第5章

Asshewassteppingfromthethreshold，shewassuddenlyconfrontedbyabriskbusiness-lookingman，whowasabouttoenter。"Justintimetocatchyou，Mrs。Martin，"hesaidhurriedly；then，quicklycorrectinghismanifestfamiliarity，headded："Imean，Itookthelibertyofrunninginhereonmywaytothestageoffice。Thatmatteryouspokeofisallarranged。Italkeditoverwiththeothertrustees，wrotetoSamBarstow，andhe’sagreeable，andhassentsomebodyup，and，"herapidlyconsultedhiswatch，"heoughttobeherenow；andI’monmywaytomeethimwiththeothertrustees。"

Mrs。Martin，whoatoncerecognizedhervisitorastheChairmanoftheSchoolBoard，receivedtheabruptinformationwiththeslighttremulousness，faintincreaseofcolor，andhurriedbreathingofanervouswoman。

"But，"shesaid，"itwasonlyaSUGGESTIONofmine，Mr。Sperry；I

reallyhavenorighttoask——Ihadnoidea"——

"It’sallright，ma’am，——neveryoumind。WeputthecasesquaretoBarstow。Weallowedthattheschoolwasgettingtoolargeforyoutotackle，——Imean，youknow，tosuperintendsingle-handed；andthatthesePikeCountyboysthey’rerunninginonusarealittletoobigandsassyforaladylikeyoutolassoandthrowdown——I

mean，tosortercontrol——don’tyousee？But，blessyou，SamBarstowsawitallinaminit！Hejustjumpedatit。I’vegothisletterhere——holdon"——hehastilyproducedaletterfromhispocket，glancedeverit，suddenlycloseditagainwithembarrassedquickness，yetnotsoquicklybutthatthewoman’squickereyeswerecaught，andnervouslyfascinatedbytheexpression"I’md————d"

inalargebusinesshand——andsaidinawkwardhaste，"Nomatteraboutreadingitnow——keepyoutoolong——buthe’sagreedallright，youknow。Mustgonow——they’llbewaiting。OnlyIthoughtI’ddropina-passin’，tokeepyouposted；"and，takingoffhishat，hebegantobackfromtheporch。

"Is——is——thisgentlemanwhoistoassistme——a——amatureprofessionalman——ora——graduate？"hesitatedMrs。Martin，withafaintsmile。

"Don’treallyknow——IreckonSam——Mr。Barstow——fixedthatallright。Mustreallygonow；"and，stillholdinghishatinhishandasapolitecompromiseforhisundignifiedhaste，hefairlyranoff。

Arrivedatthestageoffice，hefoundthetwoothertrusteesawaitinghim，andthestillmoretardystage-coach。One，alarge，smooth-faced，portlyman，wasthePresbyterianminister；theother，ofthinnerandmoreseriousaspect，wasalargemill-owner。

"Ipresume，"saidtheRev。Mr。Peaseley，slowly，"thatasourgoodbrotherBarstow，intheurgencyoftheoccasion，has，tosomeextent，anticipatedOURfunctionsinengagingthisassistant，heis——a——a——satisfiedwithhiscapacity？"

"Samknowswhathe’sabout，"saidthemill-ownercheerfully，"andashe’sregularlybuckleddowntotheworkhere，andwillgohisbottomdollaronit，youcansafelyleavethingstohim。"

"Hecertainlyhasexhibitedgreatzeal，"saidthereverendgentlemanpatronizingly。

"Zeal，"echoedSperryenthusiastically，"zeal？Why，herunsPineClearingasherunshisbankandhisexpresscompanyinSacramento，andhe’saswellpostedasifhewerehereallthetime。Why，lookhere；"henudgedthemill-ownersecretly，and，astheminister’sbackwasmomentarilyturned，pulledouttheletterhehadavoidedreadingtoMrs。Martin，andpointedtoaparagraph。"I’llbed————d，"saidthewriter，"butI’llhavepeaceandquietnessatPineClearing，ifIhavetowipeoutormakeoverthewholePikeCountygang。DrawonmeforapianoifyouthinkMrs。Martincanworkit。

Butdon’tsayanythingtoPeaseleyfirst，orhe’llwantitchangedforaharmonium，andthatletsusinforpsalm-singingtillyoucan’trest。Mind！Idon’tobjecttoChurchinfluence——it’sagoodhold！——butyoumustrunITwithotherthingsequal，andnotletitrunYOU。I’vegottheschoolhouseinsuredforthirtythousanddollars——specialratestoo。"

Themill-ownersmiled。"Sam’sheadislevel！But，"headded，"hedon’tsaymuchaboutthenewassistanthe’ssending。"

"Onlyhere，"hesays，"IreckonthemanIsendwilldoallround；

forPikeCountyhasitsclaimsaswellasBoston。"

"Whatdoesthatmean？"askedthemill-owner。

"Ireckonhemeanshedon’twantPineClearingtogettoohigh-

tonedanymorethanhewantsittoolowdown。He’smightysquareinhisaverages——isSam。"

Herespeculationwasstoppedbytherapidoncomingofthestage-

coachinalltheimpotentfuryofabelatedarrival。"HadtogoroundbyMontezumatoletoffJackHill，"curtlyexplainedthedriver，asheswunghimselffromthebox，andenteredthehotelbar-roomincompanywiththenewexpressman，whohadevidentlytakenHill’splaceonthebox-seat。Autocraticallyindifferenttofurtherinquiry，hecalledoutcheerfully："Comealong，boys，andhearthisyerlastnewyarnaboutSamBarstow，——it’sthebiggestthingout。"Andinanothermomentthewaitingcrowd，withglassesintheirhands，wereeagerlylisteningtotherepetitionofthe"yarn"fromthenewexpressman，totheapparentexclusionofothermatters，mundaneandpractical。

Thusdebarredfrominformation，thethreetrusteescouldonlywatchthepassengersastheydescended，andtrytoidentifytheirexpectedstranger。Butinvain：thebulkofthepassengerstheyalreadyknew，theotherswereordinaryminersandlaborers；therewasnoindicationofthenewassistantamongthem。Pendingfurtherinquirytheywereobligedtowaittheconclusionoftheexpressman’shumorousrecital。Thiswasevidentlyaperformanceofsomeartisticmerit，dependinguponacapitalimitationofanIrishman，aGermanJew，andanothervoice，whichwasuniversallyrecognizedandapplaudedasbeing"Sam’sstyleallover！"Butforthepresenceoftheminister，Sperryandthemill-ownerwouldhavejoinedtheenthusiasticauditors，andinwardlyregrettedtherespectableobligationsoftheirofficialposition。

Whenthestory-tellerhadconcludedamidstageneralcallformoredrinks，Sperryapproachedthedriver。Thelatterrecognizinghim，turnedtohiscompanioncarelessly，said，"Here’soneof’em，"andwasgoingawaywhenSperrystoppedhim。

