ItoccurredtoWestover，andnotforthefirsttime，thatthefrankestthinginJeffDurginwashisdispositiontousehisfriends。ItseemedtohimthatJeffwasalwaysaskingsomethingofhim，anditdidnotchangethefactthatinthiscasehethoughthimaltogetherintheright。
HesaidthatifMrs。Durginspoketohimofthematterhewouldnotkeepthelightfromher。Helookedbehindhim，now，forthefirsttime，inrecognitionoftheplacewheretheyhadstopped。\"Why，thisisWhitwell’sClearing。\"
\"Didn’tyouknowit？\"Jeffasked。\"Itchangesagooddealeveryyear，andyouhaven’tbeenhereforawhile，haveyou？\"
\"NotsinceMrs。Marven’spicnic，\"saidWestover，andheadded，quickly，toeffacethepainfulassociationwhichhemusthavecalledupbyhisheedlesswords：
\"Thewoodshavecrowdedbackuponitso。Itcan’tbemorethanhalfitsoldsize。\"
\"No，\"Jeffassented。Hestruckhisheelagainstafragmentofthepineboughhehadbeenwhittling，anddroveitintothesoftgroundbesidethelog，andsaid，withoutlookingupfromit：\"Imetthatwomanatadancelastwinter。Itwasn’therdance，butshewasrunningitasifitwere，justthewayshedidwiththepicnic。Sheseemedtowanttoletbygonesbebygones，andIdancedwithherdaughter。She’sanicegirl。
Ithoughtmotherdidwrongaboutthat。\"NowhelookedatWestover。
\"Shecouldn’thelpit，butitwasn’tthethingtodo。Ahotelisapublichouse，andyoucan’tactasifitwasn’t。Ifmotherhadn’tknownhowtokeepahotelsowellinotherways，shemighthaveruinedthehousebynotknowinginathinglikethat。Butwe’vegotsomeofthepeoplewithusthisyearthatusedtocomeherewhenwefirsttookfarm—
boarders；motherdon’tknowthatthey’reeversomuchnicer，socially，thanthepeoplethattakethefifty—dollarrooms。\"Helaughed，andthenhesaid，seriously：\"IfIeverhadason，Idon’tbelieveIshouldletmyprideinhimriskdoinghimmischief。Andifyou’veamindtoletherunderstandthatyoubelieveI’msetagainstthelawforgoodandall——\"
\"IguessIshallnotbeyourambassador，sofarasthat。Whydon’tyoutellheryourself？\"
\"Shewon’tbelieveme，\"saidJeff，withalaugh。\"ShethinksIdon’tknowmymind。AndIdon’tlikethewaywedifferwhenwediffer。Wediffermorethanwemeanto。Idon’tpretendtosayI’malwaysright。
Shewasrightaboutthatotherpicnic——theoneIwantedtomakeforMrs。
Vostrand。Isuppose，\"heended，unexpectedly，\"thatyouhearfromthem，nowandthen？\"
\"No，Idon’t。Ihaven’theardfromthemforayear；notsince——YouknewGenevievewasmarried？\"
\"Yes，Iknewthat，\"saidJeff，steadily。
\"Idon’tquitemakeitallout。Mr。Vostrandwasverymuchopposedtoit，Mrs。Vostrandtoldme；buthemusthavegivenwayatlast；andhemusthaveputupthemoney。\"Jefflookedpuzzled，andWestoverexplained。\"YouknowtheofficersintheItalianarmy——andalltheotherarmiesinEurope，forthatmatter——havetodepositacertainsumwiththegovernmentbeforetheycanmarryandinthecaseofCountGrassi，Mr。Vostrandhadtofurnishthemoney。\"
Jeffsaid，afteramoment：\"Well，shecouldn’thelpthat。\"
\"No，thegirlwasn’ttoblame。Idon’tknowthatanyonewastoblame。
ButI’mafraidourgirlswouldn’tmarrymanytitlesiftheirfathersdidn’tputupthemoney。\"
\"Well，Idon’tseewhytheyshouldn’tspendtheirmoneythatwayaswellasanyother，\"saidJeff，andthisproofofhisimpartialitysuggestedtoWestoverthathewasnotonlyindifferenttothemercenaryinternationalmarriages，whichareascandaltosomanyofourcasuists，buthadquiteoutlivedhispassionforthegirlconcernedinthis。
