XIX。
TheearlyMondaymorningtrainwhichbroughtVerrianuptotownwassoveryearlythathecouldsitdowntobreakfastwithhismotheronlyalittlelaterthantheirusualhour。
Shehadcalledjoyfullytohimfromherroom，whensheheardtherattlingofhiskeyashelethimselfintotheapartment，and，afteranexchangeofgreetings，shoutedbackandforthbeforetheysaweachother，theycouldcomeatoncetothehistoryofhisabsenceovertheircoffee。
\"Youmusthavehadaverygoodtime，tostaysolong。AfteryouwrotethatyouwouldnotbebackThursday，IexpecteditwouldbeSaturdaytillIgotyourtelegram。ButI’mgladyoustayed。Youcertainlyneededtherest。\"
\"Yes，ifthosethingsareeverarest。\"Helookeddownathiscupwhilehestirredthecoffeeinit，andshestudiedhisattitude，sinceshecouldnotseehisfacefully，forthesecretofanyvitalchangethatmighthavecomeuponhim。Itcouldbethatintheintervalsinceshehadseenhimhehadseenthewomanwhowastotakehimfromher。Shewasalwayspreparingherselfforthat，knowingthatitmustcomealmostascertainlyasdeath，andknowingthatwithallherpreparationsheshouldnotbereadyforit。\"I’vegotratheralongstorytotellyouandratherastrangestory，\"hesaid，liftinghisheadandlookinground，butnotsoimpersonallythathismotherdidnotknowwellenoughtosaytotheSwedishserving-woman：
\"Youneedn’tstay，Margit。I’llgiveMr。Philiphisbreakfast。Well！\"
sheadded，whentheywerealone。
\"Well，\"hereturned，withasmilethatsheknewhewasforcing，\"Ihaveseenthegirlthatwrotethatletter。\"
\"NotJerushaBrown？\"
\"NotJerushaBrown，butthegirlallthesame。\"
\"Nowgoon，Philip，anddon’tmissasingleword！\"shecommandedhim，withanimperiousbreathlessness。\"YouknowIwon’thurryyouorinterruptyou，butyoumust——youreallymust-tellmeeverything。Don’tleaveouttheslightestdetail。\"
\"Iwon’t，\"hesaid。Butshewasaware，fromtimetotime，thatshewaskeepingherwordbetterthanhewaskeepinghis，inhisaccountofmeetingMissShirleyandallthefollowingevents。
\"Youcanimagine，\"hesaid，\"whatasensationtheswooningmade，andthecommotionthatfollowedit。\"
\"Yes，Icanimaginethat，\"sheanswered。Butshewasyetsofaithfulthatshewouldnotaskhimtogoon。
Hecontinued，unasked，\"Idon’tknowjusthow，now，toaccountforitscomingintomyheadthatitwasMissAndrewswhowasmyunknowncorrespondent。IsupposeI’vealwaysunconsciouslyexpectedtomeetthatgirl，andMissAndrews’shypotheticalcasewaspsychologicallysoparallel——\"
\"Yes，yes！\"
\"AndI’vesometimesbeenafraidthatIjudgedittooharshly——thatitwasameregirlishfreakwithoutanysortofseriousimport。\"
\"Iwassometimesafraidso，Philip。But——\"
\"AndIdon’tbelievenowthatthehypotheticalcasebroughtanyintolerablestressofconscienceuponMissShirley，orthatshefaintedfromanycausebutexhaustionfromthegeneralordeal。Shewasstillweakfromthesicknessshehadbeenthrough——tooweaktobearthestrainoftheworkshehadtakenup。Ofcourse，thecatastrophegavethewholesurfacesituationaway，andImustsaythatthoseratherbanalyoungpeoplebehavedveryhumanelyaboutit。Therewasnothingbutinterestofthenicestkind，and，ifsheisgoingonwithhercareer，itwillbeeasyenoughforhertofindengagementsafterthis。\"
\"Whyshouldn’tshegoon？\"hismotherasked，withasuspicionwhichshekeptwelloutofsight。
\"Well，aswellasshecouldexplainafterwards，thecatastrophetookherworkoutofthecategoryofbusinessandmadeheracceptanceinitamatterofsentiment。\"
\"Sheexplainedittoyouherself？\"
\"Yes，thegeneralsympathyhadpenetratedtoMrs。Westangle，thoughI
don’tsaythatshehadbeenmorethannegativelyindifferenttoMissShirley’sclaimonherbefore。Asitwas，shesentformetoherroomthenextmorning，andIfoundMissShirleyalonethere。ShesaidMrs。
Westanglewouldbedowninamoment。\"
Now，indeed，Mrs。Verriancouldnotgovernherselffromsaying，\"Idon’tlikeit，Philip。\"
\"Iknewyouwouldn’t。ItwaswhatIsaidtomyselfatthetime。YouweresopresentwithmethatIseemedtohaveyoutherechaperoningtheinterview。\"Hismothershrugged，andhewenton：\"Shesaidshewishedtotellmesomethingfirst，andthenshesaid，\"IwanttodoitwhileIhavethecourage，ifit’scourage;perhapsit’sjustdesperation。IamJerushaBrown。\"
Hismotherbegan，\"Butyousaid——\"andthenstoppedherself。
\"IknowthatIsaidshewasn’t，butsheexplained，whileIsatthererathermum，thattherewasreallyanothergirl，andthattheothergirl’snamewasreallyJerushaBrown。ShewasthedaughterofthepostmasterinthevillagewhereMissShirleywaspassingthesummer。Infact，MissShirleywasboardinginthepostmaster’sfamily，andthegirlshadbecomeveryfriendly。Theywerereadingmystorytogether，andtalkingaboutit，andtryingtoguesshowitwouldcomeout，justasthelettersaid，andtheysimultaneouslyhituponthenotionofwritingtome。Itseemedtothemthatitwouldbeagoodjoke——I’mnotdefendingit，mother，andI
