第4章

"ButSaulwasuptosomewickedness，wasn’the？"saidtheladysmilingly，"whileYOUweresimplygoingsomewhereonbusiness？"

"Yes，"saidHaysthoughtfully，"butmyBUSINESSmighthevseemedlikepersecution。Idon’tmindtellin’youwhatitwasifyou’dcaretolisten。Butmebbeyou’retired。Mebbeyouwanttoretire。

Youknow，"hewentonwithasuddenhospitableoutburst，"youneedn’tbeinanyhurrytogo；wekintakecareofyouhereto-

night，andit’llcostyounothin’。AndI’llsendyouonwithmysleighinthemornin’。Per’apsyou’dlikesuthin’toeat——acupoftea——or——I’llcallZuleika；"andherosewithanexpressionofawkwardcourtesy。

Butthelady，albeitwithaself-satisfiedsparkleinherdarkeyes，herecarelesslyassuredhimthatZuleikahadalreadygivenherrefreshment，and，indeed，wasatthatmomentpreparingherownroomforher。Shebeggedhewouldnotinterrupthisinterestingstory。

Hayslookedrelieved。

"Well，IreckonIwon’tcallher，forwhatIwasgoin’tosayain’texacklythesorto’thin’foraninnocent，simplesorto’thinglikehertohear——Imean，"heinterruptedhimselfhastily——"thatfolksofmoreexperienceoftheworldlikeyouandmedon’tmindspeakin’of——I’msortertakin’itforgrantedthatyou’reamarriedwoman，ma’am。"

Thelady，whohadregardedhimwithasuddenrigidity，hererelaxedherexpressionandnodded。

"Well，"continuedHays，resuminghisplacebythefire，"youseethisyermanIwasgoin’toseelivesaboutfourmilesbeyondthesummitonaranchthatfurnishesmostofthehayforthestockthatsideoftheDivide。He’sbinholdin’offhisnextyear’scontractswithme，hopin’tomakebettertermsfromtheprospectsofalatespringandhigherprices。Heheldhisheadmightyhighandtalkedbigofwaitin’hisowntime。Ihappenedtoknowhecouldn’tdoit。"

Heputhishandsonhiskneesandstaredatthefire，andthenwenton：——

"Yeseethismanhadhadcrossesandfamilytrials。Hehadawifethatlefthimtojinealotofballydancersandpaintedwomeninthe’Friscoplayhouseswhenhewaslivin’inthesoutherncountry。

You’llsaythatwaslikeMYowncase，——andmebbethatwaswhyitcametohimtotellmeaboutit，——butthedifferencebetwixtHIM

andMEwasthatinsteadofrestin’untotheLordandfindin’Him，andpluckin’outtheeyethatoffendedhim’cordin’toScripter，asIdid，HEfollowedafterHERtryin’togetherback，until，findin’

thatwasn’tnouse，hetookabigdisgustandcameupheretohidehisself，wheretherewasn’tnoplayhousenorplay-actors，andnowimmenbutInjinsquaws。Hepre-emptedtheland，andnat’rally，therebein’nooneezcaredtolivetherebuthimself，hehaditallhisownway，madeitpay，and，asIwassayin’before，heldhisheadhighforprices。Well——youain’tgettin’tired，ma’am？"

"No，"saidthelady，restinghercheekonherhandandgazingonthefire，"it’sallveryinteresting；andsooddthatyoutwomen，withnearlythesameexperiences，shouldbeneighbors。"

"Saybuyerandseller，ma’am，notneighbors——atleastScriptoorily——

norfriends。Well，——nowthisiswheretheSpeshalProvidencecomesin，——onlythisafternoonJimBriggs，hearin’mespeakofHorseley’soffishness"——

"WHOSEoffishness？"askedthelady。

"Horseley’soffishness，——Horseley’sthenameofthemanI’mtalkin’

about。Well，hearin’that，hesays："Youholdon，Hays，andhe’llclimbdown。Thatwifeofhishasleftthestage——gotsickofit——

andisdriftin’roundin’Friscowithsomefellow。WhenHorseleygetstohearthat，youcan’tkeephimhere，——he’llsettleup，sellout，andrealizeoneverythinghe’sgottogoafterheragin，——youbet。That’swhatBriggssaid。Well，that’swhatsentmeuptoHorseley’sto-night——togetthere，dropthenews，andthenpinhimdowntothatcontract。"

"Itlookedlikeagoodstrokeofbusinessandafairone，"saidtheladyinanoddvoice。ItwassooddthatHayslookedup。Butshehadsomewhatalteredherposition，andwasgazingattheceiling，andwithherhandtoherfaceseemedtohavejustrecoveredfromaslightyawn，atwhichhehesitatedwithanewandtimidsenseofpoliteness。

"You’regettin’tired，ma’am？"

"Ohdear，no！"shesaidinthesamevoice，butclearingherthroatwithalittlecough。"Andwhydidn’tyouseethisMr。Horseleyafterall？Oh，Iforgot！——yousaidyouchangedyourmindfromsomethingyou’dheard。"

Hehadturnedhiseyestothefireagain，butwithoutnoticingashedidsothatsheslowlymovedherface，stillhalfhiddenbyherhand，towardshimandwaswatchinghimintently。

"No，"hesaid，slowly，"nothin’Iheard，somethin’Ifelt。Itmouthevbeenthatthatsetmeoffthetrack。Itkemtomeallofasuddenthathemightbesittin’tharcalmandpeacefullikeezI

mightbehere，hevin’forgotallaboutherandhistrouble，andherewasmegoin’todropdownuponhimandstartitallfreshagin。Itlookedalittlelikepersecution——yes，likepersecution。

Igotridofit，sayin’tomyselfitwasbusiness。ButI’dgotofftheroadmeantime，andhadtofinditagain，andwheneverIgotbacktothetrackandwaspointedforhishouse，itallseemedtocomebackonmeandsetmeoffagin。Whenthathadhappenedthreetimes，Iturnedroundandstartedforhome。"

