Notasoulathome，anywhere，andIhadtotakemychanceofsurprisingMrs。DickKentonwhenIsawyourdooropenhere:Helaughedforlornly，asthegleamfadedoutofKenton’seyeagain。\"Andtheworstofitisthatmyownmotherisn’tathometome，figurativelyspeaking，whenIgoovertoseeheratBallardsville。Shegotwindofmymisfortune，somehow，andwhenImadeacleanbreastofittoher，shesaidshecouldneverfeelthesametometillIhadmadeitallrightwiththeKentons。Andwhenaman’sownmotherisdownonhim，judge！\"
BittridgeleftKentontoimaginethedesperatecase，andinspiteofhisdisbeliefinthemanandallhesaid，Kentoncouldnotkeephishardnessofhearttowardshim。\"Idon’tknowwhatyou’reafter，youngman，\"hebegan。\"Butifyouexpectmetoreceiveyouundermyroofagain——\"
\"Oh，Idon’t，judge，Idon’t！\"Bittridgeinterposed。\"AllIwantistobeabletotellmymother——Idon’tcareforanybodyelse——thatIsawyou，andyouallowedmetosaythatIwastrulysorryforthepain——ifitwaspain；orannoyance，anyway——thatIhadcausedyou，andtogobacktoherwiththehopeofatoningforitsometimeorsomehow。That’sall。\"
\"Lookhere！\"criedRenton。\"Whathaveyouwrittentomydaughterfor？\"
\"Wasn’tthatnatural？IprizedheresteemmorethanIdoyourseven；butdidIaskheranythingmorethanI’veaskedyou？Ididn’texpecthertoanswerme；allIwantedwastohaveherbelievethatIwasn’tasblackasIwaspainted——notinside，anyway。Youknowwellenough——anybodyknows——
thatIwouldratherhaveherthinkwellofmethananyoneelseinthisworld，exceptmymother。Ihaven’tgotthegiftofshowingoutwhat’sgoodinme，ifthereisanygood，butIbelieveMissEllenwouldwanttothinkwellofmeifIgaveherachance。Ifevertherewasanangelonearth，she’sone。Idon’tdenythatIwashopefulofmercyfromher，becauseshecan’tthinkevil，butIcanlaymyhandonmyheartandsaythatIwasn’tselfishinmyhopes。Itseemedtomethatitwasherduetounderstandthatamanwhomshehadallowedtobeherfriendwasn’taltogetherunworthy。That’sasnearasIcancometoputtingintowordsthemotiveIhadinwritingtoher。Ican’tevenbegintoputintowordsthefeelingIhavetowardsher。It’sasifshewassomethingsacred。\"
ThiswasthefeelingRentonhimselfhadtowardshisdaughter，andforthefirsttimehefoundhimselfoncommongroundwiththescapegracewhoprofessedit，andwhoselight，mockingfacesolittleenforcedhisprofession。IfBittridgecouldhavespokeninthedark，hiswordsmighthavecarriedaconvictionofhissincerity，butthere，inplainday，confrontingthefatherofEllen，whohadeverywishtobelievehimtrue，theeffectwasdifferent。Deepwithinhiswishtothinkthemanhonest，Kentonrecoiledfromhim。Hevaguelyperceivedthatitwasbecauseshecouldnotthinkevilthatthiswretchhadpoweruponher，andhewassensible，ashehadnotbeenbefore，thatshehadnosafetyfromhimexceptinabsence。Hedidnotknowwhattoanswer；hecouldnotrepelhiminopenterms，andstilllesscouldhemeethimwithanywordsthatwouldallowhimtoresumehisformerrelationswithhisfamily。Hesaid，finally:\"Wewillletmattersstand。WearegoingtoEuropeinaweek，andIshallnotseeyouagain。IwilltellMrs。Kentonwhatyousay。\"
\"Thankyou，judge。AndtellherthatIappreciateyourkindnessmorethanIcansay！\"Thejudgerosefromhischairandwenttowardsthewindow，whichhehadthrownopen。\"Goingtoshutup？Letmehelpyouwiththatwindow；itseemstostick。Everythingfastup-stairs？\"
\"I——Ithinkso，\"Kentonhesitated。
\"I’lljustrunupandlook，\"saidBittridge，andhetookthestairstwoatatime，beforeKentoncouldprotest，whentheycameoutintothehalltogether。\"It’sallright，\"hereportedonhisquickreturn。\"I’lljustlookroundbelowhere，\"andheexploredtheground-floorroomsinturn。
\"No，youhadn’topenedanyotherwindow，\"hesaid，glancingfinallyintothelibrary。\"ShallIleavethispaperonyourtable？\"
\"Yes，leaveitthere，\"saidKenton，helplessly，andheletBittridgeclosethefrontdoorafterhim，andlockit。
\"IhopeMissLottieiswell，\"hesuggestedinhandingthekeytoKenton。
\"AndBoyne\"headded，withthecordialityofanoldfamilyfriend。
\"IhopeBoynehasgotreconciledtoNewYorkalittle。Hewasratheranxiousabouthispigeonswhenheleft，Iunderstand。ButIguessDick’smanhaslookedafterthem。I’dhaveofferedtotakechargeofthecocoonsmyselfifI’dhadachance。\"Hewalked，gaylychatting，acrosstheinterveninglawnwithKentontohisson’sdoor，whereatsightofhimbra。RichardKentonevanescedintotheinteriorsoobviouslythatBittridgecouldnotoffertocomein。\"Well，Ishallseeyouallwhenyoucomebackinthefall，judge，andIhopeyou’llhaveapleasantvoyageandagoodtimeinEurope。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidKenton，briefly。
\"Remembermetotheladies！\"andBittridgetookoffhishatwithhislefthand，whileheofferedthejudgehisright。\"Well，good-bye！\"
Kentonmadewhatresponsehecould，andescapedin-doors，wherehisdaughter-in-lawappearedfromtheobscurityintowhichshehadretiredfromBittridge。\"Well，thatfollowdoesbeatall！How，intheworlddidhefindyou，father？\"
\"Hecameintothehouse，\"saidthejudge，muchabashedathisfailuretodealadequatelywithBittridge。Hefeltitthemoreinthepresenceofhisson’swife。\"Icouldn’t，seemtogetridofhiminanywayshortofkickinghimout。\"
\"No，there’snothingequaltohisimpudence。Idobelievehewouldhavecomeinhere，ifhehadn’tseenmefirst。Didyoutellhimwhenyouweregoingback，father？Becausehe’dbeatthetraintoseeyouoff，justassure！\"
\"No，Ididn’ttellhim，\"saidKenton，feelingmoveshakennowfromtheinterviewwithBittridgethanhehadrealizedbefore。HewasashamedtoletMaryknowthathehadlistenedtoBittridge’sjustification，whichhenowperceivedwasnone，andhewouldhavelikedtopretendthathehadnotsilentlycondonedhisoffences，butMarydidnotdrivehimtothesedeceptionsbyanyfurtherallusionstoBittridge。
\"Well，now，youmustgointothesitting-roomandliedownonthelounge；
IpromisedDicktomakeyou。Orwouldyourathergoup-stairstoyourroom？\"
\"IthinkI’llgotomyroom，\"saidKenton。
HewasasleepthereonthebedwhenRichardcamehometodinnerandlookedsoftlyin。Hedecidednottowakehim，andMarysaidthesleepwoulddohimmoregoodthanthedinner。Attabletheytalkedhimover，andshetoldherhusbandwhatsheknewofthemorning’sadventure。
\"Thatwasprettytoughforfather，\"saidRichard。\"Iwouldn’tgointothehousewithhim，becauseIknewhewantedtohaveittohimself；andthentothinkofthatdirtyhoundskulkingin！Well，perhapsit’sforthebest。Itwillmakeiteasier，forfathertogoandleavetheplace，andthey’vegottogo。They’vegottoputtheAtlanticOceanbetweenEllenandthatfellow。\"
\"Itdoesseemasifsomethingmightbedone，\"hiswiferebelled。
\"They’vedonethebestthatcouldbedone，\"saidRichard。\"Andifthatskunkhasn’tgotsomesortofnewholduponfather，Ishallbesatisfied。
TheworstofitisthatitwillbeallovertowninanhourthatBittridgehasmadeupwithus。Idon’tblamefather；hecouldn’thelpit；henevercouldberudetoanybody。\"
\"IthinkI’lltryifIcan’tberudetoMr。Bittridge，ifheeverundertakestoshowinmypretencethathehasmadeitupwithus，\"saidMary。
