第11章

"Itwasabroadterracepavedwithredbrickthatwasstainedandalittlemossy，sothatitlookedmucholderthanithadanyrightto，andalongitsouterbordertherewerebay-treessetinbigItalianterracottajars；butthebay-treeswereplacedfarapartsothattheyshouldnotmasktheview，andthatwaswise，foritwasafineview。ItisruggedcountryinthatpartofWestchesterCounty——likeachoppysea:allbroken，twistedridges，andabruptlittlehills，andpiled-upboulders，andhollow，cup-likedepressionsamongthem。TheGreyhousesat，asitwere，uponthelipofacup，andfromthesouthwardterraceyoulookedacrossamileortwoofhollowbottom，withalittlelakeatyourfeet，toslopingpastureswheretherewerecattlebrowsing，andtothefar，highhillsbeyond。

"Therewasnomagnificenceabouttheoutlook——nothingtomakeyoucatchyourbreath；butitwasagoodviewwithplentyofelbowroomandnosignofaneighbor——nohuddling——onlythewaterofthelittlelake，thebrownNovemberhillsides，andthecleanblueskyabove。Thedistantcattlelookedlikesceniccattlepaintedontheirgreen-bronzepasturetogiveanaspectofhusbandrytothescene。"

AlthoughRichardwasnowcomfortablysettled，hehadoflateyearsacquiredagreatdreadofcoldweather。Assoonaswintersetinhismindturnedtothetropics，andwheneveritwaspossiblehewenttoCubaorsomeotherlandwherehewassureofplentyofheatandsunshine。Theearlypartof1906

foundhimatHavana，thistimeonavisittotheHon。E。V。

Morgan，whowasthenourministertoCuba。FromHavanahewenttotheIsleofPines。

ISLEOFPINES，March26th，1906。

DEARMOTHER:——

WearejustreturningfromtheIsleofPines。WereachedthereafteradayonthewaterataboutsixonWednesday，22nd。Theydroppedusatawoodshedinamangroveswamp，whereaMr。Masonmetuswithtwomules。ImusthavesaidI

wasgoingtotheislandbecauseeveryonewasexpectingme。

Untilthenightbeforewehadreallynoideawhenwewouldgo，so，tobewelcomedwhereverwewent，wasconfusing。Forfourdayswewerecutofffromtheworld，andinthattime，fivedaysinall，wecoveredtheentireislandprettythoroughly——

ItwasoneofthemostinterestingtripsIevertookandCecilenjoyeditasmuchasIdid。Theislandisacuriousmixtureofpalmandpines，oneminuteitlookslikeVenezuelaandthenextlikeFloridaandLakewood。ItisdividedintotwopartiesofAmericans，the"moderates"andthe"revolutionists。"TheCubansareveryfewandareallemployedbytheAmericans，whoownnine-tenthsoftheIsland。

Ofcourse，theyallwanttheU。S。totakeit，theydifferonlyastohowtopersuadethesenatorstodoit。Ihadtochangeallmyopinionsaboutthesituation。Ithoughtitwasownedbylandspeculatorswhodidnotlivethere，norwishtolivethere，butinsteadI

foundeveryoneImethadbuiltahomeandwascultivatingtheland。Wegaveeachlandcompanyaturnatme，andwehadtoadmireorangegrovesandpineapples，grapefruitandcoffeeuntilwecriedforhelp。Withallthiswasthemostromantichistoryoftheislandbeforethe"gringos"came。Itwasafamousplaceforpiratesandburiedtreasuresandslavepens。

Itwasasortofclearinghouseforslaveswheretheywerefattened。Idonotbelievepeopletakemuchinterestinorknowanythingaboutit，butIamgoingtotryandmakeaninterestingstoryofitforCollier。Itwasqueertobesocompletelycutofffromtheworld。Therewasawirelessbuttheywouldnotletmeuseit。Itisnotyetopenedtothepublic。ItalkedtoeveryoneImetandsawmuchthatwaspatheticandhuman。ItwasthefirstpioneersettlementCecilhadeverseenandtheAmericanmakingthewaysstraightisverycurious。Hecertainlydoesnotadornwhateverhetouches。ButneverhaveImetsomanyenthusiasticsandsuchprideinlocality。To-nightwereachtheHotelLouvre，thankheaven!whereIcangetSpanishfoodagain，andnotAmericangingerbread，and，"thepielikemotherusedtomake。"WenowareonawretchedSpanishtugboatwitheveryone，myselfincluded，veryseasickandbabieshowlingandroosterscrowing。Butsoonthatwillbeover，and，afterashortrideofthirtymilesthroughabeautifulpartoftheisland，wewillbeinHavanaintimeforafinedinner，withice。WhatnextwewilldoIamnotsure。AfterlivinginthatbeautifulpalaceofMorgan"s，itjustneededfivedaysofthe"Pinero"s"

tomakeusenjoylifeatahotel——Ifwecanmakeconnections，I

thinkIwillgoovertoSantoDomingo，andstudyupthatsubject，too。But，evenifwegonowhereelsethetriptotheI。ofP。

wasalonewellworthourlongjourney。Idon"tknowwhenIhaveseenanythingascurious，andascomplicatedapoliticalexistence。Lovetoallofyoudearones。

DICK。

HAVANA——April9，1906。

ARTHURBARTLETTMAURICE，ESQ。

MYDEARMAURICE:

Ihavejustreadaboutmyself，intheAprilBookman，whichI

wouldbeveryungratefulifIdidnotwriteandtellyouhowmuchitpleasedme。Thatsoundsasthoughwhatpleasedmewas，obviously，thatwhatyousaidwassokind。ButwhatI

reallymean，andthatforwhichIthankyou，wasyourpickingoutthingsthatImyselfliked，andthatIwouldliketothinkothersliked。Iknowthatthemenmake"breaks，"andamsorryforit，but，Iforgettobesorrywhenyoupleasemebypointingoutthegoodqualitiesin"Laquerre，"andthebullterrier。Nothingeverhurtmesomuchasthelineusedbymanyreviewersof"Macklin"that"Mr。Davis"heroisacad，andMr。Daviscannotseeit。"MacklinIalwaysthoughtwasthebestthingIeverdid，anditwastheoneoverwhichI

tookthemosttimeandcare。ItsfailurewaswhatasMaggieClineusedtosay，"drovemeintothisbusiness"ofplaywriting。Allthateverwassaidofitwasthatitwas"Abooktoreadonrailroadtrainsandinahammock。"ThatwastheverdictasdeliveredtomebyRomeikefrom300reviewers，anditdrovemetofarces。So，Iwasespeciallygladwhenyouliked"RoyalMacklin。"Itriedtomakea"hero"whowasvain，theatrical，boastingandselfconscious，but，stilllikable。But，Ididnotsucceedinmakinghimofinterest，anditalwayshashurtme。Also，yourlikingthe"Derelict"

andthe"FeverShip"gavememuchpleasure。YouseewhatI

mean，itwasyourselectingthethingsuponwhichIhadworked，andwithwhichIhadmadeeveryeffort，thathasbothencouragedanddelightedme。Beingentirelyunprejudiced，I

thinkitisafinearticle，andassoonasIstampthis，I

willreaditoveragain。So，thankyouverymuch，indeed，fortosaywhatyoudidseriously，overyourownname，tookalotofcourage，andforthatdaring，andforlikingthesamethingsIdo，Ithankyoumanytimes。