"Wewereexpectingayoungman。"

"Yes，"saidthedriver，impatiently，"andthereheis，Ireckon。"

"Wedon’tmeanthenewexpressman，"saidtheminister，smilingblandly，"butayoungmanwho"——

"THATain’tnonewexpressman，"returnedthedriverinscornfuldeprecationofhisinterlocutor’signorance。"HeonlytookHill’splacefromMontezuma。He’sthenewkidreviverandpolisherforthatUniversityyou’rerunnin’here。Isay——youfellersoughtergethimtotellyouthatstoryofSamBarstowandtheChinaman。

It’dlimberyoufellersuptohearit。"

"Ifearthere’ssomeextraordinarymistakehere，"saidMr。

Peaseley，withachillingChristiansmile。

"Notabitofit。He’sgotaletterfromSamforoneofye。Yere，Charley——what’syourname！Comyere。Yere’sallyerthreebosseswaitingforye。"

AndthesupposedexpressmanandlatenarratorofamusingstoriescameforwardandpresentedhiscredentialsastheassistantteacherofPineClearing。

CHAPTERII。

EventhepracticalMr。Sperrywastakenaback。Theyoungmanbeforehimwassquarelybuilt，withbroadshoulders，andacertainairofmuscularactivity。Buthisface，althoughgood-humored，wasremarkableforofferingnottheslightestindicationofstudiouspreoccupationormentaltraining。Alargemouth，lightblueeyes，asquarejaw，theotherfeaturesbeingindistinctive——wereimmobileasamask——exceptthat，unlikeamask，theyseemedtoactuallyreflectthevacuityofthemoodwithin，insteadofconcealingit。

Butashesalutedthetrusteestheyeachhadthesamefeelingthateventhisexpressionwasimportedandnotinstinctive。Hisfacewasclean-shaven，andhishaircutsoshortastosuggestthatawigofsomekindwasnecessarytogiveitcharacteristicorevenordinaryhumansemblance。Hismanner，self-assuredyetlackingreality，andhisdressofrespectablecutandmaterial，yetwornasifitdidnotbelongtohim，completedapictureasunlikeastudentorschoolmasterascouldbepossiblyconceived。

YettherewastheletterinMr。Peaseley’shandsfromBarstow，introducingMr。CharlesTwingasthefirstassistantteacherinthePineClearingFreeAcademy！

Thethreemenlookedhopelesslyateachother。AnairoffatiguedrighteousnessandadesiretobespirituallyatrestfromothertrialspervadedMr。Peaseley。Whetherornottheyoungmanfelttheevidentobjectionhehadraised，heassumedacarelessposition，withhisbackandelbowsagainstthebar；buteventheattitudewasclearlynothisown。

"AreyoupersonallyknowntoMr。Barstow？"askedSperry，withaslightbusinessasperity。

"Yes。"

"Thatis——youarequitewellacquaintedwithhim？"

"Ifyou’dheardmegaghisstyleaminuteago，sothateverybodyhereknewwhoitwas，you’dsayso。"

Mr。Peaseley’seyessoughttheceiling，andrestedonthehanginglamp，asifnothingshortofdirectprovidentialinterferencecouldmeettheoccasion。Yet，astheeyesofhisbrothertrusteeswerebentonhimexpectantly，henervedhimselftosaysomething。

"Isuppose，Mr。——Mr。Twing，youhaveproperlyunderstoodthegreat——

Imaysay，verygrave，intellectual，andmoralresponsibilitiesoftheworkyouseektoundertake——andthenecessityofsupportingitbyEXAMPLE，bypractice，bypersonalinfluencebothintheschoolandOUTOFIT。Sir，Ipresume，sir，youfeelthatyouarefullycompetenttoundertakethis？"

"IreckonHEdoes！"

"WHOdoes？"

"SamBarstow，orhewouldn’thaveselectedme。Ipresume"（withtheslightestpossibleandalmostinstinctiveimitationofthereverendgentleman’smanner）"hisheadisconsideredlevel。"

Mr。Peaseleywithdrewhiseyesfromtheceiling。"Ihave，"hesaidtohiscompanions，withapainedsmile，"animportantchoirmeetingtoattendthisafternoon。IfearImustbeexcused。"Ashemovedtowardsthedoor，theothersformallyfollowinghim，untiloutofthestranger’shearing，headded："Iwashmyhandsofthis。Aftersowantonandunseemlyanexhibitionofutterincompetency，andevenofunderstandingofthetrustimposeduponhim——uponUS——MY

conscienceforbidsmetointerferefurther。Buttherealarbiterinthismatterwillbe——thankHeaven！——themistressherself。Youhaveonlytoconfrontheratoncewiththisman。HERdecisionwillbespeedyandfinal。ForevenMr。Barstowwillnotdaretoforcesooutrageousacharacteruponadelicate，refinedwoman，inafamiliarandconfidentialcapacity。"

"That’sso，"saidSperryeagerly；"she’llsettleit。And，ofcourse，"addedthemill-owner，"thatwillleaveusoutofanydifficultywithSam。"

Thetwomenreturnedtothehaplessstranger，relieved，yetconstrainedbythesacrificetowhichtheyfelttheywereleadinghim。Itwouldbenecessary，theysaid，tointroducehimtohisprincipal，Mrs。Martin，atonce。Theymightstillfindherattheschoolhouse，distantbutafewsteps。Theysaidlittleelse，thestrangerkeepingupanostentatiouswhistling，andbecomingmoreandmoreincongruous，theythought，astheynearedtheprettyschoolhouse。HeretheyDIDfindMrs。Martin，whohad，naturally，lingeredaftertheinterviewwithSperry。

Shecameforwardtomeetthem，withthenervousshynessandslightlyfastidioushesitationthatwashernature。Theysaw，orfanciedtheysaw，thesamesurpriseanddisappointmenttheyhadthemselvesexperiencedpassoverhersensitiveface，asshelookedathim；theyfeltthattheirvulgarchargeappearedstillmoreoutrageousbycontrastwiththisdelicatewomanandherpretty，refinedsurroundings；buttheysawthatHEenjoyedit，andwaseven——ifsuchawordcouldbeappliedtosoself-consciousaman——

moreateaseinherpresence！

"Ireckonyouandmewillpulltogetherverywell，ma’am，"hesaidconfidently。

Theylookedtoseeherturnherbackuponhim；faint，orburstoutcrying；butshedidneither，andonlygazedathimquietly。

"It’samightyprettyplaceyou’vegothere——andIlikeit，andifWEcan’trunit，Idon’tknowwhocan。OnlyjustletmeknowWHAT

youwant，ma’am，andyoucancountonmeeverytime。"

TotheirprofoundconsternationMrs。Martinsmiledfaintly。

"ItrestswithYOUonly，Mrs。Martin，"saidSperryquicklyandsignificantly。"It’sYOURsay，youknow；you’retheonlyonetobeconsideredorconsultedhere。"

