Iknowyouwillgetonwellwithhim。Hehassuchagoodheart。Andhisattitudetowardyou，Basil，isbeautifulalways——sorespectful；ornotthatsomuchasappreciative。Yes，appreciative——that'stheword；Imustalwayskeepthatinmind。"
　　"It'squiteimportanttodoso，"saidMarch。
　　"Yes，"sheassented，seriously，"andwemustnotforgetjustwhatkindofflatwearegoingtolookfor。The'sinequanons'areanelevatorandsteamheat，notabovethethirdfloor，tobeginwith。Thenwemusteachhavearoom，andyoumusthaveyourstudyandImusthavemyparlor；andthetwogirlsmusteachhavearoom。Withthekitchenanddiningroom，howmanydoesthatmake?"
　　"Ten。"
　　"Ithoughteight。Well，nomatter。Youcanworkintheparlor，andrunintoyourbedroomwhenanybodycomes；andIcansitinmine，andthegirlsmustputupwithone，ifit'slargeandsunny，thoughI'vealwaysgiventhemtwoathome。Andthekitchenmustbesunny，sotheycansitinit。Andtheroomsmustallhaveoutsidelight。Audtherentmustnotbeovereighthundredforthewinter。Weonlygetathousandforourwholehouse，andwemustsavesomethingoutofthat，soastocovertheexpensesofmoving。Now，doyouthinkyoucanrememberallthat?"
　　"Notthehalfofit，"saidMarch。"Butyoucan；orifyouforgetathirdofit，Icancomeinwithmypartialhalfandmorethanmakeitup。"
　　Shehadbroughtherbonnetandsacquedown-stairswithher，andwastransferringthemfromthehatracktoherpersonwhileshetalked。Thefriendlydoor-boyletthemintothestreet，andtheclearOctobereveningairbrightenedhersothatasshetuckedherhandunderherhusband'sarmandbegantopullhimalongshesaid，"Ifwefindsomethingrightaway——
　　andwe'rejustaslikelytogettherightflatsoonaslate；it'sallalottery——wellgotothetheatresomewhere。"
　　Shehadamoment'spanicabouthavinglefttheagents'permitsonthetable，andafterrememberingthatshehadputthemintoherlittleshopping-bag，whereshekepthermoneyeachnotecrushedintoaroundwad，andhadheftitonthehat-rack，whereitwouldcertainlybestolen，shefounditonherwrist。Shedidnotthinkthatveryfunny；
　　butafterafirstimpulsetoinculpateherhusband，shelethimlaugh，whiletheystoppedunderalampandsheheldthepermitshalfayardawaytoreadthenumbersonthem。
　　"Whereareyourglasses，Isabel?"
　　"Onthemantelinourroom，ofcourse。"
　　"Thenyououghttohavebroughtapairoftongs。"
　　"Iwouldn'tgetoffsecond-handjokes，Basil，"shesaid；and"Why，here!"
　　shecried，whirlingroundtothedoorbeforewhichtheyhadhalted，"thisistheverynumber。Well，Idobelieveit'sasign!"
　　Oneofthosecoloredmenwhosoftenthetradeofjanitorinmanyofthesmallerapartment-housesinNewYorkbythesweetnessoftheirracelettheMarchesin，or，rather，welcomedthemtothepossessionofthepremisesbythebowwithwhichheacknowledgedtheirpermit。Itwasalarge，oldmansioncutupintofiveorsixdwellings，butithadkeptsometraitsofitsformerdignity，whichpleasedpeopleoftheirsympathetictastes。Thedark-mahoganytrim，ofsufficientlyuglydesign，gavearichgloomtothehallway，whichwaswideandpavedwithmarble；
　　thecarpetedstairscurvedaloftthroughagenerousspace。
　　"Thereisnoelevator?"Mrs。Marchaskedofthejanitor。
　　Heanswered，"No，ma'am；onlytwoflightsup，"sowinninglythatshesaid，"Oh!"incourteousapology，andwhisperedtoherhusband，asshefollowedlightlyup，"We'lltakeit，Basil，ifit'sliketherest。"
　　"Ifit'slikehim，youmean。"
　　"Idon'twondertheywantedtoownthem，"shehurriedlyphilosophized。
　　"IfIhadsuchacreature，nothingbutdeathshouldpartus，andIshouldnomorethinkofgivinghimhisfreedom!"
　　"No；wecouldn'taffordit，"returnedherhusband。
　　Theapartmentwhichthejanitorunlockedforthem，andlitupfromthosechandeliersandbracketsofgiltbrassintheformofvinebunches，leaves，andtendrilsinwhichtheearlygas-fitterrealizedmostofhisconceptionsofbeauty，hadrathermoreoftheuglinessthanthedignityofthehall。Buttheroomswerelarge，andtheygroupedthemselvesinareminiscenceofthetimewhentheywerepartofadwellingthathaditscharm，itspathos，itsimpressiveness。Wheretheywerecutupintosmallerspaces，ithadbeendonewiththefranknesswithwhichaproudoldfamilyoffallenfortunespractisesitseconomies。Theroughpine~
　　floorsshowedablackborderoftack-headswherecarpetshadbeenliftedandputdownforgenerations；thewhitepaintwasyellowwithage；theapartmenthadlightatthefrontandattheback，andtwoorthreeroomshadglimpsesofthedaythroughsmallwindowsletintotheircorners；
　　anotheroneseemedliftinganappealingeyetoheaventhroughaglasscircleinitsceiling；therestmustdarkleinperpetualtwilight。Yetsomethingpleasedinitall，andMrs。Marchhadgonefartoadaptthedifferentroomstothemembersofherfamily，whenshesuddenlythoughtandforhertothinkwastosay，"Why，butthere'snosteamheat!"
