"Allright，mother，"saidJeff。
　　Shemovedherselfrestivelyinbed。"What’sthis，"shedemandedofherson，"thatWhitwell’stellin’aboutyouandCynthybreakin’itoff？"
　　"Well，therewastalkofthat，"saidJeff，passinghishandoverhislipstokeepbackthesmilethatwasstealingtothem。
　　"Whodoneit？"
　　CynthiakepthereyesonJeff，whodroppedhistohismother’sface。
　　"Cynthydidit；butIguessIgavehergoodenoughreason。"
　　"AboutthathussyinBoston？Shewasfullmoretoblamethanwhatyouwas。Idon’tseewhatCynthywantedtodoitforonheraccount。"
　　"IguessCynthywasright。"
　　Mrs。Durgin’sspeechhadbeenthickeningmoreandmore。ShenowsaidsomethingthatJeffcouldnotunderstand。HelookedinvoluntarilyatCynthia。
　　"ShesaysshethinksIwashastywithyou，"thegirlinterpreted。
　　Jeffkepthiseyesonhers，butheansweredtohismother："NotanymorethanIdeserved。Ihadn’tanyrighttoexpectthatshewouldstandit。"
　　Againthesickwomantriedtosaysomething。Jeffmadeoutafewsyllables，and，afterhismotherhadrepeatedherwords，hehadtolooktoCynthiaforhelp。
　　"Shewantstoknowifit’sallrightnow。"
　　"WhatshallIsay？"askedJeff，huskily。
　　"Tellherthetruth。"
　　"Whatisthetruth？"
　　"Thatwehaven’tmadeitup。"
　　Jeffhesitated，andthensaid："Well，notyet，mother，"andhebentanentreatinglookuponCynthiawhichshecouldnotfeelwaswhollyforhimself。"I——Iguesswecanfixit，somehow。IbehavedverybadlytoCynthia。"
　　"No，nottome！"thegirlprotestedinanindignantburst。
　　"Nottothatlittlescalawag，then！"criedJeff。"Ifthewrongwasn’ttoyou，therewasn’tanywrong。"
　　"Itwastoyou！"Cynthiaretorted。
　　"Oh，IguessIcanstandit，"saidJeff，andhissmilenowcametohislipsandeyes。
　　Hismotherhadfollowedtheirquickparleywitheagerlooks，asifsheweretryingtokeepherintelligencetoitsworkconcerningthem。Theeffortseemedtoexhausther，andwhenshespokeagainherwordsweresoindistinctthatevenCynthiacouldnotunderstandthemtillshehadrepeatedthemseveraltimes。
　　Thenthegirlwassilent，whiletheinvalidkeptaneagerlookuponher。
　　SheseemedtounderstandthatCynthiadidnotmeantospeak；andthetearscameintohereyes。
　　"Doyouwantmetoknowwhatshesaid？"askedJeff，respectfully，reverentlyalmost。
　　Cynthiasaid，gently："Shesaysthatthenyoumustshowyoudidn’tmeananyharmtome，andthatyoucaredforme，allthrough，andyoudidn’tcareforanybodyelse。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidJeff，andheturnedtohismother。"I’lldoeverythingIcantomakeCynthybelievethat，mother。"
　　Thegirlbrokeintotearsandwentoutoftheroom。Shesentinthenight—watcher，andthenJefftookleaveofhismotherwithanunwontedkiss。
　　Intotheshadowofastarlitnighthesawthefigurehehadbeenwaitingforglideoutoftheglitterofthehotellights。Hefolloweditdowntheroad。
　　"Cynthia！"hecalled；andwhenhecameupwithherheasked："What’sthereasonwecan’tmakeittrue？Whycan’tyoubelievewhatmotherwantsmetomakeyou？"
　　Cynthiastopped，asherwontwaswhenshewishedtospeakseriously。
　　"Doyouaskthatformysakeorhers？"
　　"Forbothyoursakes。"
　　"Ithoughtso。Yououghttohaveaskeditforyourownsake，Jeff，andthenImighthavebeenfoolenoughtobelieveyou。Butnow——"
