第6章

Thisnew—borndesiretobeofservicetoherrediscoveredpeoplewasnotlongwithoutanopportunityforexpression。YettheFateswilledthatherfutureshouldbebutanotherlinkinaconnectedchain：shewastobeaspowerlesstoputasideherrecentpastasshehadbeentoescapefromtheinfluenceofherearlierlife。Therearesordidsoulsthateatanddrinkandbreedanddie，andimaginetheyhavelived。ButRena’slifesincehergreatawakeninghadbeenthatoftheemotions，andhertemperamentmadeofitacontinuouslife。Hersuccessivestatesofconsciousnesswerenotdetachable，butunitedtoformasingleifnotanentirelyharmoniouswhole。Tohersensitivespiritto—daywasbornofyesterday，to—morrowwouldbebuttheoffspringoftoday。

Oneday，alongtowardnoon，hermotherreceivedavisitfromMaryB。Pettifoot，asecondcousin，wholivedonBackStreet，onlyashortdistancefromthehousebehindthecedars。Renahadgoneout，sothatthevisitorfoundMis’Mollyalone。

"Ihearedyousay，CousinMolly，"saidMaryB。（nooneeverknewwhattheB。inMary’snamestoodfor，——itwasamereornamentalflourish），"thatRenawastalkin’’boutteachin’school。I’vegotagoodchanceferher，efshekeerstertakeit。MycousinJeffWain’rivedintownthismo’nin’，f’m’waydowninSampsonCounty，tergitateacherfertheniggerschoolinhisdeestric’。

Is’posehemought’a’gotonef’m’roun’Newbern，erGoldsboro，ersomeerthemplaceseas’，buthe’lowedhe’dliketovisitsomeerhiskinan’olefrien’s，an’sokilltwobirdswithonestone。"

"Iseedastrangemulatterman，withabayhossan’anewbuggy，drivin’byherethismo’nin’early，fromdownto’dstheriver，"rejoinedMis’Molly。

"Iwonderifthatwuzhim？"

"Didhehaveonalinenduster？"askedMaryB。

"Yas，an’’pearedtobeaverywellsotupman，"

repliedMis’Molly，"’boutthirty—fiveyearsold，I

shouldreckon。"

"Thatwuzhim，"assentedMaryB。"He’sgotafinehossan’buggy，an’agol’watchan’chain，an’abigplantation，an’lotserhossesan’mulesan’cowsan’hawgs。Heraise’fiftybalesercottonlas’year，an’he’sbe’nterthelegislatur’。"

"Mygracious！"exclaimedMis’Molly，struckwithaweatthiscatalogueofthestranger’spossessions——

hewasevidentlyworthmorethanagreatmany"rich"whitepeople，——allwhitepeopleinNorthCarolinainthosedayswereeither"rich"or"poor，"thedistinctionbeingoneofcasteratherthanofwealth。"Ishemarried？"sheinquiredwithinterest？

"No，——single。Youmought’lowitwasquarethatheshouldn’bemarriedathisage；buthewascrossedinloveoncet，"——MaryB。heavedaself—conscioussigh，——"an’hasstayedsingleeversence。Thatwuztenyearsago，butassomehusban’sislong—lived，an’thereain’nomo’chancefer’imnowthantherewuzthen，Ireckonsomenicegalmoughtstan’agoodshowerketchin’’im，efshe’dplayherkyardsright。"

ToMis’Mollythiswasnewsofconsiderableimportance。ShehadnotthoughtagreatdealofRena’splantoteach；sheconsidereditloweringforRena，afterhavingbeenwhite，togoamongthenegroesanymorethanwasunavoidable。Thisopportunity，however，meantmorethanmereemploymentforherdaughter。ShehadfeltRena’sdisappointmentkeenly，fromthepracticalpointofview，and，blamingherselfforit，heldherselfallthemoreboundtoretrievethemisfortuneinanypossibleway。Ifshehadnotbeensick，RenawouldnothavedreamedthefatefuldreamthathadbroughthertoPatesville；fortheconnectionbetweenthevisionandtherealitywasevencloserinMis’Molly’seyesthaninRena’s。Ifthemotherhadnotsenttheletterannouncingherillnessandconfirmingthedream，RenawouldnothaveruinedherpromisingfuturebycomingtoPatesville。Buttheharmhadbeendone，andshewasresponsible，ignorantlyofcourse，butnonethelesstruly，anditonlyremainedforhertomakeamends，asfaraspossible。Herhighestambition，sinceRenahadgrownup，hadbeentoseehermarriedandcomfortablysettledinlife。ShehadnohopethatTryonwouldcomeback。Renahaddeclaredthatshewouldmakenofurtherefforttogetawayfromherpeople；and，furthermore，thatshewouldnevermarry。TothislatterstatementMis’Mollysecretlyattachedbutlittleimportance。ThatawomanshouldgosinglefromthecradletothegravedidnotaccordwithherexperienceinlifeofthecustomsofNorthCarolina。Sherespectedagriefshecouldnotentirelyfathom，yetdidnotforamomentbelievethatRenawouldremainunmarried。

"You’dbetterfetchhimroun’toseeme，Ma’yB。，"shesaid，"an’let’sseewhathelookslike。

I’mpertic’lar’boutmygal。Shesayssheain’tgoin’tomarrynobody；butofco’seweknowthat’sallfoolishness。"

"I’llfetchhimroun’thisevenin’’boutthreeo’clock，"saidthevisitor，rising。"Imus’hurrybacknowan’keephimcomp’ny。TellRenaterputonherbes’biban’tucker；forMr。Wainispertic’lartoo，an’I’vealreadybe’nbraggin’’boutherlooks。"

WhenMaryB。，attheappointedhour，knockedatMis’Molly’sfrontdoor，——thevisitbeingoneofceremony，shehadtakenhercousinroundtotheFrontStreetentranceandthroughtheflowergarden，——Mis’Mollywaspreparedtoreceivethem。

Afteradecentinterval，longenoughtosuggestthatshehadnotbeenwatchingtheirapproachandwasnotover—eageraboutthevisit，sheansweredtheknockandadmittedthemintotheparlor。Mr。

Wainwasformallyintroduced，andseatedhimselfontheancienthairclothsofa，undertheframedfashion—plate，whileMaryB。satbytheopendoorandfannedherselfwithapalm—leaffan。

Mis’Molly’simpressionofWainwasfavorable。

Hiscomplexionwasofalightbrown——notquitesofairasMis’Mollywouldhavepreferred；butanydeficiencyinthisregard，orinthematterofthestranger’sfeatures，which，whilenotunpleasing，leanedtowardthebroadmulattotype，wasmorethancompensatedinhereyesbyverystraightblackhair，and，assoonappeared，agreatfacilityofcomplimentaryspeech。OnhisintroductionMr。Wainbowedlow，assumedanairofgreatadmiration，andexpressedhisextremedelightinmakingtheacquaintanceofsodistinguished—lookingalady。

"You’reflatt’rin’me，Mr。Wain，"returnedMis’

Molly，withagratifiedsmile。"Butyouwanttomeetmydaughterbefo’youcommenceth’owin’

bokays。Excusemyleavin’you——I’llgoan’fetchher。"

Shereturnedinamoment，followedbyRena。

"Mr。Wain，’lowmetoint’oduceyoutomydaughterRena。Rena，thisisMa’yB。’scousinonherpappy’sside，who’scomeupfromSampsontogitaschool—teacher。"

Renabowedgracefully。Wainstaredamomentingenuineastonishment，andthenbenthimselfnearlydouble，keepinghiseyesfixedmeanwhileuponRena’sface。Hehadexpectedtoseeaprettyyellowgirl，buthadbeenpreparedfornosuchradiantvisionofbeautyasthiswhichnowconfrontedhim。

