Thenextdayhepackedatrunkandleftfortheneighboringcity。Hisapartmentsweretobekeptinreadinessforhisreturnatanytime。Ifyouhadseenhimwalkingovertotherailroaddepot，youwouldhavetakenhimforamanofforty-five。
Whenhearrivedathisdestination，Mr。Tolmanestablishedhimselftemporarilyatahotel，andspentthenextthreeorfourdaysinwalkingaboutthecitylookingforwhathewanted。Whathewantedwasratherdifficulttodefine，butthewayinwhichheputthemattertohimselfwassomethinglikethis：
\"Iwouldliketofindasnuglittleplacewhere，Icanlive，andcarryonsomebusinesswhichIcanattendtomyself，andwhichwillbringmeintocontactwithpeopleofallsorts——peoplewhowillinterestme。Itmustbeasmallbusiness，becauseI
don\'twanttohavetoworkveryhard，anditmustbesnugandcomfortable，becauseIwanttoenjoyit。Iwouldlikeashopofsomesort，becausethatbringsamanfacetofacewithhisfellow-creatures。\"
Thecityinwhichhewaswalkingaboutwasoneofthebestplacesinthecountryinwhichtofindtheplaceofbusinesshedesired。Itwasfullofindependentlittleshops。ButMr。
Tolmancouldnotreadilyfindonewhichresembledhisideal。A
smalldry-goodsestablishmentseemedtopresupposeafemaleproprietor。Agrocerystorewouldgivehimmanyinterestingcustomers；buthedidnotknowmuchaboutgroceries，andthebusinessdidnotappeartohimtopossessanyaestheticfeatures。
Hewasmuchpleasedbyasmallshopbelongingtoataxidermist。Itwasexceedinglycosey，andthebusinesswasprobablynotsogreatastooverworkanyone。Hemightsendthebirdsandbeastswhichwerebroughttobestuffedtosomepracticaloperator，andhavehimputtheminproperconditionforthecustomers。Hemight——Butno。Itwouldbeveryunsatisfactorytoengageinabusinessofwhichheknewabsolutelynothing。Ataxidermistoughtnottoblushwithignorancewhenaskedsomesimplequestionaboutalittledeadbirdoradefunctfish。Andsohetorehimselffromthewindowofthisfascinatingplace，where，hefancied，hadhiseducationbeendifferentlymanaged，hecouldintimehaveshowntheworldthespectacleofacheerfulandunblightedMr。Venus。
Theshopwhichatlastappearedtosuithimbestwasonewhichhehadpassedandlookedatseveraltimesbeforeitstruckhimfavorably。Itwasinasmallbrickhouseinasidestreet，butnotfarfromoneofthemainbusinessavenuesofthecity。
Theshopseemeddevotedtoarticlesofstationeryandsmallnotionsofvariouskindsnoteasytobeclassified。Hehadstoppedtolookatthreepenknivesfastenedtoacard，whichwasproppedupinthelittleshow-window，supportedononesidebyachess-boardwith\"HistoryofAsia\"ingiltlettersontheback，andontheotherbyasmallviolinlabelled\"1dollar。\"Andashegazedpastthesearticlesintotheinterioroftheshop，whichwasnowlightedup，itgraduallydawneduponhimthatitwassomethinglikehisidealofanattractiveandinterestingbusinessplace。Atanyrate，hewouldgoinandlookatit。Hedidnotcareforaviolin，evenatthelowpricemarkedontheoneinthewindow，butanewpocket-knifemightbeuseful。
Sohewalkedinandaskedtolookatpocket-knives。
Theshopwasinchargeofaverypleasantoldladyofaboutsixty，whosatsewingbehindthelittlecounter。Whileshewenttothewindowandverycarefullyreachedoverthearticlesdisplayedthereintogetthecardofpenknives，Mr。Tolmanlookedabouthim。Theshopwasquitesmall，butthereseemedtobeagooddealinit。Therewereshelvesbehindthecounter，andtherewereshelvesontheoppositewall，andtheyallseemedwellfilledwithsomethingorother。Inthecornerneartheoldlady\'schairwasalittlecoalstovewithabrightfireinit，andatthebackoftheshop，atthetopoftwosteps，wasaglassdoorpartlyopen，throughwhichhesawasmallroom，witharedcarpetonthefloor，andalittletableapparentlysetforameal。
Mr。Tolmanlookedatthekniveswhentheoldladyshowedthemtohim，andafteragooddealofconsiderationheselectedonewhichhethoughtwouldbeagoodknifetogivetoaboy。Thenhelookedoversomethingsinthewayofpaper-cutters，whist-
markers，andsuchsmallmatters，whichwereinaglasscaseonthecounter。Andwhilehelookedatthemhetalkedtotheoldlady。
Shewasafriendly，sociablebody，verygladtohaveanyonetotalkto，andsoitwasnotatalldifficultforMr。Tolman，bysomegeneralremarks，todrawfromheragreatmanypointsaboutherselfandhershop。Shewasawidow，withasonwho，fromherremarks，musthavebeenfortyyearsold。Hewasconnectedwithamercantileestablishment，andtheyhadlivedhereforalongtime。Whilehersonwasasalesman，andcamehomeeveryevening，thiswasverypleasant。Butafterhebecameacommercialtraveller，andwasawayfromthecityformonthsatatime，shedidnotlikeitatall。Itwasverylonelyforher。
Mr。Tolman\'sheartrosewithinhim，buthedidnotinterrupther。
\"IfIcoulddoit，\"saidshe，\"Iwouldgiveupthisplace，andgoandlivewithmysisterinthecountry。Itwouldbebetterforbothofus，andHenrycouldcometherejustaswellasherewhenhegetsbackfromhistrips。\"
\"Whydon\'tyousellout？\"askedMr。Tolman，alittlefearfully，forhebegantothinkthatallthiswastooeasysailingtobeentirelysafe。
\"Thatwouldnotbeeasy，\"saidshe，withasmile。\"Itmightbealongtimebeforewecouldfindanyonewhowouldwanttotaketheplace。Wehaveafairtradeinthestore，butitisn\'twhatitusedtobewhentimeswerebetter。Andthelibraryisfallingoff，too。Mostofthebooksaregettingprettyold，anditdon\'tpaytospendmuchmoneyfornewonesnow。\"
\"Thelibrary！\"saidMr。Tolman。\"Haveyoualibrary？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"repliedtheoldlady。\"I\'vehadacirculatinglibraryherefornearlyfifteenyears。Thereitisonthosetwouppershelvesbehindyou。\"
Mr。Tolmanturned，andbeheldtwolongrowsofbooksinbrown-papercovers，withashortstep-ladder，standingnearthedooroftheinnerroom，bywhichtheseshelvesmightbereached。
Thispleasedhimgreatly。Hehadhadnoideathattherewasalibraryhere。
\"Ideclare！\"saidhe。\"Itmustbeverypleasanttomanageacirculatinglibrary——asmallonelikethis，Imean。Ishouldn\'tmindgoingintoabusinessofthekindmyself。\"
Theoldladylookedup，surprised。Didhewishtogointobusiness？Shehadnotsupposedthat，justfromlookingathim。
Mr。Tolmanexplainedhisviewstoher。Hedidnottellwhathehadbeendoinginthewayofbusiness，orwhatMr。Canterfieldwasdoingforhimnow。Hemerelystatedhispresentwishes，andacknowledgedtoherthatitwastheattractivenessofherestablishmentthathadledhimtocomein。
\"Thenyoudonotwantthepenknife？\"shesaidquickly。
\"Oh，yes，Ido，\"saidhe。\"AndIreallybelieve，ifwecancometoterms，thatIwouldlikethetwootherknives，togetherwiththerestofyourstockintrade。\"
Theoldladylaughedalittlenervously。Shehopedverymuchindeedthattheycouldcometoterms。Shebroughtachairfromthebackroom，andMr。Tolmansatdownwithherbythestovetotalkitover。Fewcustomerscameintointerruptthem，andtheytalkedthematteroververythoroughly。Theybothcametotheconclusionthattherewouldbenodifficultyaboutterms，noraboutMr。Tolman\'sabilitytocarryonthebusinessafteraverylittleinstructionfromthepresentproprietress。WhenMr。
Tolmanleft，itwaswiththeunderstandingthathewastocallagaininacoupleofdays，whenthesonHenrywouldbeathome，andmatterscouldbedefinitelyarranged。
