CHAPTERI
　　BILLYWRITESALETTER
　　BillyNeilsonwaseighteenyearsoldwhentheaunt，whohadbroughtherupfrombabyhood，died.MissBenton’sdeathleftBillyquitealoneintheworld——alone，andpeculiarlyforlorn.ToMr.JamesHarding，ofHarding&Harding，whohadchargeofBilly’snotinconsiderableproperty，thegirlpouredoutherheartinallitslonelinesstwodaysafterthefuneral.
　　"Yousee，Mr.Harding，thereisn’tanyone——notanyonewho——
　　cares，"shechoked.
　　"Tut，tut，mychild，it’snotsobadasthat，surely，"remonstratedtheoldman，gently."Why，I——Icare."
　　Billysmiledthroughtear—weteyes.
　　"ButIcan’tLIVEwithyou，"shesaid.
　　"I’mnotsosureofthat，either，"retortedtheman."I’mthinkingthatLettyandAnnwouldLIKEtohaveyouwithus."
　　Thegirllaughednowoutright.ShewasthinkingofMissLetty，whohad"nerves，"andofMissAnn，whohada"heart";andshepicturedherownyoung，breezy，healthyselfattemptingtoconformtothehushedandshadedthingthatlifewas，withinLawyerHarding’shome.
　　"Thankyou，butI’msuretheywouldn’t，"sheobjected."Youdon’tknowhownoisyIam."
　　Thelawyerstirredrestlesslyandpondered.
　　"But，surely，mydear，isn’ttheresomerelative，somewhere？"hedemanded."Howaboutyourmother’speople？"
　　Billyshookherhead.Hereyesfilledagainwithtears.
　　TherewasonlyAuntElla，ever，thatIknewanythingabout.Sheandmotherweretheonlychildrentherewere，andmotherdiedwhenIwasayearold，youknow."
　　"Butyourfather’speople？"
　　"It’sevenworsethere.Hewasanonlychildandanorphanwhenmothermarriedhim.HediedwhenIwasbutsixmonthsold.AfterthattherewasonlymotherandAuntElla，thenAuntEllaalone;andnow——noone."
　　"Andyouknownothingofyourfather’speople？"
　　"Nothing;thatis——almostnothing."
　　"Thenthereissomeone？"
　　Billysmiled.Adeeperpinkshowedinhercheeks.
　　"Why，there’sone——amanbutheisn’treallyfather’speople，anyway.ButI——Ihavebeentemptedtowritetohim."
　　"Whoishe？"
　　"TheoneI’mnamedfor.Hewasfather’sboyhoodchum.Youseethat’swhyI’m’Billy’insteadofbeingaproper’Susie，’or’Bessie，’or’SallyJane.’Fatherhadmadeuphismindtonamehisbaby’William’afterhischum，andwhenIcame，AuntEllasaid，hewasquitebroken—hearteduntilsomebodyhitupontheideaofnamingmeBilly.’Thenhewascontent，foritseemsthathealwayscalledhischum’Billy’anyhow.Andso——’Billy’Iamto—day."
　　"Doyouknowthisman？"
　　"No.Youseefatherdied，andmotherandAuntEllaknewhimonlyveryslightly.Motherknewhiswife，though，AuntEllasaid，andSHEwaslovely."
　　"Hm——;well，wemightlookthemup，perhaps.Youknowhisaddress？"
　　"Oh，yesunlesshe’smoved.We’vealwayskeptthat.AuntEllausedtosaysometimesthatshewasgoingtowritetohimsomedayaboutme，youknow."
　　"What’shisname？"
　　"WilliamHenshaw.HelivesinBoston."
　　LawyerHardingsnatchedoffhisglasses，andleanedforwardinhischair.
　　"WilliamHenshaw！NottheBeaconStreetHenshaws！"hecried.
　　ItwasBilly’sturntobeexcited.She，too，leanedforwardeagerly.
　　"Oh，doyouknowhim？That’slovely！AndhisaddressISBeaconStreet！IknowbecauseIsawitonlyto—day.Yousee，IHAVEbeentemptedtowritehim."
　　"Writehim？Ofcourseyou’llwritehim，"criedthelawyer."Andwedon’tneedtodomuch’lookingup’there，child.I’veknownthefamilyforyears，andthisWilliamwasacollegemateofmyboy’s.
　　Nicefellow，too.I’veheardNedspeakofhim.Therewerethreesons，William，andtwoothersmuchyoungerthanhe.I’veforgottentheirnames."
　　"Thenyoudoknowhim！I’msoglad，"exclaimedBilly."Yousee，heneverseemedtomequitereal."
　　"Iknowabouthim，"correctedthelawyer，smilingly，"thoughI’llconfessI’veratherlosttrackofhimlately.Nedwillknow.I’llaskNed.Nowgohome，mydear，anddrythoseprettyeyesofyours.
　　Or，betterstill，comehomewithmetotea.I——I’lltelephoneuptothehouse."Andherosestifflyandwentintotheinneroffice.
　　Someminutespassedbeforehecameback，redofface，andplainlydistressed.
　　"Mydearchild，I——I’msorry，but——butI’llhavetotakebackthatinvitation，"heblurtedoutmiserably."Mysistersare——arenotwellthisafternoon.Annhasbeenhavingaturnwithherheart——
　　youknowAnn’sheartis——isbad;andLetty——Lettyisalwaysnervousatsuchtimes——verynervous.Er——I’msosorry！Butyou’ll——excuseit？"
　　"IndeedIwill，"smiledBilly，"andthankyoujustthesame;only"——
　　hereyestwinkledmischievously——"youdon’tmindifIdosaythatitISluckythatwehadn’tgoneonplanningtohavemelivewiththem，Mr.Harding！"
　　"Eh？Well——er，IthinkyourplanabouttheHenshawsisverygood，"
　　heinterposedhurriedly."I’llspeaktoNed——I’llspeaktoNed，"
　　hefinished，asheceremoniouslybowedthegirlfromtheoffice.
　　JamesHardingkepthisword，andspoketohissonthatnight;buttherewaslittle，afterall，thatNedcouldtellhim.Yes，herememberedBillyHenshawwell，buthehadnotheardofhimforyears，sinceHenshaw’smarriage，infact.Hemustbefortyyearsold，Nedsaid;buthewasafinefellow，anexceptionallyfinefellow，andwouldbesuretodealkindlyandwiselybyhislittleorphannamesake;ofthatNedwasverysure.
　　"That’sgood.I’llwritehim，"declaredMr.JamesHarding."I’llwritehimtomorrow."
　　Hedidwrite——butnotsosoonasBillywrote;forevenashespoke，Billy，inherlonelylittleroomattheotherendofthetown，waslayingbareallherhomesicknessinfourlongpagesto"DearUncleWilliam."
　　CHAPTERII
　　"THESTRATA"
　　BertramHenshawcalledtheBeaconStreethome"TheStrata."ThisannoyedCyril，andevenWilliam，notalittle;thoughtheyreflectedthat，afterall，itwas"onlyBertram."ForthewholeofBertram’stwenty—fouryearsoflifeithadbeenlikethis——"It’sonlyBertram，"hadbeenatoncethecurseandthesalvationofhisexistence.
　　Inthisparticularcase，however，Bertram’svagaryoffancyhadsomeexcuse.TheBeaconStreethouse，thehomeofthethreebrothers，wasa"Strata."
