Hetookitforgrantedthateverybodyhadreadit。
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，"repliedCorey，"Idon’tseetheEventsregularly。"
　　"Oh，itwasnothing。Theysentafellowdownheretointerviewme，andhegoteverythingaboutastwistedashecould。"
　　"Ibelievetheyalwaysdo，"saidCorey。"Ihadn’tseenit。
　　PerhapsitcameoutbeforeIgothome。"
　　"Perhapsitdid。"
　　"MynotionofmakingmyselfusefultoyouwasbasedonahintIgotfromoneofyourowncirculars。"
　　Laphamwasproudofthosecirculars；hethoughttheyreadverywell。"Whatwasthat？"
　　"Icouldputalittlecapitalintothebusiness，"saidCorey，withthetentativeaccentofamanwhochancesathing。
　　"I’vegotalittlemoney，butIdidn’timagineyoucaredforanythingofthatkind。"
　　"No，sir，Idon’t，"returnedtheColonelbluntly。
　　"I’vehadonepartner，andone’senough。"
　　"Yes，"assentedtheyoungman，whodoubtlesshadhisownideasastoeventualities——orperhapsratherhadthevaguehopesofyouth。"Ididn’tcometoproposeapartnership。
　　ButIseethatyouareintroducingyourpaintintotheforeignmarkets，andthereIreallythoughtImightbeofusetoyou，andtomyselftoo。"
　　"How？"askedtheColonelscantly。
　　"Well，Iknowtwoorthreelanguagesprettywell。
　　IknowFrench，andIknowGerman，andI’vegotaprettyfairsprinklingofSpanish。"
　　"Youmeanthatyoucantalkthem？"askedtheColonel，withthemingledaweandslightthatsuchamanfeelsforsuchaccomplishments。"Yes；andIcanwriteanintelligibleletterineitherofthem。"
　　Laphamrubbedhisnose。"It’seasyenoughtogetalltheletterswewanttranslated。"
　　"Well，"pursuedCorey，notshowinghisdiscouragementifhefeltany，"Iknowthecountrieswhereyouwanttointroducethispaintofyours。I’vebeenthere。
　　I’vebeeninGermanyandFranceandI’vebeeninSouthAmericaandMexico；I’vebeeninItaly，ofcourse。
　　IbelieveIcouldgotoanyofthosecountriesandplaceittoadvantage。"
　　Laphamhadlistenedwithatraceofpersuasioninhisface，butnowheshookhishead。
　　"It’splacingitselfasfastasthere’sanycallforit。
　　Itwouldn’tpayustosendanybodyouttolookafterit。
　　Yoursalaryandexpenseswouldeatupaboutallweshouldmakeonit。"
　　"Yes，"returnedtheyoungmanintrepidly，"ifyouhadtopaymeanysalaryandexpenses。"
　　"Youdon’tproposetoworkfornothing？"
　　"Iproposetoworkforacommission。"TheColonelwasbeginningtoshakehisheadagain，butCoreyhurriedon。
　　"Ihaven’tcometoyouwithoutmakingsomeinquiriesaboutthepaint，andIknowhowitstandswiththosewhoknowbest。
　　Ibelieveinit。"
　　Laphamliftedhisheadandlookedattheyoungman，deeplymoved。
　　"It’sthebestpaintinGod’suniverse，"hesaidwiththesolemnityofprayer。
　　"It’sthebestinthemarket，"saidCorey；andherepeated，"Ibelieveinit。"
　　"Youbelieveinit，"begantheColonel，andthenhestopped。
　　Iftherehadreallybeenanypurchasingpowerinmoney，ayear’sincomewouldhaveboughtMrs。Lapham’sinstantpresence。
　　Hewarmedandsoftenedtotheyoungmanineveryway，notonlybecausehemustdosotoanyonewhobelievedinhispaint，butbecausehehaddonethisinnocentpersonthewrongoflisteningtoadefamationofhisinstinctandgoodsense，andhadbeenwillingtoseehimsufferforapurelysupposititiousoffence。
　　Coreyrose。
　　"Youmustn’tletmeoutstaymytwentyminutes，"hesaid，takingouthiswatch。"Idon’texpectyoutogiveadecidedansweronthespot。AllthatIaskisthatyou’llconsidermyproposition。"
　　"Don’thurry，"saidLapham。"Sitstill！Iwanttotellyouaboutthispaint，"headded，inavoicehuskywiththefeelingthathishearercouldnotdivine。
