第12章
"Mama!"
Mrs。Adamslookedup。"It"sallright，"shesaid，inaloudwhisper。"Gertrudefelldownthecellarstairs。Somebodyleftabucketthere，and——"ShewasinterruptedbyagaspfromAlice，andhastenedtoreassureher。"Don"tworry，dearie。Shemaylimpalittle，but——"
Adamsleanedoverthebanisters。"Didshebreakanything？"heasked。
"Hush!"hiswifewhispered。"No。Sheseemsupsetandangryaboutit，morethananythingelse；butshe"srubbingherself，andshe"llbeallrightintimetobringinthelittlesandwiches。
Alice!Thoseflowers!"
"Iknow，mama。But——"
"Hurry!"Mrs。Adamswarnedher。"Bothofyouhurry!IMUSTlethimin!"
Sheturnedtothedoor，smilingcordially，evenbeforesheopenedit。"Docomerightin，Mr。Russell，"shesaid，loudly，liftinghervoiceforadditionalwarningtothoseabove。"I"mSOgladtoreceiveyouinformally，thisway，inourownlittlehome。
There"sahat-rackhereunderthestairway，"shecontinued，asRussell，murmuringsomeresponse，cameintothehall。"I"mafraidyou"llthinkit"salmostTOOinformal，mycomingtothedoor，butunfortunatelyourhousemaid"sjusthadalittleaccident——oh，nothingtomention!Ijustthoughtwebetternotkeepyouwaitinganylonger。Willyoustepintoourliving-room，please？"
Sheledthewaybetweenthetwosmallcolumns，andseatedherselfinoneoftheplushrocking-chairs，selectingitbecauseAlicehadoncepointedoutthatthechairs，themselves，werelessnoticeablewhentheyhadpeoplesittinginthem。"Dositdown，Mr。Russell；it"ssoverywarmit"sreallyquiteatrialjusttostandup!"
"Thankyou，"hesaid，ashetookaseat。"Yes。Itisquitewarm。"Andthisseemedtobetheextentofhisresponsivenessforthemoment。Hewasgrave，ratherpale；andMrs。Adams"simpressionofhim，assheformeditthen，wasof"adistinguished-lookingyoungman，reallyelegantinthebestsenseoftheword，buttimidandformalwhenhefirstmeetsyou。"Shebeameduponhim，andusedwitheverythingshesaidacontinuousaccompanimentoflaughter，meaninglessexceptthatitwasmeanttoconveycordiality。"OfcourseweDOhaveagreatdealofwarmweather，"sheinformedhim。"I"mgladit"ssomuchcoolerinthehousethanitisoutdoors。"
"Yes，"hesaid。"Itispleasanterindoors。"And，stoppingwiththissingleuntruth，hepermittedhimselfthebriefestglanceabouttheroom；thenhiseyesreturnedtohissmilinghostess。
"Mostpeoplemakeagreatfussabouthotweather，"shesaid。
"TheonlypersonIknowwhodoesn"tmindtheheatthewayotherpeopledoisAlice。Shealwaysseemsascoolasifwehadabreezeblowing，nomatterhowhotitis。Butthenshe"ssoamiableshenevermindsanything。It"sjusthercharacter。
She"salwaysbeenthatwaysinceshewasalittlechild；alwaysthesametoeverybody，highandlow。Ithinkcharacter"sthemostimportantthingintheworld，afterall，don"tyou，Mr。
Russell？"
"Yes，"hesaid，solemnly；andtouchedhisbedewedwhiteforeheadwithahandkerchief。
"Indeeditis，"sheagreedwithherself，neverfailingtocontinuehermurmuroflaughter。"That"swhatI"vealwaystoldAlice；butsheneverseesanythinggoodinherself，andshejustlaughsatmewhenIpraiseher。SheseesgoodineverybodyELSE
intheworld，nomatterhowunworthytheyare，orhowtheybehavetowardHER；butshealwaysunderestimatesherself。Fromthetimeshewasalittlechildshewasalwaysthatway。Whensomeotherlittlegirlwouldbehaveselfishlyormeanlytowardher，doyouthinkshe"dcomeandtellme？Neverawordtoanybody!Thelittlethingwastooproud!Shewasthesamewayaboutschool。
Theteachershadtotellmewhenshetookaprize；she"dbringithomeandkeepitinherroomwithoutawordaboutittoherfatherandmother。Now，Walterwasjusttheotherway。Walterwould——"ButhereMrs。Adamscheckedherself，thoughsheincreasedthevolumeofherlaughter。"Howsillyofme!"sheexclaimed。"IexpectyouknowhowmothersARE，though，Mr。
Russell。Giveusachanceandwe"lltalkaboutourchildrenforever!AlicewouldfeelterriblyifsheknewhowI"vebeengoingonabouthertoyou。"
InthisMrs。Adamswasright，thoughshedidnotherselfsuspectit，anduponanalmostinaudiblewordortwofromhimshewentonwithhertopic。"OfcoursemyexcuseisthatfewmothershaveadaughterlikeAlice。Isupposeweallthinkthesamewayaboutourchildren，butSOMEofusmustberightwhenwefeelwe"vegotthebest。Don"tyouthinkso？"
"Yes。Yes，indeed。"
"I"msure_I_am!"shelaughed。"I"lllettheothersspeakforthemselves。"Shepausedreflectively。"No；Ithinkamotherknowswhenshe"sgotatreasureinherfamily。IfsheHASN"Tgotone，she"llpretendshehas，maybe；butifshehas，sheknowsit。
Icertainlyknow_I_have。She"salwaysbeenwhatpeoplecall"thejoyofthehousehold"——alwayscheerful，nomatterwhatwentwrong，andalwaysreadytosmooththingsoverwithsomebright，wittysaying。YoumustbesurenottoTELLwe"vehadthislittlechatabouther——she"djustbefuriouswithme——butsheISsuchadearchild!Youwon"ttellher，willyou？"
"No，"hesaid，andagainappliedthehandkerchieftohisforeheadforaninstant。"No，I"ll——"Hepaused，andfinishedlamely:
"I"ll——nottellher。"
Thusreassured，Mrs。Adamssetbeforehimsomedetailsofherdaughter"spopularityatsixteen，dwellinguponAlice"simpartialityamongheryoungsuitors:"ShenevercouldBEARtohurttheirfeelings，andalwaystreatedallofthemjustalike。
AbouthalfadozenofthemwerejustBOUNDtomarryher!