　　"No，ma'am，"thejanitoradmitted；"butdere'sgratesinmosto'derooms，anddere'sfurnaceheatindehalls。"
　　"That'strue，"sheadmitted，and，havingplacedherfamilyintheapartments，itwashardtogetthemoutagain。"Couldwemanage?"shereferredtoherhusband。
　　"Why，Ishouldn'tcareforthesteamheatif——Whatistherent?"hebrokeofftoaskthejanitor。
　　"Ninehundred，sir。"
　　Marchconcludedtohiswife，"Ifitwerefurnished。"
　　"Why，ofcourse!WhatcouldIhavebeenthinkingof?We'relookingforafurnishedflat，"sheexplainedtothejanitor，"andthiswassopleasantandhomelikethatIneverthoughtwhetheritwasfurnishedornot。"
　　Shesmileduponthejanitor，andheenteredintothejokeandchuckledsoamiablyatherflatteringoversightonthewaydown-stairsthatshesaid，asshepinchedherhusband'sarm，"Now，ifyoudon'tgivehimaquarterI'llneverspeaktoyouagain，Basil!"
　　"Iwouldhavegivenhalfadollarwillinglytogetyoubeyondhisglamour，"saidMarch，whentheyweresafelyonthepavementoutside。"
　　Ifithadn'tbeenformystrengthofcharacter，you'dhavetakenanunfurnishedflatwithoutheatandwithnoelevator，atninehundredayear，whenyouhadjustswornmetosteamheat，anelevator，furniture，andeighthundred。"
　　"Yes!HowcouldIhavelostmyheadsocompletely?"shesaid，withalenientamusementinheraberrationwhichshewasnotalwaysabletofeelinherhusband's。
　　"Thenexttimeacoloredjanitoropensthedoortous，I'lltellhimtheapartmentdoesn'tsuitatthethreshold。It'stheonlywaytomanageyou，Isabel。"
　　"It'strue。Iaminlovewiththewholerace。Ineversawoneofthemthatdidn'thaveperfectlyangelicmanners。Ithinkweshallallbeblackinheaven——thatis，black-souled。"
　　"Thatisn'ttheusualtheory，"saidMarch。
　　"Well，perhapsnot，"sheassented。"Wherearewegoingnow?Ohyes，totheXenophon!"
　　Shepulledhimgaylyalongagain，andaftertheyhadwalkedablockdownandhalfablockovertheystoodbeforetheapartment-houseofthatname，whichwascutonthegas-lampsoneithersideoftheheavilyspiked，aesthetic-hingedblackdoor。Thetitterofanelectric-bellbroughtalarge，fatButtons，withastageeffectofbeingdressedtolooksmall，whosaidhewouldcallthejanitor，andtheywaitedinthedimlysplendid，copper-coloredinterior，admiringthewhorlsandwavesintowhichthewallpaintwascombed，tillthejanitorcameinhisgold-bandedcap，likeaContinentalporker。WhentheysaidtheywouldliketoseeMrs。GrosvenorGreen'sapartment，heownedhisinabilitytocopewiththeaffair，andsaidhemustsendforthesuperintendent；hewaseitherintheHerodotusortheThucydides，andwouldbethereinaminute。TheButtonsbroughthim——aYankeeofbrowbeatingpresenceinplainclothes——
　　almostbeforetheyhadtimetoexchangeafrightenedwhisperinrecognitionofthefactthattherecouldbenodoubtofthesteamheatandelevatorinthiscase。Halfstifledintheone，theymountedintheothereightstories，whiletheytriedtokeeptheirself-respectunderthegazeofthesuperintendent，whichtheyfeltwasclassingandassessingthemwithunfriendlyaccuracy。Theycouldnot，andtheyfalteredabashedatthethresholdofMrs。GrosvenorGreen'sapartment，whilethesuperintendentlitthegasinthegangwaythathecalledaprivatehall，andinthedrawing-roomandthesuccessionofchambersstretchingrearwardtothekitchen。Everythinghad，beendonebythearchitecttosavespace，andeverything，towasteitbyMrs。GrosvenorGreen。Shehadconformedtoalawforthenecessityofturningroundineachroom，andhadfolding-bedsinthechambers，buttherehersubordinationhadended，andwhereveryoumighthaveturnedroundshehadputagimcracksothatyouwouldknockitoverifyoudidturn。Theplacewasratherprettyandevenimposingatfirstglance，andittookseveraljointballotsforMarchandhiswifetomakesurethatwiththekitchentherewereonlysixrooms。Ateverydoorhungaportierefromlargeringsonabrassrod；everyshelfanddressing-caseandmantelwaslitteredwithgimcracks，andthecornersofthetinyroomswerecurtainedoff，andbehindtheseportieresswarmedmoregimcracks。ThefrontoftheuprightpianohadwhatMarchcalledashort-skirtedportiereonit，andthetopwascoveredwithvases，withdragoncandlesticksandwithJapfans，whichalsoexpandedthemselvesbatwiseonthewallsbetweentheetchingsandthewatercolors。Thefloorswerecoveredwithfilling，andthenrugsandthenskins；theeasy-chairsallhadtidies，ArmenianandTurkishandPersian；theloungesandsofashadembroideredcushionshiddenundertidies。
　　TheradiatorwasconcealedbyaJapscreen，andoverthetopofthissomeArabscarfswereflung。Therewasasuperabundanceofclocks。Chinapugsguardedthehearth；abrasssunflowersmiledfromthetopofeitherandiron，andabrasspeacockspreaditstailbeforetheminsideahighfiligreefender；ononesidewasacoalhodin'repousse'brass，andontheotherawroughtironwood-basket。SomeredJapanesebird-kiteswerestuckaboutinthenecksofspeltervases，acrimsonJapumbrellahungopenedbeneaththechandelier，andeachglobehadashadeofyellowsilk。
　　March，whenhehadrecoveredhisself-commandalittleinthepresenceoftheagglomeration，comfortedhimselfbycallingthebric-a-bracJamescracks，asifthiswastheirfullname。
　　Thedisrespecthewasabletoshowthewholeapartmentbymeansofthisjokestrengthenedhimtosayboldlytothesuperintendentthatitwasaltogethertoosmall；thenheaskedcarelesslywhattherentwas。
　　"Twohundredandfifty。"
　　TheMarchesgaveastart，andlookedateachother。
　　"Don'tyouthinkwecouldmakeitdo?"sheaskedhim，andhecouldseethatshehadmentallysavedfivehundreddollarsasthedifferencebetweentherentoftheirhouseandthatofthisflat。"Ithassomeveryprettyfeatures，andwecouldmanagetosqueezein，couldn'twe?"
