第6章

"Ohyes，Ido，"saidthepainter。"Weneverknowwhenwemaybeuponthepointofrevelation。Iwouldn’tmissanychance。"

WhetherWhitwellfeltanironicslantinthewordsornot，hepausedamomentbeforehesaid："Wanttostartherup，Jackson？"

Jacksonbroughttothefloortheforefeetofhischair，whichhehadtiltedfromitinleaningback，andwithoutotheranswerputhishandontheplanchette。Itbegantoflyoverthelargesheetofpaperspreaduponthetable，incurvesandanglesandeccentrics。

"Feelspoottylivelyto—night，"saidWhitwell，withaglanceatWestover。

ThelittleCanuck，asifhehadnownofurtherconcerninthematter，satdowninacornerandsmokedsilently。Whitwellasked，afteramoment’simpatience：

"Can’tyougitherdowntobusiness，Jackson？"

Jacksongasped："She’llcomedownwhenshewantsto。"

Thelittleinstrumentseemed，infact，tryingtocontrolitself。Itsmovementsbecamelesswildandlarge；thezigzagsbegantoshapethemselvesintosomethinglikecharacters。Jackson’swastedfacegavenotokenofinterest；Whitwelllaidhalfhisgauntlengthacrossthetableintheendeavortomakeoutsomemeaninginthem；theCanuck，withhishandscrossedonhisstomach，smokedon，withthesamegleaminhispipeandeye。

Theplanchettesuddenlystoodmotionless。

"Shedone？"murmuredWhitwell。

"Iguesssheis，foraspell，anyway，"saidJackson，wearily。

"Let’strytomakeoutwhatshesays。"WhitwelldrewthesheetstowardhimselfandWestover，whosatnexthim。"You’vegottolookfortheletterseverywhere。Sometimesshe’llgiveyoufairandsquarewritin’，andthenagainshe’llslatthelettersdowneverywhichway，andyou’vegottohunt’emoutforyourself。Here’saBI’vegot。Thatbeginsalongprettyearlyinthealphabet。Let’sseewhatwecanfindnext。"

WestoverfanciedhecouldmakeoutanFandaT。

WhitwellexultedinanunmistakableKandN；andhemadesureofanI，andanE。ThepainterwasnotsosureofanS。"Well，callitanS，"

saidWhitwell。"AndIguessI’vegotanOhere，andanH。Hello！

Here’sanAaslargeaslife。Poottymuchofamixture。"

"Yes；Idon’tseethatwe’remuchbetteroffthanwewerebefore，"saidWestover。

"Well，Idon’tknowaboutthat，"saidWhitwell。

"Write’emdowninarowandseeifwecan’tpickoutsomesense。I’vehadworsefindsthanthis；novowelsatallsometimes；buthere’sthree。"

Hewrotethelettersdown，whileJacksonleanedbackagainstthewall，inpatientquiet。

"Well，sir，"saidWhitwell，pushingthepaper，wherehehadwrittenthelettersinaline，toWestover，"makeanythingoutof’em？"

Westoverstruggledwiththemamoment。"Icanmakeoutoneword—shaft。"

"Anythingelse？"demandedWhitwell，withaglanceoftriumphatJackson。

Westoverstudiedtheremainingletters。"Yes，Igetoneotherword—

broken。"

"JustwhatIdone！ButIwantedyoutospeakfirst。It’sBrokenShaft。

Jackson，shecaughtrightontowhatwewastalkin’about。Thislife，"heturnedtoWestover，insolemnexegesis，"isabrokenshaftwhendeathcomes。Itrestsupontheearth，butyougottolookforthetopofitintheskies。That’sthewayIlookatit。Whatdoyouthink，Jackson？

Jombateeste？"

Ithinkanybodycan’tseethat。Bettergoandgetsomeheye—glass。"

Westoverremainedinashamefulminority。Hesaid，meekly："Itsuggestsabeautifulhope。"

