CaptainZelotestuggedathisbeardreflectively。WhenIwroteFosdicktheotherday，hesaid，Icouldn’twritemorethanacoupleofpages。Iwastooupsettodoit。Icouldn’t，that’sall。
Yes，butyouareAlbert’sgrandfather。
Iknow。AndHelen’salways……Butthere，Mother，don’tyouworryaboutHelenKendall。I’veknownhersinceshewasborn，prettynigh，and_I_tellyoushe’sallRIGHT。
Fosdick，inhisletter，hadaskedforparticularsconcerningAlbert’sdeath。Thoseparticularswereslowincoming。CaptainZeloteswroteatoncetotheWarDepartment，butreceivedlittlesatisfaction。TheDepartmentwouldinformhimassoonasitobtainedtheinformation。ThenameofSergeantAlbertSperanzahadbeencabledasoneofalistoffatalities，thatwasall。
Andtothink，asRachelEllisputit，thatweneverknewthathe’dbeenmadeasergeantuntilafterhewasgone。Heneverhadtimetowriteit，Iexpectlikely，poorboy。
Thefirstbitofadditionalinformationwasfurnishedbythepress。
AcorrespondentofoneoftheBostondailiessentabriefdispatchtohispaperdescribingthefightingatacertainpointontheAlliedfront。AsmalldetachmentofAmericantroopshadtakenpart，withtheFrench，inanattackonavillageheldbytheenemy。
Theenthusiasticreporterdeclaredittobeoneofthesmartestlittleactionsinwhichoursoldiershadsofartakenpartandwaseloquentconcerningthebraveryanddashofhisfellowcountrymen。
Theyprovedthemselves，hewenton，andFrenchofficerswithwhomIhavetalkedareenthusiastic。Ourlosses，consideringthenumberengaged，aresaidtobeheavy。AmongthosereportedaskilledisSergeantAlbertSperanza，aMassachusettsboywhomAmericanreaderswillrememberasawriterofpoetryandmagazinefiction。SergeantSperanzaissaidtohaveledhiscompanyinthecaptureofthevillageandtohaveactedwithdistinguishedbravery。TheeditoroftheBostonpaperwhofirstreadthisdispatchturnedtohisassociateatthenextdesk。
Speranza？……Speranza？hesaidaloud。Say，Jim，wasn’titAlbertSperanzawhowrotethatcorkingpoemwepublishedaftertheLusitaniawassunk？
Jimlookedup。Yes，hesaid。Hehaswrittenalotofprettygoodstuffsince，too。Why？
He’sjustbeenkilledinactionoverthere，soConwaysaysinthisdispatch。
So？……Humph！……Anyparticulars？
Notyet。’Distinguishedbravery，’accordingtoConway。Couldn’twehavesomethingdoneinthewayofaSundayspecial？HewasaMassachusettsfellow。
Wemight。Wehaven’taphotograph，havewe？Ifwehaven’t，perhapswecangetone。
Thephotographwasobtained——briberyandcorruptionoftheOrhamphotographer——and，accompaniedbyareprintoftheLusitaniapoem，appearedintheMagazineSectionoftheSundaynewspaper。Withthesealsoappearedashortnoticeoftheyoungpoet’sdeathintheserviceofhiscountry。
Thatwasthebeginning。AtthemiddleofthatweekConwaysentanotherdispatch。TheeditorwhoreceivedittookitintotheofficeoftheSundayeditor。
Say，hesaid，herearemoreparticularsaboutthatyoungchapSperanza，theoneweprintedthespecialaboutlastSunday。Hemusthavebeenacorker。WhenhislieutenantwasputoutofbusinessbyashrapnelthisSperanzachapralliedthemenandjammed’emthroughtheHunslikeahotknifethroughbutter。
KilledtheGermanofficerandtookthreeprisonersallbyhimself。
Carriedhiswoundedlieutenanttotherearonhisshoulders，too。
Thenhewentbackintotheruinstogetanotherwoundedmanandwasblowntosliversbyahandgrenade。He’sbeencitedinordersandwillprobablybedecoratedbytheFrench——thatis，hismemorywillbe。Prettygoodforapoet，I’dsay。No’liliesandlanguors’
aboutthat，eh？
TheSundayeditornoddedapproval。
Greatstuff！heexclaimed。Letmehavethatdispatch，willyou，whenyou’vefinished。I’vejustdiscoveredthatthisyoungSperanza’sfatherwasSperanza，theoperabaritone。Yourememberhim？AndhismotherwasthedaughterofaCapeCodseacaptain。
How’sthat？Spain，CapeCod，opera，poetryandtheCroixdeGuerre。Andhaveyoulookedattheyoungfellow’sphotograph？
CombinationofAdonisand’Romeo，whereartthou。’I’vehadnolessthantwentylettersabouthimandhispoetryalready。NextSundaywe’llhaveaspecialasis。WherecanIgetholdofalotofhispoems？
Thespecialaswasoccupiedanentirepage。AreporterhadvisitedSouthHarnissandhadtakenphotographsoftheSnowplaceandsomeofitsoccupants。CaptainZeloteshadrefusedtopose，buttherewasaviewofthebuildingandyardsofZ。SnowandCo。
withthepicturesquefigureofMr。IssacharPricetastefullydrapedagainstapileofboardsintherightforeground。Issyhadbeenafindforthereporter。hesuppliedthelatterwitheveryfactconcerningAlbertwhichhecouldrememberandsomethatheinventedonthespurofthemoment。AccordingtoIssy，Albertwasafine，fust-classyoungfeller。Himandmewaslikebrothers，asyoumightsay。Whenhegotintotrouble，orwasundecidedoranything，he’dcometomeforadviceandIalwaysgaveittohim。Land，yes！
IalwaysgivetoAlbert。NomatterhowbusyIwasIalwaysstoppedworktohelpHIMout。ThereporteraddedthatMr。Pricestoppedworkevenwhilespeakingofit。
Thespecialattractedthenoticeofothernewspapereditors。ThisskirmishinwhichAlberthadtakensogallantpartwasamongthefirstinwhichoursoldiershadparticipated。Sothestorywascopiedandrecopied。Thetaleofthedeathoftheyoungpoet，thehappywarrior，assomewritercalledhim，wasspreadfromtheAtlantictothePacificandfromCanadatotheGulf。AndjustatthispsychologicalmomenttheNewYorkpublisherbroughtoutthelongdeferredvolume。TheLancesofDawn，BeingtheCollectedPoemsofAlbertM。C。Speranza，suchwasitstitle。
Meanwhile，or，rather，withintheweekwhentheLancesofDawnflasheduponthepublic，CaptainZelotesreceivedaletterfromthecaptainofAlbert’sregimentinFrance。Itwasnotalongletter，forthecaptainwasabusyman，butitwasthekindly，sympatheticletterofonewhowas，literally，thatwell-advertisedcombination，anofficerandagentleman。IttoldofAlbert’spromotiontotherankofsergeant，apromotionwhich，hadtheboybeenspared，would，Iamsure，havebeentheforerunnerofothers。Ittoldofthatlastfight，thestruggleforthevillage，ofSergeantSperanza’scoolnessanddaringandofhisrushbackintothethroatofdeathtosaveawoundedcomrade。
Thementellmetheytriedtostophimwrotethecaptain。Hewashimselfslightlywounded，hehadjustbroughtLieutenantStaceybacktosafetyandtheenemyatthatmomentwasagainadvancingthroughthevillage。Butheinsistedupongoing。Themanhewastryingtorescuewasaprivateinhiscompanyandthepairweregreatfriends。Sohestartedbackalone，althoughseveralfollowedhimamomentlater。Theysawhimentertheruinedcottagewherehisfriendlay。Thenapartyoftheenemyappearedatthecornerandflunggrenades。TheentiresideofthecottagewhichhehadjustenteredwasblowninandtheGermanspassedonoverit，causingourmentofallbacktemporarily。Weretooktheplacewithinhalfanhour。PrivateKelly’sbody——itwasPrivateKellywhomSergeantSperanzawasattemptingtorescue——wasfoundandanother，badlydisfigured，whichwasatfirstsupposedtobethatofyourgrandson。ButthisbodywassubsequentlyidentifiedasthatofaprivatenamedHamlinwhowaskilledwhentheenemyfirstcharged。SergeantSperanza’sbodyisstillmissing，butisthoughttobeburiedbeneaththeruinsofthecottage。Theseruinsweresubsequentlyblownintofurtherchaosbyahighexplosiveshell。
