AfterfirstgoingtotheOwen，atCampobello，thePasmerstookroomsattheTy’n-y-Coed，whichissomuchgayer，evenifitisnotsocharacteristicoftheoldWelshAdmiral’sbaronialpossessionoftheisland。Itischaracteristicenough，andperchedonitsbluffoverlookingthebay，orwhateverthebodyofwateris，itseesascoreofprettyislesandlongreachesofmainlandcoast，withawhitemarbleeffectofwhite-paintedwoodenEastport，nestledinthewidelapoftheshore，inapparentluxuryandapparentinnocenceofsmugglingandthemanufactureofherringsardines。ThewatersthatwraptheislandinmorningandeveningfogtempertheairofthelatitudetoaNewportsoftnessinsummer，withasortofinnercoolnessthatispeculiarlydelicious，lullingthedaywithlongcalmsandlightbreezes，andafternightfallcommonlysendingastiffgaletotrythestopsofthehotel’sgablesandcasements，andtomakethecheerfulblazeonitspublichearthsacceptable。OnceortwiceadaytheEastportferry-boatarrives，withpassengersfromthesouthward，atafloatingwharfthatsinksorswimshalfahundredfeetonthemightytidesoftheNortheast;butallnightlongtheislandisshutuptoitsownmemoriesanddevices。TheprettyromanceoftheoldsailorwholeftEnglandtobecomeasortoffeudalseigneurhere，withaholdingoftheentireisland，anditsfisher-folkforhisvilleins，formsapicturesquebackgroundfortheaestheticleisureandsocietyinthethreehotelsrememberinghimandhislanguageintheirnames，andhousingwithafewcottagesallthesojournersontheisland。Bydaythebroadhotelpiazzassheltersuchoftheguestsasprefertoletothersmaketheirexcursionsintotheheartoftheisland，andarounditsrocky，sea-beatenborders;andatnight，whenthefallingmistshavebroughttheearlydark，andfromlighthousetolighthousethefog-hornsmoanandlowtooneanother，thepiazzascedetothecorridorsandtheparloursandsmoking-rooms。Thelifedoesnotgreatlydifferfromotherseasidehotellifeonthesurface，andifoneweretomakedistinctionsonewouldperhapsbeginbysayingthathotelsocietytherehasmuchofthetoneofcottagesocietyelsewhere，withalittlemoreaccessibility。Asthereaderdoubtlessknows，thegreatmassofBostonsociety，thoughtfulofitsownweightandbulk，transportsitselfdowntheNorthShorescarcelyfurtherthanManchesteratthefurthest;buttherearemorecourageousormoredetachablespiritswhoventureintomoredistantregions。ThesecontributesomewhattowardpeoplingBarHarbourinthesummer，buttheyscarcelycharacteriseitinanydegree;whileatCampobellotheysettleinlittledaringcolonies，whoseself-reliancewillenlisttheadmirationofthesympatheticobserver。Theydonotrefusetheknowledgeofothercoloniesofotherstirpsandorigins，andtheyevencombineintemporaryalliancewiththem。But，afterall，Bostonspeaksonelanguage，andNewYorkanother，andWashingtonathird，andthoughtheseveraldialectshaveonlyslightdifferencesofinflection，theirmoralaccentsrendereachalittledifficultfortheothers。Infacteverysocietyisrepellantofstrangersinthedegreethatitissufficienttoitself，andisincuriousconcerningtherestoftheworld。Ifithasnottheelementsofself-
satisfactioninit，ifitisuninformedandnewandrestless，itismorehospitablethananoldersocietywhichhasasenseofmeritfoundeduponhistoricaldocuments，andneednolongergooutofitselfforcomparisonsofanysort，knowingthatifitseeksanythingbetteritwillprobablybedisappointed。Thenaturalman，thesavage，isasindifferenttoothersastheexclusive，andthosewhoaccusethecoldnessoftheBostonians，andtheirreluctantorrepellantbehaviourtowardunknownpeople，accusenotonlycivilisation，butnatureitself。
Thatloveofindependencewhichisnotableinuseveninourmostacquiescentphasesathomeisperhapswhatbringsthesecultivatedandagreeablepeoplesofaraway，wheretheycanachieveasortofsylvanurbanitywithoutresponsibility，andwithoutthatmeasuringofpurseswhichattendsthesummerdisplayelsewhere。AtCampobelloonemightbepoorwithalmostaslittleshameasinCambridgeifonewerecultivated。
Mrs。Pasmer，whoseldomfailedofdoingjusttherightthingforherself，hadpromptlydivinedtheadvantagesofCampobelloforherfamily。Sheknew，bydintofalittleinquiry，andfromthevolunteerinformationofenthusiastswhohadbeentherethesummerbefore，justwhowaslikelytobethereduringthesummerwithwhichshenowfoundherselfconfronted。
Campobellobeingyetanewthing，itwasnotopentotheobjectionthatyouweresuretomeetsuchandsuchpeople，moreorlesscommonordisagreeable，there;whateverhappened，itcouldbelightlyhandledintheretrospectastheadventureofapartialandfragmentarysummerwhenreallyshehardlycaredwheretheywent。
TheydidnotgetawayfromBostonbeforethemiddleofJuly，andafterthesolitudetheyleftbehindthemthere，theOwenatfirstseemedverygay。ButwhentheyhadonceortwicecompareditwiththeTy’n-y-Coed，ridingtoandfrointhebargewhichformedtheconnectinglinkwiththeSaturdayeveninghopsofthelatterhotel，Mrs。Pasmerdecidedthat，fromAlice’spointofview，theyhadmadeamistake，andsherepaireditwithoutdelay。Theyoungpeoplewere，infact，allattheTy’n-y-Coed，andthoughshefoundtheOwenperfectlysatisfyingforherselfandMr。
Pasmer，shewaswillingtomakethesacrificeofgoingtoanewplace:itwasnotagreatsacrificeforonewhohaddweltsolongintents。
TherewerescarcelyanyyounggirlsattheOwen，andnoyoungmen，ofcourse。EvenattheTy’n-y-Coed，whereyounggirlsabounded，itwouldnotberighttopretendthattherewereyoungmenenough。Nowhere，perhaps，exceptatBarHarbour，isthelong-lostbalanceofthesexestrimmedinNewEngland;andeventheretheobserver，abstractlydelightingintheyounggirlsandtheirdressesatthatgrandlove-
exchangeofRodick’s，mustquestionwhethertheadjustmentisperfectlyaccurate。
AtCampobellotherewerenotmorethanhalfenoughyoungmen，andtherewasnotenoughflirtationtoaffecttheprevailingsocialmoodoftheplace:anunfevered，expectationlesstranquillity，inwhichto-dayislikeyesterday，andto-morrowcannotbedifferent。Itisaquietoflightreading，andslowly，brokenlymurmured，contentedgossipfortheladies，ofoldnewspapersandoldstoriesandluxuriouslymeditatedcigarsforthemen，withoccasionalcombinationsforasteam-launchcruiseamongtheeddiesandislandsofthenearerwaters，oravoyagefurtheroffintheBayofFundytotheGrandMenan，andareturnforthelatedinnerwhichmarksthehighcivilisationofCampobello，andthenaneveningofmorereadingandgossipandcigars，whilethenightwindwhistlesoutside，andthebrawlandcrashoftheballsamongthetenpinscomessoftenedfromthedistantalleys。Therearepleasantwalks，whichpeopleseldomtake，inmanydirections，andtherearedrivesandbridle-
