TheKentonswerenotrich，buttheywerecertainlyricherthantheaverageinthepleasantcountytownoftheMiddleWest，wheretheyhadspentnearlytheirwholemarriedlife。Astheircircumstanceshadgrowneasier，theyhadmellowedmoreandmoreinthekeepingoftheircomfortablehome，untiltheyhatedtoleaveitevenfortheshortoutings，whichtheirchildrenmadethemtake，toNiagaraortheUpperLakesinthehotweather。Theybelievedthattheycouldnotbesowellanywhereasinthegreatsquarebrickhousewhichstillkeptitsfouracresaboutit，intheheartofthegrowingtown，wherethetreestheyhadplantedwiththeirownhandstoppeditonthreeaides，andaspaciousgardenopenedsouthwardbehindittothesummerwind。Kentonhadhislibrary，wherehetransactedbydaysuchlawbusinessashehadretainedinhisownhands；butatnighthelikedtogotohiswife’sroomandsitwithherthere。Theylefttheparlorsandpiazzastotheirgirls，wheretheycouldhearthemlaughingwiththeyoungfellowswhocametomakethemorningcalls，longsincedisusedinthecentresoffashion，ortheeveningcalls，scarcelymoreauthorizedbythegreatworld。Shesewed，andhereadhispaperinhersatisfactorysilence，ortheyplayedcheckerstogether。Shedidnotlikehimtowin，andwhenshefoundherselfunabletobeartheprospectofdefeat，sherefusedtolethimmakethemovethatthreatenedthesafetyofhermen。Sometimeshelaughedather，andsometimeshescolded，buttheywereverygoodcomrades，aselderlymarriedpeopleareapttobe。Theyhadlongagoquarrelledouttheirseriousdifferences，whichmostlyarosefromsuchdifferencesoftemperamentashadfirstdrawnthemtogether；theycriticisedeachothertotheirchildrenfromtimetotime，buttheyatonedforthisdefectionbycomplainingofthechildrentoeachother，andtheyunitedingivingwaytothemonallpointsconcerningtheirhappiness，nottosaytheirpleasure。
　　Theyhadbothbeenteachersintheiryouthbeforehewentintothewar，andtheyhadnotmarrieduntilhehadsettledhimselfinthepracticeofthelawafterheleftthearmy。Hewasthenamanofthirty，andfiveyearsolderthanshe；fivechildrenwereborntothem，butthesecondsondiedwhenhewasyetababeinhismother’sarms，andtherewasanintervalofsixyearsbetweenthefirstboyandthefirstgirl。Theireldestsonwasalreadymarried，andsettlednexttheminahousewhichwasbrick，liketheirown，butnotsquare，andhadgroundssomuchlessamplethathegotmostofhisvegetablesfromtheirgarden。Hehadgrownnaturallyintoashareofhisfather’slawpractice，andhehadtakenitalloverwhenRentonwaselectedtothebench。Hemadeashowofgivingitbackafterthejudgeretired，butbythattimeKentonwaswelloninthefifties。Thepracticeitselfhadchanged，andhadbecomemainlythelegalbusinessofalargecorporation。Inthisformitwasdistastefultohim；hekepttheaffairsofsomeofhisoldclientsinhishands，buthegavemuchofhistime，whichhesavedhisself-respectbycallinghisleisure，toahistoryofhisregimentin-thewar。
　　Inhislaterlifehehadrevertedtomanyofthepreoccupationsofhisyouth，andhebelievedthatTuskingumenjoyedthebestclimate，onthewhole，intheunion；thatitspeopleofmingledVirginian，Pennsylvanian，andConnecticutorigin，withlittlerecentadmixtureofforeignstrains，wereofthepurestAmericanstock，andspokethebestEnglishintheworld；theyenjoyedobviouslythegreatestsumofhappiness，andhadincontestiblythelowestdeathrateanddivorcerateintheState。Thegrowthoftheplacewasnormalandhealthy；ithadincreasedonlytofivethousandduringthetimehehadknownit，whichwasalmostanidealfigureforacounty-town。Therewasahigheraverageofintelligencethaninanyotherplaceofitssize，andawiderandevenerdiffusionofprosperity。Itsrecordinthecivilwarwaslessbrilliant，perhaps，thanthatofsomeotherlocalities，butitwasfullyuptothegeneralOhiolevel，whichwasthehigh-watermarkofthenationalachievementinthegreatestwarofthegreatestpeopleunderthesun。It，wasKenton’sprideandglorythathehadbeenapartofthefinestarmyknowninhistory。Hebelievedthatthemenwhomadehistoryoughttowriteit，andinhisfirstCommemoration-Dayorationheurgedhiscompanionsinarmstosetdowneverythingtheycouldrememberoftheirsoldiering，andtosavetheletterstheyhadwrittenhome，sothattheymighteachcontributetoacollectiveautobiographyoftheregiment。Itwasonlyinthisway，heheld，thattheintenselypersonalcharacterofthestrugglecouldberecorded。Hehadfelthiswaytothefactthateverybattleisessentiallyepisodical，verycampaignasumoffortuities；anditwasnotstrangethatheshouldsuppose，withhiswantofperspective，thatthisuniversalfactwaspurelynationalandAmerican。Hiszealmadehimtherepositoryofavastmassofmaterialwhichhecouldnothaverefusedtokeepforthesoldierswhobroughtittohim，moreorlessinahumorousindulgenceofhiswhim。Butheevenofferedtoreceiveit，andinacommunitywhereeverythingtookthecomplexionofajoke，hecametobeaffectionatelyregardedasacrankonthatpoint；theshabbilyagingveterans，whomhepursuedtotheirworkbenchesandcornfields，for，thedocumentsoftheregimentalhistory，likedtoaskthecolonelifhehadbroughthisgun。They，alwaysgivehimthetitlewithwhichhehadbeenbrevetedatthecloseofthewar；buthewasknowntothe，younger，generationofhisfellow-citizensasthejudge。HiswifecalledhimMr。
　　Kentoninthepresenceofstrangers，andsometimestohimself，buttohischildrenshecalledhimPoppa，astheydid。
　　Thesteady-goingeldestson，whohadsucceededtohisfather’saffairswithoutgivinghimthesenseofdispossession，loyallyacceptedthepopularbeliefthathewouldneverbethemanhisfatherwas。HejoinedwithhismotherinarespectforKenton’stheoryoftheregimentalhistorywhichwasnonethelesssincerebecauseitwasunconsciouslyalittlescepticaloftheoutcome；andtheeldestdaughterwasoftheirparty。Theyoungestsaidfranklythatshehadnouseforanyhistory，butshesaidthesameofnearlyeverythingwhichhadnotdirectlyorindirectlytodowithdancing。Inthisregulationshehaduseforpartiesandpicnics，forbuggy-ridesandsleigh-rides，forcallsfromyoungmenandvisitstoandfromothergirls，forconcerts，forplays，forcircusesandchurchsociables，foreverythingbutlectures；andshedevotedherselftoherpleasureswithouttheshadowofchaperonage，whichwas，indeed，athingstillunheardofinTuskingum。
　　Intheexpansionwhichnooneelseventured，or，perhaps，wishedtosetboundsto，shecameunderthecriticismofheryoungerbrother，who，upontherareoccasionswhenhedeignedtomingleinthefamilyaffairs，drewtheirmother’snoticetohissister’sexcessesincarrying-on，andrequiredsomeactionthatshouldkeepherfrombringingthename，ofKentontodisgrace。Frombeinghimselfaboyofveryslovenlyandlawlesslifehehadsuddenly，attheageoffourteen，caughthimselfupfromthestreet，reformedhisdressandconduct，andconfinedhimselfinhislargeroomatthetopofthehouse，where，onthepursuitstowhichhegavehissparetime，thefriendswhofrequentedhissociety，andtheliteraturewhichnourishedhisdarklingspirit，mightfitlyhavebeenwrittenMystery。Thesisterwhomhereprobatedwasonlytwoyearshiselder，butsincethatdifferenceinagirlaccountsforagreatdeal，itapparentlyauthorizedhertotakehimmorelightlythanhewasabletotakehimself。Shesaidthathewasinlove，andsheachievedanimportancewithhimthroughhisspeechlessrageandscornwhichnoneoftherestofhisfamilyenjoyed。Withhisfatherandmotherhehadabearingofrepressedsuperioritywhichastrenuousconsciencekeptfromunmaskingitselfinopencontemptwhentheyfailedtomakehissisterpromisetobehaveherself。Sometimeshehadlapsesfromhisdignifiedgloomwithhismother，when，fornoreasonthatcouldbegiven，hefellfromhishabitualmajestytothetenderdependenceofalittleboy，justashisvoicebrokefromitsnascentbasetoitsearliertrebleatmomentswhenheleastexpectedorwishedsuchathingtohappen。Hisstatelybutvagueidealofhimselfwassupportedbyastaturebeyondhisyears，butthisrendereditthemoredifficultforhimtobearthehumiliationofhissuddencollapses，andmadehimatothertimestheeasierpreyofLottie’sridicule。Hegotonbest，oratleastmostevenly，withhiseldestsister。Shetookhimseriously，perhapsbecauseshetookalllifeso；andshewasabletointerprethimtohisfatherwhenhisintolerabledignityforbadeacommonunderstandingbetweenthem。Whenhegotsofarbeyondhisdepththathedidnotknowwhathemeanthimself，assometimeshappened，shegentlyfoundhimasafefootingnearershore。
