ThedayhadbeenveryhotunderthetalltreeswhicheverywhereembowerandstifleSaratoga，fortheyshutouttheairaswellasthesun；andafterteatheystillhaveanearlydinneratallthehotelsinSaratoga，andteaisthelastmealofthedayIstrolledovertotheprettyCongressPark，inthehopeofgettingabreathofcoolnessthere。Mrs。Marchpreferredtotakethechancesontheverandahofourpleasantlittlehotel，whereIleftherwiththeotherladies，fortyfanninglikeone，astheyrockedtoandfroundertheroofliftedtothethirdstorybythoseloftyshaftspeculiartotheSaratogaarchitecture。Asfarascoolnesswasconcerned，IthoughtshewaswiseafterIreachedthepark，forI
foundnoneofitthere。ItriedfirstachairinthearabesquepavilionIcallitarabesqueindespair；itmightverywellbeSwiss；itischarming，atallevents，andstudiedtodeceivemyselfwiththefresh-lookingebullitionofthespringinthevastglassbowlsyourgobletsareservedfrompeoplesayitispumped，andartificiallyaerated；butafterafewmomentsthiswouldnotdo，andIwentouttoabench，oftherowsbesidethegravelledwalks。
Itwasnobetterthere；butIfancieditwouldbebetteronthelittleisleinthelittlelake，wherethefountainwasflingingasheafofsprayintothedullair。Thislookedevencoolerthanthebubblingspringintheglassvases，anditsoundedvastlycooler。
Therewouldbemosquitoesthere，ofcourse，IadmittedinthedebateIhadwithmyselfbeforeIdecidedtomakeexperimentoftheplace，andtheeventprovedmeright。TherewerecertainlysomemosquitoesintheGreciantempleifitisnotaTurkishkiosk；perhapswehadbettercompromise，andcallitaGreciankiosk，whichyoureachbyafoot-bridgefromthemainland，andtherewasadampintheairwhichmightpassforcoolness。Therewerethreeorfourpeoplestandingvaguelyaboutinthekiosk；butmyidlemindfixeditselfuponayoungFrench-Canadianmotheroflowdegree，whosat，withhersmallboy，onthevergeofthepavementnearthewater。Shescoldedhimintheirparlanceforhavinggothimselfsodirty，andthenshesmackedhispoor，filthylittlehands，withafrownofsuperiorvirtue，thoughIdidnotfindhersoverymuchcleanerherself。I
cannotseechildrenbeatenwithoutaheartache，andIcontinuedtosufferforthissmallwretchevenafterhehadavengedhimselfbyeatingahandfulofpeanutshells，whichwouldbesuretodisagreewithhimandmakehismothermoretrouble。Infact，Iexperiencednorelieftillhismother，havingspentherinsensatepassion，gatheredhimupwithsufficienttenderness，andcarriedhimaway。
Then，forthefirsttime，Inoticedagirlsittinginachairjustoutsidethekiosk，andshowingagracefulyoungfigureasshepartlyturnedtolookafterthedepartingmotherandherchild。Whensheturnedagainandglancedinmydirection，atthenoiseImadeinplacingmychair，Icouldseetwothings——thatshehadasmuchbeautyasgrace，andthatshewasdisappointedinme。Thelatterfactdidnotwoundme，forIfeltitsprofoundimpersonality。Iwasnotwronginmyself；Iwassimplywronginbeinganelderlymanwithagreybeardinsteadofthehandsomeshapeandphaseofyouthwhichherownyoungbeautyhadarighttoinmyplace。Iwasnotonlynotwounded，butIwasnotsorrynottobethatshapeandphaseofyouth，exceptasIhatetodisappointanyone。
Herfacewasverybeautiful；itwasquiteperfectlybeautiful，andofsuchclassicmouldthatshemightwellhavebeenthetutelarygoddessofthattempleifitwasatemple，andnotakiosk，inthewhiteduckcostumewhichthegoddesseswerewearingthatsummer。
HerfeatureswereGreek，butherlookswereAmerican；andshewasnonethelessagoddess，Idecided，becauseofthatairofsomethingexacting，ofnotquitesatisfied，whichmadememoreandmorewillingtobeelderlyandgrey-bearded。Iatleastshouldnotbeexpectedtosupplytheworshipnecessarytokeepsuchagoddessingoodhumour。