　　"Yousee，it’slikethis，"Bertramwouldexplainairilytosomenewacquaintancewhoexpressedsurpriseatthename;"ifIcouldsliceoffthefrontofthehouselikealoafofcake，you’dunderstanditbetter.ButjustsupposethatoldBunkerHillshouldsuddenlyspoutfireandbrimstoneandburyusundertonsofashes——onlyfancytheconditionofmindofthosefuturearchaeologistswhentheystruckourhouseaftertheirmonthsofdigging！
　　"Whatwouldtheyfind？Listen.First：stratumnumberone，thetopfloor;that’sCyril’s，youknow.They’dnotethebarefloors，thesparsebutheavyfurniture，thepiano，theviolin，theflute，thebook—linedwalls，andtheabsenceofeverysortofcurtain，cushion，orknickknack.’Herelivedaplainman，’they’dsay;’ascholar，amusician，stern，unlovedandunloving;amonk.’
　　"Andwhatnext？They’dstrikeWilliam’sstratumnext，thethirdfloor.Imagineit！YouknowWilliamasaStateStreetbroker，well—off，awidower，tall，angular，slowofspeech，alittlebald，verymuchnearsighted，andtheownerofthekindestheartintheworld.ButreallytoknowWilliam，youmustknowhisrooms.
　　Williamcollectsthings.Hehasalwayscollectedthings——andhe’ssavedeveryoneofthem.There’satraditionthatattheageofoneyearhecreptintothehousewithfoursmallroundwhitestones.Anyhow，ifhedid，he’sgotthemnow.Restassuredofthat——andhe’sfortythisyear.Miniatures，carvedivories，bugs，moths，porcelains，jades，stamps，postcards，spoons，baggagetags，theatreprograms，playing—cards——thereisn’tanythingthathedoesn’tcollect.He’sonteapots，now.Imagineit——Williamandteapots！Andthey’reallthereinhisrooms——onegloriousmassofconfusion.Justfancythosearchaeologiststryingtomaketheir’monk’livethere！
　　"Butwhentheyreachme，mystratum，they’llhaveaworsetimeyet.
　　Yousee，_I_likecushionsandcomfort，andIhavethemeverywhere.
　　AndIlike——well，Ilikelotsofthings.Myroomsdon’tbelongtothatmonk，notalittlebit.Andsoyousee，"Bertramwouldfinishmerrily，"that’swhyIcallitall’TheStrata.’"
　　And"TheStrata"itwastoalltheHenshaws’friends，andeventoWilliamandCyrilthemselves，inspiteoftheirobjectiontotheterm.
　　FrombabyhoodtheHenshawboyshadlivedinthehandsome，roomyhouse，facingthePublicGarden.Ithadbeentheirfather’sboyhoodhome，aswell，andheandhiswifehaddiedthere，soonafterKate，theonlydaughter，hadmarried.Attheageoftwenty—
　　two，WilliamHenshaw，theeldestson，hadbroughthisbridetothehouse，andtogethertheyhadstriventomakeahomeforthetwoyoungerorphanboys，Cyril，twelve，andBertram，six.ButMrs.
　　William，afterashortfiveyearsofmarriedlife，haddied;andsincethen，thehousehadknownalmostnothingofawoman’stouchorcare.
　　Littlebylittleastheyearspassed，thehouseanditsinmateshadfallenintowhathadgivenBertramhisexcuseforthename.Cyril，thirtyyearsoldnow，dignified，reserved，aversetocats，dogs，women，andconfusion，hadearlytakenhimselfandhismusictothepeaceandexclusivenessofthefourthfloor.Belowhim，Williamhadlongdiscouragedanymeddlingwithhispreciouschaosofpossessions，andhadfinallycometospendnearlyallhissparetimeamongthem.ThisleftBertramtoundisputedownershipofthesecondfloor，andrightroyallydidheholdswaytherewithhispaintsandbrushesandeasels，hisoldarmor，richhangings，rugs，andcushions，andeverywherehisspecialty——his"FaceofaGirl."
　　Fromcanvas，plaque，andpaneltheylookedout——thosegirlishfaces：winsome，wilful，pert，demure，merry，sad，beautiful，evenalmostugly——theywereallthere;andtheyweregrowingfamous，too.Theworldofartwasbeginningtotakenotice，andtoadjustitsspectaclesforamorecriticalglance.This"FaceofaGirl"
　　byHenshawbadefairtobeworthwhile.
　　BelowBertram’scheerysecondfloorwerethedimoldlibraryanddrawing—rooms，silent，stately，andalmostneverused;andbelowthemwerethedining—roomandthekitchen.HereruledDongLing，theChinesecook，andPete.
　　Petewas——indeed，itishardtellingwhatPetewas.Hesaidhewasthebutler;andhelookedthepartwhenheansweredthebellatthegreatfrontdoor.Butatothertimes，whenhesweptaroom，ordustedMasterWilliam’scurios，helooked——likenothingsomuchaswhathewas：afussy，faithfuloldman，whoexpectedtodieintheservicehehadenteredfiftyyearsbeforeasalad.
　　ThusinalltheBeaconStreethouse，therehadnotforyearsbeenthetouchofawoman’shand.EvenKate，themarriedsister，hadlongsincegivenuptryingtoinstructDongLingortochidePete，thoughshestillwalkedacrosstheGardenfromherCommonwealthAvenuehomeandtrippedupthestairstocallinturnuponherbrothers，Bertram，William，andCyril.
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THESTRATA——WHENTHELETTERCOMES
　　Itwasonthesixo’clockdeliverythatWilliamHenshawreceivedtheletterfromhisnamesake，Billy.Tosaytheleast，theletterwasagreatshocktohim.HehadnotquiteforgottenBilly’sfather，whohaddiedsolongago，itistrue，buthehadforgottenBilly，entirely.Evenashelookedatthedisconcertingepistlewithitsround，neatlyformedletters，hehadgreatdifficultyinferretingouttheparticularnicheinhismemorywhichcontainedthefactthatWalterNeilsonhadhadachild，andhadnameditforhim.
　　Andthischild，this"Billy，"thisunknownprogenyofanallbutforgottenboyhoodfriend，wasaskingahome，andwithhim！
　　Impossible！AndWilliamHenshawpeeredattheletterasif，atthissecondreading，itsmessagecouldnotbesomonstrous.
　　"Well，oldman，what’sup？"ItwasBertram’samazedvoicefromthehalldoorway;andindeed，WilliamHenshaw，red—facedandplainlytrembling，seatedontheloweststepofthestairway，andgazing，wild—eyed，attheletterinhishand，wassomewhatofanamazingsight."WhatISup？"
　　"What’sup！"groanedWilliam，startingtohisfeet，andwavingtheletterfranticallyintheair."What’sup！Youngman，doyouwantustotakeinachildtoboard？——aCHILD？"herepeatedinslowhorror.
　　"Well，hardly，"laughedtheother."Er，perhapsCyrilmightlikeit，though;eh？"
　　"Come，come，Bertram，besensibleforonce，"pleadedhisbrother，nervously."Thisisserious，reallyserious，Itellyou！"
　　"Whatisserious？"demandedCyril，comingdownthestairway.
　　"Can’titwait？Petehasalreadysoundedthegongtwicefordinner."
　　Williammadeadespairinggesture.
　　"Well，come，"hegroaned."I’lltellyouatthetableItseemsI’vegotanamesake，"heresumedinashakingvoice，afewmomentslater;"WalterNeilson’schild."
　　"Andwho’sWalterNeilson？"askedBertram.
　　"Aboyhoodfriend.Youwouldn’trememberhim.Thisletterisfromhischild."
　　"Well，let’shearit.Goahead.Ifancywecanstandthe——LETTER;
　　eh，Cyril？"
　　Cyrilfrowned.Cyrildidnotknow，perhaps，howoftenhefrownedatBertram.
　　Theeldestbrotherwethislips.Hishandshookashepickeduptheletter.
　　"It——it’ssoabsurd，"hemuttered.Thenheclearedhisthroatandreadtheletteraloud.
