第6章
Therewasapauseofreluctantmurmuring。Butthewarningwasenforcedbyacommandfromanothervoice——weak，unheroic，butfamiliar，"Iorderthisyertostop——rightyer！"
Aburstofironicallaughterfollowed。ThevoicewasUncleBen’s。
"Standback！Thisisnotimeforfoolin’，"saidthesheriffroughly。
"He’sright，SheriffBriggs，"saidStacey’svoicehurriedly；
"you’reactingforHIM；he’stheowneroftheland。"
"What？ThatBenDabney？"
"Yes；he’sDaubigny，whoboughtthetitlefromus。"
Therewasamomentaryhush，andthenahurriedmurmur。
"Whichmeans，gents，"roseUncleBen’svoicepersuasively，"thatthisyeryoungman，thoughfair-mindedandwell-intended，hezbinaleetletoochipperandpreviousinorderin’outthelaw。Thisyerain’tnolawmatterwithME，boys。Itain’ttobesettledbylaw-
papers，norshot-gunsandderingers。It’ssuthin’tobechawedoversociable-like，betweendrinks。Efanyharmhezbindone，efanythin’shappened，I’myerto’demnifythesheriff，andmakeitcomf’bleallround。Yerknowme，boys。I’mtalkin’。It’sme——
Dabney，orDaubigny，whicheverwayyoulikeit。"
Butinthesilencethatfollowed，thepassionshadnotyetevidentlycooled。ItwasbrokenbythesarcasticdrawlofDickMcKinstry："IfthemHarrisonsdon’tmindhevenhadtheirmedderstrampledoverbyafewwhitemen，why"——
"Thesheriffez’demnifiedforthat，"interruptedUncleBenhastily。
"’NefDickMcKinstrydon’tmindthedamagetohispantsincrawlin’outo’gunshotinthetallgrass"——retortedJoeHarrison。
"I’myertosettlethat，boys，"saidUncleBencheerfully。
"Butwho’llsettleTHIS？"clamoredthevoiceoftheolderHarrisonfrombehindthebarnwherehehadstumbledincrossingthefallenhay。"Yer’sSethDavislyin’inthehaywiththetopofhisheadbusted。Who’stopayforthat？"
Therewasarushtothespot，andaquickcryofreaction。
"Whoseworkisthis？"demandedthesheriff’svoice，withofficialseverity。
Themasterutteredaninstinctiveexclamationofdefiance，anddroppingquicklytothebarnfloor，wouldthenextmomenthaveopenedthedooranddeclaredhimself，butMrs。McKinstry，afterasingleglanceathisdeterminedface，suddenlythrewherselfbeforehimwithanimperiousgestureofsilence。Thenhervoicerangclearlyfromthebarn：——
"Well，ifit’sthehoundthattriedtoforcehiswayinyer，I
reckonyekinputthatdowntoME！"
CHAPTERX。
ItwasknowntoIndianSpring，thenextday，amidgreatexcitement，thataseriousfracashadbeenpreventedontheill-fatedboundarybythedramaticappearanceofUncleBenDabney，notonlyasapeacemaker，butasMr。Daubignythebonafidepurchaserandowneroftheland。Itwasknownandacceptedwithgreathilaritythat"oldmarmMcKinstry"haddefendedthebarnaloneandunaided，with——
asvariouslystated——apitchfork，anoldstable-broom，andapailofdirtywater，againstHarrison，hisparty，andtheentireableposseoftheSheriffofTuolumneCounty，withnofurtherdamagethanascalpwoundwhichtheheadofSethDavisreceivedwhilefallingfromtheloftofthebarnfromwhichhehadbeendislodgedbyMrs。McKinstryandthebroomaforesaid。Itwasknownwithunanimousapprobationthattheacquisitionoftheland-titlebyahithertohumblecitizenofIndianSpringwasatriumphofthesettlementoverforeigninterference。Butitwasnotknownthattheschool-masterwasaparticipantinthefight，orevenpresentonthespot。AtMrs。McKinstry’ssuggestionhehadremainedconcealedintheloftuntilafterthewithdrawalofbothpartiesandthestillunconsciousSeth。WhenFordhadremonstrated，withtheremarkthatSethwouldbesuretodeclarethetruthwhenherecoveredhissenses，Mrs。McKinstrysmiledgrimly："IreckonwhenhecomestoknowIwaswithyeallthetime，he’dratherhevitallowedthatIlickedhimthanYOU。Idon’tsayhe’llletitpassezfarezyou’reconcernedorwon’ttrytogetevenwithye，buthewon’tgoroundtellin’WHY。However，"sheaddedstillmoregrimly，"ifyouthinkyou’reekultotellin’thehullstory——howyekemtobeyerandthatSethwasn’tlyin’arterallwhenheblurteditoutafore’em——whyIsha’n’thinderye。"Themastersaidnomore。AndindeedforadayortwonothingtranspiredtoshowthatSethwasnotequallyreticent。
NeverthelessMr。Fordwasfarfrombeingsatisfiedwiththeissueofhisadventure。HisrelationswithCressywereknowntothemother，andalthoughshehadnotagainalludedtothem，shewouldprobablyinformherhusband。Yethecouldnothelpnoticing，withaminglingofunreasoningreliefandequallyunreasoningdistrust，thatsheexhibitedascornfulunconcerninthematter，apartfromthesingularusetowhichshehadputit。HecouldhardlycountuponMcKinstry，withhisheavy，blinddevotiontoCressy，beingasindifferent。Onthecontrary，hehadacquiredtheimpression，withoutcaringtoexamineitclosely，thatherfatherwouldnotbedispleasedathismarryingCressy，foritwouldreallyamounttothat。Buthereagainhewasforcedtocontemplatewhathehadalwaysavoided，thepossiblemeaningandresultoftheirintimacy。
Inthereckless，thoughtless，extravagant——yetthusfarinnocent——
indulgenceoftheirmutualpassion，hehadneverspokenofmarriage，nor——anditstruckhimnowwiththesameincongruousminglingofreliefanduneasiness——hadSHE！PerhapsthismighthavearisenfromsomesuperstitiousorsensitiverecollectiononherpartofherpreviousengagementtoSeth，butherememberednowthattheyhadnotevenexchangedtheusualvowsofeternalconstancy。Itmayseemstrangethat，inthehalf-dozenstolenandrapturousinterviewswhichhadtakenplacebetweentheseyounglovers，therehadbeennosuggestionofthefuture，noranyofthoseglowingprojectsforauniteddestinypeculiartotheiryearsandinexperience。Theyhadlivedentirelyinablissfulpresent，withnoplansbeyondtheirnextrendezvous。Inthatmysteriousandsuddenabsorptionofeachother，notonlythepast，butthefutureseemedtohavebeenforgotten。
