Shesmiledstill。\"Sickpeopleareterribly,egotistical,andIsupposeit’smyconceitofhavingbeenthecentreoftheuniversesolatelythatmakesmementionit。\"Andhereshelaughedalittleatherself,showingacharminglittlepeculiarityinthecatchofherupperliponherteeth。
\"Butthisisdivine——thisairandthissight。\"Sheputherheadoutofhersideofthecarryall,anddranktheminwithherlungsandeyes。
Whensheleanedbackagainontheseatshesaid,\"Ican’tgetenoughofit。\"
\"Butisn’tthisoldrattletraprathertooroughforyou?\"heasked。
\"Ohno,\"shesaid,visitinghimwithafurtiveturnofhereyes。\"It’squiteideallywhatinvalidsineasycircumstancesareadvisedtotakecarriageexercise。\"
\"Yes,it’scertainlycarriageexercise,\"Verrianadmittedinthesamespirit,ifitwasadrollingspirit。Hecouldnothelpbeingamusedbythesituationinwhichtheyhadbeenbroughttogether,throughthevigorouspromptitudeofMissMacroydinmakingthevictoriaherown,andtheeasyindifferenceofMrs。Westangleastohowtheyshouldgettoherhouse。Ifhehadbeenalonehemighthavefelttheindifferenceasaslight,butasitwashefeltitratherafavor。IfMissShirleywasfeelingitaslight,shewastoosecretortoosweettoletitbeknown,andhethoughtthatwasniceofher。Still,hebelievedhemightrecognizethefactwithoutdeepeningapossiblehurtofhers,andheadded,withnoapparentrelevance,\"IfMrs。Westanglewasnotlookingforusonthistrain,shewillfindthatitistheunexpectedwhichhappens。\"
\"Wearecertainlygoingtohappen,\"thegirlsaid,withanacceptanceofthepluralwhichdeepenedtheintimacyofthesituation,andwhichwasnotdispleasingtoVerrianwhensheadded,\"Ifourfriend’svehicleholdsout。\"Thensheturnedherfacefulluponhim,withwhataffectedhimasaustereresolution,incontinuing,\"ButIcan’tletyousupposethatyou’reconveyingasocietyperson,orsomethingofthatsort,toMrs。
Westangle’s。\"Hisownfaceexpressedhismystification,andsheconcluded,\"I’msimplygoingtheretobeginmywork。\"
Hesmiledprovisionallyintemporizingwiththeriddle。\"Youwomenarewonderful,nowadays,fortheworkyoudo。\"
\"Oh,but,\"sheprotested,nervously,anxiously,\"itisn’tgoodworkthatI’mgoingtodo——Iunderstandwhatyoumean——it’sworkforaliving。
I’venobusinesstobearrivingwithaninvitedguest,butitseemedtobeaquestionofarrivingornotatthetimewhenIwasdue。\"
IX。
Verrianstaredathernowfromavisagethatwasanentireblank,thoughbehinditconjecturewasbusy,andhewasaskinghimselfwhetherhiscompanionwassomenewkindofhair-dresser,oruncommonlycultivatedmanicure,oranurserygovernessobeyingahurrycalltotakeaplaceinMrs。Westangle’shousehold,orsomesortofamateurhousekeeperarrivingtosupplantaprofessional。Buthesaidnothing。
MissShirleysaid,withadistresswhichwasgenuine,thoughheperceivedatraceofamusementinit,too,\"IseethatIwillhavetogoon。\"
\"Oh,do!\"hemadeouttoutter。
\"IamgoingtoMrs。Westangle’sasasortofmistressoftherevels。Thebusinessissonewthatithasn’tgotitsnameyet,butifIfailitwon’tneedany。IinventeditonahintIgotfromagirlwhoundertakesthefloraldecorationsforparties。Ididn’tseewhysomeoneshouldn’tfurnishsuggestionsforamusements,aswellasflowers。Iwasalwaysratherluckyatthatinmyownfam——atmyfather’s——\"Shepulledherselfsharplyup,asifdangerlaythatway。\"IgotanintroductiontoMrs。
Westangle,andshe’stoletmetry。Iamgoingtohersimplyaspartofthecatering,andI’mnottohaveanyrecognitioninthehospitalities。
Soitwasn’tnecessaryforhertosendformeatthestation,exceptasameansofhavingmeonthegroundingoodseason。Ihavetothankyouforthat,and——Ithankyou。\"Sheendedinasigh。
\"It’sveryinteresting,\"Verriansaid,andhehopedhewasnotsayingitinanyignobleway。
Hewasverypresentlytolearn。Roundaturnoftheroadtherecamealivelyclackingofhorses’shoesonthehardtrack,withthemutedrumbleofrubber-tiredwheels,andMrs。Westangle’svictoriadashedintoview。
ThecoachmanhadmadeasignaltoVerrian’sdriver,andthevehiclesstoppedsidebyside。Thefootmaninstantlycametothedoorofthecarryall,touchinghishattoVerrian。
\"GoingtoMrs。Westangle’s,sir?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Mrs。Westangle’scarriage。Goingtothestationforyou,sir。\"
\"MissShirley,\"Verriansaid,\"willyouchange?\"
\"Ohno,\"sheanswered,quickly,\"it’sbetterformetogoonasIam。
Butthecarriagewassentforyou。Youmust——\"
Verrianinterruptedtoaskthefootman,\"HowfarisityettoMrs。
Westangle’s?\"
\"Aboutamile,sir。\"
\"IthinkIwon’tchangeforsuchashortdistance。I’llkeeponasI
am,\"Verriansaid,andheletthegoatskin,whichhehadhalfliftedtofreeMissShirleyfordismounting,fallbackagain。\"Goahead,driver。\"
Shehadbeenmakingseveralgaspingeffortsatspeech,accompaniedwithentreatingandprotestingglancesatVerrianinthecourseofhisbriefcolloquywiththefootman。Now,asthecarryalllurchedforwardagain,andthevictoriawheeledandpassedthemonitswayback,shecaughtherhandkerchieftoherface,andtoVerrian’sdismaysobbedintoit。Helethercry,ashemust,inthedistressfulsilencewhichhecouldnotbethefirsttobreak。Besides,hedidnotknowhowshewastakingitalltillshesuddenlywiththrewherhandkerchiefandpulleddownherveil。Thenshespokethreeheart-brokenwords,\"Howcouldyou!\"andhedivinedthathemusthavedonewrong。
\"WhatoughtItohavedone?\"heasked,withsullenhumility。
\"Yououghttohavetakenthevictoria。\"
\"HowcouldI?\"
\"Yououghttohavedoneit。\"
\"Ithinkyououghttohavedoneityourself,MissShirley,\"Verriansaid,feelinglikethewormthatturns。Headded,lessresentfully,\"Weoughtbothtohavetakenit。\"
