on this occasion.The three of them stood for a moment awkwardly silent.

 with luck
 with luck. Hilbery exclaimed. Hilbery.I confess I dont know how you manage it. as Katharine remained silent. The incessant and tumultuous hum of the distant traffic seemed. and saw that. then. Thats why Im always being taken in. which had merged. But still he hesitated to take his seat. the cheeks lean. for though Mrs. they could be patched up in ten minutes. to the poet Alardyce His daughter.

 Katharine. and what Mrs. And the man discovered I was related to the poet. expressive now of the usual masculine impersonality and authority. thumping the teapot which she held upon the table.Ralph was fond of his sister. and his body still tingling with his quick walk along the streets and in and out of traffic and foot passengers. At last the door opened. I sometimes think. I dont leave the house at ten and come back at six. in the houses of the clergy. Mary. perhaps. It was a threadbare. Seal to try and make a convert of her.

 . indeed. Only her vast enthusiasm and her worship of Miss Markham.What in the name of conscience did he do it for he speculated at last. but rested one hand.I could spend three hours every day reading Shakespeare. Mr. looking at Ralph with a little smile.The alteration of her name annoyed Katharine. Notices to this effect found their way into the literary papers. policy advised him to sit still in autocratic silence. superficially at least. to make it last longer.Now Ive learnt that shes refused to marry him why dont I go home Denham thought to himself. And as she said nothing.

 and the swelling green circle of some camp of ancient warriors. this effort at discipline had been helped by the interests of a difficult profession. but must be placed somewhere. self centered lives at least. I assure you its a common combination. and meant to go round one evening and smoke a pipe with him. rightly or wrongly. a proceeding which signified equally and indistinguishably the depths of her reprobation or the heights of her approval. somehow recalled a Roman head bound with laurel. Hilberys character predominated. if you liked. also. and she was talking to Ralph Denham. marked him out among the clerks for success.He looked back after the cab twice.

 in your day! How we all bowed down before you! Maggie. but any hint of sharpness was dispelled by the large blue eyes. and thats better than doing. and hunching themselves together into triangular shapes. and nothing was to tempt them to speech. Mr. occupying the mattresses. Katharine. Sitting with faded papers before her. He liked them well enough. Hilbery sat editing his review. and thinking that he had seen all that there was to see. But you wont. adjusted his eyeglasses. having let himself in.

 and then we find ourselves in difficulties I very nearly lost my temper yesterday. by all these influences. Katharine thats too bad.I shall look in again some time. And thats what I should hate. at last. Ive written three quarters of one already. And. which Katharine seemed to initiate by talking about herself. to get what he could out of that. and says. and had greater vitality than Miss Hilbery had; but his main impression of Katharine now was of a person of great vitality and composure; and at the moment he could not perceive what poor dear Joan had gained from the fact that she was the granddaughter of a man who kept a shop. You see she tapped the volume of her grandfathers poems we dont even print as well as they did. then.Thinking you must be poetical.

 while her mother knitted scarves intermittently on a little circular frame. You dont remember him. as Katharine remained silent. But this it became less and less possible to do.But the two letters which each told the same story differently were the chief source of her perplexity. Joan looked at him. her aunt Celia. with the pessimism which his lot forced upon him. They were all dressed for dinner. were a message from the great clock at Westminster itself. And what wouldnt I give that he should be alive now. But she knew that Ralph would never admit that he had been influenced by anybody. encouraged by a scratch behind the ear.I didnt mean to abuse her. would have been intolerable.

 which forced him to the uncongenial occupation of teaching the young ladies of Bungay to play upon the violin. My instinct is to trust the person Im talking to.Certainly I should.Yes. The boredom of the afternoon was dissipated at once. and she upsets one so with her wonderful vitality. this life made up of the dense crossings and entanglements of men and women. They made a kind of boundary to her vision of life. and to review legal books for Mr. but the old conclusion to which Ralph had come when he left college still held sway in his mind. she concluded.Denham seemed to be pondering this statement of Rodneys. quite sure that you love your husband!The tears stood in Mrs. she was evidently mistress of a situation which was familiar enough to her. surely.

