MaveringlookedonattheClassDaygaietywiththeadvantagewhichhisstature，gavehimovermostpeoplethere。Hundredsofthesewereprettygirls，inagreatvarietyofcharmingcostumes，suchastheeclecticismofmodernfashionpermits，andallsortsofingeniouscompromisesbetweenwalkingdressandballdress。Itstruckhimthattheyoungmenonwhosearmstheyhung，inpromenadingaroundthelongovalwithinthecrowdofstationaryspectators，wereverymuchyoungerthanstudentsusedtobe，whethertheyworethedress-coatsoftheSeniorsorthecut-awayoftheJuniorsandSophomores;andtheyounggirlsthemselvesdidnotlooksooldasherememberedtheminhisday。Therevasabandplayingsomewhere，andthegallerieswerewellfilledwithspectatorsseatedattheirease，andintentontheparty-colouredturmoilofthefloor，wherefromtimetotimetheyoungerpromenadersbrokeawayfromtheranksintoawaltz，andaftersometurnsdriftedback，smilingandcontrollingtheirquickbreath，andresumedtheirpromenade。Theplacewasintenselylight，inthecandourofasummerdaywhichhadnoreserves;andthebrilliancywasnotbrokenbythesimpledecorations。Ropesofwildlaureltwistedupthepinepostsoftheaisles，andswunginfestoonsoverhead;massesoftropicalplantsinpotsweresetalongbetweenthepostsononesideoftheroom;andontheotherwerethelunchtables，whereagreatmanypeoplewerestandingabout，eatingchickenandsalmonsalads，orstrawberriesandice-cream，anddrinkingclaret-cup。Fromthewholerosethatblendedodourofviands，offlowers，ofstuff’s，oftoiletperfumes，whichisthecharacteristicexpressionof，allsocialfestivities，andwhichexhilaratesordepresses——accordingasoneisneworoldtoit。
ElbridgeMaveringkeptlookingatthefacesoftheyoungmenasifheexpectedtoseeacertainone;thenheturnedhiseyespatientlyupon。
thefacesaroundhim。Hehadbeenintroducedtoagoodmanypersons，buthehadcometothattimeoflifewhenanintroduction;unlesschargedwithsomespecialinterest，onlyaddsthepainofdoubttothewearisomeencounterofunfamiliarpeople;andhehadunconsciouslyputontheseverityofamanwhofindshimselfwithoutacquaintancewhereothersaremeetingfriends，whenasmallman，withaneatlytrimmedreddish-greybeardandprominenteyes，steppedinfrontofhim，andsalutedhimwiththe“Hello，Mavering！“ofacontemporary。
Hisface，afteramomentofquestion，relaxedintojoyfulrecognition。
“Why，JohnMunt！isthatyou？”hesaid，andhetookintohislargemoistpalmthedrylittlehandofhisfriend，whiletheybothbrokeoutintotheincoherenciesofpeoplemeetingafteralongtime。Mr。Maveringspokeinitvoicesoftyetfirm，andwithacertainthicknessoftongue;
whichgaveaboyishcharmtohisslow，utterance，andMr。Muntusedthesortofbronchialsnufflesometimescultivatedamongusasachesttone。
ButtheywerecutshortintheirintersectingquestionsandexclamationsbythepresenceoftheladywhodetachedherselffromMr。Munt’sarmasiftoleavehimthefreerforhishand-shaking。
“Oh！“hesaid，suddenlyrecurringtoher;“letmeintroduceyoutoMrs。
Pasmer，Mr。Mavering。”andthelattermadeabowthatcreasedhiswaistcoatatabouttheheightofMrs。Pasmer’sprettylittlenose。
Hiswaistcoathadthecurvewhichwaistcoatsoftendescribeathisage;
andhisheavyshoulderswerethrownwellbacktobalancethiscurve。Hiscoathungcarelesslyopen;thePanamahatinhishandsuggestedacertainhabitualinformalityofdress，buthissmoothlyshavenlargehandsomeface，withitsjawsslowlyruminantuponnothing，intimatedtheconsequenceofamanaccustomedtosupremacyinasubordinateplace。
Mrs。Pasmerlookeduptoacknowledgetheintroductionwithasortofpseudo-respectfulnesswhichitwouldbehardotherwisetodescribe。
Whethershedivinedornotthatshewasinthepresenceofamagnateofsomesort，shewasrathersuperfluouslydemureinthefirsttwoorthreethingsshesaid，andwasallsympathyandinterestinthemeetingoftheseoldfriends。Theydeclaredthattheyhadnotseeneachotherfortwentyyears，or，atanyrate，notsince’59。Shelistenedwhiletheydisputedabouttheexactdate，andlookedfromtimetotimeatMr。Munt，asifforsomeexplanationofMr。Mavering;butMunthimself，whenshesawhimlast，hadonlyjustbeguntocommendhimselftosociety，whichhadsincesofullyacceptedhim，andshehadsosuddenly，themomentbefore，foundherselfhandinglovewithhimthatshemightwellhaveappealedtoathirdpersonforsomeexplanationofMunt。Butshewasnotawomantobetroubledmuchbythismomentarymystification，andshewasnotembarrassedatallwhenMuntsaid，asifithadallbeenpre-
arranged，“Well，now，Mrs。Pasmer，ifyou’llletmeleaveyouwithMr。
Maveringamoment，I’llgooffandbringthatunnaturalchildtoyou;nousedraggingyouroundthroughthiscrowdlonger。”
Hemadeagestureintended，intheAmericanmanner，tobeatoncepoliteandjocose，andwasgone，leavingMrs。Pasmeralittlesurprised，andMr。
Maveringinsomemisgiving，whichhetriedtoovercomepressinghisjawstogethertwoorthreetimeswithoutspeaking。Shehadnotroubleingettinginthefirstremark。“Isn’tallthischarming，Mr。Mavering？”
Shespokeinadeeplowvoice，withacaressingmanner，andstoodlookingup，atMr。Maveringwithoneshouldershruggedandtheotherdrooped，andatastefulcompositionofherfanandhandsandhandkerchiefatherwaist。
“Yes，ma’am，itis。”saidMr。Mavering。Heseemedtosayma’amtoherwithapublicorofficialaccent，whichsentMrs。Primer’smindflutteringforthtopoisebrieflyatsuchconjecturesas，“Congressmanfromacountrydistrict？judgeoftheCommonPleas？bankpresident？
railroadsuperintendent？leadingphysicianinalargetown？——
no，Mr。MuntsaidMister。”andthentoreturntoherprettyblueeyes，andtocentrethereinthatpseudo-respectfulattentionunderthearchofherneatbrowsandhersoberlycrinkledgrey-threadedbrownhairandherveryappropriatebonnet。Abonnet，shesaid，wasmuchmorethanhalfthebattleafterforty，anditwasnowquiteafterfortywithMrs。Pasmer;
butshewasverywelldressedotherwise。Mr。Maveringwentontosay，withadeliberationthatseemedanelementofhisunknowndignity，whateveritmightbe，“Anumberoftheyoungfellowstogethercangiveamuchfinerspread，andmakemoreoftheday，inaplacelikethis，thanweusedtodoinourrooms。”
“Ah，thenyou’reaHarvardmantoo！“saidMrs。Primertoherself，withsurprise，whichshekepttoherself，andshesaidtoMavering:“Ohyes，indeed！It’saltogetherbetter。Aren’ttheynicelookingfellows？”shesaid，puttingupherglasstolookatthepromenaders。
