第6章
ThenfollowedtoClarencethreeuneventfulyears。DuringthatintervalhelearntthatJacksonBrant，orDonJuanRobinson——forthetieofkinshipwastheleastfactorintheirrelationstoeachother，andafterthedepartureofFlynnwastacitlyignoredbyboth——wasmoreSpanishthanAmerican。AnearlyresidenceinLowerCalifornia，marriagewitharichMexicanwidow，whosedyingchildlesslefthimsoleheir，andsomestrangerestrainingidiosyncrasyoftemperamenthadquitedenationalizedhim。A
bookishrecluse，somewhatsuperfastidioustowardshisowncountrymen，themoreClarenceknewhimthemoresingularappearedhisacquaintancewithFlynn；butashedidnotexhibitmorecommunicativenessonthispointthanupontheirownkinship，Clarencefinallyconcludedthatitwasduetothedominantcharacterofhisformerfriend，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。HeentereduponthenewlifeatElRefugiowithnodisturbingpast。
Quicklyadaptinghimselftothelazyfreedomofthishaciendaexistence，hespentthemorningsonhorsebackrangingthehillsamonghiscousin"scattle，andtheafternoonsandeveningsbusiedamonghiscousin"sbookswithequallylawlessandundisciplinedindependence。Theeasy-goingDonJuan，itistrue，attemptedtomakegoodhisrashpromisetoteachtheboySpanish，andactuallysethimafewtasks；butinafewweeksthequick-wittedClarenceacquiredsuchacolloquialproficiencyfromhiscasualacquaintancewithvaquerosandsmalltradersthathewasgladtoleavethematterinhisyoungkinsman"shands。Again，byoneofthoseillogicalsequenceswhichmakealifelongreputationdependuponasingletrivialact，Clarence"ssocialstatuswassettledforeveratElRefugioRanchobyhispicturesquediversionofFlynn"spartinggift。Thegratefulpeontowhomtheboyhadscornfullytossedthecoinrepeatedtheact，gesture，andspiritofthescenetohiscompanion，andDonJuan"sunknownandyouthfulrelationwasatoncerecognizedashijodelafamilia，andundeniablyahidalgobornandbred。ButinthemorevividimaginationoffeminineElRefugiotheincidentreacheditshighestpoeticform。"Itistrue，MotherofGod，"saidChuchaoftheMill；"itwasDomingowhohimselfrelatesitasitweretheCreed。WhentheAmericanescorthadarrivedwiththeyounggentleman，thisescort，lookyou，beingnotofthesamequality，heisdepartingagainwithoutawordofpermission。Comestohimatthismomentmylittlehidalgo。"Youhaveyourselfforgottentotakefrommeyourdemission，"hesaid。Thisescort，thinkingtomakehispeacewithameremuchacho，givestohimagoldpieceoftwentypesos。ThelittlehidalgohastakenitSO，andwiththewords，"Ah!youwouldmakeofmeyouralmonertomycousin"speople，"hasgivenitatthemomenttoDomingo，andwithagraceandfireadmirable。"ButitiscertainthatClarence"ssingularsimplicityandtruthfulness，afacultyofbeingpicturesquelyindolentinawaythatsuggestedadreamyabstractionofmindratherthananyvulgartendencytobodilyeaseandcomfort，andpossiblythefactthathewasagoodhorseman，madehimapopularheroatElRefugio。AttheendofthreeyearsDonJuanfoundthatthisinexperiencedandapparentlyidleboyoffourteenknewmoreofthepracticalrulingoftheranchothanhedidhimself；alsothatthisunletteredyoungrustichaddevourednearlyallthebooksinhislibrarywithboyishrecklessnessofdigestion。
Hefound，too，thatinspiteofhissingularindependenceofaction，Clarencewaspossessedofaninvincibleloyaltyofprinciple，andthat，askingnosentimentalaffection，andindeedyieldingnone，hewas，withoutpresumingonhisrelationship，devotedtohiscousin"sinterest。Itseemedthatfrombeingaglancingrayofsunshineinthehouse，evasivebutneverobtrusive，hehadbecomeadailynecessityofcomfortandsecuritytohisbenefactor。
Clarencewas，however，astonished，when，onemorning，DonJuan，withthesameembarrassedmannerhehadshownattheirfirstmeeting，suddenlyaskedhim，"whatbusinessheexpectedtofollow。"
Itseemedthemoresingular，asthespeaker，likemostabstractedmen，hadhithertoalwaysstudiouslyignoredthefuture，intheirdailyintercourse。Yetthismighthavebeeneitherthehabitofsecurityorthecautionofdoubt。Whateveritwas，itwassomesuddendisturbanceofDonJuan"sequanimity，asdisconcertingtohimselfasitwastoClarence。Soconsciouswastheboyofthisthat，withoutreplyingtohiscousin"squestion，butstrivinginvaintorecallsomedelinquencyofhisown，heasked，withhisusualboyishdirectness——
"Hasanythinghappened?HaveIdoneanythingwrong?"
