Itwaspastmidnightwhenthepriestwasawakenedfromhissleepbyaknockonthedoor。Hewrappedhisgreatbuffalo-coatabouthim，andansweredthesummons。
　　WithoutinthedampdarknessstoodPierre。
　　"Father，"hecried，"Ninonhassentforyou。Sincesheleftyou，shehasbeenveryill。IhavedonewhatIcould；butnowshehardlyspeaks，butImakeoutthatshewantsyou。”Tenminuteslater，theywereinNinon'scabin。WhenFatherdeSmetlookedatherheknewshewasdying。HehadseentheIndianslikethatmanytimesduringthewinter。Itwastheplague，butdrivenintopreyuponthesystembytheexposure。TheParisienne'steethwereset，butshemanagedtosmileuponhervisitorashethrewoffhiscoatandbentoverher。
　　Hepouredsomewhiskeyforher；butshecouldnotgettheliquidoverherthroat。
　　"Donot，"shesaidfiercelybetweenthosesetwhiteteeth，"donotforgetthelilies。”Shesankbackandfixedherglazingeyesontheantlers，andkeptthemtherewatchingthosedanglingsilkenscarves，whilethepriest，inhaste，spokethewordsforthedepartingsoul。
　　Thenextmorningshelaydeadamongthosehalfbarbaricrelicsofhercoquetry，andtwowhitelilieswithheartsofgoldshedperfumefromanaltarinawilderness。
　　UptheGulch"GOWest？"sighedKate。"Why，yes!I'dliketogoWest。”
　　Shelookedatthebabies，whowereplay-
　　ingonthefloorwiththeirfather，andsighedagain。
　　"You'vegottogosomewhere，youknow，Kate。Itmightaswellbewestasinanyotherdirection。Andthisissuchachance!
　　Wecan'thavemammalyingaroundonsofaswithoutanyrosesinhercheeks，canwe？"Heputthislasttothechildren，who，beingyetattheagewhentheytalkedin"EarlyEnglish，"astheirfathercalledit，madeaclamorousbutinarticulatereply。
　　MajorShelly，thegrandfatheroftheseveryyoungpersons，strokedhismustacheandlookedindulgent。
　　"Showalmosthumanintelligence，don'tthey？"saidtheirfather，ashelayflatonhisbackandpermittedthebabiestoclimboverhim。
　　"Ya-as，"drawledthemajor。"Theydo。
　　Don'tseehowyouaccountforit，Jack。”
　　Jackroared，andthelipsofthebabiestrembledwithfear。
　　Theirmothersaidnothing。Shewasonthesofa，herhandslyinginert，hereyesfixedonherrosybabieswithanexpressionwhichherfather-in-lawandherhusbandtriedhardnottonotice。
　　ItwasnoteasytotellwhyKatewasailing。Ofcourse，thebabieswereyoung，buttherewereotherreasons。
　　"Ibelieveyou'retoohappy，"Jacksome-
　　timessaidtoher。"Trynottobequitesohappy，Kate。Atleast，trynottotakeyourhappinesssoseriously。Pleasedon'tadoremeso；I'monlyacommonplacefellow。Andthebabies——they'renotgoingtoblowaway。”
　　ButKatecontinuedtolookwithintenseeyesatherlittleworld，andtodrawintoitwithlovingandgeneroushandsallwhowerewillingtocome。
　　"Kateisjustlikeakite，"Jackexplainedtohisfather，themajor；"shecan'tkeepafloatwithoutjustsomanybobs。”
　　Kate's"bobs"weretheunfortunatesshecollectedaroundher。Theseabsorbedherstrength。Shefelttheirmiserywithsym-
　　pathiesthatwereabnormal。Theverylaborerinthestreetsfelthistoillesskeenlythanshe，asshewatchedthedropsgatheronhisbrow。
　　"Islifeworthkeepingatthecostofalotlikethat？"shewouldask。Shefeltashamedofherownease。Sheapologizedforherownsereneandperfecthappiness。
　　Sheevenfeltsorryforthosemotherswhohadnotchildrenasradiantlybeautifulasherown。
　　"Katemusthaveachange，"themajorhadgivenout。HewasgoingWestonbusinessandinsistedontakingherwithhim。Jacklookeddoubtful。Hewasn'tsurehowhewouldgetalongwithoutKatetolookaftereverything。Secretly，hehadanideathatservantswereakindofwildanimalthathadtobefedbyanexperiencedkeeper。Butwhenthetimecame，hekissedhergood-byinasjocularamannerashecouldsummon，andrefusedtoseethetearsthatgatheredinhereyes。
　　UntilChicagowasreached，therewasnothingverydifferentfromthatwhichKatehadbeeninthehabitofseeing。
　　Afterthat，shesetherselftowatchforWesterncharacteristics。Shefeltthatshewouldknowthemassoonasshesawthem。
　　"Iexpectedtobestirredupandshocked，"
　　sheexplainedtothemajor。Butsomehow，theWesterntypedidnotappear。Common-
　　placewomenwithwornfaces——brownedandseamed，thoughnotaged——wereatthestations，waitingforsomethingorsomeone。Menwithahurried，nervousairwereeverywhere。KatelookedinvainforthegayetyandheartinesswhichshehadalwaysassociatedwiththeWest。
