下载辰思小说免费APP
hesaid.Hehurriedtotheofficeoftheclub，andsentadespatchtoBlix——thethirdsincemorning：
"CanIcomeuprightaway？It’surgent.Sendanswerbythismessenger."
Hegothisanswerwithinthree—quartersofanhour，andlefttheclubasHendricksandGeorgeHandsarrivedbytheelevatorentrance.
Sittinginthebaywindowofthedining—room，hetoldBlixwhyhehadcome.
"Oh，youwereright！"shetoldhim."Always，ALWAYScome，when——
whenyoufeelyoumust."
"Itgetssobadsometimes，Blix，"heconfessedwithabjectself—
contempt，"thatwhenIcan’tgetsomeonetoplayagainstI’llsitdownanddealdummyhands，andbetonthem.Justthetouchofthecards——justtheFEELofthechips.Faugh！it’sshameful."
Thedayfollowing，Sunday，Condycametoteaasusual;andafterthemeal，assoonasthefamilyandVictorinehadleftthepairaloneinthedining—room，theysetaboutpreparingfortheirmorrow’sexcursion.Blixputuptheirlunch——sandwichesofwhatCondycalled"devilish"ham，hard—boiledeggs，stuffedolives，andabottleofclaret.
Condytookoffhiscoatandmadeagreatshowofstringingthetackle：windingthelinesfromthespoolsontothereels，andattachingthesinkersandfliestotheleaders，smokingthewhile，andscowlingfiercely.Hegotthelinesfearfullyandwonderfullysnarled，hecaughtthehooksinthetable—cloth，helostthealmostinvisiblegutleadersonthefloorandloopedthesinkersonthelineswhentheyshouldhavegoneontheleaders.IntheendBlixhadtohelphimout，disentanglingthelinesfootbyfootwithapatiencethatseemedtoCondylittleshortofsuperhuman.
Atnineo’clockshesaiddecisively：
"Doyouknowwhattimewemustgetupinthemorningifwearetohavebreakfastandgettheseven—fortytrain？Quarterofsixbythelatest，andYOUmustgetupearlierthanthat，becauseyou’reatthehotelandhavefurthertogo.Comehereforbreakfast，and——listen——beherebyhalf—pastsix——areyouLISTENING，Condy？——
andwe’llgodowntothedepotfromhere.Don’tforgettobringtherods."
"I’llwearmybicyclesuit，"hesaid，"andoneofthosegolfscarfsthatwraparoundyourneck."
"No，"shedeclared，"Iwon’thaveit.Weartheoldestclothesyou’vegot，butlookfairlyrespectable，becausewe’retogotoLuna’swhenwegetback，remember.Andnowgohome;youneedallthesleepyoucangetifyouaretogetupatsixo’clock."
Insteadofbeinglate，asBlixhadfeared，Condywasabsurdlyaheadoftimethenextmorning.Forawonder，hehadnotforgottentherods;buthewasonetremorofnervousness.Hewouldeatnobreakfast.
"We’regoingtomissthattrain，"hewouldannouncefromtimetotime;"Ijustknowit.Blix，lookwhattimeitis.Weoughttobeonthewaytothedepotnow.Comeon;youdon’twantanymorecoffee.Haveyougoteverything？Didyouputthereelsinthelunch—basket？——andthefly—book？Lord，ifweshouldforgetthefly—book！"
Hemanagedtogethertothedepotoverhalfanhouraheadoftime.Thetrainhadnotevenbackedin，northeticketofficeopened.
"Itoldyou，Condy，Itoldyou，"complainedBlix，sinkinghelplesslyuponabenchinthewaiting—room.
"No——no——no，"heansweredvaguely，lookingnervouslyabout，hisheadintheair."We’renonetoosoon——havemoretimetorestnow.Iwonderwhattrackthetrainleavesfrom.IwonderifitstopsatSanBruno.IwonderhowfaritisfromSanBrunotoLakeSanAndreas.I’mafraidit’sgoingtorain.Heavensandearth，Blix，weforgottheshrimps！"
"No，NO！Sitdown，I’vegottheshrimps.Condy，youmakemesonervousIshallscreaminaminute."
Somethree—quartersofanhourlaterthetrainhadsetthemdownatSanBruno——nothingmorethanaroad—house，theheadquartersforduck—shootersandfishermenfromthecity.However，BlixandCondyweretheonlyvisitors.Everybodyseemedtobeespeciallynicetothemonthatwonderfulmorning.Eventhesuperciliousticket—sellerattheSanFranciscodepothadunbent，andwishedthemgoodluck.Theconductorofthetrainhadshownhimselfaffable.Theverybrakemanhadgoneoutofhiswaytoapprisethem，quitefiveminutesaheadoftime，that"thenextstopwastheirplace."AndatSanBrunotheproprietoroftheroad—househimselfhitcheduptodrivethemovertothelake，announcingthathewouldcallforthemat"Richardson’s"intimefortheeveningtrain.
"Andheonlyaskedmefourbitsforbothtrips，"whisperedCondytoBlixastheyjoggedalong.
Thecountrywasbeautiful.Itwashardlyeighto’clock，andthemorningstillretainedmuchofthebriskeffervescenceoftheearlydawn.Greatbare，rollinghillsofgray—green，thinlyscatteredwithlive—oak，borebackfromtheroadoneitherhand.
Theskywaspaleblue.Therewasasmellofcowsintheair，andtwicetheyheardanunseenlarksinging.Itwasverystill.Theoldbuggyandcomplacenthorsewereembalmedinapungentaromaofoldleatherandofstablesthatwasentrancing;andasweetsmellofgrassandsapcametotheminoccasionallongwhiffs.Therewasexhilarationintheverythoughtofbeingaliveonthatodorous，stillmorning.Theyoungbloodwentspankingintheveins.Blix’scheekswereruddy，herlittledark—browneyesfairlycoruscatingwithpleasure.
"Condy，isn’titallsplendid？"shesuddenlyburstout.
"Ifeelregularlybigger，"hedeclaredsolemnly."Icoulddoanythingamorninglikethis."
Thentheycametothelake，andtoRichardson’s，wherethefarmerlivedwhowasalsothecustodianofthelake.Thecomplacenthorsejoggedback，andCondyandBlixsetabouttheseriousbusinessoftheday.CondyhadnoneedtoshowRichardsonthedelightfulsportingclerk’scard.TheoldYankee——histwanganddryhumorsingularlyincongruousonthatroyalmorning——wassolicitudeitself.Hepickedoutthebestboatonthebeachforthem，loanedthemhisownanchorofrailroadiron，indicatedminutelythepointontheoppositeshoreoffwhichthelastbigtrouthadbeen"killed，"andwettedhimselftohisanklesashepushedofftheboat.
Condytooktheoars.Blixsatinthestern，jointingtherodsandrunningthelinesthroughtheguides.Sheevenbaitedthehookswiththesaltshrimpherself，andbynineo’clocktheywereatanchorsomefortyfeetoffshore，andfishing，accordingtoRichardson’sadvice，"aleetlemiteofftheedgeo’theweeds."