IdonotknowjusthowIcanaccountforastrainofcompassionwhichmingledwiththissenseofirresponsibilityinme；perhapsitwasmyfeelingofsecuritythatattunedmetopity；butcertainlyI
didnotlookatthisyounggirllongwithoutbeginningtogrieveforher，andtoweaveaboutherawebofpossibilities，whichgrewcloserandfirmerintexturewhenshewasjoinedbyacouplewhohadapparentlynotleftheragreatwhilebefore，andwhospoke，withoutotherwisesalutingher，astheysatdownoneithersideofher。I
instantlyinterpretedherfriendstobetheyoungwifeandmiddle-
agedhusbandofasecondmarriage；fortheywereevidentlymanandwife，andhemusthavebeennearlytwiceasoldasshe。Inpersonhetendedtotheweightwhichexpressessettledprosperity，andacertainsolidificationoftemperamentandcharacter；astohisface，itwaskind，anditwasratherhumorous，inspiteofbeingalittleslowinthecastofminditsuggested。Heworeaniron-greybeardonhischeeksandchin，buthehadhisstrongupperlipcleanshaven；somedropsofperspirationstooduponit，anduponhisforehead，whichshoweditselfwelluptowardhiscrownunderthedampstringsofhisscantyhair。Helookedattheyounggoddessinwhiteduckwithasortoftroubleinhisfriendlycountenance，andhiswifeifitwashiswifeseemedtosharehisconcern，thoughshesmiled，whileheletthecornersofhisstraightmouthdroop。
Shewassmallerthantheyounggirl，andIthoughtalmostasyoung；
andshehadtheairofbeingsomehowresponsibleforher，andcowedbyher，thoughthewordsaysrathermorethanImean。Shewasnotsowelldressed；thatis，notsostylishly，thoughdoubtlesshercostumewasmoreexpensive。Itseemedtheinspirationofavillagedressmaker；andherhusband\'slow-cutwaistcoat，andhisexpanseofplaitedshirt-front，betrayedaprovincialidealwhichshewouldneverdecry——whichshewouldperhapsneverfinddifferentfromthemostworldly。Hehadprobably，Iswiftlyimagined，beenwearingjustthatkindofclothesfortwentyyears，andtellinghistailortomakeeachnewsuitlikethelast；hehadbeenbuyingforthesameperiodthesameshapeofPanamahat，regardlessofthecontinuallychangingtypeofstrawhatsonotherheads。Icannotsayjustwhy，ashetiltedhischairbackonitshind-legs，Ifeltthathewaseitherthecashierofthevillagebankathome，oroneoftheprincipalbusinessmenoftheplace。VillagepeopleIwasquiteresolutetohavethemall；butIleftthemfreetohavecomefromsomesmallmanufacturingcentreinwesternMassachusettsorsouthernVermontorcentralNewYork。Itwaseasytoseethattheywerenotinthehabitofcomingawayfromtheirplace，whereveritwas；andI
wonderedwhethertheywerefindingtheiraccountinthepresentexcursion。
ImyselfthinkSaratogaoneofthemostdelightfulspectaclesintheworld，andMrs。Marchisofthesamemindaboutit。Welikeallthewaters，anddrinkthemwithoutregardtotheirdifferentproperties；
butweratherprefertheCongressspring，becauseitissuchapleasantplacetolistentotheTroymilitarybandintheafternoon，andthemoreorlessvocalconcertintheevening。AlltheSaratogaworldcomesandgoesbeforeus，aswesittherebydayandbynight，andwefindaperpetualinterestinit。Wegoandlookatthedeeraherdoftwo，Ithinkbehindtheirwirenettinginthesouthwardvalleyofthepark，andwewouldfeedthetroutintheirbluetankifwedidnotseethemsufferingwithsurfeit，andhanginginmotionlessmiseryamidtheclearwaterunderacloudofbreadcrumbs。Wearesuchdevoteesofthespecialattractionsofferedfromtimetotimethatwedonotmissasingleballoonascensionorpyrotechnicdisplay。Infact，ithappenedtomeonesummerthatI
