TheFrenchwordimpliedalongeveningofgeneraltalkamongtheguests，crownedwithalittlechickenatsupper，endingatcock-crow。Herewastea，withmilkorwithlemon-bathsofitandclaret-cupforthehardierspiritsthroughouttheevening。Itwasverynice，verypleasant，butitwasnotthelittlechicken——notthesalon。Infact，heaffirmed，thesalondescendedfromabove，outofthegreatworld，andincludedtheaestheticworldinit。Butourgreatworld——therichpeople，werestupid，withnowishtobeotherwise；theywerenotevencuriousaboutauthorsandartists。Beatonfanciedhimselfspeakingimpartially，andsoheallowedhimselftospeakbitterly；hesaidthatinnoothercityintheworld，exceptVienna，perhaps，weresuchpeoplesolittleapartofsociety。
"Itisn'taltogethertherichpeople'sfault，"saidMargaret；andshespokeimpartially，too。"Idon'tbelievethattheliterarymenandtheartistswouldlikeasalonthatdescendedtothem。MadameGeoffrin，youknow，wasveryplebeian；herhusbandwasabusinessmanofsomesort。"
"HewouldhavebeenahowlingswellinNewYork，"saidBeaton，stillimpartially。
Wetmorecameuptotheircorner，withascrollofbreadandbutterinonehandandacupofteaintheother。Largeandfat，andclean-shaven，helookedlikeamonkineveningdress。
"Weweretalkingaboutsalons，"saidMargaret。
"Whydon'tyouopenasalonyourself?"askedWetmore，breathingthicklyfromtheanxietyofgettingthroughthecrowdwithoutspillinghistea。
"LikepoorLadyBarberinaLemon?"saidthegirl，withalaugh。"Whatagoodstory!Thatideaofawomanwhocouldn'tbeinterestedinanyoftheartsbecauseshewassociallyandtraditionallythematerialofthem!
Wecan，neverreachthatheightofnonchalanceinthiscountry。"
"Notifwetriedseriously?"suggestedthepainter。"I'veanideathatiftheAmericansevergavetheirmindstothatsortofthing，theycouldtakethepalm——orthecake，asBeatonherewouldsay——justastheydoineverythingelse。Whenwedohaveanaristocracy，itwillbeanaristocracythatwillgoaheadofanythingtheworldhaseverseen。
Whydon'tsomebodymakeabeginning，andgoinopenlyforanancestry，andalowermiddleclass，andanhereditarylegislature，andalltherest?We'vegotliveries，andcrests，andpalaces，andcastefeeling。
We'reallrightasfaraswe'vegone，andwe'vegotthemoneytogoanylength。"
"Likeyournatural-gasman，Mr。Beaton，"saidthegirl，withasmilingglanceroundathim。
"Ah!"saidWetmore，stirringhistea，"hasBeatongotanatural-gasman?"
"Mynatural-gasman，"saidBeaton，ignoringWetmore'squestion，"doesn'tknowhowtoliveinhispalaceyet，andIdoubtifhehasanycastefeeling。Ifancyhisfamilybelievethemselvesvictimsofit。Theysay——oneoftheyoungladiesdoes——thatsheneversawsuchanunsociableplaceasNewYork；nobodycalls。"
"That'sgood!"saidWetmore。"Isupposethey'reallreadyforcompany，too:goodcook，furniture，servants，carriages?"
"Galore，"saidBeaton。
"Well，that'stoobad。There'sachanceforyou，MissVance。Doesn'tyourphilanthropyembracethesociallydestituteaswellasthefinancially?Justthinkofafamilylikethat，withoutafriend，inagreatcity!Ishouldthinkcommoncharityhadadutythere——nottomentiontheuncommon。"
HedistinguishedthatkindasMargaret'sbyaglanceofironicaldeference。Shehadareputeforgoodworkswhichwasoutofproportiontotheworks，asitalwaysis，butshewasreallyactiveinthatway，underthevagueobligation，whichwenowallfeel，tobehelpful。ShewasofthechurchwhichseemstohavefoundareversiontotheimposingritualofthepastthewaybacktotheearlyidealsofChristianbrotherhood。
"Oh，theyseemtohaveMr。Beaton，"Margaretanswered，andBeatonfeltobscurelyflatteredbyherreferencetohispatronageoftheDryfooses。
HeexplainedtoWetmore:"Theyhavemebecausetheypartlyownme。
DryfoosisFulkerson'sfinancialbackerin'EveryOtherWeek'。"
"Isthatso?Well，that'sinteresting，too。Aren'tyouratherastonished，MissVance，toseewhatapettythingBeatonismakingofthatmagazineofhis?"
"Oh，"saidMargaret，"it'ssoverynice，everyway；itmakesyoufeelasifyoudidhaveacountry，afterall。It'saschic——thatdetestablelittleword!——asthosenewFrenchbooks。"
"Beatonmodelleditonthem。Butyoumustn'tsupposehedoeseverythingabout'EveryOtherWeek'；he'dlikeyouto。Beaton，youhaven'tcomeuptothatcoverofyourfirstnumber，since。Thatwasthedesignofoneofmypupils，MissVance——alittlegirlthatBeatondiscovereddowninNewHampshirelastsummer。"
"Ohyes。Andhaveyougreathopesofher，Mr。Wetmore?"