Naturally，herfatherandIconsideredanysuchidearidiculous；
shewastooyoung，ofcourse。"
Thusthemotherwentonwithherbiographicalsketches，whilethepaleyoungmansatfacingherunderthehardoverheadlightofawhiteglobe，settotheceiling；andlistenedwithoutinterrupting。ShewasgladtohavethechancetotellhimafewthingsaboutAlicehemightnothaveguessedforhimself，and，indeed，shehadplannedtofindsuchanopportunity，ifshecould；butthiswasgettingtobealtogethertoomuchofone，shefelt。Astimepassed，shewaslikeanactorwhomustimprovisetokeeptheaudiencefromperceivingthathisfellow-playershavemissedtheircues；butheranxietywasnotbetrayedtothestilllistener；shehadavaliantsoul。
Alice，meanwhile，hadarrangedherlittlerosesonthetableinasmanyways，probably，astherewereblossoms；andshewasstillatitwhenherfatherarrivedinthedining-roombywayofthebackstairsandthekitchen。
"It"spulledoutagain，"hesaid。"ButIguessthere"snohelpforitnow；it"stoolate，andanywayitletssomeairintomewhenitbulges。Icansitso"sitwon"tbenoticedmuch，I
expect。Isn"tittimeyouquitbotheringaboutthelooksofthetable？Yourmother"sbeentalkingtohimabouthalfanhournow，andIhadtheideahecameonyouraccount，nothers。Hadn"tyoubettergoand——"
"Justaminute。"Alicesaid，piteously。"DoYOUthinkitlooksallright？"
"Theflowers？Fine!Hadn"tyoubetterleave"emthewaytheyare，though？"
"Justaminute，"shebeggedagain。"JustONEminute，papa!"AndsheexchangedaroseinfrontofRussell"splateforonethatseemedtoheralittlelarger。
"Youbettercomeon，"Adamssaid，movingtothedoor。
"JustONEmoresecond，papa。"Sheshookherhead，lamenting。
"Oh，Iwishwe"drentedsomesilver!"
"Why？"
"Becausesomuchoftheplatinghasrubbedoffalotofit。JUST
asecond，papa。"Andasshespokeshehastilywentroundthetable，gatheringtheknivesandforksandspoonsthatshethoughthadtheirplatingbestpreserved，andexchangingthemformoredamagedpiecesatRussell"splace。"There!"shesighed，finally。
"NowI"llcome。"Butatthedoorshepausedtolookbackdubiously，overhershoulder。
"What"sthematternow？"
"Theroses。IbelieveafterallIshouldn"thavetriedthatvineeffect；Ioughttohavekepttheminwater，inthevase。It"ssohot，theyalreadybegintolookalittlewilted，outonthedrytableclothlikethat。IbelieveI"ll——"
"Why，lookhere，Alice!"heremonstrated，assheseemeddisposedtoturnback。"Everything"llburnuponthestoveifyoukeepon——"
"Oh，well，"shesaid，"thevasewasterriblyugly；Ican"tdoanybetter。We"llgoin。"Butwithherhandonthedoor-knobshepaused。"No，papa。Wemustn"tgoinbythisdoor。Itmightlookasif——"
"Asifwhat？"
"Nevermind，"shesaid。"Let"sgotheotherway。"
"Idon"tseewhatdifferenceitmakes，"hegrumbled，butneverthelessfollowedherthroughthekitchen，andupthebackstairsthenthroughtheupperhallway。Atthetopofthefrontstairsshepausedforamoment，drawingadeepbreath；andthen，beforeherfather"spuzzledeyes，atransformationcameuponher。
Hershoulders，likehereyelids，hadbeendrooping，butnowshethrewherheadback:theshouldersstraightened，andthelashesliftedoversparklingeyes；vivacitycametoherwholebodyinaflash；andshetrippeddownthesteps，withherprettyhandsrisingintimetotheliltinglittletuneshehadbeguntohum。
Atthefootofthestairs，oneofthoseprettyhandsextendeditselfatfullarm"slengthtowardRussell，andcontinuedtobeextendeduntilitreachedhisownhandashecametomeether。
"Howterribleofme!"sheexclaimed。"Tobesolatecomingdown!
Andpapa，too——Ithinkyouknoweachother。"
Herfatherwasadvancingtowardtheyoungman，expectingtoshakehandswithhim，butAlicestoodbetweenthem，andRussell，alittleflushed，bowedtohimgravelyoverhershoulder，withoutlookingathim；whereuponAdams，slightlydisconcerted，puthishandsinhispocketsandturnedtohiswife。
"Iguessdinner"smore"nready，"hesaid。"Webettergositdown。"
Butsheshookherheadathimfiercely，"Wait!"shewhispered。
"Whatfor？ForWalter？"
"No；hecan"tbecoming，"shereturned，hurriedly，andagainwarnedhimbyashakeofherhead。"Bequiet!"