"Onlyjustsaywhatyouwantmetodo，"continuedTwing，apparentlyignoringthetrustees；"pickoutthestyleofjob；givemeahintortwohowtoworkit，orwhatyou’dthinkwouldbethepropergagtofetch’em，andI’mthere，ma’am。Itmaybenewatfirst，butI’llgetatthebusinessofitquickenough。"

Mrs。Martinsmiled——thistimequiteperceptibly——withtheleastlittlecolorinhercheeksandeyes。"Thenyou’vehadnoexperienceinteaching？"shesaid。

"Wellno。"

"Youarenotagraduateofanycollege？"

"Notmuch。"

Thetwotrusteeslookedateachother。EvenMr。Peaseleyhadnotconceivedsuchadamningrevelation。

"Well，"saidMrs。Martinslowly，"perhapsMr。TwinghadbetterCOME

EARLYTOMORROWMORNINGANDBEGIN。"

"Begin？"gaspedMr。Sperryinbreathlessastonishment。

"Certainly，"saidMrs。Martinintimidexplanation。"Ifheisnewtotheworkthesoonerthebetter。"

Mr。Sperrycouldonlygazeblanklyathisbrotherofficial。Hadtheyheardaright？Wasthistherecklessnessofnervousexcitementinawomanofdelicatehealth，orhadtheimpostorcastsomeglamouruponher？OrwasshefrightenedofSamBarstowandafraidtorejecthiscandidate？Thelastthoughtwasaninspiration。Hedrewherquicklyaside。"Onemoment，Mrs。Martin！Yousaidtomeanhouragothatyoudidn’tintendtohaveaskedMr。Barstowtosendyouanassistant。Ihopethat，merelybecauseheHASdoneso，youdon’tfeelobligedtoacceptthismanagainstyourbetterjudgment？"

"Ohno，"saidMrs。Martinquietly。

Thecaseseemedhopeless。AndSperryhadthemiserableconvictionthatbyhavinginsisteduponMrs。Martin’sjudgmentbeingfinaltheyhadestoppedtheirownrighttoobject。Buthowcouldtheyhaveforeseenherextraordinarytaste？He，however，rousedhimselfforalastappeal。

"Mrs。Martin，"hesaidinalowervoice，"IoughttotellyouthattheReverendMr。Peaseleystronglydoubtsthecompetencyofthatyoungman。"

"Didn’tMr。Barstowmakeaselectionatyourrequest？"askedMrs。

Martin，withafaintlittlenervouscough。

"Yes——but"——

"ThenhiscompetencyonlyconcernsME——andIdon’tseewhatMr。

Peaseleyhastosayaboutit。"

Couldhebelievehissenses？Therewasadecidedflushinthewoman’spaleface，andthefirstnoteofindependenceandasperityinhervoice。

Thatnight，intheprivacyofhisconjugalchamber，Mr。Sperryrelievedhismindtoanotheroftheenigmaticalsex，——thestoutSouthwesternpartnerofhisjoysandtroubles。Buttheresultwasequallyunsatisfactory。"Well，Abner，"saidthelady，"Inevercouldsee，forallyourmen’spraisesofMrs。Martin，whatthatfellercanseeinHERtolike！"

CHAPTERIII。

Mrs。Martinwasearlyattheschoolhousethenextmorning，yetnotsoearlybutthatshediscoveredthatthenewassistanthadbeentherebeforeher。Thiswasshowninsomerearrangementoftheschoolseatsandbenches。Theywereplacedsoastoformahorseshoebeforeherdesk，andatthefurtherextremityofthissemicirclewasachairevidentlyforhimself。Shewasalittlenettledathisprematureaction，althoughadmittingtheutilityofthechange，butshewasstillmoreannoyedathisabsenceatsuchamoment。Itwasnearlytheschoolhourwhenheappeared，tohersurprise，marshalingafileofsomeofthesmallerchildrenwhomhehadevidentlypickedupenroute，andwhowere，tohergreatersurprise，apparentlyonthebestoftermswithhim。"ThoughtI’dbetterrake’emin，introducemyselfto’em，andget’emtoknowmebeforeschoolbegins。Excuseme，"hewentonhastily，"butI’vealotmorecomingup，andI’dbettermakemyselfsquarewiththemOUTSIDE。"ButMrs。Martinhadapparentlydevelopedacertaindegreeofstiffnesssincetheirevening’sinterview。

"Itseemstomequiteasimportant，Mr。Twing，"shesaiddrily，"thatyoushouldfirstlearnsomeofyourownduties，whichIcamehereearlytoteachyou。"

"Notatall，"hesaidcheerfully。"TodayItakemyseat，asI’vearrangedit，yousee，overtherewiththem，andwatch’emgothroughthemotions。Onerehearsal’senoughforME。Atthesametime，Icanchipinifnecessary。"Andbeforeshecouldreplyhewasoutoftheschoolhouseagain，hailingthenew-comers。Thiswasdonewithapparentlysuchdelighttothechildrenandwithsomeevidentlyimportedexpressionintohissmoothmask-likeface，thatMrs。Martinhadtocontentherselfwithwatchinghimwithequalcuriosity。Shewasturningawaywithasuddensenseofforgottendignity，whenashoutofjoyous，childishlaughterattractedherattentiontothewindow。Thenewassistant，withhalfadozensmallchildrenonhissquareshoulders，walkingwithbentbackandeverysimulationofadvancedsenility，wasevidentlypersonating，withtheassistanceofastonishinglydistortedfeatures，theogreofaChristmaspantomime。Ashiseyecaughtherstheexpressionvanished，themask-likefacereturned；hesetthechildrendown，andmovedaway。Andwhenschoolbegan，althoughhemarshaledthemtriumphantlytotheverydoor，——withwhatcontortionoffaceorsimulationofcharactershewasunabletoguess，——afterhehadenteredtheschoolroomandtakenhisseateveryvestigeofhispreviousfacialaberrationwasgone，andonlyhisusualstolidityremained。Invain，asMrs。Martinexpected，thehundreddelightedlittleeyesbeforeherdweltatfirsteagerlyandhopefullyuponhisface，but，assheHADNOTexpected，recognizingfromtheblanknessofhisdemeanorthatthepreviousperformancewasintendedforthemexclusively，thesameeagereyeswerepresentlydroppedagainupontheirbooksinsimpleimitation，asifhewereoneofthemselves。Mrs。Martinbreathedfreely，andlessonsbegan。