　　"Youwon'tfindanotherfurnishedflatlikeitfornotwo-fiftyamonthinthewholecity，"thesuperintendentputin。
　　Theyexchangedglancesagain，andMarchsaid，carelessly，"It'stoosmall。"
　　"There'savacantflatintheHerodotusforeighteenhundredayear，andoneintheThucydidesforfifteen，"thesuperintendentsuggested，clickinghiskeystogetherastheysankdownintheelevator；"sevenroomsandbath。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidMarch；"we'relookingforafurnishedflat。"
　　Theyfeltthatthesuperintendentpartedfromthemwithrepressedsarcasm。
　　"Oh，Basil，doyouthinkwereallymadehimthinkitwasthesmallnessandnotthedearness?"
　　"No，butwesavedourself-respectintheattempt；andthat'sagreatdeal。"
　　"Ofcourse，Iwouldn'thavetakenit，anyway，withonlysixrooms，andsohighup。Butwhatprices!Now，wemustbeverycircumspectaboutthenextplace。"
　　Itwasajanitress，large，fat，withherarmswoundupinherapron，whoreceivedthemthere。Mrs。Marchgaveherasuccinctbutperfectstatementoftheirneeds。Shefailedtograspthenatureofthem，orfeignedtodoso。Sheshookherhead，andsaidthathersonwouldshowthemtheflat。Therewasaradiatorvisibleinthenarrowhall，andIsabeltacitlycompromisedonsteamheatwithoutanelevator，astheflatwasonlyoneflightup。Whenthesonappearedfrombelowwithasmallkerosenehand-lamp，itappearedthattheflatwasunfurnished，buttherewasnostoppinghimtillhehadshownitinallitsimpossibility。WhentheygotsafelyawayfromitandintothestreetMarchsaid:"Well，haveyouhadenoughforto-night，Isabel?Shallwegotothetheatrenow?"
　　"Notonanyaccount。IwanttoseethewholelistofflatsthatMr。
　　Fulkersonthoughtwouldbetheverythingforus。"Shelaughed，butwithacertainbitterness。
　　"You'llbecallinghimmyMr。Fulkersonnext，Isabel。"
　　"Ohno!"
　　Thefourthaddresswasafurnishedflatwithoutakitchen，inahousewithageneralrestaurant。Thefifthwasafurnishedhouse。Atthesixthapatheticwidowandherprettydaughterwantedtotakeafamilytoboard，andwouldgivethemaprivatetableataratewhichtheMarcheswouldhavethoughtlowinBoston。
　　Mrs。Marchcameawaytinglingwithcompassionfortheirevidentanxiety，andthispitynaturallysouredintoasenseofinjury。"Well，ImustsayIhavecompletelylostconfidenceinMr。Fulkerson'sjudgment。AnythingmoreutterlydifferentfromwhatItoldhimwewantedIcouldn'timagine。
　　Ifhedoesn'tmanageanybetterabouthisbusinessthanhehasdoneaboutthis，itwillbeaperfectfailure。"
　　"Well，well，let'shopehe'llbemorecircumspectaboutthat，"herhusbandreturned，withironicalpropitiation。"ButIdon'tthinkit'sFulkerson'sfaultaltogether。Perhapsit'sthehouse-agents'。They'reaveryillusorygeneration。Thereseemstobesomethinginthehumanhabitationthatcorruptsthenaturesofthosewhodealinit，tobuyorsellit，tohireorletit。Yougotoanagentandtellhimwhatkindofahouseyouwant。Hehasnosuchhouse，andhesendsyoutolookatsomethingaltogetherdifferent，uponthewell-ascertainedprinciplethatifyoucan'tgetwhatyouwantyouwilltakewhatyoucanget。Youdon'tsupposethe'party'thattookourhouseinBostonwaslookingforanysuchhouse?Hewaslookingforatotallydifferentkindofhouseinanotherpartofthetown。"
　　"Idon'tbelievethat!"hiswifebrokein。
　　"Well，nomatter。Butseewhatascandalousrentyouaskedforit。"
　　"Wedidn'tgetmuchmorethanhalf；and，besides，theagenttoldmetoaskfourteenhundred。"
　　"Oh，I'mnotblamingyou，Isabel。I'monlyanalyzingthehouse-agentandexoneratingFulkerson。"
　　"Well，Idon'tbelievehetoldthemjustwhatwewanted；and，atanyrate，I'mdonewithagents。TomorrowI'mgoingentirelybyadvertisements。"
　　VIII。