"Does——doesyoumeantersay，Mis’Walden，dat——datdisyoungladyisyo’owndaughter？"

hestammered，rallyinghisforcesforaction。

"Whynot，Mr。Wain？"askedMis’Molly，bridlingwithmockresentment。"Doyoumeanter’lowthatshewuzchangedinhercradle，erisshetoogood—lookin’tobemydaughter？"

"MydeahMis’Walden！it’udbewastin’wo’dsfermetersaydatdeyain’noyoungladytoogood—

lookin’terbeyo’daughter；butyou’relookin’

soyoungyo’sefdatI’druthertakeherferyo’

sister。"

"Yas，"rejoinedMis’Molly，withanimation，"theyain’tmanyyearsbetweenus。Iwuzrutheryoungmyselfwhenshewuzbo’n。"

"An’，mo’over，"Wainwenton，"ittakesmeaminuteersotergitmymin’use’terthinkin’erMis’Renaasaculludyounglady。Imought’a’

seedherahund’edtimes，an’I’d’a’neverdreamtbutw’atshewuzaw’iteyounglady，f’moneerdebes’families。"

"Yas，Mr。Wain，"repliedMis’Mollycomplacently，"allthreeermychild’enwuzwhite，an’

oneof’emhasbe’nontheothersidefermanylongyears。Renahasbe’ntoschool，an’hastraveled，an’hashadchances——betterchancesthananybodyroun’hereknows。"

"She’sjes’deladyI’mlookin’fer，terteachou’

school，"rejoinedWain，withemphasis。"Widherschoolin’an’myriccommen’，shekingitafus’—

classce’tifikitan’drawfo’tydollarsamonth；an’

aladyerhercolorkinkeepaloterlittleniggersstraighter’nadarkerladycould。Wejus’gotterhaveherterteachou’school——efwekingither。"

Rena’sinterestintheprospectofemploymentatherchosenworkwassogreatthatshepaidlittleattentiontoWain’scompliments。Mis’MollyledMaryB。awaytothekitchenonsomepretext，andleftRenatoentertainthegentleman。Shequestionedhimeagerlyabouttheschool，andhegavethemostglowingaccountsoftheelegantschool—

house，thebrightpupils，andthecongenialsocietyoftheneighborhood。Hespokealmostentirelyinsuperlatives，and，aftermakingdueallowanceforwhatRenaperceivedtobeatemperamentaltendencytoexaggeration，sheconcludedthatshewouldfindintheschoolaworthyfieldofusefulness，andinthispoliteandgood—naturedthoughsomewhatwordymanacoadjutoruponwhomshecouldrelyinherfirstefforts；forshewasnotover—confidentofherpowers，whichseemedtogrowlessasthewayopenedfortheirexercise。

"DoyouthinkI’mcompetenttoteachtheschool？"sheaskedofthevisitor，afterstatingsomeofherqualifications。

"Oh，dere’snodoubtaboutit，MissRena，"

repliedWain，whohadlistenedwithanairofgreatwisdom，thoughsecretlyawarethathewastooignorantofletterstoformajudgment；"youkinteachdeschoolallright，an’couldefyoudidn’tknowhalfezmuch。Youwon’thavenotroublemanagin’dechild’en，nuther。Efanyof’emgitsonruly，jes’callonmeferhe’p，an’I’llmake’emwalkSpanish。I’mchuhmanerdeschoolcommittee，an’I’lllamdehideoff’nanyscholardatdon’behave。Youkintrus’meferdat，sho’ezI’ma—settin’here。"

"Then，"saidRena，"I’llundertakeit，anddomybest。I’msureyou’llnotbetooexacting。"

"Yo’bes’，MissRena，’llbedebes’deyis。

Don’youworrynerfret。Demniggerswon’thavenootherteacherafterdey’veoncelaideyesonyou：I’llguaranteedat。Derewon’tbenotrouble，notabit。"

"Well，CousinMolly，"saidMaryB。toMis’

Mollyinthekitchen，"howdoestheplanstrikeyou？"

"EfRena’ssatisfied，Iam，"repliedMis’Molly。

"Butyou’dbettersaynothin’aboutketchin’abeau，oranysuchfoolishness，erelseshe’dbejustaslikelynottogonighSampsonCounty。"

"Befo’CousinJeffgoesback，"confidedMaryB。，"I’dliketergive’imaparty，butmyhouseistoosmall。Iwuzwonderin’，"sheaddedtentatively，"efIcouldn’borryyo’house。"

"Shorely，Ma’yB。I’mint’restedinMr。

WainonRena’saccount，an’it’saslittleasIkindotoletyouusemyhousean’helpyougitthingsready。"

ThedateofthepartywassetforThursdaynight，asWainwastoleavePatesvilleonFridaymorning，takingwithhimthenewteacher。ThepartywouldservethedoublepurposeofacomplimenttotheguestandafarewelltoRena，anditmightprovetheprecursor，themothersecretlyhoped，ofotherfestivitiestofollowatsomelaterdate。

XXII

IMPERATIVEBUSINESS

OneWednesdaymorning，aboutsixweeksafterhisreturnhome，TryonreceivedaletterfromJudgeStraightwithreferencetothenoteleftwithhimatPatesvilleforcollection。Thiscommunicationproperlyrequiredananswer，whichmighthavebeenmadeinwritingwithinthecompassoftenlines。Nosooner，however，hadTryonreadtheletterthanhebegantoperceivereasonswhyitshouldbeansweredinperson。HehadleftPatesvilleunderextremelypainfulcircumstances，vowingthathewouldneverreturn；andyetnowthebarestpretext，bywhichnoonecouldhavebeendeceivedexceptwillingly，wassufficienttoturnhisfootstepsthitheragain。Heexplainedtohismother——withavaguenesswhichshefoundsomewhatpuzzling，butascribedtoherownfeminineobtusenessinmattersofbusiness——thereasonsthatimperativelydemandedhispresenceinPatesville。Withanearlystarthecoulddrivethereinoneday，——hehadanexcellentroadster，alightbuggy，andarecentrainhadlefttheroadingoodcondition，——adaywouldsufficeforthetransactionofhisbusiness，andthethirddaywouldbringhimhomeagain。HesetoutonhisjourneyonThursdaymorning，withthisprogrammeveryclearlyoutlined。

TryonwouldnotatfirsthaveadmittedeventohimselfthatRena’spresenceinPatesvillehadanybearingwhateveruponhisprojectedvisit。ThematteraboutwhichJudgeStraighthadwrittenmight，itwasclear，beviewedinseveralaspects。

Thejudgehadwrittenhimconcerningtheoneofimmediateimportance。Itwouldbemucheasiertodiscussthesubjectinallitsbearings，andcleanupthewholematter，inonecomprehensivepersonalinterview。

Theimportanceofthisbusiness，then，seemedveryurgentforthefirstfewhoursofTryon’sjourney。Ordinarilyacarefuldriverandmercifultohisbeast，hiseagernesstoreachPatesvilleincreasedgraduallyuntilitbecamenecessarytoexercisesomeself—restraintinordernottourgehisfaithfulmarebeyondherpowers；andsoonhecouldnolongerpretendobliviousnessofthefactthatsomeattractionstrongerthanthewholeamountofDuncanMcSwayne’snotewasurginghimirresistiblytowardhisdestination。Theoldtownbeyondthedistantriver，hishearttoldhimclamorously，heldtheobjectinalltheworldtohimmostdear。Memorybroughtupinvividdetaileverymomentofhisbriefandjoyouscourtship，eachtenderword，eachenchantingsmile，everyfondcaress。Helivedhispasthappinessoveragaindowntothemomentofthatfataldiscovery。Whathorriblefatewasitthathadinvolvedhim——nay，thathadcaughtthissweetdelicategirlinsuchablindalley？Awildhopeflashedacrosshismind：perhapstheghastlystorymightnotbetrue；perhaps，afterall，thegirlwasnomoreanegrothansheseemed。Hehadheardsadstoriesofwhitechildren，bornoutofwedlock，abandonedbysinfulparentstothecareoradoptionofcoloredwomen，whohadrearedthemastheirown，thechildren’sfuturebaselysacrificedtohidetheparents’shame。Hewouldconfrontthisreputedmotherofhisdarlingandwringthetruthfromher。Hewasinastateofmindwhereanysortofafairytalewouldhaveseemedreasonable。

