"Itwasabroadterracepavedwithredbrickthatwasstainedandalittlemossy，sothatitlookedmucholderthanithadanyrightto，andalongitsouterbordertherewerebay-treessetinbigItalianterracottajars；butthebay-treeswereplacedfarapartsothattheyshouldnotmasktheview，andthatwaswise，foritwasafineview。ItisruggedcountryinthatpartofWestchesterCounty——likeachoppysea:allbroken，twistedridges，andabruptlittlehills，andpiled-upboulders，andhollow，cup-likedepressionsamongthem。TheGreyhousesat，asitwere，uponthelipofacup，andfromthesouthwardterraceyoulookedacrossamileortwoofhollowbottom，withalittlelakeatyourfeet，toslopingpastureswheretherewerecattlebrowsing，andtothefar，highhillsbeyond。
"Therewasnomagnificenceabouttheoutlook——nothingtomakeyoucatchyourbreath；butitwasagoodviewwithplentyofelbowroomandnosignofaneighbor——nohuddling——onlythewaterofthelittlelake，thebrownNovemberhillsides，andthecleanblueskyabove。Thedistantcattlelookedlikesceniccattlepaintedontheirgreen-bronzepasturetogiveanaspectofhusbandrytothescene。"
AlthoughRichardwasnowcomfortablysettled，hehadoflateyearsacquiredagreatdreadofcoldweather。Assoonaswintersetinhismindturnedtothetropics，andwheneveritwaspossiblehewenttoCubaorsomeotherlandwherehewassureofplentyofheatandsunshine。Theearlypartof1906
foundhimatHavana，thistimeonavisittotheHon。E。V。
Morgan，whowasthenourministertoCuba。FromHavanahewenttotheIsleofPines。
ISLEOFPINES，March26th，1906。
DEARMOTHER:——
WearejustreturningfromtheIsleofPines。WereachedthereafteradayonthewaterataboutsixonWednesday，22nd。Theydroppedusatawoodshedinamangroveswamp，whereaMr。Masonmetuswithtwomules。ImusthavesaidI
wasgoingtotheislandbecauseeveryonewasexpectingme。
Untilthenightbeforewehadreallynoideawhenwewouldgo，so，tobewelcomedwhereverwewent，wasconfusing。Forfourdayswewerecutofffromtheworld，andinthattime，fivedaysinall，wecoveredtheentireislandprettythoroughly——
ItwasoneofthemostinterestingtripsIevertookandCecilenjoyeditasmuchasIdid。Theislandisacuriousmixtureofpalmandpines，oneminuteitlookslikeVenezuelaandthenextlikeFloridaandLakewood。ItisdividedintotwopartiesofAmericans，the"moderates"andthe"revolutionists。"TheCubansareveryfewandareallemployedbytheAmericans，whoownnine-tenthsoftheIsland。
Ofcourse，theyallwanttheU。S。totakeit，theydifferonlyastohowtopersuadethesenatorstodoit。Ihadtochangeallmyopinionsaboutthesituation。Ithoughtitwasownedbylandspeculatorswhodidnotlivethere，norwishtolivethere，butinsteadI
foundeveryoneImethadbuiltahomeandwascultivatingtheland。Wegaveeachlandcompanyaturnatme，andwehadtoadmireorangegrovesandpineapples，grapefruitandcoffeeuntilwecriedforhelp。Withallthiswasthemostromantichistoryoftheislandbeforethe"gringos"came。Itwasafamousplaceforpiratesandburiedtreasuresandslavepens。
Itwasasortofclearinghouseforslaveswheretheywerefattened。Idonotbelievepeopletakemuchinterestinorknowanythingaboutit，butIamgoingtotryandmakeaninterestingstoryofitforCollier。Itwasqueertobesocompletelycutofffromtheworld。Therewasawirelessbuttheywouldnotletmeuseit。Itisnotyetopenedtothepublic。ItalkedtoeveryoneImetandsawmuchthatwaspatheticandhuman。ItwasthefirstpioneersettlementCecilhadeverseenandtheAmericanmakingthewaysstraightisverycurious。Hecertainlydoesnotadornwhateverhetouches。ButneverhaveImetsomanyenthusiasticsandsuchprideinlocality。To-nightwereachtheHotelLouvre，thankheaven!whereIcangetSpanishfoodagain，andnotAmericangingerbread，and，"thepielikemotherusedtomake。"WenowareonawretchedSpanishtugboatwitheveryone，myselfincluded，veryseasickandbabieshowlingandroosterscrowing。Butsoonthatwillbeover，and，afterashortrideofthirtymilesthroughabeautifulpartoftheisland，wewillbeinHavanaintimeforafinedinner，withice。WhatnextwewilldoIamnotsure。AfterlivinginthatbeautifulpalaceofMorgan's，itjustneededfivedaysofthe"Pinero's"
tomakeusenjoylifeatahotel——Ifwecanmakeconnections，I
thinkIwillgoovertoSantoDomingo，andstudyupthatsubject，too。But，evenifwegonowhereelsethetriptotheI。ofP。
wasalonewellworthourlongjourney。Idon'tknowwhenIhaveseenanythingascurious，andascomplicatedapoliticalexistence。Lovetoallofyoudearones。
DICK。
HAVANA——April9，1906。
ARTHURBARTLETTMAURICE，ESQ。
MYDEARMAURICE:
Ihavejustreadaboutmyself，intheAprilBookman，whichI
wouldbeveryungratefulifIdidnotwriteandtellyouhowmuchitpleasedme。Thatsoundsasthoughwhatpleasedmewas，obviously，thatwhatyousaidwassokind。ButwhatI
reallymean，andthatforwhichIthankyou，wasyourpickingoutthingsthatImyselfliked，andthatIwouldliketothinkothersliked。Iknowthatthemenmake"breaks，"andamsorryforit，but，Iforgettobesorrywhenyoupleasemebypointingoutthegoodqualitiesin"Laquerre，"andthebullterrier。Nothingeverhurtmesomuchasthelineusedbymanyreviewersof"Macklin"that"Mr。Davis'heroisacad，andMr。Daviscannotseeit。"MacklinIalwaysthoughtwasthebestthingIeverdid，anditwastheoneoverwhichI
tookthemosttimeandcare。ItsfailurewaswhatasMaggieClineusedtosay，"drovemeintothisbusiness"ofplaywriting。Allthateverwassaidofitwasthatitwas"Abooktoreadonrailroadtrainsandinahammock。"ThatwastheverdictasdeliveredtomebyRomeikefrom300reviewers，anditdrovemetofarces。So，Iwasespeciallygladwhenyouliked"RoyalMacklin。"Itriedtomakea"hero"whowasvain，theatrical，boastingandselfconscious，but，stilllikable。But，Ididnotsucceedinmakinghimofinterest，anditalwayshashurtme。Also，yourlikingthe"Derelict"