Richardtenderlyfoundoutfromhisfather’sshamefacedreluctance，later，thatnogreatmischiefhadbeendone。ButnoprecautiononhispartavailedtokeepBittridgefromdemonstratingthegoodfeelingbetweenhimselfandtheKentonswhenthejudgestartedforNewYorkthenextafternoon。Hewastherewaitingtoseehimoff，andheallbuttooktheadieusoutofRichard’shands。Hegotpossessionofthejudge’svalise，andpressedpasttheporterintothesleeping-carwithit，andremainedloungingonthearmofthejudge’sseat，makingconversationwithhimandRichardtillthetrainbegantomove。Thenheranoutside，andwavedhishandtothejudge’swindowinfarewell，beforeallthatleisureofTuskingumwhichhauntedthearrivalanddepartureofthetrains。
MaryKentonwasfuriouswhenherhusbandcamehomeandreportedthefacttoher。
\"Howintheworlddidhefindoutwhenfatherwasgoing？\"
\"Hemusthavecometoallthethroughtrainssincehesayhimyesterday。
ButIthinkevenyouwouldhavebeensuited，Mary，ifyouhadseenhisfailuretowalkofffromthedepotarm-in-armwithme:
\"Iwouldn’thavebeensuitedwithanythingshortofyourknocking，himdown，Dick。\"
\"Oh，thatwouldn’thavedone，\"saidRichard。Afterawhileheadded，patiently，\"Ellenismakingagooddealoftroubleforus。\"
ThiswaswhatMarywasthinkingherself，anditwaswhatshemighthavesaid，butsinceDickhadsaiditshewasobligedtoprotest。\"Sheisn’ttoblameforit。\"
\"Oh，Iknowsheisn’ttoblame。\"
V。
ThefatheroftheunhappygirlwasofthesamemixedmindasherodesleeplesslybacktoNewYorkinhisberth，andheardthenoisesofslumberallroundhim。Fromtimetotimehegroanedsoftly，andturnedfromonecheektotheother。Everyhalf-hourorsohelethiswindow-
curtainflyup，andlaywatchingthelandscapefleetingpast；andthenhepulledthecurtaindownagainandtriedtosleep。AfterpassingAlbanyhedozed，butatPoughkeepsieazealousportercalledhimbymistake，andtherestofthewaytoNewYorkhesatupinthesmoking-room。Itseemedalongwhilesincehehaddrowsed；thethinnaphadnotrestedhim，andtheoldfacethatshoweditselfintheglass，withthefrostofatwodays’beardonit，wasdry-eyedandlimplysquaredbythefallofthemusclesatthecornersofthechin。
Hewonderedhowheshouldjustifytohiswifethethingwhichhefeltasaccountableforhavinghappenedtohimasifhecouldhavepreventedit。
Itwouldnothavehappened，ofcourse，ifhehadnotgonetoTuskingum，andshecouldsaythattohim；nowitseemedtohimthathisgoing，whichhadbeensoimperativebeforehewent，wasaltogetherneedless。Nothingbutharmhadcomeofit，andithadbeenaselfishindulgenceofaculpableweakness。
ItwasalittlebetterforKentonwhenhefoundhimselfwithhisfamily，andtheywentdowntogethertothebreakfastwhichthemotherhadengagedtheyoungerchildrentomakeaspleasantastheycouldfortheirfather，andnotworryhimwithtalkaboutTuskingum。Theyhad，infact，gotovertheirfirstseasonofhomesickness，andwerepostponingtheirlongingforTuskingumtilltheirreturnfromEurope，whentheywouldallgostraightoutthere。Kentonranthegauntletofwelcomefromtheblackelevator-
boysandbell-boysandthehead-waiter，whowentbeforehimtopulloutthejudge’schair，withcommandingfrownstohisunderlingstodothelikefortherestofthefamily；andashisownclumsyIrishwaiterstoodbehindhischair，breathingheavilyuponthejudge’shead，hegavehisorderforbreakfast，withacurioussenseofhavinggothomeagainfromsomestrangeplace。HesatisfiedBoynethathispigeonsandpoultryhadbeenwellcaredforthroughthewinter，andhetoldLottiethathehadnotmetmuchofanybodyexceptDick’sfamily，beforeherecollectedseeinghalfadozenofheryoungmenatdifferedtimes。ShewasnotveryexactingaboutthemandhermindseemedsetuponEurope，oratleastshetalkedofnothingelse。Ellenwasquietasshealwayswas，butshesmiledgentlyonherfather，andMrs。Kentontoldhimofthegirl’spreparationsforgoing，andcongratulatedherselfontheirwisdominhavingpostponedtheirsailing，inviewofalltheyhadtodo；andshemadeKentonfeelthateverythingwasinthebestpossibleshape。Assoonasshegothimaloneintheirownroom，shesaid，\"Well，whatisit，poppa？\"
Thenhehadtotellher，andshelistenedwithominousgravity。Shedidnotsaythatnowhecouldseehowmuchbetteritwouldhavebeenifhehadnotgone，butshemadehimsayitforher；andshewouldnotlethimtakecomfortinthenotionofkeepingthefactofhisinterviewwithBittridgefromEllen。\"Itwouldbeworsethanuseless。Hewillwritetoheraboutit，andthenshewillknowthatwehavebeen，concealingit。\"
Kentonwasastonishedathimselffornothavingthoughtofthat。\"Andwhatareyougoingtodo，Sarah？\"
\"Iamgoingtotellher，\"saidMrs。Kenton。
\"Whydidn’tpoppatellmebefore？\"thegirlperverselydemanded，assoonasheranotherhaddoneso。
\"Ellen，youareanaughtychild！Ihaveagreatmindnottohaveawordmoretosaytoyou。Yourfatherhasn’tbeeninthehouseanhour。DidyouwanthimtospeakbeforeLottieandBoyne！\"
\"Idon’tseewhyhedidn’ttellmehimself。Iknowthereissomethingyouarekeepingback。Iknowthereissomeword——\"
\"Oh，yonpoorgirl！\"saidhermother，meltingintopityagainstallsenseofduty。\"Haveweevertriedtodeceiveyou？\"
\"No，\"Ellensobbed，withherfaceinherhands。\"NowIwilltellyoueverywordthatpassed，\"saidMrs。Kenton，andshetold，aswellasshecouldremember，allthatthejudgehadrepeatedfromBittridge。\"Idon’tsayheisn’tashamedofhimself，\"shecommentedattheend。\"Heoughttobe，and，ofcourse，hewouldbegladtobeinwithusagainwhenwegoback；butthatdoesn’talterhischaracter，Ellen。Still，ifyoucan’tseethatyourself，Idon’twanttomakeyou，andifyouwouldrathergohometoTuskingum，wewillgiveupthetriptoEurope。\"
\"It’stoolatetodothatnow，\"saidthegirl，incruelreproach。
Hermotherclosedherlipsresolutelytillshecouldsay，\"Oryoucanwritetohimifyouwantto。\"
\"Idon’twantto，\"saidEllen，andshedraggedherselfupoutofherchair，andtrailedslowlyoutoftheroomwithoutlookingathermother。
\"Well？\"thejudgeasked，impatiently，whenhecameinassoonafterthisashedecentlycould。TheyobservedformswithregardtotalkingaboutEllenwhich，afterall，wereratherforthemselvesthanforher；Mrs。
Kenton，atleast，knewthatthegirlknewwhentheyweretalkingabouther。
\"ShetookitaswellasIexpected。\"
\"Whatisshegoingtodo？\"
\"Shedidn’tsay。ButIdon’tbelieveshewilldoanything。\"
\"IwishIhadtakenourticketsfornextSaturday，\"saidKenton。
\"Well，wemustwaitnow，\"saidhiswife。\"Ifhedoesn’twritetoher，shewon’twritetohim。\"
\"Hassheeveransweredthatletterofhis？\"
\"No，andIdon’tbelieveshewillnow。\"
ThatnightEllencametohermotherandsaidsheneednotbeafraidofherwritingtoBittridge。\"Hehasn’tchanged，ifhewaswrong，bycomingandsayingthosethingstopoppa，andnothinghaschanged。\"
\"ThatisthewayIhopedyouwouldseeit；Ellen。\"Hermotherlookedwistfullyather，butthegirlleftherwithoutlettinghersatisfythelonginginthemother’shearttoputherarmsroundherchild，andpullherheaddownuponherbreastforacry。
Kentonsleptbetterthatnightthanhiswife，whowaskeptawakebyaformlessforeboding。Fortheweekthatfollowedshehadthesenseofliterallypushingthehoursaway，sothatattimesshefoundherselfbreathless，asiffromsomeheavyphysicalexertion。Atsuchtimesshewasfranticwiththewishtohavethedaysgone，andthedayoftheirsailingcome，butshekeptherimpatiencefromherhusbandandchildren，andespeciallyfromEllen。Thegirlwaspassiveenough；shewasalmostwilling，andinthepreparationfortheirvoyageshedidhershareoftheshopping，anddiscussedthedifficultpointsofthisbusinesswithhermotherandsisterasifshehadreallybeenthinkingaboutitall。Buthermotherdoubtedifshehad，andmademoreofEllen’ssunkeneyesandthinfacethanofherintelligentandattentivewords。Itwasthesethatshereportedtoherhusband，whomshekeptfromtalkingwithEllen，andotherwisequelled。