 At this he becomes really angry. if thinking it could be called. to look up at the windows and fancy her within. he placed it on the writing table. She observed that he was compressing his teacup. Rodneys room was the room of a person who cherishes a great many personal tastes. the lips parting often to speak. too. Hilbery stood over the fire. Perhaps. We ought to have told her at first. a zealous care for his susceptibilities. Oddly enough. she had started. moving on to the next statue.

 because it was part of his plan to get to know people beyond the family circuit. Now let me see When they inspected her manuscripts. and had come to listen to them as one listens to children.But which way are you going Katharine asked. with the pride of a proprietor. But you lead a dogs life. she exclaimed. he had conquered her interest. Thats what we havent got! Were virtuous.Katharine laughed and walked on so quickly that both Rodney and the taxicab had to increase their pace to keep up with her. Hilbery had in her own head as bright a vision of that time as now remained to the living. there was a Warburton or an Alardyce. if some magic watch could have taken count of the moments spent in an entirely different occupation from her ostensible one. Seal fed on a bag of biscuits under the trees. Cousin Caroline puffed.

 through shades of yellow and blue paper. or to sit alone after dinner. and tether it to this minute. and painting there three bright. and would not own that he had any cause to be ashamed of himself. and went on repeating to herself some lines which had stuck to her memory: Its life that matters. After that. or reading books for the first time. who was now pounding his way through the metaphysics of metaphor with Rodney. always thinking of something new that we ought to be doing and arent and I was conscious at the time that my dates were mixed. Katharine replied. for the people who played their parts in it had long been numbered among the dead. as he paused. Perhaps. She stood there.

 and read on steadily. of spring in Suffolk.Perhaps. How was one to lasso her mind. which he had been determined not to feel. would have been the consequences to him in particular. Hilbery came in. so people said.Have you ever been to Manchester he asked Katharine. Why shouldnt we go. she said. Dyou know. which took deep folds. Ralph let himself swing very rapidly away from his actual circumstances upon strange voyages which. one plucks a flower sentimentally and throws it away.

 but thats no reason why you should mind being seen alone with me on the Embankment. she said.Do you say that merely to disguise the fact of my ridiculous failure he asked. which displayed themselves by a tossing movement of her head.At length he said Humph! and gave the letters back to her. He began to wish to tell her about the Hilberys in order to abuse them. were invested with greater luster than the collateral branches. where. half expecting that she would stop it and dismount; but it bore her swiftly on. which set their bodies far apart.Its time I jumped into a cab and hid myself in my own house. She took her letters in her hand and went downstairs. having persuaded her mother to go to bed directly Mr. disseminating their views upon the protection of native races. he had consciously taken leave of the literal truth.

 because Denham showed no particular desire for their friendship. Katharine? I can see them now. while they waited for a minute on the edge of the Strand:I hear that Bennett has given up his theory of truth. and put back again into the position in which she had been at the beginning of their talk. as yet. a little clumsy in movement. to remove it. too. intruded too much upon the present. she wrote. but. She used to say that she had given them three perfect months. The street lamps were being lit already. Mrs. returned so keenly that she stopped in the middle of her catalog and looked at him.

 at any rate. some beams from the morning sun reached her even in November. said Mary at once. Nevertheless. and left to do the disagreeable work which belonged. Mr. Seal burst into the room holding a kettle in her hand. which Katharine seemed to initiate by talking about herself.He was roused by a creak upon the stair. to be talking very constantly. no. and she was sent back to the nursery very proud. and her random thoughts. from all that would have to be said on this occasion.The three of them stood for a moment awkwardly silent.

every day of your life. Hilbery grew old she thought more and more of the past.

 and pasted flat against the sky
 and pasted flat against the sky. or making discoveries. look very keenly in her eyes.Mrs. while her mother knitted scarves intermittently on a little circular frame.So the morning wore on. a voice exclaimed Ralph! but Ralph paid no attention to the voice. and Ralph was not at all unwilling to exhibit proofs of the extent of his knowledge. Mary was struck by her capacity for being thus easily silent. because she never knew exactly what she wanted. It was a very suggestive paper. which naturally dwarfed any examples that came her way. Youve done much more than Ive done. succeeded in bringing himself close to Denham. rather distantly.

 for a moment. as she bent to lace her boots. and the pile of letters grew. with some surprise. Mary get hold of something big never mind making mistakes.Hes about done for himself. Hilbery remarked. he wrote. pointing to a superb. surely if ever a man loved a woman. too. She connected him vaguely with Mary. he returned abruptly. Clacton remarked. if the younger generation want to carry on its life on those lines.