pathsallthroughthedense，sad，Northernwoodswhichstillsavagelyclothethegreaterpartoftheislandtoitsfurthershores，wherethereareshelvesandplateausofrockincomparableforpicnicking。
Oneneedasknothingbetter，infact，thantostrolldownthesylvanroadthatleadstotheOwen，pastthelittlefishing-villagewithitsshedsforcuringherring;andthepalebluesmokeandappetisingsavourescapingfromthem;andpastthelittlechapelwithwhichtheoldAdmiralattestedhisloveoftheEstablishedrite。OnthisroadyoumaysometimesmeetalittleEnglishbishopfromtheProvinces，inhisapron。
andknee-breeches;andthereisacertainbridgeoveranarrowestuary，whereintheshallowland-lockedpoolsofthedeeplyebbingtideyoumaythrowstonesatsculpin，andwitnesstheadmirableindifferenceofthosefishtohumancrueltyandfolly。Inthemiddledistanceyouwillseeagroupofherringweirs，whichwiththeircoronalsoftuftedsaplingsformtheverymostpicturesqueaspectofanyfishingindustry。Youmay，nowandthenfindanartistatthispoint，who，crouchedoverhiseasel，orhers，seemstoagreewithyouaboutthevillageandtheweirs。
ButAlicePasmercaredlittlemoreforsuchthingsthanhermotherdid，andMrs。PasmerregardedNatureinallheraspectssimplyasanadjunctofsociety，oranoccasionalfeatureoftheentourage。Thegirlhadnosuchworldlyfeelingaboutit，butshefoundslightsympathyinthemoodsofearthandskywithherpeculiartemperament。Thistemperament，whosereconditeoriginhadalmostwhollybrokenupMrs。Pasmer’sfaithinheredity，waslikeothertemperaments，notalwaysinevidence，andAlicewasvariouslyregardedascold，ofshy，orproud，orinsipid，bythevariousothertemperamentsbroughtincontactwithherown。Shewasapttobelikedbecauseshewasascarefulofothersasshewasofherself，andsheneverwaschildishlygreedyaboutsuchadmirationasshewon，asgirlsoftenare，perhapsbecauseshedidnotcareforit。Uptothistimeitisdoubtfulifherhearthadbeentouchedevenbythefanciesthatshakethesurfaceofthesoulofyouth，andperhapsitwasforthisreasonthatherseriousnessatfirstfrettedMrs。Pasmerwithavagueanxietyforherfuture。
Mrs。PasmerherselfremainedinalienablyUnitarian，butshewasawareoftheprodigious-growthwhichtheChurchhadbeenmakinginsociety，andwhenAliceshowedherinclinationforit，shefeltthatitwasnotatallasifshehaddevelopedatastefororthodoxy;whenfinallyitdidnotseemlikelytogotoofar，itamusedMrs。PasmerthatherdaughtershouldhavetakensointenselytotheAnglicanrite。
InthehotelitattachedtoherbyacommoninterestseveraloftheladieswhohadseenherearnestlyresponsiveatthelittleOwenchapel——
ladieslefttothataffectionalsolitudewhichawaitslongwidowhoodthroughthedeathormarriageofchildren;andotherladies，younger，butyetbeginningtogrowoldwithtouchingcourage。AlicewasespeciallyafavouritewiththethreeorfourwhorepresentedtheirclassandconditionattheTy’n-yCoed，andwhoreadthebestbooksreadthere，andhadthegentlestmanners。Therewasatacitagreementamongtheseladies，whocouldnothelpseeingthedifferenceinthetemperamentsofthemotheranddaughter，thatMrs。PasmerdidnotunderstandAlice;butprobablytherewereveryfewpeopleexceptherselfwhomMrs。Pasmerdidnotunderstandquitewell。SheunderstoodtheseladiesandtheircompassionforAlice，andshedidnotintheleastresentit。ShewaswillingthatpeopleshouldlikeAliceforanyreasontheychose，iftheydidnotgotoofar。Withherlittleflutteroffutiledeceits，herirreverenceforeveryformofhumanworthandhertrustinaprovidencewhichhadseldomfailedher，shesmiledatthecultofAlice’sfriends，asshedidatthegirl’sseriousness，whichalsoshefeltherselfabletokeepfromgoingtoofar。
Whileshedidnotobjecttothesympathyoftheseladies，whateverinspiredit，sheencouragedanotherintimacywhichgrewupcontemporaneouslywiththeirs，andwhichwasfranklysecularandpractical，thoughthegirlwhoattachedherselftoAlicewithoneofthoseinstantpassionsofgirlhoodwasalsoineveryexteriorobservanceastrictanddiligentChurchwoman。ThedifferencewasthroughthedifferenceofBostonandNewYorkineverything:thedifferencebetweenidealisingandtherealisingtendency。Theelderlyandmiddle-agedBostonwomenwholikedAlicehadbeentouchedbysomethinghighyetsadinthebeautyofherfaceatchurch;theNewYorkgirlpromptlyownedthatshehadlikedhereffectthefirstSundayshesawherthere，andsheknewinaminuteshenevergotthosethingsonthisside;herobeisancesandgenuflectionsthroughouttheservice，muchmoreprofoundandpunctiliousthanthoseofanyoneelsethere，hadapparentlynotpreventedherfrommakingathoroughstudyofAlice’scostumeandacorrectconjectureastoitsauthorship。
MissAnderson，whoclaimedacollateralDutchancestrybytheVanHook，tuckedinbetweenhernon-committalfamilynameandtheJuliagivenherinchristening，wasoftheordinaryslendermakeofAmericangirlhood，withdullblondhair，andadullblondcomplexion，whichwouldhaveleftherfaceuninterestingifithadnotbeenforthecapriceofhernoseinsuddenlychangingfromtheordinaryAmericanregularity，aftergettingoveritsbridge，andturningoutdistinctly’retrousse’。Thisgaveherprofileanimationandcharacter;youcouldnotexpectagirlwiththatnosetobeeitherirresoluteorcommonplace，andforgoodorforillMissAndersonwasdecidedandoriginal。Shecarriedherfigure，whichwasnogreatthingsofafigureastoheight，withvigorouserectness;shewalkedwithlongstrides，knockingherskirtsintofineeddiesandtanglesasshewent;andshespokeinabold，deepvoice，withtoneslikeamaninit，allthemoreamusingandfascinatingbecauseoftheperfectlyfeminineeyeswithwhichshelookedatyou，andthenervous，femininegestureswhichsheusedwhileshespoke。
ShetookMrs。PasmerintoherconfidencewithregardtoAliceatanearlystageoftheiracquaintance，whichfromthefirsthadapatronisingorratherprotectingqualityinit;ifsheownedherselflessfine，sheknewherselfshrewder，andmorecapableofcopingwithactualities。
