“It’saverygoodbeginning，Ishouldthink。”
“Well，don’tyouthinkyououghttosaynowthatyou’resorryyouweresoformidable？”
“AmIsoformidable？”sheasked，andthenrecognisedthatshehadbeentrappedintoaleadingquestion。
“Youaretome。BecauseIwouldlikealwaystobesurethatIhadpleasedyou，andforthelasttwelvehoursI’veonlybeenabletomakesurethatIhadn’t。That’stheconsolationI’mgoingawaywith。I
thoughtI’dgetyoutoconfirmmyimpressionexplicitly。That’swhyI
wishedtojoinyou。”
“Areyou——wereyougoingaway？”
“I’mgoingbythenextboat。What’stheuseofstaying？Ishouldonlymakebadworse。YesterdayIhopedButlastnightspoiledeverything。
“MissPasmer。”hebrokeout，witharushoffeeling，“youmustknowwhyI
cameupheretoCampobello。”
Hisstepstookhimalittleaheadofher，andhecouldlookbackintoherfaceashespoke。Butapparentlyhesawnothinginittogivehimcouragetogoon，forhestopped，andthencontinued，lightly:“AndI’mgoingawaybecauseIfeelthatI’vemadeafailureoftheexpedition。I
knewthatyouweresupremelydisgustedwithmelastnight;butitwillbeasortofcomfortifyou’lltellmeso。”
“Oh。”saidAlice，“everybodythoughtitwasverybrilliant，I’msure。”
“Andyouthoughtitwasapieceofbuffoonery。Well，itwas。Iwishyou’dsayso，MissPasmer;thoughIdidn’tmeantheplayingentirely。Itwouldbesomethingtostartfrom，andIwanttomakeabeginning——turnoveranewleaf。Can’tyouhelpmetoinscribeagoodresolutionofthemostiron-claddescriptiononthestainlesspage？I’velainawakeallnightcomposingone。Wouldn’tyouliketohearit？”
“Ican’tseewhatgoodthatwoulddo。”shesaid，withsomerelentingtowardasmile，inwhichheinstantlypreparedhimselftobask。
“ButyouwillwhenI’vedoneit。Nowlisten！“
“Pleasedon’tgoon。”Shecuthimshortwithareturntoherseverity，whichhewouldnotrecognise。
“Well，perhapsI’dbetternot。”heconsented。“It’sratheralongresolution，andIdon’tknowthatI’vecommitteditperfectlyyet。ButI
doassureyouthatifyouweredisgustedlastnight，youwerenottheonlyone。Iwasimmenselydisgustedmyself;andwhyIwantedyoutotellmeso，wasbecausewhenIhaveastrongpressurebroughttobearIcanbraceup，anddoalmostanything。”hesaid，droppingintoearnest。Thenheroselightlyagain，andadded，“Youhavenoideahowunpleasantitistolieawakeallnightthrowingdustintheeyesofanaccusingconscience。”
“Itmusthavebeen，ifyoudidn’tsucceed。”saidAlicedrily。
“Yes，that’sit——that’sjustthepoint。IfI’dsucceeded，Ishouldbeallright，don’tyousee。Butitwasadifficultcase。”Sheturnedherfaceaway，buthesawthesmileonhercheek，andhelaughedasifthiswerewhathehadbeentryingtomakeherdo。“Igotbeaten。Ihadtogiveup，andownit。IhadtosaythatIhadthrownmychanceaway，andIhadbettertakemyselfoff。”Helookedatherwitharealanxietyinhisgayeyes。
“Theboatgoesjustafterlunch，Ibelieve。”shesaidindifferently。
“Ohyes，IshallhavetimetogetlunchbeforeIgo。”hesaid，withbitterness。“Butlunchisn’ttheonlything;itisn’teventhemainthing，MissPasmer。”
“No？”Shehardenedherheart。
Hewaitedforhertosaysomethingmore，andthenhewenton。“Thequestioniswhetherthere’stimetoundolastnight，abolishit，eraseitfromthecalendarofrecordedtime——spongeitout，inshort——andgetbacktoyesterdayafternoon。”Shemadenoreplytothis。“Don’tyouthinkitwasaverypleasantpicnic，MissPasmer？”heasked，withpensiverespectfulness。
“Very。”sheanswereddrily。
Hecastaglanceatthewoodsthatborderedtheroadoneitherside。
“Thatweirdforest——Ishallneverforgetit。”
“No;itwassomethingtoremember。”shesaid。
“Andtheblueberrypatch？Wemustn’tforgettheblueberrypatch。”
“Therewereagreatmanyblueberries。”
Shewalkedon，andhesaid，“Andthatbridge——youdon’thavethatfeelingofhavingbeenherebefore？”
“No。”
“AmIwalkingtoofastforyou，MissPasmer？”
“No;Iliketowalkfast。”
“Butwouldn’tyouliketositdown？Onthiswaysidelog，forexample？”
Hepointeditoutwithhisstick。“Itseemstoinviterepose，andIknowyoumustbetired。”
“I’mnottired。”
“Ah，thatshowsthatyoudidn’tlieawakegrievingoveryourfolliesallnight。Ihopeyourestedwell，MissPasmer。”Shesaidnothing。“IfI
thought——ifIcouldhopethatyouhadn’t，itwouldbeabondofsympathy，andIwouldgivealmostanythingforabondofsympathyjustnow，MissPasmer。Alice！“hesaid，withsuddenseriousness。“IknowthatI’mnotworthyeventothinkofyou，andthatyou’rewholeworldsabovemeineveryway。It’sthatthattakesallheartoutofme，andleavesmewithoutawordtosaywhenI’dliketosaysomuch。Iwouldliketospeak——tellyou——“
Sheinterruptedhim。“Iwishtospeaktoyou，Mr。Mavering，andtellyouthat——I’mverytired，andI’mgoingbacktothehotel。Imustaskyoutoletmegobackalone。”
“Alice，Iloveyou。”
“I’msorryyousaidit——sorry，sorry。”
“Why？”heasked，withhopelessfutility。
“Becausetherecanbenolovebetweenus——notfriendshipeven——notacquaintance。”
“Ishouldn’thaveaskedforyouracquaintance，yourfriendship，if——“
Hiswordsconveyedadelicatereproach，andtheystungher，becausetheyputherinthewrong。
“Nomatter。”shebeganwildly。“Ididn’tmeantowoundyou。Butwemustpart，andwemustneverseeeachotheragain:“
Hestoodconfused，asifhecouldnotmakeitoutorbelieveit。“Butyesterday——“
“It’sto-daynow。”
“Ah，no！It’slastnight。AndIcanexplain。”
“No！“shecried。“Youshallnotmakemeoutsomeanandvindictive。I
don’tcareforlastnight，norforanythingthathappened。”Thiswasnottrue，butitseemedsotoheratthemoment;shethoughtthatshereallynolongerresentedhisassociationwithMissAndersonandhisseparationfromherselfinallthathadtakenplace。
“Thenwhatisit？”
“Ican’ttellyou。Buteverythingisoverbetweenus——that’sall。”
“Butyesterday——andallthesedayspast——youseemed——“
“It’sunfairofyoutoinsist——it’sungenerous，ungentlemanly。”
Thatword，whichfromawoman’stonguealwaysstrikesamanlikeablowintheface，silencedMavering。Hesethislipsandbowed，andtheyparted。Sheturneduponherway，andhekeptthepathwhichshehadbeengoing。