"SheseemstohavemoreloveofitandknackforitthananyoneofhersexI'veseenyet。Itreallylookslikeacaseofartforart'ssake，attimes。Butyoucan'ttell。They'reliabletogetmarriedatanymoment，youknow。Lookhere，Beaton，whenyournatural-gasmangetstothepicture-buyingstageinhisdevelopment，justrememberyouroldfriends，willyou?Youknow，MissVance，thosenewfellowshavetheirregularstages。Theyneverknowwhattodowiththeirmoney，buttheyfindoutthatpeoplebuypictures，atonepoint。Theyshutyourthingsupintheirhouseswherenobodycomes，andafterawhiletheyovereatthemselves——theydon'tknowwhat，elsetodo——anddieofapoplexy，andleaveyourpicturestoagallery，andthentheyseethelight。It'sslow，butit'sprettysure。Well，IseeBeatonisn'tgoingtomoveon，asheoughttodo；andsoImust。Healwayswasanunconventionalcreature。"
Wetmorewentaway，butBeatonremained，andheoutstayedseveralotherpeoplewhocameuptospeaktoMissVance。Shewasinterestedineverybody，andshelikedthetalkofthesecleverliterary，artistic，clerical，eventheatricalpeople，andshelikedthesortofcourtwithwhichtheyrecognizedherfashionaswellashercleverness；itwasverypleasanttobetreatedintellectuallyasifshewereoneofthemselves，andsociallyasifshewasnothabituallythesame，butasortofguestinBohemia，adistinguishedstranger。IfitwasArcadiaratherthanBohemia，stillshefeltherqualityofdistinguishedstranger。Theflatteryofittouchedherfancy，andnothervanity；shehadverylittlevanity。Beaton'sdevotionmadethesamesortofappeal；itwasnotsomuchthatshelikedhimasshelikedbeingtheobjectofhisadmiration。
Shewasagirlofgenuinesympathies，intellectualratherthansentimental。Infact，shewasanintellectualperson，whomqualitiesoftheheartsavedfrombeingdisagreeable，astheysavedherontheotherhandfrombeingworldlyorcruelinherfashionableness。Shehadreadagreatmanybooks，andhadideasaboutthem，quitecourageousandoriginalideas；sheknewaboutpictures——shehadbeeninWetmore'sclass；shewasfondofmusic；shewaswillingtounderstandevenpolitics；inBostonshemighthavebeenagnostic，butinNewYorkshewassincerelyreligious；
shewasveryaccomplished；andperhapsitwashergoodnessthatpreventedherfeelingwhatwasnotbestinBeaton。
"Doyouthink，"shesaid，aftertheretreatofoneofthecomersandgoersleftheralonewithhimagain，"thatthoseyoungladieswouldlikemetocallonthem?"
"Thoseyoungladies?"Beatonechoed。"MissLeightonand——"
"No；Ihavebeentherewithmyaunt'scardsalready。"
"Ohyes，"saidBeaton，asifhehadknownofit；headmiredthepluckandpridewithwhichAlmahadrefrainedfromevermentioningthefacttohim，andhadkepthermotherfrommentioningit，whichmusthavebeendifficult。
"ImeantheMissDryfooses。Itseemsreallybarbarous，ifnobodygoesnearthem。Wedoallkindsofthings，andhelpallkindsofpeopleinsomeways，butweletstrangersremainstrangersunlesstheyknowhowtomaketheirwayamongus。"
"TheDryfoosescertainlywouldn'tknowhowtomaketheirwayamongyou，"
saidBeaton，withasortofdreamyabsenceinhistone。
MissVancewenton，speakingouttheprocessofreasoninginhermind，ratherthananyconclusionsshehadreached。"Wedefendourselvesbytryingtobelievethattheymusthavefriendsoftheirown，orthattheywouldthinkuspatronizing，andwouldn'tlikebeingmadetheobjectsofsocialcharity；buttheyneedn'treallysupposeanythingofthekind。"
"Idon'timaginetheywould，"saidBeaton。"Ithinkthey'dbeonlytoohappytohaveyoucome。Butyouwouldn'tknowwhattodowitheachother，indeed，MissVance。"
"Perhapsweshalllikeeachother，"saidthegirl，bravely，"andthenweshallknow。WhatChurcharetheyof?"
"Idon'tbelievethey'reofany，"saidBeaton。"ThemotherwasbroughtupaDunkard。"
"ADunkard?"
Beatontoldwhatheknewoftheprimitivesect，withitsearlyChristianpolity，itsliteralinterpretationofChrist'sethics，anditsquaintceremonialoffoot-washing；hemadesomethingpicturesqueofthat。
"ThefatherisaMammon-worshipper，pureandsimple。Isupposetheyoungladiesgotochurch，butIdon'tknowwhere。Theyhaven'ttriedtoconvertme。"
"I'lltellthemnottodespair——afterI'veconvertedthem，"saidMissVance。"Willyouletmeuseyouasa'pointd'appui'，Mr。Beaton?"
"Anywayyoulike。Ifyou'rereallygoingtoseethem，perhapsI'dbettermakeaconfession。Ileftyourbanjowiththem，afterIgotitputinorder。"
"Howverynice!Thenwehaveacommoninterestalready。"
"Doyoumeanthebanjo，or——"
"Thebanjo，decidedly。Whichofthemplays?"
