第6章
Thislineofthoughtheabandonedquickly，however;itcoulddonogood.Butwhatcoulddogood，heaskedhimself.Whatcouldhedo？
Withblindingforcecametheanswer：hecoulddonothing.Billycaredforhim.Billyhadsaid"yes."Billyexpectedtobehiswife.Asifhecouldsaytohernow："Ibegyourpardon，but’twasallamistake._I_didnotaskyoutomarryme."
VeryvaliantlythenWilliamsummonedhiswitsandtriedtoacthispart.Hetoldhimself，too，thatitwouldnotbeahardone;thathelovedBillydearly，andthathewouldtrytomakeherhappy.Hewincedalittleatthisthought，forherememberedsuddenlyhowoldhewas——asifhe，athisage，wereafitmatchforagirloftwenty—one！
AndthenhelookedatBilly.Thegirlwasplainlynervous.Therewasadeepflushonhercheeksandabrilliantsparkleinhereyes.
Shewastalkingrapidly——almostincoherentlyattimes——andhervoicewastremulous.Frequentlittleembarrassedlaughspunctuatedhersentences，andherfingerstoyedwitheverythingthatcamewithinreach.Sometimebeforeshehadsprungtoherfeetandhadturnedontheelectriclights;andwhenshecamebackshehadnottakenheroldpositionatWilliam’sside，buthadseatedherselfinachairnearby.Allofwhich，accordingtoWilliam’seyes，meantthemaidenlyshynessofagirlwhohasjustsaid"yes"tothemansheloves.
Williamwenthomethatnightinadaze.Tohimselfhesaidthathehadgoneoutinsearchofadaughter，andhadcomebackwithawife.
CHAPTERXXXVII
"WILLIAM’SBROTHER"
Itwasdecidedthatforthepresent，theengagementshouldnotbeknownoutsidethefamily.Theweddingwouldnottakeplaceimmediately，Williamsaid，anditwasjustaswelltokeepthemattertothemselvesuntilplanswerealittlemoredefinite.
Themembersofthefamilyweretoldatonce.AuntHannahsaid"Oh，mygriefandconscience！"threetimes，andmademattersscarcelybetterbyaddingapologetically："Oh，ofcourseit’sallright，it’sallright，only——"Shedidnotfinishhersentence，andWilliam，whohadtoldherthenews，didnotknowwhetherhewouldhavebeenmoreorlesspleasedifshehadfinishedit.
Cyrilreceivedtheinformationmoodily，andlapsedatonceintoafitofabstractionfromwhichherousedhimselfhardlyenoughtoofferperfunctorycongratulationsandbestwishes.
BillywasalittlepuzzledatCyril’sbehavior.ShehadbeensureforsometimethatCyrilhadceasedtocarespeciallyforher，evenifheeverdidfancythathelovedher.Shehadhopedtokeephimforafriend，butoflateshehadbeenforcedtoquestionevenhisfriendliness.Hehad，infact，gonebackalmosttohisoldreserveandtaciturnaloofness.
FromtheWest，inresponsetoWilliam’snewsoftheengagement，cameacordiallypleasednoteinKate’sscrawlinghandwriting.
Kate，indeed，seemedtobetheonlymemberofthefamilywhowasgenuinelydelightedwiththecomingmarriage.AstoBertram——
Bertramappearedtohaveagedyearsinasinglenight，sodrawnandwhitewashisfacethemorningafterWilliamhadtoldhimhisplans.
WilliamhaddreadedmostofalltotellBertram.HewasverysurethatBertramhimselfcaredforBilly;anditwasdoublyhardbecauseinWilliam’sownmindwasastrongconvictionthattheyoungermanwasdecidedlytheoneforher.Realizing，however，thatBertrammustbetold，WilliamchoseatimeforthetellingwhenBertramwassmokinginhisdeninthetwilight，withhisfacehalfhiddenfromsight.
Bertramsaidlittle——verylittle，thatnight;butinthemorninghewentstraighttoBilly.
Billywasshocked.Shehadneverseenthesmiling，self—reliant，debonairBertramlikethis.
"Billy，isthistrue？"hedemanded.ThedullmiseryinhisvoicetoldBillythatheknewtheanswerbeforeheaskedthequestion.
"Yes，yes;but，Bertram，please——pleasedon’ttakeitlikethis！"
sheimplored.
"Howwouldyouhavemetakeit？"
"Why，just——justsensibly.YouknowItoldyouthat——thattheothernevercouldbe——never."
"IknowYOUsaidso;butI——believedotherwise."
"ButItoldyou——Ididnotloveyou——thatway."
Bertramwinced.Herosetohisfeetabruptly.
"Iknowyoudid，Billy.I’mafool，ofcourse，tothinkthatI
couldever——changeit.Ishouldn’thavecomehere，either，thismorning.ButI——hadto.Good—by！"Hisface，asheheldouthishand，wastragicwithrenunciation.
"Why，Bertram，youaren’tgoing——now——likethis！"criedthegirl.
"You’vejustcome！"
Themanturnedalmostimpatiently.
"AnddoyouthinkIcanstay——likethis？Billy，won’tyousaygood—by？"heaskedinasoftervoice，againwithoutstretchedhand.
Billyshookherhead.Sheignoredthehand，andresolutelybackedaway.
"No，notlikethat.Youareangrywithme，"shegrieved.
"Besides，youmakeitsoundasif——ifyouweregoingaway."
"Iamgoingaway."
"Bertram！"TherewasterroraswellasdismayinBilly’svoice.
Againthemanturnedsharply.
"Billy，whyareyoumakingthisthingsohardforme？"heaskedindespair."Can’tyouseethatImustgo？"
"Indeed，Ican’t.Andyoumustn’tgo，either.Thereisn’tanyreasonwhyyoushould，"urgedBilly，talkingveryfast，andworkingherfingersnervously."Thingsarejustthesameastheywerebefore——foryou.I’mjustgoingtomarryWilliam，butIwasn’tevergoingtomarryyou，sothatdoesn’tchangethingsanyforyou.
