Herhusbandstilllookedeverythingbutcontented。
Sofarastheyoungfellowhimselfgoes，hesaid，Ilikehim，rather。I’vetalkedwithhimonlyonce，ofcourse，andthenheandIweren’tagreeingexactly。ButIlikedhim，nevertheless。IfhewereanythingbutafoolpoetIshouldbemorereconciled。
Hewassnubbedimmediately。THAT，declaredMrs。Fosdick，withdecision，istheonlythingthatmakeshimpossible。
SoMrs。Fosdick’swelcomewaswhole-handedifnotwhole-hearted。
Andherhusband’salsowascordialandintimate。TheonlymemberoftheFosdickhouseholdwhodidnotregardtheguestwithfavorwasGoogoo。Thataristocraticbull-pupwasstillirreconcilablyhostile。WhenAlbertattemptedtopethimheappearedtobeplanningtodevourthecaressinghand，andwhenrebukedbyhismistressretiredbeneathadavenport，growlingominously。EvenwhenignominiouslyexpelledfromtheroomhegrowledandcastlongingbackwardglancesattheSperanzaankles。No，Googoodidnotdissemble。AlbertwasperfectlysureofhisstandinginGoogoo’sestimation。
Dinnerthateveningwasatriflemoreformalthanhehadexpected，andhewasobligedtoapologizeforthelimitationsofhiswardrobe。Hisdresssuitofformerdayshehadfoundmuchtoodilapidatedforuse。Besides，hehadoutgrownit。
IthoughtIwasthinner，hesaid，andIthinkIam。ButImusthavebroadenedabit。Atanyrate，allthecoatsIleftbehindwon’tdoatall。IshallhavetodowhatCaptainSnow，mygrandfather，calls’refit’hereinNewYork。InadayortwoI
hopetobemorepresentable。
Mrs。Fosdickassuredhimthatitwasquiteallright，really。
Madelineaskedwhyhedidn’twearhisuniform。Iwasdyingtoseeyouinit，shesaid。Justthink，Ineverhave。
Albertlaughed。Youhavebeenspared，hetoldher。Minewasnotatriumph，sofarasfitwasconcerned。Ofcourse，IhadacompletenewrigwhenIcameoutofthehospital，buteventhatwasnotbeautiful。Itpuckeredwhereitshouldhavebulgedandbulgedwhereitshouldhavebeensmooth。
Madelineprofessednottobelievehim。
Nonsense！shedeclared。Idon’tbelieveit。Why，almostallthefellowsIknowhavebeeninuniformforthepasttwoyearsandtheirsfittedbeautifully。
Buttheywereofficers，weren’tthey，andtheiruniformswerecustommade。
Why，Isupposeso。Aren’talluniformscustommade？
Herfatherlaughed。Scarcely，Maddie，hesaid。Theprivateshavetheircustom-madebythemileandcutoffinchunksfortheindividual。Thatwasaboutit，wasn’tit，Speranza？
Justabout，sir。
Mrs。Fosdickevidentlythoughtthattheconversationwastakingaratherlowtone。SheelevateditbyaskingwhathisthoughtswerewhentakenprisonerbytheGermans。Helookedpuzzled。
Thoughts，Mrs。Fosdick？herepeated。Idon’tknowthatI
understand，exactly。Iwasonlypartlyconsciousandinagooddealofpainandmythoughtswereratherincoherent，I’mafraid。
Butwhenyouregainedconsciousness，youknow。Whatwereyourthoughtsthen？Didyourealizethatyouhadmadethegreatsacrificeforyourcountry？Riskedyourlifeandforfeitedyourlibertyandallthatforthecause？Wasn’titagreatsatisfactiontofeelthatyouhaddonethat？
Albert’slaughwasheartyandunaffected。Why，no，hesaid。I
thinkwhatIwasrealizingmostjustthenwasthatIhadmadeamiserablemessofthewholebusiness。FailedindoingwhatIsetouttodoandbeentakenprisonerbesides。Irememberthinking，whenIwasclear-headedenoughtothinkanything，’Youfool，youspentmonthsgettingintothiswar，andthengotyourselfoutofitinfifteenminutes。’AnditWASasillytrick，too。
Madelinewashorrified。
WhatDOyoumean？shecried。Yourgoingbacktheretorescueyourcomradeasillytrick！TheverythingthatwonyouyourCroixdeGuerre？
Why，yes，inaway。Ididn’tsaveMike，poorfellow——
Mike！WashisnameMike？
Yes。MichaelFrancisXavierKelly。ASouthBostonMickhewas，andoneofthefinest，squarestboysthateverdrewbreath。Well，poorMikewasdeadwhenIgottohim，somytriphadbeenfornothing，andifhehadbeenaliveIcouldnothavepreventedhisbeingtaken。Asitwas，hewasdeadandIwasaprisoner。Sonothingwasgainedand，forme，personally，agooddealwaslost。
Itwasn’tabrilliantthingtodo。But，headdedapologetically，achapdoesn’thavetimetothinkcollectivelyinsuchascrape。
AnditwasmyfirstrealscrapandIwasfrightenedhalftodeath，besides。
Frightened！Why，Ineverheardanythingsoridiculous！What——
Onemoment，Madeline。ItwasMrs。Fosdickwhointerrupted。I
wanttoask——er——Albertaquestion。Iwanttoaskhimifduringhislongimprisonmenthecomposed——wrote，youknow。Ishouldhavethoughtthesightsandexperienceswouldhaveforcedonetoexpressone’sself——thatis，onetowhomthegiftofexpressionwassogenerouslygranted，sheadded，withagraciousnod。
Alberthesitated。
Why，atfirstIdid，hesaid。WhenIfirstwaswellenoughtothink，Iusedtotrytowrite——verses。Iwroteagoodmany。
AfterwardsItorethemup。
Torethemup！BothMrs。andMissFosdickutteredthisexclamation。
Why，yes。Yousee，theyweresuchrot。ThethingsIwantedtowriteabout，thethings_I_hadseenandwasseeing，the——thefellowslikeMikeandtheirpluckandallthat——well，itwasalltoobigformetotackle。Myjinglessounded，whenIreadthemover，liketunesonastreetpiano。_I_couldn’tdoit。Ageniusmighthavebeenequaltothejob，butIwasn’t。
Mrs。Fosdickglancedatherhusband。Therewassomethingofalarmedapprehensionintheglance。Madeline’snextremarkcoveredthesituation。Itexpressedtheabsolutetruth，somuchmoreofthetruththaneventheyoungladyherselfrealizedatthetime。
Why，AlbertSperanza，sheexclaimed，Ineverheardyouspeakofyourselfandyourworkinthatwaybefore。Always——ALWAYSyouhavehadsuchcomplete，suchsplendidconfidenceinyourself。YouwereneverafraidtoattemptANYTHING。YouMUSTnottalkso。Don’tyouintendtowriteanymore？
Albertlookedather。Oh，yes，indeed，hesaidsimply。ThatisjustwhatIdointendtodo——ortrytodo。
Thatevening，aloneinthelibrary，heandMadelinehadtheirfirstlong，intimatetalk，thefirstsincethosedays——tohimtheyseemedasfarawayasthelastcentury——whentheywalkedtheSouthHarnissbeachtogether，walkedbeneaththerainbowsanddreamed。Andnowherewastheirdreamcomingtrue。
Madeline，hewasrealizingitashelookedather，wasprettierthanever。Shehadgrownalittleolder，ofcourse，alittlemoremature，butsurprisinglylittle。Shewasstillagirl，avery，veryprettygirlandacharminggirl。Andhe——