　　"DEARUNCLEWILLIAM：Doyoumindmycallingyouthat？YouseeI
　　wantSOMEone，andthereisn’tanyonenow.YouarethenearestI’vegot.Maybeyou’veforgotten，butI’mnamedforyou.WalterNeilsonwasmyfather，youknow.MyAuntEllahasjustdied.
　　"WouldyoumindverymuchifIcametolivewithyou？Thatis，betweentimes——I’mgoingtocollege，ofcourse，andafterthatI’mgoingtobe——well，Ihaven’tdecidedthatpartyet.IthinkI’llconsultyou.Youmayhavesomepreference，youknow.YoucanbethinkingitupuntilIcome.
　　"There！MaybeIoughtnottohavesaidthat，forperhapsyouwon’twantmetocome.IAMnoisy，I’llown，butnotsoIthinkyou’llminditmuchunlesssomeofyouhave’nerves’ora’heart.’Yousee，MissLettyandMissAnn——they’reMr.Harding’ssisters，andMr.Hardingisourlawyer，andhewillwritetoyou.Well，wherewasI？Oh，Iknow——onMissLetty’snerves.And，say，doyouknow，thatiswhereIdoget——onMissLetty’snerves.Ido，truly.Yousee，Mr.HardingverykindlysuggestedthatIlivewiththem，but，mercy！MissLetty’snerveswon’tletyouwalkexceptontiptoe，andMissAnn’sheartwon’tletyouspeakexceptinwhispers.Allthechairsandtableshavewornlittlesocketsinthecarpets，andit’sacrimetomovethem.Thereisn’tawindow—shadeinthehousethatisn’tpulleddownEXACTLYtothemiddlesash，exceptwherethesunshines，andthosearepulledwaydown.ImaginemeandSpunklivingthere！Oh，bytheway，youdon’tmindmybringingSpunk，doyou？Ihopeyoudon’t，forIcouldn’tlivewithoutSpunk，andhecouldn’tlivewithoutme.
　　"Pleaseletmehearfromyouverysoon.Idon’tmindifyoutelegraph;andjust’come’wouldbeallyou’dhavetosay.ThenI’dgetreadyrightawayandletyouknowwhattraintomeetmeon.
　　And，oh，say——ifyou’llwearapinkinyourbuttonholeIwill，too.
　　Thenwe’llknoweachother.Myaddressisjust’HampdenFalls.’
　　"Yourawfullyhomesicknamesake，"BILLYHENSHAWNEILSON"
　　ForonelongminutetherewasablanksilenceabouttheHenshawdinner—table;thentheeldestbrother，lookinganxiouslyfromonemantotheother，stammered：
　　"W—well？"
　　"GreatScott！"breathedBertram.
　　Cyrilsaidnothing，buthislipswerewhitewiththeirtensepressureagainsteachother.
　　Therewasanotherpause，andagainWilliambrokeitanxiously.
　　"Boys，thisisn’thelpingmeoutany！What’stobedone？"
　　"’Done’！"flamedCyril."Surely，youaren’tthinkingforamomentofLETTINGthatchildcomehere，William！"
　　Bertramchuckled.
　　"HeWOULDliventhingsup，Cyril;wouldn’the？Suchnicesmoothfloorsyou’vegotup—stairstotrundlelittletincartsacross！"
　　"Tinnonsense！"retortedCyril."Don’tbesilly，Bertram.Thatletterwasn’twrittenbyababy.He’dbemuchmorelikelytomakehimselfathomewithyourpaintbox，orwithsomeofWilliam’sjunk."
　　"Oh，Isay，"expostulatedWilliam，"we’llHAVEtokeephimoutofthosethings，youknow."
　　Cyrilpushedbackhischairfromthetable.
　　"’We’llhavetokeephimout’！William，youcan’tbeinearnest！
　　Youaren’tgoingtoletthatboycomehere，"hecried.
　　"ButwhatcanIdo？"falteredtheman.
　　"Do？Say’no，’ofcourse.Asifwewantedaboytobringup！"
　　"ButImustdosomething.I——I’mallhe’sgot.Hesaysso."
　　"Goodheavens！Well，sendhimtoboarding—school，then，ortothepenitentiary;anywherebuthere！"
　　"Shucks！Letthekidcome，"laughedBertram."Poorlittlehomesickdevil！What’stheuse？I’lltakehimin.Howoldishe，anyhow？"
　　Williamfrowned，andmusedaloudslowly.
　　"Why，Idon’tknow.Hemustbe——er——why，boys，he’snochild，"
　　brokeoffthemansuddenly."Walterhimselfdiedseventeenoreighteenyearsago，notmorethanayearortwoafterhewasmarried.Thatchildmustbesomewherearoundeighteenyearsold！"
　　"AndonlythinkhowCyrilWASworryingaboutthosetincarts，"
　　laughedBertram."Nevermind——eightoreighteen——lethimcome.Ifhe’sthatage，hewon’tbothermuch."
　　"Andthis——er——’Spunk’;doyoutakehim，too？Butprobablyhedoesn’tbother，either，"murmuredCyril，withsmoothsarcasm.
　　"Gorry！IforgotSpunk，"acknowledgedBertram."Say，whatintimeisSpunk，doyousuppose？"
　　"Dog，maybe，"suggestedWilliam.
　　"Well，whateverheis，youwillkindlykeepSpunkdown—stairs，"
　　saidCyrilwithdecision."Theboy，IsupposeIshallhavetoendure;butthedog——！"
　　"Hm—m;well，judgingbyhisname，"murmuredBertram，apologetically，"itmaybejustpossiblethatSpunkwon’tbeeasilycontrolled.Butmaybeheisn’tadog，anyhow.He——er——soundssomethinglikeaparrottome."
　　Cyrilrosetohisfeetabruptly.Hehadeatenalmostnodinner.
　　"Verywell，"hesaidcoldly."ButpleaserememberthatIholdyouresponsible，Bertram.Whetherit’sadog，oraparrot，or——oramonkey，IshallexpectyoutokeepSpunkdown—stairs.Thisadoptingintothefamilyanunknownboyseemstomeveryabsurdfrombeginningtoend.ButifyouandWilliamwillhaveitso，ofcourseI’venothingtosay.FortunatelymyroomsareattheTOPofthehouse，"hefinished，asheturnedandleftthedining—room.
　　Foramomenttherewassilence.Thebrowsoftheyoungermanwereupliftedquizzically.
　　"I’mafraidCyrilisbothered，"murmuredWilliamthen，inatroubledvoice.
　　Bertram’sfacechanged.Sternlinescametohisboyishmouth.
　　"Heisalwaysbothered——withanything，lately."
　　Theeldermansighed.
　　"Iknow，butwithhistalent——"
　　"’Talent’！GreatScott！"cutinBertram."Halftheworldhastalentofonesortoranother;butthatdoesn’tnecessarilymakethemunabletolivewithanyoneelse！Really，Will，it’sbecomingserious——aboutCyril.He’sgettingtobe，foralltheworld，likethosefinickyoldmaidsthatthatyoungnamesakeofyourswroteabout.He’llmakeuswhisperandwalkontiptoeyet！"
　　Theothersmiled.
　　"Don’tyouworry.Youaren’tinanydangerofbeingkepttooquiet，youngman."
　　"NothankstoCyril，then，"retortedBertram."Anyhow，that’sonereasonwhyIwasfortakingthekid——tomellowupCyril.Heneedsitallright."
　　"ButIhadtotakehim，Bert，"arguedtheelderbrother，hisfacegrowinganxiousagain."ButHeavenonlyknowswhatI’mgoingtodowithhimwhenIgethim.WhatshallIsaytohim，anyway？HowshallIwrite？Idon’tknowhowtogetupaletterofthatsort！"
　　"Whynottakehimathiswordandtelegraph？Ifancyyouwon’thavetosay’come’butoncebeforeyouseehim.Hedoesn’tseemtobeabashfulyouth."
