"Hesaidso。"
　　"That’sveryniceofhim。Ifhecoulddevotehimselftoher；but——Andwouldsheliketogo？"
　　"Topleasehim，shewould。"Westoverwassilent，andthegirlsurprisedhimbytheappealshesuddenlymadetohim。"Mr。Westover，doyoubelieveitwouldbeverywellforeitherofustogo？Ithinkitwouldbebetterforustoleaveallthatpartofhislifealone。It’snouseinpretendingthatwe’relikethekindofpeopleheknows，orthatweknowtheirways，andIdon’tbelieve——"
　　Westoverfelthisheartriseinindignantsympathy。"Thereisn’tanyoneheknowstocomparewithyou！"hesaid，andinthishewasthinkingmainlyofBessieLynde。"You’reworthathousand——IfIwere——ifhe’shalfamanhewouldbeproud——Ibegyourpardon！Idon’tmean——butyouunderstand——"
　　Cynthiaputherheadfaroutofthewindowandlookedalongthesteeproofbeforethem。"Thereisablindoffoneofthewindows。Ihearditclappinginthewindtheothernight。Imustgoandseethenumberoftheroom。"Shedrewherheadinquicklyandranawaywithoutlettinghimseeherface。
　　Hefollowedher。"Letmehelpyouputitonagain！"
　　"No，no！"shecalledback。"Frankwilldothat，orJombateeste，whentheycometoshutupthehouse。"
　　XLI。
　　Westover，didnotmeetDurginforseveraldaysafterhisreturnfromLion’sHead。HebroughtmessagesforhimfromhismotherandfromWhitwell，andhewaitedforhimtocomeandgetthemsolongthathehadtoblamehimselffornotsendingthemtohim。WhenJeffappeared，attheendofaweek，Westoverhadacertainembarrassmentinmeetinghim，andtheefforttoovercomethiscarriedhimbeyondhissincerity。Hewasawareoffeigningthecordialityheshowed，andofhavinglessreallikingforhimthaneverbefore。Hesuggestedthathemustbebusiereveryday，now，withhiscollegework，andheresentedtheairofsocialprosperitywhichJeffputoninsaying，Yes，therewasthat，andthenhehadsomeengagementswhichkepthimfromcominginsooner。
　　Hedidnotsaywhattheengagementswere，andtheydidnotrecurtothethingstheyhadlastspokenof。WestovercouldnotdosowithoutJeff’sleading，andhewasrathergladthathegavenone。Hestayedonlyalittletime，whichwasspentmostlyinashowofinterestonbothsides，andthehollowhilaritieswhichpeopleusetomasktheirindifferencetooneanother’sbeinganddoing。JeffdeclaredthathehadneverseenWestoverlookingsowell，andsaidhemustgouptoLion’sHeadagain；ithaddonehimgood。Asforhispicture，itwasacorker；itmadehimfeelasifhewerethere！Heaskedaboutallthefolks，andreceivedWestover’sreplieswithvaguelaughter，andanabsenceinhisboldeye，whichmadethepainterwonderwhathismindwason，withoutthewishtofindout。Hewasgladtohavehimgo，thoughhepressedhimtodropinsoonagain，andsaidtheywouldtakeinaplaytogether。
　　Jeffsaidhewouldliketodothat，andheaskedatthedoorwhetherWestoverwasgoingtotheteaatMrs。Bellingham’s。Hesaidhehadtolookinthere，beforehewentouttoCambridge；andleftWestoverinmuteamazeatthelengthhehadapparentlygoneinaroadthathadonceseemednothoroughfareforhim。Jeff’ssocialacceptance，evenaftertheEnderbyball，whichwasnowsomesixorsevenweekspast，hadbeenslow；
　　butoflate，fornoreasonthatheoranyoneelsecouldhavegiven，ithadgainedasuddenprecipitance；andpeoplewhowonderedwhytheymethimatotherhousesbegantoaskhimtotheirown。