“Ithinkshe’smoybid，Aliceis。”shesaid。“Sheisn’tmoybidintheusualsenseoftheword，butsheexpectsmoreofherselfandofthewoyldgenerallythananybody’sgoingtogetoutofit。Shethinksshe’sgoingtogetasmuchasshegives，andthat’sagreatmistake，Mrs。Pasmer。”
shesaid，withthatpeculiarliquefactionofthecanineletterwhichtheNew-Yorkersalonehavethetrickof，andwhichitwouldbetiresomeandfutiletotrytorepresentthroughouthertalk。
“Ohyes，Iquiteagreewithyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer，deepinherthroat，andreservingdeeperstillherenjoymentofthisearlywisdomofMissAnderson’s。
“Now，evenatchurch——shecarriesthesamespiritintothechurch。Shedoesn’tmakeallowanceforhumannature，andthechurchdoes。”
“Oh，certainly！“Mrs。Pasmeragreed。
“Sheisn’tlikeapersonthat’sbeenbroughtupinthechurch。It’smoreliketheoldPuritanspirit——Excuseme，Mrs。Pasmer！“
“Yes，indeed！SayanythingyoulikeaboutthePuritans！“saidMrs。
Pasmer，delightedthat，asaBostonian，sheshouldbethoughttocareforthem。
“Ialwaysforgetthatyou’reaBostonian。”MissAndersonapologized。
“Oh，thankyou！“criedMrs。Pasmer。
“I’mgoingtotrytomakeherlikeothergirls。”continuedMissAnderson。
“Do。”saidAlice’smother，withtheeffectofwishingherjoyoftheundertaking。
“Iftherewereafewyoungmenabout，alittleoverseventeenandalittleunderfifty，itwouldbeeasier。”saidMissAndersonthoughtfully。
“Buthowareyougoingtomakeagirllikeothergirlswhentherearenoyoungmen？”
“That’sverytrue。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withaninterestwhichsheofcoursedidherbesttomakeimpersonal。“Doyouthinktherewillbemore，lateron？”
“TheywillhavetoHueyupiftheyarecomin’。”saidMissAnderson。
“It’sthemiddleofAugustnow，andthehotelclosesthesecondweekinSeptember。”
“Yes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，vaguelylookingatAlice。Shehadjustappearedoverthebrowoftheprecipice，alongwhosefacethearrivalsanddeparturesbytheferry-boatatCampobelloobliquelyascendanddescend。
Shecamewalkingswiftlytowardthehotel，and，forher，soexcitedlythatMrs。Pasmerinvoluntarilyroseandwenttomeetheratthetopofthebroadhotelsteps。
“Whatisit，Alice？”
“Oh，nothing！IthoughtIsawMr。Muntcomingofftheboat。”
“Mr。Munt？”
“Yes。”Shewouldnotstayforfurtherquestion。
Hermotherlookedafterherwiththeedgeofherfanoverhermouthtillshedisappearedinthedepthsofthehotelcorridor;thenshesatdownnearthesteps，andchattedwithsomehalf-grownboysloungingonthebalustrade，andwaitedforMunttocomeupoverthebrinkoftheprecipice。DanMaveringcamewithhim，runningforwardwithapoliteeagernessatsightofMrs。Pasmer。Shedistributedaskillfulastonishmentequallybetweenthetwomenshehadequallyexpectedtosee，andwasextremelycordialwiththem，notonlybecauseshewaspleasedwiththem，butbecauseshewasstillmorepleasedwithherdaughter’sbeing，afterall，likeothergirls，whenitcametoessentials。
XII。
Alicecamedowntolunchinadresswhichreconciledtheseasideandthedrawing-roominaneffectentirelysatisfactorytohermother，andgaveherhandtoboththegentlemenwithouttheaffectationofsurpriseatseeingeither。
“IsawMr。Muntconingupfromtheboat。”shesaidinanswertoMavering’sdemandforsomesortofastonishmentfromher。“Iwasn’tcertainthatitwasyou。”
Mrs。Pasmer，whosepretenceshadbeenallgivenawaybythissimpleconfession，didnotresentit，shewassomuchpleasedwithherdaughter’sevidentexcitementattheyoungman’shavingcome。Withoutbeingconsciousofit，perhaps，Aliceprettilyassumedthepartofhostessfromthemomentoftheirmeeting，anddidthehonoursofthehotelwithatacitimplicationofknowingthathehadcometoseeherthere。Theyhadonlymettwice，butnow，thethirdtime，meetingafteralittleseparation，theirmannertowardeachotherwasasiftheiracquaintancehadbeenmakingprogressintheinterval。Shetookhimaboutquiteasifhehadjoinedtheirfamilyparty，andintroducedhimtoMissAndersonandtoallherparticularfriends，foreachofwhom，withinfiveminutesafterhispresentation，hecontrivedtodosomewinningservice。Sheintroducedhimtoherfather，whomhetreatedwithdeeprespectandsaid“Sir“to。Sheshowedhimthebowlingalley，andbegantoplaytenniswithhim。
Hermother，sittingwithJohnMuntonthepiazza，followedthesepoliteattentionstoMaveringwithhumoroussatisfaction，whichwasqualifiedastheywenton。
“Alice。”shesaidtoher，atachancewhichoffereditselfduringtheevening，andthenshehesitatedfortherightword。
“Well;mamma？”saidthegirlimpatiently，stoppingonherwaytowalkupanddownthepiazzawithMavering;shehadrunintogetawrapandaTam-o’-Shantercap。
“Don’t——overdo——thehonours。”
“Whatdoyoumean，mamma？”askedthegirl;droppingherarmsbeforeher，andlettingtheshawltrailonthefloor。
“Don’tyouthinkhewasverykindtousonClassDay？”
Hermotherlaughed。“Buteveryonemayn’tknowit’sgratitude。”
Alicewentout，butshecamebackinalittlewhile，andwentuptoherroomwithoutspeakingtoanyone。
ThefitsofelationanddepressionwithwhichthisfirstdaypassedforhersucceededoneanotherduringMavering’sstay。HedidnotneedAlice’schaperonagelong。Bythenextmorningheseemedtoknowandtolikeeverybodyinthehotel，whereheenjoyedageneralfavourwhichatthatmomenthadnoexceptions。IntheafternoonhebegantoorganiseexcursionsandamusementswiththehelpofMissAnderson。
TheplansallreferredtoAlice，whoacceptedandapprovedwithanauthoritywhicheveryonetacitlyadmitted，justaseveryonerecognisedthatMaveringhadcometoCampobellobecauseshewasthere。Suchaphaseisperhapstheprettiestinthehistoryofaloveaffair。Allisyetinsolution;nothinghasbeenprecipitatedinwordorfact。Thepartiestoitevenreserveafinalconstructionofwhattheythemselvessayordo;
theywillnotowntotheirheartsthattheymeanexactlythisorthat。
ItisthisphasewhichinitsperfectfreedomisthemostAmericanofall;underotherconditionsitisaninstant，perceptibleorimperceptible;underoursitisadistinctstage，unhurriedbyanyoutsideinfluences。
ThenearestapproachtoadefinitionofthesituationwasinawalkbetweenMaveringandMrs。Pasmer，andthistalk，too，lightandbrief，mighthavehadnosuchintentionasherfancyassignedhispartofit。
SherecurredtosomethingthathadbeensaidonClassDayabouthistakingupthelawimmediately，orgoingabroadfirstforayear。
