\"Anyman，\"criedshe，tothemutualdiscomfortofHelenPageandtheservants，\"whothinksI’mlikethatmustn’tgetaway！
I’mnotlikethatandIknowit；butifhethinkssothat’sallIwant。AndmaybeImightbelikethat——ifanymanwouldhelp。\"
Shegaveherattentiontothetelephoneand\"Information。\"
ShedemandedtobeinstantlyputintocommunicationwiththeDAILYREPUBLICandMr。SamWard。SheturnedagainuponHelenPage。
\"I’mtiredofbeingcalledagoodsport，\"sheprotested，\"bymenwhoaren’thalfsogoodsportsasIam。I’mtiredofbeingtalkedtoaboutmoney——asthoughIwereastock—broker。
Thisman’sgotaheadonhisshoulders，andhe’sgottheshoulderstoo；andhe’sgotadarnedgood—lookinghead；andhethinksI’maministeringangelandasaint；andheputmeuponapedestalandmademedizzy——andIlikebeingmadedizzy；andI’mforhim！AndI’mgoingafterhim！\"
\"Bestill！\"imploredHelenPage。\"Anyonemightthinkyoumeantit！\"Shenoddedviolentlyatthediscreetbacksofthemen—servants。
\"Yegods，Parker！\"criedAnitaFlagg。\"Doesittakethreeofyoutopouracupoftea？Getoutofhere，andtelleverybodythatyouallthreecaughtmeintheactofproposingtoanAmericangentlemanoverthetelephoneandthatthebettingiseventhatI’llmakehimmarryme！\"
Thefaithfulandsorelytrieddomesticsfledtowardthedoor。
\"Andwhat’smore，\"Anitahurledafterthem，\"getyourbetsdownquick，forafterImeethimtheoddswillbeahundredtoone！\"
HadtheREPUBLICbeenanafternoonpaper，Sammighthavebeenattheofficeandmighthavegonetothetelephone，andthingsmighthavehappeneddifferently；but，astheREPUBLIC
wasamorningpaper，theonlypersonintheofficewastheladywhoscrubbedthefloorsandsherefusedtogonearthetelephone。SoAnitaFlaggsaid，\"I’llcallhimuplater，\"andwenthappilyonherride，withherheartwarmwithloveforallthebeautifulworld；butlateritwastoolate。
Tokeephimselffit，SamWardalwayswalkedtotheoffice。OnthisparticularmorningHollisHolworthywaswalkinguptownandtheymetoppositethecathedral。
\"You’retheverymanIwant，\"saidHollworthyjoyously——
\"you’vegottodecideabet。\"
HeturnedandfellintostepwithSam。
\"It’soneImadelastnightwithAnitaFlagg。Shethinksyoudidn’tknowwhoshewasyesterday，andIsaidthatwasridiculous。Ofcourseyouknew。Ibetheratheatreparty。\"
ToSamitseemedhardlyfairthatsosoon，beforehisfreshwoundhadevenbeendressed，itshouldbetornopenbyimpertinentfingers；buthehadnorighttotakeoffense。Howcouldtheman，oranyoneelse，knowwhatSisterAnnehadmeanttohim？
\"I’mafraidyoulose，\"hesaid。HehaltedtogiveHolworthythehinttoleavehim，butHolworthyhadnosuchintention。
\"Youdon’tsayso！\"exclaimedthatyoungman。\"Fancyoneofyouchapsbeingtakeninlikethat。\"Ithoughtyouweretakingherin——gettingupastoryfortheSundaysupplement。\"
Samshookhishead，nodded，andagainmovedon；buthewasnotyettoescape。\"And，insteadofyourfoolingher，\"
exclaimedHolworthyincredulously，\"shewashavingfun，withyou！\"
WithdifficultySamsmiled。
\"Soitwouldseem，\"hesaid。
\"Shecertainlymadeanawfullyfunnystoryofit！\"exclaimedHolworthyadmiringly。\"Ithoughtshewasmakingitup——shemusthavemadesomeofitup。ShesaidyouaskedhertotakeadayoffinNewYork。Thatisn’tsoisit？\"
\"Yes，that’sso。\"
\"ByJove！\"criedHolworthy——andthatyouinvitedhertoseethemoving—pictureshows？\"
Sam，consciousofthedearlyboughtfrontrowseatsinhispocket，smiledpleasantly。
\"DidshesayIsaidthat——oryou？\"heasked\"Shedid。\"
\"Well，then，Imusthavesaidit。\"
Holworthyroaredwithamusement。
\"AndthatyouinvitedhertofeedpeanutstothemonkeysattheZoo？\"
Samavoidedthelittleman’spryingeyes。
\"Yes；Isaidthattoo。\"
\"AndIthoughtshewasmakingitup！\"exclaimedHolworthy。
\"Wedidlaugh。Youmustseethefunofityourself。\"
LestSamshouldfailtodosoheproceededtoelaborate。
\"YoumustseethefuninamantryingtomakeadatewithAnitaFlagg——justasifshewerenobody！\"
\"Idon’tthink，\"saidSam，\"thatwasmyidea。\"Hewavedhisstickatapassingtaxi。\"I’mlate，\"hesaid。HeabandonedHollisonthesidewalk，chucklingandgrinningwithdelight，andunconsciousofthemischiefhehadmade。
Anhourlaterattheoffice，whenSamwaswaitingforanassignment，thetelephoneboyhurriedtohim，hiseyeslitwithexcitement。
\"You’rewantedonthe’phone，\"hecommanded。Hisvoicedroppedtoanawedwhisper。\"MissAnitaFlaggwantstospeaktoyou！\"
ThebloodranleapingtoSam’sheartandface。ThenherememberedthatthiswasnotSisterAnnewhowantedtospeaktohim，butawomanhehadnevermet。
\"Sayyoucan’tfindme，\"hedirected。Theboygasped，fled，andreturnedprecipitately。
\"Theladysaysshewantsyourtelephonenumber——saysshemusthaveit。\"
\"Tellheryoudon’tknowit；tellherit’sagainsttherules——andhangup。\"
Tenminuteslaterthetelephoneboy，inthestrictestconfidence，hadinformedeverymemberofthelocalstaffthatAnitaFlagg——therich，thebeautiful，thedaring，theoriginaloftheRedCrossstoryofthatmorning——hadtwicecalledupSamWardandbythatyoungmanhadbeenthrowndown——andthrownhard！
ThatnightElliott，themanagingeditor，sentforSam；andwhenSamenteredhisofficehefoundalsothereWalsh，theforeigneditor，withwhomhewasacquaintedonlybysight。
ElliottintroducedthemandtoldSamtobeseated。
\"Ward，\"hebeganabruptly，\"I’msorrytoloseyou，butyou’vegottogo。It’sonaccountofthatstoryofthismorning。\"
Sammadenosign，buthewasdeeplyhurt。Fromapaperhehadservedsoloyallythisseemedscurvytreatment。Itstruckhimalsothat，consideringthespiritinwhichthestoryhadbeenwritten，itwascausinghimmorekindsoftroublethanwasquitefair。Thelossofpositiondidnotdisturbhim。InthelastmonthtoomanymanagingeditorshadtriedtostealhimfromtheREPUBLICforhimtofeelanxiousastothefuture。
Soheacceptedhisdismissalcalmly，andcouldsaywithoutresentment：
\"LastnightIthoughtyoulikedthestory，sir？
