TheStranger’svoice："Well，now，seein’ezI’vebeenwaitin’foryeoveranhour，offandon，andezmybiznesswithyeistwowords，itstrikesmeyerputtin’onalittletoomuchstyleinthisyerinterview，Mr。JeffersonBriggs。"
　　Jeff’svoice（alittlehuskywithrestraint）："Whatisyerbusiness？"
　　Thestranger’svoice（lazily）："It’sanat—tachmentonthisyerpropertyforprincipal，interest，andcosts——onehundredandtwelvedollarsand’seventy—fivecents，atthesuitofCyrusParker。"
　　Jeff’svoice（inquicksurprise）："Parker？Why，Isawhimonlyyesterday，andheagreedtowaitaspelllonger。"
　　TheStranger’svoice："Mebbeehedid!Mebbeeheheardafterwardssuthin’aboutthegoin’sonupyar。Mebbeeheheardsuthin’o’
　　propertybein’convertedintoreadycash——sichpropertyezhorses，guns，andsich!Mebbeeheheardo’gayandfestivedoin’s——chickineveryday，fresheggs，butcher’smeat，portwine，andsich!Mebbeeheallowedthathischanceso’gettin’hisownhonestgrubouterhisdebtwaslookin’mightyslim!Mebbee"（louder）"hethoughthe’daskthemanwhoboughtyerhorse，andthemanyoupawnedyourgunto，whatwasgoin’on!Mebbeehethoughthe’dliketogetaholtasuthin’himself，evenifitwasonlysomeofthatyarchickinandportwine!"
　　Jeff’svoice（earnestlyandhastily）："They’renotforme。Ihaveafamilyboardinghere，withasickdaughter。Youdon’tthink——"
　　TheStranger’svoice（lazily）："Ireckon!Iseedyouandherpre—
　　ambulatingdownthehill，lockin’arms。Agooddealo’style，Jeff——fancy!expensive!HowdoesAuntSallytakeit？"
　　Aslightshakingofthefloorandwindow——adeadsilence。
　　TheStranger’svoice（veryfaintly）："ForGod’ssake，letmeup!"
　　Jeff’svoice（verydistinctly）："Anotherword!raiseyourvoiceaboveawhisper，andbythelivingG——"
　　Silence。
　　TheStranger’svoice（gasping）："I——I——promise!"
　　Jeff’svoice（lowanddesperate）："Getupoutofthat!Sitdownthar!Nowhearme!I’mnotresistingyourprocess。Ifyouhadallh—llaswitnessesyoudaren’tsaythat。I’veshutupyourfouljaw，andkeptitfrompoisoningtheair，andthar’snolawinCalifornyaginit!Nowlisten。What!Youwill，willyou？"
　　Everythingquiet；abirdtwitteringonthewindowledge，nothingmore。
　　TheStranger’svoice（veryhuskily）："Icave!Gimmesomewhiskey。"
　　Jeff’svoice："Whenwe’rethrough。Nowlisten!Youcantakepossessionofthehouse；youcanstandbehindthebarandtakeeverycentthatcomesin；youcanpreventanythinggoingout；butaslongasMr。Mayfieldandhisfamilystayhere，bythelivingGod——lawornolaw——I’llbebosshere，andtheyshallneverknowit!"
　　TheStranger’svoice（weaklyandsubmissively）："Thatsoundssquare。
　　Anythin’notaginthelawandinreason，Jeff!"
　　Jeff’svoice："Imeantobesquare。HereisallthemoneyIhave，tendollars。Takeitforanyextratroubleyoumayhavetosatisfyme。"
　　Apause——theclinkingofcoin。
　　TheStranger’svoice（deprecatingly）："Well!Ireckonthatwouldbeaboutfair。Considerthetrouble"（aweaklaughhere）"justnow。
　　’Tain’teverymanezhezyourgrip。He!he!Efyehadn’ttookmesosuddentlike——he!he!——well!——howaboutthatarwhiskey？"
　　Jeff’svoice（coolly）："I’llbringit。"
　　Steps，silence，coughing，spitting，andthroat—clearingfromthestranger。
　　Stepsagain，andtheclickofglass。
　　TheStranger’svoice（submissively）："IncourseImustgobacktotheForksandfetchupmyduds。YeknowwhatImean!Tharnow——don’t，Mr。Jeff!"
　　Jeff’svoice（sternly）："IfIfindyougobackonme——"
　　TheStranger’svoice（hurriedly）："Thar’smyhandonit。YecancountonJimDodd。"
　　Stepsagain。Silence。Abirdlightsonthewindowledge，andpeersintotheroom。Allisatrest。
　　Jeffandthedeputy—sheriffwalkedthroughthebar—roomandoutontheporch。MissMayfieldinanarm—chairlookedupfromherbook。
　　"I’vewrittenalettertomyfatherthatI’dliketohavemailedattheForksthisafternoon，"shesaid，lookingfromJefftothestranger；"perhapsthisgentlemanwillobligemebytakingit，ifhe’sgoingthatway。"
　　"I’lltakeit，miss，"saidJeffhurriedly。
　　"No，"saidMissMayfieldarchly，"I’vetakenuptoomuchofyourtimealready。"
　　"I’matyourservice，miss，"saidthestranger，considerablyaffectedbythespectacleofthisprettygirl，whocertainlyatthatmoment，inherbrighteyesandslightlypinkcheeks，beliedthesuggestionofillhealth。
　　"Thankyou。Dearme!"Shewasrummaginginareticuleandinherpocket，etc。"Oh，Mr。Jeff!"
　　"Yes，miss？"
　　"I’msofrightened!"
　　"How，miss？"
　　"Ihave——yes!——Ihaveleftthatletteronthestumpinthewoods，whereIwassittingwhenyoucame。Wouldyou——"
　　Jeffdartedintothehouse，seizedhishat，andstopped。Hewasthinkingofthestranger。
　　"Couldyoubesokind？"
　　Jefflookedinheragitatedface，castameaningglanceatthestranger，andwasofflikeashot。
　　ThefiredroppedoutofMissMayfield’seyesandcheeks。Sheturnedtowardthestranger。
　　"Pleasestepthisway。"
　　Shealwayshatedherownchildishtreble。Butjustatthatmomentshethoughtshehadputforceanddignityintoit，andwascorrespondinglysatisfied。Thedeputysheriffwasequallypleased，andcametowardstheuprightlittlefigurewithopenadmiration。
　　"YournameisDodd——JamesDodd？"
　　"Yes，miss。"
　　"Youarethedeputysheriffofthecounty？Don’tlookround——thereisnoonehere!"
