Herhusbandstilllookedeverythingbutcontented。
　　Sofarastheyoungfellowhimselfgoes，hesaid，Ilikehim，rather。I’vetalkedwithhimonlyonce，ofcourse，andthenheandIweren’tagreeingexactly。ButIlikedhim，nevertheless。IfhewereanythingbutafoolpoetIshouldbemorereconciled。
　　Hewassnubbedimmediately。THAT，declaredMrs。Fosdick，withdecision，istheonlythingthatmakeshimpossible。
　　SoMrs。Fosdick’swelcomewaswhole-handedifnotwhole-hearted。
　　Andherhusband’salsowascordialandintimate。TheonlymemberoftheFosdickhouseholdwhodidnotregardtheguestwithfavorwasGoogoo。Thataristocraticbull-pupwasstillirreconcilablyhostile。WhenAlbertattemptedtopethimheappearedtobeplanningtodevourthecaressinghand，andwhenrebukedbyhismistressretiredbeneathadavenport，growlingominously。EvenwhenignominiouslyexpelledfromtheroomhegrowledandcastlongingbackwardglancesattheSperanzaankles。No，Googoodidnotdissemble。AlbertwasperfectlysureofhisstandinginGoogoo’sestimation。
　　Dinnerthateveningwasatriflemoreformalthanhehadexpected，andhewasobligedtoapologizeforthelimitationsofhiswardrobe。Hisdresssuitofformerdayshehadfoundmuchtoodilapidatedforuse。Besides，hehadoutgrownit。
　　IthoughtIwasthinner，hesaid，andIthinkIam。ButImusthavebroadenedabit。Atanyrate，allthecoatsIleftbehindwon’tdoatall。IshallhavetodowhatCaptainSnow，mygrandfather，calls’refit’hereinNewYork。InadayortwoI
　　hopetobemorepresentable。
　　Mrs。Fosdickassuredhimthatitwasquiteallright，really。
　　Madelineaskedwhyhedidn’twearhisuniform。Iwasdyingtoseeyouinit，shesaid。Justthink，Ineverhave。
　　Albertlaughed。Youhavebeenspared，hetoldher。Minewasnotatriumph，sofarasfitwasconcerned。Ofcourse，IhadacompletenewrigwhenIcameoutofthehospital，buteventhatwasnotbeautiful。Itpuckeredwhereitshouldhavebulgedandbulgedwhereitshouldhavebeensmooth。
　　Madelineprofessednottobelievehim。
　　Nonsense！shedeclared。Idon’tbelieveit。Why，almostallthefellowsIknowhavebeeninuniformforthepasttwoyearsandtheirsfittedbeautifully。
　　Buttheywereofficers，weren’tthey，andtheiruniformswerecustommade。
　　Why，Isupposeso。Aren’talluniformscustommade？
　　Herfatherlaughed。Scarcely，Maddie，hesaid。Theprivateshavetheircustom-madebythemileandcutoffinchunksfortheindividual。Thatwasaboutit，wasn’tit，Speranza？
　　Justabout，sir。
　　Mrs。Fosdickevidentlythoughtthattheconversationwastakingaratherlowtone。SheelevateditbyaskingwhathisthoughtswerewhentakenprisonerbytheGermans。Helookedpuzzled。
　　Thoughts，Mrs。Fosdick？herepeated。Idon’tknowthatI
　　understand，exactly。Iwasonlypartlyconsciousandinagooddealofpainandmythoughtswereratherincoherent，I’mafraid。
　　Butwhenyouregainedconsciousness，youknow。Whatwereyourthoughtsthen？Didyourealizethatyouhadmadethegreatsacrificeforyourcountry？Riskedyourlifeandforfeitedyourlibertyandallthatforthecause？Wasn’titagreatsatisfactiontofeelthatyouhaddonethat？
　　Albert’slaughwasheartyandunaffected。Why，no，hesaid。I
　　thinkwhatIwasrealizingmostjustthenwasthatIhadmadeamiserablemessofthewholebusiness。FailedindoingwhatIsetouttodoandbeentakenprisonerbesides。Irememberthinking，whenIwasclear-headedenoughtothinkanything，’Youfool，youspentmonthsgettingintothiswar，andthengotyourselfoutofitinfifteenminutes。’AnditWASasillytrick，too。
　　Madelinewashorrified。
　　WhatDOyoumean？shecried。Yourgoingbacktheretorescueyourcomradeasillytrick！TheverythingthatwonyouyourCroixdeGuerre？
　　Why，yes，inaway。Ididn’tsaveMike，poorfellow——
　　Mike！WashisnameMike？
　　Yes。MichaelFrancisXavierKelly。ASouthBostonMickhewas，andoneofthefinest，squarestboysthateverdrewbreath。Well，poorMikewasdeadwhenIgottohim，somytriphadbeenfornothing，andifhehadbeenaliveIcouldnothavepreventedhisbeingtaken。Asitwas，hewasdeadandIwasaprisoner。Sonothingwasgainedand，forme，personally，agooddealwaslost。
　　Itwasn’tabrilliantthingtodo。But，headdedapologetically，achapdoesn’thavetimetothinkcollectivelyinsuchascrape。
　　AnditwasmyfirstrealscrapandIwasfrightenedhalftodeath，besides。
　　Frightened！Why，Ineverheardanythingsoridiculous！What——
　　Onemoment，Madeline。ItwasMrs。Fosdickwhointerrupted。I
　　wanttoask——er——Albertaquestion。Iwanttoaskhimifduringhislongimprisonmenthecomposed——wrote，youknow。Ishouldhavethoughtthesightsandexperienceswouldhaveforcedonetoexpressone’sself——thatis，onetowhomthegiftofexpressionwassogenerouslygranted，sheadded，withagraciousnod。
　　Alberthesitated。
　　Why，atfirstIdid，hesaid。WhenIfirstwaswellenoughtothink，Iusedtotrytowrite——verses。Iwroteagoodmany。
　　AfterwardsItorethemup。
　　Torethemup！BothMrs。andMissFosdickutteredthisexclamation。
　　Why，yes。Yousee，theyweresuchrot。ThethingsIwantedtowriteabout，thethings_I_hadseenandwasseeing，the——thefellowslikeMikeandtheirpluckandallthat——well，itwasalltoobigformetotackle。Myjinglessounded，whenIreadthemover，liketunesonastreetpiano。_I_couldn’tdoit。Ageniusmighthavebeenequaltothejob，butIwasn’t。
　　Mrs。Fosdickglancedatherhusband。Therewassomethingofalarmedapprehensionintheglance。Madeline’snextremarkcoveredthesituation。Itexpressedtheabsolutetruth，somuchmoreofthetruththaneventheyoungladyherselfrealizedatthetime。
　　Why，AlbertSperanza，sheexclaimed，Ineverheardyouspeakofyourselfandyourworkinthatwaybefore。Always——ALWAYSyouhavehadsuchcomplete，suchsplendidconfidenceinyourself。YouwereneverafraidtoattemptANYTHING。YouMUSTnottalkso。Don’tyouintendtowriteanymore？
　　Albertlookedather。Oh，yes，indeed，hesaidsimply。ThatisjustwhatIdointendtodo——ortrytodo。
　　Thatevening，aloneinthelibrary，heandMadelinehadtheirfirstlong，intimatetalk，thefirstsincethosedays——tohimtheyseemedasfarawayasthelastcentury——whentheywalkedtheSouthHarnissbeachtogether，walkedbeneaththerainbowsanddreamed。Andnowherewastheirdreamcomingtrue。
　　Madeline，hewasrealizingitashelookedather，wasprettierthanever。Shehadgrownalittleolder，ofcourse，alittlemoremature，butsurprisinglylittle。Shewasstillagirl，avery，veryprettygirlandacharminggirl。Andhe——
