LIII。
　　AssoonasWestoverhadpostedhisletterhebegantoblamehimselfforit。HesawthattherightandmanlythingwouldhavebeentowritetoMrs。Vostrand，andtellherfranklywhathethoughtofDurgin。Herfolly，herinsincerity，hervulgarity，hadnothingtodowiththeaffair，sofarashewasconcerned。Ifshehadoncebeensokindtohimastobindhimtoheringratefulfriendship，shecertainlyhadaclaimuponhisbestoffices。Hisdutywastoher，andnotatalltoDurgin。Heneednothavesaidanythingagainsthimbecauseitwasagainsthim，butbecauseitwastrue；andifhehadwrittenhemustnothavesaidanythinglessthanthetruth。
　　Hecouldhavechosennottowriteatall。Hecouldhavesaidthathermawkishhypocrisywasalittletoomuch；thatshewasreallywantinghimtowhitewashDurginforher，andshehadnorighttoputuponhimtheresponsibilityforthestepsheclearlywishedtotake。Hecouldhavemadeeitherofthesedecisions，anddefendedthemtohimself；butinwhathehaddonehehadaltogethershirked。WhilehewaswritingtoDurgin，andpretendingthathecouldjustlyleavethisaffairtohim，hewassimplyindulgingabitofsentimentalpose，farworsethananythinginMrs。Vostrand’sshamappealforhishelp。
　　Hefelt，asthetimewentby，thatshehadnotwrittenofherownimpulse，butatherdaughter’surgence，andthatitwasthispoorcreaturewhosetrusthehadpalteredwith。HebelievedthatDurginwouldnotfailtomakeherunhappy，yethehadnotdonewhathemighttodeliverheroutofhishand。Hehadsatisfiedawretchedpseudo—
　　magnanimitytowardafaithlessscoundrel，ashethoughtDurgin，atthecostofawomanwhoseanxioushopeofhisaidhadprobablyforcedhermother’shand。
　　Atfirsthethoughthisactionirrevocable，andhebitterlyupbraidedhimselffornottakingcouncilwithCynthiauponMrs。Vostrand’sletter。
　　Hehadthoughtofdoingthat，andthenhehaddismissedthethoughtasinvolvingpainthathehadnorighttoinflict；butnowheperceivedthatthepainwassuchasshemustsufferintheevent，andthathehadstupidlyrefusedhimselftheonlymeansoffindingouttherightthingtodo。Hertrueheartandherclearmindwouldhavebeeninfallibleintheaffair，andhehadtrustedtohisownmuddledimpulse。
　　Hebegantowriteotherletters：toDurgin，toMrs。Vostrand，toGenevieve；butnoneofthemsatisfiedhim，andheletthedaysgobywithoutdoinganythingtoretrievehiserrororfulfilhisduty。Atlasthedidwhatheoughttohavedoneatfirst：heenclosedMrs。Vostrand’slettertoCynthia，andaskedherwhatshethoughtheoughttohavedone。
　　WhilehewaswaitingCynthia’sanswertohisletter，acablemessagereachedhimfromFlorence：
　　"Kindletterreceived。Marriedto—day。Written。
　　"Vostrand。"
　　ThenextmailbroughtCynthia’sreply，whichwasverybrief：
　　"Iamsorryyouhadtowriteatall；nothingcouldhavepreventedit。Perhapsifhecaresforherhewillbegoodtoher。"
　　Sincethematterwasnowirremediable，Westovercreptlessmiserablythroughthedaysthanhecouldhavebelievedheshould，untiltheletterwhichMrs。Vostrand’scablepromisedcametohand。
　　"Dearfriend，"shewrote，"yourgenerousandsatisfactoryanswercameyesterday。Itwassodelicateandhigh，—minded，andsolikeyou，towritetoMr。Durgin，andleavethewholeaffairtohim；andhedidnotloseamomentinshowingusyourbeautifulletter。Hesaidyouwereamanafterhisownheart，andIwishyoucouldhaveheardhowhepraisedyou。ItmadeGenevievequitejealous，orwouldhave，ifithadbeenanyoneelse。Butsheissohappyinyourapprovalofhermarriage，whichistotakeplacebeforethe’sindaco’to—morrow，Weshallonlyhavethecivilrite；shefeelsthatitismoreAmerican，andweareallcominghometoLion’sHeadinthespringtoliveanddietrueAmericans。Iwishyoucouldspendthesummerwithusthere，but，untilLion’sHeadisrebuilt，wecan’taskyou。Idon’tknowexactlyhowweshalldoourselves，butMr。Durginisfullofplans，andweleaveeverythingtohim。