\"Atanyrate，\"Jeffadded，\"Ihaven’tgotanythingtosayagainstit。
Mr。Westover，I’vealwayswantedtosayonethingtoyou。ThenIcametoyourroomthatnight，IwantedtocomplainofMrs。Vostrandfornotlettingmeknowabouttheengagement；andIwasn’tmanenoughtoacknowledgethatwhatyousaidwouldaccountfortheirlettingmemakeafoolofmyself。ButIbelieveIamnow，andIwanttosayit。\"
\"I’mgladyoucanseeitinthatway，\"saidWestover，\"andsinceyoudo，Idon’tmindsayingthatIthinkMrs。Vostrandmighthavebeenalittlefrankerwithyouwithoutbeinglesskind。Shewaskind，butshewasn’tquitefrank。\"
\"Well，it’sallovernow，\"saidJeff，andheroseupandbrushedthewhittlingsfromhisknees。\"AndIguessit’sjustaswell。\"
XXI。
ThatafternoonWestoversawJeffhelpingCynthiaWhitwellintohisbuckboard，andthen，afterhislivelyhorsehadmadesomepacesofastart，springtotheseatbesideher，andbringittoastand。\"CanIdoanythingforyouoveratLovewell，Mr。Westover？\"hecalled，andhesmiledtowardthepainter。Thenhelightenedthereinsonthemare’sback；shesquaredherselfforastartinearnest，andflasheddowntheslopinghotelroadtothehighwaybelow，andwaslosttosightintheclumpofwoodstothesouthward。
\"That’sagoodfriendofyours，Cynthy，\"hesaid，leaningtowardthegirlwithasimplecomfortinherproximity。Shewasdressedinapale—pinkcolor，withahatofyetpalerpink；withouthavingagreatdealoffashion，shehadagooddealofstyle。Shelookedbrightandfresh；
therewasadashofpinkinhercheeks，whichsuggestedthecolorofthesweetbrier，itspurityandsweetness，andiftherewassomethinginCynthia’scharacterandtemperamentthatsuggesteditsthornstoo，onestillcouldnotdenythatshewaslikethatflower。Shelikedtoshop，andshelikedtorideafteragoodhorse，astheneighborswouldhavesaid；shewasgoingovertoLovewelltobuyanumberofthings，andJeffDurginwasdrivinghertherewiththeswiftmarethatwashispeculiarproperty。Shesmileduponhimwithouttheusualreservationsshecontrivedtoexpressinhersmiles。
\"Well，Idon’tknowanybodyI’dratherhaveformyfriendthanMr。
Westover。\"Sheadded：\"HeactedlikeafriendtheveryfirsttimeIsawhim。\"
Jefflaughedwithshamelesspleasureinthereminiscenceherwordssuggested。\"Well，Ididgetmycome—uppingsthattime。AndIdon’tknowbuthe’sbeenaprettygoodfriendtome，too。I’mnotsurehelikesme；
butMr。Westoverisamanthatcouldbeyourfriendifhedidn’tlikeyou。\"
\"Whathaveyoudonetomakehimlikeyou？\"askedthegirl。
\"Nothing！\"saidJeff，withashoutoflaughterinhisconviction。
\"I’vedonealotofthingstomakehimdespisemefromthestart。Butifyoulikeapersonyourself，youwanthimtolikeyouwhetheryoudeserveitornot。\"
\"Idon’tknowasIdo。\"
\"Yousaythatbecauseyoualwaysdeserveit。Youcan’ttellhowitiswithafellowlikeme。Ishouldwantyoutolikeme，Cynthy，whateveryouthoughtofme。\"Helookedroundintoherface，butsheturneditaway。
Theyhadstruckthelevel，longforthehillcountry，atthefootofthehotelroad，andthemare，thatfoundherselfneithermountingnordescendingasteep，droppedfromthetrotproperforanacclivityintoarapidwalk。
\"ThismarecanwalklikeaKentuckyhorse，\"saidJeff。\"IbelieveI