　　"Hm—m;Imightdothat，"acquiescedWilliam，slowly."Butwasn’ttheresomebody——alawyer——goingtowritetome？"hefinished，consultingtheletterbyhisplate."Yes，"headded，afteramoment，"aMr.Harding.Wonderifhe’sanyrelationtoNedHarding.IusedtoknowNedatHarvard，andseemsasifhecamefromHampdenFalls.We’llsoonsee，atallevents.MaybeI’llhearto—morrow."
　　"Ishouldn’twonder，"noddedBertram，asherosefromthetable.
　　"Anyhow，Iwouldn’tdoanythingtillIdidhear."
　　CHAPTERIV
　　BILLYSENDSATELEGRAM
　　JamesHarding’sletterverypromptlyfollowedBilly’s，thoughitwasnotlikeBilly’satall.IttoldsomethingofBilly’sproperty，andmentionedthat，accordingtoMrs.Neilson’swill，Billywouldnotcomeintocontrolofherfortuneuntiltheageoftwenty—oneyearswasreached.ItdweltatsomelengthuponthefactofBilly’slonelinessintheworld，andexpressedthehopethatherfather’sfriendcouldfinditinhishearttowelcometheorphanintohishome.ItmentionedNed，andtheoldcollegefriendship，anditclosedbysayingthatthewriter，JamesHarding，wasgladtorenewhisacquaintancewiththegoodoldHenshawfamilythathehadknownlongyearsago;andthathehopedsoontohearfromWilliamHenshawhimself.
　　Itwasagoodletter——butitwasnotwellwritten.JamesHarding’shandwritingwasnotdistinguishedforitslegibility，andhiscorrespondentsrejoicedthatthemostofhislettersweredictatedtohisstenographer.Inthiscase，however，hehadelectedtousethemorepersonalpen;anditwasbecauseofthisthatWilliamHenshaw，evenafterreadingtheletter，wasstillunawareofhismistakeinsupposinghisnamesake，Billy，tobeaboy.
　　InthemainthelawyerhadreferredtoBillybyname，oras"theorphan，"orasthat"poor，lonelychild."Andwheneverthemoredistinctivefeminine"her"or"herself"hadoccurred，thecarelesslyformedlettershadmadethemsomuchlike"his"and"himself"thattheycarriednohintofthetruthtoamanwhohadnottheslightestreasonforthinkinghimselfinthewrong.Itwasthereforestillforthe"boy，"Billy，thatWilliamHenshawatoncesetaboutmakingaplaceinthehome.
　　Firsthetelegraphedthesingleword"Come"toBilly.
　　"I’llsetthepoorlad’sheartatrest，"hesaidtoBertram."I
　　shallanswerHarding’slettermoreatlength，ofcourse.NaturallyhewantstoknowsomethingaboutmenowbeforehesendsBillyalong;butthereisnoneedfortheboytowaitbeforeheknowsthatI’lltakehim.Ofcoursehewon’tcomeyet，tillHardinghearsfromme."
　　Itwasjusthere，however，thatWilliamHenshawmetwithasurprise，forwithintwenty—fourhourscameBilly’sanswer，andbytelegraph.
　　"I’mcomingto—morrow.TraindueatfiveP.M.
　　"BILLY."
　　WilliamHenshawdidnotknowthatinHampdenFallsBilly’strunkhadbeenpackedfordays.Billywasdesperate.Thehouse，evenwiththemaid，andwiththeobligingneighborandhiswifewhostayedtherenights，wastoBillynothingbutadismaltomb.
　　LawyerHardinghadfallensuddenlyill;shecouldnoteventellhimthattheblessedtelegram"Come"hadarrived.HenceBilly，lonely，impulsive，andalwaysusedtopleasingherself，hadtakenmattersinhandwithaconfidentgrasp，andhaddeterminedtowaitnolonger.
　　Thatitwasafearsomelyunknownfuturetowhichshewassojauntilypledgingherselfdidnottroublethegirlintheleast.
　　Billywasromantic.Tosallygailyforthwithapinkinthebuttonholeofhercoattofindherfather’sfriendwhowasa"Billy"too，seemedtoBillyNeilsonnotonlydelightful，buteminentlysensible，andanexcellentwayoutofherpresenthomesickloneliness.Sosheboughtthepinkandherticket，andimpatientlyawaitedthetimetostart.
　　TotheBeaconStreethouse，Billy’scheerfultelegrambroughtthedirestconsternation.EvenKatewashastilysummonedtothefamilyconclavethatimmediatelyresulted.
　　"There’snothing——simplynothingthatIcando，"shedeclaredirritably，whenshehadheardthestory."Surely，youdon’texpectMEtotaketheboy！"
　　"No，no，ofcoursenot，"sighedWilliam."Butyousee，IsupposedI’dhavetimeto——togetusedtothings，andtomakearrangements;
　　andthisisso——sosudden！Ihadn’tevenansweredHarding’sletteruntilto—day;andhehasn’tgotthat——muchlessrepliedtoit."
　　"Butwhatcouldyouexpectaftersendingthatidiotictelegram？"
　　demandedthelady."’Come，’indeed！"
　　"Butthat’swhatBillytoldmetodo."
　　"Whatifitwas？Justbecauseafoolisheighteen—year—oldboytellsyoutodosomething，mustyou，asupposedlysensibleforty—
　　year—oldmanobey？"
　　"IthinkittickledWill’sromanticstreak，"laughedBertram."Itseemedsosortofalluringtosendthatoneword’Come’outintospace，andwatchwhathappened."
　　"Well，he’sfoundout，certainly，"observedCyril，withgrimsatisfaction.
　　"Oh，no;ithasn’thappenedyet，"correctedBertram，cheerfully.
　　"It’sjustgoingtohappen.William’sgottoputonthepinkfirst，youknow.That’sthetalisman."
　　Williamreddened.
　　"Bertram，don’tbefoolish.Isha’n’twearanypink.Youmustknowthat."
　　"How’llyoufindhim，then？"
　　"Why，he’llhaveoneon;that’senough，"settledWilliam.
　　"Hm—m;maybe.Thenhe’llhaveSpunk，too，"murmuredBertram，mischievously.
　　"Spunk！"criedKate.
　　"Yes.Hewrotethathehopedwewouldn’tmindhisbringingSpunkwithhim."
　　"Who’sSpunk？
　　"Wedon’tknow."Bertram’slipstwitched.
　　"Youdon’tknow！Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Well，Willthinksit’sadog，andIbelieveCyrilisanticipatingamonkey.Imyselfambackingitforaparrot."
　　"Boys，whathaveyoudone！"groanedKate，fallingbackinherchair."Whathaveyoudone！"
　　ToWilliamherwordswerelikeanelectricshockstirringhimtoinstantaction.Hesprangabruptlytohisfeet.
　　"Well，whateverwe’vedone，we’vedoneit，"hedeclaredsternly;
　　"andnowwemustdotherest——anddoitwell，too.He’sthesonofmyboyhood’sdearestfriend，andheshallbemadewelcome.Nowtobusiness！Bertram，yousaidyou’dtakehimin.Didyoumeanit？"
　　Bertramsoberedinstantly，andcameerectinhischair.Williamdidnotoftenspeaklikethis;butwhenhedid——
　　"Yes，Will.Heshallhavethelittlebedroomattheendofthehall.Ineverusedtheroommuch，anyhow，andwhatfewdudsIhavethereshallbeclearedoutto—morrow."
　　"Good！Nowtherearesomeotherlittledetailstoarrange，thenI’llgodown—stairsandtellPeteandDongLing.And，pleasetounderstand，we’regoingtomakethisladwelcome——welcome，Isay！"
　　"Yes，sir，"saidBertram.NeitherKatenorCyrilspoke.