　　Kenton’stheorywasthathedidnotdistinguishamonghischildren。
　　Hesaidthathedidnotsupposetheywerethebestchildrenintheworld，buttheysuitedhim；andhewouldnothaveknownhowtochangethemforthebetter。HesawnoharminthebehaviorofLottiewhenitmostshockedherbrother；helikedhertohaveagoodtime；butitflatteredhisnervestohaveEllenabouthim。Lottiewasagreatdealmoreaccomplished，heallowedthat；shecouldplayandsing，andshehadsocialgiftsfarbeyondhersister；butheeasilyprovedtohiswifethatNellyknewtentimesasmuch。
　　Nellyreadagreatdeal；shekeptupwithallthemagazines，andknewallthebooksinhislibrary。HebelievedthatshewasafineGermanscholar，andinfactshehadtakenupthatlanguageafterleavingschool，when，ifshehadbeenbetteradvisedthanshecouldhavebeeninTuskingum，shewouldhavekeptonwithherFrench。Shestartedthefirstbookclubintheplace；andshehelpedherfatherdotheintellectualhonorsofthehousetotheEasternlecturers，whoalwaysstayedwiththejudgewhentheycametoTuskingum。Shewasfaithfullypresentatthemoments，whichhersistershunnedinderision，whenherfatherexplainedtothemrespectivelyhistheoryofregimentalhistory，andwouldjust，ashesaid，showthemafewofthedocumentshehadcollected。HemadeEllenshowthem；sheknewwheretoputherhandonthemostcharacteristicandillustrative；andLottieofferedtobetwhatonedaredthatEllenwouldmarrysomeofthoselecturersyet；shewasliteraryenough。
　　Sheboastedthatshewasnotliteraryherself，andhadnouseforanyonewhowas；anditcouldnothavebeenherculturethatdrewthemostcultivatedyoungmaninTuskingumtoher。Ellenwasreallymorebeautiful；Lottiewasmerelyverypretty；butshehadcharmforthem，andEllen，whohadtheirhonorandfriendship，hadnocharmforthem。NooneseemeddrawntoherastheyweredrawntohersistertillamancamewhowasnotoneofthemostcultivatedinTuskingum；andthenitwasdoubtfulwhethershewasnotfirstdrawntohim。Shewastootransparenttohideherfeelingfromherfatherandmother，whosawwithevenmoregriefthanshamethatshecouldnothideitfromthemanhimself，whomtheythoughtsounworthyofit。
　　HehadsuddenlyarrivedinTuskingumfromoneofthevillagesofthecounty，wherehehadbeenteachingschool，andhadfoundsomethingtodoasreporterontheTuskingum’Intelligencer’，whichhewasinstinctivelycharacterizingwiththespiritofthenewjournalism，andwaspushingashardilyforwardonthelinesofpersonalityasifhehaddroppeddowntoitfromtheheightofaNewYorkorChicagoSundayedition。Thejudgesaid，withsomethinglessthanhishabitualhonesty，thathedidnotmindhisbeingareporter，buthemindedhisbeinglightandshallow；hemindedhisbeingflippantandmocking；hemindedhisbringinghiscigarettesandbanjointothehouseathissecondvisit。Hedidnotmindhispush；thefellowhadhiswaytomakeandhehadtopush；buthedidmindhisbeingallpush；andhishavingcomeoutofthecountrywithaslittlesimplicityasifhehadpassedhiswholelifeinthecity。Hehadnomodesty，andhehadnoreverence；hehadnoreverenceforEllenherself，andthepoorgirlseemedtolikehimforthat。
　　Hewasallthemoreoffensivetothejudgebecausehewashimselftoblamefortheiracquaintance，whichbeganwhenonedaythefellowhadcalledafterhiminthestreet，andthenfolloweddowntheshadysidewalkbesidehimtohishour，wantingtoknowwhatthiswashehadheardabouthishistory，andpleadingformorelightuponhisplaninit。Atthegatehemadeaflourishofopeningandshuttingitforthejudge，andwalkingupthepathtohisdoorhekepthishandonthejudge’sshouldermostoffensively；butinspiteofthisKentonhadtheweaknesstoaskhimin，andtocallEllentogethimthemostillustrativedocumentsofthehistory。
　　Theinterviewthatresultedinthe’Intelligencer’wastheleastevilthatcameofthiserror。Kentonwasamazed，andthenconsoled，andthenafflictedthatEllenwasnotdisgustedwithit；andinhisconferenceswithhiswifehefumedandfrettedathisownculpablefolly，andtriedtogetbackofthetimehehadcommittedit，inthatillusionwhichpeoplehavewithtroublethatitcouldsomehowbegotridofifitcouldfairlybegotbackof；tillthetimecamewhenhiswifecouldnolongersharehisunrestinthisfutileendeavor。
　　Shesaid，onenightwhentheyhadtalkedlateandlong，"Thatcan’tbehelpednow；andthequestioniswhatarewegoingtodotostopit。"
　　Thejudgeevadedthepointinsaying，"Thedevilofitisthatallthenicefellowsareafraidofher；theyrespecthertoomuch，andtheverythingwhichoughttodisgustherwiththischapiswhatgiveshimhispoweroverher。Idon’tknowwhatwearegoingtodo，butwemustbreakitoff，somehow。"
　　"Wemighttakeherwithussomewhere，"Mrs。Kentonsuggested。
　　"Runawayfromthefellow？IthinkIseemyself！No，wehavegottostayandfacethethingrighthere。ButIwon’thavehimaboutthehouseanymore，understandthat。He’snottobeletin，andEllenmustn’tseehim；youtellherIsaidso。Orno！Iwillspeaktohermyself。"Hiswifesaidthathewaswelcometodothat；buthedidnotquitedoit。Hecertainlyspoketohisdaughterabouther，lover，andhesatisfiedhimselfthattherewasyetnothingexplicitbetweenthem。Butshewassomuchlessfrankandopenwithhimthanshehadalwaysbeenbeforethathewaswoundedaswellasbaffledbyherreserve。Hecouldnotgethertoownthatshereallycaredforthefellow；butmanashewas，andoldmanashewas，hecouldnothelpperceivingthatshelivedinafonddreamofhim。
　　Hewentfromhertohermother。"Ifhewasonlyone-halfthemanshethinksheis！"——heendedhisreportinahopelesssigh。
　　"Youwanttogiveintoher！"hiswifepitilesslyinterpreted。"Well，perhapsthatwouldbethebestthing，afterall。"
　　"No，no，itwouldn’t，Sarah；itwouldbetheeasiestforbothofus，I
　　admit，butitwouldbetheworstthingforher。We’vegottoletitrunalongforawhileyet。Ifwegivehimropeenoughhemayhanghimself；
　　there’sthatchance。Wecan’tgoaway，andwecan’tshutherup，andwecan’tturnhimoutofthehouse。Wemusttrusthertofindhimoutforherself。"
　　"She’llneverdothat，"saidthemother。"LottiesaysEllenthinkshe’sjustperfect。Hecheersherup，andtakesheroutofherself。We’vealwaysactedwithherasifwethoughtshewasdifferentfromothergirls，andhebehavestoherasifshewasjustlikeallofthem，justassilly，andjustasweak，anditpleasesher，andflattersher；shelikesit。"
　　"Oh，Lord！"groanedthefather。"Isupposeshedoes。"
　　Thiswasbadenough；itwasablowtohisprideinEllen；buttherewassomethingthathurthimstillworse。Whenthefellowhadmadesureofher，heapparentlyfelthimselfsosafeinherfondnessthathedidnoturgehissuitwithher。HiscontentwithhertacitacceptancegavethebitternessofshametothepromiseKentonandhiswifehadmadeeachothernevertocrossanyoftheirchildreninlove。TheywerereadynowtokeepthatpromiseforEllen，ifheaskeditofthem，ratherthananswerforherlifelongdisappointment，iftheydeniedhim。But，whateverhemeantfinallytodo，hedidnotaskit；heusedhisfootingintheirhousechieflyasabasisforflirtationsbeyondit。HebegantosharehisdevotionstoEllenwithhergirlfriends，andnotwithhergirlfriendsalone。Itdidnotcometoscandal，butitcertainlycametogossipabouthimandasillyyoungwife；andKentonheardofitwithatormentofdoubtwhetherEllenknewofit，andwhatshewoulddo；hewouldwaitforhertodoherselfwhateverwastobedone。Hewasnevercertainhowmuchshehadheardofthegossipwhenshecametohermother，andsaidwiththegentleeagernessshehad，"Didn’tpoppatalkonceofgoingSouththiswinter？"