mustsayMissShirleydidn’tdefendit，either——toworkuponmyfeelingsinthewaytheytried，andtheydidn’trealizewhattheyhaddonetillArmiger’slettercame。Italmostdrovethemwild，shesaid;buttheyhadalucidinterval，andtheytookthelettertothegirl’sfatherandtoldhimwhattheyhaddone。Hewasawfullyseverewiththemfortheirfoolishness，andsaidtheymustwritetoArmigeratonceandconfessthefact。Thentheysaidtheyhadwrittenalready，andshowedhimthesecondletter，andexplainedtheyhaddecidedtoletMissBrawnwriteitinherpersonaloneforthereasonshegaveinit。ButMissShirleytoldhimshewasreadytotakeherfullshareoftheblame，and，ifanythingcameofit，sheauthorizedhimtoputthewholeblameonher。\"
Verrianmadeapausewhichhismothertookforinvitationorpermissiontoask，\"Andwashesatisfiedwiththat？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Iwasn’t，andit’sonlyjusttoMissShirleytosaythatshewasn’t，either。Shedidn’ttrytojustifyittome;shemerelysaidshewassofrightenedthatshecouldn’thavedoneanything。ShemayhaverealizedmorethantheBrowngirlwhattheyhaddone。\"
\"Thepostmaster，didheregarditasanythingworsethanfoolishness？\"
\"Idon’tbelievehedid。Atanyrate，hewassatisfiedwithwhathisdaughterhaddoneinowningup。\"
\"Well，Ialwayslikedthatgirl’sletter。Anddidtheyshowhimyourletter？\"
\"Itseemsthattheydid。\"
\"Andwhatdidhesayaboutthat？\"
\"Isuppose，whatIdeserved。MissShirleywouldn’tsay，explicitly。Hewantedtoanswerit，buttheywouldn’tlethim。Idon’tknowbutI
shouldfeelbetterifhehad。Ihaven’tbeenproudofthatletterofmineastimehasgoneon，mother;IthinkIbehavedverynarrow-mindedly，verypersonallyinit。\"
\"Youbehavedjustly。\"
\"Justly？Ithoughtyouhadyourdoubtsofthat。Atanyrate，Ihadwhenitcametohearingthegirlaccusingherselfasifshehadbeenguiltyofsomemonstrouswickedness，andIrealizedthatIhadmadeherfeelso。\"
\"Shethrewherselfonyourpity！\"
\"No，shedidn’t，mother。Don’tmakeitimpossibleformetotellyoujusthowitwas。\"
\"Iwon’t。Goon。\"
\"Idon’tsayshewasmanlyaboutit;thatcouldn’tbe，butshewascertainlynotthrowingherselfonmypity，unless——unless——\"
\"What？\"
\"Unlessyoucallitsoforhertosaythatshewantedtoownuptome，becauseshecouldhavenoresttillshehaddoneso;shecouldn’tputitbehindhertillshehadacknowledgedit;shecouldn’twork;shecouldn’tgetwell。\"
Hesawhismothertryingtoconsideritfairly，andinresponseherenewedhisownresolutionnottomakehimselfthegirl’sadvocatewithher，buttocontinuethedispassionatehistorianofthecase。Atthesametimehismemorywasfilledwiththevisionofhowshehaddoneandsaidthethingshewastelling，withwhatpathos，withwhatgrace，withwhatbeautyinherappeal。Hesawthetearsthatcameintohereyesattimesandthatsheindignantlyrepressedasshehurriedonintheconfessionwhichshewasvoluntarilymaking，fortherewasnooutwardstressuponhertosayanything。Hefeltagainthecharmofthesituation，thesortofwarmthandintimacy，butheresolvednottoletthatfeelingoffsettheimpartialityofhisstory。
\"No，Idon’tsayshethrewherselfonyourmercy，\"hismothersaid，finally。\"Sheneedn’thavetoldyouanything。\"
\"Exceptforthereasonshegave——thatshecouldn’tmakeastartforherselftillshehaddoneso。Andshehasgotherownwaytomake;sheispoor。Ofcourse，youmaysayhermotivewasanobsession，andnotareason。\"
\"There’srealityinit，whateveritis;it’sagenuinemotive，\"Mrs。
Verrianconceded。
\"Ithinkso，\"Verriansaid，inavoicewhichhetriedtokeepfromsoundingtoograteful。
Apparentlyhismotherdidnotfinditso。Sheasked，\"Whathadbeenthematterwithher，didshesay？\"
\"Inherlongsickness？Oh！Anervousfeverofsomesort。\"
\"Fromworryingaboutthatexperience？\"
Verrianreluctantlyadmitted，\"Shesaiditmadeherwanttodie。Idon’tsupposewecanquiterealize——\"
\"Weneedn’tbelieveeverythingshesaidtorealizethatshesuffered。
Butgirlsexaggeratetheirsufferings。Isupposeyoutoldhernottothinkofitanymore？\"
Verriangaveanoddlaugh。\"Well，notunconditionally。Itriedtogivehermypointofview。AndIstipulatedthatsheshouldtellJerushaBrownallaboutit，andkeepherfromhavinganervousfever，too。\"
\"Thatwasright。Youmustseethatevencowardicecouldn’texcuseherselfishnessinlettingthatgirltakeallthechances。\"
\"AndI’mafraidIwasnotveryunselfishmyselfinmystipulations，\"
Verriansaid，withanotherlaugh。\"IthinkthatIwantedtostandwellwiththepostmaster。\"
TherewasanoteofcynicaleaseinthiswhichMrs。Verrianfoundmorallysomeoctaveslowerthanthepitchofherson’shabitualseriousnessinwhatconcernedhimself，butshecouldnotmakeitacensuretohim。\"Andyouwereabletoreassureher，sothatsheneedn’tthinkofitanymore？\"
\"Whatwouldyouhavewishedmetodo？\"hereturned，dryly。\"Don’tyouthinkshehadsufferedenough？\"
\"Oh，inthissortofthingitdoesn’tseemthequestionofsuffering。
