第4章

XIX。

TheearlyMondaymorningtrainwhichbroughtVerrianuptotownwassoveryearlythathecouldsitdowntobreakfastwithhismotheronlyalittlelaterthantheirusualhour。

Shehadcalledjoyfullytohimfromherroom，whensheheardtherattlingofhiskeyashelethimselfintotheapartment，and，afteranexchangeofgreetings，shoutedbackandforthbeforetheysaweachother，theycouldcomeatoncetothehistoryofhisabsenceovertheircoffee。

"Youmusthavehadaverygoodtime，tostaysolong。AfteryouwrotethatyouwouldnotbebackThursday，IexpecteditwouldbeSaturdaytillIgotyourtelegram。ButI’mgladyoustayed。Youcertainlyneededtherest。"

"Yes，ifthosethingsareeverarest。"Helookeddownathiscupwhilehestirredthecoffeeinit，andshestudiedhisattitude，sinceshecouldnotseehisfacefully，forthesecretofanyvitalchangethatmighthavecomeuponhim。Itcouldbethatintheintervalsinceshehadseenhimhehadseenthewomanwhowastotakehimfromher。Shewasalwayspreparingherselfforthat，knowingthatitmustcomealmostascertainlyasdeath，andknowingthatwithallherpreparationsheshouldnotbereadyforit。"I’vegotratheralongstorytotellyouandratherastrangestory，"hesaid，liftinghisheadandlookinground，butnotsoimpersonallythathismotherdidnotknowwellenoughtosaytotheSwedishserving-woman：

"Youneedn’tstay，Margit。I’llgiveMr。Philiphisbreakfast。Well！"

sheadded，whentheywerealone。

"Well，"hereturned，withasmilethatsheknewhewasforcing，"Ihaveseenthegirlthatwrotethatletter。"

"NotJerushaBrown？"

"NotJerushaBrown，butthegirlallthesame。"

"Nowgoon，Philip，anddon’tmissasingleword！"shecommandedhim，withanimperiousbreathlessness。"YouknowIwon’thurryyouorinterruptyou，butyoumust——youreallymust-tellmeeverything。Don’tleaveouttheslightestdetail。"

"Iwon’t，"hesaid。Butshewasaware，fromtimetotime，thatshewaskeepingherwordbetterthanhewaskeepinghis，inhisaccountofmeetingMissShirleyandallthefollowingevents。

"Youcanimagine，"hesaid，"whatasensationtheswooningmade，andthecommotionthatfollowedit。"

"Yes，Icanimaginethat，"sheanswered。Butshewasyetsofaithfulthatshewouldnotaskhimtogoon。

Hecontinued，unasked，"Idon’tknowjusthow，now，toaccountforitscomingintomyheadthatitwasMissAndrewswhowasmyunknowncorrespondent。IsupposeI’vealwaysunconsciouslyexpectedtomeetthatgirl，andMissAndrews’shypotheticalcasewaspsychologicallysoparallel——"

"Yes，yes！"

"AndI’vesometimesbeenafraidthatIjudgedittooharshly——thatitwasameregirlishfreakwithoutanysortofseriousimport。"

"Iwassometimesafraidso，Philip。But——"

"AndIdon’tbelievenowthatthehypotheticalcasebroughtanyintolerablestressofconscienceuponMissShirley，orthatshefaintedfromanycausebutexhaustionfromthegeneralordeal。Shewasstillweakfromthesicknessshehadbeenthrough——tooweaktobearthestrainoftheworkshehadtakenup。Ofcourse，thecatastrophegavethewholesurfacesituationaway，andImustsaythatthoseratherbanalyoungpeoplebehavedveryhumanelyaboutit。Therewasnothingbutinterestofthenicestkind，and，ifsheisgoingonwithhercareer，itwillbeeasyenoughforhertofindengagementsafterthis。"

"Whyshouldn’tshegoon？"hismotherasked，withasuspicionwhichshekeptwelloutofsight。

"Well，aswellasshecouldexplainafterwards，thecatastrophetookherworkoutofthecategoryofbusinessandmadeheracceptanceinitamatterofsentiment。"

"Sheexplainedittoyouherself？"

"Yes，thegeneralsympathyhadpenetratedtoMrs。Westangle，thoughI

don’tsaythatshehadbeenmorethannegativelyindifferenttoMissShirley’sclaimonherbefore。Asitwas，shesentformetoherroomthenextmorning，andIfoundMissShirleyalonethere。ShesaidMrs。

Westanglewouldbedowninamoment。"

Now，indeed，Mrs。Verriancouldnotgovernherselffromsaying，"Idon’tlikeit，Philip。"

"Iknewyouwouldn’t。ItwaswhatIsaidtomyselfatthetime。YouweresopresentwithmethatIseemedtohaveyoutherechaperoningtheinterview。"Hismothershrugged，andhewenton："Shesaidshewishedtotellmesomethingfirst，andthenshesaid，"IwanttodoitwhileIhavethecourage，ifit’scourage;perhapsit’sjustdesperation。IamJerushaBrown。"

Hismotherbegan，"Butyousaid——"andthenstoppedherself。

"IknowthatIsaidshewasn’t，butsheexplained，whileIsatthererathermum，thattherewasreallyanothergirl，andthattheothergirl’snamewasreallyJerushaBrown。ShewasthedaughterofthepostmasterinthevillagewhereMissShirleywaspassingthesummer。Infact，MissShirleywasboardinginthepostmaster’sfamily，andthegirlshadbecomeveryfriendly。Theywerereadingmystorytogether，andtalkingaboutit，andtryingtoguesshowitwouldcomeout，justasthelettersaid，andtheysimultaneouslyhituponthenotionofwritingtome。Itseemedtothemthatitwouldbeagoodjoke——I’mnotdefendingit，mother，andI

mustsayMissShirleydidn’tdefendit，either——toworkuponmyfeelingsinthewaytheytried，andtheydidn’trealizewhattheyhaddonetillArmiger’slettercame。Italmostdrovethemwild，shesaid;buttheyhadalucidinterval，andtheytookthelettertothegirl’sfatherandtoldhimwhattheyhaddone。Hewasawfullyseverewiththemfortheirfoolishness，andsaidtheymustwritetoArmigeratonceandconfessthefact。Thentheysaidtheyhadwrittenalready，andshowedhimthesecondletter，andexplainedtheyhaddecidedtoletMissBrawnwriteitinherpersonaloneforthereasonshegaveinit。ButMissShirleytoldhimshewasreadytotakeherfullshareoftheblame，and，ifanythingcameofit，sheauthorizedhimtoputthewholeblameonher。"

