第4章

Whentheyarrivedatthefootofthelane，mountingtothefarm，Westoversawwhatchangeshadbeenmadeinthehouse。Therewerelargeadditions，tastelessandcharacterless，butgivingtheroomsthatwereneeded。

Therewasavulgarmodernityinthenewparts，expressedwithafinalintensityinthefour—lightwindows，whichareesteemedthelastwordofdomesticarchitectureinthecountry。Jeffsaidnothingastheyapproachedthehouse，butWestoversaid："Well，you’vecertainlyprospered。You’requitemagnificent。"

Theyreachedtheoldlevelinfrontofthehouse，artificiallywidenedoutofhisremembrance，withawhiteflag—poleplantedatitsedge，andhelookedupatthefrontofthehouse，whichwasunchanged，exceptthatithadbeenbuiltastoryhigherbackoftheoldfront，anddiscoveredthewindowofhisoldroom。HecouldhardlywaittogethisgreetingsoverwithMrs。DurginandJackson，whobothshowedadecorouspleasureandsurpriseathiscoming，beforeheasked：

"Andcouldyouletmehavemyownroom，Mrs。Durgin？"

"Why，yes，"shesaid，"ifyoudon’twantsomethingalittlenicer。"

"Idon’tbelieveyou’vegotanythingnicer，"Westoversaid。

"Allright，ifyouthinkso，"sheretorted。"Youcanhavetheoldroom，anyway。"

X。

Westovercouldnothavesaidhefeltverymuchathomeonhisfirstsojournatthefarm，orthathehadcaredgreatlyfortheDurgins。Butnowhefeltverymuchathome，andasifhewereinthehandsoffriends。

Itwastowardthecloseoftheafternoonthathearrived，andhewentinpromptlytothemealthatwasservedshortlyafter。Hefoundthatthefarm—househadnotevolvedsofarinthedirectionofahotelastohavereachedthestageofalatedinner。Itwasteathathesatdownto，butwhenheaskediftherewerenotsomethinghot，afterlisteningtoacatalogueofthecoldmeats，thespectacledwaitressbehindhischairdemanded，withtheairofputtinghimonhishonor：

"Youamongthosethatcamethisafternoon？"

Westoverclaimedtobeofthenewarrivals。

"Well，then，youcanhavesteakorchopsandbakedpotatoes。"

Hefoundthesteakexcellent，thoughsuccinct，andhelookedroundinthedistinctionitconferreduponhim，ontheolderguests，whowereservedwithcoldham，tongue，andcorned—beef。HehadexpectedtobeappointedhisplacebyCynthiaWhitwell，butJeffcametothedining—roomwithhimandshowedhimtothetableheoccupied，withaneffectofdoinghimspecialcredit。

Fromhisimpressionsoftheberries，thecream，thetoast，andthetea，aswellasthesteak，hedecidedthatonthegastronomicsidetherecouldbenoquestionbuttheDurginsknewhowtokeepahotel；andhisfurtheracquaintancewiththehouseanditsappointmentsconfirmedhiminhisbelief。Allwasverysimple，butsufficient；andnoguestcouldhavetruthfullyclaimedthathewasstintedintowels，inwater，inlamp—

light，inthequantityorqualityofbedding，inhooksforclothes，orwardrobeorbureauroom。WestovermadeMrs。Durginhissincerecomplimentsonhersuccessastheysatintheoldparlor，whichshehadkeptforherselfmuchinitsformerstate，andsheacceptedthemwithsimplesatisfaction。

"ButIdon’tknowasIshouldeverhadthecouragetotryitifithadn’tbeenforyouhappeningalongjustwhenyoudid，"shesaid。

"ThenI’mthefounderofyourfortunes？"

"Ifyouwanttocallthemfortunes。Wedon’tcomplainIt’sbeenafight，butIguesswe’vegotthebestofit。Thehouseisfull，andwe’returnin’folksaway。Iguesstheycan’tsaythatatthebighotelstheyusedtodriveoverfromtoseeLion’sHeadatthefarm。"Shegavealow，comfortablechuckle，andtoldWestoverofthestruggletheyhadmade。Itwasaninterestingstoryandpathetic，likeallstoriesofhumanendeavortheeffortsofthemostselfishambitionhavesomethingofthisinterest；

andthestruggleoftheDurginshadthegraceofthewishtokeeptheirhome。

"AndisJeffaswellsatisfiedastherest？"Westoverasked，afterothertalkandcommentonthefacts。

