第5章

Fiveminuteslater，VicBurleighwalkedacrossthegridironwithfullcredentialsforhisplaceontheteam。

Thelastmantoenterthegroundswasevidentlyatramp，whoseslouchedhathalf-concealedadarkbeardedface。

AsVicBurleigh，withBugclingingtohisfinger，hurriedbytheticketwindow，thecrippledstudentwhosoldticketsinsidethelittleroofedboxcalledout:

"Come，staywithme，Bug，tillIcangoin，too，andI"llbuyyoupeanuts。”

Bugstudiedamoment。Thenwithacomfortablelittle"Umph-humph，"

puffingouthispudgycheekswithtightlytucked-inlips，heletgoofVic"sfingerandtrottedovertotheticketbox。

Theboylethiminsideandturnedtothewindowtoseethefaceofthetrampclosetoit。Themanpaidforaticket，then，leaningforward，staredeagerlyattheopenmoneybox。

Atthesametime，thecripplecaughtsightofarevolverhandleinabeltundertheshabbycoat。Trustacollegeboyforheadwork。

InstantlyheseizedlittleBugbytheshouldersandsethimupontheshelfbetweenthewindowandthemoneybox。

Bug"shairwasamopofsoftringlets，andhisbrowneyesandinnocentbabyfacewereappealing。Thestrangerstaredhardatthechild，andwithasortoffrightenedexpression，shotthroughthegateandmingledwiththecrowd。

"Greatprotectionforacripple，"thestudentthought，ashelockedthemoneybox。"Howstrongababy"shandmaybesometimes!

VicBurleigh"sbeefcanwinthegameoutthere，butBughassavedthedayatthisendoftheline。Thattrampseemedscaredatthesightofhim。”

"Funnyfolksturnstodames，"Bugobserved。

"Yes，Buggie，thelastoneinbeforeyoucamewasayoungwomanwithgrayhair，andshehadabigdogwithher。

Theydon"tletindogs，sohe"swaitingoutsidesomewhere。”

ThelastmanwhodidnotgoinwasBondSaxon，whocamelateandfoundthegatesdeserted。Butlyingwatchfulintheopenway，wasaGreatDanedog。OldBondhesitated。

Itwashislifetimefaulttohesitate。Thenhetrottedbackhome。

And，behold，abottleofwhiskywasbesidehisdoorstep。

Buttohiscreditforonce，heresistedandsmashedthebottletobitsonthestonestep。

Thedaywasmadeforsuchagame。Therewasnowind。

Theglareofthesunwastemperedbyagraymistcreepinguptheafternoonskies。Theairwascrispenoughtopreventlanguor。

Thecrowdedbleacherswereinspiring；theseasonwasroundingoutinablazeofgloryforSunrise。Thetwoteamswereevenlymatched，AndthesternjoythatwarriorsfeelInfoemenworthyoftheirsteel，spurredeachtoitsbestefforts。Itwasabattleroyal，withalltheturnsofstrategy，andquickness，andstraightphysicalweight，andsuddenshiftingofsignals，fakeplays，forwardpasses，linebucks，andsplendidinterference，flyingtackles，speedyendruns，andmagnificentdefenseofgoalswithlinesofinvinciblestrengthandspirit。

Withthekick-offtheenemy"sgoalwasendangeredbyafumbledball，andwithinthreeminutesTrenchhadtornaholeinthedefense，throughwhichtheSunriseteamweresendingVicBurleighforatouchdown。

Thebleacherswentwildandthegrandstandwasalmostshipwreckedinthenoise。

"Burleigh!Burly!Burlee!"shriekedtheyell-leaderasVicleapedoverthegoallineandtherootersroared:

TheSunrisehope!

Andthat"sthedope!

Neverquails!

Neverfails!

Burleigh!Burly!Burlee!

