"Theoldman’sworritshevsortershookoutalittleofhissand，"
shehadexplained。OnthoseeveningswhenheattendedtheBoard，shesoughthigherconsolationinprayermeetingattheSouthernBaptistChurch，inwhoseexercisesherNorthernandEasternneighbors，thinlydisguisedas"Baal"and"Astaroth，"weregenerallyoverthrownandtheirtemplesmadedesolate。
IfUncleBen’sprogresswasslower，itwasnolesssatisfactory。
Withoutimaginationandevenwithoutenthusiasm，hekeptonwithadulllaboriouspersistency。WhentheirascibleimpatienceofRupertFilgeeatlastsuccumbedtotheobdurateslownessofhispupil，themasterhimself，touchedbyUncleBen’sperspiringforeheadandperplexedeyebrows，oftendevotedtherestoftheafternoontoagentleelucidationofthemysteriesbeforehim，settingcopiesforhisheavyhand，orevenguidingitwithhisown，likeachild’s，acrossthepaper。AttimestheappallinguselessnessofUncleBen’sendeavorsremindedhimofRupert’stauntingcharge。Washereallydoingthisfromagenuinethirstforknowledge？ItwasinconsistentwithallthatIndianSpringknewofhisantecedentsandhispresentambitions；hewasasimpleminerwithoutscientificortechnicalknowledge；hisalreadyslightacquaintancewitharithmeticandthescrawlthatservedforhissignatureweremorethansufficientforhisneeds。Yetitwaswiththislattersign-manualthatheseemedtotakeinfinitepains。Themaster，oneafternoon，thoughtfittocorrecttheapparentvanityofthisperformance。
"Ifyoutookasmuchcareintryingtoformyourlettersaccordingtocopy，you’ddobetter。Yoursignatureisfairenoughasitis。"
"Butitdon’tlookright，Mr。Ford，"saidUncleBen，eyingitdistrustfully；"somehowitain’tallthere。"
"Why，certainlyitis。Look，DABNEY——notveryplain，it’strue，buttherearealltheletters。"
"That’sjustit，Mr。Ford；themAIN’TallthelettersthatORTERbethere。I’veallowedtowriteitDABNEYtosavetimeandink，butitorterreadDAUBIGNY，"saidUncleBen，withpainfuldistinctness。
"Butthatspellsd’Aubigny！"
"Itare。"
"Isthatyourname？"
"Ireckon。"
ThemasterlookedatUncleBendoubtfully。WasthisonlyanotherformoftheDobellillusion？"WasyourfatheraFrenchman？"heaskedfinally。
UncleBenpausedasiftorecallthetriflingcircumstancesofhisfather’snationality。"No。"
"Yourgrandfather？"
"Ireckonnot。Atleastyecouldn’tproveitbyme。"
"Wasyourfatherorgrandfatheravoyageurortrapper，orCanadian？"
"TheywerefromPikeCounty，Mizzoori。"
ThemasterregardedUncleBenstilldubiously。"ButyoucallyourselfDabney。Whatmakesyouthinkyourrealnameisd’Aubigny？"
"That’sthewayitusterbewritinletterstomeintheStates。
Holdon。I’llshowye。"Hedeliberatelybegantofeelinhispockets，finallyextractinghisoldpursefromwhichheproducedacrumpledenvelope，andcarefullysmoothingitout，compareditwithhissignature。
"Thar，yousee。It’sthesame——d’Aubigny。"
Themasterhesitated。Afterall，itwasnotimpossible。HerecalledotherinstancesofthesingulartransformationofnamesintheCalifornianemigration。Yethecouldnothelpsaying，"Thenyouconcludedd’AubignywasabetternamethanDabney？"
"DoYOUthinkit’sbetter？"
"Womenmight。IdaresayyourwifewouldprefertobecalledMrs。
d’AubignyratherthanDabney。"
Thechanceshottold。UncleBensuddenlyflushedtohisears。
"Ididn’tthinko’that，"hesaidhurriedly。"Ihadanotheridee。
Ireckonedthatonthemattero’holdin’propertyandpassin’inmoneyitwouldbebettertohevyournameputonthesquare，andtosortergodowntobedrockforit，eh？IfIwantedtotakeahandinthemlotsorDitchshares，forinstance——itwouldbeonlylawtohevitmadeoutinthenameo’d’Aubigny。"
Mr。Fordlistenedwithcertainimpatientcontempt。ItwasbadenoughforUncleBentohaveexposedhisweaknessininventingfictionsabouthisearlyeducation，buttoinvesthimselfnowwithacontingencyofcapitalforthesakeofanotherchildishvanity，waspitiableasitwaspreposterous。Therewasnodoubtthathehadliedabouthisschoolexperiences；itwasbarelyprobablethathisnamewasreallyd’Aubigny，anditwasquiteconsistentwithallthis——evensettingapartthefactthathewasperfectlywellknowntobeonlyapoorminer——thatheshouldlieagain。LikemostlogicalreasonersMr。Fordforgotthathumanitymightbeillogicalandinconsistentwithoutbeinginsincere。Heturnedawaywithoutspeakingasifindicatingawishtohearnomore。
"Someo’thesedays，"saidUncleBen，withdullpersistency，"I’lltellyesuthen’。"
"I’dadviseyoujustnowtodropitandsticktoyourlessons，"
saidthemastersharply。
"That’sso，"saidUncleBenhurriedly，hidinghimselfasitwereinanall-encompassingblush。"Incourselessonsfirst，boys，that’sthemotto。"Heagaintookuphispenandassumedhisoldlaboriousattitude。Butafterafewmomentsitbecameevidentthateitherthemaster’scurtdismissalofhissubjectorhisownpreoccupationwithit，hadsomewhatunsettledhim。Hecleanedhispenobtrusively，goingtothewindowforabetterlight，andwhistlingfromtimetotimewithademonstrativecarelessnessandadepressinggayety。Heoncebrokeintoamurmuring，meditativechantevidentlyreferringtothepreviousconversation，inits——