　　CHAPTERV
　　GETTINGREADYFORBILLY
　　TheHenshawhouseholdwasearlyastironthedayofBilly’sexpectedarrival，andpreparationsfortheguest’scomfortwerewellunderwaybeforebreakfast.Thecenterofactivitywasinthelittleroomattheendofthehallonthesecondfloor;though，asBertramsaid，thewholeStratafeltthe"upheaval."
　　BybreakfasttimeBertramwiththeavowedintentionofgiving"thelittlechaphalfashow，"hadtheroomclearedforaction;andafterthatthewholehousewascalleduponforcontributionstowardtheroom’sadornment.Andmostgenerouslydidmostofthehouserespond.EvenDongLingslipperedup—stairsandpresentedaweirdChinesebannerwhichhesaidhewas"vellymuchglad"togive.AstoPete——Petewasinhiselement.Petelovedboys.Hadhenotservedthemnearlyallhislife？Incidentallyitmaybementionedthathedidnotcareforgirls.
　　OnlyCyrilheldhimselfaloof.Butthathewasnotobliviousoftheproceedingsbelowhimwasevidencedbythesomberbassthatfloateddownfromhispianostrings.Cyrilalwaysplayedaccordingtothemoodthatwasonhim;andwhenBertramheardthismorningtherhythmicbeatsofmournfulness，hechuckledandsaidtoWilliam：
　　"That’sChopin’sFuneralMarch.EvidentlyCythinksthisisthedeathknelltoallhishopesoffuturepeaceandhappiness."
　　"Dearme！IwishCyrilwouldtakesomeinterest，"grievedWilliam.
　　"Oh，hetakesinterestallright，"laughedBertram，meaningly."HetakesINTEREST！"
　　"Iknow，but——Bertram，"brokeofftheelderman，anxiously，fromhisperchonthestepladder，"wouldyouputtherifleoverthiswindow，orthefishing—rod？"
　　"Why，Idon’tthinkitmakesmuchdifference，solongasthey’resomewhere，"answeredBertram."AndtherearetheseIndianclubsandtheswordstobedisposedof，youknow."
　　"Yes;andit’sgoingtolookfine;don’tyouthink？"exultedWilliam."Andyouknowforthewall—spacebetweenthewindowsI’mgoingtobringdownthatcaseofmine，ofspiders."
　　Bertramraisedhishandsinmocksurprise.
　　"Here——downhere！You’regoingtotrustanyofthoseprecioustreasuresofyoursdownhere！"
　　Williamfrowned.
　　"Nonsense，Bertram，don’tbesilly！They’llbesafeenough.
　　Besides，they’reold，anyhow.Iwasonspidersyearsago——whenI
　　wasBilly’sage，infact.Ithoughthe’dlikethemhere.Youknowboysalwayslikesuchthings."
　　"Oh，’twasn’tBillyIwasworryingabout，"retortedBertram."Itwasyou——andthespiders."
　　"Notmuchyouworryaboutme——oranythingelse，"repliedWilliam，good—humoredly."There！howdoesthatlook？"hefinished，ashecarefullypickedhiswaydownthestepladder.
　　"Fine！——er——onlyratherwarlike，maybe，withthegunsandthatriotousconfusionofknivesandscimitersoverthechiffonier.Butthen，maybeyou’reintendingBillyforasoldier;eh？"
　　"Doyouknow？IAMgettinginterestedinthatboy，"beamedWilliam，withsomeexcitement."Whatkindofthingsdoyousupposehedoeslike？"
　　"There’snotelling.Maybehe’sasissychap，andwillhowlatyourgunsandspiders.Perhapshe’llpreferautumnleavesandworstedmottoesfordecoration."
　　"Notmuchhewill，"contestedtheother."NosonofWalterNeilson’scouldbeasissy.Neilsonwasthebesthalf—backintenyearsatHarvard，andhewasalwaysinforeverythinggoingthatwasworthwhile.’Autumnleavesandworstedmottoes’indeed！
　　Bah！"
　　"Allright;butthere’sstilladarkhorseinthecase，youknow.
　　Wemustn’tforget——Spunk."
　　Theeldermanstirreduneasily.
　　"Bert，whatdoyousupposethatcreatureis？Youdon’tthinkCyrilcanberight，andthatit’sa——monkey？"
　　"’Younevercantell，’"quotedBertram，merrily."OfcoursethereAREotherthings.Ifitwereyou，now，we’donlyhavetohuntupthespecialthingyouhappenedtobecollectingatthetime，andthatwouldbeit：asnake，alizard，atoad，ormaybeabutterfly.
　　Youknowyouwerealwaysluggingthosethingshomewhenyouwerehisage."
　　"Yes，Iknow，"sighedWilliam."ButIcan’tthinkit’sanythinglikethat，"hefinished，asheturnedaway.
　　TherewasverylittledoneintheBeaconStreethousethatdaybutto"getreadyforBilly."InthekitchenDongLingcooked.
　　Everywhereelse，exceptinCyril’sdomain，Petedustedandsweptand"puttered"tohisheart’scontent.Williamdidnotgototheofficeatallthatday，andBertramdidnottouchhisbrushes.
　　OnlyCyrilattendedtohisusualwork：practisingforacomingconcert，andcorrectingtheproofsofhisnewbook，"MusicinRussia."
　　AttenminutesbeforefiveWilliam，anxious—eyedandnervous，foundhimselfattheNorthStation.Then，andnottillthen，didhedrawalongbreathofrelief.
　　"There！Ithinkeverything’sready，"hesighedtohimself."Atlast！"
　　Heworenopinkinhisbuttonhole.Therewasnoneedthatheshouldaccedetothatsillyrequest，hetoldhimself.Hehadonlytolookforayouthofperhapseighteenyears，whowouldbealone，alittlefrightened，possibly，andwhowouldhaveapinkinhisbuttonhole，andprobablyadogonaleash.
　　Ashewaited，themanwasconsciousofacuriouswarmthathisheart.Itwashisnamesake，WalterNeilson’sboy，thathehadcometomeet;ahomesick，lonelyorphanwhohadappealedtohim——tohim，outofalltheworld.Longyearsagoinhisownarmstherehadbeenlaidatinybundleofflannelholdingapreciouslittlered，puckeredface.Butinamonth’stimethelittlefacehadturnedcoldandwaxen，andthehopesthatthewhiteflannelbundlehadcarriedhaddiedwiththebabyboy;——andthatbabywouldhavebeenaladgrownbythistime，ifhehadlived——aladnotfarfromtheageofthisBillywhowascomingto—day，reflectedtheman.AndthewarmthinhisheartdeepenedandglowedthemoreashestoodwaitingatthegateforBillytoarrive.
　　ThetrainfromHampdenFallswaslate.Notuntilquitefifteenminutespastfivediditrollintothetrain—shed.Thenatonceitslonglineofpassengersbegantosweeptowardtheirongate.
　　Williamwasjustinsidethegatenow，anxiouslyscanningeveryfaceandformthatpassed.Thereweremanyhalf—grownlads，buttherewasnotonewithapinkinhisbuttonholeuntilveryneartheend.
　　ThenWilliamsawhim——apleasant—faced，blue—eyedboyinaneatgraysuit.WithalowcryWilliamstartedforward;buthesawatoncethatthegray—cladyouthwasunmistakablyoneofamerryfamilyparty.Helookedtobeanythingbutaladthatwaslonelyandforlorn.
　　Williamhesitatedandfellback.Thisdebonair，self—reliantfellowcouldnotbeBilly！Butasahastyglancedownthelinerevealedonlyhalfadozenstragglingwomen，andbeyondthem，noone，WilliamdecidedthatitmustbeBilly;andtakingbraveholdofhiscourage，hehurriedaftertheblue—eyedyouthandtappedhimontheshoulder.
