\"Hesaidso。\"
\"That’sveryniceofhim。Ifhecoulddevotehimselftoher；but——Andwouldsheliketogo？\"
\"Topleasehim，shewould。\"Westoverwassilent，andthegirlsurprisedhimbytheappealshesuddenlymadetohim。\"Mr。Westover，doyoubelieveitwouldbeverywellforeitherofustogo？Ithinkitwouldbebetterforustoleaveallthatpartofhislifealone。It’snouseinpretendingthatwe’relikethekindofpeopleheknows，orthatweknowtheirways，andIdon’tbelieve——\"
Westoverfelthisheartriseinindignantsympathy。\"Thereisn’tanyoneheknowstocomparewithyou！\"hesaid，andinthishewasthinkingmainlyofBessieLynde。\"You’reworthathousand——IfIwere——ifhe’shalfamanhewouldbeproud——Ibegyourpardon！Idon’tmean——butyouunderstand——\"
Cynthiaputherheadfaroutofthewindowandlookedalongthesteeproofbeforethem。\"Thereisablindoffoneofthewindows。Ihearditclappinginthewindtheothernight。Imustgoandseethenumberoftheroom。\"Shedrewherheadinquicklyandranawaywithoutlettinghimseeherface。
Hefollowedher。\"Letmehelpyouputitonagain！\"
\"No，no！\"shecalledback。\"Frankwilldothat，orJombateeste，whentheycometoshutupthehouse。\"
XLI。
Westover，didnotmeetDurginforseveraldaysafterhisreturnfromLion’sHead。HebroughtmessagesforhimfromhismotherandfromWhitwell，andhewaitedforhimtocomeandgetthemsolongthathehadtoblamehimselffornotsendingthemtohim。WhenJeffappeared，attheendofaweek，Westoverhadacertainembarrassmentinmeetinghim，andtheefforttoovercomethiscarriedhimbeyondhissincerity。Hewasawareoffeigningthecordialityheshowed，andofhavinglessreallikingforhimthaneverbefore。Hesuggestedthathemustbebusiereveryday，now，withhiscollegework，andheresentedtheairofsocialprosperitywhichJeffputoninsaying，Yes，therewasthat，andthenhehadsomeengagementswhichkepthimfromcominginsooner。
Hedidnotsaywhattheengagementswere，andtheydidnotrecurtothethingstheyhadlastspokenof。WestovercouldnotdosowithoutJeff’sleading，andhewasrathergladthathegavenone。Hestayedonlyalittletime，whichwasspentmostlyinashowofinterestonbothsides，andthehollowhilaritieswhichpeopleusetomasktheirindifferencetooneanother’sbeinganddoing。JeffdeclaredthathehadneverseenWestoverlookingsowell，andsaidhemustgouptoLion’sHeadagain；ithaddonehimgood。Asforhispicture，itwasacorker；itmadehimfeelasifhewerethere！Heaskedaboutallthefolks，andreceivedWestover’sreplieswithvaguelaughter，andanabsenceinhisboldeye，whichmadethepainterwonderwhathismindwason，withoutthewishtofindout。Hewasgladtohavehimgo，thoughhepressedhimtodropinsoonagain，andsaidtheywouldtakeinaplaytogether。
Jeffsaidhewouldliketodothat，andheaskedatthedoorwhetherWestoverwasgoingtotheteaatMrs。Bellingham’s。Hesaidhehadtolookinthere，beforehewentouttoCambridge；andleftWestoverinmuteamazeatthelengthhehadapparentlygoneinaroadthathadonceseemednothoroughfareforhim。Jeff’ssocialacceptance，evenaftertheEnderbyball，whichwasnowsomesixorsevenweekspast，hadbeenslow；
butoflate，fornoreasonthatheoranyoneelsecouldhavegiven，ithadgainedasuddenprecipitance；andpeoplewhowonderedwhytheymethimatotherhousesbegantoaskhimtotheirown。