"That’sso——Yerwego——Lessonsthefirst，boys，Yo，heaveO。"Therollickingmarinecharacterofthisrefrain，despiteitsutterincongruousness，apparentlystruckhimfavorably，forherepeateditsoftly，occasionallyglancingbehindhimatthemasterwhowascoldlyabsorbedathisdesk。Presentlyhearose，carefullyputhisbooksaway，symmetricallypilingtheminapyramidbesideMr。
Ford’smotionlesselbow，andthenliftinghisfeetwithhighbutgentlestepswenttothepegwherehiscoatandhatwerehanging。
Ashewasabouttoputthemonheappearedsuddenlystruckwithasenseofindecorousnessindressinghimselfintheschool，andtakingthemonhisarmtotheporchresumedthemoutside。Thensaying，"IcleandisrememberedI’dgottoseeaman。Solong，tillto-morrow，"hedisappearedwhistlingsoftly。
Theoldwoodlandhushfellbackupontheschool。Itseemedveryquietandempty。Afaintsenseofremorsestoleoverthemaster。
YetherememberedthatUncleBenhadacceptedwithoutreproachandasagoodjokemuchmoredirectaccusationsfromRupertFilgee，andthathehimselfhadactedfromaconscientioussenseofdutytowardstheman。Butaconscientioussenseofdutytoinflictpainuponafellow-mortalforhisowngooddoesnotalwaysbringperfectserenitytotheinflicter——possiblybecause，inthedefectivemachineryofhumancompensation，painistheonlyqualitythatisapttoappearintheillustration。Mr。Fordfeltuncomfortable，andbeingso，wasnaturallyvexedattheinnocentcause。WhyshouldUncleBenbeoffendedbecausehehadsimplydeclinedtofollowhisweakfabricationsanyfurther？Thiswashisreturnforhavingtolerateditatfirst！Itwouldbealessontohimhenceforth。Neverthelesshegotupandwenttothedoor。ThefigureofUncleBenwasalreadyindistinctamongtheleaves，butfromthemotionofhisshouldersheseemedtobestillsteppinghighandsoftlyasifnotyetclearofinsecureandengulfingground。
Thesilencestillcontinuing，themasterbeganmechanicallytolookoverthedesksforforgottenormislaidarticles，andtorearrangethepupils’booksandcopies。AfewheartseasegatheredbythedevotedOctaviaDean，neatlytiedwithablackthreadandregularlyleftintheinkstandcavityofRupert’sdesk，werestilllyingonthefloorwheretheyhadbeenalwayshurledwithequalregularitybythatdisdainfulAdonis。Pickingupaslatefromunderabench，hisattentionwasattractedbyaforgottencartoononthereverseside。Mr。Fordatoncerecognizeditastheworkofthatyouthfulbuteminentcaricaturist，JohnnyFilgee。Broadintreatment，comprehensiveinsubject，liberalindetailandslate-pencil——itrepresentedUncleBenlyingonthefloorwithabookinhishand，tyrannizedoverbyRupertFilgeeandregardedinastrikingprofileoftwofeaturesbyCressyMcKinstry。Thedaringrealismofintroducingthenamesofeachcharacterontheirlegs——perhapsideallyenlargedforthatpurpose——leftnodoubtoftheiridentity。
Equallydaringbutnolesseffectivewastherenderingofalimitedbutdramaticconversationbetweenthepartiesbytheaidofemotionalballoonsattachedtotheirmouthslikeavisiblegulpbearingtherespectivelegends："Iluvyou，""Omy，"and"Yougit！"
Themasterwasforamomentstartledatthisunlooked-forbutgraphictestimonytothefactthatUncleBen’svisitstotheschoolwerenotonlyknownbutcommentedupon。Thesmalleyesofthoseyouthfulobservershadbeenkeenerthanhisown。Hehadagainbeenstupidlydeceived，inspiteofhisefforts。Love，albeitdeficientinfeaturesandwearinganimproperlyshortbell-shapedfrock，hadboldlyre-enteredthepeacefulschool，anddisturbingcomplicationsonabnormallegswerefollowingatitsheels。
CHAPTERV。
Whilethissimplepastorallifewascentredaroundtheschool-houseintheclearing，brokenonlybyanoccasionalwarningpistol-shotinthedirectionoftheHarrison-McKinstryboundaries，themorebusinesspartofIndianSpringwasovertakenbyoneofthosespasmsofenterprisepeculiartoallCalifornianminingsettlements。TheopeningoftheEurekaDitchandtheextensionofstagecoachcommunicationfromBigBluffwereeventsofnosmallimportance，andwerecelebratedonthesameday。Thedoubleoccasionovertaxingeventhefluentrhetoricoftheeditorofthe"Star"
lefthimstrugglinginthemetaphoricaldifficultiesofaPactolianSpring，whichhehadrashlyturnedintotheDitch，andobligedhimtotransfertheonerousdutyofwritingtheeditorialontheBigBluffExtensiontothehandsoftheHonorableAbnerDean，AssemblymanfromAngel’s。ThelossoftheHonorableMr。Dean’srighteyeinanearlypioneerfracasdidnotpreventhimfromlookingintothedimvistaofthefutureanddiscoveringwiththatsingleunaidedopticenoughtofillthreecolumnsofthe"Star。"
"Itisnottooextravaganttosay，"heremarkedwithcharmingdeprecation，"thatIndianSpring，throughitsownperfectlyorganizedsystemofinlandtransportation，theconfluenceofitsNorthForkwiththeSacramentoRiver，andtheircombinedeffluenceintotheillimitablePacific，isthusputnotonlyintodirectcommunicationwithfarCathaybutevenremoterAntipodeanmarkets。
