HewasparticularlyfondofAnnieColborn，whosefatherwasamagistrateandagoldcommissioner，andapersonofverygreatimportance。WhetherornotKingBillywaswiseinhisgeneration，andoutoftheunwrittenScripturesofthesomberbushhadculledamaximinculcatingthewisdomofmakingfriendsofthesonsofMammon，I
　　cannotsay，buthewasalwaysgoodtoAnnie。Formyownpart，Idonotbelievethesimple-heartedoldkinghadanysuchnotioninsidehisthickantipodeanskull。Hewasgoodbecausehewasnotbad，whichistheverybestmoralityafterall，andagreatadvanceonmuchwehearof。And，besides，hewassometimeshungry，andMr。Colborn’sChinesecookwasveryhaughty，andnottobeapproachedexceptthroughanintermediary。AndwhosocapableofconciliatingWongasAnnie？Wongwouldmakehercakesevenwhenhispigtailhungdespondentlyfromhisachingheadafteranopiumdebauch，andhischeekswereshiningwithanythingbutgladness;forifyougetdrunkveryoftenonopiumyoushine。
　　OldBillywasmostlytobefoundwheretherewasachanceofadrink;
　　butifthefountainsweredriedup，orhehadbeeninsultedbysomedemocratic，revolutionary，king-hatingminerknockinghishighhatdownoverhiseyes，heusuallywentuptoMr。Colborn’splace，andsatonthefence，oronalogoutsidethegate。SohewasoftenverymelancholywhenAnniecameout。Onedayhishatwasvery，verybadlybulgedindeed。
　　"Yourhatisverybadto-day，KingBilly，"saidsix-year-oldAnnie，asshestoodinfrontofhimcritically，withherheadononeside。
　　Withoutknowingit，thechildhadcometolookuponthestateofthepoorking’shatasemblematicalofhisstateofmind。Whenitshutuplikeaclosedconcertinahisbarometerwaslow。
　　"Yes，missy，"saidtheking;"whitemanknock’umovereyes，and"——
　　witharubdownhisface——"skin’umnose。"
　　Sheinspectedhisnosecarefully——thoughfromacertaindistance，becauseherownnosewasverygood，bothinsideandout，andsheknewthekingnevergotwashedunlessitrainedwhenhewasverydrunk。Andthiswastheendofsummer。IthadnotrainedsinceNovember。
　　"Thereisnotverymuchskinoff，"saidAnnie。"Youhadbetterwashit。"
　　Thekingmadeawryfaceandchangedtheconversation。
　　"Yougot’umhat，MissyAnnie？Onehatbaalbrokum，allasamewhitefellowhat。Badhat，KingBillybad;blackfellow，whitefellowlaugh。"
　　Hepeeredintohishat，and，tryingtostraightenitout，puthisfistthroughtheside。PoorBillylookedasifhecouldcry。
　　"Youstopaminute，"saidAnnie，and，flyingindoors，shebroughtoutaverygoodhighhatindeed。"Budgeree！"thoughttheking，thatwasagoodhat。Hecouldgodownthestreetslikeakingindeed，abletoholduphisheadwithanyrichmaninBallarat。Hetriediton，andthoughitwasmuchtoobig，heknewitshone。Andthegloryofahatisinitsshiningasmuchasitsshape;evenablackfellowknowsthat。
　　Butthathatverynearlyledtoserioustrouble。Foronething，Mr。
　　Colbornmissedit;andneverthinkingAnniehadgivenitaway，whenhesawthekingsittingonthefencedecoratedwithit，hestoppedandinterviewedhim。
　　"Wheredidyougetthathat，youoldthief？"askedthemagistrate，withoutanypolitenesstohimwhoruledthelandbeforewhitemenbrokeintothecountry。Someinauthorityarepolitetothosetheydispossess;thePrussians，forinstance，tothemiserableKingBillyswhostrutabouttheempire。ButtheAnglo-Saxononlyrespectshimself，andeventhattoalimitedextent，innewconquests。
　　ThequestiontroubledKingBillygreatly。HedidnotknowthatMr。
　　ColbornwouldassoonhavethoughtofmurderingAnnieasofbullyingher;soheliedpromptly："Mebuy’um，MistahCobon！"
　　Mr。Colborntookitoffofhishead，andsawthatitwashis，ashehadthought。WhathewouldhavesaidIdonotknow，forjustthenheheardavoicebehindhim：
　　"Papa，itismyfault;IgaveittoKingBilly。"
　　Colbornturnedroundandtookherup，lettingfallthehatashedidso。Billymadeajump，pickeditup，and，inhisagitation，brusheditcarefullythewrongway。
　　"Mydear，ifyougaveittohimit’sallright。Butwhydidn’ttheoldfooltellme？"
　　"He’snotanoldfool，papa，andyoumustnotsayso。He’sagoodman，andIthinkhethoughtyouwouldbeangrywithme。Didn’tyou，KingBilly？"Andtheking，withasmileofconsciousrectitude，admitteditwasso。
　　Mr。Colborngavehimsixpence;andhegaveAnnieagreatmanykisses，declaring，withuncommonthoughtlessness，thatwhatevershedidwasright，andthatshecouldgivethekingallhishouse，andAustraliatoboot。WhereonKingBillysmiledasmilethatwasportentous，andshowedhisteethtotheuttermostrecessesofhisamplemouth。Lookingdown，hesurveyedtherestofhisclothes，whichinpartsresembledthechild’sdefinitionofanetasalotofholestiedtogetherwithstring，and，lookingup，heinspectedMr。Colbornasifestimatingtheresourcesofhiswardrobe。Butbeingurgentlysmittenwiththenecessityofgettingridofhissixpence，heshambledoffintothetown。Othermattersmightwait;thatadmittedofnodelay。
　　ThemindofKingBillywasnotabigmind;itwouldnomorehavetakeninanabstractideathanhis/gunyah/wouldhaveaccommodatedagrandpiano。Hewasassimpleassunlight，andtoresolvehisintellectintosevencolourswouldwantthemostingeniousspectroscope。Buthecouldmakeaninferencefromapositivefact，and，havingmadeit，hedidnotallowmoreremotedeductionstotroublehislegitimateconclusion。
　　HeceasedtofearMr。Colborn，andbegantolookuponthemagistrate’spropertyasifitwereatleasthalfhisown。Sohegotverydrunkonthehospitalityofanewchumminerwhohadbeensuccessful，andpresently，presumingonhisnewpossessions，gotintoafightwithhisentertainerandadisrespectfulsubkingofhisownblacks，andwasreducedtoworseragsthanever。
　　Nextmorninghesatoutsidethemagistrate’shouse，onthelowestloghecouldfind，andwhenMr。Colborncameouthetackledhimwiththeairofasubjectkingdemandingredressofhissuzerain。
　　"Well，Billy，whatisit？"askedthesuzerain。
　　"Youbelonggublement？"saidBillytheking，withaquestion，animplieddoubt，andagreatcomplaintinhisvoice。Colbornlaughed。
　　"Why，yes，Billy;Ibelongtothegovernment，Isuppose。"
　　"Then，"saidBilly，"whatyousaytowhitefellowmake’umblackfellowdrunk，knock’umallabout？Callyouthatgublement？"Andheshowedhiskinglyrobe，whichhadoncebeenafrock-coat，withgreatdisgust。
　　However，hemetwithnofavour，andwastoldthatheshouldnotgetdrunk——thatitservedhimright;withwhichmagisterialdecisionColborngotonhishorseandrodeofftotheflat。
　　Thekingsatdownsadlyandconsideredthicklyinhisslowbrain。