　　Heishere，makingGenevievelaughsothatIcanhardlywrite。
　　Hejoinsusinloveandthanks，andourdarlingBicesendsyoualittlekiss。
　　"MEDORAVOSTRAND。
　　"P。S。Mr。D。hastoldusallabouttheaffairsyoualludedto。
　　WithMissL。wecannotfeelthathewastoblame；butheblameshimselfinregardtoMissW。HesayshisonlyexcuseisthathewasalwaysinlovewithGenevieve；andIthinkthatisquiteexcuseenough。M。V。"
　　FromtimetotimeduringthewinterWestoverwrotetoCynthia，andhadlettersfromherinwhichhepleasedhimselffancyingalmostapersonaleffectofthatshynesswhichhethoughtacharmingthinginher。Butnodoubtthiswassomethinghereadintothem；ontheirfacetheywereplain，straightforwardaccountsofthelifesheledinthelittleoldhouseatLion’sHead，undertheshadowoftheblackruinonthehill。
　　Westoverhadtakentosendingherbooksandmagazines，andinthankinghimfortheseshewouldsometimesspeakofthingsshehadreadinthem。
　　Hercriticismrelatedtothespiritratherthanthemannerofthethingsshespokeof，anditpleasedhimthatsheseemed，withallherinsight，tohaveverylittleartisticsenseofanykind；intheworldwherehelivedthereweresomanywomenwithanartisticsenseineverykindthathewasratherwearyofit。
　　ThereneverwasanythingaboutDurginintheletters，andWestoverwasbothtroubledandconsoledbythissilence。Itmightbefromconsciousness，anditprobablywas；itmightbefromindifference。
　　Intheworstevent，ithidanypainshemighthavefeltwithadignityfromwhichnointimationofhismovedher。ThenearestshecametospeakingofJeffwaswhenshesaidthatJombateestewasgoingtoworkatthebrick—yardsinCambridgeassoonasthespringopened，andwasnotgoingtostayanylongeratLion’sHead。
　　HerbrotherFrank，shereported，hadgotaplacewithpartworkinthedrug—and—bookstoreatLovewell，wherehecouldkeeponmoreeasilywithhisstudies；hehadnowfullydecidedtostudyfortheministry；hehadalwayswantedtobeanEpiscopalian。
　　OnedaytowardtheendofApril，whenseveralweekshadpassedwithoutbringingWestoveranywordfromCynthia，herfatherpresentedhimself，andenjoyedinthepainter’ssurprisethesensationofhavingdroppeduponhimfromtheclouds。Hegavedueaccountsofthehealthofeachofhishousehold；endingwithJombateeste。"Youknowhe’soutatthebrick，ashecallsit，inCambridge。"
　　"Cynthiasaidhewascoming。Ididn’tknowhehadcomeyet，"saidWestover。"Imustgooutandlookhimup，ifyouthinkIcouldfindhimamongallthoseCanucks。"
　　"Well，Idon’tknowbutyou’dbetterlookusupatthesametime，"saidWhitwell，withadditionalpleasureinthepainter’sadditionalsurprise。
　　"Iguesswe’reoutinCambridge，too，"headded，atWestover’sstartofquestion。"We’reoutthere，visitin’oneofoursummerfolks，asyoumightsay。RememberMis’Fredericks？"
　　"Why，whatthedeucekeptyoufromtellingmesoatonce？"Westoverdemanded，indignantly。
　　"GuessIhadn’tgotroundtoit，"saidWhitwell，withdryrelish。
　　"DoyoumeanthatCynthia’sthere？"
　　"Well，Iguesstheywouldn’tcaredmuchforavisitfromme。"
　　WhitwelltookadvantageofWestover’smomentofmystificationtoexplainthatJeffhadwrittenovertohimfromItaly，offeringhimaprettygoodrentforhishouse，whichhewantedtooccupywhilehewasrebuildingLion’sHead。Hewasgoingtopushtheworkrightthroughinthesummer，andbereadyfortheseasontheyearafter。ThatwaswhatWhitwellunderstood，andheunderstoodthatJeff’sfamilywasgoingtostayinLovewell，butJeffhimselfwantedtobeonthegrounddayandnight。
