第9章
Oneofthem——theonenexttothebarber-shop——hadacrossitsfrontanample，jig-sawedveranda，whereaforetime，nodoubt，thefatherofafamilyhadfannedhimselfwithapalm-leaffanonSundayafternoons，watchingthesurreysgoby，andwherehisdaughterlistenedtomandolinsandbadinageonstarlitevenings；
but，althoughyouthstillheldtheveranda，boththeyouthandtheverandawereindecay。Thefourorfiveyoungmenwholoungedtherethisafternoonwereofatypeknowntoshadypool-parlours。Hatsfoundnofavourwiththem；allofthemworecaps；andtheirtightclothes，apparentlyfromacommonsource，showedavivaciousfancyforobliquepockets，falsebelts，andEaster-eggcolourings。Anotherthingcommontothegroupwastheexpressionofeyeandmouth；andAlice，inthemidstofherotherthoughts，hadadistastefulthoughtaboutthis。
Theverandawaswithinadozenfeetofthesidewalk，andassheandherescortcamenearer，shetooknoteoftheyoungmen，herfacehardeningalittle，evenbeforeshesuspectedtheremightbearesemblancebetweenthemandanyonesheknew。Thensheobservedthateachoftheseloungersworenotfortheoccasion，butasofhabit，alookoffurtivelyamusedcontempt；themouthsmiledtoonesideasifnottodislodgeacigarette，whiletheeyeskeptlanguidlysuperior。AllatonceAlicewasremindedofWalter；andtheslightfrowncausedbythisideahadjustbeguntodarkenherforeheadwhenWalterhimselfsteppedoutoftheopendoorofthehouseandappearedupontheveranda。Uponhisheadwasanewstrawhat，andinhishandwasaMalaccastickwithanivorytop，forAlicehadfinallydecidedagainstitforherselfandhadgivenittohim。Hismoodwaslively:hetwirledthestickthroughhisfingerslikeadrum-major"sbaton，andwhistledloudly。
Moreover，hewasindeedaccompanied。Withhimwasathingirlwhohadmadeaviolentblack-and-whiteposterofherself:blackdress，blackflimsyboa，blackstockings，whiteslippers，greatblackhatdownupontheblackeyes；andbeneaththehatacurveofcheekandchinmadewhiteaswhitewash，andinstrongbilateralmotionwithgum。
Theloungersontheverandawerefamiliarsofthepair；hailedthemwithcacklings；andonebegantosing，inavoicealltin:
"Thenmyskirt，Sal，andmedidgoRightstraighttothemoving-pitchershow。
OH，youbashfulvamp!"
Thegirllaughedairily。"God，butyouguysarewise!"shesaid。
"Comeon，Wallie。"
Walterstaredathissister；thengrinnedfaintly，andnoddedatRussellasthelatterliftedhishatinsalutation。Aliceutteredanincoherentsyllableofexclamation，and，asshebegantowalkfaster，shebitherliphard，notinordertolookwistful，thistime，buttohelpherkeeptearsofangerfromhereyes。
Russelllaughedcheerfully。"Yourbrothercertainlyseemstohavefoundtheplacefor"colour"today，"hesaid。"Thatgirl"stalkmustbefullofit。"
ButAlicehadforgottenthecoloursheherselfhadusedinaccountingforWalter"speculiarities，andshedidnotunderstand。"What？"shesaid，huskily。
"Don"tyouremembertellingmeabouthim？Howhewasgoingtowrite，probably，andwouldgoanywheretopickuptypesandgetthemtotalk？"
Shekepthereyesahead，andsaidsharply，"Ithinkhisliterarytastesscarcelycoverthiscase!"
"Don"tbetoosure。Hedidn"tlookatalldisconcerted。Hedidn"tseemtomindyourseeinghim。"
"That"salltheworse，isn"tit？"
"Why，no，"herfriendsaid，genially。"Itmeanshedidn"tconsiderthathewasengagedinanythingoutoftheway。Youcan"texpecttounderstandeverythingboysdoathisage；theydoallsortsofqueerthings，andoutgrowthem。Yourbrotherevidentlyhasatasteforqueerpeople，andverylikelyhe"sbeenatleasthalfsincerewhenhe"smadeyoubelievehehadaliterarymotivebehindit。Weallgothrough——"
"Thanks，Mr。Russell，"sheinterrupted。"Let"sdon"tsayanymore。"
Helookedatherflushedfaceandenlargedeyes；andhelikedherallthebetterforherindignation:thiswashowgoodsistersoughttofeel，hethought，failingtounderstandthatmostofwhatshefeltwasnotaboutWalter。Heventuredonlyawordmore。"Trynottominditsomuch；itreallydoesn"tamounttoanything。"
Sheshookherhead，andtheywentoninsilence；shedidnotlookathimagainuntiltheystoppedbeforeherownhouse。Thenshegavehimonlyoneglimpseofhereyesbeforeshelookeddown。
"It"sspoiled，isn"tit？"shesaid，inalowvoice。
"What"s"spoiled？""
"Ourwalk——well，everything。Somehowitalways——is。"
""Alwaysis"what？"heasked。
"Spoiled，"shesaid。
Helaughedatthat；butwithoutlookingathimshesuddenlyofferedhimherhand，and，ashetookit，hefeltahurried，violentpressureuponhisfingers，asifshemeanttothankhimalmostpassionatelyforbeingkind。Shewasgonebeforehecouldspeaktoheragain。
Inherroom，withthedoorlocked，shedidnotgotohermirror，buttoherbed，flingingherselffacedown，notcaringhowfarthepillowsputherhatawry。Sheergriefhadfollowedheranger；griefforthecalamitousendofherbrightafternoon，griefforthe"endofeverything，"asshethoughtthen。
Nevertheless，shegraduallygrewmorecomposed，and，whenhermothertappedonthedoorpresently，letherin。Mrs。Adamslookedatherwithquickapprehension。
"Oh，poorchild!Wasn"the——"
Alicetoldher。"Youseehowit——howitmademelook，mama，"shequavered，havingconcludedhernarrative。"I"dtriedtocoverupWalter"sawfulnessatthedancewiththatstoryabouthisbeing"literary，"butnostorywasbigenoughtocoverthisup——andoh!
itmustmakehimthinkItellstoriesaboutotherthings!"
