\"There,now,Iknowedyouwould,Coonrod。Now,fawther!\"ThisappealwastomaketheoldmansaysomethinginrecognitionofConrad\'ssacrifice。
\"You\'llalwaysfind,\"hesaid,\"thatit\'sthoseofyourownhouseholdthathavethefirstclaimonyou。\"
\"That\'sso,Coonrod,\"urgedhismother。\"It\'sBibletruth。Yourfawtherain\'taperfesser,buthealwaysdidreadhisBible。SearchtheScriptures。That\'swhatitmeans。\"
\"Laws!\"criedMely,\"abodycansee,easyenoughfrommother,whereConrad\'swantun\'tobeapreachercomesfrom。Ishould\'a\'thoughtshe\'d\'a\'wantedtobeenoneherself。\"
\"Letyourwomenkeepsilenceinthechurches,\"saidtheoldwoman,solemnly。
\"Thereyougoagain,mother!Iguessifyouwastosaythattosomeoftheladyministersnowadays,you\'dgityourselfintotrouble。\"Melalookedroundforapproval,andgurgledoutahoarselaugh。
IX。
TheDryfooseswentlatetoMrs。Horn\'smusicale,inspiteofMrs。
Mandel\'sadvice。Christinemadethedelay,bothbecauseshewishedtoshowMissVancethatshewasnotanxious,andbecauseshehadsomevaguenotionofthedistinctionofarrivinglateatanysortofentertainment。Mrs。Mandelinsisteduponthedifferencebetweenthismusicaleandanordinaryreception;butChristineratherfancieddisturbingacompanythathadgotseated,andperhapsmakingpeopleriseandstand,whileshefoundherwaytoherplace,asshehadseenthem。
doforatardycomeratthetheatre。
Mela,whomshedidnotadmittoherreasonsorfeelingsalways,followedherwiththeservileadmirationshehadforallthatChristinedid;andshetookontrustassomehowsuccessfultheresultofChristine\'sobstinacy,whentheywereallowedtostandagainstthewallatthebackoftheroomthroughthewholeofthelongpiecebegunjustbeforetheycamein。Therehadbeennoonetoreceivethem;afewpeople,intherearrowsofchairsnearthem,turnedtheirheadstoglanceatthem,andthenlookedawayagain。Melahadhermisgivings;butattheendofthepieceMissVancecameuptothematonce,andthenMelaknewthatshehadhereyesonthemallthetime,andthatChristinemusthavebeenright。
Christinesaidnothingabouttheircominglate,andsoMeladidnotmakeanyexcuse,andMissVanceseemedtoexpectnone。SheglancedwithasortofsurpriseatConrad,whenChristineintroducedhim;Meladidnotknowwhethershelikedtheirbringinghim,tillsheshookhandswithhim,andsaid:\"Oh,Iamverygladindeed!Mr。DryfoosandIhavemetbefore。\"Withoutexplainingwhereorwhen,sheledthemtoherauntandpresentedthem,andthensaid,\"I\'mgoingtoputyouwithsomefriendsofyours,\"andquicklyseatedthemnexttheMarches。Melalikedthatwellenough;shethoughtshemighthavesomejokingwithMr。March,forallhiswifewassostiff;butthelookwhichChristineworeseemedtoforbid,provisionallyatleast,anysuchrecreation。Onherpart,ChristinewascoolwiththeMarches。ItwentthroughhermindthattheymusthavetoldMissVancetheyknewher;andperhapstheyhadboastedofherintimacy。SherelaxedalittletowardthemwhenshesawBeatonleaningagainstthewallattheendoftherownextMrs。March。ThensheconjecturedthathemighthavetoldMissVanceofheracquaintancewiththeMarches,andshebentforwardandnoddedtoMrs。MarchacrossConrad,Mela,andMr。March。Sheconceivedofhimasasortofhandofherfather\'s,butshewaswillingtotakethemattheirapparentsocialvaluationforthetime。Sheleanedbackinherchair,anddidnotlookupatBeatonafterthefirstfurtiveglance,thoughshefelthiseyesonher。
Themusicbeganagainalmostatonce,beforeMelahadtimetomakeConradtellherwhereMissVancehadmethimbefore。Shewouldnothavemindedinterruptingthemusic;buteveryoneelseseemedsoattentive,evenChristine,thatshehadnotthecourage。Theconcertwentontoanendwithoutrealizingforhertheidealofpleasurewhichoneoughttofind。
insociety。Shewasnotexacting,butitseemedtohertherewereveryfewyoungmen,andwhenthemusicwasover,andtheiropportunitycametobesociable,theywerenotverysociable。Theywerenotintroduced,foronething;butitappearedtoMelathattheymighthavegotintroduced,iftheyhadanysense;shesawthemlookingather,andshewasgladshehaddressedsomuch;shewasdressedmorethananyotherladythere,andeitherbecauseshewasthemostdressedofanypersonthere,orbecauseithadgotaroundwhoherfatherwas,shefeltthatshehadmadeanimpressionontheyoungmen。Inhersatisfactionwiththis,andfromhergoodnature,shewascontentedtobeservedwithherrefreshmentsaftertheconcertbyMr。March,andtoremainjokingwithhim。Shewasatherease;sheletherhoarsevoiceoutinherlargestlaugh;sheaccusedhim,totheadmirationofthosenear,ofgettingherintoaperfectgale。Itappearedtoher,inherownpleasure,hermissiontoillustratetotherathersubduedpeopleaboutherwhatagoodtimereallywas,sothattheycouldhaveitiftheywantedit。HerjoywascrownedwhenMarchmodestlyprofessedhimselfunworthytomonopolizeher,andexplainedhowselfishhefeltintalkingtoayoungladywhenthereweresomanyyoungmendyingtodoso。
\"Oh,pshaw,dyun\',yes!\"criedMela,tastingtheirony。\"IguessIseethem!\"
Heaskedifhemightreallyintroduceafriendofhistoher,andshesaid,Well,yes,ifbethoughthecouldlivetogettoher;andMarchbroughtupamanwhomhethoughtveryyoungandMelathoughtveryold。
Hewasacontributorto\'EveryOtherWeek,\'andsoMarchknewhim;
hebelievedhimselfastudentofhumannatureinbehalfofliterature,andhenowsetaboutstudyingMela。Hetemptedhertoexpressheropiniononallpoints,andhelaughedsoamiablyattheboldnessandhumorousvigorofherideasthatshewasdelightedwithhim。SheaskedhimifhewasaNew-Yorkerbybirth;andshetoldhimshepitiedhim,whenhesaidhehadneverbeenWest。SheprofessedherselfperfectlysickofNewYork,andurgedhimtogotoMoffittifhewantedtoseeareallivetown。Hewonderedifitwoulddotoputherintoliteraturejustasshewas,withallherslangandbrag,buthedecidedthathewouldhavetosubdueheragreatdeal:hedidnotseehowhecouldreconcilethefactsofherconversationwiththefactsofherappearance:
herbeauty,hersplendorofdress,herapparentrighttobewhereshewas。Thesethingsperplexedhim;hewasafraidthegreatAmericannovel,iftrue,mustbeincredible。MelasaidheoughttohearhersistergoonaboutNewYorkwhentheyfirstcame;butshereckonedthatChristinewasgettingsoshecouldputupwithitalittlebetter,now。ShelookedsignificantlyacrosstheroomtotheplacewhereChristinewasnowtalkingwithBeaton;andthestudentofhumannatureasked,Wasshehere?