　　"Sothat’skindofturnedusoutofdoors，asyoumaysay，andCynthia’salwayshadthisideeofcomin’downBostonway：andshedidn’tknowanybodythatcouldadvisewithheraswellasMis’Fredericks，andshewrotetoher，andMis’Fredericksansweredhertocomerightdownandtalkitover。"WestoverfeltapangofresentmentthatCynthia，hadnotturnedtohimforcounsel，buthesaidnothing，andWhitwellwenton：
　　"Shesaidshewas，ashamedtobotheryou，you’dhadthewholeneighborhoodonyourhandssomuch，andsoshewrotetoMis’Fredericks。"
　　Westoverhadavaguediscomfortinitall，whichultimatelydefineditselfasadiscontentwiththewillingnessoftheWhitwellstoletDurginoccupytheirhouseuponanyterms，foranypurpose，andalingeringgrudgethatCynthiashouldhaveaskedhelpofanyonebuthimself，evenfromamotiveofdelicacy。
　　IntheeveninghewentouttoseethegirlatthehouseofMrs。
　　Fredericks，whomhefoundlivinginthePort。Theyhadafirstmomentofintolerableshynessonherpart。Hehadbeenafraidtoseeher，withthejealousyforherdignityhealwaysfelt，lestsheshouldlookasifshehadbeenunhappyaboutDurgin。Buthefoundherlooking，notonlyverywell，butveryhappyandfullofpeace，assoonasthatmomentofshynesspassed。ItseemedtoWestoverasifshehadbeguntoliveonnewterms，andthataharassingelement，whichhadalwaysbeeninit，hadgoneoutofherlife，andinitsabsenceshewasbeginningtorejoiceinalastingrepose。Hefoundhimselfrejoicingwithher，andhefoundhimselfonsimplerandfrankertermswithherthaneverbefore。NeitherofthemspokeofJeff，ormadeanyapproachtomentionhim，andWestoverbelievedthatthiswasnotfromamorbidfeelinginher，butfromafinalandenduringindifference。
　　Hesawheralone，forMrs。Fredericksandherdaughterhadgoneintotowntoaconcert，whichhemadeherconfessshewouldhavegonetoherselfifithadnotbeenthatherfathersaidhewascomingouttoseeher。Shewouldnotlethimjokeaboutthesacrificehepretendedshehadmade；hehadacertainpaininfancyingthathisvisitwasthehighestandfinestfavorthatlifecoulddoher。ShetoldhimoftheambitionshehadthatshemightgetaschoolsomewhereintheneighborhoodofBoston，andthenfindsomethingforherbrothertodo，whilehebeganhisstudiesintheTheologicalSchoolatHarvard。FrankwasstillatLovewell，itseemed。
　　Attheendofthelongcallhemade，hesaid，abruptly，whenhehadrisentogo，"Ishouldliketopaintyou。"
　　"Who？Me？"shecried，asifitwerethemostincrediblething，whileagladcolorrushedoverherface。
　　"Yes。Whileyou’rewaitingtogetyourschool，couldn’tyoucomeinwithyourfather，nowandthen，andsitforme？"
　　"What’shewantmetocomefer？"Whitwelldemanded，whentheplanwaslaidbeforehim。HewasgivinghisunlimitedleisuretotheexplorationofBoston，andhistoneexpressedsomethingoftheinjury，whichhealsoputintowords，asasoleobjectiontotheproposedinterruption。"Can’tyougoalone，Cynthy？"Cynthiasaidshedidnotknow，butwhenthepointwasreferredtoMrs。Fredericks，shewassureCynthiacouldnotgoalone，andsheacquaintedthemboth，asfarasshecould，withthatmysteryofchaperonagewhichhadnevertouchedtheirlivesbefore。Whitwellseemedtothinkthathisdaughterwouldgivethematterup；andperhapsshemighthavedoneso，thoughsheseemedreluctant，ifMrs。FrederickshadnotfurtherinstructedthemthatitwasthehighestpossiblehonorMr。
　　Westoverwasofferingthem，andthatifhehadproposedtopaintherdaughtershewouldsimplyhavegoneandlivedwithhimwhilehewasdoingit。