"No，no，no!"Mrs。Adamsprotested。"Don"tyousee？Attheworst，allHEcouldthinkisthatWaltertoldstoriestoyouaboutwhyhelikestobewithsuchdreadfulpeople，andyoubelievedthem。That"sallHE"Dthink；don"tyousee？"
Alice"sweteyesbegantoshowalittlehopefulness。"Youhonestlythinkitmightbethatway，mama？"
"Why，fromwhatyou"vetoldmehesaid，IKNOWit"sthatway。
Didn"thesayhewantedtocomeagain？"
"N-no，"Alicesaid，uncertainly。"ButIthinkhewill。AtleastIbegintothinksonow。He——"Shestopped。
"Fromallyoutellme，heseemstobeaverydesirableyoungman，"Mrs。Adamssaid，primly。
Herdaughterwassilentforseveralmoments；thennewtearsgathereduponherdowncastlashes。"He"sjust——dear!"shefaltered。
Mrs。Adamsnodded。"He"stoldyouheisn"tengaged，hasn"the？"
"No。ButIknowheisn"t。Maybewhenhefirstcameherehewasnearit，butIknowhe"snot。"
"IguessMildredPalmerwouldLIKEhimtobe，allright!"Mrs。
Adamswasfrankenoughtosay，rathertriumphantly；andAlice，withaloweredhead，murmured:
"Anybody——would。"
Thewordswereallbutinaudible。
"Don"tyouworry，"hermothersaid，andpattedherontheshoulder。"Everythingwillcomeoutallright；don"tyoufear，Alice。Can"tyouseethatbesideanyothergirlintownyou"rejustaperfectQUEEN？Doyouthinkanyyoungmanthatwasn"tprejudiced，orsomething，wouldneedmorethanjustonelookto——"
ButAlicemovedawayfromthecaressinghand。"Nevermind，mama。
Iwonderhelooksatmeatall。Andifhedoesagain，afterseeingmybrotherwiththosehorriblepeople——"
"Now，now!"Mrs。Adamsinterrupted，expostulatingmournfully。
"I"msureWalter"saGOODboy——"
"Youare？"Alicecried，withasuddenvigour。"YouARE？"
"I"msurehe"sGOOD，yes——andifheisn"t，it"snothisfault。
It"smine。"
"Whatnonsense!"
"No，it"strue，"Mrs。Adamslamented。"Itriedtobringhimuptobegood，Godknows；andwhenhewaslittlehewasthebestboyIeversaw。WhenhecamefromSunday-schoolhe"dalwaysruntomeandwe"dgooverthelessontogether；andheletmecomeinhisroomatnighttohearhisprayersalmostuntilhewassixteen。Mostboyswon"tdothatwiththeirmothers——notnearlythatlong。Itriedsohardtobringhimupright——butifanything"sgonewrongit"smyfault。"
"Howcoulditbe？You"vejustsaid——"
"It"sbecauseIdidn"tmakeyourfatherthis——thisnewstepearlier。ThenWaltermighthavehadalltheadvantagesthatother——"
"Oh，mama，PLEASE!"Alicebeggedher。"Let"sdon"tgooverallthatagain。Isn"titmoreimportanttothinkwhat"stobedoneabouthim？Ishegoingtobeallowedtogoondisgracingusashedoes？"
Mrs。Adamssighedprofoundly。"Idon"tknowwhattodo，"sheconfessed，unhappily。"Yourfather"ssoupsetabout——aboutthisnewstephe"staking——Idon"tfeelasifweoughtto——"
"No，no!"Alicecried。"Papamustn"tbedistressedwiththis，ontopofeverythingelse。ButSOMETHING"SgottobedoneaboutWalter。"
"Whatcanbe？"hermotherasked，helplessly。"Whatcanbe？"
Aliceadmittedthatshedidn"tknow。
Atdinner，anhourlater，Walter"shabituallyveiledglancelifted，nowandthen，totouchherfurtively；——hewaswaiting，ashewouldhavesaid，forherto"springit"；andhehadpreparedabriefandsinceredefensetotheeffectthathemadehisownliving，andwouldliketoinquirewhosebusinessitwastoofferintrusivecommentuponhisprivateconduct。Butshesaidnothing，whilehisfatherandmotherwereassilentasshe。
Walterconcludedthattherewastobenoattack，butchangedhismindwhenhisfather，whoateonlyalittle，andbroodinglyatthat，rosetoleavethetableandspoketohim。
"Walter，"hesaid，"whenyou"vefinishedIwishyou"dcomeuptomyroom。IgotsomethingIwanttosaytoyou。"
Waltershotahardlookathisapatheticsister，thenturnedtohisfather。"Makeitto-morrow，"hesaid。"ThisisSatad"ynightandIgotadate。"
"No，"Adamssaid，frowning。"Youcomeupbeforeyougoout。
It"simportant。"
"Allright；I"vehadallIwanttoeat，"Walterreturned。"Igotafewminutes。Makeitquick。"
Hefollowedhisfatherupstairs，andwhentheywereintheroomtogetherAdamsshutthedoor，satdown，andbegantorubhisknees。
"Rheumatism？"theboyinquired，slyly。"Thatwhatyouwanttotalktomeabout？"
"No。"ButAdamsdidnotgoon；heseemedtobeindifficultiesforwords，andWalterdecidedtohelphim。
"Hopaheadandspringit，"hesaid。"Getitoffyourmind:I"lltelltheworld_I_shouldworry!Youaren"tgoin"tobotherME
any，sowhybotheryourself？Alicehoppedhomeandtoldyoushesawmeplayin"aroundwithsomeprettygay-lookin"berriesandyou——"
"Alice？"hisfathersaid，obviouslysurprised。"It"snothingaboutAlice。"
"Didn"tshetellyou——"
"Ihaven"ttalkedwithherallday。"
"Oh，Isee，"Waltersaid。"Shetoldmotherandmothertoldyou。"
"No，neitherof"emhavetoldmeanything。Whatwastheretotell？"
Walterlaughed。"Oh，it"snothin"，"hesaid。"Iwasjuststartin"outtobuyagirlfriendo"minearhinestonebuckleI
losttoheronabet，thisafternoon，andAlicecamealongwiththatbigRussellfish；andIthoughtshelookedsore。Sheexpectsmetolikethekindshelikes，andIdon"tlike"em。I