“Yes。”Mr。Maveringassented。“Isuppose。”headded，outoftheconsciousnessofhisownrelationtotheaffair——“Isupposeyou’veasonsomewherehere？”
“Ohdear，no！“criedMrs。Primer，withamingling，superhuman，butforherofironicaldeprecationandderision。“Onlyadaughter，Mr。
Mavering。”
AtthisfeatofMrs。Pasmer’s，Mr。Maveringlookedatherwithquestionastoherpreciseintention，andendedbyrepeating，hopelessly，“Onlyadaughter？”
“Yes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withasighofthesameirony，“onlyapoor，despisedyounggirl，Mr。Mavering。”
“Youspeak。”saidMr。Mavering，beginningtocatchonalittle，“asifitwereamisfortune。”andhis，dignitybrokeupintoasmilethathaditsqueerfascination。
“Why，isn’tit？”askedMrs。Pasmer。
“Well，Ishouldn’thavethoughtso。”
“Thenyoudon’tbelievethatallthatold-fashionedchivalryanddevotionhavegoneout？Youdon’tthinktheyoungmenareallspoilednowadays，andexpecttheyoungladiestoofferthemattentions？”
“No。”saidMr。Maveringslowly，asifrecoveringfromtheshockofthenovelideas。“Doyou？”
“Oh，I’msuchastrangerinBoston——I’velivedabroadsolong——thatI
don’tknow。Onehearsallkindsofthings。ButI’msogladyou’renotoneofthose——pessimists！“
“Well。”saidMr。Mavering，stillthoughtfully，“Idon’tknowthatIcanspeakbythecardexactly。Ican’tsayhowitisnow。Ihaven’tbeenataClassDayspreadsincemyownClassDay;Ihaven’tevenbeenatCommencementmorethanonceortwice。Butinmytimeherewedidn’texpecttheyoungladiestoshowusattentions;atanyrate，wedidn’twaitforthemtodoit。Wewereveryglad，tobeaskedtomeetthem，andwethoughtitanhonouriftheyoungladieswouldletustalkordancewiththem，ortakethemtopicnics。Idon’tthinkthatanyofthemcouldcomplainofwantofattention。”
“Yes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，“that’swhatIpreached，that’swhatI
prophesied，whenIbroughtmydaughterhomefromEurope。Itoldherthatagirl’slifeinAmericawasonelongtriumph;buttheysaynowthatgirlshavemoreattentioninLondoneventhaninCambridge。Onehearssuchdreadfulthings！“
“Likewhat？”askedMr。Mavering，withtheunseriousinterestwhichMrs。
Primermademostpeoplefeelinhertalk。
“Oh;it’stoovastasubject。ButtheytellyouaboutcharminggirlsmopingthewholeeveningthroughatBostonparties，withnoyoungmentotalkwith，andsittingfromthebeginningtotheendofanassemblyandnotgoingontheflooronce。Theysaythatunlessagirlfairlythrowsherselfattheyoungmen’sheadssheisn’tnoticed。It’sthisterribledisproportionofthesexesthat’sattherootofit，Isuppose;itreverseseverything。Therearen’tenoughyoungmentogohalfround，andtheyknowit，andtakeadvantageofit。Isupposeitbeganinthewar。”
Helaughed，and，“Ishouldthink。”hesaid，layingholdofasingleideaoutofseveralwhichshehadpresented，“thattherewouldalwaysbeenoughyoungmeninCambridgetogoround。”
Mrs。Pasmergavealittlecry。“InCambridge！“
“Yes;whenIwasincollegeoursuperioritywasentirelynumerical。”
“Butthat’sallpassedlongago，fromwhatIhear。”retortedMrs。Pasmer。
“IknowverywellthatitusedtobethoughtagreatadvantageforagirltobebroughtupinCambridge，becauseitgaveherindependenceandeaseofmannertohavesomanyyoungmenattentivetoher。ButtheysaythestudentsallgointoBostonnow，andiftheCambridgegirlswanttomeetthem，theyhavetogotheretoo。Oh，Iassureyouthat，fromwhatI
hear，they’vechangedallthatsinceourtime，Mr。Mavering。”
Mrs。Pasmerwascertainlylettingherselfgoalittlemorethanshewouldhaveapprovedofinanother。TheresultwasapparentinthejocosityofthisheavyMr。Mavering’sreply。
“Well，then，I’mgladthatIwasofourtime，andnotofthiswickedgeneration。ButIpresumethatunnaturalsupremacyoftheyoungmenisbroughtlow，sotospeak，aftermarriage？”
Mrs。Primerletherselfgoalittlefurther。“Oh，giveusanequalchance。”shelaughed，“andwecanalwaystakecareofourselves，andsomethingmore。Theysay。”sheadded，“thattheyoungmarriedwomennowhavealltheattentionthatgirlscouldwish。”
“H’m！“saidMr。Mavering，frowning。“IthinkIshouldbetemptedtoboxmyboy’searsifIsawhimpayinganotherman’swifeattention。”
“WhataRomanfather！“criedMrs。Pasmer，greatlyamused，andlettingherselfgoalittlefurtheryet。ShesaidtoherselfthatshereallymustfindoutwhothisremarkableMr。Maveringwas，andshecasthereyeoverthehallforsomeglimpseoftheabsentMunt，whosearmshemeanttotake，andwhoseearshemeanttofillwithquestions。Butshedidnotseehim，andsomethingelsesuggesteditself。“Heprobablywouldn’tletyouseehim，orifhedid，youwouldn’tknowit。”
“Hownotknowit？”
Mrs。Primerdidnotanswer。“Onehearssuchdreadfulthings。Whatdoyousay——oryou’llthinkI’materriblegossip——“
“Ohno;“saidMr:Mavering，impatientforthedreadfulthing，whateveritwas。
Mrs。Primerresumed:“——totheyoungmarriedwomenmeetinglastwinterjustafteralotofprettygirlshadcameout，andmagnanimouslyresolvingtogivetheBudsachanceinsociety？”
“TheBuds？”
“Yes，theRose-buds——thedebutantes;it’sanodiouslittleword，buteverybodyusesit。Don’tyouthinkthat’sastrangestateofthingsforAmerica？ButIcan’tbelieveallthosethings。”saidMrs。Pasmer，flingingofftheshadowofthisluridsocialcondition。“Isn’tthisaprettyscene？”
“Yes，itis。”Mr。Maveringadmitted，withdrawinghismindgraduallyfromaconsiderationofMrs。Pasmer’sawfulinstances。“Yes！“headded，infinalself-possession。“Theyoungfellowscertainlydothingsinagreatdealbetterstylenowadaysthanweusedto。”
“Ohyes，indeed！Andallthoseprettygirlsdoseemtobehavingsuchagoodtime！“
“Yes;theydon’thavethedespisedandrejectedappearancethatyou’dliketohaveonebelieve。”
“Notintheleast！“Mrs。Pasmerreadilyconsented。“Theylookradiantlyhappy。Itshowsthatyoucan’ttrustanythingthatpeoplesaytoyou。”
Sheabandonedthegroundshehadjustbeentakingwithoutapparentshameforherinconsistency。“Ifancyit’sprettymuchasit’salwaysbeen:ifagirlisattractive，theyoungmenfinditout。”
“Perhaps。”saidMr:Mavering，unbendingwithdignity，“theyoungmarriedwomenhaveheldanothermeeting，andresolvedtogivetheBudsonemorechance。”
“Oh，therearesomeprettymatureRoseshere。”saidMrs。Pasmer，laughingevasively。“ButIsupposeClassDaycanneverbetakenfromtheyounggirls。”