Don’tyousee？Why，Bertram，youmustn’tgoaway！Therewon’tbeanybodyleft.Cyril’sgoingnextweek，youknow;andifyougotherewon’tbeanybodyleftbutWilliamandme.Bertram，youmustn’tgo;don’tyousee？Ishouldfeellostwithout——you！"
Billywasalmostcryingnow.
Bertramlookedupquickly.Anoddchangehadcometohisface.
ForamomenthegazedsilentlyintoBilly’sagitatedcountenance;
thenheaskedinalowvoice：
"Billy，didyouthinkthatafteryouandWilliamweremarriedI
shouldstillcontinuetoliveat——theStrata？"
"Why，ofcourseyouwill！"criedthegirl，indignantly."Why，Bertram，you’llbemybrotherthen——myrealbrother;andoneoftheverychiefestthingsI’manticipatingwhenIgotheretoliveisthegoodtimesyouandIwillhavetogetherwhenI’mWilliam’swife！"
Bertramdrewinhisbreathaudibly，andcaughthislowerlipbetweenhisteeth.Withanabruptmovementheturnedhisbackandwalkedtothewindow.Forafullminutehestayedthere，watchedbytheamazed，displeasedeyesofthegirl.WhenhecamebackhesatdownquietlyinthechairfacingBilly.Hiscountenancewasgraveandhiseyeswerealittletroubled;butthehaggardlookofmiserywasquitegone.
"Billy，"hebegangently，"youmustforgivemysayingthis，but——
areyouquitesureyou——loveWilliam？"
Billyflushedwithanger.
"Youhavenorighttoasksuchaquestion.OfcourseIloveWilliam."
"Ofcourseyoudo——weallloveWilliam.Williamis，infact，amostlovableman.ButWilliam’swifeshould，perhaps，lovehimalittledifferentlyfrom——allofus."
"Andshewill，certainly，"retortedthegirl，withaquickliftingofherchin."Bertram，Idon’tthinkyouhaveanyrightto——tomakesuchinsinuations."
"AndIwon’tmakethemanymore，"repliedBertram，gravely."I
justwantedyoutomakesurethatyou——knew."
"Ishallmakesure，andIshallknow，"saidBilly，firmly——sofirmlythatitsoundedalmostasifsheweretryingtoconvinceherselfaswellasothers.
Therewasalongpause，thenthemanaskeddiffidently：
"Andsoyouareverysurethat——thatyouwantmeto——stay？"
"IndeedIdo！Besides，——don’tyouremember？——thereareallmypeopletobeentertained.Theymustbetakentoplaces，andgivenmotorridesandpicnics.Youtoldmelastweekthatyou’dlovetohelpme;but，ofcourse，ifyoudon’twantto——"
"ButIdowantto，"criedBertram，heartily，agleamoftheoldcheerfulnessspringingtohiseyes."I’mdyingto！"
Thegirllookedupwithquickdistrust.Foramomentsheeyedhimwithbentbrows.Tohermindhehadgonebacktohisoldairy，hopefullight—heartedness.Hewasoncemore"onlyBertram."Shehesitated，thensaidwithsterndecision：
"Bertram，youknowIwantyou，andyoumustknowthatI’mdelightedtohaveyoudropthissillynotionofgoingaway.Butifthisquickchangemeansthatyouarestayingwithanyideathat——that_I_shallchange，then——thenyoumustgo.ButifyouwillstayasWILLIAM’SBROTHERthen——I’llbemorethangladtohaveyou."
"I’llstay——asWilliam’sbrother，"agreedBertram;andBillydidnotnoticethequickindrawingofhisbreathnorthecloseshuttingofhislipsafterthewordswerespoken.
CHAPTERXXXVIII
THEENGAGEMENTOFTWO
BythemiddleofJulytheroutineofBilly’sdayswaswellestablished.Mariehadbeenforaweekawelcomeadditiontothefamily，andshewasprovingtobeofinvaluableaidinentertainingBilly’sguests.Theoverworkedwidowandthelittlelodging—housekeeperfromtheWestEndwereenjoyingBilly’shospitalitynow;andjusttolookattheirbeamingcountenanceswasaninspiration，Billysaid.
Cyrilhadgoneabroad.AuntHannahwasspendingaweekattheNorthShorewithfriends.Bertram，truetohispromise，wasplayingthegallanttoBilly’sguests;andsoassiduouswasheinhisattentionsthatBillyatlastremonstratedwithhim.
"ButIdidn’tmeanthemtotakeALLyourtime，"sheprotested.
"Don’ttheylikeit？Dotheyseetoomuchofme？"hedemanded.
"No，no！Theyloveit，ofcourse.Youmustknowthat.Nobodyelsecouldgivesuchbeautifultimesasyou’vegivenus.Butit’syourselfI’mthinkingof.You’regivingupallyourtime.
Besides，Ididn’tmeantokeepyouhereallsummer，ofcourse.Youalwaysgoawaysome，youknow，foravacation."
"ButI’mhavingavacationhere，doingthis，"laughedBertram.
"I’msureI’mgettingseaairdowntothebeachesandmountainairouttotheBlueHills.Andasforexcitement——ifyoucanfindanythingmorewildlyexcitingthanitwasyesterdaywhenMissMarieandItookthewidowandthespinsterladyontheRoller—coaster——
justshowittome;that’sall！"
Billylaughed.
"Theytoldmeaboutit——Marieinparticular.Shesaidyouwerelovelytothem，andletthemdoeverysinglethingtheywantedto;
andthathalfanhouraftertheygottheretheywereliketwochildrenletoutofschool.Dearme，IwishI’dgone.IneverstayathomethatIdon’tmisssomething，"shefinishedregretfully.