Adifficultkickfromasharpanglesenttheballthroughtheaironeinchwideofthegoalpost，andthebleacherscountedfive。

Andthen，cametheforwardswingagain，thestrugglefordowns，thegainandlossofterritory，untilTrench，tooheavyforspeed，failedtobreakthroughtheinterferencequicklyenoughtoholdaswiftlittlequarterback，whoslippedaroundtheendoftheline，and，shakingoffthetackles，swoopedtowardtheSunrisegoal。

Thelastdefensewasthrownheadlong，andthefieldwaswideopenfortherun；andthequarterbackwasrunningforthehonorofhisteam，hisschool，hisundyingfameinthecollegeworld。

Threeyardstothegoalline，andvictorywouldbehis。

AllLagondaLedgehelditsbreathasVicBurleightorethroughatangleoftacklesandsprangforwardwithlong，space-eatingbounds。

Heseemedtoleapthroughtenfeetofair，straightoverthequarterback"sheadandlandfourfeetfromthegoalwiththequarterbackinhisgrip，whileaSunrisehalfbackoutbeyondhimwaslyingonthelostball。

Thebleachersnowwententirelymad，forfromtheveryedgeofdisaster，thetideofbattlewasturnedintotheenemy"sterritory。

BeforetheSunriserootershadtimetoceaserejoicing，however，theinvinciblequarterbackwasawayagain，andwithtwoguardsandacenterontopofBurleigh，nowthepluckyrunnerbrokeacrosstheSunriseline，andaminutelatermissedaprettygoal。

Andtheopposingbleacherscountedfive。

Thesecondhalfofthegamewasfilledwithatense，fruitlessstrife。

Fivepointstofivepoints，andfourminutesoftimetoplay。Thestrugglehadceasedtobeaturningoftricksandtestofspeed。Henceforth，itwasmanagainstman，poundforpound。Suddenly，theopposingteambraceditselfandbeganasteadydrivedownthegridiron。Withdesperateenergy，theSunriseelevenfoughtforground，givingwayslowly，defendingtheirgoalliketrueSpartans，dyingbyinches，untilonlythreeyardsofspacewereleftonwhichtodie。Therootersshrieked，andthegirlssangofcourage。

Thenasilencefell。Threeyards，andtheSunriseteamturnedtoarockledgeasinvincibleasthelimestonefoundationoftheirbelovedcollegehalls。

ThecenterfromwhichallstrengthradiatedwasVictorBurleigh。Againsthimtheweightoftheline-buckingplunged。Ifhewaveredthelinemustcrumble。

Thecrowdhardlybreathed，sotensewasthestrain。Buthedidnotwaver。

Theballwaslostandthelaststruggleofthedaybegan。Twominutesmore，thescoretied，andonlyonechancewasleft。

Sincethenightofthestorm，Vichadknownlittlerest。

Hisdayshadbeenspentinhardstudy，orcontinuouspracticeonthefield；hisnightsinthesickroom。

Andwhatwasmoredestructivetostrengththanallofthiswasthenewnessandgriefofablind，overmasteringadorationfortheonegirlofalltheschoolimpossibletohim。

Thestrainofthisday"sgame，asthestrainofallthepreparationforit，hadfallenuponhim，andthehalfhourintherotundahadsappedhisenergybeyondeveryotherforce。

Love，loss，areputationattacked，possibleexpulsionforassaultingaprofessor，injustice，anger——oh，itwasmorethanaburdenofweariedmusclesandwrackednervesthathehadtoliftinthesetwominutes!

Inasecond"spausebeforetheoffensebegan，Vic，whoneversawthebleachers，norheardasoundwhenhewasinthethickofthegame，caughtsightnowofagreatsplashofglowingredcolorinthegrandstand。

Inadimway，likeadreamofadream，hethoughtofAmericanBeautyrosesofwhichsomethinghadbeensaidonce——solongago，itseemednow。

Andinthatmoment，ElinorWream"ssweetface，withdampdarkhairwhichthelamplightfromDr。Fenneben"sdoorwasillumining，andthesoftlyspokenwords，"IshallalwaysrememberyouasonewithwhomIcouldneverbeafraidagain"——allthiscameswiftlyinaninstant"svision，astheteamcaughtitsbreathforthelastonslaught。

