NowAlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanzahadnotbeenaccustomedtothissortoftreatmentfromyoungpersonsoftheothersex，andhewalkedawayinahuff。Buttheunusualisalwaysattractive，andthenexttimeheandMissKendallmethewasasgraciousandcordialasever。Butitwasnotlongbeforehelearnedthatthegraciousnesswas，inhercase，amistake。Wheneverhegrewlofty，shetookhimdown，laughedathimwithcompletefrankness，andrefusedtotreathimasanythingbutaboy。Sotheygraduallygrewfriendly，andwhentheymetatpartiesorchurchsocialshespentmostofthetimeinhercompany，or，rather，hewouldhavesospentithadshepermitted。ButshewasprovokinglyimpartialandwasquiteaslikelytorefuseadancewithhimtositoutonewithSamThatcherorBenHammondoranyothervillageyouthofheracquaintance。However，althoughshepiquedandirritatedhim，hewasobligedtoadmittohisinnerconsciousnessthatshewasthemostinterestingpersonhehadyetdiscoveredinSouthHarniss，alsothatevenintheeyesofsuchconnoisseursashisfellowmembersoftheseniorclassatschoolshewouldhavebeenjudgedagoodlooker，inspiteofhercountryclothes。
　　Hemetherfather，ofcourse。TheReverendMr。Kendallwasadreamylittleoldgentlemanwithwhitehairandthestoopedshouldersofastudent。Everybodylikedhim，anditwasforthatreasonprincipallythathewasstilltheoccupantoftheCongregationalpulpit，fortoquoteCaptainZelotes，hissermonswereinclinedtobelikethesandyroaddowntoSetuckitPoint，tenmilelonganddryalltheway。Hewasawidowerandhisdaughterwashiscompanionandmanaginghousekeeper。Therewasahalf-growngirl，oneofthenumerousPricefamily，acousinofIssachar’s，whohelpedoutwiththesweeping，dish-washingandcooking，butHelenwastherealheadofthehousehold。
　　Andshe’sacapableone，too，declaredMrs。Snow，whenatsupperoneeveningHelen’snamehadcomeintotheconversation。I
　　declarewhenIwasthereyesterdaytoseetheministeraboutreadin’poetrytousatsewin’-circlenextMondaythatparlorwasasneataswax。And’twasallHelen’sworkthatkeptitso，thatwasplainenough。Youcouldseeherwayofsettin’avaseorputtin’onatableclothwhereveryoulooked。Nobodyelsehasjustthatway。Andshedoesitafterschoolorbeforeschoolor’mostanyoddtime。Andwhatever’tisisdoneright。
　　Thehousekeeperputinaword。There’snodoubtaboutthat，shesaid，andthereain’tanymoredoubtthatshedon’tgetmuchhelpfromherpaorthatMariaB。ThereweresomanyPriceswithinthetownshiplimitsthatindividualswereusuallydistinguishedbytheirmiddleinitial。AsforMr。Kendall，wentonRachel，hemoveswithhisheadinthecloudsandhisfeetcruisin’withnobodyatthewheeltwo-thirdsofthetime。EmmaSmithsaystomeyesterday，saysshe，’Mr。Kendallisasaintonearth，ain’the，’
　　saysshe。’Yes，’saysI，’andhe’llbeoneinheavenanyminuteifhegoesstumblin’acrosttheroadinfrontofDoctorHolliday’sautomobilethewayIseehimyesterday。’Thedoctorputonthebrakeswithaslamandayell。TheministerstoppedrightthereinthemiddleoftheroadwiththefrontwheelsofthatautonotMORE’Ntwofootfromhisoldbaggytrousers’knees，andsayshe，’Eh？Didyouwantme，Doctor？’Thedoctorfetchedalongbreath。
　　’Why，no，Mr。Kendall，’hesays，’Ididn’t，butIcomedarnnighgettin’you。’Idon’tknowwhatWOULDbecomeofhimifhedidn’thaveHelentolookoutforhim。
　　Astheycametoknoweachotherbettertheirconversationdealtwithmattersmorepersonal。Theysometimesspokeofplansforthefuture。Albert’splansandambitionswerelofty，butrathervague。
　　Helen’swerepracticalanddefinite。Shewastograduatefromhighschoolthatspring。Thenshewashopingtoteachintheprimaryschoolthereinthevillage。theselectmenhadpromisedhertheopportunity。
　　But，ofcourse，shesaid，Idon’tmeantostayherealways。
　　WhenIcan，afterIhavesavedsomemoneyandifFatherdoesn’tneedmetoobadly，Ishallgoawaysomewhere，toBridgewater，orperhapstoRadcliffe，andstudy。Iwanttospecializeinmyteaching，youknow。
　　Albertregardedherwithamusedsuperiority。
　　Idon’tseewhyonearthyouaresoanxioustobeaschool-marm，
　　hesaid。That’sthelastjobI’dwant。
　　Heranswerwasgivenpromptly，butwithouttheleasttraceoftemper。Thatwasoneofthemostprovokingthingsaboutthisgirl，shewouldnotlosehertemper。Heusuallylosthistryingtomakeher。Shespokenow，pleasantly，anddeliberately，butasifshewerestatinganundesirablefact。
　　Ithinkitwouldbethelastoneyouwouldget，shesaid。
　　Why？GreatScott！IguessIcouldteachschoolifIwantedto。
　　ButyoubetIwouldn’twantto！……NOWwhatareyoulaughingat？
　　I’mnotlaughing。
　　Yes，youare。Icanalwaystellwhenyou’relaughing。yougetthatlookinyoureyes，thatsortof——of——Oh，Ican’ttellyouwhatkindoflookitis，butitmakesmemad。It’sthesamekindoflookmygrandfatherhas，andIcouldpunchhimforitsometimes。
　　WhyshouldyouandhethinkI’mnotgoingtoamounttoanything？
　　Idon’tthinkso。AndI’msurehedoesn’teither。AndIwasn’tlaughingatyou。Or，ifIwas，it——itwasonlybecause——
　　Well，becausewhat？
　　Oh，becauseyouaresoAWFULLYsureyouknow——well，knowmorethanmostpeople。
　　MeaningI’mstuckonmyself，Isuppose。Well，nowItellyouI’mnotgoingtohangaroundinthisone-horsetownallmylifetopleasegrandfatheroranyoneelse。
　　Whenhementionedhisdeterminationtowinliterarygloryshewasalwaysgreatlyinterested。Dreamsofhistrionicachievementweremorecoldlyreceived。ThedaughterofaNewEnglandcountryclergyman，eveninthesedaysofbroadeninghorizons，couldscarcelybeexpectedtolookwithfavoruponanactor’scareer。
　　Junecameandwithitthefirstofthesummervisitors。ForthenextthreemonthsAlbertwashappywithanewsetofacquaintances。
　　TheywereHISkind，theseyoungfolksfromthecity，andhissparemomentswereforthemostpartspentintheirsociety。Hewaspopularwiththem，too。SomeofthemthoughtitqueerthatheshouldbelivingalltheyearinthevillageandkeepingbooksforaconcernlikeZ。SnowandCo。，butjuvenilesocietyistolerantandayouthwhocouldsingpassably，dancewonderfullyand，aboveall，wasasbeautifullypicturesqueasAlbertSperanza，waswelcomed，especiallybythegirls。SotheSaturdaysandSundaysandeveningsofthatsummerwerepleasantforhim。HesawlittleofHelenorGertieKendrickwhilethehotelorthecottagesremainedopen。
