ThissortofthingwasbalmtotheSperanzaspirit。Albert’stemperamentalegoexpandedunderitlikearosebudunderasummersun。Yettherewasafaintshadowofdoubt——shemightbemakingfunofhim。Helookedatherintentlyandsheseemedtoreadhisthoughts，forshesaid：
Oh，Imeanit！PleasebelieveIdo。Ihaven’tspokenthatwaywhenJanewaswithme，forshewouldn’tunderstandandwouldlaugh，butImeanit，Mr。Speranza。Itwouldbeanhonor——agreathonor。
SothestillprotestingandrebelliousGoogoowascompelledtogoafewfeetawayandliedown，whilehismistressandtheyoungmanwhomhehadattemptedtodevourbenttheirheadstogetheroverascribbling-padandtalkedandexclaimedduringthewholeofthathourandafullthree-quartersofthenext。ThenthedistanttownclockinthesteepleoftheCongregationalchurchboomedfivetimesandMissFosdickrosetoherfeet。
Oh，shesaid，itcan’treallybefiveo’clock，canit？Butitis！WhatWILLmotherfancyhasbecomeofme？Imustgothisminute。Thankyou，Mr。Speranza。Ihaveenjoyedthissomuch。
Ithasbeenawonderfulexperience。
Hercheekswereflushedandhereyeswereshining。Shehadgrownhandsomerthaneverduringthewintermonths。Albert’seyeswereshiningalsoasheimpulsivelyseizedherhand。
Thankyou，MissFosdick，hesaid。YouhavehelpedmemorethanIcantellyou。Iwasabouttogiveupindespairbeforeyoucame，andnow——nowIKNOWIshallwritethebestthingIhaveeverdone。
Andyouwillberesponsibleforit。
Shecaughtherbreath。Oh，notreally！sheexclaimed。Youdon’tmeanit，really？
IndeedIdo！IfImighthaveyourhelpandsympathyonceinawhile，Ibelieve——IbelieveIcoulddoalmostanything。Willyouhelpmeagainsomeday？IshallbeherealmosteverypleasantSaturdayandSundayafternoon。Willyoucomeagain？
Shehesitated。I——I’llsee。perhaps，sheansweredhurriedly。
ButImustgonow。Come，Goo。
Shehastenedaway，downtheknollandalongthebeachtowardthehotel。Googoofollowedher，turningoccasionallytocastdiabolicalglancesattheSperanzaankles。Albertgazeduntilthegracefulfigureinthetrimsportcostumedisappearedbehindthecornerofthepointofthebeach。Justatthepointshepausedtowavetohim。Hewavedinreturn。Thenhetrampedhomeward。Therewasdeepsandbeneathhisfeetand，later，pine-needlesandgrass。
Theywereallaliketohim，forhewastravelingonair。
Thateveningatsupperhisradiantappearancecausedcomment。
Whatmakesyoulooksohappy，Albert？askedhisgrandmother。
SeemstomeIneversawyoulooksosortof——well，glorified，asyoumightsay。Whatisthereason？
Theglorifiedonereddenedandwasconfused。Hestammeredthathedidnotknow，hewasnotawareofanyparticularreason。
Mrs。Ellisbeameduponhim。Ipresumelikelyhisbookkeepin’attheofficehasbeengoin’prettywelllately，shesuggested。
CaptainZelote’sgrayeyestwinkled。Cal’latehe’sbeenmakin’upmorepoetryaboutgirls，washisoffering。Anotheroneofthosepiecesaboutteethlikepearlsandhairallcurls，orsomethin’
likethat。Say，Al，whydon’tyoupoetry-makin’fellerstryanewoneonceinawhile？Say，’Herhair’slikeropeandherfacehaslosthope。’Eh？Whynot，forachange？
TheprotestsonthepartofOliveandthehousekeeperagainstthecaptain’sinnovationinpoetry-makinghadtheeffectofdistractingattentionfromAlbert’sglorifiedappearance。Theyoungmanhimselfwasthankfulfortherespite。
ThatnightbeforeheretiredhetookMadelineFosdick’sphotographfromthebackofthedraweramongthetiesandcollarsandlookedatitforfiveminutesatleast。Shewasahandsomegirl，certainly。Notthatthatmadeanydifferencetohim。Andshewasanintelligentgirl。sheunderstoodhispoetryandappreciatedit。
Yes，andsheunderstoodhim，too，almostaswellasHelen……
Helen！HehastilyreturnedtheFosdickphotographtothedrawer。
butthistimehedidnotputitquitesoneartheback。
OnthefollowingSaturdayhewasearlyattheknoll，abrand-newscribbling-padinhispocketandinhisminddivinegemswhichwerelater，andwithMissFosdick’sassistance，tobestrungintoaglitteringnecklaceoflyricsonganddraped，withthestringer’scompliments，aboutthethroatofagratefulmuse。Butnogemswerestrungthatday。Madelinedidnotputinanappearance，andbyandbyitbegantorain，andAlbertwalkedhome，damp，dejected，anddisgusted。When，adayortwolater，hemetMissFosdickatthepostofficeandaskedwhyshehadnotcomehelearnedthathermotherhadinsisteduponamotortriptoWapatomacthatafternoon。
Besides，shesaid，yousurelymustn’texpectmeEVERYSaturday。
No，headmittedgrudgingly，Isupposenot。Butyouwillcomesometimes，won’tyou？IhaveaperfectlylovelyideaforaballadandIwanttoaskyouradviceaboutit。
Oh，doyoureally？You’renotmakingfun？Youmeanthatmyadviceisreallyworthsomething？Ican’tbelieveit。
Heconvincedherthatitwas，andthenextSaturdayafternoontheyspenttogetherattheinspirationpointamongthedunes，atworkupontheballad。Itwasnotfinishedonthatoccasion，noronthenext，foritwasanunusuallylongballad，butprogresswasmade，gloriousprogress。
Andso，duringthatSummer，astheFosdickresidenceupontheBayRoadgrewandgrew，sodidtheacquaintanceship，thefriendship，thepoeticpartnershipbetweentheFosdickdaughterandthegrandsonofCaptainZelotesSnowgrowandgrow。TheymetalmosteverySaturday，theymetatthepostofficeonweekevenings，occasionallytheysaweachotherforamomentafterchurchonSundaymornings。Mrs。FletcherFosdickcouldnotimaginewhyheronlychildcaredtoattendthatstuffylittlecountrychurchandhearthatprosyKendallministerdroneonandon。Ihope，mydear，thatIamaspunctiliousinmyreligiousdutiesastheaveragewoman，butoneKendallsermonwassufficientforme，thankyou。WhatyouseeinTHATchurchtopleaseyou，_I_can’tguess。
IfshehadattendedasoftenasMadelinedidshemighthaveguessedandsavedherselfmuch。Butshewasbusyorganizing，inconnectionwithMrs。SeaburyCalvin，aLiterarySocietyamongthesummerpeopleofSouthHarniss。TheSocietywastobeginworkwiththediscussionofthepoetryofRabindranathTagore。Mrs。FosdicksaidshedotedonTagore。Mrs。Calvinexpressedherselfasbeingpositivelyinsaneabouthim。Awarmfriendshiphadsprungupbetweenthetwoladies，aseachwasparticularlyfondofshiningasaliterarylightandneitherunderanycircumstancespermittedanewliontoroarunheardinherneighborhood，provided，ofcourse，thatthesaidroaringshadbeenpreviouslyendorsedandwelladvertisedbythecriticsandthepress。