Ifthere’swrongdonethepenaltydoesn’trightit。\"
ThenotionstruckVerrian’sartisticsense。\"That’strue。Thatwouldmakethe’donnee’ofastrongstory。Oraplay。It’sadramaoffate。
It’sGreek。ButIthoughtwelivedunderanotherdispensation。\"
\"WillshetrytogetmoreofthekindofthingshewasdoingforMrs。
Westangleatonce？Orhasshesomepeople？\"
\"No;onlyfriends，asIunderstand。\"
\"Whereisshefrom？Upcountry？\"
\"No，she’sfromtheSouth。\"
\"Idon’tlikeSoutherners！\"
\"Iknowyoudon’t，mother。ButyoumusthonorthewaytheyworkandgetonwhentheycomeNorthandbegindoingforthemselves。Besides，MissShirley’sfamilywentSouthafterthewar——\"
\"Oh，notevenaREALSoutherner！\"
\"Mother！\"
\"Iknow！I’mnotfair。Ioughttobegherpardon。AndIoughttobegladit’sallover。Shallyouseeheragain？\"
\"Itmighthappen。ButIdon’tknowhoworwhen。Wepartedfriends，butwepartedstrangers，sofarasanyprevisionofthefutureisconcerned，\"
Verriansaid。
Hismotherdrewalongbreath，whichshetriedtorenderinaudible。
\"Andthegirlthataskedherthestrangequestions，didyouseeheragain？\"
\"Ohyes。Shehadacuriousfascination。Ishouldliketotellyouabouther。Doyouthinkthere’ssuchathingasagirl’sbeingtooinnocent？\"
\"Itisn’tsocommonasnotbeinginnocentenough。\"
\"Butit’smoredifficult？\"
\"Ihopeyou’llneverfinditso，myson，\"Mrs。Verriansaid。Andforthefirsttimeshewasintentionallypersonal。\"Goon。\"
\"AboutMissAndrews？\"
\"Whicheveryouplease。\"
\"Shewaylaidmeintheafternoon，asIwascominghomefromawalk，andwantedtotalkwithmeaboutMissShirley。\"
\"IsupposeMissShirleywastheday’sheroineafterwhathadhappened？\"
\"Thehalf-day’s，orquarter-day’sheroine，perhaps。SheleftonthechurchtrainfortownyesterdaymorningsoonafterIsawher。MissAndrewsseemedtothinkIwasanauthorityonthesubject，andsheapproachedmewithalarge-eyedawethatwasveryamusing，thoughitwasaffecting，too。Isupposethatgirlsmusthavemanyworshipsforothergirlsbeforetheyhaveanyworshipforaman。Thisgirlcouldn’tseparateMissShirley，onthelookoutforanotherengagement，fromthepsychicalpartshehadplayed。Sheravedabouther;shethoughtshewasbeautiful，andshewantedtoknowallaboutherandhowshecouldhelpher。MissAndrews’sparentsarerichbutrespectable，Iunderstand，andshe’sanonlychild。Icameinforashareofherawe;shehadfoundoutthatIwasnotonlynotVerriantheactor，butanauthorofthesamename，andshehadreadmystorywithpassionateinterest，butapparentlyinthatunliterarywayofmanypeoplewithoutnoticingwhowroteit;sheseemedtohavethoughtitwasHardingDavisorHenryJames;shewasn’tclearwhich。Butitwasagooddealtohavehadherreaditatallinthathouse;Idon’tbelieveanybodyelsehad，exceptMissShirleyandMissMacroyd。\"
Mrs。Verriandeferredamatterthatwouldordinarilyhaveinterestedhersupremelytoanimmediatecuriosity。\"AndhowcameshetothinkyouwouldknowsomuchaboutMissShirley？\"
Verrianfrowned。\"IthinkfromMissMacroyd。MissMacroydseemstohavetakenagrandmotherlyconcerninmyaffairsthroughthewholeweek。
Perhapssheresentedhavingbehavedsopiggishlyatthestationthedaywecame，andmeanttotakeitoutofMissShirleyandmyself。Shehadseenustogetherinthewoods，oneday，andshemusthavetolditabout。
Mrs。Westanglewouldn’thavespokenofustogether，becausesheneverspeaksofanythingunlessitisgoingtocount;andtherewasnooneelsewhoknewofouracquaintance。\"
\"Why，myson，ifyouwentwalkinginthewoodswiththegirl，anyonemighthaveseenyou。\"
\"Ididn’t。Itwasquitebyaccidentthatwemetthere。MissShirleywasanxioustokeepherpresenceinthehouseasecretfromeverybody。\"
Mrs。Verrianwouldnottakeanybuttheopenway，withthis。Shewouldnotdealindirectly，withit，orinanywisecovertlyorsurreptitiously。
\"ItseemstomethatMissShirleyhasratherafondnessforsecrecy，\"shesaid。
\"Ithinkshehas，\"Verrianadmitted。\"Though，inthiscase，itwasessentialtothesuccessofherfinalscheme。Butsheisacuriousstudy。Isupposethattimidityisatthebottomofallfondnessforsecrecy，isn’tit？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Shedoesn’tseemtobetimidineverything。\"
\"Sayitout，mother！\"Verrianchallengedherwithasmile。\"You’renottimid，anyway！\"
\"Shehadthecouragetojoininthatletter，butnotthecouragetoownherpartinit。ShewasbraveenoughtoconfessthatshehadbeensickofanervousfeverfromtheansweryouwrotetotheBrowngirl，butshewouldn’thavebeenbraveenoughtoconfessanythingatallifshehadbelievedshewouldbephysicallyormorallystrongenoughtokeepit。\"
\"Perhapsnobody——nobodybutyou，mother——isbraveintherighttimeandplace。\"
Sheknewthatthiswasnotmeantinirony。\"Iamgladyousaythat，Philip。\"
\"It’sonlyyourdue。Butaren’tyoualittletooharduponcowards，attimes？Forthesortofpersonsheis，ifyouinferthesortfromtheworstappearanceshehasmadeinthewholebusiness，Ithinkshehasdoneprettywell。\"
