XIX。
　　TheearlyMondaymorningtrainwhichbroughtVerrianuptotownwassoveryearlythathecouldsitdowntobreakfastwithhismotheronlyalittlelaterthantheirusualhour。
　　Shehadcalledjoyfullytohimfromherroom，whensheheardtherattlingofhiskeyashelethimselfintotheapartment，and，afteranexchangeofgreetings，shoutedbackandforthbeforetheysaweachother，theycouldcomeatoncetothehistoryofhisabsenceovertheircoffee。
　　"Youmusthavehadaverygoodtime，tostaysolong。AfteryouwrotethatyouwouldnotbebackThursday，IexpecteditwouldbeSaturdaytillIgotyourtelegram。ButI’mgladyoustayed。Youcertainlyneededtherest。"
　　"Yes，ifthosethingsareeverarest。"Helookeddownathiscupwhilehestirredthecoffeeinit，andshestudiedhisattitude，sinceshecouldnotseehisfacefully，forthesecretofanyvitalchangethatmighthavecomeuponhim。Itcouldbethatintheintervalsinceshehadseenhimhehadseenthewomanwhowastotakehimfromher。Shewasalwayspreparingherselfforthat，knowingthatitmustcomealmostascertainlyasdeath，andknowingthatwithallherpreparationsheshouldnotbereadyforit。"I’vegotratheralongstorytotellyouandratherastrangestory，"hesaid，liftinghisheadandlookinground，butnotsoimpersonallythathismotherdidnotknowwellenoughtosaytotheSwedishserving-woman：
　　"Youneedn’tstay，Margit。I’llgiveMr。Philiphisbreakfast。Well！"
　　sheadded，whentheywerealone。
　　"Well，"hereturned，withasmilethatsheknewhewasforcing，"Ihaveseenthegirlthatwrotethatletter。"
　　"NotJerushaBrown？"
　　"NotJerushaBrown，butthegirlallthesame。"
　　"Nowgoon，Philip，anddon’tmissasingleword！"shecommandedhim，withanimperiousbreathlessness。"YouknowIwon’thurryyouorinterruptyou，butyoumust——youreallymust-tellmeeverything。Don’tleaveouttheslightestdetail。"
　　"Iwon’t，"hesaid。Butshewasaware，fromtimetotime，thatshewaskeepingherwordbetterthanhewaskeepinghis，inhisaccountofmeetingMissShirleyandallthefollowingevents。
　　"Youcanimagine，"hesaid，"whatasensationtheswooningmade，andthecommotionthatfollowedit。"
　　"Yes，Icanimaginethat，"sheanswered。Butshewasyetsofaithfulthatshewouldnotaskhimtogoon。
　　Hecontinued，unasked，"Idon’tknowjusthow，now，toaccountforitscomingintomyheadthatitwasMissAndrewswhowasmyunknowncorrespondent。IsupposeI’vealwaysunconsciouslyexpectedtomeetthatgirl，andMissAndrews’shypotheticalcasewaspsychologicallysoparallel——"
　　"Yes，yes！"
　　"AndI’vesometimesbeenafraidthatIjudgedittooharshly——thatitwasameregirlishfreakwithoutanysortofseriousimport。"
　　"Iwassometimesafraidso，Philip。But——"
　　"AndIdon’tbelievenowthatthehypotheticalcasebroughtanyintolerablestressofconscienceuponMissShirley，orthatshefaintedfromanycausebutexhaustionfromthegeneralordeal。Shewasstillweakfromthesicknessshehadbeenthrough——tooweaktobearthestrainoftheworkshehadtakenup。Ofcourse，thecatastrophegavethewholesurfacesituationaway，andImustsaythatthoseratherbanalyoungpeoplebehavedveryhumanelyaboutit。Therewasnothingbutinterestofthenicestkind，and，ifsheisgoingonwithhercareer，itwillbeeasyenoughforhertofindengagementsafterthis。"
　　"Whyshouldn’tshegoon？"hismotherasked，withasuspicionwhichshekeptwelloutofsight。
　　"Well，aswellasshecouldexplainafterwards，thecatastrophetookherworkoutofthecategoryofbusinessandmadeheracceptanceinitamatterofsentiment。"
　　"Sheexplainedittoyouherself？"
　　"Yes，thegeneralsympathyhadpenetratedtoMrs。Westangle，thoughI
　　don’tsaythatshehadbeenmorethannegativelyindifferenttoMissShirley’sclaimonherbefore。Asitwas，shesentformetoherroomthenextmorning，andIfoundMissShirleyalonethere。ShesaidMrs。
　　Westanglewouldbedowninamoment。"
　　Now，indeed，Mrs。Verriancouldnotgovernherselffromsaying，"Idon’tlikeit，Philip。"
　　"Iknewyouwouldn’t。ItwaswhatIsaidtomyselfatthetime。YouweresopresentwithmethatIseemedtohaveyoutherechaperoningtheinterview。"Hismothershrugged，andhewenton："Shesaidshewishedtotellmesomethingfirst，andthenshesaid，"IwanttodoitwhileIhavethecourage，ifit’scourage;perhapsit’sjustdesperation。IamJerushaBrown。"
　　Hismotherbegan，"Butyousaid——"andthenstoppedherself。
　　"IknowthatIsaidshewasn’t，butsheexplained，whileIsatthererathermum，thattherewasreallyanothergirl，andthattheothergirl’snamewasreallyJerushaBrown。ShewasthedaughterofthepostmasterinthevillagewhereMissShirleywaspassingthesummer。Infact，MissShirleywasboardinginthepostmaster’sfamily，andthegirlshadbecomeveryfriendly。Theywerereadingmystorytogether，andtalkingaboutit，andtryingtoguesshowitwouldcomeout，justasthelettersaid，andtheysimultaneouslyhituponthenotionofwritingtome。Itseemedtothemthatitwouldbeagoodjoke——I’mnotdefendingit，mother，andI
