Jeffwrotebackthathehadbeensufferingwithasevereattackoferysipelas——hedecideduponerysipelasforthetimebeing，buthemeanttoletWestoverknowlaterthathehadbeeninarow——andthedoctorwouldnotlethimgooutyet。Hepromisedtocomeinassoonashepossiblycould。IfWestoverthoughtJacksonoughttobegothomeatonce，andwasnotfittotravelalone，heaskedhimtosendahospitalnursewithhim。
　　WestoverrepliedbyJeff’smessengerthatitwouldworryandalarmJacksontobeputinchargeofanurse；butthathewouldgohomewithhim，andtheywouldstartthenextday。HeurgedJefftocomeandseehisbrotherifitwasatallsafeforhimtodoso。Butifhecouldnot，Westoverwouldgivehismotherareassuringreasonforhisfailure。
　　Mrs。DurgindidnotwasteanyanxietyforthesicknesswhichpreventedJefffromcominghomewithhisbrother。Shesaidironicallythatitmustbeverybad，andshegaveallherthoughtandcaretoJackson。Thesickmanrallied，asheprophesiedheshould，inhisnativeair，andcelebratedthesenseandscienceofthelastdoctorhehadseeninEurope，whotoldhimthathehadmadeagreatgain，buthehadbetterhurryhomeasfastashecould，forhehadgotalltheadvantagehecouldexpecttohavefromhisstayabroad，andnowhomeairwasthebestthingforhim。
　　Itcouldnotbeknownhowmuchofthishebelieved；hehad，atanyrate，thepathetichopefulnessofhismalady；buthismotherbelieveditall，andshenursedhimwithafaithinhisrecoverywhichWhitwellconfidedtoWestoverwasaboutasmuchashewantedtosee，foronewhile。Sheseemedtogrowyoungerinthecareofhim，andtogetbacktoherself，moreandmore，fromthefactsofJeff’sbehavior，whichhadagedandbrokenher。ShehadtotellJacksonaboutitall，buthetookitwiththatindifferencetothethingsofthisworldwhichtheapproachofdeathsometimesbrings，andinthelightofhispassivityitnolongerseemedtohersoverybad。ItwasarelieftohaveJacksonsay，Well，perhapsitwasforthebest；anditwasacomforttoseehowheandCynthiatooktoeachother；itwasalmostasifthatdreadfultroublehadnotbeen。
　　ShetoldJacksonwhathardworkshehadhadtomakeCynthiastaywithher，andhowthegirlhadconsentedtostayonlyuntilJeffcamehome；
　　butsheguessed，nowthatJacksonhadgotback，hecouldmakeCynthiaseeitallinanotherlight，andperhapsitwouldallcomerightagain。SheconsultedhimaboutJeff’splanofgoingabroad，andJacksonsaiditmightbeaboutaswell；heshouldsoonbearound，andhethoughtifJeffwentitwouldgiveCynthiamoreofachancetogetreconciled。Afterall，hismothersuggested，agoodmanyfellowsbehavedworsethanJeffhaddoneandstillhadmadeitupwiththegirlstheywereengagedto；
　　andJacksongentlyassented。
　　HedidnottalkwithCynthiaaboutJeff，outofthatdelicacy，orthatcoldness，commontothemboth。Perhapsitwasnotnecessaryforthemtospeakofhim；perhapstheyunderstoodhimarightintheirunderstandingofeachother。
　　Westoverstayedon，dayafterday，thinkingsomehowthatheoughttowaittillJeffcame。Therewereonlyafewotherpeopleinthehotel，andthesewereofaquietsort；theywerenotsaddenedbythepresenceofadoomedmanunderthesameroof，asgayersummerfolksmighthavebeen，andtheywerethemselvesnodisturbancetohim。
　　Hesataboutwiththemontheveranda，andhemadefriendsamongthem，andtheydidwhattheycouldtoencourageandconsolehiminhisimpatiencetotakeuphisoldcaresinthemanagementofthehotel。TheWhitwellseasilylookedafterthewelfareoftheguests，andJacksonwassomuchbettertoeveryone’sperceptionthatWestovercouldhonestlywriteJeffagoodreportofhim。
