第2章
"WEdon"t，butHEdoes，"answeredtheyounggirl。"Heconsidersushissocialinferiors。But——hush!"
MintySharpehadjustenteredtheroom，andwasadvancingwithsmilingconfidencetowardsthetable。Mainwaringwasalittlestartled；hehadseenMintyinahollandsun-bonnetandturnedupskirtcrossingtheveranda，onlyamomentbefore；inthebriefinstantbetweenthedishing-upofdinneranditsactualannouncementshehadmanagedtochangeherdress，putonacleancollar，cuffs，andalargejetbrooch，andapplysomeodorousunguenttoherrebellioushair。Herface，guiltlessofpowderorcoldcream，wasstillshiningwiththehealthyperspirationofherlastlaborsasshepromptlytookthevacantchairbesideMainwaring。
"Don"tmindme，folks，"shesaidcheerfully，restingherplumpelbowonthetable，andaddressingthecompanygenerally，butgazingwithfrankcuriosityintothefaceoftheyoungmanatherside。"Itwasakeenjump，Itellyer，togetoutofmyolddudsinterthese，andlookdecentinsideo"fiveminutes。ButIreckonIain"tkeptyerwaitin"long——leastofallthisyersickstranger。
Butyou"relookingpearterthanyoudid。You"rewonderin"likeeznotwhereIeversawyebefore？"shecontinued，laughing。"Well，I"lltellyou。Lastweek!I"dkemoveryeronachanceofseein"
JennyBradley，andwhileIwasmeanderin"downtheverandaIsawyoulyin"backinyourchairbythewindowdrownedinsleep，likeababy。Lordy!Imouthevwonapairo"gloves，butIreckonedyouwereLoo"sgame，andnotmine。”
TheslightlyconstrainedlaughwhichwentroundthetableafterMissMinty"sspeechwasduequiteasmuchtothefaintflushthathadaccentedMainwaring"sownsmileastotheembarrassingremarkitself。Mrs。BradleyandMissMacyexchangedrapidglances。
Bradley，whoaloneretainedhiscomposure，withaslightflickerofamusementinthecornerofhiseyeandnostril，saidquickly:"Yousee，Mainwaring，hownaturestandsreadytohelpyourconvalescenceateveryturn。IfMissMintyhadonlyfollowedupherhealingopportunity，yourcurewouldhavebeencomplete。”
"Yemouthevleftsomeo"thatprettytalkforHIMtosay，"saidMinty，takingupherknifeandforkwithaslightshrug，"andyouneedn"tcallmeMISSMintyeither，jestbecausethere"skempenypresent。”
"Ihopeyouwon"tlookuponmeascompany，Minty，orIshallbeobligedtocallyou"Miss"too，"saidMainwaring，unexpectedlyregaininghisusualfrankness。
Bradley"sfacebrightened；MissMintyraisedherblackeyesfromherplatewithstillbroaderappreciation。
"There"snothin"meanaboutthat，"shesaid，showingherwhiteteeth。"Well，what"sYOURfirstname？"
"Notasprettyasyours，I"mafraid。It"sFrank。”
"Noitain"t，it"sFrancis!YoureckontobeSirFrancissomeday，"shesaidgravely。"Youcan"tplayanyFrankoffonme。Youwouldn"tdoitonHER，"sheadded，indicatingLouisewithherelbow。
Amomentoussilencefollowed。TheparticularformthatMinty"svulgarityhadtakenhadnotbeenanticipatedbythetwootherwomen。Theyhad，notunreasonably，expectedsomeoriginalaudacityorgaucheriefromtheblacksmith"sdaughter，whichmightastonishyetamusetheirguest，andcondoneforthesituationforceduponthem。Buttheywerenotpreparedforaplayfulnessthatinvolvedthemselvesinaridiculousindiscretion。Mrs。Bradley"seyessoughtherhusband"smeaningly；Louise"sprettymouthhardened。
Luckilythecheerfulcauseofitsuddenlyjumpedupfromthetable，andsayingthatthestrangerwasstarving，insisteduponbringingadishfromtheothersideandhelpinghimherselfplentifully。
Mainwaringrosegallantlytotakethedishfromherhand，aslightscuffleensuedwhichendedintheyoungmanbeingforceddowninhischairbythepressureofMinty"sstrongplumphandonhisshoulder。"There，"shesaid，"yekinmindyourdinnernow，andI
reckonwe"llgivetheothersachancetochipintotheconversation，"
andatonceappliedherselftotheplatebeforeher。
Theconversationpresentlybecamegeneral，withtheexceptionthatMinty，moreorlessengrossedbyprofessionalanxietyinthequalityofthedinnerandoccasionalhurriedvisitstothekitchen，brieflyansweredthefewpoliteremarkswhichMainwaringfeltcalledupontoaddresstoher。Nevertheless，hewasconscious，malgreherrallyingallusionstoMissMacy，thathefeltnoneofthevagueyethalfpleasantanxietywithwhichLouisewasbeginningtoinspirehim。HefeltateaseinMinty"spresence，andbelieved，rightlyorwrongly，thatsheunderstoodhimaswellasheunderstoodher。Andtherewerecertainlypointsincommonbetweenhistwohostessesandtheirhumblerthoughprouddependent。ThesocialevolutionofMrs。BradleyandLouiseMacyfromsomepreviousMintywasneitherremotenorcomplete；theself-sufficientindependence，ease，andquietself-assertionwerealikeineach。
Thesuperiorpositionwasstilltoorecentandaccidentalforeithertoresentorcriticisequalitiesthatwerecommontoboth。
Atleast，thiswaswhathethoughtwhennotabandoninghimselftothegratificationofaconvalescentappetite；tothepresenceoftwoprettywomen，thesympathyofagenialfriend，thehealthyintoxicationofthewhitesunlightthatglanceduponthepinewalls，theviewsthatmirroredthemselvesintheopenwindows，andthepureatmosphereinwhichTheLookoutseemedtoswim。Wanderingbreezesofbalmandspicelightlystirredtheflowersonthetable，andseemedtofanhishairandforeheadwithsoftlyhealingbreath。
Lookingupinanintervalofsilence，hecaughtBradley"sgrayeyesfixeduponhimwithasubduedlightofamusementandaffection，asofanelderbrotherregardingaschoolboy"sboisterousappetiteatsomefeast。Mainwaringlaiddownhisknifeandforkwithalaughingcolor，touchedequallybyBradley"sfraternalkindlinessandtheconsciousnessofhisgastronomicalpowers。
"Hangit，Bradley；lookhere!Iknowmyappetite"sdisgraceful，butwhatcanafellowdo？Insuchair，withsuchviandsandsuchcompany!It"slikethebeesgettingdrunkonHyblaandHymettus，youknow。I"mnotresponsible!"