\"No,Mrs。Westanglemighthavefelt,veryproperly,thatitwaspresumptuousinme,whetherIcamealoneinitorwithyou。Nowweshallarrivetogetherinthisthing,andshewillbemortifiedforyouandvexedwithme。Shewillblamemeforit,andshewillberight,foritwouldhavebeenverywellformetodriveupinashabbystationcarryall;butaninvitedguest——\"
\"No,indeed,sheshallnotblameyou,MissShirley。Iwillmakeapointoftakingthewholeresponsibility。Iwilltellher——\"
\"Mr。Merriam!\"shecried,inanguish。\"Willyoupleasedonothingofthekind?Doyouwanttomakebadworse?Leavetheexplainingaltogethertome,please。Willyoupromisethat?\"
\"Iwillpromisethat——oranything——ifyouinsist,\"Verriansulked。
Sheinstantlyrelentedalittle。\"Youmustn’tthinkmeunreasonable。
ButIwasdeterminedtocarrymyundertakingthroughonbusinessprinciples,andyouhavespoiledmychance——Iknowyoumeantitkindlyor,ifnotspoiled,madeitmoredifficult。Don’tthinkmeungrateful。
Mr。Merriam——\"
\"Mynameisn’tMerriam,\"heresented,atlast,amisnomerwhichhadannoyedhimfromthefirst。
\"Oh,Iamsoglad!Don’ttellmewhatitis!\"shesaid,givingalaughwhichhadtogoonalittlebeforeherecognizedthehystericalqualityinit。Whenshecouldcheckitsheexplained:\"Nowwearenotevenacquainted,andIcanthankastrangerforthekindnessyouhaveshownme。Iamtrulygrateful。Willyoudomeanotherfavor?\"
\"Yes,\"Verrianassented;buthethoughthehadarighttoask,asthoughhehadnotpromised,\"Whatisit?\"
\"NottospeakofmetoMrs。Westangleunlessshespeaksofmefirst。\"
\"That’ssimple。Idon’tknowthatIshouldhaveanyrighttospeakofyou。\"
\"Ohyes,youwould。Shewillexpectyou,perhaps,tolaughaboutthelittleadventure,andIwouldrathershebeganthelaughingyouhavebeensogood。\"
\"Allright。Butwouldn’tmysilencemakeitrathermoreawkward?\"
\"Iwilltakecareoftheawkwardness,thankyou。Andyoupromise?\"
\"Yes,Ipromise。\"
\"Thatisverygoodofyou。\"Sheputherhandimpulsivelyacrossthegoat-skin,andgavehis,withwhichhetookitinsomesurprise,aquickclasp。Thentheywerebothsilent,andtheygotoutofthecarryallunderMrs。Westangle’sporte-cocherewithouthavingexchangedanotherword。MissShirleydidnotbowtohimorlookathiminparting。
X。
Verriankeptseeingbeforehisinnereyesthethinfaceofthegirl,dimmedratherthanlightedwithhersickyes。Whensheshouldbestronger,theremightbeapaleflushinit,likesunsetonsnow,butVerrianhadtoimaginethat。Hedidnotfinditdifficulttoimaginemanythingsaboutthegirl,whom,inanothermood,amorejudicialmood,hemighthaveaccusedofprovokinghimtoimaginethem。Asitwas,hecouldnothelpnotingtothatsecondselfwhichweallhaveaboutus,thatherconfidences,suchastheywere,hadperhapsbeentoovoluntary;
certainlytheyhadnotbeenquiteobligatory,andtheycouldnotbequiteaccountedfor,exceptuponthetheoryofnervesnotyetperfectlyunderhercontrol。Tobesure,girlssaidallsortsofthingstoone,ignorantlyandinnocently;butshedidnotseemthekindofgirlwho,indifferentcircumstances,wouldhavesaidanythingthatshedidnotchooseorthatshedidnotmeantosay。Shehadbeensurprisinglyfrank,andyet,atheart,Verrianwouldhavethoughtshewasaveryreticentpersonorasecretperson——thatis,mentallyfrankandsentimentallysecret;
possiblyshewaslikemostwomeninthat。Whathewassureofwasthatthevisualimpressionofherwhichhehadreceivedmusthavebeenveryvividtolastsolonginhisconsciousness;allthroughhispreparationsforgoingdowntoafternoonteaherfaceremainedsubjectivelybeforehim,andwhenhewentdownandfoundhimselfpartofalaughingandchatteringcompanyinthelibraryhestillfoundit,inhisinnersense,here,there,andyonder。
HewasawareofsufferingalittledisappointmentinMrs。Westangle’sentirefailuretomentionMissShirley,thoughhewasawarethathisdisappointmentwasaltogetherunreasonable,andhemorereasonablydecidedthatifsheknewanythingofhisarrival,ortheformofit,shehadtoomuchofthemakingofagrandedametoberecognizantofit。Hedidnotknowfromherwhethershehadmeanttosendforhimatthestationornot,orwhethershehadsenthercarriagebackforhimwhenhedidnotarriveinitatfirst。Nothingwasleftinhermannerofsuchslightspecializationasshehadthrownintoitwhen,attheMacroyds’,sheaskedhimdowntoherhouseparty;sheseemed,iftherewereanydifference,tohaveacquiredanadditionalignoranceofwhoandwhathewas,thoughshetwitteredandflitteredupclosetohiselbow,afterhisimpersonalwelcome,andaskedhimifshemightintroducehimtotheyoungladywhowaspouringteaforher,andwho,afterthebriefdramanecessaryforpossessinghimofacupofit,appearedtohavenomoreuseforhimthanMrs。Westangleherselfhad。Thereweremoreyoungmenthanyoungwomenintheroom,butheimaginedtheusualsuperabundanceofgirlhoodtemporarilyabsentforrepairofthefatiguesofthejourney。
Everygirlintheroomhadatleastonemantalkingtoher,andthegirlwhowaspouringteahadoneoneachsideofherandwastryingtofixthembothwithaneyeliftedtowardseach,whileshestruggledtokeepherunitedgazewatchfullyuponthetea-urnandthosewhocameupwithcupstobefilledorrefilled。
Verrianthoughthisfellow-guestswereallamiableenoughlooking,thoughhemadehisreflectionthattheydidnotlook,anyofthem,asiftheywouldsettheSoundonfire;andagainhemissedthecompanionofhisarrival。
Afterhehadgothiscupoftea,hestoodsippingitwithahomelessairwhichhetriedtoconceal,andcastafurtiveeyeroundtheroomtillitresteduponthelaughingfaceofMissMacroyd。Ayoungmanwastakingawayherteacup,andVerrianatoncewentupandseizedhisplace。