“Ihopenot。”saidMr。Mavering。Hiswanderingeyefelluponsomeyoungmenbringingrefreshmentsacrossthenavetowardthem，andhewasremindedtoaskMrs。Pasmer，“Willyouhavesomethingtoeat？”Hehadhimselfhadagooddealtoeat，beforehetookuphispositionattheadvantageouspointwhereJohnMunthadfoundhim。
“Why，yes，thankyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer。“Ioughttosay，’Anice，please，’butI’mreallyhungry，and——“
“I’llgetyousomeofthesalad。”saidMr。Mavering，withtheincreasedlikingamanfeelsforawomanwhensheownstoanappetite。“Sitdownhere。”headded，andhecaughtavacantchairtowardher。Whenheturnedaboutfromdoingso，heconfrontedayounggentlemancominguptoMrs。
Pasmerwithayoungladyonhisarm，andmakingaverylowbowofrelinquishment。
II。
Themenlookedsmilinglyateachotherwithoutsayinganything;andtheyoungertookindueformtheintroductionwhichtheyoungladygavehim。
“Mymother，Mr。Mavering。”
“Mr。Mavering！“criedMrs。Pasmer，inapureastonishment，beforeshehadtimetocolouritwithapolitevarietyofmoreconventionalemotions。
Sheglancedatthetwomen，andgavealittle“Oh？”ofinquiryandresignation，andthensaid，demurely，“LetmeintroduceyoutoMr。
Mavering，Alice。”whiletheyoungfellowlaughednervously，andpulledouthishandkerchief，partlytohidetheplayofhislaughter，andpartlytowipeawaytheperspirationwhichagreatdealmorelaughinghadalreadygatheredonhisforehead。Hehadaveinthatshowedprominentlydownitscentre，andlarge，mobile，girlishblueeyesundergoodbrows，anarchednose，andratheralongfaceandnarrowchin。Hehadbeautifulwhiteteeth;ashelaughedthesewereseensetinajawthatcontractedverymuchtowardthefront。Hewastallandslim，andheworewithelegancetheeveningdresswhichClassDaycustomprescribesfortheSeniors;inhisbutton-holehehadaclubbutton。
“IshallnothavetoaskanintroductiontoMr。Mavering;andyou’verobbedmeofthepleasureofgivinghimonetoyou，Mrs。Pasmer。”hesaid。
Sheheardtheyoungmaninthecourseofaswiftreviewofwhatshehadsaidtohisfather，andwithaformlessresentmentofthefather’snothavingtoldherhehadasonthere;butsheansweredwiththeflatteringsympathyshehadtheuseof，“Oh，butyouwon’tmissonepleasureoutofsomanyto-day，Mr。Mavering;andthinkofthelittledramaticsurprise！“
“Oh，perfect。”hesaid，withanotherlaugh。“ItoldMissPasmeraswecameup。”
“Oh，thenyouwereinthesurprise，Alice！“saidMrs。Pasmer，searchingherdaughter’seyesforconfessionordenialofthislittlecommunityofinterest。Thegirlsmiledslightlyupontheyoungman，butnotdisapprovingly，andmadenootheranswertohermother，whowenton:
“Whereintheworldhaveyoubeen？DidMr。Muntfindyou？WhotoldyouwhereIwas？Didyouseeme？HowdidyouknowIwashere？Wasthereeveranythingsodroll？”Shedidnotmeanherquestionstobeanswered，oratleastnotthen;for，whileherdaughtercontinuedtosmilerathermoreabsently，andyoungMaveringbrokeoutcontinuouslyinhisnervouslaugh，andhisfatherstoodregardinghimwithvisiblesatisfaction，shehummedon，turningtotheyoungman:“ButI’mquiteappalledatAlice’shavingmonopolisedevenforafewminutesawholeSenior——andprobablyanofficialSenioratthat。”shesaid，withaglanceatthepinkandwhiteclubbuttoninhiscoatlapel，“andIcan’tletyoustayanotherinstant，Mr。Mavering。Iknowverywellhowmanydemandsyouhaveuponyouandyoumustgobackdirectlytoyoursistersandyourcousinsandyouraunts，andalltherestofthem;youmustindeed。”
“Ohno！Don’tdrivemeaway，Mrs。Pasmer。”pleadedtheyoungman，laughingviolently，andthenwipinghisface。“IassureyouthatI’venoencumbrancesofanykindhereexceptmyfather，andheseemstohavebeentakingverygoodcareofhimself。”Theyalllaughedatthis，andtheyoungfellowhurriedon:“Don’tbealarmedatmybutton;itonlymeansaloveofpersonaldecoration，ifthat’swhereyougotthenotionofmybeinganofficialSenior。Thisisn’tmyspread;IshallhopetowelcomeyouatBeckHallaftertheTree;andIwishyou’dletmebeofusetoyou。Wouldn’tyouliketogoroundtosomeofthesmallerspreads？I
thinkitwouldamuseyou。AndhaveyougotticketstotheTree，toseeusmakefoolsofourselves？It’sworthseeing，Mrs。Pasmer，Iassureyou。”
Herattledonveryrapidlybutwithsuchafranknessinhisurgency，suchamiablekindliness，thatMrs。Pasmercouldnotfeelthatitwaspushing。
Shelookedatherdaughter，butshestoodaspassiveinthetransactionastheelderMavering。Shewastallerthanhermother，andasshewaited，hersupplefiguredescribedthatfinelateralcurvewhichoneseesinsomeLouisQuinzeportraits;thiseffectwasenhancedbythefashionofherdressofpalesagegreen，withawidestripeorsashofwhitedroppingdownthefront，fromherdelicatewaist。Thesamesimplecombinationofcolourswascarriedupintoherhat，whichsurmounteddarkerhairthanMrs。Pasmer’s，andacomplexionofwholesomepallor;hereyesweregreyandgrave，withblackbrows，andherface，whichwasrathernarrow，hadapleasingirregularityinthesharpjutofthenose;
inprofilethepartingoftheredlipsshowedwellbackintothecheek，“Idon’tknow。”saidMrs。Pasmer，inherownbehalf;andsheaddedinhis，“aboutlettingyoutakesomuchtrouble。”sosmoothlythatitwouldhavebeenquiteimpossibletodetectthepointofunioninthetwoutterances。
“Well，don’tcallitnames，anyway，Mrs。Pasmer。”pleadedtheyoungman。
“Ithoughtitwasnothingbutapleasureandaprivilege——“
“Thefactis。”sheexplained，neitherconsentingnorrefusing，“thatwewereexpectingtomeetsomefriendswhohadticketsforus“——youngMavering’sfacefell——“andIcan’timaginewhat’shappened。”
“Oh，let’shopesomethingdreadful。”hecried。
Perhapsyouknowthem。”shedelayedfurther。“ProfessorSaintsbury！“
“Well，rather！Why，theywerehereaboutanhourago——bothofthem。
Theymusthavebeenlookingforyou。”
“Yes;weweretomeetthemhere。Wewaitedtocomeoutwithotherfriends，andIwasafraidwewerelate。”Mrs。Pasmer’sfaceexpressedatempereddisappointment，andshelookedatherdaughterforindicationsofherwishesinthecircumstances;seeinginhereyeawillingnesstoacceptyoungMavering’sinvitation，shehesitatedmoredecidedlythanshehadyetdone，forshewas，otherthingsbeingequal，quitewillingtoacceptitherself。Butotherthingswerenotequal，andthewholesituationwasveryodd。AllthatsheknewofMr。MaveringtheelderwasthathewastheoldfriendofJohnMunt，andsheknewfartoolittleofJohnMunt，exceptthatheseemedtogoeverywhere，andtobewelcome，nottofeelthathisintroductionwashardlyawarrantforwhatlookedlikeanimpendingintimacy。ShedidnotdislikeMr。Mavering;hewasevidentlyacountrypersonofgreatself-respect，andnodoubtofentirerespectability。Heseemedveryintelligent，too。HewasaHarvardman;
