AdamsbycolleaguesinhisdepartmentatLambandCompany's。
　　AdamshadshownsomefeelingwhenAlicebegantourgeitsremovaltoobscurityinthe"upstairshall"；heevenresistedforseveraldaysaftershehadthe"Colosseum"chargedtohim，framedinoak，andsenttothehouse。Shecheeredhimup，ofcourse，whenhegaveway；andherheartnevermisgaveherthattheremightbeadoubtwhichofthetwopictureswasthemoredismaying。
　　Overthepictures，thevases，theoldbrownplushrocking-chairsandthestool，overthethreegiltchairs，overthenewchintz-coveredeasychairandthegrayveluresofa——overeverythingeverywhere，wasthefamiliarcoatingofsmokegrime。
　　Ithadworkedintoeveryfibreofthelacecurtains，dingyingthemtoanunpleasantgray；itlayonthewindow-sillsanditdimmedtheglasspanes；itcoveredthewalls，coveredtheceiling，andwassmeareddarkerandthickerinallcorners。Yetherewasnofaultofhousewifery；thecursecouldnotbelifted，astheingrainedsmudgespermanentontheoncewhitewoodworkproved。Thegrimewasperpetuallyrenewed；scrubbingonlygrounditin。
　　ThisparticularuglinesswassmallpartofAlice'sdiscontent，forthoughthecoatinggrewalittledeepereachyearshewasusedtoit。Moreover，sheknewthatshewasnotlikelytofindanythingbetterinathousandmiles，solongasshekepttocities，andthatnoneofherfriends，howeveropulent，hadanyadvantageofherhere。Indeed，throughoutallthegreatsoft-coalcountry，peoplewhoconsiderthemselvescomparativelypoormayfindthisconsolation:cleanlinesshasbeenaddedtothevirtuesandbeatitudesthatmoneycannotbuy。
　　Alicebrightenedalittleasshewentforwardtothefrontdoor，andshebrightenedmorewhenthespringbreezemetherthere。
　　Thenalldepressionleftherasshewalkeddowntheshortbrickpathtothesidewalk，lookedupanddownthestreet，andsawhowbravelythemapleshade-trees，inspiteoftheblackpowdertheybreathed，wereflingingouttheirthousandsofyounggreenparticlesoverhead。
　　Sheturnednorth，treadingthenewlittleshadowsonthepavementbriskly，and，havingfinishedbuttoninghergloves，swungdownherMalaccastickfromunderherarmtoletittapamoreleisurelyaccompanimenttoherquick，shortstep。Shehadtostepquicklyifshewastogetanywhere；fortheclosenessofherskirt，inspiteofitslittlelength，permittednonaturalstride；butshewaspleasedtobeimpeded，thesebrevitiesformingpartofhershowoffashion。
　　Otherpedestriansfoundthemnotwithoutcharm，thoughapprovalmayhavebeenlackinghereandthere，andatthefirstcrossingAlicesufferedwhatshemighthaveaccountedanactualinjury，hadsheallowedherselftobesosensitive。Anelderlywomaninfussyblacksilkstoodthere，waitingforastreetcar；shewasallofaglobularmodelling，withafacepatternedlikeafrost-bittenpeach；andthattheapproachinggracefulnesswasuncongenialshenaivelymadetooevident。Herround，waneyesseemedrousedtobitterlifeastheyrosefromthecurvedhighheelsofthebuckledslipperstothetightlittleskirt，andthencewithstartledferocitytotheMalaccacane，whichplainlyappearedtoherasadecorationnotmoreastoundingthanitwasinsulting。
　　Perceivingthatthegirlwasbowingtoher，theglobularladyhurriedlymadeshifttoalterherinjuriousexpression。"Goodmorning，Mrs。Dowling，"Alicesaid，gravely。Mrs。DowlingreturnedthesalutationwithasmileasconvincinglybenevolentastheghastlysmileuponaSantaClausface；andthen，whileAlicepassedon，explodedtowardherasinglecompactedbreaththroughtightenedlips。
　　Thesoundwaseloquentlyaudible，thoughMrs。Dowlingremainedunawarethatinthisoranymannerwhatevershehadshedalightuponherthoughts；foritwasherlifelonginnocentconvictionthatotherpeoplesawheronlyasshewishedtobeseen，andheardfromheronlywhatsheintendedtobeheard。Athomeitwasalwaysherhusbandwhopulleddowntheshadesoftheirbedroomwindow。
　　Alicelookedseriousforafewmomentsafterthelittleencounter，thenfoundsomeconsolationinthebehaviourofagentlemanoffortyorsowhowascomingtowardher。LikeMrs。
　　Dowling，hehadbeguntoshowconsciousnessofAlice'sapproachwhileshewasyetafaroff；buthistokenswereofakindpleasantertoher。HewaslikeMrs。Dowlingagain，however，inhisconceptionthatAlicewouldnotrealizethesignificanceofwhathedid。Hepassedhishandoverhisneck-scarftoseethatitlayneatlytohiscollar，smoothedalapelofhiscoat，andadjustedhishat，seemingtobepreoccupiedthewhilewithproblemsthatkepthiseyestothepavement；then，ashecamewithinafewfeetofher，helookedup，asinasurprisedrecognitionalmostdramatic，smiledwinningly，liftedhishatdecisively，andcarriedittothefullarm'slength。
