"Itwasgoodofyoutocomesopromptly，"saidshe。"I’msoanxioustohearallaboutthedearpeopleatRedding。"
　　Shesettledgracefullyinoneofthelittlechairs。Ordesatdown，oncemoremasterofhimself，butstillinclinedtodevourherwithhisgaze。Shewasdressedinamorninggown，alllacesandribbonsandlong，flowinglines。Herhairwasdonelowonthebackofherheadandonthenapeofherneck。Thebloodebbedandflowedbeneathherclearskin。Afaintfragranceofcleanlinessdiffuseditselfabouther——thecool，sweetfragranceofdaintiness。Theyenteredbusilyintoconversation。Herattitudeswerenolongerrelaxedandlanguidlygracefulasintheeasychairsunderthelamplight。Shesatforward，herhandscrossedonherlap，afiresmoulderingdeepbeneaththecoolsurfacelightsofhereyes。
　　Thesoundsinthenextroomincreasedinvolume，asthoughseveralpeoplemusthaveenteredthatapartment。Inamomentorsothecurtainstothehallpartedtoframetheservant。
　　"Mrs。Bishopwishestoknow，miss，"saidthatfunctionary，"ifyou’renotcomingtobreakfast。"
　　Ordesprangtohisfeet。
　　"Haven’tyouhadyourbreakfastyet？"hecried，consciencestricken。
　　"Didn’tyougatherthefactthatI’mjustup？"shemockedhim。"I
　　assureyouitdoesn’tmatter。Thefamilyhasjustcomedown。"
　　"But，"criedOrde，"Iwasn’thereuntilnineo’clock。Ithought，ofcourse，you’dbearound。I’mmightysorry——"
　　"Oh，lala！"shecried，cuttinghimshort。"Whatabotheraboutnothing。Don’tyousee——I’maheadawholehourofgoodtalk。"
　　"Yousee，youtoldmeinyournotetocomeearly，"saidOrde。
　　"Iforgotyouwereoneofthosedreadfuloutdoormen。Youdidn’tseeanyworms，didyou？NexttimeI’lltellyoutocomethedayafter。"
　　Ordewasfortakinghisleave，butthisshewouldnothave。
　　"Youmustmeetmyfamily，"shenegatived。"Forifyou’rehereforsoshortatimewewanttoseesomethingofyou。Comerightoutnow。"
　　Ordethereuponfollowedherdownanarrow，darkhall，squeezedbetweenthestairsandthewall，toadoorthatopenedslantwiseintoadining—roomtheexactcounterpartinshapetotheparlourattheothersideofthehouse。Onlyinthiscasethemorningsunandmorediaphanouscurtainslentanairofbrightness，furtherenhancedbyawirestandofflowersinthebow—windows。
　　Thecentreoftheroomwasoccupiedbyaroundtable，aboutwhichweregroupedseveralpeopleofdifferentages。Withherbacktothebow—windowsatawomanwellbeyondmiddleage，butwithevidentlysomepretensionstoyouth。Shewastall，desiccated，quickinmovement。Darkringsbelowhereyesattestedeitheranervousdisease，anhystericaltemperament，orboth。Immediatelyatherleftsataboyofaboutfourteenyearsofage，hisfaceacuriouscontradictionbetweenanaturallyfrankandopenexpressionandagrowingsullenness。Nexthimstoodavacantchair，evidentlyforMissBishop。Oppositelolledayoungman，holdinganewspaperinonehandandacoffeecupintheother。Hewasveryhandsome，withadroopingblackmoustache，darkeyes，underlashesalmosttooluxuriant，andalong，ovalface，darkincomplexion，andatriflesardonicinexpression。IntheVIS—A—VIStoMrs。Bishop，Ordewassurprisedtofindhisex—militaryfriendofthestreetcar。MissBishopperformedthenecessaryintroductions，whicheachacknowledgedafterhisfashion，butwithanapparentindifferencethatdashedOrde，accustomedtoamoreWesterncordiality。Mrs。
　　Bishopheldoutalanguidlygracefulhand，theboymumbledagreeting，theyoungmannoddedlazilyoverhisnewspaper。OnlyGeneralBishop，recognisinghim，aroseandgraspedhishand，withareal，thoughratherfussy，warmth。