couldteachhersingle—foot。\"Headded，withalaugh，\"IfIknewhow，\"
andnowCynthialaughedwithhim。
\"Iwasjustgoingtosaythat。\"
\"Yes，youdon’tlosemanychancestogivemeadig，doyou？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowasIlookforthem。PerhapsIdon’tneedto。\"Thepinewoodsweredeeponeitherside。Theywhisperedinthethin，sweetwind，andgaveouttheirodorinthehigh，westeringsun。Theycoveredwiththeirshadowstheroadthatranvelvetybetweenthem。
\"Thisisnice，\"saidJeff，lettinghimselfrestagainstthebackoftheseat。Hestretchedhisleftarmalongthetop，andpresentlyitdroppedandfoldeditselfaboutthewaistofthegirl。
\"Youmaytakeyourarmaway，Jeff，\"shesaid，quietly。
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseithasnorightthere，foronething！\"Shedrewherselfalittleasideandlookedroundathim。\"Youwouldn’tputitroundatowngirlifyouwereridingwithher。\"
\"Ishouldn’tberidingwithher：Girlsdon’tgobuggy—ridingintownanymore，\"saidJeff，brutally。
\"ThenIshallknowwhattodothenexttimeyouaskme。\"
\"Oh，they’dgoquickenoughifIaskedthemuphereinthecountry。
Etiquettedon’tcountwiththemwhenthey’reonavacation。\"
\"I’mnotonavacation；soitcountswithme。Pleasetakeyourarmaway，\"saidCynthia。
\"Oh，allright。ButIshouldn’tobjecttoyourputtingyourarmaroundme。\"
\"Youwillneverhavethechance。\"
\"Whyareyousohardonme，Cynthy？\"askedJeff。\"Youdidn’tusedtobeso。\"
\"Peoplechange。\"
\"DoI？\"
\"Notforthebetter。\"
Jeffwasdumb。Shewaspleasedwithherhit，andlaughed。Butherlaughdidnotencouragehimtoputhisarmroundheragain。Heletthemarewalkon，andlefthertoresumetheconversationatwhateverpointshewould。
Shemadenohastetoresumeit。Atlastshesaid，withsufficientapparentremotenessfromthesubjecttheyhaddropped：\"Jeff，Idon’tknowwhetheryouwantmetotalkaboutit。ButIguessIoughtto，evenifitisn’tmyplaceexactly。Idon’tthinkJackson’sverywell，thissummer。\"
Jefffacedroundtowardher。\"Whatmakesyouthinkheisn’twell？\"
\"He’sweaker。Haven’tyounoticedit？\"
\"Yes，Ihavenoticedthat。He’sworkeddown；that’sall。\"
\"No，thatisn’tall。Butifyoudon’tthinkso——\"
\"Iwanttoknowwhatyouthink，Cynthy，\"saidJeff，withtheamorousresentmentallgonefromhisvoice。\"Sometimesfolksoutsidenoticethesignsmore——Idon’tmeanthatyou’reanoutsider，asfaraswe’reconcerned——\"
Sheputbythatpoint。\"Father’snoticedit，too；andhe’swithJacksonagooddeal。\"
\"I’lllookafterit。Ifheisn’tsowell，he’sgottohaveadoctor。
Thatmedium’sstuffcan’tdohimanygood。Don’tyouthinkheoughttohaveadoctor？\"
\"Ohyes。\"
\"Youdon’tthinkadoctorcandohimmuchgood？\"
\"Heoughttohaveone，\"saidthegirl，noncommittally。
\"Cynthia，I’venoticedthatJacksonwasweak，too；andit’snousepretendingthathe’ssimplyworkeddown。Ibelievehe’swornout。Doyouthinkmother’severnoticedit？\"
\"Idon’tbelieveshehas。\"
\"It’stheonethingIcan’tverywellmakeupmymindtospeaktoherabout。Idon’tknowwhatshewoulddo。\"Hedidnotsay，\"IfshelostJackson，\"butCynthiaknewhemeantthat，andtheywerebothsilent。
\"Ofcourse，\"hewenton，\"Iknowthatsheplacesagreatdealofdependenceuponyou，butJackson’shermainstay。He’sagoodman，andhe’sagoodson。IwishI’dalwaysbeenhalfasgood。\"