　　"Well，miss——ifyousayso——yes!"
　　"Myfather——Mr。Mayfield——understoodso。Iregretheisnothere。
　　IregretstillmoreIcouldnothaveseenyoubeforeyousawMr。
　　Briggs，ashewishedmeto。"
　　"Yes，miss。"
　　"MyfatherisafriendofMr。Briggs，andknowssomethingofhisaffairs。TherewasadebttoaMr。Parker"（hereMissMayfieldapparentlyconsultedanentryinhertablets）"ofonehundredandtwelvedollarsandseventy—fivecents——amIright？"
　　Thedeputy，withgreatrespect："Thatisthefiggers。"
　　"WhichhewishedtopaywithouttheknowledgeofMr。Briggs，whowouldnothaveconsentedtoit。"
　　Theofficialopenedhiseyes。"Yes，miss。"
　　"Well，asMr。MayfieldisNOThere，Iamheretopayitforhim。
　　YoucantakeacheckonWells，Fargo&Co。，Isuppose？"
　　"Certainly，miss。"
　　Shetookacheck—bookandpenandinkfromherreticule，andfilledupacheck。Shehandedittohim，andthepenandink。"Youaretogivemeareceipt。"
　　Thedeputylookedatthematter—of—factlittlefigure，andsignedandhandedoverthereceiptedbill。
　　"MyfathersaidMr。Briggswasnottoknowthis。"
　　"Certainlynot，miss。"
　　"ItwasMr。Briggs’sintentiontoletthejudgmenttakeitscourse，andgiveupthehouse。Youareamanofbusiness，Mr。Dodd，andknowthatthisisridiculous!"
　　Thedeputylaughed。"Incourse，miss。"
　　"AndwhateverMr。Briggsmayhaveproposedtoyoutodo，whenyougobacktotheForks，youaretowritehimaletter，andsaythatyouwillsimplyholdthejudgmentwithoutlevy。"
　　"Allright，miss，"saidthedeputy，notill—pleasedtoholdhimselfinthissuperiorattitudetoJeff。
　　"And——"
　　"Yes，miss？"
　　Shelookedsteadilyathim。"Mr。Briggstoldmyfatherthathewouldpayyoutendollarsfortheprivilegeofstayinghere。"
　　"Yes，miss。"
　　"And，ofcourse，THAT’Snotnecessarynow。"
　　"No—o，miss。"
　　Averysmallwhitehand——amerechild’shand——washereextended，palmuppermost。
　　Theofficial，demoralizedcompletely，lookedatitamoment，thenwentintohispocketsandcountedoutintothepalmthecoinsgivenbyJeff；theycompletelyfilledthetinyreceptacle。
　　MissMayfieldcountedthemoneygravely，andplaceditinherportemonnaiewithasnap。
　　Certainqualitiesaffectcertainnatures。Thispracticalbusinessactofthediminutivebeautybeforehim——albeithewasjusttendollarsoutofpocketbyit——strucktheofficialintohelplessadmiration。Hehesitated。
　　"That’sall，"saidMissMayfieldcoolly；"youneednotwait。TheletterwasonlyanexcusetogetMr。Briggsoutoftheway。"
　　"Iunderstandye，miss。"Hehesitatedstill。"Doyoureckontostopinthesepartslong？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"
　　"’CauseyeoughttocomedownsomedaytotheForks。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Goodmorning，miss。"
　　"Goodmorning。"
　　Yetatthecornerofthehousetherascalturnedandlookedbackatthelittlefigureinthesunlight。Hehadjustbeenphysicallyovercomebyayoungerman——hehadlosttendollars——hehadawifeandthreechildren。Heforgotallthis。HehadbeencaptivatedbyMissMayfield!
　　Thatpracticalheroinesattherefiveminutes。AttheendofthattimeJeffcameboundingdownthehill，hiscurlsdampwithperspiration；hisfresh，honestfacethepictureofwoe，HERwoe，forthelettercouldnotbefound!
　　"Nevermind，Mr。Jeff。Iwroteanotherandgaveittohim。"
　　Twotearswerestandingonhercheeks。Jeffturnedwhite。
　　"GoodGod，miss!"
　　"It’snothing。Youwereright，Mr。Jeff!Ioughtnottohavewalkeddownherealone。I’mvery，verytired，and——so——somiserable。"
　　Whatwomancouldwithstandtheanguishofthathonestboyishface？
　　IfearMissMayfieldcould，forshelookedathimoverherhandkerchief，andsaid："Perhapsyouhadsomethingtosaytoyourfriend，andI’vesenthimoff。"
　　"Nothing，"saidJeffhurriedly；andshesawthatallhisothertroubleshadvanishedatthesightofherweakness。Sherosetremblinglyfromherseat。"IthinkIwillgoinnow，butIthink——
　　Ithink——Imustaskyouto——to——carryme!"
　　Oh，lameandimpotentconclusion!
　　Thenextmoment，Jeff，pale，strong，passionate，buttenderasamother，liftedherinhisarmsandbroughtherintothesitting—
　　room。AsimultaneousejaculationbrokefromAuntSallyandMrs。
　　Mayfield——thepossiblecommentofposterityonthewholeepisode。
　　"Well，Jeff，Ireckonedyou’dbeuptosuthin’likethat!"
　　"Well，Jessie!Iknewyoucouldn’tbetrusted。"
　　Mr。JamesDodddidnotreturnfromtheForksthatafternoon，toJeff’svagueuneasiness。Towardseveningamessengerbroughtanotefromhim，writtenonthebackofaprintedlegalform，tothiseffect：
　　DEARSIR——SeeingasyouIntendtoactontheSquareinregardtothatlittleMaterIhavearangedThingssothatIantgottostopwithyoubutI’lldropinonctinawiletokeepupashowforaDrink——respyyours，J。DODD。
　　InthislattersuggestionourlegalCerberusexhibitedallthreeofhisheadsatonce。OnecouldkeepfaithwithMissMayfield，onecouldseeher"onctinawile，"andonecoulddrinkatJeff’sexpense。InnocentJeffsawonlygenerosityandkindnessinthemanhehadhalf—choked，andasenseofremorseandshamealmostoutweighedthereliefofhisabsence。"Hemighthevbeenugly，"
　　saidJeff。Hedidnotknowhow，inthisselfishworld，thereisverylittleroomforgratuitous，activeugliness。
　　MissMayfielddidnotleaveherroomthatafternoon。Thewindwasgettingup，anditwasgrowingdarkwhenJeff，idlysittingonhisporch，hopingforherappearance，wasquiteastoundedattheapparitionofYubaBillasapedestrian，dustyandthirsty，makingforhisusualrefreshment。Jeffbroughtoutthebottle，butcouldnotrefrainfrommixinghisverbalastonishmentwiththeconventionalcocktail。Bill，partakingofhisliquorandbecomingoncemoreaspeakinganimal，slowlydrewoffhisheavy，baggydrivinggloves。NoonehadeverseenBillwithoutthem——hewascurrentlybelievedtosleepinthem——andwhenhelaidthemonthecountertheystillretainedthegripofhishand，whichgavethemanentertaininglikenesstotwoplethoricandoverfedspiders。
　　"EfIconcludedtopassovermylinestoafriendandtakeapasearupyerthisevening，"saidBill，eyingJeffsharply，"Idon’tknowezthar’sanylawaginit!Onlessyerkeepin’aprivatebrancho’
　　theOccidentalHo—tel，andon’ytakeinfash’n’blefammerlies!"
