\"Allright，mother，\"saidJeff。
Shemovedherselfrestivelyinbed。\"What’sthis，\"shedemandedofherson，\"thatWhitwell’stellin’aboutyouandCynthybreakin’itoff？\"
\"Well，therewastalkofthat，\"saidJeff，passinghishandoverhislipstokeepbackthesmilethatwasstealingtothem。
\"Whodoneit？\"
CynthiakepthereyesonJeff，whodroppedhistohismother’sface。
\"Cynthydidit；butIguessIgavehergoodenoughreason。\"
\"AboutthathussyinBoston？Shewasfullmoretoblamethanwhatyouwas。Idon’tseewhatCynthywantedtodoitforonheraccount。\"
\"IguessCynthywasright。\"
Mrs。Durgin’sspeechhadbeenthickeningmoreandmore。ShenowsaidsomethingthatJeffcouldnotunderstand。HelookedinvoluntarilyatCynthia。
\"ShesaysshethinksIwashastywithyou，\"thegirlinterpreted。
Jeffkepthiseyesonhers，butheansweredtohismother：\"NotanymorethanIdeserved。Ihadn’tanyrighttoexpectthatshewouldstandit。\"
Againthesickwomantriedtosaysomething。Jeffmadeoutafewsyllables，and，afterhismotherhadrepeatedherwords，hehadtolooktoCynthiaforhelp。
\"Shewantstoknowifit’sallrightnow。\"
\"WhatshallIsay？\"askedJeff，huskily。
\"Tellherthetruth。\"
\"Whatisthetruth？\"
\"Thatwehaven’tmadeitup。\"
Jeffhesitated，andthensaid：\"Well，notyet，mother，\"andhebentanentreatinglookuponCynthiawhichshecouldnotfeelwaswhollyforhimself。\"I——Iguesswecanfixit，somehow。IbehavedverybadlytoCynthia。\"
\"No，nottome！\"thegirlprotestedinanindignantburst。
\"Nottothatlittlescalawag，then！\"criedJeff。\"Ifthewrongwasn’ttoyou，therewasn’tanywrong。\"
\"Itwastoyou！\"Cynthiaretorted。
\"Oh，IguessIcanstandit，\"saidJeff，andhissmilenowcametohislipsandeyes。
Hismotherhadfollowedtheirquickparleywitheagerlooks，asifsheweretryingtokeepherintelligencetoitsworkconcerningthem。Theeffortseemedtoexhausther，andwhenshespokeagainherwordsweresoindistinctthatevenCynthiacouldnotunderstandthemtillshehadrepeatedthemseveraltimes。
Thenthegirlwassilent，whiletheinvalidkeptaneagerlookuponher。
SheseemedtounderstandthatCynthiadidnotmeantospeak；andthetearscameintohereyes。
\"Doyouwantmetoknowwhatshesaid？\"askedJeff，respectfully，reverentlyalmost。
Cynthiasaid，gently：\"Shesaysthatthenyoumustshowyoudidn’tmeananyharmtome，andthatyoucaredforme，allthrough，andyoudidn’tcareforanybodyelse。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidJeff，andheturnedtohismother。\"I’lldoeverythingIcantomakeCynthybelievethat，mother。\"
Thegirlbrokeintotearsandwentoutoftheroom。Shesentinthenight—watcher，andthenJefftookleaveofhismotherwithanunwontedkiss。
Intotheshadowofastarlitnighthesawthefigurehehadbeenwaitingforglideoutoftheglitterofthehotellights。Hefolloweditdowntheroad。
\"Cynthia！\"hecalled；andwhenhecameupwithherheasked：\"What’sthereasonwecan’tmakeittrue？Whycan’tyoubelievewhatmotherwantsmetomakeyou？\"
Cynthiastopped，asherwontwaswhenshewishedtospeakseriously。
\"Doyouaskthatformysakeorhers？\"
\"Forbothyoursakes。\"
\"Ithoughtso。Yououghttohaveaskeditforyourownsake，Jeff，andthenImighthavebeenfoolenoughtobelieveyou。Butnow——\"