Jacksonbroughthischair—legsdownagain，andputhishandontheplanchette。

"Feelthattinglin’？"asked。Whitwell，andJacksonmadeyeswithsilentlips。"Afterhe’sbeenworkin’theplantchetteforaspell，andthenleavesoff，andshewantstosaysomethingmore，"WhitwellexplainedtoWestover，"heseemstofeelakindoftinglin’inhisarm，asifitwasasleep，andthenhe’sgottotackleheragain。Writin’steadyenoughnow，Jackson！"hecried，joyously。"Let’ssee。"Heleanedoverandread，"ThomasJefferson——"Theplanchettestopped，"My，Ididn’tgotodothat，"saidWhitwell，apologetically。"YoumuchacquaintedwithJefferson’swritin’s？"heaskedofWestover。

Thepainterhadtoownhisignoranceofallexceptthedictionthatthegovernmentisbestwhichgovernsleast；buthewasnotinapositiontodenythatJeffersonhadeversaidanythingaboutabrokenshaft。

"Itmayhavecometohimontheotherside，"saidWhitwell。

"Perhaps，"Westoverassented。

Theplanchettebegantostiritselfagain。"She’sgoin’ahead！"criedWhitwell。Heleanedoverthetablesoastogeteveryletterasitwasformed。"D——Yes！Death。DeathistheBrokenShaft。Goon！"Afteramomentoffalteringtheplanchetteformedanotherletter。ItwasaU，anditwasfollowedbyanR，andsoon，tillDurginhadbeenspelled。

"Thunder！"criedWhitwell。"Ifanything’shappenedtoJeff！"

Jacksonliftedhishandfromtheplanchette。

"Oh，goon，Jackson！"Whitwellentreated。"Don’tleaveitso！"

"Ican’tseemtogoon，"Jacksonwhispered，andWestovercouldnotresistthefearthatsuddenlyroseamongthem。Buthemadethefirststruggleagainstit。"Thisisnonsense。Or，ifthere’sanysenseinit，itmeansthatJeff’sshiphasbrokenhershaftandputback。"

Whitwellgavealoudlaughofrelief。"That’sso！You’vehitit，Mr。

Westover。"

Jacksonsaid，quietly："Hedidn’tmeantostarthometilltomorrow。Andhowcouldhesendanymessageunlesshewas——"

"Easily！"criedWestover。"It’ssimplyaninstanceofmentalimpression—

oftelepathy，astheycallit。"

"That’sso！"shoutedWhitwell，witheagerandinstantconviction。

WestovercouldseethatJacksonstilldoubted。"Ifyoubelievethatadisembodiedspiritcancommunicatewithyou，whynotanembodiedspirit？

Ifanythinghashappenedtoyourbrother’sship，hismindwouldbestronglyonyouathome，andwhycouldn’titconveyitsthoughttoyou？"

"Becauseheha’n’tstartedyet，"saidJackson。

Westoverwantedtolaugh；buttheyallheardvoiceswithout，whichseemedtobecomingnearer，andhelistenedwiththerest。HemadeoutFrankWhitwell’svoice，andhissister’s；andthenanothervoice，louderandgayer，roseboisterouslyabovethem。Whitwellflungthedooropenandplungedoutintothenight。Hecameback，haulingJeffDurgininbytheshoulder。

"Here，now，"beshoutedtoJackson，"youjustletthisfellerandplantchettefightitouttogether！"

"What’sthematterwithplantchette？"saidJeff，beforehesaidtohisbrother，"Hello，Jackson！"andtotheCanuck，"Hello，Jombateeste！"

Heshookhandsconventionallywiththemboth，andthenwiththepainter，whomhegreetedwithgreaterinterest。"Gladtoseeyouhere，Mr。

Westover。DidItakeyoubysurprise？"heaskedofthecompanyatlarge。

"No，sir，"saidWhitwell。"Didn’tsurpriseusany，ifyouareafortnightaheadoftime，"headded，withawinkattheothers。

"Well，ItookanotionIwouldn’twaitforthecattle—ship，andIstartedbackonaFrenchboat。ThoughtI’dtryit。Theylivewell。ButIhopedIshouldastonishyoualittle，too。Imightaswellwaited。"

