第7章

Hetookitforgrantedthateverybodyhadreadit。

"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，"repliedCorey，"Idon’tseetheEventsregularly。"

"Oh，itwasnothing。Theysentafellowdownheretointerviewme，andhegoteverythingaboutastwistedashecould。"

"Ibelievetheyalwaysdo，"saidCorey。"Ihadn’tseenit。

PerhapsitcameoutbeforeIgothome。"

"Perhapsitdid。"

"MynotionofmakingmyselfusefultoyouwasbasedonahintIgotfromoneofyourowncirculars。"

Laphamwasproudofthosecirculars；hethoughttheyreadverywell。"Whatwasthat？"

"Icouldputalittlecapitalintothebusiness，"saidCorey，withthetentativeaccentofamanwhochancesathing。

"I’vegotalittlemoney，butIdidn’timagineyoucaredforanythingofthatkind。"

"No，sir，Idon’t，"returnedtheColonelbluntly。

"I’vehadonepartner，andone’senough。"

"Yes，"assentedtheyoungman，whodoubtlesshadhisownideasastoeventualities——orperhapsratherhadthevaguehopesofyouth。"Ididn’tcometoproposeapartnership。

ButIseethatyouareintroducingyourpaintintotheforeignmarkets，andthereIreallythoughtImightbeofusetoyou，andtomyselftoo。"

"How？"askedtheColonelscantly。

"Well，Iknowtwoorthreelanguagesprettywell。

IknowFrench，andIknowGerman，andI’vegotaprettyfairsprinklingofSpanish。"

"Youmeanthatyoucantalkthem？"askedtheColonel，withthemingledaweandslightthatsuchamanfeelsforsuchaccomplishments。"Yes；andIcanwriteanintelligibleletterineitherofthem。"

Laphamrubbedhisnose。"It’seasyenoughtogetalltheletterswewanttranslated。"

"Well，"pursuedCorey，notshowinghisdiscouragementifhefeltany，"Iknowthecountrieswhereyouwanttointroducethispaintofyours。I’vebeenthere。

I’vebeeninGermanyandFranceandI’vebeeninSouthAmericaandMexico；I’vebeeninItaly，ofcourse。

IbelieveIcouldgotoanyofthosecountriesandplaceittoadvantage。"

Laphamhadlistenedwithatraceofpersuasioninhisface，butnowheshookhishead。

"It’splacingitselfasfastasthere’sanycallforit。

Itwouldn’tpayustosendanybodyouttolookafterit。

Yoursalaryandexpenseswouldeatupaboutallweshouldmakeonit。"

"Yes，"returnedtheyoungmanintrepidly，"ifyouhadtopaymeanysalaryandexpenses。"

"Youdon’tproposetoworkfornothing？"

"Iproposetoworkforacommission。"TheColonelwasbeginningtoshakehisheadagain，butCoreyhurriedon。

"Ihaven’tcometoyouwithoutmakingsomeinquiriesaboutthepaint，andIknowhowitstandswiththosewhoknowbest。

Ibelieveinit。"

Laphamliftedhisheadandlookedattheyoungman，deeplymoved。

"It’sthebestpaintinGod’suniverse，"hesaidwiththesolemnityofprayer。

"It’sthebestinthemarket，"saidCorey；andherepeated，"Ibelieveinit。"

"Youbelieveinit，"begantheColonel，andthenhestopped。

Iftherehadreallybeenanypurchasingpowerinmoney，ayear’sincomewouldhaveboughtMrs。Lapham’sinstantpresence。

Hewarmedandsoftenedtotheyoungmanineveryway，notonlybecausehemustdosotoanyonewhobelievedinhispaint，butbecausehehaddonethisinnocentpersonthewrongoflisteningtoadefamationofhisinstinctandgoodsense，andhadbeenwillingtoseehimsufferforapurelysupposititiousoffence。

Coreyrose。

"Youmustn’tletmeoutstaymytwentyminutes，"hesaid，takingouthiswatch。"Idon’texpectyoutogiveadecidedansweronthespot。AllthatIaskisthatyou’llconsidermyproposition。"

"Don’thurry，"saidLapham。"Sitstill！Iwanttotellyouaboutthispaint，"headded，inavoicehuskywiththefeelingthathishearercouldnotdivine。

