LIII。
AssoonasWestoverhadpostedhisletterhebegantoblamehimselfforit。HesawthattherightandmanlythingwouldhavebeentowritetoMrs。Vostrand，andtellherfranklywhathethoughtofDurgin。Herfolly，herinsincerity，hervulgarity，hadnothingtodowiththeaffair，sofarashewasconcerned。Ifshehadoncebeensokindtohimastobindhimtoheringratefulfriendship，shecertainlyhadaclaimuponhisbestoffices。Hisdutywastoher，andnotatalltoDurgin。Heneednothavesaidanythingagainsthimbecauseitwasagainsthim，butbecauseitwastrue；andifhehadwrittenhemustnothavesaidanythinglessthanthetruth。
Hecouldhavechosennottowriteatall。Hecouldhavesaidthathermawkishhypocrisywasalittletoomuch；thatshewasreallywantinghimtowhitewashDurginforher，andshehadnorighttoputuponhimtheresponsibilityforthestepsheclearlywishedtotake。Hecouldhavemadeeitherofthesedecisions，anddefendedthemtohimself；butinwhathehaddonehehadaltogethershirked。WhilehewaswritingtoDurgin，andpretendingthathecouldjustlyleavethisaffairtohim，hewassimplyindulgingabitofsentimentalpose，farworsethananythinginMrs。Vostrand’sshamappealforhishelp。
Hefelt，asthetimewentby，thatshehadnotwrittenofherownimpulse，butatherdaughter’surgence，andthatitwasthispoorcreaturewhosetrusthehadpalteredwith。HebelievedthatDurginwouldnotfailtomakeherunhappy，yethehadnotdonewhathemighttodeliverheroutofhishand。Hehadsatisfiedawretchedpseudo—
magnanimitytowardafaithlessscoundrel，ashethoughtDurgin，atthecostofawomanwhoseanxioushopeofhisaidhadprobablyforcedhermother’shand。
Atfirsthethoughthisactionirrevocable，andhebitterlyupbraidedhimselffornottakingcouncilwithCynthiauponMrs。Vostrand’sletter。
Hehadthoughtofdoingthat，andthenhehaddismissedthethoughtasinvolvingpainthathehadnorighttoinflict；butnowheperceivedthatthepainwassuchasshemustsufferintheevent，andthathehadstupidlyrefusedhimselftheonlymeansoffindingouttherightthingtodo。Hertrueheartandherclearmindwouldhavebeeninfallibleintheaffair，andhehadtrustedtohisownmuddledimpulse。
Hebegantowriteotherletters：toDurgin，toMrs。Vostrand，toGenevieve；butnoneofthemsatisfiedhim，andheletthedaysgobywithoutdoinganythingtoretrievehiserrororfulfilhisduty。Atlasthedidwhatheoughttohavedoneatfirst：heenclosedMrs。Vostrand’slettertoCynthia，andaskedherwhatshethoughtheoughttohavedone。
WhilehewaswaitingCynthia’sanswertohisletter，acablemessagereachedhimfromFlorence：
\"Kindletterreceived。Marriedto—day。Written。
\"Vostrand。\"
ThenextmailbroughtCynthia’sreply，whichwasverybrief：
\"Iamsorryyouhadtowriteatall；nothingcouldhavepreventedit。Perhapsifhecaresforherhewillbegoodtoher。\"
Sincethematterwasnowirremediable，Westovercreptlessmiserablythroughthedaysthanhecouldhavebelievedheshould，untiltheletterwhichMrs。Vostrand’scablepromisedcametohand。
\"Dearfriend，\"shewrote，\"yourgenerousandsatisfactoryanswercameyesterday。Itwassodelicateandhigh，—minded，andsolikeyou，towritetoMr。Durgin，andleavethewholeaffairtohim；andhedidnotloseamomentinshowingusyourbeautifulletter。Hesaidyouwereamanafterhisownheart，andIwishyoucouldhaveheardhowhepraisedyou。ItmadeGenevievequitejealous，orwouldhave，ifithadbeenanyoneelse。Butsheissohappyinyourapprovalofhermarriage，whichistotakeplacebeforethe’sindaco’to—morrow，Weshallonlyhavethecivilrite；shefeelsthatitismoreAmerican，andweareallcominghometoLion’sHeadinthespringtoliveanddietrueAmericans。Iwishyoucouldspendthesummerwithusthere，but，untilLion’sHeadisrebuilt，wecan’taskyou。Idon’tknowexactlyhowweshalldoourselves，butMr。Durginisfullofplans，andweleaveeverythingtohim。