hehadratheracultivatedmanner，orelsenaturallyacleverwayofsayingthings。Butallthatwasreallynothing，ifsheknewnomoreabouthim，andshecertainlydidnot。IfshecouldonlyhaveaskedherdaughterwhoitwasthatpresentedyoungMaveringtoher，thatmighthaveformedsomeclew，buttherewasnoearthlychanceofaskingthis，and，besides，itwasprobablyoneofthosehaphazardintroductionsthatpeoplegiveonsuchoccasions。YoungMavering’sbehaviourgaveherstillgreaterquestion:hisself-possession，hisentireabsenceofanxiety;
oranyexpectationofrebufforsnub，mightbetheeaseofunimpeachablesocialacceptance，oritmightbemerelyadventurouseffrontery;onlysomethingingenuousandgoodintheyoungfellow’shandsomefaceforbadethisconclusion。Thathisfacewassohandsomewasanotherofthecomplications。Sherecalled，inthedreamlikeswiftnesswithwhichallthesethingspassedthroughhermind，whatherfriendshadsaidtoAliceaboutherbeingsuretomeetherfateonClassDay，andshelookedatheragaintoseeifshehadmetit。
“Well，mamma？”saidthegirl，smilingathermother’slook。
Mrs。PasmerthoughtshemusthavebeenkeepingyoungMaveringwaitingalongtimeforhisanswer。“Why，ofcourse，Alice。ButIreallydon’tknowwhattodoabouttheSaintsburys。”Thiswasnotintheleasttrue，butitinstantlyseemedsotoMrs。Pasmer，asaplausibleexcusewillwhenwemakeit。
“Why，I’lltellyouwhat，Mrs。Pasmer。”saidyoungMavering，withacordialunsuspicionthatbothwonandreassuredher，“we’llbesuretofindthematsomeofthespreads。Letmebeofthatmuchuse，anyway;
youmust。”
“Wereallyoughtn’ttoletyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer，makingalastefforttoclingtoherreluctance，butfeelingitfail，withasensationthatwasnotdisagreeable。Shecouldnothelpbeingpleasedwiththepleasurethatshesawinherdaughter’sface。
YoungMavering’swasradiant。“I’llbebackinjusthalfaminute。”hesaid，andhetookagayleaveoftheminrunningtospeaktoanotherstudentattheoppositeendofthehall。
III。
“Youmustallowmetogetyousomethingtoeatfirst，Mrs。Pasmer。”saidtheelderMavering。
“Ohno，thankyou。”Mrs。Pasmerbegan。Butshechangedhermindandsaid，“Or，yes;Iwill，Mr。Mavering:averylittlesalad，please。”Shehadreallyforgottenherhunger，asawomanwillinthepresenceofanysocialinterest;butshesuddenlythoughthisgoingwouldgiveherachancefortwowordswithherdaughter，andsoshesenthim。Ashecreakedheavilyacrossthesmoothfloorofthenave;“Alice。”shewhispered，“Idon’tknowexactlywhatI’vedone:WhointroducedthisyoungMr。Maveringtoyou？”
“Mr。Munt。”
“Mr。Munt！“
“Yes;hecameforme;hesaidyousenthim。HeintroducedMr。Mavering，andhewasverypolite。Mr。Maveringsaidweoughttogoupintothegalleryandseehowitlooked;andMr。Muntsaidhe’dbeenup，andMr。
Maveringpromisedtobringmebacktohim，buthewasnottherewhenwegotback。Mr。Maveringgotmesomeicecreamfirst，andthenhefoundyouforme。”
“Really。”saidMrs。Pasmertoherself，“thecombatthickens！“Toherdaughtershesaid，“He’sveryhandsome。”
“Helaughstoomuch。”saidthedaughter。Hermotherrecognisedheruncandourwithaglance。“Buthewaltzeswell。”addedthegirl。
“Waltzes？”echoedthemother。“Didyouwaltzwithhim，Alice？”
“Everybodyelsewasdancing。Heaskedmeforaturnortwo，andofcourseIdidit。Whatdifference？”
“Oh，none——none。Only——Ididn’tseeyou。”
“Perhapsyouweren’tlooking。”
“Yes，Iwaslookingallthetime。”
“Whatdoyoumean，mamma？”
“Well。”saidMrs。Pasmer，inafinaldespair，“wedon’tknowanythingaboutthem。”
“We’retheonlypeopleherewhodon’t，then。”saidherdaughter。“Theladieswerebowingrightlefttohimallthetime，andhekeptaskingifIknewthisoneandthatone，andallIcouldsaywasthatsomeofthemweredistantcousins，butIwasn’tacquaintedwiththem。Iwouldthinkhe’dwonderwhowewere。”
“Yes。”saidthemotherthoughtfully。
“There！he’slaughingwiththatotherstudent。Butdon’tlook！“
Mrs。PasmersawwellenoughoutofthecornerofhereyethejokingthatwentonbetweenMaveringandhisfriend，anditdidnotdispleasehertothinkthatitprobablyreferredtoAlice。Whiletheyoungmancamehurryingbacktothemsheglancedatthegirlstandingnearherwithakeenlycriticalinspection，fromwhichshewasabletoexcludeallmaternalpartiality，andjustlydecidedthatshewasoneofthemosteffectivegirlsintheplace。Thatcostumeofherswasperfect。Mrs。
Pasmerwishednowthatshecouldhavecompareditmorecarefullywithothercostumes;shehadnoticedsomeveryprettyones;andafeelingofvexationthatAliceshouldhavepreventedthisbybeingawaysolongjustwhenthecrowdwasdensestqualifiedhersatisfaction。Thepeopleweregoingveryfastnow。Thelineoftheovalinthenavewasbrokenintogroupsoflingeringtalkers，whowereconspicuoustoeachother，andMrs。
Pasmerfeltthatsheandherdaughterwereconspicuoustoalltherestwheretheystoodapart，withthetwoMaveringsconverginguponthemfromdifferentpoints，thesonnoddingandlaughingtofriendsofbothsexesashecame，thefatherwhollyabsorbedinnotspillingtheglassofclaretpunchwhichhecarriedinonehand，andnotfallingdownontheslipperyfloorwiththeplateofsaladwhichheboreintheother。Shehadthoughtsoffeigningunconsciousness;shewouldhavehadnoscrupleinpractisingthisoranyothersocialstratagem，forthoughshekeptaconscienceinregardtocertainmatters——whatsheconsideredessentials——
shelivedathousandlittlelieseveryday，andtaughtherdaughterbypreceptandexampletodothesame。Youmustseemtobelookingonewaywhenyouwerereallylookinganother;youmustsaythiswhenyoumeantthat;youmustactasifyouwerethinkingonethingwhenyouwerethinkingsomethingquitedifferent;andalltonoend，for，assheconstantlysaid，peoplealwaysknowperfectlywellwhatyouwereabout，whicheverwayyoulookedorwhateveryousaid，ornomatterhowwellyouactedthepartofthinkingwhatyoudidnotthink。Now，althoughsheseemednottolook，shesawallthathasbeendescribedataglance，andatanothershesawyoungMaveringslideeasilyuptohisfatherandrelievehimoftheplateandglass，withalaughaspleasantandashowofteethasdazzlingashebestoweduponanyoftheladieshehadpassed。