“Oh，I’veabandonedEuropealtogetherforthepresent。”hesaidlaughing。
“AndIdon’tknowbutImaygobackonthelawtoo。”
“Indeed！Thenyouaregoingtobeanartist？”
“Ohno;notsobadasthat。Itisn’tsettledyet，andI’moffheretothinkitoverawhilebeforethelawschoolopensinSeptember。Myfatherwantsmetogointohisbusinessandturnmypowerstoaccountindesigningwall-papers。”
“Oh，howveryinteresting！“AtthesametimeMrs。Pasmerranoverthewholefieldofheracquaintancewithoutfindinganotherwall-papermakerinit。ButsherememberedwhatMrs。Saintsburyhadsaid:itwasmanufacturing。ThisremindedhertoaskifhehadseentheSaintsburyslately，andhesaid，No;hebelievedtheywerestillinCambridge，though。
“Andweshallactuallyseeayoungman。”shesaidfinally，“intheactofdecidinghisowndestiny！“
Helaughedforpleasureinherpersiflage。“Yes;onlydon’tgivemeaway。Nobodyelseknowsit。”
“Ohno，indeed。Toomuchflattered，Mr。Mavering。Shallyouletmeknowwhenyou’vedecided？Ishallbedyingtoknow，andIshallbetoohigh-
mindedtoask。”
Itwasnotthentoolatetoadapt’Pinafore’toanyexigencyoflife，andMaveringsaid，“Youwilllearnfromtheexpressionofmyeyes。”
XIII。
ThewitnessesofMavering’ssuccessfuleffortstomakeeverybodylikehimwereinterestedinhisdifferentiationoftheattentionsheofferedeveryageandsexfromthosehepaidAlice。Butwhiletheyallagreedthatthereneverwasasweeterfellow，theywouldhavebeenpuzzledtosayinjustwhatthisdifferenceconsisted，andmuchastheylikedhim，theladiesofhercultwerenotquitesatisfiedwithhimtilltheydecidedthatitwasmarkedbyananxiety，atimidity，whichwasperfectlyfascinatinginamansofarfrombashfulnessashe。Thatis，hedidnicethingsforotherswithoutasking;butwithhertherewasalwaysanexplicitpause，andanimplicitprayerandpermission，first。Uponthisconditiontheyconsentedtotheglamourwhichhehadforher，andwhichwasevidenttoeveryoneprobablybuthim。
OnceagreeingthatnoonewasgoodenoughforAlicePasmer，whosequalitiestheyfeltthatonlywomencouldreallyappreciate，theywereinterestedtoseehownearMaveringcouldcometobeinggoodenough;andasthedramaplayeditselfbeforetheireyes，theypleasedthemselvesinanalysingitshero。
“Heisnotbashful，certainly。”saidoneofalittlegroupwhosatmidwayofthepiazzawhileAliceandMaveringwalkedupanddowntogether。
“Butdon’tyouthinkhe’smodest？There’sthatdifference，youknow。”
Theladyaddressedwaitedsolongbeforeansweringthattheyoungcouplecameabreastofthegroup，andthenshehadtowaittilltheywereoutofhearing。“Yes。”shesaidthen，withatender，sighingthoughtfulness，“I’vefeltthatinhim。Andreallythinkheisaveryloveablenature。
Theonlyquestionwouldbewhetherhewasn’ttooloveable。”
“Yes。”saidthefirstlady，withthesamekindofsuspiration，“Iknowwhatyoumean。AndIsupposetheyoughttobesomethingmorealikeindisposition。”
“Orsympathies？”suggestedtheother。
“Yes，orsympathies。”
Athirdladylaughedalittle。“Mr。Maveringhassomanysympathiesthatheoughttobelikeherinsomeofthem。”
“Doyoumeanthathe’stoosympathetic——thatheisn’tsincere？”askedthefirst——asingleladyofforty-nine，aMissCotton，whohadalittleknotofconsciencebetweenherprettyeyebrows，tiedtherebytheunremittingeffortofhalfacenturytodoandsayexactlythetruth，andtofinditout。
Mrs。Brinkley，whomsheaddressed，wasofthatobesitywhichseemsoftentoinclinepeopletosarcasm。“No，Idon’tthinkhe’sinsincere。I
thinkhealwaysmeanswhathesaysanddoes——Well，doyouthinkalittlemoreconcentrationofgood-willwouldhurthimforMissPasmer’spurpose——ifshehasit？”
“Yes，Isee。”saidMissCotton。Shewaited，withherkindeyesfixedwistfullyuponAlice，fortheyoungpeopletoapproachandgetby。
“Iwonderwhatthementhinkofhim？”
“YoumightaskMissAnderson。”saidMrs。Brinkley。
“Oh，doyouthinktheytellher？”
“Notthatexactly。”saidMrs。Brinkley，shakingwithgood-humouredpleasureinherjoke。
“Hervoice——ohyes。SheandAlicearegreatfriends，ofcourse。”
“Ishouldthink。”saidMrs。Stamwell，thesecondspeaker，“thatMr。
Maveringwouldbejealoussometimes——tillhelookedtwice。”
“Yes。”saidMissCotton，obligedtoadmittheforceoftheremark，butfeelingthatMr。Maveringhadbeencarriedoutofthefieldofhervisionbytheturnofthetalk。“Isuppose。”shecontinued，“thathewouldn’tbesowelllikedbyotheryoungmenassheisbyothergirls，doyouthink？”
“Idon’tthink，asarule。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“thatmenarehalfsoappreciativeofoneanotheraswomenare。It’smostamusingtoseetheopenscornwithwhichtwoyoungfellowstreateachotherifaprettygirlintroducesthem。”
AlltheladiesjoinedinthelaughwithwhichMrs。Brinkleyherselfledoff。ButMissCottonstoppedlaughingfirst。
“Doyoumean。”，sheasked，“thatifagentlemanweregenerallypopularwithgentlemenitwouldbe——“
“Becausehewasn’tgenerallysowithwomen？Somethinglikethat——ifyou’llleaveMr。Maveringoutofthequestion。Oh，howverygoodofthem！“shebrokeoff，andalltheladiesglancedatMaveringandAlicewheretheyhadstoppedatthefurtherendofthepiazza，andwerelookingoff。“NowIcanprobablyfinishbeforetheygetbackhereagain。WhatI
domean，MissCotton，isthatneithersexwillinglyacceptsthefavouritesoftheother。”
“Yes。”saidMissCottonadmissively。
“AndallthatsavesMissPasmeristhatshehasnotonlythequalitiesthatwomenlikeinwomen，butsomeofthequalitiesthatmen，likeinthem。She’sthoroughlyhuman。”
Alittlesensation，almostamurmur，notwhollyofassent，wentroundthatcirclewhichhadsonearlyvotedAliceasaint。
“Inthefirstplace，shelikestopleasemen。”
“Oh！“camefromthegroup。
“Andthatmakesthemlikeher——ifitdoesn’tgotoofar，ashermothersays。”
Theladiesalllaughed，recognisingacommonturnofphraseinMrs。
Pasmer。
“Ishouldthink。”saidMrs。Stamwell，“thatshewouldbelievealittleinheredityifshenoticedthatinherdaughter;“andtheladieslaughedagain。
“Then。”Mrs。BrinkleyresumedconcerningAlice，“shehasaveryprettyface——anextremelyprettyface;shehasatendervoice，andshe’svery，verygraceful——inratheranoddway;perhapsit’sonlyafascinatingawkwardness。Thenshedresses——orhermotherdressesher——exquisitely。”
Theladies，withanothersensation，admittedtheperfectaccuracywithwhichthesepointshadbeentouched。