"Victor，forvictory。LeadoutBurleigh，"Trenchcriedtohismates，andthesweepofthefieldwason；andLagondaLedgeandthewholeWalnutValleyremembersthatfinalchargeyet。Steady，swift，invincible，itdroveitsstrongfoedownthewhite-crossedsod——

solikeawhirlwind，thatthewatchingcrowdsgazedinbewilderment。

Almostbeforetheycouldcomprehendthetruth，theenemy"sgoalwasjustbeforetheSunrisewarriors，andhalfaminuteoftimeremainedinwhichtoplay。OnemorelineplungewithBurleighholdingtheball!

Afilmcamebeforehiseyes。Asuddenblanknessoffailureanddespairseizedhim。Inthegrandstand，ElinorWreamstoodclutchingapennantinbothhands，herdarkeyesluminouswithproudhope。

Amidalltheyellsandcheers，hersweetvoicerangout:

"Victor，Victor!Don"tforgetthenameyourmothergaveyou!"

Vicneithersawnorheard。Yetinthatmoment，strengthandprideandindomitablewillpowercamesweepingbacktohim。

Onelastplungeagainstthiswallofdefenseuprearedbeforehim，andBurleigh，withhalftheenemy"selevenclinchedtodraghimback，hadhurledhimselfacrossthegoallineandlayhalf-consciousunderaperfectshoweroffragrantcrimsonroses，whilethesongofvictoryinswellingchoruspealedoutontheNovemberair。Halfaminutelater，Trenchhadkickedgoal。

Thebleacherschantedelevencounts，thereferee"swhistleblew，andthegamewasdone!

SACRIFICE

_Theairforthewingofthesparrow，Thebushfortherobinandwren，ButalwaysthepaththatisnarrowAndstraightforthechildrenofmen_——

ALICECARY

CHAPTERVII

THEDAYOFRECKONING

_Oh，itisexcellentTohaveagiant"sstrength，buttyrannousTouseitlikeagiant_——

SHAKESPEARE

OFcourse，therecameadayofreckoningforVictorBurleigh，nowtheidoloftheWalnutValleyfootballfans，theprideofLagondaLedge，theheroofSunrise。Butthereckoningwasnotbroughttohim；

hebroughthimselfdeliberatelytoit。

Thejollificationfollowingthegamethreatenedtowreckthechapelandcrackthelimestoneledgebeneathit。

"Dustoffyourhaloandwrapitupincottontillnextfall，Vic，"Trenchwhisperedintheclosingminutes。"We"vegottofacetherealthingnow。

We"reciviliansincitizens"clothes，amenabletolawhenceforth；notalotofathleticbrigands，privilegedoutlaws，whoseglorydazzlesallcommonsense。

QuitbumpingyourheadagainsttheKansasmottoupinthedome，getyourhob-nailersdownonthesod，andtrotoffandtackleyourGreekverbsawhile。

Andsay，Vic，tackleyourselffirstandforgettheprettygirlwhocoveredyouwithrosesdownyonderfivedaysago。Itwasn"tyou，itwasjusttheday"shero。She"dhavedecoratedoldBondSaxonjustthesameifhehadwaddledacrossthelastgoallinethen。You"reaplugandshe"saladyborn，andasgoodasengagedtoBurgessbesides。

IhadthatstraightfromDennieSaxon，andyouknowDennie"snogossip。

TheywerefargonebeforetheycameWest——theWream-Burgessfolkwere——

stiffenup，Burleigh。Youlooklikeadeadman。”

"Iwasnevermorealiveinmylife。”Vic"svoiceandeyeswerealiveenough。

"Byheck!Ibelieveit，"Trenchexclaimed。"Say，yougotawaywithBurgessaboutthegame。Ifyouwantthegirl，goafterher，too。Butgently，SweetAfton，gogently。

Mostgirlswanttodothepursuingthemselves，Ibelieve。

I"llblocktheinterference，ifnecessary，andyou"llbethesought-afteryet，nottheseeking，dearchild。”