　　Aftertheygotbeyondthetimbercountryandrodehourafterhouronatractsmoothasabecalmedocean，shegaveherselfuptothefeelingofimmeasurablevastnesswhichtookpossessionofher。Thesunrolledoutoftheskyintooblivionwithafrantic，head-
　　longhaste。Nothingsoftenedtheaspectofitswrath。Near，red，familiar，itseemedtovisiblybowlalongtheheavens。Inthemorningitroseasbaldlyasithadset。
　　Andbackandforthovertheawfulplainblewthewinds，——blewfromeasttowestandbackagain，strongasiffreshfromthechambersoftheirbirth，fullofelementalscentsandofmightymurmurings。
　　"ThisistheWest!"Katecried，againandagain。
　　Themajorlistenedtoherunsmilingly。
　　Italwaysseemedtohimawasteofmuscu-
　　larenergytosmile。Hedidnottalkmuch。
　　Conversationhadneverappealedtohiminthelightofanart。Hespokewhentherewasadirectionoracommandtobegiven，oraninquirytobemade。Themajor，ifthetruthmustbeknown，wasmaterial。
　　Thingsthathecouldtaste，touch，see，appealedtohim。Hehadbeenavolunteerinthecivilwar，——avolunteerwithagoodrecord，——whichhenevermentioned；and，havingacquittedhimselfdecently，letthemattergowithoutaskingreprisalorpay-
　　mentforwhathehadfreelygiven。Hewentintobusinessandsoldcerealfoods。
　　"Ibelieveinusefulthings，"themajorexpressedhimself。"Oatmeal，wheat，——
　　menhavetohavethem。Godintendedtheyshould。There'sJack——myson——
　　JackShelly——lawyer。What'stheuseoflitigation？Goddidn'tdesignlitigation。
　　Itdoesn'tdoanybodyanygood。Itisn'tjusticeyouget。It'ssomethingentirelydifferent，——averdictaccordingtolaw。
　　TheysayJack'sclever。ButI'mmightygladIsellwheat。”
　　Hedidn'tsellitasaspeculator，how-
　　ever。Thatwasn'thisway。
　　"IearnwhatImake，"heoftensaid；andhehadgrownrichinthesellingofhiswholesomefoods……
　　Helenaliesamonground，brownhills。
　　Aboveitisaskyofdeepandillimitableblue。Inthestreetsarecrumbsofgold，butitnolongerpaystomineforthese；
　　because，asrealestate，thepropertyismorevaluable。Itisaplaceoffictitiousvalues。
　　Thereisexcitementintheair。Menhavethefacesofspeculators。Everylaborerispatientathistaskbecausehecherishesahopethatsomedayhewillbeamillion-
　　naire。Thereishospitality，andcordialityandgoodfellowship，andanundeniabledemocracy。Thereiswealthandluxuriousliving。Thereisevenculture，——butitisobtrudedasasortofnovelty；itisnotacceptedasamatterofcourse。
　　Kateandthemajorweredrivenovertwoorthreemilesofdusty，hardroadtoadis-
　　tanthotel，whichstandsinthemidstofgreenness，——inanoasis。Immediatelyabovethegreenswardthatsurroundsitthebrownhillsrise，thegrassscorchedbythesun。
　　Kateyieldedherselftothealmostabsurdluxuryoftheplacewitheaseandcompla-
　　cency。Shetookkindlytothegreatveran-
　　das。Sheadaptedherselftotheelaborateandill-assortedmeals。Shebathedinthemarvellouspool，warmwiththeheatofeternalfiresinmid-earth。ThispoolwascoveredwithapicturesqueMoorishstruct-
　　ure，andatoneendacascadetumbled，overwhichthesun，comingthroughcoloredwin-
　　dows，madeamimicprisminthewhitespray。Thelifewasnotunendurable。Themajorwasseldomwithher，beingobligedtogoabouthisbusiness；andKateamusedherselfbydrivingoverthehills，bywatch-
　　ingtheinhabitants，bywonderingaboutthelivesinthegreat，pretentious，unhomelikehouseswiththeirtreelessyardsandtheirclosedshutters。Thesunlight，whiteastheglareonArabiansands，penetratedeverywhere。Itseemedtofairlyscorchtheeye-balls。
　　"Oh，we'reWest，now，"Katesaid，exult-
　　antly。"I'veseenathousandtypes。Butyet——notquiteTHEtype——nottheimper-
　　sonationofsimplicityanddaringthatIwaslookingfor。”
　　Themajordidn'tknowquitewhatshewastalkingabout。Butheacquiesced。
　　Allhecaredaboutwastoseehergrowstronger；andthatshewasdoingeveryday。
　　Shewasgrowingamazinglylovely，too，——
　　atleastthemajorthoughtso。Everyonelookedather；butthatwas，perhaps，be-
　　causeshewassuchasylphofawoman。
　　Besidethestalwartmajor，shelookedlikeafairyprincess。
　　Onedayshesuddenlyrealizedthefactthatshehadhadacompanionontheverandaforseveralmornings。Ofcourse，therewereagreatmanypersons——invalids，largely——sittingabout，butoneofthemhadbeenobtrudinghimselfpersistentlyintoherconsciousness。Itwasnotthathewasrude；itwasonlythathewasthinkingabouther。ApersonwithatemperamentlikeKate'scouldnotlongbeoblivioustoathinglikethat；andshefurtivelyobservedtheoffenderwiththatgeniusforpsycho-
