"Mama!"
　　Mrs。Adamslookedup。"It'sallright，"shesaid，inaloudwhisper。"Gertrudefelldownthecellarstairs。Somebodyleftabucketthere，and——"ShewasinterruptedbyagaspfromAlice，andhastenedtoreassureher。"Don'tworry，dearie。Shemaylimpalittle，but——"
　　Adamsleanedoverthebanisters。"Didshebreakanything？"heasked。
　　"Hush!"hiswifewhispered。"No。Sheseemsupsetandangryaboutit，morethananythingelse；butshe'srubbingherself，andshe'llbeallrightintimetobringinthelittlesandwiches。
　　Alice!Thoseflowers!"
　　"Iknow，mama。But——"
　　"Hurry!"Mrs。Adamswarnedher。"Bothofyouhurry!IMUSTlethimin!"
　　Sheturnedtothedoor，smilingcordially，evenbeforesheopenedit。"Docomerightin，Mr。Russell，"shesaid，loudly，liftinghervoiceforadditionalwarningtothoseabove。"I'mSOgladtoreceiveyouinformally，thisway，inourownlittlehome。
　　There'sahat-rackhereunderthestairway，"shecontinued，asRussell，murmuringsomeresponse，cameintothehall。"I'mafraidyou'llthinkit'salmostTOOinformal，mycomingtothedoor，butunfortunatelyourhousemaid'sjusthadalittleaccident——oh，nothingtomention!Ijustthoughtwebetternotkeepyouwaitinganylonger。Willyoustepintoourliving-room，please？"
　　Sheledthewaybetweenthetwosmallcolumns，andseatedherselfinoneoftheplushrocking-chairs，selectingitbecauseAlicehadoncepointedoutthatthechairs，themselves，werelessnoticeablewhentheyhadpeoplesittinginthem。"Dositdown，Mr。Russell；it'ssoverywarmit'sreallyquiteatrialjusttostandup!"
　　"Thankyou，"hesaid，ashetookaseat。"Yes。Itisquitewarm。"Andthisseemedtobetheextentofhisresponsivenessforthemoment。Hewasgrave，ratherpale；andMrs。Adams'simpressionofhim，assheformeditthen，wasof"adistinguished-lookingyoungman，reallyelegantinthebestsenseoftheword，buttimidandformalwhenhefirstmeetsyou。"Shebeameduponhim，andusedwitheverythingshesaidacontinuousaccompanimentoflaughter，meaninglessexceptthatitwasmeanttoconveycordiality。"OfcourseweDOhaveagreatdealofwarmweather，"sheinformedhim。"I'mgladit'ssomuchcoolerinthehousethanitisoutdoors。"
　　"Yes，"hesaid。"Itispleasanterindoors。"And，stoppingwiththissingleuntruth，hepermittedhimselfthebriefestglanceabouttheroom；thenhiseyesreturnedtohissmilinghostess。
　　"Mostpeoplemakeagreatfussabouthotweather，"shesaid。
　　"TheonlypersonIknowwhodoesn'tmindtheheatthewayotherpeopledoisAlice。Shealwaysseemsascoolasifwehadabreezeblowing，nomatterhowhotitis。Butthenshe'ssoamiableshenevermindsanything。It'sjusthercharacter。
　　She'salwaysbeenthatwaysinceshewasalittlechild；alwaysthesametoeverybody，highandlow。Ithinkcharacter'sthemostimportantthingintheworld，afterall，don'tyou，Mr。
　　Russell？"
　　"Yes，"hesaid，solemnly；andtouchedhisbedewedwhiteforeheadwithahandkerchief。
　　"Indeeditis，"sheagreedwithherself，neverfailingtocontinuehermurmuroflaughter。"That'swhatI'vealwaystoldAlice；butsheneverseesanythinggoodinherself，andshejustlaughsatmewhenIpraiseher。SheseesgoodineverybodyELSE
　　intheworld，nomatterhowunworthytheyare，orhowtheybehavetowardHER；butshealwaysunderestimatesherself。Fromthetimeshewasalittlechildshewasalwaysthatway。Whensomeotherlittlegirlwouldbehaveselfishlyormeanlytowardher，doyouthinkshe'dcomeandtellme？Neverawordtoanybody!Thelittlethingwastooproud!Shewasthesamewayaboutschool。
　　Theteachershadtotellmewhenshetookaprize；she'dbringithomeandkeepitinherroomwithoutawordaboutittoherfatherandmother。Now，Walterwasjusttheotherway。Walterwould——"ButhereMrs。Adamscheckedherself，thoughsheincreasedthevolumeofherlaughter。"Howsillyofme!"sheexclaimed。"IexpectyouknowhowmothersARE，though，Mr。
　　Russell。Giveusachanceandwe'lltalkaboutourchildrenforever!AlicewouldfeelterriblyifsheknewhowI'vebeengoingonabouthertoyou。"
　　InthisMrs。Adamswasright，thoughshedidnotherselfsuspectit，anduponanalmostinaudiblewordortwofromhimshewentonwithhertopic。"OfcoursemyexcuseisthatfewmothershaveadaughterlikeAlice。Isupposeweallthinkthesamewayaboutourchildren，butSOMEofusmustberightwhenwefeelwe'vegotthebest。Don'tyouthinkso？"
　　"Yes。Yes，indeed。"
　　"I'msure_I_am!"shelaughed。"I'lllettheothersspeakforthemselves。"Shepausedreflectively。"No；Ithinkamotherknowswhenshe'sgotatreasureinherfamily。IfsheHASN'Tgotone，she'llpretendshehas，maybe；butifshehas，sheknowsit。
　　Icertainlyknow_I_have。She'salwaysbeenwhatpeoplecall'thejoyofthehousehold'——alwayscheerful，nomatterwhatwentwrong，andalwaysreadytosmooththingsoverwithsomebright，wittysaying。YoumustbesurenottoTELLwe'vehadthislittlechatabouther——she'djustbefuriouswithme——butsheISsuchadearchild!Youwon'ttellher，willyou？"
　　"No，"hesaid，andagainappliedthehandkerchieftohisforeheadforaninstant。"No，I'll——"Hepaused，andfinishedlamely:
　　"I'll——nottellher。"
　　Thusreassured，Mrs。Adamssetbeforehimsomedetailsofherdaughter'spopularityatsixteen，dwellinguponAlice'simpartialityamongheryoungsuitors:"ShenevercouldBEARtohurttheirfeelings，andalwaystreatedallofthemjustalike。
　　AbouthalfadozenofthemwerejustBOUNDtomarryher!