Whitwelllaughed。"Weheardfromyou——plantchettekeptrightroundafteryou。"

"Thatso？"askedJeff，carelessly。

"Fact。Haveagoodvoyage？"Whitwellhadtheairofputtingacasualquestion。

"First—rate，"saidJeff。"Plantchettesaynot？"

"No。Onlyaboutthebrokenshaft。"

"Brokenshaft？Wedidn’thaveanybrokenshaft。Plantchette’sgotmixedalittle。Gotthewrongship。"

Afteramomentofchop—fallenness，Whitwellsaid：

"Thensomebody’sbeenmakin’freewithyourname。Curioushowthemdevilscutupoftentimes。"

Heexplained，andJefflaugheduproariouslywhenheunderstoodthewholecase。"Plantchette’sbeenhavin’funwithyou。"

Whitwellgavehimselftimeforreflection。"No，sir，Idon’tlookatitthatway。Iguessthewiresgotcrossedsomeway。Ifthere’ssuchathingasthespiritso’thelivin’influencin’plantchette，accordin’toMr。Westover’ssay，here，Idon’tseewhyitwa’n’t。Jeff’sbeingsonearthatgotcontrolofherandmadehersignhisnametosomebodyelse’swords。Itshowsthere’ssomethinginit。"

"Well，I’mgladtocomebackalive，anyway，"saidJeff，withajovialitynewtoWestover。"Itellyou，therea’n’tmanyplacesfinerthanoldLion’sHead，afterall。Don’tyouthinkso，Mr。Westover？Iwanttogetthedaylightonit，butitdoeswellbymoonlight，even。"Helookedroundatthetallgirl，whohadbeenlingeringtohearthetalkofplanchette；atthebackwardtilthegavehishead，togetherinrange，shefrownedasifshefelthiswordsabetrayal，andslippedoutoftheroom；theboyhadalreadygone，andwasmakinghimselfheardinthelowroomoverhead。

"There’salotoffolksherethissummer，mothersays，"heappealedfromthecheckhehadgottoJackson。"Everyroomtakenforthewholemonth，shesays。"

"We’vebeenprettyfullallJuly，too，"saidJackson，blankly。

"Well，it’sagreatbusiness；andI’vepickedupalotofhintsoverthere。We’renotsosmartaswethinkweare。TheSwisscanteachusathingortwo。Theyknowhowtokeepahotel。"

"GotoSwitzerland？"askedWhitwell。

"Islippedoverintotheedgeofit。"

"Iwanttoknow！Well，nowthemAlps，now——theysomuchbigger’ntheWhiteHills，afterall？"

"Well，Idon’tknowaboutallof’em，"saidJeff。"Theremaybesomethatwouldcomparewithourhills，butIshouldsaythatyoucouldtakeMountWashingtonupandsetitinthelapofalmostanyoneoftheAlpsI

saw，anditwouldlooklikeababyonitsmother’sknee。"

"Iwanttoknow！"saidWhitwellagain。Histoneexpresseddisappointment，butimpartiality；hewoulddojusticetoforeignsuperiorityifhemust。"Andabouttheocean。Whataboutwavesrunnin？

mountainshigh？"

"Well，wedidn’thaveitveryrough。ButIdon’tbelieveIsawanywavesmuchhigherthanLion’sHead。"JefflaughedtofindWhitwelltakinghimseriously。"Won’tthatsatisfyyou？"

"Oh，itsatisfiesme。Truthalwaysdoes。But，now，aboutLondon。Youdidn’tseemtosaysomuchaboutLondoninyourletters，now。Isitsobigastheyleton？Big——thatis，tothenakedeye，asyoumaysay？"

"Therea’n’tanyoneplacewhereyoucangetacompletebird’s—eyeviewofit，"saidJeff，"andtwo—thirdsofitwouldbehidinsmoke，anyway。

You’vegottothinkofaplacethatwouldtakeinthewholepopulationofNewEngland，outsideofMassachusetts，andnotfeelasifithadmorethanacomfortablemeal。"