　　Jeff，witharisingcolor，protestedagainstsuchasupposition。
　　"BecauseefyeARE，"saidBill，liftinghisvoice，andcrushingoneoftheovergrownspiderswithhisfist，"I’vegotawordortwotosaytothesonofJoeBriggsofTuolumne。Yes，sir!JoeBriggs——
　　yerfather——ezblewhisbrainsoutforwantofamanezcouldstandupandsayawordtohimattherighttime。"
　　"Bill，"saidJeff，inalow，resolutetone——thattoneyieldeduponlyfromthesmittenchordsofdespairanddesperation——"thar’sasickwomaninthehouse。I’lllistentoanythingyou’vegottosayifyou’llsayitquietly。ButyoumustandSHALLspeaklow。"
　　Realmenquicklyrecognizerealmentheworldover；itisonlyyourshamswhofenceandspar。Bill，takinginthevoiceofthespeakermorethanhiswords，droppedhisown。
　　"IsaidIhadakeppleofwordstosaytoye。Tharisn’tanytimeinthelastfowermonths——eversinceyetookstockinthisoldshanty，forthemattero’that——thatIcouldn’thevsaidthemtoye。I’veknowedallyourdoin’s。I’veknowedallyourdebts，’spesh’lythatyeowethatsneakin’houndParker；andtharisn’tatimethatIcouldn’tandwouldn’thevchippedinandpaid’emforye——foryourfather’ssake——efI’dallowedittobethesquarethingforye。ButIknowye，Jeff。Iknowwhat’sinyourBLOOD。
　　Iknewyourfather——allusdreamin’，hopin，’waitin’；IknowYOU，Jeff，dreamin’，hopin’，waitin’tilltheend。AndIstoodby，givin’youafreerein，andletitcome!"
　　Jeffburiedhisfaceinhishands。
　　"Itain’tyourblame——it’sblood!Itain’taweekagoezthekimpanypassesmeoverahoss。’Three—quartersMorgan，’sezthey。
　　SezI：’Wot’stheotherquarter？’Sezthey：’AMexicanhalf—
　　breed。’Well，shewasafairsortofhoss。Comin’downHeavytreeHilllasttrip，wemeetsadroveo’Spanishsteers。Incourseshegoeswilddirectly。Blood!"
　　Billraisedhisglass，softlyswirleditscontentsroundandround，tastedit，andsetitdown。
　　"Thekeppleo’wordsIhadtosaytoyewasthis：Gitupandgit!"
　　SomethinglikethishadpassedthroughJeff’smindthedaybeforetheMayfieldscame。Somethinglikeithadhauntedhimonceortwicesince。Heturnedquicklyuponthespeaker。
　　"Ezhow？yousez，"saidBill，catchingatthehook。"Idrivesupyersomenight，andyouseztome，’Bill，hevyougottwoseatsovertotheDivideformeandaunty——outonapasear。’AndIsez，’Ihappentohevoneinsideandoneontheboxwithme。’Andyouhandsoutyertrapsandanyvallyblesyedon’twantterleave，andyouputsyourauntinside，andgetsupontheboxwithme。Andyouseztome，ezmantoman，’Bill，’sezyou，’mightyouhevakeppleo’hundreddollarsaboutyethatyecouldlendamanezwasleavingthecounty，deadbroke？’andIsez，’I’vegotit，andIknowofanop’nin’forsuchamaninthenextcounty。’AndyoustepsintoTHATop’nin’，andyourcreditors——’spesh’lyParker——slipsintoTHIS，andinaweektheyofferstosettlewithyetencentsonthedollar。"
　　Jeffstarted，flushed，trembled，recoveredhimself，andafteramomentsaid，doggedly："Ican’tdoit，Bill；Icouldn’t。"
　　"Incourse，"saidBill，puttinghishandsslowlyintohispockets，andstretchinghislegsout——"incourseyecan’tbecauseofawoman!"
　　Jeffturneduponhimlikeahuntedbear。Bothmenrose，butBillalreadyhadhishandonJeff’sshoulder。
　　"Ireckonedaminuteagotherewasasickgalinthehouse!Who’sgoingtomakearownow!Who’sgoingtostampandtearround，eh？"
　　Jeffsankbackonhischair。
　　"Isaidtharwasawoman，"continuedBill；"tharallusisone!Letamanbehell—bentorheaven—bent，somewhereinhistrackisawoman’sfeet。Idon’tsayanythin’aginthisgal，ezagal。Thebestof’em，Jeff，isonlyguide—poststop’intafellowonhisrightroad，andonlyafooloradrunkenmanholdsonto’emorleansaginem。Allowin’thisgalisallyouthinksheis，howfarisyourguide—postgoin’withye，eh？Isshegoin’toleaveherfatherandmotherforye？Isshegoin’togiveupherselfandhereasywaysandhersicknessesforye？Isshewillin’totakeyeforaperpetooallandlordtherestofherlife？Andifsheis，Jeff，areyethemantolether？Areyewillin’torunonhererrants，tofetchherdinnersezyedo？Tharezmenezdoesit；notyerinCaliforny，butoverintheStatesthar’sfellowsiswillingtotakethatsituation。I’veheard，"continuedBill，inalow，mysteriousvoice，asofonedescribingthehabitsoftheAnthropophagi——"I’veheardo’fellowsezcallthemselvesmen，sellin’ofthemselvestorichwomeninthatway。I’veheardo’richgalsbuyin’ofmenfortheirshape；sometimes——butthet’sinfurrin’kintries——fortheirpedigree!I’veheardo’fellowsbein’inthatbusiness，andcallin’themselvesmeninsteado’hosses!Yeain’tthatkindo’
　　man，Jeff。’Tain’tinyerblood。Yerfatherwasafoolaboutwomen，andincoursetheyruinedhim，astheyallusdothebestmen。It’son’ythefoolsandsneaksezawomanevermakesanythin’
　　outof。Whenyehearofamanawomanhezmade，yehearsofanincompoop。Andwhentheydoesproduce’eminthewayo’nater，theyain’tresponsiblefor’em，andsezthey’retheimageo’theirfathers!Yeain’tamanezisgoin’totrustyerfatetoawoman!"