thoughtshe"dprob"lygotyouallstirredupaboutit。"
"No，no，"hisfathersaid，peevishly。"Idon"tknowanythingaboutit，andIdon"tcaretoknowanythingaboutit。Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomethingimportant。"
Then，ashewasagainsilent，Waltersaid，"Well，TALKaboutit；
I"mlistening。"
"It"sthis，"Adamsbegan，heavily。"It"saboutmegoingintothisgluebusiness。Yourmother"stoldyou，hasn"tshe？"
"Shesaidyouweregoin"toleavetheoldplacedown-townandstartagluefactory。That"sallIknowaboutit；Igotmyownaffairsto"tendto。"
"Well，thisisyouraffair，"hisfathersaid，frowning。"Youcan"tstaywithLambandCompany。"
Walterlookedalittlestartled。"Whatyoumean，Ican"t？Whynot？"
"You"vegottohelpme，"Adamsexplainedslowly；andhefrownedmoredeeply，asiftheinterviewweregrowingincreasinglylaboriousforhim。"It"sgoingtobeabigpulltogetthisbusinessonitsfeet。"
"Yes!"Walterexclaimedwithasharpskepticism。"Ishouldsayitwas!"Hestaredathisfatherincredulously。"Lookhere；
aren"tyoujustalittlebitsudden，thewayyou"regoin"aboutthings？You"veletmothershoveyoualittletoofast，haven"tyou？Doyouknowanythingaboutwhatitmeanstosetupanewbusinessthesedays？"
"Yes，Iknowallaboutit，"Adamssaid。"Aboutthisbusiness，I
do。"
"Howdoyou？"
"BecauseImadealongstudyofit。I"mnotafraidofgoingaboutitthewrongway；butit"sahardjobandyou"llhavetoputinallwhateversenseandstrengthyou"vegot。"
Walterbegantobreathequickly，andhislipswereagitated；thenhesetthemobstinately。"Oh；Iwill，"hesaid。
"Yes，youwill，"Adamsreturned，notnoticingthathisson"sinflectionwassatiric。"It"sgoingtotakeeverybitofenergyinyourbody，andalltheenergyIgotleftinmine，andeverycentofthelittleI"vesaved，besidessomethingI"llhavetoraiseonthishouse。I"mgoingrightatit，nowI"vegotto；andyou"llhavetoquitLamb"sbytheendofnextweek。"
"Oh，Iwill？"Walter"svoicegrewlouder，andtherewasashrillnessinit。"IgottoquitLamb"stheendofnextweek，haveI？"Hesteppedforward，angrily。"Listen!"hesaid。"I"mnotwalkin"outo"Lamb"s，see？I"mnotquittin"downthere:I
staywith"em，see？"
Adamslookedupathim，astonished。"You"llleavetherenextSaturday，"hesaid。"I"vegottohaveyou。"
"Youdon"tanythingo"thekind，"Waltertoldhim，sharply。"Doyouexpecttopaymeanything？"
"I"dpayyouaboutwhatyoubeengettingdownthere。"
"Thenpaysomebodyelse；_I_don"tknowanythingaboutglue。Yougetsomebodyelse。"
"No。You"vegotto——"
Waltercuthimoffwiththeutmostvehemence。"Don"ttellmewhatIgottodo!IknowwhatIgottodobetter"nyou，Iguess!
IstayatLamb"s，see？"
Adamsroseangrily。"You"lldowhatItellyou。Youcan"tstaydownthere。"
"Whycan"tI？"
"BecauseIwon"tletyou。"
"Listen!Keeponnotlettin"me:I"llbetherejustthesame。"
Atthathisfatherbrokeintoasourlaughter。"THEYwon"tletyou，Walter!Theywon"thaveyoudownthereaftertheyfindoutI"mgoing。"
"Whywon"tthey？Youdon"tthinkthey"regoin"tobeallshottopiecesoverlosin"YOU，doyou？"
"Itellyoutheywon"tletyoustay，"hisfatherinsisted，loudly。
"Why，whatdotheycarewhetheryougoornot？"
"They"llcareenoughtofireYOU，myboy!"
"Lookhere，then；showmewhy。"
"They"lldoit!"
"Yes，"Walterjeered；"youkeepsayin"theywill，butwhenIaskyoutoshowmewhy，youkeepsayin"theywill!ThatmakeslittleheadwaywithME，Icantellyou!"
Adamsgroaned，and，rubbinghishead，begantopacethefloor。
Walter"srefusalwassomethinghehadnotanticipated；andhefelttheweaknessofhisownattempttomeetit:heseemedpowerlesstodoanythingbututterangrywords，which，asWaltersaid，madelittleheadway。"Oh，my，my!"hemuttered，"OH，my，my!"
Walter，usuallysallow，hadgrownpale:hewatchedhisfathernarrowly，andnowtookasuddenresolution。"Lookhere，"hesaid。"WhenyousayLamb"sislikelytofiremebecauseyou"regoin"toquit，youtalklikethepeoplethathavetobelockedup。Idon"tknowwhereyougetsuchthingsinyourhead；LambandCompanywon"tknowyou"regone。Listen:IcanstaytherelongasIwantto。ButI"lltellyouwhatI"lldo:makeitworthmywhileandI"llhookupwithyouroldgluefactory，afterall。"
Adamsstoppedhispacingabruptly，andstaredathim。""Makeitworthyourwhile？"Whatyoumean？"
"Igotagooduseforthreehundreddollarsrightnow，"Waltersaid。"LetmehaveitandI"llquitLamb"stoworkforyou。
Don"tletmehaveitandISWEARIwon"t!"
"Areyoucrazy？"
"Iseverybodycrazythatneedsthreehundreddollars？"
"Yes，"Adamssaid。"TheyareiftheyaskMEforit，whenIgottostretcheverycentIcanlaymyhandsontomakeitlooklikeadollar!"
"Youwon"tdoit？"
Adamsburstoutathim。"Youlittlefool!IfIhadthreehundreddollarstothrowaway，besidesthepayIexpectedtogiveyou，haven"tyougotsenseenoughtoseeIcouldhireamanworththreehundreddollarsmoretomethanyou"dbe？It"saFINEtimetoaskmeforthreehundreddollars，isn"tit!WhatFOR？
Rhinestonebucklestothrowaroundonyour"girlfriends？"Shameonyou!AskmetoBRIBEyoutohelpyourselfandyourownfamily!"