"No，no，"returnedDonJuanhurriedly。"But，yousee，it"stimethatyoushouldthinkofyourfuture——oratleastprepareforit。
Imeanyououghttohavesomemoreregulareducation。Youwillhavetogotoschool。It"stoobad，"headdedfretfully，withacertainimpatientforgetfulnessofClarence"spresence，andasiffollowinghisownthought。"Justasyouarebecomingofservicetome，andjustifyingyourridiculouspositionhere——andallthisd——dnonsensethat"sgonebefore——Imean，ofcourse，Clarence，"heinterruptedhimself，catchingsightoftheboy"swhiteningcheekanddarkeningeye，"Imean，youknow——thisridiculousnessofmykeepingyoufromschoolatyourage，andtryingtoteachyoumyself——don"tyousee。"
"Youthinkitis——ridiculous，"repeatedClarence，withdoggedpersistency。
"ImeanIamridiculous，"saidDonJuanhastily。"There!there!
let"ssaynomoreaboutit。To-morrowwe"llrideovertoSanJoseandseetheFatherSecretaryattheJesuits"Collegeaboutyourenteringatonce。It"sagoodschool，andyou"llalwaysbeneartherancho!"Andsotheinterviewended。
IamafraidthatClarence"sfirstideawastorunaway。Therearefewexperiencesmorecrushingtoaningenuousnaturethanthesuddenrevelationoftheaspectinwhichitisregardedbyothers。
TheunfortunateClarence，consciousonlyofhisloyaltytohiscousin"sinterestandwhathebelievedwerethedutiesofhisposition，awoketofindthatposition"ridiculous。"Inanafternoon"sgloomyridethroughthelonelyhills，andlaterinthesleeplesssolitudeofhisroomatnight，heconcludedthathiscousinwasright。Hewouldgotoschool；hewouldstudyhard——sohardthatinalittle，averylittlewhile，hecouldmakealivingforhimself。Heawokecontented。Itwastheblessingofyouththatthisresolveandexecutionseemedasoneandthesamething。
Thenextdayfoundhiminstalledasapupilandboarderinthecollege。DonJuan"spositionandSpanishpredilectionsnaturallymadehisrelationacceptabletothefaculty；butClarencecouldnothelpperceivingthatFatherSobriente，thePrincipal，regardedhimattimeswithathoughtfulcuriositythatmadehimsuspectthathiscousinhadespeciallybespokenthatattention，andthatheoccasionallyquestionedhimonhisantecedentsinawaythatmadehimdreadarenewaloftheoldquestioningabouthisprogenitor。
Fortherest，hewasapolished，cultivatedman；yet，inthecharacteristic，materialcriticismofyouth，IamafraidthatClarencechieflyidentifiedhimasapriestwithlargehands，whosesoftpalmsseemedtobecushionedwithkindness，andwhoseequallylargefeet，encasedinextraordinaryshapelessshoesofundyedleather，seemedtotreaddownnoiselessly——ratherthantoostentatiouslycrush——theobstaclesthatbesetthepathoftheyoungstudent。Inthecloisteredgalleriesofthecourt-yardClarencesometimesfelthimselfbornedownbytheprotectingweightofthispaternalhand；inthemidnightsilenceofthedormitoryhefanciedhewasoftenconsciousofthesoftbrowsingtreadandsnufflymuffledbreathingofhiselephantine-footedmentor。
Hisrelationswithhisschool-fellowswereatfirstfarfrompleasant。Whethertheysuspectedfavoritism；whethertheyresentedthatoldandunsympatheticmannerwhichsprangfromhishabitsofassociationwithhiselders；orwhethertheyrestedtheirobjectionsonthebroadergroundsofhisbeingastranger，Idonotknow，buttheypresentlypassedfromcruelsneerstophysicalopposition。Itwasthenfoundthatthisgentleandreservedyouthhadretainedcertainobjectionable，rude，direct，rusticqualitiesoffistandfoot，andthat，violatingallrulesanddisdainingthepompandcircumstanceofschool-boywarfare，ofwhichheknewnothing，hesimplythrashedafewofhisequalsoutofhand，withorwithoutceremony，astheoccasionortheinsulthappened。Inthisemergencyoneoftheseniorswasselectedtoteachthisyouthfulsavagehisproperposition。Achallengewasgiven，andacceptedbyClarencewithafeverishalacritythatsurprisedhimselfasmuchashisadversary。Thiswasayouthofeighteen，hissuperiorinsizeandskill。
ThefirstblowbathedClarence"sfaceinhisownblood。Butthesanguinarychrism，tothealarmofthespectators，effectedaninstantaneousandunhallowedchangeintheboy。Instantlyclosingwithhisadversary，hesprangathisthroatlikeananimal，andlockinghisarmaroundhisneckbegantostranglehim。Blindtotheblowsthatraineduponhim，heeventuallyborehisstaggeringenemybysheeronsetandsurprisetotheearth。Amidstthegeneralalarm，thestrengthofhalfadozenhastilysummonedteacherswasnecessarytounlockhishold。Eventhenhestruggledtorenewtheconflict。Buthisadversaryhaddisappeared，andfromthatdayforwardClarencewasneveragainmolested。
SeatedbeforeFatherSobrienteintheinfirmary，withswollenandbandagedface，andeyesthatstillseemedtoseeeverythinginthemurkylightofhisownblood，Clarencefeltthesoftweightofthefather"shanduponhisknee。
"Myson，"saidthepriestgently，"youarenotofourreligion，orIshouldclaimasarighttoaskaquestionofyourownheartatthismoment。Butastoagoodfriend，Claro，agoodfriend，"hecontinued，pattingtheboy"sknee，"youwilltellme，oldFatherSobriente，franklyandtruthfully，asisyourhabit，onelittlething。Wereyounotafraid?"
