TheKentonswerenotrich，buttheywerecertainlyricherthantheaverageinthepleasantcountytownoftheMiddleWest，wheretheyhadspentnearlytheirwholemarriedlife。Astheircircumstanceshadgrowneasier，theyhadmellowedmoreandmoreinthekeepingoftheircomfortablehome，untiltheyhatedtoleaveitevenfortheshortoutings，whichtheirchildrenmadethemtake，toNiagaraortheUpperLakesinthehotweather。Theybelievedthattheycouldnotbesowellanywhereasinthegreatsquarebrickhousewhichstillkeptitsfouracresaboutit，intheheartofthegrowingtown，wherethetreestheyhadplantedwiththeirownhandstoppeditonthreeaides，andaspaciousgardenopenedsouthwardbehindittothesummerwind。Kentonhadhislibrary，wherehetransactedbydaysuchlawbusinessashehadretainedinhisownhands；butatnighthelikedtogotohiswife’sroomandsitwithherthere。Theylefttheparlorsandpiazzastotheirgirls，wheretheycouldhearthemlaughingwiththeyoungfellowswhocametomakethemorningcalls，longsincedisusedinthecentresoffashion，ortheeveningcalls，scarcelymoreauthorizedbythegreatworld。Shesewed，andhereadhispaperinhersatisfactorysilence，ortheyplayedcheckerstogether。Shedidnotlikehimtowin，andwhenshefoundherselfunabletobeartheprospectofdefeat，sherefusedtolethimmakethemovethatthreatenedthesafetyofhermen。Sometimeshelaughedather，andsometimeshescolded，buttheywereverygoodcomrades，aselderlymarriedpeopleareapttobe。Theyhadlongagoquarrelledouttheirseriousdifferences，whichmostlyarosefromsuchdifferencesoftemperamentashadfirstdrawnthemtogether；theycriticisedeachothertotheirchildrenfromtimetotime，buttheyatonedforthisdefectionbycomplainingofthechildrentoeachother，andtheyunitedingivingwaytothemonallpointsconcerningtheirhappiness，nottosaytheirpleasure。
Theyhadbothbeenteachersintheiryouthbeforehewentintothewar，andtheyhadnotmarrieduntilhehadsettledhimselfinthepracticeofthelawafterheleftthearmy。Hewasthenamanofthirty，andfiveyearsolderthanshe；fivechildrenwereborntothem，butthesecondsondiedwhenhewasyetababeinhismother’sarms，andtherewasanintervalofsixyearsbetweenthefirstboyandthefirstgirl。Theireldestsonwasalreadymarried，andsettlednexttheminahousewhichwasbrick，liketheirown，butnotsquare，andhadgroundssomuchlessamplethathegotmostofhisvegetablesfromtheirgarden。Hehadgrownnaturallyintoashareofhisfather’slawpractice，andhehadtakenitalloverwhenRentonwaselectedtothebench。Hemadeashowofgivingitbackafterthejudgeretired，butbythattimeKentonwaswelloninthefifties。Thepracticeitselfhadchanged，andhadbecomemainlythelegalbusinessofalargecorporation。Inthisformitwasdistastefultohim；hekepttheaffairsofsomeofhisoldclientsinhishands，buthegavemuchofhistime，whichhesavedhisself-respectbycallinghisleisure，toahistoryofhisregimentin-thewar。
Inhislaterlifehehadrevertedtomanyofthepreoccupationsofhisyouth，andhebelievedthatTuskingumenjoyedthebestclimate，onthewhole，intheunion；thatitspeopleofmingledVirginian，Pennsylvanian，andConnecticutorigin，withlittlerecentadmixtureofforeignstrains，wereofthepurestAmericanstock，andspokethebestEnglishintheworld；theyenjoyedobviouslythegreatestsumofhappiness，andhadincontestiblythelowestdeathrateanddivorcerateintheState。Thegrowthoftheplacewasnormalandhealthy；ithadincreasedonlytofivethousandduringthetimehehadknownit，whichwasalmostanidealfigureforacounty-town。Therewasahigheraverageofintelligencethaninanyotherplaceofitssize，andawiderandevenerdiffusionofprosperity。Itsrecordinthecivilwarwaslessbrilliant，perhaps，thanthatofsomeotherlocalities，butitwasfullyuptothegeneralOhiolevel，whichwasthehigh-watermarkofthenationalachievementinthegreatestwarofthegreatestpeopleunderthesun。It，wasKenton’sprideandglorythathehadbeenapartofthefinestarmyknowninhistory。Hebelievedthatthemenwhomadehistoryoughttowriteit，andinhisfirstCommemoration-Dayorationheurgedhiscompanionsinarmstosetdowneverythingtheycouldrememberoftheirsoldiering，andtosavetheletterstheyhadwrittenhome，sothattheymighteachcontributetoacollectiveautobiographyoftheregiment。Itwasonlyinthisway，heheld，thattheintenselypersonalcharacterofthestrugglecouldberecorded。Hehadfelthiswaytothefactthateverybattleisessentiallyepisodical，verycampaignasumoffortuities；anditwasnotstrangethatheshouldsuppose，withhiswantofperspective，thatthisuniversalfactwaspurelynationalandAmerican。Hiszealmadehimtherepositoryofavastmassofmaterialwhichhecouldnothaverefusedtokeepforthesoldierswhobroughtittohim，moreorlessinahumorousindulgenceofhiswhim。Butheevenofferedtoreceiveit，andinacommunitywhereeverythingtookthecomplexionofajoke，hecametobeaffectionatelyregardedasacrankonthatpoint；theshabbilyagingveterans，whomhepursuedtotheirworkbenchesandcornfields，for，thedocumentsoftheregimentalhistory，likedtoaskthecolonelifhehadbroughthisgun。They，alwaysgivehimthetitlewithwhichhehadbeenbrevetedatthecloseofthewar；buthewasknowntothe，younger，generationofhisfellow-citizensasthejudge。HiswifecalledhimMr。
Kentoninthepresenceofstrangers，andsometimestohimself，buttohischildrenshecalledhimPoppa，astheydid。
Thesteady-goingeldestson，whohadsucceededtohisfather’saffairswithoutgivinghimthesenseofdispossession，loyallyacceptedthepopularbeliefthathewouldneverbethemanhisfatherwas。HejoinedwithhismotherinarespectforKenton’stheoryoftheregimentalhistorywhichwasnonethelesssincerebecauseitwasunconsciouslyalittlescepticaloftheoutcome；andtheeldestdaughterwasoftheirparty。Theyoungestsaidfranklythatshehadnouseforanyhistory，butshesaidthesameofnearlyeverythingwhichhadnotdirectlyorindirectlytodowithdancing。Inthisregulationshehaduseforpartiesandpicnics，forbuggy-ridesandsleigh-rides，forcallsfromyoungmenandvisitstoandfromothergirls，forconcerts，forplays，forcircusesandchurchsociables，foreverythingbutlectures；andshedevotedherselftoherpleasureswithouttheshadowofchaperonage，whichwas，indeed，athingstillunheardofinTuskingum。
Intheexpansionwhichnooneelseventured，or，perhaps，wishedtosetboundsto，shecameunderthecriticismofheryoungerbrother，who，upontherareoccasionswhenhedeignedtomingleinthefamilyaffairs，drewtheirmother’snoticetohissister’sexcessesincarrying-on，andrequiredsomeactionthatshouldkeepherfrombringingthename，ofKentontodisgrace。Frombeinghimselfaboyofveryslovenlyandlawlesslifehehadsuddenly，attheageoffourteen，caughthimselfupfromthestreet，reformedhisdressandconduct，andconfinedhimselfinhislargeroomatthetopofthehouse，where，onthepursuitstowhichhegavehissparetime，thefriendswhofrequentedhissociety，andtheliteraturewhichnourishedhisdarklingspirit，mightfitlyhavebeenwrittenMystery。Thesisterwhomhereprobatedwasonlytwoyearshiselder，butsincethatdifferenceinagirlaccountsforagreatdeal，itapparentlyauthorizedhertotakehimmorelightlythanhewasabletotakehimself。Shesaidthathewasinlove，andsheachievedanimportancewithhimthroughhisspeechlessrageandscornwhichnoneoftherestofhisfamilyenjoyed。Withhisfatherandmotherhehadabearingofrepressedsuperioritywhichastrenuousconsciencekeptfromunmaskingitselfinopencontemptwhentheyfailedtomakehissisterpromisetobehaveherself。Sometimeshehadlapsesfromhisdignifiedgloomwithhismother，when，fornoreasonthatcouldbegiven，hefellfromhishabitualmajestytothetenderdependenceofalittleboy，justashisvoicebrokefromitsnascentbasetoitsearliertrebleatmomentswhenheleastexpectedorwishedsuchathingtohappen。Hisstatelybutvagueidealofhimselfwassupportedbyastaturebeyondhisyears，butthisrendereditthemoredifficultforhimtobearthehumiliationofhissuddencollapses，andmadehimatothertimestheeasierpreyofLottie’sridicule。Hegotonbest，oratleastmostevenly，withhiseldestsister。Shetookhimseriously，perhapsbecauseshetookalllifeso；andshewasabletointerprethimtohisfatherwhenhisintolerabledignityforbadeacommonunderstandingbetweenthem。Whenhegotsofarbeyondhisdepththathedidnotknowwhathemeanthimself，assometimeshappened，shegentlyfoundhimasafefootingnearershore。
