Overheadthecloudscloakedthesky。araggedcloakitwas，and，hereandthere，astarshonethroughahole，tobeobscuredalmostinstantlyasmorecloudtatterswerehurledacrosstherent。Thepinesthreshedonthehilltops。Thebarebranchesofthewild-
cherryandsilverleaftreesscrapedandrattledandtossed。Andthewind，theraw，chillingDecemberwind，drivenin，wetandsalty，fromthesea，toreoverthedunesandbrownuplandsandacrossthefrozensalt-meadows，screamedthroughthetelegraphwires，andmadetheplatformofthedismalSouthHarnissrailwaystationthelonesomest，coldest，darkestandmostmiserablespotonthefaceoftheearth。
Atleastthatwastheopinionoftheseventeen-year-oldboywhomthedowntrain——ontimeforonceandawonder——hadjustdepositeduponthatplatform。Hewouldnothavediscountedthestatementoneiota。TheSouthHarnissstationplatformWASthemostmiserablespotonearthandhewasthemostmiserablehumanbeinguponit。
Andthislastwasprobablytrue，fortherewerebutthreeotherhumansuponthatplatformand，judgingbyexternals，theyseemedhappyenough。Onewasthestationagent，whowasjustenteringthebuildingpreparatorytolockingupforthenight，andtheotherswereJimYoung，driverofthedepotwagon，andDoctorHolliday，theSouthHarnisshomeopath，whohadbeenuptoaBostonhospitalwithapatientandwasreturninghome。JimwaswhistlingSilverBells，atunemuchinvoguetheprevioussummer，andDoctorHollidaywaspuffingatacigarandknockinghisfeettogethertokeepthemwarmwhilewaitingtogetintothedepotwagon。Theseweretheonlypeopleinsightandtheywerepayingnoattentionwhatevertothelonelyfigureattheotherendoftheplatform。
Theboylookedabouthim。Thestation，withitssicklyyellowgleamofkerosenelampbehinditsdingywindowpane，wasapparentlytheonlyinhabitedspotinabarrenwilderness。Attheedgeoftheplatformcivilizationseemedtoendandbeyondwasnothingbutablackearthandablacksky，tossingtreesandhowlingwind，andcold——raw，damp，penetratingcold。Comparedwiththiseventhestuffyplushseatsandsmellywarmthofthecarhehadjustleftappearedtemptinglyhomelikeandluxurious。Allthewaydownfromthecityhehadsneeredinwardlyataone-horserailroadwhichrannoPullmansonitsCapebranchinwintertime。Nowheforgothislongingformahoganyveneerandindividualchairsandwouldgladlyhaveboardedafreightcar，providedtherewereinitalampandastove。
Thelightinthestationwasextinguishedandtheagentcameoutwithajinglingbunchofkeysandlockedthedoor。Good-night，Jim，heshouted，andwalkedoffintotheblackness。Jimrespondedwithagood-nightofhisownandclimbedaboardthewagon，intothedarkinteriorofwhichthedoctorhadprecededhim。Theboyattheotherendoftheplatformbegantobereallyalarmed。Itlookedasifalllivingthingswereabandoninghimandhewastobeleftmarooned，tostarveorfreeze，providedhewasnotblownawayfirst。
Hepickedupthesuitcase——anexpensivesuitcaseitwas，elaboratelystrappedandbuckled，withatelescopebackandgoldfittings——andhastenedtowardthewagon。Mr。Younghadjustpickedupthereins。
Oh，——oh，Isay！falteredtheboy。Wehavecalledhimtheboy
allthistime，buthedidnotconsiderhimselfaboy，heesteemedhimselfaman，ifnotfull-grownphysically，certainlysomentally。
Aman，withallaman’swisdom，andmorebesides——thegreat，theall-embracingwisdomofhisage，oryouth。
Here，Isay！Justaminute！herepeated。JimYoungputhisheadaroundtheedgeofthewagoncurtain。Eh？hequeried。Eh？
Who’stalkin’？Oh，wasityou，youngfeller？Didyouwantme？
Theyoungfellowrepliedthathedid。ThisisSouthHarniss，isn’tit？heasked。
Mr。Youngchuckled。Darnsurething，hedrawled。Igiveinthatitlooksconsider’blelikeBoston，orProvidence，R。I。，orsomeofthemcapitols，butitain’t，it’sSouthHarniss，CapeCod。
DoctorHolliday，onthebackseatofthedepotwagon，chuckled。
Jimdidnot。heneverlaughedathisownjokes。Andhisquestionerdidnotchuckle，either。
Doesa——doesaMr。Snowlivehere？heasked。
Theanswerwasprompt，ifratherindefinite。Um-hm，saidthedriver。Noless’nfourteenofhimliveshere。Whichonedoyouwant？
AMr。Z。Snow。
Mr。Z。Snow，eh？Humph！Idon’tseemtorecollectanyMr。Z。
Snowaroundnowadays。ThereusedtobeaZibaSnow，buthe’sdead。
’Twan’thimyouwanted，wasit？
No。TheoneIwantis——isaCaptainSnow。Captain——hepausedbeforeutteringthenamewhichtohiscriticalmetropolitanearhadseemedsodreadfullycountrifiedandhumiliating。CaptainZelotesSnow，heblurted，desperately。
JimYounglaughedaloud。Goodland，Doc！hecried，turningtowardhispassenger。IswanIcleanforgotthatCap’nLote’snamebegunwithaZ。Cap’nLoteSnow？Why，darnsure！I……Eh？
Hestoppedshort，evidentlystruckbyanewidea。Sho！hedrawled，slowly。Why，IdeclareIbelieveyou’re……Yes，ofcourse！Iheardtheywasexpectin’you。Doc，youknowwho’tis，don’tyou？Cap’nLote’sgrandson。Janie’sboy。
Hetookthelightedlanternfromunderthewagonseatandhelditupsothatitsglowshoneuponthefaceoftheyouthstandingbythewheel。
Hum，hemused。Don’tseemtofavorJaniemuch，doeshe，Doc。
Kindofgothermouthandchin，though。Rememberthatsortofgood-lookin’settohermouthshehad？AndSHEgotitfromoldCap’nLohimself。Thisboy’sfacemustbemorelikehispa’s，I
cal’late。Don’tyoucal’lateso，Doc？
WhetherDoctorHollidaycal’latedsoornothedidnotsay。Itmaybethathethoughtthiscoolinspectionofanddiscussionconcerningastranger，evenajuvenilestranger，somewhatembarrassingtoitsobject。Orthelanternlightmayhaveshownhimanominouspuckerbetweentheboy’sblackbrowsandaflashoftemperinthebigblackeyesbeneaththem。Atanyrate，insteadofreplyingtoMr。Young，hesaid，kindly：
Yes，CaptainSnowlivesinthevillage。Ifyouaregoingtohishousegetrightinhere。Ilivecloseby，myself。
Darnedsure！agreedMr。Young，withenthusiasm。Hoprightin，sonny。
Buttheboyhesitated。Then，haughtilyignoringthedriver，hesaid：IthoughtCaptainSnowwouldbeheretomeetme。Hewrotethathewould。
TheirrepressibleJimhadnoideaofremainingignored。DidCap’nLotewriteyouthathe’dbeheretothedepot？hedemanded。Allright，thenhe’llbehere，don’tyoufret。Ipresumelikelythateverlastin’mareofhishaseatherselfsickagain。eh，Doc？Bygodfreysdomino，thewaytheypetandstuffthatfoolhorseisasinandashame。Itain’tLote’sfaultsomuchas’tishiswife’s——
she’sresponsible。Don’tyoufret，Bub，thecap’n’llbehereforyousometimeto-night。Ifhesaidhe’llcomehe’llcome，evenifhehastohireoneofthemlimmysines。He，he，he！Allyou’vegottodoiswait，and……Hey！……Holdonaminute！……Bub！