　　Alice'sresponsewasallhecouldhaveasked。Thecaneinherrighthandstoppedshortinitsswing，whileherlefthandmovedinaprettygestureasifanimpulsecarriedittowardtheheart；
　　andshesmiled，withherunderlipcaughtsuddenlybetweenherteeth。Monthsagoshehadseenanactressusethissmileinaplay，anditcameperfectlytoAlicenow，withoutconsciousdirection，ithadbeensowellacquired；buttheprettyhand'slittleimpulsetowardtheheartwasanoriginalbitallherown，onthespurofthemoment。
　　Thegentlemanwenton，passingfromherforwardvisionashereplacedhishat。OfhimselfhewasnothingtoAlice，exceptforthegraciouscircumstancethathehadshownstrongconsciousnessofaprettygirl。Hewasmiddle-aged，substantial，afamilyman，securelymarried；andAlicehadwithhimoneofthoselongacquaintancesthatneverbecomeemphasizedbysomuchasfiveminutesoftalk；yetforthisinconsequentmeetingshehadenactedalittlepartlikeafragmentinapantomimeofSpanishwooing。
　　Itwasnotforhim——noteventoimpresshim，exceptasamessenger。Alicewasherselfalmostunawareofherthought，whichwasoneoftherunningthousandsofherthoughtsthattooknodeliberateforminwords。Nevertheless，shehadit，anditwastheimpulseofallherprettybitsofpantomimewhenshemetotheracquaintanceswhomadetheirappreciationvisible，asthissubstantialgentlemandid。InAlice'sunwordedthought，hewastobethusencouragedasinsomemeasureachampiontospeakwellofhertotheworld；butmorethanthis:hewastotellsomemagnificentunknownbachelorhowwonderful，howmysterious，shewas。
　　Shehastenedongravely，alittlestirredreciprocallywiththesupposedstirringsinthebreastofthatshadowyducalmate，whomustbesomewhere"waiting，"orperhapsalreadyseekingher；forshemoreoftenthoughtofherselfas"waiting"whilehesoughther；andsometimesthisviewofthingsbecamesodefinitethatitshapedintoamurmuronherlips。"Waiting。Justwaiting。"Andshemightadd，"Forhim!"Then，beingtwenty-two，shewasapttoconcludethemysticinterviewbylaughingatherself，thoughnotwithoutacontinuedwistfulness。
　　Shecametoagroupofsmallcolouredchildrenplayingwaywardlyinapuddleatthemouthofamuddyalley；andatsightofhertheygaveovertheirpastimeinordertostare。Shesmiledbrilliantlyuponthem，buttheyweretoostruckwithwondertocomprehendthatthemanifestationwasfriendly；andasAlicepickedherwayinalittledetourtokeepfromthemud，sheheardoneofthemsay，"Ladygotcane!Jeez'!"
　　Sheknewthatmanycolouredchildrenuseimpietiesfamiliarly，andshewasnotstartled。Shewasdisturbed，however，byanunfavourablehintinthespeaker'stone。Hewassix，probably，butthestingofacriticismisnotnecessarilyallayedbyknowledgeofitsignoblesource，andAlicehadalreadybeguntofeelaslightuneasinessabouthercane。Mrs。Dowling'sstarehadbeenstrikinglyprojectedatit；otherwomenmorethanmerelyglanced，theirbrowsandlipscontractingimpulsively；andAlicewasawarethatoneortwoofthemfranklyhaltedassoonasshehadpassed。
　　Shehadseeninseveralmagazinespicturesofladieswithcanes，andonthataccountshehadboughtthisone，neverquestioningthatfashionisrecognized，evenintheprovinces，assoonasbeheld。Onthecontrary，thesestaringwomenobviouslyfailedtorealizethatwhattheywerebeingshownwasnotaneccentricoutburst，butthebrightharbingerofanillustriousmode。Alicehadappliedabitofartificialpigmenttoherlipsandcheeksbeforeshesetforththismorning；shedidnotneedit，havingareadycolourofherown，whichnowmountedhighwithannoyance。
　　Thenasplendidlyshiningclosedblackautomobile，withwindowsofpolishedglass，camesilentlydownthestreettowardher。
　　Withinit，asinaluxuriouslittleapartment，threecomelyladiesinmourningsatandgossiped；butwhentheysawAlicetheyclutchedoneanother。Theyinstantlyrecovered，bowingtohersolemnlyastheywereborneby，yetwerenotgonefromhersightsoswiftlybuttheedgeofhersideglancecaughtaflashofteethinmouthssuddenlyopened，andthedarkglistenofblackglovesagainclutchingtosharemirth。
　　ThecolourthatoutdidtherougeonAlice'scheekextendeditsareaandgrewwarmerassherealizedhowalltoocordialhadbeenhernodandsmiletothesehumorousladies。Butintheiridentitylayasignificancecausingherasharpersmart，fortheywereofthefamilyofthatLamb，chiefofLambandCompany，whohademployedherfathersincebeforeshewasborn。
　　"Andknowhissalary!They'dbeSUREtofindoutaboutthat!"