　　"Mydearsir，"hecried，"Iamhonouredtoseeyouagain。This，mydear，"headdressedhiswife，"istheyoungmanIwastellingyouabout——inthestreetcar，"heexplained。
　　"Howveryinteresting，"saidMrs。Bishop，withevidentlynocomprehensionandlessinterest。
　　GeraldBishopcastanironicallyamusedglanceacrossatOrde。Theboylookedupathimquickly，thesullennessforamomentgonefromhisface。
　　CarrollBishopappearedquiteunconsciousofanatmospherewhichseemedtoOrdestrained，butsankintoherplaceatthetableandunfoldedhernapkin。ThesilentbutlerdrewforwardachairforOrde，andstoodlookingimpassivelyinMrs。Bishop’sdirection。
　　"Youwillhavesomebreakfastwithus？"sheinquired。"No？Acupofcoffee，atleast？"
　　Shebegantomanipulatethecoffeepot，withoutpayingtheslightestattentiontoOrde’sdisclaimer。Thegeneralpuffedouthischeeks，andcoughedabitinembarrassment。
　　"Agoodcupofcoffeeisneveramisstoanoldcampaigner，"hesaidtoOrde。"It’sasgoodasafullmealinapinch。IrememberwhenIwasamajorintheEleventh，downneartheCityofMexico，in’48，thetimeHardy’scommandwassonearlywipedoutbythatviaduct——"
　　HehalfturnedtowardOrde，hisfacelightingup，hisfingersreachingfortheforkwithwhich，afterthecustomofoldsoldiers，totracethechartofhisreminiscences。
　　Mrs。Bishoprattledhercupandsaucerwithanuncontrollablynervousjerkofherslenderbody。Forsomemomentsshehadawaitedachancetogetthegeneral’sattention。"Spareus，father，"shesaidbrusquely。"Willyouhaveanothercupofcoffee？"
　　Theoldgentleman，arrestedinmid—career，swallowed，lookedatriflebewildered，butsubsidedmeekly。
　　"No，thankyou，mydear，"saidhe，andwentfuriouslyathisbreakfast。
　　Orde，overwhelmedbyembarrassment，discoveredthatnoneoftheothershadpaidtheincidenttheslightestattention。OnlyonthelipsofGeraldBishophesurprisedafine，detachedsmile。
　　Atthismomentthebutlerenteredbearingthemail。Mrs。Bishoptorehersopenrapidly，droppingthemangledenvelopesatherside。
　　Thecontentsofoneseemedtovexher。
　　"Oh！"shecriedaloud。"ThatmiserableMarie！Shepromisedmetohaveitdoneto—day，andnowsheputsitoffuntilMonday。It’stooprovoking！"SheturnedtoOrdeforsympathy。"DoyouknowANYTHING
　　moreaggravatingthantoworkandslavetothelimitofendurance，andthenhaveeverythingupsetbythestupidityofsomeoneelse？"
　　Ordemurmuredanappropriatereply，towhichMrs。Bishoppaidnoattentionwhatever。Shestartedsuddenlyupfromthetable。
　　"Imustseeaboutit！"shecried。"IplainlyseeIshallhavetodoitmyself。IWILLdoitmyself。IpromiseditforSunday。"
　　"Youmustn’tdoanotherstitch，mother，"putinCarrollBishopdecidedly。"Youknowwhatthedoctortoldyou。You’llhaveyourselfdownsick。"
　　"Well，seeforyourself！"criedMrs。Bishop。"That’swhatcomesofleavingthingstoothers！IfI’ddoneitmyself，itwouldhavesavedmeallthisbotherandfuss，anditwouldhavebeendone。AndnowI’vegottodoitanyway。"
　　"Mydear，"putinthegeneral，"perhapsCarrollcanseeMarieaboutit。Inanycase，there’snothingtoworkyourselfupintosuchanexcitementabout。"
　　"It’sveryeasyforyoutotalk，isn’tit？"criedMrs。Bishop，turningonhim。"Ilikethewayyouallsitaroundlikelumpsanddonothing，andthentellmehowIoughttohavedoneit。John，havethecarriagearoundatonce。"SheturnedtenselytoOrde。"I