　　"HetalkedofgoingtoNewYork，"themotheranswered，withathrobofhope。
　　"Well，"thegirlreturned，patiently，andMrs。Kentonreadinherpassivityaneagernesstobegonefromsorrowthatshewouldnotsuffertobeseen，andinterpretedhertoherfatherinsuchwisethathecouldnothesitate。
　　II。
　　Ifsuchathingcouldbemercifullyordered，theorderofthiseventhadcertainlybeenmerciful；butitwasacruelwrenchthattoreKentonfromthehomewherehehadstrucksuchdeeproot。Whenheactuallycametoleavetheplacehisgoinghadaghastlyunreality，whichwasheightenedbyhissenseofthecommonreluctance。Noonewantedtogo，sofarashecouldmakeout，notevenEllenherself，whenhetriedtomakehersayshewishedit。Lottiewasinopenrevolt，andanimatedheryoungmentoashareintheinsurrection。Herolderbrotherwaskindlyandhelpfullyacquiescent，buthewassofarfromadvisingthemovethatKentonhadregularlytoconvincehimselfthatRichardapprovedit，bymakinghimsaythatitwasonlyforthewinterandthatitwasthebestwayofhelpingEllengetridofthatfellow。AllthisdidnotenableKentontomeettheproblemsofhisyoungerson，whorequiredhimtotellwhathewastodowithhisdogandhispigeons，andtodeclareatoncehowhewastodisposeofthecocoonshehadamassedsoasnottoendangerthefutureofthemothsandbutterfliesinvolvedinthem。Theboywassofertileindifficultiesandsoimportunatefortheirsolution，thathehadtobecrushedintosilencebyhisfather，whoachedinahelplesssympathywithhisreluctance。
　　Kentoncameheavilyuponthecourageofhiswife，whowasurgingforwardtheirdeparturewithsomuchenergythatheobscurelyaccusedherofbeingthecauseofit，andcouldonlybeconvincedofherinnocencewhensheofferedtogivethewholethingupifhesaidso。Whenhewouldnotsayso，shecarriedtheaffairthroughtothebitterend，andshedidnotsparehimsome，pangswhichsheperhapsneednothavesharedwithhim。
　　Butpeopleareseldommanandwifeforhalftheirliveswithoutwishingtoimparttheirsufferingsaswellastheirpleasurestoeachother；andMrs。Kenton，ifshewasnoworse，wasnobetterthanotherwivesinpressingtoherhusband’slipsthecupthatwasnotaltogethersweettoherown。Shewentaboutthehousethenightbeforeclosingit，toseethateverythingwasinastatetobeleft，andthenshecametoKentoninhislibrary，wherehehadbeenburningsomepapersandgettingothersreadytogiveinchargetohisson，andsatdownbyhiscoldhearthwithhim，andwrunghissoulwiththetaleofthelastthingsshehadbeendoing。Whenshehadmadehimbearitall，shebegantoturnthebrightsideoftheaffairtohim。ShepraisedthesenseandstrengthofEllen，inthecoursethegirlhadtakenwithherself，andaskedhimifhe，reallythoughttheycouldhavedonelessforherthantheyweredoing。
　　Sheremindedhimthattheywerenotrunningawayfromthefellow，asshehadoncethoughttheymust，butEllenwasrenouncinghim，andputtinghimoutofhersighttillshecouldputhimoutofhermind。Shedidnotpretendthatthegirlhaddonethisyet；butitwaseverythingthatshewishedtodoit，andsawthatitwasbest。Thenshekissedhimonhisgrayhead，andlefthimalonetothefirstecstasyofhishomesickness。
　　ItwasbetterwhentheyoncegottoNewYork，andweresettledinanapartmentofanold-fashioneddown-townhotel。Theythoughtthemselvesverycrampedinit，andtheywerebutlittleeasierwhentheyfoundthattheapartmentsoverandunderthemwereapparentlythoughtspaciousforfamiliesoftwicetheirnumbers。Itwastheveryquietestplaceinthewholecity，butKentonwasusedtothestillnessofTuskingum，where，sincepeoplenolongerkepthens，thenightswerestillerthaninthecountryitself；andforaweekhesleptbadly。Otherwise，assoonastheygotusedtolivinginsixroomsinsteadofseventeen，theywerereallyverycomfortable。
　　Hecouldseethathiswifewasgladofthereleasefromhousekeeping，andshewasgrowinggayerandseemedtobegrowingyoungerintheinspirationofthegreat，good-naturedtown。TheyhadfirstcometoNewYorkontheirweddingjourney，butsincethatvisitshehadalwayslethimgoaloneonhisbusinesserrandstotheEast；thesehadgrownlessandlessfrequent，andhehadnotseenNewYorkfortenortwelveyears。Hecouldhavewaitedasmuchlonger，buthelikedherpleasureintheplace，andwiththehomesicknessalwayslurkingathishearthewentaboutwithhertotheamusementswhichshefrequented，asshesaid，tohelpEllentakehermindoffherself。Attheplayandtheoperahesatthinkingofthesilent，lonelyhouseatTuakingum，darkamongitsleaflessmaples，andthelifethatwasnomoreinitthaniftheyhadalldiedoutofit；andhecouldnotkeepdownacertainresentment，senselessandcruel，asifthepoorgirlweresomehowtoblamefortheirexile。Whenhebetrayedthisfeelingtohiswife，ashesometimesmust，shescoldedhimforit，andthenoffered，ifhereallythoughtanythinglikethat，togobacktoTuskingumatonce；anditendedinhishavingtoownhimselfwrong，andhumblypromisethatheneverwouldletthechilddreamhowhefelt，unlesshereallywishedtokillher。Hewasobligedtocarryhisself-
　　punishmentsofarastotakeLottieverysharplytotaskwhenshebrokeoutinhotrebellion，anddeclaredthatitwasallEllen’sfault；shewasnotafraidofkillinghersister；andthoughshedidnotsayittoher，shesaiditofher，thatanybodyelsecouldhavegotridofthatfellowwithoutturningthewholefamilyoutofhouseandhome。
　　Lottie，infact，wasnothavingabitgoodtimeinNewYork，whichshedidnotfindequalinanywaytoTuskingumforfun。Shehatedthedullproprietyofthehotel，wherenobodygotacquainted，andeveryonewasasafraidasdeathofeveryoneelse；andinherdesolationshewasthrownbackuponthesocietyofherbrotherBoyne。TheybecamefriendsintheircommondislikeofNewYork；andpendingsomechanceofbringingeachotherundercondemnationtheylamentedtheirbanishmentfromTuskingumtogether。ButevenBoynecontrivedtomaketheheavytimepassmorelightlythansheinthelessonshehadwithatutor，andthestudiesofthecitywhichhecarriedon。WhentheskatingwasnotgoodinCentralParkhespentmostofhisafternoonsandeveningsatthevaudevilletheatres。Noneofthedimemuseumsescapedhisresearch，andheconversedwithfreaksandmonstersofallsortsupontermsoffriendlyconfidence。Hereportedtheirdifferenttheoriesofthemselvestohisfamilywiththesamesimple-heartedinterestthathecriticisedthesonganddanceartistsofthevaudevilletheatres。Hebecameaninnocentbutbynomeansuncriticalconnoisseuroftheirattractions，andhesurprisedwiththeconstancyandvarietyofhisexperienceinthemagentlemanwhosatnexthimonenight。Boynethoughthimapersonofcultivation，andconsultedhimupontheopinionhehadformedthattherewasnotsomuchharminsuchplacesaspeoplesaid。Thegentlemandistinguishedinsayingthathethoughtyouwouldnotfindmoreharminthem，ifyoudidnotbringitwithyou，thanyouwouldinthelegitimatetheatres；andinthehopeoffurtherwisdomfromhim，Boynefollowedhimoutofthetheatreandhelpedhimonwithhisovercoat。Thegentlemanwalkedhometohishotelwithhim，andprofessedapleasureinhisacquaintancewhichhesaidhetrustedtheymightsometimerenew。
　　AllatoncetheKentonsbegantobeacquaintedinthehotel，asoftenhappenswithpeopleaftertheyhavelongriddenupanddownintheelevatortogetherinbondsofapparentlyperpetualstrangeness。Fromonefriendlyfamilytheiracquaintancespreadtoothersuntiltheywere，almostwithoutknowingit，suddenlyandsimultaneouslyonsmilingandthenonspeakingtermswiththepeopleofeverypermanenttableinthedining-room。LottieandBoyneburstthechainsoftheunnaturalkindnesswhichboundthem，andresumedtheiroldrelationsofreciprocalcensure。