　　Mrs。MarchtookthevertebratewithhertotheViennaCoffee-House，wheretheywenttobreakfastnextmorning。ShemadeMarchbuyhertheHeraldandtheWorld，andsheaddedtoitsspinyconvolutionsfromthem。Shereadthenewadvertisementsaloudwithardorandwithfaithtobelievethattheapartmentsdescribedinthemwereeveryonetruthfullyrepresented，andthatanyoneofthemwasrichlyresponsivetotheirneeds。"Elegant，light，large，singleandoutsideflats"wereofferedwith"allimprovements——bath，ice-box，etc。"——fortwenty-fivetothirtydollarsamonth。Thecheapnesswasamazing。TheWagram，theEsmeralda，theJacinth，advertisedthemforfortydollarsandsixtydollars，"withsteamheatandelevator，"rentfreetillNovember。Others，attractivefromtheirairofconscientiousscruple，announced"first-classflats；
　　goodorder；reasonablerents。"TheHelenaaskedthereaderifshehadseenthe"cabinetfinish，hard-woodfloors，andfrescoedceilings"ofitsfifty-dollarflats；theAsteroidaffirmedthatsuchapartments，with"sixlightroomsandbath，porcelainwash-tubs，electricbells，andhall-boy，"
　　asitofferedforseventy-fivedollarswereunapproachedbycompetition。
　　Therewasasamenessinthejargonwhichtendedtoconfusion。Mrs。Marchgotseveralflatsonherlistwhichpromisedneithersteamheatnorelevators；sheforgotherselfsofarastoincludetwoorthreeasremotefromthedown-townregionofherchoiceasHarlem。Butaftershehadrejectedthesethenondescriptvertebratewasstillvoluminousenoughtosustainherbuoyanthopes。
　　Thewaiter，whorememberedthemfromyeartoyear，hadputthematawindowgivingaprettygoodsectionofBroadway，andbeforetheysetoutontheirsearchtheyhadamomentofreminiscence。TheyrecalledtheBroadwayoffive，often，oftwentyyearsago，swellingandroaringwithatideofgaylypaintedomnibusesandofpicturesquetrafficthatthehorsecarshavenowbanishedfromit。Thegrindoftheirwheelsandtheclashoftheirharshbellsimperfectlyfillthesilencethattheomnibuseshaveleft，andtheeyemissesthetumultuousperspectiveofformertimes。
　　TheywentoutandstoodforamomentbeforeGraceChurch，andlookeddownthestatelythoroughfare，andfounditnolongerimpressive，nolongercharacteristic。ItisstillBroadwayinname，butnowitislikeanyotherstreet。Youdonotnowtakeyourlifeinyourhandwhenyouattempttocrossit；theBroadwaypolicemanwhosupportedtheelbowoftimorousbeautyinthehollowofhiscotton-glovedpalmandguideditslittlefearfulbootsoverthecrossing，whilehearrestedthebillowyomnibusesoneithersidewithanimperiousglance，isgone，andallthatcertainprocessional，barbaricgayetyoftheplaceisgone。
　　"Palmyra，Baalbec，TimouroftheDesert，"saidMarch，voicingtheircommonfeelingofthechange。
　　Theyturnedandwentintothebeautifulchurch，andfoundthemselvesintimeforthematinservice。RaptfarfromNewYork，ifnotfromearth，inthedimrichnessofthepaintedlight，thehallowedmusictookthemwithsolemnecstasy；theaerial，aspiringGothicformsseemedtoliftthemheavenward。Theycameout，reluctant，intothedazzleandbustleofthestreet，withafeelingthattheyweretoogoodforit，whichtheyconfessedtoeachotherwithwhimsicalconsciousness。
　　"Butnomatterhowconsecratedwefeelnow，"hesaid，"wemustn'tforgetthatwewentintothechurchforpreciselythesamereasonthatwewenttotheViennaCaf?forbreakfast——togratifyanaestheticsense，torenewthefadedpleasureoftravelforamoment，togetbackintotheEuropeofouryouth。ItwasapurelyPaganimpulse，Isabel，andwe'dbetterownit。"
　　"Idon'tknow，"shereturned。"Ithinkwereduceourselvestothebarebonestoomuch。Iwishwedidn'talwaysrecognizethefactsaswedo。
　　SometimesIshouldliketoblinkthem。IshouldliketothinkIwasdevouterthanIam，andyoungerandprettier。"
　　"Betternot；youcouldn'tkeepitup。Honestyisthebestpolicyeveninsuchthings。"
　　"No；Idon'tlikeit，Basil。Ishouldratherwaittillthelastdayforsomeofmymotivestocometothetop。Iknowthey'realwaysmixed，butdoletmegivethemthebenefitofadoubtsometimes。"
　　"Well，well，haveityourownway，mydear。ButIprefernottolayupsomanydisagreeablesurprisesformyselfatthattime。"
　　Shewouldnotconsent。"IknowIamagooddealyoungerthanIwas。
　　IfeelquiteinthemoodofthatmorningwhenwewalkeddownBroadwayonourweddingjourney。Don'tyou?"