Verrianmadeapausewhichhismothertookforinvitationorpermissiontoask，"Andwashesatisfiedwiththat？"

"Idon’tknow。Iwasn’t，andit’sonlyjusttoMissShirleytosaythatshewasn’t，either。Shedidn’ttrytojustifyittome;shemerelysaidshewassofrightenedthatshecouldn’thavedoneanything。ShemayhaverealizedmorethantheBrowngirlwhattheyhaddone。"

"Thepostmaster，didheregarditasanythingworsethanfoolishness？"

"Idon’tbelievehedid。Atanyrate，hewassatisfiedwithwhathisdaughterhaddoneinowningup。"

"Well，Ialwayslikedthatgirl’sletter。Anddidtheyshowhimyourletter？"

"Itseemsthattheydid。"

"Andwhatdidhesayaboutthat？"

"Isuppose，whatIdeserved。MissShirleywouldn’tsay，explicitly。Hewantedtoanswerit，buttheywouldn’tlethim。Idon’tknowbutI

shouldfeelbetterifhehad。Ihaven’tbeenproudofthatletterofmineastimehasgoneon，mother;IthinkIbehavedverynarrow-mindedly，verypersonallyinit。"

"Youbehavedjustly。"

"Justly？Ithoughtyouhadyourdoubtsofthat。Atanyrate，Ihadwhenitcametohearingthegirlaccusingherselfasifshehadbeenguiltyofsomemonstrouswickedness，andIrealizedthatIhadmadeherfeelso。"

"Shethrewherselfonyourpity！"

"No，shedidn’t，mother。Don’tmakeitimpossibleformetotellyoujusthowitwas。"

"Iwon’t。Goon。"

"Idon’tsayshewasmanlyaboutit;thatcouldn’tbe，butshewascertainlynotthrowingherselfonmypity，unless——unless——"

"What？"

"Unlessyoucallitsoforhertosaythatshewantedtoownuptome，becauseshecouldhavenoresttillshehaddoneso;shecouldn’tputitbehindhertillshehadacknowledgedit;shecouldn’twork;shecouldn’tgetwell。"

Hesawhismothertryingtoconsideritfairly，andinresponseherenewedhisownresolutionnottomakehimselfthegirl’sadvocatewithher，buttocontinuethedispassionatehistorianofthecase。Atthesametimehismemorywasfilledwiththevisionofhowshehaddoneandsaidthethingshewastelling，withwhatpathos，withwhatgrace，withwhatbeautyinherappeal。Hesawthetearsthatcameintohereyesattimesandthatsheindignantlyrepressedasshehurriedonintheconfessionwhichshewasvoluntarilymaking，fortherewasnooutwardstressuponhertosayanything。Hefeltagainthecharmofthesituation，thesortofwarmthandintimacy，butheresolvednottoletthatfeelingoffsettheimpartialityofhisstory。

"No，Idon’tsayshethrewherselfonyourmercy，"hismothersaid，finally。"Sheneedn’thavetoldyouanything。"

"Exceptforthereasonshegave——thatshecouldn’tmakeastartforherselftillshehaddoneso。Andshehasgotherownwaytomake;sheispoor。Ofcourse，youmaysayhermotivewasanobsession，andnotareason。"

"There’srealityinit，whateveritis;it’sagenuinemotive，"Mrs。

Verrianconceded。

"Ithinkso，"Verriansaid，inavoicewhichhetriedtokeepfromsoundingtoograteful。

Apparentlyhismotherdidnotfinditso。Sheasked，"Whathadbeenthematterwithher，didshesay？"

"Inherlongsickness？Oh！Anervousfeverofsomesort。"

"Fromworryingaboutthatexperience？"

Verrianreluctantlyadmitted，"Shesaiditmadeherwanttodie。Idon’tsupposewecanquiterealize——"

"Weneedn’tbelieveeverythingshesaidtorealizethatshesuffered。

Butgirlsexaggeratetheirsufferings。Isupposeyoutoldhernottothinkofitanymore？"

Verriangaveanoddlaugh。"Well，notunconditionally。Itriedtogivehermypointofview。AndIstipulatedthatsheshouldtellJerushaBrownallaboutit，andkeepherfromhavinganervousfever，too。"

"Thatwasright。Youmustseethatevencowardicecouldn’texcuseherselfishnessinlettingthatgirltakeallthechances。"

"AndI’mafraidIwasnotveryunselfishmyselfinmystipulations，"

Verriansaid，withanotherlaugh。"IthinkthatIwantedtostandwellwiththepostmaster。"

TherewasanoteofcynicaleaseinthiswhichMrs。Verrianfoundmorallysomeoctaveslowerthanthepitchofherson’shabitualseriousnessinwhatconcernedhimself，butshecouldnotmakeitacensuretohim。"Andyouwereabletoreassureher，sothatsheneedn’tthinkofitanymore？"

"Whatwouldyouhavewishedmetodo？"hereturned，dryly。"Don’tyouthinkshehadsufferedenough？"

"Oh，inthissortofthingitdoesn’tseemthequestionofsuffering。

Ifthere’swrongdonethepenaltydoesn’trightit。"

