X
THEUNKNOWNQUANTITY
ThepoetLongfellow——orwasitConfucius，theinventorofwisdom？——remarked：
“Lifeisreal，lifeisearnest；
Andthingsarenotwhattheyseem。”
Asmathematicsare——oris：thanks，oldsubscriber！——theonlyjustrulebywhichquestionsoflifecanbemeasured，letus，byallmeans，adjustourthemetothestraightedgeandthebalancedcolumnofthegreatgoddessTwo-and-Two-Makes-Four。Figures——
unassailablesumsinaddition——shallbesetoveragainstwhateveroposingelementtheremaybe。
Amathematician，afterscanningtheabovetwolinesofpoetry，wouldsay：“Ahem！younggentlemen，ifweassumethatXplus——
thatis，thatlifeisreal——thenthingsallofwhichlifeincludesarereal。Anythingthatisrealiswhatitseems。Thenifweconsiderthepropositionthat”thingsarenotwhattheyseem”why”
Butthisisheresy，andnotpoesy。WewoothesweetnymphAlgebra；wewouldconductyouintothepresenceoftheelusive，seductive，pursued，satisfying，mysteriousX。
Notlongbeforethebeginningofthiscentury，SeptimusKinsolving，anoldNewYorker，inventedanidea。Heoriginatedthediscoverythatbreadismadefromflourandnotfromwheatfutures。Perceivingthattheflourcropwasshort，andthattheStockExchangewashavingnoperceptibleeffectonthegrowingwheat，Mr。Kinsolvingcorneredtheflourmarket。
Theresultwasthatwhenyouormylandladybeforethewarsheneverhadtoturnherhandtoanything；Southernersaccomodated
boughtafive-centloadofbreadyoulaiddownanadditionaltwocents，whichwenttoMr。Kinsolvingasatestimonialtohisperspicacity。
AsecondresultwasthatMr。Kinsolvingquitthegamewith$2，000，000prof——er——rake-off。
Mr。Kinsolving”ssonDanwasatcollegewhenthemathematicalexperimentinbreadstuffswasmade。Dancamehomeduringvacation，andfoundtheoldgentlemaninareddressing-gownreading“LittleDorrit“ontheporchofhisestimableredbrickmansioninWashingtonSquare。Hehadretiredfrombusinesswithenoughextratwo-centpiecesfrombreadbuyerstoreach，iflaidsidebyside，fifteentimesaroundtheearthandlapasfarasthepublicdebtofParaguay。
Danshookhandswithhisfather，andhurriedovertoGreenwichVillagetoseehisoldhigh-schoolfriend，Kenwitz。DanhadalwaysadmiredKenwitz。Kenwitzwaspale，curly-haired，intense，serious，mathematical，studious，altruistic，socialistic，andthenaturalfoeofoligarchies。Kenwitzhadforegonecollege，andwaslearningwatch-makinginhisfather”sjewelrystore。Danwassmiling，jovial，easy-temperedandtolerantalikeofkingsandragpickers。Thetwoforegatheredjoyously，beingopposites。AndthenDanwentbacktocollege，andKenwitztohismainsprings——
andtohisprivatelibraryintherearofthejewelryshop。
FouryearslaterDancamebacktoWashingtonSquarewiththeaccumulationsofB。A。andtwoyearsofEuropethickuponhim。
HetookafiliallookatSeptimusKinsolving”selaboratetombstoneinGreenwoodandatediousexcursionthroughtypewrittendocumentswiththefamilylawyer；andthen，feelinghimselfalonelyandhopelessmillionaire，hurrieddowntotheoldjewelrystoreacrossSixthAvenue。
Kenwitzunscrewedamagnifyingglassfromhiseye，routedouthisparentfromadingyrearroom，andabandonedtheinteriorofwatchesforoutdoors。HewentwithDan，andtheysatonabenchinWashingtonSquare。Danhadnotchangedmuch；hewasstalwart，andhadadignitythatwasinclinedtorelaxintoagrin。
Kenwitzwasmoreserious，moreintense，morelearned，philosophicalandsocialistic。
“Iknowaboutitnow，“saidDan，finally。“Ipumpeditoutoftheeminentlegallightsthatturnedovertomepoorolddad”scollectionsofbondsandboodle。Itamountsto$2，000，000，Ken。
AndIamtoldthathesqueezeditoutofthechapsthatpaytheirpenniesforloavesofbreadatlittlebakeriesaroundthecorner。
You”vestudiedeconomics，Dan，andyouknowallaboutmonopolies，andthemasses，andoctopuses，andtherightsoflaboringpeople。
Ineverthoughtaboutthosethingsbefore。Footballandtryingtobewhitetomyfellowmanwereabouttheextentofmycollegecurriculum。
“ButsinceIcamebackandfoundouthowdadmadehismoneyI”vebeenthinking。I”dlikeawfullywelltopaybackthosechapswhohadtogiveuptoomuchmoneyforbread。Iknowitwouldbuckthelineofmyincomeforagoodmanyyards；butI”dliketomakeitsquarewith”em。Isthereanywayitcanbedone，oldWaysandMeans？“
Kenwitz”sbigblackeyesglowedfierily。Histhin，intellectualfacetookonalmostasardoniccast。HecaughtDan”sarmwiththegripofafriendandajudge。
“Youcan”tdoit！“hesaid，emphatically。“Oneofthechiefpunishmentsofyoumenofill-gottenwealthisthatwhenyoudorepentyoufindthatyouhavelostthepowertomakereparationorrestitution。Iadmireyourgoodintentions，Dan，butyoucan”tdoanything。Thosepeoplewererobbedoftheirpreciouspennies。It”stoolatetoremedytheevil。Youcan”tpaythemback“
“Ofcourse，“saidDan，lightinghispipe，“wecouldn”thuntupeveryoneoftheduffersandhand”embacktherightchange。
There”sanawfullotof”embuyingbreadallthetime。Funnytastetheyhave——Inevercaredforbreadespecially，exceptforatoastedcrackerwiththeRoquefort。Butwemightfindafewof”emandchucksomeofdad”scashbackwhereitcamefromI”dfeelbetterifIcould。Itseemstoughforpeopletobeheldupforasoggythinglikebread。Onewouldn”tmindstandingariseinbroiledlobstersordeviledcrabs。Gettoworkandthink，Ken。IwanttopaybackallthatmoneyIcan。”
“Thereareplentyofcharities，“saidKenwitz，mechanically。
“Easyenough，“saidDan，inacloudofsmoke。“IsupposeIcouldgivethecityapark，orendowanasparagusbedinahospital。ButIdon”twantPaultogetawaywiththeproceedsofthegoldbrickwesoldPeter。It”sthebreadshortsIwanttocover，Ken。”
ThethinfingersofKenwitzmovedrapidly。
“Doyouknowhowmuchmoneyitwouldtaketopaybackthelossesofconsumersduringthatcornerinflour？“heasked。
“Idonot。”saidDan，stoutly。“MylawyertellsmethatIhavetwomillions。”
“Ifyouhadahundredmillions，“saidKenwitz，vehemently，“youcouldn”trepairathousandthpartofthedamagethathasbeendone。
Youcannotconceiveoftheaccumulatedevilsproducedbymisappliedwealth。Eachpennythatwaswrungfromtheleanpursesofthepoorreactedathousandfoldtotheirharm。Youdonotunderstand。Youdonotseehowhopelessisyourdesiretomakerestitution。Notinasingleinstancecanitbedone。”
“Backup，philosopher！“saidDan。“Thepennyhasnosorrowthatthedollarcannotheal。”
“Notinoneinstance，“repeatedKenwitz。“Iwillgiveyouone，andletussee。ThomasBoynehadalittlebakeryoverthereinVarickStreet。Hesoldbreadtothepoorestpeople。Whenthepriceofflourwentuphehadtoraisethepriceofbread。Hiscustomersweretoopoortopayit，Boyne”sbusinessfailedandhelosthis$1，000capital——allhehadintheworld。”
DanKinsolvingstrucktheparkbenchamightyblowwithhisfist。
“Iaccepttheinstance，“hecried。“TakemetoBoyne。Iwillrepayhisthousanddollarsandbuyhimanewbakery。”
“Writeyourcheck，“saidKenwitz，withoutmoving，“andthenbegintowritechecksinpaymentofthetrainofconsequences。
Drawthenextonefor$50，000。Boynewentinsaneafterhisfailureandsetfiretothebuildingfromwhichhewasabouttobeevicted。Thelossamountedtothatmuch。Boynediedinanasylum。”
“Sticktotheinstance，“saidDan。“Ihaven”tnoticedanyinsurancecompaniesonmycharitylist。”
“Drawyournextcheckfor$100，000，“wentonKenwitz。“Boyne”ssonfellintobadwayafterthebakeryclosed，andwasaccusedofmurder。hewasacquittedlastweekafterathreeyears”legalbattle，andthestatedrawsupontaxpayersforthatmuchexpense。”
“Backtothebakery！“exclaimedDan，impatiently。“TheGovernmentdoesn”tneedtostandinthebreadline。”
“Thelastitemoftheinstanceis——comeandIwillshowyou，“saidKenwitz，rising。
TheSocialisticwatchmakerwashappy。Hewasamillionaire-
baiterbynatureandapessimistbytrade。Kenwitzwouldassureyouinonebreaththatmoneywasbutevilandcorruption，andthatyourbrand-newwatchneededcleaningandanewratchet-wheel。