　　logicalperceptionwhichwasatoncehergreatestdangerandhercharm。
　　Themanwasdressedwithachildishattemptatdisplay。Hisshirt-frontwasdecoratedwithadiamond，andhiscuff-
　　buttonswereofonyxwithdiamondsettings。
　　Hisclotheswereexpensiveandperceptiblynew，andheoftenchangedhiscostumes，butwithanoticeabledisregardforpro-
　　priety。Hewasveryconsciousofhissilkhat，andfrequentlywipeditwithahandker-
　　chiefonwhichhismonogramwasworkedinblue。
　　Whenthe'bussesbroughtuptheirloads，hewasalwaysonhandtowatchthenew-
　　comers。Hetookalongtimeathisdin-
　　ners，andappearedtoorderagreatdealandeatverylittle。Therewerecard-roomsandabilliard-hall，nottomentionabowling-
　　alleyandatennis-court，wheretheotherguestsofthehotelspentmuchtime。Butthismannevervisitedthem。Hesatoftenwithoneofthelatereviewsinhishand，lookingasifheintendedgivinghisatten-
　　tiontoitatanymoment。Butafterhehadscrupulouslycuttheleaveswithalittlecarvedivorypaper-cutter，hesatstaringstraightbeforehimwiththebookopen，butunread，inhishand。
　　Katetookmoreinterestinthismelan-
　　choly，middle-agedmanthanshewouldhavedoneifshehadnotbeenontheout-
　　lookforherWesterntype，——themanwhowastocombineallthequalitiesofchivalry，daring，bombast，andgenerosity，seasonedwithpiquantgrammar，whichshefirmlybelievedtobetherealthing。Butnotwith-
　　standingthiskindlyandsomewhatcuriousinterest，shemightneverhavemadehisacquaintanceifithadnotbeenforaratherunpleasantadventure。
　　Themajorwas"closingupadeal"andhadhurriedawayafterbreakfast，andKate，intheluxuryofconvalescence，half-reclinedinagreatchairontheverandaandwatchedtheduskybluemisttwiningitselfaroundthebrownhills。Shewasnotthinkingofthebabies；shewasnotworryingabouthome；shewasnotlongingforanything，orevenindulginginadream。Thatvacuouscontentwhichengrossesthebodyafterlongindisposition，heldherimperatively。Sud-
　　denlyshewasarousedfromthishappycon-
　　ditionofnothingnessbythespectacleofanenormousbull-dogapproachingherwiththreateningteeth。Shehadnoticedthemonsterofteninhiskennelnearthesta-
　　bles，anditwaswellunderstoodthathewasnevertobepermittedhisfreedom。Nowhewalkedtowardherwithasolidstepandanalarmingdeliberateness。Katesatstillandtriedtoassureherselfthathemeantnomis-
　　chief，butbythetimethegreatbodyhadmadeitselffeltontheskirtofhergownshecouldrestrainherfearnolonger，andgaveanervouscryofalarm。Thebruteansweredwithagrowl。Ifhehadlackedprovocationbefore，heconsideredthathehaditnow。
　　Heshowedhisteethandflunghisdetestablebodyuponher；andKatefeltherselfgrow-
　　ingdizzywithfear。Butjustthenanarmwasinterposedandthedogwasflungback。
　　Therewasamomentarystruggle。Somegentlemencamehurryingoutoftheoffice；
　　andastheybeatthedogbacktoitsretreat，Katesummonedwordsfromherparchedthroattothankherbenefactor。
　　Itwasthemelancholymanwiththenewclothes。Thismorninghewasdressedinasuitofthelightestgray，withawhitemarseilleswaistcoat，overwhichhisglitter-
　　ingchainshoneostentatiously。Whitetennis-shoes，awhiteroseinhisbutton-
　　hole，andawhitestrawhatinhishandcom-
　　pletedatoiletoverwhichmuchtimehadevidentlybeenspent。Katenotedthesedetailsassheheldoutherhand。
　　"Imayhavebeenalarmedwithoutcause，"
　　shesaid；"butIwashorriblyfrightened。
　　Thankyousomuchforcomingtomyres-
　　cue。AndIthink，ifyouwouldaddtoyourkindnessbygettingmeaglassofwater——"
　　Whenhecameback，hishandwastrem-
　　blingalittle；andasKatelookeduptolearnthecause，shesawthathisfacewasflushed。Hewasembarrassed。Shedecidedthathewasnotaccustomedtothesocietyofladies。"Bruteslikethatdogain'tnoplaceinth'world——that'smyopinion。
　　Therearesomebadthingswecan'thelphavin'aroun'；butabull-dogain'toneof'em。”
　　"Iquiteagreewithyou，"Kateacqui-
　　esced，asshedrankthewater。"ButasthisisthefirstunpleasantexperienceofanykindthatIhavehadsinceIcamehere，Idon'tfeelthatIhaveanyrighttocomplain。”
　　"You'reherefuryurhealth？"
　　"Yes。AndIamgettingit。You'renotaninvalid，Iimagine？"
　　"No——no-op。I'mherebe——well，I'vethoughtfuralongtimeI'dliket'stayatthisherehotel。”
　　"Indeed!"
