第7章

"IshestuckonNoraBlack，doyouknow？"askedBillie。

"Onethingisplain，"repliedCoke。"Shehasgothimsomehowbytheshorthairandsheintendshimtohollermurder。Anybodycanseethat。"

"Well，hewon"thollermurder，"saidoneofthemwithconviction。"I"llbetyouhewon"t。He"llhammerthewar-postandbeatthetom-tomuntilhedrops，buthewon"thollermurder。"

"OldMotherWainwrightwillbeinhiswoolpresently，"

quothPeterTounleymusingly，"Icouldseeitcominginhereye。Somebodyhasgivenhissnapaway，orsomething。"

"Aw，hehadnosnap，"saidBillie。"Couldn"tyouseehowrattledhewas？HewouldhavegivenalacifdearNorahadn"tturnedup。"

"Ofcourse，"theothersassented。"Hewasrattled。"

"Looksqueer。Andnasty，"saidCoke。

"Noraherselfhadanaxereadyforhim。"

Theybegantolaugh。"Ifshehadhadanumbrellashewouldhavebastedhimovertheheadwithit。Oh，my!Hewasgreen。"

"Nevertheless，"saidPeterTounley，"IrefusetoworryoverourRufus。Whenhecan"ttakecareofhimselftherestofuswanttohuntcover。Heisaflyguy-"

ColemaninthemeantimehadbecomeawarethatthelightofMrs。Wainwright"scountenancewasturnedfromhim。Thepartystoppedatawell，andwhenheofferedheradrinkfromhiscuphethoughtsheaccepteditwithscantthanks。Marjorywasstillgracious，alwaysgracious，butthisdidnotreassurehim，becausehefelttherewasmuchunfathomabledeceptioninit。Whenheturnedtoseekconsolationinthemanneroftheprofessorhefoundhimasbefore，stunnedwithsurprise，andtheonlyideahehadwastobeastractableasachild。

Whenhereturnedtotheheadofthecolumn，Noraagaincanteredforwardtojoinhim。"Well，megayLochinvar，"shecried，"andhasyourdispositionimproved？"

"Youareveryfresh，"hesaid。

Shelaughedloudenoughtobeheardthefulllengthofthecaravan。Itwasabeautifullaugh，butfullofinsolenceandconfidence。Heflashedhiseyesmalignantlyuponher，butthensheonlylaughedmore。Shecouldseethathewishedtostrangleher。"Whatadisposition!"shesaid。"Whatadisposition!Youarenot。nearlysoniceasyourfriends。Now，theyarecharming，butyou-Rufus，Iwishyouwouldgetthattempermended。DearRufus，doittopleaseme。Youknowyouliketopleaseme。Don"tyounow，dear？"

Hefinallylaughed。"Confoundyou，Nora。Iwouldliketokillyou。"

Butathislaughshewasallsunshine。Itwasasifshe。

hadbeentryingtotaunthimintogoodhumourwithher。

"Aw，now，Rufus，don"tbeangry。I"llbegood，Rufus。

Really，Iwill。Listen。Iwanttotellyousomething。DoyouknowwhatIdid？Well，youknow，Ineverwascutoutforthisbusiness，and，backthere，whenyoutoldmeabouttheTurksbeingnearandallthatsortofthing，Iwasfrightenedalmosttodeath。Really，Iwas。So，whennobodywaslooking，Isneakedtwoorthreelittledrinksoutofmyflask。Twoorthreelittledrinks-"

CHAPTERXVI。

"GOODGod!"saidColeman。"Youdon"tMean-"

Norasmiledrosilyathim。"Oh，I"mallright，"sheanswered。"Don"tworryaboutyourAuntNora，mypreciousboy。Notforaminute。"

Colemanwashorrified。"Butyouarenotgoingto-youarenotgoingto-"

"Notatall，meson。Notatall，"sheanswered。

I"mnotgoingtoprance。I"mgoingtobeasniceaspie，andjustridequietlyalongherewithdearlittleRufus。

Only**youknowwhatIcandowhenIgetstarted，soyouhadbetterbeaverygoodboy。Imighttakeitintomyheadtosaysomethings，youknow。"

Boundhandandfootathisstake，hecouldnotevenchanthisdefianttorturesong。Itmightprecipitate——infact，hewassureitwouldprecipitatethegrandsmash。Buttotheverycoreofhissoul，heforthetimehatedNoraBlack。Hedidnotdaretoremindherthathewouldrevengehimself；hedaredonlytodreamofthisrevenge，butitfairlymadehisthoughtsflame，anddeepinhisthroathewasswearinganinflexiblepersecutionofNoraBlack。Theoldexpressionofhissexcametohim，"Oh，ifshewereonlyaman!"shehadbeenaman，hewouldhavefallenuponhertoothandnail。Hermotivesforallthisimpressedhimnotatall；shewassimplyawitchwhoboundhimhelplesswiththepwerofherfemininity，andmadehimeatcinders。Hewassosurethathisfacebetrayedhimthathedidnotdareletherseeit。"Well，whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"heasked，overhisshoulder。