studiedsoearnestlyandsocloselythecountenanceoftheladywhowentupintrunk-hose，inordertomakeoutjustwhatweretheemotionsofaladywhowentupeveryafternooninaballoon，thatwhenwemetneartheendoftheseasoninBroadwayIthoughtImusthaveseenhersomewhereinsociety，andtookoffmyhattohershewasnotatthemomentintrunk-hose。Welikegoingabouttothegreathotels，andspongingonthemforthemusicintheforenoon；welikethegaudyshopsofmodeskeptbyartistswhoseaddressesareFrenchandwhosesurnamesareIrish；andthebazaarsoftheArmeniansandJapanese，whoserugsandbric-a-bracarenotsuchbargainsasyouwouldthink。Weevengototheracessometimes；wearenotsureitisquiteright，butaswedonotbet，andareneverdecidedastowhichhorsehaswon，itisperhapsnotsowrongasitmightbe。
SomehowIcouldnotpredicatethesesimplejoysofthepeopleIhavebeentalkingof，fortheveryreason，thattheywerethemselvessosimple。Itwasoursophisticationwhichenabledustotastepleasureswhichwouldhavebeeninsipiditiestothem。Theirpalateswouldhavedemandedotherflavours——socialexcitements，balls，flirtations，almostescapades。Ispeakofthetwowomen；theman，doubtless，likemostotherAmericansofhisage，wantednothingbuttogetbacktobusinessinthesmalltownwherehewasimportant；
andstillmoreIspeakoftheyounggirl；fortheyoungwifeI
fanciedverywillingtogobacktoherhouse-keeping，andtobestayingoninSaratogaonlyonherfriend\'saccount。
CHAPTERII
Ihadalreadymadeupmymindthattheyhadbeentheclosestfriendsbeforeoneofthemmarried，andthattheyoungwifestillthoughttheyounggirlworthyofthemostsplendidfatethatmarriagecouldhaveinstoreforanyofhersex。Womenoftenmakeeachothertheidolsofsuchworship；butIcouldnothavejustifiedthislady\'sadorationsofarasitconcernedthementalandmoralqualitiesofherfriend，thoughIfullyshareditinregardtoherbeauty。Tomeshelookedalittledullandalittleselfish，andI
chosetothinkthehusbandmodestlyfoundherselfish，ifheweretoomodesttofindherdull。
Yet，afterall，Itacitlyarguedwithhim，whyshouldwecallherselfish？Itwasperfectlyrightandfitthat，asayounggirlwithsuchgreatpersonaladvantages，sheshouldwishtoseetheworld——
eventoshowherselftotheworld，——andfindinitsomeagreeableyouthwhoshouldadmireher，anddesiretomakeherhisownforever。Comparethissimpleandnaturallongingwiththeinsatiategreedandambitionofoneofourownsex，Iurgedhim，andthentalktome，ifyoucan，ofthispoorgirl\'sselfishness!Ayoungmanhasmoreegoisminanhourthanayounggirlhasinherwholelife。Shethinksshewishessomeonetobedevotedtoher，butshereallywishessomeonetoletherbedevotedtohim；andhowpassively，hownegatively，shemustmanagetoaccomplishherself-sacrifice!He，onthecontrary，meanstogoconqueringandenslavingforward；tobeinandoutofloverightandleft，andtoend，aftermanyyearsoftriumph，inthepossessionofthebestandwisestandfairestofhersex。Iknowthebreed，mydearsir；Ihavebeenayoungmanmyself。
Wemenhaveliberty，wehaveinitiative；wearenotchaperoned；wecangotothisoneandthatonefreelyandfearlessly。Butwomenmustsitstill，andbecometoorshiedofffrom。Theycannotcasttheboldeyeofinterest；theycanatmostbridleunderit，andfurtivelyrespondfromthecorneroftheeyeofweakhopeandgentledeprecation。Bepatient，then，withthispoorchildifshedarklesalittleunderthedisappointmentofnotfindingSaratogasopersonallygayasshesupposeditwouldbe，andtakesitoutofyouandyourwife，asifyouweretoblameforit，insomethinglikesulks。