　　Hedidnotcaretogototheirhouses，andhewentatfirstinthehopeofseeingBessieLyndeagain。Butthisdidnothappenforsometime，anditwasamid—Lententeathatbroughtthemtogether。Assoonashecaughtsightofherhewentuptoherandbegantotalkasiftheyhadbeeninthehabitofmeetingconstantly。Shecouldnotcontrolalittlestartathisapproach，andhefranklyrecognizedit。
　　"What’sthematter？"
　　"Oh——thewindow！"
　　"Itisn’topen，"hesaid，tryingit。"Doyouwanttotryityourself？"
　　"IthinkIcantrustyou，"sheanswered，butshesankalittleintotheshelterofthecurtains，nottobeseentalkingwithhim，perhaps，ornottobeinterrupted——shedidnotanalyzehermotiveclosely。
　　Heremainedtalkingtoheruntilshewentaway，andthenhecontrivedtogowithher。Shedidnottrytoescapehimafterthat；eachtimetheymetshehadthepleasureofrealizingthattherehadneverbeenanydangerofwhatneverhappened。Butbeyondthisshecouldperhapshavegivennobetterreasonforherwillingnesstomeethimagainandagainthanthebewilderedwitnessesofthefact。Inhersetpeoplenotonlynevermarriedoutsideofit，buttheyneverflirtedoutsideofit。Foroneofthemselves，evenforagirllikeBessie，whomtheyhadnotquiteknownfromchildhood，tobeapparentlyamusingherselfwithamanlikethat，sowhollyalieninorigin，intradition，wassomethingunheardof；
　　anditbegantolookasifBessieLyndewasmorethanamused。ItseemedtoMaryEnderbythatwherevershewentshesawthatmantalkingtoBessie。ShecouldhavebelievedthatitwasbysomeevilartthathealwayscontrivedtoreachBessie’sside，ifanythingcouldhavebeenlesslikeanykindofartthantheboldpushhemadeforherassoonashesawherinaroom。ButsometimesMissEnderbyfearedthatitwasBessiewhousedsuchfinesseastherewas，andalwaysputherselfwherehecouldseeher。Shewaitedwithtremblingforhertogivetheaffairsanctionbymakingherauntaskhimtosomethingatherhouse。Ontheotherhand，shecouldnothelpfeelingthatBessie’sflirtationwasallthemoredeplorableforthewantofsomesuchlegitimation。
　　ShedidnotevenknowcertainlywhetherJeffevercalleduponBessieatheraunt’shouse，tillonedaythemanlethimoutatthesametimeheletherin。
　　"Oh，comeup，Molly！"Bessiesangoutfromthefloorabove，andmetherhalf—waydownthestairs，whereshekissedherandledherembracedintothelibrary。
　　"Youdon’tlikemyjay，doyou，dear？"sheasked，promptly。
　　MaryEnderbyturnedherface，themirrorofconscience，uponher，andasked："Isheyourjay？"
　　"Well，no；notjustinthatsense，Molly。Butsupposehewas？"
　　"ThenIshouldhavenothingtosay。"
　　"Andsupposehewasn’t？"
　　StillMaryEnderbyfoundherselfwithnothingofallshehadathousandtimesthoughtsheshouldsaytoBessieifshehadevertheslightestchance。Italwaysseemedsoeasy，tillnow，totakeBessieinherarms，andappealtohergoodsense，herself—respect，herregardforherfamilyandfriends；andnowitseemedsoimpossible。
　　Sheheardherselfanswering，verystiffly："PerhapsI’dbetterapologizeforwhatI’vesaidalready。YoumustthinkIwasveryunjustthelasttimewementionedhim。"
　　"Notatall！"criedBessie，withalaughthatsoundedverymockingandveryunworthytoherfriend。"He’sallthatyousaid，andworse。Buthe’smorethanyousaid，andbetter。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"saidMary，coldly。
　　"He’sveryinteresting；he’soriginal；he’sdifferent！"
　　"Oh，everyonesaysthat。"
　　Andhedoesn’tflatterme，orpretendtothinkmuchofme。Ifhedid，I
　　couldn’tbearhim。YouknowhowIam，Molly。Hekeepsmeinterested，don’tyouunderstand，andprowlingaboutinthegreatunknownwherebehashisweirdbeing。"