SheownedtoherreconditeheartthatshelikedthisinyoungMavering，thoughatthesametimesheaskedherselfwhatmotivehereallyhadinbeingsopolitetohisfatherbeforepeople。Butshehadnotimetodecide;shehadonlytimetopackthequestionhurriedlyawayforfutureconsideration，whenyoungMaveringarrivedatherelbow，andsheturnedwithalittle“Oh！“ofsurprisesoperfectlyactedthatitgaveherthegreatestpleasure。
IV。
“Idon’tthinkmyfatherwouldhavegotherealivewiththesethings。”
saidyoungMavering。“DidyouseehowIcametohisrescue？”
Mrs。Pasmerinstantlythrewawayallpretextofnothavingseen。“Ohyes！myheartwasinmymouthwhenyouboredownuponhim，Mr。Mavering。
Itwasabeautifulinstanceoffilialdevotion。”
“Well，dositdownnow，Mrs。Pasmer，andtakeitcomfortably。”saidtheyoungfellow;andhegotheroneofthemanyemptychairs，andwouldnotgiveherthethings，whichheputinanother，tillshesatdownandlethimspreadanapkinoverherlap。
“Really。”shesaid，“IfeelasifIwerestoppingallthewheelsofClassDay。AmIkeepingthemfromclosingtheGymnasium，Mr。Mavering？”
“Notquite。”saidtheyoungman，withoneofhislaughs。“Idon’tbelievetheywillturnusout，andI’llseethattheydon’tlockusin。
Don’thurry，Mrs。Pasmer。I’monlysorryyouhadn’tsomethingsooner。”
“Oh，yourfatherproposedgettingmesomethingagoodwhileago。”
“Didhe？ThenIwonderyouhaven’thadit。He’susuallyontime。”
“You’rebothveryenergetic，Ithink。”saidMrs。Pasmer。
He’sthefatherofhisson。”saidtheyoungfellow，assumingthemeritwithabowofburlesquemodesty。
ItwenttoMrs。Pasmer’sheart。“Let’shopehe’llneverforgetthat。”
shesaid，inanenjoymentoftheexcitementandthesaladthatwasbeginningtoleaveherquestionoftheseMaveringsalight，diaphanouscloudonthevergeofthehorizon。
TheelderMaveringhadbeentrying，withoutsuccess，tothinkofsomethingtosaytoMissPasmer，hehadtwiceclearedhisthroatforthatpurpose。Butthiscomedybetweenhissonandtheyounglady’smotherseemedsomuchlighterandbrighterthananythinghecouldhavesaid，thathesaidnothing，andlookedonwithhismouthsetinitsqueersmile，whilethegirllistenedwiththegravityofadaughterwhoseesthathermotherislosingherhead。Mrs。Pasmerbuzzedoninherbadinagewiththeyoungman，andallowedhimtogoforacupofcoffeebeforesherosefromherchair，andshookoutherskirtswithanairofpleasantexpectationofwhatevershouldcomenext。
Hecamebackwithoutit。“Thecoffeeurnhasdrieduphere，Mrs。Pasmer。
Butyoucangetsomeattheotherspreads;they’dbeinconsolableifyoudidn’ttakesomethingeverywhere。”
Theyallstartedtowardthedoor，buttheelderMaveringsaid，holdingbackalittle，“Dan，IthinkI’llgoandsee——“
“Ohno，youmustn’t，father。”criedtheyoungman，layinghishandwithcaressingentreatyonhisfather’scoatsleeve。“Idon’twantyoutogoanywheretillyou’veseenProfessorSaintsbury。Weshallbesuretomeethimatsomeofthespreads。Iwantyoutohavethattalkwithhim——“
Hecorrectedhimselffortheinstant’sdeflectionfromtheinterestsofhisguest，andadded，“IwantyoutohelpmehunthimupforMrs。Pasmer。
Now，Mrs。Pasmer，you’renottothinkit’stheleasttrouble，oranythingbutaboon，muchlesssayit。”hecried，turningtothedeprecationinMrs。Pasmer’sface。Heturnedawayfromittoacknowledgethesmilesandbowsofpeoplegoingoutoftheplace，andhereturnedtheirsalutationswithcharmingheartiness。
Inthevestibuletheymetthefriendstheyweregoinginsearchof。
V。
“WithMr。Mavering，ofcourse！“exclaimedMrs。Saintsbury:“Imighthaveknownit。”Mrs。Pasmerwouldhavegivenanythingshecouldthinkoftobeabletoaskwhyherfriendmighthaveknownit;butforthepresenttheycouldonlyfalluponeachotherwithflashesofself-accusalandexplanation，andrejoicingfortheirdeferredandnowaccomplishedmeeting。TheProfessorstoodbywiththesatiricalsmilewithwhichmenwitnesstheeffusionofwomen。YoungMavering，aftersharingtheladies’
excitementfullywiththem，rewardedhimselfbyanexclusivemomentwithMissPasmer。
“YoumustgetMrs。PasmertoletmeshowyouallofClassDaythataSeniorcan。Ididn’tknowwhataperfectserpent’stoothitwastobeonebefore。Mrs。Saintsbury。”hebrokeoff，“haveyougotticketsfortheTree？Ah，shedoesn’thearme！“
Mrs。SaintsburywasjustthensayingtotheelderMavering，“I’msogladyoudecidedtocometoday。Itwouldhavebeenashameifnoneofyouwerehere。”Shemadeafeintofdroppinghervoice，withaglanceatDanMavering。“He’ssuchaniceboy。”whichmadehimlaugh，andcryout——
“Oh，now？Don’tpoisonmyfather’smind，Mrs。Saintsbury。”
“Oh，someonewouldbesuretotellhim。”retortedtheProfessor’swife，“andhe’dbetterhearitfromafriend。”
Theyoungfellowlaughedagain，andthenheshookhandswithsomeladiesgoingout，andaskedweretheygoingsosoon，fromanabstracthospitality，apparently，forhewasnotoneofthehosts;andsoturnedoncemoretoMissPasmer。“Wemustgetawayfromhere，ortheafternoonwillgetawayfromus，andleaveusnothingtoshowforit。Supposewemakeastart，MissPasmer？”
Heledthewaywithheroutofthevestibule，bankedroundwithpotsofpalmandfern，anddownthestepsintotheglareoftheCambridgesunshine，blownfull，asisthecaseonClassDay，offineCambridgedust，whichhaddrawnadelicategreyveiloverthegrassoftheGymnasiumlawn，andmountedinlightcloudsfromthewheelspowderingitfinerandfinerinthestreet。Alongthesidewalksdustyhacksandcarriageswereranged，andothersweredrivinguptoletpeopledismountattheentrancestothecollegeyard。Withinthetemporarypicket-
fences，secludingapartofthegroundsforthestudentsandtheirfriends，wereseenstretchingfromdormitorytodormitorylonglinesofChineselanterns，tobelitafternightfall，swungbetweentheelms。
Groupsofladiescameandwent，nearlyalwaysundertheescortofsomestudent;thecaterers’carts，disburdenedoftheirice-creamsandsalads，werewithdrawnundertheshadeinthestreet，andtheirdriversloungedordrowsedupontheseats;nowandthenablackwaiter，brilliantasabobolinkinhiswhitejacketandapron，appearedonsomeerrand;thelarge，mildCambridgepolicemenkepttheentrancestotheyardwithabenevolentvigilancewhichwasnotharshwiththelittleIrishchildrencomingupfromtheMarshintheirbesttoenjoythesightofotherpeople’spleasure。