\"WhyhadshelefttheBrowngirltotakeallyourresentmentaloneforthelastsixoreightmonths？\"
\"Shemayhavethoughtthatshewasgettinghershareofthepunishmentinthefevermyresentmentbroughton？\"
\"Philip，doyoureallybelievethatherfever，ifshehadone，camefromthat？\"
\"Ithinkshebelievesit，andthere’snodoubtbutshewasbadlyscared。\"
\"Oh，there’snodoubtofthat！\"
\"Butcome，mother，whyshouldwetakeherattheworst？Ofcourse，shehasacomplexnature。Iseethatasclearlyasyoudo。Idon’tbelievewelookatherdiversely，inthesmallestparticular。Butwhyshouldn’tacomplexnaturebecreditedwiththesameimpulsestowardsthetruthasasinglenature？Whyshouldn’tweallowthatMissShirleyhadthesamewishtosetherselfrightwithmeasMissAndrewswouldhavehadinherplace？\"
\"Idaresayshewishedtosetherselfrightwithyou，butnotfromthesamewishthatMissAndrewswouldhavehad。MissAndrewswouldnothavewishedyoutoknowthetruthforherownsake。Hermotivewouldhavebeendirect-straight。\"
\"Yes;andwewilldescribeherasastraightline，andMissShirleyasawavingline。Whyshouldn’tthewavingline，atitshighestpoints，touchthesamealtitudeasthestraightline？\"
\"Itwouldn’ttouchitallthetime，andincharacter，ornature，asyoucallit，thatisthegreatthing。It’satthelowestpointsthatthewavinglineisdangerous。\"
\"Well，Idon’tdenythat。ButI’manxioustobejusttoapersonwhohasn’texperiencedagreatdealofmercyforwhat，afterall，wasn’tsuchaveryheinousthingasIusedtothinkit。Youmustallowthatshewasn’tobligedtotellmeanythingaboutherself。\"
\"Yes，shewas，Philip。AsIsaidbefore，shehadn’tthephysicalormoralstrengthtokeepitfromyouwhenshewasbroughtfacetofacewithyou。Besides——\"Mrs。Verrianhesitated。
\"Outwithit，mother！We，atleast，won’thaveanyconcealments。\"
\"Shemayhavethought，shecouldclinchitinthatway。\"
\"Clinchwhat？\"
\"Youknow。Isshepretty？\"
\"She’s——interesting。\"
\"Thatcanalwaysbemanaged。Isshetall？\"
\"NO，Ithinkshe’sratheroutofstylethere;she’sratherpetite。\"
\"Andwhat’sherfacelike？\"
\"Well，shehasnoparticularcomplexion，butit’snotthick。Hereyesarethebestofher，thoughthereisn’tmuchofthem。They’rethe’watersonastarrynight’sort，verysweetandglimmering。Shehasakindofground-coloredhairandanicelittlechin。Hermouthhelpshereyesout;itlooksbestwhenshespeaks;it’spatheticintheplayofthelips。\"
\"Isee，\"Mrs。Verriansaid。
XX。
ThefollowingweekVerrianandhismotherwereatashowofpaintings，inthegalleryattherearofadealer’sshop，andwhiletheywerebendingtogethertolookatapictureheheardhimselfcalledtoinagirlishvoice，\"Oh，Mr。Verrian！\"asifhisbeingtherewasthegreatestwonderintheworld。
Hismotherandheliftedthemselvestoencounteratall，slimgirl，whowasstretchingherhandtowardshim，andwhonowcriedout，joyously，\"Oh，Mr。Verrian，Ithoughtitmustbeyou，butIwasafraiditwasn’tassoonasIspoke。Oh，I’msogladtoseeyou;Iwantsomuchtohaveyouknowmymother——Mr。Verrian，\"shesaid，presentinghim。
\"AndIyoumine，\"Verrianresponded，inaviolentellipse，andintroducedhisownmother，whotookinthefactofMissAndrews’stallthinness，toppedwithawide，whitehatandwavingwhiteplumes，andherlittleface，irregularandsomewhatgaunt，butwithacharminthelipsandeyeswhichtooktheelderwoman’sheartwithpathos。ShemadetalkwithMrs。
Andrews，whoaffectedoneashavingthematerialsofsocialseverityinhercostumeandmanner。
\"Oh，Ididn’tbelieveIshouldeverseeyouagain，\"thegirlbrokeoutimpulsivelyuponVerrian。\"Oh，IwantedtoaskyousoaboutMissShirley。Haveyouseenhersinceyougotback？\"
\"No，\"Verriansaid，\"Ihaven’tseenher。\"
\"Oh，Ithoughtperhapsyouhad。I’vebeentotheaddressthatMrs。
Westanglegaveme，butsheisn’tthereanymore;she’sgoneupintoHarlemsomewhere，andIhaven’tbeenabletocallagain。Oh，Idofeelsoanxiousabouther。Oh，Idohopesheisn’till。Doyouthinksheis？\"
\"Idon’tbelieveso，\"Verrianbegan。Butshesweptoverhisprostrateremark。
\"Oh，Mr。Verrian，don’tyouthinkshe’swonderful？I’vebeentellingmotheraboutit，andIdon’tfeelatallthewayshedoes。Doyou？\"
\"Howdoesshefeel？ImustknowthatbeforeIsay。\"
\"Why，ofcourse！Ihadn’ttoldyou！Shethinksitwasamake-upbetweenMissShirleyandthatMr。Bushwick。ButIsayitcouldn’thavebeen。Doyouthinkitcould？\"
Verrianfoundthesuggestionsodistasteful，forareasonwhichhedidnotquiteseizehimself，thatheanswered，resentfully，\"Itcouldhavebeen，butIdon’tthinkitwas。\"
\"Iwilltellherwhatyousay。Oh，mayItellherwhatyousay？\"
\"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’t。Itisn’tveryimportant，eitherway，isit？\"
\"Oh，don’tyouthinkso？Notifitinvolvedpretendingwhatwasn’ttrue？\"
Shebenttowardshiminsuchanxiousdemandthathecouldnothelpsmiling。