“That’swhatmenlike，whattheyfallinlovewith，whatMr。Mavering’sinlovewiththisinstant。It’snousewomen’sflatteringthemselvesthattheydon’t，fortheydo。Therestofthevirtuesandgracesandcharmsareforwomen。Ifthatseriousgirlcouldonlyknowthesillythingsthatthatamiablesimpletonistakenwithinher，she’d——“
“Neverspeaktohimagain？”suggestedMissCotton。
“No，Idon’tsaythat。Butshewouldthinktwicebeforemarryinghim。”
“Andthendoit。”saidMrs。Stamwellpensively，witheyesthatseemedlookingfarintothepast。
“Yes，andquiterighttodoit。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Idon’tknowthatweshouldbeveryproudourselvesifweconfessedjustwhatcaughtourfancyinourhusbands。FormypartIshouldn’tliketosayhowmuchalighthatthatMr。Brinkleyhappenedtobewearinghadtodowiththematter。”
Theladiesbrokeintoanotherlaugh，andthencheckedthemselves，sothatMrs。Pasmer，comingoutofthecorridoruponthem，naturallythoughttheywerelaughingather。Shereflectedthatifshehadbeenintheirplaceshewouldhaveshowngreatertactbynotstoppingjustatthatinstant。
Butshedidnotmind。Sheknewthattheytalkedherover，buthavingaverygoodconscience，shesimplytalkedthemoverinreturn。“Haveyouseenmydaughterwithinafewminutes？”sheasked。
“ShewaswithMr。Maveringattheendofthepiazzaamomentago。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Theymustleavejustgoneroundthecornerofthebuilding。”
“Oh。”saidMrs。Pasmer。Shehadanovel，withherfingerbetweenitsleaves，pressedagainstherheart，afterthemannerofladiescomingoutonhotelpiazzas。Shesatdownandresteditonherknee，withherhandoverthetop。
MissCottonbentforward，andMrs。Pasmerliftedherfingerstoletherseethenameofthebook。
“Ohyes。”saidMissCotton。“Buthe’ssoterriblypessimistic，don’tyouthink？”
“Whatisit？”askedMrs。Brinkley。
“Fumee。”saidMrs。Pasmer，layingthebooktitleupwardonherlapforeveryonetosee。
“Ohyes。”saidMrs。Brinkley，fanningherself。“Tourguenief。Thatmangavemetheworstquarterofanhourwithhis’Lisa’thatIeverhad。”
“That’sthesameasthe’NicheedesGentilshommes’，isn’tit？”askedMrs。
Pasmer，withtheinvoluntarysuperiorityofawomanwhoreadsherTourgueniefinFrench。
“Idon’tknow。IhaditinEnglish。Idon’tbuildmyshipstocrosstheseain，asEmersonsays;ItakethoseIfindbuilt。”
“Ah！Iwasalreadyontheotherside。”saidMrs。Pasmersoftly。Sheadded:“ImustgetLisa。Ilikeagoodheart-break;don’tyou？Ifthat’swhatgaveyouthebadmoment。”
“Heart-break？Heart-crush！WhereLavretskycomesbackoldtothesceneofhisloveforLisa，andstrikesthatchordonthepiano——well，IsimplywonderthatI’malivetorecommendthebooktoyou。
“Doyouknow。”saidMissCotton，verydeferentially，“thatyourdaughteralwaysmademethinkofLisa？”
“Indeed！“criedMrs。Pasmer，notwhollypleased，butgratifiedthatshewasabletohideherdispleasure。“Youmakemeverycurious。”
“Oh，Idoubtifyou’llseemorethanamerelikenessoftemperament。”
Mrs。Brinkleyinterferedbluntly。“Alltheconditionsaresodifferent。
Therecouldn’tbeanAmericanLisa。That’sthecharmoftheseRussiantragedies。Youfeelthatthey’resoperfectlytruethere，andsoperfectlyimpossiblehere。LavretskywouldsimplyhavegothimselfdivorcedfromVarvaraPavlovna，andnoclergymancouldhaveobjectedtomarryinghimtoLisa。”
“That’swhatImeanbyhispessimism。”saidMissCotton。“Heleavesyounohope。AndIthinkthatdespairshouldneverbeusedinanovelexceptforsomegoodpurpose;don’tyou，Mrs。Brinkley？”
“Well。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“Iwastryingtothinkwhatgoodpurposedespaircouldbeputto，inabookoroutofit。”
“Idon’tthink。”saidMrs。Pasmer，referringtothebookinherlap，“thatheleavesyoualtogetherindespairhere，unlessyou’dratherhe’drunoffwithIrenethanmarriedTatiana。”
“Oh，Icertainlydidn’twishthat;“saidMissCotton，inself-defence，asiftheshothadbeenaimedather。
“Thebookendswithamarriage;there’snodenyingthat。”saidMrs。
Brinkley，withareserveinhertonewhichcausedMrs。Pasmertocontinueforher——
“Andmarriagemeanshappiness——inabook。”
“I’mnotsurethatitdoesinthiscase。Thetimewouldcome，afterLitvinofhadtoldTatianaeverything，whenshewouldhavetoaskherself，andnotonceonly，whatsortofmanitreallywaswhowaswillingtobreakhisengagementandrunoffwithanotherman’swife，andwhetherhecouldeverrepentenoughforit。Shecouldmakeexcusesforhim，andwould，butatthebottomofherheart——No，itseemstomethatthere，almostfortheonlytime，Tourgueniefpermittedhimselfanamiableweakness。Allthatpartofthebookhastheairofbeggingthequestion。”
“Butdon’tyousee。”saidMissCotton，leaningforwardinthewayshehadwhenveryearnest，“thathemeanstoshowthatherloveisstrongenoughforallthat？”
“Buthedoesn’t，becauseitisn’t。Loveisn’tstrongenoughtosavepeoplefromunhappinessthrougheachother’sfaults。Doyousupposethatsomanymarriedpeopleareunhappyineachotherbecausetheydon’tloveeachother？No;it’sbecausetheydoloveeachotherthattheirfaultsaresuchamutualtorment。Iftheywereindifferent，theywouldn’tmindeachother’sfaults。Perhapsthat’sthereasonwhytherearesomanyAmericandivorces;iftheydidn’tcare，likeEuropeans，whodon’tmarryforlove，theycouldstandit。”
“Thenthemoralis。”saidMrs。Pasmer，atherlightestthroughthesurroundinggravity，“thatasallAmericansmarryforlove，onlyAmericanswhohavebeenverygoodoughttogetmarried。”
“I’mnotsurethatthehave-beengoodnessisenougheither。”saidMrs。
Brinkley，willingtopushittotheabsurd。“Youmarryaman’sfutureaswellashispast。”
“Dearme！Youareterriblyexigeante，Mrs。Brinkley。”saidMrs。Pasmer。
“Onecanaffordtobeso——intheabstract。”answeredMrs。Brinkley。
TheyallstoppedtalkingandlookedatJohnMunt，whowascomingtowardthem，andeachfeltalongingtolaythematterbeforehim。
Therewasprobablynotawomanamongthembuthadfeltmore，readmore，andthoughtmorethanJohnMunt，buthewasaman，andthemindofamanisthecourtoffinalappealforthewisestwomen。Tillsomemanhaspronouncedupontheirwisdom，theydonotknowwhetheritiswisdomornot。
Muntdrewuphischair，andaddressedhimselftothewholegroupthroughMrs。Pasmer:“Wearethinkingofgettingupalittlepicnicto-morrow。
XIV。