　　Hefoundafellowofhisownageintheapartmentbelow，whohadthesamecountrytraditionsandwasengagedinalikeinspectionofthecity；andshediscoveredtwogirlsonanotherfloor，whosaidtheyreceivedonSaturdaysandwantedhertoreceivewiththem。Theymadeateaforher，andaskedsomerealNewYorkers；andsucharoundofpleasantlittleeventsbeganforherthatBoynewasforcedtocallhismother’sattentiontothewayCharlottewasgoingonwiththeyoungmenwhomshemetandfranklyaskedtocalluponherwithoutknowinganythingaboutthem；youcouldnotdothatinNewYork，hesaid。
　　ButbythistimeNewYorkhadgonetoMrs。Kenton’shead，too，andshewaslessfittedtodealwithLottiethanathome。WhethershehadsucceededornotinhelpingEllentakehermindoffherself，shehadcertainlyfreedherownfromintrospectioninadreamofthingswhichhadseemedimpossiblebefore。Shewasinthatmomentofawoman’slifewhichhasacertainpathosfortheintelligentwitness，when，havingrearedherchildrenandoutgrownthemoreincessantcaresofhermotherhood，shesometimesrevertstohergirlishimpulsesandideals，andconfrontstheremainingopportunitiesoflifewithajoyfulhopeunknowntoourheavierandsullenersexinitslateryears。Itisthispeculiarpowerofrejuvenescencewhichperhapsmakessomanywomenoutlivetheirhusbands，whoatthesameageregardthisworldasanaccomplishedfact。Mrs。
　　KentonhadkeptuptheirreadinglongafterKentonfoundhimselftoobusyortootiredforit；andwhenhecamefromhisofficeatnightandfellasleepoverthebookshewishedhimtohear，shecontinueditherself，andtoldhimaboutit。WhenEllenbegantoshowthesametaste，theyreadtogether，andthemotherwasnotjealouswhenthefatherbetrayedthathewasmuchprouderofhisdaughter’sculturethanhiswife’s。ShehadherownmisgivingsthatshewasnotsomodernasEllen，andsheacceptedherjudgmentinthecaseofsomeauthorswhomshedidnotlikesowell。
　　ShenowwentaboutnotonlytoalltheplaceswhereshecouldmakeEllen’samusementserveasanexcuse，buttootherswhenshecouldnotcoaxorcompelthemelancholygirl。ShewasasconstantatmatineesofonekindasBoyneatanothersort；shewenttotheexhibitionsofpictures，andgotherselfupinschoolsofpainting；shefrequentedgalleries，publicandprivate，andgotaskedtostudioteas；shewenttomeetingsandconferencesofaestheticinterest，andshepaidaneasywaytoparlorlecturesexpressiveofthevaguebutprofoundfermentinwomen’ssouls；fromtheseherpresenceinintellectualclubswasasimpleandnaturaltransition。Shemetandtalkedwithinterestingpeople，andnowandthenshegotintroducedtoliterarypeople。Once，inabook-
　　store，shestoodnexttoagentlemanleaningoverthesamecounter，whomasalesmanaddressedbythenameofapopularauthor，andsheremainedstaringathimbreathlesstillhelefttheplace。Whenshebraggedoftheprodigiousexperienceathome，herhusbanddefiedhertosayhowitdifferedfrommeetingthelecturerswhohadbeentheirguestsinTuskingum，andsheansweredthatnoneofthemcomparedwiththisauthor；
　　and，besides，alioninhisownhauntswasverydifferentfromaliongoingroundthecountryonexhibition。Kentonthoughtthatwasprettygood，andownedthatshehadgothimthere。
　　Helaughedather，tothechildren，butallthesameshebelievedthatshewaslivinginanatmosphereofculture，andwitheverybreathshewassensibleofanintellectualexpansion。ShefoundherselfintheenjoymentofsowideandvariedasympathywithinterestshithertostrangetoherexperiencethatshecouldnoteasilymakepeoplebelieveshehadneverbeentoEurope。Nearlyeveryoneshemethadbeenseveraltimes，andtookitforgrantedthatsheknewtheContinentaswellastheythemselves。
　　Shedenieditwithincreasingshame；shetriedtomakeKentonunderstandhowshefelt，andshemighthavegonefurtherifshehadnotseenhowhomesickhewasforTuskingum。ShedidherbesttocoaxhimandscoldhimintoashareofthepleasuretheywereallbeginningtohaveinNewYork。ShemadehimownthatEllenherselfwasbeginningtobegayer；sheconvincedhimthathisbusinesswasnotsufferinginhisabsenceandthathewasthebetterfromthecompleteresthewashaving。Shedefiedhim，tosay，then，whatwasthematterwithhim，andshebitterlyreproachedherself，intheevent，fornothavingknownthatitwasnothomesicknessalonethatwasthetrouble。Whenhewasnotgoingaboutwithher，ordoingsomethingtoamusethechildren，hewentuponlong，lonelywalks，andcamehomesilentandfagged。Hehadgivenupsmoking，andhedidnotcaretositaboutintheofficeofthehotelwhereotheroldfellowspassedthetimeovertheirpapersandcigars，intheheatoftheglowinggrates。Theylookedtoomuchlikehimself，withtheirairofunrecognizedconsequence，andofpersonallossinanalienenvironment。
　　Heknewfromtheirdressandbearingthattheywerecountrypeople，anditwoundedhiminatenderplacetorealizethattheyhadeachleftbehindhiminhisowntownanauthorityandarespectwhichtheycouldnotenjoyinNewYork。Nobodycalledthemjudge，orgeneral，ordoctor，orsquire；nobodycaredwhotheywere，orwhattheythought；Kentondidnotcarehimself；butwhenhemissedoneofthemheenviedhim，forthenheknewthathehadgonebacktothesoft，warmkeepingofhisownneighborhood，andresumedtheintelligentregardofacommunityhehadgrownupwith。ThereweremeninNewYorkwhomKentonhadmetinformeryears，andwhomhehadsometimesfanciedlookingup；buthedidnotletthemknowhewasintown，andthenhewashurtthattheyignoredhim。
　　Hekeptawayfromplaceswherehewaslikelytomeetthem；hethoughtthatitmusthavecometothemthathewasspendingthewinterinNewYork，andasbitterlyashisnaturewouldsufferheresentedtheindifferenceoftheOhioSocietytothepresenceofanOhiomanofhislocaldistinction。Hehadnotthehabitofclubs，andwhenoneofthepleasantyoungerfellowswhomhemetinthehotelofferedtoputhimupatone，heshrankfromthecourtesyshylyandalmostdryly。Hehadoutlivedtheperiodofactivecuriosity，andhedidnotexplorethecityasheworldoncehavedone。Hehadnoresortsoutofthehotel，exceptthebasementsofthesecondhandbook-dealers。Hehauntedthese，andpickedupcopiesofwarhistoriesandbiographies，which，asfastashereadthem，hesentofftohissonatTuskingum，andhadhimputthemawaywiththedocumentsforthelifeofhisregiment。Hiswifecouldsee，withcompassionifnotsympathy，thathewasfondlystrengtheningbythesemeansthetiesthatboundhimtohishome，andshesilentlyproposedtogobacktoitwithhimwheneverheshouldsaytheword。
　　Hehadamechanicalfidelity，however，totheiragreementthattheyshouldstaytillspring，andhemadenosignofgoing，asthewinterworeawaytoitsend，excepttowriteouttoTuskingumminuteinstructionsforgettingthegardenready。Hevariedhisvisitstothebook-stallsbyconferenceswithseedsmenattheirstores；andhiswifecouldseethathehadaskeenasatisfactionindespatchingararefindfromoneasfromtheother。
　　Sheforboretomakehimrealizethatthesituationhadnotchanged，andthattheywouldbetakingtheirdaughterbacktothetroublethegirlherselfhadwishedtoescape。Shewastrusting，withnodefinitehope，forsomechanceofmakinghimfeelthis，whileKentonwaswaitingwithakindofpassionatepatienceforthetermofhisexile，whenhecameinonedayinAprilfromoneofhislongwalks，andsaidhehadbeenuptotheParktoseetheblackbirds。Buthecomplainedofbeingtired，andhelaydownonhisbed。Hedidnotgetupfordinner，andthenitwassixweeksbeforehelefthisroom。
　　Hecouldnotrememberthathehadeverbeensicksolongbefore，andhewassoawedbyhissuffering，whichwasseverebutnotserious，thatwhenhisdoctorsaidhethoughtavoyagetoEuropewouldbegoodforhimhesubmittedtoomeeklyforMrs。Kenton。Herheartsmoteherforherguiltyjoyinhissentence，andshepunishedherselfbyaskingifitwouldnotdohimmoregoodtogetbacktothecomfortandquietoftheirownhouse。