Cynthiadidnotprotestagainsthisself—reproachashepossiblyhopedshewould。Shesaid：\"IthinkJackson’sgotaverygoodmind。Hereadsagreatdeal，andhe’sthoughtagreatdeal，andwhenitcomestotalking，Ineverheardanyoneexpressthemselvesbetter。Theothernight，wewereoutlookingatthestars——Icamepartofthewayhomewithhim；Ididn’tliketolethimgoalone，heseemedsofeebleandhegottoshowingmeMars。Hethinksit’sinhabited，andhe’sreadallthattheastronomerssayaboutit，andtheseasandthecanalsthatthey’vefoundonit。Hespokeverybeautifullyabouttheotherlife，andthenhespokeaboutdeath。\"Cynthia’svoicebroke，andshepulledherhandkerchiefoutofherbelt，andputittohereyes。Jeff’sheartmeltedinhimatthesight；hefeltatenderaffectionforher，veryunlikethegrosscontenthehadenjoyedinherpresencebefore，andheputhisarmroundheragain，butthistimealmostunconsciously，anddrewhertowardhim。Shedidnotrepelhim；sheevenallowedherheadtorestamomentonhisshoulder；thoughshequicklyliftedit，anddrewherselfaway，notresentfully，itseemed，butforhergreaterfreedomintalking。
\"Idon’tbelievehe’sgoingtodie，\"Jeffsaid，consolingly，moreasifitwereherbrotherthanhisthathemeant。\"Buthe’saverysickman，andhe’sgottoknockoffandgosomewhere。Itwon’tdoforhimtopassanotherwinterhere。HemustgotoCalifornia，orColorado；they’dbegladtohavehimthere，eitherofthem；orhecangotoFlorida，orovertoItaly。Itwon’tmatterhowlonghestays——\"
\"Whatareyoutalkingabout，JeffDurgin？\"Cynthiademanded，severely。\"
Whatwouldyourmotherdo？Whatwouldshedothiswinter？\"
\"Thatbringsmetosomething，Cynthia，\"saidJeff，\"andIdon’twantyoutosayanythingtillI’vegotthrough。IguessIcouldhelpmotherruntheplaceaswellasJackson，andIcouldstayherenextwinter。\"
\"You？\"
\"Now，youletmetalk！Mymind’smadeupaboutonething：I’mnotgoingtobealawyer。Idon’twanttogobacktoHarvard。I’mgoingtokeepahotel，and，ifIdon’tkeeponehereatLion’sHead，I’mgoingtokeepitsomewhereelse。\"
\"Haveyoutoldyourmother？\"
\"Notyet：Iwantedtohearwhatyouwouldsayfirst。\"
\"I？Oh，Ihaven’tgotanythingtodowithit，\"saidCynthia。
\"Yes，youhave！You’vegoteverythingtodowithit，ifyou’llsayonethingfirst。Cynthia，youknowhowIfeelaboutyou。It’sbeensoeversincewewereboyandgirlhere。Iwantyoutopromisetomarryme。
Willyou？\"
Thegirlseemedneithersurprisednorverygreatlypleased；perhapsherpleasurehadspentitselfinthatmomentoftriumphantexpectationwhensheforesawwhatwascoming，orperhapsshewaspreoccupiedinclearingthewayinherownmindtoadefiniteresult。
\"Whatdoyousay，Cynthia？\"Jeffpursued，withmoreinjurythanmisgivinginhisvoiceatherdelayinanswering。\"Don’tyou—careforme？\"
\"Ohyes，IpresumeI’vealwaysdonethat——eversincewewereboyandgirl，asyousay。But————\"
\"Well？\"saidJeff，patiently，butnotinsecurely。
\"Haveyou？\"
\"HaveIwhat？\"
\"Alwayscaredforme。\"
Hecouldnotfindhisvoicequiteaspromptlyasbefore。Heclearedhisthroatbeforeheasked：\"HasMr。Westoverbeensayinganythingaboutme？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，exactly；butIpresumeyoudo。\"
\"Well，then——Ialwaysexpectedtotellyou——Ididhaveafancyforthatgirl，forMissVostrand，andItoldherso。It’slikesomethingthatneverhappened。Shewouldn’thaveme。That’sall。\"