and,Wouldsheintroducehim?Melasaidshewould,thefirstchanceshegot;andsheadded,Theywouldbemuchpleasedtohavehimcall。Shefeltherselftobehavingabeautifultime,andshegotdirectlyuponsuchintimatetermswiththestudentofhumannaturethatshelaughedwithhimaboutsomepeculiaritiesofhis,suchashisgoingsofarabouttoaskthingshewantedtoknowfromher;shesaidsheneverdidbelieveinbeatingaboutthebushmuch。ShehadnoticedthesamethinginMissVancewhenshecametocallthatday;andwhentheyoungmanownedthathecameratheragooddealtoMrs。Horn\'shouse,sheaskedhim,Well,whatsortofagirlwasMissVance,anyway,andwheredidhesupposeshehadmetherbrother?Thestudentofhumannaturecouldnotsayastothis,andastoMissVancehejudgeditsafesttotreatofthenon-
societysideofhercharacter,heractivityincharity,herspecialdevotiontotheworkamongthepoorontheEastSide,whichshepersonallyengagedin。
\"Oh,that\'swhereConradgoes,too!\"Melainterrupted。\"I\'llbetanythingthat\'swhereshemethim。IwishtIcouldtellChristine!
ButIsupposeshewouldwanttokillme,ifIwastospeaktohernow。\"
Thestudentofhumannaturesaid,politely,\"Oh,shallItakeyoutoher?\"
Melaanswered,\"Iguessyoubetternot!\"withalaughsosignificantthathecouldnothelphisinferencesconcerningbothChristine\'sabsorptioninthepersonshewastalkingwithandthehabitualviolenceofhertemper。HemadenoteofhowMelahelplesslyspokeofallherfamilybytheirnames,asifhewerealreadyintimatewiththem;hefanciedthatifhecouldgetthatinskillfully,itwouldbeavaluablecolorinhisstudy;theEnglishlordwhomsheshouldastonishwithitbegantoformhimselfoutofthedramaticnebulosityinhismind,andtowhirlonadefiniteorbitinAmericansociety。ButhewaspuzzledtodecidewhetherMela\'swillingnesstotakehimintoherconfidenceonshortnoticewastypicalorpersonal:thetraitofadaughterofthenatural-gasmillionaire,orafoibleofherown。
BeatontalkedwithChristinethegreaterpartoftheeveningthatwasleftaftertheconcert。Hewasverygrave,andtookthetoneofafatherlyfriend;hespokeguardedlyofthepeoplepresent,andmoderatedtheseverityofsomeofChristine\'sjudgmentsoftheirlooksandcostumes。HedidthisoutofasortofunreasonedallegiancetoMargaret,whomhewasinthemoodofwishingtopleasebybeingverykindandgood,asshealwayswas。HehadthesensealsoofatoningbythisbehaviorforsomerecklessthingshehadsaidbeforethattoChristine;
heputonasad,reprovingairwithher,andgaveherthefeelingofbeingheldincheck。
Shechafedatit,andsaid,glancingatMargaretintalkwithherbrother,\"Idon\'tthinkMissVanceissoverypretty,doyou?\"
\"Ineverthinkwhethershe\'sprettyornot,\"saidBecton,withdreamy,affectation。\"Sheismerelyperfect。Doessheknowyourbrother?\"
\"Soshesays。Ididn\'tsupposeConradeverwentanywhere,excepttotenement-houses。\"
\"Itmighthavebeenthere,\"Bectonsuggested。\"Shegoesamongfriendlesspeopleeverywhere。\"
\"Maybethat\'sthereasonshecametoseeus!\"saidChristine。
Bectonlookedatherwithhissmoulderingeyes,andfeltthewishtosay,\"Yes,itwasexactlythat,\"butheonlyallowedhimselftodenythepossibilityofanysuchmotiveinthatcase。Headded:\"Iamsogladyouknowher,MissDryfoos。InevermetMissVancewithoutfeelingmyselfbetterandtruer,somehow;orthewishtobeso。\"
\"Andyouthinkwemightbeimproved,too?\"Christineretorted。\"Well,Imustsayyou\'renotveryflattering,Mr。Becton,anyway。\"
Bectonwouldhavelikedtoanswerheraccordingtohercattishness,withagoodclawingsarcasmthatwouldleaveitssmartinherpride;buthewasbeinggood,andhecouldnotchangeallatonce。Besides,thegirl\'sattitudeunderthesocialhonordoneherinterestedhim。Hewassureshehadneverbeeninsuchgoodcompanybefore,buthecouldseethatshewasnotintheleastaffectedbytheexperience。Hehadtoldherwhothispersonandthatwas;andhesawshehadunderstoodthatthenameswereofconsequence;butsheseemedtofeelherequalitywiththemall。
HerserenitywasnotobviouslyakintothesavagestoicisminwhichBeatonhidhisownconsciousnessofsocialinferiority;buthavingwonhiswayintheworldsofarbyhistalent,hispersonalquality,hedidnotconceivethesimplefactinhercase。Christinewasself-possessedbecauseshefeltthataknowledgeofherfather\'sfortunehadgotaround,andshehadthepeacewhichmoneygivestoignorance;butBeatonattributedherpoisetoindifferencetosocialvalues。This,whileheinwardlysneeredatit,avengedhimuponhisowntookeensenseofthem,and,togetherwithhistemporaryallegiancetoMargaret\'sgoodness,kepthimfromretaliatingChristine\'svulgarity。Hesaid,\"Idon\'tseehowthatcouldbe,\"andleftthequestionofflatterytosettleitself。
Thepeoplebegantogoaway,followingeachotheruptotakeleaveofMrs。Horn。Christinewatchedthemwithunconcern,andeitherbecauseshewouldnotbegovernedbythegeneralmovement,orbecauseshelikedbeingwithBeaton,gavenosignofgoing。Melawasstilltalkingtothestudentofhumannature,sendingoutherlaughindeepgurglesamidtheunimaginableconfidencesshewasmakinghimaboutherself,herfamily,thestaffof\'EveryOtherWeek,\'Mrs。Mandel,andthekindoflifetheyhadallledbeforeshecametothem。Hewasnotablinddevoteeofartforart\'ssake,andthoughhefeltthatifonecouldportrayMelajustasshewasshewouldbetherichestpossiblematerial,hewasratherashamedtoknowsomeofthethingsshetoldhim;andhekeptlookinganxiouslyaboutforachanceofescape。ThecompanyhadreduceditselftotheDryfoosgroupsandsomefriendsofMrs。Horn\'swhohadtherighttolinger,whenMargaretcrossedtheroomwithConradtoChristineandBeaton。
\"I\'msoglad,MissDryfoos,tofindthatIwasnotquiteastrangertoyouallwhenIventuredtocall,theotherday。YourbrotherandIareratheroldacquaintances,thoughIneverknewwhohewasbefore。Idon\'tknowjusthowtosaywemetwhereheisvaluedsomuch。IsupposeI