Thedayofthepicnicstruggledtillteno’clocktopeerthroughthefogthatwraptitwiththatremotedampandcoolnessandthatnearerdrouthandwarmthwhichsomefogshave。Thelowpinegroveshungfullofit，anditgaveasilverydefinitiontothegossamerthreadsrunningfromonegrassspeartoanotherinspaciousnetworksovertheopenlevelsoftheoldfieldsthatstretchbackfromtheblufftothewoods。Atlastitgrewthinner，somewhereoverthebay;thenyoucouldseethesmoothwaterthroughit;thenitdriftedoffinraggedfringesbeforealightbreeze:
whenyoulookedlandwardagainitwasallgonethere，andseawardithadgathereditselfinalow，dunbankalongthehorizon。ItwasthekindoffogthatpeopleinterestedinCampobelloadmittedasapttobecommonthere，butclaimedasakindoflocalvirtuewhenitbegantobreakaway。
Theysaidthatitwasaverydryfog，notlikeNewport，andaskedyoutonoticethatitdidnotwetyouatall。
Fourorfivecarriages，drivenbythegentlemenoftheparty，heldthepicnic，whichwasdestinedforthatbeautifulcoveontheBayofFundywheretheredgraniteledges，smooth-washedbyagesofstormandsun，lendthemselvestosuchfestivitiesasiftheyhadbeenartificiallyfashionedintoshelvesandtables。Thewholeplaceisyetsonewtomenthatthishaunthasnotacquiredthatairofrepulsivecustomwhichtheeggshellsandbrokenbottlesandsardineboxesofmanyseasonsgive。Orperhapsthewintertempestsheapthetidesofthebayovertheledge，andwashitcleanofthesevulgartracesofhumanresort，andenableittoofferasfreshawelcometothepicnicsofeachsuccessivesummerasiftherehadneverbeenapicnicinthatplacebefore。
ThiswasthesensethatMaveringprofessedtohavereceivedfromit，whenhejumpedoutofthebeachwagoninwhichhehadprecededtheothercarriagesthroughtheweirdforestlyingbetweenthefringeoffarmfieldsandfishing-villagesonthewesternshoreoftheislandandtheselonelycoastsofthebay。Asfarasthesignsofsettledhumanhabitationlast，thoroadisthegoodhardcountryroadofNewEngland，climbingsteeplittlehills，andpresentlyleadingthroughlongtractsofwoodland。Butatacertainpointbeyondthefurthestcottageyouleaveit，andplungedeepintotheheartoftheforest，vaguelytraversedbythewheel-pathcarriedthroughsincetheislandwasopenedtosummersojourn。Roadyoucanhardlycallit，rememberingitscuriouspausesandhesitationswhenconfrontedwithstretchesofmarshyground，anditsstaggeringprogressoverthethickstubbleofsaplingsthroughwhichitiscut。Theprogressofteamsoveritisslow，butthereissuchjoyofwildnessinthesolitudesitpenetratesthat;ifthehorseshadanygaitslowerthanawalk，onemightstillwishtostaythem。ItisaNorthernforest，withtheairofhavingsprangquicklyupinthefierceheatandhasteoftheNorthernsummers。Thesmallfirsaresetalmostasdenseasryeinafield，andintheirstruggletothelighttheyhavechokedoneanothersothatthereisastrangeblightofdeathanddefeatonallthatvigouroflife。Fewofthetreeshavewonanyloftygrowth;theyseemtohavediedandfallenwhentheywereabouttooutstriptheothersinsize，andfromtheirdecayanewsylvangenerationriotsranklyupward。Thesurfaceofthegroundisthinlyclothedwithadeciduousundergrowth，abovewhicharethebare，sparestemsoftheevergreens，andthentheirlimbsthrustingintooneanotherinasombretangle，withlocksoflongyellowish-whitemoss，likethegreypendantsoftheSouthernpines，drippingfromthemanddrainingtheirbrieflife。
Insuchaplaceyoumustsurrenderyourselftoitsinfluences，profoundlyyetvaguelymelancholy，oryoumustresistthemwithwhatevergaietyisinyou，ormaybeconjuredoutofothers。ItwasconcededthatMaveringwasthelifeoftheparty，asthephrasegoes。Hislight-heartedness，askindlyandsympatheticasitwasinexhaustible，servedtocarrythemovertheworstplacesintheroadofitself。Hejumpeddownandranback，whenhehadpassedabadbit，toseeiftheothersweregettingthroughsafely;theleastinterestingofthepartyhadsomeproofofhisimpartialfriendliness;hepromisedanearlyandtriumphantemergencefromalldifficulties;hestartedsinging，andsacrificedhimselfinseveraltunes，forhecouldnotsingwell;hislaughseemedtobealwayscomingbacktoAlice，wheresherodelateinthelittleprocession;
severaltimes，withthedeferencewhichhedelicatelyqualifiedforher，hecamehimselftoseeifhecouldnotdosomethingforher。
“MissPasmer。”croakedherfriendMissAnderson，whoalwaysbeganinthatceremoniouswaywithher，andgottocallingherAlicefurtheralongintheconversation，“ifyoudon’tdropsomethingforthatpoorfellowtorunbacktwoorthreemilesandget，prettysoon，I’lldoitmyself。
It’speyfectlydisheayteningtoseehisdisappointmentwhenyoutellhimtheye’snothingtobedone。”
“Heseemstogetoverit。”saidAliceevasively。ShesmiledwithpleasureinMissAnderson’simpeachment，however。
“Oh，hekeepscoming，ifthat’swhatyoumean。Butdodropanumbrella，orarubber，orsomething，nexttime，justtoshowaproperappreciation。”
ButMaveringdidnotcomeanymore。Justbeforetheygottothecove，MissAndersonleanedoveragaintowhisperinAlice’sear，“Itoldyouhewashuyt。Nowyoumustbeverygoodtohimtherestofthetime。”
UpontheoryagirlofAlicePasmer’sreserveoughttohaveresentedthisintervention，butitisnotprobableshedid。Sheflushedalittle，butnotwithoffence，apparently;andshewaskindertoMavering，andlethimdoeverythingforherthathecouldinventintransferringthethingsfromthewagonstotherocks。
Thepartygaveagaietytothewildplacewhichaccenteditspropercharm，astheyscatteredthemselvesovertheledgesonthebrightshawlsspreaduponthelevelspaces。Oneitherhandcraggybluffshemmedthecovein，butbelowtheledgeithadapebblybeachstrewnwithdrift-
wood，andtheBayofFundygloomedbeforeitwithsmallfishingcrafttippingandtiltingontheswellintheforeground，anddimsailmeltingintothedunfogbankatthehorizon’sedge。
Theelderladiesofthepartystoodup，orstretchedthemselvesontheshawls，astheyfoundthisorthatposturemorerestfulaftertheirlongdrive;one，whowasskilledinmakingcoffee，hadtakenpossessionofthepot，andwasdemandingfireandwaterforit。Themenscatteredthemselvesoverthebeach，andbroughtherdriftenoughtoroastanox;
twoofthemfetchedwaterfromthespringatthebackoftheledge，whithertheythencarriedthebottlesofaletocoolinitsthrillingpool。Eachafterhisorherfashionsymbolisedareturntonaturebysomeactorwordofself-abandon。
“Yououghttohavebroughtheaviershoes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withaseriousglanceatherdaughter’sfeet。“Well，nevermind。”sheadded。