Heishere，makingGenevievelaughsothatIcanhardlywrite。
Hejoinsusinloveandthanks，andourdarlingBicesendsyoualittlekiss。
\"MEDORAVOSTRAND。
\"P。S。Mr。D。hastoldusallabouttheaffairsyoualludedto。
WithMissL。wecannotfeelthathewastoblame；butheblameshimselfinregardtoMissW。HesayshisonlyexcuseisthathewasalwaysinlovewithGenevieve；andIthinkthatisquiteexcuseenough。M。V。\"
FromtimetotimeduringthewinterWestoverwrotetoCynthia，andhadlettersfromherinwhichhepleasedhimselffancyingalmostapersonaleffectofthatshynesswhichhethoughtacharmingthinginher。Butnodoubtthiswassomethinghereadintothem；ontheirfacetheywereplain，straightforwardaccountsofthelifesheledinthelittleoldhouseatLion’sHead，undertheshadowoftheblackruinonthehill。
Westoverhadtakentosendingherbooksandmagazines，andinthankinghimfortheseshewouldsometimesspeakofthingsshehadreadinthem。
Hercriticismrelatedtothespiritratherthanthemannerofthethingsshespokeof，anditpleasedhimthatsheseemed，withallherinsight，tohaveverylittleartisticsenseofanykind；intheworldwherehelivedthereweresomanywomenwithanartisticsenseineverykindthathewasratherwearyofit。
ThereneverwasanythingaboutDurginintheletters，andWestoverwasbothtroubledandconsoledbythissilence。Itmightbefromconsciousness，anditprobablywas；itmightbefromindifference。
Intheworstevent，ithidanypainshemighthavefeltwithadignityfromwhichnointimationofhismovedher。ThenearestshecametospeakingofJeffwaswhenshesaidthatJombateestewasgoingtoworkatthebrick—yardsinCambridgeassoonasthespringopened，andwasnotgoingtostayanylongeratLion’sHead。
HerbrotherFrank，shereported，hadgotaplacewithpartworkinthedrug—and—bookstoreatLovewell，wherehecouldkeeponmoreeasilywithhisstudies；hehadnowfullydecidedtostudyfortheministry；hehadalwayswantedtobeanEpiscopalian。
OnedaytowardtheendofApril，whenseveralweekshadpassedwithoutbringingWestoveranywordfromCynthia，herfatherpresentedhimself，andenjoyedinthepainter’ssurprisethesensationofhavingdroppeduponhimfromtheclouds。Hegavedueaccountsofthehealthofeachofhishousehold；endingwithJombateeste。\"Youknowhe’soutatthebrick，ashecallsit，inCambridge。\"
\"Cynthiasaidhewascoming。Ididn’tknowhehadcomeyet，\"saidWestover。\"Imustgooutandlookhimup，ifyouthinkIcouldfindhimamongallthoseCanucks。\"
\"Well，Idon’tknowbutyou’dbetterlookusupatthesametime，\"saidWhitwell，withadditionalpleasureinthepainter’sadditionalsurprise。
\"Iguesswe’reoutinCambridge，too，\"headded，atWestover’sstartofquestion。\"We’reoutthere，visitin’oneofoursummerfolks，asyoumightsay。RememberMis’Fredericks？\"
\"Why，whatthedeucekeptyoufromtellingmesoatonce？\"Westoverdemanded，indignantly。
\"GuessIhadn’tgotroundtoit，\"saidWhitwell，withdryrelish。
\"DoyoumeanthatCynthia’sthere？\"
\"Well，Iguesstheywouldn’tcaredmuchforavisitfromme。\"
WhitwelltookadvantageofWestover’smomentofmystificationtoexplainthatJeffhadwrittenovertohimfromItaly，offeringhimaprettygoodrentforhishouse，whichhewantedtooccupywhilehewasrebuildingLion’sHead。Hewasgoingtopushtheworkrightthroughinthesummer，andbereadyfortheseasontheyearafter。ThatwaswhatWhitwellunderstood，andheunderstoodthatJeff’sfamilywasgoingtostayinLovewell，butJeffhimselfwantedtobeonthegrounddayandnight。