"It"sthefirstsquaremealIbelieveyou"vereallyeateninsixmonths，"saidBradley，gravely。"Ican"tunderstandwhyyourdoctorallowedyoutorundownsodreadfully。”
"Ireckonyouain"taskeerfulofyourself，youBritishers，ezus，"
saidMinty。"Lordy!Whythere"sPopinvestsinmorepatentmedicinesinonedaythanyouhaveintwoweeks，andhe"dmaketwoofyou。Mebbeyourfolksdon"tlookafteryouenough。”
"I"masplendidadvertisementofwhatYOURcareandyourmedicineshavedone，"saidMainwaring，gratefully，toMrs。Bradley；"andifyoueverwanttosetupa"Cure"here，I"mreadywithaten-pagetestimonial。”
"Haveacare，Mainwaring，"saidBradley，laughing，"thattheladiesdon"ttakeyouatyourword。LouiseandJennyhavebeendoingtheirbestforthelastyeartogetmetoacceptaflatteringofferfromaSacramentofirmtoputupahotelfortouristsonthesiteofTheLookout。Why，Ibelievethattheyhavealreadysecretlyintheirheartsconcoctedaflamingprospectusof"UnrivalledScenery"
and"Health-givingAir，"andarelookingforwardtoSaturdaynighthopsonthepiazza。”
"Haveyoureally，though？"saidMainwaring，gazingfromtheonetotheother。
"Weshouldcertainlyseemorecompanythanwedonow，andfeelalittlelessoutoftheworld，"saidLouise，candidly。"Therearenoneighborshere——ImeanthepeopleattheSummitarenot，"sheadded，withaslightglancetowardsMinty。
"AndMr。Bradleywouldfinditmoreprofitable——nottosaymoresuitabletoamanofhisposition——thanthiswretchedsaw-millandtimberbusiness，"saidMrs。Bradley，decidedly。
Mainwaringwasastounded；wasitpossibletheyconsidereditmoredignifiedforalawyertokeepahotelthanasaw-mill？Bradley，asifansweringwhatwaspassinginhismind，saidmischievously，"I"mnotsure，exactly，whatmypositionis，mydear，andI"mafraidI"vedeclinedthehotelonbusinessprinciples。But，bytheway，Mainwaring，IfoundaletteratthemillthismorningfromMr。
Richardson。HeisabouttopayusthedistinguishedhonorofvisitingTheLookout，solelyonyouraccount，mydearfellow。”
"ButIwrotehimthatIwasmuchbetter，anditwasn"tnecessaryforhimtocome，"saidMainwaring。
"Hemakesanexcuseofsomelawbusinesswithme。Isupposeheconsidersthemerefactofhistakingthetroubletocomehere，allthewayfromSanFrancisco，asufficienthonortojustifyanyabsenceofformalinvitation，"saidBradley，smiling。
"Buthe"sonly——Imeanhe"smyfather"sbanker，"saidMainwaring，correctinghimself，"and——youdon"tkeepahotel。”
"Notyet，"returnedBradley，withamischievousglanceatthetwowomen，"butTheLookoutiselastic，andIdaresaywecanmanagetoputhimup。”
Asilenceensued。Itseemedasifsomeshadow，ormomentarydarkeningofthebrilliantatmosphere；somefilmacrossthemirror-
likeexpanseoftheopenwindows，ormistydimmingoftheirwholesomelight，hadarisentotheirelevation。Mainwaringfeltthathewaslookingforwardwithunreasoningindignationanduneasinesstothisimpendinginterruptionoftheiridylliclife；
Mrs。BradleyandLouise，whohadbecomealittlemoreconstrainedandformalunderMinty"sfreedom，werelesssympathetic；eventheirrepressibleMintyappearedabsorbedintheresponsibilitiesofthedinner。
Bradleyalonepreservedhisusualpatientgood-humor。"We"lltakeourcoffeeontheveranda，andtheladieswilljoinusbyandby，Mainwaring；besides，Idon"tknowthatIcanallowyou，asaninvalid，togoentirelythroughMinty"sbountifulmenuatpresent。
Youshallhavethesweetsanothertime。”
Whentheywerealoneontheveranda，hesaid，betweenthepuffsofhisblackbrier-woodpipe，——apetaversionofMrs。Bradley，——"I
wonderhowRichardsonwillacceptMinty!"