ThecitizenofIndianSpringtakingthe9A。M。PioneerCoachandarrivingatBigBluffat2。40isenabledtoconnectwiththethroughexpresstoSacramentothesameevening，reachingSanFranciscopertheSteamNavigationCompany’spalatialsteamersintimetotakethePacificMailSteamertoYokohamaonthefollowingdayat8。30P。M。"AlthoughnocitizenofIndianSpringappearedtoavailhimselfofthisadmirableopportunity，nordiditappearatalllikelythatanywould，everybodyvaguelyfeltthataninestimableboonlayinthesuggestion，andeventhemasterprofessionallyintrustingthereadingaloudoftheeditorialtoRupertFilgeewithulteriordesignsofpracticeinthepronunciationoffive-syllablewords，wassomewhataffectedbyit。JohnnyFilgeeandJimmySnyderacceptingitasamysterioussomethingthatmadeDesertIslandsaccessibleatamoment’snoticeandatriflingoutlay，wereround-eyedandattentive。Andtheculminatinginformationfromthemasterthatthiseventwouldbecommemoratedbyahalf-holiday，combinedtomaketheoccasionasexcitingtothesimpleschool-houseintheclearingasitwastothegildedsalooninthemainstreet。
Andsothemomentousdayarrived，withitstwonewcoachesfromBigBluffcontainingthespeciallyinvitedspeakers——alwaysspeciallyinvitedtothoseoccasions，andyetstrangelyenoughneverbeforefeelingtheextreme"importanceandprivilege"ofitastheydidthen。Thentherewerethefiringoftwoanvils，thestrainsofabrassband，thehoistingofanewflagontheliberty-pole，andlatertheceremonyoftheDitchopening，whenadistinguishedspeakerinamostunworkman-liketallhat，blackfrockcoat，andwhitecravat，whichgavehimthegeneralairofafestivegrave-
digger，tookaspadefromthehandsofanapparentlyhilariouschiefmournerandthrewoutthefirstsods。Therewereanvils，brassbands，anda"collation"atthehotel。Buteverywhere——
overridingthemostextravagantexpectationandeventhelaughteritprovoked——thespiritofindomitableyouthandresistlessenterpriseintoxicatedtheair。ItwasthespiritthathadmadeCaliforniapossible；thathadsownathousandsuchventuresbroadcastthroughitswilderness；thathadenabledthesowertostandhalf-humorouslyamonghisscantorruinedharvestswithoutfearandwithoutrepining，andturnhisundauntedandeverhopefulfacetofurtherfields。WhatmattereditthatIndianSpringhadalwaysbeforeitseyestheabandonedtrenchesandruinedoutworksofitsearlierpioneers？WhatmattereditthattheeloquenteulogistoftheEurekaDitchhadbutafewyearsbeforeasprodigallyscatteredhisadjectivesandhisfortuneontheuselesstunnelthatconfrontedhimontheoppositesideoftheriver？Thesublimeforgetfulnessofyouthignoreditswarningorrecognizeditasajoke。Themaster，freshfromhislittleflockandprematurelyagedbytheircontact，feltastirringofsomethinglikeenvyashewanderedamongthesescarcelyolderenthusiasts。
EspeciallymemorablewastheexcitingdaytoJohnnyFilgee，notonlyforthedelightfullybewilderingclamorofthebrassband，inwhich，betweenthetromboneandthebassdrum，hehadgotinextricablymixed；notonlyforthehalf-frighteningexplosionsoftheanvilsandthemaddeningsmellofthegunpowderwhichhadexaltedhisinfantsoultosuddenandirrelevantwhoopings，butforasingularoccurrencethatwhettedhisalwayskeenperceptions。
HavingbeenshamelesslyabandonedontheverandaoftheEurekaHotelwhilehisbrotherRupertpaidbashfulcourttotheprettyproprietressbyassistingherinherduties，Johnnygavehimselfuptounlimitedobservation。Therosettesofthesixhorses，thenewharness，thelengthofthedriver’swhiplash，hisenormousbuckskinglovesandthewayheheldhisreins；thefascinatingodorofshiningvarnishonthecoach，thegold-headedcaneoftheHonorableAbnerDean：allthesewerestoredawayinthesecretrecessesofJohnny’smemory，evenastheunconsideredtrifleshehadpickedupenrouteweredistendinghiscapaciouspockets。Butwhenayoungmanhadalightedfromthesecondor"Truly"coachamongtheREAL
passengers，andstrolledcarelesslyandeasilyintheverandaasifthenoveltyandtheoccasionwerenothingtohim，Johnny，withagulpofsatisfaction，knewthathehadseenaprince！Beautifullydressedinawhiteducksuit，withadiamondringonhisfinger，agoldchainswingingfromhisfob，andaPanamahatwithabroadblackribbonjauntilyrestingonhiscurledandscentedhair，Johnny’seyeshadneverrestedonamoreresplendentvision。HewasmoreromanticthanYubaBill，moreimposingandlessimpossiblethantheHonorableAbnerDean，moreeloquentthanthemaster——farmorebeautifulthananycoloredprintthathehadeverseen。HadhebrushedhiminpassingJohnnywouldhavefeltathrill；hadhespokentohimheknewhewouldhavebeenspeechlesstoreply。
JudgethenofhisutterstupefactionwhenhesawUncleBen——