Whenthethreemet，thebargainwassoonstruck。Aseachpartywassodesirousofmakingit，fewdifficultieswereinterposed。Theoldlady，indeed，wasinfavorofsomedelayinthetransferoftheestablishment，asshewouldliketocleananddusteveryshelfandcornerandeveryarticleintheplace。ButMr。Tolmanwasinahurrytotakepossession；andasthesonHenrywouldhavetostartoffonanothertripinashorttime，hewantedtoseehismothermovedandsettledbeforeheleft。Therewasnotmuchtomovebuttrunksandbandboxes，andsomeantiquatedpiecesoffurnitureofspecialvaluetotheoldlady，forMr。Tolmaninsistedonbuyingeverythinginthehouse，justasitstood。Thewholethingdidnotcosthim，hesaidtohimself，asmuchassomeofhisacquaintanceswouldpayforahorse。ThemethodicalsonHenrytookanaccountofstock，andMr。Tolmantookseverallessonsfromtheoldlady，inwhichsheexplainedtohimhowtofindoutthesellingpricesofthevariousarticlesfromthemarksonthelittletagsattachedtothem。Andsheparticularlyinstructedhiminthemanagementofthecirculatinglibrary。Sheinformedhimofthecharacterofthebooks，and，asfaraspossible，ofthecharacteroftheregularpatrons。Shetoldhimwhomhemighttrusttotakeoutabookwithoutpayingfortheonebroughtin，iftheydidn\'thappentohavethechangewiththem，andsheindicatedwithlittlecrossesoppositetheirnamesthosepersonswhoshouldberequiredtopaycashdownforwhattheyhadhad，beforereceivingfurtherbenefits。
ItwasastonishingtoseewhatinterestMr。Tolmantookinallthis。Hewasreallyanxioustomeetsomeofthepeopleaboutwhomtheoldladydiscoursed。Hetried，too，torememberafewofthemanythingsshetoldhimofhermethodsofbuyingandselling，andthegeneralmanagementofhershop；andheprobablydidnotforgetmorethanthreefourthsofwhatshetoldhim。
Finallyeverythingwassettledtothesatisfactionofthetwomalepartiestothebargain，——althoughtheoldladythoughtofahundredthingsshewouldyetliketodo，——andonefinefrostyafternoonacart-loadoffurnitureandbaggageleftthedoor，theoldladyandhersontookleaveoftheoldplace，andMr。Tolmanwasleftsittingbehindthelittlecounter，thesolemanagerandproprietorofacirculatinglibraryandastationeryandnotionshop。Helaughedwhenhethoughtofit，butherubbedhishandsandfeltverywellsatisfied。
\"Thereisnothingreallycrazyaboutit，\"hesaidtohimself。
\"IfthereisathingthatIthinkIwouldlike，andIcanaffordtohaveit，andthere\'snoharminit，whynothaveit？\"
Therewasnobodytheretosayanythingagainstthis，soMr。
Tolmanrubbedhishandsagainbeforethefire，androsetowalkupanddownhisshop，andwonderwhowouldbehisfirstcustomer。
Inthecourseoftwentyminutesalittleboyopenedthedoorandcamein。Mr。Tolmanhastenedbehindthecountertoreceivehiscommands。Thelittleboywantedtwosheetsofnote-paperandanenvelope。
\"Anyparticularkind！\"askedMr。Tolman。
Theboydidn\'tknowofanyparticularvarietybeingdesired。
Hethoughtthesamekindshealwaysgotwoulddo。AndhelookedveryhardatMr。Tolman，evidentlywonderingatthechangeintheshopkeeper，butaskingnoquestions。
\"Youarearegularcustomer，Isuppose，\"saidMr。Tolman，openingseveralboxesofpaperwhichhehadtakendownfromtheshelves。\"Ihavejustbegunbusinesshere，anddon\'tknowwhatkindofpaperyouhavebeeninthehabitofbuying。ButI
supposethiswilldo。\"Andhetookoutacoupleofsheetsofthebest，withanenvelopetomatch。Thesehecarefullytiedupinapieceofthinbrownpaper，andgavetotheboy，whohandedhimthreecents。Mr。Tolmantookthem，smiled，andthen，havingmadearapidcalculation，hecalledtotheboy，whowasjustopeningthedoor，andgavehimbackonecent。
\"Youhavepaidmetoomuch，\"hesaid。
Theboytookthecent，lookedatMr。Tolman，andthengotoutofthestoreasquicklyashecould。
\"Suchprofitsasthatareenormous，\"saidMr。Tolman，\"butI
supposethesmallsalesbalancethem。\"ThisMr。Tolmansubsequentlyfoundtobethecase。
Oneortwoothercustomerscameininthecourseoftheafternoon，andaboutdarkthepeoplewhotookoutbooksbegantoarrive。ThesekeptMr。Tolmanverybusy。Henotonlyhadtodoagooddealofenteringandcancelling，buthehadtoansweragreatmanyquestionsaboutthechangeinproprietorship，andtheprobabilityofhisgettinginsomenewbooks，withsuggestionsastothequantityandcharacterofthese，mingledwithafewdissatisfiedremarksinregardtothevolumesalreadyonhand。
Everyoneseemedsorrythattheoldladyhadgoneaway。ButMr。Tolmanwassopleasantandanxioustoplease，andtooksuchaninterestintheirselectionofbooks，thatonlyoneofthesubscribersappearedtotakethechangeverymuchtoheart。Thiswasayoungmanwhowasforty-threecentsinarrears。Hewasalongtimeselectingabook，andwhenatlasthebroughtittoMr。Tolmantobeentered，hetoldhiminalowvoicethathehopedtherewouldbenoobjectiontolettinghisaccountrunonforalittlewhilelonger。Onthefirstofthemonthhewouldsettleit，andthenhehopedtobeabletopaycashwheneverhebroughtinabook。
Mr。Tolmanlookedforhisnameontheoldlady\'slist，and，findingnocrossagainstit，toldhimthatitwasallright，andthatthefirstofthemonthwoulddoverywell。Theyoungmanwentawayperfectlysatisfiedwiththenewlibrarian。ThusdidMr。Tolmanbegintobuilduphispopularity。Astheeveninggrewonhefoundhimselfbecomingveryhungry。Buthedidnotliketoshutuptheshop，foreverynowandthensomeonedroppedin，sometimestoaskwhattimeitwas，andsometimestomakealittlepurchase，whiletherewerestillsomelibrarypatronscominginatintervals。
However，takingcourageduringashortrestfromcustomers，heputuptheshutters，lockedthedoor，andhurriedofftoahotel，wherehepartookofamealsuchasfewkeepersoflittleshopseverthinkofindulgingin。
ThenextmorningMr。Tolmangothisownbreakfast。Thiswasdelightful。Hehadseenhowcosilytheoldladyhadspreadhertableinthelittlebackroom，wheretherewasastovesuitableforanycookinghemightwishtoindulgein，andhelongedforsuchacoseymeal。Therewereplentyofstockprovisionsinthehouse，whichhehadpurchasedwiththerestofthegoods，andhewentoutandboughthimselfafreshloafofbread。Thenhebroiledapieceofham，madesomegoodstrongtea，boiledsomeeggs，andhadabreakfastonthelittleroundtablewhich，thoughplainenough，heenjoyedmorethananybreakfastathisclubwhichhecouldremember。Hehadopenedtheshop，andsatfacingtheglassdoor，hoping，almost，thattherewouldbesomeinterruptiontohismeal。Itwouldseemsomuchmoreproperinthatsortofbusinessifhehadtogetupandgoattendtoacustomer。
BeforetheeveningofthatdayMr。Tolmanbecameconvincedthathewouldsoonbeobligedtoemployaboyorsomeonetoattendtotheestablishmentduringhisabsence。Afterbreakfast，awomanrecommendedbytheoldladycametomakehisbedandcleanupgenerally，butwhenshehadgonehewasleftalonewithhisshop。Hedeterminednottoallowthisresponsibilitytoinjurehishealth，andsoatoneo\'clockboldlylockedtheshopdoorandwentouttohislunch。Hehopedthatnoonewouldcallduringhisabsence，butwhenhereturnedhefoundalittlegirlwithapitcherstandingatthedoor。Shecametoborrowhalfapintofmilk。
\"Milk！\"exclaimedMr。Tolman，insurprise。\"Why，mychild，I
havenomilk。Idon\'tevenuseitinmytea。\"
Thelittlegirllookedverymuchdisappointed。\"IsMrs。
Walkergoneawayforgood？\"saidshe。