　　Whatareyouthinkingabout？shedemandedsuddenly。
　　Hecametohimself。Iwasthinkingaboutyou，hesaid。Youarejustasyouusedtobe，justascharmingandjustassweet。Youhaven’tchanged。
　　Shesmiledandthenpouted。
　　Idon’tknowwhethertolikethatornot，shesaid。Didyouexpecttofindmeless——charmingandtherest？
　　Why，no，ofcoursenot。Thatwasclumsyonmypart。WhatImeantwasthat——well，itseemsages，centuries，sinceweweretogetherthereontheCape——andyetyouhavenotchanged。
　　Sheregardedhimreflectively。
　　Youhave，shesaid。
　　Havewhat？
　　Changed。Youhavechangedagooddeal。Idon’tknowwhetherI
　　likeitornot。PerhapsIshallbemorecertainbyandby。Nowshowmeyourwarcross。Atleastyouhavebroughtthat，evenifyouhaven’tbroughtyouruniform。
　　Hehadthecrossinhispocket-bookandheshowedittoher。Sheenthusedoverit，ofcourse，andwishedhemightwearitevenwhenincitizen’sclothes。Shedidn’tseewhyhecouldn’t。AnditwasSUCHapityhecouldnotbeinuniform。CaptainBlanchardhadcalledtheeveningbefore，toseeMotheraboutsomewarcharitiesshewasinterestedin，andhewasstillinuniformandwearinghisdecorations，too。AlbertsuggestedthatprobablyBlanchardwasstillinservice。Yes，shebelievedhewas，butshecouldnotseewhythatshouldmakethedifference。AlberthadBEENinservice。
　　Helaughedatthisandattemptedtoexplain。Sheseemedtoresenttheattemptorthetone。
　　Idowish，shesaidalmostpettishly，thatyouwouldn’tbesosuperior。
　　Hewassurprised。Superior！herepeated。Superior！I？
　　Superiorityistheveryleastofmyfeelings。I——superior！That’sajoke。
　　And，oddlyenough，sheresentedthatevenmore。Whyisitajoke？shedemanded。Ishouldthinkyouhadtherighttofeelsuperiortoalmostanyone。Ahero——andagenius！YouARE
　　superior。
　　However，thelittleflurrywasbutmomentary，andshewasallsweetnessandsmileswhenshekissedhimgoodnight。Hewasshowntohisroombyaservantandamiditsarrayofcomforts——tohim，freshfromFranceandthecampandhisoldroomatSouthHarniss，itwasluxuriouslymagnificent——hesatforsometimethinking。Histhoughtsshouldhavebeenhappyones，yettheywerenotentirelyso。Thisisacuriouslyunsatisfactoryworld，sometimes。
　　Thenextdayhewentshopping。FosdickhadgivenhimacardtohisowntailorandMadelinehadgivenhimthenamesofseveralshopswhere，soshedeclared，hecouldbuytherightsortoftiesandthings。Fromthetailor’sAlbertemergedlookingatrifledazed。
　　afteravisittotwooftheshopsthedazedexpressionwasevenmorepronounced。Hisnextvisitswereatestablishmentsfartherdowntownandnotasexclusive。HereturnedtotheFosdickhomefeelingfairlywellsatisfiedwiththeresultsachieved。Madeline，however，didnotsharehissatisfaction。
　　ButDadsentyoutohistailor，shesaid。Whyintheworlddidn’tyouorderyoureveningclothesthere？AndBretthasthemoststunningties。Everyonesaysso。Insteadyoubuyyoursatadepartmentstore。Nowwhy？
　　Hesmiled。Mydeargirl，hesaid，yourfather’stailorestimatedthathemightmakemeaverypassabledresssuitforonehundredandseventy-fivedollars。Brett’stieswerestunning，justasyousay，butthepricesrangedfromfivetoeightdollars，whichwasmorestunningstill。Forayoungpersonfromthecountryoutofajob，whichismyconditionatpresent，suchthingsmaybelookedatbutnothandled。Ican’taffordthem。
　　Shetossedherhead。Whatnonsense！sheexclaimed。You’renotoutofajob，asyoucallit。Youareawriterandafamouswriter。Youhavewrittenonebookandyouaregoingtowritemore。
　　Besides，youmusthavemadeheapsofmoneyfromTheLances。Everyonehasbeenreadingit。
　　Whenhetoldhertheamountofhisroyaltychecksheexpressedtheopinionthatthepublishermusthavecheated。Itoughttohavebeeneverandeversomuchmorethanthat。Suchwonderfulpoems！
　　ThenextdayshewenttoBrett’sandpurchasedahalfdozenofthemostexpensiveties，whichshepresentedtohimforthwith。
　　There！shedemanded。Aren’tthosenicerthantheonesyouboughtatthatolddepartmentstore？Well，then！
　　But，Madeline，Imustnotletyoubuymyties。
　　Whynot？Itisn’tsuchanunheard-ofthingforanengagedgirltogiveherfianceanecktie。
　　Thatisn’ttheidea。Ishouldhaveboughttieslikethosemyself，butIcouldn’taffordthem。Nowforyouto——
　　Nonsense！Youtalkasifyouwereabeggar。Don’tbesosilly。
　　But，Madeline——
　　Stop！Idon’twanttohearit。
　　Sheroseandwentoutoftheroom。Shelookedasifshewereonthevergeoftears。Hefeltobligedtoacceptthegift，buthedislikedtheprincipleofthethingsasmuchasever。Whenshereturnedshewasverytalkativeandgayandchattedallthroughluncheon。Thesubjectofthetieswasnotmentionedagainbyeitherofthem。Hewasgladhehadnottoldherthathisnewdresssuitwasready-made。
　　WhileinFrance，awaitinghisreturnhome，hehadpurchasedaringandsentittoher。Shewaswearingit，ofcourse。Comparedwithotherarticlesofjewelrywhichsheworefromtimetotime，hisringmadeanextremelymodestshowing。Sheseemedquiteunawareofthediscrepancy，buthewasawareofit。
　　OnaneveninglaterintheweekMrs。Fosdickgaveareception。
　　Quiteaninformalaffair，shesaid，inannouncingherintention。
　　JustafewintimatefriendstomeetMr。Speranza，thatisall。
　　Mostlyloversofliterature——discerningpeople，ifImaysayso。
　　ThequiteinformalaffairlookedquiteformidablyformaltoAlbert。
　　Thefewintimatefriendsweremany，soitseemedtohim。TherewasstillenoughoftheformerAlbertSperanzaleftinhismake-uptopreventhisappearingintheleastdistressedorillatease。Hewas，ashehadalwaysbeenwheninthepubliceye，evenasfarbackastheschooldancing-classeswiththeMissesBradshaw’syoungladies，perfectlyself-possessed，charminglypolite，absolutelyself-assured。Andhisgoodlookshadnotsufferedduringhisyearsofimprisonmentandsuffering。Hewasnolongerahandsomeboy，buthewasanextraordinarilyattractiveanddistinguishedman。
　　Mrs。Fosdickmarkedhismannerandappearanceandbreathedasighofsatisfaction。Madelinenotedthem。Heryoungfriendsofthesexnotedthemandwhisperedandlookedapproval。Whattheyoungmenthoughtdoesnotmattersomuch，perhaps。OneofthesewastheCaptainBlanchard，ofwhomMadelinehadwrittenandspoken。Hewasatall，athleticchap，wholookedwellinhisuniform，andwhosefacewasthatofahealthy，clean-livingandclean-thinkingyoungAmerican。HeandAlbertshookhandsandlookedeachotherover。
