\"Whichshallneverhappen！\"criedthatgoodlady。\"Ifnothingelsecanbedone，itmustbetakenapartandhauledoffincarts。Butnomatterhowitismanaged，itmustbemoved，andthatimmediately。\"MissCarsonnowprevaileduponhermothertogointothehouse，andIstayedandtalkedtothemenandafewwomenwhohadgatheredoutside。
Whentheyhadsaidalltheyhadtosay，andseenalltherewastosee，thesepeoplewenthometotheirbreakfasts。I
enteredmyhouse，butnotbythefrontdoor，fortodothatI
wouldhavebeenobligedtotrespassuponMrs。Carson\'sbackporch。Igotmyhat，andwasabouttostartforthetown，whenI
heardmynamecalled。Turningintothehall，IsawMissCarson，whowasstandingatmyfrontdoor。
\"Mr。Warren，\"saidshe，\"youhaven\'tanywayofgettingbreakfast，haveyou？\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidI。\"Myservantsareupthereintheircabin，andIsupposetheyaretoomuchscaredtocomedown。ButIamgoingtotowntoseewhatcanbedoneaboutmyhouse，andwillgetmybreakfastthere。\"
\"It\'salongwaytogowithoutanythingtoeat，\"shesaid，\"andwecangiveyousomebreakfast。ButIwanttoaskyousomething。Iaminagooddealofperplexity。Ourtwoservantsareoutatthefrontofthehouse，buttheypositivelyrefusetocomein；theyareafraidthatyourhousemaybeginslidingagainandcrushthemall，so，Ishallhavetogetbreakfast。Butwhatbothersmeistryingtofindourwell。Ihavebeenoutside，andcanseenosignsofit。\"
\"Wherewasyourwell？\"Igasped。
\"Itoughttobesomewherenearthebackofyourhouse，\"shesaid。\"MayIgothroughyourhallandlookout？\"
\"Ofcourseyoumay，\"Icried，andIprecededhertomybackdoor。
\"Now，itseemstome，\"shesaid，aftersurveyingthesceneofdesolationimmediatelybefore，andlookingfromsidetosidetowardobjectswhichhadremaineduntouched，\"thatyourhousehaspasseddirectlyoverourwell，andmusthavecarriedawaythelittleshedandthepumpandeverythingaboveground。Ishouldnotwonderabit，\"shecontinuedslowly，\"ifitisunderyourporch。\"
Ijumpedtotheground，forthestepswereshattered，andbegantosearchforthewell，anditwasnotlongbeforeIdiscovereditsrounddarkopening，whichwas，asMissCarsonhadimagined，underoneendofmyporch。
\"Whatcanwedo？\"sheasked。\"Wecan\'thavebreakfastorgetalongatallwithoutwater。\"ItwasaterriblydepressingthingtometothinkthatI，orrathermyhouse，hadgiventhesepeoplesomuchtrouble。ButIspeedily，assuredMissCarsonthatifshecouldfindabucketandaropewhichIcouldlowerintothewell，Iwouldprovideherwithwater。
Shewentintoherhousetoseewhatshecouldfind，andItoreawaythebrokenplanksoftheporch，sothatIcouldgettothewell。Andthen，whenshecamewithatinpailandaclothes-
line，Iwenttoworktohaulupwaterandcarryittoherbackdoor。
\"Idon\'twantmothertofindoutwhathashappenedtothewell，\"shesaid，\"forshehasenoughonhermindalready。\"
Mrs。Carsonwasawomanwithsomegoodpointsinhercharacter。Afteratimeshecalledtomeherself，andtoldmetocomeintobreakfast。ButduringthemealshetalkedveryearnestlytomeabouttheamazingtrespassIhadcommitted，andaboutthemeanswhichshouldbetakentorepairthedamagesmyhousehaddonetoherproperty。IwasasoptimisticasIcouldbe，andtheyoungladyspokeverycheerfullyandhopefullyabouttheaffair，sothatwewerebeginningtogetalongsomewhatpleasantly，when，suddenly，Mrs。Carsonsprangtoherfeet。
\"Heavensandearth！\"shecried，\"thishouseismoving！\"
Shewasnotmistaken。Ihadfeltbeneathmyfeetasuddensharpshock——notsevere，butunmistakable。Irememberedthatbothhousesstooduponslightlyslopingground。Mybloodturnedcold，myheartstoodstill；evenMissCarsonwaspale。
Whenwehadrushedoutofdoorstoseewhathadhappened，orwhatwasgoingtohappen，Isoonfoundthatwehadbeenneedlesslyfrightened。Someofthebrokentimbersonwhichmyhousehadbeenpartiallyrestinghadgivenway，andthefrontpartofthebuildinghadslightlydescended，jarringasitdidsotheotherhouseagainstwhichitrested。IendeavoredtoprovetoMrs。Carsonthattheresultwasencouragingratherthanotherwise，formyhousewasnowmorefirmlysettledthanithadbeen。Butshedidnotvaluetheopinionofamanwhodidnotknowenoughtoputhishouseinaplacewhereitwouldbelikelytostay，andshecouldeatnomorebreakfast，andwasevenafraidtostayunderherownroofuntilexperiencedmechanicshadbeensummonedtolookintothestateofaffairs。
Ihurriedawaytothetown，anditwasnotlongbeforeseveralcarpentersandmasonswereonthespot。Afterathoroughexamination，theyassuredMrs。Carsonthattherewasnodanger，thatmyhousewoulddonofartherdamagetoherpremises，but，tomakethingscertain，theywouldbringsomeheavybeamsandbracethefrontofmyhouseagainsthercellarwall。Whenthatshouldbedoneitwouldbeimpossibleforittomoveanyfarther。
\"ButIdon\'twantitbraced！\"criedMrs。Carson。\"Iwantittakenaway。Iwantitoutofmybackyard！\"
Themastercarpenterwasamanofimaginationandexpedients。
\"Thatisquiteanotherthing，ma\'am，\"saidhe。\"We\'llfixthisgentleman\'shousesothatyouneedn\'tbeafraidofit，andthen，whenthetimecomestomoveit，there\'sseveralwaysofdoingthat。Wemightrigupapowerfulwindlassatthetopofthehill，andperhapsgetasteam-enginetoturnit，andwecouldfastencablestothehouseandhaulherbacktowhereshebelongs。\"
\"Andcanyoutakeyouroaths，\"criedMrs。Carson，\"thatthoseropeswon\'tbreak，andwhenthathousegetshalf-wayupthehillitwon\'tcomeslidingdowntentimesfasterthanitdid，andcrashintomeandmineandeverythingIownonearth？No，sir！
I\'llhavenohousehauledupahillbackofme！\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidthecarpenter，\"itwouldbeagreatdealeasiertomoveitonthisground，whichisalmostlevel——\"
\"Andcutdownmytreestodoit！No，sir！\"
\"Well，then，\"saidhe，\"thereisnowaytodobuttotakeitapartandhaulitoff。\"
