfulfolliesandillusions，andwanttosettledown."
"Readsomemore，"urgedBlix.Condywenton.
"’Bachelor，goodhabits，twenty—five，affectionatedisposition，accomplishments，money，desiresacquaintancepretty，refinedgirl.
Object，matrimony.McB.，thisoffice.’"
"No，Idon’tlikeMcB.，"saidBlix."He’stoo——ornamental，somehow."
"Hewouldn’tdoforK.D.B.，wouldhe？"
"Oh，my，no！He’dmakeherveryunhappy."
"’Widower，twochildren，home—lovingdisposition，desiresintroductiontogood，honestwomantomakehomeforhischildren.
Matrimony，ifsuitable.B.P.T.，BoxA，thisoffice.’"
"He’snotforK.D.B.，that’sflat，"declaredBlix;"theidea，’matrimonyifsuitable’——patronizingenough！IknowjustwhatkindofanoldmanB.P.T.is.IknowhewouldwantK.D.B.towarmhisslippers，andwouldbefretfulandgrumpy.B.P.T.，justanabbreviationofbumptious.No，hecan’thaveher."
Condyreadthenexttwoorthreetohimself，despiteherprotests.
"Condy，don’tbemean！Readthemto——"
"Ah！"heexclaimed，"here’soneforK.D.B.Behold，thebridegroomcometh！Listen."
"’Bachelor，thirty—nine，soberandindustrious，retiredseacaptain，desiresacquaintancerespectableyoungwoman，goodhouse—
keeperandmanager.Object，matrimony.AddressCaptainJack，officethispaper."
"Iknowhe’sgotawoodenleg！"criedBlix."Can’tyoujustseeitstickingoutbetweenthelines？Andhelivesallalonesomewheredownnearthebaywithaparrot——"
"Andmakesaglassofgrogeverynight."
"Andsmokesalongclaypipe."
"Buthechewstobacco."
"Yes，isn’titapityhewillchewthatnasty，smellytobacco？ButK.D.B.willbreakhimofthat."
"Oh，isheforK.D.B.？"
"SentbyProvidence！"declaredBlix."Theywerebornforeachother.Justsee，K.D.B.isagoodhousekeeper，andwantsarespectablemiddle—agedgentleman.CaptainJackisarespectablemiddle—agedgentleman，andwantsagoodhousekeeper.Oh，andbesides，Icanreadbetweenthelines！Ijustfeeltheywouldbecongenial.Iftheyknowwhat’sbestforthemselves，theywouldwritetoeachotherrightaway."
"Butwouldn’tyoulovetobethereandseethemmeet！"exclaimedCondy.
"Can’twefixitupsomeway，"saidBlix，"tobringthesetwotogether——tohelpthemoutinsomeway？"
Condysmotethetableandjumpedtohisfeet.
"Writeto’em！"heshouted."WritetoK.D.B.andsignitCaptainJack，andwritetoCaptainJack——"
"AndsignitK.D.B.，"sheinterrupted，catchinghisidea.
"Andhavehimtellher，andhertellhim，"headded，"tomeetatsomeplace;andthenwecangotothatplaceandhide，andwatch."
"Buthowwillweknowthem？Howwouldtheyknoweachother？
They’venevermet."
"We’lltellthembothtowearakindofflower.Thenwecanknowthem，andtheycanknoweachother.Ofcourseassoonastheybegantotalktheywouldfindouttheyhadn’twritten."
"Buttheywouldn’tcare."
"No——theywanttomeeteachother.Theywouldbethankfultousforbringingthemtogether."
"Won’titbethegreatestfun？"
"Fun！Why，itwillbearegulardrama.Onlywearerunningtheshow，andeverythingisreal.Let’sgetatit！"
Blixranintoherroomandreturnedwithwritingmaterial.Condylookedatthenote—papercritically."Thiskind’stooswell.K.
D.B.wouldn’tuseIrishlinen——never！Here，thisisbetter，glazedwithbluelinesandaflyingbirdstampedinthecorner.
NowI’llwritefortheCaptain，andyouwriteforK.D.B."
"Butwherewillwehavethemmeet？"
Thiswasapoint.TheyconsideredtheChineserestaurant，thePlaza，Lotta’sfountain，theMechanics’Library，andeventhecathedraloverintheMexicanquarter，butarrivedatnodecision.