"I"llgiveyoualastchance，"Waltersaid。"EitheryoudowhatIwant，orIwon"tdowhatyouwant。Don"taskmeagainafterthis，because——"
Adamsinterruptedhimfiercely。""Askyouagain!"Don"tworryaboutthat，myboy!AllIaskyouistogetouto"myroom。"
"Lookhere，"Waltersaid，quietly；andhislopsidedsmiledistortedhislividcheek。"Lookhere:IexpectYOUwouldn"tgivemethreehundreddollarstosavemylife，wouldyou？"
"Youmakemesick，"Adamssaid，inhisbitterness。"Getoutofhere。"
Walterwentout，whistling；andAdamsdroopedintohisoldchairagainasthedoorclosed。"OH，my，my!"hegroaned。"Oh，Lordy，Lordy!Thewayofthetransgressor——"
CHAPTERXVI
Hemeanthisowntransgressionandhisownway；forWalter"sstubbornrefusalappearedtoAdamsjustthenasoneoftheinexplicablebutrighteousbesettingshemustencounterinfollowingthatway。"Oh，Lordy，Lord!"hegroaned，andthen，asresentmentmovedhim——"Thatdangboy!Dangidiot"YetheknewhimselfforagreateridiotbecausehehadnotbeenabletotellWalterthetruth。Hecouldnotbringhimselftodoit，noreventostatehiscaseinitsbestterms；andthatwasbecausehefeltthateveninitsbesttermsthecasewasabadone。
Ofallhisregretsthegreatestwasthatinamomentofvanityandtenderness，twenty-fiveyearsago，hehadtoldhisyoungwifeabusinesssecret。Hehadwantedtoshowhowimportantherhusbandwasbecoming，andhowmuchtheheadoftheuniverse，J。
A。Lamb，trustedtohisintegrityandability。Thegreatmanhadanidea:hethoughtof"branchingoutalittle，"hetoldAdamsconfidentially，andtherewerepossibilitiesofprofitinglue。
Whathewantedwasaliquidgluetobeputintolittlebottlesandsoldcheaply。"Thekindofthingthatsellsitself，"hesaid；"thekindofthingthatpaysitsownsmallwayasitgoesalong，untilithasprofitsenoughtobeginadvertisingitright。
Everybodyhastouseglue，andifImakemineconvenientandcheap，everybody"llbuymine。Butit"sgottobegluethat"llSTICK；it"sgottobethebest；andifwefindhowtomakeitwe"vegot，tokeepitabigsecret，ofcourse，oranybodycanstealitfromus。Therewasamanherelastmonth；heknewaformulahewantedtosellme，"sightunseen"；buthewasinsuchahurryIgotsuspicious，andIfoundhe"dmanagedtostealit，workingforthebigpackersintheirglue-works。We"vegottofindabettergluethanthat，anyhow。I"mgoingtosetyouandCampbellatit。You"reapractical，wide-awakeyoungfeller，andCampbell"samightygoodchemist；Iguessyoutwoboysoughttomakesomethinghappen。"
Hisguesswasshrewdenough。Workinginashedalittlewayoutsidethetown，wheretheircheeryemployervisitedthemsometimestostudytheirmalodorousstews，thetwoyoungmenfoundwhatLambhadsetthemtofind。ButCampbellwasthoughtfuloverthediscovery。"Lookhere，"hesaid。"Whyain"tthisjustaboutyoursandmine？Afterall，itmaybeLamb"smoneythat"spaidforthestuffwe"veused，butithasn"tcostmuch。"
"ButhepaysUS，"Adamsremonstrated，horrifiedbyhiscompanion"sidea。"Hepaidustodoit。Itbelongsabsolutelytohim。"
"Oh，IknowheTHINKSitdoes，"Campbelladmitted，plaintively。
"Isupposewe"vegottolethimtakeit。It"snotpatentable，andhe"llhavetodoprettywellbyuswhenhestartshisfactory，becausehe"sgottodependonustorunthemakingofthestuffsothattheworkmencan"tgetontotheprocess。YoubetteraskhimthesamesalaryIdo，andmine"sgoingtobehigh。
Butthehighsalary，thuspleasantlyimagined，wasneverpaid。
Campbelldiedoftyphoidfever，thatsummer，leavingAdamsandhisemployertheonlypossessorsoftheformula，anunwrittenone；andAdams，pleasedtothinkhimselfmoreimportanttothegreatmanthanever，toldhiswifethattherecouldbelittledoubtofhisbeingputinsolechargeoftheprospectiveglue-works。Unfortunately，theenterpriseremainedprospective。
Itsprojectorhadalreadybecome"inveigledintoanotherside-line，"ashetoldAdams。Oneofhissonshadpersuadedhimtotakeupa"cough-lozenge，"tobecalledthe"JalambBalmTrochee"；andthelozengedidwellenoughtoamuseMr。Lambandoccupyhissparetime，whichwasreallyaboutallhehadaskedoftheglueproject。Hehad"alltheMONEYanybodyoughttowant，"
hesaid，whenAdamsurgedhim；andhecould"startupthislittleglueside-line"atanytime；theformulawassafeintheirtwoheads。
AtintervalsAdamswouldseekopportunitytospeakof"thelittleglueside-line"tohispatron，andtosuggestthattheyearswerepassing；butLamb，pettingotherhobbies，hadlostinterest。
"Oh，I"llstartitupsomeday，maybe。IfIdon"t，Imayturnitovertomyheirs:it"salwaysanasset，worthsomethingorother，ofcourse。We"llprobablytakeitupsomeday，though，youandI。"
Thesunpersistentlydeclinedtoriseonthatday，and，astimewenton，Adamssawthathisrathertimidurgingsboredhisemployer，andheceasedtobringupthesubject。Lambapparentlyforgotallaboutglue，butAdamsdiscoveredthatunfortunatelytherewassomeoneelsewhorememberedit。
"It"sreallyYOURS，"sheargued，thatpainfuldaywhenforthefirsttimeshesuggestedhisusinghisknowledgeforthebenefitofhimselfandhisfamily。"Mr。Campbellmighthavehadarighttopartofit，buthediedanddidn"tleaveanykin，soitbelongstoyou。"
"SupposeJ。A。Lambhiredmetosawsomewood，"Adamssaid。
"Wouldthesticksbelongtome？"
"Hehasn"tgotanyrighttotakeyourinventionandburyit，"sheprotested。"Whatgoodisitdoinghimifhedoesn"tDOanythingwithit？WhatgoodisitdoingANYBODY？Noneintheworld!Andwhatharmwoulditdohimifyouwentaheadanddidthisforyourselfandforyourchildren？Noneintheworld!AndwhatcouldhedotoyouifheWASoldpigenoughtogetangrywithyoufordoingit？Hecouldn"tdoasinglething，andyou"veadmittedhecouldn"t，yourself。Sowhat"syourreasonfordeprivingyourchildrenandyourwifeofthebenefitsyouknowyoucouldgive"em？"
"Nothingbutdecency，"heanswered；andshehadherreplyreadyforthat。Itseemedtohimthat，striveashewould，hecouldnotreachhermindwitheventheplainestlanguage；whileeverythingthatshesaidtohim，withsuchvehemence，soundedlikesomuchobstinategibberish。Overandoverhepressedherwiththesameillustration，onthepointofownership，thoughhethoughthewasvaryingit。
"Supposehehiredmetobuildhimahouse:wouldthatbeMY
house？"
"Hedidn"thireyoutobuildhimahouse。YouandCampbellinvented——"
"Lookhere:supposeyougiveacookasoup-boneandsomevegetables，andpayhertomakeyouasoup:hasshegotarighttotakeandsellit？Youknowbetter!"
