“Well，yes，“saidSpindler，withaslighthesitation，“yesee，I\'mreckonin\'tohevakinderChristmasgatherin\'ofmy“——hewasabouttosay“folks，“butdismisseditfor“relations，“andfinallysettledupon“relatives“asbeingmorecorrectinapreacher\'shouse。
Mrs。Pricethoughtitaverygoodidea。Christmaswasthenaturalseasonforthefamilytogatherto“seewho\'shereandwho\'sthere，who\'sgettin\'onandwhoisn\'t，andwho\'sdeadandburied。Itwasluckyforthemwhoweresoplacedthattheycoulddosoandbejoyful。“HerinvinciblephilosophyprobablycarriedherpastanydangerousrecollectionsofthelonelygraveinKansas，andholdingupthestockingtothelight，sheglancedcheerfullyalongitsleveltoMr。Spindler\'sembarrassedfacebythefire。
“Well，Ican\'tsaymucheztothat，“respondedSpindler，stillawkwardly，“foryouseeIdon\'tknowmuchaboutitanyway。“
“Howlongsinceyou\'veseen\'em？“askedMrs。Price，apparentlyaddressingherselftothestocking。
Spindlergaveaweaklaugh。“Well，yousee，efitcomestothat，I\'veneverseen\'em！“
Mrs。PriceputthestockinginherlapandopenedherdirecteyesonSpindler。“Neverseen\'em？“sherepeated。“Then，they\'renotnearrelations？
“Therearethreecousins，“saidSpindler，checkingthemoffonhisfingers，“ahalf-uncle，akindofbrother-in-law，——thatis，thebrotherofmysister-in-law\'ssecondhusband，——andaniece。That\'ssix。“
“Butifyou\'venotseenthem，Isupposethey\'vecorrespondedwithyou？“saidMrs。Price。
“They\'venearlyallof\'emwrittentomeformoney，seeingmynameinthepaperezhevin\'madeastrike，“returnedSpindlersimply；
“andhevin\'sentit，Ijestknowtheiraddresses。“
“Oh！“saidMrs。Price，returningtothestocking。
SomethinginthetoneofherejaculationincreasedSpindler\'sembarrassment，butitalsomadehimdesperate。“Yousee，Mrs。
Price，“heblurtedout，“IoughtertellyethatIreckontheyarethefolksthat\'hevn\'tgoton，\'don\'tyousee，andsoitseemedonlythesquarethingforme，ezhad\'goton，\'togivethemasorto\'Christmasfestival。Suthin\'，don\'tyeknow，likewhatyourbrother-in-lawwassayin\'lastSundayinthepulpitaboutthisyerpeaceandgoodwill\'twixtmanandman。“
Mrs。Pricelookedagainatthemanbeforeher。Hissallow，perplexedfaceexhibitedsomedoubt，yetacertaindetermination，regardingtheprospectthequotationhadopenedtohim。“Averygoodidea，Mr。Spindler，andonethatdoesyougreatcredit，“shesaidgravely。
“I\'mmightygladtohearyousayso，Mrs。Price，“hesaid，withanaccentofgreatrelief，“forIreckonedtoaskyouagreatfavor！
Yousee，“hefellintohisformerhesitation，“thatis——thefactis——thatthissorto\'thingisrathersuddenttome，——alittleoutermyline，don\'tyousee，andIwasgoin\'toaskyeefyou\'dmindtakin\'thehullthinginhandandrunninitforme。“
“Runningitforyou，“saidMrs。Price，withaquickeye-shotfromundertheedgeofherlashes。“Manalive！Whatareyouthinkingof？“
“Bossin\'thewholejobforme，“hurriedonSpindler，withnervousdesperation。“Gettin\'togetherallthethingsandmakin\'readyfor\'em，——orderin\'ineverythin\'that\'swanted，andfixin\'uptherooms，——Ikinstepoutwhileyou\'redoin\'it，——andthenhelpin\'mereceivin\'\'em，andsittin\'attheheado\'thetable，youknow，——
likeezefyouwasthemistress。“
“But，“saidMrs。Price，withherfranklaugh，“that\'sthedutyofoneofyourrelations，——yourniece，forinstance，——orcousin，ifoneofthemisawoman。“
“But，“persistedSpindler，“yousee，they\'restrangerstome；I
don\'tknow\'em，andIdoyou。You\'dmakeiteasyfor\'em，——andforme，——don\'tyousee？Kinderintroduce\'em，——don\'tyouknow？A
womanofyourgin\'ralexperiencewouldsmoothdownallthemlittledifficulties，“continuedSpindler，withavaguerecollectionoftheKansasstory，“andputeverybodyonvelvet。Don\'tsay\'No，\'Mrs。
Price！I\'mjustkalkilatin\'onyou。“
Sincerityandpersistencyinamangoesagreatwaywitheventhebestofwomen。Mrs。Price，whohadatfirstreceivedSpindler\'srequestasanamusingoriginality，nowbegantoinclinesecretlytowardsit。And，ofcourse，begantosuggestobjections。
“I\'mafraiditwon\'tdo，“shesaidthoughtfully，awakeningtothefactthatitwoulddoandcouldbedone。“Yousee，I\'vepromisedtospendChristmasatSacramentowithmyniecesfromBaltimore。
Andthenthere\'sMrs。Saltoverandmysistertoconsult。“
ButhereSpindler\'ssimplefaceshowedsuchsignsofdistressthatthewidowdeclaredshewould“thinkitover，“——aprocesswhichthesanguineSpindlerseemedtoconsidersonearlyakintotalkingitoverthatMrs。Pricebegantobelieveitherself，ashehopefullydeparted。
She“thoughtitover“sufficientlytogotoSacramentoandexcuseherselftohernieces。Buthereshepermittedherselfto“talkitover，“totheinfinitedelightofthoseBaltimoregirls，whothoughtthisextravaganzaofSpindler\'s“soCalifornianandeccentric！“SothatitwasnotstrangethatpresentlythenewscamebacktoRoughandReady，andhisoldassociateslearnedforthefirsttimethathehadneverseenhisrelatives，andthattheywouldbedoublystrangers。Thisdidnotincreasehispopularity；
neither，Igrievetosay，didtheintelligencethathisrelativeswereprobablypoor，andthattheReverendMr。Saltoverhadapprovedofhiscourse，andhadlikenedittotherichman\'sfeast，towhichthehaltandblindwereinvited。Indeed，theallusionwassupposedtoaddhypocrisyandabidforpopularitytoSpindler\'sdefection，foritwasarguedthathemighthavefeasted“Wall-eyedJoe“or“Tangle-footBilly，“——whohadoncebeen“chawed“byabearwhileprospecting，——ifhehadbeensincere。Howbeit，Spindler\'sfaithwasoblivioustothesecriticisms，inhisjoyatMr。Saltover\'sadhesiontohisplansandtheloanofMrs。Priceasahostess。Infact，heproposedtoherthattheinvitationshouldalsoconveythatinformationintheexpression，“bythekindpermissionoftheRev。Mr。Saltover，“asaguaranteeofgoodfaith，butthewidowwouldhavenoneofit。Theinvitationsweredulywrittenanddispatched。
“Suppose，“suggestedSpindler，withasuddenlugubriousapprehension，——“supposetheyshouldn\'tcome？“
“Havenofearofthat，“saidMrs。Price，withafranklaugh。
“Oreftheywasdead，“continuedSpindler。
“Theycouldn\'tallbedead，“saidthewidowcheerfully。
“I\'vewrittentoanothercousinbymarriage，“saidSpindlerdubiously，“incaseofaccident；Ididn\'tthinkofhimbefore，becausehewasrich。“
“Andhaveyoueverseenhimeither，Mr。Spindler？“askedthewidow，withaslightmischievousness。
“Lordy！No！“heresponded，withunaffectedconcern。
OnlyonemistakewasmadebyMrs。Priceinherarrangementsfortheparty。Shehadnoticedwhatthesimple-mindedSpindlercouldneverhaveconceived，——thefeelingtowardshimheldbyhisoldassociates，andhadtactfullysuggestedthatageneralinvitationshouldbeextendedtothemintheevening。
“Youcanhaverefreshments，youknow，too，afterthedinner，andgamesandmusic。“
“But，“saidtheunsophisticatedhost，“won\'ttheboysthinkI\'mplayingitratherlowdownonthem，sotospeak，givin\'\'emakindo\'secondtable，asefitwasthetailingsafterastrike？“
“Nonsense，“saidMrs。Price，withdecision。“It\'squitefashionableinSanFrancisco，andjustthethingtodo。“
TothisdecisionSpindler，inhisblindfaithinthewidow\'smanagement，weaklyyielded。Anannouncementinthe“WeeklyBanner“
