I。
　　ItwasrainingandblowingatEldridge’sCrossing。Fromthestatelypine—treesonthehill—tops，whichweredignifiedlyprotestingthroughtheirrigidspinesupward，tothehystericalwillowsinthehollow，thathadwhippedthemselvesintoamaudlinfury，therewasageneraltumult。Whenthewindlulled，therainkeptupthedistraction，firinglongvolleysacrosstheroad，lettinglooseminiaturecataractsfromthehill—sidestobrawlintheditches，andbeatingdowntheheavyheadsofwildoatsonthelevels；whentherainceasedforamomentthewindchargedoverthealreadydefeatedfield，ruffledthegullies，scatteredthesprayfromtheroadsidepines，andaddedinsulttoinjury。Butbothwindandrainconcentratedtheirenergiesinamalevolentattempttoutterlydisperseandscatterthe"Half—wayHouse，"whichseemedtohavewhollylostitsway，andstrayedintotheopen，where，dazedandbewildered，unpreparedandunprotected，itwasexposedtothetauntingfuryoftheblast。Aloose，shambling，disjointed，hastilybuiltstructure——representingtheworstfeaturesofPioneerrenaissance——itrattleditsloosewindow—sasheslikechatteringteeth，bangeditsill—hungshutters，andadmittedsomuchoftheinvadingstorm，thatitmighthaveblownuporblowndownwithequalfacility。
　　JeffersonBriggs，proprietorandlandlordofthe"Half—wayHouse，"
　　hadjustgonethroughtheformalityofclosinghishouseforthenight，hangingdangerouslyoutofthewindowinthevainattempttosubduearebelliousshutterthathadevidentlyenteredintoconspiracywiththeinvaders，and，shuttingadoorasagainstasheriff’sposse，wasgoingtobed——i。e。，toreadhimselfasleep，aswashiscustom。Asheenteredhislittlebedroomintheatticwithahighlyexcitingnovelinhispocketandakerosenelampinhishand，thewind，lyinginwaitforhim，instantlyextinguishedhislampandslammedthedoorbehindhim。JeffersonBriggsrelightedthelamp，asifconfidentially，inacorner，and，shieldingitinthebosomofhisredflannelshirt，whichgavehimtheappearanceofanilluminatedshrine，hungaheavybear—skinacrossthewindow，andthencarefullydepositedhislampuponachairathisbedside。Thisdone，hekickedoffhisboots，flungthemintoacorner，and，rollinghimselfinablanket，laydownuponthebed。Ahabitofearlyrising，bringingwithit，presumably，theproverbialaccompanimentofhealth，wisdom，andpecuniaryemoluments，hadalsobroughtwithitcertainideasoftheeffeminacyofseparatetoilettesandthevirtueofreadiness。
　　Inafewmomentshewasdeepinachapter。
　　Avaguepeckingathisdoor——asofanunseasonablewoodpecker，finallyasserteditselftohisconsciousness。"Comein，"hesaid，withhiseyestillonthepage。
　　Thedooropenedtoagauntfigure，partlycomposedofbed—quiltandpartlyofplaidshawl。Apredominanceofthelatterandalongwispofiron—grayhairdeterminedhersex。Sheleanedagainstthepostwithanairoffatigue，halfmoralandhalfphysical。
　　"Howyekinliethar，abed，Jeff，andreadandsmokeonsichanight!Thesperrito’theLordabroadovertheyearth——andupstagenotgonebyyet。Well，well!it’swelltharezSOMEEZCAN’T
　　SLEEP。"
　　"Theupcoach，likeasnot，isstoppedbyhighwaterontheNorthFork，tenmilesaway，aunty，"respondedJeff，keepingtothefacts。
　　PossiblynotrecognizingthehandofthebeneficentCreatorintherebelliouswindowshutter，heavoidedtheology。
　　"Well，"respondedthefigure，withanairofdeliveringanunheededandthanklesswarning，"itisnotforMEtosay。P’rapsit’sallHiswisdomthatsomewillkeeptotheirownmind。It’swellezsomehezn’tnarves，andkinluxuriateinterbackerinthenightwatches。ButHesays，’I’llcomelikeathiefinthenight!’——likeathiefinthenight，Jeff。"
　　Totallyunabletoreconcilethisillustrationwiththedelayed"Pioneer"coachandYubaBill，itsdriver，Jefflaysilent。Inhisownway，perhaps，hewasuneasy——nottosayshocked——athisaunt’shabitualfreedomofscripturalquotation，asthatgoodladyherselfwaswithanoccasionaloathfromhislips；afact，bytheway，notgenerallyunderstoodbypurveyorsofScripture，licensedandunlicensed。
　　"I’dtakeapullatthembitters，aunty，"saidJefffeebly，withhiswanderingeyestillrecurringtohispage。"They’lldoyeapowerofgoodinthewayo’calmin’yernarves。"
　　"EfIwaslikesomefolksIwouldn’twantbitters——thoughmadeouterthesimplestyarbsoftheyearth，withjestenoughsperrittobringoutthevartoos——ezDeaconStoer’sBalm’erGileadis——whatyermeaning？EfIwaslikesomefolksIcouldlietharandsmokeinthelapo’idleness——withfourteenbedsinthehouseempty，andnarylodgerforoneof’em。EfIwasthatindifferenttohavin’
　　investedmyfortininthegoodwillo’thishouse，andnotezmuchezasingletransientlookin’in，Icouldliedownandtakecomfortinprofaneliteratoor。Butitain’tinmetodoit。Anditwasn’tyourfather’sway，Jeff，neither!"
　　AstheelderBriggs’swayhadbeentoseeksurceasefromsuchtroubleatthegamblingtable，andeventually，insuicide，Jeffcouldnotdenyit。Buthedidnotsaythatafullrealizationofhisunhappyventureovercamehimasheclosedtheblindsofthehotelthatnight；andthatthehalfdesperateideaofabandoningitthenandtheretothewarringelementsthathadresentedhistrespassonNatureseemedtohimanactofsimplereasonandjustice。Hedidnotsaythis，foreasy—goingnaturesarenotapttoexplaintheprocessesbywhichtheircontentorresignationisreached，andarethereforesupposedtohavenone。Keepingtothefacts，hesimplysuggestedtheweatherwasunfavorabletotravelers，andagainfoundhisplaceonthepagebeforehim。
　　Fixingitwithhisthumb，helookedupresignedly。Thefigurewearilydetacheditselffromthedoor—post，andJeff’seyesfellonhisbook。"Youwon’tstop，aunty？"heaskedmechanically，asifreadingaloudfromthepage；butshewasgone。
　　Alittleashamed，althoughmuchrelieved，Jefffellbackagaintoliterature，interruptedonlybythechargingofthewindandtheheavyvolleysofrain。Presentlyhefoundhimselfwonderingifacertainbangingwerereallyashutter，andthen，havingsettledinhismindthatitWAS，hewasstartledbyashout。Another，andintheroadbeforethehouse!
　　Jeffputdownthebook，andmarkedtheplacebyturningdowntheleaf，beingoneofthatlargeclassofreaderswhosementalfacultiesarebutter—fingered，andeasilysliptheirhold。Thenheresumedhisbootsandwasdulycaparisoned。Heextinguishedthekerosenelamp，andbravedtheouterair，andstrongcurrentsofthehallandstairwayinthedarkness。Lightingtwocandlesinthebar—room，heproceededtounlockthehalldoor。Atthesameinstantafuriousblastshookthehouse，thedooryieldedslightlyandimpelledathin，meek—lookingstrangerviolentlyagainstJeff，whostillstruggledwithit。
　　"Anaccidenthasoccurred，"beganthestranger，"and"——butherethewindchargedagain，blewopenthedoor，pinnedJeffbehinditbackagainstthewall，overturnedthedrippingstranger，dashedupthestaircase，andslammedeverydoorinthehouse，endingtriumphantlywithNo。14，andacrashofglassinthewindow。
　　"’Come，rouseup!"saidJeff，stillstrugglingwiththedoor，"rouseupandlendahandyer!"