Itwasnotthehourwhenthepiazzaswereveryfull，andsheslippedintothedimhotelcorridorundetected，oratleastundetained。Sheflungintoherroom，andconfrontedhermother。
Mrs。Pasmerwastherelookingintoatrunkthathadoverflowedfromherownchamber。“Whatisthematter？”shesaidtoherdaughter’sexcitedface。
“Mr。Mavering——“
“Well？”
“AndIrefusedhim。”
Mrs。Pasmerwasoneofthoseladieswhoinanyfinalityhaveakeenretrovisionofalltheadvantagesofadifferentconclusion。Shehadbeenthinking，sinceshetoldDanMaveringwhichwayAlicehadgonetowalk，thatifheweretospeaktohernow，andsheweretoaccepthim，itwouldinvolveagreatmanyembarrassingconsequences;butshehadconsoledherselfwiththeprobabilitythathewouldnotspeaksosoonaftertheeffectsoflastnight，butwouldonlytryatthefurthesttomakehispeacewithAlice。Sincehehadspoken，though，andshehadrefusedhim，Mrs。Pasmerinstantlysawallthepleasantthingsthatwouldhavefollowedinanotherevent。“Refusedhim？”sherepeatedprovisionally，whileshegatheredherselfforafullexplorationofallthefacts。
“Yes，mamma;andIcan’ttalkaboutit。Iwishnevertohearhisnameagain，ortoseehim，ortospeaktohim。”
“Why，ofcoursenot。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withafinesmile，fromthevantage-groundofhersuperioryears，“ifyou’verefusedhim。”Sheleftthetrunkwhichshehadbeenstandingover，andsatdown，whileAliceswepttoandfrobeforeherexcitedly。“Butwhydidyourefusehim，mydear？”
“Why？Becausehe’sdetestable——perfectlyignoble。”
Hermotherprobablyknewhowtotranslatetheseexaltedexpressionsintothemoreaccuratelanguageofmaturerlife。“Doyoumeanlastnight？”
“Lastnight？”criedAlicetragically。“No。WhyshouldIcareforlastnight？”
“ThenIdon’tunderstandwhatyoumean。”retortedMrs。Pasmer。“Whatdidhesay？”shedemanded，withauthority。
“Mamma，Ican’ttalkaboutit——Iwon’t。”
“Butyoumust，Alice。It’syourduty。OfcourseImustknowaboutit。
Whatdidhesay？”
Alicewalkedupanddowntheroomwithherlipsfirmlyclosed——likeMavering’slips，itoccurredtoher;andthensheopenedthem，butwithoutspeaking。
“Whatdidhesay？”persistedhermother，andherpersistencehaditseffect。
“Say？”exclaimedthegirlindignantly。“Hetriedtomakemesay。”
“Isee。”saidMrs。Pasmer。“Well？”
“ButIforcedhimtospeak，andthen——Irejectedhim。That’sall。”
“Poorfellow！“saidMrs。Pasmer。“Hewasafraidofyou。”
“Andthat’swhatmadeitthemoreodious。DoyouthinkIwishedhimtobeafraidofme？Wouldthatbeanypleasure？IshouldhatemyselfifI
hadtoquellanybodyintobeingunlikethemselves。”Shesatdownforamoment，andthenjumpedupagain，andwenttothewindow，fornoreason，andcameback。
“Yes。”saidhermotherimpartially，“he’slight，andhe’sroundabout。Hecouldn’tcomestraightatanything。”
“Andwouldyouhavemeacceptsucha——being？”
Mrs。Pasmersmiledalittleattheliteraryword，andcontinued:“Buthe’sverysweet，andhe’sasgoodastheday’slong，andhe’sveryfondofyou，and——Ithoughtyoulikedhim。”
Thegirlthrewupherarmsacrosshereyes。“Oh，howcanyousaysuchathing，mamma？”
Shedroppedintoachairatthebedside，andletherfacefallintoherhands，andcried。
Hermotherwaitedforthegustoftearstopassbeforeshesaid，“Butifyoufeelsoaboutit——“
“Mamma！“Alicesprangtoherfeet。
“Itneedn’tcomefromyou。Icouldmakesomeexcusetoseehim——writehimalittlenote——“
“Never！“exclaimedAlicegrandly。“WhatI’vedoneI’vedonefrommyreason，andmyfeelingshavenothingtodowithit。”
“Oh，verywell。”saidhermother，goingoutoftheroom，notwhollydisappointedwithwhatsheviewedasarespite，andamusedbyherdaughter’stragics。“Butifyouthinkthatthefeelingshavenothingtodowithsuchamatter，you’reverymuchmistaken。”IfshebelievedthatherdaughterdidnotknowherrealmotivesinrejectingDanMavering，orhadnotbeenabletogivethem，shedidnotsayso。
ThelittlegroupofAliceolatersonthepiazza，whobegantocanvassthecausesofMavering’sgoingbeforethetopofhishatdisappearedbelowthebankonthepathleadingtotheferry-boat，wereoftwominds。OnefactionheldthathewasgoingbecauseAlicehadrefusedhim，andthathisgaietyuptothelastmomentwasonlyamasktohidehisdespair。
Theothersidecontendedthat，ifheandAlicewerenotactuallyengaged，theyunderstoodeachother，andhewasgoingawaybecausehewantedtotellhisfamily，orsomethingofthatkind。BetweenthetwoopinionsMissCottonwaveredwithasentimentalattractiontoeither。“Whatdoyoureallythink？”sheaskedMrs。Brinkley，arrivingfromlunchatthecornerofthepiazzawherethegroupwasseated。
“Oh，whatdoesitmatter，attheirage？”shedemanded。
“Butthey’rejustoftheagewhenitdoeshappentomatter。”suggestedMrs。Stamwell。
“Yes。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“andthat’swhatmakesthewholethingsoperfectlyridiculous。Justthinkoftwochildren，oneoftwentyandtheotheroftwenty-three，proposingtodecidetheirlifelongdestinyinsuchavitalmatter！Shouldwetrusttheirjudgmentinregardtothesmallestbusinessaffair？Ofcoursenot。They’rebabesinarms，morallyandmentallyspeaking。Peoplehaven’tthedataforbeingwiselyinlovetillthey’vereachedtheagewhentheyhaven’ttheleastwishtobeso。Oh，I
supposeIthoughtthatIwasagrownwomantoowhenIwastwenty;IcanlookbackandseethatIdid;and，what’smorepreposterousstill，I
thoughtMr。Brinkleywasamanattwenty-four。Butwewerenomorefittoacceptorrejecteachotheratthatinfantileperiod——“
“Doyoureallythinkso？”askedMissCotton，onlypartiallycredulousofMrs。Brinkley’sirony。
“Yes，itdoesseemoutofallreason。”admittedMrs。Stamwell。
“Ofcourseitis。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Ifshehasrejectedhim，she’sdoneaverysafething。Nobodyshouldbeallowedtomarrybeforefifty。
Then，ifpeoplemarried，itwouldbebecausetheyknewthattheylovedeachother。”
MissCottonreflectedamoment。“Itisstrangethatsuchanimportantquestionshouldhavetobedecidedatanagewhenthejudgmentissofarfrommature。Ineverhappenedtolookatitinthatlightbefore。”