　　washerthought，coupledwithanotherbitteronetotheeffectthattheyhadprobablymadeinstantaneousfinancialestimatesofwhatsheworethoughcertainlyherwalking-stickhadmostfedtheirhilarity。
　　Shetuckeditunderherarm，notswingingitagain；andherbreathbecamequickandirregularasemotionbesether。Shehadbeenenjoyingherwalk，butwithinthespaceofthefewblocksshehadgonesinceshemetthesubstantialgentleman，shefoundthatmorethanthewalkwasspoiled:suddenlyherlifeseemedtobespoiled，too；thoughshedidnotviewtheruinwithcomplaisance。TheseLambwomenthoughtherandhercaneridiculous，didthey？shesaidtoherself。Thatwastheirparvenublood:tothinkbecauseagirl'sfatherworkedfortheirgrandfathershehadnorighttoberatherstrikinginstyle，especiallywhenthestrikingWASherstyle。Probablyalltheothergirlsandwomenwouldagreewiththemandwouldlaughatherwhentheygottogether，and，whatmightbefatal，wouldtrytomakeallthementhinkherasillypretender。Menwerejustlikesheep，andnothingwaseasierthanforwomentosetupasshepherdsandpentheminafold。"Tokeepoutoutsiders，"Alicethought。"Andmake'embelieveIAManoutsider。What'stheuseofliving？"
　　Allseemedlostwhenatrimyoungmanappeared，stridingoutofacross-streetnotfarbeforeher，and，turningatthecorner，cametowardher。Visibly，heslackenedhisgaittolengthenthetimeofhisapproach，and，ashewasastrangertoher，nomotivecouldbeascribedtohimotherthanawishtohavealongertimetolookather。
　　Sheliftedaprettyhandtoapinatherthroat，bitherlip——notwiththesmile，butmysteriously——andatthelastinstantbeforehershadowtouchedthestranger，lethereyesgravelymeethis。
　　Amomentlater，havingarrivedbeforethehousewhichwasherdestination，shehaltedattheentrancetoadrivewayleadingthroughfinelawnstotheintentionallyimportantmansion。Itwasapleasantandimpressiveplacetobeseenentering，butAlicedidnotenteratonce。Shepaused，examiningatinybitofmortarwhichthemasonshadforgottentoscrapefromabrickinoneofthemassivegate-posts。Shefrownedatthistinydefacement，andwithanairofannoyancescrapeditaway，usingtheferruleofhercaneanactoffastidiousproprietorship。Ifanyonehadlookedbackoverhisshoulderhewouldnothavedoubtedthatshelivedthere。
　　Alicedidnotturntoseewhetheranythingofthesorthappenedornot，butshemayhavesurmisedthatitdid。Atallevents，itwaswithaninvigoratedstepthatsheleftthegatewaybehindherandwentcheerfullyupthedrivetothehouseofherfriendMildred。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Adamshadarestlessmorning，andtowardnoonheaskedMissPerrytocallhisdaughter；hewishedtosaysomethingtoher。
　　"IthoughtIheardherleavingthehouseacoupleofhoursago——maybelonger，"thenursetoldhim。"I'llgosee。"Andshereturnedfromthebrieferrand，herimpressionconfirmedbyinformationfromMrs。Adams。"Yes。ShewentuptoMissMildredPalmer'stoseewhatshe'sgoingtowearto-night。"
　　AdamslookedatMissPerrywearily，butremainedpassive，makingnoinquiries；forhewaslongaccustomedtowhatseemedtohimakindofjargonamongladies，whichbecamethemoreincomprehensiblewhentheytriedtoexplainit。Aman'sbestcourse，hehadfound，wasjusttoletitgoassomuchsound。
　　Hissorrowfuleyesfollowedthenurseasshewentbacktoherrocking-chairbythewindow，andherplacidityshowedhimthattherewasnomysteryforherinthefactthatAlicewalkedtwomilestoasksosimpleaquestionwhentherewasatelephoneinthehouse。ObviouslyMissPerryalsocomprehendedwhyAlicethoughtitimportanttoknowwhatMildredmeanttowear。AdamsunderstoodwhyAliceshouldbeconcernedwithwhatsheherselfwore"tolookneatandtidyandatherbest，why，ofcourseshe'dwantto，"hethought——butherealizedthatitwasforeverbeyondhimtounderstandwhytheclothingofotherpeoplehadlongsincebecomeanabsorbingpartofherlife。
　　Herexcursionthismorningwasnonovelty；shewascontinuallygoingtoseewhatMildredmeanttowear，orwhatsomeothergirlmeanttowear；andwhenAlicecamehomefromwhereverothergirlsorwomenhadbeengathered，shealwayshurriedtohermotherwithearnestdescriptionsoftheclothingshehadseen。Atsuchtimes，ifAdamswaspresent，hemightrecognize"organdie，"or"taffeta，"or"chiffon，"aswordsdefiningcertaintextiles，buttherestwastootechnicalforhim，andhewaslikeadismalboyatasermon，justwaitingforittogetitselffinished。Nottheleastofthemysterywashiswife'sinterest:shewasalmostindifferentaboutherownclothes，andwhensheconsultedAliceaboutthemspokehurriedlyandwithanairofapology；butwhenAlicedescribedotherpeople'sclothes，Mrs。Adamslistenedaseagerlyasthedaughtertalked。