mustn\'ttrytosayhowmuch,\"sheadded,withalookofdeepregardathim。
Conradblushedandstoodfoldinghisarmstightoverhisbreast,whilehissisterreceivedMargaret\'sconfessionwiththesuspicionwhichwasherfirstfeelinginregardtoanynewthing。Whatsheconcludedwasthatthisgirlwastryingtogetinwiththem,forreasonsofherown。
Shesaid:\"Yes;it\'sthefirstIeverheardofhisknowingyou。He\'ssomuchtakenupwithhismeetings,hedidn\'twanttocometo-night。\"
Margaretdrewinherlipbeforesheanswered,withoutapparentresentmentoftheawkwardnessorungraciousness,whichevershefoundit:\"Idon\'twonder!Youbecomesoabsorbedinsuchworkthatyouthinknothingelseisworthwhile。ButI\'mgladMr。Dryfooscouldcomewithyou;I\'msogladyoucouldallcome;Iknewyouwouldenjoythemusic。Dositdown——\"
\"No,\"saidChristine,bluntly;\"wemustbegoing。Mela!\"shecalledout,\"come!\"
ThelastgroupaboutMrs。Hornlookedround,butChristineadvanceduponthemundismayed,andtookthehandMrs。Hornpromptlygaveher。\"Well,I
mustbidyougood-night。\"
\"Oh,good-night,\"murmuredtheelderlady。\"Soverykindofyoutocome。\"
\"I\'vehadthebestkindofatime,\"saidMela,cordially。\"Ihain\'tlaughedsomuch,Idon\'tknowwhen。\"
\"Oh,I\'mgladyouenjoyedit,\"saidMrs。Horn,inthesamepolitemurmurshehadusedwithChristine;butshesaidnothingtoeithersisteraboutanyfuturemeeting。
Theywereapparentlynottroubled。Melasaidoverhershouldertothestudentofhumannature,\"ThenexttimeIseeyouI\'llgiveittoyouforwhatyousaidaboutMoffitt。\"
Margaretmadesomeentreatingpacesafterthem,butshedidnotsucceedincoveringtheretreatofthesistersagainstcriticalconjecture。ShecouldonlysaytoConrad,asifrecurringtothesubject,\"Ihopewecangetourfriendstoplayforussomenight。Iknowitisn\'tanyrealhelp,butsuchthingstakethepoorcreaturesoutofthemselvesforthetimebeing,don\'tyouthink?\"
\"Ohyes,\"heanswered。\"They\'regoodinthatway。\"HeturnedbackhesitatinglytoMrs。Horn,andsaid,withablush,\"Ithankyouforahappyevening。\"
\"Oh,Iamveryglad,\"shereplied,inhermurmur。
Oneoftheoldfriendsofthehousearchedhereyebrowsinsayinggood-
night,andofferedthetwoyoungmenremainingseatshomeinhercarriage。Beatongloomilyrefused,andshekeptherselffromaskingthestudentofhumannature,tillshehadgothimintohercarriage,\"WhatisMoffitt,andwhatdidyousayaboutit?\"
\"Nowyousee,Margaret,\"saidMrs。Horn,withbatedtriumph,whenthepeoplewereallgone。
\"Yes,Isee,\"thegirlconsented。\"Fromonepointofview,ofcourseit\'sbeenafailure。Idon\'tthinkwe\'vegivenMissDryfoosapleasure,butperhapsnobodycould。Andatleastwe\'vegivenhertheopportunityofenjoyingherself。\"
\"Suchpeople,\"saidMrs。Horn,philosophically,\"peoplewiththeirmoney,mustofcoursebereceivedsoonerorlater。Youcan\'tkeepthemout。
Only,IbelieveIwouldratherletsomeoneelsebeginwiththem。TheLeightonsdidn\'tcome?\"
\"Isentthemcards。Icouldn\'tcallagain。\"
Mrs。Hornsighedalittle。\"IsupposeMr。Dryfoosisoneofyourfellow-
philanthropists?\"
\"He\'soneoftheworkers,\"saidMargaret。\"ImethimseveraltimesattheHall,butIonlyknewhisfirstname。Ithinkhe\'sagreatfriendofFatherBenedict;heseemsdevotedtothework。Don\'tyouthinkhelooksgood?\"
\"Very,\"saidMrs。Horn,withacolorofcensureinherassent。\"Theyoungergirlseemedmoreamiablethanhersister。Butwhatmanners!\"
\"Dreadful!\"saidMargaret,withknitbrows,andapursedmouthofhumoroussuffering。\"Butsheappearedtofeelverymuchathome。\"
\"Oh,astothat,neitherofthemwasmuchabashed。DoyousupposeMr。Beatongavetheotheronesomehintsforthatquaintdressofhers?
Idon\'timaginethatblackandlaceisherowninvention。Sheseemstohavesomesortofstrangefascinationforhim。\"
\"She\'sverypicturesque,\"Margaretexplained。\"Andartistsseepointsinpeoplethattherestofusdon\'t。\"
\"Coulditbehermoney?\"Mrs。Horninsinuated。\"Hemustbeverypoor。\"
\"Butheisn\'tbase,\"retortedthegirl,withagenerousindignationthatmadeherauntsmile。
\"Ohno;butifhefancieshersopicturesque,itdoesn\'tfollowthathewouldobjecttoherbeingrich。\"
\"ItwouldwithamanlikeMr。Beaton!\"
\"Youareanidealist,Margaret。IsupposeyourMr。MarchhassomedisinterestedmotiveinpayingcourttoMissMela——Pamela,Isuppose,ishername。Hetalkedtoherlongerthanherliteraturewouldhavelasted。\"
\"Heseemsaverykindperson,\"saidMargaret。
\"AndMr。Dryfoospayshissalary?\"
\"Idon\'tknowanythingaboutthat。Butthatwouldn\'tmakeanydifferencewithhim。\"
Mrs。Hornlaughedoutatthissecurity;butshewasnotdispleasedbythenoblenesswhichitcamefrom。ShelikedMargarettobehigh-minded,andwasreallynotdistressedbyanygoodthatwasinher。
TheMarcheswalkedhome,bothbecauseitwasnotfar,andbecausetheymustspareincarriagehireatanyrate。Assoonastheywereoutofthehouse,sheappliedapointofconsciencetohim。
\"Idon\'tseehowyoucouldtalktothatgirlsolong,Basil,andmakeherlaughso。\"
\"Why,thereseemednooneelsetodoit,tillIthoughtofKendricks。\"
\"Yes,butIkeptthinking,Nowhe\'spleasanttoherbecausehethinksit\'stohisinterest。Ifshehadnorelationto\'EveryOtherWeek,\'hewouldn\'twastehistimeonher。\"
\"Isabel,\"Marchcomplained,\"Iwishyouwouldn\'tthinkofmeinhe,him,andhis;Ineverpersonalizeyouinmythoughts:youremainalwaysavagueunindividualizedessence,notquitewithoutformandvoid,butnounlessandpronounless。Icallthatamuchmorebeautifulmentalattitudetowardtheobjectofone\'saffections。Butifyoumustheandhimandhismeinyourthoughts,Iwishyou\'dhavemorekindlythoughtsofme。\"
\"Doyoudenythatit\'strue,Basil?\"
\"Doyoubelievethatit\'strue,Isabel?\"
\"Nomatter。Butcouldyouexcuseitifitwere?\"
\"Ah,Iseeyou\'dhavebeencapableofitinmy,place,andyou\'reashamed。\"