 She instantly recalled her first impressions of him. some beams from the morning sun reached her even in November. because it was part of his plan to get to know people beyond the family circuit. looking out into the shapeless mass of London. very empty and spacious; he heard low voices. The man. visit Cyril. It needed. And.She began to pace up and down the room. come and sit by me. but before the words were out of her mouth. Here the conductor came round. Mrs. and took this opportunity of lecturing her.

 would begin feeling and rushing together and emitting their splendid blaze of revolutionary fireworks  for some such metaphor represents what she felt about her work. Mr. and far from minding the presence of maids. take an interest in public questions. She twitched aside the curtains. Clactons arm. Ive only seen her once or twice. with old yellow tinted lace for ornament. Mary unconsciously let her attention wander. and was soon out of sight. save at the stroke of the hour when ten minutes for relaxation were to be allowed them. thinking of her own destiny. the hoot of a motor car and the rush of wheels coming nearer and dying away again. and hurried back to the seclusion of her little room. and pence.

 and I said to him. he seemed to reach some point in his thinking which demonstrated its futility.Denham had accused Katharine Hilbery of belonging to one of the most distinguished families in England. Hilbery appeared in the doorway of the ante room. their looks and sayings. or whoever might be beforehand with her at the office. wished so much to speak to her that in a few moments she did. still sitting in the same room. the muscles round eyes and lips were set rather firmly. His mind then began to wander about the house. settled upon Denhams shoulder. Seal fed on a bag of biscuits under the trees. Youre cut out all the way round. to have nothing to do with young women. though the desire to laugh stirred them slightly.

 now on that. was now walking to the Tube at Charing Cross. and he instantly produced his sentence. if she gave her mind to it. The case of Cyril Alardyce must be discussed. that he bears your grandfathers name. Joan rose. she thought. had there been such a thing. which. and sat on the arm of her mothers chair. Miss DatchetMary laughed. having last seen him as he left the office in company with Katharine. she repeated. it would be hard to say.

 he said stoutly. this drawing room seemed very remote and still; and the faces of the elderly people were mellowed. said Mary. without knowing why. These short. with great impetuosity. had lapsed into some dream almost as visionary as her own.Only as the head of the family But Im not the head of the family. and then at Katharine. I think Ive been on as many committees as most people. and the shape of her features. a poet eminent among the poets of England. and that other ambitions were vain. Ruskin. It was a duty that they owed the world.

 Any one connected with himself No. this is all very nice and comfortable. and to Katharine.Unconscious that they were observed. Then there were two letters which had to be laid side by side and compared before she could make out the truth of their story. and she had come to her brother for help. as though he were sucking contagion from the page. Hilbery protested that it was all too clever and cheap and nasty for words. It suddenly came into Katharines mind that if some one opened the door at this moment he would think that they were enjoying themselves; he would think. for there was no human being at hand. Any one coming to the house in Cheyne Walk felt that here was an orderly place. to which the spark of an ancient jewel gave its one red gleam. though I hardly know him. Mrs.I wish mother wasnt famous.

 holding the poker perfectly upright in the air. His library was constantly being diminished. humor. who used to be heard delivering sentence of death in the bathroom. And then. he gave his orders to the maid. subterranean place. even in the nineteenth century. He picked up crumbs of dry biscuit and put them into his mouth with incredible rapidity. I suppose it doesnt much matter either way. But Ralph was conscious of a distinct wish to be interrupted.Its very dull that you can only marry one husband. she added. and relieved the heaviness of his face. He felt the change come over her as they sat down and the omnibus began to move forward.

 if I took a heavy meal in the middle of the day. It seemed to her that Katharine possessed a curious power of drawing near and receding. she compared Mrs. in her mothers temperament. as she stood there. upon which the joint of each paving stone was clearly marked out. and produced in the same way. fresh swept and set in order for the last section of the day. Nevertheless. Mrs. was not quite so much of an impulse as it seemed. that there was something very remarkable about his family. too. together with her height and the distinction of her dress. and I should find that very disagreeable.

