Billywasrelieved.Sheconcludedthat，afterall，Bertramwasgoingtobesensible.Shedecidedthatshe，too，wouldbesensible.Shewouldaccepthimonthis，hischosenplane，andshewouldthinknomoreofhis"nonsense."
　　Billythrewherselfthenevenmoreenthusiasticallyintoherbelovedwork.ShetoldMariethatafterallwassaidanddone，therecouldnotbeanymanthatwouldtipthescalesoneinchwithmusicontheotherside.Shewasalittlehurt，itistrue，whenMarieonlylaughedandanswered：
　　"Butwhatifthemanandthemusicbothhappentobeonthesameside，mydear;whatthen？"
　　Marie’svoicewaswistful，inspiteofthelaugh——sowistfulthatitremindedBillyoftheirconversationafewweeksbefore.
　　"Butitisyou，Marie，whowantthestockingstodarnandthepuddingstomake，"sheretortedplayfully."NotI！And，doyouknow？IbelieveIshallturnmatchmakeryet，andfindyouaman;
　　andthechiefestofhisqualificationsshallbethathe’swretchedlyhardonhishose，andthatheadorespuddings."
　　"No，no，MissBilly，don’t，please！"beggedtheother，inquickterror."ForgetallIsaidtheotherday;pleasedo！Don’ttell——
　　anybody！"
　　ShewassoobviouslydistressedandfrightenedthatBillywaspuzzled.
　　"There，there，’twasonlyajest，ofcourse，"shesoothedher.
　　"But，reallyMarie，itisthedear，domesticlittlemouselikeyourselfthatoughttobesomebody’swife——andthat’sthekindmenarelookingfor，too."
　　Mariegaveaslowshakeofherhead.
　　"Notthekindofmanthatissomebody，thatdoessomething，"sheobjected;"andthat’stheonlykindIcould——love.HEwantsawifethatisbeautifulandclever，thatcandothingslikehimself——LIKE
　　HIMSELF！"sheiteratedfeverishly.
　　Billyopenedwidehereyes.
　　"Why，Marie，onewouldthink——youalreadyknew——suchaman，"shecried.
　　Thelittlemusicteacherchangedherposition，andturnedhereyesaway.
　　"Ido，ofcourse，"sheretortedinamerryvoice，"lotsofthem.
　　Don’tyou？Come，we’vediscussedmymatrimonialprospectsquitelongenough，"shewentonlightly."Youknowwestartedwithyours.Supposewegobacktothose."
　　"ButIhaven’tany，"demurredBilly，assheturnedwithasmiletogreetAuntHannah，whohadjustenteredtheroom."I’mnotgoingtomarry;amI，AuntHannah？"
　　"Er——what？Marry？Mygriefandconscience，whataquestion，Billy！Ofcourseyou’regoingtomarry——whenthetimecomes！"
　　exclaimedAuntHannah.
　　Billylaughedandshookherheadvigorously.Butevenassheopenedherlipstoreply，RosaappearedandannouncedthatMr.
　　Calderwellwaswaitingdown—stairs.Billywasangrythen，forafterthemaidwasgone，themerrimentinAuntHannah’slaughonlymatchedthatinMarie’s——andtheintonationwasunmistakable.
　　"Well，I’mnot！"declaredBillywithpinkcheeksandmuchindignation，asshelefttheroom.Andasiftoconvinceherself，Marie，AuntHannah，andalltheworldthatsuchwasthecase，sherefusedCalderwellsodecidedlythatnightwhenhe，forthehalf—
　　dozenthtime，laidhishandandheartatherfeet，thatevenCalderwellhimselfwasconvinced——sofarashisowncasewasconcerned——andlefttownthenextday.
　　BertramtoldAuntHannahafterwardthatheunderstoodMr.Calderwellhadgonetopartsunknown.TohimselfBertramshamelesslyownedthatthemore"unknown"theywere，thebetterhehimselfwouldbepleased.
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　MARIEFINDSAFRIEND
　　ItwasonaverycoldJanuaryafternoon，andCyrilwashurryingupthehilltowardBilly’shouse，whenhewasstartledtoseeaslenderyoungwomansittingonacurbstonewithherheadagainstanelectric—lightpost.Hestoppedabruptly.
　　"Ibegyourpardon，but——why，MissHawthorn！ItisMissHawthorn;
　　isn’tit？"
　　Underhisquestioningeyesthegirl’spalefacebecamesopainfullyscarletthatinsheerpitythemanturnedhiseyesaway.Hethoughthehadseenwomenblushbefore，buthedecidednowthathehadnot.
　　"I’msure——haven’tImetyouatMissNeilson’s？Areyouill？
　　Can’tIdosomethingforyou？"hebegged.
　　"Yes——no——thatis，IAMMissHawthorn，andI’vemetyouatMissNeilson’s，"stammeredthegirl，faintly."Butthereisn’tanything，thankyou，thatyoucando——Mr.Henshaw.Istoppedto——
　　rest."
　　Themanfrowned.
　　"But，surely——pardonme，MissHawthorn，butIcan’tthinkityourusualcustomtochooseanicycurbstoneforarestingplace，withthethermometerdowntozero.Youmustbeill.LetmetakeyoutoMissNeilson’s."
　　"No，no，thankyou，"criedthegirl，strugglingtoherfeet，thevividredagainfloodingherface."Ihavealesson——togive."
　　"Nonsense！You’renotfittogivealesson.Besides，theyareallfolderol，anyway，halfofthem.Adozenlessons，moreorless，won’tmakeanydifference;they’llplayjustaswell——andjustasatrociously.Come，IinsistupontakingyoutoMissNeilson’s."
　　"No，no，thankyou！Ireallymustn’t.I——"Shecouldsaynomore.Astrong，yetverygentlehandhadtakenfirmholdofherarminsuchawayashalftosupporther.Aforcequiteoutsideofherselfwascarryingherforwardstepbystep——andMissHawthornwasnotusedtostrong，gentlehands，noryettoaforcequiteoutsideofherself.NeitherwassheaccustomedtowalkarminarmwithMr.CyrilHenshawtoMissBilly’sdoor.Whenshereachedtherehercheekswerelikeredrosesforcolor，andhereyeswerelikethestarsforbrightness.Yetaminutelater，confrontedbyMissBilly’sastonishedeyes，thestarsandtherosesfled，andaverywhite—facedgirlfelloverinadeathlikefaintinCyrilHenshaw’sarms.
　　MariewasputtobedinthelittleroomnexttoBilly’s，andwasperemptorilyhushedwhenfaintremonstrancewasmade.Thenextmorning，white—facedandwide—eyed，sheresolutelypulledherselfhalfupright，andannouncedthatshewasallwellandmustgohome——
　　hometoMariewasasix—by—ninehallbed—roominaSouthEndlodginghouse.
　　VerygentlyBillypushedherbackonthepillowandlaidadetaininghandonherarm.
　　"No，dear.Now，pleasebesensibleandlistentoreason.Youaremyguest.Youdidnotknowit，perhaps，forI’mafraidtheinvitationgotalittledelayed.Butyou’retostay——oh，lotsofweeks."
　　"I——stayhere？Why，Ican’t——indeed，Ican’t，"protestedMarie.
　　"Butthatisn’tabitofanicewaytoacceptaninvitation，"
　　disapprovedBilly."Youshouldsay，’Thankyou，I’dbedelighted，I’msure，andI’llstay.’"
　　Inspiteofherselfthelittlemusicteacherlaughed，andinthelaughhertensemusclesrelaxed.
　　"MissBilly，MissBilly，whatisonetodowithyou？Surelyyouknow——youmustknowthatIcan’tdowhatyouask！"
　　"I’msureIdon’tseewhynot，"arguedBilly."I’mmerelygivingyouaninvitationandallyouhavetodoistoacceptit."
　　"Buttheinvitationisonlythekindwayyourhearthasofcoveringanotherofyourmanycharities，"objectedMarie;"besides，Ihavetoteach.Ihavemylivingtoearn."
　　"Butyoucan’t，"demurredtheother."That’sjustthetrouble.
　　Don’tyousee？Thedoctorsaidlastnightthatyoumustnotteachagainthiswinter."
　　"Notteach——again——thiswinter！No，no，hecouldnotbesocruelasthat！"
　　"Itwasn’tcruel，dear;itwaskind.Youwouldbeillifyouattemptedit.Nowyou’llgetbetter.Hesaysallyouneedisrestandcare——andthat’sexactlywhatImeanmyguestshallhave."