Kenton’stheorywasthathedidnotdistinguishamonghischildren。
Hesaidthathedidnotsupposetheywerethebestchildrenintheworld，buttheysuitedhim；andhewouldnothaveknownhowtochangethemforthebetter。HesawnoharminthebehaviorofLottiewhenitmostshockedherbrother；helikedhertohaveagoodtime；butitflatteredhisnervestohaveEllenabouthim。Lottiewasagreatdealmoreaccomplished，heallowedthat；shecouldplayandsing，andshehadsocialgiftsfarbeyondhersister；butheeasilyprovedtohiswifethatNellyknewtentimesasmuch。
Nellyreadagreatdeal；shekeptupwithallthemagazines，andknewallthebooksinhislibrary。HebelievedthatshewasafineGermanscholar，andinfactshehadtakenupthatlanguageafterleavingschool，when，ifshehadbeenbetteradvisedthanshecouldhavebeeninTuskingum，shewouldhavekeptonwithherFrench。Shestartedthefirstbookclubintheplace；andshehelpedherfatherdotheintellectualhonorsofthehousetotheEasternlecturers，whoalwaysstayedwiththejudgewhentheycametoTuskingum。Shewasfaithfullypresentatthemoments，whichhersistershunnedinderision，whenherfatherexplainedtothemrespectivelyhistheoryofregimentalhistory，andwouldjust，ashesaid，showthemafewofthedocumentshehadcollected。HemadeEllenshowthem；sheknewwheretoputherhandonthemostcharacteristicandillustrative；andLottieofferedtobetwhatonedaredthatEllenwouldmarrysomeofthoselecturersyet；shewasliteraryenough。
Sheboastedthatshewasnotliteraryherself，andhadnouseforanyonewhowas；anditcouldnothavebeenherculturethatdrewthemostcultivatedyoungmaninTuskingumtoher。Ellenwasreallymorebeautiful；Lottiewasmerelyverypretty；butshehadcharmforthem，andEllen，whohadtheirhonorandfriendship，hadnocharmforthem。NooneseemeddrawntoherastheyweredrawntohersistertillamancamewhowasnotoneofthemostcultivatedinTuskingum；andthenitwasdoubtfulwhethershewasnotfirstdrawntohim。Shewastootransparenttohideherfeelingfromherfatherandmother，whosawwithevenmoregriefthanshamethatshecouldnothideitfromthemanhimself，whomtheythoughtsounworthyofit。
HehadsuddenlyarrivedinTuskingumfromoneofthevillagesofthecounty，wherehehadbeenteachingschool，andhadfoundsomethingtodoasreporterontheTuskingum’Intelligencer’，whichhewasinstinctivelycharacterizingwiththespiritofthenewjournalism，andwaspushingashardilyforwardonthelinesofpersonalityasifhehaddroppeddowntoitfromtheheightofaNewYorkorChicagoSundayedition。Thejudgesaid，withsomethinglessthanhishabitualhonesty，thathedidnotmindhisbeingareporter，buthemindedhisbeinglightandshallow；hemindedhisbeingflippantandmocking；hemindedhisbringinghiscigarettesandbanjointothehouseathissecondvisit。Hedidnotmindhispush；thefellowhadhiswaytomakeandhehadtopush；buthedidmindhisbeingallpush；andhishavingcomeoutofthecountrywithaslittlesimplicityasifhehadpassedhiswholelifeinthecity。Hehadnomodesty，andhehadnoreverence；hehadnoreverenceforEllenherself，andthepoorgirlseemedtolikehimforthat。
Hewasallthemoreoffensivetothejudgebecausehewashimselftoblamefortheiracquaintance，whichbeganwhenonedaythefellowhadcalledafterhiminthestreet，andthenfolloweddowntheshadysidewalkbesidehimtohishour，wantingtoknowwhatthiswashehadheardabouthishistory，andpleadingformorelightuponhisplaninit。Atthegatehemadeaflourishofopeningandshuttingitforthejudge，andwalkingupthepathtohisdoorhekepthishandonthejudge’sshouldermostoffensively；butinspiteofthisKentonhadtheweaknesstoaskhimin，andtocallEllentogethimthemostillustrativedocumentsofthehistory。
Theinterviewthatresultedinthe’Intelligencer’wastheleastevilthatcameofthiserror。Kentonwasamazed，andthenconsoled，andthenafflictedthatEllenwasnotdisgustedwithit；andinhisconferenceswithhiswifehefumedandfrettedathisownculpablefolly，andtriedtogetbackofthetimehehadcommittedit，inthatillusionwhichpeoplehavewithtroublethatitcouldsomehowbegotridofifitcouldfairlybegotbackof；tillthetimecamewhenhiswifecouldnolongersharehisunrestinthisfutileendeavor。
Shesaid，onenightwhentheyhadtalkedlateandlong，\"Thatcan’tbehelpednow；andthequestioniswhatarewegoingtodotostopit。\"
Thejudgeevadedthepointinsaying，\"Thedevilofitisthatallthenicefellowsareafraidofher；theyrespecthertoomuch，andtheverythingwhichoughttodisgustherwiththischapiswhatgiveshimhispoweroverher。Idon’tknowwhatwearegoingtodo，butwemustbreakitoff，somehow。\"
\"Wemighttakeherwithussomewhere，\"Mrs。Kentonsuggested。
\"Runawayfromthefellow？IthinkIseemyself！No，wehavegottostayandfacethethingrighthere。ButIwon’thavehimaboutthehouseanymore，understandthat。He’snottobeletin，andEllenmustn’tseehim；youtellherIsaidso。Orno！Iwillspeaktohermyself。\"Hiswifesaidthathewaswelcometodothat；buthedidnotquitedoit。Hecertainlyspoketohisdaughterabouther，lover，andhesatisfiedhimselfthattherewasyetnothingexplicitbetweenthem。Butshewassomuchlessfrankandopenwithhimthanshehadalwaysbeenbeforethathewaswoundedaswellasbaffledbyherreserve。Hecouldnotgethertoownthatshereallycaredforthefellow；butmanashewas，andoldmanashewas，hecouldnothelpperceivingthatshelivedinafonddreamofhim。
Hewentfromhertohermother。\"Ifhewasonlyone-halfthemanshethinksheis！\"——heendedhisreportinahopelesssigh。
\"Youwanttogiveintoher！\"hiswifepitilesslyinterpreted。\"Well，perhapsthatwouldbethebestthing，afterall。\"
\"No，no，itwouldn’t，Sarah；itwouldbetheeasiestforbothofus，I
admit，butitwouldbetheworstthingforher。We’vegottoletitrunalongforawhileyet。Ifwegivehimropeenoughhemayhanghimself；
there’sthatchance。Wecan’tgoaway，andwecan’tshutherup，andwecan’tturnhimoutofthehouse。Wemusttrusthertofindhimoutforherself。\"
\"She’llneverdothat，\"saidthemother。\"LottiesaysEllenthinkshe’sjustperfect。Hecheersherup，andtakesheroutofherself。We’vealwaysactedwithherasifwethoughtshewasdifferentfromothergirls，andhebehavestoherasifshewasjustlikeallofthem，justassilly，andjustasweak，anditpleasesher，andflattersher；shelikesit。\"
\"Oh，Lord！\"groanedthefather。\"Isupposeshedoes。\"
Thiswasbadenough；itwasablowtohisprideinEllen；buttherewassomethingthathurthimstillworse。Whenthefellowhadmadesureofher，heapparentlyfelthimselfsosafeinherfondnessthathedidnoturgehissuitwithher。HiscontentwithhertacitacceptancegavethebitternessofshametothepromiseKentonandhiswifehadmadeeachothernevertocrossanyoftheirchildreninlove。TheywerereadynowtokeepthatpromiseforEllen，ifheaskeditofthem，ratherthananswerforherlifelongdisappointment，iftheydeniedhim。But，whateverhemeantfinallytodo，hedidnotaskit；heusedhisfootingintheirhousechieflyasabasisforflirtationsbeyondit。HebegantosharehisdevotionstoEllenwithhergirlfriends，andnotwithhergirlfriendsalone。Itdidnotcometoscandal，butitcertainlycametogossipabouthimandasillyyoungwife；andKentonheardofitwithatormentofdoubtwhetherEllenknewofit，andwhatshewoulddo；hewouldwaitforhertodoherselfwhateverwastobedone。Hewasnevercertainhowmuchshehadheardofthegossipwhenshecametohermother，andsaidwiththegentleeagernessshehad，\"Didn’tpoppatalkonceofgoingSouththiswinter？\"