　　hopeyou’llexcuseme，"shesaidverybriefly；"Ihavesomethingveryimportanttoattendto。"
　　Carrollhadalsorisen。Ordeheldouthishand。
　　"Imustbegoing，"saidhe。
　　"Well，"sheconceded，"IsupposeI’dbetterseeifIcan’thelpmotherout。Butyou’llcomeinagain。Comeanddinewithusthisevening。Motherwillbedelighted。"
　　AsMrs。Bishophaddepartedfromtheroom，Ordehadtotakeforgrantedtheexpressionofthisdelight。Hebowedtotheotheroccupantsofthetable。Thegeneralwaseatingnervously。Gerald’seyeswerefixedamusedlyonOrde。
　　ToOrde’ssurprise，hewasalmostimmediatelyjoinedonthestreetbyyoungMr。Bishop，mostcorrectlyappointed。
　　"Goinganywhereinparticular？"heinquired。"Let’sgouptheavenue，then。Everybodywillbeout。"
　　Theyturnedupthegreatpromenade，atourofwhichwasthen，evenmorethannow，consideredobligatoryonthegracefullyidle。
　　Neithersaidanything——OrdebecausehewastooabsorbedintheemotionsthissuddenrevelationofCarroll’senvironmenthadarousedinhim；Gerald，apparently，becausehewastooindifferent。
　　Neverthelessitwastheyoungexquisitewhofinallybrokethesilence。
　　"Itwasanaltarcloth，"saidhesuddenly。
　　"What？"askedOrde，ratherbewildered。
　　"MotherisprobablythemostdevoutwomaninNewYork，"wentonGerald’sevenvoice。"Sheisoneofthehardestworkersinthechurch。Shekeepsallthefastdays，andattendsalltheservices。
　　Althoughshehasnostrengthtospeakof，shehasjustcompletedanelaborateembroideredaltarcloth。Theworksheaccomplishedwhileonherknees。Oftenshespentfiveorsixhoursadayinthatposition。Itwasverydevout，butagainstthedoctor’sorders，andsheisatpresentmuchpulleddown。Finallyshegavewaytopersuasiontotheextentofsendingtheembroideryouttobeboundandcorded。Asaresult，thealtarclothwillnotbedonefornextSunday。"
　　Hedeliveredthisstatementinavoiceabsolutelycolourless，withoutthefaintesttracediscernibleofeitherapprovalordisapproval，withouttheslightestirony，yetOrdefeltvaguelyuncomfortable。
　　"Itmusthavebeenannoyingtoher，"hesaidgravely，"andIhopeshewillgetitdoneintime。PerhapsMissBishopwillbeabletodoit。"
　　"That，"saidGerald，"isMadisonSquare——orperhapsyouknowNewYork？Mysisterwould，ofcourse，beonlytoogladtofinishthework，butIfearthatmymother’speculiarlyardenttemperamentwillnowinsistonherownaccomplishmentofthetask。Butperhapsyoudonotunderstandtemperaments？"
　　"Verylittle，I’mafraid，"confessedOrde。
　　Theywalkedonforsomedistancefarther。
　　"YourfatherwasintheMexicanWar？"saidOrde，tochangethetrendofhisownthoughts。
　　"Hewasamostdistinguishedofficer。IbelievehereceivedtheMedalofHonourforapartintheaffairoftheMolinadelRey。"
　　"WhatcommandhadheintheCivilWar？"askedOrde。"Ifooledaroundtheoutskirtsofthatalittlemyself。"
　　"Myfatherresignedfromthearmyin’54，"repliedGerald，withhiscool，impersonalcourtesy。
　　"Thatwastoobad；justbeforethechanceformoreservice，"saidOrde。
　　"Armylifewasincompatiblewithmymother’stemperament，"statedGerald。
　　Ordesaidnothingmore。ItwasGerald’sturntoendthepause。
　　"YouarefromRedding，ofcourse，"saidhe。"Mysisterisveryenthusiasticabouttheplace。Youareinbusinessthere？"
　　Orderepliedbriefly，but，forcedbythedirect，cold，andpolitecross—questioningofhiscompanion，hegavethelatterasuccinctideaofthesortofoperationsinwhichhewasinterested。