"IfIcan，IthinkheMUST，"returnedMainwaring，dryly。"ByJove，itwillbegreatfuntoseehim；but"——hestoppedandhesitated——"I
don"tknowabouttheladies。Idon"tthink，youknow，thatthey"llstandMintyagainbeforeanotherstranger。”
Bradleyglancedquicklyattheyoungman；theireyesmet，andtheybothjoinedinasuperiorand，Ifear，disloyalsmile。AfterapauseBradley，asifinaspiritoffurtherconfidence，tookhispipefromhismouthandpointedtotheblueabyssbeforethem。
"Lookatthatprofundity，Mainwaring，andthinkofiteverbeingbulliedandoverawedbyalongveranda-loadofgaping，patronizingtourists，andtheidioticflirtingfemalesoftheirspecies。Thinkofalotofover-dressedcreaturesfloutingthosesevereoutlinesanddeep-toneddistanceswithfripperyandgarishness。Youknowhowyouhavebeenlulledtosleepbythatdelicious，indefinite，far-offmurmurofthecanyonatnight——thinkofitbeingbrokenbyacrazywaltzoramonotonousgerman——bytheclatterofwaitersandthepopofchampagnecorks。Andyet，bythunder，thosewomenarecapableoflikingbothandfindingnodiscordinthem!"
"Dancingain"thalfbad，youknow，"saidMainwaring，conscientiously，"ifachap"sgotthewindtodoit；andallAmericans，especiallythewomen，dancebetterthanwedo。ButIsay，Bradley，tohearyoutalk，afellowwouldn"tsuspectyouwereasbigaVandalasanybody，withabeastly，howlingsaw-millintheheartoftheprimevalforest。ByJove，youquitebowledmeoverthatfirstdaywemet，whenyoupoppedyourheadoutofthatdeliriumtremensshakingmill，liketheverygeniusofdestructiveimprovement。”
"ButthatwasFIGHTINGNature，notpatronizingher；andit"sabusinessthatpays。ThatremindsmethatImustgobacktoit，"
saidBradley，risingandknockingtheashesfromhispipe。
"NotAFTERdinner，surely!"saidMainwaring，insurprise。"Comenow，that"stoomuchliketheboltingYankeeofthetravellers"
books。”
"There"saheavyruntogetthroughtonight。We"reworkingagainsttime，"returnedBradley。Evenwhilespeakinghehadvanishedwithinthehouse，returnedquickly——havingreplacedhisdarksuitbyjeantrouserstuckedinheavyboots，andaredflannelshirtoverhisstarchedwhiteone——and，noddinggaylytoMainwaring，steppedfromthelowerendoftheveranda。"Thebeggaractuallylookspleasedtogo，"saidMainwaringtohimselfinwonderment。
"Oh!Jim，"saidMrs。Bradley，appearingatthedoor。
"Yes，"saidBradley，faintly，fromthebushes。
"Minty"sready。Youmighttakeherhome。”
"Allright。I"llwait。”
"IhopeIhaven"tfrightenedMissSharpeaway，"saidMainwaring。
"Sheisn"tgoing，surely？"
"Onlytogetsomebetterclothes，onaccountofcompany。I"mafraidyouaregivingheragooddealoftrouble，Mr。Mainwaring，"
saidMrs。Bradley，laughing。
"Shewishedmetosaygood-bytoyouforher，asshecouldn"tcomeontheverandainheroldshawlandsun-bonnet，"addedLouise，whohadjoinedthem。"Whatdoyoureallythinkofher，Mr。Mainwaring？
Icallherquitepretty，attimes。Don"tyou？"
Mainwaringknewnotwhattosay。Hecouldnotunderstandwhytheycouldhaveanyspecialinterestinthegirl，orcaretoknowwhathe，aperfectstranger，thoughtofher。Heavoidedadirectreply，however，byplayfullywonderinghowMrs。BradleycouldsubjectherhusbandtoMissMinty"sundividedfascinations。
"Oh，Jimalwaystakesherhome——ifit"sintheevening。Hegetsalongwiththesepeoplebetterthanwedo，"returnedMrs。Bradley，dryly。"But，"sheadded，withareturnofherpiquantQuaker-likecoquettishness，"Jimsayswearetodevoteourselvestoyouto-
night——inretaliation，Isuppose。Wearetoamuseyou，andnotletyougetexcited；andyouaretobesenttobedearly。”
Itistobefearedthattheselatterwiseprecautions——invaluableforalldefencelessandenfeebledhumanity——werenotcarriedout:
anditwaslatewhenMainwaringeventuallyretired，withbrightenedeyesandasomewhatacceleratedpulse。Fortheladies，whohadquiteregainedthatkindlyequanimitywhichMintyhadrudelyinterrupted，hadalsoaddedadelicateandconfidentialsympathyintheirrelationswithMainwaring，——asofpeoplewhohadsufferedincommon，——andheexperiencedthesetenderattentionsattheirhandswhichanytwowomenareemboldenedbyeachother"ssavingpresencetoshowanysinglememberofoursex。Indeed，hehardlyknewifhissatisfactionwasthemorecompletewhenMrs。Bradley，withdrawingforafewmoments，lefthimaloneontheverandawithLouiseandthevast，omnipotentnight。