"DidyoueverhearofLuna’srestaurant？"saidCondy."ByJove，it’sjusttheplace！It’stherestaurantwhereyougetMexicandinners;rightintheheartoftheLatinquarter;quietlittleold—fashionedplace，belowthelevelofthestreet，respectableasatomb.Iwastherejustonce.We’llhave’emmeetthereatsevenintheevening.Nooneisthereatthathour.Theplaceisn’tpatronizedmuch，anditshutsupateight.YouandIcangothereandhavedinneratsix，say，andwatchforthemtocome."
Thentheysettoworkattheirletters.
"Now，"saidCondy，"wemusthavethesesoundperfectlynatural，becauseifeitherofthesepeoplesmellthesmallestkindofarat，youwon’tcatch’em.YoumustwritenotasYOUwouldwrite，butasyouthinkTHEYwould.Thisisanart，akindoffiction，don’tyousee？Wemustimagineacertaincharacter，andwritealetterconsistentwiththatcharacter.Thenit’llsoundnatural.
Now，K.D.B.Well，K.D.B.，she’sprim.Let’shaveherprim，andproudofusingcorrect，precise，’elegant’language.Iguessshewearsmits，andbelievesincremation.Let’shaveherbelieveincremation.AndCaptainJack;oh！he’sgotaterriblevoice，likethis，ROW—ROW—ROWsee？andwhiskers，veryfierce;andhesays，’Belaythere！’and’Avast！’andisverygrandiloquentandorotundandgallantwhenitcomestowomen.Oh，he’sthedevilofamanwhenitcomestowomen，isCaptainJack！"
Aftercountlesstrialsandfailures，theyevolvedthetwofollowingmissives，whichCondypostedthatnight：
"CaptainJack.
"SIR：——Ihaveperusedwithentiresatisfactionyourpersonalin’TheTimes.’Ishouldliketoknowmoreofyou.Ireadbetweenthelines，andmyperceptionineradicablyconvincesmethatyouarehonestandrespectable.IdonotbelieveIshouldcompromisemyself—esteematallingrantingyouaninterview.IshallbeatLuna’srestaurantatsevenprecisely，nextMondayeve，andwillbearabunchofwhitemarguerites.Willyoulikewise，andwearamargueriteinyourlapel？
"Trustingthiswillfindyouinhealth，Iam"Respectfullyyours，"K.D.B."
"MissK.D.B.
"DEARMISS：——Fromthemodestandretiringdescriptionofyourqualitiesandcharacter，IamledtobelievethatIwillfindinyouanagreeablelifecompanion.Willyounotaccordmethegreatfavorofapersonalinterview？Ishallesteemitahighhonor.I
willbeatLuna’sMexicanrestaurantatsevenoftheclockP.M.onMondayeveningnext.MayIexpresstheferventhopethatyoualsowillbethere？Inamethelocalitybecauseitisquietandrespectable.Ishallwearawhitemargueriteinmybuttonhole.
Willyoualsocarryabunchofthesameflower？
"Yourstocommand，"CAPTAINJACK."
SogreatwasherinterestintheaffairthatBlixevenwentoutwithCondywhilehemailedthelettersinthenearestbox，forhewasquitecapableofforgettingthewholematterassoonashewasoutofthehouse.
"Nowletitwork！"sheexclaimedastheironflapclankeddownuponthedisappearingenvelopes.ButCondywassuddenlysmittenwithnamelessmisgiving."Nowwe’vedoneit！nowwe’vedoneit！"
hecriedaghast."Iwishwehadn’t.We’reinafinefixnow."
Stilluneasy，hesawBlixbacktotheflat，andbadehergood—byatthedoor.
Butbeforeshewenttobedthatnight，Blixsoughtoutherfather，whowasstillsittinguptinkeringwiththecuckooclock，whichhehadtakenalltopiecesunderthepretextthatitwasoutoforderandwenttoofast.
"Papum，"saidBlix，sittingdownontherugbeforehim，"didyouever——whenyouwereapioneer，whenyoufirstcameouthereinthefifties——didyoueverplaypoker？"
"I——oh，well！itwastheonlyamusementtheminershadforalongtime."
"Iwantyoutoteachme."
Theoldmanlettheclockfallintohislapandstared.ButBlixexplainedherreasons.
ChapterVI
ThenextdaywasSaturday，andBlixhadplannedawalkouttothePresidio.Butatbreakfast，whileshewasdebatingwhethersheshouldtakewithherHowardandSnooky，or"ManyInventions，"shereceivedanotefromCondy，sentbyspecialmessenger：
"’Allourfunisspoiled，’hewrote.’I’vegotptomainepoisoningfromeatingthecreamedoysterslastnight，andaminforasolidfortnightspentinbed.Havepassedahorriblenight.Can’tyoulookinatthehotelthisafternoon？Mymotherwillbehereatthetime.’"