　　Thencamethefallandanotherlong，drearywinter。Albertploddedonathisdeskorintheyard，followingMr。Keeler’ssuggestions，obeyinghisgrandfather’sorders，tormentingIssy，doinghisdailystintbecausehehadto，notbecausehelikedit。Foramusementhereadagooddeal，wenttotheusualnumberofsociablesandentertainments，andoncetookpartinamateurtheatricals，aplaygivenbythechurchsocietyinthetownhall。Therewaswhereheshone。Asthedashingyoungherohewasresplendent。GertieKendrickgazeduponhimfromthethirdsetteecenterwithshiningeyes。WhenhereturnedhomeafteritwasoverhisgrandmotherandMrs。Ellisoverwhelmedhimwithpraises。
　　Ideclareyouwasperfectlysplendid，Albert！exclaimedOlive。
　　IwassoproudofyouIdidn’tknowwhattodo。
　　RachellookeduponhimasonemightlookuponagodfromOlympus。
　　AllIcouldthinkofwasRobertPenfold，shesaid。IsayssotoLaban：’Laban，’saysI，ain’theRobertPenfoldandnobodyelse？’
　　Thereyouwas，tellin’thatHannibalEllisthatyouwasinnocentandsomedaytheworldwouldknowyouwas，justthewayRobertPenfolddoneinthebook。IneverdidlikethatHannieEllis！
　　Mrs。Snowsmiled。Mercy，Rachel，shesaid，Ihopeyou’renotblamin’Hanniebecauseofwhathedidinthatplay。Thatwashispart，hehadtodoit。
　　ButRachelwasnotconvinced。Hedidn’thavetobesoeverlastin’
　　meanandspitefulaboutit，anyhow，shedeclared。Butthere，thatfamilyofEllisesneverdidamounttonothin’much。But，asI
　　saidtoLaban，Albert，youwasRobertPenfoldallover。
　　WhatdidLabesaytothat？askedAlbert，laughing。
　　Heneverhadachancetosaynothin’。Aforehecouldanswer，thatMariaB。Price——shewassettin’rightbackofmeandeatin’
　　molassescandyoutofarattlypaperbagtillIthoughtISHOULD
　　die——sheleanedforwardandshewhispered：’HelooksmoretomelikethatStevieD。thatusedtoworkforCap’nCrowellovertotheCenter。StevieD。hadcurlyhairlikethatandHEwaspartPortygee，youremember。thoughtherewasalittleniggerbloodinhim，too，’shesays。Icouldhaveshookher！Andthenshewenttorattlin’thatbagagain。
　　EvenMr。Keelercongratulatedhimattheofficenextmorning。Youdonewell，Al，hesaid。Yes——yes——yes。Youdonefust-rate，fust-rate。
　　Hisgrandfatherwastheonlyonewhorefusedtoenthuse。
　　Well，inquiredCaptainZelotes，sittingdownathisdeskandglancingathisgrandsonoverhisspectacles，doyoucal’latetobeabletogetdowntoearththismornin’farenoughtofiggerupthepayroll？Youcanputwhatyoumadefromplay-actin’onaseparatesheet。It’saboutasmuchastheaveragepersonmakesatthatjob，headded。
　　Albert’sfaceflushed。Thereweretimeswhenhehatedhisgrandfather。Mr。Keeler，amomentlater，putahandonhisshoulder。
　　Youmustn’tmindtheoldman，Al，hewhispered。Iexpectthatseein’youlastnightbroughtyourdad’sjobbacktohimstrong。
　　Hecan’tbearplay-actin’，youknow，onyourdad’saccount。Yes——
　　yes。Thatwasit。Yes——yes——yes。
　　Itmayhavebeenatruthfulexplanation，butasanapologyitwasalimitedsuccess。
　　Myfatherwasagentleman，atanyrate，snappedAlbert。Labanopenedhismouthtoreply，butcloseditagainandwalkedbacktohisbooks。
　　InMay，whichwasanunusuallybalmymonth，theCongregationalSundaySchoolgaveanautomobileexcursionandbox-luncheonpartyatHighPointLightdownatTrumet。AsRachelEllissaid，itwasprettyearlyforpicnickin’，butiftheAlmighty’sseasonwasaheadoftimetheredidn’tseemtobeanyrealgoodreasonwhyoneofhisSundayschoolsshouldn’tbe。And，whichwastheprincipalexcuseforthehurry，thehotelbussescouldbesecured，whichwouldnotbethecaseaftertheseasonopened。
　　Albertwenttothepicnic。Hewasnotverykeenongoing，buthisgrandfatherhadofferedhimaholidayforthepurpose，anditwasoneofhisprinciplesnevertorefuseachancetogetawayfromthatoffice。Besides，anumberoftheyoungpeopleofhisageweregoing，andGertieKendrickhadbeenparticularlyinsistent。
　　YoujustMUSTcome，Al，shesaid。Itwon’tbeanyfunatallifyoudon’tcome。
　　ItispossiblethatGertiefounditalmostaslittlefunwhenhedidcome。Hehappenedtobeinoneofhismoodsthatday。
　　Portygeestreaks，hisgrandfathertermedthesemoods，andtoldOlivethattheywerethatplay-actorbreakin’outinhim。Hetalkedbutlittleduringtheridedowninthebus，refusedtosingwhencalledupon，and，afterdinner，whenthedancinginthepavilionwasgoingon，steppedquietlyoutofthesidedoorandwenttrampingalongtheedgeofthebluff，lookingoutovertheseaordowntothebeach，where，onehundredandfiftyfeetbelow，thebigwaveswerecurlingovertocrashintoacreamymassoffrothandedgethestrandwithlacyripples。
　　ThehighclaybluffsofTrumetareunique。NootherpartoftheCapeshowsanythingjustlikethem。HighPointLightcrownstheirhighestandsteepestpointandistheflashingbeacontheraysofwhichspellAmericatotheincominglinerBostonbound。
　　AlongthepathskirtingtheedgeofthebluffAlbertstrolled，hishandsinhispocketsandhisthoughtsalmostanywhereexceptonthepicnicandthepicnickersoftheSouthHarnissCongregationalChurch。Hisparticularmoodonthisdaywasoneofdiscontentandrebellionagainstthefatewhichhadsentencedhimtotheassistantbookkeeper’spositionintheofficeofZ。SnowandCo。Atnotimehadhereconciledhimselftotheideaofthatpositionasapermanentone。someday，somehowhewasgoingtobreakawayanddo——marvelousthings。Butoccasionally，andusuallyafteradisagreeablehappeningintheoffice，heawokefromhisyouthfuldaydreamsofgloriousfuturestoarealizationofthedismalto-
　　day。
　　Thehappeningwhichhadbroughtaboutrealizationinthisinstancewashumorousintheeyesoftwo-thirdsofSouthHarniss’spopulation。Theywerechucklingoverityet。Themajorityoftheremainingthirdwereshocked。Albert，whowasprimarilyresponsibleforthewholeaffair，wasneitheramusednorshocked。
　　hewasangryandhumiliated。
　　TheReverendSeaburyCalvin，ofProvidence，R。I。，hadarrivedintownandopenedhissummercottageunusuallyearlyintheseason。
　　Whatwasquiteasimportant，Mrs。SeaburyCalvinhadarrivedwithhim。TheReverendCalvin，whosestaywasinthiscasemerelytemporary，wasplanningtobuildanadditiontohiscottageporch。