\"Whichwouldmakeanawfultimeatthebackofmyhousewhileyouweredoingit！\"exclaimedMrs。Carson。
Inowputinaword。\"There\'sonlyonethingtodothatI
cansee！\"Iexclaimed。\"Iwillsellittoamatchfactory。Itisalmostallwood，anditcanbecutupinsectionsabouttwoinchesthick，andthensplitintomatches。\"
Kittysmiled。\"Ishouldliketoseethem，\"shesaid，\"takingawaythelittlesticksinwheelbarrows！\"
\"Thereisnoneedoftriflingonthesubject，\"saidMrs。
Carson。\"Ihavehadagreatdealtobear，andImustbearitnolongerthanisnecessary。Ihavejustfoundoutthatinordertogetwateroutofmyownwell，Imustgotothebackporchofastranger。Suchthingscannotbeendured。IfmysonGeorgewerehere，hewouldtellmewhatIoughttodo。Ishallwritetohim，andseewhatheadvises。Idonotmindwaitingalittlebit，nowthatIknowthatyoucanfixMr。Warren\'shousesothatitwon\'tmoveanyfarther。\"
Thusthematterwasleft。Myhousewasbracedthatafternoon，andtowardeveningIstartedtogotoahotelinthetowntospendthenight。
\"No，sir！\"saidMrs。Carson。\"DoyousupposethatIamgoingtostayhereallnightwithagreatemptyhousejammedupagainstme，andeverybodyknowingthatitisempty？Itwillbethesameashavingthievesinmyownhousetohavetheminyours。Youhavecomedownhereinyourproperty，andyoucanstayinitandtakecareofit！\"
\"Idon\'tobjecttothatintheleast，\"Isaid。\"Mytwowomenarehere，andIcantellthemtoattendtomymeals。Ihaven\'tanychimney，butIsupposetheycanmakeafiresomewayorother。\"
\"No，sir！\"saidMrs。Carson。\"Iamnotgoingtohaveanystrangeservantsonmyplace。Ihavejustbeenabletoprevailuponmyownwomentogointothehouse，andIdon\'twantanymoretrouble。Ihavehadenoughalready！\"
\"But，mydearmadam，\"saidI，\"youdon\'twantmetogotothetown，andyouwon\'tallowmetohaveanycookingdonehere。WhatamItodo？\"
\"Well，\"shesaid，\"youcaneatwithus。ItmaybetwoorthreedaysbeforeIcanhearfrommysonGeorge，andinthemeantimeyoucanlodgeinyourownhouseandIwilltakeyoutoboard。ThatisthebestwayIcanseeofmanagingthething。ButIamverysureIamnotgoingtobeleftherealoneinthedreadfulpredicamentinwhichyouhaveputme。\"
WehadscarcelyfinishedsupperwhenJackBrandigercametoseeme。Helaughedagooddealaaboutmysuddenchangeofbase，butthought，onthewhole，myhousehadmadeaverysuccessfulmove。Itmustbemorepleasantinthevalleythanuponthatwindyhill。Jackwasverymuchinterestedineverything，andwhenMrs。Carsonandherdaughterappeared，aswewerewalkingaboutviewingthescene，Ifeltmyselfobligedtointroducehim。
\"Ilikethoseladies，\"saidhetome，afterwards。\"Ithinkyouhavechosenveryagreeableneighbors。\"
\"Howdoyouknowyoulikethem？\"saidI。\"YouhadscarcelyanythingtosaytoMrs。Carson。\"
\"No，tobesure，\"saidhe。\"ButIexpectIshouldlikeher。
Bytheway，doyouknowhowyouusedtotalktomeaboutcomingandlivingsomewherenearyou？Howwouldyoulikemetotakeoneofyourroomsnow？Imightcheeryouup。\"
\"No，\"saidI，firmly。\"Thatcannotbedone。Asthingsarenow，IhaveasmuchasIcandotogetalongherebymyself。\"
Mrs。Carsondidnothearfromhersonfornearlyaweek，andthenhewrotethathefounditalmostimpossibletogiveheranyadvice。Hethoughtitwasaveryqueerstateofaffairs。Hehadneverheardofanythinglikeit。Buthewouldtryandarrangehisbusinesssothathecouldcomehomeinaweekortwoandlookintomatters。
AsIwasthuscompelledtoforcemyselfuponthecloseneighborhoodofMrs。Carsonandherdaughter，Iendeavoredtomakethingsaspleasantaspossible。Ibroughtsomeofmymendownoutofthevineyard，andsetthemtorepairingfences，puttingthegardeninorder，anddoingallthatIcouldtoremedythedolefulconditionofthingswhichIhadunwillinglybroughtintothebackyardofthisquietfamily。Iriggedupapumponmybackporchbywhichthewaterofthewellcouldbeconvenientlyobtained，andineverywayendeavoredtorepairdamages。
ButMrs。Carsonneverceasedtotalkabouttheunparalleleddisasterwhichhadcomeuponher，andshemusthavehadagreatdealofcorrespondencewithhersonGeorge，becauseshegavemefrequentmessagesfromhim。Hecouldnotcomeontolookintothestateofaffairs，butheseemedtobegivingitagreatdealofthoughtandattention。
Springweatherhadcomeagain，anditwasverypleasanttohelptheCarsonladiesgettheirflower-gardeninorder——atleast，asmuchaswasleftofit，formyhousewasrestinguponsomeofthemostimportantbeds。AsIwasobligedtogiveupallpresentideaofdoinganythinginthewayofgettingmyresidenceoutofaplacewhereithadnobusinesstobe，becauseMrs。
Carsonwouldnotconsenttoanyplanwhichhadbeensuggested，I
feltthatIwasofferingsomelittlecompensationinbeautifyingwhatseemedtobe，atthattime，myowngrounds。
Mylaborsinregardtovines，bushes，andallthatsortofthingweregenerallycarriedonunderdirectionofMrs。Carsonorherdaughter，andastheelderlyladywasaverybusyhousewife，thehorticulturalworkwasgenerallylefttoMissKittyandme。
IlikedMissKitty。Shewasacheerful，whole-souledperson，andIsometimesthoughtthatshewasnotsounwillingtohavemeforaneighborastherestofthefamilyseemedtobe；forifIweretojudgethedispositionofherbrotherGeorgefromwhathermothertoldmeabouthisletters，bothheandMrs。Carsonmustbemakingagreatmanyplanstogetmeoffthepremises。
NearlyamonthhadnowpassedsincemyhouseandImadethatremarkablemorningcalluponMrs。Carson。Iwasbecomingaccustomedtomypresentmodeofliving，and，sofarasIwasconcerned，itsatisfiedmeverywell。IcertainlylivedagreatdealbetterthanwhenIwasdependinguponmyoldnegrocook。
MissKittyseemedtobesatisfiedwiththingsastheywere，andso，insomerespects，didhermother。ButthelatterneverceasedtogivemeextractsfromsomeofhersonGeorge\'sletters，andthiswasalwaysannoyingandworryingtome。Evidentlyhewasnotpleasedwithmeassuchacloseneighbortohismother，anditwasastonishinghowmanyexpedientsheproposedinordertoridherofmyundesirableproximity。