　　"Andyou，"hesaidatlast；"Isupposeyou’reeitherabrokerorlawyer；mostmenaredownhere。"
　　"Iamneitheronenortheother，"statedGerald。"Iampossessedofasufficientincomefromalegacytomakebusinessunnecessary。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveI’dcareto——beidle，"saidOrdevaguely。
　　"Thereisplentytooccupyone’stime，"repliedGerald。"Ihavemyclubs，mygymnasium，myhorse，andmyfriends。"
　　"Isn’tthereanythingthatparticularlyattractsyou？"askedOrde。
　　Theyoungman’slanguideyesgrewthoughtful，andhepuffedmorestronglyonhiscigarette。
　　"Ishouldlike，"saidheslowly，atlast，"toenterthenavy。"
　　"Whydon’tyou？"askedOrdebluntly。
　　"Certainfamilyreasonsmakeitinexpedientatpresent，"saidGerald。"Mymotherisinaverynervousstate；shedependsonus，andanyhintofourleavingherissufficienttorenderherconditionserious。"
　　Bythistimethetwoyoungmenwerewelluptown。OnGerald’sinitiative，theyturneddownasidestreet，andshortlycametoastop。
　　"Thatismygymnasium，"saidGerald，pointingtoabuildingacrosstheway。"Won’tyoucomeinwithme？Iamduenowformypractice。"
　　XVII
　　Orde’seveningwasadisappointmenttohim。Mrs。Bishophad，byCarroll’sreport，workedfeverishlyatthealtarclothalltheafternoon。Asaconsequence，shehadgonetobedwithabadheadache。Thisstateofaffairsseemedtothrowtheentirefamilyintoastateofindecision。Itwasdividedinmindastowhattodo，theabsoluteinutilityofanyeffortbalancingstronglyagainstasenseofwhattheinvalidexpected。
　　"Iwonderifmotherwouldn’tlikejustatasteofthisbeef，"
　　speculatedthegeneral，movingfussilyinhischair。"Ibelievesomebodyoughttotakesomeup。SheMIGHTwantit。"
　　Themandepartedwiththeplate，butreturnedafewmomentslater，impassive——butstillwiththeplate。
　　"Hasshegotherhot—waterbag？"askedtheboyunexpectedly。
　　"Yes，MasterKendrick，"repliedthebutler。
　　Afterapreoccupiedsilencethegeneralagainbrokeout：
　　"Seemstomesomebodyoughttobeuptherewithher。"
　　"Youknow，father，thatshecan’tstandanyoneintheroom，"saidCarrollequably。
　　Towardthecloseofthemeal，however，adistantbelltinkledfaintly。Everyonejumpedasthoughguilty。Carrollsaidahastyexcuseandranout。Afterringingthebell，theinvalidhadevidentlyanticipateditsanswerbyemergingfromherroomtotheheadofthestairs，forOrdecaughtthesharptonesofcomplaint，andoverheardsomethingabout"takeallnighttoeatasimplemeal，whenI’mlyingheresuffering。"
　　AttheendofanintervalamaidappearedinthedoorwaytosaythatMissCarrollsentwordshewouldnotbedownagainforatime，anddidnotcareforanymoredinner。Thisseemedtorelievethegeneral’smindofresponsibility。Heassumedhislittlefussyairofcheerfulness，toldseveralstoriesofthewar，andfinally，afterKendrickhadleft，broughtoutsomewhiskyandwater。HewinkedslylyatOrde。
　　"Can’tdothisbeforetheyoungsters，youknow，"hechirrupedcraftily。
　　ThroughoutthemealGeraldhadsatbacksilent，afaintamusementinhiseye。Afterdinnerhearose，yawned，consultedhiswatch，anddeparted，pleadinganengagement。Ordelingeredsometime，listeningtothegeneral，inthehopethatCarrollwouldreappear。
　　Shedidnot，sofinallyhetookhisleave。