\"Yes，\"repliedMr。Tolman。\"ButIwouldbejustaswillingtolendyouthemilkasshewouldbe，ifIhadany。Isthereanyplacenearherewhereyoucanbuymilk？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidthegirl。\"Youcangetitroundinthemarket-house。\"
\"Howmuchwouldhalfapintcost？\"heasked。
\"Threecents，\"repliedthegirl。
\"Well，then，\"saidMr。Tolman，\"herearethreecents。Youcangoandbuythemilkforme，andthenyoucanborrowit。Willthatsuit？\"
Thegirlthoughtitwouldsuitverywell，andawayshewent。
EventhislittleincidentpleasedMr。Tolman。Itwassoverynovel。Whenhecamebackfromhisdinnerintheevening，hefoundtwocirculatinglibrarysubscribersstampingtheirfeetonthedoor-step，andheafterwardsheardthatseveralothershadcalledandgoneaway。Itwouldcertainlyinjurethelibraryifhesuspendedbusinessatmeal-times。Hecouldeasilyhavehischoiceofahundredboysifhechosetoadvertiseforone，butheshrankfromhavingayoungsterintheplace。Itwouldinterferegreatlywithhiscosinessandhisexperiences。Hemightpossiblyfindaboywhowenttoschool，andwhowouldbewillingtocomeatnoonandintheeveningifhewerepaidenough。Butitwouldhavetobeaverysteadyandresponsibleboy。Hewouldthinkitoverbeforetakinganysteps。
Hethoughtitoverforadayortwo，buthedidnotspendhiswholetimeindoingso。Whenhehadnocustomers，hesaunteredaboutinthelittleparlorovertheshop，withitsoddoldfurniture，itsquaintprintsonthewalls，anditsabsurdornamentsonthemantelpiece。Theotherlittleroomsseemedalmostasfunnytohim，andhewassorrywhenthebellontheshopdoorcalledhimdownfromtheircontemplation。Itwaspleasanttohimtothinkthatheownedalltheseoddthings。Theownershipofthevariedgoodsintheshopalsogavehimanagreeablefeelingwhichnoneofhisotherpossessionshadeveraffordedhim。Itwasallsooddandnovel。
Helikedmuchtolookoverthebooksinthelibrary。Manyofthemwereoldnovels，thenamesofwhichwerefamiliarenoughtohim，butwhichhehadneverread。Hedeterminedtoreadsomeofthemassoonashefeltfixedandsettled。
Inlookingoverthebookinwhichthenamesandaccountsofthesubscriberswereentered，heamusedhimselfbywonderingwhatsortofpersonstheywerewhohadoutcertainbooks。Who，forinstance，wantedtoread\"TheBookofCats，\"andwhocouldpossiblycarefor\"TheMysteriesofUdolpho\"？ButtheunknownpersoninregardtowhomMr。Tolmanfeltthegreatestcuriositywasthesubscriberwhonowhadinhispossessionavolumeentitled\"Dormstock\'sLogarithmsoftheDiapason。\"
\"Howonearth，\"exclaimedMr。Tolman，\"didsuchabookgetintothislibrary？Andwhereonearthdidthepersonspringfromwhowouldwanttotakeitout？Andnotonlywanttotakeit，\"hecontinued，asheexaminedtheentryregardingthevolume，\"butcomeandhaveitrenewedone，two，three，four——ninetimes！Hehashadthatbookforeighteenweeks！\"
Withoutexactlymakinguphismindtodoso，Mr。TolmandeferredtakingstepstowardgettinganassistantuntilP。
Glascow，thepersoninquestion，shouldmakeanappearance，anditwasnearlytimeforthebooktobebroughtinagain。
\"IfIgetaboynow，\"thoughtMr。Tolman，\"GlascowwillbesuretocomeandbringthebookwhileIamout。\"
Inalmostexactlytwoweeksfromthedateofthelastrenewalofthebook，P。Glascowcamein。Itwasthemiddleoftheafternoon，andMr。Tolmanwasalone。Thisinvestigatorofmusicalphilosophywasaquietyoungmanofaboutthirty，wearingalight-browncloak，andcarryingunderonearmalargebook。
P。Glascowwassurprisedwhenheheardofthechangeintheproprietorshipofthelibrary。Still，hehopedthattherewouldbenoobjectiontohisrenewingthebookwhichhehadwithhim，andwhichhehadtakenoutsometimeago。
\"Oh，no，\"saidMr。Tolman，\"noneintheworld。Infact，I
don\'tsupposethereareanyothersubscriberswhowouldwantit。
Ihavehadthecuriositytolooktoseeifithadeverbeentakenoutbefore，andIfindithasnot。\"
Theyoungmansmiledquietly。\"No，\"saidhe，\"Isupposenot。Itisnoteveryonewhowouldcaretostudythehighermathematicsofmusic，especiallywhentreatedasDormstocktreatsthesubject。\"
\"Heseemstogointoitprettydeeply，\"remarkedMr。Tolman，whohadtakenupthebook。\"Atleast，Ishouldthinkso，judgingfromallthesecalculations，andproblems，andsquares，andcubes。\"
\"Indeedhedoes，\"saidGlascow。\"AndalthoughIhavehadthebooksomemonths，andhavemorereadingtimeatmydisposalthanmostpersons，Ihaveonlyreachedthefifty-sixthpage，anddoubtifIshallnothavetoreviewsomeofthatbeforeIcanfeelthatIthoroughlyunderstandit。\"
\"Andtherearethreehundredandfortypagesinall！\"saidMr。Tolman，compassionately。
\"Yes，\"repliedtheother。\"ButIamquitesurethatthematterwillgroweasierasIproceed。IhavefoundthatoutfromwhatIhavealreadydone。\"
\"Yousayyouhaveagooddealofleisure？\"remarkedMr。
Tolman。\"Isthemusicalbusinessdullatpresent？\"
\"Oh，I\'mnotinthemusicalbusiness，\"saidGlascow。\"Ihaveagreatloveformusic，andwishtothoroughlyunderstandit。
Butmybusinessisquitedifferent。Iamanightdruggist，andthatisthereasonIhavesomuchleisureforreading。\"
\"Anightdruggist？\"repeatedMr。Tolman，inquiringly。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidtheother。\"Iaminalargedowntowndrugstorewhichiskeptopenallnight，andIgoondutyafterthedayclerksleave。\"
\"Anddoesthatgiveyoumoreleisure？\"askedMr。Tolman。
\"Itseemsto，\"answeredGlascow。\"Isleepuntilaboutnoon，andthenIhavetherestoftheday，untilseveno\'clock，tomyself。Ithinkthatpeoplewhoworkatnightcanmakeamoresatisfactoryuseoftheirowntimethanthosewhoworkinthedaytime。InthesummerIcantakeatripontheriver，orgosomewhereoutoftown，everyday，ifIlike。\"
\"Daylightismoreavailableformanythings，thatistrue，\"
saidMr。Tolman。\"Butisitnotdreadfullylonelysittinginadrugstoreallnight？Therecan\'tbemanypeopletocometobuymedicineatnight。Ithoughttherewasgenerallyanight-belltodrugstores，bywhichaclerkcouldbeawakenedifanybodywantedanything。\"
\"It\'snotverylonelyinourstoreatnight，\"saidGlascow。\"Infact，it\'softenmorelivelythenthaninthedaytime。Yousee，wearerightdownamongthenewspaperoffices，andthere\'salwayssomebodycominginforsoda-water，orcigars，orsomethingorother。Thestoreisabright，warmplaceforthenighteditorsandreporterstomeettogetherandtalkanddrinkhotsoda，andthere\'salwaysaknotof\'emaroundthestoveaboutthetimethepapersbegintogotopress。Andthey\'realivelyset，Icantellyou，sir。I\'veheardsomeofthebeststoriesI
everheardinmylifetoldinourplaceafterthreeo\'clockinthemorning。\"
\"Astrangelife！\"saidMr。Tolman。\"Doyouknow，Ineverthoughtthatpeopleamusedthemselvesinthatway——andnightafternight，Isuppose。\"
\"Yes，sir，nightafternight，Sundaysandall。\"
Thenightdruggistnowtookuphisbook。
\"Goinghometoread？\"askedMr。Tolman。
\"Well，no，\"saidtheother。\"It\'srathercoldthisafternoontoread。IthinkI\'lltakeabriskwalk。\"
\"Can\'tyouleaveyourbookuntilyoureturn！\"askedMr。
Tolman。\"Thatis，ifyouwillcomebackthisway。It\'sanawkwardbooktocarryabout。\"
\"Thankyou，Iwill，\"saidGlascow。\"Ishallcomebackthisway。\"
Whenhehadgone，Mr。Tolmantookupthebook，andbegantolookoveritmorecarefullythanhehaddonebefore。Buthisexaminationdidnotlastlong。