Theboywaswalkingaway。AndtohailhimasBubwas，althoughJimYoungdidnotknowit，theonewayleastlikelytobringhimback。
Bub！shoutedJimagain。Receivingnoreplyheaddedwhathehadintendedsaying。IfIrunafoulofCap’nLoteanywheresontheroad，hecalled，I’lltellhimyou’reherea-waitin’。Solong，Bub。Gitdap，ChainLightnin’。
Thehorse，thuscomplimented，prickeduponeear，liftedafoot，andjoggedoff。Thedepotwagonbecamemerelyashadowysmudgeagainstthedarknessofthenight。Forafewminutesthechock，chockofthehoofsuponthefrozenroadandtherattleofwheelsgaveaudibleevidenceofitsprogress。ThenthesediedawayanduponthewindsweptplatformoftheSouthHarnissstationdescendedtheblackgloomoflonesomenesssocompleteastomakethatwhichhadbeenbeforeseem，bycomparison，almostcheerful。
Theyouthuponthatplatformturneduphiscoatcollar，thrusthisglovedhandsintohispockets，andshivered。Then，stillshivering，hetookabriskwalkupanddownbesidethesuitcaseand，finally，circumnavigatedthelittlestation。Thevoyageofdiscoverywasunprofitable。therewasnothingtodiscover。Sofarashecouldsee——whichwasbynomeansfar——uponeachsideofthebuildingwasnothingbutbarefieldsandtossingpines，andwindandcoldandblackness。Hecametoanchoroncemorebythesuitcaseanddrewalong，hopelessbreath。
Hethoughtofthecheerydiningroomattheschoolhehadleftthedaybefore。Dinnerwouldbenearlyoverbynow。Thefellowswerehavingdessert，or，probably，werefilingoutintothecorridors，theyoungerchapstogotothestudyhallandtheolderones——thelordlyseniors，ofwhomhehadbeenone——onthewaytotheirrooms。
Thepictureofhisowncheerful，gayroomintheseniorcorridorwasbeforehismind。ofthatroomasitwasbeforethetelegramcame，beforethelawyercamewiththeletter，beforetheendofeverythingasheknewitandthebeginningof——this。Hehadnotalwayslovedandlongedforthatschoolashelovedandlongedforitnow。Therehadbeentimeswhenhereferredtoitastheoldjail，andprofessedtohateit。ButithadbeentheonlyrealhomehehadknownsincehewaseightyearsoldandnowhelookedbackuponitasafallenangelmighthavelookedbackuponParadise。Hesighedagain，chokedandhastilydrewhisglovedhandacrosshiseyes。Attheageofseventeenitisveryunmanlytocry，but，atthatagealso，manhoodandboyhoodarecloselyintermingled。Hechokedagainandthen，squaringhisshoulders，reachedintohiscoatpocketforthesilvercigarettecasewhich，asarecentacquisition，wastheprideofhissoul。Hehadjustsucceededinlightingacigarettewhen，borneuponthewind，heheardoncemorethesoundofhoofsandwheelsandsawinthedistanceaspeckoflightadvancingtowardthestation。
Thesoundsdrewnearer，sodidthelight。Thenanold-fashionedbuggy，drawnbyaplumplittlesorrel，pulledupbytheplatformandahandheldalanternaloft。
Hello！hailedavoice。Whereareyou？
Thehaildidnothavetoberepeated。Beforethevehiclereachedthestationtheboyhadtossedawaythecigarette，pickedupthesuitcase，andwaswaiting。Nowhestrodeintothelanternlight。
HereIam，heanswered，tryinghardnottoappeartooeager。
Wereyoulookingforme？
Theholderofthelanterntuckedthereinsbetweenthewhip-socketandthedashandclimbedoutofthebuggy。Hewasalittleman，perhapsaboutforty-eightorfifty，withasmooth-shavenfacewrinkledatthecornersofthemouthandeyes。Hisvoicewasthemostcuriousthingabouthim。itwashighandpiping，morelikeawoman’sthanaman’s。Yethiswordsandmannerweremasculineenough，andhemovedandspokewithanervous，jerkyquickness。
Heansweredthequestionpromptly。GuessIbe，guessIbe，hesaidbriskly。Anyhow，I’mlookin’foraboynameof——nameof——
Mysoultoheavens，I’veforgotitagain，Idobelieve！Whatdidyousayyournamewas？
Speranza。AlbertSperanza。
Sartin，sartin！Sper——er——um——yes，yes。KnewitjustaswellasIdidmyown。Well，well，well！Ye-es，yes，yes。Getrightaboard，Alfred。Letmetakeyoursatchel。
Hepickedupthesuitcase。Theboy，hisfootuponthebuggystep，stillhesitated。Thenyou’re——you’renotmygrandfather？hefaltered。
Eh？Who？Yourgrandfather？Me？He，he，he！Hechuckledshrilly。No，no！Nosuchluck。IfIwasCap’nLoteSnow，I’dbesomeolder’nIbenowandadumsightricher。Yes，yes。No，I’mCap’nLote’sbookkeeperoveratthelumberconsarn。He’sgotacold，andOlive——that’shiswife——shesaidheshouldn’tcomeoutto-night。Hesaidheshould，andwhiletheywasKaty-didin’backandforthaboutit，Rachel——Mrs。Ellis——she’sthehiredhousekeeperthere——shetelephonedmetoharnessupandcomemeetyouupheretothedepot。Er——er——littlemitelate，wan’tI？
Why，yes，justalittle。Theotherman，theonewhodrivesthemailcart——Ithinkthatwaswhatitwas——saidperhapsthehorsewassick，orsomethinglikethat。
No-o，no，thatwan’titthistime。I——er——Alltuckedinandwarmenough，beyou？Ye-es，yes，yes。No，I’mtoblame，I
shouldn’twonder。Istoppedatthe——atthestoreaminuteandmetoneortwoofthefellers，andthatkindofheldmeup。Allrightnow？Ye-es，yes，yes。G’long，gal。
Thebuggymovedawayfromtheplatform。Itspassenger，hischillyfeetandlegstightlywrappedintherobes，drewabreathofreliefbetweenhischatteringteeth。Hewasactuallygoingsomewhereatlast。whateverhappened，morningwouldnotfindhimproppedfrozenstiffagainstthescarredandmangyclapboardsoftheSouthHarnissstation。
Warmenough，beyou？inquiredhisdrivercheerfully。
Yes，thankyou。
That’sgood，that’sgood，that’sgood。Ye-es，yes，yes。Well——
er——Frederick，howdoyouthinkyou’regoin’tolikeSouthHarniss？
Theanswerwasrathernon-committal。Theboyrepliedthathehadnotseenverymuchofitasyet。Hiscompanionseemedtofindthestatementhighlyamusing。Hechuckledandslappedhisknee。
Ain’tseenmuchofit，eh？No-o，no，no。Iguessyouain’t，guessyouain’t。He，he，he……Um……Let’ssee，whatwasI
talkin’about？
Why，nothinginparticular，Ithink，Mr——Mr——
Didn’tItellyoumyname？Sho，sho！That’sfunny。Myname’sKeeler——LabanB。Keeler。That’smynameandbookkeeperismystation。SouthHarnissismydwellin’place——andIguesslikelyyou’llhavetoseetheministerabouttherestofit。He，he，he！
Hispassenger，towhomtheoldschoolbookquatrainwasentirelyunknown，wonderedwhatonearththemanwastalkingabout。
However，hesmiledpolitelyandsniffedwithadawningsuspicion。
Itseemedtohimtherewasanunusualscentintheair，aspirituousscent，a——
Haveapeppermintlozenger，suggestedMr。Keeler，withsuddenenthusiasm。Peppermintisgoodforwhatailsyou，sotheytellme。Ye-es，yes，yes。Haveone。Havetwo，havealot。