"0-o-oh，"shedrawled，impudently。"Nothing。"Hecouldseethatshewasdeterminednottobeconfessed。"ImaydothisorImaydothat。Italldependsuponyourbehaviour，mydearRufus。"

Astheyrodeon，hedeliberatedastothebestmeansofdealingwiththiscondition。SuddenlyheresolvedtogowiththewholetaledirecttoMarjory，andtothisendhehalfwheeledhishorse。Hewouldreiteratethathelovedherandthenexplain-

explain!Hegroanedwhenhecametotheword，andceasedformulation。

ThecavalcadereachedatlastthebankoftheAracthusriver，withitslemongrovesandlushgrass。Abatterywheeledbeforethemovertheancientbridge-aflightofshort，broadcobbledstepsupasfarasthecentreofthestreamandasimilarflightdowntotheotherbank。Thereturningaplombofthetravellerswaswellillustratedbytheprofessor，who，uponsightingthisbridge，murmured:"Byzantine。"

Thiswasthefirstindicationthathehadstillwithinhimapowertoresumethenormal。

Thesteepandnarrowstreetwascrowdedwithsoldiers；thesmokylittlecoffeeshopswerea-babblewithpeoplediscussingthenewsfromthefront。Noneseemedtoheedtheremarkableprocessionthatwendeditswaytothecableoffice。HereColemanresolutelytookprecedence。Heknewthattherewasnogoodinexpectingintelligenceoutofthechaoticclerks，buthemanagedtogetuponthewiresthismessage:

"Eclipse，NewYork:GotWainwrightparty；allwell。Coleman。"

ThestudentshadstruggledtosendmessagestotheirpeopleinAmerica，buttheyhadonlysucceededindeepeningthetragicboredomoftheclerks。

WhenColemanreturnedtothestreethethoughtthathehadseldomlookeduponamoremovingspectaclethantheWainwrightpartypresentedatthatmoment。Mostofthestudentswereseatedinarow，dejectedly，uponthekerb。TheprofessorandMrs。Wainwrightlookedliketwooldpictures，which，afteranexistenceinaconsiderategloom，hadbeenbroughtoutintheirtawdrinesstotheclearlight。Hotwhitedustcoveredeverybody，andfromoutthegrimyfacestheeyesblinked，red-fringedwithsleeplessness。Desolationsatuponall，saveMarjory。Shepossessedsomemarvellouspoweroflookingalwaysfresh。ThisqualityhadindeedimpressedtheoldladyonthelittleponyuntilshehadsaidtoNoraBlack:"Thatgirlwouldlookwellanywhere。"NoraBlackhadnotbeenamiableinherreply。

Colemancalledtheprofessorandthedragomanforadurbar。

Thedragomansaid:"Well，Icangetonecarriage，andwecangoimmediate-lee。"

"Carriagebeblowed!"saidColeman。"Whatthesepeopleneedisrest，sleep。Youmustfindaplaceatonce。Thesepeoplecan"tremaininthestreet。"Hespokeinanger，asifhehadpreviouslytoldthedragomanandthelatterhadbeeninattentive。Themanimmediatelydeparted。

Colemanremarkedthattherewasnocoursebuttoremaininthestreetuntilhisdragomanhadfoundthemahabitation。Itwasamournfulwaiting。Thestudentssatonthekerb。OncetheywhisperedtoColeman，suggestingadrink，buthetoldthemthatheknewonlyonecafe，theentranceofwhichwouldbeinplainsightoftherestoftheparty。Theladiestalkedtogetherinagroupoffour。NoraBlackwasburstingwiththefactthatherservanthadhiredroomsinArtaontheiroutcomingjourney，andshewishedMrs。WainwrightandMarjorytocometothem，atleastforatime，butshedarednotriskarefusal，andshefeltsomethinginMrs。Wainwright"smannerwhichledhertobecertainthatsuchwouldbetheanswertoherinvitation。

Colemanandtheprofessorstrolledslowlyupanddownthewalk。

"Well，myworkisover，sir，"saidColeman。"Mypapertoldmetofindyou，and，throughnovirtueofmyown，Ifoundyou。

Iamverygladofit。Idon"tknowofanythinginmylifethathasgivenmegreaterpleasure。"

Theprofessorwashimselfagaininsofarashehadlostallmannerofdependence。Butstillhecouldnotyetbebumptious。

"Mr。Coleman，"hesaid，"Iamplacedunderlife-longobligationtoyou。***Iamnotthinkingofmyselfsomuch。***Mywifeanddaughter——"Hisgratitudewassogenuinethathecouldnotfinishitsexpression。