　　ThereportmayhavebeensogoodthatJefftooktheaffairtooeasily。
　　ItwasafortnightafterJackson’sreturntoLion’sHeadwhenhebegantofailsosuddenlyandalarminglythatWestoverdecideduponhisownresponsibilitytotelegraphJeffofhiscondition。ButhehadthesatisfactionofWhitwell’sapprovalwhenhetoldhimwhathehaddone。
　　"Ofcourse，Jacksona’n’tlongforthisworld。Anybodybuthimandhismothercouldseethat；andnowhe’sjustmeltingaway，asyoumightsay。
　　Iha’n’tlikedhisnotcarin’toworkplantchettesincehegotback；
　　lookedtomefromthestartthathekindofknowedthatitwa’n’tworthwhileforhimtotroubleaboutaworldthathe’llknowallaboutsosoon，anyways；andd’younoticehedon’tseemtocareaboutMars，either？
　　I’vetriedtowakehimuponittwo—threetimes，butyoucan’tgithimtotakeaninterest。IguessJeffcan’tgithereanytoosoononJackson’saccount；butasfarforthasIgo，hecouldn’tgitheretoolate。I
　　shouldliketotakethetopofhisheadoff。"
　　WestoverhadbeeninWhitwell’sconfidencesincetheirfirstchanceofspeechtogether。Henowsaid：
　　"Iknowitwillberatherpainfultoyoutohavehimhereforsomereasons，but——"
　　"YoumeanCynthy？Well！IguesswhenCynthycan’tgetalongwiththesightofJeffDurgin，she’llbeadifferentgirlfromwhatshe’severbeenbefore。Ifshe’sgottoseethatskunkag’in，Iguessthisisaboutthebesttimetodoit。"
　　ItwasWestoverwhodrovetomeetJeffatthestation，whenhegothisdespatch，namingthetrainhewouldtake，andhefoundhimlookingverywell，andperhapsstouterthanhehadbeen。
　　Theyleftthestationinsilence，aftertheirgreetingandJeff’sinquiriesaboutJackson。Jeffhadtakenthereins，andnowheputthemwiththewhipinonehand，andpusheduphishatwiththeother，andturnedhisfacefulluponWestover。"Noticeanythinginparticular？"hedemanded。
　　"No；yes——someslightmarks。"
　　"Iguessthatfellowfixedmeupprettywell：paintsblackeyes，andthatkindofthing。Igottoscrappingwithaman，ClassDay；wewantedtosettlealittlebusinesswebeganattheTree，andhelefthismarksonme。ImeanttotellyouthetruthassoonasIcouldgetatyou；butI
　　hadtosayerysipelasinmyletter。Iguess，ifyoudon’tmind，we’llleterysipelasstand，withtherest。"
　　"Ishouldn’thavecared，"Westoversaid，"ifyou’dletitstandwithme。"
　　"Oh，thankyou，"Jeffreturned。
　　TherecouldhavebeennoshowofaffectionathismeetingwithJacksoneveniftherehadbeenanyfactofit；thatwasnotthelawoftheirlife。ButJeffhadalwaysbeenaturbulent，rebellious，youngerbrother，resentfulofJackson’scontrol，toomuchhisjuniortohavetheassociationsofanequalcompanionshipinthepast，andyettoonearhiminagetohaveanythinglikeafilialregardforhim。Theyshookhands，andeachaskedtheotherhowhewas，andthentheyseemedtohavedonewitheachother。Jeff’smotherkissedhiminadditiontothehandshaking，butmadehimfeelherpreoccupationwithJackson；sheaskedhimifhehadhurriedhomeonJackson’saccount，andhepromptlyliedheroutofthisanxiety。
　　HeshookhandswithCynthia，too，butitwasacrossthebarrierwhichhadnotbeenloweredbetweenthemsincetheyparted。HespoketoJacksonabouther，thedayafterhecamehome，whenJacksonsaidhewasfeelingunusuallystrongandwell，andthetwobrothershadstrolledoutthroughtheorchardtogether。Nowandthenhegavethesickmanhisarm，andwhenhewantedtositdowninasunnyplacehespreadtheshawlhecarriedforhim。
　　"Isupposemother’stoldyouaboutCynthyandme，Jackson？"hebegan。
