第4章

"Why，ofcourse，Mrs。Deering。It"sapublichouse，likeanyother，andyouhaveasmuchright——"

"ButIdidn"twantyoutothinkthatIwoulddoitwithoutaskingyou，andifitisgoingtobetheleastbitoftroubletoyou。"ThepoorthingwhileshetalkedstoodleaninganxiouslyovertowardMrs。

March，whohadrisen，andpressingthepointsofherfingersnervouslytogether。

"Itwon"t，Mrs。Deering。Itwillbenothingbutpleasure。Why，certainly。IshallbedelightedtohaveMissGagehere，andanythingthatMr。MarchandIcando——Why，wehadjustbeentalkingofit，andMr。Marchhasthisminutegotbackfromseeingtheclerk，andshecanhaveaveryniceroom。Wehadbeenintendingtospeaktoyouaboutitassoonaswesawyou。"

Idonotknowwhetherthiswasquitetrueornot，butIwasgladMrs。Marchsaidit，fromtheeffectithaduponMrs。Deering。Tearsofreliefcameintohereyes，andshesaid:"ThenIcangohomeinthemorning。Iwasgoingtostayonadayortwolonger，onJulia"saccount，butIdidn"tfeeljustrightaboutMr。Deering，andnowI

won"thaveto。"

Therefollowedaflutterofpoliteoffersandrefusals，acknowledgmentsanddisavowals，andanunderstandingthatIwouldarrangeitall，andthatwewouldcometoMrs。Deering"shotelaftersupperandseeMissGageaboutthewhenandthehowofhercomingtous。"

"Well，Isabel，"Isaid，afteritwasallover，andMrs。Deeringhadvanishedinamistofhappytears，"Isupposethisiswhatyoucallperfectlyprovidential。DoyoureallybelievethatMissGagedidn"tsendherback？"

"Iknowshedidn"t。ButIknowthatsheHADtodoitjustthesameasifMissGagehaddrivenheratthepointofthebayonet。"

Ilaughedatthistragicalimage。"Canshebesuchaterror？"

"Sheisanideal。AndMrs。Deeringisasafraidasdeathofher。

Ofcourseshehastoliveuptoher。It"sprobablybeenthestruggleofherlife，andIcanquiteimagineherlettingherhusbanddiebeforeshewouldtakeMissGageback，unlessshewentbacksatisfied。"

"Idon"tbelieveIcanimaginesomuchasthatexactly，butIcanimagineherbeingafraidofMissGage"stakingitoutofhersomehow。Nowshewilltakeitoutofus。Ihopeyourealisethatyou"vedoneitnow，mydear。Tobesure，youwillhaveallyourlifetorepentofyourrashness。"

"Ishallneverrepent，"Mrs。Marchretortedhardily。"Itwastherightthing，theonlything。Wecouldn"thaveletthatpoorcreaturestayon，whenshewassoanxioustogetbacktoherhusband。"

"No。"

"AndIconfess，Basil，thatIfeelalittlepityforthatpoorgirl，too。Itwouldhavebeencruel，itwouldhavebeenfairlywicked，tolethergohomesosoon，andespeciallynow。"

"Oh!AndIsupposethatbyESPECIALLYNOW，youmeanKendricks，"I

said，andIlaughedmockingly，asthenovelistssay。"HowsickIamofthisstaleoldlove-businessbetweenyoungpeople!Weoughttoknowbetter——we"reoldenough；atleastYOUare。"

Sheseemednottofeelthegibe。"Why，Basil，"sheaskeddreamily，"haven"tyouanyromanceleftinyou？"

"Romance？Bah!It"sthemostridiculousunrealityintheworld。

Ifyouhadsomuchsympathyforthatstupidgirl，inthatpoorwomaninheranxietyaboutherdisappointment，whyhadn"tyoualittleforhersickhusband？Butahusbandisnothing——whenyouhavegothim。"

"Ididsympathisewithher。"

"Youdidn"tsayso。"

"Well，sheisonlyhissecondwife，andIdon"tsupposeit"sanythingserious。Didn"tIreallysayanythingtoher？"

"Notaword。Itiscurious，"Iwenton，"howweletthisidioticlove-passionabsorbustotheverylast。Itiswhollyunimportantwhomarrieswho，orwhetheranybodymarriesatall。Andyetwenosoonerhavethemakingofalove-affairwithinreachthanwereverttothefollyofourownyouth，andabandonourselvestoitasifitwereoneofthegreatinterestsoflife。"

"Whoistalkingaboutlove？Itisn"taquestionofthat。It"saquestionofmakingagirlhaveapleasanttimeforafewdays；andwhatistheharmofit？Girlshaveadullenoughtimeattheverybest。Myheartachesforthem，andIshallneverletachancesliptohelpthem，Idon"tcarewhatyousay。"