　　Thusabjured，thestrangercreptalongthewalltowardsJeffandbeganagain，"Wehavemetwithanaccident。"Buthereanotherandmightiergustlefthimspeechless，coveredhimwithsprayofawildlydisorganizedwater—spoutthat，danglingfromtheroof，seemedtobeplayingonthefrontdoor，drovehimintoblackobscurityandagainsandwichedhishostbetweenthedoorandthewall。Thentherewasalull，andinthemidstofitYubaBill，driverofthe"Pioneer"coach，quietlyandcoolly，imperviousinwaterproof，walkedintothehall，enteredthebar—room，tookacandle，and，goingbehindthebar，selectedabottle，criticallyexaminedit，and，returning，pouredoutaquantityofwhiskeyinaglassandgulpeditinasingledraught。
　　AllthiswhileJeffwasclosingthedoor，andthemeek—lookingmanwascomingintothelightagain。
　　YubaBillsquaredhiselbowsbehindhimandrestedthemonthebar，crossedhislegseasilyandawaitedthem。InreplytoJeff’sinquiringbutrespectfullook，hesaidshortly——
　　"Oh，you’rethar，areye？"
　　"Yes，Bill。"
　　"Well，thisyernew—fangledroado’yoursistenfeetdeepinthehollowwithbackwaterfromtheNorthFork!I’vetakenthatyarcoachinterfowerfeetofit，andthenIreckonedIcouldn’thevanymore。’I’llstandonthisyerhand，’sezI；Ibroughtthehorsesupyerandlanded’eminyourbarntoeattheirblessedheadsofftillthewatergoesdown。That’swot’sthematter，oldman，andjistaboutwotIkalkilatedonfromthosedurnedoldimprovementso’yours。"
　　Coloringalittleatthisnewcountinthegeneralindictmentagainsttheuselessnessofthe"Half—wayHouse，"Jeffaskediftherewere"anypassengers？"
　　YubaBillindicatedthemeekstrangerwithajerkofhisthumb。
　　"Andhiswifeanddarterinthecoach。They’reallrightandtight，eziftheywasintheFifthAvenueHotel。ButIreckonheallowstofetch’emupyer，"addedBill，asifhestronglydoubtedthewisdomofthetransfer。
　　Themeekman，muchmeekerforthepresenceofBill，heresuggestedthatsuchindeedwashiswish，andfurtherprayedthatJeffwouldaccompanyhimtothecoachtoassistinbringingthemup。"It’sratherwetanddark，"saidthemanapologetically；"mydaughterisnotstrong。Haveyousuchathingasawaterproof？"
　　Jeffhadnot；butwouldabear—skindo？
　　Itwould。
　　Jeffran，toredownhisextemporewindowcurtain，andreturnedwithit。YubaBill，whohadquietlyanddisapprovinglysurveyedtheproceeding，heredisengagedhimselffromthebarwithevidentreluctance。
　　"You’llwantanotherman，"hesaidtoJeff，"onlessyecancarrydouble。EzHE，"indicatingthestranger，"eznosorto’use，he’dbetterstayhereand’tendbar，’whileyouandmefetchthewimmenoff。’SpeciallyezIreckonwe’vegottodosometallwadin’bythistimetoreach’em。"
　　ThemeekmansatdownhelplesslyinachairindicatedbyBill，whoatoncestrodeafterJeff。Inanothermomenttheywerebothfightingtheirway，stepbystep，againstthestorm，inthatpeculiar，drunken，spasmodicwaysoamusingtothespectatorandsoexasperatingtotheperformer。Itwasnotimeforconversation，eveninterjectionalprofanitywasdangerouslyexhaustive。
　　Thecoachwasscarcelyathousandyardsaway，butitsbrightlightswerereflectedinasheetofdarksilentwaterthatstretchedbetweenitandthetwomen。Wadingandsplashing，theysoonreachedit，andagullywherethesurpluswaterwaspouringintothevalleybelow。"Fowerfeeto’waterroundher，butcan’tgetanyhigher。Soyeseeshe’sallrightforamontho’sichweather。"Inwardlyadmiringtheperspicacityofhiscompanion，JeffwasabouttoopenthecoachdoorwhenBillinterrupted。
　　"I’llpacktheoldwoman，ifyou’lllookarterthedarterandennylittletraps。"
　　Afemaleface，anxiousandelderly，hereappearedatthewindow。
　　"Thet’smylittlegame，"saidBill，sottovoce。
　　"Isthereanydanger？whereismyhusband？"askedthewomanimpatiently。
　　"Eztothedanger，ma’am，——tharain’tany。YerezsafeHEREezye’dbeinaSacramentosteamer；eztoyourhusband，heallowedI
　　wastocomeyerandfetchyeruptothehotel。That’shislook—
　　out!"Withthischeeringspeech，Billproceededtomaketwoorthreeineffectualscoopsintothedarkinterior，manifestlywiththeideaofscoopingouttheladyinquestion。Inanotherinstanthehadcaughther，liftedhergentlybutfirmlyinhisarms，andwasturningaway。
　　"Butmychild!——mydaughter!she’sasleep!"——expostulatedthewoman；butBillwasalreadyswiftlysplashingthroughthedarkness。
　　Jeff，lefttohimself，hastilyexaminedthecoach：onthebackseataslightsmallfigure，envelopedinashawl，laymotionless。Jeffthrewthebear—skinoveritgently，lifteditononearm，andgatheringafewtravellingbagsandbasketswiththeother，preparedtofollowhisquicklydisappearingleader。Afewfeetfromthecoachthewaterappearedtodeepen，andthebear—skintodraggle。Jeffdrewthefigureuphigher，invain。
　　"Sis，"hesaidsoftly。
　　Noreply。
　　"Sis，"shakinghergently。
　　Therewasaslightmovementwithinthewrappings。
　　"Couldn’tyeclimbuponmyshoulder，honey？that’sagoodchild!"
　　Therewereoneortwospasmodicjerksofthebear—skin，and，aidedbyJeff，thebundlewaspresentlyseatedonhisshoulder。
　　"Areyouallrightnow，Sis？"
　　Somethinglikealaughcamefromthebear—skin。Thenachildishvoicesaid，"Thankyou，IthinkIam!"
　　"Ain’tyouafraidyou’llfalloff？"
　　"Alittle。"
　　Jeffhesitated。Itwasbeginningtoblowagain。
　　"Youcouldn’treachdownandputyourarmroundmyneck，couldye，honey？"
　　"Iamafraidnot!"——althoughthereWASaslightattempttodoso。
　　"No？"
　　"No!"
　　"Well，then，takeagoodholt，afirmstrongholt，o’myhair!
　　Don’tbeafraid!"
　　AsmallhandtimidlybegantorummageinJeff’sthickcurls。
　　"Takeafirmholt；thar，justbacko’myneck!That’sright。"
　　Thelittlehandclosedoverhalfadozencurls。Thelittlefigureshook，andgiggled。
　　"Nowdon’tyousee，honey，ifI’mkeerlesswithyou，anddon’tkeepyouplumplevelupthar，youjistgivemeapullandfetchmeupallstanding!"
　　"Isee!"
　　"Ofcourseyoudo!That’sbecauseyou’realittlelady!"