　　"Er——aren’tyouBilly？"hestammered.
　　Theladstoppedandstared.Heshookhisheadslowly.
　　"No，sir，"hesaid.
　　"Butyoumustbe！Areyousure？"
　　Theboylaughedthistime.
　　"Sorry，sir，butmynameis’Frank’;isn’tit，mother？"headdedmerrily，turningtotheladyathisside，whowasregardingWilliamveryunfavorablythroughapairofgold—bowedspectacles.
　　Williamdidnotwaitformore.Withastammeredapologyandaflusteredliftingofhishathebackedaway.
　　ButwherewasBilly？
　　Williamlookedabouthiminhelplessdismay.Allaroundwasawide，emptyspace.ThelongaisletotheHampdenFallstrainwasdesertedsaveforthebaggage—menloadingthetrunksandbagsontotheirtrucks.Nowherewasthereanyonewhoseemedforlornorillateaseexceptaprettygirlwithasuit—case，andwithacoveredbasketonherarm，whostoodjustoutsidethegate，gazingalittlenervouslyabouther.
　　Williamlookedtwiceatthisgirl.First，becausethesplashofcoloragainstherbrowncoathadcalledhisattentiontothefactthatshewaswearingapink;andsecondlybecauseshewasverypretty，andherdarkeyescarriedapeculiarlywistfulappeal.
　　"ToobadBertramisn’there，"thoughtWilliam."He’dbesketchingthatfaceinnotimeonhiscuff."
　　ThepinkhadgivenWilliamalmostapang.Hehadbeensolongingtoseeapink——thoughinadifferentplace.Hewonderedsympatheticallyifshe，too，hadcometomeetsomeonewhohadnotappeared.Henoticedthatshewalkedawayfromthegateonceortwice，towardthewaiting—room，andpeeredanxiouslythroughtheglassdoors;butalwaysshecamebacktothegateasiffearfultobelongawayfromthatplace.Heforgotallaboutherverysoon，forhermovementshadgivenhimasuddenidea：perhapsBillywasinthewaiting—room.Howstupidofhimnottothinkofitbefore！
　　Doubtlesstheyhadmissedeachotherinthecrowd，andBillyhadgonestraighttothewaiting—roomtolookforhim.AndwiththisthoughtWilliamhurriedawayatonce，leavingthegirlstillstandingbythegatealone.
　　Helookedeverywhere.Systematicallyhepacedupanddownbetweenthelongrowsofseats，lookingforaboywithapink.Heevenwentoutuponthestreet，andgazedanxiouslyinalldirections.
　　ItoccurredtohimafteratimethatpossiblyBilly，likehimself，hadchangedhismindatthelastmoment，andnotwornthepink.
　　Perhapshehadforgottenit，orlostit，orevennotbeenabletogetitatall.VerybitterlyWilliamblamedhimselfthenfordisregardinghisownpartofthesuggestedplan.Ifonlyhehadwornthepinkhimself！——buthehadnot;anditwasuselesstorepine.Inthemeantime，wherewasBilly，hewonderedfrantically.
　　CHAPTERVI
　　THECOMINGOFBILLY
　　AfteranotherlongsearchWilliamcamebacktothetrain—shed，vaguelyhopingthatBillymighteventhenbethere.Thegirlwasstillstandingalonebythegate.Therewasanothertrainonthetracknow，andtherushofmanyfeethadsweptheralittletooneside.Shelookedfrightenednow，andalmostreadytocry.Still，Williamnoticedthatherchinwasliftedbravely，andthatshewasmakingasterneffortatself—control.Hehesitatedamoment，thenwentstraighttowardher.
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaidkindly，liftinghishat，"butInoticethatyouhavebeenwaitingheresometime.PerhapsthereissomethingIcandoforyou."
　　Arosycolorswepttothegirl’sface.Hereyeslosttheirfrightenedappeal，andsmiledfranklyintohis.
　　"Oh，thankyou，sir！ThereISsomethingyoucandoforme，ifyouwillbesokind.Yousee，Ican’tleavethisplace，I’msoafraidhe’llcomeandI’llmisshim.But——Ithinkthere’ssomemistake.
　　Couldyoutelephoneforme？"BillyNeilsonwascountry—bred，andinHampdenFallsallmenservedallothermenandwomen，whethertheywerestrangersornot;sotoBillythiswasnotanextraordinaryrequesttomake，intheleast.
　　WilliamHenshawsmiled.
　　"Certainly;Ishallbeverygladtotelephoneforyou.Justtellmewhomyouwant，andwhatyouwanttosay."
　　"Thankyou.Ifyou’llcallupMr.WilliamHenshaw，then，ofBeaconStreet，please，andtellhimBilly’scome.I’llwaithere."
　　"Oh，thenBillydidcome！"criedthemaningladsurprise，hisfacealight."Butwhereishe？DoYOUknowBilly？"
　　"IshouldsayIdid，"laughedBilly，withthelightnessofalong—
　　lostchildwhohasfoundafriend."Why，IamBilly，myself！"
　　ToWilliamHenshawtheworldswamdizzily，andwentsuddenlymad.
　　Thefloorrose，andtherooffell，whilecarsandpeopleperformedimpossibleacrobaticfeatsabove，below，andaroundhim.Then，fromafaroff，heheardhisownvoicestammer：
　　"You——are——B—Billy！"
　　"Yes;andI’llwaithere，ifyou’lljusttellhim，please.He’sexpectingme，youknow，soit’sallright，onlyperhapshemadeamistakeinthetime.Maybeyouknowhim，anyhow."
　　WithonemightyeffortWilliamHenshawpulledhimselfsharplytogether.Heevenlaughed，andtossedhisheadinavaliantimitationofBillyherself;buthisvoiceshook.
　　"Knowhim！——IshouldsayIdid！"hecried."Why，IamWilliamHenshaw，myself."
　　"You！——UncleWilliam！Why，where’syourpink？"
　　Theman’sfacewasalreadysoreditcouldnotgetanyredder——butittriedtodoso.
　　"Why，er——I——it——er——ifyou’lljustcomeintothewaiting—roomaminute，mydear，"hestutteredmiserably，"I——I’llexplain——aboutthat.Ishallhavetoleaveyou——foraminute，"heplungedonfrenziedly，asheledthewaytoaseat;"A——matterofbusinessthatImustattendto.I’llbe——rightback.Waithere，please！"
　　Andhealmostpushedthegirlintoaseatandhurriedaway.
　　AtasafedistanceWilliamHenshawturnedandlookedback.Hiskneeswereshaking，andhisfingershadgrowncoldattheirtips.
　　Hecouldseeherplainly，asshebentoverthebasketinherlap.
　　Hecouldseeeventheprettycurveofhercheek，andofherslenderthroatwhensheliftedherhead.
　　AndthatwasBilly——aGIRL！
　　Peoplenearhimatthatmomentsawaflushed—faced，nervous—
　　appearingmanthrowuphishandswithadespairinggesture，rollhiseyesheavenward，andthenplungeintothenearesttelephonebooth.
　　InduetimeWilliamHenshawhadhisbrotherBertramattheotherendofthewire.
　　"Bertram！"hecalledshakily.
　　"Hullo，Will;thatyou？What’sthematter？You’relate！Didn’thecome？"
　　"Come！"groanedWilliam."GoodLord！Bertram——Billy’saGIRL！"
　　"Awh—what？"
　　"Agirl."
　　"AGIRL！"
　　"Yes，yes！Don’tstandthererepeatingwhatIsayinthatidioticfashion，Bertram.Dosomething——dosomething！"
　　"’Dosomething’！"gaspedBertram."GreatScott，Will！Ifyouwantmetodosomething，don’tknockmesillywithablowlikethat.
