"There，now，Iknowedyouwould，Coonrod。Now，fawther!"ThisappealwastomaketheoldmansaysomethinginrecognitionofConrad'ssacrifice。
　　"You'llalwaysfind，"hesaid，"thatit'sthoseofyourownhouseholdthathavethefirstclaimonyou。"
　　"That'sso，Coonrod，"urgedhismother。"It'sBibletruth。Yourfawtherain'taperfesser，buthealwaysdidreadhisBible。SearchtheScriptures。That'swhatitmeans。"
　　"Laws!"criedMely，"abodycansee，easyenoughfrommother，whereConrad'swantun'tobeapreachercomesfrom。Ishould'a'thoughtshe'd'a'wantedtobeenoneherself。"
　　"Letyourwomenkeepsilenceinthechurches，"saidtheoldwoman，solemnly。
　　"Thereyougoagain，mother!Iguessifyouwastosaythattosomeoftheladyministersnowadays，you'dgityourselfintotrouble。"Melalookedroundforapproval，andgurgledoutahoarselaugh。
　　IX。
　　TheDryfooseswentlatetoMrs。Horn'smusicale，inspiteofMrs。
　　Mandel'sadvice。Christinemadethedelay，bothbecauseshewishedtoshowMissVancethatshewasnotanxious，andbecauseshehadsomevaguenotionofthedistinctionofarrivinglateatanysortofentertainment。Mrs。Mandelinsisteduponthedifferencebetweenthismusicaleandanordinaryreception；butChristineratherfancieddisturbingacompanythathadgotseated，andperhapsmakingpeopleriseandstand，whileshefoundherwaytoherplace，asshehadseenthem。
　　doforatardycomeratthetheatre。
　　Mela，whomshedidnotadmittoherreasonsorfeelingsalways，followedherwiththeservileadmirationshehadforallthatChristinedid；andshetookontrustassomehowsuccessfultheresultofChristine'sobstinacy，whentheywereallowedtostandagainstthewallatthebackoftheroomthroughthewholeofthelongpiecebegunjustbeforetheycamein。Therehadbeennoonetoreceivethem；afewpeople，intherearrowsofchairsnearthem，turnedtheirheadstoglanceatthem，andthenlookedawayagain。Melahadhermisgivings；butattheendofthepieceMissVancecameuptothematonce，andthenMelaknewthatshehadhereyesonthemallthetime，andthatChristinemusthavebeenright。
　　Christinesaidnothingabouttheircominglate，andsoMeladidnotmakeanyexcuse，andMissVanceseemedtoexpectnone。SheglancedwithasortofsurpriseatConrad，whenChristineintroducedhim；Meladidnotknowwhethershelikedtheirbringinghim，tillsheshookhandswithhim，andsaid:"Oh，Iamverygladindeed!Mr。DryfoosandIhavemetbefore。"Withoutexplainingwhereorwhen，sheledthemtoherauntandpresentedthem，andthensaid，"I'mgoingtoputyouwithsomefriendsofyours，"andquicklyseatedthemnexttheMarches。Melalikedthatwellenough；shethoughtshemighthavesomejokingwithMr。March，forallhiswifewassostiff；butthelookwhichChristineworeseemedtoforbid，provisionallyatleast，anysuchrecreation。Onherpart，ChristinewascoolwiththeMarches。ItwentthroughhermindthattheymusthavetoldMissVancetheyknewher；andperhapstheyhadboastedofherintimacy。SherelaxedalittletowardthemwhenshesawBeatonleaningagainstthewallattheendoftherownextMrs。March。ThensheconjecturedthathemighthavetoldMissVanceofheracquaintancewiththeMarches，andshebentforwardandnoddedtoMrs。MarchacrossConrad，Mela，andMr。March。Sheconceivedofhimasasortofhandofherfather's，butshewaswillingtotakethemattheirapparentsocialvaluationforthetime。Sheleanedbackinherchair，anddidnotlookupatBeatonafterthefirstfurtiveglance，thoughshefelthiseyesonher。
　　Themusicbeganagainalmostatonce，beforeMelahadtimetomakeConradtellherwhereMissVancehadmethimbefore。Shewouldnothavemindedinterruptingthemusic；buteveryoneelseseemedsoattentive，evenChristine，thatshehadnotthecourage。Theconcertwentontoanendwithoutrealizingforhertheidealofpleasurewhichoneoughttofind。
　　insociety。Shewasnotexacting，butitseemedtohertherewereveryfewyoungmen，andwhenthemusicwasover，andtheiropportunitycametobesociable，theywerenotverysociable。Theywerenotintroduced，foronething；butitappearedtoMelathattheymighthavegotintroduced，iftheyhadanysense；shesawthemlookingather，andshewasgladshehaddressedsomuch；shewasdressedmorethananyotherladythere，andeitherbecauseshewasthemostdressedofanypersonthere，orbecauseithadgotaroundwhoherfatherwas，shefeltthatshehadmadeanimpressionontheyoungmen。Inhersatisfactionwiththis，andfromhergoodnature，shewascontentedtobeservedwithherrefreshmentsaftertheconcertbyMr。March，andtoremainjokingwithhim。Shewasatherease；sheletherhoarsevoiceoutinherlargestlaugh；sheaccusedhim，totheadmirationofthosenear，ofgettingherintoaperfectgale。Itappearedtoher，inherownpleasure，hermissiontoillustratetotherathersubduedpeopleaboutherwhatagoodtimereallywas，sothattheycouldhaveitiftheywantedit。HerjoywascrownedwhenMarchmodestlyprofessedhimselfunworthytomonopolizeher，andexplainedhowselfishhefeltintalkingtoayoungladywhenthereweresomanyyoungmendyingtodoso。
　　"Oh，pshaw，dyun'，yes!"criedMela，tastingtheirony。"IguessIseethem!"
　　Heaskedifhemightreallyintroduceafriendofhistoher，andshesaid，Well，yes，ifbethoughthecouldlivetogettoher；andMarchbroughtupamanwhomhethoughtveryyoungandMelathoughtveryold。
　　Hewasacontributorto'EveryOtherWeek，'andsoMarchknewhim；
　　hebelievedhimselfastudentofhumannatureinbehalfofliterature，andhenowsetaboutstudyingMela。Hetemptedhertoexpressheropiniononallpoints，andhelaughedsoamiablyattheboldnessandhumorousvigorofherideasthatshewasdelightedwithhim。SheaskedhimifhewasaNew-Yorkerbybirth；andshetoldhimshepitiedhim，whenhesaidhehadneverbeenWest。SheprofessedherselfperfectlysickofNewYork，andurgedhimtogotoMoffittifhewantedtoseeareallivetown。Hewonderedifitwoulddotoputherintoliteraturejustasshewas，withallherslangandbrag，buthedecidedthathewouldhavetosubdueheragreatdeal:hedidnotseehowhecouldreconcilethefactsofherconversationwiththefactsofherappearance:
　　herbeauty，hersplendorofdress，herapparentrighttobewhereshewas。Thesethingsperplexedhim；hewasafraidthegreatAmericannovel，iftrue，mustbeincredible。MelasaidheoughttohearhersistergoonaboutNewYorkwhentheyfirstcame；butshereckonedthatChristinewasgettingsoshecouldputupwithitalittlebetter，now。ShelookedsignificantlyacrosstheroomtotheplacewhereChristinewasnowtalkingwithBeaton；andthestudentofhumannatureasked，Wasshehere?
