Mrs。Mandelattemptedadiversion。"HaveyouheardanyofourgreatNewYorkpreachersyet，Mrs。March?"
　　"No，Ihaven't，"Mrs。Marchadmitted；andshetriedtoimplybyhercandidtonethatsheintendedtobeginhearingthemtheverynextSunday。
　　"Thereareagreatmanythingshere，"saidConrad，"totakeyourthoughtsoffthepreachingthatyouhearinmostofthechurches。Ithinkthecityitselfispreachingthebestsermonallthetime。"
　　"Idon'tknowthatIunderstandyou，"saidMarch。
　　Melaansweredforhim。"Oh，Conradhasgotalotofnotionsthatnobodycanunderstand。Yououghttoseethechurchhegoestowhenhedoesgo。
　　I'daboutasliefgotoaCatholicchurchmyself；Idon'tseeabito'
　　difference。He'sthegreatestcronywithoneoftheirpreachers；hedressesjustlikeapriest，andhesaysheisapriest。"Shelaughedforenjoymentofthefact，andherbrothercastdownhiseyes。
　　Mrs。March，inherturn，triedtotakefromitthepersonaltonewhichthetalkwasalwaysassuming。"Haveyoubeentothefallexhibition?"
　　sheaskedChristine；andthegirldrewherselfupoutoftheabstractionsheseemedsunkin。
　　"Theexhibition?"ShelookedatMrs。Mandel。
　　"ThepicturesoftheAcademy，youknow，"Mrs。Mandelexplained。
　　"WhereIwantedyoutogothedayyouhadyourdresstriedon，"
　　"No；wehaven'tbeenyet。Isitgood?"ShehadturnedtoMrs。Marchagain。
　　"Ibelievethefallexhibitionsareneversogoodasthespringones。
　　Buttherearesomegoodpictures。"
　　"Idon'tbelieveIcaremuchaboutpictures，"saidChristine。"Idon'tunderstandthem。"
　　"Ah，that'snoexcusefornotcaringaboutthem，"saidMarch，lightly。
　　"Thepaintersthemselvesdon't，halfthetime。"
　　Thegirllookedathimwiththatglanceatoncedefiantandappealing，insolentandanxious，whichhehadnoticedbefore，especiallywhenshestoleittowardhimselfandhiswifeduringhersister'sbabble。InthelightofFulkerson'shistoryofthefamily，itsoriginanditsambition，heinterpretedittomeanasenseofhersister'sfollyandanignorantwilltooverridehisopinionofanythingincongruousinthemselvesandtheirsurroundings。Hesaidtohimselfthatshewasdeathlyproud——tooproudtotrytopalliateanything，butcapableofanythingthatwouldputothersunderherfeet。Hereyesseemedhopelesslytoquestionhiswife'ssocialquality，andhefancied，withnotunkindlyinterest，theinexperiencedgirl'sdoubtwhethertotreatthemwithmuchorlittlerespect。Helosthimselfinfanciesaboutherandherideals，necessarilysordid，ofherpossibilitiesofsuffering，ofthetriumphsanddisappointmentsbeforeher。Hersisterwouldacceptbothwithalightnessthatwouldkeepnotraceofeither；butinhertheywouldsinklastinglydeep。HecameoutofhisreverietofindMrs。Dryfoossayingtohim，inherhoarsevoice:
　　"Ithinkit'sashame，someofthepictur'sabodyseesinthewinders。
　　Theysaythere'salawag'instthemthings；andifthereis，Idon'tunderstandwhythepolicedon'ttakeupthemthatpaints'em。Ihear182
　　tell，sinceIbeenhere，thatthere'swomenthatgoestohavepictur'stookfromthemthatwaybymenpainters。"ThepointseemedaimedatMarch，asifhewerepersonallyresponsibleforthescandal，anditfellwithasilencingeffectforthemoment。Nobodyseemedwillingtotakeitup，andMrs。Dryfooswenton，withanoldwoman'sseverity:"Isaytheyoughttobealltarredandfeatheredandrodeonarail。They'dbedrummedoutoftowninMoffitt。"
　　MissMelasaid，withacrowinglaugh:"Ishouldthinktheywould!Andtheywouldn'tanybodygolownecktotheopera-housethere，either——notlowneckthewaytheydohere，anyway。"
　　"Andthatpackofworthlesshussies，"hermotherresumed，"thatcomeoutonthestage，andbeguntokick"
　　"Laws，mother!"thegirlshouted，"Ithoughtyousaidyouhadyoureyesshut!"
　　Allbutthesetwosimplercreatureswereabashedattheindecorumofsuggestinginwordsthecommonplacesofthetheatreandofart。
　　"Well，Idid，Mely，assoonasIcouldbelievemyeyes。Idon'tknowwhatthey'redoin'inalltheirchurches，toletsuchthingsgoon，"saidtheoldwoman。"It'sasinandashame，Ithink。Don'tyou，Coonrod?"