　　"Yes。I'vebeenupth'gulchthesefif-
　　teenyears。Binlivin'onashelfofblackrock。
　　Th'sungot'round'boutten。Couldn'tmakeathinggrow。”Themanwaslook-
　　ingofftowardthehills，withanexpressionofdeepsadnessinhiseyes。"Didn'tneverliveinaplacewherenothin''dgrow，didyou？Itookgeraniumsupthartimean'timeagin。Redones。Mademethinkofmother；she'sinGermany。Watered'emmornin'an'night。Th'damnedthingsdied。”
　　Theoathslippedoutwithanartlessun-
　　consciousness，andtherewasalittlemoist-
　　ureinhiseyes。Katefeltsheoughttobringtheconversationtoaclose。ShewonderedwhatJackwouldsayifhesawhertalkingwithaperfectstrangerwhousedoaths!Shewouldhavegoneintothehousebutforsomethingthatcaughthereye。Itwasthehandoftheman；thathandwasabludgeon。Allgraceandflexibilityhadgoneoutofit，andithadbecomeamereinstrumentoftoil。Itwasseamedandmisshapen；yetithadbeencarefullymani-
　　cured，andthepointednailslookedfantasticandanimal-like。Agreatseal-ringboreanelaboratemonogram，whilethelittlefingerdisplayedacollectionofdiamondsandemeraldstrulydazzlingtobehold。Animpulseofhumanityandasortofartisticcuriosity，muchstrongerthanherdiscretion，urgedKatetocontinueherconversation。
　　"Whatwereyoudoingupthegulch？"
　　shesaid。
　　Themanleanedbackinhischairandregardedheramomentbeforeanswering。
　　Herealizedthesignificanceofherquestion。
　　Hetookitasasignthatshewaswillingtobefriendly。Alookofgratitude，almosttender，sprangintohiseyes，——dullgrayeyes，theywere，withakindlinessfortheironlyrecommendation。
　　"Makin'mypile，"hereplied。"I'vebeeninthesepartstwentyyears。WhenI
　　comehere，IthoughtIwasgoin'tomakeafortunerightoff。Ihadallth'moneythatmothercouldgiveme，andIlosteverythingI
　　hadinthreemonths。Iwentupth'gulch。”
　　Hepaused，andwipedhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief。
　　TherewassomethinginhisremarkandtheintonationwhichmadeKatesaysoftly:
　　"Isupposeyou'vehadahardtimeofit。”
　　"Tharyouwere!"hecried。"Tharwasth'rock——risin'，risin'，black!Atth'
　　bottomwusth'creek，howlin'dayan'
　　night!Lonesome!Gee!Noonet'talkto。Ofcourse，th'men。Hadsomewithmealways。Theydidn'ttalk。It'stoo——
　　tooquiett'talkmuch。Theyplayedcards。
　　Curious，butIneverplayedcards。Don'tthinkI'dfinditamusin'。No，Iworked。
　　Camedownhereonceinsixmonthsorthreemonths。Hadt'come——grub-stakedth'men，youknow。Didyouevereatsaltpork？"HeturnedtoKatesuddenlywiththisquestion。
　　"Why，yes；afewtimes。Didyouhaveit？"
　　"Nothin'else，much。Iusedt'thinkofth'thingsmothercooked。Motherunder-
　　stoodcookin'，ifeverawomandid。I'llneverforgetth'dinnershegavemeth'dayIcameaway。Awomanoughtt'cook。I
　　hearAmericanwomendon'tgoinmuchforcookin'。”
　　"Oh，Ithinkthat'samistake，"Katehastenedtointerrupt。"AllthatIknowun-
　　derstandhowtoserveexcellentdinners。Ofcourse，theymaynotcookthemthemselves，butIthinktheycouldifitwerenecessary。”
　　"Hum!"HepickedupalongglovethathadfallenfromKate'slapandfingereditbeforereturningit。
　　"Is'poseyoucook？"
　　"Imakeaspecialtyofsaladsandsor-
　　bets，"smiledKate。"IguessIcouldroastmeatandmakebread；butcircumstanceshavenotyetcompelledmetodoit。ButI'veatheorythatanAmericanwomancandoanythingsheputshermindto。”
　　Themanlaughedoutloud，——alaughquiteoutofproportiontothemildgoodhumoroftheremark；butitwasevidentthathecouldnolongerconcealhisdelightatthiscompanionship。
　　"Howaboutraisin'flowers？"heasked。
　　"Areyoustrongonthat？"
　　"I'veonlytolookataplanttomakeitgrow，"Katecried，withenthusiasm。
　　"Whenmyfriendsareindespairoveraplant，theybringittome，andIjustpetitalittle，anditbrightensup。I'vethemostwonderfulferneryyoueversaw。It'sgreen，summerandwinter。Hundredsofpeoplestopandlookupatit，itissogreenandenticing，thereabovethecitystreets。”
　　"Whatcity？"
　　"Philadelphia。”
　　"Mother'sjestthatway。Shehasagar-
　　denofroses。Andthemignonette——"
　　Buthebrokeoffsuddenly，andsatoncemorestaringbeforehim。
　　"Butnotadamnedthing，"headded，withpoeticpensiveness，"wouldgrowinthatgulch。”
　　"Whydidyoustaytheresolong？"askedKate，afteralittlepauseinwhichsheman-
　　agedtoregainherwaningcourage。
　　"Badluck。Youneverseeaplacewithsomanyfalseleads。To-dayyou'dgetastreakthatlookedbig。To-morrowyou'dfinditapocket。OnenightI'dgot'bedwithmyheartgoin'likearace-horse。
　　Nextnightitwouldbeploddin'alonglikeawindedburro。Don'tknowwhatmademestickt'it。Itwashotthere，too!Andcold!Alwaysroastin'urfreezin'。It'dbeendifferentifI'dhadanyonet'helpmestandit。Butth'menwerealwaysfindin'
　　fault。Theyblamedmefureverythin'。I