　　"Ohyes。ButIknowI'mnotyounger；I'monlyprettier。"
　　Shelaughedforpleasureinhisjoke，andalsoforunconsciousjoyinthegayNewYorkweather，inwhichtherewasno'arrierepensee'oftheeastwind。TheyhadcrossedBroadway，andwerewalkingovertoWashingtonSquare，intheregionofwhichtheynowhopedtoplacethemselves。The'primotenore'statueofGaribaldihadalreadytakenpossessionoftheplaceinthenameofLatinprogress，andtheymetItalianfaces，Frenchfaces，Spanishfaces，astheystrolledovertheasphaltwalks，underthethinningshadowsoftheautumn-strickensycamores。TheymetthefamiliarpicturesqueraggednessofSouthernEuropewiththeoldkindlyillusionthatsomehowitexistedfortheirappreciation，andthatitfoundadequatecompensationforpovertyinthis。MarchthoughthesufficientlyexpressedhistacitsympathyinsittingdownononeoftheironbencheswithhiswifeandlettingalittleNeapolitanputasuperfluousshineonhisboots，whiletheirdesultorycommentwanderedwithequalesteemtotheold-fashionedAmericanrespectabilitywhichkeepsthenorthsideofthesquareinvastmansionsofredbrick，andtheinternationalshabbinesswhichhasinvadedthesouthernborder，andbrokenitupintolodging-houses，shops，beer-gardens，andstudios。
　　Theynoticedthesignofanapartmenttoletonthenorthside，andassoonasthelittlebootblackcouldbeboughtofftheywentovertolookatit。Thejanitormetthematthedoorandexaminedthem。Thenhesaid，asifstillindoubt，"Ithastenrooms，andtherentistwenty-
　　eighthundreddollars。"
　　"Itwouldn'tdo，then，"Marchreplied，andlefthimtodividetheresponsibilitybetweenthepaucityoftheroomsandtheenormityoftherentashebestmight。Buttheirself-lovehadreceivedawound，andtheyquestionedeachotherwhatitwasintheirappearancemadehimdoubttheirabilitytopaysomuch。
　　"Ofcourse，wedon'tlooklikeNew-Yorkers，"sighedMrs。March，"andwe'vewalkedthroughtheSquare。ThatmightbeasifwehadwalkedalongtheParkStreetmallintheCommonbeforewecameoutonBeacon。Doyousupposehecouldhaveseenyougettingyourbootsblackedinthatway?"
　　"It'suselesstoask，"saidMarch。"ButInevercanrecoverfromthisblow。"
　　"Oh，pshaw!YouknowyouhatesuchthingsasbadlyasIdo。Itwasveryimpertinentofhim。"
　　"Letusgobackand'ecraserl'infame'bypayinghimayear'srentinadvanceandtakingimmediatepossession。Nothingelsecansoothemywoundedfeelings。Youwerenothavingyourbootsblacked:whyshouldn'thehavesupposedyouwereaNew-Yorker，andIacountrycousin?"
　　"Theyalwaysknow。Don'tyourememberMrs。Williams'sgoingtoaFifthAvenuemillinerinaWorthdress，andthewoman'saskingherinstantlywhathotelsheshouldsendherhatto?"
　　"Yes；thesethingsdriveonetodespair。Idon'twonderthebodiesofsomanygenteelstrangersarefoundinthewatersaroundNewYork。Shallwetrythesouthside，mydear?orhadwebettergobacktoourroomsandrestawhile?"
　　Mrs。Marchhadoutthevertebrate，andwasconsultingoneofitsglitteringribsandglancingupfromitatahousebeforewhichtheystood。"Yes，it'sthenumber；butdotheycallthisbeingreadyOctoberfirst?"Thelittleareainfrontofthebasementwasheapedwithamixtureofmortar，bricks，laths，andshavingsfromtheinterior；thebrownstonestepstothefrontdoorweresimilarlybestrewn；thedoorwayshowedthehalf-open，roughpinecarpenter'ssketchofanunfinishedhouse；thesashlesswindowsofeverystoryshowedtheactivityofworkmenwithin；theclatterofhammersandthehissofsawscameouttothemfromeveryopening。
　　"TheymaycallitOctoberfirst，"saidMarch，"becauseit'stoolatetocontradictthem。Butthey'dbetternotcallitDecemberfirstinmypresence；I'llletthemsayJanuaryfirst，atapinch。"
　　"Wewillgoinandlookatit，anyway，"saidhiswife；andheadmiredhow，whenshewasoncewithin，shebeganprovisionallytosettlethefamilyineachoftheseveralfloorswiththefemaleinstinctfordomiciliationwhichneverfailedher。Shehadthehelpofthelandlord，whowaspresenttourgeforwardtheworkmenapparently；helentahopefulfancytothesolutionofallherquestions。TogetherfromunderhisinfluenceMarchhadtorepresentthattheplacewasdampfromundriedplastering，andthatifshestayedshewouldprobablybedownwiththatNewYorkpneumoniawhichvisitingBostoniansarealwaysdyingof。Oncesafelyonthepavementoutside，sherealizedthattheapartmentwasnotonlyunfinished，butunfurnished，andhadneithersteamheatnorelevator。"ButIthoughtwehadbetterlookateverything，"sheexplained。
　　"Yes，butnottakeeverything。IfIhadn'tpulledyouawayfromtherebymainforceyou'dhavenotonlydiedofNewYorkpneumoniaonthespot，butyou'dhavehadusallsettledtherebeforeweknewwhatwewereabout。"
　　"Well，that'swhatIcan'thelp，Basil。It'stheonlywayIcanrealizewhetheritwilldoforus。Ihavetodramatizethewholething。"
　　Shegotadealofpleasureaswellasexcitementoutofthis，andhehadtoownthattheprocessofsettinguphousekeepinginsomanydifferentplaceswasnotonlyentertaining，buttended，throughassociationwiththeirfirstbeginningsinhousekeeping，torestoretheimageoftheirearlymarrieddaysandtomakethemyoungagain。
　　Itwentonallday，andcontinuedfarintothenight，untilitwastoolatetogotothetheatre，toolatetodoanythingbuttumbleintobedandsimultaneouslyfallasleep。Theygroanedovertheirreiterateddisappointments，buttheycouldnotdenythattheinterestwasunfailing，andthattheygotagreatdealoffunoutofitall。NothingcouldabateMrs。March'sfaithinheradvertisements。Oneofthemsenthertoaflatoftenroomswhichpromisedtobethesolutionofalltheirdifficulties；
　　itprovedtobeoveralivery-stable，aliquorstore，andamilliner'sshop，noneofthefirstfashion。AnotherledthemfarintooldGreenwichVillagetoanapartment-house，whichsherefusedtoenterbehindasmallgirlwithaloafofbreadunderonearmandaquartcanofmilkundertheother。
