第3章

AfterfirstgoingtotheOwen，atCampobello，thePasmerstookroomsattheTy’n-y-Coed，whichissomuchgayer，evenifitisnotsocharacteristicoftheoldWelshAdmiral’sbaronialpossessionoftheisland。Itischaracteristicenough，andperchedonitsbluffoverlookingthebay，orwhateverthebodyofwateris，itseesascoreofprettyislesandlongreachesofmainlandcoast，withawhitemarbleeffectofwhite-paintedwoodenEastport，nestledinthewidelapoftheshore，inapparentluxuryandapparentinnocenceofsmugglingandthemanufactureofherringsardines。ThewatersthatwraptheislandinmorningandeveningfogtempertheairofthelatitudetoaNewportsoftnessinsummer，withasortofinnercoolnessthatispeculiarlydelicious，lullingthedaywithlongcalmsandlightbreezes，andafternightfallcommonlysendingastiffgaletotrythestopsofthehotel’sgablesandcasements，andtomakethecheerfulblazeonitspublichearthsacceptable。OnceortwiceadaytheEastportferry-boatarrives，withpassengersfromthesouthward，atafloatingwharfthatsinksorswimshalfahundredfeetonthemightytidesoftheNortheast;butallnightlongtheislandisshutuptoitsownmemoriesanddevices。TheprettyromanceoftheoldsailorwholeftEnglandtobecomeasortoffeudalseigneurhere，withaholdingoftheentireisland，anditsfisher-folkforhisvilleins，formsapicturesquebackgroundfortheaestheticleisureandsocietyinthethreehotelsrememberinghimandhislanguageintheirnames，andhousingwithafewcottagesallthesojournersontheisland。Bydaythebroadhotelpiazzassheltersuchoftheguestsasprefertoletothersmaketheirexcursionsintotheheartoftheisland，andarounditsrocky，sea-beatenborders;andatnight，whenthefallingmistshavebroughttheearlydark，andfromlighthousetolighthousethefog-hornsmoanandlowtooneanother，thepiazzascedetothecorridorsandtheparloursandsmoking-rooms。Thelifedoesnotgreatlydifferfromotherseasidehotellifeonthesurface，andifoneweretomakedistinctionsonewouldperhapsbeginbysayingthathotelsocietytherehasmuchofthetoneofcottagesocietyelsewhere，withalittlemoreaccessibility。Asthereaderdoubtlessknows，thegreatmassofBostonsociety，thoughtfulofitsownweightandbulk，transportsitselfdowntheNorthShorescarcelyfurtherthanManchesteratthefurthest;buttherearemorecourageousormoredetachablespiritswhoventureintomoredistantregions。ThesecontributesomewhattowardpeoplingBarHarbourinthesummer，buttheyscarcelycharacteriseitinanydegree;whileatCampobellotheysettleinlittledaringcolonies，whoseself-reliancewillenlisttheadmirationofthesympatheticobserver。Theydonotrefusetheknowledgeofothercoloniesofotherstirpsandorigins，andtheyevencombineintemporaryalliancewiththem。But，afterall，Bostonspeaksonelanguage，andNewYorkanother，andWashingtonathird，andthoughtheseveraldialectshaveonlyslightdifferencesofinflection，theirmoralaccentsrendereachalittledifficultfortheothers。Infacteverysocietyisrepellantofstrangersinthedegreethatitissufficienttoitself，andisincuriousconcerningtherestoftheworld。Ifithasnottheelementsofself-

satisfactioninit，ifitisuninformedandnewandrestless，itismorehospitablethananoldersocietywhichhasasenseofmeritfoundeduponhistoricaldocuments，andneednolongergooutofitselfforcomparisonsofanysort，knowingthatifitseeksanythingbetteritwillprobablybedisappointed。Thenaturalman，thesavage，isasindifferenttoothersastheexclusive，andthosewhoaccusethecoldnessoftheBostonians，andtheirreluctantorrepellantbehaviourtowardunknownpeople，accusenotonlycivilisation，butnatureitself。

Thatloveofindependencewhichisnotableinuseveninourmostacquiescentphasesathomeisperhapswhatbringsthesecultivatedandagreeablepeoplesofaraway，wheretheycanachieveasortofsylvanurbanitywithoutresponsibility，andwithoutthatmeasuringofpurseswhichattendsthesummerdisplayelsewhere。AtCampobelloonemightbepoorwithalmostaslittleshameasinCambridgeifonewerecultivated。

Mrs。Pasmer，whoseldomfailedofdoingjusttherightthingforherself，hadpromptlydivinedtheadvantagesofCampobelloforherfamily。Sheknew，bydintofalittleinquiry，andfromthevolunteerinformationofenthusiastswhohadbeentherethesummerbefore，justwhowaslikelytobethereduringthesummerwithwhichshenowfoundherselfconfronted。

Campobellobeingyetanewthing，itwasnotopentotheobjectionthatyouweresuretomeetsuchandsuchpeople，moreorlesscommonordisagreeable，there;whateverhappened，itcouldbelightlyhandledintheretrospectastheadventureofapartialandfragmentarysummerwhenreallyshehardlycaredwheretheywent。

TheydidnotgetawayfromBostonbeforethemiddleofJuly，andafterthesolitudetheyleftbehindthemthere，theOwenatfirstseemedverygay。ButwhentheyhadonceortwicecompareditwiththeTy’n-y-Coed，ridingtoandfrointhebargewhichformedtheconnectinglinkwiththeSaturdayeveninghopsofthelatterhotel，Mrs。Pasmerdecidedthat，fromAlice’spointofview，theyhadmadeamistake，andsherepaireditwithoutdelay。Theyoungpeoplewere，infact，allattheTy’n-y-Coed，andthoughshefoundtheOwenperfectlysatisfyingforherselfandMr。

Pasmer，shewaswillingtomakethesacrificeofgoingtoanewplace:itwasnotagreatsacrificeforonewhohaddweltsolongintents。

TherewerescarcelyanyyounggirlsattheOwen，andnoyoungmen，ofcourse。EvenattheTy’n-y-Coed，whereyounggirlsabounded，itwouldnotberighttopretendthattherewereyoungmenenough。Nowhere，perhaps，exceptatBarHarbour，isthelong-lostbalanceofthesexestrimmedinNewEngland;andeventheretheobserver，abstractlydelightingintheyounggirlsandtheirdressesatthatgrandlove-

exchangeofRodick’s，mustquestionwhethertheadjustmentisperfectlyaccurate。

AtCampobellotherewerenotmorethanhalfenoughyoungmen，andtherewasnotenoughflirtationtoaffecttheprevailingsocialmoodoftheplace:anunfevered，expectationlesstranquillity，inwhichto-dayislikeyesterday，andto-morrowcannotbedifferent。Itisaquietoflightreading，andslowly，brokenlymurmured，contentedgossipfortheladies，ofoldnewspapersandoldstoriesandluxuriouslymeditatedcigarsforthemen，withoccasionalcombinationsforasteam-launchcruiseamongtheeddiesandislandsofthenearerwaters，oravoyagefurtheroffintheBayofFundytotheGrandMenan，andareturnforthelatedinnerwhichmarksthehighcivilisationofCampobello，andthenaneveningofmorereadingandgossipandcigars，whilethenightwindwhistlesoutside，andthebrawlandcrashoftheballsamongthetenpinscomessoftenedfromthedistantalleys。Therearepleasantwalks，whichpeopleseldomtake，inmanydirections，andtherearedrivesandbridle-

pathsallthroughthedense，sad，Northernwoodswhichstillsavagelyclothethegreaterpartoftheislandtoitsfurthershores，wherethereareshelvesandplateausofrockincomparableforpicnicking。

