第17章

"Anounceofgasolene，quick!"heordered。"Acigarbox，acork，andthegluebottle。"

Hepouredsomeglueintothebottomofthebox，setthecorkinitfirmly，dashedthegasoleneoverthemothrepeatedly，pinnedittothecork，pouredtheremainderoftheliquidoverit，closedthebox，andfastenedit。

Thenhelaidabillonthecounter。

"Packthatboxwithcorkaroundit，inonetwiceitssize，tiesecurelyandexpresstothisaddressatonce。"

Hescribbledonasheetofpaperandshoveditover。

"Onyourhonour，willyoudothatfaithfullyasIsay?"

heaskedtheclerk。

"Certainly，"wasthereply。

"Thenkeepthechange，"calledPhilipasheranbacktothepavilion。

EdithCarrstoodwherehelefther，thinkingrapidly。

SheheardthemurmurthatarosewhenPhilipstartedtocapturetheexquisitegoldencreatureshewasimpersonating。Shesawtheflashofsurprisethatwentoverunrestrainedfaceswhenheranfromtheroom，withoutevenshowingittoher。"ThelastoneElnoraneeds，"ranginherears。Hehadtoldherthathehelpedcollectmothstheprevioussummer，butshehadunderstoodthattheBirdWoman，withwhoseworkMissCarrwasfamiliar，wantedthemtoputinabook。

Hehadspokenofacountrygirlhehadmetwhoplayedtheviolinwonderfully，andattimes，hehadshownadispositiontoexaltherasastandardofwomanhood。

MissCarrhadignoredwhathesaid，andtalkedofsomethingelse。Butthatgirl"snamehadbeenElnora。

Itwasshewhowascollectingmoths!NodoubtshewasthecompetentjudgewhowasresponsiblefortheyellowcostumePhiliphaddevised。HadEdithCarrbeeninherroom，shewouldhavetornoffthedressatthethought。

Beinginacircleofherbestfriends，whichtohermeantherkeenestrivalsandharshestcritics，shegrewrigidwithanger。Herbreathhurtherpainingchest。Noonethoughttospeaktothemusicians，andseeingthefloorfilled，theybeganthewaltz。Onlypartoftheguestscouldseewhathadhappened，andatoncetheothersformedandcommencedtodance。Gaycouplescamewhirlingpasther。

EdithCarrgrewverywhiteasshestoodalone。Herlipsturnedpale，whileherdarkeyesflamedwithanger。

ShestoodperfectlystillwherePhiliphadlefther，andtheapproachingmenguidedtheirpartnersaroundher，whilethegirls，lookingback，couldbeseenmakingexclamationsofsurprise。

TheidolizedonlydaughteroftheCarrfamilyhopedthatshewoulddropdeadfrommortification，butnothinghappened。

ShewastooperversetostepasideandsaythatshewaswaitingforPhilip。ThencameTomLeveringdancingwithPollyAmmon。BeinginthescaleswiththeAmmonfamily，Tomscentedtroublefromafar，sohewhisperedtoPolly:

"Edithisstandinginthemiddleofthefloor，andshe"sawfulmadaboutsomething。"

"Thatwon"thurther，"laughedPolly。"It"sanoldposeofhers。Sheknowsshelookssuperbwhensheisangry，soshekeepsherselffurioushalfthetimeonpurpose。"

"Shelookslikethemischief!"answeredTom。"Hadn"twebettersteeroverandwaitwithher?She"stheugliestsightIeversaw!"

"Why，Tom!"criedPolly。"Stop，quickly!"

TheyhurriedtoEdith。

"Comedear，"saidPolly。"WearegoingtowaitwithyouuntilPhilreturns。Let"sgoafteradrink。

Iamsothirsty!"

"Yes，do!"beggedTom，offeringhisarm。"Let"sgetoutofhereuntilPhilcomes。"

Therewastheopportunitytolaughandwalkaway，butEdithCarrwouldnotacceptit。

"Mybetrothedleftmehere，"shesaid。"HereIshallremainuntilhereturnsforme，andthen——hewillbemybetrothednolonger!"