　　Jacksonanswered，withlack—lustreeyes，"Yes。"Presentlyheasked：
　　"What’sbecomeoftheothergirl？"
　　"Damnher！Idon’tknowwhat’sbecomeofher，andIdon’tcare！"Jeffexploded，furiously。
　　"Thenyoudon’tcareforheranymore？"Jacksonpursued，withthesamelanguidcalm。
　　"Inevercaredforher。"
　　Jacksonwassilent，andthematterseemedtohavefadedoutofhismind。
　　ButitwaskeenlyaliveinJeff’smind，andhewasinthestrangenecessitywhichmenintheflushoflifeandhealthoftenfeelofseekingcounselofthosewhostandinthepresenceofdeath，asiftheirwordsshouldhavesomethingofthemysticalauthorityoftheunknownwisdomtheyareabouttopenetrate。
　　"WhatIwanttoknowis，whatIamgoingtodoaboutCynthy？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"Jacksonanswered，vaguely，andheexpressedbyhisindirectionthesensehemustsometimeshavehadofhisimpendingfate——
　　"Idon’tknowwhatshe’sgoingtodo，herormother，either。"
　　"Yes，"Jeffassented，"that’swhatIthinkof。AndI’ddoanythingthatIcould——thatyouthoughtwasright。"
　　Jacksonapparentlyconcentratedhisminduponthequestionbyaneffort。
　　"DoyoucareasmuchforCynthyasyouusedto？"
　　"Yes，"saidJeff，afteramoment，"asmuchasIeverdid；andmore。ButI’vebeenthinking，sincethethinghappened，that，ifI’dcaredforherthewayshedidforme，itwouldn’thavehappened。Lookhere，Jackson！
　　YouknowI’veneverpretendedtobelikesomemen——likeMr。Westover，forexample——alwayslookingoutfortherightandthewrong，andallthat。Ididn’tmakemyself，andIguessiftheAlmightydon’tmakemegorightit’sbecauseHedon’twantmeto。ButIhavegotaconscienceaboutCynthy，andI’dbewillingtohelpoutalittleifIknewhow，abouther。Thedevilofitis，I’vegottobeingafraid。Idon’tmeanthatI’mnotfitforher；anyman’sfitforanywomanifhewantsherbadenough；butI’mafraidIsha’n’tevercareforherintherightway。
　　That’sthepoint。I’vecaredforjustonewomaninthisworld，andita’n’tCynthy，asfarasIcanmakeout。Butshe’sgone，andIguessI
　　couldcoaxCynthyroundagain，andIcouldbewhatshewantsmetobe，afterthis。"
　　Jacksonlayuponhisshawl，lookingupattheskyfullofislandsofwarmcloudsinitsseaofblue；hewassilentsolongthatJeffbegantothinkhehadnotbeenlistening；hecouldnothearhimbreathe，andhecameforwardtohimquicklyfromtheshadowofthetreewherehesat。
　　"Well？"Jacksonwhispered，turninghiseyesuponhim。
　　"Well？"Jeffreturned。
　　"Iguessyou’dbetterletitalone，"saidJackson。
　　"Allright。That’swhatIthink，too。"
　　XLIX。
　　Jacksondiedaweeklater，andtheyburiedhimintheoldfamilylotinthefarthestcorneroftheorchard。HismotherandCynthiaputonmourningforhim，andtheystoodtogetherbyhisopengrave，Mrs。Durginleaninguponherson’sarmandthegirluponherfather’s。Thewomenweptquietly，butJeff’seyesweredry，thoughhisfacewasdischargedofallitsprepotentimpudence。Westover，standingacrossthegravefromhim，noticedthemarksonhisforeheadthathesaidwerefromhisscrapping，andwonderedwhatreallymadethem。Herecognizedthespotwheretheywerestandingasthatwheretheboyhadobeyedthelawofhisnatureandrevengedthestressputuponhimforrighteousness。OverthestoneofthenearestgraveJeffhadshownafaceoftriumphantderisionwhenhepeltedWestoverwithapples。Thepainter’smindfellintoachaosofconjectureandmisgiving，sothathescarcelytookinthewordsofthecompositeservicewhichtheministerfromtheUnionChapelattheHuddlereadoverthedead。