"Anddoyoumeantosay，"saidthelady，withadiscordantlaugh，"thatyoubelieve，becauseYOUdidn’tgothereandbreakthenews，thatnobodyelsewill？Thathewon’thearofitfromthefirstmanhemeets？"

"Hedon’tmeetanyoneupwherehelives，andonlyBriggsandmyselfknowit，andI’llseethatBriggsdon’ttell。Butitwasmightyqueerthiswholethingcomin’uponmesuddenly，——wasn’tit？"

"Veryqueer，"repliedthelady；"for"——withthesamemetalliclaugh——"youdon’tseemtobegiventothiskindofweaknesswithyourownfamily。"

Iftherewasanydoubtastothesarcasticsuggestionofhervoice，therecertainlycouldbenoneinthewickedglitterofhereyesfixeduponhisfaceunderhershadinghand。Buthaplyheseemedunconsciousofboth，andevenacceptedherstatementwithoutanulteriorsignificance。

"Yes，"hesaid，communingly，totheglaringembersofthehearth，"itmusthavebeenaspecialrevelation。"

Therewassomethingsofatuousandone-idea’dinhisattitudeandexpression，somonstrouslyinconsistentandinadequatetowhatwasgoingonaroundhim，andsohopelesslystupid——ifameresimulation——thattheangrysuspicionthathewasactingapartslowlyfadedfromhereyes，andahystericalsmilebegantotwitchhersetlips。Shestillgazedathim。Thewindhowleddrearilyinthechimney；allthatwaseconomic，grim，andcheerlessintheroomseemedtogatherasflittingshadowsaroundthatcentralfigure。

Suddenlyshearosewithsuchaquickrustlingofherskirtsthatheliftedhiseyeswithastart；forshewasstandingimmediatelybeforehim，herhandsbehindher，herhandsome，audaciousfacebentsmilinglyforward，andherbold，brillianteyeswithinafootofhisown。

"Now，Mr。Hays，doyouwanttoknowwhatthiswarningorspecialrevelationofyoursREALLYmeant？Well，ithadnothingwhatevertodowiththatmanonthesummit。No。Thewholeinterest，gist，andmeaningofitwassimplythis，thatyoushouldturnroundandcomestraightbackhereand"——shedrewbackandmadehimanexaggeratedtheatricalcurtsey——"havethesupremepleasureofmakingMY

acquaintance！Thatwasall。Andnow，asyou’veHADIT，infiveminutesImustbeoff。You’veofferedmealreadyyourhorseandsleightogotothesummit。Iacceptitandgo！Good-by！"

Heknewnothingofawoman’scoquettishhumor；heknewstilllessofthatmimicstagefromwhichherpresentvoice，gesture，andexpressionwereborrowed；hehadnoknowledgeoftheburlesqueemotionswhichthatvoice，gesture，andexpressionweresupposedtoportray，andfinallyandfatallyhewasunabletodetectthefemininehystericjaranddiscordthatunderlayitall。Hethoughtitwasstrong，characteristic，andreal，andaccepteditliterally。

Herose。

"Efyouallowyoucan’tstay，whyI’llgoandgetthehorse。I

reckonheain’tbinputupyet。"

"Do，please。"

Hegrimlyresumedhiscoatandhatanddisappearedthroughthepassageintothekitchen，whence，amomentlater，Zuleikacameflying。

"Well，whathashappened？"shesaideagerly。

"It’sallright，"saidthewomanquickly，"thoughheknowsnothingyet。ButI’vegotthingsfixedgenerally，sothathe’llbequitereadytohaveitbrokentohimbythistimeto-morrow。Butdon’tyousayanythingtillI’veseenJackandyouhearfromHIM。

Remember。"

Shespokerapidly；hercheekswerequiteglowingfromsomesuddenenergy；sowereZuleika’swiththeexcitementofcuriosity。

Presentlythesoundofsleigh-bellsagainfilledtheroom。ItwasHaysleadingthehorseandsleightothedoor，beneathaskynowstarlitandcrispunderanortheastwind。ThefairstrangercastasignificantglanceatZuleika，andwhisperedhurriedly，"Youknowhemustnotcomewithme。Youmustkeephimhere。"

Sherantothedoormuffledandhooded，leapedintothesleigh，andgatheredupthereins。

"Butyoucannotgoalone，"saidHays，withawkwardcourtesy。"I

waskalkilatin’"——

"You’retootiredtogooutagain，dad，"brokeinZuleika’svoicequickly。"Youain’tfit；you’reallgrayandkrinklynow，likeaswhenyouhadoneofyourlastspells。She’llsendthesleighbackto-morrow。"

"Icanfindmyway，"saidtheladybriskly；"there’sonlyoneturnoff，Ibelieve，andthat"——

"Leadstothestagestationthreemileswest。Youneedn’tbeafraidofgettin’offonthat，foryou’lllikelyseethedownstagecrossin’yourroadezsoonezyougetclearoftheranch。"

"Good-night，"saidthelady。Anarcofwhitespraysprangbeforetheforwardrunner，andthesleighvanishedintheroad。

Fatheranddaughterreturnedtotheoffice。

"Youdidn’tgettoknowher，dad，didye？"queriedZuleika。

"No，"respondedHaysgravely，"excepttoseeshewasn’tnobackwoodsormountaineeringsort。Now，there’sthekindofwoman，Zuly，asknowsherownmindandyourstoo；thatamanlikeyourbrotherJackoughterpickoutwhenhemarries。"

Zuleika’sfacebeamedbehindherfather。"Youain’tgoin’tositupanylonger，dad？"shesaid，asshenoticedhimresumehisseatbythefire。"It’sgettin’late，andyoulookmightytuckeredoutwithyournight’swork。"

"Doyouknowwhatshesaid，Zuly？"returnedherfather，afterapause，whichturnedouttohavebeenalong，silentlaugh。

"No。"