PollygraspedEdith"sarm。

"Oh，Edith!"sheimplored。"Don"tmakeascenehere，andto-night。Edith，thishasbeentheloveliestdanceevergivenattheclubhouse。Everyoneissayingso。

Edith!Darling，docome!Philwillbebackinasecond。

Hecanexplain!It"sonlyabreathsinceIsawhimgoout。

Ithoughthehadreturned。"

AsPollypantedthesedisjointedejaculations，TomLeveringbegantogrowangryonheraccount。

"Hehasbeengonejustlongenoughtoshoweveryoneofhisgueststhathewillleavemestandingalone，likeaneglectedfool，foranypassingwhimofhis。

Explain!Hisexplanationwouldsoundwell!Doyouknowforwhomhecaughtthatmoth?Itisbeingsenttoagirlheflirtedwithalllastsummer。IthasjustoccurredtomethatthedressIamwearingishersuggestion。Lethimtrytoexplain!"

Speechunloosedthefountain。Shestrippedoffherglovestofreeherhands。AtthatinstantthedancerspartedtoadmitPhilip。InstinctivelytheystoppedastheyapproachedandwithwonderingfaceswalledinEdithandPhilip，PollyandTom。

"Mightygoodofyoutowait!"criedPhilip，hisfaceshowinghisdelightoverhissuccessincapturingtheYellowEmperor。"IthoughtwhenIheardthemusicyouweregoingon。"

"HowdidyouthinkIwasgoingon?"demandedEdithCarrinfrigidtones。

"Ithoughtyouwouldstepasideandwaitafewsecondsforme，ordancewithHenderson。Itwasmostimportanttohavethatmoth。Itcompletesavaluablecollectionforapersonwhoneedsthemoney。Come!"

Heheldouthisarms。

"I`stepaside"fornoone!"stormedEdithCarr。

"Iawaitnoothergirl"spleasure!Youmay`completethecollection"withthat!"

ShedrewherengagementringfromherfingerandreachedtoplaceitononeofPhilip"soutstretchedhands。

Hesawanddrewback。InstantlyEdithdroppedthering。

Asitfell，almostinstinctivelyPhilipcaughtitinair。

WithamazedfacehelookedcloselyatEdithCarr。

Herdistortedfeatureswerescarcelyrecognizable。

Heheldtheringtowardher。

"Edith，fortheloveofmercy，waituntilIcanexplain，"

hebegged。"Putonyourringandletmetellyouhowitis。"

"Iknowperfectly`howitis，""sheanswered。"Inevershallwearthatringagain。"

"Youwon"tevenhearwhatIhavetosay?Youwon"ttakebackyourring?"hecried。

"Never!Yourconductisinfamous!"

"Cometothinkofit，"saidPhilipdeliberately，"itis`infamous"tocutagirl，whohasdancedallherlife，outofafewmeasuresofawaltz。Asforaskingforgivenessforsoblackasinaspickingupamoth，andstartingittoafriendwholivesbycollectingthem，Idon"tseehowIcould!

Ihavenotbeengonethreeminutesbytheclock，Edith。

Putonyourringandfinishthedancelikeadeargirl。"

Hethrusttheglitteringrubyintoherfingersandagainheldouthisarms。Shedroppedthering，anditrolledsomedistancefromthem。HartHendersonfolloweditsshiningcourse，andcaughtitbeforeitwaslost。

"Youreallymeanit?"demandedPhilipinavoiceascoldasherseverhadbeen。

"YouknowImeanit!"criedEdithCarr。

"Iacceptyourdecisioninthepresenceofthesewitnesses，"saidPhilipAmmon。"Whereismyfather?"

TheelderAmmonwithadistressedfacehurriedtohim。

"Father，takemyplace，"saidPhilip。"Excusemetomyguests。Askallmyfriendstoforgiveme。Iamgoingawayforawhile。"

Heturnedandwalkedfromthepavilion。AshewentHartHendersonrushedtoEdithCarrandforcedtheringintoherfingers。"Edith，quick。Come，quick!"heimplored。

"There"sjusttimetocatchhim。Ifyoulethimgothatway，heneverwillreturninthisworld。RememberwhatItoldyou。"

"Greatprophet!aren"tyou，Hart?"shesneered。

"Whowantshimtoreturn?IfthatringisthrustuponmeagainIshallflingitintothelake。Signalthemusicianstobegin，anddancewithme。"

Hendersonputtheringintohispocket，andbeganthedance。

Hecouldfeelthemuscularspasmsofthegirlinhisarms，herfacewascoldandhard，butherbreathburnedwiththescorchoffever。Shefinishedthedanceandallothers，takingPhil"snumberswithHenderson，whohadarrivedtoolatetoarrangeaprogramme。Sheleftwiththeothers，merelyincliningherheadasshepassedAmmon"sfathertakinghisplace，andenteredthebigtouringcarforwhichHendersonhadtelephoned。Shesanklimplyintoaseatandmoanedsoftly。

"ShallIdriveawhileinthenightair?"askedHenderson。

Shenodded。Heinstructedthechauffeur。

Sheraisedherheadinafewseconds。"Hart，I"mgoingtopieces，"shesaid。"Won"tyouputyourarmaroundmealittlewhile?"