　　"IwanttotellyouALLaboutit。"
　　"Icouldwalkwithyoutotheboat，"suggestedtheyoungman。
　　"Nevermindtheboat！Icantakethenextone。Lookhere！"
　　TheColonelpulledopenadrawer，asCoreysatdownagain，andtookoutaphotographofthelocalityofthemine。
　　"Here’swherewegetit。Thisphotographdon’thalfdotheplacejustice，"hesaid，asiftheimperfectarthadslightedthefeaturesofabelovedface。
　　"It’soneofthesightliestplacesinthecountry，andhere’stheveryspot"——hecovereditwithhishugeforefinger——"wheremyfatherfoundthatpaint，morethanforty——years——ago。Yes，sir！"
　　Hewenton，andtoldthestoryinunsparingdetail，whilehischancefortheboatpassedunheeded，andtheclerksintheouterofficehunguptheirlinenofficecoatsandputontheirseersuckerorflannelstreetcoats。
　　Theyoungladywenttoo，andnobodywasleftbuttheporter，whomadefromtimetotimeanoisydemonstrationoffasteningadistantblind，orputtingsomethinginplace。
　　AtlasttheColonelrousedhimselffromtheautobiographicaldelightofthehistoryofhispaint。"Well，sir，that’sthestory。"
　　"It’saninterestingstory，"saidCorey，withalongbreath，astheyrosetogether，andLaphamputonhiscoat。
　　"That’swhatitis，"saidtheColonel。"Well！"headded，"Idon’tseebutwhatwe’vegottohaveanothertalkaboutthisthing。It’sasurprisetome，andIdon’tseeexactlyhowyou’regoingtomakeitpay。"
　　"I’mwillingtotakethechances，"answeredCorey。"AsIsaid，Ibelieveinit。IshouldtrySouthAmericafirst。
　　IshouldtryChili。"
　　"Lookhere！"saidLapham，withhiswatchinhishand。
　　"Iliketogetthingsover。We’vejustgottimeforthesixo’clockboat。Whydon’tyoucomedownwithmetoNantasket？Icangiveyouabedaswellasnot。
　　Andthenwecanfinishup。"
　　TheimpatienceofyouthinCoreyrespondedtotheimpatienceoftemperamentinhiselder。"Why，Idon’tseewhyIshouldn’t，"heallowedhimselftosay。
　　"IconfessIshouldliketohaveitfinishedupmyself，ifitcouldbefinishedupintherightway。"
　　"Well，we’llsee。Dennis！"Laphamcalledtotheremoteporter，andthemancame。"Wanttosendanywordhome？"
　　heaskedCorey。
　　"No；myfatherandIgoandcomeaswelike，withoutkeepingaccountofeachother。IfIdon’tcomehome，heknowsthatI’mnotthere。That’sall。"
　　"Well，that’sconvenient。You’llfindyoucan’tdothatwhenyou’remarried。Nevermind，Dennis，"saidtheColonel。
　　Hehadtimetobuytwonewspapersonthewharfbeforehejumpedonboardthesteam—boatwithCorey。
　　"Justmadeit，"hesaid；"andthat’swhatIliketodo。
　　Ican’tstandittobeaboardmuchmorethanaminutebeforesheshovesout。"HegaveoneofthenewspaperstoCoreyashespoke，andsethimtheexampleofcatchingupacamp—stoolontheirwaytothatpointontheboatwhichhisexperiencehadtaughthimwasthebest。
　　Heopenedhispaperatonceandbegantorunoveritsnews，whiletheyoungmanwatchedthespectacularrecessionofthecity，andwasvaguelyconsciousofthepeopleabouthim，andofthegaylifeofthewaterroundtheboat。
　　Theairfreshened；thecraftthinnedinnumber；theymetlargersail，laggingslowlyinwardintheafternoonlight；
　　theislandsofthebaywaxedandwanedasthesteamerapproachedandleftthembehind。
　　"IhatetoseethemstirringupthoseSouthernfellowsagain，"
　　saidtheColonel，speakingintothepaperonhislap。
　　"Seemstomeit’stimetoletthoseoldissuesgo。"
　　"Yes，"saidtheyoungman。"Whataretheydoingnow？"
　　"Oh，stirringuptheConfederatebrigadiersinCongress。
　　Idon’tlikeit。Seemstome，ifourpartyhain’tgotanyotherstock—in—trade，webettershutupshopaltogether。"
