\"The21stofJune。\"
\"Well，he’searlyenoughwithhisinvitation，\"shegrumbled。
\"Yes，heis，\"saidCynthia；andshelaughedforshameandpleasureassheconfessed，\"Iwasthinkinghewasratherlate。\"
Shehungherheadandturnedherfaceaway。ButMrs。Durginunderstood。
\"Yoube’nexpectin’itallalong，then。\"
\"Iguessso。\"
\"Ipresume，\"saidtheelderwoman，\"thathe’stalkedtoyouaboutit。
Henevertellsmemuch。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldwanttogo。What’sitlike？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow。Butit’sthedaythegraduatingclasshavetothemselves，andalltheirfriendscome。\"
\"Well，Idon’tknowwhyanybodyshouldwanttogo，\"saidMrs。Durgin。
\"Isha’n’t。Tellhimhewon’twanttoownmewhenheseesme。WhatamI
goin’towear，Ishouldliketoknow？Whatyougoin’towear，Cynthy？\"
XXVIII。
Jeff’splaceatHarvardhadbeentoolongfixedamongthejaystoallowthehopeofwhollyretrievinghisconditionnow。Itwastoolateforhimtobechoseninanyofthenicerclubsorsocieties，buthewasnotbeyondthemountingsentimentofcomradery，whichbeginstotellinthelastyearamongcollegemen，andwhichhaditsdueeffectwithhisclass。
Oneofthemen，whohadalwayshadafoibleforhumanity，tookadvantageoftheprevailingmoodinanotherman，andwroughtuponhimtoask，amongthefellowshewasaskingtoateaathisrooms，severalfellowswhoweredistinctlyandalmosttypicallyjay。Theteawasfortheauntofthemanwhogaveit，averyprettywomanfromNewYork，anditwassorichlyqualifiedbyyoungpeopleoffashionfromBostonthattheinfusionofthejayflavorcouldnotspoilit，ifitwouldnotratheraddanagreeablepiquancy。Thiscollegemoodcoincidedthatyearwithabenevolentemotioninthelargerworld，fromwhichfashionwasnotexempt。Societyhadjustbeenstirredbythereadingofacertainbook，whichhadthenaverygreatvogue，andseveralpeoplehadbeendownamongthewretchedattheNorthEnddoinggoodinaconscience—strickenefforttoavertthemillenniumwhichthebookinquestionseemedtothreaten。TheladywhomatronizedtheteawassaidtohavedonemoregoodthanyoucouldimagineattheNorthEnd，andshecaughtatthechancetomeetthecollegejaysinaspiritofChristiancharity。Whenthemanwhowasgoingtogivethetearathersheepishlyconfessedwhatthealtruisticmanhadgothiminfor，shepraisedhimsomuchthathewentawayfeelingliketheheroofaholycause。Shepromisedtheassistanceandsympathyofseveralbravegirls，whowouldnotbeafraidofallthejaysincollege。
Afterall，onlyoneofthejayscame。Notmany，infact，hadbeenasked，andwhenJeffDurginactuallyappeared，itwasnotknownthathewasboththefirstandthelastofhiskind。Theladywhowasmatronizingthetearecognizedhim，withathroeofherquickenedconscience，astheyoungfellowwhomshehadmettwowintersbeforeatthestudioteawhichMr。
WestoverhadgiventothosequeerFlorentinefriendsofhis，andwhomshehadneverthoughtofsince，thoughshehadthenpromisedherselftodosomethingforhim。Shehadthenevengivenhimsomevaguehintsofaprospectivehospitality，andsheconfessedhersinofomissioninaswiftbutgraphicretrospecttooneofherbravegirls，whileJeffstoodblockingoutaspaceforhisstalwartbulkamidthealienelegancejustwithinthedoorway，andthehostwasmakinghiswaytowardhim，withanoutstretchedhandofhardywelcome。