Hendersongatheredherintohisarmsandherheadfellonhisshoulder。"Closer!"shecried。

Hendersonheldheruntilhisarmswerenumb，buthedidnotknowit。Thetricksoffatearecruelenough，buttherescarcelycouldhavebeenaworseonethanthat:

TocareforawomanashelovedEdithCarrandhavehergivenintohisarmsbecauseshewassonumbwithmiseryoverhertroublewithanothermanthatshedidnotknoworcarewhatshedid。Dawnwasstreakingtheeastwhenhespoketoher。

"Edith，itisgrowinglight。"

"Takemehome，"shesaid。

Hendersonhelpedherupthestepsandrangthebell。

"MissCarrisill，"hesaidtothefootman。"Arousehermaidinstantly，andhaveherpreparesomethinghotasquicklyaspossible。"

"Edith，"hecried，"justaword。Ihavebeenthinking。

Itisn"ttoolateyet。Takeyourringandputiton。

IwillgofindPhilatonceandtellhimyouhave，thatyouareexpectinghim，andhewillcome。"

"Thinkwhathesaid!"shecried。"Heacceptedmydecisionasfinal，`inthepresenceofwitnesses，"asifitwerecourt。

Hecanreturnittome，ifIeverwearitagain。"

"Youthinkthatnow，butinafewdaysyouwillfindthatyoufeelverydifferently。Livingalifeofheartacheisnojoke，andnojobforawoman。Putonyourringandsendmetotellhimtocome。"

"No。"

"Edith，therewasnotasoulwhosawthat，butsympathizedwithPhil。Itwasridiculousforyoutogetsoangryoverathingwhichwasneverintendedfortheslightestoffence，andbynologicalreasoningcouldhavebeensoconsidered。"

"Doyouthinkthat?"shedemanded。

"Ido!"saidHenderson。"Ifyouhadlaughedandsteppedasideaninstant，orlaughedandstayedwhereyouwere，Philwouldhavebeenback；or，ifheneededpunishmentinyoureyes，tohavefoundmehavingoneofhisdanceswouldhavebeenenough。Iwaswaiting。Youcouldhavecalledmewithonelook。Buttopubliclydoandsaywhatyoudid，mylady——IknowPhil，andIknowyouwenttoofar。Putonthatring，andsendhimwordyouaresorry，beforeitistoolate。"

"Iwillnot!Heshallcometome。"

"ThenGodhelpyou!"saidHenderson，"foryouareplungingintomiserywhosedepthyoudonotdream。

Edith，Ibegofyou——"

Sheswayedwhereshestood。Hermaidopenedthedoorandcaughther。Hendersonwentdownthehallandouttohiscar。

CHAPTERXX

WHEREINTHEELDERAMMONOFFERSADVICE，ANDEDITHCARREXPERIENCESREGRETS

PhilipAmmonwalkedfromamonghisfriendsahumiliatedandawoundedman。NeverbeforehadEdithCarrappearedquitesobeautiful。Alleveningshehadtreatedhimwithunusualconsideration。

Neverhadhelovedhersodeeply。Theninafewsecondseverythingwasdifferent。Seeingthechangeinherface，andhearinghermeaninglessaccusations，killedsomethinginhisheart。Warmthwentoutandacoldweighttookitsplace。Butevenafterthat，hehadofferedtheringtoheragain，andaskedherbeforeotherstoreconsider。

Theanswerhadbeenfurtherinsult。

Hewalked，payingnoheedtowherehewent。Hehadtraversedmanymileswhenhebecameawarethathisfeethadchosenfamiliarstreets。Hewaspassinghishome。

Dawnwasnear，butthefirstfloorwaslighted。

Hestaggeredupthestepsandwasinstantlyadmitted。

Thelibrarydoorstoodopen，whilehisfathersatwithabookpretendingtoread。AtPhilip"sentrancethefatherscarcelyglancedup。

"Comeon!"hecalled。"IhavejusttoldBankstobringmeacupofcoffeebeforeIturnin。Haveonewithme!"