\"MysonGeorge，\"saidMrs。Carson，onemorning，\"hasbeenwritingtomeaboutjack-screws。Hesaysthatthegreatestimprovementshavebeenmadeinjack-screws。\"
\"Whatdoyoudowiththem，mother？\"askedMissKitty。
\"Youlifthouseswiththem，\"saidshe。\"Hesaysthatinlargecitiestheyliftwholeblocksofhouseswiththemandbuildstoriesunderneath。Hethinksthatwecangetridofourtroublehereifweusejack-screws。\"
\"Buthowdoesheproposetousethem？\"Iasked。
\"Oh，hehasagoodmanyplans，\"answeredMrs。Carson。\"Hesaidthatheshouldnotwonderifjack-screwscouldbemadelargeenoughtoliftyourhouseentirelyovermineandsetitoutintheroad，whereitcouldbecarriedawaywithoutinterferingwithanything，except，ofcourse，vehicleswhichmightbecomingalong。Buthehasanotherplan——thatis，toliftmyhouseupandcarryitoutintothefieldontheothersideoftheroad，andthenyourhousemightbecarriedalongrightoverthecellaruntilitgottotheroad。Inthatway，hesays，thebushesandtreeswouldnothavetobeinterferedwith。\"
\"IthinkbrotherGeorgeiscracked！\"saidKitty。
Allthissortofthingworriedmeverymuch。Mymindwaseminentlydisposedtowardpeaceandtranquillity，butwhocouldbepeacefulandtranquilwithaprospectivejack-screwundertheverybaseofhiscomfortandhappiness？Infact，myhousehadneverbeensuchahappyhomeasitwasatthattime。Thefactofitsunwarrantedpositionuponotherpeople\'sgroundshadceasedtotroubleme。
ButthecomingsonGeorge，withhisjack-screws，didtroublemeverymuch，andthatafternoonIdeliberatelywentintoMrs。
Carson\'shousetolookforKitty。Iknewhermotherwasnotathome，forIhadseenhergoout。WhenKittyappearedIaskedhertocomeoutonherbackporch。\"Haveyouthoughtofanynewplanofmovingit？\"shesaid，withasmile，aswesatdown。
\"No，\"saidI，earnestly。\"Ihavenot，andIdon\'twanttothinkofanyplanofmovingit。Iamtiredofseeingithere，I
amtiredofthinkingaboutmovingitaway，andIamtiredofhearingpeopletalkaboutmovingit。Ihavenotanyrighttobehere，andIamneverallowedtoforgetit。WhatIwanttodoistogoentirelyaway，andleaveeverythingbehindme——exceptonething。\"
\"Andwhatisthat？\"askedKitty。
\"You，\"Ianswered。
Sheturnedalittlepaleanddidnotreply。
\"Youunderstandme，Kitty，\"Isaid。\"ThereisnothingintheworldthatIcareforbutyou。Whathaveyoutosaytome？\"
Thencamebacktoherherlittlesmile。\"Ithinkitwouldbeveryfoolishforustogoaway，\"shesaid。
ItwasaboutaquarterofanhourafterthiswhenKittyproposedthatweshouldgoouttothefrontofthehouse；itwouldlookqueerifanyoftheservantsshouldcomebyandseeussittingtogetherlikethat。Ihadforgottenthattherewereotherpeopleintheworld，butIwentwithher。
Wewerestandingonthefrontporch，closetoeachother，andIthinkwewereholdingeachother\'shands，whenMrs。Carsoncameback。Assheapproachedshelookedatusinquiringly，plainlywishingtoknowwhywewerestandingsidebysidebeforeherdoorasifwehadsomespecialobjectinsodoing。
\"Well？\"saidshe，asshecameupthesteps。OfcourseitwasrightthatIshouldspeak，and，inasfewwordsaspossible，I
toldherwhatKittyandIhadbeensayingtoeachother。IneversawKitty\'smotherlooksocheerfulandsohandsomeaswhenshecameforwardandkissedherdaughterandshookhandswithme。
Sheseemedsoperfectlysatisfiedthatitamazedme。AfteralittleKittyleftus，andthenMrs。Carsonaskedmetositbyheronarusticbench。
\"Now，\"saidshe，\"thiswillstraightenoutthingsintheverybestway。Whenyouaremarried，youandKittycanliveinthebackbuilding，——for，ofcourse，yourhousewillnowbethesamethingasabackbuilding，——andyoucanhavethesecondfloor。Wewon\'thaveanyseparatetables，becauseitwillbeagreatdealnicerforyouandKittytolivewithme，anditwillsimplybeyourpayingboardfortwopersonsinsteadofone。Andyouknowyoucanmanageyourvineyardjustaswellfromthebottomofthehillasfromthetop。Thelowerroomsofwhatusedtobeyourhousecanbemadeverypleasantandcomfortableforallofus。I
havebeenthinkingabouttheroomontherightthatyouhadplannedforaparlor，anditwillmakealovelysitting-roomforus，whichisathingwehaveneverhad，andtheroomontheothersideisjustwhatwillsuitbeautifullyforaguest-chamber。Thetwohousestogether，withtheroofofmybackporchproperlyjoinedtothefrontofyourhouse，willmakeabeautifulandspaciousdwelling。Itwasfortunate，too，thatyoupaintedyourhousealightyellow。Ihaveoftenlookedatthetwotogether，andthoughtwhatagoodthingitwasthatonewasnotonecolorandtheotheranother。Astothepump，itwillbeveryeasynowtoputapipefromwhatusedtobeyourbackporchtoourkitchen，sothatwecangetwaterwithoutbeingobligedtocarryit。Betweenuswecanmakeallsortsofimprovements，andsometimeIwilltellyouofagoodmanythatIhavethoughtof。
\"Whatusedtobeyourhouse，\"shecontinued，\"canbejack-
screwedupalittlebitandagoodfoundationputunderit。I
haveinquiredaboutthat。OfcourseitwouldnothavebeenpropertoletyouknowthatIwassatisfiedwiththestateofthings，butIwassatisfied，andthereisnouseofdenyingit。
AssoonasIgotovermyfirstscareafterthathousecamedownthehill，andhadseenhoweverythingmightbearrangedtosuitallparties，Isaidtomyself，`WhattheLordhasjoinedtogether，letnotmanputasunder，\'andso，accordingtomybelief，thestrongestkindofjack-screwscouldnotputthesetwohousesasunder，anymorethantheycouldputyouandKittyasunder，nowthatyouhaveagreedtotakeeachotherforeachother\'sown。\"
JackBrandigercametocallthatevening，andwhenhehadheardwhathadhappenedhewhistledagooddeal。\"Youareafunnykindofafellow，\"saidhe。\"Yougocourtinglikeasnail，withyourhouseonyourback！\"
Ithinkmyfriendwasalittlediscomfited。\"Don\'tbediscouraged，Jack，\"saidI。\"Youwillgetagoodwifesomeofthesedays——thatis，ifyoudon\'ttrytoslideuphilltofindher！\"