andthe"FeverShip"gavememuchpleasure。YouseewhatI
mean，itwasyourselectingthethingsuponwhichIhadworked，andwithwhichIhadmadeeveryeffort，thathasbothencouragedanddelightedme。Beingentirelyunprejudiced，I
thinkitisafinearticle，andassoonasIstampthis，I
willreaditoveragain。So，thankyouverymuch，indeed，fortosaywhatyoudidseriously，overyourownname，tookalotofcourage，andforthatdaring，andforlikingthesamethingsIdo，Ithankyoumanytimes。
Sincerelyyours，RICHARDHARDINGDAVIS。
Inreadingthisover，IfindallIseemtohavedoneinitistocomplainbecausenoone，butyourselfandmyselfliked"Macklin。"WhatIwantedtosayis，thatIamverygratefulforthearticle，fortheappreciation，althoughIdon'tdeserveit，andforyourtemerityinsayingsomanykindthings。NothingthathasbeenwrittenaboutwhatIhavewrittenhaseverpleasedmesomuch。
R。H。D。
Inthespringof1906whileRichardwasonavisittoProvidence，R。I。，HenryW。SavageproducedaplaybyJesseLynchWilliamsandmybrotherwasaskedtoassistatrehearsals，apastimeinwhichhefoundanenormousamountofpleasure。The"McCloy"mentionedinthefollowingletterwasthecityeditorofTheEveningSunwhenmybrotherfirstjoinedthestaffofthatpaperasareporter。
NEWYORK，May4，1906。
DEARNORA:
IleftProvidenceTuesdaynightandcameontoNewYorkyesterday。SavageandWilliamsandallwereveryniceaboutthehelptheysaidIhadgiventhem，andIhadasmuchfunasthoughithadbeenasuccessIhadmademyself，andIdidn'thavetomakeaspeech，either。
YesterdayIspentinthenewspaperofficesgatheringmaterialfromtheirenvelopesonWinstonChurchill，M。P。whoistobeoneofmyrealSoldiersofFortune。Hewillmakeasplendidone，infourwars，twicemadeaquestion；beforehewas21
yearsold，inParliament，andaleaderinBOTHpartiesbeforehewas36。Inthenewspaperofficestheyhadalotoffunwithme。WhenIcameintothecityroomofTheEve。
Sun，McCloywasathisdeskinhisshirtspikingcopy。Hejustraisedhiseyesandwentonwithhisbluepencil。Isaid"There'snothinginthatstory，sir，themanwillgetwell，andthewomanishiswife。"
"Maketwosticksofit，"saidMcCloy，"andthengobacktotheJeffersonpolicecourt。"
WhenIsatdownatmyolddesk，andbegantowritethecopyboycameandstoodbesidemeandwhenIhadfinishedthefirstpage，snatchedit。IhadtoexplainIwasonlytakingnotes。
AtTheJournal，SamChamberlainwhousedtopayme$500astory，touchedmeontheshoulderasIwasscribblingdownnotes，andsaid"Hearstsaystotakeyoubackat$17aweek。"
Isaid"I'mworth$18andIcan'tcomeforless。"
SohebroughtupthebusinessmanagerandhadalongwranglewithhimastowhetherIshouldget$18。Thebusinessmanager，aJewgentleman，didn'tknowmefromAdam，andseriouslytriedtosavethepaperadollaraweek。Whenthereportersandtypewritergirlsbegantolaugh，hegotverymad。Itwasveryfunnyhowsoothingwasthenoiseofthepresses，andthebellsandtypewritersandmenyelling"Copy!"
and"Damntheboy!"IcouldwritebetterthanifIhadbeeninthesilenceofthefarm。Itwaslikebeingabletosleepassoonasthescrewstarts。
DICK。
CHAPTERXVI
THECONGO
Duringthewinterof1907theworldrangwiththereportsoftheatrocitiesintheCongo，andRobertJ。Collier，ofCollier'sWeekly，askedRichardtogototheCongoandmakeaninvestigation。Idonotbelievethatmybrotherwaseverinmuchsympathywiththecommission，ashedidnotfeelthathecouldaffordthetimethatathoroughinvestigationdemanded。
However，withhiswifehesailedforLiverpoolonJanuary5，1907，andthreeweekslaterstartedforAfrica。
Regardingthistrip，inadditiontothelettershewrotetohisfamily，Ialsoquotefromadiarywhichhehadjuststartedandwhichheconscientiouslycontinueduntilhisdeath。
FromdiaryofJanuary24th，1907。
LastdayinLondon。MargaretFrazerofferedmegunfromaCaptainJenkinsofNigeria。InsteadboughtWinchesterrepeating，hoping，ifneedit，getonecoast。LunchedSavoy-Lynch，Mrs。Lynch，hersister——verybeautifulgirl。InafternoonSamSothernandMargaretcameintosay"Goodbye。"
DinedatAnthonyHope's——BarrieandMrs。BarrieandJimWhigham。Mrs。Barrielookingverywell，Barrienotsowell。
Assilentasever，onlytalkedonceduringdinnerwhenhetoldusaboutthefirstofhisseriesofcricketmatchesbetweenauthorsandartists。Didnothaveelevenauthors，sogoingalongroadpickeduputterstrangersoneasoldierinfrontofembracingtwogirls。Saidhewouldcomeifgirlscametoo——allputinbrake。Mrs。BarriesaidtheLlewellenDavis'
weretheoriginalsfortheDarlingsandtheirchildreninPeterPan。TheyplayedastrangegameofbilliardssuggestedbyBarriewhowonasnooneelseknewtherulesandtheyclaimedheinventedthemtosuithiscase。Satupuntilthreewritingandpacking。ThedinnerwasbesthavehadthistripinLondon。
CompagnieBelgeMaritimeDuCongo。
S。S。February11th，1907。
To-morrow，wewillbeinBanana，whichisthefirstportintheCongo。WhenIrememberhowfarawaytheCongoseemedfromNewYorkandLondon，itisimpossibletobelievewearelessthanadayfromit。IamsoverygladIcame。Thepeoplewhohavelivedhereforyearsagreeaboutitinnoonefact，so，itisago-as-you-pleaseforanyonesofarasaccurateinformationisconcerned，andIamaslikelytoberightasanyoneelse。Ithasbeenapleasanttripandforuswillnotbeoveruntilsomedays，foratMatadi，whichisuptheriver，wewillprobablyliveonthesteamerastheshoredoesnotsoundattractive。ThenIshallprobablygoonuptheriverandafteramonthorsixweekscomebackagain。AtBomaIamtoseetheGovernor，oneoftheinspectorsonboardistointroduceme，andIhaveanideatheywillmakemeascomfortableaspossible，sothatImaynotseeanything。NotthatIwouldbelikelytoseeanythinghiddenunderayear。