ThenotionstruckVerrian’sartisticsense。"That’strue。Thatwouldmakethe’donnee’ofastrongstory。Oraplay。It’sadramaoffate。

It’sGreek。ButIthoughtwelivedunderanotherdispensation。"

"WillshetrytogetmoreofthekindofthingshewasdoingforMrs。

Westangleatonce？Orhasshesomepeople？"

"No;onlyfriends，asIunderstand。"

"Whereisshefrom？Upcountry？"

"No，she’sfromtheSouth。"

"Idon’tlikeSoutherners！"

"Iknowyoudon’t，mother。ButyoumusthonorthewaytheyworkandgetonwhentheycomeNorthandbegindoingforthemselves。Besides，MissShirley’sfamilywentSouthafterthewar——"

"Oh，notevenaREALSoutherner！"

"Mother！"

"Iknow！I’mnotfair。Ioughttobegherpardon。AndIoughttobegladit’sallover。Shallyouseeheragain？"

"Itmighthappen。ButIdon’tknowhoworwhen。Wepartedfriends，butwepartedstrangers，sofarasanyprevisionofthefutureisconcerned，"

Verriansaid。

Hismotherdrewalongbreath，whichshetriedtorenderinaudible。

"Andthegirlthataskedherthestrangequestions，didyouseeheragain？"

"Ohyes。Shehadacuriousfascination。Ishouldliketotellyouabouther。Doyouthinkthere’ssuchathingasagirl’sbeingtooinnocent？"

"Itisn’tsocommonasnotbeinginnocentenough。"

"Butit’smoredifficult？"

"Ihopeyou’llneverfinditso，myson，"Mrs。Verriansaid。Andforthefirsttimeshewasintentionallypersonal。"Goon。"

"AboutMissAndrews？"

"Whicheveryouplease。"

"Shewaylaidmeintheafternoon，asIwascominghomefromawalk，andwantedtotalkwithmeaboutMissShirley。"

"IsupposeMissShirleywastheday’sheroineafterwhathadhappened？"

"Thehalf-day’s，orquarter-day’sheroine，perhaps。SheleftonthechurchtrainfortownyesterdaymorningsoonafterIsawher。MissAndrewsseemedtothinkIwasanauthorityonthesubject，andsheapproachedmewithalarge-eyedawethatwasveryamusing，thoughitwasaffecting，too。Isupposethatgirlsmusthavemanyworshipsforothergirlsbeforetheyhaveanyworshipforaman。Thisgirlcouldn’tseparateMissShirley，onthelookoutforanotherengagement，fromthepsychicalpartshehadplayed。Sheravedabouther;shethoughtshewasbeautiful，andshewantedtoknowallaboutherandhowshecouldhelpher。MissAndrews’sparentsarerichbutrespectable，Iunderstand，andshe’sanonlychild。Icameinforashareofherawe;shehadfoundoutthatIwasnotonlynotVerriantheactor，butanauthorofthesamename，andshehadreadmystorywithpassionateinterest，butapparentlyinthatunliterarywayofmanypeoplewithoutnoticingwhowroteit;sheseemedtohavethoughtitwasHardingDavisorHenryJames;shewasn’tclearwhich。Butitwasagooddealtohavehadherreaditatallinthathouse;Idon’tbelieveanybodyelsehad，exceptMissShirleyandMissMacroyd。"

Mrs。Verriandeferredamatterthatwouldordinarilyhaveinterestedhersupremelytoanimmediatecuriosity。"AndhowcameshetothinkyouwouldknowsomuchaboutMissShirley？"

Verrianfrowned。"IthinkfromMissMacroyd。MissMacroydseemstohavetakenagrandmotherlyconcerninmyaffairsthroughthewholeweek。

Perhapssheresentedhavingbehavedsopiggishlyatthestationthedaywecame，andmeanttotakeitoutofMissShirleyandmyself。Shehadseenustogetherinthewoods，oneday，andshemusthavetolditabout。

Mrs。Westanglewouldn’thavespokenofustogether，becausesheneverspeaksofanythingunlessitisgoingtocount;andtherewasnooneelsewhoknewofouracquaintance。"

"Why，myson，ifyouwentwalkinginthewoodswiththegirl，anyonemighthaveseenyou。"

"Ididn’t。Itwasquitebyaccidentthatwemetthere。MissShirleywasanxioustokeepherpresenceinthehouseasecretfromeverybody。"

Mrs。Verrianwouldnottakeanybuttheopenway，withthis。Shewouldnotdealindirectly，withit，orinanywisecovertlyorsurreptitiously。

"ItseemstomethatMissShirleyhasratherafondnessforsecrecy，"shesaid。

"Ithinkshehas，"Verrianadmitted。"Though，inthiscase，itwasessentialtothesuccessofherfinalscheme。Butsheisacuriousstudy。Isupposethattimidityisatthebottomofallfondnessforsecrecy，isn’tit？"

"Idon’tknow。Shedoesn’tseemtobetimidineverything。"

"Sayitout，mother！"Verrianchallengedherwithasmile。"You’renottimid，anyway！"

"Shehadthecouragetojoininthatletter，butnotthecouragetoownherpartinit。ShewasbraveenoughtoconfessthatshehadbeensickofanervousfeverfromtheansweryouwrotetotheBrowngirl，butshewouldn’thavebeenbraveenoughtoconfessanythingatallifshehadbelievedshewouldbephysicallyormorallystrongenoughtokeepit。"

"Perhapsnobody——nobodybutyou，mother——isbraveintherighttimeandplace。"

Sheknewthatthiswasnotmeantinirony。"Iamgladyousaythat，Philip。"

"It’sonlyyourdue。Butaren’tyoualittletooharduponcowards，attimes？Forthesortofpersonsheis，ifyouinferthesortfromtheworstappearanceshehasmadeinthewholebusiness，Ithinkshehasdoneprettywell。"

"WhyhadshelefttheBrowngirltotakeallyourresentmentaloneforthelastsixoreightmonths？"