　　Mrs。Calvin，whowastheheadofthesummerWelfareWorkers，
　　whatevertheywere，hadcalledameetingattheCalvinhousetomakeWelfareplansfortheseason。
　　ThelumberforthenewporchwasorderedofZ。SnowandCo。TheReverendCalvinorderedithimselfinperson。Albertreceivedtheorder。
　　Iwishthisdeliveredto-morrowwithoutfail，saidMr。Calvin。
　　Albertpromised。
　　Butpromisesarenotalwayseasytokeep。OneofZ。SnowandCo。’steamswasbusyhaulinglumberforthenewschoolhouseatBayport。
　　TheotherIssacharhadcommandeeredfordeliveriesatHarnissCenterandrefusedtogiveuphisclaim。AndLabanKeeler，asithappened，wasabsentononeofhisvacations。CaptainZeloteswasattendingadirectors’meetingatOshamandfromtherewasgoingtoBostonforaday’sstay。
　　Theship’sinyourhands，Al，hehadsaidtohisgrandson。Letmeseehowyouhandleher。
　　So，inspiteofAlbert’spromise，theCalvinlumberwasnotdeliveredontime。TheReverendgentlemancalledtoaskwhy。Hismannerwasanythingbutreceptivesofarasexcuseswereconcerned。
　　Youngman，hesaidloftily，Iamaccustomedtodobusinesswithbusinesspeople。Didyouordidyounotpromisetodelivermyorderyesterday？
　　Why，yessir，Ipromised，butwecouldn’tdoit。We——
　　Idon’tcaretoknowwhyyoudidn’tdoit。Thefactthatyoudidnotissufficient。Willthatorderofminebedeliveredto-day？
　　Ifitisapossiblething，Mr。Calvin，it——
　　Pardonme。Willitbedelivered？
　　TheSperanzatemperwasrising。Yes，saidtheownerofthattemper，succinctly。
　　Doesyesmeanyes，inthiscase。ordoesitmeanwhatitmeantbefore？
　　Ihavetoldyouwhy——
　　Nevermind。Youngman，ifthatlumberisnotdeliveredto-dayI
　　shallcanceltheorder。Doyouunderstand？
　　Albertswallowedhard。Itellyou，Mr。Calvin，thatitshallbedelivered，hesaid。Anditwillbe。
　　Butdeliveringitwasnotsoeasy。TheteamsimplycouldNOTbetakenofftheschoolhousejob，fulfillmentofacontractwasinvolvedthere。AndtheotherhorsehadgonelameandIssacharsworebyallthatwassolemnthattheanimalmustnotbeused。
　　LetoldCalvinwaittillto-morrow，saidIssy。Youcanusethebigteamthen。AndCap’nLote’llbehome，besides。
　　ButAlbertwasnotgoingtoletoldCalvinwait。Thatlumberwasgoingtobedelivered，ifhehadtocarryithimself，stickbystick。HeaskedMr。Priceifanextrateammightnotbehired。
　　Ain’tnone，saidIssy。Besides，where’dyourgranddad’sprofitsbeifyouspentmoneyhirin’extryteamstohaulthatlittlemiteofstuff？I’vebeeninthisbusinessagoodlongspell，andItellyou——
　　Hedidnotgetachancetotellit，forAlbertwalkedoffandlefthim。Athalf-pasttwelvethatafternoonheengagedVessieYoung——
　　christenedSylvesterYoungandabrothertothedriverofthedepotwagon——tohaultheCalvinlumberinhisrickety，fragrantoldwagon。SimpsonMullen——commonlycalledSimp——wastohelpinthedelivery。
　　AgainstviolentprotestsfromIssy，whodeclaredthatVesYoung’srattle-trapwan’tfittodonothin’buthaulfishheadstothefertilizerfactory，theCalvinbeamsandboardswerepiledhighonthewagonandwithVesonthedriver’sseatandSimpperched，likeadisreputablecarrioncrowontopoftheload，theequipagestarted。
　　There！exclaimedAlbert，withsatisfaction。Hecan’tsayitwasn’tdeliveredthistimeaccordingtopromise。
　　Godfreys！snortedIssy，gazingafterthedepartingwagon。Hewon’tbeabletosaynothin’whenheseesthatgit-up——andsmellsit。Vescartseverythinginthatcartfromdeadcowstogurrybarrels。Whew！I’dhatetohavetosetonthatporchwhen’twasbuiltofthatlumber。And，unlessI’mmistook，VesandSimphadbeenhavin’alittlesomethin’strongtotake，too。
　　Mr。Price，asithappened，wasnotmistook。Mr。Younghad，astheSouthHarnisssayingusedtobe，hadajugcomedownonthetrainfromBostonthatverymorning。ThejugwasundertheseatofhiswagonanditscontentshadalreadybeensampledbyhimandbySimp。ThejourneytotheCalvincottagewasenlivenedbyfrequentstopsforrefreshment。
　　Consequentlyithappenedthat，justasMrs。Calvin’sgatheringofWelfareWorkershadreachedthecakeandchocolatestageintheirproceedingsandjustastheReverendMr。Calvinhadrisenbyinvitationtosayafewwordsofencouragement，thewesterlywindblowinginattheopenwindowsboretothenosesandearsoftheassembledfaithfulaperfumeandasoundneitherofwhichwassweet。
　　AbovetherattleandsqueakoftheYoungwagonturninginattheCalvingatearosethevoicesofVessieandSimpupliftedinsong。
　　’Here’stothegoodoldwhiskey，drink’erdaown，’sangMr。
　　Young。
　　’Here’stothegoodoldwhiskey，Drink’erdaown！
　　Here’stothegoodoldwhiskey，Itmakesyoufeelsofrisky，Drink’er——’
　　Gitupthere，blankblankye！Whattheblanketyblankyoustoppin’
　　herefor？Gitup！
　　Thehorsewasnottheonlycreaturethatgotup。Mrs。Calvinrosefromherchairandgazedinhorroratthewindow。Herhusband，beingalreadyonhisfeet，couldnotrisebuthebrokeoffshorttheopeningsentenceofhisfewwordsandstaredandlistened。
　　EachWelfareWorkerstaredandlistenedalso。
　　Gitup，youblanketyblankblank，repeatedVesYoung，withcheerfulenthusiasm。Mr。Mullen，fromthetopoftheloadoflumber，caroleddreamilyon：
　　’Here’stothegoodoldrum，Drink’erdaown！
　　Here’stothegoodoldrum，Drink’erdaown！
　　Here’stothegoodoldrum，Ain’tyougladthatyou’vegotsome？
　　Drink’erdaown！Drink’erdaown！
　　Drink’erdaown！’
　　Andfloating，asitwere，uponthewavesofmelodycametheodoroftheYoungwagon，anodorcombiningdeceasedfishandlatelamentedcowandgoodnessknowswhatbeside。
　　ThedissipatedvehiclestoppedbeneaththeparlorwindowsoftheCalvincottage。Mr。Youngcalledtohisassistant。
　　Herewebe，Simp！heyelled。A-a-llashorethat’sgoin’ashore！
　　Wakeupthere，youunmentionablydescribedoldrumbarrelandhelpunloadthiseverlastinglycondemnedlumber。
　　Mr。Calvinrushedtothewindow。Whatdoesthismean？hedemanded，infrothingindignation。
　　Vessiewavedathimreassuringly。’Sallright，Mr。Calvin，heshouted。Here’syourlumberfromZe-lotesSnowandCo。，SouthHarniss，Mass。，U。S。A。’Sallright。Let’ergo，Simp！Let’erblankety-blankgo！
　　Mr。Mullenrespondedwithalacrityandawhoop。Ahalfdozenboardscrashedtothegroundbeneaththeparlorwindows。Mrs。