"IknowONEthing:ifthatoldmantriedtokeepyourowninventionfromyouhe"snobetterthanarobber!"
Theyneverfoundanypointofcontactinalltheirpassionatediscussionsofthisethicalquestion；andthequestionwasnomoresettledbetweenthem，nowthatAdamshadsuccumbed，thanithadeverbeen。Butatleastthewranglingaboutitwasover:
theyweregravetogether，almostsilent，andanuneasinessprevailedwithherasmuchaswithhim。
Hehadalreadybeenoutofthehouse，towalkaboutthesmallgreenyard；andonMondayafternoonhesentforataxicabandwentdown-town，butkeptalongwayfromthe"wholesalesection，"
wherestoodtheformidableoldoblongpileofLambandCompany。
Hearrangedforthesaleofthebondshehadlaidaway，andforplacingamortgageuponhishouse；andonhiswayhome，afterfiveo"clock，hewenttoseeanoldfriend，amanwhosetermofservicewithLambandCompanywasevenalittlelongerthanhisown。
Thisveteran，returnedfromtheday"swork，wassittinginfrontoftheapartmenthousewherehelived，butwhenthecabstoppedatthecurbheroseandcameforward，offeringajoculargreeting。"Well，well，VirgilAdams!Ialwaysthoughtyouhadasportystreakinyou。Travelinyourownhiredprivateautomobilenowadays，doyou？Pamperin"yourselfbecauseyou"restilllayin"offsick，Iexpect。"
"Oh，I"mwellenoughagain，CharleyLohr，"Adamssaid，ashegotoutandshookhands。Then，tellingthedrivertowait，hetookhisfriend"sarm，walkedtothebenchwithhim，andsatdown。"I
beenpracticallywellforsometime，"hesaid。"I"mfixin"togetintoharnessagain。"
"Bein"sickhascertainlyproducedachangeofheartinyou，"hisfriendlaughed。"You"rethelastmanIeverexpectedtoseeblowin"yourself——oranybodyelsetoataxicab!Forthatmatter，Ineverheardofyoubein"inANYkindofacab，"less"nitmightbewhenyoubeenpall-bearerforsomebody。What"scomeoveryou？"
"Well，Igottoturnoveranewleaf，andthat"safact，"Adamssaid。"Igotalottodo，andtheonlywaytoaccomplishit，it"sgottobedonesoon，orIwon"thaveanythingtoliveonwhileI"mdoingit。"
"Whatyoutalkin"about？Whatyougottodoexcepttogetstrongenoughtocomebacktotheoldplace？"
"Well——"Adamspaused，thencoughed，andsaidslowly，"Factis，CharleyLohr，IbeenthinkinglikelyIwouldn"tcomeback。"
"What!Whatyoutalkin"about？"
"No，"saidAdams。"IbeenthinkingImightlikelykindofbranchoutonmyownaccount。"
"Well，I"llbedoggoned!"OldCharleyLohrwasamazed；heruffleduphisgraymoustachewiththumbandforefinger，leavinghismouthopenbeneath，likeadarkcaveunderatangledwintrythicket。"Why，that"sthedoggonedestthingIeverheard!"hesaid。"Ialreadyamtheoldestinhabitantdownthere，butifyougo，therewon"tbeanybodyelseoftheoldgenerationatall。
Whatonearthyouthinkin"ofgoin"into？"
"Well，"saidAdams，"Iratheryoudidn"tmentionittillIgetstartedofcourseanybody"llknowwhatitisbythen——butIHAVE
beenkindofplanningtoputaliquidglueonthemarket。"
Hisfriend，stillrufflingthegraymoustacheupward，staredathiminfrowningperplexity。"Glue？"hesaid。"GLUE!"
"Yes。Ibeensortofmillingovertheideaoftakingupsomethinglikethat。"
"Handlin"itforsomefirm，youmean？"
"No。Makingit。Sortofaglue-workslikely。"
Lohrcontinuedtofrown。"Letmethink，"hesaid。"Didn"ttheolemanhavesomesuchideaonce，himself？"
Adamsleanedforward，rubbinghisknees；andhecoughedagainbeforehespoke。"Well，yes。Factis，hedid。Thatistosay，amightylongwhileagohedid。"
"Iremember，"saidLohr。"HeneversaidanythingaboutitthatI
knowof；butseemstomeIrecollectwehadsortofarumouraroundtheplacehowyouandthatman——le"ssee，wasn"thisnameCampbell，thatdiedoftyphoidfever？Yes，thatwasit，Campbell。Didn"ttheolemanhaveyouandCampbellworkin"sortofprivateonsomegluepropositionorother？"
"Yes，hedid。"Adamsnodded。"Ifoundoutagooddealaboutgluethen，too。"
"Beenworkin"onitsince，Isuppose？"
"Yes。Keptitinmymindandstudiedoutnewthingsaboutit。"
Lohrlookedserious。"Well，butseehere，"hesaid。"Ihopeitain"tanythingtheoleman"llthinkmightinfringeonwhateverhehadyoudoin"forHIM。Youknowhowheis:broad-minded，liberal，free-handedmanaswalksthisearth，andifhethoughtheowedyouacenthe"dsellhisrighthandforapork-choptopayit，ifthatwastheonlyway；butifhegottheideaanybodywastryin"togetthebetterofhim，he"dsellBOTHhishands，ifhehadto，tokeep"emfromdoin"it。Yes，ateighty，hewould!
