XII。
ThepicnicwasheldinWhitwell’sClearing，onthesideofLion’sHead，wherethemoss，almostaswhiteassnow，laylikebelateddriftsamongthetall，thingrasswhichoverranthespaceopenedbytheaxe，andcrepttothevergeofthelowpinesgrowingintheshelteroftheloftierwoods。ItwastheendofoneofWhitwell’s\"TrampsHometoNature，\"ashecalledhiswalksandtalkswiththeladies，andonthisdayWestover’sfellow—painterhadaddedtohislessonsinwoodloretheclaimsofart，intendingthathisclassshouldmakestudiesofvariousbitsintheclearing，andshouldtrytocatchsomethingofitspeculiarcharm。HeaskedWestoverwhathethoughtofthenotion，andWestovergaveithisapproval，whichbecameenthusiasticwhenhesawtheplace。Hefoundinitthemelancholygrace，thepoignantsentimentofruinwhichexpressesitselfinsomemeasurewherevermanhasinvadednatureandthenlefthisconquesttoheragain。InWhitwell’sClearingtheeffectwasintensifiedbytheapproachonthefadingwoodroad，whichthewagonshadmadeinformerdayswhentheyhauledthefallentimbertothepulp—mill。Inplacesitwassovagueandfaintastobehardlyatrail；inothers，wherethewheel—tracksremainedvisible，thetreeshadsentoutanewgrowthoflowerbranchesintheplaceofthoseloppedaway，andalmostforbadetheadvanceoffoot—passengers。TheladiessaidtheydidnotseehowJeffwasevergoingtogetthroughwiththewagon，andtheyexpressedfearsforthelunchhewasbringing，whichseemedonlytoowellgrounded。
ButWhitwell，whowasleadingthemon，said：\"YouletaDurginalonetodoathingwhenhe’smadeuphismindtoit。Iguessyou’llhaveyourlunchallright\"；andbythetimethattheyhadgotenoughofBrowningtheyheardthewelcomesoundofwheelscrashingupondeadboughsandswishingthroughtheunderbrush，and，inthepausesofthesepleasantnoises，thevoiceofJeffDurginencouraginghishorses。Thechildrenofthepartybrokeawaytomeethim，andthenhecameinsightaheadofhisteam，lookingstrongandhandsomeinhiskeepingwiththescene：Beforehegotwithinhearing，theladiesmurmuredahymnofpraisetohistypeofbeauty；theysaidhelookedlikeayoungHercules，andWestoverownedwithaninwardsmilethatJeffhadcertainlymadethebestofhimselfforthetimebeing。Hehadtakenaleaffromthebookofthesummerfolks；
hisstalwartcalvesrevealedthemselvesinthick，ribbedstockings；heworeknickerbockersandaNorfolkjacketofcorduroy；hehadstyleaswellasbeauty，andhehadthecourageofhisclothesandlooks。
WestoverwasstillinthefirstsurpriseoftheAmericanfacts，andhewonderedjustwhatpartinthepicnicJeffwastobearsocially。Hewasneitherquitehostnorguest；butnodoubtintheeasyplayofthelife，whichWestoverwasratherproudtofindsocharming，thequestionwouldsolveitselfrationallyandgracefully。
\"Wheredoyouwantthethings？\"theyoungfellowaskedofthecompanyatlarge，asheadvanceduponthemfromthegreenportalsoftheroadway，pullingoffhissoftwoolhat，andwipinghiswetforeheadwithhisblue—
borderedwhitehandkerchief。
\"Oh，righthere，Jeff！\"ThenimblestofthenymphssprangtoherfeetfromtheloungingandcrouchingcircleaboutWestover。Shewasayoungnymphnolonger，butwithadaughternotsomuchyoungerthanherselfastomakethecontrastofhersixteenyearspainful。Westoverrecognizedtheofficious，self—approvingkindofthewoman，butheadmiredthebriskefficiencywithwhichshehadtakenpossessionoftheaffairfromthebeginningandinspiredeveryonetohelp，instrictsubordinationtoherself。
Whentheclothswerelaidonthesmooth，elasticmoss，andthemealwasspread，sheheapedaplatewithoutsufferinganyintervalinheractivities。