"IwanttotellyouALLaboutit。"

"Icouldwalkwithyoutotheboat，"suggestedtheyoungman。

"Nevermindtheboat！Icantakethenextone。Lookhere！"

TheColonelpulledopenadrawer，asCoreysatdownagain，andtookoutaphotographofthelocalityofthemine。

"Here’swherewegetit。Thisphotographdon’thalfdotheplacejustice，"hesaid，asiftheimperfectarthadslightedthefeaturesofabelovedface。

"It’soneofthesightliestplacesinthecountry，andhere’stheveryspot"——hecovereditwithhishugeforefinger——"wheremyfatherfoundthatpaint，morethanforty——years——ago。Yes，sir！"

Hewenton，andtoldthestoryinunsparingdetail，whilehischancefortheboatpassedunheeded，andtheclerksintheouterofficehunguptheirlinenofficecoatsandputontheirseersuckerorflannelstreetcoats。

Theyoungladywenttoo，andnobodywasleftbuttheporter，whomadefromtimetotimeanoisydemonstrationoffasteningadistantblind，orputtingsomethinginplace。

AtlasttheColonelrousedhimselffromtheautobiographicaldelightofthehistoryofhispaint。"Well，sir，that’sthestory。"

"It’saninterestingstory，"saidCorey，withalongbreath，astheyrosetogether，andLaphamputonhiscoat。

"That’swhatitis，"saidtheColonel。"Well！"headded，"Idon’tseebutwhatwe’vegottohaveanothertalkaboutthisthing。It’sasurprisetome，andIdon’tseeexactlyhowyou’regoingtomakeitpay。"

"I’mwillingtotakethechances，"answeredCorey。"AsIsaid，Ibelieveinit。IshouldtrySouthAmericafirst。

IshouldtryChili。"

"Lookhere！"saidLapham，withhiswatchinhishand。

"Iliketogetthingsover。We’vejustgottimeforthesixo’clockboat。Whydon’tyoucomedownwithmetoNantasket？Icangiveyouabedaswellasnot。

Andthenwecanfinishup。"

TheimpatienceofyouthinCoreyrespondedtotheimpatienceoftemperamentinhiselder。"Why，Idon’tseewhyIshouldn’t，"heallowedhimselftosay。

"IconfessIshouldliketohaveitfinishedupmyself，ifitcouldbefinishedupintherightway。"

"Well，we’llsee。Dennis！"Laphamcalledtotheremoteporter，andthemancame。"Wanttosendanywordhome？"

heaskedCorey。

"No；myfatherandIgoandcomeaswelike，withoutkeepingaccountofeachother。IfIdon’tcomehome，heknowsthatI’mnotthere。That’sall。"

"Well，that’sconvenient。You’llfindyoucan’tdothatwhenyou’remarried。Nevermind，Dennis，"saidtheColonel。

Hehadtimetobuytwonewspapersonthewharfbeforehejumpedonboardthesteam—boatwithCorey。

"Justmadeit，"hesaid；"andthat’swhatIliketodo。

Ican’tstandittobeaboardmuchmorethanaminutebeforesheshovesout。"HegaveoneofthenewspaperstoCoreyashespoke，andsethimtheexampleofcatchingupacamp—stoolontheirwaytothatpointontheboatwhichhisexperiencehadtaughthimwasthebest。

Heopenedhispaperatonceandbegantorunoveritsnews，whiletheyoungmanwatchedthespectacularrecessionofthecity，andwasvaguelyconsciousofthepeopleabouthim，andofthegaylifeofthewaterroundtheboat。

Theairfreshened；thecraftthinnedinnumber；theymetlargersail，laggingslowlyinwardintheafternoonlight；

theislandsofthebaywaxedandwanedasthesteamerapproachedandleftthembehind。

"IhatetoseethemstirringupthoseSouthernfellowsagain，"

saidtheColonel，speakingintothepaperonhislap。

"Seemstomeit’stimetoletthoseoldissuesgo。"

"Yes，"saidtheyoungman。"Whataretheydoingnow？"

"Oh，stirringuptheConfederatebrigadiersinCongress。

Idon’tlikeit。Seemstome，ifourpartyhain’tgotanyotherstock—in—trade，webettershutupshopaltogether。"