\"Idid，\"returnedElliott；\"IlikeditsomuchthatI’msendingyoutoabiggerplace，whereyoucangetbiggerstories。WewantyoutoactasourspecialcorrespondentinLondon。Mr。Walshwillexplainthework；andifyou’llgoyou’llsailnextWednesday。\"
AfterhistalkwiththeforeigneditorSamagainwalkedhomeonair。Hecouldnotbelieveitwasreal——thatitwasactuallytohimithadhappened；forhereafterhewastowitnessthemarchofgreatevents，tocomeincontactwithmenofinternationalinterests。InsteadofreportingwhatwasofconcernonlyfromtheBatterytoForty—seventhStreet，hewouldnowtellNewYorkwhatwasofinterestinEuropeandtheBritishEmpire，andsotothewholeworld。Therewasonedrawbackonlytohishappiness——therewasnoonewithwhomhemightdivideit。Hewantedtocelebratehisgoodfortune；hewantedtoshareitwithsomeonewhowouldunderstandhowmuchitmeanttohim，whowouldreallycare。HadSisterAnnelived，shewouldhaveunderstood；andhewouldhavelaidhimselfandhisnewpositionatherfeetandbeggedhertoacceptthem——beggedhertorunawaywithhimtothistremendousandterrifyingcapitaloftheworld，andstartthenewlifetogether。
Amongallthewomenheknew，therewasnonetotakeherplace。CertainlyAnitaFlaggcouldnottakeherplace。Notbecauseshewasrich，notbecauseshehadjeeredathimandmadehimalaughing—stock，notbecausehisadmiration——andheblushedwhenherememberedhowopenly，howingenuouslyhehadshownittoher——meantnothing；butbecausethegirlhethoughtshewas，thegirlhehadmadedreamsaboutandwantedtomarrywithoutamoment’snotice，wouldhaveseenthatwhatheoffered，ridiculousasitwaswhenofferedtoAnitaFlagg，wasnotridiculouswhenofferedsincerelytoatired，nerve—
worn，overworkednurseinahospital。ItwasbecauseAnitaFlagghadnotseenthatthatshecouldnotnowmakeuptohimforthegirlhehadlost，eventhoughsheherselfhadinspiredthatgirlandforadaygivenherexistence。
Hadheknownit，theAnitaFlaggofhisimaginingwasjustasunlikeandasunfairtotherealgirlasitwaspossiblefortwopeopletobe。HisAnitaFlagghehadcreatedoutofthethingshehadreadofherinimpertinentSundaysupplementsandfromtheimpressionhehadbeengivenofherbythelittleass，Holworthy。Shewasnotatalllikethat。Eversinceshehadcomeofageshehadbeenbesetbysycophantsandflatterers，botholdandyoung，bothmenandgirls，andbymenwhowantedhermoneyandbymenwhowantedher。Anditwasbecauseshegotthemotivesofthelattertwoconfusedthatshewassooftenhurtandsaidsharp，bitterthingsthatmadeherappearhardandheartless。
Asamatteroffact，inapproachingherinthebeliefthathewasaddressinganentirelydifferentperson，SamhadgotnearertotherealAnitaFlaggthanhadanyotherman。Andso——whenonarrivingattheofficethenextmorning，whichwasaFriday，hereceivedatelegramreading，\"Arrivingto—
morrownine—thirtyfromGreenwich；thedaycannotbegintoosoon；don’tforgetyoupromisedtomeetme。AnitaFlagg\"——hewasabletoreply：\"Extremelysorry；butpromisemadetoadifferentperson，whounfortunatelyhassincedied！\"’
WhenAnitaFlaggreadthistelegramthereleapedtoherlovelyeyestearsthatsprangfromself—pityandwoundedfeelings。Sheturnedmiserably，appealinglytoHelenPage。
\"Butwhydoeshedoittome？\"Hertonewasthatofthebewilderedchildwhohasstruckherheadagainstthetable，andfromthenaughtytable，withoutcauseorprovocation，hasreceivedthedevilofabump。
BeforeMissPagecouldventureuponanexplanation，AnitaFlagghadchangedintoaveryangryyoungwoman。
\"Andwhat’smore，\"sheannounced，\"hecan’tdoittome！\"
Shesenthertelegrambackagainasitwas，wordforword，butthistimeitwassigned，SisterAnne。\"
Inanhourtheanswercame：\"SisterAnneisthepersontowhomIrefer。Sheisdead。\"
Samwasnotaltogetherateaseattheoutcomeofhisadventure。Itwasnotinhisnaturetoberude——certainlynottoawoman，especiallynottothemostbeautifulwomanhehadeverseen。For，whetherhernamewasAnitaorAnne，aboutherbeautytherecouldbenoargument；butheassuredhimselfthathehadactedwithinhisrights。Agirlwhocouldseeinawell—meantoffertobekindonlyasubjectforridiculewasofnointeresttohim。Nordidhertelegramsinsistinguponcontinuingtheiracquaintanceflatterhim。Ashereadthem，theyshowedonlythatshelookeduponhimasoneentirelyoutofherworld——asonewithwhomshecoulddoanunconventionalthingandmakeagoodstoryaboutitlater，knowingthatitwouldbeacceptedasoneofheramusingcaprices。
Hewasdeterminedhewouldnotlendhimselftoanysuchperformance。And，besides，henolongerwasafoot—loose，happy—go—luckyreporter。Henolongerneedseekforexperiencesandmaterialtoturnintocopy。Hewasnowamanwitharesponsibleposition——onewhosoonwouldbeconferringwithcabinetministersandputtingambassadorsAttheirease。
Hewonderedifabeautifulheiress，whosehandwassoughtinmarriagebythenobilityofEngland，wouldunderstandtheimportanceofaLondoncorrespondent。Hehopedsomeonewouldtellher。Helikedtothinkofherasbeingconsiderablyimpressedandalittleunhappy。
Saturdaynighthewenttothetheatreforwhichhehadpurchasedtickets。Andhewentalone，fortheplacethatSisterAnnewastohaveoccupiedcouldnotbefilledbyanyotherperson。Itwouldhavebeensacrilege。Atleast，soitpleasedhimtopretend。Andallthroughdinner，whichheatealoneatthesamerestauranttowhichhehadintendedtakingher，hecontinued，topretendshewaswithhim。Andatthetheatre，wheretherewasgoingforwardthemostpopularofallmusicalcomedies，theseatnexttohim，whichtotheaudience，appearedwastefullyempty，wastohimfilledwithhergraciouspresence。ThatSisterAnnewasnotthere——thattheprettyromancehehadwovenaboutherhadendedindisaster——filled，himwithrealregret。Hewasgladhewas，，leavingNewYork。Hewasgladhewasgoing，wherenothingwouldremindhimofher。Andthenheglancedup——andlookedstraightintohereyes！