　　Jeffstrodeon。Itwaspleasanttofeelthesoftwarmfingersinhishair，pleasanttohearthefaintchildishvoice，pleasanttodrawthefeetoftheenwrappedfigureagainsthisbroadbreast。
　　Altogetherhewassorrywhentheyreachedthedrylandandtheleeofthe"Half—wayHouse，"whereaslightmovementofthefigureexpressedawishtodismount。
　　"Notyet，missy，"saidJeff；"notyet!You’llgetblownaway，sure!Andthenwhat’lltheysay？No，honey!I’lltakeyourightintoyourpapa，justasyeare!"
　　AfewstepsmoreandJeffstrodeintothehall，madehiswaytothesitting—room，walkedtothesofa，anddepositedhisburden。Thebear—skinfellback，theshawlfellback，andJeff——fellbacktoo!
　　Forbeforehimlayasmall，slight，butbeautifulandperfectlyformedwoman。
　　Hehadtimetoseethatthemeekman，nolongermeek，butapparentlyasternuncompromisingparent，wasstandingattheheadofthesofa；thattheelderlyandnervousfemalewashoveringatthefoot，thathisaunt，witheverysymptomofreligiousandmoraldisapprovalofhisconduct，satrigidlyinoneoftherigidchairs——
　　hehadtimetoseeallthisbeforethequick，hotblood，flyingtohisface，sentthewaterintohiseyes，andhecouldseenothing!
　　Thecauseofallthissmiled——adazzlingsmilethoughafaintone——
　　thatmomentarilylituptheausteregloomoftheroomanditsoccupants。"Youmustthankthisgentleman，papa，"saidshe，languidlyturningtoherfather，"forhiskindnessandhistrouble。
　　HehascarriedmehereasgentlyandascarefullyasifIwereachild。"SeeingsymptomsofareturnofJeff’sdistressinhiscoloringface，sheaddedsoftly，asiftoherself，"It’sagreatthingtobestrong——agreaterthingtobestrongANDgentle。"
　　ThevoicethrilledthroughJeff。Butintothisdangeroushumanvoicetwangedtheaccentsofspecialspiritualrevelation，andcalledhimtohimselfagain，"Beyewiseassarpints，butharmlessasduvs，"saidJeff’saunt，generally，"andlet’embethankfulezdoesn’taboosthestren’ththeLordgives’em，butbeallersreadytoanswerforitatthebaro’theirMaker。"PossiblysomesuggestioninherfigureofspeechremindedherofJeff’sforgottenduties，sosheaddedinthesamebreathandtone，"especiallywhentransientcustomersiswaitingfortheirlicker，andYubaBillhammerin’onthecounterwithhisglass；andyeryestand，Jeff，nevereventakin’upthatwetbar—skin——enufftogivethatyoungwomanherdeath。"
　　Stammeringoutanincoherentapology，addressedvaguelytotheoccupantsoftheroom，butlookingtowardthelanguidgoddessonthesofa，Jeffseizedthebear—skinandbackedoutthedoor。Thenheflewtohisroomwithit，andthenreturnedtothebar—room；buttheimpatientWilliamofYubahadcharacteristicallyhelpedhimselfandgoneofftothestable。ThenJeffstoleintothehallandhaltedbeforethecloseddoorofthesitting—room。Aboldideaofgoinginagain，asbecamealandlordofthe"Half—wayHouse，"withaninquiryiftheywishedanythingfurther，hadseizedhim，buttheremembrancethathehadalwaysmeeklyallowedthatdutytodevolveuponhisaunt，andthatshewouldprobablyresentitwithscripturalauthorityandbringhimtoshameagain，stayedhistimidknucklesatthedoor。Inthishesitationhestumbleduponhisauntcomingdownthestairswithanarmfulofblanketsandpillows，attendedbytheirsmallIndianservant，staggeringunderamattress。
　　"Iseverythingallright，aunty？"
　　"YekinbethankfultotheLord，JeffBriggs，thatthisdidn’thappenlastweekwhenIwasdownonmybackwithrheumatiz。Butye’renevergrateful。"
　　"Theyounglady——isSHEcomfortable？"saidJeff，acceptinghisaunt’spreviousremarkasconfirmatory。
　　"EzwellezennycrittermarkedbythefingeroftheLordwithgallopin’consumptionkinbe，Ireckon。Andshe，ezoughterbeputtingoffairthlyvanities，askin’foralookin’—glass!Andyou!
　　trapesin’throughthehallwithheronyershoulder，anddancin’
　　andjouncin’herupanddownezifitwasaball—room!"Aguiltyrecollectionthathehadskippedwithherthroughthepassagestruckhimwithremorseashisauntwenton："It’samercythatbetwixtyouandthewetbar—skinsheain’tgotherdeth!"
　　"Don’tyethink，aunty，"stammeredJeff，"that——that——mybein’thelandlord，yerknow，itwouldbethesquarething——justouto’
　　respect，yeknow——formetodropintharandask’emifthar’sanythin’theywanted？"
　　Hisauntstopped，andresignedlyputdownthepillows。"Sarah，"
　　shesaidmeeklytothehandmaiden，"yekinleavegothatmattress。
　　Yer’sMr。Jeffersonthinksweain’tgoodenoughtomakethebedsforthemtwocitywomenfolks，andheallowshe’lldoithimself!"
　　"No，no!aunty!"beganthehorrifiedJeff；butfailingtoplacatehisinjuredrelative，tooksafetyinflight。
　　Oncesafeinhisownroomhiseyefellonthebear—skin。ItcertainlyWASwet。Perhapshehadbeencareless——perhapshehadimperiledherlife!Hischeeksflushedashethrewithastilyinthecorner。Somethingfellfromittothefloor。Jeffpickeditupandheldittothelight。Itwasasmall，averysmall，lady’sslipper。Holdingitwithinthepalmofhishandasifithadbeensomedelicateflowerwhichthepressureofafingermightcrush，hestrodetothedoor，butstopped。Shouldhegiveittohisaunt？
　　EvenifsheoverlookedthisevidentproofofHIScarelessness，whatwouldshethinkoftheyounglady’s？Oughthe——seductivethought!——
　　godownstairsagain，knockatthedoor，andgiveittoitsfairowner，withtheapologyhewaslongingtomake？Thenherememberedthathehadbutafewmomentsbeforebeendismissedfromtheroomverymuchasifheweretheoriginalproprietoroftheskinhehadtaken。Perhapstheywereright；perhapsheWASonlyafoolishclumsyanimal!YetSHEhadthankedhim——andhadsaidinhersweetchildlikevoice，"Itisagreatthingtobestrong；agreaterthingtobestrongandgentle。"Hewasstrong；strongmenhadsaidso。
　　Hedidnotknowifhewasgentletoo。HadshemeantTHAT，whensheturnedherstrangelysoftdarkeyesuponhim？Forsomemomentsheheldtheslipperhesitatinglyinhishand，thenheopenedhistrunk，anddisposingvariousarticlesarounditasifitweresomefragile，perishableobject，laiditcarefullytherein。
　　Thisdone，hedrewoffhisboots，androllinghimselfinhisblanket，laydownuponthebed。Hedidnotopenhisnovel——hedidnotfollowuptheexcitingloveepisodeofhisfavoritehero——soungratefulishumanitytouspoorromancers，inthefirststagesoftheirrealpassion。Ah，me!’tisthejongleursandtroubadourstheywantthen，notus!WhenMasterSlender，sickforsweetAnnePage，would"ratherthanfortyshillings"hehadhis"bookofsongsandsonnets"there，whatavaileditthattheItalianBoccacciohadcontemporaneouslydiscoursedwiselyandsweetlyofloveinprose？