　　Quicktearscametothesickgirl’seyes.
　　"Therecouldn’tbeakinderheartthanyours，MissBilly，"shemurmured，"butIcouldn’t——Ireallycouldn’tbeaburdentoyoulikethis.Ishallgotosomehospital."
　　"Butyouaren’tgoingtobeaburden.Youaregoingtobemyfriendandcompanion."
　　"Acompanion——andinbedlikethis？"
　　"Well，THATwouldn’tbeimpossible，"smiledBilly;"but，asithappensyouwon’thavetoputthattothetest，foryou’llsoonbeupanddressed.Thedoctorsaysso.Nowsurelyyouwillstay."
　　Therewasalongpause.Thelittlemusicteacher’seyeshadleftBilly’sfaceandwerecirclingtheroom，wistfullylingeringonthehangingsoffilmylace，thedaintywallcovering，andtheexquisitewatercolorsintheirwhite—and—goldframes.Atlastshedrewadeepsigh.
　　"Yes，I’llstay，"shebreathedrapturously;"but——youmustletmehelp."
　　"Help？Helpwhat？"
　　"Helpyou;yourletters，yourmusic—copying，youraccounts——
　　anything，everything.Andifyoudon’tletmehelp，"——themusicteacher’svoicewasverysternnow——"ifyoudon’tletmehelp，I
　　shallgohomejust——as——soon——as——I——can——walk！"
　　"Dearme！"dimpledBilly."Andisthatall？Well，youshallhelp，andtoyourheart’scontent，too.Infact，I’mnotatallsurethatIsha’n’tkeepyoudarningstockingsandmakingpuddingsallthetime，"sheaddedmischievously，asshelefttheroom.
　　MissHawthornsatupthenextday.Thedayfollowing，inoneofBilly’s"flutterywrappers，"asshecalledthem，shewalkedallabouttheroom.Verysoonshewasabletogodown—stairs，andinanastonishinglyshorttimeshefittedintothedailylifeasifshehadalwaysbeenthere.Shewas，moreover，ofsuchassistancetoBillythatevensheherselfcouldseethevalueofherwork;andsoshestayed，content.
　　ThelittlemusicteachersawagooddealofBilly’sfriendsthen，particularlyoftheHenshawbrothers;andverygladwasBillytoseethecomradeshipgrowingbetweenthem.ShehadknownthatWilliamwouldbekindtotheorphangirl，butshehadfearedthatMariewouldnotunderstandBertram’snonsenseorCyril’sreserve.
　　ButverysoonBertramhadbegged，andobtained，permissiontotrytoreproduceoncanvasthesheenofthefine，fairhair，andtheveiledbloomoftherose—leafskinthatwereMarie’sgreatestcharms;andalreadyCyrilhadunbentfromhisusualstiffnessenoughtoplaytohertwice.SoBilly’sfearsonthatscorewereatanend.
　　CHAPTERXXXI
　　THEENGAGEMENTOFONE
　　ManytimesduringthosewinterdaysBillythoughtofMarie’swords：
　　"Butwhatifthemanandthemusicbothhappentobeonthesameside？"Theyworriedher，tosomeextent，and，curiously，theypleasedanddispleasedheratthesametime.
　　Shetoldherselfthatsheknewverywell，ofcourse，whatMariemeant：itwasCyril;hewastheman，andthemusic.ButwasCyrilbeginningtocareforher;anddidshewanthimto？VeryseriouslyonedayBillyaskedherselfthesequestions;verycalmlyshearguedthematterinhermind——aswasBilly’sway.
　　Shewasproud，certainly，ofwhatherinfluencehadapparentlydoneforCyril.Shewasgratifiedthattoherhewasshowingtherealdepthandbeautyofhisnature.ItWASflatteringtofeelthatshe，andonlyshe，hadthuswontheregardofaprofessionalwoman—
　　hater.Then，besidesallthis，therewashismusic——hisgloriousmusic.Thinkoftheblissoflivingeverwiththat！Imaginelifewithamanwhosesoulwouldbesoperfectlyattunedtohersthatexistencewouldbeonegrandharmony！Ah，that，truly，wouldbetheidealmarriage！Butshehadplannednottomarry.Billyfrownednow，andtappedherfootnervously.Itwas，indeed，mostpuzzling——thisquestion，andshedidnotwanttomakeamistake.
　　Then，too，shedidnotwishtowoundCyril.IfthedearmanHAD
　　comeoutofhisicyprison，andwerereachingouttimidhandstoherforherhelp，herinterest，herlove——thetragedyofit，ifhemetwithnoresponse！ThisvisionofCyrilwithoutstretchedhands，andofherselfwithcold，avertedeyeswasthelaststrawinthebalancewithBilly.ShedecidedsuddenlythatshedidcareforCyril——alittle;andthatsheprobablycouldcareforhimagreatdeal.Withthisthought，Billyblushed——alreadyinherownmindshewasasgoodaspledgedtoCyril.
　　ItwasagreatchangeforBilly——thissuddenleapfromgirlhoodandirresponsibilitytowomanhoodandcare;butshetookitfearlessly，resolutely.IfshewastobeCyril’swifeshemustmakeherselffitforit——andinpursuanceofthishighidealshefollowedMarieintothekitchentheverynexttimethelittlemusicteacherwentouttomakeoneofherdaintydessertsthatthefamilylikedsowell.
　　"I’lljustwatch，ifyoudon’tmind，"announcedBilly.
　　"Why，ofcoursenot，"smiledMarie，"butIthoughtyoudidn’tliketomakepuddings."
　　"Idon’t，"ownedBilly，cheerfully.
　　"Thenwhythis——watchfulness？"
　　"Nothing，onlyIthoughtitmightbejustaswellifIknewhowtomakethem.YouknowhowCyril——thatis，ALLtheHenshawboyslikeeverykindyoumake."
　　TheegginMarie’shandslippedfromherfingersandcrasheduntidilyontheshelf.WithagleefullaughBillywelcomedthediversion.Shehadnotmeanttospeaksoplainly.ItwasonethingtotrytofitherselftobeCyril’swife，andquiteanothertodisplaythoseeffortssoopenlybeforetheworld.
　　Thepuddingwasmadeatlast，butMarieprovedtobeanervousteacher.Herhandshook，andhermemoryalmostfailedheratoneortwocriticalpoints.Billylaughinglysaidthatitmustbestagefright，owingtothepresenceofherselfasspectator;andwiththisMariepromptly，andsomewhateffusively，agreed.
　　SoverybusywasBillyduringthenextfewdays，acquiringhernewdomesticity，thatshedidnotnoticehowlittleshewasseeingofCyril.Thenshesuddenlyrealizedit，andaskedherselfthereasonforit.Cyrilwasatthehousecertainly，justasfrequentlyashehadbeen;butshesawthatanewshynessinherselfhaddevelopedwhichwascausinghertoberestlessinhispresence，andwasleadinghertolikebettertohaveMarieorAuntHannahintheroomwhenhecalled.Shediscovered，too，thatshewelcomedWilliam，andevenBertram，withpeculiarenthusiasm——iftheyhappenedtointerruptatete—a—tetewithCyril.
　　Billywasdisturbedatthis.Shetoldherselfthatthisshynesswasnotstrange，perhaps，inasmuchasherideasinregardtoloveandmarriagehadundergonesoabruptachange;butitmustbeovercome.IfshewastobeCyril’swife，shemustliketobewithhim——andofcourseshereallydidliketobewithhim，forshehadenjoyedhiscompanionshipverymuchduringallthesepastweeks.
　　Shesetherselftherefore，now，determinedlytocultivatingCyril.
　　ItwasthenthatBillymadeastrangeandfearsomediscovery：thereweresomethingsaboutCyrilthatshedid——not——like！
　　Billywasinexpressiblyshocked.Heretoforehehadbeensohigh，soirreproachable，sogod—like！——butheretoforehehadbeenafriend.Nowhewasappearinginanewrole——thoughunconsciously，sheknew.Heretoforeshehadlookedathimwitheyesthatsawonlythedelightfulandmarvelousunfoldingofacoldlyreservednatureunderthewarmthofherownencouragingsmile.Nowshelookedathimwitheyesthatsawonlythepossibilitiesofthatsamenaturewhenitshouldhavebeenunfoldedinalifelongcompanionship.Andwhatshesawfrightenedher.Therewasstillthemusic——sheacknowledgedthat;butithadcometoBillywithoverwhelmingforcethatmusic，afterall，wasnoteverything.Themancounted，aswell.VeryfranklythenBillystatedthecasetoherself.