　　Someoftheguestsfromthehotelcametothefuneral，butotherswhowerenotingoodhealthremainedaway，andtherewasageneralsenseamongthem，whichimparteditselftoWestover，thatJackson’sdyingso，atthebeginningoftheseason，wasnotafortunateincident。AshesattalkingwithJeffatacornerofthepiazzalateintheafternoon，FrankWhitwellcameuptothemandsaidthereweresomepeopleintheofficewhohaddrivenoverfromanotherhoteltoseeaboutboard，buttheyhadheardtherewassicknessinthehouse，andwishedtotalkwithhim。
　　"Iwon’tcome，"saidJeff。
　　"They’renotsatisfiedwithwhatI’vesaid，"theboyurged。"WhatshallItellthem？"
　　"Tellthemto—gotothedevil，"saidJeff，andwhenFrankWhitwellmadeoffwiththismessagefordeliveryinsuchdecenttermsashecouldimagineforit，Jeffsaid，rathertohimselfthantoWestover，"Idon’tseehowwe’regoingtorunthishotelwiththatoldfamilylotdownthereintheorchardmuchlonger。"
　　HeassumedtheairoffullauthorityatLion’sHead；andWestoverfeltthestressofapainfulconjectureinregardtotheWhitwellsintensifieduponhimfromthemomentheturnedawayfromJackson’sgrave。
　　CynthiaandherfatherhadgonebacktotheirownhouseassoonasJeffreturned，andthoughthegirlcamehomewithMrs。Durginafterthefuneral，andhelpedherintheircommondutiesthroughtheafternoonandevening，Westoversawhertakingherwaydownthehillwithherbrotherwhenthelongday’sworkwasover。Jeffsawhertoo；hewassittingwithWestoverattheofficedoorsmoking，andhewastalkingoftheWhitwells。
　　"Isupposetheywon’tstay，"hesaid，"andIcan’texpectit；butIdon’tknowwhatmotherwilldo，exactly。"
　　AtthesamemomentWhitwellcameroundthecornerofthehotelfromthebarn，andapproachedthem："Jeff，IguessIbettertellyoustraightoffthatwe’regoin’，thechildrenandme。"
　　"Allright，Mr。Whitwell，"saidJeff，withrespectfulgravity；"Iwasafraidofit。"
　　Westovermadeamotiontorise，butWhitwelllaidadetaininghanduponhisknee。"Thereain’tanythingsoprivateaboutit，sofarasIknow。"
　　"Don’tgo，Mr。Westover，"saidJeff，andWestoverremained。
　　"Wea’n’ta—goin’toleaveyouinthelurch，andwewantyoushouldtakeyourtime，especiallyMis’Durgin。Butthesoonerthebetter。Heigh？"
　　"Yes，Iunderstandthat，Mr。Whitwell；Iguessmotherwillmissyou，butifyoumustgo，youmust。"Thetwomenremainedsilentamoment，andthenJeffbrokeoutpassionately，risingandflinginghiscigaraway：
　　"IwishIcouldgo，instead！Thatwouldbetherightway，andIguessmotherwouldlikeitfullaswell。Doyouseeanywaytomanageit？
　　"Heputhisfootupinhischair，anddroppedhiselbowonhisknee，withhischinproppedinhishand。Westovercouldseethathemeantwhathewassaying。"Iftherewasanyway，I’ddoit。Iknowwhatyouthinkofme，andIshouldbejustlikeyou，inyourplace。Idon’tfeelrighttoturnyououthere，Idon’t，Mr。Whitwell，andyetifIstay，I’vegottodoit。What’sthereasonIcan’tgo？"
　　"Youcan’t，"saidWhitwell，"andthat’sallaboutit。Weshouldn’tletyou，ifyoucould。ButIa’n’tsurprisedyoufeelthewayyoudo，"headded，unsparingly。"Asyousay，IshouldfeeljustsomyselfifIwasinyourplace。Well，goodnight，Mr。Westover。"
　　Whitwellturnedandsloucheddownthehill，leavingthepaintertothemostpainfulmomenthehadknownwithJeffDurgin，andnearersympathy。
　　"That’sallright，Mr。Westover，"Jeffsaid，"Idon’tblamehim。"
　　HeremainedinaconstraintfromwhichhepresentlybrokewithmockinghilaritywhenJombateestecameroundthecornerofthehouse，asifhehadbeenwaitingforWhitwelltobegone，andtoldJeffhemustgetsomebodyelsetolookafterthehorses。