　　Aringatthedoorcutshortwhateveranswerhewasabouttodeliver。
　　"Ifit'sgoingtobecompany，Coonrod，"saidhismother，makinganefforttorise，"IreckonIbettergoup-stairs。"
　　"It'sMr。Fulkerson，Iguess，"saidConrad。"Hethoughthemightcome"；
　　andatthementionofthislightspiritMrs。Dryfoossankcontentedlybackinherchair，andarelaxationoftheirpainfultensionseemedtopassthroughthewholecompany。Conradwenttothedoorhimselftheserving-mantentatively，appearedsomeminuteslaterandletinFulkerson'scheerfulvoicebeforehischeerfulperson。
　　"Ah，howdyedo，Conrad?Broughtourfriend，Mr。Beaton，withme，"thosewithinheardhimsay；andthen，afterasoundofputtingoffovercoats，theysawhimfillthedoorway，withhisfeetsetsquareandhisarmsakimbo。
　　IX。
　　"Ah!hello!hello!"Fulkersonsaid，inrecognitionoftheMarches。
　　"Regulargatheringoftheclans。Howareyou，Mrs。Dryfoos?Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Mandel，MissChristine，Mela，AuntHitty，andallthefolks?
　　Howyouwuz?"Heshookhandsgaylyallround，andtookachairnexttheoldlady，whosehandhekeptinhisown，andleftConradtointroduceBeaton。ButhewouldnotlettheshadowofBeaton'ssolemnityfalluponthecompany。HebegantojokewithMrs。Dryfoos，andtomatchrheumatismswithher，andheincludedalltheladiesintherangeofappropriatepleasantries。"I'vebroughtMr。Beatonalongto-night，andIwantyoutomakehimfeelathome，likeyoudome，Mrs。Dryfoos。
　　Hehasn'tgotanyrheumatismtospeakof；buthisparentsliveinSyracuse，andhe'sakindofanorphan，andwe'vejustadoptedhimdownattheoffice。Whenyougoingtobringtheyoungladiesdownthere，Mrs。
　　Mandel，forachampagnelunch?Iwillhavesomehydro-Mela，andChristineit，heigh?How'sthatforalittlestarter?Wedroppedinatyourplaceamoment，Mrs。March，andgavetheyoungfolksafewpointersabouttheirstudies。Mygoodness!itdoesmegoodtoseeaboylikethatofyours；business，fromthewordgo；andyourgirljustscoopsmyyouthfulaffections。She'sabeauty，andIguessshe'sgood，too。Well，well，whataworlditis!MissChristine，won'tyoushowMr。Beatonthatsealringofyours?Heknowsaboutsuchthings，andIbroughthimheretoseeitasmuchasanything。It'sanintaglioIbroughtfromtheotherside，"heexplainedtoMrs。March，"andIguessyou'llliketolookatit。TriedtogiveittotheDryfoosfamily，andwhenIcouldn't，Isolditto'em。BoundtoseeitonMissChristine'shandsomehow!Holdon!
　　Lethimseeitwhereitbelongs，first!"
　　Hearrestedthegirlinthemotionshemadetotakeoffthering，andletherhavethepleasureofshowingherhandtothecompanywiththeringonit。Thenhelefthertohearthepainter'swordsaboutit，whichhecontinuedtodeliverdissyllabicallyashestoodwithherunderagas-
　　jet，twistinghiselasticfigureandbendinghisheadoverthering。
　　"Well，Mely，child，"Fulkersonwenton，withanopentravestyofhermother'shabitualaddress，"andhowareyougettingalong?Mrs。Mandelholdyouuptotheproprietiesprettystrictly?Well，that'sright。
　　Youknowyou'dberoamingalloverthepastureifshedidn't。"
　　Thegirlgurgledoutherpleasureinhisfunning，andeverybodytookhim。
　　onhisowngroundofprivilegedcharacter。Hebroughtthemalltogetherintheirfriendlinessforhimself，andbeforetheeveningwasoverhehadinspiredMrs。Mandeltohavethemservedwithcoffee，andhadmadeboththegirlsfeelthattheyhadfiguredbrilliantlyinsociety，andthattwoyoungmenhadbeendevotedtothem。
　　"Oh，Ithinkhe'sjustaslovelyashecanlive!"saidMela，asshestoodamomentwithhersisteronthesceneofhertriumph，wheretheothershadleftthemafterthedepartureoftheirguests。
　　"Who?"askedChristine，deeply。Assheglanceddownatherring，hereyesburnedwithasoftenedfire。
　　ShehadallowedBeatontochangeithimselffromthefingerwhereshehadwornittothefingeronwhichhesaidsheoughttowearit。Shedidnotknowwhetheritwasrighttolethim，butshewasgladshehaddoneit。
　　"Who?Mr。Fulkerson，goosie-poosie!NotthatoldstuckupMr。Beatonofyours!"
　　"Heisproud，"assentedChristine，withathrobofexultation。
　　BeatonandFulkersonwenttotheElevatedstationwiththeMarches；butthepaintersaidhewasgoingtowalkhome，andFulkersonlethimgoalone。
　　"Onewayisenoughforme，"heexplained。"WhenIwalkup，Idon't。
　　walkdown。Bye-bye，myson!"HebegantalkingaboutBeatontotheMarchesastheyclimbedthestationstairstogether。"Thatfellowpuzzlesme。Idon'tknowanybodythatIhavesuchadesiretokick，andatthesametimethatIwanttoflatterupsomuch。Affectyouthatway?"heaskedofMarch。
　　"Well，asfarasthekickinggoes，yes。"
　　"Andhowisitwithyou，Mrs。March?"