"Oh，well——"hemuttered。
"Sitdown!"
Hewasthoroughlymystified，butobeyedhergestureandwenttotherocking-chairintheoppositecorner，wherehesatdown，and，withanexpressionofmeekinquiry，awaitedevents。
Meanwhile，Aliceprattledon:"It"sreallynotafaultofmine，beingtardy。TheshamefultruthisIwastryingtohurrypapa。
He"sincorrigible:hestayssolateathisterribleoldfactory——terriblenewfactory，Ishouldsay。Ihopeyoudon"tHATEusformakingyoudinewithusinsuchfearfulweather!I"mnearlydyingoftheheat，myself，soyouhaveafellow-sufferer，ifthatpleasesyou。Whyisitwealwaysbearthingsbetterifwethinkotherpeoplehavetostandthem，too？"Andsheadded，withanexcitedlaugh:"SILLYofus，don"tyouthink？"
Gertrudehadjustmadeherentrancefromthedining-room，bearingatray。Shecameslowly，withanairofresentment；andherskirtstillneededadjusting，whileherlowerjawmovedatintervals，thoughnotnowuponanysubstance，butreminiscently，ofhabit。ShehaltedbeforeAdams，facinghim。
Helookedplaintive。"Whatyouwanto"me？"heasked。
Forresponse，sheextendedthetraytowardhimwithagestureofindifference；buthestillappearedtobepuzzled。"Whatintheworld——？"hebegan，thencaughthiswife"seye，andhadpresenceofmindenoughtotakeadampandplasticsandwichfromthetray。"Well，I"llTRYone，"hesaid，butamomentlater，ashefulfilledthispromise，anexpressionofintensedislikecameuponhisfeatures，andhewouldhavereturnedthesandwichtoGertrude。However，asshehadcrossedtheroomtoMrs。Adamshecheckedthegesture，andsathelplessly，withthesandwichinhishand。Hemadeanotherefforttogetridofitasthewaitresspassedhim，onherwaybacktothedining-room，butsheappearednottoobservehim，andhecontinuedtobetroubledbyit。
Alicewasaloyaldaughter。"Thesearedelicious，mama，"shesaid；andturningtoRussell，"Youmissedit；youshouldhavetakenone。Toobadwecouldn"thaveofferedyouwhatoughttogowithit，ofcourse，but——"
ShewasinterruptedbythesecondentranceofGertrude，whoannounced，"Dinnerserve"，"andretiredfromview。
"Well，well!"Adamssaid，risingfromhischair，withrelief。
"That"sgood!Let"sgoseeifwecaneatit。"Andasthelittlegroupmovedtowardtheopendoorofthedining-roomhedisposedofhissandwichbydroppingitintheemptyfireplace。
Alice，glancingbackoverhershoulder，wastheonlyonewhosawhim，andsheshudderedinspiteofherself。Then，seeingthathelookedatherentreatingly，asifhewantedtoexplainthathewasdoingthebesthecould，shesmileduponhimsunnily，andbegantochattertoRussellagain。
CHAPTERXXII
Alicekepthersprightlychattergoingwhentheysatdown，thoughthetemperatureoftheroomandthesightofhotsoupmighthavediscouragedalessdeterminedgayety。Moreover，thereweredetailsasunpropitiousastheheat:theexpiringrosesexpressednotbeautybutpathos，andwhatfaintodourtheyexhaledwasnorivaltothelustyemanationsoftheBrusselssprouts；attheheadofthetable，Adams，sittinglowinhischair，appearedtobeunabletoflattentheuprisingwaveofhisstarchedbosom；andGertrude"smannerandexpressionwereofarecognizablehostilityduringthelongperiodofvainwaitingforthecupsofsouptobeemptied。OnlyMrs。Adamsmadeanyprogressinthisdirection；
theothersmerelyfeinting，nowandthenliftingtheirspoonsasiftheyintendedtodosomethingwiththem。
Alice"stalkwaslittlemorethancheerfulsound，but，tofilladesolateinterval，serveditspurpose；andhermothersupportedherwithever-faithfulcooingsofapplausivelaughter。"Whatafunnythingweatheris!"thegirlranon。"Yesterdayitwascool——angelshadchargeofit——andto-daytheyhadanengagementsomewhereelse，sothedevilsawhischanceandstartedtomovetheequatortotheNorthPole；butbythetimehegothalf-way，hethoughtofsomethingelsehewantedtodo，andwentoff；andlefttheequatorhere，rightontopofUS!Iwishhe"dcomebackandgetit!"
"Why，Alicedear!"hermothercried，fondly。"Whatanimagination!Notaverypiousone，I"mafraidMr。Russellmightthink，though!"HereshegaveGertrudeahiddensignaltoremovethesoup；but，astherewasnoresponse，shehadtomakethesignalmoreconspicuous。Gertrudewasleaningagainstthewall，herchinmovinglikeaslowpendulum，herstreakedeyesfixedmutinouslyuponRussell。Mrs。Adamsnoddedseveraltimes，increasingtheemphasisofhergesture，whileAlicetalkedbriskly；butthebroodingwaitresscontinuedtobrood。Afaintsnapofthefingersfailedtodisturbher；norwasacoverthissingwhisperofavail，andMrs。Adamswasbeginningtoshowsignsofstrainwhenherdaughterrelievedher。
"Imagineourtryingtoeatanythingsohotassouponanightlikethis!"Alicelaughed。"WhatCOULDhavebeeninthecook"smindnottogiveussomethingicedandjelliedinstead？Ofcourseit"sbecauseshe"sequatorial，herself，originally，andonlyfeelsathomewhenMr。Satanmovesitnorth。"ShelookedroundatGertrude，whostoodbehindher。"Dotakethisdreadfulsoupaway!"