　　Intheirsearchtheywereobliged，asMarchcomplained，totheacquisitionofuselessinformationinadegreeunequalledintheirexperience。Theycametoexcelinthesadknowledgeofthelineatwhichrespectabilitydistinguishesitselffromshabbiness。Flatteringadvertisementstookthemtonumbersofhugeapartment-houseschieflydistinguishablefromtenement-housesbytheabsenceoffire-escapesontheirfacades，tillMrs。Marchrefusedtostopatanydoorwherethereweremorethansixbell-ratchetsandspeaking-tubesoneitherhand。
　　Beforethemiddleoftheafternoonshedecidedagainstratchetsaltogether，andconfinedherselftoknobs，neatlysetinthedoor-trim。
　　HerhusbandwasstillsunkinthesuperstitionthatyoucanliveanywhereyoulikeinNewYork，andhewouldhavepausedatsomeplaceswhereherquickereyecaughtthefatalsignof"Modes"intheground-floorwindows。
　　Shefoundthattherewasaneastandwestlinebeyondwhichtheycouldnotgoiftheywishedtokeeptheirself-respect，andthatwithintheregiontowhichtheyhadrestrictedthemselvestherewasachoiceofstreets。AtfirstalltheNewYorkstreetslookedtothemill-paved，dirty，andrepulsive；thegeneralinfamyimparteditselfintheircasualimpressiontostreetsinnowiseguilty。Buttheybegantonoticethatsomestreetswerequietandclean，and，thoughneversoquietandcleanasBostonstreets，thattheyworeanairofencouragingreform，andsuggestedafutureofgreaterandgreaterdomesticity。Wholeblocksofthesedowntowncross-streetsseemedtohavebeenredeemedfromdecay，andeveninthemidstofsqualoradwellinghereandtherehadbeenseized，paintedadullredastoitsbrick-work，andaglossyblackastoitswood-work，andwithabrightbrassbell-pullanddoor-knobandalargebrassplateforitskey-holeescutcheon，hadbeenendowedwithaneffectofpurityandpridewhichremoveditsshabbyneighborhoodfarfromit。
　　Someofthesehouseswerequitesmall，andimaginablywithintheirmeans；
　　but，asMarchsaid，somebodyseemedalwaystobelivingtherehimself，andthefactthatnoneofthemwastorentkeptMrs。Marchtruetoheridealofafiat。NothingpreventeditsrealizationsomuchasitsdifferencefromtheNewYorkidealofaflat，whichwasinflexiblysevenroomsandabath。Oneortworoomsmightbeatthefront，therestcrookedandcorneredbackwardthroughincreasingandthendecreasingdarknesstilltheyreachedalightbedroomorkitchenattherear。
　　Itmightbetheoneortheother，butitwasalwaystheseventhroomwiththebath；orif，assometimeshappened，itwastheeighth，itwassoafterhavingcountedthebathasone；inthiscasethejanitorsaidyoualwayscountedthebathasone。Iftheflatswereadvertisedashaving"alllightrooms，"heexplainedthatanyroomwithawindowgivingintotheopenairofacourtorshaftwascountedalightroom。
　　TheMarchestriedtomakeoutwhyitwasthattheseflatsweregomuchmorerepulsivethantheapartmentswhicheveryonelivedinabroad；buttheycouldonlydosouponthesuppositionthatintheirEuropeandaystheyweretooyoung，toohappy，toofullofthefuture，tonoticewhetherroomswereinsideoroutside，lightordark，bigorlittle，highorlow。
　　"Nowwe'reimprisonedinthepresent，"hesaid，"andwehavetomaketheworstofit。"
　　Intheirdespairhehadaninspiration，whichshedeclaredworthyofhim:
　　itwastotaketwosmallflats，offourorfiveroomsandabath，andliveinboth。Theytriedthisinagreatmanyplaces，buttheynevercouldgettwoflatsofthekindonthesamefloorwheretherewassteamheatandanelevator。Atoneplacetheyalmostdidit。Theyhadresignedthemselvestothehumilityoftheneighborhood，totheprevalenceofmodistesandlivery-stablementheyseemtoconsortmuchinNewYork，tothegarbageintheguttersandthelitterofpaperinthestreets，tothefalteringslatsinthesurroundingwindow-shuttersandthecrumbledbrownstonestepsandsills，whenitturnedoutthatoneoftheapartmentshadbeentakenbetweentwovisitstheymade。Thentheonlycombinationleftopentothemwasofaground-floorflattotherightandathird-floorflattotheleft。
　　Stilltheykeptthisinspirationinreserveforuseatthefirstopportunity。Inthemeantimetherewereseveralflatswhichtheythoughttheycouldalmostmakedo:notablyonewheretheycouldgetanextraservant'sroominthebasementfourflightsdown，andanotherwheretheycouldgetitintherooffiveflightsup。Atthefirstthejanitorwasrespectfulandenthusiastic；atthesecondhehadaneffectofironicalpessimism。Whentheytrembledonthevergeoftakinghisapartment，hepointedoutaspotinthekalsominingoftheparlorceiling，andgratuitouslysaid，Nowsuchathingasthatheshouldnotagreetoputinshapeunlesstheytooktheapartmentforatermofyears。
　　Theapartmentwasunfurnished，andtheyrecurredtothefactthattheywantedafurnishedapartment，andmadetheirescape。Thissavedtheminseveralotherextremities；butshortofextremitytheycouldnotkeeptheirdifferentrequirementsinmind，andwerealwaysabouttodecidewithoutregardtosomeoneofthem。
　　Theywenttoseveralplacestwicewithoutintending:oncetothatold-
　　fashionedhousewiththepleasantcoloredjanitor，andwanderedallovertheapartmentagainwithahauntingsenseoffamiliarity，andthenrecognizedthejanitorandlaughed；andtothathousewiththepatheticwidowandtheprettydaughterwhowishedtotakethemtoboard。Theystayedtoexcusetheirblunder，andeasilycamebythefactthatthemotherhadtakenthehousethatthegirlmighthaveahomewhileshewasinNewYorkstudyingart，andtheyhopedtopaytheirwaybytakingboarders。Herdaughterwasatherclassnow，themotherconcluded；andtheyencouragedhertobelievethatitcouldonlybeafewdaystilltherestofherschemewasrealized。
　　"Idaresaywecouldbeperfectlycomfortablethere，"Marchsuggestedwhentheyhadgotaway。"Nowifweweretrulyhumanewewouldmodifyourdesirestomeettheirneedsandendthissickeningsearch，wouldn'twe?"