"Shemayhavethoughtthatshewasgettinghershareofthepunishmentinthefevermyresentmentbroughton？"

"Philip，doyoureallybelievethatherfever，ifshehadone，camefromthat？"

"Ithinkshebelievesit，andthere’snodoubtbutshewasbadlyscared。"

"Oh，there’snodoubtofthat！"

"Butcome，mother，whyshouldwetakeherattheworst？Ofcourse，shehasacomplexnature。Iseethatasclearlyasyoudo。Idon’tbelievewelookatherdiversely，inthesmallestparticular。Butwhyshouldn’tacomplexnaturebecreditedwiththesameimpulsestowardsthetruthasasinglenature？Whyshouldn’tweallowthatMissShirleyhadthesamewishtosetherselfrightwithmeasMissAndrewswouldhavehadinherplace？"

"Idaresayshewishedtosetherselfrightwithyou，butnotfromthesamewishthatMissAndrewswouldhavehad。MissAndrewswouldnothavewishedyoutoknowthetruthforherownsake。Hermotivewouldhavebeendirect-straight。"

"Yes;andwewilldescribeherasastraightline，andMissShirleyasawavingline。Whyshouldn’tthewavingline，atitshighestpoints，touchthesamealtitudeasthestraightline？"

"Itwouldn’ttouchitallthetime，andincharacter，ornature，asyoucallit，thatisthegreatthing。It’satthelowestpointsthatthewavinglineisdangerous。"

"Well，Idon’tdenythat。ButI’manxioustobejusttoapersonwhohasn’texperiencedagreatdealofmercyforwhat，afterall，wasn’tsuchaveryheinousthingasIusedtothinkit。Youmustallowthatshewasn’tobligedtotellmeanythingaboutherself。"

"Yes，shewas，Philip。AsIsaidbefore，shehadn’tthephysicalormoralstrengthtokeepitfromyouwhenshewasbroughtfacetofacewithyou。Besides——"Mrs。Verrianhesitated。

"Outwithit，mother！We，atleast，won’thaveanyconcealments。"

"Shemayhavethought，shecouldclinchitinthatway。"

"Clinchwhat？"

"Youknow。Isshepretty？"

"She’s——interesting。"

"Thatcanalwaysbemanaged。Isshetall？"

"NO，Ithinkshe’sratheroutofstylethere;she’sratherpetite。"

"Andwhat’sherfacelike？"

"Well，shehasnoparticularcomplexion，butit’snotthick。Hereyesarethebestofher，thoughthereisn’tmuchofthem。They’rethe’watersonastarrynight’sort，verysweetandglimmering。Shehasakindofground-coloredhairandanicelittlechin。Hermouthhelpshereyesout;itlooksbestwhenshespeaks;it’spatheticintheplayofthelips。"

"Isee，"Mrs。Verriansaid。

XX。

ThefollowingweekVerrianandhismotherwereatashowofpaintings，inthegalleryattherearofadealer’sshop，andwhiletheywerebendingtogethertolookatapictureheheardhimselfcalledtoinagirlishvoice，"Oh，Mr。Verrian！"asifhisbeingtherewasthegreatestwonderintheworld。

Hismotherandheliftedthemselvestoencounteratall，slimgirl，whowasstretchingherhandtowardshim，andwhonowcriedout，joyously，"Oh，Mr。Verrian，Ithoughtitmustbeyou，butIwasafraiditwasn’tassoonasIspoke。Oh，I’msogladtoseeyou;Iwantsomuchtohaveyouknowmymother——Mr。Verrian，"shesaid，presentinghim。

"AndIyoumine，"Verrianresponded，inaviolentellipse，andintroducedhisownmother，whotookinthefactofMissAndrews’stallthinness，toppedwithawide，whitehatandwavingwhiteplumes，andherlittleface，irregularandsomewhatgaunt，butwithacharminthelipsandeyeswhichtooktheelderwoman’sheartwithpathos。ShemadetalkwithMrs。

Andrews，whoaffectedoneashavingthematerialsofsocialseverityinhercostumeandmanner。

"Oh，Ididn’tbelieveIshouldeverseeyouagain，"thegirlbrokeoutimpulsivelyuponVerrian。"Oh，IwantedtoaskyousoaboutMissShirley。Haveyouseenhersinceyougotback？"

"No，"Verriansaid，"Ihaven’tseenher。"

"Oh，Ithoughtperhapsyouhad。I’vebeentotheaddressthatMrs。

Westanglegaveme，butsheisn’tthereanymore;she’sgoneupintoHarlemsomewhere，andIhaven’tbeenabletocallagain。Oh，Idofeelsoanxiousabouther。Oh，Idohopesheisn’till。Doyouthinksheis？"

"Idon’tbelieveso，"Verrianbegan。Butshesweptoverhisprostrateremark。

"Oh，Mr。Verrian，don’tyouthinkshe’swonderful？I’vebeentellingmotheraboutit，andIdon’tfeelatallthewayshedoes。Doyou？"

"Howdoesshefeel？ImustknowthatbeforeIsay。"

"Why，ofcourse！Ihadn’ttoldyou！Shethinksitwasamake-upbetweenMissShirleyandthatMr。Bushwick。ButIsayitcouldn’thavebeen。Doyouthinkitcould？"

Verrianfoundthesuggestionsodistasteful，forareasonwhichhedidnotquiteseizehimself，thatheanswered，resentfully，"Itcouldhavebeen，butIdon’tthinkitwas。"

"Iwilltellherwhatyousay。Oh，mayItellherwhatyousay？"

"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’t。Itisn’tveryimportant，eitherway，isit？"

"Oh，don’tyouthinkso？Notifitinvolvedpretendingwhatwasn’ttrue？"

Shebenttowardshiminsuchanxiousdemandthathecouldnothelpsmiling。

"Thewholethingwasapretence，wasn’tit？"hesuggested。

"Yes，butthatwouldhavebeenapretencethatwedidn’tknowof。"