Thesethoughtswerepassingthroughhismindthenextafternoontotheprejudiceofthatcalmandstudiousreposewhichthedesertedschool-houseusuallysuperinduced，andwhichhadbeensofondlynotedbyMcKinstryandUncleBen。Thelatterhadnotarrivedforhisusuallesson；itwaspossiblethatundueattentionhadbeenattractedtohismovementsnowthathisgoodfortunewasknown；andthemasterwasalonesavefortheoccasionalswoopingincursionofadepredatoryjayinsearchofcrumbsfromthechildren’sluncheons，whoaddedapparentlyquerulousinsulttothelarcenousact。HeregrettedUncleBen’sabsence，ashewantedtoknowmoreabouthisconnectionwiththeHarrisonattackandhiseventualintentions。Eversincethemasteremergedfromthebarnandregainedhishotelundercoverofthedarkness，hehadheardonlythevaguestrumors，andhepurposelyavoideddirectinquiry。
HehadbeenquitepreparedforCressy’sabsencefromschoolthatmorning——indeedinhispresentvacillatingmoodhehadfeltthatherpresencewouldhavebeenirksomeandembarrassing；butitstruckhimsuddenlyandunpleasantlythathereasydesertionofhimatthatcriticalmomentinthebarnhadnotsincebeenfollowedbytheleastsignofanxietytoknowtheresultofhermother’sinterference。WhatdidsheimaginehadtranspiredbetweenMrs。
McKinstryandhimself？Hadsheconfidentlyexpectedhermother’spromptacceptanceofthesituationandareconciliation？Wasthatthereasonwhyshehadtreatedthatinterruptionaslightlyasifshewerealreadyhisrecognizedbetrothed？Hadsheevencalculateduponit？hadshe——？Hestopped，hischeekglowingfromirritationunderthesuspicion，andshameatthedisloyaltyofentertainingit。
Openinghisdesk，hebegantoarrangehispapersmechanically，whenhediscovered，withaslightfeelingofannoyance，thathehadplacedCressy’sbouquet——nowdriedandwithered——inthesamepigeon-holewiththemysteriousletterswithwhichhehadsooftencommunedinformerdays。Heatonceseparatedthemwithahalfbittersmile，yetafteramoment’shesitation，andwithhisoldsenseofattemptingtoreviveaforgottenassociation，hetriedtore-perusethem。Buttheydidnotevenrestrainhisstrayingthoughts，norpreventhimfromdetectingasingularoccurrence。
Thenearlylevelsunwas，afteritsoldfashion，alreadyhangingtheshadowedtasselsofthepineboughslikeagarlandonthewall。
Buttheshadowseemedtohavesuddenlygrownlargerandmorecompact，andheturned，withaquickconsciousnessofsomeinterposingfigureatthepane。Nothinghoweverwastobeseen。
Yetsoimpressedhadhebeenthathewalkedtothedoorandsteppedfromtheporchtodiscovertheintruder。Theclearingwasdeserted，therewasaslightrustlingintheadjacentlaurels，butnohumanbeingwasvisible。NeverthelesstheoldfeelingofsecurityandisolationwhichhadneverbeenquitethesamesinceMr。McKinstry’sconfession，seemednowtohavefledthesylvanschool-housealtogether，andhesomewhatangrilyclosedhisdesk，lockedit，anddeterminedtogohome。
Hiswaylaythroughthefirstbeltofpinestowardsthemining-
flat，butto-dayfromsomevagueimpulseheturnedandfollowedtheridge。HehadnotproceededfarwhenheperceivedRupertFilgeeloungingbeforehimonthetrail，andatalittledistancefurtheronhisbrotherJohnny。AtthesightofthesetwofavoritepupilsMr。Ford’sheartsmotehimwithaconsciousnessthathehadoflateneglectedthem，possiblybecauseRupert’sloftyscornofthe"silly"sexwasnotasamusingtohimasformerly，andpossiblybecauseJohnny’scuriosityhadbeenattimesobtrusive。HehoweverquickenedhispaceandjoinedRupert，layinghishandfamiliarlyasofoldonhisshoulder。Tohissurprisetheboyreceivedhisadvanceswithsomeconstraintandawkwardness，glancinguneasilyinthedirectionofJohnny。AsuddenideacrossedMr。Ford’smind。
"Wereyoulookingformeattheschoolroomjustnow？"
"No，sir。"
"Youdidn’tlookinatthewindowtoseeifIwasthere？"continuedthemaster。
"No，sir。"
ThemasterglancedatRupert。Truth-tellingwasapartofRupert’struculenttemper，although，astheboyhadoftenbitterlyremarked，ithadalways"toldagin’him。"
"Allright，"saidthemaster，perfectlyconvinced。"Itmusthavebeenmyfancy；butIthoughtsomebodylookedin——orpassedbythewindow。"
ButhereJohnny，whohadoverheardthedialogueandapproachedthem，suddenlythrewhimselfuponhisbrother’sunoffendinglegsandcommencedtobeatandpullthemaboutwithunintelligibleprotests。Rupert，withoutlookingdown，saidquietly，"Quitthatnow——Iwon’t，Itellye，"andwentthroughcertainautomaticmovementsofdislodgingJohnnyasifhewereamereimpedingpuppy。
"What’sthematter，Johnny？"saidthemaster，towhomthesegyrationswerenotunfamiliar。
Johnnyonlyrepliedbyanewgripofhisbrother’strousers。
"Well，sir，"saidRupert，slightlyrecoveringhisdimplesandhisreadiness，"Johnny，yer，wantsmetotellyesomething。Efhewasn’tthemostoriginalself-cocking，God-forsakenliarinInjinSpring——efhedidn’tlieawakeinhiscribmornin’stoinventliesfertheday，Iwouldn’tmindtellin’ye，andwouldhevtoldyoubefore。However，sinceyouask，andsinceyouthinkyousawsomebodyaroundtheschool-house，JohnnyyerallowsthatSethDavisisspyin’roundandfollowin’yewhereveryougo，andhedraggedmedownyertoseeit。Hesayshesawhimdoggin’ye。"
"Withaknifeandpithtolth，"addedJohnny’sboundlessimagination，tothedetrimentofhislimitedfacts。
Mr。Fordlookedkeenlyfromtheonetotheother，butratherwithasuspicionthattheywerecognizantofhislatefracasthanbeliefinthetruthofJohnny’sstatement。
"AndwhatdoYOUthinkofit，Rupert？"heaskedcarelessly。
Ithink，sir，"saidRupert，"thatallowin’——foronct——thatJohnnyain’tlying，mebbeeit’sCressyMcKinstrythatSeth’shuntin’