Thenfollowedmoreexpressionsofregretandsympathyandconfirmationofthereportconcerningcitationandthewarcross。
CaptainLotereadtheletteratfirstaloneinhisprivateoffice。
Thenhebroughtithomeandgaveittohiswifetoread。AfterwardhereaditaloudtoMrs。EllisandtoLaban，whowasmakinghisusualcallintheSnowkitchen。
WhenthereadingwasendedLabewasthefirsttospeak。Hiseyeswereshining。
Godfreys！heexclaimed。Godfreys，Cap’nLote！
Thecaptainseemedtounderstand。
You’reright，Labe，hesaid。Theboy’smadeusproudofhim……Prouderthansomeofusareofourselves，Ical’late，
headded，risingandmovingtowardthedoor。
Sho，sho，Cap’n，youmustn’tfeelthatway。No，no。
Humph！……Labe，IpresumelikelyifIwasapiousman，oneoftheold-fashionedkindofpious，andbelievedtheAlmightywentoutofhiswaytogetsquarewithanyhumanbein’thatmadeamistakeordidn’tdotherightthing——ifIbelievedthatImightfiggerallthiswasasortofspecialjudgmentonmeformyprejudices，eh？
Mr。Keelerwasmuchdisturbed。
Nonsense，nonsense，Cap’nLote！heprotested。Youain’tfairtoyourself。YounevertreatedAlanyhowbutjusthonestandfairandsquare。Ifhewasherenowinsteadoflayin’deadoverthereinFrance，poorfeller，he’dsayso，too。Yes，hewould。Coursehewould。
Thecaptainmadenoreply，butwalkedfromtheroom。LabanturnedtoMrs。Ellis。
Theoldmanbroodsoverthat，hesaid。Iwish……Eh？
What’sthematter，Rachel？Whatareyoulookin’atmelikethatfor？
Thehousekeeperwasleaningforwardinherchair，hercheeksflushedandherhandsclenched。
Howdoyouknowhe’sdead？sheasked，inamysteriouswhisper。
Eh？HowdoIknowwho’sdead？
Albert。Howdoyouknowhe’sdead？
Labanstaredather。
HowdoIknowhe’sDEAD！herepeated。HowdoIknow——
Yes，yes，yes，impatiently。that’swhatIsaid。Don’trunitoverthreeorfourtimesmore。HowdoyouknowAlbert’sdead？
Why，Rachel，whatkindoftalk’sthat？Iknowhe’sdeadbecausethenewspaperssayso，andtheWarDepartmentfolkssayso，andthiscap’nmaninFrancethatwasrightthereatthetime，HEsaysso。Allhandssayso——yes，yes。Sodon’t——
Sh！Idon’tcareiftheyallsaysotentimesover。HowdotheyKNOW？Theyain’tfoundhimdead，havethey？ThereportfromtheWarDepartmentfolkswassentwhentheythoughtthatotherbodywasAlbert’s。Nowtheyknowthatwasn’thim。Whereishe？
Why，undertheruinsofthatcottage。’Twasallblowntopiecesandmostlikely——
Um-hm。Thereyouare！’Mostlikely！’Well，Iain’tsatisfiedwithmostlikelys。IwanttoKNOW。
But——but——
LabanKeeler，untiltheyfindhisbodyIshan’tbelieveAlbert’sdead。
But，Rachel，youmustn’ttrytodeceiveyourselfthatway。Don’tyousee——
No，Idon’tsee。Labe，whenRobertPenfoldwaslostandgoneforallthemmonthsallhandsthoughthewasdead，didn’tthey？Buthewasn’t。hewasonthatislandlostinthemiddleofallcreation。
What’stohinderAlbertbein’tookprisonerbythoseGermans？TheycamebacktothatcottageplaceafterAlbertwasleftthere，thecap’nsayssointhatletterCap’nLotejustread。What’stohindertheircarryin’Aloffwith’em？Eh？What’stohinder？
Why——why，nothin’，Isuppose，inoneway。Butninechancesoutoften——
Thatleavesonechance，don’tit。Iain’tgoin’togiveupthatchancefor——formyboy。I——I——Oh，Labe，IdidthinkSOmuchofhim。
Iknow，Rachel，Iknow。Don’tcryanymorethanyoucanhelp。
Andifithelpsyouanytomakebelieve——Imeantokeeponhopin’
he’salivesomewheres——why，doit。Itwon’tdoanyharm，I
suppose。OnlyIwouldn’thintsuchathingtoCap’nLoteorOlive。
Ofcoursenot，indignantly。Iain’tquiteafool，Ihope……
AndIpresumelikelyyou’reright，Laban。Thepoorboyisdead，probably。ButI——I’mgoin’tohopeheisn’t，anyhow，justtogetwhatcomfortIcanfromit。AndRobertPenfolddidcomeback，youknow。
ForsometimeLabanfoundhimself，againstallreason，askingtheveryquestionRachelhadasked：DidtheyactuallyKNOWthatAlbertwasdead？Butasthemonthspassedandnonewscameheceasedtoaskit。Wheneverhementionedthesubjecttothehousekeeperherinvariablereplywas：Buttheyhaven’tfoundhisbody，havethey？Shewouldnotgiveupthattenthchance。Assheseemedtofindsomecomfortinithedidnotattempttoconvinceherofitsfutility。
And，meanwhileTheLancesofDawn，BeingtheCollectedPoemsofAlbertM。C。Speranzawasmakingamildsensation。Thecriticsweresurprisinglykindtoit。Thestoryoftheyoungauthor’srecentandromanticdeath，ofhisgallantry，hishandsomefeaturesdisplayedinnewspaperseverywhere，allthesehelpedtowardthegenerouswelcomeaccordedthelittlevolume。Iftheverseswerenotinspired——why，theywereatleastentertainingandpleasant。
Andyouth，high-heartedyouthsangoneverypage。Sothereviewerswerekindandforbearingtothepoemsthemselves，and，forthesakeofthedeadsoldier-poet，wereoftenenthusiastic。Thebooksold，foravolumeofpoemsitsoldverywellindeed。
AttheSnowplaceinSouthHarnissprideandtearsmingled。Olivereadtheversesoverandoveragain，andweptassheread。RachelEllislearnedmanyofthembyheart，butshe，too，weptassherecitedthemtoherselfortoLaban。Inthelittlebookkeeper’sroomaboveSimond’sshoestoreTheLancesofDawnlayunderthelampuponthecentertableasbeforeashrine。CaptainZelotesreadtheverses。Alsohereadallthenewspapernoticeswhich，senttothefamilybyHelenKendall，werepromptlyheldbeforehiseyesbyOliveandRachel。Hereadthepublisher’sadvertisements，hereadthereviews。Andthemorehereadthemorepuzzledandbewilderedhebecame。
Ican’tunderstandit，Laban，heconfidedindeepdistresstoMr。
Keeler。IgiveinIdon’tknowanythingatallaboutthis。I’mcleanoffsoundin’s。IfallthisnewspaperstuffissoAlbertwasrightallthetimeandIwasplumbwrong。Here’sthisfeller，
pickingupaclippingfromthedesk，callin’himageniusand’agiftedyouth’andthelandknowswhat。AndeverydayorsoIgetaletterfromsomebodyIneverheardoftellin’mewhatacomfortto’emthosepoetrypiecesofhisare。Idon’tunderstandit，Labe。
Itworriesme。Ifallthisistruethen——thenIwasallwrong。I
triedtokeephimfrommakin’uppoetry，Labe——TRIEDto，Idid。Ifwhatthesefolkssayissosomethin’oughttobedonetome。I——I——
bythunder，Idon’tknow’sIhadn’toughttobehung！……Andyet——andyet，IdidwhatIthoughtwasrightanddiditfortheboy’ssake……And——andevennowI——Iain’tsartinIwaswrong。
ButifIwasn’twrongthenthisis……Oh，Idon’tknow，Idon’tknow！