Sincerelyyours，RICHARDHARDINGDAVIS。

Inreadingthisover，IfindallIseemtohavedoneinitistocomplainbecausenoone，butyourselfandmyselfliked"Macklin。"WhatIwantedtosayis，thatIamverygratefulforthearticle，fortheappreciation，althoughIdon"tdeserveit，andforyourtemerityinsayingsomanykindthings。NothingthathasbeenwrittenaboutwhatIhavewrittenhaseverpleasedmesomuch。

R。H。D。

Inthespringof1906whileRichardwasonavisittoProvidence，R。I。，HenryW。SavageproducedaplaybyJesseLynchWilliamsandmybrotherwasaskedtoassistatrehearsals，apastimeinwhichhefoundanenormousamountofpleasure。The"McCloy"mentionedinthefollowingletterwasthecityeditorofTheEveningSunwhenmybrotherfirstjoinedthestaffofthatpaperasareporter。

NEWYORK，May4，1906。

DEARNORA:

IleftProvidenceTuesdaynightandcameontoNewYorkyesterday。SavageandWilliamsandallwereveryniceaboutthehelptheysaidIhadgiventhem，andIhadasmuchfunasthoughithadbeenasuccessIhadmademyself，andIdidn"thavetomakeaspeech，either。

YesterdayIspentinthenewspaperofficesgatheringmaterialfromtheirenvelopesonWinstonChurchill，M。P。whoistobeoneofmyrealSoldiersofFortune。Hewillmakeasplendidone，infourwars，twicemadeaquestion；beforehewas21

yearsold，inParliament，andaleaderinBOTHpartiesbeforehewas36。Inthenewspaperofficestheyhadalotoffunwithme。WhenIcameintothecityroomofTheEve。

Sun，McCloywasathisdeskinhisshirtspikingcopy。Hejustraisedhiseyesandwentonwithhisbluepencil。Isaid"There"snothinginthatstory，sir，themanwillgetwell，andthewomanishiswife。"

"Maketwosticksofit，"saidMcCloy，"andthengobacktotheJeffersonpolicecourt。"

WhenIsatdownatmyolddesk，andbegantowritethecopyboycameandstoodbesidemeandwhenIhadfinishedthefirstpage，snatchedit。IhadtoexplainIwasonlytakingnotes。

AtTheJournal，SamChamberlainwhousedtopayme$500astory，touchedmeontheshoulderasIwasscribblingdownnotes，andsaid"Hearstsaystotakeyoubackat$17aweek。"

Isaid"I"mworth$18andIcan"tcomeforless。"

SohebroughtupthebusinessmanagerandhadalongwranglewithhimastowhetherIshouldget$18。Thebusinessmanager，aJewgentleman，didn"tknowmefromAdam，andseriouslytriedtosavethepaperadollaraweek。Whenthereportersandtypewritergirlsbegantolaugh，hegotverymad。Itwasveryfunnyhowsoothingwasthenoiseofthepresses，andthebellsandtypewritersandmenyelling"Copy!"

and"Damntheboy!"IcouldwritebetterthanifIhadbeeninthesilenceofthefarm。Itwaslikebeingabletosleepassoonasthescrewstarts。

DICK。

CHAPTERXVI

THECONGO

Duringthewinterof1907theworldrangwiththereportsoftheatrocitiesintheCongo，andRobertJ。Collier，ofCollier"sWeekly，askedRichardtogototheCongoandmakeaninvestigation。Idonotbelievethatmybrotherwaseverinmuchsympathywiththecommission，ashedidnotfeelthathecouldaffordthetimethatathoroughinvestigationdemanded。

However，withhiswifehesailedforLiverpoolonJanuary5，1907，andthreeweekslaterstartedforAfrica。

Regardingthistrip，inadditiontothelettershewrotetohisfamily，Ialsoquotefromadiarywhichhehadjuststartedandwhichheconscientiouslycontinueduntilhisdeath。

FromdiaryofJanuary24th，1907。

LastdayinLondon。MargaretFrazerofferedmegunfromaCaptainJenkinsofNigeria。InsteadboughtWinchesterrepeating，hoping，ifneedit，getonecoast。LunchedSavoy-Lynch，Mrs。Lynch，hersister——verybeautifulgirl。InafternoonSamSothernandMargaretcameintosay"Goodbye。"

DinedatAnthonyHope"s——BarrieandMrs。BarrieandJimWhigham。Mrs。Barrielookingverywell，Barrienotsowell。

Assilentasever，onlytalkedonceduringdinnerwhenhetoldusaboutthefirstofhisseriesofcricketmatchesbetweenauthorsandartists。Didnothaveelevenauthors，sogoingalongroadpickeduputterstrangersoneasoldierinfrontofembracingtwogirls。Saidhewouldcomeifgirlscametoo——allputinbrake。Mrs。BarriesaidtheLlewellenDavis"

weretheoriginalsfortheDarlingsandtheirchildreninPeterPan。TheyplayedastrangegameofbilliardssuggestedbyBarriewhowonasnooneelseknewtherulesandtheyclaimedheinventedthemtosuithiscase。Satupuntilthreewritingandpacking。ThedinnerwasbesthavehadthistripinLondon。

CompagnieBelgeMaritimeDuCongo。

S。S。February11th，1907。

To-morrow，wewillbeinBanana，whichisthefirstportintheCongo。WhenIrememberhowfarawaytheCongoseemedfromNewYorkandLondon，itisimpossibletobelievewearelessthanadayfromit。IamsoverygladIcame。Thepeoplewhohavelivedhereforyearsagreeaboutitinnoonefact，so，itisago-as-you-pleaseforanyonesofarasaccurateinformationisconcerned，andIamaslikelytoberightasanyoneelse。Ithasbeenapleasanttripandforuswillnotbeoveruntilsomedays，foratMatadi，whichisuptheriver，wewillprobablyliveonthesteamerastheshoredoesnotsoundattractive。ThenIshallprobablygoonuptheriverandafteramonthorsixweekscomebackagain。AtBomaIamtoseetheGovernor，oneoftheinspectorsonboardistointroduceme，andIhaveanideatheywillmakemeascomfortableaspossible，sothatImaynotseeanything。NotthatIwouldbelikelytoseeanythinghiddenunderayear。