\"HetalkedofgoingtoNewYork，\"themotheranswered，withathrobofhope。
\"Well，\"thegirlreturned，patiently，andMrs。Kentonreadinherpassivityaneagernesstobegonefromsorrowthatshewouldnotsuffertobeseen，andinterpretedhertoherfatherinsuchwisethathecouldnothesitate。
II。
Ifsuchathingcouldbemercifullyordered，theorderofthiseventhadcertainlybeenmerciful；butitwasacruelwrenchthattoreKentonfromthehomewherehehadstrucksuchdeeproot。Whenheactuallycametoleavetheplacehisgoinghadaghastlyunreality，whichwasheightenedbyhissenseofthecommonreluctance。Noonewantedtogo，sofarashecouldmakeout，notevenEllenherself，whenhetriedtomakehersayshewishedit。Lottiewasinopenrevolt，andanimatedheryoungmentoashareintheinsurrection。Herolderbrotherwaskindlyandhelpfullyacquiescent，buthewassofarfromadvisingthemovethatKentonhadregularlytoconvincehimselfthatRichardapprovedit，bymakinghimsaythatitwasonlyforthewinterandthatitwasthebestwayofhelpingEllengetridofthatfellow。AllthisdidnotenableKentontomeettheproblemsofhisyoungerson，whorequiredhimtotellwhathewastodowithhisdogandhispigeons，andtodeclareatoncehowhewastodisposeofthecocoonshehadamassedsoasnottoendangerthefutureofthemothsandbutterfliesinvolvedinthem。Theboywassofertileindifficultiesandsoimportunatefortheirsolution，thathehadtobecrushedintosilencebyhisfather，whoachedinahelplesssympathywithhisreluctance。
Kentoncameheavilyuponthecourageofhiswife，whowasurgingforwardtheirdeparturewithsomuchenergythatheobscurelyaccusedherofbeingthecauseofit，andcouldonlybeconvincedofherinnocencewhensheofferedtogivethewholethingupifhesaidso。Whenhewouldnotsayso，shecarriedtheaffairthroughtothebitterend，andshedidnotsparehimsome，pangswhichsheperhapsneednothavesharedwithhim。
Butpeopleareseldommanandwifeforhalftheirliveswithoutwishingtoimparttheirsufferingsaswellastheirpleasurestoeachother；andMrs。Kenton，ifshewasnoworse，wasnobetterthanotherwivesinpressingtoherhusband’slipsthecupthatwasnotaltogethersweettoherown。Shewentaboutthehousethenightbeforeclosingit，toseethateverythingwasinastatetobeleft，andthenshecametoKentoninhislibrary，wherehehadbeenburningsomepapersandgettingothersreadytogiveinchargetohisson，andsatdownbyhiscoldhearthwithhim，andwrunghissoulwiththetaleofthelastthingsshehadbeendoing。Whenshehadmadehimbearitall，shebegantoturnthebrightsideoftheaffairtohim。ShepraisedthesenseandstrengthofEllen，inthecoursethegirlhadtakenwithherself，andaskedhimifhe，reallythoughttheycouldhavedonelessforherthantheyweredoing。
Sheremindedhimthattheywerenotrunningawayfromthefellow，asshehadoncethoughttheymust，butEllenwasrenouncinghim，andputtinghimoutofhersighttillshecouldputhimoutofhermind。Shedidnotpretendthatthegirlhaddonethisyet；butitwaseverythingthatshewishedtodoit，andsawthatitwasbest。Thenshekissedhimonhisgrayhead，andlefthimalonetothefirstecstasyofhishomesickness。
ItwasbetterwhentheyoncegottoNewYork，andweresettledinanapartmentofanold-fashioneddown-townhotel。Theythoughtthemselvesverycrampedinit，andtheywerebutlittleeasierwhentheyfoundthattheapartmentsoverandunderthemwereapparentlythoughtspaciousforfamiliesoftwicetheirnumbers。Itwastheveryquietestplaceinthewholecity，butKentonwasusedtothestillnessofTuskingum，where，sincepeoplenolongerkepthens，thenightswerestillerthaninthecountryitself；andforaweekhesleptbadly。Otherwise，assoonastheygotusedtolivinginsixroomsinsteadofseventeen，theywerereallyverycomfortable。
Hecouldseethathiswifewasgladofthereleasefromhousekeeping，andshewasgrowinggayerandseemedtobegrowingyoungerintheinspirationofthegreat，good-naturedtown。TheyhadfirstcometoNewYorkontheirweddingjourney，butsincethatvisitshehadalwayslethimgoaloneonhisbusinesserrandstotheEast；thesehadgrownlessandlessfrequent，andhehadnotseenNewYorkfortenortwelveyears。Hecouldhavewaitedasmuchlonger，buthelikedherpleasureintheplace，andwiththehomesicknessalwayslurkingathishearthewentaboutwithhertotheamusementswhichshefrequented，asshesaid，tohelpEllentakehermindoffherself。Attheplayandtheoperahesatthinkingofthesilent，lonelyhouseatTuakingum，darkamongitsleaflessmaples，andthelifethatwasnomoreinitthaniftheyhadalldiedoutofit；andhecouldnotkeepdownacertainresentment，senselessandcruel，asifthepoorgirlweresomehowtoblamefortheirexile。Whenhebetrayedthisfeelingtohiswife，ashesometimesmust，shescoldedhimforit，andthenoffered，ifhereallythoughtanythinglikethat，togobacktoTuskingumatonce；anditendedinhishavingtoownhimselfwrong，andhumblypromisethatheneverwouldletthechilddreamhowhefelt，unlesshereallywishedtokillher。Hewasobligedtocarryhisself-
punishmentsofarastotakeLottieverysharplytotaskwhenshebrokeoutinhotrebellion，anddeclaredthatitwasallEllen’sfault；shewasnotafraidofkillinghersister；andthoughshedidnotsayittoher，shesaiditofher，thatanybodyelsecouldhavegotridofthatfellowwithoutturningthewholefamilyoutofhouseandhome。
Lottie，infact，wasnothavingabitgoodtimeinNewYork，whichshedidnotfindequalinanywaytoTuskingumforfun。Shehatedthedullproprietyofthehotel，wherenobodygotacquainted，andeveryonewasasafraidasdeathofeveryoneelse；andinherdesolationshewasthrownbackuponthesocietyofherbrotherBoyne。TheybecamefriendsintheircommondislikeofNewYork；andpendingsomechanceofbringingeachotherundercondemnationtheylamentedtheirbanishmentfromTuskingumtogether。ButevenBoynecontrivedtomaketheheavytimepassmorelightlythansheinthelessonshehadwithatutor，andthestudiesofthecitywhichhecarriedon。WhentheskatingwasnotgoodinCentralParkhespentmostofhisafternoonsandeveningsatthevaudevilletheatres。Noneofthedimemuseumsescapedhisresearch，andheconversedwithfreaksandmonstersofallsortsupontermsoffriendlyconfidence。Hereportedtheirdifferenttheoriesofthemselvestohisfamilywiththesamesimple-heartedinterestthathecriticisedthesonganddanceartistsofthevaudevilletheatres。Hebecameaninnocentbutbynomeansuncriticalconnoisseuroftheirattractions，andhesurprisedwiththeconstancyandvarietyofhisexperienceinthemagentlemanwhosatnexthimonenight。Boynethoughthimapersonofcultivation，andconsultedhimupontheopinionhehadformedthattherewasnotsomuchharminsuchplacesaspeoplesaid。Thegentlemandistinguishedinsayingthathethoughtyouwouldnotfindmoreharminthem，ifyoudidnotbringitwithyou，thanyouwouldinthelegitimatetheatres；andinthehopeoffurtherwisdomfromhim，Boynefollowedhimoutofthetheatreandhelpedhimonwithhisovercoat。Thegentlemanwalkedhometohishotelwithhim，andprofessedapleasureinhisacquaintancewhichhesaidhetrustedtheymightsometimerenew。
AllatoncetheKentonsbegantobeacquaintedinthehotel，asoftenhappenswithpeopleaftertheyhavelongriddenupanddownintheelevatortogetherinbondsofapparentlyperpetualstrangeness。Fromonefriendlyfamilytheiracquaintancespreadtoothersuntiltheywere，almostwithoutknowingit，suddenlyandsimultaneouslyonsmilingandthenonspeakingtermswiththepeopleofeverypermanenttableinthedining-room。LottieandBoyneburstthechainsoftheunnaturalkindnesswhichboundthem，andresumedtheiroldrelationsofreciprocalcensure。
