\"Itisn’t，\"saidthegirl。\"Atleast，notliketheEast。Iusedtobeprovokedwhenthelecturerssaidanythinglikethat；butwhenyou’vebeentoNewYorkyouseewhattheymean。\"
\"Thelecturers？\"hequeried。
\"TheyalwaysstayedatourhousewhentheylecturedinTuskingum。\"
\"Ah！Ohyes，\"saidBreckon，graspingasituationofwhichhehadheardsomething，chieflysatirical。\"Ofcourse。Andisyourfather——isJudgeKentonliterary？Excuseme！\"
\"Onlyinhishistory。He’swritingthehistoryofhisregiment；orhegetsthesoldierstowritedownalltheycanrememberofthewar，andthenheputstheirstoriestogether。\"
\"Howdelightful！\"saidBreckon。\"AndIsupposeit’sagreatpleasuretohim。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveitis，\"saidEllen。\"Poppadoesn’tbelieveinwaranymore。\"
\"Indeed！\"saidBreckon。\"Thatisveryinteresting。\"
\"SometimeswhenI’mhelpinghimwithit——\"
\"Ah，Iknewyoumusthelphim！\"
\"Andhecomestoaplacewheretherehasbeenadreadfulslaughter，itseemsasifhefeltworseaboutitthanIdid。Heisn’tsurethatitwasn’tallwrong。Hethinksallwariswrongnow。\"
\"Ishe——hashebecomeafollowerofTolstoy？\"
\"He’sreadhim。Hesayshe’stheonlymanthatevergaveatrueaccountofbattles；buthehadthoughtitalloutforhimselfbeforehereadTolstoyaboutfighting。Doyouthinkitisrighttorevengeaninjury？\"
\"Why，surelynot！\"saidBreckon，ratherstartled。
\"Thatiswhatwesay，\"thegirlpursued。\"Butifsomeonehadinjuredyou——abusedyourconfidence，and——insultedyou，whatwouldyoudo？\"
\"I’mnotsurethatIunderstand，\"Breckonbegan。Theinquirywassuperficiallyimpersonal，buthereflectedthatwomenareneverimpersonal，orthesonsofwomen，forthatmatter，andhesuspectedanintimateground。HissuspicionswereconfirmedwhenMissKentonsaid:
\"Itseemseasyenoughtoforgiveanythingthat’sdonetoyourself；butifit’sdonetosomeoneelse，too，haveyoutheright——isn’titwrongtoletitgo？\"
\"Youthinkthequestionofjusticemightcomeinthen？Perhapsitought。
Butwhatisjustice？Andwheredoesyourdutybegintobedivided？\"
Hesawherfollowinghimwithalarmingintensity，andheshrankfromtheresponsibilitybeforehim。Whatapplicationmightnotshemakeofhiswordsinthecase，whateveritwas，whichhechosenottoimagine？
\"Totellyouthetruth，MissKenton，I’mnotveryclearonthatpoint——I’mnotsurethatI’mdisinterested。\"
\"Disinterested？\"
\"Yes；youknowthatIabusedyourconfidenceatluncheon；anduntilI
knowwhetherthewronginvolvedanyoneelse——\"Helookedatherwithhoveringlaughterinhiseyeswhichtookwingatthereproachinhers。
\"Butifwearetobeserious——\"
\"Ohno，\"shesaid，\"itisn’taseriousmatter。\"Butinthehelplessnessofhersincerityshecouldnotcarryitofflightly，orhidefromhimthatshewasdisappointed。
Hetriedtomaketalkaboutotherthings。Sherespondedvaguely，andwhenshehadgivenherselftimeshesaidshebelievedshewouldgotoLottie；shewasquitesureshecouldgetdownthestairsalone。Hepursuedheranxiously，politely，andattheheadofhercorridortookleaveofherwithadistinctsenseofhavingmeritedhisdismissal。
\"Iseewhatyoumean，Lottie，\"shesaid，\"aboutMr。Breckon。\"
Lottiedidnotturnherheadonthepillow。\"Hasittakenyouthewholedaytofinditout？\"
XII。
ThefatherandthemotherhadwitnessedwithtemperedsatisfactiontheinterestwhichseemedtobegrowingupbetweenEllenandtheyoungminister。Bythistimetheyhadlearnednottoexpecttoomuchofanyturnshemighttake；sherevertedtoamoodassuddenlyassheleftit。
TheycouldnotquitemakeoutBreckonhimself；hewasatleastasgreatapuzzletothemastheirownchildwas。
\"Itseems，\"saidMrs。Kenton，intheirfirstreviewoftheaffair，afterBoynehaddoneabrother’sdutyintryingtobringEllenundertheirmother’scensure，\"thathewasthegentlemanwhodiscussedthetheatrewithBoyneatthevaudevillelastwinter。Boynejustcasuallymentionedit。Iwassoprovoked！\"
\"Idon’tseewhatbearingthefacthas，\"thejudgeremarked。
\"Why，Boynelikedhimverymuchthatnight，butnowheseemstofeelverymuchasLottiedoesabouthim。Hethinkshelaughstoomuch。\"
\"Idon’tknowthatthere’smuchharminthat，\"saidthejudge。\"AndI
shouldn’tvalueBoyne’sopinionofcharacterveryhighly。\"
\"Ivalueanyone’sintuitions——especiallychildren’s。\"
\"Boyne’sinthatmiddlestatewhereheisn’tquiteachild。AndsoisLottie，forthatmatter。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"theirmotherassented。\"AndweoughttobegladofanythingthattakesEllen’smindoffherself。IfIcouldonlybelieveshewasforgettingthatwretch！\"
\"Doessheeverspeakofhim？\"
\"Sheneverhintsofhim，even。Buthermindmaybefullofhimallthetime。\"
Thejudgelaughedimpatiently。\"ItstrikesmethatthisyoungMr。
Breckonhasn’tmuchadvantageofElleninwhatLottiecallscloseness！\"
\"Ellenhasalwaysbeenveryreserved。Itwouldhavebeenbetterforherifshehadn’t。Oh，Iscarcelydaretohopeanything！Rufus，Ifeelthatineverythingofthiskindweareveryignorantandinexperienced。\"
\"Inexperienced！\"Rentonretorted。\"Idon’twantanymoreexperienceofthekindEllenhasgivenus。\"
\"Idon’tmeanthat。Imean——thisMr。Breckon。Ican’ttellwhatattractshiminthechild。Shemustappearverycrudeanduncultivatedtohim。Youneedn’tresentitso！Iknowshe’sreadagreatdeal，andyou’vemadeherthinkherselfintellectual——buttheverysimple-
heartednessofthewayshewouldshowoutherreadingwouldmakesuchayoungmanseethatshewasn’tlikethegirlshewasusedto。Theywouldhidetheirintellectuality，iftheyhadany。It’snouseyourtryingtofightitMr。Kenton。Wearecountrypeople，andheknowsit。\"
\"Tuskingumisn’tcountry！\"thejudgedeclared。
\"Itisn’tcity。Andwedon’tknowanythingabouttheworld，anyofus。
Oh，Isupposewecanreadandwrite！Butwedon’tknowthea，b，cofthethingshe，knows。He，belongstoakindofsociety——ofpeople——
inNewYorkthatIhadglimpsesofinthewinter，butthatIneverimaginedbefore。Theymademefeelverybelatedandbenighted——asifI
hadn’t，readorthoughtanything。Theydidn’tmeanto；butIcouldn’thelpit，andtheycouldn’t。\"
\"You——you’vebeenfrightenedoutofyourproprietybywhatyou’veseeninNewYork，\"saidherhusband。
\"I’vebeenfrightened，certainly。AndIwishyouhadbeen，too。Iwishyouwouldn’tbesoconceitedaboutEllen。Itscaresmetoseeyouso。
Poor，sickthing，herlooksareallgone！Youmustseethat。Andshedoesn’tdresslikethegirlshe’susedto。Iknowwe’vegotherthingsinNewYork；butshedoesn’twearthemlikeaNew-Yorker。Ihopesheisn’tgoinginforMOREunhappiness！\"