　　usedt'lieawakeatnightan'hear'emtalkin'meover。Itmademelonesome，I
　　tellyou!Tharwasn'tnoone!Motherusedt'write。ButInevertoldherth'
　　truth。Sheain'tasuspicionofwhatI'vebeena-goin'through。”
　　Katesatandlookedathiminsilence。
　　Hisfacewasseamed，thoughfarfromold。
　　Hisbodywasawkward，butimpressedherwithasenseofmagnificentstrength。
　　"Icouldn'tasknowomant'sharemyhardtimes，"heresumedafteratime。"I
　　alwayssaidwhenIgotawoman，itwasgoin't'bet'makeherhappy。Itwer'n'tt'bet'askhert'drudge。”
　　Therewasanothersilence。Thismanoutofthesolitudeseemedtobeelatedpastexpressionathisnewcompanionship。HelookedwithappreciationatthelittlepointedtoesofKate'sslippers，astheyglancedfrombelowtheskirtofherdaintyorgandie。Henotedthebandofpearlsonherfinger。Hiseyesrestedlongonthedaisiesatherwaist。
　　Thewindtosseduplittlecurlsofherwarmbrownhair。Hereyessuffusedwithinter-
　　est，hertendermouthseemedreadytolenditselftoanyemotion，andwithalshewassosmall，socompact，soexquisite。Themanwipedhisforeheadagain，inmereexuberance。
　　"Here'smycard，"hesaid，verysolemnly，ashedrewanengravedbitofpasteboardfromitsleathercase。Katebowedandtookit。
　　"Mr。PeterRoeder，"sheread。
　　"I'venocard，"shesaid。"MynameisShelly。I'mhereformyhealth，asItoldyou。”Sheroseatthispoint，andheldoutherhand。"Imustthankyouoncemoreforyourkindness，"shesaid。
　　Hiseyesfastenedonherswithanappealforalessformalword。Therewassomethingalmostterribleintheirsilenteloquence。
　　"Ihopewemaymeetagain，"shesaid。
　　Mr。PeterRoedermadeaverylowandawkwardbow，andopenedthedoorintothecorridorforher。
　　ThateveningthemajorannouncedthathewasobligedtogotoSeattle。Thejourneywasnotaninvitingone；Katewaswellplacedwhereshewas，andhedecidedtoleaveher。
　　Shewaswellenoughnowtotakelongerdrives；andshefoundstrange，lonelycan-
　　yons，wildandbeautiful，whereyellowwatersburstthroughrockybarrierswithroarandfury，——tortuous，terribleplaces，suchasshehadneverdreamedof。Comingbackfromoneofthesedrives，twodaysafterherconversationonthepiazzawithPeterRoeder，shemethimridingamassiveroan。
　　HesattheanimalwiththatairofperfectunconsciousnesswhichistheattributeoftheWesternman，andhisattire，eventohisEnglishstock，wasfaultless，——faultilyfaultless。
　　"Ihopeyouwon'tobjecttohavin'meridebesideyou，"hesaid，wheelinghishorse。Totellthetruth，Katedidnotobject。Shewasalittledull，andhadbeenconsciousallthemorningofthatpeculiarphysicaldepressionwhichmarksthebegin-
　　ningofafitofhomesickness。
　　"Thewindgitsafinesweep，"saidRoeder，afterhavingobtainedthepermis-
　　sionhedesired。"Nowinthegulchweeitherhadadeadstagnation，orelsethewindwastearin'upanddownlikeawildbeast。”
　　Katedidnotreply，andtheywentontogether，facingtheriotouswind。
　　"Youcan'tguesshowqueeritseemst'
　　behere，"hesaid，confidentially。"Itseemst'measifIhadcomefromsomeotherplanet。Thardon'trightlyseemt'benoplacefurme。Itellyouwhatit'slike。
　　It'sasifI'dcomedownt'enlistinth'
　　ranks，an'found'emfull，——everymanmarchin'alonginhisplace，an'noplaceleftfurme。”
　　Katecouldnotfindareply。
　　"Iain'tafriend，——notafriend!Iain'tcomplainin'。Itain'tth'faultofanyone——butmyself。Youdon'knowwhatadurnedfoolI'vebin。Someway，uptharinth'gulchIgott'seemin'sosortofimpor-
　　tantt'myself，andmymakin'mystakeseemedsuchabigthing，thatIthoughtI
　　hadonlyt'comedownheret'Helenat'
　　havefolkswantt'knowme。Ididn'tparticularwantth'moneybecauseitwusmoney。Butouthereyouworkfurit，jestasyouworkfurotherthingsinotherplaces，——jestbecauseeveryoneisworkin'furit，andit'sthemanwhogetsth'mostthatbeats。Itain'tthattheyareanymoregreedythanmenanywhereelse。Mypile'saprettygood-sizedone。An'it'slikelytobebigger；butnooneelseseemst'care。
　　Th'paperprintedsomepiecesaboutit。
　　Someofth'mencameroundt'seeme；
　　butIsawtheirgame。IsaidIguessedI'dlookfurtherfurmyacquaintances。I
　　ain'tspokentoalady，——notareallady，youknow，——t'talkwith，friendlylike，butyou，fur——years。”
　　Hisfaceflushedinthatsuddenwayagain。
　　Theywerepassingsomeofthosepreten-
　　tioushouseswhichriseinthemidstofHelena'sraggedstreetswithsuchanextra-
　　neousair，andKateleanedforwardtolookatthem。Thedriver，seeingherinterest，drewupthehorsesforamoment。
　　"Fine，fine!"ejaculatedRoeder。"Buttheyain'tgotnogarden。Ahousedon'tseemanythin't'mewithoutagarden。
　　DoyouknowwhatIthinkwouldbeth'
　　mostbeautifulthinginth'world？A
　　babyinarose-garden!Doyouknow，I
　　ain'thadababyinmyhands，excep'NedRamsey'slittlekid，once，fortenyear!"