Whitwelllaughedforjoyintheboldfigure。

"I’lltellyou。Whenyou’velandedandcrossedupfromLiverpool，andstruckLondon，youfeelasifyou’dgonetoseaagain。It’sanocean——

awholeAtlanticofhouses。"

"That’sright！"crowedWhitwell。"That’sthewayIthoughtitwas。

Growin’any？"

Jeffhesitated。"Itgrowsinthenight。You’veheardaboutChicagogrowing？"

"Yes。"

"Well，LondongrowsawholeChicagoeverynight。"

"Good！"saidWhitwell。"Thatsuitsme。AndaboutParis，now。Parisstrikeyouthesameway？"

"Itdon’tneedto，"saidJeff。"That’saplacewhereI’dliketolive。

Everybody’sathomethere。It’saman’shouseandhisfrontyard，andI

tellyoutheykeepitclean。Parisiswasheddowneverymorning；

scrubbedandmoppedandrubbeddry。Youcouldn’tfindanymoredirtthanyoucouldinmother’skitchenaftershe’shungoutherwash。Thatso，Mr。Westover？"

WestoverconfirmedingeneralJeff’sreportofthecleanlinessofParis。

"Andbeautiful！Youdon’tknowwhatagood—lookingtownistillyoustrikeParis。Andthey’reproudofit，too。Everymanactsasifheownedit。They’vehadthestatueofAlsaceinthatPlacedelaConcordeofyours，Mr。Whitwell，wheretheyhadtheguillotinealldrapedinblackeversincethewarwithGermany；andtheymeantohaveherback，someday。"

"Greatcountry，Jombateeste！"WhitwellshoutedtotheCanuck。

Thelittlemanrousedhimselffromthemuseinwhichhewaslisteningandsmoking。"Me，I’mFrantsh，"hesaid。

"Yes，that’swhatJeffwassayin’，"saidWhitwell。"ImeantFrance。"

"Oh，"answeredJombateeste，impatiently，"IthoughtyoumeantheHunitedState。"

"Well，notthistime，"saidWhitwell，amidthegenerallaughter。

"GoodforJombateeste，"saidJeff。"StandupforCanadaeverytime，John。It’sthelivestcountry，intheworldthreemonthsoftheyear，andtheicekeepsitperfectlysweettheothernine。"

Whitwellcouldnotbrookadiversionfromthehighandseriousinquirytheyhadenteredupon。"Itmusthavemadethiscountrylookprettyslimwhenyougotback。How’dNewYorklook，afterParis？"

"Likeapigpen，"saidJeff。Helefthischairandwalkedroundthetabletowardadooropeningintotheadjoiningroom。ForthefirsttimeWestovernoticedafigureinwhiteseatedthere，andapparentlyraptinthetalkwhichhadbeengoingon。AttheapproachofJeff，andbeforehecouldhavemadehimselfseenatthedoorway，atremorseemedtopassoverthefigure；itflutteredtoitsfeet，andthenitvanishedintothefartherdarkoftheroom。WhenJeffdisappearedwithin，therewasasoundofrustlingskirtsandskurryingfeetandthecrashofaclosingdoor，andthenthefreeriseoflaughingvoiceswithout。Afteradiscreetinterval，Westoversaid："Mr。Whitwell，Imustsaygood—night。

I’vegotanotherday’sworkbeforeme。It’sbeenamostinterestingevening。"

"Youmusttryitagain，"saidWhitwell，hospitably。"Weha’n’tgottothebottomofthatbrokenshaftyet。You’llsee’tplantchette’llhavesomethingmoretosayaboutit：Heigh，Jackson？"HerosetoreceiveWestover’sgoodnight；theothersnoddedtohim。

Asthepainterclimbedthehilltothehotelhesawtwofiguresontheroadbelow；theoneinwhitedraperylookedseveredbyadarklineslantingacrossitatthewaist。Inthecountry，heknew，suchanappearancemightmarktheearlieststagesoflove—making，ormereyouthfultenderness，inwhichtherewasnothingmoreimpliedorexpected。