"Shesaid，"herepeatedslowly，"thatshereckonedIcamebackhereto-nighttohavethepleasureofheracquaintance！"Hebroughthistwohandsheavilydownuponhisknees，rubbingthemdowndeliberatelytowardshisankles，andleaningforwardwithhisfacetothefireandalong-sustainedsmileofcompletethoughtardyappreciation。

HewasstillinthisattitudewhenZuleikalefthim。Thewindcroonedoverhimconfidentially，buthestillsatthere，givenupapparentlytosomeposthumousenjoymentofhisvisitor’sdepartingwitticism。

ItwasscarcelydaylightwhenZuleika，whiledressing，heardaquicktappinguponhershutter。Sheopenedittothescaredandbewilderedfaceofherbrother。

"Whathappenedwithherandfatherlastnight？"hesaidhoarsely。

"Nothing——why？"

"Readthat。Itwasbroughttomehalfanhouragobyamanindad’ssleigh，fromthestagestation。"

Hehandedheracrumplednotewithtremblingfingers。Shetookitandread：——

"Thegame’supandI’moutofit！Takemyadviceandclearoutofittoo，untilyoucancomebackinbettershape。Don’tbesuchafoolastotryandfollowme。Yourfatherisn’tone，andthat’swhereyou’veslippedup。"

"Heshallpayforit，whateverhe’sdone，"saidherbrotherwithanaccessofwildpassion。"Whereishe？"

"Why，Jack，youwouldn’tdaretoseehimnow？"

"Wouldn’tI？"Heturnedandran，convulsedwithpassion，beforethewindowstowardsthefrontofthehouse。Zuleikaslippedoutofherbedroomandrantoherfather’sroom。Hewasnotthere。

Alreadyshecouldhearherbrotherhammeringfranticallyagainstthelockedfrontdoor。

Thedooroftheofficewaspartlyopen。Herfatherwasstillthere。Asleep？Yes，forhehadapparentlysunkforwardbeforethecoldhearth。Butthehandsthathehadalwaysbeentryingtowarmwerecolderthanthehearthorashes，andhehimselfneveragainspokenorstirred……

Itwasdeemedprovidentialbytheneighborsthathisyoungestandfavoriteson，alarmedbynewsofhisfather’sfailinghealth，hadarrivedfromtheAtlanticStatesjustatthelastmoment。ButitwasthoughtsingularthatafterthedivisionofthepropertyheentirelyabandonedtheRanch，andthatevenpendingthedivisionhisbeautifulbutfastidiousEasternbridedeclinedtovisititwithherhusband。

JOHNSON’S"OLDWOMAN。"

Itwasgrowingdark，andtheSonoratrailwasbecomingmoreindistinctbeforemeateverystep。Thedifficultyhadincreasedoverthegrassyslope，wheretheoverflowfromsomesmallerwatercourseabovehadwornanumberofdiverginggulliessolikethetrailastobeundistinguishablefromit。Unabletodeterminewhichwastherightone，Ithrewthereinsoverthemule’sneckandresolvedtotrusttothatsuperioranimal’ssagacity，ofwhichI

hadheardsomuch。ButIhadnottakenintoaccounttheequallywell-knownweaknessesofsexandspecies，andChuChuhadalreadyshownuncontrollablesignsofwantingherownway。Withoutamoment’shesitation，feelingtherelaxedbridle，shelaydownandrolledover。

Inthisperplexitythesoundofhorse’shoofsringingoutoftherockycanyonbeyondwasarelief，evenifmomentarilyembarrassing。

Aninstantafterwardsahorseandriderappearedcanteringroundthehillonwhatwasevidentlythelosttrail，andpulledupasI

succeededinforcingChuChutoherlegsagain。

"IsthatthetrailfromSonora？"Iasked。

"Yes；"butwithacriticalglanceatthemule，"Ireckonyouain’tgoingthartonight。"

"Whynot？"

"It’samatterofeighteenmiles，andmostofitablindtrailthroughthewoodsafteryoutakethevalley。"

"Isitworsethanthis？"

"What’sthematterwiththistrail？Yeain’texpectingaracecourseorashellroadoverthefoothills——areye？"

"No。IsthereanyhotelwhereIcanstop？"

"Nary。"

"Noranyhouse？"

"No。"

"Thankyou。Good-night。"

Hehadalreadypassedon，whenhehaltedagainandturnedinhissaddle。"Lookyer。Justaspelloveryoncanyonye’llfindapatcho’buckeyes；turntotherightandye’llseeatrail。

That’lltakeyetoashanty。Youaskifit’sJohnson’s。"

"Who’sJohnson？"

"Iam。Youain’tlookin’forVanderbiltorGodAlmightyuphere，areyou？Well，then，youharktome，willyou？Yousaytomyoldwomantogiveyousupperandashakedownsomewharto-night。SayI

sentyou。Solong。"

HewasgonebeforeIcouldacceptordecline。AnextraordinarynoiseproceededfromChuChu，notunlikeasuppressedchuckle。I

lookedsharplyather；shecoughedaffectedly，and，withherheadandneckstretchedtotheirgreatestlength，appearedtocontemplateherneatlittleoffforeshoewithadmiringabstraction。ButassoonasIhadmountedshesetoffabruptly，crossedtherockycanyon，apparentlysightedthepatchofbuckeyesofherownvolition，andwithouttheslightesthesitationfoundthetrailtotheright，andinhalfanhourstoodbeforetheshanty。

Itwasalogcabinwithanadditional"lean-to"ofthesamematerial，roofedwithbark，andontheothersidealargerandmoreambitious"extension"builtofrough，unplaned，andunpaintedredwoodboards，lightlyshingled。The"lean-to"wasevidentlyusedasakitchen，andthecentralcabinasaliving-room。ThebarkingofadogasIapproachedcalledfourchildrenofdifferentsizestotheopendoor，wherealreadyanenterprisingbabywasfeeblyessayingtocrawloverabarofwoodlaidacrossthethresholdtorestrainit。

"IsthisJohnson’shouse？"