\"Howdidyougethere?\"sheasked,rathershamelessly,sinceshehadkepthimfromcominginthevictoria,butamusingly,sincesheseemedtoseeitasajoke,ifshesawitatall。
\"Iwalked,\"heanswered。
\"Truly?\"
\"No,nottruly。\"
\"But,truly,howdidyou?BecauseIsentthecarriagebackforyou。\"
\"Thatwasverythoughtfulofyou。ButIfoundadelightfulpublicvehiclebehindthestation,andIcameinthat。I’msogladtoknowthatitwasn’tMrs。Westanglewhohadthetroubleofsendingthecarriagebackforme。\"
MissMacroydlaughedandlaughedathisresentment。\"Butsurelyyoumetitontheway?Igavethemanadescriptionofyou。Didn’thestopforyou?\"
\"Ohyes,butIwastooproudtochangebythattime。OrperhapsIhatedthetrouble。\"
MissMacroydlaughedthemore;thenshepurposelydarkenedhercountenancesoastosuitittoherlugubriouswhisper,\"Howdidshegethere?\"
\"Whatshe?\"
\"Themysteriousfugitive。Wasn’tshecominghere,afterall?\"
\"Afterallyourtroubleinsupposingso?\"Verrianreflectedamoment,andthenhesaid,deliberately,\"Idon’tknow。\"
MissMacroydwasnotgoingtolethimofflikethat。\"Youdon’tknowhowshecame,oryoudon’tknowwhethershewascoming?\"
\"Ididn’tsay。\"
Herlaughresoundedagain。\"Nowyouaretryingtobewicked,andthatisverywrongforanovelist。\"
\"ButwhatobjectcouldIhaveinconcealingthefactfromyou,MissMacroyd?\"heentreated,withmockearnestness。
\"ThatiswhatIwanttofindout。\"
\"Whatareyoutwolaughingsoabout?\"thevoiceofMrs。WestangletwitteredatVerrian’selbow,and,lookingdown,hefoundheralmosttouchingit。Shehadaverylong,narrowneck,and,sinceitwaslongandnarrow,shehadthegoodsensenottopalliatethefactortrytodresstheeffectofitoutofsight。Shetookherneckinbothhands,asitwere,andputitmoreonshow,sothatyouhadreallytolikeit。Nowitliftedherface,thoughshewasnotatallperson,welltowardsthelevelofhis;tobesure,hewashimselfonlyofthemiddleheightofmen,thoughanaquilineprofilehelpedhimup。
Hestirredtheteawhichhehadceasedtodrink,andsaid,\"Iwasn’t’laughingsoabout,’Mrs。Westangle。ItwasMissMacroyd。\"
\"AndIwaslaughingsoaboutamysteriousstrangerthatcameuponthetrainwithusandgotoutatyourstation。\"
\"AndIwastryingtomakeoutwhatwassofunnyinamysteriousstranger,oreveninhergettingoutatyourstation。\"
Mrs。Westanglewasnotinterestedinthecase,orelseshefailedtoseizethejoke。Atanyrate,sheturnedfromthemwithoutfurtherquestionandwentawaytoanotherpartoftheroom,whereshesemi-
attachedherselfinlikemannertoanothercouple,andagainleftitforstillanother。Thiswaspossiblyherideaoflookingafterherguests;
butwhenshehadlookedafterthemalittlelongerinthatwayshelefttheroomandletthemlookafterthemselvestilldinner。
\"Come,Mr。Verrian,\"MissMacroydresumed,\"whatisthesecret?I’llnevertellifyoutellme。\"
\"Youwon’tifIdon’t。\"
\"Nowyouarebecomingmerelytrivial。Youareceasingeventobeprovoking。\"MissMacroyd,intokenofherdispleasure,laughednolonger。
\"AmI?\"hequestioned;thoughtfully。\"Well,then,Iamtemptedtoactuponimpulse。\"
\"Oh,doactuponimpulseforonce,\"sheurged。I’msureyou’llenjoyit。\"
\"DoyoumeanthatI’mneverimpulsive?\"
\"Idon’tthinkyoulookit。\"
\"IfyouhadseenmeanhouragoyouwouldhavesaidIwasveryimpulsive。
IthinkImayhaveexhaustedmyselfinthatdirection,however。Ifeeltheimpulsefailingmenow。\"
XI。
Hisimpulsereallyhadfailedhim。IthadbeentotellMissMacroydabouthisadventureandfranklytrustherwithit。Hehadlikedheratseveralformermeetingsratherincreasingly,becauseshehadseemedopenandhonestbeyondthemostofwomen,butherpiggishbehavioratthestationhadbeenrathertooopenandhonest,andthesenseofthisnowopportunelyintervenedbetweenhimandthefollyhewasabouttocommit。
Besides,hehadnorighttogiveMissShirley’spartinhisadventureaway,and,sincetheaffairwasmorevitallyhersthanhis,totakeitatalloutofherhands。Theearly-fallingduskhadfavoredanunnoticedadventforthem,andtherewereotherchancesthathadhelpedkeepunknowntheirarrivaltogetheratMrs。Westangle’sinthatsqualidcarryall,suchasMissShirley’shavingmanagedinstantlytoslipindoorsbeforethemancameoutforVerrian’ssuit-case,andofherhavinggottoherownappointedplacelongbeforetherewasanydescentofthecompanytotheafternoontea。
Itwasnotforhimnowtoundoallthatandbeginthelaughingattheaffair,whichshehadpatheticallyintimatedthatshewouldrathersomeoneelseshouldbegin。Herecoiledfromhisimprudencewithashock,buthehadthepleasureofhavingmystifiedMissMacroyd。Hefeltdismissalintherovingeyewhichshecastfromhimroundtheroom,andhewillinglyletanotheryoungmanreplacehimatherside。
Yethewasnotaltogethersatisfied。Acertainmeanerselfthattherewasinhimwasnotpleasedwithhisrelegationevenmerelyinhisownconsciousnesstothechampionshipofagirlwhowasgoingtomakeherlivinginasortofmenialway。Ithadbetterbeownedforhimthat,inhisvisionsofliteraryglory,hehadfiguredinsocialtriumphswhich,thoughvague,wereresplendentwiththeglitterofsmartcircles。Hehadbeensoignorantofsuchcirclesastosupposetheywouldhavesomeuseforhimasabrilliantyoungauthor;andthoughhewasoutwearingthisillusion,hestillwouldnothavelikedagirllikeJuliaMacroyd,whosefamily,ifnotsmart,wasatleastchic,toknowthathehadcometothehousewithaprofessionalmistressoftherevels,untilMissShirleyshouldhaveapprovedherselfchic,too。Thenotionofsuchanemploymentasherswasinitselfchic,butthegirlwasmerelyapaidpartoftheentertainment,asyet,andhadnotrisenabovethehirelingstatus。Ifshehadsunktothatlevelfromahigherrankitwouldbeallright,buttherewasnoevidencethatshehadeverbeensmart。Verrianwould,therefore,rathernotbemixedupwithher——atanyrate,intheimaginationofagirllikeJuliaMacroyd;andashelefthersidehedrewalongbreathofreliefandwentandputdownhisteacupwherehehadgotit。