　　and，Wouldsheintroducehim?Melasaidshewould，thefirstchanceshegot；andsheadded，Theywouldbemuchpleasedtohavehimcall。Shefeltherselftobehavingabeautifultime，andshegotdirectlyuponsuchintimatetermswiththestudentofhumannaturethatshelaughedwithhimaboutsomepeculiaritiesofhis，suchashisgoingsofarabouttoaskthingshewantedtoknowfromher；shesaidsheneverdidbelieveinbeatingaboutthebushmuch。ShehadnoticedthesamethinginMissVancewhenshecametocallthatday；andwhentheyoungmanownedthathecameratheragooddealtoMrs。Horn'shouse，sheaskedhim，Well，whatsortofagirlwasMissVance，anyway，andwheredidhesupposeshehadmetherbrother?Thestudentofhumannaturecouldnotsayastothis，andastoMissVancehejudgeditsafesttotreatofthenon-
　　societysideofhercharacter，heractivityincharity，herspecialdevotiontotheworkamongthepoorontheEastSide，whichshepersonallyengagedin。
　　"Oh，that'swhereConradgoes，too!"Melainterrupted。"I'llbetanythingthat'swhereshemethim。IwishtIcouldtellChristine!
　　ButIsupposeshewouldwanttokillme，ifIwastospeaktohernow。"
　　Thestudentofhumannaturesaid，politely，"Oh，shallItakeyoutoher?"
　　Melaanswered，"Iguessyoubetternot!"withalaughsosignificantthathecouldnothelphisinferencesconcerningbothChristine'sabsorptioninthepersonshewastalkingwithandthehabitualviolenceofhertemper。HemadenoteofhowMelahelplesslyspokeofallherfamilybytheirnames，asifhewerealreadyintimatewiththem；hefanciedthatifhecouldgetthatinskillfully，itwouldbeavaluablecolorinhisstudy；theEnglishlordwhomsheshouldastonishwithitbegantoformhimselfoutofthedramaticnebulosityinhismind，andtowhirlonadefiniteorbitinAmericansociety。ButhewaspuzzledtodecidewhetherMela'swillingnesstotakehimintoherconfidenceonshortnoticewastypicalorpersonal:thetraitofadaughterofthenatural-gasmillionaire，orafoibleofherown。
　　BeatontalkedwithChristinethegreaterpartoftheeveningthatwasleftaftertheconcert。Hewasverygrave，andtookthetoneofafatherlyfriend；hespokeguardedlyofthepeoplepresent，andmoderatedtheseverityofsomeofChristine'sjudgmentsoftheirlooksandcostumes。HedidthisoutofasortofunreasonedallegiancetoMargaret，whomhewasinthemoodofwishingtopleasebybeingverykindandgood，asshealwayswas。HehadthesensealsoofatoningbythisbehaviorforsomerecklessthingshehadsaidbeforethattoChristine；
　　heputonasad，reprovingairwithher，andgaveherthefeelingofbeingheldincheck。
　　Shechafedatit，andsaid，glancingatMargaretintalkwithherbrother，"Idon'tthinkMissVanceissoverypretty，doyou?"
　　"Ineverthinkwhethershe'sprettyornot，"saidBecton，withdreamy，affectation。"Sheismerelyperfect。Doessheknowyourbrother?"
　　"Soshesays。Ididn'tsupposeConradeverwentanywhere，excepttotenement-houses。"
　　"Itmighthavebeenthere，"Bectonsuggested。"Shegoesamongfriendlesspeopleeverywhere。"
　　"Maybethat'sthereasonshecametoseeus!"saidChristine。
　　Bectonlookedatherwithhissmoulderingeyes，andfeltthewishtosay，"Yes，itwasexactlythat，"butheonlyallowedhimselftodenythepossibilityofanysuchmotiveinthatcase。Headded:"Iamsogladyouknowher，MissDryfoos。InevermetMissVancewithoutfeelingmyselfbetterandtruer，somehow；orthewishtobeso。"
　　"Andyouthinkwemightbeimproved，too?"Christineretorted。"Well，Imustsayyou'renotveryflattering，Mr。Becton，anyway。"
　　Bectonwouldhavelikedtoanswerheraccordingtohercattishness，withagoodclawingsarcasmthatwouldleaveitssmartinherpride；buthewasbeinggood，andhecouldnotchangeallatonce。Besides，thegirl'sattitudeunderthesocialhonordoneherinterestedhim。Hewassureshehadneverbeeninsuchgoodcompanybefore，buthecouldseethatshewasnotintheleastaffectedbytheexperience。Hehadtoldherwhothispersonandthatwas；andhesawshehadunderstoodthatthenameswereofconsequence；butsheseemedtofeelherequalitywiththemall。
　　HerserenitywasnotobviouslyakintothesavagestoicisminwhichBeatonhidhisownconsciousnessofsocialinferiority；buthavingwonhiswayintheworldsofarbyhistalent，hispersonalquality，hedidnotconceivethesimplefactinhercase。Christinewasself-possessedbecauseshefeltthataknowledgeofherfather'sfortunehadgotaround，andshehadthepeacewhichmoneygivestoignorance；butBeatonattributedherpoisetoindifferencetosocialvalues。This，whileheinwardlysneeredatit，avengedhimuponhisowntookeensenseofthem，and，togetherwithhistemporaryallegiancetoMargaret'sgoodness，kepthimfromretaliatingChristine'svulgarity。Hesaid，"Idon'tseehowthatcouldbe，"andleftthequestionofflatterytosettleitself。
　　Thepeoplebegantogoaway，followingeachotheruptotakeleaveofMrs。Horn。Christinewatchedthemwithunconcern，andeitherbecauseshewouldnotbegovernedbythegeneralmovement，orbecauseshelikedbeingwithBeaton，gavenosignofgoing。Melawasstilltalkingtothestudentofhumannature，sendingoutherlaughindeepgurglesamidtheunimaginableconfidencesshewasmakinghimaboutherself，herfamily，thestaffof'EveryOtherWeek，'Mrs。Mandel，andthekindoflifetheyhadallledbeforeshecametothem。Hewasnotablinddevoteeofartforart'ssake，andthoughhefeltthatifonecouldportrayMelajustasshewasshewouldbetherichestpossiblematerial，hewasratherashamedtoknowsomeofthethingsshetoldhim；andhekeptlookinganxiouslyaboutforachanceofescape。ThecompanyhadreduceditselftotheDryfoosgroupsandsomefriendsofMrs。Horn'swhohadtherighttolinger，whenMargaretcrossedtheroomwithConradtoChristineandBeaton。
　　"I'msoglad，MissDryfoos，tofindthatIwasnotquiteastrangertoyouallwhenIventuredtocall，theotherday。YourbrotherandIareratheroldacquaintances，thoughIneverknewwhohewasbefore。Idon'tknowjusthowtosaywemetwhereheisvaluedsomuch。IsupposeI
　　mustn'ttrytosayhowmuch，"sheadded，withalookofdeepregardathim。
　　Conradblushedandstoodfoldinghisarmstightoverhisbreast，whilehissisterreceivedMargaret'sconfessionwiththesuspicionwhichwasherfirstfeelinginregardtoanynewthing。Whatsheconcludedwasthatthisgirlwastryingtogetinwiththem，forreasonsofherown。
　　Shesaid:"Yes；it'sthefirstIeverheardofhisknowingyou。He'ssomuchtakenupwithhismeetings，hedidn'twanttocometo-night。"
　　Margaretdrewinherlipbeforesheanswered，withoutapparentresentmentoftheawkwardnessorungraciousness，whichevershefoundit:"Idon'twonder!Youbecomesoabsorbedinsuchworkthatyouthinknothingelseisworthwhile。ButI'mgladMr。Dryfooscouldcomewithyou；I'msogladyoucouldallcome；Iknewyouwouldenjoythemusic。Dositdown——"
　　"No，"saidChristine，bluntly；"wemustbegoing。Mela!"shecalledout，"come!"