　　Shestartedswiftlydownthehillagain，andthistimehedidnottrytofollowher。
　　L。
　　Mrs。Durgin’sspeechneverregainedthemeasureofclearnessithadbefore；noonebutCynthiacouldunderstandher，andoftenshecouldnot。
　　ThedoctorfromLovewellsurmisedthatshehadsustainedanotherstroke，lighter，moreobscurethanthefirst，anditwasthatwhichhadrenderedheralmostinarticulate。Theparalysismighthavealsoaffectedherbrain，andsilencedherthoughtsaswellasherwords。EithershebelievedthatthereconciliationbetweenJeffandCynthiahadtakenplace，orelseshecouldnolongercare。Shedidnotquestionthemagain，butpeacefullyweakenedmoreandmore。NeartheendofSeptembershehadathirdstroke，andfromthisshedied。
　　ThedayafterthefuneralJeffhadatalkwithWhitwell，andopenedhismindtohim。
　　"I’mgoingovertotheotherside，andIshan’tbebackbeforespring，orabouttimetostarttheseasonhere。WhatIwanttoknowiswhether，ifI’moutofthehouse，andnotlikelytocomeback，you’llstayhereandlookaftertheplacethroughthewinter。Ithasn’tbeenagoodseason，butIguessIcanaffordtomakeitworthyourwhileifyoulookatitasamatterofbusiness。"
　　Whitwellleanedforwardandtookastrawintohismouthfromthegoldenwallofoatsheavesinthebarnwheretheyweretalking。AsoftrustlinginthemowoverheadmarkedtheremotepresenceofJombateeste，whowasgettingforwardthehayforthehorses，pushingittowardtheholeswhereitshouldfallintotheirracks。
　　"Ishouldwanttothinkaboutit，"saidWhitwell。"Ido’knowasCynthy’dcaremuchaboutstayin’——orFrank。"
　　"Howlongdoyouwanttothinkaboutit？"Jeffdemanded，ignoringthepossiblewishesofCynthiaandFrank。
　　"IguessIcouldletyouknowbynight。"
　　"Allright，"saidJeff。
　　Hewasturningaway，whenWhitwellremarked：
　　"Idon’tknowasIshouldwanttostaywithoutIcouldhavesomebodyI
　　coulddependon，withme，tolookafterthehosses。Frankwouldn’twantto。"
　　"Who’dyoulike？"
　　"Well——Jombateeste。"
　　"Askhim。"
　　WhitwellcalledtotheCanuck，andhecameforwardtotheedgeofthemow，andstood，forkinhand，lookingdown。
　　"Wanttostayherethiswinterandlookafterthehorses，Jombateeste？"
　　Whitwellasked。
　　"Nosseh！"saidtheCanuck，withamislikingeyeonJeff。
　　"Imean，alongwithme，"Whitwellexplained。"IfIconcludetostay，willyou？Jeff’sgoin’abroad。"
　　"IguessIstay，"saidJombateeste。
　　"Don’tstrainyourself，Jombateeste，"saidJeff，withmalevolentderision。
　　"Notforyou，JeffDorrgin，"returnedtheCanuck。"IstrainmyselftillIbust，ifIwant。"
　　JeffsneeredtoWhitwell："Well，then，themostimportantpointissettled。Letmeknowabouttheminordetailsassoonasyoucan。"
　　"Allright。"
　　Whitwelltalkedthematteroverwithhischildrenatsupperthatevening。
　　Jeffhadmadehimagoodoffer，andhehadthewinterbeforehimtoprovidefor。
　　"Idon’tknowwhatdeviltryhe’supto，"hesaidinconclusion。
　　Franklookedtohissisterfortheircommondecision。"Iamgoingtotryforaschool，"shesaid，quietly。"It’sprettylate，butIguessIcangetsomething。YouandFrankhadbetterstay。"
　　"Andyoudon’tfeelasifitwaskindofmeechin’，ourtakin’upwithhisoffer，afterwhat’s——"Whitwelldelicatelyforboretofillouthissentence。
　　"Youaredoingthefavor，father，"saidthegirl。"Heknowsthat，andI