　　"Theretheygo!"hemutteredto-day，amomentafterheheardthefrontdoorclosing，asoundrecognizablethroughoutmostofthethinlybuilthouse。Alicehadjustreturned，andMrs。Adamscalledtoherfromtheupperhallway，notfarfromAdams'sdoor。
　　"WhatdidsheSAY？"
　　"Shewassortofsnippyaboutit，"Alicereturned，ascendingthestairs。"Shegetsthatwaysometimes，andpretendedshehadn'tmadeuphermind，butI'mprettysureit'llbethemaizeGeorgettewithMalinesflounces。"
　　"Didn'tyousaysheworethatatthePattersons'？"Mrs。Adamsinquired，asAlicearrivedatthetopofthestairs。"Anddidn'tyoutellmesheworeitagainatthe——"
　　"Certainlynot，"Aliceinterrupted，ratherpetulantly。"She'sneverwornitbutonce，andofcourseshewouldn'twanttowearanythingto-nightthatpeoplehaveseenherinalot。"
　　MissPerryopenedthedoorofAdams'sroomandsteppedout。
　　"Yourfatherwantstoknowifyou'llcomeandseehimaminute，，MissAdams。"
　　"Pooroldthing!Ofcourse!"Aliceexclaimed，andwentquicklyintotheroom，MissPerryremainingoutside。"What'sthematter，papa？Gettingawfulsickoflyingonhistiredoldback，I
　　expect。"
　　"I'vehadkindofapoormorning，"Adamssaid，asshepattedhishandcomfortingly。"Ibeenthinking——"
　　"Didn'tItellyounotto？"shecried，gaily。"Ofcourseyou'llhavepoortimeswhenyougoanddojustexactlywhatIsayyoumustn't。Youstopthinkingthisveryminute!"
　　Hesmiledruefully，closinghiseyes；wassilentforamoment，thenaskedhertositbesidethebed。"IbeenthinkingofsomethingIwantedtosay，"headded。
　　"Whatlike，papa？"
　　"Well，it'snothing——much，"hesaid，withsomethingdeprecatoryinhistone，asifhefeltvagueimpulsestowardbothhumourandapology。"IjustthoughtmaybeIoughtto'vesaidmoretoyousometimeorotherabout——well，aboutthewaythingsARE，downatLambandCompany's，forinstance。"
　　"Now，papa!"Sheleanedforwardinthechairshehadtaken，andpretendedtoslaphishandcrossly。"Isn'tthatexactlywhatI
　　saidyoucouldn'tthinkonesinglethinkabouttillyougetALL
　　well？"
　　"Well——"hesaid，andwentonslowly，notlookingather，butattheceiling。"Ijustthoughtmaybeitwouldn'tbeenanyharmifsometimeorotherItoldyousomethingaboutthewaytheysortofdependonmedownthere。"
　　"Whydon'ttheyshowit，then？"sheasked，quickly。"That'sjustwhatmamaandIhavebeenfeelingsomuch；theydon'tappreciateyou。"
　　"Why，yes，theydo，"hesaid。"Yes，theydo。Theybeganh'istingmysalarythesecondyearIwentinthere，andthey'veh'isteditalittleeverytwoyearsallthetimeI'veworkedfor'em。I'vebeenheadofthesundriesdepartmentforsevenyearsnow，andIcouldhardlyhavemoreauthorityinthatdepartmentunlessIwasamemberofthefirmitself。"
　　"Well，whydon'ttheymakeyouamemberofthefirm？That'swhattheyoughtto'vedone!Yes，andlongago!"
　　Adamslaughed，butsighedwithmoreheartinessthanhehadlaughed。"Theycallmetheir'oldeststand-by'downthere。"Helaughedagain，apologetically，asiftoexcusehimselffortakingalittleprideinthistitle。"Yes，sir；theysayI'mtheir'oldeststand-by'；andIguesstheyknowtheycancountonmydepartment'sturninginasgoodareportastheylookfor，attheendofeverymonth；buttheydon'thavetotakeamanintothefirmtogethimtodomywork，dearie。"
　　"Butyousaidtheydependedonyou，papa。"
　　"Sotheydo；butofcoursenotso'stheycouldn'tgetalongwithoutme。"Hepaused，reflecting。"Idon'tjustseemtoknowhowtoputit——ImeanhowtoputwhatIstartedouttosay。I
　　kindofwantedtotellyou——well，itseemsfunnytome，theselastfewyears，thewayyourmother'stakentofeelingaboutit。
　　I'dliketoseeabetterestablishedwholesaledrugbusinessthanLambandCompanythissidetheAlleghanies——Idon'tsaybigger，I
　　saybetterestablished——andit'skindoffunnyforamanthat'sbeenwithabusinesslikethataslongasIhavetohearitcalleda'hole。'It'skindoffunnywhenyouthink，yourself，you'vedoneprettyfairlywellinabusinesslikethat，andthemenattheheadofitseemtothinkso，too，andputyoursalaryjustaboutashighasanybodycouldconsidercustomary——well，whatImean，Alice，it'skindoffunnytohaveyourmotherthinkit'smostlyjust——mostlyjustafailure，sotospeak。"
　　Hisvoicehadbecometremulousinspiteofhim；andthissignofweaknessandemotionhadsufficienteffectuponAlice。Shebentoverhimsuddenly，withherarmabouthimandhercheekagainsthis。"Poorpapa!"shemurmured。"Poorpapa!"