　　Anniedidnotcomeout，andheknewbetterthantoaskforher，forMr。Colborn’sniece，whokepthouseforhim，wasbutnewlycomefromhome，andthoughtallblackfellowscongenitalmurderers，whichindeedtheyareinsomepartsofthenorth。SoBillysatandwaited，forhewantedanewcoat。Howcouldheberespectedinonewhosenaturaldivisionswereunnaturallyextendedtotheveryneck？Itwasobviouslynecessarytogetanewgarmentatonce，andthebestchanceofagoodonelayinlittleAnnie’skindness。Butinordertoobviatetheslightestchanceofhisgirlpatron’srefusing，hemustbringhersomeoffering。Hewentoffintothebushatthebackofthetown，and，comingtowherethreeorfourblackfellowswerecamped，hesatdownandtalkedwiththem。Inspiteoftheheat，awretchedoldgin，muffledupinheronegarment，araggedblanket，heldherhandsoverthefewburningstickswhichrepresentanAustraliannative’sideaofafire。PresentlyKingBillyrose，and，takingatomahawk，wentfartherintothebush。Helookedabout，andatlastcametoatree，whichheclimbednativefashion，firstdiscardinghisclothes。Whennearthefirstbigbrancheshecametoahole，and，puttinginhishand，heextractedalivelyyoungpossumbythetail。
　　NextmorninghewassittingontheColborns’fenceasusual。Athisfeetwasalittleboxwithtwoorthreeslatsnailedroughlyacrossit。Insidewasthepossum。KingBillywonderedwhatkindofacoathecouldget。Helikedafrock-coat;therewassomethingmajesticaboutit，somethingfineandample。Commonmorningcoatswouldnotdo;noonewouldinsultakingbyofferinghimtweed;evenlittleAnnieknewbetterthanthat，especiallyifhegaveheralivepossumhehadcaughthimself。AndwhenAnniedidcomeout，shewasintheseventhheavenofdelightwiththepossum，andreadytobestowanythingintheworldonKingBilly。
　　"YougivepoorBillyonefellowcoat，missy，andhegodownalongstreetlikeaking。"
　　Annieflewintothehouseandseizedthefirstgarmentshelaidherlittlehandson。Itwasherfather’sdress-coat。Sherolleditup，and，runningout，thrustitexcitedlyintotheking’sblackpaw。Ashewentoff，shecarriedthepossumindoors，andwasdeliriouslyhappyforhours。
　　KingBillyhurriedintothebushtillhecametoawater-hole，and，strippingoffhisrags，heheldupthecoat。Hisjawfell;therewasaremarkableexiguityaboutthecoatwhichwasinexplicable。Hehadneverobservedsuchinhislife。Heputiton，and，bendingoverthesurfaceofthestillpool，tookagoodlookatthegeneraleffect。Itwasnotbadfromsomepointsofview，butBillyhadhisdoubtsastowhetherhewouldbereceivedwiththerespectduetohistitleifhewentintoBallaratclothedthus。Hetriedtobuttonit，butdiscoveredthat，ifithadeverbeenintendedforbuttoning，hecouldnotgetittomeetacrosshischest。Hepickeduphisdiscardedfrock-coat，whichwasheldtogetherbythecollar;thenhefeltthestuffofwhichthedress-coatwasmade，andthematerialpleasedhim。"Oh，why，"askedBilly，"haditnotbeenmadewithfronttails？"Hesawatlastthatthiscoatandhishighhatalonewereinsufficientforcivilisation。
　　Forfulldressinacorroboreeitmightdo。Unconsciously，hewassowroughtuponbythepurposeforwhichthecoathadbeenbuiltthathedeterminedtoreserveitforpartiesintheseclusionofthebush，whereanymerrimentcouldberightlycheckedbyacrackfromhiswaddy。Heplanteditcarefullyinahollowlog，and，havinginsertedhimselfwithasmuchcareintohisdiscardedrags，hewonderedoffintothetown。Hegotveryintoxicatedthatnight，anddeterminedtohaveapartyallbyhimself。
　　Nowitmayseemveryannoying，andIconfessIfinditsomyself;but，havinggotsofar，Idon’tseemywaytotelltherest，evenifAnnieColborntoldmethestoryherself。Forafterherfather’sdeathshemarriedamanwhohadasmallsheep-stationandahotelnotfortymilesfromCarabobla，inNewSouthWales。IstayedthereacoupleofdayswhenIwasgoingnorthtotheMurrumbidgee。Butthoughshetoldme，Icannottellitagain，atleastnotinbold，badprint。Still，itwilloccurtomostthatamanofKingBilly’ssweetandinnocentdispositionmightverylikelycreateasensation，whenhisnaturaldiscretionwasdrownedinbadwhisky，ifheendedhissolitarycorroboreeinthemoonlightbygoinguptoColborn’shouseinordertodeliveraspeechofgratitudethroughtheFrenchwindows。
　　SoColbornandthekinghadacorroboreealltothemselvesintheopenspacebeforethehouse，whilethegoldcommissioner’sguestsroaredwithlaughtertofindoutwherethemissingdress-coatwas。NextdayKingBillyresumedthesplitfrock-coat。
　　THYHEART’SDESIRE
　　BY
　　NETTASYRETT
　　Thetentswerepitchedinthelittleplainsurroundedbyhills。Rightandlefttherewerestretchesoftender，vividgreenwheretheyoungcornwasspringing;fartherstill，oneitherhand，theplainwasyellowwithmustard-flower;butintheimmediateforegrounditwasbareandstony。Afewthornybushespushedtheirstragglingwaythroughthedrysoil，ineffectivelyasfarasthegraceofthelandscapewasconcerned，fortheymerelyservedtoemphasisethebarrenaridnessofthelandthatstretchedbeforethetents，slopinggraduallytothedistanthills。
　　Thehillswereuninterestingenoughinthemselves;theyhadnograndeurofoutline，nopicturesquenesseven，thoughatmorningandeveningthesun，likeagreatmagician，clothedthemwithbeautyatatouch。
　　Theyhadbeguntochange，tosoften，toblushroseredintheeveninglight，whenawomancametotheentranceofthelargestofthetentsandlookedtowardthem。Sheleanedagainstthesupportononesideofthecanvasflap，and，puttingbackherhead，restedthat，too，againstit，whilehereyeswanderedovertheplainandoverthedistanthills。
　　Shewasbareheaded，forthecoveringofthetentprojectedafewfeettoformanawningoverhead。Thegentlebreezewhichhadrisenwithsundownstirredthesoftbrowntendrilsofhaironhertemples，andflutteredherpinkcottongownalittle。Shestoodverystill，withherarmshangingandherhandsclaspedlooselyinfrontofher。Therewasaboutherwholeattitudeanairofstudiedquietwhichinsomevaguefashiontheslightclaspofherhandsaccentuated。Herface，withitstightly，almostrigidlyclosedlips，wouldhavebeenquiteinkeepingwiththeimpressionofconsciouscalmwhichherentirepresencesuggested，haditnotbeenthatwhensheraisedhereyesastrangecontradictiontothisideawasafforded。Theywerelargegrayeyes，unusuallybrightandratherstartlingineffect，fortheyseemedtheonlylivethingabouther。Gleamingfromherstill，setface，therewassomethingalmostalarmingintheirbrilliancy。Theysoftenedwithasuddenglowofpleasureastheyrestedonthetranslucentgreenofthewheat-fieldsunderthebroadgeneroussunlight，andthenwanderedtowherethepurevividyellowofthemustard-flowerspreadinwavestothebaseofthehills，nowmysticallyveiledinradiance。