actuallyUncleBen！——approachthisparagonofperfection，albeitwithsomeembarrassment，andafterawordortwoofunintelligibleconversationwalkawaywithhim！NeeditbewonderedthatJohnny，forgetfulatonceofhisbrother，thehorses，andeventhecollationwithitspossible"goodies，"instantlyfollowed。
Thetwomenturnedintothesidestreet，which，afterafewhundredyards，openeduponthedesertedminingflat，crossedandbrokenbytheburrowsandmoundsmadebytheforgottenenginesoftheearlygold-seekers。Johnny，attimeshiddenbytheseirregularities，keptcloselyintheirrear，saunteringwheneverhecamewithintherangeoftheireyesinthatsidelong，spasmodicandgenerallydiagonalfashionpeculiartosmallboys，butreadyatanymomenttoassumeutterunconsciousnessandtheappearanceofgoingsomewhereelseorofsearchingforsomethingontheground。Inthiswayappearing，ifnoticedatall，eachtimeinsomedifferentpositiontotherightorleftofthem，Johnnyfollowedthemtothefringeofwoodlandwhichenabledhimtodrawclosertotheirheels。
Utterlyobliviousofthisartistic"shadowing"intheinsignificantpersonofthesmallboywhoonceortwiceevencrossedtheirpathwithaffectedtimidity，theycontinuedanapparentlyconfidentialpreviousinterview。Thewords"stocks"and"shares"werealoneintelligible。Johnnyhadheardthemduringtheday，buthewasstruckbythefactthatUncleBenseemedtobeseekinginformationfromtheparagonandwasperfectlysubmissiveandhumble。ButtheboywasconsiderablymystifiedwhenafteratrampofhalfanhourtheyarriveduponthedebatablegroundoftheHarrison-McKinstryboundary。Havingbeenespeciallywarnednevertogothere，Johnnyasamatterofcoursewasperfectlyfamiliarwithit。Butwhatwastheincomprehensiblestrangerdoingthere？WashebroughtbyUncleBenwithaviewofparalyzingbothofthecombatantswiththespectacleofhisperfections？Washeayouthfulsheriff，ayoungjudge，ormaybethesonoftheGovernorofCalifornia？OrwasitthatUncleBenwas"silly"anddidn’tknowthelocality？Herewasanopportunityforhim，Johnny，tointroducehimself，andexplainandevenmagnifythedanger，withperhapsaslightallusiontohisownfearlessfamiliaritywithit。Unfortunately，ashewasmakinguphissmallmindbehindatree，theparagonturnedandwiththeeasydisdainthatsowellbecamehim，said：
"Well，Iwouldn’tofferadollaranacreforthewholeranch。ButifYOUchoosetogiveafancyprice——that’syourlookout。"
ToJohnny’salreadyprejudicedmind，UncleBenreceivedthisjustcontemptsubmissively，asheought，butneverthelesshemutteredsomething"silly"inreply，whichJohnnywasreallytoodisgustedtolistento。Oughthenottostepforwardandinformtheparagonthathewaswastinghistimeonamanwhocouldn’tevenspell"ba-ker，"andwhowastaughthislettersbyhis，Johnny’s，brother？
Theparagoncontinued：
"Andofcourseyouknowthatmerelyyourbuyingthetitletothelanddon’tgiveyoupossession。You’llhavetofightthesesquattersandjumpersjustthesame。It’llbethreeinsteadoftwofighting——that’sall！"
UncleBen’simbecilereplydidnottroubleJohnny。Hehadearsnowonlyforthesuperiorintellectbeforehim。ITcontinuedcoolly：
"Nowlet’stakealookatthatyieldofyours。Ihaven’tmuchtimetogiveyou，asIexpectsomementobelookingformehere——andI
supposeyouwantthisthingstillkeptasecret。Idon’tseehowyou’vemanagedtodoitsofar。Isyourclaimnear？Youliveonit——Ithinkyousaid？"
Butthatthelittlelistenerwassopreoccupiedwiththestranger，thissuggestionofUncleBen’shavingaclaimworththeattentionofthatdistinguishedpresencewouldhavesethimthinking；thelittlethatheunderstoodhesetdowntoUncleBen’s"gassin’。"Asthetwomenmovedforwardagain，hefollowedthemuntilUncleBen’shousewasreached。
Itwasarudeshantyofboardsandroughboulders，halfburrowinginoneofthelargestmoundsofearthandgravel，whichhadoncerepresentedthetailingsorrefuseoftheabandonedIndianSpringPlacer。InfactitwascasuallyallegedbysomethatUncleBenekedoutthescanty"grubwages，"hemadebyactualmining，inreworkingandsiftingthetailingsatoddtimes——adegradingworkhithertopractisedonlybyChinese，andunworthytheCaucasianambition。Theminingcodeofhonorheldthatamanmightacceptthesmallestresultsofhisdailylabor，aslongashewassustainedbytheprospectofalarger"strike，"butcondemnedhiscontentmentwithamodestcertainty。Neverthelessalittleofthissuspicionencompassedhisdwellingandcontributedtoitsloneliness，evenasalongditch，theformertail-raceoftheclaim，separatedhimfromhisneighbors。Prudentlyhaltingattheedgeofthewood，Johnnysawhisresplendentvisioncrossthestripofbarrenflat，andenterthecabinwithUncleBenlikeanyothermortal。Hesatdownonastumpandawaiteditsreturn，whichhefondlyhopedmightbealone！Attheendofhalfanhourhemadeashortexcursiontoexaminetheconditionofablackberrybramble，andreturnedtohispostofobservation。Buttherewasneithersoundnormotioninthedirectionofthecabin。Whenanothertenminuteshadelapsed，thedooropenedandtoJohnny’sintensediscomfiture，UncleBenappearedaloneandwalkedleisurelytowardsthewoods。BurningwithanxietyJohnnythrewhimselfinUncleBen’sway。Buthereoccurredoneofthosesurprisinginconsistenciesknownonlytochildren。AsUncleBenturnedhissmallgrayeyesuponhiminahalfastonished，halfquestioningmanner，thepotentspiritofchildishsecretivenesssuddenlytookpossessionoftheboy。Wildhorsescouldnotnowhavetornfromhimthatquestionwhichonlyamomentbeforewasonhislips。