　　ThelastgroupaboutMrs。Hornlookedround，butChristineadvanceduponthemundismayed，andtookthehandMrs。Hornpromptlygaveher。"Well，I
　　mustbidyougood-night。"
　　"Oh，good-night，"murmuredtheelderlady。"Soverykindofyoutocome。"
　　"I'vehadthebestkindofatime，"saidMela，cordially。"Ihain'tlaughedsomuch，Idon'tknowwhen。"
　　"Oh，I'mgladyouenjoyedit，"saidMrs。Horn，inthesamepolitemurmurshehadusedwithChristine；butshesaidnothingtoeithersisteraboutanyfuturemeeting。
　　Theywereapparentlynottroubled。Melasaidoverhershouldertothestudentofhumannature，"ThenexttimeIseeyouI'llgiveittoyouforwhatyousaidaboutMoffitt。"
　　Margaretmadesomeentreatingpacesafterthem，butshedidnotsucceedincoveringtheretreatofthesistersagainstcriticalconjecture。ShecouldonlysaytoConrad，asifrecurringtothesubject，"Ihopewecangetourfriendstoplayforussomenight。Iknowitisn'tanyrealhelp，butsuchthingstakethepoorcreaturesoutofthemselvesforthetimebeing，don'tyouthink?"
　　"Ohyes，"heanswered。"They'regoodinthatway。"HeturnedbackhesitatinglytoMrs。Horn，andsaid，withablush，"Ithankyouforahappyevening。"
　　"Oh，Iamveryglad，"shereplied，inhermurmur。
　　Oneoftheoldfriendsofthehousearchedhereyebrowsinsayinggood-
　　night，andofferedthetwoyoungmenremainingseatshomeinhercarriage。Beatongloomilyrefused，andshekeptherselffromaskingthestudentofhumannature，tillshehadgothimintohercarriage，"WhatisMoffitt，andwhatdidyousayaboutit?"
　　"Nowyousee，Margaret，"saidMrs。Horn，withbatedtriumph，whenthepeoplewereallgone。
　　"Yes，Isee，"thegirlconsented。"Fromonepointofview，ofcourseit'sbeenafailure。Idon'tthinkwe'vegivenMissDryfoosapleasure，butperhapsnobodycould。Andatleastwe'vegivenhertheopportunityofenjoyingherself。"
　　"Suchpeople，"saidMrs。Horn，philosophically，"peoplewiththeirmoney，mustofcoursebereceivedsoonerorlater。Youcan'tkeepthemout。
　　Only，IbelieveIwouldratherletsomeoneelsebeginwiththem。TheLeightonsdidn'tcome?"
　　"Isentthemcards。Icouldn'tcallagain。"
　　Mrs。Hornsighedalittle。"IsupposeMr。Dryfoosisoneofyourfellow-
　　philanthropists?"
　　"He'soneoftheworkers，"saidMargaret。"ImethimseveraltimesattheHall，butIonlyknewhisfirstname。Ithinkhe'sagreatfriendofFatherBenedict；heseemsdevotedtothework。Don'tyouthinkhelooksgood?"
　　"Very，"saidMrs。Horn，withacolorofcensureinherassent。"Theyoungergirlseemedmoreamiablethanhersister。Butwhatmanners!"
　　"Dreadful!"saidMargaret，withknitbrows，andapursedmouthofhumoroussuffering。"Butsheappearedtofeelverymuchathome。"
　　"Oh，astothat，neitherofthemwasmuchabashed。DoyousupposeMr。Beatongavetheotheronesomehintsforthatquaintdressofhers?
　　Idon'timaginethatblackandlaceisherowninvention。Sheseemstohavesomesortofstrangefascinationforhim。"
　　"She'sverypicturesque，"Margaretexplained。"Andartistsseepointsinpeoplethattherestofusdon't。"
　　"Coulditbehermoney?"Mrs。Horninsinuated。"Hemustbeverypoor。"
　　"Butheisn'tbase，"retortedthegirl，withagenerousindignationthatmadeherauntsmile。
　　"Ohno；butifhefancieshersopicturesque，itdoesn'tfollowthathewouldobjecttoherbeingrich。"
　　"ItwouldwithamanlikeMr。Beaton!"
　　"Youareanidealist，Margaret。IsupposeyourMr。MarchhassomedisinterestedmotiveinpayingcourttoMissMela——Pamela，Isuppose，ishername。Hetalkedtoherlongerthanherliteraturewouldhavelasted。"
　　"Heseemsaverykindperson，"saidMargaret。
　　"AndMr。Dryfoospayshissalary?"
　　"Idon'tknowanythingaboutthat。Butthatwouldn'tmakeanydifferencewithhim。"
　　Mrs。Hornlaughedoutatthissecurity；butshewasnotdispleasedbythenoblenesswhichitcamefrom。ShelikedMargarettobehigh-minded，andwasreallynotdistressedbyanygoodthatwasinher。
　　TheMarcheswalkedhome，bothbecauseitwasnotfar，andbecausetheymustspareincarriagehireatanyrate。Assoonastheywereoutofthehouse，sheappliedapointofconsciencetohim。
　　"Idon'tseehowyoucouldtalktothatgirlsolong，Basil，andmakeherlaughso。"
　　"Why，thereseemednooneelsetodoit，tillIthoughtofKendricks。"
　　"Yes，butIkeptthinking，Nowhe'spleasanttoherbecausehethinksit'stohisinterest。Ifshehadnorelationto'EveryOtherWeek，'hewouldn'twastehistimeonher。"
　　"Isabel，"Marchcomplained，"Iwishyouwouldn'tthinkofmeinhe，him，andhis；Ineverpersonalizeyouinmythoughts:youremainalwaysavagueunindividualizedessence，notquitewithoutformandvoid，butnounlessandpronounless。Icallthatamuchmorebeautifulmentalattitudetowardtheobjectofone'saffections。Butifyoumustheandhimandhismeinyourthoughts，Iwishyou'dhavemorekindlythoughtsofme。"
　　"Doyoudenythatit'strue，Basil?"