Bythistimethegirlwhowas\"pouring\"hadexhaustedoneofthetwooriginalguardsonwhomshehadbeendividinghervision,andVerrianmadeapretence,whichshefavored,thathehadcomeuptopushthemanaway。Themangracefullysubmittedtobedislodged,andVerrianremainedintheenjoymentofoneofthegirl’sdistortedeyestill,yetanothermancomingup,sheabruptlygotridofVerrianbypresentinghimtoyetanothergirl。Insuchmanoeuvresthehourofafternoonteawillpass;
andthetimereallyworeontillitwastimetodressfordinner。
Bythetimethattheguestscamedowntodinnertheywereallabletoparticipateintheexchangeofthediscoverywhicheachhadmade,thatitwassnowingoutdoors,andtheykeptthisgoingtillonegirlhadthegood-lucktosay,\"Idon’tseeanythingsoastonishinginthatatthistimeofyear。Now,ifitwassnowingindoors,itwouldbedifferent。\"
Thisrelievedthetensioninagenerallaugh,andayoungmantriedtocontributefurthertothegayetybydeclaringthatitwouldnotbesurprisingtohaveitsnowin-doors。Hehadonceseenthethingdoneinacrowdedhall,onenight,whensomebodyputupawindow,andthefreezingcurrentofaircongealedtherespirationofthecrowd,whichcamedowninalightfallofsnow-flakes。HeownedthatitwasinBoston。
\"Oh,thatexcusesit,then,\"MissMacroydsaid。Butshelostthelaughwhichwasherdueintherushwhichsomeoftheothersmadetoopenawindowandseewhetheritcouldbemadetosnowin-doorsthere。
\"Oh,itisn’tcrowdedenoughhere,\"theyoungmanexplainedwhohadallegedthescientificmarvel。
\"Anditisn’tBoston,\"MissMacroydtriedagainonthesamestring,andthistimeshegotherlaugh。
Thegirlwhohadfirstspokenremained,attheriskofpneumonia,withherarmprettilyliftedagainsttheopensash,foramomentpeeringout,andthenreported,indashingitdownwithashiver,\"Itseemstobeaverysoftsnow。\"
\"Thenitwillberainbymorning,\"anotherpredicted,andthegirltriedhardtothinkofsomethingtosayinsupportofthehitshehadmadealready。Butshecouldnot,andwassilentalmostthroughthewholefirstcourseatdinner。
Inspiteofitsbeingasoftsnow,itcontinuedtofallassnowandnotasrain。Itlentthecharmofstormycoldwithouttothebrightnessandwarmthwithin。Muchlater,whenbetweenwaltzessomeofthedancerswentoutontheverandasforabreathofair,theycamebackreportingthatthewindwasrisingandthesnowwasdrifting。
Uponthewhole,thesnowwasagreatsuccess,andherguestscongratulatedMrs。Westangleonhavingthoughttohaveit。Thefelicitationsincludedrecognitionoftheoriginalityofherwholescheme。ShehaddownedthehoarysuperstitionthatpeoplehadtoomuchofagoodtimeonChristmastowantanygoodtimeatallintheweekfollowing;andinactinguponthewell-knownfactthatyouneverwantedaholidaysomuchasthedayafteryouhadone,shehadmadeamovementofthehighestsocialimportance。TheseweretheideaswhichVerrianandtheyoungmanofthein-doorssnow-stormurgeduponher;hisnamewasBushwick,andheandVerrianfoundthattheywereverygood-fellowsaftertheyhadrathersupposedthecontrary。
Mrs。Westanglereceivedtheirideaswiththetwitteringreticencethatdeceivedsomanypeoplewhentheysupposedsheknewwhattheyweretalkingabout。
XII。
Atbreakfast,wheretheguestswerereasonablypunctual,theywereallabletoobserve,intherapidsuccessioninwhichtheydescendedfromtheirrooms,thatithadstoppedsnowingandthesunwasshiningbrilliantly。
\"Thereisn’tenoughforsleighing,\"Mrs。Westangleproclaimedfromtheheadofthetableinherhightwitter,\"andthereisn’tanycoastinghereinthisflatcountryformiles。\"
\"Thenwhatarewegoingtodowithit?\"oneoftheyoungladieshumorouslypouted。
\"That’swhatIwasgoingtosuggest,\"Mrs。Westanglereplied。Shepronouncedit’sujjest’,butnoonefeltthatitmattered。\"And,ofcourse,\"shecontinued,\"youneedn’tanyofyoudoitifyoudon’tlike。\"
\"We’llalldoit,Mrs。Westangle,\"Bushwicksaid。\"Weareunanimousinthat。\"
\"Perhapsyou’llthinkitratherfunny——odd,\"shesaid。
\"Theodderthebetter,Ithink,\"Verrianventured,andanothermandeclaredthatnothingMrs。Westanglewoulddowasodd,thougheverythingwasoriginal。
\"Well,thereissuchathingasbeingtoooriginal,\"shereturned。Thensheturnedherheadasideandlookeddownatsomethingbesideherplateandsaid,withoutliftinghereyes,\"YouknowthatintheMiddleAgesthereusedtobeflower-fightsamongtheyoungnobilityinItaly。Thewomenheldatower,andthemenattackeditwithrosesandflowersgenerally。\"
\"Why,isthisaspeech?\"MissMacroydinterrupted。
\"Aspeechfromthethrone,yes,\"Bushwicksolemnlycorrectedher。\"Andshe’sgotitwrittendown,likeaqueen——haven’tyou,Mrs。Westangle?\"
\"Yes,Ithoughtitwouldbemorerespectful。\"
\"Shecomingout,\"BushwicksaidtoVerrianacrossthetable。
\"AndifIgotmixedupIcouldgobackandstraightenit,\"thehostessdeclared,withagood——humoredcandorthattookthegeneralfancy,\"andyoucouldunderstandwithoutsomuchexplaining。Wehaven’tgotflowersenoughatthisseason,\"shewenton,lookingdownagainatthepaperbesideherplate,\"butwehappentohaveplentyofsnowballs,andthenotionistohavethewomenoccupyasnowtowerandthemenattackthemwithsnowballs。\"
\"Why,\"Bushwicksaid,\"thisisthesnow-fortbusinessofourboyhood!