"Hullo，Johnny！Whatareyedoin’here？"saidUncleBenkindly。
"Nothin’。"Afterapause，inwhichhewalkedallroundUncleBen’slargefigure，gazingupathimasifhewereamonument，headded，"Huntin’blackberrieth。"
"Whyain’tyouoveratthecollation？"
"Ruperththere，"heansweredpromptly。
Theideaofbeingthusvicariouslypresentinthepersonofhisbrotherseemedasufficientexcuse。Heleap-froggedoverthestumponwhichhehadbeensittingasaneasyunembarrassingpauseforthenextquestion。ButUncleBenwasapparentlyperfectlysatisfiedwithJohnny’sreply，andnoddingtohim，walkedaway。
Whenhisfigurehaddisappearedinthebushes，Johnnycautiouslyapproachedthecabin。Atacertaindistancehepickedupastoneandthrewitagainstthedoor，immediatelytakingtohisheelsandthefriendlycopseagain。Nooneappearingherepeatedtheexperimenttwiceandeventhricewithalargerstoneandatanearerdistance。Thenheboldlyskirtedthecabinanddroppedintotherace-wayatitsside。Followingitafewhundredyardshecameuponalongdisusedshaftopeningintoit，whichhadbeencoveredwitharoughtrapofoldplanks，asiftoprotectincautiouswayfarersfromfallingin。HereasuddenandinexplicablefearovertookJohnny，andheranaway。Whenhereachedthehotel，almostthefirstsightthatmethisastoundedeyeswasthespectacleoftheparagon，apparentlystillinundisturbedpossessionofallhisperfections——drivingcoollyoffinabuggywithafreshcompanion。
MeantimeMr。Ford，howevertouchedbythesentimentalsignificanceofthecelebration，becameslightlyweariedofitsdetails。AshisownroomintheEurekaHotelwasactuallythrilledbythebrassbandwithoutandtheeloquenceofspeakersbelow，andhadbecomeredolentofgunpowderandchampagneexplodedaroundit，hedeterminedtoreturntotheschool-houseandavailhimselfofitswoodlandquiettowriteafewletters。
Thechangewasgrateful，thedistantmurmuroftheexcitedsettlementcameonlyasthesoothingsoundofwindamongtheleaves。Thepureairofthepinesthatfilledeverycrannyofthequietschool-room，andseemedtodispersealltaintofhumantenancy，madethefar-offcelebrationsasunrealasadream。Theonlyrealityofhislifewashere。
Hetookfromhispocketafewlettersoneofwhichwaswornandsoiledwithfrequenthandling。Here-readitinahalfmethodical，halfpatientway，asifhewerewaitingforsomerevelationitinspired，whichwasslowthatafternoonincoming。Atothertimesithadcalledupayouthfulenthusiasmwhichwaswonttotransfigurehisgraveandprematurelyreservedfacewithanewexpression。
To-daytherevelationandexpressionwerebothwanting。Heputtheletterbackwithaslightsigh，thatsoundedsopreposterousinthesilentroomthathecouldnotforegoanembarrassedsmile。Butthenextmomenthesethimselfseriouslytoworkonhiscorrespondence。
Presentlyhestopped；onceortwicehehadbeenovertakenbyavagueundefinablesenseofpleasure，eventothedreamyhaltingofhispen。Itwasasensationinnowayconnectedwiththesubjectofhiscorrespondence，orevenhispreviousreflections——itwaspartlyphysical，andyetitwasinsomesensesuggestive。Itmustbetheintoxicatingeffectofthewoodlandair。Heevenfanciedhehadnoticeditbefore，atthesamehourwhenthesunwasdecliningandthefreshodorsoftheundergrowthwererising。Itcertainlywasaperfume。Heraisedhiseyes。Therelaythecauseonthedeskbeforehim——alittlenosegayofwildCalifornianmyrtleencirclingarose-budwhichhadescapedhisnotice。
Therewasnothingunusualinthecircumstance。Thechildrenwereinthehabitofmakingtheirofferingsgenerallywithoutparticularreferencetotimeoroccasion，anditmighthavebeenoverlookedbyhimduringschool-hours。Hefeltapityfortheforgottenposyalreadybeginningtogrowlimpinitsneglectedsolitude。Herememberedthatinsomefolk-loreofthechildren’s，perhapsatraditionoftheoldassociationofthemyrtlewithVenus，itwasbelievedtobeemblematicoftheaffections。Herememberedalsothathehadeventoldthemofthisprobableoriginoftheirsuperstition。Hewasstillholdingitinhishandwhenhewasconsciousofasilkensensationthatsentamagneticthrillthroughhisfingers。Lookingatitmorecloselyhesawthatthesprigswereboundtogether，notbythreadorribbon，butbylongfilamentsofsoftbrownhairtightlywoundaroundthem。Heunwoundasinglehairandheldittothelight。Itslength，color，texture，andaboveallacertaininexplicableinstinct，toldhimitwasCressyMcKinstry’s。Helaiditdownquickly，asifhehad，inthatact，familiarlytouchedherperson。