　　Naturally，herfatherandIconsideredanysuchidearidiculous；
　　shewastooyoung，ofcourse。"
　　Thusthemotherwentonwithherbiographicalsketches，whilethepaleyoungmansatfacingherunderthehardoverheadlightofawhiteglobe，settotheceiling；andlistenedwithoutinterrupting。ShewasgladtohavethechancetotellhimafewthingsaboutAlicehemightnothaveguessedforhimself，and，indeed，shehadplannedtofindsuchanopportunity，ifshecould；butthiswasgettingtobealtogethertoomuchofone，shefelt。Astimepassed，shewaslikeanactorwhomustimprovisetokeeptheaudiencefromperceivingthathisfellow-playershavemissedtheircues；butheranxietywasnotbetrayedtothestilllistener；shehadavaliantsoul。
　　Alice，meanwhile，hadarrangedherlittlerosesonthetableinasmanyways，probably，astherewereblossoms；andshewasstillatitwhenherfatherarrivedinthedining-roombywayofthebackstairsandthekitchen。
　　"It'spulledoutagain，"hesaid。"ButIguessthere'snohelpforitnow；it'stoolate，andanywayitletssomeairintomewhenitbulges。Icansitso'sitwon'tbenoticedmuch，I
　　expect。Isn'tittimeyouquitbotheringaboutthelooksofthetable？Yourmother'sbeentalkingtohimabouthalfanhournow，andIhadtheideahecameonyouraccount，nothers。Hadn'tyoubettergoand——"
　　"Justaminute。"Alicesaid，piteously。"DoYOUthinkitlooksallright？"
　　"Theflowers？Fine!Hadn'tyoubetterleave'emthewaytheyare，though？"
　　"Justaminute，"shebeggedagain。"JustONEminute，papa!"AndsheexchangedaroseinfrontofRussell'splateforonethatseemedtoheralittlelarger。
　　"Youbettercomeon，"Adamssaid，movingtothedoor。
　　"JustONEmoresecond，papa。"Sheshookherhead，lamenting。
　　"Oh，Iwishwe'drentedsomesilver!"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becausesomuchoftheplatinghasrubbedoffalotofit。JUST
　　asecond，papa。"Andasshespokeshehastilywentroundthetable，gatheringtheknivesandforksandspoonsthatshethoughthadtheirplatingbestpreserved，andexchangingthemformoredamagedpiecesatRussell'splace。"There!"shesighed，finally。
　　"NowI'llcome。"Butatthedoorshepausedtolookbackdubiously，overhershoulder。
　　"What'sthematternow？"
　　"Theroses。IbelieveafterallIshouldn'thavetriedthatvineeffect；Ioughttohavekepttheminwater，inthevase。It'ssohot，theyalreadybegintolookalittlewilted，outonthedrytableclothlikethat。IbelieveI'll——"
　　"Why，lookhere，Alice!"heremonstrated，assheseemeddisposedtoturnback。"Everything'llburnuponthestoveifyoukeepon——"
　　"Oh，well，"shesaid，"thevasewasterriblyugly；Ican'tdoanybetter。We'llgoin。"Butwithherhandonthedoor-knobshepaused。"No，papa。Wemustn'tgoinbythisdoor。Itmightlookasif——"
　　"Asifwhat？"
　　"Nevermind，"shesaid。"Let'sgotheotherway。"
　　"Idon'tseewhatdifferenceitmakes，"hegrumbled，butneverthelessfollowedherthroughthekitchen，andupthebackstairsthenthroughtheupperhallway。Atthetopofthefrontstairsshepausedforamoment，drawingadeepbreath；andthen，beforeherfather'spuzzledeyes，atransformationcameuponher。
　　Hershoulders，likehereyelids，hadbeendrooping，butnowshethrewherheadback:theshouldersstraightened，andthelashesliftedoversparklingeyes；vivacitycametoherwholebodyinaflash；andshetrippeddownthesteps，withherprettyhandsrisingintimetotheliltinglittletuneshehadbeguntohum。
　　Atthefootofthestairs，oneofthoseprettyhandsextendeditselfatfullarm'slengthtowardRussell，andcontinuedtobeextendeduntilitreachedhisownhandashecametomeether。
　　"Howterribleofme!"sheexclaimed。"Tobesolatecomingdown!
　　Andpapa，too——Ithinkyouknoweachother。"
　　Herfatherwasadvancingtowardtheyoungman，expectingtoshakehandswithhim，butAlicestoodbetweenthem，andRussell，alittleflushed，bowedtohimgravelyoverhershoulder，withoutlookingathim；whereuponAdams，slightlydisconcerted，puthishandsinhispocketsandturnedtohiswife。
　　"Iguessdinner'smore'nready，"hesaid。"Webettergositdown。"
　　Butsheshookherheadathimfiercely，"Wait!"shewhispered。
　　"Whatfor？ForWalter？"
　　"No；hecan'tbecoming，"shereturned，hurriedly，andagainwarnedhimbyashakeofherhead。"Bequiet!"