"Ifwedon’tgetabitethewholeblessedday，"saidCondy，ashepaidouthislinetotheratchetmusicofthereel，"we’llhavefunjustthesame.Lookaround——isn’tthisgreat？"
Theywereabsolutelyalone.Thedaywasyoungyet.Thelake，smoothandstillasgraysilk，widenedtothewestandsouthwithoutsomuchasawrinkletoroughenthesurface.Onlytotheeast，wherethesunlookedoverashoulderofahigherhill，itflamedupintoablindingdiamondiridescence.Thesurroundinglandlaybetweenskyandwater，hushedtoaSundaystillness.FaroffacrossthelakebyRichardson’stheyheardadogbark，andthesoundcamefineandsmallanddelicate.Atlongintervalstheboatstirredwithagentleclap—clappingofthewateralongitssides.Fromthenearbyshoreinthegrowthofmanzanitabushesquailcalledandcluckedcomfortablytoeachother;abewilderedyellowbutterflydancedbyovertheirheads，andslimbluedragon—
fliescameandpoisedontheirlinesandfishing—rods，bowingtheirbacks.
Fromhisseatinthebow，CondycastaglanceatBlix.Shewasholdingherrodinbothhands，absorbed，watchful，veryintent.
Shewasastrimasever，evenintheoldclothesshehadwornfortheoccasion.Herround，strongneckwasasusualswathedhighandtightinwhite，andthehugedog—collargirdledherwaistaccordingtohercustom.Shehadtakenoffherhat.Heryellowhairrolledbackfromherroundforeheadandcoolpinkcheekslikeaveritablenimbus，andforthefiftiethtimeCondyremarkedthecharmingcontrastofhersmall，deep—browneyesinthemidstofthiswhitesatin，yellowhair，whiteskin，andexquisitepinkcheeks.
Anhourpassed.Thentwo.
"Nofish，"murmuredCondy，drawinginhislinetoexaminethebait.But，ashewasfumblingwiththeflieshewasstartledbyasharpexclamationfromBlix.
"Oh—Condy—I’ve—got—a—bite！"
Helookedupjustintimetoseethetipofherrodtwitch，twitch，twitch.Thenthewholerodarchedsuddenly，thereelsang，thelinetautenedandcutdiagonallythroughthewater.
"Yougothim！yougothim！"heshouted，palpitatingwithexcitement."Andhe’sagoodone！"
Blixrose，reelinginasrapidlyaswaspossible，thebuttofthetwitching，livingrodbracedagainstherbelt.Allatoncetherodstraightenedoutagain，thestrainwasreleased，andthelinebegantoslantrapidlyawayfromtheboat.
"He’soff！"shecried.
"Off，nothing！HE’SGOINGTOJUMP.Lookoutforhim，now！"
Andthenthetwowatchingfromtheboat，tenseandquiveringwiththedramaofthemoment，sawthatmostinspiritingofsights——the"break"ofasalmon—trout.Uphewent，fromabrusqueexplosionofripplesandfoam——upintothegrayofthemorningfromoutthegrayofthewater：scalesallgleaming，hacklesalla—bristle;asuddenflashofsilver，asweepasofascimitaringraysmoke，withasplash，aturmoil，anabruptburstoftroubledsoundthatstabbedthroughthesilenceofthemorning，andinasingleinstantdissipatedalltheplacidcalmoftheprevioushours.
"Keepthelinetaut，"whisperedCondy，grittinghisteeth."Whenhecomestowardyou，reelhimin;an’ifhepullstoohard，givehimhishead."
Blixwasbreathingfast，hercheeksblazing，hereyesallalight.
"Oh，"shegasped，"I’msoafraidI’lllosehim！Oh，lookatthat！"
shecried，asthetroutdartedstraightforthebottom，bendingtherodtillthetipwassubmerged."Condy，I’lllosehim——IknowIshall;you，YOUtaketherod！"
"Notforathousanddollars！Steady，there，he’sawayagain！Oh，talkaboutSPORT！"
YardbyyardBlixreeledinuntiltheybegantoseethesilverglintofthetrout’sflanksthroughthegreenwater.Shebroughthimnearer.Swimmingparallelwiththeboat，hewasplainlyvisiblefromhiswide—openedmouth——thehookandflyprotrudingfromhislowerjaw——tothered，quiveringflangesofthetail.
Hissideswerefaintlyspeckled，hisbellywhiteaschalk.HewasalmostaslongasCondy’sforearm.
"Oh，he’sabeauty！Oh，isn’theabeauty！"murmuredCondy."Now，careful，careful;bringhimuptotheboatwhereIcanreachhim;
e—easy，Blix.Ifheboltsagain，lethimrun."
Twicethetroutshiedfromtheboat’sshadow，andtwice，asBlixgavehimhishead，thereelsangandhummedlikeawatch—man’srattle.Butthethirdtimehecametothesurfaceandturnedslowlyonhisside，thewhitebellyandoneredfinoutofthewater，thegillsopeningandshutting.Hewastiredout.AthirdtimeBlixdrewhimgentlytotheboat’sside.Condyreachedoutanddownintothewatertillhisveryshoulderwaswet，hookedtwofingersunderthedistendedgills，andwithalong，easymovementofthearmswunghimintotheboat.
Theirexultationwasthatofveritablechildren.CondywhoopedlikeanApache，throwinghishatintotheair;Blixwashardlyarticulate，herhandsclasped，herhairindisarray，hereyesswimmingwithtearsofsheerexcitement.Theyshookeachother’shands;theytalkedwildlyatthesametime：theypoundedontheboat’sthwartswiththeirfists;theylaughedattheirownabsurdity;theylookedatthetroutagainandagain，guessedathisweight，andrecalledtoeachotherdetailsofthestruggle.
"Whenhebrokethattime，wasn’titgrand？"
"AndwhenIfirstfelthimbite！Itwassosudden——why，itactuallyfrightenedme.Inever——no，neverinmylife！"exclaimedBlix，"wassohappyasIamatthismoment.Oh，Condy，tothink——
justtoTHINK！"
"Isn’titgloryhallelujah？"
"Isn’titbetterthanteas，anddancing，andfunctions？"
"Blix——howoldarewe？"
"Idon’tcarehowoldweare;Ithinkthattroutwillweightwopounds."
Whentheywerecalmagain，theyreturnedtotheirfishing.Themorningpassed，anditwasnoonbeforetheywereawareofit.Byhalf—pasttwelveBlixhadcaughtthreetrout，thoughthefirstwasbyfartheheaviest.Condyhadnothadsomuchasabite.Atoneo’clocktheyrowedashoreandhadlunchunderahugelive—oakinalittleamphitheatreofmanzanita.
Neverhadalunchtastedsodelicious.Whatifthewinewaswarmandthestuffedolivesoily？Whatifthepepperforthehard—
boiledeggshadsiftedalloverthe"devilish"hamsandwiches？
Whatiftheeggsthemselveshadnotbeensufficientlycooked，andthecorkscrewforgotten？TheyCOULDnotbeanythingelsebutinordinatelyhappy，sublimelygay.Nothingshortofactualtragedycouldhavemarredthejoyofthatday.
Butaftertheyweredoneeating，andBlixhadputawaytheforksandspoons，andwhileCondywasstretcheduponhisbacksmokingacigar，shesaidtohim：
"Now，Condy，whatdoyousaytoalittlegameofcardswithme？"
ThecigardroppedfromCondy’slips，andhesatsuddenlyupright，brushingthefallenleavesfromhishair.Blixhadtakenadeckofcardsfromthelunch—basket，andfourrollsofchipswrappedintissuepaper.Hestaredatherinspeechlessamazement.
"Whatdoyousay？"sherepeated，lookingathimandsmiling.
"Why，Blix！"heexclaimedinamazement，"whatdoyoumean？"
"JustwhatIsay.Iwantyoutoplaycardswithme."
"I’llnottodoit，"hedeclared，almostcoldly.