Heproceededtohavealothimself，andthebuggywasstraightwayreflavored，sotospeak。Theboy，hissuspicionsbynomeansdispelled，leanedbackinthecornerbehindthecurtainsandawaiteddevelopments。Hewaswarmer，thatwasarealphysicalandconsequentlyaslightmentalcomfort，butthefeelingoflonesomenesswasstillacute。SofarhisacquaintanceshipwiththecitizensofSouthHarnisshadnotfilledhimwithenthusiasm。Theywerewhathe，inhisformerandveryrecentstateofexistence，wouldhavecalledRubes。Werethegrandparentswhomhehadnevermetthissortofpeople？Itseemedprobable。WhatsortofaplacewasthistowhichFatehadconsignedhim？Thesenseofutterhelplessnesswhichhadhadhiminitsclutchessincethedaywhenhereceivedthenewsofhisfather’sdeathwasasdreadfullyrealasever。Hehadnotbeenconsultedatall。Noonehadaskedhimwhathewishedtodo，orwherehewishedtogo。Theletterhadcomefromthesepeople，theCapeCodgrandparentsofwhom，uptothattime，hehadneverevenheard，andhehadbeenshippedtothemasthoughhewereapieceofmerchandise。Andwhatwastobecomeofhimnow，afterhereachedhisdestination？Whatwouldtheyexpecthimtodo？Orbe？Howwouldhebetreated？
Inhisextensivereading——hehadbeenanomnivorousreader——therewerenumerousexamplesofyouthsleft，likehim，tothecareofdistantrelatives，orstep-parents，orutterstrangers。Theirexperiences，generallyspeaking，hadnotbeencheerfulones。Mostofthemhadrunaway。Hemightrunaway。butsomehowtheideaofrunningaway，withnomoney，tofacehardshipandpovertyandalltherest，didnotmakeanalluringappeal。Hehadbeenusedtocomfortandluxuryeversincehecouldremember，andhisimagination，anunusuallyactiveone，visualizedmuchmorekeenlythantheaveragethetribulationsandstrugglesofarunaway。DavidCopperfield，heremembered，hadrunaway，buthediditwhenakid，notamanlikehimself。NicholasNickleby——no，Nicholashadnotrunawayexactly，buthisfatherhaddiedandhehadbeenlefttoanuncle。ItwouldbedreadfulifhisgrandfathershouldturnouttobeamanlikeRalphNickleby。YetNicholashadgottenonwellinspiteofhiswickedrelative。Yes，andhowgloriouslyhehaddefiedtheoldrascal，too！Hewonderedifhewouldeverbecalledupontodefyhisgrandfather。Hesawhimselfdoingit——quietly，aperfectgentlemanalways，butwiththenobledeterminationofoneperformingadisagreeableduty。Hischinliftedandhisshoulderssquaredagainstthebackofthebuggy。
Mr。Keeler，whohadapparentlyforgottenhispassengeraltogether，brokeintosong，She’smydarlin’hanky-pankyAndshewearsanumbertwo，HerfatherkeepsabarbershopWayoutinKalamazoo。
Hesangtheforegoingtwiceoverandthenaddedachorus，plainlyimprovised，madeupofDidoosandDidumsadlib。Andthebuggyrolledupandovertheslopeofalittlehilland，inthefaceofascreamingseawind，descendedalong，gentleslopetowhere，scatteredalongatwo-milewaterfrontage，thelightsofSouthHarnisstwinkledsparsely。
Diddoodum，deedum，doodumDidoodum，doodumdee。
SosangMr。Keeler。Thenhebrokeoffhissoloasthelittlemareturnedinbetweenapairofhighwoodenpostsborderingadrive，joggedalongthatdriveforperhapsfiftyfeet，andstoppedbesidethestonestepofawhitefrontdoor。Throughthearchedwindowabovethatdoorshonelamplightwarmandyellow。
Whoa！commandedMr。Keeler，mostunnecessarily。Then，asifhimselfabituncertainastohisexactwhereabouts，hepeeredoutatthedoorandthehouseofwhichitwasapart，afterwardsettlingbacktoannouncetriumphantly：Andherewebe！Yes，sir，herewebe！
Thenthedooropened。Afloodoflamplightpoureduponthebuggyanditsoccupants。Andtheboysawtwopeoplestandinginthedoorway，amanandawoman。
Itwasthewomanwhospokefirst。Itwasshewhohadopenedthedoor。Themanwasstandingbehindherlookingoverhershoulder——
overherheadreally，forhewastallandbroadandsheshortandslender。
Isit——？shefaltered。
Mr。Keeleranswered。Yes，ma’am，hedeclaredemphatically，that’swho’tis。Herewebe——er——er——what’s-your-name——Edward。
Jumprightout。
Hispassengeralightedfromthebuggy。Thewomanbentforwardtolookathim，herhandsclasped。
It——it’sAlbert，isn’tit？sheasked。
Theboynodded。Yes，hesaid。
Thehandsunclaspedandsheheldthemouttowardhim。Oh，Albert，shecried，I’myourgrandmother。I——
Themaninterrupted。Waittillwegethiminside，Olive，hesaid。Comein，son。Then，addressingthedriver，heordered：
Labe，takethehorseandteamouttothebarnandunharnessforme，willyou？
Ye-es，yes，yes，repliedMr。Keeler。Yesindeed，Cap’n。Takeherrightalong——rightoff。Yesindeedy。Gitdap！
Hedroveofftowardtheendoftheyard，wherealargebuilding，presumablyabarn，loomedblackagainstthedarksky。Hesangashedroveandthebigmanonthesteplookedafterhimandsniffedsuspiciously。
Meanwhiletheboyhadfollowedthelittlewomanintothehousethroughasmallfronthall，fromwhichanarrowflightofstairsshotaloftwithalmostunbelievablesteepness，andintoalargeroom。Alberthadaswiftimpressionofbigwindowsfullofplants，ofpicturesofshipsandschoonersonthewalls，ofatablesetforfour。
Takeyourthingsrightoff，criedhisgrandmother。Here，I’lltake’em。There！nowturn’roundandletmelookatyou。Don’tmovetillIgetagoodlook。
Hestoodperfectlystillwhilesheinspectedhimfromheadtofoot。
You’vegothermouth，shesaidslowly。Yes，you’vegothermouth。Herhairandeyeswerebrownandyoursareblack，but——butITHINKyoulooklikeher。Oh，Ididsowantyouto！MayIkissyou，Albert？I’myourgrandmother，youknow。
Withembarrassedshynessheleanedforwardwhilesheputherarmsabouthisneckandkissedhimonthecheek。Ashestraightenedagainhebecameawarethatthebigmanhadenteredtheroomandwasregardinghimintentlybeneathapairofshaggygrayeyebrows。
Mrs。Snowturned。
Oh，Zelotes，shecried，he’sgotJanie’smouth，don’tyouthinkso？AndheDOESlooklikeher，doesn’the？
Herhusbandshookhishead。Maybeso，Mother，hesaid，withahalfsmile。Iain’tagreathandforlocatin’whofolkslooklike。Howareyou，boy？Gladtoseeyou。I’myourgrandfather，youknow。
Theyshookhands，whileeachinspectedandmadeamentalestimateoftheother。Albertsawasquare，beardedjaw，afirmmouth，grayeyeswithmanywrinklesatthecorners，andashockofthickgrayhair。Theeyeshadawayoflookingstraightatyou，throughyou，asifreadingyourthoughts，diviningyourmotivesandmakingageneralappraisalofyouandthem。
CaptainZelotesSnow，forhispart，sawatallyoungfellow，slimandstraight，withblackcurlyhair，largeblackeyesandregularfeatures。Agood-lookingboy，ahandsomeboy——almosttoohandsome，perhaps，orwithjustatouchoftheeffeminateinthegoodlooks。
Thecaptain’sglancetookinthewell-fittingsuitofclothes，theexpensivetie，thegoldwatchchain。