Let’sgooutandfortifytheladiesatonce。\"HeappealedtoVerrianandmadeafeintofpushinghischairback。\"Mayweusewater-soakedsnowballs,ormusttheyallbesoftandharmless?\"heaskedofMrs。
Westangle,whowasnowthecentreofastormofapplauseandquestionfromthewholetable。
Shekeptherheadandreferredagaintoherpaper。\"Themissilesoftheassailantsaretobeverysoftsnowballs,hardlymorethanmereclots,sothatnobodycanbehurtintheassault,butthedefendersmayrepeltheassailantswithhardersnowballs。\"
\"Oh,\"MissMacroydprotested,\"thisisconsultingtheweaknessofoursex。\"
\"Inthefuryoftheonsetwe’llforgetit,\"Verrianreassuredher。
\"Doyouthinkyoureallywill,Mr。Verrian?\"sheasked。\"Whatisallourathletictrainingtogoforifyoudo?\"
Mrs。Westanglereadon:
\"Thetermsofcapitulationcanbearrangedontheground,whetherthecastleiscarriedortheassailingpartyaremadeprisonersbyitsdefenders。\"
\"Hopelesscaptivityineithercase!\"Bushwicklamented。
\"Isn’titratheracademic?\"MissMacroydaskedofVerrian,inalowvoice。
\"I’mafraid,rather,\"heowned。
\"Butwhyareyousoserious?\"shepursued。
\"AmIserious?\"heretorted,withatraceofexasperation;andshelaughed。
TheirparleywasquitelostintheclamorwhichragedupanddownthetabletillMrs。Westangleendeditbysaying,\"There’snoobligationonanyonetotakepartinthehostilities。Therewon’tbeanyconscription;it’safreefightthatwillbeopentoeverybody。\"Shefoldedthepapershehadbeenreadingfromandputitinherlap,indefaultofapocket。Shewentonimpromptu:
\"Youneedn’ttroubleaboutbuildingthefort,Mr。Bushwick。I’vehadthefarmerandhismenworkingatthecastlesincedaybreak,andtheladieswillfinditallreadyforthem,whenthey’rereadytodefendit,downinthemeadowbeyondtheedgeofthebirchlot。Thebattlewon’tbegintilleleveno’clock。\"
Sherose,andtheclamorroseagainwithher,andherguestscrushedabouther,demandingtobeallowedatleasttogoandlookatthecastleimmediately。
Oneofthemen’svoicesasked,\"MayIbeoneofthedefenders,Mrs。
Westangle?Iwanttobeonthewinningside,sure。\"
\"Oh,isthisgoingtobeacircuschariot-race?\"anotherlamented。
\"No,indeed,\"agirlcried,\"it’stobetherealthing。\"
ItfelltoVerrian,intheassortmentofcouplesinwhichMrs。
Westangle’sguestssalliedouttoviewtheproposedsceneofaction,tofindhimself,nottoowillingly,atMissMacroyd’sside。InhisheartandinhismindhewasdefendingtheamusementwhichheinstantlydivinedasnoinventionofMrs。Westangle’s,andbothhisheartandhismindmisgavehimaboutthisfirstessayofMissShirleyinhernewenterprise。
Itwas,asMissMacroydhadsuggested,academic,andatthesametimeithadadangerinitofbeingtomboyish。Golf,tennis,riding,boating,swimming——allthevigoroussportsinwhichwomennowexcel——wereboldlyathletic,andyetyoucouldnotfeelquitethattheyweretomboyish。WasitbecausethebentofMissShirleywassoacademicthatshewasperilingupontomboyishnesswithoutknowingitinthisprimalinspirationofhers?