　　Calvinrushedtoherhusband’sside。
　　ThisisDREADFUL，Seabury！shecried。Sendthosecreaturesand——
　　andthathorriblewagonawayatonce。
　　TheReverendCalvintriedtoobeyorders。HecommandedMr。Youngtogoawayfromtherethatverymoment。Vessiewassurprised。
　　Ain’tthisyourlumber？hedemanded。
　　Itdoesn’tmakeanydifferencewhetheritisornot，I——
　　Didn’tyoutellZ。SnowandCo。thatthislumber’dgottobedeliveredto-dayoryou’dcanceltheorder？
　　Nevermind。Thatismybusiness，sir。You——
　　Holdon！Ho-o-ldon！_I_gotabusiness，too。Mybusinessisdeliverin’whatI’mpaidtodeliver。AlSperanzyhesaystome：
　　’Ves，’hesays，’ifyoudon’tdeliverthatlumbertooldmanCalvinto-dayyoudon’tgetnomoney，see。Willyoudeliverit？’SaysI，’Youbetyourcrashety-blanklifeI’llhicd’liverit！WhatI
　　sayI’lldo，I’lldo！’AndI’mdeliverin’it，ain’tI？Hey？
　　Ain’tI？Well，then，whatthe——Andsoforthandatlength，whileMrs。Calvincollapsedhalffaintinginaneasy-chair，andhorrifiedWelfareWorkerscoveredtheirears——andlongedtocovertheirnoses。
　　Thelumberwasdeliveredthatday。Itsdeliverywas，fromtheviewpointofMessrs。YoungandMullen，asuccess。ThespringmeetingoftheWelfareWorkerswasnotasuccess。
　　ThefollowingdayMr。CalvincalledattheofficeofZ。SnowandCo。Hehadthingstosayandsaidthem。CaptainZelotes，whohadreturnedfromBoston，listened。Thenhecalledhisgrandson。
　　Tellhimwhatyou’vejusttoldme，Mr。Calvin，hesaid。
　　Thereverendgentlemantoldit，withaddeddetails。
　　Andinmyopinion，ifyou’llexcuseme，CaptainSnow，hesaid，inconclusion，thisyoungmanknewwhathewasdoingwhenhesentthosedrunkenscoundrelstomyhouse。Hediditpurposely，Iamconvinced。
　　CaptainZeloteslookedathim。
　　Why？heasked。
　　Why，because——becauseof——ofwhatIsaidtohim——er——er——whenI
　　calledhereyesterdaymorning。He——Ipresumehetookoffenseand——
　　andthisoutrageistheresult。Iamconvincedthat——
　　Waitaminute。Whatdidyousayforhimtotakeoffenseat？
　　Idemandedthatordershouldbedeliveredaspromised。Iamaccustomedtodobusinesswithbusinessmenand——
　　Holdonjustaminutemore，Mr。Calvin。Wedon’tseemtobegettin’attheclaminthisshellasfastaswe’doughtto。Al，whathaveyougottosayaboutallthisbusiness？
　　Albertwaswhite，almostaswhiteaswhenhefoughtSamThatcher，butashestooduptoSamsoalsodidhefacetheirateclergyman。
　　Hetoldofthelatter’svisittotheoffice，ofthethreattocanceltheorderunlessdeliverywaspromisedthatday，ofhowhispromisetodeliverwasexacted，ofhisefforttokeepthatpromise。
　　IHADtodeliverit，Grandfather，hesaidhotly。Hehadallbutcalledmealiarand——andbyGeorge，Iwasn’tgoingto——
　　Hisgrandfatherheldupawarninghand。
　　Sshh！Ssh！hesaid。Goonwithyouryarn，boy。
　　Alberttoldofthelamehorse，ofhisefforttohireanotherteam，andfinallyhowindesperationhehadengagedVesYoungasalastresort。Thecaptain’sfacewasseriousbuttherewasthetwinkleunderhisheavybrows。Hepulledathisbeard。
　　Humph！hegrunted。DidyouknowVesandSimphadbeendrinkin’
　　whenyouhired’em？
　　OfcourseIdidn’t。AftertheyhadgoneIssysaidhesuspectedthattheyhadbeendrinkingalittle，but_I_didn’tknowit。AllIwantedwastoprovetoHIM，withamotiontowardMr。Calvin，thatIkeptmyword。
　　CaptainZelotespulledathisbeard。Allright，Al，hesaid，afteramoment。youcango。
　　Albertwentoutoftheprivateoffice。Afterhehadgonethecaptainturnedtohisiratecustomer。
　　I’msorrythishappened，Mr。Calvin，hesaid，andifKeelerorI
　　hadbeenhereitprobablywouldn’t。But，headded，asfarasI
　　cansee，theboydidwhathethoughtwasthebestthingtodo。
　　And，thetwinklereappearedinthegrayeyes，yousartinlydidgetyourlumberwhen’twaspromised。
　　Mr。Calvinstiffened。Hehadhisgoodpoints，buthesufferedfromwhatLabanKeeleroncecalledingrowin’importance，andthisailmentoftenaffectedhisjudgment。AlsohehadtofaceMrs。
　　Calvinuponhisreturnhome。
　　DoIunderstand，hedemanded，thatyouareexcusingthatyoungmanforputtingthatoutrageuponme？
　　We-ll，asIsay，I’msorryithappened。But，honest，Mr。Calvin，Idon’tknow’stheboy’stoblamesoverymuch，afterall。Hedeliveredyourlumber，andthat’ssomethin’。
　　Isthatallyouhavetosay，CaptainSnow？Isthat——thatimpudentyoungclerkofyourstogounpunished？
　　Why，yes，Iguesslikelyheis。
　　ThenIshallNEVERbuyanotherdollar’sworthofyourhouseagain，sir。
　　CaptainZelotesbowed。I’msorrytoloseyourtrade，Mr。Calvin，
　　hesaid。Goodmornin’。
　　Albert，athisdeskintheouteroffice，waswaitingrebelliouslytobecalledbeforehisgrandfatherandupbraided。Andwhensocalledhewasinamoodtospeakhismind。Hewouldsayafewthings，nomatterwhathappenedinconsequence。Buthehadnochancetosaythem。CaptainZelotesdidnotmentiontheCalvinaffairtohim，eitherthatdayorafterward。Albertwaitedandwaited，expectingtrouble，butthetrouble，sofarashisgrandfatherwasconcerned，didnotmaterialize。Hecouldnotunderstandit。
　　ButifinthatofficetherewassilenceconcerningtheunusualdeliveryofthelumberfortheCalvinporch，outsidetherewastalkenoughandtospare。EachWelfareWorkertalkedwhenshereachedhomeandthestoryspread。SmallboysshoutedafterAlbertwhenhewalkeddownthemainstreet，demandingtoknowhowVesYoung’scartwassmellin’thesedays。Whenheenteredthepostofficesomeoneinthecrowdwasalmostsuretohum，Here’stothegoodoldwhiskey，drinkherdown。Onthetrainonthewaytothepicnic，girlsandyoungfellowshadslylynaggedhimaboutit。Theaffairanditsconsequenceweretheprincipalcausesofhismoodthatday。
　　thisparticularPortygeestreakwasduetoit。
　　Thepathalongtheedgeofthehighbluffenteredagroveofscraggypitchpinesaboutamilefromthelighthouseandthepicnicground。Albertstalkedgloomilythroughtheshadowsofthelittlegroveandemergedontheotherside。Therehesawanotherpersonaheadofhimonthepath。Thisotherpersonwasagirl。Herecognizedherevenatthisdistance。ShewasHelenKendall，Sheandhehadnotbeenquiteasfriendlyoflate。Notthattherewasanyunfriendlinessbetweenthem，butshewasteachingintheprimaryschooland，asherfatherhadnotbeenwell，spentmostofhereveningsathome。Duringtheearlypartofthewinterhehadcalledoccasionallybut，somehow，ithadseemedtohimthatshewasnotquiteascordial，orasinterestedinhissocietyandconversationassheusedtobe。Itwasbutaslightindifferenceonherpart，perhaps，butAlbertSperanzawasnotaccustomedtoindifferenceonthepartofhisfeminineacquaintances。Sohedidnotcallagain。Hehadseenheratthepicnicgroundandtheyhadspoken，butnotatanylength。