　　"Doyoubelievethatit'strue，Isabel?"
　　"Nomatter。Butcouldyouexcuseitifitwere?"
　　"Ah，Iseeyou'dhavebeencapableofitinmy，place，andyou'reashamed。"
　　"Yes，"sighedthewife，"I'mafraidthatIshould。Buttellmethatyouwouldn't，Basil!"
　　"IcantellyouthatIwasn't。ButIsupposethatinarealexigency，IcouldtruckletotheproprietaryDryfoosesaswellasyou。"
　　"Ohno；youmustn't，dear!I'mawoman，andI'mdreadfullyafraid。Butyoumustalwaysbeaman，especiallywiththathorridoldMr。Dryfoos。
　　Promisemethatyou'llneveryieldtheleastpointtohiminamatterofrightandwrong!"
　　"Notifhe'srightandI'mwrong?"
　　"Don'ttrifle，dear!YouknowwhatImean。Willyoupromise?"
　　"I'llpromisetosubmitthepointtoyou，andletyoudotheyielding。
　　Asforme，Ishallbeadamant。NothingIlikebetter。"
　　"They'redreadful，eventhatpoor，goodyoungfellow，who'ssodifferentfromalltherest；he'sawful，too，becauseyoufeelthathe'samartyrtothem。"
　　"AndIneverdidlikemartyrsagreatdeal，"Marchinterposed。
　　"Iwonderhowtheycametobethere，"Mrs。Marchpursued，unmindfulofhisjoke。
　　"ThatisexactlywhatseemedtobepuzzlingMissMelaaboutus。Sheasked，andIexplainedaswellasIcould；andthenshetoldmethatMissVancehadcometocallonthemandinvitedthem；andfirsttheydidn'tknowhowtheycouldcometilltheythoughtofmakingConradbringthem。
　　Butshedidn'tsaywhyMissVancecalledonthem。Mr。Dryfoosdoesn'temployheron'EveryOtherWeek。'ButIsupposeshehasherownvilelittlemotive。"
　　"Itcan'tbetheirmoney；itcan'tbe!"sighedMrs。March。
　　"Well，Idon'tknow。Weallrespectmoney。"
　　"Yes，butMissVance'spositionissosecure。Sheneedn'tpaycourttothosestupid，vulgarpeople。"
　　"Well，let'sconsoleourselveswiththebeliefthatshewould，ifsheneeded。SuchpeopleastheDryfoosesaretherawmaterialofgoodsociety。Itisn'tmadeupofrefinedormeritoriouspeople——professorsandlitterateurs，ministersandmusicians，andtheirfamilies。Allthefashionablepeoplethereto-nightwereliketheDryfoosesagenerationortwoago。Idaresaythematerialworksupfasternow，andinaseasonortwoyouwon'tknowtheDryfoosesfromtheotherplutocrats。THEYwill——
　　alittlebetterthantheydonow；they'llseeadifference，butnothingradical，nothingpainful。Peoplewhogetupintheworldbyservicetoothers——throughletters，orart，orscience——mayhavetheirmodestlittlemisgivingsastotheirsocialvalue，butpeoplethatrisebymoney——
　　especiallyiftheirgainsaresudden——neverhave。Andthat'sthekindofpeoplethatformournobility；there'snousepretendingthatwehaven'tanobility；wemightaswellpretendwehaven'tfirst-classcarsinthepresenceofavestibuledPullman。Thosegirlshadnomoredoubtoftheirrighttobetherethaniftheyhadbeenduchesses:wethoughtitwasveryniceofMissVancetocomeandaskus，buttheydidn't；theyweren'tafraid，ortheleastembarrassed；theywereperfectlynatural——likebornaristocrats。Andyoumaybesurethatiftheplutocracythatnowownsthecountryeverseesfittotakeontheoutwardsignsofanaristocracy——titles，andarms，andancestors——itwon'tfalterfromanyinherentquestionofitsworth。Moneyprizesandhonorsitself，andifthereisanythingithasn'tgot，itbelievesitcanbuyit。"
　　Well，Basil，"saidhiswife，"Ihopeyouwon'tgetinfectedwithLindau'sideasofrichpeople。Someofthemareverygoodandkind。"
　　"Whodeniesthat?NotevenLindauhimself。It'sallright。Andthegreatthingisthattheevening'senjoymentisover。I'vegotmysocietysmileoff，andI'mradiantlyhappy。Goonwithyourlittlepessimisticdiatribes，Isabel；youcan'tspoilmypleasure。"
　　"Icouldsee，"saidMela，assheandChristinedrovehometogether，"thatshewasasjealousasshecouldbe，allthetimeyouwastalkun'toMr。
　　Beaton。Shepretendedtobetalkun'toConrad，butshekep'hereyeonyouprettyclose，Icantellyou。Ibetshejustgotustheretoseehowhimandyouwouldacttogether。AndIreckonshewassatisfied。He'sdeadgoneonyou，Chris。"
　　ChristinelistenedwithadreamypleasuretotheflatterieswithwhichMelapliedherinthehopeofsomereturninkind，andnotatallbecauseshefeltspitefullytowardMissVance，orinanywisewishedherill。
　　"Whowasthatfellowwithyousolong?"askedChristine。"Isupposeyouturnedyourselfinsideouttohim，likeyoualwaysdo。"
　　Melawastransportedbythecruelingratitude。"It'salie!Ididn'ttellhimasinglething。"
　　Conradwalkedhome，choosingtodosobecausehedidnotwishtohearhissisters'talkoftheevening，andbecausetherewasatumultinhisspiritwhichhewishedtolethaveitsway。Inhislifewithitssinglepurpose，defeatedbystrongerwillsthanhisown，andnowstrugglingpartiallytofulfilitselfinactsofdevotiontoothers，thethoughtofwomenhadenteredscarcelymorethaninthatofachild。Hisidealswereofavirginalvagueness；faces，voices，gestureshadfilledhisfancyattimes，butalmostpassionately；andthesensationthathenowindulgedwasakindofworship，ardent，butreverentandexalted。Thebrutalexperiencesoftheworldmakeusforgetthattherearesuchnaturesinit，andthattheyseemtocomeupoutofthelowlyearthaswellasdownfromthehighheaven。Intheheartofthismanwellontowardthirtytherehadneverbeenleftthestainofabasethought；notthatsuggestionandconjecturehadnotvisitedhim，butthathehadnotentertainedthem，orinany-wisemadethemhis。InaCatholicageandcountry，hewouldhavebeenoneofthosemonkswhoaresaintedafterdeathfortheangelicpurityoftheirlives，andwhosenamesareinvokedbybelieversinmomentsoftrial，likeSanLuigiGonzaga。Ashenowwalkedalongthinking，withalover'sbeatifiedsmileonhisface，ofhowMargaretVancehadspokenandlooked，hedramatizedscenesinwhichbeapprovedhimselftoherbyactsofgoodnessandunselfishness，anddiedtopleaseherforthesakeofothers。Hemadeherpraisehimforthem，tohisface，whenhedisclaimedtheirmerit，andafterhisdeath，whenhe
　　Butallthisdidnotadmittheideaofpossession，evenofaspiration。
　　Atthemosthisworshiponlysetherbeyondtheloveofothermenasfarasbeyondhisown。
　　EndAHazardofNewFortunesV4
　　ByWilliamDeanHowellsPARTFOURTH
　　NotlongafterLent，FulkersonsetbeforeDryfoosonedayhisschemeforadinnerincelebrationofthesuccessof'EveryOtherWeek。'Dryfooshadnevermeddledinanymannerwiththeconductoftheperiodical；