Oneneedasknothingbetter，infact，thantostrolldownthesylvanroadthatleadstotheOwen，pastthelittlefishing-villagewithitsshedsforcuringherring;andthepalebluesmokeandappetisingsavourescapingfromthem;andpastthelittlechapelwithwhichtheoldAdmiralattestedhisloveoftheEstablishedrite。OnthisroadyoumaysometimesmeetalittleEnglishbishopfromtheProvinces，inhisapron。

andknee-breeches;andthereisacertainbridgeoveranarrowestuary，whereintheshallowland-lockedpoolsofthedeeplyebbingtideyoumaythrowstonesatsculpin，andwitnesstheadmirableindifferenceofthosefishtohumancrueltyandfolly。Inthemiddledistanceyouwillseeagroupofherringweirs，whichwiththeircoronalsoftuftedsaplingsformtheverymostpicturesqueaspectofanyfishingindustry。Youmay，nowandthenfindanartistatthispoint，who，crouchedoverhiseasel，orhers，seemstoagreewithyouaboutthevillageandtheweirs。

ButAlicePasmercaredlittlemoreforsuchthingsthanhermotherdid，andMrs。PasmerregardedNatureinallheraspectssimplyasanadjunctofsociety，oranoccasionalfeatureoftheentourage。Thegirlhadnosuchworldlyfeelingaboutit，butshefoundslightsympathyinthemoodsofearthandskywithherpeculiartemperament。Thistemperament，whosereconditeoriginhadalmostwhollybrokenupMrs。Pasmer’sfaithinheredity，waslikeothertemperaments，notalwaysinevidence，andAlicewasvariouslyregardedascold，ofshy，orproud，orinsipid，bythevariousothertemperamentsbroughtincontactwithherown。Shewasapttobelikedbecauseshewasascarefulofothersasshewasofherself，andsheneverwaschildishlygreedyaboutsuchadmirationasshewon，asgirlsoftenare，perhapsbecauseshedidnotcareforit。Uptothistimeitisdoubtfulifherhearthadbeentouchedevenbythefanciesthatshakethesurfaceofthesoulofyouth，andperhapsitwasforthisreasonthatherseriousnessatfirstfrettedMrs。Pasmerwithavagueanxietyforherfuture。

Mrs。PasmerherselfremainedinalienablyUnitarian，butshewasawareoftheprodigious-growthwhichtheChurchhadbeenmakinginsociety，andwhenAliceshowedherinclinationforit，shefeltthatitwasnotatallasifshehaddevelopedatastefororthodoxy;whenfinallyitdidnotseemlikelytogotoofar，itamusedMrs。PasmerthatherdaughtershouldhavetakensointenselytotheAnglicanrite。

InthehotelitattachedtoherbyacommoninterestseveraloftheladieswhohadseenherearnestlyresponsiveatthelittleOwenchapel——

ladieslefttothataffectionalsolitudewhichawaitslongwidowhoodthroughthedeathormarriageofchildren;andotherladies，younger，butyetbeginningtogrowoldwithtouchingcourage。AlicewasespeciallyafavouritewiththethreeorfourwhorepresentedtheirclassandconditionattheTy’n-yCoed，andwhoreadthebestbooksreadthere，andhadthegentlestmanners。Therewasatacitagreementamongtheseladies，whocouldnothelpseeingthedifferenceinthetemperamentsofthemotheranddaughter，thatMrs。PasmerdidnotunderstandAlice;butprobablytherewereveryfewpeopleexceptherselfwhomMrs。Pasmerdidnotunderstandquitewell。SheunderstoodtheseladiesandtheircompassionforAlice，andshedidnotintheleastresentit。ShewaswillingthatpeopleshouldlikeAliceforanyreasontheychose，iftheydidnotgotoofar。Withherlittleflutteroffutiledeceits，herirreverenceforeveryformofhumanworthandhertrustinaprovidencewhichhadseldomfailedher，shesmiledatthecultofAlice’sfriends，asshedidatthegirl’sseriousness，whichalsoshefeltherselfabletokeepfromgoingtoofar。

Whileshedidnotobjecttothesympathyoftheseladies，whateverinspiredit，sheencouragedanotherintimacywhichgrewupcontemporaneouslywiththeirs，andwhichwasfranklysecularandpractical，thoughthegirlwhoattachedherselftoAlicewithoneofthoseinstantpassionsofgirlhoodwasalsoineveryexteriorobservanceastrictanddiligentChurchwoman。ThedifferencewasthroughthedifferenceofBostonandNewYorkineverything:thedifferencebetweenidealisingandtherealisingtendency。Theelderlyandmiddle-agedBostonwomenwholikedAlicehadbeentouchedbysomethinghighyetsadinthebeautyofherfaceatchurch;theNewYorkgirlpromptlyownedthatshehadlikedhereffectthefirstSundayshesawherthere，andsheknewinaminuteshenevergotthosethingsonthisside;herobeisancesandgenuflectionsthroughouttheservice，muchmoreprofoundandpunctiliousthanthoseofanyoneelsethere，hadapparentlynotpreventedherfrommakingathoroughstudyofAlice’scostumeandacorrectconjectureastoitsauthorship。

MissAnderson，whoclaimedacollateralDutchancestrybytheVanHook，tuckedinbetweenhernon-committalfamilynameandtheJuliagivenherinchristening，wasoftheordinaryslendermakeofAmericangirlhood，withdullblondhair，andadullblondcomplexion，whichwouldhaveleftherfaceuninterestingifithadnotbeenforthecapriceofhernoseinsuddenlychangingfromtheordinaryAmericanregularity，aftergettingoveritsbridge，andturningoutdistinctly’retrousse’。Thisgaveherprofileanimationandcharacter;youcouldnotexpectagirlwiththatnosetobeeitherirresoluteorcommonplace，andforgoodorforillMissAndersonwasdecidedandoriginal。Shecarriedherfigure，whichwasnogreatthingsofafigureastoheight，withvigorouserectness;shewalkedwithlongstrides，knockingherskirtsintofineeddiesandtanglesasshewent;andshespokeinabold，deepvoice，withtoneslikeamaninit，allthemoreamusingandfascinatingbecauseoftheperfectlyfeminineeyeswithwhichshelookedatyou，andthenervous，femininegestureswhichsheusedwhileshespoke。

ShetookMrs。PasmerintoherconfidencewithregardtoAliceatanearlystageoftheiracquaintance，whichfromthefirsthadapatronisingorratherprotectingqualityinit;ifsheownedherselflessfine，sheknewherselfshrewder，andmorecapableofcopingwithactualities。

“Ithinkshe’smoybid，Aliceis。”shesaid。“Sheisn’tmoybidintheusualsenseoftheword，butsheexpectsmoreofherselfandofthewoyldgenerallythananybody’sgoingtogetoutofit。Shethinksshe’sgoingtogetasmuchasshegives，andthat’sagreatmistake，Mrs。Pasmer。”

shesaid，withthatpeculiarliquefactionofthecanineletterwhichtheNew-Yorkersalonehavethetrickof，andwhichitwouldbetiresomeandfutiletotrytorepresentthroughouthertalk。

“Ohyes，Iquiteagreewithyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer，deepinherthroat，andreservingdeeperstillherenjoymentofthisearlywisdomofMissAnderson’s。