　　mustsayMissShirleydidn’tdefendit，either——toworkuponmyfeelingsinthewaytheytried，andtheydidn’trealizewhattheyhaddonetillArmiger’slettercame。Italmostdrovethemwild，shesaid;buttheyhadalucidinterval，andtheytookthelettertothegirl’sfatherandtoldhimwhattheyhaddone。Hewasawfullyseverewiththemfortheirfoolishness，andsaidtheymustwritetoArmigeratonceandconfessthefact。Thentheysaidtheyhadwrittenalready，andshowedhimthesecondletter，andexplainedtheyhaddecidedtoletMissBrawnwriteitinherpersonaloneforthereasonshegaveinit。ButMissShirleytoldhimshewasreadytotakeherfullshareoftheblame，and，ifanythingcameofit，sheauthorizedhimtoputthewholeblameonher。"
　　Verrianmadeapausewhichhismothertookforinvitationorpermissiontoask，"Andwashesatisfiedwiththat？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Iwasn’t，andit’sonlyjusttoMissShirleytosaythatshewasn’t，either。Shedidn’ttrytojustifyittome;shemerelysaidshewassofrightenedthatshecouldn’thavedoneanything。ShemayhaverealizedmorethantheBrowngirlwhattheyhaddone。"
　　"Thepostmaster，didheregarditasanythingworsethanfoolishness？"
　　"Idon’tbelievehedid。Atanyrate，hewassatisfiedwithwhathisdaughterhaddoneinowningup。"
　　"Well，Ialwayslikedthatgirl’sletter。Anddidtheyshowhimyourletter？"
　　"Itseemsthattheydid。"
　　"Andwhatdidhesayaboutthat？"
　　"Isuppose，whatIdeserved。MissShirleywouldn’tsay，explicitly。Hewantedtoanswerit，buttheywouldn’tlethim。Idon’tknowbutI
　　shouldfeelbetterifhehad。Ihaven’tbeenproudofthatletterofmineastimehasgoneon，mother;IthinkIbehavedverynarrow-mindedly，verypersonallyinit。"
　　"Youbehavedjustly。"
　　"Justly？Ithoughtyouhadyourdoubtsofthat。Atanyrate，Ihadwhenitcametohearingthegirlaccusingherselfasifshehadbeenguiltyofsomemonstrouswickedness，andIrealizedthatIhadmadeherfeelso。"
　　"Shethrewherselfonyourpity！"
　　"No，shedidn’t，mother。Don’tmakeitimpossibleformetotellyoujusthowitwas。"
　　"Iwon’t。Goon。"
　　"Idon’tsayshewasmanlyaboutit;thatcouldn’tbe，butshewascertainlynotthrowingherselfonmypity，unless——unless——"
　　"What？"
　　"Unlessyoucallitsoforhertosaythatshewantedtoownuptome，becauseshecouldhavenoresttillshehaddoneso;shecouldn’tputitbehindhertillshehadacknowledgedit;shecouldn’twork;shecouldn’tgetwell。"
　　Hesawhismothertryingtoconsideritfairly，andinresponseherenewedhisownresolutionnottomakehimselfthegirl’sadvocatewithher，buttocontinuethedispassionatehistorianofthecase。Atthesametimehismemorywasfilledwiththevisionofhowshehaddoneandsaidthethingshewastelling，withwhatpathos，withwhatgrace，withwhatbeautyinherappeal。Hesawthetearsthatcameintohereyesattimesandthatsheindignantlyrepressedasshehurriedonintheconfessionwhichshewasvoluntarilymaking，fortherewasnooutwardstressuponhertosayanything。Hefeltagainthecharmofthesituation，thesortofwarmthandintimacy，butheresolvednottoletthatfeelingoffsettheimpartialityofhisstory。
　　"No，Idon’tsayshethrewherselfonyourmercy，"hismothersaid，finally。"Sheneedn’thavetoldyouanything。"
　　"Exceptforthereasonshegave——thatshecouldn’tmakeastartforherselftillshehaddoneso。Andshehasgotherownwaytomake;sheispoor。Ofcourse，youmaysayhermotivewasanobsession，andnotareason。"
　　"There’srealityinit，whateveritis;it’sagenuinemotive，"Mrs。
　　Verrianconceded。
　　"Ithinkso，"Verriansaid，inavoicewhichhetriedtokeepfromsoundingtoograteful。
　　Apparentlyhismotherdidnotfinditso。Sheasked，"Whathadbeenthematterwithher，didshesay？"
　　"Inherlongsickness？Oh！Anervousfeverofsomesort。"
　　"Fromworryingaboutthatexperience？"
　　Verrianreluctantlyadmitted，"Shesaiditmadeherwanttodie。Idon’tsupposewecanquiterealize——"
　　"Weneedn’tbelieveeverythingshesaidtorealizethatshesuffered。
　　Butgirlsexaggeratetheirsufferings。Isupposeyoutoldhernottothinkofitanymore？"
　　Verriangaveanoddlaugh。"Well，notunconditionally。Itriedtogivehermypointofview。AndIstipulatedthatsheshouldtellJerushaBrownallaboutit，andkeepherfromhavinganervousfever，too。"
　　"Thatwasright。Youmustseethatevencowardicecouldn’texcuseherselfishnessinlettingthatgirltakeallthechances。"
　　"AndI’mafraidIwasnotveryunselfishmyselfinmystipulations，"
　　Verriansaid，withanotherlaugh。"IthinkthatIwantedtostandwellwiththepostmaster。"
　　TherewasanoteofcynicaleaseinthiswhichMrs。Verrianfoundmorallysomeoctaveslowerthanthepitchofherson’shabitualseriousnessinwhatconcernedhimself，butshecouldnotmakeitacensuretohim。"Andyouwereabletoreassureher，sothatsheneedn’tthinkofitanymore？"
　　"Whatwouldyouhavewishedmetodo？"hereturned，dryly。"Don’tyouthinkshehadsufferedenough？"
　　"Oh，inthissortofthingitdoesn’tseemthequestionofsuffering。