OURARCHERYCLUB
Whenanarcheryclubwasformedinourvillage，Iwasamongthefirsttojoinit。ButIshouldnot，onthisaccount，claimanyextraordinaryenthusiasmonthesubjectofarchery，fornearlyalltheladiesandgentlemenoftheplacewerealsoamongthefirsttojoin。
Fewofus，Ithink，hadacorrectideaofthepopularityofarcheryinourmidstuntilthesubjectofaclubwasbroached。
Thenweallperceivedwhatastronginterestwefeltinthestudyanduseofthebowandarrow。Theclubwasformedimmediately，andourthirtymembersbegantodiscusstherelativemeritsoflancewood，yew，andgreenheartbows，andtosurveyyardsandlawnsforsuitablespotsforsettinguptargetsforhomepractice。
Ourweeklymeetings，atwhichwecametogethertoshowinfriendlycontesthowmuchourhomepracticehadtaughtus，werehelduponthevillagegreen，orratheruponwhathadbeenintendedtobethevillagegreen。Thisprettypieceofground，partlyinsmoothlawnandpartlyshadedbyfinetrees，wasthepropertyofagentlemanoftheplace，whohadpresentedit，undercertainconditions，tothetownship。Butasthetownshiphadneverfulfilledanyoftheconditions，andhaddonenothingtowardtheimprovementofthespot，furtherthantomakeitagrazing-placeforlocalcowsandgoats，theownerhadwithdrawnhisgift，shutoutthecowsandgoatsbyapicketfence，and，havinglockedthegate，hadhungupthekeyinhisbarn。Whenourclubwasformed，thegreen，asitwasstillcalled，wasofferedtousforourmeetings，and，withpropergratitude，weelecteditsownertobeourpresident。
Thisgentlemanwaseminentlyqualifiedforthepresidencyofanarcheryclub。Inthefirstplace，hedidnotshoot：thisgavehimtimeandopportunitytoattendtotheshootingofothers。Hewasatallandpleasantman，alittleelderly。This\"elderliness，\"ifImaysoputit，seemed，inhiscase，toresemblesomemilddisorder，likeagentlerheumatism，which，whileitpreventedhimfromindulginginallthewildhilaritiesofyouth，gavehim，incompensation，aposition，asoneentitledtoacertainconsideration，whichwasveryagreeabletohim。Hislittlediseasewaschronic，itistrue，anditwasgrowinguponhim；butitwas，sofar，apleasantailment。
Andso，withasmuchinterestinbowsandarrowsandtargetsandsuccessfulshotsasanyofus，heneverfittedanarrowtoastring，nordrewabow。Butheattendedeverymeeting，settlingdisputedpointsforhestudiedallthebooksonarchery，encouragingthedisheartened，holdingbacktheeageroneswhowouldruntothetargetsassoonastheyhadshot，regardlessofthefactthatotherswerestillshootingandthatthehumanbodyisnotarrow-proof，andsheddingabouthimthatgeneralaidandcomfortwhichemanatesfromagoodfellow，nomatterwhathemaysayordo。
Therewerepersons——outsiders——whosaidthatarcheryclubsalwaysselectedladiesfortheirpresidingofficers，butwedidnotcaretobetoomuchbounddownandtrammelledbycustomsandtraditions。Anotherclubmightnothaveamongitsmemberssuchagenialelderlygentlemanwhoownedavillagegreen。
Isoonfoundmyselfgreatlyinterestedinarchery，especiallywhenIsucceededinplantinganarrowsomewherewithintheperipheryofthetarget，butIneverbecamesuchanenthusiastinbow-shootingasmyfriendPepton。
IfPeptoncouldhavearrangedmatterstosuithimself，hewouldhavebeenbornanarcher。Butasthisdidnothappentohavebeenthecase，heemployedeverymeansinhispowertorectifywhatheconsideredthisseriouserrorinhisconstruction。Hegavehiswholesoul，andthegreaterpartofhissparetime，toarchery，andashewasayoungmanofenergy，thishelpedhimalongwonderfully。
Hisequipmentswereperfect。Noonecouldexcelhimin，thisrespect。Hisbowwassnakewood，backedwithhickory。Hecarefullyrubbeditdowneveryeveningwithoilandbeeswax，andittookitsreposeinagreenbaizebag。HisarrowswerePhilipHighfield\'sbest，hisstringsthefinestFlandershemp。Hehadshooting-gloves，andlittleleathertipsthatcouldbescrewedfastontheendsofwhathecalledhisstring-fingers。Hehadaquiverandabelt，andwhenequippedfortheweeklymeetings，hecarriedafancy-coloredwiping-tassel，andalittleebonygrease-
pothangingfromhisbelt。Hewore，whenshooting，apolishedarm-guardorbracer，andifhehadheardofanythingelsethatanarchershouldhave，hestraightwaywouldhaveprocuredit。
Peptonwasasingleman，andhelivedwithtwogoodoldmaidenladies，whotookasmuchcareofhimasiftheyhadbeenhismothers。Andhewassuchagood，kindfellowthathedeservedalltheattentiontheygavehim。Theyfeltagreatinterestinhisarcherypursuits，andsharedhisanxioussolicitudeintheselectionofasuitableplacetohanghisbow。
\"Yousee，\"saidhe，\"afinebowlikethis，whennotinuse，shouldalwaysbeinaperfectlydryplace。\"
\"Andwheninuse，too，\"saidMissMartha，\"forIamsurethatyououghtn\'ttobestandingandshootinginanydampspot。
There\'snosurerwayofgettin\'chilled。\"
TowhichsentimentMissMariaagreed，andsuggestedwearingrubbershoes，orhavingaboardtostandon，whentheclubmetafterarain。
Peptonfirsthunghisbowinthehall，butafterhehadarrangeditsymmetricallyupontwolongnailsboundwithgreenworsted，lesttheyshouldscratchthebowthroughitswoollencover，hereflectedthatthefrontdoorwouldfrequentlybeopen，andthatdampdraftsmustoftengothroughthehall。Hewassorrytogiveupthisplaceforhisbow，foritwasconvenientandappropriate，andforaninstanthethoughtthatitmightremain，ifthefrontdoorcouldbekeptshut，andvisitorsadmittedthroughalittlesidedoorwhichthefamilygenerallyused，andwhichwasalmostasconvenientastheother——except，indeed，onwash-days，whenawetsheetorsomearticleofwearingapparelwasapttobehunginfrontofit。Butalthoughwash-dayoccurredbutonceaweek，andalthoughitwascomparativelyeasy，afteralittlepractice，tobobunderahigh-proppedsheet，Pepton\'sheartwastookindtoallowhismindtodwelluponthisplan。