Hewouldalmosthavebribedsomeonetotellhimthatthewomanhehadloved，thewomanhestillloved（hefeltathrilloflawlesspleasureintheconfession），wasnotthedescendantofslaves，——

thathemightmarryher，andnothavebeforehiseyesthegruesomefearthatsomeoneoftheirchildrenmightshoweventhefaintestmarkofthedespisedrace。

Atnoonhehaltedataconvenienthamlet，fedandwateredhismare，andresumedhisjourneyafteranhour’srest。Bythistimehehadwell—

nighforgottenaboutthelegalbusinessthatformedtheostensibleoccasionforhisjourney，andwasconsciousonlyofawilddesiretoseethewomanwhoseimagewasbeckoninghimontoPatesvilleasfastashishorsecouldtakehim。

Atsundownhestoppedagain，abouttenmilesfromthetown，andcaredforhisnowtiredbeast。

Heknewhercapacity，however，andcalculatedthatshecouldstandtheadditionaltenmileswithoutinjury。Themaresetoutwithreluctance，butsoonsettledresignedlydownintoasteadyjog。

MemoryhadhithertoassailedTryonwiththevisionofpastjoys。Ashenearedthetown，imaginationattackedhimwithstillmoremovingimages。Hehadlefther，thissweetflowerofwomankind——whiteornot，Godhadnevermadeafairer！——hehadseenherfalltothehardpavement，withheknewnotwhatresultinginjury。

Hehadlefthertenderframe——thetouchofherfinger—tipshadmadehimthrillwithhappiness——

tobeliftedbystrangehands，whilehewithheartlesspridehaddrivendeliberatelyaway，withoutawordofsorroworregret。Hehadignoredherascompletelyasthoughshehadneverexisted。Thathehadbeendeceivedwastrue。Buthadhenotaidedinhisowndeception？HadnotWarwicktoldhimdistinctlythattheywereofnofamily，andwasitnothisownfaultthathehadnotfollowedupthecluethusgivenhim？HadnotRenacomparedherselftothechild’snurse，andhadhenotassuredherthatifshewerethenurse，hewouldmarryhernextday？ThedeceptionhadbeenduemoretohisownblindnessthantoanylackofhonestyonthepartofRenaandherbrother。Inthelightofhispresentfeelingstheyseemedtohavebeenabsurdlyoutspoken。Hewasgladthathehadkepthisdiscoverytohimself。

Hehadconsideredhimselfverymagnanimousnottohaveexposedthefraudthatwasbeingperpetrateduponsociety：itwaswithaverycomfortablefeelingthathenowrealizedthatthematterwasasprofoundasecretasbefore。

"Sheoughttohavebeenbornwhite，"hemuttered，addingweakly，"IwouldtoGodthatIhadneverfoundherout！"

Drawingnearthebridgethatcrossedtherivertothetown，hepicturedtohimselfapalegirl，withsorrowful，tear—stainedeyes，piningawayintheoldgrayhousebehindthecedarsforloveofhim，dying，perhaps，ofabrokenheart。Hewouldhastentoher；hewoulddryhertearswithkisses；

hewouldexpresssorrowforhiscruelty。

ThetiredmarehadcrossedthebridgeandwasslowlytoilingupFrontStreet；shewasnearthelimitofherendurance，andTryondidnoturgeher。

Theymighttalkthematterover，andiftheymustpart，partatleasttheywouldinpeaceandfriendship。Ifhecouldnotmarryher，hewouldnevermarryanyoneelse；itwouldbecruelforhimtoseekhappinesswhileshewasdeniedit，for，havingoncegivenherhearttohim，shecouldnever，hewassure，——soinstinctivelyfinewashernature，——shecouldneverloveanyonelessworthythanhimself，andwouldthereforeprobablynevermarry。HeknewfromaClarenceacquaintance，whohadwrittenhimaletter，thatRenahadnotreappearedinthattown。

Ifheshoulddiscover——thechancewasoneinathousand——thatshewaswhite；orifheshouldfindittoohardtoleaveher——ah，well！hewasawhiteman，oneofaraceborntocommand。Hewouldmakeherwhite；noonebeyondtheoldtownwouldeverknowthedifference。If，perchance，theirsecretshouldbedisclosed，theworldwaswide；amanofcourageandambition，inspiredbylove，mightmakeacareeranywhere。Circumstancesmadeweakmen；strongmenmouldcircumstancestodotheirbidding。Hewouldnotlethisdarlingdieofgrief，whateverthepricemustbepaidforhersalvation。Shewasonlyafewrodsawayfromhimnow。Inamomenthewouldseeher；hewouldtakehertenderlyinhisarms，andhearttohearttheywouldmutuallyforgiveandforget，and，strengthenedbytheirlove，wouldfacethefutureboldlyandbidtheworlddoitsworst。

XXIII

THEGUESTOFHONOR

Theeveningofthepartyarrived。Thehousehadbeenthoroughlycleanedinpreparationfortheevent，anddecoratedwiththechoicesttreasuresofthegarden。Byeighto’clocktheguestshadgathered。

Theywereallmulattoes，——allpeopleofmixedbloodwerecalled"mulattoes"inNorthCarolina。Thereweredarkmulattoesandbrightmulattoes。Mis’Molly’sguestsweremostlyofthebrightclass，mostofthemmorethanhalfwhite，andfewofthemless。InMis’Molly’ssmallcircle，straighthairwastheonlypalliativeofadarkcomplexion。Manyoftheguestswouldnothavebeencasuallydistinguishablefromwhitepeopleofthepoorerclass。OthersboreunmistakabletracesofIndianancestry，——forCherokeeandTuscarorabloodwasquitewidelydiffusedamongthefreenegroesofNorthCarolina，thoughwell—nighlostsightofbythecuriouscustomofthewhitepeopletoignoreanythingbutthenegrobloodinthosewhoweretouchedbyitspotentcurrent。Veryfewofthosepresenthadbeenslaves。ThefreecoloredpeopleofPatesvillewerenumerousenoughbeforethewartohavetheirown"society，"andhumanenoughtodespisethosewhodidnotpossessadvantagesequaltotheirown；andatthistimetheystilllookeddownuponthosewhohadoncebeenheldinbondage。Theonlyblackmanpresentoccupiedachairwhichstoodonabroadchestinonecorner，andextractedmelodyfromafiddletowhichawholegenerationofthebestpeopleofPatesvillehaddancedandmademerry。UncleNeedhamseldomplayedforcoloredgatherings，butmadeanexceptioninMis’Molly’scase；shewasnotwhite，butheknewherpast；ifshewasnottherose，shehadatleastbeenneartherose。Whenthecompanyhadgathered，MaryB。，asmistressofceremonies，whisperedtoUncleNeedham，whotappedhisviolinsharplywiththebow。

"Ladiesan’gent’emens，takeyo’pa’dnersferaFuhginnyreel！"