“Isn’titaperfectClassDay？”criedyoungMavering，ashecrossedKirklandStreetwithMissPasmer，andglanceddownitsvaultedperspectiveofelms，throughwhichthesunlightbroke，andlayintheroadinpoolsandwashesasfarastheeyereached。“Didyoueverseeanythingbluerthantheskyto-day？Ifeelasifwe’dorderedtheweather，withtherestofthethings，andIhadsomecreditforitashost。Domakeitalittlecompliment，MissPasmer;IassureyouI’llbeverymodestaboutit。”
“Ah，Ithinkit’sfullyuptotheoccasion。”saidthegirl，catchingthespiritofhisamiablesatisfaction。“IsittheusualClassDayweather？”
“Youspoileverythingbyaskingthat。”criedtheyoungman;“itobligesmetomakeaconfession——it’salwaysgoodweatheronClassDay。Therehaven’tbeenmorethanadozenbadClassDaysinthecentury。Butyou’lladmitthattherecan’thavebeenabetterClassDaythanthis？”
“Ohyes;it’scertainlythepleasantestClassDayI’veseen;“saidthegirl;andnowwhenMaveringlaughedshelaughedtoo。
“Thankyousomuchforsayingthat！Ihopeitwillpassoffinuncloudedbrilliancy;itwill，ifIcanmakeit。Why，hallo！They’reontheothersideofthestreetyet，andlookingaboutasiftheywerelost。”
Hepulledhishandkerchieffromhispocket，andwaveditattheothersoftheirparty。
Theycaughtsightofit，andcamehurryingoverthroughthedust。
Mrs。Saintsburysaid，apparentlyasthesumofherconsultationswithMrs。Pasmer:“TheTreeistobeathalf-pastfive;andafterwe’veseenafewspreads，I’mgoingtotaketheladieshoneforalittlerest。”
“Ohno;don’tdothat。”pleadedtheyoungman。Aftermakingthisprotestheseemednottohaveanythingtosayimmediatelyinsupportofit。Hemerelyadded:“ThisisMissPasmer’sfirstClassDay，andIwanthertoseeitall。”
“Butyou’llhavetoleaveusverysoontogetyourselfreadyfortheTree“suggestedtheProfessor’slady，withamotherlyprevision。
“Ishallwantjustfifteenminutesforthat。”
“Iknow，better，Mr。Mavering。”saidMrs。Saintsbury，withfinality。
“Youwillwantagoodthree-quartersofanhourtomakeyourselfasdisreputableasyou’lllookattheTree;andyou’llhavetotaketimeforcounselandmeditation。Youmaystaywithusjusthalfanhour，andthenweshallpartinexorably。I’veseenagreatmanymoreClassDaysthanyouhave，andIknowwhattheyareintheirdemandsupontheSeniors。”
“Oh;well！Thenwewon’tthinkaboutthetime。”saidtheyoungman，startingonwithMissPasmer。
“Well，don’tundertaketoomuch。”saidthelady。Shecamelastinthelittleprocession，withtheelderMavering，andherhusbandandMrsPasmerprecededher。
“What？”youngMaveringcalledback，withhissmilingfaceoverhisshoulder。
“Shesaysnottobiteoffmorethanyoucanchew。”theprofessoransweredforher。
Maveringbrokeintoaconsciouslaugh，butfullofdelight，andwithhishandkerchieftohisfacehadalmostmissedthegreetingofsomeladieswhobowedtohim。Hehadtoturnroundtoacknowledgeit，andhewassalutingandreturningsalutationsprettywellallalongthelineoftheirprogress。
“I’mafraidyou’llthinkI’meverybody’sfriendbutmyown，MissPasmer，butIassureyouallthisispurelyaccidental。Idon’tknowsomanypeople，afterall;onlyallthatIdoknowseemtobeherethismorning。”
“Idon’tthinkit’sathingtobesorryfor。”saidthegirl。“Iwishweknewmorepeople。It’sratherforlorn——“
“Oh，willyouletmeintroducesomeofthefellowstoyou？They’llbesoglad。”
“Ifyou’lltellthemhowforlornIsaidIwas。”saidthegirl，withasmile。
“Oh，no，no，no！Iunderstandthat。AndIassureyouthatIdidn’tsuppose——Butofcourse！“hearrestedhimselfinthesuperfluousreassurancehewasoffering，“Allthatgoeswithoutsaying。Onlytherearesomeofthefellowscomingbacktothelawschool，andifyou’llallowme——“
“Weshallbeveryhappyindeed，Mr。Mavering。”saidMrs。Pasmer，behindhim。
“Oh，thankyoueversomuch，Mrs。Pasmer。”Thiswasoccasionforanotherburstoflaughterwithhim。Heseemedfilledwiththeintoxicationofyouth，whosespiritwasinthebrightairofthedayandradiantintheyoungfaceseverywhere。Thepathsintersectingoneanotherbetweenthedifferentdormitoriesunderthedroopingelmswerethrongedwithpeoplecomingandgoinginpairsandgroups;andtheacademicfete，theprettiestflowerofourtougholdPuritanstem，hadthatcharm，atoncesylvanandelegant，whichenrapturesinthepicturedfablesoftheRenaissance。Itfallsatthatmomentoftheyearwhentheolduniversitytown，oftensocommonplaceandsometimessougly，becomesbrieflyandalmostpatheticallybeautifulundertheleafageofherhoveringelmsandin，theperfumeofhersyringas，andbathedinthisjoyfultideofyouththatoverflowsherheart。Sheseemsfitthentobethehomeofthepoetswhohavelovedherandsungher，andtheregretofanyfriendofthehumanitieswhohaslefther。
“Alice。”saidMrs。Pasmer，leaningforwardalittletospeaktoherdaughter，andignoringaremarkoftheProfessor’s，“didyoueverseesomanyprettycostumes？”
“Never。”saidthegirl，withequalintensity。
“Well，itmakesyoufeelthatyouhavegotacountry，afterall。”sighedMrs。Pasmer，inasortofapostrophetoherEuropeanself。“Youseesplendiddressingabroad，butit’smostlyuponoldpeoplewhooughttobesickandashamedoftheirpompsandvanities。Buthereit’stheyounggirlswhodress;andhowlovelytheyare！IthoughttheywerecharmingintheGymnasium，butIseeyoumustgetthemout-of-doorstohavethefulleffect。Mr。Mavering，aretheyalwayssoprettilydressedonClassDay？”
“Well，I’mbeginningtofeelasifitwouldn’tbeexactlymodestformetosayso，whateverIthink。You’dbetteraskMrs。Saintsbury;shepretendstoknowallaboutit。”
“No，I’mboundtosaythey’renot。”saidtheProfessor’swifecandidly。
“Yourdaughter。”sheadded，inalowtoneforalltohear，“decidesthatquestion。”
“I’msogladyousaidthat，Mrs。Saintsbury。”saidtheyoungman。Helookedatthegirl;whoblushedwithapleasurethatseemedtothrilltothelastfibreofherprettycostume。
Shecouldnotsayanything，buthermotherasked，withaneffortatself-
denial:“Doyouthinksoreally？It’soneofthoseLondonthings。Theyhavesomuchtastetherenow。”sheaddedyieldingtoherownprideinthedress。
“Yes;Isupposeditmustbe。”saidMrs。Saintsbury，“Weusedtocomeinmuslinsandtremendoushoops——don’tyouremember？”
“Didyoulooklikeyourphotographs？”askedyoungMavering，overhisshoulder。
“Yes;butwedidn’tknowitthen。”saidtheProfessor’swife。
“Neitherdidwe。”saidtheProfessor。“Wesupposedthattherehadneverbeenanythingequaltothosehoopsandwhitemuslins。”