SoMrs。FosdickwastoobusytoaccompanyMadelinetochurchonSundayortowalkonSaturday，andtheyoungladywaslefttowanderprettymuchatherownsweetwill。ThatsweetwillledherfootstepstotrailsfrequentedbyAlbertSperanzaandtheywalkedandtalkedandpoetizedtogether。AsforMr。FletcherFosdick，hewasbusyathisofficeinNewYorkandcametoSouthHarnissonlyforinfrequentweek-ends。
Thewalksandtalksandpoetizingswereinnocentenough。Neitherofthepartnersinpoesyhadtheleastideaofanythingmorethanbeingjustthat。Theylikedeachother，theyhadcometocalleachotherbytheirChristiannames，andonAlbert’sbureauMadeline’sphotographnowstoodopenlyandwithoutapology。Alberthadconvincedhimselftherewasnothingtoapologizefor。Shewashisfriend，thatwasall。Helikedtowriteandshelikedtohelphim——
er——well，justasHelenusedtowhenshewasathome。HedidnotthinkofHelenquiteasoftenasformerly，norwerehisletterstoherasfrequentoraslong。
SothesummerpassedandlateAugustcame，thelastSaturdayafternoonofthatmonth。AlbertandMadelineweretogether，walkingtogetheralongthebeachfromtheknollwheretheyhadmetsooften。Itwassixo’clockandthebeachwasdeserted。Therewaslittlewind，thetinywaveswerelappingandplashingalongtheshore，andtherosylightofthesinkingsunlaywarmuponthewaterandthesand。Theywerethinkingandspeakingofthesummerwhichwassonearitsend。
Ithasbeenawonderfulsummer，hasn’tit？saidAlbert。
Yes，wonderful，agreedMadeline。
Yes，I——I——byGeorge，Ineverbelievedasummercouldbesowonderful。
NorI。
Silence。ThenAlbert，lookingather，sawhereyeslookingintohisandsawinthem——
Hekissedher。
ThatmorningAlbertSperanzahadarisenasusual，acasual，careless，perfectlyhumanyoungfellow。Hewenttobedthatnightasuperman，anarchangel，ademi-god，withhisheadinthecloudsandtheearthaclothofgoldbeneathhisfeet。LifewasapathwaythroughParadisearchedwithrainbows。
HeandMadelineFosdicklovedeachothermadly，devotedly。Theywereengagedtobemarried。Theyhadplightedtroth。Theyweretobeeachother’s，andnooneelse’s，forever——andever——andever。
CHAPTERX
Theremainderofthatsummerwasaparadisicalmeanderingovertheclothofgoldbeneaththerainbows。AlbertandhisMadelinemetoften，veryoften。Fewpoemswerewrittenatthesemeetings。Whytroubletoputpenciledlinesonpaperwhentheentireuniversewasapoemespeciallycomposedforyourbenefit？Theloverssatupontheknollamidthesanddunesandgazedatthebayandtalkedofthemselvesseparately，individually，and，moreespecially，collectively。Theystrolledthroughthesamewoodylanesanddiscussedthesamesatisfactorysubjects。Theymetatthepostofficeoratthedrugstoreandgazedintoeachother’seyes。And，whatwasthemostastonishingthingaboutitall，theirsecretremainedundiscovered。Undiscovered，thatistosay，bythosebywhomdiscoverywouldhavemeantcalamity。Thegossipsamongthetownspeoplewinkedandchuckledandcal’latedFletcherFosdickhadbetterlookoutorhisgirlwouldbetookintothefirmofZ。SnowandCo。IssacharPriceutteredsarcasticandslyinnuendoes。JaneKelseyandhersetraggedthepairoccasionally。Buteventheseneverreallysuspectedthattheaffairwasserious。AndneitherMrs。FletcherFosdicknorCaptainandMrs。ZelotesSnowgaveitaminute’sattention。
Itwasseriousenoughwiththeprincipals，however。Tothemitwastheonlyseriousmatterintheworld。Notthattheyfacedordiscussedthefuturewithearnestandcompleteattention。Somedayorother——thatwasofcoursethemutuallyacceptedidea——somedayorothertheyweretomarry。Inthemeantimeherewastheblissfulpresentwithitsrosesandrainbowsandhere，foreach，wastheother。WhatwouldbelikelytohappenwhentheFosdickparentslearnedoftheengagementoftheironlychildtotheassistantbookkeeperoftheSouthHarnisslumberandhardwarecompanywasunpleasanttocontemplate，sowhycontemplateit？Upononepointtheywereagreed——never，never，NEVERwouldtheygiveeachotherup。Nopoweronearth——whichincludedparentsandgrandparents——
shouldorcouldseparatethem。
Albert’sconsciencetroubledhimslightlyatfirstwhenhethoughtofHelenKendall。Ithadbeeninrealitysuchashorttime——
althoughofcourseitseemedagesandages——sincehehadfanciedhimselfinlovewithher。Onlythepreviousfall——yes，eventhatveryspring，hehadaskedhertopledgeherselftohim。
Fortunately——oh，howveryfortunately！——shehadrefused，andhehadbeenleftfree。Nowheknewthathisfanciedloveforherhadbeenmerelyapassingwhim，adelusionofthemoment。This——THISwhichhewasnowexperiencingwasthegrandpassionofhislife。Hewroteapoemwiththetitle，TheGreaterLove——andsoldit，too，toasensationalperiodicalwhichcirculatedlargelyamongsentimentalshopgirls。Itisbuttruthfultostatethattheeditorofthemagazinetowhichhefirstsubmitteditsentitbackwiththebriefnote——Thisisatrifletoosyrupyforouruse。Fearthepagesmightstick。Whynotsendusanotherwarverse？Alberttreatedthenoteandtheeditorwiththecontempttheydeserved。
Hepitiedthelatter。poorsoul，doubtlessHEhadneverknownthegreaterlove。
HeandMadelinehadagreedthattheywouldtellnoone——nooneatall——oftheirbetrothal。Itshouldbetheirownprecioussecretforthepresent。So，underthecircumstances，hecouldnotwriteHelenthenews。Butoughthetowriteheratall？Thatquestionbotheredhimnotalittle。Henolongerlovedher——infact，hewasnowcertainthatheneverhadlovedher——buthelikedher，andhewantedhertokeeponlikinghim。Andshewrotetohimwithregularity。Whatoughthetodoaboutwritingher？
Hedebatedthequestionwithhimselfand，atlast，andwithsometrepidation，askedMadeline’sopinionofhisdutyinthematter。
Heropinionwasdecisiveandpromptlygiven。OfcoursehemustnotwriteHelenagain。HowwouldyoulikeitifIcorrespondedwithanotherfellow？sheasked。Candorforcedhimtoadmitthatheshouldnotlikeitatall。ButIwanttobehavedecently，hesaid。Sheismerelyafriendofmine——oh，howshortismemory！——
butwehavebeenfriendsforalongtimeandIwouldn’twanttohurtherfeelings。No，insteadyouprefertohurtmine。Now，dearest，bereasonable。Itwastheirnearestapproachtoaquarrelandwasavery，verysadaffair。Themaking-upwassweet，ofcourse，butthequestionoffurthercorrespondencewithHelenKendallremainedjustwhereitwasatthebeginning。And，meanwhile，thecorrespondencelapsed。