Philipsatbesidethetableandleanedhisheadonhishands，buthedrankacupofsteamingcoffeeandfeltbetter。

"Father，"hesaid，"father，mayItalkwithyoualittlewhile?"

"Ofcourse，"answeredMr。Ammon。"Iamnotatalltired。IthinkImusthavebeenwaitinginthehopethatyouwouldcome。Iwantnoone"sversionofthisbutyours。Tellmethestraightofthething，Phil。"

Philiptoldallheknew，whilehisfathersatindeepthought。

"OnmylifeIcan"tseeanyoccasionforsuchadisplayoftemper，Phil。Itpassedallboundsofreasonandbreeding。

Can"tyouthinkofanythingmore?"

"Icannot!"

"PollysayseveryoneexpectedyoutocarrythemothyoucaughttoEdith。Whydidn"tyou?"

"Shescreamsifathingofthatkindcomesnearher。

Sheneverhastakentheslightestinterestinthem。Iwasinabighurry。Ididn"twanttomissoneminuteofmydancewithher。Themothwasnotsouncommon，butbyacombinationofbadluckithadbecometherarestinAmericaforafriendofmine，whoismakingacollectiontopaycollegeexpenses。ForaninstantlastJunetheserieswascompleted；whenawoman"suncontrolledtemperruinedthisspecimenandthesearchforitbeganover。Afewdayslaterapairwassecured，andagainthemoneywasinsightforseveralhours。Thenanaccidentwreckedone-fourthofthecollection。IhelpedreplacethoselastJune，allbutthisYellowEmperorwhichwecouldnotsecure，andwehaven"tbeenabletofind，buyortradeforonesince。Somyfriendwascompelledtoteachthispastwinterinsteadofgoingtocollege。Whenthatmothcameflyinginthereto-night，itseemedtomelikefate。

AllIthoughtofwas，thattosecureitwouldcompletethecollectionandsecurethemoney。SoIcaughttheEmperorandstartedittoElnora。IdeclaretoyouthatIwasnotoutofthepavilionoverthreeminutesataliberalestimate。IfI

onlyhadthoughttospeaktotheorchestra!IwassureI

wouldbebackbeforeenoughcouplesgatheredandformedforthedance。"

Theeyesofthefatherwereverybright。

"Thefriendforwhomyouwantedthemothisagirl?"

heaskedindifferently，asheranthebookleavesthroughhisfingers。

"ThegirlofwhomIwroteyoulastsummer，andtoldyouaboutinthefall。IhelpedherallthetimeIwasaway。"

"DidEdithknowofher?"

"Itriedmanytimestotellher，tointeresther，butshewassoindifferentthatitwasinsulting。Shewouldnothearme。"

"Weareneitheroneinanyconditiontosleep。Whydon"tyoubeginatthefirstandtellmeaboutthisgirl?

Tothinkofothermattersforatimemayclearourvisionforasanesolutionofthis。Whoisshe，justwhatisshedoing，andwhatisshelike?YouknowIwasrearedamongthoseLimberlostpeople，Icanunderstandreadily。

Whatishernameandwheredoesshelive?"

Philipgaveaman"sversionoftheprevioussummer，whilehisfatherplayedwiththebookindustriously。

"Youareverysureastoherrefinementandeducation?"

"Inalmosttwomonths"dailyassociation，couldamanbemistaken?ShecanfarandawaysurpassPolly，Edith，oranygirlofoursetonanycommon，highschool，orsupplementarybranch，andyouknowhighschoolshaveFrench，German，andphysicsnow。Besides，sheisagraduateoftwootherinstitutions。AllherlifeshehasbeenintheschoolofHardKnocks。Shehasthebiggest，tenderest，mosthumanheartIeverknewinagirl。Shehasknownlifeinitsmostcruelphases，andinsteadofhardeningher，ithassethertryingtosaveotherpeoplesuffering。ThenthisnaturepositionofwhichItoldyou；shegraduatedintheSchooloftheWoods，beforeshesecuredthat。TheBirdWoman，whoseworkyouknow，helpedherthere。ElnoraknowsmoreinterestingthingsinaminutethananyothergirlIevermetknewinanhour，providedyouareapersonwhocarestounderstandplantandanimallife。"

Thebookleavesslidrapidlythroughhisfingersasthefatherdrawled:"Whatsortoflookinggirlisshe?"