Whatareyouthinkingabout？shedemandedsuddenly。
Hecametohimself。Iwasthinkingaboutyou，hesaid。Youarejustasyouusedtobe，justascharmingandjustassweet。Youhaven’tchanged。
Shesmiledandthenpouted。
Idon’tknowwhethertolikethatornot，shesaid。Didyouexpecttofindmeless——charmingandtherest？
Why，no，ofcoursenot。Thatwasclumsyonmypart。WhatImeantwasthat——well，itseemsages，centuries，sinceweweretogetherthereontheCape——andyetyouhavenotchanged。
Sheregardedhimreflectively。
Youhave，shesaid。
Havewhat？
Changed。Youhavechangedagooddeal。Idon’tknowwhetherI
likeitornot。PerhapsIshallbemorecertainbyandby。Nowshowmeyourwarcross。Atleastyouhavebroughtthat，evenifyouhaven’tbroughtyouruniform。
Hehadthecrossinhispocket-bookandheshowedittoher。Sheenthusedoverit，ofcourse，andwishedhemightwearitevenwhenincitizen’sclothes。Shedidn’tseewhyhecouldn’t。AnditwasSUCHapityhecouldnotbeinuniform。CaptainBlanchardhadcalledtheeveningbefore，toseeMotheraboutsomewarcharitiesshewasinterestedin，andhewasstillinuniformandwearinghisdecorations，too。AlbertsuggestedthatprobablyBlanchardwasstillinservice。Yes，shebelievedhewas，butshecouldnotseewhythatshouldmakethedifference。AlberthadBEENinservice。
Helaughedatthisandattemptedtoexplain。Sheseemedtoresenttheattemptorthetone。
Idowish，shesaidalmostpettishly，thatyouwouldn’tbesosuperior。
Hewassurprised。Superior！herepeated。Superior！I？
Superiorityistheveryleastofmyfeelings。I——superior！That’sajoke。
And，oddlyenough，sheresentedthatevenmore。Whyisitajoke？shedemanded。Ishouldthinkyouhadtherighttofeelsuperiortoalmostanyone。Ahero——andagenius！YouARE
superior。
However，thelittleflurrywasbutmomentary，andshewasallsweetnessandsmileswhenshekissedhimgoodnight。Hewasshowntohisroombyaservantandamiditsarrayofcomforts——tohim，freshfromFranceandthecampandhisoldroomatSouthHarniss，itwasluxuriouslymagnificent——hesatforsometimethinking。Histhoughtsshouldhavebeenhappyones，yettheywerenotentirelyso。Thisisacuriouslyunsatisfactoryworld，sometimes。
Thenextdayhewentshopping。FosdickhadgivenhimacardtohisowntailorandMadelinehadgivenhimthenamesofseveralshopswhere，soshedeclared，hecouldbuytherightsortoftiesandthings。Fromthetailor’sAlbertemergedlookingatrifledazed。
afteravisittotwooftheshopsthedazedexpressionwasevenmorepronounced。Hisnextvisitswereatestablishmentsfartherdowntownandnotasexclusive。HereturnedtotheFosdickhomefeelingfairlywellsatisfiedwiththeresultsachieved。Madeline，however，didnotsharehissatisfaction。
ButDadsentyoutohistailor，shesaid。Whyintheworlddidn’tyouorderyoureveningclothesthere？AndBretthasthemoststunningties。Everyonesaysso。Insteadyoubuyyoursatadepartmentstore。Nowwhy？
Hesmiled。Mydeargirl，hesaid，yourfather’stailorestimatedthathemightmakemeaverypassabledresssuitforonehundredandseventy-fivedollars。Brett’stieswerestunning，justasyousay，butthepricesrangedfromfivetoeightdollars，whichwasmorestunningstill。Forayoungpersonfromthecountryoutofajob，whichismyconditionatpresent，suchthingsmaybelookedatbutnothandled。Ican’taffordthem。
Shetossedherhead。Whatnonsense！sheexclaimed。You’renotoutofajob，asyoucallit。Youareawriterandafamouswriter。Youhavewrittenonebookandyouaregoingtowritemore。
Besides，youmusthavemadeheapsofmoneyfromTheLances。Everyonehasbeenreadingit。
Whenhetoldhertheamountofhisroyaltychecksheexpressedtheopinionthatthepublishermusthavecheated。Itoughttohavebeeneverandeversomuchmorethanthat。Suchwonderfulpoems！
ThenextdayshewenttoBrett’sandpurchasedahalfdozenofthemostexpensiveties，whichshepresentedtohimforthwith。
There！shedemanded。Aren’tthosenicerthantheonesyouboughtatthatolddepartmentstore？Well，then！
But，Madeline，Imustnotletyoubuymyties。
Whynot？Itisn’tsuchanunheard-ofthingforanengagedgirltogiveherfianceanecktie。
Thatisn’ttheidea。Ishouldhaveboughttieslikethosemyself，butIcouldn’taffordthem。Nowforyouto——
Nonsense！Youtalkasifyouwereabeggar。Don’tbesosilly。
But，Madeline——
Stop！Idon’twanttohearit。
Sheroseandwentoutoftheroom。Shelookedasifshewereonthevergeoftears。Hefeltobligedtoacceptthegift，buthedislikedtheprincipleofthethingsasmuchasever。Whenshereturnedshewasverytalkativeandgayandchattedallthroughluncheon。Thesubjectofthetieswasnotmentionedagainbyeitherofthem。Hewasgladhehadnottoldherthathisnewdresssuitwasready-made。
WhileinFrance，awaitinghisreturnhome，hehadpurchasedaringandsentittoher。Shewaswearingit，ofcourse。Comparedwithotherarticlesofjewelrywhichsheworefromtimetotime，hisringmadeanextremelymodestshowing。Sheseemedquiteunawareofthediscrepancy，buthewasawareofit。
OnaneveninglaterintheweekMrs。Fosdickgaveareception。
Quiteaninformalaffair，shesaid，inannouncingherintention。
JustafewintimatefriendstomeetMr。Speranza，thatisall。
Mostlyloversofliterature——discerningpeople，ifImaysayso。
ThequiteinformalaffairlookedquiteformidablyformaltoAlbert。
Thefewintimatefriendsweremany，soitseemedtohim。TherewasstillenoughoftheformerAlbertSperanzaleftinhismake-uptopreventhisappearingintheleastdistressedorillatease。Hewas，ashehadalwaysbeenwheninthepubliceye，evenasfarbackastheschooldancing-classeswiththeMissesBradshaw’syoungladies，perfectlyself-possessed，charminglypolite，absolutelyself-assured。Andhisgoodlookshadnotsufferedduringhisyearsofimprisonmentandsuffering。Hewasnolongerahandsomeboy，buthewasanextraordinarilyattractiveanddistinguishedman。
Mrs。Fosdickmarkedhismannerandappearanceandbreathedasighofsatisfaction。Madelinenotedthem。Heryoungfriendsofthesexnotedthemandwhisperedandlookedapproval。Whattheyoungmenthoughtdoesnotmattersomuch，perhaps。OneofthesewastheCaptainBlanchard，ofwhomMadelinehadwrittenandspoken。Hewasatall，athleticchap，wholookedwellinhisuniform，andwhosefacewasthatofahealthy，clean-livingandclean-thinkingyoungAmerican。HeandAlbertshookhandsandlookedeachotherover。