"Neither。Buttheeldestheardthatthebanjowas'alltherage，'astheyoungestsays。Perhapsyoucanpersuadethemthatgoodworksaretherage，too。"
BeatonhadnoverylivelybeliefthatMargaretwouldgotoseetheDryfooses；hedidsofewofthethingsheproposedthathewentuponthetheorythatothersmustbeasfaithless。Still，hehadacruelamusementinfiguringthepossibleencounterbetweenMargaretVance，withherintellectualelegance，hereagersympathiesandgenerousideals，andthosegirlswiththeirrudepast，theirfalseanddistortedperspective，theirsordidandhungryselfishness，andtheirfaithintheomnipotenceoftheirfather'swealthwoundedbytheirexperienceofitspresentsocialimpotence。Atthebottomofhishearthesympathizedwiththemratherthanwithher；hewasmorelikethem。
Peoplehadceasedcoming，andsomeofthemweregoing。MissVancesaidshemustgo，too，andshewasabouttorise，whenthehostcameupwithMarch；Beatonturnedaway。
"MissVance，IwanttointroduceMr。March，theeditorof'EveryOtherWeek。'Yououghtn'ttoberestrictedtotheartdepartment。Weliteraryfellowsthinkthatarmoftheservicegetstoomuchoftheglorynowadays。"HisbanterwasforBeaton，buthewasalreadybeyondear-
shot，andthehostwenton:
Mr。MarchcantalkwithyouaboutyourfavoriteBoston。He'sjustturnedhisbackonit。"
"Oh，Ihopenot!"saidMissVance。"Ican'timagineanybodyvoluntarilyleavingBoston。"
"Idon'tsayhe'ssobadasthat，"saidthehost，committingMarchtoher。"HecametoNewYorkbecausehecouldn'thelpit——liketherestofus。Ineverknowwhetherthat'sacomplimenttoNewYorkornot。"
TheytalkedBostonalittlewhile，withoutfindingthattheyhadcommonacquaintancethere；MissVancemusthaveconcludedthatsocietywasmuchlargerinBostonthanshehadsupposedfromhervisitsthere，orelsethatMarchdidnotknowmanypeopleinit。Butshewasnotagirltocaremuchfortheinferencesthatmightbedrawnfromsuchconclusions；
sheratherpridedherselfupondespisingthem；andshegaveherselftothepleasureofbeingtalkedtoasifshewereofMarch'sownage。
Intheglowofhersympatheticbeautyandelegancehetalkedhisbest，andtriedtoamuseherwithhisjokes，whichhehadtheartoftingeingwithalittleseriousnessononeside。Hemadeherlaugh；andheflatteredherbymakingherthink；inherturnshecharmedhimsomuchbyenjoyingwhathesaidthathebegantobragofhiswife，asagoodhusbandalwaysdoeswhenanotherwomancharmshim；andsheasked，OhwasMrs。Marchthere；andwouldheintroduceher?
SheaskedMrs。Marchforheraddress，andwhethershehadaday；andshesaidshewouldcometoseeher，ifshewouldlether。Mrs。MarchcouldnotbesoenthusiasticaboutherasMarchwas，butastheywalkedhometogethertheytalkedthegirlover，andagreedaboutherbeautyandheramiability。Mrs。Marchsaidsheseemedveryunspoiledforapersonwhomusthavebeensomuchspoiled。Theytriedtoanalyzehercharm，andtheysucceededinformulatingitasacombinationofintellectualfashionablenessandworldlyinnocence。"Ithink，"saidMrs。March，"thatcitygirls，broughtupasshemusthavebeen，areoftenthemostinnocentofall。Theyneverimaginethewickednessoftheworld，andiftheymarryhappilytheygothroughlifeasinnocentaschildren。
Everythingcombinestokeepthemso；theveryhollownessofsocietyshieldsthem。Theyaretheloveliestofthehumanrace。Butperhapstheresthavetopaytoomuchforthem。"
"ForsuchanexquisitecreatureasMissVance，"saidMarch，"wecouldn'tpaytoomuch。"
Awildlaughingcrysuddenlybrokeupontheairatthestreet-crossinginfrontofthem。Agirl'svoicecalledout:"Run，run，Jen!Thecopperisafteryou。"Awoman'sfigurerushedstumblingacrossthewayandintotheshadowofthehouses，pursuedbyaburlypoliceman。
"Ah，butifthat'spartoftheprice?"
Theywentalongfallenfromthegayspiritoftheirtalkintoasilencewhichhebrokewithasigh。"Canthatpoorwretchandtheradiantgirlweleftyonderreallybelongtothesamesystemofthings?Howimpossibleeachmakestheotherseem!"
VI。
Mrs。Hornbelievedintheworldandinsocietyanditsunwrittenconstitutiondevoutly，andshetoleratedherniece'sbenevolentactivitiesasshetoleratedheraestheticsympathiesbecausethesethings，howeveroddly，weretolerated——evenencouraged——bysociety；
andtheygaveMargaretacharm。Theymadeheroriginalityinteresting。
Mrs。Horndidnotintendthattheyshouldevergosofarastomakehertroublesome；anditwaswithasenseofthisabeyantauthorityofheraunt'sthatthegirlaskedherapprovalofherproposedcallupontheDryfooses。Sheexplainedaswellasshecouldthesocialdestitutionoftheseopulentpeople，andshehadofcoursetonameBeatonasthesourceofherknowledgeconcerningthem。
"DidMr。Beatonsuggestyourcallingonthem?"