\"Letheralone，\"sheinsisted，onemorningofthelastweek。\"Whatcanyoudobyspeakingtoheraboutit？Don’tyouseethatsheismakingthebestfightshecan？Youwillweakenherifyouinterfere。It’slessthanaweeknow，andifyoucanonlyholdout，Iknowshecan。\"
Kentongroaned。\"Well，Isupposeyou’reright，Sarah。ButIdon’tliketheideaofforcinghertogo，unless——\"
\"Thenyouhadbetterwritetothatfellow，andaskhimtocomeandgether。\"
ThisshutKenton’smouth，andhekeptonwithhisshaving。Whenhehadfinishedhefeltfresher，ifnotstronger，andhewentdowntobreakfast，whichhehadalone，notonlywithreferencetohisownfamily，butalltheotherguestsofthehotel。Hewasalwayssoearlythatsometimesthedining-roomwasnotopen；whenthishappened，heusedtogoandbuyanewspaperattheclerk’sdesk，foritwastooearlythenforthenews-
standtobeopen。Ithappenedsothatmorning，andhegothispaperwithoutnoticingtheyoungmanwhowaswritinghisnameinthehotelregister，butwholookedbrisklyupwhentheclerkbadeKentongood-
morningbyname。
\"Why，judge！\"hesaid，andheputoutahandwhichKentontookwithtremblingreluctanceandadazedstare。\"IthoughtyousailedlastSaturday！\"
\"WesailnextSaturday，\"saidKenton。
\"Well，well！ThenImisunderstood，\"saidBittridge，andheadded:\"Why，thisismoneyfoundintheroad！Howareallthefamily？I’vegotmymotherherewithme；broughtheronforakindofalittleouting。
She’llbethemostsurprisedwomaninNewYorkwhenItellheryou’rehereyet。Wecametothishotelbecauseweknewyouhadbeenhere，butwedidn’tsupposeyouwerehere！Well！Thisistoogood！IsawDick，Friday，buthedidn’tsayanythingaboutyoursailing；IsupposehethoughtIknew。Didn’tyoutellmeyouweregoinginaweek，thatdayinyourhouse？\"
\"PerhapsIdid，\"Kentonfalteredout，hiseyesfixedonBittridge’swithahelplessfascination。
\"Well，itdon’tmattersolongasyou’rehere。Mother’sintheparlorwaitingforme；Iwon’trisktakingyoutohernow，judge——rightoffthetrain，youknow。ButIwanttobringhertocallonMrs。Kentonassoonafterbreakfastasyou’llletme。ShejustidolizesMrs。Kenton，fromwhatI’vetoldherabouther。Ourroomsready？\"Heturnedtotheclerk，andtheclerkcalled\"Front！\"toabellboy，whoranupandtookBittridge’shand-baggage，andstoodwaitingtofollowhimintotheparlor。\"Well，youmustexcusemenow，judge。Solong！\"hesaid，gayly，andKentoncreptfeeblyawaytothedining-room。
Hemusthaveeatenbreakfast，buthewasnotawareofdoingso；andtheeventsofhisleavingthetableandgoingupintheelevatorandfindinghimselfinhiswife’spresencedidnotpresentthemselvesconsecutively，thoughtheymustallhavesuccessivelyoccurred。Itdidnotseemtohimthathecouldtellwhatheknew，buthefoundhimselfdoingit，andherhearingitwithstrangequiet。
\"Verywell，\"shesaid。\"ImusttellEllen，and，ifshewishes，wemuststayinandwaitfortheircall。\"
\"Yes，\"thejudgemechanicallyconsented。
ItwaspainfulforMrs。KentontoseehowthegirlflushedwhensheannouncedthefactofBittridge’spresence，forsheknewwhatastrifeofhopeandshameandpridetherewasinEllen’sheart。Atfirstshesaidthatshedidnotwishtoseehim，andthenwhenMrs。Kentonwouldnotsaywhethershehadbetterseehimornot，sheadded，vaguely，\"Ifhehasbroughthismother——\"
\"Ithinkwemustseethem，Ellen。Youwouldn’twishtothinkyouhadbeenunkind；andhemightbehurtonhismother’saccount。Heseemsreallyfondofher，andperhaps——\"
\"No，thereisn’tanyperhaps，momma，\"saidthegirl，gratefully。\"ButI
thinkwehadbetterseethem，too。IthinkwehadbetterALLseethem。\"
\"Justasyouplease，Ellen。Ifyouprefertomeetthemalone——\"
\"Idon’tpreferthat。Iwantpoppatobethere，andLottieandBoyneeven。\"
Boyneobjectedwhenhewastoldthathispresencewasrequestedatthisfamilyrite，andhewouldhaveexcusedhimselfiftheinvitationhadbeenoftheformthatonemightdecline。\"WhatdoIwanttoseehimfor？\"hepuffed。\"HenevercaredanythingaboutmeinTuskingum。What’shewanthere，anyway？\"
\"Iwishyoutocomein，myson，\"saidhismother，andthatendedit。
Lottiewasnotsotractable。\"Verywell，momma，\"shesaid。\"Butdon’texpectmetospeaktohim。Ihavesomelittleself-respect，iftherestofyouhaven’t。AmIgoingtoshakehandswithhim！Inevertooktheleastnoticeofhimathome，andI’mnotgoingtohere。\"
Bittridgedecidedthequestionofhand-shakingforherwhentheymet。Hegreetedhergloomingbrotherwithajolly\"Hello，Boyne！\"andwithoutwaitingfortheboy’stardyresponsehesaid\"Hello，Lottie！\"tothegirl，andtookherhandandkeptitinhiswhilehemadeanelaboratecomplimenttohergoodlooksandhergaininweight。Shehadcometardilyasaproofthatshewouldnothavecomeinatallifshehadnotchosentodoso，andMrs。BittridgewasalreadyseatedbesideEllenonthesofa，holdingherhand，andtryingtokeephermobile，inattentiveeyesuponEllen’sface。Shewasalittlewoman，youthfullydressed，butnotdressedyouthfullyenoughforthedry，yellowhairwhichcurledtightlyinsmallringsonherskull，likethewigofarag-doll。Herrestlesseyeswereroundanddeep-set，withthelidsflungupoutofsight；shehadalax，formlessmouth，andananxioussmile，withwhichsheconstantlywatchedhersonforhisinitiative，whilesherecollectedherselffromtimetotime，longenoughtosmoothEllen’shandbetweenherown，andsay，\"Oh，IjustthinktheworldofClarence；andIguesshethinkshismotherisaboutright，too，\"andthendidnotheedwhatEllenanswered。
Thegirlsaidverylittle，anditwasBittridgewhotalkedforall，dominatingtheroomwithalarge，satisfiedpresence，inwhichthejudgesatwithdrawn，hisforeheadsupportedonhishand，andhiselbowonthetable。Mrs。Kentonheldherselfupright，withherhandscrossedbeforeher，stealingalooknowandthenatherdaughter’savertedface，butkeepinghereyesfromMrs。Bittridge，who，whenevershecaughtMrs。
Kenton’sglance，saidsomethingtoheraboutherClarence，andhowheusedtowritehometoheratBallardsvilleabouttheKentons，sothatshefeltacquaintedwithallofthem。Herreminiscenceswereperfunctory；
Mrs。Bittridgehadvoluntarilybutonetopic，andthatwasherself，eitherasshewasincludedintheinteresthersonmustinspire，orassheincludedhimintheinterestshemustinspire。Shesaidthat，nowtheyhadmetatlast，shewasnotgoingtoresttilltheKentonshadbeenovertoBallardsville，andmadeheragood，longvisit；hersonhadsomedifficultyinmakingherrealizethattheKentonsweregoingtoEurope。
Thenshelaughed，andsaidshekeptforgetting；andshedidwishtheywereallcomingbacktoTuskingum。
Ifitisamerittotreatafatuousmotherwithdeference，Bittridgehadthatmerit。Hisdeferencewasofthecaressingandlaughingsort，whichtookthespectatorintothejokeofherpeculiaritiesassomethingtheywouldappreciateandenjoywithhim。Shehadbeenakittenishandpettedpersoninheryouth，perhaps，andnowshepettedherself，aftershehadlongceasedtobeakitten。Whatwasrespectableandwhatwaspatheticinherwasherwishtopromoteherson’sfortuneswiththeKentons，butshetriedtodothisfromnotaveryclearunderstandingofherpart，apparently，andlittlesenseofthemeans。ForEllen’ssake，ratherthanhers，thefatherandmotherreceivedheroverturestotheirlikingkindly；theyansweredherpatiently，andMrs。Kentoneventriedtoleadthewayforhertoshowherselfatherbest，bytalkingofherjourneyontoNewYork，andofthecity，andwhatshewouldseetheretointeresther。LottieandBoyne，sternlyalooftogetherinoneoftheirmomentaryalliances，listenedtoherreplieswithasilentcontemptthatalmostincludedtheirmother；Kentonborewiththewomanhumblyandsadly。