　　"Oh，well——"hemuttered。
　　"Sitdown!"
　　Hewasthoroughlymystified，butobeyedhergestureandwenttotherocking-chairintheoppositecorner，wherehesatdown，and，withanexpressionofmeekinquiry，awaitedevents。
　　Meanwhile，Aliceprattledon:"It'sreallynotafaultofmine，beingtardy。TheshamefultruthisIwastryingtohurrypapa。
　　He'sincorrigible:hestayssolateathisterribleoldfactory——terriblenewfactory，Ishouldsay。Ihopeyoudon'tHATEusformakingyoudinewithusinsuchfearfulweather!I'mnearlydyingoftheheat，myself，soyouhaveafellow-sufferer，ifthatpleasesyou。Whyisitwealwaysbearthingsbetterifwethinkotherpeoplehavetostandthem，too？"Andsheadded，withanexcitedlaugh:"SILLYofus，don'tyouthink？"
　　Gertrudehadjustmadeherentrancefromthedining-room，bearingatray。Shecameslowly，withanairofresentment；andherskirtstillneededadjusting，whileherlowerjawmovedatintervals，thoughnotnowuponanysubstance，butreminiscently，ofhabit。ShehaltedbeforeAdams，facinghim。
　　Helookedplaintive。"Whatyouwanto'me？"heasked。
　　Forresponse，sheextendedthetraytowardhimwithagestureofindifference；buthestillappearedtobepuzzled。"Whatintheworld——？"hebegan，thencaughthiswife'seye，andhadpresenceofmindenoughtotakeadampandplasticsandwichfromthetray。"Well，I'llTRYone，"hesaid，butamomentlater，ashefulfilledthispromise，anexpressionofintensedislikecameuponhisfeatures，andhewouldhavereturnedthesandwichtoGertrude。However，asshehadcrossedtheroomtoMrs。Adamshecheckedthegesture，andsathelplessly，withthesandwichinhishand。Hemadeanotherefforttogetridofitasthewaitresspassedhim，onherwaybacktothedining-room，butsheappearednottoobservehim，andhecontinuedtobetroubledbyit。
　　Alicewasaloyaldaughter。"Thesearedelicious，mama，"shesaid；andturningtoRussell，"Youmissedit；youshouldhavetakenone。Toobadwecouldn'thaveofferedyouwhatoughttogowithit，ofcourse，but——"
　　ShewasinterruptedbythesecondentranceofGertrude，whoannounced，"Dinnerserve'，"andretiredfromview。
　　"Well，well!"Adamssaid，risingfromhischair，withrelief。
　　"That'sgood!Let'sgoseeifwecaneatit。"Andasthelittlegroupmovedtowardtheopendoorofthedining-roomhedisposedofhissandwichbydroppingitintheemptyfireplace。
　　Alice，glancingbackoverhershoulder，wastheonlyonewhosawhim，andsheshudderedinspiteofherself。Then，seeingthathelookedatherentreatingly，asifhewantedtoexplainthathewasdoingthebesthecould，shesmileduponhimsunnily，andbegantochattertoRussellagain。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　Alicekepthersprightlychattergoingwhentheysatdown，thoughthetemperatureoftheroomandthesightofhotsoupmighthavediscouragedalessdeterminedgayety。Moreover，thereweredetailsasunpropitiousastheheat:theexpiringrosesexpressednotbeautybutpathos，andwhatfaintodourtheyexhaledwasnorivaltothelustyemanationsoftheBrusselssprouts；attheheadofthetable，Adams，sittinglowinhischair，appearedtobeunabletoflattentheuprisingwaveofhisstarchedbosom；andGertrude'smannerandexpressionwereofarecognizablehostilityduringthelongperiodofvainwaitingforthecupsofsouptobeemptied。OnlyMrs。Adamsmadeanyprogressinthisdirection；
　　theothersmerelyfeinting，nowandthenliftingtheirspoonsasiftheyintendedtodosomethingwiththem。
　　Alice'stalkwaslittlemorethancheerfulsound，but，tofilladesolateinterval，serveditspurpose；andhermothersupportedherwithever-faithfulcooingsofapplausivelaughter。"Whatafunnythingweatheris!"thegirlranon。"Yesterdayitwascool——angelshadchargeofit——andto-daytheyhadanengagementsomewhereelse，sothedevilsawhischanceandstartedtomovetheequatortotheNorthPole；butbythetimehegothalf-way，hethoughtofsomethingelsehewantedtodo，andwentoff；andlefttheequatorhere，rightontopofUS!Iwishhe'dcomebackandgetit!"
　　"Why，Alicedear!"hermothercried，fondly。"Whatanimagination!Notaverypiousone，I'mafraidMr。Russellmightthink，though!"HereshegaveGertrudeahiddensignaltoremovethesoup；but，astherewasnoresponse，shehadtomakethesignalmoreconspicuous。Gertrudewasleaningagainstthewall，herchinmovinglikeaslowpendulum，herstreakedeyesfixedmutinouslyuponRussell。Mrs。Adamsnoddedseveraltimes，increasingtheemphasisofhergesture，whileAlicetalkedbriskly；butthebroodingwaitresscontinuedtobrood。Afaintsnapofthefingersfailedtodisturbher；norwasacoverthissingwhisperofavail，andMrs。Adamswasbeginningtoshowsignsofstrainwhenherdaughterrelievedher。
　　"Imagineourtryingtoeatanythingsohotassouponanightlikethis!"Alicelaughed。"WhatCOULDhavebeeninthecook'smindnottogiveussomethingicedandjelliedinstead？Ofcourseit'sbecauseshe'sequatorial，herself，originally，andonlyfeelsathomewhenMr。Satanmovesitnorth。"ShelookedroundatGertrude，whostoodbehindher。"Dotakethisdreadfulsoupaway!"