　　IdoubtnotthatMasterJeffwouldhavemumbledsomeversetohimselfhadheknownany：knowingnone，helaythereandlistenedtothewind。
　　Didshehearit；diditkeepherawake？Hehadanuneasysuspicionthattheshutterthatwasbangingsooutrageouslywastheshutterofherroom。Filledwiththismiserablethought，hearosesoftly，stoledownthestaircase，andlistened。Thesoundwasrepeated。
　　ItwastrulytherefractoryshutterofNo。7——thebestbedroomadjoiningthesitting—room。Thenextroom，No。8，wasvacant。
　　Jeffentereditsoftly，assoftlyopenedthewindow，andleaningfaroutinthetempest，essayedtosecurethenocturnaldisturber。
　　Butinvain。Cordorropehehadnone，norcouldheprocureeitherwithoutalarminghisaunt——anextremitynottobeconsidered。Jeffwasamanofclumsybutforcefulexpedients。Hehungfaroutofthewindow，andwithonepowerfulhandliftedtheshutteroffitshingesanddraggeditsoftlyintoNo。8。Thenassoftlyhecreptupstairstobed。Thewindhowledandtoreroundthehouse；thecrazywater—pipebelowJeff’swindowcreaked，thechimneyswhistled，buttheshutterbangednomore。Jeffbegantodoze。
　　"It’sagreatthingtobestrong，"thewindseemedtosayasitchargeduponthedefenselesshouse，andthenanothervoiceseemedtoreply，"Agreaterthingtobestrongandgentle；"andhearingthishefellasleep。
　　II。
　　Itwasnotyetdaylightwhenheawokewithanideathatbroughthimhurriedlytohisfeet。Quicklydressinghimself，hebegantocountthemoneyinhispocket。Apparentlythetotalwasnotsatisfactory，asheendeavoredtoaugmentitbyloosecoinsfishedfromthepocketsofhisothergarments，andfromthecornerofhiswashstanddrawer。Thenhecautiouslycreptdownstairs，seizedhisgun，andstoleoutofthestillsleepinghouse。Thewindhadgonedown，therainhadceased，afewstarsshonesteadilyinthenorth，andtheshapelessbulkofthecoach，itslampsextinguished，loomedhighanddryabovethelesseningwater，inthetwilight。WithaswingingtreadJeffstrodeupthehillandwassoonuponthehighwayandstageroad。Ahalf—hour’sbriskwalkbroughthimtothesummit，andthefirstrosyflashesofmorninglight。Thisenabledhimtoknockoverhalf—a—dozenearlyquail，luredbytheproverb，whowereseekingtheirbreakfastinthechaparral，andgavehimcouragetocontinueonhismission，whichhisperplexedfaceandirresolutemannerhadforthelastfewmomentsshowntobeanembarrassingone。
　　Atlastthewhitefencesandimposingoutbuildingsofthe"SummitHotel"rosebeforehim，andheutteredadeepsigh。There，baskinginthefirstraysofthemorningsun，stoodhissuccessfulrival!
　　Jefflookedatthewell—built，comfortablestructure，thecommandingsite，andtheairofsereneindependencethatseemedtopossessit，andnolongerwonderedthatthegreatworldpassedhimbytolingerandrefreshitselfthere。
　　Hewasrelievedtofindthelandlordwasnotpresentinperson，andsoconfidedhisbusinesstothebar—keeper。Atfirstitappearedthatthatfunctionarydeclinedinterference，andwithmanyhead—
　　shakingsandaudiblemisgivingswasinclinedtoawaitthecomingofhisprincipal，butanearerviewofJeff’sperplexedface，andanexaminationofJeff’sgun，andthefewcoinsspreadbeforehim，finallyinducedhimtoproducecertainarticles，whichhepackedinabasketandhandedtoJeff，takingthegunandcoinsinexchange。
　　Thusrelieved，Jeffsethisfacehomewards，andranaracewiththemorningintothevalley，reachingthe"Half—wayHouse"asthesunlaidwasteitsbare，bleakoutlines，andrelentlesslypointedoutitsdefectsonebyone。ItwascrueltoJeffatthatmoment，buthehuggedhisbasketcloseandslippedtothebackdoorandthekitchen，wherehisauntwasalreadyatwork。
　　"Ididn’tknowyewereupyet，aunty，"saidJeffsubmissively。"Itisn’tmorethansixo’clock。"
　　"Thar’sfourmoretofeedatbreakfast，"saidhisauntseverely，"andyer’sthetopblownoffthekitchenchimbly，andthefireonlyjustgottogo。"
　　Jeffsawthathewasintime。Theordinarybreakfastofthe"Half—
　　wayHouse，"notyetprepared，consistedofcodfish，ham，yellow—
　　ochrebiscuit，madeafterapeculiarreceiptofhisaunt’s，andpotatoes。
　　"Igotafewfancyfixin’supattheSummitthismorning，aunty，"
　　hebeganapologetically，"seein’wehadsickfolks，youknow——youandtheyounglady——andthinkin’itmightsaveyoutrouble。I’vegot’emhere，"andheshylyproducedthebasket。
　　"Ifyekinaffordit，Jeff，"respondedhisauntresignedly，"I’mthankful。"
　　ThereplywassounexpectedlymildforAuntSally，thatJeffputhisarmsaroundherandkissedherhardcheek。"AndI’vegotsomequail，aunty，knowin’youlikedem。"
　　"Ireckonedyouwasuptosomesuchfoolishness，"saidAuntSally，wipinghercheekwithherapron，"whenImissedyergunfromthehall。"Buttheallusionwasadangerousone，andJeffslippedaway。
　　HebreakfastedearlywithYubaBillthatmorning；thelattergentleman’staciturnitybeingintensifiedatsuchmomentsthroughalonghabitofconfininghimselfstrictlytoeatinginthelimitedtimeallowedhisdailyrepasts，anditwasnotuntiltheyhadtakenthehorsesfromthestableandwereharnessingthemtothecoachthatJeffextractedfromhiscompanionsomefactsabouthisguests。TheywereMr。andMrs。Mayfield，Easterntourists，whohadbeentotheSandwichIslandsforthebenefitoftheirdaughter’shealth，andbeforereturningtoNewYork，intended，undertheadviceoftheirphysician，tofurthertrytheeffectsofmountainairatthe"SummitHotel，"ontheinvalid。Theywereapparentlyrichpeople，thecoachhadbeenengagedforthemsolely——eventhemailandexpresshadbeensentonbyaseparateconveyance，sothattheymightbemoreindependent。ItishardlynecessarytosaythatthisfactwasbynomeanspalatabletoBill——debarringhimnotonlythesocialcontactandattentionsofthe"ExpressAgent，"buttheselectionofabox—
　　seatedpassengerwhoalways"actedlikeaman。"
　　"Yekinkalkilatewhatkindofapardnerthat’aryaller—liveredMayfieldwouldmakeuponthatbox，partik’lyezIheardbeforewestartedthathe’drequestedthekimpany’sagentinSacramentotoselectadriverezdidn’tcuss，smoke，ordrink。Hedid，sir，bygum!"
　　"Ireckonyouwereverycareful，then，Bill，"saidJeff。
　　"Incourse，"returnedBill，withaperfectlydiabolicalwink。"Incourse!Youknowthat’BlueGrass，’"pointingoutaspiritedleader；
　　"she’safairhorseezhorsesgo，butshe’sapttofeelheroatsonadowngrade，andtakesapow’fuldealo’soothin’andexplanationaforeshebucklesdowntoherreg’larwork。Well，sir，IexhortedandlaboredinaChristian—likewaywiththatmaretothatextentthatI’mcussedifthatchapdidn’twanttogetdownaforewegottothelevel!"