"No；heratherdiscouragedit。"
"Andwhydoyouthinkyououghttogointhisparticularinstance?NewYorkisfullofpeoplewhodon'tknowanybody。"
Margaretlaughed。"Isupposeit'slikeanyothercharity:youreachthecasesyouknowof。Theothersyousayyoucan'thelp，andyoutrytoignorethem。"
"It'sveryromantic，"saidMrs。Horn。"Ihopeyou'vecountedthecost；
allthepossibleconsequences。"
MargaretknewthatheraunthadinmindtheircommonexperiencewiththeLeightons，whom，togivetheircommonconsciencepeace，shehadcalleduponwithheraunt'scardsandexcuses，andaninvitationforherThursdays，somewhattoolatetomakethevisitseemawelcometoNewYork。Shewassocoldlyreceived，notsomuchforherselfasinherqualityofenvoy，thatherauntexperiencedallthecomfortwhichvicariouspenancebrings。Shedidnotperhapsconsidersufficientlyherniece'sguiltlessnessintheexpiation。MargaretwasnotwithheratSt。Barnabyinthefatalfortnightshepassedthere，andneversawtheLeightonstillshewenttocalluponthem。Shenevercomplained:thestrainofasceticism，whichmysteriouslyexistsinusall，andmakesusputpeas，boiledorunboiled，inourshoes，gaveherpatiencewiththesnubwhichtheLeightonspresentedherforheraunt。Butnowshesaid，withthisinmind:"Nothingseemssimplerthantogetridofpeopleifyoudon'twantthem。Youmerelyhavetoletthemalone。"
"Itisn'tsopleasant，lettingthemalone，"saidMrs。Horn。
"Orhavingthemletyoualone，"saidMargaret；forneitherMrs。LeightonnorAlmahadevercometoenjoythebelatedhospitalityofMrs。Horn'sThursdays。
"Yes，orhavingthemletyoualone，"Mrs。Horncourageouslyconsented。
"AndallthatIaskyou，Margaret，istobesurethatyoureallywanttoknowthesepeople。"
"Idon't，"saidthegirl，seriously，"intheusualway。"
"Thenthequestioniswhetheryoudointheunusualway。Theywillbuildagreatdealuponyou，"saidMrs。Horn，realizinghowmuchtheLeightonsmusthavebuiltuponher，andhowmuchoutofproportiontoherdeserttheymustnowdislikeher；forsheseemedtohavehadthemonhermindfromthetimetheycame，andhadalwaysmeanttorecognizeanyreasonableclaimtheyhaduponher。
"Itseemsveryodd，verysad，"Margaretreturned，"thatyounevercouldactunselfishlyinsocietyaffairs。IfIwishedtogoandseethosegirlsjusttodothemapleasure，andperhapsbecauseifthey'restrangeandlonely，Imightdothemgood，even——itwouldbeimpossible。"
"Quite，"saidheraunt。"Suchathingwouldbequixotic。Societydoesn'trestuponanysuchbasis。Itcan't；itwouldgotopieces，ifpeopleactedfromunselfishmotives。"
"Thenit'sapaintedsavage!"saidthegirl。"Allitsfavorsarereallybargains。It'sgiftsareforgiftsbackagain。"
"Yes，thatistrue，"saidMrs。Horn，withnomoresenseofwronginthefactthanthepoliticaleconomisthasinthefactthatwagesarethemeasureofnecessityandnotofmerit。"Yougetwhatyoupayfor。It'samatterofbusiness。"Shesatisfiedherselfwiththisformula，whichshedidnotinvent，asfullyasifitwereareason；butshedidnotdislikeherniece'srevoltagainstit。ThatwaspartofMargaret'soriginality，whichpleasedherauntinproportiontoherownconventionality；shewasreallyatimidperson，andshelikedtheshowofcouragewhichMargaret'smagnanimityoftenreflecteduponher。Shehadthroughherarepute，withpeoplewhodidnotknowherwell，forintellectualandmoralqualities；shewassupposedtobeliteraryandcharitable；shealmosthadopinionsandideals，butreallyfellshortoftheirpossession。Shethoughtthatshesetboundstothegirl'soriginalitybecausesherecognizedthem。Margaretunderstoodthisbetterthanheraunt，andknewthatshehadconsultedheraboutgoingtoseetheDryfoosesoutofdeference，andwithnoexpectationofluminousinstruction。Shewasusedtobeingalawtoherself，butsheknewwhatshemightandmightnotdo，sothatshewasratheraby-law。Shewasthekindofgirlthatmighthavefanciesforartistsandpoets，butmightendbymarryingaprosperousbroker，andleaveningavastlumpofmoneyedandfashionablelifewithherculture，generosity，andgood-will。Theintellectualinterestswerefirstwithher，butshemightbeequaltosacrificingthem；shehadthebestheart，butshemightknowhowtohardenit；ifshewaseccentric，hersocialorbitwasdefined；cometsthemselvestraversespaceonfixedlines。Shewaslikeeveryoneelse，acongeriesofcontradictionsandinconsistencies，butobedienttothegeneralexpectationofwhatagirlofherpositionmustandmustnotfinallybe。Provisionally，shewasverymuchwhatshelikedtobe。
VII
MargaretVancetriedtogiveherselfsomereasonforgoingtocallupontheDryfooses，butshecouldfindnonebetterthanthewishtodoakindthing。Thisseemedqueererandlessandlesssufficientassheexaminedit，andsheevenadmittedalittlecuriosityasaharmlesselementinhermotive，withoutbeingverywellsatisfiedwithit。Shetriedtoaddaslightsenseofsocialduty，andthenshedecidedtohavenomotiveatall，butsimplytopayhervisitasshewouldtoanyothereligiblestrangersshesawfittocallupon。Sheperceivedthatshemustbeverycarefulnottoletthemseethatanyotherimpulsehadgovernedher；shedetermined，ifpossible，toletthempatronizeher；tobeverymodestandsincereanddiffident，and，aboveall，nottoplayapart。Thiswaseasy，comparedwiththechoiceofamannerthatshouldconveytothemthefactthatshewasnotplayingapart。WhenthehesitatingIrishserving-
manhadacknowledgedthattheladieswereathome，andhadtakenhercardtothem，shesatwaitingfortheminthedrawing-room。Herstudyofitsappointments，withtheirimpersonalcostliness，gavehernosuggestionhowtoproceed；thetwosisterswereuponherbeforeshehadreallydecided，andsherosetomeetthemwiththeconvictionthatshewasgoingtoplayapartforwantofsomechosenmeansofnotdoingso。Shefoundherself，beforesheknewit，makingherbanjoapropertyinthelittlecomedy，andprofessingsomuchpleasureinthefactthatMissDryfooswastakingitup；shehadherselfbeensomuchinterestedbyit。Anything，shesaid，wasarelieffromthepiano；andthen，betweentheguitarandthebanjo，onemustreallychoosethebanjo，unlessonewantedtodevoteone'swholenaturallifetotheviolin。Ofcourse，therewasthemandolin；butMargaretaskediftheydidnotfeelthatthebitofshellyoustruckitwithinterposedadistancebetweenyouandtherealsouloftheinstrument；andthenitdidhavesuchafaint，mosquitoylittletone!