Hefinishedhisletter，butpresentlyfoundhimselfagainlookingatthemyrtleandthinkingaboutit。Fromthepositioninwhichithadbeenplaceditwasevidentlyintendedforhim；thefancyofbindingitwithhairwasalsointentionalandnotanecessity，asheknewhisfemininescholarswereusuallywellprovidedwithbitsofthread，silk，orribbon。Ifithadbeensomenewabsurdityofchildishfashionintroducedintheschool，hewouldhavenoticediterethis。Foritwasthisobtrusionofapersonalitythatvaguelytroubledhim。HerememberedCressy’shair；itwascertainlyverybeautiful，inspiteofheroccasionalvagariesofcoiffure。Herecalledhow，oneafternoon，ithadcomedownwhenshewasrompingwithOctaviaintheplay-ground，andwassurprisedtofindwhatavividpictureheretainedofherlingeringintheporchtoputitup；herroundedarmsheldaboveherhead，herprettyshoulders，fullthroat，andglowingfacethrownback，andawispoftheveryhairbetweenherwhiteteeth！Hebegananotherletter。
Whenitwasfinishedtheshadowofthepine-branchbeforethewindow，thrownbythenearlylevelsunacrosshispaper，hadbegunslowlytoreachtheoppositewall。Heputhisworkaway，lingeredforamomentinhesitationoverthemyrtlesprays，andthenlockedtheminhisdeskwithanoddfeelingthathehadsecuredinsomevaguewayaholduponCressy’sfuturevagaries；thenreflectingthatUncleBen，whomhehadseenintown，wouldprobablykeepholidaywiththeothers，heresolvedtowaitnolonger，butstrolledbacktothehotel。TheacthoweverhadnotrecalledUncleBentohimbyanyassociationofideas，forsincehisdiscoveryofJohnnyFilgee’scaricaturehehadfailedtodetectanythingtocorroboratethecaricaturist’ssatire，andhaddismissedthesubjectfromhismind。
OnenteringhisroomatthehotelhefoundRupertFilgeestandingmoodilybythewindow，whilehisbrotherJohnny，overcomebyarepletionofexcitementandcollation，wasasleeponthesinglearm-chair。Theirpresencewasnotunusual，asMr。Ford，touchedbythelonelinessofthesemotherlessboys，hadofteninvitedthemtocometohisroomstolookoverhisbooksandillustratedpapers。
"Well？"hesaidcheerfully。
Rupertdidnotreplyorchangehisposition。Mr。Ford，glancingathimsharply，sawafamiliarangrylightintheboy’sbeautifuleyes，slightlydimmedbyatear。LayinghishandgentlyonRupert’sshoulderhesaid，"What’sthematter，Rupert？"
"Nothin’，"saidtheboydoggedly，withhiseyesstillfixedonthepane。
"Has——has——Mrs。Tripp"（thefairproprietress）"beenunkind？"hewentonlightly。
Noreply。
"Youknow，Rupe，"continuedMr。Forddemurely，"shemustshowSOME
reservebeforecompany——liketo-day。Itwon’tdotomakeascandal。"
Rupertmaintainedanindignantsilence。Butthedimple（whichheusuallydespisedasafeminineblot）onthecheeknearerthemasterbecameslightlyaccented。Onlyforamoment；thedarkeyescloudedagain。
"IwishIwasdead，Mr。Ford。"
"Hallo！"
"Or——doin’suthin’。"
"That’sbetter。Whatdoyouwanttodo？"
"Towork——makealivin’myself。Quittoten’woodandwaterathome；quitcookin’andmakin’beds，likeayallerChinaman；quitnussin’babiesanddressin’’emandundressin’’em，likeagirl。
LookatHIMnow，"pointingtothesweetlyunconsciousJohnny，"lookathimthere。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？ItmeansI’vegottopackhimhomethroughthetownjistezheisthar，andthenmakeafireandbilehisfoodforhim，andwashhimandundresshimandputhimtobed，and’NowIlaymedowntosleep’him，andtuckhimup；andDadallthewhile’scootin’roundtownwithotheridjits，jawin’about’progress’andthe’futureofInjinSpring。’Muchfuturewe’vegotoverourownhouse，Mr。Ford。Muchfuturehe’sgotlaidupforme！"
Themaster，towhomthoseoccasionaloutbreaksfromRupertwerenotunfamiliar，smiled，albeitwithseriouseyesthatbeliedhislips，andconsoledtheboyashehadoftendonebefore。ButhewasanxioustoknowthecauseofthisrecentattackanditsprobablerelationstothefascinatingMrs。Tripp。
"Ithoughtwetalkedallthatoversometimeago，Rupe。Inafewmonthsyou’llbeabletoleaveschool，andI’lladviseyourfatheraboutputtingyouintosomethingtogiveyouachanceforyourself。
Patience，oldfellow；you’redoingverywell。Consider——there’syourpupil，UncleBen。"
"Oh，yes！That’sanotherbigbabytototroundinschoolwhenI
ain’tniggerin’athome。"
"AndIdon’tseeexactlywhatelseyoucoulddoatIndianSpring，"
continuedMr。Ford。
"No，"saidRupertgloomily，"butIcouldgetawaytoSacramento。
YubaBillsaystheytakeboysnobiggernormeintharexpressofficesorbanks——andinayearortwothey’reasgoodezanybodyandgetpaidasbig。Why，therewasafellowhere，justnow，noolderthanyou，Mr。Ford，andnothalfyourlearnin’，andhedressedtodeathwithjewelry，andeverybodybowin’andscrapin’tohim，thatitwasperfectlysickenin’。"
Mr。Fordliftedhiseyebrows。"Oh，youmeantheyoungmanofBenhamandCo。，whowastalkingtoMrs。Tripp？"hesaid。
AquickflushofangryconsciousnesscrossedRupert’sface。
"Maybe；hehasjustcheekenoughforanythin’。"
"Andyouwanttobelikehim？"saidMr。Ford。