　　Ifthere’swrongdonethepenaltydoesn’trightit。"
　　ThenotionstruckVerrian’sartisticsense。"That’strue。Thatwouldmakethe’donnee’ofastrongstory。Oraplay。It’sadramaoffate。
　　It’sGreek。ButIthoughtwelivedunderanotherdispensation。"
　　"WillshetrytogetmoreofthekindofthingshewasdoingforMrs。
　　Westangleatonce？Orhasshesomepeople？"
　　"No;onlyfriends，asIunderstand。"
　　"Whereisshefrom？Upcountry？"
　　"No，she’sfromtheSouth。"
　　"Idon’tlikeSoutherners！"
　　"Iknowyoudon’t，mother。ButyoumusthonorthewaytheyworkandgetonwhentheycomeNorthandbegindoingforthemselves。Besides，MissShirley’sfamilywentSouthafterthewar——"
　　"Oh，notevenaREALSoutherner！"
　　"Mother！"
　　"Iknow！I’mnotfair。Ioughttobegherpardon。AndIoughttobegladit’sallover。Shallyouseeheragain？"
　　"Itmighthappen。ButIdon’tknowhoworwhen。Wepartedfriends，butwepartedstrangers，sofarasanyprevisionofthefutureisconcerned，"
　　Verriansaid。
　　Hismotherdrewalongbreath，whichshetriedtorenderinaudible。
　　"Andthegirlthataskedherthestrangequestions，didyouseeheragain？"
　　"Ohyes。Shehadacuriousfascination。Ishouldliketotellyouabouther。Doyouthinkthere’ssuchathingasagirl’sbeingtooinnocent？"
　　"Itisn’tsocommonasnotbeinginnocentenough。"
　　"Butit’smoredifficult？"
　　"Ihopeyou’llneverfinditso，myson，"Mrs。Verriansaid。Andforthefirsttimeshewasintentionallypersonal。"Goon。"
　　"AboutMissAndrews？"
　　"Whicheveryouplease。"
　　"Shewaylaidmeintheafternoon，asIwascominghomefromawalk，andwantedtotalkwithmeaboutMissShirley。"
　　"IsupposeMissShirleywastheday’sheroineafterwhathadhappened？"
　　"Thehalf-day’s，orquarter-day’sheroine，perhaps。SheleftonthechurchtrainfortownyesterdaymorningsoonafterIsawher。MissAndrewsseemedtothinkIwasanauthorityonthesubject，andsheapproachedmewithalarge-eyedawethatwasveryamusing，thoughitwasaffecting，too。Isupposethatgirlsmusthavemanyworshipsforothergirlsbeforetheyhaveanyworshipforaman。Thisgirlcouldn’tseparateMissShirley，onthelookoutforanotherengagement，fromthepsychicalpartshehadplayed。Sheravedabouther;shethoughtshewasbeautiful，andshewantedtoknowallaboutherandhowshecouldhelpher。MissAndrews’sparentsarerichbutrespectable，Iunderstand，andshe’sanonlychild。Icameinforashareofherawe;shehadfoundoutthatIwasnotonlynotVerriantheactor，butanauthorofthesamename，andshehadreadmystorywithpassionateinterest，butapparentlyinthatunliterarywayofmanypeoplewithoutnoticingwhowroteit;sheseemedtohavethoughtitwasHardingDavisorHenryJames;shewasn’tclearwhich。Butitwasagooddealtohavehadherreaditatallinthathouse;Idon’tbelieveanybodyelsehad，exceptMissShirleyandMissMacroyd。"
　　Mrs。Verriandeferredamatterthatwouldordinarilyhaveinterestedhersupremelytoanimmediatecuriosity。"AndhowcameshetothinkyouwouldknowsomuchaboutMissShirley？"
　　Verrianfrowned。"IthinkfromMissMacroyd。MissMacroydseemstohavetakenagrandmotherlyconcerninmyaffairsthroughthewholeweek。
　　Perhapssheresentedhavingbehavedsopiggishlyatthestationthedaywecame，andmeanttotakeitoutofMissShirleyandmyself。Shehadseenustogetherinthewoods，oneday，andshemusthavetolditabout。
　　Mrs。Westanglewouldn’thavespokenofustogether，becausesheneverspeaksofanythingunlessitisgoingtocount;andtherewasnooneelsewhoknewofouracquaintance。"
　　"Why，myson，ifyouwentwalkinginthewoodswiththegirl，anyonemighthaveseenyou。"
　　"Ididn’t。Itwasquitebyaccidentthatwemetthere。MissShirleywasanxioustokeepherpresenceinthehouseasecretfromeverybody。"
　　Mrs。Verrianwouldnottakeanybuttheopenway，withthis。Shewouldnotdealindirectly，withit，orinanywisecovertlyorsurreptitiously。
　　"ItseemstomethatMissShirleyhasratherafondnessforsecrecy，"shesaid。
　　"Ithinkshehas，"Verrianadmitted。"Though，inthiscase，itwasessentialtothesuccessofherfinalscheme。Butsheisacuriousstudy。Isupposethattimidityisatthebottomofallfondnessforsecrecy，isn’tit？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Shedoesn’tseemtobetimidineverything。"
　　"Sayitout，mother！"Verrianchallengedherwithasmile。"You’renottimid，anyway！"
　　"Shehadthecouragetojoininthatletter，butnotthecouragetoownherpartinit。ShewasbraveenoughtoconfessthatshehadbeensickofanervousfeverfromtheansweryouwrotetotheBrowngirl，butshewouldn’thavebeenbraveenoughtoconfessanythingatallifshehadbelievedshewouldbephysicallyormorallystrongenoughtokeepit。"
　　"Perhapsnobody——nobodybutyou，mother——isbraveintherighttimeandplace。"
　　Sheknewthatthiswasnotmeantinirony。"Iamgladyousaythat，Philip。"
　　"It’sonlyyourdue。Butaren’tyoualittletooharduponcowards，attimes？Forthesortofpersonsheis，ifyouinferthesortfromtheworstappearanceshehasmadeinthewholebusiness，Ithinkshehasdoneprettywell。"