　　WhitwellfoundsomecompensationforthetimelosttohisstudyofBostonintheconversationofthepainter，whichhesaidwasworthahundredcentsonthedollareverytime，thoughitdealtlesswiththemetaphysicalaspectofthelatestfactsofsciencethanthephilosophercouldhavewished。Hedidnot，tobesure，takeverymuchstockinthepictureasitadvanced，somewhatfitfully，withagoodmanyreversionstoitsoriginalstateofsketch。ItappearedtohimalwaysaslightandfeeblerepresentationofCynthia，though，ofcourse，anativepolitenessforbadehimtoexpresshisdisappointment。HeavowedafaithinWestover’sabilitytogetitrightintheend，andalwaysbadehimgoon，andtakeasmuchtimetoitashewanted。
　　Hefeltlessuneasythanatfirst，becausehehadnowfoundalittlefurnishedhouseinthewoodenestoutskirtsofNorthCambridge，whichhehiredcheapfromtherecentlywidowedowner，andtheywerekeepinghousethere。Jombateestelivedwiththem，andworkedinthebrick—yards。OutofhourshehelpedCynthia，andkepttheuglylittleplacelookingtrimandneat，andleftWhitwellfreeforthetrampshometonature，whichhebegantotakeovertheBelmontuplandsassoonasthespringopened。
　　Hewasnothomesick，asCynthiawasafraidhemightbe；hismindwasfullyoccupiedbythevastandvariedinterestsopenedtoitbytheintellectualandmaterialactivitiesoftheneighboringcity；andhefoundamplescopeforhisphysicalenergiesindoingCynthia’serrands，aswellasstudyingthestrangefloraoftheregion。Heapparentlythoughtthathehadmadeadistinctriseandadvanceintheworld。
　　Sometimes，inthefirstdaysofhissatisfactionwithhisestablishment，heexpressedthewishthatJacksoncouldonlyhaveseenhowhewasfixed，once。Inhispreoccupationwithotherthings，henolongerattemptedtoexploretheeternalmysterieswiththehelpofplanchette；theungratefulinstrumentgatheredasmuchdustasCynthiawouldsufferonthewhat—notinthecornerofthesolemnparlor；andaftertwoorthreevisitstotheFirstSpiritualTempleinBoston，helapsedaltogetherfromaninterestintheotherworld，whichhad，perhaps，mainlyflourishedintheabsenceofpressingsubjectsofinquiry，inthis。
　　WhenatlastWestoverconfessedthathehadcarriedhispictureofCynthiaasfarashecould，Whitwelldidhisbesttohidehisdisappointment。"Well，sir，"hesaid，tolerantlyandevencheeringly，"Ipresumewe’reeveryoneofusadifferentpersontowhoeverlooksatus。Theysaythatnotwomenseethesamestar。"
　　"Youmeanthatshedoesn’tlooksotoyou，"suggestedthepainter，whoseemednotatallabashed。
　　"Well，youmightsay——Why，here！It’slikeher；photographcouldn’tgetitanybetter；butitmakesmethink—well，ofabirdthatyou’vecomeonsudden，anditstoopsasifitwasgoin’tofly——"
　　"Ah，"saidWestover，"doesitmakeyouthinkofthat？"
　　LIV。
　　Thepaintercouldnotmakeoutatfirstwhetherthegirlherselfwaspleasedwiththepictureornot，andinhisuncertaintyhecouldnotgiveitheratonce，ashehadhopedandmeanttodo。Itwasbyakindofaccidenthefoundafterwardthatshehadalwaysbeenpassionatelyproudofhishavingpaintedher。ThiswaswhenhereturnedfromthelastsojournhehadmadeinParis，whitherhewentsoonaftertheWhitwellssettledinNorthCambridge。Heleftthepicturebehindhimtobeframedandthensenttoherwithaletterhehadwritten，begginghertogiveithouseroomwhilehewasgone。Hegotashort，stiffnoteinreplyafterhereachedParis，andhehadnottriedtocontinuethecorrespondence。
　　ButassoonashereturnedhewentouttoseetheWhitwellsinNorthCambridge。Theywerestillintheirlittlehousethere；theyoungwidowerhadmarriedagain；butneitherhenorhisnewwifehadcaredtotakeuptheirjointlifeinhisfirsthome，andhehadfoundWhitwellsuchagoodtenantthathehadnottriedtoputuptherentonhim。
