CONTENTS
　　SALLYDOWS
　　THECONSPIRACYOFMRS。BUNKER
　　THETRANSFORMATIONOFBUCKEYECAMP
　　THEIRUNCLEFROMCALIFORNIA
　　SALLYDOWS。
　　PROLOGUE。
　　THELASTGUNATSNAKERIVER。
　　Whathadbeeninthecoolgrayofthatsummermorningadewycountrylane，markedonlybyafewwagontracksthatneverencroacheduponitsgrassyborder，andindentedonlybythefaintfootprintsofacrossingfoxorcoon，wasnow，beforehighnoon，alreadycrushed，beatendown，andtrampledoutofallsemblanceofitsformergraciousness。Theheavyspringlessjoltofgun—carriageandcaissonhadcutdeeplythroughthemiddletrack;thehoofsofcrowdingcavalryhadstruckdownandshreddedthewaysidevinesandbushestoburythemunderacloudoffollowingdust，andtheshort，plungingdouble—quickofinfantryhadtroddenoutthishideousruinintoonedustylevelchaos。Alongthatrudelywidenedhighwayuselessmuskets，tornaccoutrements，knapsacks，caps，andarticlesofclothingwerescattered，withhereandtherethelargerwrecksofbroken—downwagons，roughlythrownasideintotheditchtomakewayforthelivingcurrent。Fortwohoursthegreaterpartofanarmycorpshadpassedandrepassedthatway，but，comingorgoing，alwayswithfacesturnedeagerlytowardsanopenslopeontherightwhichranparalleltothelane。Andyetnothingwastobeseenthere。Fortwohoursagrayandbluishcloud，rentandshakenwithexplosionafterexplosion，butalwaysclosingandthickeningaftereachdischarge，wasallthathadmettheireyes。Nevertheless，intothisominouscloudsolidmovingmassesofmeningrayorbluehadthatmorningmeltedaway，oremergedfromitonlyasscatteredfragmentsthatcrept，crawled，ran，orclungtogetheringroups，tobefollowed，andovertakenintherollingvapor。
　　Butforthelasthalfhourthedesolatedtrackhadstretchedemptyanddeserted。Whiletherewasnocessationoftherattling，crackling，anddetonationsonthefatefulslopebeyond，ithadstillbeensilent。Onceortwiceithadbeencrossedbytimid，hurryingwings，andfrightenedandhesitatinglittlefeet，orlaterbyskulkersandstragglersfromthemaincolumnwhoweretemptedtoenteritfromthehedgesandbusheswheretheyhadbeencreepingandhiding。Suddenlyaprolongedyellfromthehiddenslopebeyond——thenearestsoundthathadyetbeenheardfromthatominousdistance——sentthemtocoveragain。Itwasfollowedbythefuriousgallopingofhorsesinthelane，andahandsome，red—cappedofficer，accompaniedbyanorderly，dasheddownthetrack，wheeled，leapedthehedge，rodeoutontheslopeandhalted。Inanotherinstantacloudofdustcamewhirlingdownthelaneafterhim。Outofitstrainedtheheavyshouldersandtightenedchain—tracesofsixfrantichorsesdraggingtheswayinggunthatinthistempestofmotionaloneseemedpassiveandhelplesswithanawfulforeknowledgeofitspower。Asinobediencetoasignalfromtheofficertheycrashedthroughthehedgeafterhim，asuddenjoltthrewanartillerymanfromthelimberbeforethewheel。Adriverglancedbackonthetensechainandhesitated。"Goon！"yelledtheprostrateman，andthewheelwentoverhim。Anotherandanothergunfollowedoutofthedustcloud，untilthewholebatteryhaddeployedontheslope。Beforethedriftingdusthadfairlysettled，thefallingbackofthepantinghorseswiththeirdriversgaveamomentaryglimpseofthenearestgunalreadyinpositionandofthefourerectfiguresbesideit。Theyellthatseemedtohaveevokedthissuddenapparitionagainsoundednearer;ablindingflashbrokefromthegun，whichwasinstantlyhiddenbytheclosinggrouparoundit，andadeafeningcrashwiththehighringingofmetalrandownthelane。Acolumnofwhite，woollysmokearoseasanotherflashbrokebesideit。Thiswasquicklyfollowedbyanotherandanother，witharesponsefromthegunfirstfired，untilthewholeslopeshookandthundered。Andthesmoke，nolongerwhiteandwoolly，butdarkeningandthickeningaswithunburntgrainsofgunpowder，mingledintotheoneominousvapor，anddrivingalongthelanehideventheslopefromview。
　　Theyellinghadceased，butthegrindingandrattlingheardthroughthedetonationofcannoncamenearerstill，andsuddenlytherewasashowerofleavesandtwigsfromthelowerbranchesofachestnut—
　　treenearthebrokenhedge。Asthesmokethinnedagainarisingandfallingmedleyofflappinghats，tossinghorses’headsandshiningsteelappearedforaninstant，advancingtumultuouslyuptheslope。Buttheapparitionwasasinstantlyclovenbyflamefromthetwonearestguns，andwentdowninagushofsmokeandroarofsound。Solevelwasthedeliveryandsoclosetheimpactthataspaceseemedsuddenlyclearedbetween，inwhichthewhirlingoftheshatteredremnantsofthechargingcavalrywasdistinctlyseen，andtheshoutsandoathsoftheinextricablystrugglingmassbecameplainandarticulate。Thenagunnerservingthenearestpiecesuddenlydroppedhisswabandseizedacarbine，foroutofthewhirlingconfusionbeforethemasingleriderwasseengallopingfuriouslytowardsthegun。
　　Thered—cappedyoungofficerrodeforwardandknockedupthegunner’sweaponwithhissword。Forinthatrapidglancehehadseenthattherider’sreinswerehanginglooselyontheneckofhishorse，whowasstilldashingforwardswiththefranticimpetusofthecharge，andthattheyouthfulfigureoftherider，wearingthestripesofalieutenant，——althoughstillerect，exercisednocontrolovertheanimal。Thefacewasboyish，blond，andghastly;
　　theeyesweresetandglassy。ItseemedasifDeathitselfwerechargingthegun。
　　Withinafewfeetofitthehorseswervedbeforeabrandishedrammer，andstrikingthecheeksofthegun—carriagepitchedhisinanimaterideracrossthegun。Thehotbloodofthedeadmansmokedonthehotterbrasswiththereekoftheshambles，andbe—