　　Kate'sfaceshonewithsympathy。
　　"Howdreadful!"shecried。"Icouldn'tlivewithoutababyabout。”
　　"Likebabies，doyou？Well，well。
　　Boys？Likeboys？"
　　"Notabitbetterthangirls，"saidKate，stoutly。
　　"Ilikeboys，"respondedRoeder，withconviction。"Mymotherlikedboys。Shehadthreegirls，butshelikedmeadamnedsightthebest。”
　　Katelaughedoutright。
　　"Whydoyouswear？"shesaid。"I
　　neverheardamanswearbefore，——atleast，notonewithwhomIwastalking。That'soneofyourgulchhabits。Youmustgetoverit。”
　　Roeder'sblondfaceturnedscarlet。
　　"Youmustexcuseme，"hepleaded。
　　"I'llcuremyselfofit!Jestgivemeachance。”
　　ThiswasalittlemorepersonalthanKateapprovedof，andsheraisedherparasoltoconcealherannoyance。Itwasabrilliantlittlefluffofathingwhichlookedasifitweremadeofbutterflies'wings。Roedertoucheditwithawe。
　　"Youhavesechbeautifulthings，"hesaid。"Ididn'tknowwomenworesechnicethings。Nowthatdress——it'slike——Idon'tknowwhatit'slike。”Itwasasimplelittletaffeta，withwarpandwoofofazureandofcream，andgayknotsofribbonaboutit。
　　"Wehavetheadvantageofmen，"shesaid。"Ioftenthinkoneofthegreatestdrawbackstobeingamanwouldbethesombreclothes。Iliketoweartheprettiestthingsthatcanbefound。”
　　"Lace？"queriedRoeder。"Doyoulikelace？"
　　"Ishouldsayso!Didyoueverseeawomanwhodidn't？"
　　"Hu——um!ThesewomenI'veknowndon'tknowlace，——thesewivesofth'menouthere。They'reth'onlykindI'veseenthislongtime。”
　　"Oh，ofcourse，butImean——"
　　"Iknowwhatyoumean。Mymotherhasachestfulloflinenan'lace。Sheshoweditt'meth'dayIleft。'Peter，'shesaid，'somedayyoubringawifehomewithyou，an'I'llgiveyouthatlacean'thatlinen。'
　　An'I'mgoin't'doit，too，"hesaidquietly。
　　"Ihopeso，"saidKate，withhereyesmoist。"Ihopeyouwill，andthatyourmotherwillbeveryhappy。”……
　　Therewasahopatthehotelthatnight，anditwasalmostamatterofcourtesyforKatetogo。Ladieswereindemand，fortherewerenotverymanyofthematthehotel。Everyonewasexpectedtodohisbesttomakeitasuccess；andKate，notatallaversetoawaltzortwo，dressedherselffortheoccasionwithherhabitualstrivingafterartisticeffect。Shewasoneofthosewomenwhomakeapictureofthemselvesasnaturallyasabirdsings。ShehadanopalnecklacewhichJackhadgivenherbecause，hesaid，shehadasmanymoodsasanopalhadcolors；andsheworethiswithacré；pegown，thetintofthegreenlightsinhernecklace。Aboxofflowerscameforherasshewasdressing；theywerePuritanroses，andPeterRoeder'scardwasinthemidstofthem。Shewasusedtohavingflowersgivenher。Itwouldhaveseemedremark-
　　ableifsomeonehadnotsentherabouquetwhenshewasgoingtoaball。
　　"Ishalldancebuttwice，"shesaidtothosewhosoughtherforapartner。
　　"Neithermorenorless。”
　　"Ain'tyougoin't'dancewithmeatall？"Roedermanagedtosaytoherinthemidstofherlaughingaltercationwiththegentlemen。
　　"Dancewithyou!"criedKate。"Howdomenlearntodancewhentheyareupagulch？"
　　"Ikendance，"hesaidstubbornly。Hewasmortifiedatherchaffing。
　　"Thenyoumayhavethesecondwaltz，"
　　shesaid，inquickcontrition。"Nowyouothergentlemenhavebeendancinganynumberoftimestheselastfifteenyears。
　　ButMr。Roederisjustbackfromahardcampaign，——acampaignagainstfate。Mysecondwaltzishis。AndIshalldancemybest。”
　　Ithappenedtobejusttherightsortofspeech。Thewomentriedgood-naturedlytomakeRoeder'seveningapleasantone。
　　Theywerefilledwithcompassionforamanwhohadnotenjoyedthesocietyoftheirsexforfifteenyears。Theyfoundmuchamuse-
　　mentinleadinghimthroughthesquaredances，theformsofwhichwereutterlyunknowntohim。Buthewaltzedwithasortofseriousalertnessthatwasnotsobadasitmighthavebeen。
　　Katedancedwell。Herslightbodyseemedasfullofthespiritofthewaltzasathrush'sbodyisofsong。PeterRoedermovedalongwithherinamaze，onlyhalf-
　　answeringherquestions，hisgrayeyesfullofmystery。
　　Oncetheystoppedforamoment，andhelookeddownather，aswithflushedfaceshestoodsmilingandwavinghergossamerfan，eachmotionstirringthefrailleavesoftheroseshehadsenther。
　　"It'scur'ous，"hesaidsoftly，"butIkeepthinkin'aboutthatblackgulch。”