“Now，evenatchurch——shecarriesthesamespiritintothechurch。Shedoesn’tmakeallowanceforhumannature，andthechurchdoes。”

“Oh，certainly！“Mrs。Pasmeragreed。

“Sheisn’tlikeapersonthat’sbeenbroughtupinthechurch。It’smoreliketheoldPuritanspirit——Excuseme，Mrs。Pasmer！“

“Yes，indeed！SayanythingyoulikeaboutthePuritans！“saidMrs。

Pasmer，delightedthat，asaBostonian，sheshouldbethoughttocareforthem。

“Ialwaysforgetthatyou’reaBostonian。”MissAndersonapologized。

“Oh，thankyou！“criedMrs。Pasmer。

“I’mgoingtotrytomakeherlikeothergirls。”continuedMissAnderson。

“Do。”saidAlice’smother，withtheeffectofwishingherjoyoftheundertaking。

“Iftherewereafewyoungmenabout，alittleoverseventeenandalittleunderfifty，itwouldbeeasier。”saidMissAndersonthoughtfully。

“Buthowareyougoingtomakeagirllikeothergirlswhentherearenoyoungmen？”

“That’sverytrue。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withaninterestwhichsheofcoursedidherbesttomakeimpersonal。“Doyouthinktherewillbemore，lateron？”

“TheywillhavetoHueyupiftheyarecomin’。”saidMissAnderson。

“It’sthemiddleofAugustnow，andthehotelclosesthesecondweekinSeptember。”

“Yes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，vaguelylookingatAlice。Shehadjustappearedoverthebrowoftheprecipice，alongwhosefacethearrivalsanddeparturesbytheferry-boatatCampobelloobliquelyascendanddescend。

Shecamewalkingswiftlytowardthehotel，and，forher，soexcitedlythatMrs。Pasmerinvoluntarilyroseandwenttomeetheratthetopofthebroadhotelsteps。

“Whatisit，Alice？”

“Oh，nothing！IthoughtIsawMr。Muntcomingofftheboat。”

“Mr。Munt？”

“Yes。”Shewouldnotstayforfurtherquestion。

Hermotherlookedafterherwiththeedgeofherfanoverhermouthtillshedisappearedinthedepthsofthehotelcorridor;thenshesatdownnearthesteps，andchattedwithsomehalf-grownboysloungingonthebalustrade，andwaitedforMunttocomeupoverthebrinkoftheprecipice。DanMaveringcamewithhim，runningforwardwithapoliteeagernessatsightofMrs。Pasmer。Shedistributedaskillfulastonishmentequallybetweenthetwomenshehadequallyexpectedtosee，andwasextremelycordialwiththem，notonlybecauseshewaspleasedwiththem，butbecauseshewasstillmorepleasedwithherdaughter’sbeing，afterall，likeothergirls，whenitcametoessentials。

XII。

Alicecamedowntolunchinadresswhichreconciledtheseasideandthedrawing-roominaneffectentirelysatisfactorytohermother，andgaveherhandtoboththegentlemenwithouttheaffectationofsurpriseatseeingeither。

“IsawMr。Muntconingupfromtheboat。”shesaidinanswertoMavering’sdemandforsomesortofastonishmentfromher。“Iwasn’tcertainthatitwasyou。”

Mrs。Pasmer，whosepretenceshadbeenallgivenawaybythissimpleconfession，didnotresentit，shewassomuchpleasedwithherdaughter’sevidentexcitementattheyoungman’shavingcome。Withoutbeingconsciousofit，perhaps，Aliceprettilyassumedthepartofhostessfromthemomentoftheirmeeting，anddidthehonoursofthehotelwithatacitimplicationofknowingthathehadcometoseeherthere。Theyhadonlymettwice，butnow，thethirdtime，meetingafteralittleseparation，theirmannertowardeachotherwasasiftheiracquaintancehadbeenmakingprogressintheinterval。Shetookhimaboutquiteasifhehadjoinedtheirfamilyparty，andintroducedhimtoMissAndersonandtoallherparticularfriends，foreachofwhom，withinfiveminutesafterhispresentation，hecontrivedtodosomewinningservice。Sheintroducedhimtoherfather，whomhetreatedwithdeeprespectandsaid“Sir“to。Sheshowedhimthebowlingalley，andbegantoplaytenniswithhim。

Hermother，sittingwithJohnMuntonthepiazza，followedthesepoliteattentionstoMaveringwithhumoroussatisfaction，whichwasqualifiedastheywenton。

“Alice。”shesaidtoher，atachancewhichoffereditselfduringtheevening，andthenshehesitatedfortherightword。

“Well;mamma？”saidthegirlimpatiently，stoppingonherwaytowalkupanddownthepiazzawithMavering;shehadrunintogetawrapandaTam-o’-Shantercap。

“Don’t——overdo——thehonours。”

“Whatdoyoumean，mamma？”askedthegirl;droppingherarmsbeforeher，andlettingtheshawltrailonthefloor。

“Don’tyouthinkhewasverykindtousonClassDay？”

Hermotherlaughed。“Buteveryonemayn’tknowit’sgratitude。”

Alicewentout，butshecamebackinalittlewhile，andwentuptoherroomwithoutspeakingtoanyone。

ThefitsofelationanddepressionwithwhichthisfirstdaypassedforhersucceededoneanotherduringMavering’sstay。HedidnotneedAlice’schaperonagelong。Bythenextmorningheseemedtoknowandtolikeeverybodyinthehotel，whereheenjoyedageneralfavourwhichatthatmomenthadnoexceptions。IntheafternoonhebegantoorganiseexcursionsandamusementswiththehelpofMissAnderson。

TheplansallreferredtoAlice，whoacceptedandapprovedwithanauthoritywhicheveryonetacitlyadmitted，justaseveryonerecognisedthatMaveringhadcometoCampobellobecauseshewasthere。Suchaphaseisperhapstheprettiestinthehistoryofaloveaffair。Allisyetinsolution;nothinghasbeenprecipitatedinwordorfact。Thepartiestoitevenreserveafinalconstructionofwhattheythemselvessayordo;

theywillnotowntotheirheartsthattheymeanexactlythisorthat。

ItisthisphasewhichinitsperfectfreedomisthemostAmericanofall;underotherconditionsitisaninstant，perceptibleorimperceptible;underoursitisadistinctstage，unhurriedbyanyoutsideinfluences。

ThenearestapproachtoadefinitionofthesituationwasinawalkbetweenMaveringandMrs。Pasmer，andthistalk，too，lightandbrief，mighthavehadnosuchintentionasherfancyassignedhispartofit。

SherecurredtosomethingthathadbeensaidonClassDayabouthistakingupthelawimmediately，orgoingabroadfirstforayear。

“Oh，I’veabandonedEuropealtogetherforthepresent。”hesaidlaughing。

“AndIdon’tknowbutImaygobackonthelawtoo。”

“Indeed！Thenyouaregoingtobeanartist？”

“Ohno;notsobadasthat。Itisn’tsettledyet，andI’moffheretothinkitoverawhilebeforethelawschoolopensinSeptember。Myfatherwantsmetogointohisbusinessandturnmypowerstoaccountindesigningwall-papers。”

“Oh，howveryinteresting！“AtthesametimeMrs。Pasmerranoverthewholefieldofheracquaintancewithoutfindinganotherwall-papermakerinit。ButsherememberedwhatMrs。Saintsburyhadsaid:itwasmanufacturing。ThisremindedhertoaskifhehadseentheSaintsburyslately，andhesaid，No;hebelievedtheywerestillinCambridge，though。