Forawhiletheysatsilent，inthemidstoftheprofoundandmeasurelesscalm。Lookingdownuponthedimmoonlitabyssattheirfeet，theythemselvesseemedapartofthisnightthatarchedaboveit；thehalf-risenmoonappearedtolingerlongenoughattheirsidetoenwrapandsuffusethemwithitsglory；afewbrightstarsquietlyringedthemselvesaroundthem，andlookedwonderinglyintotheleveloftheirownshiningeyes。Forsomevagueyearningtohumanityseemedtodrawthisdarkandpassionlessvoidtowardsthem。ThevastprotectingmaternityofNatureleanthushedandbreathlessoverthesolitude。Warmcurrentsofairroseoccasionallyfromthevalley，whichonemighthavebelievedweresighsfromitsfullandoverflowingbreast，oragratefulcoolnessswepttheircheeksandhairwhenthetranquilheightsaroundthemweremovedtoslowlyrespond。Odorsfrominvisiblebayandlaurelsometimesfilledtheair；theincenseofsomerareandremotercultivatedmeadowbeyondtheirken，orthestronggerminatingbreathofleaguesofwildoats，thathadyellowedtheuplandbyday。Inthesilenceandshadow，theirvoicestookuponthemselves，almostwithouttheirvolition，afar-offconfidentialmurmur，withintervalsofmeaningsilence——ratherasiftheirthoughtshadspokenforthemselves，andtheyhadstoppedwonderinglytolisten。
Theytalkedatfirstvaguelytothisdiscreetaudienceofspaceanddarkness，andthen，growingbolder，spoketoeachotherandofthemselves。Investedbytheinfinitegravityofnature，theyhadnofearofhumanridiculetorestraintheiryouthfulconceitortheextravaganceoftheirunimportantconfessions。Theytalkedoftheirtastes，oftheirhabits，oftheirfriendsandacquaintances。
Theysettledsomepointsofdoctrine，duty，andetiquette，withthesweetseriousnessofyouthanditsall-powerfulconvictions。Thelisteningvineswouldhaverecognizednoflirtationorlove-makingintheiranimatedbutimportantconfidences；yetwhenMrs。Bradleyreappearedtowarntheinvalidthatitwastimetoseekhiscouch，theybothcoughedslightlyinthenervousconsciousnessofsomeunaccustomedqualityintheirvoices，andasenseofinterruptionfarbeyondtheirownortheinnocentintruder"sken。
"Well？"saidMrs。Bradley，inthesitting-roomasMainwaring"sstepsretreateddownthepassagetohisroom。
"Well，"saidLouisewithaslightyawn，leaningherprettyshoulderslanguidlyagainstthedoor-post，assheshadedhermoonlight-accustomedeyesfromthevulgarbrilliancyofMrs。
Bradley"sbedroomcandle。"Well——oh，hetalkedagreatdealabout"hispeople"ashecalledthem，andItalkedaboutus。He"sverynice。Youknowinsomethingshe"sreallylikeaboy。”
"Helooksmuchbetter。”
"Yes；butheisfarfromstrongyet。”
Meantime，Mainwaringhadnootherconfidantofhisimpressionsthanhisownthoughts。Mingledwithhisexaltation，whichwasthemoreseductivethatithadnowell-definedfoundationforexisting，andimpliednofutureresponsibility，wasarecurrenceofhisuneasinessattheimpendingvisitofRichardsonthenextday。Strangelyenough，ithadincreasedunderthestimulusoftheevening。Justashewasreallygettingonwiththefamily，hefeltsurethatthisvisitorwouldimportsomeforeignelementintotheirfamiliarity，asMintyhaddone。Itwaspossibletheywouldnotlikehim:nowherememberedtherewasreallysomethingostentatiouslyBritishandinsularaboutthisRichardson——somethingtheywouldlikelyresent。
Whycouldn"tthisfellowhavecomelater——orevenbefore？Beforewhat？Butherehefellasleep，andalmostinstantlyslippedfromthisverandaintheSierras，sixthousandmilesaway，toanancientterrace，overgrownwithmossandtradition，thatoverlookedthesedategloryofanEnglishpark。Herehefoundhimself，restrictedpainfullybyhisinconsistentnight-clothes，endeavoringtoimpresshismotherandsisterswiththesingularvirtuesandexcellencesofhisAmericanhostandhostesses——virtuesandexcellencesthathehimselfwasbeginningtofeelconscioushadbecomemoreorlessapocryphalinthatatmosphere。Heheardhismother"svoicesayingseverely，"Whenyoulearn，Francis，torespecttheopinionsandprejudicesofyourfamilyenoughtopreventyourappearingbeforetheminthisuncivilizedaboriginalcostume，wewilllistentowhatyouhavetosayofthefriendswhosehabitsyouseemtohaveadopted；"andhewasfranticallyindignantthathiseffortstoconvincethemthathisnegligencewasapersonaloversight，andnotaCaliforniancustom，wereutterlyfutile。ButeventhenthisvisionwasbrushedawaybythebewilderingsweepofLouise"sprettyskirtacrossthedreamypicture，andherdelicatefeaturesandsoftly-fringedeyesremainedthelasttoslipfromhisfadingconsciousness。
Themoonrosehigherandhigherabovethesleepinghouseandsoftlybreathingcanyon。Therewasnothingtomartheidyllicreposeofthelandscape；onlythegrowinglightofthelasttwohourshadbroughtoutinthefareasternhorizonadimwhitepeak，thatgleamedfaintlyamongthestars，likeabridalcouchspreadbetweenthehillsfringedwithfadingnuptialtorches。Noonewouldhavebelievedthatbehindthatimpenetrableshadowtothewest，intheheartoftheforest，thethrobbingsaw-millofJamesBradleywasevenatthatmomenteatingitsdestructivewaythroughtheconservedgrowthofNatureandcenturies，andthattherefinedproprietorofhouseandgreenwood，withtheglowofhisfurnacefiresonhisredshirt，andhisalert，intelligenteyes，wasthegenieofthatdevastation，andthetoilingleaderoftheshadowy，toilingfiguresaroundhim。