\"Thewholethingwasapretence，wasn’tit？\"hesuggested。
\"Yes，butthatwouldhavebeenapretencethatwedidn’tknowof。\"
\"Itwouldbeincriminatingtothatextent，certainly，\"Verrianowned，ironically。HefoundthequestionofMissShirley’sblameforthecollusionasdistastefulasthesuppositionofthecollusion，buttherewasafascinationintheinnocencebeforehim，andhecouldnothelpplayingwithit。
SometimesMissAndrewsapparentlyknewthathewasplayingwithherinnocence，andsometimesshedidnot。Butineithercasesheseemedtolikebeinghisjest，fromwhichshesnatchedafearfuljoy。Shewaswillingtoprolongtheexperience，andshedriftedwithhimfrompicturetopicture，andkeptthetalkrecurrentlytoMissShirleyandthephenomenaofSeeingGhosts。
HermotherandMrs。Verrianevidentlygotontogetherbetterthaneitherofthematfirstexpected。Whenitcametotheirparting，throughMrs。
Andrews’ssayingthatshemustbegoing，sheshookhandswithMrs。
VerrianandsaidtoPhilip，\"Iamsogladtohavemetyou，Mr。Verrian。
Willyoucomeandseeus？\"
\"Yes，thankyou，\"heanswered，takingthehandshenowofferedhim，andthentakingMissAndrews’shand，whilethegirl’seyesglowedwithpleasure。\"Ishallbeveryglad。\"
\"Oh，shallyou？\"shesaid，withhertransparentsincerity。\"Andyouwon’tforgetThursdays！Butanydayatfivewehavetea。\"
\"Thankyou，\"Verriansaid。ImightforgettheThursdays，butIcouldn’tforgetallthedaysoftheweek。\"
MissAndrewslaughedandblushedatonce。\"Thenweshallexpectyoueveryday。\"
\"Well，everydaybutThursday，\"hepromised。
WhenthemotheranddaughterhadgoneMrs。Verriansaid，\"Sheisagreatadmirerofyours，Philip。She’sreadyourstory，andIsuspectshewantsanopportunitytotalkwithyouaboutit。\"
\"YoumeanMrs。Andrews？\"
\"Yes。Isupposethedaughterhasn’twaitedforanopportunity。Themotherhadreadthatpublisher’sparagraphaboutyourinvalid，andwantedtoknowifyouhadeverheardfromheragain。Womenarepersonalintheirliteraryinterests。\"
Philipasked，indismay，\"Youdidn’tgiveitawaydidyou，mother？\"
\"Certainlynot，mydear。Youhavebroughtmeuptoocarefully。\"
\"Ofcourse。Ididn’timagineyouhad。\"
Then，astheycouldnotpretendtolookatthepicturesanylonger，theywentaway，too。TheirissueintotheopenairseemedfraughtwithnovelemotionforMrs。Verrian。\"Well，now，\"shesaid，\"IhaveseenthewomanIwouldbewillingmysonshouldmarry。\"
\"Child，youmean，\"Philipsaid，notpretendingthathedidnotknowshemeantMissAndrews。
\"Thatgirl，\"hismotherreturned，\"isinnocenceitself。Oh，Philip，dear，domarryher！\"
\"Well，Idon’tknow。Ifhermotherisbehavingassagelywithherasyouarewithmethechancesarethatshewon’tletme。Besides，Idon’tknowthatIwanttomarryquitesomuchinnocence。\"
\"Sheisconscienceincarnate，\"hismotheruttered，perfervidly。
\"Youcouldputyourverysoulinherkeeping。\"
\"Thenyouwouldbeoutofajob，mother。\"
\"Oh，Iamnotworthyofthejob，mydear。Ihavealwaysfeltthat。Iamtoocomplex，andsometimesIcan’tseetherightalone，asshecould。\"
Philipwassilentamomentwhilehelostthepersonalpointofview。
\"Isuspectwedon’tseetherightwhenweseeitalone。Weoughttoseethewrong，too。\"
\"Ah，Philip，don’tletyourfancygoafterthatgirl！\"
\"MissAndrews？Ithought——\"
\"Don’tyoubecomplex，mydear。YouknowImeanMissShirley。Whathasbecomeofher，Iwonder。IheardMissAndrewsaskingyou。\"
\"Iwasn’tabletotellher。Doyouwantmetotrytellingyou？\"
\"Iwouldratheryounevercould。\"
Philiplaughedsardonically。\"Now，IshallforgetThursdaysandalltheotherdays，too。Youareaveryunwiseparent，mother。\"
Theylaughedwitheachotherateachother，andtreatedherenthusiasmforMissAndrewsasthejokeitpartlywas。Mrs。Verriandidnotfollowhimupaboutheridol，andaweekorsolatershewasabletoaffectadecentsurprisewhenhecameinattheendofanafternoonanddeclinedthecupofteasheproposedonthegroundthathehadbeentakingacupofteawiththeAndrewses。\"Youhavereallybeenthere？\"
\"Didn’tyouexpectmetokeepmypromise？\"
\"ButIwasafraidIhadputastumbling-blockintheway。\"
\"Oh，IfoundIcouldturntheconsciousnessyoucreatedinmeintoliterarymaterial，andsoIwasrathereagertogo。Ihavegotapointformynewstoryoutofit。IshallhavemyfellowsufferallIdidn’tsufferinmeetingthegirlheknowshismotherwantshimtomarry。Igotonverywellwiththoseladies。Mrs。Andrewsisthemotherofinnocence，butsheisn’tinnocence。Shemanagedtotalkofmystorywithoutaskingaboutthepersonwhowantedtoanticipatetheconclusion。Thatwaswhatyoucallcomplex。Shewasinsincere;itwastheonlythingshewantedtotalkabout。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveit，Philip。ButwhatdidMissAndrewstalkabout？\"
\"Well，sheisratheranoptimisticconscience。Shetalkedaboutbooksandplaysthatsomepeopledonotthinkarequiteproper。Ihaveanotionthat，wherethepointinvolvedisn’tafactofherownexperience，sheisnotverysevereaboutit。Youthinkthatwouldbequitesafeforme？\"