“Yes。”saidMrs。Brinkley——andshemadeherselfcomfortableinanarmchaircommandingastretchofthebayoverwhichtheferry-boatmustpass——“butit’sonlypartandparcelofthewholeaffair。I’msurethatnogrownpersoncanseetheridiculousyoungthings——inexperienced，ignorant，featherbrained——thatnatureintrustswithchildren，theirimmortallittlesoulsandtheirextremelyperishablelittlebodies，withoutrebellingatthewholesystem。Whenyouseewhatmostyoungmothersare，howperfectlyunfitandincapable，youwonderthatthewholeracedoesn’tteethanddie。Yes，there’sonethingIfeelprettysureof——that，asmattersarearrangednow，thereoughtn’ttobemothersatall，thereoughttobeonlygrandmothers。”
Thegroupalllaughed，evenMissCotton，butshewasthefirsttobecomegrave。Atthebottomofherhearttherewasadoubtwhethersolightawayoftreatingseriousthingswasnotalittlewicked。
“Perhaps。”shesaid，“weshallhavetogobacktotheideathatengagementsandmarriagesarenotintendedtoberegulatedbythejudgment，butbytheaffections。”
“Idon’tknowwhat’sintended。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“butIknowwhatis。
Inninety-ninecasesoutofahundredtheaffectionshaveittheirownway，andImustsayIdon’tthinkthejudgmentcouldmakeagreatermessofit。Infact。”shecontinued，perhapsprovokedtotheexcessbythedeprecationshesawinMissCotton’seye，“Iconsidereverybrokenengagementnowadaysablessingindisguise。”
MissCottonsaidnothing。Theotherladiessaid，“Why，Mrs。Brinkley！“
“Yes。Thethinghasgonealtogethertoofar。Thependulumhasswunginthatdirectionoutofallmeasure。Wearemarriedtoomuch。Andasanaturalconsequencewearedivorcedtoomuch。Thewholecaseisinanutshell:iftherewerenomarriages，therewouldbenodivorces，andthatgreatabusewouldbecorrected，atanyrate。”
Alltheladieslaughed，MissCottonmoreandmoresorrowfully。Shelikedtohavepeopletalkastheydoingenteelnovels。Mrs。Brinkley’sboldexpressionswereaseriesofviolentshockstohernature，andimpartedaterriblevibrationtothefabricofherwholelittlerose-colouredidealworld;iftheyhadnotbeentheexpressionsofapersonwhomagreatmanyunquestionablepersonsaccepted，whohadsuchanundoubtedstanding，shewouldhavethoughtthemverycoarse。Asitwas，theyhadagreatfascinationforher。“Butinacaselikethatof“——shelookedroundandloweredhervoice——“ouryoungfriends，I’msureyoucouldn’trejoiceiftheengagementwerebrokenoff。”
“Well，I’mnotgoingtobe’amushofconcession，’asEmersonsays，MissCotton。And，inthefirstplace，howdoyouknowthey’reengaged？”
“Ah，Idon’t;Ididn’tmeanthattheywere。Butwouldn’titbealittlepatheticif，afterallthatwe’veseengoingon，hiscominghereexpresslyonheraccount，andhisperfectdevotiontoherforthepasttwoweeks，itshouldendinnothing？”
“Twoweeksisn’taverylongtimetosettlethebusinessofalifetime。”
“No。”
“Perhapsshe’sproposeddelay;alittlefurtheracquaintance。”
“Oh，ofcoursethatwouldbeperfectlyright。Doyouthinkshedid？”
“Notifshe’saswiseastherestofuswouldhavebeenatherage。ButIthinksheought。”
“Yes？”saidMissCottonsemi-interrogatively。
“Doyouthinkhisbehaviourlastnightwouldnaturallyimpressherwithhiswisdomandconstancy？”
“No，Ican’tsaythatitwould，but——“
“AndthisAliceofyoursisratherasevereyoungperson。Shehasherideas，andI’mafraidthey’reratherheroic。She’dbejustwithhim，ofcourse。Butthere’snothingamandreadssomuchasjustice——somemen。”
“Yes。”pursuedMissCotton，“butthatverydisparity——Iknowthey’reveryunlike——don’tyouthink——“
“Ohyes，Iknowthetheoryaboutthat。Butiftheywereexactlyalikeintemperament，they’dbesufficientlyunlikeforthepurposesofcounterparts。Thatwasarrangedonceforallwhen’maleandfemalecreatedHethem。’I’venodoubttheirfancywascaughtbyallthekindsofdifferencetheyfindineachother;that’sjustasnaturalasit’ssilly。Butthemisunderstanding，thetrouble，thequarrelling，thewearandtearofspirit，thatthey’dhavetogothroughbeforetheyassimilated——itmakesmetired，astheboyssay。No:Ihope，fortheyoungman’sownsake，he’sgothisconge。”
“Buthe’ssokind，sogood“
“Mydear，theworldissurfeitedwithkind，goodmen。Therearehalfadozenofthemattheotherendofthepiazzasmoking;andtherecomesanothertojointhem。”sheadded，asalargefigure，semicircularinprofile，advanceditselffromadoorwaytowardavacantchairamongthesmokers。“Theverysoulofkindnessandgoodness。”Shebeckonedtowardherhusband，whocaughtsightofhergesture。“NowIcantellyouallhismentalprocesses。First，surpriseatseeingsomeonebeckoning;thenastonishmentthatit’sI，thoughwhoelseshouldbeckonhim？——thenwonderwhatIcanwant;thenconjecturethatImaywanthimtocomehere;thenprideinhisconjecture;rebellion;compliance。”
TheladieswereinascreamoflaughterasMr。Brinkleylumberedheavilytotheirgroup。
“Whatisit？”heasked。
“Doyoubelieveinbrokenengagements？Nowquick——off-hand！“
“Who’sengaged？”
“Nomatter。”
“Well，youknowPunch’sadvicetothoseabouttomarry？”
“Iknow——chestnuts。”saidhiswifescornfully。Theydismissedeachotherwithtenderbluntness，andhewentintogetamatch。
“Ah，Mrs。Brinkley。”saidoneoftheladies，“itwouldbeofnouseforyoutopreachbrokenengagementstoanyonewhosawyouandMr。Brinkleytogether。”Theyfelluponher，oneafteranother，andmockedherwiththedifferencebetweenherdoctrineandpractice;andtheywereallthemoreagainstherbecausetheyhadbeenperhapsalittleputdownbyherwhimsicalsayings。
“Yes。”sheadmitted。“Butwe’vebeenthirtyyearscomingtotheunderstandingthatyoualladmiresomuch;anddoyouthinkitwasworththetime？”
XXI。
Maveringkeptupuntilhetookleaveofthepartyofyoungpeoplewhohadcomeoverontheferry-boattoEastportforthefrolicofseeinghimoff。