round，andknowin’thatshe’salwaysrunnin’afteryou"——hestopped，andreddeningwithanewbornsensethathisfataltruthfulnesshadledhimintoaglaringindelicacytowardsthemaster，hurriedlyadded："Imean，sir，thatmebbeeit’sUncleBenhe’sjealousof，nowthathe’sgotrichenoughforCressytohevhim，andknowin’hecomestoschoolintheafternoonperhaps"——
"’Tain’teither！"brokeinJohnnypromptly。"Theth’sovertherbeyondthethchool，andCrethy’seatin’ithecreamatthebakerthwithUncleBen。"
"Well，supposesheis，Sethdon’tknowit，silly！"answeredRupert，sharply。Thenmorepolitelytothemaster："That’sit！SethhasseenUncleBengallivantingwithCressyandthinkshe’sbringingheroveryer。Don’tyousee？"
Themasterhoweverdidnotseebutonething。Thegirlwhohadonlytwodaysagocarelesslyleftittohimtoexplainacompromisingsituationtohermother——thisgirlwhohadprecipitatedhimintoafrontierfighttotheperilofhispositionandhergoodname，wascalmlyeatingiceswithanavailablesuitorwithouttheleastconcernofthepast！Theconnectionwasperhapsillogical，butitwasunpleasant。ItwasthemoreawkwardfromthefactthathefanciedthatnotonlyRupert’sbeautifuleyes，buteventheinfantJohnny’sroundones，werefixeduponhimwithanembarrassedexpressionofhesitatingandforebodingsympathy。
"IthinkJohnnybelieveswhathesays——don’tyou，Johnny？"hesmiledwithanassumptionofcheerfulease，"butIseenonecessityjustyetforbindingSethDavisovertokeepthepeace。Tellmeaboutyourself，Rupe。IhopeUncleBendoesn’tthinkofchanginghisyoungtutorwithhisgoodfortune？"
"No，sir，"returnedRupertbrightening；"hepromisestotakemetoSacramentowithhimashisprivatesecretaryorconfidentialclerk，youknow，ef——ef"——hehesitatedagainwithveryun-Rupert-likecaution，"efthingsgoashewants’em。"Hestoppedawkwardlyandhisbrowneyesbecameclouded。"Likeeznot，Mr。Ford，he’sonlyfoolin’me——and——HIMSELF。"Theboy’seyessoughtthemaster’scuriously。
"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"returnedMr。Forduneasily，withacertainrecollectionofUncleBen’striumphoverhisownincredulity；"hesurelyhasn’tshownhimselfafooloraboastersofar。Iconsideryourprospectaveryfairone，andIwishyoujoyofit，myboy。"HeranhisfingersthroughRupert’scurlsinhisoldcaressingfashion，themoretenderlyperhapsthathefanciedhestillsawsymptomsofstormyandwetweatherintheboy’sbrowneyes。"Runalonghome，bothofyou，anddon’tworryyourselvesaboutme。"
Heturnedaway，buthadscarcelyproceededhalfadozenyardsbeforehefeltatugathiscoat。LookingdownhesawthediminutiveJohnny。"They’llbecomin’homethithway，"hesaid，reachingupinahoarseconfidentialwhisper。
"Who？"
"Crethyand’im。"
Butbeforethemastercouldmakeanyresponsetothispresumablygratifyinginformation，Johnnyhadrejoinedhisbrother。Thetwoboyswavedtheirhandstowardshimwiththesamediffidentandmysterioussympathythatlefthimhesitatingbetweenasmileandafrown。Thenheproceededonhisway。Nevertheless，fornootherreasonthanthathefeltasuddendistastetomeetinganyone，whenhereachedthepointwherethetraildescendeddirectlytothesettlement，heturnedintoalongerandmoresolitarydetourbythewoods。
Thesunwasalreadysolowthatitslongrayspiercedtheforestfrombeneath，andsuffusedthedimcolonnadeofstraightpineshaftswithagoldenhaze，whileitleftthedenseintercrossedbranchesfiftyfeetaboveindeepershadow。Walkinginthisyellowtwilight，withhisfeetnoiselesslytreadingdowntheyieldingcarpetofpineneedles，itseemedtothemasterthathewaspassingthroughthewoodsinadream。Therewasnosoundbutthedullintermittentdoubleknockofthewood-pecker，orthedrowsycroakofsomeearlyroostingbird；allsuggestionofthesettlement，withalltracesofhumancontiguity，wereleftfarbehind。Itwasthereforewithastrangeandnervoussenseofbeingsoftlyhailedbysomewoodlandspritethatheseemedtohearhisownnamefaintlywaftedupontheair。Heturnedquickly；itwasCressy，pantingbehindhim！Eventhen，inherwhitecloselygatheredskirts，herbaredheadandgracefularchingneckbentforward，herflyingbraidsfreedfromthestrawhatwhichshehadswungfromherarmsoasnottoimpedeherflight，therewassomuchofthefollowingMaenadaboutherthathewasforaninstantstartled。
Hestopped；sheboundedtohim，andthrowingherarmsaroundhisneckwithalightlaugh，letherselfhangforamomentbreathlessonhisbreast。Thenrecoveringherspeechshesaidslowly：——
"IstartedonanInjintrotafteryou，justasyouturnedoffthetrail，butyou’dgotsofaraheadwhileIwasshakingmyselfclearofUncleBenthatIhadtojistlopethewholewaythroughthewoodstocatchup。"Shestopped，andlookingupintohistroubledfacecaughthischeeksbetweenherhands，andbringinghisknitbrowsdowntothelevelofherhumidblueeyessaid，"Youhaven’tkissedmeyet。What’sthematter？"
"Doesn’titstrikeyouthatImightaskthatquestion，consideringthatit’sthreedayssinceI’veseenyou，andthatyouleftme，inaratherawkwardposition，toexplainmatterstoyourmother？"hesaidcoldly。Hehadformulatedthesentenceinhismindsomemomentsbefore，butnowthatitwasuttered，itappearedsingularlyweakandimpotent。
"That’sso，"shesaidwithafranklaugh，buryingherfaceinhiswaistcoat。"Yousee，dandyboy"——hispetname——"Ireckonedforthatreasonwe’dbetterlielowforadayortwo。Well，"shecontinued，untyinghiscravatandretyingitagain，"howDIDyoucrawloutofit？"
"Doyoumeantosayyourmotherdidnottellyou？"heaskedindignantly。
"Whyshouldshe？"returnedCressylazily。"Shenevertalkstomeofthesethings，honey。"
"Andyouknewnothingaboutit？"
Cressyshookherhead，andthenwindingoneofherlongbraidsaroundtheyoungman’sneck，offeredtheendofittohismouth，andonhissternlydecliningit，tookitinherown。
Yetevenherignoranceofwhathadreallyhappeneddidnotaccounttothemasterfortheindifferenceofherlongsilence，andalbeitconsciousofsomeinefficiencyinhispresentunheroicattitude，hecontinuedsarcastically，"MayIaskWHATyouimaginedwouldhappenwhenyouleftme？"