YesterdaywasthecrossingoftheEquator。ThenightbeforeNeptune，oneofthecrew，andhiswife，theship'sbutcher，andakrooboy，asblackascoalfortheheirapparentcameoverthesideandproclaimedthatthosewhoneverbeforehadcrossedtheEquatormustbebaptized。WehadcrossedbutIwasperfectlywillingtogothroughitforthefun。TheBelgianswentatitasseriouslyaschildren，andworkedupagrandsuccessionofevents。Firstwehadgymkanaracesamongthekrooboys。Themostremarkablewastheirplacingfrancpiecesintubsofwhiteandredflour，forwhichtheboysdived，theythendugformoremoneyintoabigbasketfittedwithfeathersandwhentheycameouttheywerethemostawfulsightsimaginable。Youcanpicturetheirnakedblackbodiesandfacesspottedwithwhiteandpinkandstucklikechickenswithfeathers。Thenthenextdaywewereallhauledbeforeacourtandjudged，andhavingallbeenfoundguiltywerecondemnedtobeshavedandbathedpubliclyatfour。MeantimetheItalians，isitnotthepictureofthem，hadorganizedarevolutionagainsttheTribunal，withtheobjectofduckingthem。Theywentintothisasthoughitwerearealconspiracyandhadsignsandpasswords。Atfouro'clock，inturntheysatusontheedgeofthegreattankonthewelldeckandsplashedusoverwithpasteandthentiltedusin。ItriedtocarrytheFrenchmanwhowasactingasbarber，withmebutonlygothimhalfin。ButMilani，oneoftheItalians，swunghimoverhisheadplumbintothewater。TheFrenchmanisarichelephanthunterwhoisnotverypopular。Whentherevolutionbrokelooseweallyelled"AbasleTribunal""VivelaRevolution"!
andtherewasawfulroughhouse。ImadefortheFrenchmanandwentinwithhimandnearlydrownedhim，andeverybodywasbeingthrownintothetankorheldinfrontofafirecross。
Afterdinnertherewasagrandceremony，thefourth，inwhichcertificateswerepresentedbyanInspecteurd'Etatwhoisonboard，andisaDeputyGovernorofadistrict。ThentherewasmuchchampagneandaconcertandCecilandIsatwiththeCaptain，theBishop，inhisrobesandberrettaandthetwoinspectorsandtheywereverycharmingtobothofus。
DICK。
CompagnieBelgeMaritimeDuCongo。
S。S。February13th，1907。
DEARMOTHER:
WereachedBananayesterdaymorning，andthemouthoftheCongo，andasthesoldiersaidwhenhereachedthetopofSanJuanHill，"Hell!wellhereweare!"BananalookslikeoneofthedozenlittleislandsintheWestIndies，wherewewouldstoptotakeonsome"brandsofbananas，"insteadoftheporttoacountryasbigasEurope。Wewentashoreandwanderedaroundunderthepalmtrees，andtookphotos，andwatchedsomemenfishinginthelagoons，andwesawastrangefishthatleapsonthetopofthewaterjustasafrogjumpsonland。
Itiscertainlyhot。MilaniandIwentinswimmingintheocean，andgotfinelycool。Thenwepaddledthecanoebacktotheshiptoshowtheblackshowgoodwewere，andgotveryhot，andtheblackschargedusafrancforthevoyage。
To-morrowwewillbeinBoma，thecapital，whichismuchofaplacewithshopsandalawntenniscourt。
BOMA，February15th。
BomaismoreorlesslaidoutandcontainstheofficialresidencesoftheGovernment。Iwalkedalloveritinanhour，andhereyouwalkveryslow。TherearethreeorfourbigtradingstoresANDatenniscourt。Itis，however，adrearyplace。Wecalledonthemissionaryandhiswife，butshedoesnotspeakEnglishandtheirpointofviewofeverythingwasnotcheerfulorinstructive。CecilplanstoremainonboardwhileatMatadiandreturnwiththissameboattoBoma。Iwanthertogohomeinthisboatorinsomeother，asIbelieveBomamostunhealthyandIknowittobemostuncomfortable。Shewouldhavetogotoahotelwhichisveryhotandrough，althoughitiscleanandwellrun。Iamundecidedwhethertogouptheriverfortendays，towhereitcrossestheequator，ortoleavetheupperCongoandgouptheKasairiver。Thisisoffthebeatentrack，andonemayseesomethingofinterest。IwillknowbetterwhatIwilldoinanhour，whenIgettoMatadi。
MATADI——Feby。21。
WearenowatMatadi。TheCaptaininvitedustostoponboardanditiswellhedid。WedineondeckwherethewindblowsbuttherestoftheshipisbeingcleanedandpaintedforthetripNorth。Fourhatchesaredischargingcargoallatonce，fromfourinthemorninguntilmidnight。Officersandkrooboysgetfourhourssleepoutofthetwenty-four，butIsleeprightthroughit，sodoesCecil。Sometimestheytakeoutironrailsandthenzincroofsandsteelboats，6000casesofginand1000tonsofcoal。Still，itismuchbetterthanintheHotelAfricaonshore。Matadiisahillofredironandtheheatisgrand。Everythinginthiscountryisgrand。Theriveris，inplaces，sevenmileswide，thesunsetsarelikenothingearthly，andtheblackpeoplearelikebroodingshadowsoflostsouls，thatis，ifsoulshaveshadows。Mostoftheblacksinthistownare"prisoners"withasteelringaroundtheneck，andchainedinlonglines。Ileaveonthe23dtogouptheKasaiRiver，becausethatiswheretheatrocitiescomefromanduptheretherearemanymissionaries。Idon'twantyoutothinkIsaythisto"calmyourfears，"butIsayitbecauseitisastrueofthisplaceasofeveryotheroneintheworld，andthatis，thatitisaseasytogetabouthereasitisinRhodeIsland。Itisnothalfasdangerousasautomobiling。Ihavenotevenfeltfeverish，neitherhasCecil。Ineverfeltbetter。CecilstaysonboardandgoesbacktoBoma。ThereshestopsaweekandthentakesanothershipbacktoLondon。ShewillnotwaitatBomaforme，atleast，Ihopenotandcannotimagineherdoingso。Inanyevent，afterIstart，therewillbenowayforustocommunicate，andIwillactontheunderstandingthatshehasstartedNorth。