Myremarkwasreallyaddressedtotheeldest，aboyofapparentlynineorten，butIfeltthatmyattentionwasundulyfascinatedbythebaby，whoatthatmomenthadtoppledoverthebar，andwascalmlyeyeingmeupsidedown，whilesilentlyandheroicallysuffocatinginitspetticoats。Theboydisappearedwithoutreplying，butpresentlyreturnedwithatallergirloffourteenorfifteen。Iwasstruckwiththewaythat，asshereachedthedoor，shepassedherhandsrapidlyovertheheadsoftheothersasifcountingthem，pickedupthebaby，reversedit，shookoutitsclothes，andreturnedittotheinside，withoutevenlookingatit。

Theactwasevidentlyautomaticandhabitual。

Irepeatedmyquestiontimidly。

Yes，itWASJohnson’s，buthehadjustgonetoKing’sMills。I

replied，hurriedly，thatIknewit，——thatIhadmethimbeyondthecanyon。AsIhadlostmywayandcouldn’tgettoSonorato-night，hehadbeengoodenoughtosaythatImightstaythereuntilmorning。MyvoicewasslightlyraisedforthebenefitofMr。

Johnson’s"oldwoman，"who，Ihadnodoubt，wasinspectingmefurtivelyfromsomecorner。

Thegirldrewthechildrenaway，excepttheboy。Tohimshesaidsimply，"Showthestrangerwhartostakeouthismule，’Dolphus，"

anddisappearedinthe"extension"withoutanotherword。I

followedmylittleguide，whowasperhapsmoreactivelycurious，butequallyunresponsive。Tomyvariousquestionshesimplyreturnedasmileofexasperatingvacuity。Buthenevertookhiseagereyesfromme，andIwassatisfiedthatnotadetailofmyappearanceescapedhim。Leadingthewaybehindthehousetoalittlewood，whoseonly"clearing"hadbeeneffectedbydecayorstorm，hestoodsilentlyapartwhileIpicketedChuChu，neitherofferingtoassistmenoropposinganyinterruptiontomysurveyofthelocality。Therewasnotraceofhumancultivationinthesurroundingsofthecabin；thewildernessstilltrodsharplyontheheelsofthepioneer’sfreshfootprints，andevenseemedtoobliteratethem。Forafewyardsaroundtheactualdwellingtherewasanunsavoryfringeofcivilizationintheshapeofcast-offclothes，emptybottles，andtincans，andtheadjacentthornandelderbushesblossomedunwholesomelywithbitsoftornwhitepaperandbleachingdish-cloths。Thishideouscircleneverwidened；

Naturealwaysappearedtorollbacktheintrudingdebris；nobirdnorbeastcarrieditaway；noanimaleverforcedtheuncleanlybarrier；civilizationremainedgrimlytrenchedinitsownexuvia。

Theoldterrifyinggirdleoffirearoundthehunter’scampwasnotmoredeterringtocuriousnightprowlersthanthiscoarseandaccidentaloutwork。

WhenIregainedthecabinIfounditempty，thedoorsofthelean-

toandextensionclosed，buttherewasastoolsetbeforearudetable，uponwhichsmokedatincupofcoffee，atindishofhotsaleratusbiscuit，andaplateoffriedbeef。Therewassomethingoddanddepressinginthissilentexclusionofmypresence。HadJohnson’s"oldwoman"fromsomedarkpostofobservationtakenadisliketomyappearance，orwasthischurlishwithdrawalapeculiarityofSierranhospitality？OrwasMrs。Johnsonyoungandpretty，andhiddenundertherestrictingbanofJohnson’sjealousy，orwassheadeformedcripple，orevenabedriddencrone？Fromtheextensionattimescameamurmurofvoices，butnevertheaccentsofadultwomanhood。Thegatheringdarkness，relievedonlybyadullglowfromthesmoulderinglogsintheadobechimney，addedtomyloneliness。InthecircumstancesIknewIoughttohaveputasidetherepastandgivenmyselfuptogloomyandpessimisticreflection；butNatureisofteninconsistent，andinthatkeenmountainair，Igrievetosay，myphysicalandmoralconditionwasnotinthatperfectaccordalwaysindicatedbyromancers。IhadanappetiteandIgratifiedit；dyspepsiaandethicalreflectionsmightcomelater。Iatethesaleratusbiscuitcheerfully，andwasmeditativelyfinishingmycoffeewhenagurglingsoundfromtheraftersaboveattractedmyattention。Ilookedup；undertheoverhangofthebarkroofthreepairsofroundeyeswerefixeduponme。TheybelongedtothechildrenIhadpreviouslyseen，who，intheattitudeofRaphael’scherubs，hadevidentlybeendeeplyinterestedspectatorsofmyrepast。Asoureyesmetaninarticulategiggleescapedthelipsoftheyoungest。

Inevercouldunderstandwhytheshyamusementofchildrenovertheireldersisnotacceptedasphilosophicallybyitsobjectaswhenitproceedsfromanequal。WefondlybelievethatwhenJonesorBrownlaughsatusitisfrommalice，ignorance，oradesiretoshowhissuperiority，butthereisalwaysahauntingsuspicioninourmindsthattheselittlecriticsREALLYseesomethinginustolaughat。I，however，smiledaffablyinreturn，ignoringanypossiblegrotesquenessinmymannerofeatinginprivate。

"Comehere，Johnny，"Isaidblandly。

Thetwoelderones，agirlandaboy，disappearedinstantly，asifthecrowningjokeofthisremarkwastoomuchforthem。FromascrapingandkickingagainstthelogwallIjudgedthattheyhadquicklydroppedtothegroundoutside。Theyoungerone，thegiggler，remainedfascinated，butreadytoflyatamoment’swarning。

"Comehere，Johnny，boy，"Irepeatedgently。"Iwantyoutogotoyourmother，please，andtellher"——