“Itdoesn’tmatterifyoudospoilthem。”
“Really。”criedMrsBrinkley，castinghersandalsfromher，“Iwillnotbeenslavedtorubbersinsuchasylvansceneasthis，atanyrate。”
“LookatMrs。Stamwell！“saidMissCotton。“She’sactuallytakenherhatoff。”
Mrs。Stamwellhadnotonlygonetothisextreme，buthadtiedalightlyflutteringhandkerchiefroundherhair。Shesaidsheshouldcertainlynotputonthatheavythingagaintillshegotinsightofcivilisation。
AtthesewordsMissCottonboldlydrewoffhergloves，andputtheminherpocket。
Theyounggirls，slimintheirbluesflannelskirtsandtheirbroadwhitecanvasbelts，wentandcameovertherocks。Thereweresomechildrenintheparty，whowereallowedtoscreamuninterruptedlyinthegameswhichtheybegantoplayassoonastheyfoundtheirfeetaftergettingoutofthewagons。
Someofthegentlemendroveastakeintothebeach，andthrewstonesatit，toseewhichcouldknockoffthepebblebalancedonitstop。Severaloftheladiesjoinedtheminthesport，andshriekedandlaughedwhentheymadewildshotswiththemissilesthemenpolitelygatheredforthem。
AlicehadremainedwithMaveringtohelpthehostessofthepicniclaythetables，buthermotherhadfollowedthosewhowentdowntothebeach。
AtfirstMrs。Pasmerlookedonatthepracticeofthestone-throwerswithdisapproval;butsuddenlysheletherselfgointhis，asshedidinothermattersthatherjudgmentcondemned，andbegantothrowstonesherself;
shebecameexcited，andmadethewildestshotsofany，acceptingmissilesrightandleft，andmakingherselfdangeroustoeverybodywithinawidecircle。Agentlemanwhohadfallenavictimtoherskillsaid，“Justwait，Mrs。Pasmer，tillIgetinfrontofthestake。”
Themenbecameseriouslyinterested，andworkedthemselvesredandhot;
theladiessoongaveitup，andsatdownonthesandandbegantotalk。
Theyallownedthemselveshungry，andfromtimetotimetheylookedupanxiouslyatthepreparationsforlunchontheledge，wherewhitenapkinswerespread，withbottlesatthefourcornerstokeepthemfromblowingaway。Thisuseofthebottleswasconsideredveryamusing;theladiestriedtomakejokesaboutit，andthedesiretobefunnyspreadtocertainofthemenwhohadquietlyleftoffthrowingatthestakebecausetheyhadwrenchedtheirshoulders;theysucceededinbeingmerry。Theysaidtheythoughtthatcoffeetookalongtimetoboil。
Alullofexpectationfelluponall;evenMaveringsatdownontherocksnearthefire，andwasatrestafewminutes，byorderofMissAnderson，whosaidthatthesightofhisactivitytiredhertodeath。
“Iwonderwhyalwaysboiledhamatapicnic！“saidtheladywhotookafinalplateofitfromabasket。“Undertheordinaryconditions，fewofuscanbepersuadedtotouchit。”
“Itseemstobedeartonature，andtonature’schildren。”saidMrs。
Brinkley。“Perhapsbecausetheirdigestionsarestrong。”
“Don’tyouwishthatsomethingcouldbesubstitutedforit？”askedMiss。
Cotton。
“Therehavebeeneffortstoreplaceitwithchickenandtongueinsandwiches;“saidMrs。Brinkley;“butIthinkthey’veonlymeasurablysucceeded——aboutastemperancedrinkshaveinplaceoftherealstrongwaters。”
“Ontheboatcomingup。”saidMavering，“wehadatroupeofgenuinedarkyminstrels。Oneofthemsangasongabouthamthatrathertookme——
“’Ham，goodoldham！
Hamisdebestobmeat;
It’salwaysgoodandsweet;
Youcanbakeit，youcanboilit，Youcanfryit，youcanbroilit——
Ham，goodoldham！’“
“Oh，howgood！“sighedMrs。Brinkley。“Howsincere！Hownative！Goon，Mr。Mavering，forever。”
“Ihaven’tthematerials。”saidMavering，withhislaugh。“Therestwasdacapo。Buttherewasanothersong，aboutacolouredlady——“
“’Sixfoothighandeightfootround，Hollerobherfootmadeaholeindeground。’“
“Ah，that’sanoldfriend。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“IrememberhearingofthatcolouredladywhenIwasagirl。Butit’safineflightoftheimagination。Whatelsedidtheysing？”
“Ican’tremember。Buttherewassomethingtheydanced——toshowhowarheumaticoldcoloureduncledances。”
Hejumpednimblyup，andsketchedthestiffandlimpingfigurehehadseen。Itwasoverinaflash。Hedroppeddownagain，laughing。
“Oh，howwonderfullygood！“criedMrs。Brinkley，withfrankjoy。“Doitagain。”
“Encore！Oh，encore！“camefromthepeopleonthebeach。
Maveringjumpedtohisfeet，andburlesquedtheprofusebowsofanactorwhorefusestorepeat;hewasabouttodropdownagainamidsttheirwailsofprotest。
“No，don’tsitdown，Mr。Mavering。”saidtheladywhohadintroducedthesubjectofham。“Getsomeoftheyoungladies，andgoandgathersomeblueberriesforthedessert。Thereareallthenecessariesoflifehere，butnoneoftheluxuries。”
“I’mattheserviceoftheyoungladiesasanescort。”saidMaveringgallantly，withaninfusionofjoke。“Willyoucomeandpickblueberriesundermywatchfuleyes，MissPasmer？”
“They’vegonetopickblueberries。”calledtheladythroughhertubedhandtothepeopleonthebeach，andtheyoungeramongthemscrambleduptherocksforcupsandbowlstofollowthem。
Mrs。Pasmerhadanimpulsetocallherdaughterback，andtomakesomeexcusetokeepherfromgoing。Shewasinanaccessofdecorum，naturallyfollowinguponherlateoutbreak，anditseemedaverypronouncedthingforAlicetobegoingoffintothewoodswiththeyoungman;butitwouldhavebeenapronouncedthingtopreventher，andsoMrs。Pasmersubmitted。
“Isn’titdelightful。”askedMrs。Brinkley，followingthemwithhereyes，“toseethecharmthatgayyoungfellowhasforthatseriousgirl？Shelookedathimwhilehewasdancingasifshecouldn’ttakehereyesoffhim，andshefollowedhimasifhedrewherbyaninvisiblespell。Notthatspellsareevervisible。”sheadded，savingherself。“Thoughthisoneseemstobe。”sheaddedfurther，againsavingherself。
“Doyoureallythinkso？”pleadedMissCotton。
“Well，Isayso，whateverIthink。AndI’mnotgoingtobecaughtuponthetenter-hooksofconscienceastoallmymeanings，MissCotton。I
don’tknowthemall。ButI’mnotoneoftheAliceolaters，youknow。”
“No;ofcoursenot。Butshouldn’tyou——Don’tyouthinkitwouldbeagreatpity——She’ssosuperior，soveryuncommonineveryway，thatithardlyseems——Ah，Ishouldsoliketoseesomeonereallyfine——notacoarsefibreinhim，don’tyouknow。NotthatMr。Mavering’scoarse。
Butbesideherhedoesseemsolight！“
“Perhapsthat’sthereasonshelikeshim。”
“No，no！Ican’tbelievethat。Shemustseemoreinhimthanwecan。”