IhavetwoverygoodboysandbothspeakEnglish，andarefromSierraLeone。Itakeatwo-daytripof200milesbyrail，thenfourdaysbyboatuptheKasaiandthenImaycomebackbyboatorwalk。ItdependsonhowIlikeit，howlongI
stay，forIcanhopetoseeverylittle，asunderayearitwouldbeimpossibletowritewithauthorityofthiscountry。
ButI'llseemoreofitthansomeathome，andI'llhearwhatthosewhohavelivedhereforyearshavetosay。Itisawfullyinteresting，absolutelydifferentandmoreuncivilizedthananythingIeversaw。Butallthetimeyouaredepressedwithhowlittleyouknowandcanknowofit。IwillbeheresixweeksortwomonthsandthenshouldgetupthecoasttoLondonaboutthemiddleofMayorsooner。
DICK。
FromdiaryofFebruary22nd，1907。
Spentabouttheworstnightofmylife。Nomattress，nopillow。Notspaceenoughformyowncot。Everyinsectintheworldateme。Afterabathandcoffeefeltbetter。ItrainedheavilyuntilthreeP。M。ReadPendennis，andlovedit。ThepictureoflifeatClaveringandFairoaks，andDr。PortmanandFokerarewonderful。IdonotknowwhenIhaveenjoyedandadmiredaworksomuch。Forsomereasonitisallentirelynewagain。Iwillreadthemallnowinturn。Afterrainclearedtookmyslavesandwentafter"supplies。"MetaKing。
Ithoughthewasawitchdoctor，andtheboyssaidhewasadancingman。Allhissuite，wivesandsubjectsfollowed，singingasongthatmadeyourfleshcreep。AtHattonandCookson'sbought"plentychop"for"boys"whoweremuchpleased。Alsoasparkletbottle，somewhiskeyandtwopintsofchampagneat7francsthepint。BlushtoownitwasdemiSec。Alsobacon，jam，milk，envelopes，apillow。SawsomeivoryStatehadseizedandreturned。15Kilo's。SometakenfromGomezacrossstreetnotreturneduntilhegaveuphalf。
NoreasongivenTayloragentH。&C。whyreturnedApparentlywhencalledwillcomedownontheivoryquestion。CuthbertMalet，coffeeplanter，camecallonme。OnlyEnglishmanstillinServiceState。Hadmuchtosaywhichdidnotwantprinteduntilheoutofcountrywhichwillbeinmonthortwo。
Anstrossihasgivenmesideofcabinwherethereisroomformycot，soexpecttosleep。
STANLEYPOOL，Feb。22nd，1907。
DEARMOTHER:
Whenyougetthis，IwillbeonmywaytoLondon。
Therestofmystayherewillbeonboardtwoboats，touchingatthebanksoftheKasairiver。OneInowamontakesmeupandanothertakesmedown。Iwillseeagreatdealthatisstrangeanditisveryinteresting。Yesterday，forexample，onlyanhourbeforeourtrainreachedGongoloStation，therewerethreeelephantsthatwanderedacrossthetrack。Wewereverydisappointednottohaveseenthem。Atthemissionhouseonthewayup，IbroughtthefirsticethemissionboyshadseenandwhenIputapieceinthehandofone，heyelledanddancedaboutasthoughitwereacoal。Thehigherupyougothetougheritgets。Backinthejungle，onecanonlyimaginewhatitislike。Hereallthewhitemenhaveblackwives，andthewaythewhipisusedonthemenisverydifferentfromthelowercongo。Theboatisaboutaslargeasatouringcar，withallthemachineryexposed。Iamverycomfortablethough，withmybedandcampchair，and，bookstoread，whenonegetstiredofthisgreat，dirtyriver。I，expecttoseehippopotamusesandmanycrocodilesandtolearnsomethingofthe"atrocities"byhearsay。Toseeforoneself，wouldtakemonths。IreturnfromtheKasaidistrictbyaboatlikethisone，burningwoodandwithasternwheel，reachingLeopoldville，thisplace，aboutthe12thofMarch，andsailingontheAlbertvilleforSouthamptononthe19thofMarch。SoIshouldbeinLondonandsoverynearyoubythe8thofApril。Ofcourse，ifItakealaterboatfromhere，Iwillbejustthatmuchlater。Iamperfectlywell，neverbetter。Nofever，no"tiredfeeling"goodappetite，inspiteofawfultoughfood。FromthisplacemoneycannotbeusedandIcarryabagofsaltandrollsofcloth。Forabottleofsaltyougetafowloraturkey，foratablespoonfulanegg，orabunchoffruit。WhenyouwritebesureandtellmeALLyourplansforthesummer；thatis，afteryouhavebeentoseeus。Mydearestlovetoyouall。
DICK。
FromdiaryofFebruary27th，1907。
Sawtwohippos。ThoughtAnstrossisaidtheywerebuffalo。SowasgladwhenIfoundoutwhattheywere。Ididnotwanttogohomewithouthavingseenonlytwodeadones。InafewminutesIsawtwomore。AnstrossifiredatthembutIdidnot，asthoughtitnotthegamewhenonecouldnotrecoverthem。Beforenoonsawsixinabunch——andthenwhatIthoughtwasaspitofrockwithahippolyingontheendofit，turnedouttobefifteenhipposinaline!BurnhamhastoldhehadseenelevenintheVoltainoneday。Beforeoneo'clock，I
hadseentwenty-six，and，laterinthedayAnstrossifiredatanother，andshotaholeintheawning。Thatmadetwenty-seveninoneday。Alsosomemonkeys。
Thehipposweredelightful。Theyseemedsoaristocratic，likegoutyoldgentlemen，puffingandblowingandyawning，asthougheverythingboredthem。
FromdiaryofFebruary28th，1907。