\"Sothat’skindofturnedusoutofdoors，asyoumaysay，andCynthia’salwayshadthisideeofcomin’downBostonway：andshedidn’tknowanybodythatcouldadvisewithheraswellasMis’Fredericks，andshewrotetoher，andMis’Fredericksansweredhertocomerightdownandtalkitover。\"WestoverfeltapangofresentmentthatCynthia，hadnotturnedtohimforcounsel，buthesaidnothing，andWhitwellwenton：
\"Shesaidshewas，ashamedtobotheryou，you’dhadthewholeneighborhoodonyourhandssomuch，andsoshewrotetoMis’Fredericks。\"
Westoverhadavaguediscomfortinitall，whichultimatelydefineditselfasadiscontentwiththewillingnessoftheWhitwellstoletDurginoccupytheirhouseuponanyterms，foranypurpose，andalingeringgrudgethatCynthiashouldhaveaskedhelpofanyonebuthimself，evenfromamotiveofdelicacy。
IntheeveninghewentouttoseethegirlatthehouseofMrs。
Fredericks，whomhefoundlivinginthePort。Theyhadafirstmomentofintolerableshynessonherpart。Hehadbeenafraidtoseeher，withthejealousyforherdignityhealwaysfelt，lestsheshouldlookasifshehadbeenunhappyaboutDurgin。Buthefoundherlooking，notonlyverywell，butveryhappyandfullofpeace，assoonasthatmomentofshynesspassed。ItseemedtoWestoverasifshehadbeguntoliveonnewterms，andthataharassingelement，whichhadalwaysbeeninit，hadgoneoutofherlife，andinitsabsenceshewasbeginningtorejoiceinalastingrepose。Hefoundhimselfrejoicingwithher，andhefoundhimselfonsimplerandfrankertermswithherthaneverbefore。NeitherofthemspokeofJeff，ormadeanyapproachtomentionhim，andWestoverbelievedthatthiswasnotfromamorbidfeelinginher，butfromafinalandenduringindifference。
Hesawheralone，forMrs。Fredericksandherdaughterhadgoneintotowntoaconcert，whichhemadeherconfessshewouldhavegonetoherselfifithadnotbeenthatherfathersaidhewascomingouttoseeher。Shewouldnotlethimjokeaboutthesacrificehepretendedshehadmade；hehadacertainpaininfancyingthathisvisitwasthehighestandfinestfavorthatlifecoulddoher。ShetoldhimoftheambitionshehadthatshemightgetaschoolsomewhereintheneighborhoodofBoston，andthenfindsomethingforherbrothertodo，whilehebeganhisstudiesintheTheologicalSchoolatHarvard。FrankwasstillatLovewell，itseemed。
Attheendofthelongcallhemade，hesaid，abruptly，whenhehadrisentogo，\"Ishouldliketopaintyou。\"
\"Who？Me？\"shecried，asifitwerethemostincrediblething，whileagladcolorrushedoverherface。
\"Yes。Whileyou’rewaitingtogetyourschool，couldn’tyoucomeinwithyourfather，nowandthen，andsitforme？\"
\"What’shewantmetocomefer？\"Whitwelldemanded，whentheplanwaslaidbeforehim。HewasgivinghisunlimitedleisuretotheexplorationofBoston，andhistoneexpressedsomethingoftheinjury，whichhealsoputintowords，asasoleobjectiontotheproposedinterruption。\"Can’tyougoalone，Cynthy？\"Cynthiasaidshedidnotknow，butwhenthepointwasreferredtoMrs。Fredericks，shewassureCynthiacouldnotgoalone，andsheacquaintedthemboth，asfarasshecould，withthatmysteryofchaperonagewhichhadnevertouchedtheirlivesbefore。Whitwellseemedtothinkthathisdaughterwouldgivethematterup；andperhapsshemighthavedoneso，thoughsheseemedreluctant，ifMrs。FrederickshadnotfurtherinstructedthemthatitwasthehighestpossiblehonorMr。
Westoverwasofferingthem，andthatifhehadproposedtopaintherdaughtershewouldsimplyhavegoneandlivedwithhimwhilehewasdoingit。