Hefoundafellowofhisownageintheapartmentbelow，whohadthesamecountrytraditionsandwasengagedinalikeinspectionofthecity；andshediscoveredtwogirlsonanotherfloor，whosaidtheyreceivedonSaturdaysandwantedhertoreceivewiththem。Theymadeateaforher，andaskedsomerealNewYorkers；andsucharoundofpleasantlittleeventsbeganforherthatBoynewasforcedtocallhismother’sattentiontothewayCharlottewasgoingonwiththeyoungmenwhomshemetandfranklyaskedtocalluponherwithoutknowinganythingaboutthem；youcouldnotdothatinNewYork，hesaid。
ButbythistimeNewYorkhadgonetoMrs。Kenton’shead，too，andshewaslessfittedtodealwithLottiethanathome。WhethershehadsucceededornotinhelpingEllentakehermindoffherself，shehadcertainlyfreedherownfromintrospectioninadreamofthingswhichhadseemedimpossiblebefore。Shewasinthatmomentofawoman’slifewhichhasacertainpathosfortheintelligentwitness，when，havingrearedherchildrenandoutgrownthemoreincessantcaresofhermotherhood，shesometimesrevertstohergirlishimpulsesandideals，andconfrontstheremainingopportunitiesoflifewithajoyfulhopeunknowntoourheavierandsullenersexinitslateryears。Itisthispeculiarpowerofrejuvenescencewhichperhapsmakessomanywomenoutlivetheirhusbands，whoatthesameageregardthisworldasanaccomplishedfact。Mrs。
KentonhadkeptuptheirreadinglongafterKentonfoundhimselftoobusyortootiredforit；andwhenhecamefromhisofficeatnightandfellasleepoverthebookshewishedhimtohear，shecontinueditherself，andtoldhimaboutit。WhenEllenbegantoshowthesametaste，theyreadtogether，andthemotherwasnotjealouswhenthefatherbetrayedthathewasmuchprouderofhisdaughter’sculturethanhiswife’s。ShehadherownmisgivingsthatshewasnotsomodernasEllen，andsheacceptedherjudgmentinthecaseofsomeauthorswhomshedidnotlikesowell。
ShenowwentaboutnotonlytoalltheplaceswhereshecouldmakeEllen’samusementserveasanexcuse，buttootherswhenshecouldnotcoaxorcompelthemelancholygirl。ShewasasconstantatmatineesofonekindasBoyneatanothersort；shewenttotheexhibitionsofpictures，andgotherselfupinschoolsofpainting；shefrequentedgalleries，publicandprivate，andgotaskedtostudioteas；shewenttomeetingsandconferencesofaestheticinterest，andshepaidaneasywaytoparlorlecturesexpressiveofthevaguebutprofoundfermentinwomen’ssouls；fromtheseherpresenceinintellectualclubswasasimpleandnaturaltransition。Shemetandtalkedwithinterestingpeople，andnowandthenshegotintroducedtoliterarypeople。Once，inabook-
store，shestoodnexttoagentlemanleaningoverthesamecounter，whomasalesmanaddressedbythenameofapopularauthor，andsheremainedstaringathimbreathlesstillhelefttheplace。Whenshebraggedoftheprodigiousexperienceathome，herhusbanddefiedhertosayhowitdifferedfrommeetingthelecturerswhohadbeentheirguestsinTuskingum，andsheansweredthatnoneofthemcomparedwiththisauthor；
and，besides，alioninhisownhauntswasverydifferentfromaliongoingroundthecountryonexhibition。Kentonthoughtthatwasprettygood，andownedthatshehadgothimthere。
Helaughedather，tothechildren，butallthesameshebelievedthatshewaslivinginanatmosphereofculture，andwitheverybreathshewassensibleofanintellectualexpansion。ShefoundherselfintheenjoymentofsowideandvariedasympathywithinterestshithertostrangetoherexperiencethatshecouldnoteasilymakepeoplebelieveshehadneverbeentoEurope。Nearlyeveryoneshemethadbeenseveraltimes，andtookitforgrantedthatsheknewtheContinentaswellastheythemselves。
Shedenieditwithincreasingshame；shetriedtomakeKentonunderstandhowshefelt，andshemighthavegonefurtherifshehadnotseenhowhomesickhewasforTuskingum。ShedidherbesttocoaxhimandscoldhimintoashareofthepleasuretheywereallbeginningtohaveinNewYork。ShemadehimownthatEllenherselfwasbeginningtobegayer；sheconvincedhimthathisbusinesswasnotsufferinginhisabsenceandthathewasthebetterfromthecompleteresthewashaving。Shedefiedhim，tosay，then，whatwasthematterwithhim，andshebitterlyreproachedherself，intheevent，fornothavingknownthatitwasnothomesicknessalonethatwasthetrouble。Whenhewasnotgoingaboutwithher，ordoingsomethingtoamusethechildren，hewentuponlong，lonelywalks，andcamehomesilentandfagged。Hehadgivenupsmoking，andhedidnotcaretositaboutintheofficeofthehotelwhereotheroldfellowspassedthetimeovertheirpapersandcigars，intheheatoftheglowinggrates。Theylookedtoomuchlikehimself，withtheirairofunrecognizedconsequence，andofpersonallossinanalienenvironment。
Heknewfromtheirdressandbearingthattheywerecountrypeople，anditwoundedhiminatenderplacetorealizethattheyhadeachleftbehindhiminhisowntownanauthorityandarespectwhichtheycouldnotenjoyinNewYork。Nobodycalledthemjudge，orgeneral，ordoctor，orsquire；nobodycaredwhotheywere，orwhattheythought；Kentondidnotcarehimself；butwhenhemissedoneofthemheenviedhim，forthenheknewthathehadgonebacktothesoft，warmkeepingofhisownneighborhood，andresumedtheintelligentregardofacommunityhehadgrownupwith。ThereweremeninNewYorkwhomKentonhadmetinformeryears，andwhomhehadsometimesfanciedlookingup；buthedidnotletthemknowhewasintown，andthenhewashurtthattheyignoredhim。
Hekeptawayfromplaceswherehewaslikelytomeetthem；hethoughtthatitmusthavecometothemthathewasspendingthewinterinNewYork，andasbitterlyashisnaturewouldsufferheresentedtheindifferenceoftheOhioSocietytothepresenceofanOhiomanofhislocaldistinction。Hehadnotthehabitofclubs，andwhenoneofthepleasantyoungerfellowswhomhemetinthehotelofferedtoputhimupatone，heshrankfromthecourtesyshylyandalmostdryly。Hehadoutlivedtheperiodofactivecuriosity，andhedidnotexplorethecityasheworldoncehavedone。Hehadnoresortsoutofthehotel，exceptthebasementsofthesecondhandbook-dealers。Hehauntedthese，andpickedupcopiesofwarhistoriesandbiographies，which，asfastashereadthem，hesentofftohissonatTuskingum，andhadhimputthemawaywiththedocumentsforthelifeofhisregiment。Hiswifecouldsee，withcompassionifnotsympathy，thathewasfondlystrengtheningbythesemeansthetiesthatboundhimtohishome，andshesilentlyproposedtogobacktoitwithhimwheneverheshouldsaytheword。
Hehadamechanicalfidelity，however，totheiragreementthattheyshouldstaytillspring，andhemadenosignofgoing，asthewinterworeawaytoitsend，excepttowriteouttoTuskingumminuteinstructionsforgettingthegardenready。Hevariedhisvisitstothebook-stallsbyconferenceswithseedsmenattheirstores；andhiswifecouldseethathehadaskeenasatisfactionindespatchingararefindfromoneasfromtheother。
Sheforboretomakehimrealizethatthesituationhadnotchanged，andthattheywouldbetakingtheirdaughterbacktothetroublethegirlherselfhadwishedtoescape。Shewastrusting，withnodefinitehope，forsomechanceofmakinghimfeelthis，whileKentonwaswaitingwithakindofpassionatepatienceforthetermofhisexile，whenhecameinonedayinAprilfromoneofhislongwalks，andsaidhehadbeenuptotheParktoseetheblackbirds。Buthecomplainedofbeingtired，andhelaydownonhisbed。Hedidnotgetupfordinner，andthenitwassixweeksbeforehelefthisroom。
Hecouldnotrememberthathehadeverbeensicksolongbefore，andhewassoawedbyhissuffering，whichwasseverebutnotserious，thatwhenhisdoctorsaidhethoughtavoyagetoEuropewouldbegoodforhimhesubmittedtoomeeklyforMrs。Kenton。Herheartsmoteherforherguiltyjoyinhissentence，andshepunishedherselfbyaskingifitwouldnotdohimmoregoodtogetbacktothecomfortandquietoftheirownhouse。