Sohedrewthenailsfromthewallofthehall，andputthemupinvariousplacesaboutthehouse。Hisownroomhadtobeairedagreatdealinallweathers，andsothatwouldnotdoatall。Thewallabovethekitchenfireplacewouldbeagoodlocation，forthechimneywasnearlyalwayswarm。ButPeptoncouldnotbringhimselftokeephisbowinthekitchen。Therewouldbenothingestheticaboutsuchadispositionofit，and，besides，thegirlmightbetemptedtostringandbendit。Theoldladiesreallydidnotwantitintheparlor，foritslengthanditsgreenbaizecoverwouldmakeitanencroachingandunbecomingneighbortothelittleengravingsandthebigsamplers，thepicture-framesofacornsandpine-cones，thefancifullypatternedornamentsofcleanwheatstraw，andallthequaintadornmentswhichhadhunguponthosewallsforsomanyyears。Buttheydidnotsayso。Ifithadbeennecessary，tomakeroomforthebow，theywouldhavetakendownthepencilledprofilesoftheirgrandfather，theirgrandmother，andtheirfatherwhenalittleboy，whichhunginarowoverthemantelpiece。
However，Peptondidnotaskthissacrifice。Inthesummereveningstheparlorwindowsmustbeopen。Thedining-roomwasreallyverylittleusedintheevening，exceptwhenMissMariahadstockingstodarn，andthenshealwayssatinthatapartment，andofcourseshehadthewindowsopen。ButMissMariawasverywillingtobringherworkintotheparlor，——itwasfoolish，anyway，tohaveafeelingaboutdarningstockingsbeforechancecompany，——andthenthedining-roomcouldbekeptshutupaftertea。SointothewallofthatneatlittleroomPeptondrovehisworsted-coverednails，andonthemcarefullylaidhisbow。AllthenextdayMissMarthaandMissMariawentaboutthehouse，coveringthenail-holeshehadmadewithbitsofwall-
paper，carefullysnippedouttofitthepatterns，andpastedonsoneatlythatnoonewouldhavesuspectedtheywerethere。
Oneafternoon，asIwaspassingtheoldladies\'house，saw，orthoughtIsaw，twomencarryinginacoffin。Iwasstruckwithalarm。
\"What！\"Ithought。\"Caneitherofthosegoodwomen——OrcanPepton——\"
Withoutamoment\'shesitation，Irushedinbehindthemen。
There，atthefootofthestairs，directingthem，stoodPepton。
Thenitwasnothe！Iseizedhimsympatheticallybythehand。
\"Which？\"Ifaltered。\"Which？Whoisthatcoffinfor？\"
\"Coffin！\"criedPepton。\"Why，mydearfellow，thatisnotacoffin。Thatismyascham。\"
\"Ascham？\"Iexclaimed。\"Whatisthat？\"
\"Comeandlookatit，\"hesaid，whenthemenhadsetitonendagainstthewall。\"Itisanuprightclosetorreceptacleforanarcher\'sarmament。Hereisaplacetostandthebow，herearesupportsforthearrowsandquivers，hereareshelvesandhooks，onwhichtolayorhangeverythingthemerrymancanneed。Yousee，moreover，thatitislinedwithgreenplush，thatthedoorfitstightly，sothatitcanstandanywhere，andthereneedbenofearofdraftsordampnessaffectingmybow。Isn\'titaperfectthing？Yououghttogetone。\"
Iadmittedtheperfection，butagreednofurther。IhadnottheincomeofmygoodPepton。
Peptonwas，indeed，mostwonderfullywellequipped；andyet，littledidthosedearoldladiesthink，whentheycarefullydustedandreverentiallygazedatthebunchesofarrows，thearm-
bracers，thegloves，thegrease-pots，andalltherestoftheparaphernaliaofarchery，asithungaroundPepton\'sroom，orwhentheyafterwardsallowedaparticularfriendtopeepatit，allarrangedsoorderlywithintheascham，orwhentheylookedwithsympathetic，lovingadmirationonthebeautifulpolishedbow，whenitwastakenoutofitsbag——littledidtheythink，I
say，thatPeptonwastheverypoorestshotintheclub。Inallthesurfaceofthemuch-perforatedtargetsoftheclub，therewasscarcelyaholethathecouldputhishanduponhisheartandsayhemade。
Indeed，IthinkitwasthetruththatPeptonwasbornnottobeanarcher。TherewereyoungfellowsintheclubwhoshotwithbowsthatcostnomorethanPepton\'stassels，butwhocouldstandupandwhangarrowsintothetargetsalltheafternoon，iftheycouldgetachance；andtherewereladieswhomadehitsfivetimesoutofsix；andtherewerealsoallthegradesofarcherscommontoanyclub。ButtherewasnoonebuthimselfinPepton\'sgrade。Hestoodalone，anditwasneveranytroubletoadduphisscore。
Yethewasnotdiscouraged。HepractisedeverydayexceptSundays，andindeedhewastheonlypersonintheclubwhopractisedatnight。Whenhetoldmeaboutthis，Iwasalittlesurprised。
\"Why，it\'seasyenough，\"saidhe。\"Yousee，Ihungalantern，withareflector，beforethetarget，justalittletooneside。Itlightedupthetargetbeautifully，andIbelievetherewasabetterchanceofhittingitthanbydaylight，fortheonlythingyoucouldseewasthetarget，andsoyourattentionwasnotdistracted。Tobesure，\"hesaid，inanswertoaquestion，\"itwasagooddealoftroubletofindthearrows，butthatIalwayshave。WhenIgetsoexpertthatIcanputallthearrowsintothetarget，therewillbenotroubleofthekind，nightorday。However，\"hecontinued，\"Idon\'tpractiseanymorebynight。TheothereveningIsentanarrowslam-bangintothelantern，andbrokeitalltoflinders。Borrowedlantern，too。
Besides，IfounditmadeMissMarthaverynervoustohavemeshootingaboutthehouseafterdark。Shehadafriendwhohadalittleboywhowashitinthelegbyanarrowfromabow，which，shesays，accidentallywentoffinthenight，ofitsownaccord。
Sheiscertainlyalittlemixedinhermindinregardtothismatter，butIwishtorespectherfeelings，andsoshallnotuseanotherlantern。\"
AsIhavesaid，thereweremanygoodarchersamongtheladiesofourclub。Someofthem，afterwehadbeenorganizedforamonthortwo，madescoresthatfewofthegentlemencouldexcel。
ButtheladywhoattractedthegreatestattentionwhensheshotwasMissRosa。
Whenthisveryprettyyoungladystoodupbeforetheladies\'
target——herleftsidewelladvanced，herbowfirmlyheldoutinherstrongleftarm，whichneverquivered，herheadalittlebenttotheright，herarrowdrawnbackbythreewell-glovedfingerstothetipofherlittleear，herdarkeyessteadilyfixeduponthegold，andherdress，wellfittedoverherfineandvigorousfigure，fallingingracefulfoldsaboutherfeet，weallstoppedshootingtolookather。