Shemademuchofthequestion，whichtheylefthertodebatealonewhiletheygazedsolemnlyathertillshecharacterizedthetoneofthemandolin，whenMelabrokeintoalarge，coarselaugh。
"Well，that'sjustwhatitdoessoundlike，"sheexplaineddefiantlytohersister。"Ialwaysfeellikeitwasgoingtosettlesomewhere，andI
wanttohitmyselfaslapbeforeitbeginstobite。Idon'tseewhateverbroughtsuchathingintofashion。"
Margarethadnotexpectedtobesopowerfullyseconded，andsheasked，aftergatheringherselftogether，"Andyouarebothlearningthebanjo?"
"My，no!"saidMela，"I'vegonethroughenoughwiththepiano。Christineislearnun'it。"
"I'msogladyouaremakingmybanjousefulattheoutset，MissDryfoos。"
Bothgirlsstaredather，butfoundithardtocopewiththefactthatthiswastheladyfriendwhosebanjoBeatonhadlentthem。"Mr。Beatonmentionedthathehadleftithere。Ihopeyou'llkeepitaslongasyoufindituseful。"
AtthisamiablespeechevenChristinecouldnothelpthankingher。
"Ofcourse，"shesaid，"Iexpecttogetanother，rightoff。Mr。Beatonisgoingtochooseitforme。"
"Youareveryfortunate。Ifyouhaven'tateacheryetIshouldsoliketorecommendmine。"
Melabrokeoutinherlaughagain。"Oh，IguessChristine'sprettywellsuitedwiththeoneshe'sgot，"shesaid，withinsinuation。Hersistergaveherafrowningglance，andMargaretdidnottempthertoexplain。
"Thenthat'smuchbetter，"shesaid。"Ihaveakindofsuperstitioninsuchmatters；Idon'tliketomakeasecondchoice。InashopIliketotakethefirstthingofthekindI'mlookingfor，andevenifIchoosefurtherIcomebacktotheoriginal。"
"Howfunny!"saidMela。"Well，now，I'mjusttheotherway。Ialwaystakethelastthing，afterI'vepickedoveralltherest。Myluckalwaysseemstobeatthebottomoftheheap。Now，Christine，she'smorelikeyou。Ibelieveshecouldwalkrightupblindfoldedandputherhandonthethingshewantseverytime。"
"I'mlikefather，"saidChristine，softenedalittlebythecelebrationofherpeculiarity。"Hesaysthereasonsomanypeopledon'tgetwhattheywantisthattheydon'twantitbadenough。Now，whenIwantathing，itseemstomethatIwantitallthrough。"
"Well，that'sjustlikefather，too，"saidMela。"That'sthewayhedonewhenhegotthateighty-acrepiecenexttoMoffittthathekeptwhenhesoldthefarm，andthat'sgotsomeofthebestgas-wellsonitnowthatthereisanywhere。"Sheaddressedtheexplanationtohersister，totheexclusionofMargaret，who，nevertheless，listenedwithasmilingfaceandaresolutelypoliteairofbeingapartytotheconversation。Melarewardedheramiabilitybysayingtoher，finally，"You'veneverbeeninthenatural-gascountry，haveyou?"
"Ohno!AndIshouldsomuchliketoseeit!"saidMargaret，withafervorthatwaspartly，voluntary。
"Wouldyou?Well，we'rekindofsickofit，butIsupposeitwouldstrikeastranger。"
"Inevergottiredoflookingatthebigwellswhentheylitthemup，"
saidChristine。"Itseemsasiftheworldwasonfire。"
"Yes，andwhenyouseethesurface-gasburnun'downinthewoods，likeitusedtobyourspring-house-sostill，andneverspreadun'any，justlikeabedofsomekindofwildflowerswhenyouketchsightofitapieceoff。"
Theybegantotellofthewondersoftheirstrangelandinanantiphonyofreminiscencesanddescriptions；theyunconsciouslyimputedamerittothemselvesfromthenumberandviolenceofthewellsontheirfather'sproperty；theybraggedofthehighcivilizationofMoffitt，whichtheycomparedtoitsadvantagewiththatofNewYork。TheybecameexcitedbyMargaret'sinterestinnaturalgas，andforgottobesuspiciousandenvious。
Shesaid，assherose，"Oh，howmuchIshouldliketoseeitall!"Thenshemadealittlepause，andadded:
"I'msosorrymyaunt'sThursdaysareover；sheneverhasthemafterLent，butwe'retohavesomepeopleTuesdayeveningatalittleconcertwhichamusicalfriendisgoingtogivewithsomeotherartists。Therewon'tbeanybanjos，I'mafraid，butthere'llbesomeverygoodsinging，andmyauntwouldbesogladifyoucouldcomewithyourmother。"
Sheputdownheraunt'scardonthetablenearher，whileMelagurgled，asifitwerethebestjoke:"Oh，my!Mothernevergoesanywhere；youcouldn'tgetheroutforloveormoney。"ButshewasherselfoverwhelmedwithasimplejoyatMargaret'spoliteness，andshoweditinasensuousway，likeachild，asifshehadbeentickled。ShecameclosertoMargaretandseemedabouttofawnphysicallyuponher。
"Ain'tshejustaslovelyasshecanlive?"shedemandedofhersisterwhenMargaretwasgone。
"Idon'tknow，"saidChristine。"IguessshewantedtoknowwhoMr。Beatonhadbeenlendingherbanjoto。"
"Pshaw!Doyousupposeshe'sinlovewithhim?"askedMela，andthenshebrokeintoherhoarselaughatthelookhersistergaveher。"Well，don'teatme，Christine!Iwonderwhosheis，anyway?I'mgoun'togititoutofMr。Beatonthenexttimehecalls。Iguessshe'ssomebody。
Mrs。Mandelcantell。Iwishthatoldfriendofherswouldhurryupandgitwell——orsomething。ButIguessweappearedaboutaswellasshedid。Icouldseeshewasafraidofyou，Christine。Ireckonit'sgittun'aroundalittleaboutfather；andwhenitdoesIdon'tbelieveweshallwantforcallers。Say，areyougoun'?Tothatconcertoftheirs?"