Atthethoughtofthisthejudge’screstfell。\"Doyoubelieveshe’sgettinginterestedinhim？\"heasked，humbly。
\"No，no；Idon’tsaythat。Butpromisemeyouwon’tencourageherinit。
Anddon’t，forpity’ssake，bragabouthertohim。\"
\"No，Iwon’t，\"saidthejudge，andhetacitlyrepentedhavingdoneso。
Theweatherhadchanged，andwhenhewentupfromthisinterviewwithhiswifeintheirstateroomhefoundagoodmanypeoplestrungconvalescentlyalongthepromenadeontheirsteamer-chairs。These，sofarastheywerewomen，wereofsuchsickplainnessthatwhenhecametoEllenhisheartthrobbedwithagladresentmentofhermother’saspersionofherhealthandbeauty。Shelookednotonlyverywell，andverypretty，butinagayredcapandatrigjacketshelooked，toherfather’suncriticaleyes，verystylish。Theglowlefthisheartateightoftheemptyseatbesideher。
\"WhereisLottie？\"heasked，thoughitwasnotLottie’swhereaboutsthatinterestedhim。
\"Oh，she’swalkingwithMr。Breckonsomewhere，\"saidEllen。
\"Thenshe’smadeuphermindtotoleratehim，hasshe？\"thefatherasked，morelightlythanhefelt。
Ellensmiled。\"Thatwasn’tanythingveryserious，Iguess。Atanyrate，she’swalkingwithhim。\"
\"Whatbookisthat？\"heasked，ofthevolumeshewastiltingbackandforthunderherhand。
Sheshowedit。\"Oneofhis。Hebroughtituptoamuseme，hesaid。\"
\"WhilehewasamusinghimselfwithLottie，\"thoughtthejudge，inhisjealousyforher。\"Itisgoingthesameoldway。Well！\"Whathesaidaloudwas，\"Andisitamusingyou？\"
\"Ihaven’tlookedatityet，\"saidthegirl。\"It’samusingenoughtowatchthesea。Oh，poppa！IneverthoughtIshouldcaresomuchforit。\"
\"Andyou’regladwecame？\"
\"Idon’twanttothinkaboutthat。IjustwanttoknowthatI’mhere。\"
Shepressedhisarmgently，significantly，wherehesatprovisionallyinthechairbesideher，andhewasafraidtospeaklestheshouldscareawaythehopeherwordsgavehim。
Hemerelysaid，\"Well，well！\"andwaitedforhertospeakfurther。Butherimpulsehadexhausteditself，asifherspiritwerelikeoneofthoseweakformsoflifewhichspendtheirstrengthinaquickrunorflight，andthenresttogatherforceforanother。\"Where’sBoyne？\"heasked，afterwaitingforhertospeak。
\"Hewashereaminuteago。He’sbeentalkingwithsomeofthedeckpassengersthataregoinghomebecausetheycouldn’tgetoninAmerica。
Doesn’tthatseempitiful，poppa？Ialwaysthoughtwehadworkenoughforthewholeworld。\"
\"Perhapsthesefellowsdidn’ttryveryhardtofindit，\"saidthejudge。
\"Perhaps，\"sheassented。
\"Ishouldn’twantyoutogettothinkingthatit’salllikeNewYork。
RememberhowcomfortableeverybodyisinTuskingum。\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，sadly。\"HowfaroffTuskingumseems！\"
\"Well，don’tforgetaboutit；andrememberthatwhereverlifeissimplestandpurestandkindest，thatisthehighestcivilization。\"
\"Howmuchlikeoldtimesitseemstohearyoutalkthatway，poppa！
IshouldthinkIwasinthelibraryathome。AndImadeyouleaveit！\"
shesighed。
\"Yourmotherwasgladofanyexcuse。Anditwilldousallgood，ifwetakeitintherightway，\"saidthejudge，withadidacticseveritythatdidnothidehispangfromher。
\"Poorpoppa！\"shesaid。
Hewentaway，sayingthathewasgoingtolookLottieup。HissimpledesignwastosendLottietohermother，sothatBreckonmightcomebacktoEllen；buthedidnotownthistohimself。
LottiereturnedfromanotherdirectionwithBoyne，andEllensaid，\"Poppa’sgonetolookforyou。\"
\"Hashe？\"askedLottie，droppingdecisivelyintoherchair。\"Well，there’sonething；Iwon’tcallhimpoppaanymore。\"
\"Whatwillyoucallhim？\"Boynedemanded，demurely。
\"I’llcallhimfather，ityouwanttoknow；andI’mgoingtocallmomma，mother。I’mnotgoingtohavethoseEnglishlaughingatus，andIwon’tsaypapaandmamma。Everybodythatknowsanythingsaysfatherandmothernow。\"
BoynekeptlookingfromonesistertoanotherduringLottie’sdeclaration，and，withhiseyesonEllen，hesaid，\"It’strue，Ellen。
AllthePlumptonsdid。\"Hewasveryserious。
Ellensmiled。\"I’mtoooldtochange。I’dratherseemqueerinEuropethanwhenIgetbacktoTuskingum。\"
\"Youwouldn’tbequeerthereagreatwhile，\"saidLottie。\"They’llallbedoingitinaweekafterIgethome。\"
UpontheencouragementgivenhimbyEllen，Boyneseizedthechanceofbeingoftheopposition。\"Yes，\"hetauntedLottie，\"andyouthinkthey’llsaywomanandman，forladyandgentleman，Isuppose。\"
\"Theywillassoonastheyknowit’sthething。\"
\"Well，IknowIwon’t，\"saidBoyne。\"Iwon’tcallmommaawoman。\"
\"Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyoudo，Boynedear，\"hissisterserenelyassuredhim。
Whilehestoodsearchinghismindforasuitableretort，ayoungman，notapparentlymanyyearshissenior，cameroundthecornerofthemusic-
room，andputhimselfconspicuouslyinviewatadistancefromtheKentons。
\"Thereheis，now，\"saidBoyne。\"HewantstobeintroducedtoLottie。\"
HereferredthequestiontoEllen，butLottieansweredforher。
\"Thenwhydon’tyouintroducehim？\"
\"Well，IwouldifhewasanAmerican。Butyoucan’ttellabouttheseEnglish。\"HeresumedthedignityhehadlostinmakingtheexplanationtoLottie，andignoredherinturningagaintoEllen。\"Whatdoyouthink，Ellen？\"
\"Oh，don’tknowaboutsuchthings，Boyne，\"shesaid，shrinkingfromtheresponsibility。
\"Well；uponmyword！\"criedLottie。\"IfEllencantalkbythehourwiththatpreciousMr。Breckon，andstayupherealongwithhim，wheneverybodyelseisdownbelowsick，Idon’tthinkshecanhaveagreatdealtosayaboutahalf-grownboylikethatbeingintroducedtome。\"
\"He’sasoldasyouare，\"saidBoyne，hotly。
\"Oh！Isawhimassociatingwithyou，andIthoughthewasaboy，too。
Pardonme！\"LottieturnedfromgivingBoynehiscoup-de-grace，toplantalittlestabinEllen’sbreast。\"Tobesure，nowMr。Breckonhasfoundthosefriendsofhis，Isupposehewon’twanttoflirtwithEllenanymore。\"
\"Ah，ha，ha！\"Boynebrokein。\"Lottieismadbecausehestoppedtospeaktosomeladiesheknew。Women，Isupposeshe’dcallthem。\"
\"Well，Ishouldn’tcallhimagentleman，anyway，\"saidLottie。
Thepretty，smooth-faced，fresh-facedyoungfellowwhomtheirvaryingdebatehadkeptinabeyance，lookedroundatthemoverhisshoulderasheleanedontherail，andseemedtodiscoverBoyneforthefirsttime。HecamepromptlytowardstheKentons。
\"Now，\"saidLottie，rapidly，\"you’lljustHAVEto。\"
Theyoungfellowtouchedhiscaptothewholegroup，butheventuredtoaddressonlyBoyne。
\"Everyoneseemstobeaboutthismorning，\"hesaid，withthecheeryEnglish-risinginfection。
\"Yes，\"answeredBoyne，withsuchsnubbingcoldnessthatEllen’sheartwastouched。