　　Shestoodmotionless，watchingtheirmelting，elusivechangesfrompalpitatingrosetothetransparentpurpleofamethyst。Thestillnessofeveningwasbrokenbythemonotonous，notunmusicalcreakingofaPersianwheelatsomelittledistancetotheleftofthetent。Thewellstoodinalittlegroveoftrees;betweentheirbranchesshecouldsee，whensheturnedherhead，thecolouredsarisofthevillagewomen，wheretheystoodingroupschatteringastheydrewthewater，andthelittlenakedbrownbabiesthattoddledbesidethemorsprawledonthehardgroundbeneaththetrees。Fromthevillageofflat-roofedmudhousesunderthelowhillatthebackofthetents，otherwomenwerecrossingtheplaintowardthewell，theirterra-cottawater-jarspoisedeasilyontheirheads，castinglongshadowsonthesun-bakedgroundastheycame。
　　Presently，inthedistance，fromthedirectionofthesunlithillsoppositealittlegroupofmencameintosight。Faroff，themustard-
　　colouredjacketsandtheredturbansoftheorderliesmadevividsplashesofcolouronthedullplain。Astheycamenearer，thegunsslungacrosstheirshoulders，thecasesofmathematicalinstruments，thehammers，andotherheavybaggagetheycarriedforthesahib，becamevisible。Alittleinfront，atwalkingpacerodethesahibhimself，makingnotesashecameinabookheheldbeforehim。Thegirlatthetententrancewatchedtheadvanceofthelittlecompanyindifferently，itseemed;exceptforaslighttighteningofthemusclesabouthermouth，herfaceremainedunchanged。Whilehewasstillsomelittledistanceaway，themanwiththenotebookraisedhisheadandsmiledawkwardlyashesawherstandingthere。Awkwardness，perhaps，bestdescribesthewholeman。Hewasbadlyputtogether，loose-jointed，ungainly。Thefactthathewastallprofitedhimnothing，foritmerelyemphasisedtheextremeungracefulnessofhisfigure。Hislongpalefacewasmadepalerbytheshockofcoarse，tow-
　　colouredhair;hiseyes，even，lookedcolourless，thoughtheywerecertainlytheleastuninterestingfeatureofhisface，fortheywerenotdevoidofexpression。Hehadawayofslouchingwhenhemovedthatsingularlyintensifiedthegeneraluncouthnessofhisappearance。"Areyouverytired？"askedhiswife，gently，whenhehaddismountedclosetothetent。Thequestionwouldhavebeenanunnecessaryonehaditbeenputtoherinsteadoftoherhusband，forhervoicehadthatpeculiarflattonelesssoundforwhichextremewearinessisanswerable。
　　"Well，no，mydear，notvery，"hereplied，drawlingoutthewordswithanexasperatingairofdeliveringafinalverdict，afterdeepreflectiononthesubject。
　　Thegirlglancedoncemoreatthefadingcoloursonthehills。"Comeinandrest，"shesaid，movingasidealittletolethimpass。
　　Shestoodlingeringamomentafterhehadenteredthetent，asthoughunwillingtoleavetheouterair;andbeforesheturnedtofollowhimshedrewadeepbreath，andherhandwentforoneswiftsecondtoherthroatasthoughshefeltstifled。
　　Lateronthateveningshesatinhertent，sewingbythelightofthelampthatstoodonherlittletable。
　　Oppositetoher，herhusbandstretchedhisungainlylengthinadeck-
　　chair，andturnedoverapileofofficialnotes。Everynowandthenhereyeswanderedfromthegaysilksofthetable-covershewasembroideringtothecanvaswallswhichboundedthenarrowspaceintowhichtheirfewhouseholdgoodswerecrowded。Outsidetherewasadeephush。Thesilenceofthevastemptyplainseemedtoworkitswayslowly，steadilyintowardthelittlepatchoflightsetinitsmidst。
　　Thegirlfeltitineverynerve;itwasasthoughsomesoft-footed，noiseless，shapelesscreature，whosepresencesheonlydimlydivined，wasapproachingnearer——/nearer/。Theheavyouterstillnesswasinsomewaymademoreterrifyingbytherustleofthepapersherhusbandwasreading，bythecreakingofhischairashemoved，andbythelittlefidgetinggruntsandhalf-exclamationswhichfromtimetotimebrokefromhim。Hiswife’shandshookateveryunintelligiblemutterfromhim，andtheslighthabitualcontractionbetweenhereyesdeepened。
　　Allatonceshethrewherworkdownontothetable。"Forheaven’ssake——/please/，John，/talk/！"shecried。Hereyes，forthemoment’sspaceinwhichtheymetthestartledonesofherhusband，hadawild，huntedlook，butitwasgonealmostbeforehisslowbrainhadtimetonotethatithadbeenthere——andwasvaguelydisturbing。Shelaughedalittleunsteadily。
　　"DidIstartleyou？I’msorry。I"——shelaughedagain——"IbelieveI’malittlenervous。Whenoneisalldayalone——"Shepausedwithoutfinishingthesentence。Theman’sfacechangedsuddenly。Awaveoftendernesssweptoverit，andatthesametimeanexpressionofhalf-
　　incredulousdelightshoneinhispaleeyes。
　　"Poorlittlegirl，areyoureallylonely？"hesaid。Eventherealfeelinginhistonefailedtorobhisvoiceofitspeculiarlyirritatinggratingquality。Heroseawkwardly，andmovedtohiswife’sside。
　　Involuntarilysheshrankalittle，andthehandwhichhehadstretchedouttotouchherhairsanktohisside。Sherecoveredherselfimmediately，andturnedherfaceuptohis，thoughshedidnotraisehereyes;buthedidnotkissher。Instead，hestoodinanembarrassedfashionamomentbyherside，andthenwentbacktohisseat。
　　Therewassilenceagainforsometime。Themanlaybackinhischair，gazingathisbig，clumsyshoesasthoughhehopedforsomeinspirationfromthatquarter，whilehiswifeworkedwithnervoushaste。
　　"Don’tletmekeepyoufromreading，John，"shesaid，andhervoicehadregaineditsusualgentletone。
　　"No，mydear;I’mjustthinkingofsomethingtosaytoyou，butI
　　don’tseem——"
　　Shesmiledalittle。Inspiteofherself，herlipcurledfaintly。
　　"Don’tworryaboutit;itwasstupidofmetoexpectit。Imean——"sheadded，hastily，immediatelyrepentingthesarcasm。Sheglancedfurtivelyathim，buthisfacewasquiteunmoved;evidentlyhehadnotnoticedit，andshesmiledfaintlyagain。
　　"OKathie，Iknewtherewas/something/I’dforgottentotellyou，mydear;there’samancomingdownhere。Idon’tknowwhether——"
　　Shelookedupsharply。"Amancoming/here/？Whatfor？"sheinterrupted，breathlessly。
　　"Senttohelpmeaboutthisoil-boringbusiness，mydear。"
　　Hehadlightedhispipe，andwassmokingplacidly，takinglongwhiffsbetweenhiswords。
　　"Well？"impatientlyquestionedhiswife，fixingherbrighteyesonhisface。
　　"Well——that’sall，mydear。"
　　Shecheckedanexclamation。"Butdon’tyouknowanythingabouthim——
　　hisname？wherehecomesfrom？whatheislike？"Shewasleaningforwardagainstthetable，herneedle，withalongendofyellowsilkdrawnhalf-waythroughherwork，heldinherupraisedhand，herwholeattitudeoneofquiveringexcitementandexpectancy。
　　Themantookhispipefromhismouthdeliberately，withalookofslowwonder。
　　"Why，Kathie，youseemquiteanxious。Ididn’tknowyou’dbesointerested，mydear。Well，"——anotherlongpullathispipe，——"hisname’sBrook——/Brookfield/，Ithink。"Hepausedagain。"Thispipedoesn’tdrawwellabit;there’ssomethingwrongwithit，Ishouldn’twonder，"headded，takingitoutandexaminingthebowlasthoughstruckwiththebrillianceoftheidea。