"Well，"saidCressyconfidently，"Ireckoned，chile，youcouldlieaswellasthenextman，andthat，beinggifted，you’dslingMawsomethingnewandpurty。Why，Iain’tgotnofancy，butIfixedupsomethingagainstPaw’squestioningME。ImadethatconceitedMasterspromisetoswearthatHEwasinthebarnwithme。ThenI
calculatedtotellPawthatyoucamemeanderingalongjustbeforeMawpoppedin，andthatIskedaddledtojoinMasters。Ofcourse，"
sheaddedquickly，tighteningherholdofthemasterashemadeasuddenattemptatwithdrawal，"Ididn’tletontoMastersWHYI
wantedhimtopromise，orthatyouwerethere。"
"Cressy，"saidFord，irritatedbeyondmeasure，"areyoumad，ordoyouthinkIam？"
Thegirl’sfacechanged。Shecastahalffrightened，halfquestioningglanceathiseyesandthenaroundthedarkeningaisle。
"Ifwe’regoingtoquarrel，Jack，"shesaidhurriedly，"don’tlet’sdoitBEFOREFOLKS。"
"InthenameofHeaven，"hesaid，followinghereyesindignantly，"whatdoyoumean？"
"Imean，"shesaid，withaslightshiverofresignationandscorn，"ifyou——ohdear！ifIT’SALLgoingtobelikeTHEM，let’skeepittoourselves。"
Hegazedatherinhopelessbewilderment。Didshereallymeanthatshewasmorefrightenedatthepossiblerevelationoftheirdisagreementthanoftheirintimacy？
"Come，"shecontinuedtenderly，stillglancing，however，uneasilyaroundher，"come！We’llbemorecomfortableinthehollow。It’sonlyastep。"Stillholdinghimbyherbraidshehalfled，halfdraggedhimaway。Totherightwasoneofthosesuddendepressionsinthegroundcausedbythesubsidenceoftheearthfromhiddenspringsandtheuprootingofoneortwoofthelargertrees。Whenshehadforcedhimdownthisdeclivitybelowtheleveloftheneedle-strewnforestfloor，sheseatedhimuponamossyroot，andshakingoutherskirtsinahalfchildlike，halfcoquettishway，comfortablyseatedherselfinhislap，withherarmsupplementingtheclingingbraidaroundhisneck。
"Nowharktome，anddon’thollersoloud，"shesaidturninghisfacetoherquestioningeyes。"What’sgoneofyouanyway，niggerboy？"ItshouldbepremisedthatCressy’stermsofendearmentweremainlynegro-dialectical，reminiscencesofherbriefbabyhood，herslave-nurse，andtheonlyplaymatesshehadeverknown。
Stillimplacable，themastercoldlyrepeatedthecountsofhisindictmentagainstthegirl’sstrangeindifferenceandstillstrangerentanglements，windingupbysettingforththewholestoryofhisinterviewwithhermother，hisforceddefenceofthebarn，Seth’soutspokenaccusation，andtheirsilentandfuriousstruggleintheloft。ButifhehadexpectedthatthisdaughterofaSouthwesternfighterwouldbetrayanyenthusiasmoverherlover’sparticipationinoneoftheircharacteristicfeuds——ifhelookedforanyfondpraiseforhisownprowess，hewasbitterlymistaken。
Sheloosenedherarmfromhisneckofherownaccord，unwoundthebraid，andputtinghertwolittlehandsclaspedbetweenherknees，crossedhersmallfeetbeforeher，and，albeitstillinhislap，lookedthepictureoflanguiddejection。
"Mawoughttohavemoresense，andyououghttohavelitoutofthewindowafterme，"shesaidwithalazysigh。"Fightin’ain’tinyourline——it’stoomuchlikeTHEM。ThatSeth’ssuretogetevenwithyou。"
"Icanprotectmyself，"hesaidhaughtily。Neverthelesshehadadepressingconsciousnessthathislitheandgracefulburdenwassomewhatinthewayofanyheroicexpression。
"Sethcanlickyououtofyourboots，chile，"shesaidwithnaiveabstraction。Then，ashestruggledtosecureanuprightposition，"Don’tgitriled，honey。Ofcourseyou’dletthemkillyoubeforeYOU’Dgivein。Butthat’stheirbestholt——that’stheirtrade！
That’salltheycando——don’tyousee？That’swhereYOU’REnotlikeTHEM——that’swhyyou’renottheirlowdownkind！That’swhyyou’remyboy——that’swhyIloveyou！"
Shehadthrownherwholeweightagainuponhisshouldersuntilshehadforcedhimbacktohisseat。Then，withherlockedhandsagainaroundhisneck，shelookedintentlyintohisface。Thevaryingcolordroppedfromhercheeks，hereyesseemedtogrowlarger，thesamelookofraptabsorptionandpossessionthathadsotransfiguredheryoungfaceattheballwasfixeduponitnow。Herlipspartedslightly，sheseemedtomurmurratherthanspeak：——
"Whatarethesepeopletous？WhatareSeth’sjealousies，UncleBen’sandMasters’sfoolishness，PawandMaw’squarr’lsandtantrumstoyouandme，dear？WhatisitwhatTHEYthink，whattheyreckon，whattheyplanout，andwhattheysetthemselvesagainst——tous？Weloveeachother，webelongtoeachother，withouttheirhelportheirhindrance。Fromthetimewefirstsaweachotheritwasso，andfromthattimePawandMaw，andSethandMasters，andevenYOUandME，dear，hadnothingelsetodo。ThatwasloveasIknowit；notSeth’ssneakingrages，andUncleBen’ssneakingfooleries，andMasters’ssneakingconceit，butonlylove。
Andknowingthat，IletSethrage，andUncleBendawdle，andMasterstrifle——andforwhat？Tokeepthemfrommeandmyboy。
Theyweresatisfied，andwewerehappy。"
Vagueandunreasoningasheknewherspeechtobe，theraptandperfectconvictionwithwhichitwasutteredstaggeredhim。
"Buthowisthistoend，Cressy？"hesaidpassionately。
Theabstractedlookpassed，andtheslightcoloranddelicatemobilityofherfacereturned。"Toend，dandyboy？"sherepeatedlazily。"Youdidn’tthinkofmarryingme——didyou？"
Heblushed，stammered，andsaid"Yes，"albeitwithallhispastvacillationandhispresentdistrustofher，transparentonhischeekandaudibleinhisvoice。
"No，dear，"shesaidquietly，reachingdown，untyingherlittleshoeandshakingthedustandpineneedlesfromitsrecesses，"no！
Idon’tknowenoughtobeawifetoyou，justnow，andyouknowit。