　　Shewenttothelengthofsayingthatshebelievedhisattackhadbeenbroughtonmorebyhomesicknessthananythingelse。Butthedoctoragreedratherwithherwishthanherword，andheldoutthathismelancholywasnotthecausebuttheeffectofhisdisorder。Thenshetookcourageandbegangettingreadytogo。ShedidnotflageveninthedarkhourswhenKentongotbackhiscouragewithhisreturningstrength，andscoffedatthenotionofEurope，andinsistedthatassoonastheywereinTuskingumheshouldbeallrightagain。
　　Shefelttheingratitude，nottosaytheperfidy，ofhisbehavior，andshefortifiedherselfindignantlyagainstit；butitwasnotherconstantpurpose，orthedoctor’sinflexibleopinion，thatprevailedwithKentonatlastalettercameonedayforEllenwhichsheshowedtohermother，andwhichhermother，withherdistressobscurelyrelievedbyasenseofitspowerfulinstrumentality，broughttothegirl’sfather。Itwasfromthatfellow，astheyalwayscalledhim，anditaskedofthegirlahearinguponacertainpointinwhich，ithadjustcometohisknowledge，shehadmisjudgedhim。Hemadenoclaimuponher，andonlyurgedhiswishtorighthimselfwithherbecauseshewastheonepersoninthewholeworld，afterhismother，forwhosegoodopinionhecared。Withsometawdrinessofsentiment，theletterwaswellworded；itwasprofessedlywrittenforthesolepurposeofknowingwhether，whenshecamebacktoTuskingum，shewouldseehim，andlethimprovetoherthathewasnotwhollyunworthyofthekindnessshehadshownhimwhenhewaswithoutotherfriends。
　　"Whatdoesshesay？"thejudgedemanded。
　　"Whatdoyousuppose？"hiswiferetorted。"Shethinkssheoughttoseehim。"
　　"Verywell，then。WewillgotoEurope。"
　　"Notonmyaccount！"Mrs。Kentonconsciouslyprotested。
　　"No；notonyouraccount，ormine，either。OnNelly’saccount。Whereisshe？Iwanttotalkwithher。"
　　"AndIwanttotalkwithyou。She’sout，withLottie；andwhenshecomesbackIwilltellherwhatyousay。ButIwanttoknowwhatyouthink，first。"
　　III。
　　ItwassometimebeforetheyarrivedatacommonagreementastowhatKentonthought，andwhentheyreachedittheydecidedthattheymustleavethematteraltogethertoEllen，astheyhaddonebefore。Theywouldneverforcehertoanything，andif，afterallthathermothercouldsay，shestillwishedtoseethefellow，theywouldnotdenyher。
　　Whenitcametothis，Ellenwasalongtimesilent，solongatimethathermotherwasbeginningrestivelytodoubtwhethershewasgoingtospeakatall。Thenshedrewalong，silentbreath。"IsupposeIoughttodespisemyself，momma，forcaringforhim，whenhe’sneverreallysaidthathecaredforme。"
　　"No，no，"hermotherfaltered。
　　"ButIdo，Ido！"shegavewaypiteously。"Ican’thelpit！Hedoesn’tsayso，evennow。"
　　"No，hedoesn’t。"Ithurthermothertoownthefactthatalonegaveherhope。
　　Thegirlwasalongtimesilentagainbeforesheasked，"Haspoppagotthetickets？"
　　"Why，hewouldn’t，Ellen，child，tillheknewhowyoufelt，"hermothertenderlyreproachedher。
　　"He’dbetternotwait！"ThetearsransilentlydownEllen’scheeks，andherlipstwitchedalittlebetweenthesewordsandthenext；shespokeasifitwerestillofherfather，buthermotherunderstood。"Ifheeverdoessayso，don’tyouspeakawordtome，momma；anddon’tyouletpoppa。"
　　"No；indeedIwon’t，"hermotherpromised。"Haveweeverinterfered，Ellen？Haveweevertriedtocontrolyou？"
　　"HeWOULDhavesaidso，ifhehadn’tseenthateverybodywasagainsthim。"Themotherborewithoutreplytheingratitudeandinjusticethatsheknewwerefromthechild’spainandnotfromherwill。"Whereishisletter？Givemehisletter！"Shenervouslytwitcheditfromhermother’shandandranitintoherpocket。Sheturnedawaytogoandputoffherhat，whichshestillworefromcominginwithLottie；butshestoppedandlookedoverhershoulderathermother。"I’mgoingtoanswerit，andIdon’twantyouevertoaskmewhatI’vesaid。Willyou？"
　　"No，Iwon’t，Nelly。"
　　"Well，then！"
　　ThenextnightshewentwithBoyneandLottietotheapartmentoverheadtospendtheirlasteveningwiththeyoungpeoplethere，whoweregoingintothecountrythenextday。Shecamebackwithouttheothers，whowishedtostayalittlelonger，asshesaid，withalookofgayexcitementinhereyes，whichhermotherknewwasnothappiness。Mrs。
　　Kentonhadanimpulsetosweepintoherlapthelithographplansofthesteamer，andthepassageticketwhichlayopenonthetablebeforeherselfandherhusband。ButitwastoolatetohidethemfromEllen。
　　Shesawthem，andcaughtuptheticket，andreadit，andflungitdownagain。"Oh，Ididn’tthinkyouwoulddoit！"sheburstout；andsheranawaytoherroom，wheretheycouldhearhersobbing，astheysathaggardlyfacingeachother。
　　"Well，thatsettlesit，"saidBentonatlast，withahardgulp。
　　"Oh，Isupposeso，"hiswifeassented。
　　Onhispart，now，hehadagenuineregretforherdisappointmentfromthesadsafetyofthetroublethatwouldkeepthemathome；andonherpartshecouldbegladofitifanysortofcomfortcouldcomeoutofittohim。
　　"Tillshesaysgo，"headded，"we’vegottostay。"
　　"Ohyes，"hiswiferesponded。"Theworstofitis，wecan’tevengobacktoTuskingum:’Helookedupsuddenlyather，andshesawthatbehadnotthoughtofthis。Shemade"Tchk！"insheeramazeathim。
　　"Wewon’tcrossthatrivertillwecometoit，"hesaid，sullenly，buthalf-ashamed。Thenextmorningthesituationhadnotchangedovernight，astheysomehowbothcrazilyhopeditmight，andatbreakfast，whichtheyhadatatablegrownmoreremotefromotherswiththethinningoutofthewinterguestsofthehotel，thefatherandmothersatdownaloneinsilencewhichwasscarcelybrokentillLottieandBoynejoinedthem。
　　"Where’sEllen？"theboydemanded。
　　"She’shavingherbreakfastinherroom，"Mrs。Kentonanswered。
　　"Shesaysshedon’twanttoeatanything，"Lottiereported。"Shemadethemantakeitawayagain。"
　　Thegloomdeepenedinthefacesofthefatherandmother，butneitherspoke，andBoyneresumedthewordagaininatoneofphilosophicspeculation。"Idon’tseehowI’mgoingtogetalong，withthoseEuropeanbreakfasts。Theysayyoucan’tgetanythingbutcoldmeatoreggs；andgenerallytheydon’texpecttogiveyouanythingbutbreadandbutterwithyourcoffee。Idon’tthinkthat’sthewaytostarttheday，doyou，poppa？"
　　Kentonseemednottohaveheard，forhewentonsilentlyeating，andthemother，whohadnotbeenappealedto，merelylookeddistractedlyacrossthetableatherchildren。
　　"Mr。Plumptonsayshe’scomingdowntoseeusoff，"saidLottie，smoothinghernapkininherlap。"Doyouknowthetimeofdaywhentheboatsails，momma？"
　　"Yes，"herbrotherbrokein，"andifIhadbeenmommaI’dhaveboxedyourearsforthewayyouwentonwithhim。Youfairlyteasedhimtocome。
　　ThewayLottiegoesonwithmenisashame，momma。"
　　"Whattimedoestheboatsail，momma！"Lottieblandlypersisted。"I
　　promisedtoletMr。Plumptonknow。"
　　"Yes，soastogetachancetowritetohim，"saidBoyne。"Iguesswhenheseesyourspelling！"
　　"Momma！Dowakeup！Whattimedoesoursteamersail？"
　　AlightofconsciousnesscameintoMrs。Renton’seyesatlast，andshesighedgently。"We’renotgoing，Lottie。"
　　"Notgoing！Why，butwe’vegotthetickets，andI’vetold——"
　　"Yourfatherhasdecidednottogo，forthepresent。Wemaygolaterinthesummer，orperhapsinthefall。"
　　Boynelookedathisfather’stroubledface，andsaidnothing，butLottiewasnotstayedfromtheexpressionofherfeelingsbyanyill-timedconsiderationforwhatherfather’smightbe。"Ijustknow，"shefired，"it’ssomethingtodowiththatnastyBittridge。He’sbeenabitterdosetothisfamily！AssoonasIsawEllenhavealetterIwassureitwasfromhim；andsheoughttobeashamed。IfIhadplayedthesimpletonwithsuchafellowIguessyouwouldn’thaveletmekeepyoufromgoingtoEuropeverymuch。Whatisshegoingtodonow？Marryhim？Ordoesn’thewantherto？"
　　"Lottie！"saidhermother，andherfatherglancedupatherwithafacethatsilencedher。
　　"Whenyou’vebeenhalfasgoodagirlasEllenhasbeen，inthiswholematter，"hesaid，darkly，"itwillbetimeforyoutocomplainofthewayyou’vebeentreated。"