　　Hetrudgedbacktohishotelgloomily。Thedayhadpassedinamostunsatisfactorymanner，accordingtohiswayoflookingatit。Yethehadcomemoreclearlytoanunderstandingofthegirl；hercheerfulness，herunselfishness，and，aboveall，thesweet，beautifulphilosophyoflifethatmustlieback，torenderhersouncomplaininglytheslaveoftheself—willedwoman，yetwithouttheindifferentcynicismofGerald，thesullen，yetreal，partisanshipofKendrick，orthegeneral’sweek—kneedacquiescence。
　　ThenextmorninghesucceededinmakinganarrangementbyletterforanexcursiontothenewlyprojectedCentralPark。Promptlyattwoo’clockhewasattheBishops’house。TohisinquirythebutlersaidthatMrs。Bishophadrecoveredfromherindisposition，andthatMissBishopwouldbedownimmediately。Ordehadnotlongtowaitforher。TheSWISH，PAT—PATofherjoyousdescentofthestairsbroughthimtohisfeet。Shesweptasidetheportieres，andstoodbetweentheirfolds，biddinghimwelcome。
　　"I’msosorryaboutlastnight，"saidshe，"butpoormotherdoesdependonmesoatsuchtimes。Isn’titagorgeousdaytowalk？Itwon’tbemuchlikeOURwoods，willit？Butitwillbesomething。
　　OH，I’msogladtogetout！"
　　Shewasinoneofherelfishmoods，thelanguidgraceofhersleepy—
　　eyedmomentsforgotten。Withalittlecryofrapturesherantothepiano，anddashedintoagay，tinklingairwithbrilliancyandabandon。Herhead，surmountedbyaperky，high—peaked，narrow—
　　brimmedhat，withaflamingredbirdinfront，glorifiedbythebraidand"waterfall"ofthatday，bentforwardandturnedtoflashanappealforsympathytowardOrde。
　　"There，Ifeelmoreabletostayonearth！"shecried，springingtoherfeet。"NowI’llgetonmyglovesandwe’llstart。"
　　Sheturnedslowlybeforethemirror，examiningquitefranklythehangofherskirt，thefitofherclose—cutwaist，theturnoftheadorableround，low—cutcollarsthatwerethenthemode。
　　"Itpaystobeparticular；weareinNewYork，"sheanswered，orparried，Orde’sglanceofadmiration。
　　Theglovesfinallydrawnonandbuttoned，Ordeheldasidetheportieres，andshepassedfairlyunderhisupliftedhand。Hewantedtodrophisarmabouther，thisslendergirlwithherquaintdignity，herbird—likeways，hergentle，graceful，mysterious，femininesoul。Theflame—redbirdlentitscolourtohercheeks；
　　hereyes，blackandfathomless，thepupilswideinthisdimlight，shonewithtwostarsofdelight。
　　But，astheymovedtowardthemassivefrontdoors，Mrs。Bishopcamedownthestairsbehindthem。She，too，wasdressedforthestreet。
　　ShereceivedOrde’sgreetingandcongratulationoverherimprovedhealthinratheranabsentmanner。Indeed，assoonasshecouldhurrythispreliminaryover，sheplungedintowhatevidentlysheconsideredamoreimportantmatter。
　　"Youaren’tthinkingofgoingout，areyou？"sheaskedCarroll。
　　"Itoldyou，mother；don’tyouremember？Mr。OrdeandIaregoingtogetalittleairinthepark。"
　　"I’msorry，"saidMrs。Bishop，withgreatbrevityanddecision，"butI’mgoingtotherectorytohelpMr。Merritt，andIshallwantyoutogotoo，toseeaboutthesilver。"
　　"But，mother，"expostulatedCarroll，"wouldn’tMariedojustaswell？"
　　"Youknowverywellshecan’tbetrustedwithoutdirection。"
　　"IDOsowanttogotothepark，"saidCarrollwistfully。Mrs。
　　Bishop’sthin，nervousfigurejerkedspasmodically。"Thereisverylittleaskedofyoufrommorninguntilnight，"shesaid，withsomeasperity，"andIshouldthinkyou’dhavesomeslightconsiderationforthefactthatI’mjustupfromasickbedtosparemeallyoucould。Besideswhich，youdoverylittleforthechurch。Iwon’tinsist。Doexactlyasyouthinkbest。"