　　spatteredthehandofthegunnerwhostillmechanicallyservedthevent。Astheyliftedthedeadbodydowntheordercameto"ceasefiring。"Fortheyellsfrombelowhadceasedtoo;therattlingandgrindingwererecedingwiththesmokefarthertotheleft。Theominouscentralcloudpartedforabriefmomentandshowedtheunexpectedsunglitteringdowntheslopeuponanearandpeacefulriver。
　　Theyoungartilleryofficerhaddismountedandwasnowgentlyexaminingthedeadman。Hisbreasthadbeencrushedbyafragmentofshell;hemusthavediedinstantly。Thesamemissilehadcutthechainofalocketwhichslippedfromhisopenedcoat。Theofficerpickeditupwithastrangefeeling——perhapsbecausehewasconscioushimselfofwearingasimilarone，perhapsbecauseitmightgivehimsomecluetotheman’sidentity。Itcontainedonlythephotographofaprettygirl，atendriloffairhair，andtheword"Sally。"Inthebreast—pocketwasasealedletterwiththeinscription，"ForMissSallyDows。TobedeliveredifIfallbythemudsill’shand。"Afaintsmilecameovertheofficer’sface;
　　hewasabouttohandthearticlestoasergeant，butchangedhismindandputtheminhispocket。
　　Meantimethelaneandwoodsbeyond，andeventheslopeitself，werecrowdingwithsupportsandwaitingtroops。Hisownbatterywasstillunlimbered，waitingorders。Therewasaslightcommotioninthelane。
　　"Verywelldone，captain。Smartlytakenandgallantlyheld。"
　　Itwasthevoiceofageneralofficerpassingwithhisstaff。
　　Therewasanoteofpleasantreliefinitstone，andthemiddle—
　　aged，care—drawnfaceofitsownerwasrelaxedinapaternalsmile。
　　Theyoungcaptainflushedwithpleasure。
　　"Andyouseemtohavehadcloseworktoo，"addedthegeneral，pointingtothedeadman。
　　Theyoungofficerhurriedlyexplained。Thegeneralnodded，saluted，andpassedon。Butayouthfulaideairilylingered。
　　"Theoldman’sfeelinggood，Courtland，"hesaid。"We’verolled’emupallalongtheline。It’sallovernow。Inpointoffact，I
　　reckonyou’vefiredthelastroundinthisparticularfratricidalengagement。"
　　Thelastround！Courtlandremainedsilent，lookingabstractedlyatthemanithadcrushedandbrokenathisfeet。
　　"AndIshouldn’twonderifyougotyourgold—leafforto—day’swork。Butwho’syoursunnySouthernfriendhere？"headded，followinghiscompanion’seyes。
　　Courtlandrepeatedhisstoryalittlemoreseriously，which，however，failedtosubduetheyoungaide’slevity。"Soheconcludedtostopover，"heinterruptedcheerfully。"But，"lookingattheletterandphotograph，"Isay——lookhere！’SallyDows？’
　　Why，therewasanothermanpickedupyesterdaywithalettertothesamegirl！DocMurphyhasit。And，byJove！thesamepicturetoo！——eh？Isay，Sallymusthavegatheredintheboys，andrakeddownthewholepile！Lookhere，Courty！youmightgetDocMurphy’sletterandhuntherupwhenthiscruelwarisover。Sayyou’re’fulfillingasacredtrust！’See？Goodidea，oldman！Ta—ta！"
　　andhetrottedquicklyafterhissuperior。
　　Courtlandremainedwiththeletterandphotographinhishand，gazingabstractedlyafterhim。Thesmokehadrolledquiteawayfromthefieldsontheleft，butstillhungheavilydownthesouthontheheelsoftheflyingcavalry。Alongbuglecallswelledupmusicallyfrombelow。Thefreedsuncaughtthewhiteflagsoftwofieldhospitalsinthewoodsandglancedtranquillyonthebroad，cypress—fringed，lazy—flowing，andcruelbutbeautifulSouthernriver，whichhadallunseencreptsosmilinglythatmorningthroughtheveryheartofthebattle。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　Thetwoo’clockexpressfromRedlandstoForestville，Georgia，hadbeenproceedingwiththelanguidplacidityoftheriverwhosebanksitskirtedformorethantwohours。But，unliketheriver，ithadstoppedfrequently;sometimesatrecognizedstationsandvillages，sometimesattheapparitionofstraw—hattedandlinen—coatednativesinthesolitudeofpinewoods，where，afteradecentintervalofcheeryconversationwiththeconductorandengineer，iteithertookthestrangeronboard，orrelievedhimofhisparcel，letter，basket，oreventheverbalmessagewithwhichhewascharged。Muchofthewaylaythroughpine—barrenandswampywoodswhichhadneverbeenclearedorcultivated;muchthroughdecayedsettlementsandruinedvillagesthathadremainedunchangedsincetheWaroftheRebellion，nowthreeyearspast。Therewerevestigesoftheseverityofaformermilitaryoccupation;theblackenedtimbersofrailwaybridgesstillunrepaired;andalongthelineofacertainmemorablemarch，sectionsofironrailstakenfromthetorn—uptrack，roastedinbonfiresandbentwhilered—hotaroundthetrunksoftrees，werestilltobeseen。Thesemementosofdefeatseemedtoexciteneitherrevengenortheenergytoremovethem;thedullapathywhichhadsucceededthedaysofhystericalpassionandconvulsionstilllingered;eventheslowimprovementthatcouldbedetectedwasmarkedbythelanguorofconvalescence。
　　Thehelplessnessofarace，hithertodependentuponcertainbarbaricconditionsorpoliticalplaceandpower，unskilledininvention，andsuddenlyconfrontedwiththenecessityofpersonallabor，wasvisibleeverywhere。EyesthatbutthreeshortyearsbeforehadturnedvindictivelytotheNorth，nowgazedwistfullytothatquarterforhelpanddirection。Theyscannedeagerlythefacesoftheirenergeticandprosperousneighbors——andquondamfoes——upontheverandasofSouthernhotelsandthedecksofSouthernsteamboats，andwereevennowwatchingfromagroupinthewoodsthewindowsofthehaltedtrain，wherethefacesappearedoftwomenofmanifestlydifferenttypes，butstillalientothecountryindress，features，andaccent。
　　Twonegroeswereslowlyloadingtheenginetenderfromawoodpile。
　　Therichbrownsmokeoftheturpentineknotswasfillingthetrainwithitsstingingfragrance。TheelderofthetwoNorthernpassengers，withsharpNewEnglandanglesinhisface，impatientlyglancedathiswatch。