　　"Whydon’tyouwaitandtakethehorseswithyou，Jombateeste？"
　　heinquired。"They’llbehandingintheirresignation，thenextthing。
　　Whynotgoaltogether？"
　　ThelittleCanuckpaused，asifuncertainwhetherhewasmadetheobjectofunfriendlyderisionornot，andlookedatWestoverforhelp。
　　Apparentlyhedecidedtochanceitinasbitterananswerashecouldinvent。"The’osscan’t’elp’imself，Mr。Durgin。’Estay。Butyoudon’hownEVERYBODY。"
　　"That’sso，Jombateeste，"saidJeff。"That’sagoodhit。Itmakesmefeelawfully。Haveacigar？"TheCanuckdeclinedwithadignifiedbow，andJeffsaid："Youdon’tsmokeanymore？Oh，Isee！It’smytobaccoyou’redownon。What’sthematter，Jombateeste？Whatareyougoingawayfor？"JefflightedforhimselfthecigartheCanuckhadrefused，andsmokeddownuponthelittleman。
　　"Mr。W’itwellgoin’，"Jombateestesaid，alittleconfusedanddaunted。
　　"What’sMr。Whitwellgoingfor？"
　　"YouhaskMr。W’itwell。"
　　"Allright。AndifIcangethimtostaywillyoustaytoo，Jombateeste？
　　Idon’tliketoseearatleavingaship；theship’ssuretosink，ifhedoes。HowdoyousupposeI’mgoingtorunLion’sHeadwithoutyoutothrowdownhaytothehorses？Itwillberuintome，sure，Jombateeste。
　　Alltheguestsknowhowyouplayonthepitchforkoutthere，andthey’llleaveinabodyiftheyhearyou’vequit。Dosayyou’llstay，andI’llreduceyourwagesone—halfonthespot。"
　　Jombateestewaitedtohearnomoreinjuries。Hesaid："You’lldon’gotmoneyenough，Mr。Durgin，bygosh！toreducemywages，"andhestarteddownthehilltowardWhitwell’shousewithasgreatloftinessascouldcomportwithadown—hillgaitandhisstature。
　　"Well，Iseemtobegettingitallround，Mr。Westover，"saidJeff。
　　"Thismustmakeyoufeelgood。Idon’tknowbutIbegintobelievethere’saGodinIsrael，myself。"
　　Hewalkedawaywithoutsayinggood—night，andWestoverwenttobedwithoutthechanceofsettinghimselfright。Inthemorning，whenhecamedowntobreakfast，andstoppedatthedesktoengageaconveyanceforthestationfromFrankWhitwelltheboyforestalledhimwithagraveface。"Youdon’tknowaboutMrs。Durgin？"
　　"No；whatabouther？"
　　"Well，wecan’ttellexactly。Fatherthinksit’sashock；JombateestegoneovertoLovewellforthedoctor。Cynthia’swithher。Itseemedtocomeoninthenight。"
　　Hespokesoftly，thatnooneelsemighthear；butbynoonthefactthatMrs。Durginhadbeenstrickenwithparalysiswasallovertheplace。ThegloomcastupontheopeningseasonbyJackson’sdeathwasdeepenedamongtheguests。SomewhohadtalkedofstayingthroughJulywentawaythatday。ButunderCynthia’smanagementthehousekeepingwasreallyunaffectedbyMrs。Durgin’scalamity，andthepeoplewhostayedfoundthemselvesascomfortableasever。Jeffcamefullyintothehotelmanagement，andintheirbusinessrelationCynthiaandhewerecontinuallytogether；therewasnolongeraquestionoftheWhitwellsleavinghim；evenJombateestepersuadedhimselftostay，andWestoverfeltobligedtoremainatleasttillthepresentdangerinMrs。Durgin’scasewaspast。
　　Withthefirstreturnofphysicalstrength，Mrs。Durginwasimpatienttobeseenaboutthehouse，andtoretrievetheseasonthatherafflictionhadmadesolargelyaloss。Thepeoplewhohadbecomeaccustomedtoitstayedon，andthehousefilledupasshegrewbetter，buteventhesightofherinawheeledchairdidnotbringbacktheprosperityofotheryears。Shelamentedoveritwithakeenandfullperceptionofthefact，butinacloudyassociationofitwiththejointfutureofJeffandCynthia。