NotthatImeanIthinkyoumightbetryin"togetthebetterofhim，Virg。You"reamightycloseolecodger，butsuchathingain"tinyou。WhatImean:Ihopethereain"tanychancefortheolemantoTHINKyoumightbe——"
"Oh，no，"Adamsinterrupted。"Asamatteroffact，Idon"tbelievehe"lleverthinkaboutitatall，andifhedidhewouldn"thaveanyrealrighttofeeloffendedatme:theprocessI"mgoingtouseisoneIexpecttochangeandimprovealotdifferentfromtheoneCampbellandIworkedonforhim。"
"Well，that"sgood，"saidLohr。"Ofcourseyouknowwhatyou"reupto:you"reoldenough，Godknows!"Helaughedruefully。"My，butitwillseemfunnytome——downtherewithyougone!IexpectyouandIbothbeengettin"tobeprettymuchdead-woodintheplace，thewaytheyoungfellowslookatit，andtheonlyonethat"dmisseitherofuswouldbetheotherone!Haveyoutoldtheolemanyet？"
"Well——"Adamsspokelaboriously。"No。No，Ihaven"t。I
thought——well，that"swhatIwantedtoseeyouabout。"
"WhatcanIdo？"
"IthoughtI"dwritehimaletterandgetyoutohandittohimforme。"
"Mysoul!"hisfriendexclaimed。"Whyonearthdon"tyoujustgodownthereandtellhim？"
Adamsbecamepitiablyembarrassed。Hestammered，coughed，stammeredagain，wrinklinghisfacesodeeplyheseemedabouttoweep；butfinallyhecontrivedtoutteranapologeticlaugh。"I
oughttodothat，ofcourse；butinsomewayorotherIjustdon"tseemtobeableto——tomanageit。"
"Whyintheworldnot？"themystifiedLohrinquired。
"Icouldhardlytellyou——"less"nitistosaythatwhenyoubeenwithonebossallyourlifeit"sso——sokindofembarrassing——toquithim，Ijustcan"tmakeupmymindtogoandspeaktohimaboutit。No；Igotitinmyheadaletter"stheonlysatisfactorywaytodoit，andIthoughtI"daskyoutohandittohim，"
"Well，ofcourseIdon"tminddoin"thatforyou，"Lohrsaid，mildly。"Butwhyintheworlddon"tyoujustmailittohim？"
"Well，I"lltellyou，"Adamsreturned。"Youknow，likethat，it"dhavetogothroughaclerkandthatsecretaryofhis，andI
don"tknowwhoall。There"sacoupleofkindofdelicatepointsIwanttoputinit:forinstance，IwanttoexplaintohimhowmuchimprovementandsoonI"mgoingtointroduceontheoldprocessIhelpedtoworkoutwithCampbellwhenwewereworkingforhim，so"the"llunderstandit"sadifferentarticleandnoinfringementatall。Thenthere"sanotherthing:youseeallduringwhileIwassickhehadmysalarypaidtomeitamountstoconsiderable，Iwasonmybacksolong。Underthecircumstances，becauseI"mquitting，Idon"tfeelasifIoughttoacceptit，andsoI"llhaveacheckforhiminthelettertocoverit，andI
wanttobesureheknowsit，andgetsitpersonally。Ifithadtogothroughalotofotherpeople，thewayitwouldifIputitinthemail，why，youcan"ttell。SowhatIthought:ifyou"dhandittohimforme，andmaybeifhehappenedtoreaditrightthen，oranything，itmightbeyou"dnoticewhateverhe"dhappentosayaboutit——andyoucouldtellmeafterward。"
"Allright，"Lohrsaid。"Certainlyifyou"dratherdoitthatway，I"llhandittohimandtellyouwhathesays；thatis，ifhesaysanythingandIhearhim。Gotitwritten？"
"No；I"llsenditaroundtoyoulastoftheweek。"Adamsmovedtowardhistaxicab。"Don"tsayanythingtoanybodyaboutit，Charley，especiallytillafterthat。"
"Allright。"
"And，Charley，I"llbemightyobligedtoyou，"Adamssaid，andcamebacktoshakehandsinfarewell。"There"sonethingmoreyoumightdo——ifyou"deverhappentofeellikeit。"Hekepthiseyesrathervaguelyfixedonapointabovehisfriend"sheadashespoke，andhisvoicewasnotwellcontrolled。"Ibeen——IbeendownthereagoodmanyyearsandImaynot"a"beensomuchuselatelyasIwasatfirst，butIalwaystriedtodomybestfortheoldfirm。Ifanythingturnedoutso"stheyDIDkindoftakeoffensewithme，downthere，why，justsayagoodwordforme——ifyou"dhappentofeellikeit，maybe。"
OldCharleyLohrassuredhimthathewouldspeakagoodwordifopportunitybecameavailable；then，afterthecabhaddrivenaway，hewentuptohissmallapartmentonthethirdfloorandmutteredruminativelyuntilhiswifeinquiredwhathewastalkingtohimselfabout。
"OleVirgAdams，"hetoldher。"He"soutagainafterhislongspellofsickness，andthewayitlookstomehe"dbetterstayedinbed。"
"Youmeanhestilllookstoobadtobeout？"
"Oh，Iexpecthe"sgettin"hisHEALTHback，"Lohrsaid，frowning。
"Thenwhat"sthematterwithhim？Youmeanhe"slosthismind？"
"Mygoodness，butwomendojumpatconclusions!"heexclaimed。
"Well，"saidMrs。Lohr，"whatotherconclusiondidyouleavemetojumpat？"
Herhusbandexplainedwithalittleheat:"PeoplecanhaveasicknessthatAFFECTStheirmind，can"tthey？Theirmindcangetsomeaffectedwithoutbein"LOST，can"tit？"
"Thenyoumeanthepoorman"sminddoesseemaffected？"
"Why，no；I"dscarcelygoasfarasthat，"Lohrsaid，inconsistently，anddeclinedtobemoredefinite。
Adamsdevotedthelatterpartofthateveningtothecompositionofhisletter——adisquietingtasknotcompletedwhen，ateleveno"clock，heheardhisdaughtercomingupthestairs。Shewassingingtoherselfinalow，sweetvoice，andAdamspausedtolistenincredulously，withhispenliftedandhismouthopen，asifheheardthestrangestsoundintheworld。Thenhesetdownthepenuponablotter，wenttohisdoor，andopenedit，lookingoutatherasshecame。
"Well，dearie，youseemtobefeelingprettygood，"hesaid。
"Whatyoubeendoing？"
"Justsittingoutonthefrontsteps，papa。"
"Allalone，Isuppose。"
"No。Mr。Russellcalled。"
"Oh，hedid？"Adamspretendedtobesurprised。"Whatallcouldyouandhefindtotalkabouttillthishouro"thenight？"
Shelaughedgaily。"Youdon"tknowme，papa!"