　　"Ofallcreatedshiftlessness，thisbeatseverything！Whycouldn’twehavetakeninenoughwoodtolastthetenmilesfarthertotheterminuswhenwelaststopped？Andwhyinthunder，withallthisfiringup，can’twegofaster？"
　　Theyoungerpassenger，whosequiet，well—bredfaceseemedtoindicatemoredisciplineofcharacter，smiled。
　　"Ifyoureallywishtoknowandaswe’veonlytenmilesfarthertogo——I’llshowyouWHY。Comewithme。"
　　Heledthewaythroughthecartotheplatformandleapeddown。
　　Thenhepointedsignificantlytotherailsbelowthem。Hiscompanionstarted。Themetalwasscalingoffinthinstripsfromtherails，andinsomeplacesitsthicknesshadbeenreducedaquarterofaninch，whileinotherstheprojectingedgesweretornoff，orhanginginironshreds，sothatthewheelsactuallyranonthenarrowcentralstrip。Itseemedmarvelousthatthetraincouldkeepthetrack。
　　"NOWyouknowwhywedon’tgomorethanfivemilesanhour，and——
　　arethankfulthatwedon’t，"saidtheyoungtravelerquietly。
　　"Butthisisdisgraceful！——criminal！"ejaculatedtheothernervously。
　　"Notattheirrateofspeed，"returnedtheyoungerman。"Thecrimewouldbeingoingfaster。AndnowyoucanunderstandwhyagooddealoftheotherprogressinthisStateisobligedtogoasslowlyovertheirequallydecayingandrottenfoundations。Youcan’trushthingshereaswedointheNorth。"
　　Theotherpassengershruggedhisshouldersastheyremountedtheplatform，andthetrainmovedon。Itwasnotthefirsttimethatthetwofellow—travelershaddiffered，althoughtheirmissionwasacommonone。Theelder，Mr。CyrusDrummond，wasthevice—presidentofalargeNorthernlandandmillcompany，whichhadboughtextensivetractsoflandinGeorgia，andtheyounger，ColonelCourtland，wastheconsultingsurveyorandengineerforthecompany。Drummond’sopinionswereagooddealaffectedbysectionalprejudice，andaself—satisfiedandrighteousignoranceoftheactualconditionsandlimitationsofthepeoplewithwhomhewastodeal;whiletheyoungerman，whohadservedthroughthewarwithdistinction，retainedasoldier’srespectandesteemforhislateantagonists，withaconscientiousandthoughtfulobservationoftheircharacter。Althoughhehadresignedfromthearmy，thefactthathehadpreviouslygraduatedatWestPointwithhighhonorshadgivenhimprefermentinthistechnicalappointment，andhisknowledgeofthecountryanditspeoplemadehimavaluablecounselor。Anditwasafactthatthecountrypeoplehadpreferredthissoldierwithwhomtheyhadoncepersonallygrappledtothecapitalisttheyhadneverknownduringthestruggle。
　　Thetrainrolledslowlythroughthewoods，soslowlythatthefragrantpinesmokefromtheenginestillhungroundthewindowsofthecars。Graduallythe"clearings"becamelarger;theysawthedistantwhitewoodencolonnadesofsomeplanter’shouse，lookingstillopulentandpretentious，althoughthefenceofitsinclosurehadbrokengaps，andthegatesaggedonitssinglehinge。
　　Mr。Drummondsniffedatthisdamningrecordofneglectandindifference。"Eveniftheywereruined，theymightstillhavespentafewcentsfornailsandslatstoenablethemtolookdecentbeforefolks，andnotparadetheirpovertybeforetheirneighbors，"
　　hesaid。
　　"Butthat’sjustwhereyoumisunderstandthem，Drummond，"saidCourtland，smiling。"Theyhavenoreasontokeepupanattitudetowardstheirneighbors，whostillknowthemas’Squire’so—and—so，’Colonel’thisandthat，andthe’Judge，’——ownersoftheirvastbutcrippledestates。Theyarenotashamedofbeingpoor，whichisanaccident。"
　　"Buttheyareofworking，whichisDELIBERATION，"interruptedDrummond。"Theyareashamedtomendtheirfencesthemselves，nowthattheyhavenoslavestodoitforthem。"
　　"Idoubtverymuchifsomeofthemknowhowtodriveanail，forthematterofthat，"saidCourtland，stillgood—humoredly，"butthat’sthefaultofasystemolderthanthemselves，whichthefoundersoftheRepublicretained。Wecannotgivethemexperienceintheirnewconditioninoneday，andinfact，Drummond，Iamverymuchafraidthatforourpurposes——andIhonestlybelieveforTHEIR
　　good——wemusthelptokeepthemforthepresentastheyare。"
　　"Perhaps，"saidDrummondsarcastically，"youwouldliketoreinstateslavery？"
　　"No。ButIshouldliketoreinstatetheMASTER。AndnotforHIS
　　sakealone，butforfreedom’ssakeandOURS。Tobeplain：sinceI
　　havetakenupthismatterforthecompany，Ihavesatisfiedmyselffrompersonalobservationthatthenegro——evenmorethanhismaster——cannothandlehisnewcondition。Heisaccustomedtohisoldtraditionaltask—master，andIdoubtifhewillworkfairlyforanyother——particularlyforthosewhodon’tunderstandhim。Don’tmistakeme：Idon’tproposetogobacktothewhip;tothatbrutalinstitution，theirresponsibleoverseer;tothebuyingandselling，andseparationofthefamily，noranyoftheoldwrongs;butI
　　proposetomaketheoldmasterOUROVERSEER，andresponsibletoUS。
　　Heisnotafool，andhasalreadylearnedthatitismoreprofitabletopaywagestohisoldslavesandhavethepowerofdismissal，likeanyotheremployer，thanbeobliged，undertheoldsystemofenforcedlaborandlifeservitude，toundergothecostofmaintainingincompetenceandidleness。Theoldsentimentofslave—owninghasdisappearedbeforenaturalcommon—senseandselfishness。Iamsatisfiedthatbysomesuchprocessasthisutilizingoftheoldmasterandthenewfreedomwewillbebetterabletocultivateourlandsthanbybuyinguptheirestates，andsettingtheoldownersadrift，withalittlemoneyintheirpockets，asanidle，discontentedclasstoreviveoldpoliticaldogmas，andfomentnewissues，orperhapssetupadangerousoppositiontous。
　　"Youdon’tmeantosaythatthoseinfernalniggerswouldgivethepreferencetotheiroldoppressors？"