Hewasseatedinthefrontrow，directlyontheaisle。TheseatSisterAnnewassupposedtobeoccupyingwasonhisright，andafewseatsfarthertohisrightrosethestageboxandinthestagebox，andinthestagebox，almostuponthestage，andwiththeglowofthefoot—lightsfullinherface，wasAnitaFlagg，smilingdelightedlydownonhim。Therewereotherswithher。Hehadaconfusedimpressionofbulgingshirt—fronts，andshiningsilks，anddiamonds，anddroopingplumesuponenormoushats。HethoughtherecognizedLordDeptfordandHolworthy；buttheonlypersonhedistinguishedclearlywasAnitaFlagg。Thegirlwasallinblackvelvet，whichwasdrawntoherfigurelikeawetbathingsuit；roundherthroatwasasinglestringofpearls，andonherhairofgolden—rodwasagreathatofblackvelvet，shapedlikeabell，withthecurvinglipsofalily。AndfrombeneathitsbrimAnitaFlagg，sittingrigidlyerectwithherwhite—glovedhandsrestinglightlyonherknee，wasgazingdownathim，smilingwithpleasure，withsurprise，withexcitement。
Whenshesawthat，inspiteofheralteredappearance，herecognizedher，shebowedsoviolentlyandbentherheadsoeagerlythatabovehertheostrichplumesdippedandcourtesiedlikewheatinastorm。ButSamneitherbowednorcourtesied。Instead，heturnedhisheadslowlyoverhisleftshoulder，asthoughhethoughtshewasspeakingnottohimbutsomeonebeyondhim，acrosstheaisle。Andthenhiseyesreturnedtothestageanddidnotagainlooktowardher。Itwasnotthecutdirect，butitwasacutthathurt；andintheirturntheeyesofMissFlaggquicklysoughtthestage。
Atthemoment，thepeopleintheaudiencehappenedtobelaughing；andsheforcedasmileandthenlaughedwiththem。
OutofthecornerofhiseyeSamcouldnothelpseeingherprofileexposedpitilesslyintheglowofthefoot—lights；
sawherlipstremblelikethoseofachildabouttocry；andthensawtheforced，hardsmile——andheardherlaughlightlyandmechanically。
\"That’sallshecares。\"hetoldhimself。
Itseemedtohimthatinallheheardofher，ineverythingshedid，shekeptrobbinghimstillfurtherofallthatwasdeartohiminSisterAnne。
Forfiveminutes，consciousofthefoot—lights，MissFlaggmaintaineduponherlovelyfaceafixedandintentexpression，andthenslowlyandunobtrusivelydrewbacktoaseatintherearofthebox。Inthe’darkestrecessesshefoundHolworthy，shutofffromaviewofthestagebyabarrierofwomen’shats。
\"YourfriendMr。Ward，\"shebeganabruptly，inawhisper，\"istherudest，mostill—bredpersonIevermet。WhenItalkedtohimthe\"otherdayIthoughthewasnice。Hewasnice，Buthehasbehavedabominably——likeaboor——likeasulkychild。Hashenosenseofhumor？BecauseIplayedajokeonhim，isthatanyreasonwhyheshouldhurtme？\"
\"Hurtyou？\"exclaimedlittleHolworthyinamazement。\"Don’tberidiculous！Howcouldhehurtyou？Whyshouldyoucarehowrudeheis？Ward’sacleverfellow，buthefancieshimself。
He’sconceited。He’stoogood—looking；andalotofsillywomenhavemadesuchafussoverhim。Sowhenoneofthemlaughsathimhecan’tunderstandit。That’sthetrouble。I
couldseethatwhenIwastellinghim。\"
\"Tellinghim！\"repeatedMissFlagg——\"Tellinghimwhat？\"
\"Aboutwhatafunnystoryyoumadeofit，\"explainedHolworthy。\"Abouthishavingthenervetoaskyoutofeedthemonkeysandtolunchwithhim。\"
MissFlagginterruptedwithagaspingintakeofherbreath。
\"Oh！\"shesaidsoftly。\"So—soyoutoldhimthat，didyou？
And——whatelsedidyoutellhim？\"，\"Onlywhatyoutoldus——thathesaid’thedaycouldnotbegintoosoon’；thathesaidhewouldn’tletyoubeamanicureandwashthehandsofmenwhoweren’tfittowashthestreetsyouwalkedon。\"
Therewasapause。
\"DidItellyouhesaidthat？\"breathedAnitaFlagg。
\"Youknowyoudid，\"saidHolworthy。
Therewasanotherpause。
\"Imusthavebeenmad！\"saidthegirl。
TherewasalongerpauseandHolworthyshifteduneasily。
\"I’mafraidyouareangry，\"heventured。
\"Angry！\"exclaimedMissFlagg。\"IshouldsayIwasangry，butnotwithyou。I’mverymuchpleasedwithyou。AttheendoftheactI’mgoingtoletyoutakemeoutintothelobby。\"
Withhisarmstightlyfolded，Samsatstaringunhappilyatthestageandseeingnothing。HewassorryforhimselfbecauseAnitaFlagghaddestroyedhisidealofasweetandnoblewoman——andhewassorryforMissFlaggbecauseamanhadbeenrudetoher。Thathehappenedtobethatmandidnotmakehissorrowandindignationthelessintense；and，indeed，somiserablewasheandsomiserablewerehislooks，thathisfriendsonthestageconsideredsendinghimanote，offering，ifhewouldtakehimselfoutofthefrontrow，togivehimbackhismoneyattheboxoffice。Samcertainlywishedtotakehimselfaway；buthedidnotwanttoadmitthathewasmiserable，thathehadbehavedill，thatthepresenceofAnitaFlaggcouldspoilhisevening——could，intheslightestdegreeaffecthim。Sohesat，completelywretched，feelingthathewasinafalseposition；thatifhewereitwashisownfault；thathehadactedlikeanassandabrute。Itwasnotacheerfulfeeling。
Whenthecurtainfellhestillremainedseated。Heknewbeforethesecondacttherewasaninterminablewait；buthedidnotwanttochancerunningintoHolworthyinthelobbyandhetoldhimselfitwouldberudetoabandonSisterAnne。
ButhenowwasnotsoconsciousoftheimaginarySisterAnneasoftheactualboxpartyonhisnearright，whowerelaughingandchatteringvolubly。Hewonderedwhethertheylaughedathim——whetherMissFlaggwereagainentertainingthemathisexpense；againmakinghisadvancesappearridiculous。Hewassosureofitthatheflushedindignantly。Hewasgladhehadbeenrude。
Andthen，athiselbow，therewastherustleofsilk；andabeautifulfigure，allinblackvelvet，toweredabovehim，thencrowdedpasthim，andsankintotheemptyseatathisside。Hewastoostartledtospeak——andMissAnitaFlaggseemedtounderstandthatandtowishtogivehimtime；for，withoutregardinghimintheleast，andasthoughtoestablishthefactthatshehadcometostay，shebegancalmlyanddeliberatelytoremovethebell—likehat。Thisaccomplished，shebenttowardhim，hereyeslookingstraightintohis，hersmilereproachinghim。Inthefamiliartoneofanoldanddearfriendshesaidtohimgently：