Butwhateverthefactwas，Westoverfeltavaguedistasteforit，which，asitrelateditselftoamoreseriouspossibility，deepenedtosomethinglikepain。Itwasprobablethatitshouldcometothisbetweenthosetwo，butWestoverrebelledagainsttheeventwithasenseofitsunfitnessforwhichhecouldnotgivehimselfanyvalidreason；andintheendheaccusedhimselfofbeingafool。

Twoladiessatontheverandaofthehotelandwatchedacloud—wreathtryingtoliftitselffromthesummitofLion’sHead。Intheeffortitthinnedawaytotransparencyinplaces；inothers，ittoreitsfrailtextureasunderandletpartsofthemountainshowthrough；thenthefragmentsknittedthemselveslooselytogether，andthevaporlayagainindreamyquiescence。

Theladieswereolderandyounger，andapparentlymotheranddaughter。

Themotherhadkeptheryouthinfaceandfiguresoadmirablythatinanotherlightshewouldhavelookedscarcelytheelder。Itwasthecandorofthemorningwhichconfessedthefineverticallinesrunningupanddowntoherlips，onlyashadepalerthanthegirl’s，andthatshowedherhairatriflethinnerinitscopperybrown，herblueeyesalittledimmer。Theywerebothverygraceful，andtheyhadsoft，caressingvoices；theynowbegantotalkverypolitelytoeachother，asiftheywerestrangers，orasifstrangerswereby。Theytalkedofthelandscape，andofthestrangecloudeffectbeforethem。TheysaidthattheysupposedtheyshouldseetheLion’sHeadwhenthecloudlifted，andtheywerebothsuretheyhadneverbeenquitesonearacloudbefore。

TheyagreedthatthiswasbecauseinSwitzerlandthemountainsweresomuchhigherandfartheroff。Thenthedaughtersaid，withoutchangingthedirectionofhereyesorthetoneofhervoice，"Thegentlemanwhocameoverfromthestationwithuslastnight，"andthemotherwasawareofJeffDurginadvancingtowardthecorneroftheverandawheretheysat。

"Ihopeyouhavegotrested，"hesaid，withthejovialbluntnesswhichwascharacteristicofhimwithwomen。

"Oh，yesindeed，"saidtheelderlady。Jeffhadspokentoher，buthadlookedchieflyattheyounger。"Isleptbeautifully。Soquiethere，andwiththisdeliciousair！Haveyoujusttastedit？"

"No；I’vebeenupeversincedaylight，drivinground，"saidJeff。"I’mgladyouliketheair，"hesaid，afteracertainhesitation。"WealwayswanttohavepeopledothatatLion’sHead。There’snoairlikeit，thoughperhapsIshouldn’tsayso。"

"Shouldn’t？"theladyrepeated。

"Yes；weowntheairhere——thispartofit。"Jeffsmiledeasilydownatthelady’spuzzledface。

"Oh！Thenyouare——areyouasonofthehouse？"

"Sonofthehotel，yes，"saidJeff，withincreasingease。Theladycontinuedherquestioninalook，andhewenton："I’vebeenscouringthecountryforbutterandeggsthismorning。WeshallgetalloursuppliesfromBostonnextyear，Ihope，butwedependontheneighborsalittleyet。"

"Howveryinteresting！"saidthelady。"Youmusthaveagreatmanyqueeradventures，"shesuggestedinaprovisionaltone。

"Well，nothing’squeertomeinthehillcountry。Butyouseesomecharactershere。"HenoddedoverhisshouldertowhereWhitwellstoodbytheflag—staff，waitingthemorningimpulseoftheladies。"There’soneofthegreatestofthemnow。"

TheladyputupalorgnetteandinspectedWhitwell。"Whatarethosestrangethingshehasgotinhishatband？"

"Theflowersandthefungioftheseason，"saidJeff。"Hetakespartiesoftheladieswalking，andthatcollectioniswhathecallshisalmanac。"

"Really？"criedthegirl。"That’scharming！"

"Delightful！"saidthemother，movedbythesameimpulse，apparently。

"Yes，"saidJeff。"Yououghttohearhimtalk。I’llintroducehimtoyouafterbreakfast，ifyoulike。"