　　"Ohyes，IknowyoulikeEllenthebest，"saidthegirl，defiantly。
　　"Don’tsaysuchathing，Lottie！"saidhermother。"Yourfatherlovesallhischildrenalike，andIwon’thaveyoutalkingsotohim。Ellenhashadagreatdealtobear，andshehasbehavedbeautifully。IfwearenotgoingtoEuropeitisbecausewehavedecidedthatitisbestnottogo，andIwishtohearnothingmorefromyouaboutit。"
　　"Ohyes！Andanicepositionitleavesmein，whenI’vebeentakinggood-byeofeverybody！Well，Ihopetogoodnessyouwon’tsayanythingaboutittillthePlumptonsgetaway。Icouldn’thavethefacetomeetthemifyoudid。"
　　"Itwon’tbenecessarytosayanything；oryoucansaythatwe’vemerelypostponedoursailing。Peoplearealwaysdoingthat。"
　　"It’snottobeapostponement，"saidKenton，sosternlythatnooneventuredtodisputehim，thechildrenbecausetheywereafraidofhim，andtheirmotherbecauseshewassufferingforhim。
　　Atthesteamshipoffice，however，theauthoritiesrepresentedthatitwasnowsonearthedateofhissailingthattheycouldnotallowhimtorelinquishhispassagesexceptathisownrisk。Theywouldtrytosellhisticketforhim，buttheycouldnottakeitback，andtheycouldnotpromisetosellit。Therewasreasoninwhattheysaid，butiftherehadbeennone，theyhadthefourhundreddollarswhichKentonhadpaidforhisfiveberthsandtheyhadatleasttheadvantageofhimintheargumentbythatmeans。Heputtheticketbackinhispocket-bookwithoutattemptingtoanswerthem，anddeferredhisdecisiontillhecouldadvisewithhiswife，who，afterheleftthebreakfast-tableuponhiserrandtothesteamshipoffice，hadabandonedherchildrentotheirowndevices，andgonetoscoldEllenfornoteating。
　　Shehadnotthehearttoscoldherwhenshefoundthegirllyingfacedownwardinthepillow，withherthinarmsthrownupthroughthecoilsandheapsofherloose-flunghair。Shewassoalightthatherfigurescarcelydefineditselfunderthebedclothes；thedarkhair，andthewhite，outstretchedarmsseemedalltherewasofher。Shedidnotstir，buthermotherknewshewasnotsleeping。"Ellen，"shesaid，gently，"youneedn’tbetroubledaboutourgoingtoEurope。Yourfatherhasgonedowntothesteamshipofficetogivebackhisticket。"
　　Thegirlflashedherfaceroundwithnervousquickness。"Gonetogivebackhisticket！"
　　"Yes，wedecideditlastnight。He’sneverreallywantedtogo，and——"
　　"ButIdon’twishpoppatogiveuphisticket！"saidEllen。"Hemustgetitagain。IshalldieifIstayhere，momma。Wehavegottogo。
　　Can’tyouunderstandthat？"
　　Mrs。Kentondidnotknowwhattoanswer。Shehadastrongsuperficialdesiretoshakeherdaughterasanaughtychildwhichhasvexeditsmother，butunderthiswasastirstrongerpityforherasawoman，whicheasily，prevailed。"Why，but，Ellendear！Wethoughtfromwhatyousaidlastnight——"
　　"Butcouldn’tyouSEE，"thegirlreproachedher，andshebegantocry，andturnedherfaceintothepillowagainandlaysobbing。
　　"Well，"saidhermother，aftershehadgivenheralittletime，"youneedn’tbetroubled。Yourfathercaneasilygettheticketagain；hecantelephonedownforit。Nothinghasbeendoneyet。Butdidn’tyoureallywanttostay，then？"
　　"Itisn’twhetherIwanttostayornot，"Ellenspokeintoherpillow。
　　"Youknowthat。YouknowthatIhavegottogo。YouknowthatifIsawhim——Oh，whydoyoumakemetalk？"
　　"Yes，Iunderstand，child。"Then，intheimperiousnecessityofblamingsomeone，Mrs。Kentonadded:"Youknowhowitiswithyourfather。Heisalwayssoprecipitate；andwhenheheardwhatyousaid，lastnight，itcuthimtotheheart。Hefeltasifheweredraggingyouaway，andthismorninghecouldhardlywaittogetthroughhisbreakfastbeforeherusheddowntothesteamshipoffice。Butnowit’sallrightagain，andifyouwanttogo，we’llgo，andyourfatherwillonlybetooglad。"
　　"Idon’twantfathertogoagainsthiswill。YousaidheneverwantedtogotoEurope。"Thegirlhadturnedherfaceuponhermotheragain；andfixedherwithhertearful，accusingeyes。
　　"Thedoctorssayheoughttogo。Heneedsthechange，andIthinkweshouldallbethebetterfargettingaway。"
　　"Ishallnot，"saidEllen。"ButifIdon’t——"
　　"Yes，"saidhermother，soothingly。
　　"Youknowthatnothinghaschanged。Hehasn’tchangedandIhaven’t。Ifhewasbad，he’sasbadasever，andI’mjustassilly。Oh，it’slikeadrunkard！Isupposetheyknowit’skillingthem，buttheycan’tgiveitup！Don’tyouthinkit’sverystrange，momma？Idon’tseewhyIshouldbeso。ItseemsasifIhadnocharacteratall，andIdespisemyselfso！DoyoubelieveIshallevergetoverit？SometimesIthinkthebestthingformewouldbetogointoanasylum。"
　　"Ohyes，dear；you’llgetoverit，andforgetitall。Assoonasyouseeothers——otherscenes——andgetinterested——"
　　"Andyoudon’tyoudon’tthinkI’dbetterlethimcome，and——"
　　"Ellen！"
　　Ellenbegantosobagain，andtossherheaduponthepillow。"WhatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？"shewailed。"Hehasn’teverdoneanythingbadtome，andifIcanoverlookhis——hisflirting——withthathorridthing，Idon’tknowwhattherestofyouhavegottosay。Andhesayshecanexplaineverything。Whyshouldn’tIgivehimthechance，momma？Idothinkitisactingverycruelnottolethimevensayaword。"
　　"Youcanseehimifyouwish，Ellen，"saidhermother，gravely。"YourfatherandIhavealwayssaidthat。Andperhapsitwouldbethebestthing，afterall。"
　　"Oh，yousaythatbecauseyouthinkthatifIdidseehim，IshouldbesodisgustedwithhimthatI’dneverwanttospeaktohimagain。ButwhatifIshouldn’t？"
　　"Thenweshouldwishyoutodowhateveryouthoughtwasforyourhappiness，Ellen。Wecan’tbelieveitwouldbeforyourgood；butifitwouldbeforyourhappiness，wearewilling。Or，ifyoudon’tthinkit’sforyourhappiness，butonlyforhis，andyouwishtodoit，stillweshallbewilling，andyouknowthatasfarasyourfatherandIareconcerned，therewillneverbeawordofreproach——notawhisper。"
　　"Lottiewoulddespiseme；andwhatwouldRichardsay？"
　　"Richardwouldneversayanythingtowoundyou，dear，andifyoudon’tdespiseyourself，youneedn’tmindLottie。"
　　"ButIshould，momma；that’stheworstofit！Ishoulddespisemyself，andhewoulddespisemetoo。No，ifIseehim，IamgoingtodoitbecauseIamselfishandwicked，andwishtohavemyownway，nomatterwhoisharmedbyit，or——anything；andI’mnotgoingtohaveitputonanyotherground。Icouldseehim，"shesaid，asiftoherself，"justoncemore——onlyoncemore——andthenifIdidn’tbelieveinhim，IcouldstartrightofftoEurope。"
　　Hermothermadenoanswertothis，andEllenlayawhileapparentlyforgetfulofherpresence，inwardlydramatizingapassionatesceneofdismissalbetweenherselfandherfalselover。Sherousedherselffromthereveriewithalongsigh，andhermothersaid，"Won’tyouhavesomebreakfast，now；Ellen？"
　　"Yes；andIwillgetup。Youneedn’tbetroubledanymoreaboutme，momma。Iwillwritetohimnottocome，andpoppamustgobackandgethisticketagain。"
　　"Notunlessyouaredoingthisofyourownfreewill，child。Ican’thaveyoufeelingthatweareputtinganypressureuponyou。"
　　"You’renot。I’mdoingitofmyownwill。Ifitisn’tmyfreewill，thatisn’tyourfault。Iwonderwhosefaultitis？Mine，orwhatmademesosillyandweak？"
　　"Youarenotsillyandweak，"saidhermother，fondly，andshebentoverthegirlandwouldhavekissedher，butEllenavertedherfacewithapiteous"Don’t！"andMrs。Kentonwentoutandorderedherbreakfastbroughtback。
　　Shedidnotgointomakehereatit，asshewouldhavedoneinthebeginningofthegirl’strouble；theyhadalllearnedhowmuchbettershewasforbeinglefttofightherbattleswithherselfsinglehanded。
　　Mrs。Kentonwaitedintheparlortillherhusbandsamein，lookinggloomyandtired。Heputhishatdownandsankintoachairwithoutspeaking。
　　"Well？"shesaid。
　　"Wehavegottolosethepriceoftheticket，ifwegiveitback。I
　　thoughtIhadbettertalkwithyoufirst，"saidKenton，andheexplainedthesituation。