　　Thusdirectlyaddressed，Gertrudeyieldedherattention，thoughunwillingly，andasifshedecidedonlybyahair'sweightnottorevolt，instead。However，shefinallysetherselfinslowmotion；butoverlookedthesupposedheadofthetable，seemingtobeunawareoftheswelteringlittlemanwhosatthere。Asshedisappearedtowardthekitchenwithbutthreeofthecupsuponhertrayheturnedtolookplaintivelyafterher，andventuredanattempttorecallher。
　　"Here!"hesaid，inalowvoice。"Here，you!"
　　"Whatisit，Virgil？"hiswifeasked。
　　"What'shername？"
　　Mrs。Adamsgavehimaglanceofsuddenpanic，and，seeingthattheguestoftheeveningwasnotlookingather，butdownatthewhiteclothbeforehim，shefrownedhard，andshookherhead。
　　UnfortunatelyAlicewasnotobservinghermother，andasked，innocently:"What'swhosename，papa？"
　　"Why，thisyoungdarkywoman，"heexplained。"Sheleftmine。"
　　"Nevermind，"Alicelaughed。"There'shopeforyou，papa。Shehasn'tgoneforever!"
　　"Idon'tknowaboutthat，"hesaid，notcontentwiththisimpulsiveassurance。"SheLOOKEDlikesheis。"Andhisremark，consideredasaprediction，hadbeguntoseemwarrantedbeforeGertrude'sreturnwithchinapreliminarytothenextstageofthebanquet。
　　Aliceprovedherselfequaltothelonggap，andrattledonthroughitwithaspiritrichlyjustifyinghermother'spraiseofheras"alwaysreadytosmooththingsover"；forherewasmorethanlongdelaytobesmoothedover。ShesmoothedoverherfatherandmotherforRussell；andshesmoothedoverhimforthem，thoughhedidnotknowit，andremainedunawareofwhatheowedher。Withallthis，throughoutherprattlings，thegirl'sbrighteyeskeptseekinghiswithaneagergayety，whichbutlittleveiledbothinterrogationandentreaty——asifsheasked:
　　"Isittoomuchforyou？Can'tyoubearit？Won'tyouPLEASE
　　bearit？Iwouldforyou。Won'tyougivemeasignthatit'sallright？"
　　Helookedatherbutfleetingly，andseemedtosufferfromtheheat，inspiteofeverymanlyeffortnottowipehisbrowtoooften。Hiscolour，afterrisingwhenhegreetedAliceandherfather，haddeparted，leavinghimagainmoistlypallid；aconditionarisingfromdiscomfort，nodoubt，but，consideredasadecoration，almostpoeticallybecomingtohim。Notlessbecomingwasthefaint，kindlysmile，whichshowedhiswishtoexpressamusementandapproval；andyetitwasasmileratherstrainedandplaintive，asifhe，likeAdams，couldonlydothebesthecould。
　　HepleasedAdams，whothoughthimafineyoungman，anddecidedlythequietestthatAlicehadevershowntoherfamily。Inherfather'sopinionthiswasnosmallmerit；anditwastoRussell'scredit，too，thatheshowedembarrassmentuponthisfirstintimatepresentation；herewasanapplicantwithbothreserveandmodesty。"Sofar，heseemstobefirstrateamightyfineyoungman，"Adamsthought；and，promptedbynowishtopartfromAlicebutbyreminiscencesofapparentcandidateslesspleasing，headded，"Atlast!"
　　Alice'slivelinessneverflagged。Hersmoothingoverofthingswasanalmostcontinuousperformance，andhadtobe。Yet，whileshechatteredthroughthehotandheavycourses，thequestionssheaskedherselfwereascontinuousastheperformance，andaspoignantaswhathereyesseemedtobeaskingRussell。Whyhadshenotprevailedoverhermother'sfearofbeing"skimpy？"Hadshebeen，indeed，ashermothersaidshelooked，"inatrance？"
　　Butaboveall:WhatwasthematterwithHIM？Whathadhappened？
　　Forshetoldherselfwithpainfulhumourthatsomethingevenworsethanthisdinnermustbe"thematterwithhim。"
　　Thesmallroom，suffocatedwiththeodourofboiledsprouts，grewhotterandhotterasmoreandmorefoodappeared，slowlybornein，betweendeathlylongwaits，bytheresentful，loud-breathingGertrude。AndwhileAlicestillsoughtRussell'sglance，andreadthelookuponhisfaceadozendifferentways，fearingallofthem；andwhilethestragglinglittleflowersdieduponthestainedcloth，shefeltherheartgrowasheavyasthefood，andwonderedthatitdidnotdieliketheroses。
　　Withthearrivalofcoffee，thehostbestirredhimselftomakeknownahospitableregret，"ByGeorge!"hesaid。"Imeanttobuysomecigars。"Headdressedhimselfapologeticallytotheguest。
　　"Idon'tknowwhatIwasthinkingabout，toforgettobringsomehomewithme。Idon'tuse'emmyself——unlesssomebodyhandsmeone，youmightsay。I'vealwaysbeenapipe-smoker，pureandsimple，butIoughttorememberedforkindofanoccasionlikethis。"
　　"Notatall，"Russellsaid。"I'mnotsmokingatalllately；butwhenIdo，I'mlikeyou，andsmokeapipe。"