　　"Forgetit，"shesaid。"Whydoyouthinkofagulchwhen——"Shestoppedwithasuddenrecollectionthathewasnotusedtopersiflage。Butheanticipatedwhatshewasabouttosay。
　　"Whythinkofthegulchwhenyouarehere？"hesaid。"Why，becauseitisonlyth'gulchthatseemsreal。Allthis，——thesepleasant，politepeople，thisbeautifulroom，th'flowerseverywhere，andyou，andmeasIam，seemasifIwasdreamin'。Tharain'tanythinginitallthatislikewhatI
　　thoughtitwouldbe。”
　　"Notasyouthoughtitwouldbe？"
　　"No。Different。Ithoughtitwouldbe——well，Ithoughtth'peoplewouldnotbequitesohigh-toned。Ihopeyoudon'tmindthatword。”
　　"Notintheleast，"shesaid。"It'samu-
　　sicalterm。Itappliesverywelltopeople。”
　　Theytookupthedanceagainandwaltzedbreathlesslytilltheclose。Katewastired；
　　theexertionhadbeenalittlemorethanshehadbargainedfor。Shesatverystillontheverandaunderthewhiteglareofanelectricball，andletRoederdothetalking。Herthoughts，inspiteoftheentertainmentshewasderivingfromherpresentexperiences，wouldgobacktothebabies。Shesawthemtuckedwellinbed，eachinalittleironcrib，withthemuslincurtainsshieldingtheirrosyfacesfromthelight。ShewonderedifJackwerereadingaloneinthelibraryorwasattheclub，orperhapsatthesummercon-
　　cert，withtheswelloftheviolinsinhisears。Jackdidsolovemusic。Asshethoughthowdelicatehisperceptionswere，howherespondedtoeverythingmostsubtleinnatureandinart，ofhowlifeitselfwasafineartwithhim，andjoyathingtobecultivated，sheturnedwithasenseofdeepcompassiontothesimplemanbyherside。
　　Hisroughfacelookedalittlemoreunat-
　　tractivethanusual。Hiseveningclotheswerealmostgrotesque。Hisfaceworealookofsolitude，ofhunger。
　　"Whatwereyousaying？"shesaid，dreamily。"Ibegyourpardon。”
　　"Iwassayin'howIusedt'dreamofsittin'onthestepsofahotellikethis，andnothavin'athingt'do。WhenIusedt'
　　comedownhereoutofthegulch，andseemenwhohadhadgooddinners，an'goodbaths，sittin'aroundsmokin'，withmoneyt'goovertheret'th'bookstan'an'getany-
　　thin'they'dwant，itusedt'seemt'meaboutallasinglemancouldwishfur。”
　　"Well，you'vegotitallnow。”
　　"ButIdidn'tanyofth'timesupposethatwouldsatisfyamanlong。OnlyIwassodarnedtiredIcouldn'thelpwantin't'
　　rest。ButI'mnotsoselfishurs'narrowastobesatisfiedwithTHAT。No，I'mnotgoin't'spendm'pilethatway——quite!"
　　Helaughedoutloud，andthensatinsilencewatchingKateasshelaybackwearilyinherchair。
　　"I'vegott'havethattheregarden，"hesaid，laughingly。"Gott'getthemroses。
　　An'I'llhaveabigbath-house，——plentyofspringsinthiscountry。Youkenhaveabathherethatwon'tfreezesummerNOR
　　winter。An'ababy!I'vegott'haveababy。He'llgowithth'rosesan'th'
　　bath。”Helaughedagainheartily。
　　"It'saqueerjoke，isn'tit？"Roederasked。"Talkin'aboutmybaby，an'I
　　haven'tevenawife。”Hisfaceflushedandheturnedhiseyesaway。
　　"HaveIshownyouthepicturesofmybabies？"Kateinquired。"You'dlikemyboy，Iknow。Andmygirlisjustlikeme，——inminiature。”
　　Therewasasilence。Shelookedupafteramoment。Roederappearedtobeexaminingthemonogramonhisringasifhehadneverseenitbefore。
　　"Ididn'tunderstandthatyouweremar-
　　ried，"hesaidgently。
　　"Didn'tyou？Idon'tthinkyouevercalledmebyanynameatall，orIshouldhavenoticedyourmistakeandsetyouright。
　　Yes，I'mmarried。Icameoutheretogetstrongforthebabies。”
　　"Gotaboyan'agirl，eh？"
　　"Yes。”
　　"Howold'sth'boy？"
　　"Five。”
　　"An'th'girl？"
　　"She'llsoonbefour。”
　　"An'yerhusband——he'slivin'？"
　　"Ishouldsayso!I'maveryhappywoman，Mr。Roeder。IfonlyIwerestronger!"
　　"Yerlookin'muchbetter，"hesaid，gravely，"thanwhenyoucome。You'llbeallright。”
　　Themoonbegantocomeupscarletbeyondtheeasternhills。Thetwowatcheditinsilence。Katehadafeelingofguilt，asifshehadbeenhurtingsomehelplessthing。
　　"Iwasinhopes，"hesaid，suddenly，inavoicethatseemedabruptandshrill，"thetyou'dseefitt'stayhere。”
　　"HereinHelena？Oh，no!"
　　"Iwasthinkin'I'dofferyouthattwohundredthousanddollars，ifyou'dstay。”
　　"Mr。Roeder!Youdon'tmean——
　　surely——"
　　"Why，yes。Whynot？"Hespokeratherdoggedly。"I'llneverseenootherwomanlikeyou。You'redifferentfromothers。Howgoodyou'vebeent'me!"