"Toomuchso，"saidMrs。Durgin。"IshouldliketotalkwithyouaboutJeff，Mr。Westover；youandhimwasalwayssuchfriends。"

"Yes，"saidWestover；"IshallbegladifIcanbeofusetoyou。"

"Why，it’sjustthis。Idon’tseewhyJeffshouldn’tdosomethingbesideskeepahotel。"

Westover’seyeswanderedtothephotographofhispaintingofLion’sHeadwhichhungoverthemantelpiece，inwhathefelttobetheplaceofthegreatesthonorinthewholehouse，andasuddenfearcameuponhimthatperhapsJeffhaddevelopedanartistictalentinthebeliefofhisfamily。Buthewaitedsilentlytohear。

"Wedidthinkthatbeforewegotthroughtheimprovementslastspringayearagoweshouldhavetogetthesavings—banktoputamortgageontheplace；butwehadjustenoughtostarttheseasonwith，andwethoughtwewouldtrytopullthrough。Wehadasplendidseason，andmademoney，andthisyearwe’redoin’sowellthatIain’tafraidforthefutureanymore，andIwanttogiveJeffachanceintheworld。Iwantheshouldgotocollege。"

Westoverfeltalltheboldnessoftheaspiration，butitwasatleastnotinthedirectionofart。"Wouldn’tyourathermisshiminthemanagement？"

"Weshould，some。Buthewouldbeherethebestpartofthesummer，inhisvacations，andJacksonandIarefullabletorunthehousewithouthim。"

"Jacksonseemsverywell，"saidWestover，evasively。

"He’sbetter。He’sonlythirty—fouryearsold。Hisfatherlivedtobesixty，andhehadthesamekind。JefftellyouhehadbeenatLovewellAcademy？"

"Yes；hedid。"

"Hedonewellthere。Allhisteachersthatheeverhad，"Mrs。Durginwenton，withthemother—pridethatsoonmakesitselftiresometothelistener，"saidJeffdonewellatschoolwhenhehadamindto，andattheAcademyhestudiedrealhard。Iguess，"saidMrs。Durgin，withherchuckle，"thathethoughtthatwasgoin’tobetheendofit。Onething，hehadtokeepupwithCynthy，andthatputhimonhispride。YouseenCynthyyet？"

"No。Jefftoldmeshewasinchargeofthediningroom。"

"IguessI’minchargeofthewholehouse，"saidMrs。Durgin。"Cynthy’sthehousekeeper，though。She’safinegirl，andasmartgirl，"saidMrs。

Durgin，withavisiblerelentingfromsomegrudge，"andshe’lldowellwhereveryouputher。ShewenttotheAcademythefirsttwowintersJeffdid。We’veaboutscoopedinthewholeWhitwellfamily。Franky’shere，andhisfather’s——well，hisfather’skindofphilosophertotheladyboarders。"Mrs。Durginlaughed，andWestoverlaughedwithher。"Yes，I

wantJeffshouldgotocollege，andIwantheshouldbealawyer。"

Westoverdidnotfindthathehadanythingusefultosaytothis；sohesaid："I’venodoubtit’sbetterthanbeingapainter。"

"I’mnotsosure；threehundreddollarsforalittlethinglikethat。"

SheindicatedthephotographofhisLion’sHead，andshewasevidentlysoproudofitthathereservedforthemomentthetruthastothepricehehadgotforthepainting。"Iwassurprisedwhenyousentmeaphotographfullasbig。Idon’tleteveryoneinhere，butagoodmanyoftheladiesareartiststhemselves—amateurs，Iguess——andfirstandlasttheyallwanttoseeit。Iguessthey’llallwanttoseeyou，Mr。Westover。

They’llbewild，astheycallit，whentheyknowyou’reinthehouse。

Yes，ImeanJeffshallgotocollege。"

"BowdoinorDartmouth？"Westoversuggested。

"Well，Iguessyou’llthinkI’maboutasforth—puttingasIwaswhenI

wantedyoutogivemeathree—hundred—dollarpictureforaweek’sboard。"