WhitwellfoundsomecompensationforthetimelosttohisstudyofBostonintheconversationofthepainter，whichhesaidwasworthahundredcentsonthedollareverytime，thoughitdealtlesswiththemetaphysicalaspectofthelatestfactsofsciencethanthephilosophercouldhavewished。Hedidnot，tobesure，takeverymuchstockinthepictureasitadvanced，somewhatfitfully，withagoodmanyreversionstoitsoriginalstateofsketch。ItappearedtohimalwaysaslightandfeeblerepresentationofCynthia，though，ofcourse，anativepolitenessforbadehimtoexpresshisdisappointment。HeavowedafaithinWestover’sabilitytogetitrightintheend，andalwaysbadehimgoon，andtakeasmuchtimetoitashewanted。
Hefeltlessuneasythanatfirst，becausehehadnowfoundalittlefurnishedhouseinthewoodenestoutskirtsofNorthCambridge，whichhehiredcheapfromtherecentlywidowedowner，andtheywerekeepinghousethere。Jombateestelivedwiththem，andworkedinthebrick—yards。OutofhourshehelpedCynthia，andkepttheuglylittleplacelookingtrimandneat，andleftWhitwellfreeforthetrampshometonature，whichhebegantotakeovertheBelmontuplandsassoonasthespringopened。
Hewasnothomesick，asCynthiawasafraidhemightbe；hismindwasfullyoccupiedbythevastandvariedinterestsopenedtoitbytheintellectualandmaterialactivitiesoftheneighboringcity；andhefoundamplescopeforhisphysicalenergiesindoingCynthia’serrands，aswellasstudyingthestrangefloraoftheregion。Heapparentlythoughtthathehadmadeadistinctriseandadvanceintheworld。
Sometimes，inthefirstdaysofhissatisfactionwithhisestablishment，heexpressedthewishthatJacksoncouldonlyhaveseenhowhewasfixed，once。Inhispreoccupationwithotherthings，henolongerattemptedtoexploretheeternalmysterieswiththehelpofplanchette；theungratefulinstrumentgatheredasmuchdustasCynthiawouldsufferonthewhat—notinthecornerofthesolemnparlor；andaftertwoorthreevisitstotheFirstSpiritualTempleinBoston，helapsedaltogetherfromaninterestintheotherworld，whichhad，perhaps，mainlyflourishedintheabsenceofpressingsubjectsofinquiry，inthis。
WhenatlastWestoverconfessedthathehadcarriedhispictureofCynthiaasfarashecould，Whitwelldidhisbesttohidehisdisappointment。\"Well，sir，\"hesaid，tolerantlyandevencheeringly，\"Ipresumewe’reeveryoneofusadifferentpersontowhoeverlooksatus。Theysaythatnotwomenseethesamestar。\"
\"Youmeanthatshedoesn’tlooksotoyou，\"suggestedthepainter，whoseemednotatallabashed。
\"Well，youmightsay——Why，here！It’slikeher；photographcouldn’tgetitanybetter；butitmakesmethink—well，ofabirdthatyou’vecomeonsudden，anditstoopsasifitwasgoin’tofly——\"
\"Ah，\"saidWestover，\"doesitmakeyouthinkofthat？\"
LIV。
Thepaintercouldnotmakeoutatfirstwhetherthegirlherselfwaspleasedwiththepictureornot，andinhisuncertaintyhecouldnotgiveitheratonce，ashehadhopedandmeanttodo。Itwasbyakindofaccidenthefoundafterwardthatshehadalwaysbeenpassionatelyproudofhishavingpaintedher。ThiswaswhenhereturnedfromthelastsojournhehadmadeinParis，whitherhewentsoonaftertheWhitwellssettledinNorthCambridge。Heleftthepicturebehindhimtobeframedandthensenttoherwithaletterhehadwritten，begginghertogiveithouseroomwhilehewasgone。Hegotashort，stiffnoteinreplyafterhereachedParis，andhehadnottriedtocontinuethecorrespondence。
ButassoonashereturnedhewentouttoseetheWhitwellsinNorthCambridge。Theywerestillintheirlittlehousethere；theyoungwidowerhadmarriedagain；butneitherhenorhisnewwifehadcaredtotakeuptheirjointlifeinhisfirsthome，andhehadfoundWhitwellsuchagoodtenantthathehadnottriedtoputuptherentonhim。