"Now，Isabel，"Ireturned，"don"tyoubeahumbug。Thisisaperfectlyplaincase，andyouaregoinginforaveryriskyaffairwithyoureyesopen。Youshallnotpretendyou"renot。"

"Verywell，then，ifIamgoingintoitwithmyeyesopen，Ishalllookoutthatnothinghappens。"

"Andyouthinkprevisionwillavail!Iwish，"Isaid，"thatinsteadofcominghomethatnightandtellingyouaboutthisgirl，IhadconfinedmysentimentalisingtothatyoungFrench-Canadianmother，andherdirtylittleboywhoatethepea-nutshells。I"venodoubtitwasreallyamoretragicalcase。Theylookeddreadfullypoorandsqualid。Whycouldn"tIhaveamusedmyidlefancywiththeirfortunes——thesortofhusbandandfathertheyhad，theirshabbyhome，thestruggleoftheirlife？Thatistheappealthatagenuinepersonlistensto。NothingdoesmoretostampmeaposeurthanthefactthatIpreferredtobemoanmyselfforasulkygirlwhoseemednottobehavingagoodtime。"

Therewastruthinmyjoking，butthetruthdidnotsaveme；itlostmerather。"Yes，"saidmywife；"itwasyourfault。Ishouldneverhaveseenanythinginherifithadnotbeenforyou。Itwasyourcomingbackandworkingmeupaboutherthatbeganthewholething，andnowifanythinggoeswrongyouwillhaveyourselftothankforit。"

Sheseizedtheopportunityofmyhavingjestinglytakenupthisloadtobuckleitonmetightandfast，claspingithere，tyingitthere，andgivingafinalpulltotheknotsthatleftmescarcelythepowertodrawmybreath，muchlessthebreathtoprotest。IwasforcedtohearhersayagainthatallherconcernfromthebeginningwasforMrs。Deering，andthatnow，ifshehadofferedtodosomethingforMissGage，itwasnotbecauseshecaredanythingforher，butbecauseshecaredeverythingforMrs。Deering，whocouldneverliftupherheadagainatDeWittPointifshewentbacksocompletelydefeatedinallthepurposesshehadinaskingMissGagetocomewithhertoSaratoga。

IdidnotobservethatthiswaveofcompassioncarriedMrs。MarchsofarastoleaveherstrandedwithMrs。DeeringthateveningwhenwecalledwithKendricks，andaskedherandMissGagetogowithustotheCongressParkconcert。Mrs。Deeringsaidthatshehadtopack，thatshedidnotfeeljustexactlylikegoing；andmytenderheartachedwithaknowledgeofherdistress。MissGagemadeafaint，falsepretenceofrefusingtocomewithus，too；butMrs。Deeringurgedhertogo，andputonthenewdress，whichhadjustcomehome，sothatMrs。Marchcouldseeit。Thegirlcamebacklookingradiant，divine，and——"Willitdo？"shepalpitatedundermywife"scriticalglance。

"Do？ItwillOUTdo!Ineversawanythinglikeit!"Theconnoisseurpatteditalittlethiswayandalittlethat。"Itisadream!Didthehatcometoo？"

Itappearedthatthehathadcometoo。MissGagerematerialisedwithiton，afteramoment"sevanescence，andlookedatmywifewiththeexpressionofbeingsomethingimpersonalwithahaton。

"Simply，thereisnothingtosay!"criedMrs。March。Thegirlputupherhandstoit。"Goodgracious!Youmustn"ttakeitoff!Yourcostumeisperfectfortheconcert。"

"Isit，really？"askedthegirljoyfully；andsheseemedtofindthisthefirstfittingmomenttosay，forsolerecognitionofourself-sacrifice，"I"mmuchobligedtoyou，Mr。March，forgettingmethatroom。"

Ibeggedhernottospeakofit，andturnedanironicaleyeuponmywife；butshewaslostinadmirationofthehat。

"Yes，"shesighed；"it"smuchbetterthantheoneIwantedyoutogetatfirst。"Andsheafterwardexplainedthatthegirlseemedtohaveaperfectinstinctforwhatwentwithherstyle。

Kendrickskepthimselfdiscreetlyinthebackground，and，withhisunfailingrightfeeling，wastalkingtoMrs。Deering，inspiteofhernotpayingmuchattentiontohim。ImustownthatItoowasabsorbedinthespectacleofMissGage。

Shewentoffwithus，anddidnotsayanotherwordtoMrs。Deeringabouthelpinghertopack。Perhapsthiswasbest，thoughitseemedheartless；itmaynothavebeensoheartlessasitseemed。Idaresayitwouldhavebeenmoresufferingtothewomanifthegirlhadmissedthischance。