Heremainedsilentunderthesetacitappeals，butattheendheheavedadeepsigh，ashemightifhewereacknowledgingtheirjustice，andwerepromisingtodohisverybestinthecircumstances。Hiswifelookedroundathim，butdidnotspeak。Infact，theynoneofthemspokeafterthefirstwordsofgreetingtothegirl，asIcanverywelltestify；forIsateavesdroppingwithallmymight，resolvednottoloseasyllable，andIamsureIlostnone。
Theyounggirldidnotlookroundatthatdeep-drawnsighoftheman\'s；shedidnotliftherheadevenwhenheclearedhisthroat:
butIwasintentuponhim，forIthoughtthatthesesoundspreludedanovertureIamnotsureofthefiguretomyacquaintance，andinfactheactuallyasked，\"Doyouknowjustwhentheconcertbegins？\"
Iwasoverjoyedathisquestion，forIwaspoignantlyinterestedinthelittlesituationIhadcreated，andImadehastetoanswer:
\"Well，nominallyateighto\'clock；butthefirsthalf-hourisusuallytakenupintuningtheinstruments。Ifyougetintothepavilionataquartertonineyouwon\'tlosemuch。Itisn\'tsobadwhenitreallybegins。\"
ThemanpermittedhimselfasmileofthepleasureweAmericansallfeelathavingathingunderstatedinthatway。Hiswifeaskedtimidly，\"Dowehavetoengageourseatsinthe——pavilion？\"
\"Oh，no，\"Ilaughed；\"there\'snosuchrushasthat。Haven\'tyoubeenattheconcertsbefore？\"
Themanansweredforher:\"Wehaven\'tbeenherebutafewdays。I
shouldthink，\"headdedtoher，\"itwouldbeaboutascomfortableoutsideofthehouse。\"Iperceivedthathemaintainedhisindependenceofmysuperiorknowledgebyrefusingtosay\"pavilion\"；
andinfactIdonotknowwhetherthatistherightnameforthebuildingmyself。
\"Itwillbehotenoughanywhere，\"Iassented，asiftheremarkhadbeenmadetome；buthereIdrewthelineoutofself-respect，andresolvedthatheshouldmakethenextadvances。
Theyounggirllookedupatthefirstsoundofmyvoice，andverifiedmeastheelderlymanwhomshehadseenbefore；andthenshelookeddownatthewateragain。Iunderstood，andIfreelyforgaveher。IfmybeardhadbeenbrowninsteadofgreyIshouldhavebeenanadventure；buttotheeyeofgirlhoodadventurecanneverwearagreybeard。Iwastrulysorryforher；IcouldreadinthepensivedroopofheravertedfacethatIwasagainadisappointment。
Theyallthreesat，withoutspeakingagain，inthemannerlesssilenceofAmericans。ThemanwasnotgoingtofeelboundinfurthercivilitytomebecauseIhadcivillyansweredaquestionofhis。Idivinedthathewouldbegladtowithdrawfromtheoverturehehadmade；hemayhavethoughtfrommyreadinesstomeethimhalfwaythatImightbeoneofthosesharpersinwhomSaratogaprobablyabounded。Thisdidnotoffendme；itamusedme；IfanciedhisconfusionifhecouldsuddenlyknowhowhelplesslyandirreparablyhonestIwas。
\"Idon\'tknowbutit\'salittletoodamphere，Rufus，\"saidthewife。
\"Idon\'tknowbutitis，\"heanswered；butnoneofthemmoved，andnoneofthemspokeagainforsomeminutes。Thenthewifesaidagain，butthistimetothefriend，\"Idon\'tknowbutit\'salittletoodamphere，Julia，\"andthefriendanswered，asthehusbandhad-
\"Idon\'tknowbutitis。\"
Ihadtwosurprisesinthisslightevent。IcouldneverhaveimaginedthatthegirlhadsobrunetteanameasJulia，oranythinglessblondinsoundthan，say，Evadne，attheverydarkest；andI
hadmadeupmymind——Heavenknowswhy——thathervoicewouldbeharsh。PerhapsIthoughtitunfairthatsheshouldhaveasweetvoiceaddedtoallthatbeautyandgraceofhers；butshehadasweetvoice，verytenderandmelodious，withaplangentnoteinitthattouchedmeandcharmedme。Beautifulandgracefulasshewas，shehadlackedatmospherebefore，andnowsuddenlyshehadatmosphere。IresolvedtokeepasneartothesepeopleasIcould，andnottoleavetheplaceaslongastheystayed；butIdidnotthinkitwelltoletthemfeelthatIwasaestheticallyshadowingthem，andIgotupandstrolledawaytowardthepavilion，keepinganeyeinthebackofmyheaduponthem。