Bertramshruggedhisshoulders.
"Ifit’sRoller—coastersandChute—the—chutesthatyouwant，I
fancyyou’llgetenoughbeforetheweekisout，"hesighedlaughingly."Theysaidthey’dliketogothereto—morrow，please，whenIaskedthemwhatweshoulddonext.Whatsurprisesmeisthattheylikesuchthings——suchhair—raisingthings.WhenIfirstsawthem，black—gownedandstiff—backed，sittinginyourlittleroomhere，IthoughtIshouldneverdareofferthemanythingmorewildlyexcitingthanachurchserviceoralectureonpsychology，withperhapsabandconcerthintedat，providedthebandcouldbeproperlyinstructedbeforehandastotempoandselections.Butnow——really，Billy，whydoyousupposetheyhavetakensuchafancytothesekiddishstunts——thosetwostaidwomen？"
Billylaughed，buthereyessoftened.
"Idon’tknowunlessit’sbecausealltheirlivesthey’vebeentiedtosuchdeadmonotonythatjusttheexhilarationofmotionisblisstothem.Butyouwon’talwayshavetoriskyourneckandyourtemperinthisfashion，Bertram.NextweekmylittlecouplefromSouthBostoncomes.Sheadorespicturesandstuffedanimals.
You’llhavetodothemuseumswithher.Thenthere’slittlecrippledTommy——he’llbeperfectlycontentedifyou’llputhimdownwherehecanhearthebandplay.Andallyou’llhavetodowhenthatonestopsistopilothimtothenextone.ThisISgoodofyou，Bertram，andIdothankyouforit，"finishedBilly，fervently，justasMarie，thewidow，andthe"spinsterlady"enteredtheroom.
Billytoldherselfthesedaysthatshewasveryhappy——veryhappyindeed.Wasshenotengagedtoagoodman，anddidshenotalsohaveitinherpowertomakethelongsummerdaysapleasuretomanypeople？Thefactthatshehadtotellherselfthatshewashappyinordertoconvinceherselfthatshewasso，didnotoccurtoBilly——yet.
NotlongafterMariearrived，Billytoldheroftheengagement.
Williamwasatthehouseveryfrequently，andowingtotheintimacyofMarie’srelationshipwiththefamilyBillydecidedtotellherhowmattersstood.Marie’sreceptionofthenewswassomewhatsurprising.Firstshelookedfrightened.
"ToWilliam？——youareengagedtoWilliam？"
"Why——yes."
"ButIthought——surelyitwas——don’tyoumean——Mr.Cyril？"
"No，Idon’t，"laughedBilly."AndcertainlyIoughttoknow."
"Andyoudon’t——careforhim？"
"Ihopenot——ifI’mgoingtomarryWilliam."
SolightwasBilly’svoiceandmannerthatMariedaredonemorequestion.
"Andhe——doesn’tcare——foryou？"
"Ihopenot——ifWilliamisgoingtomarryme，"laughedBillyagain.
"Oh—h！"breathedMarie，withanoddintonationofrelief."ThenI’mglad——soglad！AndIhopeyou’llbevery，veryhappy，dear."
BillylookedintoMarie’sglowingfaceandwaspleased：thereseemedtobesofew，soveryfewfacesintowhichshehadlookedandfoundentireapprobationofherengagementtoWilliam.
BillysawagreatdealofWilliamnow.Hewasalwayskindandconsiderate，andhetriedtohelpherentertainherguests;butBilly，gratefulasshewastohimforhisefforts，wasrelievedwhenheresignedhisplacetoBertram.Bertramdid，indeed，knowsomuchbetterhowtodoit.Williamtriedtohelpher，too，abouttraininghervinesandrosebushes;butofcourse，eveninthis，hecouldnotbeexpectedtoshowquitetheinterestthatBertrammanifestedineverygreenshootandopeningbud，forhehadnothelpedherplantthem，asBertramhad.
Billywasalittletroubledsometimes，thatshedidnotfeelmoreateasewithWilliam.Shethoughtitnaturalthatsheshouldfeelalittlediffidentwithhim，inthefaceofhissuddenchangefroman"uncle"toanacceptedlover;butshedidnotseewhysheshouldbeafraidofhim——yetshewas.Sheownedthattoherselfunhappily.
Andhewassogood！——sheownedthat，too.Heseemednottohaveathoughtintheworldbutforhercomfortandhappiness;andtherewasnoendtothetactfullittlethingshewasalwaysdoingforherpleasure.Heseemed，also，tohavedivinedthatshedidnotliketobekissedandcaressed;andonlyoccasionallydidhekissher，andthenitwasmerelyasortoffatherlysaluteonherforehead——forwhichconsiderationBillywasgrateful：Billydecidedthatshewouldnotliketobekissedonthelips.
AftersomedaysofpuzzlingoverthematterBillyconcludedthatitwasself—consciousnessthatcausedallthetrouble.WithWilliamshewasself—conscious.IfshecouldonlyforgetthatshewassomedaytobeWilliam’swife，theolddelightfulcomradeshipwouldreturn，andshewouldbeateaseagainwithhim.Intime，aftershehadbecomeaccustomedtotheideaofmarriage，itwouldnotsoconfuseher，ofcourse.Shelovedhimdearly，andshewantedtomakehimhappy;butforthepresent——justwhileshewas"gettingusedtothings"——shewouldtrytoforget，sometimes，thatshewasgoingtobeWilliam’swife.
Billywashappiernow.Shewasalwayshappieraftershehadthoughtthingsouttoherownsatisfaction.Sheturnedwithnewzesttotheentertainmentofherguests;andwithBertramsheplannedmanydelightfultripsfortheirpleasure.Bertramwasagreatcomforttoherthesedays.Never，inwordorlook，couldsheseethatheoversteppedtherolewhichhehadpromisedtoplay——
William’sbrother.