　　Andhedidnotcaretospeakwithhernow。Hehadleftthepavilionbecauseofhisdesiretobealone，andthatdesirestillpersisted。However，shewassomelittledistanceaheadofhimandhewaitedintheedgeofthegroveuntilsheshouldgooverthecrestofthelittlehillatthenextpoint。
　　Butshedidnotgooverthecrest。Instead，whenshereachedit，shewalkedtotheveryedgeofthebluffandstoodtherelookingoffattheocean。Theseabreezeruffledherhairandblewherskirtsaboutherandshemadeaprettypicture。ButtoAlbertitseemedthatshewasstandingmuchtooneartheedge。Shecouldnotseeit，ofcourse，butfromwherehestoodhecouldseethatthebankatthatpointwasmuchundercutbythewinterrainsandwinds，andalthoughthesodlookedfirmenoughfromabove，inrealitytherewaslittletosupportit。Herstandingtheremadehimatrifleuneasyandhehadamindtoshoutandwarnher。Hehesitated，however，andashewatchedshesteppedbackofherownaccord。Heturned，re-enteredthegroveandstartedtowalkbacktothepavilion。
　　Hehadscarcelydonesowhenheheardashortscreamfollowedbyathumpandarumbling，rattlingsound。Heturnedlikeaflash，hisheartpoundingviolently。
　　Thebluffedgewasuntenanted。Asemi-circularsectionofthesodwhereHelenhadstoodwasmissing。Fromthetornopeningwhereithadbeenroseayellowcloudofdust。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　AgoodlynumberoftheSouthHarnissnatives，thosewhohadnotseenhimplaytennis，wouldhavebeenwillingtoswearthatrunningwas，forAlbertSperanza，animpossibility。Hisusualgaitwasaratherlanguidsaunter。Theywouldhavechangedtheirmindshadtheyseenhimnow。
　　Heranalongthatpathashehadruninschoolatthelasttrackmeet，wherehehadbeensecondinthehundred-yarddash。Hereachedthespotwherethesodhadbrokenand，droppingonhisknees，lookedfearfullyover。Thedustwasstillrising，thesandandpebbleswerestillrattlinginadiminishingshowerdowntothebeachsofarbelow。Buthedidnotseewhathehadsofearedtosee。
　　Whathedidsee，however，wasneitherpleasantnoraltogetherreassuring。Thebluffbelowthesodatitstopdroppedsheerandundercutforperhapstenfeet。Thenthesandandclayslopedoutwardandtheslopeextendeddownforanotherfiftyfeet，itssurfacebrokenbyoccasionalclingingchunksofbeachgrass。Thenitbrokesharplyagain，astraightdropofeightyfeettothemoundsanddunesborderingthebeach。
　　Helenhadofcoursefallenstraighttotheupperedgeoftheslope，whereshehadstruckfeetfirst，andfromtherehadslidandrolledtotheveryedgeofthelongdroptothebeach。Herskirthadcaughtinthebranchesofanenterprisingbayberrybushwhichhadmanagedtofindrootholdthere，andtothisbushandaclumpofbeachgrassshewasclinging，herhandsoutstretchedandherbodyextendedalongtheedgeoftheclayprecipice。
　　Albertgasped。
　　Helen！hecalledbreathlessly。
　　Sheturnedherheadandlookedupathim。Herfacewaswhite，butshedidnotscream。
　　Helen！criedAlbert，again。Helen，doyouhearme？
　　Yes。
　　Areyoubadlyhurt？
　　No。No，Idon’tthinkso。
　　Canyouholdonjustasyouareforafewminutes？
　　Yes，I——Ithinkso。
　　You’vegotto，youknow。Here！You’renotgoingtofaint，areyou？
　　No，I——Idon’tthinkIam。
　　Youcan’t！Youmustn’t！Here！Don’tyoudoit！Stop！
　　Therewasjustatraceofhisgrandfatherinthewayheshoutedtheorder。Whetherornotthevigorofthecommandproducedtheresultisaquestion，butatanyrateshedidnotfaint。
　　Nowyoustayrightwhereyouare，heorderedagain。Andhangonastightasyoucan。I’mcomingdown。
　　Comedownhedid，swingingoverthebrinkwithhisfacetothebank，droppingonhistoestotheupperedgeoftheslopeanddiggingbootsandfingersintotheclaytopreventslidingfurther。
　　Hangon！hecautioned，overhisshoulder。I’llbethereinasecond。There！NowwaituntilIgetmyfeetbraced。Nowgivemeyourhand——yourlefthand。Holdonwithyourright。
　　Slowlyandcautiously，clingingtohishand，hepulledherawayfromtheedgeoftheprecipiceandhelpedhertoscrambleuptowhereheclung。Thereshelayandpanted。Helookedatherapprehensively。
　　Don’tgoandfaintnow，oranyfoolishnesslikethat，heorderedsharply。
　　No，no，Iwon’t。I’lltrynotto。Buthowareweevergoingtoclimbup——upthere？
　　Abovethemandatleastfourfeetoutofreach，eveniftheystoodup，andthatwouldbeafrightfullyriskyproceeding，thesodprojectedovertheirheadsliketheeavesofahouse。
　　Helenglancedupatitandshuddered。
　　Oh，howCANwe？shegasped。
　　Wecan’t。Andwewon’ttry。
　　Shallwecallforhelp？
　　Notmuchuse。Nobodytohearus。Besides，wecanalwaysdothatifwehaveto。IthinkIseeawayoutofthemess。Ifwecan’tgetup，perhapswecangetdown。
　　GetDOWN？
　　Yes，itisn’tallassteepasitishere。Ibelievewemightsortofzig-zagdownifwewerecareful。Youholdonherejustasyouare。I’mgoingtoseewhatitlookslikearoundthisnextpoint。
　　Thepointwasmerelyaprojectionofthebluffabouttwentyfeetaway。Hecrawfishedalongthefaceoftheslope，untilhecouldseebeyondit。Helenkepturginghimtobecareful——oh，becareful！
　　OfcourseI’llbecareful，hesaidcurtly。Idon’twanttobreakmyneck。Yes——yes，byGeorge，itISeasieraroundthere！Wecouldgetdownagoodway。Here，here。don’tstartuntilyoutakemyhand。Andbesureyourfeetarebracedbeforeyoumove。Comeon，now。
　　I——Idon’tbelieveIcan。
　　Ofcourseyoucan。You’veGOTto。Comeon。Don’tlookdown。
　　Lookatthesandrightinfrontofyou。
　　Gettingaroundthatpointwasadecidedlyticklishoperation，buttheymanagedit，heleadingtheway，makingsureofhisfootholdbeforemovingandthensettingherfootintheprinthisownhadmade。Ontheothersideoftheprojectiontheslopewaslessabruptandextendedmuchnearertothegroundbelow。Theyzigzaggeddownuntilnearlytotheedgeofthesteepdrop。ThenAlbertlookedaboutforanewpathtosafety。Hefounditstillfartheron。