AlbertdecidedheshouldlikeBlanchardifheknewhimbetter。Thecaptainwasnottalkative。infact，heseemedrathertaciturn。
Maidsandmatronsgushedwhenpresentedtothelionoftheevening。
ItscarcelyseemedpossiblethattheywereactuallymeetingtheauthorofTheLancesofDawn。Thatwonderfulbook！Thosewonderfulpoems！HowCANyouwritethem，Mr。Speranza？Whendoyourbestinspirationscome，Mr。Speranza？Oh，ifIcouldwriteasyoudoI
shouldwalkonair。Thematronwhobreathedthelast-quotedecstasywasdistinctlyweighty。thementalpictureofherpedestriantripthroughtheatmospherewasinteresting。Albert’shandwaspattedbytheelderlyspinsters，youngwomen’seyesliftedsoulfulglancestohis。
Itwasthesortofthinghewouldhaverevelledinthreeorfouryearsearlier。Exactlythesortofthinghehaddreamedofwhenthemajorityofthepoemstheygushedoverwerewritten。Itwasmuchthesamethingherememberedhavingseenhisfatherundergointhedayswhenheandtheoperasingerweretogether。Andhisfatherhad，apparently，ratherenjoyedit。Herealizedallthis——
andherealized，too，withaqueerfeelingthatitshouldbeso，thathedidnotlikeitatall。Itwassilly。Nothinghehadwrittenwarrantedsuchextravagances。Hadn’tthesepeopleanysenseofproportion？Theyboredhimtodesperation。Thesolereliefwasthebehaviorofthemen，particularlythemiddle-agedorelderlymen，obviouslypresentthroughfemininecompulsion。Theyseizedhishand，moveditupanddownwithapumpingmotion，utteredsomestereotypedprevaricationsabouttheirpleasureatmeetinghimandtheirhavingenjoyedhispoemsverymuch，andthenslidoninthedirectionoftherefreshmentroom。
AndAlbert，asheshookhands，bowedandsmiledandwascharminglyaffable，foundhisthoughtswanderinguntiltheysettleduponPrivateMikeKellyandthepicturesquelanguageofthelatterwhenhe，assergeant，routedhimoutforguardduty。Mikehadnotgushedoverhimnorcalledhimagenius。Hehadcalledhimmanythings，butnotthat。
HewasgladindeedwhenhecouldslipawayforadancewithMadeline。HefoundherchattinggailywithCaptainBlanchard，whohadbeenhermostrecentpartner。Heclaimedherfromthecaptainandasheledherouttothedancefloorshewhisperedthatshewasveryproudofhim。ButIDOwishYOUcouldwearyourwarcross，
sheadded。
Thequiteinformalaffairwasthefirstofmanyquiteasinformallyformal。AlsoMrs。Fosdick’ssatellitesandfriendsoftheliteraryclubsandthewarworksocietiesseizedtheopportunitytomakemuchoftheheroicauthorofTheLancesofDawn。Hissocietywasrequestedatteas，atafternoonaswellaseveninggatherings。Hewouldhaverefusedmostoftheseinvitations，butMadelineandhermotherseemedtotakehisacceptanceforgranted。infact，theyacceptedforhim。Aghastlyhabitdevelopedofaskinghimtoreadafewofhisownpoemsontheseoccasions。PLEASE，Mr。Speranza。
Itwillbesuchatreat，andsuchanHONOR。UsuallyaparticularrequestwasmadethathereadTheGreaterLove。NowTheGreaterLovewasthepoemwhich，writteninthoserapturousdayswhenheandMadelinefirstbecameawareoftheirmutualadoration，wasrefusedbyoneeditorasatrifletoosyrupy。Toreadthatstickyeffusionoverandoveragainbecameatorment。TherewereoccasionswhenifamanhadreferredtoTheGreaterLove，itsauthormighthavehowledprofanelyandofferedbodilyviolence。
ButnomeneverdidrefertoTheGreaterLove。
Ononeoccasionwhenasentimentalmatronandhergushingdaughterhadbeggedtoknowifhedidnothimselfadorethatpoem，ifhedidnotconsideritthebesthehadeverwritten，hehadansweredfrankly。Hewassatiatedwithcakeandteaandcomplimentsthateveningandrecklesslytruthful。Youreallywishtoknowmyopinionofthatpoem？heasked。Indeedandindeedtheyreallywishedtoknewjustthatthing。Well，then，Ithinkit’srot，hedeclared。Iloatheit。
Ofcoursemotheranddaughterwereindignant。TheircommentsreachedMadeline’sear。Shetookhimtotask。
Butwhydidyousayit？shedemanded。Youknowyoudon’tmeanit。
Yes，Idomeanit。ItISrot。Lotsofthestuffinthatbookofmineisrot。Ididnotthinksoonce，butIdonow。IfIhadthebooktomakeoveragain，thatsortwouldn’tbeincluded。
Shelookedathimforamomentasifstudyingaproblem。
Idon’tunderstandyousometimes，shesaidslowly。Youaredifferent。AndIthinkwhatyousaidtoMrs。BaconandMarianwasveryrude。
LaterwhenhewenttolookforherhefoundherseatedwithCaptainBlanchardinacorner。Theywereeatingicesand，apparently，enjoyingthemselves。Hedidnotdisturbthem。InsteadhehunteduptheoffendedBaconsandapologizedforhisoutbreak。Theapology，althoughgraciouslyaccepted，hadratherwearisomeconsequences。Mrs。Bacondeclaredsheknewthathehadnotreallymeantwhathesaid。
Irealizehowitmustbe，shedeclared。Youpeopleoftemperament，ofgenius，ofaspirations，areneverquitesatisfied，youcannotbe。Youarealwaystrying，alwaysseekingthehigherattainment。Achievementsofthepast，thoughtotherestofuswonderfulandsublime，aretoyou——asyousay，’rot。’Thatisit，isitnot？Albertsaidheguesseditwas，andwanderedaway，seekingseclusionandsolitude。WhentheaffairbrokeuphefoundMadelineandBlanchardstillenjoyingeachother’ssociety。Bothweresurprisedwhentoldthehour。
CHAPTERXVII
Sothefirstthreeweeksofhisproposedmonth’svisitpassedandthefourthbegan。Andmoreandmorehisfeelingsofdissatisfactionanduneasinessincreased。Thereasonsforthosefeelingshefoundhardtodefine。TheFosdicksweremostcertainlydoingtheirbesttomakehimcomfortableandhappy。Theywerekind——yes，morethankind。Mr。Fosdickhereallybegantolike。Mrs。Fosdick’smannerhadatraceofcondescensioninit，butastheladytreatedallcreationwithmuchthesamemeasureofcondescension，hewasmoreamusedthanresentful。AndMadeline——Madelinewassweetandcharmingandbeautiful。Therewasinhermannertowardhim，orsohefancied，aslightchange，perhapsachangeatriflemoremarkedsincetheeveningwhenhisexpressedopinionofTheGreaterLove