Billywentbacktohermusic，too.Anewmelodywasrunningthroughherhead，andshelongedtoputitonpaper.Alreadyherfirstlittle"GroupofSongs"hadfoundfriends，andBilly，toaverymodestextent，wasbeginningtotastethesweetsoffame.
Thus，byalltheseinterests，didBillytry"togetusedtothings."
CHAPTERXXXIX
ALITTLEPIECEOFPAPER
OfallBilly’sguests，Mariewasveryplainlythehappiest.Shewasapermanentguest，itistrue，whiletheotherscameforonlyaweekortwoatatime;butitwasnotthis，Billydecided，thathadbroughtsobrilliantasparkletoMarie’seyes，sojoyousalaughtoherlips.Thejoyousnesswasallthemorenoticeable，becauseheretoforeMarie，whileverysweet，hadbeenalsosad.Herbigblueeyeshadalwayscarriedahauntingshadow，andherstephadlackedthespringbelongingtoyouthandhappiness.Certainly，Billyhadneverseenherlikethisbefore.
"Verily，Marie，"sheteasedoneday，"haveyoufoundanexhaustlesssupplyofstockingstomend，oranever—donepuddingtomake——
which？"
"Why？Whatdoyoumean？"
"Oh，nothing.Iwasonlywonderingjustwhathadbroughtthatnewlighttoyoureyes."
"Isthereanewlight？"
"Therecertainlyis."
"ItmustbebecauseI’msohappy，then，"sighedMarie;"becauseyou’resogoodtome."
"Isthatall？"
"Isn’tthatenough？"Marie’stonewasevasive.
"No."Billyshookherheadmischievously."Marie，whatisit？"
"It’snothing——really，it’snothing，"protestedMarie，hurryingoutoftheroomwithanervouslaugh.
Billyfrowned.Shewassuspiciousbefore;shewassurenow.Inlessthantwelvehours’timecameheropportunity.ShewasaloneagainwithMarie.
"Marie，whoishe？"sheaskedabruptly.
"He？Who？"
"Themanwhoistowearthestockingsandeatthepudding."
Thelittlemusicteacherflushedveryred，butshemanagedtodisplaysomethingthatmightpassforsurprise.
"BILLY！"
"Come，dear，"coaxedBilly，winningly."Tellmeaboutit.I’msointerested！"
"Butthereisn’tanythingtotell——reallythereisn’t."
"Whoishe？"
"Heisn’tanybody——thatis，hedoesn’tknowhe’sanybody，"amendedMarie.
Billylaughedsoftly.
"Oh，doesn’the！Hasn’theevershown——thathecared？"
"No;thatis——perhapshehas，onlyIthoughtthen——thatitwas——
anothergirl."
"Anothergirl！Sothere’sanothergirlinthecase？"
"Yes.Imean，no，"correctedMarie，suddenlybeginningtorealizewhatshewassaying."Really，itwasn’tanything——itisn’tanything！"sheprotested.
"Hm—m，"murmuredBilly，archly."Oh，I’mgettingonsome！Hedidshow，once，thathecared;butyouthoughtitwasanothergirl，andyoucoldlylookedtheotherway.Now，thereISN’Tanyothergirl，youfind，and——Marie，tellmetherest！"
Marieshookherheademphatically，andpulledherselfgentlyawayfromBilly’sgrasp.
"No，no，please！"shebegged."Itreallyisn’tanything.I’msureI’mimaginingitall！"shecried，assheranaway.
Duringthedaysthatfollowed，BillyspeculatednotalittleonMarie’shalf—toldstory，andwonderedinterestedlywhothemanmightbe.ShequestionedMarieonceagain，butthegirlwouldtellnothingmore;and，indeed，Billywassooccupiedwithherownperplexitiesthatshehadlittletimeforthoseofotherpeople.
ToherselfBillywasforcedtoownthatshewasnot"gettingusedtothings."Shewasstillself—consciouswithWilliam;shecouldnotforgetthatshewasonedaytobehiswife.Shecouldnotbringbackthedearoldfreedomofcomradeshipwithhim.
Billywasalarmednow.Shehadbeguntoaskherselfsearchingquestions.Whatshouldshedoifnever，nevershouldshegetusedtotheideaofmarryingWilliam？Howcouldshemarryhimifhewasstill"UncleWilliam，"andneverherdearloverinhereyes？Whyhadshenotbeenwiseenoughandbraveenoughtotellhiminthefirstplacethatshewasnotatallsurethatshelovedhim，butthatshewouldtrytodoso？Thenwhenshehadtried——asshehadnow——andfailed，shecouldhavetoldhimhonestlythetruth，anditwouldnothavebeensogreatashocktohimasitmustbenow，ifsheshouldtellhim.
Billyhadremorsefullycometotheconclusionthatshecouldneverloveanymanwellenoughtomarryhim，whenonedaysosmallathingasapieceofpaperflutteredintohervision，andshowedherthefallacyofthatidea.
Itwasahalf—sheetofnotepaper，anditblewfromMarie’sbalconytothelawnbelow.Billyfoundittherelater，andasshepickedituphereyesfellonasinglenameinMarie’shandwritinginscribedhalfadozentimesasifthewriterhadmusinglyaccompaniedherthoughtswithherpen;andthenamewas，"MarieHenshaw."
ForamomentBillystaredatthenameperplexedly——theninaflashcametheremembranceofMarie’swords;andBillybreathed：
"Henshaw！——theman——BERTRAM！"
Billydroppedthepaperthenandfled.Inherownroom，behindlockeddoors，shesatdowntothink.
Bertram！ItwasheforwhomMariecared——HERBertram！AndthenitcametoBillywithstaggeringforcethathewasnotHERBertramatall.HenevercouldbeherBertramnow.Hewas——Marie’s.