Shestartedswiftlydownthehillagain，andthistimehedidnottrytofollowher。
L。
Mrs。Durgin’sspeechneverregainedthemeasureofclearnessithadbefore；noonebutCynthiacouldunderstandher，andoftenshecouldnot。
ThedoctorfromLovewellsurmisedthatshehadsustainedanotherstroke，lighter，moreobscurethanthefirst，anditwasthatwhichhadrenderedheralmostinarticulate。Theparalysismighthavealsoaffectedherbrain，andsilencedherthoughtsaswellasherwords。EithershebelievedthatthereconciliationbetweenJeffandCynthiahadtakenplace，orelseshecouldnolongercare。Shedidnotquestionthemagain，butpeacefullyweakenedmoreandmore。NeartheendofSeptembershehadathirdstroke，andfromthisshedied。
ThedayafterthefuneralJeffhadatalkwithWhitwell，andopenedhismindtohim。
\"I’mgoingovertotheotherside，andIshan’tbebackbeforespring，orabouttimetostarttheseasonhere。WhatIwanttoknowiswhether，ifI’moutofthehouse，andnotlikelytocomeback，you’llstayhereandlookaftertheplacethroughthewinter。Ithasn’tbeenagoodseason，butIguessIcanaffordtomakeitworthyourwhileifyoulookatitasamatterofbusiness。\"
Whitwellleanedforwardandtookastrawintohismouthfromthegoldenwallofoatsheavesinthebarnwheretheyweretalking。AsoftrustlinginthemowoverheadmarkedtheremotepresenceofJombateeste，whowasgettingforwardthehayforthehorses，pushingittowardtheholeswhereitshouldfallintotheirracks。
\"Ishouldwanttothinkaboutit，\"saidWhitwell。\"Ido’knowasCynthy’dcaremuchaboutstayin’——orFrank。\"
\"Howlongdoyouwanttothinkaboutit？\"Jeffdemanded，ignoringthepossiblewishesofCynthiaandFrank。
\"IguessIcouldletyouknowbynight。\"
\"Allright，\"saidJeff。
Hewasturningaway，whenWhitwellremarked：
\"Idon’tknowasIshouldwanttostaywithoutIcouldhavesomebodyI
coulddependon，withme，tolookafterthehosses。Frankwouldn’twantto。\"
\"Who’dyoulike？\"
\"Well——Jombateeste。\"
\"Askhim。\"
WhitwellcalledtotheCanuck，andhecameforwardtotheedgeofthemow，andstood，forkinhand，lookingdown。
\"Wanttostayherethiswinterandlookafterthehorses，Jombateeste？\"
Whitwellasked。
\"Nosseh！\"saidtheCanuck，withamislikingeyeonJeff。
\"Imean，alongwithme，\"Whitwellexplained。\"IfIconcludetostay，willyou？Jeff’sgoin’abroad。\"
\"IguessIstay，\"saidJombateeste。
\"Don’tstrainyourself，Jombateeste，\"saidJeff，withmalevolentderision。
\"Notforyou，JeffDorrgin，\"returnedtheCanuck。\"IstrainmyselftillIbust，ifIwant。\"
JeffsneeredtoWhitwell：\"Well，then，themostimportantpointissettled。Letmeknowabouttheminordetailsassoonasyoucan。\"
\"Allright。\"
Whitwelltalkedthematteroverwithhischildrenatsupperthatevening。
Jeffhadmadehimagoodoffer，andhehadthewinterbeforehimtoprovidefor。
\"Idon’tknowwhatdeviltryhe’supto，\"hesaidinconclusion。
Franklookedtohissisterfortheircommondecision。\"Iamgoingtotryforaschool，\"shesaid，quietly。\"It’sprettylate，butIguessIcangetsomething。YouandFrankhadbetterstay。\"
\"Andyoudon’tfeelasifitwaskindofmeechin’，ourtakin’upwithhisoffer，afterwhat’s——\"Whitwelldelicatelyforboretofillouthissentence。
\"Youaredoingthefavor，father，\"saidthegirl。\"Heknowsthat，andI