　　Bessieputherhandtohermouth，andlaughedatMaryEnderbywithherslantedeyes；asortofParisianversionofaChinesemotiveineyes。
　　"Isuppose，"herfriendsaid，sadly，"youwon’ttellmemorethanyouwish。"
　　"Iwon’ttellyoumorethanIknow——thoughI’dliketo，"saidBessie。
　　ShegaveMaryasuddenhug。"Youdear！Thereisn’tanythingofit，ifthat’swhatyoumean。"
　　"Butisn’ttheredangerthattherewillbe，Bessie？"herfriendentreated。
　　"Danger？Ishouldn’tcallitdanger，exactly！"
　　"Butifyoudon’trespecthim，Bessie——"
　　"Why，howcanI？Hedoesn’trespectme！"
　　"Iknowyou’reteasing，now，"saidMaryEnderby，gettingup，"andyou’requiteright。Ihavenobusinessto——"
　　Bessiepulledherdownupontheseatagain。"Yes，youhave！Don’tI
　　tellyou，overandover？Hedoesn’trespectme，becauseIdon’tknowhowtomakehim，andhewouldn’tlikeitifIdid。ButnowI’lltrytomakeyouunderstand。Idon’tbelieveIcareforhimtheleast；butmind，I’mnotcertain，forI’venevercaredforanyone，andIdon’tknowwhatit’slike。YouknowI’mnotsentimental；Ithinksentiment’sfunny；andI’mnotdignified——"
　　"You’redivine，"murmuredMaryEnderby，withreproachfuladoration。
　　"Yes，butyouseehowmydivinitycouldbeimproved，"saidBessie，withawildlaugh。"I’mnotsentimental，butI’memotional，andhegivesmeemotions。He’sariddle，andI’mallthetimeguessingathim。Yougettheanswertothekindofmenweknoweasily；andit’sverynice，butitdoesn’tamuseyousomuchastrying。Now，Mr。Durgin——whataname！
　　Icanseeitmakesyoucreep——isnomorelikeoneofusthana——bearis——andhisattitudetowardusisthatofabearwho’sgonesomuchwithhumanbeingsthathethinkshe’sahumanbeing。He’sdelightful，thatway。And，doyouknow，he’sintellectual！Heactuallybringsmebooks，andwantstoreadpassagestomeoutofthem！Hehasbroughtmetheplansofthenewhotelhe’sgoingtobuild。It’stobeveryaesthetic，andit’sgoingtobecalledTheLion’sHeadInn。There’stobealittletheatre，foramateurdramatics，whichIcouldconduct，andforallsortsofprofessionalamusements。Ifyoushouldevercome，Molly，I’msureweshalldoourbesttomakeyoucomfortable。"
　　MaryEnderbywouldnotletBessielaughuponhershoulderaftershesaidthis。"BessieLynde，"shesaid，severely，"ifyouhavenoregardforyourself，yououghttohavesomeregardforhim。Youmaysayyouarenotencouraginghim，andyoumaybelieveit——"
　　"Oh，Ishouldn’tsayitifIdidn’tbelieveit，"Bessiebrokein，withamockairofseriousness。
　　"Imustbegoing，"saidMary，stiffly，andthistimeshesucceededingettingtoherfeet。
　　Bessielaidholdofheragain。"Youthinkyou’vebeentrifledwith，don’tyou，dear？"
　　"No——"
　　"Yes，youdo！Don’tyoutrytobeslippery，Molly。Theplainpikestaffisyourstyle，morallyspeaking——ifanyoneknowswhatapikestaffis。
　　Well，now，listen！You’reanxiousaboutme。"
　　"YouknowhowIfeel，Bessie，"saidMaryEnderby，lookingherintheeyes。
　　"Yes，Ido，"saidBessie。"Thetroubleis，Idon’tknowhowIfeel。
　　ButifIeverdo，Molly，I’lltellyou！Isthatfair？"
　　"Yes"
　　"I’llgiveyouamplewarning。Attheleastlittleconsciousnessintheregionofthepericardium，offwillgoanotebyadistrictmessenger，andwhenyoucomeI’lldowhateveryousay。There！"
　　"Oh，Bessie！"criedherfriend，andshethrewherarmsroundher，"youalwayswerethemostfascinatingcreatureintheworld！"
　　"Yes，"saidBessie，"that’swhatItrytohavehimthink。"