"No，"saidClarencedoggedly。"I"lllickhimagainto-morrow。"
"Softly，myson!ItwasnotofHIMIspeak，butofsomethingmoreterribleandawful。Wereyounotafraidof——of——"hepaused，andsuddenlydartinghiscleareyesintotheverydepthsofClarence"ssoul，added——"ofYOURSELF?"
Theboystarted，shuddered，andburstintotears。
"So，so，"saidthepriestgently，"wehavefoundourrealenemy。
Good!Now，bythegraceofGod，mylittlewarrior，weshallfightHIMandconquer。"
WhetherClarenceprofitedbythislesson，orwhetherthisbriefexhibitionofhisqualitypreventedanyrepetitionofthecause，theepisodewassoonforgotten。Ashisschool-fellowshadneverbeenhisassociatesorconfidants，itmatteredlittletohimwhethertheyfearedorrespectedhim，orwerehypocriticallyobsequious，afterthefashionoftheweaker。Hisstudies，atallevents，profitedbythislackofdistraction。Alreadyhistwoyearsofdesultoryandomnivorousreadinghadgivenhimafacilefamiliaritywithmanythings，whichlefthimutterlyfreeofthetimidity，awkwardness，ornon-interestofabeginner。Hisusuallyreservedmanner，whichhadbeenlackofexpressionratherthanofconviction，haddeceivedhistutors。Theaudacityofamindthathadneverbeendominatedbyothers，andowednoallegiancetoprecedent，madehismerelysuperficialprogresssomethingmarvelous。
Attheendofthefirstyearhewasaphenomenalscholar，whoseemedcapableofanything。Nevertheless，FatherSobrientehadaninterviewwithDonJuan，andasaresultClarencewasslightlykeptbackinhisstudies，alittlemorefreedomfromtheruleswasconcededtohim，andhewasevenencouragedtotakesomediversion。
OfsuchwastheprivilegetovisittheneighboringtownofSantaClaraunrestrictedandunattended。Hehadalwaysbeenliberallyfurnishedwithpocket-money，forwhich，inhiscompanionlessstateandSpartanhabits，hehadasingularandunboyishcontempt。
Nevertheless，healwaysappeareddressedwithscrupulousneatness，andwasratherdistinguished-lookinginhisolderreserveandmelancholyself-reliance。
LoungingoneafternoonalongtheAlameda，aleafyavenuesetoutbytheearlyMissionFathersbetweenthevillageofSanJoseandtheconventofSantaClara，hesawadoublefileofyounggirlsfromtheconventapproaching，ontheirusualpromenade。AviewofthisprocessionbeingthefondestambitionoftheSanJosecollegian，andespeciallyinterdictedandcircumventedbythegoodFathersattendingthecollegeexcursions，Clarencefeltforittheprofoundindifferenceofaboywho，intheintermediatetemperatezoneoffifteenyears，thinksthatheisnolongeryoungandromantic!Hewaspassingthemwithacarelessglance，whenapairofdeepvioleteyescaughthisownunderthebroadshadeofacoquettishlyberibbonedhat，evenasithadoncelookedathimfromthedepthsofacalicosunbonnet。Susy!Hestarted，andwouldhavespoken；
butwithaquicklittlegestureofcautionandameaningglanceatthetwonunswhowalkedattheheadandfootofthefile，sheindicatedhimtofollow。Hedidsoatarespectfuldistance，albeitwondering。AlittlefurtheronSusydroppedherhandkerchief，andwasobligedtodartoutandrunbacktotheendofthefiletorecoverit。Butshegaveanotherswiftglanceofherblueeyesasshesnatcheditupanddemurelyranbacktoherplace。Theprocessionpassedon，butwhenClarencereachedthespotwhereshehadpausedhesawathree-corneredbitofpaperlyinginthegrass。Hewastoodiscreettopickitupwhilethegirlswerestillinsight，butcontinuedon，returningtoitlater。
Itcontainedafewwordsinaschoolgirl"shand，hastilyscrawledinpencil:"Cometothesouthwallnearthebigpear-treeatsix。"
DelightedasClarencefelt，hewasatthesametimeembarrassed。
Hecouldnotunderstandthenecessityofthismysteriousrendezvous。Heknewthatifshewasascholarshewasundercertainconventualrestraints；butwiththeprivilegesofhispositionandfriendshipwithhisteachers，hebelievedthatFatherSobrientewouldeasilyprocurehimaninterviewwiththisoldplay-
fellow，ofwhomhehadoftenspoken，andwhowas，withhimself，thesolesurvivorofhistragicalpast。AndtrustedashewasbySobriente，therewassomethinginthisclandestinethoughinnocentrendezvousthatwentagainsthisloyalty。Nevertheless，hekepttheappointment，andatthestatedtimewasatthesouthwalloftheconvent，overwhichthegnarledboughsofthedistinguishingpear-treehung。Hardbyinthewallwasagratedwicketdoorthatseemedunused。
Wouldsheappearamongtheboughsorontheedgeofthewall?