guesshewouldn’tknowwheretolookifyourefused。And，afterall，what’shappenednowisasmuchmydoingashis。\"
\"Iguessthat’ssomethingso，\"saidWhitwell，withalongsighofrelief。
\"Well，I’mgladyoucanlookatitinthatlight，Cynthy。It’sthewaythefeller’sbuilt，Ipresume，asmuchasanything。\"
Hisdaughterwaivedthepoint。\"Ishouldn’tfeeljustrightifnoneofusstayedintheoldplace。IshouldfeelasifwehadturnedourbacksonMrs。Durgin。\"
Hereyesshone，andherfathersaid：\"Well，Iguessthat’sso，cometothinkofit。She’sbeenlikeamothertoyou，thispastyear，ha’n’tshe？Anditmusthavecomepoottyhardforher，sidin’ag’in’Jeff。Butshedoneit。\"
Thegirlturnedherheadaway。Theyweresittinginthelittle，lowkeeping—roomofWhitwell’shouse，andherfatherhadhishatonprovisionally。Throughthewindowtheycouldseethelightofthelanternattheofficedoorofthehotel，whosemasswaslostinthedarkaboveandbehindthelamp。Itwasallverystilloutside。
\"Ideclare，\"Whitwellwenton，musingly，\"IwishtMr。Westoverwashere。\"
Cynthiastarted，butitwastoask：\"DoyouwantIshouldhelpyouwithyourLatin，Frank？\"
Whitwellcamebackanhourlaterandfoundthemstillattheirbooks。
Hetoldthemitwasallarranged；Durginwastogiveuptheplacetohiminaweek，andhewastosurrenderitagainwhenJeffcamebackinthespring。Inthemeantimethingsweretoremainastheywere；afterhewasgone，theycouldallgoandliveatLion’sHeadiftheychose。
\"We’llsee，\"saidCynthia。\"I’vebeenthinkingthatmightbethebestway，afterall。Imightnotgetaschool，it’ssolate。\"
\"That’sso，\"herfatherassented。\"Ideclare，\"headded，afteramoment’smuse，\"Ifeltsorryforthefellersettin’uptherealone，withnobodytodoforhimbutthatoldthinghe’sgotin。Shecan’tcookanymorethan——\"Hedesistedforwantofacomparison，andsaid：\"Suchalookin’table，too。\"
\"DoyouthinkIbettergoandlookafterthingsalittle？\"Cynthiaasked。
\"Well，younoneedto，\"saidherfather。Hegotdowntheplanchette，andlaboredwithit，whilehischildrenreturnedtoFrank’slessons。
\"Dumn’fIcanmakethethingwork，\"hesaidtohimselfatlast。
\"Ican’tgitanyof’emup。IfJacksonwashere，now！\"
ThriceadayCynthiawentuptothehotelandoversawthepreparationofJeff’smealsandkepttauttheslackhousekeepingoftheoldIrishwomanwhohadremainedasafavor，afterthehotelclosed，andprofessedtohavelostthechanceofaplaceforthewinterbyhercomplaisance。
ShesubmittedtoCynthia’sauthority，andtriedtomakeinterestforanindefinitestaybysuddenzealandindustry，andthelastdaysofJeffinthehotelweremorecomfortablethanheopenlyrecognized。HeleftthecareofthebuildingwhollytoWhitwell，andshuthimselfupintheoldfarmparlorwiththeplansforanewhotelwhichhesaidhemeanttoputupsomeday，ifhecouldevergetridoftheoldone。HewentoncetoLovewell，whereherenewedtheinsurance，andsomewhatincreasedit；andheputasmallmortgageontheproperty。Heforestalledtheslowprogressoftheknowledgeofothers’affairs，which，inthecountry，isassureasitisslow，andtoldWhitwellwhathehaddone。Hesaidhewantedthemortgagemoneyforhisjourney，andtheinsurancemoney，ifhecouldhavethelucktocashupbyagoodfire，torebuildwith。