that，“OnChristmaseveningRichardSpindler，Esq。，proposedtoentertainhisfriendsandfellowcitizensatan\'athome，\'inhisownresidence，“notonlywidenedthebreachbetweenhimandthe“boys，“butawakenedanactiveresentmentthatonlywaitedforanoutlet。Itwasunderstoodthattheywereallcoming；butthattheyshouldhave“somefunoutofit“whichmightnotcoincidewithSpindler\'snorhisrelatives\'senseofhumorseemedaforegoneconclusion。
Unfortunately，too，subsequenteventslentthemselvestothisironyofthesituation。
Hewassoobviouslysincereinhisintent，and，aboveall，seemedtoplacesuchapatheticrelianceonherjudgment，thatshehesitatedtolethimknowtheshockhisrevelationhadgivenher。
Andwhatmighthisotherrelationsprovetobe？GoodLord！Yet，oddlyenough，shewassoprepossessedbyhim，andsofascinatedbyhisveryQuixotism，thatitwasperhapsforthesecomplexreasonsthatshesaidalittlestiffly:——
“Oneofthesecousins，Isee，isalady，andthenthereisyourniece。Doyouknowanythingaboutthem，Mr。Spindler？“
Hisfacegrewserious。“NomorethanIknowoftheothers，“hesaidapologetically。Afteramoment\'shesitationhewenton:“Nowyouspeakofit，itseemstomeI\'veheardthatmyniecewasdi-vorced。But，“headded，brighteningup，“I\'veheardthatshewaspopular。“
Mrs。Pricegaveashortlaugh，andwassilentforafewminutes。
Thenthissublimelittlewomanlookedupathim。Whathemighthaveseeninhereyeswasmorethanheexpected，or，Ifear，deserved。“Cheerup，Mr。Spindler，“shesaidmanfully。“I\'llseeyouthroughthisthing，don\'tyoumind！Butdon\'tyousayanythingabout——about——thisVigilanceCommitteebusinesstoanybody。Noraboutyourniece——itwasyourniece，wasn\'tit？——beingdivorced。
CharleythelateMr。Pricehadaqueersortofsister，who——butthat\'sneitherherenorthere！Andyourniecemayn\'tcome，youknow；orifshedoes，youain\'tboundtobringherouttothegeneralcompany。“
Atparting，Spindler，insheergratefulness，pressedherhand，andlingeredsolongoveritthatalittlecolorsprangintothewidow\'sbrowncheek。Perhapsafreshcouragesprangintoherheart，too，forshewenttoSacramentothenextday，previouslyenjoiningSpindleronnoaccounttoshowanyanswershemightreceive。AtSacramentoherniecesflewtoherwithconfidences。
“Wesowantedtoseeyou，AuntHuldy，forwe\'veheardsomethingsodelightfulaboutyourfunnyChristmasParty！“Mrs。Price\'sheartsank，buthereyessnapped。“Onlythinkofit！OneofMr。
Spindler\'slong-lostrelatives——aMr。Wragg——livesinthishotel，andpapaknowshim。He\'sasortofhalf-uncle，Ibelieve，andhe\'sjustfuriousthatSpindlershouldhaveinvitedhim。Heshowedpapatheletter；saiditwasthegreatestpieceofinsolenceintheworld；thatSpindlerwasanostentatiousfool，whohadmadealittlemoneyandwantedtousehimtogetintosociety；andthefunofthewholethingwasthatthishalf-uncleandwholebruteishimselfaparvenu，——avulgar，ostentatiouscreature，whowasonlya“——
“Nevermindwhathewas，Kate，“interruptedMrs。Pricehastily。“I
callhisconductashame。“
“Sodowe，“saidbothgirlseagerly。AfterapauseKateclaspedherkneeswithherlockedfingers，androckingbackwardsandforwards，said，“MillyandIhavegotanidea，anddon\'tyousay\'No\'toit。We\'vehaditeversincethatbrutetalkedinthatway。
Now，throughhim，weknowmoreaboutthisMr。Spindler\'sfamilyconnectionsthanyoudo；andweknowallthetroubleyouandhe\'llhaveingettingupthisparty。Youunderstand？Now，wefirstwanttoknowwhatSpindler\'slike。Isheasavage，beardedcreature，liketheminerswesawontheboat？“
Mrs。Pricesaidthat，onthecontrary，hewasverygentle，soft-
spoken，andrathergood-looking。
“Youngorold？“
“Young，——infact，amereboy，asyoumayjudgefromhisactions，“
returnedMrs。Price，withasuggestivematronlyair。
Katehereputupalong-handledeyeglasstoherfinegrayeyes，fitteditostentatiouslyoverheraquilinenose，andthensaid，inavoiceofsimulatedhorror，“AuntHuldy，——thisrevelationisshocking！“
Mrs。Pricelaughedherusualfranklaugh，albeitherbrowncheektookuponitafainttintofIndianred。“Ifthat\'sthewonderfulideayougirlshavegot，Idon\'tseehowit\'sgoingtohelpmatters，“shesaiddryly。
“No，that\'snotit？Wereallyhaveanidea。Nowlookhere。“
Mrs。Price“lookedhere。“Thisprocessseemedtothesuperficialobservertobemerelysubmittingherwaistandshoulderstothearmsofhernieces，andherearstotheirconfidentialandcoaxingvoices。
Twiceshesaid“itcouldn\'tbethoughtof，“and“itwasimpossible；“onceaddressedKateas“Youlimb！“andfinallysaidthatshe“wouldn\'tpromise，butmightwrite！“……
ItwastwodaysbeforeChristmas。Therewasnothingintheair，sky，orlandscapeofthatSierranslopetosuggesttheseasontotheEasternstranger。Asoftrainhadbeendroppingforaweekonlaurel，pine，andbuckeye，andthebladesofspringinggrassesandshylyopeningflowers。Sedateandsilenthillsidesthathadgrowndumbandparchedtowardstheendofthedryseasonbecamegentlyarticulateagain；thereweremurmursinhushedandforgottencanyons，theleapandlaughofwateramongthedrybonesofdustycreeks，andthefullsongofthelargerforksandrivers。
Southwestwindsbroughtthewarmodorofthepinesapswellingintheforest，orthefaint，far-offspiceofwildmustardspringinginthelowervalleys。But，asifbysomeironyofNature，thisgentleinvasionofspringinthewildwoodbroughtonlydisturbanceanddiscomforttothehauntsandworksofman。Theditcheswereoverflowed，thefordsoftheForkimpassable，thesluicingadrift，andthetrailsandwagonroadstoRoughandReadyknee-deepinmud。
Thestage-coachfromSacramento，enteringthesettlementbythemountainhighway，itswheelsandpanelscloggedandcrustedwithanunctuouspigmentlikemudandblood，passedoutofitthroughtheoverflowedanddangerousford，andemergedinspotlesspurity，leavingitsstainsbehindwithRoughandReady。Aweekofenforcedidlenessontheriver“Bar“haddriventheminerstothemorecomfortablerecreationofthesaloonbar，itsmirrors，itsfloridpaintings，itsarmchairs，anditsstove。Thesteamoftheirwetbootsandthesmokeoftheirpipeshungoverthelatterlikethesacrificialincensefromanaltar。Buttheattitudeofthemenwasmorecriticalandcensoriousthancontented，andshowedlittleofthegentlenessoftheweatherorseason。
“DidyouhearifthestagebroughtdownanymorerelationsofSpindler\'s？“
Thebarkeeper，towhomthisquestionwasaddressed，shiftedhisloungingpositionagainstthebarandsaid，“Ireckonnot，ezfarezIknow。“
“Andthatoldbloatofasecondcousin——thatcrimsonbeak——whatkemdownyesterday，——heain\'tbinhangin\'roundheretodayforhisreg\'larpizon？“
“No，“saidthebarkeeperthoughtfully，“IreckonSpindler\'sgothimlockedup，andissettin\'onhimtokeephimsobertillafterChristmas，andpreventyouboysgettin\'athim。“
“He\'llhavethejimjamsbeforethat，“returnedthefirstspeaker；
“andhowaboutthatdeadbeatofahalf-nephewwhoborrowedtwentydollarsofYubaBillonthewaydown，andthenwantedtogetoffatShootersvilie，butBillwouldn\'tlethim，andscootedhimdowntoSpindler\'sandcollectedthemoneyfromSpindlerhimselfaforehe\'dgivehimup？“
“He\'suptharwiththerestofthemenagerie，“saidthebarkeeper，“butIreckonthatMrs。Pricehezbinfeedin\'himup。Andyeknowtheoldwoman——thatfifty-fifthcousinbymarriage——whomJoeChandlerswearsheremembersezanoldcookforaChineserestaurantinStockton，——darnmyskinefthatMrs。Pricehasn\'triggedheroutinsomefancydudsofherown，andmadeherlookquitedecent。“