AndnotonlyinSouthHarnissweretherechangesofheart。InNewYorkCityandatGreenwichwhereMrs。Fosdickwasmorethaneverbusywithwarwork，therewerechanges。WhenthenewspaperaccountsofyoungSperanza’sheroicdeathwerefirstpublishedtheladypaidlittleattentiontothem。Herdaughterneededallhercarejustthen——allthecare，thatis，whichshecouldsparefromherdutiesaspresidentofthissocietyandcorrespondingsecretaryofthat。Ifherfeelingsuponhearingthenewscouldhavebeenanalyzeditisprobablethattheirlargerproportionwouldhavebeenahugesenseofrelief。THATproblemwassolved，atallevents。ShewassorryforpoorMadeline，ofcourse，butthedearchildwasbutachildandwouldrecover。
ButaswithmoreandmoreintensitythelimelightofpublicitywasturneduponAlbertSperanza’slifeanddeathandwriting，thewifeoftheHonorableFletcherFosdickcouldnotbutbeimpressed。Asheadofseveralso-calledliterarysocieties，societiesratherneglectedsincetheoutbreakofhostilities，shehadmadeitherbusinesstohuntliterarylions。Recentlyitwastruethatmilitarylions——MajorVermicellioftheRoumanianlightcavalry，orPrivateDrinkwateroftheTankCorps——weremoreindemandthanTagores，but，asMrs。FosdickreadofSergeantSperanza’sperilsandpoems，itcouldnothelpoccurringtoherthatherewasalionbothliteraryandmartial。Decidedlyshehadnotapprovedofherdaughter’sengagementtothatlion，butnowthesaidlionwasdead，whichrenderedhimaperfectlyharmlessyetnotthelessfascinatinganimal。AndthenappearedTheLancesofDawnandMrs。Fosdick’sfriendsamongtheelectbegantoreadandtalkaboutit。
Itwasthenthatthechangecame。Thosefriends，onebyone，individualsjudiciouslychosen，weretoldinstrictconfidenceofpoorMadeline’sromanticloveaffairanditstragicending。Theseindividuals，chosenjudiciouslyashasbeenstated，whispered，alsoinstrictconfidence，thetaletootherfriendsandacquaintances。
Mrs。Fosdickbegantoreceivecondolencesonherdaughter’saccountandonherown。SoonshebegantospeakpubliclyofMypoor，deardaughter’sdeadfiance。SuchalosstoAmericanliterature。Sheergenius。HaveyoureadthearticleintheTimepiece？Madeline，poorgirl，isheartbroken，naturally，butveryproud，eveninthemidstofhergrief。Soareweall，Iassureyou。
ShequotedliberallyfromTheLancesofDawn。Acopyspeciallybound，layuponherlibrarytable。Albert’sphotographinuniform，obtainedfromtheSnowsbyMr。Fosdick，whowroteforitathiswife’srequest，stoodbesideit。TocallersandsisterwarworkersMrs。Fosdickgavedetailsofthehero’sgenius，hisbravery，hisdevotiontoherdaughter。Itwasallsoromanticandpleasantlyself-advertising——andperfectlysafe。
Summercameagain，thesummerof1918。ThenewspapersnowweregravelypersonalreadingtomillionsofAmericans。OurnewarmywastryingitsmetalontheFrenchfrontandwiththeBritishagainstthevauntedHindenburgLine。Thetransportswerecarryingthousandsoneverytriptojointhosealreadyoverthere。InSouthHarnissandinGreenwichandNewYork，asineverytownandcity，theordinarysummervacationsandplaytimeoccupationswereforgottenorneglectedandwarcharitiesandwarlaborstooktheirplace。OthersoldiersthanSergeantSperanzawerethenewspaperheroesnow，otherbooksthanTheLancesofDawntalkedabout。
AsontheprevioussummerthenewFosdickcottagewasnotoccupiedbyitsowners。Mrs。FosdickwasabsorbedbyhermultitudinouswardutiesandherhusbandwasatWashingtongivinghiscounselandlabortothecause。CaptainZelotesboughttohislastsparedollarofeachsuccessiveissueofLibertyBonds，andgavethatdollartotheRedCrossortheY。M。C。A……LabanandRacheldidlikewise。EvenIssacharPriceboughtThriftStampsandexhibitedthemtoanyonewhowouldstoplongenoughtolook。
Bycrimus，declaredIssy，I’mmakin’myselfpoorhelpin’outthegov’ment，butlet’ergoanddarntheKaiser，that’smymotto。Buttheyain’talllikeme。IwasdowntothedrugstoreyesterdayandoldmanBurgesshadthecheektotellmeIowedhimforsomecigarsIbought——er——lastfall，seemstome’twas。Iturnedrightaroundandlookedathim——’I’vegotmyopinion，’saysI，’ofamanthatthinksofcigarsandsuchluxurieswhenthecountryneedseverycent。Whathaveyougotthatgov’mentposterstuckuponyourwallfor？’saysI。’Readit，’Isays。’Itsays’’Save！Save！
Save！’don’tit？Allright。That’swhatI’Mdoin’。IAM
savin’。’Thenwhenhewasthinkin’ofsomethin’toanswerbackI
walkedrightoutandlefthim。Yessir，bycrimustee，Ilefthimrightwherehestood！
Augustcame。September——theHindenburgLinewasbroken。Eachdaythetriumphantheadlinesinthepaperswerebigandblackandalso，alas，thecasualtylistsontheinsidepageslongandlonger。ThenOctober。Thearmisticewassigned。Itwastheend。TheAlliedworldwentwild，cheered，danced，celebrated。Thenitsatback，thinking，thankingGod，solemnlytryingtorealizethatthekillingdays，thefrightfuldaysofwaitingandawfulanxiety，wereover。
AndearlyinNovemberanothertelegramcametotheofficeofZ。
SnowandCo。Thistimeitcame，notfromtheWarDepartmentdirect，butfromtheBostonheadquartersoftheAmericanRedCross。
Andthistime，justasonthedaywhentheotherfatefultelegramcame，LabanKeelerwasthefirstoftheofficeregularstolearnitscontents。BenKelleyhimselfbroughtthismessage，justashehadbroughtthattellingofAlbertSperanza’sdeath。AndtheusuallystolidBenwasgreatlyexcited。Hestrodestraightfromthedoortothebookkeeper’sdesk。
Istheoldmanin，Labe？hewhispered，jerkinghisheadtowardtheprivateoffice，thedoorofwhichhappenedtobeshut。
Labanlookedathimoverhisspectacles。Cap’nLote，youmean？
heasked。Yes，he’sin。Buthedon’twanttobedisturbed——no，no。Goin’towriteacoupleofimportantletters，hesaid。
Importantones……Um-hm。Whatisit，Ben？AnythingIcandoforyou？
Kelleydidnotanswerthatquestion。Insteadhetookatelegramfromhispocket。
Readit，Labe，hewhispered。Readit。It’sthedarndestnews——
the——thedarnedestgoodnewseveryouheardinyourlife。Itdon’tseemasifitcouldhe，but，bytime，Iguess’tis。Anyhow，it’sfromtheRedCrossfolksandthey’doughttoknow。
Labanstaredatthetelegram。Itwasnotintheusualenvelope。
Kelleyhadbeentooanxioustobringittoitsdestinationtobotherwithanenvelope。
Readit，commandedtheoperatoragain。SeeifyouthinkCap’nLoteoughttohaveitbrokeeasytohimor——orwhat？Readit，I
tellyou。Lordsakes，it’snosecret！Ihollereditrightoutloudwhenitcomeinoverthewireandthegangatthedepotheardit。Theyknowitandit’llbeallovertownintenminutes。READ
IT。
Keelerreadthetelegram。Hisfloridcheeksturnedpale。
GoodLordabove！heexclaimed，underhisbreath。
Eh？Ibetyou！ShallItakeittothecap’n？Eh？Whatdoyouthink？
Wait……Wait……I——I——Mysoul！Mysoul！Why……
It’s——it’strue……AndRachelalwayssaid……Why，shewasright……I……