Hedidnotcaretogototheirhouses，andhewentatfirstinthehopeofseeingBessieLyndeagain。Butthisdidnothappenforsometime，anditwasamid—Lententeathatbroughtthemtogether。Assoonashecaughtsightofherhewentuptoherandbegantotalkasiftheyhadbeeninthehabitofmeetingconstantly。Shecouldnotcontrolalittlestartathisapproach，andhefranklyrecognizedit。
\"What’sthematter？\"
\"Oh——thewindow！\"
\"Itisn’topen，\"hesaid，tryingit。\"Doyouwanttotryityourself？\"
\"IthinkIcantrustyou，\"sheanswered，butshesankalittleintotheshelterofthecurtains，nottobeseentalkingwithhim，perhaps，ornottobeinterrupted——shedidnotanalyzehermotiveclosely。
Heremainedtalkingtoheruntilshewentaway，andthenhecontrivedtogowithher。Shedidnottrytoescapehimafterthat；eachtimetheymetshehadthepleasureofrealizingthattherehadneverbeenanydangerofwhatneverhappened。Butbeyondthisshecouldperhapshavegivennobetterreasonforherwillingnesstomeethimagainandagainthanthebewilderedwitnessesofthefact。Inhersetpeoplenotonlynevermarriedoutsideofit，buttheyneverflirtedoutsideofit。Foroneofthemselves，evenforagirllikeBessie，whomtheyhadnotquiteknownfromchildhood，tobeapparentlyamusingherselfwithamanlikethat，sowhollyalieninorigin，intradition，wassomethingunheardof；
anditbegantolookasifBessieLyndewasmorethanamused。ItseemedtoMaryEnderbythatwherevershewentshesawthatmantalkingtoBessie。ShecouldhavebelievedthatitwasbysomeevilartthathealwayscontrivedtoreachBessie’sside，ifanythingcouldhavebeenlesslikeanykindofartthantheboldpushhemadeforherassoonashesawherinaroom。ButsometimesMissEnderbyfearedthatitwasBessiewhousedsuchfinesseastherewas，andalwaysputherselfwherehecouldseeher。Shewaitedwithtremblingforhertogivetheaffairsanctionbymakingherauntaskhimtosomethingatherhouse。Ontheotherhand，shecouldnothelpfeelingthatBessie’sflirtationwasallthemoredeplorableforthewantofsomesuchlegitimation。
ShedidnotevenknowcertainlywhetherJeffevercalleduponBessieatheraunt’shouse，tillonedaythemanlethimoutatthesametimeheletherin。
\"Oh，comeup，Molly！\"Bessiesangoutfromthefloorabove，andmetherhalf—waydownthestairs，whereshekissedherandledherembracedintothelibrary。
\"Youdon’tlikemyjay，doyou，dear？\"sheasked，promptly。
MaryEnderbyturnedherface，themirrorofconscience，uponher，andasked：\"Isheyourjay？\"
\"Well，no；notjustinthatsense，Molly。Butsupposehewas？\"
\"ThenIshouldhavenothingtosay。\"
\"Andsupposehewasn’t？\"
StillMaryEnderbyfoundherselfwithnothingofallshehadathousandtimesthoughtsheshouldsaytoBessieifshehadevertheslightestchance。Italwaysseemedsoeasy，tillnow，totakeBessieinherarms，andappealtohergoodsense，herself—respect，herregardforherfamilyandfriends；andnowitseemedsoimpossible。
Sheheardherselfanswering，verystiffly：\"PerhapsI’dbetterapologizeforwhatI’vesaidalready。YoumustthinkIwasveryunjustthelasttimewementionedhim。\"
\"Notatall！\"criedBessie，withalaughthatsoundedverymockingandveryunworthytoherfriend。\"He’sallthatyousaid，andworse。Buthe’smorethanyousaid，andbetter。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"saidMary，coldly。
\"He’sveryinteresting；he’soriginal；he’sdifferent！\"
\"Oh，everyonesaysthat。\"
Andhedoesn’tflatterme，orpretendtothinkmuchofme。Ifhedid，I
couldn’tbearhim。YouknowhowIam，Molly。Hekeepsmeinterested，don’tyouunderstand，andprowlingaboutinthegreatunknownwherebehashisweirdbeing。\"