Atanearlierperiodofhisneglectandexclusion，Jeffwouldnothaverespondedtothebelatedoverturewhichhadnowbeenmadehim，fornoreasonthathecoulddivine。Buthehadnothingtolosebyacceptingtheinvitation，andhehadpromisedthealtruisticman，whomheratherliked；
hedidnotdislikethegiveroftheteasomuchassomeothermen，andsohecame。
Thebravegirlwhomthematronwaspreparingtodevotetohimstoodshrinkingwithatrepidationwhichshecouldnotconcealatsightofhisstrangemassiveness，withhisrust—goldhaircomingdowntowardhisthickyellowbrowsandmockingblueeyesinadensebang，andhisjawsquaringitselfundertheratherinsolentsmileofhisfullmouth。Thematronfeltthathervictimteasperhapsgoingtofailher，whenavoiceatherearsaid，asifthequestionwereextorted，\"Whointheworldisthat？\"
Sheinstantlyturned，andflashedoutinafewinspiredsyllablesthefactshehadjustimpartedtohertreacherousheroine。\"Doletmeintroducehim，MissLynde。Imustdosomethingforhim，whenhegetsuptome，ifheeverdoes。\"
\"Byallmeans，\"saidthegirl，whohadanimpulsetolaughattherudeforceofJeff’sfaceandfigure，sodisproportionedtotheoccasion，andsheventeditatthematron’stribulation。Thematronwasshakinghandswithpeoplerightandleft，andexchanginginaudiblebanalitieswiththem。Shedidnotknowwhatthegirlsaidinanswer，butshewasawarethatsheremainednearher。ShehadprofessedherjoyatseeingJeffagain，whenhereachedher，andsheturnedwithhimandsaid，\"LetmepresentyoutoMissLynde，Mr。Durgin，\"andsoabandonedthemtoeachother。
AsJeffhadnoneoftheanxietyforsocialsuccesswhichhewouldhavefeltatanearlierperiod，henowleftittoMissLyndetobeginthetalk，ornot，asshechose。Heborehimselfwithsomuchindifferencethatshewaspiquedtoanefforttoholdhiseyes，thatwanderedfromhertothisfaceandthatinthecrowd。
\"Doyoufindmanypeopleyouknow，Mr。Durgin？\"
\"Idon’tfindany。\"
\"Isupposedyoudidn’tfromthewayyoulookedatthem。\"
\"HowdidIlookatthem？\"
\"Asifyouwantedtoeatthem，andoneneverwantstoeatone’sfriends。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow。Theywouldn’tagreewithone。\"
Jeff，laughed，andhenowtookfullernoteoftheslendergirlwhostoodbeforehim，andswayedalittlebackward，inagracefulcurve。Hesawthatshehadadull，thickcomplexion，withliquideyes，setwideapartandslantedupwardslightly，andanosethatwasdeflectedinwardfromthestraightline；buthermouthwasbeautifulandvividlyredlikeacrimsonblossom。
\"Couldn’tyoufindmesomeplacetositdown，Mr。Durgin？\"sheasked。
Hehaditonhistonguetosay，\"Well，notunlessyouwanttositdownonsomeenemy，\"buthedidnotventurethis：whenitcomestodaringofthatsort，theboldestmaniscommonlyalittlebehindatimidwoman。
Severalofthefellowshadclubbedtheirrooms，andlentthemtothemanwhowasgivingthetea；heusedoneoftheapartmentsforacloak—room，andhemeanttheotherforthesocialoverflowfromhisown。Butpeoplealwaysprefertoremaindammed—uptogetherintheroomwheretheyarereceived，andMissLyndelookedbetweentheneighboringheads，andovertheneighboringshoulders，andsawtheborrowedapartmentquiteempty。
AtthemomentofthisdiscoverythehostcamefightinghiswayuptomakesurethatJeffhadbeenprovidedforinthewayofintroductions。HepromptlyintroducedhimtoMissLynde。Shesaid：\"Oh，that’sbeendone！