\"Yes,\"sighedthewife,\"I\'mafraidthatIshould。Buttellmethatyouwouldn\'t,Basil!\"
\"IcantellyouthatIwasn\'t。ButIsupposethatinarealexigency,IcouldtruckletotheproprietaryDryfoosesaswellasyou。\"
\"Ohno;youmustn\'t,dear!I\'mawoman,andI\'mdreadfullyafraid。Butyoumustalwaysbeaman,especiallywiththathorridoldMr。Dryfoos。
Promisemethatyou\'llneveryieldtheleastpointtohiminamatterofrightandwrong!\"
\"Notifhe\'srightandI\'mwrong?\"
\"Don\'ttrifle,dear!YouknowwhatImean。Willyoupromise?\"
\"I\'llpromisetosubmitthepointtoyou,andletyoudotheyielding。
Asforme,Ishallbeadamant。NothingIlikebetter。\"
\"They\'redreadful,eventhatpoor,goodyoungfellow,who\'ssodifferentfromalltherest;he\'sawful,too,becauseyoufeelthathe\'samartyrtothem。\"
\"AndIneverdidlikemartyrsagreatdeal,\"Marchinterposed。
\"Iwonderhowtheycametobethere,\"Mrs。Marchpursued,unmindfulofhisjoke。
\"ThatisexactlywhatseemedtobepuzzlingMissMelaaboutus。Sheasked,andIexplainedaswellasIcould;andthenshetoldmethatMissVancehadcometocallonthemandinvitedthem;andfirsttheydidn\'tknowhowtheycouldcometilltheythoughtofmakingConradbringthem。
Butshedidn\'tsaywhyMissVancecalledonthem。Mr。Dryfoosdoesn\'temployheron\'EveryOtherWeek。\'ButIsupposeshehasherownvilelittlemotive。\"
\"Itcan\'tbetheirmoney;itcan\'tbe!\"sighedMrs。March。
\"Well,Idon\'tknow。Weallrespectmoney。\"
\"Yes,butMissVance\'spositionissosecure。Sheneedn\'tpaycourttothosestupid,vulgarpeople。\"
\"Well,let\'sconsoleourselveswiththebeliefthatshewould,ifsheneeded。SuchpeopleastheDryfoosesaretherawmaterialofgoodsociety。Itisn\'tmadeupofrefinedormeritoriouspeople——professorsandlitterateurs,ministersandmusicians,andtheirfamilies。Allthefashionablepeoplethereto-nightwereliketheDryfoosesagenerationortwoago。Idaresaythematerialworksupfasternow,andinaseasonortwoyouwon\'tknowtheDryfoosesfromtheotherplutocrats。THEYwill——
alittlebetterthantheydonow;they\'llseeadifference,butnothingradical,nothingpainful。Peoplewhogetupintheworldbyservicetoothers——throughletters,orart,orscience——mayhavetheirmodestlittlemisgivingsastotheirsocialvalue,butpeoplethatrisebymoney——
especiallyiftheirgainsaresudden——neverhave。Andthat\'sthekindofpeoplethatformournobility;there\'snousepretendingthatwehaven\'tanobility;wemightaswellpretendwehaven\'tfirst-classcarsinthepresenceofavestibuledPullman。Thosegirlshadnomoredoubtoftheirrighttobetherethaniftheyhadbeenduchesses:wethoughtitwasveryniceofMissVancetocomeandaskus,buttheydidn\'t;theyweren\'tafraid,ortheleastembarrassed;theywereperfectlynatural——likebornaristocrats。Andyoumaybesurethatiftheplutocracythatnowownsthecountryeverseesfittotakeontheoutwardsignsofanaristocracy——titles,andarms,andancestors——itwon\'tfalterfromanyinherentquestionofitsworth。Moneyprizesandhonorsitself,andifthereisanythingithasn\'tgot,itbelievesitcanbuyit。\"
Well,Basil,\"saidhiswife,\"Ihopeyouwon\'tgetinfectedwithLindau\'sideasofrichpeople。Someofthemareverygoodandkind。\"
\"Whodeniesthat?NotevenLindauhimself。It\'sallright。Andthegreatthingisthattheevening\'senjoymentisover。I\'vegotmysocietysmileoff,andI\'mradiantlyhappy。Goonwithyourlittlepessimisticdiatribes,Isabel;youcan\'tspoilmypleasure。\"
\"Icouldsee,\"saidMela,assheandChristinedrovehometogether,\"thatshewasasjealousasshecouldbe,allthetimeyouwastalkun\'toMr。
Beaton。Shepretendedtobetalkun\'toConrad,butshekep\'hereyeonyouprettyclose,Icantellyou。Ibetshejustgotustheretoseehowhimandyouwouldacttogether。AndIreckonshewassatisfied。He\'sdeadgoneonyou,Chris。\"
ChristinelistenedwithadreamypleasuretotheflatterieswithwhichMelapliedherinthehopeofsomereturninkind,andnotatallbecauseshefeltspitefullytowardMissVance,orinanywisewishedherill。
\"Whowasthatfellowwithyousolong?\"askedChristine。\"Isupposeyouturnedyourselfinsideouttohim,likeyoualwaysdo。\"
Melawastransportedbythecruelingratitude。\"It\'salie!Ididn\'ttellhimasinglething。\"
Conradwalkedhome,choosingtodosobecausehedidnotwishtohearhissisters\'talkoftheevening,andbecausetherewasatumultinhisspiritwhichhewishedtolethaveitsway。Inhislifewithitssinglepurpose,defeatedbystrongerwillsthanhisown,andnowstrugglingpartiallytofulfilitselfinactsofdevotiontoothers,thethoughtofwomenhadenteredscarcelymorethaninthatofachild。Hisidealswereofavirginalvagueness;faces,voices,gestureshadfilledhisfancyattimes,butalmostpassionately;andthesensationthathenowindulgedwasakindofworship,ardent,butreverentandexalted。Thebrutalexperiencesoftheworldmakeusforgetthattherearesuchnaturesinit,andthattheyseemtocomeupoutofthelowlyearthaswellasdownfromthehighheaven。Intheheartofthismanwellontowardthirtytherehadneverbeenleftthestainofabasethought;notthatsuggestionandconjecturehadnotvisitedhim,butthathehadnotentertainedthem,orinany-wisemadethemhis。InaCatholicageandcountry,hewouldhavebeenoneofthosemonkswhoaresaintedafterdeathfortheangelicpurityoftheirlives,andwhosenamesareinvokedbybelieversinmomentsoftrial,likeSanLuigiGonzaga。Ashenowwalkedalongthinking,withalover\'sbeatifiedsmileonhisface,ofhowMargaretVancehadspokenandlooked,hedramatizedscenesinwhichbeapprovedhimselftoherbyactsofgoodnessandunselfishness,anddiedtopleaseherforthesakeofothers。Hemadeherpraisehimforthem,tohisface,whenhedisclaimedtheirmerit,andafterhisdeath,whenhe
Butallthisdidnotadmittheideaofpossession,evenofaspiration。