Hewas，infact，ratherbewilderedwiththesituation，forwhichhefelthimselfremotelyifnotimmediatelyresponsible。Bittridgewasthereamongthemnotonlyongoodterms，butapparentlyinthecharacterofamorethantoleratedpretendanttoEllen’sfavor。Therewerepassagesoftimeiswhichthefatherwasnotsurethatthefellowwasnotengagedtohisdaughter，thoughwhentheseinstantsweregonehewasawarethattherehadbeennoovertlove-makingbetweenthemandBittridgehadneverofferedhimself。Whatwashedoingthere，then？Thejudgeaskedhimselfthat，withoutbeingabletoanswerhimself。Sofarashecouldmakeout，hiswifeandhewerelettinghimseeEllen，andshowherofftohismother，mainlytodisgustherwiththemboth，andbecausetheywereafraidthatiftheydeniedhertohim，itwouldbetheworseforthemthroughhersuffering。Thejudgewasnotaccustomedtoapplythetestsbywhichpeoplearefoundvulgarornot；thesewerenotofhissimpleworld；allthathefeltaboutMrs。Bittridgewasthatshewasaveryfoolish，falseperson，whowastrueinnothingbutheradmirationofherrascalofason；hedidnotthinkofBittridgeasarascalviolently，buthelplessly，andwithaheartthatmeltedinpityforEllen。
Helongedtohavethesepeoplegone，notsomuchbecausehewassounhappyintheirpresenceasbecausehewishedtolearnEllen’sfeelingaboutthemfromhiswife。Shewouldknow，whetherAllensaidanythingtoherornot。ButperhapsifMrs。Kentonhadbeenaskedtodeliverhermindonthispointatonceshewouldhavebeenalittlepuled。Allthatshecouldsee，andshesawitwithasinkingoftheheart，wasthatEllenlookedmoreatpeacethanshehadbeensinceBittridgewaslastintheirhouseatTuskingum。Hereyescovertlyfollowedhimashesattalking，orwentabouttheroom，makinghimselfathomeamongthem，asifhewerewelcomewitheveryone。Hejokedhermorethantherest，andaccusedherofhavingbecomearegularNew-Yorker；hesaidhesupposedthatwhenshecamebackfromEuropeshewouldnotknowanybodyinTuskingum；andhismother，playingwithEllen’sfingers，asiftheyhadbeenthefringeofatassel，declaredthatshemustnotmindhim，forhecarriedonjustsowitheverybody；atthesametimesheorderedhimtostop，orshewouldgorightoutoftheroom。
Shegavenoothersignofgoing，anditwashersonwhohadtomakethemovementforheratlast；sheapparentlydidnotknowthatitwasherparttomakeit。ShesaidthatnowtheKentonsmustcomeandreturnhercall，andberealneighborly，justthesameasiftheywereallathometogether。Whenhersonshookhandswitheveryoneshedidsotoo，andshesaidtoeach，\"Well，Iwishyougood-morning，\"andlethimpushherbeforehim，inhighdelightwiththejoke，outoftheroom。
WhentheyweregonetheKentonssatsilent，Ellenwitharaptsmileonherthin，flushedface，tillLottiesaid，\"YouforgottoaskhimifwemightBREATHE，poppa，\"andpacedoutoftheroominstatelyscorn，followedbyBoyne，whohadapparentlynowordsatthecommandofhisdumbrage。Kentonwishedtoremain，andhelookedathiswifeforinstruction。Shefrowned，andhetookthisforasignthathehadbettergo，andhewentwithalightsigh。
Hedidnotknowwhatelsetodowithhimself，andhewentdowntothereading-room。HefoundBittridgethere，smokingacigar，andtheyoungmancompanionablyofferedtobestowoneuponhim；butthejudgestifflyrefused，sayinghedidnotwishtosmokejustthen。HenotedthatBittridgewasstillinhischaracteroffamilyfavorite，andhishandtrembledashepasseditoverthesmoothknobofhisstick，whilehesatwaitingforthefellowtotakehimselfaway。ButBittridgehadapparentlynothoughtofgoing。Hewaslookingattheamusementsfortheeveninginapaperhehadbought，andhewishedtoconsultthejudgeastowhichwasthebesttheatretogotothatnight；hesaidhewantedtotakehismother。KentonprofessednottoknowmuchabouttheNewYorktheatres，andthenBittridgeguessedhemustgettheclerktotellhim。
Butstillhedidnotpartwiththejudge。Hesatdownbesidehim，andtoldhimhowgladhewastoseehisfamilylookingsowell，especiallyMissEllen；hecouldnotremembereverseeinghersostrong-looking。Hesaidthatgirlhadcapturedhismother，whowasinlovewithprettymuchthewholeKentonfamily，though。
\"Andby-the-way，\"headded，\"IwanttothankyouandMrs。Kenton，judge，forthewayyoureceivedmymother。Youmadeherfeelthatshewasamongfriends。Shecan’ttalkaboutanythingelse，andIguessIsha’n’thavemuchtroubleinmakingherstayinNewYorkaslongasyou’rehere。Shewasinclinedtobehomesick。Thefactis，thoughIdon’tcaretohaveittalkedaboutyet，andIwishyouwouldn’tsayanythingtoDickaboutitwhenyouwritehome，IthinkofsettlinginNewYork。I’vebeenofferedashowintheadvertisingdepartmentofoneofthebigdailies——I’mnotatlibertytosaywhich——andit’satoss-upwhetherIstayhereorgotoWashington；I’vegotachancethere，too，butit’sonthestaffofanewenterprise，andI’mnotsureaboutit。I’vebroughtmymotheralongtoletherhavealookatbothplaces，thoughshedoesn’tknowit，andI’dratheryouwouldn’tspeakofitbeforeher；I’mgoingtotakeherontoWashingtonbeforewegoback。Iwanttohavemymotherwithme，judge。
It’sbetterforafellowtohavethathome-feelinginalargeplacefromthestart；itkeepshimoutofalotofthings，andIdon’tpretendtobebetterthanotherpeople，ornotmoresuperhuman。IfI’vebeenabletokeepoutofscrapes，it’smorebecauseI’vehadmymothernearme，andI
don’tintendevertobeseparatedfromher，afterthis，tillIhaveahomeofmyown。She’sbeentheguiding-starofmylife。\"
Kentonwasunabletomakeanyformalresponse，and，infact，hewassopreoccupiedwiththequestionwhetherthefellowwasmoreafoolorafraudthathemadenoansweratall，beyondafewinarticulategrumblingsofassent。ThesesufficedforBittridge，apparently，forhewentoncontentedly:\"WheneverI’vebeentemptedtogoalittlewild，thethoughtofhowmotherwouldfeelhaskeptmeonthetracklikenothingelsewould。No，judge，thereisn’tanythinginthisworldlikeagoodmother，excepttherightkindofawife。\"
Kentonrose，andsaidhebelievedhemustgoupstairs。Bittridgesaid，\"Allright；I’llseeyoulater，judge，\"andswungeasilyofftoadvisewiththeclerkastothebesttheatre。
VI。
Kentonwassounhappythathecouldnotwaitforhiswifetocometohimintheirownroom；hebrokeinuponherandEllenintheparlor，andathiscomingthegirlflittedout，inthenoiselessfashionwhichoflatehadmadeherfatherfeelsomethingghostlikeinher。Hewasafraidshewasgrowingtodislikehim，andtryingtoavoidhim，andnowhepresentedhimselfquitehumblybeforehiswife，asifhehaddonewrongincoming。
Hebeganwithasortofapologyforinterrupting，buthiswifesaiditwasallright，andsheadded，\"Wewerenottalkingaboutanythinginparticular。\"Shewassilent，andthensheaddedagain:\"SometimesI
thinkEllenhasn’tveryfineperceptions，afterall。Shedoesn’tseemtofeelaboutpeopleasIsupposedshewould。\"
\"Youmeanthatshedoesn’tfeelasyouwouldsupposeaboutthosepeople？\"
Mrs。Kentonanswered，obliquely。\"Shethinksit’sabeautifulthinginhimtobesodevotedtohismother。\"
\"Humph！Andwhatdoesshethinkofhismother？\"
\"Shethinksshehasveryprettyhair。\"