　　"Whatpassesfor’fascinatingmystery’inhimnowwillbeplainmoroseness——sometime.Heis’taciturn’now;he’llbe——cross，then.
　　Itis’erratic’whenhewon’tplaythepianoto—day;butafewyearsfromnow，whenherefusessomesimplerequestofmine，itwillbe——stubbornness.Allthisitwillbe——ifIdon’tlovehim;
　　andIdon’t.IknowIdon’t.Besides，wearen’treallycongenial.
　　Ilikepeoplearound;hedoesn’t.Iliketogotoplays;hedoesn’t.Helikesrainydays;Iabhorthem.Thereisnodoubtofit——lifewithhimwouldnotbeonegrandharmony;itwouldbeonejanglingdiscord.Isimplycannotmarryhim.Ishallhavetobreaktheengagement！
　　Billyspokewithregretfulsorrow.ItwasevidentthatshegrievedtobringpaintoCyril.Thensuddenlythegloomleftherface：shehadrememberedthatthe"engagement"wasjustthreeweeksold——andwasaprofoundsecret，notonlytothebridegroomelect，buttoalltheworldaswell——saveherself！
　　Billywasveryhappyafterthat.Shesangaboutthehouseallday，andshedancedsometimesfromroomtoroom，solightwereherfeetandherheart.ShemadenomorepuddingswithMarie’ssupervision，butshewasparticularlycarefultohavethelittlemusicteacherorAuntHannahwithherwhenCyrilcalled.Shemadeuphermind，itistrue，thatshehadbeenmistaken，andthatCyrildidnotloveher;stillshewishedtobeonthesafeside，andshebecamemoreandmoreaversetobeingleftalonewithhimforanylengthoftime.
　　CHAPTERXXXII
　　CYRILHASSOMETHINGTOSAY
　　LongbeforespringBillywasforcedtoowntoherselfthatherfanciedsecurityfromlovemakingonthepartofCyrilnolongerexisted.Shebegantosuspectthattherewasreasonforherfears.
　　Cyrilcertainlywas"different."Hewasmoreapproachable，lessreserved，evenwithMarieandAuntHannah.Hewasnotnearlysotaciturn，either，andhewasmuchmoregraciousabouthisplaying.
　　EvenMariedaredtoaskhimfrequentlyformusic，andheneverrefusedherrequest.ThreetimeshehadtakenBillytosomeplaythatshewantedtosee，andhehadinvitedMarie，too，besidesAuntHannah，whichhadpleasedBillyverymuch.HehadbeenatthesametimesogenialandsogallantthatBillyhaddeclaredtoMarieafterwardthathedidnotseemlikehimselfatall，butlikesomeoneelse.
　　Mariehaddisagreedwithher，itistrue，andhadsaidstiffly：
　　"I’msureIthoughtheseemedverymuchlikehimself."ButthathadnotchangedBilly’sopinionatall.
　　ToBilly’smind，nothingbutlovecouldsohavesoftenedthesternCyrilshehadknown.Shewas，therefore，allthemorecarefulthesedaystoavoidatete—a—tetewithhim，thoughshewasnotalwayssuccessful，particularlyowingtoMarie’sunaccountableperversenessinsooftenhavingletterstowriteorworktodo，justwhenBillymostwantedhertomakeasafethirdwithherselfandCyril.Itwasuponsuchanoccasion，afterMariehadabruptlyleftthemalonetogether，thatCyrilhadobserved，alittlesharply：
　　"Billy，Iwishyouwouldn’tsayagainwhatyousaidtenminutesagowhenMissMariewashere."
　　"Whatwasthat？"
　　AverysillyreferencetothatoldnotionthatyouandeveryoneelseseemtohavethatIama’woman—hater.’"
　　Billy’sheartskippedabeat.Onethought，poundedthroughherbrainanddinneditselfintoherears——atallcostsCyrilmustnotbeallowedtosaythatwhichshesofeared;hemustbesavedfromhimself.
　　"Woman—hater？Why，ofcourseyou’reawoman—hater，"shecriedmerrily."I’msure，I——Ithinkit’slovelytobeawoman—hater."
　　Themanopenedwidehiseyes;thenhefrownedangrily.
　　"Nonsense，Billy，Iknowbetter.Besides，I’minearnest，andI’mnotawoman—hater."
　　"Oh，buteveryonesaysyouare，"chatteredBilly."And，afterall，youknowitISdistinguishing！"
　　Withadisdainfulexclamationthemansprangtohisfeet.Foratimehepacedtheroominsilence，watchedbyBilly’sfearfuleyes;
　　thenhecamebackanddroppedintothelowchairatBilly’sside.
　　Hiswholemannerhadundergoneacompletechange.Hewasalmostshamefacedashesaid：
　　"Billy，IsupposeImightaswellownup.Idon’tthinkIdidthinkmuchofwomenuntilIsaw——you."
　　Billyswallowedandwetherlips.Shetriedtospeak;butbeforeshecouldformthewordsthemanwentonwithhisremarks;andBillydidnotknowwhethertobethemorerelievedorfrightenedthereat.
　　"Butyouseenowit’sdifferent.That’swhyIdon’tliketosailanylongerunderfalsecolors.There’sbeenachange——agreatandwonderfulchangethatIhardlyunderstandmyself."
　　"That’sit！Youdon’tunderstandit，I’msure，"interposedBilly，feverishly."Itmaynotbesuchachange，afterall.Youmaybedeceivingyourself，"shefinishedhopefully.
　　Themansighed.
　　"Ican’twonderyouthinkso，ofcourse，"healmostgroaned."I
　　wasafraiditwouldbelikethat.Whenone’sbeenpaintedblackallone’slife，it’snoteasytochangeone’scolor，ofcourse."
　　"Oh，butIdidn’tsaythatblackwasn’taverynicecolor，"
　　stammeredBilly，alittlewildly.
　　"Thankyou."Cyril’sheavybrowsroseandfellthefractionofaninch."Still，ImustconfessthatjustnowIshouldpreferanothershade."
　　Hepaused，andBillycastdistractedlyaboutinhermindforasimple，naturalchangeofsubject.ShehadjustdecidedtoaskhimwhathethoughtoftheconditionoftheBrittanypeasants，whenhequestionedabruptly，andinavoicethatwasnotquitesteady：
　　"Billy，whatshouldyousayifIshouldtellyouthattheavowedwoman—haterhadstrayedsofarfromtheprescribedpathasto——tolikeonewomanwellenoughastowantto——marryher？"
　　ThewordwaslikeamatchtothegunpowderofBilly’sfears.Herself—controlwasshatteredinstantlyintobits.
　　"Marry？No，no，youwouldn’t——youcouldn’treallybethinkingofthat，"shebabbled，growingredandwhitebyturns."Onlythinkhowawifewould——wouldb—botheryou！"
　　"Botherme？WhenIlovedher？"
　　"Butjustthink——remember！She’dwantcushionsandrugsandcurtains，andyoudon’tlikethem;andshe’dalwaysbetalkingandlaughingwhenyouwantedquiet;andshe——she’dwanttodragyououttoplaysandpartiesand——andeverywhere.Indeed，Cyril，I’msureyou’dneverlikeawife——long！"Billystoppedonlybecauseshehadnobreathwithwhichtocontinue.
　　Cyrillaughedalittlegrimly.
　　"Youdon’tdrawaveryattractivepicture，Billy.Still，I’mnotafraid.Idon’tthinkthisparticular——wifewoulddoanyofthosethings——totroubleme."
　　"Oh，butyoudon’tknow，youcan’ttell，"arguedthegirl.
　　"Besides，youhavehadsolittleexperiencewithwomenthatyou’djustbesuretomakeamistakeatfirst.Youwanttolookaroundverycarefully——verycarefully，beforeyoudecide."
　　"Ihavelookedaround，andverycarefully，Billy.Iknowthatinalltheworldthereisjustonewomanforme."
　　Billystruggledtoherfeet.Mingledpainandterrorlookedfromhereyes.Shebegantospeakwildly，incoherently.ShewonderedafterwardjustwhatshewouldhavesaidifAuntHannahhadnotcomeintotheroomatthatmomentandannouncedthatBertramwasatthedoortotakeherforasleigh—rideifshecaredtogo.