　　"No，no，"hesaid。"Ididn'tmeananythingtotroubleyou。I
　　justthought——"Hehesitated。"Ijustwondered——Ithoughtmaybeitwouldn'tbeanyharmifIsaidsomethingabouthowthingsAREdownthere。Igottothinkingmaybeyoudidn'tunderstandit'saprettygoodplace。They'refinepeopletoworkfor；andthey'vealwaysseemedtothinksomethingofme；——thewaytheytookWalteron，forinstance，soonasIasked'em，lastyear。Don'tyouthinkthatlookedagooddealasiftheythoughtsomethingofme，Alice？"
　　"Yes，papa，"shesaid，notmoving。
　　"Andthework'srightpleasant，"hewenton。"Mightyniceboysinourdepartment，Alice。Well，theyareinallthedepartments，forthatmatter。Wehaveagooddealoffundowntheresomedays。"
　　Sheliftedherhead。"Morethanyoudoathome'somedays，'I
　　expect，papa!"shesaid。
　　Heprotestedfeebly。"Now，Ididn'tmeanthat——Ididn'twanttotroubleyou——"
　　Shelookedathimthroughwinkingeyelashes。"I'msorryIcalledita'hole，'papa。"
　　"No，no，"heprotested，gently。"Itwasyourmothersaidthat。"
　　"No。Idid，too。"
　　"Well，ifyoudid，itwasonlybecauseyou'dheardher。"
　　Sheshookherhead，thenkissedhim。"I'mgoingtotalktoher，"
　　shesaid，androsedecisively。
　　Butatthis，herfather'stroubledvoicebecamequicklylouder:
　　"Youbetterletheralone。Ijustwantedtohavealittletalkwithyou。Ididn'tmeantostartany——yourmotherwon't——"
　　"Now，papa!"Alicespokecheerfullyagain，andsmileduponhim。
　　"Iwantyoutoquitworrying!Everything'sgoingtobeallrightandnobody'sgoingtobotheryouanymoreaboutanything。You'llsee!"
　　Shecarriedhersmileoutintothehall，butaftershehadclosedthedoorherfacewasallpity；andhermother，waitingforherintheoppositeroom，spokesympathetically。
　　"What'sthematter，Alice？Whatdidhesaythat'supsetyou？"
　　"Waitaminute，mama。"Alicefoundahandkerchief，useditforeyesandsuffusednose，gulped，thensuddenlyanddesolatelysatuponthebed。"Poor，poor，POORpapa!"shewhispered。
　　"Why？"Mrs。Adamsinquired，mildly。"What'sthematterwithhim？Sometimesyouactasifheweren'tgettingwell。What'shebeentalkingabout？"
　　"Mama——well，IthinkI'mprettyselfish。Oh，Ido!"
　　"Didhesayyouwere？"
　　"Papa？No，indeed!WhatImeanis，maybewe'rebothalittleselfishtotrytomakehimgooutandhuntaroundforsomethingnew。"
　　Mrs。Adamslookedthoughtful。"Oh，that'swhathewasupto!"
　　"Mama，Ithinkweoughttogiveitup。Ididn'tdreamithadreallyhurthim。"
　　"Well，doesn'thehurtus？"
　　"NeverthatIknowof，mama。"
　　"Idon'tmeanbySAYINGthings，"Mrs。Adamsexplained，impatiently。"Therearemorewaysthanthatofhurtingpeople。
　　Whenamanstickstoasalarythatdoesn'tprovideforhisfamily，isn'tthathurtingthem？"
　　"Oh，it'provides'foruswellenough，mama。Wehavewhatweneed——ifIweren'tsoextravagant。Oh，_I_knowIam!"
　　Butatthisadmissionhermothercriedoutsharply。
　　"'Extravagant!'Youhaven'tonetenthofwhattheothergirlsyougowithhave。AndyouCAN'Thavewhatyououghttoaslongashedoesn'tgetoutofthathorribleplace。Itprovidesbarefoodandshelterforus，butwhat'sthat？"
　　"Idon'tthinkweoughttotryanymoretochangehim。"
　　"Youdon't？"Mrs。Adamscameandstoodbeforeher。"Listen，Alice:yourfather'sasleep；that'shistrouble，andhe'sgottobewakedup。Hedoesn'tknowthatthingshavechanged。WhenyouandWalterwerelittlechildrenwedidhaveenough——atleastitseemedtobeaboutasmuchasmostofthepeopleweknew。Butthetownisn'twhatitwasinthosedays，andtimesaren'twhattheywerethen，andthesefearfulPRICESaren'ttheoldprices。
　　Everythingelsebutyourfatherhaschanged，andallthetimehe'sstoodstill。Hedoesn'tknowit；hethinksbecausethey'vegivenhimahundreddollarsmoreeverytwoyearshe'squiteaprosperousman!AndhethinksthatbecausehischildrencosthimmorethanheandIcostourparentshegivesthem——enough!"