　　"Andtheladies？"askedJeff，whoselaugh——possiblyfromhismorning’sexperience——wasnotasreadyasformerly。
　　"Theladies!Efyoumeanthat’arlivin’skellingtonIpackeduptoyerhouse，"saidBillpromptly，"it’sapairoftheminsizeandcolor，andreadyforanyfirst—classundertaker’steaminthekintry。
　　Why，yourememberthatcurveonBreakNeckhill，wheretheleadersalluslookasiftheywasalongsideo’thecoachandfacedtheotherway？Well，thatwomansticksherskullouterthewindow，andsezshe，confidential—liketooldyaller—belly，sezshe，’WilliamHenry，’
　　sezshe，’tellthatmanhishorsesarerunningaway!’"
　　"Youdidn’tgettoseethe——the——daughter，Bill，didyou？"askedJeff，whoselaughhadbecomequiteuneasy。
　　"No，Ididn’t，"saidBill，withsuddenandinexplicablevehemence，"andthelessyouseeofher，JeffersonBriggs，thebetterforyou。"
　　TooconfoundedandconfusedbyBill’smannertoquestionfurther，Jeffremainedsilentuntiltheydrewupatthedoorofthe"Half—wayHouse。"Buthereanothersurpriseawaitedhim。Mr。Mayfield，erectanddignified，stooduponthefrontporchasthecoachdroveup。
　　"Driver!"beganMr。Mayfield。
　　Therewasnoreply。
　　"Driver，"saidMr。Mayfield，slightlyweakeningunderBill’seye，"I
　　shallwantyounolonger。Ihave"——
　　"Ishespeakingtome？"saidBillaudiblytoJeff，"’causetheycallme’YubaBill’yerabouts。"
　　"Heis，"saidJeffhastily。
　　"Mebbeehe’sdrunk，"saidBillaudibly；"adroportwoaforebreakfastsometimesupsetshiskind。"
　　"Iwassaying，Bill，"saidMr。Mayfield，becomingutterlylimpandweakagainunderBill’scoldgrayeyes，"thatI’vechangedmymind，andshallstophereawhile。Mydaughterseemsalreadybenefitedbythechange。Youcantakemytrapsfromthebootandleavethemhere。"
　　Billlaiddownhislinesresignedly，coollysurveyedMr。Mayfield，thehouse，andthehalf—pleased，half—frightenedJeff，andthenproceededtoremovetheluggagefromtheboot，allthewhilewhistlingloudandoffensiveincredulity。Thenheclimbedbacktohisbox。Mr。Mayfield，completelydemoralizedunderthistreatment，asalastresortessayedpatronage。
　　"YoucansaytotheSacramentoagents，Bill，thatIamentirelysatisfied，and"——
　　"Yeneedn’tfearbutI’llgiveyeagoodcharacter，"interruptedBillcoolly，gatheringuphislines。Thewhipsnapped，thesixhorsesdashedforwardasone，thecoachplungeddowntheroadandwasgone。
　　Withitsdisappearance，Mr。Mayfieldstiffenedslightlyagain。"I
　　havejusttoldyouraunt，Mr。Briggs，"hesaid，turninguponJeff，"thatmydaughterhasexpressedadesiretoremainhereafewdays；
　　shehassleptwell，seemstobeinvigoratedbytheair，andalthoughweexpectedtogoontothe’Summit，’Mrs。Mayfieldandmyselfarewillingtoaccedetoherwishes。Yourhouseseemstobenewandclean。Yourtable——judgingfromthebreakfastthismorning——isquitesatisfactory。"
　　Jeff，inthefirstflushofdelightatthisnews，forgotwhatthatbreakfasthadcosthim——forgotallhismorning’sexperience，and，I
　　fear，whenhedidrememberit，wastoofullofavague，hopefulcouragetoappreciateit。Consciousofshowingtoomuchpleasure，heaffectedthenecessityofanimmediateinterviewwithhisaunt，inthekitchen。Buthisshortcutroundthehousewasarrestedbyavoiceandfigure。ItwasMissMayfield，wrappedinashawlandseatedinachair，baskinginthesunlightatoneofthebleakestandbarestanglesofthehouse。Jeffstoppedinadelicioustremor。
　　Aswearedealingwithfacts，however，itwouldbewelltolookatthecauseofthistremorwithourowneyesandnotJeff’s。Tobeplain，mydearmadam，asshebaskedinthatremorseless，matter—of—
　　factCaliforniasunshine，shelookedherfullage—twenty—five，ifaday!Therewerewrinklesinthecornersofherdarkeyes，contractedandfrowninginthatstrong，mercilesslight；therewasanervouspallorinhercomplexion；butbeingoneofthose"fastcolored"
　　brunettes，whosedyesareapartoftheirtemperament，nosicknessnorwearcouldbleachitout。Theredofhersmallmouthwasdarkerthanyours，Iwot，andtherewerecertainfaintlinesfromthecornersofherdelicatenostrilsindicatingalternaterepressionandexcitementundercertainexperiences，whicharenotfoundintheclassicideals。NowJeffknewnothingoftheclassicideal——didnotknowthatathousandyearsagocertainsensualidiotshad，withbrushandchisel，inflictedupontheworldthepersonificationofthestrongestandmostdelicate，mostcontrollingandmostsubtlepassionthathumanityiscapableof，inthelikenessofathick—waisted，idealess，expressionless，perfectlycontentedfemaleanimal；andthatthousandsofidiotshadsincetheninsisteduponperpetuatingthismodelforthebenefitofaworldthathadgoneonsighingfor，piningfor，fightingfor，andoccasionallyblowingitsbrainsoutovertypesfarremovedfromthatidioticstandard。
　　ConsequentlyJeffsawonlyafacefullofpossibilitiesandprobabilities，framedinasmalldelicateoval，sawaslightwoman’sform——morethanusuallysmall——andheardalowvoice，tohimfullofgentlepride，passion，pathos，andhumanweakness，andwashelpless。
　　"Ionlysaid’Good—morning，’"saidMissMayfield，withthatslight，archsatisfactionintheobservationofmasculinebashfulness，whichthebestofhersexcannotforego。
　　"Thankyou，miss；good—morning。I’vebeenwantingtosaytoyouthatIhopeyouwasn’tmad，youknow，"stammeredJeff，desperatelyintentupongettingoffhisapology。
　　"Itissolovelythismorning——suchachange!"continuedMissMayfield。
　　"Yes，miss!YouknowIreckoned——atleastwhatyourfathersaid，mademekalkilatethatyou"——
　　MissMayfield，stillsmiling，knittedherbrowsandwenton："Isleptsowelllastnight，"shesaidgratefully，"andfeelsomuchbetterthismorning，thatIventuredout。Iseemtobedrinkinginhealthinthisclearsunlight。"
　　"Certainlymiss。AsIwassayin’，yourfathersayshisdaughterisinthecoach；andBillsays，sayshetome，’I’llpack——I’llcarrytheold——I’llbringupMrs。Mayfield，ifyou’llbringupthedaughter；’andwhenwecometothecoachIsawyouasleep——likeinthecorner，andbein’small，whymiss，youknowhownat’ralitis，I"——