Mr。Wain，astheguestofhonor，openedtheballwithhishostess。Heworeabroadclothcoatandtrousers，aheavyglitteringchainacrossthespaciousfrontofhiswhitewaistcoat，andalargeredroseinhisbuttonhole。Ifhisbootswereslightlyrundownattheheel，sotrivialadetailpassedunnoticedinthegeneralsplendorofhisattire。Uponacloseorhostileinspectiontherewouldhavebeensomefeaturesofhisostensiblygood—naturedface——theshiftyeye，thefullandslightlydroopinglowerlip——whichmighthavegivenastudentofphysiognomyfoodforreflection。

ButwhateverthelatentdefectsofWain’scharacter，heprovedhimselfthiseveningamodelofgeniality，presumingnotatalluponhisreputedwealth，butwinninggoldenopinionsfromthosewhocametocriticise，ofwhom，ofcourse，therewereafew，thecompanybeingcomposedofhumanbeings。

Whenthedancebegan，Wainextendedhislarge，softhandtoMaryB。，yellow，buxom，thirty，withwhiteandeventeethglisteningbehindherfullredlips。AyoungersisterofMaryB。’swaspairedwithBillyOxendine，afunnylittletailor，agreatgossip，andthereforeafavoriteamongthewomen。Mis’Mollygraciouslyconsented，aftermanyprotestationsoflackofskillandwantofpractice，tostandupoppositeHomerPettifoot，MaryB。’shusband，atallman，withaslightstoop，abaldcrown，andfull，dreamyeyes，——amanofmuchimaginationandalargefundofanecdote。

Twoothercouplescompletedtheset；otherswererestrainedbybashfulnessorreligiousscruples，whichdidnotyielduntillaterintheevening。

Theperfumedairfromthegardenwithoutandthecutroseswithinmingledincongruouslywiththealienodorsofmuskandhairoil，ofwhichseveralyoungbarbersinthecompanywereespeciallyredolent。Therewasaplayofsparklingeyesandglancingfeet。MaryB。dancedwiththelanguorousgraceofanEasternodalisque，Mis’Mollywiththemincing，hesitatingstepofonelongoutofpractice。Wainperformedsaltatoryprodigies。Thiswasagoldenopportunityforthedisplayinwhichhissoulfounddelight。Heintroducedvariationshithertounknowntothedance。Hisskillandsupplenessbroughtaglowofadmirationintotheeyesofthewomen，andspreadacloudofjealousyoverthefacesofseveraloftheyoungermen，whosawthemselveseclipsed。

Renahadannouncedinadvanceherintentiontotakenoactivepartinthefestivities。"Idon’tfeellikedancing，mamma——Ishallneverdanceagain。"

"Well，now，Rena，"answeredhermother，"ofco’seyou’retoodignified，senceyou’vebe’n’sociatin’

withwhitefolks，tobehoppin’roun’an’kickin’

uplikeMa’yB。an’theseotheryallergals；

butofco’se，too，youcan’tslightthecomp’nyentirely，evenefitain’tjestexac’lyourparty，——

you’llhavetopay’emsomelittleattention，’speciallyMr。Wain，senceyou’regoin’downyonderwith’im。"

Renaconscientiouslydidwhatshethoughtpolitenessrequired。Shewenttheroundoftheguestsintheearlypartoftheeveningandexchangedgreetingswiththem。Toseveralrequestsfordancessherepliedthatshewasnotdancing。Shedidnotholdherselfaloofbecauseofpride；anyinstinctiveshrinkingshemighthavefeltbyreasonofherrecentassociationwithpersonsofgreaterrefinementwasoffsetbyherstillmorenewlyawakenedzealforhumanity；theywereherpeople，shemustnotdespisethem。Buttheoccasionsuggestedpainfulmemoriesofotheranddifferentscenesinwhichshehadlatelyparticipated。Onceortwicethesememoriesweresovividasalmosttooverpowerher。Sheslippedawayfromthecompany，andkeptinthebackgroundasmuchaspossiblewithoutseemingtoslightanyone。

TheguestsaswellweredimlyconsciousofaslightbarrierbetweenMis’Molly’sdaughterandthemselves。Thetimeshehadspentapartfromthesefriendsofheryouthhadrendereditimpossibleforherevertomeetthemagainupontheplaneofcommoninterestsandcommonthoughts。Itwasmuchasthoughone，havingacquiredthevernacularofhisnativecountry，hadlivedinaforeignlandlongenoughtolosethelanguageofhischildhoodwithoutacquiringfullythatofhisadoptedcountry。MissRowenaWarwickcouldneveragainbecomequitetheRenaWaldenwhohadleftthehousebehindthecedarsnomorethanayearandahalfbefore。Uponthisverydifferencewerebasedhernobleaspirationsforusefulness，——onemuststoopinorderthatonemayliftothers。Anyotheryoungwomanpresentwouldhavebeenimportunedbeyondherpowersofresistance。Rena’sreservewasrespected。

Whensupperwasannounced，somewhatearlyintheevening，thedancersfoundseatsinthehalloronthefrontpiazza。AuntZilphy，assistedbyMis’

MollyandMaryB。，passedaroundtherefreshments，whichconsistedoffriedchicken，butteredbiscuits，pound—cake，andeggnog。Whenthefirstedgeofappetitewastakenoff，theconversationwaxedanimated。HomerPettifootrelated，withminutedetail，anold，threadbarehuntinglie，dating，inslightlydifferingforms，fromtheageofNimrod，aboutfindingtwenty—fivepartridgessittinginarowonarail，andkillingthemallwithasinglebuckshot，whichpassedthroughtwenty—fourandlodgedinthebodyofthetwenty—fifth，fromwhichitwasextractedandreturnedtotheshotpouchforfutureservice。

Thisstorywasfollowedbyamurmurofincredulity——ofcourse，thethingwaspossible，butHomer’sfacultyforexaggerationwassowellknownthatanystatementofhiswasviewedwithsuspicion。Homerseemedhurtatthislackoffaith，andwasdisposedtoarguethepoint，butthesonorousvoiceofMr。Wainontheothersideoftheroomcutshorthisprotestations，inmuchthesamewaythattherisingsunextinguishesthelightoflesserluminaries。

"Iwuzamembererdefus’legislatur’afterdewah，"Wainwassaying。"WhenIwentupf’mSampsonindefall，Ihadtopassth’oughSmithfiel’，Igotintownindeafternoon，an’putupatdebes’hotel。Delan’lo’ddidn’havenos’picionbutwhatIwuzawhiteman，an’hegimmearoom，an’Ihadsupperan’breakfas’，an’wentonterRollynex’mornin’。W’endesessionwuzover，Icomealongback，an’w’enIgotterSmithfiel’，I

driv’upterdesamehotel。Inoticed，assoonasI

gotdere，datdeplacehadrundownconsid’able——

derewuzweedsgrowin’indeyard，dewinderswuzdirty，an’ev’ythingroun’derelookedkinderlonesomean’shif’less。Delan’lo’dmetmeatdedo’；

helookedmightydownindemouth，an’sezee：——

"`Looka—here，w’atmadeyoucomean’stopatmyplacewidouttellin’meyouwuzablackman？

Befo’youcometh’oughdistownIhadafus’—classbusiness。Butw’enfolksfoundoutdataniggerhadputuphere，businessdrappedrightoff，an’I’vehadtershetupmyhotel。Yououghterbe’shamederyo’se’fferruinin’apo’manw’athadn’neverdonenoharmteryou。You’vedoneamean，low—livedthing，an’ajes’God’llpunishyouferit。’

"Depo’manacshullybustintertears，"

continuedMr。Wainmagnanimously，"an’Ifeltsosorryfer’im——hewuzapo’whitemantryin’tergitupindeworl’——datIhauledoutmypursean’gin’imtendollars，an’he’pearedmonst’ousgladtergitit。"