　　"Good!I'mafraidI'vebeenverybad——atleast，verystupid。”
　　"Isay，now——yourhusband'sgoodt'
　　you，ain'the？"
　　"Heisthekindestmanthateverlived。”
　　"Oh，well，Ididn'tknow。”
　　AratherawkwardpausefollowedwhichwasbrokenbyRoeder。
　　"Idon'tseejestwhatI'mgoin't'dowiththatthartwohundredthousanddol-
　　lars，"hesaid，mournfully。
　　"Dowithit？Why，livewithit!Sendsometoyourmother。”
　　"Oh，I'vedonethat。Fivethousanddollars。Itdon'tseemmuchhere；butit'llseemalott'her。I'dsendhermore，onlyitwould'vebotheredher。”
　　"Thenthereisyourhouse，——thehousewiththebath-room。ButIsupposeyou'llhaveotherrooms？"
　　Peterlaughedalittleinspiteofhimself。
　　"IguessIwon'thaveahouse，"hesaid。
　　"An'Icouldn'tmakeagardenalone。”
　　"Hireamantohelpyou。”Katewastrembling，butshekepttalkinggayly。Shewasprayingthatnothingveryseriouswouldhappen。Therewasanundercurrentofsom-
　　brenessintheman'smannerthatfrightenedher。
　　"IguessI'lljesthavet'keepondreamin'ofthatboyplayin'withth'roses。”
　　"No，no，"criedKate；"hewillcometruesomeday!Iknowhe'llcometrue。”
　　Petergotupandstoodbyherchair。
　　"Youdon'tknownothin'aboutit，"hesaid。"Youdon'tknow，an'youcan'tknowwhatit'sbint'met'talkwithyou。HereIcomeoutofaplacewherethereain'tnosoundbutthewaterandthepines。Yearscomean'go。Stillnosound。Onlythinkin'，thinkin'，thinkin'!Missin'allth'thingsmencarefur!Dreamin'ofatimewhenIsh'dstriketh'pile。ThenI
　　seedhome，wife，aboy，flowers，everythin'。
　　You'resobeautiful，an'you'resogood。
　　You'veawayofpickin'aman'sheartrightoutofhim。FirsttimeIsetmyeyesonyouIthoughtyouwereth'nicestthingI
　　eversee!Andhowlittleyouare!Thathandofyours，——lookatit，——it'slikealeaf!An'howeasyyousmile。Upth'
　　gulchwedidn'tsmile；welaughed，butgen'lybecausesomeonegotinafix。Thenyourvoice!Ah，I'vethoughtfuryearsthatsomedayImighthearavoicelikethat!Don'tyougo!Sitstill!I'mnotblamin'youfuranythin'；butImaynever，'slong'sIlive，findanyonewhowillunderstandthingsth'wayyouunder-
　　stand'em。Here!Itellyouaboutthatgulchan'youseethatgulch。Youknowhowth'rainsoundedthar，an'howth'
　　shacklooked，an'th'lifeIled，an'allth'
　　thoughtsIhad，an'th'longnights，an'
　　th'timeswhen——butnevermind。Iknowyouknowitall。Isawitinyereyes。I
　　tellyouofmother，an'yousee'er。Youknow'eroldGermanface，an''erproudways，an'herprideinme，an'howshewouldthinkIwuzawfullyrich。An'youseehowshewouldgiveoutthemlinens，allmarkedfurmywife，an'howIwouldsitan'watchherdoin'it，an'——youseeevery-
　　thing。Iknowyoudo。Icouldfeelyoudoin'it。ThenIsaytomyself:'Hereisth'onewomaninth'worldmadefurme。
　　WhateverIhave，sheshallhave。I'llspendmylifewaitin'onher。She'lltellmeallth'thingsIoughtt'know，an'hevmissedknowin'；she'llreadt'me；she'llbepatientwhenshefindshowdullI'vegrown。Andthar'llbeth'boy——'"
　　Heseizedherhandandwrungit，andwasgone。Katesawhimnomorethatnight。
　　Thenextmorningthemajorreturned。
　　Katethrewherarmsaroundhisneckandwept。
　　"Iwantthebabies，"sheexplainedwhenthemajorshowedhisconsternation。"Don'tmindmycrying。Yououghttobeusedtoseeingmecrybythistime。Imustgethome，that'sall。ImustseeJack。”
　　Sothatnighttheystarted。
　　AtthedoorofthecarriagestoodPeterRoeder，waiting。
　　"I'mgoingt'ridedownwithyou，"hesaid。Themajorlookednonplussed。
　　Kategotinandthemajorfollowed。
　　"Come，"shesaidtoRoeder。Hesatoppositeandlookedatherasifhewouldfastenherimageonhismind。
　　"Youremember，"hesaidafteratime，"thatItoldyouIusedt'dreamofsittin'ontheverandaofth'hotelandhavin'nothin'
　　t'do？"
　　"Yes。”
　　"Well，Idon'tthinkIcarefurit。I'vehadamonthofit。I'mgoin'backupth'gulch。”
　　"No!"criedKate，instinctivelyreachingoutherhandstowardhim。
　　"Whynot？Iguessyoudon'tknowme。
　　IknewthatsomewhereI'dfindafriend。I
　　foundthatfriend；an'nowI'maloneagain。It'sprettyquietuptharinthegulch；butI'lltryit。”
　　"No，no。GotoEurope；gotoseeyourmother。”
　　"Ithoughtaboutthatagooddeal，awhileago。ButIdon'tseemt'havenoheartfuritnow。IfeelasifI'dbesaferinth'gulch。”
　　"Safer？"