EitherwouldbeliketheoldSusy。Buttohissurpriseheheardthesoundofthekeyturninginthelock。Thegrateddoorsuddenlyswungonitshinges，andSusyslippedout。Graspinghishand，shesaid，"Let"srun，Clarence，"andbeforehecouldreplyshestartedoffwithhimatarapidpace。Downthelanetheyflew——verymuch，asitseemedtoClarence"sfancy，astheyhadflownfromtheoldemigrantwagonontheprairie，fouryearsbefore。Heglancedatthefluttering，fairy-likefigurebesidehim。Shehadgrowntallerandmoregraceful；shewasdressedinexquisitetaste，withaminutenessofluxuriousdetailthatbespokethespoiltchild；buttherewasthesameprodigaloutburstofrippling，goldenhairdownherbackandshoulders，violeteyes，capriciouslittlemouth，andthesamedelicatehandsandfeethehadremembered。Hewouldhavepreferredamoredeliberatesurvey，butwithashakeofherheadandanhystericlittlelaughsheonlysaid，"Run，Clarence，run，"
andagaindartedforward。Arrivingatthecross-street，theyturnedthecorner，andhaltedbreathlessly。
"Butyou"renotrunningawayfromschool，Susy，areyou?"saidClarenceanxiously。
"Onlyalittlebit。Justenoughtogetaheadoftheothergirls，"
shesaid，rearrangingherbrowncurlsandtiltedhat。"Yousee，Clarence，"shecondescendedtoexplain，withasuddenassumptionofoldersuperiority，"mother"shereatthehotelallthisweek，andI"mallowedtogohomeeverynight，likeadayscholar。Onlythere"sthreeorfourothergirlsthatgooutatthesametimewithme，andoneoftheSisters，andto-dayIgotaheadof"emjusttoseeYOU。"
"But"beganClarence。
"Oh，it"sallright；theothergirlsknewit，andhelpedme。Theydon"tstartoutforhalfanhouryet，andthey"llsayI"vejustrunahead，andwhentheyandtheSistergettothehotelI"llbetherealready——don"tyousee?"
"Yes，"saidClarencedubiously。
"Andwe"llgotoanice-creamsaloonnow，shan"twe?There"saniceonenearthehotel。I"vegotsomemoney，"sheaddedquickly，asClarencelookedembarrassed。
"SohaveI，"saidClarence，withafaintaccessionofcolor。
"Let"sgo!"Shehadrelinquishedhishandtosmoothoutherfrock，andtheywerewalkingsidebysideatamoremoderatepace。"But，"
hecontinued，clingingtohisfirstideawithmasculinepersistence，andanxioustoassurehiscompanionofhispower，ofhisposition，"I"minthecollege，andFatherSobriente，whoknowsyourladysuperior，isagoodfriendofmineandgivesmeprivileges；and——and——whenheknowsthatyouandIusedtoplaytogether——why，he"llfixitthatwemayseeeachotherwheneverwewant。"
"Oh，yousilly!"saidSusy。"WHAT!——whenyou"re——"
"WhenI"mWHAT?"
Theyounggirlshotavioletbluerayfromunderherbroadhat。
"Why——whenwe"regrownupnow?"Thenwithacertainprecision，"Why，they"reVERYparticularaboutyounggentlemen!Why，Clarence，iftheysuspectedthatyouandIwere——"Anothervioletrayfromunderthehatcompletedthisunfinishedsentence。
Pleasedandyetconfused，Clarencelookedstraightaheadwithdeepeningcolor。"Why，"continuedSusy，"MaryRogers，thatwaswalkingwithme，thoughtyouwereeversoold——andadistinguishedSpaniard!AndI，"shesaidabruptly——"haven"tIgrown?Tellme，Clarence，"withheroldappealingimpatience，"haven"tIgrown?Dotellme!"
"Verymuch，"saidClarence。
"Andisn"tthisfrockpretty——it"sonlymysecondbest——butI"veaprettieronewithlacealldowninfront；butisn"tthisonepretty，Clarence，tellme?"
Clarencethoughtthefrockanditsfairownerperfection，andsaidso。WhereatSusy，asifsuddenlyawareofthepresenceofpassers-
by，assumedanairofseverepropriety，droppedherhandsbyherside，andwithanaffectedconscientiousnesswalkedon，alittlefurtherfromClarence"sside，untiltheyreachedtheice-creamsaloon。
"Getatableneartheback，Clarence，"shesaid，inaconfidentialwhisper，"wheretheycan"tseeus——andstrawberry，youknow，forthelemonandvanillaherearejusthorrid!"