"Ionlygotahundredandsixty，Mrs。Durgin，"saidWestover，conscientiously。

"Well，it’sashame。Anyrate，threehundred’sthepricetoallmyboarders。My，ifI’vetoldthatstoryonce，IguessI’vetolditfiftytimes！"

Mrs。Durginlaughedatherselfjollily，andWestovernotedhowprosperityhadchangedher。Ithadfreedhertongue，ithasbrightenedherhumor，ithadcheeredherheart；shehadputonflesh，andherstalwartframewasnowafargreaterbulkthanheremembered。

"Well，there，"shesaid，"thelongandtheshortofitis，IwantJeffshouldgotoHarvard。"

Hecommandedhimselftosay："Idon’tseewhyheshouldn’t。"

Mrs。Durgincalledout，"Comein，Jackson，"andWestoverlookedroundandsawtheeldersonlikeagauntshadowinthedoorway。"I’vejustgotwhereI’vetoldMr。WestoverwhereIwantJeffshouldgo。Itdon’tseemtohaveca’dhimoffhisfeetany，either。"

"Ipresume，"saidJackson，cominginandsittinglanklydowninthefeather—cushionedrocking—chairwhichhismotherpushedtowardhimwithherfoot，"thattheexpensewouldbemoreatHarvardthanitwouldattheothercolleges。"

"Ifyouwantthebestyougottopayforit，"saidMrs。Durgin。

"Isupposeitwouldcostmore，"WestoveransweredJackson’sconjecture。

"Ireallydon’tknowmuchaboutit。OnehearstremendousstoriesatBostonoftherateoflivingamongtheswellstudentsinCambridge。

Peopletalkoffivethousandayear，andthatsortofthing。"Mrs。

Durginshutherlips，aftercatchingherbreath。"ButIfancythatit’slargelytalk。IhaveafriendwhosesonwentthroughHarvardforathousandayear，andIknowthatmanyfellowsdoitformuchless。"

"IguesswecanmanagetoletJeffhaveathousandayear，"saidMrs。

Durgin，proudly，"andnotscrimpverymuch，either。"

Shelookedatherelderson，whosaid："Idon’tbelievebutwhatwecould。It’smoreofaquestionwithmewhatsortofinfluenceJeffwouldcomeunderthere。Ithinkhe’sprettymuchspoiledhere。"

"Now，Jackson！"saidhismother。

"I’veheard，"saidWestover，"thatHarvardtakesthenonsenseoutofaman。Ican’tenterintowhatyousay，anditisn’tmyaffair；butinregardtoinfluenceatHarvard，itdependsuponthesetJeffisthrownwithorthrowshimselfwith。So，atleast，IinferfromwhatI’veheardmyfriendsayofhissonthere。Therearehard—workingsets，loafingsets，andfastsets；andIsupposeitisn’tdifferentatHarvardinsuchmattersfromothercolleges。"

Mrs。Durginlookedalittlegrave。"Ofcourse，"shesaid，"wedon’tknowanybodyatCambridge，exceptsomeladiesthatboardedwithusonesummer，andIshouldn’twanttoaskanyfavorofthem。ThetroublewouldbetogetJeffstartedright。"

Westoversurmisedagoodmanythings，butintheabsenceofanyconfidencesfromtheDurginshecouldnottelljusthowmuchJacksonmeantinsayingthatJeffwasprettymuchspoiled，orhowlittle。

Atfirst，fromMrs。Durgin’spromptprotest，hefanciedthatJacksonmeantthattheboyhadbeenover—indulgedbyhismother："Iunderstand，"

hesaid，indefaultofsomethingelsetosay，"thattherequirementsatHarvardareprettysevere。"

"He’spassedhispreliminaryexaminations，"saidJackson，withatouchofhauteur，"andIguesshecanenterthisfallifweshouldsodecide。

He’llhavesomeconditions，prob’ly，butnonebutwhathecanworkoff，Iguess。"

"Then，ifyouwishtohavehimgotocollege，byallmeanslethimgotoHarvard，Ishouldsay。It’sourgreatuniversityandouroldest。I’mnotacollegemanmyself；but，ifIwere，IshouldwishtohavebeenaHarvardman。IfJeffhasanynonsenseinhim，itwilltakeitout；

andIdon’tbelievethere’sanythinginHarvard，asHarvard，tomakehimworse。"