Humph！gruntedCaptainZelotes。Well，yourgrandmaandIaregladtohaveyouwithus。Letmesee，Albert——that’syourrightname，ain’tit——Albert？
Somethinginhisgrandfather’slooksortonearousedacuriousfeelingintheyouth。Itwasnotafeelingofantagonism，exactly，butmoreofdefiance，ofobstinacy。Hefeltasifthisbigman，regardinghimsokeenlyfromundertheheavybrows，waslookingforfaults，wasexpectingtofindsomethingwrong，mightalmostbedisappointedifhedidnotfindit。Hemetthegazeforamoment，thecolorrisingtohischeeks。
Myname，hesaiddeliberately，isAlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanza。
Mrs。Snowutteredalittleexclamation。Oh！sheejaculated。Andthenadded：Why——why，Ithought——we——weunderstood’twas’Albert。’Wedidn’tknowtherewas——wedidn’tknowtherewasanymoretoit。Whatdidyousayitwas？
Hergrandsonsquaredhisshoulders。AlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanza，herepeated。Myfather——therewasprideinhisvoicenow——myfather’snamewasMiguelCarlos。Ofcourseyouknewthat。
Hespokeasifallcreationmusthaveknownit。Mrs。Snowlookedhelplesslyatherhusband。CaptainZelotesrubbedhischin。
We——ll，hedrawleddryly，Iguesslikelywe’llgetalongwith’Albert’foraspell。Ical’late’twillcomemorehandytousCapefolks。We’rekindofplainandeveryday’roundhere。Sapper’sready，ain’tit，Mother？Almustbehungry。I’mplagueysure_I_
am。
But，Zelotes，maybehe’dliketogouptohisbedroomfirst。He’sbeenridin’alongwaysinthecarsandmaybehe’dliketowashuporchangehisclothes？
Changehisclothes！Lordsakes，Olive，whatwouldhewanttochangehisclothesthistimeofnightfor？Youdon’twanttochangeyourclothes，doyou，boy？
No，sir，Iguessnot。
Sartinsureyoudon’t。Wanttowash？There’sabasinandsoapandtowelrightoutthereinthekitchen。
Hepointedtothekitchendoor。Atthatmomentthedoorwaspartiallyopenedandabriskfemininevoicefrombehinditinquired：Howabouteatin’？Areyouallreadyinthere？
ItwasCaptainSnowwhoanswered。
Youbetweare，Rachel！hedeclared。Allreadyandthensome。
Trotherout。Sitdown，Mother。Sitdown，Al。Nowthen，Rachel，allaboard。
Rachel，itappeared，wastheownerofthebriskfemininevoicejustmentioned。Shewasbriskherself，astoageaboutforty，plump，rosyandverybusiness-like。Shewhiskedtheplatteroffriedmackerelandthedishesofbakedpotatoes，stewedcorn，hotbiscuitsandalltherest，tothetableisnotime，andthen，toAlbert’sastonishment，satdownatthattableherself。Mrs。Snowdidthehonors。
Albert，shesaid，thisisMrs。Ellis，whohelpsmekeephouse。
Rachel，thisismygrandson，Albert——er——Speranza。
Shepronouncedthesurnameinatonealmostapologetic。Mrs。Ellisdidnotattempttopronounceit。Sheextendedaplumphandandobserved：Isthatso？Realgladtoknowyou，Albert。Howdoyouthinkyou’regoin’tolikeSouthHarniss？
Consideringthathisacquaintancewiththevillagehadbeensodecidedlylimited，Albertwassomewhatpuzzledhowtoreply。Hisgrandfathersavedhimthetrouble。
Lordsakes，Rachel，hedeclared，heain’tseenmore’nthreesquarefootofityet。It’sdarker’ntheinsideofanigger’sundershirtoutdoorsto-night。Well，Al——Albert，Imean，howareyouonmackerel？Prettygoodstowageroombelowdecks？Aboutsomuch，eh？
Mrs。Snowinterrupted。
Zelotes，shesaidreprovingly，ain’tyouforgettin’somethin’？
Eh？Forgettin’？HeavenstoBetsy，soIam！Lord，wethanktheefortheseandallothergifts，Amen。WhatdidIdowiththefork。
swallowit？
AslongashelivesAlbertSperanzawillnotforgetthatfirstmealinthehomeofhisgrandparents。Itwassostrange，sodifferentfromanyothermealhehadevereaten。Thefoodwasgoodandtherewasanabundanceofit，butthesurroundingsweresoqueer。
Insteadofthewell-orderedandsedateschoolmeal，herealltheeatablesfromfishtopiewereputuponthetableatthesametimeandtheservant——orhousekeeper，whichtohismindwereoneandthesame——satdown，notonlytoeatwiththefamily，buttotakeatleastanequalpartintheconversation。Andtheconversationitselfwassodifferent。BeginningwithquestionsconcerninghisownjourneyfromtheNewYorktownwheretheschoolwaslocated，itatlengthreachedSouthHarnissandtherecenteredaboutthediminutivepersonofLabanKeeler，hisloquaciousandtunefulrescuerfromtheplatformoftherailwaystation。
Whereareyourthings，Albert？askedMrs。Snow。Yourtrunkortravelin’bag，orwhateveryouhad，Imean？
Mytrunksarecomingbyexpress，begantheboy。CaptainZelotesinterruptedhim。
Yourtrunks？herepeated。Gotmore’none，haveyou？
Why——why，yes，therearethree。Mr。Holden——heistheheadmaster，youknow——
Eh？Headmaster？Oh，youmeanthebossteacherupthereattheschool？Yes，yes。Um-hm。
Yes，sir。Mr。Holdensaysthetrunksshouldgethereinafewdays。
Mrs。Ellis，thehousekeeper，madethenextremark。DidI
understandyoutosayyouhadTHREEtrunks？shedemanded。
Why，yes。
Threetrunksforoneboy！Formercysakes，whathaveyougotin’em？
Why——why，mythings。Myclothesand——and——everything。
Everything，orjustabout，Ishouldsay。Goodnessgraciousme，whenIgouptoBostonIhaveallIcandotofilluponetrunk。
AndI’mbigger’nyouare——bigger’round，anyway。
Therewasnodoubtaboutthat。CaptainZeloteslaughedshortly。
Thatstatementain’twhatI’dcallexaggerated，Rachel，hedeclared。EverytimeIseeyouandLabanoutwalkin’togetherhehastokeeponthesunnysideorbeinatotaleclipse。And，bytheway，speakin’ofLaban——Say，son，howdidyouandhegetalongcomin’downfromthedepot？
Allright。Itwasprettydark。
I’llbetyou！Labanwasn’tverytalkative，washe？
Why，yes，sir，hetalkedagooddealbuthesangmostofthetime。
Thissimplestatementappearedtocauseamostsurprisingsensation。
TheSnowsandtheirhousekeeperlookedateachother。CaptainZelotesleanedbackinhischairandwhistled。
Whew！heobserved。Hum！Sho！Thunderation！
Oh，dear！exclaimedhiswife。
Mrs。Ellis，thehousekeeper，drewalongbreath。Imighthaveexpectedit，shesaidtartly。It’spasttime。He’sprettynighamonthoverdue，as’tis。
CaptainSnowrosetohisfeet。Iwaskindofsuspiciouswhenhestartedforthebarn，hedeclared。Seemedtomehewassingin’
then。WHATdidhesing，boy？heasked，turningsuddenlyuponhisgrandson。
Why——why，Idon’tknow。Ididn’tnoticeparticularly。Yousee，itwasprettycoldand——
Mrs。Ellisinterrupted。Didhesinganythingaboutsomebody’sbein’hisdarlin’hanky-pankyandwearin’anumbertwo？shedemandedsharply。
Why——why，yes，hedid。
Apparentlythatsettledit。Mrs。Snowsaid，Oh，dear！againandthehousekeeperalsorosefromthetable。
You’dbettergorightouttothebarnthisminute，Cap’nLote，