AndIcouldn’tkeepahousefitforyou，andyoucouldn’taffordtokeepMEwithoutit。Andthenitwouldbeallknown，anditwouldn’tbeustwo，dear，andourlonelymeetingsanymore。Andwecouldn’tbeengaged——thatwouldbetoomuchlikemeandSethoveragain。That’swhatyoumean，dandyboy——foryou’reonlyadandyboy，youknow，andtheydon’tgetmarriedtobackwoodSoutherngirlswhohaven’taniggertoblessthemselveswithsincethewar！
No，"shecontinued，liftingherproudlittleheadsopromptlyafterFordhadrecoveredfromhissurpriseastomaketheruseofemptyinghershoeperfectlypalpable，"no，that’swhatwe’vebothallowed，dear，allalong。Andnow，honey，it’sneartimeformetogo。Tellmesomethinggood——beforeIgo。Tellmethatyoulovemeasyouusedto——tellmehowyoufeltthatnightattheballwhenyoufirstknewwelovedeachother。Butstop——kissmefirst——
there，oncemore——forkeeps。"
CHAPTERXI。
WhenUncleBen，or"BenjaminDaubigny，Esq。，"ashewasalreadyknowninthecolumnsofthe"Star，"accompaniedMissCressyMcKinstryonherwayhomeafterthefirstdisplayofattentionandhospitalitysincehisaccessiontowealthandposition，heremainedforsomemomentsinastateofbewilderedandsmilingidiocy。Itwastruethattheirmeetingwaschanceandaccidental；itwastruethatCressyhadacceptedhisattentionwithlazyamusement；itwastruethatshehadsuddenlyandaudaciouslylefthimonthebordersoftheMcKinstrywoodsinawaythatmighthaveseemedrudeandabrupttoanyescortlessinvinciblygood-humoredthanUncleBen，butnoneofthesethingsmarredhisfatuousfelicity。Itisevenprobablethatinhisgratuitousbeliefthathistimidattentionshadbeentoomarkedandimpulsive，heattributedCressy’sflighttoamaidenlycoynessthatpleasurablyincreasedhisadmirationforherandhisconfidenceinhimself。Inhisabstractionofenjoymentandinthegatheringdarknessheranagainstafir-treeverymuchashehaddonewhilewalkingwithher，andheconfusedlyapologizedtoitashehadtoher，andbyherownappellation。Inthiswayheeventuallyoverranhistrailandfoundhimselfunexpectedlyandapologeticallyintheclearingbeforetheschool-house。
"Efthisain’tthesinglerestthing，miss，"hesaid，andthenstoppedsuddenly。Afaintnoiseintheschool-houselikethesoundofsplinteredwoodattractedhisattention。Themasterwasevidentlythere。Ifhewasalonehewouldspeaktohim。
Hewenttothewindow，lookedin，andinaninstanthisamiableabstractionlefthim。Hecreptsoftlytothedoor，triedit，andthenputtinghispowerfulshoulderagainstthepanel，forcedthelockfromitsfastenings。HeenteredtheroomasSethDavis，frightenedbutfurious，liftedhimselffrombeforethemaster’sdeskwhichhehadjustbrokenopen。HehadbarelytimetoconcealsomethinginhispocketandclosethelidagainbeforeUncleBenapproachedhim。
"Whatmouutyebedoin’here，SethDavis？"heaskedwiththeslowdeliberationwhichinthatlocalitymeantmischief。
"AndwhatmouutYOUbedoin’here，MisterBenDabney？"saidSeth，resuminghiseffrontery。
"Well，"returnedUncleBen，plantinghimselfintheaislebeforehisopponent，"Iain’tdoin’nosheriff’spossebusinessjestnow，butIreckontokeepmyhandinfarenufftopurtectotherfolks’
property，"headded，withasignificantglanceatthebrokenlockofthedesk。
"BenDabney，"saidSethinsnarlingexpostulation，"Ihain’tgotnoquar’llwithye！"
"Thenhandmeoverwhateveryoutookjustnowfromteacher’sdeskandwe’lltalkaboutthatafterwards，"saidUncleBenadvancing。
"ItellyeIhain’tgotnoquar’llwithye，UncleBen，"continuedSeth，retreatingwithamalignantsneer；"andwhenyoutalkofprotectin’otherfolks’property，mebbeye’dbetterprotectYOUR
OWN——orwhatye’dliketocallso——insteadofquar’llin’withthemanthat’shelpin’ye。I’vegotyertheproofsthatthatsneakin’
houndofaYankeeschool-masterthatCressMcKinstry’shellbenton，andthattheoldmanandoldwomanarejustchuckin’intoherarms，isalyin’，black-hearted，hypocriticalseducer"——
"Stop！"saidUncleBeninavoicethatmadethecrazycasementrattle。
HestrodetowardsSethDavis，nolongerwithhishabitualcareful，hesitatingstep，butwithatreadthatseemedtoshakethewholeschool-room。Asingledominantclutchofhispowerfulrighthandontheyoungman’sbreastforcedhimbackwardsintothevacantchairofthemaster。Hisusuallyfloridfacehadgrownasgrayasthetwilight；hismenacingforminamomentfilledthelittleroomanddarkenedthewindows。Theninsomeinexplicablereactionhisfigureslightlydrooped，helaidoneheavyhandtremblinglyonthedesk，andwiththeotheraffectedtowipehismouthafterhisoldembarrassedfashion。
"What’sthatyouweresayin’o’Cressy？"hesaidhuskily。
"Woteverybodysays，"saidthefrightenedSeth，gainingacowardlyconfidenceunderhisadversary’semotion。"Woteverycubthatsetsyerunderhiscantin’teachin’，andsees’emtogether，knows。It’swotyou’dhevknowedefheandRoopFilgeehadn’tplayedyeferasoftyallthetime。Andwhileyou’vebinhangin’roundyerferaflickerofCressy’sgowndassheprancesouto’school，he’sbinlyin’lowandlaffin’atye，andwhilehe’sturnedRoopovertokeepyouhere，pretendin’togiveyelessons，he’sbingallivantin’
roundwithherandhuggin’andkissin’herinbarnsandinthebrush——andnowYOUwanttoquar’llwithme。"
Hestopped，pantingforbreath，andstaredmalignantlyinthegrayfaceofhishearer。ButUncleBenonlyliftedhisheavyhandmildlywithanawkwardgestureofwarning，steppedsoftlyinhisoldcautioushesitatingmannertotheopendoor，closedit，andreturnedgently：——
"Ireckonyegotinthroughthewinder，didn’tye，Seth？"hesaid，withalaboredaffectationofunemotionalease，"akindo’onelegover，andone，two，andthenyou’rein，eh？"
"NeveryoumindHOWIgotin，BenDabney，"returnedSeth，hishostilityandinsolenceincreasingwithhisopponent’sevidentweakness，"ezlongezIgotyerandgot，byG-d！whatIkemherefer！Forwhilesallthiswasgoin’on，andwhilestheoldfoolmanandoldfoolwomanwasswallowin’whattheydidseeandblinkin’atwhattheydidn’t，andhuggin’themselvesthatthey’dgothigh-tonedkempanyfertheirdarter，thathigh-tonedkempanywasplayin’THEM