Septembercamefar，fartoosoon——cameandended。AndwithitendedalsothestayoftheFosdicksinSouthHarniss。AlbertandMadelinesaidgood-byattheirrendezvousbythebeach。Itwasasad，atearful，butaverypreciousfarewell。Theywouldwriteeachothereveryday，theywouldthinkofeachothereveryminuteofeveryday，theywouldlivethroughthewintersomehowandlookforwardtothenextspringandtheirnextmeeting。
Youwillwrite——oh，everandeversomanypoems，won’tyou，dear？
beggedMadeline。YouknowhowIlovethem。AndwheneverIseeoneofyourpoemsinprintIshallbesoproudofyou——ofMYpoet。
Albertpromisedtowriteeverandeversomany。Hefeltthattherewouldbenodifficultyinwritingreamsofpoems——inspired，gloriouspoems。Thedifficultywouldbeinrestraininghimselffromwritingtoomanyofthem。WithMadelineFosdickasaninspiration，poetizingbecameasnaturalasbreathing。
Then，whichwasunusualforthem，theyspokeofthefuture，thedim，vague，butsohappyfuture，whenAlbertwastobethenation’spoetlaureateandMadeline，asMrs。Laureate，wouldsharehisgloryandwear，sotospeak，hissecond-bestlaurels。Thedisagreeableproblemsconnectedwiththefuturetheyignored，orcasuallydismissedwith，Nevermind，dear，itwillbeallrightbyandby。
Oh，itwasawonderfulafternoon，arosy，cloudy，happy，sorrowful，bitter-sweetafternoon。
AndthenextmorningAlbert，peepingbeneathZ。SnowandCo。’sofficewindowshade，sawhisheart’sdesirestepaboardthetrain，sawthattrainpuffoutofthestation，sawforjustaninstantasmallhandwavedbehindthedingyglassofthecarwindow。Hisownhandwavedinreply。ThentheraucousvoiceofMr。Pricebrokethesilence。
Whowasyouflappin’yourflipperat？inquiredIssachar。Girl，I’llbetyou！Neversawsuchacritterasyoubetochaseafterthegirls。Whichoneisitthistime？
Albertmadenoreply。Betweenembarrassmentandsorrowhewasincapableofspeech。Issachar，however，wasnotinthatcondition。
atalltimeswhenawake，andsometimeswhenasleep，Mr。Pricecould，andusuallydid，speak。
Whichoneisitthistime，Al？demandedIssy。Eh？Crimus，seehimgetred！Haw，haw！Labe，toMr。Keeler，whocameintotheofficefromtheinnerroom，whichgirldoyoucal’lateAlhereiswavin’by-byetothismornin’？Who’sgoin’awayonthecarsthismornin’，Labe？
Laban，hishandsfullofthemorningmail，absentlyrepliedthathedidn’tknow。
Yes，youdo，too，persistedIssy。Youain’tlistenin’，that’sall。Who’sleavin’townonthetrainjustnow？
Eh？Oh，Idon’tknow。TheSmallfolksaregoin’toBoston，I
believe。AndGeorgeBartlett’sgoin’toOstableoncourtbusiness，hetoldme。Oh，yes，IbelieveCap’nLotesaidthatFosdickwomanandherdaughterweregoin’backtoNewYork。BacktoNewYork——
yes——yes——yes。
Mr。Pricecrowedtriumphantly。Ah，ha！hecrowed。Ah，ha！
That’stheanswer。That’stheonehe’sshakin’day-daysto，thatFosdickgirl。I’veseenyou’roundwithheratthepostofficeandtheicecreams’loon。I’montoyou，Al。Haw，haw！What’shername？Adeline？Dandelion？Madeline？——that’sit！Say，howdoyouthinkHelenKendall’sgoin’tolikeyourthrowin’kissestotheMadelineone，eh？
Theassistantbookkeeperwasstillsilent。Thecrimson，however，wasleavinghisfaceandthesaidfacewaspalingrapidly。ThiswasanominoussignhadMr。Pricebutknownit。Hedidnotknowitandcackledmerrilyon，GuessI’llhavetotellHelenwhenshecomesbackhome，heannounced。Cal’lateI’llputafleainherear。’Helen，’I’llsay，’don’tfeeltoobadnow，don’tcryandgetyourhandkerchiefallsoakin’，ornothin’likethat。Ijustfeelit’smydutytotellyethatyourlittleAlbertissparkin’uptosomebodyelse。
He’swaitin’onapartybythenameofPadeline——no，Madeline——
Woodtick——no，Fosdick——and……’Here！letgoofme！Whatareyoudoin’？
Thatlastquestionwasinthenatureofagurgle。Albert，hisfacenowverywhiteindeed，hadstrodeacrosstheoffice，seizedthespeakerbythefrontofhisflannelshirtandbackedhimagainstthewall。
Stop，commandedAlbert，betweenhisteeth。That’senoughofthat。Don’tyousayanymore！
Eh？Ugh！Ur-gg！Leggoofmyshirt。
Albertletgo，buthedidnotstepback。Heremainedwherehewas，exactlyinfrontofMr。Price。
Don’tyousayanymoreabout——aboutwhatyouweresaying，herepeated。
Eh？Notsayanymore？Whynot？Who’sgoin’tostopme，I’dliketoknow？
Iam。
Iwanttoknow！What’llyoudo？
Idon’tknow。Ifyouweren’tsoold，Iwould——butI’llstopyou，anyhow。
AlbertfeltahandonhisarmandheardMr。Keeler’svoiceathisear。
Careful，Al，careful，itsaid。Don’thithim。
OfcourseIshan’thithim，indignantly。WhatdoyouthinkI
am？Buthemustpromisenottomention——er——MissFosdick’snameagain。
Betterpromise，Is，suggestedLaban。Issachar’smouthopened，butnopromisecameforth。
Promisebedarned！heyelledfuriously。Mentionhername！I’llmentionanynameIsetoutto，andnoItalyunPortygeeisgoin’tostopme，neither。
Albertglancedabouttheoffice。Bythewallstoodtwobrimmingpailsofwater，broughtinbyMr。Priceforfloor-washingpurposes。
Heliftedoneofthepails。
Ifyoudon’tpromiseI’llduckyou，hedeclared。Letgoofme，Keeler，Imeanit。
Careful，Al，careful，saidMr。Keeler。Betterpromise，Is。
Promisenawthin’！Fosdick！WhatintimedoIcareforFosdicks，MadelinesorPadelinesorDandelionsor——
Hissentencestoppedjustthere。Theremainderofitwaswashedbackanddownhisthroatbythedelugefromthebucket。Overcomebyshockandsurprise，Mr。Priceleanedbackagainstthewallandslidslowlydownthatwalluntilhereclinedinasittingposture，uponthefloor。
Crimustee，hegasped，assoonashecouldarticulate，I’m——awk——
I’mdrownded。
Albertputdowntheemptybucketandpickedupthefullone。
Promise，hesaidagain。
LabanKeelerrubbedhischin。
I’dpromiseifIwasyou，Is，hesaid。You’resomesubjecttorheumatism，youknow。
Issachar，sittinginaspreadingpuddle，lookeddamplyupwardattheremainingbucket。Bycrimustee——hebegan。Albertdrewthebucketbackward。thewaterdrippedfromitslowerbrim。
I——I——darnye，Ipromise！shoutedIssachar。Albertputdownthebucketandwalkedbacktohisdesk。Labanwatchedhimcuriously，smilingjustalittle。ThenheturnedtoMr。Price，whowasscramblingtohisfeet。