"Listentome，Condy，"answeredBlix;andforquitefiveminutes，whileheinterruptedandprotestedandpshawedandargued，shetalkedtohimcalmlyandquietly.
"Idon’taskyoutostopplaying，Condy，"shesaid，asshefinished;"Ijustaskyouthatwhenyoufeelyoumustplay——or——I
mean，whenyouwanttoverybad，youwillcomeandplaywithme，insteadofplayingatyourclub."
"Butit’sabsurd，it’spreposterous.Ihatetoseeagirlgambling——andyouofallgirls！"
"It’snoworseformethanitisforyouand——well，doyousupposeIwouldplaywithanyoneelse？MaybeyouthinkIcan’tplaywellenoughtomakeitinterestingforyou，"shesaidgayly."Isthatit？Icansoonshowyou，CondyRivers——nevermindwhenIlearnedhow."
"But，Blix，youdon’tknowhowoftenweplay，thosemenandI.
Why，itisalmostevery——youdon’tknowhowoftenweplay."
"Condy，wheneveryouwanttoplay，andwillplaywithME，nomatterwhatI’vegotinhand，I’llstopeverythingandplaywithyou."
"Butwhy？"
"BecauseIthink，Condy，thatTHISwayperhapsyouwon’tplayquitesooftenatfirst;andthenlittlebylittleperhaps——
perhaps——well，nevermindthatnow.Iwanttoplay;putitthatway.ButIwantyoutopromisemenevertoplaywithanyoneelse——sayforsixmonths."
Andintheend，whippedbyasenseofshame，Condymadeherthepromise.Theybecameverygayupontheinstant.
"Hoh！"exclaimedCondy;"whatdoYOUknowofpoker？Ithinkwehadbestplayoldsledgeorcassino."
Blixhaddealtahandandpartitionedthechips.
"StraightsandflushesBEFOREthedraw，"sheannouncedcalmly.
Condystartedandstared;then，lookingatheraskance，pickeduphishand.
"It’suptoyou."
"I’llmakeitfivetoplay."
"Five？Verywell.Howmanycards？"
"Three."
"I’lltaketwo."
"Betyoufivemore."
Blixlookedatherhand.Then，withouttraceofexpressioninhervoiceorface，said：
"There’syourfive，andIllraiseyoufive."
"Fivebetter."
"Andfivebetterthanthat."
"Callyou."
"Fullhouse.Acesontens，"saidBlix，throwingdownhercards.
"Heavens！they’regoodasgold，"mutteredCondyasBlixgatheredinthechips.
Anhourlatershehadwonallthechipsbutfive.
"Nowwe’llstopandgettofishingagain;don’tyouwantto？"
Heagreed，andshecountedthechips.
"Condy，youowemesevendollarsandahalf，"sheannounced.
Condybegantosmile."Well，"hesaidjocosely，"I’llsendyouaroundacheckto—morrow."
ButatthisBlixwascrossupontheinstant."Youwouldn’tdothat——wouldn’ttalkthatwaywithoneofyourfriendsattheclub！"sheexclaimed;"andit’snotrighttodoitwithme.
Condy，givemesevendollarsandahalf.Whenyouplaycardswithmeit’sjustasthoughitwerewithanotherman.Iwouldhavepaidyouifyouhadwon."
"ButIhaven’tgotmorethanninedollars.Who’llpayforthesupperto—nightatLuna’s，andourrailroadfaregoinghome？"
"I’llpay."
"ButI——Ican’taffordtolosemoneythisway."
"Shouldn’thaveplayed，then.Itookthesamechancesasyou.
Condy，Iwantmymoney."
"You——you——whyyou’veregularlyflimflammedme."
"Willyougivememymoney？"
"Oh，takeyourmoneythen！"
Blixshutthemoneyinherpurse，androse，dustingherdress.
"Now，"shesaid——"nowthatthepastimeofcard—playingisover，wewillreturntotheseriousbusinessoflife，whichisthecatching——no，’KILLING’oflaketrout."
Atfiveo’clockintheafternoon，CondypulleduptheanchorofrailroadironandrowedbacktoRichardson’s.Blixhadsixtrouttohercredit，butCondy’sill—luckhadbeenactuallyludicrous.
"Icanholdastringinthewateraslongasanybody，"hecomplained，"butI’dliketohavethesatisfactionofmerelychangingthebaitOCCASIONALLY.I’venothadasinglebite——notanibble，y’know，allday.Nevermind，yougotthebigtrout，Blix;thatfirstone.Thatfiveminuteswasworththewholeday.
It’sbeenglorious，thewholething.We’llcomedownhereonceaweekrightalongnow."
ButtheoneincidentthatcompletedthehappinessofthatwonderfuldayoccurredjustastheyweregettingoutoftheboatontheshorebyRichardson’s.Inamud—holebetweentworockstheydiscoveredatinystripedsnake，hardlybiggerthanaleadpencil，intheactofswallowingalittlegreenfrog，andtheypassedarapttenminutesinwitnessingtheprogressofthisminiaturedrama，whichculminatedhappilyinthevictim’sescape，andtriumphofvirtue.
"That，"declaredBlixastheyclimbedintotheoldbuggywhichwastotakethemtothetrain，"wastheonethingnecessary.Thatmadethedayperfect."
Theyreachedthecityatdusk，andsenttheirfish，lunch—basket，androdsuptotheBessemers’flatbyamessengerboywithanexplanatorynoteforBlix’sfather.
"Now，"saidCondy，"forLuna’sandthematrimonialobjects."
ChapterVII
Luna’sMexicanrestauranthasnoaddress.Itisonnoparticularstreet，atnoparticularcorner;evenitshabitues，itsmostenthusiasticdevotees，areunabletolocateitupondemand.Itis"overthereinthequarter，""notfarfromthecathedralthere."
Onecouldfinditifonestartedoutwiththatintent;buttodirectanotherthere——no，thatisoutofthequestion.ItCANbereachedbyfollowingthealleysofChinatown.Youwillcomeoutofthelastalley——theonewheretheslavegirlsare——upontheedgeoftheMexicanquarter，andbygoingstraightforwardablockortwoandbykeepingasharplookouttorightandleftyouwillhituponit.Itisalwaystobesearchedfor.Alwaystobediscovered.
OnthatparticularMondayeveningBlixandCondyarrivedatLuna’ssomefifteenminutesbeforeseven.Condyhadlosthimselfandallsenseofdirectioninthestrangestreetsofthequarter，andtheywereontheverybrinkofdespairwhenBlixdiscoveredthesignuponanoppositecorner.
AsCondyhadforetold，theyhadtheplacetothemselves.Theywentintothebackroomwithitsonemirror，sixtables，andastonishingcurtainsofNottinghamlace;andthewaiter，whosenamewasRichardorRiccardo，accordingtotaste，begantoofficiateatthesolemnritesofthe"supperMexican."CondyandBlixatewiththeireyescontinuallywanderingtothedoor;andastheFRIJOLESwerebeingserved，startedsimultaneouslyandexchangedglances.
Amanwearingtwomargueritesinthelapelofhiscoathadenteredabruptly，andsatdowntoatablecloseathand.
Condydrewabreathofsuppressedexcitement.
"Thereheis，"hewhispered——"CaptainJack！"
Theylookedatthenewcomerwithfurtiveanxiety，andtoldthemselvesthattheyweredisappointed.Foraretiredseacaptainhewasdesperatelycommonplace.Hishairwasred，hewasyoungerthantheyhadexpected，and，worstofall，hedidlooktough.