　　guesshewouldn’tknowwheretolookifyourefused。And，afterall，what’shappenednowisasmuchmydoingashis。"
　　"Iguessthat’ssomethingso，"saidWhitwell，withalongsighofrelief。
　　"Well，I’mgladyoucanlookatitinthatlight，Cynthy。It’sthewaythefeller’sbuilt，Ipresume，asmuchasanything。"
　　Hisdaughterwaivedthepoint。"Ishouldn’tfeeljustrightifnoneofusstayedintheoldplace。IshouldfeelasifwehadturnedourbacksonMrs。Durgin。"
　　Hereyesshone，andherfathersaid："Well，Iguessthat’sso，cometothinkofit。She’sbeenlikeamothertoyou，thispastyear，ha’n’tshe？Anditmusthavecomepoottyhardforher，sidin’ag’in’Jeff。Butshedoneit。"
　　Thegirlturnedherheadaway。Theyweresittinginthelittle，lowkeeping—roomofWhitwell’shouse，andherfatherhadhishatonprovisionally。Throughthewindowtheycouldseethelightofthelanternattheofficedoorofthehotel，whosemasswaslostinthedarkaboveandbehindthelamp。Itwasallverystilloutside。
　　"Ideclare，"Whitwellwenton，musingly，"IwishtMr。Westoverwashere。"
　　Cynthiastarted，butitwastoask："DoyouwantIshouldhelpyouwithyourLatin，Frank？"
　　Whitwellcamebackanhourlaterandfoundthemstillattheirbooks。
　　Hetoldthemitwasallarranged；Durginwastogiveuptheplacetohiminaweek，andhewastosurrenderitagainwhenJeffcamebackinthespring。Inthemeantimethingsweretoremainastheywere；afterhewasgone，theycouldallgoandliveatLion’sHeadiftheychose。
　　"We’llsee，"saidCynthia。"I’vebeenthinkingthatmightbethebestway，afterall。Imightnotgetaschool，it’ssolate。"
　　"That’sso，"herfatherassented。"Ideclare，"headded，afteramoment’smuse，"Ifeltsorryforthefellersettin’uptherealone，withnobodytodoforhimbutthatoldthinghe’sgotin。Shecan’tcookanymorethan——"Hedesistedforwantofacomparison，andsaid："Suchalookin’table，too。"
　　"DoyouthinkIbettergoandlookafterthingsalittle？"Cynthiaasked。
　　"Well，younoneedto，"saidherfather。Hegotdowntheplanchette，andlaboredwithit，whilehischildrenreturnedtoFrank’slessons。
　　"Dumn’fIcanmakethethingwork，"hesaidtohimselfatlast。
　　"Ican’tgitanyof’emup。IfJacksonwashere，now！"
　　ThriceadayCynthiawentuptothehotelandoversawthepreparationofJeff’smealsandkepttauttheslackhousekeepingoftheoldIrishwomanwhohadremainedasafavor，afterthehotelclosed，andprofessedtohavelostthechanceofaplaceforthewinterbyhercomplaisance。
　　ShesubmittedtoCynthia’sauthority，andtriedtomakeinterestforanindefinitestaybysuddenzealandindustry，andthelastdaysofJeffinthehotelweremorecomfortablethanheopenlyrecognized。HeleftthecareofthebuildingwhollytoWhitwell，andshuthimselfupintheoldfarmparlorwiththeplansforanewhotelwhichhesaidhemeanttoputupsomeday，ifhecouldevergetridoftheoldone。HewentoncetoLovewell，whereherenewedtheinsurance，andsomewhatincreasedit；andheputasmallmortgageontheproperty。Heforestalledtheslowprogressoftheknowledgeofothers’affairs，which，inthecountry，isassureasitisslow，andtoldWhitwellwhathehaddone。Hesaidhewantedthemortgagemoneyforhisjourney，andtheinsurancemoney，ifhecouldhavethelucktocashupbyagoodfire，torebuildwith。