　　"WhyhadshelefttheBrowngirltotakeallyourresentmentaloneforthelastsixoreightmonths？"
　　"Shemayhavethoughtthatshewasgettinghershareofthepunishmentinthefevermyresentmentbroughton？"
　　"Philip，doyoureallybelievethatherfever，ifshehadone，camefromthat？"
　　"Ithinkshebelievesit，andthere’snodoubtbutshewasbadlyscared。"
　　"Oh，there’snodoubtofthat！"
　　"Butcome，mother，whyshouldwetakeherattheworst？Ofcourse，shehasacomplexnature。Iseethatasclearlyasyoudo。Idon’tbelievewelookatherdiversely，inthesmallestparticular。Butwhyshouldn’tacomplexnaturebecreditedwiththesameimpulsestowardsthetruthasasinglenature？Whyshouldn’tweallowthatMissShirleyhadthesamewishtosetherselfrightwithmeasMissAndrewswouldhavehadinherplace？"
　　"Idaresayshewishedtosetherselfrightwithyou，butnotfromthesamewishthatMissAndrewswouldhavehad。MissAndrewswouldnothavewishedyoutoknowthetruthforherownsake。Hermotivewouldhavebeendirect-straight。"
　　"Yes;andwewilldescribeherasastraightline，andMissShirleyasawavingline。Whyshouldn’tthewavingline，atitshighestpoints，touchthesamealtitudeasthestraightline？"
　　"Itwouldn’ttouchitallthetime，andincharacter，ornature，asyoucallit，thatisthegreatthing。It’satthelowestpointsthatthewavinglineisdangerous。"
　　"Well，Idon’tdenythat。ButI’manxioustobejusttoapersonwhohasn’texperiencedagreatdealofmercyforwhat，afterall，wasn’tsuchaveryheinousthingasIusedtothinkit。Youmustallowthatshewasn’tobligedtotellmeanythingaboutherself。"
　　"Yes，shewas，Philip。AsIsaidbefore，shehadn’tthephysicalormoralstrengthtokeepitfromyouwhenshewasbroughtfacetofacewithyou。Besides——"Mrs。Verrianhesitated。
　　"Outwithit，mother！We，atleast，won’thaveanyconcealments。"
　　"Shemayhavethought，shecouldclinchitinthatway。"
　　"Clinchwhat？"
　　"Youknow。Isshepretty？"
　　"She’s——interesting。"
　　"Thatcanalwaysbemanaged。Isshetall？"
　　"NO，Ithinkshe’sratheroutofstylethere;she’sratherpetite。"
　　"Andwhat’sherfacelike？"
　　"Well，shehasnoparticularcomplexion，butit’snotthick。Hereyesarethebestofher，thoughthereisn’tmuchofthem。They’rethe’watersonastarrynight’sort，verysweetandglimmering。Shehasakindofground-coloredhairandanicelittlechin。Hermouthhelpshereyesout;itlooksbestwhenshespeaks;it’spatheticintheplayofthelips。"
　　"Isee，"Mrs。Verriansaid。
　　XX。
　　ThefollowingweekVerrianandhismotherwereatashowofpaintings，inthegalleryattherearofadealer’sshop，andwhiletheywerebendingtogethertolookatapictureheheardhimselfcalledtoinagirlishvoice，"Oh，Mr。Verrian！"asifhisbeingtherewasthegreatestwonderintheworld。
　　Hismotherandheliftedthemselvestoencounteratall，slimgirl，whowasstretchingherhandtowardshim，andwhonowcriedout，joyously，"Oh，Mr。Verrian，Ithoughtitmustbeyou，butIwasafraiditwasn’tassoonasIspoke。Oh，I’msogladtoseeyou;Iwantsomuchtohaveyouknowmymother——Mr。Verrian，"shesaid，presentinghim。
　　"AndIyoumine，"Verrianresponded，inaviolentellipse，andintroducedhisownmother，whotookinthefactofMissAndrews’stallthinness，toppedwithawide，whitehatandwavingwhiteplumes，andherlittleface，irregularandsomewhatgaunt，butwithacharminthelipsandeyeswhichtooktheelderwoman’sheartwithpathos。ShemadetalkwithMrs。
　　Andrews，whoaffectedoneashavingthematerialsofsocialseverityinhercostumeandmanner。
　　"Oh，Ididn’tbelieveIshouldeverseeyouagain，"thegirlbrokeoutimpulsivelyuponVerrian。"Oh，IwantedtoaskyousoaboutMissShirley。Haveyouseenhersinceyougotback？"
　　"No，"Verriansaid，"Ihaven’tseenher。"
　　"Oh，Ithoughtperhapsyouhad。I’vebeentotheaddressthatMrs。
　　Westanglegaveme，butsheisn’tthereanymore;she’sgoneupintoHarlemsomewhere，andIhaven’tbeenabletocallagain。Oh，Idofeelsoanxiousabouther。Oh，Idohopesheisn’till。Doyouthinksheis？"
　　"Idon’tbelieveso，"Verrianbegan。Butshesweptoverhisprostrateremark。
　　"Oh，Mr。Verrian，don’tyouthinkshe’swonderful？I’vebeentellingmotheraboutit，andIdon’tfeelatallthewayshedoes。Doyou？"
　　"Howdoesshefeel？ImustknowthatbeforeIsay。"
　　"Why，ofcourse！Ihadn’ttoldyou！Shethinksitwasamake-upbetweenMissShirleyandthatMr。Bushwick。ButIsayitcouldn’thavebeen。Doyouthinkitcould？"
　　Verrianfoundthesuggestionsodistasteful，forareasonwhichhedidnotquiteseizehimself，thatheanswered，resentfully，"Itcouldhavebeen，butIdon’tthinkitwas。"
　　"Iwilltellherwhatyousay。Oh，mayItellherwhatyousay？"
　　"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’t。Itisn’tveryimportant，eitherway，isit？"
　　"Oh，don’tyouthinkso？Notifitinvolvedpretendingwhatwasn’ttrue？"
　　Shebenttowardshiminsuchanxiousdemandthathecouldnothelpsmiling。