　　Thewomanoppositeputdownherworkandclinchedherhandsunderthetable。
　　"Goon，John，"shesaid，presently，inatense，vibratingvoice;"hisnameisBrookfield。Well，wheredoeshecomefrom？"
　　"Straightfromhome，mydear，Ibelieve。"Hefumbledinhispocket，andaftersometimeextricatedapencil，withwhichhebegantopokethetobaccointhebowlinanineffectualaimlessfashion，becomingcompletelyengrossedintheoccupationapparently。Therewasanotherlongpause。Thewomanwentonworking，orfeigningtowork，forherhandsweretremblingagooddeal。
　　Aftersomemomentssheraisedherheadagain。"John，willyoumindattendingtomeonemoment，andansweringthesequestionsasquicklyasyoucan？"Theemphasisonthelastwordwassofaintastobealmostasimperceptibleasthetouchofexasperatedcontemptwhichshecouldnotabsolutelybanishfromhertone。
　　Herhusband，lookingup，metherclearbrightgaze，andreddenedlikeaschool-boy。
　　"Whereabouts’/fromhome/’doeshecome？"sheasked，inastudiedlygentlefashion。
　　"Well，fromLondon，Ithink，"hereplied，almostbrisklyforhim，thoughhestammeredandtrippedoverthewords。"He’sauniversitychap;Iusedtohearhewasclever;Idon’tknowaboutthat，I’msure;
　　heusedtochaffme，Iremember，but——"
　　"Chaff/you/？Youhavemethimthen？"
　　"Yes，mydear，"——hewasfastrelapsingintohisslowdrawlagain，——
　　"thatis，Iwenttoschoolwithhim;butit’salongtimeago。
　　Brookfield——yes，thatmustbehisname。"
　　Shewaitedamoment;then，"Whenishecoming？"sheinquired，abruptly。
　　"Letmesee——to-day’s——"
　　"/Monday/;"thewordcameswiftlybetweenhersetteeth。
　　"Ah，yes——Monday;well，"reflectively，"/next/Monday，mydear。"
　　Mrs。Draytonrose，andbegantopacesoftlythenarrowpassagebetweenthetableandthetentwall，herhandsclaspedlooselybehindher。
　　"Howlonghaveyouknownthis？"shesaid，stoppingabruptly。"OJohn，you/needn’t/consider;it’squiteasimplequestion。To-day？
　　Yesterday？
　　Herfootmovedrestlesslyonthegroundasshewaited。
　　"Ithinkitwasthedaybeforeyesterday，"hereplied。
　　"Thenwhy，inheaven’sname，didn’tyoutellmebefore？"shebrokeout，fiercely。
　　"Mydear，itslippedmymemory。IfI’dthoughtyouwouldbeinterested——"
　　"Interested！"Shelaughedshortly。"It/is/ratherinterestingtohearthataftersixmonthsofthis"——shemadeaquickcomprehensivegesturewithherhand——"onewillhavesomeonetospeakto——someone。ItisthehandofProvidence;itcomesjustintimetosavemefrom——"Shecheckedherselfabruptly。
　　Hesatstaringupatherstupidly，withoutaword。
　　"It’sallright，John，"shesaid，withaquickchangeoftone，gatheringupherworkquietlyasshespoke。"I’mnotmad——yet。You——
　　youmustgetusedtotheselittleoutbreaks，"sheadded，afteramoment，smilingfaintly;"and，todomejustice，Idon’t/often/
　　troubleyouwiththem，doI？I’mjustalittletired，orit’stheheator——something。No——don’ttouchme！"shecried，shrinkingback;forhehadrisenslowlyandwascomingtowardher。
　　Shehadlostcommandoverhervoice，andtheshrillnoteofhorrorinitwasunmistakable。Themanheardit，andshrankinhisturn。
　　"I’msosorry，John，"shemurmured，raisinghergreatbrighteyestohisface。Theyhadnotlosttheirgoadedexpression，thoughtheywerefulloftears。"I’mawfullysorry;butI’mjustnervousandstupid，andIcan’tbear/anyone/totouchmewhenI’mnervous。"
　　"Here’sBroomhurst，mydear！Imadeamistakeinhisnameafterall，I
　　find。Itoldyou/Brookfield/，Ibelieve，didn’tI？Well，itisn’tBrookfield，hesays;it’sBroomhurst。"
　　Mrs。Draytonhadwalkedsomelittledistanceacrosstheplaintomeetandwelcometheexpectedguest。Shestoodquietlywaitingwhileherhusbandstammeredoverhisincoherentsentences，andthenputoutherhand。
　　"Weareverygladtoseeyou，"shesaid，withaquickglanceatthenew-comer’sfaceasshespoke。
　　Astheywalkedtogethertowardthetent，afterthefirstgreetings，shefelthiskeeneyesuponherbeforeheturnedtoherhusband。
　　"I’mafraidMrs。Draytonfindstheclimatetrying？"heasked。"Perhapssheoughtnottohavecomesofarinthisheat？"
　　"Kathieisoftenpale。You/do/lookwhiteto-day，mydear，"heobserved，turninganxiouslytowardhiswife。
　　"DoI？"shereplied。Theunsteadinessofhertonewashardlyappreciable，butitwasnotlostonBroomhurst’squickears。"Oh，I
　　don’tthinkso。I/feel/verywell。"
　　"I’llcomeandseeifthey’vefixedyouupallright，"saidDrayton，followinghiscompaniontowardthenewtentthathadbeenpitchedatsomelittledistancefromthelargeone。
　　"Weshallseeyouatdinnerthen？"Mrs。DraytonobservedinreplytoBroomhurst’ssmileastheyparted。
　　Sheenteredthetentslowly，and，movinguptothetablealreadylaidfordinner，begantorearrangethethingsuponitinapurposeless，mechanicalfashion。
　　Afteramomentshesankdownuponaseatoppositetheopenentrance，andputherhandtoherhead。
　　"Whatisthematterwithme？"shethought，wearily。"AlltheweekI’vebeenlookingforwardtoseeingthisman——/any/man，/anyone/totakeofftheedgeofthis。"Sheshuddered。Eveninthoughtshehesitatedtoanalysethefeelingthatpossessedher。"Well，he’shere，andIthinkIfeel/worse/。"Hereyestravelledtowardthehillsshehadbeenusedtowatchatthishour，andrestedonthemwithavague，unseeinggaze。
　　"TiredKathie？Apennyforyourthoughts，mydear，"saidherhusband，cominginpresentlytofindherstillsittingthere。
　　"I’mthinkingwhatacuriousworldthisis，andwhatanironicalveinofhumourthegodswholookafteritmustpossess，"shereplied，withamirthlesslaugh，risingasshespoke。
　　Johnlookedpuzzled。
　　"FunnymyhavingknownBroomhurstbefore，youmean？"hesaiddoubtfully。
　　"IwasfishingdownatLynmouththistimelastyear，"Broomhurstsaidatdinner。"YouknowLynmouth，Mrs。Drayton？Doyouneverimagineyouhearthegurglingofthestream？Iamtantalisedalreadybythesoundofitrushingthroughthebeautifulgreengloomofthosewoods——
　　/aren’t/theylovely？And/I/haven’tbeeninthisburnt-upspotasmanyhoursasyou’vehadmonthsofit。"
　　Shesmiledalittle。
　　"Youmustlearntopossessyoursoulinpatience，"shesaid，andglancedinconsequentlyfromBroomhursttoherhusband，andthendroppedhereyesandwassilentamoment。
　　Johnwasobviously，andalittleaudibly，enjoyinghisdinner。Hesatwithhischairpushedclosetothetable，andhiselbowsawkwardlyraised，swallowinghissoupingulps。Hegraspedhisspoontightlyinhisbonyhand，sothatitsswollenjointsstoodoutlargeranduglierthanever，hiswifethought。
　　HereyeswanderedtoBroomhurst’shands。Theywerewellshaped，and，thoughnotsmall，therewasalookofrefinementaboutthem;hehadawayoftouchingthingsdelicately，alittlelingeringly，shenoticed。