Mrs。Kentonlookedgravelydownattheworkshehadinherhands，andKentondidnotknowwhattomakeofitall。Hedecidedthathiswifemustfeel，ashedid，adoubtofthechild’ssincerity，withsenseofherevasivenessmoretolerantthanhisown。YetheknewthatifitcametoaquestionofforcingEllentodowhatwasbestforher，orforbiddinghertodowhatwasworst，hiswifewouldhaveallthestrengthforthework，andhenone。Heaskedher，hopelesslyenough，\"Doyouthinkshestillcaresforhim？\"
\"Ithinkshewishestogivehimanothertrial；Ihopeshewill。\"Kentonwasdaunted，andheshowedit。\"Shehasgottoconvinceherself，andwehavegottolether。Shebelieves，ofcourse，thathe’shereonheraccount，andthatflattersher。Whyshouldshebesodifferentfromothergirls？\"Mrs。Kentondemandedoftheangryprotestinherhusband’seye。
Hisspiritfell，andhesaid，\"Ionlywishsheweremorelikethem。\"
\"Well，then，sheisjustasheadstrongandassilly，whenitcomestoathinglikethis。Ouronlyhopeistoletherhaveherownway。\"
\"Doyousupposehecaresforher，afterall？\"
Mrs。Kentonwassilent，asifinexhaustiveself-question。Thensheanswered:\"No，Idon’tinthatway。Buthebelieveshecangether。\"
\"Then，Sarah，Ithinkwehaveadutytothepoorchild。Youmusttellherwhatyouhavetoldme。\"
Mrs。Kentonsmiledratherbitterly，inrecognitionofthefactthattheperformanceoftheircommondutymustfallwhollytoher。Butshemerelysaid:\"Thereisnoneedofmytellingher。Sheknowsitalready。\"
\"Andshewouldtakehiminspiteofknowingthathedidn’treallycareforher？\"
\"Idon’tsaythat。Shewouldn’townittoherself。\"
\"Andwhatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"Nothing。Wemustletthingstaketheircourse。\"
Theyhadagreatdealmoretalkthatcametothesameend。Theyplayedtheirsadcomedy，heinthepartofafatherdeterminedtosavehischildfromherself，andsheinhersofresistingandwithholdinghim。Itendedasithadsooftenendedbefore——heyielded，withmorefaithinherwisdomthanshehadherself。
AtluncheontheBittridgescouldnotjointheKentons，orbeaskedtodoso，becausethetableheldonlyfour，buttheystoppedontheirwaytotheirowntable，themothertobridleandtossinaffectedreluctance，whilethesonbraggedhowhehadgotthelasttwoticketstobehadthatnightforthetheatrewherehewasgoingtotakehismother。Heseemedtothinkthatthefacthadaspecialclaimonthejudge’sinterest，andshetowishtofindoutwhetherMrs。Kentonapprovedoftheatre-going。
ShesaidshewouldnotthinkofgoinginBallardsville，butshesupposeditwasmorerulableinNewYork。
DuringtheafternoonshecalledattheKentonapartmenttoconsulttheladiesaboutwhatsheoughttowear。Shesaidshehadnothingbutablack’barege’along，andwouldthatdowiththehatshehadon？Shehadwornittoletthemsee，andnowsheturnedherfacefromaidetosidetogivethemtheeffectoftheplumes，thatfelllikeadishevelledfeather-
dusterroundandoverthecrown。Mrs。Kentoncouldonlysaythatitwoulddo，butshebelievedthatitwasthecustomnowforladiestotaketheirhatsoffinthetheatre。
Mrs。Bittridgegaveahoarselaugh。\"Oh，dear！ThenI’llhavetofixmyhairtwoways？Idon’tknowwhatClarenceWILLsay。\"
Thementionofherson’snameopenedthewayforhertotalkofhiminrelationtoherself，andtherestofherstaypassedinthecelebrationofhisfilialvirtues，whichhadbeenmanifestfromtheearliestperiod。
Shecouldnotrememberthatsheeverhadtohitthechildalick，shesaid，orthathehadevermadehershedatear。
Whenshewent，Boynegloomilyinquired，\"Whatmakesherhairsomuchdarkerattherootsthanitisatthepoints？\"andhismothersnubbedhimpromptly。
\"Youhadnobusinesstobehere，Boyne。Idon’tlikeboyshangingaboutwhereladiesaretalkingtogether，andlistening。\"
ThisdidnotpreventLottiefromanswering，directlyforBoyne，andindirectlyforEllen，\"It’sbecauseit’sbeguntogrowsincethelastbleach。\"
ItwaseasiertograpplewithBoynethanwithLottie，，andMrs。Kentonwaswillingtoallowhertoleavetheroomwithherbrotherunrebuked。
ShewasevenwillingtohavehadtheveilliftedfromMrs。Bittridge’shairwitharudehand，ifitworldhelpEllen。
\"Idon’twantyoutothink，momma，\"saidthegirl，\"thatIdidn’tknowaboutherhair，orthatIdon’tseehowsillysheis。Butit’sallthemoretohiscreditifhecanbesogoodtoher，andadmireher。Wouldyonlikehimbetterifhedespisedher？\"
Mrs。Kentonfeltboththedefianceandthesecretshamefromwhichitspranginherdaughter’swords；andshewaitedforamomentbeforesheanswered，\"Iwouldliketobesurehedidn’t！\"
\"Ifhedoes，andifhehidesitfromher，it’sthesameasifhedidn’t；
it’sbetter。Butyouallwishtodislikehim。\"
\"Wedon’twishtodislikehim，Ellen，goodnessknows。ButIdon’tthinkhewouldcaremuchwhetherwedislikedhimornot。IamsureyourpoorfatherandIwouldbeonlytoogladtolikehim。\"
\"Lottiewouldn’t，\"saidEllen，witharesentmenthermotherfoundpathetic，itwassofeebleandaimless。
\"Lottiedoesn’tmatter，\"shesaid。ShecouldnotmakeouthownearlyEllenwastosharingthecommondislike，orhowfarshewouldgoinfortifyingherselfagainstit。Shekeptwithdifficultytohernegativefrankness，andsheletthegirlleavetheroomwithafretfulsigh，asifprovokedthathermotherwouldnotprovokeherfurther。ThereweremomentswhenMrs。KentonbelievedthatEllenwassickofherlove，andthatshewouldpluckitoutofherheartherselfifshewereleftalone。
ShewasthengladBittridgehadcome，sothatEllenmightcomparewiththerealitythecounterfeitpresentmentshehadkeptinherfancy；andshebelievedthatifshecouldbutleavehimtodohisworst，itwouldbethebestforEllen。
Intheevening，directlyafterdinner，BittridgesentuphisnameforMrs。Kenton。Thejudgehadremainedtoreadhispaperbelow，andLottieandBoynehadgonetosomefriendsinanotherapartment。ItseemedtoMrs。Kentonapieceofluckthatsheshouldbeabletoseehimalone，andshecouldnothavesaidthatshewasunpreparedforhimtocomein，holdinghistheatre-ticketsexplanatorilyinhishand，orsurprisedwhenhebegan:
\"Mrs。Kenton，mymother’sgotabadheadache，andI’vecometoaskafavorofyou。Shecan’tuseherticketforto-night，andIwantyoutoletMissEllencomewithme。Willyou？\"
Bittridgehadconstitutedhimselfanoldfriendofthewholefamilyfromtherenewaloftheiracquaintance，andMrs。Kentonwasnowmadeawareofhisbeingherpeculiarfavorite，inspiteoftheinstantrepulsionshefelt，shewasnotaversetowhatheproposed。HerfearwasthatEllenwouldbeso，orthatshecouldkeepfrominfluencinghertothistestofherrealfeelingforBittridge。\"Iwillaskher，Mr。Bittridge，\"shesaid，withaseveritywhichwasapreliminaryoftheimpartialityshemeanttousewithEllen。
\"Well，that’sright，\"heanswered，andwhileshewenttothegirl’sroomheremainedexaminingthedetailsofthedrawing-roomdecorationsineasysecurity，whichMrs。Kentonjustifiedonherreturn。
\"Ellenwillbereadytogowithyou，Mr。Bittridge。\"
\"Well，that’sgood，\"saidtheyoungman，andwhilehetalkedonshesatwonderingatanaturewhichallmodestyanddeferenceseemedleftoutof，thoughhehadsometimesgivenevidenceofhisintellectualappreciationofthesethings。HetalkedtoMrs。Kentonnotonlyasiftheywereinevery-wiseequal，butasiftheywereofthesameage，almostofthesamesex。
Ellencamein，cloakedandhatted，withherdelicatefaceexcitedinprospectoftheadventure；andhermothersawBittridgelookatherwithmoretendernessthanshehadeverseeninhimbefore。\"I’lltakegoodcareofher，Mrs。Kenton，\"hesaid，andforthefirsttimeshefeltherselfrelentalittletowardshim。