CHAPTERIII。
AmidthebeautyofthemostuncultivatedanduntroddenwildernesstherearecertainlocalitieswherethemeanerandmerecommonprocessesofNaturetakeuponthemselvesadegradinglikenesstotheslovenly，wasteful，andimprovidentprocessesofman。Theunrecordedland-slipdisintegratingawholehillsidewillnotonlylaybarethedelicateframeworkofstrataanddeposittothevulgareye，buthurlintothevalleyadebrissomonstrousandunlovelyastoshameeventhehideousruinsleftbydynamite，hydraulic，orpickandshovel；anoverflownandforgottenwoodlandtorrentwillleaveinsomeremotehollowadisturbedandungracefulchaosofinextricablelogs，branches，rock，andsoilthatwillrivaltheunsavorydetailsofsomewreckedorabandonedsettlement。Oflessermagnitudeandimportance，therearecertainnaturaldust-
heaps，sinks，andcesspools，wheretheelementshavecollectedthecast-off，broken，andfrayeddisjectaofwoodandfield——thesweepingsofthesylvanhousehold。ItwasremarkablethatNature，sokindlyconsiderateofmerehumanruins，madenoattempttocoverupordisguisethesemonumentsofherownmortality:nograssgrewovertheunsightlylandslides，nomossorivyclothedthestrippedandbleachedskeletonsofoverthrownbranchandtree；thedeadleavesandwitheredhusksrottedintheiropengraveuncrossedbyvineandcreeper。Eventheanimals，exceptthelowerorganizations，shunnedthosehauntsofdecayandruin。
ItwasscarcelyahundredyardsfromoneofthosedrearyreceptaclesthatMr。BradleyhadtakenleaveofMissMintySharpe。
Thecabinoccupiedbyherfather，herself，andayoungerbrotherstood，infact，ontheveryedgeofthelittlehollow，whichwaspartlyfilledwithdecayedwood，leaves，anddisplacementsofthecrumblingbank，withthecoaldustandasheswhichMr。Sharpehadaddedfromhisforge，thatstoodafewpacesdistantatthecornerofacross-road。Theoccupantsofthecabinhadalsocontributedtothehollowtherefuseoftheirhouseholdinbrokenboxes，earthenware，tincans，andcast-offclothing；anditisnotimprobablethatthesiteofthecabinwaschosenwithreferencetothisconvenientdisposalofuselessandencumberingimpedimenta。
Itwastruethatthelocalityofferedlittlechoiceinthewayofbeauty。Anoutcropofbrowngranite——aportentofhigheraltitudes——extendedaquarterofamilefromthenearestfringeofdwarflaureland"brush"inonedirection；intheotheranadvancedfileofBradley"swoodshadsufferedfromsomelong-forgottenfire，andstillraiseditsblackenedmastsandbrokenstumpsoverthescorchedandaridsoil，sweptofolderunderbrushandverdure。Ontheothersideoftheroadadarkravine，tangledwithbriersandhauntedatnightbyowlsandwildcats，struggledwearilyon，untilblunderingatlastupontheedgeoftheGreatCanyon，itslippedandlostitselfforeverinasinglefurrowofthosemightyflanks。
WhenBradleyhadonceaskedSharpewhyhehadnotbuilthishouseintheravine，theblacksmithhadreplied:"ThatuntiltheLordhadappointedhistime，hereckonedtokeephisheadabovegroundandthefoundationsthereof。”Howbeit，theravine，orthe"run，"asitwaslocallyknown，wasMinty"sonlySaturdayafternoonresortforrecreationorberries。"Itwas，"shehadexplained，"pow"fulsoothin"，andsolitary。”
Sheenteredthehouse——arude，squarebuildingofunpaintedboards——
containingasitting-room，akitchen，andtwobedrooms。Aglanceattheserooms，whichwereplainlyfurnished，andwhosecanvas-
coloredwallswereadornedwithgorgeousagriculturalimplementcirculars，patentmedicinecalendars，withpolytintedchromosandcheaply-illuminatedScripturaltexts，showedherthatacertainneatnessandorderhadbeenpreservedduringherabsence；and，findingthehouseempty，shecrossedthebarrenandblackenedinterveningspacebetweenthebackdoorandherfather"sforge，andenteredtheopenshed。Thelightwasfadingfromthesky；buttheglowoftheforgelitupthedustyroadbeforeit，andaccentedtheblacknessoftherockyledgebeyond。Asmallcurly-headedboy，bearingasingularlikenesstoasmudgedandblackenedcrayondrawingofMinty，wasmechanicallyblowingthebellowsandobviouslyintentuponsomethingelse；whileherfather——apowerfullybuiltman，withaquaintlydissatisfiedexpressionofcountenance——waswithequalwantofinterestmechanicallyhammeringatahorseshoe。
WithoutnoticingMinty"sadvent，helazilybrokeintoaquerulousdrawlingchantofsomevaguereligiouscharacter:
"Otur-ren，sinner；tur-ren。
FortheLordbidsyouturn——ah!