"Itwouldbeincriminatingtothatextent，certainly，"Verrianowned，ironically。HefoundthequestionofMissShirley’sblameforthecollusionasdistastefulasthesuppositionofthecollusion，buttherewasafascinationintheinnocencebeforehim，andhecouldnothelpplayingwithit。

SometimesMissAndrewsapparentlyknewthathewasplayingwithherinnocence，andsometimesshedidnot。Butineithercasesheseemedtolikebeinghisjest，fromwhichshesnatchedafearfuljoy。Shewaswillingtoprolongtheexperience，andshedriftedwithhimfrompicturetopicture，andkeptthetalkrecurrentlytoMissShirleyandthephenomenaofSeeingGhosts。

HermotherandMrs。Verrianevidentlygotontogetherbetterthaneitherofthematfirstexpected。Whenitcametotheirparting，throughMrs。

Andrews’ssayingthatshemustbegoing，sheshookhandswithMrs。

VerrianandsaidtoPhilip，"Iamsogladtohavemetyou，Mr。Verrian。

Willyoucomeandseeus？"

"Yes，thankyou，"heanswered，takingthehandshenowofferedhim，andthentakingMissAndrews’shand，whilethegirl’seyesglowedwithpleasure。"Ishallbeveryglad。"

"Oh，shallyou？"shesaid，withhertransparentsincerity。"Andyouwon’tforgetThursdays！Butanydayatfivewehavetea。"

"Thankyou，"Verriansaid。ImightforgettheThursdays，butIcouldn’tforgetallthedaysoftheweek。"

MissAndrewslaughedandblushedatonce。"Thenweshallexpectyoueveryday。"

"Well，everydaybutThursday，"hepromised。

WhenthemotheranddaughterhadgoneMrs。Verriansaid，"Sheisagreatadmirerofyours，Philip。She’sreadyourstory，andIsuspectshewantsanopportunitytotalkwithyouaboutit。"

"YoumeanMrs。Andrews？"

"Yes。Isupposethedaughterhasn’twaitedforanopportunity。Themotherhadreadthatpublisher’sparagraphaboutyourinvalid，andwantedtoknowifyouhadeverheardfromheragain。Womenarepersonalintheirliteraryinterests。"

Philipasked，indismay，"Youdidn’tgiveitawaydidyou，mother？"

"Certainlynot，mydear。Youhavebroughtmeuptoocarefully。"

"Ofcourse。Ididn’timagineyouhad。"

Then，astheycouldnotpretendtolookatthepicturesanylonger，theywentaway，too。TheirissueintotheopenairseemedfraughtwithnovelemotionforMrs。Verrian。"Well，now，"shesaid，"IhaveseenthewomanIwouldbewillingmysonshouldmarry。"

"Child，youmean，"Philipsaid，notpretendingthathedidnotknowshemeantMissAndrews。

"Thatgirl，"hismotherreturned，"isinnocenceitself。Oh，Philip，dear，domarryher！"

"Well，Idon’tknow。Ifhermotherisbehavingassagelywithherasyouarewithmethechancesarethatshewon’tletme。Besides，Idon’tknowthatIwanttomarryquitesomuchinnocence。"

"Sheisconscienceincarnate，"hismotheruttered，perfervidly。

"Youcouldputyourverysoulinherkeeping。"

"Thenyouwouldbeoutofajob，mother。"

"Oh，Iamnotworthyofthejob，mydear。Ihavealwaysfeltthat。Iamtoocomplex，andsometimesIcan’tseetherightalone，asshecould。"

Philipwassilentamomentwhilehelostthepersonalpointofview。

"Isuspectwedon’tseetherightwhenweseeitalone。Weoughttoseethewrong，too。"

"Ah，Philip，don’tletyourfancygoafterthatgirl！"

"MissAndrews？Ithought——"

"Don’tyoubecomplex，mydear。YouknowImeanMissShirley。Whathasbecomeofher，Iwonder。IheardMissAndrewsaskingyou。"

"Iwasn’tabletotellher。Doyouwantmetotrytellingyou？"

"Iwouldratheryounevercould。"

Philiplaughedsardonically。"Now，IshallforgetThursdaysandalltheotherdays，too。Youareaveryunwiseparent，mother。"

Theylaughedwitheachotherateachother，andtreatedherenthusiasmforMissAndrewsasthejokeitpartlywas。Mrs。Verriandidnotfollowhimupaboutheridol，andaweekorsolatershewasabletoaffectadecentsurprisewhenhecameinattheendofanafternoonanddeclinedthecupofteasheproposedonthegroundthathehadbeentakingacupofteawiththeAndrewses。"Youhavereallybeenthere？"

"Didn’tyouexpectmetokeepmypromise？"

"ButIwasafraidIhadputastumbling-blockintheway。"

"Oh，IfoundIcouldturntheconsciousnessyoucreatedinmeintoliterarymaterial，andsoIwasrathereagertogo。Ihavegotapointformynewstoryoutofit。IshallhavemyfellowsufferallIdidn’tsufferinmeetingthegirlheknowshismotherwantshimtomarry。Igotonverywellwiththoseladies。Mrs。Andrewsisthemotherofinnocence，butsheisn’tinnocence。Shemanagedtotalkofmystorywithoutaskingaboutthepersonwhowantedtoanticipatetheconclusion。Thatwaswhatyoucallcomplex。Shewasinsincere;itwastheonlythingshewantedtotalkabout。"

"Idon’tbelieveit，Philip。ButwhatdidMissAndrewstalkabout？"

"Well，sheisratheranoptimisticconscience。Shetalkedaboutbooksandplaysthatsomepeopledonotthinkarequiteproper。Ihaveanotionthat，wherethepointinvolvedisn’tafactofherownexperience，sheisnotverysevereaboutit。Youthinkthatwouldbequitesafeforme？"