　　XLII。
　　TowardtheendofAprilmostpeoplewhohadplacesattheShoreweremostlyinthem，buttheycameuptotownonfrequenterrands，andhadoneeffectofevanescencewithpeoplewhostillremainedintheirBostonhousesprovisionally，andseemedmorethanhalfabsent。TheEnderbyshadbeenattheShoreforafortnight，andtheLyndesweregoingtobeafortnightlongerinBoston，yet，asBessiemadeherfriendobserve，whenMary，raninforlunch，orstoppedforamomentonherwaytothetrain，everyfewdays，theywerebothofthesametransitoryquality。
　　"ItmightaswellbeIasyou，"Bessiesaidoneday，"ifweonlythinkso。It’sallveryweird，dear，andI’mnotsurebutitisyouwhositdayafterdayatmylonelycasementandwatchthesparrowsexaminingthefuzzybudsoftheJapivytoseejusthowsoontheycanhopetobuildinthevines。Doyouobjecttotheivybudslookingsoverymuchlikesnippedwoollenrags？Ifyoudo，I’msureit’syou，hereinmyplace，forwhenIcomeuptotowninyourpersonalityitsetsmyteethonedge。
　　Infact，that’stheworstthingaboutBostonnow——thefuzzyivybuds；
　　there’ssomuchivy！Whenyoucanforgetthebuds，thereareagreatmanythingstomakeyouhappy。IfeelquiteasifwewerespendingthesummerintownandIfeelveryadventurousandveryvirtuous，likesomesortofself—righteousbohemian。Youdon’tknowhowIlookdownonpeoplewhohavegoneoutoftown。Iconsiderthemveryselfishandheartless；
　　Idon’tknowwhy，exactly。Butwhenwehaveagoodmarrow—freezingnortheasterlystorm，andthenewspaperscomeoutwiththeirironicalcongratulationstothetax—dodgersattheShore，IfeelthatProvidenceisonmyside，andI’mgettingmyreward，eveninthisworld。"Bessiesuddenlylaughed。"Iseebyyourexpressionoffixedinattention，Molly，thatyou’rethinkingofMr。Durgin！"
　　Marygaveastartofprotest，butshewastoohonesttodenythefactoutright，andBessieranon：
　　"No，wedon’tsitonabenchintheCommon，orevenintheGarden，oronthewalkinCommonwealthAvenue。Ifwecometoitlater，astheseasonadvances，Ishallmakehimstayquiteattheotherendofthebench，andnotputhishandalongthetop。Youneedn’tbeafraid，Molly；alltheproprietiesshallbereligiouslyobserved。PerhapsIshallaskAuntLouisatoletussitoutonherfrontsteps，whentheeveningsgetwarmer；butIassureyouit’smuchmorecomfortablein—doorsyet，evenintown，thoughyou’llhardly，believeitattheShore。ShallyoucomeuptoClassDay？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow，"Marybegan，withasighofthebaffledhopeandtheinextinguishableexpectationwhichthementionofClassDaystirsintheheartofeveryBostongirlpasttwenty。
　　"Yes！"saidBessie，withasighburlesquedfromMary’s。"Thatiswhatweallsay，anditiscertainlythemostmaddeningofhumanfestivals。
　　Isuppose，ifwewerequitelefttoourselves，weshouldn’tgo；butweseemnevertobe，quite。AftereveryClassDayIsaytomyselfthatnothingonearthcouldinducemetogotoanother；butwhenitcomesroundagain，Ifindmyselfgraspingatanystrawofapretext。I’mpretendingnowthatI’veatenderobligationtogobecauseit’shisClassDay。"
　　"Bessie！"criedMaryEnderby。"Youdon’tmeanit！"
　　"NotifIsayit，Marydear。WhatdidIpromiseyouaboutthepericardiacsymptoms？ButIfeel——IfeelthatifheasksmeImustgo。
　　Shouldn’tyouliketogoandseeajayClassDay——bepartofit？ThinkofgoingoncetothePiUtespread——orwhateveritis！Anddancingintheirtent！AndbeingleftoutoftheGym，andBeck！Yes，Ioughttogo，sothatitcanbebroughthometome，andIcanhavearealizingsenseofwhatIamdoing，andbestayedinmymadcareer。"