Can’tyouthinkofsomethingnew？\"Jefflikedthestyleofthis。
\"Idon’tmindit，butI’mafraidMr。Durginmustfinditmonotonous。\"
\"Oh，well，dosomethingoriginalyourself，then，MissLynde！\"saidthehost。\"Startamovementforthatroomacrossthepassage；that’smine，too，fortheoccasion；andsavesomeofthesepeople’slives。It’ssuffocatinginhere。\"
\"Idon’tmindsavingMr。Durgin’s，\"saidthegirl，\"ifhewantsitsaved。\"
\"Oh，Iknowhe’sjustdyingtohaveyousaveit，\"saidthehost，andheleftthem，toinspireotherpeopletofollowtheirexample。Butsuchasglancedacrossthepassageintotheoverflowroomseemedtothinkitnowthepossessionsolelyofthepioneersofthemovement。Atanyrate，theymadenoshowofjoiningthem；andafterMissLyndeandJeffhadlookedatthepicturesonthewallsandthephotographsonthemanteloftheroomwheretheyfoundthemselves，theysatdownonchairsfrontingtheopendoorandthedooroftheroomtheyhadleft。Thewindow—seatwouldhavebeenmoretoJeff’smind，andhehadproposedit，butthegirlseemednottohaveheardhim；shetookthedeepeasy—chairinfullviewofthecompanyopposite，andlefthimtopullupachairbesideher。
\"Ialwaysliketoseethepicturesinaman’sroom，\"shesaid，withalittlesighofrelieffromtheirinspectionandapartialyieldingofherfiguretotheluxuryofthechair。\"ThenIknowwhatthemanis。Thisman——Idon’tknowwhoseroomitis——seemstohavespentagooddealofhistimeatthetheatre。\"
\"Isn’tthatwheremostofthemspendtheirtime？\"askedJeff。
\"I’msureIdon’tknow。Isthatwhereyouspendyours？\"
\"Itusedtobe。I’mnotspendingmytimeanywherejustnow。\"Shelookedquestioningly，andheadded，\"Ihaven’tgotanytospend。\"
\"Oh，indeed！Isthatareason？Whydon’tyouspendsomebodyelse’s？\"
\"Nobodyhasany，thatIknow。\"
\"You’reallworkingoffconditions，youmean？\"
\"That’swhatI’mdoing，ortryingto。\"
\"Thenit’snevercertainwhetheryoucandoit，afterall？\"
\"Notsocertainastobefreefromexcitement，\"saidJeff，smiling。
\"AndareyouconsumedwiththemelancholythatseemstobeballingupallthemenattheprospectofhavingtoleaveHarvardandgooutintothehard，coldworld？\"
\"Idon’tlookit，doI？Jeffasked：
\"No，youdon’t。Andyoudon’tfeelit？You’renottryingconcealment，andsoforth？\"
\"No；ifI’dhadmyownway，I’dhaveleftHarvardbeforethis。\"Hecouldseethathisboldassumptionofdifference，orindifference，tolduponher。\"Icouldn’tgetoutintothehard，coldworldtoosoon。\"
\"Howfearless！Mostofthemdon’tknowwhatthey’regoingtodoinit。\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Andwhatareyougoingtodo？Orperhapsyouthinkthat’sasking！\"
\"Ohno。I’mgoingtokeepahotel。\"
Hehadhopedtostartleher，butsheasked，ratherquietly，\"Whatdoyoumean？\"andsheadded，asiftopunishhimfortryingtomystifyher：
\"I’veheardthatitrequiresgiftsforthat。Isn’ttheresomeproverb？\"
\"Yes。ButI’mgoingtotrytodoitonexperience。\"Helaughed，andhedidnotmindhertryingtohithim，forhesawthatbehadmadehercurious。
\"Doyoumeanthatyouhavekeptahotel？\"
\"Forthreegenerations，\"hereturned，withagravitythatmockedherfromhisboldeyes。
\"I’msureIdon’tknowwhatyoumean，\"shesaid，indifferently。\"Whereisyourhotel？InBoston——NewYork——Chicago？\"