"Philip，Idon’tlikeyourmakingfunofher！"

"Oh，shewasn’tinsipid;shewasonlylimpid。Ireallylikeher，and，asforreverencingher，ofcourseIfeelthatinawaysheissacred。"

Headded，afterabreath，"Toosacred。WenoneofuscanexpecttomarryEvebeforetheFallnow;perhapswehavegotoverwantingto。"

"Youareveryperverse，mydear。Butyouwillgetoverthat。"

"Don’ttakeawaymylastdefence，mother。"

VerrianbegantogoratherregularlytotheAndrewshouse，or，atleast，hewasaccusedofdoingitbyMissMacroydwhen，veryirregularly，hewentonedaytoseeher。"Howdidyouknowit？"heasked。

"Ididn’tsayIknewit。Ionlywishedtoknowit。NowIamsatisfied。

ImetanotherfriendofyoursonSunday。"Shepausedforhimtoaskwho;

buthedidnotask。"Iseeyouaredyingtoknowwhatfriend：Mr。

Bushwick。"

"Oh，he’sagood-fellow。IwonderIdon’trunacrosshim。"

"Perhapsthat’sbecauseyounevercallonMissShirley。"MissMacroydwaitedforthistotakeeffect，buthekeptaglacialsurfacetowardsher，andshewenton：

"Theywerewalkingtogetherintheparkatnoon。Isupposetheyhadbeentochurchtogether。"

Verrianmanifestednomorethanapoliteinterestinthefact。HemanagedsowellthatheconfirmedMissMacroydinatacitconjecture。

Shewenton："MissShirleywaslookingquitebloomingforher。Butsowashe，forthatmatter。Whydon’tyouaskiftheyinquiredforyou？"

"Ithoughtyouwouldtellmewithout。"

"Iwilltellyouifhedid。Hewasverycordialinhisinquiries;andI

hadtopretend，togratifyhim，thatyouwereverywell。IimpliedthatyoucamehereeveryTuesday，butyourThursdayswerededicatedtoMissAndrews。"

"Youareacleverwoman，MissMacroyd。Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsomuchtosayonsuchanuninterestingsubject。AndMissShirleyshowednocuriosity？"

"Ah，sheisacleverwoman，too。Sheshowedtheprettiestkindofcuriosity——soperfectlymanaged。Shehasastudio——Idon’tknowjusthowsheputsittouse——withapaintergirlinoneofthosestudioapartmenthousesontheWestSide：TheVeronese，Ibelieve。Youmustgoandseeher;I’llletyouhavenextTuesdayoff;Tuesday’sherday，too。"

"Youaregenerosityitself，MissMacroyd。"

"Yes，there’snothingmeanaboutme，"shereturned，inslangratherolderthansheordinarilyused。"Ifyou’renotherenextTuesdayIshallknowwhereyouare。"

"ThenImusttakeagoodmanyTuesdaysoff，unlessIwanttogivemyselfaway。"

"Oh，don’tdothat，Mr。Verrian！Please！OrelseIcan’tletyouhaveanyTuesdayoff。"

XXI。

Uponthewhole，VerrianthoughthewouldgotoseeMissShirleythenextTuesday，buthedidnotsaysotoMissMacroyd。Nowthatheknewwherethegirlwas，allthepeculiarinterestshehadinspiredinhimreneweditself。ItwassovividthathecouldnotpayhisusualThursdaycallatMissAndrews’s，anditfilledhismindtotheexclusionofthenewstoryhehadbeguntowrite。Heloafedhismorningsawayathisclub，andhelunchedthere，leavinghismothertolunchalone，andwasdreamilypreoccupiedintheeveningswhichhespentathome，sittingathisdesk，withthepaperbeforehim，unabletocoaxthethoughtsfromhisbraintoitsalluringblank，butrestiveunderanyattemptsofherstotalkwithhim。

Inhisdesperationhewouldhavegonetothetheatre，butthefactthattheasswhorightfullycalledhimselfVerrianwasplayingatoneofthemblockedhisway，throughhisindignation，toallofthem。BySaturdayafternoonthetedioustimehadtobedonesomethingwith，andhedecidedtogoandseewhattheasswaslike。

Hewentearly，andfoundhimselfintheendseatofalongrowofmanyrowsofwomen，whowereprolongingthetimeofkeepingtheirhatsontillcustomobligedthemtotakethemoff。Hegavesomuchnoticetothewomannexthimastoseethatshewasdeeplyveiledaswellaswidelyhatted，andthenhelapsedintoadrearymuse，whichwasbrokenbythefirststrainsoftheoverture。Thenhedivertedhimselfbylookingroundatallthoseranksofwomenliftingtheirarmstotakeoutthemhat-pinsanddroppingthemtopintheirhatstotheseat-backsinfrontofthem，ortosecurethemsomehowintheirlaps。Uponthewhole，hethoughtthemanoeuvregracefulandpleasing;heimaginedaconsolationinitforthewomen，who，iftheywereforcedbypublicopiniontoputofftheircharminghats，wouldknowhowcharminglytheydidit。Eachturnedalittle，eitherherbodyorherhead，andlookedinanycaseoutofthecornerofhereyes;andhewasphrasingitallforasceneinhisstory，whenhelookedroundathisneighbortoseehowshehadmanaged，orwasmanaging，withherveil。Atthesamemomentshelookedathim，andtheireyesmet。

"Mr。Verrian！"

"MissShirley！"

Thestressoftheirvoicesfellupondifferentpartsofthesentencestheyuttered，butdidnotcommiteitherofthemtoaspecialrole。

"Howverystrangeweshouldmeethere！"shesaid，withpleasureinhervoice。"Doyouknow，Ihavebeenwantingtocomeallwintertoseethisman，onaccountofhisname？AndtothinkthatIshouldmeettheotherMr。VerrianassoonasIyieldedtothetemptation。"

"Ihavejustyieldedmyself，"Verriansaid。"Ihopeyoudon’tfeelpunishedforyielding。"