　　"Dollarfordollarinwages——yes！Andwhyshouldn’tthey？Theiroldmastersunderstandthembetter——andtreatthemgenerallybetter。Theyknowourinterestinthemisonlyanabstractsentiment，notarealliking。Weshowitateveryturn。ButwearenearingRedlands，andMajorReedwill，Ihavenodoubt，corroboratemyimpressions。Heinsistsuponourstayingathishouse，althoughthepooroldfellow，Iimagine，canillaffordtoentertaincompany。Buthewillbeoffendedifwerefuse。"
　　"Heisafriendofyours，then？"askedDrummond。
　　"IfoughtagainsthisdivisionatStonyCreek，"saidCourtlandgrimly。"Henevertiresoftalkingofittome——soIsupposeI
　　am。"
　　AfewmomentslaterthetrainglidedbesidetheRedlandsplatform。
　　AsthetwotravelersdescendedahandwaslaidonCourtland’sshoulder，andastoutfigureintheblackestandshiniestofalpacajackets，andthewhitestandbroadestofPanamahats，welcomedhim。
　　"Gladtoseeyo’，cun’nel。IreckonedI’dwaltzoverandbringalongtheboy，"pointingtoagrizzlednegroservantofsixtywhowasbowingbeforethem，"tototeyo’rthingsoverinsteadofusingahack。Ihaven’trunmuchonhorsefleshsincethewah——ha！ha！
　　WhatIdidn’tuseupforremountsIreckonyo’rcommissarygobbledupwiththeotherlivestock，eh？"Helaughedheartily，asiftherecollectionswerepurelyhumorous，andagainclappedCourtlandontheback。
　　"Letmeintroducemyfriend，Mr。Drummond，MajorReed，"saidCourtland，smiling。
　　"Yo’wereinthewah，sir？"
　　"No——I"——returnedDrummond，hesitating，heknewnotwhy，andangryathisownembarrassment。
　　"Mr。Drummond，thevice—presidentofthecompany，"interposedCourtlandcheerfully，"wasengagedinfurnishingtousthesinewsofwar。"
　　MajorReedbowedalittlemoreformally。"Mostofusheah，sir，wereinthewahsometimeorother，andifyougentlemenwillhonahmebyjoininginasocialglassatthehotelacrosstheway，I’llintroduceyoutoCaptainPrendergast，wholeftalegatFairOaks。"
　　Drummondwouldhavedeclined，butasignificantpressureonhisarmfromCourtlandchangedhisdetermination。Hefollowedthemtothehotelandintothepresenceoftheone—leggedwarrior（whoturnedouttobethelandlordandbarkeeper），towhomCourtlandwashilariouslyintroducedbyMajorReedas"theman，sir，whohadpoundedmydivisionforthreehoursatStonyCreek！"
　　MajorReed’shousewasbutafewminutes’walkdownthedustylane，andwaspresentlyheraldedbythebayingofthreeorfourfoxhoundsandforeshadowedbyadilapidatedconditionofpicket—fenceandstuccoedgatefront。BeyonditstretchedthewoodenDoriccolumnsoftheusualSouthernmansion，dimlyseenthroughthebroadleavesofthehorse—chestnut—treesthatshadedit。Thereweretheusuallistlessblackshadowshauntingtheverandaandouteroffices——
　　formerslavesandstillattachedhouse—servants，arrestedlikelizardsinbreathlessattitudesattheapproachofstrangefootsteps，andstillholdingthebrush，broom，duster，orhomeimplementtheyhadbeenlazilyusing，intheirfixedhands。Fromthedoorwayofthedetachedkitchen，connectedbyagallerytothewingofthemansion，"AuntMartha，"thecook，gazedalso，withasaucepanclaspedtoherbosom，andherrevolvinghandwiththescrubbingclothinitapparentlystoppedonadeadcentre。
　　Drummond，whosegorgehadrisenattheseevidencesofhopelessincapacityanduttershiftlessness，wasnotrelievedbythepresenceofMrs。Reed——asoured，disappointedwomanofforty，whostillcarriedinhersmalldarkeyesandthinhandsomelipssomethingofthebitternessandantagonismofthetypical"Southernrights"woman;norofhertwodaughters，OctaviaandAugusta，whoselanguidatrabiliousnessseemedapartofthemourningtheystillwore。Theoptimisticgallantryandgoodfellowshipofthemajorappearedthemoreremarkablebycontrastwithhiscypress—shadowedfamilyandtheirvenomouspossibilities。PerhapstheremighthavebeenalightveinofSoutherninsincerityinhisgoodhumor。
　　"Paw，"saidMissOctavia，withgloomyconfidencetoCourtland，butwithaprettycurlofthehereditarylip，"isabouttheonly’reconstructed’oneoftheentirefamily。Wedon’tmake’emmuchaboutyer。ButI’dadviseyo’friend，Mr。Drummond，ifhe’scomingherecarpet—bagging，nottotrusttoomuchtopaw’s’reconstruction。’
　　Itwon’twash。"ButwhenCourtlandhastenedtoassureherthatDrummondwasnota"carpet—bagger，"wasnotonlyfreefromanyofthepoliticalintrigueimpliedunderthatbalefultitle，butwasawealthyNortherncapitalistsimplyseekinginvestment，theyoungladywasscarcelymorehopeful。"Isupposehereckonstopaypawforthoseniggersyo’stole？"shesuggestedwithgloomysarcasm。
　　"No，"saidCourtland，smiling;"butwhatifhereckonedtopaythoseniggersforworkingforyourfatherandhim？"
　　"Ifpawisgoingintotradingbusinesswithhim;ifMajorReed——aSo’th’ngentleman——isgoingtokeepshop，heain’tsuchafoolastobelieveniggerswillworkwhentheyain’tobligedto。THAT’S
　　beentriedoveratMirandyDows’s，notfivemilesfromhere，andtheniggersarehalfthetimehangin’roundheretakin’holiday。
　　Sheputupnewquartersfor’em，andtriedtomake’emeattogetheratalongtablelikethoselow—downfolksupNorth，anddidawaywiththeircabinsandtheirmelonpatches，andalloweditwouldget’emoutoflyingroundtoomuch，andwanted’emtoworkover—timeandgetmo’pay。Andtheresultwasthatsheandherniece，andalotofpoorwhites，IrishandScotch，thatshehadtopickup’’longtheriver，’doallthework。AndhernieceSallywasmo’
　　thanhalfUnionwomanduringthewah，anduptoallNo’th’ntricksanddodges，andswearin’bythem;andyet，forallthat——thethingwon’twork。"
　　"Butisn’tthatpartlythereason？Isn’therfailureagreatdealduetothislackofsympathyfromherneighbors？Discontentiseasilysown，andthenegroisstillweighteddownbysuperstition;
　　theFifteenthAmendmentdidnotquiteknockoffALLhischains。"
　　"Yes，butthatisnothingtoHER。Forifthereeverwasapersoninthisworldwhoreckonedshewasjustborntomanageeverythingandeverybody，itisSallyDows！"