HeconductedKinsolvingsouthwardoutofthesquareandintoragged，poverty-hauntedVarickStreet。UpthenarrowstairwayofasqualidbricktenementheledthepenitentoffspringoftheOctupus。Heknockedonadoor，andaclearvoicecalledtothemtoenter。
Inthatalmostbareroomayoungwomansatsewingatamachine。
ShenoddedtoKenwitzastoafamiliaracquaintance。OnelittlestreamofsunlightthroughthedingywindowburnishedherheavyhairtothecolorofanancientTuscan”sshield。SheflashedaripplingsmileatKenwitzandalookofsomewhatflusteredinquiry。
Kinsolvingstoodregardingherclearandpatheticbeautyinheart-
throbbingsilence。ThustheycameintothepresenceofthelastitemoftheInstance。
“Howmanythisweek，MissMary？“askedthewatchmaker。A
mountainofcoarsegrayshirtslayuponthefloor。
“Nearlythirtydozen，“saidtheyoungwomancheerfully。“I”vemadealmost$4。I”mimproving，Mr。Kenwitz。Ihardlyknowwhattodowithsomuchmoney。”Hereyesturned，brightlysoft，inthedirectionofDan。Alittlepinkspotcameoutonherround，palecheek。
Kenwitzchuckledlikeadiabolicraven。
“MissBoyne，“hesaid，“letmepresentMr。Kinsolving，thesonofthemanwhoputbreadupfiveyearsago。Hethinkshewouldliketodosomethingtoaidthosewhowhereinconveniencedbythatact。”
Thesmilelefttheyoungwoman”sface。Sheroseandpointedherforefingertowardthedoor。ThistimeshelookedKinsolvingstraightintheeye，butitwasnotalookthatgavedelight。
ThetwomenwentdownVarickStreet。Kenwitz，lettingallhispessimismandrancorandhatredoftheOctopuscometothesurface，gibedatthemoneyedsideofhisfriendinanacridtorrentofwords。Danappearedtobelistening，andthenturnedtoKenwitzandshookhandswithhimwarmly。
“I”mobligedtoyou，Ken，oldman，“hesaid，vaguely”athousandtimesobliged。”
“MeinGott！youarecrazy！“criedthewatchmaker，droppinghisspectaclesforthefirsttimeinyears。
TwomonthsafterwardKenwitzwentintoalargebakeryonlowerBroadwaywithapairofgold-rimmedeyeglassesthathehadmendedfortheproprietor。
AladywasgivinganordertoaclerkasKenwitzpassedher。
“Theseloavesaretencents，“saidtheclerk。
“Ialwaysgetthemateightcentsuptown，“saidthelady。“Youneednotfilltheorder。Iwilldrivebythereonmywayhome。”
Thevoicewasfamiliar。Thewatchmakerpaused。
“Mr。Kenwitz！“criedthelady，heartily。“Howdoyoudo？“
Kenwitzwastryingtotrainhissocialisticandeconomiccomprehensiononherwonderfulfurboaandthecarriagewaitingoutside。
“Why，MissBoyne！“hebegan。
“Mrs。Kinsolving，“shecorrected。“DanandIweremarriedamonthago。”
XI
THETHING”STHEPLAY
Beingacquaintedwithanewspaperreporterwhohadacoupleoffreepasses，Igottoseetheperformanceafewnightsagoatoneofthepopularvaudevillehouses。
Oneofthenumberswasaviolinsolobyastriking-lookingmannotmuchpastforty，butwithverygraythickhair。Notbeingafflictedwithatasteformusic，IletthesystemofnoisesdriftpastmyearswhileIregardedtheman。
“Therewasastoryaboutthatchapamonthortwoago，“saidthereporter。“Theygavemetheassignment。Itwastorunacolumnandwastobeontheextremelylightandjokingorder。TheoldmanseemstolikethefunnytouchIgivetolocalhappenings。Oh，yes，I”mworkingonafarcecomedynow。Well，Iwentdowntothehouseandgotallthedetails；butIcertainlyfelldownonthatjob。
Iwentbackandturnedinacomicwrite-upofaneastsidefuneralinstead。Why？Oh，Icouldn”tseemtogetholdofitwithmyfunnyhooks，somehow。Maybeyoucouldmakeaone-acttragedyoutofitforacurtain-raiser。I”llgiveyouthedetails。”
Aftertheperformancemyfriend，thereporter，recitedtomethefactsoverW“urzburger。
“Iseenoreason，“saidI，whenhehadconcluded，“whythatshouldn”tmakearattlinggoodfunnystory。Thosethreepeoplecouldn”thaveactedinamoreabsurdandpreposterousmanneriftheyhadbeenrealactorsinarealtheatre。I”mreallyafraidthatallthestageisaworld，anyhow，andalltheplayersmenandwomen。”Thething”stheplay”isthewayIquoteMr。Shakespeare。”
“Tryit，“saidthereporter。
“Iwill，“saidI；andIdid，toshowhimhowhecouldhavemadeahumorouscolumnofitforhispaper。
TherestandsahousenearAbingdonSquare。Onthegroundfloortherehasbeenfortwenty-fiveyearsalittlestorewheretoysandnotionsandstationeryaresold。
Onenighttwentyyearsagotherewasaweddingintheroomsabovethestore。TheWidowMayoownedthehouseandstore。
HerdaughterHelenwasmarriedtoFrankBarry。JohnDelaneywasbestman。Helenwaseighteen，andherpicturehadbeenprintedinamorningpapernexttotheheadlinesofa“WholesaleFemaleMurderess“storyfromButte，Mont。Butafteryoureyeandintelligencehadrejectedtheconnection，youseizedyourmagnifyingglassandreadbeneaththeportraitherdescriptionasoneofaseriesofProminentBeautiesandBellesofthelowerwestside。
FrankBarryandJohnDelaneywere“prominent“youngbeauxofthesameside，andbosomfriends，whomyouexpectedtoturnuponeachothereverytimethecurtainwentup。Onewhopayshismoneyfororchestraseatsandfictionexpectsthis。Thatisthefirstfunnyideathathasturnedupinthestoryyet。BothhadmadeagreatraceforHelen”shand。WhenFrankwon，Johnshookhishandandcongratulatedhim——honestly，hedid。
AftertheceremonyHelenranupstairstoputonherhat。Shewasgettingmarriedinatravelingdress。SheandFrankweregoingtoOldPointComfortforaweek。Downstairstheusualhordeofgibberingcave-dwellerswerewaitingwiththeirhandsfullofoldCongressgaitersandpaperbagsofhominy。
Thentherewasarattleofthefire-escape，andintoherroomjumpsthemadandinfatuatedJohnDelaney，withadampcurldroopinguponhisforehead，andmadeviolentandreprehensiblelovetohislostone，entreatinghertofleeorflywithhimtotheRiviera，ortheBronx，oranyoldplacewherethereareItalianskiesand_dolcefarniente_。
ItwouldhavecarriedBlaneyoffhisfeettoseeHelenrepulsehim。
Withblazingandscornfuleyesshefairlywitheredhimbydemandingwhateverhemeantbyspeakingtorespectablepeoplethatway。
Inafewmomentsshehadhimgoing。Themanlinessthathadpossessedhimdeparted。Hebowedlow，andsaidsomethingabout“irresistibleimpulse“and“forevercarryinhisheartthememoryof“——andshesuggestedthathecatchthefirstfire-escapegoingdown。
“Iwillaway，“saidJohnDelaney，“tothefurthermostpartsoftheearth。Icannotremainnearyouandknowthatyouareanother”s。I
willtoAfrica，andthereamidotherscenesstrivetofor”
“Forgoodnesssake，getout，“saidHelen。“Somebodymightcomein。”
Hekneltupononeknee，andsheextendedhimonewhitehandthathemightgiveitafarewellkiss。
Girls，wasthischoiceboonofthegreatlittlegodCupidevervouchsafedyou——tohavethefellowyouwanthardandfast，andhavetheoneyoudon”twantcomewithadampcurlonhisforeheadandkneeltoyouandbabbleofAfricaandlovewhich，inspiteofeverything，shallforeverbloom，anamaranth，inhisheart？
Toknowyourpower，andtofeelthesweetsecurityofyourownhappystate；tosendtheunluckyone，broken-hearted，toforeignclimes，whileyoucongratulateyourselfashepresseshislastkissuponyourknuckles，thatyournailsarewellmanicured——say，girls，it”sgalluptious——don”teverletitgetbyyou。
Andthen，ofcourse——howdidyouguessit？——thedooropenedandinstalkedthebridegroom，jealousofslow-tyingbonnetstrings。
ThefarewellkisswasimprinteduponHelen”shand，andoutofthewindowanddownthefire-escapesprangJohnDelaney，Africabound。
Alittleslowmusic，ifyouplease——faintviolin，justabreathintheclarinetandatouchofthe”cello。Imaginethescene。Frank，white-hot，withthecryofamanwoundedtodeathburstingfromhim。Helen，rushingandclingingtohim，tryingtoexplain。Hecatchesherwristsandtearsthemfromhisshoulders——once，twice，thriceheswaysherthiswayandthat——thestagemanagerwillshowyouhow——andthrowsherfromhimtothefloorahuddled，crushed，moaningthing。Never，hecries，willhelookuponherfaceagain，andrushesfromthehousethroughthestaringgroupsofastonishedguests。
And，nowbecauseitistheThinginsteadofthePlay，theaudiencemuststrolloutintothereallobbyoftheworldandmarry，die，growgray，rich，poor，happyorsadduringtheintermissionoftwentyyearswhichmustprecedetherisingofthecurtainagain。