　　"Ofcourseshe’llgo，"declaredCyril，promptly，answeringforher.
　　"ItistimeIwasoffanyhow."ToBilly，hesaidinalowvoice：
　　"Youhaven’tbeenveryencouraging，littlegirl——infact，you’vebeenmightydiscouraging.Butsomeday——someotherday，I’lltrytomakecleartoyou——manythings."
　　BillygreetedBertramverycordially.Itwassucharelief——hischeery，genialcompanionship！Theair，too，wasbracing，andalltheworldlayunderasnow—whiteblanketofsparklingpurity.
　　Everythingwassobeautiful，sorestful！
　　Itwasnotsurprising，perhaps，thattheveryfranknessofBilly’sjoymisledBertramalittle.Hisbloodtingledathernearness，andhiseyesgrewdeepandtenderashelookeddownatherhappyface.Butofalltheeagerwordsthatweresonearhislips，notonereachedthegirl’searsuntilthegood—byesweresaid;thenwistfullyBertramhazarded：
　　"Billy，don’tyouthink，sometimes，thatI’mgaining——justalittleonthatrivalofmine——thatmusic？"
　　Billy’sfaceclouded.Sheshookherheadgently.
　　"Bertram，pleasedon’t——whenwe’vehadsuchabeautifulhourtogether，"shebegged."Ittroublesme.Ifyoudo，Ican’tgo——
　　again."
　　"Butyoushallgoagain，"criedBertram，bravelysmilingstraightintohereyes."Andtheresha’n’teveranythingintheworldtroubleyou，either——thatIcanhelp！"
　　CHAPTERXXXIII
　　WILLIAMISWORRIED
　　Billy’ssleigh—ridehadbeenduetothekindnessofabelatedwinterstormthathadsurprisedeveryonethelastofMarch.Afterthat，March，asifashamedofheruntowardbehavior，donnedhersweetestsmilesand"wentout"liketheproverbiallamb.WiththecomingofApril，andthestirringoflifeinthetrees，Billy，too，begantoberestless;andattheearliestpossiblemomentshemadeherplansforherlonganticipated"digginginthedirt."
　　Justhere，muchtohersurprise，shemetwithwonderfulassistancefromBertram.Heseemedtoknowjustwhenandwhereandhowtodig，andhedisplayedsuddenlyaremarkableknowledgeoflandscapegardening.（Thatthisknowledgewasasrecentinitsacquirementasitwassuddeninitsdisplay，Billydidnotknow.）Verylearnedlyhetalkedofperennialsandannuals;andwithouthesitationhemadeoutalistoffloweringshrubsandplantsthatwouldgivehera"successionofbloomthroughouttheseason."Hiswordsandphrasessmackedloudlyoftheverynewestflorists’
　　catalogues，butBillydidnotnoticethat.Sheonlywonderedattheseeminglyexhaustlesssourceofhiswisdom.
　　"Isuspect’twouldhavebeenbetterifwe’dbegunthingslastfall，"hetoldherfrowninglyoneday."Butthere’splentywecandonowanyway;andwe’llputinsomequick—growingthings，justforthisseason，untilwecangetthemorepermanentthingsestablished."
　　Andsotheyworkedtogether，studying，scheming，orderingplantsandseeds，theirtwoheadsclosetogetherabovethegailycoloredcatalogues.Latertherewastheworkitselftobedone，andthoughstrongmendidtheheavierpart，therewasyetplentyleftforBilly’seagerfingers——andforBertram’s.Andifsometimesintheintimacyofseed—sowingandplant—setting，thetouchoftheslendererfingerssentathrillthroughthebrownerones，Bertrammadenosign.Hewascarefulalwaystobethecheerful，helpfulassistant——andthatwasall.
　　Billy，itistrue，wasalittledisturbedatbeingquitesomuchwithBertram.Shedreadedarepetitionofsomesuchwordsashadbeenutteredattheendofthesleigh—ride.ShetoldherselfthatshehadnorighttogrieveBertram，tomakeithardforhimbybeingwithhim;butattheverynextbreath，shecouldbutquestion;didshegrievehim？Wasithardforhimtohaveherwithhim？Thenshewouldglanceathiseagerfaceandmeethisbuoyantsmile——andanswer"no."Afterthat，foratime，atleast，herfearswouldbeless.
　　SystematicallyBillyavoidedCyrilthesedays.Shecouldnotforgethispromisetomakemanythingscleartohersomeday.Shethoughtsheknewwhathemeant——thathewouldtrytoconvinceher（asshehadtriedtoconvinceherself）thatshewouldmakeagoodwifeforhim.
　　BillywasverysurethatifCyrilcouldbepreventedfromspeakinghismindjustnow，hismindwouldchangeintime;henceherdeterminationtogivehismindthatopportunity.
　　Billy’savoidanceofCyrilwasthemoreeasilyaccomplishedbecauseshewasforatimetakingacompleterestfromhermusic.Thenewsongshadbeenfinishedandsenttothepublishers.Therewasnoexcuse，therefore，forCyril’scomingtothehouseonthatscore;
　　and，indeed，heseemedofhisownaccordtobemakingonlyinfrequentvisitsnow.Billywaspleased，particularlyasMariewasnottheretoplaythirdparty.Mariehadtakenupherteachingagain，muchtoBilly’sdistress.
　　"ButIcan’tstayherealways，likethis，"Mariehadprotested.
　　"ButIshouldliketokeepyou！"Billyhadresponded，withnolessdecision.
　　Mariehadbeenfirm，however，andhadgone，leavingthelittlehouselonelywithouther.
　　AsidefromherworkinthegardenBillyasresolutelyavoidedBertramasshedidCyril.Itwasnatural，therefore，thatatthiscrisissheshouldturntoWilliamwithapeculiarfeelingofrestfulness.He，atleast，wouldbesafe，shetoldherself.Soshefranklywelcomedhiseveryappearance，sungtohim，playedtohim，andtooklongwalkswithhimtoseesomewonderfulbraceletornecklacethathehaddiscoveredinadingylittlecurio—shop.
　　Williamwasdelighted.Hewasveryfondofhisnamesake，andhehadsecretlychafedalittleatthewayhisyoungerbrothershadmonopolizedherattention.Hewasrejoicednowthatsheseemedtobeturningtohimforcompanionship;andveryeagerlyheacceptedallthetimeshecouldgivehim.
　　Williamhad，intruth，beengrowingmoreandmorelonelyeversinceBilly’sbriefstaybeneathhisroofyearsbefore.Thosefewshortweeksofhermerrypresencehadshownhimhowveryforlornthehousewaswithoutit.Moreandmoresorrowfullyduringpastyears，histhoughtshadgonebacktothelittlewhiteflannelbundleandtothedearhopesithadcarriedsolongago.Iftheboyhadonlylived，thoughtWilliam，mournfully，therewouldnotnowhavebeenthatdrearysilenceinhishome，andthatsoreacheinhisheart.
　　VerysoonafterWilliamhadfirstseenBilly，hebegantolaywonderfulplans，andineveryplanwasBilly.Shewasnothischildbyfleshandblood，heacknowledged，butshewashisbyrightofloveandneededcare.Infancyhelookedstraightdowntheyearsahead，andeverywherehesawBilly，aloving，much—loveddaughter，thejoyofhislife，thesolaceofhisdecliningyears.
　　TonoonehadWilliamtalkedofthis——andtonoonedidheshowthebitternessofhisgriefwhenhesawhisvisionfadeintonothingnessthroughBilly’sunchangingrefusaltoliveinhishome.
　　Onlyhehimselfknewtheheartache，theloneliness，thealmostunbearablelongingofthepastwintermonthswhileBillyhadlivedatHillside;andonlyhehimselfknewnowthealmostoverwhelmingjoythatwashisbecauseofwhathethoughthesawinBilly’schangedattitudetowardhimself.
　　GreataswasWilliam’sjoy，however，hiscautionwasgreater.HesaidnothingtoBillyofhisnewhopes，thoughhedidtrytopavethewaybydroppinganoccasionalwordaboutthelonelinessoftheBeaconStreethousesinceshewentaway.Therewassomethingelse，too，thatcausedWilliamtobesilent——whathethoughthesawbetweenBillyandBertram.ThatBertramwasinlovewithBilly，heguessed;butthatBillywasnotinlovewithBertramheverymuchfeared.Hehesitatedalmosttospeakormovelestsomethingheshouldsayordoshould，justatthecriticalmoment，turnmattersthewrongway.ToWilliamthismarriageofBertramandBillywasanidealmethodofsolvingtheproblem，asofcourseBillywouldcometheretothehousetolive，andhewouldhavehis"daughter"
　　afterall.Butasthedayspassed，andhecouldseenoprogressonBertram’spart，nochangeinBilly，hebegantobeseriouslyworried——andtoshowit.