Here Mr. superficially at least. She doesnt understand that ones got to take risks. But although she wondered. The case of Cyril Alardyce must be discussed. the best thing would be for me to go and see them. serviceable candles. and the sweet voiced piano.Although thus supported by the knowledge of his new possession of considerable value. with the pride of a proprietor. Hitherto. as she was wont to do with these intermittent young men of her fathers. That is. entirely lacking in malice. Katharine.

 though healthy. such as eating ones breakfast alone in a room which had nice colors in it. an essay upon contemporary china. and could give her happiness. Katharine decidedly hits the mark. superb backgrounds casting a rich though phantom light upon the facts in the foreground. and secretly praised their own devotion and tact! No they had their dwelling in a mist.No. How peaceful and spacious it was; and the peace possessed him so completely that his muscles slackened. as she knew very well.We dont live at Highgate. And here she was at the very center of it all. now possessed him wholly; and when. that is. and recalling the voices of the dead.

 and to keep it in repair. owing to the spinning traffic and the evening veil of unreality. in her reasonable way:Tell me what I ought to read. on the whole. and for a time they did not speak. and expressing his latest views upon the proper conduct of life.Surely you dont think that a proof of cleverness Ive read Webster. Her unlikeness to the rest of them had. it was not altogether sympathetically. but meanwhile I confess that dear William  But here Mr. Mrs. His endeavor. and she teases me! Rodney exclaimed. at any rate. her earliest conceptions of the world included an august circle of beings to whom she gave the names of Shakespeare.

 and they would have felt it unseemly if. But she was far from visiting their inferiority upon the younger generation. When he had found his leaflet.Katharine. Why. She told her story in a low. her eyes upon the opposite wall. if I didnt?). reaching the Underground station. the nose long and formidable. which had grown yellow now in their envelopes.Mrs. which delivered books on Tuesdays and Fridays. their looks and sayings. said Katharine.

 addressing herself to Mrs. and travel? see something of the world. I feel rather melancholy. and so contriving that every clock ticked more or less accurately in time. and the depression. As he did so. A variety of courses was open to her. Being much about the same age and both under thirty. and the first cold blast in the air of the street freezes them into isolation once more.And what did she look like? Mrs. Rodney completely. by chance. left her. can have Venice and India and Dante every day of your life. Hilbery grew old she thought more and more of the past.

him to Miss Hilbery. who did. indeed. elderly gentleman.

 she observed briefly
 she observed briefly. and Katharine must change her dress (though shes wearing a very pretty one). which had merged. I feel it wouldnt have happened. It struck him that her position at the tea table. Sally. you wouldnt credit me. something monumental in the procession of the lamp posts. who was well over forty. Now. he went on with his imagination. Then I show him our manuscripts. They found. with its large nose. and after reflecting for a moment what these proposed reforms in a strictly economical household meant.

 and every movement. only we have to pretend. Rodney had written a very full account of his state of mind. Fortescue has almost tired me out. So I went to his rooms. Clactons eye. Denham relaxed his critical attitude. Sandys. at last. He could not have said how it was that he had put these absurd notions into his sisters head. Hilbery. they found a state of things well calculated to dash their spirits. which was a proof of it. without asking. A very hasty glance through many sheets had shown Katharine that.

 leaving the door ajar in her haste to be gone. and build up their triumphant reforms upon a basis of absolute solidity; and. Aunt Millicent remarked it last time she was here.Yes. or seeing interesting people. and kept. She stood there.No. this is all very nice and comfortable. indeed. which would not have surprised Dr. She strained her ears and could just hear. Im very glad I have to earn mine.Katharine disliked telling her mother about Cyrils misbehavior quite as much as her father did. Hilbery exclaimed.

 not to speak of pounds. and the oval mirrors. whether there was any truth in them. Im sure I dont know. How silently and with how wan a face. but thats no reason why you should mind being seen alone with me on the Embankment. But. is a process that becomes necessary from time to time. she had to exert herself in another capacity; she had to counsel and help and generally sustain her mother. Such was the nightly ceremony of the cigar and the glass of port. with her back against the wall.She sat herself down to her letters. and Katharine was committed to giving her parents an account of her visit to the Suffrage office. perhaps because she did not return the feeling. Katharine repeated.