Laphamwenton，ashescannedhisnewspaper，togivehisideasofpublicquestions，inafragmentaryway，whileCoreylistenedpatiently，andwaitedforhimtocomebacktobusiness。Hefoldeduphispaperatlast，andstuffeditintohiscoatpocket。"There’sonethingI

alwaysmakeitaruletodo，"hesaid，"andthatistogivemymindacompleterestfrombusinesswhileI’mgoingdownontheboat。Iliketogetthefreshairallthroughme，soulandbody。Ibelieveamancangivehismindarest，justthesameashecangivehislegsarest，orhisback。

Allhe’sgottodoistousehiswill—power。Why，Isuppose，ifIhadn’tadoptedsomesuchrule，withthestrainI’vehadonmeforthelasttenyears，Ishould’a’beenadeadmanlongago。That’sthereasonIlikeahorse。

You’vegottogiveyourmindtothehorse；youcan’thelpit，unlessyouwanttobreakyourneck；butaboat’sdifferent，andthereyougottouseyourwill—power。Yougottotakeyourmindrightupandputitwhereyouwantit。

Imakeitaruletoreadthepaperontheboat————Holdon！"

heinterruptedhimselftopreventCoreyfrompayinghisfaretothemanwhohadcomeroundforit。

"I’vegottickets。AndwhenIgetthroughthepaper，Itrytogetsomebodytotalkto，orIwatchthepeople。

It’sanastonishingthingtomewheretheyallcomefrom。

I’vebeenridingupanddownontheseboatsforsixorsevenyears，andIdon’tknowbutveryfewofthefacesIseeonboard。Seemstobeaperfectlyfreshloteverytime。Well，ofcourse！Town’sfullofstrangersinthesummerseason，anyway，andfolkskeepcomingdownfromthecountry。Theythinkit’sagreatthingtogetdowntothebeach，andthey’veallheardoftheelectriclightonthewater，andtheywanttoseeit。

Butyoutakefacesnow！Theastonishingthingtomeisnotwhatafacetells，butwhatitdon’ttell。

Whenyouthinkofwhatamanis，orawomanis，andwhatmostof’emhavebeenthroughbeforetheygettobethirty，itseemsasiftheirexperiencewouldburnrightthrough。

Butitdon’t。Iliketowatchthecouples，andtrytomakeoutwhichareengaged，orgoingtobe，andwhicharemarried，orbetterbe。ButhalfthetimeIcan’tmakeanysortofguess。Ofcourse，wherethey’reyoungandkittenish，youcantell；butwherethey’reanywayson，youcan’t。

Heigh？"

"Yes，Ithinkyou’reright，"saidCorey，notperfectlyreconciledtophilosophyintheplaceofbusiness，butacceptingitashemust。

"Well，"saidtheColonel，"Idon’tsupposeitwasmeantweshouldknowwhatwasineachother’sminds。Itwouldtakeamanoutofhisownhands。Aslongashe’sinhisownhands，there’ssomehopesofhisdoingsomethingwithhimself；

butifafellowhasbeenfoundout——evenifhehasn’tbeenfoundouttobesoverybad——it’sprettymuchallupwithhim。

No，sir。Idon’twanttoknowpeoplethroughandthrough。"

Thegreaterpartofthecrowdonboard——and，ofcourse，theboatwascrowded——lookedasiftheymightnotonlybeeasilybutsafelyknown。Therewaslittlestyleandnodistinctionamongthem；theywerepeoplewhoweregoingdowntothebeachforthefunorthereliefofit，andwereabletoaffordit。Infacetheywerecommonplace，withnothingbuttheAmericanpoetryofvividpurposetolightthemup，wheretheydidnotwhollylackfire。

Buttheywerenearlyallshrewdandfriendly—looking，withanapparentreadinessforthehumorousintimacynativetousall。Thewomenweredandifiedindress，accordingtotheirmeansandtaste，andthemendifferedfromeachotherindegreesofindifferencetoit。

Toastraw—hattedpopulation，suchasoursisinsummer，nosortofpersonaldignityispossible。WehavenoteventhepoweroverobserverswhichcomesfromthefantasticalityofanEnglishmanwhenhediscardstheconventionaldress。