\"It’sinthecountry——it’sasummerhotel，\"hesaid，asbefore。
Shelookedawayfromhimtowardtheotherroom。\"There’smybrother。
Ididn’tknowhewascoming。\"
\"ShallIgoandtellhimwhereyouare？\"Jeffasked，followingthedirectionofhereyes。
\"No，no；hecanfindme，\"saidthegirl，sinkingbackinherchairagain。
Helefthertoresumethetalkwhereshechose，andshesaid：\"Ifit’ssomethingancestral，ofcourse——\"
\"Idon’tknowasit’sthat，exactly。Mygrandfatherusedtokeepacountrytavern，andsoit’sintheblood，butthehotelImeanissomethingthatwe’veworkedupintofromafarmboarding—house。\"
\"Youdon’ttalklikeacountryperson，\"thegirlbrokein，abruptly。
\"NotinCambridge。Idointhecountry。\"
\"Andso，\"sheprompted，\"you’regoingtoturnitintoahotelwhenyou’vegotoutofHarvard。\"
\"It’sahotelalready，andaprettybigone；butI’mgoingtomaketherightkindofhotelofitwhenItakeholdofit。\"
\"Andwhatistherightkindofahotel？\"
\"That’salongstory。Itwouldmakeyoutired。\"
\"Itmight，butwe’vegottospendthetimesomehow。Youcouldbegin，andthenifIcouldn’tstandityoucouldstop。\"
\"It’seasiertostopfirstandbeginsomeothertime。IguessI’llletyouimaginemyhotel，MissLynde。\"
\"Oh，Iunderstandnow，\"saidthegirl。\"Thetablewillbethegreatthing。Youwillstuffpeople。\"
\"DoyoumeanthatI’mtryingtostuffyou？\"
\"HowdoIknow？Younevercantellwhatmenreallymean。\"
Jefflaughedwithmountingpleasureinheraudacity，thatimpartedasenseoftoleranceforhimsuchashehadexperiencedveryseldomfromtheBostongirlshehadmet；afterall，hehadmetbutfew。Itflatteredhimtohaveherdoubtwhathehadtoldherinhisrecklessindifference；
itimpliedthathewasfitforbetterthingsthanhotel—keeping。
\"Younevercantellhowmuchawomanbelieves，\"heretorted。
\"Andyoukeeptryingtofindout？\"
\"No，butIthinkthattheymightbelievethetruth。\"
\"You’dbettertrythemwithit！\"
\"Well，Iwill。DoyoureallywanttoknowwhatI’mgoingtodowhenI
getthrough？\"
\"Letmesee！\"MissLyndeleanedforward，withherelbowonherkneeandherchininherhand，andsoftlykickedtheedgeofherskirtwiththetoeofhershoe，asifindeepthought。Jeffwaitedforhertoplayhercomedythrough。\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"IthinkIdidwishtoknow——atonetime。\"
\"Butyoudon’tnow？\"
\"Now？HowcanItell？Itwasagreatwhileago！\"
\"Iseeyoudon’t。\"
MissLyndedidnotmakeanyreply。Sheasked，\"Doyouknowmyaunt，Durgin？\"
\"Ididn’tknowyouhadone。\"
\"Yes，everybodyhasanaunt——evenwhentheyhaven’tamother，ifyoucanbelievetheGilbertoperas。IaskbecauseIhappentolivewithmyaunt，andifyouknewhershemight——askyoutocall。\"MissLyndescannedJeff’sfacefortheeffectofthis。
Hesaid，gravely：\"Ifyou’llintroducemetoher，I’llaskhertoletme。\"
\"Wouldyou，really？\"saidthegirl。\"I’vehalfamindtotry。Iwonderifyou’dreallyhavethecourage。\"
\"Idon’tthinkI’measilyrattled。\"
\"YoumeanthatI’mtryingtorattleyou。\"
\"No——\"
\"I’mnot。MyauntisjustwhatI’vesaid。\"
\"Youhaven’tsaidwhatshewas。Isshehere？\"
\"No；that’stheworstofit。Ifshewere，Ishouldintroduceyou，justtoseeifyou’ddare。Well，someothertimeIwill。\"
\"Youthinkthere’llbesomeothertime？\"Jeffasked。
\"Idon’tknow。Thereareallkindsoftimes。By—the—way，whattimeisit？\"