　　Oneday，afterMrs。Durginhaddeclaredthatshedidnotknowwhattheyweretodo，ifthingskeptonastheyweregoing，Whitwellaskedhisdaughter：
　　"DoyousupposeshethinksyouandJeffhavemadeitupagain？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidthegirl，withatroubledvoice，"andIdon’tknowwhattodoaboutit。Itdon’tseemasifIcouldtellher，andyetit’swrongtolethergoon。"
　　"Whydidn’thetellher？"demandedherfather。"’Ta’n’tfairhisleavin’
　　ittoyou。Butit’slikehim。"
　　Thesickwoman’sholduponthefactweakenedmostwhenshewastired。
　　Whenshewasbetter，sheknewhowitwaswiththem。CommonlyitwaswhenCynthiahadgothertobedforthenightthatshesentforJeff，andwishedtoaskhimwhathewasgoingtodo。"Youcan’texpectCynthytostayhereanotherwinterhelpin’you，withJacksonaway。You’vegottoeithertakeherwithyou，orelsecomehereyourself。Giveupyourlastyearincollege，whydon’tyou？Idon’twantyoushouldstay，andI
　　don’tknowwhodoes。IfIwasinCynthia’splace，I’dletyouworkoffyourownconditions，nowyou’vegiveupthelaw。She’llkillherself，tryin’tokeepyoualong。"
　　SometimesherspeechbecamesoindistinctthatnoonebutCynthiacouldmakeitout；andJeff，listeningwithafaceasnearlydischargedasmightbeofitslaughingirony，hadtoturntoCynthiaforthewordwhichnooneelsecouldcatch，andwhichthestrickenwomanremaineddistressfullywaitingforhertorepeattohim，withheranxiouseyesuponthegirl’sface。Hewasdutifullypatientwithallhismother’swhims。Hecamewhenevershesentforhim，andsatquietundertheseveritieswithwhichshevisitedallhispastunworthiness。"Whoyoubeenhectorin’now，Ishouldliketoknow，"shebeganonhimoneeveningwhenhecameathersummons。"BetweenyouandFox，Igotnopeaceofmylife。Whereisthedog？"
　　"Foxisallright，mother，"Jeffresponded。"You’refeelingalittlebetterto—night，a’n’tyou？"
　　"Idon’tknow；Ican’ttell，"shereturned，withagleamofintelligenceinhereye。Thenshesaid："Idon’tseewhyI’mlefttostrangersallthetime。"
　　"Youdon’tcallCynthiaastranger，doyou，mother？"heasked，coaxingly。
　　"Oh——Cynthy！"saidMrs。Durgin，withaglanceasofsurpriseatseeingher。"No，Cynthy’sallright。Butwhere’sJacksonandyourfather？IfI’vetoldthemnottobeoutinthedewonce，I’vetold’emahundredtimes。Cynthy’dbetterlookafterherhousekeepin’ifshedon’twantthewholeplacetorunbehind，andnotasoulleftinthehouse。Whattimeo’yearisitnow？"shesuddenlyasked，afteralittlewearypause。
　　"It’sthelastofAugust，mother。"
　　"Oh，"shesighed，"Ithoughtitwasthebeginnin’ofMay。Didn’tyoucomeuphereinMay？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，then——Or，mebbethat’soneo’themtormentin’dreams；theydopesterso！Whatdidyoucomefor？"
　　JeffwassittingononesideofherbedandCynthiaontheother：Shewaslookingatthesufferer’sface，andshedidnotmeettheglanceofamusementwhichJeffturneduponheratbeingsofairlycornered。"Well，Idon’tknow，"hesaid。"Ithoughtyoumightliketoseeme。"
　　"What’dhecomefor？"——thesickwomanturnedtoCynthia。
　　"You’dbettertellher，"saidthegirl，coldly，toJeff。"Shewon’tbesatisfiedtillyoudo。She’llkeepcomingbacktoit。"
　　"Well，mother，"saidJeff，stillwithsomethingofhishardyamusement，"Ihadn’tbeenactingjustright，andIthoughtI’dbettertellCynthy。"
　　"Youbetterletthechildalone。IfIevercatchyouteasin’themchildrenagain，I’llmakeJacksonshootFox。"