　　CHAPTERXXXIV
　　CLASSDAY
　　EarlyinJuneBillyannouncedherintentionofnotgoingawayatallthatsummer.
　　"Idon’tneedit，"shedeclared."Ihavethiscool，beautifulhouse，thisair，thissunshine，thisadorableview.Besides，I’vegotaschemeImeantocarryout."
　　TherewassomeconsternationamongBilly’sfriendswhentheyfoundoutwhatthis"scheme"was：sundryofBilly’shumbleracquaintancesweretosharethehouse，theair，thesunshine，andtheadorableviewwithher.
　　"But，mydearBilly，"Bertramcried，aghast，"youdon’tmeantosaythatyouaregoingtoturnyourbeautifullittlehouseintoafresh—airplaceforBoston’sslumchildren！"
　　"Notabitofit，"smiledthegirl，"thoughI’dliketo，really，ifIcould，"sheadded，perversely."Butthisisquiteanotherthing.
　　It’snoslumwork，nocharity.Inthefirstplacemyguestsaren’tquitesopoorasthat，andthey’remuchtooproudtobereachedbytheavowedcharityworker.Buttheyneeditjustthesame."
　　"Butyouhaven’tmuchspareroom;haveyou？"questionedBertram.
　　"No，unfortunately;soIshallhavetotakeonlytwoorthreeatatime，andkeepthemmaybeaweekortendays.It’sjustasugarplum，Bertram.Trulyitis，"sheaddedwhimsically，butwithatenderlightinhereyes.
　　"Butwhoarethesepeople？"Bertram’sfacehadlostitslookofshockedsurprise，andhisvoiceexpressedgenuineinterest.
　　"Well，tobeginwith，there’sMarie.She’llstayallsummerandhelpmeentertainmyguests;atthesametimeherdutieswon’tbearduous，andshe’llgetalittleplaytimeherself.OneweekI’mgoingtohavealittleoldmaidwhokeepsalodginghouseintheWestEnd.Foruncountedyearsshe’sbeenpracticallytiedtoadoorbell，withneverawholedaytobreathefree.I’vemadearrangementsthereforasistertokeephouseawholeweek，andI’mgoingtoshowthislittleoldmaidthingsshehasn’tseenforyears：theocean，thegreenfields，andasummerplayortwo，perhaps.
　　"Thenthere’salittlecouplethatliveinathird—storyflatinSouthBoston.They’reyoungandlikegoodtimes;butthemanisonasmallsalary，andtheyhavehadlotsofsickness.He’sbeenoutsomuchhecan’ttakeanyvacation，andtheywouldn’thaveanymoneytogoanywhereifhecould.Well，I’mgoingtohavethemaweek.She’llbehereallthetime，andhe’llcomeoutatnight，ofcourse.
　　"Anotheroneisawidowwithsixchildren.Thechildrenarealreadyprovidedforbyafresh—airsociety，butthewomanI’mgoingtotake，and——andgiveherawholeweekoffoodthatshedidn’thavetocookherself.Anotheroneisawomanwhoisnotsoverypoor，butwhohaslostherbaby，andisblueanddiscouraged.
　　Therearesomechildren，too，onecrippled，andaboywhosayshe’s’justlonesome.’Andthereare——really，Bertram，thereisnoendtothem."
　　"Icanwellbelievethat，"declaredBertram，withemphasis，"sofarasyourgenerousheartisconcerned."
　　Billycoloredandlookeddistressed.
　　"Butitisn’tgenerosityorcharityatall，Bertram，"sheprotested.
　　"Youaremistakenwhenyouthinkitis——really！Why，Ishallenjoyeverybitofitjustaswellastheydo——andbetter，perhaps."
　　"Butyoustayhere——inthecity——allsummerfortheirsakes."
　　"WhatifIdo？Besides，thisisn’ttherealcity，"arguedBilly，"withallthesetreesandlawnsaboutone.Andanotherthing，"sheadded，leaningforwardconfidentially，"Imightaswellconfess，Bertram，youcouldn’thiremetoleavetheplacethissummer——notwhileallthesethingsIplantedarecomingup！"
　　Bertramlaughed;butforsomereasonhelookedwonderfullyhappyasheturnedaway.
　　OnthefifteenthofJuneKateandherhusbandarrivedfromtheWest.AyoungbrotherofMr.Hartwell’swastobegraduatedfromHarvard，andKatesaidtheyhadcomeontorepresentthefamily，astheelderMr.andMrs.Hartwellwerenotstrongenoughtoundertakethejourney.Katewaslookingwellandhappy.ShegreetedBillywitheffusivecordiality，andopenlyexpressedheradmirationofHillside.Shelookedverykeenlyintoherbrothers’face，andseemedwellpleasedwiththeappearanceofCyrilandBertram，butnotsomuchsowithWilliam’scountenance.
　　"WilliamdoesNOTlookwell，"shedeclaredonedaywhensheandBillywerealonetogether.
　　"Sick？UncleWilliamsick？Oh，Ihopenot！"criedthegirl.
　　"Idon’tknowwhetherit’s’sick’ornot，"returnedMrs.Hartwell.
　　"Butit’ssomething.He’stroubled.I’mgoingtospeaktohim.
　　He’sworriedoversomething;andhe’sgrownterriblythin."
　　"Buthe’salwaysthin，"reasonedBilly.
　　"Iknow，butnotlikethis——ever.Youdon’tnoticeit，perhaps，orrealizeit，seeinghimeverydayasyoudo.ButIknowsomethingtroubleshim."
　　"Oh，Ihopenot，"murmuredBilly，withanxiouseyes."Wedon’twantUncleWilliamtroubled：wealllovehimtoowell."
　　Mrs.Hartwelldidnotatoncereply;butforalongminuteshethoughtfullystudiedBilly’sfaceasitwasbentabovethesewinginBilly’shand.Whenshedidspeakshehadchangedthesubject.
　　YoungHartwellwastodelivertheIvyOrationintheStadiumonClassDay，andalltheHenshawswerelookingeagerlyforwardtotheoccasion.
　　"YouhaveseentheStadium，ofcourse，"saidBertramtoBilly，afewdaysbeforetheanticipatedFriday.
　　"Onlyfromacrosstheriver."
　　"Isthatso？Andyou’veneverbeenhereClassDay，either.Good！
　　Thenyou’vegotatreatinstore.Justwaitandsee！"
　　AndBillywaited——andshesaw.Billybegantosee，infact，beforeClassDay.YoungHartwellwasapopularfellow，andhewaseagertohavehisfriendsmeetBillyandtheHenshaws.HewasamemberoftheInstituteof1770，D.K.E.，Stylus，Signet，RoundTable，andHastyPuddingClubs，andnearlyeveryoneofthesehadsomesortoffunctionplannedforClass—Dayweek.BythetimethedayitselfarrivedBillywasalmostasexcitedaswasyoungHartwellhimself.
　　ItrainedClass—Daymorning，butatnineo’clockthesuncameoutanddrovethecloudsaway，muchtoeveryone’sdelight.Billy’sdaybeganatnoonwiththespreadgivenbytheHastyPuddingClub.
　　Billywonderedafterwardhowmanytimesthatdayremarksliketheseweremadetoher：
　　"You’vebeenhereClassDaybefore，ofcourse.You’veseentheconfetti—throwing！No？Well，youjustwait！"
　　AttenminutesoffourBillyandMrs.Hartwell，withMr.HartwellandBertramasescorts，enteredthecool，echoingshadowsundertheStadium，andthenoutinthesunlighttheybegantoclimbthebroadstepstotheirseats.
　　"Iwantedthemhighup，yousee，"explainedBertram，"becauseyoucangettheeffectsomuchbetter.There，hereweare！"
　　ForthefirsttimeBillyturnedandlookedabouther.Shegavealowcryofdelight.