AdeepgroanherebrokefromUncleJimStarbuck。
“Didn\'tItellye？“hesaid，turningappealinglytotheothers。
“It\'sthatdarnedwidowthat\'satthebottomofitall！ShefirstputSpindleruptogivin\'theparty，andnow，darnmyskin，efsheain\'tgointofixuptheseragamuffinsanddrill\'emsowecan\'tgetanyfunouter\'emafterall！Andit\'sbein\'awomanthat\'sbossin\'thejob，andnotSpindler，we\'vegottodrawthingsmightyfineandnotcutuptoorough，orsomeoftheboyswillkick。“
“Youbet，“saidasurlybutdecidedvoiceinthecrowd。
“And，“saidanothervoice，“Mrs。Pricedidn\'tlivein\'BleedingKansas\'fornothing。“
“Wot\'stheprogrammeyou\'vesettledon，UncleJim？“saidthebarkeeperlightly，tocheckwhatseemedtopromiseadangerousdiscussion。
“Well，“saidStarbuck，“wekalkilatetogatherearlyChristmasnightinHooper\'sHollowandrigourselvesupInjunfashion，andthenstartforSpindler\'swithpitch-pinetorches，andhavea\'torchlightdance\'aroundthehouse；themwhodoesthedancin\'andyellin\'outsidetakin\'theirturnatgoin\'inandhevin\'refreshment。
JakeCooledge，ofBoston，sezifanybodyobjectstoit，we\'veonlygottosaywe\'re\'MummersoftheOldenTimes，\'sabe？Then，later，we\'llhave\'ThemSabbathEveningBells\'performedonprospectin\'
pansbytheband。Then，atthefinish，JakeCooledgeisgoin\'togiveoneofhissurkasticspeeches，——kinderwelcomin\'Spindler\'sfamilytotheFreeOpenin\'o\'Spindler\'sAlmshouseandReformatory。“
Hepaused，possiblyforthatapprobationwhich，however，didnotseemtocomespontaneously。“Itain\'tmuch，“headdedapologetically，“forwe\'rehamperedbywomen；butwe\'lladdtotheprogrammeezweseehowthingspanout。Yesee，fromwhatwecanhear，allofSpindler\'srelationsain\'tonhandyet！We\'vegottowait，likeinelckshuntimes，for\'returnsfromthebackcounties。\'Hello！What\'sthat？“
Itwastheswishandsplutterofhoofsontheroadbeforethedoor。
TheSacramentocoach！Inaninstanteverymanwasexpectant，andStarbuckdartedoutsideontheplatform。Thentherewastheusualgreetingandbustle，thehurriedingressofthirstypassengersintothesaloon，andapause。UncleJimreturned，excitedlyandpantingly。“Lookyer，boys！Efthisain\'ttherichestthingout！
Theysaythere\'stwomorerelationso\'Spindler\'sonthecoach，comedownasexpressfreight，consigned，——d\'yehear？——consignedtoSpindler！“
“Stiffs，incoffins？“suggestedaneagervoice。
“Ididn\'tgettohearmore。Butheretheyare。“
Therewasthesuddenirruptionofalaughing，curiouscrowdintothebar-room，ledbyYubaBill，thedriver。Thenthecrowdparted，andoutoftheirmidststeppedtwochildren，aboyandagirl，theoldestapparentlyofnotmorethansixyears，holdingeachother\'shands。Theywerecoarselyyetcleanlydressed，andwithacertainuniformprecisionthatsuggestedformalcharity。Butmoreremarkablethanall，aroundtheneckofeachwasalittlesteelchain，fromwhichdependedtheregularcheckandlabelofthepowerfulExpressCompany，Wells；Fargo&Co。，andthewords:“ToRichardSpindler。““Fragile。““Withgreatcare。““Collectondelivery。“Occasionallytheirlittlehandswentupautomaticallyandtouchedtheirlabels，asiftoshowthem。Theysurveyedthecrowd，thefloor，thegildedbar，andYubaBillwithoutfearandwithoutwonder。Therewasapatheticsuggestionthattheywereaccustomedtothisobservation。
“Now，Bobby，“saidYubaBill，leaningbackagainstthebar，withanairhalf-paternal，half-managerial，“tellthesegentshowyoucamehere。“
“ByWellth，FargothExpreth，“lispedBobby。
“Wharfrom？“
“WedHill，Owegon。“
“RedHill，Oregon？Why，it\'sathousandmilesfromhere，“saidabystander。
“Ireckon，“saidYubaBillcoolly，“theykembystagetoPortland，bysteamerto\'Frisco，steameragaintoStockton，andthenbystageoverthewholeline。AllersbyWells，Fargo&Co。\'sExpress，fromagenttoagent，andfrommessengertomessenger。Fact！Theyain\'tbintetchedorhandledbyanyonebuttheKempany\'sagents；theyain\'thadalineordirectionexceptthemchecksaroundtheirnecks！
Andthey\'vewantedfornothin\'else。Why，I\'vecarriedheapso\'
treasurebefore，gentlemen，andonceahundredthousanddollarsingreenbacks，butInevercarriedanythin\'thatwaswatchedandguardedasthemkids！Why，thedivisioninspectoratStocktonwantedtogowith\'emovertheline；butJimBracy，themessenger，saidhe\'dcallitareflectiononhimselfandresign，eftheydidn\'tgive\'emtohimwiththeotherpackages！Yehadaprettygoodtime，Bobby，didn\'tye？Plentytoeatanddrink，eh？“
Thetwochildrenlaughedalittleweaklaugh，turnedeachotherbashfullyaround，andthenlookedupshylyatYubaBillandsaid，“Yeth。“
“Doyouknowwhereyouaregoin\'？“askedStarbuck，inaconstrainedvoice。
Itwasthelittlegirlwhoansweredquicklyandeagerly:——
“Yes，toKrissmassandSandyClaus。“
“Towhat？“askedStarbuck。
Heretheboyinterposedwithasuperiorair:——
“TheemeanthCouthinDick。He\'thgotKrithmath。“
“Where\'syourmother？“
“Dead。“
“Andyourfather？“
“Inorthpittal。“
Therewasalaughsomewhereontheoutskirtsofthecrowd。Everyonefacedangrilyinthatdirection，butthelaugherhaddisappeared。
YubaBill，however，senthisvoiceafterhim。“Yes，inhospital！
Funny，ain\'tit？——amoosin\'place！Tryit。Stepoverhere，andinfiveminutes，bythelivingHoky，I\'llqualifyyouforadmission，andnotchargeyouacent！“Hestopped，gaveasweepingglanceofdissatisfactionaroundhim，andthen，leaningbackagainstthebar，beckonedtosomeonenearthedoor，andsaidinadisgustedtone，“Youtellthesegalootshowithappened，Bracy。Theymakemesick！“
Thusappealedto，Bracy，theexpressmessenger，steppedforwardinYubaBill\'splace。
“It\'snothingparticular，gentlemen，“hesaid，withalaugh，“onlyitseemsthatsomemancalledSpindler，wholivesabouthere，sentaninvitationtothefatherofthesechildrentobringhisfamilytoaChristmasparty。Itwasn\'tabadsortofthingforSpindlertodo，consideringthattheywerehispoorrelations，thoughtheydidn\'tknowhimfromAdam，——wasit？“Hepaused；severalofthebystandersclearedtheirthroats，butsaidnothing。“Atleast，“
resumedBracy，“that\'swhattheboysupatRedHill，Oregon，thought，whentheyheardofit。Well，asthefatherwasinhospitalwithabrokenleg，andthemotheronlyafewweeksdead，theboysthoughtitmightyroughonthesepoorkidsiftheyweredoneoutoftheirfunbecausetheyhadnoonetobringthem。Theboyscouldn\'taffordtogothemselves，buttheygotalittlemoneytogether，andthengottheideaofsendin\'\'embyexpress。OuragentatRedHilltumbledtotheideaatonce；buthewouldn\'ttakeanymoneyinadvance，andsaidhewouldsend\'em\'C。O。D。\'likeanyotherpackage。Andhedid，andheretheyare！That\'sall！
Andnow，gentlemen，asI\'vegottodeliverthempersonallytothisSpindler，andgethisreceiptandtakeofftheirchecks，Ireckonwemusttoddle。Come，Bill，helptake\'emup！“
“Holdon！“saidadozenvoices。Adozenhandswerethrustintoadozenpockets；Igrievetosaysomewereregretfullywithdrawnempty，foritwasahardseasoninRoughandReady。Buttheexpressmansteppedbeforethem，withwarning，upliftedhand。