"Ptomainepoisoning！"Thenamehadanuglysound，andCondy’suseoftheterminferredthedoctor’svisit.Blixdecidedthatshewouldputoffherwalkuntiltheafternoon，andcallonMrs.
Riversatonce，andaskhowCondydid.
Shegotawayfromtheflataboutteno’clock，butonthestepsoutsidemetCondydressedasifforbicycling，andsmokingacigarette.
"I’vegotelevendollars！"heannouncedcheerily.
"ButIthoughtitwasptomainepoisoning！"shecriedwithsuddenvexation.
"Pshaw！that’swhatthedoctorsays.He’saflapdoodle;nothingbutakindofasortofapain.It’sallgonenow.I’masfitasafiddle——andI’vegotelevendollars.Let’sgosomewhereanddosomething."
"Butyourwork？"
"Theydon’texpectme.WhenIthoughtIwasgoingtobesick，I
telephonedtheoffice，andtheysaidallright，thattheydidn’tneedme.NowI’vegotelevendollars，andtherearethreeholidaysofperfectweatherbeforeus：to—day，to—morrow，andMonday.Whatwillwedo？Whatmustwedotobesaved？Ourmatrimonialobjectsdon’tmaterializetillMondaynight.Inthemeanwhile，what？ShallwegodowntoChinatown——totherestaurant，ortothewater—frontagain？Maybethemateonthewhalebackwouldinviteustolunch.Or，"addedCondy，hiseyecaughtbyafresh—
fishpeddlerwhohadjustturnedintothestreet，"wecangofishing."
"Foroysters，perhaps."
ButtheideahadcaughtCondy’sfancy.
"Blix！"heexclaimed，"let’sgofishing."
"Where？"
"Idon’tknow.WhereDOpeoplefisharoundhere？Wherethere’swater，Ipresume."
"No，isitpossible？"sheaskedwithdeepconcern."Ithoughttheyfishedintheirbackyards，orintheirfrontparlorsperhaps."
"Oh，youbequiet！you’reallthetimeguyingme，"heanswered.
"Letmethink——letmethink，"hewenton，frowningheavily，scouringathishair.Suddenlyheslappedathigh.
"Comeon，"hecried，"I’veanidea！"Hewasalreadyhalf—waydownthesteps，whenBlixcalledhimback.
"Leaveitalltome，"heassuredher;"trustmeIMPLICITLY.Don’tyouwanttogo？"hedemandedwithabruptdisappointment.
"Wantto！"sheexclaimed."Why，itwouldbetheverybestkindoffun，but——"
"Well，then，comealong."
Theytookadowntowncar.
"I’vegotacoupleofsplitbamboorods，"heexplainedasthecarsliddowntheterrificgradeoftheWashington—Streethill."I
haven’tused’eminyears——notsincewelivedEast;butthey’rehand—made，andaretip—top.Ihaven’tanyotherkindoftackle;
butit’sjustaswell，becausethetacklewillalldependuponwherewearegoingtofish."
"Where’sthat？"
"Don’tknowyet;amgoingdownnowtofindout."
HetookherdowntotheprincipaldealerinsportinggoodsonMarketStreet.Itwasadeliciousworld，whoseatmosphereandcharmwerenottoberesisted.Therewereshot—gunsinrows，theirgraybarrelslookinglikesomanyorgan—pipes;sheavesoffishing—rods，fromthefour—ouncewhispofthebrook—troutuptotherigideighteen—ouncelanceoftheking—salmonandsea—bass;
showcasesofwickedrevolvers，swellingbycalibresintothethirty—eightandforty—fourman—killersoftheplainsmenandArizonacavalry;huntingknivesanddirks，andtheslendersteelwhipsofthefencers;filesofWinchesters，sleepingquietlyintheirracks，waitingpatientlyforthesignaltospeaktheonegrimwordtheyknew;swarmsofartificialfliesofeveryconceivableshade，brown，gray，black，gray—brown，gray—black，withhereandthereabriskvermilionnote;coilsofline，fromthethicknessofapencil，spuntoholdthesullenplungesofajew—fishofftheCatalinaIslands，downtothesea—greengossamersthatavigorousfingerlingmightsnap;hooks，snells，guts，leaders，gaffs，cartridges，shells，andalltheentrancingmunitionsofthesportsman，thatsavoredoflonelycanons，deer—
licks，mountainstreams，quailuplands，andthestillreachesofinletandmarshgrounds，grayandcoolintheearlyautumndawn.