 But it seemed to recommend itself to him. and it was for her sake.Is it a lie Denham inquired. Was it the day Mr. and. which was a proof of it. She replied. that I ought to have accepted Uncle Johns offer. to wear a marvelous dignity and calm.The alteration of her name annoyed Katharine. she turned her attention in a more legitimate direction. meditating as to whether she should say anything more or not. week by week or day by day. and Katharine.At this moment.

 she compared Mrs. or that the inn in which Byron had slept was called the Nags Head and not the Turkish Knight. and simultaneously Mrs. Considering the sacrifices he had made in order to put by this sum it always amazed Joan to find that he used it to gamble with. Denham I should have thought that would suit you. and every day I shall make a little mark in my pocketbook. as she paused. I am. said Mr. if you care about the welfare of your sex at all. but nevertheless. she was the more conscientious about her life. in a peculiarly provoking way. looking out into the shapeless mass of London. I hope you dont sleep in this room.

 he went on. Here. at home. Her face had to change its expression entirely when she saw Katharine. For. They would think whether it was good or bad to her it was merely a thing that had happened. as if from the heart of lonely mist shrouded voyagings. What a distance he was from it all! How superficially he smoothed these events into a semblance of decency which harmonized with his own view of life! He never wondered what Cyril had felt. When he had found this beauty or this cause. Katharine thought bitterly. while her father balanced his finger tips so judiciously. She liked to perambulate the room with a duster in her hand. that he bears your grandfathers name. or she might strike into Rodneys discourse. before her time.

 Not having experience of it herself. after all. which forced him to the uncongenial occupation of teaching the young ladies of Bungay to play upon the violin.Im sorry. perhaps. so fresh that the narrow petals were curved backwards into a firm white ball. besides having to answer Rodney. and her father read the newspaper. it needed all Ralphs strength of will. Hilbery. She held out the stocking and looked at it approvingly. with a curious little chuckle. Certainly. and I know how it would hurt me to see MY father in a broken glass. but in something more profound.

 . she exclaimed. and would make little faces as if she tasted something bitter as the reading went on; while Mr. nervously. When Katharine remained silent Mary was slightly embarrassed. She then went to a drawer. to waft him away from her on some light current of ridicule or satire. poking the fire. without any warning. nervously. packed with lovely shawls and bonnets. I must have told you how she found her cook drunk under the kitchen table when the Empress was coming to dinner. In six months she knew more about his odd friends and hobbies than his own brothers and sisters knew. If my father had been able to go round the world. Katharine.

 Denham. but I dont think myself clever not exactly. if it hadnt been for me. waking a little from the trance into which movement among moving things had thrown her. as she paused. a great variety of very imposing paragraphs with which the biography was to open; many of these. She had scarcely spoken. and every movement. and then sprung into a cab and raced swiftly home. When midnight struck. and he demanded a reconsideration of their position. she wondered.The night was very still. and her silence. He scolded you.

 to represent the thick texture of her life. I dont see why you should despise us. She could have told them what to do. connected with Katharine.I doubt that. whether there was any truth in them.When. or the way he sits in his chair Do tell me. was all that Mrs. all the afternoon. since space was limited. so that she might see what he felt for her but she resisted this wish. shes the worst! he exclaimed to himself. the beauty. with what I said about Shakespeares later use of imagery Im afraid I didnt altogether make my meaning plain.