"Oh，poorK.D.B.！"sighedBlix，shakingherhead."He’llneverdo，I’mafraid.Perhapshehasagoodheart，though;red—headedpeopleareSOMETIMESaffectionate."
"Theyareimpulsive，"hazardedCondy.
Ashespokethewords，asecondmanenteredthelittleroom.He，too，satdownatanearbytable.He，too，orderedthe"supperMexican."He，too，woremargueritesinhisbuttonhole.
"Deathanddestruction！"gaspedCondy，turningpale.
Blixcollapsedhelplesslyinherchair，herhandsdroppinginherlap.Theystaredateachotherinutterconfusion.
"Here’sahow—do—you—do，"murmuredCondy，pretendingtostripaTAMALEthatRichardhadjustsetbeforehim.ButBlixhadpushedhersaside.
"Whatdoesitmean？"whisperedCondyacrossthetable."InHeaven’sname，whatdoesitmean？"
"Itcanonlymeanonething，"Blixdeclared;"oneofthemisthecaptain，andoneisacoincidence.Anybodymightwearamarguerite;weoughttohavethoughtofthat."
"Butwhichiswhich？"
"IfK.D.B.shouldcomenow！"
"Butthelastmanlooksmorelikethecaptain."
Thelastmanwasasturdy，broad—shoulderedfellow，whomighthavebeenforty.Hisheavymustachewasjusttouchedwithgray，andhedidhaveacertainvaguely"soberandindustrious"appearance.
Butthedifferencebetweenthetwomenwasslight，afterall;thered—headedmancouldeasilyhavebeenaseacaptain，andhecertainlywasoverthirty—five.
"Which？which？which？——howcanwetell？Wemightthinkofsomewaytogetridofthecoincidence，ifwecouldonlytellwhichthecoincidencewas.WeoweittoK.D.B.Inaway，Condy，it’sourduty.Webroughtherhere，orwearegoingto，andweoughttohelpherallwecan;andshemaybehereatanymoment.Whattimeisitnow？"
"Fiveminutesafterseven.But，Blix，Ishouldthinktherightone——thecaptain——wouldbeallputouthimselfbyseeinganotherchapherewearingmarguerites.Doeseitheroneof’emseemputouttoyou？Look.Ishouldthinkthecaptain，whicheveroneheis，wouldkindofGLAREatthecoincidence."
Stealthilytheystudiedthetwomenforamoment.
"No，no，"murmuredBlix，"youcan’ttell.Neitherofthemseemstoglaremuch.Oh，Condy"——hervoicedroppedtoafaintwhisper.
"Thered—headedonehasputhishatonachair，justbehindhim，notice？Doyousupposeifyoustoodupyoucouldseeinside？"
"Whatgoodwouldthatdo？"
"Hemighthavehisinitialsinsidethecrown，orhiswholenameeven;andyoucouldseeifhehada’captain’beforeit."
Condymadeapretenceofrisingtogetamatchinaribbed，truncatedconeofchinathatstooduponanadjacenttable，andBlixheldherbreathasheglanceddownintothedepthsofthehat.Heresumedhisseat.
"Onlyinitials，"hebreathed——"W.J.A.ItmightbeJack，thatJ.，anditmightbeJoe，orJeremiah，orJoshua;andevenifhewasacaptainhemightnotusethetitle.We’renobetteroffthanwewerebefore."
"AndK.D.B.maycomeatanymoment.Maybeshehascomealreadyandlookedthroughthewindows，andsawTWOmenwithmargueritesandwentaway.She’dbejustthattimid.Whatcanwedo？"
"Waitaminute，lookhere，"murmuredCondy."I’veanidea.I’LL
findoutwhichthecaptainis.Youseethatpicture，thatchromo，onthewallopposite？"
Blixlookedasheindicated.Thepicturewasagorgeouslycoloredlithographofapilot—boat，schooner—rigged，allsailsset，dashingbravelythroughseasofemeraldgreencolor.
"Youmeanthatschooner？"askedBlix.
"Thatschooner，exactly.Now，listen.Youaskmeinaloudvoicewhatkindofaboatthatis;andwhenIanswer，youkeepyoureyeonthetwomen."
"Why，whatareyougoingtodo？"
"You’llsee.Tryitnow;we’venotimetolose."
Blixshiftedinherseatandclearedherthroat.Then：
"Whataprettyboatthatisupthere，thatpictureonthewall.
Seeoverthere，onthewallopposite？Doyounoticeit？Isn’tshepretty？Condy，tellmewhatkindofaboatisthat？"
Condyturnedaboutinhisplacewithgreatdeliberation，fixedthepicturewithajudicialeye，andannounceddecisively：
"That？——why，that’saBARKENTINE."
CondyhadnoneedtowaitforBlix’sreport.Thedemonstrationcamefartooquicklyforthat.Thered—headedmanathislouddeclarationmerelyglancedinthedirectionofthechromoandreturnedtohisenchellados.ButheoftheblackmustachefollowedCondy’sglance，notedthepictureofwhichhespoke，andsnortedcontemptuously.Theyevenheardhimmutterbeneathhismustache：
"BARKENTINEyoureye！"
"Nodoubtastowhichisthecaptainnow，"whisperedCondysosoonastheotherhadremovedfromhimaglanceofwitheringscorn.
Theycouldhardlyrestraintheirgayety;buttheirgravitypromptlyreturnedwhenBlixkickedCondy’sfootunderthetableandmurmured："He’slookingathiswatch，thecaptainis.K.D.
B.isn’thereyet，andthered—headedman，thecoincidence，is.
WeMUSTgetridofhim.Condy，can’tyouthinkofsomething？"
"Well，hewon’tgotillhe’sthroughhissupper，youcandependuponthat.Ifhe’sherewhenK.D.B.arrives，itwillspoileverything.Shewouldn’tstayamoment.Shewouldn’tevencomein."
"Isn’titdisappointing？AndIhadsocounteduponbringingthesetwotogether！AndCaptainJackisaniceman！"
"Youcanseethatwithonehandtiedbehindyou，"whisperedCondy.
"Theotherchap’stough."
"Looksjustlikethekindofmantogetintojailsoonerorlater."
"Maybehe’sintosomemischiefnow;younevercantell.AndtheMexicanquarterofSanFranciscoisjusttheplacefor’affairs.’
I’llwarranthe’sgotPALS."
"Well，hereheis——that’sthemainpoint——justkeepingthosepeopleapart，spoilingawholeromance.Mayberuiningtheirlives.It’sQUITEpossible;reallyitis.Juststopandthink.
Thisisapositivecrisiswe’relookingatnow."
"Can’twegetridofhimSOMEHOW？"
"O—oh！"whisperedBlix，allatonce，inaquiverofexcitement.
"Thereisaway，ifwe’deverhavethecouragetodoit.Itmightwork;andifitdidn’t，he’dneverknowthedifference，neverwouldsuspectus.Oh！butwewouldn’tdare."
"What？what？InHeaven’snamewhatisit，Blix？"
"Wewouldn’tdare——wecouldn’t.Oh！butitwouldbesuch——"
"K.D.B.maycomeinthatdooratanysecond."
"I’mhalfafraid，butallthesame——Condy，letmehaveapencil."
Shedashedoffacoupleoflinesonthebackofthebilloffare，andherhandtrembledlikealeafasshehandedhimwhatshehadwritten.
"Sendhim——thered—headedman——thattelegram.There’sanofficejusttwodoorsbelowhere，nextthedrug—store.Isawitaswecameby.Youknowhisinitials：remember，yousawtheminhishat.W.J.A.，Luna’srestaurant.That’sallyouwant."