　　butFulkersoneasilysawthathewasproudofhisrelationtoit，andheproceededuponthetheorythathewouldbewillingtohavethisrelationknown:Onthedayswhenhehadbeenluckyinstocks，hewasapttodropinattheofficeonEleventhStreet，onhiswayup-town，andlistentoFulkerson'stalk。HewasongoodenoughtermswithMarch，whorevisedhisfirstimpressionsoftheman，buttheyhadnotmuchtosaytoeachother，anditseemedtoMarchthatDryfooswasevenalittleafraidofhim，asofapieceofmechanismhehadacquired，butdidnotquiteunderstand；helefttheworkingofittoFulkerson，whonodoubtbraggedofitsufficiently。Theoldmanseemedtohaveaslittletosaytohisson；heshuthimselfupwithFulkerson，wheretheotherscouldhearthemanagerbeginandgoonwithanunstintedflowoftalkabout'EveryOtherWeek；'forFulkersonnevertalkedofanythingelseifhecouldhelpit，andwasalwaysbringingtheconversationbacktoitifitstrayed:
　　Thedayhespokeofthedinnerheroseandcalledfromhisdoor:"March，Isay，comedownhereaminute，willyou?Conrad，Iwantyou，too。"
　　Theeditorandthepublisherfoundthemanagerandtheproprietorseatedonoppositesidesofthetable。"It'saboutthosefuneralbakedmeats，youknow，"Fulkersonexplained，"andIwastryingtogiveMr。Dryfoossomeideaofwhatwewantedtodo。Thatis，whatIwantedtodo，"hecontinued，turningfromMarchtoDryfoos。"March，here，isopposedtoit，ofcourse。He'dliketopublish'EveryOtherWeek'onthesly；keepitoutofthepapers，andoffthenewsstands；he'samodestBostonpetunia，andheshrinksfrompublicity；butIamnotthatkindofherbmyself，andIwantallthepublicitywecanget——beg，borrow，orsteal——
　　forthisthing。Isaythatyoucan'tworkthesacredritesofhospitalityinabettercause，andwhatIproposeisalittledinnerforthepurposeofrecognizingthehitwe'vemadewiththisthing。Myideawastostrikeyouforthenecessaryfunds，anddothethingonahandsomescale。Thetermlittledinnerisamerefigureofspeech。Alittledinnerwouldn'tmakeabigtalk，andwhatwewantisthebigtalk，atpresent，ifwedon'tlayupacent。MynotionwasthatprettysoonafterLent，now，wheneverybodyisfeelingjustright，weshouldbegintosendoutourparagraphs，affirmative，negative，andexplanatory，andalongaboutthefirstofMayweshouldsitdownaboutahundredstrong，themostdistinguishedpeopleinthecountry，andsolemnizeourtriumph。
　　Thereitisinanutshell。ImightexpandandImightexpound，butthat'sthesumandsubstanceofit。"
　　Fulkersonstopped，andranhiseyeseagerlyoverthefacesofhisthreelisteners，oneaftertheother。MarchwasalittlesurprisedwhenDryfoosturnedtohim，butthatreferenceofthequestionseemedtogiveFulkersonparticularpleasure:"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。March?"
　　Theeditorleanedbackinhischair。"Idon'tpretendtohaveMr。
　　Fulkerson'sgeniusforadvertising；butitseemstomealittleearlyyet。Wemightcelebratelaterwhenwe'vegotmoretocelebrate。Atpresentwe'reapleasingnovelty，ratherthanafixedfact。"
　　"Ah，youdon'tgettheidea!"saidFulkerson。"Whatwewanttodowiththisdinneristofixthefact。"
　　"AmIgoingtocomeinanywhere?"theoldmaninterrupted。
　　"You'regoingtocomeinattheheadoftheprocession!Wearegoingtostrikeeverythingthatisimaginativeandromanticinthenewspapersoulwithyouandyourhistoryandyourfancyforgoinginforthisthing。
　　Icanstartyouinaparagraphthatwilltravelthroughallthenewspapers，fromMainetoTexasandfromAlaskatoFlorida。Wehavehadallsortsofrichmenbackingupliteraryenterprises，butthenatural-
　　gasmaninliteratureisanewthing，andthecombinationofyourpicturesquepastandyouraestheticpresentissomethingthatwillknockoutthesympathiesoftheAmericanpublicthefirstround。Ifeel，"
　　saidFulkerson，withatremorofpathosinhisvoice，"that'EveryOtherWeek'isatadisadvantagebeforethepublicaslongasit'ssupposedtobemyenterprise，myidea。AsfarasI'mknownatall，I'mknownsimplyasasyndicateman，andnobodyinthepressbelievesthatI'vegotthemoneytorunthethingonagrandscale；asuspicionofinsolvencymustattachtoitsoonerorlater，andthefellowsonthepresswillworkupthatimpression，soonerorlater，ifwedon'tgivethemsomethingelsetoworkup。Now，assoonasIbegintogiveitawaytothecorrespondentsthatyou'reinit，withyouruntoldmillions——that，infact，itwasyourideafromthestart，thatyouoriginatedittogivefullplaytothehumanitariantendenciesofConradhere，who'salwayshadthesetheoriesofco-operation，andlongedtorealizethemforthebenefitofourstrugglingyoungwritersandartists——"
　　MarchhadlistenedwithgrowingamusementtothemingledburlesqueandearnestofFulkerson'sself-sacrificingimpudence，andwithwonderastohowfarDryfooswasconsentingtohispreposterousproposition，whenConradbrokeout:"Mr。Fulkerson，Icouldnotallowyoutodothat。Itwouldnotbetrue；Ididnotwishtobehere；and——andwhatIthink——whatIwishtodo——thatissomethingIwillnotletanyoneputmeinafalsepositionabout。No!"Thebloodrushedintotheyoungman'sgentleface，andhemethisfather'sglancewithdefiance。
　　DryfoosturnedfromhimtoFulkersonwithoutspeaking，andFulkersonsaid，caressingly:"Why，ofcourse，Coonrod!Iknowhowyoufeel，andI
　　shouldn'tletanythingofthatsortgooutuncontradictedafterward。Butthereisn'tanythinginthesetimesthatwouldgiveusbetterstandingwiththepublicthansomehintofthewayyoufeelaboutsuchthings。
　　Thepublicsexpectstobeinterested，andnothingwouldinterestitmorethantobetoldthatthesuccessof'EveryOtherWeek'sprangfromthefirstapplicationoftheprincipleofLiveandletLivetoaliteraryenterprise。Itwouldlookparticularlywell，comingfromyouandyourfather，butifyouobject，wecanleavethatpartout；thoughifyouapproveoftheprincipleIdon'tseewhyyouneedobject。Themainthingistoletthepublicknowthatitowesthisthingtotheliberalandenlightenedspiritofoneoftheforemostcapitalistsofthecountry；andthathispurposesarenotlikelytobebetrayedinthehandsofhisson，Ishouldgetalittlecutmadefromaphotographofyourfather，andsupplyitgratiswiththeparagraphs。"