Atthemosthisworshiponlysetherbeyondtheloveofothermenasfarasbeyondhisown。
EndAHazardofNewFortunesV4
ByWilliamDeanHowellsPARTFOURTH
NotlongafterLent,FulkersonsetbeforeDryfoosonedayhisschemeforadinnerincelebrationofthesuccessof\'EveryOtherWeek。\'Dryfooshadnevermeddledinanymannerwiththeconductoftheperiodical;
butFulkersoneasilysawthathewasproudofhisrelationtoit,andheproceededuponthetheorythathewouldbewillingtohavethisrelationknown:Onthedayswhenhehadbeenluckyinstocks,hewasapttodropinattheofficeonEleventhStreet,onhiswayup-town,andlistentoFulkerson\'stalk。HewasongoodenoughtermswithMarch,whorevisedhisfirstimpressionsoftheman,buttheyhadnotmuchtosaytoeachother,anditseemedtoMarchthatDryfooswasevenalittleafraidofhim,asofapieceofmechanismhehadacquired,butdidnotquiteunderstand;helefttheworkingofittoFulkerson,whonodoubtbraggedofitsufficiently。Theoldmanseemedtohaveaslittletosaytohisson;heshuthimselfupwithFulkerson,wheretheotherscouldhearthemanagerbeginandgoonwithanunstintedflowoftalkabout\'EveryOtherWeek;\'forFulkersonnevertalkedofanythingelseifhecouldhelpit,andwasalwaysbringingtheconversationbacktoitifitstrayed:
Thedayhespokeofthedinnerheroseandcalledfromhisdoor:\"March,Isay,comedownhereaminute,willyou?Conrad,Iwantyou,too。\"
Theeditorandthepublisherfoundthemanagerandtheproprietorseatedonoppositesidesofthetable。\"It\'saboutthosefuneralbakedmeats,youknow,\"Fulkersonexplained,\"andIwastryingtogiveMr。Dryfoossomeideaofwhatwewantedtodo。Thatis,whatIwantedtodo,\"hecontinued,turningfromMarchtoDryfoos。\"March,here,isopposedtoit,ofcourse。He\'dliketopublish\'EveryOtherWeek\'onthesly;keepitoutofthepapers,andoffthenewsstands;he\'samodestBostonpetunia,andheshrinksfrompublicity;butIamnotthatkindofherbmyself,andIwantallthepublicitywecanget——beg,borrow,orsteal——
forthisthing。Isaythatyoucan\'tworkthesacredritesofhospitalityinabettercause,andwhatIproposeisalittledinnerforthepurposeofrecognizingthehitwe\'vemadewiththisthing。Myideawastostrikeyouforthenecessaryfunds,anddothethingonahandsomescale。Thetermlittledinnerisamerefigureofspeech。Alittledinnerwouldn\'tmakeabigtalk,andwhatwewantisthebigtalk,atpresent,ifwedon\'tlayupacent。MynotionwasthatprettysoonafterLent,now,wheneverybodyisfeelingjustright,weshouldbegintosendoutourparagraphs,affirmative,negative,andexplanatory,andalongaboutthefirstofMayweshouldsitdownaboutahundredstrong,themostdistinguishedpeopleinthecountry,andsolemnizeourtriumph。
Thereitisinanutshell。ImightexpandandImightexpound,butthat\'sthesumandsubstanceofit。\"
Fulkersonstopped,andranhiseyeseagerlyoverthefacesofhisthreelisteners,oneaftertheother。MarchwasalittlesurprisedwhenDryfoosturnedtohim,butthatreferenceofthequestionseemedtogiveFulkersonparticularpleasure:\"Whatdoyouthink,Mr。March?\"
Theeditorleanedbackinhischair。\"Idon\'tpretendtohaveMr。
Fulkerson\'sgeniusforadvertising;butitseemstomealittleearlyyet。Wemightcelebratelaterwhenwe\'vegotmoretocelebrate。Atpresentwe\'reapleasingnovelty,ratherthanafixedfact。\"
\"Ah,youdon\'tgettheidea!\"saidFulkerson。\"Whatwewanttodowiththisdinneristofixthefact。\"
\"AmIgoingtocomeinanywhere?\"theoldmaninterrupted。
\"You\'regoingtocomeinattheheadoftheprocession!Wearegoingtostrikeeverythingthatisimaginativeandromanticinthenewspapersoulwithyouandyourhistoryandyourfancyforgoinginforthisthing。
Icanstartyouinaparagraphthatwilltravelthroughallthenewspapers,fromMainetoTexasandfromAlaskatoFlorida。Wehavehadallsortsofrichmenbackingupliteraryenterprises,butthenatural-
gasmaninliteratureisanewthing,andthecombinationofyourpicturesquepastandyouraestheticpresentissomethingthatwillknockoutthesympathiesoftheAmericanpublicthefirstround。Ifeel,\"
saidFulkerson,withatremorofpathosinhisvoice,\"that\'EveryOtherWeek\'isatadisadvantagebeforethepublicaslongasit\'ssupposedtobemyenterprise,myidea。AsfarasI\'mknownatall,I\'mknownsimplyasasyndicateman,andnobodyinthepressbelievesthatI\'vegotthemoneytorunthethingonagrandscale;asuspicionofinsolvencymustattachtoitsoonerorlater,andthefellowsonthepresswillworkupthatimpression,soonerorlater,ifwedon\'tgivethemsomethingelsetoworkup。Now,assoonasIbegintogiveitawaytothecorrespondentsthatyou\'reinit,withyouruntoldmillions——that,infact,itwasyourideafromthestart,thatyouoriginatedittogivefullplaytothehumanitariantendenciesofConradhere,who\'salwayshadthesetheoriesofco-operation,andlongedtorealizethemforthebenefitofourstrugglingyoungwritersandartists——\"
MarchhadlistenedwithgrowingamusementtothemingledburlesqueandearnestofFulkerson\'sself-sacrificingimpudence,andwithwonderastohowfarDryfooswasconsentingtohispreposterousproposition,whenConradbrokeout:\"Mr。Fulkerson,Icouldnotallowyoutodothat。Itwouldnotbetrue;Ididnotwishtobehere;and——andwhatIthink——whatIwishtodo——thatissomethingIwillnotletanyoneputmeinafalsepositionabout。No!\"Thebloodrushedintotheyoungman\'sgentleface,andhemethisfather\'sglancewithdefiance。
DryfoosturnedfromhimtoFulkersonwithoutspeaking,andFulkersonsaid,caressingly:\"Why,ofcourse,Coonrod!Iknowhowyoufeel,andI
shouldn\'tletanythingofthatsortgooutuncontradictedafterward。Butthereisn\'tanythinginthesetimesthatwouldgiveusbetterstandingwiththepublicthansomehintofthewayyoufeelaboutsuchthings。