shesaid，andIguesslikelyI’dbettergowithyou。
Thecaptainalreadyhadhiscaponhishead。
No，Rachel，hesaid，Idon’tneedyou。Cal’lateIcantakecareof’mostanythingthat’sliabletohavehappened。Ifheain’tputthebridletobedinthestallandhungthemareupontheharnesspegsIjudgeIcanhandlethejob。Wonderhowfuralonghe’dgot。
Didn’thearhimsingin’anythingabout’HyannisontheCape，’didyou，boy？
No。
That’ssomecomfort。Now，don’tyouworry，Mother。I’llbebackinafewminutes。
Mrs。Snowclaspedherhands。Oh，IHOPEhehasn’tsetthebarnafire，shewailed。
Nodangerofthat，Iguess。No，Rachel，you’tendtoyoursupper。
Idon’tneedyou。
Hetrampedoutintothehallandthedoorclosedbehindhim。Mrs。
Snowturnedapologeticallytoherpuzzledgrandson，whowasentirelyatalosstoknowwhatthetroublewasabout。
Yousee，Albert，shehesitatinglyexplained，Laban——Mr。Keeler——
themanwhodroveyoudownfromthedepot——he——he’sanawfulnicemanandyourgrandfatherthinkstheworldandallofhim，but——buteveryonceinawhilehe——Oh，dear，Idon’tknowhowtosayittoyou，but——
EvidentlyMrs。Ellisknewhowtosayit，forshebrokeintotheconversationandsaiditthenandthere。
Everyonceinawhilehegetstipsy，shesnapped。AndIonlywishIhadmyfingersthisminuteinthehairofthescampthatgavehimtheliquor。
AlightbrokeuponAlbert’smind。Oh！Oh，yes！heexclaimed。
Ithoughtheactedalittlequeer，andonceIthoughtIsmelt——
Oh，thatwaswhyhewaseatingthepeppermints！
Mrs。Snownodded。Therewasamomentofsilence。Suddenlythehousekeeper，whohadresumedherseatincompliancewithCaptainZelotes’order，slammedbackherchairandstoodup。
I’vehatedthesmellofpeppermintfortwenty-twoyear，shedeclared，andwentoutintothekitchen。Albert，lookingafterher，felthisgrandmother’stouchuponhissleeve。
Iwouldn’tsayanymoreaboutitbeforeher，shewhispered。
She’sawfulsensitive。
Whyintheworldthehousekeepershouldbeparticularlysensitivebecausethemanwhohaddrivenhimfromthestationatepeppermintwasquitebeyondtheboy’scomprehension。NorcouldhethoroughlyunderstandwhythesuspicionofMr。Keeler’sslightinebrietyshouldcausesuchasensationintheSnowhousehold。Hewasinclinedtothinkthetipsinessratherfunny。Ofcoursealcoholwaslecturedagainstoftenenoughatschoolandononeoccasionamemberoftheseniorclass——atwenty-year-oldhold-overwhoshouldhavegraduatedthefallbefore——hadbeenexpelledforhavingbeerinhisroom。butduringhislongsummervacations，spentprecariouslyathotelsorinshortvisitstohisfather’sfriends，youngSperanzahadlearnedtobetolerant。TolerancewasanecessaryvirtueinthecirclesurroundingSperanzaSenior，inhislateryears。Thepoppingofcorksatallhoursofthenightandbottlesfull，halffullorempty，weresoundsandsightstowhichAlberthadbeenwellaccustomed。Whenonehasmorethanonceseenhisownfatherovercomebyconvivialityandtheaffairtreatedasahugejoke，oneisnotinclinedtobetoocensoriouswhenothersslip。WhatifthequeeroldKeelerguywastight？Wasthatanythingtoraisesucharowabout？
Plainly，hedecided，thiswasastrangeplace，thishouseholdofhisgrandparents。HispremonitionthattheymightbeRubes
seemedlikelytohavebeenwellfounded。Whatwouldhisfather——
hisgreat，world-famousfather——havethoughtofthem？Bah！theseYankeebourgeoisie！Hecouldalmosthearhimsayit。MiguelCarlosSperanzadetested——inprivate——theYankeebourgeoisie。Hetooktheirmoneyandhemarriedoneoftheirdaughters，buthedetestedthem。Duringhislastyears，whenthemoneyhadnotflowedhiswayascopiously，thedetestgrew。
Youwon’tsayanythingaboutLabanbeforeMrs。Ellis，willyou，Albert？persistedMrs。Snow。She’sdreadfulsensitive。I’llexplainbyandby。
Hepromised，repressingacondescendingsmile。
BoththehousekeeperandCaptainSnowreturnedinafewminutes。
Thelatterreportedthatthemarewassafeandsoundinherstall。
Theharnesswasmostlyonthefloor，butJesswasallright，thanktheLord，observedthecaptain。
Jessisourhorse’sname，Albert，explainedMrs。Snow。Thatis，hername’sJessamine，butZelotescan’teverseemtosaythewholeofanyname。WhenwefirstboughtJessamineInamedherMagnolia，buthecalledher’Mag’allthetimeandICOULDN’Tstandthat。
Havesomemorepreserves，Albert，do。
AllthroughthemealAlbertwasuneasilyconsciousthathisgrandfatherwaslookingathimfromundertheshaggybrows，measuringhim，estimatinghim，readinghimthroughandthrough。Heresentedthescrutinyandthetwinkleofsardonichumorwhich，itseemedtohim，accompaniedit。Hiswayofhandlinghisknifeandfork，hisclothes，histie，hismannerofeatinganddrinkingandspeaking，alltheseCaptainZelotesseemedtonoteandappraise。
Butwhatevertheresultsofhisscrutinyandappraisalmightbehekeptthementirelytohimself。Whenheaddressedhisgrandsondirectly，whichwasnotoften，hisremarksweretrivialcommonplacesand，althoughpleasantenough，wereterseandtothepoint。
SeveraltimesMrs。SnowwouldhavequestionedAlbertconcerningthelifeatschool，buteachtimeherhusbandinterfered。
Notnow，notnow，Mother，hesaid。Theboyain’tgoin’torunawayto-night。He’llbehereto-morrowandagoodmanyto-morrows，if——andhereagainAlbertseemedtodetecttheslightsarcasmandthetwinkle——ifweold-fashioned’downeasters’ain’ttoocommonandevery-dayforahigh-tonedyoungchaplikehimtoputupwith。
No，no，don’tmakehimtalkto-night。Can’tyouseehe’ssosleepythatit’sonlytheexerciseofopenin’hismouthtoeatthatkeepshiseyesfromshuttin’？Howaboutthat，son？
Itwasperfectlytrue。Thelongtrainride，theexcitement，thecoldwaitonthestationplatformandthesubsequentwarmthoftheroom，theheartymeal，allthesecombinedtomakeforsleepinesssooverpoweringthatseveraltimestheboyhadcaughthisnosedescendingtowardhisplateinamostinelegantnod。Butithurthispridetothinkhisgrandfatherhadnoticedhiscondition。
Oh，I’mallright，hesaid，withdignity。
SomehowthedignityseemedtohavelittleeffectuponCaptainZelotes。
Um——yes，Iknow，observedthelatterdryly，butIguesslikelyyou’llbemoreallrightinbed。Mother，you’llshowAlbertwheretoturnin，won’tyou？There’syoursuitcaseoutthereinthehall，son。Ifetcheditinfromthebarnjustnow。
Mrs。Snowventuredaprotest。
Oh，Zelotes，shecried，ain’twegoin’totalkwithhimatALL？
Why，thereissomuchtosay！
’Twillsayjustaswellto-morrowmornin’，Mother。better，becausewe’llhavealldaytosayitin。Getthelamp。
Albertlookedathiswatch。
Why，it’sonlyhalf-pastnine，hesaid。
