BIBLIOGRAPHICAL
Inthosedimrecessesoftheconsciousnesswherethingshavetheirbeginning，ifeverthingshaveabeginning，Isupposetheoriginofthisnovelmaybetracedtoafactofafortnight’ssojournonthewesternshoreoflakeChamplaininthesummerof1891。AcrossthewaterintheStateofVermontIhadconstantlybeforemyeyesamajesticmountainformwhichtheearlierFrenchpioneershadnamed\"LeLionCouchant，\"butwhichtheirplainer—mindedYankeesuccessorspreferredtocall\"TheCamel’sHump。\"Itreallylookedlikeasleepinglion；theheadwasespeciallydefinite；andwhen，inthecourseofsometenyears，IfoundtheschemeforastoryaboutasummerhotelwhichIhadlongmeanttowrite，thisimagesuggestedthenameof’TheLandlordatLion’sHead。’Igavethetitletomyunwrittennovelatonceandneverwishedtochangeit，butrejoicedinthecertaintythat，whateverthenovelturnedouttobe，thetitlecouldnotbebetter。
Ibegantowritethestoryfouryearslater，whenweweresettledforthewinterinourflatonCentralPark，andasIwasayearindoingit，withotherthings，ImusthavetakentheunfinishedmanuscripttoandfromMagnolia，Massachusetts，andLongBeach，LongIsland，whereIspentthefollowingsummer。ItwasfirstserializedinHarper’sWeeklyandintheLondonIllustratedNews，aswellasinanAustraliannewspaper——Iforgetwhichone；anditwaspublishedasacompletedbookin1896。
Irememberconcerningitaverybecomingdespairwhen，atacertainmomentinit，IbegantowonderwhatIwasdrivingat。Ihavealwayshadsuchmomentsinmywork，andifIcannotfitlyboastofthem，Icanatleastowntotheminfreedomfromthepridethatgoesbeforeafall。
Myonlyresourceatsuchtimeswastokeepworking；keepbeatingharderandharderatthewallwhichseemedtoclosemein，tillatlastIbrokethroughintothedaylightbeyond。Inthiscase，IhadreallysuchaverygoodgripofmycharactersthatIneednothavehadtheusualfearoftheirfailuretoworkouttheirdestiny。ButevenwhenthethingwasdoneandIcarriedthecompletedmanuscripttomydearoldfriend，thelateHenryLoomisNelson，theneditoroftheWeekly，itwasinmorefearofhisjudgmentthanIcaredtoshow。Asoftenhappenedwithmymanuscriptinsuchexigencies，itseemedtogoalltoahandfulofshrivelledleaves。WhenwemetagainandheaccepteditfortheWeekly，withahandclaspofheartywelcome，Icouldscarcelygaspoutmyunfeignedrelief。Wehadtalkedtheschemeofitovertogether；hehadlikedthenotion，andheeasilymademebelieve，aftermyfirstdismay，thathelikedtheresultevenbetter。
ImyselflikedtheheroofthetalemorethanIhavelikedworthiermen，perhapsbecauseIthoughtIhadachievedinhimatruerusticNewEnglandtypeincontactwithurbanlifeunderentirelymodernconditions。Whatseemedtomemyestheticsuccessinhimpossiblysoftenedmetohisethicalshortcomings；butIdonotexpectotherstosharemyweaknessforJeffDurgin，whosestrong，roughsurnamehadbeenwaitingforhispersonalityeversinceIhadgotitoffthesideofanice—cartmanyyearsbefore。
AtthetimethestorywasimaginedHarvardhadbeenforfouryearsmuchinthedirectknowledgeoftheauthor，andIpleasedmyselfinrealizingthehero’sexperiencetherefromevenmoreintimacywiththeuniversitymoodsandmannersthanhadsupportedmeinthestudiesofanearlierfictiondealingwiththem。IhadnotlivedtwelveyearsinCambridgewithoutacquaintancesuchasevenaneldermanmustmakewiththeundergraduatelife；butitisonlyfromitsownlevelthatthiscanbetrulylearned，andIhavealwaysbeenreadytostandcorrectedbyundergraduateexperience。Still，Ihavemybeliefthatasajay——thewordmaynowbeobsolete——JeffDurginisnotaltogetheroutofdrawing；
thoughthisis，ofcourse，thephaseofhischaracterwhichisoneoftheleastimportant。WhatImostprizeinhim，ifImaygotothebottomoftheinkhorn，istherealizationofthatanti—PuritanqualitywhichwasalwaysvexingtheheartofPuritanism，andwhichIhadconstantlyfeltoneofthemostinterestingfactsinmyobservationofNewEngland。