　　Alicestarted，rememberingwhatshehadtoldhimwhenheovertookheronherwayfromthetobacconist's；but，afteramoment，lookingathim，shedecidedthathemusthaveforgottenit。Ifhehadremembered，shethought，hecouldnothavehelpedglancingather。Onthecontrary，heseemedmoreatease，justthen，thanhehadsincetheysatdown，forhewasfavouringherfatherwithathoughtfulattentionasAdamsrespondedtotheintroductionofaman'stopicintotheconversationatlast。"Well，Mr。
　　Russell，Iguessyou'reright，atthat。Idon'tsaybutwhatcigarsmaybeallrightforamanthatcanafford'em，ifhelikes'embetterthanapipe，butyoutakeagoodoldpipenow——"
　　Hecontinued，andwasgettingwellintotheeulogiumcustomarilyprovokedbythistheme，whentherecameaninterruption:thedoor-bellrang，andhepausedinquiringly，rathersurprised。
　　Mrs。AdamsspoketoGertrudeinanundertone:
　　"Justsay，'Notathome。'"
　　"What？"
　　"Ifit'scallers，justsaywe'renotathome。"
　　Gertrudespokeoutfreely:"Youmeanyouastin'meto'tendyou'
　　frontdo'feryou？"
　　Sheseemedbothincredulousandaffronted，butMrs。Adamspersisted，thoughsomewhatapprehensively。"Yes。
　　Hurry——uh——please。Justsaywe'renotathomeifyouplease。"
　　AgainGertrudeobviouslyhesitatedbetweencomplianceandrevolt，andagainthemeekercoursefortunatelyprevailedwithher。ShegaveMrs。Adamsastare，grimlyderisive，thendeparted。Whenshecamebackshesaid:
　　"Hesayhewait。"
　　"ButItoldyoutotellanybodywewerenotathome，"MrsAdamsreturned。"Whoisit？"
　　"SayhenameMr。Law。"
　　"Wedon'tknowanyMr。Law。"
　　"Yes'm；heknowyou。SayheanxioustospeakMr。Adams。Sayhewait。"
　　"TellhimMr。Adamsisengaged。"
　　"Holdonaminute，"Adamsintervened。"Law？No。Idon'tknowanyMr。Law。Yousureyougotthenameright？"
　　"SayhenameLaw，"Gertrudereplied，lookingattheceilingtoexpressherfatigue。"Law。'Sallhetellme；'sallIknow。"
　　Adamsfrowned。"Law，"hesaid。"Wasn'titmaybe'Lohr？'"
　　"Law，"Gertruderepeated。'Sallhetellme；'sallIknow。"
　　"What'shelooklike？"
　　"Heain'tmuch，"shesaid。"'Boutyou'age；gotbrustlywhitemoustache，niceeye-glasses。"
　　"It'sCharleyLohr!"Adamsexclaimed。"I'llgoseewhathewants。"
　　"But，Virgil，"hiswiferemonstrated，"dofinishyourcoffee；hemightstayallevening。Maybehe'scometocall。"
　　Adamslaughed。"Heisn'tmuchofacaller，Iexpect。Don'tworry:I'lltakehimuptomyroom。"AndturningtowardRussell，"Ah——ifyou'lljustexcuseme，"hesaid；andwentouttohisvisitor。
　　Whenhehadgone，Mrs。Adamsfinishedhercoffee，and，havingglancedintelligentlyfromherguesttoherdaughter，sherose。
　　"IthinkperhapsIoughttogoandshakehandswithMr。Lohr，myself，"shesaid，addinginexplanationtoRussell，asshereachedthedoor，"He'sanoldfriendofmyhusband'sandit'saverylongtimesincehe'sbeenhere。"
　　Alicenoddedandsmiledtoherbrightly，butupontheclosingofthedoor，thesmilevanished；allherlivelinessdisappeared；andwiththischangeofexpressionhercomplexionitselfappearedtochange，sothatherrougebecameobvious，forshewaspalebeneathit。However，Russelldidnotseethealteration，forhedidnotlookather；anditwasbutamomentarylapsethevacationofatiredgirl，whofortensecondsletsherselflookasshefeels。Thensheshothervivacitybackintoplaceasbysomepowerfulspring。
　　"Pennyforyourthoughts!"shecried，andtossedoneofthewiltedrosesathim，acrossthetable。"I'llbidmorethanapenny；I'llbidtuppence——no，apoorlittledeadrosearoseforyourthoughts，Mr。ArthurRussell!Whatarethey？"
　　Heshookhishead。"I'mafraidIhaven'tany。"
　　"No，ofcoursenot，"shesaid。"Whocouldhavethoughtsinweatherlikethis？WillyouEVERforgiveus？"
　　"Whatfor？"
　　"Makingyoueatsuchaheavydinner——ImeanLOOKatsuchaheavydinner，becauseyoucertainlydidn'tdomorethanlookatit——onsuchanight!Butthecrimedrawstoaclose，andyoucanbegintocheerup!"Shelaughedgaily，and，rising，movedtothedoor。
　　"Let'sgointheotherroom；yourfearfuldutyisalmostdone，andyoucanrunhomeassoonasyouwantto。That'swhatyou'redyingtodo。"
　　"Notatall，"hesaidinavoicesofeeblethatshelaughedaloud。
　　"Goodgracious!"shecried。"Ihadn'trealizeditwasTHATbad!"
　　Forthis，thoughhecontrivedtolaugh，heseemedtohavenoverbalretortwhatever；butfollowedherintothe"living-room，"
　　whereshestoppedandturned，facinghim。
　　"Hasitreallybeensofrightful？"sheasked。
　　"Why，ofcoursenot。Notatall。"
　　"Ofcourseyes，though，youmean!"