\"Thisisthedayyouplannedforme。Don’tyouthinkyou’vewastedquiteenoughofit？\"
Samlookedbackintotheeyes，andsawinthemnotraceoflaughterorofmockery，but，instead，gentlereproofandappeal——andsomethingelsethat，inturn，beggedofhimtobegentle。
Foramoment，toodisturbedtospeak，helookedather，miserably，remorsefully。
\"It’snotAnitaFlaggatall，\"hesaid。\"It’sSisterAnnecomebacktolifeagain！\"Thegirlshookherhead。
\"No；it’sAnitaFlagg。I’mnotabitlikethegirlyouthoughtyoumetandIdidsayallthe，thingsHolworthytoldyouIsaid；butthatwasbeforeIunderstood——beforeIreadwhatyouwroteaboutSisterAnne——aboutthekindofmeyouthoughtyou’dmet。WhenIreadthatIknewwhatsortofamanyouwere。Iknewyouhadbeenreallykindandgentle，andI
knewyouhaddugoutsomethingthatIdidnotknowwasthere——thatnooneelsehadfound。AndIrememberedhowyoucalledmeSister。Imeanthewayyousaidit。AndIwantedtohearitagain。Iwantedyoutosayit。\"
Sheliftedherfacetohis。Shewasverynearhim——sonearthathershoulderbrushedagainsthisarm。Intheboxabovethemherfriends，scandalizedandamused，werewatchingherwiththegreatestinterest。Halfofthepeopleinthenowhalf—emptyhousewerewatchingthemwiththegreatestinterest。Tothem，betweenreadingadvertisementsontheprogrammeandwatchingAnitaFlaggmakingdesperatelovetoaluckyyouthinthefrontrow，therewasnoquestionofwhichtochoose。
Theyoungpeopleinthefrontrowdidnotknowtheywereobserved。Theywerealone——asmuchaloneasthoughtheywereseatedinabiplane，sweepingabovetheclouds。
\"Sayitagain，\"promptedAnitaFlagg\"Sister。\"
\"Iwillnot！\"returnedtheyoungmanfirmly。\"ButI’llsaythis，\"hewhispered：\"I’llsayyou’rethemostwonderful，themostbeautiful，andthefinestwomanwhohaseverlived！\"
AnitaFlagg’seyeslefthisquickly；and，withherheadbent，shestaredatthebassdrumintheorchestra。
\"Idon’tknow，\"shesaid，\"butthatsoundsjustasgood。\"
Whenthecurtainwasabouttoriseshetoldhimtotakeherbacktoherbox，sothathecouldmeetherfriendsandgoonwiththemtosupper；butwhentheyreachedtherearofthehouseshehalted。
\"Wecanseethisact，\"shesaid，\"or——mycar’sinfrontofthetheatre——wemightgototheparkandtakeaturnortwoorthree。Whichwouldyouprefer？\"
\"Don’tmakemelaugh！\"saidSam。
Astheysatalltogetheratsupperwiththoseoftheboxparty，butpayingnoattentiontothemwhatsoever，AnitaFlaggsighedcontentedly。
\"There’sonlyonething，\"shesaidtoSam，\"thatismakingmeunhappy；andbecauseitissuchsadnewsIhaven’ttoldyou。
Itisthis：IamleavingAmerica。IamgoingtospendthewinterinLondon。IsailnextWednesday。\"
\"Mybusinessistogathernews，\"saidSam，butinallmylifeInevergatheredsuchgoodnewsasthat。\"
\"Goodnews！\"exclaimedAnita。
\"Because，\"explainedSam，\"Iamleaving，America——amspendingthewinterinEngland。IamsailingonWednesday。
No；Ialsoamunhappy；butthatisnotwhatmakesmeunhappy。\"
\"Tellme，\"beggedAnita。
\"Someday，\"saidSam。
Thedayhechosetotellherwasthefirstdaytheywereatsea——astheyleanedupontherail，watchingFireIslanddisappear。
\"Thisismyunhappiness，\"saidSam——andhepointedtoanameonthepassengerlist。Itwas：\"TheEarlofDeptford，andvalet。\"\"Andbecauseheisonboard！\"
AnitaFlagggazedwithinterestatapursuingsea—gull。
\"Heisnotonboard，\"shesaid。\"Hechangedtoanotherboat。\"
Samfeltthatbyawordfromheragreatweightmightbeliftedfromhissoul。Helookedatherappealingly——hungrily。
\"Whydidhechange？\"hebegged。
AnitaFlaggshookherheadinwonder。Shesmiledathimwithamuseddespair。
\"Isthatallthatisworryingyou？\"shesaid。
Chapter2。THEGRANDCROSSOFTHECRESCENT
Ofsomecollegestudentsithasbeensaidthat，inordertopasstheirexaminations，theywilldeceiveandcheattheirkindprofessors。Thismayormaynotbetrue。Oneonlycanshudderandpasshurriedlyon。Butwhateverothersmayhavedone，whenyoungPeterHallowellinhissenioryearcameupforthosefinalexaminationswhich，shouldhepassthemevenbyanose，wouldgainhimhisdegree，hedidnotcheat。Hemayhavebeentoohonest，tooconfident，toolazy，butPeterdidnotcheat。Itwastheprofessorswhocheated。
AtStillwaterCollege，oneachsubjectonwhichyouareexaminedyoucanscoreapossiblehundred。Thatmeansperfection，andin，thebriefhistoryofStillwater，whichisavery，newcollege，onlyonemanhasattainedit。Aftergraduatinghe\"acceptedaposition\"inanasylumfortheinsane，fromwhichhewas，promotedlatertothepoor—house，wherehedied。ManyStillwaterundergraduatesstudiedhiscareerand，lesttheyalsoshouldattainperfection，wereafraidtostudyanythingelse。AmongthesePeterwasbyfarthemostafraid。
ThemarkingsystematStillwaterisasfollows：Ifinallthesubjectsinwhichyouhavebeenexaminedyourmarksaddedtogethergiveyouanaverageofninety，youarepassed\"withhonors\"；ifofseventy—five，youpass\"withdistinction\"；ifOffifty，Youjust\"pass。\"Itisnotunlikethegrocer’sniceadjustmentoffresheggs，goodeggs，andeggs。ThewholecollegeknewthatifPetergotinamongtheeggshewouldbelucky，buttheprofessorsandinstructorsofStillwater’weredeterminedthat，nomatterwhatyoungHallowellmightdotopreventit，theywouldseethathepassedhisexaminations。Andtheyconstitutedthejuryofawards。TheirinterestinPeterwasnotbecausetheylovedhimsomuch，butbecauseeachlovedhisownvine—coveredcottage，hissalary，andhisdignifiedtitlethemore。AndeachknewthatthatoneofthefacultywhodaredtoflunkthesonofoldmanHallowell，whohadendowedStillwater，whosupportedStillwater，andwhomightbeexpectedtogoonsupportingStillwaterindefinitely，mightalsoatthesametimehandinhisofficialresignation。
ChancellorBlack，theheadofStillwater，wasanup—to—datecollegepresident。Ifhedidnotactuallyrunaftermoneyhewentwheremoneywas，anditwasnothishabittobedownrightrudetothosewhopossessedit。Andifanythree—