AminuteaftertheyweregoneLottiebouncedintotheroom，followedbyBoyne。
\"Momma！\"sheshouted，\"Ellenisn’tgoingtothetheatrewiththatfellow？\"
\"Yes，sheis。\"
\"Andyoulether，momma！Withoutachaperon？\"
Boyne’sfacehadmirroredtheindignationinhissister’s，butatthisunprecedentedburstofconventionalityheforgottheirmomentaryalliance。\"Well，you’reaprettyonetotalkaboutchaperons！WalkingalloverTuskingumwithfellowsatnight，andgoingbuggy-ridingwitheverybody，andoutrowing，andherefairlybeggingJimPlumptontocomedowntothesteamerandseeyouoffagain！\"
\"Shutup！\"Lottieviolentlyreturned，\"orI’lltellmommahowyou’vebeenbehavingwithRitaPlumptonyourself。\"
\"Well，tell！\"Boynedefiedher。
\"Oh，itdon’tmatterwhatabratofaboysaysordoes，anyway，\"saidLottie。\"ButIthinkEllenisdisgracingthefamily。EverybodyinthehotelislaughingatthatwiggyoldMrs。Bittridge，withherwobblyeyes，andtheycanseethathe’sjustasgreen！ThePlumptonshavebeenlaughingsoaboutthem，andItoldthemthatwehadnothingtodowiththemathome，andhadfairlyturnedBittridgeoutofthehouse，buthehadimpudenceenoughforanything；andnowtofindEllengoingofftothetheatrewithhimalone！\"
Lottiebegantocrywithvexationasshewhippedoutoftheroom，andBoyne，whofelthimselfdrawntohersideagain，said，veryseriously:
\"Well，itain’tthethinginNewYork，youknow，momma；andanybodycanseewhatajayBittridgeis。Ithinkit’stoobadtolether。\"
\"Itisn’tforyoutocriticiseyourmother，Boyne，\"saidMrs。Kenton，butshewasmoreshakenthanshewouldallow。Herowntraditionsweresosimplethatthepointofetiquettewhichherchildrenhadurgedhadnotoccurredtoher。ThequestionwhetherEllenshouldgowithBittridgeatallbeingdecided，shewould，ofcourse，goinNewYorkasshewouldgoinTuskingum。NowMrs。Kentonperceivedthatshemustnot，andshehadhershareofhumiliationintheimpressionwhichhismother，asherfriend，apparently，wasmakingwithherchildren’sacquaintancesinthehotel。IftheywouldthinkeverybodyinTuskingumwaslikeher，itwouldcertainlybeveryunpleasant，butshewouldnotquiteownthistoherself，stilllesstoafourteen-year-oldboy。\"IthinkwhatyourfatherandIdecidetoberightwillbesufficientexcuseforyouwithyourfriends。\"
\"Doesfatherknowit？\"Boyneasked，mostunexpectedly。
Havingnootheranswerready，Mrs。Kentonsaid，\"Youhadbettergotobed，myson。\"
\"Well，\"hegrumbled，ashelefttheroom，\"Idon’tknowwherealltheprideoftheKentonsisgoneto。\"
InhissenseoffallengreatnessheattemptedtojoinLottieinherroom，butshesaid，\"Goaway，nastything！\"andBoynewasobligedtoseekhisownroom，whereheoccupiedhimselfwithacontrivancehewasinventingtoenableyoutocloseyourdoorandturnoffyourgasbyasystemofpulleyswithoutleavingyourbed，whenyouweretiredofreading。
Mrs。Kentonwaitedforherhusbandinmuchlesscomfort，andwhenhecame，andasked，restlessly，\"Wherearethechildren？\"shefirsttoldhimthatLottieandBoynewereintheirroomsbeforeshecouldbringherselftosaythatEllenhadgonetothetheatrewithBittridge。
Itwassomerelieftohavehimtakeitinthedullwayhedid，andtosaynothingworsethan，\"Didyouthinkitwaswelltohaveher！\"
\"YoumaybesureIdidn’twantherto。ButwhatwouldshehavesaidifI
hadrefusedtolethergo？Icantellyouitisn’taneasymattertomanageherinthisbusiness，andit’sveryeasyforyoutocriticise，withouttakingtheresponsibility。\"
\"I’mnotcriticising，\"saidKenton。\"Iknowyouhaveactedforthebest。\"
\"Thechildren，\"saidMrs。Kenton，wishingtobejustifiedfurther，\"thinksheoughttohavehadachaperon。Ididn’tthinkofthat；itisn’tthecustomathome；butLottiewasverysaucyaboutit，andIhadtosendBoynetobed。Idon’tthinkourchildrenareverymuchcomforttous。\"
\"Theyaregoodchildren，\"Kentonsaid，said——provisionally。
\"Yes，thatistheworstofit。Iftheywerebad，wewouldn’texpectanycomfortfromthem。Ellenisaboutperfect。She’sasnearanangelasachildcanbe，butshecouldhardlyhavegivenusmoreanxietyifshehadbeentheworstgirlintheworld。\"
\"That’strue，\"thefathersadlyassented。
\"Shedidn’treallywanttogowithhimto-night，I’llsaythatforher，andifIhadsaidasinglewordagainstitshewouldn’thavegone。Butallatonce，whileshesattheretryingtothinkhowIcouldexcuseher，shebeganaskingmewhatsheshouldwear。There’ssomethingstrangeaboutit，Rufus。IfIbelievedinhypnotism，Ishouldsayshehadgonebecausehewilledhertogo。\"
\"Iguessshewentbecauseshewantedtogobecauseshe’sinlovewithhim，\"saidKenton，hopelessly。
\"Yes，\"Mrs。Kentonagreed。\"Idon’tseehowshecanendurethesightofhim。He’shandsomeenough，\"sheadded，withawoman’ssubjectivelogic。
\"Andthere’ssomethingfascinatingabouthim。He’sverygraceful，andhe’sgotagoodfigure。\"
\"He’sahound！\"saidKenton，exhaustively。
\"Ohyes，he’sahound，\"shesighed，asiftherecouldbenodoubtonthatpoint。\"Itdon’tseemrightforhimtobeinthesameroomwithEllen。
Butit’sforhertosay。Ifeelmoreandmorethatwecan’tinterferewithoutdoingharm。Isupposethatifshewerenotsoinnocentherselfshewouldrealizewhathewasbetter。ButIdothinkheappreciatesherinnocence。Heshowsmorereverenceforherthanforanyoneelse。\"
\"Howwasithismotherdidn’tgo？\"askedKenton。
\"Shehadaheadache，hesaid。ButIdon’tbelievethat。HealwaysintendedtogetEllentogo。Andthat’sanotherthingLottiewasvexedabout；shesayseverybodyislaughingatMrs。Bittridge，andit’smortifyingtohavepeopletakeherforafriendofours。\"
\"Iftherewerenothingworsethanthat，\"saidKenton，\"Iguesswecouldlivethroughit。Well，Idon’tknowhowit’sgoingtoallend。\"
Theysattalkingsadly，butfindingacertaincomfortintheirmutualdiscouragement，andintheirknowledgethattheyweredoingthebesttheycouldfortheirchild，whosefreedomtheymustnotinfringesofarastodowhatwasabsolutelybest；andthetimepassednotsoheavilytillherreturn。Thiswasannouncedbythemountingoftheelevatortotheirlanding，andthenbylow，rapidpleadinginaman’svoiceoutside。
Kentonwasabouttoopenthedoor，whentherecametheformlessnoiseofwhatseemedastruggle，andEllen’svoiceroseinamuffedcry:\"Oh！Oh！
Letmebe！Goaway！Ihateyou！\"Kentonthedooropen，andEllenburstin，runningtohideherfaceinhermother’sbreast，whereshesobbedout，\"He——hekissedme！\"likeaterrifiedchildmorethananinsultedwoman。ThroughtheopendoorcametheclatterofBittridge’sfeetasherandown-stairs。
VII。
WhenMrs。Kentoncamefromquietingthehystericalgirlinherroomshehadthetask，almostasdelicateanddifficult，ofquietingherhusband。
Shehadkepthim，bythemostsolemnandexhaustiveentreaty，fromfollowingBittridgedownstairsandbeatinghimwithhisstick，andnowshewasanswerabletohimforhisforbearance。\"Ifyondon’tbehaveyourself，Rufus，\"shehadtosay，\"youwillhavesomesortofstroke。
Afterall，there’snoharmdone。\"
\"Noharm！DoyoucallitnoharmforthathoundtokissEllen？\"
\"Hewouldn’thaveattempteditunlesssomethinghadleduptoit，I
suppose。\"
\"Sarah！Howcanyouspeaksoofthatangel？\"
\"Oh，thatangelisagirlliketherest。Youkissedmebeforewewereengaged。\"
\"Thatwasverydifferent。\"
\"Idon’tseehow。Ifyourdaughterissosacred，whywasn’thermother？
Youmendon’tthinkyourwivesaresacred。That’sit！\"
\"No，no，Sarah！It’sbecauseIdon’tthinkofyouasapartfrommyself，thatIcan’tthinkofyouasIdoofEllen。IbegyourpardonifI