　　"ButWalter——"Alicefaltered。"Walterdoesn'tcosthimanythingatallanymore。"Andsheconcluded，inastrickenvoice，"It'sall——me!"
　　"Whyshouldn'titbe？"hermothercried。"You'reyoung——you'rejustatthetimewhenyourlifeshouldbefullestofgoodthingsandhappiness。Yetwhatdoyouget？"
　　Alice'slipquivered；shewasnotunsusceptibletosuchanappeal，butshecontrivedthesemblanceofaprotest。"Idon'thavesuchabadtimenotagoodDEALofthetime，anyhow。I'vegotagoodMANYofthethingsothergirlshave——"
　　"Youhave？"Mrs。Adamswaspiteouslysatirical。"Isupposeyou'vegotalimousinetogotothatdanceto-night？Isupposeyou'veonlygottocallafloristandtellhimtosendyousomeorchids？Isupposeyou've——"
　　ButAliceinterruptedthislist。Apparentlyinasingleinstantallemotionlefther，andshebecamebusinesslike，asoneinthemidstoftriflesremindedofreallyseriousmatters。Shegotupfromthebedandwenttothedooroftheclosetwhereshekeptherdresses。"Oh，seehere，"shesaid，briskly。"I'vedecidedtowearmywhiteorgandieifyoucouldputinanewliningforme。I'mafraidit'lltakeyounearlyallafternoon。"
　　Shebroughtforththedress，displayedituponthebed，andMrs。
　　Adamsexamineditattentively。
　　"Doyouthinkyoucouldgetitdone，mama？"
　　"Idon'tseewhynot，"Mrs。Adamsanswered，passingathoughtfulhandoverthefabric。"Itoughtn'ttotakemorethanfourorfivehours。"
　　"It'sashametohaveyousitatthemachinethatlong，"Alicesaid，absently，adding，"AndI'msureweoughttoletpapaalone。
　　Let'sjustgiveitup，mama。"
　　Mrs。Adamscontinuedherthoughtfulexaminationofthedress。
　　"Didyoubuythechiffonandribbon，Alice？"
　　"Yes。I'msureweoughtn'ttotalktohimaboutitanymore，mama。"
　　"Well，we'llsee。"
　　"Let'sbothagreethatwe'llNEVERsayanothersinglewordtohimaboutit，"saidAlice。"It'llbeagreatdealbetterifwejustlethimmakeuphismindforhimself。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　Withthis，havingmoreimmediatelypracticalquestionsbeforethem，theydroppedthesubject，tobendtheirentireattentionuponthedress；andwhenthelunch-gongsoundeddownstairsAlicewasstillsketchingrepairsandalterations。Shecontinuedtosketchthem，notheedingthesummons。
　　"Isupposewe'dbettergodowntolunch，"Mrs。Adamssaid，absently。"She'satthegongagain。"Inaminute，mama。Nowaboutthesleeves——"Andshewentonwithherplanning。
　　Unfortunatelythegongwasinexpressiveofthemoodofthepersonwhobeatuponit。Itconsistedofthreelittlemetalbowlsuponastring；theywereunequalinsize，and，uponbeingtappedwithapaddedstick，gaveforthvibrationsalmostmusicallypleasant。
　　ItwasAlicewhohadsubstitutedthiscontrivanceforthebrass"dinner-bell"inusethroughoutherchildhood；andneithershenortheothersofherfamilyrealizedthatthesubstitutionofsweetersoundshadmadethelifeofthathouseholdmoredifficult。Inspiteofdismayingincreasesinwages，theAdamsesstillstrovetokeepacook；and，astheywereunabletopaythehigherratesdemandedbyagoodone，whattheyusuallyhadwasawhimsicalcolouredwomanofnomadicimpulses。Inthehandsofsuchapersontheold-fashioned"dinner-bell"wassatisfying；
　　lifecouldinstantlybemadeintolerableforanyonedawdlingonhiswaytoameal；thebellwascapableofeverydesirableprofanityandleftnothingbottledupinthebreastoftheringer。Butthechamois-coveredstickmightwhackuponAlice'slittleChinesebowlsforaconsiderablelengthoftimeandproducenogreateffectofurgencyuponahearer，noranyothereffect，exceptfuryinthecook。Theironicalimpossibilityofexpressingindignationotherwisethanbysoundsofgentleharmonyprovedexasperating；thecookwasapttobecomesurcharged，sothatexplosiveresignations，neverrare，weresomewhatmorefrequentaftertheintroductionofthegong。