Thusdirectlyaddressed，Gertrudeyieldedherattention，thoughunwillingly，andasifshedecidedonlybyahair"sweightnottorevolt，instead。However，shefinallysetherselfinslowmotion；butoverlookedthesupposedheadofthetable，seemingtobeunawareoftheswelteringlittlemanwhosatthere。Asshedisappearedtowardthekitchenwithbutthreeofthecupsuponhertrayheturnedtolookplaintivelyafterher，andventuredanattempttorecallher。
"Here!"hesaid，inalowvoice。"Here，you!"
"Whatisit，Virgil？"hiswifeasked。
"What"shername？"
Mrs。Adamsgavehimaglanceofsuddenpanic，and，seeingthattheguestoftheeveningwasnotlookingather，butdownatthewhiteclothbeforehim，shefrownedhard，andshookherhead。
UnfortunatelyAlicewasnotobservinghermother，andasked，innocently:"What"swhosename，papa？"
"Why，thisyoungdarkywoman，"heexplained。"Sheleftmine。"
"Nevermind，"Alicelaughed。"There"shopeforyou，papa。Shehasn"tgoneforever!"
"Idon"tknowaboutthat，"hesaid，notcontentwiththisimpulsiveassurance。"SheLOOKEDlikesheis。"Andhisremark，consideredasaprediction，hadbeguntoseemwarrantedbeforeGertrude"sreturnwithchinapreliminarytothenextstageofthebanquet。
Aliceprovedherselfequaltothelonggap，andrattledonthroughitwithaspiritrichlyjustifyinghermother"spraiseofheras"alwaysreadytosmooththingsover"；forherewasmorethanlongdelaytobesmoothedover。ShesmoothedoverherfatherandmotherforRussell；andshesmoothedoverhimforthem，thoughhedidnotknowit，andremainedunawareofwhatheowedher。Withallthis，throughoutherprattlings，thegirl"sbrighteyeskeptseekinghiswithaneagergayety，whichbutlittleveiledbothinterrogationandentreaty——asifsheasked:
"Isittoomuchforyou？Can"tyoubearit？Won"tyouPLEASE
bearit？Iwouldforyou。Won"tyougivemeasignthatit"sallright？"
Helookedatherbutfleetingly，andseemedtosufferfromtheheat，inspiteofeverymanlyeffortnottowipehisbrowtoooften。Hiscolour，afterrisingwhenhegreetedAliceandherfather，haddeparted，leavinghimagainmoistlypallid；aconditionarisingfromdiscomfort，nodoubt，but，consideredasadecoration，almostpoeticallybecomingtohim。Notlessbecomingwasthefaint，kindlysmile，whichshowedhiswishtoexpressamusementandapproval；andyetitwasasmileratherstrainedandplaintive，asifhe，likeAdams，couldonlydothebesthecould。
HepleasedAdams，whothoughthimafineyoungman，anddecidedlythequietestthatAlicehadevershowntoherfamily。Inherfather"sopinionthiswasnosmallmerit；anditwastoRussell"scredit，too，thatheshowedembarrassmentuponthisfirstintimatepresentation；herewasanapplicantwithbothreserveandmodesty。"Sofar，heseemstobefirstrateamightyfineyoungman，"Adamsthought；and，promptedbynowishtopartfromAlicebutbyreminiscencesofapparentcandidateslesspleasing，headded，"Atlast!"