"Oh，don"tspeakofit，"saidColeman。"Ireallydidn"tdoanythingatall。"

Thedragomanfinallyreturnedandledthemalltoahousewhichhehadrentedforgold。Inthegreat，bare，upperchamberthestudentsdroppedwearilytothefloor，whilethewomanofthehousetooktheWainwrightstoamoresecludedapartment。，Asthedoorclosedonthem，Colemanturnedlikeaflash。

"Haveadrink，"hesaid。Thestudentsarosearoundhimlikethewaveofaflood。"Youbet。"Intheabsenceofchangesofclothing，ordinaryfood，thepossibilityofabath，andinthepresenceofgreatwearinessanddust，Coleman"swhiskyseemedtothemaglisteningluxury。Afterwardtheylaiddownasiftosleep，butinrealitytheyweretoodirtyandtoofaggedtosleep。TheysimplylaymurmuringPeterTounleyevendevelopedasmallfever。

ItwasatthistimethatColeman。suddenlydiscoveredhisacuteinterestintheprogressivetroublesofhisaffairofthehearthadplacedthebusinessofhisnewspaperintherearofhismind。ThegreaterpartofthenexthourhespentingettingofftoNewYorkthatdispatchwhichcreatedsomuchexcitementforhimlater。AfterwardhewasfreetoreflectmoodilyupontheabilityofNoraBlacktodistresshim。She，withherretinue，haddisappearedtowardherownrooms。Atduskhewentintothestreet，andwasedifiedtoseeNora"sdragomandodgingalonginhiswake。HethoughtthatthiswassimplyanothermanifestationofNora"sinterestinhismovements，andsoheturnedacorner，andtherepausing，waiteduntilthedragomanspunarounddirectlyintohisarms。Butitseemedthatthemanhadanotetodeliver，andthiswasonlyhisOrientalwayofdoingit。

Thenoteread:"Comeanddinewithmeto-night。"Itwas，notarequest。Itwasperemptory。"Allright，"hesaid，scowlingattheman。

Hedidnotgoatonce，forhewishedtoreflectforatimeandfindifhecouldnotevolvesomeweaponsofhisown。Itseemedtohimthatalltheotherswereliberallysuppliedwithweapons。

Aclear，coldnighthadcomeupontheearthwhenhesignifiedtothelurkingdragomanthathewasinreadinesstodepartwithhimtoNora"sabode。Theypassedfinallyintoadarkcourt-yard，upawindingstaircase，acrossanemboweredbalcony，andColemanenteredalonearoomwheretherewerelights。

His，feetwerescarcelyoverthethresholdbeforehehadconcludedthatthetigresswasnowgoingtotrysomevelvetpurring。Henotedthattheartsofthestagehadnotbeenthoughttoocheaplyobviousforuse。Norasatfacingthedoor。Abitofyellowsilkhadbeentwistedaboutthecrudeshapeofthelamp，anditmadetheplayoflight，amber-like，shadowyandyetperfectlyclear，thelightwhichwomenlove。ShewasarrayedinapuzzlinggownofthatkindofGre-

ciansilkwhichissodocilethatonecanpullyardsofitthrougharing。Itwasofthecolourofnewstraw。

Herchinwasleanedpensivelyuponherpalmandthelightfellonapearlyroundedforearm。Shewaslookingathimwithapairoffamouseyes，azure，per-

haps-certainlypurpleattimes-anditmaybe，blackatoddmoments-apairofeyesthathadmademanyanhonestman"sheartjumpifhethoughttheywerelookingathim。Itwasavision，yes，butColeman"scynicalknowledgeofdramaoverpoweredhissenseofitsbeauty。Hebrokeoutbrutally，inthephrasesoftheAmericanstreet。"Yourdragomanisarubber-neck。

IfhekeepsdarkingmeIwillsimplyhavetokickthestuffingoutofhim。"

Shewasaloneintheroom。Heroldladyhadbeeninstructedtohaveaheadacheandsendapologies。ShewasnotdisturbedbyColeman"swords。"Sitdown，Rufus，andhaveacigarette，anddon"tbecross，becauseIwon"tstandit。"

Heobeyedherglumly。Shehadplacedhischairwherenotacharmofhercouldbelostuponanobservantman。Evidentlyshedidnotpurposetoallowhimtoirritateherawayfromheroriginalplan。Purringwasnowhermethod，andnoneofhisinsolencecouldachieveagrowlfromthetigress。Shearose，sayingsoftly:"Youlooktired，almostill，poorboy。Iwillgiveyousomebrandy。IhavealmosteverythingthatIcouldthinktomakethoseDaylightpeoplebuy。"Withasweepofherhandsheindicatedtheastonishingopulenceofthepossessionsindifferentpartsoftheroom。

Asshestoodoverhimwiththebrandytherecamethroughthesmokeofhiscigarettetheperfumeoforris-rootandviolet。