\"Andyouexpectmetotakewhatshewouldn’thave？\"
\"Ifyouliketocallitthat。ButIshouldcallittakingamanthathadbeenoutofhisheadforawhile，andhadcometohissensesagain。\"
\"Idon’tknowasIshouldeverfeelsafewithamanthathadbeenoutofhisheadonce。\"
\"Youwouldn’tfindmanymenthathadn’t，\"saidJeff，withalaughthatwasratherscornfulofherignorance。
\"No，Ipresumenot，\"shesighed。\"Shewasbeautiful，andIbelieveshewasgood，too。Shewasverynice。PerhapsIfeelstrangelyaboutit。
But，ifshehadn’tbeensonice，Ishouldn’thavebeensowillingthatyoushouldhavecaredforher。\"
\"IsupposeIdon’tunderstand，\"saidJeff，\"butIknowIwashardhit。
What’stheuse？It’sover。She’smarried。Ican’tgobackandunliveitall。Butifyouwanttimetothink——ofcourseyoudo——I’vetakentimeenough——\"
Hewasabouttoliftthereinsonthemare’sbackasasigntoherthatthetalkwasoverforthepresent，andtoquickenherpace，whenCynthiaputoutherhandandlaiditonhis，andsaidwithacertaineffectofauthority：\"Ishouldn’twantyoushouldgiveupyourlastyearinHarvard。\"
\"Justasyousay，Cynthy；\"andintokenofintelligencehewoundhisarmroundherneckandkissedher。Itwasnotthefirstkissbyanymeans；
inthecountrykissesarenotcountedveryserious，oratallbinding，andCynthiawasacountrygirl；buttheybothfeltthatthiskisssealedasolemntrothbetweenthem，andthatacommonlifebeganforthemwithit。
XXII。
Cynthiacamebackintimetogointothedining—roomandseethatallwasinorderthereforsupperbeforethedooropened。Thewaitressesknewthatshehadbeenoutriding，astheycalledit，withJeffDurgin；thefacthadspreadelectricallytothemwheretheysatinashadyangleofthehotellisteningtoonewhoreadanovelaloud，andskippedallbutthemostexcitingloveparts。TheyconjecturedthatthepairhadgonetoLovewell，buttheyknewnothingmore，andthesubtlestofthemwouldnothavefoundreasonforfurtherconjectureinCynthia’sbehavior，whenshecameinandscannedthetablesandthegirls’dressesandhair，wheretheystoodrangedagainstthewall。Shewasneitherwhiternorredderthanusual，andhernervesandhertoneswereunderasgoodcontrolasagirl’severareaftershehasbeenoutridingwithafellow。Itwasnotsuchagreatthing，anyway，toridewithJeffDurgin。Firstandlast，nearlyalltheyoungladyboardershadbeenoutwithhim，upononeerrandoranothertoLovewell。
Aftersupper，whenthegirlshadgoneovertotheirroomsinthehelps’
quarters，andtheguestshadgatheredinthewide，lowoffice，inthelightofthefirekindledonthehearthtobreaktheeveningchill，JeffjoinedCynthiainherinspectionofthedining—room。Shealwaysgaveitalastlook，toseethatitwasinperfectorderforbreakfast，beforeshewenthomeforthenight。Jeffwenthomewithher；hewasimpatientofherduties，buthewasinnohurrywhentheystoleoutofthesidedoortogetherunderthestars，andbegantostraysidelongdownthehilloverthedewlessgrass。
Helingeredmoreandmoreastheydrewnearherfather’shouse，intheabandonofaman’slove。Hewishedtogivehimselfsolelyuptoit，tothinkandtotalkofnothingelse，afteraman’sfashion。Butawoman’sloveisnosuchmeredelight。Itisserious，practical。Forheritisallfuture，andshecannotgiveherselfwhollyuptoanypresentmomentofit，asamandoes。
\"Now，Jeff，\"shesaid，afteracertainnumberofpartings，inwhichshehadapparentlykepthisdutyclearlyinmind，\"youhadbettergohomeandtellyourmother。\"