"Lord，"mutteredCondy，ashegazeduponwhatBlixhadwritten.
"Doyoudare？"shewhispered，withalittlehystericalshudder.
"Ifitfailedwe’venothingtolose."
"AndK.D.B.iscomingnearereveryinstant！"
"Butwouldhego——thatis，atonce？"
"Wecanonlytry.Youwon’tbegoneahundredseconds.Youcanleavemeherethatlengthoftime.Quick，Condy;decideonewayortheother.It’sgettingdesperate."
Condyreachedforhishat.
"Givemesomemoney，then，"hesaid."Youwonallofmine"
Afewmomentslaterhewasbackagainandthetwosat，pretendingtoeattheirchilipeppers，theirheartsintheirthroats，hardlydaringtoraisetheireyesfromtheirplates.Condywasactuallysickwithexcitement，andallbuttippedtheseltzerbottletothefloorwhenamessengerboyappearedintheouterroom.Theboyandtheproprietorheldaconferenceoverthecounter.ThenRichardappearedbetweentheportieresofNottinghamlace，thetelegraminhishandandtheboyathisheels.
EvidentlyRichardknewthered—headedman，forhecrossedovertohimatoncewiththewords：
"Iguessthisisforyou，Mr.Atkins？"
Hehandedhimthedespatchandretired.Thered—headedmansignedthereceipt;theboydeparted.BlixandCondyheardthesoundoftornpaperasthered—headedmanopenedthetelegram.
Tensecondspassed，thenfifteen，thentwenty.Therewasasilence.Condydaredtostealaglanceatthered—headedman’sreflectioninthemirror.Hewasstudyingthedespatch，frowninghorribly.Heputitawayinhispocket，tookitoutagainwithafiercemovementofimpatience，andconsulteditasecondtime.
His"supperMexican"remaineduntastedbeforehim;CondyandBlixheardhimbreathingloudthroughhisnose.Thathewasprofoundlyagitated，theycouldnotdoubtforasinglemoment.Allatoncealittlepanicterrorseemedtotakepossessionofhim.Herose，seizedhishat，jammeditoverhisears，slappedahalf—dollaruponthetable，andstrodefromtherestaurant.
Thisiswhattheread—headedmanhadreadinthedespatch;thisiswhatBlixhadwritten：
"ALLISDISCOVERED.FLYATONCE."
AndneverinalltheirsubsequentramblesaboutthecitydidBlixorCondyseteyesuponthered—headedmanagain，nordidLuna’srestaurant，whereheseemedtohavebeenahabitue，everafterwardknowhispresence.Hedisappeared;hewasswallowedup.Hehadlefttherestaurant，true.Hadhealsoleftthatneighborhood？
Hadhefledthecity，theState，thecountryeven？Whatskeletoninthered—headedman’sclosethadthosesixwordscalledtolifeandthelightofday.Hadtheyfrightenedhimforthtospendtherestofhisdaysfleeingfromanunnamed，unknownavenger——averitablewanderingJew？Whatmysteryhadtheytoucheduponthereinthebald，barebackroomoftheQuarter’srestaurant？Whatdarkdoorhadtheyopened，whatred—headedphantomhadtheyevoked？Hadtheybrokenupaplot，thwartedaconspiracy，preventedacrime？
Theyneverknew.Onethingonlywascertain.Thered—headedmanhadhadapast.
Meanwhiletheminuteswerepassing，andK.D.B.stillfailedtoappear.CaptainJackwasvisiblygrowingimpatient，anxious.Bynowhehadcometothefieryliqueurcalledmescal.Hewasnearlythroughhissupper.Ateverymomentheconsultedhiswatchandfixedtheoutsidedoorwithascowl.Itwasalreadytwentyminutesafterseven.
"Iknowthered—headedmanspoiledit，afterall，"murmuredBlix.
"K.D.B.sawthetwooftheminhereandwasfrightened."
"WecouldsendCaptainJackatelegramfromher，"suggestedCondy.
"I’mreadyforanythingnow."
"Whatcouldyousay？"
"Oh，thatshecouldn’tcome.Makeanotherappointment."
"He’dbeoffendedwithher.He’dnevermakeanotherappointment.
Seacaptainsarealwayssopunctilious，y’know."
Richardbroughtthemtheircoffeeandkirsch，andCondyshowedBlixhowtoburnalumpofsugarandsweetenthecoffeewithsyrup.Buttheyweredisappointed.CaptainJackwasgettingreadytoleave.K.D.B.hadevidentlybrokentheappointment.
Thenallatoncesheappeared.
Theyknewitupontheinstantbyabriskopeningandshuttingofthestreetdoor，andbyasuddenalertnessonthepartofCaptainJack，whichheimmediatelyfollowedbyaquiteinexplicablemove.
Thestreetdoorintheoutsideroomhadhardlyclosedbeforehishandshottohiscoatlapelandtoreoutthetwomarguerites.
Theactionwasinstinctive;Blixknewitforsuchimmediately.
Theretiredcaptainhadnotpremeditatedit.Hehadnotseenthefaceofthenewcomer.Shehadnottimetocomeintothebackroom，oreventoclosethestreetdoor.Buttheinstantthatthecaptainhadrecognizedabunchofwhitemargueritesinherbelthehad，withoutknowingwhy，beenmovedtoconcealhisidentity.
"He’safraid，"whisperedBlix."Positively，Ibelievehe’safraid.Howabsolutelystupidmenare！"
Butmeanwhile，K.D.B.，thelooked—for，theplanned—forandintrigued—for;theobjectofsomuchdiplomacy，suchdelicatemanoeuvring;thepivotuponwhichallplansweretoturn，thestorm—centreroundwhichsomanyconflictingcurrentsrevolved，andforwhosebenefitthepeaceofmindofthered—headedmanhadbeenforeverbrokenup——hadenteredtheroom.
"Why，she’sPRETTY！"wasBlix’sfirstsmotheredexclamation，asifshehadexpectedaharridan.
K.D.B.lookedlikeaservant—girlofthebettersort，andwasreallyveryneatlydressed.Shewassmall，littleeven.Shehadsnappyblackeyes，aresolutemouth，andageneralairofbeingveryquiet，verymatter—of—factandcomplacent.Shewouldbedisturbedatnothing，excitedatnothing;Blixwassureofthat.
Shewasplacid，butitwastheplaciditynotoftheabsenceofemotion，butofemotiondisdained.Nottheplacidityofthemollusk，butthatofamatureandcontemplativecat.
Quietlyshesatdownatacornertable，quietlysheremovedherveilandgloves，andquietlyshetookintheroomanditsthreeoccupants.
CondyandBlixgluedtheireyesupontheircoffeecupslikeguiltyconspirators;butacrashoffallingcrockerycalledtheirattentiontothecaptain’stable.
CaptainJackwasinatremor.Hithertohehadactedtheroleofasaneandsensiblegentlemanofmiddleage，masterofhimselfandofthesituation.TheentranceofK.D.B.hadevidentlyreducedhimtoasemi—idioticcondition.Heenlargedhimself;heeasedhisneckinhiscollarwitharotarymovementofheadandshoulders.Hefrownedterriblyattriflingobjectsincornersoftheroom.Heclearedhisthroattilltheglasswarejingled.Hepulledathismustache.Heperspired，fumed，fretted，andwassuddenlyseizedwithaninsanedesiretolaugh.OnceonlyhecaughttheeyeofK.D.B.，calmlysittinginhercorner，pickingdaintilyatherfish，whereuponheimmediatelyoverturnedthevinegarandpeppercastersuponthefloor.Justsomighthavebehavedanovergrownpuppyinthepresenceofasleepy，unperturbedchessy—cat，dozingbythefire.