seemedtosetheraboveyou。ButwhenIkissedyouwewereveryyoung，andwelivedinasimpleday，whensuchthingsmeantnoharm；andIwasveryfondofyou，andyouweretheholiestthingintheworldtome。IsEllenholytothatfellow？\"
\"Iknow，\"Mrs。Kentonrelented。\"I’mnotcomparinghimtoyou。AndthereisadifferencewithEllen。Sheisn’tlikeothergirls。IfithadbeenLottie——\"
\"Ishouldn’thavelikeditwithLottie，either，\"saidthemajor，stiffly。
\"ButifithadbeenLottieshewouldhaveboxedhisearsforhim，insteadofrunningtoyou。Lottiecantakecareofherself。AndIwilltakecareofEllen。WhenIseethatscoundrelinthemorning——\"
\"Whatwillyoudo，anoldmanlikeyou！Icantellyou，it’ssomethingyou’vejustgottobearitifyoudon’twantthescandaltofillthewholehotel。It’saveryfortunatething，afterall。It’llputanendtothewholeaffair。\"
\"Doyouthinkso，Sarah？IfIbelievedthat。WhatdoesEllensay？\"
\"Nothing；shewon’tsayanything——justcriesandhidesherface。
Ibelievesheisashamedofhavingmadeascenebeforeus。ButIknowthatshe’ssodisgustedwithhimthatshewillneverlookathimagain，andifit’sbroughthertothatIshouldthinkhiskissingherthegreatestblessingintheworldtousall。Yes，Ellen！\"
Mrs。Kentonhurriedoffatafaintcallfromthegirl’sroom，andwhenshecameagainshesatdowntoalongdiscussionofthesituationwithherhusband，whilesheslowlytookdownherhairandprepareditforthenight。Herconclusion，whichshemadeherhusband’s，wasthatitwasmostfortunatetheyshouldbesailingsosoon，andthatitwasthegreatestpitytheywerenotsailinginthemorning。Shewishedhimtosleep，whethershesleptherselfornot，andsheputthemosthopefulfacepossibleuponthematter。\"Onethingyoucanrestassuredof，Rufus，andthatisthatit’salloverwithEllen。Shemayneverspeaktoyouabouthim，andyoumustn’tevermentionhim，butshefeelsjustasyoucouldwish。Doesthatsatisfyyou？SometimeIwilltellyouallshesays。\"
\"Idon’tcaretohear，\"saidKenton。\"AllIwantisforhimtokeepawayfromme。IthinkifhespoketomeIshouldkillhim。\"
\"Rufus！\"
\"Ican’thelpit，Sarah。Ifeeloutragedtothebottomofmysoul。I
couldkillhim。\"
Mrs。Kentonturnedherheadandlookedsteadfastlyathimoverhershoulder。\"Ifyoustrikehim，ifyoutouchhim，Mr。Kenton，youwillundoeverythingthattheabominablewretchhasdoneforEllen，andyouwillclosemymouthandtiemyhands。Willyoupromisethatundernoprovocationwhateverwillyoudohimtheleastharm？IknowEllenbetterthanyoudo，andIknowthatyouwillmakeherhateyouunless——\"
\"Oh，Iwillpromise。Youneedn’tbeafraid。Lordhelpme！\"Kentongroaned。\"Iwon’ttouchhim。Butdon’texpectmetospeaktohim。\"
\"No，Idon’texpectthat。Hewon’toffertospeaktoyou。\"
Theyslept，andinthemorningshestayedtobreakfastwithEllenintheirapartment，andletherhusbandgodownwiththeiryoungerchildren。
Shecouldtrusthimnow，whateverformhisfurthertrialshouldtake，andhefeltthathewaspledginghimselftoheranew，whenBittridgecamehilariouslytomeethiminthereading-room，wherehewentforapaperafterbreakfast。
\"Ah，judge！\"saidtheyoungman，gayly。\"Hello，Boyne！\"headdedtotheboy，whohadcomewithhisfather；Lottiehadgonedirectlyup-stairsfromthebreakfast-room。\"Ihopeyou’reallwellthismorning？PlaynottoomuchforMissEllen？\"
Kentonlookedhiminthefacewithoutanswering，andthentriedtogetawayfromhim，butBittridgefollowedhimup，talking，andignoringhissilence。
\"Itwasasplendidpiece，judge。YoumusttakeMrs。Kenton。Iknowyou’llbothlikeit。Ihaven’teverseenMissEllensointerested。I
hopethewalkhomedidn’tfatigueher。Iwantedtogetacab，butshewouldwalk:Thejudgekeptmovingon，withhisheaddown。Hedidnotspeak，andBittridgewasforcedtonoticehissilence。\"Nothingthematter，Ihope，withMissEllen，judge？\"
\"Goaway，\"saidthejudge，inalowvoice，fumblingtheheadofhisstick。
\"Why，what’sup？\"askedBittridge，andhemanagedtogetinfrontofKentonandstayhimatapointwhereKentoncouldnotescape。Itwasacorneroftheroomtowhichtheoldmanhadaimlesslytended，withnopurposebuttoavoidhim:
\"Iwishyoutoletmealone，sir，\"saidKentonatlast。\"Ican’tspeaktoyou。\"
\"Iunderstandwhatyoumean，judge，\"saidBittridge，withagrin，allthemoremaddeningbecauseitseemedinvoluntary。\"ButIcanexplaineverything。Ijustwantafewwordswithyou。It’sveryimportant；it’slifeordeathwithme，sir，\"hesaid，tryingtolookgrave。\"Willyouletmegotoyourroomswithyou？\"
Kentonmadenoreply。
Bittridgebegantolaugh。\"Thenlet’ssitdownhere，orintheladies’
parlor。Itwon’ttakemetwominutestomakeeverythingright。Ifyoudon’tbelieveI’minearnestIknowyoudon’tthinkIam，butIcanassureyou——WillyouletmespeakwithyouaboutMissEllen？\"
StillKentondidnotanswer，shuttinghislipstight，andrememberinghispromisetohiswife。
Bittridgelaughed，asifinamusementatwhathehaddone。\"Judge，letmesaytwowordstoyouinprivate！Ifyoucan’tnow，tellmewhenyoucan。We’regoingbackthisevening，motherandIare；sheisn’twell，andI’mnotgoingtotakehertoWashington。Idon’twanttogoleavingyouwiththeideathatIwantedtoinsultMissEllen。Icaretoomuchforher。IwanttoseeyouandMrs。Kentonaboutit。Ido，indeed。Andwon’tyouletmeseeyou，somewhere？\"
Kentonlookedaway，firsttoonesideandthentoanother，andseemedstifling。
\"Won’tyouspeaktome！Won’tyouanswerme？Seehere！I’dgetdownonmykneestoyouifitwoulddoyouanygood。Wherewillyoutalkwithme？\"
\"Nowhere！\"shoutedKenton。\"Willyougoaway，orshallIstrikeyouwithmystick？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tthink，\"saidBittridge，andsuddenly，inthewantonnessofhisbaffledeffrontery，heraisedhishandandrubbedthebackofitintheoldman’sface。
BoyneKentonstruckwildlyathim，andBittridgecaughttheboybythearmandflunghimtohiskneesonthemarblefloor。Themenreadinginthearm-chairsaboutstartedtotheirfeet；aportercamerunning，andtookholdofBittridge。\"Doyouwantanofficer，JudgeKenton？\"hepanted。
\"No，no！\"Kentonanswered，chokingandtrembling。\"Don’tarresthim。
Iwishtogotomyrooms，that’sall。Lethimgo。Don’tdoanythingaboutit。\"
\"I’llhelpyou，judge，\"saidtheporter。\"Takeholdofthisfellow，\"hesaidtotwootherporterswhocameup。\"Takehimtothedesk，andtelltheclerkhestruckJudgeKenton，butthejudgedon’twanthimarrested。\"
BeforeKentonreachedtheelevatorwithBoyne，whowasrubbinghiskneesandfightingbackthetears，heheardtheclerk’svoicesaying，formally，totheporters，\"Baggageoutof35and37\"andadding，asmechanically，toBittridge:\"Yourroomsarewanted。Getoutofthematonce！\"
ItseemedthegatheringofneighborhoodaboutKenton，wherehehadfelthimselfsounfriended，againsttheoutragedonehim，andhefeltthesweetnessofbeingpersonallychampionedinaplacewherehehadthoughthimselfvaluedmerelyfortheprofitthatwasinhim；hiseyesfilled，andhisvoicefailedhiminthankingtheelevator-boyforrunningbeforehimtoringthebellofhisapartment。
VIII。
Thenextday，inTuskingum，Richard，KentonfoundamongthelettersofhislastmailonewhichheeasilyknewtobefromhissisterLottie，bythetightlycurled-uphandwriting，andbytheunliterarylookoftheslantedandhuddledaddressoftheenvelope:Theonlydoubthecouldhavefeltinopeningitwasfromtheunwontedlengthatwhichshehadwrittenhim；Lottieusuallypractisedalaconicbrevityinhernotes，whichweresuitedtothepovertyofherwrittenvocabularyratherthantheaffluenceofherspokenword。