　　Ittakesusdownfarther，hesaid，andtherearebushestoholdontoafterwegetthere。Comeon，Helen！Braceupnow，beasport！
　　Shewastryingherbesttoobeyorders，butbeingasportwasnoslightundertakingunderthecircumstances。Whentheyreachedtheclumpofbushesherguideorderedhertorest。
　　Juststopandcatchyourbreath，hesaid。Therestisgoingtobeeasier，Ithink。Andwehaven’tsoveryfartogo。
　　Hewastoooptimistic。Itwasanythingbuteasy。infact，thelastthirtyfeetwasalmostatumble，owingtotheclaygivingwaybeneaththeirfeet。Buttherewassoftsandtotumbleintoandtheyreachedthebeachsafe，thoughinadishevelled，scratchedandthoroughlysmearedcondition。ThenHelensatdownandcoveredherfacewithherhands。Herrescuergazedtriumphantlyupatthedistantrimofbrokensodandgrinned。
　　There，byGeorge！heexclaimed。Wedidit，didn’twe？Say，thatwasfun！
　　Sheremovedherhandsandlookedathim。
　　WHATdidyousayitwas？shefaltered。
　　Isaiditwasfun。Itwasgreat！Likesomethingoutofabook，eh？
　　Shebegantolaughhysterically。Heturnedtoherinindignantsurprise。Whatareyoulaughingat？hedemanded。
　　Oh——oh，don’t，please！Justletmelaugh。IfIdon’tlaughI
　　shallcry，andIdon’twanttodothat。Justdon’ttalktomeforafewminutes，that’sall。
　　Whenthefewminuteswereoversherosetoherfeet。
　　Nowwemustgetbacktothepavilion，Isuppose，shesaid。My，butwearesights，though！Dolet’sseeifwecan’tmakeourselvesalittlemorepresentable。
　　Shedidherbesttowipeoffthethickestoftheclaysmearswithherhandkerchief，buttheexperimentwasratherafailure。Astheystartedtowalkbackalongthebeachshesuddenlyturnedtohimandsaid：
　　Ihaven’ttoldyouhow——howmuchobligedIamfor——forwhatyoudid。Ifyouhadn’tcome，Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavehappenedtome。
　　Oh，that’sallright，heansweredlightly。Hewasrevelinginthedramaticqualitiesofthesituation。Shedidnotspeakagainforsometimeandhe，too，walkedoninsilenceenjoyinghisdaydream。Suddenlyhebecameawarethatshewaslookingathimsteadilyandwithanoddexpressiononherface。
　　Whatisit？heasked。Whydoyoulookatmethatway？
　　Heranswerwas，asusual，directandfrank。
　　Iwasthinkingaboutyou，shesaid。IwasthinkingthatImusthavebeenmistaken，partlymistaken，atleast。
　　Mistaken？Aboutme，doyoumean？
　　Yes。Ihadmadeupmymindthatyouwere——well，onesortoffellow，andnowIseethatyouareanentirelydifferentsort。
　　Thatis，you’veshownthatyoucanbedifferent。
　　Whatonearthdoyoumeanbythat？
　　Why，Imean——Imean——Oh，I’msureIhadbetternotsayit。Youwon’tlikeit，andwillthinkIhadbettermindmyownaffairs——
　　whichIshoulddo，ofcourse。
　　Goon。sayit。
　　Shelookedathimagain，evidentlydeliberatingwhetherornottospeakherthought。Thenshesaid：
　　Well，Iwillsayit。Notthatitisreallymybusiness，butbecauseinawayitisbeggingyourpardon，andIoughttodothat。
　　Yousee，Ihadbeguntobelievethatyouwere——thatyouwere——well，thatyouwerenotvery——veryactive，youknow。
　　Active？Say，lookhere，Helen！What——
　　Oh，Idon’twonderyoudon’tunderstand。Imeanthatyouwererather——ratherfondofnotdoingmuch——of——of——
　　Eh？Notdoingmuch？ThatIwaslazy，doyoumean？
　　Why，notexactlylazy，perhaps，but——but——Oh，howCANIsayjustwhatImean！Imeanthatyouwerealwayssayingthatyoudidn’tliketheworkinyourgrandfather’soffice。
　　WhichIdon’t。
　　Andthatsomedayyouweregoingtodosomethingelse。
　　WhichIam。
　　Writeoractordosomething——
　　Yes，andthat’strue，too。
　　Butyoudon’t，youknow。Youdon’tdoanything。You’vebeentalkingthatwayeversinceIknewyou，callingthisaone-horsetownandsayinghowyouhatedit，andthatyouweren’tgoingtowasteyourlifehere，andallthat，butyoukeepstayinghereanddoingjustthesamethings。Thelastlongtalkwehadtogetheryoutoldmeyouknewyoucouldwritepoemsandplaysandallsortsofthings，youjustfeltthatyoucould。Youweregoingtobeginrightaway。Yousaidthatsomemonthsago，andyouhaven’tdoneanywritingatall。Now，haveyou？
　　No-o。No，butthatdoesn’tmeanIshan’tbyandby。
　　Butyoudidn’tbeginasyousaidyouwould。Thatwaslastspring，morethanayearago，andIdon’tbelieveyouhavetriedtowriteasinglepoem。Haveyou？
　　Hewasbeginningtoberuffled。Itwasquiteunusualforanyone，mostofallforagirl，totalktohiminthisway。
　　Idon’tknowthatIhave，hesaidloftily。And，anyway，Idon’tseethatitis——is——
　　Mybusinesswhetheryouhaveornot。Iknowitisn’t。I’msorryIspoke。But，yousee，I——Oh，well，nevermind。AndIdowantyoutoknowhowmuchIappreciateyourhelpingmeasyoudidjustnow。Idon’tknowhowtothankyouforthat。
　　Butthankswerenotexactlywhathewantedatthatmoment。
　　Goaheadandsaytherest，heordered，afterashortpause。
　　You’vesaidsomuchthatyouhadbetterfinishit，seemstome。
　　I’mlazy，youthink。WhatelseamI？
　　You’rebrave，awfullybrave，andyouaresostrongandquick——yes，and——and——masterful。Ithinkthatistherightword。YouorderedmeaboutasifIwerealittlegirl。Ididn’twanttokeepstill，asyoutoldmeto。Iwantedtoscream。AndIwantedtofaint，too，butyouwouldn’tletme。Ihadneverseenyouthatwaybefore。I
　　didn’tknowyoucouldbelikethat。Thatiswhatsurprisesmeso。
　　ThatiswhyIsaidyouweresodifferent。
　　Herewasbalmforwoundedpride。Albert’schinlifted。Oh，thatwasnothing，hesaid。Whateverhadtobedonemustbedonerightoff，Icouldseethat。Youcouldn’thangonwhereyouwereverylong。
　　Sheshuddered。No，shereplied，Icouldnot。But_I_couldn’tthinkWHATtodo，andyoucould。Yes，anddidit，andmademedoit。
　　ThechinliftedstillmoreandtheSperanzachestbegantoexpand。
　　Helen’snextremarkwasinthenaturesofareducerforthesaidexpansion。
　　Ifyoucouldbesopromptandstrongand——andenergeticthen，shesaid，Ican’thelpwonderingwhyyouaren’tlikethatallthetime。Ihadbeguntothinkyouwerejust——just——
　　Lazy，eh？hesuggested。
　　Why——why，no-o，butcarelessandindifferentandwithnotmuchambition，certainly。Youhadtalkedsomuchaboutwritingandyetyounevertriedtowriteanything，that——that——
　　ThatyouthoughtIwasallbluff。Thanks！Anymorecompliments？