　　"No，"saidJeffdarkly。
　　"Ireckonednot，"saidBill，puttinghishandsinhispocketsagain。"Yemightifyewasoneo’themkindo’fellowsaskemupfrom’FriscowithhertoSacramento。Oneo’themkindo’fellowsezcouldslingpoetryandFrenchandLatintoher——oneofHERkind——
　　butyeain’t!No，sir!"
　　UnwiseWilliamofYuba!InanyotherbreastbutJeff’sthatrandomshotwouldhaveawakenedtheirregularauxiliaryoflove——jealousy!
　　ButJeff，beingatonceproudandhumble，hadneithervanitynorconceit，withoutwhichjealousyisimpossible。Yethewincedalittle，forhehadfeeling，andthensaidearnestly：
　　"Doyouthinkthatopeningyouspokeofwouldholdforadayortwolonger？"
　　"Ireckon。"
　　"Well，then，IthinkIcansettleupmattersheremyownway，andgowithyou，Bill。"
　　Hehadrisen，andyethesitatinglykepthishandonthebackofhischair。"Bill!"
　　"Jeff!"
　　"Iwanttoaskyouaquestion；speakup，anddon’tmindme，butsaythetruth。"
　　OurcraftyUlysses，believingthathewasabouttobeentrapped，ensconcedhimselfinhispockets，cockedoneeye，andsaid："Goon，Jeff。"
　　"WasmyfatherVERYbad？"
　　Billtookhishandsfromhispockets。"Tharisn’tamanezcrawlsabovehisgraveezisworthytolieinthesamegroundwithhim!"
　　"Thankyou，Bill。Goodnight；I’mgoingtoturnin!"
　　"Lookyar，boy!G—dd——nitall，Jeff!whatdoyemean？"
　　Thereweretwotears——twinsistersofthoseinhissweetheart’seyesthatafternoon——nowstandinginJeff’s!
　　Billcaughtbothhishandsinhisown。HadtheybeenoftheLatinracetheywouldhave，righthonestly，takeneachotherintheirarms，andperhapskissed!BeingAnglo—Saxons，theygrippedeachother’shandshard，andone，asabovestated，swore!
　　WhenJeffascendedtohisroomthatnighthewentdirectlytohistrunkandtookoutMissMayfield’sslipper。Alack!duringthedayAuntSallyhad"putthingstorights"inhisroom，andthetrunkhadbeenmoved。Thishadsomewhatdisordereditscontents，andMissMayfield’sslippercontainedadozenshotfromabrokenEley’scartridge，afewquininepills，fourpostagestamps，partofacoralearringwhichJeff——onthemostapocryphalauthority——fondlybelievedbelongedtohismother，whomhehadneverseen，andasmallsilverschoolmedalwhichJeffhadoncereceivedfor"goodconduct，"muchtohisownsurprise，butwhichhestillreligiouslykeptasevidenceofformerconventionalcharacter。Hecoloredalittle，rubbedthemedalandearringruefullyonhissleeve，replacedtheminhistrunk，andthenhastilyemptiedtherestoftheslipper’scontentsonthefloor。Thisdone，hedrewoffhisboots，and，glidingnoiselesslydownthestair，hungtheslipperontheknobofMissMayfield’sdoor，andglidedbackagainwithoutdetection。
　　Rollinghimselfinhisblankets，helaydownonhisbed。Butnottosleep!Staringlywideawake，heatlastfeltthelullingofthewindthatnightlyshookhiscasement，andlistenedwhilethegreat，rambling，creaking，disjointed"Half—wayHouse"slowlysettleditselftorepose。Hethoughtofmanythings；ofhimself，ofhispast，ofhisfuture，butchiefly，Ifear，ofthepaleproudfacenowsleepingcontentedlyinthechamberbelowhim。Hetossedwithmanyplansandprojects，moreorlessimpracticable，andthenbegantodoze。Whereatthemoon，creepinginthewindow，laidacoldwhitearmacrosshim，andeventuallydriedafewfoolishtearsuponhissleepinglashes。
　　IV。
　　AuntSallywasmakingpiesinthekitchenthenextmorningwhenJeffhesitatinglystoleuponher。Themomentwasnotafelicitousone。Pie—makingwasusuallyanaggressivepursuitwithAuntSally，enteredintoseverely，andprosecuteduntothebitterend。AfterwatchingherafewmomentsJeffcameupandplacedhisarmstenderlyaroundher。Peopleverymuchinlovefindrelief，Iamtold，inthisvicariousexpression。
　　"Aunty。"
　　"Well，Jeff!Thar，now——yergittin’alldough!"Nevertheless，thehardfacerelaxedalittle。Somethingofasmilestoleroundhermouth，showingwhatshemighthavebeenbeforetheologyandbittershadsuppliedthenaturalfemininelongings。
　　"Auntydear!"
　　"You——boy!"