CaptainZelotes，whoalsohadbeenlookingatthewatch，whichwasaveryfineandveryexpensiveone，smiledslightly。Half-pastninesomenights，hesaid，isequaltohalf-pasttwelveothers。
Thisisoneofthesome。There，there，son，you’resosleepythisminutethatyou’vegotalisttostarboard。WhenyouandIhavethattalkthat’scomin’touswewanttobeshipshapeandonanevenkeel。Rachel，lightthatlamp。
Thehousekeeperbroughtinandlightedasmallhandlamp。Mrs。
Snowtookitandledthewaytothehallandthenarrow，breakneckflightofstairs。CaptainZeloteslaidahandonhisgrandson’sshoulder。
Good-night，son，hesaidquietly。
Albertlookedintothegrayeyes。Theirexpressionwasnotunkindly，buttherewas，orheimaginedtherewas，thesamequizzical，sardonictwinkle。Heresentedthattwinklemorethanever。itmadehimfeelveryyoungindeed，andcorrespondinglyobstinate。Somethingofthatobstinacyshowedinhisowneyesashereturnedhisgrandfather’slook。
Good-night——sir，hesaid，andforthelifeofhimhecouldnotresisthesitatingbeforeaddingthesir。Asheclimbedthesteepstairshefanciedheheardashortsnifforchuckle——hewasnotcertainwhich——fromthebigmaninthedining-room。
Hisbedroomwasagood-sizedroom。thatis，itwouldhavebeenofgoodsizeifthepersonwhodesignedithadknownwhatthetermsquaremeant。Apparentlyhedidnot，andhadbuilttheapartmentonthehit-or-miss，higglety-piggletypattern，withunexpectedalcovescutintothewallsandclosetsandchimneysbuiltoutfromthem。Therewerethreewindows，abigbed，anold-fashionedbureau，achestofdrawers，awashstand，andseveralold-fashionedchairs。Mrs。Snowputthelampuponthebureau。Shewatchedhimanxiouslyashelookedabouttheroom。
Do——doyoulikeit？sheasked。
Albertrepliedthatheguessedhedid。Perhapstherewasnottoomuchcertaintyinhistone。Hehadneverbeforeseenaroomlikeit。
Oh，Ihopeyouwilllikeit！Itwasyourmother’sroom，Albert。
Shesleptherefromthetimeshewassevenuntil——untilshewentaway。
Theboylookedabouthimwithanewinterest，anoddthrill。Hismother’sroom。Hismother。Hecouldjustrememberher，butthatwasall。Thememorieswerechildishandunsatisfactory，buttheywerememories。Andshehadsleptthere。thishadbeenherroomwhenshewasagirl，beforeshemarried，before——longbeforesuchapersonasAlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanzahadbeenevendreamedof。
Thatwasstrange，itwasqueertothinkabout。Longbeforehewasborn，whenshewasyearsyoungerthanheashestoodtherenow，shehadstoodthere，hadlookedfromthosewindows，had——
Hisgrandmotherthrewherarmsabouthisneckandkissedhim。Hercheekwaswet。
Good-night，Albert，shesaidchokingly，andhurriedoutoftheroom。
Heundressedquickly，fortheroomwasverycold。Heopenedthewindow，afteradesperatestruggle，andclimbedintobed。Thewind，whistlingin，obliginglyblewoutthelampforhim。Itshriekedandhowledabouttheeavesandtheoldhousesqueakedandgroaned。Albertpulledthecomforterupabouthisneckandconcentrateduponthebusinessofgoingtosleep。He，whocouldscarcelyrememberwhenhehadhadarealhome，wasdesperatelyhomesick。
Downstairsinthedining-roomCaptainZelotesstood，hishandsinhispockets，lookingthroughthemicapanesofthestovedooratthefirewithin。Hiswifecameupbehindhimandlaidahandonhissleeve。
Whatareyouthinkin’about，Father？sheasked。
Herhusbandshookhishead。Iwaswonderin’，hesaid，whatmygranddad，theoriginalCap’nLoteSnowthatbuiltthishouse，wouldhavesaidifhe’dknownthathe’dhaveagreat-great-grandsoncometoliveinitwhowas，scornfully，ahalf-breed。
Olive’sgriptightenedonhisarm。
Oh，DON’Ttalkso，Zelotes，shebegged。He’sourJanie’sboy。
Thecaptainopenedthestovedoor，regardedthered-hotcoalsforaninstant，andthenslammedthedoorshutagain。
Iknow，Mother，hesaidgrimly。It’sforthesakeofJanie’shalfthatI’mtakin’intheother。
But——but，Zelotes，don’tyouthinkheseemslikeaniceboy？
ThetwinklereappearedinCaptainLote’seyes。
IthinkHEthinkshe’saniceboy，Mother，hesaid。There，there，let’sgotobed。
CHAPTERII
Thestoryoftheeventswhichleduptothecoming，onthisDecembernight，ofahalf-breedgrandsontotheSnowhomestead，wasanoldstoryinSouthHarniss。Thedateofitsbeginningwasasfarbackastheyear1892。
InthefallofthatyearCaptainZelotesSnowwasinSavannah。
HewasincommandofthecoastingschoonerOliveS。andthesaidschoonerwasthendischargingageneralcargo，preparatorytoloadingwithriceandcottonforPhiladelphia。WiththecaptaininSavannahwashisonlydaughter，JaneOlivia，ageascanteighteen，pretty，charming，romanticandheadoverheelsinlovewithahandsomebaritonethensinginginapopular-pricedgrandoperacompany。Itwasbecauseofthishandsomebaritone，who，bytheway，wasaSpaniardnamedMiguelCarlosSperanza，thatJaneSnowwasthenaboardherfather’svessel。CaptainLotewasnotinthehabitoftakinghiswomen-folksonhisvoyageswithhim。Skirtsclutterupthedecktoomuch，washisopinion。
HehadtakenJane，however，notonlyonthisvoyage，butonthatprecedingit，whichhadbeentoRio。ItwasCaptainLote’sbelief，andhiswife’shope，thatasuccessionofseawindsmightblowawayrecollectionsofSenorSperanza——fanthegarlicoutofherhead，
asthecaptaininelegantlyexpressedit。JanehadspenthersixteenthandseventeenthyearsataschoolforgirlsnearBoston。
TheoperacompanyofwhichSperanzawasamemberwasperformingatoneoftheminortheaters。Apartyoftheschoolgirls，dulychaperonedandfaculty-guarded，ofcourse，attendedaseriesofmatinees。AtthesematineesJanefirstsawherhero，braveindoubletandhose，andbraverstillinmelodyandromance。Sheandhermateslookedandlistenedandworshipedfromafar，asisthehabitofmaidenlyyouthundersuchcircumstances。Thereisnoparticulardangerinsuchworshipprovidedtheworshiperremainsalwaysatasafelyremotedistancefromtheidol。ButinJane’scasethissafety-barwasremovedbyFate。Thewifeofafriendofherfather’s，thefriendbeingaBostonmerchantnamedColewithwhomCaptainZeloteshadhadbusinessdealingsformanyyears，wasamusiclover。Shewasinthehabitofgivingwhatshewaspleasedtocallmusicalteasatherhome。Jane，towhomMr。andMrs。
Colehadtakenamarkedfancy，wasofteninvitedtothoseteasand，becausetheColeswereamongournicestpeople，shewaspermittedbytheschoolauthoritiestoattend。