Bettergetyourmopandswabuphere，Is，hesaid。Cap’nLote’llbein’mostanyminute。
WhenCaptainZelotesdidreturntotheoffice，Issacharwasindustriouslysweepingout，Albertwashardatworkatthebooks，andLabanwasstillrubbinghischinandsmilingatnothinginparticular。
ThenextdayAlbertandIssacharmadeitup。Albertapologized。
I’msorry，Issy，hesaid。Ishouldn’thavedoneit，butyoumadememad。Ihavea——rathermeantemper，I’mafraid。Forgiveme，willyou？
Heheldouthishand，andIssachar，afteramomentaryhesitation，tookit。
Iforgiveyouthistime，Al，hesaidsolemnly，butdon’tneverdonothin’likeitagain，willye？WhenIwenthomefordinneryesterdaynoonIgiveyoumywordmyclotheswaskindofdampisheventhen。Ifithadn’tbeennicewarmsunshineandIwasoutdoorsanddriedoffconsiderableI’dahadtochangeeverything，underclothesandall，and’tain’tbutthemiddleoftheweekyet。
HisduckinghadaneffectwhichAlbertnoticedwithconsiderablesatisfaction——hewasneverquiteasflippantlypersonalinhiscommentsconcerningtheassistantbookkeeper。Hetreatedthelatter，ifnotwithrespect，atleastwithsomethingdistantlyakintoit。
AfterMadeline’sdeparturetheworldwasverylonelyindeed。
Albertwrotelong，longlettersandreceivedreplieswhichvariedinlengthbutneverindevotion。MissFosdickwasobligedtobecautiousinhercorrespondencewithherlover。Youwillforgivemeifthisisnotmuchmorethananote，won’tyou，dear？shewrote。MotherseemstobeverycuriousoflateaboutmylettersandtowhomIwriteandIhadtojuststealtheopportunitythismorning。AnolderandmoreapprehensivepersonmighthavefoundMrs。Fosdick’ssuddeninterestinherdaughter’scorrespondencesuspiciousandatriflealarming，butAlbertneverdreamedofbeingalarmed。
Hewrotemanypoems，alldealingwithloveandlovers，andsoldsomeofthem。HewrotenomoreletterstoHelen。She，too，hadceasedtowritehim，doubtlessbecauseofthelackofreplytoherlasttwoorthreeletters。HisconsciencestilltroubledhimaboutHelen。hecouldnothelpfeelingthathistreatmentofherhadnotbeenexactlyhonorable。Yetwhatelseunderthecircumstancescouldhedo？FromMr。KendallhelearnedthatshewascominghometospendThanksgiving。Hewouldseeherthen。Shewouldaskhimquestions？Whatshouldhisanswerbe？Hefacedthesituationinanticipationmany，manytimes，usuallyafterhehadgonetobedatnight，andlayawakethroughlongtorturinghoursinconsequence。
ButwhenatlastHelenandhedidmeet，thedaybeforeThanksgiving，theirmeetingwasnotatallthedreadfulordealhehadfeared。Hergreetingwasasfrankandcordialasithadalwaysbeen，andtherewasnoreproachinhertoneormanner。Shedidnotevenaskhimwhyhehadstoppedwriting。Itwashe，himself，whoreferredtothatsubject，andhedidsoastheywalkedtogetherdownthemainroad。
Justwhyhereferredtoithecouldnotprobablyhavetold。Hewasawareonlythathefeltmeanandcontemptibleandthathemustoffersomeexplanation。Hisnothavinganytooffermadethetaskratherdifficult。
Butshesavedhimthetrouble。Sheinterruptedoneofhisblundering，stumblingsentencesinthemiddle。
Nevermind，Albert，shesaidquietly。Youneedn’texplain。I
thinkIunderstand。
Hestoppedandstaredather。Youunderstand？herepeated。
Why——why，no，youdon’t。Youcan’t。
Yes，Ican，orIthinkIcan。Youhavechangedyourmind，thatisall。
Changedmymind？
Yes。Don’tyourememberItoldyouyouwouldchangeyourmindabout——well，aboutme？Youweresosureyoucaredsovery，verymuchforme，youknow。AndIsaidyoumustn’tpromiseanythingbecauseIthoughtyouwouldchangeyourmind。Andyouhave。Thatisit，isn’tit？Youhavefoundsomeoneelse。
Hegazedatherasifshewereawitchwhohadperformedamiracle。
Why——why——well，byGeorge！heexclaimed。Helen——how——howdidyouknow？Whotoldyou？
Noonetoldme。ButIthinkIcanevenguesswhoitisyouhavefound。ItisMadelineFosdick，isn’tit？
Hisamazementnowwassoopen-mouthedaswellasopen-eyedthatshecouldnothelpsmiling。
Don’t！Don’tstareatmelikethat，shewhispered。Everyoneislookingatyou。ThereisoldCaptainPeaseontheothersideofthestreet。I’msurehethinksyouhavehadastrokeorsomething。
Here！Walkdownourroadalittlewaytowardhomewithme。Wecantalkaswewalk。I’msure，sheadded，withjusttheleastbitofchangeinhertone，thatyourMadelinewon’tobjecttoourbeingtogethertothatextent。
Sheledthewaydownthesidestreettowardtheparsonageandhefollowedher。Hewasstillspeechlessfromsurprise。
Well，shewenton，afteramoment，aren’tyougoingtosayanything？
But——but，Helen，hefaltered，howdidyouknow？
Shesmiledagain。ThenitISMadeline，shesaid。Ithoughtitmustbe。
You——youthought——Whatmadeyouthinkso？
Foraninstantsheseemedonthepointoflosingherpatience。
Thensheturnedandlaidherhandonhisarm。
Oh，Al，shesaid，pleasedon’tthinkIamaltogetheranidiot。
Isurmisedwhenyourlettersbegantogrowshorterand——well，different——thattherewassomethingorsomeonewhowaschangingthem，andIsuspecteditwassomeone。Whenyoustoppedwritingaltogether，IKNEWtheremustbe。Thenfatherwroteinhislettersaboutyouandaboutmeetingyou，andsooftenMadelineFosdickwaswhereverhemetyou。SoIguessed——and，yousee，Iguessedright。
Heseizedherhand。
Oh，Helen，hecried，ifyouonlyknewhowmeanIhavefeltandhowashamedIamofthewayIhavetreatedyou！But，yousee，I——I
COULDN’Twriteyouandtellyoubecausewehadagreedtokeepitasecret。Icouldn’ttellANYONE。
Oh，itisasseriousasthat！Areyoutworeallyandtrulyengaged？
Yes。There！I’vetoldit，andIsworeIwouldnevertell。
No，no，youdidn’ttell。Iguessed。Nowtellmeallabouther。
Sheisverylovely。Issheassweetasshelooks？
Herhapsodizedforfiveminutes。Thenallatonceherealizedwhathewassayingandtowhomhewassayingit。Hestopped，stammering，intheverymiddleofaglowingeulogium。
Goon，saidHelenreassuringly。Buthecouldnotgoon，underthecircumstances。Insteadheturnedveryred。Asusual，shedivinedhisthought，noticedhisconfusion，andtookpityonit。
Shemustbeawfullynice，shesaid。Idon’twonderyoufellinlovewithher。IwishImightknowherbetter。
Iwishyoumight。Byandbyyoumust。Andshemustknowyou。
Helen，I——Ifeelsoashamedof——of——
Hush，orIshallbegintothinkyouareashamedbecauseyoulikedme——orthoughtyoudid。
ButIdolikeyou。NexttoMadelinethereisnooneIlikesomuch。But，but，yousee，itisdifferent。