Frankwasathome，now，withanemploymentthatgavehimpartofhistimeforhistheologicalstudies；CynthiahadbeenteachingschooleversincethefallafterWestoverwentaway，andtheywereall，asWhitwellsaid，inclover。HewastheonlymemberofthefamilyathomewhenWestovercalledontheafternoonofawarmsummerday，andheentertainedhimwithafullaccountofavisithehadpaidLion’sHeadearlierintheseason。
\"Yes，sir，\"hesaid，asifhehadalreadystatedthefact，\"I’vesoldmyoldplacetheretothatdevil。\"Hesaiddevilwithouttheleastrancor；
withevenasmileofgood—will，andheenjoyedtheastonishmentWestoverexpressedinhisdemand：
\"SoldDurginyourhouse？\"
\"Yes；Iseeweneverwantedtogobacktheretolive，anyofus，andI
wentuptopassthepapersandclosethethingout。Well，Ididhaveanofferforitfromafellerthatwantedtoopenaboa’din’—housethereandgettheadvantageofJeff’simprovements，andIcouldn’tseemtomakeupmymindtillI’dlookedthegroundover。Fustoff，youknow，IthoughtI’dselltotheotherfeller，becauseIcouldseeinaminutewhatathornit’dbeinJeff’sflesh。But，dumnitall！WhenImetthecomicaldevilIcouldn’tseemtowanttopesterhim。Why，here，thinksI，ifwe’vemadeanescapefromhim——andIguesswehave，aboutthebiggestescape——whathaveIgotag’in’him，anyway？I’doughttofeelgoodtohim；andIguessthat’sthewayIdidfeel，cometoboilitdown。
He’sgotawaywithhim，youknow，whenyou’rewithhim，thatmakesyoulikehim。Hemayhaveaknifeinyourribsthewholewhile，butsolong’shedon’tturnit，youdon’tseemtoknowit，andyoucan’thelplikin’him。Why，Ihadn’tbeenwithJefffiveminutesbeforeImadeupmymindtoselltohim。Itoldhimabouttheotheroffer——feltboundtodoit——andhewasallonfire。’Iwantthatplace，Mr。Whitwell，’s’dhe。’Nameyourprice。’Well，Iwa’n’tgoin’totakeanadvantageofthefeller，andIguessheseeit。’You’veofferedmethreethousand，’s’dI，’n’Idon’twanttobenowaysmeanaboutit。Fivethousandbuystheplace。’’It’smine，’s’dhe；justlikethat。Iguessheseehehadagentlemantodealwith，andwedidn’tsayawordmore。Don’tyouthinkI
donerighttoselltohim？Icouldn’t’a’gotmore’nthirty—fivehundredouttheotherfeller，tosaveme，andbeforeJeffbegunhisimprovementsIcouldn’t’a’realizedathousanddollarsontheprop’ty。\"
\"Ithinkyoudidrighttoselltohim，\"saidWestover，saddenedsomewhatbytheproofWhitwellallegedofhismagnanimity。
\"Well，Sir，I’mgladyoudo。Idon’tbelieveincrowdin’amanbecauseyougothiminacorner，an’Idon’tbelieveinbearin’malice。Neverdid。AllIwantedwaswhattheplacewaswo’th——tohim。’Twa’n’two’thnothin’tome！He’sgotthehouseandthetenacresaroundit，andhe’sgotthehouseonLion’sHead，includin’theClearin’，thatthepoottiestpicnic—groundinthemountains。Thinkofgoin’uptherethissummer？\"
\"No，\"saidWestover，briefly。
\"Well，Isomewishyondid。Ish’dliketoknowhowJeff’simprovementsstruckyou。Ofcourse，Ican’tjudgeof’emsowell，butIguesshe’smadeapoottysightlythingofit。Hetoldmehe’dhadoneoftheleadin’Bostonarchitectstoplanthethingoutforhim，andItellyouhe’sgotsomethingnice。’Tain’tsobigasoldLion’sHead，andJeffwantstocatertoadifferentstyleofcustom，anyway。Thebuildin’slonger’nwhatsheisdeep，andshespreadsinfrontso’stogiveasmanyroomsaviewofthemountainasshecan。Knowwhat’runnaysonce’is？
Well，that’sthestyleJeffsaiditwas；it’sallpillarsandpilasters；
andyourideuptotheofficethroughadoublerowofcolyums，underakindofaportico。It’sallpaintedlikethemoldColonialhousesdownonBrattleStreet，buffandwhite。Well，itmademethinkofoneofthemoldpagantemples。He’sgothershovedalongtothesouth’ard，andhe’swidenedoutapieceoflevelforhertostandon，so’tthatpieceo’