　　Cynthiaseldommethiminhercomingsandgoings，butiftheymettheyspokeonthetermsoftheirboyandgirlassociations，andwithnoapproachthroughresentmentortendernesstotherelationthatwasendedbetweenthem。Shesawhimoftenerthanatanyothertimesettingoffonthelongtrampshetookthroughthewoodsintheafternoons。Hewasalwaysalone，and，sofarasanyoneknew，hiswanderingshadnoobjectbuttokillthetimewhichhungheavyonhishandsduringthefortnightafterhismother’sdeath，beforehesailed。ItmighthaveseemedstrangethatheshouldprefertopassthedaysatLion’sHeadafterhehadarrangedforthecareoftheplacewithWhitwell，andWhitwellalwaysbelievedthathestayedinthehopeofsomehowmakingupwithCynthia。
　　Oneday，towardtheverylast，Durginfoundhimselfprettywellfaggedintheoldpulp—millclearingonthesideofLion’sHead，whichstillbelongedtoWhitwell，andhesatdownonamoulderinglogtheretorest。
　　Ithadalwaysbeenafavoritepicnicground，buttheseasonjustpasthadknownfewpicnics，anditwasthoseofformeryearsthathadlefttheirtracesinrustysardine—cansandbrokenglassandcrockeryontheborderoftheclearing，whichwasnowalmostcoveredwithwhitemoss。JeffthoughtofthedaywhenhelurkedinthehollowbelowwithFox，whileWestoverremainedtalkingwithWhitwell。HethoughtofthepicnicthatMrs。Marvenhadembitteredforhim，andhethoughtofthelasttimethathehadbeentherewithWestover，whentheytalkedoftheVostrands。
　　Lifehad，sofar，notbeenwhathemeantit，andjustnowitoccurredtohimthathemightnothavewhollymadeitwhatithadbeen。Itseemedtohimthatagoodmanyotherpeoplehadcomeinandtakenahandinmakinghisownlifewhatithadbeen；andifhehadmeddledwiththeirsmorethanhewaswanted，itwasaboutaneventhing。Asfarashecouldmakeout，hewasasortofingredientinthegeneralmixture。Hehadprobablydonehisshareoftheflavoring，buthehadhadverylittletodowiththemixing。Thereweredifferentwaysoflookingatthething。Westoverhadhisway，butitstruckJeffthatitputtoomuchresponsibilityontheingredient，andtoolittleonthepowerthatchoseit。Hebelievedthathecouldproveaclearcaseinhisownfavor，asfarasthequestionoffinaljusticewasconcerned，buthehadnocomplaintstomake。Thingshadfallenoutverymuchtohismind。HewastheLandlordatLion’sHead，atlast，withthefullrighttodowhathepleasedwiththeplace，andwithhalfayear’sleisurebeforehimtothinkitover。Hedidnotmeantowastethetimewhilehewasabroad；iftherewasanythingtobelearnedanywhereaboutkeepingasummerhotel，hewasgoingtolearnit；
　　andhethoughtthesummerhotelcouldbeadvantageouslystudiedinitswinterphasesinthemildclimatesofSouthernEurope。HemeanttostrikefortheclassofAmericanswhoresortedtothoseclimates；todivinetheircharactersandtopleasetheirtastes。
　　HeunconsciouslyincludedCynthiainhisschemeofinquiry；hehadbeenusedsolongtotrusttoherinstinctsandopinions，andtorelyuponherhelp，andherealizedthatshewasnolongerinhislifewithsomethingliketheshockamanexperienceswhenthelossofalimb，whichcontinuesapartofhisinveterateconsciousness，isbroughttohissensebysomemechanicalattempttouseit。Buteveninthispanghedidnotregretthatallwasoverbetweenthem。Heknewnowthathehadnevercaredforherashehadoncethought，andonheraccount，ifnothisown，hewasgladtheirengagementwasbroken。