Aservantbegantoarrangethelittlecolddinneronacamptable，andColemansawwithanenthusiasmwhichhecouldnotfullymaster，fourquartbottlesofanotablebrandofchampagneplacedinarankonthefloor。

AtdinnerNorawassisterly。Shewatchedhim，waiteduponhim，treatedhimtoanaffectionateinti。macyforwhichheknewathousandmenwhowouldhavehatedhim。Thechampagnewascold。

Slowlyhemelted。BythetimethattheboycamewithlittlecupsofTurkishcoffeehewasatleastamiable。Noratalkeddreamily。"Thedragomansaysthisroomusedtobepartoftheharemlongago。"Sheshothimawatchfulglance，asifshehadexpectedthefacttoaffecthim。"Seemscurious，doesn"tit？A

harem。Fancythat。"Hesmokedonecigarandthendiscardedtobacco，fortheperfumeoforris-rootandvioletwasmakinghimmeditate。Noratalkedoninalowvoice。Sheknewthat，throughhalf-closedlids，hewaslookingatherinsteadyspeculation。Sheknewthatshewasconquering，butnomovementofhersbetrayedanelation。Withthemostexquisiteartsheaidedhiscontemplation，baringtohim，forinstance，thegloriesofastatuesqueneck，doingitallwiththemannerofasplendidandfabulousvirginwhoknewnotthattherewassuchathingasshame。Herstockingswereofblacksilk。

Colemanpresentlyansweredheronlyinmonosyllable，makingsmalldistinctionbetweenyesandno。Hesimplysatwatchingherwitheyesinwhichthereweretwolittlecovetoussteel-colouredflames。

Hewasthinking，"Togotothedevil-togotothedevil-togotothedevilwiththisgirlisnotabadfate-notabadfate-notabadfate。"

CHAPTERXVII。

"Comeoutonthebalcony，"cooedNora。"Therearesomefunnyoldstorksontopofsomechimneysnearhereandtheyclatterlikemadalldayandnight。"

Theymovedtogetherouttothebalcony，butNoraretreatedwithalittlecrywhenshefeltthecoldnessofthenight。Shesaidthatshewouldgetacloak。Colemanwasnotunlikeamaninadream。Hewalkedtotherailofthebalconywhereagreatvineclimbedtowardtheroof。Henotedthatitwasdottedwith。blossoms，whichinthedeeppurpleoftheOrientalnightwerecolouredinstrangeshadesofmaroon。ThistruthpenetratedhisabstractionuntilwhenNoracameshefoundhimstaringatthemasiftheircolourwasarevelationwhichaffectedhimvitally。

Shemovedtohissidewithoutsoundandhefirstknewofherpresencefromthedamningfragrance。Shespokejustaboveherbreath。"It"sabeautifulevening。"

"Yes，"heanswered。Shewasathisshoulder。Ifhemovedtwoincheshemustcomeincontact。Theyremainedinsilenceleaningupontherail。

Finallyhebegantomuttersomecommonplaceswhichmeantnothingparticularly，butintohistoneashemouthedthemwasthenoteofaforlornandpassionatelover。ThenasifbyaccidenthetraversedthetwoinchesandhisshoulderwasagainstthesoftandyetfirmshoulderofNoraBlack。Therewassomethinginhisthroatatthistimewhichchangedhisvoiceintoamerechokingnoise。

Shedidnotmove。Hecouldseehereyesglowinginnocentlyoutofthepallourwhichthedarknessgavetoherface。Ifhewastouchingher，shedidnotseemtoknowit。

"Iamawfullytired，"saidColeman，thickly。"IthinkI

willgohomeandturnin。"

"Youmustbe，poorboy，"saidNoratenderly。

"Wouldn"tyoulikealittlemoreofthatchampagne？"

"Well，Idon"tmindanotherglass。"

Shelefthimagainandhisgallopingthoughtpoundedtotheoldrefrain。"Togotothedevil-togotothedevil-togotothedevilwiththisgirlisnotabadfate-notabadfate-

notabadfate。"Whenshereturnedhedrankhisglassofchampagne。Thenhemumbled:"Youmustbecold。Letmeputyourcapearoundyoubetter。Itwon"tdotocatchcoldhere，youknow。"

Shemadeasweetpretenceofrenderingherselftohiscare。"Oh，thanks***Iamnotreallycold***Therethat"sbetter。"

Ofcourseallhismanipulationofthecloakhadbeenafervidcaress，andalthoughheractinguptothispointhadremainedintheroleofthesplendidandfabulousvirginshenowturnedherliquideyestohiswithalookthatexpressedknowledge，triumphanddelight。Shewassureofhervictory。Andshesaid:

"Sweetheart***don"tyouthinkIamasniceasMarjory？"Theimpulsehadbeenairilyconfident。

Itwasasifthesilkencordshadbeenpartedbythesweepofasword。Coleman"sfacehadinstantlystiffenedandhelookedlikeamansuddenlyrecalledtothewaysoflight。Itmayeasilyhavebeenthatinamomenthewouldhavelapsedagaintohisluxuriousdreaming。Butinhisfacethegirlhadreadafatalcharactertoherblunderandherresentmentagainsthimtookprecedenceofanyotheremotion。Shewheeledabruptlyfromhimandsaidwithgreatcontempt:"Rufus，youhadbettergohome。You"retiredandsleepy，andmoreorlessdrunk。"

Heknewthatthegrandtumbleofalltheirlittleemboweredincidentcouldbeneitherstayedormended。"Yes，"heanswered，sulkily，"Ithinksotoo。"Theyshookhandshuffilyandhewentaway。

Whenhearrivedamongthestudentshefoundthattheyhadappropriatedeverythingofhiswhichwouldconducetotheircomfort。Hewasfuriousoverit。Buttohisbitterspeechestheyrepliedinjibes。

"Rufusishimselfagain。Admirehisangelicdisposition。Seehimsmile。Gentlesoul。"

Asleepyvoicesaidfromacomer:"Iknowwhatpincheshim。"

"What？"askedseveral。

"He"sbeentoseeNoraandsheflunghimoutbodily。"

"Yes？"sneeredColeman。"AttimesIseemtoseeinyou，Coke，thefermentationofsomeprimevalformofsensation，asifitwerepossibleforyoutode-

velopamindintwoorthreethousandyears，andthenatothertimesyouappear***muchasyouarenow。"

AssoonastheyhadwellmeasuredColeman"stemperallofthestudentssaveCokekepttheirmouthstightlyclosed。Cokeeitherdidnotunderstandorhismoodwastoovindictiveforsilence。"Well，Iknowyougotathrow-downallright，"hemuttered。

"AndhowwouldyouknowwhenIgotathrowdown？Youpimply，milk-fedsophomore。"

Theothersperkeduptheirearsinmirthfulappreciationofthislanguage。

"Ofcourse，"continuedColeman，"noonewouldprotestagainstyourcontinuedexistence，Coke，unlessyouinsistonrecallingyourselfviolentlytopeople"sattentioninthisway。

Themerefactofyourlivingwouldnotusuallybeoffensivetopeopleifyouweren"teternallyturningasortofcalciumlightonyourprehensileattributes。"

Cokewassuddenlyangry，angrymuchlikeapeasant，andhisangerfirstevinceditselfinameresputteringandspluttering。

Finallyhegotoutaratherlongspeech，fullofgrumblingnoises，buthewasunderstoodbyalltodeclarethathisprehensileattributeshadnotledhimtocartanotoriouswomanabouttheworldwithhim。WhentheyquicklylookedatColemantheysawthathewaslivid。"You-"

But，ofcourse，thereimmediatelyaroseallsortsofprotestingcriesfromthesevennon-combatants。Coleman，ashetooktwostridestowardCoke"scorner，lookedfullyabletobreakhimacrosshisknee，butforthisCokedidnotseemtocareatall。Hewasonhisfeetwithachallengeinhiseye。Uponeachcheekburnedasuddenhecticspot。Theotherswereclamouring，"Oh，say，thiswon"tdo。Quitit。Oh，wemustn"thaveafight。Hedidn"tmeanit，Coleman。"PeterTounleypressedCoketothewallsaying:"Youdamnedyoungjackass，bequiet。"

Theywereinthemidstofthese。festivitieswhenadooropenedanddisclosedtheprofessor。Hemight。havebeencomingintothemiddleofarowinoneofthecorridorsofthecollegeathomeonlythistimehecarriedacandle。Hisspeech，however，wasaWashurstspeech:"Gentlemen，gentlemen，whatdoesthismean？"AllseemedtoexpectColemantomaketheanswer。Hewassuddenlyverycool。"Nothing，professor，"hesaid，"onlythatthis-onlythatCokehasinsultedme。Isupposethatitwasonlytheirresponsibilityofaboy，andIbegthatyouwillnottroubleoverit。"

"Mr。Coke，"saidtheprofessor，indignantly，"whathaveyoutosaytothis？"EvidentlyhecouldnotclearlyseeCoke，andhepeeredaroundhiscandleatwherethevirtuousPeterTounleywasexpostulatingwiththeyoungman。Thefiguresofalltheexcitedgroupmovinginthecandlelightcausedvastanduncouthshadowstohaveconflictsintheendoftheroom。

PeterTounley"staskwasnotlight，andbeyondthathehadtheconvictionthathisstrugglewithCokewasmakinghimalsotoappearasarowdy。Thisconvictionwasproventobetruebyasuddenthunderfromtheoldprofessor，"Mr。Tounley，desist!"