　　"Perhaps，"MaryEnderbysuggested，colorlessly，"hewillbedevotedtohisownpeople。"ShehadacoldfascinationinthepictureBessie’swordshadconjuredup，andshewassayingthislesstoBessiethantoherself。
　　"AndIshouldmeetthem——hismothersandsisters！"Bessiedramatizedanexcessofanguish。"Oh，Mary，thatistheverythornIhavebeentryingnottopressmyheartagainst；anddoesyourhandcommendittomyembrace？Hisfolks！Yes，theywouldbefolks；andwhatfolks！IthinkIamgettingarealizingsense。Wait！Don’tspeakdon’tmove，Molly！"
　　Bessiedroppedherchinintoherhand，andstaredstraightforward，grippingMaryEnderby’shand。
　　Marywithdrewit。"Ishallhavetogo，Bessie，"shesaid。"Howisyouraunt？"
　　"Mustyou？ThenIshallalwayssaythatitwasyourfaultthatI
　　couldn’tgetarealizingsense——thatyoupreventedme，justwhenIwasabouttoseemyselfasothersseeme——asyouseeme。She’sverywell！"
　　Bessiesighedinearnest，andherfriendgaveherhandalittlepressureoftruesympathy。"Butofcourseit’sratherdullhere，now。"
　　"Ihatetohaveyoustayingon。Couldn’tyoucomedowntousforaweek？"
　　"No。Weboththinkit’sbesttobeherewhenAlangetsback。Wewanthimtogodownwithus。"BessiehadseldomspokenopenlywithMaryEnderbyaboutherbrother；butthatwasratherfromMary’sshrinkingthanherown；sheknewthateverybodyunderstoodhiscase。Shewentsofarnowastosay："He’seversomuchbetterthanhehasbeen。Wehavesuchhopesofhim，ifhecankeepwell，whenhegetsbackthistime。"
　　"Oh，Iknowhewill，"saidMary，fervently。"I’msureofit。Couldn’twedosomethingforyou，Bessie？"
　　"No，thereisn’tanything。But——thankyou。Iknowyoualwaysthinkofme，andthat’sworlds。Whenareyoucomingupagain？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Nextweek，sometime。"
　　"Comeinandseeme——andAlan，ifheshouldbeathome。Helikesyou，andhewillbesoglad。"
　　MarykissedBessieforconsent。"YouknowhowmuchIadmireAlan。Hecouldbeanything。"
　　"Yes，hecould。Ifhecould！"
　　Bessieseldomputsomuchearnestinanything，andMaryloved（asshewouldhavesaid）thesadsincerity，thehonesthopelessnessofhertone。
　　"Wemusthelphim。Iknowwecan。"
　　"Wemusttry。Butpeoplewhocould——iftheycould——"Bessiestopped。
　　Herfrienddivinedthatshewasnolongerspeakingwhollyofherbrother，butshesaid："Thereisn’tanyifaboutit；andtherearenoifsaboutanythingifweonlythinkso。It’sasinnottothinkso。"
　　ThemixtureofseverityandofoptimisminthenatureofherfriendhadoftenamusedBessie，anditdidnotescapehertacitnoticeinevensoseriousamomentasthis。Hertheorywasthatshewasshockedtorecognizeitnow，becauseofitsrelationtoherbrother，buthertheoriesdidnotalwaysagreewiththefacts。
　　Thatevening，however，shewastrulysurprisedwhen，afteraratherbelatedringatthedoor，thecardofMr。ThomasJeffersonDurgincameuptoherfromthereception—room。Heraunthadgonetobed，andshehadaluxuriousmomentinwhichshereapedalltherewardofself—denialbysupposingherselftohaveforegonethepleasureofseeinghim，andsendingdownwordthatshewasnotathome。Shedidnotwish，indeed，toseehim，butshewishedtoknowhowhefeltwarrantedincallingintheevening，anditwasthisunworthy，curiositywhichshestifledforthatluxuriousmoment。Thenext，withundiminisheddignity，shesaid，"Askhimtocomeup，Andrew，"andshewaitedinthelibraryforhimtoofferajustificationofthelibertyhehadtaken。