AcircularstairwaywindsfromtheSunrisechapeldownthesouthturrettoDeanFenneben"sstudy，intendedoriginallyasasortoffireescape。

Someenterprisingjanitorlaterfixedaspringlockontheupperdoortothisstairway(surpriseshadbeensprungthroughthisdooruponthechapelstagebyprankishstudentsatinopportunemoments)，sothatnowitwasonlyanexit，andwascalledbythestudents"theroadtoperdition，"

easytodescendbutbarredfromretreat。

IntheconfusionfollowingthechapelexercisesVicslippedintothesouthturret，andthelockclickedbehindhimashehurrieddown"theroadtoperdition。”

ThedoortoDeanFenneben"sstudywasslightlyopenandVicheardhisownnamespokenashereachedit。Hehesitated，foragroupofgirlswassurroundingElinorWream，discussinghim。Therewasnoescape。

Theupperdoorwaslocked，andhewouldratherhavemetthatunknownvillainousfaceinthedarkcavethantofacethisgroupofprettygirls。

Sohewaited。

"Oh，Elinor，youmercenarycreature!"

"Whatifheisabitcrude？"

"Idon"tblameyou。I"mdaffyaboutProfessorBurgessmyself。”

"He"sgotthegrandestvoice，Vichas!"

"IjustadoreGreek!"

"IthinkVicissplendid!"

Sotheexclamationsran。

"Now，NorrieWream，crossyourheart，hopeyoumaydie，ifbig，handsomeVictorBurleighhadhiscornersknockedoff，andhewassandpapereddownalittle，andhadmoney，wouldn"tyoufeelawholelotdifferentabouthim，Norrie？"

"Icertainlywould。Icouldn"thelpit。”

Norrie"seyeswereshiningandhercheekswerepinkaspeachblossoms。

ToVicsheseemedexquisitelybeautiful。

"Butnow？"somebodyqueried。

"Oh，now，she"llbesensible，andtheProfessorwilltakeadvantageof`now。"Hewon"twaittillit"stoolate。

Greathat!theregoesthebell。”

Andthegirlsscuttledaway。

Viccameinandsatdownbythewindowthroughwhichonemayfindanempireforthelooking。

"Burgesswasright，"hesaidtohimself。

I"mnotonlyill-bredontheoutside，I"mthatwayclearthrough。

Adisreputableeavesdropper!That"smysize。ButIdidn"tmeanit。

Fineexcuse!"Hefrownedindisgust，andturnedtothewindow。

TheThanksgivingweatherwasstillblessingtheWalnutValley。WideawaybeyondLagondaLedgerolledthefreeopenprairies，sweptbythefreeairofheavenunderabeneficentsky。

AsVicgazedhissternfacesoftened，andthebulldoglook，thathehadwornsincethenightofthestorm，relaxedbeforesomegentlermood。

Thebrowneyesheldastrangeglowunderthelongblacklashes，asifanewpurposeweregrowingupinthesoulbehindthem。

"Nolimitoutthere。It"saFREELAND，"hemurmured。"Thereshallbenolimitinhere。”Unconsciouslyhestruckhisbreastwithhisfist。

"There"sfreedomforsuchasIamsomewhere。”

"Hello，Burleigh，whatcanIdoforyou？"AsDr。Fennebencameintothestudyherecalledhowawkwardlythesameboyhadfilledthesamechaironlyafewmonthsbefore。

"I"vecomeintobesentenced，"Vicreplied。

"Well，pleadyourcasefirst。”

Ifeverafather-heartbeatinabachelor"sbreast，LloydFennebenhadsuchaheart。

"IwanttosettleaboutThanksgivingDay，"Vicsaid。"Ihadamoralrighttoplayontheteaminthatgame，butIhadtogetthelegalrightbyforce。

ProfessorBurgessrefusedtopermitmetoplayuntilIMADEhimdoit。”