　　"Oh，Iwanttoflatterhimup。"
　　"No；really?Why?Holdon!I'vegotthechange。"
　　FulkersonpushedMarchawayfromtheticket-officewindow；andmadethemhisguests，withtheinexorableAmericanhospitality，fortheridedown-
　　town。"Three!"hesaidtotheticket-seller；and，whenhehadwalkedthembeforehimoutontheplatformanddroppedhisticketsintotheurn，hepersistedinhisinquiry，"Why?"
　　"Why，becauseyoualwayswanttoflatterconceitedpeople，don'tyou?"
　　Mrs。Marchanswered，withalaugh。
　　"Doyou?Yes，Iguessyoudo。YouthinkBeatonisconceited?"
　　"Well，slightly，Mr。Fulkerson。"
　　"Iguessyou'repartlyright，"saidFulkerson，withasigh，sounaccountableinitsconnectionthattheyalllaughed。
　　"Anideal'busted'?"Marchsuggested。
　　"No，notthat，exactly，"saidFulkerson。"ButIhadanotionmaybeBeatonwasn'tconceitedallthetime。"
　　"Oh!"Mrs。Marchexulted，"nobodycouldbesoconceitedallthetimeasMr。Beatonismostofthetime。Hemusthavemomentsofthedirestmodesty，whenhe'dbequiteflattery-proof。"
　　"Yes，that'swhatImean。Iguessthat'swhatmakesmewanttokickhim。
　　He'sleftcomplimentsonmyhandsthatnodecentmanwould。"
　　"Oh!that'stragical，"saidMarch。
　　"Mr。Fulkerson，"Mrs。Marchbegan，withchangeofsubjectinhervoice，"whoisMrs。Mandel?"
　　"Who?Whatdoyouthinkofher?"herejoined。"I'lltellyouaboutherwhenwegetinthecars。Lookatthatthing!Ain'titbeautiful?"
　　Theyleanedoverthetrackandlookedupatthenextstation，wherethetrain，juststarting，throbbedouttheflame-shotsteamintothewhitemoonlight。
　　"ThemostbeautifulthinginNewYork——theonealwaysandcertainlybeautifulthinghere，"saidMarch；andhiswifesighed，"Yes，yes。"
　　Sheclungtohim，andremainedraptbythesighttillthetraindrewnear，andthenpulledhimbackinapanic。
　　"Well，thereain'treallymuchtotellabouther，"Fulkersonresumedwhentheywereseatedinthecar。"She'saninventionofmine。"
　　"Ofyours?"criedMrs。March。
　　"Ofcourse!"exclaimedherhusband。
　　"Yes——atleastinherpresentcapacity。Shesentmeastoryforthesyndicate，backinJulysometime，alongaboutthetimeIfirstmetoldDryfooshere。Itwasalittletoolongformypurpose，andIthoughtI
　　couldexplainbetterhowIwanteditcutinacallthanIcouldinaletter。ShegaveaBrooklynaddress，andIwenttoseeher。Ifoundher，"saidFulkerson，withavaguedefiance，"aperfectlady。Shewaslivingwithanauntoverthere；andshehadseenbetterdays，whenshewasagirl，andworseonesafterward。Idon'tmeantosayherhusbandwasabadfellow；Iguesshewasprettygood；hewashermusic-teacher；
　　shemethiminGermany，andtheygotmarriedthere，andgotthroughherpropertybeforetheycameoverhere。Well，shedidn'tstrikemelikeapersonthatcouldmakemuchheadwayinliterature。Herstorywaswellenough，butithadn'tmuchsandinit；kindof-well，academic，youknow。
　　Itoldherso，andsheunderstood，andcriedalittle；butshedidthebestshecouldwiththething，andItookitandsyndicatedit。Shekindofstuckinmymind，andthefirsttimeIwenttoseetheDryfoosestheywerestoppingatasortoffamilyhotelthentilltheycouldfindahouse——"Fulkersonbrokeoffaltogether，andsaid，"Idon'tknowasIknowjusthowtheDryfoosesstruckyou，Mrs。March?"
　　"Can'tyouimagine?"sheanswered，withakindly，smile。
　　"Yes；butIdon'tbelieveIcouldguesshowtheywouldhavestruckyoulastsummerwhenIfirstsawthem。My!ohmy!therewasthenativeearthforyou。Melyisaprettywildcoltnow，butyououghttohaveseenherbeforeshewasbrokentoharness。
　　AndChristine?EverseethatblackleopardtheygotupthereintheCentralPark?ThatwasChristine。Well，Isawwhattheywanted。Theyallsawit——nobodyisafoolinalldirections，andtheDryfoosesareintheirrightsensesagooddealofthetime。Well，tocutalongstoryshort，IgotMrs。Mandeltotake'eminhand——theoldladyaswellasthegirls。Shewasabornlady，andalwayslivedlikeonetillshesawMandel；andthatsomethingacademicthatkilledherforawriterwasjusttheverythingforthem。Sheknowstheworldwellenoughtoknowjusthowmuchpolishtheycantakeon，andshedon'ttrytoputonabitmore。
　　See?"