Fromwithoutcamethesoundofrunningfeetandaseriesofyells。
Labe！Labe！shriekedIssy。Oh，mycrimus！……Labe！
Heburstintotheoffice，hiseyesandmouthwideopenandhishandswavingwildly。
Labe！Labe！heshoutedagain。Haveyouheardit？Haveyou？
It’strue，too。He’salive！He’salive！He’salive！
Labansprangfromhisstool。Shutup，Is！hecommanded。Shutup！Holdon！Don’t——
Buthe’salive，Itellyou！Heain’tdead！Heain’tneverbeendead！Oh，mycrimus！……Hey，Cap’nLote！HE’SALIVE！
CaptainZeloteswasstandinginthedoorwayoftheprivateoffice。
Thenoisehadarousedhimfromhisletterwriting。
Who’salive？What’sthematterwithyouthistime，Is？hedemanded。
Shutup，Issy，orderedLaban，seizingthefranticMr。Pricebythecollar。Bestill！Waitaminute。
Bestill？WhatdoIwanttobestillfor？Ical’lateCap’nLote’llhollersome，too，whenhehears。He’salive，Cap’nLote，I
tellye。Letgoofme，LabeKeeler！He’salive！
Who’salive？Whatisit？Labe，YOUanswerme。Who’salive？
Laban’sthoughtswerestillinawhirl。Hewasstillshakingfromthenewsthetelegraphoperatorhadbrought。RachelElliswasatthatmomentinhismindandheansweredasshemighthavedone。
Er——er——RobertPenfold，hesaid。
RobertPENFOLD！What——
Issacharcouldholdinnolonger。
RobertPenfoldnawthin’！heshouted。Whointhunder’she？
’Tain’tRobertPenfoldnorRobertPenholderneither。It’sAlSperanza，that’swho’tis。Heain’tkilled，Cap’nLote。He’saliveandhe’sbeenaliveallthetime。
Kelleysteppedforward。
Looksasif’twasso，Cap’nSnow，hesaid。Here’sthetelegramfromtheRedCross。
CHAPTERXV
Therewasnothingmiraculousaboutit。Thatistosay，itwasnomoreofamiraclethanhundredsofsimilarcasesintheWorldWar。
Thepapersofthoseyearswereconstantlyprintingstoriesofmenoverwhosesupposedgravesfuneralsermonshadbeenpreached，towhoseheirsinsurancepaymentshadbeenmade，inwhosememorygratefulcommunitieshadmadespeechesanddeliveredeulogiums——
thepapersweretellingofinstanceafterinstanceofthosemenbeingdiscoveredaliveandintheflesh，ascasualsinsomeFrenchhospitalorasinmatesofGermanprisoncamps。
RachelEllishadaskedwhatwastohinderAlbert’shavingbeentakenprisonerbytheGermansandcarriedoffbythem。Asamatteroffactnothinghadhinderedandthatwasexactlywhathadhappened。SergeantSperanza，woundedbymachinegunfireandagainbytheexplosionofthegrenade，wasfoundintheruinsofthecottagewhenthedetachmentoftheenemycapturedit。Hewasconsciousandabletospeak，soinsteadofbeingbayonettedwascarriedtotherearwherehemightbequestionedconcerningtheAmericanforces。ThequestioningwasmostunsatisfactorytothePrussianofficerswhoconductedit。Albertfainted，recoveredconsciousnessandfaintedagain。SoatlasttheYankeeswinewaslefttodieorgetwellandhisPrussianinterrogatorswentaboutotherbusiness，thebusinessofescapingcapturethemselves。Butwhentheyretreatedthefewprisoners，mostlywoundedmen，weretakenwiththem。
Albert’srecollectionsofthenextfewdayswerehazyandverydoubtful。Pain，painandmorepain。Hoursandhours——theyseemedlikeyears——ofjoltingoverroughroads。Pawing-overbyafat，beardedsurgeon，whomaynothavebeenintentionallybrutal，butquiteaslikelymay。Agreatdesiretodie，punctuatedbyoccasionalfeeblespurtsofwishingtolive。Thenmoresurgicalman-handling，morejolting——infreightcarsthistime——aslow，miserablerecovery，nurseswhohatedtheirpatientsandtreatedthemasiftheydid，then，aprisoncamp，aGermanprisoncamp。
Thenhorrorsandstarvationandbrutalitylastingmanymonths。
Thenfever。
Hewaswanderinginthatmistylandbetweenthisworldandthenextwhen，thearmisticehavingbeensigned，anAmericanRedCrossrepresentativefoundhim。Intheintervalbetweenfitsofdeliriumhetoldthismanhisnameandregimentand，later，thenameofhisgrandparents。WhenitseemedsurethathewastorecovertheRedCrossrepresentativecabledthefactstothiscountry。And，stilllater，thosefacts，ortheall-importantfactthatSergeantAlbertM。C。Speranzawasnotdeadbutalive，camebytelegraphtoCaptainZelotesSnowofSouthHarniss。And，twomonthsafterthat，CaptainZeloteshimself，standingonthewharfinBostonandpeeringupatacrowdeddeckabovehim，sawthefaceofhisgrandson，thatfacewhichhehadneverexpectedtoseeagain，lookingeagerlydownuponhim。
Afewmoreweeksanditwasover。Thebriefintervalofcamplifeandthemusteringoutwerethingsofthepast。CaptainLoteandAlbert，seatedinthetrain，wereontheirwaydowntheCape，boundhome。Home！Thewordhadasignificancenowwhichitneverhadbefore。Home！
Albertdrewalongbreath。ByGeorge！heexclaimed。ByGeorge，Grandfather，thislooksgoodtome！
Itmightnothavelookedasgoodtoanotherperson。Itwasraining，thelongstretchesofsaltmarshwerewindsweptandbrownandbleak。InthedistanceCapeCodBayshowedgrayandwhiteagainstaleadensky。Thedropsrandownthedingycarwindows。
CaptainZelotesunderstood，however。Henodded。
ItusedtolookgoodtomewhenIwasboundhomeafterav’yage，
heobserved。Well，son，Ical’lateyourgrandmaandRachelareuptothedepotbythistimewaitin’foryou。Weain’tdueforprettynighanhouryet，butI’dbewillin’tobetthey’rethere。
Albertsmiled。My，Idowanttoseethem！hesaid。
Shouldn’twonderamiteiftheywantedtoseeyou，boy。Well，I’mkindofgladIshooedthatreceptioncommitteeoutoftheway。I
presumedlikelyyou’dratherhaveyourfirstdayhometoyourself——
andus。
Ishouldsayso！Newspaperreportersarealotofmightygoodfellows，butIhopeIneverseeanotherone……That’sratherungrateful，Iknow，headded，withasmile，butImeanit——justnow。
Hehadsomeexcuseformeaningit。ThedeathofAlbertSperanza，poetandwarrior，hadmadeanewspapersensation。Hisresurrectionandreturnfurnishedmaterialforanother。CaptainZeloteswasnottheonlypersontomeetthetransportatthepier。adelegationofreporterswastherealso。PhotographsofSergeantSperanzaappearedoncemoreinprint。Thistime，however，theyweresnapshotsshowinghiminuniform，likenessesofastillhandsome，butlessboyishyoungman，thinner，ascaruponhisrightcheek，andthelookinhiseyesmoreserious，andinfinitelyolder，thelookofonewhohadbornemuchandseenmore。Thereportersfounditdifficulttogetastoryfromthereturnedhero。Heseemedtoshunthelimelightandtobealmostundulymodestandretiring，whichwasofitself，hadtheybutknownit，atransformationsufficientlymarveloustohavewarrantedaspecialSundayspecial。
Willnottalkabouthimself，soonewriterheadedhisarticle。
GertieKendrick，withabrand-newringuponherengagementfinger，sniffedasshereadthatheadlinetoSamThatcher，whohadpurchasedthering。AlSperanzawon’ttalkabouthimself！
exclaimedGertie。Well，it’stheFIRSTtime，then。Nowondertheyputitinthepaper。