　　"Notatall。It'sbeenmostkindofyourmotherandfatherandyou。"
　　"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"you'veneveroncelookedatmeformorethanasecondatatimethewholeevening？AnditseemedtomeI
　　lookedratherniceto-night，too!"
　　"Youalwaysdo，"hemurmured。
　　"Idon'tseehowyouknow，"shereturned；andthensteppingclosertohim，spokewithgentlesolicitude:"Tellme:you'rereallyfeelingwretchedly，aren'tyou？Iknowyou'vegotafearfulheadache，orsomething。Tellme!"
　　"Notatall。"
　　"Youareill——I'msureofit。"
　　"Notatall。"
　　"Onyourword？"
　　"I'mreallyquiteallright。"
　　"Butifyouare——"shebegan；andthen，lookingathimwithadesperatesweetness，asifthiswereherlastresourcetorousehim，"What'sthematter，littleboy？"shesaidwithlispingtenderness。"Tellauntie!"
　　Itwasamistake，forheseemedtoflinch，andtoleanbackward，however，slightly。Sheturnedawayinstantly，withaflippantliftanddropofbothhands。"Oh，mydear!"shelaughed。"I
　　won'teatyou!"
　　Andasthediscomfitedyoungmanwatchedher，seemingabletolifthiseyes，nowthatherbackwasturned，shewenttothefrontdoorandpushedopenthescreen。"Let'sgooutontheporch，"shesaid。"Wherewebelong!"
　　Then，whenhehadfollowedherout，andtheywereseated，"Isn'tthisbetter？"sheasked。"Don'tyoufeelmorelikeyourselfouthere？"
　　Hebeganamurmur:"Notat——"
　　Butshecuthimoffsharply:"Pleasedon'tsay'Notatall'
　　again!"
　　"I'msorry。"
　　"Youdoseemsorryaboutsomething，"shesaid。"Whatisit？
　　Isn'tittimeyouweretellingmewhat'sthematter？"
　　"Nothing。Indeednothing'sthematter。OfcourseoneISratheraffectedbysuchweatherasthis。Itmaymakeonealittlequieterthanusual，ofcourse。"
　　Shesighed，andletthetiredmusclesofherfacerest。Underthehardlights，indoors，theyhadservedheruntiltheyached，anditwasaluxurytofeelthatinthedarknessnogrimacingsneedcalluponthem。
　　"Ofcourse，ifyouwon'ttellme——"shesaid。
　　"Icanonlyassureyouthere'snothingtotell。"
　　"Iknowwhatanuglylittlehouseitis，"shesaid。"Maybeitwasthefurniture——ormama'svasesthatupsetyou。Orwasitmamaherself——orpapa？"
　　"Nothing'upset'me。"
　　Atthatsheutteredamonosyllableofdoubtinglaughter。"I
　　wonderwhyyousaythat。"
　　"Becauseit'sso。"
　　"No。It'sbecauseyou'retookind，ortooconscientious，ortooembarrassed——anyhowtoosomething——totellme。"Sheleanedforward，elbowsonkneesandchininhands，inthereflectiveattitudesheknewhowtomakegraceful。"Ihaveafeelingthatyou'renotgoingtotellme，"shesaid，slowly。"Yes——eventhatyou'renevergoingtotellme。Iwonder——Iwonder——"
　　"Yes？Whatdoyouwonder？"
　　"Iwasjustthinking——Iwonderiftheyhaven'tdoneit，afterall。"
　　"Idon'tunderstand。"
　　"Iwonder，"shewenton，stillslowly，andinavoiceofreflection，"IwonderwhoHASbeentalkingaboutmetoyou，afterall？Isn'tthatit？"
　　"Notat——"hebegan，butcheckedhimselfandsubstitutedanotherformofdenial。"Nothingis'it。'"
　　"Areyousure？"
　　"Why，yes。"
　　"Howcurious!"shesaid。
　　"Why？"
　　"Becausealleveningyou'vebeensoutterlydifferent。"
　　"Butinthisweather——"
　　"No。Thatwouldn'tmakeyouafraidtolookatmeallevening!"
　　"ButIdidlookatyou。Often。"
　　"No。NotreallyaLOOK。"
　　"ButI'mlookingatyounow。"
　　"Yes——inthedark!"shesaid。"No——theweathermightmakeyouevenquieterthanusual，butitwouldn'tstrikeyousonearlydumb。No——anditwouldn'tmakeyouseemtobeundersuchastrain——asifyouthoughtonlyofescape!"