InwrathhedesistedandCokeflunghimselfforward。Hepaidlessattentiontotheprofessorthanifthelatterhadbeenajack-rabbit。"YousayIinsultedyou？heshoutedcrazilyinColeman"sface。

"Well***Imeantto，doyousee？"

Colemanwasglacialandloftybeyondeverything。

"IamgladtohaveyouadmitthetruthofwhatIhavesaid。"

Cokewas，stillsuffocatingwithhispeasantrage，whichwouldnotallowhimtomeettheclear，calmexpressionsofColeman。"Yes***Iinsultedyou***IinsultedyoubecausewhatIsaidwascorrect**myprehensileattributes**yesbutIhavenever——"

Hewasinterruptedbyachorusfromtheotherstudents。

"Oh，no，thatwon"tdo。Don"tsaythat。Don"trepeatthat，Coke。"

Colemanrememberedtheweakbewildermentofthelittleprofessorinhoursthathadnotlongpassed，anditwaswithsomethingofanimpersonalsatisfac-

tionthathesaidtohimself:"Theoldboy"sgothiswar-paintonagain。"TheprofessorhadsteppedsharplyuptoCokeandlookedathimwitheyesthatseemedtothrowoutflameandheat。Therewasamoment"spause，andthentheoldscholarspoke，bit-

inghiswordsasiftheywereeachashortsectionofsteelwire。"Mr。Coke，yourbehaviourwillendyourcollegecareerabruptlyandingloom，Ipromiseyou。

Youhavebeendrinking。"

Coke，hisheadsimplyfloatinginaseaofuniversaldefiance，atonceblurtedout:"Yes，sir。"

"Youhavebeendrinking？"criedtheprofessor，ferociously。

"Retiretoyour-retiretoyour——retire——"Andtheninavoiceofthunderheshouted:"Retire。"

Whereuponsevenhoodlumstudentswaitedadecentmoment，thenshriekedwithlaughter。Buttheoldprofessorwouldhavenoneoftheirnonsense。Hequelledthemallwithforceandfinish。

Colemannowspokeafewwords。"Professor，I

can"ttellyouhowsorryIamthatIshouldbeconcernedinanysuchriotasthis，andsincewearedoomedtobeboundsocloselyintoeachother"ssocietyIoffermyselfwithoutreservationasbeingwillingtorepairthedamageaswellasmaybe，done。I

dontseehowIcanforgetatoncethatCoke"sconductwasinsolentlyunwarranted，but***ifhehasanythingtosayofanaturethatmighthealthebreachIwouldbewillingtotomeethimintheopenestmanner。"Ashemadethesere-

marksColeman"sdignitywassomethinggrand，and，Morever，therewasnowuponhisfacethatcuriouslookoftemperanceandpuritywhichhadbeennotedinNewYorkasasingularphysicalcharacteristic。Ifhe。wasguiltyofanythinginthisaffairatall-infact，ifhehadeveratanytimebeenguiltyofanything-

nomarkhadcometostainthatbloomofinnocence。

Theprofessornoddedinthefullestappreciationandsympathy。"Ofcourse***reallythereisnoothersleepingplaceIsupposeitwouldbebetter-"

ThenheagainattackedCoke。"Youngman，youhavechosenanunfortunatemomenttofilluswithasuspicionthatyoumaynotbeagentleman。Forthetimethereisnothingtobedonewithyou。"Headdressedtheotherstudents。"Thereisnothingformetodo，younggentleman，buttoleaveMr。Cokeinyourcare。

Good-night，sirs。Good-night，Coleman。"Helefttheroomwithhiscandle。

WhenCokewasbadeto"Retire"hehad，ofcourse，simplyretreatedfumingtoacorneroftheroomwhereheremainedlookingwithyelloweyeslikeananimalfromacave。WhentheotherswereabletoseethroughthehazeofmentalconfusiontheyfoundthatColemanwaswithdeliberationtakingoffhisboots。"Afterward，whenheremovedhiswaist-coat，hetookgreatcaretowindhislargegoldwatch。

Thestudents，muchsubdued，layagainintheirplaces，andwhentherewasanytalkingitwasofanextremelylocalnature，referringprincipallytothefloorAsbeingunsuitableforbedsandalsoreferringfromtimetotimetoarealoranallegedselfishnessonthepartofsomeoneoftherecumbentmen。Soontherewasonlythesoundofheavybreathing。

WhentheprofessorhadreturnedtowhathecalledtheWainwrightpartofthehousehewasgreetedinstantlywiththequestion:"Whatwasit？"Hiswifeanddaughterwereupinalarm。"Whatwasit"theyrepeated，wildly。

Hewaspeevish。"Oh，nothing，nothing。ButthatyoungCokeisaregularruffian。Hehadgottenhim。selfintosometremendousuproarwithColeman。WhenIarrivedheseemedactuallytryingtoassaulthim。Revolting!Hehadbeendrinking。