　　"Oh，Mr。Jeff!Mr。Briggs!"saidMissMayfieldplaintively，"don’t，please——don’tspoilthebestcomplimentI’vehadinmanyayear。YouthoughtIwasachild，Iknow，and——well，youfind，"shesaidaudaciously，suddenlybringingherblackeyestobearonhimlikearifle，"youfind——well？"
　　WhatJeffthoughtwasinaudiblebutnotinvisible。MissMayfieldsawenoughofitinhiseyetoprotestwithafaintcolorinhercheek。
　　ThusdoesNaturebetrayitselftoNaturetheworldover。
　　Thecolorfaded。"It’sadreadfulthingtobesoweakandhelpless，andtoputeverybodytosuchtrouble，isn’tit，Mr。Jeff？Ibegyourpardon——yourauntcallsyouJeff。"
　　"PleasecallmeJeff，"saidJeff，tohisownsurpriserapidlygainingcourage。"Everybodycallsmethat。"
　　MissMayfieldsmiled。"IsupposeImustdowhateverybodydoes。SoitseemsthatwearetogiveyouthetroubleofkeepingushereuntilIgetbetterorworse？"
　　"Yes，miss。"
　　"ThereforeIwon’tdetainyounow。Ionlywantedtothankyouforyourgentlenesslastnight，andtoassureyouthatthebear—skindidnotgivememydeath。"
　　Shesmiledandnoddedhersmallhead，andwrappedhershawlagaincloselyaroundhershoulders，andturnedhereyesuponthemountains，gestureswhichthenowquick—mindedJeffinterpretedasagentledismissal，andflewtoseekhisaunt。
　　Herehegrewpractical。Readymoneywasneeded；forthe"Half—wayHouse"wassuchapublicmonumentofill—luck，thatJeffhadnocredit。Hemustkeepupthetabletothelevelofthatfortunatebreakfast——todowhichhehad$1。50inthetill，leftbyBill，and$2。50producedbyhisAuntSallyfromherwork—basket。
　　"WhynotaskMr。Mayfieldtoadvanceyesuthin？"saidAuntSally。
　　ThebloodflewtoJeff’sface。"Never!Don’tsaythatagain，aunty。"
　　ThetoneandmannerweresounlikeJeffthattheoldladysatdownhalffrightened，andtakingthecornersofheraproninherhandsbegantowhimper。
　　"Tharnow，aunty!Ididn’tmeannothin’，——onlyifyoucaretohavemeabouttheplaceanylonger，andIreckonit’slittlegoodIamanyway，"headded，withanew—foundbitternessinhistone，"ye’llnotaskmetodothat。"
　　"What’sgoneo’ye，Jeff？"saidhisauntlugubriously；"yeain’tnat’rallike。"
　　Jefflaughed。"Seehere，aunty；I’mgoin’totakeyouradvice。YouknowRabbit？"
　　"Themare？"
　　"Yes；I’mgoingtosellher。Theblacksmithofferedmeahundreddollarsforherlastweek。"
　　"Efye’ddonethatamonthago，Jeff，ezIwantedyeto，insteado’
　　keepingthebrutetoeatyeouto’houseandhome，ye’dbebetteroff。"AuntSallyneverletslipanopportunityto"improvetheoccasion，"butpreferredtoexhortovertheprostratebodyofthe"improved。""Well，Ihopehemayn’tchangehismind。"
　　Jeffsmiledatsuchsuggestionregardingthebesthorsewithinfiftymilesofthe"Half—wayHouse。"Neverthelesshewentbrisklytothestable，ledoutandsaddledahandsomegreymare，pettingherthewhile，andkeepinguparunningcommentaryofcaressingepithetstowhichRabbitrespondedwithawhinnyandplayfulreachesafterJeff’sredflannelsleeve。WhereatJeff，havinglovedthehorseuntilitwasdisplacedbyanothermistress，grewgraveandsuddenlythrewhisarmsaroundRabbit’sneck，andthentakingRabbit’snose，thrustitinthebosomofhisshirtandheldittheresilentlyforamoment。
　　Rabbitbecominguneasy，Jeff’smoodchangedtoo，andhavingcaparisonedhimselfandchargerintruevaquerostyle，notwithoutalittleMexicandandyismastothesetofhisdoeskintrousers，andthetieofhisredsash，putasombrerorakishlyonhiscurlsandleapedintothesaddle。
　　Jeffwasafairriderinacountrywhereridingwasunderstoodasanaturalinstinct，andnotasapurelyartificialhabitofhorseandrider，consequentlyhewasnotperchedup，jockeyfashion，withaknee—gripforhisbody，andarein—restforhisarmsonthebeast’smouth，butrodewithlong，loosestirrups，hislegsclaspingthebarrelofhishorse，hissinglereinlyinglooseuponherneck，leavingherheadfreeasthewind。Afterthisfashionhehadoftenemergedfromacloudofdustontheredmountainroad，strikingadmirationintotheheartsofthewayfarersandcoach—passengers，andleavingatrailofpleasantincenseinthedustbehindhim。Itwasthereforewithconsiderableconfidenceinhimself，andalittlehumanvanity，thathedashedroundthehouse，andthrewhismareskilfullyonherhaunchesexactlyafootbeforeMissMayfield——himselfaresplendentvisionofflyingriata，crimsonscarf，fawn—coloredtrousers，andjinglingsilverspurs。
　　"KinIdoanythin’forye，miss，attheForks？"
　　MissMayfieldlookedupquietly。"Ithinknot，"shesaidindifferently，asiftheflaming—Jeffwasaverycommonoccurrence。
　　Jeffherepermittedthemaretoboltfiftyyards，caughtherupsharply，swungherroundonheroffhindheel，permittedhertopawtheaironceortwicewithherwhite—stockingedfore—feet，andthen，withanotherdashforward，pulledherupagainjustbeforesheapparentlytookMissMayfieldandherchairinarunningleap。
　　"Areyousure，miss？"askedJeff，withaflushedfaceandaratherlugubriousvoice。
　　"Quiteso，thankyou，"shesaidcoldly，lookingpastthiscentaurtothewoodedmountainbeyond。
　　Jeff，thoroughlycrushed，waspacingmeeklyawaywhenachildlikevoicestoppedhim。
　　"Ifyouaregoingnearacarpenter’sshopyoumightgetanewshutterformywindow；itblewawaylastnight。"
　　"Itdid，miss？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheshrillvoiceofAuntSally，fromthedoorway，"incourseitdid!Yemustbecrazy，Jeff，fortharitstandsinNo。8，wharyemusthaveputitafteryepickeditupoutside。"
　　Jeff，consciousthatMissMayfield’seyeswereonhissuffusedface，stammered"thathewouldattendtoit，"andputspurstothemare，eageronlytoescape。
　　Itwasnothisonlydiscomfiture；fortheblacksmith，seeingJeff’snervousnessandanxiety，wassuspiciousofsomethingwrong，astheworldisapttobe，andappeasedhisconscienceaftertheworldlyfashion，bydrivingahardbargainwiththedoubtfulbrotherinaffliction——themoralityofahorsetraderesidingalwayswiththeseller。WherebyMasterJeffreceivedonlyeightydollarsforhorseandoutfit——worthatleasttwohundred——andwasalsomulctedoffortydollars，principalandinterestforpastserviceoftheblacksmith。