\"Thereissomethingstatuesqueabouther，\"saidPepton，whoardentlyadmiredher，\"andyetthereisn\'t。Astatuecouldneverequalherunlessweknewtherewasaprobabilityofmovementinit。AndtheonlystatueswhichhavethataretheJarleywax-
works，whichshedoesnotresembleintheleast。Thereisonlyonethingthatthatgirlneedstomakeheraperfectarcher，andthatistobeabletoaimbetter。\"
Thiswastrue。MissRosadidneedtoaimbetter。Herarrowshadacurioushabitofgoingonallsidesofthetarget，anditwasveryseldomthatonechancedtostickintoit。Forifshedidmakeahit，weallknewitwaschanceandthattherewasnoprobabilityofherdoingitagain。Oncesheputanarrowrightintothecentreofthegold，——oneofthefinestshotsevermadeontheground，——butshedidn\'thitthetargetagainfortwoweeks。ShewasalmostasbadashotasPepton，andthatissayingagooddeal。
OneeveningIwassittingwithPeptononthelittlefrontporchoftheoldladies\'house，whereweweretakingourafter-
dinnersmokewhileMissMarthaandMissMariawerewashing，withtheirownwhitehands，thechinaandglassinwhichtheytooksomuchpride。IoftenusedtogooverandspendanhourwithPepton。Helikedtohavesomeonetowhomhecouldtalkonthesubjectswhichfilledhissoul，andIlikedtohearhimtalk。
\"Itellyou，\"saidhe，asheleanedbackinhischair，withhisfeetcarefullydisposedontherailingsothattheywouldnotinjureMissMaria\'sMadeira-vine，\"Itellyou，sir，thattherearetwothingsIcravewithallmypowerofcraving——twogoalsI
fainwouldreach，twodiademsIwouldwearuponmybrow。Oneoftheseistokillaneagle——orsomelargebird——withashaftfrommygoodbow。Iwouldthenhaveitstuffedandmounted，withtheveryarrowthatkilleditstillstickinginitsbreast。ThistrophyofmyskillIwouldhavefastenedagainstthewallofmyroomormyhall，andIwouldfeelproudtothinkthatmygrandchildrencouldpointtothatbird——whichIwouldcarefullybequeathtomydescendants——andsay，`Mygrand\'thershotthatbird，andwiththatveryarrow。\'Woulditnotstiryourpulsesifyoucoulddoathinglikethat？\"
\"IshouldhavetostirthemupagooddealbeforeIcoulddoit，\"Ireplied。\"Itwouldbeahardthingtoshootaneaglewithanarrow。Ifyouwantastuffedbirdtobequeath，you\'dbetterusearifle。\"
\"Arifle！\"exclaimedPepton。\"Therewouldbenogloryinthat。Therearelotsofbirdsshotwithrifles——eagles，hawks，wildgeese，tomtits——\"
\"Oh，no！\"Iinterrupted，\"nottomtits。\"
\"Well，perhapstheyaretoolittleforarifle，\"saidhe。\"ButwhatImeantosayisthatIwouldn\'tcareatallforaneagleI
hadshotwitharifle。Youcouldn\'tshowtheballthatkilledhim。Ifitwereputinproperly，itwouldbeinside，whereitcouldn\'tbeseen。No，sir。Itiseversomuchmorehonorable，andfarmoredifficult，too，tohitaneaglethantohitatarget。\"
\"Thatisverytrue，\"Ianswered，\"especiallyinthesedays，whentherearesofeweaglesandsomanytargets。Butwhatisyourotherdiadem？\"
\"That，\"saidPepton，\"istoseeMissRosawearthebadge。\"
\"Indeed！\"saidI。AndfromthatmomentIbegantounderstandPepton\'shopesinregardtothegrandmotherofthosechildrenwhoshouldpointtotheeagle。
\"Yes，sir，\"hecontinued，\"Ishouldbetrulyhappytoseeherwinthebadge。Andsheoughttowinit。Nooneshootsmorecorrectly，andwithabetterunderstandingofalltherules，thanshedoes。Theremusttrulybesomethingthematterwithheraiming。I\'vehalfamindtocoachheralittle。\"
Iturnedasidetoseewhowascomingdowntheroad。IwouldnothavehadhimknowIsmiled。
ThemostobjectionablepersoninourclubwasO。J。
Hollingsworth。Hewasagoodenoughfellowinhimself，butitwasasanarcherthatweobjectedtohim。
Therewas，sofarasIknow，scarcelyaruleofarcherythathedidnothabituallyviolate。Ourpresidentandnearlyallofusremonstratedwithhim，andPeptonevenwenttoseehimonthesubject，butitwasalltonopurpose。Withaquietdisregardofotherpeople\'sideasaboutbow-shootingandotherpeople\'sopinionsabouthimself，heperseveredinastyleofshootingwhichappearedabsolutelyabsurdtoanyonewhoknewanythingoftherulesandmethodsofarchery。
Iusedtoliketolookathimwhenhisturncamearoundtoshoot。HewasnotsuchapleasingobjectofvisionasMissRosa，buthisstylewassoentirelynoveltomethatitwasinteresting。Heheldthebowhorizontally，insteadofperpendicularly，likeotherarchers，andhehelditwelldown——aboutoppositehiswaistband。Hedidnotdrawhisarrowbacktohisear，buthedrewitbacktothelowerbuttonofhisvest。Insteadofstandingupright，withhisleftsidetothetarget，hefaceditfull，andleanedforwardoverhisarrow，inanattitudewhichremindedmeofaRomansoldierabouttofalluponhissword。Whenhehadseizedthenockofhisarrowbetweenhisfingerandthumb，helanguidlyglancedatthetarget，raisedhisbowalittle，andletfly。Theprovokingthingaboutitwasthathenearlyalwayshit。Ifhehadonlyknownhowtostand，andholdhisbow，anddrawbackhisarrow，hewouldhavebeenaverygoodarcher。But，asitwas，wecouldnothelplaughingathim，althoughourpresidentalwaysdiscountenancedanythingofthekind。
Ourchampionwasatallman，verycoolandsteady，whowenttoworkatarcheryexactlyasifhewerepaidasalary，andintendedtoearnhismoneyhonestly。Hedidthebesthecouldineveryway。Hegenerallyshotwithoneofthebowsownedbytheclub，butifanyoneonthegroundhadabetterone，hewouldborrowit。HeusedtoshootsometimeswithPepton\'sbow，whichhedeclaredtobeamostcapitalone。ButasPeptonwasalwaysverynervouswhenhesawhisbowinthehandsofanotherthanhimself，thechampionsoonceasedtoborrowit。
Thereweretwobadges，oneofgreensilkandgoldfortheladies，andoneofgreenandredforthegentlemen，andthesewereshotforateachweeklymeeting。Withtheexceptionofafewtimeswhentheclubwasfirstformed，thechampionhadalwayswornthegentlemen\'sbadge。Manyofustriedhardtowinitfromhim，butwenevercouldsucceed；heshottoowell。