　　CarrollthrewapatheticglanceatOrde。
　　"Howsoonareyougoing？"sheaskedhermother。
　　"Inabouttenminutes，"repliedMrs。Bishop；"assoonasI’veseenHonorineaboutthedinner。"Sheseemedabruptlytorealisethattheamenitiesdemandedsomethingofher。"I’msorrywemustgososoon，"shesaidbrieflytoOrde，"butofcoursechurchbusiness——Weshallhopetoseeyouoften。"
　　OncemoreOrdeheldasidethecurtains。Theflame—birddroopedfromthetwilightofthehallintothedimnessoftheparlour。Allthebrightnessseemedtohavedrainedfromtheday，andallthejoyoflifeseemedtohavefadedfromthegirl’ssoul。Shesankintoachair，andtriedpatheticallytosmileacrossatOrde。
　　"I’msuchababyaboutdisappointments，"saidshe。
　　"Iknow，"hereplied，verygently。
　　"Andit’ssuchablueandgoldday。"
　　"Iknow，"herepeated。
　　Shetwistedhergloveinherlap，abrightspotofcolourburningineachcheek。
　　"Motherisnotwell，andshehasagreatdealtotryher。Poormother！"shesaidsoftly，herheadcastdown。
　　"Iknow，"saidOrdeinhisgentletones。
　　Afteramomenthearosetogo。Sheremainedseated，herheaddown。
　　"I’msorryaboutthisafternoon，"saidhecheerfully，"butitcouldn’tbehelped，couldit？Janeusedtotellmeaboutyourharpplaying。I’mgoingtocomeintohearyouthisevening。MayI？"
　　"Yes，"shesaid，inastifledvoice，andheldoutherhand。Shesatquitestilluntilsheheardthefrontdoorcloseafterhim；thensherantothecurtainsandlookedafterhissturdy，squarefigure，asitswungupthestreet。
　　"Welldone；oh，welldone，gentleheart！"shebreathedafterhim。
　　Thenshewentbacktothepiano。
　　ButOrde’smouth，couldshehaveseenit，wassetingrimlines，andhisfeet，couldshehaveheardthem，rangonthepavementwithquitesuperfluousvigour。Heturnedtotheleft，and，withoutpause，walkedsometenortwelvemiles。
　　Theeveningturnedoutverywell，fortunately；Ordecouldnothavestoodmuchmore。Theyhadtheparlourquitetothemselves。Carrolltookthecoverfromthetallharp，and，leaninghercheekagainstit，sheplayeddreamilyforahalfhour。Herarmswerebare，andasherfingersreachedoutlingeringlyandcaressinglytodrawthepure，goldenchordsfromthegoldeninstrument，hersoftbosompressedagainstthebroadsoundingboard。Thereisaboutthetonesofaharpwellplayedsomethingluminous，likerich，warmsunlight。
　　Whenthegirlmutedthestringsatlast，itseemedtoOrdeasthoughallatoncetheroomhadperceptiblydarkened。Hetookhisleavefinally，hisspiritsoothedandrestored。
　　Tranquillitywasnotforlong，however。Orde’svisitswere，naturally，asfrequentaspossible。TothemalmostinstantlyMrs。
　　Bishopopposedthestrongandintuitivejealousyofegotism。Shehadasyetnofearsastotheyoungman’sintentions，butinstinctivelyshefeltaninfluencethatopposedherownsupremedominance。Inconsequence，Ordehadmuchtimetohimself。Carrollandtherestofthefamily，withthepossibleexceptionofGerald，sharedthebeliefthattheslightestrealoppositiontoMrs。Bishopwouldsufficetothrowherintooneofher"spells，"aconditionofalarmingandpossiblygenuinecollapse。"Todrivemotherintoaspell"wasanexpressionoftheworstpossibledomesticcrime。Itaccusedtheperpetrator——throughMrs。Bishop——offorgettingthestateofaffairs，ofingratitudeforcareandaffection，ofcommoninhumanity，andofimpietyinrenderingimpossibleofperformancethemultifariouschurchdutiesMrs。Bishophadinventedandassumedassomanyparticularlyshiningvirtues。