“Andweshallactuallyseeayoungman。”shesaidfinally，“intheactofdecidinghisowndestiny！“

Helaughedforpleasureinherpersiflage。“Yes;onlydon’tgivemeaway。Nobodyelseknowsit。”

“Ohno，indeed。Toomuchflattered，Mr。Mavering。Shallyouletmeknowwhenyou’vedecided？Ishallbedyingtoknow，andIshallbetoohigh-

mindedtoask。”

Itwasnotthentoolatetoadapt’Pinafore’toanyexigencyoflife，andMaveringsaid，“Youwilllearnfromtheexpressionofmyeyes。”

XIII。

ThewitnessesofMavering’ssuccessfuleffortstomakeeverybodylikehimwereinterestedinhisdifferentiationoftheattentionsheofferedeveryageandsexfromthosehepaidAlice。Butwhiletheyallagreedthatthereneverwasasweeterfellow，theywouldhavebeenpuzzledtosayinjustwhatthisdifferenceconsisted，andmuchastheylikedhim，theladiesofhercultwerenotquitesatisfiedwithhimtilltheydecidedthatitwasmarkedbyananxiety，atimidity，whichwasperfectlyfascinatinginamansofarfrombashfulnessashe。Thatis，hedidnicethingsforotherswithoutasking;butwithhertherewasalwaysanexplicitpause，andanimplicitprayerandpermission，first。Uponthisconditiontheyconsentedtotheglamourwhichhehadforher，andwhichwasevidenttoeveryoneprobablybuthim。

OnceagreeingthatnoonewasgoodenoughforAlicePasmer，whosequalitiestheyfeltthatonlywomencouldreallyappreciate，theywereinterestedtoseehownearMaveringcouldcometobeinggoodenough;andasthedramaplayeditselfbeforetheireyes，theypleasedthemselvesinanalysingitshero。

“Heisnotbashful，certainly。”saidoneofalittlegroupwhosatmidwayofthepiazzawhileAliceandMaveringwalkedupanddowntogether。

“Butdon’tyouthinkhe’smodest？There’sthatdifference，youknow。”

Theladyaddressedwaitedsolongbeforeansweringthattheyoungcouplecameabreastofthegroup，andthenshehadtowaittilltheywereoutofhearing。“Yes。”shesaidthen，withatender，sighingthoughtfulness，“I’vefeltthatinhim。Andreallythinkheisaveryloveablenature。

Theonlyquestionwouldbewhetherhewasn’ttooloveable。”

“Yes。”saidthefirstlady，withthesamekindofsuspiration，“Iknowwhatyoumean。AndIsupposetheyoughttobesomethingmorealikeindisposition。”

“Orsympathies？”suggestedtheother。

“Yes，orsympathies。”

Athirdladylaughedalittle。“Mr。Maveringhassomanysympathiesthatheoughttobelikeherinsomeofthem。”

“Doyoumeanthathe’stoosympathetic——thatheisn’tsincere？”askedthefirst——asingleladyofforty-nine，aMissCotton，whohadalittleknotofconsciencebetweenherprettyeyebrows，tiedtherebytheunremittingeffortofhalfacenturytodoandsayexactlythetruth，andtofinditout。

Mrs。Brinkley，whomsheaddressed，wasofthatobesitywhichseemsoftentoinclinepeopletosarcasm。“No，Idon’tthinkhe’sinsincere。I

thinkhealwaysmeanswhathesaysanddoes——Well，doyouthinkalittlemoreconcentrationofgood-willwouldhurthimforMissPasmer’spurpose——ifshehasit？”

“Yes，Isee。”saidMissCotton。Shewaited，withherkindeyesfixedwistfullyuponAlice，fortheyoungpeopletoapproachandgetby。

“Iwonderwhatthementhinkofhim？”

“YoumightaskMissAnderson。”saidMrs。Brinkley。

“Oh，doyouthinktheytellher？”

“Notthatexactly。”saidMrs。Brinkley，shakingwithgood-humouredpleasureinherjoke。

“Hervoice——ohyes。SheandAlicearegreatfriends，ofcourse。”

“Ishouldthink。”saidMrs。Stamwell，thesecondspeaker，“thatMr。

Maveringwouldbejealoussometimes——tillhelookedtwice。”

“Yes。”saidMissCotton，obligedtoadmittheforceoftheremark，butfeelingthatMr。Maveringhadbeencarriedoutofthefieldofhervisionbytheturnofthetalk。“Isuppose。”shecontinued，“thathewouldn’tbesowelllikedbyotheryoungmenassheisbyothergirls，doyouthink？”

“Idon’tthink，asarule。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“thatmenarehalfsoappreciativeofoneanotheraswomenare。It’smostamusingtoseetheopenscornwithwhichtwoyoungfellowstreateachotherifaprettygirlintroducesthem。”

AlltheladiesjoinedinthelaughwithwhichMrs。Brinkleyherselfledoff。ButMissCottonstoppedlaughingfirst。

“Doyoumean。”，sheasked，“thatifagentlemanweregenerallypopularwithgentlemenitwouldbe——“

“Becausehewasn’tgenerallysowithwomen？Somethinglikethat——ifyou’llleaveMr。Maveringoutofthequestion。Oh，howverygoodofthem！“shebrokeoff，andalltheladiesglancedatMaveringandAlicewheretheyhadstoppedatthefurtherendofthepiazza，andwerelookingoff。“NowIcanprobablyfinishbeforetheygetbackhereagain。WhatI

domean，MissCotton，isthatneithersexwillinglyacceptsthefavouritesoftheother。”

“Yes。”saidMissCottonadmissively。

“AndallthatsavesMissPasmeristhatshehasnotonlythequalitiesthatwomenlikeinwomen，butsomeofthequalitiesthatmen，likeinthem。She’sthoroughlyhuman。”

Alittlesensation，almostamurmur，notwhollyofassent，wentroundthatcirclewhichhadsonearlyvotedAliceasaint。

“Inthefirstplace，shelikestopleasemen。”

“Oh！“camefromthegroup。

“Andthatmakesthemlikeher——ifitdoesn’tgotoofar，ashermothersays。”

Theladiesalllaughed，recognisingacommonturnofphraseinMrs。

Pasmer。

“Ishouldthink。”saidMrs。Stamwell，“thatshewouldbelievealittleinheredityifshenoticedthatinherdaughter;“andtheladieslaughedagain。

“Then。”Mrs。BrinkleyresumedconcerningAlice，“shehasaveryprettyface——anextremelyprettyface;shehasatendervoice，andshe’svery，verygraceful——inratheranoddway;perhapsit’sonlyafascinatingawkwardness。Thenshedresses——orhermotherdressesher——exquisitely。”

Theladies，withanothersensation，admittedtheperfectaccuracywithwhichthesepointshadbeentouched。

“That’swhatmenlike，whattheyfallinlovewith，whatMr。Mavering’sinlovewiththisinstant。It’snousewomen’sflatteringthemselvesthattheydon’t，fortheydo。Therestofthevirtuesandgracesandcharmsareforwomen。Ifthatseriousgirlcouldonlyknowthesillythingsthatthatamiablesimpletonistakenwithinher，she’d——“

“Neverspeaktohimagain？”suggestedMissCotton。

“No，Idon’tsaythat。Butshewouldthinktwicebeforemarryinghim。”