　　"Thewholethingwasapretence，wasn’tit？"hesuggested。
　　"Yes，butthatwouldhavebeenapretencethatwedidn’tknowof。"
　　"Itwouldbeincriminatingtothatextent，certainly，"Verrianowned，ironically。HefoundthequestionofMissShirley’sblameforthecollusionasdistastefulasthesuppositionofthecollusion，buttherewasafascinationintheinnocencebeforehim，andhecouldnothelpplayingwithit。
　　SometimesMissAndrewsapparentlyknewthathewasplayingwithherinnocence，andsometimesshedidnot。Butineithercasesheseemedtolikebeinghisjest，fromwhichshesnatchedafearfuljoy。Shewaswillingtoprolongtheexperience，andshedriftedwithhimfrompicturetopicture，andkeptthetalkrecurrentlytoMissShirleyandthephenomenaofSeeingGhosts。
　　HermotherandMrs。Verrianevidentlygotontogetherbetterthaneitherofthematfirstexpected。Whenitcametotheirparting，throughMrs。
　　Andrews’ssayingthatshemustbegoing，sheshookhandswithMrs。
　　VerrianandsaidtoPhilip，"Iamsogladtohavemetyou，Mr。Verrian。
　　Willyoucomeandseeus？"
　　"Yes，thankyou，"heanswered，takingthehandshenowofferedhim，andthentakingMissAndrews’shand，whilethegirl’seyesglowedwithpleasure。"Ishallbeveryglad。"
　　"Oh，shallyou？"shesaid，withhertransparentsincerity。"Andyouwon’tforgetThursdays！Butanydayatfivewehavetea。"
　　"Thankyou，"Verriansaid。ImightforgettheThursdays，butIcouldn’tforgetallthedaysoftheweek。"
　　MissAndrewslaughedandblushedatonce。"Thenweshallexpectyoueveryday。"
　　"Well，everydaybutThursday，"hepromised。
　　WhenthemotheranddaughterhadgoneMrs。Verriansaid，"Sheisagreatadmirerofyours，Philip。She’sreadyourstory，andIsuspectshewantsanopportunitytotalkwithyouaboutit。"
　　"YoumeanMrs。Andrews？"
　　"Yes。Isupposethedaughterhasn’twaitedforanopportunity。Themotherhadreadthatpublisher’sparagraphaboutyourinvalid，andwantedtoknowifyouhadeverheardfromheragain。Womenarepersonalintheirliteraryinterests。"
　　Philipasked，indismay，"Youdidn’tgiveitawaydidyou，mother？"
　　"Certainlynot，mydear。Youhavebroughtmeuptoocarefully。"
　　"Ofcourse。Ididn’timagineyouhad。"
　　Then，astheycouldnotpretendtolookatthepicturesanylonger，theywentaway，too。TheirissueintotheopenairseemedfraughtwithnovelemotionforMrs。Verrian。"Well，now，"shesaid，"IhaveseenthewomanIwouldbewillingmysonshouldmarry。"
　　"Child，youmean，"Philipsaid，notpretendingthathedidnotknowshemeantMissAndrews。
　　"Thatgirl，"hismotherreturned，"isinnocenceitself。Oh，Philip，dear，domarryher！"
　　"Well，Idon’tknow。Ifhermotherisbehavingassagelywithherasyouarewithmethechancesarethatshewon’tletme。Besides，Idon’tknowthatIwanttomarryquitesomuchinnocence。"
　　"Sheisconscienceincarnate，"hismotheruttered，perfervidly。
　　"Youcouldputyourverysoulinherkeeping。"
　　"Thenyouwouldbeoutofajob，mother。"
　　"Oh，Iamnotworthyofthejob，mydear。Ihavealwaysfeltthat。Iamtoocomplex，andsometimesIcan’tseetherightalone，asshecould。"
　　Philipwassilentamomentwhilehelostthepersonalpointofview。
　　"Isuspectwedon’tseetherightwhenweseeitalone。Weoughttoseethewrong，too。"
　　"Ah，Philip，don’tletyourfancygoafterthatgirl！"
　　"MissAndrews？Ithought——"
　　"Don’tyoubecomplex，mydear。YouknowImeanMissShirley。Whathasbecomeofher，Iwonder。IheardMissAndrewsaskingyou。"
　　"Iwasn’tabletotellher。Doyouwantmetotrytellingyou？"
　　"Iwouldratheryounevercould。"
　　Philiplaughedsardonically。"Now，IshallforgetThursdaysandalltheotherdays，too。Youareaveryunwiseparent，mother。"
　　Theylaughedwitheachotherateachother，andtreatedherenthusiasmforMissAndrewsasthejokeitpartlywas。Mrs。Verriandidnotfollowhimupaboutheridol，andaweekorsolatershewasabletoaffectadecentsurprisewhenhecameinattheendofanafternoonanddeclinedthecupofteasheproposedonthegroundthathehadbeentakingacupofteawiththeAndrewses。"Youhavereallybeenthere？"
　　"Didn’tyouexpectmetokeepmypromise？"
　　"ButIwasafraidIhadputastumbling-blockintheway。"
　　"Oh，IfoundIcouldturntheconsciousnessyoucreatedinmeintoliterarymaterial，andsoIwasrathereagertogo。Ihavegotapointformynewstoryoutofit。IshallhavemyfellowsufferallIdidn’tsufferinmeetingthegirlheknowshismotherwantshimtomarry。Igotonverywellwiththoseladies。Mrs。Andrewsisthemotherofinnocence，butsheisn’tinnocence。Shemanagedtotalkofmystorywithoutaskingaboutthepersonwhowantedtoanticipatetheconclusion。Thatwaswhatyoucallcomplex。Shewasinsincere;itwastheonlythingshewantedtotalkabout。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveit，Philip。ButwhatdidMissAndrewstalkabout？"
　　"Well，sheisratheranoptimisticconscience。Shetalkedaboutbooksandplaysthatsomepeopledonotthinkarequiteproper。Ihaveanotionthat，wherethepointinvolvedisn’tafactofherownexperience，sheisnotverysevereaboutit。Youthinkthatwouldbequitesafeforme？"