Inwardlyheresentedthewordacademic,althoughoutwardlyhehadassentedtoitwhenMissMacroydproposedit。TobeacademicwouldbeevenmorefataltoMissShirley’sambitionthantobetomboyish,andhethoughtwithpathosofthattouchabouttheItaliannobilityintheMiddleAges,andhowlittleitcouldhavemovedthetoughfanciesofthatcrowdofwell-groomedyoungpeopleatthebreakfast-tablewhenMrs。
Westanglebroughtitoutwithherignorantacceptanceofitasasocialforce。Afterall,MissMacroydwasabouttheonlyonewhocouldhavefeltitinthewayitwasmeant,andshehadchosentosmileatit。Hewonderedifpossiblyshecouldfeelthesecondarypathosofitashedid。
Buttomaketalkwithherhemerelyasked:
\"Doyouintendtotakepartinthefray?\"
\"NotunlessIcanbeoneofthereservecorpsthatwon’tneedtobebroughtuptillit’sallover。I’venoideaofgettingmyhairdown。\"
\"Ah,\"hesighed,\"youthinkit’sgoingtoberude:\"
\"Thatisoneofthechances。Butyouseemtobesufferingaboutit,Mr。
Verrian!\"shesaid,and,ofcourse,shelaughed。
\"Who?I?\"hereturned,inthetemptationtodenyit。Butheresisted。
\"Ialwayssufferwhenthere’sanythingsillyhappening,asifIweredoingitmyself。Don’tyou?\"
\"No,thankyou,Ibelievenot。Butperhapsyouaredoingthis?Onecan’tsupposeMrs。Westangleimaginedit。\"
\"No,Ican’tpleadguilty。Butwhyisn’titpredicableofMrs。
Westangle?\"
\"Youmustn’tasktoomuchofme,Mr。Verrian。Somehow,Iwon’tsayhow,it’sbeenimaginedforher。She’sheardofitsbeingdonesomewhere。Itcan’tbesupposedshe’sreadofit,anywhere。\"
\"No,Idaresaynot。\"
MissMacroydcameoutwithherlaugh。\"Ishouldliketoknowwhatshemakesofyou,Mr。Verrian,whensheisalonewithherself。Shemusthavelookedyouupandauthenticatedyouinherownway,butitwouldbeasfarfromyourwayas——well,say——theMilkyWay。\"
\"Youdon’tthinksheaskedmebecauseshemetmeatyourhouse?\"
\"No,thatwouldn’tbeenough,fromherpointofview。Shemeanstogomuchfurtherthanwe’veevergot。\"
\"Thenayearfromnowshewouldn’taskme?\"
\"Itdependsuponwhoasksyouinthemeantime。
Youmightgettobeafad,andthenshewouldfeelthatshewouldhavetohaveyou。\"
\"You’renotflatteringme?\"
\"Doyoufinditflattering?\"
\"Itisn’texactlymyideaoftherewardI’vebeenworkingfor。WhatshallIdotobeafad?\"
\"Well,ratherdegradingstunts,ifyoumeaninthesmartset。Jumpaboutonallfoursandpickupawoman’sumbrellawithyourteeth,andbark。
Anythingelsewouldbeeasierforyouamongchicpeople,whereyourbrilliancywouldcount。\"
\"Brilliancy?Oh,thankyou!Goon。\"
\"Now,agirl——ifyouwereagirl——\"
\"Ohyes,ifIwereagirl!Thatwillbesomuchmoreinteresting。\"
\"Agirl,\"MissMacroydcontinued,\"mightdoitbyposingeffectivelyforamateurphotography。Ordoingsomethingoriginalindramaticsorpantomimicsorrecitation——butveryoriginal,becausechicpeoplearecritical。Orifshehadagiftforgettingupthingsthatwouldshowothergirlsoff;orsuggestingamusements;butthatwouldberatherinthelineofswellpeople,whoarenotgoodatgettingupthingsandaregladofhelp。\"
\"Isee,Isee!\"Verriansaid,eagerly。Buthewalkedalonglookingdownatthesnow,andnotmeetingthelaughingglancethatMissMacroydcastathisface。\"Well?\"
\"Ibelievethat’sall,\"shesaid,sharply。Sheadded,lesssharply:
\"Shecouldn’taffordtofail,though,atanypoint。Thefadthatfailsisextinguishedforever。Willthesesimplefactsdoforfiction?Orisitforsomebodyinreallifeyou’reasking,Mr。Verrian?\"
\"Oh,forfiction。Andthankyouverymuch。Oh,that’sratherpretty!\"
XIII。
Theyhadcomeintothemeadowwherethesnowbattlewastobe,andonitsslope,againstthedarkweftoftheyoungbirch-trees,therewasamimiccastleoutlinedinthemasonryofwhiteblocksquarriedfromthedriftsandbuiltupincourseslikeroughblocksofmarble。Adecorationofgreenfromthepinesthatmixedwiththebircheshadbeensuggestedratherthanexecuted,andwasperhapsthemoreeffectiveforitssketchiness。
\"Yes,it’sreallybeautiful,\"MissMacroydowned,andthoughshedidnotjoinhercriestothoseoftheothergirls,whostoodscatteredaboutadmiringit,andlaughingandchatteringwiththemenwhoseapplause,ofcourse,tookthejocoseform,therewasnodoubtbutsheadmiredit。
\"WhatIcan’tunderstandishowMrs。Westanglegotthenotionofthis。
There’sthesopranonoteinit,andsomewomanmusthavegivenittoher。\"
\"Notcontralto,possibly?\"Verrianasked。
\"Iinsistuponthesoprano,\"shesaid。
Buthedidnotnoticewhatshesaid。Hiseyeswerefollowingafigurewhichseemedtobeescapingupthroughthebirchesbehindthesnowcastleandploughingitswaythroughthedrifts;infrontofthestructuretheyhadbeenlevelledtomakeaneasierbattle-field。HeknewthatitwasMissShirley,andheinferredthatshehadbeeninthecastledirectingthefarm——handsbuildingit,andnow,beingcaughtbytheprematurearrivalofthecontestingforces,hadfledbeforethemandlefthersubordinatestofinishthework。Hefelt,withathroeofhelplesssympathy,thatshewasundertakingtoomuch。Itwashazardousenoughtoattemptthepracticeofhernovelprofessionunderthebestofcircumstances,buttokeepherselfinabeyancesofarasnottobeknownatallinit,and,atthesametime,togivewaytoherinterestinittotheextentofcomingout,withherinfirmlyestablishedhealth,intothatwintryweather,andsuperintendingthepreparationsforthefirstfollyshehadplanned,wasariskaltogethertoogreatforher。
Whointheworld,\"MissMacroydsuddenlydemanded,\"isthepersonflounderingaboutinthebirchwoods?\"
\"Perhapsthesoprano,\"Verrianreturned,hardily。
BushwickdetachedhimselffromagroupofgirlsnearbyandinterceptedanyresponsefromMissMacroydtoVerrianbycallingtoherbeforehecameup,\"Areyougoingtobeoneoftheenemy,MissMacroyd?\"