Fenneben"seyesweresmiling。"Whydidn"tyouknockhimdownandfightitoutwithhim？"

"Becausehe"snotinmyclass。WhenIfightIfightmen。

And，besides，Iwasinahurry。IfI"mexpectedtoapologizetoProfessorBurgessorbeexpelled，Iwanttoknowit，"

Vicadded，hotly。

Heknewhewouldnotapologize，andhewantedthesentenceofexpulsiontocomequicklyifitmustcome。

"WeneverexpelboysfromSunrise。Theyhavedoneitthemselvessometimes。

Nordoweeverexactanapology。Theyofferitthemselvessometimes。

Ineithercase，thechoicelieswiththeboy。”

"Whatdoyoudowithafellowlikeme？"ViclookedcuriouslyattheDean。

"Ifaboyofyourbuildwantstomeetonlymenwhenhefights，wetakeitheissomethingofamanhimself，andthereforeworthtoomuchforSunrisetolose。”

Oh!blessedpowerofthecollegemantoleadthehalf-tamedboyintothestrongerplacesoflife；norshovehimtothedangerousgroundwherehisfeetmustsinkinthequicksandorthemire!

Vicsatlookingthoughtfullyatthemanbeforehim。

"Yourconfessionhereisallright。YourclaimtoaplaceontheteaminThursday"sgamewasjust。”ThesimplefairnessofFenneben"swordsmadetheirappeal，yet，itwassounlikewhatVichadcountedonhecouldhardlyacceptitasgenuine。

"Youhavemadeagreatnameforyourselfasanathlete。Ipaidfortheroses。Iknowsomethingofthedegreeofthatgreatness。”

Dr。Fennebensmiledgenially。"YouplayedamarvelousgameandI

amproudofyou。”

Vicdidnotlookproudofhimselfjustthen，andLloydFennebenknewitwasoneoflife"scrucialmomentsfortheboy。

"ThebigletterScutoverthedoorwayouttherestandsformorethanSunrise，yourememberItoldyou。”Fennebenspokeearnestly。

"Itmeansalsothestrifewhichyouhavealreadymetandmustexpecttomeetallalongtheway。But，Burleigh"——LloydFennebenstooduptohisfullheight，anidealofgraceandpower——

"ifyouexpecttomakeyourwaythroughcollegewithyourfists，cometome。”

"You？"Vic"seyeswidened。

"Yes，I"llmeetyouonanygrounds。Andifyouevertrytocoerceaprofessorhereagain，I"llmeetyouanyhow，andwe"llhaveitout。”

Fennebenwassternnow。

"Iwouldn"twanttoscrapwithyou，Dr。Fenneben，"Vicstammered。

"Whynot？"

"Iamtoomuchofagentlemanforthat。”

"WhenIfight，Ifightmen。Youareinmyclass，"Fennebenquotedwithasmileinhiseyes，whichfadedawaywiththenextwords。

"Youareright，Burleigh。Agentlemandoesn"twanttousehisstrengthlikeabeasttodestroy。Theonlylegitimatebattleiswhenamanmustfightwithamanashewouldfightwithabeast，tosavehimself，orsomethingdearertohimthanhimself，frombeastlydestruction。Getintothebiggergame，myboy，wherethestrifeisforlargerscores，andaddtoaproudathleticrecord，theprouderrecordofself-control。Theprairieshavegivenyouanobleheritage，butculturecomesmostfromcontactwithcul-turedmen。Don"ttakeonairsbecauseyouhavemoreredbloodthanourHarvardman。

Theinfluenceofthegreatuniversities，directlyorindirectly，onalifelikeyoursisessentialtoyourusefulnessandpower。

Youmayeducateyourconsciencetochoosetherightbeforethewrong，but，remember，aneducatedconsciencedoesnotalwayssaveamanfrombeingafoolnowandthen。

Heneedsaneducatedbrainsometimesbywhichtosavehissoul。

Meantime，settlewithyourconscience，ifyouoweitanything。

Itisatroublesomecreditor。I"llleaveyounowtosquareyourselfwiththatfellowyoumustlivewitheveryday——