　　"Yes，butwe'renottrulyhumane，"hiswifeanswered，"oratleastnotinthatsense。Youknowyouhateboarding；andifwewentthereIshouldhavethemonmysympathiesthewholetime。"
　　"Isee。Andthenyouwouldtakeitoutofme。"
　　"ThenIshouldtakeitoutofyou。Andifyouaregoingtobesoweak，Basil，andleteverylittlethingworkuponyouinthatway，you'dbetternotcometoNewYork。You'llseeenoughmiseryhere。"
　　"Well，don'ttakethatsuperiortonewithme，asifIwereachildthathaditsmindsetonanundesirabletoy，Isabel。"
　　"Ah，don'tyousupposeit'sbecauseyouaresuchachildinsomerespectsthatIlikeyou，dear?"shedemanded，withoutrelenting。
　　"ButIdon'tfindsomuchmiseryinNewYork。Idon'tsupposethere'sanymoresufferingheretothepopulationthanthereisinthecountry。
　　Andthey'resogayaboutitall。Ithinktheoutwardaspectoftheplaceandthehilarityoftheskyandairmustgetintothepeople'sblood。
　　Theweatherissimplyunapproachable；andIdon'tcareifitistheugliestplaceintheworld，asyousay。Isupposeitis。Itshrieksandyellswithuglinesshereandtherebutitneverlosesitsspirits。Thatwidowisfromthecountry。Whenshe'sbeenayearinNewYorkshe'llbeasgay——asgayasanLroad。"HecelebratedasatisfactiontheybothhadintheLroads。"Theykillthestreetsandavenues，butatleasttheypartiallyhidethem，andthatissomecomfort；andtheydotriumphovertheirprostrateformswithasavageexultationthatisintoxicating。
　　ThosebendsintheLthatyougetinthecornerofWashingtonSquare，orjustbelowtheCooperInstitute——they'rethegayestthingsintheworld。
　　Perfectlyatrocious，ofcourse，butincomparablypicturesque!Andthewholecityisso，"saidMarch，"orelsetheLwouldneverhavegotbuilthere。NewYorkmaybesplendidlygayorsqualidlygay；but，princeorpauper，it'sgayalways。"
　　"Yes，gayistheword，"sheadmitted，withasigh。"Butfrantic。
　　Ican'tgetusedtoit。Theyforgetdeath，Basil；theyforgetdeathinNewYork。"
　　"Well，Idon'tknowthatI'veeverfoundmuchadvantageinrememberingit。"
　　"Don'tsaysuchathing，dearest。"
　　Hecouldseethatshehadgottotheendofhernervousstrengthforthepresent，andheproposedthattheyshouldtaketheElevatedroadasfarasitwouldcarrythemintothecountry，andshakeofftheirnightmareofflat-huntingforanhourortwo；butherconsciencewouldnotlether。
　　SheconvictedhimoflevityequaltothatoftheNew-Yorkersinproposingsuchathing；andtheydraggedthroughtheday。Shewastootiredtocarefordinner，andinthenightshehadadreamfromwhichshewokeherselfwithacrythatrousedhim，too。Itwassomethingaboutthechildrenatfirst，whomtheyhadtalkedofwistfullybeforefallingasleep，andthenitwasofahideousthingwithtwosquareeyesandaseriesofsectionsgrowingdarkerandthenlighter，tillthetailofthemonstrousarticulatewasquiteluminousagain。Sheshudderedatthevaguedescriptionshewasabletogive；butheasked，"Diditoffertobiteyou?"