　　Nowwhatdidyousay？"
　　"IsaidthatBillyis——a——girl.Can’tyougetthat？"demandedWilliam，despairingly.
　　"Well，byJove！"breathedBertram.
　　"Come，come，think！Whatshallwedo？"
　　"Why，bringherhome，ofcourse."
　　"Home——home！"chatteredWilliam."Doyouthinkwefivemencanbringupadistractinglyprettyeighteen—year—oldgirlwithcurlycheeksandpinkhair？"
　　"Withwha—at？"
　　"No，no.Imeancurlyhairandpinkcheeks.Bertram，dobesensible，"beggedtheman."Thisisserious！"
　　"Serious！Ishouldsayitwas！OnlyfancywhatCywillsay！A
　　girl！Holysmoke！Toteheralong——Iwanttoseeher！"
　　"ButIsaywecan’tkeephertherewithus，Bertram.Don’tyouseewecan’t？"
　　"ThentakehertoKate’s，orto——tooneofthoseYoungWomen’sChristianUnionthings."
　　"No，no，Ican’tdothat.That’simpossible.Don’tyouunderstand？She’sexpectingtogohomewithme——HOME！I’mherUncleWilliam."
　　"LuckyUncleWilliam！"
　　"Bestill，Bertram！"
　　"Well，doesn’tsheknowyour——mistake？——thatyouthoughtshewasaboy？"
　　"Heavenforbid！——Ihopenot，"criedtheman，fervently."I’mostletitoutonce，butIthinkshedidn’tnoticeit.Yousee，we——wewerebothsurprised."
　　"Well，Ishouldsay！"
　　"And，Bertram，Ican’tturnherout——Ican’t，Itellyou.Onlyfancymygoingtohernowandsaying：’Ifyouplease，Billy，youcan’tliveatmyhouse，afterall.Ithoughtyouwereaboy，youknow！’GreatScott！Bert，ifshe’donceturnedthosebigbrowneyesofhersonyouasshehasonme，you’dsee！"
　　"I’dbedelighted，I’msure，"sungamerryvoiceacrossthewires.
　　"Soundsrealinteresting！"
　　"Bertram，can’tyoubeseriousandhelpmeout？"
　　"ButwhatCANwedo？"
　　"Idon’tknow.We’llhavetothink;butfornow，getKate.
　　Telephoneher.Tellhertocomerightstraightover，andthatshe’sgottostayallnight."
　　"Allnight！"
　　"Ofcourse！Billy’sgottohaveachaperon;hasn’tshe？Nowhurry.Weshallbeuprightaway."
　　"Kate’sgotcompany."
　　"Nevermind——leave’em.Tellhershe’sgottoleave’em.AndtellCyril，ofcourse，whattoexpect.And，looka—here，youtwobehave，now.Noneofyournonsense！Nowmind.I’mnotgoingtohavethischildtormented."
　　"Iwon’tbataneyelid——onmyword，Iwon’t，"chuckledBertram.
　　"But，oh，Isay，——Will！"
　　"Yes."
　　"What’sSpunk？"
　　"Eh？——oh——GreatScott！IforgotSpunk.Idon’tknow.She’sgotabasket.He’sinthat，Isuppose.Anyhow，hecan’tbeanymoreofabombshellthanhismistresswas.Nowbequick，andnoneofyourfooling，Bertram.Tellthemall——PeteandDongLing.Don’tforget.Iwouldn’thaveBillyfindoutfortheworld！FixitupwithKate.You’llhavetofixitupwithher;that’sall！"Andtherecamethesharpclickofthereceiveragainstthehook.
　　CHAPTERVII
　　INTRODUCINGSPUNK
　　InthesoftApriltwilightCyrilwasplayingadreamywaltzwhenBertramknocked，andpushedopenthedoor.
　　"Say，oldchap，you’llhavetoquityourmooningthistimeandsitupandtakenotice."
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"Cyrilstoppedplayingandturnedabruptly.
　　"ImeanthatWillhasgonecrazy，andIthinktherestofusaregoingtofollowsuit."
　　Cyrilshruggedhisshouldersandwhirledaboutonthepianostool.
　　Inamomenthisfingershadslidoncemoreintothedreamywaltz.
　　"Whenyougetreadytotalksense，I’lllisten，"hesaidcoldly.
　　"Oh，verywell;ifyoureallywantitbrokengently，it’sthis：
　　WillhasmetBilly，andBillyisagirl.They’redueherenow’mostanytime."
　　Themusicstoppedwithacrash.
　　"A——GIRL！"
　　"Yes，agirl.Oh，I’vebeenallthroughthat，andIknowhowyoufeel.ButasnearasIcanmakeout，it’sreallyso.I’vehadinstructionstotelleverybody，andI’vetold.IgotKateonthetelephone，andshe’scomingover.YouKNOWwhatSHE’LLbe.DongLingishavingwhatIsupposeareChinesehystericsinthekitchen;
　　andPeteisswingingbackandforthlikeapenduluminthedining—
　　room，moaning’GoodLord，deliverus！’ateverybreath.Iwouldsuggestthatyoufollowmedown—stairssothatwemaybedecentlyreadyfor——whatevercomes."Andheturnedaboutandstalkedoutoftheroom，followedbyCyril，whowastoostunnedtoopenhislips.
　　Katecamefirst.Shewasnotstunned.Shehadagreatdealtosay.
　　"Really，thisisalittlethemostabsurdthingIeverheardof，"
　　shefumed."Whatintheworlddoesyourbrothermean？"
　　ThatshequiteignoredherownrelationshiptotheculpritwasnotlostonBertram.Hemadeinstantresponse.
　　"AsnearasIcanmakeout，"herepliedsmoothly，"YOURbrotherhasfallenundertheswayofapairofgreatdarkeyes，twopinkcheeks，andanunknownquantityofcurlyhair，allofwhichinitsentiretyishisnamesake，islonesome，andisinneedofahome."
　　"Butshecan’tlive——here！"
　　"Willsayssheshall."
　　"Butthatisutternonsense，"cutinCyril.
　　"ForonceIagreewithyou，Cyril，"laughedBertram;"butWilliamdoesn’t."
　　"Buthowcanshedoit？"demandedKate.
　　"Don’tknow，"answeredBertram."He’sestablishedapetticoatproprietyinyouforafewhours，atleast.Meanwhile，he’sgoingtothink.Atleast，hesaysheis，andthatwe’vegottohelphim."
　　"Humph！"snappedKate."Well，Icanprophesywesha’n’tthinkalike——soyou’dnoticeit！"
　　"Iknowthat，"noddedBertram;"andI’mwithyouandCyrilonthis.
　　Thewholethingisabsurd.Theideaofthrustingasilly，eighteen—year—oldgirlhereintoourlivesinthisfashion！ButyouknowwhatWilliswhenhe’sreallyroused.Youmightaswelltrytomoveanicegood—naturedmountainbysaying’please，’astotrytostirhimundercertaincircumstances.Mostofthetime，I’llown，wecantwisthimaroundourlittlefingers.Butnotnow.
　　You’llsee.Inthefirstplace，she’sthedaughterofhisdeadfriend，andsheDIDwriteapatheticlittleletter.Itgottotheinsideofme，anyhow，whenIthoughtshewasaboy."
　　"Aboy！Whowouldn’tthinkshewasaboy？"interposedCyril.
　　"’Billy，’indeed！Canyoutellmewhatforanysanemanshouldhavenamedagirl’Billy’？"
　　"ForWilliam，yourbrother，evidently，"retortedBertram，dryly.
　　"Anyhow，hedidit，andofcourseourmistakewasaverynaturalone.Thedickensofitisnowthatwe’vegottokeepitfromher，soWillsays;andhow——hush！heretheyare，"hebrokeoff，astherecamethesoundofwheelsstoppingbeforethehouse.