YesterdaywasthecrossingoftheEquator。ThenightbeforeNeptune，oneofthecrew，andhiswife，theship"sbutcher，andakrooboy，asblackascoalfortheheirapparentcameoverthesideandproclaimedthatthosewhoneverbeforehadcrossedtheEquatormustbebaptized。WehadcrossedbutIwasperfectlywillingtogothroughitforthefun。TheBelgianswentatitasseriouslyaschildren，andworkedupagrandsuccessionofevents。Firstwehadgymkanaracesamongthekrooboys。Themostremarkablewastheirplacingfrancpiecesintubsofwhiteandredflour，forwhichtheboysdived，theythendugformoremoneyintoabigbasketfittedwithfeathersandwhentheycameouttheywerethemostawfulsightsimaginable。Youcanpicturetheirnakedblackbodiesandfacesspottedwithwhiteandpinkandstucklikechickenswithfeathers。Thenthenextdaywewereallhauledbeforeacourtandjudged，andhavingallbeenfoundguiltywerecondemnedtobeshavedandbathedpubliclyatfour。MeantimetheItalians，isitnotthepictureofthem，hadorganizedarevolutionagainsttheTribunal，withtheobjectofduckingthem。Theywentintothisasthoughitwerearealconspiracyandhadsignsandpasswords。Atfouro"clock，inturntheysatusontheedgeofthegreattankonthewelldeckandsplashedusoverwithpasteandthentiltedusin。ItriedtocarrytheFrenchmanwhowasactingasbarber，withmebutonlygothimhalfin。ButMilani，oneoftheItalians，swunghimoverhisheadplumbintothewater。TheFrenchmanisarichelephanthunterwhoisnotverypopular。Whentherevolutionbrokelooseweallyelled"AbasleTribunal""VivelaRevolution"!

andtherewasawfulroughhouse。ImadefortheFrenchmanandwentinwithhimandnearlydrownedhim，andeverybodywasbeingthrownintothetankorheldinfrontofafirecross。

Afterdinnertherewasagrandceremony，thefourth，inwhichcertificateswerepresentedbyanInspecteurd"Etatwhoisonboard，andisaDeputyGovernorofadistrict。ThentherewasmuchchampagneandaconcertandCecilandIsatwiththeCaptain，theBishop，inhisrobesandberrettaandthetwoinspectorsandtheywereverycharmingtobothofus。

DICK。

CompagnieBelgeMaritimeDuCongo。

S。S。February13th，1907。

DEARMOTHER:

WereachedBananayesterdaymorning，andthemouthoftheCongo，andasthesoldiersaidwhenhereachedthetopofSanJuanHill，"Hell!wellhereweare!"BananalookslikeoneofthedozenlittleislandsintheWestIndies，wherewewouldstoptotakeonsome"brandsofbananas，"insteadoftheporttoacountryasbigasEurope。Wewentashoreandwanderedaroundunderthepalmtrees，andtookphotos，andwatchedsomemenfishinginthelagoons，andwesawastrangefishthatleapsonthetopofthewaterjustasafrogjumpsonland。

Itiscertainlyhot。MilaniandIwentinswimmingintheocean，andgotfinelycool。Thenwepaddledthecanoebacktotheshiptoshowtheblackshowgoodwewere，andgotveryhot，andtheblackschargedusafrancforthevoyage。

To-morrowwewillbeinBoma，thecapital，whichismuchofaplacewithshopsandalawntenniscourt。

BOMA，February15th。

BomaismoreorlesslaidoutandcontainstheofficialresidencesoftheGovernment。Iwalkedalloveritinanhour，andhereyouwalkveryslow。TherearethreeorfourbigtradingstoresANDatenniscourt。Itis，however，adrearyplace。Wecalledonthemissionaryandhiswife，butshedoesnotspeakEnglishandtheirpointofviewofeverythingwasnotcheerfulorinstructive。CecilplanstoremainonboardwhileatMatadiandreturnwiththissameboattoBoma。Iwanthertogohomeinthisboatorinsomeother，asIbelieveBomamostunhealthyandIknowittobemostuncomfortable。Shewouldhavetogotoahotelwhichisveryhotandrough，althoughitiscleanandwellrun。Iamundecidedwhethertogouptheriverfortendays，towhereitcrossestheequator，ortoleavetheupperCongoandgouptheKasairiver。Thisisoffthebeatentrack，andonemayseesomethingofinterest。IwillknowbetterwhatIwilldoinanhour，whenIgettoMatadi。

MATADI——Feby。21。

WearenowatMatadi。TheCaptaininvitedustostoponboardanditiswellhedid。WedineondeckwherethewindblowsbuttherestoftheshipisbeingcleanedandpaintedforthetripNorth。Fourhatchesaredischargingcargoallatonce，fromfourinthemorninguntilmidnight。Officersandkrooboysgetfourhourssleepoutofthetwenty-four，butIsleeprightthroughit，sodoesCecil。Sometimestheytakeoutironrailsandthenzincroofsandsteelboats，6000casesofginand1000tonsofcoal。Still，itismuchbetterthanintheHotelAfricaonshore。Matadiisahillofredironandtheheatisgrand。Everythinginthiscountryisgrand。Theriveris，inplaces，sevenmileswide，thesunsetsarelikenothingearthly，andtheblackpeoplearelikebroodingshadowsoflostsouls，thatis，ifsoulshaveshadows。Mostoftheblacksinthistownare"prisoners"withasteelringaroundtheneck，andchainedinlonglines。Ileaveonthe23dtogouptheKasaiRiver，becausethatiswheretheatrocitiescomefromanduptheretherearemanymissionaries。Idon"twantyoutothinkIsaythisto"calmyourfears，"butIsayitbecauseitisastrueofthisplaceasofeveryotheroneintheworld，andthatis，thatitisaseasytogetabouthereasitisinRhodeIsland。Itisnothalfasdangerousasautomobiling。Ihavenotevenfeltfeverish，neitherhasCecil。Ineverfeltbetter。CecilstaysonboardandgoesbacktoBoma。ThereshestopsaweekandthentakesanothershipbacktoLondon。ShewillnotwaitatBomaforme，atleast，Ihopenotandcannotimagineherdoingso。Inanyevent，afterIstart，therewillbenowayforustocommunicate，andIwillactontheunderstandingthatshehasstartedNorth。