ButAlbertwouldnottalk，claimingthathehaddonenothingworthtalkingabout，excepttogethimselftakenprisonerinalmosthisfirstengagement。Goandasksomeoftheotherfellowsaboardhere，heurged。Theyhavebeenallthroughit。Ashewouldnottalkthenewspapermenwereobligedtotalkforhim，whichtheydidbydescribinghisappearanceandhismanner，andbyrehashingthestoryofthefightintheFrenchvillage。Also，ofcourse，theyrepublishedsomeofhisverses。TheLancesofDawnappearedinaspecialeditioninhonorofitsauthor’sreappearanceonthisearth。
Yessir，continuedCaptainZelotes，thereceptioncommitteewasconsider’bledisappointed。They’dhavemetyouwiththeOrhambandifthey’dhadtheirway。Itold’emyou’dheardallthebandmusicyouwantedincamp，Iguessedlikely，andyou’drathercomehomequiet。Therewasgoin’tobesomespeeches，too，butIhadthemputoff。
Thanks，Grandfather。
Um-hm。Ihadanotionyouwouldn’thankerforspeeches。IfyoudoIssy’llmakeoneforyou’mostanytime。EversinceyougotintothepapersIssy’sbeenswellin’uplikeahotpop-overwithpridebecauseyouandhewaswhathecallschummies。AlllastsummerIssacharspenthisevenin’shangin’aroundthehotelwaitin’
forthenextboardertomentionyourname。SureasonedidIswasreadyforhim。’Knowhim？’he’dsingout。’DidIknowAlSperanza？ME？Well，nowsay！——’Andsoon，longasthefellerwouldlisten。Iaskedhimonceifheevertoldanyof’emhowyouduckedhimwiththebucketofwater。Hedidn’tthinkIknewaboutthatanditkindofsurprisedhim，Ijudged。
Albertsmiled。Labantoldyouaboutit，Isuppose，hesaid。
Whatakidtrickthatwas，wasn’tit？
Thecaptainturnedhisheadandregardedhimforaninstant。Theoldtwinklewasinhiseyewhenhespoke。
Wouldn’tdoathinglikethatnow，Al，Ipresumelikely？hesaid。
Feelagooddealoldernow，eh？
Albert’sanswerwasseriouslygiven。
SometimesIfeelatleastahundredandfifty，hereplied。
Humph！……Well，Iwouldn’tfeellikethat。Ifyou’reahundredandfiftyImustbealittleolderthanMethuselahwasinhislastyears。I’mfeelin’youngerto-day，youngerthanIhaveforquiteaspell。Yes，forquiteaspell。
Hisgrandsonputahandonhisknee。Goodforyou，Grandfather，
hesaid。NowtellmemoreaboutLabe。DoyouknowIthinktheoldchap’sstickingbyhispledgeisthebulliestthingI’veheardsinceI’vebeenhome。
SotheytalkedofLabanandofRachelandofSouthHarnisshappeningsuntilthetraindrewupattheplatformofthatstation。
AnduponthatplatformsteppedAlberttofeelhisgrandmother’sarmsabouthimandhervoice，tremulouswithhappiness，athisear。
AndbehindherloomedMrs。Ellis，heramplefaceacombinationofsmilesandtears，allsunshineandfairweatherdownbelowbutrainin’steadyupaloft，asCaptainLotedescribeditafterwards。
Andbehindher，likeafoothillintheshadowofamountain，wasLaban。AndbehindLaban——No，thatisamistake——infrontofLabanandbesideLabanandinfrontofandbesideeveryoneelsewhenopportunitypresentedwasIssachar。AndIssachar’sexpressionandbearingswerewonderfultosee。Astranger，andtherewereseveralstrangersamidthegroupatthestation，mighthavegainedtheimpressionthatMr。Price，withofcourseaverylittlehelpfromtheAlmighty，wasresponsibleforeverything。
Why，Issy！exclaimedAlbert，whentheyshookhands。You’rehere，too，eh？
Mr。Price’salreadyprotuberantchestswelledstillfurther。Hisreplyhadthecalmnessoffinality。
Yes，sir，saidIssy，I’mhere。’Who’sgoin’tolookoutforZ。
SnowandCo。ifallhandswalksoutandleaves’em？’Labesays。’I
don’tknow，’saysI，’andIdon’tcare。I’mgoin’tothatdepottomeetAlSperanzyandifZ。SnowandCo。goestopotwhileI’mgoneIcan’thelpit。Ihavesacrificed，’Isays，’andIstandreadytosacrificeprettynigheverythingformybusiness，butthere’slimitsandthisisoneof’em。I’mgoin’acrosttothatdepottomeethim，’saysI，’anddon’tyoutrytostopme，LabeKeeler。’
Greatstuff，Is！saidAlbert，withalaugh。WhatdidLabesaytothat？
Whatwasthereforhimtosay？HecouldseeImeantit。Coursehehoveoutsomeofhischeaptalk，butitdidn’tamounttonothin’。AskedifIwan’tgoin’toputupasignsayin’whenI’dbeback，so’stoeasethecustomers’minds。’Idon’tknowwhenI’llbeback，’Isays。’Allright，’sayshe，’putthatonthesign。That’llease’emstillmore。’Justcheaptalk’twas。Hethinkshe’sfunny，butIdon’tpaynoattentiontohim。
Otherscametoshakehandsandvoiceawelcome。Theformalreception，thatwiththeband，hadbeencalledoffatCaptainZelotes’srequest，buttheinformalonewas，inspiteoftherain，whichwasnowmuchlessheavy，quiteasizablegathering。
TheReverendMr。Kendallheldhishandforalongtimeandtalkedmuch，itseemedtoAlbertthathehadagedgreatlysincetheylastmet。Hewanderedabitinhisremarksandrepeatedhimselfseveraltimes。
Thepooroldgentleman’sfailin’agooddeal，Albert，saidMrs。
Snow，astheydrovehometogether，heandhisgrandparents，threeontheseatofthebuggybehindJessamine。Hissermonsareprettytiresomenowadays，butweputupwith’embecausehe’sbeenwithussolong……Ain’tyousqueezed’mosttodeath，Albert？Youtwobigmenandmeallmashedtogetheronthisnarrowseat。It’sluckyI’msmall。Zelotesoughttogetatwo-seatedcarriage，buthewon’t。
NextthingIget，Mother，observedthecaptain，willbeanautomobile。I’llsticktotheoldmarehereaslongasshe’sabletonavigate，butwhenshehastobehauledoutofcommissionI’mgoin’tobuyacar。IbelieveI’mprettynighthelastmaninthiscountytodriveahorse，as’tis。MakesmefeellikewhatSolDadgettcallsacrackedteapot——a’genuineantique。’Oneofthesecitywomenwillbecollectin’mesomeofthesedays。Betterlookout，mother。
Olivesighedhappily。Itdoesmegoodtohearyoujokeagain，Zelotes，shesaid。Hedidn’tjokemuch，Albert，while——whenwethoughtyou——you——
Albertinterruptedintimetopreventthethreatenedshower。
SoMr。Kendallisnotwell，hesaid。I’mverysorrytohearit。
Ofcourseyouwouldbe。YouandheusedtobesofriendlywhenHelenwashome。Oh，speakin’ofHelen，sheIScomin’homeinafortni’torthreeweeks，soIhear。She’sgoin’togiveupherteachin’andcomebacktobecompanyforherfather。Isupposesherealizesheneedsher，butitmustbeabigsacrificeforher，givin’upthegoodpositionshe’sgotnow。She’ssuchasmartgirlandsuchaniceone。Why，shecametoseeusafterthenewscame——
thebadnews——andshewassokindandsogood。Idon’tknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithouther。Zelotessayssotoo，don’tyou，Zelotes？
Herhusbanddidnotanswer。Insteadhesaid：Well，there’shome，Al。Rachel’sthereaheadofusanddinner’sontheway，judgin’bythesmokefromthekitchenchimney。Howdoestheoldplacelooktoyou，boy？
Albertmerelyshookhisheadanddrewalongbreath，buthisgrandparentsseemedtobequitesatisfied。
Therewerelettersandtelegramsawaitinghimonthetableinthesitting-room。TwooftheletterswerepostmarkedfromatownontheFloridacoast。Thetelegramalsowasfromthatsametown。