Alice"slivelinessneverflagged。Hersmoothingoverofthingswasanalmostcontinuousperformance，andhadtobe。Yet，whileshechatteredthroughthehotandheavycourses，thequestionssheaskedherselfwereascontinuousastheperformance，andaspoignantaswhathereyesseemedtobeaskingRussell。Whyhadshenotprevailedoverhermother"sfearofbeing"skimpy？"Hadshebeen，indeed，ashermothersaidshelooked，"inatrance？"
Butaboveall:WhatwasthematterwithHIM？Whathadhappened？
Forshetoldherselfwithpainfulhumourthatsomethingevenworsethanthisdinnermustbe"thematterwithhim。"
Thesmallroom，suffocatedwiththeodourofboiledsprouts，grewhotterandhotterasmoreandmorefoodappeared，slowlybornein，betweendeathlylongwaits，bytheresentful，loud-breathingGertrude。AndwhileAlicestillsoughtRussell"sglance，andreadthelookuponhisfaceadozendifferentways，fearingallofthem；andwhilethestragglinglittleflowersdieduponthestainedcloth，shefeltherheartgrowasheavyasthefood，andwonderedthatitdidnotdieliketheroses。
Withthearrivalofcoffee，thehostbestirredhimselftomakeknownahospitableregret，"ByGeorge!"hesaid。"Imeanttobuysomecigars。"Headdressedhimselfapologeticallytotheguest。
"Idon"tknowwhatIwasthinkingabout，toforgettobringsomehomewithme。Idon"tuse"emmyself——unlesssomebodyhandsmeone，youmightsay。I"vealwaysbeenapipe-smoker，pureandsimple，butIoughttorememberedforkindofanoccasionlikethis。"
"Notatall，"Russellsaid。"I"mnotsmokingatalllately；butwhenIdo，I"mlikeyou，andsmokeapipe。"
Alicestarted，rememberingwhatshehadtoldhimwhenheovertookheronherwayfromthetobacconist"s；but，afteramoment，lookingathim，shedecidedthathemusthaveforgottenit。Ifhehadremembered，shethought，hecouldnothavehelpedglancingather。Onthecontrary，heseemedmoreatease，justthen，thanhehadsincetheysatdown，forhewasfavouringherfatherwithathoughtfulattentionasAdamsrespondedtotheintroductionofaman"stopicintotheconversationatlast。"Well，Mr。
Russell，Iguessyou"reright，atthat。Idon"tsaybutwhatcigarsmaybeallrightforamanthatcanafford"em，ifhelikes"embetterthanapipe，butyoutakeagoodoldpipenow——"
Hecontinued，andwasgettingwellintotheeulogiumcustomarilyprovokedbythistheme，whentherecameaninterruption:thedoor-bellrang，andhepausedinquiringly，rathersurprised。
Mrs。AdamsspoketoGertrudeinanundertone:
"Justsay，"Notathome。""
"What？"
"Ifit"scallers，justsaywe"renotathome。"
Gertrudespokeoutfreely:"Youmeanyouastin"meto"tendyou"
frontdo"feryou？"
Sheseemedbothincredulousandaffronted，butMrs。Adamspersisted，thoughsomewhatapprehensively。"Yes。
Hurry——uh——please。Justsaywe"renotathomeifyouplease。"
AgainGertrudeobviouslyhesitatedbetweencomplianceandrevolt，andagainthemeekercoursefortunatelyprevailedwithher。ShegaveMrs。Adamsastare，grimlyderisive，thendeparted。Whenshecamebackshesaid:
"Hesayhewait。"
"ButItoldyoutotellanybodywewerenotathome，"MrsAdamsreturned。"Whoisit？"
"SayhenameMr。Law。"
"Wedon"tknowanyMr。Law。"
"Yes"m；heknowyou。SayheanxioustospeakMr。Adams。Sayhewait。"
"TellhimMr。Adamsisengaged。"
"Holdonaminute，"Adamsintervened。"Law？No。Idon"tknowanyMr。Law。Yousureyougotthenameright？"
"SayhenameLaw，"Gertrudereplied，lookingattheceilingtoexpressherfatigue。"Law。"Sallhetellme；"sallIknow。"
Adamsfrowned。"Law，"hesaid。"Wasn"titmaybe"Lohr？""
"Law，"Gertruderepeated。"Sallhetellme；"sallIknow。"
"What"shelooklike？"
"Heain"tmuch，"shesaid。""Boutyou"age；gotbrustlywhitemoustache，niceeye-glasses。"
"It"sCharleyLohr!"Adamsexclaimed。"I"llgoseewhathewants。"
"But，Virgil，"hiswiferemonstrated，"dofinishyourcoffee；hemightstayallevening。Maybehe"scometocall。"
Adamslaughed。"Heisn"tmuchofacaller，Iexpect。Don"tworry:I"lltakehimuptomyroom。"AndturningtowardRussell，"Ah——ifyou"lljustexcuseme，"hesaid；andwentouttohisvisitor。
Whenhehadgone，Mrs。Adamsfinishedhercoffee，and，havingglancedintelligentlyfromherguesttoherdaughter，sherose。
"IthinkperhapsIoughttogoandshakehandswithMr。Lohr，myself，"shesaid，addinginexplanationtoRussell，asshereachedthedoor，"He"sanoldfriendofmyhusband"sandit"saverylongtimesincehe"sbeenhere。"
Alicenoddedandsmiledtoherbrightly，butupontheclosingofthedoor，thesmilevanished；allherlivelinessdisappeared；andwiththischangeofexpressionhercomplexionitselfappearedtochange，sothatherrougebecameobvious，forshewaspalebeneathit。However，Russelldidnotseethealteration，forhedidnotlookather；anditwasbutamomentarylapsethevacationofatiredgirl，whofortensecondsletsherselflookasshefeels。Thensheshothervivacitybackintoplaceasbysomepowerfulspring。
"Pennyforyourthoughts!"shecried，andtossedoneofthewiltedrosesathim，acrossthetable。"I"llbidmorethanapenny；I"llbidtuppence——no，apoorlittledeadrosearoseforyourthoughts，Mr。ArthurRussell!Whatarethey？"
Heshookhishead。"I"mafraidIhaven"tany。"
"No，ofcoursenot，"shesaid。"Whocouldhavethoughtsinweatherlikethis？WillyouEVERforgiveus？"
"Whatfor？"
"Makingyoueatsuchaheavydinner——ImeanLOOKatsuchaheavydinner，becauseyoucertainlydidn"tdomorethanlookatit——onsuchanight!Butthecrimedrawstoaclose，andyoucanbegintocheerup!"Shelaughedgaily，and，rising，movedtothedoor。
"Let"sgointheotherroom；yourfearfuldutyisalmostdone，andyoucanrunhomeassoonasyouwantto。That"swhatyou"redyingtodo。"
"Notatall，"hesaidinavoicesofeeblethatshelaughedaloud。
"Goodgracious!"shecried。"Ihadn"trealizeditwasTHATbad!"