Shewenttothelengthofsayingthatshebelievedhisattackhadbeenbroughtonmorebyhomesicknessthananythingelse。Butthedoctoragreedratherwithherwishthanherword，andheldoutthathismelancholywasnotthecausebuttheeffectofhisdisorder。Thenshetookcourageandbegangettingreadytogo。ShedidnotflageveninthedarkhourswhenKentongotbackhiscouragewithhisreturningstrength，andscoffedatthenotionofEurope，andinsistedthatassoonastheywereinTuskingumheshouldbeallrightagain。
Shefelttheingratitude，nottosaytheperfidy，ofhisbehavior，andshefortifiedherselfindignantlyagainstit；butitwasnotherconstantpurpose，orthedoctor’sinflexibleopinion，thatprevailedwithKentonatlastalettercameonedayforEllenwhichsheshowedtohermother，andwhichhermother，withherdistressobscurelyrelievedbyasenseofitspowerfulinstrumentality，broughttothegirl’sfather。Itwasfromthatfellow，astheyalwayscalledhim，anditaskedofthegirlahearinguponacertainpointinwhich，ithadjustcometohisknowledge，shehadmisjudgedhim。Hemadenoclaimuponher，andonlyurgedhiswishtorighthimselfwithherbecauseshewastheonepersoninthewholeworld，afterhismother，forwhosegoodopinionhecared。Withsometawdrinessofsentiment，theletterwaswellworded；itwasprofessedlywrittenforthesolepurposeofknowingwhether，whenshecamebacktoTuskingum，shewouldseehim，andlethimprovetoherthathewasnotwhollyunworthyofthekindnessshehadshownhimwhenhewaswithoutotherfriends。
\"Whatdoesshesay？\"thejudgedemanded。
\"Whatdoyousuppose？\"hiswiferetorted。\"Shethinkssheoughttoseehim。\"
\"Verywell，then。WewillgotoEurope。\"
\"Notonmyaccount！\"Mrs。Kentonconsciouslyprotested。
\"No；notonyouraccount，ormine，either。OnNelly’saccount。Whereisshe？Iwanttotalkwithher。\"
\"AndIwanttotalkwithyou。She’sout，withLottie；andwhenshecomesbackIwilltellherwhatyousay。ButIwanttoknowwhatyouthink，first。\"
III。
ItwassometimebeforetheyarrivedatacommonagreementastowhatKentonthought，andwhentheyreachedittheydecidedthattheymustleavethematteraltogethertoEllen，astheyhaddonebefore。Theywouldneverforcehertoanything，andif，afterallthathermothercouldsay，shestillwishedtoseethefellow，theywouldnotdenyher。
Whenitcametothis，Ellenwasalongtimesilent，solongatimethathermotherwasbeginningrestivelytodoubtwhethershewasgoingtospeakatall。Thenshedrewalong，silentbreath。\"IsupposeIoughttodespisemyself，momma，forcaringforhim，whenhe’sneverreallysaidthathecaredforme。\"
\"No，no，\"hermotherfaltered。
\"ButIdo，Ido！\"shegavewaypiteously。\"Ican’thelpit！Hedoesn’tsayso，evennow。\"
\"No，hedoesn’t。\"Ithurthermothertoownthefactthatalonegaveherhope。
Thegirlwasalongtimesilentagainbeforesheasked，\"Haspoppagotthetickets？\"
\"Why，hewouldn’t，Ellen，child，tillheknewhowyoufelt，\"hermothertenderlyreproachedher。
\"He’dbetternotwait！\"ThetearsransilentlydownEllen’scheeks，andherlipstwitchedalittlebetweenthesewordsandthenext；shespokeasifitwerestillofherfather，buthermotherunderstood。\"Ifheeverdoessayso，don’tyouspeakawordtome，momma；anddon’tyouletpoppa。\"
\"No；indeedIwon’t，\"hermotherpromised。\"Haveweeverinterfered，Ellen？Haveweevertriedtocontrolyou？\"
\"HeWOULDhavesaidso，ifhehadn’tseenthateverybodywasagainsthim。\"Themotherborewithoutreplytheingratitudeandinjusticethatsheknewwerefromthechild’spainandnotfromherwill。\"Whereishisletter？Givemehisletter！\"Shenervouslytwitcheditfromhermother’shandandranitintoherpocket。Sheturnedawaytogoandputoffherhat，whichshestillworefromcominginwithLottie；butshestoppedandlookedoverhershoulderathermother。\"I’mgoingtoanswerit，andIdon’twantyouevertoaskmewhatI’vesaid。Willyou？\"
\"No，Iwon’t，Nelly。\"
\"Well，then！\"
ThenextnightshewentwithBoyneandLottietotheapartmentoverheadtospendtheirlasteveningwiththeyoungpeoplethere，whoweregoingintothecountrythenextday。Shecamebackwithouttheothers，whowishedtostayalittlelonger，asshesaid，withalookofgayexcitementinhereyes，whichhermotherknewwasnothappiness。Mrs。
Kentonhadanimpulsetosweepintoherlapthelithographplansofthesteamer，andthepassageticketwhichlayopenonthetablebeforeherselfandherhusband。ButitwastoolatetohidethemfromEllen。
Shesawthem，andcaughtuptheticket，andreadit，andflungitdownagain。\"Oh，Ididn’tthinkyouwoulddoit！\"sheburstout；andsheranawaytoherroom，wheretheycouldhearhersobbing，astheysathaggardlyfacingeachother。
\"Well，thatsettlesit，\"saidBentonatlast，withahardgulp。
\"Oh，Isupposeso，\"hiswifeassented。
Onhispart，now，hehadagenuineregretforherdisappointmentfromthesadsafetyofthetroublethatwouldkeepthemathome；andonherpartshecouldbegladofitifanysortofcomfortcouldcomeoutofittohim。
\"Tillshesaysgo，\"headded，\"we’vegottostay。\"
\"Ohyes，\"hiswiferesponded。\"Theworstofitis，wecan’tevengobacktoTuskingum:’Helookedupsuddenlyather，andshesawthatbehadnotthoughtofthis。Shemade\"Tchk！\"insheeramazeathim。
\"Wewon’tcrossthatrivertillwecometoit，\"hesaid，sullenly，buthalf-ashamed。Thenextmorningthesituationhadnotchangedovernight，astheysomehowbothcrazilyhopeditmight，andatbreakfast，whichtheyhadatatablegrownmoreremotefromotherswiththethinningoutofthewinterguestsofthehotel，thefatherandmothersatdownaloneinsilencewhichwasscarcelybrokentillLottieandBoynejoinedthem。
\"Where’sEllen？\"theboydemanded。
\"She’shavingherbreakfastinherroom，\"Mrs。Kentonanswered。
\"Shesaysshedon’twanttoeatanything，\"Lottiereported。\"Shemadethemantakeitawayagain。\"
Thegloomdeepenedinthefacesofthefatherandmother，butneitherspoke，andBoyneresumedthewordagaininatoneofphilosophicspeculation。\"Idon’tseehowI’mgoingtogetalong，withthoseEuropeanbreakfasts。Theysayyoucan’tgetanythingbutcoldmeatoreggs；andgenerallytheydon’texpecttogiveyouanythingbutbreadandbutterwithyourcoffee。Idon’tthinkthat’sthewaytostarttheday，doyou，poppa？\"
Kentonseemednottohaveheard，forhewentonsilentlyeating，andthemother，whohadnotbeenappealedto，merelylookeddistractedlyacrossthetableatherchildren。
\"Mr。Plumptonsayshe’scomingdowntoseeusoff，\"saidLottie，smoothinghernapkininherlap。\"Doyouknowthetimeofdaywhentheboatsails，momma？\"
\"Yes，\"herbrotherbrokein，\"andifIhadbeenmommaI’dhaveboxedyourearsforthewayyouwentonwithhim。Youfairlyteasedhimtocome。
ThewayLottiegoesonwithmenisashame，momma。\"
\"Whattimedoestheboatsail，momma！\"Lottieblandlypersisted。\"I
promisedtoletMr。Plumptonknow。\"
\"Yes，soastogetachancetowritetohim，\"saidBoyne。\"Iguesswhenheseesyourspelling！\"
\"Momma！Dowakeup！Whattimedoesoursteamersail？\"
AlightofconsciousnesscameintoMrs。Renton’seyesatlast，andshesighedgently。\"We’renotgoing，Lottie。\"
\"Notgoing！Why，butwe’vegotthetickets，andI’vetold——\"
\"Yourfatherhasdecidednottogo，forthepresent。Wemaygolaterinthesummer，orperhapsinthefall。\"
Boynelookedathisfather’stroubledface，andsaidnothing，butLottiewasnotstayedfromtheexpressionofherfeelingsbyanyill-timedconsiderationforwhatherfather’smightbe。\"Ijustknow，\"shefired，\"it’ssomethingtodowiththatnastyBittridge。He’sbeenabitterdosetothisfamily！AssoonasIsawEllenhavealetterIwassureitwasfromhim；andsheoughttobeashamed。IfIhadplayedthesimpletonwithsuchafellowIguessyouwouldn’thaveletmekeepyoufromgoingtoEuropeverymuch。Whatisshegoingtodonow？Marryhim？Ordoesn’thewantherto？\"
\"Lottie！\"saidhermother，andherfatherglancedupatherwithafacethatsilencedher。
\"Whenyou’vebeenhalfasgoodagirlasEllenhasbeen，inthiswholematter，\"hesaid，darkly，\"itwillbetimeforyoutocomplainofthewayyou’vebeentreated。\"