CHAPTERX

Wehadundertakenratheraqueeraffairbutitwasnotsoqueerafterall，whenMissGagewasfairlysettledwithus。Therewereotheryounggirlsinthatpleasanthousewhohadonlyoneanother"sprotectionandthegeneralsafetyofthesocialatmosphere。Wecouldnotconcealfromourselves，ofcourse，thatwehaddonearatherromanticthing，and，inthelightofEurope，whichwehadmoreorlessuponouractions，ratheranabsurdthing；butitwasacomforttofindthatMissGagethoughtitneitherromanticnorabsurd。Shetooktheaffairwithanapparentignoranceofanythingunusualinit——withsomuchignorance，indeed，thatMrs。Marchhadheroccasionalquestionwhethershewasdulyimpressedwithwhatwasbeingdoneforher。Whetherthiswassoornot，itiscertainthatshewasasdocileandasbiddableasneedbe。Shedidnotalwaysaskwhatsheshoulddo；thatwouldnothavebeeninthetraditionofvillageindependence；butshealwaysdidwhatshewastold，anddidnotvaryfromherinstructionsahair"s-breadth。Idonotsupposeshealwaysknewwhyshemightdothisandmightnotdothat；andI

donotsupposethatyounggirlsoftenunderstandthereasonsoftheproprieties。Theyaretoldthattheymust，andthattheymustnot，andthisinanastonishingdegreesufficesthemiftheyarenicegirls。

OfcoursetherewasprettyconstantquestionofKendricksinthemanagementofMissGage"samusement，forthatwasreallywhatourenterpriseresolveditselfinto。Heshowedfromthefirstthesweetestdispositiontoforwardallourplansinregardtoher，and，infact，heevenanticipatedourwishes。IdonotmeantogivethenotionthathebehavedfromaninterestedmotiveingoingtothestationthemorningMrs。Deeringleft，andgettingherticketforher，andcheckingherbaggage，andpostingherinthechangesshewouldhavetomake。ThiswassomethingIoughttohavethoughtofmyself，butIdidnotthinkofit，andIamwillingthatheshouldhaveallthecredit。

Iknowthathediditoutofthelovelygenerosityofnaturewhichalwaystookmeinhim。MissGagewastherewithher，andsheremainedtobeconsoledafterMrs。Deeringdeparted。Theycamestraighttousfromthetrain，andthen，whenhehadconsignedMissGagetoMrs。March"scare，heofferedtogoandseethatherthingsweretransferredfromherhoteltoours；theywereallready，shesaid，andthebillwaspaid。

Hedidnotcomebackthatday，and，infact，hedelicatelywaitedforsomesignfromusthathishelpwaswanted。ButwhenhedidcomehehadformulatedSaratogaverycompletely，andhadabetterconceptionofdoingitthanIhad，aftermyrepeatedsojourns。

WewentveryearlyinourexplorationstotheHouseofPansa，whichyoufindinverymuchbetterrepairatSaratogathanyoudoatPompeii，andwecontrivedtopassawholeafternoonthere。MywifeandIhadbeentherebeforemorethanonce；butitalwayspleasantlyrecalledourwander-years，whenwefirstmetinEurope，andwesufferedroundafterthoseyoungthingswithapatiencewhichIhopewillnotbeforgottenatthedayofjudgment。Whenwecametoaseatwesatdown，andletthemgooffbythemselves；butmyrecollectionisthatthereisnotmuchfurnitureintheHouseofPansathatyoucansitdownon，andforthemostpartweallkepttogether。

KendricksandIthoughtalikeaboutthePompeianhouseasamodelofsomethingthatmightbedoneinthewayofaseasidecottageinourowncountry，andwetalkedupalittlepaperthatmightbedoneforEveryOtherWeek，withprettyarchitecturaldrawings，givinganaccountofourimaginaryrealisationofthenotion。

"Havesomebody，"hesaid，"visitpeoplewhohadbeenboringhimtocomedown，orup，orout，andseethem，andfindtheminaPompeianhouse，withtheseainfrontandablue-greengroveoflowpinesbehind。Mighthaveathreadofstory，butmostlytalkabouthowtheycametodoit，andhowdelightfullylivabletheyfoundit。Youcouldworkitupwithsomearchitect，whowouldhelpyouto"keepoffthegrass"inthewayoftechnicalblunders。Withallthistendencytotheclassicinpublicarchitecture，Idon"tseewhythePompeianvillashouldn"tbethenextwordforsummercottages。"

"Well，we"llseewhatFulkersonsays。Hemayseeanad。init。

Wouldyouliketodoit？"

"Whynotdoityourself？Nobodyelsecoulddoitsowell。"

"Thanksforthetaffy；buttheideawasyours。"

"I"lldoit，"saidKendricksafteramoment，"ifyouwon"t。"

"We"llsee。"

MissGagestared，andMrs。Marchsaid-

"Ididn"tsupposetheHouseofPansawouldleadtoshopwithyoutwo。"