Billywasfrightenedthen，sofiercewasthisstrangenewsomethingthatrosewithinher——thisoverpoweringsomethingthatseemedtoblotoutalltheworld，andleaveonly——Bertram.Sheknewthen，thatithadalwaysbeenBertramtowhomshehadturned，thoughshehadbeenblindtothecauseofthatturning.Alwaysherplanshadincludedhim.Alwaysshehadbeenthehappiestinhispresence;
neverhadshepicturedhimanywhereelsebutatherside.
Certainlyneverhadshepicturedhimasthedevotedloverofanotherwoman！Andshehadnotknownwhatitallmeant——
poorblindchildthatshewas！
VeryresolutelynowBillysetherselftolookingmatterssquarelyintheface.Sheunderstooditquitewell.AllsummerMarieandBertramhadbeenthrowntogether.NowonderMariehadfalleninlovewithBertram，andthathe——BillythoughtshecomprehendednowwhyBertramhadfounditsoeasyforthelastfewweekstobeWilliam’sbrother.She，ofcourse，hadbeenthe"othergirl"whomMariehadoncefearedthatthemanloved.Itwasallsoclear——sowoefullyclear！
WithanachingheartBillyaskedherselfwhatnowwastobedone.
Forherself，turnwhicheverwayshecould，shecouldseenothingbutunhappiness.Shedetermined，therefore，withSpartanfortitude，thattonooneelsewouldshebringequalunhappiness.
Shewouldbesilent.BertramandMarielovedeachother.Thatmatterwassettled.AstoWilliam——BillythoughtofthestoryWilliamhadtoldherofhislonelylife，——ofthepleahehadmadetoher;andherheartached.Whateverhappened，Williammustbemadehappy.Williammustnotbetold.HerpromisetoWilliammustbekept.
CHAPTERXL
WILLIAMPAYSAVISIT
BeforeSeptemberpassedallBilly’sfriendssaidthathersummer’sself—appointedtaskhadbeentoohardforher.Innootherwaycouldtheyaccountforthesadchangethathadcometoher.
UndeniablyBillylookedreallyill.Alwaysslender，shewasshadow—likenow.Hereyeshadfoundagainthewistfulappealofhergirlhood，onlynowtheycarriedsomethingthatwasalmostfear，aswell.Therose—flushhadgonefromhercheeks，andpatheticlittlehollowshadappeared，makingtheroundyoungchinbelowlookalmostpointed.CertainlyBillydidseemtobeill.
LateinSeptemberWilliamwentWestonbusiness.Incidentallyhecalledtoseehissister，Kate.
"Well，andhowiseverybody？"askedKate，cheerily，afterthegreetingswereover.
Williamsighed.
"Well，’everybody，’tome，Kate，isprettybadlyoff.We’reworriedaboutBilly."
"Billy！Youdon’tmeanshe’ssick？Why，she’salwaysbeenthepictureofhealth！"
"Iknowshehas;butsheisn’tnow."
"What’sthetrouble？"
"That’swhatwedon’tknow."
"You’vehadthedoctor？"
"Ofcourse;twoorthreeofthem——thoughmuchagainstBilly’swill.
But——theydidn’thelpus."
"Whatdidtheysay？"
"Theycouldfindnothingexceptperhapsalittletemporarystomachtrouble，orsomethingofthatkind，whichtheyallagreedwasnojustcauseforherpresentcondition."
"Butwhatdidtheysayitwas？"
"Why，theysaiditseemedlikenervousness，orasifsomethingwastroublingher.Theyaskedifsheweren’tundersomesortofstrain."
"Well，isshe？Doesanythingtroubleher？"
"NotthatIknowof.Anyhow，ifthereisanything，noneofuscanfindoutwhatitis."
Katefrowned.Shethrewaquicklookintoherbrother’sface.
"William，"shebeganhesitatingly，"forgiveme，but——Billyisquitehappyin——herengagement，Isuppose."
Themanflushedpainfully，andsighed.
"I’vethoughtofthat，ofcourse.Infact，itwasthefirstthingIdidthinkof.Ievenbegantowatchherratherclosely，andonceI——questionedheralittle."
"Whatdidshesay？"
"SheseemedsofrightenedanddistressedthatIdidn’tsaymuchmyself.Icouldn’t.Ihadbutjustbegunwhenhereyesfilledwithtears，andsheaskedmeinafrightenedlittlevoiceifshehaddoneanythingtodispleaseme，anythingtomakemeunhappy;andsheseemedsoanxiousandgrievedanddismayedthatIshouldevenquestionher，thatIhadtostop."
"Whathasshedonethissummer？Wherehasshebeen？"
"Shehasn’tbeenanywhere.Didn’tIwriteyou？She’skeptopenhouseforalotofherlessfortunatefriends——asortofvacationhome，youknow;and——andImustsayshe’sgiventhemaworldofhappiness，too."
"Butwasn’tthathardforher？"
"Itdidn’tseemtobe.Sheappearedtoenjoyitimmensely，particularlyatfirst.Ofcourseshehadplentyofhelp，andthatwonderfullittleMissHawthornhasbeenahostinherself.They’reallgonenow，anyway，exceptMissHawthorn."
"ButBillymusthavehadthecareandtheexcitement."
"Perhaps——toacertainextent.Thoughnotmuch，afterall.YouseeBertram，too，hasgivenuphissummertothem，andhasbeenplayingthedevotedescorttothewholebunch.Indeed，forthelastfewweeksofit，sinceBillybegantoseemsoill，heandMissHawthornhaveschemedtotakeallthecarefromBilly，andtheyhavedonethewholethingtogether."