“Idaresayshethinksshedoes。Atanyrate，it’saperfectlyevidentcaseonbothsides;andthefrankwayhe’sfollowedheruphere，anddevotedhimselftoher，asif——well，notasifsheweretheonlygirlintheworld，butincomparablythebest——iscertainlynotcommon。”
“No。”sighedMissCotton，gladtoadmitit;“that’sbeautiful。”
XV。
IntheedgeofthewoodsandtheopenspacesamongthetreestheblueberriesgrewlargerandsweeterinthelateNorthernsummerthanamoresouthernsunseemstomakethem。Theyhungdenseuponthelowbushes，andgavethemtheirtintthroughthesoftgreybloomthatveiledtheirblue。Sweet-ferninpatchesbroketheirmasshereandthere，andexhaleditswildperfumetothefootorskirtbrushingthroughit。
“Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingmuchprettierthantheseclusters;doyou，MissPasmer？”askedMavering，asheliftedabunchpendentfromthelittletreebeforehestrippeditintothebowlhecarried。“Andsee！
itspoilsthebloomtogatherthem。”Heheldoutahandful，andthentossedthemaway。“Itoughttobemanagedmoreaestheticallyforanoccasionlikethis。I’lltellyouwhat，MissPasmer:areyouusedtoblueberrying？”
“No。”shesaid;“Idon’tknowthatIeverwentblueberryingbefore。
Why？”sheasked。
“Because，ifyouhaven’t，youwouldn’tbeveryefficientperhaps，andsoyoumightresignyourselftosittingonthatlogandholdingtheberriesinyourlap，whileIpickthem。”
“Butwhataboutthebowls，then？”
“Oh，nevermindthem。I’vegotanidea。Seehere！“Heclippedoffabunchwithhisknife，andhelditupbeforeher，tiltingitthiswayandthat。“Couldanythingbemoregraceful！Myideaistoservetheblueberryonitsnativestematthispicnic。Whatdoyouthink？Sugarwouldprofaneit，andofcoursethey’veonlygotmilkenoughforthecoffee。”
“Delightful！“Alicearrangedherselfonthelog，andmadealapforthebunch。Hewouldnotallowthatthearrangementwasperfecttillhehadcushionedtheseatandcarpetedthegroundforherfeetwithsweet-fern。
“Nowyou’resomethinglikeawood-nymph。”helaughed。“Only，wouldn’tarealwood-nymphhaveanapron？”heasked，lookingdownatherdress。
“Oh，itwon’thurtthedress。Youmustbeginnow，orthey’llbecallingus。”
Hewasstandingandgazingatherwithadistractedenjoymentofherpose。“Ohyes，yes。”heanswered，comingtohimself，andhesetabouthiswork。
Hemighthavegotonfasterifhehadnotcometoherwithnearlyeverybunchhecutatfirst，andwhenhebegantodenyhimselfthispleasurehestoppedtoadmireanideaofhers。
“Well，that’scharming——makingthemintobouquets。”
“Yes，isn’tit？”shecrieddelightedly，holdingabunchoftheberriesupatarm’s-lengthtogettheeffect。
“Ah，butyoumusthavesomeofthisfernandthistallgrasstogowithit。Why，it’ssweet-grass——thesweet-grassoftheIndianbaskets！“
“Isit？”Shelookedupathim。“Anddoyouthinkthatthemixturewouldbebetterthanthemodestsimplicityoftheberries，withafewleavesofthesame？”
“No;you’reright;itwouldn’t。”hesaid，throwingawayhisferns。“Butyou’llwantsomethingtotiethestemswith;youmustusethegrass。”Heleftthatwithher，andwentbacktohisbushes。Headded，frombeyondalittlethicket，asifwhathesaidwerepartofthesubject，“Iwasafraidyouwouldn’tlikemyskippingaboutthereontherocks，doingthecoloureduncle。”
“Likeit？”
“Imean——I——youthoughtitundignified——trivial——“
Shesaid，afteramoment:“Itwasveryfunny;andpeopledoallsortsofthingsatpicnics。That’sthepleasureofit，isn’tit？”
“Yes，itis;butIknowyoudon’talwayslikethatkindofthing。”
“DoIseemsoverysevere？”sheasked。
“Ohno，notsevere。Ishouldbeafraidofyouifyouwere。Ishouldn’thavedaredtocometoCampobello。”
Helookedatheracrosstheblueberrybushes。Hisgayspeechmeanteverythingornothing。Shecouldparryitwithajest，andthenitwouldmeannothing。Sheletherheaddroopoverherwork，andmadenoanswer。
“Iwishyoucouldhaveseenthosefellowsontheboat。”saidMavering。
“Hello，Mavering！“calledthevoiceofJohnMunt，fromanotherpartofthewoods。
“Alice！——MissPasmer！“camethatofMissAnderson。
Hewasgoingtoanswer，whenhelookedatAlice。“We’llletthemseeiftheycanfindus。”hesaid，andsmiled。
Alicesaidnothingatfirst;shesmiledtoo。“YouknowmoreaboutthewoodsthanIdo。Isupposeiftheykeeplooking——“
“Ohyes。”Hecametowardherwithamassofclusterswhichhehadclipped。“Howfastyoudothem！“hesaid，standingandlookingdownather。“Iwishyou’dletmecomeandmakeupthewithesforyouwhenyouneedthem。”
“No，Icouldn’tallowthatonanyaccount。”sheanswered，twistingsomestemsofthegrasstogether。
“Well，willyouletmeholdthebuncheswhileyoutiethem;ortiethemwhenyouholdthem？”
“No。”
“Thisonce，then？”
“Thisonce，perhaps。”
“Howlittleyouletmedoforyou！“hesighed。
“Thatgivesyouachancetodomoreforotherpeople。”sheanswered;andthenshedroppedhereyes，asifshehadbeensurprisedintothatanswer。
Shemadehastetoadd:“That’swhatmakesyousopopularwith——everybody！“
“Ah，butI’dratherbepopularwithsomebody！“
Helaughed，andthentheybothlaughedtogetherconsciously;andstillnothingoreverythinghadbeensaid。Alittlesillysilencefollowed，andhesaid，forescapefromit，“Ineversawsuchberriesbefore，eveninSeptember，onthetopofPonkwasset。”
“Why，isitamountain？”sheasked。“Ithoughtitwasa——falls。”
“It’sboth。”hesaid。
“Isupposeit’sverybeautiful，isn’tit！AllAmericaseemssolovely，solarge。”
“It’sprettyinthesummer。Idon’tknowthatIshalllikeitthereinthewinterifIconcludeto——Didyour——didMrs。Pasmertellyouwhatmyfatherwantsmetodo？”
“Aboutgoingthereto——manufacture？”
Maveringnodded。“He’sgivenmethreeweekstodecidewhetherIwouldliketodothatorgoinforlaw。That’swhatIcameupherefor。”
Therewasalittlepause。Shebentherheaddownovertheclustersshewasgrouping。“IsthelightofCampobelloparticularlygoodonsuchquestions？”sheasked。
“Idon’tmeanthatexactly，butIwishyoucouldhelpmetosomeconclusion。”
“Yes;whynot？”
“It’sthefirsttimeI’veeverhadabusinessquestionreferredtome。”
Well，then，youcanbringaperfectlyfreshmindtoit。”
“Letmesee。”shesaid，affectingtoconsider。“It’sreallyaveryimportantmatter？”
“Itistome。”
Afteramomentshelookedupathim。“Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldn’tmindlivingthereifyourbusinesswasthere。Isupposeit’sbeingidleinplacesthatmakesthemdull。IthoughtitwasdullinLondon。Oneoughttobeglad——oughtn’the？——toliveinanyplacewherethere’ssomethingtodo。”
“Well，thatisn’tthewaypeopleusuallyfeel。”saidMavering。“That’sthekindofaplacemostofthemfightshyof。”