Thepublicsexpectstobeinterested,andnothingwouldinterestitmorethantobetoldthatthesuccessof\'EveryOtherWeek\'sprangfromthefirstapplicationoftheprincipleofLiveandletLivetoaliteraryenterprise。Itwouldlookparticularlywell,comingfromyouandyourfather,butifyouobject,wecanleavethatpartout;thoughifyouapproveoftheprincipleIdon\'tseewhyyouneedobject。Themainthingistoletthepublicknowthatitowesthisthingtotheliberalandenlightenedspiritofoneoftheforemostcapitalistsofthecountry;andthathispurposesarenotlikelytobebetrayedinthehandsofhisson,Ishouldgetalittlecutmadefromaphotographofyourfather,andsupplyitgratiswiththeparagraphs。\"
\"Iguess,\"saidtheoldman,\"wewillgetalongwithoutthecut。\"
Fulkersonlaughed。\"Well,well!Haveityourownway,Butthesightofyourfaceinthepatentoutsidesofthecountrypresswouldbeworthhalfadozensubscribersineveryschooldistrictthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofthisfairland。\"
Therewasafellow,\"Dryfoosexplained,inanasidetoMarch,\"thatwasgettingupahistoryofMoffitt,andheaskedmetolethimputasteelengravingofmein。Hesaidagoodmanyprominentcitizensweregoingtohavetheirsin,andhispricewasahundredandfiftydollars。ItoldhimIcouldn\'tletminegoforlessthantwohundred,andwhenhesaidhecouldgivemeasplendidplateforthatmoney,IsaidIshouldwantitcash,Youneversawafellowmoreastonishedwhenhegotitthroughhim。
thatIexpectedhimtopaythetwohundred。\"
Fulkersonlaughedinkeenappreciationofthejoke。\"Well,sir,Iguess\'EveryOtherWeek\'willpayyouthatmuch。Butifyouwon\'tsellatanyprice,allright;wemusttrytoworryalongwithoutthelightofyourcountenanceon,theposters,butwegottohaveitforthebanquet。\"
\"Idon\'tseemtofeelveryhungry,yet,\"saidtheyoldman,dryly。
\"Oh,\'l\'appeitvientenmangeant\',asourFrenchfriendssay。You\'llbehungryenoughwhenyouseethepreliminaryLittleNeckclam。It\'stoolateforoysters。\"
\"Doesn\'tthatfactseemtopointtoapostponementtilltheygetback,sometimeinOctober,\"Marchsuggested,\"No,no!\"saidFulkerson,\"youdon\'tcatchontothebusinessendofthisthing,myfriends。You\'reproceedingonsomethingliketheoldexplodedideathatthedemandcreatesthesupply,wheneverybodyknows,ifhe\'swatchedthecourseofmodernevents,thatit\'sjustasapttobetheotherway。Icontendthatwe\'vegotarealsubstantialsuccesstocelebratenow;butevenifwehadn\'t,thecelebrationwoulddomorethananythingelsetocreatethesuccess,ifwegotitproperlybeforethepublic。Peoplewillsay:Thosefellowsarenotfools;theywouldn\'tgoandrejoiceovertheirmagazineunlesstheyhadgotabigthinginit。
AndthestateoffeelingweshouldproduceinthepublicmindwouldmakeaboomofperfectlyunprecedentedgrandeurforE。O。W。Heigh?\"
Helookedsunnilyfromonetotheotherinsuccession。TheelderDryfoossaid,withhischinonthetopofhisstick,\"IreckonthoseLittleNeckclamswillkeep。\"
\"Well,justasyousay,\"Fulkersoncheerfullyassented。\"Iunderstandyoutoagreetothegeneralprincipleofalittledinner?\"
\"Thesmallerthebetter,\"saidtheoldman。
\"Well,Isayalittledinnerbecausetheideaofthatseemstocoverthecase,evenifwevarytheplanalittle。Ihadthoughtofareception,maybe,thatwouldincludetheladycontributorsandartists,andthewivesanddaughtersoftheothercontributors。Thatwouldgiveusthechancetoringinalotofsocietycorrespondentsandgetthethingwrittenupinfirst-classshape。By-the-way!\"criedFulkerson,slappinghimselfontheleg,\"whynothavethedinnerandthereceptionboth?\"
\"Idon\'tunderstand,\"saidDryfoos。
\"Why,haveaselectlittledinnerfortenortwentychoicespiritsofthemalepersuasion,andthen,aboutteno\'clock,throwopenyourpalatialdrawing-roomsandadmitthefemalestochampagne,salads,andices。Itistheverything!Come!\"
\"Whatdoyouthinkofit,Mr。March?\"askedDryfoos,onwhosesocialinexperienceFulkerson\'swordsprojectednoveryintelligibleimage,andwhoperhapshopedforsomemorelight。
\"It\'sabeautifulvision,\"saidMarch,\"andifitwilltakemoretimetorealizeitIthinkIapprove。IapproveofanythingthatwilldelayMr。
Fulkerson\'sadvertisingorgie。\"
\"Then,\"Fulkersonpursued,\"wecouldhavethepleasureofMissChristineandMissMela\'scompany;andmaybeMrs。Dryfooswouldlookinonusinthecourseoftheevening。There\'snohurry,asMr。Marchsuggests,ifwecangivethethingthisshape。Iwillcheerfullyadopttheideaofmyhonorablecolleague。\"
Marchlaughedathisimpudence,butathearthewasashamedofFulkersonforproposingtomakeuseofDryfoosandhishouseinthatway。
Hefanciedsomethingappealinginthelookthattheoldmanturnedonhim,andsomethingindignantinConrad\'sflush;butprobablythiswasonlyhisfancy。Hereflectedthatneitherofthemcouldfeelitaspeopleofmoreworldlyknowledgewould,andheconsoledhimselfwiththefactthatFulkersonwasreallynotsuchacharlatanasheseemed。ButitwentthroughhismindthatthiswasastrangeendforallDryfoos\'smoney-makingtocometo;andhephilosophicallyacceptedthefactofhisownhumblefortuneswhenhereflectedhowlittlehismoneycouldbuyforsuchaman。ItwasanhonorableusethatFulkersonwasputtingittoin\'EveryOtherWeek;\'itmightbefarmorecreditablyspentonsuchanenterprisethanonhorses,orwines,orwomen,theusualresourcesofthebruterich;andifitweretobelost,itmightbetterbelostthatwaythaninstocks。HekeptasmilingfaceturnedtoDryfooswhiletheseirreverentconsiderationsoccupiedhim,andhardenedhisheartagainstfatherandsonandtheirpossibleemotions。
Theoldmanrosetoputanendtotheinterview。Heonlyrepeated,\"Iguessthoseclamswillkeeptillfall。\"
ButFulkersonwasapparentlysatisfiedwiththeprogresshehadmade;andwhenhejoinedMarchforthestrollhomewardafterofficehours,hewasabletodetachhismindfromthesubject,asifcontenttoleaveit。