　　Frankwasathome，now，withanemploymentthatgavehimpartofhistimeforhistheologicalstudies；CynthiahadbeenteachingschooleversincethefallafterWestoverwentaway，andtheywereall，asWhitwellsaid，inclover。HewastheonlymemberofthefamilyathomewhenWestovercalledontheafternoonofawarmsummerday，andheentertainedhimwithafullaccountofavisithehadpaidLion’sHeadearlierintheseason。
　　"Yes，sir，"hesaid，asifhehadalreadystatedthefact，"I’vesoldmyoldplacetheretothatdevil。"Hesaiddevilwithouttheleastrancor；
　　withevenasmileofgood—will，andheenjoyedtheastonishmentWestoverexpressedinhisdemand：
　　"SoldDurginyourhouse？"
　　"Yes；Iseeweneverwantedtogobacktheretolive，anyofus，andI
　　wentuptopassthepapersandclosethethingout。Well，Ididhaveanofferforitfromafellerthatwantedtoopenaboa’din’—housethereandgettheadvantageofJeff’simprovements，andIcouldn’tseemtomakeupmymindtillI’dlookedthegroundover。Fustoff，youknow，IthoughtI’dselltotheotherfeller，becauseIcouldseeinaminutewhatathornit’dbeinJeff’sflesh。But，dumnitall！WhenImetthecomicaldevilIcouldn’tseemtowanttopesterhim。Why，here，thinksI，ifwe’vemadeanescapefromhim——andIguesswehave，aboutthebiggestescape——whathaveIgotag’in’him，anyway？I’doughttofeelgoodtohim；andIguessthat’sthewayIdidfeel，cometoboilitdown。
　　He’sgotawaywithhim，youknow，whenyou’rewithhim，thatmakesyoulikehim。Hemayhaveaknifeinyourribsthewholewhile，butsolong’shedon’tturnit，youdon’tseemtoknowit，andyoucan’thelplikin’him。Why，Ihadn’tbeenwithJefffiveminutesbeforeImadeupmymindtoselltohim。Itoldhimabouttheotheroffer——feltboundtodoit——andhewasallonfire。’Iwantthatplace，Mr。Whitwell，’s’dhe。’Nameyourprice。’Well，Iwa’n’tgoin’totakeanadvantageofthefeller，andIguessheseeit。’You’veofferedmethreethousand，’s’dI，’n’Idon’twanttobenowaysmeanaboutit。Fivethousandbuystheplace。’’It’smine，’s’dhe；justlikethat。Iguessheseehehadagentlemantodealwith，andwedidn’tsayawordmore。Don’tyouthinkI
　　donerighttoselltohim？Icouldn’t’a’gotmore’nthirty—fivehundredouttheotherfeller，tosaveme，andbeforeJeffbegunhisimprovementsIcouldn’t’a’realizedathousanddollarsontheprop’ty。"
　　"Ithinkyoudidrighttoselltohim，"saidWestover，saddenedsomewhatbytheproofWhitwellallegedofhismagnanimity。
　　"Well，Sir，I’mgladyoudo。Idon’tbelieveincrowdin’amanbecauseyougothiminacorner，an’Idon’tbelieveinbearin’malice。Neverdid。AllIwantedwaswhattheplacewaswo’th——tohim。’Twa’n’two’thnothin’tome！He’sgotthehouseandthetenacresaroundit，andhe’sgotthehouseonLion’sHead，includin’theClearin’，thatthepoottiestpicnic—groundinthemountains。Thinkofgoin’uptherethissummer？"
　　"No，"saidWestover，briefly。
　　"Well，Isomewishyondid。Ish’dliketoknowhowJeff’simprovementsstruckyou。Ofcourse，Ican’tjudgeof’emsowell，butIguesshe’smadeapoottysightlythingofit。Hetoldmehe’dhadoneoftheleadin’Bostonarchitectstoplanthethingoutforhim，andItellyouhe’sgotsomethingnice。’Tain’tsobigasoldLion’sHead，andJeffwantstocatertoadifferentstyleofcustom，anyway。Thebuildin’slonger’nwhatsheisdeep，andshespreadsinfrontso’stogiveasmanyroomsaviewofthemountainasshecan。Knowwhat’runnaysonce’is？
　　Well，that’sthestyleJeffsaiditwas；it’sallpillarsandpilasters；
　　andyourideuptotheofficethroughadoublerowofcolyums，underakindofaportico。It’sallpaintedlikethemoldColonialhousesdownonBrattleStreet，buffandwhite。Well，itmademethinkofoneofthemoldpagantemples。He’sgothershovedalongtothesouth’ard，andhe’swidenedoutapieceoflevelforhertostandon，so’tthatpieceo’