"Howgood—hearted！Howkin’！"murmuredtheladies。"Itdonecredittoyo’feelin’s。"

"Don’tb’lieveaworderdemlies，"mutteredoneyoungmantoanothersarcastically。"Hecouldn’passferwhite，’less’nitwuzamightydarknight。"

Uponthisgloriouseveningofhislife，Mr。

JeffersonWainhadonedistinctlyhostilecritic，ofwhosepresencehewasblissfullyunconscious。

FrankFowlerhadnotbeeninvitedtotheparty，——

hisfamilydidnotgowithMaryB。’sset。Renahadsuggestedtohermotherthathebeinvited，butMis’Mollyhaddemurredonthegroundthatitwasnotherparty，andthatshehadnorighttoissueinvitations。ItisquitelikelythatshewouldhavesoughtaninvitationforFrankfromMaryB。；butFrankwasblack，andwouldnotharmonizewiththerestofthecompany，whowouldnothaveMis’Molly’sreasonsfortreatinghimwell。ShehadcompromisedthematterbysteppingacrossthewayintheafternoonandsuggestingthatFrankmightcomeoverandsitonthebackporchandlookatthedancingandshareinthesupper。

Frankwasnotwithoutacertainhonestpride。

Hewassensitiveenough，too，nottocaretogowherehewasnotwanted。Hewouldhavecurtlyrefusedanysuchmaimedinvitationtoanyotherplace。ButwouldhenotseeRenainherbestattire，andmightshenotperhaps，inpassing，speakawordtohim？

"Thanky’，Mis’Molly，"hereplied，"I’llprob’lycomeover。"

"You’reabigfool，boy，"observedhisfatherafterMis’Mollyhadgonebackacrossthestreet，"terbestickin’roun’demyallerniggers’crossdestreet，an’slobb’rin’an’slav’rin’over’em，an’hangin’

roun’deirbackdo’wuss’nefdeywuzw’itefolks。

I’dsee’emdeadfus’！"

Frankhimselfresistedthetemptationforhalfanhourafterthemusicbegan，butatlengthhemadehiswayacrossthestreetandstationedhimselfatthewindowopeninguponthebackpiazza。

WhenRenawasintheroom，hehadeyesforheronly，butwhenshewasabsent，hefixedhisattentionmainlyuponWain。WithjealousclairvoyanceheobservedthatWain’seyesfollowedRenawhenshelefttheroom，andlitupwhenshereturned。FrankhadheardthatRenawasgoingawaywiththisman，andhewatchedWainclosely，likinghimlessthelongerhelookedathim。Tohisfancy，Wain’sstyleandskillwereaffectation，hisgood—naturemerehypocrisy，andhisglanceatRenatheeyeofthehawkuponhisquarry。HehadheardthatWainwasunmarried，andhecouldnotseehow，thisbeingso，hecouldhelpwishingRenaforawife。Frankwouldhavebeencontenttoseehermarryawhiteman，whowouldhaveraisedhertoaplaneworthyofhermerits。Inthisman’sshiftyeyehereadtheliar——hiswealthandstandingwereprobablyasfalseashisseeminggood—humor。

"Isthatyou，Frank？"saidasoftvoicenearathand。

Helookedupwithajoyfulthrill。Renawaspeeringintentlyathim，asiftryingtodistinguishhisfeaturesinthedarkness。Itwasabrightmoonlightnight，butFrankstoodintheshadowofthepiazza。

"Yas’m，it’sme，MissRena。Yo’mammysaidIcouldcomeoveran’seeyou—alldance。Youain’

be’noutondeflo’atall，ter—night。"

"No，Frank，Idon’tcarefordancing。Ishallnotdanceto—night。"

ThisanswerwaspleasingtoFrank。Ifhecouldnothopetodancewithher，atleastthemeninside——atleastthissnakeinthegrassfromdownthecountry——shouldnothavethatprivilege。

"Butyoumusthavesomesupper，Frank，"saidRena。"I’llbringitmyself。"

"No，MissRena，Idon’keerfernothin’——I

didn’comeovertereat——r’al’yIdidn’t。"

"Nonsense，Frank，there’splentyofit。Ihavenoappetite，andyoushallhavemyportion。"

Shebroughthimasliceofcakeandaglassofeggnog。WhenMis’Molly，aminutelater，cameoutuponthepiazza，Franklefttheyardandwalkeddownthestreettowardtheoldcanal。Renahadspokensoftlytohim；shehadfedhimwithherowndaintyhands。Hemightneverhopethatshewouldseeinhimanythingbutafriend；buthelovedher，andhewouldwatchoverherandprotecther，wherevershemightbe。HedidnotbelievethatshewouldevermarrythegrinninghypocritemasqueradingbackthereinMis’Molly’sparlor；butthemanwouldbearwatching。

Mis’Mollyhadcometocallherdaughterintothehouse。"Rena，"shesaid，"Mr。Wainwantsterknowifyouwon’tdancejustonedancewithhim。"

"Yas，Rena，"pleadedMaryB。，whofollowedMissMollyouttothepiazza，"jes’onedance。I

don’tthinkyou’retreatin’mycomp’nyjes’right，CousinRena。"

"You’regoin’downtherewith’im，"addedhermother，"an’it’dbejustaswelltobeonfriendlytermswith’im。"

Wainhimselfhadfollowedthewomen。"Sho’ly，MissRena，you’regwineterhonahmewidonedance？I’dgo’wayf’mdispa’tysadathea’tefIhadn’stooduponcetwiddeyoungladyerdehouse。"

AsRena，weaklypersuaded，placedherhandonWain’sarmandenteredthehouse，abuggy，comingupFrontStreet，pausedamomentatthecorner，andthenturningslowly，drovequietlyupthenamelessby—street，concealedbytheinterveningcedars，untilitreachedapointfromwhichtheoccupantcouldview，throughtheopenfrontwindow，theinterioroftheparlor。

XXIV

SWINGYOURPARTNERS

Movedbytendernessandthoughtsofself—sacrifice，whichhadoccupiedhismindtothemomentaryexclusionofallelse，Tryonhadscarcelynoticed，asbeapproachedthehousebehindthecedars，astrainoflivelymusic，towhichwasadded，ashedrewstillnearer，theaccompanimentofotherfestivesounds。Hesuddenlyawoke，however，tothefactthatthesesignsofmerrimentcamefromthehouseatwhichhehadintendedtostop；——

hehadnotmeantthatRenashouldpassanothersleeplessnightofsorrow，orthatheshouldhimselfendureanotherneedlesshourofsuspense。

Hedrewreinatthecorner。Shockedsurprise，anascentanger，avaguealarm，aninsistentcuriosity，urgedhimnearer。Turningthemareintothesidestreetandkeepingclosetothefence，hedroveaheadintheshadowofthecedarsuntilhereachedagapthroughwhichhecouldseeintotheopendoorandwindowsofthebrightlylightedhall。

Therewasevidentlyaballinprogress。Thefiddlewassqueakingmerrilysoatunethatherememberedwell，——itwasassociatedwithoneofthemostdelightfuleveningsofhislife，thatofthetournamentball。Amellownegrovoicewascallingwitharhymingaccompanimentthefiguresofaquadrille。Tryon，withpartedlipsandslowlyhardeningheart，leanedforwardfromthebuggy—

seat，grippingthereinsotightlythathisnailscutintotheopposingpalm。Abovetheclatterofnoisyconversationrosethefiddler’svoice：——

"Swingyo’pa’dners；doanbeshy，Lookyo’ladyindeeye！

Th’owyo’ahmaroun’huhwais’；

Takeyo’time——deyain’nohas’e！"