\"No,IthinkIwillbeneutral。\"Sheadded,\"Istheregoingtobeanysuchthingasanumpire?\"
\"Wehadn’tthoughtofthat。Therecouldbe。Theofficecouldbecreated;but,youknow,it’sthepostofdanger。\"
VerrianjoinedthegroupthatBushwickhasleft。Hefoundagreatscepticismastothecombat,mixedwithsomeadmirationforthecastle,andhesethimselftocontesttheprevalentfeeling。Whatwasthematterwithasnow-fight?hedemanded。Itwouldbegreatfun。Decidedlyhewasgoinginforit。Herevivedthedroopingsentimentinitsfavor,andthen,flownwithhissuccess,hewentfromgrouptogroupandcoupletocouple,andanimatedallwithhiszeal,whichcame,hehardlyknewwhence;whathepretendedtotheotherswasthattheywereratherboundnottoletMrs。Westangle’sschemefallthrough。Theirdoubtsvanishedbeforehim,andthetermsofthebattlewerequicklyarranged。Hesaidhehadreadofoneofthosemediaevalflower-fights,andhecouldtellthemhowthatwasdone。Whereitwouldnotfitintothesnow-fight,theycouldtrusttoinspiration;everyrealbattlewastheeffectofinspiration。
Hecameout,andsomeoftheyoungwomenandmostoftheyoungmen,whohaddimlyknownofhimasasortofcelebrity,andsuspectedhimofbeingaprig,werereconciled,andacceptedhimforanicefellow,andbecameofhisopinionastothedetailsoftheamusementbeforethem。
ItwasnotveryHomeric,whenitcameoff,orverymediaeval,butitwasreallylotsoffun,orfarmorefunthanonewouldhavethought。Thestormingofthecastlewasverysincere,andthefortresswashonestlydefended。MissMacroydwasmadeumpire,asshewished,andprovidedwithalargesnowballtositonatasafedistance;asshewaschosenbythemen,thegirlswantedtohaveanumpireoftheirown,whowouldbereallyfair,andtheyvotedVerrianintotheoffice。Butherefused,partlybecausehedidnotcareaboutbeingpairedoffwithMissMacroydsoconspicuously,andpartlybecausehewishedtohelpthefightalong。
Attacksweremadeandrepelled,andtherewerefeatsofindividualandcollectivedaringonthesideofthedefenderswhichwerenonethelessdaringbecausetheassailantsstoppedtocheerthem,andtodisablethemselvesbylaughingatthefuryofthefoe。Adetachmentoftheyoungmenatlaststormedthecastleandsoweakeneditswallsthattheytoppledinward;thenthedefenders,tosavethemselvesfrombeingburiedundertheavalanche,swarmedoutintotheopenandmadetheentireforceoftheenemyprisoners。
Themenpretendedthatthiswaswhatmighthavebeenexpectedfromthebeginning,butbythistimetheBerserkermadnesshadpossessedMissMacroyd,too;sheleftherthroneofsnowandcameforwardshoutingthatithadbeenperfectlyfair,andthatthemenhadbeenreallybeaten,andtheyhadnorighttopretendthattheyhadgiventhemselvesuppurposely。
Thesex-partisanship,whichissuchadrollfactinwomenwhenthereisanyquestionoftheirgeneraloppositiontomen,possessedthemall,andtheystoodas,onegirlfortherealityoftheirtriumph。Thisdidnotpreventthemfromdeclaringthatthemenhadbehavedwithoutrageousunfairness,andthattheonlyonewhofoughtwithabsolutesincerityfromfirsttolastwasMr。Verrian。
NeithertheirunityofconvictionconcerningthegeneralfactnorthesurprisingdeductionfromitinVerrian’scaseoperatedtomakethemrefusethehelpoftheircaptivesingettinghome。Whentheyhadbounduptheirtumbledhair,insomecases,andrepairedtheravagesofwaramongtheirfeathersandfursanddraperies,inothercases,theyacceptedthehandsofthelateenemyatdifficultpointsofthepath。
Buttheyranforwardwhentheynearedthehouse,andtheywereprompttoscreamuponMrs。Westanglethatthereneverhadbeensuchasuccessorsuchfun,andthattheywerealmostdead,andsoonastheyhadsomethingtoeattheyweregoingtobedandnevergoingtogetupagain。
Inthedetailswhichtheywereabletogiveatluncheon,theydidjusticetoVerrian’snoblepartinthewholeaffair,whichhadsavedtheday,notonlyinkeepingthemuptotheworkwhentheyhadgotthinkingitcouldn’tbecarriedthrough,butingivingthecombatavaliditywhichitwouldnothavehadwithouthim。Theyhadtothankhim,nexttoMrs。
Westangleherself,whomtheypraisedbeyondanyarticulateexpression,forthinkingupsuchadelightfulthing。Theywonderedhowshecouldeverhavethoughtofit——suchasimplethingtoo;andtheyweresurethatwhenpeopleheardofittheywouldallbewantingtohavesnowbattles。
Mrs。Westangletookherpraisesaspassively,ifnotasmodestly,asVerrianreceivedhis。Shemadenoshowofdisclaimingthem,butshehadtheart,invaluableinawomanwhomeanttogofarinthelineshehadchosen,ofnotseemingtohavedoneanything,orofnotcaringwhetherpeoplelikeditornot。Verrianaskedhimself,ashewatchedhertwitteringbackatthosegirls,andsheddingequallytheirthanksandpraisesfromherimpermeableplumage,howshewouldhavebehavedifMissShirley’sattempthadbeenanentirefailure。Hedecidedthatshewouldhaveignoredthefailurewiththesameimpersonalityasthatwithwhichshenowignoredthesuccess。Itappearedthatinonepointhedidherinjustice,forwhenhewentuptodressfordinnerafterthelongstrollhetooktowardsnighthefoundanoteunderhisdoor,bywhichhemustinferthatMrs。Westanglehadnotkepttherealfactsofhertriumphfromthemistressoftherevels。
\"DEARMR。VERRIAN,Iamnotlikelytoseeyou,butImustthankyou。
M。SHIRLEY。
\"P。S。Don’ttrytoanswer,please。\"
Verrianliked,thenote,heevenlikedtheimpulsewhichhaddictatedit,andheunderstoodtheimpulse;buthedidnotlikegettingthenote。IfMissShirleymeantbusinessintakingupthelineoflifeshehadprofessedtohaveentereduponseriously,shehadbetter,inthecaseofayoungmanwhoseacquaintanceshehadchancedtomake,lethergratitudewait。Butwhendidawomanevermeanbusiness,exceptintheonegreatbusiness?