　　Sheturnedonhimimpulsively。Oh，don’t！sheexclaimed。
　　Pleasedon’t！IknowwhatIamsayingsoundsperfectlyhorrid，andespeciallynowwhenyouhavejustsavedmefrombeingbadlyhurt，ifnotkilled。Butdon’tyouseethat——thatIamsayingitbecauseIaminterestedinyouandsureyouCOULDdosomuchifyouonlywould？Ifyouwouldonlytry。
　　Thisspeechwasacompoundofsweetandbitter。Albertcharacteristicallyselectedthesweet。
　　Helen，heasked，inhismostconfidentialtone，wouldyouliketohavemetryandwritesomething？Say，wouldyou？
　　OfcourseIwould。Oh，willyou？
　　Well，ifYOUaskedmeImight。Foryoursake，youknow。
　　Shestoppedandstampedherfootimpatiently。
　　Oh，DON’Tbesilly！sheexclaimed。Idon’twantyoutodoitformysake。Iwantyoutodoitforyourownsake。Yes，andforyourgrandfather’ssake。
　　Mygrandfather’ssake！GreatScott，whydoyoudraghimin？HE
　　doesn’twantmetowritepoetry。
　　Hewantsyoutodosomething，tosucceed。Iknowthat。
　　HewantsmetostayhereandhelpLabeKeelerandIssyPrice。Hewantsmetospendallmylifeinthatofficeofhis。that’swhatHE
　　wants。Nowholdon，Helen！I’mnotsayinganythingagainsttheoldfellow。Hedoesn’tlikeme，Iknow，but——
　　YouDON’Tknow。Hedoeslikeyou。Orhewantstolikeyouverymuchindeed。HewouldliketohaveyoucarryontheSnowCompany’sbusinessafterhehasgone，butifyoucan’t——orwon’t——dothat，I
　　knowhewouldbeveryhappytoseeyousucceedatanything——
　　anything。
　　Albertlaughedscornfully。Evenatwritingpoetry？heasked。
　　Why，yes，atwriting。althoughofcoursehedoesn’tknowathingaboutitandcan’tunderstandhowanyonecanpossiblyearnalivingthatway。Hehasreadorheardaboutpoetsandauthorsstarvingingarretsandhethinksthey’realllikethat。Butifyoucouldonlyshowhimandprovetohimthatyoucouldsucceedbywriting，hewouldbeprouderofyouthananyoneelsewouldbe。I
　　knowit。
　　Heregardedhercuriously。Youseemtoknowalotaboutmygrandfather，heobserved。
　　Idoknowsomethingabouthim。HeandIhavebeenfriendseversinceIwasalittlegirl，andIlikehimverymuchindeed。IfheweremygrandfatherIshouldbeproudofhim。AndIthinkyououghttobe。
　　Sheflashedthelastsentenceathiminasuddenheatofenthusiasm。
　　Hewassurprisedathermanner。
　　Gee！YouAREstrongfortheoldchap，aren’tyou？hesaid。
　　Well，admittingthatheisallright，justwhyshouldIbeproudofhim？IAMproudofmyfather，ofcourse。hewassomebodyintheworld。
　　Youmeanhewassomebodyjustbecausehewascelebratedandlotsofpeopleknewabouthim。Celebratedpeoplearen’ttheonlyoneswhodoworthwhilethings。IfIwereyou，IshouldbeproudofCaptainZelotesbecauseheiswhathehasmadehimself。Nobodyhelpedhim。hediditall。Hewasaseacaptainandagoodone。
　　Hehasbeenabusinessmanandagoodone，evenifthebusinessisn’tsoverybig。EverybodyhereinSouthHarniss——yes，andallupanddowntheCape——knowsofhimandrespectshim。MyfathersaysinalltheyearshehaspreachedinhischurchhehasneverheardasinglepersonasmuchashintthatCaptainSnowwasn’tabsolutelyhonest，absolutelybrave，andthesametoeverybody，richorpoor。Andallhislifehehasworkedandworkedhard。
　　WhatHEhasbelongstohim。hehasearnedit。That’swhyIshouldbeproudofhimifheweremygrandfather。
　　Herenthusiasmhadcontinuedallthroughthislongspeech。Albertwhistled。
　　Whew！heexclaimed。RegularcheerforZelotes，fellows！One——
　　two——！Grandfather’sgotonepersontostandupforhim，I’llsaythat。Butwhythissuddenoutbreakabouthim，anyhow？Itwasmeyouweretalkingaboutinthebeginning——thoughIdidn’tnoticeanyloudcallsforcheersinthatdirection，headded。
　　Sheignoredthelastpartofthespeech。Ithinkyouyourselfmademethinkofhim，shereplied。Sometimesyouremindmeofhim。Notoften，butonceinawhile。Justnow，whenwewereclimbingdownthatawfulplaceyouseemedalmostexactlylikehim。
　　Thewayyouknewjustwhattodoallthetime，andyournothesitatingaminute，andthewayyoutookcommandofthesituationand，withasuddenlaugh，bossedmearound。everybitofthatwaslikehim，andnotlikeyouatall。Oh，Idon’tmeanthat，sheaddedhurriedly。Imeanitwasn’tlikeyouasyouusuallyare。
　　Itwasdifferent。
　　Humph！Well，Imustsay——Seehere，HelenKendall，whatisityouexpectmetodo。sailinandwritetwoorthreesonnetsanda’ComeIntotheGarden，Maud，’sometimenextweek？You’reterriblykeenaboutGrandfather，buthehasrathergottheedgeonmesofarasagegoes。He’sinthesixties，andI’mjustaboutnineteen。
　　Whenhewasnineteenhewasfirstmateofaship。
　　Yes，soI’veheardhimsay。Maybefirst-matingisalittlebiteasierthanwritingpoetry。
　　Andmaybeitisn’t。Atanyrate，hedidn’tknowwhetheritwaseasyornotuntilhetried。Oh，THAT’SwhatIwouldliketoseeyoudo——TRYtodosomething。Youcoulddoit，too，almostanythingyoutried，Idobelieve。Iamconfidentyoucould。But——Oh，well，asyousaidatthebeginning，itisn’tmybusinessatall，andI’vesaideverandeversomuchmorethanImeantto。Pleaseforgiveme，ifyoucan。Ithinkmytumbleandalltherestmusthavemademesilly。I’msorry，Albert。Therearethestepsuptothepavilion。Seethem！
　　Hewastrampingonbesideher，hishandsinhispockets。Hedidnotlookatthelongflightofstepswhichhadsuddenlycomeintoviewaroundthecurveofthebluff。Whenhedidlookupandspeakitwasinadifferenttone，somesuchtoneasshehadheardhimuseduringherrescue。
　　Allright，hesaid，withdecision，I’llshowyouwhetherIcantryornot。IknowyouthinkIwon’t，butIwill。I’mgoinguptomyroomto-nightandI’mgoingtotrytowritesomethingorother。
　　Itmaybetherottenestpoemthateverwasgroundout，butI’llgrinditifitkillsme。
　　Shewaspleased，thatwasplain，butsheshookherhead。
　　Notto-night，Albert，shesaid。To-night，afterthepicnic，isFather’sreceptionatthechurch。Ofcourseyou’llcometothat。
　　OfcourseIwon’t。Lookhere，you’vecalledmelazyandindifferentandahundredotherpetnamesthisafternoon。Well，thiseveningI’llmakeyoutakesomeof’emback。Receptionbehanged！I’mgoingtowriteto-night。