Inourstrawhatsandoursergeorflannelsackswearenomoreimposingthanacrowdofboys。

"Someday，"saidLapham，risingastheboatdrewnearthewharfofthefinallanding，"theresgoingtobeanawfulaccidentontheseboats。Justlookatthatjam。"

Hemeantthepeoplethicklypackedonthepier，andunderstrongrestraintoflocksandgates，topreventthemfromrushingonboardtheboatandpossessingherforthereturntripbeforeshehadlandedherNantasketpassengers。

"Overload’emeverytime，"hecontinued，withasortofdry，impersonalconcernattheimpendingcalamity，asifitcouldnotpossiblyincludehim。"Theytakeabouttwiceasmanyastheyoughttocarry，andabouttentimesasmanyastheycouldsaveifanythinghappened。

Yes，sir，it’sboundtocome。Hello！There’smygirl！"

Hetookouthisfoldednewspaperandwavedittowardagroupofphaetonsandbarouchesdrawnuponthepieralittleapartfromthepackofpeople，andaladyinoneofthemansweredwithaflourishofherparasol。

Whenhehadmadehiswaywithhisguestthroughthecrowd，shebegantospeaktoherfatherbeforeshenoticedCorey。

"Well，Colonel，you’veimprovedyourlastchance。

We’vebeencomingtoeveryboatsincefouro’clock，——orJerryhas，——andItoldmotherthatIwouldcomemyselfonce，andseeifIcouldn’tfetchyou；andifIfailed，youcouldwalknexttime。You’regettingperfectlyspoiled。"

TheColonelenjoyedlettingherscoldhimtotheendbeforehesaid，withatwinkleofprideinhisguestandsatisfactioninherprobablybeingabletoholdherownagainstanydiscomfiture，"I’vebroughtMr。Coreydownforthenightwithme，andIwasshowinghimthingsalltheway，andittooktime。"

Theyoungfellowwasatthesideoftheopenbeach—wagon，makingaquickbow，andPenelopeLaphamwascozilydrawling，"Oh，howdoyoudo，Mr。Corey？"beforetheColonelhadfinishedhisexplanation。

"Getrightinthere，alongsideofMissLapham，Mr。Corey，"

hesaid，pullinghimselfupintotheplacebesidethedriver。

"No，no，"hehadaddedquickly，atsomesignsofpoliteprotestintheyoungman，"Idon’tgiveupthebestplacetoanybody。Jerry，supposeyouletmehaveholdoftheleathersaminute。"

Thiswashiswayoftakingthereinsfromthedriver；

andinhalfthetimehespecified，hehadskilfullyturnedthevehicleonthepier，amongthecrookedlinesandgroupsoffoot—passengers，andwasspinninguptheroadtowardthestretchofverandaedhotelsandrestaurantsinthesandalongtheshore。"Prettygaydownhere，"

hesaid，indicatingallthiswithaturnofhiswhip，asheleftitbehindhim。"ButI’vegotaboutsickofhotels；

andthissummerImadeupmymindthatI’dtakeacottage。

Well，Pen，howarethefolks？"Helookedhalf—wayroundforheranswer，andwiththeeyethusbroughttobearuponherhewasabletogiveherawinkofsupremecontent。

TheColonel，withnosortofulteriordesign，andnothingbuthistriumphoverMrs。Laphamdefinitelyinhismind，wasfeeling，ashewouldhavesaid，aboutright。

Thegirlsmiledadaughter’samusementatherfather’sboyishness。"Idon’tthinkthere’smuchchangesincemorning。DidIrenehaveaheadachewhenyouleft？"

"No，"saidtheColonel。

"Well，then，there’sthattoreport。"

"Pshaw！"saidtheColonelwithvexationinhistone。

"I’msorryMissIreneisn’twell，"saidCoreypolitely。

"Ithinkshemusthavegotitfromwalkingtoolongonthebeach。Theairissocoolherethatyouforgethowhotthesunis。"

"Yes，that’strue，"assentedCorey。

"Agoodnight’srestwillmakeitallright，"suggestedtheColonel，withoutlookinground。"Butyougirlshavegottolookout。"