　　"SallyDows！"repeatedCourtland，withaslightstart。
　　"Yes，SallyDows，ofPineville。"
　　"YousayshewashalfUnion，butdidshehaveanyrelationsor——
　　or——friends——inthewar——onyourside？Any——who——werekilledinbattle？"
　　"Theywereallkilled，Ireckon，"returnedMissReeddarkly。
　　"Therewashercousin，JuleJeffcourt，shotinthecemeterywithherbeau，who，theysay，wasSally’stoo;therewereChetBrooksandJoyceMasterton，whowerebothgoneonherandbothkilledtoo;
　　andtherewasoldCaptainDowshimself，whoneverliftedhisheadagainafterRichmondwastaken，anddrankhimselftodeath。Itwasn’tconsideredhealthytobeMissSally’srelationsinthosetimes，ortobeevenwantin’tobeone。"
　　ColonelCourtlanddidnotreply。Thefaceofthedeadyoungofficercomingtowardshimoutofthebluesmokeroseasvividlyasonthatmemorableday。Thepictureandletterhehadtakenfromthedeadman’sbreast，whichhehadretainedeversince;theromanticandfruitlessquesthehadmadeforthefairoriginalinafterdays;andthestrangeandfatefulinterestinherwhichhadgrownupinhisheartsincethen，henowknewhadonlybeenlulledtosleepinthebusypreoccupationofthelastsixmonths，foritallcamebacktohimwithredoubledforce。Hispresentmissionanditspracticalobject，hishonestzealinitspursuit，andthecautiousskillandexperiencehehadbroughttoit，allseemedtobesuddenlydisplacedbythisromanticandunrealfantasy。Oddlyenoughitappearednowtobetheonlyrealityinhislife，therestwasanincoherent，purposelessdream。
　　"Is——is——MissSallymarried？"heasked，collectinghimselfwithaneffort。
　　"Married？Yes，tothatfarmofheraunt’s！Ireckonthat’stheonlythingshecaresfor。"
　　Courtlandlookedup，recoveringhisusualcheerfulcalm。"Well，I
　　thinkthatafterluncheonI’llpaymyrespectstoherfamily。Fromwhatyouhavejusttoldmethefarmiscertainlyanexperimentworthseeing。IsupposeyourfatherwillhavenoobjectiontogivemealettertoMissDows？"
　　CHAPTERII。
　　Nevertheless，asColonelCourtlandrodedeliberatelytowardsDows’
　　Folly，asthenewexperimentwaslocallycalled，althoughhehadnotabatedhisromanticenthusiasmintheleast，hewasnotsorrythathewasabletovisititunderapracticalpretext。ItwasratherlatenowtoseekoutMissSallyDowswiththeavowedintentofbringingheraletterfromanadmirerwhohadbeendeadthreeyears，andwhosememoryshehadprobablyburied。Neitherwasittactfultorecallasentimentwhichmighthavebeenaweaknessofwhichshewasashamed。Yet，clear—headedandlogicalasCourtlandwasinhisordinaryaffairs，hewasneverthelessnotentirelyfreefromthatpeculiarsuperstitionwhichsurroundseveryman’sromance。Hebelievedtherewassomethingmorethanamerecoincidenceinhisunexpectedlyfindinghimselfinsuchfavorableconditionsformakingheracquaintance。Fortherest——iftherewasanyrest——hewouldsimplytrusttofate。Andso，believinghimselfacool，sagaciousreasoner，butbeingactually，asfarasMissDowswasconcerned，asblind，fatuous，andunreasoningasanyofherpreviousadmirers，herodecomplacentlyforwarduntilhereachedthelanethatledtotheDowsplantation。
　　Hereabetterkeptroadwayandfence，whosecarefulrepairwouldhavedelightedDrummond，seemedtoaugurwellforthenewenterprise。Presently，eventheold—fashionedlocalformofthefence，aslantingzigzag，gavewaytothemoredirectlineofpostandrailintheNorthernfashion。Beyonditpresentlyappearedalonglowfrontageofmodernbuildingswhich，toCourtland’ssurprise，wereentirelynewinstructureanddesign。TherewasnoreminiscenceoftheusualSouthernporticoedgableorcolumnedveranda。YetitwasnotNortherneither。Thefactory—likeoutlineoffacadewaspartlyhiddeninCherokeeroseandjessamine。
　　Alongroofedgalleryconnectedthebuildingsandbecameaverandatoone。Abroad，well—rolledgraveldriveledfromtheopengatetothenewestbuilding，whichseemedtobetheoffice;asmallerpathdivergedfromittothecornerhouse，which，despiteitsseveresimplicity，hadamoreresidentialappearance。UnlikeReed’shouse，therewerenoloungingservantsorfieldhandstobeseen;theywereevidentlyattendingtotheirrespectiveduties。
　　Dismounting，Courtlandtiedhishorsetoapostattheofficedoorandtookthesmallerpathtothecornerhouse。
　　Thedoorwasopentothefragrantafternoonbreezewaftedthroughtheroseandjessamine。Soalsowasasidedooropeningfromthehallintoalongparlororsitting—roomthatranthewholewidthofthehouse。Courtlandenteredit。Itwasprettilyfurnished，buteverythinghadtheairoffreshnessandofbeinguncharacteristicallynew。Itwasempty，butafainthammeringwasaudibleontherearwallofthehouse，throughthetwoopenFrenchwindowsattheback，curtainedwithtrailingvines，whichgaveuponasunlitcourtyard。
　　Courtlandwalkedtothewindow。Justbeforeit，ontheground，stoodasmalllightladder，whichhegentlyputasidetogainabetterviewofthecourtyardasheputonhishat，andsteppedoutoftheopenwindow。
　　Inthisattitudehesuddenlyfelthishattippedfromhishead，followedalmostinstantaneouslybyafallingslipper，andthedistinctimpressionofaverysmallfootonthecrownofhishead。
　　Anindescribablesensationpassedoverhim。Hehurriedlysteppedbackintotheroom，justasasmallstriped—stockingedfootwasashastilydrawnupabovethetopofthewindowwiththefeminineexclamation，"Goodgraciousme！"
　　Lingeringforaninstant，onlytoassurehimselfthatthefairspeakerhadsecuredherfootholdandwasinnodangeroffalling，Courtlandsnatcheduphishat，whichhadprovidentiallyfalleninsidetheroom，andretreatedingloriouslytotheotherendoftheparlor。Thevoicecameagainfromthewindow，andstruckhimasbeingverysweetandclear：——