Bessieputherhandtohermouth，andlaughedatMaryEnderbywithherslantedeyes；asortofParisianversionofaChinesemotiveineyes。
\"Isuppose，\"herfriendsaid，sadly，\"youwon’ttellmemorethanyouwish。\"
\"Iwon’ttellyoumorethanIknow——thoughI’dliketo，\"saidBessie。
ShegaveMaryasuddenhug。\"Youdear！Thereisn’tanythingofit，ifthat’swhatyoumean。\"
\"Butisn’ttheredangerthattherewillbe，Bessie？\"herfriendentreated。
\"Danger？Ishouldn’tcallitdanger，exactly！\"
\"Butifyoudon’trespecthim，Bessie——\"
\"Why，howcanI？Hedoesn’trespectme！\"
\"Iknowyou’reteasing，now，\"saidMaryEnderby，gettingup，\"andyou’requiteright。Ihavenobusinessto——\"
Bessiepulledherdownupontheseatagain。\"Yes，youhave！Don’tI
tellyou，overandover？Hedoesn’trespectme，becauseIdon’tknowhowtomakehim，andhewouldn’tlikeitifIdid。ButnowI’lltrytomakeyouunderstand。Idon’tbelieveIcareforhimtheleast；butmind，I’mnotcertain，forI’venevercaredforanyone，andIdon’tknowwhatit’slike。YouknowI’mnotsentimental；Ithinksentiment’sfunny；andI’mnotdignified——\"
\"You’redivine，\"murmuredMaryEnderby，withreproachfuladoration。
\"Yes，butyouseehowmydivinitycouldbeimproved，\"saidBessie，withawildlaugh。\"I’mnotsentimental，butI’memotional，andhegivesmeemotions。He’sariddle，andI’mallthetimeguessingathim。Yougettheanswertothekindofmenweknoweasily；andit’sverynice，butitdoesn’tamuseyousomuchastrying。Now，Mr。Durgin——whataname！
Icanseeitmakesyoucreep——isnomorelikeoneofusthana——bearis——andhisattitudetowardusisthatofabearwho’sgonesomuchwithhumanbeingsthathethinkshe’sahumanbeing。He’sdelightful，thatway。And，doyouknow，he’sintellectual！Heactuallybringsmebooks，andwantstoreadpassagestomeoutofthem！Hehasbroughtmetheplansofthenewhotelhe’sgoingtobuild。It’stobeveryaesthetic，andit’sgoingtobecalledTheLion’sHeadInn。There’stobealittletheatre，foramateurdramatics，whichIcouldconduct，andforallsortsofprofessionalamusements。Ifyoushouldevercome，Molly，I’msureweshalldoourbesttomakeyoucomfortable。\"
MaryEnderbywouldnotletBessielaughuponhershoulderaftershesaidthis。\"BessieLynde，\"shesaid，severely，\"ifyouhavenoregardforyourself，yououghttohavesomeregardforhim。Youmaysayyouarenotencouraginghim，andyoumaybelieveit——\"
\"Oh，Ishouldn’tsayitifIdidn’tbelieveit，\"Bessiebrokein，withamockairofseriousness。
\"Imustbegoing，\"saidMary，stiffly，andthistimeshesucceededingettingtoherfeet。
Bessielaidholdofheragain。\"Youthinkyou’vebeentrifledwith，don’tyou，dear？\"
\"No——\"
\"Yes，youdo！Don’tyoutrytobeslippery，Molly。Theplainpikestaffisyourstyle，morallyspeaking——ifanyoneknowswhatapikestaffis。
Well，now，listen！You’reanxiousaboutme。\"
\"YouknowhowIfeel，Bessie，\"saidMaryEnderby，lookingherintheeyes。
\"Yes，Ido，\"saidBessie。\"Thetroubleis，Idon’tknowhowIfeel。
ButifIeverdo，Molly，I’lltellyou！Isthatfair？\"
\"Yes\"
\"I’llgiveyouamplewarning。Attheleastlittleconsciousnessintheregionofthepericardium，offwillgoanotebyadistrictmessenger，andwhenyoucomeI’lldowhateveryousay。There！\"
\"Oh，Bessie！\"criedherfriend，andshethrewherarmsroundher，\"youalwayswerethemostfascinatingcreatureintheworld！\"
\"Yes，\"saidBessie，\"that’swhatItrytohavehimthink。\"
XLII。