“Andthendoit。”saidMrs。Stamwellpensively，witheyesthatseemedlookingfarintothepast。

“Yes，andquiterighttodoit。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Idon’tknowthatweshouldbeveryproudourselvesifweconfessedjustwhatcaughtourfancyinourhusbands。FormypartIshouldn’tliketosayhowmuchalighthatthatMr。Brinkleyhappenedtobewearinghadtodowiththematter。”

Theladiesbrokeintoanotherlaugh，andthencheckedthemselves，sothatMrs。Pasmer，comingoutofthecorridoruponthem，naturallythoughttheywerelaughingather。Shereflectedthatifshehadbeenintheirplaceshewouldhaveshowngreatertactbynotstoppingjustatthatinstant。

Butshedidnotmind。Sheknewthattheytalkedherover，buthavingaverygoodconscience，shesimplytalkedthemoverinreturn。“Haveyouseenmydaughterwithinafewminutes？”sheasked。

“ShewaswithMr。Maveringattheendofthepiazzaamomentago。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Theymustleavejustgoneroundthecornerofthebuilding。”

“Oh。”saidMrs。Pasmer。Shehadanovel，withherfingerbetweenitsleaves，pressedagainstherheart，afterthemannerofladiescomingoutonhotelpiazzas。Shesatdownandresteditonherknee，withherhandoverthetop。

MissCottonbentforward，andMrs。Pasmerliftedherfingerstoletherseethenameofthebook。

“Ohyes。”saidMissCotton。“Buthe’ssoterriblypessimistic，don’tyouthink？”

“Whatisit？”askedMrs。Brinkley。

“Fumee。”saidMrs。Pasmer，layingthebooktitleupwardonherlapforeveryonetosee。

“Ohyes。”saidMrs。Brinkley，fanningherself。“Tourguenief。Thatmangavemetheworstquarterofanhourwithhis’Lisa’thatIeverhad。”

“That’sthesameasthe’NicheedesGentilshommes’，isn’tit？”askedMrs。

Pasmer，withtheinvoluntarysuperiorityofawomanwhoreadsherTourgueniefinFrench。

“Idon’tknow。IhaditinEnglish。Idon’tbuildmyshipstocrosstheseain，asEmersonsays;ItakethoseIfindbuilt。”

“Ah！Iwasalreadyontheotherside。”saidMrs。Pasmersoftly。Sheadded:“ImustgetLisa。Ilikeagoodheart-break;don’tyou？Ifthat’swhatgaveyouthebadmoment。”

“Heart-break？Heart-crush！WhereLavretskycomesbackoldtothesceneofhisloveforLisa，andstrikesthatchordonthepiano——well，IsimplywonderthatI’malivetorecommendthebooktoyou。

“Doyouknow。”saidMissCotton，verydeferentially，“thatyourdaughteralwaysmademethinkofLisa？”

“Indeed！“criedMrs。Pasmer，notwhollypleased，butgratifiedthatshewasabletohideherdispleasure。“Youmakemeverycurious。”

“Oh，Idoubtifyou’llseemorethanamerelikenessoftemperament。”

Mrs。Brinkleyinterferedbluntly。“Alltheconditionsaresodifferent。

Therecouldn’tbeanAmericanLisa。That’sthecharmoftheseRussiantragedies。Youfeelthatthey’resoperfectlytruethere，andsoperfectlyimpossiblehere。LavretskywouldsimplyhavegothimselfdivorcedfromVarvaraPavlovna，andnoclergymancouldhaveobjectedtomarryinghimtoLisa。”

“That’swhatImeanbyhispessimism。”saidMissCotton。“Heleavesyounohope。AndIthinkthatdespairshouldneverbeusedinanovelexceptforsomegoodpurpose;don’tyou，Mrs。Brinkley？”

“Well。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“Iwastryingtothinkwhatgoodpurposedespaircouldbeputto，inabookoroutofit。”

“Idon’tthink。”saidMrs。Pasmer，referringtothebookinherlap，“thatheleavesyoualtogetherindespairhere，unlessyou’dratherhe’drunoffwithIrenethanmarriedTatiana。”

“Oh，Icertainlydidn’twishthat;“saidMissCotton，inself-defence，asiftheshothadbeenaimedather。

“Thebookendswithamarriage;there’snodenyingthat。”saidMrs。

Brinkley，withareserveinhertonewhichcausedMrs。Pasmertocontinueforher——

“Andmarriagemeanshappiness——inabook。”

“I’mnotsurethatitdoesinthiscase。Thetimewouldcome，afterLitvinofhadtoldTatianaeverything，whenshewouldhavetoaskherself，andnotonceonly，whatsortofmanitreallywaswhowaswillingtobreakhisengagementandrunoffwithanotherman’swife，andwhetherhecouldeverrepentenoughforit。Shecouldmakeexcusesforhim，andwould，butatthebottomofherheart——No，itseemstomethatthere，almostfortheonlytime，Tourgueniefpermittedhimselfanamiableweakness。Allthatpartofthebookhastheairofbeggingthequestion。”

“Butdon’tyousee。”saidMissCotton，leaningforwardinthewayshehadwhenveryearnest，“thathemeanstoshowthatherloveisstrongenoughforallthat？”

“Buthedoesn’t，becauseitisn’t。Loveisn’tstrongenoughtosavepeoplefromunhappinessthrougheachother’sfaults。Doyousupposethatsomanymarriedpeopleareunhappyineachotherbecausetheydon’tloveeachother？No;it’sbecausetheydoloveeachotherthattheirfaultsaresuchamutualtorment。Iftheywereindifferent，theywouldn’tmindeachother’sfaults。Perhapsthat’sthereasonwhytherearesomanyAmericandivorces;iftheydidn’tcare，likeEuropeans，whodon’tmarryforlove，theycouldstandit。”

“Thenthemoralis。”saidMrs。Pasmer，atherlightestthroughthesurroundinggravity，“thatasallAmericansmarryforlove，onlyAmericanswhohavebeenverygoodoughttogetmarried。”

“I’mnotsurethatthehave-beengoodnessisenougheither。”saidMrs。

Brinkley，willingtopushittotheabsurd。“Youmarryaman’sfutureaswellashispast。”

“Dearme！Youareterriblyexigeante，Mrs。Brinkley。”saidMrs。Pasmer。

“Onecanaffordtobeso——intheabstract。”answeredMrs。Brinkley。

TheyallstoppedtalkingandlookedatJohnMunt，whowascomingtowardthem，andeachfeltalongingtolaythematterbeforehim。

Therewasprobablynotawomanamongthembuthadfeltmore，readmore，andthoughtmorethanJohnMunt，buthewasaman，andthemindofamanisthecourtoffinalappealforthewisestwomen。Tillsomemanhaspronouncedupontheirwisdom，theydonotknowwhetheritiswisdomornot。

Muntdrewuphischair，andaddressedhimselftothewholegroupthroughMrs。Pasmer:“Wearethinkingofgettingupalittlepicnicto-morrow。