hadoffendedherandtheBacons。Itseemedtohimthatshewasmoreimpatient，morecapricious，sometimesalmostoverwhelminghimwithattentionandtendernessandthenappearingtoforgethimentirelyandtobequiteindifferenttohisthoughtsandopinions。Hermoodsvariedgreatlyandtherewereoccasionswhenhefounditalmostimpossibletopleaseher。Atthesetimesshetookoffensewhennooffensewasintendedandhefoundhimselfapologizingwhen，tosaytheleast，thefault，iftherewasany，wasnotmorethanhalfhis。
Butshealwaysfollowedthosemoodswithothersofcontritionandpenitenceandthenhewaspettedandfondledandhisforgivenessimplored。
Theseslightchangesinherhenoticed，buttheytroubledhimlittle，principallybecausehewascomingtorealizethegreatchangeinhimself。Moreandmorethatchangewasforcingitselfuponhim。Thestoriesandnovelshehadreadduringthefirstyearsofthewar，thestoriesbyEnglishwritersinwhichyoungmen，frivolousandinconsequential，hadenlistedandfoughtandemergedfromtheordealstrong，purposefulandmade-over——thosestoriesrecurredtohimnow。Hehadpaidlittleattentiontothemaking-overideawhenhereadthosetales，butnowhewasforcedtobelievetheremightbesomethinginit。Certainlysomething，thethreeyearsorthedisciplineandtrainingandsuffering，orallcombined，hadchangedhim。Hewasnotasheusedtobe。
Thingshelikedverymuchhenolongerlikedatall。Andwhere，ohwhere，wasthesereneself-satisfactionwhichoncewashis？
Thechangemustbequiteindividual，hedecided。Allsoldierswerenotsoaffected。TakeBlanchard，forinstance。Blanchardhadseenservice，moreandquiteashardfightingashehadseen，butBlanchardwas，toallappearances，aslight-heartedandsereneandconfidentasever。BlanchardwaslikeMadeline。hewasmuchthesamenowashehadbeenbeforethewar。Blanchardcoulddanceandtalksmalltalkandlaughandenjoyhimself。Well，socouldhe，onoccasions，forthatmatter，ifthathadbeenall。Butitwasnotall，orifitwaswhywasheatothertimessodiscontentedanduncomfortable？Whatwasthematterwithhim，anyway？
Hedrewmoreandmoreintohisshellandbecamemorequietandlesstalkative。Madeline，inoneofhermoods，reproachedhimforit。
Idowishyouwouldn’tbegrumpy，shesaid。
Theyhadbeensittinginthelibraryandhehadlapsedintoafitofmusing，answeringherquestionswithabsentmindedmonosyllables。
Nowhelookedup。
Grumpy？herepeated。WasIgrumpy？Ibegyourpardon。
Youshould。YouansweredeverywordIspoketoyouwithagruntoragrowl。Imightaswellhavebeentalkingtoabear。
I’mawfullysorry，dear。Ididn’tfeelgrumpy。Iwasthinking，I
suppose。
Thinking！Youarealwaysthinking。Whythink，pray？……IfI
permittedmyselftothink，Ishouldgoinsane。
Madeline，whatdoyoumean？
Oh，nothing。I’mpartiallyinsanenow，perhaps。Come，let’sgotothepiano。Ifeellikeplaying。Youdon’tmind，doyou？
ThateveningMrs。Fosdickmadeasuggestiontoherhusband。
Fletcher，shesaid，IaminclinedtothinkitistimeyouandAlberthadatalkconcerningthefuture。Abusinesstalk，Imean。
Iamalittleuneasyabouthim。FromsomethingshehassaidtomerecentlyIgatherthatheisplanningtoearnhislivingwithhispen。
Well，howelsedidyouexpecthimtoearnit。asbookkeeperfortheSouthHarnisslumberconcern？
Don’tbeabsurd。WhatImeanisthatheisthinkingofdevotinghimselftoliteratureexclusively。Don’tinterruptme，please。
Thatisverybeautifulandveryidealistic，andIhonorhimforit，butIcannotseeMadelineasanatticpoet’swife，canyou？
Ican’t，andItoldyousointhebeginning。
No。ThereforeIshouldtakehimtoonesideandtellhimoftheopeninginyourfirm。Withthatasameansofkeepinghisfeetonthegroundhisbrainmaysoarasitlikes，thehigherthebetter。
Mr。Fosdick，asusual，obeyedordersandthatafternoonAlbertandhehadthebusinesstalk。Conversationatdinnerwassomewhatstrained。Mr。Fosdickwasquietlyobservantandseemedratheramusedaboutsomething。Hiswifewasdignifiedandhermannertowardherguestwasinclinedtobeabrupt。Albert’sappetitewaspoor。AsforMadeline，shedidnotcomedowntodinner，havingaheadache。
Shecamedownlater，however。Albert，aloneinthelibrary，wassitting，abookuponhiskneesandhiseyesfixeduponnothinginparticular，whenshecamein。
Youarethinkingagain，Isee，shesaid。
Hehadnotheardherenter。Nowherose，thebookfallingtothefloor。
Why——why，yes，hestammered。Howareyoufeeling？Howisyourhead？
Itisnoworse。Andnobetter。Ihavebeenthinking，too，whichperhapsexplainsit。Sitdown，Albert，please。Iwanttotalkwithyou。ThatiswhatIhavebeenthinkingabout，thatyouandI
musttalk。
Sheseatedherselfuponthedavenportandhepulledforwardachairandsatfacingher。Foramomentshewassilent。Whenshedidspeak，however，herquestionwasverymuchtothepoint。
Whydidyousay’No’toFather’soffer？sheasked。Hehadbeenexpectingthisveryquestion，oroneleadinguptoit。Nevertheless，hefoundansweringdifficult。Hehesitated，andshewatchedhim，herimpatiencegrowing。
Well？sheasked。
Hesighed。Madeline，hesaid，Iamafraidyouthinkmeveryunreasonable，certainlyveryungrateful。
Idon’tknowwhattothinkaboutyou。ThatiswhyIfeelwemusthavethistalk。Tellme，please，justwhatFathersaidtoyouthisafternoon。
Hesaid——well，thesubstanceofwhathesaidwastooffermeapositioninhisoffice，inhisfirm。
Whatsortofaposition？
Well，I——Iscarcelyknow。Iwastohaveadeskthereand——andbegenerally——ornamental，Isuppose。Itwasnotverydefinite，thedetailsoftheposition，but——
Thesalarywasgood，wasn’tit？
Yes。morethangood。MuchtoogoodforthereturnIcouldmakeforit，soitseemedtome。
Andyourprospectsforthefuture？Wasn’ttheofferwhatpeoplecallagoodopportunity？
Why，yes，Isupposeitwas。Fortherightsortofmanitwouldhavebeenawonderfulopportunity。Yourfatherwasmostkind，mostgenerous，Madeline。Pleasedon’tthinkIamnotappreciative。I
am，but——
Don’t。Iwanttounderstanditall。Heofferedyouthisopportunity，thispartnershipinhisfirm，andyouwouldnotacceptit？Why？Don’tyoulikemyfather？
Yes，Ilikehimverymuch。
Didn’tyou，withtheslightestpossiblecurlofthelip，thinktheofferworthyofyou？……Oh，Idon’tmeanthat！Pleaseforgiveme。Iamtryingnottobedisagreeable。I——Ijustwanttounderstand，Albert，that’sall。