　　AlbertdecidedheshouldlikeBlanchardifheknewhimbetter。Thecaptainwasnottalkative。infact，heseemedrathertaciturn。
　　Maidsandmatronsgushedwhenpresentedtothelionoftheevening。
　　ItscarcelyseemedpossiblethattheywereactuallymeetingtheauthorofTheLancesofDawn。Thatwonderfulbook！Thosewonderfulpoems！HowCANyouwritethem，Mr。Speranza？Whendoyourbestinspirationscome，Mr。Speranza？Oh，ifIcouldwriteasyoudoI
　　shouldwalkonair。Thematronwhobreathedthelast-quotedecstasywasdistinctlyweighty。thementalpictureofherpedestriantripthroughtheatmospherewasinteresting。Albert’shandwaspattedbytheelderlyspinsters，youngwomen’seyesliftedsoulfulglancestohis。
　　Itwasthesortofthinghewouldhaverevelledinthreeorfouryearsearlier。Exactlythesortofthinghehaddreamedofwhenthemajorityofthepoemstheygushedoverwerewritten。Itwasmuchthesamethingherememberedhavingseenhisfatherundergointhedayswhenheandtheoperasingerweretogether。Andhisfatherhad，apparently，ratherenjoyedit。Herealizedallthis——
　　andherealized，too，withaqueerfeelingthatitshouldbeso，thathedidnotlikeitatall。Itwassilly。Nothinghehadwrittenwarrantedsuchextravagances。Hadn’tthesepeopleanysenseofproportion？Theyboredhimtodesperation。Thesolereliefwasthebehaviorofthemen，particularlythemiddle-agedorelderlymen，obviouslypresentthroughfemininecompulsion。Theyseizedhishand，moveditupanddownwithapumpingmotion，utteredsomestereotypedprevaricationsabouttheirpleasureatmeetinghimandtheirhavingenjoyedhispoemsverymuch，andthenslidoninthedirectionoftherefreshmentroom。
　　AndAlbert，asheshookhands，bowedandsmiledandwascharminglyaffable，foundhisthoughtswanderinguntiltheysettleduponPrivateMikeKellyandthepicturesquelanguageofthelatterwhenhe，assergeant，routedhimoutforguardduty。Mikehadnotgushedoverhimnorcalledhimagenius。Hehadcalledhimmanythings，butnotthat。
　　HewasgladindeedwhenhecouldslipawayforadancewithMadeline。HefoundherchattinggailywithCaptainBlanchard，whohadbeenhermostrecentpartner。Heclaimedherfromthecaptainandasheledherouttothedancefloorshewhisperedthatshewasveryproudofhim。ButIDOwishYOUcouldwearyourwarcross，
　　sheadded。
　　Thequiteinformalaffairwasthefirstofmanyquiteasinformallyformal。AlsoMrs。Fosdick’ssatellitesandfriendsoftheliteraryclubsandthewarworksocietiesseizedtheopportunitytomakemuchoftheheroicauthorofTheLancesofDawn。Hissocietywasrequestedatteas，atafternoonaswellaseveninggatherings。Hewouldhaverefusedmostoftheseinvitations，butMadelineandhermotherseemedtotakehisacceptanceforgranted。infact，theyacceptedforhim。Aghastlyhabitdevelopedofaskinghimtoreadafewofhisownpoemsontheseoccasions。PLEASE，Mr。Speranza。
　　Itwillbesuchatreat，andsuchanHONOR。UsuallyaparticularrequestwasmadethathereadTheGreaterLove。NowTheGreaterLovewasthepoemwhich，writteninthoserapturousdayswhenheandMadelinefirstbecameawareoftheirmutualadoration，wasrefusedbyoneeditorasatrifletoosyrupy。Toreadthatstickyeffusionoverandoveragainbecameatorment。TherewereoccasionswhenifamanhadreferredtoTheGreaterLove，itsauthormighthavehowledprofanelyandofferedbodilyviolence。
　　ButnomeneverdidrefertoTheGreaterLove。
　　Ononeoccasionwhenasentimentalmatronandhergushingdaughterhadbeggedtoknowifhedidnothimselfadorethatpoem，ifhedidnotconsideritthebesthehadeverwritten，hehadansweredfrankly。Hewassatiatedwithcakeandteaandcomplimentsthateveningandrecklesslytruthful。Youreallywishtoknowmyopinionofthatpoem？heasked。Indeedandindeedtheyreallywishedtoknewjustthatthing。Well，then，Ithinkit’srot，hedeclared。Iloatheit。
　　Ofcoursemotheranddaughterwereindignant。TheircommentsreachedMadeline’sear。Shetookhimtotask。
　　Butwhydidyousayit？shedemanded。Youknowyoudon’tmeanit。
　　Yes，Idomeanit。ItISrot。Lotsofthestuffinthatbookofmineisrot。Ididnotthinksoonce，butIdonow。IfIhadthebooktomakeoveragain，thatsortwouldn’tbeincluded。
　　Shelookedathimforamomentasifstudyingaproblem。
　　Idon’tunderstandyousometimes，shesaidslowly。Youaredifferent。AndIthinkwhatyousaidtoMrs。BaconandMarianwasveryrude。
　　LaterwhenhewenttolookforherhefoundherseatedwithCaptainBlanchardinacorner。Theywereeatingicesand，apparently，enjoyingthemselves。Hedidnotdisturbthem。InsteadhehunteduptheoffendedBaconsandapologizedforhisoutbreak。Theapology，althoughgraciouslyaccepted，hadratherwearisomeconsequences。Mrs。Bacondeclaredsheknewthathehadnotreallymeantwhathesaid。
　　Irealizehowitmustbe，shedeclared。Youpeopleoftemperament，ofgenius，ofaspirations，areneverquitesatisfied，youcannotbe。Youarealwaystrying，alwaysseekingthehigherattainment。Achievementsofthepast，thoughtotherestofuswonderfulandsublime，aretoyou——asyousay，’rot。’Thatisit，isitnot？Albertsaidheguesseditwas，andwanderedaway，seekingseclusionandsolitude。WhentheaffairbrokeuphefoundMadelineandBlanchardstillenjoyingeachother’ssociety。Bothweresurprisedwhentoldthehour。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　Sothefirstthreeweeksofhisproposedmonth’svisitpassedandthefourthbegan。Andmoreandmorehisfeelingsofdissatisfactionanduneasinessincreased。Thereasonsforthosefeelingshefoundhardtodefine。TheFosdicksweremostcertainlydoingtheirbesttomakehimcomfortableandhappy。Theywerekind——yes，morethankind。Mr。Fosdickhereallybegantolike。Mrs。Fosdick’smannerhadatraceofcondescensioninit，butastheladytreatedallcreationwithmuchthesamemeasureofcondescension，hewasmoreamusedthanresentful。AndMadeline——Madelinewassweetandcharmingandbeautiful。Therewasinhermannertowardhim，orsohefancied，aslightchange，perhapsachangeatriflemoremarkedsincetheeveningwhenhisexpressedopinionofTheGreaterLove