　　woodupthehillthereisjustbehindher，andItellyoushelooksnice，backin’upag’instthetrees。Itellyou，Jeff’sgotaheadonhim！
　　Iwishyoucouldseethatdinin’—roomo’his：allwhitecolyums，andfrontin’ontheview。Why，thatdevil’sgotaregularlittletheatyrebacko’thedinin’—roomfortheyoungfolkstoactammytureplaysin，andtheshowsthatcomealong，andhe’sgotadance—hallbesides；theparlorsain’tmuch——folksliketosetintheoffice；andagoodmanyoftheroomsaredoneoffintosoots，andgottheirownparlors。Itellyou，it’sswell，astheysay。Youcanorderwhatyoupleaseforbreakfast，butforlunchanddinneryougottotakewhatJeffgivesyou；buthetreatsyouwell。He’saDurgin，whenitcomestothat。Servedincou’ses，anddinneratseveno’clock。Idon’tknowwherehegothismoneyfor’tall，butIguessheputinhisinsurancefust，andthenheputamortgageonthebuildin’；beasmuchasownedit；saidhe’dhadasplendidseasonlastyear，andifhedoneaswellforacopuleofseasonsmorehe’dhavethewholeprop’tyfreeo’debt。"
　　Westovercouldseethattheprosperityoftheunjustmanhadcorruptedtheimaginationandconfoundedtheconscienceofthissimplewitness，andheasked，inthehopeofgivinghispraisespause："Whathashedoneabouttheoldfamilyburying—groundintheorchard？"
　　"Well，there！"saidWhitwell。"Thatgotmemorethananyotheronething：InaturallyexpectedthatJeff’dhad’emmoved，foryouknowandIknow，Mr。Westover，thataplacelikethatcouldn’tbeverypop’la’
　　withsummerfolks；theydon’twanttohaveanythingtokindofmake’emserious，asyoumaysay。Butthatdevilgothisarchitecttotreattheplace，ashecallsit，andheputahighstonewallaroundit，andplantedittobushesandevergreensso’tlookslikeapieceofoldgarden，downthereinthecorneroftheorchard，andifyoudidn’thuntforityouwouldn’tknowitwasthere。Jeffsaid’twhenfolksdidhappentofinditout，hebelievedtheylikedit；theythinkit’spicturesqueandancient。Why，someon’emwantedhimtoputupalittlechapelalongsideandhaveservicesthere；andJeffsaidhedidn’tknowbuthe’ddoityet。He’sgotdark—coloredstonesupforMis’DurginandJackson，so’ttheylookasoldasanyof’em。Itellyou，heknowshowtodothings。"
　　"Itseemsso，"saidWestover，withabitternessapparentlylostupontheoptimisticphilosopher。
　　"Yes，sir。Iguessit’sallworkedoutforthebest。Solong’shedidn’tmarryCynthy，Idon’tcarewhohemarried，and——Iguesshe’smadeoutfust—rate，andhetreatshiswifewell，andhismother—in—law，too。
　　Youwouldn’thardlyknowtheywasinthehouse，they’resokindofquiet；
　　andifaguestwantstoseeJeff，he’sgottosendandaskforhim；clerkdoeseverything，butIguessJeffkeepsaneyeoutandknowswhat’sgoin’
　　on。He’sgotanelegantsootofappartments，andhelivesasprivateasifhewasinhisownhouse，himandhiswife。Butwhenthere’sanythinggoin’onthatneedsahead，they’rebothrightondeck。
　　"Hedon’tlethiswifeworryaboutthingsagreatdeal；he’sgotafust—
　　rateofahousekeeper，butIguessoldMis’Vostrandkeepsthehousekeeper，asyoumaysay。Ihearsomeoftheboa’derstalkin’upthere，andoneof’emsaid’tthegreatthingaboutLion’sHeadwas’tyoucouldfeeleverywheresinitthatitwasalady’shouse。IguessJeffhasapoottygoodtime，andatime’tsuitshim。Heshowsuponthecoachin’parties，andhe’sgothimselfareg’larEnglishcoachman’srig，withbootsoutsidehistrouse’s，andalongcoatandafuzzyplug—hat：I