IhavetwoverygoodboysandbothspeakEnglish，andarefromSierraLeone。Itakeatwo-daytripof200milesbyrail，thenfourdaysbyboatuptheKasaiandthenImaycomebackbyboatorwalk。ItdependsonhowIlikeit，howlongI

stay，forIcanhopetoseeverylittle，asunderayearitwouldbeimpossibletowritewithauthorityofthiscountry。

ButI"llseemoreofitthansomeathome，andI"llhearwhatthosewhohavelivedhereforyearshavetosay。Itisawfullyinteresting，absolutelydifferentandmoreuncivilizedthananythingIeversaw。Butallthetimeyouaredepressedwithhowlittleyouknowandcanknowofit。IwillbeheresixweeksortwomonthsandthenshouldgetupthecoasttoLondonaboutthemiddleofMayorsooner。

DICK。

FromdiaryofFebruary22nd，1907。

Spentabouttheworstnightofmylife。Nomattress，nopillow。Notspaceenoughformyowncot。Everyinsectintheworldateme。Afterabathandcoffeefeltbetter。ItrainedheavilyuntilthreeP。M。ReadPendennis，andlovedit。ThepictureoflifeatClaveringandFairoaks，andDr。PortmanandFokerarewonderful。IdonotknowwhenIhaveenjoyedandadmiredaworksomuch。Forsomereasonitisallentirelynewagain。Iwillreadthemallnowinturn。Afterrainclearedtookmyslavesandwentafter"supplies。"MetaKing。

Ithoughthewasawitchdoctor，andtheboyssaidhewasadancingman。Allhissuite，wivesandsubjectsfollowed，singingasongthatmadeyourfleshcreep。AtHattonandCookson"sbought"plentychop"for"boys"whoweremuchpleased。Alsoasparkletbottle，somewhiskeyandtwopintsofchampagneat7francsthepint。BlushtoownitwasdemiSec。Alsobacon，jam，milk，envelopes，apillow。SawsomeivoryStatehadseizedandreturned。15Kilo"s。SometakenfromGomezacrossstreetnotreturneduntilhegaveuphalf。

NoreasongivenTayloragentH。&C。whyreturnedApparentlywhencalledwillcomedownontheivoryquestion。CuthbertMalet，coffeeplanter，camecallonme。OnlyEnglishmanstillinServiceState。Hadmuchtosaywhichdidnotwantprinteduntilheoutofcountrywhichwillbeinmonthortwo。

Anstrossihasgivenmesideofcabinwherethereisroomformycot，soexpecttosleep。

STANLEYPOOL，Feb。22nd，1907。

DEARMOTHER:

Whenyougetthis，IwillbeonmywaytoLondon。

Therestofmystayherewillbeonboardtwoboats，touchingatthebanksoftheKasairiver。OneInowamontakesmeupandanothertakesmedown。Iwillseeagreatdealthatisstrangeanditisveryinteresting。Yesterday，forexample，onlyanhourbeforeourtrainreachedGongoloStation，therewerethreeelephantsthatwanderedacrossthetrack。Wewereverydisappointednottohaveseenthem。Atthemissionhouseonthewayup，IbroughtthefirsticethemissionboyshadseenandwhenIputapieceinthehandofone，heyelledanddancedaboutasthoughitwereacoal。Thehigherupyougothetougheritgets。Backinthejungle，onecanonlyimaginewhatitislike。Hereallthewhitemenhaveblackwives，andthewaythewhipisusedonthemenisverydifferentfromthelowercongo。Theboatisaboutaslargeasatouringcar，withallthemachineryexposed。Iamverycomfortablethough，withmybedandcampchair，and，bookstoread，whenonegetstiredofthisgreat，dirtyriver。I，expecttoseehippopotamusesandmanycrocodilesandtolearnsomethingofthe"atrocities"byhearsay。Toseeforoneself，wouldtakemonths。IreturnfromtheKasaidistrictbyaboatlikethisone，burningwoodandwithasternwheel，reachingLeopoldville，thisplace，aboutthe12thofMarch，andsailingontheAlbertvilleforSouthamptononthe19thofMarch。SoIshouldbeinLondonandsoverynearyoubythe8thofApril。Ofcourse，ifItakealaterboatfromhere，Iwillbejustthatmuchlater。Iamperfectlywell，neverbetter。Nofever，no"tiredfeeling"goodappetite，inspiteofawfultoughfood。FromthisplacemoneycannotbeusedandIcarryabagofsaltandrollsofcloth。Forabottleofsaltyougetafowloraturkey，foratablespoonfulanegg，orabunchoffruit。WhenyouwritebesureandtellmeALLyourplansforthesummer；thatis，afteryouhavebeentoseeus。Mydearestlovetoyouall。

DICK。

FromdiaryofFebruary27th，1907。

Sawtwohippos。ThoughtAnstrossisaidtheywerebuffalo。SowasgladwhenIfoundoutwhattheywere。Ididnotwanttogohomewithouthavingseenonlytwodeadones。InafewminutesIsawtwomore。AnstrossifiredatthembutIdidnot，asthoughtitnotthegamewhenonecouldnotrecoverthem。Beforenoonsawsixinabunch——andthenwhatIthoughtwasaspitofrockwithahippolyingontheendofit，turnedouttobefifteenhipposinaline!BurnhamhastoldhehadseenelevenintheVoltainoneday。Beforeoneo"clock，I

hadseentwenty-six，and，laterinthedayAnstrossifiredatanother，andshotaholeintheawning。Thatmadetwenty-seveninoneday。Alsosomemonkeys。

Thehipposweredelightful。Theyseemedsoaristocratic，likegoutyoldgentlemen，puffingandblowingandyawning，asthougheverythingboredthem。

FromdiaryofFebruary28th，1907。

Whenjustgoingupforcoffee，sawwhatwassobig，lookingatitagainsthorizon，thoughtitmustbeanelephant。Wasayounghippo。CaptainJensenbroughtboatwithineightyyardsofhim，andbothAnstrossiandIfired，apparentlyknockinghimoffhislegs，forherolledonhissideasthoughhisbackwasbroken。Imissedhimthesecondshot，whichstruckthewaterjustinfrontofhim。Theotherthreeshotscaughthiminthehead，inthemouthandear。Helayquitestill，andtheboysrushedoutagangplankandsurroundedhimsingingandshoutingandcuttinghistailtomakehimbleedandweakenhim。Theydon"tdieforanhourbutheseemeddeadenough，soIwenttomycabintore-loadmygunandmycamera。InthreeminutesIcameout，andfoundthehippostillquiet。ThenhebegantotosshisheadandIshothimagain，toputhimoutofpain。Inreturnforwhichherolledoverintothewaterandgotaway。Iwasmad。Latersawfourmore。Justatsunsetwhiletakingbathanotherwasseenonshore。Wegotwithinsixtyyardsofhimandallofusmissedhimoratleastdidnothurthim。HethentrottedfortheriverwithhisheadupandagainImusthavemissed，althoughatoneplacehewasbutfiftyyardsaway，whenheenteredthewater，ahundred。Isteppeditofflaterinthesand。Ifollowedhimupandhithimorsomeoneofushithimandhestooduponhishindlegs。Butheputbacktolandforthethirdtime。Captainsaidwaituntilmooncameout。Butthoughwehunteduptoourwaistssawnone。Onecamequitecloseatdinner。Sevenontheday。