"Younevercantellwhichwaycopylies，"Ireturned；andIaskedthegirl，"WhatshouldYOUthink，MissGage，ofalittlepaperwithathreadofstory，butmostlytalk，onasupposititiousPompeiancottage？"

"Idon"tbelieveIunderstand，"saidshe，fartooremotefromourliteraryinterests，asIsaw，tobeashamedofherignorance。

"There!"IsaidtoKendricks。"Doyouthinkthegeneralpublicwould？"

"MissGageisn"tthegeneralpublic，"saidmywife，whohadfollowedthecourseofmythought；hertoneimpliedthatMissGagewaswiserandbetter。

"Wouldyouallowyourselftobedrawn，"Iasked，"dreamilyissuingfromanaisleofthepinegroveasthetutelarygoddessofaPompeiancottage？"

Thegirlcastabewilderedglanceatmywife，whosaid，"Youneedn"tpayanyattentiontohim，MissGage。Hehasanideathatheismakingajoke。"

Wefeltthatwehaddoneenoughforoneafternoon，whenwehaddonetheHouseofPansa，andIproposedthatweshouldgoandsitdowninCongressParkandlistentotheTroyband。Iwasnotwithoutthehopethatitwouldplay"WashingtonPost。"

Mywifecontrivedthatweshouldfallinbehindtheyoungpeopleaswewent，andsheasked，"WhatDOyousupposeshemadeofitall？"

"ProbablyshethoughtitwasthehouseofSanchoPanza。"

"No；shehasn"treadenoughtobesoignorantevenasthat。It"sastonishinghowmuchshedoesn"tknow。Whatcanherhomelifehavebeenlike？"

"Philistinetothelastdegree。Wepeoplewhoareneartoliteraturehavenoconceptionhowfarfromitmostpeopleare。Theimmensemajorityof"homes，"asthenewspaperscallthem，havenobooksinthemexcepttheBibleandasemi-religiousvolumeortwo——

thingsyouneverseeoutofsuch"homes"——andtheStatebusinessdirectory。IwasastonishedwhenitcameoutthatsheknewaboutEveryOtherWeek。Itmusthavebeenbyaccident。Thesordidnessofherhomelifemustbesomethingunimaginable。Thedaughterofavillagecapitalist，who"sputtogetherhismoneydollarbydollar，astheydoinsuchplaces，fromthenecessitiesandfolliesofhisneighbours，andhashalfthefarmersoftheregionbythethroatthroughhismortgages——Idon"tthinkthatshe"s"onetobedesired"

anymorethan"thedaughterofahundredearls，"ifsomuch。"

"Shedoesn"tseemsordidherself。"

"Oh，thetaintdoesn"tshowitselfatonce——

"IfnatureputnotforthherpowerAbouttheopeningoftheflower，Whoisitthatwouldliveanhour？"

andsheisaflower，beautiful，exquisite"

"Yes，andshehadamotheraswellasthisfatherofhers。Whyshouldn"tshebelikehermother？"

Ilaughed。"Thatistrue!Iwonderwhywealwaysleavethemotheroutofthecountwhenwesumupthehereditarytendencies？I

supposethemotherisasmuchaparentasthefather。"

"Quite。Andthereisnoreasonwhythisgirlshouldn"thavehermother"snature。"

"Wedon"tactuallyKNOWanythingagainstherfather"snatureyet，"I

suggested；"butifhermotherlivedastarvedandstuntedlifewithhim，itmayaccountforthateffectofdisappointedgreedwhichI

fanciedinherwhenIfirstsawher。"

"Idon"tcallitgreedinayounggirltowanttoseesomethingoftheworld。"

"Whatdoyoucallit？"

Kendricksandthegirlwerestoppingatthegateofthepavilion，andlookingroundatus。"Ah，he"sgotenoughforoneday!He"sgoingtoleavehertousnow。"

Whenwecameuphesaid，"I"mgoingtorunoffamoment；I"mgoinguptothebook-storethere，"andhepointedtowardonethathadspreadacrossthesidewalkjustbelowtheCongressHallverandah，withbanksandshelvesofnovels，andacryofbargainsinthemonsignsstickingupfromtheirrows。"IwanttoseeiftheyhavetheLastDaysofPompeii。"

"Wewillfindtheladiesinsidethepark，"Isaid。"Iwillgowithyou——"

"Mr。MarchwantstoseeiftheyhavethelastnumberofEveryOtherWeek，"mywifemockedafterus。Thiswas，indeed，commonlyafoibleofmine。Ihadnewlybecomeoneoftheownersoftheperiodicalaswellastheeditor，andIwasallthetimelookingoutforitatthenews-standsandbook-stores，andjudgingtheirenterprisebyitspresenceorabsence。ButthistimeIhadanothermotive，thoughI

didnotallegeit。

"Isupposeit"sforMissGage？"Iventuredtosay，bywayofprefacingwhatIwishedtosay。"Kendricks，I"mafraidwe"reabusingyourgoodnature。Iknowyou"reupheretolookabout，andyou"relettingususeallyourtime。Youmustn"tdoit。Womenhavenoconscienceaboutthesethings，andyoucan"texpectawomanwhohasayoungladyonherhandstospareyou。Igiveyouthehint。