Whenjustgoingupforcoffee，sawwhatwassobig，lookingatitagainsthorizon，thoughtitmustbeanelephant。Wasayounghippo。CaptainJensenbroughtboatwithineightyyardsofhim，andbothAnstrossiandIfired，apparentlyknockinghimoffhislegs，forherolledonhissideasthoughhisbackwasbroken。Imissedhimthesecondshot，whichstruckthewaterjustinfrontofhim。Theotherthreeshotscaughthiminthehead，inthemouthandear。Helayquitestill，andtheboysrushedoutagangplankandsurroundedhimsingingandshoutingandcuttinghistailtomakehimbleedandweakenhim。Theydon'tdieforanhourbutheseemeddeadenough，soIwenttomycabintore-loadmygunandmycamera。InthreeminutesIcameout，andfoundthehippostillquiet。ThenhebegantotosshisheadandIshothimagain，toputhimoutofpain。Inreturnforwhichherolledoverintothewaterandgotaway。Iwasmad。Latersawfourmore。Justatsunsetwhiletakingbathanotherwasseenonshore。Wegotwithinsixtyyardsofhimandallofusmissedhimoratleastdidnothurthim。HethentrottedfortheriverwithhisheadupandagainImusthavemissed，althoughatoneplacehewasbutfiftyyardsaway，whenheenteredthewater，ahundred。Isteppeditofflaterinthesand。Ifollowedhimupandhithimorsomeoneofushithimandhestooduponhishindlegs。Butheputbacktolandforthethirdtime。Captainsaidwaituntilmooncameout。Butthoughwehunteduptoourwaistssawnone。Onecamequitecloseatdinner。Sevenontheday。
CONGORIVER——March1，1907。
DEARMOTHER:
IhavebeenuptheCongoasfarastheKasairiver，andupthattoaplacecalledDima。ThereIfoundmyselfinasortofculdesac。IfoundthattherubberplantationsIhadcometosee，wereninedaysjourneydistant。Inthislandwheretimeanddistancearesodifferentlyregardedthanwithus，amantellsyoutogotoDimatoseerubber。HemeansaftergettingtoDima，youmustcatchasteamerthatleaveseverytwoweeksandtravelforfivedays。Butheforgetsthatthatfactisimportanttovisitors。Asheisundercontracttostayherethreeyears，itdoesnotmuchmattertohimhowhespendsamonth，orso。Dimawastwohundredyardssquare，andthenthejungle。Inhalfanhour，Isawitall，andmeteveryoneinit。Theygavemeagrandreception，butIcouldnotspendtendaysinDima。TheonlyotherthingIcoulddowastotakeacanoetotheJesuitMissionwheretheFatherspromisedmeshooting，or，trytocatchtheboatbacktoEnglandthatstopsatinterestingports。SoonerthanstopinBoma，IurgedCeciltotakethatboat。So，ifIcatchit，wewillreturntogether。Itisafiveweeksjourney，andratherlongtospendalone。Inanyeventmyletterswillgobyafasterboat。Ihavehadamostwonderfullyinterestingvisit，atleast，tome。IhopeIcanmakeitreadable。But，muchofitspleasurewaspersonal。
Ihavejusthadtostopwritingthis，forwhatwhenIgetbacktoNewYorkwillseemaperfectlygoodreasonforinterruptingalettertoevenyou。Alargehippopotamushasjustpushedpastuswithfivebabyhipposinfrontofher。Sheisshovingthemupstream，andthepapahippoisinthewakepuffingandblowing。Theyareveryplentyhereandonthewayupstream，Isawagreatmany，andeverymorningandeveningwenthuntingforthemonshore。Iwantedtheheadofahippopotamusawfullykeenlyforthefarm。ButoftheonlytwoIsawonland，bothgotawayfromme。IdidnotshootatanyIsawinthewater，althoughtheotheridiotonboarddid，becauseifyoukillthem，youcannotrecoverthem，anditseemsmostunsportsmanlike。Besides，Iwassogratefultothemforbeingsoproudandpompous，andrealaristocratsdatingbackfromtheflood。ButIwasterriblydisappointedatlosingbothofthoseIsawonland。OneIdroppedatthefirstshot，andtheotherImissed，ashewasrunning，togetbackintothewater。
TheoneIshot，andthateveryonethoughtwasdead，AFTERTHE
"BOYS"BEGANTOCUTHIMUP，decidedhewasnotgoingtostandforthat，andtoourhelplessdismaysuddenlyrolledhimselfintothewater。Ifthatisnothardluck，Idon'tknowit。AllIgotwasabadphotographofhim，andIhadalreadydecidedwhereIwouldhanghishead，andhowmuchIwouldtipthecrewforcuttinghimup。Itwasareallywonderfuljourney。IlovedeveryminuteofitandneverwasIinbetterhealth。
IfIonlycouldhaveknownthatyouknewthatIwasallright，butinsteadyouwereworrying。Thenightswerebrightmoonlight，andthedayswerebeautiful；fullofstrangepeopleandanimals，birdsandviews。Wethreesatinthelittlebridgeofthetinpotboat，andsmokedpipesandwatchedthegreatmuddyriverrushingbetweenwonderfulbanks。TherewastheDanishCaptain，anItalianofficerandtheengineerwasfromFinland。TheItalianspokeFrenchandthetwoothersEnglish，andIactedasinterpreter!!Canyouimagineit？I
amnowreallyadaringFrenchlinguist。Peoplewhounderstandme，getquickpromotion。IfIonlycouldhavebeenabletotellyouallwaswellandnottobeworried。AtKwarmouthI
havejustreceivedawirefromCecilsayingsheexpectstoleavebytheslowboatbutwillstayifIwishit。So，nowwecanbothgobytheslowboatifIcancatchit。Ihopeso。
musthavefoundBomaasbadasitlooked。Godblessyouall。
DICK。
OnApril13，RichardwasbackinLondonandinhisdiaryofthatdatehewrites，"Neversogladtogetanywhere。Wenttosleeptothemusicofmotorcars。Nothingevermademefeelsocontentandcomfortableandsecureastheir`honk，honk。'"
FromdiaryofApril22nd，1907。
AblackmailernamedH——called，withphotosofatrocitiesandlettersandfilms。Hewanted30Poundsforthelot。I
gavehim3Poundsforthreephotos。OneletterheshowedmesignedBullinger，anEnglishman，saidhehadputthefearofGodintheirheartsbystickingupthechief'sheadonapole，andsaying，"Now，makerubber，oryouwilllooklikethat。"
WenttolunchwithPearsonbutitwasthewrongday，andsomissedgettingafreefeed。Thinkinghewouldturnup，I
orderedamostexpensivelunch。Ipaidforit。EveningwentPatience，whichlikedimmenselyandthenDuchessofSutherland'spartytoPremiers。SawChurchillandeachexplainedhisshareoftheRealSoldiersrow。
FromdiaryofApril28th，1907。
WewentdownbytraintoClivedengoingbyTaplowtoMaidenheadwhereAstorhadsenthiscartomeetus。ItisawonderfulplaceandtheviewoftheThamesisabeautifulone。
Theyhadbeenmakingalterations，bathrooms，andputtingwhiteenameltilesthroughoutthedungeons。IfDukeslivednomorecomfortablythanthosewhoownedCliveden，IamgladIwasnotaDuke。Whatwasmostamusingwastheservant'sroomwhichwasquiteassmartasanylibraryorstudy，withfinepaintings，armchairsandwritingmaterial。NannieandAstorwereexceedinglyfriendlyandwewalkedallovertheplace。