CONGORIVER——March1，1907。

DEARMOTHER:

IhavebeenuptheCongoasfarastheKasairiver，andupthattoaplacecalledDima。ThereIfoundmyselfinasortofculdesac。IfoundthattherubberplantationsIhadcometosee，wereninedaysjourneydistant。Inthislandwheretimeanddistancearesodifferentlyregardedthanwithus，amantellsyoutogotoDimatoseerubber。HemeansaftergettingtoDima，youmustcatchasteamerthatleaveseverytwoweeksandtravelforfivedays。Butheforgetsthatthatfactisimportanttovisitors。Asheisundercontracttostayherethreeyears，itdoesnotmuchmattertohimhowhespendsamonth，orso。Dimawastwohundredyardssquare，andthenthejungle。Inhalfanhour，Isawitall，andmeteveryoneinit。Theygavemeagrandreception，butIcouldnotspendtendaysinDima。TheonlyotherthingIcoulddowastotakeacanoetotheJesuitMissionwheretheFatherspromisedmeshooting，or，trytocatchtheboatbacktoEnglandthatstopsatinterestingports。SoonerthanstopinBoma，IurgedCeciltotakethatboat。So，ifIcatchit，wewillreturntogether。Itisafiveweeksjourney，andratherlongtospendalone。Inanyeventmyletterswillgobyafasterboat。Ihavehadamostwonderfullyinterestingvisit，atleast，tome。IhopeIcanmakeitreadable。But，muchofitspleasurewaspersonal。

Ihavejusthadtostopwritingthis，forwhatwhenIgetbacktoNewYorkwillseemaperfectlygoodreasonforinterruptingalettertoevenyou。Alargehippopotamushasjustpushedpastuswithfivebabyhipposinfrontofher。Sheisshovingthemupstream，andthepapahippoisinthewakepuffingandblowing。Theyareveryplentyhereandonthewayupstream，Isawagreatmany，andeverymorningandeveningwenthuntingforthemonshore。Iwantedtheheadofahippopotamusawfullykeenlyforthefarm。ButoftheonlytwoIsawonland，bothgotawayfromme。IdidnotshootatanyIsawinthewater，althoughtheotheridiotonboarddid，becauseifyoukillthem，youcannotrecoverthem，anditseemsmostunsportsmanlike。Besides，Iwassogratefultothemforbeingsoproudandpompous，andrealaristocratsdatingbackfromtheflood。ButIwasterriblydisappointedatlosingbothofthoseIsawonland。OneIdroppedatthefirstshot，andtheotherImissed，ashewasrunning，togetbackintothewater。

TheoneIshot，andthateveryonethoughtwasdead，AFTERTHE

"BOYS"BEGANTOCUTHIMUP，decidedhewasnotgoingtostandforthat，andtoourhelplessdismaysuddenlyrolledhimselfintothewater。Ifthatisnothardluck，Idon"tknowit。AllIgotwasabadphotographofhim，andIhadalreadydecidedwhereIwouldhanghishead，andhowmuchIwouldtipthecrewforcuttinghimup。Itwasareallywonderfuljourney。IlovedeveryminuteofitandneverwasIinbetterhealth。

IfIonlycouldhaveknownthatyouknewthatIwasallright，butinsteadyouwereworrying。Thenightswerebrightmoonlight，andthedayswerebeautiful；fullofstrangepeopleandanimals，birdsandviews。Wethreesatinthelittlebridgeofthetinpotboat，andsmokedpipesandwatchedthegreatmuddyriverrushingbetweenwonderfulbanks。TherewastheDanishCaptain，anItalianofficerandtheengineerwasfromFinland。TheItalianspokeFrenchandthetwoothersEnglish，andIactedasinterpreter!!Canyouimagineit？I

amnowreallyadaringFrenchlinguist。Peoplewhounderstandme，getquickpromotion。IfIonlycouldhavebeenabletotellyouallwaswellandnottobeworried。AtKwarmouthI

havejustreceivedawirefromCecilsayingsheexpectstoleavebytheslowboatbutwillstayifIwishit。So，nowwecanbothgobytheslowboatifIcancatchit。Ihopeso。

musthavefoundBomaasbadasitlooked。Godblessyouall。

DICK。

OnApril13，RichardwasbackinLondonandinhisdiaryofthatdatehewrites，"Neversogladtogetanywhere。Wenttosleeptothemusicofmotorcars。Nothingevermademefeelsocontentandcomfortableandsecureastheir`honk，honk。""

FromdiaryofApril22nd，1907。

AblackmailernamedH——called，withphotosofatrocitiesandlettersandfilms。Hewanted30Poundsforthelot。I

gavehim3Poundsforthreephotos。OneletterheshowedmesignedBullinger，anEnglishman，saidhehadputthefearofGodintheirheartsbystickingupthechief"sheadonapole，andsaying，"Now，makerubber，oryouwilllooklikethat。"

WenttolunchwithPearsonbutitwasthewrongday，andsomissedgettingafreefeed。Thinkinghewouldturnup，I

orderedamostexpensivelunch。Ipaidforit。EveningwentPatience，whichlikedimmenselyandthenDuchessofSutherland"spartytoPremiers。SawChurchillandeachexplainedhisshareoftheRealSoldiersrow。

FromdiaryofApril28th，1907。

WewentdownbytraintoClivedengoingbyTaplowtoMaidenheadwhereAstorhadsenthiscartomeetus。ItisawonderfulplaceandtheviewoftheThamesisabeautifulone。

Theyhadbeenmakingalterations，bathrooms，andputtingwhiteenameltilesthroughoutthedungeons。IfDukeslivednomorecomfortablythanthosewhoownedCliveden，IamgladIwasnotaDuke。Whatwasmostamusingwastheservant"sroomwhichwasquiteassmartasanylibraryorstudy，withfinepaintings，armchairsandwritingmaterial。NannieandAstorwereexceedinglyfriendlyandwewalkedallovertheplace。