"ButwhatHASBillydonetomakeherlikethis？"
"Idon’tknow.She’sdonelotsforme，inallsortsofways——
cataloguingmycurios，youknow，andgoingwithmetohuntupthings.Infact，sheseemsthehappiestwhensheISdoingsomethingforme.It’scometobeasortofmaniawithher，I’mafraid——todosomethingforme.Kate，I’mreallyworried.Whatdoyousupposeisthematter？"
Kateshookherhead.Thepuzzledfrownhadcomebacktoherface.
"Ican’timagine，"shebeganslowly."Ofcourse，whenItoldheryoulovedherand——"
"Whenyoutoldherwha—at？"explodedtheusuallylow—voicedWilliam，withsuddensharpness.
"WhenItoldherthatyoulovedher，William.Yousee，I——"
Williamsprangtohisfeet.
"ToldherthatIlovedher！"hecried，aghast."Goodheavens，Kate，doyoumeantosaythatYOUtoldherTHAT."
"Why，y—yes."
"AndmayIaskwhereyougotyourinformation？"
"Why，WilliamHenshaw，whataquestion！Igotitfromyourself，ofcourse，"defendedKate.
"FromME！"William’sfaceexpressedsheeramazement.
"Certainly;onthatdrivewhenIwasEastinJune，"returnedKate，withdignity."YOUevidentlyhaveforgottenit，butIhavenot.
Youtoldmeveryfranklyhowmuchyouthoughtofher，andhowyoulongedtohaveherbacktherewithyou，butthatshedidn’tseemtobereadytocome.Iwassorryforyou，andIwantedtodosomethingtohelp，particularlyasitmighthavebeenmyfault，partly，thatshewentaway，inthefirstplace."
Williamliftedhishead.
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Why，nothing，onlythatI——Itoldheralittleofhow——howupsettingherarrivalhadbeentoeverything，andofhowmuchyouhaddoneforher，andputyourselfout.Isaiditsoshe’dappreciatethings，ofcourse，butshetookitquitedifferentlyfromwhatIhadintendedsheshouldtakeit，andseemedquitecutupaboutit.Thenshewentawayinthatwily，impulsivefashion."
Williambithislip，buthedidnotspeak.Katewasplungingonfeverishly，andinthefaceofthegreaterrevelationheletthelesseronedrop.
"Andsothat’swhyIwasparticularlyanxioustobringthingsaroundrightagain，"continuedKate."Andthat’swhyIspoke.I
thoughtI’dseenhowthingswere，andonthedriveIsaidso.TheniswhenIadvisedyoutospeaktoBilly;butyoudeclaredthatBillywasn’tready，andthatyoucouldn’tmakeagirlmarryagainstherwill.NOWdon’tyourecollectit？"
AgreatlightofunderstandingbrokeoverWilliam’sface.Hestartedtospeak，butsomethingevidentlystayedthewordsonhislips.Withcontrolleddeliberationheturnedandsatdown.Thenhesaid：
"Kate，willyoukindlytellmejustwhatyouDIDdo？"
"Why，Ididn’tdosoverymuch.Ijusttriedtohelp，that’sall.
AfterItalkedwithyou，andadvisedyoutoaskBillyrightawaytomarryyou，Iwenttoher.Ithoughtshecaredforyoualready，anyway;butIjustwantedtotellherhowverymuchitwastoyou，andsosortofpavetheway.AndnowcomesthepartthatIstartedtotellyoualittlewhileagowhenyoucaughtmeupsosharply.I
wasgoingtosaythatwhenItoldBillythis，sheappearedtobesurprised，andalmostfrightened.Yousee，shehadn’tknownyoucaredforher，afterall，andsoIhadachancetohelpandmakeitplaintoherhowyoudidloveher，sothatwhenyouspokeeverythingwouldbeallright.There，that’sall.YouseeIdidn’tdosoverymuch."
"’Soverymuch’！"groanedWilliam，startingtohisfeet."GreatScott！"
"Why，William，whatdoyoumean？Whereareyougoing？"
"I’mgoing——to——Billy，"retortedWilliamwithslowdistinctness.
"AndI’mgoingtotrytogetthere——before——you——CAN！"Andwiththisextraordinaryshot——forWilliam——heleftthehouse.
WilliamwenttoBillyasfastassteamcouldcarryhim.Hefoundherinherlittledrawing—roomlistlesslywatchingwithAuntHannahthegameofchessthatBertramandMariewereplaying.
"Billy，youpoor，dearchild，comehere，"hesaidabruptly，assoonastheexcitementofhisunexpectedarrivalhadpassed."Iwanttotalktoyou."Andheledthewaytotheverandawhichheknewwouldbesilentanddeserted.
"Totalkto——me？"murmuredBilly，asshewonderinglycametohisside，astartledquestioninginherwidedarkeyes.
CHAPTERXLI
THECROOKEDMADESTRAIGHT
Williamdidnotre—enterthehouseafterhistalkwithBillyontheveranda.
"Iwillgodownthestepsandaroundbytherosegardentothestreet，dear，"hesaid."I’drathernotgoinnow.Justmakemyadieus，please，andsaythatIcouldn’tstayanylonger.Andnow——
good—by."Hiseyesastheylookeddownather，weremoistandverytender.Hislipstrembledalittle，buttheysmiled，andtherewasalookofnew—bornpeaceandjoyonhisface.
Billy，too，wassmiling，thoughwistfully.Thefrightenedquestioninghadgonefromhereyes，leavingonlyinfinitetenderness.
"Youaresureit——itisallright——now？"shestammered.
"Verysure，littlegirl;andit’sthefirsttimeithasbeenrightforweeks.Billy，thatwasverydearofyou，andIloveyouforit;butthinkhownear——howperilouslynearyoucametolifelongmisery！"
"ButIthought——youwantedme——somuch，"shesmiledshyly.