"YouknowwhatImean，Mr。Ford。NotLIKEhim。WhyYOU’REasgoodasheis，anyday，"continuedRupertwithrelentlessnaivete；"butifajay-birdlikethatcangeton，whycouldn’tI？"
TherewasnodoubtthatthemasterherepointedoutthedefectivenessofRupert’slogicandthebeneficenceofpatienceandstudy，asbecametheirrelationsofmasterandpupil，butwiththeadditionofacertainfellowsympathyandsomeamusingrecitalofhisownboyishexperiences，thathadtheeffectofcallingRupert’sdimplesintoactionagain。Attheendofhalfanhourtheboyhadbecomequitetractable，and，gettingreadytodepart，approachedhissleepingbrotherwithsomethinglikeresignation。ButJohnny’snapseemedtohavehadtheeffectoftransforminghimintoaninertjelly-likemass。ItrequiredthejointexertionsofboththemasterandRuperttotransferhimbodilyintothelatter’sarms，where，withasinglelimpelbowencirclinghisbrother’sneck，helaywithhisunfinishedslumberstillvisiblydistendinghischeeks，hiseyelids，andevenliftinghiscurlsfromhismoistforehead。ThemasterbadeRupert"good-night，"andreturnedtohisroomastheboydescendedthestairswithhisburden。
ButhereProvidence，with，Ifear，itsoccasionaldisregardofmerehumanmorality，rewardedRupertafterhisownfoolishdesires。
Mrs。TrippwasatthefootofthestairsasRupertcameslowlydown。Hesawher，andwascoveredwithshame；shesawhimandhisburden，andwastouchedwithkindliness。WhetherornotshewasalsomischievouslyawareofRupert’sadmiration，andwasnotaltogetherdispleasedwithit，Icannotsay。Inavoicethatthrilledhim，shesaid：——
"What！Rupert，areyougoingsosoon？"
"Yes，ma’am——-onaccountofJohnny。"
"Butletmetakehim——Icankeephimhereto-night。"
Itwasagreattemptation，butRuperthadstrengthtorefuse，albeitwithhishatpulledoverhisdowncasteyes。
"Poordear，howtiredhelooks。"
SheapproachedherstillfreshandprettyfaceclosetoRupertandlaidherlipsonJohnny’scheek。Thensheliftedheraudaciouseyestohisbrother，andpushingbackhiswell-wornchiphatfromhisclusteringcurls，shekissedhimsquarelyontheforehead。
"Good-night，dear。"
Theboystumbled，andthenstaggeredblindlyforwardintotheouterdarkness。Butwithagentleman’sdelicacyheturnedalmostinstantlyintoasidestreet，asiftokeepthisconsecrationofhimselffromvulgareyes。Thepathhehadchosenwasroughandweary，thenightwasdark，andJohnnywasridiculouslyheavy，buthekeptsteadilyon，thewoman’skissinthefancyofthefoolishboyshiningonhisforeheadandlightinghimonwardlikeastar。
CHAPTERVI。
WhenthedoorclosedonRupertthemasterpulleddowntheblind，and，trimminghislamp，triedtocomposehimselfbyreading。
Outside，the"GreatDayforIndianSpring"wasslowlyevaporatinginpalemistsfromtheriver，andthecelebrationitselfspasmodicallytakingflighthereandthereinRomancandlesandrockets。Anoccasionaloutbreakfromrevellersinthebar-roombelow，astumblingstraggleralongtheplankedsidewalkbeforethehotel，onlyseemedtointensifytherusticstillness。ForthefutureofIndianSpringwasstillsoremotethatNatureinsensiblyre-investeditsboundariesontheslightestrelaxationofcivicinfluence，andMr。Fordliftedhisheadfromtheglowingcolumnsofthe"Star"tolistentothefar-offyelpofacoyoteontheoppositeshore。
Hewasalsoconsciousoftherecurrenceofthatvague，pleasurablerecollection，soindefinitethat，whenhesoughttoidentifyitwithanything——eventhefindingofthemyrtlespraysonhisdesk——
itevadedhim。Hetriedtowork，withthesameinterruption。ThenanuneasysensationthathehadnotbeensufficientlykindtoRupertinhisfoolishlove-troublesremorsefullyseizedhim。A
halfpathetic，halfhumorouspictureofthemiserableRupertstaggeringunderthedoubleburdenofhissleepingbrotherandamisplacedaffection，orpossiblyabandoningtheoneorbothinthenearestditchinarecklessaccessofboyishfrenzyandfleeinghishomeforever，rosebeforehiseyes。Heseizedhishatwiththeintentionofseekinghim——orforgettinghiminsomeotheroccupationbytheway。ForMr。Fordhadthesensitiveconscienceofmanyimaginativepeople；anunfailingmonitor，itwasalwayscallinghiswholemoralbeingintoplaytoevadeit。
AshecrossedthepassagehecameuponMrs。Tripphoodedandelaboratelyattiredinawhiteballdress，whichhoweverdidnot，tohisownfancy，becomeheraswellasherordinarycostume。Hewaspassingherwithabow，whenshesaid，withcomplacentconsciousnessofherappearance，"Aren’tyougoingtotheballto-
night？"
Herememberedthenthat"anopeningball"attheCourt-housewasapartofthecelebration。"No，"hesaidsmiling；"butitisapitythatRupertcouldn’thaveseenyouinyourcharmingarray。"
"Rupert，"saidthelady，withaslightlycoquettishlaugh；"youhavemadehimasmuchawoman-haterasyourself。Iofferedtotakehiminourparty，andheranawaytoyou。"Shepaused，andgivinghimafurtivecriticalglancesaid，withaneasyminglingofconfidenceandaudacity，"Whydon’tYOUgo？Nobody’llhurtyou。"