Asforthesortofsummerhotelportrayedinthesepages，itwasmaterializedfromanacquaintancewithsummerhotelsextendingoverquarterofacentury，andscarcelytobesurpassedifparalleled。IhadapassionforknowingaboutthemandunderstandingtheiroperationwhichIindulgedateveryopportunity，andwhichIrememberwassatisfiedastoeveryreasonabledetailatoneofthepleasantestseasidehostelriesbyoneofthemostintelligentandobligingoflandlords。Yet，hotelsforhotels，Iwasinterestedinthoseofthehillsratherthanthoseoftheshores。
Iworkedsteadilyifnotrapidlyatthestory。OftenIwentbackoverit，andtoreittopiecesandputittogetheragain。ItmademefeelattimesasifIshouldneverlearnmytrade，butsodideverynovelIhavewritten；everynovel，infact，hasbeenanewtrade。In，thecaseofthisonethepublisherswerehurryingmeintherevisionforcopytogivetheillustrator，whowashurryinghispicturesfortheEnglishandAustralianserializations。
KITTERYPOINT，MAINE，July，1909。
THELANDLORDATLION’SHEAD
I。
Ifyoulookedatthemountainfromthewest，thelineofthesummitwaswanderinganduncertain，likethatofmostmountain—tops；but，seenfromtheeast，themassofgraniteshowingabovethedenseforestsofthelowerslopeshadtheformofasleepinglion。Theflanksandhauncheswerevaguelydistinguishedfromthemass；butthemightyhead，restingwithitstossedmaneuponthevastpawsstretchedbeforeit，wasboldlysculpturedagainstthesky。Thelikenesscouldnothavebeenmoreperfect，whenyouhaditinprofile，ifithadbeenadefiniteintentionofart；andyoucouldtravelfarnorthandfarsouthbeforetheillusionvanished。Inwintertheheadwasblottedbythesnows；andsometimesthevagrantcloudscaughtuponitanddeformedit，orhidit，atotherseasons；butcommonly，afterthelastsnowwentinthespringuntilthefirstsnowcameinthefall，theLion’sHeadwasapartofthelandscape，asimperativeandimportunateastheGreatStoneFaceitself。
Longafterotherpartsofthehillcountrywereopenedtosummersojourn，theregionofLion’sHeadremainedalmostprimitivelysolitaryandsavage。Astonymountainroadfollowedthebedofthetorrentthatbrawledthroughthevalleyatitsbase，andatacertainpointastillrougherlaneclimbedfromtheroadalongthesideoftheoppositeheighttoalonelyfarm—housepushedbackonanarrowshelfofland，withameagreacreageoffieldandpasturebrokenoutofthewoodsthatclothedalltheneighboringsteeps。Thefarm—houselevelcommandedthebestviewofLion’sHead，andthevisitorsalwaysmountedtoit，whethertheycameonfoot，orarrivedonbuckboardsorinbuggies，ordroveupintheConcordstagesfromthefartherandnearerhotels。Thedriversofthecoachesrestedtheirhorsesthere，andwateredthemfromthespringthatdrippedintothegreenlogatthebarn；thepassengersscatteredaboutthedoor—yardtolookattheLion’sHead，towonderatitandmockatit，accordingtotheirseveralmakesandmoods。Theycouldscarcelyhavefeltthattheyeverhadawelcomefromthestalwart，handsomewomanwhosoldthemmilk，iftheywantedit，andsmallcakesofmaplesugariftheywereverystrenuousforsomethingelse。Theladieswerenotabletomakemuchofherfromthefirst；butsomeofthemaskedherifitwerenotratherlonelythere，andshesaidthatwhenyouheardthecatamountsscreamatnight，andthebearsgrowlinthespring，itdidseemlonesome。