"How"sthat？"
"You"veneverfoundoutthatIalwaysdoallthetalking。"
"Didn"tyoulethimgetawordinallevening？"
"Oh，yes；everynowandthen。"
Adamstookherhandandpettedit。"Well，whatdidhesay？"
Alicegavehimaradiantlookandkissedhim。"Notwhatyouthink!"shelaughed；thenslappedhischeekwithsaucyaffection，pirouettedacrossthenarrowhallandintoherownroom，andcurtsiedtohimassheclosedherdoor。
Adamswentbacktohiswritingwithalighterheart；forsinceAlicewasbornshehadbeentohimtheappleofhiseye，hisownphraseinthinkingofher；andwhathewasdoingnowwasforher。
Hesmiledashepickeduphispentobeginanewdraftofthepainfulletter；butpresentlyhelookedpuzzled。Afterall，shecouldbehappyjustasthingswere，itseemed。Thenwhyhadhetakenwhathiswifecalled"thisnewstep，"whichhehadsolongresisted？
Hecouldonlysighandwonder。"Lifeworksoutprettypeculiarly，"hethought；forhecouldn"tgobacknow，thoughthereasonhecouldn"twasnotclearlyapparent。Hehadtogoahead。
CHAPTERXVII
Hewasoutinhistaxicabagainthenextmorning，andbynoonhehadsecuredwhathewanted。
Itwascuriouslysignificantthatheworkedsoquickly。Alltheyearsduringwhichhiswifehadpressedhimtowardhispresentshifthehadsworntohimself，aswellastoher，thathewouldneveryield；andyetwhenhedidyieldhehadnoplanstomake，becausehefoundthemalreadypreparedandworkedoutindetailinhismind；asifhehadlongcontemplatedthe"step"hebelievedhimselfincapableoftaking。
Sometimeshehadthoughtofimprovinghisincomebyexchanginghislittlecollectionofbondsfora"smallrentalproperty，"ifhecouldfind"agoodbuy"；andhehadspentmanyofhissparehoursramblingovertheenormouslyspreadingcityanditspurlieus，lookingfortheideal"buy。"Itremainedunattainable，sofarashewasconcerned；buthefoundotherthings。
Nottwiceacrow"smilefromhisownhousetherewasadismalandslummishquarter，adecayed"industrialdistrict"ofearlierdays。Mostoftheindustriesweresmall；someofthemdied，perishingofbankruptcyorfire；andafewhadmoved，leavingtheirshells。Oftherelics，thebestwasabrickbuildingwhichhadbeenthelargestandmostimportantfactoryinthequarter:
ithadbeeninjuredbyalongvacancyalmostasseriousasafire，ineffect，andAdamshadoftenguessedatthesumneededtoputitinrepair。
Whenhepassedit，hewouldlookatitwithaninterestwhichhesupposeddetachedandidlyspeculative。"That"dbejustthething，"hethought。"Ifafellowhadmoneyenough，andtookanotiontosetupsomenewbusinessonabigscale，thiswouldbeaprettygoodplace——tomakeglue，forinstance，ifthatwasn"toutofthequestion，ofcourse。Itwouldtakealotofmoney，though；agreatdealtoomuchformetoexpecttohandle——evenifI"deverdreamofdoingsuchathing。"
Oppositethedismantledfactorywasamuddy，openlotoftwoacresorso，andnearthemiddleofthelot，alongbrickshedstoodinadesolateabandonment，nothappilydecoratedbyoldcoatingsoftheatricalandmedicinaladvertisements。Butthebrickshedhadtwowoodenells，and，thoughbothshedandellswereofasinglestory，herewasemptyspaceenoughforamodestenterprise——"spaceenoughforalmostanything，tostartwith，"
Adamsthought，ashewalkedthroughthelowbuildings，oneday，whenhewasprospectinginthatsection。"Yes，IsupposeICOULD
swingthis，"hethought。"Iftheprocessbelongedtome，say，insteadofbeingoutofthequestionbecauseitisn"tmyproperty——orifIwasthekindofmantodosuchathinganyhow，herewouldbesomethingIcouldprobablygetholdofprettycheap。They"dwantalotofmoneyforaleaseonthatbigbuildingovertheway——butthis，why，Ishouldthinkit"dbepracticallynothingatall。"
Then，bychance，meetinganagentheknew，hemadeinquiries——merelytosatisfyacasualcuriosity，hethought——andhefoundmattersmuchashehadsupposed，exceptthattheownersofthebigbuildingdidnotwishtolet，buttosellit，andthisatapricesoexorbitantthatAdamslaughed。Butthelongbrickshedinthegreatmuddylotwasforsaleortolet，or"prettyneartobegivenaway，"helearned，ifanybodywouldtakeit。
Adamstookitnow，thoughwithoutseeingthathehadbeendestinedtotakeit，andthatsomedrearywizardinthebackofhisheadhadforeseenallalongthathewouldtakeit，andplannedtobeready。Hedroveinhistaxicabtolooktheplaceoveragain，thendown-towntoarrangeforalease；andcamehometolunchwithhiswifeanddaughter。Thingswere"moving，"hetoldthem。
Heboastedalittleofhavingactedsodecisively，andsaidthatsincethedangthinghadtobedone，itwas"goingtobedoneRIGHT!"Hewasalmostcheerful，inafeverishway，andwhenthecabcameforhimagain，soonafterlunch，heexplainedthatheintendednotonlytogetthingsdoneright，butalsoto"get"emdonequick!"Alice，followinghimtothefrontdoor，lookedathimanxiouslyandaskedifshecouldn"thelp。Helaughedathergrimly。
"Thenletmegoalongwithyouinthecab，"shebegged。"Youdon"tlookabletostartinsohard，papa，justwhenyou"rebarelybeginningtogetyourstrengthback。DoletmegowithyouandseeifIcan"thelp——oratleasttakecareofyouifyoushouldgettofeelingbadly。"
Hedeclined，butuponpressureletherputatinybottleofspiritsofammoniainhispocket，andpromisedtomakeuseofitifhe"feltfaintorany-thing。"Thenhewasoffagain；andthenextmorninghadmenatworkinhissheds，thoughthewageshehadtopayfrightenedhim。
Hedirectedtheworkmenineverydetail，hurryingthembyexampleandexhortations，andreceiving，inconsequence，severaldeclarationsofindependence，aswellasoneresignation，whichtookeffectimmediately。"Youscapitalustsseemtothinkaman"sgotnothin"todobutbreakhisbackp"doosin"wealthferyoustosquander，"theresigningpersonloudlycomplained。"Youlookout:thetoiler"sdayisa-comin"，anditain"tsofuroff，neither!"Butthecapitalistwasalreadyoutofhearing，gonetofindamantotakethisorator"splace。