Mrs。Barryinheritedtheshopandthehouse。Atthirty-eightshecouldhavebestedmanyaneighteen-year-oldatabeautyshowonpointsandgeneralresults。Onlyafewpeoplerememberedherweddingcomedy，butshemadeofitnosecret。Shedidnotpackitinlavenderormothballs，nordidshesellittoamagazine。
Onedayamiddle-agedmoney-makinglawyer，whoboughthislegalcapandinkofher，askedheracrossthecountertomarryhim。
“I”mreallymuchobligedtoyou，“saidHelen，cheerfully，“butI
marriedanothermantwentyyearsago。hewasmoreagoosethanaman，butIthinkIlovehimyet。Ihaveneverseenhimsinceabouthalfanhouraftertheceremony。Wasitcopyinginkthatyouwantedorjustwritingfluid？“
Thelawyerbowedoverthecounterwithold-timegraceandleftarespectfulkissonthebackofherhand。Helensighed。Partingsalutes，howeverromantic，maybeoverdone。Hereshewasatthirty-eight，beautifulandadmired；andallthatsheseemedtohavegotfromherloverswereapproachesandadieus。Worsestill，inthelastoneshehadlostacustomer，too。
Businesslanguished，andshehungoutaRoomtoLetcard。Twolargeroomsonthethirdfloorwerepreparedfordesirabletenants。
Roomerscame，andwentregretfully，forthehouseofMrs。Barrywastheabodeofneatness，comfortandtaste。
OnedaycameRamonti，theviolinist，andengagedthefrontroomabove。Thediscordandclatteruptownoffendedhisniceear；soafriendhadsenthimtothisoasisinthedesertofnoise。
Ramonti，withhisstillyouthfulface，hisdarkeyebrows，hisshort，pointed，foreign，brownbeard，hisdistinguishedheadofgrayhair，andhisartist”stemperament——revealedinhislight，gayandsympatheticmanner——wasawelcometenantintheoldhousenearAbingdonSquare。
Helenlivedonthefloorabovethestore。Thearchitectureofitwassingularandquaint。Thehallwaslargeandalmostsquare。Uponesideofit，andthenacrosstheendofitascendedanopenstairwaytothefloorabove。Thishallspaceshehadfurnishedasasittingroomandofficecombined。Thereshekeptherdeskandwroteherbusinessletters；andthereshesatofeveningsbyawarmfireandabrightredlightandsewedorread。Ramontifoundtheatmospheresoagreeablethathespentmuchtimethere，describingtoMrs。BarrythewondersofParis，wherehehadstudiedwithaparticularlynotoriousandnoisyfiddler。
NextcomeslodgerNo。2，ahandsome，melancholymanintheearly40”s，withabrown，mysteriousbeard，andstrangelypleading，hauntingeyes。He，too，foundthesocietyofHelenadesirablething。WiththeeyesofRomeoandOthello”stongue，hecharmedherwithtalesofdistantclimesandwooedherbyrespectfulinnuendo。
FromthefirstHelenfeltamarvelousandcompellingthrillinthepresenceofthisman。Hisvoicesomehowtookherswiftlybacktothedaysofheryouth”sromance。Thisfeelinggrew，andshegavewaytoit，anditledhertoaninstinctivebeliefthathehadbeenafactorinthatromance。Andthenwithawoman”sreasoningoh，yes，theydo，sometimessheleapedovercommonsyllogismandtheory，andlogic，andwassurethatherhusbandhadcomebacktoher。Forshesawinhiseyeslove，whichnowomancanmistake，andathousandtonsofregretandremorse，whicharousedpity，whichisperilouslyneartoloverequited，whichisthe_sinequanon_inthehousethatJackbuilt。
Butshemadenosign。Ahusbandwhostepsaroundthecornerfortwentyyearsandthendropsinagainshouldnotexpecttofindhisslipperslaidouttooconvenientlynearnoramatchreadylightedforhiscigar。Theremustbeexpiation，explanation，andpossiblyexecration。Alittlepurgatory，andthen，maybe，ifhewereproperlyhumble，hemightbetrustedwithaharpandcrown。Andsoshemadenosignthatshekneworsuspected。
Andmyfriend，thereporter，couldseenothingfunnyinthis！Sentoutonanassignmenttowriteuparoaring，hilarious，brilliantjoshingstoryof——butIwillnotknockabrother——letusgoonwiththestory。
OneeveningRamontistoppedinHelen”shall-office-reception-
roomandtoldhislovewiththetendernessandardoroftheenrapturedartist。Hiswordswereabrightflameofthedivinefirethatglowsintheheartofamanwhoisadreameranddoercombined。
“Butbeforeyougivemeananswer，“hewenton，beforeshecouldaccusehimofsuddenness，“Imusttellyouthat”Ramonti”istheonlynameIhavetoofferyou。Mymanagergavemethat。IdonotknowwhoIamorwhereIcamefrom。Myfirstrecollectionisofopeningmyeyesinahospital。Iwasayoungman，andIhadbeenthereforweeks。Mylifebeforethatisablanktome。TheytoldmethatIwasfoundlyinginthestreetwithawoundonmyheadandwasbroughtthereinanambulance。TheythoughtImusthavefallenandstruckmyheaduponthestones。TherewasnothingtoshowwhoIwas。Ihaveneverbeenabletoremember。AfterIwasdischargedfromthehospital，Itookuptheviolin。Ihavehadsuccess。Mrs。Barry——Idonotknowyournameexceptthat——Iloveyou；thefirsttimeIsawyouIrealizedthatyouweretheonewomanintheworldforme——and“——oh，alotofstufflikethat。
Helenfeltyoungagain。Firstawaveofprideandasweetlittlethrillofvanitywentalloverher；andthenshelookedRamontiintheeyes，andatremendousthrobwentthroughherheart。Shehadn”texpectedthatthrob。Ittookherbysurprise。Themusicianhadbecomeabigfactorinherlife，andshehadn”tbeenawareofit。
“Mr。Ramonti，“shesaidsorrowfullythiswasnotonthestage，remember；itwasintheoldhomenearAbingdonSquare，“I”mawfullysorry，butI”mamarriedwoman。”
Andthenshetoldhimthesadstoryofherlife，asaheroinemustdo，soonerorlater，eithertoatheatricalmanagerortoareporter。
Ramontitookherhand，bowedlowandkissedit，andwentuptohisroom。
Helensatdownandlookedmournfullyatherhand。Wellshemight。Threesuitorshadkissedit，mountedtheirredroansteedsandriddenaway。
Inanhourenteredthemysteriousstrangerwiththehauntingeyes。
Helenwasinthewillowrocker，knittingauselessthingincotton-
wool。Hericochetedfromthestairsandstoppedforachat。
Sittingacrossthetablefromher，healsopouredouthisnarrativeoflove。Andthenhesaid：“Helen，doyounotrememberme？I
thinkIhaveseenitinyoureyes。Canyouforgivethepastandrememberthelovethathaslastedfortwentyyears？Iwrongedyoudeeply——Iwasafraidtocomebacktoyou——butmyloveoverpoweredmyreason。Canyou，willyou，forgiveme？“
Helenstoodup。Themysteriousstrangerheldoneofherhandsinastrongandtremblingclasp。
Thereshestood，andIpitythestagethatithasnotacquiredascenelikethatandheremotionstoportray。
Forshestoodwithadividedheart。Thefresh，unforgettable，virginalloveforherbridegroomwashers；thetreasured，sacred，honoredmemoryofherfirstchoicefilledhalfhersoul。Sheleanedtothatpurefeeling。Honorandfaithandsweet，abidingromanceboundhertoit。Buttheotherhalfofherheartandsoulwasfilledwithsomethingelse——alater，fuller，nearerinfluence。Andsotheoldfoughtagainstthenew。
Andwhileshehesitated，fromtheroomabovecamethesoft，racking，petitionarymusicofaviolin。Thehag，music，bewitchessomeofthenoblest。Thedawsmaypeckuponone”ssleevewithoutinjury，butwhoeverwearshisheartuponhistympanumgetsitnotfarfromtheneck。
Thismusicandthemusiciancallerher，andathersidehonorandtheoldloveheldherback。
“Forgiveme，“hepleaded。
“Twentyyearsisalongtimetoremainawayfromtheoneyousayyoulove，“shedeclared，withapurgatorialtouch。
“HowcouldItell？“hebegged。“Iwillconcealnothingfromyou。
ThatnightwhenheleftIfollowedhim。Iwasmadwithjealousy。
OnadarkstreetIstruckhimdown。hedidnotrise。Iexaminedhim。Hisheadhadstruckastone。Ididnotintendtokillhim。
Iwasmadwithloveandjealousy。Ihidnearbyandsawanambulancetakehimaway。Althoughyoumarriedhim，Helen”
“_Whoareyou？_“criedthewoman，withwide-openeyes，snatchingherhandaway。
“Don”tyourememberme，Helen——theonewhohasalwayslovedyoubest？IamJohnDelaney。Ifyoucanforgive”
Butshewasgone，leaping，stumbling，hurrying，flyingupthestairstowardthemusicandhimwhohadforgotten，butwhohadknownherforhisineachofhistwoexistences，andassheclimbedupshesobbed，criedandsang：“Frank！Frank！Frank！“