Cynthiaseldommethiminhercomingsandgoings，butiftheymettheyspokeonthetermsoftheirboyandgirlassociations，andwithnoapproachthroughresentmentortendernesstotherelationthatwasendedbetweenthem。Shesawhimoftenerthanatanyothertimesettingoffonthelongtrampshetookthroughthewoodsintheafternoons。Hewasalwaysalone，and，sofarasanyoneknew，hiswanderingshadnoobjectbuttokillthetimewhichhungheavyonhishandsduringthefortnightafterhismother’sdeath，beforehesailed。ItmighthaveseemedstrangethatheshouldprefertopassthedaysatLion’sHeadafterhehadarrangedforthecareoftheplacewithWhitwell，andWhitwellalwaysbelievedthathestayedinthehopeofsomehowmakingupwithCynthia。
Oneday，towardtheverylast，Durginfoundhimselfprettywellfaggedintheoldpulp—millclearingonthesideofLion’sHead，whichstillbelongedtoWhitwell，andhesatdownonamoulderinglogtheretorest。
Ithadalwaysbeenafavoritepicnicground，buttheseasonjustpasthadknownfewpicnics，anditwasthoseofformeryearsthathadlefttheirtracesinrustysardine—cansandbrokenglassandcrockeryontheborderoftheclearing，whichwasnowalmostcoveredwithwhitemoss。JeffthoughtofthedaywhenhelurkedinthehollowbelowwithFox，whileWestoverremainedtalkingwithWhitwell。HethoughtofthepicnicthatMrs。Marvenhadembitteredforhim，andhethoughtofthelasttimethathehadbeentherewithWestover，whentheytalkedoftheVostrands。
Lifehad，sofar，notbeenwhathemeantit，andjustnowitoccurredtohimthathemightnothavewhollymadeitwhatithadbeen。Itseemedtohimthatagoodmanyotherpeoplehadcomeinandtakenahandinmakinghisownlifewhatithadbeen；andifhehadmeddledwiththeirsmorethanhewaswanted，itwasaboutaneventhing。Asfarashecouldmakeout，hewasasortofingredientinthegeneralmixture。Hehadprobablydonehisshareoftheflavoring，buthehadhadverylittletodowiththemixing。Thereweredifferentwaysoflookingatthething。Westoverhadhisway，butitstruckJeffthatitputtoomuchresponsibilityontheingredient，andtoolittleonthepowerthatchoseit。Hebelievedthathecouldproveaclearcaseinhisownfavor，asfarasthequestionoffinaljusticewasconcerned，buthehadnocomplaintstomake。Thingshadfallenoutverymuchtohismind。HewastheLandlordatLion’sHead，atlast，withthefullrighttodowhathepleasedwiththeplace，andwithhalfayear’sleisurebeforehimtothinkitover。Hedidnotmeantowastethetimewhilehewasabroad；iftherewasanythingtobelearnedanywhereaboutkeepingasummerhotel，hewasgoingtolearnit；
andhethoughtthesummerhotelcouldbeadvantageouslystudiedinitswinterphasesinthemildclimatesofSouthernEurope。HemeanttostrikefortheclassofAmericanswhoresortedtothoseclimates；todivinetheircharactersandtopleasetheirtastes。
HeunconsciouslyincludedCynthiainhisschemeofinquiry；hehadbeenusedsolongtotrusttoherinstinctsandopinions，andtorelyuponherhelp，andherealizedthatshewasnolongerinhislifewithsomethingliketheshockamanexperienceswhenthelossofalimb，whichcontinuesapartofhisinveterateconsciousness，isbroughttohissensebysomemechanicalattempttouseit。Buteveninthispanghedidnotregretthatallwasoverbetweenthem。Heknewnowthathehadnevercaredforherashehadoncethought，andonheraccount，ifnothisown，hewasgladtheirengagementwasbroken。