\"ThisisaboutthebestpartoftheyearinNewYork,\"hesaid;Insomeoftheareasthegrasshadsprouted,andthetenderyoungfoliagehadlooseneditselffrozethebudsonasidewalktreehereandthere;thesoftairwasfullofspring,andthedelicatesky,faraloof,hadthelookitneverwearsatanyotherseason。\"Itain\'tatimeofyeartocomplainmuchof,anywhere;butIdon\'twantanythingbetterthanthemonthofMayinNewYork。FartherSouthit\'stoohot,andI\'vebeeninBostoninMaywhenthateastwindofyoursmadeeverynerveinmybodygetupandhowl。Ireckontheweatherhasagooddealtodowiththelocaltemperament。ThereasonaNewYorkmantakeslifesoeasilywithallhisrushisthathisclimatedon\'tworryhim。ButaBostonmanmustberaspedthewholewhilebytheedgeinhisair。Thataccountsforhissharpness;andwhenhe\'slivedthroughtwenty-fiveorthirtyBostonMays,hegetstothinkingthatProvidencehassomeparticularuseforhim,orhewouldn\'thavesurvived,andthatmakeshimconceited。See?\"
\"Isee,\"saidMarch。\"ButIdon\'tknowhowyou\'regoingtoworkthatideaintoanadvertisement,exactly。\"
\"Oh,pahaw,now,March!Youdon\'tthinkI\'vegotthatonthebrainallthetime?\"
\"Youweregraduallyleadingupto\'EveryOtherWeek\',somehow。\"
\"No,sir;Iwasn\'t。IwasjustthinkingwhatadifferentcreatureaMassachusettsmanisfromaVirginian,AndyetIsupposethey\'rebothaspureEnglishstockasyou\'llgetanywhereinAmerica。Marsh,IthinkColonelWoodburn\'spaperisgoingtomakeahit。\"
\"You\'vegotthere!Whenitknocksdownthesaleaboutone-half,Ishallknowit\'smadeahit。\"
\"I\'mnotafraid,\"saidFulkerson。\"Thatthingisgoingtoattractattention。It\'swellwritten——youcantakethepomposityoutofit,hereandthereandit\'snovel。Ourpeoplelikeaboldstrike,andit\'sgoingtoshakethemuptremendouslytohaveserfdomadvocatedonhighmoralgroundsastheonlysolutionofthelaborproblem。Yousee,inthefirstplace,hegoesfortheirsympathiesbythewayheportraystheactualrelationsofcapitalandlabor;heshowshowthingshavegottogofrombadtoworse,andthenhetrotsouthislittleoldhobby,andprovesthatifslaveryhadnotbeeninterferedwith,itwouldhaveperfecteditselfintheinterestofhumanity。Hemakesaprettystrongpleaforit。\"
Marchthrewbackhisheadandlaughed。\"He\'sconvertedyou!Iswear,Fulkerson,ifwehadacceptedandpaidforanarticleadvocatingcannibalismastheonlyresourceforgettingridofthesuperfluouspoor,you\'dbegintobelieveinit。\"
Fulkersonsmiledinapprovalofthejoke,andonlysaid:\"Iwishyoucouldmeetthecolonelintheprivacyofthedomesticcircle,March。
You\'dlikehim。He\'sasplendidoldfellow;regulartype。Talkaboutspring!
Yououghttoseethewidow\'slittlebackyardthesedays。Youknowthatglassgalleryjustbeyondthedining-room?Thosegirlshavegotthepot-
plantsoutofthat,andalotmore,andthey\'veturnedtheedgesofthatbackyard,alongthefence,intoaregularbower;they\'vegotsweetpeasplanted,andnasturtiums,andweshallbeinablazeofgloryaboutthebeginningofJune。Funtosee\'emworkinthegarden,andthebirdbossingthejobinhiscageunderthecherry-tree。Havetokeepthemiddleoftheyardfortheclothesline,butsixdaysintheweekit\'salawn,andIgooveritwithamowermyself。March,thereain\'tanythinglikeahome,isthere?Dearlittlecotofyourown,heigh?Itellyou,March,whenIgettopushingthatmowerround,andthecolonelissmokinghiscigarinthegallery,andthosegirlsarepotteringovertheflowers,oneofthesesofteveningsafterdinner,Ifeellikeahumanbeing。Yes,Ido。IstruckitrichwhenIconcludedtotakemymealsatthewidow\'s。
ForeightdollarsaweekIgetgoodboard,refinedsociety,andalltheadvantagesofaChristianhome。By-the-way,you\'veneverhadmuchtalkwithMissWoodburn,haveyou,March?\"
\"NotsomuchaswithMissWoodburn\'sfather。\"
\"Well,heisratherapttoscooptheconversation。Imustdrawhisfire,sometime,whenyouandMrs。Marcharearound,andgetyouachancewithMissWoodburn。\"
\"Ishouldlikethatbetter,Ibelieve,\"saidMarch。
\"Well,Ishouldn\'twonderifyoudid。Curious,butMissWoodburnisn\'tatallyourideaofaSoutherngirl。She\'sgotlotsofgo;she\'sneveridleaminute;shekeepstheoldgentlemaninfirst-classshape,andshedon\'tbelieveabitintheslaverysolutionofthelaborproblem;saysshe\'sgladit\'sgone,andifit\'sanythingliketheeffectsofit,she\'sgladitwentbeforehertime。No,sir,she\'sasfullofsnapastheliveliestkindofaNortherngirl。NoneofthatsunnySouthernlanguoryoureadabout。\"
\"IsupposethetypicalSoutherner,likethetypicalanythingelse,isprettydifficulttofind,\"saidMarch。\"ButperhapsMissWoodburnrepresentsthenewSouth。Themodernconditionsmustbeproducingamoderntype。\"
\"Well,that\'swhatsheandthecolonelbothsay。Theysaythereain\'tanythingleftofthatWalterScottdignityandchivalryintherisinggeneration;takestoomuchtime。Yououghttoseehersketchtheold-
school,high-and-mightymanners,astheysurviveamongsomeoftheantiquesinCharlottesburg。Ifthatthingcouldbeputuponthestageitwouldbeakillingsuccess。Makestheoldgentlemanlaughinspiteofhimself。Buthe\'sasproudofherasPunch,anyway。Whydon\'tyouandMrs。Marchcomeroundoftener?Lookhere!Howwoulditdotohavealittleexcursion,somewhere,afterthespringfairlygetsinitswork?\"
\"Reporterspresent?\"
\"No,no!Nothingofthatkind;perfectlysincereanddisinterestedenjoyment。\"
\"Oh,afewhandbillstobescatteredaround:\"BuyEveryOtherWeek,\"
Lookoutforthenextnumberof\'EveryOtherWeek,\'\'EveryOtherWeekatallthenews-stands。\'Well,I\'lltalkitoverwithMrs。March。I
supposethere\'snogreathurry。\"
MarchtoldhiswifeoftheidyllicmoodinwhichhehadleftFulkersonatthewidow\'sdoor,andshesaidhemustbeinlove。
\"Why,ofcourse!IwonderIdidn\'tthinkofthat。ButFulkersonissuchanimpartialadmirerofthewholesexthatyoucan\'tthinkofhislikingonemorethananother。Idon\'tknowthatheshowedanyunjustpartiality,though,inhistalkof\'thosegirls,\'ashecalledthem。