　　"Yes，Icansee，"saidMrs。March。
　　"Well，shetookholdatonce，asreadyasahospital-trainednurse；andthereain'tanythingreadieronthisplanet。Sherunsthewholeconcern，sociallyandeconomically，takesallthecareofhousekeepingofftheoldlady'shands，andgoesroundwiththegirls。By-the-bye，I'mgoingtotakemymealsatyourwidow's，March，andConrad'sgoingtohavehislunchthere。I'msickofbrowsingabout。"
　　"Mr。March'swidow?"saidhiswife，lookingathimwithprovisionalseverity。
　　"Ihavenowidow，Isabel，"hesaid，"andneverexpecttohave，tillI
　　leaveyouintheenjoymentofmylife-insurance。IsupposeFulkersonmeanstheladywiththedaughterwhowantedtotakeustoboard。"
　　"Ohyes。Howaretheygettingon，Idowonder?"Mrs。MarchaskedofFulkerson。
　　"Well，they'vegotonefamilytoboard；butit'sasmallone。Iguessthey'llpullthrough。Theydidn'twanttotakeanydayboardersatfirst，thewidowsaid；Iguesstheyhavehadtocometoit。"
　　"Poorthings!"sighedMrs。March。"Ihopethey'llgobacktothecountry。"
　　"Well，Idon'tknow。Whenyou'veoncetastedNewYork——Youwouldn'tgobacktoBoston，wouldyou?"
　　"Instantly。"
　　Fulkersonlaughedoutatolerantincredulity。
　　X
　　Beatonlithispipewhenhefoundhimselfinhisroom，andsatdownbeforethedullfireinhisgratetothink。Itstruckhimtherewasadullfireinhisheartagreatdeallikeit；andheworkedoutafancifulanalogywiththecoals，stillalive，andtheashescreepingoverthem，andthedeadclayandcinders。Hefeltsickofhimself，sickofhislifeandofallhisworks。HewasangrywithFulkersonforhavinggothimintothatartdepartmentofhis，forhavingboughthimup；andhewasbitteratfatebecausehehadbeenobligedtousethemoneytopaysomepressingdebts，andhadnotbeenabletoreturnthecheckhisfatherhadsenthim。Hepitiedhispooroldfather；heachedwithcompassionforhim；andhesethisteethandsnarledwithcontemptthroughthemforhisownbaseness。Thiswasthekindofworlditwas；buthewashedhishandsofit。Thefaultwasinhumannature，andhereflectedwithpridethathehadatleastnotinventedhumannature；hehadnotsunksolowasthatyet。Thenotionamusedhim；hethoughthemightgetaSatanicepigramoutofitsomeway。Butinthemeantimethatgirl，thatwildanimal，shekeptvisibly，tangiblybeforehim；ifheputouthishandhemighttouchhers，hemightpasshisarmroundherwaist。InParis，inasetheknewthere，whataneffectshewouldbewiththatlookofhers，andthatbeauty，alloutofdrawing!Theywouldrecognizetheflamequalityinher。Heimaginedajokeaboutherbeingafieryspirit，ornymph，naiad，whatever，fromoneofhernativegas-wells。Hebegantosketchonabitofpaperfromthetableathiselbowvaguelinesthatveiledandrevealedalevel，dismallandscape，andavastflameagainstanemptysky，andashapeoutoftheflamethattookonalikenessandfloateddetachedfromit。Thesketchranuptheleftsideofthesheetandstretchedacrossit。Beatonlaughedout。PrettygoodtoletFulkersonhavethatforthecoverofhisfirstnumber!Inblackandreditwouldbeeffective；itwouldcatchtheeyefromthenews-stands。Hemadeamotiontothrowitonthefire，buthelditbackandsliditintothetable-drawer，andsmokedon。HesawthedummywiththeothersketchintheopendrawerwhichhehadbroughtawayfromFulkerson'sinthemorningandslippedinthere，andhetookitoutandlookedatit。Hemadesomecriticismsinlinewithhispencilonit，correctingthedrawinghereandthere，andthenherespecteditalittlemore，thoughhestillsmiledatthefemininequality——ayoungladyquality。
　　InspiteofhisexperiencethenighthecalledupontheLeightons，BeatoncouldnotbelievethatAlmanolongercaredforhim。Sheplayedathavingforgottenhimadmirably，butheknewthatafewmonthsbeforeshehadbeenverymindfulofhim。HeknewhehadneglectedthemsincetheycametoNewYork，wherehehadledthemtoexpectinterest，ifnotattention；buthewasusedtoneglectingpeople，andhewassomewhatlessusedtobeingpunishedforit——punishedandforgiven。HefeltthatAlmahadpunishedhimsothoroughlythatsheoughttohavebeensatisfiedwithherworkandtohaveforgivenhiminherheartafterward。Heborenoresentmentafterthefirsttinglingmomentswere-past；heratheradmiredherforit；andhewouldhavebeenreadytogobackhalfanhourlaterandacceptpardonandbeonthefootingoflastsummeragain。Evennowhedebatedwithhimselfwhetheritwastoolatetocall；but，decidedly，aquartertotenseemedlate。ThenextdayhedeterminednevertocallupontheLeightonsagain；buthehadnoreasonforthis；itmerelycameintoatransitoryschemeofconduct，ofretirementfromthesocietyofwomenaltogether；andafterdinnerhewentroundtoseethem。