\"Isupposeyou’vegottogobacktoyourhorses，Jeff，andyoushallbethefirstserved，\"shesaid，andsheofferedhimtheplatewithabrightsmileandfriendlygrace，whichweremeanttokeephimfromthehurtofherintention。
Jeffdidnotoffertotaketheplatewhichsheraisedtohimfromwhereshewaskneeling，butlookeddownatherwithperfectintelligence。
\"IguessIdon’twantanything，\"hesaid，andturnedandwalkedawayintothewoods。
Theill—advisedwomanremainedkneelingforamomentwithheringratiatingsmilehardeningonherface，whilethesenseofherblunderpetrifiedtherest。Shewasthefirsttorecoverherself，andshesaid，withalaughthatshetriedtomakereckless，\"Well，friends，Isupposetherestofyouarehungry；IknowIam，\"andshebegantoeat。
Theothersate，too，thoughtheirappetitesmightwellhavebeenaffectedbythediplomaticbehaviorofWhitwell。Hewouldnottakeanything，justatpresent，hesaid，andgothislonglengthupfromtherootofatreewherehehadfoldeditdown。\"Idon’tseemtocaremuchforanythinginthemiddleoftheday；breakfast’smybestmeal，\"andhefollowedJeffoffintothewoods。
\"Really，\"saidthelady，\"whatdidtheyexpect？\"Butthequestionwassodifficultthatnooneseemedabletomakethesimpleanswer。
Theincidentdarkenedthedayandspoileditspleasure；itcastalesseningshadowintotheeveningwhentheguestsmetroundthefireinthelarge，uglynewparloratthehotel。
Thenextmorningtheladiesassembledagainonthepiazzatodecidewhatshouldbedonewiththebeautifuldaybeforethem。Whitwellstoodatthefootoftheflag—staffwithonehandstayinghispersonagainstit，likeafigureposedinaphotographtoverifyproportionsinthedifferentfeaturesofaprospect。
Theheroineoftheunhappyaffairofthepicniccouldnotforbearauthorizingherselftoinvokehisopinionatacertainpointofthedebate，and\"Mr。Whitwell，\"shecalledtohim，\"won’tyoupleasecomehereamoment？\"
Whitwellslowlypulledhimselfacrossthegrasstothegroup，andatthesamemoment，asifshehadbeenwaitingforhimtobepresent，Mrs。
Durgincameoutoftheofficedoorandadvancedtowardtheladies。
\"Mrs。Marven，\"shesaid，withthestonypassivitywhichtheladiesusedtonoteinherwhentheycameovertoLion’sHeadFarminthetally—hos，\"thestageleaveshereattwoo’clocktogetthedowntrainatthree。I
wantyoushouldhaveyourtrunksreadytogoonthewagonalittlebeforetwo。\"
\"YouwantIshouldhavemy——Whatdoyoumean，Mrs。Durgin？\"
\"Iwantyourrooms。\"
\"Youwantmyrooms？\"
Mrs。Durgindidnotanswer。Shelethersteadfastlooksuffice；andMrs。
Marvenwentoninarisingflutter：\"Why，youcan’thavemyrooms！
Idon’tunderstandyou。I’vetakenmyroomsforthewholeofAugust，andtheyaremine；and——\"
\"Ihavegottohaveyourrooms，\"saidMrs。Durgin。
\"Verywell，then，Iwon’tgivethemup，\"saidthelady。\"Abargain’sabargain，andIhaveyouragreement——\"
\"Ifyou’renotoutofyourroomsbytwoo’clock，yourthingswillbeputout；andafterdinnerto—dayyouwillnoteatanotherbiteundermyroof。\"
Mrs。Durginwentin，anditremainedforthecompanytomakewhattheycouldoftheaffair。Mrs。Marvendidnotwaitfortheresult。Shewasnotadignifiedperson，butsherosewithhauteurandwhippedawaytoherrooms，hersnolonger，tomakeherpreparations。Sheknewatleasthowtogivehergoingtheeffectofquittingtheplacewithdisdainandabhorrence。
Theincidentofherexpulsionwasbrutal，butitwasclearlymeanttobeso。ItmadeWestoveralittlesick，andhewouldhavelikedtopityMrs。
Marvenmorethanhecould。TheladiessaidthatMrs。Durgin’sbehaviorwasanoutrage，andtheyoughtalltoresentitbygoingstraighttotheirownroomsandpackingtheirthingsandleavingonthesamestagewithMrs。Marven。Noneofthemdidso，andtheirtalkveeredaroundtosomethingextenuating，ifnotjustifying，Mrs。Durgin’saction。