Jefflookedathiswatch。\"Quarteraftersix。\"
\"ThenImustgo。\"Shejumpedtoherfeet，andfacedaboutforaglimpseofherselfinthelittleglassonthemantel，andputherhandonthelargepinkrosesmassedatherwaist。Oneheavybuddroppedfromitsstemtothefloor，where，whileshestood，theedgeofherskirtpulledandpushedit。Shemovedalittleasidetopeeroverataphotograph。
Jeffstoopedandpickeduptheflower，whichheofferedher。
\"Youdroppedit，\"hesaid，bowingoverit。
\"DidI？\"Shelookedatitwithaneffectofsurpriseanddoubt。
\"Ithoughtso，butifyoudon’t，Ishallkeepit。\"
Thegirlremovedhercarelesseyesfromit。\"Whentheybreakoffsoshort，theywon’tgoback。\"
\"IfIwerearose，Ishouldwanttogoback，\"saidJeff。
Shestoppedinoneofhermanyaversionsandreversions，andlookedathimsteadilyacrosshershoulder。\"Youwon’thavetokeepapoet，Mr。
Durgin。\"
\"Thankyou。Ialwaysexpectedtowritethecircularsmyself。I’llsendyouone。\"
\"Do。\"
\"Withthisrosepressedbetweentheleaves，soyou’llknow。\"
\"Thatwould，beverypretty。ButyoumusttakemetoMrs。Bevidge，now，ifyoucan。\"
\"IguessIcan，\"saidJeff；andinaminuteortwotheystoodbeforethematronizinghostess，afterapassagethroughthebabblingandlaughinggroupsthatlookedasimpossibleaftertheyhadmadeitasitlookedbefore。
Mrs。Bevidgegavethegirl’shandapressuredistinctfromtheofficialtouchofparting，andcontrivedtosay，forherhearingalone：\"Thankyousomuch，Bessie。You’vedonemissionarywork。\"
\"Ishouldn’tcallitthat。\"
\"Itwilldoforyoutosayso！Hewasn’treallysobad，then？Thankyouagain，dear！\"
Jeffhadwaitedhisturn。Butnow，afterthegirlhadturnedaway，asifshehadforgottenhim，hiseyesfollowedher，andhedidnotknowthatMrs。Bevidgewasspeakingtohim。MissLyndehadslimlylostherselfinthemass，tillshewasonlyagracefultiltofhat，beforesheturnedwithadistraughtair。WhenhereyesmetJeff’stheylightedupwithalookthatcomesintothefacewhenonerememberswhatonehasbeentryingtothinkof。Shegavehimabrilliantsmilethatseemedtoilluminehimfromheadtofoot，andbeforeitwasquenchedhefeltasifshehadkissedherhandtohimfromherrichmouth。
ThenheheardMrs。Bevidgeaskingsomethingaboutahall，andhewasawareofherbendinguponhimalookofthedaringhumanitythathadcarriedhertriumphantlythroughhergoodworksattheNorthEnd。
\"Oh，I’mnotintheYard，\"saidJeff，withbelatedintelligence。
\"ThenwilljustCambridgereachyou？\"
Hegavehisnumberandstreet，andshethankedhimwiththebenevolencethatavailedsomuchwiththelowerclasses。Hewentawaythrillingandtingling，withthatgirl’stonesinhisear，hermotionsinhisnerves，andthecolorsofherfacefillinghissight，whichheprintedontheairwheneverheturned，asonedoeswithavividlightafterlookingatit。
XXIX
WhenJeffreachedhisroomhefelttheneedofwritingtoCynthia，withwhateverobscureintentionofatonement。Hetoldherofthecollegeteahehadjustcomefrom，andmadefunofit，andthekindofpeoplehehadmet，especiallytheaffectedgirlwhohadtriedtorattlehim；hesaidheguessedshedidnotthinkshehadrattledhimagreatdeal。