Isatdowninacommandingposition，andwatchedthepeoplegatheringfortheconcert；andinthedramaofagroupofCubans，orofSouthAmericans，Ialmostforgotforamomentthepaleidylofmycompatriotsatthekiosk。Therewasashort，stoutlittleSpanishwomanspeakingintheshapelysentenceswhichtheLatinraceeverywheredelightsin，andaroundherwasanincreasingnumberofseriousSpanishmen，listeningasiftoimportantthings，andpayingherthatrespectfulattentionwhichalwaysamusesandpuzzlesme。
Inviewofwhatwethinktheirlowestimateofwomen，Icannotmakeoutwhetheritisapersonaltributetosomespecificwomanwhomtheyregarddifferentlyfromalltherestofhersex，orwhethertheychoosetoknowinherforthenoucetheabstractwomanwhoisbetterthanwomanintheconcrete。IamsureIhaveneverseenmenofanyotherraceabandonthemselvestosuchaluxuryofrespectastheseblackandgreybeardedSpaniardsofleadencomplexionshowedthisdumpypersonificationofwomanhood，withtheirprominenteyesbentinhomageuponher，andtheirhandstremblingwithreadinesstoseizetheirhatsoffinreverence。Itappearedpresentlythatthemattertheywereallcanvassingsodevoutlywasthequestionofwheresheshouldsit。Itseemedtobedecidedthatshecouldnotdobetterthansitjustatthatpoint。Whensheactuallytookachairthestatelyconvocationended，anditsmembers，withlowobeisances，dispersedthemselvesindifferentdirections。TheyhadprobablyallbeensittingwithherthewholeafternoonontheverandahoftheEverettHouse，wheretheirracechieflyresortsinSaratoga，andtheywereavailingthemselvesofthisoccasiontoappeartobemeetingher，afteralonginterval，insociety。
IsaidtomyselfthatofcoursetheybelievedSaratogawasstillthatcentreofAmericanfashionwhichitoncewas，andthattheycameandwenteverysummer，probablyinthebeliefthattheysawagreatdealofsocialgaietythere。Thismademethink，byanaturalseriesoftransitions，ofthepersonsofmyAmericanidyl，andI
lookedaboutthepavilioneverywhereforthemwithoutdiscovering，tillthelast，thattheywerejustbehindme。
Ifoundthefacttouching。Theyhadnotwishedtobeinanywisebeholdentome，andhadeventriedtorejectmyfriendlyreadinesstoknowthembetter；buttheyhadprobablysoughtmyvicinityinasenseoftheirlonelinessandhelplessness，whichtheyhopedIwouldnotdivine，butwhichIdivinedinstantly。Still，Ithoughtitbestnottoshowanyconsciousnessofthem，andwesatthroughthefirstpartoftheconcertwithouttakingnoticeofoneanother。Thenthemanleanedforwardandtouchedmeontheshoulder。
\"Willyouletmetakeyourprogrammeaminute？\"
\"Why，certainly，\"saidI。
Hetookit，andafteravagueglanceatithepassedittohiswife，whogaveitinturntotheyounggirl。Shestudieditverybriefly，andthen，afteraquestioninglook，offereditbacktome。
\"Won\'tyoukeepit？\"Ientreated。\"I\'vequitedonewithit。\"
\"Oh，thankyou，\"sheansweredinhertendervoice，andsheandthewifelookedhardattheman，whomtheyseemedtouniteinpushingforwardbythatmeans。
Hehemmed，andasked，\"HaveyoubeeninSaratogamuch？\"
\"Why，yes，\"Isaid；\"ratheragooddeal。MywifeandIhavebeenherethreeorfoursummers。\"
Attheconfessionofmymarriedstate，whichthisstatementimplicated，thewomenexchangedaglance，Ifancied，oftriumph，asiftheyhadbeentalkingaboutme，andIhadnowconfirmedthegroundtheyhadtakenconcerningme。Thentheyjoinedingoadingthemanonagainwiththeireyes。
\"Whichhotel，\"heasked，\"shouldyousayhadthemostgoingon？\"
Theyounggirlandthewifetransferredtheirgazetome，withanintensifiedappealinit。Themanlookedawaywithacertainshame——