\"Isuppose，\"oneofthemsaid，\"thatshefeltmoreindignantaboutitbecauseshehasbeensoverygoodtoMrs。Marven，andherdaughter，too。
Theywerebothsickonherhandshereforaweekaftertheycame，firstoneandthentheother，andshelookedafterthemanddidforthemlikeamother。\"
\"Andyet，\"anotherladysuggested，\"whatcouldMrs。Marvenhavedone？
Whatdidshedo？Hewasn’taskedtothepicnic，andIdon’tseewhyheshouldhavebeentreatedasaguest。Hewasthere，purelyandsimply，tobringthethingsandtakethemaway。And，besides，ifthereisanythingindistinctions，indifferences，ifwearetochoosewhoistoassociatewithus——orourdaughters——\"
\"Thatistrue，\"theladiessaid，inoneformoranother，withthetoneofconviction；buttheywerenotsodeeplyconvincedthattheydidnotwantaman’sopinion，andtheyalllookedatWestover。
Hewouldnotrespondtotheirlook，andtheladywhohadarguedforMrs。
Marvenhadtoask：\"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Westover？\"
\"Ah，it’sadifficultquestion，\"hesaid。\"Isupposethataslongasonepersonbelieveshimselforherselfsociallybetterthananother，itmustalwaysbeafreshproblemwhattodoineverygivencase。\"
Theladiessaidtheysupposedso，andtheywereforcedtomakewhattheycouldofwisdominwhichtheymightcertainlyhavefeltawantoffinality。
WestoverwentawayfromtheminaperplexedmindwhichwasnotsimplifiedbythecontempthehadatthebottomofallforsomethingunmanlyinJeff，whohadcarriedhisgrievancetohismotherlikeaslightedboy，andprovokedhertotakeuparmsforhim。
ThesympathyforMrs。Marvenmountedagainwhenitwasseenthatshedidnotcometodinner，orpermitherdaughtertodoso，andwhenitbecameknownlaterthatshehadrefusedforboththedishessenttotheirrooms。
Herfarewellstotheotherladies，whentheygatheredtoseeheroffonthestage，wereairyratherthancheery；therewasalmostademonstrationinherbehalf，butWestoverwasoppressedbyakindofinherentsqualorintheincident。
AtnightherespondedtoaknockwhichhesupposedthatofFrankWhitwellwithice—water，andMrs。Durgincameintohisroomandsatdowninoneofhistwochairs。\"Mr。Westover，\"shesaid，\"ifyouknewallIhaddoneforthatwomanandherdaughter，andhowmuchshehadpretendedtothinkofusall，Idon’tbelieveyou’dbesoreadytojudgeme。\"
\"Judgeyou！\"criedWestover。\"Blessmysoul，Mrs。Durgin！Ihaven’tsaidawordthatcouldbetormentedintotheslightestcensure。\"
\"ButyouthinkIdonewrong？\"
\"Ihavenotbeenatallabletosatisfymyselfonthatpoint，Mrs。
Durgin。Ithinkit’salwayswrongtorevengeone’sself。\"
\"Yes，Isupposeitis，\"saidMrs。Durgin，humbly；andthetearscameintohereyes。\"Igotthetrayreadywithmyownhandsthatwassenttoherroom；butshewouldn’ttouchit。Ipresumeshedidn’tlikehavingaplatepreparedforher！ButIdidfeelsorryforher。Shea’n’toverandabovestrong，andI’mafraidshe’llbesick；therea’n’tanyrest’rantatourdepot。\"
WestoverfanciedthisafitmoodinMrs。Durginforherfurtherinstruction，andhesaid：\"Andifyou’llexcuseme，Mrs。Durgin，Idon’tthinkwhatyoudidwasquitethewaytokeepahotel。\"
MoretearsflashedintoMrs。Durgin’seyes，buttheyweretearsofwrathnow。\"Iwould’a’doneit，\"shesaid，\"ifIthoughteverysingleoneof’emwould’a’leftthehousethenextminute，fortherea’n’tonethathasthefirstwordtosayagainstme，anyotherway。Itwa’n’tthatI
caredwhethershethoughtmysonwasgoodenoughtoeatwithherornot；