　　"ButIhaven't——"
　　"Youshouldn't，"sheinterrupted，gently。"There'snothingyouhavetoescapefrom，youknow。Youaren'tcommittedto——tothisfriendship。"
　　"I'msorryyouthink——"hebegan，butdidnotcompletethefragment。
　　Shetookitup。"You'resorryIthinkyou'resodifferent，youmeantosay，don'tyou？Nevermind:that'swhatyoudidmeantosay，butyoucouldn'tfinishitbecauseyou'renotgoodatdeceiving。"
　　"Oh，no，"heprotested，feebly。"I'mnotdeceiving。"I'm——"
　　"Nevermind，"shesaidagain。"You'resorryIthinkyou'resodifferent——andallinoneday——sincelastnight。Yes，yourvoiceSOUNDSsorry，too。Itsoundssorrierthanitwouldjustbecauseofmythinkingsomethingyoucouldchangemymindaboutinaminutesoitmeansyou'resorryyouAREdifferent。"
　　"No——I——"
　　Butdisregardingthefaintdenial，"Nevermind，"shesaid。"Doyourememberonenightwhenyoutoldmethatnothinganybodyelsecoulddowouldeverkeepyoufromcominghere？Thatifyou——ifyouleftmeitwouldbebecauseIdroveyouawaymyself？"
　　"Yes，"hesaid，huskily。"Itwastrue。"
　　"Areyousure？"
　　"IndeedIam，"heansweredinalowvoice，butwithconviction。
　　"Then——"Shepaused。"Well——butIhaven'tdrivenyouaway。"
　　"No。"
　　"Andyetyou'vegone，"shesaid，quietly。
　　"DoIseemsostupidasallthat？"
　　"YouknowwhatImean。"Sheleanedbackinherchairagain，andherhands，inactiveforonce，laymotionlessinherlap。Whenshespokeitwasinaruefulwhisper:
　　"IwonderifIHAVEdrivenyouaway？"
　　"You'vedonenothing——nothingatall，"hesaid。
　　"Iwonder——"shesaidoncemore，butshestopped。Inhermindshewasgoingbackovertheirtimetogethersincethefirstmeeting——fragmentsoftalk，momentsofsilence，littlethingsofnoimportance，littlethingsthatmightbeimportant；moonshine，sunshine，starlight；andherthoughtszigzaggedamongthejumblingmemories；but，asifshemadeforherselfapictureofallthesefragments，throwingthemuponthecanvashaphazard，shesawthemalljusttouchedwiththeonetaintingqualitythatgavethemcoherence，thefaint，falsehazeshehadputoverthisfriendshipbyherownpretendings。And，ifthisterribledinner，oranything，oreverything，hadshownthatsaffrontintinitstruecolourtothemanatherside，lastnightalmostalover，thenshehadindeedofherselfdrivenhimaway，andmightwellfeelthatshewaslost。
　　"Doyouknow？"shesaid，suddenly，inaclear，loudvoice。"I
　　havethestrangestfeeling。IfeelasifIweregoingtobewithyouonlyaboutfiveminutesmoreinalltherestofmylife!"
　　"Why，no，"hesaid。"OfcourseI'mcomingtoseeyou——often。
　　I——"
　　"No，"sheinterrupted。"I'veneverhadafeelinglikethisbefore。It's——it'sjustSO；that'sall!You'reGOING——why，you'renevercominghereagain!"Shestoodup，abruptly，beginningtotrembleallover。"Why，it'sFINISHED，isn'tit？"
　　shesaid，andhertremblingwasmanifestnowinhervoice。"Why，it'sallOVER，isn'tit？Why，yes!"
　　Hehadrisenasshedid。"I'mafraidyou'reawfullytiredandnervous，"hesaid。"Ireallyoughttobegoing。"
　　"Yes，ofCOURSEyouought，"shecried，despairingly。"There'snothingelseforyoutodo。Whenanything'sspoiled，peopleCAN'Tdoanythingbutrunawayfromit。Sogood-bye!"
　　"Atleast，"hereturned，huskily，"we'llonly——onlysaygood-night。"
　　Then，asmovingtogo，hestumbledupontheverandasteps，"YourHAT!"shecried。"I'dliketokeepitforasouvenir，butI'mafraidyouneedit!"
　　Sheranintothehallandbroughthisstrawhatfromthechairwherehehadleftit。"Youpoorthing!"shesaid，withquaveringlaughter。"Don'tyouknowyoucan'tgowithoutyourhat？"
　　Then，astheyfacedeachotherfortheshortmomentwhichbothofthemknewwouldbethelastofalltheirverandamoments，Alice'sbrokenlaughtergrewlouder。"Whatathingtosay!"shecried。
　　"Whataromanticparting——talkingaboutHATS!"
　　Herlaughtercontinuedasheturnedaway，butothersoundscamefromwithinthehouse，clearlyaudiblewiththeopeningofadoorupstairs——alongandwailingcryoflamentationinthevoiceofMrs。Adams。Russellpausedatthesteps，uncertain，butAlicewavedtohimtogoon。
　　"Oh，don'tbother，"shesaid。"Wehavelotsofthatinthisfunnylittleoldhouse!Good-bye!"
　　Andashewentdownthesteps，sheranbackintothehouseandclosedthedoorheavilybehindher。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　Hermother'swailingcouldstillbeheardfromoverhead，thoughmorefaintly；andoldCharleyLohrwascomingdownthestairsalone。
　　HelookedatAlicecompassionately。"Iwasjustcomin'tosuggestmaybeyou'dexcuseyourselffromyourcompany，"hesaid。
　　"Yourmotherwasboundnottodisturbyou，andtriedherbesttokeepyoufromhearin'howshe'stakin'on，butIthoughtprobablyyoubetterseetoher。"
　　"Yes，I'llcome。What'sthematter？"
　　"Well，"hesaid，"_I_onlysteppedovertooffermysympathyandservices，asitwere。_I_thoughtofcourseyoufolksknewallaboutit。Factis，itwasintheeveningpaper——justalittlebitofanitemonthebackpage，ofcourse。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　Hecoughed。"Well，itain'tanythingsoterrible，"hesaid。
　　"Factis，yourbrotherWalter'sgotinalittletrouble——well，I
　　supposeyoumightcallitquiteagooddealoftrouble。Factis，he'squiteconsiderableshortinhisaccountsdownatLambandCompany。"
　　Aliceranupthestairsandintoherfather'sroom，whereMrs。
　　Adamsthrewherselfintoherdaughter'sarms。"Ishegone？"shesobbed。"Hedidn'thearme，didhe？Itriedsohard——"
　　Alicepattedtheheavingshouldersherarmsenclosed。"No，no，"
　　shesaid。"Hedidn'thearyou——itwouldn'thavemattered——hedoesn'tmatteranyway。"
　　"Oh，POORWalter!"Themothercried。"Oh，thePOORboy!Poor，poorWalter!Poor，poor，poor，POOR——"
　　"Hush，dear，hush!"Alicetriedtosootheher，butthelamentcouldnotbeabated，andfromtheothersideoftheroomarepetitioninadifferentspiritwasascontinuous。Adamspacedfuriouslythere，poundinghisfistintohisleftpalmashestrode。"Thedangboy!"hesaid。"Danglittlefool!Dangidiot!Dangfool!Whyn'theTELLme，thedanglittlefool？"
　　"HeDID!"Mrs。Adamssobbed。"HeDIDtellyou，andyouwouldn'tGIVEittohim。"
　　"HeDID，didhe？"Adamsshoutedather。"Whathebeggedmeforwasmoneytorunawaywith!Heneverdreamedofputtingbackwhathetook。Whatthedangnationyoutalkingabout——accusingme!"