Whenoneofthemdeclaredthatifsheshouldhearacatamountscreamorabeargrowlsheshoulddie，thewomananswered，Well，shepresumedwemustalldiesometime。Buttheladieswerenotsureofacovertslantinherwords，fortheywerespokenwiththesamelooksheworewhenshetoldthemthatthemilkwasfivecentsaglass，andtheblackmaplesugarthreecentsacake。Shedidnotchangewhensheownedupontheirurgencethatthegauntmanwhomtheyglimpsedaroundthecornersofthehousewasherhusband，andthethreelankboyswithhimwerehersons；thatthechildrenwhosefaceswatchedthemthroughthewrithingwindowpaneswerehertwolittlegirls；thattheurchinwhostoodshylytwisted，allbuthiswhiteheadandsunburnedface，intoherdressandglancedatthemwithamockingblueeye，washeryoungest，andthathewasthreeyearsold。Withlikecoldnessofvoiceandface，sheassentedtotheirconjecturethatthespacewalledoffinthefarthercorneroftheorchardwasthefamilyburialground；andshesaid，withnomorefeelingthattheladiescouldseethanshehadshownconcerningtheotherfacts，thatthegravestheysawwerethoseofherhusband’sfamilyandofthechildrenshehadlosttherehadbeentenchildren，andshehadlostfour。Shedidnotvisiblyshrinkfromthepursuitofthesympathywhichexpresseditselfincuriosityastothesicknesstheyhaddiedof；theladiesleftherwiththebeliefthattheyhadmetacharacter，andsheremainedwiththeconviction，brieflyimpartedtoherhusband，thattheyweretonguey。
Thesummerfolkscamemoreandmore，everyyear，withlittlevarianceintheimpressiononeitherside。WhentheytoldherthathermaplesugarwouldsellbetterifthecakehadanimageofLion’sHeadstampedonit，sheansweredthatshegotenoughofLion’sHeadwithoutwantingtoseeitonallthesugarshemade。ButthenextyearthecakesborearudeeffigyofLion’sHead，andshesaidthatoneofherboyshadcutthestampoutwithhisknife；shenowchargedfivecentsacakeforthesugar，buthermannerremainedthesame。Itdidnotchangewhentheexcursionistsdroveaway，andthedeepsilencenativetotheplacefellaftertheirchatter。Whenacockcrew，oracowlowed，orahorseneighed，oroneoftheboysshoutedtothecattle，anechoretortedfromthegranitebaseofLion’sHead，andthenshehadallthenoiseshewanted，or，atanyrate，allthenoisetherewasmostofthetime。Nowandthenawagonpassedonthestonyroadbythebrookinthevalley，andsentupitsclattertothefarm—houseonitshighshelf，buttherewasscarcelyanotherbreakfromthesilenceexceptwhenthecoaching—partiescame。
Thecontinuousclashandrushofthebrookwaslikeapartofthesilence，astheredofthefarm—houseandthebarnwaslikeapartofthegreenofthefieldsandwoodsallroundthem：theblack—greenofpinesandspruces，theyellow—greenofmaplesandbirches，densetothetopsofthedrearyhills，andbreakinglikeabatedseaaroundtheLion’sHead。
Thefarmerstoopedathiswork，withathin，inward—curvingchest，buthiswifestoodstraightathers；andshehadamassivebeautyoffigureandaheavilymouldedregularityoffeaturethatimpressedsuchashadeyestoseehergrandeuramongthesummerfolks。Shewasfortywhentheybegantocome，andanashengraywascreepingoverthereddishheapsofherhair，likethepallorthatoverliesthecrimsonoftheautumnaloak。
Sheshowedherageearlierthanmostfairpeople，butsincehermarriageateighteenshehadlivedlonginthedeathsofthechildrenshehadlost。Theywerebornwiththetaintoftheirfather’sfamily，andtheywitheredfromtheircradles。Theyoungestboyalone；ofallherbrood，seemedtohaveinheritedherhealthandstrength。Therestastheygrewupbegantocough，asshehadheardherhusband’sbrothersandsisterscough，andthenshewaitedinhaplesspatiencethefulfilmentoftheirdoom。Thetwolittlegirlswhosefacestheladiesofthefirstcoaching—partysawatthefarm—housewindowshaddiedawayfromthem；twoofthelankboyshadescaped，andintheperpetualexileofCaliforniaandColoradohadsavedthemselvesalive。Theirfathertalkedofgoing，too，buttenyearslaterhestilldraggedhimselfspectrallyaboutthelaborsofthefarm，withthesamecoughatsixtywhichmadehisoldestsonattwenty—ninelookscarcelyyoungerthanhimself。
II。