IknowwhatIthink，andthat’senoughforme。Hewa’n’tinvitedtothepicnic，andhea’n’tonetoputhimselfforward。Ifshedidn’twanthimtostay，allshehadtodowastodonothin’。Buttomakehimupaplatebeforeeverybody，andhandittohimtoeatwiththehorses，likeatramporadog——\"Mrs。Durginfilledtothethroatwithherwrath，andthesightofhermadeWestoverkeenlyunhappy。
\"Yes，yes，\"hesaid，\"itwasamiserablebusiness。\"Hecouldnothelpadding：\"IfJeffcouldhavekeptittohimself——butperhapsthatwasn’tpossible。\"
\"Mr。Westover！\"saidMrs。Durgin，sternly。\"DoyouthinkJeffwouldcometome，likeagreatcrybaby，andcomplainofmyladyboardersandthewaytheyusedhim？ItwasMr。Whit’ellthatletitout，orIdon’tknowasI
shouldeverknownaboutit。\"
\"I’mgladJeffdidn’ttellyou，\"saidWestover，witharevulsionofgoodfeelingtowardhim。
\"He’d’a’diedfirst，\"saidhismother。\"ButMr。Whit’elldonejustrightallthrough，andIsha’n’tsoonforgetit。Jeff’sgivemeapropergoin’overforwhatIdone；boththeboyshave。ButIcouldn’thelpit，andIshoulddojustsoagain。Allis，Iwantedyoushouldknowjustwhatyouwasblamin’mefor——\"
\"Idon’tknowthatIblameyou。Ionlywishyoucouldhavehelpedit——
managedsomeotherway。\"
\"Ididtrytogetoverit，andallIdonewastoloseanight’srest。
Then，thismorning，whenIseehersettin’theresocoolandmightywiththeboarders，andtakin’theleadasusual，IjustwaitedtillshegotWhit’ellacross，andnearlyeverybodywastherethatsawwhatshedonetoJeff，andthenIflewoutonher。\"
Westovercouldnotsuppressalaugh。\"Well，Mrs。Durgin，yourretaliationwascomplete；itwasdramatic。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbythat，\"saidMrs。Durgin，risingandresumingherself—control；shedidnotrefuseherselfagrimsmile。
\"ButIguessshethoughtitwasprettyperfectherself——orshewill，whenshe’sabletogivehermindtoit。I’msorryforherdaughter；Ineverhadanythingagainsther；orhermother，either，forthatmatter，before。
Frankylookafteryouprettywell？I’llsendhimupwithyourice—water。
Goteverythingelseyouwant？\"
IshouldhavetoinventawantifIwishedtocomplain，\"saidWestover。
\"Well，Ishouldliketohaveyoudoit。Wecan’teverdotoomuchforyou。Well，good—night，Mr。Westover。\"
\"Good’—night，Mrs。Durgin。\"
XIII。
JeffDurginenteredHarvardthatfall，withfewerconditionsthanmoststudentshavetoworkoff。ThiswassetdowntothecreditofLovewellAcademy，wherehehadpreparedfortheuniversity；andsomeobserversinsuchmatterswereinterestedtonotehowthoroughlytheoldschoolinaremotetownhaddoneitsworkforhim。
Nonewhoformedpersonalrelationswithhimatthattimeconjecturedthathehaddonemuchoftheworkforhimself，andeventoWestover，whenJeffcametohimsomeweeksafterhissettlementinCambridge，heseemedpainfullyoutofhiselement，andunamiablyawareofit。Forthetime，atleast，hehadlostthejovialhumor，nottookindlyalways，whichlargelycharacterizedhim，andexpresseditselfinsalliesofironywhichwerenotsounkindly，either。Thepainterperceivedthathewasonhisguardagainsthisownfriendlyinterest；Jeffmadehastetoexplainthathecamebecausehehadtoldhismotherthathewoulddoso。Hescarcelyinvitedareturnofhisvisit，andheleftWestoverwonderingatthesortofvaguerebellionagainsthisnewlifewhichheseemedtobein。ThepainterwentouttoseehiminCambridge，notlongafter，andwasrathergladtofindhimroomingwithsomeotherrusticFreshmaninahumblestreetrunningfromthesquaretowardtheriver；forhethoughtJeffmusthavetakenhislodgingforitscheapness，outofregardtohismother’smeans。ButJeffwasnotgladtobefoundthere，apparently；hesaidatoncethatheexpectedtogetaroomintheYardthenextyear，andeatatMemorialHall。Hespokescornfullyofhisboarding—houseasaplacewheretheywereallalotofjaystogether；andWestoverthoughthimstillmoreatoddswithhisenvironmentthanhehadbefore。ButJeffconsentedtocomeinanddinewithhimathisrestaurant，andafterwardgotothetheatrewithhim。