Coleman"sbehaviour，Imustsay，wassplendid。Recognisedatoncethedelicacyofmyposition-henotbeingastudent。IfIhadfoundhiminthewrongitwouldhavebeensimplerthanfindinghimintheright。ConfoundthatrascalofaCoke。"Then，ashebeganapartialdisrobing，hetreatedthemtogruntedscrapofinformation。

"Cokewasquiteinsane***IfearedthatIcouldn"tcontrolhim***Colemanwaslikeice***andasmuchasI

haveseentoadmireinhimduringthelastfewdays，thisquietbeatitall。Ifhehadnotrecognisedmyhelplessnessasfarashewasconcernedthewholethingmighthavebeenamostmiserablebusiness。Heisaveryfineyoungman。"ThedissentingvoicetothislasttributewasthevoiceofMrs。

Wainwright。Shesaid:"Well，Colemandrinks，too-everybodyknowsthat。"

"Iknow，"respondedtheprofessor，ratherbashfully，butI

amconfidentthathehadnottouchedadrop。"Marjorysaidnothing。

TheearlierartillerybattleshadfrightenedmostofthefurnitureoutofthehousesofArta，andtherewasleftinthisroomonlyafewoldredcushions，andtheWainwrightswerecampinguponthefloor。MarjorywasenwrappedinColeman"smacintosh，andwhiletheprofessorandhiswifemaintainedsomelowtalkoftherecentincidentsheinsilencehadturnedhercheekintotheyellowvelvetcollarofthecoat。Shefeltsomethingagainstherbosom，andputtingherhandcarefullyintothetoppocketofthecoatshefoundthreecigars。

Theseshetookinthedarknessandlaidaside，tellingherselftoremembertheirpositioninthemorning。ShehadnodoubtthatColeman:wouldrejoiceoverthem，beforehecouldgetbackto，Athenswheretherewereothergoodcigars。

CHAPTERXVIII。

THEladiesoftheWainwrightpartyhadnotcomplainedatallwhendeprivedofevensuchcivilisedadvantagesasashelterandaknifeandforkandsoapandwater，butMrs。

Wainwrightcomplainedbitterlyamidthehalf-civilisationofArta。Shecouldseeherenoexcusefortheabsenceofseveralhundredthingswhichshehadalwaysregardedasessentialtolife。Shebeganat8。30A。M。tomakeboththeprofessorandMarjorywoefulwithanendlessdissertationuponthebedsinthehotelatAthens。Ofcourseshehadnotregardedthematthetimeasbeingexceptionalbeds***thatwasquitetrue，*

**butthenonereallyneverknewwhatonewasreallymissinguntilonereallymissedit***ShewouldneverhavethoughtthatshewouldcometoconsiderthoseAthenianbedsasexcellent***butexperienceisagreatteacher***makes-

onereflectuponthepeoplewhoyearinandyearouthavenobedsatall，poorthings。***Well，itmadeonegladifonedidhaveagoodbed，evenifitwasatthetimeontheothersideoftheworld。Ifsheeverreacheditshedidnotknowwhatcouldeverinducehertoleaveitagain。***Shewouldneverbeinduced——

""Induced!""snarledtheprofessor。Thewordrepresentedtohimapracticedfemininemisusageoftruth，andatsuchhiswhitewarlockalwaysarose。""Induced!"OutoffourAmericanwomenIhaveseenlately，youseemtobetheonlyonewhowouldsaythatyouhadenduredthisthingbecauseyouhadbeen"induced"byotherstocomeoverhere。Howabsurd!"

Mrs。Wainwrightfixedherhusbandwithasteelyeye。Shesawopportunityforashatteringretort。"Youdon"tmean，Harrison，toincludeMarjoryandIinthesamebreathwiththosetwowomen？"

Theprofessorsawnodangeraheadforhimself。Hemerelyanswered:"Ihadnothoughteitherway。Itdidnotseemimportant。"

"Well，itisimportant，"snappedMrs。Wainwright。

"DoyouknowthatyouarespeakinginthesamebreathofMarjoryandNoraBlack，theactress？"

"No，"saidtheprofessor。"Isthatso？"Hewasastonished，buthewasnotaghastatall。"DoyoumeantosaythatisNoraBlack，thecomicoperastar？"

"That"sexactlywhosheis，"saidMrs。Wainwright，dramatically。"AndIconsiderthat-IconsiderthatRufusColemanhasdonenolessthan-misledus。"

Thislastdeclarationseemedtohavenoeffectupontheprofessor"spureastonishment，butMarjorylookedathermothersuddenly。However，shesaidnoword，exhibitingagainthatstrangeand，inscrutablecountenancewhichmaskedeventhetiniestofhermaidenlyemotions。