too，byG-d！Yes，Sir！thathigh-toned，cantin’school-teacherwaskeepin’amarriedwomanin’Frisco，allthewhilehewasherehoney-foglin’withCressy，andI’vegotthepapersyertoproveit。"Hetappedhisbreast-pocketwithacoarselaughandthrusthisfaceforwardintothegrayshadowofhisadversary’s。
"An’yousorterspottedtheirbein’inthisyerdeskandburstedit？"saidUncleBen，gravelyexaminingthebrokenlockinthedarknessasifitwerethemostimportantfeatureoftheincident。
Sethnodded。"Youbetyourlife。Isawhimthroughthewinderonlythisafternoonlookinover’emalone，andIreckonedtolaymyhandson’emifIhadtobusthimorhisdesk。AndIdid！"headdedwithatriumphantchuckle。
"Andyoudid——surepop！"saidUncleBenwithslowdeliberateadmiration，passinghisheavyhandalongthesplinteredlid。"Andyoureckon，Seth，thatthisyershowin’ofhimupwillbreakoffenythin’betwixthimandthisyer——thisyerMiss——MissMcKinstry？"
hecontinuedwithlaboredformality。
"IreckoneftheoldfoolMcKinstrydon’tshoothiminhistracksthar’llbewhitemenenoughinInjinSpringstoridethishigh-
toned，pizenoushypocritonarailouterthesettlement！"
"That’sso！"saidUncleBenmusingly，afterathoughtfulpause，inwhichhestillseemedtobemoreoccupiedwiththebrokendeskthanhiscompanion’sremark。Thenhewentoncautiously："Andezthisthingorterbeworkedmightyfine，Seth，p’r’aps，onthehull，you’dbetterletmehavethempapers。"
"What！YOU？"snarledSeth，drawingbackwithaglanceofangrysuspicion；"notifIknowit！"
"Seth，"saidUncleBen，restinghiselbowsonthedeskconfidentially，andspeakingwithpainfulandheavydeliberation，"whenyoufirstinterdoosedthisyersubjectyouelludedtomyhevin’，sotospeak，rightso’preemptionandinterferencewiththisyounglady，andthatinyouropinion，Iwasn’tpurtectin’themrights。It’pearstomethat，allowin’thattobegospeltruth，themtherpapersorterbeinMYpossession——youhevin’sotospeaknorightstopurtect，bein’offtheboardwiththisyeryounglady，andbein’movedgin’rallybyfreeandindependentcussedness。AndezIsedafore，thissorto’thinghavin’tobeworkedmightyfine，andthempapersmanniperlatedwithjudgment，Ireckon，Seth，ifyoudon’tobjeck，I’llhev——hev——totroubleyou。"
Sethstartedtohisfeetwitharapidglanceatthedoor，butUncleBenhadrisenagainwiththesamealarmingexpressionofcompletelyfillingthedarkenedschool-room，andofshakingthefloorbeneathhimattheslightestmovement。AlreadyhefanciedhesawUncleBen’spowerfularmhoveringabovehimreadytodescend。ItsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatifhelefttheexecutionofhisschemeofexposureandvengeancetoUncleBen，theonusofstealingtheletterswouldfallequallyupontheirpossessor。ThisadvantageseemedmoreprobablethanthedangerofUncleBen’sweaklyyieldingthemuptothemaster。Inthelattercasehe，Seth，couldstillcirculatethereportofhavingseentheletterswhichUncleBenhadhimselfstoleninafitofjealousy——ahypothesisthemorereadilyacceptedfromthelatter’sfamiliarknowledgeoftheschoolhouseandhispresumedambitiousjealousyofCressyinhispresentattitudeasamanofposition。Withaffectedreluctanceandhesitationheputhishandtohisbreast-pocket。
"Ofcourse，"hesaid，"ifyou’rekalkilatin’totakeupthequar’llonYOURrights，andezCressyain’tanythin’moretome，YOUorterhevtheproofs。Onlydon’ttrustthemintothathound’shands。
Oncehegets’emagainhe’llsecureawarrantaginyouforstealin’。
That’llbehisgame。I’dshow’emtoHERfirst——don’tyesee？——andIreckonefshe’soldMa’amMcKinstry’sdarter，she’llmakeitlivelyforhim。"
Hehandedtheletterstotheloomingfigurebeforehim。Itseemedtobecomeagainayieldingmortal，andsaidinahesitatingvoice，"P’r’apsyou’dbettermaketracksouterthis，Seth，andleavemeyertoputthingstorightsandfixupthatdoorandthedeskaginto-morrowmornin’。He’dbetternotknowittoonct，andsostartarowaboutbein’brokeninto。"
ThepropositionseemedtopleaseSeth；heevenextendedhishandinthedarkness。Buthemetonlyanirresponsivevoid。Withaslightshrugofhisshouldersandagruntingfarewell，hefelthiswaytothedooranddisappeared。ForafewmomentsitseemedasifUncleBenhadalsodesertedtheschoolhouse，soprofoundandquietwasthehushthatfelluponit。Butastheeyebecameaccustomedtotheshadowagrayishbulkappearedtogrowoutofitoverthemaster’sdeskandshapeditselfintothebroadfigureofUncleBen。
Later，whenthemoonroseandlookedinatthewindow，itsawhimasthemasterhadseenhimonthefirstdayhehadbegunhislessonsintheschool-house，withhisfacebentforwardoverthedeskandthesamelookofchild-likeperplexityandstrugglethathehadwornathisallottedtask。Unheroic，ridiculous，andnodoubtblunderingandidioticasthen，butstillvaguelypersistentinhisthought，heremainedforsomemomentsinthisattitude。
Thenrisingandtakingadvantageofthemoonlightthatfloodedthedesk，hesethimselftomendthebrokenlockwithalargemechanicalclasp-knifeheproducedfromhispocket，andtheaidofhisworkmanlikethumbandfinger。Presentlyhebegantowhistlesoftly，atfirstalittleartificiallyandwithrelapsesofreflectivesilence。Thelockofthedeskrestored，hesecuredintopositionagainthatpartofthedoor-lockwhichhehadburstoffinhisentrance。Thisdone，heclosedthedoorgentlyandoncemoresteppedoutintothemoonlitclearing。Inreplacinghisknifeinhispockethetookouttheletterswhichhehadnottouchedsincetheywerehandedtohiminthedarkness。Hisfirstglanceatthehandwritingcausedhimtostop。Thenstillstaringatit，hebegantomoveslowlyandautomaticallybackwardstotheporch。Whenhereachedithesatdown，unfoldedtheletter，andwithoutattemptingtoreadit，turneditspagesoverandoverwiththeunfamiliarityofanilliteratemaninsearchofthesignature。Thiswhenfoundapparentlyplungedhimagainintomotionlessabstraction。Onlyoncehechangedhispositiontopullupthelegsofhistrousers，openhisknees，andextendthedistancebetweenhisfeet，andthenwiththeunfoldedpagescarefullylaidinthemoonlitspacethusopenedbeforehim，regardedthemwithdubiousspeculation。Attheendoftenminutesherosewithasighofphysicalandmentalrelaxation，refoldedtheletter，putitinhispocket，andmadehiswaytothetown。