Bytheendoftheweek，Adamsfeltthathehadmovedsatisfactorilyforwardinhispreparationsforthesimpleequipmentheneeded；buthehatedthepauseofSunday。Hedidn"tWANTanyrest，hetoldAliceimpatiently，whenshesuggestedthattheidledaymightbegoodforhim。
LatethatafternoonhewalkedovertotheapartmenthousewhereoldCharleyLohrlived，andgavehisfriendtheletterhewantedtheheadofLambandCompanytoreceive"personally。""I"lltakeitasamightygreatfavourinyoutohandittohimpersonally，Charley，"hesaid，inparting。"Andyouwon"tforget，incasehesaysanythingaboutit——andrememberifyoueverdogetachancetoputinagoodwordformelater，youknow——"
OldCharleypromisedtoremember，and，whenMrs。Lohrcameoutofthe"kitchenette，"afterthedoorclosed，hesaidthoughtfully，"Justskinandbones。"
"YoumeanMr。Adamsis？"Mrs。Lohrinquired。
"Who"dyouthinkImeant？"hereturned。"Oneo"thesepartridgesinthewall-paper？"
"Didhelooksobadly？"
"Lookedkindofdistractedtome，"herhusbandreplied。"Theselittlethinfellerscanstandaheapsometimes，though。He"llbeoverhereagainMonday。"
"Didhesayhewould？"
"No，"saidLohr。"Buthewill。You"llsee。He"llbeovertofindoutwhatthebigbosssayswhenIgivehimthisletter。
ExpectI"dbekindofanxious，myself，ifIwashim。"
"Whywouldyou？What"sMr。Adamsdoingtobesoanxiousabout？"
Lohr"sexpressionbecameoneofreserve，thelookofamanwhohasfoundthatwhenhespeakshisinnerthoughtshiswifejumpstoofartoconclusions。"Oh，nothing，"hesaid。"Ofcourseanymanstartingupanewbusinessisboundtobeprettynervousawhile。He"llbeoverhereto-morrowevening，allright；you"llsee。"
Thepredictionwasfulfilled:AdamsarrivedjustafterMrs。Lohrhadremovedthedinnerdishestoher"kitchenette"；butLohrhadlittleinformationtogivehiscaller。
"Hedidn"tsayaword，Virgil；naryaword。Itookitintohisofficeandhandedittohim，andhejustsatandreadit；that"sall。IkindofstoodaroundaslongasIcould，buthewassittin"athisdeskwithhissidetome，andheneverturnedaroundfulltowardme，asitwere，soIcouldn"thardlyeventellanything。AllIknow:hejustreadit。"
"Well，butseehere，"Adamsbegan，nervously。"Well——"
"Wellwhat，Virg？"
"Well，butwhatdidhesaywhenheDIDspeak？"
"Hedidn"tspeak。NotsolongIwasinthere，anyhow。Hejustsatthereandreadit。Readkindofslow。Then，whenhecametotheend，heturnedbackandstartedtoreaditalloveragain。
Bythattimetherewasthreeorfourothermenstandin"aroundintheofficewaitin"tospeaktohim，andIhadtogo。"
Adamssighed，andstaredatthefloor，irresolute。"Well，I"llbegettingalongbackhomethen，Iguess，Charley。Soyou"resureyoucouldn"ttellanythingwhathemighthavethoughtaboutit，then？"
"Notathingintheworld。I"vetoldyouallIknow，Virg。"
"Iguessso，Iguessso，"Adamssaid，mournfully。"Ifeelmightyobligedtoyou，CharleyLohr；mightyobliged。Good-nighttoyou。"Andhedeparted，sighinginperplexity。
Onhiswayhome，preoccupiedwithmanythoughts，hewalkedsoslowlythatonceortwicehestoppedandstoodmotionlessforafewmoments，withoutbeingawareofit；andwhenhereachedthejunctureofthesidewalkwiththeshortbrickpaththatledtohisownfrontdoor，hestoppedagain，andstoodformorethanaminute。"Ah，IwishIknew，"hewhispered，plaintively。"IdowishIknewwhathethoughtaboutit。"
Hewasrousedbyalaughthatcamelightlyfromthelittleverandanearby。"Papa!"Alicecalledgaily。"Whatareyoustandingtheremutteringtoyourselfabout？"
"Oh，areyouthere，dearie？"hesaid，andcameupthepath。A
tallfigurerosefromachairontheveranda。
"Papa，thisisMr。Russell。"
Thetwomenshookhands，Adamssaying，"Pleasedtomakeyouracquaintance，"astheylookedateachotherinthefaintlightdiffusedthroughtheopaqueglassintheupperpartofthedoor。
Adams"simpressionwasofastrongandtallyoungman，fashionablebutgentle；andRussell"swasofadried，littleoldbusinessmanwithagrizzledmoustache，worriedbrighteyes，shapelessdarkclothes，andahomelymanner。
"Niceevening，"Adamssaidfurther，astheirhandsparted。"Nicetimeo"yearitis，butwedon"talwayshaveasgoodweatherasthis；that"sthetroubleofit。Well——"Hewenttothedoor。
"Well——Ibidyougoodevening，"hesaid，andretiredwithinthehouse。
Alicelaughed。"He"stheold-fashionedestmanintown，Isupposeandfrightfullyimpressedwithyou，Icouldsee!"
"Whatnonsense!"saidRussell。"Howcouldanybodybeimpressedwithme？"
"Whynot？Becauseyou"requiet？Goodgracious!Don"tyouknowthatyou"rethemostimpressivesort？Wechatterersspendallourtimeplayingtoyouquietpeople。"
"Yes；we"reonlytheaudience。"
""Only!""sheechoed。"Why，weliveforyou，andwecan"tlivewithoutyou。"
"Iwishyoucouldn"t，"saidRussell。"Thatwouldbeanewexperienceforbothofus，wouldn"tit？"
"Itmightbearatherbleakoneforme，"sheanswered，lightly。
"I"mafraidI"llmissthesesummereveningswithyouwhenthey"reover。I"llmissthemenough，thanks!"
"Dotheyhavetobeoversometime？"heasked。
"Oh，everything"soversometime，isn"tit？"
Russelllaughedather。"Don"tlet"slooksofaraheadasthat，"
hesaid。"Wedon"tneedtobealreadythinkingofthecemetery，dowe？"
"Ididn"t，"shesaid，shakingherhead。"Oursummereveningswillbeoverbeforethen，Mr。Russell。"
"Why？"heasked。
"Goodheavens!"shesaid。"THERE"Slaconiceloquence:almostaproposalinasingleword!Nevermind，Ishan"tholdyoutoit。
Buttoansweryou:well，I"malwayslookingahead，andsomehowI
usuallyseeabouthowthingsarecomingout。"
"Yes，"hesaid。"Isupposemostofusdo；atleastitseemsasifwedid，becausewesoseldomfeelsurprisedbythewaytheydocomeout。Butmaybethat"sonlybecauselifeisn"tlikeaplayinatheatre，andmostthingscomeaboutsograduallywegetusedtothem。"
"No，I"msureIcanseequitealongwayahead，"sheinsisted，gravely。"Anditdoesn"tseemtomeasifoursummereveningscouldlastverylong。Something"llinterfere——somebodywill，I