　　Heaskedfortheladies，andtheyallthreereceivedhim，Almanotwithoutasurprisethatintimateditselftohim，andhermotherwithnoappreciablerelenting；MissWoodburn，withtheneedleworkwhichshefoundeasiertobevolubleoverthanabook，expressedinherwelcomeaneutralitybothcordialtoBeatonandloyaltoAlma。
　　"Isitsnowingoutdo's?"sheasked，briskly，afterthegreetingsweretransacted。"Mahgoodness!"shesaid，inanswertohisapparentsurpriseatthequestion。"AhmahghtaswellhavestayedintheSoath，forallthewinterAhhaveseeninNewYorkyet。"
　　"Wedon'toftenhavesnowmuchbeforeNew-Year's，"saidBeaton。
　　"MissWoodburniswildforarealNorthernwinter，"Mrs。Leightonexplained。
　　"TheothahnaghtAhwokeupandlookedoatofthewindowandsawalltheroofscoveredwithsnow，anditturnedoattobenothingbutmoonlaght。
　　Ahwasneversodisappointedinmahlahfe，"saidMissWoodburn。
　　"Ifyou'llcometoSt。Barnabynextsummer，youshallhaveallthewinteryouwant，"saidAlma。
　　"Ican'tletyouslanderSt。Barnabyinthatway，"saidBeaton，withtheairofwishingtobeunderstoodasmeaningmorethanhesaid。
　　"Yes?"returnedAlma，coolly。"Ididn'tknowyouweresofondoftheclimate。"
　　"Ineverthinkofitasaclimate。It'salandscape。Itdoesn'tmatterwhetherit'shotorcold。"
　　"Withthethermometertwentybelow，you'dfindthatitmattered，"Almapersisted。
　　"IsthatthewayyoufeelaboutSt。Barnaby，too，Mrs。Leighton?"Beatonasked，withaffecteddesolation。
　　"Ishallbegladenoughtogobackinthesummer，"Mrs。Leightonconceded。
　　"AndIshouldbegladtogonow，"saidBeaton，lookingatAlma。Hehadthedummyof'EveryOtherWeek'inhishand，andhesawAlma'seyeswanderingtowarditwheneverheglancedather。"IshouldbegladtogoanywheretogetoutofajobI'veundertaken，"hecontinued，toMrs。
　　Leighton。"They'regoingtostartsomesortofanewillustratedmagazine，andthey'vegotmeinfortheirartdepartment。I'mnotfitforit；I'dliketorunaway。Don'tyouwanttoadvisemealittle，Mrs。
　　Leighton?YouknowhowmuchIvalueyourtaste，andI'dliketohaveyoulookatthedesignforthecoverofthefirstnumber:they'regoingtohaveadifferentoneforeverynumber。Idon'tknowwhetheryou'llagreewithme，butIthinkthisisrathernice。"
　　Hefacedthedummyround，andthenlaiditonthetablebeforeMrs。
　　Leighton，pushingsomeofherworkasidetomakeroomforitandstandingoverherwhileshebentforwardtolookatit。
　　Almakeptherplace，awayfromthetable。
　　"Mahgoodness!Ho'exciting!"saidMissWoodburn。"Mayanybodylook?"
　　"Everybody，"saidBeaton。
　　"Well，isn'titperfectlychoming!"MissWoodburnexclaimed。"Comeandlookatthis，MissLeighton，"shecalledtoAlma，whoreluctantlyapproached。
　　Whatlinesarethese?"Mrs。Leightonasked，pointingtoBeaton'spencilscratches。
　　"They'resuggestionsofmodifications，"hereplied。
　　"Idon'tthinktheyimproveitmuch。Whatdoyouthink，Alma?"
　　"Oh，Idon'tknow，"saidthegirl，constraininghervoicetoaneffectofindifferenceandglancingcarelesslydownatthesketch。"Thedesignmightbeimproved；butIdon'tthinkthosesuggestionswoulddoit。"
　　"They'remine，"saidBeaton，fixinghiseyesuponherwithabeautifulsaddreaminessthatheknewhecouldputintothem；hespokewithadreamyremotenessoftone——hiswind-harpstop，Wetmorecalledit。
　　"Isupposedso，"saidAlma，calmly。
　　"Oh，mahgoodness!"criedMissWoodburn。"Isthatthewayyouawtuststalktoeachothah?Well，Ah'mgladAh'mnotanawtust——unlessIcoulddoallthetalking。"
　　"Artistscannottellafib，"Almasaid，"orevenactone，"andshelaughedinBeaton'supturnedface。
　　Hedidnotunbendhisdreamygaze。"You'requiteright。Thesuggestionsarestupid。"
　　AlmaturnedtoMissWoodburn:"Youhear?Evenwhenwespeakofourownwork。"
　　"Ahnevahhoadanythinglahkeit!"