"AndIdid，andIdo——foradaughter.Youdon’tdoubtthatNOW？"
"No，oh，no，"laughedBilly，softly;andtoherfacecameahappylookofreliefasshefinished："AndI’llbesogladtobe——thedaughter！"
Forsomeminutesafterthemanhadgone，Billystoodbythestepswherehehadlefther.ShewasstilltherewhenBertramcametotheverandadoorandspoketoher.
"Billy，IsawWilliamgobythewindow，soIknewyouwerealone.
MayIspeaktoyou？"
Thegirlturnedwithastart.
"Why，ofcourse！Whatisit？——butIthoughtyouwereplaying.
WhereisMarie？"
"Thegameisfinished;besides——Billy，whyareyoualwaysaskingmelatelywhereMarieis，asifIwereherkeeper，orshemine？"hedemanded，withatouchofnervousirritation.
"Why，nothing，Bertram，"smiledBilly，alittlewearily;"onlythatyouwereplayingtogetherafewminutesago，andIwonderedwhereshehadgone."
"’Afewminutesago’！"echoedBertramwithsuddenbitterness.
"Evidentlythetimepassedswiftlywithyou，Billy.WilliamwasouthereMOREthananhour."
"Why——Bertram！"
"Yes，Iknow.I’venobusinesstosaythat，ofcourse，"sighedtheman;"but，Billy，that’swhyIcameout——becauseImustspeaktoyouthisonce.Won’tyoucomeandsitdown，please？"heimploreddespairingly.
"Why，Bertram，"murmuredBillyagain，faintly，assheturnedtowardthevine—shadedcornerandsatdown.Hereyeswerestartled.A
swiftcolorhadcometohercheeks.
"Billy，"begantheman，inasternlycontrolledvoice，"pleaseletmespeakthisonce，anddon’ttrytostopme.Youmaythink，foramoment，thatit’sdisloyaltoWilliamifyoulisten;butitisn’t.
There’sthismuchduetome——thatyouletmespeaknow.Billy，I
can’tstandit.I’vetried，butit’snouse.I’vegottogoaway，andit’srightthatIshould.I’mnottheonlyonethatthinksso，either.Mariedoes，too."
"MARIE！"
"Yes.Italkeditalloverwithher.She’sknownforalongtimehowit’sbeenwithme;howIcared——foryou."
"Marie！You’vetoldMariethat？"gaspedBilly.
"Yes.Surelyyoudon’tmindMarie’sknowing，"wentonBertram，dejectedly."Andshe’sbeensogoodtome，andtriedto——helpme."
BertramwasnotlookingatBillynow.Ifhehadbeenhewouldhaveseentheincredulousjoycomeintoherface.Hiseyesweremoodilyfixedonthefloor.
"Andso，Billy，I’vecometotellyou.I’mgoingaway，"hecontinued，afteramoment."I’vegottogo.Ithoughtonce，whenIfirsttalkedwithyouofWilliam，thatyoudidn’tknowyourownheart;thatyoudidn’treallycareforhim.Iwasevenfoolenoughtothinkthat——thatitwouldbeItowhomyou’dturn——someday.
AndsoIstayed.ButIstayedhonorably，Billy！YOUknowthat！
YouknowthatIhaven’tonceforgotten——notonce，thatIwasonlyWilliam’sbrother.IpromisedyouI’dbethat——andIhavebeen;
haven’tI？"
Billynoddedsilently.Herfacewasturnedaway.
"But，Billy，Ican’tdoitanylonger.I’vegottoaskformypromiseback，andthen，ofcourse，Ican’tstay."
"Butyou——youdon’thavetogo——away，"murmuredthegirl，faintly.
Bertramsprangtohisfeet.Hisfacewaswhite.
"Billy，"hecried，standingtallandstraightbeforeher，"Billy，I
loveeverytouchofyourhand，everyglanceofyoureye，everywordthatfallsfromyourlips.DoyouthinkIcanstay——now？Iwantmypromiseback！WhenI’mnolongerWilliam’sbrother——thenI’llgo！"
"Butyoudon’thavetohaveitback——thatis，youdon’thavetohaveitatall，"stammeredBilly，flushingadorably.She，too，wasonherfeetnow.
"Billy，whatdoyoumean？"
"Don’tyousee？I——IHAVEturned，"shefalteredbreathlessly，holdingoutbothherhands.
Eventhen，inspiteofthegreatlightthatleapedtohiseyes，Bertramadvancedonlyasinglestep.
"But——William？"hequestioned，unbelievingly.
"ItWASamistake，justasyouthought.Weknownow——bothofus.
Wedon’teitherofuscarefortheother——thatway.And——Bertram，IthinkitHASbeenyou——allthetime，onlyIdidn’tknow！"
"Billy，Billy！"chokedBertraminavoiceshakenwithemotion.Heopenedhisarmsthen，wide——andBillywalkedstraightintothem.
CHAPTERXLII
THE"ENDOFTHESTORY"
ItwastwodaysafterBilly’snewhappinesshadcometoherthatCyrilcamehome.HewentverysoontoseeBilly.
Thegirlwassurprisedatthechangeinhisappearance.Hehadgrownthinandhaggardlooking，andhiseyesweresomber.Hemovedrestlesslyabouttheroomforatime，finallyseatinghimselfatthepianoandlettinghisfingersslipfromonemournfullittlemelodytoanother.Then，withadiscordantcrash，heturned.
"Billy，doyouthinkanygirlwouldmarry——me？"hedemanded.
"Why，Cyril！"
"There，now，pleasedon’tbeginthat，"hebeggedfretfully."I
realize，ofcourse，thatI’maveryunlikelysubjectformatrimony.
Youmademeunderstandthatclearlyenoughlastwinter！"
"Last——winter？"
Cyrilraisedhiseyebrows.
"Oh，Icametoyouforalittleencouragement，andtomakeaconfession，"hesaid."Imadetheconfession——butIdidn’tgettheencouragement."