Itwasgoodtogetone"sfeetonturfagain。Theysentusbackbymotor，sowearrivedmostcomfortably。IgaveadinnertotheHopes，Wyndham，MissMaryMoore，Ashmead-BartlettandMargaret。Websterscouldnotcome。

Later，cameonhere，andhadachat，theWebsterscomingtoo。

IreadThawtrial。

EarlyinMayRichardandhiswifereturnedtoMountKiscoandmybrotheratoncestartedintochangehisfarce"TheGalloper"intoamusicalcomedy。ItwasproducedonAugust12，attheAstorTheatre，underthetitleofthe"YankeeTourist，"withRaymondHitchcockasthestar。ThefollowingI

quotefromRichard"sdiaryofthatdate:

Monday，August12th，1907。

WastohavelunchedwithNedStonebuthewasincourt。MetWhighaminstreet。Impulsivelyaskedhimtolunch。EthelandJackturnedupatMartin"s；askedthemtolunch。EthelandI

drovearoundtowndoingerrands，minebeingthepurchaseofticketsfornumerousfriends。CalledonMissTrusdaletoinquireaboutHarden-Hickey。Shewantshertogotothecountry。Cecilarrivedatsix。Wehadasuiteofeighty-ninerooms。WedinedatSherry"swithEthelandJack，Ethelbeinghost。Taftwasthere。Hottestnightever。IsatwithJack。

Inspiteofweather，playwentwell。Bonsals，Ethel，ArthurBrisbanewereinCecil"sbox。BoothTarkingtoninIrwin"s。

Surpriseofperformancewas"Hello，Bill"whichRaymondhadlearnedonlythatmorning。HelenHalehelpedhimgreatlywithdance。PeoplecametosupperatWaldorf，andthingswentallwrong。NexttimeIhaveafirstNightIwantnofriendsduringorafter。MissedtheexecutiveabilityofCharlesBelmontgreatly。

CHAPTERXVII

ALONDONWINTER

Fromthefallof1907tothatof1908RicharddividedhistimebetweenMountKisco，Marion，andCuba。InDecemberof1908hesailedforLondonwherehetookTurnertheartist"soldhouseinChelseaforthewinter。

CheyneWalk，Chelsea。

December25。ChristmasDay。

DEARMOTHER:

WearesettledhereinDarkestChelseaasthoughwehadbeenbornhere。IamthinkingofputtinginmytimeofexilebyrunningforMayor。Meanwhile，itisawonderfulplaceinwhichtowritethelastchaptersof"OnceUponaTime。"Thehouseisquitewonderful。InSpringandSummeritmustberarelybeautiful。Ithastreesinfrontandayardandagardenandasquashcourt:asortoftennisyouplayagainsttheanglesofwallscoveredsmoothwithcement。Alsoastudioaslargeasatheatre。Outsidethetreesbeatonthewindowsandbirdschirpthere。Theriverflowsonlyfortyfeetaway，withgreatbrownbargesonit，andgullswhimperandcry，andaeroplaneallday。Ihaveafineroom，andabouttheonlyoneyoucankeepaswarmastoastSHOULDbe，andinEnglandneveris。

Cecilhasengagedateacher，andamodelandheiscomingheretowork。Heistwentyyearsold，andcalledthe"boySargent。"So，assoonastheBritishpublicgetssober，wewillbeginlifeinearnest，andbothworkhard。IneednottellyouhowgladIamtobeatit。I

waswithyouallinheartlastnightandrecitedasmuchasI

couldrememberof"TwastheNightBeforeChristmas，"whichalwaysmeansDadtome，asheusedtoreadittous。Howmuchhemadethedaymeantous。IwishIcouldjustslipinforakiss，andahug。Buttonightwewillalldrinktoyou，andafewhourslateryouwilldrinktous。Godblessyouall。

DICK。

December29th。

DEARMOTHER:

AblizzardhassweptoverLondon。ThelastonecosttheCityCorporation$25，000!!ThelastmanwhocontractedtocleanNewYorkofsnowwascleanedoutbytwodaysofit，tothetuneof$200，000。Still，inspiteofourallegedsuperiorityinallthings，oneinchofsnowinChelseacandomoretodriveonetodrinkandsuicidethanafootofit"onthefarm。"Atthefarmwethrewatonofcoalagainstit，andlitlogfiresandoillamps，andwerewarm。Here，theytrytofightitwithtwobucketsofsoftchocolatecakecalledWelchcoal，andtheresultisyoufreeze。Cecil"sstudioislikeonevastsummerhotelatPortlandMaineinJanuary。Youcannotgonearitexceptinrubberboots，furcoatsandwoolengloves。Myroomstillistheonlyonethatislivable。Itisfourfeetsquare，heavilypanelledinoakandthecoalfiremakesitaswarmasastokehole。So，Iamallrightandcanworknicely。JanetSotherncametolunchtodayandCecilandsheinfurswentpicturegazing。TomorrowwehaveCapt。Chuletodinner。HecameuptheWestcoastwithusandisaccustomedtoatemperatureof120degrees。

NewYear"sevewespendwithLadyLewiswherewedineandkeepitupuntilfourinthemorning。Wewilleasilybeabletogetbackherebuthowwecangetahansomfromheretothegreatcity，Ican"timagine。Ihaveseennoneinfivedays。

ItisfinetobesurroundedbybustsofCarlyle，Whistler，RosettiandTurner"sown，butoccasionallyyouwishforataxicab。TomorrowIamgoingonaspreetothegreatcityofLondon。Thenovelgoesonsmoothly，andalliswell。IamstillrunningforMayorofChelsea。

Lovetoyouall。

DICK。

LONDON——January1，1909。

DEARMOTHER:

IdrankyourhealthandNoll"sandCharley"slastnightandsoweallcameintotheNewYeartogether。Ihopeitwillbeasgoodformeasthelast。CertainlyChas。iscomingonwellwithanotherbook。Itissplendid。Iamsovery，veryglad。

Someoftheverybeststoriesanybodyhaswrittenwillbeinhisnextbook。

WedinedattheLewis"s。Therewere150atdinnerandasweliveinChelseanow——onemightaswellbeinBrooklyn——wewereahalfhourlate。Fancyfeelingyouwerekeeping150peoplehungry。IsatatLadyLewis"stablewithsomeinterestingmenandonebeautifulwomanalldressedinglassoverpinksilk，andpearls，andpearlsandthen，pearls。Shesaid"WhoamI"

andIsaid"YoulooklikeagirlinAmerica，whousedtostandunderagreenpaperlampshadeupinafarmhouseinNewHampshireandplayaviolin。"Whereattherewasmuchapplause，becauseitseemedshewasthatgirl，thedaughterofaMrs。VanS——，whowroteshortstories。HerdaughterwasL——VanS——

nowthewifeofabaronetandworthfivemilliondollars。Theboardwepaidthenwaseightdollarsaweek。Now，wearediningwithhernextMondayandasIinsistedongoldplateshesaid"Verywell，I"llgetoutthegoldplate。"Butwasn"titdramaticofmetorememberheraftertwentytwoyears？