Itwasatremendoustourdeforcetoaccepttheircompanyasifheweregladofit，andtorespondtoalltheirgaynothingsgaily;tomaintainasunnysurfaceonhisturbidmisery。TheyhadtriedtomakeAlicecomewiththem，buthermotherpleadedabadheadacheforher;andhehadtoparryahundredsalliesabouther，andfromhissickhearthumourthepopularinsinuationthattherewasanunderstandingbetweenthem，andthattheyhadagreedtogethersheshouldnotcome。HehadtostandaboutonthesteamboatwharfandlistentoamiableinnuendoesfornearlyanhourbeforethesteamercameinfromSt。John。Thefondadieuxofhisfriends，theirofferstotakeanymessageback，lastedduringtheinterminablefifteenminutesthatshelayathermoorings，andthenheshowedhimselfatthesternoftheboat，andwavedhishandkerchiefinacknowledgmentofthelastpartingsalutationsonshore。
Whenitwasallover，hewentdownintohisstate-room，andshuthimselfin，andlethismiseryrolloverhim。Hefeltasiftherewereafloodofit，anditwashedhimtoandfro，onegallofshame，ofself-accusal，ofbitterness，fromheadtofoot。ButinitallhefeltnoresentmenttowardAlice，nowishtowreakanysmallestpartofhissufferinguponher。Evenwhilehehadhopedforherlove，itseemedtohimthathehadnotseenherinallthatperfectionwhichshenowhadinirreparableloss。Hissoulboweditselffondlyoverthethoughtofher;and，stungashewasbythatlastcruelwordofhers，hecouldnotupbraidher。
Thathumilitywhichislovecastingoutselfishness，themostegotisticofthepassionstriumphingoveritself——Maveringexperiencedittothefull。Hetookalltheblame。Hecouldnotseethatshehadeverencouragedhimtohopeforherlove，whichnowappearedatreasureheaven——farbeyondhisscope;hecouldonlycallhimselffool，andfool，andfool，andwonderthathecouldhavemetherintheremotenessofthatmorningwiththebeliefthatbutforthefolliesoflastnightshemighthaveansweredhimdifferently。Hebelievednowthat，whateverhadgonebefore，shemuststillhaverejectedhim。Shehadtreatedhispresumptionveryleniently;shehadreallysparedhim。
Itwenton，overandover。Sometimesitvariedalittle，aswhenhethoughtofhow，whensheshouldtellhermother，Mrs。Pasmermustlaugh。
Hepicturedthembothlaughingathim;andthenMr。Pasmer——hehadscarcelypassedadozenwordswithhim-cominginandaskingwhattheywerelaughingat，andtheirsaying，andhislaughingtoo。
Atothertimeshefiguredthemasincensedathistemerity，whichmustseemtothemgreaterandgreater，asnowitseemedtohim。Hehadneverthoughtmeanlyofhimself，andtheworldsofarhadseemedtothinkwellofhim;butbecauseAlicePasmerwasimpossibletohim，hefeltthatitwasanunpardonableboldnessinhimtohavedreamedofher。WhatmusttheybesayingofhishavingpassedfromthegroundofsocietycomplimentsandlightflirtationtoactuallytellingAlicethathelovedher？
HewonderedwhatMrs。PasmerhadthoughtofhistellingherthathehadcometoCampobellotoconsiderthequestionwhetherheshouldstudylaworgointobusiness，andwhatmotiveshehadsupposedhehadintellingherthat。Heaskedhimselfwhatmotivehehad，andtriedtopretendthathehadnone。HedramatisedconversationswithMrs。Pasmerinwhichhelaugheditoff。
Hotriedtorememberallthathadpassedthedaybeforeatthepicnic，andwhetherAlicehaddoneorsaidanythingtoencouragehim，andhecouldnotfindthatshehad。Allhertrustandfreedomwasbecauseshefeltperfectlysafewithhimfromanysuchdisgustingabsurdityashehadbeenguiltyof。Theridehomethroughthemist，withitssweetintimacy，thatpartingwhichhadseemedsofulloftenderintelligence，werepartsofthesameillusion。Therehadbeennothingofitonhersidefromthebeginningbutakindlinesswhichhehadnowflungawayforever。
Hewentbacktothebeginning，andtriedtorememberthepointwherehehadstartedinthisfatallabyrinthoferror。Shehadnevermisledhim，buthehadmisledhimselffromthefirstglimpseofher。
Whateverwasbestinhislightnature，whateverwasgenerousandself-
denying，cameoutinthishumiliation。Fromthevisionofherderisionhepassedtoapictureofhersufferingfrompityforhim，andwrungwithasenseofthepainshehadgivenhim。Hepromisedhimselftowritetoher，andbeghernottocareforhim，becausehewasnotworthyofthat。
Heframedaletterinhismind，inwhichheposedinsomenobleattitudes，andbroughttearsintohiseyesbyhismagnanimousappealtohernottosufferforthesakeofonesounworthyofherseriousthought。
Hepicturedhergreatlymovedbysomeofthephrases，andhecomposedforherareply，whichledtoanotherletterfromhim，andsotoacorrespondenceandalongandtenderfriendship。Intheendhediedsuddenly，andthenshediscoveredthatshehadalwayslovedhim。Hediscoveredthathewasplayingthefoolagain，andherosefromtheberthwherehehadtumbledhimself。Thestate-roomhadthatsmellofparboiledpaintwhichstate-roomshave，andremindedhimofthesteamerinwhichhehadgonetoEuropewhenaboy，withthefamily，justafterhismother’shealthbegantofail。
Hewentdownonthedeckneartheladies’saloon，wherethesecond-classpassengersweregatheredlisteningtothesamebandofplantationnegroeswhohadamusedhimsomuchontheeastwardtrip。ThepassengersweremostlypockmarkedProvincials，andmanyofthemwerewomen;theyloungedonthebarrelsofapplesneatlypiledup，andlistenedtothemusicwithoutsmiling。Oneofthenegroeswassingingtothebanjo，andanotherbegantodotherheumaticuncle’sbreakdown。Maveringsaidtohimself:“Ican’tstandthat。Oh，whatafoolIam！Alice，Iloveyou。
Omercifulheavens！Oinfernaljackass！Ow！Gaw！“
AtthebowoftheboathefoundagangofItalianlabourersreturningtotheStatesaftersomejobintheProvinces。TheysmokedtheirpipesandwhinedtheirNeapolitandialecttogether。ItmadeMaveringthinkofDante，oftheInferno，towhichhepassednaturallyfromhisself-
denunciationforhavingbeenaninfernaljackass。Theinscriptiononthegateofhellranthroughhismind。Hethoughthewouldmakehislife——
hisdesolate，brokenlife——aperpetualexile，likeDante’s。Atthesametimehegroundhisteeth，andmuttered:“Oh，whatafoolIam！Oh，idiot！beast！Oh！oh！“Thepipesremindedhimtosmoke，andhetookouthiscigarettecase。TheItalianslookedathim;hegaveallthecigarettesamongthem，withoutkeepinganyforhimself。Hedeterminedtospendthemiserableremnantofhislifeingoingaboutdoinggoodandbestowingalms。