Billychangedcolor.Shethoughtsheknewwhathemeant，butatthesametimeshecouldn’tunderstandwhyheshouldwishtorefertothatconversationnow.
"A——confession？"sherepeated，hesitatingly.
"Yes.ItoldyouthatI’dbeguntodoubtmybeingsuchawoman—
hater，afterall.IintimatedthatYOU’Dbegunthesofteningprocess，andthatthenI’dfoundacertainotheryoungwomanwhohad——well，whohadkeptupthegoodwork."
"Oh！"criedBillysuddenly，withapeculiarintonation."Oh—h！"
Thenshelaughedsoftly.
"Well，thatwastheconfession，"resumedCyril."ThenIcameoutflat—footedandsaidthatIwantedtomarryher——butthereiswhereIdidn’tgettheencouragement！"
"Indeed！I’mafraidIwasn’tveryconsiderate，"stammeredBilly.
"No，youweren’t，"agreedCyril，moodily."Ididn’tknowbutnow——"
hisvoicesoftenedalittle——"withthisnewhappinessofyoursandBertram’sthat——youmightfindalittleencouragementforme."
"AndIwill，"criedBilly，promptly."Tellmeabouther."
"Idid——lastwinter，"reproachedtheman，"andyouweresureIwasdeceivingmyself.YoudrewthegloomiestsortofpictureofthemiseryIwouldtakewithawife."
"Idid？"Billywaslaughingverymerrilynow.
"Yes.Yousaidshe’dalwaysbetalkingandlaughingwhenIwantedtobequiet，andthatshe’dwanttodragmeouttopartiesandplayswhenIwantedtostayathome;and——oh，lotsofthings.I
triedtomakeitcleartoyouthat——thatthislittlewomanwasn’tthatsort.ButIcouldn’t，"finishedCyril，gloomily.
"Butofcoursesheisn’t，"declaredBilly，withquicksympathy.
"I——Ididn’tknow——WHAT——Iwas——talkingabout，"sheaddedwithemphaticdistinctness.ThenshesmiledtothinkhowlittleCyrilknewhowverytruethosewordswere."Tellmeabouther，"shebeggedagain."Iknowshemustbeverylovelyandbrilliant，andofcourseawonderfulmusician.YOUcouldn’tchooseanyoneelse！"
TohersurpriseCyrilturnedabruptlyandbegantoplayagain.A
nervouslittlestaccatoscherzofellfromhisfingers，butitdroppedalmostatonceintoaquietermelody，andendedwithsomethingthatsoundedverymuchlikethelaststrainof"Home，SweetHome."Thenhewheeledaboutonthepianostool.
"Billy，that’sexactlywhereyou’rewrong——IDON’Twantthatkindofwife.Idon’twantabrilliantone，and——now，Billy，thissoundslikehorribleheresy，Iknow，butit’strue——Idon’tcarewhethershecanplay，ornot;butIshouldpreferthatsheshouldn’tplay——much！"
"Why，CyrilHenshaw！——andyou，withyourmusic！Asifyoucouldbecontentedwithawomanlikethat！"
"Oh，Iwanthertolikemusic，ofcourse，"modifiedCyril;"butI
don’tcaretohaveherMAKEit.Billy，doyouknow？You’lllaugh，ofcourse，butmypictureofawifeisalwaysonething：aroomwithatableandashadedlamp，andalittlewomanbesideitwiththelightonherhair，andagreat，basketofsewingbesideher.
YouseeIAMdomestic！"hefinishedalittledefiantly.
"Ishouldsayyouwere，"laughedBilly."Andhaveyoufoundher？——
thislittlewomanwhoistodonothingbutsitandsewinthecircleoftheshadedlamp？"
"Yes，I’vefoundher，butI’mnotatallsureshe’sfoundme.
That’swhereIwantyourhelp.Oh，Idon’tmean，ofcourse，"headded，"thatshe’sgottositunderthatlampallthetime.It’sonlythat——thatIhopeshelikesthatsortofthing."
"And——doesshe？"
"Yes;thatis，Ithinkshedoes，"smiledCyril."Anyhow，shetoldmeoncethat——thatthethingsshelikedbesttodoinalltheworldweretomendstockingsandtomakepuddings."
Billysprangtoherfeetwithalittlecry.Now，indeed，hadCyrilkepthispromiseandmade"manythingsclear"toher.
"Cyril，comehere，"shecriedtremulously，leadingthewaytotheopenverandadoor.ThenextmomentCyrilwaslookingacrossthelawntothelittlesummerhouseinthemidstofBilly’srosegarden.
InfullviewwithinthesummerhousesatMarie——sewing.
"Go，Cyril;she’swaitingforyou，"smiledBilly，mistily."Thelight’sonlythesun，tobesure，andmaybethereisn’tawholebasketofsewingthere.But——SHE’Sthere！"
"You’ve——guessed，then！"breathedCyril.
"I’venotguessed——Iknow.And——it’sallright."
"Youmean——？"OnlyCyril’spleadingeyesfinishedthequestion.
"Yes，I’msureshedoes，"noddedBilly.Andthensheaddedunderherbreathasthemanpassedswiftlydownthesteps："’MarieHenshaw’indeed！So’twasCyrilallthetime——andneverBertram——
whowastheinspirationofthatbitofpapergive—away！"
WhensheturnedbackintotheroomshecamefacetofacewithBertram.
"Ispoke，dear，butyoudidn’thear，"hesaid，ashehurriedforwardwithoutstretchedhands.
"Bertram，"greetedBilly，withsurprisingirrelevance，"’andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafter’——theyDID！Isn’tthatalwaystheendingtothestory——alovestory？"
"Ofcourse，"saidBertramwithemphasis;——"OURlovestory！"
"Andtheirs，"supplementedBilly，softly;butBertramdidnothearthat.