“Notacent，boys，——notacent！Wells，Fargo\'sExpressCompanydon\'tundertaketocarrybullionwiththosekids，atleastonthesamecontract！“Helaughed，andthenlookingaroundhim，saidconfidentiallyinalowervoice，which，however，wasquiteaudibletothechildren，“There\'sasmuchasthreebagsofsilverinquarterandhalfdollarsinmytreasureboxinthecoachthathasbeenpoured，yes，justshowereduponthem，eversincetheystarted，andhavebeenpassedoverfromagenttoagentandmessengertomessenger，——enoughtopaytheirpassagefromheretoChina！It\'stimetosayquitsnow。Butbetyourlife，theyarenotgoingtothatChristmaspartypoor！“
Hecaughtuptheboy，asYubaBillliftedthelittlegirltohisshoulder，andbothpassedout。Thenonebyonetheloungersinthebar-roomsilentlyandawkwardlyfollowed，andwhenthebarkeeperturnedbackfromputtingawayhisdecantersandglasses，tohisastonishmenttheroomwasempty……
Spindler\'shouse，or“Spindler\'sSplurge，“asRoughandReadychosetocallit，stoodabovethesettlement，onadeforestedhillside，which，however，revengeditselfbyproducingnotenoughvegetationtocovereventhefewstumpsthatwereineradicable。Alargewoodenstructureinthepseudo-classicstyleaffectedbyWesterners，withanincongruouscupola，itwasoddlyenoughrelievedbyastillmoreincongruousverandaextendingarounditsfoursides，upheldbywoodenDoriccolumns，whichwerealreadypicturesquelycoveredwithfloweringvinesandsun-lovingroses。Mr。Spindlerhadtrustedthefurnishingofitsinteriortothesamecontractorwhohadupholsteredthegildedbar-roomoftheEurekaSaloon，andwhohadapparentlybestowedthesamedesignandmaterial，impartially，oneach。Thereweregildedmirrorsalloverthehouseandchillymarble-toppedtables，giltplasterCupidsinthecorners，andstuccoedlions“intheway“everywhere。ThetactfulhandsofMrs。
Pricehadscreenedsomeofthesewithseasonablelaurels，firboughs，andberries，andhadimpartedaslightChristmasflavortothehouse。ButthegreaterpartofhertimehadbeenemployedintryingtosubduetheeccentricitiesofSpindler\'samazingrelations；
intranquilizingMrs。“Aunt“MarthaSpindler，——theelderlycookbeforealludedto，——whowasinclinedtoregardthegildedsplendorsofthehouseasindicativeofdangerousimmorality；inrestraining“Cousin“MorleyHewlettfromconsideringthedining-roombuffetasabarfor“intermittentrefreshment；“andinkeepingtheweak-mindednephew，PhinneySpindler，fromshootingatbottlesfromtheveranda，wearinghisuncle\'sclothes，orrunningupanaccountinhisuncle\'snameforvariousarticlesatthegeneralstores。Yettheunlooked-forarrivalofthetwochildrenhadbeentheonegreatcompensationanddiversionforher。Shewroteatoncetoherniecesabriefaccountofhermiraculousdeliverance。“IthinkthesepoorchildrendroppedfromtheskiesheretomakeourChristmaspartypossible，tosaynothingofthesympathytheyhavecreatedinRoughandReadyforSpindler。Heisgoingtokeepthemaslongashecan，andiswritingtothefather。Thinkofthepoorlittletotstravelingathousandmilesto\'Krissmass，\'astheycallit！——thoughtheyweresowellcaredforbythemessengersthattheirlittlebodieswerepositivelystuffedlikequails。So，yousee，dear，wewillbeabletogetalongwithoutairingyourfamousidea。I\'msorry，forIknowyou\'rejustdyingtoseeitall。“
WhateverKate\'s“idea“mighthavebeen，therecertainlyseemednownoneedofanyextraneousaidtoMrs。Price\'smanagement。
Christmascameatlast，andthedinnerpassedoffwithoutseriousdisaster。ButtheordealofthereceptionofRoughandReadywasstilltocome。ForMrs。Pricewellknewthatalthough“theboys“
weremoresubdued，and，indeed，inclinedtosympathizewiththeirhost\'suncouthendeavor，therewasstillmuchintheaspectofSpindler\'srelationstoexcitetheirsenseoftheludicrous。
ButhereFortuneagainfavoredthehouseofSpindlerwithadramaticsurprise，evengreaterthantheadventofthechildrenhadbeen。InthechangethathadcomeoverRoughandReady，“theboys“
haddecided，outofdeferencetothewomenandchildren，toomitthefirstpartoftheirprogramme，andhadapproachedandenteredthehouseassoberlyandquietlyasordinaryguests。Butbeforetheyhadshakenhandswiththehostandhostess，andseentherelations，theclatterofwheelswasheardbeforetheopendoor，anditslightsflasheduponacarriageandpair，——anactualprivatecarriage，——thelikeofwhichhadnotbeenseensincethegovernoroftheStatehadcomedowntoopenthenewditch！Thentherewasapause，theflashofthecarriagelampsuponwhitesilk，thelighttreadofasatinfootontheverandaandinthehall，andtheentranceofavisionofloveliness！Middle-agedmenandolddwellersofcitiesrememberedtheiryouth；youngermenbethoughtthemselvesofCinderellaandthePrince！Therewasathrillandahushasthislastguest——abeautifulgirl，radiantwithyouthandadornment——putadaintyglasstohersparklingeyeandadvancedfamiliarly，withoutstretchedhand，toDickSpindler。Mrs。Pricegaveasinglegasp，anddrewbackspeechless。
“UncleDick，“saidalaughingcontraltovoice，which，indeed，somewhatrecalledMrs。Price\'sown，initscourageousfrankness，“I
amsodelightedtocome，evenifalittlelate，andsosorrythatMr。M\'Kennacouldnotcomeonaccountofbusiness。“
Everybodylistenedeagerly，butnonemoreeagerlyandsurprisinglythanthehosthimself。M\'Kenna！Therichcousinwhohadneveransweredtheinvitation！AndUncleDick！This，then，washisdivorcedniece！YeteveninhisastonishmentherememberedthatofcoursenoonebuthimselfandMrs。Priceknewit，——andthatladyhadglanceddiscreetlyaway。
“Yes，“continuedthehalf-niecebrightly。“IcamefromSacramentowithsomefriendstoShootersville，andfromthenceIdrovehere；
andthoughImustreturnto-night，Icouldnotforegothepleasureofcoming，ifitwasonlyforanhourortwo，toanswertheinvitationoftheuncleIhavenotseenforyears。“Shepaused，and，raisingherglasses，turnedapolitelyquestioningeyetowardsMrs。Price。“Oneofourrelations？“shesaidsmilinglytoSpindler。
“No，“saidSpindler，withsomeembarrassment，“a——afriend！“
Thehalf-nieceextendedherhand。Mrs。Pricetookit。
Butthefairstranger，——whatshedidandsaidweretheonlythingsrememberedinRoughandReadyonthatfestiveoccasion；noonethoughtoftheotherrelations；noonerecalledthemnortheireccentricities；Spindlerhimselfwasforgotten。PeopleonlyrecollectedhowSpindler\'slovelyniecelavishedhersmilesandcourtesiesoneveryone，andbroughttoherfeetparticularlythemisogynistStarbuckandthesarcasticCooledge，obliviousofhispreviousspeech；howshesatatthepianoandsanglikeanangel，hushingthemosthilariousandexcitedintosentimentalandevenmaudlinsilence；how，gracefulasanymph，sheledwith“UncleDick“aVirginiareeluntilthewholeassemblyjoined，eagerforapassingtouchofherdaintyhandinitschanges；how，whentwohourshadpassed，——alltooswiftlyfortheguests，——theystoodwithbaredheadsandglisteningeyesontheverandatoseethefairycoachwhirlthefairyprincessaway！How——butthisincidentwasneverknowntoRoughandReady。
Ithappenedinthesacreddressing-room，whereMrs。Pricewascloakingwithherownhandsthedepartinghalf-nieceofMr。
Spindler。Takingthatopportunitytoseizethelovelyrelativebytheshouldersandshakeherviolently，shesaid:“Oh，yes，andit\'sallverywellforyou，Kate，youlimb！Foryou\'regoingaway，andwillneverseeRoughandReadyandpoorSpindleragain。ButwhatamItodo，miss？HowamItofaceitout？ForyouknowI\'vegottotellhimatleastthatyou\'renohalf-nieceofhis！“