Ofcourseitis。Anditoughttobe。Doeshermother——doherpeopleknowoftheengagement？
Hehesitatedmomentarily。No-o，headmitted，theydon’tyet。
SheandIhavedecidedtokeepitasecretfromanyoneforthepresent。Iwanttogetonalittlefurtherwithmywriting，youknow。Sheislikeyouinthat，Helen——she’sawfullyfondofpoetryandliterature。
Especiallyyours，I’msure。Tellmeaboutyourwriting。Howareyougettingon？
Sohetoldherand，untiltheystoodtogetherattheparsonagegate，Madeline’snamewasnotagainmentioned。ThenHelenputoutherhand。
Goodmorning，Albert，shesaid。I’mgladwehavehadthistalk，eversoglad。
ByGeorge，soamI！You’reacorkingfriend，Helen。Thechapwhodoesmarryyouwillbeawfullylucky。
Shesmiledslightly。Perhapstherewon’tbeanysuchchap，shesaid。Ishallalwaysbeaschoolmarm，Iimagine。
Indeedyouwon’t，indignantly。Ihavetoohighanopinionofmenforthat。
Shesmiledagain，seemedabouttospeak，andthentochangehermind。Aninstantlatershesaid，Imustgoinnow。ButIshallhopetoseeyouagainbeforeIgobacktothecity。And，afteryoursecretisoutandtheengagementisannounced，IwanttowriteMadeline，mayI？
Ofcourseyoumay。Andshe’lllikeyouasmuchasIdo。
Willshe？……Well，perhaps。we’llhopeso。
Certainlyshewill。Andyouwon’tletmytreatingyouas——asI
havemakeanydifferenceinourfriendship？
No。Weshallalwaysbefriends，Ihope。Good-by。
Shewentintothehouse。Hewaitedamoment，hopingshemightturnagainbeforeentering，butshedidnot。Hewalkedhome，ponderingdeeply，histhoughtsacuriousjumbleofreliefanddissatisfaction。
HewasgladHelenhadseenherdutyandgivenhimovertoMadeline，buthefeltatriflepiquedtothinkshehaddoneitwithsuchapparentwillingness。Ifshehadweptorscoldeditwouldhavebeenunpleasantbutmuchmoregratifyingtohisself-importance。
Hecouldnothelprealizing，however，thatherattitudetowardhimwasexceptionallyfine。Heknewwellthathe，ifinherplace，wouldnothavebehavedasshehaddone。Nospite，nosarcasm，notaunts，nounpleasantremindersofthingssaidonlyafewmonthsbefore。Andwithallherforgivenessandforbearanceandunderstandingtherehadbeenalwaysthatsenseofgreaterageandwisdom。shehadtreatedhimasshemighthavetreatedaboy，youngerbrother，perhaps。
SheISolderthanIam，hethought，evenifshereallyisn’t。
It’sfunny，butit’safact。
DecembercameandChristmas，andthenJanuaryandthenewyear，theyear1917。InJanuary，Z。SnowandCo。tookitsyearlyaccountofstock，andCaptainLoteandLabanandAlbertandIssacharweretrulybusyduringthedaysofstock-takingweekandtiredwheneveningcame。Labanworkedthehardestofthequartette，butIssymadethemostfussaboutit。Labe，whohadchosentheholidayseasontogoononeofhisperiodicalvacations，asratherwhiteandshakyandevenmoresilentthanusual。Mr。Price，however，talkedwithhiscustomaryfluencyandcontinuity，sotherewasnolackofconversation。CaptainZeloteswasmovedtocomment。
Issy，hesuggestedgravely，lookingupfromalongcolumnoffigures，didyoueverplay’Door’？
Issacharstaredathim。
Play’Door’？herepeated。What’sthat？
It’sagame。Didn’tyoueverplayit？
No，don’tknow’sIeverdid。
Thenyou’dbetterbeginrightthisminute。Thefirstthingtodoistoshutupandthenextistostaythatway。Youplay’Door’
untilItellyoutodosomethin’else。d’youhear？
AthometheweekbetweenChristmasandtheNewYearwasratherdismal。Mr。Keeler’sholidayvacationhadbroughtononeofhisfiancee’ssympatheticattacks，andshetiedupherheadandhungcrapeuponhersoul，asusual。DuringtheseattackstheSnowhouseholdwalkedontiptoe，asifthehousekeeperwereaninvalidinreality。EvenconsolingspeechesfromAlbert，whowithLabanwhenthelatterwassober，enjoyedinhermindthedistinctionofbeingthereincarnationofRobertPenfold，broughtnorelieftothesufferingRachel。Nothingbutthenewsbroughtbythemilkman，thatLabewastaperin’off，andwouldprobablyreturntohisdeskinafewdays，easedherpain。
OneforenoonaboutthemiddleofthemonthCaptainZeloteshimselfstoppedinatthepostofficeforthemorningmail。Whenhereturnedtothelumbercompany’sbuildingheenteredquietlyandwalkedtohisowndeskwithapreoccupiedair。Forthehalfhourbeforedinnertimehesatthere，smokinghispipe，andspeakingtonooneunlessspokento。Theofficeforcenoticedhispreoccupationandcommenteduponit。
Whatailstheoldman，Al？whisperedIssachar，peeringinaroundthecornerofthedooratthesilentfiguretiltedbackintherevolvingchair，itsfeetuponthecornerofthedesk。Ain’tsaidsomuchas’Boo’forup’ardsoftwentyminutes，hashe？Iwasintherejustnowfillin’uphisink-standand，bycrimus，Iletagreatbiggobofinkcomedownker-souserightinthemiddleofthenice，cleanblottin’paperinfrontofhim。Iheldmybreath，cal’latin’tocatchwhatStephenPeterusedtosayhecaughtwhenhewentfishin’Sundays。SteveysaidhegenerallycaughtcoldwhenhewentandalwayscaughttheOldHarrywhenhegotback。I
cal’latedtocatchtheOldHarrypartsure，’causeCaptainLoteisalwaysneatandfussy’bouthisdesk。Butno，theoldmanneversaidaword。Idon’tbelieveheknewtheinkwasspilledatall。
What’sonhismind，Al。doyouknow？
Albertdidnotknow，soheaskedLaban。Labanshookhishead。
Giveitup，Al，hewhispered。Somethin’shappenedtobotherhim，that’ssartin’。WhenCap’nLotegetshisfeetproppedupandhisheadtiltedbackthatwayIcan’mostgenerallycal’latehe’sdoin’somerealthinkin’。Realthinkin’——yes，sir-ee——um-hm——yes——
yes。Whenheh’istshisbootsuptothemastheadthatwayit’ssafetofiggerhisbrainshavegotsteamup。Um-hm——yesindeed。
Butwhatishethinkingabout？Andwhyishesoquiet？
Igiveupbothriddles，Al。He’stheonlyone’sgottheanswersandwhenhegetsreadyenoughmaybehe’lltell’em。Untilthenit’llpayusfo’masthandstomakebelievewe’rebusy，evenifweain’t。Hearthat，doyou，Is？
Hearwhat？demandedIssachar，whowasgazingoutofthewindow，hishandsinhispockets。
Isayitwillpayus——youandAlandme——tomakebelievewe’reworkin’evenifweain’t。
’Workin’！indignantly。Bycrimus，IAMworkin’！Idon’thavetomakebelieve。
Thatso？Well，then，I’dpickupthatcoal-hodandmakebelieveplayforaspell。Thefire’s’mostout。Almost——um-hm——prettynigh——yes——yes。