　　Mrs。Adamstookthisincreasedfrequencytobeonlyanothermanifestationoftheinexplicablenewdifficultiesthatbesetallhousekeeping。Youpaidacookdoublewhatyouhadpaidoneafewyearsbefore；andthecookknewhalfasmuchofcookery，andhadnogratitude。Themoreyougavethesepeople，itseemed，theworsetheybehaved——aconditionnottoberemediedbysimplygivingthemless，becauseyoucouldn'tevengettheworstunlessyoupaidherwhatshedemanded。Nevertheless，Mrs。Adamsremainedfitfullyanoptimistinthematter。Broughtupbyhermothertospeakofafemalecookas"thegirl，"shehadbeeninstructedbyAlicetodropthatdefinitioninfavourofonenotanimprovementinaccuracy:"themaid。"Almostalways，duringthefirstdayorsoaftereverycookcame，Mrs。Adamswouldsay，atintervals，withanairoftriumph:"Ibelieve——ofcourseit'salittlesoontobesure——butIdoreallybelievethisnewmaidisthetreasurewe'vebeenlookingforsolong!"MuchinthesamewaythatAlicedreamedofamysteriousperfectmateforwhomshe"waited，"hermotherhadafairytheorythathiddensomewhereintheuniversetherewasthetreasure，theperfect"maid，"whowouldcomeandcookintheAdamses'kitchen，notfourdaysorfourweeks，butforever。
　　Thepresentincumbentwasnotshe。Alice，profoundlyinterestedherself，kepthermotherlikewisesopreoccupiedwiththedressthattheywerebutvaguelyconsciousofthegong'ssoftwarnings，thoughthesewererepeatedandprotractedunusually。Finallythesoundofaheartyvoice，independentandenraged，reachedthepair。Itcamefromthehallbelow。
　　"Isaysgoo'-BYE!"itcalled。"Da'ssall!"
　　Thenthefrontdoorslammed。
　　"Why，what——"Mrs。Adamsbegan。
　　Theywentdownhurriedlytofindout。MissPerryinformedthem。
　　"Icouldn'tmakeherlistentoreason，"shesaid。"Sherangthegongfourorfivetimesandgottotalkingtoherself；andthenshewentuptoherroomandpackedherbag。Itoldhershehadnobusinesstogooutthefrontdoor，anyhow。"
　　Mrs。Adamstookthenewsphilosophically。"IthoughtshehadsomethinglikethatinhereyewhenIpaidherthismorning，andI'mnotsurprised。Well，wewon'tletMr。Adamsknowanything'sthemattertillIgetanewone。"
　　Theyluncheduponwhatthelateincumbenthadleftchillingonthetable，andthenMrs。Adamspreparedtowashthedishes；shewould"havethemdoneinajiffy，"shesaid，cheerfully。ButitwasAlicewhowashedthedishes。
　　"IDON'Tliketohaveyoudothat，Alice，"hermotherprotested，followingherintothekitchen。"Itroughensthehands，andwhenagirlhashandslikeyours——"
　　"Iknow，mama。"Alicelookedtroubled，butshookherhead。"Itcan'tbehelpedthistime；you'llneedeveryminutetogetthatdressdone。"
　　Mrs。Adamswentawaylamenting，whileAlice，noexpert，begantosplashtheplatesandcupsandsaucersinthewarmwater。Afterawhile，assheworked，hereyesgrewdreamy:shewasmakinglittlegay-colouredpicturesofherself，unfoundedpropheciesofhowshewouldlookandwhatwouldhappentoherthatevening。
　　Shesawherself，charminganddemure，wearingafluffyidealizationofthedresshermothernowdeterminedlystruggledwithupstairs；shesawherselfframedinagarlandedarchway，theentrancetoaballroom，andsawthepeopleontheshiningfloorturningdramaticallytolookather；thenfromallpointsarushofyoungmenshoutingfordanceswithher；andsheconstructedasuperbstranger，tall，dark，masterfullysmiling，whoswungheroutoftheclamouringgroupasthemusicbegan。Shesawherselfdancingwithhim，sawthehalf-troubledsmileshewouldgivehim；
　　andsheaccuratelysmiledthatsmileassherinsedtheknivesandforks。
　　Thesehopefulfragmentsofdramawerenottoberealized，sheknew；butsheplayedthattheyweretrue，andwentoncreatingthem。Inallofthemsheworeorcarriedflowers——hermother'ssorrowforherinthisdetailbutmadeitthemoreimportant——
　　andshesawherselfglamorouswithorchids；discardedtheseforanarmfuloflong-stemmed，heavyroses；tossedthemawayforagreatbouquetofwhitecamellias；andsowandereddownalengtheninghothousegalleryoffloralbeauty，allcostlyandbeyondherreachexceptinsuchawistfulday-dream。Anduponherpresentwholehorizon，thoughshesearcheditearnestly，shecoulddiscovernofigureofasenderofflowers。
　　Outofherfanciesthedesireforflowerstowearthatnightemergeddefinitelyandbecamepoignant；shebegantofeelthatitmightbeparticularlyimportanttohavethem。"Thismightbethenight!"Shewasstillattheagetodreamthatthenightofanydancemaybethevitalpointindestiny。Nomatterhowcommonplaceordisappointingotherdancenightshavebeenthisonemaybringthegreatmeeting。Theunknownmagnificomaybethere。