　　ItWASaboy’sface——albeitbeardedlikethepard，withanextrafiercenessinthemustaches——thatlookeduponhers。Shecouldnothelpbestowingagrimflourykissuponit。
　　"Well，whatisitnow？"
　　"I’mthinking，aunty，it’shightimeyouandmepackedupourtrapsand’shook’thisyarshanty，andlocatedsomewhereelse。"Jeff’svoicewasostentatiouslycheerful，buthiseyeswerealittleanxious。
　　"WhatforNOW？"
　　Jeffhastilyrecountedhisillluck，andthevariousreasons——
　　exceptingofcoursethedominantone——forhisresolution。
　　"Andwhendoyoukalkilatetogo？"
　　"Ifyou’lllookarterthingshere，"hesitatedJeff，"IreckonI’llgoupalongwithBillto—morrow，andlookroundabit。"
　　"Andhowlongdoyoureckonthatgalwouldstayhereafteryargone？"
　　ThiswasanewandstartlingideatoJeff。Butinhishumilityhesawnothinginittoflatterhisconceit。Ratherthereverse。Hecolored，andthensaidapologetically，——
　　"IthoughtthatyouandJinnycouldgetalongwithoutme。ThebutcherwillpacktheprovisionsoverfromtheFork。"
　　Layingdownherrolling—pin，AuntSallyturneduponJeffwithostentatiousdeliberation。"Yeain’t，"shebeganslowly，"eztakingamanwithwimmenezyourfatherwas——that’safact，JeffBriggs!Theyusedtosaythatnowomanashewentforcouldgetawayfromhim。Butyedon’tmeantosayyerthinkyernotgoodenough——suchasyeare——forthissnipofanoldmaid，ezbigasagolddollar，andasyaller？"
　　"Aunty，"saidJeff，droppinghisboyishmanner，andhiscolorassuddenly，"I’dratheryewouldn’ttalkthatwayofMissMayfield。
　　Yedon’tknowher；andthere’stimes，"headded，withasigh，"ezI
　　reckonyedon’tquiteknowMEeither。Thatyounglady，bein’sick，likestobelookedafter。Anyonecandothatforher。Shedon’tmindwhoitis。Shedon’tcareformeexceptforthat，and，"addedJeffhumbly，"it’squitenatural。"
　　"Ididn’tsayshedid，"returnedAuntSallyviciously；"butseeingezyou’vegotanemptyhouseyeronyerhands，andmea—slavin’
　　hereonjistnothin’，ifthisgal，forthesakeo’gallivantin’
　　withyeforaspell，choosestostayhereandkeepherfamilyhere，andpayhighforit，Idon’tseewhyitain’tyerdutytoProvidenceandmetotakeadvantageofit。"
　　Jeffraisedhiseyestohisaunt’sface。Forthefirsttimeitstruckhimthatshemightbehisfather’ssisterandyethavenobloodinherveinsthatansweredtohis。Therearefewshocksmorestartlingandoverpoweringtooriginalnaturesthanthissuddensenseofloneliness。Jeffcouldnotspeak，butremainedlookingfiercelyather。
　　AuntSallymisinterpretedhissilence，andreturnedtoherworkonthepies。"Thegalain’tnofool，"shecontinued，rollingoutthecrustasifshewerelayingdownbroadpropositions。"SHEreckonsonittoo，ezifitwaschargedinthebillwiththeboardandlodging。Why，didn’tshesaytome，lastnight，thatshekalkilatedaforeshewentawaytobringupsomefriendsfrom’Friscoforafewdays’visit？anddidn’tshesay，inthatpipin’，affectedvoiceo’hers，’Ioughtermakesomereturnforyerkindnessandyernephew’skindness，AuntSally，byshowingpeoplethatcanhelpyou，andkeepyourhousefull，howpleasantitisuphere。’Sheain’tnofool，withallherfaintin’sanddyin’saway!
　　No，JeffBriggs。Andifshewantstoshowyeoffaginthemcityfellowsezsheknows，andyeain’tgotspunkenoughtostandupandshowoffwithher——why"——sheturnedherheadimpatiently，buthewasgone。
　　IfJeffhadeverwaveredinhisresolutionhewouldhavebeensteadyenoughNOW。Buthehadneverwavered；theconvictionsandresolutionsofsuddenlyawakenedcharacterareseldommovedbyexpediency。Hewaseagertotastethebitterdregsofhiscupatonce。Hebegantopackhistrunk，andmakehispreparationsfordeparture。WithoutavoidingMissMayfieldinthisnewexcitement，henolongerfelttheneedofherpresence。Hehadsatisfiedhisfeverishanxietiesbyplacinghistrunkinthehallbesidehisopendoor，andwassittingonhisbed，wrestlingwithafadedandovertaskedcarpet—bagthatwouldnotcloseandaccepthishardconditions，whenasmallvoicefromthestaircasethrilledhim。Hewalkedtothecorridor，and，lookingdown，beheldMissMayfieldmidwayonthestepsofthestaircase。
　　Shehadneverlookedsobeautifulbefore!Jeffhadonlyseenherinthosesoftenwrappingsandhalf—deshabillethatbelongtoinvalidfemininity。Alwaysrefinedandmodestthus，inherpresentwalking—costumetherewasaddedaslighttouchofcoquettishadornment。Therewasabrightnessofcolorinhercheekandeye，partlytheresultofclimbingthestaircase，partlytheresultofthataudaciousimpulsethathadledher——amodestvirgin——toseekagentlemaninthispersonalfashion。Modestyinayounggirlhasacomfortablesatisfyingcharm，recognizedeasilybyallhumanity；
　　buthemustbeasorryknaveoraworseprigwhoisnotdeliciouslythrilledwhenModestyputshercharminglittlefootjustoverthethresholdofPropriety。
　　"ThemountainwouldnotcometoMohammed，soMohammedmustcometothemountain，"saidMissMayfield。"Motherisasleep，AuntSallyisatworkinthekitchen，andhereamI，alreadydressedforarambleinthisbrightafternoonsunshine，andnoonetogowithme。
　　But，perhaps，you，too，arebusy？"
　　"No，miss。Iwillbewithyouinamoment。"
　　IwishIcouldsaythathewentbacktocalmhispulses，whichthedangerousmusicofMissMayfield’svoicehadsettothrobbing，byafewmoments’calmanddispassionatereflection。Butheonlyreturnedtobrushhiscurlsoutofhiseyesandears，andtobuttonoverhisblueflannelshirtawhitelinencollar，whichhethoughtmightbetterharmonizewithMissMayfield’sattire。
　　Shewassittingonthestaircase，pokingherparasolthroughthebalusters。"Youneednothavetakenthattrouble，Mr。Jeff，"shesaidpleasantly。"YOUareapartofthismountainpictureatalltimes；butIamobligedtothinkofdress。"
　　"Itwasnotrouble，miss。"
　　Somethinginthetoneofhisvoicemadeherlookinhisfaceassherose。Itwasatriflepaler，andalittleolder。Theresult，doubtless，thoughtMissMayfield，ofhisyesterday’sexperiencewiththedeputy—sheriff。
　　Suchwasherrapiddeduction。Nevertheless，afterthefashionofhersex，sheimmediatelybegantoarguefromquiteanotherhypothesis。
　　"Youareangrywithme，Mr。Jeff。"
　　"What，I——MissMayfield？"
　　"Yes，you!"
　　"MissMayfield!"
　　"Ohyes，youare。Don’tdenyit？"
　　"Uponmysoul——"
　　"Yes!Yougivemepunishmentsand——penances!"