\"Oh，there’stimeenoughforthat，\"hebegan。
\"Iwantyoutotellherrightaway，ortherewon’tbeanythingtotell。\"
\"Isthatso？\"hejokedback。\"Well，ifImust，Imust，Isuppose。ButI
didn’tthinkyou’dtakethewhip—handsosoon，Cynthia。\"
\"Oh，Idon’teverwanttotakethewhip—handwithyou，Jeff。Don’tmakeme！\"
\"Well，Iwon’t，then。Butwhatareyouinsuchahurrytohavemotherknowfor？She’snotgoingtoobject。Andifshedoes——\"
\"Itisn’tthat，\"saidthegirl，quickly。\"IfIhadtogoroundasingledaywithyourmotherhidingthisfromher，Ishouldbegintohateyou。
Icouldn’tbeartheconcealment。IshalltellfatherassoonasIgoin。\"
\"Oh，yourfather’llbeallright，ofcourse。\"
\"Yes，he’llbeallright，butifhewouldn’t，andIknewit，Ishouldhavetotellhim，allthesame。Now，good—night。Well，there，then；
andthere！Now，letmego！\"
Shepausedforamomentinherownroom，tosmoothhertumbledhair，andtrytoidentifyherselfinherglass。Thenshewentintothesitting—
room，whereshefoundherfatherpulleduptothetable，withhishaton，andporingoverasheetofhieroglyphics，whichrepresentedtheusualeveningwithplanchette。
\"HaveyoubeentohelpJacksonup？\"sheasked。
\"Well，Iwantedto，buthewouldn’thearofit。He’sfeelin’eversomuchbetterto—night，andhewantedtogoalone。Ijustcomein。\"
\"Yes，you’vegotyourhatonyet。\"
Whitwellputhishandupandfoundthathisdaughterwasright。Helaughed，andsaid：\"IguessImust’a’forgotit。We’vehadthemostinterestin’seasonwithplantchettethatIguesswe’veabouteverhad。
She’ssaidsomethinghere——\"
\"Well，nevermind；I’vegotsomethingmoreimportanttosaythanplantchettehas，\"saidCynthia，andshepulledthesheetawayfromunderherfather’seyes。
Thismadehimlookupather。\"Why，what’shappened？\"
\"Nothing。JeffDurginhasaskedmetomarryhim。\"
\"Hehas！\"TheNewEnglandtrainingisnotsuchastofitpeoplefortheexpressionofstrongemotion，andthebestthatWhitwellfoundhimselfabletodoinviewofthefactwastopuckerhismouthforawhistlewhichdidnotcome。
\"Yes——thisafternoon，\"saidCynthia，lifelessly。Thetensionofhernervesrelaxedinalanguorwhichwasevidenteventoherfather，thoughhiseyesstillwanderedtothesheetshehadtakenfromhim。
\"Well，youdon’tseemoverandaboveexcitedaboutit。Did——didyour——
Whatdidyousay——\"
\"HowshouldIknowwhatIsaid？Whatdoyouthinkofit，father？\"
\"Idon’tknowasIevergivethesubjectmuchattention，\"saidthephilosopher。\"Ialwaysmeanttotakeitoutofhim，somehow，ifhegottoplayin’thefool。\"
\"ThenyouwantedIshouldaccepthim？\"
\"Whatdifference’ditmakewhatIwanted？Thatwhatyoudone？\"
\"Yes，I’veacceptedhim，\"saidthegirl，withasigh。\"IguessI’vealwaysexpectedto。\"
\"Well，Ithoughtlikelyitwouldcometothat，myself。AllIcansay，Cynthy，is’the’saluckyfeller。\"
Whitwellleanedback，bracinghiskneesagainstthetable，whichwasoneofhisphilosophicposes。\"IhavesometimesbelievedthatJeffDurginwasgoin’toturnoutablackguard。He’sgotitinhim。He’saslikehisgran’fatherastwopeas，andhewasanolddevil。Butyougottoaccountinalltheseherehereditycasesforcounteractin’influences。
TheDurginsareasgoodaswheat，rightalong，allof’em；andIguessMis’Durgin’smothermusthavebeenaprettygoodwomantoo。Mis’