DICK。

LONDON-February23，1909。

DEARMOTHER:

GeorgeWashington"shealthwascelebratedbydrinkingitatdinner。Ihadbeenaskedtospeakatabanquetbutforsomestrangereasoncouldnotseemyselfinthepart。ThegreatFrohmanarrivedlastnightandweareallagitateduntilhespeaks。Ifhewouldonlylikemyplaysassomeoftheactorsdo，Iwouldbepassingrich。Barrieaskedhimselftolunchyesterdayandwasveryentertaining。HetoldusofaletterhereceivedfromGuyDuMaurierwhowrote"AnEnglishman"sHome"whichhasmadeasensationsecondtonothingintenyears。HeisanofficerstationedatasmallpostinSouthAfrica。HewroteBarriehewasathome，veryblueandhomesick，andoutsideitwasraining。ThencameBarrie"slongcable，at75centsaword，sayinghisplaywasthesuccessoftheyear。HedidnotknowevenithadbeenACCEPTED。Heshoutedtohiswife，andtheytriedtodancebutthehutwastoosmall，sotheyranoutintothecompoundanddancedintherain。ThenhesenttheKaffirboystothemesstobringalltheofficersandallthechampagneandtheydidnotgotobedatall。Thenextdaycables，stillatthreeshillingsawordcamefrompapersandmagazinesandpublishers，managers，syndicates。And，inhisletterhesays，stillnotappreciatingwhatafussithasmade，"IsupposeallitneedsnowistobemadeaquestionintheHouse，"whenalreadyithasbeenthetextofhalfadozenspeechesbyCabinetMinisters，andthreecompaniesareplayingitintheprovinces。Whatfuntohaveasuccesscomeinsuchaway，noteventoknowitwasbeingrehearsed。TodaySargentisheretoseewhatiswrongwithCecil"spictureofJanet。Hecameearlyandsaidhecouldn"ttelluntilhesawJanet，sonowheisbackagain，andbothJanetandCecilareshakingwithexcitement。Heisthemostsimple，kindlygeniusIevermet。HesaystheheadisveryfineandI

guessCecilsuspectedthat，beforeshecalledhimin。HesaysshemustsendittotheRoyalAcademy。Iamnowgoingouttohearmorewordsfallfromthegreatman，andsofarewell。

SeymourandIbeganworkyesterdayontheDictator。Itwentverysmooth。AllmylovetoNollandtoyou。

DICK。

Readtheotherletterfirstandthen，letmetellyouthatwhenIwentouttoseeSargent，IfoundCecilcomplainingthatshecouldnotunderstandjusthowitwashewantedJanettopose。WhereatshehandedhimapieceofchalkandhemadeasketchofJanetasexquisiteasthemorningandrubbedhishandsofthecharcoalandleftitthere!It"sonlyworthahundredpounds!CanyouimaginethenerveofCecil。IwassoshockedIcouldonlygasp。But，hewasquitecharmingandbeggedhertocallhimnexttimeshegotinascrape，andgaveherhisprivatetelephonenumber。

FancyhavingSargentwaitingtobecalleduptomakesketchesforyou。IleftJanetandCecilgigglingwithhappiness。

JanetbecauseshehadbeensketchedbyhimandCecilbecauseshehasthesketch。It"sathreefourthslengththreefeethigh，andhediditintenminutes。IamnowgoingtoaskhertoinvitethechefoftheRitzin，togiveusasketchofcookingadinner。

DICK。

CHAPTERXVIII

MILITARYMANOEUVRES

InAugust，1909，RichardandhiswifeleftMountKiscoforavisittoMr。andMrs。ClarkatMarion。WhiletheremybrotherattendedandlateronwroteanarticleonthewarmanoeuvresheldatMiddleboro，Massachusetts。

MARION，MASSACHUSETTS。

August16th，1909。

DEARMOTHER:

Wehadasplendiddaytoday。IarrangedtohaveCecilmeetmeatelevenatHeadquartersinthewoodsbelowMiddleboro，andIspentthemorninglocatingdifferentregiments。Then，afterI"metup"withher，Itookherinmycar。BothsheandHillerwereawfullykeenoverit，so，wegotonsplendidly。

And，ofcourse，Hiller"sknowledgeofthecountrywaswonderfullyconvenient。Wehadgreatluckinseeingtheonlyfightoftheday，thefirstoneofthewar。Indeed，Ithinkwecausedit。TherewasatroopofcavalrywithaCaptainwhowasafraidtoadvance。Ichidedhimintodoingsomething，theumpirehavingconfidedtome，hewouldmarkhim，ifhedidnot。But，hediditwrong。Anyway，hechargedabarnwith36

troopersandlosteveryfourthman。Inrealwarfarehewouldhavelostallhismenandallhishorses。CecilandHillerpursuedinthecarattheveryheelsofthecavalry，andIranaheadwiththebicyclescouts。Itwasmostexciting。Iamgoingoutagainto-morrow。LotsofLovetoyouall。

DICK。

MARION，MASSACHUSETTS。

August19th，1909。

DEARMOTHER:

IgotinlastnighttoolatetowriteandIamsorry。To-day，thewarcametoanendwithourarmy，theRedone，withtheroadtoBostonopenbeforeit。Indeed，whentheendcame，theywerefightingwiththeirbackstothatCity，andcouldhaveentereditto-night。IbeggedbothBlissandWoodtosendinthecavalryjustforthemoraleffect，buttheywereafraidofthefeeling，thatwasquitestrong。Ihadmuchfun，nevermore，andsawallthatwasworthseeing。IwasgladtoseeIaminsuchgoodshapephysically，butwiththetrampingIdooverthefarm，itisnowonder。Icouldtakeallthestonewallsatajump，whiletheothersweretearingthemdown。IalsomethundredsofmenIknewandeveryonewasmostfriendly，especiallythecorrespondents。JustasIlikedtobeonastorywitha"star"manwhenIwasareporter，theylikedhavingareal"war"correspondent，takeitseriously。

TheywerealwayswantingtoknowifitwereliketheRealThing，andasIassuredthemitwas，theyweresatisfied。