　　"Andthedesignitself?"Beatonpersisted。
　　"Oh，I'mnotanarteditor，"Almaanswered，withalaughofexultantevasion。
　　Atall，dark，grave-lookingmanoffifty，withaswarthyfaceandiron-
　　graymustacheandimperialandgoatee，enteredtheroom。Beatonknewthetype；hehadbeenthroughVirginiasketchingforoneoftheillustratedpapers，andhehadseensuchmeninRichmond。MissWoodburnhardlyneededtosay，"MayAhintroduceyoutomahfathaw，Co'nelWoodburn，Mr。
　　Beaton?"
　　Themenshookhands，andColonelWoodburnsaid，inthatsoft，gentle，slowSouthernvoicewithoutourNortherncontractions:"Iamverygladtomeetyou，sir；happytomakeyo'acquaintance。Donotmove，madam，"hesaidtoMrs。Leighton，whomadeadeprecatorymotiontolethimpasstothechairbeyondher；"Icanfindmyway。"Hebowedabulkthatdidnotlenditselfreadilytothedevotion，andpickeduptheballofyarnshehadletdropoutofherlapinhalfrising。"Yo'worsteds，madam。"
　　"Yarn，yarn，ColonelWoodburn!"Almashouted。"You'requiteincorrigible。Aspadeisaspade!"
　　"Butsometimesitisatrump，mydearyounglady，"saidtheColonel，withunabatedgallantry；"andwhenyo'mothahusesyarn，itisworsteds。ButIrespectworstedsevenunderthenameofyarn:ourladies——myownmothahandsistahs——hadtoknitthesockswewore——allwecouldgetinthewoe。"
　　"Yes，andaftahthewoe，"hisdaughterputin。"Theknittinghasnotstoppedyetinsomeplaces。HaveyoubeenmuchintheSoath，Mr。Beaton?"
　　Beatonexplainedjusthowmuch。
　　"Well，sir，"saidtheColonel，"thenyouhaveseenacountrymakinggiganticstrugglestoretrieveitslosses，sir。TheSouthisadvancingwithenormousstrides，sir。"
　　"Toofastforsomeofustokeepup，"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleaside。"ThepaceinCharlottesboagispofectlykilling，andwehadtodropoatintoaslowplacelikeNewYork。"
　　"TheprogressintheSouthismaterialnow，"saidtheColonel；"andthoseofuswhoseinterestsareinanotherdirectionfindourselves——isolated——isolated，sir。TheintellectualcentresarestillintheNo'th，sir；
　　thegreatcitiesdrawthementalactivityofthecountrytothem，sir。
　　NecessarilyNewYorkisthemetropolis。"
　　"Oh，everythingcomeshere，"saidBeaton，impatientoftheelder'sponderosity。AnothersortofmanwouldhavesympathizedwiththeSoutherner'swillingnesstotalkofhimself，andledhimontospeakofhisplansandideals。ButthesortofmanthatBeatonwascouldnotdothis；heputupthedummyintothewrapperhehadletdroponthefloorbesidehim，andtieditroundwithstringwhileColonelWoodburnwastalking。HegottohisfeetwiththewordshespokeandofferedMrs。
　　Leightonhishand。
　　"Mustyougo?"sheasked，insurprise。
　　"Iamonmywaytoareception，"hesaid。Shehadnoticedthathewasineveningdress；andnowshefeltthevaguehurtthatpeopleinvitednowherefeelinthepresenceofthosewhoaregoingsomewhere。Shedidnotfeelitforherself，butforherdaughter；andsheknewAlmawouldnothaveletherfeelitifshecouldhavepreventedit。ButAlmahadlefttheroomforamoment，andshetacitlyindulgedthissenseofinjuryinherbehalf。
　　"Pleasesaygood-nighttoMissLeightonforme，"Beatoncontinued。HebowedtoMissWoodburn，"Goodnight，MissWoodburn，"andtoherfather，bluntly，"Goodnight。"
　　"Good-night，sir，"saidtheColonel，withasortofseveresuavity。
　　"Oh，isn'thechoming!"MissWoodburnwhisperedtoMrs。LeightonwhenBeatonlefttheroom。
　　Almaspoketohiminthehallwithout。"Youknewthatwasmydesign，Mr。
　　Beaton。Whydidyoubringit?"
　　"Why?"Helookedatheringloomyhesitation。
　　Thenhesaid:"Youknowwhy。Iwishedtotalkitoverwithyou，toserveyou，pleaseyou，getbackyourgoodopinion。ButI'vedoneneithertheonenortheother；I'vemadeamessofthewholething。"
　　Almainterruptedhim。"Hasitbeenaccepted?"
　　"Itwillbeaccepted，ifyouwillletit。"
　　"Letit?"shelaughed。"Ishallbedelighted。"Shesawhimswayedalittletowardher。"It'samatterofbusiness，isn'tit?"