"TallasEdith，alittleheavier，pink，evencomplexion，wideopenblue-grayeyeswithheavyblackbrows，andlashessolongtheytouchhercheeks。Shehasaropeofwaving，shininghairthatmakesarealcrownonherhead，anditappearsalmostredinthelight。SheisashandsomeasanyfairwomanIeversaw，butshedoesn"tknowit。Everytimeanyonepaysheracompliment，hermother，whoisacaution，discoversthat，forsomereason，thegirlisafright，soshehasnoappreciationofherlooks。"

"Andyouwereindailyassociationtwomonthswithagirllikethat!Howaboutit，Phil?"

"Ifyoumean，didItriflewithher，no!"criedPhiliphotly。

"ItoldherthesecondtimeImetherallaboutEdith。

AlmosteverydayIwrotetoEdithinherpresence。

ElnoragatheredvioletsandmadeafancybaskettoputtheminforEdith"sbirthday。IstartedtoerrintooopenadmirationforElnora，buthermotherbroughtmeupwithawhirlIneverforgot。FiftytimesadayintheswampsandforestsElnoramadeaperfectpicture，butIneitherlookednorsaidanything。Inevermetanygirlsodownrightnobleinbearingandactions。

IneverhatedanythingasIhatedleavingher，forweweredearfriends，liketwowhollycongenialmen。Hermotherwasalmostalwayswithus。SheknewhowmuchIadmiredElnora，butsolongasIconcealeditfromthegirl，themotherdidnotcare。"

"Yetyouleftsuchagirlandcamebackwhole-heartedtoEdithCarr!"

"Surely!YouknowhowithasbeenwithmeaboutEdithallmylife。"

"Yetthegirlyoupictureisfarhersuperiortoanunprejudicedperson，whenthinkingwhatamanwouldrequireinawifetobehappy。"

"IneverhavethoughtwhatIwould`require"tobehappy!

IonlythoughtwhetherIcouldmakeEdithhappy。Ihavebeenanidiot!WhatI"veborneyou"llneverknow!

To-nightisonlyoneofmanyoutburstslikethat，invaryingandlesserdegrees。"

"Phil，Iloveyou，whenyousayyouhavethoughtonlyofEdith!Ihappentoknowthatitistrue。

Youaremyonlyson，andIhavehadarighttowatchyouclosely。Ibelieveyouutterly。AnyonewhocaresforyouasIdo，andhashadmyyearsofexperienceinthisworldoveryours，knowsthatinsomeways，to-nightwouldbeablessedrelease，ifyoucouldtakeit；butyoucannot!Gotobednow，andrest。To-morrow，gobacktoherandfixitup。"

"YouheardwhatIsaidwhenIlefther!Isaiditbecausesomethinginmyheartdiedaminutebeforethat，andIrealizedthatitwasmyloveforEdithCarr。NeveragainwillIvoluntarilyfacesuchascene。Ifshecanactlikethatataball，beforehundreds，overathingofwhichIthoughtnothingatall，shewouldgointoactualphysicalfitsandspasms，oversomeofthehouseholdcrisesI"veseenthematermeetwithasmile。Sir，itistruththatIhavethoughtonlyofheruptothepresent。Now，I

willadmitIamthinkingaboutmyself。Father，didyouseeher?Lifeistooshort，anditcanbetoosweet，tothrowitawayinabattlewithanunrestrainedwoman。

Iamnofighter——whereagirlisconcerned，anyway。

IrespectandloveherorIdonothing。NeveragainiseitherrespectorlovepossiblebetweenmeandEdithCarr。

WheneverIthinkofherinthefuture，Iwillseeherasshewasto-night。ButIcan"tfacethecrowdjustyet。

Couldyousparemeafewdays?"

"Itisonlytendaysuntilyouweretogonorthforthesummer，gonow。"

"Idon"twanttogonorth。Idon"twanttomeetpeopleIknow。There，thestorywouldprecedeme。Idonotneedpityingglancesorroughcondolences。IwonderifIcouldnothideatUncleEd"sinWisconsinforawhile?"