AsoftmelancholyforhisowndisappointmentimparteditselftohisthoughtsofCynthia。Hefelttrulysorryforher，andhetrulyadmiredandrespectedher。Hewasinaverylenientmoodtowardeveryone，andhewentsofarinthoughttowardforgivinghisenemiesthathewaswillingatleasttopardonallthosewhomhehadinjured。Alittlerustlingintheunderbrushacrosstheclearingcaughthisquickear，andhelookeduptoseeJombateestepartingtheboughsoftheyoungpinesonitsedgeandadvancingintotheopenwithagunonhisshoulder。Hecalledtohim，cheerily："Hello，John！Anyluck？"
　　Jombateesteshookhishead。"Nawthing。"Hehesitated。
　　"Whatareyouafter？"
　　"Partridge，"Jombateesteventuredback。
　　JeffcouldnotresistthedesiretoscoffwhichalwayscameuponhimatsightoftheCanuck。"Oh，pshaw！Whydon’tyougoforwoodchucks？Theyflylow，andyoucanhitthemonthewing，ifyoucan’tsneakon’emsitting。"
　　Jombateestereceivedhisrailleryindignifiedsilence，andturnedbackintothewoodsagain。HeleftDurgininheightenedgood—humorwithhimselfandwiththeworld，whichhadfinallysowelladapteditselftohisdesiresanddesigns。
　　Jeffwatchedhisresentfulgoingwithagrin，andthenthrewhimselfbackonthethickbedofdrymosswherehehadbeensitting，andwatchedthecloudsdriftingacrossthespaceofbluewhichtheclearingopenedoverhead。HisownactionremindedhimofJackson，lyingintheorchardandlookingupatthesky。Hefeltstrangelyatonewithhim，andheexperiencedatendernessforhismemorywhichhehadnotknownbefore。
　　Jacksonhadbeenagoodman；herealizedthatwithacurioussenseofnoveltyinthereflection；hewonderedwhattheincentivesandtheobjectsofsuchmenasJacksonandWestoverwere，anyway。Somethinglikegriefforhisbrothercameuponhim；notsuchgriefashehadfelt，passionatelyenough，thoughtacitly，forhismother，butaregretfornothavingshownJacksonduringhislifethathecouldappreciatehisunselfishness，thoughhecouldnotseethereasonorthemeaningofit。
　　Hesaidtohimself，intheirsaferemotenessfromeachother，thathewishedhecoulddosomethingforJackson。Hewonderedifinthecourseoftimeheshouldgettobesomethinglikehim。Heimaginedtrying。
　　Heheardsoundsagainintheedgeoftheclearing，buthedecidedthatitwasthatfoolJombateestecomingback；andwhenstepsapproachedsoftlyandhesitantlyacrossthemoss，hedidnottroublehimselftotakehiseyesfromtheclouds。Hewasonlyvexedtohavehisreverybrokeninupon。
　　AvoicethatwasnotJombateeste’sspoke："Isay！CanyoutellmethewaytotheBrookerInstitute，ortotheroaddownthemountain？"
　　Jeffsatsuddenlybolt—upright；inanothermomenthejumpedtohisfeet。
　　TheBrookerInstitutewasabranchoftheKeeleyCurerecentlyestablishedneartheHuddle，andthismustbeapatientwhohadwanderedfromit，ononeoftheexcursionstheinmatesmadewiththeirguardians，andlosthisway。ThiswasthefactthatJeffrealizedatthefirstglancehegavetheman。ThenextherecognizedthatthemanwasAlanLynde。
　　"Oh，it’syou，"hesaid，quitesimply。Hefeltsocruellythehardshipofhisoneunforgivenenemy’scominguponhimjustwhenhehadresolvedtobegoodthatthetearscameintohiseyes。Thenhisrageseemedtoswellupinhimliketheriseofavolcanicflood。"I’mgoingtokillyou！"he，roared，andhelaunchedhimselfuponLynde，whostooddazed。