WhilehewrotehekeptthinkinghowthisMissLyndewasnearerhisearlyidealoffashion，ofhighlife，whichWestoverhadprettywellsnubbedoutofhim，thananywomanhehadseenyet；sheseemedagirlwhowoulddowhatshepleased，andwouldnotbeafraidifitdidnotpleaseotherpeople。Helikedherhavingtriedtorattlehim，andhesmiledtohimselfinrecallingherfailure。Itwasasifshehadlaidholdofhimwithherlittlehandstoshakehim，andhadshakenherself。Helaughedoutinthedarkwhenthisimagecameintohismind；itsintimacyflatteredhim；andhebelievedthatitwasuponsomehintfromherthatMrs。Bevidgehadaskedhisaddress。Shemustbegoingtoaskhimtoherhouse，andverysoon，foritwaspartofJeff’smeagresocialexperiencethatthiswasthewayswellsdid；theymightneveraskyoutwice，buttheywouldaskyoupromptly。
ThethingthatMrs。BevidgeaskedJeffto，whenhernotereachedhimtheseconddayafterthetea，wasameetingtointerestyoungpeopleintheworkattheNorthEnd，andJeffsworeunderhisbreathatthedisappointmentandindignityputuponhim。Hehadreckoneduponanafternoontea，atleast，oreven，intheflightsoffancywhichhenowdisownedtohimself，adanceaftertheMid—Years，orpossiblyanearlierreceptionofsomesort。Heburnedwithshametothinkofatheatre—
party，whichhehadfondlyspecialized，withaseatnextMissLynde。
HetoreMrs。Bevidge’snotetopieces，anddecidednottoansweritatall，asthebestwayofshowinghowhehadtakenherinvitation。ButMrs。Bevidge’sbenevolencewasnotwantingincourage；shebelievedthatJeffshouldpayhisfootinginsociety，suchasitwas，andshouldallowhimselftobemadeuseof，thefirstthing；whenshehadnoreplyfromhim，shewrotehimagain，askinghimtoanadjournedmeetingofthefirstconvocation，whichhadbeensosuccessfulineverythingbutnumbers。
Thistimeshebaitedherhook，inhopingthattheyoungmenwouldfeelsomethingoftheinteresttheyoungladieshadalreadyshowninthematter。SheexpressedthefearthatMr。Durginhadnotgotherearlierletter，andshesentthissecondtothecareofthemanwhohadgiventhetea。
Jeff’sresentmentwasnowsofarpastthathewouldhavecivillydeclinedtogotothewoman’shouse；butallhishopesofseeingthatgirl，ashealwayscalledMissLyndeinhisthought，wererevivedbythementionoftheyoungladiesinterestedinthecause。Heaccepted，thoughallthewayintoBostonhelaidwagerswithhimselfthatshewouldnotbethere；
anduptothemomentoftakingherhandherefusedhimselfanyhopeofwinning。
Therewasnotmuchbusinessbeforethemeeting；thathadreallybeenalltransactedbefore；itwasmainlytomakesureoftheyoungmen，whowerepresentintheproportionofonetofiveyoungladiesatleast。Mrs。
Bevidgeexplainedthatshehadseenthewastefulnessofamateureffortamongthepoor，andannouncedthathereaftershewasgoingtoworkwiththeestablishedcharities。Thesewereverymuchinwantofvisitors，especiallyyoungmen，togoaboutamongtheapplicantsforrelief，andinquireintotheirrealnecessities，andgetworkforthem。Shewashersselfgoingtoactassecretaryforthemeetingsduringthecomingmonth，andapparentlyshewishedtosignalizeheraccessiontotheregularforcesofcharitybybringingintocampaslargeabodyofrecruitsasshecould。
ButJeffhadnotcometobemadeuseof，orasajaywhowaswillingtoworkforhisfootinginsociety。HehadcomeinthehopeofmeetingMissLynde，andnowthathehadmetherhehadnogratitudetoMrs。Bevidgeasameans，andnoregretforthedefeatofhergoodpurposessofarassheintendedtheirfulfilmentinhim。Hewassocoolandself—possessedinexcusinghimself，forreasonsthathetooknopainstomakeseemunselfish，thatthealtruisticmanwhohadgothimaskedtothecollegeteaasafriendlessjayfeltitlaiduponhimtoapologizeforMrs。