\"It’ssopleasant，\"shesaid，\"afterthatdarkweather。\"
\"Isn’tit？\"criedtheyoungfellow，gratefully。\"Onedoesn’toftengetsuchsunshineasthisatsea，youknow。\"
\"Mysister，MissKenton，Mr。Pogis，\"Boynesolemnlyintervened。\"AndMissLottieKenton。\"
Theprettyboybowedtoeachinturn，buthemadenopretenceofbeingtheretotalkwithEllen。\"Haveyoubeenill，too？\"heactivelyaddressedhimselftoLottie。
\"No，justmad，\"shesaid。\"Iwasn’tverysick，andthatmadeitalltheworsebeingdowninapokystate-roomwhenIwantedtowalk。\"
\"AndIsupposeyou’vebeenmakingupforlosttimethismorning？\"
\"Nothalf，\"saidLottie。
\"Oh，dofinishthehalfwithme！\"
Lottieinstantlyrose，andflunghersisterthewrapshehadbeenholdingreadytoshedfromthemomenttheyoungmanhadcomeup。\"Keepthatforme，Nell。Areyougoodatcatching？\"sheaskedhim。
\"Catching？\"
\"Yes！People，\"sheexplained，andatasuddentwistoftheshipshemadeaclutchathisshoulder。
\"Oh！IthinkIcancatchyou。\"
Astheymovedofftogether，Boynesaid，\"Well，uponmyword！\"butEllendidnotsayanythingincommentonLottie。Afterawhilesheasked，\"WhoweretheladiesthatMr。Breckonmet？\"
\"Ididn’theartheirnames。Theyweresomebodyhehadn’tseenbeforesincetheshipstarted。Theylookedlikeayoungladyandhermother。
ItmadeLottiemadwhenhestoppedtospeakwiththem，andshewouldn’twaittillhecouldgetthrough。Ranrightaway，andmademecome，too。\"
XIII。
BreckonhadnotseentheformerinterestbetweenhimselfandEllenlapsetocommonplaceacquaintancewithoutduesenseofloss。Hesufferedjustly，buthedidnotsufferpassively，orwithoutseveralattemptstoregainthehigherground。Inspiteofthesehewasawareofbeingdistinctlykepttothelevelwhichheaccusedhimselfofhavingchosen，byagentleacquiescenceinhischoicemorefatalthansnubbing。Theadvancesthathemadeacrossthetable，whilehestillmetMissKentonalonethere，didnotcarrybeyondtheracksupportingherplate。Shetalkedonwhateversubjecthestartedwiththatangelicsinceritywhichnowseemedsofarfromhim，butshestartednoneherself；shedidnotappealtohimforhisopinionuponanyquestionmorepsychologicalthanthebarometer；and，\"Inatumultuousprivacyofstorm，\"
hefoundhimselfasmuchestrangedfromherasifafair-weathercrowdhadsurroundedthem。Hedidnotbelievethatsheresentedthelevityhehadshown；buthehadreasontofearthatshehadfinallyaccepteditashisnormalmood，andinhereffortstomeethiminit，asifhehadnoother，hereadatolerancethatwasworsethancontempt。Whenhetriedtomakeherthinkdifferently，ifthatwaswhatshethoughtofhim，hefanciedherrisingtothenotionhewishedtogiveher，andthenshrinkingfromit，asifitmustbringherthedisappointmentofsometrivialjoke。
Itwaswhathehadtaughthertoexpectofhim，andhehadhimselftoblame。Nowthathehadthrownthatpreciouschanceaway，hemightwellhaveovervaluedit。Shehadcertainprovincialismswhichhecouldnotignore。Shedidnotknowtherightuseofwillandshall，andwouldandshould，andshepronouncedtheletter’r’withahardmid-Westerntwist。
Hervoicewasweakandthin，andshecouldnotgovernitfrombeingattimesagaspandattimesadrawl。Shedidnotdresswiththeauthorityofwomenwhoknowmoreoftheirclothesthanthepeopletheybuythemof；
shedidnotcarryherselflikeaprettygirl；shehadnotthedefinitestampofyoung-ladyism。Yetshewasundoubtedlyaladyineveryinstinct；sheworewithpensivegracetheclotheswhichshehadnotsubjectedtoherpersonaltaste；andifshedidnotcarryherselflikeaprettygirl，shehadabeautywhichtouchedandentreated。
MoreandmoreBreckonfoundhimselfstudyingherbeauty——hersoft，brownbrows，hergentle，darkeyes，alittlesunken，andwiththelidspinchedbysuffering；thecheekssomewhatthin，butnotcolorless；thelongchin，theclearforehead，andthemassedbrownhair，thatseemedtooheavyforthedroopingneck。Itwasnotthemodernathletictype；itwasratheroftheearlierperiod，whenbeautywasassociatedwiththefragilitydespisedbyatannedandgolfinggeneration。EllenKenton’swristswerethin，andherhandslongandnarrow。Ashelookedatheracrosstheracksduringthosetwodaysofstorm，hehadsometimesthewishtotakeherlong，narrowhandsinhis，andbeghertobelievethathewasworthierherseriousfriendshipthanhehadshownhimself。Whathewassureofatalltimesnowwasthathewishedtoknowthesecretofthatpatientpathosofhers。Shewasnotmerely，orprimarily，aninvalid。
Herfamilyhadtreatedherasaninvalid，but，exceptLottie，whoserigormighthavebeenmeantsanatively，theytreatedhermorewiththetendernesspeopleusewithawoundedspirit；andBreckonfanciedmomentsofsomethinglikehumilityinher，whensheseemedtocowerfromhisnotice。Thesewerenotsoimaginableafterherfamilytooktotheirberthsandleftheralonewithhim，butthetouchingmysteryremained，asortofbewilderment，asheguessedit，asurprisesuchasachildmightshowatsomeincomprehensibleharm。Itwasthisgriefwhichhehadrefusednotmerelytoknow——hestilldoubtedhisrighttoknowit——buttoshare；hehaddeniednotonlyhiscuriositybuthissympathy，andhadexiledhimselftoaregionwhere，whenherfamilycamebackwiththefairweather，hefelthimselffartherfromherthanbeforetheiracquaintancebegan。
Hehadmadeanoverturetoitsrenewalinthebookhelenther，andthenMrs。Rasmithandherdaughterhadappearedondeck，andbornedownuponhimwhenhewaswalkingwithLottieKentonandtryingtobeginhisself-
retrievalthroughher。Shehadlefthim；buttheyhadnot，andinthebondsofaprophetandhisfollowershefoundhimselfboundwiththemformuchmoreconversationthanhehadoftenheldwiththemashore。Theparochialdutiesofanethicalteacherwerenotstrenuous，andBreckonhadnotbeenmadetofeelthemsodefinitelybefore。Mrs。Rasmithheldthattheynowincludedpromisingtositathertablefortherestofthevoyage；butherdaughtersucceededinreleasinghimfromtheobligation；
anditwasshewhosmilinglydetachedtheclingingholdoftheelderlady。\"Wemustn’tkeepMr。Breckonfromhisfriends，mother，\"shesaid，brightly，andthenhesaidheshouldlikethepleasureofintroducingthem，andbothoftheladiesdeclaredthattheywouldbedelighted。
Hebowedhimselfoff，andhalftheship’s-lengthawayhewasaware，frommeetingLottiewithherlittleEnglishman，thatitwassheandnotEllenwhomhewasseeking。AsthecouplepausedinwhirringpastBreckonlongenoughtoletLottiemakeherhatfastagainstthewind，heheardtheEnglishmanshout:
\"Isay，thatsisterofyoursisafinegirl，isn’tshe？\"
\"She’saprettygood——looker，\"Lottieansweredback。\"What’sthematterwithHERsister？\"