XIV。

Thedayofthepicnicstruggledtillteno’clocktopeerthroughthefogthatwraptitwiththatremotedampandcoolnessandthatnearerdrouthandwarmthwhichsomefogshave。Thelowpinegroveshungfullofit，anditgaveasilverydefinitiontothegossamerthreadsrunningfromonegrassspeartoanotherinspaciousnetworksovertheopenlevelsoftheoldfieldsthatstretchbackfromtheblufftothewoods。Atlastitgrewthinner，somewhereoverthebay;thenyoucouldseethesmoothwaterthroughit;thenitdriftedoffinraggedfringesbeforealightbreeze:

whenyoulookedlandwardagainitwasallgonethere，andseawardithadgathereditselfinalow，dunbankalongthehorizon。ItwasthekindoffogthatpeopleinterestedinCampobelloadmittedasapttobecommonthere，butclaimedasakindoflocalvirtuewhenitbegantobreakaway。

Theysaidthatitwasaverydryfog，notlikeNewport，andaskedyoutonoticethatitdidnotwetyouatall。

Fourorfivecarriages，drivenbythegentlemenoftheparty，heldthepicnic，whichwasdestinedforthatbeautifulcoveontheBayofFundywheretheredgraniteledges，smooth-washedbyagesofstormandsun，lendthemselvestosuchfestivitiesasiftheyhadbeenartificiallyfashionedintoshelvesandtables。Thewholeplaceisyetsonewtomenthatthishaunthasnotacquiredthatairofrepulsivecustomwhichtheeggshellsandbrokenbottlesandsardineboxesofmanyseasonsgive。Orperhapsthewintertempestsheapthetidesofthebayovertheledge，andwashitcleanofthesevulgartracesofhumanresort，andenableittoofferasfreshawelcometothepicnicsofeachsuccessivesummerasiftherehadneverbeenapicnicinthatplacebefore。

ThiswasthesensethatMaveringprofessedtohavereceivedfromit，whenhejumpedoutofthebeachwagoninwhichhehadprecededtheothercarriagesthroughtheweirdforestlyingbetweenthefringeoffarmfieldsandfishing-villagesonthewesternshoreoftheislandandtheselonelycoastsofthebay。Asfarasthesignsofsettledhumanhabitationlast，thoroadisthegoodhardcountryroadofNewEngland，climbingsteeplittlehills，andpresentlyleadingthroughlongtractsofwoodland。Butatacertainpointbeyondthefurthestcottageyouleaveit，andplungedeepintotheheartoftheforest，vaguelytraversedbythewheel-pathcarriedthroughsincetheislandwasopenedtosummersojourn。Roadyoucanhardlycallit，rememberingitscuriouspausesandhesitationswhenconfrontedwithstretchesofmarshyground，anditsstaggeringprogressoverthethickstubbleofsaplingsthroughwhichitiscut。Theprogressofteamsoveritisslow，butthereissuchjoyofwildnessinthesolitudesitpenetratesthat;ifthehorseshadanygaitslowerthanawalk，onemightstillwishtostaythem。ItisaNorthernforest，withtheairofhavingsprangquicklyupinthefierceheatandhasteoftheNorthernsummers。Thesmallfirsaresetalmostasdenseasryeinafield，andintheirstruggletothelighttheyhavechokedoneanothersothatthereisastrangeblightofdeathanddefeatonallthatvigouroflife。Fewofthetreeshavewonanyloftygrowth;theyseemtohavediedandfallenwhentheywereabouttooutstriptheothersinsize，andfromtheirdecayanewsylvangenerationriotsranklyupward。Thesurfaceofthegroundisthinlyclothedwithadeciduousundergrowth，abovewhicharethebare，sparestemsoftheevergreens，andthentheirlimbsthrustingintooneanotherinasombretangle，withlocksoflongyellowish-whitemoss，likethegreypendantsoftheSouthernpines，drippingfromthemanddrainingtheirbrieflife。

Insuchaplaceyoumustsurrenderyourselftoitsinfluences，profoundlyyetvaguelymelancholy，oryoumustresistthemwithwhatevergaietyisinyou，ormaybeconjuredoutofothers。ItwasconcededthatMaveringwasthelifeoftheparty，asthephrasegoes。Hislight-heartedness，askindlyandsympatheticasitwasinexhaustible，servedtocarrythemovertheworstplacesintheroadofitself。Hejumpeddownandranback，whenhehadpassedabadbit，toseeiftheothersweregettingthroughsafely;theleastinterestingofthepartyhadsomeproofofhisimpartialfriendliness;hepromisedanearlyandtriumphantemergencefromalldifficulties;hestartedsinging，andsacrificedhimselfinseveraltunes，forhecouldnotsingwell;hislaughseemedtobealwayscomingbacktoAlice，wheresherodelateinthelittleprocession;

severaltimes，withthedeferencewhichhedelicatelyqualifiedforher，hecamehimselftoseeifhecouldnotdosomethingforher。

“MissPasmer。”croakedherfriendMissAnderson，whoalwaysbeganinthatceremoniouswaywithher，andgottocallingherAlicefurtheralongintheconversation，“ifyoudon’tdropsomethingforthatpoorfellowtorunbacktwoorthreemilesandget，prettysoon，I’lldoitmyself。

It’speyfectlydisheayteningtoseehisdisappointmentwhenyoutellhimtheye’snothingtobedone。”

“Heseemstogetoverit。”saidAliceevasively。ShesmiledwithpleasureinMissAnderson’simpeachment，however。

“Oh，hekeepscoming，ifthat’swhatyoumean。Butdodropanumbrella，orarubber，orsomething，nexttime，justtoshowaproperappreciation。”

ButMaveringdidnotcomeanymore。Justbeforetheygottothecove，MissAndersonleanedoveragaintowhisperinAlice’sear，“Itoldyouhewashuyt。Nowyoumustbeverygoodtohimtherestofthetime。”

UpontheoryagirlofAlicePasmer’sreserveoughttohaveresentedthisintervention，butitisnotprobableshedid。Sheflushedalittle，butnotwithoffence，apparently;andshewaskindertoMavering，andlethimdoeverythingforherthathecouldinventintransferringthethingsfromthewagonstotherocks。

Thepartygaveagaietytothewildplacewhichaccenteditspropercharm，astheyscatteredthemselvesovertheledgesonthebrightshawlsspreaduponthelevelspaces。Oneitherhandcraggybluffshemmedthecovein，butbelowtheledgeithadapebblybeachstrewnwithdrift-

wood，andtheBayofFundygloomedbeforeitwithsmallfishingcrafttippingandtiltingontheswellintheforeground，anddimsailmeltingintothedunfogbankatthehorizon’sedge。

Theelderladiesofthepartystoodup，orstretchedthemselvesontheshawls，astheyfoundthisorthatposturemorerestfulaftertheirlongdrive;one，whowasskilledinmakingcoffee，hadtakenpossessionofthepot，andwasdemandingfireandwaterforit。Themenscatteredthemselvesoverthebeach，andbroughtherdriftenoughtoroastanox;

twoofthemfetchedwaterfromthespringatthebackoftheledge，whithertheythencarriedthebottlesofaletocoolinitsthrillingpool。Eachafterhisorherfashionsymbolisedareturntonaturebysomeactorwordofself-abandon。

“Yououghttohavebroughtheaviershoes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withaseriousglanceatherdaughter’sfeet。“Well，nevermind。”sheadded。

“Itdoesn’tmatterifyoudospoilthem。”

“Really。”criedMrsBrinkley，castinghersandalsfromher，“Iwillnotbeenslavedtorubbersinsuchasylvansceneasthis，atanyrate。”

“LookatMrs。Stamwell！“saidMissCotton。“She’sactuallytakenherhatoff。”

Mrs。Stamwellhadnotonlygonetothisextreme，buthadtiedalightlyflutteringhandkerchiefroundherhair。Shesaidsheshouldcertainlynotputonthatheavythingagaintillshegotinsightofcivilisation。