　　"Philip，Idon’tlikeyourmakingfunofher！"
　　"Oh，shewasn’tinsipid;shewasonlylimpid。Ireallylikeher，and，asforreverencingher，ofcourseIfeelthatinawaysheissacred。"
　　Headded，afterabreath，"Toosacred。WenoneofuscanexpecttomarryEvebeforetheFallnow;perhapswehavegotoverwantingto。"
　　"Youareveryperverse，mydear。Butyouwillgetoverthat。"
　　"Don’ttakeawaymylastdefence，mother。"
　　VerrianbegantogoratherregularlytotheAndrewshouse，or，atleast，hewasaccusedofdoingitbyMissMacroydwhen，veryirregularly，hewentonedaytoseeher。"Howdidyouknowit？"heasked。
　　"Ididn’tsayIknewit。Ionlywishedtoknowit。NowIamsatisfied。
　　ImetanotherfriendofyoursonSunday。"Shepausedforhimtoaskwho;
　　buthedidnotask。"Iseeyouaredyingtoknowwhatfriend：Mr。
　　Bushwick。"
　　"Oh，he’sagood-fellow。IwonderIdon’trunacrosshim。"
　　"Perhapsthat’sbecauseyounevercallonMissShirley。"MissMacroydwaitedforthistotakeeffect，buthekeptaglacialsurfacetowardsher，andshewenton：
　　"Theywerewalkingtogetherintheparkatnoon。Isupposetheyhadbeentochurchtogether。"
　　Verrianmanifestednomorethanapoliteinterestinthefact。HemanagedsowellthatheconfirmedMissMacroydinatacitconjecture。
　　Shewenton："MissShirleywaslookingquitebloomingforher。Butsowashe，forthatmatter。Whydon’tyouaskiftheyinquiredforyou？"
　　"Ithoughtyouwouldtellmewithout。"
　　"Iwilltellyouifhedid。Hewasverycordialinhisinquiries;andI
　　hadtopretend，togratifyhim，thatyouwereverywell。IimpliedthatyoucamehereeveryTuesday，butyourThursdayswerededicatedtoMissAndrews。"
　　"Youareacleverwoman，MissMacroyd。Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsomuchtosayonsuchanuninterestingsubject。AndMissShirleyshowednocuriosity？"
　　"Ah，sheisacleverwoman，too。Sheshowedtheprettiestkindofcuriosity——soperfectlymanaged。Shehasastudio——Idon’tknowjusthowsheputsittouse——withapaintergirlinoneofthosestudioapartmenthousesontheWestSide：TheVeronese，Ibelieve。Youmustgoandseeher;I’llletyouhavenextTuesdayoff;Tuesday’sherday，too。"
　　"Youaregenerosityitself，MissMacroyd。"
　　"Yes，there’snothingmeanaboutme，"shereturned，inslangratherolderthansheordinarilyused。"Ifyou’renotherenextTuesdayIshallknowwhereyouare。"
　　"ThenImusttakeagoodmanyTuesdaysoff，unlessIwanttogivemyselfaway。"
　　"Oh，don’tdothat，Mr。Verrian！Please！OrelseIcan’tletyouhaveanyTuesdayoff。"
　　XXI。
　　Uponthewhole，VerrianthoughthewouldgotoseeMissShirleythenextTuesday，buthedidnotsaysotoMissMacroyd。Nowthatheknewwherethegirlwas，allthepeculiarinterestshehadinspiredinhimreneweditself。ItwassovividthathecouldnotpayhisusualThursdaycallatMissAndrews’s，anditfilledhismindtotheexclusionofthenewstoryhehadbeguntowrite。Heloafedhismorningsawayathisclub，andhelunchedthere，leavinghismothertolunchalone，andwasdreamilypreoccupiedintheeveningswhichhespentathome，sittingathisdesk，withthepaperbeforehim，unabletocoaxthethoughtsfromhisbraintoitsalluringblank，butrestiveunderanyattemptsofherstotalkwithhim。
　　Inhisdesperationhewouldhavegonetothetheatre，butthefactthattheasswhorightfullycalledhimselfVerrianwasplayingatoneofthemblockedhisway，throughhisindignation，toallofthem。BySaturdayafternoonthetedioustimehadtobedonesomethingwith，andhedecidedtogoandseewhattheasswaslike。
　　Hewentearly，andfoundhimselfintheendseatofalongrowofmanyrowsofwomen，whowereprolongingthetimeofkeepingtheirhatsontillcustomobligedthemtotakethemoff。Hegavesomuchnoticetothewomannexthimastoseethatshewasdeeplyveiledaswellaswidelyhatted，andthenhelapsedintoadrearymuse，whichwasbrokenbythefirststrainsoftheoverture。Thenhedivertedhimselfbylookingroundatallthoseranksofwomenliftingtheirarmstotakeoutthemhat-pinsanddroppingthemtopintheirhatstotheseat-backsinfrontofthem，ortosecurethemsomehowintheirlaps。Uponthewhole，hethoughtthemanoeuvregracefulandpleasing;heimaginedaconsolationinitforthewomen，who，iftheywereforcedbypublicopiniontoputofftheircharminghats，wouldknowhowcharminglytheydidit。Eachturnedalittle，eitherherbodyorherhead，andlookedinanycaseoutofthecornerofhereyes;andhewasphrasingitallforasceneinhisstory，whenhelookedroundathisneighbortoseehowshehadmanaged，orwasmanaging，withherveil。Atthesamemomentshelookedathim，andtheireyesmet。
　　"Mr。Verrian！"
　　"MissShirley！"
　　Thestressoftheirvoicesfellupondifferentpartsofthesentencestheyuttered，butdidnotcommiteitherofthemtoaspecialrole。
　　"Howverystrangeweshouldmeethere！"shesaid，withpleasureinhervoice。"Doyouknow，Ihavebeenwantingtocomeallwintertoseethisman，onaccountofhisname？AndtothinkthatIshouldmeettheotherMr。VerrianassoonasIyieldedtothetemptation。"