Otur-ren，sinner；tur-ren。
Whywillyoudie？"
Themusicalaccentadapteditselftothemonotonousfallofthesledge-hammer；andateveryrepetitionoftheword"turn"hesuitedtheactiontothewordbyturningthehorseshoewiththeironinhislefthand。Aslightgruntattheendofeverystroke，andthesimultaneousrepetitionof"turn"seemedtoofferhimamusementandrelief。Minty，withoutspeaking，crossedtheshop，andadministeredasoundboxonherbrother"sear。"Takethat，andletmeketchyouagenlayin"lowwhenmyback"sturned，toputonyourstorepants。”
"Theothershadfetchedawayinthelaig，"saidtheboy，opposingakneeandelbowatacuteangletofurtherattack。
"Youjestgetandchange"em，"saidMinty。
ThesuddencollapseofthebellowsbrokeinuponthesoothingrefrainofMr。Sharpe，andcausedhimtoturnalso。
"It"sMinty，"hesaid，replacingthehorseshoeonthecoals，andsettinghispowerfularmsandthesledgeontheanvilwithanexaggeratedexpressionofweariness。
"Yes；it"sme，"saidMinty，"andCreationknowsit"stimeIDID
come，tokeepthatboyfromruinin"uswithhisairsandconceits。”
"Didyebringoveranyo"thatfevermixter？"
"No。Bradleysezyou"reloadingyerselfupwithsomucho"thatbitterbark——kuininetheycallitoverthere——thatyou"lllifttheruffoffyourheadnext。Heallowsyeain"tgotnoague；it"sjestwindanddyspepsy。Hesezyer"sstrongezahoss。”
"Bradley，"saidSharpe，layingasidehissledgewithanaggrievedmannerwhichwas，however，ascomplacentashisfatigueanddiscontent，"ezoneofthemnat"ralbornfinikinskunksezI
despise。Ireckonhebegantogivep"intstohisparentswhenhewasaboutknee-hightoRichelieuthere。He"sonthemconfidentialtermswithhisselfandtheAlmightythathereckonshekenrunasaw-millandaman"sinsidesatthesametimewithonehandtiedbehindhim。Andthisfinikinisuptohisconceit:hewantedtotellmethatthatyerhandybrushdumpoutsideourshantywasunhealthy。Giveamanwithfrillslikethathisownwayandhe"dbeasprinklingodorcologneandpeppermintalloverthecountry。”
"Hesetyourshoulderaswellasanydoctor，"saidMinty。
"That"sbone-settin"，andanat"ralgift，"returnedSharpe，astriumphantlyashishabitualdepressionwouldadmit；"itain"tconceitandfinikingotouto"books!Well，"headded，afterapause，"wot"shappened？"
Minty"sfaceslightlychanged。"Nothin"；Ikembacktogetsomethings，"shesaidshortly，movingaway。
"AndyesawHIM？"
"Ye-e-s，"drawledMinty，carelessly，stillretreating。
"Bixbywasalonghereaboutnoon。Hesaysthestrangerwassuthin"
highandmightyinhisowncountry，andthem"Friscomillionairesarequitesweetonhim。Whereareyegoin"？"
"Inthehouse。”
"Well，lookyer，Minty。Nowthatyou"rehere，yemightgetupabatcho"hotbiscuitforsupper。Dinnerwasthatpromiscousandexperimentalto-day，alongo"Richelieu"snat"ralfoolin"，thatI
thinkIcouldgitoutsideofalittlesuthin"now，ifonlytopropupakindofinnardsinkin"thattakesme。Yekentellmethenewsatsupper。”
Later，however，whenMr。Sharpehadquittedhisforgeforthenightand，seatedathisdomesticboard，was，withadismalpresentimentoffutureindigestion，voraciouslyabsorbinghisfavoritemealofhotsaleratusbiscuitsswimminginbutter，hehadapparentlyforgottenhiscuriosityconcerningMainwaringandsettledhimselftoacomplainingchronicleoftheday"smishaps。"Nat"rally，havin"anextraloto"workonhandandnotimeforfoolin"，whatdoesthatorneryRichelieugetupanddothismornin"？Yeknowthemridiklusspecimensthathe"sbeenchippin"outerthatledgethattheyearthslippedfromdowntherun，andlitterin"upthewholeshantywith"em。Well，darnmyskin!ifhedidn"trunaheapof"em，mixedupwithcoal，unbeknownedtome，intheforge，tomakewhathecalleda"fireessay"of"em。Nat"rally，Icouldn"tgetablessedironhot，anddidn"tknowwhathadgoneofthefire，orthecoaleither，fortwohours，tillIstoppedworkandrakedoutthecoal。Thatcomesfromhishangin"roundthatsaw-millinthewoods，andlistenin"toBradley"shigh-falutin"talkaboutrocksandstrataandsich。”
"ButBradleydon"tgoacentonminin"，Pop，"saidMinty。"Hesezthewoodsisgoodenoughforhim；andthere"smillionstobemadewhentherailroadcomesalong，andtimber"swanted。”