\"Oh，Isay！\"hercompanionreturned，inatransportwithherslangypertness，whichBreckoncouldnotaltogetherrefusetoshare。
Hethoughtthatheoughttocondemnit，andhedidcondemnMrs。Kentonforallowingitinoneofherdaughters，whenhecameuptohersittingbesideanotherwhomhefeltinexpressiblyincapableofit。Mrs。Kentoncouldhaveansweredhiscensure，ifshehadknownit，thatdaughters，likesons，werenotwhattheirmothersbutwhattheirenvironmentsmadethem，andthatthesameenvironmentsometimesmadethemdifferent，ashesaw。ShecouldhavetoldhimthatLottie，withherslangypertness，hadthetruestandbestofthemensheknewatherfeet，andthatEllen，withhermeekness，hadbeenthepreyofthecommonestandcheapestspiritinherworld，andsolefthimtomakeaninferenceascreditabletohissexashecould。Butthisbolddefencewasasfarfromthepoorladyasanyspokenreproachwasfromhim。Herdaughterhadtocheckinheramechanicaloffertorise，asiftogiveBreckonherplace，thetheoryandpracticeofTuskingumbeingthattheireldersoughttoleaveyoungpeoplealonetogether。
\"Don’tgo，momma，\"Ellenwhispered。\"Idon’twantyoutogo。\"
Breckon，whenhearrivedbeforethem，remainedtalkingonfoot，and，unlikeLottie’scompany，hetalkedtothemother。Thishadhappenedbeforefromhim，butshehadnotgotusedtoit，andnowshedeprecatedineverythingbutwordshispolitequestionsabouthersufferingsfromtheroughweather，andhisrejoicingthattheworstwasprobablyover。
Sheventuredthehopethatitwasso，forshesaidthatMr。KentonhadaboutdecidedtokeepontoHolland，anditseemedtoherthattheyhadhadenoughofstorms。Hesaidhewasgladthattheyweregoingrighton；
andthenshemodestlyrecurredtotheearlieropinionhehadgivenherhusbandthatitwouldbebettertospendtherestofthesummerinHollandthantogotoItaly，asifshewishedtoconformherselfinthewisdomofMr。Kenton’sdecision。Herepeatedhisconviction，andhesaidthatifhewereintheirplaceheshouldgotoTheHagueassoonastheyhadseenRotterdam，andmakeittheirheadquartersfortheexplorationofthewholecountry。
\"Youcan’trealizehowlittleitis；youcangetanywhereinanhour；thedifficultyistokeepinsideofHollandwhenyouleaveanygivenpoint。
Ienvyyougoingthere。\"
Mrs。KentoninferredthathewasgoingtostopinFrance，butifitwerepartofhisclosenessnottotell，itwaspartofherpridenottoask。
SherelentedwhenheaskedifhemightgetamapofhisandprovethelittlenessofHollandfromit，andinhisabsenceshecouldnotwellavoidsayingtoEllen，\"Heseemsverypleasant。\"
\"Yes；whynot？\"thegirlasked。
\"Idon’tknow。Lottieissoagainsthim。\"
\"Hewasverykindwhenyouwereallsick。\"
\"Well，yououghttoknowbetterthanLottie；you’veseenhimsomuchmore。\"Ellenwassilent，andhermotheradvancedcautiously，\"Isupposeheisverycultivated。\"
\"HowcanItell？I’mnot。\"
\"Why，Ellen，Ithinkyouare。Veryfewgirlshavereadsomuch。\"
\"Yes，buthewouldn’tcareifIwerecultivated，Haislikealltherest。
Hewouldliketojokeandlaugh。Well，Ithinkthatisnice，too，andI
wishIcoulddoit。ButInevercould，andnowIcan’ttry。Isupposehewonderswhatmakesmesuchadeadweightonyouall。\"
\"Youknowyou’renotthat，Ellen！Youmusn’tletyourselfbemorbid。Ithurtsmetohaveyousaysuchthings。\"
\"Well，Ishouldliketotellhimwhy，andseewhathewouldsay。\"
\"Ellen！\"
\"Whynot？Ifheisaministerhemusthavethoughtaboutallkindsofthings。DoyousupposeheeverknewofagirlbeforewhohadbeenthroughwhatIhave？Yes，Iwouldliketoknowwhathewouldreallysay。\"
\"Iknowwhatheoughttosay！Ifheknew，hewouldsaythatnogirlhadeverbehavedmoreangelically。\"
\"Doyouthinkhewould？PerhapshewouldsaythatifIhadn’tbeensoproudandsilly——Herehecomes！Shallweaskhim？\"
Breckonapproachedwithhismap，andhermothergasped，thinkinghowterriblesuchathingwouldbeifitcouldbe；Ellensmiledbrightlyupathim。\"Willyoutakemychair？Andthenyoucanshowmommayourmap。
Iamgoingdown，\"andwhilehewasstillprotestingshewasgone。
\"MissKentonseemssomuchbetterthanshedidthefirstday，\"hesaid，ashespreadthemapoutonhisknees，andgaveMrs。Kentononeendtohold。
\"Yes，\"themotherassented，asshebentovertolookatit。
Shefollowedhisexplanationwithasurfacesense，whilehernethermindwasfulloftheworryofthequestionwhichEllenhadplantedinit。
Whatwouldsuchamanthinkofwhatshehadbeenthrough？Or，rather，howwouldhesaytohertheonlythingsthatinMrs。Kenton’sbeliefhecouldsay？Howcouldthepoorchildeverbemadetoseeitinthelightofsomemindnotcoloredwithherfamily’saffectionforher？Animmense，animpossiblelongingpossesseditselfofthemother’sheart，whichbecamethemoreinsistentthemorefranticitappeared。Sheuttered\"Yes\"and\"No\"and\"Indeed\"towhathewassaying，butallthetimeshewasrehearsingEllen’sstoryinherinnersense。Intheendsherememberedsolittlewhathadactuallypassedthatherdramaticreverieseemedthereality，andwhenshelefthimshegotherselfdowntoherstate-room，giddywiththeshameandfearofherimaginaryself-betrayal。
Shewishedtotesttheenormity，andyetnotfinditsomonstrous，bysubmittingthecasetoherhusband，andshecouldscarcelykeepbackherimpatienceatseeingElleninsteadofherfather。
\"Momma，whathaveyoubeensayingtoMr。Breckonaboutme？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidMrs。Kenton，aghastatfirst，andthenastonishedtorealizethatshewasspeakingthesimpletruth。\"Hesaidhowmuchbetteryouwerelooking；butIdon’tbelieveIspokeasingleword。Wewerelookingatthemap。\"
\"Verywell，\"Ellenresumed。\"Ihavebeenthinkingitallover，andnowI
havemadeupmymind。\"
Shepaused，andhermotherasked，tremulously，\"Aboutwhat，Ellen？\"
\"Youknow，momma。Iseeallnow。Youneedn’tbeafraidthatIcareanythingabouthimnow，\"andhermotherknewthatshemeantBittridge，\"orthatIevershall。That’sgoneforever。Butit’sgone，\"sheadded，andhermotherquakedinwardlytohearherreason，\"becausethewrongandtheshamewasallforme——forus。That’swhyIcanforgiveit，andforget。Ifwehaddoneanything，theleastthingintheworld，torevengeourselves，ortohurthim，then——Don’tyousee，momma？\"
\"IthinkIsee，Ellen。\"
\"ThenIshouldhavetokeepthinkingaboutit，andwhatwehadmadehimsuffer，andwhetherwehadn’tgivenhimsomeclaim。Idon’twishevertothinkofhimagain。Youandpoppaweresopatientandforbearing，allthrough；andIthankgoodnessnowforeverythingyouputupwith；onlyI
wishIcouldhaveborneeverythingmyself。\"
\"Youhadenoughtobear，\"Mrs。Kentonsaid，intenderevasion。