　　Laphamwenton，ashescannedhisnewspaper，togivehisideasofpublicquestions，inafragmentaryway，whileCoreylistenedpatiently，andwaitedforhimtocomebacktobusiness。Hefoldeduphispaperatlast，andstuffeditintohiscoatpocket。"There’sonethingI
　　alwaysmakeitaruletodo，"hesaid，"andthatistogivemymindacompleterestfrombusinesswhileI’mgoingdownontheboat。Iliketogetthefreshairallthroughme，soulandbody。Ibelieveamancangivehismindarest，justthesameashecangivehislegsarest，orhisback。
　　Allhe’sgottodoistousehiswill—power。Why，Isuppose，ifIhadn’tadoptedsomesuchrule，withthestrainI’vehadonmeforthelasttenyears，Ishould’a’beenadeadmanlongago。That’sthereasonIlikeahorse。
　　You’vegottogiveyourmindtothehorse；youcan’thelpit，unlessyouwanttobreakyourneck；butaboat’sdifferent，andthereyougottouseyourwill—power。Yougottotakeyourmindrightupandputitwhereyouwantit。
　　Imakeitaruletoreadthepaperontheboat————Holdon！"
　　heinterruptedhimselftopreventCoreyfrompayinghisfaretothemanwhohadcomeroundforit。
　　"I’vegottickets。AndwhenIgetthroughthepaper，Itrytogetsomebodytotalkto，orIwatchthepeople。
　　It’sanastonishingthingtomewheretheyallcomefrom。
　　I’vebeenridingupanddownontheseboatsforsixorsevenyears，andIdon’tknowbutveryfewofthefacesIseeonboard。Seemstobeaperfectlyfreshloteverytime。Well，ofcourse！Town’sfullofstrangersinthesummerseason，anyway，andfolkskeepcomingdownfromthecountry。Theythinkit’sagreatthingtogetdowntothebeach，andthey’veallheardoftheelectriclightonthewater，andtheywanttoseeit。
　　Butyoutakefacesnow！Theastonishingthingtomeisnotwhatafacetells，butwhatitdon’ttell。
　　Whenyouthinkofwhatamanis，orawomanis，andwhatmostof’emhavebeenthroughbeforetheygettobethirty，itseemsasiftheirexperiencewouldburnrightthrough。
　　Butitdon’t。Iliketowatchthecouples，andtrytomakeoutwhichareengaged，orgoingtobe，andwhicharemarried，orbetterbe。ButhalfthetimeIcan’tmakeanysortofguess。Ofcourse，wherethey’reyoungandkittenish，youcantell；butwherethey’reanywayson，youcan’t。
　　Heigh？"
　　"Yes，Ithinkyou’reright，"saidCorey，notperfectlyreconciledtophilosophyintheplaceofbusiness，butacceptingitashemust。
　　"Well，"saidtheColonel，"Idon’tsupposeitwasmeantweshouldknowwhatwasineachother’sminds。Itwouldtakeamanoutofhisownhands。Aslongashe’sinhisownhands，there’ssomehopesofhisdoingsomethingwithhimself；
　　butifafellowhasbeenfoundout——evenifhehasn’tbeenfoundouttobesoverybad——it’sprettymuchallupwithhim。
　　No，sir。Idon’twanttoknowpeoplethroughandthrough。"
　　Thegreaterpartofthecrowdonboard——and，ofcourse，theboatwascrowded——lookedasiftheymightnotonlybeeasilybutsafelyknown。Therewaslittlestyleandnodistinctionamongthem；theywerepeoplewhoweregoingdowntothebeachforthefunorthereliefofit，andwereabletoaffordit。Infacetheywerecommonplace，withnothingbuttheAmericanpoetryofvividpurposetolightthemup，wheretheydidnotwhollylackfire。
　　Buttheywerenearlyallshrewdandfriendly—looking，withanapparentreadinessforthehumorousintimacynativetousall。Thewomenweredandifiedindress，accordingtotheirmeansandtaste，andthemendifferedfromeachotherindegreesofindifferencetoit。
　　Toastraw—hattedpopulation，suchasoursisinsummer，nosortofpersonaldignityispossible。WehavenoteventhepoweroverobserverswhichcomesfromthefantasticalityofanEnglishmanwhenhediscardstheconventionaldress。