　　"HeNEEDEDit，"shesaid。"Heneededittorunawaywith!HowcouldheexpecttoLIVE，afterhegotaway，ifhedidn'thavealittlemoney？Oh，poor，poor，POORWalter!Poor，poor，poor——"
　　Shewentbacktothisrepetition；andAdamswentbacktohisown，thenpaused，seeinghisoldfriendstandinginthehallwayoutsidetheopendoor。
　　"Ah——I'lljustbegoin'，Iguess，Virgil，"Lohrsaid。"Idon'tseeasthere'sanyusemytryin'tosayanymore。I'lldoanythingyouwantmeto，youunderstand。"
　　"Waitaminute，"Adamssaid，and，groaning，cameandwentdownthestairswithhim。"Yousayyoudidn'tseetheoldmanatall？"
　　"No，Idon'tknowathingaboutwhathe'sgoingtodo，"Lohrsaid，astheyreachedthelowerfloor。"Notathing。Butlookhere，Virgil，Idon'tseeasthiscallsforyouandyourwifetotakeonsohardabout——anyhownotashardasthewayyou'vestarted。"
　　"No，"Adamsgulped。"Italwaysseemsthatwaytotheotherpartythat'sonlylookingon!"
　　"Oh，well，Iknowthat，ofcourse，"oldCharleyreturned，soothingly。"Butlookhere，Virgil:theymaynotcatchtheboy；
　　theydidn'tevenseemtobesurewhattrainhemade，andiftheydogethim，why，theolemanmightdecidenottoprosecuteif——"
　　"HIM？"Adamscried，interrupting。"Himnotprosecute？Why，that'swhathe'sbeenwaitingfor，allalong!Hethinksmyboyandmebothcheatedhim!Why，hewasjustlettingWalterwalkintoatrap!Didn'tyousaythey'dbeensuspectinghimforsometimeback？Didn'tyousaythey'dbeenwatchinghimandwerejustaboutfixingtoarresthim？"
　　"Yes，Iknow，"saidLohr；"butyoucan'ttell，especiallyifyouraisethemoneyandpayitback。"
　　"Everycent!"Adamsvociferated。"Everylastpenny!Icanraiseit——IGOTtoraiseit!I'mgoingtoputaloanonmyfactoryto-morrow。Oh，I'llgetitforhim，youtellhim!Everylastpenny!"
　　"Well，olefeller，youjusttryandgetquieteddownsomenow。"
　　Charleyheldouthishandinparting。"Youandyourwifejustquietdownsome。YouAIN'Tthehealthiestmanintheworld，youknow，andyoualreadybeenunderquitesomestrainbeforethishappened。Youwanttotakecareofyourselfforthesakeofyourwifeandthatsweetlittlegirlupstairs，youknow。Now，good-night，"hefinished，steppingoutupontheveranda。"Yousendformeifthere'sanythingIcando。"
　　"Do？"Adamsechoed。"Thereain'tanythingANYBODYcando!"Andthen，ashisoldfriendwentdownthepathtothesidewalk，hecalledafterhim，"YoutellhimI'llpayhimeverylastcent!
　　Everylast，dang，dirtyPENNY!"
　　Heslammedthedoorandwentrapidlyupthestairs，talkingloudlytohimself。"Everydang，last，dirtypenny!ThinksEVERYBODYinthisfamilywantstostealfromhim，doeshe？
　　Thinkswe'reALLyellow，doeshe？I'llshowhim!"Andhecameintohisownroomvociferating，"Everylast，dang，dirtypenny!"
　　Mrs。Adamshadcollapsed，andAlicehadputheruponhisbed，whereshelaytossingconvulsivelyandsobbing，"Oh，POOR
　　Walter!"overandover，butafteratimeshevariedthesorrytune。"Oh，poorAlice!"shemoaned，clingingtoherdaughter'shand。"Oh，poor，POORAlicetohaveTHIScomeonthenightofyourdinner——justwheneverythingseemedtobegoingsowell——atlast——oh，poor，poor，POOR——"
　　"Hush!"Alicesaid，sharply。"Don'tsay'poorAlice!'I'mallright。"
　　"YouMUSTbe!"hermothercried，clutchingher。"You'vejustGOT
　　tobe!ONEofushasgottobeallright——surelyGodwouldn'tmindjustONEofusbeingallright——thatwouldn'thurtHim——"
　　"Hush，hush，mother!Hush!"
　　ButMrs。Adamsonlyclutchedherthemoretightly。"HeseemedSUCHaniceyoungman，dearie!Hemaynotseethisinthepaper——Mr。Lohrsaiditwasjustalittlebitofanitem——heMAY
　　notseeit，dearie——"