Forthis，thoughhecontrivedtolaugh，heseemedtohavenoverbalretortwhatever；butfollowedherintothe"living-room，"
whereshestoppedandturned，facinghim。
"Hasitreallybeensofrightful？"sheasked。
"Why，ofcoursenot。Notatall。"
"Ofcourseyes，though，youmean!"
"Notatall。It"sbeenmostkindofyourmotherandfatherandyou。"
"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"you"veneveroncelookedatmeformorethanasecondatatimethewholeevening？AnditseemedtomeI
lookedratherniceto-night，too!"
"Youalwaysdo，"hemurmured。
"Idon"tseehowyouknow，"shereturned；andthensteppingclosertohim，spokewithgentlesolicitude:"Tellme:you"rereallyfeelingwretchedly，aren"tyou？Iknowyou"vegotafearfulheadache，orsomething。Tellme!"
"Notatall。"
"Youareill——I"msureofit。"
"Notatall。"
"Onyourword？"
"I"mreallyquiteallright。"
"Butifyouare——"shebegan；andthen，lookingathimwithadesperatesweetness，asifthiswereherlastresourcetorousehim，"What"sthematter，littleboy？"shesaidwithlispingtenderness。"Tellauntie!"
Itwasamistake，forheseemedtoflinch，andtoleanbackward，however，slightly。Sheturnedawayinstantly，withaflippantliftanddropofbothhands。"Oh，mydear!"shelaughed。"I
won"teatyou!"
Andasthediscomfitedyoungmanwatchedher，seemingabletolifthiseyes，nowthatherbackwasturned，shewenttothefrontdoorandpushedopenthescreen。"Let"sgooutontheporch，"shesaid。"Wherewebelong!"
Then，whenhehadfollowedherout，andtheywereseated，"Isn"tthisbetter？"sheasked。"Don"tyoufeelmorelikeyourselfouthere？"
Hebeganamurmur:"Notat——"
Butshecuthimoffsharply:"Pleasedon"tsay"Notatall"
again!"
"I"msorry。"
"Youdoseemsorryaboutsomething，"shesaid。"Whatisit？
Isn"tittimeyouweretellingmewhat"sthematter？"
"Nothing。Indeednothing"sthematter。OfcourseoneISratheraffectedbysuchweatherasthis。Itmaymakeonealittlequieterthanusual，ofcourse。"
Shesighed，andletthetiredmusclesofherfacerest。Underthehardlights，indoors，theyhadservedheruntiltheyached，anditwasaluxurytofeelthatinthedarknessnogrimacingsneedcalluponthem。
"Ofcourse，ifyouwon"ttellme——"shesaid。
"Icanonlyassureyouthere"snothingtotell。"
"Iknowwhatanuglylittlehouseitis，"shesaid。"Maybeitwasthefurniture——ormama"svasesthatupsetyou。Orwasitmamaherself——orpapa？"
"Nothing"upset"me。"
Atthatsheutteredamonosyllableofdoubtinglaughter。"I
wonderwhyyousaythat。"
"Becauseit"sso。"
"No。It"sbecauseyou"retookind，ortooconscientious，ortooembarrassed——anyhowtoosomething——totellme。"Sheleanedforward，elbowsonkneesandchininhands，inthereflectiveattitudesheknewhowtomakegraceful。"Ihaveafeelingthatyou"renotgoingtotellme，"shesaid，slowly。"Yes——eventhatyou"renevergoingtotellme。Iwonder——Iwonder——"
"Yes？Whatdoyouwonder？"
"Iwasjustthinking——Iwonderiftheyhaven"tdoneit，afterall。"
"Idon"tunderstand。"
"Iwonder，"shewenton，stillslowly，andinavoiceofreflection，"IwonderwhoHASbeentalkingaboutmetoyou，afterall？Isn"tthatit？"
"Notat——"hebegan，butcheckedhimselfandsubstitutedanotherformofdenial。"Nothingis"it。""
"Areyousure？"
"Why，yes。"
"Howcurious!"shesaid。
"Why？"
"Becausealleveningyou"vebeensoutterlydifferent。"
"Butinthisweather——"
"No。Thatwouldn"tmakeyouafraidtolookatmeallevening!"
"ButIdidlookatyou。Often。"
"No。NotreallyaLOOK。"
"ButI"mlookingatyounow。"
"Yes——inthedark!"shesaid。"No——theweathermightmakeyouevenquieterthanusual，butitwouldn"tstrikeyousonearlydumb。No——anditwouldn"tmakeyouseemtobeundersuchastrain——asifyouthoughtonlyofescape!"