Tothemiddleofthefloor，infullviewthroughanopenwindow，advancedthewomanwhoalldaylonghadbeentheburdenofhisthoughts——notpalewithgriefandhollow—eyedwithweeping，butflushedwithpleasure，aroundherwaistthearmofaburly，grinningmulatto，whosefacewasoffensivelyfamiliartoTryon。

Withamutteredcurseofconcentratedbitterness，Tryonstruckthemareasharpblowwiththewhip。Thesensitivecreature，spiritedeveninhergreatweariness，resentedthelashandstartedoffwiththebitinherteeth。Perceivingthatitwouldbedifficulttoturninthenarrowroadwaywithoutrunningintotheditchattheleft，Tryongavethemarereinanddasheddownthestreet，scarcelymissing，asthebuggycrossedthebridge，amanstandingabstractedlybytheoldcanal，whosprangasidebarelyintimetoavoidbeingrunover。

MeantimeRenawaspassingthroughatryingordeal。Afterthefirstfewbars，thefiddlerplungedintoawell—knownair，inwhichRena，keenlysusceptibletomusicalimpressions，recognizedthetunetowhich，asQueenofLoveandBeauty，shehadopenedthedanceatherentranceintotheworldoflifeandlove，foritwasthereshehadmetGeorgeTryon。Thecombinationofmusicandmovementbroughtupthescenewithgreatdistinctness。Tryon，peeringangrilythroughthecedars，hadnotbeenmoreconsciousthansheoftheexternalcontrastbetweenherpartnersonthisandtheformeroccasion。Sheperceived，too，asTryonfromtheoutsidehadnot，thedifferencebetweenWain’swordyflattery（onlysavedbyhiscousin’swarningfrompointedandfulsomeadulation），andthetenderlygracefulcompliment，couchedintheromantictermsofchivalry，withwhichtheknightofthehandkerchiefhadcharmedherear。Itwasonlybyanimmenseeffortthatshewasabletokeepheremotionsundercontroluntiltheendofthedance，whenshefledtoherchamberandburstintotears。ItwasnotthecruelTryonwhohadblastedherlovewithhisdeadlylookthatshemourned，butthegallantyoungknightwhohadwornherfavoronhislanceandcrownedherQueenofLoveandBeauty。

Tryon’sstayinPatesvillewasverybrief。Hedrovetothehotelandputupforthenight。Duringmanysleeplesshourshismindwasinaturmoilwithaverydifferentsetofthoughtsfromthosewhichhadoccupieditonthewaytotown。Nottheleastofthemwasaprofoundself—contemptforhisownlackofdiscernment。Howhadhebeensoblindasnottohavereadlongagothecharacterofthiswretchedgirlwhohadbewitchedhim？

To—nighthiseyeshadbeenopened——hehadseenherwiththemaskthrownoff，atruedaughterofaraceinwhichthesensuousenjoymentofthemomenttookprecedenceoftasteorsentimentoranyofthehigheremotions。Herfewmonthsofboarding—

school，herbriefassociationwithwhitepeople，hadevidentlybeenamereveneerovertheunderlyingnegro，andtheireffectshadslippedawayassoonastheintercoursehadceased。Withthemonkey—likeimitativenessofthenegroshehadcopiedthemannersofwhitepeoplewhileshelivedamongthem，andhaddroppedthemwithequalfacilitywhentheyceasedtoserveapurpose。Whobutanegrocouldhaverecoveredsosoonfromwhathadseemedaterriblebereavement？——sheherselfmusthavefeltitatthetime，forotherwiseshewouldnothaveswooned。Awomanofsensibility，asthisonehadseemedtobe，shouldnaturallyfeelmorekeenly，andforalongertimethanaman，aninjurytotheaffections；buthe，asonoftherulingrace，hadbeenmiserableforsixweeksaboutagirlwhohadsofarforgottenhimasalreadytoplungeheadlongintothechildishamusementsofherownignorantanddegradedpeople。Whatmore，indeed，heaskedhimselfsavagely，——whatmorecouldbeexpectedofthebase—bornchildoftheplaythingofagentleman’sidlehour，whotothisignobleoriginaddedthebloodofaservilerace？Andhe，GeorgeTryon，hadhonoredherwithhislove；hehadverynearlylinkedhisfateandjoinedhisbloodtohersbythesolemnsanctionsofchurchandstate。Tryonwasnotadevoutman，buthethankedGodwithreligiousfervorthathehadbeensavedasecondtimefromamistakewhichwouldhavewreckedhiswholefuture。

Ifhehadyieldedtothemomentaryweaknessofthepastnight，——theoutcomeofasicklysentimentalitytowhichherecognizednow，inthelightofreflection，thathewasentirelytooprone，——hewouldhaveregretteditsoonenough。Theblackstreakwouldhavebeensuretocomeoutinsomeform，soonerorlater，ifnotinthewife，theninherchildren。Hesawclearlyenough，inthishourofrevulsion，thatwithhistemperamentandtrainingsuchaunioncouldneverhavebeenhappy。

Ifalltheworldhadbeenignorantofthedarksecret，itwouldalwayshavebeeninhisownthoughts，oratleastneverfaraway。Eachfaultofhersthattheclosedailyassociationofhusbandandwifemightreveal，——themostflawlessofsweetheartsdonotpassscathlessthroughthelongtestofmatrimony，——everywaywardimpulseofhischildren，everydefectofmind，morals，temper，orhealth，wouldhavebeenascribedtothedarkancestralstrain。Happinessundersuchconditionswouldhavebeenimpossible。

WhenTryonlayawakeintheearlymorning，afterafewbriefhoursofsleep，thebusinesswhichhadbroughthimtoPatesvilleseemed，inthecoldlightofreason，soridiculouslyinadequatethathefeltalmostashamedtohavesetupsuchapretextforhisjourney。Theprospect，too，ofmeetingDr。Greenandhisfamily，ofhavingtoexplainhisformersuddendeparture，andofrunningagauntletofinquiryconcerninghismarriagetothearistocraticMissWarwickofSouthCarolina；

thefearthatsomeoneatPatesvillemighthavesuspectedaconnectionbetweenRena’sswoonandhisownflight，——theseconsiderationssomovedthisimpressionableandimpulsiveyoungmanthathecalledabell—boy，demandedanearlybreakfast，orderedhishorse，paidhisreckoning，andstarteduponhishomewardjourneyforthwith。Acertaindistrustofhisownsensibility，whichhefelttobecuriouslyinconsistentwithhismostpositiveconvictions，ledhimtoseektheriverbridgebyaroundaboutroutewhichdidnottakehimpastthehousewhere，afewhoursbefore，hehadseenthelastfragmentofhisidolshatteredbeyondthehopeofrepair。

Thepartybrokeupatanearlyhour，sincemostoftheguestswereworking—people，andthetravelersweretomakeanearlystartnextday。Aboutnineinthemorning，WaindroveroundtoMis’

Molly’s。Rena’strunkwasstrappedbehindthebuggy，andshesetout，inthecompanyofWain，forhernewfieldoflabor。Theschooltermwasonlytwomonthsinlength，andshedidnotexpecttoreturnuntilitsexpiration。Justbeforetakingherseatinthebuggy，Renafeltasuddensinkingoftheheart。

"Oh，mother，"shewhispered，astheystoodwrappedinacloseembrace，"I’mafraidtoleaveyou。Ileftyouonce，anditturnedoutsomiserably。"

"It’llturnoutbetterthistime，honey，"repliedhermothersoothingly。"Good—by，child。Takecareofyo’selfan’yo’rmoney，andwritetoyo’rmammy。"