theshameofamanwhofeelsthathiswifehasmadehimmakeanassofhimself。Itriedtotreathisquestion，bythequantityandqualityofmyanswer，asoneofthemostnaturalthingsintheworld；andIprobablydeceivedthemallbythiseffort，thoughIamsurethatIwasmosttruthfulandjustconcerningtheclaimsofthedifferenthotelstobethecentreofexcitement。IthoughtIhadearnedtherighttoaskattheend，\"AreyoustoppingattheGrandUnion？\"
\"No，\"hesaid；andhementionedoneofthesmallerhotels，whichdependuponthegreathousesfortheentertainmentoftheirguests。
\"Areyouthere？\"heasked，meaningtheGrandUnion。
\"Ohno，\"Isaid；\"wecouldn\'tdothatsortofthing，evenifwewanted。\"AndinmyturnInamedthemodesthotelwherewewere，andsaidthatIthoughtitbyalloddsthepleasantestplaceinSaratoga。\"ButIcan\'tsay，\"Iadded，\"thatthereisagreatdealgoingonthere，either。Ifyouwantthatsortofthingyouwillhavetogotosomeofthegreathotels。Wehaveourlittleamusements，butthey\'reallrathermild。\"Ikepttalkingtotheman，butreallyaddressingmyselftothewomen。\"There\'ssomethingnearlyeveryevening:prestidigitating，orelocutioning，oralittleconcert，orcharades，orimpromptutheatricals，orsomethingofthatsort。Ican\'tsaythere\'sdancing，thoughreally，I
suppose，ifanyonewantedtodancetherewouldbedancing。\"
Iwasawarethatthewomenlistenedintelligently，evenifthemandidnot。Thewifedrewalongbreath，andsaid，\"Itmustbeverypleasant。\"
Thegirlsaid——rathermorehungrily，Ifancied——\"Yes，indeed。\"
Idon\'tknowwhytheirinterestshouldhavepromptedmetogoonandpaintthelilyalittle，butIcertainlydidso。Ididnotstoptillthemusicbeganagain，andIhadtostop。BythetimethepiecewasfinishedIhadbeguntohavemymisgivings，andIprofitedbythebriefintervalofsilencetosaytotheyounggirl，\"I
wouldn\'thaveyouthinkweareawhirlofgaietyexactly。\"
\"Ohno，\"sheansweredpathetically，asifshewerequitepastexpectingthatoranythinglikeit。
Weweresilentagain。Attheendofthenextpiecetheyallrose，andthewifesaidtimidlytome，\"Well，good-evening，\"asifshemightbeventuringtoofar；andherhusbandcametoherrescuewith\"Well，good-evening，sir。\"Theyounggirlmerelybowed。
Ididnotstaymuchlonger，forIwaseagertogethomeandtellmywifeaboutmyadventure，whichseemedtomeofaveryrareandthrillingkind。IbelievedthatifIcouldpresentittoherduly，itwouldinterestherasmuchasithadinterestedme。Butsomehow，asIwentonwithitinthelamplightofherroom，itseemedtolosecolourandspecificcharacter。
\"YouarealwaysmakinguptheseromancesaboutyounggirlsbeingoffanddisappointedofagoodtimeeversincewesawthatpoorlittleKittyEllisonwithhercousinsatNiagara，\"saidMrs。March。\"Youseemtohaveitonthebrain。\"
\"Becauseit\'sthemosttragicalthingintheworld，andthecommonestinourtransitionstate，\"Iretorted。Iwassomewhatexasperatedtohavemyromancetreatedassostaleasituation，thoughIwasconsciousnowthatitdidwantperfectnovelty。\"It\'spreciselyforthatreasonthatIliketobreakmyheartoverit。I
seeiteverysummer，anditkeepsmeinapassionofpity。
Somethingoughttobedoneaboutit。\"
\"Well，don\'tYOUtrytodoanything，Basil，unlessyouwritetothenewspapers。\"
\"Isuppose，\"Isaid，\"thatifthenewspaperscouldbegottotakeholdofit，perhapssomethingmightbedone。\"Thenotionamusedme；
Iwentontoplaywithit，andimaginedSaratoga，byajointeffortoftheleadingjournals，recolonisedwiththesociallifethatoncemadeittheparadiseofyoungpeople。
\"Ihavebeenwritingtothechildren，\"saidmywife，\"andtellingthemtostayonatYorkHarbouriftheHerrickswantthemsomuch。
Theywouldhateithere。Yousaythegirllookedcross。Ican\'texactlyimagineacrossgoddess。\"