Theytooktheirseatsinakindofrusticarborintherearoftheshop，whichgavethemtheappearanceoftwoyouthfulbutsomewhatover-dressedandover-consciousshepherds。Therewasanintervalofslightawkwardness，whichSusyendeavoredtodisplace。"Therehasbeen，"sheremarked，witheasyconversationallightness，"quiteanexcitementaboutourFrenchteacherbeingchanged。Thegirlsinourclassthinkitmostdisgraceful。"
Andthiswasallshecouldsayafteraseparationoffouryears!
Clarencewasdesperate，butasyetidealessandvoiceless。Atlast，withaneffortoverhisspoon，hegaspedafloatingrecollection:"Doyoustilllikeflapjacks，Susy?"
"Oh，yes，"withalaugh，"butwedon"thavethemnow。"
"AndMose"(ablackpointer，whousedtoyelpwhenSusysang)，"doeshestillsingwithyou?"
"Oh，HE"Sbeenlosteversolong，"saidSusycomposedly；"butI"vegotaNewfoundlandandaspanielandablackpony；"andhere，witharapidinventoryofherotherpersonaleffects，shedriftedintosomedesultorydetailsofthedevotionofheradoptedparents，whomshenowreadilyspokeofas"papa"and"mamma，"withevidentlynodisturbingrecollectionofthedead。FromwhichitappearedthatthePeytonswereveryrich，and，inadditiontotheirpossessionsinthelowercountry，ownedaranchoinSantaClaraandahouseinSanFrancisco。Likeallchildren，herstrongestimpressionswerethemostrecent。Inthevainhopetoleadherbacktothismaterialyesterday，hesaid——
"YourememberJimHooker?"
"Oh，HEranaway，whenyouleft。Butjustthinkofit!Theotherday，whenpapaandIwentintoabigrestaurantinSanFrancisco，whoshouldbethereWAITINGonthetable——yes，Clarence，arealwaiter——butJimHooker!Papaspoketohim；butofcourse，"withaslightelevationofherprettychin，"Icouldn"t，youknow；fancy——
awaiter!"
ThestoryofhowJimHookerhadpersonatedhimstoppedshortuponClarence"slips。Hecouldnotbringhimselfnowtoaddthatrevelationtothecontemptofhissmallcompanion，which，inspiteofitsnaivete，somewhatgratedonhissensibilities。
"Clarence，"shesaid，suddenlyturningtowardshimmysteriously，andindicatingtheshopmanandhisassistants，"Ireallybelievethesepeoplesuspectus。"
"Ofwhat?"saidthepracticalClarence。
"Don"tbesilly!Don"tyouseehowtheyarestaring?"
Clarencewasreallyunabletodetecttheleastcuriosityonthepartoftheshopman，orthatanyoneexhibitedtheslightestconcerninhimorhiscompanion。Buthefeltareturnoftheembarrassedpleasurehewasconsciousofamomentbefore。
"Thenyou"relivingwithyourfather?"saidSusy，changingthesubject。
"YoumeanmyCOUSIN，"saidClarence，smiling。"YouknowmyfatherdiedlongbeforeIeverknewyou。"
"Yes；that"swhatYOUusedtosay，Clarence，butpapasaysitisn"tso。"Butseeingtheboy"swonderingeyesfixedonherwithatroubledexpression，sheaddedquickly，"Oh，then，heISyourcousin!"
"Well，IthinkIoughttoknow，"saidClarence，withasmile，thatwas，however，farfromcomfortable，andaquickreturnofhisoldunpleasantrecollectionsofthePeytons。"Why，Iwasbroughttohimbyoneofhisfriends。"AndClarencegavearapidboyishsummaryofhisjourneyfromSacramento，andFlynn"sdiscoveryoftheletteraddressedtoSilsbee。ButbeforehehadconcludedhewasconsciousthatSusywasbynomeansinterestedinthesedetails，norintheleastaffectedbythepassingallusiontoherdeadfatherandhisrelationtoClarence"smisadventures。Withherroundedchininherhand，shewasslowlyexamininghisface，withacertainmischievousyetdemureabstraction。"Itellyouwhat，Clarence，"shesaid，whenhehadfinished，"yououghttomakeyourcousingetyouoneofthosesombreros，andanicegold-braidedserape。They"djustsuityou。Andthen——thenyoucouldrideupanddowntheAlamedawhenwearegoingby。"
"ButI"mcomingtoseeyouat——atyourhouse，andattheconvent，"
hesaideagerly。"FatherSobrienteandmycousinwillfixitallright。"
ButSusyshookherhead，withsuperiorwisdom。"No；theymustneverknowoursecret!——neitherpapanormamma，especiallymamma。