Whenhecame，Westoverdidnotquitelikehisdespatchofthehalf—bottleofCaliforniaclaretservedeachofthemwiththeItaliantabled’hote。
Hedidnotlikehishavingalreadyseentheplayheproposed；andhefoundsomedifficultyinchoosingaplaywhichJeffhadnotseen。Itappearedthenthathehadbeenatthetheatretwoorthreetimesaweekforthelastmonth，andthatitwasalmostasgreatapassionwithhimaswithWestoverhimself。Hehadbecomealreadyacriticofacting，witharoughgoodsenseofit，andadecidedopinion。Heknewwhichactorshepreferred，andwhichactresses，betterstill。ItwassomeconsolationforWestovertofindthathemostlytookanadmissionticketwhenhewenttothetheatre；but，thoughhecouldnotblameJeffforshowinghisownfondnessforit，hewishedthathehadnothisfondness。
SofarJeffseemedtohavespentveryfewofhiseveningsinCambridge，andWestoverthoughtitwouldbewellifhehadsomeacquaintancethere。
Hemadefavorforhimwithafriendlyfamily，whoaskedhimtodinner。
TheydidittoobligeWestover，againsttheirownjudgmentandknowledge，fortheysaiditwasalwaysthesamewithFreshmen；asingleactofhospitalityfinishedtheacquaintance。Jeffcame，andhebehavedwithasgreatindifferencetothekindnessmeanthimasifhewerediningouteverynight；heexcusedhimselfveryearlyintheeveningonthegroundthathehadtogointoBoston，andheneverpaidhisdinner—call。AfterthatWestovertriedtoconsiderhiswholedutytohimfulfilled，andnottotroublehimselffurther。Nowandthen，however，JeffdisappointedtheexpectationWestoverhadformedofhim，bycomingtoseehim，andbeingapparentlygladoftheprivilege。Buthedidnotmakethepainterthinkthathewasgrowingingraceorwisdom，thoughheapparentlyfeltanincreasingconfidenceinhisownknowledgeoflife。
Westovercouldonlyfeelapainfulinteresttingedwithamusementinhisgrotesquemisconceptionsoftheworldwherehehadnotyetbeguntorighthimself。Jeffbelievedluridthingsofthesocietywhollyunknowntohim；tohisgrosscredulity，Bostonhouses，whichattheworstwerethehomesofastiffandcoldexclusiveness，werethescenesofriotonlylessscandalousthanthedissipationtowhichfashionableladiesabandonedthemselvesatchampagnesuppersintheBackBayhotelsandontheirsecretvisitstotheChineseopium—jointsinKingstonStreet。
Westovertriedtomakehimseehowimpossiblehisfallacieswere；buthecouldperceivethatJeffthoughthimeitherwilfullyignorantorhelplesslyinnocent，andoffarlessauthoritythanabarberwhohadtheentreeofalltheseswellfamiliesashair—dresser，andwhocorroboratedthewitnessofahotelnight—clerk（Jeffwouldnotgivetheirnames）tothedepravityoftheupperclasses。Hehadtocontenthimselfwithsaying：\"Ihopeyouwillbeashamedsomedayofhavingbelievedsuchrot。
ButIsupposeit’ssomethingyou’vegottogothrough。Youmaytakemywordforit，though？thatitisn’tgoingtodoyouanygood。It’sgoingtodoyouharm，andthat’swhyIhatetohaveyouthinkit，foryourownsake。Itcan’thurtanyoneelse。\"