Yetshewasnervouslyconscious，meanwhile，ofamoreill-omenedoccurrence。Thiswasthenon-arrivalofseveralofheroldestpupils，notably，therefractoryandincorrigiblePikeCountycontingenttowhomSperryhadalluded。Forthepastfewdaystheyhadhoveredonthevergeofactiveinsubordination，andhadindulgedinvaguemutteringswhichshehadresolutelydeterminednottohear。Itwas，therefore，withsomeinwardtrepidations，notentirelyrelievedbyTwing’spresence，thatshesawthethreeMackinnonsandthetwoHardeesslouchintotheschoolafullhourafterthelessonshadbegun。Theydidnotevenexcusethemselves，butwereproceedingwithasurlyandostentatiousdefiancetotheirseats，whenMrs。Martinwasobligedtolookup，and——astheeldestHardeefiledbeforeher——todemandanexplanation。Theculpritaddressed——adull，heavy-lookingyouthofnineteen——hesitatedwithanairofmingleddoggednessandsheepishness，andthen，withoutreplying，nudgedhiscompanion。Itwasevidentlyapreconcertedsignalofrebellion，fortheboynudgedstopped，and，turningamoreintelligent，butequallydissatisfied，faceupontheschoolmistress，begandeterminedly：——

"Wot’sourexcuseforcominganhourlate？Well，weain’tgotnone。WEdon’tcallitanhourlate——WEdon’t。Wecallittherighttime。WecallittherighttimeforOURlessons，forwedon’tallowtocomeheretosinghymnswithbabbies。Wedon’twanttoknow’where，ohwhere，aretheHebrewchildren？’Theyain’tnothin’tousAmericans。Andwedon’twantanymoreDanielsintheLions’Denplayedoffonus。Wehaveenoughof’eminSunday-

school。Weain’thankerin’muchforgrammaranddictionaryhogwash，andwedon’twantnoBostonpartso’speechrunginonusthefirstthinginthemo’nin’。Weain’tBoston——we’rePikeCounty——WEare。Wereckontodooursums，andourfiggerin’，andoursaleandbarter，andourinteresttablesandweightsandmeasureswhenthetimecomes，andourgeograffywhenit’son，andourreadin’andwritin’andtheAmericanConstitutioninreg’larhours，andthenwecalkilatetogitupandgitaforethepo’tryandtheBostonairsandgracescomeround。That’sourrightsandwhatourfatherspayschooltaxesfor，andwewant’em。"

Hestopped，lookinglesstowardstheschoolmistressthantohiscompanions，forwhomperhaps，aftertheschoolboyfashion，thisattitudewastaken。Mrs。Martinsat，quitewhiteandself-

contained，withhereyesfixedonthefrayedrimoftherebel’sstrawhatwhichhestillkeptonhishead。Thenshesaidquietly：——

"Takeoffyourhat，sir。"

Theboydidnotmove。

"Hecan’t，"saidavoicecheerfully。

Itwasthenewassistant。Thewholeschoolfacedrapidlytowardshim。Therebelleaderandhisfollowers，whohadnotnoticedhimbefore，staredattheinterrupter，whodidnot，however，seemtoexhibitanyoftheauthorityofoffice，butratherthecommentandcriticismofoneofthemselves。"Wotyoumean？"askedtheboyindignantly。

"Imeanyoucan’ttakeoffyourhatbecauseyou’vegotsomethingsstowedawayinityoudon’twantseen，"saidTwing，withanimmovableface。

"Wotthings？"exclaimedtheboyangrily。Thensuddenlyrecollectinghimself，headded，"Goalong！Youcan’tfoolme！

Thinkyou’llmakemetakeoffmyhat——don’tyou？"

"Well，"saidTwing，advancingtothesideoftherebel，"lookherethen！"Withadexterousmovementandaslightstrugglefromtheboy，heliftedthehat。Ahalf-dozenapples，abird’snest，twobirds’eggs，andaflutteringhalf-fledgedbirdfellfromit。A

waveofdelightandastonishmentranalongthebenches，ablanklookofhopelessbewildermentsettledupontheboy’sface，andthegravityofthesituationdisappearedforeverintheirrepressibleburstoflaughter，inwhichevenhisbrotherrebelsjoined。Thesmallestchildwhohadbeenhalf-frightened，half-fascinatedbythebold，bad，heroicattitudeofthemutineer，wasquicktoseetheridiculousnessofthatfigurecrownedwithcheapschoolboyplunder。

Theeloquentprotestofhiswrongswaslostintheludicrousappearanceoftheprotester。EvenMrs。Martinfeltthatnothingshecouldsayatthatmomentcouldlifttherebellionintoseriousnessagain。ButTwingwasevidentlynotsatisfied。

"BegMrs。Martin’spardon，andsayyouwerefoolin’withtheboys，"

hesaidinalowvoice。

Thediscomfitedrebelhesitated。

"Sayit，orI’llSHOWWHATYOU’VEGOTINYOURPOCKETS！"saidTwinginaterriblysignificantaside。

TheboymumbledanapologytoMrs。Martin，scrambledinablank，hopelesswaytohisseat，andthebriefrebellionignominiouslyended。ButtwothingsstruckMrs。Martinaspeculiar。Sheoverheardtheculpritsay，withbatedbreathandevidentsincerity，tohiscomrades："Hadn’tnothinginmyhat，anyway！"andoneoftheinfantclasswasheardtocomplain，inadeeply-injuredway，thatthebird’snestwasHIS，andhadbeen"stoled"fromhisdesk。

AndtherestillremainedthefactforwhichTwing’sundoubtedfascinationoverthechildrenhadsomewhatpreparedher——thatatrecessthemalcontents——oneandall——seemedtohaveforgiventhemanwhohadovercomethem，andgatheredroundhimwithunmistakableinterest。Allthis，however，didnotblindhertotheseriousintentoftherebellion，orofTwing’sunaccountableassumptionofherprerogative。Whilehewasstillrompingwiththechildrenshecalledhimin。

"Imustremindyou，"shesaid，withaslightnervousasperity，"thatthisoutrageousconductofTomHardeewasevidentlydeliberatedandpreparedbytheothers，andcannotendinthisway。"

Helookedatherwithafacesoexasperatinglyexpressionlessthatshecouldhaveslappeditasifithadbelongedtooneoftheolderscholars，andsaid，——"ButitHASended。It’sadeadfrost。"

"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean；andImustremindyoualsothatinthisschoolweneitherteachnorlearnslang。"

Hisimmobilefacechangedforaninstanttoalookofsuchdecidedadmirationthatshefelthercolorrise；buthewipedhisexpressionawaywithhishandasifithadbeensomeartificialmake-up，andsaidawkwardly，butearnestly：——

"Excuseme——won’tyou？But，lookhere，Mrs。Martin，Ifoundoutearlythismorning，whenIwassquaringmyselfwiththeotherchildren，thattherewasthisrowhangin’on——infact，thattherewasasortofideathatPikeCountywasn’thavingafairshow——

excuseme——intherunningoftheschool，andthatPeaseleyandBarstowwerealittletoomuchonineveryscene。Infact，yousee，itwasjustwhatTomsaid。"

"Thisisinsufferable，"saidMrs。Martin，hereyesgrowingdarkerashercheeksgrewred。"Theyshallgohometotheirparents，andtellthemfromme"——