OrdesoondiscoveredthatCarrollwentoutinsocietyverylittleforthesimplereasonthatshecouldnevergiveanunqualifiedacceptancetoaninvitation。Atthelastmoment，whenshehaddonnedherstreetwrapsandthecarriagewasatthedoor，shewasliabletobecalledback，eithertoassistatsomereligiousfunction，which，byitssacredcharacter，wassupposedtohaveprecedenceovereverything，ortoattendanervouscrisis，broughtonbysomememberofthehousehold，orbymereuntowardcircumstances。Thegirlalwaysacquiescedmostsweetlyintheserecurrentdisappointments。AndtheveryfactthatsheacceptedfewinvitationsgaveOrdemanymorechancestoseeher，inspiteofMrs。Bishop’sincreasingexactions。Hedidnotrealisethisfact，however，butgroundhisteethandclungblind—eyedtohistemperwheneverthemothercutshorthisvisitsorannulledhisengagementsonsomepettyexcuseofherown。Hecouldalmostbelievetheseinterruptionsmalicious，wereitnotthathesoondiscoveredMrs。Bishopwelldisposedtowardhimpersonallywheneverheshowedhimselfreadytomeetherevenquarterwayonthetopicsthatinterestedher——thechurchandherhealth。
　　Inthismannertheweekpassed。OrdesawasmuchashecouldofMissBishop。TheremainderofthetimehespentwalkingthestreetsandreadingintheclubroomstowhichGerald’scourtesyhadgivenhimaccess。Geraldhimselfseemedtobemuchoccupied。Preciselyateleveneverymorning，however，heappearedatthegymnasiumforhispractice；andinthisOrdedroppedintothehabitofjoininghim。Whentheyoungmenfirststrippedineachother’spresence，theyeyedeachotherwithasecretsurprise。Gerald’sslenderandelegantbodyturnedouttobesmoothlyandgracefullymuscledonthelonglinesoftheFlyingMercury。Hisbonesweresmall，buthisfleshwashard，andhisskinhealthywiththeflowofbloodbeneath。
　　Orde，ontheotherhand，hadearnedfromtheriverthetorsoofanancientathlete。Theround，fullarchofhischestwastoppedbyamassofclean—cutmuscle；acrosshisback，beneaththesmoothskin，themusclesrippledandridgedanddimpledwitheverymovement；thebeautifulcurveofthedeltoids，fromthepointoftheshouldertothearm，mettheotherbeautifulcurveoftheunflexedbicepsandthatfulnessofthebackarmsooftenlackinginaone—sideddevelopment；thesurfaceoftheabdomenshowedthepeculiarcorrugationoftheverystrongman；theround，columnarneckarosemassive。
　　"ByJove！"saidGerald，rousedatlastfromhishabitualapathy。
　　"What’sthematter？"askedOrde，lookingupfromtyingtherubber—
　　soledshoesthatGeraldhadlenthim。
　　"Murphy，"calledGerald，"comehere。"
　　Averyhairy，thick—set，bullet—headedman，thetypeofsemi—
　　professional"handlers，"emergedfromsomewhereacrossthegymnasium。
　　"Doyouthinkyoucoulddownthisfellow？"askedGerald。
　　MurphylookedOrdeovercritically。
　　"Whoyeringin’inonme？"heinquired。
　　"Thisisafriendofmine，"saidGeraldseverely。
　　"Begyourpardon。Thegentlemaniswellputup。Howmuchexperiencehashehad？"
　　"Everboxmuch？"GeraldaskedOrde。
　　"Box？"Ordelaughed。"Neverhadtimeforthatsortofthing。Hadtheglovesonafewtimes。"
　　"Wheredilhim。He’safriendofmine。"
　　Thenhesteppedback，thesamejoyinhissoulthatinspiresarivermanwhenheencountersahigh—banker；ahunterwhenhetakesoutagreenhorn，oracowboyashewatchesthetenderfootabouttoclimbthebronco。
　　"Time！"saidhe。
　　Thefirstroundwassharp。WhenGeraldcalledtheend，Ordegrinnedathimcheerfully。