Albertandhisgrandfatherwalkedhometodinnertogether，aswastheircustom，butstillthecaptainremainedsilent。DuringdinnerhespokenotmorethanadozenwordsandAlbertseveraltimescaughtMrs。Snowregardingherhusbandintentlyandwitharatheranxiouslook。Shedidnotquestionhim，however，butRachelwasnotsoreticent。
Mercyonus，Cap’nLote，shedemanded，whatISthematter？
You’reasdumbasamouthfulofmush。Idon’tbelieveyou’vesaiday，yesornosincewesatdowntotable。Areyousick？
Heremployer’scalmwasunruffled。
No-o，heanswered，withdeliberation。
That’sacomfort。What’sthematter，then。don’tyouWANTtotalk？
No-o。
Oh，withatossofthehead，well，I’mgladIknow。Iwasbeginnin’tobeafraidyou’dforgottenhow。
Thecaptainhelpedhimselftoanotherfriedtinkermackerel。
Nodangerofthataroundhere，Rachel，hesaidserenely。Solongasmyhearin’sgoodIcouldn’tforget——notinthishouse。
OlivedetainedhergrandsonashewasfollowingCaptainZelotesfromthediningroom。
What’swrongwithhim，Albert？shewhispered。Doyouknow？
No，Idon’t，Grandmother。Doyouthinkthereisanythingwrong？
Iknowthere’ssomethin’troublin’him。I’velivedwithhimtoomanyyearsnottoknowthesigns。Oh，Albert——youhaven’tdoneanythingtodispleasehim，haveyou？
No，indeed，Grandmother。Whateveritis，itisn’tthat。
Whentheyreachedtheoffice，thecaptainspoketoMr。Keeler。
Hadyourdinner，Labe？heasked。
Yes——yes，indeed。Don’ttakemelongtoeat——notatmyboardin’
house。Afeller’dhavetohaveparalysistomakeeatin’oneofLindyDadgett’smealstakemore’nahalfhour。Um-hm——yes。
Despitehispreoccupation，CaptainZelotescouldnothelpsmiling。
Tomakeittakeanhourhe’dhavetobeossified，wouldn’the，likethefellerinthecircussideshow？heobserved。
Labannodded。That——ordead，hereplied。Yes——justabout——justso，Cap’n。
Where’sIssachar？
He’seatin’yet，Ical’late。Hedon’tboardatLindy’s。
Whenhegetsbacksethimtopilin’thatnewcarloadofspruceunderNumberThreeshed。Keephimatit。
Yes，sir。Um-hm。Allright。
CaptainZelotesturnedtohisgrandson。Comeinhere，Al，hesaid。Iwanttoseeyouforafewminutes。
Albertfollowedhimintotheinneroffice。Hewonderedwhatintheworldhisgrandfatherwishedtoseehimabout，inthisveryprivatefashion。
Sitdown，Al，saidthecaptain，takinghisownchairandpointingtoanother。Oh，waitaminute，though！Maybeyou’dbettershutthathatchfirst。
Thehatchwasthetransomoverthedoorbetweentheoffices。
Albert，rememberinghowapreviousinterviewbetweenthemhadbeenoverheardbecauseofthatopentransom，glancedathisgrandfather。
Thetwinkleinthelatter’seyeshowedthathetoo，remembered。
Albertclosedthehatch。Whenhecamebacktohisseatthetwinklehaddisappeared。CaptainZeloteslookedseriousenough。
Well，Grandfather？queriedtheyoungman，afterwaitingamoment。
Thecaptainadjustedhisspectacles，reachedintotheinsidepocketofhiscoatandproducedanenvelope。Itwasasquareenvelopewitheitheratrade-markoracrestupontheback。CaptainLotedidnotopentheenvelope，butinsteadtappedhisdeskwithitandregardedhisgrandsoninameditativeway。
Al，hesaidslowly，hasitseemedtoyouthatyourcruiseaboardthiscraftofoursherehadbeenalittlesmootherthelastyearortwothanitusedtobeaforethat？
Albert，bythistimewellaccustomedtohisgrandfather’snauticalphraseology，understoodthatthecruisereferredtowashisvoyageasassistantbookkeeperwithZ。SnowandCo。Henodded。
Ihavetriedtomakeitso，heanswered。ImeanIhavetriedtomakeitsmootherforyou。
Um-hm，Ithinkyouhavetried。Idon’tmindtellin’youthatithaspleasedmeconsid’bletowatchyoutry。Idon’tmeanbythat，
headded，withaslightcurveofthelip，thatyou’dwinfirstprizeasalightnin’-calculatorevenyet，butyou’reawholelotbetteronethanyouusedtobe。I’vebeenconsiderableencouragedaboutyou。Idon’tmindtellin’youthateither……And，headded，afteranotherintervalduringwhichhewas，apparently，debatingjusthowmuchofanadmissionitwassafetomake，sofarasIcansee，thispoetryfoolishnessofyourshasn’tinterferedwithyourworkanytospeakof。
Albertsmiled。Thanks，Grandfather，hesaid。
You’rewelcome。Somuchforthat。Butthere’sanothersidetoourrelationstogether，yoursandmine，thatIhaven’tspokenoftoyouafore。AndIhavekeptstillonpurpose。I’vefiggeredthatsolongasyoukeptstraightanddidn’tgooffthecourse，didn’tdrinkorgamble，orgowildorthelikeofthat，whatyoudidwasprettymuchyourownbusiness。I’venoticedyou’reconsiderableofafellerwiththegirls，butIkeptaneyeonthekindofgirlsandIwillsaythatsofarasIcansee，you’vepickedthedecentkind。
IsaysofarasIcansee。OfcourseIain’tfoolenoughtobelieveIseeallyoudo，orknowallyoudo。I’vebeenyoungmyself，andwhenIgettothinkin’howmuchIknowaboutyouItrytosetdownandrememberhowmuchmydaddidn’tknowaboutmewhenIwasyourage。That——er——helpssometowardgivin’memycorrectpositiononthechart。
Hepaused。Albert’sbrainwasvainlystrivingtoguesswhatallthismeant。Whatwashedrivingat？Thecaptaincrossedhislegsandcontinued。
Ididthinkforaspell，hesaid，thatyouandHelenKendallweregettin’tounderstandeachotherprettywell。Well，Helen’sagoodgirlandyourgrandmaandIlikeher。Coursewedidn’tcal’lateanythingveryseriouswasliabletocomeoftheunderstandin’，notforsometime，anyhow，forwithyoursalaryand——well，sortofunsettledprospects，Igaveyoucreditfornotfiggerin’onpickin’
awiferightaway……Haven’tgotmuchlaidbytosupportawifeon，haveyou，Al？
Albert’sexpressionhadchangedduringthelatterportionofthespeech。Nowhewasgazingintentlyathisgrandfatherandattheletterinthelatter’shands。Hewasbeginningtoguess，todread，tobefearful。
Haven’tgotmuchtosupportawifeon，Al，haveyou？repeatedCaptainZelotes。
No，sir，notnow。
Um……Butyouhopetohavebyandby，eh？Well，Ihopeyouwill。ButUNTILyouhaveitwouldseemtoolderfolkslikemekindofriskynavigatin’to——to……Oh，therewasaletterinthemailforyouthismornin，Al。
Heputdowntheenvelopehehadhithertoheldinhishandand，reachingintohispocket，producedanother。Evenbeforehehadtakenitfromhisgrandfather’shandAlbertrecognizedthehandwriting。ItwasfromMadeline。
CaptainZelotes，regardinghimkeenly，leanedbackagaininhischair。Readitifyouwantto，Al，hesaid。Maybeyou’dbetter。Icanwait。