"Oh，weshouldonlybetoohappy，"saidthemother，andherdaughter，fromherinflection，knewthatshewouldbewillingtodeferherhappiness。

ButJeffdidnot。"Mr。Whitwell！"hecalledout，andWhitwellcameacrossthegrasstotheedgeoftheveranda。"IwanttointroduceyoutoMrs。Vostrand——andMissVostrand。"

Whitwelltooktheirslimhandssuccessivelyintohisbroad，flatpalm，andmadeMrs。Vostrandrepeathernametohim。"StrangersatLion’sHead，Ipresume？"Mrs。Vostrandownedasmuch；andheadded："Well，Iguessyouwon’tfindamuchsightlierplaceanywhere；though，accordin’

toJeff’ssay，here，they’vegotbiggermountainsontheotherside。

EverbeeninEurope？"

"Why，yes，"saidMrs。Vostrand，withalittlemouthofdeprecation。

"Infact，we’vejustcomehome。We’vebeenlivingthere。"

"Thatso？"returnedWhitwell，inhumoroustoleration。"Gladtogetback，Ipresume？"

"Ohyes——yes，"saidMrs。Vostrand，inasortofwillowyconcession，asifthecharacterbeforeherwerenottobecrossedorgainsaid。

"Well，it’lldoyougoodhere，"saidWhitwell。"’N’theyounglady，too。Afewtrampsoverthesehills’llmakeyoulooklikeanotherwoman。"Headded，asifhehadperhapsmadehisremarkstoopersonaltothegirl，"Bothofyou。"

"Ohyes，"themotherassented，fervently。"Weshallcountuponyourshowingusalltheir—mysteries。"

Whitwelllookedpleased。"I’lldomybest—wheneveryou’reready。"

Hewenton："Why，Jeff，here，hasjustgotback，too。Jeff，whatwasthenameofthatFrenchboatyousaidyoucrossedon？IwanttoseeifI

can’tmakeoutwhatplantchettemeantbythatbrokenshaft。Shemusthavemeantsomething，andifIcouldfindoutthenameoftheship——

Telltheladiesaboutit？"Jefflaughed，withashakeofthehead，andWhitwellcontinued，"Why，itwaslikethis，"andhepossessedtheladiesofafactwhichtheyprofessedtofindextremelyinteresting。AttheendoftheirpoliteexpressionsheaskedJeffagain："Whatdidyousaythenamewas？"

"Aquitaine，"saidJeff，briefly。

"Why，wecameontheAquitaine！"saidMrs。Vostrand，withasmileforJeff。"Buthowdidwehappennottoseeoneanother？"

"Oh，Icamesecond—cabin，"saidJeff。"Iworkedmywayoveronacattle—

shiptoLondon，and，whenIdecidednottoworkmywayback，IfoundI

hadn’tenoughmoneyforafirst—cabinpassage。IwasinahurrytogetbackintimetogetsettledatHarvard，andsoIcamesecond—cabin。Itwasn’tbad。Iusedtoseeyouacrosstherail。"

"Well！"saidWhitwell。

"Howvery——amusing！"saidMrs。Vostrand。"Whatasmallworlditis！"

Withthesewordsshefellintoavagary；herdaughterrecalledherfromitwithaslightmovement。"Breakfast？Howimpatientyouare，Genevieve！Well！"ShesmiledthesweetestpartingtoWhitwell，andsufferedherselftobeledawaybyJeff。

"Andyou’reatHarvard？I’msointerested！Myownboywillbegoingtheresoon。"

"Well，there’snoplacelikeHarvard，"saidJeff。"I’minmySophomoreyearnow。"

"Oh，aSophomore！Fancy！"criedMrs。Vostrand，asifnothingcouldgivehermorepleasure。"MysonisgoingtoprepareatSt。Mark’s。Didyoupreparethere？"

"No，IpreparedatLovewellAcademy，overhere。"Jeffnoddedinasoutherlydirection。

"Oh，indeed！"saidMrs。Vostrand，asifsheknewwhereLovewellwas，andinstantlyrecognizedthenameoftheancientschool。