　　"Sophy，isthatYOU？"
　　Courtlanddiscreetlyretiredtothehall。Tohisgreatreliefavoicefromtheoutsideanswered，"Whar，MissSally？"
　　"Whatdidyo’movetheladderfor？Yo’mighthavekilledme。"
　　"Fo’God，MissSally，Ididn’tmovenoladder！"
　　"Don’ttellme，butgodownandgetmyslipper。Andbringupsomemorenails。"
　　Courtlandwaitedsilentlyinthehall。Inafewmomentsheheardaheavyfootstepoutsidetherearwindow。Thiswashisopportunity。
　　Re—enteringtheparlorsomewhatostentatiously，heconfrontedatallnegrogirlwhowaspassingthroughtheroomcarryingatinyslipperinherhand。"Excuseme，"hesaidpolitely，"butIcouldnotfindanyonetoannounceme。IsMissDowsathome？"
　　Thegirlinstantlywhippedtheslipperbehindher。"Isyo’wantingMissMirandyDows，"sheaskedwithgreatdignity，"oahMissSallyDows——herniece？MissMirandy’sbingonetoAtlantaforaweek。"
　　"IhavealetterforMissMiranda，butIshallbeverygladifMissSallyDowswillreceiveme，returnedCourtland，handingtheletterandhiscardtothegirl。
　　Shereceiveditwithastillgreateraccessofdignityandmarkeddeliberation。"It’scleangoneoutermymind，sah，efMissSallyisinderesumptionofvisitahsatdishouah。Infac’，sah，"shecontinued，withintensifiedgravityandanexaggerationofthoughtfulnessasthesoundsofMissSally’shammeringcameshamelesslyfromthewall，"Idoahnknowexac’lyefshe’sengagedplayin’deharp，practicin’delanguages，orpaintin’inoilandwatahcolors，o’givin’audiencestooffishalsfromdeCourtHouse。
　　Itmightbedehouahfordeoneordeodder。ButI’llcommunicatewidher，sah，indebudwohondeuppahflo’。"Shebackeddexterously，soastokeeptheslipperbehindher，butwithnodiminutionofdignity，outofasidedoor。Inanothermomentthehammeringceased，followedbythesoundofrapidwhisperingwithout;afewtinytwigsandleavesslowlyrustledtotheground，andthentherewascompletesilence。Heventuredtowalktothefatefulwindowagain。
　　Presentlyheheardafaintrustleattheotherendoftheroom，andheturned。Asuddentremulousnesssweptalonghispulses，andthentheyseemedtopause;hedrewadeepbreaththatwasalmostasigh，andremainedmotionless。
　　HehadnopreconceivedideaoffallinginlovewithMissSallyatfirstsight，norhadhedreamedsuchathingpossible。Eventhegirlishfacethathehadseeninthelocket，althoughithadstirredhimwithasingularemotion，hadnotsuggestedthat。Andtheidealhehadevolvedfromitwasneverapotentpresence。Buttheexquisitelyprettyfaceandfigurebeforehim，althoughitmighthavebeenpaintedfromhisownfancyofher，wasstillsomethingmoreandsomethingunexpected。Allthathadgonebeforehadneverpreparedhimforthebeautifulgirlwhonowstoodthere。
　　ItwasapoorexplanationtosaythatMissSallywasfourorfiveyearsolderthanherpicture，andthatlaterexperiences，enlargedcapacity，adifferentlife，andnewambitionhadimpressedheryouthfulfacewitharefinedmobility;itwasaweirdfancytoimaginethatthebloodofthosewhohaddiedforherhadinsomevague，mysteriouswayimpartedanactualfascinationtoher，andhedismissedit。Buteventhemostfamiliarspectator，likeSophy，couldseethatMissSallyhadthesoftestpinkcomplexion，thesilkiesthair，thatlookedastheflossoftheIndiancornmightlookifcurled，orgoldenspiderthreadsifmaterialized，andeyesthatwereinbrightgrayharmonywithboth;thatthefrockofIndiamuslin，albeithome—made，fittedherfigureperfectly，fromtheazurebowsonhershoulderstotheribbonaroundherwaist;andthatthehemofitsbillowyskirtshowedafootwhichhadthereputationofbeingthesmallestfootsouthofMasonandDixon’sLine！ButitwassomethingmoreintangiblethanthiswhichkeptCourtlandbreathlessandsilent。
　　"I’mnotMissMirandaDows，"saidthevisionwithafranknessthatwashalfchildlikeandhalfpractical，assheextendedalittlehand，"butIcantalk’fahm’withyo’aboutaswellasaunty，andI
　　reckonfromwhatMajorReedsaysheah，"holdinguptheletterbetweenherfingers，"aslongasyo’getthepersimmonsyo’don’tmindwhatkindo’poleyo’knock’emdownwith。"
　　Thevoicethatcarriedthisspeechwassofresh，clear，andsweetthatIamafraidCourtlandthoughtlittleofitsbluntnessoritsconventionaltransgressions。Butitbroughthimhisowntonguequiteunemotionallyandquietly。"Idon’tknowwhatwasinthatnote，MissDows，butIcanhardlybelievethatMajorReedeverputmypresentfelicityquiteinthatway。"
　　MissSallylaughed。Thenwithacharmingexaggerationshewavedherlittlehandtowardsthesofa。
　　"There！Yo’naturallywantedalittleroomforthat，co’nnle，butnowthatyo’’vegotitoff，——andmightypootyitwas，too，——yo’
　　cansitdown。"Andwiththatshesankdownatoneendofthesofa，prettilydrewasideawhitebillowofskirtsoastoleaveampleroomforCourtlandattheother，andclaspingherfingersoverherknees，lookeddemurelyexpectant。
　　"ButletmehopethatIamnotdisturbingyouunseasonably，"saidCourtland，catchingsightofthefatefullittleslipperbeneathherskirt，andrememberingthewindow。"IwassopreoccupiedinthinkingofyourauntasthebusinessmanageroftheseestatesthatIquiteforgetthatshemighthavealady’shoursforreceiving。"
　　"Wehaven’tgotanycompanyhours，"saidMissSally，"andwehaven’tjustnowanyservantsforcompanymanners，forwe’reshort—
　　handedinthefieldsandbarns。Whenyo’cameIwasnailingupthelathsforthevinesoutside，becausewecouldn’tsparecarpentersfromthefactory。But，"sheadded，withafaintaccessionofmischiefinhervoice，"yo’cametotalkaboutthefahm？"
　　"Yes，"saidCourtland，rising，"butnottointerrupttheworkonit。Willyouletmehelpyounailupthelathsonthewall？I
　　havesomeexperiencethatway，andwecantalkaswework。Doobligeme！"
　　Theyounggirllookedathimbrightly。