　　Therefollowedtheclickofakeyinthelockandtheopeningofaheavydoor;then，fullintheglareoftheelectriclightsstoodaplainlynervousman，andagirlwithstartled，appealingeyes.
　　"Mydear，"stammeredWilliam，"thisismysister，Kate，Mrs.
　　Hartwell;andhereareCyrilandBertram，whomI’vetoldyouof.
　　AndofcourseIdon’tneedtosaytothemthatyouareBilly."
　　Itwasover.Williamdrewalongbreath，andgaveanagonizedlookintohisbrothers’eyes.ThenBillyturnedfromMrs.Hartwellandheldoutacordialhandtoeachofthemeninturn.
　　"Oh，youdon’tknowhowlovelythisis——tome，"shecriedsoftly.
　　"AndtothinkthatyouwerewillingIshouldcome！"Thetwoyoungermencaughttheirbreathsharply，andtriednottoseeeachother’seyes."Youlooksogood——allofyou;andIdon’tbelievethere’soneofyouthat’sgotnervesoraheart，"shelaughed.
　　Bertramralliedhiswitstorespondtothechallenge.
　　"Noheart，MissBilly？Nowisn’tthatjustabithardonus——rightatfirst？"
　　"Notamite，ifyoutakeitthewayImeanit，"dimpledBilly.
　　"Heartsthatareallrightjustkeeponpumping，andyouneverknowtheyarethere.Theyaren’tworthmentioning.It’stheotherkind——thekindthatfluttersattheleastnoiseandjumpsattheleastbang！AndIdon’tbelieveanyofyoumindnoisesandbangs，"
　　shefinishedmerrily，asshehandedherhatandcoattoMrs.
　　Hartwell，whowaswaitingtoreceivethem.
　　Bertramlaughed.Cyrilscowled，andoccupiedhimselfinfindingachair.Williamhadalreadydroppedhimselfwearilyontothesofanearhissister.Billystillcontinuedtotalk.
　　"NowwhenSpunkandIgettotraining——oh，andyouhaven’tseenSpunk！"sheinterruptedherselfsuddenly."Why，theintroductionsaren’thalfover.Whereishe，UncleWilliam——thebasket？"
　　"I——Iputitin——inthehall，"mumbledWilliam，startingtorise.
　　"No，no;I’llgethim，"criedBilly，hurryingfromtheroom.Shereturnedinamoment，thegreencoveredbasketinherhand."He’sbeenasleep，Iguess.He’sslept’mostallthewaydown，anyhow.
　　He’ssousedtobeingtoted’roundinthisbasketthathedoesn’tminditabit.ItakehimeverywhereinitattheFalls."
　　Therewasanelectricpause.Fourpairsofstartled，questioning，fearfuleyeswereonthebasketwhileBillyfumbledattheknotofthestring.Thenextmoment，withatriumphantflourish，Billyliftedfromthebasketandplacedontheflooraverysmallgraykittenwithaverylargepinkbow.
　　"There，ladiesandgentlemen，mayIpresenttoyou，Spunk."
　　Thetinycreaturewinkedandblinked，andbalancedforamomentonsleepylegs;thenattheuncontrollableshoutthatburstfromBertram’sthroat，hefacedtheman，humpedhistinyback，bristledhisdiminutivetailtoalmostunbelievablefluffiness，andspitwrathfully.
　　"AndsothatisSpunk！"chokedBertram.
　　"Yes，"saidBilly."ThisisSpunk."
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEROOM——ANDBILLY
　　ForthefirstfifteenminutesafterBilly’sarrivalconversationwasafitfulthingmadeupmostlyofamerrymonologueonthepartofBillyherself，interspersedwithsomewhatdazedrepliesfromoneafteranotherofherauditorsasshetalkedtotheminturn.Noonethoughttoaskifshecaredtogouptoherroom，andduringtheentirefifteenminutesBillysatonthefloorwithSpunkinherlap.ShewasstilltherewhenthefunerealfaceofPeteappearedinthedoorway.Pete’sjawdropped.Itwasplainthatonlythesternestself—controlenabledhimtoannouncedinner，withanythinglikedignity.Buthemanagedtostammeroutthewords，andthenturnloftilyaway.Bertram，whosatnearthedoor，however，sawhimraisehishandsinhorrorasheplungedthroughthehallanddownthestairway.
　　WithamotiontoBertramtoleadthewaywithBilly，Williamfrenziedlygrippedhissister’sarm，andhissedinherearforalltheworldlikeavillaininmelodrama：
　　"Listen！You’llsleepinBert’sroomto—night，andBertwillcomeup—stairswithme.GetBillytobedassoonasyoucanafterdinner，andthencomebackdowntous.We’vegottoplanwhat’sgottobedone.Sh—h！"Andhedraggedhissisterdownstairs.
　　Inthedining—roomtherewasaslightcommotion.BillystoodatherchairwithSpunkinherarms.BeforeherPetewasstanding，dumblystaringintohereyes.Atlasthestammered：
　　"Ma’am？"
　　"Achair，please，Isaid，forSpunk，youknow.Spunkalwayssitsatthetablerightnexttome."
　　ItwastoomuchforBertram.Hefledchokinglytothehall.
　　Williamdroppedweaklyintohisownplace.CyrilstaredashadPete;butMrs.Hartwellspoke.
　　"Youdon’tmean——thatthatcat——hasachair——atthetable！"shegasped.
　　"Yes;andisn’titcuteofhim？"beamedBilly，entirelymisconstruingthesurpriseinthelady’svoice."Hismotheralwayssatattablewithus，andbehavedbeautifully，too.OfcourseSpunkislittle，andmakesmistakessometimes.Buthe’lllearn.Oh，there’sachairrighthere，"sheadded，asshespiedBertram’schildhood’shigh—chair，whichforlongyearshadstoodunusedinthecorner.
　　"I’lljustsqueezeitrightinhere，"shefinishedgleefully，makingroomforthechairatherside.
　　WhenBertram，alittleredofface，butverygrave，entered，thedining—roomamomentlater，hefoundthefamilyseatedwithSpunksnuglyplacedbetweenBillyandaplainlydisgustedanddismayedbrother，Cyril.Thekittenwasalertandinterested;buthehadsettledbackinhischair，andwaslookingasabsurdlydignifiedastheflaringpinkbowwouldlethim.
　　"Isn’theadear？"Billywassaying.ButBertramnoticedthattherewasnoreplytothisquestion.
　　Itwasapeculiardinner—party.OnlyBillydidnotfeelthestrain.EvenSpunkwasnotentirelyhappy——hiseffortstoinvestigatethetableanditscontentsweretoofrequentlycurbedbyhismistressforhisunalloyedsatisfaction.William，itistrue，madeavaliantattempttocausetheconversationtobegeneral;buthefaileddismally.Katewassternlysilent，whileCyrilwasopenlyrepellent.Bertramtalked，indeed——butBertramalwaystalked;andverysoonheandBillyhadthingsprettymuchtothemselves——thatis，withoccasionalinterruptionscausedbySpunk.
　　Spunkhadaninquisitivenoseorpawforeachnewdishplacedbeforehismistress;andBillyspentmuchtimeadmonishinghim.
　　Billysaidshewastraininghim;thatitwaswonderfulwhattrainingwoulddo，and，ofcourse，SpunkWASlittle，now.
　　DinnerwashalfoverwhentherewasaslightdiversioncreatedbySpunk’sconclusiontogetacquaintedwiththesilentmanathisleft.Cyril，however，didnotrespondtoSpunk’sadvances.Soveryevident，indeed，wastheman’saversionthatBillyturnedinamazement.