Alberthesitatedamomentandthentoreopentheenvelope。Thenotewithinwasshort，evidentlywritteningreathasteandagitationandwasspottedwithtearstains。Hereadit，hischeekspalingandhishandshakingashedidso。Somethingdreadfulhadhappened。Mother——Mrs。Fosdick，ofcourse——haddiscoveredeverything。Shehadfoundallhis——Albert’s——lettersandreadthem。Shewasfurious。Therehadbeenthemostterriblescene。
MadelinewasinherownroomandwassmugglinghimthisletterbyMary，hermaid，whowilldoanythingforme，andhaspromisedtomailit。Oh，dearest，theysayImustgiveyouup。Theysay——Oh，theysaydreadfulthingsaboutyou！MotherdeclaresshewilltakemetoJapanorsomefrightfulplaceandkeepmethereuntilIforgetyou。
Idon’tcareiftheytakemetotheendsoftheearth，IshallNEVERforgetyou。Iwillnever——never——NEVERgiveyouup。Andyoumustn’tgivemeup，willyou，darling？TheysayImustneverwriteyouagain。ButyouseeIhave——andIshall。Oh，whatSHALLwedo？
IwasSOhappyandnowIamsomiserable。Writemetheminuteyougetthis，butoh，IKNOWtheywon’tletmeseeyourlettersandthenIshalldie。Butwrite，writejustthesame，everyday。OhwhatSHALLwedo？
Yours，alwaysandalways，nomatterwhateveryonedoesorsays，lovinglyanddevotedly，MADELINE。
WhenthereadingwasfinishedAlbertsatsilentlystaringatthefloor，seeingitthroughawetmist。CaptainZeloteswatchedhim，hisheavybrowsdrawntogetherandthesmokewreathsfromhispipecurlingslowlyupwardtowardtheofficeceiling。Atlengthhesaid：
Well，Al，Ihadaletter，too。Ipresumelikelyitcamefromthesameportevenifnotfromthesamememberofthefamily。It’saboutyou，andIthinkyou’dbetterreadit，maybe。I’llreadittoyou，ifyou’drather。
Albertshookhisheadandheldouthishandforthesecondletter。
Hisgrandfathergaveittohim，sayingashedidso：I’dliketohaveyouunderstand，Al，thatIdon’tnecessarilybelieveallthatshesaysaboutyouinthisthing。
Thanks，Grandfather，mechanically。
Allright，boy。
Thesecondletterwas，ashehadsurmised，fromMrs。Fosdick。Ithadevidentlybeenwrittenattopspeedandatamentaltemperaturewellabovetheboilingpoint。Mrs。FosdickaddressedCaptainZelotesSnowbecauseshehadbeengiventounderstandthathewasthenearestrelative，orguardian，orwhateveritwas，ofthepersonconcerningwhomtheletterwaswrittenandtherefore，itwaspresumed，mightbeexpectedtohavesomemeasureofcontroloverthatperson’sactions。Thepersonwas，ofcourse，oneAlbertSperanza，andMrs。Fosdickproceededtosetforthherversionofhisconductinsentenceswhichmightalmosthaveblisteredthepaper。Takingadvantageofhertrustinherdaughter’sgoodsenseandabilitytotakecareofherself——whichtrustitappearedhadbeeninameasuremisplaced——he，theSperanzaperson，hadsneakingly，underhandedlyandinadespicablyclandestinefashion——
thelady’stemperhadrathergottenawayfromherhere——succeededinmeetingherdaughterinvariousplacesandbyvariousdisgracefulmeansandhadfurthermoresucceededinensnaringheryouthfulaffections，etcetera，etcetera。
Thepoorchildactuallybelievesherselfinlovewithhim，wrotethepoorchild’smother。Sheprotestsridiculouslythatsheisengagedtohimandwillmarryhiminspiteofherfatherormyselfortheprotestsofsensiblepeople。Iwritetoyou，therefore，assumingyoulikewisetobeasensibleperson，andrequestingthatyouuseyourinfluencewiththe——toputthemostcharitableinterpretationofhisconduct——misguidedandfoolishyoungmanandshowhimthepreposterousfollyofhispretendedengagementtomydaughter。Ofcoursethewholeaffair，CORRESPONDENCEINCLUDED，mustceaseandterminateATONCE。
Andsoonfortwomorepages。ThecolorhadreturnedtoAlbert’scheekslongbeforehefinishedreading。Whenhehadfinishedherosetohisfeetand，throwingtheletteruponhisgrandfather’sdesk，turnedaway。
Well，Al？queriedCaptainZelotes。
Albert’sface，whenheturnedbacktoanswer，waswhiterthanever，buthiseyesflashedfire。
Doyoubelievethat？hedemanded。
What？
That——thatstuffaboutmybeinga——asneakand——andensnaringher——
andalltherest？Doyou？
Thecaptaintookhispipefromhismouth。
Steady，son，steady，hesaid。Didn’tItellyoubeforeyoubeguntoreadatallthatIdidn’tnecessarilybelieveitbecausethatwomanwroteit。
You——youornooneelsehadbetterbelieveit。It’salie。
Allright，I’mgladtohearyousayso。Butthere’salittlemiteoftruthhereandthereamongstthelies，Ipresumelikely。Forinstance，youandthisFosdickgirlhavebeen——er——keepin’company？
HernameisMadeline——andweareengagedtobemarried。
Oh！Hum——Isee——Isee。And，bein’astheoldlady——hermother，Mrs。Fosdick，Imean——hasn’tsuspectedanything，or，atanyrate，hasn’tfoundoutanythinguntilnow，yesterday，orwheneveritwas，Ijudgeyouhavebeenmeetin’——er——Madelineatplaceswheretherewasn’t——well，toolargeacrowd。Eh？
Alberthesitatedandwas，momentarily，atrifleembarrassed。Butherecoveredatonce。
Imetherfirstatthedrugstorelastsummer，hesaiddefiantly。
ThenImetherafterthatatthepostofficeandatthehoteldancelastfall，andsoon。ThisyearImether——well，Imetherfirstdownbythebeach，whereIwenttowrite。Shelikedpoetryand——andshehelpedmewithmine。Afterthatshecame——well，shecametohelpmeagain。Andafterthat——afterthat——
Afterthatitjustmovedalongkindofnatural，eh？Um-hm，I
see。
Lookhere，Grandfather，Iwantyoutounderstandthatsheis——is——
byGeorge，sheisthecleanest，finest，bestgirlintheworld。
Don’tyougettheideathat——thatsheisn’t。Shecametomeetmejustbecauseshewasinterestedinmyverseandwantedtohelp。Itwasn’tuntiltheverylastthatwe——thatwefoundoutwecaredforeachother。
Allright，boy，allright。Goon，tellmethewholeyarn，ifyoufeellikeit。Idon’twanttoprytoomuchintoyouraffairs，but，afterall，IAMinterestedinthoseaffairs，Al。Tellmeasmuchasyoucan。
I’lltellyouthewhole。There’snothingIcan’ttell，nothingI’mnotproudtotell。ByGeorge，Ioughttobeproud！Why，Grandfather，she’swonderful！
Sartin，son，sartin。Theyalwaysare。Imeansheis，ofcourse。
Heaveahead。
SoAlberttoldhislovestory。WhenhehadfinishedCaptainZelote’spipewasempty，andheputitdown。
Albert，hesaidslowly，Ijudgeyoumeanthisthingseriously。
Youmeantomarryhersomeday。
Yes，indeedIdo。AndIwon’tgiveherup，either。Hermother——
why，whatrighthashermothergottosay——totreatherinthisway？Ortocallmewhatshecallsmeinthatletter？Why，byGeorge——