　　Jeffopenedhisblueeyesonhistormentor。CouldAuntSallyhavebeensayinganything？
　　"Ifanybody，MissMayfield——"hebegan。
　　"Nobodybutyou。Lookhere!"
　　Sheextendedherlittlehandwithasmile。InthecentreofherpalmlayfourshiningdoubleBSHOT。
　　"There!Ifoundthoseinmyslipperthismorning!"Jeffwasspeechless。
　　"OfcourseYOUdidit!OfcourseitwasYOUwhofoundmyslipper!"
　　saidMissMayfield，laughing。"Butwhydidyouputshotinit，Mr。
　　Jeff？InsomeCatholiccountries，whenpeoplehavedonewrong，thepriestsmakethemdopenancebywalkingwithpeasintheirshoes!
　　WhathaveIeverdonetoyou？AndwhySHOT？They’reeversomuchharderthanpeas。"
　　Seeingonlythemischievous，laughingfacebeforehim，andtheopenpalmcontainingthedamningevidenceofthebrokenEley’scartridge，Jeffstammeredoutthetruth。
　　"Ifoundtheslipperinthebear—skin，MissMayfield。Iputitinmytrunktokeep，thinkingyerwouldn’tmissit，andit’sbeingakindofremembranceafteryou’regoneaway——of——ofthenightyoucamehere。Somebodymovedthetrunkinmyroom，"andhehunghisheadhere。"Thethingsinsideallgotmixedup。"
　　"Andthatmadeyouchangeyourmindaboutkeepingit？"saidMissMayfield，stillsmiling。
　　"No，miss。"
　　"Whatwasit，then？"
　　"Igaveitbacktoyou，MissMayfield，becauseIwasgoingaway。"
　　"Indeed!Where？"
　　"I’mgoingtofindanotherlocation。Maybeyou’venoticed，"hecontinued，fallingbackintohisoldapologeticmannerinspiteofhisprideofresolution——"maybeyou’venoticedthatthisplaceherehasnoadvantagesforahotel。"
　　"Ihadnot，indeed。Ihavebeenverycomfortable。"
　　"Thankyou，miss。"
　　"Whendoyougo？"
　　"To—night。"
　　Forallhisprideandfixedpurposehecouldnothelplookingeagerlyinherface。MissMayfield’seyesmethispleasantlyandquietly。
　　"I’msorrytopartwithyousosoon，"shesaid，asshesteppedbackapaceortwowithfoldedhands。"Ofcourseeverymomentofyourtimenowisoccupied。Youmustnotthinkofwastingitonme。"
　　ButJeffhadrecoveredhissadcomposure。"I’dliketogowithyou，MissMayfield。It’sthelasttime，youknow，"headdedsimply。
　　MissMayfielddidnotreply。Itwasatacitassent，however，althoughshemovedsomewhatstifflyathissideastheywalkedtowardsthedoor。QuiteconvincedthatJeff’sresolutioncamefromhispecuniarytroubles，MissMayfieldwaswonderingifshehadnotbetterassurehimofhissecurityfromfurtherannoyancefromDodd。
　　Wonderfulcomplexityoffemaleintellect!shewasalittlehurtathisingratitudetoherforakindnesshecouldnotpossiblyhaveknown。MissMayfieldfeltthatinsomewayshewasunjustlytreated。Howmanyofourmiserablesex，incapableofdivination，havebeencrushedunderthatunreasonablefemininereproof，"Yououghttohaveknown!"
　　Theafternoonsunwasindeedshiningbrightlyastheysteppedoutbeforethebleakangleofthe"Half—wayHouse"；butitfailedtomitigatethehabituallypracticalausterityofthemountainbreeze——
　　afactwhichMissMayfieldhadneverbeforenoticed。Thehousewascertainlybleakandexposed；thesitebynomeansapoeticalone。Shewonderedifshehadnotputaromanceintoit，andperhapsevenintothemanbesideher，whichdidnotbelongtoeither。Itwasamomentofdangerousdoubt。
　　"Idon’tknowbutthatyou’reright，Mr。Jeff，"shesaidfinally，astheyfacedthehill，andbegantheascenttogether。"Thisplaceisalittlequeer，andbleak，and——unattractive。"
　　"Yes，miss，"saidJeff，withdirectsimplicity，"I’vealwayswonderedwhatyousawinittomakeyoucontenttostay，whenitwouldbesomuchprettier，andmoresuitableforyouatthe’Summit。’"
　　MissMayfieldbitherlip，andwassilent。Afterafewmoments’
　　climbingshesaid，almostpettishly，"Whereisthisfamous’Summit’？"
　　Jeffstopped。Theyhadreachedthetopofthehill。Hepointedacrossanolive—greenchasmtoahigherlevel，where，baskinginthedecliningsun，clusteredthelongramblingoutbuildingsaroundthewhiteblinkingfacadeofthe"SummitHouse。"Framedinpinesandhemlocks，tenderwithsoftgrayshadows，andnestlingbeyondaforegroundofcultivatedslope，itwasacharmingrusticpicture。
　　MissMayfield’squickeyetookinitsdetails。Herquickintellecttookinsomethingelse。Shehadseatedherselfontheroad—bank，and，claspingherkneesbetweenherlockedfingers，shesuddenlylookedupatJeff。"Whatpossessedyoutocomehalf—wayupamountain，insteadofgoingontothetop？"
　　"Poverty，miss!"
　　MissMayfieldflushedalittleatthispracticaldirectanswertoherhalf—figurativequestion。However，shebegantothinkthatmoralAlpine—climbingyouthmighthavepecuniaryrestrictionsintheirhighambitions，andthattheheroof"Excelsior"mighthavesuccumbedtomorepowerfuloppositionthanthewisdomofAgeortheblandishmentsofBeauty。
　　"Youmeanthatpovertyupthereismoreexpensive？"
　　"Yes，miss。"
　　"Butyouwouldliketolivethere？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Theywerebothsilent。MissMayfieldglancedatJeffunderthecornersofherlashes。Hewasleaningagainstatree，absorbedinthought。Accustomedtolookuponhimasapleasingpicturesqueobject，quitefresh，original，andcharacteristic，shewassomewhatdisturbedtofindthatto—dayhepresentedcertainotherqualitieswhichclearlydidnotagreewithherpreconceivedideasofhiscondition。Hehadabandonedhisusuallargetop—bootsforlowshoes，andshecouldnothelpnoticingthathisfeetweresmallandslenderaswerehishands，albeitbrownedbyexposure。Hisruddycolorwasgonetoo，andhisface，palewithsorrowandexperience，hadanewexpression。Hisbuttoned—upcoatandwhitecollar，sounlikehisusualself，alsohaditssuggestions——whichMissMayfieldwasatfirstinclinedtoresent。Womenarequicktonoticeandaugurmoreorlesswiselyfromthesesmalldetails。
　　Nevertheless，shebeganinquiteanothertone。
　　"Doyourememberyourmother——MR。——MR。——BRIGGS？"
　　Jeffnoticedthenewepithet。"No，miss；shediedwhenIwasquiteyoung。"
　　"Yourfather，then？"
　　Jeff’seyekindledalittle，aggressively。"IrememberHIM。"
　　"Whatwashe？"
　　"MissMayfield!"