OnesoftnooninthemiddleofAugustthefarmercameinfromthecorn—fieldthatanearlyfrosthadblighted，andtoldhiswifethattheymustgiveitup。Hesaid，inhisweak，hoarsevoice，withthecatarrhalcatchinginit，thatitwasnousetryingtomakealivingonthefarmanylonger。Theoatshadhardlybeenworthcutting，andnowthecornwasgone，andtherewasnothayenoughwithoutittowinterthestock；iftheygotthroughthemselvestheywouldhavetoliveonpotatoes。Haveavendue，andsellouteverythingbeforethesnowflew，andlettheStatetakethefarmandgetwhatitcouldforit，andturnoverthebalancethatwasleftafterthetaxes；theinterestofthesavings—bankmortgagewouldsooneatthatup。
Thelong，loosecoughtookhim，andanothercoughanswereditlikeanechofromthebarn，wherehissonwasgivingthehorsestheirfeed。Themild，wan—eyedyoungmancameroundthecornerpresentlytowardtheporchwherehisfatherandmotherweresitting，andatthesamemomentaboycameupthelanetotheothercorner；thereweresixteenyearsbetweentheagesofthebrothers，whoalonewereleftofthechildrenbornintoandborneoutofthehouse。Theyoungmanwaitedtilltheywerewithinwhisperingdistanceofeachother，andthenhegasped：\"Whereyoubeen？\"
Theboyanswered，promptly，\"Noneyourbusiness，\"andwentupthestepsbeforetheyoungman，withalop—eared，liver—coloredmongrelathisheels。Hepulledoffhisraggedstrawhatandflungitontheflooroftheporch。\"Dinnerover？\"hedemanded。
Hisfathermadenoanswer；hismotherlookedattheboy’shandsandface，allofmuchthesameearthencast，uptotheeavesofhisthatchofyellowhair，andsaid：\"Yougoandwashyourself。\"Atacertainlightinhismother’seye，whichhecaughtashepassedintothehousewithhisdog，theboyturnedandcutadefiantcaper。Theoldestsonsatdownonthebenchbesidehisfather，andtheyalllookedinsilenceatthemountainbeforethem。Theyheardtheboywhistlingbehindthehouse，withsputteringandblubberingnoises，asifhewerewashinghisfacewhilehewhistled；andthentheyheardhimsinging，withamuffledsound，andsharpbreaksfromthemuffledsound，asifheweresingingintothetowel；heshoutedtohisdogandthreatenedhim，andthescufflingofhisfeetcametothemthroughallasifheweredancing。
\"Beenafterthemwoodchucksag’in，\"hisfatherhuskilysuggested。
\"Iguessso，\"saidthemother。Thebrotherdidnotspeak；hecoughedvaguely，andlethisheadsinkforward。
Thefatherbeganastatementofhisaffairs。
Themothersaid：\"Youdon’twanttogointothat；webeenalloveritbefore。Ifit’scometothepinch，now，it’scome。Butyouwanttobesure。\"
Themandidnotanswerdirectly。\"IfwecouldselloffnowandgetouttowhereJimisinCaliforny，andgetapieceofland——\"Hestopped，asifconfrontedwithsomedifficultywhichhehadmetbefore，buthadhopedhemightnotfindinhiswaythistime。
Hiswifelaughedgrimly。\"Iguess，ifthetruthwasknown，we’retoopoortogetaway。\"
\"We’repoor，\"hewhisperedback。Headded，withaweakobstinacy：
\"Id’knowaswe’reaspoorasthatcomesto。Thethingswouldfetchsomething。\"
\"Enoughtogetusoutthere，andthenweshouldbeonJim’shands，\"saidthewoman。
\"Weshouldtillspring，maybe。Id’knowasIwanttofaceanotherwinterhere，andId’knowasJacksondoes。\"
Theyoungmangaspedback，courageously：\"IguessIcangetalongherewellenough。\"
\"It’smadeJimtenyearsyounger。That’swhathesaid，\"urgedthefather。
Themothersmiledasgrimlyasshehadlaughed。\"Idon’tbelieveit’llmakeyoutenyearsricher，andthat’swhatyouwant。\"
\"Idon’tbelievebutwhatweshouldha’donesomethingwiththeplacebyspring。OrtheStatewould，\"thefathersaid，lifelessly。
Thevoiceoftheboybrokeinuponthemfrombehind。\"Say，mother，a’n’tyounevergoin’tohavedinner？\"Hewasstandinginthedoorway，withastartlingcleannessofthehandsandface，andastrange，wetsleeknessofthehair。Hisclotheswerebedrabbleddownthefrontwithsoapandwater。