　　"No。Thatwasthemostfrightfulthingaboutit；ithadnomouth。"
　　Marchlaughed。"Why，mydear，itwasnothingbutaharmlessNewYorkflat——sevenroomsandabath。"
　　"Ireallybelieveitwas，"sheconsented，recognizinganarchitecturalresemblance，andshefellasleepagain，andwokerenewedfortheworkbeforethem。
　　IX。
　　Theirhouse-huntingnolongerhadnovelty，butitstillhadinterest；andtheyvariedtheirdaybytakingacoupe，byrenouncingadvertisements，andbyrevertingtoagents。Someoftheseinducedthemtoconsidertheideaoffurnishedhouses；andMrs。MarchlearnedtoleranceforFulkersonbyacceptingpermitstovisitflatsandhouseswhichhadnoneofthequalificationsshedesiredineither，andwereasfarbeyondhermeansastheywereoutoftheregiontowhichshehadgeographicallyrestrictedherself。Theylookedatthree-thousandandfour-thousanddollarapartments，andrejectedthemforonereasonoranotherwhichhadnothingtodowiththerent；thehighertherentwas，themorecriticaltheywereoftheslipperyinlaidfloorsandthearrangementoftherichlydecoratedrooms。Theyneverknewwhethertheyhaddeceivedthejanitorornot；astheycameinacoupe，theyhopedtheyhad。
　　TheydroveaccidentallythroughonestreetthatseemedgayerintheperspectivethananLroad。Thefire-escapes，withtheirlightironbalconiesandladdersofiron，decoratedtheloftyhousefronts；theroadwayandsidewalksanddoor-stepsswarmedwithchildren；women'sheadsseemedtoshowateverywindow。Inthebasements，overwhichflightsofhighstonestepsledtothetenements，weregreen-grocers'shopsaboundingincabbages，andprovisionstoresrunningchieflytobaconandsausages，andcobblers'andtinners'shops，andthelike，inproportiontothesmallneedsofapoorneighborhood。Ashbarrelslinedthesidewalks，andgarbageheapsfilledthegutters；teamsofalltradesstoodidlyabout；apeddlerofcheapfruiturgedhiscartthroughthestreet，andmixedhiscrywiththejoyousscreamsandshoutsofthechildrenandthescoldingandgossipingvoicesofthewomen；theburlybluebulkofapolicemandefineditselfatthecorner；adrunkardzigzaggeddownthesidewalktowardhim。Itwasnottheabodeoftheextremestpoverty，butofapovertyashopelessasanyintheworld，transmittingitselffromgenerationtogeneration，andestablishingconditionsofpermanencytowhichhumanlifeadjustsitselfasitdoestothoseofsomeincurabledisease，likeleprosy。
　　ThetimehadbeenwhentheMarcheswouldhavetakenapurelyaestheticviewofthefactsastheyglimpsedtheminthisstreetoftenement-
　　houses；whentheywouldhavecontentedthemselveswithsayingthatitwasaspicturesqueasastreetinNaplesorFlorence，andwithwonderingwhynobodycametopaintit；theywouldhavethoughttheyweresufficientlyseriousaboutitinblamingtheartistsfortheirfailuretoappreciateit，andgoingabroadforthepicturesquewhentheyhadithereundertheirnoses。Itwastothenosethatthestreetmadeoneofitsstrongestappeals，andMrs。Marchpulledupherwindowofthecoupe。
　　"Whydoeshetakeusthroughsuchadisgustingstreet?"shedemanded，withanexasperationofwhichherhusbanddivinedtheorigin。
　　"Thisdrivermaybeaphilanthropistindisguise，"heanswered，withdreamyirony，"andmaywantustothinkaboutthepeoplewhoarenotmerelycarriedthroughthisstreetinacoupe，buthavetospendtheirwholelivesinit，winterandsummer，withnohopesofdrivingoutofit，exceptinahearse。Imustsaytheydon'tseemtomindit。Ihaven'tseenajolliercrowdanywhereinNewYork。Theyseemtohaveforgottendeathalittlemorecompletelythananyoftheirfellow-citizens，Isabel。
　　AndIwonderwhattheythinkofus，makingthisgorgeousprogressthroughtheirmidst。Isupposetheythinkwe'rerich，andhateus——iftheyhaterichpeople；theydon'tlookasiftheyhatedanybody。Shouldwebeaspatientastheyarewiththeirdiscomfort?Idon'tbelievethere'ssteamheatoranelevatorinthewholeblock。Sevenroomsandabathwouldbemorethanthelargestandgenteelestfamilywouldknowwhattodowith。
　　Theywouldn'tknowwhattodowiththebath，anyway。"
　　Hismonologueseemedtointeresthiswifeapartfromthesatiricalpointithadforthemselves。"YououghttogetMr。FulkersontoletyouworksomeoftheseNewYorksightsupforEveryOtherWeek，Basil；youcoulddothemverynicely。"
　　"Yes；I'vethoughtofthat。Butdon'tlet'sleavethepersonalground。
　　Doesn'titmakeyoufeelrathersmallandotherwiseunworthywhenyouseethekindofstreetthesefellow-beingsofyourslivein，andthenthinkhowparticularyouareaboutlocalityandthenumberofbellpulls?
　　Idon'tseeevenratchetsandspeaking-tubesatthesedoors。"Hecranedhisneckoutofthewindowforabetterlook，andthechildrenofdiscomfortcheeredhim，outofsheergoodfeelingandhighspirits。
　　"Ididn'tknowIwassopopular。Perhapsit'sarecognitionofmyhumanesentiments。"
　　"Oh，it'sveryeasytohavehumanesentiments，andtosatirizeourselvesforwantingeightroomsandabathinagoodneighborhood，whenweseehowthesewretchedcreatureslive，"saidhiswife。"Butifwesharedallwehavewiththem，andthensettleddownamongthem，whatgoodwoulditdo?"
　　"Nottheleastintheworld。Itmighthelpusforthemoment，butitwouldn'tkeepthewolffromtheirdoorsforaweek；andthentheywouldgoonjustasbefore，onlytheywouldn'tbeonsuchgoodtermswiththewolf。Theonlywayforthemistokeepupanunbrokenintimacywiththewolf；thentheycanmanagehimsomehow。Idon'tknowhow，andI'mafraidIdon'twantto。Wouldn'tyouliketohavethisfellowdriveusroundamongthehallsofpridesomewhereforalittlewhile?FifthAvenueorMadison，up-town?"