Don"tcountuponMrs。Marchinthismatter。"

"Oh，Ithinkyouareverygoodtoallowmetobotherround，"saidtheyoungfellow，withthatindefatigablepolitenessofhis。Headdedvaguely，"It"sveryinteresting。"

"Seeingitthroughsuchafreshmind？"Isuggested。"Well，I"llownthatIdon"tthinkyoucouldhavefoundamuchfresherone。HasshereadtheLastDaysofPompeii？"

"Shethoughtshehadatfirst，butitwastheFallofGranada。"

"Howdelightful!Don"tyouwishwecouldreadbookswiththatutterlyunliterarysenseofthem？"

"Don"tyouthinkwomengenerallydo？"heaskedevasively。

"IdaresaytheydoatDeWittPoint。"

Hedidnotanswer；Isawthathewasnotwillingtotalktheyoungladyover，andIcouldnothelppraisinghistastetomyselfatthecostofmyown。Hisdelicacyforbadehimtheindulgencewhichmyownprotestedagainstinvain。Heshowedhistasteagaininbuyingacheapcopyofthebook，whichhemeanttogiveher，andofcoursehehadtobeallthemoreattentivetoherbecauseofmydeprecatinghisself-devotion。

CHAPTERXI

IntheintimacythatgrewupbetweenmywifeandMissGageIfoundmyselflessandlessincluded。ItseemedtomeattimesthatI

mighthavegoneawayfromSaratogaandnotbeenseriouslymissedbyanyone，butperhapsthiswasnottakingsufficientaccountofmyvalueasaspectator，bywhomMrs。Marchcouldverifyherownimpressions。

Thegirlhadneverknownamother"scare，anditwasaffectingtoseehowwillingshewastobemotheredbythechancekindnessofastranger。SheprobablyfeltmoreandmoreherignoranceoftheworldasitunfoldeditselftoherintermssoaltogetherstrangetothelifeofDeWittPoint。Iwasnotsurethatshewouldhavebeensogratefulfortheeffortsmadeforherenjoymentiftheyhadfailed，butasthecasestoodshewascertainlygrateful；mywifesaidthat，andIsawit。Sheseemedtohavewrittenhomeaboutustoherfather，forshereadmywifepartofaletterfromhimconveyinghis"respects，"andaskinghertothankusforhim。Shecametomewiththechequeitenclosed，andaskedmetogetitcashedforher；itwasforahandsomeamount。Butshecontinuedtogoaboutatourcost，quiteunconsciously，tillonedayshehappenedtowitnessacontestofcivilitybetweenKendricksandmyselfastowhichshouldpaythecarriageweweredismissing。ThatnightshecametoMrs。March，and，withmanyblushes，askedtobeallowedtopayforthepastandfutureherfullshareoftheexpenseofourjointpleasures。Shesaidthatshehadneverthoughtofitbefore，andshefeltsomuchashamed。Shecouldnotbeconsoledtillshewaspromisedthatsheshouldbeindulgedforthefuture，andthatI

shouldbeobligedtoaveragetheoutlayalreadymadeandletherpayafourth。Whenshehadgainedherpoint，Mrs。Marchsaidthatsheseemedalittlescared，andsaid，"Ihaven"toffendedyou，Mrs。

March，haveI？Becauseifitisn"trightformetopay——"

"It"squiteright，mydear，"saidmywife，"andit"sveryniceofyoutothinkofit。"

"Youknow，"thegirlexplained，"I"veneverbeenoutagreatdealathomeeven；andit"salwaysthecustomthereforthegentlementopayforaride——ordance——oranything；butthisisdifferent。"

MrsMarchsaid"Yes，"and，intheinterestofcivilisation，shedidalittlemissionarywork。ShetoldherthatinBostontheyoungladiespaidfortheirticketstotheHarvardassemblies，andpreferredtodoit，becauseitleftthemwithoutevenatacitobligation。

MissGagesaidshehadneverheardofsuchathingbefore，butshecouldseehowmuchbetteritwas。

IdonotthinkshegotonwiththeLastDaysofPompeiiveryrapidly；itsimmediateinterestwassupersededbyotherthings。Butshealwayshadthebookaboutwithher，andIfanciedthatshetriedtoreaditinthosemomentsofrelaxationfromourpleasuringwhenshemightbetterhavebeenday-dreaming，thoughIdaresayshedidenoughofthattoo。