"Ifyou’refondofwalking，"saidCorey，"Isupposeyoufindthebeachatemptation。"

"Oh，itisn’tsomuchthat，"returnedthegirl。

"Youkeepwalkingonandonbecauseit’ssosmoothandstraightbeforeyou。We’vebeenheresooftenthatweknowitallbyheart——justhowitlooksathightide，andhowitlooksatlowtide，andhowitlooksafterastorm。We’reaswellacquaintedwiththecrabsandstrandedjelly—fishaswearewiththechildrendigginginthesandandthepeoplesittingunderumbrellas。

Ithinkthey’realwaysthesame，allofthem。"

TheColonelleftthetalktotheyoungpeople。

Whenhespokenextitwastosay，"Well，hereweare！"

andheturnedfromthehighwayanddroveupinfrontofabrowncottagewithavermilionroof，andagroupofgeraniumsclutchingtherockthatcroppedupintheloopformedbytheroad。Itwastreelessandbareallround，andtheocean，unnecessarilyvast，welteredawayalittlemorethanastone’s—castfromthecottage。Ahospitablesmellofsupperfilledtheair，andMrs。Laphamwasontheveranda，withthatdemandinhereyesforherbelatedhusband’sexcuses，whichshewasobligedtocheckonhertongueatsightofCorey。

VII。

THEexultantColonelswunghimselflightlydownfromhisseat。

"I’vebroughtMr。Coreywithme，"henonchalantlyexplained。

Mrs。Laphammadetheirguestwelcome，andtheColonelshowedhimtohisroom，brieflyassuringhimselfthattherewasnothingwantingthere。Thenhewenttowashhisownhands，carelesslyignoringtheeagernesswithwhichhiswifepursuedhimtotheirchamber。

"WhatgaveIreneaheadache？"heasked，makinghimselfafinelatherforhishairypaws。

"NeveryoumindIrene，"promptlyretortedhiswife。

"Howcamehetocome？Didyoupresshim？IfyouDID，I’llneverforgiveyou，Silas！"

TheColonellaughed，andhiswifeshookhimbytheshouldertomakehimlaughlower。"’Sh！"shewhispered。

"DoyouwanthimtohearEVERYthing？DIDyouurgehim？"

TheColonellaughedthemore。Hewasgoingtogetallthegoodoutofthis。"No，Ididn’turgehim。

Seemedtowanttocome。"

"Idon’tbelieveit。Wheredidyoumeethim？"

"Attheoffice。"

"Whatoffice？"

"Mine。"

"Nonsense！Whatwashedoingthere？"

"Oh，nothingmuch。"

"Whatdidhecomefor？""Comefor？Oh！heSAIDhewantedtogointothemineralpaintbusiness。"

Mrs。Laphamdroppedintoachair，andwatchedhisbulkshakenwithsmotheredlaughter。"SilasLapham，"shegasped，"ifyoutrytogetoffanymoreofthosethingsonme————"

TheColonelappliedhimselftothetowel。"HadanotionhecouldworkitinSouthAmerica。Idon’tknowwhathe’supto。"

"Nevermind！"criedhiswife。"I’llgetevenwithyouYET。"

"SoItoldhimhehadbettercomedownandtalkitover，"

continuedtheColonel，inwell—affectedsimplicity。

"Iknewhewouldn’ttouchitwithaten—footpole。"

"Goon！"threatenedMrs。Lapham。

"Rightthingtodo，wa’n’tit？"

Atapwasheardatthedoor，andMrs。Laphamansweredit。

Amaidannouncedsupper。"Verywell，"shesaid，"cometoteanow。ButI’llmakeyoupayforthis，Silas。"

Penelopehadgonetohersister’sroomassoonassheenteredthehouse。

"Isyourheadanybetter，’Rene？"sheasked。

"Yes，alittle，"cameavoicefromthepillows。

"ButIshallnotcometotea。Idon’twantanything。

IfIkeepstill，Ishallbeallrightbymorning。"

"Well，I’msorry，"saidtheeldersister。"He’scomedownwithfather。"

"Hehasn’t！Who？"criedIrene，startingupinsimultaneousdenialanddemand。

"Oh，well，ifyousayhehasn’t，what’stheuseofmytellingyouwho？"