AsoftmelancholyforhisowndisappointmentimparteditselftohisthoughtsofCynthia。Hefelttrulysorryforher，andhetrulyadmiredandrespectedher。Hewasinaverylenientmoodtowardeveryone，andhewentsofarinthoughttowardforgivinghisenemiesthathewaswillingatleasttopardonallthosewhomhehadinjured。Alittlerustlingintheunderbrushacrosstheclearingcaughthisquickear，andhelookeduptoseeJombateestepartingtheboughsoftheyoungpinesonitsedgeandadvancingintotheopenwithagunonhisshoulder。Hecalledtohim，cheerily：\"Hello，John！Anyluck？\"
Jombateesteshookhishead。\"Nawthing。\"Hehesitated。
\"Whatareyouafter？\"
\"Partridge，\"Jombateesteventuredback。
JeffcouldnotresistthedesiretoscoffwhichalwayscameuponhimatsightoftheCanuck。\"Oh，pshaw！Whydon’tyougoforwoodchucks？Theyflylow，andyoucanhitthemonthewing，ifyoucan’tsneakon’emsitting。\"
Jombateestereceivedhisrailleryindignifiedsilence，andturnedbackintothewoodsagain。HeleftDurgininheightenedgood—humorwithhimselfandwiththeworld，whichhadfinallysowelladapteditselftohisdesiresanddesigns。
Jeffwatchedhisresentfulgoingwithagrin，andthenthrewhimselfbackonthethickbedofdrymosswherehehadbeensitting，andwatchedthecloudsdriftingacrossthespaceofbluewhichtheclearingopenedoverhead。HisownactionremindedhimofJackson，lyingintheorchardandlookingupatthesky。Hefeltstrangelyatonewithhim，andheexperiencedatendernessforhismemorywhichhehadnotknownbefore。
Jacksonhadbeenagoodman；herealizedthatwithacurioussenseofnoveltyinthereflection；hewonderedwhattheincentivesandtheobjectsofsuchmenasJacksonandWestoverwere，anyway。Somethinglikegriefforhisbrothercameuponhim；notsuchgriefashehadfelt，passionatelyenough，thoughtacitly，forhismother，butaregretfornothavingshownJacksonduringhislifethathecouldappreciatehisunselfishness，thoughhecouldnotseethereasonorthemeaningofit。
Hesaidtohimself，intheirsaferemotenessfromeachother，thathewishedhecoulddosomethingforJackson。Hewonderedifinthecourseoftimeheshouldgettobesomethinglikehim。Heimaginedtrying。
Heheardsoundsagainintheedgeoftheclearing，buthedecidedthatitwasthatfoolJombateestecomingback；andwhenstepsapproachedsoftlyandhesitantlyacrossthemoss，hedidnottroublehimselftotakehiseyesfromtheclouds。Hewasonlyvexedtohavehisreverybrokeninupon。
AvoicethatwasnotJombateeste’sspoke：\"Isay！CanyoutellmethewaytotheBrookerInstitute，ortotheroaddownthemountain？\"
Jeffsatsuddenlybolt—upright；inanothermomenthejumpedtohisfeet。
TheBrookerInstitutewasabranchoftheKeeleyCurerecentlyestablishedneartheHuddle，andthismustbeapatientwhohadwanderedfromit，ononeoftheexcursionstheinmatesmadewiththeirguardians，andlosthisway。ThiswasthefactthatJeffrealizedatthefirstglancehegavetheman。ThenextherecognizedthatthemanwasAlanLynde。
\"Oh，it’syou，\"hesaid，quitesimply。Hefeltsocruellythehardshipofhisoneunforgivenenemy’scominguponhimjustwhenhehadresolvedtobegoodthatthetearscameintohiseyes。Thenhisrageseemedtoswellupinhimliketheriseofavolcanicflood。\"I’mgoingtokillyou！\"he，roared，andhelaunchedhimselfuponLynde，whostooddazed。