Threemortalsthusjugglingwithyearsasthoughtheywerebilliardballs，andmyfriend，thereporter，couldn”tseeanythingfunnyinit！
XII
ARAMBLEINAPHASIA
MywifeandIpartedonthatmorninginpreciselyourusualmanner。Shelefthersecondcupofteatofollowmetothefrontdoor。Thereshepluckedfrommylapeltheinvisiblestrandoflinttheuniversalactofwomantoproclaimownershipandbademetotakecareofmycold。Ihadnocold。Nextcameherkissofparting——theleverkissofdomesticityflavoredwithYoungHyson。
Therewasnofearoftheextemporaneous，ofvarietyspicingherinfinitecustom。Withthedefttouchoflongmalpractice，shedabbedawrymywell-setscarfpin；andthen，asIclosedthedoor，I
heardhermorningslipperspatteringbacktohercoolingtea。
WhenIsetoutIhadnothoughtorpremonitionofwhatwastooccur。Theattackcamesuddenly。
FormanyweeksIhadbeentoiling，almostnightandday，atafamousrailroadlawcasethatIwontriumphantlybutafewdayspreviously。Infact，Ihadbeendiggingawayatthelawalmostwithoutcessationformanyyears。OnceortwicegoodDoctorVolney，myfriendandphysician，hadwarnedme。
“Ifyoudon”tslackenup，Belford，“hesaid，“you”llgosuddenlytopieces。Eitheryournervesoryourbrainwillgiveway。Tellme，doesaweekpassinwhichyoudonotreadinthepapersofacaseofaphasia——ofsomemanlost，wanderingnameless，withhispastandhisidentityblottedout——andallfromthatlittlebrainclotmadebyoverworkorworry？“
“Ialwaysthought，“saidI，“thattheclotinthoseinstanceswasreallytobefoundonthebrainsofthenewspaperreporters。”
DoctorVolneyshookhishead。
“Thediseaseexists，“hesaid。“Youneedachangeorarest。
Court-room，officeandhome——thereistheonlyrouteyoutravel。
Forrecreationyou——readlawbooks。Bettertakewarningintime。”
“OnThursdaynights，“Isaid，defensively，“mywifeandIplaycribbage。OnSundaysshereadstometheweeklyletterfromhermother。Thatlawbooksarenotarecreationremainsyettobeestablished。”
ThatmorningasIwalkedIwasthinkingofDoctorVolney”swords。
IwasfeelingaswellasIusuallydid——possiblyinbetterspiritsthanusual。
Iwokewithstiffandcrampedmusclesfromhavingsleptlongontheincommodiousseatofadaycoach。Ileanedmyheadagainsttheseatandtriedtothink。AfteralongtimeIsaidtomyself：
“Imusthaveanameofsomesort。”Isearchedmypockets。Notacard；notaletter；notapaperormonogramcouldIfind。
ButIfoundinmycoatpocketnearly$3，000inbillsoflargedenomination。“Imustbesomeone，ofcourse，“Irepeatedtomyself，andbeganagaintoconsider。
Thecarwaswellcrowdedwithmen，amongwhom，Itoldmyself，theremusthavebeensomecommoninterest，fortheyintermingledfreely，andseemedinthebestgoodhumorandspirits。Oneofthem——astout，spectacledgentlemanenvelopedinadecidedodorofcinnamonandaloes——tookthevacanthalfofmyseatwithafriendlynod，andunfoldedanewspaper。Intheintervalsbetweenhisperiodsofreading，weconversed，astravelerswill，oncurrentaffairs。Ifoundmyselfabletosustaintheconversationonsuchsubjectswithcredit，atleasttomymemory。Byandbymycompanionsaid：
“Youareoneofus，ofcourse。FinelotofmentheWestsendsinthistime。I”mgladtheyheldtheconventioninNewYork；I”veneverbeenEastbefore。Myname”sR。P。Bolder——Bolder&Son，ofHickoryGrove，Missouri。”
Thoughunprepared，Irosetotheemergency，asmenwillwhenputtoit。NowmustIholdachristening，andbeatoncebabe，parsonandparent。Mysensescametotherescueofmyslowerbrain。
Theinsistentodorofdrugsfrommycompainionsuppliedoneidea；aglanceathisnewspaper，wheremyeyemetaconspicuousadvertisement，assistedmefurther。
“Myname，“saidI，glibly，“isEdwardPinkhammer。Iamadruggist，andmyhomeisinCornopolis，Kansas。”
“Iknewyouwereadruggist，“saidmyfellowtraveler，affably。“I
sawthecallousspotonyourrightforefingerwherethehandleofthepestlerubs。Ofcourse，youareadelegatetoourNationalConvention。”
“Areallthesemendruggists？“Iasked，wonderingly。
“Theyare。ThiscarcamethroughfromtheWest。Andthey”reyourold-timedruggists，too——noneofyourpatenttablet-and-
granulepharmashootiststhatuseslotmachinesinsteadofaprescriptiondesk。Wepercolateourownparegoricandrollourownpills，andweain”tabovehandlingafewgardenseedsinthespring，andcarryingasidelineofconfectioneryandshoes。ItellyouHampinker，I”vegotanideatospringonthisconvention——newideasiswhattheywant。Now，youknowtheshelfbottlesoftartaremeticandRochellesaltAnt。etPot。Tart。andSod。etPot。Tart——
one”spoison，youknow，andtheother”sharmless。It”seasytomistakeonelabelfortheother。Wheredodruggistsmostlykeep”em？Why，asfarapartaspossible，ondifferentshelves。That”swrong。Isaykeep”emsidebyside，sowhenyouwantoneyoucanalwayscompareitwiththeotherandavoidmistakes。Doyoucatchtheidea？“
“Itseemstomeaverygoodone，“Isaid。
“Allright！WhenIspringitontheconventionyoubackitup。
We”llmakesomeoftheseEasternorange-phosphate-and-massage-
creamprofessorsthatthinkthey”retheonlylozengesinthemarketlooklikehypodermictablets。”
“IfIcanbeofanyaid，“Isaid，warming，“thetwobottlesof——er”
“Tartrateofantimonyandpotash，andtartrateofsodaandpotash。”
“Shallhenceforthsitsidebyside，“Iconcluded，firmly。
“Now，there”sanotherthing，“saidMr。Bolder。“Foranexcipientinmanipulatingapillmasswhichdoyouprefer——themagnesiacarbonateorthepulverisedglycerrhizaradix？“
“The——er——magnesia，“Isaid。Itwaseasiertosaythantheotherword。
Mr。Bolderglancedatmedistrustfullythroughhisspectacles。
“Givemetheglycerrhiza，“saidhe。“Magnesiacakes。”
“Here”sanotheroneofthesefakeaphasiacases，“hesaid，presently，handingmehisnewspaper，andlayinghisfingeruponanarticle。“Idon”tbelievein”em。Iputnineoutoftenof”emdownasfrauds。Amangetssickofhisbusinessandhisfolksandwantstohaveagoodtime。Heskipsoutsomewhere，andwhentheyfindhimhepretendstohavelosthismemory——don”tknowhisownname，andwon”tevenrecognizethestrawberrymarkonhiswife”sleftshoulder。Aphasia！Tut！Whycan”ttheystayathomeandforget？“
Itookthepaperandread，afterthepungentheadlines，thefollowing：
“DENVER，June12——ElwynC。Belford，aprominentlawyer，ismysteriouslymissingfromhishomesincethreedaysago，andalleffortstolocatehimhavebeeninvain。Mr。Bellfordisawell-
knowncitizenofthehigheststanding，andhasenjoyedalargeandlucrativelawpractice。HeismarriedandownsafinehomeandthemostextensiveprivatelibraryintheState。Onthedayofhisdisappearance，hedrewquitealargesumofmoneyfromhisbank。
Noonecanbefoundwhosawhimafterheleftthebank。Mr。Bellfordwasamanofsingularlyquietanddomestictastes，andseemedtofindhishappinessinhishomeandprofession。Ifanyclueatallexiststohisstrangedisappearance，itmybefoundinthefactthatforsomemonthshehasbeendeeplyabsorbedinanimportantlawcaseinconnectionwiththeQ。Y。andZ。RailroadCompany。Itisfearedthatoverworkmayhaveaffectedhismind。Everyeffortisbeingmadetodiscoverthewhereaboutsofthemissingman。”
“Itseemstomeyouarenotaltogetheruncynical，Mr。Bolder，“
Isaid，afterIhadreadthedespatch。“Thishasthesound，tome，ofagenuinecase。Whyshouldthisman，prosperous，happilymarried，andrespected，choosesuddenlytoabandoneverything？
Iknowthattheselapsesofmemorydooccur，andthatmendofindthemselvesadriftwithoutaname，ahistoryorahome。”
“Oh，gammonandjalap！“saidMr。Bolder。“It”slarksthey”reafter。
There”stoomucheducationnowadays。Menknowaboutaphasia，andtheyuseitforanexcuse。Thewomenarewise，too。Whenit”sallovertheylookyouintheeye，asscientificasyouplease，andsay：”Hehypnotizedme。”“
ThusMr。Bolderdiverted，butdidnotaid，mewithhiscommentsandphilosophy。
WearrivedinNewYorkabouttenatnight。Irodeinacabtoahotel，andIwrotemyname“EdwardPinkhammer“intheregister。
AsIdidsoIfeltpervademeasplendid，wild，intoxicatingbuoyancy——asenseofunlimitedfreedom，ofnewlyattainedpossibilities。Iwasjustbornintotheworld。Theoldfetters——