\"Howanybodyofcommonsensecantakeanyinterestinthisstuffisbeyondmycomprehension，\"saidMr。Tolman，asheclosedthebookandputitonalittleshelfbehindthecounter。
WhenGlascowcameback，Mr。Tolmanaskedhimtostayandwarmhimself。Andthen，aftertheyhadtalkedforashorttime，Mr。Tolmanbegantofeelhungry。Hehadhiswinterappetite，andhadlunchedearly。Sosaidhetothenightdruggist，whohadopenedhis\"Dormstock，\"\"Howwouldyouliketosithereandreadawhile，whileIgoandgetmydinner？Iwilllightthegas，andyoucanbeverycomfortablehere，ifyouarenotinahurry。\"
P。Glascowwasinnohurryatall，andwasverygladtohavesomequietreadingbyawarmfire；andsoMr。Tolmanlefthim，feelingperfectlyconfidentthatamanwhohadbeenallowedbytheoldladytorenewabookninetimesmustbeperfectlytrustworthy。
WhenMr。Tolmanreturned，thetwohadsomefurtherconversationinthecornerbythelittlestove。
\"Itmustberatherannoying，\"saidthenightdruggist，\"nottobeabletogoouttoyourmealswithoutshuttingupyourshop。
Ifyoulike，\"saidhe，ratherhesitatingly，\"Iwillstopinaboutthistimeintheafternoon，andstayherewhileyougotodinner。
I\'llbegladtodothisuntilyougetanassistant。Icaneasilyattendtomostpeoplewhocomein，andotherscanwait。\"
Mr。Tolmanjumpedatthisproposition。Itwasexactlywhathewanted。
SoP。Glascowcameeveryafternoonandread\"Dormstock\"whileMr。Tolmanwenttodinner；andbeforelonghecameatlunch-timealso。Itwasjustasconvenientasnot，hesaid。Hehadfinishedhisbreakfast，andwouldliketoreadawhile。Mr。
Tolmanfanciedthatthenightdruggist\'slodgingswere，perhaps，notverywellwarmed，whichideaexplainedthedesiretowalkratherthanreadonacoldafternoon。Glascow\'snamewasenteredonthefreelist，andhealwaystookawaythe\"Dormstock\"
atnight，becausehemighthaveachanceoflookingintoitatthestore，whencustombegantogrowslackinthelatterpartoftheearlymorning。
Oneafternoontherecameintotheshopayounglady，whobroughtbacktwobookswhichshehadhadformorethanamonth。
Shemadenoexcusesforkeepingthebookslongerthantheprescribedtime，butsimplyhandedtheminandpaidherfine。
Mr。Tolmandidnotliketotakethismoney，foritwasthefirstofthekindhehadreceived；buttheyoungladylookedasifshewerewellabletoaffordtheluxuryofkeepingbooksovertheirtime，andbusinesswasbusiness。Sohegravelygaveherherchange。Thenshesaidshewouldliketotakeout\"Dormstock\'sLogarithmsoftheDiapason。\"
Mr。Tolmanstaredather。Shewasabright，handsomeyounglady，andlookedasifshehadverygoodsense。Hecouldnotunderstandit。Buthetoldherthebookwasout。
\"Out！\"shesaid。\"Why，it\'salwaysout。Itseemsstrangetomethatthereshouldbesuchademandforthatbook。Ihavebeentryingtogetitforeversolong。\"
\"ItISstrange，\"saidMr。Tolman，\"butitiscertainlyindemand。DidMrs。Walkerevermakeyouanypromisesaboutit？\"
\"No，\"saidshe，\"butIthoughtmyturnwouldcomearoundsometime。AndIparticularlywantthebookjustnow。\"
Mr。Tolmanfeltsomewhattroubled。Heknewthatthenightdruggistoughtnottomonopolizethevolume，andyethedidnotwishtodisobligeonewhowassousefultohim，andwhotooksuchanearnestinterestinthebook。Andhecouldnottemporizewiththeyounglady，andsaythathethoughtthebookwouldsoonbein。Heknewitwouldnot。Therewerethreehundredandfortypagesofit。Sohemerelyremarkedthathewassorry。
\"SoamI，\"saidtheyounglady，\"verysorry。ItsohappensthatjustnowIhaveapeculiaropportunityforstudyingthatbookwhichmaynotoccuragain。\"
TherewassomethinginMr。Tolman\'ssympatheticfacewhichseemedtoinviteherconfidence，andshecontinued。
\"Iamateacher，\"shesaid，\"andonaccountofcertaincircumstancesIhaveaholidayforamonth，whichIintendedtogiveupalmostentirelytothestudyofmusic，andIparticularlywanted\"Dormstock。\"Doyouthinkthereisanychanceofitsearlyreturn，andwillyoureserveitforme？\"
\"Reserveit！\"saidMr。Tolman。\"MostcertainlyIwill。\"Andthenhereflectedasecondortwo。\"Ifyouwillcomeherethedayafterto-morrow，Iwillbeabletotellyousomethingdefinite。\"
Shesaidshewouldcome。
Mr。Tolmanwasoutalongtimeatlunch-timethenextday。
Hewenttoalltheleadingbook-storestoseeifhecouldbuyacopyofDormstock\'sgreatwork。Buthewasunsuccessful。Thebooksellerstoldhimthattherewasnoprobabilitythathecouldgetacopyinthecountry，unless，indeed，hefounditinthestockofsomesecond-handdealer，andthatevenifhesenttoEnglandforit，whereitwaspublished，itwasnotlikelyhecouldgetit，forithadbeenlongoutofprint。Therewasnodemandatallforit。Thenextdayhewenttoseveralsecond-
handstores，butno\"Dormstock\"couldhefind。
WhenhecamebackhespoketoGlascowonthesubject。Hewassorrytodoso，butthoughtthatsimplejusticecompelledhimtomentionthematter。Thenightdruggistwasthrownintoaperturbedstateofmindbytheinformationthatsomeonewantedhisbelovedbook。
\"Awoman！\"heexclaimed。\"Why，shewouldnotunderstandtwopagesoutofthewholeofit。Itistoobad。Ididn\'tsupposeanyonewouldwantthisbook。\"
\"Donotdisturbyourselftoomuch，\"saidMr。Tolman。\"Iamnotsurethatyououghttogiveitup。\"
\"Iamverygladtohearyousayso，\"saidGlascow。\"Ihavenodoubtitisonlyapassingfancywithher。Idaresayshewouldreallyratherhaveagoodnewnovel。\"Andthen，havingheardthattheladywasexpectedthatafternoon，hewentouttowalk，withthe\"Dormstock\"underhisarm。
Whentheyoungladyarrived，anhourorsolater，shewasnotatallsatisfiedtotakeoutanewnovel，andwasverysorryindeednottofindthe\"LogarithmsoftheDiapason\"waitingforher。Mr。Tolmantoldherthathehadtriedtobuyanothercopyofthework，andforthissheexpressedherselfgratefully。Healsofoundhimselfcompelledtosaythatthebookwasinthepossessionofagentlemanwhohadhaditforsometime——allthetimeithadbeenout，infact——andhadnotyetfinishedit。
Atthistheyoungladyseemedsomewhatnettled。
\"Isitnotagainsttherulesforanypersontokeeponebookoutsolong？\"sheasked。
\"No，\"saidMr。Tolman。\"Ihavelookedintothat。Ourrulesareverysimple，andmerelysaythatabookmayberenewedbythepaymentofacertainsum。\"
\"ThenIamnevertohaveit？\"remarkedtheyounglady。
\"Oh，Iwouldn\'tdespairaboutit，\"saidMr。Tolman。\"Hehasnothadtimetoreflectuponthematter。Heisareasonableyoungman，andIbelievethathewillbewillingtogiveuphisstudyofthebookforatimeandletyoutakeit。\"
\"No，\"saidshe，\"Idon\'twishthat。Ifheisstudying，asyousayheis，dayandnight，Idonotwishtointerrupthim。I
shouldwantthebookatleastamonth，andthat，Isuppose，wouldupsethiscourseofstudyentirely。ButIdonotthinkanyoneshouldbegininacirculatinglibrarytostudyabookthatwilltakehimayeartofinish；for，fromwhatyousay，itwilltakethisgentlemanatleastthattimetofinishDormstock\'sbook。\"
Soshewentherway。
WhenP。Glascowheardallthisintheevening，hewasverygrave。Hehadevidentlybeenreflecting。
\"Itisnotfair，\"saidhe。\"Ioughtnottokeepthebooksolong。Inowgiveitupforawhile。Youmayletherhaveitwhenshecomes。\"Andheputthe\"Dormstock\"onthecounter，andwentandsatdownbythestove。
Mr。Tolmanwasgrieved。Heknewthenightdruggisthaddoneright，butstillhewassorryforhim。\"Whatwillyoudo？\"heasked。\"Willyoustopyourstudies？\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidGlascow，gazingsolemnlyintothestove。