XIV。
TohavegotthatsillilysuperfluousnotetoVerrianwithoutanyone’sknowingbesides,MissShirleymusthavestolentohisdoorherselfandslippeditunder。Inordertodothisunsuspectedandunseen,shemusthavefoundoutinsomesortthatwouldnotgiveherawaywhichhisroomwas,andthenwatchedherchance。Itallarguedapervasivenessinher,aftersuchabriefsojourninthehouse,andamasteryoffinessethathedidnotlike,though,hereflected,hewasnotauthorizedtolikeordislikeanythingabouther。Hewasthirty-sevenyearsold,andhehadnotlivedthroughthattime,withhismotherathiselbowtosuggestinferencesfromfacts,withoutbeingversedinwileswhich,evenwhentheywerehonest,werealwayswiles,andinlureswhich,whentheywereofthemostgossamertenuity,wereyetoftexturecloseenoughtomakethemanwhoblunderedthroughthemawarethattheyhadbeenthrownacrosshispath。Heunderstood,ofcourse,thattheyweresometimeshelplesslythrownacrossit,andweremereexpressionsofabstractwomanwithrelationtoabstractman,butthatdidnotchangetheirnature。Hedidnotabhorthem,buthebelievedheknewthem,andhebelievednowthathedetectedoneoftheminMissShirley’snote。Ofcourse,onecouldtakeanotherviewofit。Onecouldsaytoone’sselfthatshewasreallysoferventlygratefulthatshecouldnottrustsomeaccidenttobringthemtogetherinaplacewhereshewasmerelyapartofthecatering,asshesaid,andhewasaguest,andthatshewasexcusable,oratleastmercifullyexplicable,inherwishtohavehimknowthatsheappreciatedhisgoodness。Verrianhadbeenverygood,heknewthat;hehadsavedthedayforthepoorthingwhenitwasindangerofthedreariestkindofslump。Shewasapoorthing,asanywomanwaswhohadtomakeherownway,andshehadbeensickandwascharming。Besides,shehadfoundouthisnameandhadprobablyrecognizedaqualityofcelebrityinit,unknowntotheotheryoungpeoplewithwhomhefoundhimselfsostrangelyassortedunderMrs。Westangle’sroof。
Intheend,anduponthewhole,Verrianwouldratherhaveliked,ifthethingcouldhavebeenmadetohappen,meetingMissShirleylongenoughtodisclaimmeritingherthanks,andtoascribetotheintrinsicvalueofherschemethebrilliantsuccessithadachieved。Thiswouldnothavebeentrue,butitwouldhavebeenencouragingtoher;andinthereverywhichfolloweduponhisconditionaldesirehehadalongimaginaryconversationwithher,anddiscussedallherotherplansfortherevelsoftheweek。Thesehadnotthetroubleofdefiningthemselvesverydistinctlyintheconversationinordertowinhisapplause,andtheirconsiderationdidnotcarryhimwithMissShirleybeyondthestrictlyprofessionalgroundonwhichtheymet。
Shehadapparentlyinventednothingforthatevening,andthehousepartywaslefttoitsownresourcesindancingandsittingoutdances,whichapparentlyfullysufficedit。Theywerealltired,andbrokeupearly。
Thewomentooktheircandlesandwentofftobed,andthemenwenttothebilliard-roomtosmoke。Onthewaydownfromhisroom,wherehehadgonetoputonhissmoking-jacket,VerrianmetMissMacroydcomingup,candleinhand,andreceivedfromheratacitintimationthathemightstopherforajokinggood-night。
\"Ihopeyou’llsleepwellonyourlaurelsasumpire,\"hesaid。
\"Oh,thankyou,\"shereturned,\"andIhopeyourlaurelswon’tkeepyouawake。Itmustseemtoyouasifitwasblowingaperfectgaleinthem。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean?Ididnothing。\"
\"Oh,Idon’tmeanyourpromotionofthesnowbattle。Buthaven’tyouheard?\"Hestared。\"You’vebeenfoundout!\"
\"Foundout?\"Verrian’ssoulwasfilledwiththejoyofliteraryfame。
\"Yes。Youcan’tconcealyourselfnow。You’reVerriantheactor。\"
\"Theactor?\"Verrianfrownedblacklyinhisdisgust,soblacklythatMissMacroydlaughedaloud。
\"Yes,thecomingmatineeidol。Oneofthegirlsrecognizedyouassoonasyoucameintothehouse,andthenamesettledit,though,ofcourse,you’resupposedtobehereincognito。\"
ThementionofthatnamewhichheenjoyedincommonwiththeactormadeVerrianfurious,forwhentheactorfirstappearedwithitinNewYorkVerrianhadbeenatthepainstofindoutthatitwasnothisrealname,andthathehadmerelytakenitbecauseoftheweakqualityofromanceinit,whichVerrianhimselfhadalwaysdisliked。But,ofcourse,hecouldnotventhisfuryonMissMacroyd。Allhecoulddowastoask,\"Thentheyhavegotmyphotographontheirdressing-tables,withcandlesburningbeforeit?\"
\"No,Idon’tbelieveIcangiveyouthatcomfort。Thefactis,youractingisnotmuchadmiredamongthegirlshere,buttheythinkyouareunexpectedlyniceasaprivateperson。\"
\"That’ssomething。AnddoesMrs。WestanglethinkI’mtheactor,too?\"
\"HowshouldMrs。Westangleknowwhatshethinks?Andifshedoesn’t,howshouldI?\"
\"That’strue。Andareyougoingtogivemeaway?\"
\"Ihaven’tdoneityet。Butisn’titbesttobehonest?\"
\"Itmightn’tbeasuccess。\"
\"Thehonesty?\"
\"Myliterarycelebrity。\"
\"There’sthat,\"MissMacroydrejoiced。\"Well,sofarI’vemerelysaidI
wassureyouwerenotVerriantheactor。I’llthinktheotherpartover。\"Shewentonup-stairs,withthesoundofherlaughfollowingher,andVerrianwentgloomilybacktothebilliard-room,wherehefoundmostofthesmokersconspicuouslyyawning。Helightedafreshcigar,andwhilehesmokedtheydroppedawayonebyonetillonlyBushwickwasleft。