whatevertheyhadbeen——werestrickenfrommyhandsandfeet。
Thefuturelaybeforemeaclearroadsuchasaninfantenters，andIcouldsetoutuponitequippedwithaman”slearningandexperience。
Ithoughtthehotelclerklookedatmefivesecondstoolong。Ihadnobaggage。
“TheDruggists”Convention，“Isaid。“Mytrunkhassomehowfailedtoarrive。”Idrewoutarollofmoney。
“Ah！“saidhe，showinganauriferoustooth，“wehavequiteanumberoftheWesterndelegatesstoppinghere。”Hestruckabellfortheboy。
Iendeavoredtogivecolortomyr^ole。
“ThereisanimportantmovementonfootamongusWesterners，“I
said，“inregardtoarecommendationtotheconventionthatthebottlescontainingthetartrateofantimoneyandpotash，andthetartrateofsodiumandpotashbekeptinacontiguouspositionontheshelf。”
“Gentlemantothree-fourteen，“saidtheclerk，hastily。Iwaswhiskedawaytomyroom。
ThenextdayIboughtatrunkandclothing，andbegantolivethelifeofEdwardPinkhammer。Ididnottaxmybrainwithendeavorstosolveproblemsofthepast。
Itwasapiquantandsparklingcupthatthegreatislandcityhelduptomylips。Idrankofitgratefully。ThekeysofManhattanbelongtohimwhoisabletobearthem。Youmustbeeitherthecity”sguestoritsvictim。
Thefollowingfewdayswereasgoldandsilver。EdwardPinkhammer，yetcountingbacktohisbirthbyhoursonly，knewtherarejoyofhavingcomeuponsodivertingaworldfull-fledgedandunrestrained。Isatentrancedonthemagiccarpetsprovidedintheatresandroof-gardens，thattransportedoneintostrangeanddelightfullandsfulloffrolicsomemusic，prettygirlsandgrotesquedrollyextravagantparodiesuponhumankind。Iwenthereandthereatmyowndearwill，boundbynolimitsofspace，timeorcomportment。Idinedinweirdcabarets，atweirder_tablesd”h^ote_tothesoundofHungarianmusicandthewildshoutsofmercurialartistsandsculptors。Or，again，wherethenightlifequiversintheelectricglarelikeakinetoscopicpicture，andthemillineryoftheworld，anditsjewels，andtheoneswhomtheyadorn，andthemenwhomakeallthreepossiblearemetforgoodcheerandthespectaculareffect。AndamongallthesescenesthatI
havementionedIlearnedonethingthatIneverknewbefore。AndthatisthatthekeytolibertyisnotinthehandsofLicense，butConventionholdsit。Comityhasatoll-gateatwhichyoumustpay，oryoumaynotenterthelandofFreedom。Inalltheglitter，theseemingdisorder，theparade，theabandon，Isawthislaw，unobtrusive，yetlikeiron，prevail。Therefore，inManhattanyoumustobeytheseunwrittenlaws，andthenyouwillbefreestofthefree。Ifyoudeclinetobeboundbythem，youputonshackles。
Sometimes，asmymoodurgedme，Iwouldseekthestately，softlymurmuringpalmrooms，redolentwithhigh-bornlifeanddelicaterestraint，inwhichtodine。AgainIwouldgodowntothewaterwaysinsteamerspackedwithvociferous，bedecked，uncheckedlove-makingclerksandshop-girlstotheircrudepleasuresontheislandshores。AndtherewasalwaysBroadway——
glistening，opulent，wily，varying，desirableBroadway——growingupononelikeanopiumhabit。
OneafternoonasIenteredmyhotelastoutmanwithabignoseandablackmustacheblockedmywayinthecorridor。WhenI
wouldhavepassedaroundhim，hegreetmewithoffensivefamiliarity。
“Hello，Bellford！“hecried，loudly。“WhatthedeuceareyoudoinginNewYork？Didn”tknowanythingcoulddragyouawayfromthatoldbookdenofyours。IsMrs。B。alongoristhisalittlebusinessrunalone，eh？“
“Youhavemadeamistake，sir，“Isaid，coldly，releasingmyhandfromhisgrasp。“MynameisPinkhammer。Youwillexcuseme。”
Themandroppedtooneside，apparentlyastonished。AsIwalkedtotheclerk”sdeskIheardhimcalltoabellboyandsaysomethingabouttelegraphblanks。
“Youwillgivememybill，“Isaidtotheclerk，“andhavemybaggagebroughtdowninhalfanhour。IdonotcaretoremainwhereIamannoyedbyconfidencemen。”
Imovedthatafternoontoanotherhotel，asedate，old-fashionedoneonlowerFifthAvenue。
TherewasarestaurantalittlewayoffBroadwaywhereonecouldbeservedalmost_alfresco_inatropicarrayofscreeningflora。
Quietandluxuryandaperfectservicemadeitanidealplaceinwhichtotakeluncheonorrefreshment。OneafternoonIwastherepickingmywaytoatableamongthefernswhenIfeltmysleevecaught。
“Mr。Bellford！“exclaimedanamazinglysweetvoice。
Iturnedquicklytoseealadyseatedalone——aladyofaboutthirty，withexceedinglyhandsomeeyes，wholookedatmeasthoughI
hadbeenherverydearfriend。
“Youwereabouttopassme，“shesaid，accusingly。“Don”ttellmeyoudonotknowme。Whyshouldwenotshakehands——atleastonceinfifteenyears？“
Ishookhandswithheratonce。Itookachairoppositeheratthetable。Isummonedwithmyeyebrowsahoveringwaiter。Theladywasphilanderingwithanorangeice。Iordereda_cr`emedementhe_。Herhairwasreddishbronze。Youcouldnotlookatit，becauseyoucouldnotlookawayfromhereyes。Butyouwereconsciousofitasyouareconsciousofsunsetwhileyoulookintotheprofunditiesofawoodattwilight。
“Areyousureyouknowme？“Iasked。
“No，“shesaid，smiling。“Iwasneversureofthat。”
“Whatwouldyouthink，“Isaid，alittleanxiously，“ifIweretotellyouthatmynameisEdwardPinkhammer，fromCornopolis，Kansas？“
“WhatwouldIthink？“sherepeated，withamerryglance。“Why，thatyouhadnotbroughtMrs。BellfordtoNewYorkwithyou，ofcourse。Idowishyouhad。IwouldhavelikedtoseeMarian。”
Hervoiceloweredslightly”Youhaven”tchangedmuch，Elwyn。”
Ifeltherwonderfuleyessearchingmineandmyfacemoreclosely。
“Yes，youhave，“sheamended，andtherewasasoft，exultantnoteinherlatesttones；“Iseeitnow。Youhaven”tforgotten。Youhaven”tforgottenforayearoradayoranhour。Itoldyouyounevercould。”
Ipokedmystrawanxiouslyinthe_cr`emedementhe_。
“I”msureIbegyourpardon，“Isaid，alittleuneasyathergaze。
“Butthatisjustthetrouble。Ihaveforgotten。I”veforgotteneverything。”
Shefloutedmydenial。Shelaugheddeliciouslyatsomethingsheseemedtoseeinmyface。
“I”veheardofyouattimes，“shewenton。“You”requiteabiglawyeroutWest——Denver，isn”tit，orLosAngeles？Marianmustbeveryproudofyou。Youknew，Isuppose，thatImarriedsixmonthsafteryoudid。Youmayhaveseenitinthepapers。Theflowersalonecosttwothousanddollars。”
Shehadmentionedfifteenyears。Fifteenyearsisalongtime。
“Woulditbetoolate，“Iasked，somewhattimorously，“toofferyoucongratulations？“
“Notifyoudaredoit，“sheanswered，withsuchfineintrepiditythatIwassilent，andbegantocreasepatternsontheclothwithmythumbnail。
“Tellmeonething，“shesaid，leaningtowardmerathereagerly——
“athingIhavewantedtoknowformanyyears——justfromawoman”scuriosity，ofcourse——haveyoueverdaredsincethatnighttotouch，smellorlookatwhiteroses——atwhiteroseswetwithrainanddew？“
Itookasipof_cr`emedementhe_。
“Itwouldbeuseless，Isuppose，“Isaid，withasigh，“formetorepeatthatIhavenorecollectionatallaboutthesethings。Mymemoryiscompletelyatfault。IneednotsayhowmuchIregretit。”
Theladyrestedherarmsuponthetable，andagainhereyesdisdainedmywordsandwenttravelingbytheirownroutedirecttomysoul。Shelaughedsoftly，withastrangequalityinthesound——itwasalaughofhappiness——yes，andofcontent——andofmisery。Itriedtolookawayfromher。
“Youlie，ElwynBellford，“shebreathed，blissfully。“Oh，Iknowyoulie！“
Igazeddullyintotheferns。
“MynameisEdwardPinkhammer，“Isaid。“IcamewiththedelegatestotheDruggists”NationalConvention。Thereisamovementonfootforarranginganewpositionforthebottlesoftartrateofantimonyandtartrateofpotash，inwhich，verylikely，youwouldtakelittleinterest。”
Ashininglandaustoppedbeforetheentrance。Theladyrose。I
tookherhand，andbowed。
“Iamdeeplysorry，“Isaidtoher，“thatIcannotremember。Icouldexplain，butfearyouwouldnotunderstand。YouwillnotconcedePinkhammer；andIreallycannotatallconceiveofthe——therosesandotherthings。”
“Good-by，Mr。Bellford，“shesaid，withherhappy，sorrowfulsmile，asshesteppedintohercarriage。