Itwasgoodtogetone'sfeetonturfagain。Theysentusbackbymotor，sowearrivedmostcomfortably。IgaveadinnertotheHopes，Wyndham，MissMaryMoore，Ashmead-BartlettandMargaret。Websterscouldnotcome。
Later，cameonhere，andhadachat，theWebsterscomingtoo。
IreadThawtrial。
EarlyinMayRichardandhiswifereturnedtoMountKiscoandmybrotheratoncestartedintochangehisfarce"TheGalloper"intoamusicalcomedy。ItwasproducedonAugust12，attheAstorTheatre，underthetitleofthe"YankeeTourist，"withRaymondHitchcockasthestar。ThefollowingI
quotefromRichard'sdiaryofthatdate:
Monday，August12th，1907。
WastohavelunchedwithNedStonebuthewasincourt。MetWhighaminstreet。Impulsivelyaskedhimtolunch。EthelandJackturnedupatMartin's；askedthemtolunch。EthelandI
drovearoundtowndoingerrands，minebeingthepurchaseofticketsfornumerousfriends。CalledonMissTrusdaletoinquireaboutHarden-Hickey。Shewantshertogotothecountry。Cecilarrivedatsix。Wehadasuiteofeighty-ninerooms。WedinedatSherry'swithEthelandJack，Ethelbeinghost。Taftwasthere。Hottestnightever。IsatwithJack。
Inspiteofweather，playwentwell。Bonsals，Ethel，ArthurBrisbanewereinCecil'sbox。BoothTarkingtoninIrwin's。
Surpriseofperformancewas"Hello，Bill"whichRaymondhadlearnedonlythatmorning。HelenHalehelpedhimgreatlywithdance。PeoplecametosupperatWaldorf，andthingswentallwrong。NexttimeIhaveafirstNightIwantnofriendsduringorafter。MissedtheexecutiveabilityofCharlesBelmontgreatly。
CHAPTERXVII
ALONDONWINTER
Fromthefallof1907tothatof1908RicharddividedhistimebetweenMountKisco，Marion，andCuba。InDecemberof1908hesailedforLondonwherehetookTurnertheartist'soldhouseinChelseaforthewinter。
CheyneWalk，Chelsea。
December25。ChristmasDay。
DEARMOTHER:
WearesettledhereinDarkestChelseaasthoughwehadbeenbornhere。IamthinkingofputtinginmytimeofexilebyrunningforMayor。Meanwhile，itisawonderfulplaceinwhichtowritethelastchaptersof"OnceUponaTime。"Thehouseisquitewonderful。InSpringandSummeritmustberarelybeautiful。Ithastreesinfrontandayardandagardenandasquashcourt:asortoftennisyouplayagainsttheanglesofwallscoveredsmoothwithcement。Alsoastudioaslargeasatheatre。Outsidethetreesbeatonthewindowsandbirdschirpthere。Theriverflowsonlyfortyfeetaway，withgreatbrownbargesonit，andgullswhimperandcry，andaeroplaneallday。Ihaveafineroom，andabouttheonlyoneyoucankeepaswarmastoastSHOULDbe，andinEnglandneveris。
Cecilhasengagedateacher，andamodelandheiscomingheretowork。Heistwentyyearsold，andcalledthe"boySargent。"So，assoonastheBritishpublicgetssober，wewillbeginlifeinearnest，andbothworkhard。IneednottellyouhowgladIamtobeatit。I
waswithyouallinheartlastnightandrecitedasmuchasI
couldrememberof"TwastheNightBeforeChristmas，"whichalwaysmeansDadtome，asheusedtoreadittous。Howmuchhemadethedaymeantous。IwishIcouldjustslipinforakiss，andahug。Buttonightwewillalldrinktoyou，andafewhourslateryouwilldrinktous。Godblessyouall。
DICK。
December29th。
DEARMOTHER:
AblizzardhassweptoverLondon。ThelastonecosttheCityCorporation$25，000!!ThelastmanwhocontractedtocleanNewYorkofsnowwascleanedoutbytwodaysofit，tothetuneof$200，000。Still，inspiteofourallegedsuperiorityinallthings，oneinchofsnowinChelseacandomoretodriveonetodrinkandsuicidethanafootofit"onthefarm。"Atthefarmwethrewatonofcoalagainstit，andlitlogfiresandoillamps，andwerewarm。Here，theytrytofightitwithtwobucketsofsoftchocolatecakecalledWelchcoal，andtheresultisyoufreeze。Cecil'sstudioislikeonevastsummerhotelatPortlandMaineinJanuary。Youcannotgonearitexceptinrubberboots，furcoatsandwoolengloves。Myroomstillistheonlyonethatislivable。Itisfourfeetsquare，heavilypanelledinoakandthecoalfiremakesitaswarmasastokehole。So，Iamallrightandcanworknicely。JanetSotherncametolunchtodayandCecilandsheinfurswentpicturegazing。TomorrowwehaveCapt。Chuletodinner。HecameuptheWestcoastwithusandisaccustomedtoatemperatureof120degrees。
NewYear'sevewespendwithLadyLewiswherewedineandkeepitupuntilfourinthemorning。Wewilleasilybeabletogetbackherebuthowwecangetahansomfromheretothegreatcity，Ican'timagine。Ihaveseennoneinfivedays。
ItisfinetobesurroundedbybustsofCarlyle，Whistler，RosettiandTurner'sown，butoccasionallyyouwishforataxicab。TomorrowIamgoingonaspreetothegreatcityofLondon。Thenovelgoesonsmoothly，andalliswell。IamstillrunningforMayorofChelsea。
Lovetoyouall。
DICK。
LONDON——January1，1909。
DEARMOTHER:
IdrankyourhealthandNoll'sandCharley'slastnightandsoweallcameintotheNewYeartogether。Ihopeitwillbeasgoodformeasthelast。CertainlyChas。iscomingonwellwithanotherbook。Itissplendid。Iamsovery，veryglad。
Someoftheverybeststoriesanybodyhaswrittenwillbeinhisnextbook。
WedinedattheLewis's。Therewere150atdinnerandasweliveinChelseanow——onemightaswellbeinBrooklyn——wewereahalfhourlate。Fancyfeelingyouwerekeeping150peoplehungry。IsatatLadyLewis'stablewithsomeinterestingmenandonebeautifulwomanalldressedinglassoverpinksilk，andpearls，andpearlsandthen，pearls。Shesaid"WhoamI"
andIsaid"YoulooklikeagirlinAmerica，whousedtostandunderagreenpaperlampshadeupinafarmhouseinNewHampshireandplayaviolin。"Whereattherewasmuchapplause，becauseitseemedshewasthatgirl，thedaughterofaMrs。VanS——，whowroteshortstories。HerdaughterwasL——VanS——