Thebookclosedsuddenly。Thefatherleanedacrossthetableandlookedintotheson"seyes。

"Phil，areyousureofwhatyoujusthavesaid?"

"Perfectlysure!"

"Doyouthinkyouareinanyconditiontodecideto-night?"

"Deathcannotreturntolife，father。MyloveforEdithCarrisdead。Ihopenevertoseeheragain。"

"IfIthoughtyoucouldbecertainsosoon!But，cometothinkofit，youareverylikemeinmanyways。Iamwithyouinthis。PublicscenesanddisgracesIwouldnotendure。Itwouldbeoverwithme，wereIinyourposition，thatIknow。"

"Itisdoneforalltime，"saidPhilipAmmon。"Letusnotspeakofitfurther。"

"Then，Phil，"thefatherleanedcloserandlookedatthesontenderly，"Phil，whydon"tyougototheLimberlost?"

"Father!"

"Whynot?Noonecancomfortahurtheartlikeatenderwoman；and，Phil，haveyoueverstoppedtothinkthatyoumayhaveadutyintheLimberlost，ifyouarefree?Idon"tknow!Ionlysuggestit。But，foracountryschoolgirl，unaccustomedtomen，twomonthswithamanlikeyoumightwellawakenfeelingsofwhichyoudonotthink。Becauseyouweresafe-guardedisnosignthegirlwas。Shemightcaretoseeyou。Youcansoontell。Withyou，shecomesnexttoEdith，andyouhavemadeitcleartomethatyouappreciateherinmanywaysabove。SoIrepeatit，whynotgototheLimberlost?"

AlongtimePhilipAmmonsatindeepthought。Atlastheraisedhishead。

"Well，whynot!"hesaid。"YearscouldmakemenosurerthanIamnow，andlifeisshort。PleaseaskBankstogetmesomecoffeeandtoast，andIwillbatheanddresssoIcantaketheearlytrain。"

"Gotoyourbath。Iwillattendtoyourpackingandeverything。AndPhil，ifIwereyou，Iwouldleavenoaddresses。"

"Notanaddress!"saidPhilip。"NotevenPolly。"

Whenthetrainpulledout，theelderAmmonwenthometofindHartHendersonwaiting。

"WhereisPhil?"hedemanded。

"Hedidnotfeellikefacinghisfriendsatpresent，andIamjustbackfromdrivinghimtothestation。HesaidhemightgotoSiam，orPatagonia。Hewouldleavenoaddress。"

Hendersonalmoststaggered。"He"snotgone?Andleftnoaddress?Youdon"tmeanit!He"llneverforgiveher!"

"Neverisalongtime，Hart，"saidMr。Ammon。"AnditseemsevenlongertothoseofuswhoarewellacquaintedwithPhil。Lastnightwasnotthelaststraw。Itwasthewholestraw-stack。ItcrushedPhilsofarassheisconcerned。Hewillnotseeheragainvoluntarily，andhewillnotforgetifhedoes。Youcantakeitfromhim，andfromme，wehaveacceptedthelady"sdecision。Willyouhaveacupofcoffee?"

TwiceHendersonopenedhislipstospeakofEdithCarr"sdespair。Twicehelookedintothestern，inflexiblefaceofMr。Ammonandcouldnotbetrayher。Heheldoutthering。

"Ihavenoinstructionsastothat，"saidtheelderAmmon，drawingback。"PossiblyMissCarrwouldhaveitasakeepsake。"

"Iamsurenot，"saidHendersoncurtly。

"ThensupposeyoureturnittoPeacock。Iwillphonehim。

Hewillgiveyouthepriceofit，andyoumightaddittothechildren"sFreshAirFund。Wewouldbeobligedifyouwoulddothat。Nooneherecarestohandletheobject。"

"Asyouchoose，"saidHenderson。"Goodmorning!"