　　"Ihavejustyieldedmyself，"Verriansaid。"Ihopeyoudon’tfeelpunishedforyielding。"
　　"Oh，dear，no！Itseemsareward。"
　　Shedidnotsaywhyitseemedso，andhesuggested，"TheprivilegeofcomparingthehistrionicandtheliteraryVerrian？"
　　"Couldtherebeanycomparison？"shecameback，gayly。
　　"Idon’tknow。Ihaven’tseenthehistrionicVerrianyet。"
　　Theywerelaughingwhenthecurtainrose，andthehistrionicVerrianhadhisinningsforalong，longfirstact。WhenthecurtainfellsheturnedtotheliteraryVerrianandsaid，"Well？"
　　"Helastedagoodwhile，"Verrianreturned。
　　"Yes。Didn’the？"Shelookedatthelittlewatchinherwristlet。
　　"Awholehour！Doyouknow，Mr。Verrian，Iamgoingtoseemveryrude。
　　Iamgoingtoleaveyoutosettlethisquestionofsuperiority;Iknowyou’llbeimpartial。Ihaveanappointment——withthedressmaker，tobespecific——athalf-pastfour，andit’shalf-pastthreenow，andIcouldn’twellleaveinthemiddleofthenextact。SoIwillsaygood-byenow——"
　　"Don’t！"heentreated。"Icouldn’tbeartobeleftalonewiththisdreadfuldoubleofmine。Letmegooutwithyou。"
　　"CanIacceptsuchself-sacrifice？Well！"
　　Shehadputonherhatandrisen，andhenowsteppedoutofhisplacetoletherpassandthenfollowedher。Atthestreetentrancehesuggested，"Ahansom，orasimpletrolley？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"shemurmured，meditatively，lookingupthestreetasifthatwouldsettleit。"Ifit’sonlyhalf-pastthreenow，Ishouldhavetimetogethomemorenaturally。"
　　"Oh！Andwillyouletmewalkwithyou？"
　　"Why，ifyou’regoingthatway。"
　　"IwillsaywhenIknowwhichwayitis。"
　　TheystartedontheirwalksoblithelythattheydidnotsaddenintheretrospectoftheirjointexperiencesatMrs。Westangle’s。BythetimetheyreachedtheparkgateatColumbusCircletheyhadcomesodistinctlytotheendoftheirretrospectthatshemadeanofferoflettinghimleaveher，averytacitoffer，butunmistakable，ifhechosetotakeit。
　　Heinterpretedherhesitationashechose。"No，"hesaid，"itwon’tbeanylongerifwegoupthroughthepark。"
　　Shedrewinherbreathsoftly，smoothingdownhermuffwithherrighthandwhileshekeptherleftinit。"Anditwillcertainlybepleasanter。"Whentheywerewellupthepath，inthatpartofitwhereitdeflectsfromthedrivewithoutapproachingthestreettooclosely，andachievessomethingofseclusion，shesaid：
　　"Yourspeakingofhimjustnowmakesmewanttotellyousomething，Mr。
　　Verrian。Youwouldhearofitverysoon，anyway，andIfeelthatitisalwaysbesttobeveryfrankwithyou;butyou’llregarditasasecrettillitcomesout。"
　　ThecurrentsthathadbeenplayingsowarmlyinandoutofVerrian’sheartturnedsuddenlycold。Hesaid，withjoylessmocking，"Youknow，I’musedtokeepingyoursecrets。I——shallfeelhonored，I’msure，ifyoutrustmewithanother。"
　　"Yes，"shereturned，pathetically，"youhavealwaysbeenfaithful——eveninyourwounds。"Itwastheirjointtributetothepainfulpast，andtheyhadpaidnoother。Shewaslookingawayfromhim，butheknewshewasawareofhishanginghishead。"That’sallovernow，"sheuttered，passionately。"WhatIwantedtosay——totellyou——isthatIamengagedtoMr。Bushwick。"
　　Hecouldhaveansweredthatshehadnoneedtotellhim。Thecoldcurrentsinandoutofhisheartstiffenedfrozenlyandceasedtoflow;
　　hisheartitselfstoodstillforaneternalinstant。Itwasinthisinstantthathesaid，"Heisafinefellow。"Afterwards，amidthewildboundingofhisrecoveredpulse，hecouldadd，"Icongratulatehim;I
　　congratulateyouboth。"
　　"Thankyou，"shesaid。"NooneknowsasIdohowgoodheis——hasbeen，allthrough。"ProbablyshehadnotmeanttoconveyanyreproachtoVerrianbyBushwick’spraise，buthefeltreproachinit。"Itonlyhappenedlastweek。Youdowishmehappy，don’tyou？NooneknowswhatawinterIhavehadtillnow。Everythingseemingtofail——"
　　Shechoked，anddidnotsaymore。Hesaid，aimlessly，"Iamsorry——"
　　"Letmesitdownamoment，"shebegged。Andshedroppeduponthebenchatwhichshefaltered，andrestedthere，asiffromtheexhaustionofrunning。Whenshecouldgetherbreathshebeganagain："ThereissomethingelseIwanttotellyou。"
　　Shestopped。Andheasked，toprompther，"Yes？"
　　"Thankyou，"sheanswered，piteously。Andsheadded，withsuperficialinconsequence，"Ishallalwaysthinkyouwereverycruel。"
　　Hedidnotpretendnottoknowwhatshemeant，andhesaid，"Ishallalwaysthinkso，too。Itriedtorevengemyselfforthehurtyourharmlesshoaxdidmyvanity。Ofcourse，ImadebelieveatthetimethatIwasdoinganactofjustice，butIneverwasabletobraveitoutafterwards。"
　　"Butyouwere——youweredoinganactofjustice。Ideservedwhatyousaid，butIdidn’tdeservewhathasfollowed。Imeantnoharm——itwasasillyprank，andIhavesufferedforitasifitwereacrime，andtheconsequencesarenotendedyet。Ishouldthinkthat，ifthereisamoralgovernmentoftheuniverse，theJudgeofalltheearthwouldknowwhentoholdhishand。Andnowtheworstofitistocomeyet。"ShecaughtVerrian’sarm，asifforhelp。