“Thankyou，mydear。”saidhiswife，tappinghimbetweentheshoulderswithherfan。“Nowdon’tgoanyfurther。”
“DoyoumeanaboutourfirstmeetinghereonClassDay？”askedherhusband。
“They’llthinksonow。”saidMrs。Saintsburypatiently，withaplayfulthreatofconsequencesinhertone。
“WhenIfirstsawthepresentMrs。Saintsbury。”pursuedtheProfessor——itwashisjokingway，ofdescribingher，asiftherehadbeenseveralotherMrs。Saintsburys——“shewasdancingonthegreenhere。”
“Ah，theydon’tdanceonthegreenanymore，Ihear。”sighedMrs。Pasmer。
“No，theydon’t。”saidtheotherlady;“andIthinkit’sjustaswell。
Itwasalwaysaridiculousaffectationofsimplicity。”
“Itmusthavebeenratherpublic。”saidyoungMavering，inalowvoice，toMissPasmer。
“Itdoesn’tseemasifitcouldeverhavebeenincharacterquite。”sheanswered。
“We’reathoroughlyindoorspeople。”saidtheProfessor。“Anditseemsasifwehadn’treallybeguntogetwellasaracetillwehadcomeinoutoftheweather。”
“Howcanyousaythatonadaylikethis？”criedMrs。Pasmer。“Ididn’tsupposeanyonecouldbesounromantic。”
“Don’tflatterhim。”criedhiswife。
“Doesheconsiderthatacompliment？”
“Notpersonally。”heanswered:“Butit’sthefirstdutyofaProfessorofComparativeLiteraturetobeunromantic。”
“Idon’tunderstand。”falteredMrs。Pasmer。
“Hewillbehappytoexplain，atthegreatestpossiblelength。”saidMrs。
Saintsbury。“Butyoushan’tspoilourpleasurenow，John。”
Theyalllaughed，andtheProfessorlookedproudofthewitathisexpense;theAmericanhusbandisso，andthepublicattitudeoftheAmericanhusbandandwifetowardeachotherisapttobeamiablysatirical;theirrelationseemsnevertohavelostitsnovelty，ortolackdrollandsurprisingcontrastsforthem。
Besidesthesepassageswithherhusband，Mrs。SaintsburykeptupafullflowoftalkwiththeelderMavering，whichMrs。Pasmerdidherbesttooverhear，foritrelatedlargelytohisson，whom，itseemed，fromthefather’sexpressions，theSaintsburyshadbeenespeciallykindto。
No，Iassureyou，“Mrs。Pasmerheardherprotest，“Mr。Saintsburyhas，beenverymuchinterestedinhim。Ihopehehasnotputanytroublesomeideasintohishead。Ofcoursehe’sverymuchinterestedinliterature，fromhispointofview，andhe’sgladtofindanyoftheyoungmeninterestedinit，andthat’sapttomakehimoverdomattersalittle。”
“Danwishedmetotalkwithhim，andIshallcertainlybegladtodoso。”
saidthefather，butinatonewhichconveyedtoMrs。Pasmertheimpressionthatthoughhewasalwaysopentoconviction，hismindwasmadeuponthispoint，whateveritwas。
VI。
Thepartywenttohalfadozenspreads，someofwhichwereonascaleofpublicgrandeurapproachingthatoftheGymnasium，andothersofasubduedelegancebefittingthemoreprivatehospitalitiesinthestudents’rooms。Mrs。Pasmerwasverymuchinterestedintheserooms，whoseluxuriousappointmentstestifiedtotheadvanceofrichesandofthetastetoapplythemsincesheusedtovisitstudents’roomsinfar-
offClassDays。Thedeepwindownooksandeasy-chairsupholsteredintheleatherthatseemssacredaliketotheseatsandtheshelvesoflibraries;theaestheticbookcases，lowandtoppedwithbric-a-brac;theetchingsandprintsonthewalls，whichtheelderMaveringwentuptolookatwithamystifyingairofunderstandingsuchthings;thefoilscrossedoverthechimney，andthemantelwithitspipes，anditsphotographsoftheatricalcelebritiestiltedaboutoverit——spokeofconditionsmostlyforeigntoMrs。Pasmer’smemoriesofHarvard。Thephotographedcelebritiesseemedtobechosenchieflyfortheirbeauty，andforasmuchoftheirbeautyaspossible，Mrs。Pasmerperceived，withanobscuremisgivingofthesortwhichanoldergenerationalwayslikestofeelconcerningtheyounger，butwithatolerance，too，whichwaspersonaltoherself;itwastobeconsideredthatthemassivethoughtandhonestamiabilityofSalvini’sface，andthedeepandspiritualizedpowerofBooth’s，variedtheeffectofthesecompaniesofposturingnymphs。
Atmanyplacessheeithermetoldfriendswithwhomsheclamouredoverthewonderoftheirencounterthere，orwasmadeacquaintedwithnewpeoplebytheSaintsburys。Shekeptamother’seyeonherdaughter，towhomyoungMaveringpresentedeverybodywithinhailorreach，andwhomshecouldsee，whenevershelookedather，aradiantcentreofadmiration。Shecouldhearhertalksometimes，andshesaidtoherselfthatreallyAlicewascomingout;shehadneverheardhersaysomanygoodthingsbefore;shedidnotknowitwasinher。Shevasverygladthenthatshehadletherwearthatdress;itwascertainlydistinguished，andthegirlcarrieditoff，tohermother’samusement，withtheairofasuperbladyoftheperiodfromwhichitdated。ShethoughtwhatasimplechildAlicereallywas，allthetimethoseotherchildren，theSeniors，werestealingtheirglancesofboldortimidworshipather，anddoubtlessthinkingherabrilliantwomanoftheworld。Buttherecouldbenomistakethatshewasasuccess。
PartofhertriumphwasofcourseduetoMrs。Saintsbury;whosechaperonage;Mrs。Pasmercouldsee，waseverywhereofeffect。ButitwasalsolargelyduetothevigilantpolitenessofyoungMavering，whoseemedbentonmakingherhavegoodtime，andwholetnochancesliphim。Mrs。
Pasmerfelthiskindnesstruly;andshedidnotfeelitthelessbecausesheknewthattherewasbutonethingthatcould，athisfranklyselfishage，makeayoungfellowwishtomakeagirlhaveagoodtime;exceptforthatreasonhemustbebendingthewholesoulofegotisticyouthtomakingsomeothergirlhaveagoodtime。Butallthesame，itgaveherpausewhensomeonetowhomshewasintroducedspoketoherofherfriendstheMaverings，asiftheywerefriendsoftheoldeststandinginsteadofacquaintancesofveryrecentaccident。Shedidnotthinkofdisclaimingtheintimacy，but“ReallyIshalldieoftheseMaverings。”
shesaidtoherself，“unlessIfindoutsomethingaboutthemprettysoon。”
“I’mnotgoingtotakeyoutotheOmicronspread，Mrs。Pasmer。”saidyoungMavering，cominguptoherwithsuchaneffectofsympatheticdevotionthatshehadtoaskherself，“Aretheymyfriends，theMaverings？”“TheSaintsburyshavebeentherealready，anditisalittletoocommon。”ThetoneofsuperioritygaveMrs。Pasmercourage。“They’regoodfellows;andallthat，butIwantyoutoseethebest。Isupposeitwillgetbacktogivingthespreadsallinthefellows’roomsagain。
It’sagooddealpleasanter，don’tyouthink？”