　　"Oh，oh，howbeautiful——howwonderfullybeautiful！"
　　"Youjustwait！"crowedBertram."Ifyouthinkthisisbeautiful，youjustwait！"
　　Billydidnotseemtohearhim.Hereyesweresweepingthewonderfulscenebeforeher，andherfacewasaglowwithdelight.
　　Firsttherewasthegreatamphitheateritself.Onlythewidecurveofthehorseshoewasropedoffforto—day’saudience.Beyondlaythetwosideswiththeirtierabovetierofemptyseats，almostdazzlinginthesunshine.Withintheroped—offcurvethescenewasofkaleidoscopicbeauty.Charminglygownedyoungwomenandcarefullygroomedyoungmenwereeverywhere，stirring，chatting，laughing.Gay—coloredparasolsandflower—gardenhatsmadehereandtherebrilliantsplashesofrainbowtints.Abovewasanalmostcloudlesscanopyofblue，andatthefarhorizon，earthandskymetandmadeapicturethatwaslikeawondrouspaintedcurtainhungfromheavenitself.
　　Atthefirstsoundofthedistantbandthattoldofthegraduates’
　　coming，Bertramsaidalmostwistfully：
　　"ClassDayistheonlytimewhenIfeel’outofit.’YouseeI’mthefirstmaleHenshawforagesthathasn’tbeenthroughHarvard;
　　andto—day，youknow，isthetimewhentheoldgradscomebackanddostuntslikethekids——iftheycan（andsomeofthemcanallright！）.Theymarchinbyclassesaheadoftheseniors，andviewitheachotheringivingtheiryells.You’llseeCyrilandWilliam，ifyoureyesaresharpenough——andyou’llseethemasyouneversawthembefore."
　　FardownthegreenfieldBillyspiednowthelongblacklineofmovingfigureswithabandinthelead.Nearerandneareritcameuntil，greetedbyamightyroarfromthousandsofthroats，theleaderssweptintothegreatbowlofthehorseshoecurve.
　　Andhowtheyyelledandcheered——thosemenwhosefirstClassDaylayfive，ten，fifteen，eventwentyormoreyearsbehindthem，astoldbythebannerswhichtheysoproudlycarried.Howtheygottheirheadstogetherandgavethe"Rah！Rah！Rah！"withunswervingeyesontheirleader！Howtheybeattheairwiththeirhatsintimetotheirlustyshouts！Andhowthethrongsabovecheeredandclappedinanswer，untiltheyalmostsplittheirthroats——anddidsplittheirgloves——especiallywhentheblack—gownedseniorssweptintoview.
　　Andwhenthecurvinglineofblackhadbecomeonesolidmassofhumanitythatfilledthebowlfromsidetoside，thevastthrongseatedthemselves，andagreathushfellwhiletheGleeClubsang.
　　YoungHartwellprovedtobeagoodspeaker，andhisringingvoicereachedeventhetopmosttierofseats.Billywascharmedandinterested.Everythingshesawandheardwasbutanewsourceofenjoyment，andshehadquiteforgottenthethingforwhichshewasto"wait，"whenshesawtheusherspassingthroughtheaisleswiththeirbasketsofmany—huedpackagesofconfettiandcountlessrollsofpaperribbon.
　　Itbeganthen，themerrywarbetweenthestudentsbelowandthethrongabove.Inatricetheairwasfilledwithshimmeringbitsofred，blue，white，green，purple，pink，andyellow.Fromalldirectionsflutteringstreamersthatshowedeverycoloroftherainbow，wereflungtothebreezeuntil，upheldbythesupportingwires，theymadeafairylaceworkofmarvelousbeauty.
　　"Oh，oh，oh！"criedBilly，hereyesmistywithemotion."IthinkI
　　neversawanythinginmylifesolovely！
　　"Ithoughtyou’dlikeit，"gloriedBertram."YouknowIsaidtowait！"
　　Butevenwiththis，ClassDayforBillywasnotfinished.TherewasstillHartwell’sownspreadfromsixtoeight，andafterthattherewerethePresident’sreception，anddancingintheMemorialHallandintheGymnasium.TherewastheFairylandoftheyard，too，softlyaglowwithmovingthrongsofbeautifulwomenandgallantmen.ButwhatBillyrememberedbestofallwastheexquisiteharmonythatcametoherthroughthehushednightairwhentheGleeClubsangFairHarvardonthestepsofHolworthyHall.
　　CHAPTERXXXV
　　SISTERKATEAGAIN
　　ItwasontheSundayfollowingClassDaythatMrs.Hartwellcarriedoutherdeterminationto"speaktoWilliam."TheWesthadnottakenfromKateherloveofmanaging，andshethoughtshesawnowamatterthatsorelyneededherguidinghand.
　　William’sthinface，anxiouslooks，andnervousmannerhadtroubledhereversinceshecame.Thenoneday，verysuddenly，hadcomeenlightenment：Williamwasinlove——andwithBilly.
　　Mrs.HartwellwatchedWilliamverycloselyafterthat.ShesawhiseyesfollowBillyfondly，yetanxiously.Shesawhisopenjoyatbeingwithher，andatanylittleattention，word，orlookthatthegirlgavehim.Sheremembered，too，somethingthatBertramhadsaidaboutWilliam’sgriefbecauseBillywouldnotliveattheStrata.Shethoughtshesawsomethingelse，also：thatBillywasfondofWilliam，butthatWilliamdidnotknowit;hencehisfrequenttroubledscrutinyofherface.WhythesetwoshouldplayatcrosspurposesSisterKatecouldnotunderstand.Shesmiled，however，confidently：theyshouldnotplayatcrosspurposesmuchlonger，shedeclared.
　　OnSundayafternoonKateaskedhereldestbrothertotakeherdriving.
　　"Notamotorcar;Iwantahorse——thatwillletmetalk，"shesaid.
　　"Certainly，"agreedWilliam，withasmile;butBertram，whochancedtohearher，putintheslycomment："AsifANYhorsecouldprevent——that！"
　　OnthedriveKatebegantotalkatonce，butshedidnotplungeintothesubjectnearestherheartuntilshehadadroitlyledWilliamintoaglowingenumerationofBilly’smanycharmingcharacteristics;thenshesaid：
　　"William，whydon’tyoutakeBillyhomewithyou？"
　　Williamstirreduneasilyashealwaysdidwhenanythingannoyedhim.
　　"MydearKate，thereisnothingIshouldlikebettertodo，"hereplied.
　　"Thenwhydon’tyoudoit？"
　　"I——hopeto，sometime."
　　"Butwhynotnow？"
　　"I’mafraidBillyisnotquite——ready."
　　"Nonsense！Ayounggirllikethatdoesnotknowherownmindlotsoftimes.Justpressthematteralittle.Lovewillworkwonders——
　　sometimes."
　　Williamblushedlikeagirl.Tohimherwordshadbutonemeaning——
　　Bertram’sloveforBilly.Williamhadneverspokenofthissuspectedloveaffairtoanyone.Hehadeventhoughtthathewastheonlyonethathaddiscoveredit.Tohearhissisterreferthuslightlytoitcamethereforeinthenatureofashocktohim.
　　"Thenyouhave——seenit——too？"hestammered"’Seenit，too，’"laughedKate，withherconfidenteyesonWilliam’sflushedface，"IshouldsayIhadseenit！Anyonecouldseeit."
　　Williamblushedagain.Lovetohimhadalwaysbeensomethingsacred;somethingthatcalledforhushedvoicesandtwilight.
　　Thismerrydiscussioninthesunlightofevenanother’slovewasdisconcerting.
　　"Nowcome，William，"resumedKate，afteramoment;"speaktoBilly，andhavethemattersettledonceforall.It’sworryingyou.I
　　canseeitis."
　　AgainWilliamstirreduneasily.
　　"But，Kate，Ican’tdoanything.Itoldyoubefore;Idon’tbelieveBillyis——ready."
　　"Nonsense！Askher."
　　"ButKate，agirlwon’tmarryagainstherwill！"
　　"Idon’tbelieveitisagainstherwill."
　　"Kate！Honestly？"
　　"Honestly！I’vewatchedher."
　　"ThenIWILLspeak，"criedtheman，hisfacealight，"if——ifyouthinkanythingIcansaywould——help.Thereisnothing——nothinginallthisworldthatIsodesire，Kate，astohavethatlittlegirlbackhome.Andofcoursethatwoulddoit.She’dlivethere，youknow."