Butherethechild，whohadbeenworkingitsfaceconvulsively，suddenlyutteredalugubrioushowlanddisappearedalso。Irantothefrontdoorandlookedoutintimetoseethetallestgirl，whohadreceivedme，walkingawaywithitunderherarm，pushingtheboyaheadofherandlookingbackoverhershoulder，notunlikeayouthfulshe-bearconductinghercubsfromdanger。Shedisappearedattheendoftheextension，wheretherewasevidentlyanotherdoor。

Itwasveryextraordinary。ItwasnotstrangethatIturnedbacktothecabinwithachagrinandmortificationwhichforamomentmademeentertainthewildideaofsaddlingChuChu，andshakingthedustofthattaciturnhousefrommyfeet。Buttheridiculousnessofsuchanact，tosaynothingofitsingratitude，asquicklypresenteditselftome。Johnsonhadofferedmeonlyfoodandshelter；IcouldhaveclaimednomorefromtheinnIhadaskedhimtodirectmeto。Ididnotre-enterthehouse，but，lightingmylastcigar，begantowalkgloomilyupanddownthetrail。Withtheoutcomingofthestarsithadgrownlighter；throughawindopeninginthetreesIcouldseetheheavybulkoftheoppositemountain，andbeyonditasuperiorcrestdefinedbyaredlineofforestfire，which，however，castnoreflectiononthesurroundingearthorsky。

Faintwoodlandcurrentsofair，stillwarmfromtheafternoonsun，stirredtheleavesaroundmewithlong-drawnaromaticbreaths。ButtheseintimegavewaytothesteadySierrannightwindsweepingdownfromthehighersummits，androckingthetopsofthetallestpines，yetleavingthetranquillityofthedarkloweraislesunshaken。Itwasveryquiet；therewasnocrynorcallofbeastorbirdinthedarkness；thelongrustleofthetree-topssoundedasfaintasthefar-offwashofdistantseas。Nordidtheresemblanceceasethere；theclose-setfilesofthepinesandcedars，stretchinginillimitablerankstothehorizon，werefilledwiththeimmeasurablelonelinessofanoceanshore。InthisvastsilenceI

begantothinkIunderstoodthetaciturnityofthedwellersinthesolitarycabin。

WhenIreturned，however，Iwassurprisedtofindthetallestgirlstandingbythedoor。AsIapproachedsheretreatedbeforeme，andpointingtothecornerwhereacommoncotbedhadbeenevidentlyjustputup，said，"Yecanturninthar，onlyye’llhavetorouseoutearlywhen’Dolphusdoesthechores，"andwasturningtowardstheextensionagain，whenIstoppedheralmostappealingly。

"Onemoment，please。CanIseeyourmother？"

Shestoppedandlookedatmewithasingularexpression。Thenshesaidsharply：——

"Youknow，fustrate，she’sdead。"

Shewasturningawayagain，butIthinkshemusthaveseenmyconcerninmyface，forshehesitated。"But，"Isaidquickly，"I

certainlyunderstoodyourfather，thatis，Mr。Johnson，"Iadded，interrogatively，"tosaythat——thatIwastospeakto"——Ididn’tliketorepeattheexactphrase——"hisWIFE。"

"Idon’tknowwhathewasplayin’yefor，"shesaidshortly。"Marhasbeendeadmor’nayear。"

"But，"Ipersisted，"istherenogrown-upwomanhere？"

"No。"

"Thenwhotakescareofyouandthechildren？"

"Ido。"

"Yourselfandyourfather——eh？"

"Dadain’theretwodaysrunning，andthenon’ytosleep。"

"Andyoutaketheentirechargeofthehouse？"

"Yes，andthelogtallies。"

"Thelogtallies？"

"Yes；keepcountandmeasurethelogsthatgobytheslide。"

ItflasheduponmethatIhadpassedtheslideordeclivityonthehillside，wherelogswereslippeddownintothevalley，andI

inferredthatJohnson’sbusinesswascuttingtimberforthemill。

"Butyou’reratheryoungforallthiswork，"Isuggested。

"I’mgoin’onsixteen，"shesaidgravely。

Indeed，forthematterofthat，shemighthavebeenanyage。Herface，onwhichsunburntooktheplaceofcomplexion，wasalreadyhardandset。ButonanearerviewIwasstruckwiththefactthathereyes，whichwerenotlarge，werealmostindistinguishablefromthepresenceofthemostsingulareyelashesIhadeverseen。

Intenselyblack，intenselythick，andeventangledintheirprofusion，theybristledratherthanfringedhereyelids，obliteratingeverythingbuttheshiningblackpupilsbeneath，whichwerelikecertainlustroushairymountainberries。Itwasthiswoodlandsuggestionthatseemedtouncannilyconnectherwiththelocality。Iwentonplayfully：——

"That’snotVERYold——buttellme——doesyourfather，orDIDyourfather，everspeakofyouashis’oldwoman？’"

Shenodded。"ThenyouthoughtIwasmar？"shesaid，smiling。

Itwassucharelieftoseeherwornfacerelaxitsexpressionofpatheticgravity——althoughthisoperationquiteburiedhereyesintheirblackthickesthedgeagain——thatIcontinuedcheerfully："Itwasn’tmuchofamistake，consideringallyoudoforthehouseandfamily。"

"Thenyoudidn’ttellBilly’togoandbedeadinthegroundwithmar，’ashe’lowsyoudid？"shesaidhalfsuspiciously，yettremblingontheedgeofasmile。

No，Ihadnot，butIadmittedthatmyaskinghimtogotohismothermighthavebeenopentothisdismalconstructionbyasensitiveinfantmind。Sheseemedmollified，andagainturnedtogo。

"Good-night，Miss——youknowyourfatherdidn’ttellmeyourrealname，"Isaid。

"Karline！"

"Good-night，MissKarline。"

Iheldoutmyhand。

Shelookedatitandthenatmethroughherintricateeyelashes。

Thenshestruckitasidebriskly，butnotunkindly，said"Quitfoolin’，now，"asshemighthavesaidtooneofthechildren，anddisappearedthroughtheinnerdoor。Notknowingwhethertobeamusedorindignant，Iremainedsilentamoment。ThenItookaturnoutsideintheincreasingdarkness，listenedtothenowhurryingwindoverthetree-tops，re-enteredthecabin，closedthedoor，andwenttobed。