Whatdisgustedthepaintermostwasthat，withallhisbeliefinthewickednessofthefineworld，itwasclearthatJeffwouldhavewillinglybeenofit；andhedivinedthatifhehadanystrongaspirationstheywereforsocietyandforsocialacceptance。Hehadfancied，whenthefellowseemedtocaresolittleforthestudiesoftheuniversity，thathemightcomeforwardinitssports。Jeffgavemoreandmoretheeffectoftremendousstrengthinhispeculiarphysique，thoughtherewasalwaysthedisappointmentofnotfindinghimtall。Hewasofthemiddleheight，buthewashewnoutandsquaredupwardmassively。Hefeltlikestonetoanyaccidentalcontact，andthepainterbroughtawayabruisefromthemerebruntofhisshoulders。HelearnedthatJeffwasafrequenterofthegymnasium，wherehisstrengthmusthavebeenknown，buthecouldnotmakeoutthathehadanystandingamongthemenwhowentinforathletics。IfJeffhadeventhis，thesortofstandingincollegewhichhefailedofwouldeasilyhavebeenwon，too。Buthehadbeenfalselyplacedatthestart，orsomequalityofhisnatureneutralizedotherqualitiesthatwouldhavemadehimaleaderincollege，andheremainedoneoftheleastforwardmeninit。Otherjayswonfavorandliking，andceasedtobejays；Jeffcontinuedajay。Hewasnotchosenintoanyofthenicersocieties；thosethathejoinedwhenhethoughttheywereswellhecouldnotcareforwhenhefoundtheywerenot。
Westovercameintoaknowledgeofthefactsthroughhiscasualandscarcelyvoluntaryconfidences，andhepitiedhimsomewhatwhileheblamedhimagreatdealmore，withoutbeingabletohelphimatall。
Itappearedtohimthatthefellowhadgonewrongmorethroughignorancethanperversity，andthatitwasastubbornnessofspiritratherthanabadnessofheartthatkepthimfromgoingright。Hesometimeswonderedwhetheritwasnotmoreabaffledwishtobejustifiedinhisownesteemthananythingelsethatmadehimovervaluethethingshemissed。HeknewhowsuchanexperienceasthatwithMrs。Marvenranklesintheheartofyouth，andwillnotceasetosmarttillsometriumphinkindbrinesitease；butbetweenthemanofthirtyandtheboyoftwentythereisagulffixed，andhecouldnotask。Hedidnotknowthatacollegemanoftengoeswronginhisfirstyear，outofnoimpulsethathecanveryclearlyaccountforhimself，andthenwhenheceasestobemerelyofhistypeandbecomesmoreofhischaracter，hepullsupandgoesright。HedidnotknowhowmuchJeffhadbeenwithasetthatwasfastwithoutbeingfine。
Theboyhadnowandthenabookinhishandwhenhecame；notalwayssuchabookasWestovercouldhavewished，butstillabook；andtohisoccasionalquestionsabouthowhewasgettingonwithhiscollegework，Jeffmadebriefanswers，whichgavethenotionthathewasnotneglectingit。
TowardtheendofhisfirstyearhesenttoWestoveronenightfromastation—house，wherehehadbeenlockedupforbreakingastreet—lampinBoston。Byhisownshowinghehadnotbrokenthelamp，orassisted，exceptthroughhispresence，atthemisdeedofthetipsystudentswhohaddoneit。Hisbreathbetrayedthathehadbeendrinking，too；butotherwiseheseemedassoberasWestoverhimself，whodidnotknowwhethertoaugurwellorillforhimfromtheproofshehadgivenbeforeofhisabilitytocarryoffabottleofwinewithaperfectlylevelhead。
JeffseemedtobelieveWestoverapersonofsuchinfluencethathecouldsecurehisreleaseatonce，andhewasabashedtofindthathemustpassthenightinthecell，whereheconferredwithWestoverthroughthebars。
Inthepolicecourt，wherehiscompanionswerefined，thenextmorning，hewasdischargedforwantofevidenceagainsthim；buttheuniversityauthoritiesdidnottakethesameviewasthecivilauthorities。Hewassuspended，andforthetimehepassedoutofWestover’ssightandknowledge。
HeexpectedtofindhimatLion’sHead，wherehewenttopassthemonthofAugust——inpaintingthosepicturesofthemountainwhichhadinsomesort，almostinspiteofhim，becomehisspecialty。ButMrs。DurginemployedthefirstfreemomentsaftertheirmeetinginexplainingthatJeffhadgotachancetoworkhiswaytoLondononacattle—steamer，andhadbeenabroadthewholesummer。Hehadwrittenhomethatthevoyagehadbeenglorious，withplentytoeatandlittletodo；andhehadmadefavorwiththecaptainforhisreturnbythesamevesselinSeptember。