　　"Well，now，there’snothingmeanaboutTHAT。Yo’meanitforsure？"
　　"Perfectly。IshallfeelsomuchlessasifIwasenjoyingyourcompanyunderfalsepretenses。"
　　"Yo’justwaithere，then。"
　　Shejumpedfromthesofa，ranoutoftheroom，andreturnedpresently，tyingthestringofalongstripedcottonblouse——
　　evidentlyanextraoneofSophy’s——behindherbackasshereturned。
　　Itwasgatheredunderherovalchinbyatapealsotiedbehindher，whileherfairhairwastuckedundertheusualredbandanahandkerchiefofthenegrohousemaid。Itisscarcelynecessarytoaddthattheeffectwasbewitching。
　　"But，"saidMissSally，eyingherguest’ssmartlyfittingfrock—
　　coat，"yo’’llspoilyo’rpootyclothes，sure！Takeoffyo’rcoat——
　　don’tmindme——andworkinyo’rshirtsleeves。"
　　CourtlandobedientlyflungasidehiscoatandfollowedhisactivehostessthroughtheFrenchwindowtotheplatformoutside。Abovethemawoodenledgeorcornice，projectingseveralinches，ranthewholelengthofthebuilding。ItwasonthisthatMissSallyhadevidentlyfoundafootholdwhileshewasnailingupatrellis—workoflathsbetweenitandthewindowsofthesecondfloor。Courtlandfoundtheladder，mountedtotheledge，followedbytheyounggirl，whosmilinglywaivedhisprofferedhandtohelpherup，andthetwogravelysettowork。ButintheintervalsofhammeringandtyingupthevinesMissSally’stonguewasnotidle。Hertalkwasasfresh，asquaint，asoriginalasherself，andyetsopracticalandtothepurposeofCourtland’svisitastoexcusehisdelightinitandherownfascinatingpropinquity。Whethershestoppedtotakeanailfrombetweenherprettylipswhenshespoketohim，orwhetherholdingonperilouslywithonehandtothetrelliswhileshegesticulatedwiththehammer，pointingoutthedivisionsoftheplantationfromhercoignofvantage，hethoughtshewasasclearandconvincingtohisintellectasshewasdistractingtohissenses。
　　ShetoldhimhowthewarhadbrokenuptheiroldhomeinPineville，sendingherfathertoserveintheConfederatecouncilsofRichmond，andleavingherauntandherselftomanagethepropertyalone;howtheestatehadbeendevastated，thehousedestroyed，andhowtheyhadbarelytimetoremoveafewvaluables;how，althoughSHEhadalwaysbeenopposedtosecessionandthewar，shehadnotgoneNorth，preferringtostaywithherpeople，andtakewiththemthepunishmentofthefollyshehadforeseen。Howafterthewarandherfather’sdeathsheandheraunthaddeterminedto"reconstructTHEMSELVES"aftertheirownfashiononthisbitofproperty，whichhadsurvivedtheirfortunesbecauseithadalwaysbeenconsideredvaluelessandunprofitablefornegrolabor。Howatfirsttheyhadundergoneseriousdifficulty，throughtheincompetenceandignoranceofthefreedlaborer，andtheequalapathyandprejudiceoftheirneighbors。Howtheyhadgraduallysucceededwiththeadoptionofnewmethodsandideasthatsheherselfhadconceived，whichshenowbrieflyandclearlystated。
　　Courtlandlistenedwithanew，breathless，andalmostsuperstitiousinterest：theywereHISOWNTHEORIES——perfectedanddemonstrated！
　　"Butyoumusthavehadcapitalforthis？"
　　Ah，yes！thatwaswheretheywerefortunate。ThereweresomeFrenchcousinswithwhomshehadoncestayedinParis，whoadvancedenoughtostocktheestate。ThereweresomeEnglishfriendsofherfather’s，oldblockaderunners，whohadtakenshares，providedthemwithmorecapital，andimportedsomeskilledlaborersandakindofstewardoragenttorepresentthem。Buttheyweregettingon，andperhapsitwasbetterfortheirreputationwiththeirneighborsthattheyhadnotbeenBEHOLDENtothe"No’th。"SeeingacloudpassoverCourtland’sface，theyoungladyaddedwithanaffectedsigh，andthefirsttouchoffemininecoquetrywhichhadinvadedtheirwholesomecamaraderie：——
　　"Yo’oughttohavefoundusoutBEFORE，co’nnle。"
　　ForanimpulsivemomentCourtlandfeltliketellingherthenandtherethestoryofhisromanticquest;butthereflectionthattheywerestandingonanarrowledgewithnoroomfortheemotions，andthatMissSallyhadjustputanailinhermouthandastartmightbedangerous，checkedhim。Tothismaybeaddedanewjealousyofherpreviousexperiences，whichhehadnotfeltbefore。
　　Nevertheless，hemanagedtosaywithsomeeffusion：——
　　"ButIhopewearenottoolateNOW。IthinkmyprincipalsarequitereadyandabletobuyupanyEnglishorFrenchinvestornowortocome。"
　　"Yo’mighttryyo’handonthatone，"saidMissSally，pointingtoayoungfellowwhohadjustemergedfromtheofficeandwascrossingthecourtyard。"He’stheEnglishagent。"
　　Hewassquare—shoulderedandround—headed，freshandcleanlookinginhiswhiteflannels，butwithanairofbeingutterlydistinctandalientoeverythingaroundhim，andmentallyandmorallyirreconcilabletoit。Ashepassedthehouseheglancedshylyatit;hiseyebrightenedandhismannerbecameself—consciousashecaughtsightoftheyounggirl，butchangedagainwhenhesawhercompanion。Courtlandlikewisewasconsciousofacertainuneasiness;itwasonethingtobehelpingMissSallyALONE，butcertainlyanotherthingtobedoingsoundertheeyeofastranger;
　　andIamafraidthathemetthestonyobservationoftheEnglishmanwithanequallycoldstare。MissSallyaloneretainedherlanguideaseandself—possession。Shecalledout，"Waitamoment，Mr。
　　Champney，"slippedlightlydowntheladder，andleaningagainstitwithonefootonitslowestrungawaitedhisapproach。
　　"Ireckonedyo’mightbepassingby，"shesaid，ashecameforward。
　　"Co’nnleCourtland，"withanexplanatorywaveofthehammertowardshercompanion，whoremainederectandslightlystiffenedonthecornice，"isnorelationtothosefiguresalongthefriezeoftheRedlandsCourtHouse，butaNo’th’nofficer，afriendofMajorReed’s，who’scomedownheretolookafterSo’th’npropertyforsomeNo’th’ncapitalists。Mr。Champney，"shecontinued，turningandliftinghereyestoCourtlandassheindicatedChampneywithherhammer，"whenheisn’ttalkingEnglish，seeingEnglish，thinkingEnglish，dressingEnglish，andwonderingwhyGoddidn’tmakeeverythingEnglish，istryingtodothesameforHISfolks。