\"Ohyes，IknowyoulikeEllenthebest，\"saidthegirl，defiantly。
\"Don’tsaysuchathing，Lottie！\"saidhermother。\"Yourfatherlovesallhischildrenalike，andIwon’thaveyoutalkingsotohim。Ellenhashadagreatdealtobear，andshehasbehavedbeautifully。IfwearenotgoingtoEuropeitisbecausewehavedecidedthatitisbestnottogo，andIwishtohearnothingmorefromyouaboutit。\"
\"Ohyes！Andanicepositionitleavesmein，whenI’vebeentakinggood-byeofeverybody！Well，Ihopetogoodnessyouwon’tsayanythingaboutittillthePlumptonsgetaway。Icouldn’thavethefacetomeetthemifyoudid。\"
\"Itwon’tbenecessarytosayanything；oryoucansaythatwe’vemerelypostponedoursailing。Peoplearealwaysdoingthat。\"
\"It’snottobeapostponement，\"saidKenton，sosternlythatnooneventuredtodisputehim，thechildrenbecausetheywereafraidofhim，andtheirmotherbecauseshewassufferingforhim。
Atthesteamshipoffice，however，theauthoritiesrepresentedthatitwasnowsonearthedateofhissailingthattheycouldnotallowhimtorelinquishhispassagesexceptathisownrisk。Theywouldtrytosellhisticketforhim，buttheycouldnottakeitback，andtheycouldnotpromisetosellit。Therewasreasoninwhattheysaid，butiftherehadbeennone，theyhadthefourhundreddollarswhichKentonhadpaidforhisfiveberthsandtheyhadatleasttheadvantageofhimintheargumentbythatmeans。Heputtheticketbackinhispocket-bookwithoutattemptingtoanswerthem，anddeferredhisdecisiontillhecouldadvisewithhiswife，who，afterheleftthebreakfast-tableuponhiserrandtothesteamshipoffice，hadabandonedherchildrentotheirowndevices，andgonetoscoldEllenfornoteating。
Shehadnotthehearttoscoldherwhenshefoundthegirllyingfacedownwardinthepillow，withherthinarmsthrownupthroughthecoilsandheapsofherloose-flunghair。Shewassoalightthatherfigurescarcelydefineditselfunderthebedclothes；thedarkhair，andthewhite，outstretchedarmsseemedalltherewasofher。Shedidnotstir，buthermotherknewshewasnotsleeping。\"Ellen，\"shesaid，gently，\"youneedn’tbetroubledaboutourgoingtoEurope。Yourfatherhasgonedowntothesteamshipofficetogivebackhisticket。\"
Thegirlflashedherfaceroundwithnervousquickness。\"Gonetogivebackhisticket！\"
\"Yes，wedecideditlastnight。He’sneverreallywantedtogo，and——\"
\"ButIdon’twishpoppatogiveuphisticket！\"saidEllen。\"Hemustgetitagain。IshalldieifIstayhere，momma。Wehavegottogo。
Can’tyouunderstandthat？\"
Mrs。Kentondidnotknowwhattoanswer。Shehadastrongsuperficialdesiretoshakeherdaughterasanaughtychildwhichhasvexeditsmother，butunderthiswasastirstrongerpityforherasawoman，whicheasily，prevailed。\"Why，but，Ellendear！Wethoughtfromwhatyousaidlastnight——\"
\"Butcouldn’tyouSEE，\"thegirlreproachedher，andshebegantocry，andturnedherfaceintothepillowagainandlaysobbing。
\"Well，\"saidhermother，aftershehadgivenheralittletime，\"youneedn’tbetroubled。Yourfathercaneasilygettheticketagain；hecantelephonedownforit。Nothinghasbeendoneyet。Butdidn’tyoureallywanttostay，then？\"
\"Itisn’twhetherIwanttostayornot，\"Ellenspokeintoherpillow。
\"Youknowthat。YouknowthatIhavegottogo。YouknowthatifIsawhim——Oh，whydoyoumakemetalk？\"
\"Yes，Iunderstand，child。\"Then，intheimperiousnecessityofblamingsomeone，Mrs。Kentonadded:\"Youknowhowitiswithyourfather。Heisalwayssoprecipitate；andwhenheheardwhatyousaid，lastnight，itcuthimtotheheart。Hefeltasifheweredraggingyouaway，andthismorninghecouldhardlywaittogetthroughhisbreakfastbeforeherusheddowntothesteamshipoffice。Butnowit’sallrightagain，andifyouwanttogo，we’llgo，andyourfatherwillonlybetooglad。\"
\"Idon’twantfathertogoagainsthiswill。YousaidheneverwantedtogotoEurope。\"Thegirlhadturnedherfaceuponhermotheragain；andfixedherwithhertearful，accusingeyes。
\"Thedoctorssayheoughttogo。Heneedsthechange，andIthinkweshouldallbethebetterfargettingaway。\"
\"Ishallnot，\"saidEllen。\"ButifIdon’t——\"
\"Yes，\"saidhermother，soothingly。
\"Youknowthatnothinghaschanged。Hehasn’tchangedandIhaven’t。Ifhewasbad，he’sasbadasever，andI’mjustassilly。Oh，it’slikeadrunkard！Isupposetheyknowit’skillingthem，buttheycan’tgiveitup！Don’tyouthinkit’sverystrange，momma？Idon’tseewhyIshouldbeso。ItseemsasifIhadnocharacteratall，andIdespisemyselfso！DoyoubelieveIshallevergetoverit？SometimesIthinkthebestthingformewouldbetogointoanasylum。\"
\"Ohyes，dear；you’llgetoverit，andforgetitall。Assoonasyouseeothers——otherscenes——andgetinterested——\"
\"Andyoudon’tyoudon’tthinkI’dbetterlethimcome，and——\"
\"Ellen！\"
Ellenbegantosobagain，andtossherheaduponthepillow。\"WhatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？\"shewailed。\"Hehasn’teverdoneanythingbadtome，andifIcanoverlookhis——hisflirting——withthathorridthing，Idon’tknowwhattherestofyouhavegottosay。Andhesayshecanexplaineverything。Whyshouldn’tIgivehimthechance，momma？Idothinkitisactingverycruelnottolethimevensayaword。\"
\"Youcanseehimifyouwish，Ellen，\"saidhermother，gravely。\"YourfatherandIhavealwayssaidthat。Andperhapsitwouldbethebestthing，afterall。\"
\"Oh，yousaythatbecauseyouthinkthatifIdidseehim，IshouldbesodisgustedwithhimthatI’dneverwanttospeaktohimagain。ButwhatifIshouldn’t？\"
\"Thenweshouldwishyoutodowhateveryouthoughtwasforyourhappiness，Ellen。Wecan’tbelieveitwouldbeforyourgood；butifitwouldbeforyourhappiness，wearewilling。Or，ifyoudon’tthinkit’sforyourhappiness，butonlyforhis，andyouwishtodoit，stillweshallbewilling，andyouknowthatasfarasyourfatherandIareconcerned，therewillneverbeawordofreproach——notawhisper。\"
\"Lottiewoulddespiseme；andwhatwouldRichardsay？\"
\"Richardwouldneversayanythingtowoundyou，dear，andifyoudon’tdespiseyourself，youneedn’tmindLottie。\"
\"ButIshould，momma；that’stheworstofit！Ishoulddespisemyself，andhewoulddespisemetoo。No，ifIseehim，IamgoingtodoitbecauseIamselfishandwicked，andwishtohavemyownway，nomatterwhoisharmedbyit，or——anything；andI’mnotgoingtohaveitputonanyotherground。Icouldseehim，\"shesaid，asiftoherself，\"justoncemore——onlyoncemore——andthenifIdidn’tbelieveinhim，IcouldstartrightofftoEurope。\"
Hermothermadenoanswertothis，andEllenlayawhileapparentlyforgetfulofherpresence，inwardlydramatizingapassionatesceneofdismissalbetweenherselfandherfalselover。Sherousedherselffromthereveriewithalongsigh，andhermothersaid，\"Won’tyouhavesomebreakfast，now；Ellen？\"
\"Yes；andIwillgetup。Youneedn’tbetroubledanymoreaboutme，momma。Iwillwritetohimnottocome，andpoppamustgobackandgethisticketagain。\"
\"Notunlessyouaredoingthisofyourownfreewill，child。Ican’thaveyoufeelingthatweareputtinganypressureuponyou。\"
\"You’renot。I’mdoingitofmyownwill。Ifitisn’tmyfreewill，thatisn’tyourfault。Iwonderwhosefaultitis？Mine，orwhatmademesosillyandweak？\"
\"Youarenotsillyandweak，\"saidhermother，fondly，andshebentoverthegirlandwouldhavekissedher，butEllenavertedherfacewithapiteous\"Don’t！\"andMrs。Kentonwentoutandorderedherbreakfastbroughtback。
Shedidnotgointomakehereatit，asshewouldhavedoneinthebeginningofthegirl’strouble；theyhadalllearnedhowmuchbettershewasforbeinglefttofightherbattleswithherselfsinglehanded。
Mrs。Kentonwaitedintheparlortillherhusbandsamein，lookinggloomyandtired。Heputhishatdownandsankintoachairwithoutspeaking。
\"Well？\"shesaid。
\"Wehavegottolosethepriceoftheticket，ifwegiveitback。I
thoughtIhadbettertalkwithyoufirst，\"saidKenton，andheexplainedthesituation。
\"Thenyouhadbettersimplyhaveitputofftillthenextsteamer。