　　"Iguess，"saidtheoldman，"wewillgetalongwithoutthecut。"
　　Fulkersonlaughed。"Well，well!Haveityourownway，Butthesightofyourfaceinthepatentoutsidesofthecountrypresswouldbeworthhalfadozensubscribersineveryschooldistrictthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofthisfairland。"
　　Therewasafellow，"Dryfoosexplained，inanasidetoMarch，"thatwasgettingupahistoryofMoffitt，andheaskedmetolethimputasteelengravingofmein。Hesaidagoodmanyprominentcitizensweregoingtohavetheirsin，andhispricewasahundredandfiftydollars。ItoldhimIcouldn'tletminegoforlessthantwohundred，andwhenhesaidhecouldgivemeasplendidplateforthatmoney，IsaidIshouldwantitcash，Youneversawafellowmoreastonishedwhenhegotitthroughhim。
　　thatIexpectedhimtopaythetwohundred。"
　　Fulkersonlaughedinkeenappreciationofthejoke。"Well，sir，Iguess'EveryOtherWeek'willpayyouthatmuch。Butifyouwon'tsellatanyprice，allright；wemusttrytoworryalongwithoutthelightofyourcountenanceon，theposters，butwegottohaveitforthebanquet。"
　　"Idon'tseemtofeelveryhungry，yet，"saidtheyoldman，dryly。
　　"Oh，'l'appeitvientenmangeant'，asourFrenchfriendssay。You'llbehungryenoughwhenyouseethepreliminaryLittleNeckclam。It'stoolateforoysters。"
　　"Doesn'tthatfactseemtopointtoapostponementtilltheygetback，sometimeinOctober，"Marchsuggested，"No，no!"saidFulkerson，"youdon'tcatchontothebusinessendofthisthing，myfriends。You'reproceedingonsomethingliketheoldexplodedideathatthedemandcreatesthesupply，wheneverybodyknows，ifhe'swatchedthecourseofmodernevents，thatit'sjustasapttobetheotherway。Icontendthatwe'vegotarealsubstantialsuccesstocelebratenow；butevenifwehadn't，thecelebrationwoulddomorethananythingelsetocreatethesuccess，ifwegotitproperlybeforethepublic。Peoplewillsay:Thosefellowsarenotfools；theywouldn'tgoandrejoiceovertheirmagazineunlesstheyhadgotabigthinginit。
　　AndthestateoffeelingweshouldproduceinthepublicmindwouldmakeaboomofperfectlyunprecedentedgrandeurforE。O。W。Heigh?"
　　Helookedsunnilyfromonetotheotherinsuccession。TheelderDryfoossaid，withhischinonthetopofhisstick，"IreckonthoseLittleNeckclamswillkeep。"
　　"Well，justasyousay，"Fulkersoncheerfullyassented。"Iunderstandyoutoagreetothegeneralprincipleofalittledinner?"
　　"Thesmallerthebetter，"saidtheoldman。
　　"Well，Isayalittledinnerbecausetheideaofthatseemstocoverthecase，evenifwevarytheplanalittle。Ihadthoughtofareception，maybe，thatwouldincludetheladycontributorsandartists，andthewivesanddaughtersoftheothercontributors。Thatwouldgiveusthechancetoringinalotofsocietycorrespondentsandgetthethingwrittenupinfirst-classshape。By-the-way!"criedFulkerson，slappinghimselfontheleg，"whynothavethedinnerandthereceptionboth?"
　　"Idon'tunderstand，"saidDryfoos。
　　"Why，haveaselectlittledinnerfortenortwentychoicespiritsofthemalepersuasion，andthen，aboutteno'clock，throwopenyourpalatialdrawing-roomsandadmitthefemalestochampagne，salads，andices。Itistheverything!Come!"
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Mr。March?"askedDryfoos，onwhosesocialinexperienceFulkerson'swordsprojectednoveryintelligibleimage，andwhoperhapshopedforsomemorelight。
　　"It'sabeautifulvision，"saidMarch，"andifitwilltakemoretimetorealizeitIthinkIapprove。IapproveofanythingthatwilldelayMr。
　　Fulkerson'sadvertisingorgie。"
　　"Then，"Fulkersonpursued，"wecouldhavethepleasureofMissChristineandMissMela'scompany；andmaybeMrs。Dryfooswouldlookinonusinthecourseoftheevening。There'snohurry，asMr。Marchsuggests，ifwecangivethethingthisshape。Iwillcheerfullyadopttheideaofmyhonorablecolleague。"
　　Marchlaughedathisimpudence，butathearthewasashamedofFulkersonforproposingtomakeuseofDryfoosandhishouseinthatway。
　　Hefanciedsomethingappealinginthelookthattheoldmanturnedonhim，andsomethingindignantinConrad'sflush；butprobablythiswasonlyhisfancy。Hereflectedthatneitherofthemcouldfeelitaspeopleofmoreworldlyknowledgewould，andheconsoledhimselfwiththefactthatFulkersonwasreallynotsuchacharlatanasheseemed。ButitwentthroughhismindthatthiswasastrangeendforallDryfoos'smoney-makingtocometo；andhephilosophicallyacceptedthefactofhisownhumblefortuneswhenhereflectedhowlittlehismoneycouldbuyforsuchaman。ItwasanhonorableusethatFulkersonwasputtingittoin'EveryOtherWeek；'itmightbefarmorecreditablyspentonsuchanenterprisethanonhorses，orwines，orwomen，theusualresourcesofthebruterich；andifitweretobelost，itmightbetterbelostthatwaythaninstocks。HekeptasmilingfaceturnedtoDryfooswhiletheseirreverentconsiderationsoccupiedhim，andhardenedhisheartagainstfatherandsonandtheirpossibleemotions。
　　Theoldmanrosetoputanendtotheinterview。Heonlyrepeated，"Iguessthoseclamswillkeeptillfall。"
　　ButFulkersonwasapparentlysatisfiedwiththeprogresshehadmade；andwhenhejoinedMarchforthestrollhomewardafterofficehours，hewasabletodetachhismindfromthesubject，asifcontenttoleaveit。
　　"ThisisaboutthebestpartoftheyearinNewYork，"hesaid；Insomeoftheareasthegrasshadsprouted，andthetenderyoungfoliagehadlooseneditselffrozethebudsonasidewalktreehereandthere；thesoftairwasfullofspring，andthedelicatesky，faraloof，hadthelookitneverwearsatanyotherseason。"Itain'tatimeofyeartocomplainmuchof，anywhere；butIdon'twantanythingbetterthanthemonthofMayinNewYork。FartherSouthit'stoohot，andI'vebeeninBostoninMaywhenthateastwindofyoursmadeeverynerveinmybodygetupandhowl。Ireckontheweatherhasagooddealtodowiththelocaltemperament。ThereasonaNewYorkmantakeslifesoeasilywithallhisrushisthathisclimatedon'tworryhim。ButaBostonmanmustberaspedthewholewhilebytheedgeinhisair。Thataccountsforhissharpness；andwhenhe'slivedthroughtwenty-fiveorthirtyBostonMays，hegetstothinkingthatProvidencehassomeparticularuseforhim，orhewouldn'thavesurvived，andthatmakeshimconceited。See?"