ButthemurderwhichJeffmeantwasnottobesoeasilydone。Lyndehadnotgrownupindissoluteidlenesswithoutacquiringsomeoftheartsofself—defencewhicharecalledmanly。HemetJeff’sonsetwithrememberedskillandwiththestrengthwhichhehadgainedinthreemonthsofthewholesomeregimenoftheBrookerInstitute。Hehadbeensentthere，notbyDr。Lacy’sjudgment，butbyhisdespair，andsofartheCurehadcured。Hefeltstrongandfresh，andthehatewhichfilledJeffatsightofhimsteeledhisshakennervesandreinforcedhisfeeblermuscles，too。
Hemadeadesperatefightwherehecouldnothopeformercy，andkepthimselffreeofhispowerfulfoe，whomhefoughtroundandfoiled，ifhecouldnothurthim。JeffneverknewoftheblowsLyndegotinuponhim；
hehadhisownscience，too，buthewouldnotemployit。HewantedtocrashthroughLynde’sdefenceandlayholdofhimandcrushthelifeoutofhim。
Thecontestcouldnothavelastedlongatthebest；butbeforeLyndewaswornouthecaughthisheelinanoldlaurelroot，andwhilehewhirledtorecoverhisfootingJeffclosedinuponhim，caughthimbythemiddle，flunghimdownuponthemoss，andwaskneelingonhisbreastwithbothhandsathisthroat。
Heglareddownintohisenemy’sface，andsuddenlyitlookedpitifullylittleandweak，likeagirl’sface，achild’s。
Sometimes，afterward，itseemedtohimthatheforborebecauseatthatinstanthesawJombateesteappearattheedgeoftheclearingandcomerunninguponthem。Atothertimeshehadthefancythathisactionwaspurelyvoluntary，andthat，againstthelogicofhishateandhabitofhislife，hehadmercyuponhisenemy。Hedidnotpridehimselfuponit；
heratherhumbledhimselfbeforethefact，whichwasaccomplishedthroughhiswill，andnotbyit，andremainedamysteryhedidnottrytosolve。
HetookhishandsfromLynde’sthroatandhiskneesoffhisbreast。\"Getup，\"hesaid；andwhenLyndestoodtremblingonhisfeethesaidtoJombateeste：\"ShowthismanthewaytotheBrookerInstitute。I’lltakeyourgunhomeforyou，\"anditwaseasyforhimtodetachthepiecefromthebewilderedCanuck’sgrasp。\"Go！Andifyoustop，orevenlethimlookback，I’llshoothim。Quick！\"
LI。
ThedayafterThanksgiving，whenWestoverwastryingtofeelwellaftertheturkeyandcranberryandciderwhichaladyhadgivenhimataconsciouslyold—fashionedThanksgivingdinner，butnotmakingitoutsufficientlytobeabletowork，hewasastonishedtoreceiveavisitfromWhitwell。
\"Well，sir，\"saidthephilosopher，withoutgivinghimselfpausefortheexchangeofreflectionsuponhispresenceinBoston，whichmighthavebeenagreeabletohimonalessmomentousoccasion。\"It’sallupwithLion’sHead。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"demandedWestover，withhisminduponthemountain，whichheelectricallyfiguredinanincredibledestruction。
\"She’sburnt。Burntdownthedaybeforeyist’d’yaft’noon。A’n’thardlyastickofherleft。KetehedLordknowshow，fromthekitchenchimney，andahighnorthwestwindblowin’，thatca’dthesparkstothebarn，andsetfiretothat，too。Hassesgone；couldn’tgetroundto’em；onlythreeofusthere，andmixedupsoaboutthehousetillitwassolatethecritterswouldn’tcomeout。FolksfromoverHuddlewayseetheblaze，andhelpedailtheycould；butitwa’n’tnouse。Iguessallwesaved，about，wastheflag—pole。\"