\"IwilltakeupsomeotherbooksonthediapasonwhichIhave，andsowillkeepmyideasfreshonthesubjectuntilthisladyisdonewiththebook。Idonotreallybelieveshewillstudyitverylong。\"Thenheadded：\"Ifitisallthesametoyou，I
willcomearoundhereandread，asIhavebeendoing，untilyoushallgetaregularassistant。\"
Mr。Tolmanwouldbedelightedtohavehimcome，hesaid。Hehadentirelygivenuptheideaofgettinganassistant，butthishedidnotsay。
Itwassometimebeforetheladycameback，andMr。Tolmanwasafraidshewasnotcomingatall。Butshedidcome，andaskedforMrs。Burney\'s\"Evelina。\"Shesmiledwhenshenamedthebook，andsaidthatshebelievedshewouldhavetotakeanovel，afterall，andshehadalwayswantedtoreadthatone。
\"Iwouldn\'ttakeanovelifIwereyou，\"saidMr。Tolman；andhetriumphantlytookdownthe\"Dormstock\"andlaiditbeforeher。
Shewasevidentlymuchpleased，butwhenhetoldherofMr。
Glascow\'sgentlemanlyconductinthematter，hercountenanceinstantlychanged。
\"Notatall，\"saidshe，layingdownthebook。\"Iwillnotbreakuphisstudy。Iwilltakethe`Evelina\'ifyouplease。\"
AndasnopersuasionfromMr。Tolmanhadanyeffectuponher，shewentawaywithMrs。Burney\'snovelinhermuff。
\"Now，then，\"saidMr。TolmantoGlascow，intheevening，\"youmayaswelltakethebookalongwithyou。Shewon\'thaveit。\"
ButGlascowwoulddonothingofthekind。\"No，\"heremarked，ashesatlookingintothestove。\"WhenIsaidIwouldletherhaveit，Imeantit。She\'lltakeitwhensheseesthatitcontinuestoremaininthelibrary。\"
Glascowwasmistaken：shedidnottakeit，havingtheideathathewouldsoonconcludethatitwouldbewiserforhimtoreaditthantoletitstandidlyontheshelf。
\"Itwouldservethembothright，\"saidMr。Tolmantohimself，\"ifsomebodyelseshouldcomeandtakeit。\"Buttherewasnooneelseamonghissubscriberswhowouldeventhinkofsuchathing。
Oneday，however，theyoungladycameinandaskedtolookatthebook。\"Don\'tthinkthatIamgoingtotakeitout，\"shesaid，noticingMr。Tolman\'slookofpleasureashehandedherthevolume。\"IonlywishtoseewhathesaysonacertainsubjectwhichIamstudyingnow。\"AndsoshesatdownbythestoveonthechairwhichMr。Tolmanplacedforher，andopened\"Dormstock。\"
Shesatearnestlyporingoverthebookforhalfanhourormore，andthenshelookedupandsaid：\"Ireallycannotmakeoutwhatthispartmeans。Excusemytroublingyou，butIwouldbeverygladifyouwouldexplainthelatterpartofthispassage。\"
\"Me！\"exclaimedMr。Tolman。\"Why，mygoodmadam，——miss，I
mean，——Icouldn\'texplainittoyouifitweretosavemylife。
Butwhatpageisit？\"saidhe，lookingathiswatch。
\"Pagetwenty-four，\"answeredtheyounglady。
\"Oh，well，then，\"saidhe，\"ifyoucanwaittenorfifteenminutes，thegentlemanwhohashadthebookwillbehere，andI
thinkhecanexplainanythinginthefirstpartofthework。\"
Theyoungladyseemedtohesitatewhethertowaitornot；butasshehadacertaincuriositytoseewhatsortofapersonhewaswhohadbeensoabsorbedinthebook，sheconcludedtositalittlelongerandlookintosomeotherpartsofthevolume。
Thenightdruggistsooncamein，andwhenMr。Tolmanintroducedhimtothelady，hereadilyagreedtoexplainthepassagetoherifhecould。SoMr。Tolmangothimachairfromtheinnerroom，andhealsosatdownbythestove。
Theexplanationwasdifficult，butitwasachievedatlast，andthentheyoungladybroachedthesubjectofleavingthebookunused。Thiswasdiscussedforsometime，butcametonothing，althoughMr。Tolmanputdownhisafternoonpaperandjoinedintheargument，urging，amongotherpoints，thatasthematternowstoodhewasdeprivedbythedead-lockofallincomefromthebook。Buteventhisstrongargumentprovedofnoavail。
\"ThenIwilltellyouwhatIwishyouwoulddo，\"saidMr。
Tolman，astheyoungladyrosetogo：\"comehereandlookatthebookwheneveryouwishtodoso。Iwouldliketomakethismoreofareading-room，anyway。Itwouldgivememorecompany。\"
Afterthistheyoungladylookedinto\"Dormstock\"whenshecamein；andasherholidayshadbeenextendedbythecontinuedabsenceofthefamilyinwhichshetaught，shehadplentyoftimeforstudy，andcamequitefrequently。SheoftenmetGlascowintheshop，andonsuchoccasionstheygenerallyconsulted\"Dormstock，\"andsometimeshadquitelengthytalksonmusicalmatters。Oneafternoontheycameintogether，havingmetontheirwaytothelibrary，andenteredintoaconversationondiapasoniclogarithms，whichcontinuedduringthelady\'sstayintheshop。
\"Theproperthing，\"thoughtMr。Tolman，\"wouldbeforthesetwopeopletogetmarried。Thentheycouldtakethebookandstudyittotheirheart\'scontent。Andtheywouldcertainlysuiteachother，fortheyarebothgreatlyattachedtomusicalmathematicsandphilosophy，andneitherofthemeitherplaysorsings，astheyhavetoldme。Itwouldbeanadmirablematch。\"
Mr。Tolmanthoughtoverthismatteragooddeal，andatlastdeterminedtomentionittoGlascow。Whenhedidso，theyoungmancolored，andexpressedtheopinionthatitwouldbeofnousetothinkofsuchathing。Butitwasevidentfromhismannerandsubsequentdiscoursethathehadthoughtofit。
Mr。Tolmangraduallybecamequiteanxiousonthesubject，especiallyasthenightdruggistdidnotseeminclinedtotakeanystepsinthematter。Theweatherwasnowbeginningtobewarmer，andMr。Tolmanreflectedthatthelittlehouseandthelittleshopwereprobablymuchmorecoseyandcomfortableinwinterthaninsummer。Therewerehigherbuildingsallaboutthehouse，andevennowhebegantofeelthatthecirculationofairwouldbequiteasagreeableasthecirculationofbooks。Hethoughtagooddealabouthisairyroomsintheneighboringcity。
\"Mr。Glascow，\"saidhe，oneafternoon，\"Ihavemadeupmymindtoselloutthisbusinessshortly。\"
\"What！\"exclaimedtheother。\"Doyoumeanyouwillgiveitupandgoaway——leavetheplacealtogether？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedMr。Tolman，\"Ishallgiveuptheplaceentirely，andleavethecity。\"
Thenightdruggistwasshocked。Hehadspentmanyhappyhoursinthatshop，andhishourstherewerenowbecomingpleasanterthanever。IfMr。Tolmanwentaway，allthismustend。Nothingofthekindcouldbeexpectedofanynewproprietor。
\"Andconsideringthis，\"continuedMr。Tolman，\"IthinkitwouldbewellforyoutobringyourlovematterstoaconclusionwhileIamheretohelpyou。\"
\"Mylovematters！\"exclaimedMr。Glascow，withaflush。
\"Yes，certainly，\"saidMr。Tolman。\"Ihaveeyes，andIknowallaboutit。NowletmetellyouwhatIthink。Whenathingistobedone，itoughttobedonethefirsttimethereisagoodchance。That\'sthewayIdobusiness。Nowyoumightaswellcomearoundhereto-morrowafternoonpreparedtoproposetoMissEdwards。Sheisdueto-morrow，forshehasbeentwodaysaway。
Ifshedoesn\'tcome，wewillpostponethematteruntilthenextday。Butyoushouldbereadyto-morrow。Idon\'tbelieveyoucanseehermuchwhenyoudon\'tmeetherhere，forthatfamilyisexpectedbackverysoon，andfromwhatIinferfromheraccountofheremployers，youwon\'tcaretovisitherattheirhouse。\"
Thenightdruggistwantedtothinkaboutit。
\"Thereisnothingtothink，\"saidMr。Tolman。\"Weknowallaboutthelady。\"Hespoketruly，forhehadinformedhimselfaboutbothpartiestotheaffair。\"Takemyadvice，andbehereto-morrowafternoon——andcomeratherearly。\"