CondyandBlixgottheattentionofaclerk，andCondyexplained.
"Iwanttogofishing——wewanttogofishing.Wewantsomeplacewherewecangoandcomeinthesameday，andwewanttocatchfair—sizedfish——nominnows."
Thefollowinghalf—hourwascharming.Neverwasthereaclerkmoredelightful.ItwouldappearthathisoneobjectinlifewasthatCondyandBlixshouldcatchfish.Theaffairsofthenationstoodstillwhilehepondered，suggested，advised，anddeliberated.Hetoldthemwheretogo，howtogetthere，whattraintotakecomingback，andwhotoaskforwhentheyarrived.
TheywouldhavetowaittillMondaybeforegoing，butcouldreturnlongbeforethefatedhourof7P.M.
"AskforRichardson，"saidtheclerk;"andhere，givehimmycard.
He’llputyouontothegoodspots;someplacesareA—1to—day，andto—morrowinthesameplaceyoucan’tkillasinglefish."
CondynudgedBlixastheMentorturnedawaytogethiscard.
"Noticethat，"hewhispered："KILLafish.Youdon’tsay’catch，’
yousay’kill’——technicaldetail."
Thentheyboughttheirtackle：acoupleofcheapreels，lines，leaders，sinkers，abookofassortedfliesthatthedelightfulclerksuggested，andabeautifullittletinboxpaintedgreen，andstenciledwithagorgeousgoldtroutuponthelid，inwhichtheyweretokeepthepintofsaltedshrimpstobeusedasbaitinadditiontotheflies.Blixwouldgettheseshrimpsatalittlemarketnearherhome.
"But，"saidtheclerk，"yougottogetapermittofishinthatlake.HaveyougotapullwiththeWaterCompany？Areyouastockholder？"
Condy’sfacefell，andBlixgavealittlegaspofdismay.Theylookedateachother.Herewasacheck，indeed.
"Well，"saidthesublimebeinginshirtsleevesfrombehindthecounter，"seewhatyoucando;andifyoucan’tmakeit，comebackherean’lemmeno，andwe’llfixyouupinsomeotherplace.ButLakeSanAndreashasbeenbang—upthislastweek——beensomegreatkillsthere;hopetothedeuceyoucanmakeit."
Everythingnowhingeduponthispermit.ItwasnotuntiltheirexpeditionhadbeenindoubtthatCondyandBlixrealizedhowalluringhadbeenitsprospects.
"Oh，Iguessyoucangetapermit，"saidtheclerksoothingly.
"An’ifyoumakeanygoodkills，lemmenoandI’llputitinthepaper.I’mtheeditorofthe’Sport—with—Gun—and—Rod’columnin’ThePress，’"headdedwithaflushofpride.
TowardthemiddleoftheafternoonBlix，whowaswaitingathome，ingreatsuspense，forthatverypurpose，receivedanothertelegramfromCondy：
"Tensionofsituationrelieved.Unconditionalpermissionobtained.Don’tforgettheshrimps."
IthadbeenunderstoodthatCondywastocometotheflatonSundayafternoontotalkoverfinalarrangementswithBlix.Butasitwas，SaturdayeveningsawhimagainattheBessemers.
Hehadbeendownathisclubinthelibrary，writingthelastparagraphsofhisdiver’sstory，when，justashefinished，Sargeantdiscoveredhim.
"Why，Conny，oldman，allalonehere？Let’sgodownstairsandhaveacigar.HendricksandGeorgeHandsarecomingaroundinhalfanhour.Theytoldmenottoletyougetaway."
Condystirrednervouslyinhischair.Heknewwhatthatmeant.
Hehadenoughmoneyinhispocketstoplaythatnight，andinaninstanttheenemywasallawake.Therowelwasinhisflankagain，andthescourgeathisback.Sargeantstoodthere，thewell—groomedclubmanofthirty;alittlecynicalperhaps，butareallygoodfellowforallthat，andundeniablyfondofCondy.
ButsomewherewiththeeyesofsomesecondselfCondysawthegirlofnineteen，partchildandpartwoman;sawhergoodness，herfine，sweetfemininestrengthasitwereadimradiance;"What’sagoodmanworth，Condy，"shehadsaid，"ifhe’snotastrongman？"
"Isupposewe’llhaveagamegoingbeforemidnight，"admittedSargeantresignedly，smilinggood—humoredlynevertheless.
Condysethisteeth."I’lljoinyoulater.Waitafewmoments，"