Iattendedthetheatrethatnight。WhenIreturnedtomyhotel，aquietmanindarkclothes，whoseemedinterestedinrubbinghisfingernailswithasilkhandkerchief，appeared，magically，atmyside。
“Mr。Pinkhammer，“hesaid，givingthebulkofhisattentiontohisforefinger，“mayIrequestyoutostepasidewithmeforalittleconversation？Thereisaroomhere。”
“Certainly，“Ianswered。
Heconductedmeintoasmall，privateparlor。Aladyandagentlemanwerethere。Thelady，Isurmised，wouldhavebeenunusuallygood-lookinghadherfeaturesnotbeencloudedbyanexpressionofkeenworryandfatigue。Shewasofastyleoffigureandpossessedcoloringandfeaturesthatwereagreeabletomyfancy。Shewasinatravelingdress；shefixeduponmeanearnestlookofextremeanxiety，andpressedanunsteadyhandtoherbosom。Ithinkshewouldhavestartedforward，butthegentlemanarrestedhermovementwithanauthoritativemotionofhishand。
Hethencame，himself，tomeetme。Hewasamanofforty，alittlegrayaboutthetemples，andwithastrong，thoughtfulface。
“Bellford，oldman，“hesaid，cordially，“I”mgladtoseeyouagain。
Ofcourseweknoweverythingisallright。Iwarnedyou，youknow，thatyouwereoverdoingit。Now，you”llgobackwithus，andbeyourselfagaininnotime。”
Ismiledironically。
“Ihavaebeen”Bellforded”sooften，“Isaid，“thatithaslostitsedge。Still，intheend，itmaygrowwearisome。WouldyoubewillingatalltoentertainthehypothesisthatmynameisEdwardPinkhammer，andthatIneversawyoubeforeinmylife？“
Beforethemancouldreplyawailingcrycamefromthewoman。
Shesprangpasthisdetainingarm。“Elwyn！“shesobbed，andcastherselfuponme，andclungtight。“Elwyn，“shecriedagain，“don”tbreakmyheart。Iamyourwife——callmynameonce——justonce。I
couldseeyoudeadratherthanthisway。”
Iunwoundherarmsrespectfully，butfirmly。
“Madam，“Isaid，severely，“pardonmeifIsuggestthatyouacceptaresemblancetooprecipitately。Itisapity，“Iwenton，withanamusedlaugh，asthethoughtoccurredtome，“thatthisBellfordandIcouldnotbekeptsidebysideuponthesameshelfliketartratesofsodiumandantimonyforpurposesofidentification。
Inordertounderstandtheallusion，“Iconcludedairily，“itmaybenecessaryforyoutokeepaneyeontheproceedingsoftheDruggists”NationalConvention。”
Theladyturnedtohercompanion，andgraspedhisarm。
“Whatisit，DoctorVolney？Oh，whatisit？“shemoaned。
“Gotoyourroomforawhile，“Iheardhimsay。“Iwillremainandtalkwithhim。Hismind？No，Ithinknot——onlyaportionofthebrain。Yes，Iamsurehewillrecover。Gotoyourroomandleavemewithhim。”
Theladydisappeared。Themanindarkclothesalsowentoutside，stillmanicuringhimselfinathoughtfulway。Ithinkhewaitedinthehall。
“Iwouldliketotalkwithyouawhile，Mr。Pinkhammer，ifImay，“
saidthegentlemanwhoremained。
“Verywell，ifyoucareto，“Ireplied，“andwillexcusemeifItakeitcomfortably；Iamrathertired。”Istretchedmyselfuponacouchbyawindowandlitacigar。Hedrewachairnearby。
“Letusspeaktothepoint，“hesaid，soothingly。“YournameisnotPinkhammer。”
“Iknowthataswellasyoudo，“Isaid，coolly。“Butamanmusthaveanameofsomesort。IcanassureyouthatIdonotextravagantlyadmirethenameofPinkhammer。Butwhenonechristensone”sselfsuddenly，thefinenamesdonotseemtosuggestthemselves。But，supposeithadbeenScheringhausenorScroggins！IthinkIdidverywellwithPinkhammer。”
“Yourname，“saidtheotherman，seriously，“isElwynC。Bellford。
YouareoneofthefirstlawyersinDenver。Youaresufferingfromanattackofaphasia，whichhascausedyoutoforgetyouridentity。
Thecauseofitwasover-applicationtoyourprofession，and，perhaps，alifetoobareofnaturalrecreationandpleasures。Theladywhohasjustlefttheroomisyourwife。”
“SheiswhatIwouldcallafine-lookingwoman，“Isaid，afterajudicialpause。“Iparticularlyadmiretheshadeofbrowninherhair。”
“Sheisawifetobeproudof。Sinceyourdisappearance，nearlytwoweeksago，shehasscarcelyclosedhereyes。WelearnedthatyouwereinNewYorkthroughatelegramsentbyIsidoreNewman，atravelingmanfromDenver。Hesaidthathehadmetyouinahotelhere，andthatyoudidnotrecognizehim。”
“IthinkIremembertheoccasion，“Isaid。“Thefellowcalledme”Bellford”ifIamnotmistaken。Butdon”tyouthinkitabouttime，now，foryoutointroduceyourself？“
“IamRobertVolney——DoctorVolney。Ihavebeenyourclosefriendfortwentyyears，andyourphysicianforfifteen。IcamewithMrs。Bellfordtotraceyouassoonaswegotthetelegram。Try，Elwyn，oldman——trytoremember！“
“What”stheusetotry？“Iasked，withalittlefrown。“Yousayyouareaphysician。Isaphasiacurable？Whenamanloseshismemorydoesitreturnslowly，orsuddenly？“
“Sometimesgraduallyandimperfectly；sometimesassuddenlyasitwent。”
“Willyouundertakethetreatmentofmycase，DoctorVolney？“I
asked。
“Oldfriend，“saidhe，“I”lldoeverythinginmypower，andwilhavedoneeverythingthatsciencecandotocureyou。”
“Verywell，“saidI。“ThenyouwillconsiderthatIamyourpatient。
Everythingisinconfidencenow——professionalconfidence。”
“Ofcourse，“saidDoctorVolney。
Igotupfromthecouch。Someonehadsetavaseofwhiterosesonthecentretable——aclusterofwhiteroses，freshlysprinkledandfragrant。Ithrewthemfaroutofthewindow，andthenlaidmyselfuponthecouchagain。
“Itwillbebest，Bobby，“Isaid，“tohavethiscurehappensuddenly。
I”mrathertiredofitall，anyway。YoumaygonowandbringMarianin。But，oh，Doc，“Isaid，withasigh，asIkickedhimontheshin”goodoldDoc——itwasglorious！“
XIII
AMUNICIPALREPORT
Thecitiesarefullofpride，Challengingeachtoeach——
Thisfromhermountainside，Thatfromherburthenedbeach。
R。KIPLING。
FancyanovelaboutChicagoorBuffalo，letussay，orNashville，Tennessee！TherearejustthreebigcitiesintheUnitedStatesthatare“storycities“——NewYork，ofcourse，NewOrleans，and，bestofthelot，SanFrancisco——FRANKNORRIS。
EastisEast，andWestisSanFrancisco，accordingtoCalifornians。
Californiansarearaceofpeople；theyarenotmerelyinhabitantsofaState。TheyaretheSouthernersoftheWest。Now，Chicagoansarenolessloyaltotheircity；butwhenyouaskthemwhy，theystammerandspeakoflakefishandthenewOddFellowsBuilding。
ButCaliforniansgointodetail。
Ofcoursetheyhave，intheclimate，anargumentthatisgoodforhalfanhourwhileyouarethinkingofyourcoalbillsandheavyunderwear。Butassoonastheycometomistakeyoursilenceforconviction，madnesscomesuponthem，andtheypicturethecityoftheGoldenGateastheBagdadoftheNewWorld。Sofar，asamatterofopinion，norefutationisnecessary。But，dearcousinsallfromAdamandEvedescended，itisarashonewhowilllayhisfingeronthemapandsay：“Inthistowntherecanbenoromance——whatcouldhappenhere？“Yes，itisaboldandarashdeedtochallengeinonesentencehistory，romance，andRandandMcNally。
NASHVILLE——Acity，portofdelivery，andthecapitaloftheStateofTennessee，isontheCumberlandRiverandontheN。C。&St。L。andtheL。&N。railroads。ThiscityisregardedasthemostimportanteducationalcentreintheSouth。
Isteppedoffthetrainat8P。M。Havingsearchedthethesaurusinvainforadjectives，Imust，asasubstitution，hiemetocomparisonintheformofarecipe。
TakeaLondonfog30parts；malaria10parts；gasleaks20parts；
dewdropsgatheredinabrickyardatsunrise，25parts；odorofhoneysuckle15parts。Mix。
ThemixturewillgiveyouanapproximateconceptionofaNashvilledrizzle。Itisnotsofragrantasamoth-ballnorasthickaspea-soup；but”tisenough——”twillserve。
Iwenttoahotelinatumbril。Itrequiredstrongself-suppressionformetokeepfromclimbingtothetopofitandgivinganimitationofSidneyCarton。Thevehiclewasdrawnbybeastsofabygoneeraanddrivenbysomethingdarkandemancipated。
Iwassleepyandtired，sowhenIgottothehotelIhurriedlypaiditthefiftycentsitdemandedwithapproximatelagniappe，Iassureyou。Iknewitshabits；andIdidnotwanttohearitprateaboutitsold“marster“oranythingthathappened“befo”dewah。”