　　"Whatwashisbusinessorprofession？"
　　"He——hadn’t——any!"
　　"Oh，Isee——agentlemanofproperty。"
　　Jeffhesitated，lookedatMissMayfieldhurriedly，colored，anddidnotreply。
　　"Andlosthisproperty，Mr。Briggs？"Withoneofthoserareimpulsesofanovertaskedgentlenature，Jeffturneduponheralmostsavagely。"Myfatherwasagambler，andshothimselfatagamblingtable。"
　　MissMayfieldrosehurriedly。"I——Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Jeff。"
　　Jeffwassilent。
　　"Youknow——youMUSTknow——Ididnotmean——"
　　Noreply。
　　"Mr。Jeff!"
　　Herlittlehandflutteredtowardhim，andlituponhissleeve，whereitwassuddenlycapturedandpressedpassionatelytohislips。
　　"Ididnotmeantobethoughtlessorunkind，"saidMissMayfield，discreetlykeepingtothepoint，andtryingweaklytodisengageherhand。"YouknowIwouldn’thurtyourfeelings。"
　　"Iknow，MissMayfield。"（Anotherkiss。）
　　"Iwasignorantofyourhistory。"
　　"Yes，miss。"（Akiss。）
　　"AndifIcoulddoanythingforyou，Mr。Jeff——"Shestopped。
　　Itwasaverytryingposition。Beingsmall，shewasdrawnafterherhandquiteuptoJeff’sshoulder，whilehe，assentinginmonosyllables，waspartingthefingers，andkissingthemseparately。Reasonablediscourseinthisattitudewasoutofthequestion。Shehadrecoursetostrategy。
　　"Oh!"
　　"MissMayfield!"
　　"Youhurtmyhand。"
　　Jeffdroppeditinstantly。MissMayfieldputitinthepocketofhersacqueforsecurity。Besides，ithadbeensobekissedthatitseemedunpleasantlyconscious。
　　"Iwishyouwouldtellmeallaboutyourself，"shewenton，withacertaincharmingfemininesubmissionofmannerquiteunlikeherordinaryspeech；"Ishouldliketohelpyou。PerhapsIcan。YouknowIamquiteindependent；Imean——"
　　Shepaused，forJeff’sfacebetrayednosignsofsympatheticfollowing。
　　"ImeanIamwhatpeoplecallrichinmyownright。IcandoasI
　　pleasewithmyown。Ifanyofyourtrouble，Mr。Jeff，arisesfromwantofmoney，orcapital；ifanyconsiderationofthatkindtakesyouawayfromyourhome；ifIcouldsaveyouTHATTROUBLE，andfindforyou——perhapsalittlenearer——thatwhichyouareseeking，I
　　wouldbesogladtodoit。Youwillfindtheworldverywide，andverycold，Mr。Jeff，"shecontinued，withacertainairofpracticalsuperiorityquitenaturaltoher，butexplicabletoherfriendsandacquaintancesonlyastheconsciousnessofpecuniaryindependence；"andIwishyouwouldbefrankwithme。AlthoughI
　　amawoman，Iknowsomethingofbusiness。"
　　"Iwillbefrankwithyou，miss，"saidJeff，turningacolorlessfaceuponher。"IfyouwasezrichastheBankofCalifornia，andcouldthrowyourmoneyonanyfancyorwhimthatstruckyouatthemoment；ifyoufeltyoucouldbuyupanymanandwomaninCaliforniathatwaswillingtobeboughtup；andifmeandmyauntwerestarvingintheroad，wewouldn’ttouchthemoneythatwehadn’tearnedfairly，anddidn’tbelongtous。No，miss，Iain’tthatsorto’man!"
　　Howmuchofthisspeech，initsbrusquenessandslang，wasanechoofYubaBill’steaching，howmuchofitwasapartofJeff’sinwardweakness，Icannotsay。HesawMissMayfieldrecoilfromhim。Itaddedtohisbitternessthathisthought，forthefirsttimevoiced，appearedtohimbynomeansaseffectiveorpowerfulashehadimagineditwouldbe，buthecouldnotrecedefromit；andtherewasthereliefthattheworsthadcome，andwasovernow。
　　MissMayfieldtookherhandoutofherpocket。"Idon’tthinkyouquiteunderstandme，Mr。Jeff，"shesaidquietly；"andIHOPEI
　　don’tunderstandyou。"Shewalkedstifflyathissideforafewmoments，butfinallytooktheothersideoftheroad。Theyhadbothturned，halfunconsciously，backagaintothe"Half—wayHouse。"
　　Jefffelt，likeallquarrel—seekers，righteousorunrighteous，thefullburdenofthefight。Ifhecouldhaverelievedhismind，andatthenextmomentleapeduponYubaBill’scoach，andsopassedaway——withoutafurtherwordofexplanation——allwouldhavebeenwell。Buttowalkbackwiththisgirl，whomhehadjustshakenoff，andwhomustnowthoroughlyhatehim，wassomethinghehadnotpreconceived，inthatdelightfulforecastoftheimagination，whenwedeterminewhatWEshallsayanddowithouttheleastconsiderationofwhatmaybesaidordonetousinreturn。Noquarrelproceedsexactlyasweexpect；peoplehavesuchawayofbehavingillogically!