\"Therewerelotsofcrossgoddesses，\"Isaidrathercrosslymyself；
forIsawthat，afterhavingtroddenmyromanceinthedust，shewaswillingIshouldpickitupagainandshakeitoff，andIwishedtoshowherthatIwasnottobesolightlyappeased。
\"PerhapsIwasthinkingofangels，\"shemurmured。
\"Idistinctlydidn\'tsayshewasanangel，\"Ireturned。
\"Now，come，Basil；Iseeyou\'rekeepingsomethingback。Whatdidyoutrytodoforthosepeople？Didyoutellthemwhereyouwerestopping？\"
\"Yes，Idid。Theyaskedme，andItoldthem。\"
\"Didyoubragtheplaceup？\"
\"Onthecontrary，Iunderstateditsmerits。\"
\"Oh，verywell，then，\"shesaid，quiteasifIhadconfessedmyguilt；\"theywillcomehere，andyouwillhaveyourromanceonyourhandsfortherestofthemonth。I\'mthankfulwe\'regoingawaythefirstofAugust。\"
CHAPTERIII
Thenextafternoon，whileweweresittingintheparkwaitingfortheTroybandtobeginplaying，andIwaswonderingjustwhentheywouldreachthe\"WashingtonPostMarch，\"whichIlikebecauseIcanalwaysbesureofit，myunknownfriendscamestrollingourway。
Themanlookedbewilderedandbored，withsomethingofdesperationinhistroubledeye，andhiswifelookedtiredanddisheartened。
Theyounggirl，stillinwhiteduck，worethesameairofpassiveinjuryIhadnotedinherthenightbefore。Theirfacesallthreelightedupatsightofme；buttheyfadedagainatthecoldandmeagreresponseImadetotheirsmilesundercorrectionofmywife\'sfearsofthem。Iownitwasbaseofme；butIhadbeguntofeelmyselfthatitmightbetoolargeacontracttoattempttheirconsolation，and，infact，afteroneisfiftyscarcelyanyromancewillkeepovernight。
Mywifeglancedfromthemtome，andreadmycowardlymind；butshewaitedtilltheypassed，astheydidafteraninvoluntaryfalteringinfrontofus，andwerekeepingondownthepath，lookingatthebenches，whichwerefilledoneitherhand。Shesaid，\"Weren\'tthoseyourfriends？\"
\"Theywerethepersonsofmyromance。\"
\"Nomatter。Goaftertheminstantlyandbringthembackhere，poorthings。Wecanmakeroomforthem。\"
Irose。\"Isn\'tthisalittletooidyllic？Aren\'tyouratheroverdoingit？\"
\"Don\'tspeaktome，Basil!Ineverheardofanythingsoatrocious。
Goonyourkneestothemiftheyrefuse!Theycansitherewithme，andyouandhecanstand。Fly!\"
Iknewshewaspunishingmeforherownreluctance；butIflew，inthatsenseoftheterm，andeasilyoverhauledtheminthetangleofpeoplecomingandgoinginthepath，andthenursemaidspushingtheirperambulatorsineitherdirection。HatinhandIdeliveredmymessage。Icouldseethatitgavethewomengreatpleasureandthemansomedoubt。Hismouthfellopenalittle；theircheeksflushedandtheireyesshone。
\"Idon\'tknowaswebetter，\"thewifehesitated；\"I\'mafraidwe\'llcrowdyou。\"Andshelookedwistfullytowardmywife。Theyounggirllookedather。
\"Notatall!\"Icried。\"There\'sanabundanceofroom。Mywife\'skeepingtheplacesforyou，\"——infact，Isawherputtingherarmoutalongthebench，andexplainingtoacouplewhohadhaltedinfrontofherthattheseatsweretaken——\"andshe\'llbedisappointed。\"
\"Well，\"thewomanconsented，withalittlesighoftriumphthattouchedme，andreanimatedallmyinterestinherandinherfriend。
Shesaid，withasortofshy，instinctivepoliteness，\"Idon\'tknowasyouandMr。Deeringgotacquaintedlastnight。\"
\"MynameisMarch，\"Isaid，andIshookthehandofMr。Deering。Itwasratherthick。
\"Andthis——isourfriend，\"Mrs。Peeringwenton，inpresentationofmetotheyounglady，\"MissGage，that\'scomewithus。\"