ByotherlettersitseemedthathehadspentthetimemostlyinEngland；
buthehadcrossedoverintoFranceforafortnight，andhadspentaweekinParis。HismotherreadsomepassagesfromhislettersaloudtoshowWestoverhowJeffwaskeepinghiseyesopen。Hisaccountsofhistravelwereamixtureofcrudesensationsinthepresenceoffamousscenesandobjectsofinterest，hard—headedobservationofthefactsoflife，narrow—mindedmisconceptionofconditions，andwhollyintelligentandadequatestudyoftheartofinn—keepingincityandcountry。
Mrs。Durginseemedtofeelthattherewassomeexcuseduefortherelativequantityofthelast。\"Heknowsthat’swhatI’dcareforthemost；andJeffa’n’tonetoforgethismother。\"Asifthewordremindedher，sheadded，afteramoment：\"Wesha’n’tanyofussoonforgetwhatyoudoneforJeff——thattime。\"
\"Ididn’tdoanythingforhim，Mrs。Durgin；Icouldn’t，\"Westoverprotested。
\"Youdonewhatyoucould，andIknowthatyousawthethingintherightlight，oryouwouldn’t’a’triedtodoanything。Jefftoldmeeverywordaboutit。Iknowhewaswithaprettyharum—scarumcrowd。Butitwasalessontohim；andIwa’n’tgoin’tohavehimcomebackhere，rightaway，andhavefolkstalkin’aboutwhattheycouldn’tunderstand，afterthewaythepaperhadit。\"
\"Diditgetintothepapers？\"
\"Mm。\"Mrs。Durginnodded。\"Andsomedirty，sneakin’thing，here，wrotealettertothepaperandtoldapasselo’liesaboutJeffandallofus；
andthepaperprintedJeff’spicturewithit；Idon’tknowhowtheygotaholdofit。Sowhenhegotthatchancetogo，Ijustsaid，’Go。’You’llseehe’llkeepallstraightenoughafterthis，Mr。Westover。\"
\"OldwomanreadyouanyofJeff’sletters？\"Whit—wellasked，whenhischanceforprivateconferencewithWestovercame。\"Whatwastherightsofthatscrapehegotinto？\"
WestoverexplainedasfavorablytoJeffashecould；theworstoftheaffairwasthebadcompanyhewasin。
Well，wherethere’ssmokethere’ssomefire。Cou’tdischargedhimandcollegesuspendedhim。That’saboutwhereitis？Iguesshe’llkeepouto’harm’swaynexttime。ReadyouwhathesaidaboutthemscenesoftheRevolutioninParis？\"
\"Yes；heseemstohavelookeditallupprettythoroughly。\"
\"Doneitforme，Iguess，muchasanything。Iwasalwaystalkin’itupwithhim。Jeff’skep’hiseyesopen，that’safact。He’sgotaheadonhim，more’nIeverthought。\"
WestoverdecidedthatMrs。Durgin’sprepotentbehaviortowardMrs。Marventhesummerbeforehadnothurthermaterially，withthewitnesseseven。
Thereweremanynewboarders，butmostofthosewhomhehadalreadymetwereagainatLion’sHead。Theysaidtherewasnoairlikeit，andnoplacesocomfortable。Iftheyhadsoldtheirbirthrightforamessofpottage，Westoverhadtoconfessthatthepottagewasverygood。InsteadoftheIrishwomanattendollarsaweekwhohadhithertobeenMrs。
Durgin’scook，underherpersonalsurveillanceanddirection，shehadnowamancook，whomsheboldlycalledachefandpaideightydollarsamonth。Heworethewhiteapronandwhitecapofhiscalling，butWestoverheardhimspeakYankeethroughhisnosetooneofthestablemenastheyexchangedhilaritiesacrossthespacebetweenthebasementandthebarn—door。\"Yes，\"Mrs。Durginadmitted，\"he’sanAmerican；andhelearnthistradeatoneofthebesthotelsinPortland。He’sprettyheadstrong，butIguesshedoeswhathe’stold——intheend。Themeanyous？
Oh，FrankyWhitwellprintsthen。He’sgotanamateurprinting—officeinthestable—loft。\"
XIV。