\"Philip，Idon’tlikeyourmakingfunofher！\"
\"Oh，shewasn’tinsipid;shewasonlylimpid。Ireallylikeher，and，asforreverencingher，ofcourseIfeelthatinawaysheissacred。\"
Headded，afterabreath，\"Toosacred。WenoneofuscanexpecttomarryEvebeforetheFallnow;perhapswehavegotoverwantingto。\"
\"Youareveryperverse，mydear。Butyouwillgetoverthat。\"
\"Don’ttakeawaymylastdefence，mother。\"
VerrianbegantogoratherregularlytotheAndrewshouse，or，atleast，hewasaccusedofdoingitbyMissMacroydwhen，veryirregularly，hewentonedaytoseeher。\"Howdidyouknowit？\"heasked。
\"Ididn’tsayIknewit。Ionlywishedtoknowit。NowIamsatisfied。
ImetanotherfriendofyoursonSunday。\"Shepausedforhimtoaskwho;
buthedidnotask。\"Iseeyouaredyingtoknowwhatfriend：Mr。
Bushwick。\"
\"Oh，he’sagood-fellow。IwonderIdon’trunacrosshim。\"
\"Perhapsthat’sbecauseyounevercallonMissShirley。\"MissMacroydwaitedforthistotakeeffect，buthekeptaglacialsurfacetowardsher，andshewenton：
\"Theywerewalkingtogetherintheparkatnoon。Isupposetheyhadbeentochurchtogether。\"
Verrianmanifestednomorethanapoliteinterestinthefact。HemanagedsowellthatheconfirmedMissMacroydinatacitconjecture。
Shewenton：\"MissShirleywaslookingquitebloomingforher。Butsowashe，forthatmatter。Whydon’tyouaskiftheyinquiredforyou？\"
\"Ithoughtyouwouldtellmewithout。\"
\"Iwilltellyouifhedid。Hewasverycordialinhisinquiries;andI
hadtopretend，togratifyhim，thatyouwereverywell。IimpliedthatyoucamehereeveryTuesday，butyourThursdayswerededicatedtoMissAndrews。\"
\"Youareacleverwoman，MissMacroyd。Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsomuchtosayonsuchanuninterestingsubject。AndMissShirleyshowednocuriosity？\"
\"Ah，sheisacleverwoman，too。Sheshowedtheprettiestkindofcuriosity——soperfectlymanaged。Shehasastudio——Idon’tknowjusthowsheputsittouse——withapaintergirlinoneofthosestudioapartmenthousesontheWestSide：TheVeronese，Ibelieve。Youmustgoandseeher;I’llletyouhavenextTuesdayoff;Tuesday’sherday，too。\"
\"Youaregenerosityitself，MissMacroyd。\"
\"Yes，there’snothingmeanaboutme，\"shereturned，inslangratherolderthansheordinarilyused。\"Ifyou’renotherenextTuesdayIshallknowwhereyouare。\"
\"ThenImusttakeagoodmanyTuesdaysoff，unlessIwanttogivemyselfaway。\"
\"Oh，don’tdothat，Mr。Verrian！Please！OrelseIcan’tletyouhaveanyTuesdayoff。\"
XXI。
Uponthewhole，VerrianthoughthewouldgotoseeMissShirleythenextTuesday，buthedidnotsaysotoMissMacroyd。Nowthatheknewwherethegirlwas，allthepeculiarinterestshehadinspiredinhimreneweditself。ItwassovividthathecouldnotpayhisusualThursdaycallatMissAndrews’s，anditfilledhismindtotheexclusionofthenewstoryhehadbeguntowrite。Heloafedhismorningsawayathisclub，andhelunchedthere，leavinghismothertolunchalone，andwasdreamilypreoccupiedintheeveningswhichhespentathome，sittingathisdesk，withthepaperbeforehim，unabletocoaxthethoughtsfromhisbraintoitsalluringblank，butrestiveunderanyattemptsofherstotalkwithhim。
Inhisdesperationhewouldhavegonetothetheatre，butthefactthattheasswhorightfullycalledhimselfVerrianwasplayingatoneofthemblockedhisway，throughhisindignation，toallofthem。BySaturdayafternoonthetedioustimehadtobedonesomethingwith，andhedecidedtogoandseewhattheasswaslike。
Hewentearly，andfoundhimselfintheendseatofalongrowofmanyrowsofwomen，whowereprolongingthetimeofkeepingtheirhatsontillcustomobligedthemtotakethemoff。Hegavesomuchnoticetothewomannexthimastoseethatshewasdeeplyveiledaswellaswidelyhatted，andthenhelapsedintoadrearymuse，whichwasbrokenbythefirststrainsoftheoverture。Thenhedivertedhimselfbylookingroundatallthoseranksofwomenliftingtheirarmstotakeoutthemhat-pinsanddroppingthemtopintheirhatstotheseat-backsinfrontofthem，ortosecurethemsomehowintheirlaps。Uponthewhole，hethoughtthemanoeuvregracefulandpleasing;heimaginedaconsolationinitforthewomen，who，iftheywereforcedbypublicopiniontoputofftheircharminghats，wouldknowhowcharminglytheydidit。Eachturnedalittle，eitherherbodyorherhead，andlookedinanycaseoutofthecornerofhereyes;andhewasphrasingitallforasceneinhisstory，whenhelookedroundathisneighbortoseehowshehadmanaged，orwasmanaging，withherveil。Atthesamemomentshelookedathim，andtheireyesmet。
\"Mr。Verrian！\"
\"MissShirley！\"
Thestressoftheirvoicesfellupondifferentpartsofthesentencestheyuttered，butdidnotcommiteitherofthemtoaspecialrole。
\"Howverystrangeweshouldmeethere！\"shesaid，withpleasureinhervoice。\"Doyouknow，Ihavebeenwantingtocomeallwintertoseethisman，onaccountofhisname？AndtothinkthatIshouldmeettheotherMr。VerrianassoonasIyieldedtothetemptation。\"