Onekissallround，andRenawasliftedintothebuggy。Wainseizedthereins，andunderhisskillfultouchtheprettymarebegantopranceandcurvetwithrestrainedimpatience。Waincouldnotresisttheopportunitytoshowoffbeforetheparty，whichincludedMaryB。’sentirefamilyandseveralotherneighbors，whohadgatheredtoseethetravelersoff。

"Good—byterPatesville！Good—by，folksesall！"

hecried，withawaveofhisdisengagedhand。

"Good—by，mother！Good—by，all！"criedRena，aswithtearsinherheartandabravesmileonherfacesheleftherhomebehindherforthesecondtime。

Whentheyhadcrossedtheriverbridge，thetravelerscametoalongstretchofrisingground，fromthesummitofwhichtheycouldlookbackoverthewhitesandyroadfornearlyamile。

NeitherRenanorhercompanionsawFrankFowlerbehindthechinquapinbushatthefootofthehill，northegazeofmuteloveandlongingwithwhichhewatchedthebuggymountthelongincline。Hehadnotbeenabletotrusthimselftobidherfarewell。Hehadseenhergoawayoncebeforewitheveryprospectofhappiness，andcomeback，adovewithawoundedwing，totheoldnestbehindthecedars。Shewasgoingawayagain，withamanwhomhedislikedanddistrusted。Ifshehadmetmisfortunebefore，whatwereherprospectsforhappinessnow？

Thebuggypausedatthetopofthehill，andFrank，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，thoughthecouldseeherturnandlookbehind。Lookback，dearchild，towardsyourhomeandthosewholoveyou！ForwhoknowsmorethanthisfaithfulworshiperwhatthreadsofthepastFateisweavingintoyourfuture，orwhetherhappinessormiseryliesbeforeyou？

XXV

BALANCEALL

TheroadtoSampsonCountylayforthemostpartoverthepine—cladsandhills，——analternationofgentlerisesandgradualdescents，withnowandthenaswampofgreaterorlessextent。Longstretchesofthehighwayledthroughthevirginforest，formilesunbrokenbyaclearingorsignofhumanhabitation。

Theytraveledslowly，withfrequentpausesinshadyplaces，fortheweatherwashot。Thejourney，madeleisurely，requiredmorethanaday，andmightwithslighteffortbeprolongedintotwo。Theystoppedforthenightatasmallvillage，whereWainfoundlodgingforRenawithanacquaintanceofhis，andforhimselfwithanother，whileathirdtookchargeofthehorse，theaccommodationfortravelersbeinglimited。Rena’sappearanceandmannerswerethesubjectofmuchcomment。ItwasnecessarytoexplaintoseveralcuriouswhitepeoplethatRenawasawomanofcolor。AwhitewomanmighthavedrivenwithWainwithoutattractingremark，——mostwhiteladieshadnegrocoachmen。ThatawomanofRena’scomplexionshouldeatatanegro’stable，orsleepbeneathanegro’sroof，wasaseemingbreachofcastewhichonlyblackbloodcouldexcuse。Theexplanationwasneverquestioned。Nowhitepersonofsoundmindwouldeverclaimtobeanegro。

Theyresumedtheirjourneysomewhatlateinthemorning。Renawouldwillinglyhavehastened，forshewasanxioustoplungeintohernewwork；butWainseemeddisposedtoprolongthepleasantdrive，andbeguiledthewayforatimewithstoriesofwonderfulthingshehaddoneandstrangeexperiencesofasomewhatcheckeredcareer。Hewasshrewdenoughtoavoidanysubjectwhichwouldoffendamodestyoungwoman，buttooobtusetoperceivethatmuchofwhathesaidwouldnotcommendhimtoapersonofrefinement。Hemadelittlereferencetohispossessions，concerningwhichsomuchhadbeensaidatPatesville；andthisreticencewasapointinhisfavor。IfhehadnotbeensomuchuponhisguardandRenasomuchabsorbedbythoughtsofherfuturework，suchadrivewouldhavefurnishedapersonofherdiscernmentaveryfairmeasureoftheman’scharacter。

TothesedistractionsmustbeaddedtheentireabsenceofanyideathatWainmighthaveamorousdesignsuponher；andanyshortcomingsofmannersorspeechwereexcusedbythebroadmantleofcharitywhichRenainhernew—foundzealforthewelfareofherpeoplewaswillingtothrowoveralltheirfaults。Theywerethevictimsofoppression；theywerenotresponsibleforitsresults。

Towardtheendofthesecondday，whilenearingtheirdestination，thetravelerspassedalargewhitehousestandingbackfromtheroadatthefootofalane。Arounditgrewwidespreadingtreesandwell—keptshrubbery。Thefenceswereingoodrepair。Behindthehouseandacrosstheroadstretchedextensivefieldsofcottonandwavingcorn。Theyhadpassednootherplacethatshowedsuchsignsofthriftandprosperity。

"Oh，whatalovelyplace！"exclaimedRena。

"Thatisyours，isn’tit？"

"No；weain’tgottomyhouseyet，"heanswered。"Dathouseb’longsterderiches’peopleroun’here。Dathouseisoverindenex’county。

We’rerightclosetodelinenow。"

Shortlyafterwardstheyturnedofffromthemainhighwaytheyhadbeenpursuing，andstruckintoanarrowerroadtotheleft。

"Demainroad，"explainedWain，"goesontoClinton，’boutfivemilesermo’away。Disonewe’returnin’internowwilltakeustomyplace，whichis’boutthreemilesfu’theron。We’llgitderenowinanhourerso。"

Wainlivedinanoldplantationhouse，somewhatdilapidated，andsurroundedbyanairofneglectandshiftlessness，butstillpreservingaremnantofdignityinitsoutlinesandcomfortinitsinteriorarrangements。Renawasassignedalargeroomonthesecondfloor。Shewassomewhatsurprisedatthemake—upofthehousehold。Wain’smother——

anoldwoman，muchdarkerthanherson——kepthouseforhim。Asisterwithtwochildrenlivedinthehouse。TheelementofsurpriselayinthepresenceoftwosmallchildrenleftbyWain’swife，ofwhomRenanowheardforthefirsttime。Hehadlosthiswife，heinformedRenasadly，acoupleofyearsbefore。

"Yas，MissRena，"shesighed，"deLawdgiveher，an’deLawdtuckheraway。BlessedbedenameerdeLawd。"Heaccompaniedthissententiousquotationwithawickedlookfromunderhishalf—closedeyelidsthatRenadidnotsee。

ThefollowingmorningWaindroveherinhisbuggyovertothecountytown，whereshetooktheteacher’sexamination。Shewasgivenaseatinaroomwithanumberofothercandidatesforcertificates，butthefactleakingoutfromsomeremarkofWain’sthatshewasacoloredgirl，objectionwasquietlymadebyseveralofthewould—beteacherstoherpresenceintheroom，andshewasrequestedtoretireuntilthewhiteteachersshouldhavebeenexamined。Anhourortwolatershewasgivenaseparateexamination，whichshepassedwithoutdifficulty。Theexaminer，agentlemanoflocalstanding，wasdimlyconsciousthatshemightnothavefoundherexclusionpleasant，andwasespeciallypolite。Itwouldhavebeenstrange，indeed，ifhehadnotbeenimpressedbyhersweetfaceandairofmodestdignity，whichwereallthemorestrikingbecauseofhersocialdisability。Hefellintoconversationwithher，becameinterestedinherhopesandaims，andverycordiallyofferedtobeofservice，ifatanytimehemight，inconnectionwithherschool。

"Youhavethesatisfaction，"hesaid，"ofreceivingtheonlyfirst—gradecertificateissuedto—day。

YoumightteachahighergradeofpupilsthanyouwillfindatSandyRun，butletushopethatyoumayintimeraisethemtoyourownlevel。"