_I_hadoneofthosethings，observedCaptainZelotes，alludingtothetelegram。Fosdicksentmeoneofthoselongones，night-
lettersIbelievetheycall’em。HewantsmetotellyouthatMrs。
Fosdickisbetterandthattheycal’latetobeinNewYorkbeforeverylongandshallexpectyouthere。Ofcourseyouknewthat，Al，butIpresumelikelythemainideaofthetelegramwastohelpsay，’Welcomehome’toyou，that’sall。
Albertnodded。MadelineandhermotherhadbeeninFloridaallwinter。Mrs。Fosdick’shealthwasnotgood。Shedeclaredthathernerveshadgivenwayunderherfrightfulresponsibilitiesduringthewar。Therewas，althoughitseemsalmostsacrilegetomakesuchastatement，acertainsimilaritybetweenMrs。FletcherFosdickandIssacharPrice。Thetelegramwas，ashisgrandfathersurmised，anexpressionofwelcomeandofregretthatthesenderscouldnotbetheretoshareinthereception。Thetwoletterswhichaccompanieditheputinhispockettoreadlateron，whenalone。Somehowhefeltthatthefirsthoursintheoldhousebelongedexclusivelytohisgrandparents。Everythingelse，evenMadeline’sletters，musttakesecondplaceforthatperiod。
Dinnerwas，tosaytheleast，anamplemeal。RachelandOlivehad，asCaptainLotesaid，laidthemselvesoutonthatdinner。Itbeganwellandcontinuedwellandendedbestofall，forthedessertwasoneofwhichAlbertwasespeciallyfond。TheykeptpressinghimtoeatuntilLaban，whowasaninvitedguest，wasmovedtocomment。
Humph！observedMr。Keeler。Iknew’twasthereg’larprogramtokillthefattedcalfwhentheprodigalgothome，butIseenowit’sthepropercapertofatuptheprodigaltotakethecritter’splace。
No，no，Rachel，I’dlikefust-ratetoeatanotherbushelorsotopleaseyou，butsomethin’——thatstill，smallvoicewe’realwaysreadin’about，orsomethin’——seemstotellme’twouldn’tbegoodjedgment……Um-hm……’Twouldn’tbegoodjedgment……
Cal’lateit’sright，too……Yes，yes，yes。
Now，Cap’nLote，headded，astheyrosefromthetable，youstayrighttohomeherefortherestoftheday。I’llhustlebacktotheofficeandseeifIssy’simportancehasbusthisb’ilerforhim。So-long，Al。Seeyouprettysoon。Gotsomethingstotalkabout，youandIhave……Yes，yes。
Later，whenRachelwasinthekitchenwiththedishes，Oliveleftthesittingroomandreappearedwithtriumphwrittenlargeuponherface。Inonehandsheheldamysteriousenvelopeandintheotherabook。Albertrecognizedthatbook。Itwashisown，TheLancesofDawn。Itwasnonoveltytohim。Whenfirsttheoutsideworldandhehadreopenedcommunication，copiesofthatbookhadbeensenthim。Hispublisherhadsentthem，Madelinehadsentthem，hisgrandparentshadsentthem，comradeshadsentthem，nursesanddoctorsandnewspapermenhadbroughtthem。No，TheLancesofDawnwasnotanoveltytoitsauthor。Buthewonderedwhatwasintheenvelope。
Mrs。Snowenlightenedhim。Yousitrightdownnow，Albert，shesaid。SitrightdownandlistenbecauseI’vegotsomethin’totellyou。Yes，andsomethin’toshowyou，too。Here！Stopnow，Zelotes！Youcan’trunaway。You’vegottositdownandlookonandlisten，too。
CaptainZelotessmiledresignedly。Therewas，orsoitseemedtohisgrandson，anoddexpressiononhisface。Helookedpleased，butnotaltogetherpleased。However，heobeyedhiswife’sordersandsat。
Stop，lookandlisten，heobserved。Mother，yousoundlikearailroadcrossin’。Allright，hereIam。Al，thesocietyof’WhatdidItellyou’isgoin’tohaveameetin’。
Hiswifenodded。Well，shesaid，triumphantly，whatDIDItellyou？Wasn’tIright？
Thecaptainpulledhisbeardandnodded。
Rightasrightcouldbe，Mother，headmitted。Yourfiggerswasafewhundredthousandoutoftheway，maybe，butbarrin’thatyouwasperfectlyright。
Well，I’mgladtohearyousaysoforonceinyourlife。Albert，
holdinguptheenvelope，doyouknowwhatthisis？
Albert，muchpuzzled，admittedthathedidnot。Hisgrandmotherputdownthebook，openedtheenvelopeandtookfromitaslipofpaper。
AndcanyouguesswhatTHISis？sheasked。Albertcouldnotguess。
It’sacheck，that’swhatitis。It’sthefirstsixmonths’
royalties，that’swhattheycall’em，onthatbeautifulbookofyours。Andhowmuchdoyousuppose’tis？
Albertshookhishead。Twenty-fivedollars？hesuggestedjokingly。
Twenty-fivedollars！It’sovertwenty-fiveHUNDREDdollars。It’stwenty-eighthundredandforty-threedollarsandsixty-fivecents，that’swhatitis。Thinkofit！Almostthreethousanddollars！
AndZelotesprophesiedthat’twouldn’tbemorethan——
Herhusbandhelduphishand。Sh-sh！Sh-sh，Mother，hesaid。
Don’tgetstartedonwhatIprophesiedorwewon’tbethroughtilldoomsday。I’llgiveinrightoffthatI’mtheworstprophetsincethefellerthath’istedthe’FairandDry’signalthedayaforeNoah’sfloodbegun。Yousee，heexplained，turningtoAlbert，yourgrandmafiggeredoutthatyou’dprobablyclearabouthalfamilliononthatbookofpoetry，Al。Ical’lated’twan’tlikelytobemuchmore’nacoupleofhundredthousand，so——
Why，ZelotesSnow！Yousaid——
Yes，yes。SoIdid，Mother，soIdid。YouwasrightandIwaswrong。Twenty-eighthundredain’texactlyamillion，Al，butit’sadarnsightmorethanIevercal’latedyou’dmakefromthatbook。
Or’mostanybodyelseevermadefromanybook，fur’sthatgoes，headded，withashakeofthehead。Ideclare，I——Idon’tunderstandityet。Andapoetrybook，too！WhointimeBUYS’emall？Eh？
Albertwaslookingatthecheckandtheroyaltystatement。
SothisiswhyIcouldn’tgetanysatisfactionfromthepublisher，
heobserved。Iwrotehimtwoorthreetimesaboutmyroyalties，andheputmeoffeachtime。Ibegantothinkthereweren’tany。
CaptainZelotessmiled。That’syourgrandma’sdoin’s，heobserved。Thecheckcametousagoodwhileago，whenwethoughtyouwas——was——well，whenwethought——
Yes。Surely，Iunderstand，putinAlbert，tohelphimout。
Yes。That’swhen’twas。AndMother，shewassoproudofit，becauseyou’dearnedit，Al，thatshekeptitandkeptit，showin’
ittoallhandsand——andsoon。Andthenwhenwefoundoutyouwasn’t——thatyou’dbehomesometimeorother——why，thenshewouldn’tletmeputitinthebankforyoubecauseshewantedtogiveittoyouherself。That’swhatshesaidwasthereason。I
presumelikelytherealonewasthatshewantedtoflapitinmyfaceeverytimeshecrowedovermybadprophesyin’，whichwasaboutthreetimesadayandfouronSundays。
ZelotesSnow，theidea！
Allright，Mother，allright。Anyhow，shegotmetowriteyourpublishermanandaskhimnottogiveyouanysatisfactionaboutthoseroyalties，so’sshecouldbethefustonetoparalyzeyouwith’em。And，withafrankoutburst，ifyouain’tparalyzed，Al，Iownupthat_I_am。Threethousandpoetryprofitsbeatsme。
_I_don’tunderstandit。
Hiswifesniffed。Ofcourseyoudon’t，shedeclared。ButAlbertdoes。AndsodoI，onlyIthinkitoughttohavebeeneverandeversomuchmore。Don’tyou，yourself，Albert？
TheauthorofTheLancesofDawnwasstilllookingatthestatementofitsearnings。