　　AndherewasMissMayfield，whowasclearlyderelict，andwhoshouldhaveactedunderthatconviction，walkingalongontheothersideoftheroad，trailingthesplendorofherparasolinthedustlikeanoffendedgoddess。
　　Theyhadalmostreachedthehouse。"Atwhattimedoyougo，Mr。
　　Briggs？"askedtheyoungladyquietly。
　　"Atelevento—night，bytheupstage。"
　　"Iexpectsomefriendsbythatstage——comingwithmyfather。"
　　"Myauntwilltakegoodcareofthem，"saidJeff，alittlebitterly。
　　"Ihavenodoubt，"respondedMissMayfieldgravely；"butIwasnotthinkingofthat。Ihadhopedtointroducethemtoyouto—morrow。
　　ButIshallnotbeupsolateto—night。AndIhadbettersaygood—bytoyounow。"
　　Sheextendedtheunkissedhand。Jefftookit，butpresentlyletthelimpfingersfallthroughhisown。
　　"Iwishyougoodfortune，Mr。Briggs。"
　　Shemadeagravelittlebow，andvanishedintothehouse。Buthere，Iregrettosay，herlady—likecalmalsovanished。SheupbraidedhermotherpeevishlyforobliginghertoseektheescortofMr。Briggsinhernecessaryexercise，andflungherselfwithaninjuredairuponthesofa。
　　"ButIthoughtyoulikedthisMr。Briggs。Heseemsanaccommodatingsortofperson。"
　　"Veryaccommodating。Goingawayjustasweareexpectingcompany!"
　　"Goingaway？"saidMrs。Mayfieldinalarm。"Surelyhemustbetoldthatweexpectsomepreparationforourfriends？"
　　"Oh，"saidMissMayfieldquickly，"hisauntwillarrangeTHAT。"
　　Mrs。Mayfield，habituallymystifiedatherdaughter’smoods，saidnomore。She，however，fulfilledherdutyconscientiouslybyrising，throwingawrapovertheyounggirl，tuckingitinatherfeet，andhaving，asitwere，drawnacharitableveiloverherpeculiarities，leftheralone。
　　Athalfpasttenthecoachdasheduptothe"Half—wayHouse，"withaflashoflightsandaburstofcheeryvoices。Jeff，comingupontheporch，wasmetbyMr。Mayfield，accompanyingaladyandtwogentlemen，——evidentlytheguestsalludedtobyhisdaughter。
　　AccustomedasJeffhadbecometoMr。Mayfield’spatronizingsuperiority，itseemedunbearablenow，andtheeasyindifferenceofthegueststohisownpresencetouchedhimwithanewbitterness。
　　HerewereHERfriends，whoweretotakehisplace。ItwasarelieftograspYubaBill’slargehandandstandwithhimalonebesidethebar。
　　"I’mreadytogowithyouto—night，Bill，"saidJeff，afterapause。
　　Billputdownhisglass——asignofabsorbinginterest。
　　"AndtheseyarstrangersIfetched？"
　　"Auntywilltakecareofthem。I’vefixedeverything。"
　　BilllaidbothhispowerfulhandsonJeff’sshoulders，backedhimagainstthewall，andsurveyedhimwithgreatgravity。
　　"Briggs’ssonclarthrough!Alittleoffcolor，butthegritallthar!Bullyforyou，Jeff。"HewrungJeff’shandbetweenhisown。
　　"Bill!"saidJeffhesitatingly。
　　"Jeff!"
　　"Youwouldn’tmindmygettingupontheboxNOW，beforeallthefolksgetround？"
　　"Ireckonnot。Thar’sthebox—seatallreadyforye。"
　　Climbingtohishighperch，Jeff，indistinguishableinthedarkness，lookedoutupontheporchandthemovingfiguresofthepassengers，onBillgrowlingouthisorderstohisactivehostler，andonthetwinklinglightsofthehotelwindows。Inthemysteryofthenightandthebitternessofhisheart，everythinglookedstrange。TherewasalightinMissMayfield’sroom，butthecurtainsweredrawn。Oncehethoughttheymoved，butthen，fearfulofthefascinationofwatchingthem，heturnedhisfaceresolutelyaway。
　　Then，tohisrelief，thehourcame；thepassengersre—enteredthecoach；Billhadmountedthebox，andwasslowlygatheringhisreins，whenashrillvoicerosefromtheporch。
　　"Oh，Jeff!"
　　Jeffleanedananxiousfaceoutoverthecoachlamps。
　　ItwasAuntSally，breathlessandontiptoe，reachingwithaletter。"Suthin’youforgot!"Then，inahoarsestagewhisper，perfectlyaudibletoeveryone："FromHER!"
　　Jeffseizedtheletterwithaburningface。Thewhipsnapped，andthestageplungedforwardintothedarkness。PresentlyYubaBillreacheddown，coollydetachedoneofthecoachlamps，andhandedittoJeffwithoutaword。
　　Jefftoreopentheenvelope。ItcontainedCyrusParker’sbillreceipted，andthewrit。Anothersmallinclosurecontainedtendollars，andafewlineswritteninpencilinalargemasculinebusinesshand。BythelightofthelampJeffreadasfollows：——
　　"Ihopeyouwillforgivemeforhavingtriedtohelpyoueveninthisaccidentalway，beforeIknewhowstrongwereyourobjectionstohelpfromme。Nobodyknowsthisbutmyself。EvenMr。Doddthinksmyfatheradvancedthemoney。Thetendollarstherascalwouldhavekept，butImadehimdisgorgeit。Ididitallwhileyouwerelookingfortheletterinthewoods。Prayforgetallaboutit，andanypainyoumayhavehadfromJ。M。"
　　Frankandpracticalasthisletterappearedtobe，and，doubtless，asitwasintendedtobebyitswriter，thereaderwillnotfailtonoticethatMissMayfieldsaidnothingofhavingoverheardJeff’squarrelwiththedeputy，andlefthimtoinferthatthatfunctionaryhadbetrayedhim。Itwassimplyoneofthoseunpleasantdetailsnotaffectingtheresult，usuallyoverlookedinfeminineethics。
　　ForamomentJeffsatpaleanddumb，crushedundertheruinsofhisprideandself—love。ForamomenthehatedMissMayfield，smallandtriumphant!Howshemusthaveinwardlylaughedathisspeechthatmorning!Withwhatrefinedcrueltyshehadsavedthisevidenceofhishumiliation，toworkhervengeanceonhimnow。Hecouldnotstandit!Hecouldnotliveunderit!Hewouldgobackandsellthehouse——hisclothes——everything——topaythiswicked，heartless，cruelgirl，thatwaskilling——yes，killing——
　　Astronghandtooktheswinging—lanternfromhisunsteadyfingers，astronghandpossesseditselfofthepapersandMissMayfield’snote，astrongarmwasdrawnaroundhim，——forhisfigurewasswayingtoandfro，hisheadwasgiddy，andhishathadfallenoff，——andastrongvoice，albeitalittlehusky，whisperedinhisear，——
　　"Easy，boy!easyonthedowngrade。It’llbealloneinaminit。"
　　Jefftriedtocomprehendhim，buthisbrainwaswhirling。