　　"Thenyouhadbettersimplyhaveitputofftillthenextsteamer。
　　IhavebeentalkingwithEllen，andshedoesn’twanttostay。Shewantstogo。"HiswifetookadvantageofKenton’smuteamazeinthenervousvagariesevenofthewomennearesthimamanlearnsnothingfromexperiencetoputherowninterpretationonthecase，which，asitwascreditabletothegirl’ssenseandprinciple，hefoundacceptableifnotimaginable。"Andifyouwilltakemyadvice，"sheended，"youwillgoquietlybacktothesteamshipofficeandexchangeyourticketforthenextsteamer，ortheoneafterthat，ifyoucan’tgetgoodrooms，andgiveEllentimetogetoverthisbeforesheleaves。Itwillbemuchbetterforhertoconquerherselfthantorunaway，forthatwouldalwaysgiveherafeelingofshame，andifshedecidesbeforeshegoes，itwillstrengthenherprideandself-respect，andtherewillbelessdanger——
　　whenwecomeback。"
　　"Doyouthinkhe’sgoingtokeepafterher！"
　　"HowcanItell？Hewillifhethinksit’stohisinterest，orhecanmakeanybodymiserablebyit。"
　　Kentonsaidnothingtothis，butafterawhilehesuggested，rathertimorously，asifitweresomethinghecouldnotexpecthertoapprove，andwashimselfhalfashamedof，"IbelieveifIdoputitoff，I’llrunouttoTuskingumbeforewesail，andlookafteralittlematterofbusinessthatIdon’tthinkDickcanattendtosowell。"
　　Hiswifeknewwhyhewantedtogo，andinherownmindshehadalreadydecidedthatifheshouldeverproposetogo，sheshouldnotgainsayhim。
　　Shehad，infact，beenrathersurprisedthathehadnotproposeditbeforethis，andnowsheassented，withouttaxinghimwithhisrealmotive，andbringinghimtoopendisgracebeforeher。Sheevenwentfurtherinsaying:"Verywell，thenyouhadbettergo。Icangetonverywellhere，andIthinkitwillleaveEllenfreertoactforherselfifyouareaway。AndtherearesomethingsinthehousethatIwant，andthatRichardwouldbesuretosendhiswifetogetifIaskedhim，andI
　　won’thaveherrummagingaroundinmyclosets。Isupposeyouwillwanttogointothehouse？"
　　"Isupposeso，"saidRenton，whohadnotletadaypass，sincehelefthishouse，withoutspendinghalfhishomesicktimeinit。Hiswifesufferedhisaffectedindifferencetogowithoutexposure，andtrumpedupacommissionforhim，whichwouldtakehimintimatelyintothehouse。
　　IV
　　ThepietyofhissonRichardhadmaintainedtheplaceatTuskinguminperfectorderoutwardly，andKenton’sheartachedwithtenderpainashepasseduptheneatlykeptwalkfromthegate，betweenthebloomingranksofsyringasandsnowballs，tohisdoor，andwitnessedthefaithfulcarethatRichard’shiredmanhadbestoweduponeverydetail。Thegrassbetweenthebanksofrosesandrhododendronshadbeenasscrupulouslylawn-moweredandassedulouslygarden-hosedasifKentonhimselfhadbeentheretolookafteritswelfare，orhadtendedtheshrubberyasheusedtodoinearlierdayswithhisownhand。Theoakswhichhehadplantedshookouttheirglossygreeninthemorninggale，andinthetulip-trees，whichhadsnowedtheirpetalsonthegroundinwidecirclesdefinedbythereachoftheirbranches，heheardthesquirrelsbarking；ared-birdfromthewoodydepthsbehindthehousemockedthecat-birdsinthequince-trees。TheJunerosewasredalongthetrellisoftheveranda，whereLottieoughttobesittingtoreceivethemorningcallsoftheyoungmenwhoweresometimesquiteasearlyasKenton’spresentvisitintheirdevotions，andthesoundofEllen’spiano，playedfitfullyandabsentlyinherfashion，oughttobecomingoutirrespectiveofthehour。
　　Itseemedtohimthathiswifemustopenthedoorashisstepsandhisson’smadethemselvesheardonthewalkbetweentheboxbordersintheirupperorchard，andhefalteredalittle。
　　"Lookhere，father，"saidhisson，detectinghishesitation。"Whydon’tyouletMarycomeinwithyou，andhelpyoufindthosethings？"
　　"No，no，"saidKenton，sinkingintooneofthewoodenseatsthatflankedthedoor-way。"IpromisedyourmotherthatIwouldgetthemmyself。Youknowwomendon’tliketohaveotherwomengoingthroughtheirhouses。"
　　"Yes，butMary！"hissonurged。
　　"Ah！It’sjustMary，withherperfecthousekeeping，thatyourmotherwouldn’tliketohaveseethewaysheleftthings，"saidKenton，andhesmiledatthenotionofanyonebeinghousekeeperenoughtofindaflawinhiswife’s。"My，butthisispleasant！"headded。Hetookoffhishatandletthebreezeplaythroughthelank，thinhairwhichwasstillblackonhisfine，highforehead。Hewasaveryhandsomeoldman，withadelicateaquilineprofile，oftheperfectRomantypewhichisperhapsoftenerfoundinAmericathaneveritwasinRome。"You’vekeptitverynice，Dick，"hesaid，withageneralizingwaveofhishat。
　　"Well，Icouldn’ttellwhetheryouwouldbecomingbackornot，andI
　　thoughtIhadbetterbereadyforyou。"
　　"Iwishwewere，"saidtheoldman，"andweshallbe，inthefall，orthelatterpartofthesummer。Butit’sbetternowthatweshouldgo——onEllen’saccount。"
　　"Oh，you’llenjoyit，"hissonevadedhim。
　　"Youhaven’tseenanythingofhimlately？"Kentonsuggested。
　　"Hewasn’tlikelytoletmeseeanythingofhim，"returnedtheson。
　　"No，"saidthefather。"Well！"Herosetoputthekeyintothedoor，andhissonsteppeddownfromthelittleporchtothebrickwalk。
　　"Marywillhavedinnerearly，father；andwhenyou’vegotthroughhere，you’dbettercomeoverandliedownawhilebeforehand。"
　　Kentonhadbeendroppedateighto’clockfromasleeperontheGreatThree，andhadrefusedbreakfastathisson’shouse，uponthepleathattheporterhadgivenhimaSoutherncantaloupeandacupofcoffeeonthetrain，andhewasnolongerhungry。
　　"Allright，"hesaid。"Iwon’tbelongerthanIcanhelp。"Hehadgotthedooropenandwasgoingtocloseitagain。
　　Hissonlaughed。"Betternotshutit，father。Itwillletthefreshairin。"
　　"Oh，allright，"saidtheoldman。
　　Thesonlingeredabout，givingsomeorderstothehiredmaninthevegetablegarden，foranexcuse，inthehopethathisfathermightchangehismindandaskhimtocomeintothehousewithhim；hefeltitsoforlornforhimtobegoingthroughthoselifelessroomsalone。Whenhelookedround，andsawhisfatherholdingthedoorajar，asifimpatientlywaitingforhimtobegone，helaughedandwavedhishandtohim。"Allright，father？I’mgoingnow。"Butthoughhetreatedthemattersolightlywithhisfather，hesaidgrimlytohiswife，ashepassedherontheirownporch，onhiswaytohisonce，"Idon’tliketothinkoffatherbeingdrivenoutofhouseandhomethisway。"
　　"NeitherdoI，Dick。Butitcan’tbehelped，canit？"
　　"IthinkIcouldhelpit，ifIgotmyhandsonthatfellowonce。"
　　"No，youcouldn’t，Dick。It’snothethat’sdoingit。It’sEllen；youknowthatwellenough；andyou’vejustgottostandit。"
　　"Yes，Isupposeso，"saidRichardKenton。
　　"Ofcourse，myheartachesforyourpooroldfather，butsoitwouldifEllenhadsomekindofawfulsickness。Itisakindofsickness，andyoucan’tfightitanymorethanifshereallywassick。"
　　"No，"saidthehusband，dejectedly。"Youjustslipoverthere，afterawhile，Mary，iffather’sgonetoolong，willyou？Idon’tliketohavehimtherealone。"
　　"’Deedand’deedIwon’t，Dick。Hewouldn’tlikeitatall，myspyinground。Nothingcanhappentohim，andIbelieveyourmother’sjustmadeanexcusetosendhimaftersomething，sothathecanbeintherealone，andrealizethatthehouseisn’thomeanymore。ItwillbeeasierforhimtogotoEuropewhenhefindsthatout。Ibelieveinmyheartthatwasherideainnotwantingmetofindthethingsforhim，andI’mnotgoingtomeddlemyself。"
　　Withthefatuityofamaninsuchthings，andwiththefatuityofageregardingallthethingsofthepast，Kentonhadthoughtinhishomesicknessofhishouseasheusedtobeinit，andhadneverbeenabletopictureitwithoutthefamilylife。Ashenowwalkedthroughtheemptyrooms，andupanddownthestairs，hispulsebeatlowasifinthepresenceofdeath。Everythingwasastheyhadleftit，whentheywentoutofthehouse，anditappearedtoKentonthatnothinghadbeentouchedtheresince，thoughwhenheafterwardsreportedtohiswifethattherewasnotaspeckofdustanywheresheknewthatMaryhadbeengoingthroughthehouse，intheirabsence，notonceonly，butoften，andshefeltapangofgratefuljealousy。HegottogetherthethingsthatMrs。