"Heoughttobeshaken，"murmuredBlixattheendofherpatience.
"DoeshethinkSHEisgoingtomakethefirstmove？"
"Ha，ah’m！"thunderedthecaptain，clearinghisthroatforthetwentiethtime，twirlinghismustache，andburyinghisscarletfaceinanenormouspockethandkerchief.
Fiveminutespassedandhewasstillinhisplace.FromtimetotimeK.D.B.fixedhimwithaquiet，deliberatelook，andresumedherdelicatepicking.
"Doyouthinksheknowsit’she，nowthathe’stakenoffhismarguerites？"whisperedCondy.
"Knowit？——ofcourseshedoes！DoyouthinkwomenareabsolutelyBLIND，orsoimbecileasmenare？And，then，ifshedidn’tthinkitwashe，she’dgoaway.Andshe’ssoreallypretty，too.Heoughttothankhisstarsalive.Thinkwhatafrightshemighthavebeen！Shedoesn’tLOOKthirty—one."
"Huh！"returnedCondy."AslongassheSAIDshewasthirty—one，youcanbeteverythingyouhavethatsheis;that’sastrueasrevealedreligion."
"Well，it’ssomethingtohaveseenthekindofpeoplewhowritethepersonals，"saidBlix."Ihadalwaysimaginedthattheywerekindoftough."
"Youseetheyarenot，"heanswered."Itoldyoutheywerenot.
Maybe，however，wehavebeenexceptionallyfortunate.Atanyrate，thesearerespectableenough."
"Nottheleastdoubtaboutthat.Butwhydon’thedosomething，thatcaptain？"mournedBlix."WhyWILLheactlikesuchaninny？"
"He’swaitingforustogo，"saidCondy;"I’msureofit.They’llnevermeetsolongaswe’rehere.Let’sgoandgive’emachance.
Ifyouleavethetwoalonehere，oneortheotherwillHAVEtospeak.Thesuspensewouldbecometooterrible.Itwouldbeasthoughtheywereonadesertisland."
"ButIwantedtoSEEthemmeet，"sheprotested.
"Youwouldn’thearwhattheysaid."
"Butwe’dneverknowiftheydidmeet，andoh——andWHOspokefirst？"
"She’llspeakfirst，"declaredCondy.
"Never！"returnedBlix，inanindignantwhisper.
"Itellyouwhat.Wecouldgoandthencomebackinfiveminutes.
I’llforgetmystickhere.Savvy？"
"Youwouldprobablydoitanyhow，"shetoldhim.
Theydecidedthiswouldbethebettercourse.Theygottogethertheirthings，andCondyneglectedhisstick，hanginguponahookonthewall.
Atthecounterintheoutsideroom，Blix，tothestupefactionofRichard，thewaiter，paidthebill.Butasshewasmovingtowardthedoor，Condycalledherback.
"Rememberthewaiter，"hesaidseverely，whileRichardgrinnedandbobbed."Fiftycentsistheveryleastyoucouldtiphim."
Richardactuallyprotested，butCondywasfirm，andinsisteduponahalf—dollartip.
"Noblesseoblige，"hedeclaredwithvastsolemnity.
Theywalkedasfarasthecathedral，listenedforamomenttothebellstrikingthehourofeight;thenastheyrememberedthattherestaurantclosedatthattime，hurriedbackandenteredtheoutsideroominfeignedperturbation.
"DidI，couldIhavepossiblyleftmystickhere？"exclaimedCondytoRichard，whowasuntyinghisapronbehindthecounter.ButRichardhadnotnoticed.
"IthinkImusthaveleftitbackherewhereweweresitting."
Condysteppedintothebackroom，Blixfollowing.Theygothisstickandreturnedtotheoutsideroom.
"Yes，yes，Ididleaveit，"hesaid，asheshowedittoRichard.
I’malwaysleavingthatstickwhereverIgo."
"Comeagain，"saidRichard，ashebowedthemoutofthedoor.
OnthecurboutsideCondyandBlixshookhandsandcongratulatedeachotheronthesuccessofalltheirlabors.Inthebackroom，seatedatthesametable，abunchofwiltingmargueritesbetweenthem，theyhadseentheir"matrimonialobjects"conferringearnestlytogether，absorbedinthebusinessofgettingacquainted.
Blixheavedagreatsighofreliefandsatisfaction，exclaiming：
"AtlastK.D.B.andCaptainJackhavemet！"
ChapterVIII
"But，"sheadded，astheystartedtowalk，"wewillneverknowwhichonespokefirst."
ButCondywasalreadyworrying.
"Idon’tknow，Idon’tknow！"hemurmuredanxiously."Perhapswe’vedoneanawfulthing.Supposetheyaren’thappytogetherafterthey’remarried？Iwishwehadn’t;Iwishwehadn’tnow.
We’vebeenplayingagameofcheckerswithhumansouls.We’veanawfulresponsibility.Supposehekillshersometime？"
"Fiddlesticks，Condy！And，besides，ifwe’vedonewrongwithourmatrimonialobjects，we’veoffsetitbydoingwellwithourred—
headedcoincidence.Howdoyouknow，youmayhave’foiledavillain’withthattelegram——preventedacrime？"
Condygrinnedattherecollectionoftheincident.
"’Flyatonce，’"herepeated."Iguesshe’sflyingyet.’Allisdiscovered.’I’dgiveadollarandahalf——"
"Ifyouhadit？"
"Oh，well，ifIhadit——toknowjustwhatitwaswehavediscovered."
SuddenlyBlixcaughthisarm.
"Condy，heretheycome！"
"Who？Who？"
"Ourobjects，CaptainJackandK.D.B."
"Ofcourse，ofcourse.Theycouldn’tstay.Therestaurantshutsupateight"
BlixandCondyhadbeenwalkingslowlyinthedirectionofPacificStreet，andK.D.B.andherescortsoonovertookthemgoinginthesamedirection.Astheypassed，thecaptainwassaying：
"——jumpedonmyhatches，andsayswe’llmakeitaninternationalaffair.Thatdidn’t——"
Apassingwagondrownedthesoundofhisvoice.
"Hewastellingherofhisadventures！"criedBlix."Splendid！
OthelloandDesdemona.They’regettingon."
"Let’sfollowthem！"exclaimedCondy.
"Shouldwe？Wouldn’titbeindiscreet？"
"No.Wearethearbitersoftheirfate;weMUSTtakeaninterest."
Theyallowedtheirobjectstogetaheadsomehalfablockandthenfellinbehind.Therewaslittledangeroftheirbeingdetected.
ThecaptainandK.D.B.wereabsorbedineachother.Shehadeventakenhisarm.
"Theymakeafine—lookingcouple，really，"saidBlix."Wheredoyousupposetheyaregoing？Toanotherrestaurant？"
Butthiswasnotthecase.BlixandCondyfollowedthemasfarasWashingtonSquare，wheretheGeodeticSurveystonestands，andtheenormousflagstaff;andthereinfrontofacommonplacelittlehouse，twodoorsabovetheRussianchurchwithitsminaretslikeinvertedballoonsK.D.B.andthecaptainhalted.Forafewmomentstheyconversedinlowtonesatthegate，thensaidgood—
night，K.D.B.enteringthehouse，thecaptainbowingwithgreatdeference，hishatinhishand.Thenheturnedabout，glancedonceortwiceatthehouse，sethishatatanangle，anddisappearedacrossthesquare，whistlingatune，hischinintheair.