Hismotherroseandwenttowardhim；hisfatherandbrotherroselikeapparitions，andslantedafterheratoneangle。
\"Say，\"theboycalledagaintohismother，\"therecomesapeddler。\"Hepointeddowntheroadatthefigureofamanbrisklyascendingthelanetowardthehouse，withapackonhisbackandsomestrangeappendagesdanglingfromit。
Thewomandidnotlookround；neitherofthemenlookedround；theyallkeptonin—doors，andshesaidtotheboy，asshepassedhim：\"Igotnotimetowasteonpeddlers。Youtellhimwedon’twantanything。\"
Theboywaitedforthefigureonthelanetoapproach。Itwasthefigureofayoungman，whoslunghisburdenlightlyfromhisshoulderswhenhearrived，andthenstoodlookingattheboy，withhisfootplantedonthelowermosttreadofthestepsclimbingfromthegroundtotheporch。
III。
Theboymusthavepermittedtheseadvancesthathemightinflictthegreaterdisappointmentwhenhespoke。\"Wedon’twantanything，\"hesaid，insolently。
\"Don’tyou？\"thestrangerreturned。\"Ido。Iwantdinner。Goinandtellyourmother，andthenshowmewhereIcanwashmyhands。\"
Theboldeaseofthestrangerseemedtodaunttheboy，andhestoodirresolute。Hisdogcameroundthecornerofthehouseatthefirstwordoftheparley，and，whilehismasterwasmakinguphismindwhattodo，hesmelledatthestranger’slegs。\"Well，youcan’thaveanydinner，\"
saidtheboy，tentatively。Thedograisedthebristlesonhisneck，andshowedhisteethwithasnarl。Thestrangerpromptlykickedhiminthejaw，andthedogranoffhowling。\"Comehere，sir！\"theboycalledtohim，butthedogvanishedroundthehousewithafadingyelp。
\"Now，youngman，\"saidthestranger，\"willyougoanddoasyou’rebid？
I’mreadytopayformydinner，andyoucansayso。\"Theboystaredathim，slowlytakinginthefactsofhiscostume，witheyesthatclimbedfromtheheavy，shoesupthelegsofhisthick—ribbedstockingsandhisknickerbockers，pastthepleatsandbeltofhisNorfolkjacket，totheredneckclothtiedundertheloosecollarofhisflannelouting—shirt，andsobyhisface，withitssoft，youngbeardanditsquieteyes，tothetopofhisbraidless，bandlessslouchhatofsoftfelt。Itwasoneoftheearliestcostumesofthekindthathadshownitselfinthehillcountry，anditwasaltogethernewtotheboy。\"Come，\"saidthewearerofit，\"don’tstandontheorderofyourgoing，butgoatonce，\"andhesatdownonthestepswithhisbacktotheboy，whoheardthesestrangetermsofcommandwithafaceofvagueenvy。
Thenoondaysunshinelayinathin，silveryglisterontheslopesofthemountainbeforethem，andinthebrilliantlightthecolossalformsoftheLion’sHeadwereprismaticallyoutlinedagainstthespecklesssky。
Throughthesilveryveilthereburnedhereandthereonthedenselywoodedacclivitiesthecrimsontorchofamaple，kindledbeforeitstime，buteverywhereelsetherewastheunbrokengreenoftheforest，subduedtoonetoneofgray。Theboyheardthestrangerfetchhisbreathdeeply，andthenexpelitinalongsigh，beforehecouldbringhimselftoobeyanorderthatseemedtoleavehimwithoutthechoiceofdisobedience。Hecamebackandfoundthestrangerashehadlefthim。\"Comeon，ifyouwantyourdinner，\"hesaid；andthestrangerroseandlookedathim。
\"What’syourname？\"heasked。
\"ThomasJeffersonDurgin。\"
\"Well，ThomasJeffersonDurgin，willyoushowmethewaytothepumpandbringatowelalong？\"
\"Wanttowash？\"
\"Ihaven’tchangedmymind。\"
\"Comealong，then。\"Theboymadeamovementasiftoleadthewayindoors；thestrangerarrestedhim。
\"Here。Takeholdofthisandputitoutoftherushoftravelsomewhere。\"Heliftedhisburdenfromwherehehaddroppeditintheroadandswungittowardtheboy，whorandownthestepsandembracedit。
Ashecarriedittowardacorneroftheporchhefeltofthevariousshapesandmaterialsinit。