Approximatelyeighteenthousandsoldatfifteencentsroyalty，heobserved。Humph！Well，I’llbehanged！
Butyousaiditwouldbetwenty-fivecents，notfifteen，
protestedOlive。Inyourletterwhenthebookwasfirsttalkedaboutyousaidso。
Albertsmiled。DidI？heobserved。Well，Isaidagoodmanythingsinthosedays，I’mafraid。Fifteencentsforafirstbook，especiallyabookofverse，isfairenough，Iguess。ButeighteenthousandSOLD！Thatiswhatgetsme。
Youmeanyouthinkitoughttobealotmore。SodoI，Albert，andsodoesRachel。Why，welikeitalotbetterthanwedoDavidHarum。Thatwasanicebook，butitwasn’tlovelypoetrylikeyours。AndDavidHarumsoldamillion。Whyshouldn’tyourssellasmany？Onlyeighteenthousand——whyareyoulookin’atmesofunny？
Hergrandsonrosetohisfeet。Let’sletwellenoughalone，Grandmother，hesaid。Eighteenthousandwilldo，thankyou。
I’mlikeGrandfather，I’mwonderingwhoonearthboughtthem。
Mrs。Snowwassurprisedandalittletroubled。
Why，Albert，shesaid，youactkindof——kindofqueer，seemstome。Youtalkasifyourpoetrywasn’tbeautiful。Youknowitis。
Youusedtosayitwas，yourself。
Heinterruptedher。DidI，Grandmother？hesaid。Allright，then，probablyIdid。Let’swalkabouttheoldplacealittle。I
wanttoseeitall。ByGeorge，I’vebeendreamingaboutitlongenough！
Therewerecallersthatafternoon，friendsamongthetownsfolk，andmorestillaftersupper。Itwaslate——lateforSouthHarniss，thatis——whenAlbert，standinginthedoorwayofthebedroomhenortheyhadeverexpectedhewouldoccupyagain，badehisgrandparentsgoodnight。Olivekissedhimagainandagainand，speechfailingher，hastenedawaydownthehall。CaptainZelotesshookhishand，openedhismouthtospeak，shutitagain，repeatedbothoperations，andatlastwithabrief，Well，goodnight，Al，hurriedafterhiswife。Albertclosedthedoor，puthislampuponthebureau，andsatdowninthebigrocker。
Inawaythenightwassimilartothatuponwhichhehadfirstenteredthatroom。Ithadceasedraining，butthewind，asonthatfirstnight，washowlingandwhiningabouttheeaves，theshuttersrattledandtheoldhousecreakedandgroanedrheumatically。Itwasnotascoldasonthatoccasion，thoughbynomeanswarm。Herememberedhowbareandcomfortlesshehadthoughttheroom。Nowitlookedalmostluxurious。Andhehadbeenhomesick，orfanciedhimselfinthatcondition。Comparedtothehomesicknesshehadknownduringthepasteighteenmonthsthatyouthfulseizureseemedcontemptibleandquitewithoutexcuse。Helookedabouttheroomagain，lookedlongandlovingly。Then，withasighofcontent，drewfromhispocketthetwoletterswhichhadlainuponthesitting-roomtablewhenhearrived，openedthemandbegantoread。
Madelinewrote，asalways，vivaciouslyandatlength。Thematernalcensorshiphavingbeenremoved，shewroteexactlyasshefelt。Shecouldscarcelybelievehewasreallygoingtobeathomewhenhereceivedthis，athomeindear，quaint，queeroldSouthHarniss。
Justthink，shehadnotseentheplaceforeverandeversolong，notforovertwoyears。Howwereallthefunny，oddpeoplewholivedthereallthetime？DidherememberhowheandsheusedtogotochurcheverySundayandsitthroughthosedreadful，DREADFUL
sermonsbythatprosyoldministerjustasanexcuseformeetingeachotherafterward？ShewasSOsorryshecouldnothavebeentheretowelcomeherherowhenhesteppedfromthetrain。Ifithadn’tbeenforMother’spoornervesshesurelywouldhavebeen。
Heknewit，didn’the？Ofcoursehedid。ButsheshouldseehimsoonbecauseMotherisplanningalreadytocomebacktoNewYorkinafewweeksandthenyouaretorunoverimmediatelyandmakeusaLONGvisit。AndIshallbesoPROUDofyou。TherearelotsofArmyfellowsdownherenow，officersforthemostpart。Sowedanceandareverygay——thatis，theothergirlsare。I，beinganengagedyounglady，amverycircumspectanddemure，ofcourse。
MothercarriesTheLancesaboutwithherwherevershegoes，toteasandsuchthings，andreadsaloudfromitoften。CaptainBlanchard，heisoneofthefamily’sofficerfriends，iscrazyaboutyourpoetry，dear。HethinksitWONDERFUL。Youknowwhat_I_thinkofit，don’tyou，andwhenIthinkthat_I_actuallyhelpedyou，orplayedathelpingyouwritesomeofit！
AndIamWILDtoseeyourwarcross。Someoftheofficersherehavethem——thecrosses，Imean——butnotmany。CaptainBlanchardhasthemilitarymedal，andheisalmostasmodestaboutitasyouareaboutyourdecoration。Idon’tseehowyouCANbesomodest。
If_I_hadaCroixdeGuerreIshouldwantEVERYONEtoknowaboutit。AttheteadancetheotherafternoontherewasaBritishmajorwho——
Andsoon。Thesecondletterwasreallyacontinuationofthefirst。Albertreadthembothand，afterthereadingwasfinished，satforsometimeintherockingchair，quiteregardlessofthetimeandthecold，thinking。Hetookfromhispocketbookaphotograph，onewhichMadelinehadsenthimmonthsbefore，whichhadreachedhimwhilehelayintheFrenchhospitalafterhisremovalfromtheGermancamp。Helookedattheprettyfaceinthephotograph。Shelookedjustasherememberedher，almostexactlyasshehadlookedmorethantwoyearsbefore，smiling，charming，carefree。Shehadnot，apparently，grownolder，thoseage-longmonthshadnotchangedher。Heroseandregardedhisownreflectioninthemirrorofthebureau。Hewassurprised，ashewasconstantlybeingsurprised，toseethathe，too，hadnotchangedgreatlyinpersonalappearance。
Hewalkedabouttheroom。Hisgrandmotherhadtoldhimthathisroomwasjustashehadleftit。Iwouldn’tchangeit，Albert，
shesaid，evenwhenwethoughtyou——youwasn’tcomin’back。I
couldn’ttouchit，somehow。Ikeptthinkin’，’SomedayIwill。
PrettysoonIMUST。’ButIneverdid，andnowI’msoglad。
Hewanderedbacktothebureauandpulledopentheupperdrawers。
Inthosedrawersweresomanythings，thingswhichhehadkeptthere，eitherdeliberatelyorbecausehewastooindolenttodestroythem。Olddancecards，invitations，andabundleofphotographs，snapshots。Heremovedtherubberbandfromthebundleandstoodlookingthemover。Photographsofschoolfellows，ofpicnicgroups，ofgirls。SamThatcher，GertieKendrick——andHelenKendall。TherewereatleastadozenofHelen。
Oneinparticularwasverygood。FromthatphotographthefaceofHelenashehadknownitfouryearsbeforelookedstraightupintohis——clear-eyed，honest，ahintofhumorandunderstandingandcommon-senseinthegazeandatthecornersofthelips。Helookedatthephotograph，andthephotographlookedupathim。Hehadnotseenherforsolongatime。Hewonderedifthewarhadchangedherasithadchangedhim。Somehowhehopedithadnot。Changedidnotseemnecessaryinhercase。
Therehadbeennocorrespondencebetweenthemsinceherletterwrittenwhensheheardofhisenlistment。HehadnotrepliedtothatbecauseheknewMadelinewouldnotwishhimtodoso。Hewonderedifsheeverthoughtofhimnow，ifsherememberedtheiradventureatHighPointlight。Hehadthoughtofheroftenenough。