\"Ihavejustyieldedmyself，\"Verriansaid。\"Ihopeyoudon’tfeelpunishedforyielding。\"
\"Oh，dear，no！Itseemsareward。\"
Shedidnotsaywhyitseemedso，andhesuggested，\"TheprivilegeofcomparingthehistrionicandtheliteraryVerrian？\"
\"Couldtherebeanycomparison？\"shecameback，gayly。
\"Idon’tknow。Ihaven’tseenthehistrionicVerrianyet。\"
Theywerelaughingwhenthecurtainrose，andthehistrionicVerrianhadhisinningsforalong，longfirstact。WhenthecurtainfellsheturnedtotheliteraryVerrianandsaid，\"Well？\"
\"Helastedagoodwhile，\"Verrianreturned。
\"Yes。Didn’the？\"Shelookedatthelittlewatchinherwristlet。
\"Awholehour！Doyouknow，Mr。Verrian，Iamgoingtoseemveryrude。
Iamgoingtoleaveyoutosettlethisquestionofsuperiority;Iknowyou’llbeimpartial。Ihaveanappointment——withthedressmaker，tobespecific——athalf-pastfour，andit’shalf-pastthreenow，andIcouldn’twellleaveinthemiddleofthenextact。SoIwillsaygood-byenow——\"
\"Don’t！\"heentreated。\"Icouldn’tbeartobeleftalonewiththisdreadfuldoubleofmine。Letmegooutwithyou。\"
\"CanIacceptsuchself-sacrifice？Well！\"
Shehadputonherhatandrisen，andhenowsteppedoutofhisplacetoletherpassandthenfollowedher。Atthestreetentrancehesuggested，\"Ahansom，orasimpletrolley？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"shemurmured，meditatively，lookingupthestreetasifthatwouldsettleit。\"Ifit’sonlyhalf-pastthreenow，Ishouldhavetimetogethomemorenaturally。\"
\"Oh！Andwillyouletmewalkwithyou？\"
\"Why，ifyou’regoingthatway。\"
\"IwillsaywhenIknowwhichwayitis。\"
TheystartedontheirwalksoblithelythattheydidnotsaddenintheretrospectoftheirjointexperiencesatMrs。Westangle’s。BythetimetheyreachedtheparkgateatColumbusCircletheyhadcomesodistinctlytotheendoftheirretrospectthatshemadeanofferoflettinghimleaveher，averytacitoffer，butunmistakable，ifhechosetotakeit。
Heinterpretedherhesitationashechose。\"No，\"hesaid，\"itwon’tbeanylongerifwegoupthroughthepark。\"
Shedrewinherbreathsoftly，smoothingdownhermuffwithherrighthandwhileshekeptherleftinit。\"Anditwillcertainlybepleasanter。\"Whentheywerewellupthepath，inthatpartofitwhereitdeflectsfromthedrivewithoutapproachingthestreettooclosely，andachievessomethingofseclusion，shesaid：
\"Yourspeakingofhimjustnowmakesmewanttotellyousomething，Mr。
Verrian。Youwouldhearofitverysoon，anyway，andIfeelthatitisalwaysbesttobeveryfrankwithyou;butyou’llregarditasasecrettillitcomesout。\"
ThecurrentsthathadbeenplayingsowarmlyinandoutofVerrian’sheartturnedsuddenlycold。Hesaid，withjoylessmocking，\"Youknow，I’musedtokeepingyoursecrets。I——shallfeelhonored，I’msure，ifyoutrustmewithanother。\"
\"Yes，\"shereturned，pathetically，\"youhavealwaysbeenfaithful——eveninyourwounds。\"Itwastheirjointtributetothepainfulpast，andtheyhadpaidnoother。Shewaslookingawayfromhim，butheknewshewasawareofhishanginghishead。\"That’sallovernow，\"sheuttered，passionately。\"WhatIwantedtosay——totellyou——isthatIamengagedtoMr。Bushwick。\"
Hecouldhaveansweredthatshehadnoneedtotellhim。Thecoldcurrentsinandoutofhisheartstiffenedfrozenlyandceasedtoflow;
hisheartitselfstoodstillforaneternalinstant。Itwasinthisinstantthathesaid，\"Heisafinefellow。\"Afterwards，amidthewildboundingofhisrecoveredpulse，hecouldadd，\"Icongratulatehim;I
congratulateyouboth。\"
\"Thankyou，\"shesaid。\"NooneknowsasIdohowgoodheis——hasbeen，allthrough。\"ProbablyshehadnotmeanttoconveyanyreproachtoVerrianbyBushwick’spraise，buthefeltreproachinit。\"Itonlyhappenedlastweek。Youdowishmehappy，don’tyou？NooneknowswhatawinterIhavehadtillnow。Everythingseemingtofail——\"
Shechoked，anddidnotsaymore。Hesaid，aimlessly，\"Iamsorry——\"
\"Letmesitdownamoment，\"shebegged。Andshedroppeduponthebenchatwhichshefaltered，andrestedthere，asiffromtheexhaustionofrunning。Whenshecouldgetherbreathshebeganagain：\"ThereissomethingelseIwanttotellyou。\"
Shestopped。Andheasked，toprompther，\"Yes？\"
\"Thankyou，\"sheanswered，piteously。Andsheadded，withsuperficialinconsequence，\"Ishallalwaysthinkyouwereverycruel。\"
Hedidnotpretendnottoknowwhatshemeant，andhesaid，\"Ishallalwaysthinkso，too。Itriedtorevengemyselfforthehurtyourharmlesshoaxdidmyvanity。Ofcourse，ImadebelieveatthetimethatIwasdoinganactofjustice，butIneverwasabletobraveitoutafterwards。\"
\"Butyouwere——youweredoinganactofjustice。Ideservedwhatyousaid，butIdidn’tdeservewhathasfollowed。Imeantnoharm——itwasasillyprank，andIhavesufferedforitasifitwereacrime，andtheconsequencesarenotendedyet。Ishouldthinkthat，ifthereisamoralgovernmentoftheuniverse，theJudgeofalltheearthwouldknowwhentoholdhishand。Andnowtheworstofitistocomeyet。\"ShecaughtVerrian’sarm，asifforhelp。