　　hadoffendedherandtheBacons。Itseemedtohimthatshewasmoreimpatient，morecapricious，sometimesalmostoverwhelminghimwithattentionandtendernessandthenappearingtoforgethimentirelyandtobequiteindifferenttohisthoughtsandopinions。Hermoodsvariedgreatlyandtherewereoccasionswhenhefounditalmostimpossibletopleaseher。Atthesetimesshetookoffensewhennooffensewasintendedandhefoundhimselfapologizingwhen，tosaytheleast，thefault，iftherewasany，wasnotmorethanhalfhis。
　　Butshealwaysfollowedthosemoodswithothersofcontritionandpenitenceandthenhewaspettedandfondledandhisforgivenessimplored。
　　Theseslightchangesinherhenoticed，buttheytroubledhimlittle，principallybecausehewascomingtorealizethegreatchangeinhimself。Moreandmorethatchangewasforcingitselfuponhim。Thestoriesandnovelshehadreadduringthefirstyearsofthewar，thestoriesbyEnglishwritersinwhichyoungmen，frivolousandinconsequential，hadenlistedandfoughtandemergedfromtheordealstrong，purposefulandmade-over——thosestoriesrecurredtohimnow。Hehadpaidlittleattentiontothemaking-overideawhenhereadthosetales，butnowhewasforcedtobelievetheremightbesomethinginit。Certainlysomething，thethreeyearsorthedisciplineandtrainingandsuffering，orallcombined，hadchangedhim。Hewasnotasheusedtobe。
　　Thingshelikedverymuchhenolongerlikedatall。Andwhere，ohwhere，wasthesereneself-satisfactionwhichoncewashis？
　　Thechangemustbequiteindividual，hedecided。Allsoldierswerenotsoaffected。TakeBlanchard，forinstance。Blanchardhadseenservice，moreandquiteashardfightingashehadseen，butBlanchardwas，toallappearances，aslight-heartedandsereneandconfidentasever。BlanchardwaslikeMadeline。hewasmuchthesamenowashehadbeenbeforethewar。Blanchardcoulddanceandtalksmalltalkandlaughandenjoyhimself。Well，socouldhe，onoccasions，forthatmatter，ifthathadbeenall。Butitwasnotall，orifitwaswhywasheatothertimessodiscontentedanduncomfortable？Whatwasthematterwithhim，anyway？
　　Hedrewmoreandmoreintohisshellandbecamemorequietandlesstalkative。Madeline，inoneofhermoods，reproachedhimforit。
　　Idowishyouwouldn’tbegrumpy，shesaid。
　　Theyhadbeensittinginthelibraryandhehadlapsedintoafitofmusing，answeringherquestionswithabsentmindedmonosyllables。
　　Nowhelookedup。
　　Grumpy？herepeated。WasIgrumpy？Ibegyourpardon。
　　Youshould。YouansweredeverywordIspoketoyouwithagruntoragrowl。Imightaswellhavebeentalkingtoabear。
　　I’mawfullysorry，dear。Ididn’tfeelgrumpy。Iwasthinking，I
　　suppose。
　　Thinking！Youarealwaysthinking。Whythink，pray？……IfI
　　permittedmyselftothink，Ishouldgoinsane。
　　Madeline，whatdoyoumean？
　　Oh，nothing。I’mpartiallyinsanenow，perhaps。Come，let’sgotothepiano。Ifeellikeplaying。Youdon’tmind，doyou？
　　ThateveningMrs。Fosdickmadeasuggestiontoherhusband。
　　Fletcher，shesaid，IaminclinedtothinkitistimeyouandAlberthadatalkconcerningthefuture。Abusinesstalk，Imean。
　　Iamalittleuneasyabouthim。FromsomethingshehassaidtomerecentlyIgatherthatheisplanningtoearnhislivingwithhispen。
　　Well，howelsedidyouexpecthimtoearnit。asbookkeeperfortheSouthHarnisslumberconcern？
　　Don’tbeabsurd。WhatImeanisthatheisthinkingofdevotinghimselftoliteratureexclusively。Don’tinterruptme，please。
　　Thatisverybeautifulandveryidealistic，andIhonorhimforit，butIcannotseeMadelineasanatticpoet’swife，canyou？
　　Ican’t，andItoldyousointhebeginning。
　　No。ThereforeIshouldtakehimtoonesideandtellhimoftheopeninginyourfirm。Withthatasameansofkeepinghisfeetonthegroundhisbrainmaysoarasitlikes，thehigherthebetter。
　　Mr。Fosdick，asusual，obeyedordersandthatafternoonAlbertandhehadthebusinesstalk。Conversationatdinnerwassomewhatstrained。Mr。Fosdickwasquietlyobservantandseemedratheramusedaboutsomething。Hiswifewasdignifiedandhermannertowardherguestwasinclinedtobeabrupt。Albert’sappetitewaspoor。AsforMadeline，shedidnotcomedowntodinner，havingaheadache。
　　Shecamedownlater，however。Albert，aloneinthelibrary，wassitting，abookuponhiskneesandhiseyesfixeduponnothinginparticular，whenshecamein。
　　Youarethinkingagain，Isee，shesaid。
　　Hehadnotheardherenter。Nowherose，thebookfallingtothefloor。
　　Why——why，yes，hestammered。Howareyoufeeling？Howisyourhead？
　　Itisnoworse。Andnobetter。Ihavebeenthinking，too，whichperhapsexplainsit。Sitdown，Albert，please。Iwanttotalkwithyou。ThatiswhatIhavebeenthinkingabout，thatyouandI
　　musttalk。
　　Sheseatedherselfuponthedavenportandhepulledforwardachairandsatfacingher。Foramomentshewassilent。Whenshedidspeak，however，herquestionwasverymuchtothepoint。
　　Whydidyousay’No’toFather’soffer？sheasked。Hehadbeenexpectingthisveryquestion，oroneleadinguptoit。Nevertheless，hefoundansweringdifficult。Hehesitated，andshewatchedhim，herimpatiencegrowing。
　　Well？sheasked。
　　Hesighed。Madeline，hesaid，Iamafraidyouthinkmeveryunreasonable，certainlyveryungrateful。
　　Idon’tknowwhattothinkaboutyou。ThatiswhyIfeelwemusthavethistalk。Tellme，please，justwhatFathersaidtoyouthisafternoon。
　　Hesaid——well，thesubstanceofwhathesaidwastooffermeapositioninhisoffice，inhisfirm。
　　Whatsortofaposition？
　　Well，I——Iscarcelyknow。Iwastohaveadeskthereand——andbegenerally——ornamental，Isuppose。Itwasnotverydefinite，thedetailsoftheposition，but——
　　Thesalarywasgood，wasn’tit？
　　Yes。morethangood。MuchtoogoodforthereturnIcouldmakeforit，soitseemedtome。
　　Andyourprospectsforthefuture？Wasn’ttheofferwhatpeoplecallagoodopportunity？
　　Why，yes，Isupposeitwas。Fortherightsortofmanitwouldhavebeenawonderfulopportunity。Yourfatherwasmostkind，mostgenerous，Madeline。Pleasedon’tthinkIamnotappreciative。I
　　am，but——
　　Don’t。Iwanttounderstanditall。Heofferedyouthisopportunity，thispartnershipinhisfirm，andyouwouldnotacceptit？Why？Don’tyoulikemyfather？
　　Yes，Ilikehimverymuch。
　　Didn’tyou，withtheslightestpossiblecurlofthelip，thinktheofferworthyofyou？……Oh，Idon’tmeanthat！Pleaseforgiveme。Iamtryingnottobedisagreeable。I——Ijustwanttounderstand，Albert，that’sall。