　　Therewasanairofdistinctionabouthisclear-cut，clean-shavenface，possiblyintensifiedbycontrastwithDrayton’sblurredfeatures;anditwas，perhaps，alsobycontrastwiththegraycuffsthatshowedbeneathJohn’sill-cutdrabsuitthatthelinenBroomhurstworeseemedtoherparticularlyspotless。
　　Broomhurst’sthoughts，forhispart，wereagooddealoccupiedwithhishostess。
　　Shewaspretty，hethought，orperhapsitwasthat，withthewide，drylonelyplainasasetting，herfragiledelicacyofappearancewasinvestedwithacertainflower-likecharm。
　　"Thesilencehereseemsratherstrange，ratherappallingatfirst，whenoneisfreshfromatown，"hepursued，afteramoment’spause;
　　"butIsupposeyou’reusedtoit，eh，Drayton？Howdo/you/findlifehere，Mrs。Drayton？"heasked，alittlecuriously，turningtoherashespoke。
　　Shehesitatedasecond。"Oh，muchthesameasIshouldfinditanywhereelse，Iexpect，"shereplied;"afterall，onecarriesthepossibilitiesofahappylifeaboutwithone;don’tyouthinkso？TheGardenofEdenwouldn’tnecessarilymakemylifeanyhappier，orlesshappy，thanahowlingwildernesslikethis。Itdependsonone’sselfentirely。"
　　"GiventherightAdamandEve，thedesertblossomsliketherose，infact，"Broomhurstanswered，lightly，withasmilingglanceinclusiveofhusbandandwife;"youtwodon’tfeelasthoughyou’dbeendrivenoutofParadise，evidently。"
　　Draytonraisedhiseyesfromhisplatewithasmileoftotalincomprehension。
　　"Greatheavens！whatanAdamtoselect！"thoughtBroomhurst，involuntarily，asMrs。Draytonroserathersuddenlyfromthetable。
　　"I’llcomeandhelpwiththatpacking-case，"Johnsaid，rising，inhisturn，lumberinglyfromhisplace;"thenwecanhaveasmoke——eh！
　　Kathiedon’tmind，ifwesitneartheentrance。
　　Thetwomenwentouttogether，Broomhurstholdingthelantern，forthemoonhadnotyetrisen。Mrs。Draytonfollowedthemtothedoorway，and，pushingthelooped-uphangingfartheraside，steppedoutintothecooldarkness。
　　Herheartwasbeatingquickly，andtherewasagreatlumpinherthroatthatfrightenedherasthoughshewerechoking。
　　"AndIamhis/wife/——I/belong/tohim！"shecried，almostaloud。
　　Shepressedbothherhandstightlyagainstherbreast，andsetherteeth，fightingtokeepdowntherisingfloodthatthreatenedtosweepawayhercomposure。"Oh，whatafoolIam！WhatanhystericalfoolofawomanIam！"shewhisperedbelowherbreath。Shebegantowalkslowlyupanddownoutsidethetent，inthespaceilluminedbythelamplight，asthoughstrivingtomakeheroutwardlyquietmovementsreactupontheinwardtumult。Inalittlewhileshehadconquered;shequietlyenteredthetent，drewalowchairtotheentrance，andtookupabook，justasfootstepsbecameaudible。AmomentafterwardBroomhurstemergedfromthedarknessintothecircleoflightoutside，andMrs。Draytonraisedhereyesfromthepagesshewasturningtogreethimwithasmile。
　　"Areyourthingsallright？"
　　"Oh，yes，moreorless，thankyou。Iwasalittleconcernedaboutacaseofbooks，butitisn’tmuchdamagedfortunately。PerhapsI’vesomeyouwouldcaretolookat？"
　　"Thebookswillbeagodsend，"shereturned，withasuddenbrighteningoftheeyes;"Iwasgetting/desperate/——forbooks。"
　　"Whatareyoureadingnow？"heasked，glancingatthevolumethatlayinherlap。
　　"It’saBrowning。Icarryitaboutagooddeal。IthinkIliketohaveitwithme，butIdon’tseemtoreaditmuch。"
　　"Areyouwaitingforasuitableoptimisticmoment？"Broomhurstinquired，smiling。
　　"Yes，nowthatyoumentionit，IthinkthatmustbewhyIamwaiting，"
　　shereplied，slowly。
　　"Anditdoesn’tcome——evenintheGardenofEden？Surelytheserpent，pessimism，hasn’tbeeninsolentenoughtodrawyouintoconversationwithhim？"hesaid，lightly。
　　"Therehasbeennoonetoconversewithatall——whenJohnisaway，I
　　mean。IthinkIshouldhavelikedalittlechatwiththeserpentimmenselybywayofachange，"shereplied，inthesametone。
　　"Ah，yes，"Broomhurstsaid，withsuddenseriousness;"itmustbeunbearablydullforyoualonehere，withDraytonawayallday。"
　　Mrs。Drayton’shandshookalittleassheflutteredapageofheropenbook。
　　"Ishouldthinkitquitenaturalyouwouldbeirritatedbeyondendurancetohearthatall’srightwiththeworld，forinstance，whenyouweresighingforthelongdaytopass，"hecontinued。
　　"Idon’tmindthedaysomuch;it’stheevenings。"Sheabruptlycheckedtheswiftwords，andflushedpainfully。"Imean——I’vegrownstupidlynervous，Ithink——evenwhenJohnishere。Oh，youhavenoideaoftheawful/silence/ofthisplaceatnight，"sheadded，risinghurriedlyfromherlowseat，andmovingclosertothedoorway。"Itissoclose，isn’tit？"shesaid，almostapologetically。Therewassilenceforquiteaminute。
　　Broomhurst’squickeyesnotedthesilentmomentaryclinchingofthehandsthathungatherside，asshestoodleaningagainstthesupportattheentrance。
　　"Buthowstupidofmetogiveyousuchabadimpressionofthecamp——
　　thefirstevening，too！"Mrs。Draytonexclaimed，presently;andhercompanionmentallycommendedtheadmirablecomposureofhervoice。
　　"Probablyyouwillnevernoticethatit/is/lonelyatall，"shecontinued;"Johnlikesithere。Heisimmenselyinterestedinhiswork，youknow。Ihope/you/aretoo。Ifyouareinteresteditisallquiteright。Ithinktheclimatetriesmealittle。Ineverusedtobestupid——andnervous。Ah，here’sJohn;he’sbeenroundtothekitchentent，Isuppose。"
　　"Beenlookingafterthatfellowcleanin’mygun，mydear，"Johnexplained，shamblingtowardthedeck-chair。
　　LaterBroomhurststoodathisowntentdoor。Helookedupatthestar-
　　sownsky，andtheheavysilenceseemedtopressuponhimlikeanactual，physicalburden。
　　Hetookhiscigarfrombetweenhislipspresently，andlookedattheglowingendreflectivelybeforethrowingitaway。
　　"Consideringthatshehasbeenalonewithhimhereforsixmonths，shehasherselfverywellinhand——/very/wellinhand，"herepeated。
　　ItwasSundaymorning。JohnDraytonsatjustinsidethetent，presumablyenjoyinghispipebeforetheheatoftheday。Hiseyesfurtivelyfollowedhiswifeasshemovedaboutnearhim，sometimespassingclosetohischairinsearchofsomethingshehadmislaid。
　　Therewascolourinhercheeks;hereyes，thoughpreoccupied，werebright;therewasalightnessandbuoyancyinherstepwhichshesettoalittledancingairshewashummingunderherbreath。
　　Afteramomentortwothesongceased;shebegantomoveslowly，sedately;and，asifchilledbyarawbreathofair，thelightfadedfromhereyes，whichshepresentlyturnedtowardherhusband。
　　"Whydoyoulookatme？"sheasked，suddenly。
　　"Idon’tknow，mydear，"hebeganslowlyandlaboriously，aswashiswont。"Iwasthinkin’howniceyoulooked——jestnow——muchbetter，youknow;butsomehow，"——hewastakinglongwhiffsathispipe，asusual，betweeneachword，whileshestoodpatientlywaitingforhimtofinish，——"somehow，youalterso，mydear——you’requitepaleagain，allofaminute。"