"Thatthey’reallmistaken——excuseme——butthat’sjustwhatTHEY’RE

GOIN’TODO。Itellyou，Mrs。Martin，theirlittlegame’sbusted——I

begpardon——butit’sallover。You’llhavenomoretroublewiththem。"

"AndyouthinkthatjustbecauseyoufoundTomhadsomethinginhishat，andexposedhim？"saidMrs。Martinscornfully。

"TomHADN’Tanythinginhishat，"saidTwing，wipinghismouthslowly。

"Nothing？"repeatedMrs。Martin。

"No。"

"ButISAWyoutakethethingsout。"

"ThatwasonlyaTRICK！HehadnothingexceptwhatIhadupmysleeve，andforcedonhim。Heknewit，andthatfrightenedhim，andmadehimlooklikeafool，andsobursteduphisconspiracy。

There’snothin’boysaremoreafraidofthanridicule，orthemanorboythatmake’emridiculous。"

"Iwon’taskyouifyoucallthisFAIRtotheboy，Mr。Twing？"saidMrs。Martinhotly；"butisthisyourideaofdiscipline？"

"Icallitfair，becauseTomknewitwassomekindofatrick，andwasn’tdeceived。Icallitdisciplineifitmadehimdowhatwasrightafterwards，andmakeshimafraidorunwillingtodoanythingtooffendmeoryouagain。HelikesmenonetheworseforgivinghimachanceofbeinglaughedoutofathinginsteadofbeingDRIVENoutofit。And，"headded，withawkwardearnestness，"ifyou’lljustleaveallthistoME，andonlyconsidermeheretotakethissortofworkwhichain’talady’s——offyourhands，we’lljuststrikeourownlinebetweenthePeaseleysandPikeCounty——andrunthisschoolinspiteofboth。"

Alittlemollified，agooddealpuzzled，andperhapsmoreinfluencedbytheman’smannerthanshehadimagined，Mrs。Martinsaidnothing，butletthedaypasswithoutdismissingtheoffenders。Andonreturninghomethateveningshewasconsiderablysurprisedtoreceiveherlandlady’sextravagantcongratulationsontheadventofhernewassistant。"Andtheydosay，Mrs。Martin，"continuedthatladyenthusiastically，"thatyourjustsettingyourfootdownsquareonthatPeaseleyandthatBarstow，BOTHOF’EM——andchoosingyourownassistantyourself——aplainyoungfellowwithnofrillsandfancies，butonethatyoucouldsetaboutmakingallthechangesyoulike，wasjustthebiggestthingyoueverdidforPineClearing。"

"And——they——considerhimquite——competent？"saidMrs。Martin，withtimidcolorandhesitatingaudacity。

"Competent！YouaskmyJohnny。"

Nevertheless，Mrs。Martinwassomewhatformallyearlyattheschoolhousethenextmorning。"Perhaps，"shesaid，withanoddmixtureofdignityandtimidity，"we’dbetter，beforeschoolcommences，gooverthelessonsfortheday。"

"IHAVE，"hesaidquickly。"ItoldyouONErehearsalwasenoughforme。"

"Youmeanyouhavelookedoverthem？"

"Got’embyheart。Letterperfect。Wanttohearme？Listen。"

Shedid。Hehadactuallycommittedtomemory，andwithoutalapse，theentiretextofrules，questions，answers，andexamplesofthelessonsfortheday。

CHAPTERIV。

Beforeamonthhadpassed，Mr。Twing’ssuccesswassecureandestablished。Sowereafewofthechangeshehadquietlyinstituted。ThedevotionalsingingandScripturereadingwhichhadexcitedthediscontentofthePikeCountychildrenandtheirparentswasnotdiscontinued，buthalfanhourbeforerecesswasgivenuptosomesecularchoruses，patrioticortopical，inwhichthelittleonesunderTwing’sreallywonderfulpracticaltuitionexhibitedsuchquickandpleasingproficiency，thatacertainnegrominstrelcamp-meetingsongattainedsufficientpopularitytobeliftedbygeneralaccordtopromotiontothedevotionalexercises，whereiteventuallyoustedtheobjectionable"Hebrewchildren"onthequestionofmelodyalone。GrammarwasstilltaughtatPineClearingSchoolinspiteoftheHardeesandMackinnons，butTwinghadmanagedtoimportintothecognateexercisesofrecitationawonderfuldegreeofenthusiasmandexcellence。DialecticalPikeCounty，thathadrefusedtorecognizethegoverningpowersofthenominativecase，neverthelesscameoutstronginclassicalelocution，andTomHardee，whohaddeliveredhisungrammaticalprotestonbehalfofPikeCounty，wasnolessstrong，ifmoreelegant，inhisimpeachmentofWarrenHastingsasEdmundBurke，withtheequalsanctionofhisparents。Thetrustees，SperryandJackson，hadmarveled，butweregladenoughtoacceptthepopularverdict——onlyMr。Peaseleystillretainedanattitudeofmartyr-

likeforbearanceandfatiguedtolerationtowardsthenewassistantandhischanges。AstoMrs。Martin，sheseemedtoaccepttheworkofMr。Twingafterhisowndefinitionofit——asofamasculinequalityill-suitedtoalady’stastesandinclinations；butitwasnoticeablethatwhileshehadatfirstrepelledanycriticismofhimwhatever，shehadlatelybeengiventoexplaininghispositiontoherfriends，andhadspokenofhimwithsomewhatlaboredandostentatiouspatronage。Yetwhentheywerealonetogethershefranklyfoundhimveryamusing，andhispresumptionandvulgaritysoclearlyunintentionalthatitnolongeroffendedher。Theyweregoodfriendswithouthavinganyconfidencesbeyondthedutiesoftheschool；shehadaskednofurtherexplanationofthefactthathehadbeenselectedbyMr。Barstowwithoutreferencetoanyspecialantecedenttraining。Whathisactualantecedentswereshehadnevercaredtoknow，norheapparentlytoreveal；thathehadbeenengagedinsomeotheroccupationsofsuperiororinferiorqualitywouldnothavebeenremarkableinacommunitywheretheprincipallawyerhadbeenasoldier，andthemilleradoctor。ThefactthatheadmiredherwasplainenoughtoHER；thatitpleasedher，butcarriedwithitnoulteriorthoughtorresponsibility，mighthavebeenequallycleartoothers。PerhapsitwassotoHIM。