　　ButthemurderwhichJeffmeantwasnottobesoeasilydone。Lyndehadnotgrownupindissoluteidlenesswithoutacquiringsomeoftheartsofself—defencewhicharecalledmanly。HemetJeff’sonsetwithrememberedskillandwiththestrengthwhichhehadgainedinthreemonthsofthewholesomeregimenoftheBrookerInstitute。Hehadbeensentthere，notbyDr。Lacy’sjudgment，butbyhisdespair，andsofartheCurehadcured。Hefeltstrongandfresh，andthehatewhichfilledJeffatsightofhimsteeledhisshakennervesandreinforcedhisfeeblermuscles，too。
　　Hemadeadesperatefightwherehecouldnothopeformercy，andkepthimselffreeofhispowerfulfoe，whomhefoughtroundandfoiled，ifhecouldnothurthim。JeffneverknewoftheblowsLyndegotinuponhim；
　　hehadhisownscience，too，buthewouldnotemployit。HewantedtocrashthroughLynde’sdefenceandlayholdofhimandcrushthelifeoutofhim。
　　Thecontestcouldnothavelastedlongatthebest；butbeforeLyndewaswornouthecaughthisheelinanoldlaurelroot，andwhilehewhirledtorecoverhisfootingJeffclosedinuponhim，caughthimbythemiddle，flunghimdownuponthemoss，andwaskneelingonhisbreastwithbothhandsathisthroat。
　　Heglareddownintohisenemy’sface，andsuddenlyitlookedpitifullylittleandweak，likeagirl’sface，achild’s。
　　Sometimes，afterward，itseemedtohimthatheforborebecauseatthatinstanthesawJombateesteappearattheedgeoftheclearingandcomerunninguponthem。Atothertimeshehadthefancythathisactionwaspurelyvoluntary，andthat，againstthelogicofhishateandhabitofhislife，hehadmercyuponhisenemy。Hedidnotpridehimselfuponit；
　　heratherhumbledhimselfbeforethefact，whichwasaccomplishedthroughhiswill，andnotbyit，andremainedamysteryhedidnottrytosolve。
　　HetookhishandsfromLynde’sthroatandhiskneesoffhisbreast。"Getup，"hesaid；andwhenLyndestoodtremblingonhisfeethesaidtoJombateeste："ShowthismanthewaytotheBrookerInstitute。I’lltakeyourgunhomeforyou，"anditwaseasyforhimtodetachthepiecefromthebewilderedCanuck’sgrasp。"Go！Andifyoustop，orevenlethimlookback，I’llshoothim。Quick！"
　　LI。
　　ThedayafterThanksgiving，whenWestoverwastryingtofeelwellaftertheturkeyandcranberryandciderwhichaladyhadgivenhimataconsciouslyold—fashionedThanksgivingdinner，butnotmakingitoutsufficientlytobeabletowork，hewasastonishedtoreceiveavisitfromWhitwell。
　　"Well，sir，"saidthephilosopher，withoutgivinghimselfpausefortheexchangeofreflectionsuponhispresenceinBoston，whichmighthavebeenagreeabletohimonalessmomentousoccasion。"It’sallupwithLion’sHead。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"demandedWestover，withhisminduponthemountain，whichheelectricallyfiguredinanincredibledestruction。
　　"She’sburnt。Burntdownthedaybeforeyist’d’yaft’noon。A’n’thardlyastickofherleft。KetehedLordknowshow，fromthekitchenchimney，andahighnorthwestwindblowin’，thatca’dthesparkstothebarn，andsetfiretothat，too。Hassesgone；couldn’tgetroundto’em；onlythreeofusthere，andmixedupsoaboutthehousetillitwassolatethecritterswouldn’tcomeout。FolksfromoverHuddlewayseetheblaze，andhelpedailtheycould；butitwa’n’tnouse。Iguessallwesaved，about，wastheflag—pole。"