　　Shestoodlisteningtohim，noticingagainstherwillthemorethansuspicionofcockneyaccentandthethickdrawlwithwhichthewordswereuttered。
　　Hiseyessoughtherfacepiteously。Shenoticedthattoo，andstoodbeforehimtornbyconflictingemotions，pityanddisguststrugglinginahand-to-handfightwithinher。
　　"Mr。BroomhurstandIaregoingdownbythewelltosit;it’scoolerthere。Won’tyoucome？"shesaidatlast，gently。
　　Hedidnotreplyforamoment;thenheturnedhisheadaside，sharplyforhim。
　　"No，mydear，thankyou;I’mcomfortableenoughhere，"hereturned，huskily。
　　Shestoodoverhim，hesitatingasecond;thenmovedabruptlytothetable，fromwhichshetookabook。
　　Hehadrisenfromhisseatbythetimesheturnedtogoout，andheinterceptedhertimorously。
　　"Kathie，givemeakissbeforeyougo，"hewhispered，hoarsely。"I——I
　　don’toftenbotheryou。"
　　Shedrewherbreathindeeplyasheputhisarmsclumsilyabouther;
　　butshestoodstill，andhekissedherontheforehead，andtouchedthelittlewavycurlsthatstrayedacrossitgentlywithhisbig，tremblingfingers。
　　Whenhereleasedher，shemovedatonceimpetuouslytotheopendoorway。Onthethresholdshehesitated，pausedamomentirresolutely，andthenturnedback。
　　"ShallI——doesyourpipewantfilling，John？"sheasked，softly。
　　"No，thankyou，mydear。"
　　"Wouldyoulikemetostay，readtoyou，oranything？"
　　Helookedupatherwistfully。"N-no，thankyou;I’mnotmuchofareader，youknow，mydear——somehow。"
　　Shehatedherselfforknowingthattherewouldbea"mydear，"
　　probablya"somehow，"inhisreply，anddespisedherselfforthesenseofirritatedimpatienceshefeltbyanticipation，evenbeforethewordswereuttered。
　　Therewasamoment’shesitatingsilence，brokenbythesoundofquick，firmfootstepswithout。Broomhurstpausedattheentrance，andlookedintothetent。
　　"Aren’tyoucoming，Drayton？"heasked，lookingfirstatDrayton’swifeandthenswiftlyputtinginhisnamewithascarcelyperceptiblepause。"Toolazy？Butyou，Mrs。Drayton？"
　　"Yes，I’mcoming，"shesaid。
　　Theyleftthetenttogether，andwalkedsomefewstepsinsilence。
　　Broomhurstshotaquickglanceathiscompanion’sface。
　　"Anythingwrong？"heasked，presently。
　　Thoughthewordswereordinaryenough，thevoiceinwhichtheywerespokenwasinsomesubtlefashionadifferentvoicefromthatinwhichhehadtalkedtohernearlytwomonthsago，thoughitwouldhaverequiredakeensenseofniceshadesinsoundtohavedetectedthechange。
　　Mrs。Drayton’ssenseofnicetiesinsoundwasparticularlykeen，butsheansweredquietly，"Nothing，thankyou。"
　　Theydidnotspeakagaintillthetreesroundthestonewellwerereached。
　　Broomhurstarrangedtheirseatscomfortablybesideit。
　　"Arewegoingtoreadortalk？"heasked，lookingupatherfromhislowerplace。
　　"Well，wegenerallytalkmostwhenwearrangetoread;soshallweagreetotalkto-dayforachange，bywayofgettingsomereadingdone？"sherejoined，smiling。"/You/begin。"
　　Broomhurstseemedinnohurrytoavailhimselfofthepermission;hewasapparentlyengrossedinwatchingtheflecksofsunshineonMrs。
　　Drayton’swhitedress。Thewhirringofinsects，andthecreakingofaPersianwheelsomewhereintheneighbourhood，filteredthroughthehotsilence。
　　Mrs。Draytonlaughedafterafewminutes;therewasatouchofembarrassmentinthesound。
　　"Thenewplandoesn’tanswer。Supposeyouread，asusual，andletmeinterrupt，alsoasusual，afterthefirsttwolines。"
　　Heopenedthebookobediently，butturnedthepagesatrandom。
　　Shewatchedhimforamoment，andthenbentalittleforwardtowardhim。
　　"Itismyturnnow，"shesaid，suddenly;"isanythingwrong？"
　　Heraisedhishead，andtheireyesmet。Therewasapause。"Iwillbemorehonestthanyou，"hereturned;"yes，thereis。"
　　"What？"
　　"I’vehadorderstomoveon。"
　　Shedrewback，andherlipswhitened，thoughshekeptthemsteady。
　　"Whendoyougo？"
　　"OnWednesday。"
　　Therewassilenceagain;themanstillkepthiseyesonherface。
　　Thewhirringoftheinsectsandthecreakingofthewheelhadsuddenlygrownsostrangelyloudandinsistentthatitwasinahalf-dazedfashionsheatlengthheardhername——"/Kathleen！/"
　　"Kathleen！"hewhisperedagain，hoarsely。
　　Shelookedhimfullintheface，andoncemoretheireyesmetinalong，gravegaze。
　　Theman’sfaceflushed，andhehalfrosefromhisseatwithanimpetuousmovement;butKathleenstoppedhimwithaglance。
　　"Willyougoandfetchmywork？Ileftitinthetent，"shesaid，speakingveryclearlyanddistinctly;"andthenwillyougoonreading？Iwillfindtheplacewhileyouaregone。"
　　Shetookthebookfromhishand，andheroseandstoodbeforeher。
　　Therewasamuteappealinhissilence，andsheraisedherheadslowly。
　　Herfacewaswhitetothelips，butshelookedathimunflinchingly;
　　andwithoutawordheturnedandlefther。
　　Mrs。DraytonwasrestinginthetentonTuesdayafternoon。Withthehelpofcushionsandsomelowchairs，shehadimprovisedacouch，onwhichshelayquietlywithhereyesclosed。Therewasatenseness，however，inherattitudewhichindicatedthatsleepwasfarfromher。
　　Herfeaturesseemedtohavesharpenedduringthelastfewdays，andtherewerehollowsinhercheeks。Shehadbeenveryillforalongtime，butallatonce，withasuddenmovement，sheturnedherheadandburiedherfaceinthecushionswithagroan。Slippingfromherplace，shefellonherkneesbesidethecouch，andputbothhandsbeforehermouthtoforcebackthecrythatshefeltstrugglingtoherlips。
　　Forsomemomentsthewildeffortshewasmakingforoutwardcalm，whichevenwhenshewasalonewasherfirstinstinct，strainedeverynerveandblottedoutsightandhearing，anditwasnottillthesoundwasverynearthatshewasconsciousoftheringofhorse’shoofsontheplain。
　　Sheraisedherheadsharply，withathrilloffear，stillkneeling，andlistened。
　　Therewasnomistake。Thehorsemanwasridinginhothaste，forthethudofthehoofsfollowedoneanotherswiftly。
　　AsMrs。Draytonlistenedherwhitefacegrewwhiter，andshebegantotremble。Puttingoutshakinghands，sheraisedherselfbythearmsofthefolding-chairandstoodupright。
　　Nearerandnearercamethethunderoftheapproachingsound，mingledwithstartledexclamationsandthenoiseoftramplingfeetfromthedirectionofthekitchentent。
　　Slowly，mechanicallyalmost，shedraggedherselftotheentrance，andstoodclingingtothecanvasthere。BythetimeshehadreacheditBroomhursthadflunghimselffromthesaddle，andhadthrownthereinstooneofthemen。
　　Mrs。Draytonstaredathimwithwide，brighteyesashehastenedtowardher。
　　"Ithoughtyou——youarenot——"shebegan，andthenherteethbegantochatter。"Iamsocold！"shesaid，inalittle，weakvoice。