ThenextmorningMr。Tolmanwentuptohisparloronthesecondfloor，andbroughtdowntwobluestuffedchairs，thebesthehad，andputtheminthelittleroombackoftheshop。Healsobroughtdownoneortwoknickknacksandputthemonthemantelpiece，andhedustedandbrighteneduptheroomaswellashecould。Heevencoveredthetablewitharedclothfromtheparlor。
Whentheyoungladyarrived，heinvitedhertowalkintothebackroomtolookoversomenewbookshehadjustgotin。Ifshehadknownheproposedtogiveupthebusiness，shewouldhavethoughtitratherstrangethatheshouldbebuyingnewbooks。
Butsheknewnothingofhisintentions。Whenshewasseatedatthetablewhereonthenewbookswerespread，Mr。TolmansteppedoutsideoftheshopdoortowatchforGlascow\'sapproach。Hesoonappeared。
\"Walkrightin，\"saidMr。Tolman。\"She\'sinthebackroomlookingoverbooks。I\'llwaithere，andkeepoutcustomersasfaraspossible。It\'spleasant，andIwantalittlefreshair。
I\'llgiveyoutwentyminutes。\"
Glascowwaspale，buthewentinwithoutaword，andMr。
Tolman，withhishandsunderhiscoat-tail，andhisfeetratherfarapart，establishedablockadeonthedoorstep。Hestoodthereforsometime，lookingatthepeopleoutside，andwonderingwhatthepeopleinsideweredoing。Thelittlegirlwhohadborrowedthemilkofhim，andwhohadneverreturnedit，wasabouttopassthedoor；butseeinghimstandingthere，shecrossedovertotheothersideofthestreet。Buthedidnotnoticeher。Hewaswonderingifitwastimetogoin。Aboycameuptothedoor，andwantedtoknowifhekeptEastereggs。
Mr。Tolmanwashappytosayhedidnot。Whenhehadallowedthenightdruggistaveryliberaltwentyminutes，hewentin。Asheenteredtheshopdoor，givingthebellaverydecidedringashedidso，P。Glascowcamedownthetwostepsthatledfromtheinnerroom。Hisfaceshowedthatitwasallrightwithhim。
AfewdaysafterthisMr。Tolmansoldouthisstock，goodwill，andfixtures，togetherwiththefurnitureandleaseofthehouse。AndwhoshouldhesellouttobuttoMr。Glascow！Thispieceofbusinesswasoneofthehappiestpointsinthewholeaffair。Therewasnoreasonwhythehappycoupleshouldnotbemarriedverysoon，andtheyoungladywascharmedtogiveupherpositionasteacherandgovernessinafamily，andcomeandtakechargeofthatdelightfullittlestoreandthatcunninglittlehouse，withalmosteverythinginitthattheywanted。
OnethingintheestablishmentMr。Tolmanrefusedtosell。
ThatwasDormstock\'sgreatwork。Hemadethecoupleapresentofthevolume，andbetweentwooftheearlierpagesheplacedabank-notewhichinvaluewasverymuchmorethanthatoftheordinaryweddinggift。
\"WhatareYOUgoingtodo？\"theyaskedofhim，whenallthesethingsweresettled。Andthenhetoldthemhowhewasgoingbacktohisbusinessintheneighboringcity，andhetoldthemwhatitwas，andhowhehadcometomanageacirculatinglibrary。Theydidnotthinkhimcrazy。Peoplewhostudiedthelogarithmsofthediapasonwouldnotbeapttothinkamancrazyforsuchalittlethingasthat。
WhenMr。TolmanreturnedtotheestablishmentofPusey&
Co。，hefoundeverythinggoingonverysatisfactorily。
\"Youlooktenyearsyounger，sir，\"saidMr。Canterfield。\"Youmusthavehadaverypleasanttime。Ididnotthinktherewasenoughtointerestyouin——forsolongatime。\"
\"Interestme！\"exclaimedMr。Tolman。\"Why，objectsofinterestcrowdedonme。Ineverhadamoreenjoyableholidayinmylife。\"
Whenhewenthomethateveningandhefoundhimselfquitewillingtogo，hetoreupthewillhehadmade。Henowfeltthattherewasnonecessityforprovinghissanity。
MYUNWILLINGNEIGHBOR
Iwasabouttwenty-fiveyearsoldwhenIbeganlifeastheownerofavineyardinwesternVirginia。Iboughtalargetractofland，thegreaterpartofwhichlayupontheslopingsideofoneofthefoot-hillsoftheBlueRidge，theexposurebeingthatmostfavorabletothegrowthofthevine。Iamanenthusiasticloverofthecountryandofcountrylife，andbelievedthatIshouldderivemorepleasureaswellasprofitfromthecultureofmyfar-stretchingvineyardthanIwouldfromordinaryfarmoperations。
Ibuiltmyselfagoodhouseofmoderatesizeuponalittleplateauonthehigherpartofmyestate。Sittinginmyporch，smokingmypipeafterthelaborsoftheday，Icouldlookdownovermyvineyardintoabeautifulvalley，withhereandtherealittlecurlingsmokearisingfromsomeofthefewdwellingswhichwerescatteredaboutamongthegrovesandspreadingfields，andabovethisbeautyIcouldimagineallmyhillsideclothedingreenandpurple。
Myfamilyconsistedofmyselfalone。ItistruethatI
expectedsomedaythattherewouldbeothersinmyhousebesidesmyself，butIwasnotreadyforthisyet。
DuringthesummerIfounditverypleasanttolivebymyself。Itwasanovelty，andIcouldarrangeandmanageeverythinginmyownfashion，whichwasapleasureIhadnotenjoyedwhenIlivedinmyfather\'shouse。ButwhenwintercameIfounditverylonely。Evenmyservantslivedinacabinatsomelittledistance，andthereweremanydarkandstormyeveningswhenthecompanyevenofaborewouldhavebeenwelcometome。SometimesIwalkedovertothetownandvisitedmyfriendsthere，butthiswasnotfeasibleonstormynights，andthewinterseemedtomeaverylongone。
Butspringcame，outdooroperationsbegan，andforafewweeksIfeltagainthatIwasall-sufficientformyownpleasureandcomfort。Thencameachange。Oneofthoseseasonsofbadandstormyweatherwhichsofrequentlyfollowanearlyspringsettleddownuponmyspiritsandmyhillside。Itrained，itwascold，fiercewindsblew，andIbecamemoreanxiousforsomebodytotalktothanIhadbeenatanytimeduringthewinter。
Onenight，whenaverybadstormwasraging，Iwenttobedearly，andasIlayawakeIrevolvedinmymindaschemeofwhichIhadfrequentlythoughtbefore。Iwouldbuildaneatlittlehouseonmygrounds，notveryfarawayfrommyhouse，butnottoonear，andIwouldaskJackBrandigertocomethereandlive。
Jackwasafriendofminewhowasreadinglawinthetown，anditseemedtomethatitwouldbemuchmorepleasant，andevenmoreprofitable，toreadlawonaprettyhillsideoverlookingacharmingvalley，withwoodsandmountainsbehindandabovehim，wherehecouldrambletohisheart\'scontent。
IhadthoughtofaskingJacktocomeandlivewithme，butthisideaIsoondismissed。Iamaveryparticularperson，andJackwasnot。Helefthispipesaboutinallsortsofplaces——sometimeswhentheywerestilllighted。Whenhecametoseemehewasquiteaslikelytoputhishatovertheinkstandastoputitanywhereelse。ButifJacklivedatalittledistance，andwecouldgobackwardandforwardtoseeeachotherwheneverwepleased，thatwouldbequiteanotherthing。Hecoulddoashepleasedinhisownhouse，andIcoulddoasIpleasedinmine，andwemighthavemanypleasanteveningstogether。Thiswasacheeringidea，andIwasplanninghowwemightarrangewiththenegrowomanwhomanagedmyhouseholdaffairstoattendalsotothoseofJackwhenIfellasleep。
IdidnotsleeplongbeforeIwasawakenedbytheincreasedviolenceofthestorm。Myhouseshookwiththefuryofthewind。
Therainseemedtobepouringonitsroofandnorthernsideasiftherewereawaterfallaboveus，andeverynowandthenIcouldhearashowerofhailstonesrattlingagainsttheshutters。Mybedroomwasoneoftheroomsonthelowerfloor，andeventhereI
couldhearthepoundingofthedelugeandthehailstonesupontheroof。
Allthiswasverydoleful，andhadatendencytodepressthespiritsofamanawakeandaloneinagood-sizedhouse。ButI