"That’swhatweboththink，"saidJackson。

"I’veheard，"Westovercontinued，andheroseandstoodwhilehespoke，"thatHarvard’sliketheworld。Amangetsonthereonthesametermsthathegetsonintheworld。Hehastobeaman，andhe’dbetterbeagentleman。"

Mrs。Durginstilllookedserious。"HaveyoucomebacktoBostonforgoodnow？Doyouexpecttobethererightalong？"

"I’vetakenastudiothere。Yes，IexpecttobeinBostonnow。I’vetakentoteaching，andIfancyIcanmakealiving。IfJeffcomestoCambridge，andIcanbeofanyuse——"

"Weshouldbeeversomuchobligedtoyou，"saidhismother，withanairofgreatrelief。

"Notatall。Ishallbeveryglad。Yourmountainairisdruggingme，Mrs。Durgin。Ishallhavetosaygood—night，orIshalltumbleasleepbeforeIgetupstairs。Oh，Icanfindtheway，Iguess；thispartofthehouseseemsthesame。"Hegotawayfromthem，andwiththelampthatJacksongavehimfoundhiswaytohisroom。Afewmomentslatersomeoneknockedathisdoor，andaboystoodtherewithapitcher。"Someice—

water，Mr。Westover？"

"Why，isthatyou，Franky？I’mgladtoseeyouagain。Howareyou？"

"I’mprettywell，"saidtheboy，shyly。Hewasaveryhandsomelittlefellowofdistinctlydignifiedpresence，andWestoverwasawareatoncethatherewasnotasubjectforpatronage。"Isthereanythingelseyouwant，Mr。Westover？Matches，orsoap，oranything？"Heputthepitcherdownandgaveakeenglanceroundtheroom。

"No，everythingseemstobehere，Frank，"saidWestover。

"Well，good—night，"saidtheboy，andheslippedout，quietlyclosingthedoorafterhim。

WestoverpusheduphiswindowandlookedatLion’sHeadinthemoonlight。

Itslumberedasifwiththesleepofcenturies—austere，august。Themoon—raysseemedtobreakandsplinterontheoutlineofthelion—shape，andleftallthemightymassblackbelow。

IntheoldporchunderhiswindowWestoverheardwhispering。Then，"Youbehaveyourself，JeffDurgin！"cameinavoicewhichcouldbenootherthanCynthiaWhitwell’s，andJeffDurgin’slaughfollowed。

Hesawthegirlinthemorning。Shemethimatthedoorofthedining—

room，andheeasilyfoundinhershy，proudmanner，andherpure，coldbeauty，thetemperamentandphysiognomyofthechildheremembered。

Shewastallandslim，andsheheldherselfstraightwithoutstiffness；

herfacewasfine，withastraightnose，andadecidedchin，andamouthofthesamesweetnesswhichlookedfromherstill，grayeyes；herhair，oftheaveragebrown，hadarougheffectofbeingquicklytossedintoform，whichpleasedhim；assheslippeddowntheroombeforehimtoplacehimattablehesawthatshewas，asitwere，involuntarily，unwillinglygraceful。Shemadehimthinkofawildsweetbrier，ofahermit—thrush；

but，iftherewerethissortofpoeticsuggestioninCynthia’slooks，heractswereofplainandhonestprose，suchasgivingWestoverthepleasantestplaceandthemostintelligentwaitressintheroom。

Hewouldhavelikedtokeepherintalkamoment，butshemadebusiness—

likedespatchofallhisallusionstothepast，andgotherselfquicklyaway。Afterwardshecamebacktohim，withtheeffectofhavingforcedherselftocome，andthecolordeepenedinhercheekswhileshestayed。

Sheseemedgladofhisbeingthere，buthelplessagainsttheinstinctsortraditionsthatforbadehertoshowherpleasureinhispresence。

Herreticencebecamealmostsnubbinginitsstrictnesswhenheaskedheraboutherschool—teachinginthewinter；buthefoundthatshetaughtatthelittleschool—houseatthefootofthehill，andlivedathomewithherfather。