　　Henodded。Iknow，Madeline，hesaid。Youhavetherighttoask。Itwasn’tsomuchaquestionoftheofferbeingworthyofmeasofmybeingworthytheoffer。Oh，Madeline，whyshouldyouandIpretend？YouknowwhyMr。Fosdickmademethatoffer。Itwasn’tbecauseIwaslikelytobeworthtendollarsayeartohisfirm。
　　InHeaven’sname，whatusewouldIbeinastockbroker’soffice，withmymake-up，withmylackofbusinessability？Hewouldbemakingaplaceformethereandpayingmeahighsalaryforonereasononly，andyouknowwhatthatis。Nowdon’tyou？
　　Shehesitatednow，butonlyforaninstant。Shecoloredalittle，butsheansweredbravely。
　　IsupposeIdo，shesaid，butwhatofit？Itisnotunheardof，isit，thetakingone’sprospectiveson-in-lawintopartnership？
　　No，but——We’redodgingtheissueagain，Madeline。IfIwerelikelytobeofanyhelptoyourfather’sbusiness，insteadofahindrance，Imightperhapsseeitdifferently。Asitis，I
　　couldn’tacceptunlessIwerewillingtobeanobjectofcharity。
　　DidyoutellFatherthat？
　　Yes。
　　Whatdidhesay？
　　Hesaidagooddeal。Hewasfrankenoughtosaythathedidnotexpectmetobeofgreatassistancetothefirm。ButImightbeofSOMEuse——hedidn’tputitasbaldlyasthat，ofcourse——andatalltimesIcouldkeeponwithmywriting，withmypoetry，youknow。
　　Thebrokeragebusinessshouldnotinterferewithmypoetry，hesaid。yourmotherwouldscalphimifitdidthat。
　　Shesmiledfaintly。Thatsoundslikedad，shecommented。
　　Yes。Well，wetalkedandarguedforsometimeonthesubject。
　　Heaskedmewhat，supposingIdidnotacceptthisofferofhis，myplansforthefuturemightbe。Itoldhimtheywereprettyunsettledasyet。Imeanttowrite，ofcourse。Notpoetryaltogether。Irealized，Itoldhim，thatIwasnotagreatpoet，apoetofgenius。
　　Madelineinterrupted。Hereyesflashed。
　　Whydoyousaythat？shedemanded。Ihaveheardyousayitbefore。Thatis，recently。IntheolddaysyouwereassureasIthatyouwerearealpoet，orshouldbesomeday。Youneverdoubtedit。YouusedtotellmesoandIlovedtohearyou。
　　Albertshookhishead。Iwassureofsomanythingsthen，hesaid。Imusthavebeenaninsufferablekid。
　　Shestampedherfoot。Itwaslessthanthreeyearsagothatyousaidit，shedeclared。Youarenotsofrightfullyancientnow……Well，goon，goon。Howdiditend，thetalkwithFather，Imean？
　　Itoldhim，hecontinued，thatImeanttowriteandtoearnmylivingbywriting。Imeanttotrymagazinework——stories，youknow——and，soon，anovel。Heaskedifearningenoughtosupportawifeonwouldnotbealongjobatthattime。IsaidIwasafraiditmight，butthatthatseemedtomemyparticulargame，nevertheless。
　　Sheinterruptedagain。Diditoccurtoyoutoquestionwhetherornotthatdeterminationofyourswasquitefairtome？sheasked。
　　Why——why，yes，itdid。AndIdon’tknowthatitISexactlyfairtoyou。I——
　　Nevermind。Goon。Tellmetherest。Howdiditend？
　　Well，itendedinasortofflare-up。Mr。Fosdickwasjustalittlebitsarcastic，andIexpressedmyfeelingsratherfreely——
　　toofreely，I’mafraid。
　　Nevermind。Iwanttoknowwhatyousaid。
　　Tobeabsolutelytruthful，then，thisiswhatIsaid：IsaidthatIappreciatedhiskindnessandwasgratefulfortheoffer。Butmymindwasmadeup。Iwouldnotliveuponhischarityanddrawalargesalaryfordoingnothingexceptbealittle，damnedtamehouse-poetledaroundinleashandexhibitedathiswife’sclubmeetings……Thatwasaboutall，Ithink。Weshookhandsattheend。Hedidn’tseemtolikemeanythelessfor……Why，Madeline，haveIoffendedyou？Mylanguagewasprettystrong，I
　　know，but——
　　Shehadbowedherheaduponherarmsamidthesofacushionsandwascrying。Hesprangtohisfeetandbentoverher。
　　Why，Madeline，hesaidagain，Ibegyourpardon。I’msorry——
　　Oh，itisn’tthat，shesobbed。Itisn’tthat。Idon’tcarewhatyousaid。
　　Whatisit，then？
　　Sheraisedherheadandlookedathim。
　　Itisyou，shecried。Itismyself。Itiseverything。Itisallwrong。I——Iwassohappyand——andnowIammiserable。Oh——oh，IwishIweredead！
　　Shethrewherselfuponthecushionsagainandwepthysterically。
　　Hestoodaboveher，strokingherhair，tryingtosootheher，tocomforther，andallthetimehefeltlikeabrute，aheartlessbeast。Atlastsheceasedcrying，satupandwipedhereyeswithherhandkerchief。
　　There！sheexclaimed。Iwillnotbesillyanylonger。Iwon’tbe！IWON’T！……Nowtellme：Whyhaveyouchangedso？
　　Helookeddownatherandshookhishead。Hewasconscience-
　　strickenandfullyasmiserableassheprofessedtobe。
　　Idon’tknow，hesaid。Iamolderand——and——andIDON’TseethingsasIusedto。IfthatbookofminehadappearedthreeyearsagoIhavenodoubtIshouldhavebelievedittobethegreatestthingeverprinted。Now，whenpeopletellmeitisandIreadwhatthereviewerssaidandallthat，I——IDON’Tbelieve，IKNOWitisn’tgreat——thatis，themostofitisn’t。Thereissomeprettygoodstuff，ofcourse，but——Yousee，Ithinkitwasn’tthepoemsthemselvesthatmadeitsell。Ithinkitwasallthefooltommyrotthepapersprintedaboutme，aboutmybeingaheroandallthatrubbish，whentheythoughtIwasdead，youknow。That——
　　Sheinterrupted。Oh，don’t！shecried。Don’t！Idon’tcareabouttheoldbook。I’mnotthinkingaboutthat。I’mthinkingaboutyou。YOUaren’tthesame——thesametowardme。
　　Towardyou，Madeline？Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean。
　　Yes，youdo。Ofcourseyoudo。Ifyouwerethesameasyouusedtobe，youwouldletFatherhelpyou。Weusedtotalkaboutthatverythingand——andyoudidn’tresentitthen。
　　Didn’tI？Well，perhapsIdidn’t。ButIthinkIrememberourspeakingsometimesofsacrificingeverythingforeachother。Weweretoliveinpoverty，ifnecessary，andIwastowrite，youknow，and——
　　Stop！Allthatwasnonsense，nonsense！youknowit。
　　Yes，I’mafraiditwas。
　　Youknowitwas。Andifyouwereasyouusedtobe，ifyou——
　　Madeline！
　　What？Whydidyouinterruptme？
　　BecauseIwantedtoaskyouaquestion。DoyouthinkYOUareexactlythesame——asyouusedtobe？
　　Whatdoyoumean？
　　Haven’tYOUchangedalittle？Areyouassureasyouwerethen——
　　assureofyourfeelingtowardme？
　　Shegazedathim，wide-eyed。WHATdoyoumean？
　　ImeanAREyousure？Ithasseemedtomethatperhaps——Iwasoutofyourlifeforalongtime，youknow，andduringagooddealofthattimeitseemedcertainthatIhadgoneforever。Iamnotblamingyou，goodnessknows，but——Madeline，isn’tthere——Well，ifIhadn’tcomeback，mightn’ttherehavebeensomeone——else？
　　Sheturnedpale。
　　Whatdo——shestammered，inarticulate。Why，why——