shookoffthisdepression。Itwas，notagreeabletobeupherebymyselfinsuchaterriblestorm，buttherewasnothingtobeafraidof，asmyhousewasnewandverystronglybuilt，beingconstructedoflogs，weather-boardedoutsideandceiledwithin。
Itwouldrequireahurricanetoblowofftheroof，andIbelievedmyshutterstobehail-proof。So，astherewasnoreasontostayawake，Iturnedoverandwenttosleep。
IdonotknowhowlongitwasbeforeIwasawakenedagain，thistimenotbythenoiseofthestorm，butbyacuriousmovementofmybedstead。Ihadoncefelttheslightshockofanearthquake，anditseemedtomethatthismustbesomethingofthekind。Certainlymybedmovedunderme。Isatup。Theroomwaspitchydark。InamomentIfeltanothermovement，butthistimeitdidnotseemtometoresembleanearthquakeshock。Suchmotion，Ithink，isgenerallyinhorizontaldirections，whilethatwhichIfeltwasmorelikethemovementofashipuponthewater。Thestormwasatitsheight；thewindragedandroared，andtherainseemedtobepouringdownasheavilyasever。
Iwasabouttogetupandlightthelamp，foreventhefaintestcandle-flamewouldbesomesortofcompanyatsuchagrewsomemoment，whenmybedsteadgaveanothermovement，moreshiplikethanbefore。Itactuallylurchedforwardasifitweredescendingintothetroughofthesea，but，unlikeaship，itdidnotriseagain，butremainedinsuchaslantingpositionthatI
begantoslidedowntowardthefoot。Ibelievethatifithadnotbeenabedsteadprovidedwithafootboard，Ishouldhaveslippedoutuponthefloor。
Ididnotjumpoutofbed。Ididnotdoanything。Iwastryingtothink，tounderstandthesituation，tofindoutwhetherIwasasleeporawake，whenIbecameawareofnoisesintheroomandalloverthehousewhicheventhroughthedinofthestormmadethemselvesnoticedbytheirpeculiarity。Tables，everythingintheroom，seemedtobegratingandgrindingonthefloor，andinamomenttherewasacrash。Iknewwhatthatmeant；mylamphadslippedoffthetable。Anydoubtonthatpointwouldhavebeendispelledbythesmellofkerosenewhichsoonfilledtheairoftheroom。
Themotionofthebed，whichInowbelievemusthavebeenthemotionofthewholehouse，stillcontinued；butthegratingnoisesintheroomgraduallyceased，fromwhichIinferredthatthefurniturehadbroughtupagainstthefrontwalloftheroom。
Itnowwasimpossibleformetogetupandstrikealight，fortodosowithkeroseneoilallovertheflooranditsvapordiffusedthroughtheroomwouldprobablyresultinsettingthehouseonfire。SoImuststayindarknessandwait。IdonotthinkIwasverymuchfrightened——Iwassoastonishedthattherewasnoroominmymindforfear。Infact，allmymentalenergieswereoccupiedintryingtofindoutwhathadhappened。Itrequired，however，onlyafewmoreminutesofreflection，andafewmoreminutesofthegrating，bumping，tremblingofmyhouse，toenablemetomakeupmymindwhatwashappening。Myhousewasslidingdownhill！
Thewindmusthaveblownthebuildingfromitsfoundations，andupontheslipperysurfaceofthehillside，probablylashedintoliquidmudbythepouringrain，itwasmakingitswaydowntowardthevalley！Inaflashmymind\'seyeranoverthewholesurfaceofthecountrybeneathmeasfarasIknewit。Iwasalmostpositivethattherewasnoprecipice，noterriblechasmintowhichmyhousemightfall。Therewasnothingbutslopinghillside，andbeneaththatawidestretchoffields。
Nowtherewasanewandsuddennoiseofheavyobjectsfallingupontheroof，andIknewwhatthatmeant：mychimneyhadbeenwrenchedfromitsfoundations，andtheupperpartofithadnowtoppledover。Icouldhear，throughthestorm，thebricksbangingandslidingupontheslantingroof。Continuoussoundsofcrackingandsnappingcametomethroughtheclosedfrontwindows，andthesewerecaused，Isupposed，bythedestructionofthestakesofmyvinesastheheavyhousemovedoverthem。
Ofcourse，whenIthoroughlyunderstoodthestateofthecase，myfirstimpulsewastospringoutofbed，and，asquicklyaspossible，togetoutofthatthumpingandslidinghouse。ButIrestrainedmyself。Thefloormightbecoveredwithbrokenglass，Imightnotbeabletofindmyclothesinthedarknessandinthejumbleoffurnitureattheendoftheroom，andevenifI
coulddressmyself，itwouldbefollytojumpoutinthemidstofthatragingstormintoaprobablemassofwreckagewhichIcouldnotsee。Itwouldbefarbettertoremaindryandwarmundermyroof。Therewasnoreasonwhatevertosupposethatthehousewouldgotopieces，orthatitwouldturnover。Itmuststopsometimeorother，and，untilitdidso，Iwouldbesaferinmybedthananywhereelse。ThereforeinmybedIstayed。
Sittingupright，withmyfeetpressedagainstthefootboard，Ilistenedandfelt。Thenoisesofthestorm，andthecrackingandthesnappingandgrindingbeforemeandunderme，stillcontinued，althoughIsometimesthoughtthatthewindwasmoderatingalittle，andthatthestrangemotionwasbecomingmoreregular。Ibelievedthehousewasmovingfasterthanwhenitfirstbeganitsstrangecareer，butthatitwasslidingoverasmoothsurface。NowInoticedasuccessionofloudcracksandsnapsatthefrontofthehouse，and，fromthecharacterofthesounds，Iconcludedthatmylittlefrontporch，whichhadbeenactingasacutwateratthebowofmyshiplikehouse，hadyieldedatlasttotheroughcontactwiththeground，andwouldprobablysoonbetornaway。Thisdidnotdisturbme，forthehousemuststillbefirm。
ItwasnotlongbeforeIperceivedthattheslantingofmybedwasbecominglessandless，andalsoIwasquitesurethatthehousewasmovingmoreslowly。Thenthecrackingsandsnappingsbeforemyfrontwallceasedaltogether。Thebedresumeditsordinaryhorizontalposition，andalthoughIdidnotknowatwhatmomentthehousehadceasedslidingandhadcometoastandstill，Iwassurethatithaddoneso。Itwasnowrestinguponalevelsurface。Theroomwasstillperfectlydark，andthestormcontinued。Itwasuselessformetogetupuntildaylightcame，——Icouldnotseewhathadhappened，——soIlaybackuponmypillowandtriedtoimagineuponwhatlevelportionofmyfarmI
hadstranded。WhiledoingthisIfellasleep。
WhenIwoke，alittlelightwasstealingintotheroomthroughtheblindsofmyshutters。Iquicklyslippedoutofbed，openedawindow，andlookedout。Daywasjustbreaking，therainandwindhadceased，andIcoulddiscernobjects。ButitseemedasifIneededsomelightinmybraintoenablemetocomprehendwhatIsaw。Myeyesfelluponnothingfamiliar。
Ididnotstoptoinvestigate，however，frommywindow。
Ifoundmyclotheshuddledtogetherwiththefurnitureatthefrontendoftheroom，andassoonasIwasdressedIwentintothehallandthentomyfrontdoor。Iquicklyjerkedthisopenandwasabouttostepoutsidewhen，suddenly，Istopped。Iwaspositivethatmyfrontporchhadbeendestroyed。ButthereIsawaporchalittlelowerthanmineandagreatdealwider，andontheothersideofit，notmorethaneightfeetfromme，wasawindow——thewindowofahouse，andontheothersideofthewindowwasaface——thefaceofayounggirl！AsIstoodstaringinblankamazementatthehousewhichpresenteditselfatmyfrontdoor，thefaceatthewindowdisappeared，andIwaslefttocontemplatethescenebymyself。Irantomybackdoorandthrewitopen。ThereIsaw，stretchingupthefieldsandfarupthehillside，thewidepathwhichmyhousehadmadeasitcamedownfromitselevatedpositiontothevalleybeneath，whereithadendeditsonwardcareerbystoppingupagainstanotherhouse。AsIlookedfromthebackporchIsawthatthegroundstillcontinuedtoslope，sothatifmyhousehadnotfoundinitspathanotherbuilding，itwouldprobablyhaveproceededsomewhatfartheronitscourse。Itwaslighter，andIsawbushesandfencesandoutbuildings——Iwasinabackyard。