"Oh，howcanyoutreatmeso！"moanedthesufferer。

"Whatdoyoumean，Pen？"

"IguessI’dbetternottellyou，"saidPenelope，watchingherlikeacatplayingwithamouse。"Ifyou’renotcomingtotea，itwouldjustexciteyoufornothing。"

Themousemoanedandwritheduponthebed。

"Oh，Iwouldn’ttreatYOUso！"

Thecatseatedherselfacrosstheroom，andaskedquietly——

"Well，whatcouldyoudoifitWASMr。Corey？Youcouldn’tcometotea，yousay。ButHE’LLexcuseyou。

I’vetoldhimyouhadaheadache。Why，ofcourseyoucan’tcome！ItwouldbetoobarefacedButyouneedn’tbetroubled，Irene；I’lldomybesttomakethetimepasspleasantlyforhim。"Herethecatgavealowtitter，andthemousegirdeditselfupwithamomentarycourageandself—respect。

"Ishouldthinkyouwouldbeashamedtocomehereandteasemeso。"

"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’tbelieveme，"arguedPenelope。

"Whyshouldn’thecomedownwithfather，iffatheraskedhim？andhe’dbesuretoifhethoughtofit。

Idon’tseeanyp’intsaboutthatfrogthat’sanybetterthananyotherfrog。"

Thesenseofhersister’shelplessnesswastoomuchforthetease；shebrokedowninafitofsmotheredlaughter，whichconvincedhervictimthatitwasnothingbutanill—timedjoke。

"Well，Pen，Iwouldn’tuseyouso，"shewhimpered。

Penelopethrewherselfonthebedbesideher。

"Oh，poorIrene！HeIShere。It’sasolemnfact。"

Andshecaressedandsoothedhersister，whileshechokedwithlaughter。"Youmustgetupandcomeout。

Idon’tknowwhatbroughthimhere，buthereheis。"

"It’stoolatenow，"saidIrenedesolately。Thensheadded，withawilderdespair："WhatafoolIwastotakethatwalk！"

"Well，"coaxedhersister，"comeoutandgetsometea。

Theteawilldoyougood。"

"No，no；Ican’tcome。Butsendmeacuphere。"

"Yes，andthenperhapsyoucanseehimlaterintheevening。"

"Ishallnotseehimatall。"

AnhourafterPenelopecamebacktohersister’sroomandfoundherbeforeherglass。"Youmightaswellhavekeptstill，andbeenwellbymorning，’Rene，"shesaid。

"Assoonasweweredonefathersaid，’Well，Mr。CoreyandIhavegottotalkoveralittlematterofbusiness，andwe’llexcuseyou，ladies。’HolookedatmotherinawaythatIguesswasprettyhardtobear。’Rene，yououghttohaveheardtheColonelswellingatsupper。

Itwouldhavemadeyoufeelthatallhesaidtheotherdaywasnothing。"

Mrs。Laphamsuddenlyopenedthedoor。

"Now，seehere，Pen，"shesaid，asshecloseditbehindher，"I’vehadjustasmuchasIcanstandfromyourfather，andifyoudon’ttellmethisinstantwhatitallmeans————"

Shelefttheconsequencestoimagination，andPeneloperepliedwithhermocksoberness——

"Well，theColoneldoesseemtobeonhishighhorse，ma’am。Butyoumustn’taskmewhathisbusinesswithMr。Coreyis，forIdon’tknow。AllthatIknowisthatImetthematthelanding，andthattheyconversedallthewaydown——onliterarytopics。"

"Nonsense！Whatdoyouthinkitis？"

"Well，ifyouwantmycandidopinion，Ithinkthistalkaboutbusinessisnothingbutablind。ItseemsapityIreneshouldn’thavebeenuptoreceivehim，"

sheadded。

Irenecastamutelookofimploringathermother，whowastoomuchpreoccupiedtoaffordhertheprotectionitasked。

"Yourfathersaidhewantedtogointothebusinesswithhim。"

Irene’slookchangedtoastareofastonishmentandmystification，butPenelopepreservedherimperturbability。

"Well，it’salucrativebusiness，Ibelieve。"

"Well，Idon’tbelieveawordofit！"criedMrs。Lapham。

"AndsoItoldyourfather。"