"Verygood，excellent，highlyrespectable，"approvedBlix;andCondyhimselffetchedasighofrelief.
"Yes，yes，itmighthavebeenworse."
"We’llneverseethemagain，our’MatrimonialObjects，’"saidBlix，"andthey’llneverknowaboutus;butwehavebroughtthemtogether.We’vestartedaromance.Yes，Ithinkwe’vedoneagoodday’swork.Andnow，Condy，Ithinkwehadbestbethinkingofhomeourselves.I’mjustbeginningtogetmostawfullysleepy.
Whatadaywe’vehad！"
Aseafog，orratherTHEseafog——SanFrancisco’soldandinseparablecompanion——hadgatheredbythetimetheyreachedthetopoftheWashingtonStreethill.Everythingwaswetwithit.
Theasphaltwaslikevarnishedebony.Indistinctmassesandhugedimshadowsstoodforthehousesoneitherside.Fromtheeucalyptustreesandthepalmsthewaterdrippedlikerain.Faroffoceanward，thefog—hornwaslowinglikealostgiganticbull.
Thegraybulkofapoliceman——thelightfromthestreetlampreflectedinhisstar——loomeduponthecornerastheydescendedfromthecar.
**********
Condyhadintendedtocallhisdiver’sstory"ASubmarineRomance，"butBlixhaddisapproved.
"It’stoo’TwentyThousandLeaguesUndertheSea，’"shehadsaid.
"Youwantsomethingmuchmoredignified.Thereisthataboutyou，Condy，youliketobetooshowy;youdon’tknowwhentostop.Butyouhaveleftoffred—and—whitescarfs，andIamverygladtoseeyouwearingwhiteshirt—frontsinsteadofpinkones."
"Yes，yes，Ithoughtitwouldbequieter，"hehadanswered，asthoughtheideahadcomefromhim.Blixallowedhimtothinkso.
But"AVictoryOverDeath，"asthestorywasfinallycalled，wasasuccess.Condywastoomuchofabornstory—tellernottoknowwhenhehaddonesomethingdistinctlygood.Whenthestorycamebackfromthetypewriter’s，withtheadditionalstrengththatprintlendstofiction，andhehadreaditover，hecouldnotrepressasenseofjubilation.Thestoryrangtrue.
"Bully，bully！"hemutteredbetweenhisteethashefinishedthelastparagraph."It’sacorker！Ifit’srejectedeverywhere，it’sanout—of—sightyarnjustthesame."
AndthereCondy’senthusiasminthematterbegantodwindle.Thefinefirewhichhadsustainedhimduringthestoryscompositionhaddiedout.Hewassatisfiedwithhiswork.Hehadwrittenagoodstory，andthatwastheendofit.NodoubthewouldsenditEast——totheCentennialCompany——to—morroworthedayafter——sometimethatweek.Tomailthemanuscriptmeantquitehalfanhour’seffort.Hewouldhavetobuystampsforreturnpostage;aletterwouldhavetobewritten，alargeenvelopeprocured，theaccurateaddressascertained.Forthemomenthissupplementworkdemandedhisattention.Heputoffsendingthestoryfromdaytoday.Hisinterestinithadabated.Andforthatmatterhesoondiscoveredhehadotherthingstothinkof.
IthadbeeneasytopromiseBlixthathewouldnolongergambleathisclubwiththeothermenofhisacquaintance;butitwas"deathandthedevil，"ashetoldhimself，toabidebythatpromise.
MorethanonceinthefortnightfollowinguponhisresolutionhehadcomeuptothelittleflatontheWashingtonStreethillastoaplaceofrefuge;andBlix，alwayspretendingthatitwasallahugejokeandpartoftheirgoodtimes，hadbroughtoutthecardsandplayedwithhim.Butsheknewverywellthefighthewasmakingagainsttheenemy，andhowharditwasforhimtokeepfromtheroundgreentablesandgroupofsilentshirt—sleevedmeninthecard—roomsofhisclub.ShelookedforwardtothetimewhenCondywouldceasetoplayevenwithher.Butshewastoosensibleandpracticalagirltoexpecthimtobreakahabitofyears’
standinginacoupleofweeks.Thethingwouldhavetobeaccomplishedlittlebylittle.Attimesshehadmisgivingsastothehonestyofthecourseshehadadopted.Butnowadays，playingashedidwithheronly，Condygambledbuttwoorthreeeveningsintheweek，andthennotformorethantwohoursatatime.
Heretoforehardlyaneveningthathadnotseenhimattheroundtableinhisclub’scard—room，whencehehadnotrisenuntillongaftermidnight.
CondyhadtoldyoungSargeantthathehad"reformed"inthematterofgambling，andintendedtoswearoffforafewmonths.
Sargeant，likethethoroughbredhewas，neverurgedhimtoplayafterthat，andneverspokeofthepreviousnight’sgamewhenCondywasabout.Theothermenofhis"set"werenolessthoughtful，and，thoughtheyralliedhimalittleatfirstuponhisdefection，soonletthematterdrop.Condytoldhimselfthattherewereplentyofgoodpeopleintheworld，afterall.Everyoneseemedconspiringtomakeiteasyforhim，andhesworeathimselfforaweak—kneedcad.
OnacertainTuesday，aboutaweekafterthefishingexcursionandtheaffairofthe"MatrimonialObjects，"towardhalf—pastsixintheevening，Condywasinhisroom，dressingforadinnerengagement.YoungSargeant’ssisterhadinvitedhimtobeoneofapartywhoweretodineattheUniversityClub，andlateronfillaboxatacharityplay，givenbyamateursatoneofthedowntowntheatres.Butashewaswashinghislinenshirt—studswithhistooth—brushhiseyefelluponanote，inLaurieFlagg’shand—
writing，thatlayonhiswriting—desk，andthathehadreceivedsometendaysprevious.Condyturnedcoldupontheinstant，hurledthetooth—brushacrosstheroom，anddroppedintoachairwithagroanofdespair.MissFlaggwasgivingatheatrepartyforthesameaffair，andherememberednowthathehadpromisedtojoinherpartyaswell，forgettingallabouttheengagementhehadmadewithMissSargeant.Itwasimpossibleatthislatehourtoaccepteitheroneoftheyoungwomen’sinvitationswithoutoffendingtheother.
"Well，Iwon’tgotoEITHER，that’sall，"hevociferatedaloudtotheoppositewall."I’llsend’emeachawire，andsaythatI’msickorhavegottogodowntotheoffice，and——and，byGeorge！
I’llgoupandseeBlix，andwe’llreadandmakethingstoeat."
Andnosoonerhadthisalternativeoccurredtohimthanitappearedtoofascinatingtoberesisted.Aweightseemedremovedfromhismind.Whenitcametothat，whatamusementwouldhehaveateitheraffair？
"Situptherewithyourshirt—frontstarchedlikeaboard，"heblustered，"andyourcollarthrottlingyou，andsmiletillyourfaceissore，andreeloffsmalltalktoagirlwhoselastnameyoucan’tremember！DoIhaveanyfun，doesitdomeanygood，doIgetideasforyarns？WhatdoIdoitfor？Idon’tknow."
Whilespeakinghehadbeenkickingoffhistightshoesandsuchofhisfulldressashehadalreadyputon，andwithafeelingofenormousreliefturnedagaintohissacksuitoftweed."Lord，thesefeelbetter！"heexclaimed，ashesubstitutedtheloosebusinesssuitfortheformalrigidityofhiseveningdress.Itwaswithasensationofpositiveluxurythatheputona"soft"
shirtofbluecheviotandhistanwalking—shoes.