　　Heofferednonewhatever，butbehavedatonceasifhehadalwayshadthehabitofcallingintheevening，orasifitwasageneralcustomwhichheneednotaccountforinhisowncase。Hebroughtherabookwhichtheyhadtalkedofattheirlastmeeting，buthemadenoexcuseorpretextofit。
　　Hesaiditwasabeautifulnight，andthathehadfounditratherwarmwalkinginfromCambridge。Theexercisehadmoistenedhiswholerich，redcolor，andfinedropsofperspirationstoodonhisclean—shavenupperlipandinthehollowbetweenhisunderlipandhisboldchin；hepushedbackthecoarse，dark—yellowhairfromhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief，andlethiseyesmockherfromunderhisthick，straw—
　　coloredeyebrows。Sheknewthathewasenjoyinghisownimpudence，andhewassohandsomethatshecouldnotrefusetoenjoyitwithhim。Sheaskedhimifhewouldnothaveafan，andheallowedhertogetitforhimfromthemantel。"Willyouhavesometea？"
　　"No；butaglassofwater，ifyouplease，"hesaid，andBessierangandsentforsomeapollinaris，whichJeffdrankagreatgobletofwhenitcame。Thenhelaybackinthedeepchairhehadtaken，withtheairofbeingreadyforanylittleamusingthingshehadtosay。
　　"Areyoustillapessimist，Mr。Durgin？"sheasked，tentatively，withtheeffectofinnocencethatheknewmeantmischief。
　　"No，"hesaid。"I’mareformedoptimist。"
　　"Whatisthat？"
　　"It’samanwhocan’tbelieveallthegoodhewouldlike，butlikestobelieveallthegoodhecan。"
　　Bessiesaiditover，withburlesquethoughtfulness。"Therewasagirlhereto—day，"shesaid，solemnly，"whomusthavebeenareformedpessimist，then，forshesaidthesamething。"
　　"Oh！MissEnderby，"saidJeff。
　　Bessiestarted。"You’repreternatural！Butwhatapityyoushouldbemistaken。Howcameyoutothinkofher？"
　　"Shedoesn’tlikeme，andyoualwaysputmeontrialaftershe’sbeenhere。"
　　"AmIputtingyouontrialnow？It’syourguiltyconscience！Whyshouldn’tMaryEnderbylikeyou？"
　　"BecauseI’mnotgoodenough。"
　　"Oh！Andwhathasthattodowithpeople’slikingyou？Ifthatwasareason，howmanyfriendsdoyouthinkyouwouldhave？"
　　"I’mnotsurethatIshouldhaveany。"
　　"Anddoesn’tthatmakeyoufeelbadly？"
　　"Very。"Jeff’sconfessionwasasmilingone。
　　"Youdon’tshowit！"
　　"Idon’twanttogrieveyou。"
　　"Oh，I’mnotsurethatwouldgrieveme。"
　　"Well，IthoughtIwouldn’triskit。"
　　"Howconsiderateofyou！"
　　Theyhadcometoalittlebarrier，upthatway，andcouldgonofurther。
　　Jeffsaid："I’vejustbeeninterviewinganotherreformedpessimist。"
　　"Mr。Westover？"
　　"You’repreternatural，too。Andyou’renotmistaken，either。Doyouevergotohisstudio？"
　　"No；Ihaven’tbeentheresincehetoldmeitwouldbeofnousetocomeasastudent。Hecanbeterriblyfrank。"
　　"NobodyknowsthatbetterthanIdo，"saidJeff，withasmileforthenotionofWestover’sfranknessashehadrepeatedlyexperiencedit。"Buthemeanswell。"
　　"Oh，that’swhattheyalwayssay。Butallthefranknesscan’tbewellmeant。Whyshoulduncandorbetheonlyformofmalevolence？"
　　"That’sagoodidea。IbelieveI’llputthatuponWestoverthenexttimehe’sfrank。"
　　"Andwillyoutellmewhathesays？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknowaboutthat。"Jefflaybackinhischairatlargeeaseandchuckled。"Ishouldliketotellyouwhathe’sjustbeensayingtome，butIdon’tbelieveIcan。"
　　"Do！"