TowardtheendofAprilmostpeoplewhohadplacesattheShoreweremostlyinthem，buttheycameuptotownonfrequenterrands，andhadoneeffectofevanescencewithpeoplewhostillremainedintheirBostonhousesprovisionally，andseemedmorethanhalfabsent。TheEnderbyshadbeenattheShoreforafortnight，andtheLyndesweregoingtobeafortnightlongerinBoston，yet，asBessiemadeherfriendobserve，whenMary，raninforlunch，orstoppedforamomentonherwaytothetrain，everyfewdays，theywerebothofthesametransitoryquality。
\"ItmightaswellbeIasyou，\"Bessiesaidoneday，\"ifweonlythinkso。It’sallveryweird，dear，andI’mnotsurebutitisyouwhositdayafterdayatmylonelycasementandwatchthesparrowsexaminingthefuzzybudsoftheJapivytoseejusthowsoontheycanhopetobuildinthevines。Doyouobjecttotheivybudslookingsoverymuchlikesnippedwoollenrags？Ifyoudo，I’msureit’syou，hereinmyplace，forwhenIcomeuptotowninyourpersonalityitsetsmyteethonedge。
Infact，that’stheworstthingaboutBostonnow——thefuzzyivybuds；
there’ssomuchivy！Whenyoucanforgetthebuds，thereareagreatmanythingstomakeyouhappy。IfeelquiteasifwewerespendingthesummerintownandIfeelveryadventurousandveryvirtuous，likesomesortofself—righteousbohemian。Youdon’tknowhowIlookdownonpeoplewhohavegoneoutoftown。Iconsiderthemveryselfishandheartless；
Idon’tknowwhy，exactly。Butwhenwehaveagoodmarrow—freezingnortheasterlystorm，andthenewspaperscomeoutwiththeirironicalcongratulationstothetax—dodgersattheShore，IfeelthatProvidenceisonmyside，andI’mgettingmyreward，eveninthisworld。\"Bessiesuddenlylaughed。\"Iseebyyourexpressionoffixedinattention，Molly，thatyou’rethinkingofMr。Durgin！\"
Marygaveastartofprotest，butshewastoohonesttodenythefactoutright，andBessieranon：
\"No，wedon’tsitonabenchintheCommon，orevenintheGarden，oronthewalkinCommonwealthAvenue。Ifwecometoitlater，astheseasonadvances，Ishallmakehimstayquiteattheotherendofthebench，andnotputhishandalongthetop。Youneedn’tbeafraid，Molly；alltheproprietiesshallbereligiouslyobserved。PerhapsIshallaskAuntLouisatoletussitoutonherfrontsteps，whentheeveningsgetwarmer；butIassureyouit’smuchmorecomfortablein—doorsyet，evenintown，thoughyou’llhardly，believeitattheShore。ShallyoucomeuptoClassDay？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow，\"Marybegan，withasighofthebaffledhopeandtheinextinguishableexpectationwhichthementionofClassDaystirsintheheartofeveryBostongirlpasttwenty。
\"Yes！\"saidBessie，withasighburlesquedfromMary’s。\"Thatiswhatweallsay，anditiscertainlythemostmaddeningofhumanfestivals。
Isuppose，ifwewerequitelefttoourselves，weshouldn’tgo；butweseemnevertobe，quite。AftereveryClassDayIsaytomyselfthatnothingonearthcouldinducemetogotoanother；butwhenitcomesroundagain，Ifindmyselfgraspingatanystrawofapretext。I’mpretendingnowthatI’veatenderobligationtogobecauseit’shisClassDay。\"
\"Bessie！\"criedMaryEnderby。\"Youdon’tmeanit！\"
\"NotifIsayit，Marydear。WhatdidIpromiseyouaboutthepericardiacsymptoms？ButIfeel——IfeelthatifheasksmeImustgo。
Shouldn’tyouliketogoandseeajayClassDay——bepartofit？ThinkofgoingoncetothePiUtespread——orwhateveritis！Anddancingintheirtent！AndbeingleftoutoftheGym，andBeck！Yes，Ioughttogo，sothatitcanbebroughthometome，andIcanhavearealizingsenseofwhatIamdoing，andbestayedinmymadcareer。\"