"Andhaveyouanybadboysthatfrightenlittlegirlsinyourschool？"heasked，jocosely。

"Idon’tknowasIhave，"shesaid，withaconsciousnessthatflamedintohercheeks。

"Perhapstheboyshavereformed？"Westoversuggested。

"Ipresume，"shesaid，stiffly，"thatthere’sroomforimprovementineveryone，"andthen，asifshewereafraidhemighttakethispersonally，shelookedunhappyandtriedtospeakofotherthings。

SheaskedhimifhedidnotseeagreatmanychangesatLion’sHead；

heanswered，gravely，thathewishedhecouldhavefounditjustasheleftit，andthenshemusthavethoughtshehadgonewrongagain，forshelefthiminanembarrassmentthatwaspathetic，butwhichwascharming。

XI。

AfterbreakfastWestoverwalkedoutandsawWhitwellstandingonthegrassinfrontofthehouse，besidetheflagstaff。HesufferedWestovertomakethefirstadvancestowardtherenewaloftheiracquaintance，butwhenhewassureofhisfriendlyintentionherespondedwithacordialopennesswhichthepainterhadfanciedwantinginhischildren。

Whitwellhadnotchangedmuch。Themostnoticeabledifferencewasthecompactphalanxofnewteethwhichhadreplacedthestaggeringveteransofformerdays，andwhichdisplayedthemselvesinhissmileofrelenting。

Therewassomenoveltyofeffectalsoinanarrangementofthingsinhishat—band。AtfirstWestoverthoughttheywerefishhooksandartificialflies，suchastheguideswearintheAdirondackstoadvertisetheircallingaboutthehotelofficesandthepiazzas。Butanotherglanceshowdhimthattheywerespraysandwildflowersofvarioussorts，withgaymossesandfungiandsomestemsofIndian—pipe。

WhitwellseemedpleasedthatthesethingsshouldhavecaughtWestover’seye。Hesaid，almostimmediately："Lookin’atmyalmanac？Thisisoneofourfield—days；wehave’emonceaweek；andIliketolettheladiesseebeforehandwhatnature’sgotonthebillfor’em，inthewoodsandpastur’s。"

"It’sagoodidea，"saidWestover，"andit’sfreshandpicturesque。"

Whitwelllaughedforpleasure。

"Theytoldmewhataconsolationyouweretotheladies，withyourwalksandtalks。"

"Well，Itrytogive’emsomethingtothinkabout，"saidWhitwell。

"Butwhydoyouconfineyourministrationstoonesex？"

"Idon’t，onpurpose。Butit’stheonlysexhere，three—fourthsofthetime。Eventhechildrenaremostlyallgirls。WhenthehusbandscomeupSaturdaynights，theydon’twanttogoonatrampSundays。Theywanttolayoffandrest。That’sabouthowitis。Well，youseesomechangesaboutLion’sHead，Ipresume？"heasked，withwhatseemedanimpersonalpleasureinthem。

"Ishouldratherhavefoundtheoldfarm。ButImustsayI’mgladtofindsuchagoodhotel。"

"Jeffandhismothermadetheirbragstoyou？"saidWhitwell，withakindofamiablescorn。"Iguessifitwa’n’tforCynthyshewouldn’tknowwhereshewasstandin’，halfthetime。Itdon’tmatterwhereJeffstands，Iguess。Jackson’sthebesto’thelot，nowtheoldman’sgone。"

TherewasnoonebyatthemomenttoheartheseinjuriesexceptWestover，butWhitwellcalledthemoutwithafranknesswhichwasperhapsmorecarefullyadaptedtothesituationthanitseemed。Westovermadenoattempttoparrythemformally；butheofferedsomegeneralitiesinextenuationoftheunworthinessoftheDurgins，whichWhitwelldidnotaltogetherrefuse。

"Oh，it’sailright。OldwomantalktoyouaboutJeff’sgoingtocollege？Ithoughtso。WantstomakeanotherDan’elWebsterofhim。

Guessshecan’sfarforthasDan’el’sgraduatin’went。"Westovertriedtorememberhowthishadbeenwiththestatesman，butcouldnot。

Whitwelladded，withintensifyingironysooflookandtone："GuessthesecondDan’elwon’thaveachancetotearhisdegreeup；guesshewouldn’teverb’enreadytotryforitifithaddependedonhim。Theydon’tkeepanyrecordatHarvard，dothey，ofthewayfellowsarepreparedfortheirpreliminaryexaminations？"