　　"Don’t——don’t！"hebesoughther。"Whatwillpeoplethink？"
　　"Yes，Yes！"sheowned，releasinghimandwithdrawingtotheotherendoftheseat。
　　"Butitalmostdrivesmewild。WhatshallIdo？Yououghttoknow。Itisyourfault。Youhavefrightenedmeoutofdaringtotellthetruth。"
　　Hadhe，indeed，donethat？Verrianaskedhimself，anditseemedtohimthathehaddonesomethinglikeit。Ifitwasso，hemusthelpheroverherfearnow。Heanswered，bluntly，harshly："Youmusttellhimallaboutit——"
　　"Butifhewon’tbelieveme？Doyouthinkhewillbelieveme？Wouldyoubelieveme？"
　　"Youhavenothingtodowiththat。Thereisnothingforyoubuttotellhimthewholestory。Youmustn’tsharesuchasecretwithanyonebutyourhusband。Whenyoutellhimitwillceasetobemysecret。"
　　"Yes，yes。"
　　"Well，then，youmusttellhim，unless——"
　　"Yes，"sheprompted。
　　Thentheywerebothsilent，lookingintenselyintoeachother’seyes。InthatmomentallelseoflifeseemedtomeltandswimawayfromVerrianandleavehimstrandeduponanawfuleminenceconfrontingher。
　　"Hello，hello！"agayvoicecalled，asifcallingtothemboth。"Whatareyoutwoconspiring？"Bushwick，assuddenlyasifhehadfallenfromtheskyorstartedupfromtheearth，stoodbeforethem，andgaveahandtoeach——hisrighttoVerrian，hislefttoMissShirley。"Howareyou，Verrian？Howareyou，MissShirley？"Hemockedherintheformalityofhisaddress。"I’vebeenshadowingyoueversinceyoucameintothepark，butIthoughtIwouldn’tinterrupttillyouseemedtohavegotthroughyourconversation。MayIaskwhatitwasallabout？Itseemedveryabsorbing，fromarespectfuldistance。"
　　"Veryabsorbing，indeed，"MissShirleysaid，makingroomforhimbetweenthem。"Sitdownandletmetellyou。You’retobeapartnerinthesecret。"
　　"Silentpartner，"Bushwicksuggested。
　　"Ihopeyou’llalwaysbesilent，"thegirlsharedinhisdrolling。
　　Shebeganandtoldthewholestorytothelastdetail，sparingneitherherselfnorVerrian，wholistenedasifheweresomeoneelsenotconcerned，andkeptsayingtohimself，"whatcourage！"Bushwicklistenedasmutely，withafacethat，toVerrian’seye，seemedtohardenfromitslightjocosityintoaseverityhehadnotseeninitbefore。"Itwassomething，"sheendedtowardsBushwick，withacatchinherbreath，"thatyouhadtoknow。"
　　"Yes，"heanswered，tonelessly。
　　"Andnow——sheattemptedalittleforlornplayfulness——"don’tyouthinkhegavemewhatIdeserved？"
　　Bushwickroseupandtookherhandunderhisarm，keepinghislefthanduponhers。
　　"He！Who？"
　　"Mr。Verrian。"
　　"Idon’tknowanyMr。Verrian。Come，you’lltakecoldhere。"
　　HeturnedhisbackonVerrian，whofanciedatremorinherhat，asifshewouldlookroundathim;butthen，asifshedivinedBushwick’sintention，shedidnotlookround，andtogethertheylefthim。
　　ItwasdaysbeforeVerriancouldconfesshimselfofthefacttohismother，wholistenedwiththejusticeinstinctiveinher。Shestillhadnotspokenwhenheended，andhesaid，"Ihavethoughtitallover，andI
　　feelthathedidright。Hedidtheonlythingthatamaninlovewithhercoulddo。AndIdon’twonderhe’sinlovewithher。Yes"——hestayedhismother，imperatively——"andsuchamanashe，thoughhegroundmeinthedirtandstampedonme，Iwillsay，it，isworthyofanywoman。Hecanbelieveinawoman，andthat’sthefirstthingthat’sneededtomakeawomanlikeher，true。Idon’tenvyhisjob。"Hewasspeakingself-
　　contradictorily，irrelevantly，illogically，asamanthinks。Hewentoninthatway，gettinghimselfallout。"Sheisn’tsingle-hearted，butshe’sfaithful。She’llneverbetrayhimnow。She’snevergivenhimanyreasontodistrusther。She’sthekindthatcankeeponstraightwithanyoneshe’sbegun。straightwith。Shetoldhimallthatbeforemebecauseshewantedmetoknow——torealize——thatshehadtoldhim。Ittookcourage。"
　　Mrs。Verrianhadthoughtofgeneralizing，butsheseizedasinglepoint。
　　"Perhapsnotsomuchcourageasyouthink。Youmustn’tletsuchbravadoimposeuponyou，Philip。I’venodoubtsheknewherground。"
　　"Shetookthechanceofhiscastingheroff。"
　　"Sheknewhewouldn’t。Sheknewhim，andsheknewyou。Sheknewthatifhecastheroff——"
　　"Mother！Don’tsayit！Ican’tbearit！"
　　Hismotherdidnotsayit，oranythingmore，then。Lateatnightshecametohim。"Areyouasleep，Philip？"
　　"Asleep？I！"
　　"Ididn’tsupposeyouwere。ButIhavehadanoteto-daywhichImustanswer。Mrs。AndrewshasaskedustodinneronSaturday。Philip，ifyoucouldseethatsweetgirlasIdo，inallhergoodnessandsincerity——"
　　"IthinkIdo，mother。AndIwouldn’tbeguiltyofherunhappinessfortheworld。Youmustdecline。"
　　Well，perhapsyouareright。"Mrs。Verrianwentaway，softly，sighing。
　　AsshesealedherreplytoMrs。Andrews，shesighedagain，andmadethereflectionwhichamotherseldommakeswithregardtoherson，beforehismarriage，thatmendonotlovewomenfortheirgoodness。