"Idon'tknow。NottillIknowwhotheyarefirst。"
"Well，we'vegottohumpourselvesifwe'regoun'tofindoutbeforeTuesday。"
AsshewenthomeMargaretfeltwroughtinherthatmostincredibleofthemiracles，which，nevertheless，anyonemaymakehisexperience。Shefeltkindlytothesegirlsbecauseshehadtriedtomakethemhappy，andshehopedthatintheinterestshehadshowntherehadbeennoneofthepoisonofflattery。Shewasawarethatthiswasarisksheraninsuchanattempttodogood。IfshehadescapedthiseffectshewaswillingtoleavetherestwithProvidence。
VIII。
ThenotionthatagirlofMargaretVance'straditionswouldnaturallyformofgirlslikeChristineandMelaDryfooswouldbethattheywereabashedinthepresenceofthenewconditionsoftheirlives，andthattheymustreceivetheadvanceshehadmadethemwithacertaingratefulhumility。Howevertheyreceivedit，shehadmadeituponprinciple，fromaromanticconceptionofduty；butthiswasthewaysheimaginedtheywouldreceiveit，becauseshethoughtthatshewouldhavedonesoifshehadbeenasignorantandunbredasthey。Hererrorwasinarguingtheirattitudefromherowntemperament，andendowingthem，forthepurposesofargument，withherperspective。Theyhadnotthemeans，intellectualormoral，offeelingasshefancied。Iftheyhadremainedathomeonthefarmwheretheywereborn，Christinewouldhavegrownupthatembodimentofimpassionedsuspicionwhichwefindoftenestinthenarrowestspheres，andMelawouldalwayshavebeenagood-naturedsimpleton；buttheywouldneverhavedoubtedtheirequalitywiththewisestandthefinest。Asitwas，theyhadnotlearnedenoughatschooltodoubtit，andthesplendoroftheirfather'ssuccessinmakingmoneyhadblindedthemforevertoanypossibledifferenceagainstthem。TheyhadnoquestionofthemselvesinthesocialabeyancetowhichtheyhadbeenleftinNewYork。Theyhadbeensurprised，mystified；itwasnotwhattheyhadexpected；theremustbesomemistake。
Theywerethevictimsofanaccident，whichwouldberepairedassoonasthefactoftheirfather'swealthhadgotaround。Theyhadbeensteadfastintheirfaith，throughalltheirdisappointment，thattheywerenotonlybetterthanmostpeoplebyvirtueofhismoney，butasgoodasany；andtheytookMargaret'svisit，sofarasthey，investigateditsmotive，forasignthatatlastitwasbeginningtogetaround；ofcourse，athingcouldnotgetaroundinNewYorksoquickasitcouldinasmallplace。TheywereconfirmedintheirbeliefbythesensationofMrs。Mandelwhenshereturnedtodutythatafternoon，andtheyconsultedheraboutgoingtoMrs。Horn'smusicale。IfshehadfeltanydoubtatthenamefortherewereHornsandHorns——theaddressonthecardputthematterbeyondquestion；andshetriedtomakeherchargesunderstandwhatapreciouschancehadbefallenthem。Shedidnotsucceed；theyhadnotthepremises，theexperience，forasufficientimpression；andsheundidherworkinpartbytheefforttoexplainthatMrs。Horn'sstandingwasindependentofmoney；thatthoughshewaspositivelyrich，shewascomparativelypoor。ChristineinferredthatMissVancehadcalledbecauseshewishedtobethefirsttogetinwiththemsinceithadbeguntogetaround。ThisviewcommendeditselftoMela，too，butwithoutwarpingherfromheropinionthatMissVancewasallthesametoosweetforanything。Shehadnotsovividaconsciousnessofherfather'smoneyasChristinehad；butshereposedperhapsallthemoreconfidentlyuponitspower。Shewasfarfromthinkingmeanlyofanyonewhothoughthighlyofherforit；thatseemedsonaturalaresultastobeamiable，evenadmirable；shewaswillingthatanysuchpersonshouldgetallthegoodtherewasinsuchanattitudetowardher。
Theydiscussedthematterthatnightatdinnerbeforetheirfatherandmother，whomostlysatsilentattheirmeals；thefatherfrowningabsentlyoverhisplate，withhisheadclosetoit，andmakingplayintohismouthwiththebackofhisknifehehadgotsofartowardtheuseofhisforkastodespisethosewhostillatefromtheedgeoftheirknives，andthemotherpartlymissinghersattimesinthenervoustremorthatshookherfacefromsidetoside。
AfterawhilethesubjectofMela'shoarsebabbleandofChristine'shigh-pitched，thin，sharpforaysofassertionanddenialinthefieldwhichhersister'svoiceseemedtocover，madeitswayintotheoldman'sconsciousness，andheperceivedthattheyweretalkingwithMrs。Mandelaboutit，andthathiswifewasfromtimetotimeofferinganirrelevantandmistakencomment。HeagreedwithChristine，andsilentlytookherviewoftheaffairsometimebeforehemadeanysignofhavinglistened。
Therehadbeenatimeinhislifewhenotherthingsbesideshismoneyseemedadmirabletohim。Hehadoncerespectedhimselfforthehard-
headed，practicalcommonsensewhichfirstgavehimstandingamonghiscountryneighbors；whichmadehimsupervisor，schooltrustee，justiceofthepeace，countycommissioner，secretaryoftheMoffittCountyAgriculturalSociety。Inthosedayshehadservedthepublicwithdisinterestedzealandproudability；heusedtowritetotheLakeShoreFarmeronagriculturaltopics；hetookpartinopposing，throughtheMoffittpapers，thelegislativewasteofthepeople'smoney；onthequestionofsellingalocalcanaltotherailroadcompany，whichkilledthatfineoldStatework，andletthedryditchgrowuptograss，hemighthavegonetotheLegislature，buthecontentedhimselfwithdefeatingtheMoffittmemberwhohadvotedforthejob。Ifheopposedsomemeasuresforthegeneralgood，likehighschoolsandschoollibraries，itwasbecausehelackedperspective，inhisintenseindividualism，andsuspectedallexpenseofbeingspendthrift。Hebelievedingooddistrictschools，andhehadafondness，crudebutgenuine，forsomekindsofreading——history，andforensicsofanelementarysort。