Hegroanedaloud，sothattheItaliansnoticedit，anddoubtlessspokeofitamongthemselves。Hecouldnotunderstandtheirdialect，buthefeignedthemsayingrespectfullycompassionatethings。Thenhegnashedhisteethagain，andcursedhisfolly。Whenthebellrangforsupperhefoundhimselfveryhungry，andateheavily。Afterthathewentoutinfrontofthecabin，andwalkedupanddown，thinking，andtryingnottothink。Theturmoilinhismindtiredhimlikeaprodigiousphysicalexertion。
Towardteno’clockthenightgrewrougher。Theseawassophosphorescentthatitbrokeinsheetsandflakesofpalebluishflamefromthebowsandwheel-houses，andoutinthedarkthewavesrevealedthemselvesinflashesandlonggleamsoffire。OneoftheofficersoftheboatcameandhungwithMaveringovertheguard。Theweirdlightfromthewaterwasreflectedontheirfaces，andshowedthemtoeachother。
“Well，Ineversawanythinglikethisbefore。Lookslikehell;don’tit？”saidtheofficer。
“Yes。”saidMavering。“Isituncommon？”
“Well，Ishouldsayso。Iguesswe’regoingtohaveapicnic。”
Maveringthoughtofblueberries，buthedidnotsayanything。
“Iguessit’sgoingtobearegularcircus。”
Maveringdidnotcare。Heaskedincuriously，“Howdoyoufindyourcourseinsuchweather？”
“Well，weguesswhereweare，andthengivehersomanyturnsofthewheel。”Theofficerlaughed，andMaveringlaughedtoo。Hewasstruckbythehollownoteinhislaugh;itseemedtohimpathetic;hewonderedifheshouldnowalwayslaughso，andifpeoplewouldremarkit。Hetriedanotherlaugh;itsoundedmechanical。
Hewenttobed，andwassowornoutthathefellasleepandbegantodream。Afacecameupoutofthesea，andbroodedoverthewaters，asinthatpictureofVedder’swhichhecalls“Memory。”butthehairwasnotblond;itwasthecolourofthosephosphorescentflames，andtheeyeswerelikeit。“Horrible！horrible！“hetriedtoshriek，buthecried，“Alice，Iloveyou。”Therewasaburglarintheroom，andhewasrunningafterMissPasmer。Maveringcaughthim，andtriedtobeathim;hisfistsfelllikebollsofcotton;theburglardrewhisbreathinwithalong，washingsoundlikewater。
Maveringwokedeathlysick，andheardthesweepofthewaves。Theboatwaspitchingfrightfully。Hestruggledoutintothesaloon，andsawthatitwasfiveo’clock。InfivehoursmoreitwouldbeadaysincehetoldAlicethathelovedher;itnowseemedveryimprobable。Therewereagoodmanyhalf-dressedpeopleinthesaloon，andawomancamerunningoutofherstate-roomstraighttoMavering。Shewasinherstockingfeet，andherhairhungdownherback。
“Oh！arewegoingdown？”sheimploredhim。“Havewestruck？Oughtn’twetopray——somebody？ShallIwakethechildren？”
“Maveringreassuredher，andtoldhertherewasnodanger。
“Well，then。”shesaid，“I’llgobackformyshoes。”
“Yes，bettergetyourshoes。”
Thesaloonroseroundhimandsank。Hecontrolledhissicknessbyplantingachairinthecentreandsittinginitwithhiseyesshut。Ashegrewmorecomfortablehereflectedhowhehadcalmedthatwoman，andheresolvedagaintospendhislifeindoinggood。“Yes，that’stheonlyticket。”hesaidtohimself，withinvoluntaryfrivolity。Hethoughtofwhattheofficerhadsaid，andhehelplesslyadded，“Circusticket——
reservedseat。”Thenhebeganagain，andloadedhimselfwithexecration。
TheboatgotintoPortlandatnineo’clock，andMaveringlefther，takinghishand-bagwithhim，andlettinghistrunkgoontoBoston。
Theofficerwhoreceivedhisticketatthegangplanknoticedthedestinationonit，andsaid，“Gotenough？”
“Yes，foronewhile。”Maveringrecognisedhisacquaintanceofthenightbefore。
“Don’tlikepicnicsverymuch。”
“No。”saidMavering，withabysmalgloom。“Theydon’tagreewithme。
Neverdid。”Hewasawareoftryingtomakehislaughbitter。Theofficerdidnotnotice。
Maveringwassurprised，afterthechillofthestormatsea，tofinditratherawarm，closemorninginPortland。Therestauranttowhichthehackmantookhimasthebestintownwasfullofflies;theybithimawakeoutofthedrearyreverieshefellintowhilewaitingforhisbreakfast。Inamirroroppositehesawhisface。Itdidnotlookhaggard;itlookedverymuchasitalwaysdid。Hefanciedplayingapartthroughlife——hidingabrokenheartunderasmile。“0youincorrigibleass！“hesaidtohimself，andwasafraidhehadsaidittotheyoungladywhobroughthimhisbreakfast，andlookedhaughtilyathimfromunderherbang。Shewasverythin，andworeablackjersey。
Hetriedtofindoutwhetherhehadspokenaloudbyaddressingherpleasantly。“It’sprettycoldthismorning。”
“Whatsay？”
“Prettycool。”
“Ohyes。Butit’sprettyclo-ose。”shereplied，inherYankeecantillation。Shewentawayandlefthimtothebaconandeggshehadorderedatrandom。Therewasaflyunderoneoftheslicesofbacon，andMaveringconfinedhimselftothecoffee。
Amancameupinawhitecapandjacketfromabasementinthefrontoftherestaurant，whereconfectionerywassold，andthrewdownamassofmalleablecandyonamarbleslab，andbegantoworkit。Maveringwatchedhim，thinkingfuzzilyallthetimeofAlice，andholdinglong，fatiguingdialogueswiththepeopleattheTy’n-y-Coed，whoseseveralvoicesheheard。
Hesaidtohimselfthatitwasworsethanyesterday。Hewonderedifitwouldgoongettingworseeveryday。
HesawamanpassthedooroftherestaurantwholookedexactlylikeBoardmanasheglancedin。Theresemblancewasexplainedbytheman’scomingback，andprovingtobereallyBoardman。
XXII。
Maveringsprangathimwithademandforthereasonofhisbeingthere。
“IthoughtitwasyouasIpassed。”saidBoardman，“butIcouldn’tmakesure——sodarkbackhere。”
“AndIthoughtitwasyou，butIcouldn’tbelieveit。”saidMavering，withequalforce，cuttingshortaninteriorconversationwithMr。Pasmer，whichhadbeguntoholditselfsincehisfirstglimpseofBoardman。
“Icamedownheretodoasortofone-horseyachtraceto-day。”Boardmanexplained。
“Goingtobeayachtrace？Betterhavesomebreakfast。Orbetternot——
here。Fliesunderyourbacon。”