\"DearDick\"[herletterran，trippingandstumblinginitscourse]，\"Ihavegottotellyouaboutsomethingthathasjusthappenedhere，andyouneedentlaughatthespeling，orthewayItellit，butjustpayattentiontothethingitself，ifyouplease。ThatdisgustingBittridgehasbeenherewithhishorridwiggyoldmother，andmommalethimtakeEllentothetheatre。Onthewayhomehetriedtomakeherpromiseshewouldmarryhimandatthedoorhekissedher。Theyhadanawfulnightwithherhiseterics，andIheardmommagoinginandout，andtryingtocomforthertilldaylight，nearly。InthemorningIwentdownwithpoppyandBoynetobreakfast，andafterI
cameup，fatherwenttothereading-roomtogetapaper，andthatBittridgewastherewaitingforhim，andwantedtospeakwithhimaboutEllen。Poppawouldentsayawordtohim，andhekeptfollowingpoppaup，tomakehim。Boynesaysbewouldenttakenoforanansir，andhungonandhungon，tillpoppathreatenedtohitthimwithhiscane。Thenhesawitwasnouse，andhetookhishandandrubbeditinpoppa’sface，andBoynebelieveshewastryingtopullpoppa’snose。BoyneactedlikeIwouldhavedone；hepoundedBittridgeintheback；butofcourseBittridgewastoostrongforhim，andthrewhimonthefloor，andBoynescrapedhiskneesothatitbledd。Thentheporterscameup，andcaughtBittridge，andwantedtosendforapoliceman，butfatherwouldentletthem，andtheporterstookBittridgetothedeskandtheclerktoldhimtogetoutinstantlyandtheyleftassoonasoldWiggycouldgetherthingson。Idon’tknowwheretheywent，buthetoldpoppatheyweregoinghometo-dayanyway。Now，Dick，Idon’tknowwhatyouwillwanttodo，andIamnotgoingtoputyouuptoanything，butI
knowwhatIwoulddo，prettywell，thefirsttimeBittridgeshowedhimselfinTuskingum。Youcandojustasyouplease，andIdon’taskyoutobelievemeifyou’rethinkI’msoexciteablethatIcanttellthetruth。IguessBoynewillsaythesame。MuchlovetoMary。Youraffectionatesister，\"Lottie。
\"P。S——EverywordLottiesaysistrue，butIamnotsurehemeanttopullhisnose。Thereasonwhyhethrewmedownsoeasilyis，I
havegrownaboutafoot，andIhavenotgotupmystrength。BOYNE。
\"Thisisstrictlyconfidential。Theydon’tknowwearewriting。LATTIE。\"
Afterreadingthisletter，RichardKentontoreitintosmallpieces，sothatthereshouldnotbeevensomuchwitnessasitboretofactsthatseemedtofillhimwithfurytothethroat。Hisfurywas，inagreementwithhistemperament，thewhitekindandcoldkind。Hewasabletokeepittohimselfforthatreason；atsupperhiswifeknewmerelythathehadsomethingonhismindthathedidnotwishtotalkof；andexperiencehadtaughtherthatitwouldbeuselesstotrymakinghimspeak。
Hesleptuponhiswrath，andinthemorningearly，atanhourwhenheknewtherewouldbenoloafersintheplace，hewenttoanout-datedsaddler’sshop，andaskedtheowner，aveteranofhisfather’sregiment，\"Welks，doyouhappentohaveacowhideamongyourantiquities？\"
\"Regularoldstyle？\"Welksreturned。\"Kindtheymakeoutofacow’shideanduseonaman’s？\"
\"Somethingofthatsort，\"saidRichard，withaslightsmile。
Thesaddlersaidnothingmore，butrummagedamongtheriff-raffonanuppershelf。Hegotdownwiththetapering，translucent，wicked-lookingthinginhishand。\"Ireckonthat’swhatyou’reafter，squire。\"
\"Reckonitis，Welks，\"saidRichard，drawingitthroughhistubedlefthand。Thenhebuttoneditunderhiscoat，andpaidthequarterwhichWelkssaidhadalwaysbeenthepriceofacowhideevensincehecouldremember，andwalkedawaytowardsthestation。
\"How’stheoldcolonel\"Welkscalledafterhim，havingforgottentoaskbefore。
\"Thecolonel’sallright，\"Richardcalledback，withoutlookinground。
Hewalkedupanddowninfrontofthestation。AlocaltraincameinfromBallardsvilleat8。15，andwaitedfortheNewYorkspecial，andthenreturnedtoBallardsville。Richardhadboughtaticketforthatstation，andwasgoingtotakethetrainback，butamongthepassengerswhodescendedfromitwhenitdrewinwasonewhosavedhimthetroubleofgoing。
Bittridge，withhisovercoathangingonhisarm，advancedtowardshimwiththerest，andcontinuedtoadvance，inasortoffascination，afterhisneighbors，withtheinstinctthatsomethingwasabouttohappen，partedoneithersideofRichard，andleftthetwomenconfronted。
Richarddidnotspeak，butdeliberatelyreachedouthislefthand，whichhecaughtsecurelyintoBittridge’scollar；thenhebegantobeathimwiththecowhidewhereverhecouldstrikehiswrithingandtwistingshape。Neitherutteredaword，andexceptforthewhirofthecowhideintheair，andtheraspingsoundofitsarrestuponthebodyofBittridge，thethingwasdoneinperfectsilence。Thewitnessesstoodwellbackinadaze，fromwhichtheyrecoveredwhenRichardreleasedBittridgewithatwistofthehandthattorehiscollarlooseandlefthiscravatdangling，andtossedthefrayedcowhideaway，andturnedandwalkedhomeward。ThenoneofthempickedupBittridge’shatandsetitaslantonhishead，andothershelpedpullhiscollartogetherandtiehiscravat。
ForthefewmomentsthatRichardKentonremainedinsighttheyscarcelyfoundwordscoherentenoughforquestion，andwhentheydid，Bittridgehadnothingbutconfusedanswerstogivetotheeffectthathedidnotknowwhatitmeant，buthewouldfindout。Hegotintoahackandhadhimselfdriventohishotel，buthenevermadetheinquirywhichhethreatened。
InhisownhouseRichardKentonlaydownawhile，deadlysick，andhiswifehadtobringhimbrandybeforehecouldcontrolhisnervessufficientlytospeak。Thenhetoldherwhathehaddone，andwhy，andMarypulledoffhisshoesandputahot-waterbottletohiscoldfeet。
Itwasnotexactlythetreatmentforachampion，butMaryKentonwasnotthinkingofthat，andwhenRichardsaidhestillfeltalittlesickatthestomachshewantedhimtotryadropofcamphorinadditiontothebrandy。Shesaidhemustnottalk，butshewishedhimsomuchtotalkthatshewasgladwhenhebegan。
\"ItseemedtobesomethingIhadtodo，Mary，butIwouldgiveanythingifIhadnotbeenobligedtodoit:
\"Yes，Iknowjusthowyoufeel，Dick，andIthinkit’sprettyhardthishascomeonyou。IdothinkEllenmight——\"
\"Itwasn’therfault，Mary。Youmustn’tblameher。She’shadmoretobearthanalltherestofus。\"Marylookedstubbornlyunconvinced，andshewasnotmoved，apparently，bywhathewentontosay。\"ThethingnowistokeepwhatI’vedonefrommakingmoremischiefforher。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，Dick？Youdon’tbelievehe’lldoanythingaboutit，doyou？\"
\"No，I’mnotafraidofthat。Hismouthisshut。Butyoucan’ttellhowEllenwilltakeit。Shemaysidewithhimnow。\"
\"Dick！IfIthoughtEllenKentoncouldbesuchafoolasthat！\"
\"Ifshe’sinlovewithhimshe’lltakehispart。\"
\"Butshecan’tbeinlovewithhimwhensheknowshowheactedtoyourfather！\"
\"Wecan’tbesureofthat。Iknowhowheactedtofather；butatthisminuteIpityhimsothatIcouldtakehispartagainstfather。AndI
canunderstandhowEllen——Anyway，Imustmakeacleanbreastofit。
WhatdayisthisThursday？AndtheysailSaturday！Imustwrite——\"
Heliftedhimselfonhiselbow，andmadeasiftothrowofftheshawlshehadspreaduponhim。
\"No，no！Iwillwrite，Dick！Iwillwritetoyourmother。WhatshallI
say？\"Shewhirledabout，andgotthepaperandinkoutofherwriting-
desk，andsatdownnearhimtokeephimfromgettingup，andwrotethedate，andtheaddress，\"DearMotherKenton，\"whichwasthewayshealwaysbeganherletterstoMrs。Kenton，inordertodistinguishherfromherownmother。\"NowwhatshallIsay？\"