"WhichIdoubtverymuch，"hemutteredtohimself，asshewentawaywithWain。"Whatapitythatsuchawomanshouldbeanigger！Ifshewereanythingtome，though，Ishouldhatetotrustheranywherenearthatsaddle—coloredscoundrel。He’sathoroughlybadlot，andwillbearwatching。"

Rena，however，wasserenelyignorantofanydangerfromtheaccommodatingWain。Absorbedinherownthoughtsandplans，shehadnotsoughttolookbeneaththesurfaceofhissomewhatoverdonepoliteness。Inafewdaysshebeganherworkasteacher，andsoughttoforgetintheserviceofothersthedullsorrowthatstillgnawedatherheart。

XXVI

THESCHOOLHOUSEINTHEWOODS

BlancheLeary，closelyobservantofTryon’smoods，markedadecidedchangeinhismannerafterhisreturnfromhistriptoPatesville。Hisformermorosenesshadgivenwaytoacertaindefiantlightness，brokennowandthenbyaninvoluntarysigh，butmaintainedsowell，onthewhole，thathismotherdetectednolapseswhatever。

Thechangewascharacterizedbyanotherfeatureagreeabletoboththewomen：TryonshoweddecidedlymoreinterestthaneverbeforeinMissLeary’ssociety。Withinaweekheaskedherseveraltimestoplayaselectiononthepiano，displaying，asshenoticed，adecidedpreferenceforgayandcheerfulmusic，andseveraltimessuggestingachangewhenshechosepiecesofasentimentalcast。Morethanonce，duringthesecondweekafterhisreturn，hewentoutridingwithher；shewasagracefulhorsewoman，perfectlyathomeinthesaddle，andappearingtoadvantageinariding—

habit。ShewasawarethatTryonwatchedhernowandthen，withaneyerathercriticalthanindulgent。

"Heiscomparingmewithsomeothergirl，"

shesurmised。"Iseemtostandthetestverywell。

Iwonderwhotheotheris，andwhatwasthetrouble？"

MissLearyexertedallherpowerstointerestandamusethemanshehadsetouttowin，andwhoseemednearerthaneverbefore。Tryon，tohispleasedsurprise，discoveredinherminddepthsthathehadneversuspected。Shedisplayedasingularaffinityforthetastesthatwerehis——hecouldnot，ofcourse，knowhowcarefullyshehadstudiedthem。Theoldwound，recentlyreopened，seemedtobehealingrapidly，underconditionsmoreconducivethanbeforetoperfectrecovery。

Nolonger，indeed，washepursuedbythepictureofRenadiscoveredandunmasked——thishehaddefinitelybanishedfromtherealmofsentimenttothatofreason。ThehauntingimageofRenalovingandbeloved，amidtheharmonioussurroundingsofherbrother’shome，wasnotsoreadilydisplaced。

Nevertheless，hereachedinseveralweeksapointfromwhichhecouldconsiderherasonethinksofadearoneremovedbythehandofdeath，orsmittenbysomeincurableailmentofmindorbody。

Erelong，hefondlybelieved，therecoverywouldbesofarcompletethathecouldconsigntothetombofpleasantmemorieseventhemostthrillingepisodesofhisill—starredcourtship。

"George，"saidMrs。Tryononemorningwhilehersonwasinthischeerfulmood，"I’msendingBlancheovertoMajorMcLeod’stodoanerrandforme。Wouldyouminddrivingherover？Theroadmayberoughafterthestormlastnight，andBlanchehasanideathatnoonedrivessowellasyou。"

"Why，yes，mother，I’llbegladtodriveBlancheover。Iwanttoseethemajormyself。"

Theyweresoonbowlingalongbetweenthepines，behindthehandsomemarethathadcarriedTryonsowellattheClarencetournament。Presentlyhedrewupsharply。

"Atreehasfallensquarelyacrosstheroad，"heexclaimed。"Weshallhavetoturnbackalittlewayandgoaround。"

Theydrovebackaquarterofamileandturnedintoaby—roadleadingtotherightthroughthewoods。Thesolemnsilenceofthepineforestissoothingoroppressive，accordingtoone’smood。

Beneaththecoolarcadeofthetall，overarchingtreesadeeppeacestoleoverTryon’sheart。Hehadputasideindefinitelyandforeveranunhappyandimpossiblelove。Theprettyandaffectionategirlbesidehimwouldmakeanidealwife。Ofherfamilyandbloodhewassure。Shewashismother’schoice，andhismotherhadsetherheartupontheirmarriage。Whynotspeaktohernow，andthusgivehimselfthebestpossibleprotectionagainststrayflamesoflove？

"Blanche，"hesaid，lookingatherkindly。

"Yes，George？"Hervoicewasverygentle，andslightlytremulous。Couldshehavedivinedhisthought？Loveisagreatclairvoyant。

"Blanche，dear，I"——

AclatterofvoicesbrokeuponthestillnessoftheforestandinterruptedTryon’sspeech。A

suddenturntotheleftbroughtthebuggytoalittleclearing，inthemidstofwhichstoodasmalllogschoolhouse。Outoftheschoolhouseaswarmofcoloredchildrenwereemerging，thesuppressedenergyoftheschoolhourfindingventinvocalexerciseofvarioussorts。Agrouphadalreadyformedaring，andweresingingwithgreatvolumeandvigor：——

"MissJane，shelovessugaran’tea，MissJane，shelovescandy。

MissJane，shecanwhirlallaroundAn’kissherlovequitehandy。

"Deoakgrowstall，Depinegrowsslim，Soriseyouup，mytruelove，An’letmecomein。"

"Whatafunnylittledarkey！"exclaimedMissLeary，pointingtoadiminutiveladwhowaswalkingonhishands，withhisfeetbalancedintheair。

Atsightofthebuggyanditsoccupantsthissableacrobat，stillretaininghisinvertedposition，movedtowardthenewcomers，and，reversinghimselfwithasuddenspring，broughtupstandingbesidethebuggy。

"Hoddy，MarsGeo’ge！"heexclaimed，bobbinghisheadandkickinghisheeloutbehindinapprovedplantationstyle。

"Hello，Plato，"repliedtheyoungman，"whatareyoudoinghere？"

"Gwineterschool，MarsGeo’ge，"repliedthelad；"larnin’terreadan’write，suh，lackdew’itefolks。"

"Watyoucallin’datw’itemanmarsterfur？"

whisperedatallyellowboytotheacrobataddressedasPlato。"Youdon’b’longterhimnomo’；you’refree，an’ain’gotsenseernuffterknowit。"

TryonthrewasmallcointoPlato，andholdinganotherinhishandsuggestively，smiledtowardthetallyellowboy，wholookedregretfullyatthecoin，butstoodhisground；hewouldcallnomanmaster，notevenforapieceofmoney。

Duringthislittlecolloquy，MissLearyhadkeptherfaceturnedtowardtheschoolhouse。

"Whataprettygirl！"sheexclaimed。"There，"

sheadded，asTryonturnedhisheadtowardher，"youaretoolate。Shehasretiredintohercastle。

Oh，Plato！"

"Yas，missis，"repliedPlato，whowasprancingroundthebuggyingreatglee，onthestrengthofhisacquaintancewiththewhitefolks。

"Isyourteacherwhite？"

"No，ma’m，sheain’tw’ite；she’sblack。Shelookslackshe’sw’ite，butshe’sblack。"

Tryonhadnotseentheteacher’sface，buttheincidenthadjarredtheoldwound；MissLeary’sdescriptionoftheteacher，togetherwithPlato’scharacterization，hadstirredlightlysleepingmemories。Hewasmoreorlessabstractedduringtheremainderofthedrive，anddidnotrecurtotheconversationthathadbeeninterruptedbycomingupontheschoolhouse。