Henodded。Iknow，Madeline，hesaid。Youhavetherighttoask。Itwasn’tsomuchaquestionoftheofferbeingworthyofmeasofmybeingworthytheoffer。Oh，Madeline，whyshouldyouandIpretend？YouknowwhyMr。Fosdickmademethatoffer。Itwasn’tbecauseIwaslikelytobeworthtendollarsayeartohisfirm。
InHeaven’sname，whatusewouldIbeinastockbroker’soffice，withmymake-up，withmylackofbusinessability？Hewouldbemakingaplaceformethereandpayingmeahighsalaryforonereasononly，andyouknowwhatthatis。Nowdon’tyou？
Shehesitatednow，butonlyforaninstant。Shecoloredalittle，butsheansweredbravely。
IsupposeIdo，shesaid，butwhatofit？Itisnotunheardof，isit，thetakingone’sprospectiveson-in-lawintopartnership？
No，but——We’redodgingtheissueagain，Madeline。IfIwerelikelytobeofanyhelptoyourfather’sbusiness，insteadofahindrance，Imightperhapsseeitdifferently。Asitis，I
couldn’tacceptunlessIwerewillingtobeanobjectofcharity。
DidyoutellFatherthat？
Yes。
Whatdidhesay？
Hesaidagooddeal。Hewasfrankenoughtosaythathedidnotexpectmetobeofgreatassistancetothefirm。ButImightbeofSOMEuse——hedidn’tputitasbaldlyasthat，ofcourse——andatalltimesIcouldkeeponwithmywriting，withmypoetry，youknow。
Thebrokeragebusinessshouldnotinterferewithmypoetry，hesaid。yourmotherwouldscalphimifitdidthat。
Shesmiledfaintly。Thatsoundslikedad，shecommented。
Yes。Well，wetalkedandarguedforsometimeonthesubject。
Heaskedmewhat，supposingIdidnotacceptthisofferofhis，myplansforthefuturemightbe。Itoldhimtheywereprettyunsettledasyet。Imeanttowrite，ofcourse。Notpoetryaltogether。Irealized，Itoldhim，thatIwasnotagreatpoet，apoetofgenius。
Madelineinterrupted。Hereyesflashed。
Whydoyousaythat？shedemanded。Ihaveheardyousayitbefore。Thatis，recently。IntheolddaysyouwereassureasIthatyouwerearealpoet，orshouldbesomeday。Youneverdoubtedit。YouusedtotellmesoandIlovedtohearyou。
Albertshookhishead。Iwassureofsomanythingsthen，hesaid。Imusthavebeenaninsufferablekid。
Shestampedherfoot。Itwaslessthanthreeyearsagothatyousaidit，shedeclared。Youarenotsofrightfullyancientnow……Well，goon，goon。Howdiditend，thetalkwithFather，Imean？
Itoldhim，hecontinued，thatImeanttowriteandtoearnmylivingbywriting。Imeanttotrymagazinework——stories，youknow——and，soon，anovel。Heaskedifearningenoughtosupportawifeonwouldnotbealongjobatthattime。IsaidIwasafraiditmight，butthatthatseemedtomemyparticulargame，nevertheless。
Sheinterruptedagain。Diditoccurtoyoutoquestionwhetherornotthatdeterminationofyourswasquitefairtome？sheasked。
Why——why，yes，itdid。AndIdon’tknowthatitISexactlyfairtoyou。I——
Nevermind。Goon。Tellmetherest。Howdiditend？
Well，itendedinasortofflare-up。Mr。Fosdickwasjustalittlebitsarcastic，andIexpressedmyfeelingsratherfreely——
toofreely，I’mafraid。
Nevermind。Iwanttoknowwhatyousaid。
Tobeabsolutelytruthful，then，thisiswhatIsaid：IsaidthatIappreciatedhiskindnessandwasgratefulfortheoffer。Butmymindwasmadeup。Iwouldnotliveuponhischarityanddrawalargesalaryfordoingnothingexceptbealittle，damnedtamehouse-poetledaroundinleashandexhibitedathiswife’sclubmeetings……Thatwasaboutall，Ithink。Weshookhandsattheend。Hedidn’tseemtolikemeanythelessfor……Why，Madeline，haveIoffendedyou？Mylanguagewasprettystrong，I
know，but——
Shehadbowedherheaduponherarmsamidthesofacushionsandwascrying。Hesprangtohisfeetandbentoverher。
Why，Madeline，hesaidagain，Ibegyourpardon。I’msorry——
Oh，itisn’tthat，shesobbed。Itisn’tthat。Idon’tcarewhatyousaid。
Whatisit，then？
Sheraisedherheadandlookedathim。
Itisyou，shecried。Itismyself。Itiseverything。Itisallwrong。I——Iwassohappyand——andnowIammiserable。Oh——oh，IwishIweredead！
Shethrewherselfuponthecushionsagainandwepthysterically。
Hestoodaboveher，strokingherhair，tryingtosootheher，tocomforther，andallthetimehefeltlikeabrute，aheartlessbeast。Atlastsheceasedcrying，satupandwipedhereyeswithherhandkerchief。
There！sheexclaimed。Iwillnotbesillyanylonger。Iwon’tbe！IWON’T！……Nowtellme：Whyhaveyouchangedso？
Helookeddownatherandshookhishead。Hewasconscience-
strickenandfullyasmiserableassheprofessedtobe。
Idon’tknow，hesaid。Iamolderand——and——andIDON’TseethingsasIusedto。IfthatbookofminehadappearedthreeyearsagoIhavenodoubtIshouldhavebelievedittobethegreatestthingeverprinted。Now，whenpeopletellmeitisandIreadwhatthereviewerssaidandallthat，I——IDON’Tbelieve，IKNOWitisn’tgreat——thatis，themostofitisn’t。Thereissomeprettygoodstuff，ofcourse，but——Yousee，Ithinkitwasn’tthepoemsthemselvesthatmadeitsell。Ithinkitwasallthefooltommyrotthepapersprintedaboutme，aboutmybeingaheroandallthatrubbish，whentheythoughtIwasdead，youknow。That——
Sheinterrupted。Oh，don’t！shecried。Don’t！Idon’tcareabouttheoldbook。I’mnotthinkingaboutthat。I’mthinkingaboutyou。YOUaren’tthesame——thesametowardme。
Towardyou，Madeline？Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean。
Yes，youdo。Ofcourseyoudo。Ifyouwerethesameasyouusedtobe，youwouldletFatherhelpyou。Weusedtotalkaboutthatverythingand——andyoudidn’tresentitthen。
Didn’tI？Well，perhapsIdidn’t。ButIthinkIrememberourspeakingsometimesofsacrificingeverythingforeachother。Weweretoliveinpoverty，ifnecessary，andIwastowrite，youknow，and——
Stop！Allthatwasnonsense，nonsense！youknowit。
Yes，I’mafraiditwas。
Youknowitwas。Andifyouwereasyouusedtobe，ifyou——
Madeline！
What？Whydidyouinterruptme？
BecauseIwantedtoaskyouaquestion。DoyouthinkYOUareexactlythesame——asyouusedtobe？
Whatdoyoumean？
Haven’tYOUchangedalittle？Areyouassureasyouwerethen——
assureofyourfeelingtowardme？
Shegazedathim，wide-eyed。WHATdoyoumean？
ImeanAREyousure？Ithasseemedtomethatperhaps——Iwasoutofyourlifeforalongtime，youknow，andduringagooddealofthattimeitseemedcertainthatIhadgoneforever。Iamnotblamingyou，goodnessknows，but——Madeline，isn’tthere——Well，ifIhadn’tcomeback，mightn’ttherehavebeensomeone——else？
Sheturnedpale。
Whatdo——shestammered，inarticulate。Why，why——