woodupthehillthereisjustbehindher，andItellyoushelooksnice，backin’upag’instthetrees。Itellyou，Jeff’sgotaheadonhim！
Iwishyoucouldseethatdinin’—roomo’his：allwhitecolyums，andfrontin’ontheview。Why，thatdevil’sgotaregularlittletheatyrebacko’thedinin’—roomfortheyoungfolkstoactammytureplaysin，andtheshowsthatcomealong，andhe’sgotadance—hallbesides；theparlorsain’tmuch——folksliketosetintheoffice；andagoodmanyoftheroomsaredoneoffintosoots，andgottheirownparlors。Itellyou，it’sswell，astheysay。Youcanorderwhatyoupleaseforbreakfast，butforlunchanddinneryougottotakewhatJeffgivesyou；buthetreatsyouwell。He’saDurgin，whenitcomestothat。Servedincou’ses，anddinneratseveno’clock。Idon’tknowwherehegothismoneyfor’tall，butIguessheputinhisinsurancefust，andthenheputamortgageonthebuildin’；beasmuchasownedit；saidhe’dhadasplendidseasonlastyear，andifhedoneaswellforacopuleofseasonsmorehe’dhavethewholeprop’tyfreeo’debt。\"
Westovercouldseethattheprosperityoftheunjustmanhadcorruptedtheimaginationandconfoundedtheconscienceofthissimplewitness，andheasked，inthehopeofgivinghispraisespause：\"Whathashedoneabouttheoldfamilyburying—groundintheorchard？\"
\"Well，there！\"saidWhitwell。\"Thatgotmemorethananyotheronething：InaturallyexpectedthatJeff’dhad’emmoved，foryouknowandIknow，Mr。Westover，thataplacelikethatcouldn’tbeverypop’la’
withsummerfolks；theydon’twanttohaveanythingtokindofmake’emserious，asyoumaysay。Butthatdevilgothisarchitecttotreattheplace，ashecallsit，andheputahighstonewallaroundit，andplantedittobushesandevergreensso’tlookslikeapieceofoldgarden，downthereinthecorneroftheorchard，andifyoudidn’thuntforityouwouldn’tknowitwasthere。Jeffsaid’twhenfolksdidhappentofinditout，hebelievedtheylikedit；theythinkit’spicturesqueandancient。Why，someon’emwantedhimtoputupalittlechapelalongsideandhaveservicesthere；andJeffsaidhedidn’tknowbuthe’ddoityet。He’sgotdark—coloredstonesupforMis’DurginandJackson，so’ttheylookasoldasanyof’em。Itellyou，heknowshowtodothings。\"
\"Itseemsso，\"saidWestover，withabitternessapparentlylostupontheoptimisticphilosopher。
\"Yes，sir。Iguessit’sallworkedoutforthebest。Solong’shedidn’tmarryCynthy，Idon’tcarewhohemarried，and——Iguesshe’smadeoutfust—rate，andhetreatshiswifewell，andhismother—in—law，too。
Youwouldn’thardlyknowtheywasinthehouse，they’resokindofquiet；
andifaguestwantstoseeJeff，he’sgottosendandaskforhim；clerkdoeseverything，butIguessJeffkeepsaneyeoutandknowswhat’sgoin’
on。He’sgotanelegantsootofappartments，andhelivesasprivateasifhewasinhisownhouse，himandhiswife。Butwhenthere’sanythinggoin’onthatneedsahead，they’rebothrightondeck。
\"Hedon’tlethiswifeworryaboutthingsagreatdeal；he’sgotafust—
rateofahousekeeper，butIguessoldMis’Vostrandkeepsthehousekeeper，asyoumaysay。Ihearsomeoftheboa’derstalkin’upthere，andoneof’emsaid’tthegreatthingaboutLion’sHeadwas’tyoucouldfeeleverywheresinitthatitwasalady’shouse。IguessJeffhasapoottygoodtime，andatime’tsuitshim。Heshowsuponthecoachin’parties，andhe’sgothimselfareg’larEnglishcoachman’srig，withbootsoutsidehistrouse’s，andalongcoatandafuzzyplug—hat：I
tellyou，helooksgay！Hedon’tspendhiswintersatLion’sHead：heisofftoEuropeaboutassoonasthehouseclosesinthefall，andhekeepsbringin’homenewdodges。Guessyoucouldn’tgetnoboa’dtherefornosevendollarsaweeknow！Itellyou，Jeff’sthegentlemannow，andhiswife’saboutthenicestladyIeversaw。Do’knowasIcaresomuchabouthermother；do’knowasIgotanythingag’insther，either，verymuch。Butthatlittlegirl，Beechy，astheycallher，she’sabeauty！