\"I’mgladthatIhadtobearsomuch，forbearingitiswhatmakesmefreenow。\"Shewentuptohermotherandkissedher，andgazedintoherfacewithjoyful，tearfullooksthatmadeherheartsink。
XIV。
Mrs。KentondidnotresttillshehadmadesurefromLottieandBoynethatneitherofthemhaddroppedanyhinttoEllenofwhathappenedtoBittridgeafterhisreturntoTuskingum。Shedidnotexplaintothemwhyshewassoveryanxioustoknow，butonlychargedthemthemoresolemnlynottoletthesecret，whichtheyhadallbeenkeepingfromEllen，escapethem。
Theypromised，butLottiesaid，\"She’sgottoknowitsometime，andI
shouldthinkthesoonerthebetter。\"
\"Iwillbejudgeofthat，Lottie，\"saidhermother，andBoyneseizedhischanceofinculpatingherwithhisfriend，Mr。Pogis。Hesaidshewascarryingonawfullywithhimalready；andanEnglishmancouldnotunderstand，andBoynehintedthathewouldpresumeuponherAmericanfreedom。
\"Well，ifhedoes，I’llgetyoutocowhidehim，Boyne，\"sheretorted，andlefthimfuminghelplessly，whileshewenttogivetheyoungEnglishmananopportunityofresumingtheflirtationwhichhermotherhadinterrupted。
WithherhusbandMrs。Kentonfounditpracticabletobemoreexplicit。
\"Ihaven’thadsuchaloadliftedoffmyheartsinceIdon’tknowwhen。
ItshowsmewhatI’vethoughtallalong:thatEllenhasn’treallycaredanythingforthatmiserablethingsincehefirstbegangoingwithMrs。
Uphillayearago。WhenhewrotethatlettertoherinNewYorkshewantedtobesureshedidn’t，andwhenheofferedhimselfandmisbehavedsotobothofyou，shewasafraidthatsheandyouweresomehowtoblame。
Nowshe’sworkeditoutthatnooneelsewaswronged，andsheissatisfied。It’smadeherfeelfree，asshesays。But，oh，dearme！\"
Mrs。Kentonbrokeoff，\"Italkasiftherewasnothingtobindher；andyetthereiswhatpoorRicharddid！Whatwouldshesayifsheknewthat？
IhavebeencautioningLottieandBoyne，butIknowitwillcomeoutsomehow。Doyouthinkit’swisetokeepitfromher？Hadn’twebettertellher？Orshallwewaitandsee——\"
Kentonwouldnotallowtoherortohimselfthathishopesranwithhers；
loveisnotbusinesswithamanasitiswithawoman；hefeelsitindecorousandindelicatetocountuponitopenly，whereshethinksitsimplyachanceoflife，tobeconsideredlikeanother。AllthatKentonwouldsaywas，\"Iseenoreasonfortellingherjustyet。Shewillhavetoknowinduetime。Butletherenjoyherfreedomnow。\"
\"Yes，\"Mrs。Kentondoubtfullyassented。
Thejudgewasthoughtfullysilent。Thenhesaid:\"FewgirlscouldhaveworkedoutherproblemasEllenhas。ThinkhowdifferentlyLottiewouldhavedoneit！\"
\"Lottiehashergoodpoints，too，\"saidMrs。Kenton。\"And，ofcourse，I
don’tblameRichard。Thereareallkindsofgirls，andLottiemeansnomoreharmthanEllendoes。She’sthekindthatcan’thelpattracting；
butIalwaysknewthatEllenwasattractive，too，ifshewouldonlyfinditout。AndIknewthatassoonasanythingworthwhiletookuphermindshewouldnevergivethatwretchanotherthought。\"
Kentonfollowedherdeviousratiocinationstoaconclusionwhichhecouldnotgrasp。\"Whatdoyoumean，Sarah？\"
\"IfIonly，\"sheexplained，intermsthatdidnotexplain，\"feltassureofhimasIdoabouthim！\"
Herhusbandlookeddenselyather。\"Bittridge？\"
\"No。Mr。Breckon。Heisverynice，Rufus。Yes，heis！He’sbeenshowingmethemapofHolland，andwe’vehadalongtalk。Heisn’tthewaywethought——orIdid。Heisnotatallclerical，orworldly。AndheappreciatesEllen。Idon’tsupposehecaressomuchforherbeingcultivated；Isupposeshedoesn’tseemsotohim。Butheseeshowwisesheis——howgood。Andhecouldn’tdothatwithoutbeinggoodhimself！
Rufus！Ifwecouldonlyhopesuchathing。But，ofcourse，therearethousandsafterhim！\"
\"TherearenotthousandsofEllensafterhim，\"saidthejudge，beforehecouldtaketimetoprotest。\"AndIdon’twanthimtosupposethatsheisafterhimatall。Ifhewillonlyinterestherandhelphertokeephermindoffherself，it’sallIwillaskofhim。Iamnotanxioustopartwithher，nowthatshe’salloursagain。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"Mrs。Kentonsoothinglyassented。\"AndIdon’tsaythatshedreamsofhiminanysuchway。Shecan’thelpadmiringhismind。ButwhatImeanisthatwhenyouseehowheappreciatesher，youcan’thelpwishinghecouldknowjusthowwise，andjusthowgoodsheis。ItdidseemtomeasifIwouldgivealmostanythingtohavehimknowwhatshehadbeenthroughwiththat——rapscallion！\"
\"Sarah！\"
\"Oh，youmaySarahme！ButIcantellyouwhat，Mr。Kenton:Ibelievethatyoucouldtellhimeverywordofit，andonlymakehimappreciateherthemore。TillyouknowthataboutEllen，youdon’tknowwhatacharactersheis。Ijustachedtotellhim！\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，mydear，\"saidKenton。\"Butifyoumeantotellhim——\"
\"Why，whocouldimaginedoingsuchathing？Don’tyouseethatitisimpossible？Suchathingwouldneverhavecomeintomyheadifithadn’tbeenforsomemorbidtalkofEllen’s。\"
\"OfEllen’s？\"
\"Oh，aboutwantingtodisgusthimbytellinghimwhyshewassuchaburdentous。\"
\"Sheisn’taburden！\"
\"Iamsayingwhatshesaid。Anditmademethinkthatifsuchapersoncouldonlyknowthehigh-mindedwayshehadfoundtogetoutofhertrouble！Iwouldlikesomebodywhoiscapableofvaluinghertovalueherinallherpreciousness。Wouldn’tyoubegladifsuchamanasheiscouldknowhowandwhyshefeelsfreeatlast？\"
\"Idon’tthinkit’snecessary，\"saidKenton，haughtily，\"There’sonlyonethingthatcouldgivehimtherighttoknowit，andwe’llwaitforthatfirst。Ithoughtyousaidthathewasfrivolous。\"
\"Boynesaidthat，andLottie。Itookitforgranted，tillItalkedwithhimto-day。Heislight-heartedandgay；helikestolaughandjoke；buthecanbeveryseriouswhenhewantsto。\"
\"Accordingtoallprecedent，\"saidthejudge，glumly，\"suchamanoughttobehangingroundLottie。EverybodywasthatamountedtoanythinginTuskingum。\"
\"Oh，inTuskingum！Andwhowerethementherethatamountedtoanything？
Alotofyounglawyers，andtwostudentsofmedicine，andsomerailroadclerks。Therewasn’tonethatwouldcomparewithMr。Breckonforamoment。\"
\"Allthemorereasonwhyhecan’treallycareforEllen。Nowseehere，Sarah！YouknowIdon’tinterferewithyouandthechildren，butI’mafraidyou’reinacrazeaboutthisyoungfellow。He’sgotthesefriendsofhiswhohavejustturnedup，andwe’llwaitandseewhathedoeswiththem。IguessheappreciatestheyoungladyasmuchashedoesEllen。\"
Mrs。Kenton’sheartwentdown。\"Shedoesn’tcomparewithEllen！\"shepiteouslydeclared。
\"That’swhatwethink。Hemaythinkdifferently。\"