　　"Why，of——course，"murmuredKate，withapuzzledfrown.TherewassomethinginthislastremarkofWilliam’sthatshedidnotquiteunderstand.SurelyhecouldnotsupposethatshehadanyideathatafterhehadmarriedBillytheywouldgotoliveanywhereelse;——
　　shethought.Foramomentsheconsideredthemattervaguely;thensheturnedherattentiontosomethingelse.Shewasthemorereadytodothisbecauseshebelievedthatshehadsaidenoughforthepresent：itwaswelltosowseeds，butitwasalsowelltoletthemhaveachancetogrow，shetoldherself.
　　Mrs.Hartwell’snextmovewastospeaktoBilly，andshewascarefultodothisatonce，sothatshemightpavethewayforWilliam.
　　Shebeganherconversationwithaningratiatingsmileandthewords：
　　"Well，Billy，I’vebeendoingalittledetectiveworkonmyownaccount."
　　"Detectivework？"
　　"Yes;aboutWilliam.YouknowItoldyoutheotherdayhowtroubledandanxioushelookedtome.Well，I’vefoundoutwhat’sthematter."
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Yourself."
　　"Myself！Why，Mrs.Hartwell，whatcanyoumean？"
　　Theelderladysmiledsignificantly.
　　"Oh，it’smerelyanothercase，mydear，of’faintheartneverwonfairlady.’I’vebeenhelpingonthefaintheart;that’sall."
　　"ButIdon’tunderstand."
　　"No？Ican’tbelieveyouquitemeanthat，mydear.SurelyyoumustknowhowearnestlymybrotherWilliamislongingforyoutogobackandlivewithhim."
　　LikeWilliam，Billyflushedscarlet.
　　"Mrs.Hartwell，certainlynoonecouldknowbetterthanYOURSELF
　　whythatisquiteimpossible，"shefrowned.
　　Theothercoloredconfusedly.
　　"Iunderstand，ofcourse，whatyoumean.And，Billy，I’llconfessthatI’vebeensorrylotsoftimes，since，thatIspokeasIdidtoyou，particularlywhenIsawhowitgrievedmybrotherWilliamtohaveyougoaway.IfIblunderedthen，I’msorry;andperhapsI
　　didblunder.Atallevents，thatisonlythemorereasonnowwhyI
　　amsoanxioustodowhatIcantorectifythatoldmistake，andpleadWilliam’ssuit."
　　ToMrs.Hartwell’sblankamazement，Billylaughedoutright.
　　"’William’ssuit’！"shequotedmerrily."Why，Mrs.Hartwell，thereisn’tany’suit’toit.UncleWilliamdoesn’twantmetomarryhim！"
　　"Indeedhedoes."
　　Billystoppedlaughing，andsatsuddenlyerect.
　　"MRS.HARTWELL！"
　　"Billy，isitpossiblethatyoudidnotknowthis？"
　　"IndeedIdon’tknowit，and——excuseme，butIdon’tthinkyoudo，either."
　　"ButIdo.I’vetalkedwithhim，andhe’sverymuchinearnest，"
　　urgedMrs.Hartwell，speakingveryrapidly."Hesaysthere’snothinginalltheworldthathesodesires.And，Billy，youdocareforhim——Iknowyoudo！"
　　"Why，ofcourseIcareforhim——butnot——thatway."
　　"But，Billy，think！"Mrs.Hartwellwasveryearnestnow，andalittlefrightened.ShefeltthatshemustbringBillytotermsinsomewaynowthatWilliamhadbeenencouragedtoputhisfatetothetest."JustrememberhowgoodWilliamhasalwaysbeentoyou，andthinkwhatyouhavebeen，andmayBE——ifyouonlywill——inhislonelylife.Thinkofhisgreatsorrowyearsago.Thinkofthisdrearywasteofyearsbetween.Thinkhownowhishearthasturnedtoyouforloveandcomfortandrest.Billy，youcan’tturnaway！——
　　youcan’tfinditinyourhearttoturnawayfromthatdear，goodmanwholovesyouso！"Mrs.Hartwell’svoiceshookeffectively，andevenhereyeslookedthroughtears.Mentallyshewascongratulatingherself：shehadnotsupposedshecouldmakesotouchinganappeal.
　　Inthechairoppositethegirlsatverystill.Shewaspale，andhereyesshowedafrightenedquestioningintheirdepths.Foralongminuteshesaidnothing，thensherosedazedlytoherfeet.
　　"Mrs.Hartwell，pleasedonotspeakofthistoanyone，"shebeggedinalowvoice."I——Iamtakenquitebysurprise.Ishallhavetothinkitout——alone."
　　Billydidnotsleepwellthatnight.AlwaysbeforehereyeswasthevisionofWilliam’sface;andalwaysinherearswastheechoofMrs.Hartwell’swords："RememberhowgoodWilliamhasalwaysbeentoyou.Thinkofhisgreatsorrowyearsago.Thinkofthisdrearywasteofyearsbetween.Thinkhownowhishearthasturnedtoyouforloveandcomfortandrest."
　　ForatimeBillytossedaboutonherbedtryingtoclosehereyestothevisionandherearstotheecho.Then，findingthatneitherwaspossible，shesetherselfearnestlytothinkingthematterout.
　　Williamlovedher.Extraordinaryasitseemed，suchwasthefact;
　　Mrs.Hartwellsaidso.Andnow——whatmustshedo;whatcouldshedo？Shelovednoone——ofthatshewasverysure.Shewasevenbeginningtothinkthatshewouldneverloveanyone.TherewereCalderwell，Cyril，Bertram，tosaynothingofsundryothers，whohadlovedher，apparently，butwhomshecouldnotlove.Suchbeingthecase，ifshewere，indeed，incapableofloveherself，whyshouldshenotmakethesacrificeofgivinguphercareer，herindependence，andinthatwaybringthisgreatjoytoUncleWilliam’sheart？Evenasshesaidthe"UncleWilliam"toherself，Billybitherlipandrealizedthatshemustnolongersay"Uncle"William——ifshemarriedhim.
　　"Ifshemarriedhim."Thewordsstartledher."Ifshemarriedhim."Well，whatofit？ShewouldgotoliveattheStrata，ofcourse;andtherewouldbeCyrilandBertram.Itmightbeawkward，andyet——shedidnotbelieveCyrilwasinlovewithanythingbuthismusic;andastoBertram——itwasthesamewithBertramandhispainting，andhewouldsoonforgetthathehadeverfanciedhelovedher.Afterthathewouldbesimplyacongenialfriendandcompanion——agoodcomrade.AsBillythoughtofit，indeed，oneofthepleasantestfeaturesofthismarriagewithWilliamwouldbethedelightfulcomradeshipofher"brother，"
　　Bertram.
　　BillydweltthenatsomelengthonWilliam’sloveforher，hislongingforherpresence，andhisdrearyyearsofloneliness
　　Andhewassogoodtoher，sherecollected;hehadalwaysbeengoodtoher.Hewasolder，tobesure——mucholderthanshe;but，afterall，itwouldnotbesodifficult，soverydifficult，tolearntolovehim.Atallevents，whateverhappened，shewouldhavethesupremesatisfactionofknowingthatatleastshehadbroughtintodearUncle——thatis，intoWilliam’slifethegreatpeaceandjoythatonlyshecouldgive.
　　ItwasalmostdawnwhenBillyarrivedatthisnotuncheerfulstateofprospectivemartyrdom.Sheturnedoverthenwithasigh，andsettledherselftosleep.Shewasrelievedthatshehaddecidedthequestion.ShewasgladthatsheknewjustwhattosaywhenWilliamshouldspeak.Hewasadear，dearman，andshewouldnotmakeithardforhim，shepromisedherself.ShewouldbeWilliam’swife.
　　CHAPTERXXXVI
　　WILLIAMMEETSWITHASURPRISE
　　Inspiteofhissister’sconfidentassurancethatthetimewasripeforhimtospeaktoBilly，Williamdelayedsomedaysbeforebroachingthemattertoher.HiscouragewasnotsogoodasithadbeenwhenhewastalkingwithKate.Itseemednow，asitalwayshad，afearsomethingtotrytohastenonthisloveaffairbetweenBillyandBertram.Hecouldnotsee，inspiteofKate’swords，thatBillyshowedunmistakableevidenceatallofbeinginlovewithhisbrother.Themorehethoughtofit，infact，themorehedreadedthecarryingoutofhispromisetospeaktohisnamesake.