AtthesewordsMissCottonboldlydrewoffhergloves，andputtheminherpocket。

Theyounggirls，slimintheirbluesflannelskirtsandtheirbroadwhitecanvasbelts，wentandcameovertherocks。Thereweresomechildrenintheparty，whowereallowedtoscreamuninterruptedlyinthegameswhichtheybegantoplayassoonastheyfoundtheirfeetaftergettingoutofthewagons。

Someofthegentlemendroveastakeintothebeach，andthrewstonesatit，toseewhichcouldknockoffthepebblebalancedonitstop。Severaloftheladiesjoinedtheminthesport，andshriekedandlaughedwhentheymadewildshotswiththemissilesthemenpolitelygatheredforthem。

AlicehadremainedwithMaveringtohelpthehostessofthepicniclaythetables，buthermotherhadfollowedthosewhowentdowntothebeach。

AtfirstMrs。Pasmerlookedonatthepracticeofthestone-throwerswithdisapproval;butsuddenlysheletherselfgointhis，asshedidinothermattersthatherjudgmentcondemned，andbegantothrowstonesherself;

shebecameexcited，andmadethewildestshotsofany，acceptingmissilesrightandleft，andmakingherselfdangeroustoeverybodywithinawidecircle。Agentlemanwhohadfallenavictimtoherskillsaid，“Justwait，Mrs。Pasmer，tillIgetinfrontofthestake。”

Themenbecameseriouslyinterested，andworkedthemselvesredandhot;

theladiessoongaveitup，andsatdownonthesandandbegantotalk。

Theyallownedthemselveshungry，andfromtimetotimetheylookedupanxiouslyatthepreparationsforlunchontheledge，wherewhitenapkinswerespread，withbottlesatthefourcornerstokeepthemfromblowingaway。Thisuseofthebottleswasconsideredveryamusing;theladiestriedtomakejokesaboutit，andthedesiretobefunnyspreadtocertainofthemenwhohadquietlyleftoffthrowingatthestakebecausetheyhadwrenchedtheirshoulders;theysucceededinbeingmerry。Theysaidtheythoughtthatcoffeetookalongtimetoboil。

Alullofexpectationfelluponall;evenMaveringsatdownontherocksnearthefire，andwasatrestafewminutes，byorderofMissAnderson，whosaidthatthesightofhisactivitytiredhertodeath。

“Iwonderwhyalwaysboiledhamatapicnic！“saidtheladywhotookafinalplateofitfromabasket。“Undertheordinaryconditions，fewofuscanbepersuadedtotouchit。”

“Itseemstobedeartonature，andtonature’schildren。”saidMrs。

Brinkley。“Perhapsbecausetheirdigestionsarestrong。”

“Don’tyouwishthatsomethingcouldbesubstitutedforit？”askedMiss。

Cotton。

“Therehavebeeneffortstoreplaceitwithchickenandtongueinsandwiches;“saidMrs。Brinkley;“butIthinkthey’veonlymeasurablysucceeded——aboutastemperancedrinkshaveinplaceoftherealstrongwaters。”

“Ontheboatcomingup。”saidMavering，“wehadatroupeofgenuinedarkyminstrels。Oneofthemsangasongabouthamthatrathertookme——

“’Ham，goodoldham！

Hamisdebestobmeat;

It’salwaysgoodandsweet;

Youcanbakeit，youcanboilit，Youcanfryit，youcanbroilit——

Ham，goodoldham！’“

“Oh，howgood！“sighedMrs。Brinkley。“Howsincere！Hownative！Goon，Mr。Mavering，forever。”

“Ihaven’tthematerials。”saidMavering，withhislaugh。“Therestwasdacapo。Buttherewasanothersong，aboutacolouredlady——“

“’Sixfoothighandeightfootround，Hollerobherfootmadeaholeindeground。’“

“Ah，that’sanoldfriend。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“IrememberhearingofthatcolouredladywhenIwasagirl。Butit’safineflightoftheimagination。Whatelsedidtheysing？”

“Ican’tremember。Buttherewassomethingtheydanced——toshowhowarheumaticoldcoloureduncledances。”

Hejumpednimblyup，andsketchedthestiffandlimpingfigurehehadseen。Itwasoverinaflash。Hedroppeddownagain，laughing。

“Oh，howwonderfullygood！“criedMrs。Brinkley，withfrankjoy。“Doitagain。”

“Encore！Oh，encore！“camefromthepeopleonthebeach。

Maveringjumpedtohisfeet，andburlesquedtheprofusebowsofanactorwhorefusestorepeat;hewasabouttodropdownagainamidsttheirwailsofprotest。

“No，don’tsitdown，Mr。Mavering。”saidtheladywhohadintroducedthesubjectofham。“Getsomeoftheyoungladies，andgoandgathersomeblueberriesforthedessert。Thereareallthenecessariesoflifehere，butnoneoftheluxuries。”

“I’mattheserviceoftheyoungladiesasanescort。”saidMaveringgallantly，withaninfusionofjoke。“Willyoucomeandpickblueberriesundermywatchfuleyes，MissPasmer？”

“They’vegonetopickblueberries。”calledtheladythroughhertubedhandtothepeopleonthebeach，andtheyoungeramongthemscrambleduptherocksforcupsandbowlstofollowthem。

Mrs。Pasmerhadanimpulsetocallherdaughterback，andtomakesomeexcusetokeepherfromgoing。Shewasinanaccessofdecorum，naturallyfollowinguponherlateoutbreak，anditseemedaverypronouncedthingforAlicetobegoingoffintothewoodswiththeyoungman;butitwouldhavebeenapronouncedthingtopreventher，andsoMrs。Pasmersubmitted。

“Isn’titdelightful。”askedMrs。Brinkley，followingthemwithhereyes，“toseethecharmthatgayyoungfellowhasforthatseriousgirl？Shelookedathimwhilehewasdancingasifshecouldn’ttakehereyesoffhim，andshefollowedhimasifhedrewherbyaninvisiblespell。Notthatspellsareevervisible。”sheadded，savingherself。“Thoughthisoneseemstobe。”sheaddedfurther，againsavingherself。

“Doyoureallythinkso？”pleadedMissCotton。

“Well，Isayso，whateverIthink。AndI’mnotgoingtobecaughtuponthetenter-hooksofconscienceastoallmymeanings，MissCotton。I

don’tknowthemall。ButI’mnotoneoftheAliceolaters，youknow。”

“No;ofcoursenot。Butshouldn’tyou——Don’tyouthinkitwouldbeagreatpity——She’ssosuperior，soveryuncommonineveryway，thatithardlyseems——Ah，Ishouldsoliketoseesomeonereallyfine——notacoarsefibreinhim，don’tyouknow。NotthatMr。Mavering’scoarse。

Butbesideherhedoesseemsolight！“

“Perhapsthat’sthereasonshelikeshim。”

“No，no！Ican’tbelievethat。Shemustseemoreinhimthanwecan。”

“Idaresayshethinksshedoes。Atanyrate，it’saperfectlyevidentcaseonbothsides;andthefrankwayhe’sfollowedheruphere，anddevotedhimselftoher，asif——well，notasifsheweretheonlygirlintheworld，butincomparablythebest——iscertainlynotcommon。”

“No。”sighedMissCotton，gladtoadmitit;“that’sbeautiful。”