“Roughontheflies。”saidBoardman，snappingthebellwhichsummonedthespectreintheblackjersey，andhesatdown。“WhatareyoudoinginPortland？”
Maveringtoldhim，andthenBoardmanaskedhimhowhehadleftthePasmers。Maveringneedednootherhinttospeak，andhespokefully，whileBoardmanlistenedwithanagreeablesilence，lettingtheheroofthetalebreakintoself-scornfulgroansanddolefullaughs，andeasehisheartwithgrotesque，inarticulatenoises，andmadelittleornocomments。
Bythetimehisbreakfastcame，Boardmanwasreadytosay，“Ididn’tsupposeitwassomuchofamash。”
“Ididn’teither。”saidMavering，“whenIleftBoston。OfcourseIknewIwasgoingdowntheretoseeher，butwhenIgotthereitkeptgoingon，justlikeanythingelse，uptothelastmoment。Ididn’trealisetillitcametotheworstthatIhadbecomeamerepulp。”
“Well，youwon’tstayso。”saidBoardman，makingthefirstvainattemptatconsolation。Heliftedthesteakhehadordered，andpeeredbeneathit。Allrightthistime，anyway。”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbystayingso。”repliedMavering，withgloomyrejectionofthecomfortoffered。
“You’llseethatit’sallforthebest;thatyou’rewelloutofit。Ifshecouldthrowyouover，afterleadingyouon——“
“Butshedidn’tleadmeon！“exclaimedMavering。“Don’tyouunderstandthatitwasallmymistakefromthefirst？IfIhadn’tbeenperfectlybesottedIshouldhaveseenthatshewasonlytoleratingme。Don’tyousee？Why，hangit，Boardman，Imusthavehadakindofconsciousnessofitundermythick-skinnedconceit，afterall，forwhenIcametothepoint——whenIdidcometothepoint——Ihadn’tthesandtosticktoitlikeaman，andItriedtogethertohelpme。Yes，IcanseethatIdidnow。Ikeptfoolingabout，andfoolingabout，anditwasbecauseIhadthatsortofprescience——ofwhateveryoucallit——thatIwasmistakenaboutitfromtheverybeginning。”
HewishedtotellBoardmanabouttheeventsofthenightbefore;buthecouldnot。Hesaidtohimselfthathedidnotcareabouttheirbeinghardlytohiscredit;buthedidnotchoosetoletAliceseemtohaveresentedanythinginthem;itbelittledher，andclaimedtoomuchforhim。SoBoardmanhadtoproceeduponapartialknowledgeofthefacts。
“Idon’tsupposethatboomerangwayofyours，ifthat’swhatyoumean，wasofmuchuse。”hesaid。
“Use？Itruinedme！Butwhatareyougoingtodo？”HowareyougoingtopresupposethatagirllikeMissPasmerisinterestedinanidiotlikeyou？Imeanme，ofcourse。”Maveringbrokeoffwithadolorouslaugh。
“Andifyoucan’tpresupposeit，whatareyougoingtodowhenitcomestothepoint？You’vegottoshillyshally，andthenyou’vegottogoitblind。Itellyouit’saleapinthedark。”
“Well，then，ifyou’vegotyourselftoblame——“
“HowamItoblame，Ishouldliketoknow？”retortedMavering，rejectingthefirstofferfromanotherofthecensurewhichhehadbeenheapinguponhimself:theirritationofhisnervesspoke。“Ididspeakoutatlast——whenitwastoolate。Well，letitallgo。”hegroanedaimlessly。
“Idon’tcare。Butsheisn’ttoblame。Idon’tthinkIcouldadmireanybodyverymuchwhoadmiredme。No，sir。Shedidjustright。Iwasafool，andshecouldn’thavetreatedmedifferently。”
“Oh，Iguessit’llcomeoutallright。”saidBoardman，abandoninghimselftomereoptimism。
“Howcomeallright？”demandedMavering，flatteredbythehopeherefused。“It’scomerightnow。I’vegotmydeserts;that’sall。”
“Ohno，youhaven’t。Whatharmhaveyoudone？It’sallrightforyoutothinksmallbeerofyourself，andIdon’tseehowyoucouldthinkanythingelsejustatpresent。Butyouwaitawhile。Whendidithappen？”
Maveringtookouthiswatch。“Oneday，onehour，twentyminutes，andfifteensecondsago。”
“Sureabouttheseconds？Isupposeyoudidn’thangroundagreatwhileafterward？”
“Well，peopledon’t，generally。”saidMavering，withscorn。
“Nevertriedit。”saidBoardman，lookingcriticallyathisfriedpotatoesbeforeventuringuponthem。“Ifyouhadstayed，perhapsshemighthavechangedhermind。”headded，asifencouragedtothishopefulviewbytheresultofhisscrutiny。
“Wheredidyougetyourfraudulentreputationforcommon-sense，Boardman？”retortedMavering，whohadfollowedhisexaminationofthepotatoeswithinvoluntaryinterest。“Shewon’tchangehermind;sheisn’toneofthatkind。Butshe’stheonewomaninthisworldwhocouldhavemadeamanofme，Boardman。”
“Isthatso？”askedBoardmanlightly。“Well，sheisagood-lookinggirl。”
“She’sdivine！“
“WhatadressthatwasshehadonClassDay！“
“Ineverthinkwhatshehason。Shemakeseverythingperfect，andthenmakesyouforgetit。”
“She’sgotstyle;there’snomistakeaboutthat。”
“Style！“sighedMavering;butheattemptednoexemplification。
“She’sawfullygraceful。Whatawalkshe’sgot！“
“Oh，don’t，don’t，Boardman！Allthat’strue，andallthat’snothing——
nothingtohergoodness。She’ssogood，Boardman！Well，Igiveitup！
She’sreligious。Youwouldn’tthinkthat，maybe;youcan’timagineaprettygirlreligious。Andshe’sallthemoreintoxicatingwhenshe’sserious;andwhenshe’sforgottenyourwholeworthlessexistenceshe’stenthousandtimesmorefascinatingthanandothergirlwhenshe’sgoingrightforyou。There’sakindoflookcomesintohereyes——kindofabsence，rapture，don’tyouknow——whenshe’sserious，thatbringsyourheartrightintoyourmouth。Shemakesyouthinkofsomeofthosepictures——Iwanttotellyouwhatshesaidtheotherdayatapicnicwhenwewereoffgettingblueberries，andyou’llunderstandthatsheisn’tlikeothergirls——thatshehasasoulfallof——of——youknowwhat，Boardman。Shehashighthoughtsabouteverything。Idon’tbelieveshe’severhadameanorignobleimpulse——shecouldn’thave。”Inthebusinessofimpartinghisideasconfidentially，MaveringhaddrawnhimselfacrossthetabletowardBoardman，withoutheedtowhatwasonit。
“Lookout！You’llbeintomysteakfirstthingyouknow。”
“0h，confoundyoursteak？”criedMavering，pushingthedishaway。Whatdifferencedoesitmake？I’velosther，anyway。”
“Idon’tbelieveyou’velosther。”saidBoardman。
“What’sthereasonyoudon’t？”retortedMavering，withcontempt。