Whatamusedmeintheaffairwastheceleritywithwhichittookitselfoutofourhands。InanincrediblyshorttimewehadnolongerthetroubleofthinkingwhatweshoulddoforMissGage；thatwasprovidedforbytheforethoughtofKendricks，andourconcernwashoweachcouldmaketheothergowiththeyoungpeopleontheirexcursionsandexpeditions。Wehadseenanddoneallthethingsthattheyweredoing，anditpresentlyboredustochaperonthem。

Afteragooddealoftalkingwearrivedataroughdivisionofduty，andIwentwiththemwalkingandeatinganddrinking，andforanythinginvolvinglatehours，andMrs。Marchpresidedatsuchthingsascarriageexercise，concerts，andshopping。

TherearenotmanypublicentertainmentsatSaratoga，exceptsuchasthehotelssupply；butaseriesofSalvationArmymeetingsdiddutyasamusements，andtherewasonetheatricalperformance——aperformanceofEastLynneentirelybypeopleofcolour。Thesentimentsandincidentsoftheheart-breakingmelodrama，asthecolouredmindinterpretedthem，wereofverycuriouseffect。Itwasasiftheversionweredyedwiththesamepigmentthatdarkenedtheplayers"skins:itallcameoutnegro。Yettheyhadtriedtomakeitwhite；Icouldperceivehowtheyaimednotattheimitationofournature，butattheimitationofourconvention；itwasliketheplayofchildreninthat。Ishouldhavesaidthatnothingcouldbemorefalsethanthemotivesandemotionsofthedramaastheauthorimaginedthem，butIhadtoownthattheirrenditionbythesesinceresoulswasyetmoreartificial。Therewasnothingtraditional，nothingarchaic，nothingautochthonicintheirpoorart。Ifthescenecouldatanymomenthaveresolvedmyselfintoawalk-round，withaninterspersionofspirituals，itwouldhavehadthecharmofthese；itwouldhaveconsoledandedified；butasitwasIhaveseldombeensobored。Ibegantomakesomesadreflections，asthatourAmericansociety，initsendeavourfortheeffectofEuropeansociety，wasofnotrueridealthanthesecolouredcomedians，andIaccusedmyselfofafinalabsurdityinhavingcometherewiththeseyoungpeople，who，accordingtoourgoodnativeusage，couldhavecomeperfectlywellwithoutme。AttheendofthefirstactIbrokeintotheirtalkwithmyconclusionthatwemustnotcountthehistrionictalentamongthegiftsoftheAfricanracejustyet。Wecouldconcedethemmusic，Isupposed，andthereseemedtobehopeforthem，fromwhattheyhadsomeofthemdone，intheregionoftheplasticarts；butapparentlythestagewasnotforthem，andthiswasallthestrangerbecausetheyweresoimitative。Perhaps，Isaid，itwasanexcessofself-consciousnesswhichpreventedtheirgivingthemselveswhollytotheart，andI

begantospeakofthesubjectiveandtheobjective，oftherealandtheideal；andwhetheritwasthatIbecameunintelligibleasI

becamemetaphysical，IfoundKendricksobviouslynotfollowingmeintheincoherentreplieshegave。MissGagehadhonestlymadenoattempttofollowme。Heasked，Why，didn"tIthinkitwasprettywelldone？Theyhadenjoyeditverymuch，hesaid。Icouldonlystareinanswer，andwonderwhathadbecomeoftheman"stastesorhisprinciples；hewaseitherhumbugginghimselforhewashumbuggingme。AfterthatIleftthemalone，andsufferedthroughtherestoftheplaywithwhatreliefIcouldgetfromlaughingwhenthepatheticemotionsofthedramabecametoopoignant。IdecidedthatKendrickswasabsorbedinthestudyofhiscompanion"smind，whichmustbeopentohiscontemporaneouseyeasitcouldneverhavebeentomyold-sightedglasses，andIenviedhimtheknowledgehewasgainingofthattypeofAmericangirl。Itsuddenlycametomethathemustbefindinghisaccountinthis，andIfeltalittlelessregretforthewasteofcivilities，ofattentions，whichsometimesseemedtomebeyondherappreciation。

I，formypart，gavemyselftothestudyofthetypesaboutme，andIdweltlongandluxuriouslyuponthevisionofafloridandmassivematronindiaphanouseveningdress，whomIimaginedtoberevisitingtheglimpsesofhergirlhoodintheancientwatering-place，andtobegettingallthegaietyshecouldoutofit。ThesearethefiguresonemostlyseesatSaratoga；thereisverylittleyouthofthepresentdaythere，buttheyouthofthepastabounds，withthebelatedyellowhairandthepurplemoustaches，whichgaveanotionofgreaterwickednessinaformergeneration。

Imademyobservationthatthedress，eveninextremecasesofelderlyprime，wasverygood——inthecaseofthewomen，Imean；thementhere，aseverywherewithus，weremostlyslovens；andIwasgladtofindthatthegoodtasteandthecorrectfashionwerewithoutacolour-line；thereweresomemulattoladiespresentasstylishastheirwhitesisters，orstep-sisters。