Bevidge’swantoftact。
\"Shemeanswell，andshe’sverymuchinearnest，inthiswork；butImustsayshecanmakeherselfveryoffensive——whenshedoesn’ttry！Shehasarighttoaskourhelp，butnottoparadeusasthecaptivesofherbowandspear。\"
\"Oh，that’sallright，\"saidJeff。HeperceivedthattheamiablefellowwasclaimingforallaneffectthatJeffknewreallyimplicatedhimselfalone。\"Icouldn’tloadupwithanythingofthatsort，ifI’mtoworkoffmyconditions，youknow。\"
\"Areyouinthatboat？\"saidthealtruist，asifhewere，too；andheputhishandcompassionatelyonJeff’sironshoulder，andlefthimtoMissLynde，whosesidehehadnotstirredfromsincehehadfoundher。
\"Itseemstome，\"shesaid，\"thatwheretherearesomanyofyouinthesameboat，youmightmanagetogetashoresomehow。\"
\"Yes，orallgodowntogether。\"Jefflaughed，andateMrs。Bevidge’sbread—and—butter，anddrankhertea，witharelishunaffectedbyhisrefusaltodowhatsheaskedhim。Hewasright，perhaps，andperhapsshedeservednothingbetterathishands，butthealtruist，whenheglancedathimfromtheothersideoftheroom，thoughtthathehadpossiblywastedhisexcusesuponJeff’sself—complacence。
Hewentawayinahaloofyoungladies；severaloftheothergirlsgroupedthemselvesintheirdeparture；andithappenedthatMissLyndeandJefftookleavetogether。Mrs。Bevidgesaidtoher，withthecaressingtendernessofoneinthesameset，\"Good—bye，dear！\"ToJeffshesaid，withthecoldconscienceofthosewhomtheirnobilityobliges，\"IamalwaysathomeonThursdays，Mr。Durgin。\"
\"Oh，thankyou，\"saidJeff。Heunderstoodwhatthewordsandthemannermeanttogether，butbothwereinstantlyindifferenttohimwhenhegotoutsideandfoundthatMissLyndewasnotdriving。Something，whichwasneitherlook，norsmile，norword，ofcourse，butnothingmoreatmostthanacertainpullandtiltoftheshoulder，assheturnedtowalkawayfromMrs。Bevidge’sdoor，toldhimfromherthathemightwalkhomewithherifhewouldnotseemtodoso。
Itwasoneofthepinkevenings，dryandclear，thatcomeintheBostonDecember，andtheywalkeddownthesidehillstreet，underthedelicatetraceryoftheelmboughsinthefaceofthemetallicsunset。InthesectionoftheCharlesthattheperspectiveofthestreetblockedout，thewrinkledcurrentshowedasifglazedwiththehardcolor。Jeff’sstrongframerejoicedinthecoldwithahalepleasurewhenhelookedroundintothefaceofthegirlbesidehim，withthegrayfilmofherveilpressedsoftlyagainstherredmouthbyherswiftadvance。Theirfaceswerenearlyonalevel，astheylookedintoeachother’seyes，andhekeptseeingtheplayoftheveil’sedgeagainstherlipsastheytalked。
\"Whysha’n’tyougotoMrs。Bevidge’sThursdays？\"sheasked。\"They’reverynice。\"
HowdoyouknowI’mnotgoing？\"heretorted。
\"Bythewayyouthankedher。\"
\"Doyouadvisemetogo？\"
\"Ihaven’tgotanythingtodowithit。Whatdomeanbythat？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Curiosity，Isuppose。\"
\"Well，Idoadviseyoutogo，\"saidthegirl。ShallyoubetherenextThursday？\"
\"I？InevergotoMrs。Bevidge’sThursdays！\"
\"Touche，\"saidJeff，andtheybothlaughed。\"Canyoualwaysgetinatanenemythatway？\"