　　Jeffwalkedhomewithfortydollarsinhispocket——capitaltoprosecutehishonestcallingofinnkeeper；theblacksmithretiredtoanadjoiningtaverntodiscussJeff’saffairs，andfurtherreducehiscredit。YetIdoubtwhichwasthehappier——theblacksmithestimatinghispossiblegains，anddoubtfulofsomeuncertainsequenceinhisluck，orJeff，temporarilyrelieved，boundlesslyhopeful，andfilledwiththevaguedelightsofafirstpassion。TheonlydiscontentedbruteinthewholetransactionwaspoorRabbit，who，missingcertainattentions，becameindignant，afterthemannerofhersex，bitapieceoutofhercrib，kickedaholeinherbox，andreceivingabadcharacterfromtheblacksmith，gaveaworseonetoherlatemaster。
　　Jeff’spurchaseswereofatemporaryandornamentalquality，butnotalwaysjudiciousasapermanentinvestment。OverhearingsomeremarkfromMissMayfieldconcerningthedangerouscharacterofthetwo—
　　tinedsteelfork，whichwaspartofthetableequipageofthe"Half—
　　wayHouse，"hepurchasedhalfadozenofwhathisauntwaspleasedtospecifyas"splitspoons，"andtherebylosthislategoodstandingwithher。Henotonlyrepairedthewindow—shutter，buttemperedtheglaringwindowitselfwithabitofcurtain；hehalfcarpetedMissMayfield’sbed—roomwithwild—catskinsandthenowhistoricalbear—
　　skin，andfelthimselfoverpaidwhenthatyounglady，passingthesofttabbyskinsacrosshercheek，declaredtheywere"lovely。"ForMissMayfield，deprecatingslaughterintheabstract，accepteditsresultsgratefully，liketherestofhersex，andwhilewillingto"letthehartungalledplay，"neverthelesswasabletoconsoleherselfwithitsvenison。Thewoods，besidesyieldingaidandcomfortofthiskindtothedistresseddamsel，wereflamboyantwithvividspringblossoms，andJefflitupthecold，whitewallsofhervirgincellwithdemonstrativecolor，andmade——whathisaunt，acleanlysoul，whoseideasofthatqualitywerebasedupontheabsenceofanycolorwhatever，called——"alitter。"
　　TheresultofwhichwastomakeMissMayfield，otherwiselanquidandennuye，welcomeJeff’spresencewithasmile；tomakeJeff，otherwiseanxious，eager，andkeenlyattentive，muteandsilentinherpresence。TwosymptomsbadforJeff。
　　MeantimeMr。Mayfield’ssmallconventionalspiritpinedforfellowship，onlytobefoundinlargercivilizations，andsought，underpleaofbusiness，avisittoSacramento，whereafewoftheMayfieldtype，stillsurviving，weretobefound。
　　ThiswasarelieftoJeff，whoonlythroughhisregardforthedaughter，waskeptfromopenquarrelwiththefather。HefanciedMissMayfieldfeltrelievedtoo，althoughJeffhadnoticedthatMayfieldhaddeferredtohisdaughtermoreoftenthanhiswife——overwhomyourconventionalsmallautocratisalwaysvictorious。Ittakesthelegalmatrimonialcontracttoproperlydevelopthefirst—classtyrant，maleorfemale。
　　OnoneofthesedaysJeffwasreturningthroughthewoodsfrommarketingattheForks，which，sincethesaleofRabbit，hadbecameafoot—soreandtediousbusiness。Hehadreachedtheedgeoftheforest，andthroughthewider—spacedtrees，thebleaksunlitplateauofhishousewasbeginningtoopenout，whenhestoppedinstantly。
　　IknownotwhatJeffhadbeenthinkingof，ashetrudgedalong，buthere，allatonce，hewasthrilledandpossessedwiththeodorofsomefaint，foreignperfume。Heflushedalittleatfirst，andthenturnedpale。Nowthewoodswereasfullofasdelicate，assubtle，asgrateful，and，Iwot，farhealthierandpurerodorsthanthis；butthisrepresentedtoJeffthephysicalcontiguityofMissMayfield，whohadtheknack——peculiartosomeofhersex——ofselectingaperfumethatideallyidentifiedher。Jefflookedaroundcautiously；
　　atthefootofatreehardbylayoneofherwraps，stillredolentofher。Jeffputdownthebagwhich，inlieuofamarketbasket，hewascarryingonhisshoulder，andwithablushingfacehiditbehindatree。Itcontainedherdinner!
　　Hetookafewstepsforwardswithanassumptionofeaseandunconsciousness。Thenhestopped，fornotahundredyardsdistantsat——MissMayfieldonamossyboulder，hercloakhangingfromhershoulders，herhandsclaspedroundhercrossedknees，andonelittlefootout——anexasperatingcombinationofEvangelineandlittleRedRidingHoodineverything，Ifear，butcredulousnessandself—
　　devotion。Shelookedupashewalkedtowardsher（nonconstatthatthelittlewitchhadnotalreadyseenhimhalfamileaway!）andsmiledsweetlyasshelookedathim。Sosweetly，indeed，thatpoorJefffeltlikethehulkingwolfoftheoldworldfable，andhesitated——asthatwolfdidnot。TheCaliforniafaunaehavepossiblydepreciated。
　　"Comehere!"shecried，inasmallheadvoice，notunlikeabird’stwitter。
　　Jefflumberedonclumsily。Hishighbootshadbecomesuddenlyveryheavy。
　　"I’msogladtoseeyou。I’vejusttiredpoormotherout——I’malwaystiringpeopleout——andshe’sgonebacktothehousetowriteletters。
　　Sitdown，Mr。Jeff，do，please!"
　　Jeff，feelinguncomfortablylargeinMissMayfield’spresence，painfullyseatedhimselfontheedgeofaverylowstone，whichhadtheeffectofbringinghiskneesuponalevelwithhischin，andaffectedaneaseglaringlysimulated。
　　"Orliedown，there，Mr。Jeff——itissocomfortable。"
　　Jeff，withadreadfulconvictionthathewascrashingdownlikeafallingpine—tree，managedatlasttoacquirearecumbentpositionatarespectfuldistancefromthelittlefigure。
　　"There，isn’titnice？"
　　"Yes，MissMayfield。"
　　"But，perhaps，"saidMissMayfield，nowthatshehadhimdown，"perhapsyoutoohavegotsomethingtodo。Dearme!I’mlikethatnaughtyboyinthestory—book，whowentroundtoalltheanimals，inturn，askingthemtoplaywithhim。Hecouldonlyfindthebutterflywhohadnothingtodo。Idon’twonderhewasdisgusted。Ihatebutterflies。"
　　Loveclarifiestheintellect!Jeff，astonishedathimself，burstout，"Why，lookyer，MissMayfield，thebutterflyonlyhezadayortwoto——to——toliveand——behappy!"