"Idon’tquiteknowwhatyoumean，"saidWestover。

"Oh，nothin’。YougetachancesometimetoaskJeffwhodonemostofhisstudyin’forhimattheAcademy。"

ThishintwasnotsodarklingbutWestovercouldunderstandthatWhitwellattributedJeff’sscholarshiptothehelpofCynthia，buthewouldnotpresshimtoanopenassertionofthefact。Therewassomethingpainfulinittohim；ithadthepathoswhichperhapsmostofthesuccessintheworldwouldrevealifwecouldpenetrateitsoutside。

Hewassilent，andWhitwellleftthepoint。"Well，"heconcluded，"what’sgoin’oninthemoldEuropeancountries？"

"Oh，theoldthing，"saidWestover。"ButIcan’tspeakforanyexceptFrance，verywell。"

"What’stheirrepubliclike，overthere？Ours？Seeanythingofit，howitworks？"

"Well，youknow，"saidWestover，"Iwasworkingsohardmyselfallthetime——"

"Good！"Whitwellslappedhisleg。WestoversawthathehadonlongIndia—rubberboots，whichcameuptohisknees，andhegaveawaywardthoughttothemiserytheywouldbeonanAugustdaytoanotherman；butWhitwellwasprobablyinsensibletoanydiscomfortfromthem。"Whenaman’smindin’hisownbusinessanygovernment’sgood，Iguess。ButI

shouldliketoprowlroundsomethemplaceswheretheyhadtheworstscenesoftheRevolution，EverbeeninthePlacedelaConcorde？"

WhitwellgaveitthefullEnglishpronunciation。

"Ipassedthroughitnearlyeveryday。"

"Iwanttoknow！Andthatcolumnthatthey，pulleddownintheCommunethathadthatlittleBoneyonit——seethat？"

"InthePlaceVendome？"

"Yes，PlassVonndome。"

"Ohyes。Youwouldn’tknowithadeverbeendown。"

"Northethingsitstoodfor？"

"Astothat，Ican’tbesosure。"

"Well，it’sfunny，"saidthephilosopher，"howtheworldseemstoalwayscomeoutatthesameholeitwentinat！"Hepaused，withhismouthopen，asiftoletthenotionhavefulleffectwithWestover。

Thepaintersaid："Andyou’restillintheoldplace，Mr。Whitwell？"

"Yes，Ilikemyownhouse。They’vewantedmetocomeuphereoftenenough，butI’msatisfiedwhereIam。It’squietdownthere，and，whenI

getthroughfortheday，Icanread。AndIliketokeepmyfamilytogether。CynthyandFrankalwayssleepathome，andJombateesteeatswithme。YourememberJombateeste？"

Westoverhadtosaythathedidnot。

"Well，Idon’tknowasyoudidseehimmuch。HewasthatCanuckIhadhelpin’meclearthatpieceoveronLion’sHeadforthepulp—mill；pulp—

millwentalltothunder，andInevergotacent。AndsometimesJacksoncomesdownwithhisplantchette，andwehaveagoodtime。"

"Jacksonstillbelievesinthemanifestations？"

"Yes。Buthe’sneverdevelopedmuchhimself。Hecan’tseemtodomuchwithouttheplantchette。We’vehadupsomeofthemoldphilosopherslately。We’vehadupSocrates。"

"Isthatso？Itmustbeveryinteresting。"

Whitwelldidnotanswer，andWestoversawhiseyewander。Helookedround。Severalladieswerecomingacrossthegrasstowardhimfromthehotel，liftingtheirskirtsandtiptoeingthroughthedew。Theycalledtohim，"Good—morning，Mr。Whitwell！"and"AreyougoingupLion’sHeadto—day？"and"Don’tyouthinkitwillrain？""Guessnot，"saidWhitwell，withafatherlyurbanityandanairofamusementattheanxietiesofthesexwhichseemedhabitualtohim。Hewaitedtranquillyforthemtocomeup，andthenasked，withawaveofhishandtowardWestover："AcquaintedwithMr。Westover，theattist？"Henamedeachofthem，anditwouldhavebeennogreatvanityinWestovertothinktheyhadmadetheirlittlemovementacrossthegrassquiteasmuchinthehopeofanintroductiontohimasinthewishtoconsultWhitwellabouthisplans。