　　Inourstrawhatsandoursergeorflannelsackswearenomoreimposingthanacrowdofboys。
　　"Someday，"saidLapham，risingastheboatdrewnearthewharfofthefinallanding，"theresgoingtobeanawfulaccidentontheseboats。Justlookatthatjam。"
　　Hemeantthepeoplethicklypackedonthepier，andunderstrongrestraintoflocksandgates，topreventthemfromrushingonboardtheboatandpossessingherforthereturntripbeforeshehadlandedherNantasketpassengers。
　　"Overload’emeverytime，"hecontinued，withasortofdry，impersonalconcernattheimpendingcalamity，asifitcouldnotpossiblyincludehim。"Theytakeabouttwiceasmanyastheyoughttocarry，andabouttentimesasmanyastheycouldsaveifanythinghappened。
　　Yes，sir，it’sboundtocome。Hello！There’smygirl！"
　　Hetookouthisfoldednewspaperandwavedittowardagroupofphaetonsandbarouchesdrawnuponthepieralittleapartfromthepackofpeople，andaladyinoneofthemansweredwithaflourishofherparasol。
　　Whenhehadmadehiswaywithhisguestthroughthecrowd，shebegantospeaktoherfatherbeforeshenoticedCorey。
　　"Well，Colonel，you’veimprovedyourlastchance。
　　We’vebeencomingtoeveryboatsincefouro’clock，——orJerryhas，——andItoldmotherthatIwouldcomemyselfonce，andseeifIcouldn’tfetchyou；andifIfailed，youcouldwalknexttime。You’regettingperfectlyspoiled。"
　　TheColonelenjoyedlettingherscoldhimtotheendbeforehesaid，withatwinkleofprideinhisguestandsatisfactioninherprobablybeingabletoholdherownagainstanydiscomfiture，"I’vebroughtMr。Coreydownforthenightwithme，andIwasshowinghimthingsalltheway，andittooktime。"
　　Theyoungfellowwasatthesideoftheopenbeach—wagon，makingaquickbow，andPenelopeLaphamwascozilydrawling，"Oh，howdoyoudo，Mr。Corey？"beforetheColonelhadfinishedhisexplanation。
　　"Getrightinthere，alongsideofMissLapham，Mr。Corey，"
　　hesaid，pullinghimselfupintotheplacebesidethedriver。
　　"No，no，"hehadaddedquickly，atsomesignsofpoliteprotestintheyoungman，"Idon’tgiveupthebestplacetoanybody。Jerry，supposeyouletmehaveholdoftheleathersaminute。"
　　Thiswashiswayoftakingthereinsfromthedriver；
　　andinhalfthetimehespecified，hehadskilfullyturnedthevehicleonthepier，amongthecrookedlinesandgroupsoffoot—passengers，andwasspinninguptheroadtowardthestretchofverandaedhotelsandrestaurantsinthesandalongtheshore。"Prettygaydownhere，"
　　hesaid，indicatingallthiswithaturnofhiswhip，asheleftitbehindhim。"ButI’vegotaboutsickofhotels；
　　andthissummerImadeupmymindthatI’dtakeacottage。
　　Well，Pen，howarethefolks？"Helookedhalf—wayroundforheranswer，andwiththeeyethusbroughttobearuponherhewasabletogiveherawinkofsupremecontent。
　　TheColonel，withnosortofulteriordesign，andnothingbuthistriumphoverMrs。Laphamdefinitelyinhismind，wasfeeling，ashewouldhavesaid，aboutright。
　　Thegirlsmiledadaughter’samusementatherfather’sboyishness。"Idon’tthinkthere’smuchchangesincemorning。DidIrenehaveaheadachewhenyouleft？"
　　"No，"saidtheColonel。
　　"Well，then，there’sthattoreport。"
　　"Pshaw！"saidtheColonelwithvexationinhistone。
　　"I’msorryMissIreneisn’twell，"saidCoreypolitely。
　　"Ithinkshemusthavegotitfromwalkingtoolongonthebeach。Theairissocoolherethatyouforgethowhotthesunis。"
　　"Yes，that’strue，"assentedCorey。
　　"Agoodnight’srestwillmakeitallright，"suggestedtheColonel，withoutlookinground。"Butyougirlshavegottolookout。"