　　"Purely。Good-night。"
　　WhenAlmareturnedtotheroom，ColonelWoodburnwassayingtoMrs。
　　Leighton:"Idonotcontendthatitisimpossible，madam，butitisverydifficultinathoroughlycommercializedsociety，likeyours，tohavethefeelingsofagentleman。Howcanabusinessman，whoseprosperity，whoseearthlysalvation，necessarilyliesintheadversityofsomeoneelse，bedelicateandchivalrous，orevenhonest?IfwecouldhavehadtimetoperfectoursystemattheSouth，toeliminatewhatwasevilanddevelopwhatwasgoodinit，weshouldhavehadaperfectsystem。Butthevirusofcommercialismwasinus，too；itforbadeustomakethebestofadivineinstitution，andtemptedustomaketheworst。Nowthecurseisonthewholecountry；thedollaristhemeasureofeveryvalue，thestampofeverysuccess。Whatdoesnotsellisafailure；andwhatsellssucceeds。"
　　"Thehobbyisoat，mahdeah，"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleasidetoAlma。
　　"Wereyouspeakingofme，ColonelWoodburn?"Almaasked。
　　"Surelynot，mydearyounglady。"
　　"Buthe'sbeensayingthatawtustsarejustasgreedyaboatmoneyasanybody，"saidhisdaughter。
　　"Thelawofcommercialismisoneverythinginacommercialsociety，"theColonelexplained，softeningthetoneinwhichhisconvictionswerepresented。"Thefinalrewardofartismoney，andnotthepleasureofcreating。"
　　"Perhapstheywouldbewillingtotakeitalloatinthatifothahpeoplewouldletthempaytheirbillsinthepleasureofcreating，"hisdaughterteased。
　　"Theyarehelpless，likealltherest，"saidherfather，withthesamedeferencetoherastootherwomen。"Idonotblamethem。"
　　"Oh，mahgoodness!Didn'tyousay，sir，thatMr。Beatonhadbadmanners?"
　　Almarelievedaconfusionwhichheseemedtofeelinreferencetoher。
　　"Badmanners?Hehasnomanners!Thatis，whenhe'shimself。Hehasprettygoodoneswhenhe'ssomebodyelse。"
　　MissWoodburnbegan，"Oh，mah-"andthenstoppedherself。Alma'smotherlookedatherwithdistressedquestion，butthegirlseemedperfectlycoolandcontented；andshegavehermindprovisionallytoapointsuggestedbyColonelWoodburn'stalk。
　　"Still，Ican'tbelieveitwasrighttoholdpeopleinslavery，towhipthemandsellthem。Itneverdidseemrighttome，"sheadded，inapologyforherextremesentimentstothegentlenessofheradversary。
　　"Iquiteagreewithyou，madam，"saidtheColonel。"Thoseweretheabusesoftheinstitution。ButifwehadnotbeenvitiatedontheonehandandthreatenedontheotherbythespiritofcommercialismfromtheNorth——andfromEurope，too——thoseabusescouldhavebeeneliminated，andtheinstitutiondevelopedinthedirectionofthemildpatriarchalismofthedivineintention。"TheColonelhitchedhischair，whichfiguredahobbycareeringuponitshindlegs，alittletowardMrs。Leightonandthegirlsapproachedtheirheadsandbegantowhisper；theyfelldeferentiallysilentwhentheColonelpausedinhisargument，andwentonagainwhenhewenton。
　　AtlasttheyheardMrs。Leightonsaying，"Andhaveyouheardfromthepublishersaboutyourbookyet?"
　　ThenMissWoodburncutin，beforeherfathercouldanswer:"Thecoaseofcommercialismisonthat，too。Theyaretrahingtofahndoatwhethahitwillpay。"
　　"Andtheyareright-quiteright，"saidtheColonel。"Thereisnolongeranyothercriterion；andevenaworkthatattacksthesystemmustbesubmittedtothetestsofthesystem。"
　　"Thesystemwon'tacceptdestructiononanyothahtomes，"saidMissWoodburn，demurely。
　　XI。
　　Atthereception，wheretwomeninliverystoodasidetolethimpassuptheoutsidestepsofthehouse，andtwomorehelpedhimoffwithhisovercoatindoors，andafifthmiscalledhisnameintothedrawing-room，theSyracusestone-cutter'ssonmetthenieceofMrs。Horn，andbeganatoncetotellherabouthiseveningattheDryfooses'。Hewasinverygoodspirits，forsofarashecouldhavebeenelatedordepressedbyhispartingwithAlmaLeightonhehadbeenelated；shehadnottreatedhisimpudencewiththecontemptthathefeltitdeserved；shemuststillbefondofhim；andthewarmsenseofthis，byoperationofanobscurebutwell-recognizedlawofthemasculinebeing，disposedhimtoberatherfondofMissVance。Shewasaslendergirl，whosesemi-aestheticdressflowedaboutherwithanaccentuationofherlongforms，andredeemedthemfromcensurebytheveryfranknesswithwhichitconfessedthem；