Thehotelwasoneofthekinddescribedas”renovated。”Thatmeans$20，000worthofnewmarblepillars，tiling，electriclightsandbrasscuspidorsinthelobby，andanewL。&N。timetableandalithographofLookoutMountainineachoneofthegreatroomsabove。Themanagementwaswithoutreproach，theattentionfullofexquisiteSoutherncourtesy，theserviceasslowastheprogressofasnailandasgood-humoredasRipVanWinkle。Thefoodwasworthtravelingathousandmilesfor。Thereisnootherhotelintheworldwhereyoucangetsuchchickenlivers_enbrochette_。
AtdinnerIaskedaNegrowaiteriftherewasanythingdoingintown。Heponderedgravelyforaminute，andthenreplied：“Well，boss，Idon”treallyreckonthere”sanythingatalldoin”aftersundown。”
Sundownhadbeenaccomplished；ithadbeendrownedinthedrizzlelongbefore。Sothatspectaclewasdeniedme。ButIwentforthuponthestreetsinthedrizzletoseewhatmightbethere。
Itisbuiltonundulatinggrounds；andthestreetsarelightedbyelectricityatacostof$32，470perannum。
AsIleftthehoteltherewasaraceriot。Downuponmechargedacompanyoffreedmen，orArabs，orZulus，armedwith——no，Isawwithreliefthattheywerenotrifles，butwhips。AndIsawdimlyacaravanofblack，clumsyvehicles；andatthereassuringshouts，“Kyaryouanywhereinthetown，boss，fuhfiftycents，“IreasonedthatIwasmerelya“fare“insteadofavictim。
Iwalkedthroughlongstreets，allleadinguphill。Iwonderedhowthosestreetsevercamedownagain。Perhapstheydidn”tuntiltheywere“graded。”Onafewofthe“mainstreets“Isawlightsinstoreshereandthere；sawstreetcarsgobyconveyingworthyburghershitherandyon；sawpeoplepassengagedintheartofconversation，andheardaburstofsemi-livelylaughterissuingfromasoda-waterandice-creamparlor。Thestreetsotherthan“main“seemedtohaveenticedupontheirbordershousesconsecratedtopeaceanddomesticity。Inmanyofthemlightsshonebehinddiscreetlydrawnwindowshades；inafewpianostinkledorderlyandirreproachablemusic。Therewas，indeed，little“doing。”
IwishedIhadcomebeforesundown。SoIreturnedtomyhotel。
InNovember，1864，theConfederateGeneralHoodadvancedagainstNashville，whereheshutupaNationalforceunderGeneralThomas。
ThelatterthensalliedforthanddefeatedtheConfederatesinaterribleconflict。
AllmylifeIhaveheardof，admired，andwitnessedthefinemarksmanshipoftheSouthinitspeacefulconflictsinthetobacco-
chewingregions。Butinmyhotelasurpriseawaitedme。Thereweretwelvebright，new，imposing，capaciousbrasscuspidorsinthegreatlobby，tallenoughtobecalledurnsandsowide-mouthedthatthecrackpitcherofaladybaseballteamshouldhavebeenabletothrowaballintooneofthematfivepacesdistant。But，althoughaterriblebattlehadragedandwasstillraging，theenemyhadnotsuffered。Bright，new，imposing，capacious，untouched，theystood。But，shadesofJeffersonBrick！thetilefloor——thebeautifultilefloor！IcouldnotavoidthinkingofthebattleofNashville，andtryingtodraw，asismyfoolishhabit，somedeductionsabouthereditarymarksmanship。
HereIfirstsawMajorbymisplacedcourtesyWentworthCaswell。Iknewhimforatypethemomentmyeyessufferedfromthesightofhim。Arathasnogeographicalhabitat。Myoldfriend，A。Tennyson，said，ashesowellsaidalmosteverything：
Prophet，cursemetheblabbinglip，AndcursemetheBritishvermin，therat。
Letusregardtheword“British“asinterchangeable_adlib_。Aratisarat。
Thismanwashuntingaboutthehotellobbylikeastarveddogthathadforgottenwherehehadburiedabone。Hehadafaceofgreatacreage，red，pulpy，andwithakindofsleepymassivenesslikethatofBuddha。Hepossessedonesinglevirtue——hewasverysmoothlyshaven。Themarkofthebeastisnotindelibleuponamanuntilhegoesaboutwithastubble。IthinkthatifhehadnotusedhisrazorthatdayIwouldhaverepulsedhisadvances，andthecriminalcalendaroftheworldwouldhavebeensparedtheadditionofonemurder。
IhappenedtobestandingwithinfivefeetofacuspidorwhenMajorCaswellopenedfireuponit。IhadbeenobservantenoughtopercievethattheattackingforcewasusingGatlingsinsteadofsquirrelrifles；soIside-steppedsopromptlythatthemajorseizedtheopportunitytoapologizetoanoncombatant。Hehadtheblabbinglip。Infourminuteshehadbecomemyfriendandhaddraggedmetothebar。
IdesiretointerpolateherethatIamaSoutherner。ButIamnotonebyprofessionortrade。Ieschewthestringtie，theslouchhat，thePrinceAlbert，thenumberofbalesofcottondestroyedbySherman，andplugchewing。WhentheorchestraplaysDixieIdonotcheer。Islidealittlelowerontheleather-corneredseatand，well，orderanotherW“urzburgerandwishthatLongstreethad——butwhat”stheuse？
MajorCaswellbangedthebarwithhisfist，andthefirstgunatFortSumterre-echoed。WhenhefiredthelastoneatAppomattoxIbegantohope。Butthenhebeganonfamilytrees，anddemonstratedthatAdamwasonlyathirdcousinofacollateralbranchoftheCaswellfamily。Genealogydisposedof，hetookup，tomydistaste，hisprivatefamilymatters。Hespokeofhiswife，tracedherdescentbacktoEve，andprofanelydeniedanypossiblerumorthatshemayhavehadrelationsinthelandofNod。
BythistimeIwasbeginningtosuspectthathewastryingtoobscurebynoisethefactthathehadorderedthedrinks，onthechancethatIwouldbebewilderedintopayingforthem。Butwhentheyweredownhecrashedasilverdollarloudlyuponthebar。
Then，ofcourse，anotherservingwasobligatory。AndwhenIhadpaidforthatItookleaveofhimbrusquely；forIwantednomoreofhim。ButbeforeIhadobtainedmyreleasehehadpratedloudlyofanincomethathiswifereceived，andshowedahandfulofsilvermoney。
WhenIgotmykeyatthedesktheclerksaidtomecourteously：
“IfthatmanCaswellhasannoyedyou，andifyouwouldliketomakeacomplaint，wewillhavehimejected。Heisanuisance，aloafer，andwithoutanyknownmeansofsupport，althoughheseemstohavesomemoneymostthetime。Butwedon”tseemtobeabletohituponanymeansofthrowinghimoutlegally。”
“Why，no，“saidI，aftersomereflection；“Idon”tseemywaycleartomakingacomplaint。ButIwouldliketoplacemyselfonrecordasassertingthatIdonotcareforhiscompany。Yourtown，“I
continued，“seemstobeaquietone。Whatmannerofentertainment，adventure，orexcitementhaveyoutooffertothestrangerwithinyourgates？“
“Well，sir，“saidtheclerk，“therewillbeashowherenextThursday。Itis——I”lllookitupandhavetheannouncementsentuptoyourroomwiththeicewater。Goodnight。”
AfterIwentuptomyroomIlookedoutthewindow。Itwasonlyaboutteno”clock，butIlookeduponasilenttown。Thedrizzlecontinued，spangledwithdimlights，asfarapartascurrantsinacakesoldattheLadies”Exchange。
“Aquietplace，“Isaidtomyself，asmyfirstshoestrucktheceilingoftheoccupantoftheroombeneathmine。“NothingofthelifeherethatgivescolorandvarietytothecitiesintheEastandWest。
Justagood，ordinary，humdrum，businesstown。”
Nashvilleoccupiesaforemostplaceamongthemanufacturingcentresofthecountry。ItisthefifthbootandshoemarketintheUnitedStates，thelargestcandyandcrackermanufacturingcityintheSouth，anddoesanenormouswholesaledrygoods，grocery，anddrugbusiness。
ImusttellyouhowIcametobeinNashville，andIassureyouthedigressionbringsasmuchtediumtomeasitdoestoyou。Iwastravelingelsewhereonmyownbusiness，butIhadacommissionfromaNorthernliterarymagazinetostopoverthereandestablishapersonalconnectionbetweenthepublicationandoneofitscontributors，AzaleaAdair。
Adairtherewasnocluetothepersonalityexceptthehandwriting
hadsentinsomeessayslostart！andpoemsthathadmadetheeditorsswearapprovinglyovertheironeo”clockluncheon。SotheyhadcommissionedmetoroundupsaidAdairandcornerbycontracthisorheroutputattwocentsawordbeforesomeotherpublisherofferedhertenortwenty。