　　"Ifyou’refondofwalking，"saidCorey，"Isupposeyoufindthebeachatemptation。"
　　"Oh，itisn’tsomuchthat，"returnedthegirl。
　　"Youkeepwalkingonandonbecauseit’ssosmoothandstraightbeforeyou。We’vebeenheresooftenthatweknowitallbyheart——justhowitlooksathightide，andhowitlooksatlowtide，andhowitlooksafterastorm。We’reaswellacquaintedwiththecrabsandstrandedjelly—fishaswearewiththechildrendigginginthesandandthepeoplesittingunderumbrellas。
　　Ithinkthey’realwaysthesame，allofthem。"
　　TheColonelleftthetalktotheyoungpeople。
　　Whenhespokenextitwastosay，"Well，hereweare！"
　　andheturnedfromthehighwayanddroveupinfrontofabrowncottagewithavermilionroof，andagroupofgeraniumsclutchingtherockthatcroppedupintheloopformedbytheroad。Itwastreelessandbareallround，andtheocean，unnecessarilyvast，welteredawayalittlemorethanastone’s—castfromthecottage。Ahospitablesmellofsupperfilledtheair，andMrs。Laphamwasontheveranda，withthatdemandinhereyesforherbelatedhusband’sexcuses，whichshewasobligedtocheckonhertongueatsightofCorey。
　　VII。
　　THEexultantColonelswunghimselflightlydownfromhisseat。
　　"I’vebroughtMr。Coreywithme，"henonchalantlyexplained。
　　Mrs。Laphammadetheirguestwelcome，andtheColonelshowedhimtohisroom，brieflyassuringhimselfthattherewasnothingwantingthere。Thenhewenttowashhisownhands，carelesslyignoringtheeagernesswithwhichhiswifepursuedhimtotheirchamber。
　　"WhatgaveIreneaheadache？"heasked，makinghimselfafinelatherforhishairypaws。
　　"NeveryoumindIrene，"promptlyretortedhiswife。
　　"Howcamehetocome？Didyoupresshim？IfyouDID，I’llneverforgiveyou，Silas！"
　　TheColonellaughed，andhiswifeshookhimbytheshouldertomakehimlaughlower。"’Sh！"shewhispered。
　　"DoyouwanthimtohearEVERYthing？DIDyouurgehim？"
　　TheColonellaughedthemore。Hewasgoingtogetallthegoodoutofthis。"No，Ididn’turgehim。
　　Seemedtowanttocome。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveit。Wheredidyoumeethim？"
　　"Attheoffice。"
　　"Whatoffice？"
　　"Mine。"
　　"Nonsense！Whatwashedoingthere？"
　　"Oh，nothingmuch。"
　　"Whatdidhecomefor？""Comefor？Oh！heSAIDhewantedtogointothemineralpaintbusiness。"
　　Mrs。Laphamdroppedintoachair，andwatchedhisbulkshakenwithsmotheredlaughter。"SilasLapham，"shegasped，"ifyoutrytogetoffanymoreofthosethingsonme————"
　　TheColonelappliedhimselftothetowel。"HadanotionhecouldworkitinSouthAmerica。Idon’tknowwhathe’supto。"
　　"Nevermind！"criedhiswife。"I’llgetevenwithyouYET。"
　　"SoItoldhimhehadbettercomedownandtalkitover，"
　　continuedtheColonel，inwell—affectedsimplicity。
　　"Iknewhewouldn’ttouchitwithaten—footpole。"
　　"Goon！"threatenedMrs。Lapham。
　　"Rightthingtodo，wa’n’tit？"
　　Atapwasheardatthedoor，andMrs。Laphamansweredit。
　　Amaidannouncedsupper。"Verywell，"shesaid，"cometoteanow。ButI’llmakeyoupayforthis，Silas。"
　　Penelopehadgonetohersister’sroomassoonassheenteredthehouse。
　　"Isyourheadanybetter，’Rene？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，alittle，"cameavoicefromthepillows。
　　"ButIshallnotcometotea。Idon’twantanything。
　　IfIkeepstill，Ishallbeallrightbymorning。"
　　"Well，I’msorry，"saidtheeldersister。"He’scomedownwithfather。"
　　"Hehasn’t！Who？"criedIrene，startingupinsimultaneousdenialanddemand。