Withhisgoodheadforfigureshedoubteddoctorsanddespisedpreachers；
hethoughtlawyerswereallrascals，butherespectedthemfortheirability；hewasnothimselflitigious，butheenjoyedtheintellectualencountersofadifficultlawsuit，andheoftenattendedasittingofthefalltermofcourt，whenhewenttotown，forthepleasureofhearingthespeeches。Hewasagoodcitizen，andagoodhusband。Asagoodfather，hewasratherseverewithhischildren，andusedtowhipthem，especiallythegentleConrad，whosomehowcrossedhimmost，tillthetwinsdied。
Afterthatheneverstruckanyofthem；andfromthesightofablowdealtahorseheturnedasifsick。Itwasalongtimebeforeheliftedhimselfupfromhissorrow，andthenthewillofthemanseemedtohavebeenbreachedthroughhisaffections。Heletthegirlsdoastheypleased——thetwinshadbeengirls；heletthemgoawaytoschool，andgotthemapiano。Itwastheywhomadehimsellthefarm。IfConradhadonlyhadtheirspirithecouldhavemadehimkeepit，hefelt；andheresentedthewantofsupporthemighthavefoundinalessyieldingspiritthanhisson's。
Hismoraldecaybeganwithhisperceptionoftheopportunityofmakingmoneyquicklyandabundantly，whichoffereditselftohimafterhesoldhisfarm。Heawoketoitslowly，fromadesolationinwhichhetastedthelastbitterofhomesickness，theuttermiseryofidlenessandlistlessness。Whenhebrokedownandcriedforthehard-working，wholesomelifehehadlost，hewasneartheendofthisseasonofdespair，buthewasalsoneartheendofwhatwasbestinhimself。
Hedevolveduponameaneridealthanthatofconservativegoodcitizenship，whichhadbeenhischiefmoralexperience:themoneyhehadalreadymadewithouteffortandwithoutmeritbreditsunholyself-loveinhim；hebegantohonormoney，especiallymoneythathadbeenwonsuddenlyandinlargesums；formoneythathadbeenearnedpainfully，slowly，andinlittleamounts，hehadonlypityandcontempt。Thepoisonofthatambitiontogosomewhereandbesomebodywhichthelocalspeculatorshadinstilledintohimbegantoworkinthevanitywhichhadsucceededhissomewhatscornfulself-respect；herejectedEuropeastheproperfieldforhisexpansion；herejectedWashington；hepreferredNewYork，whitherthemenwhohavemademoneyanddonotyetknowthatmoneyhasmadethem，allinstinctivelyturn。Hecamewherehecouldwatchhismoneybreedmoremoney，andbringgreaterincreaseofitskindinanhourofluckthanthetoilofhundredsofmencouldearninayear。Hecalleditspeculation，stocks，theStreet；andhispride，hisfaithinhimself，mountedwithhisluck。Heexpected，whenhehadsatedhisgreed，tobegintospend，andhehadformulatedanintentiontobuildagreathouse，toaddanothertothepalacesofthecountry-bredmillionaireswhohavecometoadornthegreatcity。Inthemeantimehemadelittleaccountofthethingsthatoccupiedhischildren，excepttofretattheungratefulindifferenceofhissontotheintereststhatcouldalonemakeamanofhim。Hedidnotknowwhetherhisdaughterswereinsocietyornot；withpeoplecomingandgoinginthehousehewouldhavesupposedtheymustbeso，nomatterwhothepeoplewere；insomevaguewayhefeltthathehadhiredsocietyinMrs。Mandel，atsomuchayear。Henevermetasuperiorhimselfexceptnowandthenamanoftwentyorthirtymillionstohisoneortwo，andthenhefelthissoulcreepwithinhim，withoutasenseofsocialinferiority；itwasaquestionoffinancialinferiority；andthoughDryfoos'ssoulboweditselfandcrawled，itwaswithagambler'sadmirationofwonderfulluck。Othermensaidthesemany-millionedmillionairesweresmart，andgottheirmoneybysharppracticestowhichlessermencouldnotattain；butDryfoosbelievedthathecouldcompassthesameends，bythesamemeans，withthesamechances；
herespectedtheirmoney，notthem。
WhenhenowheardMrs。Mandelandhisdaughterstalkingofthatperson，whoevershewas，thatMrs。Mandelseemedtothinkhadhonoredhisgirlsbycomingtoseethem，hiscuriositywasprickedasmuchashispridewasgalled。
"Well，anyway，"saidMela，"Idon'tcarewhetherChristine'sgoon'ornot；Iam。Andyougottogowithme，Mrs。Mandel。"
"Well，there'salittledifficulty，"saidMrs。Mandel，withherunfailingdignityandpoliteness。"Ihaven'tbeenasked，youknow。"
"Thenwhatarewegoun'todo?"demandedMela，almostcrossly。Shewasphysicallytooamiable，shefelttoowellcorporeally，evertobequitecross。"Shemight'a'knowed——wellknown——wecouldn't'a'comealone，inNewYork。Idon'tseewhy，wecouldn't。Idon'tcallitmuchofaninvitation。"
"Isupposeshethoughtyoucouldcomewithyourmother，"Mrs。Mandelsuggested。
"Shedidn'tsayanythingaboutmother:Didshe，Christine?Or，yes，shedid，too。AndItoldhershecouldn'tgitmotherout。Don'tyouremember?"