Whenhereachedthehotelheturnedintothebar-room，andobservingthatithappenedtobecomparativelydeserted，askedforaglassofwhiskey。Inresponsetothebarkeeper’sglanceofcuriosity——asUncleBenseldomdrank，andthenonlyasasocialfunctionwithothers——heexplained：——
"Ireckonstraightwhiskeyisaboutezgoodezthenextthingforblindchills。"
Thebar-keeperhereinterposedthatinhislargermedicalexperiencehehadfoundtheexhibitionofgingerincombinationwithginattendedwitheffect，althoughitwasevidentthatinhisbusinesscapacityheregardedUncleBen，asadrinker，withdistrust。
"Yeain’tseenMr。Fordhangingroundyerlately？"continuedUncleBenwithlaboriousease。
Thebar-keeper，withhiseyestillscornfullyfixedonhiscustomer，buthishandswhichwereengagedinwashinghisglassesunderthecountergivinghimtheairofhumorouslycommunicatingwithahiddenconfederate，hadnotseentheschool-masterthatafternoon。
UncleBenturnedawayandslowlymountedthestaircasetothemaster’sroom。Afteramoment’spauseonthelanding，whichmusthavebeenpainfullyobvioustoanyonewhoheardhisheavyascent，hegavetwotimidrapsonthedoorwhichwereequallyridiculousincontrastwithhispowerfultread。Thedoorwasopenedpromptlybythemaster。
"Oh，it’syou，isit？"hesaidshortly。"Comein。"
UncleBenenteredwithoutnoticingthesomewhatungraciousformofinvitation。"Itwarme，"hesaid，"droppedin，notfindingyedownstairs。Let’shaveadrink。"
ThemastergazedatUncleBen，who，owingtohisabstraction，hadnotyetwipedhismouthoftheliquorhehadimperfectlyswallowed，andwasinconsequencemoreredolentofwhiskeythanaconfirmedtoper。Herangthebellforthedesiredrefreshmentwithaslightlycynicalsmile。Hewassatisfiedthathisvisitor，likemanyothersofhumbleposition，wassuccumbingtohisgoodfortune。
"Iwantedtoseeye，Mr。Ford，"hebegan，takinganunprofferedchairanddepositinghishataftersomehesitationoutsidethedoor，"inregardtowhatIoncttoldyeaboutmywifeinMizzouri。
P’r’apsyoudisremember？"
"Iremember，"returnedthemasterresignedly。
"YouknowitwasthatarternoonthatfoolStaceysentthesheriffandtheHarrisonsovertoMcKinstry’sbarn。"
"Goon！"petulantlysaidthemaster，whohadhisownreasonsfornotcaringtorecallit。
"Itwasthatarternoon，youknow，thatyouhadn’ttimetoharktome——hevin’togooffonanengagement，"continuedUncleBenwithprotracteddeliberation，"and"——
"Yes，yes，Iremember，"interruptedthemasterexasperatedly，"andreallyunlessyougetonfaster，I’llhavetoleaveyouagain。"
"Itwasthatarternoon，"saidUncleBenwithoutheedinghim，"whenItoldyouIhadn’tanyideawhathadbecomeo’mywifeezIleftinMizzouri。"
"Yes，"saidthemastersharply，"andItoldyouitwasyourboundendutytolookforher。"
"That’sso，"saidUncleBennoddingcomfortably，"them’syourverywords；on’yaleetlemorestrongthanthat，efIdon’tdisremember。
Well，IreckonI’vegotanidee！"Themasterassumedasuddenexpressionofinterest，butUncleBendidnotvaryhismonotonoustone。
"Ikemacrossthatidee，sotospeak，onthetrail。Ikemacrossitinsomelettersezwaslyingwideopeninthebrush。IpickedemupandI’vegot’emhere。"
Heslowlytookthelettersfromhispocketwithonehand，whilehedraggedthechaironwhichhewassittingbesidethemaster。ButwithaquickflushofindignationMr。Fordroseandextendedhishand。
"TheseareMYletters，Dabney，"hesaidsternly，"stolenfrommydesk。Whohasdaredtodothis？"
ButUncleBenhad，asifaccidentally，interposedhiselbowbetweenthemasterandSeth’sspoils。
"Thenit’sallright？"hereturneddeliberately。"Ibrought’emherebecauseIthoughttheymightgiveanideewheremywifewas。
Forthemlettersisinherownhandwrite。YourememberezItoldezhowshewasascollard。"
Themastersatbackinhischairwhiteanddumb。Incredible，extraordinary，andutterlyunlookedforaswasthisrevelation，hefeltinstinctivelythatitwastrue。
"Icouldn’treaditmyself——ezyouknow。Ididn’tkeertoaxanyoneelsetoreaditforme——youkinreckonwhy，too。Andthat’swhyI’mtroublin’youto-night，Mr。Ford——ezafriend。"
Themasterwithadesperateeffortrecoveredhisvoice。"Itisimpossible。Theladywhowrotethoselettersdoesnotbearyourname。Morethanthat，"headdedwithhastyirrelevance，"sheissofreethatsheisabouttobemarried，asyoumighthaveread。Youhavemadeamistake，thehandwritingmaybelike，butitcannotbereallyyourwife’s。"
UncleBenshookhisheadslowly。"It’sher’n——there’snomistake。
Whenaman，Mr。Ford，hezstudiedthathandwrite——havin’，sotospeak，knowediton’yfromtheOUTSIDE——fromseein’itpassin’likebetweenfriends——thatman’schanceso’bein’mistookain’tezgreateztheman’swhoon’ytakesinthesenseofthewordsthatmightb’longtoeverybody。Andhernamenotbein’thesameezmine，don’tfoller。Efshegotadivorceshe’dtakeheroldgal’sname——
thenameofherfammerly。AndthatwouldseemtoallowsheDIDgetadivorce。Whatmowtshehevcalledherselfwhenshewritthis？"
Themastersawhisopportunityandrosetoitwithachivalrousindignation，thatforthemomentimposedevenuponhimself。"I
declinetoanswerthatquestion，"hesaidangrily。"Irefusetoallowthenameofanywomanwhohonorsmewithherconfidencetobedraggedintotheinfamousoutragethathasbeencommitteduponmeandcommondecency。AndIshallholdthethiefandscoundrel——