　　Mr。Champney，Co’nnleCourtland。Co’nnleCourtland，Mr。Champney！"
　　Thetwomenbowedformally。"Andnow，Co’nnle，ifyo’llcomedown，Mr。Champneywillshowyo’roundthefahm。Whenyo’’vegotthroughyo’llfindmehereatwork。"
　　Courtlandwouldhavepreferred，andhalflookedforhercompanyandcommentaryonthisroundofinspection，butheconcealedhisdisappointmentanddescended。ItdidnotexactlypleasehimthatChampneyseemedrelieved，andappearedtoaccepthimasabonafidestrangerwhocouldnotpossiblyinterferewithanyconfidentialrelationsthathemighthavewithMissSally。Nevertheless，hemettheEnglishman’soffertoaccompanyhimwithpolitegratitude，andtheyleftthehousetogether。
　　Inlessthananhourtheyreturned。IthadnoteventakenthattimeforCourtlandtodiscoverthattherealimprovementsandthenewmethodshadoriginatedwithMissSally;thatshewasvirtuallythecontrollinginfluencethere，andthatshewasprobablyretardedratherthanassistedbytheold—fashionedandtraditionalconservatismofthecompanyofwhichChampneywassteward。Itwasequallyplain，however，thattheyoungfellowwasdimlyconsciousofthis，andwasfranklycommunicativeaboutit。
　　"Yousee，overtheretheyworkthingsinadifferentway，and，byJove！theycan’tunderstandthatthereisanyother，don’tyouknow？They’realwayswiggingmeasifIcouldhelpit，althoughI’vetriedtoexplaintheniggerbusiness，andallthat，don’tyouknow？TheywantMissDowstoreferherplanstome，andexpectmetoreportonthem，andthenthey’llsubmitthemtotheBoardandwaitforitsdecision。FancyMissDowsdoingthat！But，byJove！
　　theycan’tconceiveofherATALLoverthere，don’tyouknow？"
　　"WhichMissDowsdoyoumean？"askedCourtlanddryly。
　　"MissSally，ofcourse，"saidtheyoungfellowbriskly。"SHE
　　manageseverything——herauntincluded。Shecanmakethoseniggersworkwhennooneelsecan，awordorsmilefromherisenough。Shecanmaketermswithdealersandcontractors——herownterms，too——
　　whentheywon’tlookatMYfigures。ByJove！sheevengetspointsoutofthosetravelingagentsandinventors，don’tyouknow，whocomealongtheroadwithpatentsandsamples。Shegotoneofthoselightning—rodandwire—fencementoshowherhowtoputupanarborforhertrailingroses。Why，whenIfirstsawYOUuponthecornice，Ithoughtyouweresomeotherchapthatshe’dasked——don’tyouknow——thatis，atfirst，ofcourse！——youknowwhatImean——ha，byJove！——beforewewereintroduced，don’tyouknow。"
　　"IthinkIOFFEREDtohelpMissDows，"saidCourtlandwithaquicknessthatheatonceregretted。
　　"SodidHE，don’tyouknow？MissSallydoesnotASKanybody。
　　Don’tyousee？afellowdon’tliketostandbyandseeayoungladylikeherdoingsuchwork。"Vaguelyawareofsomeinfelicityinhisspeech，heawkwardlyturnedthesubject："Idon’tthinkIshallstayherelong，myself。"
　　"YouexpecttoreturntoEngland？"askedCourtland。
　　"Oh，no！ButIshallgooutofthecompany’sserviceandtrymyownhand。There’sagoodbitoflandaboutthreemilesfromherethat’sinthemarket，andIthinkIcouldmakesomethingoutofit。
　　Afellowoughttosettledownandbehisownmaster，"heansweredtentatively，"eh？"
　　"ButhowwillMissDowsbeabletospareyou？"askedCourtland，uneasilyconsciousthathewasassuminganindifference。
　　"Oh，I’mnotmuchusetoher，don’tyouknow——atleastnotHERE。
　　ButImight，ifIhadmyownlandandifwewereneighbors。ItoldyouSHErunstheplace，nomatterwho’shere，orwhosemoneyisinvested。"
　　"IpresumeyouarespeakingnowofyoungMissDows？"saidCourtlanddryly。
　　"MissSally——ofcourse——always，"saidChampneysimply。"Sherunstheshop。"
　　"WeretherenotsomeFrenchinvestors——relationsofMissDows？
　　DoesanybodyrepresentTHEM？"askedCourtlandpointedly。
　　Yethewasnotquitepreparedforthenaivechangeinhiscompanion’sface。"No。TherewasasortofFrenchcousinwhousedtobeagooddealtothefore，don’tyouknow？ButIratherfancyhedidn’tcomeheretolookafterthePROPERTY，"returnedChampneywithaquicklaugh。"Ithinktheauntmusthavewrittentohisfriends，forthey’calledhimoff，’andIdon’tthinkMissSallybrokeherheartabouthim。She’snotthatsortofgirl——eh？ShecouldhaveherpickoftheStateifshewentinforthatsortofthing——eh？"
　　AlthoughthiswasexactlywhatCourtlandwasthinking，itpleasedhimtoanswerinadistraitsortoffashion，"Certainly，Ishouldthinkso，"andtorelapseintoanapparentlybusinessabstraction。
　　"IthinkIwon’tgoin，"continuedChampneyastheynearedthehouseagain。"Isupposeyou’llhavesomethingmoretosaytoMissDows。Ifthere’sanythingelseyouwantofME，cometotheoffice。
　　ButSHE’LLknow。And——er——er——ifyou’re——er——stayinglonginthispartofthecountry，rideoverandlookmeup，don’tyouknow？andhaveasmokeandajulep;Ihaveaboywhoknowshowtomixthem，andI’vesomeoldbrandysentmefromtheotherside。Good—by。"
　　Moreawkwardinhiskindlinessthaninhissimplebusinessconfidences，butapparentlyequallyhonestinboth，heshookCourtland’shandandwalkedaway。Courtlandturnedtowardsthehouse。Hehadseenthefarmanditsimprovements;hehadfoundsomeofhisownideaspracticallydiscounted;clearlytherewasnothingleftforhimtodobuttothankhishostessandtakehisleave。Buthefeltfarmoreuneasythanwhenhehadarrived;andtherewasasingularsenseofincompletenessinhisvisitthathecouldnotentirelyaccountfor。HisconversationwithChampneyhadcomplicated——heknewnotwhy——hisprevioustheoriesofMissDows，andalthoughhewashalfconsciousthatthishadnothingtodowiththebusinessthatbroughthimthere，hetriedtothinkthatithad。