　　"Isee，"saidMarch。"ButIdon'tknowhowyou'regoingtoworkthatideaintoanadvertisement，exactly。"
　　"Oh，pahaw，now，March!Youdon'tthinkI'vegotthatonthebrainallthetime?"
　　"Youweregraduallyleadingupto'EveryOtherWeek'，somehow。"
　　"No，sir；Iwasn't。IwasjustthinkingwhatadifferentcreatureaMassachusettsmanisfromaVirginian，AndyetIsupposethey'rebothaspureEnglishstockasyou'llgetanywhereinAmerica。Marsh，IthinkColonelWoodburn'spaperisgoingtomakeahit。"
　　"You'vegotthere!Whenitknocksdownthesaleaboutone-half，Ishallknowit'smadeahit。"
　　"I'mnotafraid，"saidFulkerson。"Thatthingisgoingtoattractattention。It'swellwritten——youcantakethepomposityoutofit，hereandthereandit'snovel。Ourpeoplelikeaboldstrike，andit'sgoingtoshakethemuptremendouslytohaveserfdomadvocatedonhighmoralgroundsastheonlysolutionofthelaborproblem。Yousee，inthefirstplace，hegoesfortheirsympathiesbythewayheportraystheactualrelationsofcapitalandlabor；heshowshowthingshavegottogofrombadtoworse，andthenhetrotsouthislittleoldhobby，andprovesthatifslaveryhadnotbeeninterferedwith，itwouldhaveperfecteditselfintheinterestofhumanity。Hemakesaprettystrongpleaforit。"
　　Marchthrewbackhisheadandlaughed。"He'sconvertedyou!Iswear，Fulkerson，ifwehadacceptedandpaidforanarticleadvocatingcannibalismastheonlyresourceforgettingridofthesuperfluouspoor，you'dbegintobelieveinit。"
　　Fulkersonsmiledinapprovalofthejoke，andonlysaid:"Iwishyoucouldmeetthecolonelintheprivacyofthedomesticcircle，March。
　　You'dlikehim。He'sasplendidoldfellow；regulartype。Talkaboutspring!
　　Yououghttoseethewidow'slittlebackyardthesedays。Youknowthatglassgalleryjustbeyondthedining-room?Thosegirlshavegotthepot-
　　plantsoutofthat，andalotmore，andthey'veturnedtheedgesofthatbackyard，alongthefence，intoaregularbower；they'vegotsweetpeasplanted，andnasturtiums，andweshallbeinablazeofgloryaboutthebeginningofJune。Funtosee'emworkinthegarden，andthebirdbossingthejobinhiscageunderthecherry-tree。Havetokeepthemiddleoftheyardfortheclothesline，butsixdaysintheweekit'salawn，andIgooveritwithamowermyself。March，thereain'tanythinglikeahome，isthere?Dearlittlecotofyourown，heigh?Itellyou，March，whenIgettopushingthatmowerround，andthecolonelissmokinghiscigarinthegallery，andthosegirlsarepotteringovertheflowers，oneofthesesofteveningsafterdinner，Ifeellikeahumanbeing。Yes，Ido。IstruckitrichwhenIconcludedtotakemymealsatthewidow's。
　　ForeightdollarsaweekIgetgoodboard，refinedsociety，andalltheadvantagesofaChristianhome。By-the-way，you'veneverhadmuchtalkwithMissWoodburn，haveyou，March?"
　　"NotsomuchaswithMissWoodburn'sfather。"
　　"Well，heisratherapttoscooptheconversation。Imustdrawhisfire，sometime，whenyouandMrs。Marcharearound，andgetyouachancewithMissWoodburn。"
　　"Ishouldlikethatbetter，Ibelieve，"saidMarch。
　　"Well，Ishouldn'twonderifyoudid。Curious，butMissWoodburnisn'tatallyourideaofaSoutherngirl。She'sgotlotsofgo；she'sneveridleaminute；shekeepstheoldgentlemaninfirst-classshape，andshedon'tbelieveabitintheslaverysolutionofthelaborproblem；saysshe'sgladit'sgone，andifit'sanythingliketheeffectsofit，she'sgladitwentbeforehertime。No，sir，she'sasfullofsnapastheliveliestkindofaNortherngirl。NoneofthatsunnySouthernlanguoryoureadabout。"
　　"IsupposethetypicalSoutherner，likethetypicalanythingelse，isprettydifficulttofind，"saidMarch。"ButperhapsMissWoodburnrepresentsthenewSouth。Themodernconditionsmustbeproducingamoderntype。"
　　"Well，that'swhatsheandthecolonelbothsay。Theysaythereain'tanythingleftofthatWalterScottdignityandchivalryintherisinggeneration；takestoomuchtime。Yououghttoseehersketchtheold-
　　school，high-and-mightymanners，astheysurviveamongsomeoftheantiquesinCharlottesburg。Ifthatthingcouldbeputuponthestageitwouldbeakillingsuccess。Makestheoldgentlemanlaughinspiteofhimself。Buthe'sasproudofherasPunch，anyway。Whydon'tyouandMrs。Marchcomeroundoftener?Lookhere!Howwoulditdotohavealittleexcursion，somewhere，afterthespringfairlygetsinitswork?"
　　"Reporterspresent?"