AtoneofthoseteasSenorMiguelCarlosSperanzawasthebrighteststar。TheSenor，theninhistwenty-ninthyear，handsome，talentedandpicturesque，shonerefulgent。OtherandfarmoreexperiencedfeminineheartsthanJaneSnow’swereflutteringlydisturbedbythegloryofhisrays。Janeandhemet，theyshookhands，theyconversed。Andatsubsequentteastheymetagain，forSperanza，onhispart，wasstronglyattractedtothesimple，unaffectedCapeCodschoolgirl。Itwasnotherbeautyalone——thoughbeautyshehadandofanunusualtype——itwassomethingelse，apersonalitywhichattractedallwhomether。ThehandsomeSpaniardhadhadmanyloveaffairsofamoreorlessperfunctorykind，butherewassomethingdifferent，somethinghehadnotknown。Hebeganbyexertinghispowersoffascinationinalazy，carelessway。Tohisastonishmentthesaidpowerswerenotoverwhelming。IfJanewasfascinatedshewasnotconquered。Sheremainedsweet，simple，direct，charminglyaloof。
AndSperanzawasatfirstpuzzled，thenpiqued，thenhimselfmadlyfascinated。Hewrotefervidletters，hebeggedforinterviews，hehauntedeachoneofMrs。Cole’steas。And，atlast，hewrungfromJaneaconfessionofherlove，herpromisetomarryhim。AndthatveryweekMissDonaldson，theheadoftheschool，discoveredandreadapackageoftheSenor’sletterstoherpupil。
CaptainZeloteshappenedtobeathomefromavoyage。BeingsummonedfromSouthHarniss，hecametoBostonandheardthetalefromMissDonaldson’sagitatedlips。Janewashisjoy，hispride。
herfuturewasthegreathopeanddreamofhislife。WHENshemarried——whichwasnottobethoughtofforanindefinitenumberofyearstocome——shewouldofcoursemarrya——well，notaPresidentoftheUnitedStates，perhaps——butanadmiralpossibly，oramillionaire，ortheownerofafleetofsteamships，orsomethinglikethat。Theideathatsheshouldeventhinkofmarryingaplay-actorwasunbelievable。Thecaptainhadneverattendedtheperformanceofanopera。whatwasmore，heneverexpectedtoattendone。Hehadbeengiventounderstandthataparcelofplay-actin’
menandwomenholleredandscreamedtomusicforacoupleofhours。Olive，hiswife，hadattendedanoperaonceand，accordingtoher，itwasmorelikeacatfightthananythingelse。Nobodybutforeignerseverhadanythingtodowithoperas。Andforforeignersofallkinds——buttheLatinvarietyofforeignerinparticular——CaptainZelotesSnowcherishedadetestwhichwasalmostfanatic。
Andnowhisdaughter，hisownJanie，wasreceivingardentlovelettersfromaplay-actingforeigner，aSpaniard，aPortygee，amacaroni-eater！Whenfinallyconvincedthatitwastrue，thatthelettershadreallybeenwrittentoJane，whichtooksometime，hedemandedfirstofalltobeshownthePortygee。MissDonaldsoncouldnot，ofcourse，producethelatterforthwith，butshedirectedheriratevisitortothetheaterwheretheoperacompanywasthenperforming。TothetheaterCaptainZeloteswent。
HedidnotfindSperanzathere，butfromafrightenedattendanthebrowbeattheinformationthatthesingerwasstayingatacertainhotel。Sothecaptainwenttothehotel。Itwaseleveno’clockinthemorning，SenorSperanzawasinbedandcouldnotbedisturbed。
Couldn’t，eh？Bythegreatandeverlastingetceteraandcontinuedhewasgoingtobedisturbedthenandthere。Andunlesssomeofthehotel’shiredhelpsetaboutthedisturbingitwouldbedoneforthem。So，ratherthansummonthepolice，thehotelmanagementsummoneditsguest，andthefirst，andonly，interviewbetweenthefatherandloverofJaneSnowtookplace。
Itwasnotalonginterview，butitwasspirited。CaptainZelotesbeganbybeingwhatheconsidereddiplomatic。Havingassuredhiswifebeforeleavinghome，andthealarmedMissDonaldsonsubsequently，thattherewastobenotroublewhatever——everythingwouldbesettledassmoothandeasyasslidin’downhill。thatfellerwon’tmakeanyfuss，you’llsee——havingthusprophesied，thecaptainfeltitincumbentuponhimselftoseetothefulfillment。Sohebeganbycondescendinglyexplainingthatofcoursehewaskindofsorryfortheyoungmanbeforehim，youngfolkswereyoungfolksandofcoursehepresumedlikely’twasnaturalenough，andthelikeofthat，youunderstand。ButofcoursealsoMr。Speranzamustrealizethatthethingcouldnotgoonanyfurther。Janewashisdaughterandherpeoplewerenicepeople，andnaturally，thatbeingthecase，hermotherandhewouldbeprettyparticularastowhoshekeptcompanywith，tosaynothingofmarrying，whicheventwasnottobethoughtoffortenyears，anyway。Nowhedidn’twanttobe——er——personaloranythinglikethat，andofcoursehewouldn’tthinkofsayingthatMr。
Speranzawasn’taniceenoughmanfor——well，for——for……Yousee，everybodywasn’tasparticularasheandMrs。Snowwere。But——
HereSenorSperanzainterrupted。Hepolitelydesiredtoknowifthepersonspeakingwasendeavoringtoconveytheideathathe，MiguelCarlosSperanza，wasnotofsufficientposeetion，goodness，standing，whatitis？tobeconsideredassuitorforthatperson’sdaughter’shand。DidMeesterSnowcomprehendtowhomheaddressedhimself？
Theinterviewterminatednotlongafter。Thecaptain’spartingremarkwasinthenatureofanultimatum。ItwastotheeffectthatifSperanza，oranyothercondemnedundesirablelikehim，daredtosomuchaslookinthedirectionofJaneOliviaSnow，hisdaughter，hepersonallywouldseethatthereturnforthatlookwasachargeofbuckshot。Speranza，white-facedandfuriouslygesticulative，commandedtheastonishedbellboytoputthatBah！
pig-idiot！outintothehallandairtheroomimmediatelyafterward。
Having，asheconsidered，satisfactorilyattendedtothepresumptuouslover，CaptainZelotesreturnedtotheschoolandtowhathebelievedwouldbethecomparativelyeasytask，thebringingofhisdaughtertoreason。Janehadalwaysbeenanobedientgirl，shewasdevotedtoherparents。Ofcourse，althoughshemightfeelratherdisappointedatfirst，shewouldsoongetoverit。Theideathatshemightflatlyrefusetogetoverit，thatshemighthaveawillofherown，andadeterminationequaltothatofthefatherfromwhomsheinheritedit，didnotoccurtothecaptainatall。
Buthisenlightenmentwaspromptandcomplete。Janedidnotrageorbecomehysterical，shedidnotevenweepinhispresence。But，quietly，withasetofhersquarelittlechin，sheinformedCaptainZelotesthatshelovedSperanza，thatshemeanttomarryhimandthatsheshouldmarryhim，somedayorother。Thecaptainraged，commanded，pleaded，begged。Whatwasthematterwithher？Whathadcomeoverher？Didn’tsheloveherfatherandmotheranymorethatsheshouldsetouttoactthisway？Yes，shedeclaredthatshelovedthemasmuchasever，butthatshelovedherlovermorethanalltheworld，andnoone——notevenherparents——shouldseparatethem。