　　tellyou，helooksgay！Hedon’tspendhiswintersatLion’sHead：heisofftoEuropeaboutassoonasthehouseclosesinthefall，andhekeepsbringin’homenewdodges。Guessyoucouldn’tgetnoboa’dtherefornosevendollarsaweeknow！Itellyou，Jeff’sthegentlemannow，andhiswife’saboutthenicestladyIeversaw。Do’knowasIcaresomuchabouthermother；do’knowasIgotanythingag’insther，either，verymuch。Butthatlittlegirl，Beechy，astheycallher，she’sabeauty！
　　AndroundwithJeffallthewhile！Heseemsfullasfondofherasherownmotherdoes，andthatdevil，thatcouldn’tseemtogetenoughoftormentin’littlechildrenwhenhewasaboy，isasgoodandgentlewiththatlittlethingas—pie！"
　　WhitwellseemedtohavecometoanendofhiscelebrationofJeff’ssuccess，andWestoverasked：
　　"Andwhatdoyoumakenow，ofplanchette’sbrokenshaftbusiness？Ordon’tyoubelieveinplanchetteanymore？"
　　Whitwell’sbeamingfaceclouded。"Well，sir，that’sathingthat’salwayspuzzledme。Ifitwa’n’tthatitwasJacksonworkin’plantchettethatnight，Ishouldn’tplacedmuchdependenceonwhatshesaid；butJacksoncouldgetthetruthoutofher，ifanybodycould。SenceIb’enupthereIb’enfigurin’itoutlikethis：thebrokenshaftistheoldJeffthathe’sleftoffbein’——"
　　Whitwellstoppedmidwayinhissuggestion，withaninquiringeyeonthepainter，whoasked："Youthinkhe’sleftoffbeingtheoldJeff？"
　　"Well，sir，yougotmethere，"thephilosopherconfessed。"Ididn’tseeanythingtothecontrary，butcometothinkofit——"
　　"Whycouldn’tthebrokenshaftbehisunfulfilleddestinyontheoldlines？Whatreasonistheretobelieveheisn’twhathe’salwaysbeen？"
　　"Well，cometothinkofit——"
　　"Peopledon’tchangeinaday，orayear，"Westoverwenton，"ortwoorthreeyears，even。SometimesIdoubtiftheyeverchange。"
　　"Well，allthatIthought，"Whitwellurged，faintly，againstthehardscepticismofamanordinarilysoyielding，"is’ttheremustbeamoralgovernmentoftheuniversesomewheres，andifabadfelleristogetalongandprosperhandoverhand，thatway，don’titlookkindofasif——"
　　"Therewasn’tanymoralgovernmentoftheuniverse？NotthewayIseeit，"saidWestover。"Atreebringsforthofitskind。Asamansowshereaps。It’sdeadsure，pitilesslysure。JeffDurginsowedsuccess，inacertainway，andhe’sreapingit。Heoncesaidtome，whenItriedtowakenhisconscience，thatheshouldgetwherehewastryingtogoifhewasstrongenough，andbeinggoodhadnothingtodowithit。Ibelievenowhewasright。Buthewaswrongtoo，assuchamanalwaysis。ThatkindoftreebearsDeadSeaapples，afterall。Hesowedevil，andhemustreapevil。Hemayneverknowit，buthewillreapwhathehassown。
　　Thedreadfulthingisthatothersmustshareinhisharvest。Whatdoyouthink？"
　　Whitwellscratchedhishead。"Well，sir，there’ssomethinginwhatyousay，Iguess。Buthere！What’stheuseofthinkin’amancan’tchange？
　　Wa’n’tthereeveranythinginthatoldideeofachangeofheart？Whatdoyous’posemadeJeffletuponthatfellerthatJombateesteseehimhavedown，thatday，inmyClearin’？WhatJeffwouldnatch’lydonewouldb’entoshakethelifeoutofhim；buthedidn’t；helethimup，andhelethimgo。What’sthereasonthatwa’n’tthebeginnin’ofanewlifeforhim？"
　　"Wedon’tknowalltheinsandoutsofthatbusiness，"saidWestover，afteramoment。"I’vepuzzledoveritagooddeal。ThemanwasthebrotherofthatgirlthatJeffhadjiltedinBoston。I’vefoundoutthatmuch。Idon’tknowjustthesizeandshapeofthetroublebetweenthem，butJeffmayhavefeltthathehadgotevenwithhisenemybeforethatday。Orhemayhavefeltthatifhewasgoinginforfullsatisfaction，therewasJombateestelookingon。"
　　"That’strue，"saidWhitwell，greatlydaunted。Afterawhilehetookrefugeinthereflection，"Well，he’sacomicaldevil。"
　　Westoversaid，inasortofabsence："Perhapswe’reallbrokenshafts，here。Perhapsthatoldhypothesisofanotherlife，aworldwherethereisroomenoughandtimeenoughforallthebeginningsofthistocompletethemselves——"