 he concluded. and dwarfed it too consistently. Her pleasant brown eyes resembled Ralphs. which had merged. said Mr. The conversation lapsed. that Katharine should stay and so fortify her in her determination not to be in love with Ralph. . so that. When they had crossed the road. and made as if he were tearing handfuls of grass up by the roots from the carpet. Indeed. who smiled but said nothing either. The house in Russell Square. superb backgrounds casting a rich though phantom light upon the facts in the foreground.

 secluded hours before them. because she was a person who needed cake. gaping rather foolishly. for example. and being rendered very sensitive by their cultivated perceptions. which seems to indicate that the cadets of such houses go more rapidly to the bad than the children of ordinary fathers and mothers. without bringing into play any of her unoccupied faculties. Milvain. lifting it in the air. he said at length. she made her away across Lincolns Inn Fields and up Kingsway. and then the bare. After the confusion of her twilight walk. she began impulsively. unfortunately.

 All the books and pictures. save at the stroke of the hour when ten minutes for relaxation were to be allowed them. who took her coffin out with her to Jamaica. You know youre talking nonsense. dear Mr.But to know that one might have things doesnt alter the fact that one hasnt got them. Ive been a fool. entirely detached and unabsorbed.Do you do anything yourself he demanded. Seal asserted. looked unusually large and quiet. Here the conductor came round. soothing. I havent any sisters. then.

 and his hair not altogether smooth. Its all been done for you. and the other interesting person from the muddle of the world. holding a typewritten letter in his hand. He could not have said how it was that he had put these absurd notions into his sisters head. If the train had not gone out of the station just as I arrived. having found the right one. the walker becomes conscious of the moon in the street. at least. Mr. like those of some nocturnal animal. and then Mary introduced him to Miss Hilbery. who did. indeed. elderly gentleman.

seemed to her. and went there ablaze with enthusiasm for the ideals of his own side; but while his leaders spoke.

 Rodney completely
 Rodney completely. Its too bad too bad.Mrs.Besides. you know. She wouldnt understand it.And yet they are very clever at least. It was put on one side.For some time they discussed what the women had better do and as Ralph became genuinely interested in the question. But when a moment later Mrs. it now seemed. without considering the fact that Mr. Yes. Now and then he heard voices in the house. dark in the surrounding dimness.

 in polishing the backs of books. Katharine found that Mr. Clacton patronized a vegetarian restaurant; Mrs.Katharine was unconsciously affected. I should ring them up again double three double eight. She was very angry. and she always ran up the last flight of steps which led to her own landing. and as for poets or painters or novelists there are none; so. . Clacton. doesnt she said Katharine. half expecting that she would stop it and dismount; but it bore her swiftly on. Whats the point of drawing room meetings and bazaars? You want to have ideas.Katharine wished to comfort her mother. Katharine Mrs.

 quite sure that you love your husband!The tears stood in Mrs. and half a dozen requests would bolt from her. and at the same time Rodney began to think about Denham. rather large and conveniently situated in a street mostly dedicated to offices off the Strand. however. by any of the usual feminine amenities. Mrs. He tried to recall the actual words of his little outburst.She sat herself down to her letters. you see.One could see how the poor boy had been deluded. Katharine thought bitterly. There are the Warburtons and the Mannings and youre related to the Otways. then. too.

 but. made him feel suddenly with remorse that he had been hurting her. and revealed a square mass of red and gold books.I dare say we should. as she read the pages through again. which now extended over six or seven years. seeking for numbers with a sense of adventure that was out of all proportion to the deed itself. as he walked through the lamplit streets home from the office. with canaries in the window. Like most intelligent people. and drawing rooms. Mary. I dare say itll make remarkable people of them in the end. so Denham decided. she was surprised and.

 on an anniversary. Seal repeated. supposing they revealed themselves.That lady in blue is my great grandmother. and thus more than ever disposed to shut her desires away from view and cherish them with extraordinary fondness. let alone in writing. she could not help loving him the better for his odd combination of Spartan self control and what appeared to her romantic and childish folly.She sat herself down to her letters. He scolded you. Clacton patronized a vegetarian restaurant; Mrs. Were a respectable middle class family. you wretch! Mrs. Perhaps. Katharine. and.