thousand—dollar—a—yearprofessor，throughatoostrictrespectforStillwater’sstandardsoflearning，shouldlosetothatinstitutionahalf—million—dollarobservatory，swimming—pool，orgymnasium，hewasthesortofcollegepresident，whowouldseetoitthatthecollegelostalsotheservicesofthattooconscientiousinstructor。
Hedidnotputthisinwritingorinwords，butjustbeforetheJuneexaminations，whenon，thecampushemetoneofthefaculty，hewouldinquirewithkindlyinterestastothestandingofyoungHallowell。
\"Thatistoobad！\"hewouldexclaim，but，moreinsorrowthaninanger。\"Still，Ihopetheboycanpullthrough。Heishisdearfather’spride，andhisfather’sheartissetuponhisson’sobtaininghisdegree。Letushopehewillpullthrough。\"ForfouryearseveryprofessorhadbeenpullingPeterthrough，andtheconscienceofeachhadbecomecalloused。Theyhadonlyoncemoretoshovehimthroughandtheywouldbefreeofhimforever。Andso，althoughtheydidnotconspiretogether，eachknewthatofthefiringsquadthatwastoaimitsriflesat，Peter，HISriflewouldholdtheblankcartridge。
TheonlyoneofthemwhodidnotknowthiswasDoctorHenryGilman。DoctorGilmanwastheprofessorofancientandmodernhistoryatStillwater，andgreatlyrespectedandloved。Healsowastheauthorofthosewell—knowntext—books，\"TheFoundersofIslam，\"and\"TheRiseandFalloftheTurkishEmpire。\"Thislatterwork，infivevolumes，hadbeennotunfavorablycomparedtoGibbon’s\"DeclineandFalloftheRomanEmpire。\"Theoriginalnewspapercomment，datedsomethirtyyearsback，thedoctorhadpreserved，andwouldproduceit，nowsomewhatfrayedandworn，andreadittovisitors。Heknewitbyheart，buttohimitalwayspossessedacontemporaryandnewsinterest。
\"Hereisareviewofthehistory，\"hewouldsay——healwaysreferredtoitas\"the\"history——\"thatIcameacrossinmyTRANSCRIPT。\"
IntheeyesofDoctorGilmanthirtyyearswassobriefaperiodthatitwasasthoughtheclippinghadbeenprintedthepreviousafter—noon。
Themembersofhisclasswhowereexaminedonthe\"RiseandFall，\"andwhoinvariablycametogriefoverit，referredtoitbrieflyastheFall，\"sometimesfeelinglyas\"the……
Fall。\"The\"historybeganwhenConstantinoplewasByzantium，skippedlightlyoversixcenturiestoConstantine，andinthelasttwoVolumesfinisheduptheMohammedswiththedownfallofthefourthoneandthecomingofSuleiman。SinceSuleiman，DoctorGilmandidnotrecognizeTurkeyasbeingonthemap。
WhenhishistorysaidtheTurkishEmpirehadfallen，thentheTurkishEmpirefell。OnceChancellorBlacksuggestedthatheaddasixthvolumethatwouldcoverthelastthreecenturies。
\"InahistoryofTurkeyissuedasatext—book，\"saidthechancellor，\"IthinktheRussian—TurkishWarshouldbeincluded。\"
DoctorGilman，frombehindhisgold—rimmedspectacles，gazedathiminmildreproach。\"ThewarintheCrimea！\"heexclaimed。\"Why，Iwasaliveatthetime。Iknowaboutit。
Thatisnothistory。\"
Accordingly，itfollowedthattoamanwhosincetheseventeenthcenturyknewofnoevent，ofinterest，CyrusHallowell，ofthemeat—packers’trust，wasnotanimposingfigure。AndsuchamanthesonofCyrusHallowellwasbutanignorantyoungsavage，towhom\"the\"historycertainlyhadbeenaclosedbook。AndsowhenPeterreturnedhisexaminationpaperinaconditionalmostasspotlessasthatinwhichhehadreceivedit，DoctorGilmancarefullyandconscientiously，withmalicetowardnoneand，withnothoughtofthemorrow，marked\"five。\"
EachoftheotherprofessorsandinstructorshadmarkedPeterfifty。IntheirfearofChancellorBlacktheydarednotgivetheboyless，buttheyrefusedtobeslavestotheextentofcreditinghimwithasinglepointhigherthanwasnecessarytopasshim。ButDoctorGilman’sfivecompletelyknockedouttherequiredaverageoffifty，andyoungPeterwas\"found\"
andcouldnotgraduate。Itwasanawfulbusiness！TheonlysonoftheonlyHallowellrefusedadegreeinhisfather’sownprivatecollege——thesonofthemanwhohadbuilttheHallowellMemorial，thenewLaboratory，theAnnaHallowellChapel，theHallowellDormitory，andtheHallowellAthleticField。WhenonthebulletinboardofthedimhalloftheMemorialtohisdepartedgrandfatherPeterreadofhisowndisgraceanddownfall，thelightthestained—glasswindowcastuponhisnosewasofnosicklieragreenthanwasthenoseitself。NotthatPeterwantedanA。M。oranA。B。，notthathedesiredlaurelshehadnotwon，butbecausetheyoungmanwasafraidofhisfather。Andhehadcausetobe。FatherarrivedatStillwaterthenextmorning。TheinterviewsthatfollowedmadeStillwaterhistory。
\"Mysonisnotanass！\"iswhatHallowellseniorissaidtohavesaidtoDoctorBlack。\"Andifinfouryearsyouandyourfacultycannotgivehimtherudimentsofaneducation，Iwillsendhimtoacollegethatcan。AndI’llsendmymoneywhereIsendPeter。\"
InreplyChancellorBlackcouldhavesaidthatitwasthefaultofthesonandnotofthecollege；hecouldhavesaidthatwherethreemenhadfailedtograduateonehundredandeightyhadnot。Butdidhesaythat？Oh，no，hedidnotsaythat！Hewasnotthatsortof，acollegepresident。Instead，heremainedcalmandsympathetic，andlikeaconspiratorinacomicoperaglancedapprehensivelyroundhis，study。Heloweredhisvoice。
\"Therehasbeencontemptibleworkhere，\"hewhispered——\"spiteandameanspiritofreprisal。Ihavebeenmakingasecretinvestigation，andIfindthatthisblowatyoursonandyou，andatthegoodnameofourcollegewasstruckbyoneman，amanwithagrievance——DoctorGilman。DoctorGilmanhasrepeatedlydesiredmetoraisehissalary。\"Thisdidnothappentobetrue，butinsuchacrisisDotorBlackcouldnotaffordtobetooparticular。
\"Ihaveseennoreasonforraisinghissalary——andthereyouhavetheexplanation。Inrevengehehasmadethisattack。Butheovershothismark。Incausingustemporaryembarrassmenthehasbroughtabouthisowndownfall。Ihavealreadyaskedforhisresignation。\"