Butnottosleep。Perhapstheresponsibilitytowardsthesesolitarychildren，whichJohnsonhadsolightlyshakenoff，devolveduponmeasIlaythere，forIfoundmyselfimaginingadozenemergenciesoftheirunprotectedstate，withwhichtheeldergirlcouldscarcelygrapple。Therewaslittletofearfromdepredatorymanorbeast——desperadoesofthemountaintrailneverstoopedtoignobleburglary，bearorpantherseldomapproachedacabin——buttherewasthechanceofsuddenillness，fire，theaccidentsthatbesetchildhood，tosaynothingofthenarrowingmoralandmentaleffectoftheirisolationatthattenderage。ItwasscandalousinJohnsontoleavethemalone。

InthesilenceIfoundIcouldhearquitedistinctlythesoundoftheirvoicesintheextension，anditwasevidentthatCarolinewasputtingthemtobed。Suddenlyavoicewasuplifted——herown！Shebegantosingandtheotherstojoinher。Itwastherepetitionofasingleverseofawell-knownlugubriousnegromelody。"Alltheworldamsadanddreary，"wailedCaroline，inahighhead-note，"everywhereIroam。""Oh，darkieth，"lispedtheyoungergirlinresponse，"howmyheartgrowthweary，farfromtheoldfolkthath-o-o-me。"Thiswasrepeatedtwoorthreetimesbeforetheothersseemedtogetthefullswingofit，andthenthelinesroseandfellsadlyandmonotonouslyinthedarkness。Idon’tknowwhy，butIatoncegottheimpressionthatthosemotherlesslittlecreatureswereunderavaguebeliefthattheirperformancewasdevotional，andwasreallyfillingtheplaceofaneveninghymn。Abriefandindistinctkindofrecitation，followedbyadeadsilence，brokenonlybytheslowcreakingofnewtimber，asifthehousewerestretchingitselftosleeptoo，confirmedmyimpression。Thenallbecamequietagain。

ButIwasmorewideawakethanbefore。FinallyIrose，dressedmyself，anddraggingmystooltothefire，tookabookfrommyknapsack，andbythelightofagutteringcandle，whichI

discoveredinabottleinthecornerofthehearth，begantoread。

PresentlyIfellintoadoze。HowlongIsleptIcouldnottell，foritseemedtomethatadreamyconsciousnessofadogbarkingatlastforceditselfuponmesostronglythatIawoke。ThebarkingappearedtocomefrombehindthecabininthedirectionoftheclearingwhereIhadtetheredChuChu。Iopenedthedoorhurriedly，ranroundthecabintowardsthehollow，andwasalmostatoncemetbythebulkofthefrightenedChuChu，plungingoutofthedarknesstowardsme，keptonlyincheckbyherreatainthehandofablanketedshapeslowlyadvancingwithagunoveritsshoulderoutofthehollow。BeforeIhadtimetorecoverfrommyastonishmentIwasthrownintogreaterconfusionbyrecognizingtheshapeasnoneotherthanCaroline！

Withouttheleastembarrassmentorevenself-consciousnessofherappearance，shetossedtheendofthereatatomewiththecurtestexplanationasshepassedby。Someprowlingbearorcatamounthadfrightenedthemule。Ihadbettertetheritbeforethecabinawayfromthewind。

"ButIthoughtwildbeastsnevercamesonear，"Isaidquickly。

"Mulemeat’smightytemptin’，"saidthegirlsententiouslyandpassedon。Iwantedtothankher；IwantedtosayhowsorryIwasthatshehadbeendisturbed；Iwantedtocomplimentheronherquietmidnightcourage，andyetwarnheragainstrecklessness；I

wantedtoknowwhethershehadbeenaccustomedtosuchalarms；andifthegunshecarriedwasreallyanecessity。ButIcouldonlyrespectherreticence，andIwasturningawaywhenIwasstruckbyamoreinexplicablespectacle。AsshenearedtheendoftheextensionIdistinctlysawthetallfigureofaman，movingwithacertaindiffidenceandhesitationthatdidnot，however，suggestanyintentionofconcealment，amongthetrees；thegirlapparentlysawhimatthesamemomentandslightlyslackenedherpace。Notmorethanadozenfeetseparatedthem。Hesaidsomethingthatwasinaudibletomyears，——butwhetherfromhishesitationorthedistanceIcouldnotdetermine。Therewasnosuchuncertaintyinherreply，however，whichwasgiveninherusualcurtfashion："Allright。Youcantrapsealonghomenowandturnin。"

Sheturnedthecorneroftheextensionanddisappeared。Thetallfigureofthemanwaveredhesitatinglyforamoment，andthenvanishedalso。ButIwastoomuchexcitedbycuriositytoacceptthisunsatisfactoryconclusion，and，hastilypicketingChuChuafewrodsfromthefrontdoor，Iranafterhim，withaninstinctivefeelingthathehadnotgonefar。Iwasright。Afewpacesdistanthehadhaltedinthesamedubious，lingeringway。"Hallo！"

Isaid。

Heturnedtowardsmeinthelikeawkwardfashion，butwithneitherastonishmentnorconcern。

"Comeupandtakeadrinkwithmebeforeyougo，"Isaid，"ifyou’renotinahurry。I’malonehere，andsinceIHAVEturnedoutIdon’tseewhywemightn’thaveasmokeandatalktogether。"

"Idursn’t。"

Ilookedupatthesixfeetofstrengthbeforemeandrepeatedwonderingly，"Darenot？"

"SHEwouldn’tlikeit。"Hemadeamovementwithhisrightshouldertowardstheextension。

"Who？"

"MissKarline。"

"Nonsense！"Isaid。"Sheisn’tinthecabin，——youwon’tseeHER。

Comealong。"Hehesitated，althoughfromwhatIcoulddiscernofhisbeardedfaceitwasweaklysmiling。