Thenhewenttohishome，buthecouldnotthinkofsleep。

Heorderedbreakfast，buthecouldnoteat。Hepacedthelibraryforatime，butitwastoosmall。Goingonthestreetshewalkeduntilexhausted，thenhecalledahansomandwasdriventohisclub。Hehadthoughthimselffamiliarwitheverydepthofsuffering；thatnighthadtaughthimthatwhathefeltforhimselfwasnottobecomparedwiththeanguishwhichwrunghisheartovertheagonyofEdithCarr。HetriedtoblamePhilipAmmon，butbeinganhonestman，Hendersonknewthatwasunjust。

Thefaultlaywhollywithher，butthatonlymadeitharderforhim，asherealizeditwouldintimeforher。

Ashesaunteredintotheroomanattendanthurriedtohim。

"Youarewantedmosturgentlyatthe"phone，Mr。

Henderson，"hesaid。"YouhavehadthreecallsfromMain5770。"

Hendersonshiveredashepickeddownthereceiverandgavethecall。

"Isthatyou，Hart?"cameEdith"svoice。

"Yes。"

"DidyoufindPhil?"

"No。"

"Didyoutry?"

"Yes。AssoonasIleftyouIwentstraightthere。"

"Wasn"thehomeyet?"

"Hehasbeenhomeandgoneagain。"

"Gone!"

ThecrytoreHenderson"sheart。

"ShallIcomeandtellyou，Edith?"

"No!Tellmenow。"

"WhenIreachedthehouseBankssaidMr。AmmonandPhilwereoutinthemotor，soIwaited。Mr。Ammoncamebacksoon。Edith，areyoualone?"

"Yes。Goon!"

"Callyourmaid。Ican"ttellyouuntilsomeoneiswithyou。"

"Tellmeinstantly!"

"Edith，hesaidhehadbeentothestation。HesaidPhilhadstartedtoSiamorPatagonia，hedidn"tknowwhich，andleftnoaddress。Hesaid——"

DistinctlyHendersonheardherfall。Hesetthebuzzerringing，andinafewsecondsheardvoices，soheknewshehadbeenfound。Thenhecreptintoaprivatedenandshookwithahard，nervouschill。

ThenextdayEdithCarrstartedonhertriptoEurope。

HendersonfeltcertainshehopedtomeetPhilipthere。

Hewassureshewouldbedisappointed，thoughhehadnoideawhereAmmoncouldhavegone。ButaftermuchthoughthedecidedhewouldseeEdithsoonestbyremainingathome，sohespentthesummerinChicago。

CHAPTERXXI

WHEREINPHILIPAMMONRETURNSTOTHELIMBERLOST，ANDELNORASTUDIESTHESITUATION

Wemustbethinkingaboutsupper，mother，"saidElnora，whileshesetthewingsofaCecropiawithmuchcare。

"ItseemsasifIcan"tgetenoughtoeat，orenoughofbeingathome。Ienjoyedthatcityhouse。Idon"tbelieveIcouldhavedonemyworkifIhadbeencompelledtowalkbackandforth。IthoughtatfirstIneverwantedtocomehereagain。Now，IfeelasifIcouldnotliveanywhereelse。"

"Elnora，"saidMrs。Comstock，"there"ssomeonecomingdowntheroad。"

"Cominghere，doyouthink?"

"Yes，cominghere，Isuspect。"

ElnoraglancedquicklyathermotherandthenturnedtotheroadasPhilipAmmonreachedthegate。

"Careful，mother!"thegirlinstantlywarned。"Ifyouchangeyourtreatmentofhimahair"sbreadth，hewillsuspect。Comewithmetomeethim。"

Shedroppedherworkandsprangup。

"Well，ofallthedelightfulsurprises!"shecried。

Shewasatriflethinnerthanduringtheprevioussummer。

Onherfacetherewasamoremature，patientlook，butthesunstruckherbareheadwiththesamerayofredgold。

Sheworeoneoftheoldblueginghamdresses，openatthethroatandrolledtotheelbows。Mrs。Comstockdidnotappearatallthesamewoman，butPhilipsawonlyElnora；heardonlyhergreeting。Hecaughtbothhandswheresheofferedbutone。

"Elnora，"hecried，"ifyouwereengagedtome，andwewereataball，amonghundreds，whereIoffendedyouverymuch，anddidn"tevenknowIhaddoneanything，andifI

askedyoubeforeallofthemtoallowmetoexplain，toforgiveme，towait，wouldyourfacegrowdistortedandunfamiliarwithanger?Wouldyoudropmyringonthefloorandinsultmerepeatedly?OhElnora，wouldyou?"

Elnora"sbigeyesseemedtoleap，whileherfacegrewverywhite。Shedrewawayherhands。

"Hush，Phil!Hush!"sheprotested。"Thatfeverhasyouagain!Youaredreadfullyill。Youdon"tknowwhatyouaresaying。"

"Iamsleeplessandexhausted；I"mheartsick；butIamwellasIeverwas。Answerme，Elnora，wouldyou?"