IhavebeentalkingwithEllen，andshedoesn’twanttostay。Shewantstogo。\"HiswifetookadvantageofKenton’smuteamazeinthenervousvagariesevenofthewomennearesthimamanlearnsnothingfromexperiencetoputherowninterpretationonthecase，which，asitwascreditabletothegirl’ssenseandprinciple，hefoundacceptableifnotimaginable。\"Andifyouwilltakemyadvice，\"sheended，\"youwillgoquietlybacktothesteamshipofficeandexchangeyourticketforthenextsteamer，ortheoneafterthat，ifyoucan’tgetgoodrooms，andgiveEllentimetogetoverthisbeforesheleaves。Itwillbemuchbetterforhertoconquerherselfthantorunaway，forthatwouldalwaysgiveherafeelingofshame，andifshedecidesbeforeshegoes，itwillstrengthenherprideandself-respect，andtherewillbelessdanger——
whenwecomeback。\"
\"Doyouthinkhe’sgoingtokeepafterher！\"
\"HowcanItell？Hewillifhethinksit’stohisinterest，orhecanmakeanybodymiserablebyit。\"
Kentonsaidnothingtothis，butafterawhilehesuggested，rathertimorously，asifitweresomethinghecouldnotexpecthertoapprove，andwashimselfhalfashamedof，\"IbelieveifIdoputitoff，I’llrunouttoTuskingumbeforewesail，andlookafteralittlematterofbusinessthatIdon’tthinkDickcanattendtosowell。\"
Hiswifeknewwhyhewantedtogo，andinherownmindshehadalreadydecidedthatifheshouldeverproposetogo，sheshouldnotgainsayhim。
Shehad，infact，beenrathersurprisedthathehadnotproposeditbeforethis，andnowsheassented，withouttaxinghimwithhisrealmotive，andbringinghimtoopendisgracebeforeher。Sheevenwentfurtherinsaying:\"Verywell，thenyouhadbettergo。Icangetonverywellhere，andIthinkitwillleaveEllenfreertoactforherselfifyouareaway。AndtherearesomethingsinthehousethatIwant，andthatRichardwouldbesuretosendhiswifetogetifIaskedhim，andI
won’thaveherrummagingaroundinmyclosets。Isupposeyouwillwanttogointothehouse？\"
\"Isupposeso，\"saidRenton，whohadnotletadaypass，sincehelefthishouse，withoutspendinghalfhishomesicktimeinit。Hiswifesufferedhisaffectedindifferencetogowithoutexposure，andtrumpedupacommissionforhim，whichwouldtakehimintimatelyintothehouse。
IV
ThepietyofhissonRichardhadmaintainedtheplaceatTuskinguminperfectorderoutwardly，andKenton’sheartachedwithtenderpainashepasseduptheneatlykeptwalkfromthegate，betweenthebloomingranksofsyringasandsnowballs，tohisdoor，andwitnessedthefaithfulcarethatRichard’shiredmanhadbestoweduponeverydetail。Thegrassbetweenthebanksofrosesandrhododendronshadbeenasscrupulouslylawn-moweredandassedulouslygarden-hosedasifKentonhimselfhadbeentheretolookafteritswelfare，orhadtendedtheshrubberyasheusedtodoinearlierdayswithhisownhand。Theoakswhichhehadplantedshookouttheirglossygreeninthemorninggale，andinthetulip-trees，whichhadsnowedtheirpetalsonthegroundinwidecirclesdefinedbythereachoftheirbranches，heheardthesquirrelsbarking；ared-birdfromthewoodydepthsbehindthehousemockedthecat-birdsinthequince-trees。TheJunerosewasredalongthetrellisoftheveranda，whereLottieoughttobesittingtoreceivethemorningcallsoftheyoungmenwhoweresometimesquiteasearlyasKenton’spresentvisitintheirdevotions，andthesoundofEllen’spiano，playedfitfullyandabsentlyinherfashion，oughttobecomingoutirrespectiveofthehour。
Itseemedtohimthathiswifemustopenthedoorashisstepsandhisson’smadethemselvesheardonthewalkbetweentheboxbordersintheirupperorchard，andhefalteredalittle。
\"Lookhere，father，\"saidhisson，detectinghishesitation。\"Whydon’tyouletMarycomeinwithyou，andhelpyoufindthosethings？\"
\"No，no，\"saidKenton，sinkingintooneofthewoodenseatsthatflankedthedoor-way。\"IpromisedyourmotherthatIwouldgetthemmyself。Youknowwomendon’tliketohaveotherwomengoingthroughtheirhouses。\"
\"Yes，butMary！\"hissonurged。
\"Ah！It’sjustMary，withherperfecthousekeeping，thatyourmotherwouldn’tliketohaveseethewaysheleftthings，\"saidKenton，andhesmiledatthenotionofanyonebeinghousekeeperenoughtofindaflawinhiswife’s。\"My，butthisispleasant！\"headded。Hetookoffhishatandletthebreezeplaythroughthelank，thinhairwhichwasstillblackonhisfine，highforehead。Hewasaveryhandsomeoldman，withadelicateaquilineprofile，oftheperfectRomantypewhichisperhapsoftenerfoundinAmericathaneveritwasinRome。\"You’vekeptitverynice，Dick，\"hesaid，withageneralizingwaveofhishat。
\"Well，Icouldn’ttellwhetheryouwouldbecomingbackornot，andI
thoughtIhadbetterbereadyforyou。\"
\"Iwishwewere，\"saidtheoldman，\"andweshallbe，inthefall，orthelatterpartofthesummer。Butit’sbetternowthatweshouldgo——onEllen’saccount。\"
\"Oh，you’llenjoyit，\"hissonevadedhim。
\"Youhaven’tseenanythingofhimlately？\"Kentonsuggested。
\"Hewasn’tlikelytoletmeseeanythingofhim，\"returnedtheson。
\"No，\"saidthefather。\"Well！\"Herosetoputthekeyintothedoor，andhissonsteppeddownfromthelittleporchtothebrickwalk。
\"Marywillhavedinnerearly，father；andwhenyou’vegotthroughhere，you’dbettercomeoverandliedownawhilebeforehand。\"
Kentonhadbeendroppedateighto’clockfromasleeperontheGreatThree，andhadrefusedbreakfastathisson’shouse，uponthepleathattheporterhadgivenhimaSoutherncantaloupeandacupofcoffeeonthetrain，andhewasnolongerhungry。
\"Allright，\"hesaid。\"Iwon’tbelongerthanIcanhelp。\"Hehadgotthedooropenandwasgoingtocloseitagain。
Hissonlaughed。\"Betternotshutit，father。Itwillletthefreshairin。\"
\"Oh，allright，\"saidtheoldman。
Thesonlingeredabout，givingsomeorderstothehiredmaninthevegetablegarden，foranexcuse，inthehopethathisfathermightchangehismindandaskhimtocomeintothehousewithhim；hefeltitsoforlornforhimtobegoingthroughthoselifelessroomsalone。Whenhelookedround，andsawhisfatherholdingthedoorajar，asifimpatientlywaitingforhimtobegone，helaughedandwavedhishandtohim。\"Allright，father？I’mgoingnow。\"Butthoughhetreatedthemattersolightlywithhisfather，hesaidgrimlytohiswife，ashepassedherontheirownporch，onhiswaytohisonce，\"Idon’tliketothinkoffatherbeingdrivenoutofhouseandhomethisway。\"
\"NeitherdoI，Dick。Butitcan’tbehelped，canit？\"
\"IthinkIcouldhelpit，ifIgotmyhandsonthatfellowonce。\"
\"No，youcouldn’t，Dick。It’snothethat’sdoingit。It’sEllen；youknowthatwellenough；andyou’vejustgottostandit。\"
\"Yes，Isupposeso，\"saidRichardKenton。
\"Ofcourse，myheartachesforyourpooroldfather，butsoitwouldifEllenhadsomekindofawfulsickness。Itisakindofsickness，andyoucan’tfightitanymorethanifshereallywassick。\"
\"No，\"saidthehusband，dejectedly。\"Youjustslipoverthere，afterawhile，Mary，iffather’sgonetoolong，willyou？Idon’tliketohavehimtherealone。\"
\"’Deedand’deedIwon’t，Dick。Hewouldn’tlikeitatall，myspyinground。Nothingcanhappentohim，andIbelieveyourmother’sjustmadeanexcusetosendhimaftersomething，sothathecanbeintherealone，andrealizethatthehouseisn’thomeanymore。ItwillbeeasierforhimtogotoEuropewhenhefindsthatout。Ibelieveinmyheartthatwasherideainnotwantingmetofindthethingsforhim，andI’mnotgoingtomeddlemyself。\"
Withthefatuityofamaninsuchthings，andwiththefatuityofageregardingallthethingsofthepast，Kentonhadthoughtinhishomesicknessofhishouseasheusedtobeinit，andhadneverbeenabletopictureitwithoutthefamilylife。Ashenowwalkedthroughtheemptyrooms，andupanddownthestairs，hispulsebeatlowasifinthepresenceofdeath。Everythingwasastheyhadleftit，whentheywentoutofthehouse，anditappearedtoKentonthatnothinghadbeentouchedtheresince，thoughwhenheafterwardsreportedtohiswifethattherewasnotaspeckofdustanywheresheknewthatMaryhadbeengoingthroughthehouse，intheirabsence，notonceonly，butoften，andshefeltapangofgratefuljealousy。HegottogetherthethingsthatMrs。