AndroundwithJeffallthewhile！Heseemsfullasfondofherasherownmotherdoes，andthatdevil，thatcouldn’tseemtogetenoughoftormentin’littlechildrenwhenhewasaboy，isasgoodandgentlewiththatlittlethingas—pie！\"
WhitwellseemedtohavecometoanendofhiscelebrationofJeff’ssuccess，andWestoverasked：
\"Andwhatdoyoumakenow，ofplanchette’sbrokenshaftbusiness？Ordon’tyoubelieveinplanchetteanymore？\"
Whitwell’sbeamingfaceclouded。\"Well，sir，that’sathingthat’salwayspuzzledme。Ifitwa’n’tthatitwasJacksonworkin’plantchettethatnight，Ishouldn’tplacedmuchdependenceonwhatshesaid；butJacksoncouldgetthetruthoutofher，ifanybodycould。SenceIb’enupthereIb’enfigurin’itoutlikethis：thebrokenshaftistheoldJeffthathe’sleftoffbein’——\"
Whitwellstoppedmidwayinhissuggestion，withaninquiringeyeonthepainter，whoasked：\"Youthinkhe’sleftoffbeingtheoldJeff？\"
\"Well，sir，yougotmethere，\"thephilosopherconfessed。\"Ididn’tseeanythingtothecontrary，butcometothinkofit——\"
\"Whycouldn’tthebrokenshaftbehisunfulfilleddestinyontheoldlines？Whatreasonistheretobelieveheisn’twhathe’salwaysbeen？\"
\"Well，cometothinkofit——\"
\"Peopledon’tchangeinaday，orayear，\"Westoverwenton，\"ortwoorthreeyears，even。SometimesIdoubtiftheyeverchange。\"
\"Well，allthatIthought，\"Whitwellurged，faintly，againstthehardscepticismofamanordinarilysoyielding，\"is’ttheremustbeamoralgovernmentoftheuniversesomewheres，andifabadfelleristogetalongandprosperhandoverhand，thatway，don’titlookkindofasif——\"
\"Therewasn’tanymoralgovernmentoftheuniverse？NotthewayIseeit，\"saidWestover。\"Atreebringsforthofitskind。Asamansowshereaps。It’sdeadsure，pitilesslysure。JeffDurginsowedsuccess，inacertainway，andhe’sreapingit。Heoncesaidtome，whenItriedtowakenhisconscience，thatheshouldgetwherehewastryingtogoifhewasstrongenough，andbeinggoodhadnothingtodowithit。Ibelievenowhewasright。Buthewaswrongtoo，assuchamanalwaysis。ThatkindoftreebearsDeadSeaapples，afterall。Hesowedevil，andhemustreapevil。Hemayneverknowit，buthewillreapwhathehassown。
Thedreadfulthingisthatothersmustshareinhisharvest。Whatdoyouthink？\"
Whitwellscratchedhishead。\"Well，sir，there’ssomethinginwhatyousay，Iguess。Buthere！What’stheuseofthinkin’amancan’tchange？
Wa’n’tthereeveranythinginthatoldideeofachangeofheart？Whatdoyous’posemadeJeffletuponthatfellerthatJombateesteseehimhavedown，thatday，inmyClearin’？WhatJeffwouldnatch’lydonewouldb’entoshakethelifeoutofhim；buthedidn’t；helethimup，andhelethimgo。What’sthereasonthatwa’n’tthebeginnin’ofanewlifeforhim？\"
\"Wedon’tknowalltheinsandoutsofthatbusiness，\"saidWestover，afteramoment。\"I’vepuzzledoveritagooddeal。ThemanwasthebrotherofthatgirlthatJeffhadjiltedinBoston。I’vefoundoutthatmuch。Idon’tknowjustthesizeandshapeofthetroublebetweenthem，butJeffmayhavefeltthathehadgotevenwithhisenemybeforethatday。Orhemayhavefeltthatifhewasgoinginforfullsatisfaction，therewasJombateestelookingon。\"
\"That’strue，\"saidWhitwell，greatlydaunted。Afterawhilehetookrefugeinthereflection，\"Well，he’sacomicaldevil。\"
Westoversaid，inasortofabsence：\"Perhapswe’reallbrokenshafts，here。Perhapsthatoldhypothesisofanotherlife，aworldwherethereisroomenoughandtimeenoughforallthebeginningsofthistocompletethemselves——\"