nowthewifeofabaronetandworthfivemilliondollars。Theboardwepaidthenwaseightdollarsaweek。Now，wearediningwithhernextMondayandasIinsistedongoldplateshesaid"Verywell，I'llgetoutthegoldplate。"Butwasn'titdramaticofmetorememberheraftertwentytwoyears？
DICK。
LONDON-February23，1909。
DEARMOTHER:
GeorgeWashington'shealthwascelebratedbydrinkingitatdinner。Ihadbeenaskedtospeakatabanquetbutforsomestrangereasoncouldnotseemyselfinthepart。ThegreatFrohmanarrivedlastnightandweareallagitateduntilhespeaks。Ifhewouldonlylikemyplaysassomeoftheactorsdo，Iwouldbepassingrich。Barrieaskedhimselftolunchyesterdayandwasveryentertaining。HetoldusofaletterhereceivedfromGuyDuMaurierwhowrote"AnEnglishman'sHome"whichhasmadeasensationsecondtonothingintenyears。HeisanofficerstationedatasmallpostinSouthAfrica。HewroteBarriehewasathome，veryblueandhomesick，andoutsideitwasraining。ThencameBarrie'slongcable，at75centsaword，sayinghisplaywasthesuccessoftheyear。HedidnotknowevenithadbeenACCEPTED。Heshoutedtohiswife，andtheytriedtodancebutthehutwastoosmall，sotheyranoutintothecompoundanddancedintherain。ThenhesenttheKaffirboystothemesstobringalltheofficersandallthechampagneandtheydidnotgotobedatall。Thenextdaycables，stillatthreeshillingsawordcamefrompapersandmagazinesandpublishers，managers，syndicates。And，inhisletterhesays，stillnotappreciatingwhatafussithasmade，"IsupposeallitneedsnowistobemadeaquestionintheHouse，"whenalreadyithasbeenthetextofhalfadozenspeechesbyCabinetMinisters，andthreecompaniesareplayingitintheprovinces。Whatfuntohaveasuccesscomeinsuchaway，noteventoknowitwasbeingrehearsed。TodaySargentisheretoseewhatiswrongwithCecil'spictureofJanet。Hecameearlyandsaidhecouldn'ttelluntilhesawJanet，sonowheisbackagain，andbothJanetandCecilareshakingwithexcitement。Heisthemostsimple，kindlygeniusIevermet。HesaystheheadisveryfineandI
guessCecilsuspectedthat，beforeshecalledhimin。HesaysshemustsendittotheRoyalAcademy。Iamnowgoingouttohearmorewordsfallfromthegreatman，andsofarewell。
SeymourandIbeganworkyesterdayontheDictator。Itwentverysmooth。AllmylovetoNollandtoyou。
DICK。
Readtheotherletterfirstandthen，letmetellyouthatwhenIwentouttoseeSargent，IfoundCecilcomplainingthatshecouldnotunderstandjusthowitwashewantedJanettopose。WhereatshehandedhimapieceofchalkandhemadeasketchofJanetasexquisiteasthemorningandrubbedhishandsofthecharcoalandleftitthere!It'sonlyworthahundredpounds!CanyouimaginethenerveofCecil。IwassoshockedIcouldonlygasp。But，hewasquitecharmingandbeggedhertocallhimnexttimeshegotinascrape，andgaveherhisprivatetelephonenumber。
FancyhavingSargentwaitingtobecalleduptomakesketchesforyou。IleftJanetandCecilgigglingwithhappiness。
JanetbecauseshehadbeensketchedbyhimandCecilbecauseshehasthesketch。It'sathreefourthslengththreefeethigh，andhediditintenminutes。IamnowgoingtoaskhertoinvitethechefoftheRitzin，togiveusasketchofcookingadinner。
DICK。
CHAPTERXVIII
MILITARYMANOEUVRES
InAugust，1909，RichardandhiswifeleftMountKiscoforavisittoMr。andMrs。ClarkatMarion。WhiletheremybrotherattendedandlateronwroteanarticleonthewarmanoeuvresheldatMiddleboro，Massachusetts。
MARION，MASSACHUSETTS。
August16th，1909。
DEARMOTHER:
Wehadasplendiddaytoday。IarrangedtohaveCecilmeetmeatelevenatHeadquartersinthewoodsbelowMiddleboro，andIspentthemorninglocatingdifferentregiments。Then，afterI"metup"withher，Itookherinmycar。BothsheandHillerwereawfullykeenoverit，so，wegotonsplendidly。
And，ofcourse，Hiller'sknowledgeofthecountrywaswonderfullyconvenient。Wehadgreatluckinseeingtheonlyfightoftheday，thefirstoneofthewar。Indeed，Ithinkwecausedit。TherewasatroopofcavalrywithaCaptainwhowasafraidtoadvance。Ichidedhimintodoingsomething，theumpirehavingconfidedtome，hewouldmarkhim，ifhedidnot。But，hediditwrong。Anyway，hechargedabarnwith36
troopersandlosteveryfourthman。Inrealwarfarehewouldhavelostallhismenandallhishorses。CecilandHillerpursuedinthecarattheveryheelsofthecavalry，andIranaheadwiththebicyclescouts。Itwasmostexciting。Iamgoingoutagainto-morrow。LotsofLovetoyouall。
DICK。
MARION，MASSACHUSETTS。
August19th，1909。
DEARMOTHER:
IgotinlastnighttoolatetowriteandIamsorry。To-day，thewarcametoanendwithourarmy，theRedone，withtheroadtoBostonopenbeforeit。Indeed，whentheendcame，theywerefightingwiththeirbackstothatCity，andcouldhaveentereditto-night。IbeggedbothBlissandWoodtosendinthecavalryjustforthemoraleffect，buttheywereafraidofthefeeling，thatwasquitestrong。Ihadmuchfun，nevermore，andsawallthatwasworthseeing。IwasgladtoseeIaminsuchgoodshapephysically，butwiththetrampingIdooverthefarm，itisnowonder。Icouldtakeallthestonewallsatajump，whiletheothersweretearingthemdown。IalsomethundredsofmenIknewandeveryonewasmostfriendly，especiallythecorrespondents。JustasIlikedtobeonastorywitha"star"manwhenIwasareporter，theylikedhavingareal"war"correspondent，takeitseriously。
TheywerealwayswantingtoknowifitwereliketheRealThing，andasIassuredthemitwas，theyweresatisfied。