　　"No，no!Nothingofthatkind；perfectlysincereanddisinterestedenjoyment。"
　　"Oh，afewhandbillstobescatteredaround:"BuyEveryOtherWeek，"
　　Lookoutforthenextnumberof'EveryOtherWeek，''EveryOtherWeekatallthenews-stands。'Well，I'lltalkitoverwithMrs。March。I
　　supposethere'snogreathurry。"
　　MarchtoldhiswifeoftheidyllicmoodinwhichhehadleftFulkersonatthewidow'sdoor，andshesaidhemustbeinlove。
　　"Why，ofcourse!IwonderIdidn'tthinkofthat。ButFulkersonissuchanimpartialadmirerofthewholesexthatyoucan'tthinkofhislikingonemorethananother。Idon'tknowthatheshowedanyunjustpartiality，though，inhistalkof'thosegirls，'ashecalledthem。
　　AndIalwaysratherfanciedthatMrs。Mandel——he'sdonesomuchforher，youknow；andsheissuchawell-balanced，well-preservedperson，andsolady-likeandcorrect——"
　　"Fulkersonhadthewordforher:academic。She'severythingthatinstructionanddisciplinecanmakeofawoman；butIshouldn'tthinktheycouldmakeenoughofhertobeinlovewith。"
　　"Well，Idon'tknow。Theacademichasitscharm。TherearemoodsinwhichIcouldimaginemyselfinlovewithanacademicperson。Thatregularityofline；thatreasonedstrictnessofcontour；thatneatnessofpose；thatslightlyconventionalbutharmoniousgroupingoftheemotionsandmorals——youcanseehowitwouldhaveitscharm，theWedgwoodinhumannature?IwonderwhereMrs。Mandelkeepsherurnandherwillow。"
　　"Ishouldthinkshemighthaveusefortheminthatfamily，poorthing!"
　　saidMrs。March。
　　"Ah，thatremindsme，"saidherhusband，"thatwehadanothertalkwiththeoldgentleman，thisafternoon，aboutFulkerson'sliterary，artistic，andadvertisingorgie，andit'spostponedtillOctober。"
　　"Thelaterthebetter，Ishouldthink，"saidMrs:March，whodidnotreallythinkaboutitatall，butwhomthedatefixedforitcausedtothinkoftheinterveningtime。"Wehavegottoconsiderwhatwewilldoaboutthesummer，beforelong，Basil。"
　　"Oh，notyet，notyet，"hepleaded；withthatman'swillingnesstoabideinthepresent，whichissotryingtoawoman。"It'sonlytheendofApril。"
　　"ItwillbetheendofJunebeforeweknow。AndthesepeoplewantingtheBostonhouseanotheryearcomplicatesit。Wecan'tspendthesummerthere，asweplanned。"
　　"Theyoughtn'ttohaveofferedusanincreasedrent；theyhavetakenanadvantageofus。"
　　"Idon'tknowthatitmatters，"saidMrs。March。"Ihaddecidednottogothere。"
　　"Hadyou?Thisisasurprise。"
　　"Everythingisasurprisetoyou，Basil，whenithappens。"
　　"True；Ikeeptheworldfresh，thatway。"
　　"Itwouldn'thavebeenanychangetogofromonecitytoanotherforthesummer。WemightaswellhavestayedinNewYork。"
　　"Yes，Iwishwehadstayed，"saidMarch，idlyhumoringaconceptionoftheaccomplishedfact。"Mrs。Greenwouldhaveletushavethegimcrackeryverycheapforthesummermonths；andwecouldhavemadeallsortsofnicelittleexcursionsandtripsoffandbeentwiceaswellasifwehadspentthesummeraway。"
　　"Nonsense!Youknowwecouldn'tspendthesummerinNewYork。"
　　"IknowIcould。"
　　"Whatstuff!Youcouldn'tmanage。"
　　"Ohyes，Icould。IcouldtakemymealsatFulkerson'swidow's；oratMaroni's，withpooroldLindau:he'sgottodiningthereagain。Or，I
　　couldkeephouse，andhecoulddinewithmehere。"
　　TherewasateasinglookinMarch'seyes，andhebrokeintoalaugh，atthefirmnesswithwhichhiswifesaid:"Ithinkifthereistobeanyhousekeeping，Iwillstay，too；andhelptolookafterit。Iwouldtrynotintrudeuponyouandyourguest。"
　　"Oh，weshouldbeonlytoogladtohaveyoujoinus，"saidMarch，playingwithfire。
　　"Verywell，then，IwishyouwouldtakehimofftoMaroni's，thenexttimehecomestodinehere!"criedhiswife。
　　TheexperimentofmakingMarch'soldfriendfreeofhishousehadnotgivenherallthepleasurethatsokindathingoughttohaveaffordedsogoodawoman。ShereceivedLindauatfirstwithrobustbenevolence，andthehighresolvenottoletanyofhislittlepeculiaritiesalienateherfromasenseofhisclaimuponhersympathyandgratitude，notonlyasamanwhohadbeensogenerouslyfondofherhusbandinhisyouth，butaherowhohadsufferedforhercountry。Hertheorywasthathismutilationmustnotbeignored，butmustbekeptinmindasamonumentofhissacrifice，andshefortifiedBellawiththisconception，sothatthechildbravelysatnexthismaimedarmattableandhelpedhimtodisheshecouldnotreach，andcutuphismeatforhim。AsforMrs。Marchherself，thethoughtofhismutilationmadeheralittlefaint；shewasnotwithoutabewilderedresentmentofitspresenceasasortofoppression。ShedidnotlikehisdrinkingsomuchofMarch'sbeer，either；itwasnoharm，butitwassomehowunworthy，outofcharacterwithaheroofthewar。ButwhatshereallycouldnotreconcileherselftowastheviolenceofLindau'ssentimentsconcerningthewholepoliticalandsocialfabric。Shedidnotfeelsurethatheshouldbeallowedtosaysuchthingsbeforethechildren，whohadbeennurturedinthefaithofBunkerHillandAppomattox，asthebeginningandtheendofallpossibleprogressinhumanrights。Asawomanshewasnaturallyanaristocrat，butasanAmericanshewastheoreticallyademocrat；anditastounded，italarmedher，tohearAmericandemocracydenouncedasashufflingevasion。ShehadnevercaredmuchfortheUnitedStatesSenate，butshedoubtedifsheoughttositbywhenitwasrailedatasarichman'sclub。Itshockedhertobetoldthattherichandpoorwerenotequalbeforethelawinacountrywherejusticemustbepaidforateverystepinfeesandcosts，orwhereapoormanmustgotowarinhisownperson，andarichmanmighthiresomeonetogoinhis。Mrs。MarchfeltthatthisrebelliousmindinLindaureallysomehowoutlawedhimfromsympathy，andretroactivelyundidhispastsufferingforthecountry:shehadalwaysparticularlyvaluedthatprovisionofthelaw，becauseinforecastingallthepossiblemischancesthatmightbefallherownson，shehadbeencomfortedbythethoughtthatifthereeverwasanotherwar，andTomweredrafted，hisfathercouldbuyhimasubstitute。Comparedwithsuchblasphemyasthis，Lindau'sdeclarationthattherewasnotequalityofopportunityinAmerica，andthatfullyone-halfthepeopleweredebarredtheirrighttothepursuitofhappinessbythehopelessconditionsoftheirlives，wasflatteringpraise。Shecouldnotlistentosuchthingsinsilence，though，anditdidnothelpmatterswhenLindaumetherargumentswithfactsandreasonswhichshefeltshewasmerelynotsufficientlyinstructedtocombat，andhewasnotquitegentlemanlytourge。"Iamafraidfortheeffectonthechildren，"shesaidtoherhusband。"Suchperfectlydistortedideas——Tomwillberuinedbythem。"