Inthosedaysandnightsofhorrorintheprisoncampandhospitalhehadfoundalittlerelief，alittlesolaceinlyingwithclosedeyesandsummoningbackfrommemorythethingsofhomeandthefacesofhome。Andherfacehadbeenoneofthese。HerfaceandthoseofhisgrandparentsandRachelandLaban，andvisionsoftheoldhouseandtherooms——theywerethesubstantialthingstoclingtoandhehadclungtothem。TheyWEREhome。Madeline——ah！yes，hehadlongedforheranddreamedofher，Godknew，butMadeline，ofcourse，wasdifferent。
Hesnappedtherubberbandoncemoreaboutthebundleofphotographs，closedthedrawerandpreparedforbed。
Forthetwoweeksfollowinghisreturnhomehehadathoroughlygoodtime。Itwasatremendouscomforttogetupwhenhepleased，toeatthethingsheliked，todomuchorlittleornothingathisownsweetwill。Hewalkedagooddeal，trampingalongthebeachintheblusteringwindandchillysunshineandenjoyingeverybreathofthecleansaltair。Hethoughtmuchduringthosesolitarywalks，andattimes，athomeintheevenings，hewouldfalltomusingandsitsilentforlongperiods。Hisgrandmotherwastroubled。
Don’titseemtoyou，Zelotes，sheaskedherhusband，asifAlbertwaskindofdiscontentedorunsatisfiedthesedays？He’sso——sosortoffidgety。Talksliketheverymischieffortenminutesandthendon’tspeakforhalfanhour。Sitsstillforalongstretchandthenjumpsupandstartsoffwalkin’asifhewascrazy。Whatmakeshimactso？He’skindofchangedfromwhatheusedtobe。Don’tyouthinkso？
Thecaptainpattedhershoulder。Don’tworry，Mother，hesaid。
Al’solderthanhewasandwhathe’sbeenthroughhasmadehimolderstill。Asforthefidgetypartofit，thesettin’downandjumpin’upandallthat，that’sthewaytheyallact，sofarasI
canlearn。ElishaWarren，overtoSouthDenboro，tellsmehisnephewhasbeenthatwayeversincehegotback。Don’tfret，Mother，Alwillcomeroundallright。
Ididn’tknowbuthemightbeanxioustosee——toseeher，youknow。
Her？Oh，youmeantheFosdickgirl。Well，he’llbegoin’toseeherprettysoon，Ipresumelikely。They’reduebackinNewYork’mostanytimenow，Ibelieve……Oh，hum！Whyintimecouldn’the——
Couldn’thewhat，Zelotes？
Oh，nothin’，nothin’。
Thesummonscameonlyadayafterthisconversation。ItcameintheformofanotherletterfromMadelineandonefromMrs。Fosdick。
Theywere，sothelatterwrote，backoncemoreintheircityhome，hernerves，thankHeaven，werequitestrongagain，andtheywereexpectinghim，Albert，tocomeonatonce。Wearealldyingtoseeyou，wroteMrs。Fosdick。Andpoor，dearMadeline，ofcourse，iscountingthemoments。
Stayaslongasyoufeellike，Al，saidthecaptain，whentoldoftheproposedvisit。It’sthedullseasonattheoffice，anyhow，andLabeandIcangetalongfirst-rate，withIssytosuperintend。
Stayaslongasyouwantto，only——
Onlywhat，Grandfather？
Onlydon’twanttostaytoolong。Thatis，don’tfallinlovewithNewYorksohardthatyouforgetthereissuchaplaceasSouthHarniss。
Albertsmiled。I’vebeeninplacesfartherawaythanNewYork，
hesaid，andIneverforgotSouthHarniss。
Um-hm……Well，Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifthatwasso。Butyou’llhavebettercompanyinNewYorkthanyoudidinsomeofthoseplaces。GivemyregardstoFosdick。So-long，Al。
CHAPTERXVI
TheFosdickcarwasattheGrandCentralStationwhentheKnickerbockerLimitedpulledin。AndMadeline，awonderfullyfurredandveiledandhattedMadeline，waswaitingtherebehindtherailashecameuptherunwayfromthetrain。Itwasamazingthefactthatitwasreallyshe。Itwasmoreamazingstilltokissherthereinpublic，toholdherhandwithoutfearthatsomeonemightsee。To——
ShallItakeyourbags，sir？
ItwastheFosdickfootmanwhoaskedit。Albertstartedguiltily。
Thenhelaughed，realizingthatthehand-holdingandtherestwerenolongercriminaloffenses。Hesurrenderedhisluggagetotheman。AfewminuteslaterheandMadelinewereinthelimousine，whichwasmovingrapidlyuptheAvenue。AndMadelinewasaskingquestionsandhewasansweringand——andstillitwasalladream。
ItCOULDN’Tbereal。
ItwasevenmorelikeadreamwhenthelimousinedrewupbeforethedooroftheFosdickhomeandtheyenteredthathometogether。FortherewasMrs。Fosdick，asevermajestic，commanding，awe-inspiring，thesameMrs。Fosdickwhohad，inherlettertohisgrandfather，writtenhimdownadespicable，underhandedsneak，herewasthatsameMrs。Fosdick——butnotatallthesame。Forthisladywassmilingandgracious，welcominghimtoherhome，addressinghimbyhisChristianname，treatinghimkindly，withalmostmotherlytenderness。
Madeline’slettersandMrs。Fosdick’sownlettersreceivedduringhisconvalescenceabroadhadpreparedhim，orsohehadthought，forsomesuchchange。Nowherealizedthathehadnotbeenpreparedatall。Therealitywassomuchmorerevolutionarythantheanticipationthathesimplycouldnotbelieveit。
Butitwasnotsoverywonderfulifhehadknownallthefactsandhadbeeninaframeofmindtocalmlyanalyzethem。Mrs。FletcherFosdickwasaseasonedveteran，ageneralwhohadplannedandfoughtmanyhardcampaignsuponthepoliticalbattlegroundsofwomen’sclubsandsocietiesofvarioussorts。Fromthemajorityofthosecampaignsshehademergedvictorious，butherexperiencesindefeathadtaughtherthatthenextbestthingtowinningistolosegracefully，becausebysodoingmuchwhichappearstobelostmayberegained。ForAlbertSperanza，bookkeeperandwould-bepoetofSouthHarniss，CapeCod，shehadhadnousewhateverasaprospectiveson-in-law。EventowardalivingAlbertSperanza，heroandnewspaper-madegenius，shemighthavebeencold。Butwhenthatheroandgeniuswas，assheandeveryoneelsesupposed，safelyandsatisfactorilydeadandoutoftheway，shehadseizedtheopportunitytobaskintheradianceofhismemory。ShehadtalkedAlbertSperanzaandreadAlbertSperanzaandboastedofAlbertSperanza’sengagementtoherdaughterbeforetheworld。NowthatthesaidAlbertSperanzahadbeeninconsiderateenoughtocomealiveagain，therewasbutonethingforhertodo——thatis，tomakethebestofit。AndwhenMrs。FletcherFosdickmadethebestofanythingshemadetheverybest。
Itdoesn’tmakeanydifference，shetoldherhusband，whetherhereallyisageniusorwhetherheisn’t。Wehavesaidheisandnowwemustkeeponsayingit。Andifhecan’tearnhissaltbyhiswritings——whichheprobablycan’t——thenyoumustfixitinsomewaysothathecanmake-believeearnitbysomethingelse。HeisengagedtoMadeline，andwehavetoldeveryonethatheis，sohewillhavetomarryher。atleast，Iseenowaytopreventit。
Humph！gruntedFosdick。AndafterthatI’llhavetosupportthem，Isuppose。
Probably——unlessyouwantyouronlychildtostarve。
Well，Imustsay，Henrietta——
Youneedn’t，forthereisnothingmoreTOsay。We’reinitand，whetherwelikeitornot，wemustmakethebestofit。Todoanythingnowexceptappearjoyfulaboutitwouldbetomakeourselvesperfectlyridiculous。Wecan’tdothat，andyouknowit。