　　ThateveningbothMrs。SnowandRachelEllisweremuchdisturbedbecauseAlbert，pleadingaheadache，beggedofffromattendanceatthereceptiontotheReverendMr。Kendall。Either，orbothladieswouldhavebeenonlytoowillingtoremainathomeandnursethesuffererthroughhisattack，butherefusedtopermitthesacrificeontheirpart。Aftertheyhadgonehisheadachedisappearedand，suppliedwithanabundanceofpaper，pensandink，hesatdownatthetableinhisroomtoinvoketheMuse。TheinvocationlasteduntilthreeA。M。Atthathour，withagenuineheadache，butasenseoftriumphwhichconqueredpain，Albertclimbedintobed。
　　Uponthetablelayapoem，asixstanzapoem，havingthesewordsatitshead：
　　TOMYLADY’SSPRINGHAT
　　ByA。M。Speranza。
　　ThefollowingforenoonhepostedthatpoemtotheeditorofTheCapeCodItem。Andthreeweekslateritappearedinthepagesofthatjournal。Ofcoursetherewasnopecuniaryrecompenseforitsauthor，andthefactwasindisputablethattheItemwasgenerallyonlytoogladtopublishcontributionswhichhelpedtofillitscolumns。But，nevertheless，AlbertSperanzahadwrittenapoemandthatpoemhadbeenpublished。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　ItwasRachelwhofirstdiscoveredToMyLady’sSpringHatintheItemthreeweekslater。Shecamerushingintothesittingroombrandishingthepaper。
　　Mysoul！Mysoul！Mysoul！shecried。
　　Olive，sittingsewingbythewindow，was，naturally，somewhatstartled。Mercyonus，Rachel！sheexclaimed。WhatISit？
　　Look！criedthehousekeeper，pointingtothecontributioninthePoets’CornerasQueenIsabellamayhavepointedattheevidenceofherprotegesdiscoveryofanewworld。LOOK！
　　Mrs。Snowlooked，readtheversestoherself，andthenaloud。
　　Why，Ideclare，they’rerealsortofpretty，ain’tthey？sheexclaimed，inastonishedadmiration。
　　Pretty！They’reperfectlyelegant！Andrighthereinthepaperforallhandstosee。Ain’tyouPROUDofhim，Mrs。Snow？
　　Olivehadbeengrowingmoreandmoreproudofherhandsomegrandsoneversincehisarrival。Shewasprouderstillnowandsaidso。
　　Rachelnodded，triumphantly。
　　He’llbeaRobertPenfoldaforehedies，orImissMYguess！shedeclared。
　　Sheshowedittofeminineacquaintancesallovertown，andOlive，whencallerscame，tookpainstoseethatacopyoftheItem，foldedwiththePoets’Corneruppermost，layonthecentertable。
　　Customers，droppinginattheoffice，occasionallymentionedthepoemtoitsauthor。
　　SeeyouhadapieceintheItem，Al，wastheirusualwayofreferringtoit。Prettycutepiece’twas，too，seemedtome。
　　Say，thatgirlofyoursmusthaveSOMEspringbunnit。Ho，ho！
　　Issachardeignedtoexpressapproval，approvalqualifiedwithdiscerningcriticismofcourse，butapprovalnevertheless。
　　Prettygoodpiece，Al，heobserved。Prettygood。Gladtoseeyoudonesowell。Courseyoumadeonelittlemistake，but’twan’taverybigone。Thatpartwhereyousaid——Whatwasit，now？
　　Where’dIputthatpieceofpoetry？Oh，yes，here’tis！Whereyousaid——er——er——
　　’ItfloatsuponhergoldencurlsAsfrothuponthewave。’
　　Nowofcoursenothin’——ahatornothin’else——isgoin’tofloatontopofaperson’shead。Frothfloatin’，that’sallright，youunderstand。butevenifyoutookfrothrightoutofthewaterandslappeditupontoanybody’shair’twouldn’tFLOATupthere。Ifyou’dsaid，’ItSETSupontohergoldencurls，Sameasfrothsetsontopofawave。’
　　thatwouldhavebeenallrightandtrue。Butthere，don’tfeelbadaboutit。It’sonlyalittlemistake，sameasanybody’sliabletomake。Ninepersonsoutoftenwouldn’thavenoticedit。I’mextrypartic’lar，Ipresumelikely。I’mfindin’mistakeslikethatallthetime。
　　Laban’scommentwaslesscritical，perhaps，butmorereserved。
　　It’sprettygood，Al，hesaid。Yes——er——yes，sir，it’sprettygood。Itain’tallnew，there’ssomeofitthat’sbeenwrittenbefore，butIratherguessthatmighthavebeensaidaboutShakespeare’spoetrywhenhefustcommenced。It’sprettygood，Al。
　　Yes——yes，yes。Itisso。
　　Albertwasinclinedtoresentthequalifiedstraininthebookkeeper’spraise。Hewastemptedtobesarcastic。
　　Well，heobserved，ofcourseyou’vereadsomuchrealpoetrythatyououghttoknow。
　　Labannodded，slowly。I’vereadagooddeal，hesaidquietly。
　　Readin’isoneofthefewthingsIain’tmadeafailureofinthislife。Um-hm。Oneofthefew。Yesyes——yes。
　　Hedippedhispenintheinkwellandcarefullymadeanentryintheledger。Hisassistantfeltasuddenpangofcompunction。
　　Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Keeler，hesaid。Thatwasprettyfreshofme。I’msorry。
　　Labanlookedupinmildsurprise。Sorry？herepeated。Whatfor？……Oh，that’sallright，Al，that’sallright。LordknowsI’mthelastoneonearthwho’doughttocriticizeanybody。AllI
　　hadinmindinsayin’whatIdidwasto——well，tokindofkeepyoufrombein’toowellsatisfiedandnottryharderonthenextone。
　　Itdon’tpaytobetoowellsatisfied……Yearsago，Icanremember，_I_wasprettywellsatisfied——withmyselfandmywork。
　　Soundslikeajoke，Iknow，but’twasso……Well，I’vehadanicelongchancetogetoverit。Um-hm。Yes——yes。SoIhave，soIhave。
　　OnlyCaptainZelotesatfirstsaidnothingaboutthepoem。Hereadit，hiswifesawtothat，buthiscommenteventoherwasanon-
　　committalgrunt。
　　Butdon’tyouthinkit’srealsortofpretty，Zelotes？sheasked。
　　Thecaptaingruntedagain。Why，Iguesslikely’tisifyousayso，Mother。Idon’tknowmuchaboutsuchthings。
　　Buteverybodysaysitis。
　　Wanttoknow！Well，then’twon’tmakemuchdifferencewhetherI
　　sayitornot。
　　Butain’tyougoin’tosayawordtoAlbertaboutit，Zelotes？
　　Humph！Idon’tknow’sIknowwhattosay。
　　Why，sayyoulikeit。
　　Ye-es，andifIdohe’llkeeponwritin’more。That’sexactlywhatIdon’twanthimtodo。Comenow，Mother，besensible。Thispieceofhismaybegoodoritmaynot，_I_wouldn’tundertaketosay。ButthisIdoknow：Idon’twanttheboytospendhistimewritin’poetryslushforthat’Poets’Corner。’LetitiaMakepeacedidthat——shehadapieceinthereabouteveryweek——andshediedintheTauntonasylum。
　　But，Zelotes，itwasn’therpoetrygotherintotheasylum。
　　Wan’tit？Well，shewasinthepoorhouseaforethat。Idon’tknowwhether’twasherpoetryin’thatgotherinthere，butIknowdarnedwellitdidn’tgetherout。
　　Butain’tyougoin’tosayoneword？’Twouldencouragehimso。
　　GoodLord！Wedon’twanttoencouragehim，dowe？Ifhewastakin’tothievin’youwouldn’tencouragehiminthat，wouldyou？
　　Thievin’！ZelotesSnow，youdon’tmeantosayyoucompareapoettoaTHIEF！