Howbeit，thiseasymutualintercoursewasonedayinterruptedbywhatseemedatriflingincident。Thepiano，whichMr。Barstowhadpromised，dulymadeitsappearanceintheschoolhouse，tothedelightofthescholarsandthegentlesatisfactionofMrs。Martin，who，inadditiontotherudimentarymusicalinstructionoftheyoungergirls，occasionallyplayeduponitherselfinaprim，refined，andconscientiousfashion。Tothis，whenshewasaloneafterschoolhours，shesometimesaddedafaint，colorlessvoiceoflimitedrangeandgentlewomanlyexpression。ItwasononeoftheseoccasionsthatTwing，becominganaccidentalauditorofthischaste，sadpiping，wasnotonlypermittedtoremaintoheartheendofalovesongofstrictlyguardedpassioninthesubjunctivemood，butattheclosewasinvitedtotryhishand——aquick，ifnotacultivatedone——attheinstrument。Hedidso。Likeher，headdedhisvoice。Likehers，itwasalovesong。Buttherethesimilitudeended。Negroindialect，illiterateinconstruction，idioticinpassion，andpresumablyaddressedtothe"RoseofAlabama，"intheveryextravaganceofitschildishinfatuationitmighthavebeenamockeryoftheschoolmistress’ssongbutforonetremendousfact！Inunrestrainedfeeling，patheticyearning，andexquisitetendernessofexpression，itwasunmistakablyandappallinglypersonalandsincere。Itwastruethelipsspokenofwere"lubly，"theeyesalludedtowerelike"lightenin’bugs，"butfromthevoiceandgesturesofthesingerMrs。MartinconfusedlyfeltthattheywereintendedforHERS，andeventherefrainthat"shedressedsoneatandlookedsosweet"wasglaringlyallusivetoherownmodishmourning。Alternatelyflushingandpaling，withahystericsmilehoveringroundhersmallreservedmouth，theunfortunategentlewomanwasfaintoturntothewindowtokeephercountenanceuntilitwasconcluded。Shedidnotaskhimtorepeatit，nordidsheagainsubjectherselftothispalpableserenade，butafewdaysafterwards，asshewasidlystrikingthekeysintheintervalofamusiclesson，oneofherlittlepupilsbrokeout，"Why，Mrs。Martin，ifyoain’tapickin’outthatpow’fulprettytunethatMr。Twingsings！"

Nevertheless，whenTwing，aweekortwolater，suggestedthathemightsingthesamesongasasoloatacertainperformancetobegivenbytheschoolchildreninaidofalocalcharity，shedrilyintimatedthatitwashardlyofacharactertosuittheentertainment。"But，"sheadded，moregently，"yourecitesowell；

whynotgivearecitation？"

Helookedatherwithquestioningandtroubledeyes，——theoneexpressionheseemedtohavelatelyacquired。"ButthatwouldbeINPUBLIC！There’llbealotofpeoplethere，"hesaiddoubtfully。

Alittleamusedatthisfirstapparentsignofawantofconfidenceinhimself，shesaid，withareassuringsmile，"Somuchthebetter，——youdoitreallytoowelltohaveitthrownawayentirelyonchildren。"

"DoYOUwishit？"hesaidsuddenly。

Somewhatconfused，butmoreirritatedbyhisabruptness，shereplied，"Whynot？"Butwhenthedaycame，andbeforeacrowdedaudience，inwhichtherewasafairsprinklingofstrangers，sheregrettedherrashsuggestion。Forwhenthepupilshadgonethroughcertaincalisthenicexercises——admirablytaughtandarrangedbyhim——and"spokentheirpieces，"hearose，and，fixinghiseyesonher，beganOthello’sdefensebeforetheDukeandCouncil。Here，asonthepreviousoccasion，shefeltherselfpersonallyalludedtoinhisaccountofhiswooing。Desdemona，forsomeoccultreason，vicariouslyappearedforherintheunwarrantablepictureofhispassion，andtothiswasaddedtheabsurdconsciousnesswhichshecouldnotputasidethattheaudience，followingwithenthusiasmhisreallystrongdeclamation，wasalsofollowinghissuggestionandadoptingit。Yetshewasalsoconscious，and，asshethought，asinconsistently，ofbeingpleasedandevenproudofhissuccess。Attheconclusiontheapplausewasgeneral，andavoiceaddedwithhuskyadmirationandfamiliarity：——

"Brayvo，JohnnyWalker！"

Twing’sfacebecamesuddenlywhiteasaPierrotmask。Therewasadeadsilence，inwhichthevoicecontinued，"Giveus’SugarintheGourd，’Johnny。"

Afewhisses，andcriesof"Hush！""Puthimout！"followed。Mrs。

Martinraisedhereyesquicklytowhereherassistanthadstoodbowinghisthanksamomentbefore。Hewasgone！

Moreconcernedthanshecaredtoconfess，vaguelyfearfulthatshewasinsomewayconnectedwithhisabruptwithdrawal，andperhapsalittleremorsefulthatshehadallowedherpersonalfeelingstointerferewithherfrankrecognitionofhistriumph，sheturnedbacktotheschoolroom，afterthelittleperformersandtheiraudiencehaddeparted，inthehopethathemightreturn。Itwasgettinglate，thenearlylevelraysofthesunwerelyingontheemptybenchesatthelowerendoftheroom，butthedeskwhereshesatwithitslidraisedwasindeepshadow。Suddenlysheheardhisvoiceinarearhall，butitwasaccompaniedbyanother’s，——thesamevoicewhichhadinterruptedtheapplause。Beforeshecouldeitherwithdraw，ormakeherselfknown，thetwomenhadenteredtheroom，andwerepassingslowlythroughit。SheunderstoodatoncethatTwinghadslippedoutintoajanitor’sroomintherear，wherehehadevidentlyforcedaninterviewandexplanationfromhisinterrupter，andnowhadbeenwaitingfortheaudiencetodispersebeforeemergingbythefrontdoor。Theyhadevidentlyoverlookedherintheshadow。

"But，"saidthestranger，asiffollowinganaggrievedlineofapology，"ifBarstowknewwhoyouwere，andwhatyou’ddone，andstillthoughtyougoodenoughtorastleroundhereandsquareupthemPikeCountyfellersandthemkids——whatinthunderdoyoucareiftheothersDOfindyouout，aslongasBarstowstickstoyou？"

"I’vetoldyouwhy，Dick，"returnedTwinggloomily。

"Oh，theschoolma’am！"

"Yes，she’sasaint，anangel。Morethanthat——she’salady，Dick，tothetipofherfingers，whoknowsnothingoftheworldoutsideaparson’sstudy。Shetookmeontrust——withoutaword——whenthetrusteeshungbackandstared。She’sneveraskedmeaboutmyself，andnowwhensheknowswhoandwhatIhavebeen——she’llloatheme！"

"Butlookhere，Jim，"saidthestrangeranxiously。"I’llsayit’sallalie。I’llcomehereandapologizetoyouaforeHER，andsayItookyouforsomebodyelse。I’ll"——

"It’stoolate，"saidTwingmoodily。

"Andwhat’llyoudo？"

"Leavehere。"

Theyhadreachedthedoortogether。ToMrs。Martin’sterror，asthestrangerpassedout，Twing，insteadoffollowinghimassheexpected，said"Good-night，"andgloomilyre-enteredtheschoolroom。