VictorBurleigh。We"lldropeverythingelsehenceforthandfacetowardtomorrow，notyesterday。”

LloydFennebengraspedtheboy"shandinafirm，assuringgripandlefthim。

"IfSunrisemeansStrife，I"llfaceit，"Vicsaidtohimself。

"Astomoney，IhaveonlymytwohandsandthatoldmortgagedquadrangleofprairiesodoutWest。ButifculturelikeFenneben"smightwinElinorWream，Godhelpmetowinit。”

UpinthelibraryaweeklaterProfessorBurgesscameinwhileDennieSaxonwasputtingthebooksinorder。BurgesswasoftentobefoundwhereDenniewas，butBurgesshimselfhadnotnotedit，andnobodyelseknewit，exceptTrench。Trenchwasalazyfellow，whoalwayslivedinthemiddleofhispasture，wherethefeedingwasgood。

Thatgavehimtimetostudymankindasitworriedabouttheouteredges。

"Don"tyougettiredsometimes，MissDennie？"theProfessorasked。

Hewasnothappyhimselfformanyreasons，andtwoofthemwereElinorandVic，whoseparately，anddifferently，seemedtowearouthisenergy。

DennieSaxonneverworeonanybody"snerves。

"Yes，Ido，often，"Dennieanswered。

"Whydoyoudothis？"hequeried。

"Togetmycollegeeducation。”Denniesmiled，hopefully。

"Ilikethenicethingsandnicewaysoflife。

SoI"mworkingforthem。”

"Elinorhasallthesewithoutworkingforthem，"Vincentthought。

ThenfornoreasonatallhismindleapedtoDennie"sfatherandhisownvowonthestormynightinOctober。

"Whatwouldyoudoifyourfatherweretakenfromyou，MissDennie？"heasked。

"I"vealwayshadtodependonmyselfsomewhat。Iwouldkeepon，Isuppose。”

Dennielookedupbravely。Herfatherwasherjoyandhershame。

Well，whathadBurgessexpected？Thatshewoulddependonhim？

HewasinlovewithElinorWream。Whyshouldhefeeldisappointed？

Andwhyshouldhiseyefollowthesoftlittleripplesofhersunnyhair，givingaprettyoutlinetoherfaceandneck。

"Couldyoureallytakecareofyourself？Hewastalkingatrandom。

"ImightdolikethatwomanoutatPigeonPlace。”Burgessdidn"tcatchthepathosinDennie"stone。Hewasonlyaman。

"How"sthat？"heasked。

"Oh，livealoneandkeepabigdog，andsellchickens。

That"swhatMrs。Mariandoes。Bytheway，shelooksjustalittlebitlikeyou。”

"Thankyou!"

"ShewasatthegameonThanksgivingDay，strangetosay，forsheseldomleaveshome。Didyouseeaprettywhite-hairedwoman，rightsouthofwherewewere？"

"IsthathowIlook？No，Ididn"tseeher。Iwasn"tatthegame。”

"Youweren"t？Whynot？Youmissedawonderfulthing。”

AndBurgesstoldherthewholestoryfromhisviewpoint，ofcourse。

WhathewastooproudtomentiontoDr。FennebenorElinorhespokeoffreelytoDennie，andhefeltasiftheweightofthelimestoneledgewasliftedfromhimwiththetelling。

"Don"tyouthinktheyoungruffianwasprettyhardonme？"heasked。

"No，Idon"t，"Denniesaid，frankly。"Ithinkyouwereprettyhardonhim。”

AsuddenresolveseizedBurgess。HecamearoundtoDennie"ssideofthetable。

"MissDennie，Iwanttotellyousomething，unimportantinitself，butbettersharedthankept。OnthenightofourpicnicinOctoberyourfather，whowasnotquitehimself——"

"Yes，Iunderstand，"Denniesaid，withdowncasteyes。

"Pardonme，Dennie，Iwouldnothurtyourfeelings。”