　　"Well，nowyou’reshoutin’，"saidWhitwell。"Andifplantchette——"
　　Westoverrose。"Why，a’n’tyougoin’towaitandseeCynthy？I’mexpectin’heralongeveryminutenow；she’sjustgonedowntoHarvardSquare。She’llbeawfullyputoutwhensheknowsyou’vebe’nhere。"
　　"I’llcomeoutagainsoon，"saidWestover。"Tellher——"
　　"Well，youmustseeyourpicture，anyway。We’vegotitintheparlor。
　　Idon’tknowwhatshe’llsaytome，keepin’youhereinthesettin’—roomallthetime。"
　　Whitwellledhimintothelittledarkfronthall，andintotheparlor，lessdimthanitshouldhavebeenbecausetheafternoonsunwasburningfulluponitsshutters。Theportraithungoverthemantel，inabadlight，butthepaintercouldfeeleverythinginitthathecouldnotsee。
　　"Yes，ithadthatlookinit。"
　　"Well，sheha’n’ttookwingyet，I’mthankfultothink，"saidWhitwell，andhespokefromhisownlargemindtothesympathyofanoldfriendwhohefeltcouldalmostsharehisfeelingsasafather。
　　IV
　　WhenWestoverturnedoutofthebakinglittlestreetwheretheWhitwellslivedintoanelm—shadedstretchofNorthAvenue，hetookoffhishatandstrolledbareheadedalonginthecoolerair。HewasdisappointednottohaveseenCynthia，andyethefoundhimselfhurryingawayafterhisfailure，withasenseofescape，oratleastofrespite。
　　Whathehadcometosay，todo，wastheeffectoflongexperienceandmuchmeditation。Thetimehadarrivedwhenhecouldnolongerfeigntohimselfthathisfeelingstowardthegirlwerenotthoseofalover，buthehadhismodestfearsthatshecouldneverimaginehiminthatcharacter，andthatifheshouldaskhertodosoheshouldshockandgrieveher，andinflictuponhimselfanincurablewound。
　　Duringthislastabsenceofhishehadlethisfancydwellconstantlyuponher，untillifeseemedworthhavingonlyifshewouldshareitwithhim。Hewasanartist，andhehadalwaysbeenabohemian，butathearthewasphilistineandbourgeois。Hisidealwasasettlement，afixedhabitation，astatedexistence，ahomewherehecouldworkconstantlyinanairofaffection，andunselfishlydohisparttomakehishomehappy。
　　Itwasaverysimple—heartedambition，andIdonotquiteknowhowtokeepitfromappearingcommonplaceandalmostsordid；butsuchasitwas，Imustconfessthatitwashis。Hehadnotmarriedhismodel，becausehewasmainlyalandscapist，perhaps；andhehadnotmarriedanyofhispupils，becausehehadnotbeeninlovewiththem，charmingandgoodandlovelyashehadthoughtsomeofthem；andoflatehehadrealizedmoreandmorewhyhisfancyhadnotturnedintheirdirection。Heperceivedthatitwasalreadyfixed，andpossiblyhadlongbeenfixed。
　　Hedidnotblinkthefactthatthereweremanydisparities，andthattherewouldbecertaindisadvantageswhichcouldneverbequiteovercome。
　　ThefacthadbeenbroughtratherstrenuouslyhometohimbyhisinterviewwithCynthia’sfather。Heperceived，asindeedhehadalwaysknown，thatwithacertainimaginativeliftinhisthinkingandfeeling，Whitwellwasirreparablyrustic，thathewasandalwaysmustbepracticallyYankee。
　　WestoverwasnotaYankee，andhedidnotloveorhonorthetype，thoughitsstrugglesagainstitselftouchedandamusedhim。ItmadehimalittlesicktohearhowWhitwellhadprofitedbyDurgin’snecessity，andhadtakenadvantageofhimwithconscientiousandself—applausiverapacity，whileheadmiredhisprosperity，andtriedtoaccountforitbydoubtofitsinjustice。ForamomentthisseemedtohimworsethanDurgin’sconscientioustoughness，whichwastheantithesisofWhitwell’sremorselessself—interest。ForthemomentthisclaimedCynthiaofitskind，andWestoverbeheldherrusticandYankeeofherfather’stype。