ThemostamiableofthehumanraceisingreatforceatSaratoga，wherethevasthotelserviceiswhollyinitshands，andithadhonouredtheeffortofthecomediansthatnightwithafullhouseoftheirowncomplexion。Wewhowerenotofitshowedstrangelyenoughinthedarkmass，wholetusleadtheapplause，however，asifdoubtfulthemselveswhereitoughttocomein，andwhomIfoundwillingeventosharesomemisplacedlaughterofmine。Theyformedtwo-thirdsoftheaudienceonthefloor，andtheywereacloudinthegallery，scarcelybrokenbyagleamofwhite。

Ientertainedmyselfwiththemagooddeal，andIthoughthowmuchmoredelightfultheywereintheirownkindlycharacterthanintheirassumptionofwhitecharacter，andItriedtodefinemysufferingfromtheperformanceasaneffectfrommytormentedsympathiesratherthanfrommyoffendedtastes。Whenthelongstresswasover，andweroseandstoodtoletthecrowdgetout，I

askedMissGageifshedidnotthinkthismustbethecase。Idonotsupposeshewasreallymuchmoreexperiencedinthetheatrethanthepeopleonthestage，someofwhomIdoubtedtohaveeverseenaplaytilltheytookpartinEastLynne。ButIthoughtIwouldaskherthatinordertohearwhatshewouldsay；andshesaidverysimplythatshehadseensofewplaysshedidnotknowwhattothinkofit，andIcouldseethatshewasabashedbythefact。Kendricksmusthaveseenittoo，forhebeganatoncetosaveherfromherself，withallhissubtlegenerosity，andtoturnhershametopraise。Myheart，whichremainedsufficientlycoldtoher，warmedmorethanevertohim，andIshouldhavelikedtotellherthatherewasthefinestandraresthumanporcelainusingitselflikecommonclayinherbehalf，andtodemandwhethershethoughtshewasworthit。

Ididnotthinkshewas，andIhadaluridmomentwhenIwastemptedtopushonandmakehershowherselfsomehowatherworst。Wehadundertakenapreposterousthinginbefriendingheraswehaddone，andourcourseinbringingKendricksinwaswhollyunjustifiable。

HowcouldIleadherontosomebetrayalofheressentialPhilistinism，andmakehersoimpossibleinhiseyesthatevenhe，withallhissweetnessandgoodness，musttakethefirsttrainfromSaratogainthemorning？

Wehadofcoursejoinedthecrowdinpushingforward；peoplealwaysdo，thoughtheypromisethemselvestowaittillthelastoneisout。

Igotcaughtinadarkeddyonthefirststair-landing；butIcouldseethemfartherdown，andIknewtheywouldwaitformeoutsidethedoor。

WhenIreacheditatlasttheywerenowheretobeseen；Ilookedupthisstreetanddownthat，buttheywerenotinsight。

CHAPTERXII

Ididnotafflictmyselfverymuch，norpretendtodoso。Theyknewthewayhome，andafterIhadblunderedaboutinsearchofthemthroughthelampshotdarkness，Isettledmyselftowalkbackatmyleisure，comfortablysurethatIshouldfindthemontheverandahwaitingformewhenIreachedthehotel。Itwasquiteathicknight，andIalmostranintoacoupleatacornerofourquieterstreetwhenIhadgottoitoutofBroadway。Theyseemedtobestandingandlookingabout，andwhenthemansaid，"Hemusthavethoughtwetookthefirstturn，"andthewoman，"Yes，thatmusthavebeentheway，"Irecognisedmyestrays。

IthoughtIwouldnotdiscovermyselftothem，butfollowon，andsurprisethembyarrivingatourstepsatthesamemomenttheydid，andIpreparedmyselftohurryafterthem。Buttheyseemedinnohurry，andIhadevensomedifficultyinaccommodatingmypacetotheslownessoftheirs。

"Won"tyoutakemyarm，MissGage？"heaskedastheymovedon。

"It"ssoVERYdark，"sheanswered，andIknewshehadtakenit。"I

canhardlyseeastep，andpoorMr。Marchwithhisglasses——Idon"tknowwhathe"lldo。"

"Oh，heonlyusesthemtoreadwith；hecanseeaswellaswecaninthedark。"

"He"sveryyounginhisfeelings，"saidthegirl；"heputsmeinmindofmyownfather。"

"He"sveryyounginhisthoughts，"saidKendricks；"andthat"smuchmoretothepurposeforamagazineeditor。Thereareveryfewmenofhisagewhokeepintouchwiththetimesashedoes。"

"Still，Mrs。Marchseemsagooddealyounger，don"tyouthink？I

wonderhowsoontheybegintofeelold？"