\"Perhaps，\"MaryEnderbysuggested，colorlessly，\"hewillbedevotedtohisownpeople。\"ShehadacoldfascinationinthepictureBessie’swordshadconjuredup，andshewassayingthislesstoBessiethantoherself。
\"AndIshouldmeetthem——hismothersandsisters！\"Bessiedramatizedanexcessofanguish。\"Oh，Mary，thatistheverythornIhavebeentryingnottopressmyheartagainst；anddoesyourhandcommendittomyembrace？Hisfolks！Yes，theywouldbefolks；andwhatfolks！IthinkIamgettingarealizingsense。Wait！Don’tspeakdon’tmove，Molly！\"
Bessiedroppedherchinintoherhand，andstaredstraightforward，grippingMaryEnderby’shand。
Marywithdrewit。\"Ishallhavetogo，Bessie，\"shesaid。\"Howisyouraunt？\"
\"Mustyou？ThenIshallalwayssaythatitwasyourfaultthatI
couldn’tgetarealizingsense——thatyoupreventedme，justwhenIwasabouttoseemyselfasothersseeme——asyouseeme。She’sverywell！\"
Bessiesighedinearnest，andherfriendgaveherhandalittlepressureoftruesympathy。\"Butofcourseit’sratherdullhere，now。\"
\"Ihatetohaveyoustayingon。Couldn’tyoucomedowntousforaweek？\"
\"No。Weboththinkit’sbesttobeherewhenAlangetsback。Wewanthimtogodownwithus。\"BessiehadseldomspokenopenlywithMaryEnderbyaboutherbrother；butthatwasratherfromMary’sshrinkingthanherown；sheknewthateverybodyunderstoodhiscase。Shewentsofarnowastosay：\"He’seversomuchbetterthanhehasbeen。Wehavesuchhopesofhim，ifhecankeepwell，whenhegetsbackthistime。\"
\"Oh，Iknowhewill，\"saidMary，fervently。\"I’msureofit。Couldn’twedosomethingforyou，Bessie？\"
\"No，thereisn’tanything。But——thankyou。Iknowyoualwaysthinkofme，andthat’sworlds。Whenareyoucomingupagain？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Nextweek，sometime。\"
\"Comeinandseeme——andAlan，ifheshouldbeathome。Helikesyou，andhewillbesoglad。\"
MarykissedBessieforconsent。\"YouknowhowmuchIadmireAlan。Hecouldbeanything。\"
\"Yes，hecould。Ifhecould！\"
Bessieseldomputsomuchearnestinanything，andMaryloved（asshewouldhavesaid）thesadsincerity，thehonesthopelessnessofhertone。
\"Wemusthelphim。Iknowwecan。\"
\"Wemusttry。Butpeoplewhocould——iftheycould——\"Bessiestopped。
Herfrienddivinedthatshewasnolongerspeakingwhollyofherbrother，butshesaid：\"Thereisn’tanyifaboutit；andtherearenoifsaboutanythingifweonlythinkso。It’sasinnottothinkso。\"
ThemixtureofseverityandofoptimisminthenatureofherfriendhadoftenamusedBessie，anditdidnotescapehertacitnoticeinevensoseriousamomentasthis。Hertheorywasthatshewasshockedtorecognizeitnow，becauseofitsrelationtoherbrother，buthertheoriesdidnotalwaysagreewiththefacts。
Thatevening，however，shewastrulysurprisedwhen，afteraratherbelatedringatthedoor，thecardofMr。ThomasJeffersonDurgincameuptoherfromthereception—room。Heraunthadgonetobed，andshehadaluxuriousmomentinwhichshereapedalltherewardofself—denialbysupposingherselftohaveforegonethepleasureofseeinghim，andsendingdownwordthatshewasnotathome。Shedidnotwish，indeed，toseehim，butshewishedtoknowhowhefeltwarrantedincallingintheevening，anditwasthisunworthy，curiositywhichshestifledforthatluxuriousmoment。Thenext，withundiminisheddignity，shesaid，\"Askhimtocomeup，Andrew，\"andshewaitedinthelibraryforhimtoofferajustificationofthelibertyhehadtaken。