"Ididn'tpaymuchattention，"saidChristine。"Iwasn'tcertainwewantedtogo。"
"Ireckonyouwasn'tgoun'toletherseethatwecaredmuch，"saidMela，halfreproachful，halfproudofthisattitudeofChristine。"Well，Idon'tseebutwhatwegottostayathome。"Shelaughedatthislameconclusionofthematter。
"PerhapsMr。Conrad——youcouldveryproperlytakehimwithoutanexpressinvitation——"Mrs。Mandelbegan。
Conradlookedupinalarmandprotest。"I——Idon'tthinkIcouldgothatevening——"
"What'sthereason?"hisfatherbrokein，harshly。"You'renotsuchasheepthatyou'reafraidtogointocompanywithyoursisters?Orareyoutoogoodtogowiththem?"
"Ifit'stobeanythinglikethatnightwhenthemhussiescomeoutanddancedthatway，"saidMrs。Dryfoos，"Idon'tblameCoonrodfornotwantun'togo。Ineversawthebeatofit。"
Melasentayellinglaughacrossthetabletohermother。"Well，IwishMissVancecould'a'heardthat!Why，mother，didyouthinkitliketheballet?"
"Well，Ididn'tknow，Mely，child，"saidtheoldwoman。"Ididn'tknowwhatitwaslike。Ihain'tneverbeentoone，andyoucan'tbetookeerfulwhereyougo，inaplacelikeNewYork。"
"What'sthereasonyoucan'tgo?"Dryfoosignoredthepassagebetweenhiswifeanddaughterinmakingthisdemandofhisson，withasourface。
"Ihaveanengagementthatnight——it'soneofourmeetings。"
"Ireckonyoucanletyourmeetinggoforonenight，"saidDryfoos。
"Itcan'tbesoimportantasallthat，thatyoumustdisappointyoursisters。"
"Idon'tliketodisappointthosepoorcreatures。Theydependsomuchuponthemeetings——"
"Ireckontheycanstanditforonenight，"saidtheoldman。Headded，"Thepooryehavewithyoualways。"
"That'sso，Coonrod，"saidhismother。"It'stheSaviour'sownwords。"
"Yes，mother。Butthey'renotmeantjustasfatherusedthem。"
"Howdoyouknowhowtheyweremeant?OrhowIusedthem?"criedthefather。"Nowyoujustmakeyourplanstogowiththegirls，Tuesdaynight。Theycan'tgoalone，andMrs。Mandelcan'tgowiththem。"
"Pshaw!"saidMela。"Wedon'twanttotakeConradawayfromhismeetun'，dowe，Chris?"
"Idon'tknow，"saidChristine，inherhigh，finevoice。"Theycouldgetalongwithouthimforonenight，asfathersays。"
"Well，I'mnota-goun'totakehim，"saidMela。"Now，Mrs。Mandel，justthinkoutsomeotherway。Say!What'sthereasonwecouldn'tgetsomebodyelsetotakeusjustaswell?Ain'tthatrulable?"
"Itwouldbeallowable——"
"Allowable，Imean，"Melacorrectedherself。
"Butitmightlookalittlesignificant，unlessitwassomeoldfamilyfriend。"
"Well，let'sgetMr。Fulkersontotakeus。He'stheoldestfamilyfriendwegot。"
"Iwon'tgowithMr。Fulkerson，"saidChristine，serenely。
"Why，I'msure，Christine，"hermotherpleaded，"Mr。Fulkersonisaverygoodyoungman，andveryniceappearun'。"
Melashouted，"He'stentimesaspleasantasthatoldMr。BeatonofChristine's!"
Christinemadenoefforttobreaktheconstraintthatfelluponthetableatthissally，butherfathersaid:"Christineisright，Mela。Itwouldn'tdoforyoutogowithanyotheryoungman。Conradwillgowithyou。"
"I'mnotcertainIwanttogo，yet，"saidChristine。
"Well，settlethatamongyourselves。Butifyouwanttogo，yourbrotherwillgowithyou。"
"Ofcourse，Coonrod'llgo，ifhissisterswantshimto，"theoldwomanpleaded。"Ireckonitain'tagoun'tobeanythingverybad；andifitis，Coonrod，whyyoucanjustgitrightupandcomeout。"
"Itwillbeallright，mother。AndIwillgo，ofcourse。"