whoeverhemaybe——answerabletomyselfintheabsenceofhernaturalprotector。"
UncleBensurveyedtheherooftheseglitteringgeneralitieswithundisguisedadmiration。Heextendedhishandtohimgravely。
"Shake！Efanotherproofwaswantin’，Mr。Ford，ofthatbein’mywife’sletter，"hesaid，"thathigh-tonedstyleofyourswouldsettleit。For，eftharwasonethingsheDIDlike，itwasthatsortofpo’try。Andonereasonwhyherandmedidn’tgeton，andwhyIskedaddled，wasbecauseitwasn’tinmyline。Et’sallintrainin’！On’yamanezhadtheFourthReaderathisfingers’endscouldtalklikethat。Bein’broughtuponDobell——ezisnowhere——
itsorterletsmeouteryou，ezitdidouterHER。Butallowin’itain’tthesquarethingforYOUtomentionhername，thatwouldn’tbenothin’agin’MYdoin’it，andcallin’her，well——LouPriceinakeerlesssorto’way，eh？"
"Ideclinetoanswerfurther，"repliedthemasterquickly，althoughhiscolorhadchangedatthename。"Ideclinetosayanotherwordonthematteruntilthismysteryisclearedup——untilIknowwhodaredtobreakintomydeskandstealmyproperty，andthepurposeofthisunheard-ofoutrage。AndIdemandpossessionofthoselettersatonce。"
UncleBenwithoutawordputtheminthemaster’shand，tohisslightsurprise，anditmustbeaddedtohisfaintdiscomfiture，norwasitdecreasedwhenUncleBenadded，withgravenaiveteandapatronizingpressureofhishandonhisshoulder，——"Incourseezyou’retaken’itontoyourself，andezLouPriceain’tgotnofurthercallonME，theyorterbeyours。Eztowhogot’emouterthedesk，Ireckonyouain’tgotnosuspicionofanyonespyin’
roundye——hevye？"
InaninstanttherecollectionofSethDavis’sfaceatthewindowandthecorroborationofRupert’swarningflashedacrossFord’smind。ThehypothesisthatSethhadimaginedthattheywereCressy’sletters，andhadthrownthemdownwithoutreadingthemwhenhehadfoundouthismistake，seemednatural。ForifhehadreadthemhewouldundoubtedlyhavekeptthemtoshowtoCressy。
ThecomplexemotionsthathaddisturbedthemasteronthediscoveryofUncleBen’srelationshiptothewriteroftheletterswereresolvingthemselvesintoafuriousrageatSeth。ButbeforehedaredrevengehimselfhemustbefirstassuredthatSethwasignorantoftheircontents。HeturnedtoUncleBen。
"Ihaveasuspicion，buttomakeitcertainImustaskyouforthepresenttosaynothingofthistoanyone。"
UncleBennodded。"Andwhenyouhevfoundoutandyou’resettledinyourmindthatyoukinmakemymindeasyaboutthisyerLouPrice，ezwe’llcallher，bein’divorcedsquarely，andbein’，sotospeak，inthewayo’gettin’marriedagin，yemightletmeknowezafriend。IreckonIwon’ttroubleyouanymoreto-night——onlessyouandmetakesanothersociabledrinktogetherinthebar。No？
Well，then，good-night。"Hemovedslowlytowardsthedoor。Withhishandonthelockheadded："Efyerwritin’toheragin，youmightsayezhowyoufoundMElookin’wellandcomf’able，andhopin’she’senjyin’thesameblessin’。’Solong。"
Hedisappeared，leavingthemasterinahopelesscollapseofconflicting，and，itistobefeared，notveryheroicemotions。
Thesituation，whichhadbegunsodramatically，hadbecomesuddenlyunromanticallyludicrous，without，however，losinganyofitsembarrassingquality。Hewasconsciousthatheoccupiedthesingularpositionofbeingmoreridiculousthanthehusband——whoseinvincibleandcomplacentsimplicitystunghimlikethemostexquisiteirony。Foraninstanthewasalmostgoadedintothefuryofdeclaringthathehadbrokenofffromthewriterofthelettersforever，butitsinconsistencywiththechivalrousattitudehehadjusttakenoccurredtohimintimetopreventhimfrombecomingdoublyabsurd。HisragewithSethDavisseemedtohimtheonlyfeelingleftthatwasgenuineandrational，andyet，nowthatUncleBenhadgone，eventhathadaspuriousring。ItwasnecessaryforhimtolashhimselfintoafuryoverthehypothesisthatthelettersMIGHThavebeenCressy’s，anddesecratedbythatscoundrel’stouch。Perhapshehadreadthemandleftthemtobepickedupbyothers。Helookedoverthemcarefullytoseeiftheirmeaningwould，totheordinaryreader，appearobviousandcompromising。
Hiseyefellonthefirstparagraph。
"Ishouldnotbequitefairwithyou，Jack，ifIaffectedtodisbelieveinyourfaithinyourloveformeanditsendurance，butIshouldbestillmoreunfairifIdidn’ttellyouwhatIhonestlybelieve，thatatyourageyouareapttodeceiveyourself，and，withoutknowingit，todeceiveothers。Youconfessyouhavenotyetdecideduponyourcareer，andyouarealwayslookingforwardsohopefully，dearJack，forachangeinthefuture，butyouarewillingtobelievethatfarmoreseriousthingsthanthatwillsuffernochangeinthemeantime。Ifwecontinuedaswewere，I，whoamolderthanyouandhavemoreexperience，mightlearnthemiseryofseeingyouchangetowardsMEasIhavechangedtowardsanother，andforthesamereason。IfIweresureIcouldkeeppacewithyouinyourdreamsandyourambition，ifIweresurethatI
alwaysknewWHATtheywere，wemightstillbehappy——butIamnotsure，andIdarenotagainriskmyhappinessonanuncertainty。IncomingtomypresentresolutionIdonotlookforhappiness，butatleastIknowIshallnotsufferdisappointment，norinvolveothersinit。IconfessIamgrowingtoooldnottofeelthevaluetoawoman——anecessitytoherinthiscountry——ofsecurityinherpresentandfutureposition。Anothercangivemethat。Andalthoughyoumaycallthisaselfishviewofourrelations，I
believethatyouwillsoon——ifyoudonot，evenasyoureadthisnow——feelthejusticeofit，andthankmefortakingit。"
Withasmileofscornhetoreuptheletter，inwhathefondlybelievedwasthebitternessofanoutragedtrustfulnature，forgettingthatformanyweekshehadscarcelythoughtofitswriter，andthathehimselfinhisconducthadalreadyanticipateditstruths。