EverydayintheweekHallowellwasafair，saneman，butonthisparticulardayhewaswounded，hisspiritwashurt，hisself—esteemhumiliated。Hewasinastateofmindtobelieveanythingratherthanthathissonwasanidiot。
\"Idon’twantthemandischarged，\"heprotested，\"justbecausePeterislazy。ButifDoctorGilmanwasmovedbypersonalconsiderations，ifhesacrificedmyPeterinordertogeteven……\"
\"That，\"exclaimedBlackinahorrifiedwhisper，\"isexactlywhathedid！Yourgenerositytothecollegeiswellknown。
YouarerecognizedalloverAmericaasitspatron。AndhebelievedthatwhenIrefusedhimanincreaseinsalaryitwasreallyyouwhorefusedit——andhestruckatyouthroughyourson。Everybodythinksso。Thecollegeisonfirewithindignation。AndlookatthemarkhegavePeter！Five！Thatinitselfshowsthemalice。Fiveisnotamark，itisaninsult！Noone，certainlynotyourbrilliantson——lookhowbrilliantlyhemanagedtheglee—clubandfoot—balltour——isstupidenoughtodeservefive。No，DoctorGilmanwenttoofar。Andhehasbeenjustlypunished！\"
WhatHallowellseniorwaswillingtobelieveofwhatthechancellortoldhim，andhisopinionofthematterasexpressedtoPeter，differedmaterially。
\"Theytellme，\"heconcluded，\"thatinthefalltheywillgiveyouanotherexamination，andifyoupassthen，youwillgetyourdegree。Noonewillknowyou’vegotit。They’llslipittoyououtoftheside—doorlikeacoldpotatotoatramp。
Theonlythingpeoplewillknowisthatwhenyourclassmatesstoodupandgottheirparchments——thethingthey’dbeenworkingforfouryears，theonlyreasonfortheirgoingtocollegeatall——YOUwerenotamongthosepresent。That’syourfault；butifyoudon’tgetyourdegreenextfallthatwillbemyfault。I’vesupportedyouthroughcollegeandyou’vefailedtodeliverthegoods。Nowyoudeliverthemnextfall，oryoucansupportyourself。\"
\"Thatwillbeallright，\"saidPeterhumbly；\"I’llpassnextfall。\"
\"I’mgoingtomakesureofthat，\"saidHallowellsenior。\"To—
morrowyouwilltakethosehistorybooksthatyoudidnotopen，especiallyGilman’s’RiseandFall，’whichitseemsyouhavenotevenpurchased，andyouwilltravelfortheentiresummerwithaprivatetutor……\"
Peter，whohadpersonallyconductedthefoot—ballandbase—
ballteamsoverhalfoftheMiddleStatesanddailybulliedandbrowbeatthem，protestedwithindignation。\"WON’Ttravelwithaprivatetutor！\"
\"IfIsayso，\"returnedHallowellseniorgrimly，\"you’lltravelwithagovernessandatrainednurse，andwearastraitjacket。Andyou’llcontinuetowearituntilyoucanrecitethehistoryofTurkeybackward。Andinorderthatyoumayknowitbackward——andforwardyouwillspendthissummerinTurkey——inConstantinople——untilIsendyoupermissiontocomehome。\"
\"Constantinople！\"yelledPeter。\"InAugust！Areyouserious？\"
\"DoIlookit？\"askedPeter’sfather。Hedid。
\"InConstantinople，\"explainedMr。Hallowellsenior，\"therewillbenothingtodistractyoufromyourstudies，andinspiteofyourselfeveryminuteyouwillbeimbibinghistoryandlocalcolor。\"
\"I’llbeimbibingfever，\"，returnedPeter，\"andsunstrokeandsuddendeath。Ifyouwanttogetridofme，whydon’tyousendmetotheislandwheretheysentDreyfus？It’squicker。
Youdon’thavetogotoTurkeytostudyaboutTurkey。\"
\"Youdo！\"saidhisfather。
Peterdidnotwaitforthefestivitiesofcommencementweek。
Alldayhehidinhisroom，packinghisbelongingsorgivingthemawaytoemembersofhisclass，whocametotellhimwhatarottenshameitwas，andtobidhimgood—by。TheylovedPeterforhimselfalone，andatlosinghimwereloyallyenraged。Theysiredpubliclytoexpresstheirsentiments，andtothatendtheyplannedamocktrialoftheRiseandFall，\"
atwhichapackedjurywouldsentenceittocremation。TheyplannedalsotohangDoctorGilmanineffigy。Theeffigywitharoperounditsneckwaseventhenawaitingmobviolence。Itwascompletetothesilver—whitebeardandthegoldspectacles。ButPetersquashedbothdemonstrations。HedidnotknowDoctorGilmanhadbeenforcedtoresign，butheprotestedthatthehorse—playofhisfriendswouldmakehimappearabadloser。\"Itwouldlook，boys，\"hesaid，\"asthoughIcouldn’ttakemymedicine。Lookslikekickingagainsttheumpire’sdecision。OldGilmanfoughtfair。Hegavemejustwhatwascomingtome。Ithinkadarnsightmoreofhimthandoofthatbunchofboot—lickersthathadthecolossalnervetopretendIscoredfifty！\"
DoctorGilmansatinhiscottagethatstoodtheedgeofthecampus，gazingataplasterbustofSocrateswhichhedidnotsee。SincethatmorninghehadceasedtositinthechairofhistoryatStillwaterCollege。Theywereretrenching，thechancellorhadtoldhimcurtly，cuttingdownunnecessaryexpenses，foreveninhisangerDoctorBlackwastoointelligenttohintathisrealmotive，andtheprofessorwasfartooinnocentofevil，fartoodetachedfromcollegepoliticstosuspect。Hewouldremainaprofessoremeritusonhalfpay，buthenolongerwouldteach。Thecollegehehadservedforthirtyyears—sinceitconsistedoftwobrickbuildingsandafacultyoftenyoungmen——nolongerneededhim。Evenhisivy—coveredcottage，inwhichhiswifeandhehadlivedfortwentyyears，inwhichtheironechildhaddied，wouldatthebeginningofthenexttermberequiredofhim。Butthecollegewouldallowhimthosesixmonthsinwhichto\"lookround。\"So，justoutsidethecircleoflightfromhisstudentlamp，hesatinhisstudy，andstaredwithunseeingeyesatthebustofSocrates。Hewasnotconsideringwaysandmeans。Theymustbefacedlater。Hewasconsideringhowhecouldpossiblybreaktheblowtohiswife。Whatevictionfromthathousewouldmeantohernoonebutheunderstood。Sincethedaytheirlittlegirlhaddied，nothingintheroomthathadbeenherplayroom，bedroom，andnurseryhadbeenaltered，nothinghadbeentouched。Tohiswife，somewhereinthehousethatwonderful，God—givenchildwasstillwiththem。Notasamemorybutasarealandlivingpresence。Whenatnighttheprofessorandhiswifesatateitherendofthestudytable，readingbythesamelamp，hewouldseehersuddenlyliftherhead，alertandeager，asthoughfromthenurseryfloorastephadsounded，asthoughfromthedarknessasleepyvoicehadcalledher。Andwhentheywouldbeforcedtomovetolodgingsinthetown，tosomestudents’boarding—house，thoughtheycouldtakewiththemtheirbooks，theirfurniture，theirmutualloveandcomradeship，theymustleavebehindthemthehauntingpresenceofthechild，thecoloredpicturesshehadcutfromtheChristmasnumbersandplasteredoverthenurserywalls，theramblerrosesthatwithherownhandsshehadplantedandthatnowclimbedtoherwindowandeachsummerpeeredintoheremptyroom。