"Oh，nottillalongintheforties，Ishouldsay。It"sagooddealintemperament。Idon"tsupposethateitherofthemrealisesyetthatthey"reold，andtheymustbenearlyfifty。"

"Howstrangeitmustbe，"saidthegirl，"fiftyyearsold!Twentyseemsoldenough，goodnessknows。"

"Howshouldyouliketobeadotardoftwenty-seven？"Kendricksasked，andshelaughedathisjoke。

"Idon"tsupposeIshouldminditsomuchifIwereaman。"

IhadpromisedmyselfthatifthetalkbecameatallconfidentialI

woulddropbehindoutofearshot；butthoughitwascuriouslyintimateformetobeputapartinthemindsoftheseyoungpeopleonaccountofmyyearsasnotofthesameraceorfateasthemselves，therewasnothinginwhattheysaidthatImightnotinnocentlyoverhear，asfarastheywereconcerned，andIlistenedon。

Buttheyhadapparentlygivenmequiteenoughattention。Aftersomemutuallaughteratwhatshesaidlast，theyweresilentamoment，andthenhesaidsoberly，"There"ssomethingfineinthisisolationthedarkgivesyou，isn"tthere？You"reasremoteinitfromourowntimeandplaceasifyouwerewanderingininterplanetaryspace。"

"IsupposeweAREdoingthatallthetime——ontheearth，"shesuggested。

"Yes；buthowharditistorealisethatweareontheearthnow。

SometimesIhaveasenseofit，though，whenthemoonbreaksfromoneflyingcloudtoanother。ThenitseemsasifIwereapassengeronsomevast，shapelessshipsailingthroughtheair。What，"heasked，withnorelevancythatIcouldperceive，"wasthestrangestfeelingYOUeverhad？"IrememberedaskinggirlssuchquestionswhenIwasyoung，andtheirnotapparentlythinkingitatallodd。

"Idon"tknow，"shereturnedthoughtfully。"TherewasonetimewhenIwaslittle，andithadsleeted，andthesuncameoutjustbeforeitset，andseemedtosetallthewoodsonfire。Ithoughttheworldwasburningup。"

"Itmusthavebeenveryweird，"saidKendricks；andIthought，"Oh，goodheavens!Hashegottotalkingofweirdthings？"

"It"sstrange，"headded，"howweallhavethatbeliefwhenwearechildrenthattheworldisgoingtoburnup!Idon"tsupposeanychildescapesit。DoyourememberthatpoemofThompson"s——theCityofDreadfulNightman——wherehedescribestheendoftheworld？"

"No，Ineverreadit。"

"Well，merely，hesayswhentheconflagrationbeganthelittleflameslookedlikecrocusesbreakingthroughthesod。IfiteverhappenedIfancyitwouldbequiteassimpleasthat。Butperhapsyoudon"tlikegloomypoetry？"

"Yes，yes，Ido。It"stheonlykindthatIcareabout。"

"Thenyouhatefunnypoetry？"

"Ithinkit"sdisgusting。Papaisalwayscuttingitoutofthepapersandwantingtosendittome，andwehavethegreatestTIMES!"

"Isuppose，"saidKendricks，"itexpressessomemoods，though。"

"Ohyes；itexpressessomemoods；andsometimesitmakesmelaughinspiteofmyself，andashamedofanythingserious。"

"That"salwaystheeffectofafarcewithme。"

"ButthenI"mashamedofbeingashamedafterward，"saidthegirl。

"IsupposeyougotothetheatreagreatdealinNewYork。"

"It"saschooloflife，"saidKendricks。"Imeantheaudience。"

"Iwouldliketogototheoperaonce。Iamgoingtomakepapatakemeinthewinter。"Shelaughedwithagaysenseofpower，andhesaid-

"Youseemtobegreatfriendswithyourfather。"

"Yes，we"realwaystogether。Ialwayswenteverywherewithhim；

thisisthefirsttimeI"vebeenawaywithouthim。ButIthoughtI"dcomewithMrs。DeeringandseewhatSaratogawaslike；Ihadneverbeenhere。"

"Andisitlikewhatyouthought？"

"No。Thefirstweekwedidn"tdoanything。ThenwegotacquaintedwithMr。andMrs。March，andIbegantoreallyseesomething。ButI

supposeditwasallballsandgaiety。"

"Wemustgetupafewifyou"resofondofthem，"Kendricksplayfullysuggested。

"Oh，Idon"tknowasIam。Ineverwentmuchathome。Papadidn"tcaretohaveme。"

"Ah，doyouthinkitwasrightforhimtokeepyoualltohimself？"

Thegirldidnotanswer，andtheyhadbothhaltedsoabruptlythatI

almostranintothem。"Idon"tquitemakeoutwhereweare。"

Kendricksseemedtobepeeringabout。Iplungedacrossthestreetlestheshouldaskme。Iheardhimadd，"Ohyes；Iknownow，"andthentheypressedforward。