ItwasCaptainBlanchard，wasn’tit？
Thecolorcamebacktohercheekswitharush。Sheblushedfuriouslyandsprangtoherfeet。
How——howcanyousaysuchthings！shecried。Whatdoyoumean？
HowDAREyousayCaptainBlanchardtookadvantageof——How——howDAREyousayIwasnotloyaltoyou？Itisnottrue。Itisnottrue。Iwas。Iam。Therehasn’tbeenaword——awordbetweenussince——sincethenewscamethatyouwere——Itoldhim——Isaid——
Andhehasbeensplendid！Splendid！Andnowyousay——Oh，whatAMIsaying？WhatSHALLIdo？
Shecollapsedoncemoreamongthecushions。Heleanedforward。
Mydeargirl——hebegan，butshebrokein。
IHAVEN’Tbeendisloyal，shecried。Ihavetried——Oh，Ihavetriedsohard——
Hush，Madeline，hush。Iunderstand。Iunderstandperfectly。Itisallright，reallyitis。
AndIshouldhavekeptontryingalways——always。
Yes，dear，yes。Butdoyouthinkamarriedlifewithsomuchtryinginitlikelytobeahappyone？Itisbettertoknowitnow，isn’tit，agreatdealbetterforbothofus？Madeline，Iamgoingtomyroom。Iwantyoutothink，tothinkoverallthis，andthenwewilltalkagain。Idon’tblameyou。Idon’t，dear，really。IthinkIrealizeeverything——allofit。Goodnight，dear。
Hestoopedandkissedher。Shesobbed，butthatwasall。Thenextmorningaservantcametohisroomwithaparcelandaletter。Theparcelwasatinyone。Itwastheringhehadgivenher，initscase。Theletterwasshortandmuchblotted。Itread：
DearAlbert：
Ihavethoughtandthought，asyoutoldmeto，andIhaveconcludedthatyouwereright。ItISbesttoknowitnow。Forgiveme，please，PLEASE。IfeelwickedandhorridandIHATEmyself，butI
thinkthisisbest。Oh，doforgiveme。Good-by。
MADELINE。
Hisreplywaslonger。Atitsendhewrote：
OfcourseIforgiveyou。Inthefirstplacethereisnothingtoforgive。Theunforgivablethingwouldhavebeenthesacrificeofyourhappinessandyourfuturetoadreamandamemory。Ihopeyouwillbeveryhappy。Iamsureyouwillbe，forBlanchardis，I
know，afinefellow。Thebestoffortunetoyouboth。
ThenextforenoonhesatoncemoreinthecarofthemorningtrainforCapeCod，lookingoutofthewindow。HehadmadethejourneyfromNewYorkbythenightboatandhadboardedtheCapetrainatMiddleboro。Allthepreviousday，andintheeveningashetrampedthecoldwind-sweptdeckofthesteamer，hehadbeentryingtocollecthisthoughts，toreadjustthemtothenewsituation，tocomprehendinitsentiretythegreatchangethathadcomeinhislife。Thevagueplans，thehappyindefinitedreams，alltherainbowsandroseshadgone，shiveredtobitslikethereflectioninabrokenmirror。Madeline，hisMadeline，washisnolonger。
Norwashehers。Inawayitseemedimpossible。
Hetriedtoanalyzehisfeelings。Itseemedasifheshouldhavebeencrushed，grief-stricken，broken。Hewasinclinedtoreproachhimselfbecausehewasnot。Ofcoursetherewasasadnessaboutit，aregretthatthewonderofthosedaysofloveandyouthhadpassed。Butthesorrowwasnotbitter，theregretwasbutawistfullonging，thesweet，lingeringfragranceofamemory，thatwasall。Towardher，Madeline，hefelt——anditsurprisedhim，too，tofindthathefelt——nottheslightesttraceofresentment。AndmoresurprisingstillhefeltnonetowardBlanchard。Hehadmeantwhathesaidinhisletter，hewishedforthemboththegreatesthappiness。
And——therewasnouseattemptingtoshunthefact——hischieffeeling，ashesattherebythecarwindowlookingoutatthefamiliarlandscape，wasagreatrelief，aconsciousnessofescapefromwhatmighthavebeenamiserable，crushingmistakeforhimandforher。Andwiththisagrowingsenseoffreedom，ofbuoyancy。
Itseemedwickedtofeellikethat。Thenitcametohim，thethoughtthatMadeline，doubtless，wasexperiencingthesamefeeling。Andhedidnotmindabit。hehopedshewas，blessher！
Ayouthfulcigardrummer，onhisfirstDown-Easttrip，satdownbesidehim。
Kindofaflat，barecountry，ain’tit？observedthedrummer，withajerkofhisheadtowardthewindow。Looksbleakenoughtome。Knowanythingaboutthisneckofthewoods，doyou？
Albertturnedtolookathim。
MeaningtheCape？heasked。
Sure。
IndeedIdo。Iknowallaboutit。
Thatso！Say，yousoundasifyoulikedit。
Albertturnedbacktothewindowagain。
Likeit！herepeated。Iloveit。Thenhesighed，asighofsatisfaction，andadded：Yousee，IBELONGhere。
HisgrandparentsandRachelweresurprisedwhenhewalkedintothehousethatnoonandannouncedthathehopeddinnerwasready，becausehewashungry。Buttheirsurprisewasmorethanbalancedbytheirjoy。CaptainZelotesdemandedtoknowhowlonghewasgoingtostay。
Aslongasyou’llhaveme，Grandfather，wastheanswer。
Eh？Well，thatwouldbeaconsider’blespell，ifyouleftittous，butIcal’latethatgirlinNewYorkwillhavesomethin’tosayastotimelimit，won’tshe？
Albertsmiled。I’lltellyouaboutthatbyandby，hesaid。
Hedidnottellthemuntilthateveningaftersupper。ItwasFridayeveningandOlivewasgoingtoprayer-meeting，butshedelayedputtingonherthingstohearthetale。Thenewsthattheengagementwasoffandthathergrandsonwasnot，afterall，towedthedaughteroftheHonorableFletcherFosdick，shockedandgrievedhernotalittle。
Oh，dear！shesighed。Isupposeyouknowwhat’sbest，Albert，andmaybe，asyousay，youwouldn’thavebeenhappy，butIDIDfeelsortofproudtothinkmyboywasgoin’tomarryamillionaire’sdaughter。
CaptainZelotesmadenocomment——then。Heaskedtobetoldmoreparticulars。AlbertdescribedthelifeattheFosdickhome，thereceptions，hisenforcedexhibitionsandreadings。AtlengththerecitalreachedthepointoftheinterviewinFosdick’soffice。
Soheofferedyoutotakeyouintothefirm——eh，son？heobserved。
Yes，sir。
Humph！Fosdick，WilliamsonandHendricksareoneofthebiggestbrokeragehousesgoin’，soagoodmanyNewYorkershavetoldme。
Nodoubt。But，Grandfather，you’vehadsomeexperiencewithmeasabusinessman。howdoyouthinkIwouldfitintoafirmofstockbrokers？
CaptainLote’seyetwinkled，buthedidnotanswerthequestion。
Insteadheasked：
JustwhatdidyougiveFosdickasyourreasonfornotsayin’yes？
Albertlaughed。Well，Grandfather，hesaid，I’lltellyou。I
saidthatIappreciatedhiskindnessandallthat，butthatIwouldnotdrawabigsalaryfordoingnothingexcepttobealittle，damnedtamehouse-poetledaroundinleashandshownoffathiswife’sclubmeetings。