Thenhesaid，\"Comeon！\"again，andwentbeforetheguestthroughthedimhallrunningmidwayofthehousetothedoorattherear。Helefthimonanarrowspaceofstoneflaggingthere，andranwithatinbasintothespringatthebarnandbroughtitbacktohimfullofthecoldwater。
\"Towel，\"hesaid，pullingatthefamilyrollerinsidethelittleporchatthedoor；andhewatchedthestrangerwashhishandsandface，andthensearchforafreshplaceonthetowel。
Beforethestrangerhadfinishedthefatherandtheelderbrothercameout，and，afteranineffectualattempttosalutehim，slantedawaytothebarntogether。Thewoman，in—doors，wasmoresuccessful，whenhefoundherinthedining—room，wheretheboyshowedhim。Thetablewassetforhimalone，anditaffectedhimasifthefamilyhadbeenhurriedawayfromitthathemighthaveittohimself。Everythingwasverysimple：
theironforkshadtwoprongs；theknivesbonehandles；thedullglasswaspressed；theheavyplatesandcupswerewhite，butsowasthecloth，andallwereclean。Thewomanbroughtinagoodboileddinnerofcorned—beef，potatoes，turnips，andcarrotsfromthekitchen，andateapot，andsaidsomethingabouthavingkeptthemhotonthestoveforhim；shebroughthimaplateofbiscuitfreshfromtheoven；thenshesaidtotheboy，\"Youcomeoutandhaveyourdinnerwithme，Jeff，\"andlefttheguesttomakehismealunmolested。
Theroomwassquare，withtwonorthwindowsthatlookeddownthelanehehadclimbedtothehouse。Anopendoorledintothekitcheninanell，andacloseddooroppositeprobablygaveaccesstoaparlororaground—
floorchamber。Thewindowsweredarkeneddowntothelowersashbygreenpapershades；thewallswerepaperedinapatternofbrownroses；overthechimneyhungalargepicture，alife—sizepencil—drawingoftwolittlegirls，oneslightlyolderandslightlylargerthantheother，eachwithroundeyesandpreciseringlets，andwithherhandclaspedintheother’shand。
Theguestseemedhelplesstotakehisgazefromit，andhesatfallenbackinhischairatitwhenthewomancameinwithapie。
\"Thankyou，IbelieveIdon’twantanydessert，\"hesaid。\"Thefactis，thedinnerwassogoodthatIhaven’tleftanyroomforpie。Arethoseyourchildren？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthewoman，lookingupatthepicturewiththepieinherhand。\"They’rethelasttwoIlost。\"
\"Oh，excuseme——\"theguestbegan。
\"It’sthewaytheyappearinthespiritlife。It’saspiritpicture。\"
\"Oh，Ithoughttherewassomethingstrangeaboutit。\"
\"Well，it’sagooddeallikethephotographwehadtakenaboutayearbeforetheydied。It’sagoodlikeness。Theysaytheydon’tchangeagreatdealatfirst。\"
Sheseemedtoreferthepointtohimforhisjudgment，butheansweredwideofit：
\"Icameupheretopaintyourmountain，ifyoudon’tmind，Mrs。
Durgin—Lion’sHead，Imean。\"
\"Ohyes。Well，Idon’tknowaswecouldstopyouifyouwantedtotakeitaway。\"Aspareglimmerlightedupherface。
Thepainterrejoinedinkind：\"Thetownmighthavesomethingtosay，I
suppose。\"
\"Notifyouwastoleaveagoodpieceofintervaleinplaceofit。We’vegotmountainstospare。\"
\"Well，then，that’sarranged。Whataboutaweek’sboard？\"
\"Iguessyoucanstayifyou’resatisfied。\"
\"I’llbesatisfiedifIcanstay。Howmuchdoyouwant？\"
Thewomanlookeddown，probablywithaninwardanxietybetweenthefearofaskingtoomuchandthefollyofaskingtoolittle。Shesaid，tentatively：\"Someofthefolksthatcomeoverfromthehotelssaytheypayasmuchastwentydollarsaweek。\"
\"Butyoudon’texpecthotelprices？\"
\"Idon’tknowasIdo。We’veneverhadanybodybefore。\"
Thestrangerrelaxedthefrownhehadputonatthegreedofhersuggestion；itmighthavecomefromignoranceormereinnocence。\"I’minthehabitofpayingfivedollarsforfarmboard，whereIstayseveralweeks。Whatdoyousaytosevenforasingleweek？\"
\"Iguessthat’lldo，\"saidthewoman，andshewentoutwiththepie，whichshehadkeptinherhand。