Durgin’sallright，too，ifshehasgotawillofherown。\"Whitwellreturnedfromhisscientificinquirytoask：\"How’llshetakeit？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidCynthia，dreamily，butwithoutapparentmisgiving。
\"That’sJeff’slookout。\"
\"So’tis。Iguessshewon’tmakemuchfuss。Awomanneverlikestoseehersongetmarried；butyou’vebeenakindofdaughtertohersolong。
Well，Iguessthatpartofit’llbeallright。Jackson，\"saidWhitwell，inatoneofrelief，asifturningfromanirrelevantmattertosomethingofrealimportance，\"wasdownhereto—nighttryin’toringupsomethemspiritsfromtheplanetMars。Martians，hecalls’em。Hismind’sgottorunnin’agooddealonMarslately。Iguessit’sthisappositionthattheytalkaboutthatdoesit。Marscomin’somuchnearertheearthbyamillionofmilesorso，itstandstoreasonthatheshouldbemoreinfluencedbythemindsonit。Iguessit’sacaseo’thattelepathythatMr。Westovertellsabout。IjudgethatifhekeptatitbeforeMarsgitsofftoofaragainhemightmakesomethingoutofit。Icouldn’tseemtofindmuchsenseinwhatplantchettedoneto—night；wecouldn’teitherofus；butshehasherspellswhenyoucan’tmakeheadortailofher。Butmebbeshe’sjustleadin’uptosomething，thewayshedidaboutthatbrokenshaftwhenJeffcomehome。Weha’n’tevermadeoutexactlywhatshemeantbythatyet。\"
Whitwellpaused，andCynthiaseizedtheadvantageofhisgettingroundtoJeffagain。\"HewantedtogiveupgoingtoHarvardthislastyear，butI
wouldn’tlethim。\"
\"Jeffdid？\"askedherfather。\"Well，youdoneagoodthingthattime，anyway，Cynthy。Hismother’dnevergetoverit。\"
\"There’ssomethingelseshe’sgottogetover，andIdon’tknowhowsheeverwill。He’sgoingtogiveupthelaw。\"
\"Giveupthelaw！\"
\"Yes。Don’ttease，father！Hesayshe’snevercaredaboutit，andhewantstokeepahotel。IthoughtthatI’doughttotellhimhowwefeltaboutJackson’shavingarestandgoingoffsomewhere；andhewantedtobeginatonce。ButIsaidifheleftoffthelastyearatHarvardI
wouldn’thaveanythingtodowithhim。\"
Whitwellputhishandinhispocketforhisknife，andmechanicallylookeddownforasticktowhittle。Indefaultofany，hescratchedhishead。\"Iguessshe’llmakeitwarmforhim。She’shadhermindsetonhisstudyin’lawsolong，’tshewon’tgiveupinahurry。Shecan’tseethatJacksonain’tfittohelpherrunthehotelanymore——tillhe’shadarest，anyway——andIbelieveshethinksherandFrankcouldrunit——andyou。She’llmakeanawfulkick，\"saidWhitwell，solemnly。\"Ihopeyoudidn’tencouragehim，Cynthy？\"
\"Ishouldencouragehim，\"saidthegirl。\"He’sgottherighttoshapehisownlife，andnobodyelsehasgottherighttodoit；andIshouldtellhismotherso，ifsheeversaidanythingtomeaboutit。\"
\"Allright，\"saidWhitwell。\"Isupposeyouknowwhatyou’reabout。\"
\"Ido，father。Jeffwouldmakeagoodlandlord；he’sgotideasaboutahotel，andIcanseethatthey’retherightones。He’sbeenoutintheworld，andhe’skepthiseyesopen。HewillmakeLion’sHeadthebesthotelinthemountains。\"
\"It’sthatalready。\"
\"Hedoesn’tthinkit’shalfasgoodashecanmakeit。\"
\"Itwouldn’tbehalfwhatitisnow，ifitwa’n’tforyouandFrank。\"
\"Iguessheunderstandsthat，\"saidCynthia。\"Frankwouldbetheclerk。\"
\"Gotitallmappedout！\"saidWhitwell，proudly，inhisturn。\"Lookoutyoudon’tslipupinyourcalculations。That’sall。\"
\"Iguesswecha’n’tslipup。\"