Almostbreathlesswithamazementandconsternation，Iranagaintothefrontdoor。WhenIreacheditIfoundayoungwomanstandingontheporchofthehousebeforeme。Iwasabouttosaysomething——Iknownotwhat——whensheputherfingeronherlipsandsteppedforward。
\"Pleasedon\'tspeakloudly，\"shesaid。\"Iamafraiditwillfrightenmother。Sheisasleepyet。Isupposeyouandyourhousehavebeenslidingdownhill？\"
\"Thatiswhathashappened，\"saidI。\"ButIcannotunderstandit。Itseemstomethemostamazingthingthatevertookplaceonthefaceoftheearth。\"
\"Itisveryqueer，\"saidshe，\"buthurricanesdoblowawayhouses，andthatmusthavebeenahurricanewehadlastnight，forthewindwasstrongenoughtoloosenanyhouse。Ihaveoftenwonderedifthathousewouldeverslidedownhill。\"
\"Myhouse？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid。\"SoonafteritwasbuiltIbegantothinkwhatanicecleansweepitcouldmakefromtheplacewhereitseemedtobestucktothesideofthemountain，rightdownhereintothevalley。\"
Icouldnottalkwithagirllikethis；atleast，Icouldnotmeetheronherownconversationalgrounds。IwassoagitatedmyselfthatitseemedunnaturalthatanyonetowhomIshouldspeakshouldnotalsobeagitated。
\"Whoareyou？\"Iaskedratherbrusquely。\"Atleast，towhomdoesthishousebelong？\"
\"Thisismymother\'shouse，\"saidshe。\"MymotherisMrs。
Carson。Wehappenjustnowtobelivingherebyourselves，soI
cannotcallonanymantohelpyoudoanything。Mybrotherhasalwayslivedwithus，butlastweekhewentaway。\"
\"Youdon\'tseemtobeabitastonishedatwhathashappened，\"
saidI。
Shewasratheraprettygirl，ofacheerfuldisposition，I
shouldsay，forseveraltimesshehadsmiledasshespoke。
\"Oh，Iamastonished，\"sheanswered；\"or，atleast，I
was。ButIhavehadtimeenoughtogetoversomeofit。ItwasatleastanhouragowhenIwasawakenedbyhearingsomethingcrackintheyard。Iwenttoawindowandlookedout，andcouldjustbarelyseethatsomethinglikeabigbuildinghadgrownupduringthenight。ThenIwatchedit，andwatchedit，untilI
madeoutitwasawholehouse；andafterthatitwasnotlongbeforeIguessedwhathadhappened。Itseemedasimplerthingtome，youknow，thanitdidtoyou，becauseIhadoftenthoughtaboutit，andprobablyyouneverhad。\"
\"Youarerightthere，\"saidI，earnestly。\"Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleformetoimaginesuchathing。\"
\"AtfirstIthoughttherewasnobodyinthehouse，\"saidshe，\"butwhenIheardsomeonemovingabout，Icamedowntotellwhoeverhadarrivednottomakeanoise。Isee，\"sheadded，withanotherofhersmiles，\"thatyouthinkIamaverystrangepersonnottobemoreflurriedbywhathashappened。ButreallyI
cannotthinkofanythingelsejustnow，exceptwhatmotherwillsayanddowhenshecomesdownandfindsyouandyourhousehereatthebackdoor。Iamverysureshewillnotlikeit。\"
\"Likeit！\"Iexclaimed。\"Whoonearthcouldlikeit？\"
\"Pleasespeakmoregently，\"shesaid。\"Motherisalwaysalittleirritablewhenhernight\'sresthasbeenbroken，andI
wouldnotliketohaveherwakenedupsuddenlynow。Butreally，Mr。Warren，Ihaven\'ttheleastideaintheworldhowshewilltakethisthing。Imustgoinandbewithherwhenshewakes，sothatIcanexplainjustwhathashappened。\"
\"Onemoment，\"Isaid。\"Youknowmyname。\"
\"OfcourseIknowyourname，\"sheanswered。\"Couldthathousebeupthereonthehillsideformorethanayearwithoutmyknowingwholivedinit？\"Withthisshewentindoors。
IcouldnothelpsmilingwhenIthoughtoftheyoungladyregrettingthattherewasnomaninthehousewhomighthelpmedosomething。Whatcouldanybodydoinacaselikethis？I
turnedandwentintomyhouse。Ienteredthevariousroomsonthelowerfloor，andsawnosignsofanyparticulardamage，exceptthateverythingmovableineachroomwasjumbledtogetheragainstthefrontwall。ButwhenIlookedoutofthebackdoorI
foundthattheporchtherewasagooddealwrecked，whichIhadnotnoticedbefore。
Iwentup-stairs，andfoundeverythingverymuchasitwasbelow。Nothingseemedtohavebeeninjuredexceptthechimneyandtheporches。IthankedmystarsthatIhadusedhardwoodinsteadofmortarfortheceilingsofmyrooms。
Iwasabouttogointomybedroom，whenIheardawomanscream，andofcourseIhurriedtothefront。ThereonthebackporchofherhousestoodMrs。Carson。Shewasawomanofmiddleage，and，asIglancedather，Isawwhereherdaughtergothergoodlooks。Buttheplacidityandcheerfulnessoftheyoungerfacewereentirelywantinginthemother。Hereyessparkled，hercheekswerered，hermouthwaspartlyopened，anditseemedtomethatIcouldalmostseethatherbreathwashot。
\"Isthisyourhouse？\"shecried，themomenthereyesfelluponme。\"Andwhatisitdoinghere？\"Ididnotimmediatelyanswer，Ilookedattheangrywoman，andbehindherIsaw，throughtheopendoor，thedaughtercrossingthehallway。Itwasplainthatshehaddecidedtoletmehaveitoutwithhermotherwithoutinterference。AsbrieflyandasclearlyasIcould，I
explainedwhathadhappened。
\"Whatisallthattome？\"shescreamed。\"Itdoesn\'tmattertomehowyourhousegothere。Therehavebeenstormseversincethebeginningoftheworld，andIneverheardofanyofthemtakingahouseintoaperson\'sbackyard。Yououghtnottohavebuiltyourhousewhereanysuchthingcouldhappen。Butallthisisnothingtome。Idon\'tunderstandnowhowyourhousedidgethere，andIdon\'twanttounderstandit。AllIwantisforyoutotakeitaway。\"
\"Iwilldothat，madam，justassoonasIcan。YoumaybeverysureIwilldothat。But——\"
\"Canyoudoitnow？\"sheasked。\"Canyoudoitto-day？I
don\'twantaminutelost。Ihavenotbeenoutsidetoseewhatdamagehasbeendone，butthefirstthingtodoistotakeyourhouseaway。\"
\"Iamgoingtothetownnow，madam，tosummonassistance。\"
Mrs。Carsonmadenoanswer，butsheturnedandwalkedtotheendofherporch。Thereshesuddenlygaveascreamwhichquicklybroughtherdaughterfromthehouse。\"Kitty！Kitty！\"criedhermother。\"Doyouknowwhathehasdone？Hehasgonerightovermyroundflower-garden。Hishouseissittingonitthisminute！\"
\"Buthecouldnothelpit，mother，\"saidKitty。
\"Helpit！\"exclaimedMrs。Carson。\"Ididn\'texpecthimtohelpit。WhatIwant——\"Suddenlyshestopped。Hereyesflashedbrighter，hermouthopenedwider，andshebecamemoreandmoreexcitedasshenoticedtheabsenceofthesheds，fences，orvegetable-bedswhichhadfoundthemselvesinthecourseofmyall-destroyingdwelling。
Itwasnowwelloninthemorning，andsomeoftheneighborshadbecomeawareofthestrangedisasterwhichhadhappenedtome，althoughiftheyhadheardthenewsfromMrs。Carsontheymighthavesupposedthatitwasadisasterwhichhadhappenedonlytoher。Astheygazedatthetwohousessocloselyjammedtogether，allofthemwondered，someofthemevenlaughed，butnotoneofferedasuggestionwhichaffordedsatisfactiontoMrs。
Carsonormyself。Thegeneralopinionwasthat，nowmyhousewasthere，itwouldhavetostaythere，fortherewerenotenoughhorsesintheStatetopullitbackupthatmountainside。Tobesure，itmightpossiblybedrawnoffsidewise。Butwhetheritwasmovedonewayortheother，alotofMrs。Carson\'streeswouldhavetobecutdowntoletitpass。