“Because，ifshe’stheseriouskindofagirlyousaysheis，shewouldn’tletyoucomeupthereanddangleroundawholefortnightwithoutlettingyouknowshedidn’tlikeit，unlessshedidlikeit。Nowyoujustgoalittleintodetail。”
Maveringwasquitewilling。HewentsomuchintodetailthatheleftnothingtoBoardman’simagination。HelostthesenseofitscalamitouscloseinrecountingthefactsofhisstoryatCampobello;hesmiledandblushedandlaughedintellingcertainthings;hedescribedMissAndersonandimitatedhervoice;hedrewheadsofsomeoftheladiesonthemarginofanewspaper，andthetearscameintohiseyeswhenherepeatedthecruelwordswhichAlicehadusedattheirlastmeeting。
“Oh，well，youmustbraceup。”saidBoardman。“I’vegottogonow。Shedidn’tmeanit，ofcourse。”
“Meanwhat？”
“Thatyouwereungentlemanly。Womendon’tknowhalfthetimehowhardthey’rehitting。”
“Iguessshemeantthatshedidn’twantme，anyway。”saidMaveringgloomily。
“Ah，Idon’tknowaboutthat。You’dbetteraskherthenexttimeyouseeher。Good-bye。”Hehadrisen，andheofferedhishandtoMavering，whowasstillseated。
“Why，I’vehalfamindtogowithyou。”
“Allright，comealong。ButIthoughtyoumightbegoingrightontoBoston。”
“No;I’llwaitandgoonwithyou。How，doyougototherace？”
“Inthepressboat。”
“Anywomen？”
“No;wedon’tsendthemonthissortofduty。”
“Thatsettlesit。IhavegotallIwantofthatparticularsexforthetimebeing。”Maveringworeaverybitterairashesaidthis;itseemedtohimthathewouldalwaysbecynical;herose，andarrangedtoleavehisbagwiththerestaurateur，whoputitunderthecounter，andthenhewentoutwithhisfriend。
Thesunhadcomeout，andthefogwasburningaway;therewaslifeandliftintheair，whichtherejectedlovercouldnotrefusetofeel，andhesaid，lookinground，andupanddowntheanimatedstreet。“Iguessyou’regoingtohaveagooddayforit。”
Thepavementwasprettywellfilledwithwomenwhohadbegunshopping。
Carriageswerestandingbesidethepavement;aladycrossedthepavementfromashopdoortowardacoupejustinfrontofthem，withherhandfulloflightpackages;shedroppedoneofthem，andMaveringsprangforwardinstinctivelyandpickeditupforher。
“Oh，thankyou！“shesaid，withthedeepgratitudewhichsocietycultivatesforthesmallestservices。Thensheliftedherdroopedeyelashes，and，withaflashofsurprise，exclaimed，“Mr。Mavering！“anddroppedallherpackagesthatshemightshakehandswithhim。
Boardmansaunteredslowlyon，butsawwithabackwardglanceMaveringcarryingthelady’spackagestothecoupeforher;sawhimlifthishatthere，andshakehandswithsomebodyinthecoupe，andthenstandtalkingbesideit。HewaitedatthecorneroftheblockforMaveringtocomeup，affectinganinterestintheneck-wearofafurnisher’swindow。
InaboutfiveminutesMaveringjoinedhim。
“Lookhere，Boardman！Thoseladieshavesnaggedontome。”
“Aretheretwoofthem？”
“Yes，oneinside。Andtheywantmetogowiththentoseetherace。
Theirfather’sgotalittlesteam-yacht。Theywantyoutogotoo。”
Boardmanshookhishead。
“Well，that’swhatItoldthem——toldthemthatyouhadtogoonthepressboat。Theysaidtheywishedtheyweregoingonthepressboattoo。ButIdon’tseehowIcanrefuse。They’reladiesthatImetClassDay，andI
oughttohaveshownthemalittlemoreattentionthen;butIgotsotakenupwith——“
“Isee。”saidBoardman，showinghisteeth，fineandevenasgrainsofpop-corn，inaslightsarcasticsmile。“Sortofpoeticaljustice。”hesuggested。
“Well，itis——sortof。”saidMavering，withashamefacedconsciousness。
“Whattrainareyougoingbackon？”
“Seveno’clock。”
“I’llbethere。”
Hehurriedbacktorejointheladies，andBoardmansawhim，aftersomeparleyandlaughter，getintothecoupe，fromwhichheinferredthattheyhadturneddownthelittleseatinfront，andmadehimtakeit;andheinferredthattheymustbeveryjolly，sociablegirls。
HedidnotseeMaveringagaintillthetrainwasonitsway，whenhecamein，lookingdistraughtlyaboutforhisfriend。Hewasagainverymelancholy，andsaiddejectedlythattheyhadmadehimstaytodinner，andhadthendrivenhimdowntothestation，bagandall。“Theoldgentlemancametoo。IwasinhopesI’dfindyouhangingroundsomewhere，sothatIcouldintroduceyou。They’reawfullynice。NoneofthatinfernalBostonstiffness。Theoneyousawmetalkingwithismarried，though。”
Boardmanwaswritingouthisreportfromalittlebookwithshorthandnotesinit。Therewerehalfadozenotherreportersinthecarbusywiththeirwork。Amanwhoseemedtobeinauthoritysaidtooneofthem，“Trytothrowinalittlehumour。”
Maveringpulledhishatoverhiseyes，andleanedhisheadonthebackofhisseat，andtriedtosleep。
XXIII。
Athisfather’sagencyinBostonhefound，thenextmorning，aletterfromhimsayingthatheexpectedtobedownthatday，andaskingDantomeethimattheParkerHousefordinner。TheletterintimatedtheelderMavering’sexpectationthathissonhadreachedsomeconclusioninthemattertheyhadtalkedofbeforeheleftforCampobello。
ItgaveDanashiverofself-disgustandasickfeelingofhopelessness。
Hewasquitewillingnowtodowhateverhisfatherwished，buthedidnotseehawhecouldfacehimandownhisdefeat。
Whentheymet，hisfatherdidnotseemtonoticehisdespondency，andheaskedhimnothingaboutthePasmers，ofcourse。ThatwouldnothavebeentheAmericanway。NothinghadbeensaidbetweenthefatherandsonastothespecialadvantagesofCampobelloforthedecisionofthequestionpendingwhentheysaweachotherlast;butthesonknewthatthefatherguessedwhyhechosethatislandforthepurpose;andnowtheelderknewthatiftheyoungerhadanythingtotellhimhewouldtellit，andifhehadnothewouldkeepit。Itwastacitlyunderstoodthattherewasnoobjectiononthefather’sparttoMissPasmer;infact，therehadbeenaglimmerofhumorousintelligenceinhiseyewhenthesonsaidhethoughtheshouldrundowntoBarHarbour，andperhapstoCampobello，buthehadsaidnothingtobetrayhisconsciousness。
Theymetinthereading-roomatParker’s，andDansaid，“Hello，father。”
andhisfatheranswered，“Well，Dan;“andtheyshylytouchedthehandsdroppedattheirsidesastheypressedtogetherinthecrowd。Thefathergavehisboyakeenglance，andthentooktheleadintothedining-room，wherehechoseacornertable，andtheydisposedoftheirhatsonthewindow-seat。