Herehepausedamoment，andthenthrowinghimselfononeofthebenches，droppedhisheaduponadeskwithhisfaceburiedinhishands——likeaveryschoolboy。

WhatpassedthroughMrs。Martin’smindIknownot。Foramomentshesaterectandrigidatherdesk。Thensheslippedquietlydown，and，softlyasoneofthelastshadowscastbythedyingsun，glidedacrossthefloortowherehesat。

"Mrs。Martin，"hesaid，startingtohisfeet。

"Ihaveheardall，"shesaidfaintly。"Icouldn’thelpit。Iwasherewhenyoucamein。ButIwanttotellyouthatIamcontenttoknowyouonlyasyouseemtobe，——asIhavealwaysfoundyouhere，——

strongandloyaltoadutylaiduponyoubythosewhohadafullknowledgeofallyouhadbeen。"

"Didyou？DoyouknowwhatIhavebeen？"

Mrs。Martinlookedfrightened，trembledamoment，and，recoveringherselfwithaneffort，saidgently，"Iknownothingofyourpast。"

"Nothing？"herepeated，withamirthlessattemptatlaughter，andaquickbreath。"NotthatI’vebeena——a——mountebank，avarietyactor——aclown，youknow，fortheamusementofthelowest，attwenty-fivecentsaticket。ThatI’m’JohnnyWalker，’thesonganddanceman——theall-roundman——selectedbyMr。Barstowtoteachtheseboorsalessonastowhattheywanted！"

Shelookedathimamoment——timidly，yetthoughtfully。"Thenyouareanactor——apersonwhosimulateswhathedoesnotfeel？"

"Yes。"

"Andallthetimeyouhavebeenhereyouhavebeenactingtheschoolmaster——playingapart——for——forMr。Barstow？"

"Yes。"

"Always？"

"Yes。"

Thecolorcamesoftlytoherfaceagain，andhervoicewasverylow。"Andwhenyousangtomethatday，andwhenyoulookedatme——

asyoudid——anhourortwoago——whileyouwereentertaining——youwere——only——acting？"

Mr。Twing’sanswerwasnotknown，butitmusthavebeenafullandcompleteone，foritwasquitedarkwhenhelefttheschoolroom——

NOTforthelasttime——withitsmistressonhisarm。

INAPIONEERRESTAURANT。

CHAPTERI。

Therewasprobablynoearthlyreasonwhythe"PocoMasoMenos"

ClubofSanFranciscoshouldhaveeverexisted，orwhyitsfiveharmless，indistinctivemembersshouldnothavemetanddinedtogetherasordinaryindividuals。Stilllesswasthereanyjustificationforthegratuitousopinionwhichobtained，thatitwasbold，bad，andbrilliant。Lookingbackuponitoveraquarterofacenturyandhalfaglobe，IconfessIcannotrecallasinglewitticism，audacity，orhumorouscharacteristicthatbelongedtoit。Yettherewasnodoubtthatwewerethoughttobeextremelycriticalandsatirical，andIaminclinedtothinkwehonestlybelievedit。TotakeourseatsonWednesdaysandSaturdaysataspeciallyreservedtableattherestaurantwepatronized，tobeconsciousofbeingobservedbytheotherguests，andofourwaiterconfidentiallyimpartingourfametostrangersbehindtheshaken-

outfoldsofanapkin，andofknowingthatthefaintestindicationofmerrimentfromourtablethrilledtheotherguestswithanticipatorysmiles，was，Iamfirmlyconvinced，allthatweeverdidtojustifyourreputations。Nor，strictlyspeaking，wereweremarkableasindividuals；anassistanteditor，alawyer，ayoungarmyquartermaster，abankclerkandaminingsecretary——wecouldnotseparatelychallengeanyspecialsocialorliterarydistinction。

YetIamsatisfiedthattheverynameofourClub——acommonSpanishcolloquialism，literallymeaning"alittlemoreorless，"andadoptedinCalifornianslangtoexpressanunknownquantity——wassupposedtoberepletewithdeepandconvulsinghumor。

Myimpressionisthatourextravagantreputation，and，indeed，ourcontinuedexistenceasaClub，wasduesolelytotheproprietoroftherestaurantandtwoofhiswaiters，andthatwewereactually"run"bythem。Whenthesuggestionofourmeetingregularlytherewasfirstbroachedtotheproprietor——aGermanofslowbutdeepemotions——hereceiveditwitha"So"ofsuchimpressivesatisfactionthatitmighthavebeenthebeginningofourvainglory。Fromthatmomenthebecameatonceourpatronandourdevotedslave。Tolingernearourtableonceortwiceduringdinnerwithanairofrespectfulvacuity，——asofonewhoknewhimselftoowelltobeguiltyofthepresumptionofattemptingtounderstandourbrilliancy，——towearacertainparentalprideandunconsciousnessinourfame，andyettonevergofurtherinseemingtocomprehenditthantoobliginglytranslatethenameoftheClubas"aleedlemoreandnodquidesomuch"——wastohimsufficienthappiness。ThatheeverexperiencedanybusinessprofitfromthecustomoftheClub，oritsadvertisement，maybegreatlydoubted；onthecontrary，thatafewplaincustomers，nettledatourself-satisfaction，mighthaveresentedhisfavoritismseemedmoreprobable。Equallyvague，disinterested，andloyalwastheattachmentofthetwowaiters，——oneanItalian，faintlyreminiscentofbetterdaysandpossiblysuperiorextraction；theotheraroughbutkindlyWesternman，whomighthavetakenthismenialpositionfromtemporarystressofcircumstances，yetwhocontinuedinitfromsheerdominanceofhabitandsomefeeblenessofwill。Theybothviedwitheachothertopleaseus。

Itmayhavebeentheyconsideredtheirattendanceuponareputedintellectualcompanylessdegradingthanministeringtothepurelyanimalandsilentwantsoftheaveragecustomers。Itmayhavebeenthattheywereattractedbyourgeneralyouthfulness。Indeed，IaminclinedtothinkthattheythemselvesweremuchmoredistinctiveandinterestingthananymembersoftheClub，anditistointroduceTHEMthatIventuretorecallsomuchofitshistory。

Afewmonthsafterouradventattherestaurant，oneevening，JoeTallant，theminingsecretary，oneofourliveliestmembers，wasobservedtobeawkwardanddistraitduringdinner，forgettingeventooffertheusualgratuitytotheItalianwaiterwhohandedhimhishat，althoughhestaredathimwithanimbecilesmile。Aswechancedtoleavetherestauranttogether，Iwasrallyinghimuponhisabstraction，whentomysurprisehesaidgravely："Lookhere，oneoftwothingshasgottohappen：eitherwemustchangeourrestaurantorI’mgoingtoresign。"

"Why？"