Mrs。Kentonwassilenced，butallthemoreshewasdeterminedtomakesurethatMr。BreckonwasnotinterestedinMissRasmithinanymeasureormannerdetrimentaltoEllen。AsforMissRasmithherself，Mrs。KentonwouldhavehadgreaterreasontobeanxiousaboutherbehaviorwithBoynethanMr。Breckon。Fromthemomentthattheministerhadmadehistwogroupsoffriendsacquainted，theyoungladyhadfixeduponBoyneasthatmemberoftheKentongroupwhocouldbestrepayamoreintimatefriendship。Shewaspolitetothemall，buttoBoyneshewasflattering，andhewastoolittleusedtodeferencefromladiestenyearshisseniornottobeverysensibleofherworthinofferingit。Tobeunremittinglytreatedasagrown-uppersonwasanexperiencesodazzlingthathisvisionwasblindedtoanypossibilitiesinthebehaviorthatformedit；
andbeforethedayendedBoynehadpossessedMissRasmithofallthatitwasimportantforanyfellow-beingtoknowofhischaracterandhistory。
Heopenedhishearttoeyesthathadlookedintoothersbeforehis，lessforthesakeofexploitingthanofinforminghimself。IntherareintelligenceofMissRasmithhehadfoundthatseriouspatiencewithhisproblemswhichnooneelse，notEllenherself，hadshown，andaftertryinghersinceritythegreaterpartofthedayheputittothesupremetest，oneevening，withabookwhichhehadbeenreading。Boyne’sliteraturewaslargelyentomologicalandzoological，butthiswasaworkoffictiontreatingofthefortunesofayoungAmericanadventurer，whohadturnedhismilitaryeducationtoaccountintheserviceofaGermanprincess。HerHighness’sdominionswerenotinanymapofEurope，andperhapsitwasherconditionofpoliticalincognitothatrenderedherthemorefittinglythepreyofapassionfortheAmericanheadofherarmies。
Boyne’sbeliefwasthatthischaracterveiledarealidentity，andhewishedtosubmittoMissRasmiththequestionwhetherintheexclusivecirclesofNewYorksocietyanyyoungmillionairewasknowntohavetakenserviceabroadafterleavingwestPoint。Heputitintheformofascoffingincredulitywhichitwasacomforttohavehertakeasifalmosthurtbyhisdoubt。Shesaidthatsuchathingmightverywellbe，andwithrichAmericangirlsmarryingallsortsoftitlesabroad，itwasnotimpossibleforsomebrilliantyoungfellowtomakehiswaytothestepsofathrone。Boynedeclaredthatshewaslaughingathim，andsheprotestedthatitwasthelastthingsheshouldthinkofdoing；shewastoomuchafraidofhim。Thenhebegantoargueagainstthecasesupposedintheromance；heprovedfromthebookitselfthatthethingcouldnothappen；suchaprincesswouldnotbeallowedtomarrytheAmerican，nomatterhowrichhewas。Sheownedthatshehadnotheardofjustsuchaninstance，andhemightthinkherveryromantic；andperhapsshewas；butiftheprincesswasanabsoluteprincess，suchasshewasshowninthatstory，sheheldthatnopoweronearthcouldkeepherfrommarryingtheyoungAmerican。Forherselfshedidnotsee，though，howtheprincesscouldbeinlovewiththattypeofAmerican。Ifshehadbeenintheprincess’splacesheshouldhavefanciedsomethingquitedifferent。ShemadeBoyneagreewithherthatEasternAmericanswereall，moreorless，Europeanized，anditstoodtoreason，sheheld，thataEuropeanprincesswouldwantsomethingasun-Europeanaspossibleifshewasfallinginlovetopleaseherself。TheyhadsomecontentionuponthepointthattheprincesswouldwantaWesternAmerican；andthenMissRasmith，withadelicateaudacity，paintedanheroicportraitofBoynehimselfwhichhecouldnotrecognizeopenlyenoughtodisown；butheperceivedresemblancesinitwhichwenttohisheadwhenshedemurelyrose，withasoft\"Good-night，Mr。Kenton。IsupposeImustn’tcallyouBoyne？\"
\"Ohyes，do！\"heentreated。\"I’m-I’mnotgrownupyet，youknow。\"
\"Thenitwillbesafe，\"shesighed。\"ButIshouldneverhavethoughtofthat。Ihadgotsoabsorbedinourargument。Youaresological，Mr。
Kenton——Boyne，Imean——thankyou。Youmustgetitfromyourfather。Howlovelyyoursisteris！\"
\"Ellen？\"
\"Well，no。Imeanttheotherone。ButMissKentonisbeautiful，too。
Youmustbesohappytogether，allofyou。\"Sheadded，witharuefulsmile，\"There’sonlyoneofme！Good-night。\"
Boynedidnotknowwhetherheoughtnotinhumanity，ifnotgallantry，tosayhewouldbeabrothertoher，butwhilehestoodconsidering，sheputoutahandtohimsocoveredwithringsthathewasafraidshehadhurtherselfinpressinghissohard，andhadlefthimbeforehecoulddecide。
Lottie，walkingthedeck，hadnotthoughtofbiddingMr。Pogisgood-
night。Shehadaskedhimhalfadozentimeshowlateitwas，andwhenheanswered，hadsaidasoftenthatsheknewbetter，andshewasgoingbelowinanotherminute。Butshestayed，andtheflowofherconversationsuppliedhimwithoccasionfortheremarksofwhichheseldomvariedtheformula。Whenshesaidsomethingtooaudaciousforsilentemotion，hecalledout，\"Oh，Isay！\"Ifsheadvancedanopiniontooobviouslyacceptable，oraskedaquestionuponsomepointwhereitseemedtohimtherecouldnotbetwominds，hewasreadywiththeironicalnote，\"Well，rather！\"Attimesshepressedherstudiesofhischaracterandherobservationsonhismannerandappearancesofarthathewasforcedtoprotest，\"Youaresopersonal！\"Butthesemomentswererare；forthemostpart，\"OhIsay！\"and\"Well，rather！\"perfectlycoveredtheground。Hedidnotgenerallymindherparodyofhispovertyofphrase，butonce，aftershehadrepeated\"Wellrather！\"and\"Oh，Isay！\"
steadilyateverythinghesaidforthewholeroundofthepromenadetheyweremaking，heintimatedthattherewereoccasionswhen，inhisbelief，awoman’sabuseofthefreedomgenerouslyallowedhersexpassedthepointofwords。
\"Andwhenitpassesthepointofwords\"shetauntedhim，\"whatdoyoudo？\"
\"Youwillsee，\"hesaid，\"ifiteverdoes，\"andLottiefeltjustifiedbyherinferencethathewasthreateningtokissher，inanswering:
\"AndifIeverSEE，Iwillboxyourears。\"
\"Oh，Isay！\"heretorted。\"Ishouldliketohaveyoutry。\"
Hehadideasoftherightfulmasteryofamaninallthings，whichshepromptlypronouncedbrutal，andwhenhedeclaredthathisfather’sconducttowardshiswifeandchildrenwasbasedupontheseideas，sheaffirmedthesuperiorityofherownfather’sprinciplesandbehavior。
Mr。PogiswastoodeclaredanadmirerofJudgeKentontoquestionhismotivesormethodinanything，andhecouldonlygeneralize，\"TheAmericansspoiltheirwomen。\"
\"Well，theirwomenareworthit，\"saidLottie，andafterallowingtheparadoxtimetopenetratehisintelligence，hecriedout，inagladtransport:
\"Oh，ISAY！\"
AtthemomentBoyne’sintellectualseancewithMissRasmithwascomingtoanend。LottiehadtacitlyinvitedMr。PogistoprolongthecomparisonofEnglishandAmericanfamilylifebystoppinginfrontofacoupleofsteamer-chairs，andconfessingthatshewastiredtodeath。Theysatdown，andhetoldherabouthismother，whom，althoughhisfather’ssubordinate，heseemedtoberatherfonderof。Hehadsomeelderbrothers，mostoftheminthecolonies，andhehadhimselfbeenouttoAmericalookingatsomethinghisfatherhadfoundforhiminBuffalo。