　　ItwasCaptainBlanchard，wasn’tit？
　　Thecolorcamebacktohercheekswitharush。Sheblushedfuriouslyandsprangtoherfeet。
　　How——howcanyousaysuchthings！shecried。Whatdoyoumean？
　　HowDAREyousayCaptainBlanchardtookadvantageof——How——howDAREyousayIwasnotloyaltoyou？Itisnottrue。Itisnottrue。Iwas。Iam。Therehasn’tbeenaword——awordbetweenussince——sincethenewscamethatyouwere——Itoldhim——Isaid——
　　Andhehasbeensplendid！Splendid！Andnowyousay——Oh，whatAMIsaying？WhatSHALLIdo？
　　Shecollapsedoncemoreamongthecushions。Heleanedforward。
　　Mydeargirl——hebegan，butshebrokein。
　　IHAVEN’Tbeendisloyal，shecried。Ihavetried——Oh，Ihavetriedsohard——
　　Hush，Madeline，hush。Iunderstand。Iunderstandperfectly。Itisallright，reallyitis。
　　AndIshouldhavekeptontryingalways——always。
　　Yes，dear，yes。Butdoyouthinkamarriedlifewithsomuchtryinginitlikelytobeahappyone？Itisbettertoknowitnow，isn’tit，agreatdealbetterforbothofus？Madeline，Iamgoingtomyroom。Iwantyoutothink，tothinkoverallthis，andthenwewilltalkagain。Idon’tblameyou。Idon’t，dear，really。IthinkIrealizeeverything——allofit。Goodnight，dear。
　　Hestoopedandkissedher。Shesobbed，butthatwasall。Thenextmorningaservantcametohisroomwithaparcelandaletter。Theparcelwasatinyone。Itwastheringhehadgivenher，initscase。Theletterwasshortandmuchblotted。Itread：
　　DearAlbert：
　　Ihavethoughtandthought，asyoutoldmeto，andIhaveconcludedthatyouwereright。ItISbesttoknowitnow。Forgiveme，please，PLEASE。IfeelwickedandhorridandIHATEmyself，butI
　　thinkthisisbest。Oh，doforgiveme。Good-by。
　　MADELINE。
　　Hisreplywaslonger。Atitsendhewrote：
　　OfcourseIforgiveyou。Inthefirstplacethereisnothingtoforgive。Theunforgivablethingwouldhavebeenthesacrificeofyourhappinessandyourfuturetoadreamandamemory。Ihopeyouwillbeveryhappy。Iamsureyouwillbe，forBlanchardis，I
　　know，afinefellow。Thebestoffortunetoyouboth。
　　ThenextforenoonhesatoncemoreinthecarofthemorningtrainforCapeCod，lookingoutofthewindow。HehadmadethejourneyfromNewYorkbythenightboatandhadboardedtheCapetrainatMiddleboro。Allthepreviousday，andintheeveningashetrampedthecoldwind-sweptdeckofthesteamer，hehadbeentryingtocollecthisthoughts，toreadjustthemtothenewsituation，tocomprehendinitsentiretythegreatchangethathadcomeinhislife。Thevagueplans，thehappyindefinitedreams，alltherainbowsandroseshadgone，shiveredtobitslikethereflectioninabrokenmirror。Madeline，hisMadeline，washisnolonger。
　　Norwashehers。Inawayitseemedimpossible。
　　Hetriedtoanalyzehisfeelings。Itseemedasifheshouldhavebeencrushed，grief-stricken，broken。Hewasinclinedtoreproachhimselfbecausehewasnot。Ofcoursetherewasasadnessaboutit，aregretthatthewonderofthosedaysofloveandyouthhadpassed。Butthesorrowwasnotbitter，theregretwasbutawistfullonging，thesweet，lingeringfragranceofamemory，thatwasall。Towardher，Madeline，hefelt——anditsurprisedhim，too，tofindthathefelt——nottheslightesttraceofresentment。AndmoresurprisingstillhefeltnonetowardBlanchard。Hehadmeantwhathesaidinhisletter，hewishedforthemboththegreatesthappiness。
　　And——therewasnouseattemptingtoshunthefact——hischieffeeling，ashesattherebythecarwindowlookingoutatthefamiliarlandscape，wasagreatrelief，aconsciousnessofescapefromwhatmighthavebeenamiserable，crushingmistakeforhimandforher。Andwiththisagrowingsenseoffreedom，ofbuoyancy。
　　Itseemedwickedtofeellikethat。Thenitcametohim，thethoughtthatMadeline，doubtless，wasexperiencingthesamefeeling。Andhedidnotmindabit。hehopedshewas，blessher！
　　Ayouthfulcigardrummer，onhisfirstDown-Easttrip，satdownbesidehim。
　　Kindofaflat，barecountry，ain’tit？observedthedrummer，withajerkofhisheadtowardthewindow。Looksbleakenoughtome。Knowanythingaboutthisneckofthewoods，doyou？
　　Albertturnedtolookathim。
　　MeaningtheCape？heasked。
　　Sure。
　　IndeedIdo。Iknowallaboutit。
　　Thatso！Say，yousoundasifyoulikedit。
　　Albertturnedbacktothewindowagain。
　　Likeit！herepeated。Iloveit。Thenhesighed，asighofsatisfaction，andadded：Yousee，IBELONGhere。
　　HisgrandparentsandRachelweresurprisedwhenhewalkedintothehousethatnoonandannouncedthathehopeddinnerwasready，becausehewashungry。Buttheirsurprisewasmorethanbalancedbytheirjoy。CaptainZelotesdemandedtoknowhowlonghewasgoingtostay。
　　Aslongasyou’llhaveme，Grandfather，wastheanswer。
　　Eh？Well，thatwouldbeaconsider’blespell，ifyouleftittous，butIcal’latethatgirlinNewYorkwillhavesomethin’tosayastotimelimit，won’tshe？
　　Albertsmiled。I’lltellyouaboutthatbyandby，hesaid。
　　Hedidnottellthemuntilthateveningaftersupper。ItwasFridayeveningandOlivewasgoingtoprayer-meeting，butshedelayedputtingonherthingstohearthetale。Thenewsthattheengagementwasoffandthathergrandsonwasnot，afterall，towedthedaughteroftheHonorableFletcherFosdick，shockedandgrievedhernotalittle。
　　Oh，dear！shesighed。Isupposeyouknowwhat’sbest，Albert，andmaybe，asyousay，youwouldn’thavebeenhappy，butIDIDfeelsortofproudtothinkmyboywasgoin’tomarryamillionaire’sdaughter。
　　CaptainZelotesmadenocomment——then。Heaskedtobetoldmoreparticulars。AlbertdescribedthelifeattheFosdickhome，thereceptions，hisenforcedexhibitionsandreadings。AtlengththerecitalreachedthepointoftheinterviewinFosdick’soffice。
　　Soheofferedyoutotakeyouintothefirm——eh，son？heobserved。
　　Yes，sir。
　　Humph！Fosdick，WilliamsonandHendricksareoneofthebiggestbrokeragehousesgoin’，soagoodmanyNewYorkershavetoldme。
　　Nodoubt。But，Grandfather，you’vehadsomeexperiencewithmeasabusinessman。howdoyouthinkIwouldfitintoafirmofstockbrokers？
　　CaptainLote’seyetwinkled，buthedidnotanswerthequestion。
　　Insteadheasked：
　　JustwhatdidyougiveFosdickasyourreasonfornotsayin’yes？
　　Albertlaughed。Well，Grandfather，hesaid，I’lltellyou。I
　　saidthatIappreciatedhiskindnessandallthat，butthatIwouldnotdrawabigsalaryfordoingnothingexcepttobealittle，damnedtamehouse-poetledaroundinleashandshownoffathiswife’sclubmeetings。