Thepainterfoundhimselfthecentreofanagreeableexcitementwithalltheladiesinthehouse。Forthisitwasperhapssufficienttobeaman。

Tobereasonablyyounganddecentlygood—looking，tobeanartist，andanartistnotunknown，wereadvantageswhichhadthesplendorofsuperfluity。

HelikedfindinghimselfinthesimpleandinnocentAmericancircumstanceagain，andhewasnotsorrytobeconfrontedatoncewithoneofthemostcharacteristicaspectsofoursummer。HecouldreadinthepresentdevelopmentofLion’sHeadHouseallthehistoryofitsevolutionfromthefirstconceptionoffarm—board，whichsufficedtheearliestcomers，toitsgrowthinthecomfortsandconvenienceswhichmorefastidioustastesandlargerpursesdemanded。Beforethispointwasreached，theboarderswouldbeofagoodandwholesomesort，buttheywouldbepeopleofnosocialadvantages，andnotofmuchcultivation，thoughtheymightbeintelligent；theywouldcertainlynotbefashionable；fivedollarsaweekimpliedallthat，exceptinthecaseofsomewanderingartistorthefamilyofsomepooryoungprofessor。Butwhenthefarmbecameaboarding—houseandcalleditselfahotel，asatpresentwithLion’sHeadHouse，andpeoplepaidtendollarsaweek，ortwelvefortransients，amomentofitscharacterwasreachedwhichcouldnotbesurpassedwhenitsprosperitybecamegreateranditsinmatesmorepretentious。Infact，thepeoplewhocanaffordtopaytendollarsaweekforsummerboard，andnotmuchmore，areoftenthebestoftheAmericanpeople，or，atleast，oftheNewEnglandpeople。Theymaynotknowit，andthosewhoarerichermaynotimagineit。Theyareapttobemiddle—agedmaidenladiesfromuniversitytowns，livinguponcarefullyguardedinvestments；

youngmarriedladieswithascantchildortwo，andneedingrestandchangeofair；collegeprofessorswithnothingbuttheirmodestsalaries；

literarymenorwomeninthebeginningoftheirtemperedsuccess；

clergymenandtheirwivesawayfromtheirchurchesinthelargercountrytownsorthesmallersuburbsofthecities；hereandthereanagreeablebachelorinmiddlelife，fondofliteratureandnature；hostsofyoungandprettygirlswithdistincttastesinart，anddevotedtothecleveryoungpainterwholeadsthemtothesourcesofinspirationinthefieldsandwoods。Suchpeoplearerefined，humane，appreciative，sympathetic；

andWestover，freshfromthelifeabroadwherelifeisseldomsofreeasourswithoutsomestain，wasgladtofindhimselfinthemidstofthisunrestraint，whichwassosweetandpure。Hehadseenenoughofrichpeopletoknowthatrichesseldomboughtthehighestqualities，evenamonghisfellow—countrymenwhosupposethatrichescandoeverything，andthefirstaspectsofsocietyatLion’sHeadseemedtohimArcadian。

Therereallyprovedtobeashepherdortwoamongallthattroopofshepherdesses，oldandyoung；thoughitwasinthemiddleoftheweek，remotealikefromtheSaturdayofarrivalsandtheMondayofdepartures。

Tobesure，therewasnonequitesoyoungashimself，exceptJeffDurgin，whowasofficiallyexteriortothesociallife。

Thepainterwhogavelessonstotheladieswasalreadyamanofforty，andhewasstronglydragonedroundbyawifealmostasold，whohadtakengreatpainstosecurehimforherself，andwhoworkedhimtofargreateradvantageinhisprofessionthanhecouldpossiblyhaveworkedhimself：

shegothimorders；soldhispictures，eveninBoston，wheretheyneverbuyAmericanpictures；foundhimpupils，andkepttheboldestofthesefromflirtingwithhim。Westover，whowassonewlyfromParis，wasabletoconsolehimwithtalkofthesalonsandateliers，whichhehadnotheardfromsodirectlyintenyears。Afterthefirstinevitablemomentofjealousy，hiswifeforgaveWestoverwhenshefoundthathedidnotwantpupils，andshetookaleadingpartinthemovementtohavehimreadBrowningatapicnic，organizedbytheladiesshortlyafterhecame。