\"Well，nowyou’reshoutin’，\"saidWhitwell。\"Andifplantchette——\"
Westoverrose。\"Why，a’n’tyougoin’towaitandseeCynthy？I’mexpectin’heralongeveryminutenow；she’sjustgonedowntoHarvardSquare。She’llbeawfullyputoutwhensheknowsyou’vebe’nhere。\"
\"I’llcomeoutagainsoon，\"saidWestover。\"Tellher——\"
\"Well，youmustseeyourpicture，anyway。We’vegotitintheparlor。
Idon’tknowwhatshe’llsaytome，keepin’youhereinthesettin’—roomallthetime。\"
Whitwellledhimintothelittledarkfronthall，andintotheparlor，lessdimthanitshouldhavebeenbecausetheafternoonsunwasburningfulluponitsshutters。Theportraithungoverthemantel，inabadlight，butthepaintercouldfeeleverythinginitthathecouldnotsee。
\"Yes，ithadthatlookinit。\"
\"Well，sheha’n’ttookwingyet，I’mthankfultothink，\"saidWhitwell，andhespokefromhisownlargemindtothesympathyofanoldfriendwhohefeltcouldalmostsharehisfeelingsasafather。
IV
WhenWestoverturnedoutofthebakinglittlestreetwheretheWhitwellslivedintoanelm—shadedstretchofNorthAvenue，hetookoffhishatandstrolledbareheadedalonginthecoolerair。HewasdisappointednottohaveseenCynthia，andyethefoundhimselfhurryingawayafterhisfailure，withasenseofescape，oratleastofrespite。
Whathehadcometosay，todo，wastheeffectoflongexperienceandmuchmeditation。Thetimehadarrivedwhenhecouldnolongerfeigntohimselfthathisfeelingstowardthegirlwerenotthoseofalover，buthehadhismodestfearsthatshecouldneverimaginehiminthatcharacter，andthatifheshouldaskhertodosoheshouldshockandgrieveher，andinflictuponhimselfanincurablewound。
Duringthislastabsenceofhishehadlethisfancydwellconstantlyuponher，untillifeseemedworthhavingonlyifshewouldshareitwithhim。Hewasanartist，andhehadalwaysbeenabohemian，butathearthewasphilistineandbourgeois。Hisidealwasasettlement，afixedhabitation，astatedexistence，ahomewherehecouldworkconstantlyinanairofaffection，andunselfishlydohisparttomakehishomehappy。
Itwasaverysimple—heartedambition，andIdonotquiteknowhowtokeepitfromappearingcommonplaceandalmostsordid；butsuchasitwas，Imustconfessthatitwashis。Hehadnotmarriedhismodel，becausehewasmainlyalandscapist，perhaps；andhehadnotmarriedanyofhispupils，becausehehadnotbeeninlovewiththem，charmingandgoodandlovelyashehadthoughtsomeofthem；andoflatehehadrealizedmoreandmorewhyhisfancyhadnotturnedintheirdirection。Heperceivedthatitwasalreadyfixed，andpossiblyhadlongbeenfixed。
Hedidnotblinkthefactthatthereweremanydisparities，andthattherewouldbecertaindisadvantageswhichcouldneverbequiteovercome。
ThefacthadbeenbroughtratherstrenuouslyhometohimbyhisinterviewwithCynthia’sfather。Heperceived，asindeedhehadalwaysknown，thatwithacertainimaginativeliftinhisthinkingandfeeling，Whitwellwasirreparablyrustic，thathewasandalwaysmustbepracticallyYankee。
WestoverwasnotaYankee，andhedidnotloveorhonorthetype，thoughitsstrugglesagainstitselftouchedandamusedhim。ItmadehimalittlesicktohearhowWhitwellhadprofitedbyDurgin’snecessity，andhadtakenadvantageofhimwithconscientiousandself—applausiverapacity，whileheadmiredhisprosperity，andtriedtoaccountforitbydoubtofitsinjustice。ForamomentthisseemedtohimworsethanDurgin’sconscientioustoughness，whichwastheantithesisofWhitwell’sremorselessself—interest。ForthemomentthisclaimedCynthiaofitskind，andWestoverbeheldherrusticandYankeeofherfather’stype。