"ButIhaven"t——"
"Youshouldn"t，"sheinterrupted，gently。"There"snothingyouhavetoescapefrom，youknow。Youaren"tcommittedto——tothisfriendship。"
"I"msorryyouthink——"hebegan，butdidnotcompletethefragment。
Shetookitup。"You"resorryIthinkyou"resodifferent，youmeantosay，don"tyou？Nevermind:that"swhatyoudidmeantosay，butyoucouldn"tfinishitbecauseyou"renotgoodatdeceiving。"
"Oh，no，"heprotested，feebly。"I"mnotdeceiving。"I"m——"
"Nevermind，"shesaidagain。"You"resorryIthinkyou"resodifferent——andallinoneday——sincelastnight。Yes，yourvoiceSOUNDSsorry，too。Itsoundssorrierthanitwouldjustbecauseofmythinkingsomethingyoucouldchangemymindaboutinaminutesoitmeansyou"resorryyouAREdifferent。"
"No——I——"
Butdisregardingthefaintdenial，"Nevermind，"shesaid。"Doyourememberonenightwhenyoutoldmethatnothinganybodyelsecoulddowouldeverkeepyoufromcominghere？Thatifyou——ifyouleftmeitwouldbebecauseIdroveyouawaymyself？"
"Yes，"hesaid，huskily。"Itwastrue。"
"Areyousure？"
"IndeedIam，"heansweredinalowvoice，butwithconviction。
"Then——"Shepaused。"Well——butIhaven"tdrivenyouaway。"
"No。"
"Andyetyou"vegone，"shesaid，quietly。
"DoIseemsostupidasallthat？"
"YouknowwhatImean。"Sheleanedbackinherchairagain，andherhands，inactiveforonce，laymotionlessinherlap。Whenshespokeitwasinaruefulwhisper:
"IwonderifIHAVEdrivenyouaway？"
"You"vedonenothing——nothingatall，"hesaid。
"Iwonder——"shesaidoncemore，butshestopped。Inhermindshewasgoingbackovertheirtimetogethersincethefirstmeeting——fragmentsoftalk，momentsofsilence，littlethingsofnoimportance，littlethingsthatmightbeimportant；moonshine，sunshine，starlight；andherthoughtszigzaggedamongthejumblingmemories；but，asifshemadeforherselfapictureofallthesefragments，throwingthemuponthecanvashaphazard，shesawthemalljusttouchedwiththeonetaintingqualitythatgavethemcoherence，thefaint，falsehazeshehadputoverthisfriendshipbyherownpretendings。And，ifthisterribledinner，oranything，oreverything，hadshownthatsaffrontintinitstruecolourtothemanatherside，lastnightalmostalover，thenshehadindeedofherselfdrivenhimaway，andmightwellfeelthatshewaslost。
"Doyouknow？"shesaid，suddenly，inaclear，loudvoice。"I
havethestrangestfeeling。IfeelasifIweregoingtobewithyouonlyaboutfiveminutesmoreinalltherestofmylife!"
"Why，no，"hesaid。"OfcourseI"mcomingtoseeyou——often。
I——"
"No，"sheinterrupted。"I"veneverhadafeelinglikethisbefore。It"s——it"sjustSO；that"sall!You"reGOING——why，you"renevercominghereagain!"Shestoodup，abruptly，beginningtotrembleallover。"Why，it"sFINISHED，isn"tit？"
shesaid，andhertremblingwasmanifestnowinhervoice。"Why，it"sallOVER，isn"tit？Why，yes!"
Hehadrisenasshedid。"I"mafraidyou"reawfullytiredandnervous，"hesaid。"Ireallyoughttobegoing。"
"Yes，ofCOURSEyouought，"shecried，despairingly。"There"snothingelseforyoutodo。Whenanything"sspoiled，peopleCAN"Tdoanythingbutrunawayfromit。Sogood-bye!"
"Atleast，"hereturned，huskily，"we"llonly——onlysaygood-night。"
Then，asmovingtogo，hestumbledupontheverandasteps，"YourHAT!"shecried。"I"dliketokeepitforasouvenir，butI"mafraidyouneedit!"
Sheranintothehallandbroughthisstrawhatfromthechairwherehehadleftit。"Youpoorthing!"shesaid，withquaveringlaughter。"Don"tyouknowyoucan"tgowithoutyourhat？"
Then，astheyfacedeachotherfortheshortmomentwhichbothofthemknewwouldbethelastofalltheirverandamoments，Alice"sbrokenlaughtergrewlouder。"Whatathingtosay!"shecried。
"Whataromanticparting——talkingaboutHATS!"
Herlaughtercontinuedasheturnedaway，butothersoundscamefromwithinthehouse，clearlyaudiblewiththeopeningofadoorupstairs——alongandwailingcryoflamentationinthevoiceofMrs。Adams。Russellpausedatthesteps，uncertain，butAlicewavedtohimtogoon。
"Oh，don"tbother，"shesaid。"Wehavelotsofthatinthisfunnylittleoldhouse!Good-bye!"
Andashewentdownthesteps，sheranbackintothehouseandclosedthedoorheavilybehindher。
CHAPTERXXIII
Hermother"swailingcouldstillbeheardfromoverhead，thoughmorefaintly；andoldCharleyLohrwascomingdownthestairsalone。
HelookedatAlicecompassionately。"Iwasjustcomin"tosuggestmaybeyou"dexcuseyourselffromyourcompany，"hesaid。
"Yourmotherwasboundnottodisturbyou，andtriedherbesttokeepyoufromhearin"howshe"stakin"on，butIthoughtprobablyyoubetterseetoher。"
"Yes，I"llcome。What"sthematter？"
"Well，"hesaid，"_I_onlysteppedovertooffermysympathyandservices，asitwere。_I_thoughtofcourseyoufolksknewallaboutit。Factis，itwasintheeveningpaper——justalittlebitofanitemonthebackpage，ofcourse。"
"Whatisit？"
Hecoughed。"Well，itain"tanythingsoterrible，"hesaid。
"Factis，yourbrotherWalter"sgotinalittletrouble——well，I
supposeyoumightcallitquiteagooddealoftrouble。Factis，he"squiteconsiderableshortinhisaccountsdownatLambandCompany。"
Aliceranupthestairsandintoherfather"sroom，whereMrs。
Adamsthrewherselfintoherdaughter"sarms。"Ishegone？"shesobbed。"Hedidn"thearme，didhe？Itriedsohard——"
Alicepattedtheheavingshouldersherarmsenclosed。"No，no，"
shesaid。"Hedidn"thearyou——itwouldn"thavemattered——hedoesn"tmatteranyway。"
"Oh，POORWalter!"Themothercried。"Oh，thePOORboy!Poor，poorWalter!Poor，poor，poor，POOR——"
"Hush，dear，hush!"Alicetriedtosootheher，butthelamentcouldnotbeabated，andfromtheothersideoftheroomarepetitioninadifferentspiritwasascontinuous。Adamspacedfuriouslythere，poundinghisfistintohisleftpalmashestrode。"Thedangboy!"hesaid。"Danglittlefool!Dangidiot!Dangfool!Whyn"theTELLme，thedanglittlefool？"
"HeDID!"Mrs。Adamssobbed。"HeDIDtellyou，andyouwouldn"tGIVEittohim。"
"HeDID，didhe？"Adamsshoutedather。"Whathebeggedmeforwasmoneytorunawaywith!Heneverdreamedofputtingbackwhathetook。Whatthedangnationyoutalkingabout——accusingme!"