　　Broomhursttookherhandandledheroverthethresholdbackintothetent。
　　"Don’tbesofrightened，"heimplored;"Icametotellyoufirst。I
　　thoughtitwouldn’tfrightenyousomuchas——Your——Draytonis——veryill。Theyarebringinghim。I——"
　　Hepaused。Shegazedathimamomentwithpartedlips;thenshebrokeintoahorrible，discordantlaugh，andstoodclingingtothebackofachair。
　　Broomhurststartedback。
　　"DoyouunderstandwhatImean？"hewhispered。"Kathleen，forGod’ssake——/don’t/——heis/dead/。"
　　Helookedoverhisshoulderashespoke，hershrilllaughterringinginhisears。Thewhiteglareanddazzleoftheplainstretchedbeforehim，framedbytheentrancetothetent;faroff，againstthehorizon，thereweremovingblackspecks，whichheknewtobethereturningservantswiththeirstillburden。
　　TheywerebringingJohnDraytonhome。
　　Oneafternoon，somemonthslater，BroomhurstclimbedthesteeplaneleadingtothecliffsofalittleEnglishvillagebythesea。Hehadalreadybeentotheinn，andhadbeenshownbytheproprietressthehousewhereMrs。Draytonlodged。
　　"Theladywasout，butthegentlemanwouldlikelyfindherifhewenttothecliffs——downbythebay，orthereabouts，"herlandladyexplained;and，obeyingherdirections，Broomhurstpresentlyemergedfromtheshadywoodlandpathontothehillsideoverhangingthesea。
　　Heglancedeagerlyroundhim，andthen，withasuddenquickeningoftheheart，walkedonoverthespringyheathertowhereshesat。Sheturnedwhentherustlinghisfootstepsmadethroughthebrackenwasnearenoughtoarrestherattention，andlookedupathimashecame。
　　Thensheroseslowlyandstoodwaitingforhim。Hecameuptoherwithoutaword，andseizedbothherhands，devouringherfacewithhiseyes。Somethinghesawthererepelledhim。Slowlyheletherhandsfall，stilllookingathersilently。"Youarenotgladtoseeme，andIhavecountedthehours，"hesaid，atlast，inadull，tonelessvoice。
　　Herlipsquivered。"Don’tbeangrywithme——Ican’thelpit——I’mnotgladorsorryforanythingnow，"sheanswered;andhervoicematchedhisforgrayness。
　　Theysatdowntogetheronalongflatstonehalfembeddedinawiryclumpofwhortleberries。Behindthemthelonelyhillsidesrose，brilliantwithyellowbrackenandthepurpleofheather。Beforethemstretchedthewidesea。Itwasasoft，grayday。Streaksofpalesunlighttrembledatmomentsfaroutonthewater。Thetidewasrisinginthelittlebayabovewhichtheysat，andBroomhurstwatchedthelazyfoam-edgedwavesslippingovertheuncoveredrockstowardtheshore，thenslidingbackasthoughforverywearinesstheydespairedofreachingit。Themuffled，pulsingsoundoftheseafilledthesilence。BroomhurstthoughtsuddenlyofhotEasternsunshine，ofthewhirofinsectwingsonthestillair，andthecreakingofawheelinthedistance。Heturnedandlookedathiscompanion。
　　"Ihavecomethousandsofmilestoseeyou，"hesaid;"aren’tyougoingtospeaktomenowIamhere？"
　　"Whydidyoucome？Itoldyounottocome，"sheanswered，falteringly。
　　"I——"shepaused。
　　"AndIrepliedthatIshouldfollowyou——ifyouremember，"heanswered，stillquietly。"IcamebecauseIwouldnotlistentowhatyousaidthen，atthatawfultime。Youdidn’tknow/yourself/whatyousaid。Nowonder！Ihavegivenyousomemonths，andnowIhavecome。"
　　Therewassilencebetweenthem。Broomhurstsawthatshewascrying;
　　hertearsfellfastontoherhands，thatwereclaspedinherlap。Herface，henoticed，wasthinanddrawn。
　　Verygentlyheputhisarmroundhershoulderanddrewhernearertohim。Shemadenoresistance;itseemedthatshedidnotnoticethemovement;andhisarmdroppedathisside。
　　"YouaskedmewhyIhadcome。Youthinkitpossiblethatthreemonthscanchangeoneverythoroughly，then？"hesaid，inacoldvoice。
　　"Inotonlythinkitpossible;Ihaveprovedit，"shereplied，wearily。
　　Heturnedroundandfacedher。
　　"You/did/loveme，Kathleen！"heasserted。"Youneversaidsoinwords，butIknowit，"headded，fiercely。
　　"Yes，Idid。"
　　"And——youmeanthatyoudon’tnow？"
　　Hervoicewasverytired。"Yes;Ican’thelpit，"sheanswered;"ithasgone——utterly。"
　　Thegrayseaslowlylappedtherocks。Overheadthesharpscreamofagullcutthroughthestillness。Itwasbrokenagain，amomentafterward，byashorthardlaughfromtheman。
　　"Don’t！"shewhispered，andlaidahandswiftlyonhisarm。"Doyouthinkitisn’tworseforme？IwishtoGodI/did/loveyou！"shecried，passionately。"Perhapsitwouldmakemeforgetthat，toallintentsandpurposes，Iamamurderess。
　　Broomhurstmetherwide，despairingeyeswithanamazementwhichyieldedtosuddenpityingcomprehension。
　　"Sothatisit，mydarling？Youareworryingabout/that/？Youwhowereasloyalas——"
　　Shestoppedhimwithafranticgesture。
　　"Don’t！/don’t！/"shewailed。"Ifyouonlyknew！Letmetrytotellyou——willyou？"sheurged，pitifully。"ItmaybebetterifItellsomeone——ifIdon’tkeepitalltomyself，andthink，and/think/。"
　　Sheclaspedherhandstight，withtheoldgestureherememberedwhenshewasstrugglingforself-control，andwaitedamoment。
　　Presentlyshebegantospeakinalow，hurriedtone："Itbeganbeforeyoucame。IknownowwhatthefeelingwasthatIwasafraidtoacknowledgetomyself。Iusedtotryandsmotherit;Iusedtorepeatthingstomyselfallday——poems，stupidrhymes——/anything/tokeepmythoughtsquiteunderneath——butI——/hated/Johnbeforeyoucame！Wehadbeenmarriednearlyayearthen。Ineverlovedhim。Ofcourseyouaregoingtosay，’Whydidyoumarryhim？’"Shelookeddrearilyovertheplacidsea。"Why/did/Imarryhim？Idon’tknow;forthereasonthathundredsofignorant，inexperiencedgirlsmarry，Isuppose。Myhomewasn’tahappyone。Iwasmiserable，andoh——/restless/。Iwonderifmenknowwhatitfeelsliketoberestless？SometimesIthinktheycan’tevenguess。Johnwantedmeverybadly;nobodywantedmeathomeparticularly。Theredidn’tseemtobeanypointinmylife。Doyouunderstand？……Ofcourse，beingalonewithhiminthatlittlecampinthatsilentplain"——sheshuddered——"madethingsworse。Mynerveswentalltopieces。Everythinghesaid，hisvoice，hisaccent，hiswalk，thewayheate，irritatedmesothatIlongedtorushoutsometimesandshriek——andgo/mad/。Doesitsoundridiculoustoyoutobedrivenmadbysuchtrifles？IonlyknowIusedtogetupfromthetablesometimesandwalkupanddownoutside，withbothhandsovermymouthtokeepmyselfquiet。AndallthetimeI/hated/myself——howI
　　hatedmyself！Ineverhadawordfromhimthatwasn’tgentleandtender。IbelievehelovedthegroundIwalkedon。Oh，itis/awful/
　　tobelovedlikethatwhenyou——"Shedrewinherbreathwithasob。
　　"I——I——itmademesickforhimtocomenearme——totouchme。"Shestoppedamoment。
　　Broomhurstgentlylaidhishandonherquiveringone。"Poorlittlegirl！"hemurmured。