　　Alicewasalmostunawareofherownreveriesinwhichthisbeingappeared——reveriesoftensotransitorythattheydevelopedandpassedinafewseconds。Andinsomeofthemthebeingwasnotwhollyastranger；thereweremomentswhenheseemedtobecomposedofrecognizablefragmentsofyoungmensheknew——asmileshehadliked，fromone；thefigureofanother，thehairofanother——andsometimesshethoughthemightbeconcealed，sotosay，withinthepersonofanactualacquaintance，someoneshehadneversuspectedofbeingtherightseekerforher，someonewhohadneversuspectedthatitwasshewho"waited"forhim。
　　Anythingmightrevealthemtoeachother:alook，aturnofthehead，asingularword——perhapssomeflowersuponherbreastorinherhand。
　　Shewipedthedishesslowly，concludingtheoperationbydroppingasaucerupontheflooranddreamilysweepingthefragmentsunderthestove。Shesighedandreplacedthebroomnearawindow，lettingherglancewanderoverthesmallyardoutside。Thegrass，repulsivelybesootedtothecolourofcoal-smokeallwinter，hadlatelycometolifeagainandnowsparkledwithgreen，inthemidstofwhichatinyshotofbluesuddenlyfixedherabsenteyes。Theyremaineduponitforseveralmoments，becominglessabsent。
　　Itwasaviolet。
　　Aliceranupstairs，putonherhat，wentoutdoorsandbegantosearchouttheviolets。Shefoundtwenty-two，abrightomen——sincethenumberwasthatofheryears——butnotenoughviolets。Therewerenomore；shehadransackedeveryfootoftheyard。
　　Shelookeddubiouslyatthelittlebunchinherhand，glancedatthelawnnextdoor，whichofferednofavourableprospect；thenwentthoughtfullyintothehouse，lefthertwenty-twovioletsinabowlofwater，andcamequicklyoutagain，herbrowmarkedwithafrownofdecision。Shewenttoatrolley-lineandtookacartotheoutskirtsofthecitywhereanewparkhadbeenopened。
　　Heresheresumedhersearch，butitwasnotaneasilyrewardedone，andforanhourafterherarrivalshefoundnoviolets。Shewalkedconscientiouslyoverthewholestretchofmeadow，hereyesrovingdiscontentedly；therewasneverabluedotinthegroomedexpanse；butatlast，asshecamenearthebordersofanoldgroveoftrees，leftuntouchedbythemunicipallandscapers，thelittleflowersappeared，andshebegantogatherthem。Shepickedthemcarefully，looseningtheearthroundeachtinyplant，soastobringtherootsupwithit，thatitmightlivethelonger；andshehadbroughtanapkin，whichshedrenchedatahydrant，andkeptlooselywrappedaboutthestemsofhercollection。
　　Theturfwastoodampforhertokneel；sheworkedpatiently，stoopingfromthewaist；andwhenshegothomeinadrizzleofrainatfiveo'clockherkneesweretremulouswithstrain，herbackached，andshewastiredallover，butshehadthreehundredviolets。HermothermoanedwhenAliceshowedthemtoher，fragrantinabasinofwater。
　　"Oh，youPOORchild!Tothinkofyourhavingto:worksohardtogetthingsthatothergirlsonlyneed；lifttheirlittlefingersfor!"
　　"Nevermind，"saidAlice，huskily。"I'vegot'emandIAMgoingtohaveagoodtimeto-night!"
　　"You'vejustgotto!"Mrs。Adamsagreed，intenselysympathetic。
　　"TheLordknowsyoudeserveto，afterpickingalltheseviolets，poorthing，andHewouldn'tbemeanenoughtokeepyoufromit。
　　ImayhavetogetdinnerbeforeIfinishthedress，butIcangetitdoneinafewminutesafterward，andit'sgoingtolookrightpretty。Don'tyouworryaboutTHAT!Andwithalltheselovelyviolets——"
　　"Iwonder——"Alicebegan，paused，thenwenton，fragmentarily:
　　"Isuppose——well，Iwonder——doyousupposeitwouldhavebeenbetterpolicytohavetoldWalterbefore——"
　　"No，"saidhermother。"Itwouldonlyhavegivenhimlongertogrumble。"
　　"Buthemight——"
　　"Don'tworry，"Mrs。Adamsreassuredher。"He'llbealittlecross，buthewon'tbestubborn；justletmetalktohimanddon'tyousayanythingatall，nomatterwhatHEsays。"
　　ThesereferencestoWalterconcernedsomenecessarymanoeuvreswhichtookplaceatdinner，andwereconductedbythemother，Alicehavingacceptedheradvicetositinsilence。Mrs。Adamsbeganbylaughingcheerfully。"IwonderhowmuchlongerittookmetocookthisdinnerthanitdoesWaltertoeatit？"shesaid。
　　"Don'tgobble，child!There'snohurry。"
　　IncontactwithhisownfamilyWalterwasnosquandererofwords。