Someincidentswereveryfunny。Imetatroopofcavalrythismorning，ridingawayfromthebattle，downacrossroad，andthinkingitwasaflankingmanoeuvre，startedtofollowthemwiththecar。"Whereareyougoing？"IaskedtheCaptain。

"Nowhere，"hesaid，"Wearedead。"AnUmpirewascharginginadvanceoftwotroopsofthe10thdownastateroad，whenonetrooperoftheenemywhowereflying，turnedbackandalonechargedthetwotroops。"Youidiot"!yelledtheUmpire，"don"tyouknowyouandyourhorseareshottopieces？"

"Sure，Iknowit，"yelledthetrooper"but，this——horsedon"tknowit。"

RICHARD。

Earlyinthefallof1909RichardreturnedfromMariontoNewYorkandwenttoCrossroads，whereforthenextthreeyearsheremainedagreaterpartofthetime。Theywereyearsofgreatandseriouschangesforhim。Anestrangementoflongstandingbetweenhimandhiswifehadendedintheirseparationearlyin1910，tobefollowedlaterbytheirdivorce。InSeptemberofthatyearmymotherdiedwhileonavisittoCrossroads。

Aftermyfather"sdeathlifetoherbecameonlyaperiodofwaitinguntilthemomentcamewhenshewouldrejoinhim——becauseherfaithwasimplicitandinfinite。Shecouldnotwellsetaboutpreparingherselfbecauseallofherlifeshehaddonethatand，so，smilingandwithasplendidbraveryandpatienceshelivedon，findingherhappinessinbringingcheerandhopeandhappinesstoallwhocameintothepresenceofherwonderfulpersonality。TheoldhomeinPhiladelphiawasjustthesameasithadbeenthroughherlongmarriedlife——thatiswithonegreatdifference，butonaccountofthisdifferenceIknewthatshewasgladtospendherlastdayswithRichardatCrossroads。Andsurelynothingthatcouldbedoneforamotherbyasonhadbeenleftundonebyhim。Throughtheselastlongsummerdaysshesatontheterracesurroundedbytheflowersandthesunshinethatshesoloved。Littlechildrencametoplayatherknee，andoldfriendstravelledfromafartopayhercourt。

Inthewinterof1910-11mybrothervisitedAiken，wherehespentseveralmonths。ThefollowingJunehewenttoLondonatthetimeofKingGeorge"scoronation，butdidnotwriteaboutit。Again，inNovember，1911，hevisitedmysisterinLondon，butreturnedtoNewYorkinJanuary，1912，andspentapartofthewinterinAikenandCuba。AtAikenhefoundatleastpeaceandthedevotionoflovingfriendsthathesocraved，butinLondonandCuba，whichoncehadmeantsomuchtohim，heseemedtohavelostinterestentirely。Butnotonceduringtheseyearsdidheceaseworking，andworkinghard。OnalmosteverypageofhisdiaryatthisperiodIfindsuchexpressionsas"wrote500wordsfordiscipline。"Andagain"Satisfactioninworkoflastyearswhenwritingforexistence，hasbeenuptoanyIeverwrote。"

Andinspiteofallofthetroubleofthesedays，henotonlywroteincessantlybutdidsomeofhisveryfinestwork。

PersonallyIhaveneverseenamanmakeamorecourageousfight。Toquoteagainfromhisdiaryofthistime:"Earlygoingtomyroomsawredsunriseandgoldmoon。Iseemedtostopworryingaboutmoney。WithsuchfreepleasuresIfoundI

couldnotworry。EverydayGodgivesmegreaterdelightingoodthings，inbeauty，andineverysimpleexerciseandamusement。"

TwiceduringthesedifficultdayshewenttovisitGouverneurMorrisandhiswifeatAiken，andafterRichard"sdeathhisoldfriendwroteofthefirstofthesevisits:

"ItwasinourlittlehouseatAiken，inSouthCarolina，thathewaswithusmostandwelearnedtoknowhimbest，andthatheandIbecamedependentuponeachotherinmanyways。

"Events，intowhichIshallnotgo，hadmadehislifeverydifficultandcomplicated。Andhewhohadgivensomuchfriendshiptosomanypeopleneededalittlefriendshipinreturn，andperhaps，too，heneededforatimetoliveinahousewhosemasterandmistresslovedeachother，andwheretherewerechildren。Beforehecamethatfirstyearourhousehadnoname。Nowitiscalled`Let"sPretend。"

"Nowthechimneyintheliving-roomdraws，butinthosefirstdaysofthebuilt-overhouseitdidn"t。Atleast，itdidn"tdrawallthetime，butwepretendedthatitdid，andwithmuchpretensecamefaith。Fromthefireplacethatsmokedtotheseriousthingsoflifeweextendedourpretendings，untilrealtroubleswentdownbeforethem——downandout。

"ItwasoneofAiken"sverybestwinters，andtheearliestspringIeverlivedanywhere。R。H。D。cameshortlyafterChristmas。Thespiraeaswereinbloom，andthemonthlyroses；

youcouldalwaysfindasweetvioletortwosomewhereintheyard；hereandtheresplotchesofdeeppinkagainstgraycabinwallsprovedthatprecociouspeach-treeswereinbloom。Itneverrained。Atnightitwascoldenoughforfires。Inthemiddleofthedayitwashot。Thewindneverblew，andeverymorningwehadafourfortennisandeveryafternoonwerodeinthewoods。Andeverynightwesatinfrontofthefire(thatdidn"tsmokebecauseofpretending)andtalkeduntilthenextmorning。

"Hewasoneofthoserarelygiftedmenwhofindtheirchiefestpleasurenotinlookingbackwardorforward，butinwhatisgoingonatthemoment。

WeeksdidnothavetopassbeforeitwasforceduponhisknowledgethatTuesday，thefourteenth(letussay)，hadbeenagoodTuesday。Heknewitthemomenthewakedat7A。M。，andperceivedtheTuesdaysunshinemakingpatternsofbrightlightuponthefloor。Thesunshinerejoicedhimandtheknowledgethatevenbeforebreakfasttherewasvouchsafedtohimawholehouroflife。Thatdaybeganwithattentionstohisphysicalwell-being。Therewereexercisesconductedwithgreatvigorandrejoicing，followedbyatub，artesiancold，andaloudandjoyoussingingofballads。

"Thesingingover，silencereigned。Butifyouhadlistenedathisdooryoumusthaveheardapengoing，swiftlyandboldly。Hewashardatwork，doinguntootherswhatothershaddoneuntohim。Youwereastrangertohim；somemagazinehadacceptedastorythatyouhadwrittenandpublishedit。