"Butuntilthenhe"sgottokeephisself，topaywages，andkeepthemillrunnin"。Onlessit"s，ezBixbysays，thathehopestogetthatEnglishmantoropeinsomeo"them"Friscofriendsofhistotakeahand。Yedidn"thaveanyo"thatkindo"talk，didye？"
"No；notTHATkindo"talk，"saidMinty。
"NotTHATkindo"talk!"repeatedherfatherwithaggrievedcuriosity，"Wotkind，then？"
"Well，"saidMinty，liftingherblackeyestoherfather"s；"I
ain"tnoaccount，andyouain"tnoaccounteither。Youain"tgotnocollegeeducation，ain"tgotnofriendsin"Frisco，andain"tgotnohigh-tonedstyle；Ican"tplaythepianner，jabberFrench，norgetFrenchdresses。Weain"tgotnofancy"Shallet，"astheycallit，withafirst-classviewofnothing；butonlyashantyondryrock。But，aforeI"Dtakeadvantageofalazy，gawkyboy——foritain"tanythingelse，thoughhe"sgoodmeanin"enough——thathappenedtofallsickinMYhouse，andcoaxandcossethim，andwraphiminwhitecotton，andmotherhim，andsisterhim，andAuntSukeyhim，andalmostdry-nusshimgin"rally，jisttogethimsweetonmeandonmine，andtaketheinsidetrackofothers——I"DbeanInjin!Andifyou"dallowit，Pop，you"dbewussnoranigger!"
"Sho!"saidherfather，kindlingwiththatintensegratificationwithwhichthemalereceivesanyintimationofalienfeminineweakness。"Itain"tthat，Minty，Iwanterknow!"
"It"sjistthat，Pop；andIezgoodezlet"emknowIseedit。I
ain"tafool，ifsomefolksdodroptheireyesandpertendtowipethelaughoutoftheirnoseswithahandkerchiefwhenIletouttospeak。Imayn"tbegoodenoughkempany——"
"Lookyer，Minty，"interruptedtheblacksmith，sternly，halfrisingfromhisseatwitheverytraceofhisformerweaknessvanishedfromhishardsetface；"doyoumeantosaythattheyputonairstoye——
toMYdarter？"
"No，"saidMintyquickly；"themendidn"t；anddon"tyou，aman，mixyourselfupwithwomen"smeannesses。Ikenmanage"em，Pop，withonehand。”
Mr。Sharpelookedathisdaughter"sflashingblackeyes。PerhapsanuneasyrecollectionofthelateMrs。Sharpe"sremarkablecapacityinthatrespectcheckedhisfurtherrage。
"No。WotIwassayin"，"resumedMinty，"ezthatImayn"tbethoughtbyothersgoodenoughtokeepkempanywithbaronettsezistobe——thoughbaronettsmightn"tobject——butIain"tmeanenoughtotrytostealawaysomeolewoman"sdarlingboyinEngland，orsnatchsomelikelyyoungEnglishgirl"sbigbrotherouterthefamilywithoutsayin"byyourleave。How"dyoulikeitifRichelieuwasgrowedup，andwenttosea，——anditwouldbelikehispeartness，——
andhefellsickinsomeforeignland，andsomeprincessorotherskyulgedHIMunderhandawayfromus？"
Probablyowingtotheaffairofthespecimens，theelderSharpedidnotseemtoregardthepossiblemesallianceofRichelieuwithextraordinarydisfavor。"Thatboyisconceitedenoughwithhairileandfineclothesforanything，"hesaidplaintively。"Butdidn"tthatLouiseMacyhevafelleralready——thatCaptainGreyson？
Wot"sgoneo"him？"
"That"sit，"saidMinty:"hekingooutinthewoodsandwhistlenow。Butallthesame，shecouldhitchhiminagainatanytimeiftheotherstrangerkickedoverthetraces。That"sthestyleoverthereatTheLookout。Thereain"tezmuchheartinthemtwowomenputtogetherezwouldmakeagreengalflushupplayin"forfeits。
It"sallintheirbreed，Pop。Loveain"tgoingtospiletheirappetitesandcomplexions，give"emnose-bleed，norputadropo"
waterintotheireyesinalltheirnaturalborndays。That"swotmakesmemad。EfIthoughtthatLoocaredabitforthatchildI
wouldn"tmind；I"djustadvisehertomakehimgetupandget——packhisdudsouto"camp，andgohomeandnotcomebackuntilhehadawrittenpermitfromhismother，ortheotherbaronetinoffice。”
"Lookssorterefsomeoneorterinterfere，"saidtheblacksmith，reflectively。""Tain"texacklyacaseforavigilancecommittee，tho"it"saginpublicmorals，thissorterkidnappin"o"strangers。
LooksezifitmightbringthecountryintodiscreditinEngland。”