　　Kentonhadpretendedtowant，andafterglancinginatthedifferentrooms，whichseemedtobelyingstealthilyinwaitforhim，withtheiremptinessandsilence，hewentdown-stairswiththebundlehehadmade，andturnedintohislibrary。Hehadsomethoughtoflookingatthecollectionsforhishistory，but，afterpullingopenoneofthedrawersinwhichtheywerestored，hepushedittoagain，andsanklistlesslyintohisleather-coveredswivel-chair，whichstoodinitsplacebeforethewidewriting-table，andseemedtohavehadhiminitbeforehesatdown。Thetablewasbare，exceptforthebooksanddocumentswhichhehadsenthomefromtimetotimeduringthewinter，andwhichRichardorhiswifehadneatlyarrangedtherewithoutbreakingtheirwraps。Heletfallhisbundleathisfeet，andsatstaringattheranksofbooksagainstthewall，mechanicallyrelatingthemtothedifferentepochsofthepastinwhichheorhiswifeorhischildrenhadbeeninterestedinthem，andachingwithtenderpain。Hehadalwayssupposedhimselfahappyandstrongandsuccessfulman，butwhatadrearyruinhislifehadfalleninto！Wasittobefinallysohelplessandpowerlessforwithallthedefencesabouthimthatamancanhave，hefelthimselffatallyvulnerablethathehadfoughtsomanyyears？Why，athisage，shouldhebegoingintoexile，awayfromeverythingthatcouldmakehisdaysbrightandsweet？Whycouldnothecomebackthere，wherehewasnowmoresolitarythanhecouldbeanywhereelseonearth，andreanimatethedeadbodyofhishomewithhisoldlife？Heknewwhy，inanimmediatesort，buthisquestwasforthecausebehindthecause。Whathadhedone，orleftundone？Hehadtriedtobeajustman，andfulfilallhisdutiesbothtohisfamilyandtohisneighbors；hehadwishedtobekind，andnottoharmanyone；hereflectedhow，ashehadgrownolder，thedreadofdoinganyunkindnesshadgrownuponhim，andhowhehadtriednottobeproud，buttowalkmeeklyandhumbly。Whyshouldhebepunishedashewas，strickeninaplacesosacredthattheefforttodefendhimselfhadseemedakindofsacrilege？Hecouldnotmakeitout，andhewasnotawareofthetearsofself-pitythatstoleslowlydownhisface，thoughfromtimetotimehewipedthemaway。
　　Heheardstepsinthehallwithout，advancingandpausing，whichmustbethoseofhissoncomingbackforhim，andwiththeseadvancesandpausesgivinghimnoticeofhisapproach；buthedidnotmove，andatfirsthedidnotlookupwhenthestepsarrivedatthethresholdoftheroomwherehesat。WhenheliftedhiseyesatlasthesawBittridgelounginginthedoor-way，withoneshouldersupportedagainstthedoor-jamb，hishandsinhispocketsandhishatpushedwellbackonhisforehead。InaninstantallKenton’shumilityandsoftrepiningweregone。"Well，whatisit？"
　　hecalled。
　　"Oh，"saidBittridge，comingforward。Helaughedandexplained，"Didn’tknowifyourecognizedme。"
　　"Irecognizedyou，"saidKenton，fiercely。"Whatisityouwant？"
　　"Well，Ihappenedtobepassing，andIsawthedooropen，andIthoughtmaybeDickwashere。"
　　ItwasonKenton’stonguetosaythatitwasagoodthingforhimDickwasnotthere。Butpartlythesensethatthiswouldbeunbecomingbluster，andpartlythesuffocatingresentmentofthefellow’simpudence，limitedhisresponsetoaformlessgasp，andBittridgewenton:"ButI’mgladtofindyouhere，judge。Ididn’tknowthatyouwereintown。
　　FamilyallwellinNewYork？"Hewasnotquelledbythesilenceofthejudgeonthispoint，but，asifhehadnotexpectedanydefinitereplytowhatmightwellpassforformalcivility，henowlookedaslantintohisbreast-pocketfromwhichhedrewafoldedpaper。"IjustgotholdofadocumentthismorningthatIthinkwillinterestyou。IwasbringingitroundtoDick’swifeforyou。"TheintolerablefamiliarityofallthiswasfastworkingKentontoaviolentexplosion，buthecontainedhimself，andBittridgesteppedforwardtolaythepaperonthetablebeforehim。
　　"It’stheoriginalrosterofCompanyC，inyourregiment，and——"
　　"Takeitaway！"shoutedKenton，"andtakeyourselfawaywithit！"andhegraspedthestickthatshookinhishand。
　　AwickedlightcameintoBittridge’seyeashedrawled，inlazyscorn，"Oh，Idon’tknow。"Thenhistruculencebrokeinamaliciousamusement。
　　"Why，judge，what’sthematter？"Heputonafaceofmockgravity，andKentonknewwithhelplessfurythathewasenjoyinghisvantage。Hecouldfalluponhimandbeathimwithhisstick，leavingthesituationotherwiseundefined，butamoment’sreflectionconvincedKentonthatthiswouldnotdo。Itmadehimsicktothinkofstrikingthefellow，asifinthatactheshouldbestrikingEllen，too。Itdidnotoccurtohimthathecouldbephysicallyworsted，orthathisvehementagewouldbenomatchfortheother’svigorousyouth。Allhethoughtwasthatitwouldnotavail，excepttomakeknowntoeveryonewhatnonebutherdearestcouldnowconjecture。Bittridgecouldthenpubliclysay，anddoubtlesswouldsay，thathehadnevermadelovetoEllen；thatiftherehadbeenanylove-makingitwasallonherside；andthathehadonlypaidhertheattentionswhichanyyoungmanmightblamelesslypayaprettygirl。Thiswouldbetruetothefactsinthecase，thoughitwastruealsothathehadusedeverytacitarttomakeherbelievehiminlovewithher。Buthowcouldthistruthbeurged，andtowhom？SofartheaffairhadbeenquiteinthehandsofEllen’sfamily，andtheyhadallactedforthebest，uptothepresenttime。TheyhadgivenBittridgenogrievanceinmakinghimfeelthathewasunwelcomeintheirhouse，andtheywerequitewithintheirrightsingoingaway，andmakingitimpossibleforhimtoseeheragainanywhereinTuskingum。AsforhisseeingherinNewYork，Ellenhadbuttosaythatshedidnotwishit，andthatwouldendit。
　　Now，however，bytreatinghimrudely，KentonwasawarethathehadboundhimselftorenderBittridgesomeaccountofhisbehaviorthroughout，ifthefellowinsisteduponit。
　　"Iwantnothingtodowithyou，sir，"hesaid，lessviolently，but，ashefelt，notmoreeffectually。"Youareinmyhousewithoutmyinvitation，andagainstmywish！"
　　"Ididn’texpecttofindyouhere。IcameinbecauseIsawthedooropen，andIthoughtImightseeDickorhiswifeandgivethem，thispaperforyou。ButI’mgladIfoundyou，andifyouwon’tgivemeanyreasonfornotwantingmehere，Icangiveitmyself，andIthinkIcanmakeoutaverygoodcaseforyou。"KentonquiveredinanticipationofsomementionofEllen，andBittridgesmiledasifheunderstood。Buthewentontosay:"Iknowthattherewerethingshappenedafteryoufirstgavemetherunofyourhousethatmightmakeyouwanttoputupthebarsagain——iftheyweretrue。Buttheywerenottrue。AndIcanprovethatbythebestofallpossiblewitnesses——byUphillhimself。Hestandsshouldertoshoulderwithme，tomakeithotforanyonewhocoupleshiswife’snamewithmine。"
　　"Humph！"Kentoncouldnothelpmakingthiscomment，andBittridge，beingwhathewas，couldnothelplaughing。
　　"What’stheuse？"heasked，recoveringhimself。"Idon’tpretendthatIdidright，butyouknowtherewasn’tanyharminit。AndiftherehadbeenIshouldhavegottheworstofit。Honestly，judge，Icouldn’ttellyouhowmuchIprizedbeingadmittedtoyourhouseonthetermsIwas。
　　Don’tyouthinkIcouldappreciatethekindnessyouallshowedme？
　　Beforeyoutookmeup，IwasaloneinTuskingum，butyouopenedeverydoorintheplaceforme。Youmadeithometome；andyouwon’tbelieveit，ofcourse，becauseyou’reprejudiced；butIfeltlikeasonandbrothertoyouall。IfelttowardsMrs。KentonjustasIdotowardsmyownmother。IlostthebestfriendsIeverhadwhenyouturnedagainstme。Don’tyousupposeI’veseenthedifferencehereinTuskingum？Ofcourse，themenpassthetimeofdaywithmewhenwemeet，buttheydon’tlookmeup，andtherearemorenear-sightedgirlsinthistown！"Kentoncouldnotkeeptheremotedawnofasmileoutofhiseyes，andBittridgecaughtthefar-offgleam。"Andeverybody’sbeenawaythewholewinter。