Mrs。Wainwrightwastriumphant，andsheimmediatelysetaboutcelebratinghervictory。"Menneverseethosethings，"

shesaidtoherhusband。"Menneverseethosethings。Youwouldhavegoneonforeverwithoutfindingoutthatyour-your-

hospitalitywas，beingabusedbythatRufusColeman。"

Theprofessorwokeup。"Hospitality？"hesaid，indignantly。"Hospitality？Ihavenothadanyhospitalitytobeabused。Whydon"tyoutalksense？

Itisnotthat，but-itmight-"Hehesitatedandthenspokeslowly。"Itmightbeveryawkward。Ofcourseoneneverknowsanythingdefiniteaboutsuchpeople，butIsuppose***Anyhow，itwasstrangeinColemantoallowhertomeetus。"

"ItWasallapre-arrangedplan，"announcedthetriumphantMrs。Wainwright。"ShecamehereonputposetomeetRufusColeman，andheknewit，andIshouldnotwonderiftheyhadnottheexactspotpickedoutwheretheyweregoingtomeet。"

"Icanhardlybelievethat，"saidtheprofessor，indistress。

"Ican，hardlybelievethat。Itdoes，notseemtomethatColeman——"

"Ohyes。YourdearRufusColeman，"criedMrs。

Wainwright。"Youthinkheisveryfinenow。ButIcanrememberwhenyoudidn"tthink——"

Andtheparentsturnedtogetheranabashedlookattheirdaughter。Theprofessoractuallyflushedwithshame。Itseemedtohimthathehadjustcommittedanatrocityupontheheartofhischild。Theinstinctofeachofthemwastogotoherandconsoleherintheirarms。Shenoteditimmediately，andseemedtofearit。Shespokeinaclearandevenvoice。"Idon"tthink，father，thatyoushoulddistressmebysupposingthatIamconcernedatallifMr。ColemancarestogetNoraBlackoverhere。"

"Notatall，"stutteredtheprofessor。"I——"

Mrs。Wainwright"sconsternationturnedsuddenlyto，anger。

"Heisascapegrace。Arascal。A——a——"

"Oh，"saidMarjory，coolly，"Idon"tseewhyitisn"thisownaffair。Hedidn"treallypresenthertoyou，mother，youremember？Sheseemedquitetoforceherwayatfirst，andthenyou-youdidtherest。Itshouldbeveryeasytoavoidher，nowthatweareoutofthewilderness。AndthenitbecomesaprivatematterofMr。Coleman"s。Formypart，Iratherlikedher。Idon"tseesuchadreadfulcalamity。"

"Marjory!"screamedhermother。"Howdreadful。Likedher!

Don"tletmehearyousaysuchshockingthings。"

"Ifailtoseeanythingshocking，"answeredMarjory，stolidly。

Theprofessorwaslookinghelplesslyfromhisdaughtertohiswife，andfromhiswifetohisdaughter，likeamanwhowasconvincedthathistroubleswouldneverend。Thisnewcatastrophecreatedadifferentkindofdifficulty，butheconsideredthatthedifficultieswereasrobustashadbeentheprecedingones。Heputonhishatandwentoutoftheroom。

HefeltanimpossibilityofsayinganythingtoColeman，buthefeltthathemustlookuponhim。Hemustlookuponthismanandtrytoknowfromhismannerthemeasureofguilt。Andincidentallyhelongedforthemachineryofafinishedsocietywhichpreventsitspartsfromclashing，preventsitwithitsgreatseriesofIlawuponlaw，easilyoperativebutrelentless。Herehefeltasamanflungintothejunglewithhiswifeanddaughter，wheretheycouldbecomethevictimsofanysortofsavagery。

HisthoughtreferredoncemoretowhatheconsideredtheinvaluableservicesofColeman，andasheobservedtheminconjunctionwiththepresentaccusation，hewassimplydazed。Itwasthenpossiblethatonemancouldplaytwosuchdivergentparts。HehadnotlearnedthisatWashurst。Butno；theworldwasnotsuchabedofputrefaction。Hewouldnotbelieveit；hewouldnotbelieveit。

Afteradventureswhichrequiregreatnervousen。durance，itisonlyuponthesecondorthirdnightthatthecommonmansleepshard。Thestudentshadexpectedtoslumberlikedogsonthefirstnightaftertheirtrials。butnonesleptlong，Andfewslept。

Colemanwasthefirstmantoarise。Whenhelefttheroomthestudentswerejustbeginningtoblink。HetookhisdragomanamongtheshopsandheboughtthereallthelittleoddsandendswhichmightgotomakeupthebestbreakfastinArta。Ifhehadhadnewsofcertaintalkheprobablywouldnothavebeenbuyingbreakfastforelevenpeople。Instead，hewouldhavebeenbuyingbreakfastforone。Duringhisabsencethestudentsaroseandperformedtheirfrugaltoilets。