　　"Then/you/came，"shesaid，"andbeforelongIhadanotherfeelingtofightagainst。AtfirstIthoughtitcouldn’tbetruethatIlovedyou——itwoulddiedown。IthinkIwas/frightened/atthefeeling;I
　　didn’tknowithurtsotoloveanyone。"
　　Broomhurststirredalittle。"Goon，"hesaid，tersely。
　　"Butitdidn’tdie，"shecontinued，inatremblingwhisper，"andtheother/awful/feelinggrewstrongerandstronger——hatred;no，thatisnottheword——/loathing/for——for——John。Ifoughtagainstit。Yes，"
　　shecried，feverishly，claspingandunclaspingherhands;"HeavenknowsIfoughtitwithallmystrength，andreasonedwithmyself，and——oh，Idid/everything/，but——"Herquick-fallingtearsmadespeechdifficult。
　　"Kathleen！"Broomhursturged，desperately，"youcouldn’thelpit，youpoorchild。Yousayyourselfyoustruggledagainstyourfeelings。Youwerealwaysgentle;perhapshedidn’tknow。"
　　"Buthedid——he/did/，"shewailed;"itisjustthat。Ihurthimahundredtimesaday;heneversaidso，butIknewit;andyetI
　　/couldn’t/bekindtohim，——exceptinwords，——andheunderstood。Andafteryoucameitwasworseinoneway，forheknew——I/felt/heknew——thatIlovedyou。Hiseyesusedtofollowmelikeadog’s，andIwasstabbedwithremorse，andItriedtobegoodtohim，butIcouldn’t。"
　　"But——hedidn’tsuspect——hetrustedyou，"beganBroomhurst。"Hehadeveryreason。Nowomanwaseversoloyal，so——"
　　"Hush！"shealmostscreamed。"Loyal！itwastheleastIcoulddo——tostopyou，Imean——whenyou——Afterall，Iknewitwithoutyourtellingme。Ihaddeliberatelymarriedhimwithoutlovinghim。Itwasmyownfault。Ifeltit。EvenifIcouldn’tpreventhisknowingthatIhatedhim，Icouldprevent/that/。Itwasmypunishment。Ideserveditfor/daring/tomarrywithoutlove。ButIdidn’tspareJohnonepangafterall，"sheadded，bitterly。"HeknewwhatIfelttowardhim;Idon’tthinkhecaredaboutanythingelse。YousayImustn’treproachmyself？
　　WhenIwentbacktothetentthatmorning——whenyou——whenIstoppedyoufromsayingyoulovedme，hewassittingatthetablewithhisheadburiedinhishands;hewascrying——bitterly。Isawhim，——itisterribletoseeamancry，——andIstoleawaygently，buthesawme。I
　　wastorntopieces，butI/couldn’t/gotohim。Iknewhewouldkissme，andIshudderedtothinkofit。Itseemedmorethanevernottobebornethatheshoulddothat——whenIknew/you/lovedme。"
　　"Kathleen，"criedherlover，again，"don’tdwellonitallsoterribly——don’t——"
　　"HowcanIforget？"sheanswered，despairingly。"Andthen，"——sheloweredhervoice，——"oh，Ican’ttellyou——allthetime，atthebackofmymindsomewhere，therewasaburningwishthathemight/die/。I
　　usedtolieawakeatnight，and，dowhatIwouldtostifleit，thatthoughtusedto/scorch/me，Iwisheditsointensely。Doyoubelievethatbywillingonecanbringsuchthingstopass？"sheasked，lookingatBroomhurstwithfeverishlybrighteyes。"No？Well，Idon’tknow。I
　　triedtosmotherit，——I/really/tried，——butitwasthere，whateverotherthoughtsIheapedonthetop。Then，whenIheardthehorsegallopingacrosstheplainthatmorning，Ihadasickfearthatitwas/you/。Iknewsomethinghadhappened，andmyfirstthoughtwhenIsawyoualiveandwell，andknewitwas/John/，was/thatitwastoogoodtobetrue/。IbelieveIlaughedlikeamaniac，didn’tI？……Nottoblame？Why，ifithadn’tbeenformehewouldn’thavedied。Themensaytheysawhimsittingwithhisheaduncoveredintheburningsun，hisfaceburiedinhishands——justasIhadseenhimthedaybefore。
　　Hedidn’ttroubletobecareful;hewastoowretched。"
　　Shepaused，andBroomhurstroseandbegantopacethelittlehillsidepathattheedgeofwhichtheywereseated。
　　Presentlyhecamebacktoher。
　　"Kathleen，letmetakecareofyou，"heimplored，stoopingtowardher。
　　"Wehaveonlyourselvestoconsiderinthismatter。Willyoucometomeatonce？"
　　Sheshookherheadsadly。
　　Broomhurstsethisteeth，andthelinesroundhismouthdeepened。Hethrewhimselfdownbesideherontheheather。
　　"Dear，"heurged，stillgently，thoughhisvoiceshowedhewascontrollinghimselfwithaneffort，"youaremorbidaboutthis。Youhavebeenalonetoomuch;youareill。Letmetakecareofyou;I
　　/can/，Kathleen，——andIloveyou。Nothingbutmorbidfancymakesyouimagineyouareinanywayresponsiblefor——Drayton’sdeath。Youcan’tbringhimbacktolife，and——"
　　"No，"shesighed，drearily，"andifIcould，nothingwouldbealtered。
　　ThoughIammadwithself-reproach，Ifeel/that/——itwasallsoinevitable。Ifhewerealiveandwellbeforemethisinstant，myfeelingtowardhimwouldn’thavechanged。Ifhespoketomehewouldsay’mydear’——andIshould/loathe/him。Oh，Iknow！Itis/that/
　　thatmakesitsoawful。"
　　"Butifyouacknowledgeit，"Broomhurststruckin，eagerly，"willyouwreckbothofourlivesforthesakeofvainregrets？Kathleen，youneverwill。"
　　Hewaitedbreathlesslyforheranswer。
　　"Iwon’twreckbothourlivesbymarryingagainwithoutloveonmyside，"shereplied，firmly。
　　"Iwilltaketherisk，"hesaid。"You/have/lovedme;youwilllovemeagain。Youarecrushedanddazednowwithbroodingoverthis——thistrouble，but——"
　　"ButIwillnotallowyoutotaketherisk，"Kathleenanswered。"WhatsortofwomanshouldIbetobewillingagaintolivewithamanI
　　don’tlove？Ihavecometoknowthattherearethingsoneowesto/one’sself/。Self-respectisoneofthem。Idon’tknowhowithascometobeso，butallmyoldfeelingforyouhas/gone/。Itisasthoughithadburneditselfout。Iwillnotoffergrayashestoanyman。"
　　Broomhurst，lookingupatherpale，setface，knewthatherwordswerefinal，andturnedhisownasidewithagroan。
　　"Ah，"criedKathleen，withalittlebreakinhervoice，"/don’t！/Goaway，andbehappyandstrong，andallthatIlovedinyou。Iamsosorry——sosorrytohurtyou。I——"hervoicefalteredmiserably;"I——I
　　onlybringtroubletopeople。"
　　Therewasalongpause。
　　"Didyouneverthinkthatthereisaterribleveinofironyrunningthroughtheorderingofthisworld？"shesaid，presently。"Itisamistaketothinkourprayersarenotanswered——theyare。Induetimewegetourheart’sdesire——whenwehaveceasedtocareforit。"
　　"Ihaven’tyetgotmine，"Broomhurstanswered，doggedly，"andIshallneverceasetocareforit。"
　　Shesmiledalittle，withinfinitesadness。
　　"Listen，Kathleen，"hesaid。Theyhadbothrisen，andhestoodbeforeher，lookingdownather。"Iwillgonow，butinayear’stimeIshallcomeback。Iwillnotgiveyouup。Youshalllovemeyet。"
　　"Perhaps——Idon’tthinkso，"sheanswered，wearily。
　　Broomhurstlookedathertremblinglipsamomentinsilence;thenhestoopedandkissedbothherhandsinstead。
　　"Iwillwaittillyoutellmeyouloveme，"hesaid。
　　Shestoodwatchinghimoutofsight。Hedidnotlookback，andsheturnedwithswimmingeyestothegrayseaandthetransientgleamsofsunlightthatsweptliketendersmilesacrossitsface。