Onthemorningofoneofourmeetingdays，thechampiontoldme，asIwasgoingtothecitywithhim，thathewouldnotbeabletoreturnathisusualhourthatafternoon。Hewouldbeverybusy，andwouldhavetowaitforthesix-fifteentrain，whichwouldbringhimhometoolateforthearcherymeeting。Sohegavemethebadge，askingmetohandittothepresident，thathemightbestowitonthesuccessfulcompetitorthatafternoon。
Wewereallrathergladthatthechampionwasobligedtobeabsent。Herewasachanceforsomeoneofustowinthebadge。
Itwasnot，indeed，anopportunityforustowinagreatdealofhonor，forifthechampionweretobethereweshouldhavenochanceatall。Butweweresatisfiedwiththismuch，havingnoreason——inthepresent，atleast——toexpectanythingmore。
Sowewenttothetargetswithanewzeal，andmostofusshotbetterthanwehadevershotbefore。InthisnumberwasO。
J。Hollingsworth。Heexcelledhimself，and，whatwasworse，heexcelledalltherestofus。Heactuallymadeascoreofeighty-
fiveintwenty-fourshots，whichatthattimewasremarkablygoodshooting，forourclub。Thiswasdreadful！Tohaveafellowwhodidn\'tknowhowtoshootbeatusallwastoobad。Ifanyvisitorwhoknewanythingatallofarcheryshouldseethatthememberwhoworethechampion\'sbadgewasamanwhoheldhisbowasifhehadthestomach-ache，itwouldruinourcharacterasaclub。Itwasnottobeborne。
Peptoninparticularfeltgreatlyoutraged。Wehadmetverypromptlythatafternoon，andhadfinishedourregularshootingmuchearlierthanusual；andnowaknotofusweregatheredtogether，talkingoverthisunfortunateoccurrence。
\"Idon\'tintendtostandit，\"Peptonsuddenlyexclaimed。\"I
feelitasapersonaldisgrace。I\'mgoingtohavethechampionherebeforedark。Bytherules，hehasarighttoshootuntilthepresidentdeclaresitistoolate。Someofyoufellowsstayhere，andI\'llbringhim。\"
Andawayheran，firstgivingmechargeofhispreciousbow。
Therewasnoneedofhisaskingustostay。Wewereboundtoseethefunout，andtofillupthetimeourpresidentofferedaspecialprizeofahandsomebouquetfromhisgardens，tobeshotforbytheladies。
Peptonrantotherailroadstation，andtelegraphedtothechampion。Thiswashismessage：
\"Youareabsolutelyneededhere。Ifpossible，takethefive-
thirtytrainforAckford。Iwilldriveoverforyou。Answer。\"
Therewasnotrainbeforethesix-fifteenbywhichthechampioncouldcomedirectlytoourvillage；butAckford，asmalltownaboutthreemilesdistant，wasonanotherrailroad，onwhichtherewerefrequentafternoontrains。
Thechampionanswered：
\"Allright。Meetme。\"
ThenPeptonrushedtoourliverystable，hiredahorseandbuggy，anddrovetoAckford。
Alittleafterhalf-pastsix，whenseveralofuswerebeginningtothinkthatPeptonhadfailedinhisplans，hedroverapidlyintothegrounds，makingaveryshortturnatthegate，andpulleduphispantinghorsejustintimetoavoidrunningoverthreeladies，whowereseatedonthegrass。Thechampionwasbyhisside！
Thelatterlostnotimeintalkingorsalutations。Heknewwhathehadbeenbroughttheretodo，andheimmediatelysetabouttryingtodoit。HetookPepton\'sbow，whichthelatterurgeduponhim。Hestoodup，straightandfirmontheline，atthirty-fiveyardsfromthegentlemen\'starget；hecarefullyselectedhisarrows，examiningthefeathersandwipingawayanybitofsoilthatmightbeadheringtothepointsaftersomeonehadshotthemintotheturf；withvigorousarmhedreweacharrowtoitshead；hefixedhiseyesandhiswholemindonthecentreofthetarget；heshothistwenty-fourarrows，handedtohim，onebyone，byPepton，andhemadeascoreofninety-one。
Thewholeclubhadbeenscoringtheshots，astheyweremade，andwhenthelastarrowplumpedintotheredring，acheerarosefromeverymemberexceptingthree：thechampion，thepresident，andO。J。Hollingsworth。ButPeptoncheeredloudlyenoughtomakeupthesedeficiencies。
\"Whatinthemischiefdidtheycheerhimfor？\"askedHollingsworthofme。\"Theydidn\'tcheermewhenIbeateverybodyonthegroundsanhourago。Andit\'snonewthingforhimtowinthebadge；hedoesiteverytime。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，frankly，\"Ithinktheclub，ASaclub，objectstoyourwearingthebadge，becauseyoudon\'tknowhowtoshoot。\"
\"Don\'tknowhowtoshoot！\"hecried。\"Why，Icanhitthetargetbetterthananyofyou。Isn\'tthatwhatyoutrytodowhenyoushoot？\"
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"ofcoursethatiswhatwetrytodo。Butwetrytodoitintheproperway。\"
\"Propergrandmother！\"heexclaimed。\"Itdoesn\'tseemtohelpyoumuch。Thebestthingyoufellowscandoistolearntoshootmyway，andthenperhapsyoumaybeabletohitoftener。\"
Whenthechampionhadfinishedshootinghewenthometohisdinner，butmanyofusstoodabout，talkingoverourgreatescape。
\"IfeelasifIhaddonethatmyself，\"saidPepton。\"IamalmostasproudasifIhadshot——well，notaneagle，butasoaringlark。\"
\"Why，thatoughttomakeyouprouderthantheother，\"saidI，\"foralark，especiallywhenit\'ssoaring，mustbeagooddealhardertohitthananeagle。\"
\"That\'sso，\"saidPepton，reflectively。\"ButI\'llsticktothelark。I\'mproud。\"
Duringthenextmonthourstyleofarcheryimprovedverymuch，somuch，indeed，thatweincreasedourdistance，forgentlemen，tofortyyards，andthatforladiestothirty，andalsohadseriousthoughtsofchallengingtheAckfordclubtoamatch。Butasthiswasgenerallyunderstoodtobeacrackclub，wefinallydeterminedtodeferourchallengeuntilthenextseason。
WhenIsayweimproved，Idonotmeanallofus。IdonotmeanMissRosa。Althoughherattitudeswereasfineasever，andeverymotionastruetoruleasever，sheseldommadeahit。