　　"Butyou’reallrightyourselves？Cynthia"
　　"Well，therewasourmisfortune，"saidWhitwell，whileWestover’sheartstoppedinamerewantonnessofapprehension。"Ifshe’dbe’nthere，itmightha’be’ndiff’ent。Wemightha’hadmoresense；orshewould，anyway。ButshewasovertoLovewellstockin’upforThanksgivin’，andI
　　hadtomakeoutthebestIcould，withFrankandJombateeste。Why，thatCanuckdidn’tseemtohavenomoreheadonhimthanahen。Iwasdisgusted；butCynthywouldn’tletmesayanythingtohim，andId’knowas’t’oulddoneanygood，myself。We’vetalkeditalloverineverylight，eversince；guesswe’vesetupmostthetimetalkin’，andnothin’
　　woulddoherbutIshouldcomedownandseeyoubeforeItookasinglestepaboutit。"
　　"How——stepaboutwhat？"askedWestover，witharemotesenseofhardshipatbeingbroughtin，temperedbythefactthatitwasCynthiawhohadbroughthimin。
　　"Why，thatdevil，"saidWhitwell，andWestoverknewthathemeantJeff，"wentandpiledonalltheinsurancehecouldpileon，beforeheleft；
　　andIdon’tknowwhattodoaboutit。"
　　"Ishouldthinkthebestthingwastocollecttheinsurance，"Westoversuggested，distractedly。
　　"Ita’n’tsoeasyaswhatthatcomesto，"saidWhitwell。"Icouldn’tcollecttheinsurance；andhere’sthepoint，anyway。Whenahotel’smadeabadseason，andshe’sfullyinsured，she’spoottycertaintoburnupsometimeinthewinter。Everybodyknowsthatcomicaldevilwantedlion’sHeadtoburnupso’thecouldbuildnew，andIpresumetherea’n’taman，woman，orchildanywhereroundbutwhatbelievesIsetheronfire。Hiredtodoit。Now，see？JeffoffinEurope；daytime；noliveslost；prop’tytotalloss。’saclearcase。Heigh？Itellyou，I’mafraidI’vegottroubleahead。"
　　Westovertriedtoprotest，tosaysomethinginderisionordefiance；buthewasshakenhimself，andheendedbygettinghishatandcoat；Whitwellhadkepthisownon，intheexcitement。"We’llgooutandseealawyer。
　　Afriendofmine；itwon’tcostyouanything。"HeaddedthisassuranceatacertainlookofreluctancethatcameintoWhitwell’sface，andthatleftitassoonashehadspoken。Whitwellglancedroundthestudioevencheerily。"Who’dha’thought，"hesaid，fasteninguponthestudywhichWestoverhadmadeofLion’sheadthewinterbefore，"thattheoldplacewould’a’gonesosoon？"Hedidnotmeanthemountainwhichhewaslookingat，butthehotelthatwaspresenttohismind’seye；andWestoverperceivedashehadnotbeforethattoWhitwellthehotelandnotthemountainwasLion’sHead。
　　HerememberedtoasknowwhereWhitwellhadlefthisfamily，andWhitwellsaidthatFrankandCynthiawereathomeinhisownhousewithJombateeste；buthepresumedhecouldnotgetbacktothemnowbeforethenextday。HerefusedtobeinterestedinanyoftheaspectsofBostonwhichWestovercasuallypointedout，butwhentheyhadseenthelawyerhecameforthanewman，vividlyinterestedineverything。Thelawyerhadbeenabletotellthemthatthoughtheinsurancecompanieswouldlooksharplyintothecauseofthefire，therewasnoprobability，hardlyapossibility，thattheywouldinculpatehim，andheneedgivehimselfnoanxietyabouttheaffair。
　　"There’sonething，though，"WhitwellsaidtoWestoverwhentheygotoutuponthestreet。"Hadn’tIoughttoletJeffknow？"