　　MissMayfieldcrossedherkneesagain，andinstantly，afterthesublimefashionofhersex，scatteredhisintellectbyaswifttransitionfromtheabstracttotheconcrete。"Butyou’renotabutterfly，Mr。Jeff。You’realwaysdoingsomething。You’vebeenhunting。"
　　"No—o!"saidJeff，scarlet，ashethoughtofhisguninpawnatthe"Summit。"
　　"Butyoudohunt；Iknowit。"
　　"How？"
　　"YoushotthosequailformethemorningafterIcame。Iheardyougoout——early——veryearly。"
　　"Why，youallowedyousleptsowellthatnight，MissMayfield。"
　　"Yes；butthere’sakindofdelicioushalf—sleepthatsickpeoplehavesometimes，whentheyknowandaregratefullyconsciousthatotherpeoplearedoingthingsforthem，anditmakesthemrestallthesweeter。"
　　Therewasadeadsilence。Jeff，thrillingallover，darednotsayanythingtodispelhisdeliciousdream。MissMayfield，alarmedathisreadinesswiththebutterflyillustration，stoppedshort。Theybothlookedattheprospect，atthedistant"SummitHotel"——ameresnow—driftonthemountain——attheclearsunlightonthebarrenplateau，atthebleak，uncompromising"Half—wayHouse，"andsaidnothing。
　　"Ioughttobeverygrateful，"atlastbeganMissMayfield，inquiteanothervoice，andasuggestionthatshewasnowapproachingrealandprofitableconversation，"thatI’msomuchbetter。Thismountainairhasbeenlikebalmtome。IfeelIamgrowingstrongerdaybyday。
　　Idonotwonderthatyouaresohealthyandsostrongasyouare，Mr。Jeff。"
　　Jeff，whoreallydidnotknowbeforethathewassohealthy，apologeticallyadmittedthefact。Atthesametime，hewasmiserablyconsciousthatMissMayfield’scondition，despiteherillhealth，wasverysuperiortohisown。
　　"Amonthago，"shecontinuedreflectively，"mymotherwouldneverhavethoughtitpossibletoleavemeherealone。Perhapsshemaybegettingworriednow。"
　　MissMayfieldhadcalculatedovermuchonJeff’srecumbentposition。
　　Tohersurpriseandslightmortification，heroseinstantlytohisfeet，andsaidanxiously"Efyouthinkso，miss，p’rapsI’mkeepingyouhere。"
　　"Notatall，Mr。Jeff。Yourbeinghereisasufficientexcuseformystaying，"shereplied，withthelargedignityofasmallbody。
　　Jeff，mentallyandphysicallycrushedagain，camedownalittleheavierthanbefore，andreclinedhumblyatherfeet。Secondknock—
　　downblowforMissMayfield。
　　"Come，Mr。Jeff，"saidthetriumphantgoddess，inherfirstvoice，"tellmesomethingaboutyourself。Howdoyoulivehere——Imean；
　　whatdoyoudo？Youride，ofcourse——andverywelltoo，Icantellyou!Butyouknowthat。Andofcoursethatscarfandthesilverspursandthewholedashingequipagearenotintendedentirelyforyourself。No!Someyoungwomanismadehappybythatexhibition，ofcourse。Well，then，there’stheridingdowntoseeher，andperhapstheridingoutwithher，and——whatelse？"
　　"MissMayfield，"saidJeff，suddenlyrisingabovehiselbowandhisgrammar，"tharisn’tnoyoungwoman!Tharisn’tanothersoulexceptyourselfthatI’velaideyeson，orcaredtoseesinceI’vebeenyer。
　　Efmyaunthezbeentellingyethat——she’s——she——she——she——she——
　　lies。"
　　Absolute，undilutedtruth，evenofacomplimentarynature，isconfoundingtomostwomen。MissMayfieldwasnoexceptiontohersex。Shefirstlaughed，asshefeltsheoughtto，andproperlymightwithanyothermanthanJeff；thenshegotfrightened，andsaidhurriedly，"No，no!youmisunderstandme。Youraunthassaidnothing。"Andthenshestoppedwithapinkspotonhercheek—bones。
　　FirstbloodforJeff!
　　Nowthiswouldneverdo；itwasworsethanthebutterflies!Sherosetoherfullheight——fourfeetelevenandahalf——anddrewhercloakoverhershoulders。"IthinkIwillreturntothehouse，"shesaidquietly；"IsupposeIoughtnottoovertaskmystrength。"
　　"You’dbetterletmegowithyou，miss，"saidJeffsubmissively。
　　"Iwill，ononecondition，"shesaid，recoveringherarchness，withalittlevenominit，Ifear。"Youweregoinghome，too，whenIcalledtoyou。Now，Idonotintendtoletyouleavethatbagbehindthattree，andthenhavetocomebackforit，justbecauseyoufeelobligedtogowithme。Bringitwithyouononearm，andI’lltaketheother，orelse——I’llgoalone。Don’tbealarmed，"sheaddedsoftly；"I’mstrongerthanIwasthefirstnightIcame，whenyoucarriedmeandallmyworldlygoodsbesides。"
　　Sheturneduponhimhersubtlemagneticeyes，andlookedathimasshehadthefirstnighttheymet。Jeffturnedawaybewildered，butpresentlyappearedagainwiththebagonhisshoulder，andherwraponhisarm。Assheslippedherlittlehandoverhissleeve，hebegan，apologeticallyandnervously"WhenIsaidthataboutAuntSally，miss，I"——
　　Thehandimmediatelybecamelimp，thegraspconventional。
　　"Iwasmad，miss，"Jeffblunderedon，"andIdon’tseehowyoubelievedit——knowingeverythingezyoudo。"
　　"HowknowingeverythingasIdo？"askedMissMayfieldcoldly。
　　"Why，aboutthequail，andaboutthebag!"
　　"Oh，"saidMissMayfield。
　　Fiveminuteslater，YubaBillnearlyditchedhiscoachinhisutteramazementatanapparentlysimplespectacle——atall，good—lookingyoungfellow，inaredshirtandhighboots，carryingabagonhisback，andbesidehim，hangingconfidentiallyonhisarm，asmall，slight，prettygirlinaredcloak。"Nothingmeanabouther，eh，Bill？"saidasadmiringbox—passenger。"Youngcouple，Ireckon，justoutfromtheStates。"
　　"No!"roaredBill。
　　"Oh，well，hissweetheart，Ireckon？"suggestedthebox—passenger。
　　"Narytime!"growledBill。"Lookyer!Iknow’emboth，andtheyknowsme。Didyenotisssheneverdropshisarmwhensheseesthestagecomin’，butkindertrapesalongjistthesame？Hadtheybeencourtin’，she’dhevdroppedhisarmlikepizen，andwalkedont’othersidetheroad。"
　　Nevertheless，forsomeoccultreason，Billwasevidentlyoutofhumor；andforthenextfewmilesexhortedtheimpenitentBlueGrasshorsewithconsiderablefervor。
　　Meanwhilethispair，outwardlythepictureofpastoralconjugality，slowlydescendedthehill。Inthatbrieftime，failingtogetatanyfurtherfactsregardingJeff’slife，orperhapsreadingthestoryquiteplainly，MissMayfieldhadtwitteredprettilyaboutherself。
　　ShepaintedhertropiclifeintheSandwichIslands——herdelicious"laziness，"asshecalledit；"for，youknow，"sheadded，"althoughIhadtheexcuseofbeinganinvalid，andoflivinginthelaziestclimateintheworld，andofhavingmoney，Ithink，Mr。Jeff，thatI’mnaturallylazy。PerhapsifIlivedherelongenough，andgotwellagain，Imightdosomething，butIdon’tthinkIcouldeverbelikeyouraunt。Andtheresheisnow，Mr。Jeff，makingsignsforyoutohasten。No，don’tmindme，butrunonahead；elseIshallhaveherblamingmefordemoralizingyoutoo。Go；Iinsistuponit!
　　Icanwalktherestofthewayalone。Willyougo？Youwon’t？ThenIshallstophereandnotstiranotherstepforwarduntilyoudo。"
　　Shestopped，halfjestingly，halfearnestly，inthemiddleoftheroad，andemphasizedherdeterminationwithanodofherhead——anactionthat，however，shookherhatfirstrakishlyoveroneeye，andthenontheground。AtwhichJefflaughed，pickeditup，presentedittoher，andthenranofftothehouse。
　　III。
　　Hisauntmethimangrilyontheporch。"Tharyeareatlast，andyer’sastrangerwaitintoseeyou。He’sbeenaxinallsortso’questions，aboutthehouseandthebusiness，andkindersnoopin’
　　roundpermiskiss。Idon’tlikehislooks，Jeff，butthet’snoreasonwhyyeshouldbegallivantin’roundinbusinesshours。"
　　Alarge，thick—setman，withamechanicalsmilethatwasanovertactoffalsepretense，waslounginginthebar—room。Jeffdimlyrememberedtohaveseenhimatthelastcountyelection，distributingticketsatthepolls。ThisgaveJeffaslightprejudiceagainsthim，butagreaterpresentimentofsomevagueevilintheaircausedhimtomotionthestrangertoanemptyroomintheangleofthehousebehindthebarroom，whichwastoonearthehallthroughwhichMissMayfieldmustpresentlypass。
　　Itwasaninfelicitousactofprecaution，foratthatverymomentMissMayfieldslowlypassedbeneathitsopenwindow，andseeingherchairinthesunnyangle，droppedintoitforrestandpossiblymeditation。Consequentlysheoverheardeverywordofthefollowingcolloquy。