　　nobodycouldhavesaidthatMargaretVancewastootall。Herprettylittlehead，whichshehadaneffectofchoosingtohavelittleinthesamespiritofjudiciousdefiance，hadagooddealofreadinginit；shewasproudtoknowliteraryandartisticfashionsaswellassocietyfashions。ShelikedbeingsingledoutbyanexteriordistinctionsoobviousasBeaton's，andshelistenedwithsympatheticinteresttohisaccountofthosepeople。Hegavetheirnaturalhistoryrealitybydrawinguponhisown；hereconstructedtheirplebeianpastfromtheexperiencesofhischildhoodandhisyouthofthepre-Parisianperiod；
　　andhehadapangofsuicidaljoyininsultingtheirignoranceoftheworld。
　　"Whatdifferentkindsofpeopleyoumeet!"saidthegirlatlast，withanenvioussigh。Herreadinghadenlargedtheboundsofherimagination，ifnotherknowledge；thenovelsnowadaysdealtsomuchwithverycommonpeople，andmadethemseemsoverymuchmoreworthwhilethanthepeopleonemet。
　　ShesaidsomethinglikethistoBeaton。Heanswered:"YoucanmeetthepeopleI'mtalkingofveryeasily，ifyouwanttotakethetrouble。
　　It'swhattheycametoNewYorkfor。Ifancyit'sthegreatambitionoftheirlivestobemet。"
　　"Ohyes，"saidMissVance，fashionably，andlookeddown；thenshelookedupandsaid，intellectually:"Don'tyouthinkit'sagreatpity?Howmuchbetterforthemtohavestayedwheretheywereandwhattheywere!"
　　"Thenyoucouldneverhavehadanychanceofmeetingthem，"saidBeaton。
　　"Idon'tsupposeyouintendtogoouttothegascountry?"
　　"No，"saidMissVance，amused。"NotthatIshouldn'tliketogo。"
　　"Whatadaringspirit!Yououghttobeonthestaffof'EveryOtherWeek，'"saidBeaton。
　　"Thestaff-EveryOtherWeek?Whatisit?"
　　"Themissinglink；thelong-feltwantofatiebetweentheArtsandtheDollars。"Beatongaveheraverypicturesque，averydramaticsketchofthetheory，thepurpose，andthepersonnelofthenewenterprise。
　　MissVanceunderstoodtoolittleaboutbusinessofanykindtoknowhowitdifferedfromotherenterprisesofitssort。Shethoughtitwasdelightful；shethoughtBeatonmustbegladtobepartofit，thoughhehadrepresentedhimselfsobored，soinjured，byFulkerson'sinsistinguponhavinghim。"Andisitasecret?Isitathingnottobespokenof?"
　　"'Tutt'altro'!Fulkersonwillbeenrapturedtohaveitspokenofinsociety。Hewouldpayanyreasonablebillfortheadvertisement。"
　　"Whatadelightfulcreature!Tellhimitshallallbespentincharity。"
　　"Hewouldlikethat。Hewouldgettwoparagraphsoutofthefact，andyournamewouldgointothe'LiteraryNotes'ofallthenewspapers。"
　　"Oh，butIshouldn'twantmynameused!"criedthegirl，halfhorrifiedintofancyingthesituationreal。
　　"Thenyou'dbetternotsayanythingabout'EveryOtherWeek'。Fulkersonispreternaturallyunscrupulous。"
　　Marchbegantothinksotoo，attimes。Hewasperpetuallysuggestingchangesinthemake-upofthefirstnumber，withaviewtoitsgreatervividnessofeffect。Onedayhecameandsaid:"Thisthingisn'tgoingtohaveanysortofgetupandhowlaboutit，unlessyouhaveapaperinthefirstnumbergoingforBevans'snovels。BettergetMaxwelltodoit。"
　　"Why，IthoughtyoulikedBevans'snovels?"
　　"SoIdid；butwherethegoodof'EveryOtherWeek'isconcernedIamaRomanfather。ThepopulargagistoabuseBevans，andMaxwellisthemantodoit。Therehasn'tbeenanewmagazinestartedforthelastthreeyearsthathasn'thadanarticlefromMaxwellinitsfirstnumbercuttingBevansalltopieces。Ifpeopledon'tseeit，they'llthink'EveryOtherWeek'issomeoldthing。"
　　MarchdidnotknowwhetherFulkersonwasjokingornot。Hesuggested，"Perhapsthey'llthinkit'sanoldthingiftheydoseeit。"
　　"Well，getsomebodyelse，then；orelsegetMaxwelltowriteunderanassumedname。Or——Iforgot!He'llbeanonymousunderoursystem，anyway。Nowthereain'tamorepopularracketforustoworkinthatfirstnumberthanagood，swingingattackonBevans。Peoplereadhisbooksandquarrelover'em，andthecriticsareallagainsthim，andaregularflaying，withsaltandvinegarrubbedinafterward，willtellmorewithpeoplewholikegoodold-fashionedfictionthananythingelse。
　　IlikeBevans'sthings，but，dadburnit!whenitcomestothatfirstnumber，I'dofferupanybody。"
　　"Whatanimmorallittlewretchyouare，Fulkerson!"saidMarch，withalaugh。