Andtheymustn"tknowthatwe"vemetagain——AFTERTHESEYEARS!"ItisimpossibletodescribethedeepsignificancewhichSusy"sblueeyesgavetothisexpression。Afterapauseshewenton——
"No!Wemustnevermeetagain，Clarence，unlessMaryRogershelps。
Sheismybest，myONLIESTfriend，andolderthanI；havinghadtroubleherself，andbeingexpresslyforbiddentoseehimagain。
YoucanspeaktoheraboutSuzette——that"smynamenow；IwasrechristenedSuzetteAlexandraPeytonbymamma。Andnow，Clarence，"droppinghervoiceandglancingshylyaroundthesaloon，"youmaykissmejustonceundermyhat，forgood-by。"Sheadroitlyslantedherbroad-brimmedhattowardsthefrontoftheshop，andinitsshadowadvancedherfreshyoungcheektoClarence。
Coloringandlaughing，theboypressedhislipstoittwice。ThenSusyarose，withthefaintestaffectationofasigh，shookoutherskirt，drewonhergloveswiththegreatestgravity，andsaying，"Don"tfollowmefurtherthanthedoor——they"recomingnow，"walkedwithsuperciliousdignitypastthepreoccupiedproprietorandwaiterstotheentrance。Hereshesaid，withmarkedcivility，"Good-afternoon，Mr。Brant，"andtrippedawaytowardsthehotel。
Clarencelingeredforamomenttolookafterthelitheandelegantlittlefigure，withitsshiningundulationsofhairthatfelloverthebackandshouldersofherwhitefrocklikeagoldenmantle，andthenturnedawayintheoppositedirection。
Hewalkedhomeinastate，asitseemedtohim，ofabsurdperplexity。ThereweremanyreasonswhyhisencounterwithSusyshouldhavebeenofunmixedpleasure。Shehadrememberedhimofherownfreewill，and，inspiteofthechangeinherfortune，hadmadethefirstadvances。Herdoubtsaboutherfutureinterviewshadaffectedhimbutlittle；stillless，Ifear，didhethinkoftheotherchangesinhercharacteranddisposition，forhewasofthatagewhentheyaddedonlyapiquancyandfascinationtoher——asofonewho，inspiteofherweaknessofnature，wasstilldevotedtohim!Buthewaspainfullyconsciousthatthismeetinghadrevivedinhimallthefears，vagueuneasiness，andsenseofwrongthathadhauntedhisfirstboyhood，andwhichhethoughthehadburiedatElRefugiofouryearsago。Susy"sallusiontohisfatherandthereiterationofPeyton"sskepticismawokeinhisolderintellectthefirstfeelingofsuspicionthatwascompatiblewithhisopennature。Wasthisrecurringreticenceandmysteryduetoanyactofhisfather"s?But，lookingbackuponitinafter-years，heconcludedthattheincidentofthatdaywasapremonitionratherthanarecollection。
CHAPTERXI
WhenhereachedthecollegetheAngelushadlongsincerung。InthecorridorhemetoneoftheFathers，who，insteadofquestioninghim，returnedhissalutationwithagravegentlenessthatstruckhim。HehadturnedintoFatherSobriente"squietstudywiththeintentionofreportinghimself，whenhewasdisturbedtofindhiminconsultationwiththreeorfourofthefaculty，whoseemedtobethrownintosomeslightconfusionbyhisentrance。ClarencewasabouttoretirehurriedlywhenFatherSobriente，breakingupthecouncilwithasignificantglanceattheothers，calledhimback。
Confusedandembarrassed，withadreadofsomethingimpending，theboytriedtoavertitbyahurriedaccountofhismeetingwithSusy，andhishopesofFatherSobriente"scounselandassistance。
TakinguponhimselftheideaofsuggestingSusy"sescapade，heconfessedthefault。Theoldmangazedintohisfrankeyeswithathoughtful，half-compassionatesmile。"Iwasjustthinkingofgivingyouaholidaywith——withDonJuanRobinson。"Theunusualsubstitutionofthisfinaltitleforthehabitual"yourcousin"
struckClarenceuneasily。"Butwewillspeakofthatlater。Sitdown，myson；Iamnotbusy。Weshalltalkalittle。FatherPedrosaysyouaregettingonfluentlywithyourtranslations。Thatisexcellent，myson，excellent。"
Clarence"sfacebeamedwithreliefandpleasure。Hisvaguefearsbegantodissipate。
"Andyoutranslateevenfromdictation!Good!Wehaveanhourtospare，andyoushallgivetomeaspecimenofyourskill。Eh?
Good!IwillwalkhereanddictatetoyouinmypoorEnglish，andyoushallsitthereandrenderittomeinyourgoodSpanish。Eh?