Mrs。Snowutteredafaintscream。Oh，Albert！sheexclaimed。
Shemighthavesaidmore，butashoutfromherhusbandpreventedherdoingso。
CaptainZeloteshadrisenandhismightyhanddescendedwithastingingslapuponhisgrandson’sshoulder。
Bullyforyou，boy！hecried。Then，turningtoOlive，headded，Mother，I’vealwayskindofcal’latedthatyouhadonemanaroundthishouse。Now，bytheLordA’Mighty，Iknowyou’vegotTWO！
Oliverose。Well，shedeclaredemphatically，thatmaybe。butifboththosemenaregoin’tostartinswearin’righthereinthesittin’room，Ithinkit’shightimeSOMEBODYinthatfamilywenttochurch。
Sotoprayermeetingshewent，withMrs。Ellisasescort，andherhusbandandgrandson，seatedinarmchairsbeforethesittingroomstove，bothsmoking，talkedandtalked，ofthepastandofthefuture——notasmantoboy，norasgrandparenttograndson，butforthefirsttimeasequals，withoutreservations，asmantoman。
CHAPTERXVIII
ThenextmorningAlbertmetoldMr。Kendall。AfterbreakfastCaptainZeloteshadgone，asusual，directlytotheoffice。Hisgrandson，however，hadnotaccompaniedhim。
Whatareyoucal’latin’todothismornin’，Al？inquiredthecaptain。
Oh，Idon’tknowexactly，Grandfather。I’mgoingtolookabouttheplaceabit，writealettertomypublishers，andtakeawalk，Ithink。Youwillprobablyseemeattheofficeprettysoon。I’lllookintherebyandby。
Ain’tgoin’towriteoneortwoofthosefivehundreddollarstoriesbeforedinnertime，areyou？
Iguessnot，sir。I’mafraidtheywon’tbewrittenasquicklyasallthat。
CaptainLoteshookhishead。Godfreys！heexclaimed。itain’tthewritin’of’emI’dworryaboutsomuchasthegettin’paidfor’em。You’resurethateditormanain’tcrazy，yousay？
Ihopeheisn’t。HeseemedsaneenoughwhenIsawhim。
Well，Idon’tknow。It’sliveandlearn，Isuppose，butifanybodybutyouhadtoldmethatmagazinefolkspaidasmuchasfivehundreddollarsapieceforyarnsmadeupoutofafeller’sheadwithoutawordoftruthin’em，I’d——well，IshouldhavetoldthefellerthattoldmetogotoadoctorrightoffandhaveHIS
headexamined。But——well，as’tisIcal’lateI’dbetterhavemyownlookedat。Solong，Al。Comeintotheofficeifyougetachance。
Hehurriedout。Albertwalkedtothewindowandwatchedthesturdyfigureswingingoutoftheyard。Hewonderedif，shouldhelivetohisgrandfather’sage，hisstepwouldbeasfirmandhisshouldersassquare。
Olivelaidahandonhisarm。
Youdon’tmindhistalkin’thatwayaboutyourwritin’thosestories，doyou，Albert？sheasked，atraceofanxietyinhertone。Hedon’tmeanit，youknow。Hedon’tunderstandit——sayshedon’thimself——buthe’sawfulproudofyou，justthesame。Why，lastnight，afteryouandhehadfinishedtalkin’andhecameuptobed——andthelandknowswhattimeofnightormornin’THATwas——hewokemeoutofasoundsleeptotellmeaboutthatNewYorkmagazinemangivin’youawrittenordertowritesixstoriesforhismagazineatfivehundreddollarsapiece。Zelotescouldn’tseemtogetoverit。’Thinkofit，Mother，’hekeptsayin’。
’Thinkofit！PrettynightwicewhatIpayasgoodamanasLabeKeelerforkeepin’booksawholeyear。AndAlsaysheoughttodoastoryeveryforni’t。Iusedtojawhisheadoff，tellin’himhewasontheroadtostarvationandallthat。Tut，tut，tut！
Mother，I’vewaitedalongtimetosayit，butitlooksasifyoumarriedafool。’……That’sthewayhetalked，buthe’salongwaysfrombein’afool，yourgrandfatheris，Albert。
Albertnodded。NooneknowsthatbetterthanI，hesaid，withemphasis。
There’sonething，shewenton，thatkindoftroubledme。Hesaidyouwasgoin’toinsistonpayin’boardhereathome。Nowyouknowthishouseisyours。Andweloveto——
Heputhisarmabouther。Iknowit，Grandmother，hebrokein，quickly。Butthatisallsettled。Iamgoingtotrytomakemyownlivinginmyownway。IamgoingtowriteandseewhatIamreallyworth。Ihavemyroyaltymoney，youknow，mostofit，andI
havethisorderfortheseriesofstories。IcanaffordtopayformykeepandIshall。Yousee，asItoldGrandfatherlastnight，I
don’tproposetoliveonhischarityanymorethanonMr。Fosdick’s。
Shesighed。
SoZelotessaid，sheadmitted。Hetoldmenolessthanthreetimesthatyousaidit。Itseemedtoticklehimmosttodeath，forsomereason，andthat’squeer，too，forhe’sanythingbutstingy。
Butthere，Isupposeyoucanpayboardifyouwantto，thoughwhoyou’llpayittoisanotherthing。_I_shan’ttakeacentfromtheonlygrandsonI’vegotintheworld。
ItwaswhileonhisstrolldowntothevillagethatAlbertmetMr。
Kendall。Thereverendgentlemanwasploddingalongcarryingamarketbasketfromtheendofwhich，beneathafragmentofnewspaper，thetailandrearthirdofahugecodfishdrooped。Thebasketanditscontentsmusthaveweighedatleasttwelvepoundsandtheoldministerwas，asCaptainZeloteswouldhavesaid，makingheavyweatherofit。Albertwenttohisassistance。
Howdoyoudo，Mr。Kendall，hesaid。I’mafraidthatbasketisratherheavy，isn’tit。Mayn’tIhelpyouwithit？Then，seeingthattheoldgentlemandidnotrecognizehim，headded，IamAlbertSperanza。
DownwentthebasketandthecodfishandMr。Kendallseizedhimbybothhands。
Why，ofcourse，ofcourse，hecried。Ofcourse，ofcourse。
It’souryounghero，isn’tit。Ourpoet，ourhappywarrior。Yes，——
yes，ofcourse。Sogladtoseeyou，Albert……Er……er……
Howisyourmother？
Youmeanmygrandmother？Sheisverywell，thankyou。
Yes——er——yes，yourgrandmother，ofcourse……Er……er……
Didyouseemycodfish？Isn’titamagnificentone。Iamveryfondofcodfishandwealmostneverhaveitathome。Sojustnow，IhappenedtobepassingJonathanHowes’——heisthe——er——fishdealer，youknow，and……JonathanisaveryregularattendantatmySundaymorningservices。Heis——is……Dearme……WhatwasIabouttosay？
BeingswitchedbacktothemaintrackbyAlbertheexplainedthathehadseenanumberofcodinMr。Howes’possessionandhadboughtthisspecimen。Howeshadlenthimthebasket。
Andthenewspaper，heexplained。adding，withtriumph，Ishalldineoncodfishto-day，Iamhappytosay。Judgingbyappearanceshemightdineandsupandbreakfastoncodfishandstillhaveasupplyremaining。Albertinsistedoncarryingthespoiltotheparsonage。Hewasdoingnothinginparticularanditwouldbeapleasure，hesaid。Mr。Kendallprotestedforthefirstminuteorsobutthenforgotjustwhattheprotestwasallaboutandrambledgarrulouslyonaboutaffairsintheparish。Hehadfailedinotherfaculties，buthisflowoflanguagewasstillunimpeded。Theyenteredthegateoftheparsonage。Albertputthebasketontheupperstep。