OutsideDoctorGilman’scottage，amongthetreesofthecampus，paperlanternslikeorangesaglowwereswayingintheeveningbreeze。InfrontofHallowelltheflameofabonfireshottothetopofthetallestelms，andgatheredinacirclerounditthegleeclubsang，andcheersucceededcheer—cheersfortheheroesofthecindertrack，fortheheroesofthediamondandthegridiron，cheersforthemenwhohadflunkedespeciallyforonemanwhohadflunked。Butforthatmanwhoforthirtyyearsintheclassroomhadservedthecollegetherewerenocheers。Noonerememberedhim，excepttheonestudentwhohadbestreasontorememberhim。ButthisrecollectionPeterhadnorancororbitternessand，stillanxiouslestheshouldbeconsideredabadloser，hewishedDoctorGilmanaeveryoneelsetoknowthat。SowhenthecelebrationwasatitsheightandjustbeforetrainwasduetocarryhimfromStillwater，ranacrossthecampustotheGilmancottagesaygood—by。ButhedidnotenterthecottageHewentsofaronlyashalf—wayupthegardenwalk。Inthewindowofthestudywhichopenedupontheverandahesawthroughframeofhoneysucklestheprofessorandwifestandingbesidethestudytable。Theywereclingingtoeachother，thewomanweepsilentlywithhercheekonhisshoulder，thin，delicate，well—bredhandsclaspingarms，whilethemancomfortedherawkwardunhappily，withhopeless，futilecaresses。
Peter，shockedandmiserableatwhathehadseen，backedsteadilyaway。Whatdisasterhadbefallentheoldcouplehecouldnotimagine。Theideathathehimselfmightinanywayconnectedwiththeirgriefneverenteredmind。Hewascertainonlythat，whateverthetroublewas，itwassomethingsointimateandpersonalthatnomereoutsidermightdaretoofferhissympathy。Soontiptoeheretreateddownthegardenwalkand，avoidingthecelebrationatthebonfire，returnedtohisrooms。Anhourlatertheentirecollegeescortedhimtotherailroadstation，andwith\"He’sajollygoodfellow\"
and\"He’sofftoPhilippopolisinthemorn——ing\"ringinginhisears，hesankbackhisseatinthesmoking—carandgazedatthelightsofStillwaterdisappearingoutofhislife。Andhewassurprisedtofindthatwhatlingeredhismindwasnotthestudents，dancinglikeIndiansroundthebonfire，oratthestepsofthesmoking—carfightingtoshakehishand，butthemanandwomanaloneinthecottagestrickenwithsuddensorrow，standingliketwochildrenlostinthestreets，whoclingtoeachotherforcomfortandatthesamemomentwhisperwordsofcourage。
TwomonthsLater，atConstantinople，Peter，wassufferingfromremorseoverneglectedopportunities，frompricklyheat，andfromfleas。Anditnotbeenforthemoving—pictureman，andthepokerandbaccaratattheCercleOriental，hewouldhaveflunghimselfintotheBosphorus。Inthemorningswiththetutorhereadancienthistory，whichhepromptlyforgot；
andfortherestofthehot，drearydaywiththemoving—
picturemanthroughthebazaarsandalongthewater—fronthestalkedsuspectsforthecamera。
Thenameofthemoving—picturemanwasHarryStetson。Hehadbeenanewspaperreporter，apress—agent，andanactorinvaudevilleandinamoving—picturecompany。NowonhisownaccounthewaspreparinganillustratedlectureontheEast，adaptedtochurchesandSunday—schools。Peterandhewroteitincollaboration，andintheeveningsrehearseditwithlanternslidesbeforeanaudienceofthehotelclerk，thetutor，andtheGermansoldieroffortunewhowastryingtoselltheyoungTurksveryoldbattleships。Everyotherforeignerhadfledthecity，andtheentirediplomaticcorpshadremoveditselftothesummercapitalatTherapia。
ThereStimson，thefirstsecretaryoftheembassyand，intheabsenceoftheambassador，CHARGED’AFFAIRES，invitedPetertobecomehisguest。StimsonwasmostanxioustobepolitetoPeter，forHallowellseniorwasapowerinthepartytheninoffice，andawordfromhimatWashingtoninfavorofarisingyoungdiplomatwoulddonoharm。ButPeterwasafraidhisfatherwouldconsiderTherapia\"outofbounds。\"
\"HesentmetoConstantinople，\"explainedPeter，\"andifhethinksI’mnotplayingthegametheLordonlyknowswherehemightsendmenext—andhemightcutoffmyallowance。\"
InthematterofallowancePeter’sfatherhadbeenmostgenerous。Thiswasfortunate，forpoker，asthepashasandprincesplayeditatheCercle，wasnogameforcripplesorchildren。But，owingtohisletter—of—creditandhisillspentlife，Peterwasabletoholdhisownagainstmenthreetimeshisageandoffortunesnearlyequaltothatofhisfather。
Onlytheydisposedoftheirwealthdifferently。OnmanyhoteveningPetersawasmuchoftheirmoneyscatteredoverthegreentableashisfatherhadspentovertheHallowellathleticfield。
InthisfashionPeterspenthisfirstmonthofexile——inthemorningtryingtofillhisbrainwithnamesofgreatmenwhohadbeenalongtimedead，andinhisleisurehourswithlocalcolor。Toayouthofhisactivespirititwasafulllifewithoutjoyorrecompense。ALetterfromCharleyHines，aclassmatewholivedatStillwater，whicharrivedafterPeterhadenduredsixweeksofConstantinople，releasedhimfromboredomandgavelifearealinterest。Itwasaletterfullofgossipintendedtoamuse。Oneparagraphfailedofitspurpose。Itread：\"OldmanGilmanhasgotthesack。Thechancellorofferedhimupasasacrificetoyourfather，andbecausehewasunwiseenoughtoflunkyou。HeistomoveoutinSeptember。IranacrossthemlastweekwhenIwaslookingforroomsforaFreshmancousin。Theywerereservingoneinthesameboarding—house。It’sashame，andIknowyou’llagree。Theyareafineoldcouple，andIdon’tliketothinkofthemherdingwithFreshmeninashineboardinghouse。Blackalwayswasaswine。\"