Soweshallamuseandinstructourselves。"
Clarencesmiled。ThesesporadicmomentsofinstructionandadmonitionwerenotunusualtothegoodFather。HecheerfullyseatedhimselfatthePadre"stablebeforeablanksheetofpaper，withapeninhishand。FatherSobrientepacedtheapartment，withhisusualheavybutnoiselesstread。Tohissurprise，thegoodpriest，afteranexhaustivepinchofsnuff，blewhisnose，andbegan，inhismostlugubriousstyleofpulpitexhortation:——
"Ithasbeenwrittenthatthesinsofthefathershallbevisiteduponthechildren，andtheunthinkingandworldlyhavesoughtrefugefromthislawbydeclaringitharshandcruel。Miserableandblind!Fordowenotseethatthewickedman，whointheprideofhispowerandvaingloryiswillingtoriskpunishmenttoHIMSELF——andbelievesittobecourage——mustpausebeforetheawfulmandatethatcondemnsanequalsufferingtothoseheloves，whichhecannotwithholdorsufferfor?Inthespectacleoftheseinnocentsstrugglingagainstdisgrace，perhapsdisease，poverty，ordesertion，whatavailshishaughty，all-defyingspirit?Letusimagine，Clarence。"
"Sir?"saidtheliteralClarence，pausinginhisexercise。
"Imean，"continuedthepriest，withaslightcough，"letthethoughtfulmanpictureafather:adesperate，self-willedman，whoscornedthelawsofGodandsociety——keepingonlyfaithwithamiserablesubterfugehecalled"honor，"andrelyingonlyonhisowncourageandhisknowledgeofhumanweakness。Imaginehimcruelandbloody——agamblerbyprofession，anoutlawamongmen，anoutcastfromtheChurch；voluntarilyabandoningfriendsandfamily，——thewifeheshouldhavecherished，thesonheshouldhaverearedandeducated——forthegratificationofhisdeadlypassions。Yetimaginethatmansuddenlyconfrontedwiththethoughtofthatheritageofshameanddisgustwhichhehadbroughtuponhisinnocentoffspring——towhomhecannotgiveevenhisowndesperaterecklessnesstosustainitsvicarioussuffering。Whatmustbethefeelingsofaparent——"
"FatherSobriente，"saidClarencesoftly。
Totheboy"ssurprise，scarcelyhadhespokenwhenthesoftprotectingpalmofthepriestwasalreadyuponhisshoulder，andthesnuffybutkindlyupperlip，tremblingwithsomestrangeemotion，closebesidehischeek。
"Whatisit，Clarence?"hesaidhurriedly。"Speak，myson，withoutfear!Youwouldask——"
"Ionlywantedtoknowif"padre"takesamasculineverbhere，"
repliedClarencenaively。
FatherSobrienteblewhisnoseviolently。"Truly——thoughusedforeithergender，bythecontextmasculine，"herespondedgravely。
"Ah，"headded，leaningoverClarence，andscanninghisworkhastily，"Good，verygood!Andnow，possibly，"hecontinued，passinghishandlikeadampspongeoverhisheatedbrow，"weshallreverseourexercise。IshalldelivertoyouinSpanishwhatyoushallrenderbackinEnglish，eh?And——letusconsider——weshallmakesomethingmorefamiliarandnarrative，eh?"
TothisClarence，somewhatboredbythesepresentsolemnabstractions，assentedgladly，andtookuphispen。FatherSobriente，resuminghisnoiselesspacing，began:
"OnthefertileplainsofGuadalajaralivedacertaincaballero，possessedofflocksandlands，andawifeandson。But，beingalsopossessedofafieryandrovingnature，hedidnotvaluethemashedidperilousadventure，featsofarms，andsanguinaryencounters。
Tothismaybeaddedriotousexcesses，gamblinganddrunkenness，whichintimedecreasedhispatrimony，evenashisrebelliousandquarrelsomespirithadalienatedhisfamilyandneighbors。Hiswife，bornedownbyshameandsorrow，diedwhilehersonwasstillaninfant。Inafitofequalremorseandrecklessnessthecaballeromarriedagainwithintheyear。Butthenewwifewasofatemperandbearingasbitterasherconsort。Violentquarrelsensuedbetweenthem，endinginthehusbandabandoninghiswifeandson，andleavingSt。Louis——IshouldsayGuadalajara——forever。
Joiningsomeadventurersinaforeignland，underanassumedname，hepursuedhisrecklesscourse，until，byoneortwoactsofoutlawry，hemadehisreturntocivilizationimpossible。Thedesertedwifeandstep-motherofhischildcoldlyacceptedthesituation，forbiddinghisnametobespokenagaininherpresence，announcedthathewasdead，andkepttheknowledgeofhisexistencefromhisownson，whomsheplacedunderthechargeofhersister。
Butthesistermanagedtosecretlycommunicatewiththeoutlawedfather，and，underapretext，arrangedbetweenthem，ofsendingtheboytoanotherrelation，actuallydispatchedtheinnocentchildtohisunworthyparent。Perhapsstirredbyremorse，theinfamousman——"
"Stop!"saidClarencesuddenly。
Hehadthrowndownhispen，andwasstandingerectandrigidbeforetheFather。
"Youaretryingtotellmesomething，FatherSobriente，"hesaid，withaneffort。"Speakout，Iimploreyou。Icanstandanythingbutthismystery。Iamnolongerachild。Ihavearighttoknowall。Thisthatyouaretellingmeisnofable——Iseeitinyourface，FatherSobriente；itisthestoryof——of——"
"Yourfather，Clarence!"saidthepriest，inatremblingvoice。
Theboydrewback，withawhiteface。"Myfather!"herepeated。
"Living，ordead?"