"I’mnotsosureofthat，"repliedMr。Fordgallantly。"There’sthemelancholyexampleofRupertalwaysbeforeme。"
Mrs。Tripptossedherchignonanddescendedastepofthestairs。
"You’dbettergo，"shecontinued，lookingupoverthebalusters。
"Youcanlookonifyoucan’tdance。"
NowMr。FordCOULDdance，anditsochanced，ratherwell，too。
Withthisconsciousnessheremainedstandinginhalfindignanthesitationonthelandingasshedisappeared。Whyshouldn’thego？
Itwastrue，hehadhalftacitlyacquiescedinthereservewithwhichhehadbeentreated，andhadnevermingledsociallyinthegatheringsofeithersexatIndianSpring——butthatwasnoreason。
Hecouldatleastdresshimself，walktotheCourt-houseand——lookon。
AnyblackcoatandwhiteshirtwassufficientlyderigueurforIndianSpring。Mr。Fordaddedthesuperfluouseleganceofaforgottenwhitewaistcoat。Whenhereachedthesidewalkitwasonlynineo’clock，butthewindowsoftheCourt-housewerealreadyflaringlikeastrandedsteameronthebarrenbankwhereithadstruck。Onthewaythitherhewasonceortwicetemptedtochangehismind，andhesitatedevenattheverydoor。Butthefearthathishesitationwouldbenoticedbythefewloungersbeforeit，andthefactthatsomeofthemwerealreadyhesitatingthroughbashfulness，determinedhimtoenter。
Theclerks’officeandjudges’chambersonthelowerfloorhadbeeninvadedbywraps，shawls，andrefreshments，butthedancingwasreservedfortheupperfloororcourtroom，stillunfinished。
Flags，laurel-wreaths，andappropriatefloralinscriptionshiditsbarewalls；butthecoatofarmsoftheState，alreadyplacedoverthejudges’daiswithitsillimitablegoldensunset，itstriumphantgoddess，anditsimplacablegrizzly，seemedfigurativelytotypifytheoccasionbetterthantheinscriptions。Theroomwascloseandcrowded。Theflickeringcandlesintinsconcesagainstthewalls，ordependinginrudechandeliersofbarrel-hoopsfromtheceiling，litupthemostastoundingdiversityoffemalecostumethemasterhadeverseen。Gownsofbygonefashions，creasedandstainedwithpackinganddisuse，toiletsofforgottenfestivityrevisedwithmodernadditions；garmentsinandoutofseason——afur-trimmedjacketandatulleskirt，avelvetrobeunderapiquesacque；freshyoungfacesbeneathfadedhead-dresses，andmatureandbuxomcharmsinvirgin’white。Thesmallspaceclearedforthedancerswascontinuallyinvadedbythelookers-on，whoinfilesofthreedeeplinedtheroom。
Asthemasterpushedhiswaytothefront，ayounggirl，whohadbeenstandinginthesidesofaquadrille，suddenlydartedwithanymph-likequicknessamongthecrowdandwasforaninstanthidden。
Withoutdistinguishingeitherfaceorfigure，Mr。Fordrecognizedinthequick，impetuousactionacharacteristicmovementofCressy’s；withanembarrassinginstinctthathecouldnotaccountfor，heknewshehadseenhim，andthat，forsomeinexplicablereason，hewasthecauseofhersuddendisappearance。
Butitwasonlyforamoment。Evenwhilehewasvaguelyscanningthecrowdshereappearedandtookherplacebesidehermystifiedpartner——thefascinatingstrangerofJohnny’sdevotionandRupert’sdislike。Shewaspale；hehadneverseenhersobeautiful。Allthathehadthoughtdistastefulandincongruousinherwerebutaccessoriesofherlovelinessatthatmoment，inthatlight，inthatatmosphere，inthatstrangeassembly。Evenherfullpinkgauzedress，fromwhichherfairyoungshouldersslippedasfromasunsetcloud，seemedonlytheperfectionofvirginalsimplicity；
hergirlishlengthoflimbandthelongcurvesofherneckandbackwerenowtheoutlinesofthoroughbreeding。Theabsenceofcolorinherusuallyfreshfacehadbeenreplacedbyafaintmagneticaurorathatseemedtohimhalfspiritual。Hecouldnottakehiseyesfromher；hecouldnotbelievewhathesaw。YetthatwasCressyMcKinstry——hispupil！Hadheeverreallyseenher？Didheknowhernow？Smallwonderthatalleyeswerebentuponher，thatamurmurofunspokenadmiration，orstillmoreintensehushofsilencemovedthepeoplearoundhim。Heglancedhurriedlyatthem，andwasoddlyrelievedbythisevidentparticipationinhisemotions。
Shewasdancingnow，andwiththatsamepalerestraintandcuriousquietthathadaffectedhimsostrongly。Shehadnotevenlookedinhisdirection，yethewasawarebythesameinstinctthathadatfirstpossessedhimthatsheknewhewaspresent。Hisdesiretocatchhereyewasbecomingmingledwithacertaindread，asifinasingleinterchangeofglancestheillusionsofthemomentwouldeithervanishutterlyorbecomeirrevocablyfixed。Heforcedhimself，whenthesetwasfinished，toturnaway，partlytoavoidcontactwithsomeacquaintanceswhohaddriftedbeforehim，andwhompolitenesswouldhaveobligedhimtoasktodance，andpartlytocollecthisthoughts。Hedeterminedtomakeatouroftheroomsandthengoquietlyhome。Thosewhorecognizedhimmadewayforhimwithpassivecuriosity；themiddle-agedandolderaddingaconfidentialsympathyandequalitythatpositivelyirritatedhim。
ForaninstanthehadanideaofseekingoutMrs。Trippandclaimingherasapartner，merelytoshowherthathedanced。