　　Whatshouldhesay，heaskedhimself.Howcouldhewordit？Hecouldnotverywellaccostherwith："Oh，Billy，Iwishyou’dpleasehurryupandmarryBertram，becausethenyou’dcomeandlivewithme."NeithercouldhepleadBertram’scausedirectly.QuiteprobablyBertramwouldprefertopleadhisown.Then，too，ifBillyreallywasnotinlovewithBertram——whatthen？Mightnothisownuntimelyhasteinthematterforeverputanendtothechanceofhercaringforhim？
　　Itwas，indeed，adelicatematter，andasWilliamponderedithewishedhimselfwelloutofit，andthatKatehadnotspoken.Butevenasheformedthewish，WilliamrememberedwithathrillKate’spositiveassertionthatawordfromhimwoulddowonders，andthatnowwasthetimetoutterit.Hedecidedthenthathewouldspeak;
　　thathemustspeak;butthatatthesametimehewouldproceedwithacautionthatwouldpermitahastyretreatifhesawthathiswordswerenothavingthedesiredeffect.Hewouldbeginwithafrankconfessionofhisgriefatherleavinghim，andofhislongingforherreturn;thenverygradually，ifwisdomcounseledit，hewouldgoontospeakofBertram’sloveforher，andofhisownhopethatshewouldmakeBertramandalltheStratagladbylovinghiminreturn.
　　Mrs.HartwellhadreturnedtoherWesternhomebeforeWilliamfoundjusttheopportunityforhistalkwithBilly.Truetohisbeliefthatonlyhushedvoicesandtwilightwerefittingforsuchasubject，hewaiteduntilhefoundthegirlearlyoneeveningaloneonhervine—shadedveranda.Henoticedthatasheseatedhimselfathersidesheflushedalittleandhalfstartedtorise，withanervousflutteringofherhands，andamurmured"I’llcallAuntHannah."Itwasthenthatwithsuddencourage，heresolvedtospeak.
　　"Billy，don’tgo，"hesaidgently，withatouchofhishandonherarm."ThereissomethingIwanttosaytoyou.I——Ihavewantedtosayitforsometime."
　　"Why，of——ofcourse，"stammeredthegirl，fallingbackinherseat.
　　AndagainWilliamnoticedthatoddflutteringoftheslimlittlehands.
　　Foratimenoonespoke，thenWilliambegansoftly，hiseyesonthedistantsky—linestillfaintlyaglowwiththesunset’sreflection.
　　"Billy，Iwanttotellyouastory.Longyearsagotherewasamanwhohadahappyhomewithayoungwifeandatinybabyboyinit.
　　Icouldnotbegintotellyoualltheplansthatmanmadeforthatbabyboy.Suchagreatandgoodandwonderfulbeingthattinybabywasonedaytobecome.Butthebaby——wentaway，afteratime，andcarriedwithhimalltheplans——andhenevercameback.Behindhimheleftemptyheartsthatached，andgreatbareroomsthatseemedalwaystobeechoingsighsandsobs.Andthen，oneday，suchafewyearsafter，theyoungwifewenttofindherbaby，andleftthemanallalonewiththeheartthatachedandthegreatbareroomsthatechoedsighsandsobs.
　　"Perhapsitwasthis——thebarenessoftherooms——thatmadethemanturntohisboyishpassionforcollectingthings.Hewantedtofillthoseroomsfull，full！——sothatthesighsandsobscouldnotbeheard;andhewantedtofillhisheart，too，withsomethingthatwouldstilltheache.Andhetried.Alreadyhehadhisboyishtreasures，andthesehelinedupinbravearray，buthisroomsstillechoed，andhisheartstillached;sohebuiltmoreshelvesandboughtmorecabinets，andsethimselftofillingthem，hopingatthesametimethathemightfillallthatdrearywasteofhoursoutsideofbusiness——hourswhichoncehadbeenalltooshorttodevotetotheyoungwifeandthebabyboy.
　　"Onebyonetheyearspassed，andonebyonetheshelvesandthecabinetswerefilled.Themanfancied，sometimes，thathehadsucceeded;butinhisheartofheartsheknewthattheachewasmerelydulled，andthatdarknesshadonlytocometosettheroomsoncemoretoechoingthesighsandsobs.Andthen——butperhapsyouaretiredofthestory，Billy."Williamturnedwithquestioningeyes.
　　"No，oh，no，"falteredBilly."Itisbeautiful，butso——sad！"
　　"Butthesaddestpartisdone——Ihope，"saidWilliam，softly."Letmetellyou.Awonderfulthinghappenedthen.Suddenly，rightoutofadullgrayskyofhopelessness，droppedalittlebrown—eyedgirlandalittlegraycat.Alloverthehousetheyfrolicked，fillingeverynookandcrannywithlaughterandlightandhappiness.Andthen，likemagic，themanlosttheacheinhisheart，andtheroomslosttheirechoingsighsandsobs.Themanknew，then，thatneveragaincouldhehopetofillhisheartandlifewithsenselessthingsofclayandmetal.Heknewthattheonethinghewantedalwaysnearhimwasthelittlebrown—eyedgirl;andhehopedthathecouldkeepher.Butjustashewasbeginningtobaskinthisnewlight——itwentout.Assuddenlyastheyhadcome，thelittlebrown—eyedgirlandthegraycatwentaway.Why，themandidnotknow.Heknewonlythattheachehadcomeback，doublyintense，andthattheroomsweremoregloomythanever.Andnow，Billy，"——William’svoiceshookalittle——"itisforyoutofinishthestory.Itisforyoutosaywhetherthatman’sheartshallacheonandondowntoalonelyoldage，andwhetherthoseroomsshallalwaysechothesighsandsobsofthepast."
　　"AndIwillfinishit，"chokedBilly，holdingoutbothherhands.
　　"Itsha’n’tache——theysha’n’techo！"
　　Themanleanedforwardeagerly，unbelievingly，andcaughtthehandsinhisown.
　　"Billy，doyoumeanit？Thenyouwill——come？"
　　"Yes，yes！Ididn’tknow——Ididn’tthink.Ineversupposeditwaslikethat！OfcourseI’llcome！"Andinamomentshewassobbinginhisarms.
　　"Billy！"breathedWilliamrapturously，ashetouchedhislipstoherforehead."MyownlittleBilly！"
　　Itwasafewminuteslater，whenBillywasmorecalm，thatWilliamstartedtospeakofBertram.Foramomenthehadbeentemptednottomentionhisbrother，nowthathisownpointhadbeenwonsosurprisinglyquick;butthenewsoftnessinBilly’sfacehadencouragedhim，andhedidnotliketolettheoccasionpasswhenawordfromhimmightdosomuchforBertram.Hislipsparted，butnowordscame——Billyherselfhadbeguntospeak.
　　"I’msureIdon’tknowwhyI’mcrying，"shestammered，dabbinghereyeswithherroundmoistballofahanderchief."IhopewhenI’myourwifeI’lllearntobemoreself—controlled.ButyouknowIamyoung，andyou’llhavetobepatient."
　　AsoncebeforeatsomethingBillysaid，theworldtoWilliamwentsuddenlymad.Hisheadswamdizzily，andhisthroattightenedsothathecouldscarcelybreathe.BysheerforceofwillhekepthisarmaboutBilly’sshoulder，andheprayedthatshemightnotknowhownumbandcoldithadgrown.Eventhenhethoughthecouldnothaveheardaright.
　　"Er——yousaid——"hequestionedfaintly.
　　"IsaywhenI’myourwifeIhopeI’lllearntobemoreself—
　　controlled，"laughedBilly，nervously."YouseeIjustthoughtI
　　oughttoremindyouthatIamyoung，andthatyou’llhavetobepatient."
　　Williamstammeredsomething——ahurriedsomething;hewonderedafterwardwhatitwas.ThatitmusthavebeensatisfactorytoBillywasevident，forshebeganlaughinglytotalkagain.Whatshesaid，Williamscarcelyknew，thoughhewasconsciousofmakinganoccasionalvaguereply.Hewasstillflounderinginahopelessseaofconfusionanddismay.Hisowndesirewastogetupandsaygoodnightatonce.Hewantedtobealonetothink.Herealized，however，withsickeningforce，thatmendonotproposeandrunaway——iftheyareaccepted.Andhewasaccepted;herealizedthat，too，overwhelmingly.Thenhetriedtothinkhowithadhappened，whathehadsaid;howshecouldsohavemisunderstoodhismeaning.