“Haveyou？“saidtheyounglady。
“HaveI？“repeatedthewidowimpatiently。“HaveI？OfcourseI
have！Whatareyouthinkingof？“
“Iwasthinking，aunty，“saidthegirlaudaciously，“thatfromwhatI\'veseenandheardto-night，ifI\'mnothishalf-niecenow，it\'sonlyaquestionoftime！Soyou\'dbetterwait。Good-night，dear。“
And，really，——itturnedoutthatshewasright！
WHENTHEWATERSWEREUPAT“JULES\'“
Whenthewaterswereupat“Jules\'“therewaslittleelseuponthatmonotonouslevel。Forthefewinhabitantswhocalmlyandmethodicallymovedtohigherground，campingoutintentsuntilthefloodhadsubsided，leftnodistractingwreckagebehindthem。A
dozenhalf-submergedlogcabinsdottedthetranquilsurfaceofthewaters，withoutrippleordisturbance，lookinginthemoonlightmoreliketheruinsofcenturiesthanofafewdays。Therewasnocurrenttosaptheirslightfoundationsorsweepthemaway；nothingstirredthatsilentlakebuttheoccasionalshot-likeindentationsofapassingraindrop，or，stillmorerarely，araft，madeofasinglelog，propelledbysomecitizenonatourofinspectionofhiscabinroof-tree，wheresomeofhisgoodswerestillstored。
Therewasnosenseofterrorinthisblandobliterationofthelittlesettlement；theruinsofasingleburnt-upcabinwouldhavebeenmoreimpressivethanthisstupidandevengrotesquelyplacideffectoftherivaldestroyingelement。Peopletookitnaturally；
thewaterwentasithadcome，——slowly，impassively，noiselessly；afewdaysoffervidCaliforniansunshinedriedthecabins，andinaweekortwothereddustlayagainasthicklybeforetheirdoorsasthewintermudhadlain。ThewatersofRattlesnakeCreekdroppedbelowitsbanks，thestage-coachfromMarysvillenolongermadeadetourofthesettlement。Therewasevenasingularcompensationtothisamicableinvasion；theinhabitantssometimesfoundgoldinthosebreachesinthebanksmadebytheoverflow。Towaitforthe“oldRattlesnakesluicing“wasavernalhopeofthetrustingminer。
Thehistoryof“Jules\'，“however，wasoncedestinedtoofferasingularinterruptionofthispeacefulandmethodicalprocess。Thewinterof1859-60wasanexceptionalone。Butlittlerainhadfalleninthevalleys，althoughthesnowlaydeepinthehighSierras。Passeswerechoked，ravinesfilled，andglaciersfoundontheirslopes。Andwhenthetardyrainscamewiththewithheldsouthwesterly“trades，“theregularphenomenonrecurred；Jules\'
Flatsilently，noiselessly，andpeacefullywentunderwater；theinhabitantsmovedtothehigherground，perhapsalittlemoreexpeditiouslyfromanimpatiencebornofthedelay。ThestagecoachfromMarysvillemadeitsusualdetourandstoppedbeforethetemporaryhotel，expressoffices，andgeneralstoreof“Jules\'，“
undercanvas，bark，andthelimpleavesofaspreadingalder。Itdepositedasinglepassenger，——MilesHemmingway，ofSanFrancisco，butoriginallyofBoston，——theyoungsecretaryofaminingcompany，dispatchedtoreportupontheallegedauriferousvalueof“Jules\'。“
Ofthishehadbeenbynomeansimpressedashelookeddownuponthesubmergedcabinsfromthebox-seatofthecoachandlistenedtothedriver\'slazyrecitaloftheflood，andofthesingularlypatientacceptanceofitbytheinhabitants。
Itwastheoldstoryofthesouthwesternminer\'sindolenceandincompetency，——utterlydistastefultohisnorthernhabitsofthoughtandeducation。HerewastheiroldfatuousenduranceofNature\'swildcaprices，withoutthatstruggleagainstthemwhichbroughtothersstrengthandsuccess；herewastheoldphilosophywhichacceptedtheprairiefireandcyclone，andsurvivedthemwithoutadvancement，yetwithoutrepining。Perhapsindifferentplacesandsurroundingsasubmissionsostoicmighthaveimpressedhim；ingentlemenwhotuckedtheirdirtytrousersintheirmuddybootsandlivedonlyforthegoldtheydug，itdidnotseemtohimheroic。Norwashemollifiedashestoodbesidetheruderefreshmentbar——afewplankslaidontrestles——anddrankhiscoffeebeneaththedrippingcanvasroof，withanoddrecollectionofhisboyhoodandaninclementSunday-schoolpicnic。Yetthesemenhadbeenlivinginthisshiftlessfashionforthreeweeks！Itexasperatedhimstillmoretothinkthathemighthavetowaitthereafewdayslongerforthewatertosubsidesufficientlyforhimtomakehisexaminationandreport。Ashetookaprofferedseatonacandle-box，whichtiltedunderhim，andanothersurveyofthefeeblemakeshiftsaroundhim，hisirascibilityfoundvent。
“Why，inthenameofGod，didn\'tyou，afteryouhadbeenfloodedoutONCE，buildyourcabinsPERMANENTLYonhigherground？“
Althoughthetoneofhisvoicewasmoredisturbingthanhisquestion，itpleasedoneoftheloungerstoaffecttotakeitliterally。
“Well，ezyou\'veputitthatway，——\'inthenameofGod！\'“——returnedthemanlazily，“itmouthevstruckusthatezHEwasbossin\'thejob，sotospeak，andhandlin\'thingsroundheregenerally，wemightleaveittoHim。Itwasn\'tOURfloodtomonkeywith。“
“AndasHedidn\'tcoven-ant，sotospeak，tolookarterthishigherground\'speshally，andmakeanAraratofitforus，ezfarezwecouldsee，wedidn\'tseeanyreasonforSETTLIN\'yer，“putinasecondspeaker，withequallaziness。
Thesecretarysawhismistakeinstantly，andhadexperienceenoughofWesternhumornottoprolongthedisadvantageofhisunfortunateadjuration。Hecoloredslightlyandsaid，withasmile，“YouknowwhatImean；youcouldhaveprotectedyourselvesbetter。Aleveeonthebankwouldhavekeptyouclearofthehighestwatermark。“
“HeyyoueverheardWHATthehighestwatermarkwas？“saidthefirstspeaker，turningtoanotheroftheloungerswithoutlookingatthesecretary。
“Neverheardit，——didn\'tknowtherewasalimitbefore，“respondedtheman。
Thefirstspeakerturnedbacktothesecretary。“Didyoueverknowwhathappenedat\'Bulger\'s，\'ontheNorthFork？Theyhadoneo\'
themlevees。“
“No。Whathappened？“askedthesecretaryimpatiently。
“Theywasfixedsuthin\'likeus，“returnedthefirstspeaker。
“THEYallowedthey\'dbuildaleveeaboveTHEIRhighestwatermark，anddid。Itworkedlikeacharmatfirst；butthewaterhedtogosomewhere，anditkindercollectedatthefirstbend。Thenitsorterraiseditselfonitselbowsoneday，andlookedovertheleveedownuponwharsomeoftheboyswaswashin\'quitecomf\'ble。
Thenitpaidnosorterattentiontothelimito\'thathighwatermark，butwentsixinchesbetter！Notslowandquietlikeezituseterto，ezitdoesHERE，kinderfillin\'upfrombelow，butwentoverwitharushandacurrent，hevin\'ofcoursethewholeheightoftheleveetofallont\'othersidewheretheboysweresluicing。“Hepaused，andamidstaprofoundsilenceadded，“Theysaythat\'Bulger\'s\'wasscatteredpromiscuous-likeallalongthefortforfivemiles。IonlyknowthatoneofhismulesandasectionofsluicingwaspickedupatRedFlat，eightmilesaway！“
Mr。HemmingwayfeltthatthereWASananswertothis，but，beingwise，alsofeltthatitwouldbeunavailing。Hesmiledpolitelyandsaidnothing，atwhichthefirstspeakerturnedtohim:——
“Tharain\'tanythingtoseeto-day，butto-morrow，ezthingsgo，thewateroughterbedroppin\'。Mebbeyou\'dliketowashupnowandcleanyourself，“headded，withaglanceatHemmingway\'ssmallportmanteau。“Ezwethoughtyou\'dlikelybecrowdedhere，we\'veriggedupacornerforyouatStanton\'sshantywiththewomen。“