IwasdelightedthatIhadguessedtheirrelativequalitiessoperfectly，andwhenwearrivedatMrs。MarchIgliblypresentedthem。MywifewasallthatIcouldhavewishedhertobeofsympatheticandintelligent。Shedidnotoverdoitbyshakinghands，butshemadeplacesfortheladies，smilingcordially；andMrs。DeeringmadeMissGagetaketheseatbetweenthem。HerhusbandandIstoodawhileinfrontofthem，andthenIsaidwewouldgooffandfindchairssomewhere。
Wedidnotfindanytillwehadclimbedtotheuplandatthesouth-
eastofthepark，andthenonlytwoironones，whichitwasuselesstothinkoftransporting。Buttherewasnoreasonwhyweshouldnotsitinthemwheretheywere:wecouldkeeptheladiesinplainsight，andIcouldnotmistake\"WashingtonPost\"whenthebandcametoit。Mr。Deeringsankintooneofthechairswithasighofsatisfactionwhichseemedtocompleteitselfwhenhediscoveredinthethickgrassathisfeetatwigfromoneofthetall，slimpinesaboveus。Hebentoverforit，andthen，ashetookouthispenknifeandclickedopenabladetobeginwhittling，hecastupacriticalglanceatthetrees。
\"Prettynicepines，\"hesaid；andheputhishandontheonenexttouswithasortofappreciationthatinterestedme。
\"Yes；thetreesofSaratogaarethegloryoftheplace，\"Ireturned。
\"Ineversawthemgrowanywhereelsesotallandslim。Itdoesn\'tseemtheeffectofcrowdingeither。It\'sasiftherewassomechemicalforceinthesoilthatshotthemup。They\'relikerocketsthathaven\'tleftthegroundyet。\"
\"It\'sthecrowding，\"hesaidseriously，asifthesubjectwerenottobetrifledwith。\"It\'sthehabitofallthesetrees——pinesandoaksandmaples，Idon\'tcarewhattheyare——tospread，andthat\'swhatwetellourcustomers。Givethetreesplentyofroom；don\'tplant\'emtoothickifyouwanttogetallthegoodoutof\'em。\"Asifhesawaquestioninmyeye，hewenton:\"Wedoaforest-treebusinessexclusively；theseshade-trees，andwalnuts，hickories，chestnuts，andallkinds。It\'sabigtrade，gettingtobe，andgrowingallthetime。Folkshavebeguntofindoutwhatfoolstheyweretodestroytheforests，andthechildrenwanttobuybackwhatthefathersthrewaway。\"
Iscarcelyneededtoprompthim；hewasonlytoogladtotalkonabouthisbusiness，andhespokewithasortofhomesickfondness。
HetoldmethathehadhisnurseriesatDeWittPoint，upontheSt。
Lawrence，wherehecouldraisestockhardyenoughforanyclimate，andshipbylandorwater。
\"I\'vegottobegettinghomerightawaynow，\"hesaidfinally，clickinghisknife-bladehalfshutandopenwithhisthumb。
\"It\'sabouttimeforourevergreentrade，andIdon\'twantthetreestostayaminuteinthegroundafterthemiddleofthemonth。\"
\"Won\'ttheladiesfindithardtotearthemselvesawayfromthegaietiesofSaratoga？\"Iaskedwithapparentvagueness。
\"Well，that\'sit，\"saidMr。Deering；andheshuthisknifeandslippeditintohispocket，inordertotakehiskneebetweenhisclaspedhandsandlifthislegfromtheground。Ihavenoticedthatthisisaphilosophicalattitudewithsomepeople，andIwaspreparedbyitforsomethoughtfulgeneralisingfrommycompanion。
\"Womenwouldbewillingtostayoninaplaceforayeartoseeifsomethingwouldn\'thappen；andifyoutake\'emawaybeforeanythinghappens，they\'llalwaysthinkthatifthey\'dstayedsomethingwouldhavehappenedthenextday，ormaybethedaytheyleft。\"
Hestaredupwardintothepineboughs，andIsaid:\"Yes，that\'sso。
Isupposeweshouldbelikethemifwehadthesameconditions。
Theirwholelifeisanexpectationofsomethingtohappen。Menhavetheprivilegeofmakingthingshappen——ortryingto。\"
\"Oh，Idon\'tknowasIwanttocriticise\'em。Asyousay，IguessWEshouldbejustso。\"Hedroppedhisleg，andbentoverasiftoexaminethegrass；heendedbytakingabladeofitbetweenhisteethbeforehespokeagain，withhisheadstilldown。\"Idon\'twanttohurry\'em；Iwanttogive\'emafairshownowwe\'rehere，andI\'llletthestockgoaslongasIcan。ButIdon\'tseeverymuchgaietyaround。\"