Kentonhadpretendedtowant，andafterglancinginatthedifferentrooms，whichseemedtobelyingstealthilyinwaitforhim，withtheiremptinessandsilence，hewentdown-stairswiththebundlehehadmade，andturnedintohislibrary。Hehadsomethoughtoflookingatthecollectionsforhishistory，but，afterpullingopenoneofthedrawersinwhichtheywerestored，hepushedittoagain，andsanklistlesslyintohisleather-coveredswivel-chair，whichstoodinitsplacebeforethewidewriting-table，andseemedtohavehadhiminitbeforehesatdown。Thetablewasbare，exceptforthebooksanddocumentswhichhehadsenthomefromtimetotimeduringthewinter，andwhichRichardorhiswifehadneatlyarrangedtherewithoutbreakingtheirwraps。Heletfallhisbundleathisfeet，andsatstaringattheranksofbooksagainstthewall，mechanicallyrelatingthemtothedifferentepochsofthepastinwhichheorhiswifeorhischildrenhadbeeninterestedinthem，andachingwithtenderpain。Hehadalwayssupposedhimselfahappyandstrongandsuccessfulman，butwhatadrearyruinhislifehadfalleninto！Wasittobefinallysohelplessandpowerlessforwithallthedefencesabouthimthatamancanhave，hefelthimselffatallyvulnerablethathehadfoughtsomanyyears？Why，athisage，shouldhebegoingintoexile，awayfromeverythingthatcouldmakehisdaysbrightandsweet？Whycouldnothecomebackthere，wherehewasnowmoresolitarythanhecouldbeanywhereelseonearth，andreanimatethedeadbodyofhishomewithhisoldlife？Heknewwhy，inanimmediatesort，buthisquestwasforthecausebehindthecause。Whathadhedone，orleftundone？Hehadtriedtobeajustman，andfulfilallhisdutiesbothtohisfamilyandtohisneighbors；hehadwishedtobekind，andnottoharmanyone；hereflectedhow，ashehadgrownolder，thedreadofdoinganyunkindnesshadgrownuponhim，andhowhehadtriednottobeproud，buttowalkmeeklyandhumbly。Whyshouldhebepunishedashewas，strickeninaplacesosacredthattheefforttodefendhimselfhadseemedakindofsacrilege？Hecouldnotmakeitout，andhewasnotawareofthetearsofself-pitythatstoleslowlydownhisface，thoughfromtimetotimehewipedthemaway。
Heheardstepsinthehallwithout，advancingandpausing，whichmustbethoseofhissoncomingbackforhim，andwiththeseadvancesandpausesgivinghimnoticeofhisapproach；buthedidnotmove，andatfirsthedidnotlookupwhenthestepsarrivedatthethresholdoftheroomwherehesat。WhenheliftedhiseyesatlasthesawBittridgelounginginthedoor-way，withoneshouldersupportedagainstthedoor-jamb，hishandsinhispocketsandhishatpushedwellbackonhisforehead。InaninstantallKenton’shumilityandsoftrepiningweregone。\"Well，whatisit？\"
hecalled。
\"Oh，\"saidBittridge，comingforward。Helaughedandexplained，\"Didn’tknowifyourecognizedme。\"
\"Irecognizedyou，\"saidKenton，fiercely。\"Whatisityouwant？\"
\"Well，Ihappenedtobepassing，andIsawthedooropen，andIthoughtmaybeDickwashere。\"
ItwasonKenton’stonguetosaythatitwasagoodthingforhimDickwasnotthere。Butpartlythesensethatthiswouldbeunbecomingbluster，andpartlythesuffocatingresentmentofthefellow’simpudence，limitedhisresponsetoaformlessgasp，andBittridgewenton:\"ButI’mgladtofindyouhere，judge。Ididn’tknowthatyouwereintown。
FamilyallwellinNewYork？\"Hewasnotquelledbythesilenceofthejudgeonthispoint，but，asifhehadnotexpectedanydefinitereplytowhatmightwellpassforformalcivility，henowlookedaslantintohisbreast-pocketfromwhichhedrewafoldedpaper。\"IjustgotholdofadocumentthismorningthatIthinkwillinterestyou。IwasbringingitroundtoDick’swifeforyou。\"TheintolerablefamiliarityofallthiswasfastworkingKentontoaviolentexplosion，buthecontainedhimself，andBittridgesteppedforwardtolaythepaperonthetablebeforehim。
\"It’stheoriginalrosterofCompanyC，inyourregiment，and——\"
\"Takeitaway！\"shoutedKenton，\"andtakeyourselfawaywithit！\"andhegraspedthestickthatshookinhishand。
AwickedlightcameintoBittridge’seyeashedrawled，inlazyscorn，\"Oh，Idon’tknow。\"Thenhistruculencebrokeinamaliciousamusement。
\"Why，judge，what’sthematter？\"Heputonafaceofmockgravity，andKentonknewwithhelplessfurythathewasenjoyinghisvantage。Hecouldfalluponhimandbeathimwithhisstick，leavingthesituationotherwiseundefined，butamoment’sreflectionconvincedKentonthatthiswouldnotdo。Itmadehimsicktothinkofstrikingthefellow，asifinthatactheshouldbestrikingEllen，too。Itdidnotoccurtohimthathecouldbephysicallyworsted，orthathisvehementagewouldbenomatchfortheother’svigorousyouth。Allhethoughtwasthatitwouldnotavail，excepttomakeknowntoeveryonewhatnonebutherdearestcouldnowconjecture。Bittridgecouldthenpubliclysay，anddoubtlesswouldsay，thathehadnevermadelovetoEllen；thatiftherehadbeenanylove-makingitwasallonherside；andthathehadonlypaidhertheattentionswhichanyyoungmanmightblamelesslypayaprettygirl。Thiswouldbetruetothefactsinthecase，thoughitwastruealsothathehadusedeverytacitarttomakeherbelievehiminlovewithher。Buthowcouldthistruthbeurged，andtowhom？SofartheaffairhadbeenquiteinthehandsofEllen’sfamily，andtheyhadallactedforthebest，uptothepresenttime。TheyhadgivenBittridgenogrievanceinmakinghimfeelthathewasunwelcomeintheirhouse，andtheywerequitewithintheirrightsingoingaway，andmakingitimpossibleforhimtoseeheragainanywhereinTuskingum。AsforhisseeingherinNewYork，Ellenhadbuttosaythatshedidnotwishit，andthatwouldendit。
Now，however，bytreatinghimrudely，KentonwasawarethathehadboundhimselftorenderBittridgesomeaccountofhisbehaviorthroughout，ifthefellowinsisteduponit。
\"Iwantnothingtodowithyou，sir，\"hesaid，lessviolently，but，ashefelt，notmoreeffectually。\"Youareinmyhousewithoutmyinvitation，andagainstmywish！\"
\"Ididn’texpecttofindyouhere。IcameinbecauseIsawthedooropen，andIthoughtImightseeDickorhiswifeandgivethem，thispaperforyou。ButI’mgladIfoundyou，andifyouwon’tgivemeanyreasonfornotwantingmehere，Icangiveitmyself，andIthinkIcanmakeoutaverygoodcaseforyou。\"KentonquiveredinanticipationofsomementionofEllen，andBittridgesmiledasifheunderstood。Buthewentontosay:\"Iknowthattherewerethingshappenedafteryoufirstgavemetherunofyourhousethatmightmakeyouwanttoputupthebarsagain——iftheyweretrue。Buttheywerenottrue。AndIcanprovethatbythebestofallpossiblewitnesses——byUphillhimself。Hestandsshouldertoshoulderwithme，tomakeithotforanyonewhocoupleshiswife’snamewithmine。\"
\"Humph！\"Kentoncouldnothelpmakingthiscomment，andBittridge，beingwhathewas，couldnothelplaughing。
\"What’stheuse？\"heasked，recoveringhimself。\"Idon’tpretendthatIdidright，butyouknowtherewasn’tanyharminit。AndiftherehadbeenIshouldhavegottheworstofit。Honestly，judge，Icouldn’ttellyouhowmuchIprizedbeingadmittedtoyourhouseonthetermsIwas。
Don’tyouthinkIcouldappreciatethekindnessyouallshowedme？
Beforeyoutookmeup，IwasaloneinTuskingum，butyouopenedeverydoorintheplaceforme。Youmadeithometome；andyouwon’tbelieveit，ofcourse，becauseyou’reprejudiced；butIfeltlikeasonandbrothertoyouall。IfelttowardsMrs。KentonjustasIdotowardsmyownmother。IlostthebestfriendsIeverhadwhenyouturnedagainstme。Don’tyousupposeI’veseenthedifferencehereinTuskingum？Ofcourse，themenpassthetimeofdaywithmewhenwemeet，buttheydon’tlookmeup，andtherearemorenear-sightedgirlsinthistown！\"Kentoncouldnotkeeptheremotedawnofasmileoutofhiseyes，andBittridgecaughtthefar-offgleam。\"Andeverybody’sbeenawaythewholewinter。