Theyhadreachedthediningroom，andJeffpushedthescreen—dooropenwithonehand，andfollowedtheladiesin。Hehadtheeffectofwelcomingthemlikeinvitedguests；heplacedtheladieshimselfatawindow，wherehesaidMrs。Vostrandwouldbeoutofthedraughts，andtheycouldhaveagoodviewofLion’sHead。

Heleanedoverbetweenthem，whentheywereseated，togetsightofthemountain，and，"There！"hesaid。"Thatcloud’sgoneatlast。"Then，asifitwouldbemodesterintheproprietoroftheviewtoleavethemtotheirflatteringrapturesinit，hemovedawayandstoodtalkingamomentwithCynthiaWhitwellnearthedooroftheserving—room。Hetalkedgayly，withmanytossesoftheheadandturnsabout，whileshelistenedwithavaguesmile，motionlessly。

"She’sverypretty，"saidMissVostrandtohermother。

"Yes。TheNewEnglandtype，"murmuredthemother。

"Theyallhavethesamelook，agooddeal，"saidthegirl，glancingovertheroomwherethewaitressesstoodrangedagainstthewallwiththeirhandsfoldedattheirwaists。"Theyhavebetterfacesthanfigures，butsheisbeautifuleveryway。Doyousupposetheyareallschoolteachers？

Theylookintellectual。Orisittheirglasses？"

"Idon’tknow，"saidthemother。"Theyusedtobe；butthingschangeheresorapidlyitmayallbedifferent。Doyoulikeit？"

"Ithinkit’scharminghere，"saidtheyoungerlady，evasively。

"Everythingissoexquisitelyclean。Andthefoodisverygood。Isthiscorn—bread——thatyou’vetoldmeaboutsomuch？"

"Yes，thisiscorn—bread。Youwillhavetogetaccustomedtoit。"

"Perhapsitwon’ttakelong。Icouldfancythatgirlknowingabouteverything。Don’tyoulikeherlooks？"

"Oh，verymuch。"Mrs。VostrandturnedforanotherglanceatCynthia。

"Whatsay？"Theirsmilingwaitresscameforwardfromthewallwhereshewasleaning，asifshethoughttheyhadspokentoher。

"Oh，wewerespeaking——theyoungladytowhomMr。Durginwastalking——sheis——"

"She’sthehousekeeper——MissWhitwell。"

"Oh，indeed！Sheseemssoyoung——"

"Iguesssheknowswhattodo—o—o，"thewaitresschanted。"Wethinkshe’saboutri—i—ght。"Shesmiledtolerantlyuponthemisgivingofthestranger，ifitwasthat，andthenretreatedwhenthemotheranddaughterbegantalkingtogetheragain。

Theyhadpraisedthemountainwiththecloudoff，toJeff，verypolitely，andnowthemothersaid，alittlemoreintimately，butstillwiththedeferenceofasocietyacquaintance："Heseemsverygentlemanly，andIamsureheisverykind。Idon’tquiteknowwhattodoaboutit，doyou？"

"No，Idon’t。It’sallstrangetome，youknow。"

"Yes，Isupposeitmustbe。Butyouwillgetusedtoitifweremaininthecountry。Doyouthinkyouwilldislikeit？"

"Ohno！It’sverydifferent。"

"Yes，it’sdifferent。Heisveryhandsome，inacertainway。"Thedaughtersaidnothing，andthemotheradded："Iwonderifhewastryingtoconcealthathehadcomesecond—cabin，andwasnotgoingtoletusknowthathecrossedwithus？"

"Doyouthinkhewasboundtodoso？"

"No。Butitwasveryodd，hisnotmentioningit。Andhisgoingoutonacattle—steamer？"themotherobserved。

"Oh，butthat’sverychic，I’veheard，"thedaughterreplied。"I’veheardthattheyoungmenlikeitandthinkitagreatchance。Theyhavegreatfun。Itisn’tatalllikesecond—cabin。"

"Youyoungpeoplehaveyourownworld，"themotheranswered，caressingly。