“Allwellathome？”askedtheyoungfellow，ashetookupthebilloffaretoorderthedinner。Hisfatherhatedthat，andalwaysmadehimdoit。
“Yes，yes;asusual，Ibelieve。Minnieisoffforaweekatthemountains;Euniceisathome。”
“Oh！Howwouldyoulikesomegreengoose，withapple-sauce，sweet-
potatoes，andsuccotash？”
“Itseemstomethatwasprettygood，thelasttime。Allright，ifyoulikeit。”
“Idon’tknowthatIcareforanythingmuch。I’malittleoffmyfeed。
Nosoup。”hesaid，lookingupatthewaiterbendingoverhim;andthenhegavetheorder。“IthinkyoumaybringmehalfadozenBluePoints，ifthey’regood。”hecalledafterhim。
“Didn’tBarHarbouragreewithyou——orCampobello？”askedMr。Mavering，takingtheopeningofferedhim。
“No，notverywell。”saidDan;andhesaidnomoreaboutit，leavinghisfathertomakehisowninferencesastothekindordegreeofthedisagreement。
“Well，haveyoumadeupyourmind？”askedthefather，restinghiselbowsoneithersideofhisplate，andputtinghishandstogethersoftly，whilehelookedacrossthemwithacheerykindnessathisboy。
“Yes，Ihave。”saidDanslowly。
“Well？”
“Idon’tbelieveIcaretogointothelaw。”
“Sure？”
“Yes。”
“Well，that’sallright，then。Iwishedyoutochoosefreely，andI
supposeyou’vedoneso。”
“OhYes。”
“Ithinkyou’vechosenwisely，andI’mveryglad。It’saweightoffmymind。Ithinkyou’llbehappierinthebusinessthanyouwouldinthelaw;Ithinkyou’llenjoyit。Youneedn’tlookforwardtoagreatdealofPonkwassetFalls，unlessyoulike。”
“Ishouldn’tmindgoingthere。”saidDanlistlessly。
“Itwon’tbenecessary——atfirst。Infact，itwon’tbedesirable。I
wantyoutolookupthebusinessatthisendalittle。”
Dangaveastart。“InBoston？”
“Yes。Itisn’tintheshapeIwanttohaveit。Iproposetoopenaplaceofourown，andtoputyouincharge。”Somethingintheyoungman’sfaceexpressedreluctance，andhisfatheraskedkindly，“Wouldthatbedistastefultoyou？”
“Ohno。Itisn’tthethingIobjectto，butIdon’tknowthatIcaretobeinBoston。”Heliftedhisfaceandlookedhisfatherfullintheeyes，butwithagazethatrefusedtoconveyanythingdefinite。Thenthefatherknewthattheboy’sloveaffairhadgoneseriouslywrong。
Thewaitercamewiththedinner，andmadeaninterruptioninwhichtheycouldbenaturallysilent。Whenhehadputthedinnerbeforethem，andcumberedthemwithsuperfluousservice，afterthefashionofhiskind，hewithdrewalittleway，andleftthemtoresumetheirtalk。
“Well。”saidtheelderlightly，asifDan’snotcaringtobeinBostonhadnoparticularsignificanceforhim，“Idon’tknowthatIcaretohaveyousettledowntoitimmediately。IratherthinkI’dliketohaveyoulookaboutfirstalittle。GotoNewYork，gotoPhiladelphia，andseetheirprocessesthere。Wecan’taffordtogetold-fashionedinourways。
I’vealwaysbeenmoreinterestedbytheaestheticsideofthebusiness，butyououghttohaveatasteforthemechanism，fromyourgrandfather;
yourmotherhasit。”
“Ohyes，sir。Ithinkallthat’sveryinteresting。”saidDan。
“Well，gotoFrance，andseehowthosefellowsdoit。GotoLondon，andlookupWilliamMorris。”
“Yes，thatwouldbeverynice。”admittedtheyoungfellow，beginningtocatchon。“ButIdidn’tsuppose——Ididn’texpecttobeginlifewithapicnic。”Heentereduponhissentencewithajocularbuoyancy，butatthelastword，whichhefatallydriftedupon，hisvoicefell。Hesaidtohimselfthathewasgreatlychanged;that，heshouldneverbegayandbrightagain;therewouldalwaysbethisundercurrentofsadness;hehadnoticedtheundercurrentyesterdaywhenhewaslaughingandjokingwiththosegirlsatPortland。
“Oh，Idon’twantyoutobuckledownatonce。”saidhisfather，smiling。
“Ifyou’ddecideduponthelaw，Ishouldhavefeltthatyou’dbetternotlosetime。Butasyou’regoingintothebusiness，Idon’tmindyourtakingayearoff。Itwon’tbelosttimeifyoukeepyoureyesopen。I
thinkyou’dbettergodownintoItalyandSpain。Lookuptheoldtapestriesandstampedleathers。Youmaygetsomeideas。Howwouldyoulikeit？”
“First-rate。Ishouldlikeit。”saidDan，risingonthewaftofhisfather’ssuggestion，butgloomilylapsingagain。Still，itwaspleasingtopicturehimselfgoingaboutthroughEuropewithabrokenheart，andhedidnotdenyhimselftheconsolationofthevision。
“Well，there’snobodytodislikeit。”saidhisfathercheerily。HewassurenowthatDanhadbeenjilted;otherwisehewouldhaveputforthsomeobjectiontoaschemewhichmustinterrupthislovemaking。“There’snoreasonwhy，withourresources，weshouldn’ttaketheleadinthisbusiness。”
Hewentontospeakmorefullyofhisplans，andDanlistenedwithanetherreferenceofitalltoAlice，butstillwithasurfaceintelligenceonwhichnothingwaslost。
“Areyougoinghomewithmeto-morrow？”askedhisfatherastheyrosefromthetable。
“Well，perhapsnotto-morrow。I’vegotsomeofmythingstoputtogetherinCambridgeyet，andperhapsI’dbetterlookafterthem。ButI’veanotionI’dbetterspendthewinterathome，andgetanideaofthemanufacturebeforeIgoabroad。ImightsailinJanuary;theysayit’sagoodmonth。”
“Yes，there’ssenseinthat。”saidhisfather。
“AndperhapsIwon’tbreakupinCambridgetillI’vebeentoNewYorkandPhiladelphia。Whatdoyouthink？It’seasierstrikingthemfromhere。”
“Idon’tknowbutyou’reright。”saidhisfathereasily。
Theyhadcomeoutofthedining-room，andDanstoppedtogetsomecigarettesintheoffice。Helookedmechanicallyatthetheatrebillsoverthecigarcase。“IseeIrving’satthe’Boston。’“
“Oh，youdon’tsay！“saidhisfather。“Let’sgoandseehim。”
“Ifyouwishit，sir。”saidDan，withpensiveacquiescence。AlltheMaveringswerefondofthetheatre，andmadeanymoodtheoccasionorthepretextofgoingtotheplay。Iftheyweresad，theywent;iftheyweregay，theywent。AslongasDan’smothercouldgetout-of-doorssheusedtohaveherselfcarriedtoaboxinthetheatrewhenevershewasintown;
nowthatshenolongerleftherroom，shehadadominantpassionforhearingaboutactorsandacting;itwasalmostaworkofpietyinherhusbandandchildrentoseethemandreporttoher。