Hisvoicewasverygentle，andDennielookedupgratefully。

"Onthatnightyourfathermademepromise——mademeholdupmyhandandswear——I"measilyforced，youwillthink——

tolookafteryouifheweretakenaway。Ididittopacifyhim，nottoeverembarrassyou。HealsotoldmeenoughaboutyoungBurleightomakemewish，intheofficeofprotector，towarnyou。”

"Wasmyfatherquitehimselfthen？"Dennieasked。

"Notquite，"Burgessreplied。

"Listentohimsomedaywhenheis。Heisanothermanthen。But，"sheadded，"Iknowyoumeanwell。”

Inspiteofhercouragehereyeswerefulloftears，andforthefirsttimeinhisshelteredpleasantlifetherealspiritofsympathywokeinthesoulofVincentBurgess。

"Youareabrave，goodgirl，Dennie。IfIcaneverserveyouinanyway，itwillbeaprivilegetometodoit。”

TenminutesaftertheyhadleftthelibraryTrench，whohadbeenstationaryinthenorthalcove，slowlycametolife。

Hehadbeenposingasastatue，WingedVictorywithaheadon，hedeclaredafterwardtoVicBurleigh，towhomhetoldthewholestory。

"Letmesingmyswansong，"hedeclared。"ThenmeforLagonda"swhirlpool。

I"mnotfittoliveinadecentcommunity，ablitheringidiotandrascallyvillain，wholiesinwaittohearandseelikeafool。

IthoughtDennieknewIwasthereandwouldbeintodustmeoutinaminute。

AndwhenitwastoolateIturnedtoapillarofsaltandwaited。

ButIbelieveI"llchangemymind，afterall。I"lllive；

andifProfessorBurgess，A。B。ofCambridge-by-the-bean-patch，darestomakelovetoDennieSaxon——ontheside——he"llgoheadforemostintothewhirlpooltofeedLagonda"srapaciousspirit。

I"vesaidit。”

CHAPTERVIII

LOSS，ORGAIN？

_Wecannotmakebargainsforblisses，Norcatchthemlikefishesinnets，AndsometimesthethingourlifemissesHelpsmorethanthethingwhichitgets_——

CARY

ELINORWREAMspenttheholidaysintheEastandwastwoweekslateinenteringschoolagain。ThenherUncleLloydtightenedtherules，exactingfullmeasureforlosttime，untilshebewailedtohergirlfriendsthatshehadnoopportunityeventomakefudgeorwashherhair。

"Wereyousorrytocomeback，then，Norrie？"heruncleaskedoneeveningwhentheywerealoneintheirlibrary，andElinorwaslamentingherhardlot。

"No，Iwanttobewithyou，UncleLloyd。”

Shewassittingonthearmofhismorrischair，softlystrokinghisheavyhairawayfromhisforehead。

"Lookslikeit，thewayyouhurriedback，"Dr。Fennebensaid，smiling。

"ButUncleJoshuaisn"twell，although，tobehonest，hedidn"tseemabitanxioustohavemestay。He"ssowrappedupinSanscrithehasnotimetoliveinthepresent。

Whydidn"theevermarry？"

"Youhavejustsaidwhy，"heruncleansweredher。

"Whydidn"tyouevermarry。Wereyoueverinlove？"

ThelibrarylampcastonlyashadedlightoverLloydFennebenloungingcomfortablyinhischair。Toawoman"seyehewouldhaveseemedthepictureofanidealhusband。

"Yes，Iwasinloveonce。Ididn"tmarrybecause——because——Ididn"t。”

"Howromantic!Wasitunrequited，ormoney，orwhat？"

Norrieasked，eagerly。

"Orwhat，"heanswered，andherfinersensemadeherchangethesubject。

"Say，UncleLloyd，UncleJoshuasayshewantsmetomarry。”

"What"sheuptonow？Tellmeaboutit。”

Norriewascharmingtonightinadaintyredeveninggownthatsetoffherprettyface，crownedwithbeautifuldarkhair。