"Come。"

Heobeyed，followingmenotunlikeChuChu，Ifancied，withthesamesenseofsuperiorsizeandstrengthandaslightwhiteningoftheeye，asifreadytoshyatanymoment。Atthedoorhe"backed。"Thenheenteredsideways。Inoticedthatheclearedthedoorwayatthetopandthesidesonlybyahair’sbreadth。

BythelightofthefireIcouldseethat，inspiteofhisfullfirstgrowthofbeard，hewasyoung，——evenyoungerthanmyself，——

andthathewasbynomeansbad-looking。Ashestillshowedsignsofretreatingatanymoment，Itookmyflaskandtobaccofrommysaddle-bags，handedthemtohim，pointedtothestool，andsatdownmyselfuponthebed。

"Youlivenearhere？"

"Yes，"hesaidalittleabstractedly，asiflisteningforsomeinterruption，"atTenMileCrossing。"

"Why，that’stwomilesaway。"

"Ireckon。"

"Thenyoudon’tlivehere——ontheclearing？"

"No。Ib’longtothemillat’TenMile。’"

"Youwereonyourwayhome？"

"No，"hehesitated，lookingathispipe；"Ikindermeanderroundhereatthistime，whenJohnson’saway，toseeifeverything’sgoin’straight。"

"Isee——you’reafriendofthefamily。"

"’Deedno！"Hestopped，laughed，lookedconfused，andadded，apparentlytohispipe，"Thatis，asorterfriend。Notmuch。

SHE"——heloweredhisvoiceasifthatpotentialpersonalityfilledthewholecabin——"wouldn’tlikeit。"

"Thenatnight，whenJohnson’saway，youdosentrydutyroundthehouse？"

"Yes，’sentrydooty，’that’sit，"——heseemedimpressedwiththesuggestion——"that’sit！Sentrydooty。You’vestruckit，pardner。"

"AndhowoftenisJohnsonaway？"

"’Bouttwoorthreetimesaweekonanaverage。"

"ButMissCarolineappearstobeabletotakecareofherself。Shehasnofear。"

"Fear！Fearwasn’thangin’roundwhenSHEwasborn！"Hepaused。

"No，sir。Didyeeverlookintothemeyes？"

Ihadn’t，onaccountofthelashes。ButIdidn’tcaretosaythis，andonlynodded。

"Thereain’tthecreatedthinglivin’ordead，thatshecan’tstandstraightuptoandlookat。"

Iwonderedifhehadfanciedsheexperiencedanydifficultyinstandingupbeforethatinnocentlygood-humoredface，butIcouldnotresistsaying：——

"ThenIdon’tseetheuseofyourwalkingfourmilestolookafterher。"

Iwassorryforitthenextminute，forheseemedtohaveawkwardlybrokenhispipe，andhadtobenddownforalongtimeafterwardstolaboriouslypickupthesmallestfragmentsofit。Atlasthesaid，cautiously：

"Yenoticedthembitso’flannin’roundthechillern’sthroats？"

IrememberedthatIhad，butwasuncertainwhetheritwasintendedasapreventiveofcoldorachild’sideaofdecoration。Inodded。

"That’stheirtrouble。Onenight，whenoldJohnsonhadbeenoffforthreedaystoCoulterville，IwasprowlingroundhereandI

didn’tgittoseenoone，thoughtherewasalightburnin’intheshantyallnight。ThenextnightIwashereagain，——thesamelighttwinklin’，butnooneabout。Ireckonedthatwasmightyqueer，andIjesscrep’uptothehousean’listened。Iheardsuthin’likealittlecoughoncetinawhile，andattimessuthin’likealittlemoan。Ididn’tdursttosingoutforIknewSHEwouldn’tlikeit，butwhistledkeerlesslike，toletthechillernknowIwasthere。

Butitdidn’tseemtotake。Iwasjessgoin’off，when——darnmyskin！——ifIdidn’tcomeacrossthebucketofwaterI’dfetchedupfromthespringTHATMORNIN’，standin’therefull，andNEVERTAKEN

IN！WhenIsawthatIreckonedI’djesswadein，anyhow，andI

knocked。Pootysoonthedoorwashalfopened，andIsawhereyesblazin’atmelikethemcoals。ThenSHE’lowedI’dbetter’gitupandgit，’andshetthedoorto！ThenI’lowedshemighttellmewhatwasup——throughthedoor。Thenshesaid，throughthedoor，ashowthechillernlayallsickwiththathoss-distemper，diphthery。

Thenshe’lowedshe’duseadoctorefI’dfetchhim。Thenshe’lowedagainI’dbettertakethebabythathadn’tketchedityetalongwithme，andleaveitwhereitwassafe。Thenshepassedoutthebabythroughthedoorallwrappedupinablankitlikeapapoose，andyoubetImadetrackswithit。Iknowedtharwasn’tnogoodgoingtothemill，soIletoutforWhite’s，fourmilesbeyond，whartherewasWhite’soldmother。Itoldherhowthingswerepointin’，andshelentmeahoss，andIjessroundedonDoctorGreenatMountainJim’s，andhadhimbackhereaforesun-up！AndthenIheardshewilted，——regularlyplayedout，yousee，——forshehaditallalongwussthanthelot，andneverletonorwhimpered！"

"Itwaswellyoupersistedinseeingherthatnight，"Isaid，watchingtheraptexpressionofhisface。Helookedupquickly，becameconsciousofmyscrutiny，anddroppedhiseyesagain，smiledfeebly，anddrawingacircleintheasheswiththebrokenpipe-

stem，said：——

"ButSHEdidn’tlikeit，though。"

Isuggested，alittlewarmly，thatifsheallowedherfathertoleaveheraloneatnightwithdelicatechildren，shehadnorighttochooseWHOshouldassistherinanemergency。Itstruckmeafterwardsthatthiswasnotverycomplimentarytohim，andIaddedhastilythatIwonderedifsheexpectedsomeyoungladytobepassingalongthetrailatmidnight！ButthisremindedmeofJohnson’sstyleofargument，andIstopped。