Theyoungman\'scheekflushedslightlyatsomepossibleironyinthis，andheprotestedwithconsiderablestressthathewasquiteready“toroughit“wherehewas。
“Ireckonit\'salreadyfixed，“returnedthemandecisively，“soyou\'dbettercomeandI\'llshowyoutheway。“
“Onemoment，“saidHemmingway，withasmile；“mycredentialsareaddressedtothemanageroftheBooneDitchCompanyat\'Jules\'。\'
PerhapsIoughttoseehimfirst。“
“Allright；he\'sStanton。“
“And“——hesitatedthesecretary，“YOU，whoappeartounderstandthelocalitysowell，——ItrustImayhavethepleasure“——
“Oh，I\'mJules。“
Thesecretarywasalittlestartledandamused。So“Jules“wasaperson，andnotaplace！
“Thenyou\'reapioneer？“askedHemmingway，alittlelessdictatorially，astheypassedoutunderthedrippingtrees。
“Istruckthiscreekinthefallof\'49，comin\'overLivermore\'sPasswithStanton，“returnedJules，withgreatbrevityofspeechanddeliberatetardinessofdelivery。“Sentformywifeandtwochildrenthenextyear；wifediedsamewinter，changebein\'toosuddenforher，andcontractin\'chillsandfeveratSweetwater。
WhenIkemherefirsttharwasn\'tsixincheso\'waterinthecreek；
outtherewasaheapofitovertherewhereyouseethemyallowish-
greenpatchesandstripso\'brushandgrass；allthatwarwaterthen，andallthatgrowthhezsprungupsince。“
Hemmingwaylookedaroundhim。The“higherground“wheretheystoodwasinrealityonlyamound-likeelevationabovethedeadleveloftheflat，andthefewtreesweremerelyrecentyoungwillowsandalders。Theareaofactualdepressionwasmuchgreaterthanhehadimagined，anditsresemblancetothebedofsomeprehistoricinlandseastruckhimforcibly。ApreviouslargerinundationthanJules\'
briefexperiencehadeverknownhadbeenbynomeansimprobable。
Hischeekreddenedathisprevioushastyindictmentofthesettlers\'ignoranceandshiftlessness，andthethoughtthathehadprobablycommittedhisemployerstohisownrashconfidenceandsuperiorityofjudgment。However，therewasnoevidencethatthisdiluvialrecordwasnotoftheremotepast。Hesmiledagainwithgreatersecurityashethoughtofthegeologicalchangesthathadsincetemperedthesecataclysms，andtheameliorationbroughtbysettlementandcultivation。Nevertheless，hewouldmakeathoroughexaminationto-morrow。
Stanton\'scabinwasthefurthestofthesetemporaryhabitations，andwaspartlyonthedeclivitywhichbegantoslopetotheriver\'sbank。Itwas，liketheothers，aroughshantyofunplanedboards，but，unliketheothers，ithadabaseoflogslaidlengthwiseonthegroundandparallelwitheachother，onwhichtheflooringandstructureweresecurelyfastened。Thisgaveittheappearanceofaboxslidonrunners，oraNoah\'sArkwhosebulkhadbeenreduced。
Julesexplainedthatthelogs，laidinthatmanner，kepttheshantywarmerandfreefromdamp。InreplytoHemmingway\'ssuggestionthatitwasagreatwasteofmaterial，Julessimplyrepliedthatthelogswerethe“flotsamandjetsam“ofthecreekfromtheoverflowedmillsbelow。
Hemmingwayagainsmiled。ItwasagaintheoldstoryofWesternwasteandprodigality。AccompaniedbyJules，however，heclimbedupthehuge，slipperylogswhichmadeaplatformbeforethedoor，andentered。
Thesingleroomwasunequallydivided；thelargerpartcontainingthreebeds，bydayrolledinasinglepileinonecornertomakeroomforatableandchairs。Afewdresseshangingfromnailsonthewallshowedthatitwasthewomen\'sroom。Thesmallercompartmentwasagainsubdividedbyahangingblanket，behindwhichwasarudebunkorberthagainstthewall，atablemadeofapacking-box，containingatinbasinandacanofwater。Thiswashisapartment。
“Thewomen-folksaredownthecreek，bakin\'，to-day，“saidJulesexplanatorily；“butIreckonthatoneof\'emwillbeuphereinajiffytomakesupper，soyoujusttakeiteasytilltheycome。
I\'vegottomeanderovertotheclaimaforeIturnin，butyoujustliebyto-nightandtakearest。“
Heturnedaway，leavingHemmingwaystandinginthedoorwaystilldistraughtandhesitating。NordidtheyoungmanrecognizethedelicacyofJules\'leave-takinguntilhehadunstrappedhisportmanteauandfoundhimselfalone，freetomakehistoilet，unembarrassedbycompany。Buteventhenhewouldhavepreferredtheroughcompanionshipoftheminersinthecommondormitoryofthegeneralstoretothisintrusionuponthehalf-civilizationofthewomen，theirpitiablelittlecomfortsandsecretmakeshifts。
Hisdisgustofhisownindecisionwhichbroughthimtherenaturallyrecoiledinthedirectionofhishostandhostesses，andafterahurriedablution，achangeoflinen，andanattempttoremovethestainsoftravelfromhisclothes，hestrodeoutimpatientlyintotheopenairagain。
Itwassingularlymildevenfortheseason。Thesouthwesttradesblewsoftly，andwhisperedtohimofSanFranciscoandthedistantPacific，withitslong，steadyswell。HeturnedagaintotheoverflowedFlatbeneathhim，andthesluggishyellowwaterthatscarcelybrokearippleagainstthewallsofthehalf-submergedcabins。Andthiswasthewaterforwhosegoingdowntheywerewaitingwithanimmobilityastranquilasthewatersthemselves！
Whatmarvelousincompetency，——orwhatinfinitepatience！Heknew，ofcourse，theirexpectedcompensationinthis“groundsluicing“atNature\'sownhand；thelongriftsinthebanksofthecreekwhichsooftenshowed“thecolor“inthesparklingscalesofrivergolddisclosedbytheactionofthewater；theheapsofreddishmudleftafteritssubsidencearoundthewallsofthecabins，——adepositthatoftencontainedatreasureadozentimesmorevaluablethanthecabinitself！Andthenheheardbehindhimalaugh，ashortandpantingbreath，andturning，beheldayoungwomanrunningtowardshim。
Inhisfirstastoundedsightofher，inherlimpnankeensunbonnet，thrownbackfromherheadbytheimpetusofherflight，hesawonlytoomuchhair，twomuchwhiteteeth，toomucheye-flash，and，aboveall，——asitappearedtohim，——toomuchconfidenceinthepowerofthesequalities。Evenassheran，itseemedtohimthatshewaspullingdownostentatiouslytherolled-upsleevesofherpinkcalicogownoverhershapelyarms。Iaminclinedtothinkthattheyounggentleman\'stemperwasatfault，andhisconclusionhasty；acalmerobserverwouldhavedetectednothingofthisinherfranklycheerfulvoice。Nevertheless，herevidentpleasureinthemeetingseemedtohimonlyobtrusivecoquetry。
“Lordy！Ireckonedtogithereaforeyou\'dgetthroughfixin\'up，andintimetodoalittleprinkin\'myself，andhereyou\'reoutalready。“Shelaughed，glancingathiscleanshirtanddamphair。
“Butallthesame，wekinhaveatalk，andyoukintellmeallthenewsaforetheotherwimmengetuphere。It\'sacoon\'sagesinceI
wasatSacramentoandsawanybodyoranything。“Shestoppedand，instinctivelydetectingsomevaguereticenceinthemanbeforeher，said，stilllaughing，“You\'reMr。Hemmingway，ain\'tyou？“
Hemmingwaytookoffhishatquickly，withaslightstartathisforgetfulness。“Ibegyourpardon；yes，certainly。“
“AuntyStantonthoughtitwas\'Hummingbird，\'“saidthegirl，withalaugh，“butIreckonednot。I\'mJinneyJules，youknow；folkscallme\'J。J。\'Itwouldn\'tdoforaHummingbirdandaJayJaytobeinthesamecamp，wouldit？ItwouldbejustTOOfunny！“
Hemmingwaydidnotfindthehumorofthissosingularlyexhaustive，buthewasalreadybeginningtobeashamedofhisattitudetowardsher。“I\'mverysorrytobegivingyouallthistroublebymyintrusion，forIwasquitewillingtostayatthestoreyonder。