　　Mrs。Snowutteredafaintscream。Oh，Albert！sheexclaimed。
　　Shemighthavesaidmore，butashoutfromherhusbandpreventedherdoingso。
　　CaptainZeloteshadrisenandhismightyhanddescendedwithastingingslapuponhisgrandson’sshoulder。
　　Bullyforyou，boy！hecried。Then，turningtoOlive，headded，Mother，I’vealwayskindofcal’latedthatyouhadonemanaroundthishouse。Now，bytheLordA’Mighty，Iknowyou’vegotTWO！
　　Oliverose。Well，shedeclaredemphatically，thatmaybe。butifboththosemenaregoin’tostartinswearin’righthereinthesittin’room，Ithinkit’shightimeSOMEBODYinthatfamilywenttochurch。
　　Sotoprayermeetingshewent，withMrs。Ellisasescort，andherhusbandandgrandson，seatedinarmchairsbeforethesittingroomstove，bothsmoking，talkedandtalked，ofthepastandofthefuture——notasmantoboy，norasgrandparenttograndson，butforthefirsttimeasequals，withoutreservations，asmantoman。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　ThenextmorningAlbertmetoldMr。Kendall。AfterbreakfastCaptainZeloteshadgone，asusual，directlytotheoffice。Hisgrandson，however，hadnotaccompaniedhim。
　　Whatareyoucal’latin’todothismornin’，Al？inquiredthecaptain。
　　Oh，Idon’tknowexactly，Grandfather。I’mgoingtolookabouttheplaceabit，writealettertomypublishers，andtakeawalk，Ithink。Youwillprobablyseemeattheofficeprettysoon。I’lllookintherebyandby。
　　Ain’tgoin’towriteoneortwoofthosefivehundreddollarstoriesbeforedinnertime，areyou？
　　Iguessnot，sir。I’mafraidtheywon’tbewrittenasquicklyasallthat。
　　CaptainLoteshookhishead。Godfreys！heexclaimed。itain’tthewritin’of’emI’dworryaboutsomuchasthegettin’paidfor’em。You’resurethateditormanain’tcrazy，yousay？
　　Ihopeheisn’t。HeseemedsaneenoughwhenIsawhim。
　　Well，Idon’tknow。It’sliveandlearn，Isuppose，butifanybodybutyouhadtoldmethatmagazinefolkspaidasmuchasfivehundreddollarsapieceforyarnsmadeupoutofafeller’sheadwithoutawordoftruthin’em，I’d——well，IshouldhavetoldthefellerthattoldmetogotoadoctorrightoffandhaveHIS
　　headexamined。But——well，as’tisIcal’lateI’dbetterhavemyownlookedat。Solong，Al。Comeintotheofficeifyougetachance。
　　Hehurriedout。Albertwalkedtothewindowandwatchedthesturdyfigureswingingoutoftheyard。Hewonderedif，shouldhelivetohisgrandfather’sage，hisstepwouldbeasfirmandhisshouldersassquare。
　　Olivelaidahandonhisarm。
　　Youdon’tmindhistalkin’thatwayaboutyourwritin’thosestories，doyou，Albert？sheasked，atraceofanxietyinhertone。Hedon’tmeanit，youknow。Hedon’tunderstandit——sayshedon’thimself——buthe’sawfulproudofyou，justthesame。Why，lastnight，afteryouandhehadfinishedtalkin’andhecameuptobed——andthelandknowswhattimeofnightormornin’THATwas——hewokemeoutofasoundsleeptotellmeaboutthatNewYorkmagazinemangivin’youawrittenordertowritesixstoriesforhismagazineatfivehundreddollarsapiece。Zelotescouldn’tseemtogetoverit。’Thinkofit，Mother，’hekeptsayin’。
　　’Thinkofit！PrettynightwicewhatIpayasgoodamanasLabeKeelerforkeepin’booksawholeyear。AndAlsaysheoughttodoastoryeveryforni’t。Iusedtojawhisheadoff，tellin’himhewasontheroadtostarvationandallthat。Tut，tut，tut！
　　Mother，I’vewaitedalongtimetosayit，butitlooksasifyoumarriedafool。’……That’sthewayhetalked，buthe’salongwaysfrombein’afool，yourgrandfatheris，Albert。
　　Albertnodded。NooneknowsthatbetterthanI，hesaid，withemphasis。
　　There’sonething，shewenton，thatkindoftroubledme。Hesaidyouwasgoin’toinsistonpayin’boardhereathome。Nowyouknowthishouseisyours。Andweloveto——
　　Heputhisarmabouther。Iknowit，Grandmother，hebrokein，quickly。Butthatisallsettled。Iamgoingtotrytomakemyownlivinginmyownway。IamgoingtowriteandseewhatIamreallyworth。Ihavemyroyaltymoney，youknow，mostofit，andI
　　havethisorderfortheseriesofstories。IcanaffordtopayformykeepandIshall。Yousee，asItoldGrandfatherlastnight，I
　　don’tproposetoliveonhischarityanymorethanonMr。Fosdick’s。
　　Shesighed。
　　SoZelotessaid，sheadmitted。Hetoldmenolessthanthreetimesthatyousaidit。Itseemedtoticklehimmosttodeath，forsomereason，andthat’squeer，too，forhe’sanythingbutstingy。
　　Butthere，Isupposeyoucanpayboardifyouwantto，thoughwhoyou’llpayittoisanotherthing。_I_shan’ttakeacentfromtheonlygrandsonI’vegotintheworld。
　　ItwaswhileonhisstrolldowntothevillagethatAlbertmetMr。
　　Kendall。Thereverendgentlemanwasploddingalongcarryingamarketbasketfromtheendofwhich，beneathafragmentofnewspaper，thetailandrearthirdofahugecodfishdrooped。Thebasketanditscontentsmusthaveweighedatleasttwelvepoundsandtheoldministerwas，asCaptainZeloteswouldhavesaid，makingheavyweatherofit。Albertwenttohisassistance。
　　Howdoyoudo，Mr。Kendall，hesaid。I’mafraidthatbasketisratherheavy，isn’tit。Mayn’tIhelpyouwithit？Then，seeingthattheoldgentlemandidnotrecognizehim，headded，IamAlbertSperanza。
　　DownwentthebasketandthecodfishandMr。Kendallseizedhimbybothhands。
　　Why，ofcourse，ofcourse，hecried。Ofcourse，ofcourse。
　　It’souryounghero，isn’tit。Ourpoet，ourhappywarrior。Yes，——
　　yes，ofcourse。Sogladtoseeyou，Albert……Er……er……
　　Howisyourmother？
　　Youmeanmygrandmother？Sheisverywell，thankyou。
　　Yes——er——yes，yourgrandmother，ofcourse……Er……er……
　　Didyouseemycodfish？Isn’titamagnificentone。Iamveryfondofcodfishandwealmostneverhaveitathome。Sojustnow，IhappenedtobepassingJonathanHowes’——heisthe——er——fishdealer，youknow，and……JonathanisaveryregularattendantatmySundaymorningservices。Heis——is……Dearme……WhatwasIabouttosay？
　　BeingswitchedbacktothemaintrackbyAlbertheexplainedthathehadseenanumberofcodinMr。Howes’possessionandhadboughtthisspecimen。Howeshadlenthimthebasket。
　　Andthenewspaper，heexplained。adding，withtriumph，Ishalldineoncodfishto-day，Iamhappytosay。Judgingbyappearanceshemightdineandsupandbreakfastoncodfishandstillhaveasupplyremaining。Albertinsistedoncarryingthespoiltotheparsonage。Hewasdoingnothinginparticularanditwouldbeapleasure，hesaid。Mr。Kendallprotestedforthefirstminuteorsobutthenforgotjustwhattheprotestwasallaboutandrambledgarrulouslyonaboutaffairsintheparish。Hehadfailedinotherfaculties，buthisflowoflanguagewasstillunimpeded。Theyenteredthegateoftheparsonage。Albertputthebasketontheupperstep。