\"Butyou’reallrightyourselves？Cynthia\"
\"Well，therewasourmisfortune，\"saidWhitwell，whileWestover’sheartstoppedinamerewantonnessofapprehension。\"Ifshe’dbe’nthere，itmightha’be’ndiff’ent。Wemightha’hadmoresense；orshewould，anyway。ButshewasovertoLovewellstockin’upforThanksgivin’，andI
hadtomakeoutthebestIcould，withFrankandJombateeste。Why，thatCanuckdidn’tseemtohavenomoreheadonhimthanahen。Iwasdisgusted；butCynthywouldn’tletmesayanythingtohim，andId’knowas’t’oulddoneanygood，myself。We’vetalkeditalloverineverylight，eversince；guesswe’vesetupmostthetimetalkin’，andnothin’
woulddoherbutIshouldcomedownandseeyoubeforeItookasinglestepaboutit。\"
\"How——stepaboutwhat？\"askedWestover，witharemotesenseofhardshipatbeingbroughtin，temperedbythefactthatitwasCynthiawhohadbroughthimin。
\"Why，thatdevil，\"saidWhitwell，andWestoverknewthathemeantJeff，\"wentandpiledonalltheinsurancehecouldpileon，beforeheleft；
andIdon’tknowwhattodoaboutit。\"
\"Ishouldthinkthebestthingwastocollecttheinsurance，\"Westoversuggested，distractedly。
\"Ita’n’tsoeasyaswhatthatcomesto，\"saidWhitwell。\"Icouldn’tcollecttheinsurance；andhere’sthepoint，anyway。Whenahotel’smadeabadseason，andshe’sfullyinsured，she’spoottycertaintoburnupsometimeinthewinter。Everybodyknowsthatcomicaldevilwantedlion’sHeadtoburnupso’thecouldbuildnew，andIpresumetherea’n’taman，woman，orchildanywhereroundbutwhatbelievesIsetheronfire。Hiredtodoit。Now，see？JeffoffinEurope；daytime；noliveslost；prop’tytotalloss。’saclearcase。Heigh？Itellyou，I’mafraidI’vegottroubleahead。\"
Westovertriedtoprotest，tosaysomethinginderisionordefiance；buthewasshakenhimself，andheendedbygettinghishatandcoat；Whitwellhadkepthisownon，intheexcitement。\"We’llgooutandseealawyer。
Afriendofmine；itwon’tcostyouanything。\"HeaddedthisassuranceatacertainlookofreluctancethatcameintoWhitwell’sface，andthatleftitassoonashehadspoken。Whitwellglancedroundthestudioevencheerily。\"Who’dha’thought，\"hesaid，fasteninguponthestudywhichWestoverhadmadeofLion’sheadthewinterbefore，\"thattheoldplacewould’a’gonesosoon？\"Hedidnotmeanthemountainwhichhewaslookingat，butthehotelthatwaspresenttohismind’seye；andWestoverperceivedashehadnotbeforethattoWhitwellthehotelandnotthemountainwasLion’sHead。
HerememberedtoasknowwhereWhitwellhadlefthisfamily，andWhitwellsaidthatFrankandCynthiawereathomeinhisownhousewithJombateeste；buthepresumedhecouldnotgetbacktothemnowbeforethenextday。HerefusedtobeinterestedinanyoftheaspectsofBostonwhichWestovercasuallypointedout，butwhentheyhadseenthelawyerhecameforthanewman，vividlyinterestedineverything。Thelawyerhadbeenabletotellthemthatthoughtheinsurancecompanieswouldlooksharplyintothecauseofthefire，therewasnoprobability，hardlyapossibility，thattheywouldinculpatehim，andheneedgivehimselfnoanxietyabouttheaffair。
\"There’sonething，though，\"WhitwellsaidtoWestoverwhentheygotoutuponthestreet。\"Hadn’tIoughttoletJeffknow？\"