"Answernothing!"criedMrs。Comstock。"Answernothing!

Hangyourcoatthereonyournail，Phil，andcomesplitsomekindling。Elnora，cleanawaythatstuff，andsetthetable。Can"tyouseetheboyisstarvedandtired?

He"scomehometorestandeatadecentmeal。Comeon，Phil!"

Mrs。Comstockmarchedaway，andPhiliphunghiscoatinitsoldplaceandfollowed。Outofsightandhearingsheturnedonhim。

"Doyoucallyourselfamanorahound?"sheflared。

"Ibegyourpardon——"stammeredPhilipAmmon。

"Ishouldthinkyouwould!"sheejaculated。"I"lladmityoudidthesquarethingandwasamanlastsummer，thoughI"dlikeditbetterifyou"dfacedupandtoldmeyouwerepromised；buttocomebackherebabying，andtakeholdofElnoralikethat，andtalkthatwaybecauseyouhavehadafusswithyourgirl，Idon"ttolerate。

SplitthatkindlingandI"llgetyoursupper，andthenyoubettergo。Iwon"thaveyouworkingonElnora"sbigheart，becauseyouhavequarrelledwithsomeoneelse。

You"llhaveitpatchedupinaweekandbegoneagain，soyoucangorightaway。"

"Mrs。Comstock，IcametoaskElnoratomarryme。"

"Themorefoolyou，then!"criedMrs。Comstock。

"Thistimeyesterdayyouwereengagedtoanotherwoman，nodoubt。Now，forsomelittleflare-upyoucomeracingheretouseElnoraasatooltospitetheothergirl。

Aweekofsaneliving，andyouwillbesorryandreadytogobacktoChicago，or，ifyoureallyaremanenoughtobesureofyourself，shewillcometoclaimyou。Shehasherrights。Anengagementofyearsisaseriousmatter，andnotbrokenforawhim。Ifyoudon"tgo，she"llcome。

Then，whenyoupatchupyouraffairsandgosailingawaytogether，wheredoesmygirlcomein?"

"Iamalawyer，Mrs。Comstock，"saidPhilip。"Itappealstomeasbeneathyourordinarysenseofjusticetodecideacasewithouthearingtheevidence。Itisduemethatyouhearmefirst。"

"Hearyourside!"flashedMrs。Comstock。"I"daheapsightratherhearthegirl!"

"Iwishtomysoulthatyouhadheardandseenherlastnight，Mrs。Comstock，"saidAmmon。"Then，mywaywouldbeclear。Inevereventhoughtofcominghereto-day。I"lladmitIwouldhavecomeintime，butnotformanymonths。Myfathersentme。"

"Yourfathersentyou!Why?"

"Father，mother，andPollywerepresentlastnight。

They，andallmyfriends，sawmeinsultedanddisgracedintheworstexhibitionofuncontrolledtemperanyofuseverwitnessed。Allofthemknewitwastheend。

FatherlikedwhatIhadtoldhimofElnora，andheadvisedmetocomehere，soIcame。Ifshedoesnotwantme，Icanleaveinstantly，but，ohIhopedshewouldunderstand!"

"Youpeoplearenotsplittingwood，"calledElnora。

"Ohyesweare!"answeredMrs。Comstock。"Yousetoutthethingsforbiscuit，andlaythetable。"SheturnedagaintoPhilip。"Iknowconsiderableaboutyourfather，"

shesaid。"IhavemetyourUncle"sfamilyfrequentlythiswinter。I"veheardyourAuntAnnasaythatshedidn"tatalllikeMissCarr，andthatsheandallyourfamilysecretlyhopedthatsomethingwouldhappentopreventyourmarryingher。Thatchimesrightinwithyoursayingthatyourfathersentyouhere。Iguessyoubetterspeakyourpiece。"

Philipgavehisversionofthepreviousnight。

"Doyoubelieveme?"hefinished。

"Yes，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"MayIstay?"

"Oh，itlooksallrightforyou，butwhatabouther?"

"Nothing，sofarasIamconcerned。HerplanswereallmadetostarttoEuropeto-day。Isuspectsheisonthewaybythistime。Elnoraisverysensible，Mrs。Comstock。