Indeed，“headded，withaburstoffranknessquiteassincereasherown，“ifyouthinkyourfatherwillnotbeoffended，Iwouldgladlygotherenow。“
Ifhestillbelievedinhercoquetryandvanity，hewouldhavebeenundeceivedandcrushedbytheequalandsincerefranknesswithwhichshemetthisungallantspeech。
“No！Ireckonhewouldn\'tcare，ifyou\'dbeascomf\'bleandfitforto-morrow。ButyeWOULDN\'T，“shesaidreflectively。“Theboystharsituplateovereuchre，andswearaheap，andSimpson，who\'dsleepalongsideofye，snorespow\'ful，I\'veheard。AuntyStantonkindoherlevelatthat，too，andtheysay“——withalaugh——“thatI
kin，too，butyou\'reawayoffinthatcorner，anditwon\'treachyou。So，takin\'itall，bythelarge，you\'dbetterstaywharyeare。Wewimmen，thatis，themostofus，willbeoffandawaydowntoRattlesnakeBarshoppin\'aforesunup，soye\'llsleepezlongezyewantto，andfindyerbreakfastreadywhenyewake。SoI\'lljestsettoandgetyesomesupper，andyekintellmeallthedoin\'sinSacramentoand\'FriscowhileI\'mworkin\'。“
Inspiteofherunconsciousrebufftohisownvanity，Hemmingwayfeltasenseofreliefandlessconstraintinhisrelationstothisdecidedlyprovincialhostess。
“CanIhelpyouinanyway？“heaskedeagerly。
“Well，yeMIGHTbringmeanarmfulo\'woodfromthepileunderthealders，efyeain\'tafraido\'dirtyin\'yourcoat，“shesaidtentatively。
Mr。Hemmingwaywasnotafraid；hedeclaredhimselfdelighted。Hebroughtagenerousarmfulofsmallcutwillowboughs，anddepositedthembeforeasmallstove，whichseemedatemporarysubstitutefortheusuallargeadobechimneythatgenerallyoccupiedtheentiregableofaminer\'scabin。Anelbowandshortlengthofstovepipecarriedthesmokethroughthecabinside。Buthealsonoticedthathisfaircompanionhadusedtheintervaltoputonapairofwhitecuffsandacollar。However，shebrushedthegreenmossfromhissleevewithsometoweling，andalthoughthisoperationbroughthersoneartohimthatherbreath——assoftandwarmasthesouthwesttrades——stirredhishair，itwasevidentthatthiscontiguitywasonlyfrontierfamiliarity，asfarremovedfromconsciouscoquetryasitwas，perhaps，fromeducateddelicacy。
“Theboysgin\'rallykemtotakeupenoughwoodformetobeginwith，“shesaid，“butIreckontheydidn\'tknowIwascomin\'upsosoon。“
Hemmingway\'sdistrustreturnedalittleatthisobvioussuggestionthathewasonlyasubstitutefortheirgeneralgallantry，buthesmiledandsaidsomewhatbluntly，“Idon\'tsupposeyoulackforadmirershere。“
Thegirl，however，tookhimliterally。“Lordy，no！MeandMamieRobinsonaretheonlygirlsforfifteenmilesalongthecreek。
ADMIRIN\'！IcallitjestPESTERIN\'sometimes！IreckonI\'llhevtokeepadog！“
Hemmingwayshivered。Yes，shewasnotonlyconscious，butspoiltalready。Hepicturedtohimselftheuncouthgallantriesofthesettlement，theprovincialbadinage，thefeeblerivalriesoftheyoungmenwhomhehadseenatthegeneralstore。UndoubtedlythiswaswhatshewasexpectinginHIM！
“Well，“shesaid，turningfromthefireshehadkindled，“whileI\'msettin\'thetable，tellmewhat\'sa-doin\'inSacramento！Ireckonyou\'vegotheapsofladyfriendsthar，——I\'mtoldthere\'slotsoffashionsjustfromtheStates。“
“I\'mafraidIdon\'tknowenoughofthemtointerestyou，“hesaiddryly。
“Goonandtalk，“shereplied。“Why，whenTomFlynnkembackfromSacramento，andhewarn\'ttharmorenoraweek，hejestslungyarnsabouthisdoin\'sthartolastthehullrainyseason。“
Halfamusedandhalfannoyed，Hemmingwayseatedhimselfonthelittleplatformbesidetheopendoor，andbeganaconscientiousdescriptionoftheprogressofSacramento，itsnewbuildings，hotels，andtheatres，asithadstruckhimonhislastvisit。Forawhilehewassomewhatentertainedbythegirl\'svivacityandeagerquestioning，butpresentlyitbegantopall。Hecontinued，however，withagrimsenseofduty，andpartlyasareasonforwatchingherinherhouseholdduties。Certainlyshewasgraceful！
Hertall，lithe，butbeautifullymouldedfigure，eveninitscharacteristicsouthwesternindolence，fellintoposesaspicturesqueastheywereunconscious。Sheliftedthebigmolasses-
canfromitsshelfontherafterswiththeattitudeofaGreekwater-bearer。Sheupheavedtheheavyflour-sacktothesamesecureshelfwiththeupraisedpalmsofanEgyptiancaryatid。SuddenlysheinterruptedHemmingway\'sperfunctorytalkwithaheartylaugh。
Hestarted，lookedupfromhisseatontheplatform，andsawthatshewasstandingoverhimandregardinghimwithakindofmischievouspity。
“Lookhere，“shesaid，“Ireckonthat\'lldo！Youkinpullupshort！Ikinseewhat\'sthematterwithyou；you\'rejestplumbtired，tuckeredout，andwanttoturnin！SojestyousitthatquietuntilIgetsupperreadyandnevermindme。“InvainHemmingwayprotested，witharisingcolor。Thegirlonlyshookherhead。“Don\'ttellme！Youain\'tkeeringtotalk，andyou\'reonlyplayin\'Sacramentostatisticsonme，“sheretorted，withunfeignedcheerfulness。“Anyhow，here\'sthewimmencomin\'，andsupperisready。“
Therewasasoundofweary，resignedejaculationsandpantings，andthreegauntwomeninlustrelessalpacagownsappearedbeforethecabin。Theyseemedprematurelyagedandwornwithlabor，anxiety，andillnourishment。DoubtlesssomewhereintheseruinsaflowerlikeJayJuleshadonceflourished；doubtlesssomewhereinthatgracefulnymphherselfthegermofthisdrearymaturitywashidden。
Hemmingwaywelcomedthemwithaseriousnessequaltotheirown。
Thesupperwaspartakenwiththekindofjoylessformalitywhichinthesouthwestissupposedtoindicatedeeprespect，eventhecheerfulJayfallingundertheinfluence，anditwaswithafeelingofreliefthatatlasttheyoungmanretiredtohisfenced-offcornerforsolitudeandrepose。Hegathered，however，thatbefore“sunup“thenextmorningtheelderwomenweregoingtoRattlesnakeBarfortheweeklyshopping，leavingJayasbeforetopreparehisbreakfastandthenjointhemlater。Itwasalreadyachangeinhissentimentstofindhimselflookingforwardtothattete-a-tetewiththeyounggirl，asachanceofredeeminghischaracterinhereyes。
Hewasbeginningtofeelhehadbeenstupid，unready，andwithalprejudiced。Heundressedhimselfinhisseclusion，brokenonlybythemonotonousvoicesintheadjoiningapartment。Fromtimetotimeheheardfragmentsandscrapsoftheirconversation，alwaysinreferencetoaffairsofthehouseholdandsettlement，butneverofhimself，——noteventhesuggestionofaprudentloweringoftheirvoices，——andfellasleep。Hewokeuptwiceinthenightwithasensationofcoldsomarkedanddistinctfromhisexperienceoftheearlyevening，thathewasfaintopilehisclothesoverhisblanketstokeepwarm。Hefellasleepagain，comingoncemoretoconsciousnesswithasenseofaslightjar，butrelapsingagainintoslumberforheknewnothowlong。Thenhewasfullyawakenedbyavoicecallinghim，and，openinghiseyes，beheldtheblanketpartitionputaside，andthefaceofJaythrustforward。Tohissurpriseitworealookofexcitedastonishmentdominatedbyirrepressiblelaughter。
“Getupquickasyoukin，“shesaidgaspingly；“thisisaboutthekillingestthingthateverhappened！“