OnemorningtowardtheendofAugust，Whitwell，whowasstartinghomeward，afterleavinghisladies，burdenedwiththeirwishesandchargesforthemorrow，metWestovercomingupthehillwithhispainting—gearinhishand。\"Say！\"hehailedhim。\"Whydon’tyoucomedowntothehouseto—night？Jackson’sgoin’tocome，and，ifyouha’n’tseenhimworktheplantchetteforaspell，you’llbesurprised。Therea’n’thardlyanybodyhecan’thaveup。You’llcome？Goodenough！\"
WhataffectedWestoverfirstofallattheseance，andperhapsmostofall，wasthequalityoftheairinthelittlehouse；itwascloseandstuffy，mixedwithanodorofmouldandanancientsmellofrats。Thekerosene—lampsetinthecentreofthetable，whereJacksonafterwardplacedhisplanchette，devouredthelittlelifethatwasleftinit。AtthegaspswhichWestovergave，withsomedespairingglancesattheclosedwindows，Whitwellsaid：\"Hot？Well，Iguessitisalittle。But，yousee，Jacksonhasgottobecarefulaboutthenightair；butIguessIcanfixitforyou。\"Hewentoutintotheell，andWestoverheardhimraisingawindow。Hecamebackandasked，\"Thatdo？It’llgetaroundinheredirectly，\"andWestoverhadtoprofessrelief。
JacksoncameinpresentlywiththelittleCanuck，whomWhitwellpresentedtoWestover：\"KnowJombateeste？\"
Thetwoweretalkingaboutalandslidewhichhadtakenplaceontheothersideofthemountain；thenewshadjustcomethattheyhadfoundamongtheruinsthebodyofthefarm—handwhohadbeenmissingsincethemorningoftheslide；hisfuneralwastobethenextday。
Jacksonputhisplanchetteonthetable，andsatdownbeforeitwithasigh；theCanuckremainedstanding，andonfoothewasscarcelyaheadhigherthantheseatedYankees。\"Well，\"Jacksonsaid，\"Isupposeheknowsallaboutitnow，\"meaningthedeadfarm—hand。
\"Yes，\"Westoversuggested，\"ifheknowsanything。\"
\"Knowanything！\"Whitwellshouted。\"Why，man，don’tyoubelievehe’sasmuchaliveaseverhewas？\"
\"Ihopeso，\"saidWestover，submissively。
\"Don’tyouknowit？\"
\"NotasIknowotherthings。Infact，Idon’tknowit，\"saidWestover，andhewaspainfullyawareofhavingshockedhishearersbytheagnosticismsocommonamongmenintownsthathehadconfesseditquitesimplyandunconsciously。Heperceivedthatfaithinthesoulandlifeeverlastingwasasquickaseverinthehills，whatevergrotesqueorunwontedformitwore。Jacksonsatwithclosedeyesandhisheadfallenback；Whitwellstaredatthepainter，withopenmouth；thelittleCanuckbegantowalkupanddownimpatiently；Westoverfeltareproach，almostanabhorrence，inallofthem。
Whitwellasked：\"Why，don’tyouthinkthere’sanyproofofit？\"
\"Proof？OhYes。There’stestimonyenoughtocarryconvictiontothestubbornestmindonanyotherpoint。Butit’sverystrangeaboutallthat。Itdoesn’tconvinceanybodybutthewitnesses。Ifamantellsmehe’sseenadisembodiedspirit，Ican’tbelievehim。Imustseethedisembodiedspiritmyself。\"
\"That’ssomethingso，\"saidWhitwell，witharelentinglaugh。
\"Ifonecamebackfromthedead，totellusofalifebeyondthegrave，weshouldwanttheassurancethathe’dreallybeendead，andnotmerelydreaming。\"
Whitwelllaughedagain，inthedelightthephilosophicmindfindseveninthereasoningthathatesit。
TheCanuckfeltperhapsthesimplerjoythattheaveragemanhasinanystrangenotionthatheisabletograsp。Hestoppedinhiswalkandsaid：\"Yes，andifyouwasdeadandwenttoheaven，andstayedsolongyousmelt，likeLazarus，andyoucomebackandtol’’emwhatyousaw，nobodygoin’believeyou。\"
\"Well，Iguessyou’rerightthere，Jombateeste，\"saidWhitwell，withpleasureintheCanuck’spoint。AfteramomenthesuggestedtoWestover：
\"ThenIs’pose，ifyoufeelthewayyoudo，youdon’tcaremuchaboutplantchette？\"