"Well，don"tYOUgoandinterfereandhavin"folkssayezmynosewasputouto"jintoverthere，"saidMinty，curtly。"There"sanotherEnglishmancomin"upfrom"Friscotoseehimto-morrow。Efheain"tscoopedupbyJennyBradleyhe"llguessthere"saniggerinthefencesomewhere。Butthere，Pop，letitdrop。It"sabadaig，anyway，"sheconcluded，risingfromthetable，andpassingherhandsdownherfrockandhershapelyhips，asiftowipeofffurthercontaminationofthesubject。"Where"sRichelieuagin？"
"Saidhedidn"twantsupper，andlikeeznothe"sgoneovertoseethatfammerlyattheSummit。There"salittlegirltharhe"ssparkin"，abouthisownage。”
"Hisownage!"saidMinty，indignantly。"Why，she"sdoublethat，ifshe"saday。Well——ifheain"tthetriflinest，conceitednestlittlelimbthatevergrew!I"dliketoknowwherehegotitfrom——
itwasn"tmar"sstyle。”
Mr。Sharpesmileddarkly。Richelieu"sprecociousgallantryevidentlywasnotconsideredasgratuitousashisexperimentalmetallurgy。Butashiseyesfollowedhisdaughter"swholesome，Phyllis-likefigure，anewideatookpossessionofhim:needlesstosay，however，itwasinthelineofanotherpersonalaggrievement，albeitittooktheformofreligiousreflection。
"It"scurous，Minty，wot"sforeordained，andwotain"t。Now，yer"soneofthemhighandmightyfellows，aftertheLord，ezcomesmeanderin"aroundhere，anddropsoff——ezfurezIkinhear——inakindo"faintatthefirsthousehekemsto，andistakeninandlodgedandsumptuouslyfed；and，nat"rally，theygetstheirrewardforit。Nowwot"stohevkeptthatyoungfellerfromcomingHERE
anddroppin"downinmyforge，orinthisveryroom，andYOUatendin"him，andjistlayin"overthemfolksatTheLookout？"
"Wot"sgotholdo"ye，Pop？Don"tItellyehehadalettertoJimBradley？"saidMinty，quickly，withanangryflashofcolorinhercheek。
"Thatain"tit，"saidSharpeconfidently；"it"scosheWALKED。
Nat"rally，you"dthinkhe"dRIDE，beinghighandmighty，andthat"swhere，eztheparsonwilltellye，wot"smerelyfi-niteandhumanwisdomerrs!Efthatfellerhadridden，he"dhavehadtocomebythisyerroad，andbythisyerforge，andstopaspelllikeanyother。Butitwasforeordainedthatheshouldwalk，jestcositwasn"tgenerallykalkilatedandreckonedon。So，YOUhadnoshow。”
Foramoment，Mintyseemedstruckwithherfather"soriginaltheory。Butwithavigorousshakeofhershouldersshethrewitoff。Hereyesdarkened。
"Ireckonyouain"tthinking，Pop——"shebegan。
"Iwasonlysayin"itwascurous，"berejoinedquietly。
Nevertheless，afterapause，herose，coughed，andgoinguptotheyounggirl，assheleanedoverthedresser，benthispowerfularmaroundher，and，drawingherandtheplateshewasholdingagainsthisbreast，laidhisbeardedcheekforaninstantsoftlyuponherrebellioushead。"It"sallright，Minty，"hesaid；"ain"tit，pet？"Minty"seyelidsclosedgentlyunderthefamiliarpressure。
"Wot"sthatinyourhair，Minty？"hesaidtactfully，breakinganembarrassingpause。
"Bar"sgrease，father，"murmuredMinty，inachild"svoice——thegrown-upwoman，underthatmagictouch，havinglapsedagainintoherfather"smotherlesschargeoftenyearsbefore。
"It"spow"fulsoothin"，andpretty，"saidherfather。
"Imadeitmyself——doyouwantsome？"askedMinty。
"Notnow，girl!"Foramomenttheyslightlyrockedeachotherinthatattitude——themandexterously，thewomanwithinfinitetenderness——andthentheyseparated。
Latethatnight，afterRichelieuhadreturned，andherfatherwrestledinhisfitfulsleepwiththeremorseofhisguiltyindulgenceatsupper，Mintyremainedaloneinherroom，hardatwork，surroundedbythecontentsofoneofhermother"strunksandthefragmentsofcertainripped-upandnewly-turneddresses。ForMintyhadconceivedtheboldideaofalteringoneofhermother"sgownstothefashionofacertainfascinatingfrockwornbyLouiseMacy。Itwaslatewhenherself-imposedtaskwascompleted。Withanervoustrepidationthatwasnoveltoher，Mintybegantodisrobeherselfpreparatorytotryingonhernewcreation。Thelightofatallowcandleandalargeswinginglantern，borrowedfromherfather"sforge，fellshylyonhermilkyneckandshoulders，andshoneinhersparklingeyes，asshestoodbeforeherlargestmirror——thelongglazeddoorofakitchenclockwhichshehadplaceduponherchestofdrawers。HadpoorMintybeencontentwiththefull，free，andgoddess-likeoutlinesthatitreflected，shewouldhavebeensparedherimpendingdisappointment。For，alas!