\"Don’t——don’t！\"hebesoughther。\"Whatwillpeoplethink？\"
\"Yes，Yes！\"sheowned，releasinghimandwithdrawingtotheotherendoftheseat。
\"Butitalmostdrivesmewild。WhatshallIdo？Yououghttoknow。Itisyourfault。Youhavefrightenedmeoutofdaringtotellthetruth。\"
Hadhe，indeed，donethat？Verrianaskedhimself，anditseemedtohimthathehaddonesomethinglikeit。Ifitwasso，hemusthelpheroverherfearnow。Heanswered，bluntly，harshly：\"Youmusttellhimallaboutit——\"
\"Butifhewon’tbelieveme？Doyouthinkhewillbelieveme？Wouldyoubelieveme？\"
\"Youhavenothingtodowiththat。Thereisnothingforyoubuttotellhimthewholestory。Youmustn’tsharesuchasecretwithanyonebutyourhusband。Whenyoutellhimitwillceasetobemysecret。\"
\"Yes，yes。\"
\"Well，then，youmusttellhim，unless——\"
\"Yes，\"sheprompted。
Thentheywerebothsilent，lookingintenselyintoeachother’seyes。InthatmomentallelseoflifeseemedtomeltandswimawayfromVerrianandleavehimstrandeduponanawfuleminenceconfrontingher。
\"Hello，hello！\"agayvoicecalled，asifcallingtothemboth。\"Whatareyoutwoconspiring？\"Bushwick，assuddenlyasifhehadfallenfromtheskyorstartedupfromtheearth，stoodbeforethem，andgaveahandtoeach——hisrighttoVerrian，hislefttoMissShirley。\"Howareyou，Verrian？Howareyou，MissShirley？\"Hemockedherintheformalityofhisaddress。\"I’vebeenshadowingyoueversinceyoucameintothepark，butIthoughtIwouldn’tinterrupttillyouseemedtohavegotthroughyourconversation。MayIaskwhatitwasallabout？Itseemedveryabsorbing，fromarespectfuldistance。\"
\"Veryabsorbing，indeed，\"MissShirleysaid，makingroomforhimbetweenthem。\"Sitdownandletmetellyou。You’retobeapartnerinthesecret。\"
\"Silentpartner，\"Bushwicksuggested。
\"Ihopeyou’llalwaysbesilent，\"thegirlsharedinhisdrolling。
Shebeganandtoldthewholestorytothelastdetail，sparingneitherherselfnorVerrian，wholistenedasifheweresomeoneelsenotconcerned，andkeptsayingtohimself，\"whatcourage！\"Bushwicklistenedasmutely，withafacethat，toVerrian’seye，seemedtohardenfromitslightjocosityintoaseverityhehadnotseeninitbefore。\"Itwassomething，\"sheendedtowardsBushwick，withacatchinherbreath，\"thatyouhadtoknow。\"
\"Yes，\"heanswered，tonelessly。
\"Andnow——sheattemptedalittleforlornplayfulness——\"don’tyouthinkhegavemewhatIdeserved？\"
Bushwickroseupandtookherhandunderhisarm，keepinghislefthanduponhers。
\"He！Who？\"
\"Mr。Verrian。\"
\"Idon’tknowanyMr。Verrian。Come，you’lltakecoldhere。\"
HeturnedhisbackonVerrian，whofanciedatremorinherhat，asifshewouldlookroundathim;butthen，asifshedivinedBushwick’sintention，shedidnotlookround，andtogethertheylefthim。
ItwasdaysbeforeVerriancouldconfesshimselfofthefacttohismother，wholistenedwiththejusticeinstinctiveinher。Shestillhadnotspokenwhenheended，andhesaid，\"Ihavethoughtitallover，andI
feelthathedidright。Hedidtheonlythingthatamaninlovewithhercoulddo。AndIdon’twonderhe’sinlovewithher。Yes\"——hestayedhismother，imperatively——\"andsuchamanashe，thoughhegroundmeinthedirtandstampedonme，Iwillsay，it，isworthyofanywoman。Hecanbelieveinawoman，andthat’sthefirstthingthat’sneededtomakeawomanlikeher，true。Idon’tenvyhisjob。\"Hewasspeakingself-
contradictorily，irrelevantly，illogically，asamanthinks。Hewentoninthatway，gettinghimselfallout。\"Sheisn’tsingle-hearted，butshe’sfaithful。She’llneverbetrayhimnow。She’snevergivenhimanyreasontodistrusther。She’sthekindthatcankeeponstraightwithanyoneshe’sbegun。straightwith。Shetoldhimallthatbeforemebecauseshewantedmetoknow——torealize——thatshehadtoldhim。Ittookcourage。\"
Mrs。Verrianhadthoughtofgeneralizing，butsheseizedasinglepoint。
\"Perhapsnotsomuchcourageasyouthink。Youmustn’tletsuchbravadoimposeuponyou，Philip。I’venodoubtsheknewherground。\"
\"Shetookthechanceofhiscastingheroff。\"
\"Sheknewhewouldn’t。Sheknewhim，andsheknewyou。Sheknewthatifhecastheroff——\"
\"Mother！Don’tsayit！Ican’tbearit！\"
Hismotherdidnotsayit，oranythingmore，then。Lateatnightshecametohim。\"Areyouasleep，Philip？\"
\"Asleep？I！\"
\"Ididn’tsupposeyouwere。ButIhavehadanoteto-daywhichImustanswer。Mrs。AndrewshasaskedustodinneronSaturday。Philip，ifyoucouldseethatsweetgirlasIdo，inallhergoodnessandsincerity——\"
\"IthinkIdo，mother。AndIwouldn’tbeguiltyofherunhappinessfortheworld。Youmustdecline。\"
Well，perhapsyouareright。\"Mrs。Verrianwentaway，softly，sighing。
AsshesealedherreplytoMrs。Andrews，shesighedagain，andmadethereflectionwhichamotherseldommakeswithregardtoherson，beforehismarriage，thatmendonotlovewomenfortheirgoodness。