"Well，tomakemattersclear，I’mobligedtotellyousomethingthatinourbusinessweusuallykeepasecret。AboutthreeweeksagoIhadanoticetotransfertwentyfeetofGoldHilltoafellownamed’Tournelli。’Well，Tournellihappenedtocallforithimself，andwhothedevildoyousupposeTournelliwas？WhyourItalianwaiter。Iwasregularlystartled，andsowashe。Butbusinessisbusiness；soIpassedhimoverthestockandsaidnothing——nordidhe——neithertherenorhere。Daybeforeyesterdayhehadthirtyfeetmoretransferredtohim，andsoldout。"

"Well？"Isaidimpatiently。

"Well，"repeatedTallantindignantly。"GoldHill’sworthsixhundreddollarsafoot。That’seighteenthousanddollarscash。

Andamanwho’sgoodenoughforthatmuchmoneyistoogoodtowaituponme。Fancyamanwhocouldpaymywholeyear’ssalarywithfivefeetofstockslinginghashtoME。FancyYOUtippinghimwithaquarter！"

"ButifHEdon’tmindit——andpreferstocontinueawaiter——whyshouldYOUcare？AndWE’REnotsupposedtoknow。"

"That’sjustit，"groanedTallant。"That’sjustwherethesellcomesin。Thinkhowhemustchuckleoverus！No，sir！There’snothingaristocraticaboutme；but，bythunder，ifIcan’teatmydinner，andfeelIamasgoodasthemanwhowaitsonme，I’llresignfromtheClub。"

Afterendeavoringtopointouttohimthefollyofsuchaproceeding，IfinallysuggestedthatweshouldtaketheothermembersofourClubintoourconfidence，andabidebytheirdecision；towhichheagreed。But，tohischagrin，theothers，farfromparticipatinginhisdelicacy，seemedtoenjoyTournelli’sunexpectedwealthwithavicarioussatisfactionandincreaseofdignityasifwewerepersonallyresponsibleforit。Althoughithadbeenunanimouslyagreedthatweshouldmakenoallusions，jocoseorserious，tohim，norbetrayanyknowledgeofitbeforehim，Iamafraidourattitudeatthenextdinnerwassingularlyartificial。Anervousexpectancywhenheapproachedus，andacertainrestraintduringhispresence，adispositiontocheckanydiscussionofsharesor"strikes"inmininglestheshouldthinkitpersonal，anavoidanceofunnecessaryortrifling"orders，"andasingularpatienceinawaitingtheirexecutionwhengiven；avaguehoveringbetweensympatheticrespectandtheotherextremeofindifferentbluntnessinourrequests，tended，Ithink，tomakethatmealfarfromexhilarating。Indeed，theunusualdepressionaffectedtheunfortunatecauseofit，whoaddedtoourconfusionbyincreasedsolicitudeofserviceand——asiffearfulofsomefault，orhavingincurredourdisfavor——byadeprecatoryandexaggeratedhumilitythatinoursensitivestateseemedlikethekeenestirony。

Atlast，evidentlyinterpretingourconstraintbeforehimintoadesiretobealone，heretiredtothedoorofadistantpantry，whencehesurveyeduswithdarkandsorrowfulSoutherneyes。

Tallant，whointhisgeneralembarrassmenthadbeenimperfectlyserved，andhadeatennothing，herefelthisgrievancereachitsclimax，andinasuddenoutbreakofrecklessnessheroaredout，"Hi，waiter——you，Tournelli。Hemay，"headded，turningdarklytous，"buyupenoughstocktocontroltheboardanddismissME；but，bythunder，ifitcostsmemyplace，I’mgoingtohavesomemorechicken！"

Itwasprobablythissensitivenessthatkeptusfromquestioninghim，evenindirectly，andperhapsledusintothewildestsurmises。

Hewasactingsecretlyforabrotherhoodorsocietyofwaiters；hewasasilentpartnerofhisGermanemployer；hewasadisguisedItalianstockbroker，gaining"points"fromtheunguardedconversationof"operating"customers；hewasapoliticalrefugeewithcapital；hewasafugitiveSicilianbandit，investinghisill-

gottengainsinCalifornia；hewasadissipatedyoungnobleman，followingsomeamorousintrigueacrosstheocean，andactingashisownFigaroorLeporello。Ithinkamajorityofusfavoredthelatterhypothesis，possiblybecausewewereyoung，andhisappearancegaveitcolor。Histhinblackmustachesanddarkeyes，wefelt，wereTuscanandaristocratic；atleast，theywerelikethebaritonewhoplayedthoseparts，andHEoughttoknow。Yetnothingcouldbemoreexemplaryandfastidiousthanhisconducttowardsthefewladyfrequentersofthe"PoodleDog"restaurant，who，Iregrettosay，werenotpuritanicallyreservedorconventualinmanner。

Butanunexpectedcircumstancepresentlychangedanddividedourinterest。ItwasallegedbyClay，theassistanteditor，thatenteringtherestaurantoneeveninghesawthebackandtailsofacoatthatseemedfamiliartohimhalf-fillingadoorwayleadingtotherestaurantkitchen。ItwasunmistakablythefigureofoneofourClubmembers，——theyounglawyer，——JackManners。Butwhatwashedoingthere？WhiletheEditorwasstillgazingafterhim，hesuddenlydisappeared，asifsomeonehadwarnedhimthathewasobserved。Ashedidnotreappear，whenTournellienteredfromthekitchenafewmomentslater，theEditorcalledhimandaskedforhisfellow-member。TohissurprisetheItaliananswered，witheveryappearanceoftruthfulness，thathehadnotseenMr。Mannersatall！TheEditorwasstaggered；butashechanced，somehourslater，tomeetManners，heplayfullyralliedhimonhismysteriousconferencewiththeItalian。MannersrepliedbrieflythathehadhadnointerviewwhateverwithTournelli，andchangedthesubjectquickly。Themystery——aswepersistedinbelievingit——washeightenedwhenanothermemberdeposedthathehadseen"Tom，"theWesternwaiter，comingfromManners’soffice。AsMannershadvolunteerednoinformationofthis，wefeltthatwecouldnotwithoutindelicacyaskhimifTomwasaclient，oramessengerfromTournelli。TheonlyresultwasthatourClubdinnerwasevenmoreconstrainedthanbefore。Notonlywas"Tom"nowinvestedwithadarkimportance，butitwasevidentthattheharmonyoftheClubwasdestroyedbythesesingularsecretrelationsoftwoofitsmemberswiththeiremployes。

Itchancedthatonemorning，arrivingfromadelayedjourney，I

droppedintotherestaurant。Itwasthatslackhourbetweenthelingeringbreakfastandcomingluncheonwhenthetablesarepartlystrippedandunknowndoors，openedforventilation，revealthedistantkitchen，andamingledflavorofcoldcoffee-groundsandlukewarmsoupshangsheavyontheair。Tothischeerlessnesswasaddedagustyrainwithout，thatfilmedthepanesofthewindowsanddoors，andveiledfromthepasser-bytheusualtemptingdisplayofsnowyclothsandchina。