　　There，hesaid。nowImustgo。Goodmorning，Mr。Kendall。
　　Oh，butyouaren’tgoing？Youmustcomeinamoment。IwanttogiveyouthemanuscriptofthatsermonofmineonthecastingdownofBaal，thatistheoneinwhichIlikenthemilitarypowerofGermanytothebrazenidolwhich……Justamoment，Albert。
　　Themanuscriptisinmydeskand……Oh，dearme，thedoorislocked……Helen，Helen！
　　Hewasshakingthedoorandshoutinghisdaughter’sname。Albertwassurprisedandnotalittledisturbed。IthadnotoccurredtohimthatHelencouldbeathome。ItistruethatbeforeheleftforNewYorkhisgrandmotherhadsaidthatshewasplanningtoreturnhometobewithherfather，butsincethenhehadheardnothingmoreconcerningher。Neitherofhisgrandparentshadmentionedhernameintheirletters，norsincehisarrivalthedaybeforehadtheymentionedit。AndMr。Kendallhadnotspokenofherduringtheirwalktogether。Albertwastroubledandtakenaback。InonewayhewouldhavelikedtomeetHelenverymuchindeed。Theyhadnotmetsincebeforethewar。Buthedidnot，somehow，wishtomeetherjustthen。HedidnotwishtomeetanyonewhowouldspeakofMadeline，oraskembarrassingquestions。
　　Heturnedtogo。
　　Anothertime，Mr。Kendall，hesaid。Goodmorning。
　　Buthehadgoneonlyafewyardswhenthereverendgentlemanwascallingtohimtoreturn。
　　Albert！Albert！calledMr。Kendall。
　　Hewasobligedtoturnback，hecoulddonothingelse，andashedidsothedooropened。ItwasHelenwhoopeneditandshestoodthereuponthethresholdandlookeddownathim。Foramoment，abarelyperceptibleinterval，shelooked，thenheheardhercatchherbreathquicklyandsawherputonehanduponthedoorjambasifforsupport。Thenext，andshewasrunningdownthesteps，herhandsoutstretchedandthelightofwelcomeinhereyes。
　　Why，AlbertSperanza！shecried。Why，ALBERT！
　　Heseizedherhands。Helen！hecried，andaddedinvoluntarily，My，butit’sgoodtoseeyouagain！
　　Shelaughedandsodidhe。Allhisembarrassmentwasgone。Theywereliketwochildren，liketheboyandgirlwhohadknowneachotherintheolddays。
　　Andwhendidyougethere？sheasked。Andwhatdoyoumeanbysurprisinguslikethis？Isawyourgrandfatheryesterdaymorningandhedidn’tsayawordaboutyourcoming。
　　Hedidn’tknowIwascoming。Ididn’tknowitmyselfuntilthedaybefore。Andwhendidyoucome？Yourfatherdidn’ttellmeyouwerehere。Ididn’tknowuntilIheardhimcallyourname。
　　Hewascallingitagain。Callingitanddemandingattentionforhispreciouscodfish。
　　Yes，Father，yes，inaminute，shesaid。ThentoAlbert，Comein。Oh，ofcourseyou’llcomein。
　　Why，yes，ifIwon’tbeinterferingwiththehousekeeping。
　　Youwon’t。Yes，Father，yes，I’mcoming。Mercy，wheredidyougetsuchawonderfulfish？Comein，Albert。AssoonasIgetFather’streasuresafeinthehandsofMariaI’llbeback。Fatherwillkeepyoucompany。No，pardonme，Iamafraidhewon’t，he’sgonetothekitchenalready。AndIshallhavetogo，too，forjustaminute。I’llhurry。
　　Shehastenedtothekitchen，whitherMr。Kendall，tuggingthefishbasket，hadprecededher。Albertenteredthelittlesitting-roomandsatdowninachairbythewindow。Theroomlookedjustasitusedtolook，justasneat，justashomelike，justaswellkept。
　　Andwhenshecamebackandtheybegantotalk，itseemedtohimthatshe，too，wasjustassheusedtobe。Shewasatriflelessgirlish，morewomanlyperhaps，butshewasjustasgoodtolookat，justasbrightandcheerfulandinherconversationshehadthesamequietlycertainwayofdealingdirectlywiththecommon-senserealitiesandnotthefussandfeathers。Itseemedtohimthatshehadnotchangedatall，thatsheherselfwasoneoftherealities，thewholesomehomerealities，likeCaptainZelotesandOliveandtheoldhousetheylivedin。Hetoldherso。Shelaughed。
　　Youmakemefeelasancientasthepyramids，shesaid。
　　Heshookhishead。Iamtheancient，hedeclared。Thiswarhasn’tchangedyouaparticle，Helen，butithashandedmeanawfuljolt。AttimesIfeelasifImusthavesailedwithNoah。AndasifIhadwastedmostofthetimesince。
　　Shesmiled。Justwhatdoyoumeanbythat？sheasked。
　　Imean——well，Idon’tknowexactlywhatIdomean，Iguess。I
　　seemtohaveanunsettledfeeling。I’mnotsatisfiedwithmyself。
　　AndasIremembermyself，headded，withashrug，thatconditionofmindwasnotusualwithme。
　　Sheregardedhimforamomentwithoutspeaking，withtheappraisinglookinhereyeswhichherememberedsowell，whichhadalwaysremindedhimofthelookinhisgrandfather’seyes，andwhichwhenaboyheresentedsostrongly。
　　Yes，shesaidslowly，Ithinkyouhavechanged。Notbecauseyousayyoufeelsomucholderorbecauseyouareuneasyanddissatisfied。SomanyofthemenItalkedwithatthecamphospital，themenwhohadbeenoverthereandhadbeenwounded，asyouwere，saidtheyfeltthesameway。Thatdoesn’tmeananything，Ithink，exceptthatitisdreadfullyhardtogetreadjustedagainandsettledowntoeverydaythings。Butitseemstomethatyouhavechangedinotherways。Youarealittlethinner，butbroader，too，aren’tyou？Andyoudolookolder，especiallyabouttheeyes。
　　And，ofcourse——well，ofcourseIthinkIdomissalittleoftheAlbertSperanzaIusedtoknow，theyoungchapwiththechiponhisshoulderforallcreationtoknockoff。
　　Youngjackass！
　　Oh，noindeed。Hehadhisgoodpoints。Butthere！we’rewastingtimeandwehavesomuchtotalkabout。You——why，whatamI
　　thinkingof！Ihaveneglectedthemostimportantthingintheworld。AndyouhavejustreturnedfromNewYork，too。Tellme，howisMadelineFosdick？
　　Sheiswell。Buttellmeaboutyourself。Youhavebeeninallsortsofwarwork，haven’tyou。Tellmeaboutit。
　　Oh，myworkdidn’tamounttomuch。AtfirstI’RedCrossed’inBoston，thenIwenttoDevensandspentalongtimeinthecamphospitalthere。
　　Prettytrying，wasn’tit？
　　Why——yes，someofitwas。Whenthe’flu’epidemicwasragingandthepoorfellowswerehavingsuchadreadfultimeitwasbadenough。AfterthatIwassenttoEastview。InthehospitalthereImettheboyswhohadbeenwoundedontheothersideandwhotalkedaboutoldageanddissatisfactionanduneasiness，justasyoudo。ButMYworkdoesn’tcount。Youarethepersontobetalkedabout。SinceIhaveseenyouyouhavebecomeafamouspoetandaheroand——
　　Don’t！