"Oh，dear，no！Itseemsareward。"

Shedidnotsaywhyitseemedso，andhesuggested，"TheprivilegeofcomparingthehistrionicandtheliteraryVerrian？"

"Couldtherebeanycomparison？"shecameback，gayly。

"Idon’tknow。Ihaven’tseenthehistrionicVerrianyet。"

Theywerelaughingwhenthecurtainrose，andthehistrionicVerrianhadhisinningsforalong，longfirstact。WhenthecurtainfellsheturnedtotheliteraryVerrianandsaid，"Well？"

"Helastedagoodwhile，"Verrianreturned。

"Yes。Didn’the？"Shelookedatthelittlewatchinherwristlet。

"Awholehour！Doyouknow，Mr。Verrian，Iamgoingtoseemveryrude。

Iamgoingtoleaveyoutosettlethisquestionofsuperiority;Iknowyou’llbeimpartial。Ihaveanappointment——withthedressmaker，tobespecific——athalf-pastfour，andit’shalf-pastthreenow，andIcouldn’twellleaveinthemiddleofthenextact。SoIwillsaygood-byenow——"

"Don’t！"heentreated。"Icouldn’tbeartobeleftalonewiththisdreadfuldoubleofmine。Letmegooutwithyou。"

"CanIacceptsuchself-sacrifice？Well！"

Shehadputonherhatandrisen，andhenowsteppedoutofhisplacetoletherpassandthenfollowedher。Atthestreetentrancehesuggested，"Ahansom，orasimpletrolley？"

"Idon’tknow，"shemurmured，meditatively，lookingupthestreetasifthatwouldsettleit。"Ifit’sonlyhalf-pastthreenow，Ishouldhavetimetogethomemorenaturally。"

"Oh！Andwillyouletmewalkwithyou？"

"Why，ifyou’regoingthatway。"

"IwillsaywhenIknowwhichwayitis。"

TheystartedontheirwalksoblithelythattheydidnotsaddenintheretrospectoftheirjointexperiencesatMrs。Westangle’s。BythetimetheyreachedtheparkgateatColumbusCircletheyhadcomesodistinctlytotheendoftheirretrospectthatshemadeanofferoflettinghimleaveher，averytacitoffer，butunmistakable，ifhechosetotakeit。

Heinterpretedherhesitationashechose。"No，"hesaid，"itwon’tbeanylongerifwegoupthroughthepark。"

Shedrewinherbreathsoftly，smoothingdownhermuffwithherrighthandwhileshekeptherleftinit。"Anditwillcertainlybepleasanter。"Whentheywerewellupthepath，inthatpartofitwhereitdeflectsfromthedrivewithoutapproachingthestreettooclosely，andachievessomethingofseclusion，shesaid：

"Yourspeakingofhimjustnowmakesmewanttotellyousomething，Mr。

Verrian。Youwouldhearofitverysoon，anyway，andIfeelthatitisalwaysbesttobeveryfrankwithyou;butyou’llregarditasasecrettillitcomesout。"

ThecurrentsthathadbeenplayingsowarmlyinandoutofVerrian’sheartturnedsuddenlycold。Hesaid，withjoylessmocking，"Youknow，I’musedtokeepingyoursecrets。I——shallfeelhonored，I’msure，ifyoutrustmewithanother。"

"Yes，"shereturned，pathetically，"youhavealwaysbeenfaithful——eveninyourwounds。"Itwastheirjointtributetothepainfulpast，andtheyhadpaidnoother。Shewaslookingawayfromhim，butheknewshewasawareofhishanginghishead。"That’sallovernow，"sheuttered，passionately。"WhatIwantedtosay——totellyou——isthatIamengagedtoMr。Bushwick。"

Hecouldhaveansweredthatshehadnoneedtotellhim。Thecoldcurrentsinandoutofhisheartstiffenedfrozenlyandceasedtoflow;

hisheartitselfstoodstillforaneternalinstant。Itwasinthisinstantthathesaid，"Heisafinefellow。"Afterwards，amidthewildboundingofhisrecoveredpulse，hecouldadd，"Icongratulatehim;I

congratulateyouboth。"

"Thankyou，"shesaid。"NooneknowsasIdohowgoodheis——hasbeen，allthrough。"ProbablyshehadnotmeanttoconveyanyreproachtoVerrianbyBushwick’spraise，buthefeltreproachinit。"Itonlyhappenedlastweek。Youdowishmehappy，don’tyou？NooneknowswhatawinterIhavehadtillnow。Everythingseemingtofail——"

Shechoked，anddidnotsaymore。Hesaid，aimlessly，"Iamsorry——"

"Letmesitdownamoment，"shebegged。Andshedroppeduponthebenchatwhichshefaltered，andrestedthere，asiffromtheexhaustionofrunning。Whenshecouldgetherbreathshebeganagain："ThereissomethingelseIwanttotellyou。"

Shestopped。Andheasked，toprompther，"Yes？"

"Thankyou，"sheanswered，piteously。Andsheadded，withsuperficialinconsequence，"Ishallalwaysthinkyouwereverycruel。"

Hedidnotpretendnottoknowwhatshemeant，andhesaid，"Ishallalwaysthinkso，too。Itriedtorevengemyselfforthehurtyourharmlesshoaxdidmyvanity。Ofcourse，ImadebelieveatthetimethatIwasdoinganactofjustice，butIneverwasabletobraveitoutafterwards。"

"Butyouwere——youweredoinganactofjustice。Ideservedwhatyousaid，butIdidn’tdeservewhathasfollowed。Imeantnoharm——itwasasillyprank，andIhavesufferedforitasifitwereacrime，andtheconsequencesarenotendedyet。Ishouldthinkthat，ifthereisamoralgovernmentoftheuniverse，theJudgeofalltheearthwouldknowwhentoholdhishand。Andnowtheworstofitistocomeyet。"ShecaughtVerrian’sarm，asifforhelp。