XV。

IntheedgeofthewoodsandtheopenspacesamongthetreestheblueberriesgrewlargerandsweeterinthelateNorthernsummerthanamoresouthernsunseemstomakethem。Theyhungdenseuponthelowbushes，andgavethemtheirtintthroughthesoftgreybloomthatveiledtheirblue。Sweet-ferninpatchesbroketheirmasshereandthere，andexhaleditswildperfumetothefootorskirtbrushingthroughit。

“Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingmuchprettierthantheseclusters;doyou，MissPasmer？”askedMavering，asheliftedabunchpendentfromthelittletreebeforehestrippeditintothebowlhecarried。“Andsee！

itspoilsthebloomtogatherthem。”Heheldoutahandful，andthentossedthemaway。“Itoughttobemanagedmoreaestheticallyforanoccasionlikethis。I’lltellyouwhat，MissPasmer:areyouusedtoblueberrying？”

“No。”shesaid;“Idon’tknowthatIeverwentblueberryingbefore。

Why？”sheasked。

“Because，ifyouhaven’t，youwouldn’tbeveryefficientperhaps，andsoyoumightresignyourselftosittingonthatlogandholdingtheberriesinyourlap，whileIpickthem。”

“Butwhataboutthebowls，then？”

“Oh，nevermindthem。I’vegotanidea。Seehere！“Heclippedoffabunchwithhisknife，andhelditupbeforeher，tiltingitthiswayandthat。“Couldanythingbemoregraceful！Myideaistoservetheblueberryonitsnativestematthispicnic。Whatdoyouthink？Sugarwouldprofaneit，andofcoursethey’veonlygotmilkenoughforthecoffee。”

“Delightful！“Alicearrangedherselfonthelog，andmadealapforthebunch。Hewouldnotallowthatthearrangementwasperfecttillhehadcushionedtheseatandcarpetedthegroundforherfeetwithsweet-fern。

“Nowyou’resomethinglikeawood-nymph。”helaughed。“Only，wouldn’tarealwood-nymphhaveanapron？”heasked，lookingdownatherdress。

“Oh，itwon’thurtthedress。Youmustbeginnow，orthey’llbecallingus。”

Hewasstandingandgazingatherwithadistractedenjoymentofherpose。“Ohyes，yes。”heanswered，comingtohimself，andhesetabouthiswork。

Hemighthavegotonfasterifhehadnotcometoherwithnearlyeverybunchhecutatfirst，andwhenhebegantodenyhimselfthispleasurehestoppedtoadmireanideaofhers。

“Well，that’scharming——makingthemintobouquets。”

“Yes，isn’tit？”shecrieddelightedly，holdingabunchoftheberriesupatarm’s-lengthtogettheeffect。

“Ah，butyoumusthavesomeofthisfernandthistallgrasstogowithit。Why，it’ssweet-grass——thesweet-grassoftheIndianbaskets！“

“Isit？”Shelookedupathim。“Anddoyouthinkthatthemixturewouldbebetterthanthemodestsimplicityoftheberries，withafewleavesofthesame？”

“No;you’reright;itwouldn’t。”hesaid，throwingawayhisferns。“Butyou’llwantsomethingtotiethestemswith;youmustusethegrass。”Heleftthatwithher，andwentbacktohisbushes。Headded，frombeyondalittlethicket，asifwhathesaidwerepartofthesubject，“Iwasafraidyouwouldn’tlikemyskippingaboutthereontherocks，doingthecoloureduncle。”

“Likeit？”

“Imean——I——youthoughtitundignified——trivial——“

Shesaid，afteramoment:“Itwasveryfunny;andpeopledoallsortsofthingsatpicnics。That’sthepleasureofit，isn’tit？”

“Yes，itis;butIknowyoudon’talwayslikethatkindofthing。”

“DoIseemsoverysevere？”sheasked。

“Ohno，notsevere。Ishouldbeafraidofyouifyouwere。Ishouldn’thavedaredtocometoCampobello。”

Helookedatheracrosstheblueberrybushes。Hisgayspeechmeanteverythingornothing。Shecouldparryitwithajest，andthenitwouldmeannothing。Sheletherheaddroopoverherwork，andmadenoanswer。

“Iwishyoucouldhaveseenthosefellowsontheboat。”saidMavering。

“Hello，Mavering！“calledthevoiceofJohnMunt，fromanotherpartofthewoods。

“Alice！——MissPasmer！“camethatofMissAnderson。

Hewasgoingtoanswer，whenhelookedatAlice。“We’llletthemseeiftheycanfindus。”hesaid，andsmiled。

Alicesaidnothingatfirst;shesmiledtoo。“YouknowmoreaboutthewoodsthanIdo。Isupposeiftheykeeplooking——“

“Ohyes。”Hecametowardherwithamassofclusterswhichhehadclipped。“Howfastyoudothem！“hesaid，standingandlookingdownather。“Iwishyou’dletmecomeandmakeupthewithesforyouwhenyouneedthem。”

“No，Icouldn’tallowthatonanyaccount。”sheanswered，twistingsomestemsofthegrasstogether。

“Well，willyouletmeholdthebuncheswhileyoutiethem;ortiethemwhenyouholdthem？”

“No。”

“Thisonce，then？”

“Thisonce，perhaps。”

“Howlittleyouletmedoforyou！“hesighed。

“Thatgivesyouachancetodomoreforotherpeople。”sheanswered;andthenshedroppedhereyes，asifshehadbeensurprisedintothatanswer。

Shemadehastetoadd:“That’swhatmakesyousopopularwith——everybody！“

“Ah，butI’dratherbepopularwithsomebody！“

Helaughed，andthentheybothlaughedtogetherconsciously;andstillnothingoreverythinghadbeensaid。Alittlesillysilencefollowed，andhesaid，forescapefromit，“Ineversawsuchberriesbefore，eveninSeptember，onthetopofPonkwasset。”

“Why，isitamountain？”sheasked。“Ithoughtitwasa——falls。”

“It’sboth。”hesaid。

“Isupposeit’sverybeautiful，isn’tit！AllAmericaseemssolovely，solarge。”

“It’sprettyinthesummer。Idon’tknowthatIshalllikeitthereinthewinterifIconcludeto——Didyour——didMrs。Pasmertellyouwhatmyfatherwantsmetodo？”

“Aboutgoingthereto——manufacture？”

Maveringnodded。“He’sgivenmethreeweekstodecidewhetherIwouldliketodothatorgoinforlaw。That’swhatIcameupherefor。”

Therewasalittlepause。Shebentherheaddownovertheclustersshewasgrouping。“IsthelightofCampobelloparticularlygoodonsuchquestions？”sheasked。

“Idon’tmeanthatexactly，butIwishyoucouldhelpmetosomeconclusion。”

“Yes;whynot？”

“It’sthefirsttimeI’veeverhadabusinessquestionreferredtome。”

Well，then，youcanbringaperfectlyfreshmindtoit。”

“Letmesee。”shesaid，affectingtoconsider。“It’sreallyaveryimportantmatter？”

“Itistome。”

Afteramomentshelookedupathim。“Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldn’tmindlivingthereifyourbusinesswasthere。Isupposeit’sbeingidleinplacesthatmakesthemdull。IthoughtitwasdullinLondon。Oneoughttobeglad——oughtn’the？——toliveinanyplacewherethere’ssomethingtodo。”

“Well，thatisn’tthewaypeopleusuallyfeel。”saidMavering。“That’sthekindofaplacemostofthemfightshyof。”