Atnineo”clockthenextmorning，aftermychickenlivers_enbrochette_trythemifyoucanfindthathotel，Istrayedoutintothedrizzle，whichwasstillonforanunlimitedrun。Atthefirstcorner，IcameuponUncleCaesar。HewasastalwartNegro，olderthanthepyramids，withgraywoolandafacethatremindedmeofBrutus，andasecondafterwardsofthelateKingCettiwayo。HeworethemostremarkablecoatthatIeverhadseenorexpecttosee。ItreachedtohisanklesanhadoncebeenaConfederategrayincolors。ButrainandsunandagehadsovariegateditthatJoseph”scoat，besideit，wouldhavefadedtoapalemonochrome。I
mustlingerwiththatcoat，forithastodowiththestory——thestorythatissolongincoming，becauseyoucanhardlyexpectanythingtohappeninNashville。
Onceitmusthavebeenthemilitarycoatofanofficer。Thecapeofithadvanished，butalladownitsfrontithadbeenfroggedandtasseledmagnificently。Butnowthefrogsandtasslesweregone。
IntheirsteadhadbeenpatientlystitchedIsurmisedbysomesurviving“blackmammy“newfrogsmadeofcunninglytwistedcommonhempentwine。Thistwinewasfrayedanddisheveled。Itmusthavebeenaddedtothecoatasasubstituteforvanishedsplendors，withtastelessbutpainstakingdevotion，foritfollowedfaithfullythecurvesofthelong-missingfrogs。And，tocompletethecomedyandpathosofthegarment，allitsbuttonsweregonesaveone。Thesecondbuttonfromthetopaloneremained。Thecoatwasfastenedbyothertwinestringstiedthroughthebuttonholesandotherholesrudelypiercedintheoppositeside。
Therewasneversuchaweirdgarmentsofantasticallybedeckedandofsomanymottledhues。Thelonebuttonwasthesizeofahalf-dollar，madeofyellowhornandsewedonwithcoarsetwine。
ThisNegrostoodbyacarriagesooldthatHamhimselfmighthavestartedahacklinewithitafterheleftthearkwiththetwoanimalshitchedtoit。AsIapproachedhethrewopenthedoor，drewoutafeatherduster，waveditwithoutusingit，andsaidindeep，rumblingtones：
“Steprightin，suh；ain”taspeckofdustinit——jus”gotbackfromafuneral，suh。”
Iinferredthatonsuchgalaoccasionscarriagesweregivenanextracleaning。Ilookedupanddownthestreetandperceivedthattherewaslittlechoiceamongthevehiclesforhirethatlinedthecurb。
IlookedinmymemorandumbookfortheaddressofAzaleaAdair。
“Iwanttogoto861JessamineStreet，“Isaid，andwasabouttostepintothehack。Butforaninstantthethick，long，gorilla-likearmoftheoldNegrobarredme。Onhismassiveandsaturninefacealookofsuddensuspicionandenmityflashedforamoment。
Then，withquicklyreturningconviction，heaskedblandishingly：
“Whatareyougwinetherefor，boss？“
“Whatisittoyou？“Iasked，alittlesharply。
“Nothin”，suh，jus”nothin”。Onlyit”salonesomekindofpartoftownandfewfolkseverhasbusinessoutthere。Steprightin。Theseatsisclean——jes”gotbackfromafuneral，suh。”
Amileandahalfitmusthavebeentoourjourney”send。Icouldhearnothingbutthefearfulrattleoftheancienthackovertheunevenbrickpaving；Icouldsmellnothingbutthedrizzle，nowfurtherflavoredwithcoalsmokeandsomethinglikeamixtureoftarandoleanderblossoms。AllIcouldseethroughthestreamingwindowsweretworowsofdimhouses。
Thecityhasanareaof10squaremiles；181milesofstreets，ofwhich137milesarepaved；asystemofwaterworksthatcost$2，000，000，with77milesofmains。
Eight-sixty-oneJessamineStreetwasadecayedmansion。Thirtyyardsbackfromthestreetitstood，outmergedinasplendidgroveoftreesanduntrimmedshrubbery。Arowofboxbushesoverflowedandalmosthidthepalingfencefromsight；thegatewaskeptclosedbyaropenoosethatencircledthegatepostandthefirstpalingofthegate。Butwhenyougotinsideyousawthat861
wasashell，ashadow，aghostofformergrandeurandexcellence。
Butinthestory，Ihavenotyetgotinside。
WhenthehackhadceasedfromrattlingandthewearyquadrupedscametoarestIhandedmyjehuhisfiftycentswithanadditionalquarter，feelingaglowofconsciousgenerosity，asIdidso。Herefusedit。
“It”stwodollars，suh，“hesaid。
“How”sthat？“Iasked。“Iplainlyheardyoucalloutatthehotel：”Fiftycentstoanypartofthetown。”“
“It”stwodollars，suh，“herepeatedobstinately。“It”salongwaysfromthehotel。”
“Itiswithinthecitylimitsandwellwithinthem。”Iargued。
“Don”tthinkthatyouhavepickedupagreenhornYankee。Doyouseethosehillsoverthere？“Iwenton，pointingtowardtheeastIcouldnotseethem，myself，forthedrizzle；“well，Iwasbornandraisedontheirotherside。Youoldfoolnigger，can”tyoutellpeoplefromotherpeoplewhenyousee”em？“
ThegrimfaceofKingCettiwayosoftened。“IsyoufromtheSouth，suh？Ireckonitwasthemshoesofyournfooledme。Theyissomethin”sharpinthetoesforaSoutherngen”lmantowear。”
“Thenthechargeisfiftycents，Isuppose？“saidIinexorably。
Hisformerexpression，aminglingofcupidityandhostility，returned，remainedtenseconds，andvanished。
“Boss，“hesaid，“fiftycentsisright；butI_needs_twodollars，suh；I”m_obleeged_tohavetwodollars。Iain”t_demandin”_itnow，suh；afterIknowwharyou”sfrom；I”mjus”sayin”thatI_has_
tohavetwodollarsto-night，andbusinessmightypo”。”
Peaceandconfidencesettleduponhisheavyfeatures。Hehadbeenluckierthanhehadhoped。Insteadofhavingpickedupagreenhorn，ignorantofrates，hehadcomeuponaninheritance。
“Youconfoundedoldrascal，“Isaid，reachingdowntomypocket，“yououghttobeturnedovertothepolice。”
ForthefirsttimeIsawhimsmile。Heknew；_heknew_。HE
KNEW。
Igavehimtwoone-dollarbills。AsIhandedthemoverInoticedthatoneofthemhadseenparloustimes。Itsupperright-handcornerwasmissing，andithadbeentornthroughthemiddle，butjoinedagain。Astripofbluetissuepaper，pastedoverthesplit，preserveditsnegotiability。
EnoughoftheAfricanbanditforthepresent：Ilefthimhappy，liftedtheropeandopenedacreakygate。
Thehouse，asIsaid，wasashell。Apaintbrushhadnottoucheditintwentyyears。IcouldnotseewhyastrongwindshouldnothavebowleditoverlikeahouseofcardsuntilIlookedagainatthetreesthathuggeditclose——thetreesthatsawthebattleofNashvilleandstilldrewtheirprotectingbranchesarounditagainststormandenemyandcold。
AzaleaAdair，fiftyyearsold，white-haired，adescendantofthecavaliers，asthinandfrailasthehouseshelivedin，robedinthecheapestandcleanestdressIeversaw，withanairassimpleasaqueen”s，receivedme。
Thereceptionroomseemedamilesquare，becausetherewasnothinginitexceptsomerowsofbooks，onunpaintedwhite-pinebookshelves，acrackedmarble-toptable，aragrug，ahairlesshorsehairsofaandtwoorthreechairs。Yes，therewasapictureonthewall，acoloredcrayondrawingofaclusterofpansies。IlookedaroundfortheportraitofAndrewJacksonandthepineconehangingbasketbuttheywerenotthere。
AzaleaAdairandIhadconversation，alittleofwhichwillberepeatedtoyou。ShewasaproductoftheoldSouth，gentlynurturedintheshelteredlife。Herlearningwasnotbroad，butwasdeepandofsplendidoriginalityinitssomewhatnarrowscope。
Shehadbeeneducatedathome，andherknowledgeoftheworldwasderivedfrominferenceandbyinspiration。Ofsuchistheprecious，smallgroupofessayistsmade。WhleshetalkedtomeI
keptbrushingmyfingers，trying，unconsciously，toridthemguiltilyoftheabsentdustfromthehalf-calfbacksofLamb，Chaucer，Hazlitt，MarcusAurelius，MontaigneandHood。Shewasexquisite，shewasavaluablediscovery。Nearlyeverybodynowadaysknowstoomuch——oh，somuchtoomuch——ofreallife。
IcouldperceiveclearlythatAzaleaAdairwasverypoor。Ahouseandadressshehad，notmuchelse，Ifancied。So，dividedbetweenmydutytothemagazineandmyloyaltytothepoetsandessayistswhofoughtThomasinthevalleyoftheCumberland，Ilistenedtohervoice，whichwaslikeaharpsichord”s，andfoundthatIcouldnotspeakofcontracts。InthepresenceofthenineMusesandthethreeGracesonehesitatedtolowerthetopictotwocents。TherewouldhavetobeanothercolloquyafterIhadregainedmycommercialism。ButIspokeofmymission，andthreeo”clockofthenextafternoonwassetforthediscussionofthebusinessproposition。
“Yourtown，“Isaid，asIbegantomakereadytodepartwhichisthetimeforsmoothgeneralities，“seemstobeaquiet，sedateplace。Ahometown，Ishouldsay，wherefewthingsoutoftheordinaryeverhappen。”