Easy，son。AsIunderstandit，thisMadelineofyoursistheonlychildtheFosdickshavegotandwhenouronlychildisindangerofbein’carriedoffbysomebodyelse——why，well，theirmothersandfathersareliabletobejustalittleupset，especiallyifitcomeson’emsudden……NobodyknowsthatbetterthanIdo，headdedslowly。
Albertrecognizedtheallusion，buthewasnotinthemoodtobeaffectedbyit。Hewasnot，justthen，readytomakeallowancesforanyone，particularlytheparentalFosdicks。
Theyhavenobusinesstobeupset——notlikethat，anyhow，hedeclared。Whatdoesthatwomanknowaboutme？WhatrighthasshetosaythatIensnaredMadeline’saffectionandallthatrot？
MadelineandIfellinlovewitheachother，justasotherpeoplehave，Isuppose。
Yousupposeright，observedCaptainZelotes，dryly。Otherpeoplehave——agoodmanyof’emsinceAdam’stime。
Well，then！AndwhatrighthasshetogiveordersthatIstopwritingorseeingMadeline，——allthatidioticstuffaboutceasingandterminatingatonce？She——she——Hisagitationwasmakinghimincoherent——ShetalkslikeLordSomebody-or-otherinanold-
fashionednovelorplayorsomething。Thoseoldfoolswerealwaysrejectingundesirablesuitorsandorderingtheirdaughterstodothisandthat，breakingtheirhearts，andsoon。Butthatsortofthingdoesn’tgonowadays。Youngpeoplehavetheirownideas。
Um-hm，Al。soI’venoticed。
Yes，indeedtheyhave。Now，ifMadelinewantstomarrymeandI
wanttomarryher，whowillstopus？
Thecaptainpulledathisbeard。
Why，nobody，Al，asIknowof，hesaid。providedyoubothkeeponwantin’tomarryeachotherlongenough。
Keeponwantinglongenough？Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
Why，nothin’much，perhaps。onlygettin’marriedisn’talljustgoin’totheparson。Aftertheceremonytherentbeginsandthegrocers’billsandthebutchers’andthebakers’andathousandorsomore。Somebody’sgottopay’em，andthemoney’sgottocomefromsomewhere。Yourwageshere，Al，poetrycountedin，ain’tsoverybigyet。Betterwaitaspellbeforeyousettledowntomarriedlife，hadn’tyou？
Well——well，I——Ididn’tsayweweretobemarriedrightaway，Grandfather。SheandIaren’tunreasonable。I’mdoingbetterandbetterwithmywritings。SomedayI’llmakeenough，andmore。Whynot？
TherewasenoughoftheSperanzaegotisminthisconfidentassurancetobringthetwinkletothecaptain’seye。Hetwistedhisbeardbetweenhisfingerandthumbandregardedhisgrandsonmildly。
Haveyouanyideahowmuch’enough’isliabletobe，Al？heinquired。Idon’tknowthefactsabout’em，ofcourse，butfromwhatIhaveheardIjudgetheFosdickshavegotplentyofcash。
I’vehearditestimatedaroundtownfromonemilliontofiftymillions。Allowin’it’sonlyonemillion，itseemslikelythatyour——er——what’s-her-name——Madelinehasbeenusedtohavin’asmuchasfiftycentstospendwhenevershewantedit。Doyoucal’latetobeabletoearnenoughmakin’uppoetrytokeepherthewayherfolkshavebeendoin’？
No，ofcoursenot——notatfirst。
Oh，butlateron——whenthemarketpriceofpoetryhasgoneup——youcan，eh？
Lookhere，Grandfather，ifyou’remakingfunofmeItellyouI
won’tstandit。Thisisserious。Imeanit。MadelineandIaregoingtobemarriedsometimeandnoonecanstopus。
Allright，son，allright。Butitdidseemtomethatinthelightofthisletterfrom——er——yourmother-in-lawthat’sgoin’tobe，weoughttofacethesituationmoderatelysquare，anyhow。
Firstcomesmarriage。Well，that’seasy。anyfoolcangetmarried，lotsof’emdo。Butthen，asIsaid，comessupportin’yourselfandwife——bills，bills，andmorebills。You’llsaythatyouandshewilleconomizeandfightitouttogether。Fine，first-rate，butlaterontheremaybemoreofyou，achild，childrenperhaps——
Grandfather！
It’spossible，son。Suchthingsdohappen，andtheycostmoney。
Moremouthstofeed。NowItakeitforgrantedthatyouaren’tmarryin’theFosdickgirlforhermoney——
Theinterruptionwaspromptandmadewithfieryindignation。
Ineverthoughtofhermoney，declaredAlbert。Idon’tevenknowthatshehasany。Ifshehas，Idon’twantit。Iwouldn’ttakeit。SheisallIwant。
CaptainZelotes’liptwitched。
Judgin’fromthetoneofherma’slastlettertome，heobserved，sheisallyouwouldbeliabletoget。Itdon’treadasifmany——
er——weddin’presentsfromthebride’sfolkswouldcomealongwithher。But，there，there，Aldon’tgetmad。Iknowthisisalongwaysfrombein’ajoketoyouand，inaway，it’snojokeforme。
CourseIhadrealizedthatsomedayyou’dbefiggerin’，maybe，ongettin’married，butIdidhopethefiggerin’wouldn’tbeginforsomeyearsyet。Andwhenyoudid，Iratherhoped——well，I——I
hoped……However，wewon’tstoptobotherwiththatnow。
Let’ssticktothisletterofMrs。Fosdick’shere。Imustanswerthat，Isuppose，whetherIwanttoornot，to-day。Well，Al，youtellme，Iunderstandthattherehasbeennothin’underhandinyouracquaintancewithherdaughter。Otherthankeepin’theengagementasecret，thatis？
Yes，Ido。
Andyoumeantostickbyyourgunsand……Well，whatisit？
Comein！
Therehadbeenaknockupontheofficedoor。Inanswertohisemployer’ssummons，Mr。Keelerappeared。Heheldacardinhishand。
Sorrytodisturbyou，Cap’nLote，hesaid。Yes，Ibe，yes，sir。
ButIjudgedmaybe’twassomethin’importantaboutthelumberforhishouseandheseemedanxioustoseeyou，soItooktheriskandknocked。Um-hm——yes，yes，yes。
CaptainZeloteslookedatthecard。Thenheadjustedhisspectaclesandlookedagain。
Humph！hegrunted。Humph！……We-ell，Labe，Iguesslikelyyoumightshowhiminhere。Waitjustaminutebeforeyoudoit，though。I’llopenthedoorwhenIwanthimtocome。
Allright，Cap’nLote。Yes，yes，observedMr。Keeleranddeparted。Thecaptainlookedthoughtfullyatthecard。
Al，hesaid，afteramoment’sreflection，we’llhavetocutthistalkofoursshortforalittlespell。YougobacktoyourdeskandwaitthereuntilIcallyou。Holdon，ashisgrandsonmovedtowardthedooroftheouteroffice。Don’tgothatway。Gooutthroughthesidedoorintotheyardandcomeinthefrontway。
There’s——er——there’samanwaitin’toseeme，and——er——perhapshe’dbetternotseeyoufirst。
Albertstaredathimuncomprehendingly。
BetternotseeME？herepeated。Whyshouldn’theseeme？
CaptainZeloteshandedthecardtoAlbert。
Betterletmetalkwithhimfirst，Al，hesaid。Youcanhaveyourchancelateron。
ThecardborethenameofMr。FletcherStoryFosdick。