There，hesaid。nowImustgo。Goodmorning，Mr。Kendall。
Oh，butyouaren’tgoing？Youmustcomeinamoment。IwanttogiveyouthemanuscriptofthatsermonofmineonthecastingdownofBaal，thatistheoneinwhichIlikenthemilitarypowerofGermanytothebrazenidolwhich……Justamoment，Albert。
Themanuscriptisinmydeskand……Oh，dearme，thedoorislocked……Helen，Helen！
Hewasshakingthedoorandshoutinghisdaughter’sname。Albertwassurprisedandnotalittledisturbed。IthadnotoccurredtohimthatHelencouldbeathome。ItistruethatbeforeheleftforNewYorkhisgrandmotherhadsaidthatshewasplanningtoreturnhometobewithherfather，butsincethenhehadheardnothingmoreconcerningher。Neitherofhisgrandparentshadmentionedhernameintheirletters，norsincehisarrivalthedaybeforehadtheymentionedit。AndMr。Kendallhadnotspokenofherduringtheirwalktogether。Albertwastroubledandtakenaback。InonewayhewouldhavelikedtomeetHelenverymuchindeed。Theyhadnotmetsincebeforethewar。Buthedidnot，somehow，wishtomeetherjustthen。HedidnotwishtomeetanyonewhowouldspeakofMadeline，oraskembarrassingquestions。
Heturnedtogo。
Anothertime，Mr。Kendall，hesaid。Goodmorning。
Buthehadgoneonlyafewyardswhenthereverendgentlemanwascallingtohimtoreturn。
Albert！Albert！calledMr。Kendall。
Hewasobligedtoturnback，hecoulddonothingelse，andashedidsothedooropened。ItwasHelenwhoopeneditandshestoodthereuponthethresholdandlookeddownathim。Foramoment，abarelyperceptibleinterval，shelooked，thenheheardhercatchherbreathquicklyandsawherputonehanduponthedoorjambasifforsupport。Thenext，andshewasrunningdownthesteps，herhandsoutstretchedandthelightofwelcomeinhereyes。
Why，AlbertSperanza！shecried。Why，ALBERT！
Heseizedherhands。Helen！hecried，andaddedinvoluntarily，My，butit’sgoodtoseeyouagain！
Shelaughedandsodidhe。Allhisembarrassmentwasgone。Theywereliketwochildren，liketheboyandgirlwhohadknowneachotherintheolddays。
Andwhendidyougethere？sheasked。Andwhatdoyoumeanbysurprisinguslikethis？Isawyourgrandfatheryesterdaymorningandhedidn’tsayawordaboutyourcoming。
Hedidn’tknowIwascoming。Ididn’tknowitmyselfuntilthedaybefore。Andwhendidyoucome？Yourfatherdidn’ttellmeyouwerehere。Ididn’tknowuntilIheardhimcallyourname。
Hewascallingitagain。Callingitanddemandingattentionforhispreciouscodfish。
Yes，Father，yes，inaminute，shesaid。ThentoAlbert，Comein。Oh，ofcourseyou’llcomein。
Why，yes，ifIwon’tbeinterferingwiththehousekeeping。
Youwon’t。Yes，Father，yes，I’mcoming。Mercy，wheredidyougetsuchawonderfulfish？Comein，Albert。AssoonasIgetFather’streasuresafeinthehandsofMariaI’llbeback。Fatherwillkeepyoucompany。No，pardonme，Iamafraidhewon’t，he’sgonetothekitchenalready。AndIshallhavetogo，too，forjustaminute。I’llhurry。
Shehastenedtothekitchen，whitherMr。Kendall，tuggingthefishbasket，hadprecededher。Albertenteredthelittlesitting-roomandsatdowninachairbythewindow。Theroomlookedjustasitusedtolook，justasneat，justashomelike，justaswellkept。
Andwhenshecamebackandtheybegantotalk，itseemedtohimthatshe，too，wasjustassheusedtobe。Shewasatriflelessgirlish，morewomanlyperhaps，butshewasjustasgoodtolookat，justasbrightandcheerfulandinherconversationshehadthesamequietlycertainwayofdealingdirectlywiththecommon-senserealitiesandnotthefussandfeathers。Itseemedtohimthatshehadnotchangedatall，thatsheherselfwasoneoftherealities，thewholesomehomerealities，likeCaptainZelotesandOliveandtheoldhousetheylivedin。Hetoldherso。Shelaughed。
Youmakemefeelasancientasthepyramids，shesaid。
Heshookhishead。Iamtheancient，hedeclared。Thiswarhasn’tchangedyouaparticle，Helen，butithashandedmeanawfuljolt。AttimesIfeelasifImusthavesailedwithNoah。AndasifIhadwastedmostofthetimesince。
Shesmiled。Justwhatdoyoumeanbythat？sheasked。
Imean——well，Idon’tknowexactlywhatIdomean，Iguess。I
seemtohaveanunsettledfeeling。I’mnotsatisfiedwithmyself。
AndasIremembermyself，headded，withashrug，thatconditionofmindwasnotusualwithme。
Sheregardedhimforamomentwithoutspeaking，withtheappraisinglookinhereyeswhichherememberedsowell，whichhadalwaysremindedhimofthelookinhisgrandfather’seyes，andwhichwhenaboyheresentedsostrongly。
Yes，shesaidslowly，Ithinkyouhavechanged。Notbecauseyousayyoufeelsomucholderorbecauseyouareuneasyanddissatisfied。SomanyofthemenItalkedwithatthecamphospital，themenwhohadbeenoverthereandhadbeenwounded，asyouwere，saidtheyfeltthesameway。Thatdoesn’tmeananything，Ithink，exceptthatitisdreadfullyhardtogetreadjustedagainandsettledowntoeverydaythings。Butitseemstomethatyouhavechangedinotherways。Youarealittlethinner，butbroader，too，aren’tyou？Andyoudolookolder，especiallyabouttheeyes。
And，ofcourse——well，ofcourseIthinkIdomissalittleoftheAlbertSperanzaIusedtoknow，theyoungchapwiththechiponhisshoulderforallcreationtoknockoff。
Youngjackass！
Oh，noindeed。Hehadhisgoodpoints。Butthere！we’rewastingtimeandwehavesomuchtotalkabout。You——why，whatamI
thinkingof！Ihaveneglectedthemostimportantthingintheworld。AndyouhavejustreturnedfromNewYork，too。Tellme，howisMadelineFosdick？
Sheiswell。Buttellmeaboutyourself。Youhavebeeninallsortsofwarwork，haven’tyou。Tellmeaboutit。
Oh，myworkdidn’tamounttomuch。AtfirstI’RedCrossed’inBoston，thenIwenttoDevensandspentalongtimeinthecamphospitalthere。
Prettytrying，wasn’tit？
Why——yes，someofitwas。Whenthe’flu’epidemicwasragingandthepoorfellowswerehavingsuchadreadfultimeitwasbadenough。AfterthatIwassenttoEastview。InthehospitalthereImettheboyswhohadbeenwoundedontheothersideandwhotalkedaboutoldageanddissatisfactionanduneasiness，justasyoudo。ButMYworkdoesn’tcount。Youarethepersontobetalkedabout。SinceIhaveseenyouyouhavebecomeafamouspoetandaheroand——
Don’t！