Peptonactuallydidtrytoteachherhowtoaim，butthevariousmethodsofpointingthearrowwhichhesuggestedresultedinsuchwildshootingthattheboyswhopickedupthearrowsneverdaredtostickthepointsoftheirnosesbeyondtheirboardedbarricadeduringMissRosa\'sturnsatthetarget。Butshewasnotdiscouraged，andPeptonoftenassuredherthatifshewouldkeepupagoodheart，andpractiseregularly，shewouldgetthebadgeyet。Asarule，Peptonwassohonestandtruthfulthatalittlestatementofthiskind，especiallyunderthecircumstances，mightbeforgivenhim。
OnedayPeptoncametomeandannouncedthathehadmadeadiscovery。
\"It\'saboutarchery，\"hesaid，\"andIdon\'tmindtellingyou，becauseIknowyouwillnotgoabouttellingeverybodyelse，andalsobecauseIwanttoseeyousucceedasanarcher。\"
\"Iamverymuchobliged，\"Isaid，\"andwhatisthediscovery？\"
\"It\'sthis，\"heanswered。\"Whenyoudrawyourbow，bringthenockofyourarrow\"——hewasalwaysveryparticularabouttechnicalterms——\"welluptoyourear。Havingdonethat，don\'tbotheranymoreaboutyourrighthand。Ithasnothingtodowiththecorrectpointingofyourarrow，foritmustbekeptclosetoyourrightear，justasifitwerescrewedthere。Thenwithyourlefthandbringaroundthebowsothatyourfist——withthearrow-
head，whichisrestingontopofit——shallpoint，asnearlyasyoucanmakeit，directlyatthecentreofthetarget。Thenletfly，andtentooneyou\'llmakeahit。Now，whatdoyouthinkofthatforadiscovery？I\'vethoroughlytestedtheplan，anditworkssplendidly。\"
\"Ithink，\"saidI，\"thatyouhavediscoveredthewayinwhichgoodarchersshoot。Youhavestatedthecorrectmethodofmanagingabowandarrow。\"
\"Thenyoudon\'tthinkit\'sanoriginalmethodwithme？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"Ianswered。
\"Butit\'sthecorrectway？\"
\"There\'snodoubtofthat，\"saidI。
\"Well，\"saidPepton，\"thenIshallmakeitmyway。\"
Hedidso，andtheconsequencewasthatoneday，whenthechampionhappenedtobeaway，Peptonwonthebadge。Whentheresultwasannounced，wewereallsurprised，butnonesomuchsoasPeptonhimself。Hehadbeensteadilyimprovingsincehehadadoptedagoodstyleofshooting，buthehadhadnoideathathewouldthatdaybeabletowinthebadge。
Whenourpresidentpinnedtheemblemofsuccessuponthelapelofhiscoat，Peptonturnedpale，andthenheflushed。Hethankedthepresident，andwasabouttothanktheladiesandgentlemen；butprobablyrecollectingthatwehadhadnothingtodowithit，——unless，indeed，wehadshotbadlyonhisbehalf，——herefrained。Hesaidlittle，butIcouldseethathewasveryproudandveryhappy。Therewasbutonedrawbacktohistriumph：
MissRosawasnotthere。Shewasaveryregularattendant，butforsomereasonshewasabsentonthismomentousafternoon。I
didnotsayanythingtohimonthesubject，butIknewhefeltthisabsencedeeply。
Butthiscloudcouldnotwhollyovershadowhishappiness。Hewalkedhomealone，hisfacebeaming，hiseyessparkling，andhisgoodbowunderhisarm。
ThateveningIcalledonhim，forIthoughtthatwhenhehadcooleddownalittlehewouldliketotalkovertheaffair。
Buthewasnotin。MissMariasaidthathehadgoneoutassoonashehadfinishedhisdinner，whichhehadhurriedthroughinawaywhichwouldcertainlyinjurehisdigestionifhekeptupthepractice；anddinnerwaslate，too，fortheywaitedforhim，andthearcherymeetinglastedalongtimetoday；anditreallywasnotrightforhimtostayoutafterthedewbegantofallwithonlyordinaryshoeson，forwhat\'sthegoodofknowinghowtoshootabowandarrow，ifyou\'relaidupinyourbedwithrheumatismordiseaseofthelungs？Goodoldlady！ShewouldhavekeptPeptoninagreenbaizebag，hadsuchathingbeenpossible。
Thenextmorning，fulltwohoursbeforechurch-time，Peptoncalledonme。Hisfacewasstillbeaming。Icouldnothelpsmiling。
\"Yourhappinesslastswell，\"Isaid。
\"Lasts！\"heexclaimed。\"Whyshouldn\'titlast！\"
\"There\'snoreasonwhyitshouldnot——atleast，foraweek，\"
Isaid，\"andevenlonger，ifyourepeatyoursuccess。\"
IdidnotfeelsomuchlikecongratulatingPeptonasIhadonthepreviousevening。Ithoughthewasmakingtoomuchofhisbadge-winning。
\"Lookhere！\"saidPepton，seatinghimself，anddrawinghischairclosetome，\"youareshootingwild——verywildindeed。Youdon\'tevenseethetarget。Letmetellyousomething。LasteveningIwenttoseeMissRosa。Shewasdelightedatmysuccess。Ihadnotexpectedthis。Ithoughtshewouldbepleased，butnottosuchadegree。Hercongratulationsweresowarmthattheysetmeonfire。\"
\"Theymusthavebeenverywarmindeed，\"Iremarked。
\"`MissRosa，\'saidI，\"continuedPepton，withoutregardingmyinterruption，\"`ithasbeenmyfondesthopetoseeyouwearthebadge。\'`ButInevercouldgetit，youknow，\'shesaid。`Youhavegotit，\'Iexclaimed。`Takethis。Iwonitforyou。Makemehappybywearingit。\'`Ican\'tdothat，\'shesaid。`Thatisagentleman\'sbadge。\'`Takeit，\'Icried，`gentlemanandall！\'
\"Ican\'ttellyouallthathappenedafterthat，\"continuedPepton。\"Youknow，itwouldn\'tdo。Itisenoughtosaythatshewearsthebadge。Andwearebothherown——thebadgeandI！\"
NowIcongratulatedhimingoodearnest。Therewasareasonforit。
\"Idon\'toweasnapnowforshootinganeagle，\"saidPepton，springingtohisfeetandstridingupanddownthefloor。\"Let\'emallflyfreeforme。Ihavemadethemostgloriousshotthatmancouldmake。Ihavehitthegold——hititfairintheverycentre！Andwhat\'smore，I\'veknockeditcleanoutofthetarget！Nobodyelsecanevermakesuchashot。Therestofyoufellowswillhavetobecontenttohitthered，theblue，theblack，orthewhite。Thegoldismine！\"
Icalledontheoldladies，sometimeafterthis，andfoundthemalone。Theyweregenerallyaloneintheeveningsnow。WetalkedaboutPepton\'sengagement，andIfoundthemresigned。
Theyweresorrytolosehim，buttheywantedhimtobehappy。
\"Wehavealwaysknown，\"saidMissMartha，withalittlesigh，\"thatwemustdie，andthathemustgetmarried。Butwedon\'tintendtorepine。Thesethingswillcometopeople。\"Andherlittlesighwasfollowedbyasmile，stillsmaller。
TheEnd