CaptainZelotesgaveitupatlast。Thatis，hegaveuptheappealtoreasonandthepleadings。Buthedidnotgiveuptheideaofhavinghisownwayinthematter。beingZelotesSnow，hecertainlydidnotgivethatup。InsteadhetookhisdaughterhomewithhimtoSouthHarniss，whereatearfulandheart-brokenOliveaddedherpersuasionstohis。But，whenshefoundJaneobdurate，Mrs。Snowmighthavesurrendered。Notherhusband，however。Insteadheconceivedabrilliantidea。HewasabouttostartonavoyagetoRioJaneiro。hewouldtakehiswifeanddaughterwithhim。UndertheirimmediateobservationandfarremovedfromtheinfluenceofthatPortygee，Janewouldbeinnodangerandmightforget。
Janemadenoremonstrance。ShewenttoRioandreturned。Shewasalwayscalm，outwardlypleasantandquiet，nevermentionedherloverunlessinanswertoaquestion。butsheneveroncevariedfromherdeterminationnottogivehimup。TheSnowsremainedathomeforamonth。ThenZelotes，Janeaccompanyinghim，sailedfromBostontoSavannah。Olivedidnotgowiththem。shehatedtheseaandbythistimebothsheandherhusbandweresomewhatreassured。
Sofarastheycouldlearnbywatchfulobservationoftheirdaughter，thelatterhadnotcommunicatedwithSperanzanorreceivedcommunicationsfromhim。Ifshehadnotforgottenhimitseemedlikelythathehadforgottenher。Thethoughtmadethecaptainfuriouslyangry，butitcomfortedhim，too。
DuringthevoyagetoSavannahthissenseofcomfortbecamestronger。Janeseemedinbetterspirits。Shewasalwaysobedient，butnowshebegantoseemalmostcheerful，tospeak，andevenlaughoccasionallyjustassheusedto。CaptainZelotespattedhimselfontheback，figuratively。Hisschemehadbeenagoodone。
AndinSavannah，oneafternoon，Janemanagedtoeludeherfather’sobservation，toleavetheschoonerandtodisappearcompletely。
Andthatnightcamealetter。SheandMiguelCarlosSperanzahadbeenincorrespondenceallthetime，howorthroughwhoseconnivanceisamysteryneverdisclosed。HehadcometoSavannah，inaccordancewithmutualarrangement。theyhadmet，weremarried，andhadgoneawaytogether。
Iloveyou，Father，Janewroteintheletter。IloveyouandMothersovery，VERYmuch。Oh，PLEASEbelievethat！ButIlovehim，too。AndIcouldnotgivehimup。Youwillseewhywhenyouknowhim，reallyknowhim。IfitwerenotforyouIshouldbeSO
happy。Iknowyoucan’tforgivemenow，butsomedayIamsureyouwillforgiveusboth。
CaptainZeloteswasfar，farfromforgivenessashereadthatletter。Hisfirstmate，whowasbesidehimwhenheopenedandreadit，wasactuallyfrightenedwhenhesawthelookontheskipper’sface。Hewentwhite，saidthemate。notpale，butwhite，sameasadeadman，or——ortheundersideofaflatfish，orsomethin’。
’FortheLordsakes，Cap’n，’saysI，’what’sthematter？’Heneveransweredme，stoodstarin’attheletter。Thenhelookedup，notatme，butasifsomebodyelsewasstandin’thereont’othersideofthecabintable。’Forgivehim！’hesays，kindofslowandunderhisbreath。’Iwon’tforgivehisblacksoulinhell。’WhenI
heardhimsayitIgiveyoumywordmyhairrizundermycap。Ifevertherewaskillin’inaman’svoiceandinhislooks’twasinCap’nLote’sthatnight。WhenIaskedhimagainwhatwasthematterhedidn’tansweranymorethanhehadthefirsttime。Afewminutesafterwardshewentintohisstateroomandshutthedoor。I
didn’tseehimagainuntilthenextmornin’。
CaptainZelotesmadenoattempttofollowtherunawaycouple。Hedidtakepainstoascertainthattheywerelegallymarried，butthatwasall。HelefthisschoonerinchargeofthemateatSavannahandjourneyednorthtoSouthHarnissandhiswife。Aweekheremainedathomewithher，thenreturnedtotheOliveS。andtookuphiscommandanditsdutiesasifnothinghadhappened。Butwhathadhappenedchangedhiswholelife。Hebecamemoretaciturn，atriflelesscharitable，alittleharderandmoreworldly。Beforethecatastrophehehadbeeninterestedinbusinesssuccessandthemakingofmoneychieflybecauseofhisplansforhisdaughter’sfuture。Nowheworkedevenharderbecauseithelpedhimtoforget。
HebecamesoleowneroftheOliveS。，thenofotherschooners。
Peoplespokeofhimasonedestinedtobecomeawealthyman。
Janelivedonlyafewyearsafterhermarriage。Shediedatthebirthofhersecondchild，whodiedwithher。Herfirst，aboy，wasbornayearaftertheelopement。ShewrotehermothertotellthatnewsandOliveansweredtheletter。ShebeggedpermissionofherhusbandtoinviteJaneandthebabytovisittheoldhome。AtfirstZelotessaidno，flatly。thegirlhadmadeherbed，letherlieinit。ButayearlaterhehadsofarrelentedastogivereluctantconsentforJaneandthechildtocome，providedhercondemnedhusbanddidnotaccompanythem。Ifthatlow-livedPortygeesetsfootonmypremises，sohelpmeGod，I’llkillhim！
declaredthecaptain。InhisvernacularallforeignerswerePortygees。
ButJanewasasproudandstubbornashe。Whereherhusbandwasnotwelcomeshewouldnotgo。Andalittlelatershehadgoneonthelongestofalljourneys。Speranzadidnotnotifyherparentsexcepttosendaclippednewspaperaccountofherdeathandburial，whicharrivedaweekafterthelatterhadtakenplace。ThenewsprostratedOlive，whowasillforamonth。CaptainZelotesboreit，ashehadbornetheothergreatshock，withoutwardcalmandquiet。YetayearafterwardhesuddenlyannouncedhisdeterminationofgivinguptheseaandhisprosperousandgrowingshippingbusinessandofspendingtherestofhisdaysontheCape。
Olivewasdelighted，ofcourse。Riches——thatis，morethanacomfortablecompetency——hadnotemptationsforher。Theoldhouse，homeofthreegenerationsofSnows，waspainted，repairedand，tosomeextent，modernized。ForanotheryearCaptainZelotesloafed，ashecalledit，althoughothersmighthaveconsideredhisactivitiesabouttheplaceanythingbutthat。AttheendofthatyearhesurprisedeveryonebybuyingfromtheheirsoftheestatethebusinessequipmentofthelateEbenRaymond，hardwaredealerandlumbermerchantofSouthHarniss，saidequipmentcomprisinganoffice，astoreandlumberyardsneartherailwaystation。Gottohavesomethin’tokeepmefromgettin’
barnacled，declaredCaptainLote。There’senougholdhulksrottin’attheirmoorin’sdownhereas’tis。Idon’tknowanythingaboutlumberandhalfasmuchabouthardware，butIcal’lateIcanlearn。AsanaidinthelearningprocessheretainedasbookkeeperLabanKeeler，whohadactedinthatcapacityfortheformerproprietor。
Theyearsslippedaway，adozenofthem，assmoothlyandlazilyasSouthHarnissyearshavealwaysslipped。CaptainZeloteswaspastsixtynow，butasvigorousaswhenforty，stubbornasever，fondofusingquarter-deckmethodsonshoreandespeciallyintown-meeting，andveryoftenintroubleinconsequence。HewasamemberoftheBoardofSelectmenandwasinthehabitofcharacterizingthosewhoseopinionsdifferedfromhisasnarrow-minded。Theyretortedbyaccusinghimofbeingpig-headed。Therewassometruthonbothsides。Hisdetestofforeignershadnotabatedintheleast。