Peterspentfullytenminutesgettingtothecableoffice。
\"Justlearned，\"hecabledhisfather，\"Gilmandismissedbecauseflunkedmeconsiderthisoutrageouspleaseseeheisreinstated。\"
Theanswer，whicharrivedthenextday，didnotsatisfyPeter。Itread：\"InformedGilmanactedthroughspitehavenoauthorityasyouknowtointerfereanyactofblack。\"
SincePeterhadlearnedofthedisasterthatthroughhislazinesshadbefallentheGilmans，hisindignationattheinjusticehadbeenhourlyincreasing。NorhadhisbanishmenttoConstantinoplestrengthenedhisfilialpiety。Onthecontrary，ithadrenderedhimindependentandbutlittleinclinedtokissthepaternalrod。Inconsequencehisnextcablewasnotconciliatory。
\"DismissingGilmanLooksmoreLikeweactedthroughspitemakesmeappearcontemptibleBlackisatoadywilldoasyoudirectpleasereinstate。\"
Tothissomewhatperemptorymessagehisfatheranswered：
\"IfyourpositionunpleasantyourselftoblamenotBlackincidentisclosed。\"
\"Isit？\"saidthesonofhisfather。HecalledStetsontohisaidandexplained。Stetsonremindedhimofthefamouscablegramofhisdistinguishedcontemporary：\"PerdicarisaliveandRaisulidead！\"
Peter’sparaphraseofthisran：\"GilmanreturnstoStillwaterorIwillnottryfordegree。\"
Thereplywasequallyemphatic：
\"Youearnyourdegreeoryouearnyourownliving。\"
ThisalarmedStetson，butcausedPetertodeliverhisultimatum：\"ChoosetoearnmyownlivingamleavingConstantinople。\"
WithinafewdaysStetsonwasalsoleavingConstantinoplebysteamerviaNaples。Peter，whohadcometolikehimverymuch，wouldhaveaccompaniedhimhadhenotpreferredtoreturnhomemoreleisurelybywayofParisandLondon。
\"You’llgettherelongbeforeIdo，\"saidPeter，\"andassoonasyouarriveIwantyoutogotoStillwaterandgiveDoctorGilmansomesouvenirofTurkeyfromme。JusttoshowhimI’venohardfeelings。Hewouldn’tacceptmoney，buthecan’trefuseapresent。Iwantittobesomethingcharacteristicofthecountry，Likeaprayerrug，orascimitar，oranilluminatedKoran，or\"
Somewhatdoubtfully，somewhatsheepishly，Stetsondrewfromhispocketaflatmoroccocaseandopenedit。\"What’sthematterwithoneofthese？\"heasked。
Inavelvet—linedjewelcasewasastarofgreenenamelandsilvergilt。Toitwasattachedaribbonofredandgreen。
\"That’stheStaroftheCrescent，\"saidPeter。\"Wheredidyoubuyit？\"
\"Buyit！\"exclaimedStetson。\"Youdon’tbuythem。TheSultanbestowsthem。\"
\"I’llbettheSultandidn’tbestowthatone，\"saidPeter。
\"I’llbet，\"returnedStetson，\"I’vegotsomethinginmypocketthatsayshedid。\"
HeunfoldedanimposingdocumentcoveredwithslantinglinesofcurvingArabiclettersingold。Peterwasimpressedbutstillskeptical。
\"WhatdoesthatsaywhenitsaysitinEnglish？\"heasked。
\"Itsays，\"translatedStetson，\"thathisImperialMajesty，theSultan，bestowsuponHenryStetson，educator，author，lecturer，theStaroftheOrderoftheCrescent，ofthefifthclass，forservicesrenderedtoTurkey。\"
Peterinterruptedhimindignantly。
\"Nevertrytofoolthefakirs，myson，\"heprotested。\"I’mafakirmyself。Whatservicesdidyouever……\"
\"Servicesrendered，\"continuedStetsonundisturbed，\"inspreadingthroughouttheUnitedStatesagreaterknowledgeofthecustoms，industries，andreligionoftheOttomanEmpire。
That，\"heexplained，\"referstomy——Ishouldsayour——
moving—picturelecture。Ithoughtitwouldlookwellif，whenIlecturedonTurkey，IworeaTurkishdecoration，soIwentafterthisone。\"
Peterregardedhisyoungfriendwithincredulousadmiration。
\"Butdidtheybelieveyou，\"hedemanded，\"whenyoutoldthemyouwereanauthorandeducator？\"
Stetsonclosedoneeyeandgrinned。\"TheybelievedwhateverI
paidthemtobelieve。\"
\"Ifyoucangetoneofthose，\"criedPeter，OldmanGilmanoughttogetadozen。I’lltellthemhe’stheauthorofthelongestanddullesthistoryoftheirflea—bittenempirethatwaseverwritten。Andhe’sarealprofessorandarealauthor，andIcanproveit。I’llshowthemthefivevolumeswithhisnameineach。Howmuchdidthatthingcostyou？\"
\"Twohundreddollarsinbribes，\"saidStetsonbriskly，\"andtwomonthsofdiplomacy。\"
\"Ihaven’tgottwomonthsfordiplomacy，\"saidPeter，\"soI’llhavetoincreasethebribes。I’llstayhereandgetthedecorationforGilman，andyouworkthepapersathome。NooneeverheardoftheOrderoftheCrescent，butthatonlymakesittheeasierforus。They’llonlyknowwhatwetellthem，andwe’lltellthemit’sthehighesthonoreverbestowedbyareigningsovereignuponanAmericanscholar。Ifyoutellthepeopleoftenenoughthatanythingisthebesttheybelieveyou。That’sthewayfathersellshishams。
You’vebeenapress—agent。Fromnowonyou’regoingtobemypress—agent——ImeanDoctorGilman’spress—agent。Ipayyoursalary，butyourworkistoadvertisehimandtheOrderoftheCrescent。I’llgiveyoualettertoCharleyHinesatStillwater。Hesendsoutcollegenewstoasyndicateandhe’sthelocalAssociatedPressman。He’ssoreattheirdischargingGilmanandhe’smybestfriend，andhe’llworkthepapersasfarasyoulike。YourjobistomakeStillwaterCollegeandDoctorBlackandmyfatherbelievethatwhentheylostGilmantheylostthemanwhomadeStillwaterfamous。AndbeforewegetthroughboostingGilman，we’llmakemyfather’smillion—dollargiftlaboratorylooklikeaninsult。\"
Intheeyesoftheformerpress—agentthelightofbattleburnedfiercely，memoriesofhistriumphsinexploitation，ofhisstrategiesandtacticsinadvertisingsoaredbeforehim。
\"It’sgreat！\"heexclaimed。\"I’vegotyourideaandyou’vegotme。Andyou’redarnedluckytogetme。I’vebeenpress—
agentforpoliticians，actors，societyleaders，breakfastfoods，andhorse—shows——andI’mthebest！IwasinchargeofthepublicitybureauforGallowaywhenheranforgovernor。