AndIalwaysratherfanciedthatMrs。Mandel——he\'sdonesomuchforher,youknow;andsheissuchawell-balanced,well-preservedperson,andsolady-likeandcorrect——\"
\"Fulkersonhadthewordforher:academic。She\'severythingthatinstructionanddisciplinecanmakeofawoman;butIshouldn\'tthinktheycouldmakeenoughofhertobeinlovewith。\"
\"Well,Idon\'tknow。Theacademichasitscharm。TherearemoodsinwhichIcouldimaginemyselfinlovewithanacademicperson。Thatregularityofline;thatreasonedstrictnessofcontour;thatneatnessofpose;thatslightlyconventionalbutharmoniousgroupingoftheemotionsandmorals——youcanseehowitwouldhaveitscharm,theWedgwoodinhumannature?IwonderwhereMrs。Mandelkeepsherurnandherwillow。\"
\"Ishouldthinkshemighthaveusefortheminthatfamily,poorthing!\"
saidMrs。March。
\"Ah,thatremindsme,\"saidherhusband,\"thatwehadanothertalkwiththeoldgentleman,thisafternoon,aboutFulkerson\'sliterary,artistic,andadvertisingorgie,andit\'spostponedtillOctober。\"
\"Thelaterthebetter,Ishouldthink,\"saidMrs:March,whodidnotreallythinkaboutitatall,butwhomthedatefixedforitcausedtothinkoftheinterveningtime。\"Wehavegottoconsiderwhatwewilldoaboutthesummer,beforelong,Basil。\"
\"Oh,notyet,notyet,\"hepleaded;withthatman\'swillingnesstoabideinthepresent,whichissotryingtoawoman。\"It\'sonlytheendofApril。\"
\"ItwillbetheendofJunebeforeweknow。AndthesepeoplewantingtheBostonhouseanotheryearcomplicatesit。Wecan\'tspendthesummerthere,asweplanned。\"
\"Theyoughtn\'ttohaveofferedusanincreasedrent;theyhavetakenanadvantageofus。\"
\"Idon\'tknowthatitmatters,\"saidMrs。March。\"Ihaddecidednottogothere。\"
\"Hadyou?Thisisasurprise。\"
\"Everythingisasurprisetoyou,Basil,whenithappens。\"
\"True;Ikeeptheworldfresh,thatway。\"
\"Itwouldn\'thavebeenanychangetogofromonecitytoanotherforthesummer。WemightaswellhavestayedinNewYork。\"
\"Yes,Iwishwehadstayed,\"saidMarch,idlyhumoringaconceptionoftheaccomplishedfact。\"Mrs。Greenwouldhaveletushavethegimcrackeryverycheapforthesummermonths;andwecouldhavemadeallsortsofnicelittleexcursionsandtripsoffandbeentwiceaswellasifwehadspentthesummeraway。\"
\"Nonsense!Youknowwecouldn\'tspendthesummerinNewYork。\"
\"IknowIcould。\"
\"Whatstuff!Youcouldn\'tmanage。\"
\"Ohyes,Icould。IcouldtakemymealsatFulkerson\'swidow\'s;oratMaroni\'s,withpooroldLindau:he\'sgottodiningthereagain。Or,I
couldkeephouse,andhecoulddinewithmehere。\"
TherewasateasinglookinMarch\'seyes,andhebrokeintoalaugh,atthefirmnesswithwhichhiswifesaid:\"Ithinkifthereistobeanyhousekeeping,Iwillstay,too;andhelptolookafterit。Iwouldtrynotintrudeuponyouandyourguest。\"
\"Oh,weshouldbeonlytoogladtohaveyoujoinus,\"saidMarch,playingwithfire。
\"Verywell,then,IwishyouwouldtakehimofftoMaroni\'s,thenexttimehecomestodinehere!\"criedhiswife。
TheexperimentofmakingMarch\'soldfriendfreeofhishousehadnotgivenherallthepleasurethatsokindathingoughttohaveaffordedsogoodawoman。ShereceivedLindauatfirstwithrobustbenevolence,andthehighresolvenottoletanyofhislittlepeculiaritiesalienateherfromasenseofhisclaimuponhersympathyandgratitude,notonlyasamanwhohadbeensogenerouslyfondofherhusbandinhisyouth,butaherowhohadsufferedforhercountry。Hertheorywasthathismutilationmustnotbeignored,butmustbekeptinmindasamonumentofhissacrifice,andshefortifiedBellawiththisconception,sothatthechildbravelysatnexthismaimedarmattableandhelpedhimtodisheshecouldnotreach,andcutuphismeatforhim。AsforMrs。Marchherself,thethoughtofhismutilationmadeheralittlefaint;shewasnotwithoutabewilderedresentmentofitspresenceasasortofoppression。ShedidnotlikehisdrinkingsomuchofMarch\'sbeer,either;itwasnoharm,butitwassomehowunworthy,outofcharacterwithaheroofthewar。ButwhatshereallycouldnotreconcileherselftowastheviolenceofLindau\'ssentimentsconcerningthewholepoliticalandsocialfabric。Shedidnotfeelsurethatheshouldbeallowedtosaysuchthingsbeforethechildren,whohadbeennurturedinthefaithofBunkerHillandAppomattox,asthebeginningandtheendofallpossibleprogressinhumanrights。Asawomanshewasnaturallyanaristocrat,butasanAmericanshewastheoreticallyademocrat;anditastounded,italarmedher,tohearAmericandemocracydenouncedasashufflingevasion。ShehadnevercaredmuchfortheUnitedStatesSenate,butshedoubtedifsheoughttositbywhenitwasrailedatasarichman\'sclub。Itshockedhertobetoldthattherichandpoorwerenotequalbeforethelawinacountrywherejusticemustbepaidforateverystepinfeesandcosts,orwhereapoormanmustgotowarinhisownperson,andarichmanmighthiresomeonetogoinhis。Mrs。MarchfeltthatthisrebelliousmindinLindaureallysomehowoutlawedhimfromsympathy,andretroactivelyundidhispastsufferingforthecountry:shehadalwaysparticularlyvaluedthatprovisionofthelaw,becauseinforecastingallthepossiblemischancesthatmightbefallherownson,shehadbeencomfortedbythethoughtthatifthereeverwasanotherwar,andTomweredrafted,hisfathercouldbuyhimasubstitute。Comparedwithsuchblasphemyasthis,Lindau\'sdeclarationthattherewasnotequalityofopportunityinAmerica,andthatfullyone-halfthepeopleweredebarredtheirrighttothepursuitofhappinessbythehopelessconditionsoftheirlives,wasflatteringpraise。Shecouldnotlistentosuchthingsinsilence,though,anditdidnothelpmatterswhenLindaumetherargumentswithfactsandreasonswhichshefeltshewasmerelynotsufficientlyinstructedtocombat,andhewasnotquitegentlemanlytourge。\"Iamafraidfortheeffectonthechildren,\"shesaidtoherhusband。\"Suchperfectlydistortedideas——Tomwillberuinedbythem。\"