\"YououghttocometoTuskingum，\"saidLottie。
\"Isthatalargeplace？\"Mr。Pogisasked。\"AslargeasBuffalo？\"
\"Well，no，\"Lottieadmitted。\"Butit’sagrowingplace。Andwehavethebestkindoftimes。\"
\"Whatkind？\"Theyoungmaneasilyconsentedtoturnthecommercialintoasocialinquiry。
\"Oh，picnics，andriverparties，andbuggy-rides，anddances。\"
\"I’mkeenondancing，\"saidMr。Pogis。\"Ihopethey’llgiveusadanceonboard。Willyouputmedownforthefirstdance？\"
\"Idon’tcare。Willyousendmesomeflowers？Thestewardmusthavesomeleftintherefrigerator。\"
\"Well，rather！I’llsendyouaspray，ifhe’sgotenough。\"
\"Aspray？What’saspray？\"
\"Oh，Isay！Mysisteralwayswearsone。It’salongchainofflowersreachin’fromyourshoulderdiagonallydowntoyourwaist。\"
Doesyoursisteralwayshavehersprayssenttoher？\"
\"Well，rather！Don’ttheysendflowerstogirlsfordancesintheStates？\"
\"Well，rather！Didn’tIjustaskyou？\"
Thiswasverytrue，andafteramomentofbaffleMr。Pogissaid，ingeneralization，\"Ifyougowithayoungladyinapartytothetheatreyousendheraboxofchocolates。\"
\"Onlywhenyougototheatre！Icouldn’tgetenough，then，unlessyouaskedmeeverynight，\"saidLottie，andwhileMr。Pogiswastryingtochoosebetween\"Oh，Isay！\"andsomethingspecific，like，\"Ishouldliketoaskyoueverynight，\"sheadded，\"Andwhatwouldhappenifyousentagirlasprayforthetheatreandchocolatesforadance？Wouldn’titjarher？\"
Now，indeed，therewasnothingforhimbuttoanswer，\"Oh，Isay！\"
\"Well，say，then！HerecomesBoyne，andImustgo。Well，Boyne，\"shecalled，fromthedarknookwhereshesat，toherbrotherashestumblednear，withhiseyestothestars，\"hastheoldladyretired？\"
Hegavehimselfawayfinely。\"Whatoldlady！\"
\"Well，maybeatyourageyoudon’tconsiderherveryold。ButIdon’tthinkaboyoughttositupmooningathisgrandmotherallnight。IknowMissRasmith’snorelation，ifthat’swhatyou’regoingtosay！\"
\"Oh，Isay！\"Mr。Pogischuckled。\"Youaresopersonal。\"
\"Well，rather！\"saidLottie，punishinghispresumption。\"ButIdon’tthinkit’sniceforakid，evenifsheisn’t。\"
\"Kid！\"Boyneground，throughhisclenchedteeth。
BythistimeLottiewasupoutofherchairandbeyondreparteeinherflightdownthegangwaystairs。Sheleftthetwoyoungstersconfronted。
\"Whatdoyousaytoalemon-squash？\"askedMr。Pogis，respectinghisfriend’swoundeddignity，andignoringLottieandheroffence。
\"Idon’tcareifIdo，\"saidBoyneingloomyacquiescence。
XV。
FewwitnessesofthefactthatJuliaRasmithandhermotherhadfoundthemselvesonthesamesteamerwiththeRev。HughBreckonwouldhavebeenofsuchasimplemindastothinktheyweretherebyaccident，iftheyhadalsobeenwitnessesoftheirearlierhistory。TheladiescouldhaveurgedthatinreturningfromCaliforniaonlyafewdaysbeforetheAmstelsailed，andgettingastate-roomwhichhadbeenunexpectedlygivenup，theyhadsomeclaimtoacharitableinterpretationoftheirbehavior，butthispleacouldnothaveavailedthemwithanyconnoisseurofwomen。
Besides，ithadbeenamatterofnotorietyamongsuchofMr。Breckon’svariegatedcongregationasknewoneanotherthatMrs。Rasmithhadsetherheartonhim，itJuliahadnotsethercapforhim。Inthatpiedflock，whereeveryshadeanddappleofdoubt，fromheterodoxJewtoagnosticChristian，foregathered，asithasbeensaid，inthemisgivingofablessedimmortality，thedevotionofMrs。Rasmithtotheministerhadbeenalmostascandal。NothinghadsavedtheappearancefromthischaracterbutMr。Breckon’sopenacceptanceofherflatteriesandhospitalities；thiswassofrank，andthebehaviorofJuliaherselfsojudiciousunderthecircumstances，thatenvyandvirtuewere，ifnotequallysilenced，equallybaffled。Sofarfrompretendingnottoseehermother’smanoeuvres，Juliainvitedpublicrecognitionofthem；inthewayofjoking，whichshekeptwithinthelimitsoffilialfondness，shemadefunofhermother’sinfatuationtoBreckonhimself，andwarnedhimagainstthemomentwhenherwilesmightbetoomuchforhim。Beforeotherpeopleshedidnothesitatetosavehimfromhermother，sothateventhosewhobelievedherintheconspiracyownedthatnogirlcouldhavemanagedwithmoreclevernessinasituationwherenoteveryonewouldhaverefusedtobeplaced。InthissituationJuliaRasmithhadtheserviceofaveryclearhead，andaswasbelievedbysome，acoolheart；
ifsheandhermotherhadjointdesignsupontheminister，herswastheambition，andhermother’stheaffectionthatpromptedthem。Shewasalong，undulantgirl，ofamixedblondnessthatleftyouindoubt，afteryouhadlefther，whetherherhairorhercomplexionwerenotofonetint；butherfeaturesweregood，andtherecouldbenoquestionofhercaptivatinglaugh，andhercharmingmouth，whichshewasalwayspullingdownwithdemureirony。Shewaslikehermotherinherlooks，butherindolent，droningtemperamentmusthavebeenfromherfather，whosememorywaslostinthatantiquitywhichswallowsuptherecordofsomanywidows’husbands，andwhocouldnothaveleftherwhatwasleftofhermother’smoney，fornoneofithadeverbeenhis。Itwasstillhermother’s，anditwassupposedtobethedaughter’schiefattraction。
Theremust，therefore，havebeenagooddealofit，forthosewhowereharshestwiththeministerdidnotbelievethatalittlemoneywouldattracthim。Notthattheyreallythoughthimmercenary；someofhispeopleconsideredhimgaytothevergeoftriviality，buttherewerenonethataccusedhimofinsincerity。Theywouldhavelikedalittlemoreseriousnessinhim，especiallywhentheyhadnotmuchoftheirown，andwouldhavehadhimmakeupinseverityofbehaviorforwhathelacked，andwhattheywishedhimtolack，inausterityofdoctrine。
TheAmstelhadlostsomuchtimeintheroughweatherofherfirstdaysoutthatshecouldnotmakeitupwithherold-fashionedsinglescrew。
Shewasatbestaten-dayboat，countingfromSandyHooktoBoulogne，andshehadnotbeenfourdaysoutwhenshepromisedtobreakherrecordforslowness。ThreedayslaterMissRasmithsaidtoBreckon，ashetookthechairwhichhermotheragilelyabandonedtohimbesideher:\"Theheadstewardsaysitwillbeatwelve-daytrip，endourbedroomstewardthinksmore。Whatistheconsensusofopinioninthesmoking-room？Whereareyougoing，mother？AreyouplanningtoleaveMr。Breckonandmealoneagain？Itisn’tnecessary。Wecouldn’tgetawayfromeachotherifwetried，andallweask——Well，Isupposeagemustheindulgedinitslittlefancies，\"shecalledafterMrs。Rasmith。