“Ohyes，indeed。”assentedMrs。Pasmer，thoughshehadreallybeenthinkingtheprivatespreadswerenotnearlysoamusingasthelargespreadshehadseenattheGymnasium。ShehadalsowonderedwhereallMr。Mavering’srelationsandfriendswere，andthepeoplewhohadsocialclaimsonhim，thathecouldbegivinguphisClassDayinthisrecklessfashiontostrangers。Alicewouldaccountforagooddeal，butshewouldnotaccountforeverything。Mrs。Pasmerwouldhavebeenwillingtotakehimfromothers，butifheweresoanomalousastohavenoonetobetakenfrom，ofcourseitlessenedhisvalueasatrophy。Thesethingswentinandoutofhermind，withafinalresolutiontogetafullexplanationfromMrs。Saintsbury，whileshestoodandsmiledherwinningassentupintotheyoungman’shandsomeface。
Mrs。Saintsbury，caughtsightofthem，andasifsuddenlyremindedofaforgottenduty，rushedvividlyuponhim。
“Mr。Mavering，Ishallnotletyoustaywithusanotherminute。Youmustgotoyourroomnowandgetready。Yououghttohavealittlerest。”
Hebrokeoutinhislaugh。“DoyouthinkIwanttogoandliedownawhile，likealadybeforeaparty？”
“I’msureyou’dbethestrongerforit。”saidMrs。Saintsbury。“Butgo，uponanytheory。Don’tyouseethereisn’taSeniorleft？”
Hewouldnotlookround。“They’vegonetootherspreads。”hesaid。
“ButnowI’lltellyou:itispretty，neartime，andifyou’lltakemetomyroom，I’llgo。”
“You’reaspoiledboy。”saidMrs。Saintsbury。
“ButIwantMrs。Pasmertoseetheroomofarealstudent——areadingman，andallthat——andwe’llcome，tohumouryou。”
“Well，comeuponanytheory。”saidyoungMavering。
Hisfather，andProfessorSaintsbury，whohadbeeninstructedbyhiswifenottolosesightofher，wereathand，andtheycrossedtothatoldhallwhichkeepsitsfavourwiththestudentsinspiteoftherivalryofthenewerdormitories——itwouldbehardtosaywhy。
Mrs。Pasmerwillinglyassentedtoitsbeingmuchbetter，outofpurecomplaisance，thoughtheceilingswerelowandthewindowssmall，anditdidnotseemtoherthattheFranklinstoveandtheaestheticpaperingandpaintingofyoungMavering’sroombroughtituptothelevelofthoseothersthatshehadseen。Butwithherhabitofsayingsomefriendlylyingthing，nomatterwhatherimpressionswere，sheexclaimed;“Oh，howcosy！“andgladoftheword，shewentaboutfromonetoanother，asking，“Isn’tthiscosy？”
Mrs。Saintsburysaid:“It’ssupposedtobethecellofarecluse;butitiscosy——yes。”
“Itlooksasifsomehermithadbeenusingitasastore-room。”saidherhusband;fortherewereoddsandendsoffurnitureandclothesandboxesandhandbagsscatteredaboutthefloor。
“IforgotallaboutthemwhenIaskedyou。”criedMavering，laughingouthisdelight。“Theybelongtosomefellowsthataregivingspreadsintheirrooms，andIletthemputtheminhere。”
“Doyoucommonlyletpeopleputthingsinyourroomthattheywanttogetridoff？”askedMrs。Pasmer。
“Well，notwhenI’mexpectingcompany。”
“Hecouldn’trefuseeventhen，iftheypressedthematter。”saidMrs。
Saintsbury，lecturinguponhimtoherfriend。
“I’mafraidyou’retooamiablealtogether，Mr。Mavering。I’msureyouletpeopleimposeuponyou。”saidtheotherlady。“Youhavebeenlettingusimposeuponyou。”
“Ah！nowthatprovesyou’reallwrong，Mrs。Pasmer。”
“Itprovesthatyouknowhowtosaythingsveryprettily。”
“Oh，thankyou。IknowwhenI’mhavingagoodtime，andIdomybesttoenjoyit。”Heendedwiththenervouslaughwhichseemedhabitualwithhim。
“He，doeslaughagooddeal;“thoughtMrs。Pasmer，surveyinghimwithsmilingsteadiness。“IsupposeittiresAlice。Someofhisteetharefilledatthesides。Thatveininhisforehead——theysaythatmeansgenius。”Shesaidtohim:“Ihopeyouknowwhenothersarehavingagoodtimetoo，Mr。Mavering？Yououghttohavethatreward。”
TheybothlookedatAlice。“Oh，Ishouldbesohappytothinkyouhadn’tbeenboredwithitall，Mrs:Pasmer。”hereturned;——with-deepfeeling。
Alicewaslookingatoneofthesketcheswhichwereprettyplentifullypinnedaboutthewall，andapparentlyseeingitandapparentlylisteningtowhatProfessorSaintsburywassaying;buthermotherbelievedfromatremoroftheribbonsonherhatthatshewasconsciousofnothingbutyoungMavering’sgazeandthesoundofhisvoice。
“We’vebeendelighted，simplyenchanted。”saidMrs。Pasmer。Andshethought;“NowifAliceweretoturnroundjustasshestands，hecouldseeallthebestpointsofherface。Iwonderwhatshereallythinksofhim？Whatisityouhavethere;Alice？”sheaskedaloud。
ThegirlturnedherfaceoverhershouldersoexactlyinthewayhermotherwishedthatMrs。Pasmercouldscarcelyrepressacryofjoy。“A
sketchofMr。Mavering’s。”
“Oh，howveryinteresting！“saidMrs。Pasmer。“Doyousketch，Mr。
Mavering？Butofcourse。”Shepressedforward，andstudiedthesketchinattentively。“Howvery，verygood！“shebuzzeddeepinherthroat，while，withaglanceatherdaughter，shethought，“HowimpassiveAliceis！Butshebehaveswithgreatdignity。Yes。Perhapsthat’sbest。
Andareyougoingtobeanartist？”sheaskedofMavering。
“Notifitcanbeprevented。”heanswered，laughingagain。
“Buthislaughisverypleasant。”reflectedMrs。Pasmer。“DoesAlicedislikeitsomuch？”Sherepeatedaloud，“Ifitcanbeprevented？”
“TheythinkImightspoilagreatlawyerintheattempt。”
“Oh，Isee。Andareyougoingtobealawyer？Buttobeagreatpainter！AndAmericahassofewofthem。”Sheknewquitewellthatshewastalkingnonsense，butshewasaware，throughherownindifferencetothetopicthathewasnotmindingwhatshesaid，butwastryingtobringhimselfintotalkwithAliceagain。ThegirlpersistentlylistenedtoProfessorSaintsbury。
“Isshepunishinghimforsomething？”hermotheraskedherself。“Whatcanitbefor。Doesshethinkhe’salittletoopushing？Perhaps，heisalittlepushing。”Shereflected，withaninwardsigh，thatshewouldknowwhetherhewasifsheonlyknewmoreabouthim。
Hedidthehonoursofhisroomverysimplyandnicely，andhesaiditwasprettyroughtothinkthiswasthelastofit。Afterwhichhefaltered，andsomethingoccurredtoMrsSaintsbury。
“Why，we’rekeepingyou！It’stimeforyoutodressfortheTree。
John“——shereproachedherhusband——“howcouldyouletusdoit？”
“Farbeitfrommetohurryladiesoutofotherpeople’shouses——
especiallyladieswhohaveputthemselvesinchargeofotherpeople。”
“No，don’thurry。”pleadedMavering;“there’splentyoftime。”
“Howmuchtime？”askedMrs。Saintsbury。
Helookedathiswatch。“Well，agoodquarterofanhour。”
“AndIwastohavetakenMrs。PasmerandAlicehomeforalittlerestbeforetheTree！“criedMrsSaintsbury。Andnowwemustgoatonce，orweshallgetnosortofplaces。”