"HeNEEDEDit，"shesaid。"Heneededittorunawaywith!HowcouldheexpecttoLIVE，afterhegotaway，ifhedidn"thavealittlemoney？Oh，poor，poor，POORWalter!Poor，poor，poor——"
Shewentbacktothisrepetition；andAdamswentbacktohisown，thenpaused，seeinghisoldfriendstandinginthehallwayoutsidetheopendoor。
"Ah——I"lljustbegoin"，Iguess，Virgil，"Lohrsaid。"Idon"tseeasthere"sanyusemytryin"tosayanymore。I"lldoanythingyouwantmeto，youunderstand。"
"Waitaminute，"Adamssaid，and，groaning，cameandwentdownthestairswithhim。"Yousayyoudidn"tseetheoldmanatall？"
"No，Idon"tknowathingaboutwhathe"sgoingtodo，"Lohrsaid，astheyreachedthelowerfloor。"Notathing。Butlookhere，Virgil，Idon"tseeasthiscallsforyouandyourwifetotakeonsohardabout——anyhownotashardasthewayyou"vestarted。"
"No，"Adamsgulped。"Italwaysseemsthatwaytotheotherpartythat"sonlylookingon!"
"Oh，well，Iknowthat，ofcourse，"oldCharleyreturned，soothingly。"Butlookhere，Virgil:theymaynotcatchtheboy；
theydidn"tevenseemtobesurewhattrainhemade，andiftheydogethim，why，theolemanmightdecidenottoprosecuteif——"
"HIM？"Adamscried，interrupting。"Himnotprosecute？Why，that"swhathe"sbeenwaitingfor，allalong!Hethinksmyboyandmebothcheatedhim!Why，hewasjustlettingWalterwalkintoatrap!Didn"tyousaythey"dbeensuspectinghimforsometimeback？Didn"tyousaythey"dbeenwatchinghimandwerejustaboutfixingtoarresthim？"
"Yes，Iknow，"saidLohr；"butyoucan"ttell，especiallyifyouraisethemoneyandpayitback。"
"Everycent!"Adamsvociferated。"Everylastpenny!Icanraiseit——IGOTtoraiseit!I"mgoingtoputaloanonmyfactoryto-morrow。Oh，I"llgetitforhim，youtellhim!Everylastpenny!"
"Well，olefeller，youjusttryandgetquieteddownsomenow。"
Charleyheldouthishandinparting。"Youandyourwifejustquietdownsome。YouAIN"Tthehealthiestmanintheworld，youknow，andyoualreadybeenunderquitesomestrainbeforethishappened。Youwanttotakecareofyourselfforthesakeofyourwifeandthatsweetlittlegirlupstairs，youknow。Now，good-night，"hefinished，steppingoutupontheveranda。"Yousendformeifthere"sanythingIcando。"
"Do？"Adamsechoed。"Thereain"tanythingANYBODYcando!"Andthen，ashisoldfriendwentdownthepathtothesidewalk，hecalledafterhim，"YoutellhimI"llpayhimeverylastcent!
Everylast，dang，dirtyPENNY!"
Heslammedthedoorandwentrapidlyupthestairs，talkingloudlytohimself。"Everydang，last，dirtypenny!ThinksEVERYBODYinthisfamilywantstostealfromhim，doeshe？
Thinkswe"reALLyellow，doeshe？I"llshowhim!"Andhecameintohisownroomvociferating，"Everylast，dang，dirtypenny!"
Mrs。Adamshadcollapsed，andAlicehadputheruponhisbed，whereshelaytossingconvulsivelyandsobbing，"Oh，POOR
Walter!"overandover，butafteratimeshevariedthesorrytune。"Oh，poorAlice!"shemoaned，clingingtoherdaughter"shand。"Oh，poor，POORAlicetohaveTHIScomeonthenightofyourdinner——justwheneverythingseemedtobegoingsowell——atlast——oh，poor，poor，POOR——"
"Hush!"Alicesaid，sharply。"Don"tsay"poorAlice!"I"mallright。"
"YouMUSTbe!"hermothercried，clutchingher。"You"vejustGOT
tobe!ONEofushasgottobeallright——surelyGodwouldn"tmindjustONEofusbeingallright——thatwouldn"thurtHim——"
"Hush，hush，mother!Hush!"
ButMrs。Adamsonlyclutchedherthemoretightly。"HeseemedSUCHaniceyoungman，dearie!Hemaynotseethisinthepaper——Mr。Lohrsaiditwasjustalittlebitofanitem——heMAY
notseeit，dearie——"