Breckontookupthequestionshehadaskedhim。\"Theoddsaresoheavilyinfavorofafifteen-days’runthattherearenotakers。\"
\"Nowyouarejokingagain，\"shesaid。\"Ithoughtasea-voyagemightmakeyouserious。\"
\"Ithasbeentriedbefore。Besides，it’syouthatIwanttobeserious。\"
\"Whatabout？Besides，Idoubtit。\"
\"AboutBoyne。\"
\"Oh！Ithoughtyouweregoingtosaysomeoneelse。\"
\"No，Ithinkthatisverywellsettled。\"
\"You’llneverpersuademymother，\"saidMissRasmith，withalow，comfortablelaugh。
\"Butifyouaresatisfied——\"
\"Shewillhavetoresignherself？Well，perhaps。ButwhydoyouwishmetobeseriousaboutBoyne？\"
\"Ihavenodoubtheamusesyou。Butthatdoesn’tseemaverygoodreasonwhyyoushouldamuseyourselfwithhim。\"
\"No？Whynot？\"
\"Well，becausethepoorboyisinearnest；andyou’renotexactly——
contemporaries。\"
\"Why，howoldisBoyne？\"sheasked，withaffectedsurprise。
\"Aboutfifteen，Ithink，\"saidBreckon，gravely。
\"AndI’mbutaveryfewmonthspastthirty。Idon’tseethegreatdisparity。Butheismerelyabrothertome——anelderbrother——andhegivesmethebestkindofadvice。\"
\"Idaresayyouneedit，butallthesame，Iamafraidyouareputtingideasintohishead。\"
\"Well，ifhebeganit？Ifheputtheminminefirst？\"
Shewasevidentlywillingthatheshouldgofurther，andcreatethecommongroundbetweenthemthatgrowsupwhenonegivesareproofandtheotheracceptsit；butBreckon，whetherhethoughtthathehadnowdonehisduty，andneedsaynomore，orbecausehewasvexedwithher，leftthesubject。
\"Mrs。RasmithsaysyouaregoingtoSwitzerlandfortherestofthesummer。\"
\"Yes，toMontreux。AreyougoingtospenditinParis？\"
\"I’mgoingtoParistosee。IhavehadsomethoughtsofEtretat；Ihavecousinsthere。\"
\"IwishthatIcouldgotothesea-side。Butthishappenstobeoneofthesummerswhennothingbutmountainscansavemymother’slife。ShallyougetdowntoRomebeforeyougoback？\"
\"Idon’tknow。IfIsailfromNaplesIshallprobablypassthroughRome。\"
\"Youhadbetterstopoff。WeshallbethereinNovember，andtheysayRomeisworthseeing，\"shelaugheddemurely。\"ThatiswhatBoyneunderstands。He’spromisedtousehisinfluencewithhisfamilytolethimrundowntoseeusthere，ifhecan’tgetthemalltocome。Youmightoffertopersonallyconductthem。\"
\"Yes。\"saidBreckon，withtheeffectofcloture。\"Haveyoumademanyacquaintancesanboard？\"
\"What！Twolonewomen？Youhaven’tintroducedustoanybuttheKentons。ButIdaresaytheyarethebest。Thejudgeisadear，andMrs。Kentoniseverythingthatismotherlyandmatronly。Boynesayssheisverywellinformed，andknowsallaboutthereigningfamilies。Ifhedecidestomarryintothem，shecanbeofgreatuseinsavinghimfromamesalliance。Ican’tsayverymuchforMissLottie。MissLottieseemstomedistinctlyoftheminxtype。Butthatpoor，palegirlisadorable。
Iwishshelikedme！\"
\"Whatmakesyouthinkshedoesn’tlikeyou？\"Breckonasked。
\"What？Womendon’trequireanythingtoconvincethemthatotherwomencan’tbearthem。Theysimplyknowit。Iwonderwhathashappenedtoher？\"
\"Whydoyouthinkanythinghashappenedtoher？\"
\"Why？Well，girlsdon’thavethatairofmelanholyabsencefornothing。
Sheisbroodinguponsomething，youmaybesure。ButyouhavehadsomanymoreopportunitiesthanI！Doyoumeanthatyouhaven’tsuspectedatragicalpastfarher？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidBreckon，alittlerestively，\"thatIhaveallowedmyselftospeculateaboutherpast。\"
\"Thatis，yououghtn’ttohaveallowedyourselftodoso。Well，thereI
agreewithyou。Butawomanmaydosowithoutimpertinence，andIamsurethatMissKentonhasastory。Ihavewatchedher，andherfacehastoldmeeverythingbutthestory。\"
Breckonwouldnotsaythatsomesuchrevelationhadbeenmadetohim，andintheabsenceofananswerfromhimMissRasmithasked，\"Isshecultivated，too？\"
\"Too？\"
\"Likehermother。\"
\"Oh！Ishouldsayshehadreadagooddial。Andshe’sbookish，yes，inasimple-heartedkindofway。\"
\"Sheasksyouifyouhaveread’thebookoftheyear，’andwhetheryoudon’tthinktheheroineisabeautifulcharacter？\"
\"Notquitesobadasthat。Butifyoucaretobeseriousabouther！\"
\"Oh，Ido！\"
\"Idoubtit。Then，Ishouldsaythatsheseemstohavegrownupinaplacewheretheinterestsaresomaterialthatagirlwhowasdisposedtobethoughtfulwouldbethrownbackuponreadingforhersocietymorethaninmoreintellectualcentres——iftherearesuchthings。Shehasbeensomuchwithbooksthatshedoesnotfeeloddinspeakingofthemasiftheyweretheusualtopicsofconversation。Itgivesheracertainquaintness。\"
\"Andthatiswhatconstituteshercharm？\"
\"Ididn’tknowthatwewerespeakingofhercharm。\"
\"No，thatistrue。ButIwasthinkingofit。Shefascinatesme。AretheygoingtogetoffatBoulogne？\"
\"No，theyaregoingontoRotterdam。\"
\"Tobesure！Boynetoldme。Andareyougoingonwiththem？\"
\"IthoughtwetalkedofmygoingtoParis。\"Breckonlookedroundather，andshemadeagestureofdeprecation。
\"Why，ofcourse！HowcouldIforget？ButI’msomuchinterestedinMissKentonthatIcan’tthinkofanythingelse。\"
\"NotevenofMissRasmith？\"
\"NotevenofMissRasmith。Iknowthatshehasahistory，andthatit’sasadone。\"Shepausedinironicalhesitation。\"You’vebeensogoodastocautionmeaboutherbrother——andInevercanbegratefulenough——andthatmakesmealmostfreetosuggest——\"
Shestoppedagain，andheasked，hardily，\"What？\"
\"Oh，nothing。Itisn’tformetoremindmypastor，myghostlyadviser\"——
shepulleddownhermouthandglancedathimdemurely——\"andIwillonlyofferthegeneralizationthatagirlisneversomuchindangerofhavingherheartbrokenaswhenshe’shaditbroken——Oh，areyouleavingme？\"
shecried，asBreckonrosefromhischair。
\"Well，then，sendBoynetome。\"Shebrokeintoalaughashefaltered。
\"Areyougoingtositdownagain？Thatisright。AndIwon’ttalkanymoreaboutMissKenton。\"
\"Idon’tmindtalkingofher，\"saidBreckon。\"Perhapsitwillevenbewelltodosoifyouareinearnest。Thoughitstrikesmethatyouhaveratherrenouncedtherighttocriticiseme。\"
\"Now，isthatlogical？Itseemstomethatinputtingmyselfintheattitudeofafinalfriendatthestart，andrefusingtobeanythingmore，Ileaveestablishedmyrighttocriticiseyouonthefirmestbasis。
Ican’tpossiblybesuspectedofinterestedmotives。Besides，you’vejustbeencriticizingme，ifyouwantawoman’sreason！\"
\"Well，goon。\"
\"Why，Ihadfinished。That’stheamusingpart。IshouldhavesupposedthatIcouldgoonforeveraboutMissKenton，butIhavenothingtogoupon。Shehaskepthersecretverywell，andsohavetherestofthem。