Shedisappeared，buthecouldstillhearherlaughing，andtohisutterastonishmentwithherdisappearancethefloorseemedtochangeitslevel。Agiddyfeelingseizedhim；heputhisfeettothefloor；itwasunmistakablywetandoozing。Hehurriedlyclothedhimself，stillaccompaniedbythestrangefeelingofoscillationandgiddiness，andpassedthoughtheopeningintothenextroom。Againhisstepproducedthesameeffectuponthefloor，andheactuallystumbledagainsthershakingfigure，asshewipedthetearsofuncontrollablemirthfromhereyeswithherapron。
Thecontactseemedtoupsetherremaininggravity。Shedroppedintoachair，and，pointingtotheopendoor，gasped，“Lookthar！
Lordy！How\'sthatforhigh？“threwherapronoverherhead，andgavewaytoanuproariousfitoflaughter。
Hemmingwayturnedtotheopendoor。Alakewasbeforehimonthelevelofthecabin。Hesteppedforwardontheplatform；thewaterwasrightandleft，allaroundhim。Theplatformdippedslightlytohisstep。Thecabinwasafloat，——afloatuponitsbaseoflogslikearaft，thewholestructureupheldbytheflooronwhichthelogsweresecurelyfastened。Thehighgroundhaddisappeared——theriver——itsbanksthegreenareabeyond。They，andTHEYalone，wereafloatuponaninlandsea。
Heturnedanastoundedandseriousfaceuponhermirth。“Whendidithappen？“hedemanded。Shecheckedherlaugh，morefromasenseofpolitedeferencetohismoodthananyfear，andsaidquietly，“Thatgetsme。Everythingwasallrighttwohoursagowhenthewimmenleft。Itwastooearlytogetyourbreakfastandrouseyeout，andIfeltasleep，Ireckon，untilIfeltakindo\'slumpandajar。“Hemmingwayrememberedhisownhalf-conscioussensation。
“ThenIgotupandsawwewasadrift。Ididn\'twakenye，forI
thoughtitwasonlyasortofwavethatwouldpass。Itwasn\'tuntilIsawweweremovin\'andthehullrisinggroundgettin\'away，thatIthoughto\'callin\'ye。“
Hethoughtofthevanishedgeneralstore，ofherfather，theworkersonthebank，thehelplesswomenontheirwaytotheBar，andturnedalmostsavagelyonher。
“Buttheothers，——wherearethey？“hesaidindignantly。“Doyoucallthatalaughingmatter？“
Shestoppedatthesoundofhisvoiceasatablow。Herfacehardenedintoimmobility，yetwhenshereplieditwaswiththedeliberateindolenceofherfather。“Thewimmenareuponthehillsbythistime。Theboyshevbindrownedoutmanytimesaforethisandgotclearoff，onsluiceboxesandtimber，withoutsquealing。TomFlynnwentdowntenmilestoSayer\'sonceontwobar\'ls，andIneverheardthatHEwascryin\'whentheypickedhimup。“
AflushcametoHemmingway\'scheek，butwithitagleamofintelligence。OfcoursetheinundationwasknowntothemFIRST，andtherewasthewreckagetosupportthem。Theyhadclearlysavedthemselves。Iftheyhadabandonedthecabin，itwasbecausetheyknewitssecurity，perhapshadevenseenitsafelyadrift。
“Hasthiseverhappenedtothecabinbefore？“heasked，ashethoughtofitspeculiarbase。
“No。“
Helookedatthewateragain。Therewasadecidedcurrent。Theoverflowwasevidentlynopartoftheoriginalinundation。Heputhishandinthewater。Itwasicycold。Yes，heunderstooditnow。ItwasthesuddenmeltingofsnowintheSierraswhichhadbroughtthisvolumedownthecanyon。Butwastheremorestilltocome？
“Haveyouanythinglikealongpoleorstickinthecabin？“
“Nary，“saidthegirl，openingherbigeyesandshakingherheadwithasimulationofdespair，whichwas，however，flatlycontradictedbyherlaughingmouth。
“Noranycordortwine？“hecontinued。
Shehandedhimaballofcoarsetwine。
“MayItakeacoupleofthesehooks？“heasked，pointingtosomeroughironhooksintherafters，onwhichbaconandjerkedbeefwerehanging。
Shenodded。Hedislodgedthehooks，greasedthemwiththebaconrind，andaffixedthemtothetwine。
“Fishin\'？“sheaskeddemurely。
“Exactly，“herepliedgravely。
Hethrewthelineinthewater。Itslackenedataboutsixfeet，straightened，andbecametautatanangle，andthendragged。Afteroneortwosharpjerkshepulleditup。Afewleavesandgrasseswerecaughtinthehooks。Heexaminedthemattentively。
“We\'renotinthecreek，“hesaid，“norintheoldoverflow。
There\'snomudorgravelonthehooks，andthesegrassesdon\'tgrownearwater。“
“Now，that\'smightycuteofyou，“shesaidadmiringly，asshekneltbesidehimontheplatform。“Let\'sseewhatyou\'vecaught。Lookyer！“sheadded，suddenlyliftingalimpstalk，“that\'s\'oldman，\'
andtharain\'tascrapofitgrowsnearerthanSpringer\'sRise，——
fourmilesfromhome。“
“Areyousure？“heaskedquickly。
“Sureaspop！Iusedtogohuntin\'itforsmellidge。“
“Forwhat？“hesaid，withabewilderedsmile。
“Forthis，“——shethrusttheleavestohisnoseandthentoherownpinknostrils；“for——for“——shehesitated，andthenwithamischievoussimulationofcorrectnessadded，“fortheperfume。“
Helookedatheradmiringly。Forallherfivefeetteninches，whatamerechildshewas，afterall！Whatafoolhewastohavetakenaresentfulattitudetowardsher！Howcharmingandgracefulshelooked，kneelingtherebesidehim！
“Tellme，“hesaidsuddenly，inagentlervoice，“whatwereyoulaughingatjustnow？“
Herbrowneyeswaveredforamoment，andthenbrimmedwithmerriment。Shethrewherselfsideways，inaleaningposture，supportingherselfononearm，whilewithherotherhandsheslowlydrewoutherapronstring，asshesaid，inademurevoice:——
“Well，Ireckoneditwasjesttookillin\'tothinkofyou，whodidn\'twanttotalktome，andwouldhevgivenyourhullpiletohevskippedouto\'this，jeststuckherealongsideo\'me，whetheryouwouldorno，forLordknowshowlong！“
“Butthatwaslastnight，“hesaid，inatoneofraillery。“Iwastired，andyousaidsoyourself，youknow。ButI\'mreadytotalknow。WhatshallItellyou？“
“Anything，“saidthegirl，withalaugh。
“WhatIamthinkingof？“hesaid，withfranklyadmiringeyes。
“Yes。“
“Everything？“
“Yes，everything。“Shestopped，andleaningforward，suddenlycaughtthebrimofhissoftfelthat，anddrawingitdownsmartlyoverhisaudaciouseyes，said，“EverythingBUTTHAT。“
Itwaswithsomedifficultyandsomegreaterembarrassmentthathesucceededingettinghiseyesfreeagain。Whenhedidso，shehadrisenandenteredthecabin。Disconcertedashewas，hewasrelievedtoseethatherexpressionofamusementwasunchanged。
Washeractapieceofrusticcoquetry，orhadsheresentedhisadvances？Nordidhernextwordssettlethequestion。
“Yekindoyernicetalkandphilanderin\'afterwe\'vesettledwharweare，whatwe\'regoin\'，andwhat\'sgoin\'tohappen。Jestnowit\'pearstomethateztheseyerelogsaretheonlythingbetwixtusand\'kingdomcome，\'ye\'dbetterbehustlin\'roundwithafewspikestoclinch\'emtothefloor。“
Shehandedhimahammerandafewspikes。Heobedientlysettowork，withlittleconfidence，however，inthesecurityofthefastening。Therewasneitherropenorchainforlashingthelogstogether；astrongercurrentandacollisionwithsomesubmergedstumporwreckagewouldloosenthemandwreckthecabin。Buthesaidnothing。Itwasthegirlwhobrokethesilence。
“What\'syourfrontname？“
“Miles。“
“MILES，——that\'safunnyname。Ireckonthat\'swhyyouwarsoFAR
OFFandDISTANTatfirst。“
Mr。Hemmingwaythoughtthisverywitty，andsaidso。“But，“headded，“whenIwasalittleneareramomentago，youstoppedme。“
“Butyouwasmovingfasterthantheshantywas。Ireckonyoudon\'ttakethatgaitwithyourladyfriendsatSacramento！However，youkintalknow。“
“ButyouforgetIdon\'tknow\'whereweare，\'nor\'what\'sgoingtohappen。\'“
“ButIdo，“shesaidquietly。“Inacoupleofhourswe\'llbepickedup，soyou\'llbefreeagain。“