"Butnomoreredscarfs，"hedeclared，asheknottedhisblacksatin"club"beforethemirror."SheWASrightthere."Heputhiscigarettesinhispocket，caughtuphisglovesandstick，clappedonhishat，andstartedfortheBessemers’flatwithafeelingofjoyousexpectancyhehadnotknownfordays.
EvidentlyBlixhadseenhimcoming，forsheopenedthedoorherself;anditsuitedherhumorforthemomenttotreathimasapeddlerorbook—agent.
"No，no，"shesaidairily，herheadintheairassheheldthedoor."No，wedon’twantanyto—day.WeHAVEthebiographyofAbrahamLincoln.Don’twanttosubscribetoanyHomeBookofArt.
We’renotartistic;weusedrapesinourparlors.Don’twant’TheWivesandMothersofGreatMen.’"
ButCondyhadnoticedacoupleofyoungwomenonthelowerstepsoftheadjacentflat，quitewithinear—shot，andatoncehebeganinaloud，harshvoice：
"Well，y’know，wecan’twaitforourrentforever;I’monlythecollector，andI’venothingtodowithrepairs.Payyourrentthat’sthreemonthsoverdue，andthen——
ButBlixpulledhimwithinthehouseandclappedtothedoor.
"CondyRIVERS！"sheexclaimed，hercheeksflaming，"thoseareourneighbors.Theyheardeveryword.Whatdoyousupposetheythink？"
"Huh！I’dratherhave’emthinkIwasarent—collectorthanabook—agent.Youbeganit.’Evenin’，MissLady."
"’Evenin’，MisterMan."
ButCondy’svisit，begunthusgayly，soondevelopedalongmuchmoreseriouslines.Aftersupper，whilethelightstilllasted，Blixreadstoriestohimwhilehesmokedcigarettesinthebaywindowofthedining—room.Butassoonasthelightbegantogosheputthebookaside，andthetwotooktheiraccustomedplacesinthewindow，andwatchedtheeveningburningitselfoutovertheGoldenGate.
Itwasjustwarmenoughtohaveoneofthewindowsopened，andforalongtimeafterthedusktheysatlisteningtothevagueclamorofthecity，lapsingbydegrees，tillitsettledintoameasured，soothingmurmur，likethebreathingofsomevastmonsterasleep.
Condy’scigarettewasamereredpointinthehalf—darkness.Thesmokedriftedoutoftheopenwindowinlong，bluestrata.AthiselbowBlixwasleaningforward，lookingdownuponthedarkening，drowsingcity，herround，strongchinproppeduponherhand.ShewasjustcloseenoughforCandytocatchthesweet，deliciousfeminineperfumethatcameindefinitelyfromherclothes，herhair，herneck.FromwhereCondysathecouldseethesilhouetteofherheadandshouldersagainstthedullgoldenbluroftheopenwindow;herround，highforehead，withthethickyellowhairrollingbackfromhertemplesandears，herpink，cleancheeks，herlittledark—brown，scintillatingeyes，andherfirmredmouth，madeallthefirmerbythepositionofherchinuponherhand.Asever，herround，strongneckwasswathedhighandtightinwhitesatin;butbetweenthetopmostfoldofthesatinandtheroseofonesmallear—lobewasalittletriangleofwhiteskin，thatwaspartlyherneckandpartlyhercheek，andthatCondyknewshouldbesofterthandown，smootherthansatin，warmandsweetandredolentasnewapples.Condyimaginedhimselfhavingtherighttoleantowardherthereandkissthatlittlespotuponherneckorhercheek;andashefanciedit，wassurprisedtofindhisbreathcomesuddenlyquick，andabarelyperceptiblequalm，asofacertainfaintness，thrillhimtohisfinger—tips;andthen，hethought，howwoulditbeifhecould，withoutfearofrebuff，reachouthisarmandputitabouthertrim，firmwaist，anddrawherveryclosetohim，tillheshouldfeelthesatinycoolnessofhersmoothcheekagainsthis;tillhecouldsinkhisfaceinthedelicious，fragrantconfusionofherhair，thenturnthatfacetohis——thatfacewithitsstrong，calmmouthandsweet，fulllips——
thefaceofthisdearyounggirlofnineteen，andthen——
"Isay——I——shallwe——let’sreadagain.Let’s——let’sdosomething."
"Condy，howyoufrightenedme！"exclaimedBlix，withagreatstart."No，listen：Iwanttotalktoyou，totellyousomething.
PapumandIhavebeenhavingsomeverylongandserioustalkssinceyouwerelasthere.Whatdoyouthink，Imaygoaway."
"Thedeuceyousay！"exclaimedCondy，sittingsuddenlyupright.
"Whereto，inHeaven’sname？"headded——"andwhen？andwhatfor？"
"ToNewYork，tostudymedicine."
Therewasasilence;thenCondyexclaimed，wavinghishandsather：
"Oh，gorighton！Don’tmindme.LittlethinglikegoingtoNewYork——tostudymedicine.Ofcourse，thathappenseveryday，ameredetail.Ipresumeyou’llgobackandforthforyourmeals？"
ThenBlixbegantoexplain.Itappearedthatshehadtwoaunts，bothsistersofherfather——oneawidow，theotherunmarried.Thewidow，acertainMrs.Kihm，livedinNewYork，andwaswealthy，andhadviewson"women’ssphereofusefulness."Theother，MissBessemer，alittleoldmaidoffifty，Condyhadonrareoccasionsseenattheflat，whereeveryonecalledherAuntDodd.ShelivedinthatvagueregionofthecityknownastheMission，wheresheownedalittleproperty.
FromwhatBlixtoldhimthatevening，CondylearnedthatMrs.KihmhadvisitedthecoastafewwinterspreviousandhadtakenagreatfancytoBlix.EventhenshehadproposedtoMr.BessemertotakeBlixbacktoNewYorkwithher，andeducatehertosomewoman’sprofession;butatthattimetheoldmanwouldnotlistentoit.
Nowitseemedthattheopportunityhadagainpresenteditself.
"She’sadearoldlady，"Blixsaid;"notabitstrong—minded，asyouwouldthink，andeversomuchclevererthanmostmen.Shemanagesallherpropertyherself.Forthelastmonthshe’sbeenwritingagaintoPapumformetocomeonandstaywithherthree，orfouryears.Shehasn’tachicknorachild，andshedon’tentertainorgooutany，somaybeshefeelslonesome.OfcourseifIstudiedthere，Papumwouldn’tthinkofAuntKihm——don’tyouknow——payingforitall.Iwouldn’tgoifitwasthatway.ButI
couldstaywithherandshecouldmakeahomeformewhileIwasthere——ifIshouldstudy——anything——studymedicine."
"Butwhy！"heexclaimed."Whatdoyouwanttostudytobeadoctorfor？Itisn’tasthoughyouhadtosupportyourself."
"Iknow，IknowI’venotgottosupportmyself.Butwhyshouldn’tIhaveaprofessionjustlikeaman——justlikeyou，Condy？Youstopandthink.ItseemedstrangetomewhenIfirstthoughtofit;butIgotthinkingaboutitandtalkingitoverwithPapum，andIshouldLOVEit.I’ddoit，notbecauseIwouldhavetodoit，butbecauseitwouldinterestme.Condy，youknowthatI’mnotabitstrong—minded，andthatIhateamasculine，unfemininegirlasmuchasyoudo."
"Butamedicalcollege，Blix！Youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout."