"Don’t——don’t！"hebesoughther。"Whatwillpeoplethink？"

"Yes，Yes！"sheowned，releasinghimandwithdrawingtotheotherendoftheseat。

"Butitalmostdrivesmewild。WhatshallIdo？Yououghttoknow。Itisyourfault。Youhavefrightenedmeoutofdaringtotellthetruth。"

Hadhe，indeed，donethat？Verrianaskedhimself，anditseemedtohimthathehaddonesomethinglikeit。Ifitwasso，hemusthelpheroverherfearnow。Heanswered，bluntly，harshly："Youmusttellhimallaboutit——"

"Butifhewon’tbelieveme？Doyouthinkhewillbelieveme？Wouldyoubelieveme？"

"Youhavenothingtodowiththat。Thereisnothingforyoubuttotellhimthewholestory。Youmustn’tsharesuchasecretwithanyonebutyourhusband。Whenyoutellhimitwillceasetobemysecret。"

"Yes，yes。"

"Well，then，youmusttellhim，unless——"

"Yes，"sheprompted。

Thentheywerebothsilent，lookingintenselyintoeachother’seyes。InthatmomentallelseoflifeseemedtomeltandswimawayfromVerrianandleavehimstrandeduponanawfuleminenceconfrontingher。

"Hello，hello！"agayvoicecalled，asifcallingtothemboth。"Whatareyoutwoconspiring？"Bushwick，assuddenlyasifhehadfallenfromtheskyorstartedupfromtheearth，stoodbeforethem，andgaveahandtoeach——hisrighttoVerrian，hislefttoMissShirley。"Howareyou，Verrian？Howareyou，MissShirley？"Hemockedherintheformalityofhisaddress。"I’vebeenshadowingyoueversinceyoucameintothepark，butIthoughtIwouldn’tinterrupttillyouseemedtohavegotthroughyourconversation。MayIaskwhatitwasallabout？Itseemedveryabsorbing，fromarespectfuldistance。"

"Veryabsorbing，indeed，"MissShirleysaid，makingroomforhimbetweenthem。"Sitdownandletmetellyou。You’retobeapartnerinthesecret。"

"Silentpartner，"Bushwicksuggested。

"Ihopeyou’llalwaysbesilent，"thegirlsharedinhisdrolling。

Shebeganandtoldthewholestorytothelastdetail，sparingneitherherselfnorVerrian，wholistenedasifheweresomeoneelsenotconcerned，andkeptsayingtohimself，"whatcourage！"Bushwicklistenedasmutely，withafacethat，toVerrian’seye，seemedtohardenfromitslightjocosityintoaseverityhehadnotseeninitbefore。"Itwassomething，"sheendedtowardsBushwick，withacatchinherbreath，"thatyouhadtoknow。"

"Yes，"heanswered，tonelessly。

"Andnow——sheattemptedalittleforlornplayfulness——"don’tyouthinkhegavemewhatIdeserved？"

Bushwickroseupandtookherhandunderhisarm，keepinghislefthanduponhers。

"He！Who？"

"Mr。Verrian。"

"Idon’tknowanyMr。Verrian。Come，you’lltakecoldhere。"

HeturnedhisbackonVerrian，whofanciedatremorinherhat，asifshewouldlookroundathim;butthen，asifshedivinedBushwick’sintention，shedidnotlookround，andtogethertheylefthim。

ItwasdaysbeforeVerriancouldconfesshimselfofthefacttohismother，wholistenedwiththejusticeinstinctiveinher。Shestillhadnotspokenwhenheended，andhesaid，"Ihavethoughtitallover，andI

feelthathedidright。Hedidtheonlythingthatamaninlovewithhercoulddo。AndIdon’twonderhe’sinlovewithher。Yes"——hestayedhismother，imperatively——"andsuchamanashe，thoughhegroundmeinthedirtandstampedonme，Iwillsay，it，isworthyofanywoman。Hecanbelieveinawoman，andthat’sthefirstthingthat’sneededtomakeawomanlikeher，true。Idon’tenvyhisjob。"Hewasspeakingself-

contradictorily，irrelevantly，illogically，asamanthinks。Hewentoninthatway，gettinghimselfallout。"Sheisn’tsingle-hearted，butshe’sfaithful。She’llneverbetrayhimnow。She’snevergivenhimanyreasontodistrusther。She’sthekindthatcankeeponstraightwithanyoneshe’sbegun。straightwith。Shetoldhimallthatbeforemebecauseshewantedmetoknow——torealize——thatshehadtoldhim。Ittookcourage。"

Mrs。Verrianhadthoughtofgeneralizing，butsheseizedasinglepoint。

"Perhapsnotsomuchcourageasyouthink。Youmustn’tletsuchbravadoimposeuponyou，Philip。I’venodoubtsheknewherground。"

"Shetookthechanceofhiscastingheroff。"

"Sheknewhewouldn’t。Sheknewhim，andsheknewyou。Sheknewthatifhecastheroff——"

"Mother！Don’tsayit！Ican’tbearit！"

Hismotherdidnotsayit，oranythingmore，then。Lateatnightshecametohim。"Areyouasleep，Philip？"

"Asleep？I！"

"Ididn’tsupposeyouwere。ButIhavehadanoteto-daywhichImustanswer。Mrs。AndrewshasaskedustodinneronSaturday。Philip，ifyoucouldseethatsweetgirlasIdo，inallhergoodnessandsincerity——"

"IthinkIdo，mother。AndIwouldn’tbeguiltyofherunhappinessfortheworld。Youmustdecline。"

Well，perhapsyouareright。"Mrs。Verrianwentaway，softly，sighing。

AsshesealedherreplytoMrs。Andrews，shesighedagain，andmadethereflectionwhichamotherseldommakeswithregardtoherson，beforehismarriage，thatmendonotlovewomenfortheirgoodness。