Heofferednonewhatever，butbehavedatonceasifhehadalwayshadthehabitofcallingintheevening，orasifitwasageneralcustomwhichheneednotaccountforinhisowncase。Hebroughtherabookwhichtheyhadtalkedofattheirlastmeeting，buthemadenoexcuseorpretextofit。
Hesaiditwasabeautifulnight，andthathehadfounditratherwarmwalkinginfromCambridge。Theexercisehadmoistenedhiswholerich，redcolor，andfinedropsofperspirationstoodonhisclean—shavenupperlipandinthehollowbetweenhisunderlipandhisboldchin；hepushedbackthecoarse，dark—yellowhairfromhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief，andlethiseyesmockherfromunderhisthick，straw—
coloredeyebrows。Sheknewthathewasenjoyinghisownimpudence，andhewassohandsomethatshecouldnotrefusetoenjoyitwithhim。Sheaskedhimifhewouldnothaveafan，andheallowedhertogetitforhimfromthemantel。\"Willyouhavesometea？\"
\"No；butaglassofwater，ifyouplease，\"hesaid，andBessierangandsentforsomeapollinaris，whichJeffdrankagreatgobletofwhenitcame。Thenhelaybackinthedeepchairhehadtaken，withtheairofbeingreadyforanylittleamusingthingshehadtosay。
\"Areyoustillapessimist，Mr。Durgin？\"sheasked，tentatively，withtheeffectofinnocencethatheknewmeantmischief。
\"No，\"hesaid。\"I’mareformedoptimist。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"
\"It’samanwhocan’tbelieveallthegoodhewouldlike，butlikestobelieveallthegoodhecan。\"
Bessiesaiditover，withburlesquethoughtfulness。\"Therewasagirlhereto—day，\"shesaid，solemnly，\"whomusthavebeenareformedpessimist，then，forshesaidthesamething。\"
\"Oh！MissEnderby，\"saidJeff。
Bessiestarted。\"You’repreternatural！Butwhatapityyoushouldbemistaken。Howcameyoutothinkofher？\"
\"Shedoesn’tlikeme，andyoualwaysputmeontrialaftershe’sbeenhere。\"
\"AmIputtingyouontrialnow？It’syourguiltyconscience！Whyshouldn’tMaryEnderbylikeyou？\"
\"BecauseI’mnotgoodenough。\"
\"Oh！Andwhathasthattodowithpeople’slikingyou？Ifthatwasareason，howmanyfriendsdoyouthinkyouwouldhave？\"
\"I’mnotsurethatIshouldhaveany。\"
\"Anddoesn’tthatmakeyoufeelbadly？\"
\"Very。\"Jeff’sconfessionwasasmilingone。
\"Youdon’tshowit！\"
\"Idon’twanttogrieveyou。\"
\"Oh，I’mnotsurethatwouldgrieveme。\"
\"Well，IthoughtIwouldn’triskit。\"
\"Howconsiderateofyou！\"
Theyhadcometoalittlebarrier，upthatway，andcouldgonofurther。
Jeffsaid：\"I’vejustbeeninterviewinganotherreformedpessimist。\"
\"Mr。Westover？\"
\"You’repreternatural，too。Andyou’renotmistaken，either。Doyouevergotohisstudio？\"
\"No；Ihaven’tbeentheresincehetoldmeitwouldbeofnousetocomeasastudent。Hecanbeterriblyfrank。\"
\"NobodyknowsthatbetterthanIdo，\"saidJeff，withasmileforthenotionofWestover’sfranknessashehadrepeatedlyexperiencedit。\"Buthemeanswell。\"
\"Oh，that’swhattheyalwayssay。Butallthefranknesscan’tbewellmeant。Whyshoulduncandorbetheonlyformofmalevolence？\"
\"That’sagoodidea。IbelieveI’llputthatuponWestoverthenexttimehe’sfrank。\"
\"Andwillyoutellmewhathesays？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowaboutthat。\"Jefflaybackinhischairatlargeeaseandchuckled。\"Ishouldliketotellyouwhathe’sjustbeensayingtome，butIdon’tbelieveIcan。\"
\"Do！\"