Someincidentswereveryfunny。Imetatroopofcavalrythismorning，ridingawayfromthebattle，downacrossroad，andthinkingitwasaflankingmanoeuvre，startedtofollowthemwiththecar。"Whereareyougoing？"IaskedtheCaptain。
"Nowhere，"hesaid，"Wearedead。"AnUmpirewascharginginadvanceoftwotroopsofthe10thdownastateroad，whenonetrooperoftheenemywhowereflying，turnedbackandalonechargedthetwotroops。"Youidiot"!yelledtheUmpire，"don'tyouknowyouandyourhorseareshottopieces？"
"Sure，Iknowit，"yelledthetrooper"but，this——horsedon'tknowit。"
RICHARD。
Earlyinthefallof1909RichardreturnedfromMariontoNewYorkandwenttoCrossroads，whereforthenextthreeyearsheremainedagreaterpartofthetime。Theywereyearsofgreatandseriouschangesforhim。Anestrangementoflongstandingbetweenhimandhiswifehadendedintheirseparationearlyin1910，tobefollowedlaterbytheirdivorce。InSeptemberofthatyearmymotherdiedwhileonavisittoCrossroads。
Aftermyfather'sdeathlifetoherbecameonlyaperiodofwaitinguntilthemomentcamewhenshewouldrejoinhim——becauseherfaithwasimplicitandinfinite。Shecouldnotwellsetaboutpreparingherselfbecauseallofherlifeshehaddonethatand，so，smilingandwithasplendidbraveryandpatienceshelivedon，findingherhappinessinbringingcheerandhopeandhappinesstoallwhocameintothepresenceofherwonderfulpersonality。TheoldhomeinPhiladelphiawasjustthesameasithadbeenthroughherlongmarriedlife——thatiswithonegreatdifference，butonaccountofthisdifferenceIknewthatshewasgladtospendherlastdayswithRichardatCrossroads。Andsurelynothingthatcouldbedoneforamotherbyasonhadbeenleftundonebyhim。Throughtheselastlongsummerdaysshesatontheterracesurroundedbytheflowersandthesunshinethatshesoloved。Littlechildrencametoplayatherknee，andoldfriendstravelledfromafartopayhercourt。
Inthewinterof1910-11mybrothervisitedAiken，wherehespentseveralmonths。ThefollowingJunehewenttoLondonatthetimeofKingGeorge'scoronation，butdidnotwriteaboutit。Again，inNovember，1911，hevisitedmysisterinLondon，butreturnedtoNewYorkinJanuary，1912，andspentapartofthewinterinAikenandCuba。AtAikenhefoundatleastpeaceandthedevotionoflovingfriendsthathesocraved，butinLondonandCuba，whichoncehadmeantsomuchtohim，heseemedtohavelostinterestentirely。Butnotonceduringtheseyearsdidheceaseworking，andworkinghard。OnalmosteverypageofhisdiaryatthisperiodIfindsuchexpressionsas"wrote500wordsfordiscipline。"Andagain"Satisfactioninworkoflastyearswhenwritingforexistence，hasbeenuptoanyIeverwrote。"
Andinspiteofallofthetroubleofthesedays，henotonlywroteincessantlybutdidsomeofhisveryfinestwork。
PersonallyIhaveneverseenamanmakeamorecourageousfight。Toquoteagainfromhisdiaryofthistime:"Earlygoingtomyroomsawredsunriseandgoldmoon。Iseemedtostopworryingaboutmoney。WithsuchfreepleasuresIfoundI
couldnotworry。EverydayGodgivesmegreaterdelightingoodthings，inbeauty，andineverysimpleexerciseandamusement。"
TwiceduringthesedifficultdayshewenttovisitGouverneurMorrisandhiswifeatAiken，andafterRichard'sdeathhisoldfriendwroteofthefirstofthesevisits:
"ItwasinourlittlehouseatAiken，inSouthCarolina，thathewaswithusmostandwelearnedtoknowhimbest，andthatheandIbecamedependentuponeachotherinmanyways。
"Events，intowhichIshallnotgo，hadmadehislifeverydifficultandcomplicated。Andhewhohadgivensomuchfriendshiptosomanypeopleneededalittlefriendshipinreturn，andperhaps，too，heneededforatimetoliveinahousewhosemasterandmistresslovedeachother，andwheretherewerechildren。Beforehecamethatfirstyearourhousehadnoname。Nowitiscalled`Let'sPretend。'
"Nowthechimneyintheliving-roomdraws，butinthosefirstdaysofthebuilt-overhouseitdidn't。Atleast，itdidn'tdrawallthetime，butwepretendedthatitdid，andwithmuchpretensecamefaith。Fromthefireplacethatsmokedtotheseriousthingsoflifeweextendedourpretendings，untilrealtroubleswentdownbeforethem——downandout。
"ItwasoneofAiken'sverybestwinters，andtheearliestspringIeverlivedanywhere。R。H。D。cameshortlyafterChristmas。Thespiraeaswereinbloom，andthemonthlyroses；
youcouldalwaysfindasweetvioletortwosomewhereintheyard；hereandtheresplotchesofdeeppinkagainstgraycabinwallsprovedthatprecociouspeach-treeswereinbloom。Itneverrained。Atnightitwascoldenoughforfires。Inthemiddleofthedayitwashot。Thewindneverblew，andeverymorningwehadafourfortennisandeveryafternoonwerodeinthewoods。Andeverynightwesatinfrontofthefirethatdidn'tsmokebecauseofpretendingandtalkeduntilthenextmorning。
"Hewasoneofthoserarelygiftedmenwhofindtheirchiefestpleasurenotinlookingbackwardorforward，butinwhatisgoingonatthemoment。
WeeksdidnothavetopassbeforeitwasforceduponhisknowledgethatTuesday，thefourteenthletussay，hadbeenagoodTuesday。Heknewitthemomenthewakedat7A。M。，andperceivedtheTuesdaysunshinemakingpatternsofbrightlightuponthefloor。Thesunshinerejoicedhimandtheknowledgethatevenbeforebreakfasttherewasvouchsafedtohimawholehouroflife。Thatdaybeganwithattentionstohisphysicalwell-being。Therewereexercisesconductedwithgreatvigorandrejoicing，followedbyatub，artesiancold，andaloudandjoyoussingingofballads。
"Thesingingover，silencereigned。Butifyouhadlistenedathisdooryoumusthaveheardapengoing，swiftlyandboldly。Hewashardatwork，doinguntootherswhatothershaddoneuntohim。Youwereastrangertohim；somemagazinehadacceptedastorythatyouhadwrittenandpublishedit。