"Yes，"hesaidmeekly，"andefshedidn’tkeerenoughforherselfandherbrothersandsisters，sheorterrememberthemBeazeleychillern。"

"Beazeleychildren？"Irepeatedwonderingly。

"Yes；themtwolittleones，thesizeofMirandy；they’reBeazeley’s。"

"WhoisBeazeley，andwhatarehischildrendoinghere？"

"Beazeleyupanddiedatthemill，andshebedevilledherfathertolethertakehistwoyoung’unshere。"

"Youdon’tmeantosaythatwithherotherworkshe’stakingcareofotherpeople’schildrentoo？"

"Yes，andeddicatin’them。"

"Educatingthem？"

"Yes；teachin’themtoreadandwriteanddosums。Oneofourloggersketchedheratitwhenshewaskeepin’tally。"

Wewerebothsilentforsomemoments。

"IsupposeyouknowJohnson？"Isaidfinally。

"Notmuch。"

"Butyoucallhereatothertimesthanwhenyou’rehelpingher？"

"Neverbeeninthehousebefore。"

Helookedslowlyaroundhimashespoke，raisinghiseyestothebareraftersabove，anddrawingafewlongbreaths，asifhewereinhalingtheauraofsomeunseenpresence。Heappearedsoperfectlygratifiedandcontented，andIwassoimpressedwiththishumbleandsilentabsorptionofthesacredinterior，thatIfeltvaguelyconsciousthatanyinterruptionofitwasaprofanation，andIsatstill，gazingatthedyingfire。Presentlyhearose，stretchedouthishand，shookminewarmly，said，"IreckonI’llmeanderalong，"tookanotherlongbreath，thistimesecretly，asifconsciousofmyeyes，andthenslouchedsidewaysoutofthehouseintothedarknessagain，whereheseemedsuddenlytoattainhisfullheight，andsolooming，disappeared。Ishutthedoor，wenttobed，andsleptsoundly。

SosoundlythatwhenIawokethesunwasstreamingonmybedfromtheopendoor。Onthetablebeforememybreakfastwasalreadylaid。WhenIhaddressedandeatenit，struckbythesilence，I

wenttothedoorandlookedout。’DolphuswasholdingChuChubythereataafewpacesfromthecabin。

"Where’sCaroline？"Iasked。

Hepointedtothewoodsandsaid："Overyon：keepingtally。"

"Didsheleaveanymessage？"

"SaidIwastogityourmuleforyou。"

"Anythingelse？"

"Yes；saidyouwastogo。"

Iwent，butnotuntilIhadscrawledafewwordsofthanksonaleafofmynotebook，whichIwrappedaboutmylastSpanishdollar，addresseditto"MissJohnson，"andlaidituponthetable……

Itwasmorethanayearlaterthatinthebar-roomoftheMariposaHotelahandwaslaiduponmysleeve。Ilookedup。ItwasJohnson。

HedrewfromhispocketaSpanishdollar。"Ireckoned，"hesaid，cheerfully，"I’drunagainyesomewharsometime。MyoldwomantoldmetogiveyethatwhenIdid，andsaythatshe’didn’tkeepnohotel。’Butsheallowedshe’dkeeptheletter，andhasspelleditouttothechillern。"

HerewastheopportunityIhadlongedfortotouchJohnson’sprideandaffectioninthebravebutunprotectedgirl。"IwanttotalktoyouaboutMissJohnson，"Isaid，eagerly。

"Ireckonso，"hesaid，withanexasperatingsmile。"Mostfellersdo。Butsheain’tMissJohnsonnomore。She’smarried。"

"NottothatbigchapoverfromTenMileMills？"Isaidbreathlessly。

"What’sthematterwithHIM，"saidJohnson。"Yedidn’texpecthertomarryanobleman，didye？"

IsaidIdidn’tseewhysheshouldn’t——andbelievedthatsheHAD。

THENEWASSISTANTATPINECLEARINGSCHOOL。

CHAPTERI。

TheschoolmistressofPineClearingwastakingalastlookaroundherschoolroombeforeleavingitfortheday。Shemighthavedonesowithpride，fortheschoolroomwasconsideredamarvelofarchitecturalelegancebythecitizens，andeventotheordinaryobserverwasapretty，villa-likestructure，withanopencupolaandoverhangingroofofdiamond-shapedshinglesandadeepElizabethanporch。Butitwasthemonumentofafiercestrugglebetweenanewercivilizationandabarbarismoftheolddays，whichhadresultedintheclearingawayofthepines——andafewotherthingsasincongruoustothenewlifeandfarlessinnocent，thoughnolesssincere。Ithadcostthecommunityfifteenthousanddollars，andthelivesoftwoofitscitizens。

Happilytherewasnostainofthisonthecleanwhitewalls，thebeautifully-writtengilttexts，ortheshiningblackboardthathadofferednorecordwhichcouldnotbedailywipedaway。And，certainly，thelastpersonintheworldtosuggestanyreminiscencesofitsbelligerentfoundationwasthepersonoftheschoolmistress。

Mature，thin，precise，——notprettyenoughtohaveexcitedHomericfeuds，noryetsoplainastoprecludecertainsoothinggraces，——

shewasthewidowofapoorCongregationalminister，andhadbeenexpresslyimportedfromSanFranciscotosquarelymarktheissuebetweentheregenerateandunregeneratelife。Low-voiced，gentlewomanly，withthepallorofill-healthperhapsundulyaccentedbyhermourning，whichwasstillcutmodishlyenoughtoshowoffhersparebutgoodfigure，shewassupposedtorepresentthemodelofpious，scholasticrefinement。TheOpposition——sulleninditchesandatthedoorsofsaloons，orinthefieldstruculentastheirowncattle——neverthelesshadloweredtheircrestsandbuttonedtheircoatsovertheirrevolutionaryredshirtswhenSHEwentby。