"Living，whenyoufirstleftyourhome，"saidtheoldmanhurriedly，seizingClarence"shand，"foritwashewhointhenameofyourcousinsentforyou。Living——yes，whileyouwerehere，foritwashewhoforthepastthreeyearsstoodintheshadowofthisassumedcousin，DonJuan，andatlastsentyoutothisschool。
Living，Clarence，yes；butlivingunderanameandreputationthatwouldhaveblastedyou!AndnowDEAD——deadinMexico，shotasaninsurgentandinastilldesperatecareer!MayGodhavemercyonhissoul!"
"Dead!"repeatedClarence，trembling，"onlynow?"
"Thenewsoftheinsurrectionandhisfatecameonlyanhoursince，"continuedthePadrequickly；"hiscomplicitywithitandhisidentitywereknownonlytoDonJuan。Hewouldhavesparedyouanyknowledgeofthetruth，evenasthisdeadmanwould；butIandmybrothersthoughtotherwise。Ihavebrokenittoyoubadly，myson，butforgiveme?"
AnhystericallaughbrokefromClarenceandthepriestrecoiledbeforehim。"ForgiveYOU!Whatwasthismantome?"hesaid，withboyishvehemence。"HeneverLOVEDme!Hedesertedme；hemademylifealie。Heneversoughtme，camenearme，orstretchedahandtomethatIcouldtake?"
"Hush!hush!"saidthepriest，withahorrifiedlook，layinghishugehandupontheboy"sshoulderandbearinghimdowntohisseat。
"Youknownotwhatyousay。Think——think，Clarence!Wastherenoneofallthosewhohavebefriendedyou——whowerekindtoyouinyourwanderings——towhomyourheartturnedunconsciously?Think，Clarence!Youyourselfhavespokentomeofsuchaone。Letyourheartspeakagain，forhissake——forthesakeofthedead。"
Agentlerlightsuffusedtheboy"seyes，andhestarted。Catchingconvulsivelyathiscompanion"ssleeve，hesaidinaneager，boyishwhisper，"Therewasone，awicked，desperateman，whomtheyallfeared——Flynn，whobroughtmefromthemines。Yes，Ithoughtthathewasmycousin"sloyalfriend——morethanalltherest；andItoldhimeverything——all，thatInevertoldthemanIthoughtmycousin，oranyone，orevenyou；andIthink，Ithink，Father，Ilikedhimbestofall。Ithoughtsinceitwaswrong，"hecontinued，withatremblingsmile，"forIwasfoolishlyfondevenofthewaytheothersfearedhim，hethatIfearednot，andwhowassokindtome。
Yethe，too，leftmewithoutaword，andwhenIwouldhavefollowedhim——"Buttheboybrokedown，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
"No，no，"saidFatherSobriente，witheagerpersistence，"thatwashisfoolishpridetospareyoutheknowledgeofyourkinshipwithonesofeared，andpartoftheblindandmistakenpenancehehadlaiduponhimself。Forevenatthatmomentofyourboyishindignation，heneverwassofondofyouasthen。Yes，mypoorboy，thisman，towhomGodledyourwanderingfeetatDeadman"sGulch；themanwhobroughtyouhere，andbysomesecrethold——I
knownotwhat——onDonJuan"spast，persuadedhimtoassumetobeyourrelation；thismanFlynn，thisJacksonBrantthegambler，thisHamiltonBranttheoutlaw——WASYOURFATHER!Ah，yes!Weepon，myson；eachtearofloveandforgivenessfromtheehathvicariouspowertowashawayhissin。"
WithasinglesweepofhisprotectinghandhedrewClarencetowardshisbreast，untiltheboyslowlysankuponhiskneesathisfeet。
Then，liftinghiseyestowardstheceiling，hesaidsoftlyinanoldertongue，"AndTHOU，too，unhappyandperturbedspirit，rest!"……
ItwasnearlydawnwhenthegoodPadrewipedthelasttearsfromClarence"sclearereyes。"Andnow，myson，"hesaid，withagentlesmile，asherosetohisfeet，"letusnotforgettheliving。
Althoughyourstep-motherhas，throughherownact，nolegalclaimuponyou，farbeitfrommetoindicateyourattitudetowardsher。
EnoughthatYOUareindependent。"Heturned，and，openingadrawerinhissecretaire，tookoutabank-book，andplaceditinthehandsofthewonderingboy。
"ItwasHISwish，Clarence，thatevenafterhisdeathyoushouldneverhavetoproveyourkinshiptoclaimyourrights。TakingadvantageoftheboyishdeposityouhadleftwithMr。Cardenatthebank，withhisconnivanceandinyournameheaddedtoit，monthbymonthandyearbyyear；Mr。Cardencheerfullyacceptingthetrustandmanagementofthefund。Theseedthussownhasproducedathousandfold，Clarence，beyondallexpectations。Youarenotonlyfree，myson，butofyourselfandinwhatevernameyouchoose——yourownmaster。"
"Ishallkeepmyfather"sname，"saidtheboysimply。
"Amen!"saidFatherSobriente。
HereclosesthechronicleofClarenceBrant"sboyhood。Howhesustainedhisnameandindependenceinafteryears，andwho，ofthosealreadymentionedinthesepages，helpedhimtomakeormarit，maybeamatterforfuturerecord。