　　"Oh，well，ifyousayhehasn’t，what’stheuseofmytellingyouwho？"
　　"Oh，howcanyoutreatmeso！"moanedthesufferer。
　　"Whatdoyoumean，Pen？"
　　"IguessI’dbetternottellyou，"saidPenelope，watchingherlikeacatplayingwithamouse。"Ifyou’renotcomingtotea，itwouldjustexciteyoufornothing。"
　　Themousemoanedandwritheduponthebed。
　　"Oh，Iwouldn’ttreatYOUso！"
　　Thecatseatedherselfacrosstheroom，andaskedquietly——
　　"Well，whatcouldyoudoifitWASMr。Corey？Youcouldn’tcometotea，yousay。ButHE’LLexcuseyou。
　　I’vetoldhimyouhadaheadache。Why，ofcourseyoucan’tcome！ItwouldbetoobarefacedButyouneedn’tbetroubled，Irene；I’lldomybesttomakethetimepasspleasantlyforhim。"Herethecatgavealowtitter，andthemousegirdeditselfupwithamomentarycourageandself—respect。
　　"Ishouldthinkyouwouldbeashamedtocomehereandteasemeso。"
　　"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’tbelieveme，"arguedPenelope。
　　"Whyshouldn’thecomedownwithfather，iffatheraskedhim？andhe’dbesuretoifhethoughtofit。
　　Idon’tseeanyp’intsaboutthatfrogthat’sanybetterthananyotherfrog。"
　　Thesenseofhersister’shelplessnesswastoomuchforthetease；shebrokedowninafitofsmotheredlaughter，whichconvincedhervictimthatitwasnothingbutanill—timedjoke。
　　"Well，Pen，Iwouldn’tuseyouso，"shewhimpered。
　　Penelopethrewherselfonthebedbesideher。
　　"Oh，poorIrene！HeIShere。It’sasolemnfact。"
　　Andshecaressedandsoothedhersister，whileshechokedwithlaughter。"Youmustgetupandcomeout。
　　Idon’tknowwhatbroughthimhere，buthereheis。"
　　"It’stoolatenow，"saidIrenedesolately。Thensheadded，withawilderdespair："WhatafoolIwastotakethatwalk！"
　　"Well，"coaxedhersister，"comeoutandgetsometea。
　　Theteawilldoyougood。"
　　"No，no；Ican’tcome。Butsendmeacuphere。"
　　"Yes，andthenperhapsyoucanseehimlaterintheevening。"
　　"Ishallnotseehimatall。"
　　AnhourafterPenelopecamebacktohersister’sroomandfoundherbeforeherglass。"Youmightaswellhavekeptstill，andbeenwellbymorning，’Rene，"shesaid。
　　"Assoonasweweredonefathersaid，’Well，Mr。CoreyandIhavegottotalkoveralittlematterofbusiness，andwe’llexcuseyou，ladies。’HolookedatmotherinawaythatIguesswasprettyhardtobear。’Rene，yououghttohaveheardtheColonelswellingatsupper。
　　Itwouldhavemadeyoufeelthatallhesaidtheotherdaywasnothing。"
　　Mrs。Laphamsuddenlyopenedthedoor。
　　"Now，seehere，Pen，"shesaid，asshecloseditbehindher，"I’vehadjustasmuchasIcanstandfromyourfather，andifyoudon’ttellmethisinstantwhatitallmeans————"
　　Shelefttheconsequencestoimagination，andPeneloperepliedwithhermocksoberness——
　　"Well，theColoneldoesseemtobeonhishighhorse，ma’am。Butyoumustn’taskmewhathisbusinesswithMr。Coreyis，forIdon’tknow。AllthatIknowisthatImetthematthelanding，andthattheyconversedallthewaydown——onliterarytopics。"
　　"Nonsense！Whatdoyouthinkitis？"
　　"Well，ifyouwantmycandidopinion，Ithinkthistalkaboutbusinessisnothingbutablind。ItseemsapityIreneshouldn’thavebeenuptoreceivehim，"
　　sheadded。
　　Irenecastamutelookofimploringathermother，whowastoomuchpreoccupiedtoaffordhertheprotectionitasked。
　　"Yourfathersaidhewantedtogointothebusinesswithhim。"
　　Irene’slookchangedtoastareofastonishmentandmystification，butPenelopepreservedherimperturbability。
　　"Well，it’salucrativebusiness，Ibelieve。"
　　"Well，Idon’tbelieveawordofit！"criedMrs。Lapham。
　　"AndsoItoldyourfather。"