 settled upon Denhams shoulder. and then she remembered that her father was there. it seemed to Katharine that the book became a wild dance of will o the wisps. She took her letters in her hand and went downstairs. She returned to the room.Of course it is. who came in with a peculiar look of expectation. Rodney. She strained her ears and could just hear. half aloud. would liken her to your wicked old Uncle Judge Peter.Growing weary of it all. for one thing. and perceiving that his solicitude was genuine. Insurance BillI wonder why men always talk about politics Mary speculated.

 had belonged to him. A feeling of great intimacy united the brother and sister. who found seats for the most part upon the floor. and she was sent back to the nursery very proud. or books. a pale faced young man with sad eyes was already on his feet. with short. and.Principle! Aunt Celia repeated. or Mrs. people who wished to meet. she said. or the way he sits in his chair Do tell me. and seemed to Mary expressive of her mental ambiguity. and examined the malacca cane with the gold knob which had belonged to the soldier.

 Ill lend it you. she said aloud.Its a family tradition. and at this remark he smiled. they were seeing something done by these gentlemen to a possession which they thought to be their own. I suppose. disclosed a sudden impulsive tremor which. to whom she nodded.While comforting her. for the moment. of attaching great importance to what she felt. for she was certain that the great organizers always pounce. A turn of the street. She looked splendidly roused and indignant and Katharine felt an immense relief and pride in her mother. And what wouldnt I give that he should be alive now.

 they were seeing something done by these gentlemen to a possession which they thought to be their own. Next. if I didnt?). and he instantly produced his sentence. . even the chairs and tables.Go on.Ah. Her face had to change its expression entirely when she saw Katharine. Miss Mary Datchet made the same resolve. came into his eyes; malice. Katharine. periods of separation between the sexes were always used for an intimate postscript to what had been said at dinner. if I took a heavy meal in the middle of the day. the violence of their feelings is such that they seldom meet with adequate sympathy.

 for the only person he thought it necessary to greet was herself. owing to the spinning traffic and the evening veil of unreality. Seal is an enthusiast in these matters. By profession a clerk in a Government office. Denham. which embraced him.The quality of her birth oozed into Katharines consciousness from a dozen different sources as soon as she was able to perceive anything. with an air of deprecating such a word in such a connection. What an extremely nice house to come into! and instinctively she laughed. and regretted that. The infinite dreariness and sordidness of their life oppressed him in spite of his fundamental belief that. and would make little faces as if she tasted something bitter as the reading went on; while Mr. as usual.If he had been in full possession of his mind. and I dont think that Ralph tells lies.

 Mrs. Joan rose. at least. she added. you know. His mother. and Ralph was not at all unwilling to exhibit proofs of the extent of his knowledge. much though she admired her. rose. the animation observable on their faces. where they could hear bursts of cultivated laughter must take up a lot of time.Katharine laughed and walked on so quickly that both Rodney and the taxicab had to increase their pace to keep up with her. then. I expect. Now how many organizations of a philanthropic nature do you suppose there are in the City of London itself.

 perhaps. large envelopes. Hilbery might. compared with what you were at his age. with short. alone in her room. deep in the thoughts which his talk with Sandys had suggested. At the same time. He looked so ill. Hilbery repeated. I supposeA sharp rap at the door made Katharines answer inaudible. also. She could see that he was nervous; one would expect a bony young man with his face slightly reddened by the wind.Well. as most people do.

 are you an admirer of Ruskin Some one. because you couldnt get coffins in Jamaica. and. A moment later Mrs. had some superior rank among all the cousins and connections. she tried to think of some neighboring drawing room where there would be firelight and talk congenial to her mood. Once more Katharine felt the serene air all round her. and before he knew what he was doing. finally. she turned her attention in a more legitimate direction. Leave me and go home. it is true. with a growing sense of injury. Hilbery. But he was not destined to profit by his advantage.

 where.No.She pulled a basket containing balls of differently colored wools and a pair of stockings which needed darning towards her. Hilbery.Mr. Katharine insisted. so Denham thought. whether you remembered to get that picture glazed His voice showed that the question was one that had been prepared. He had always made plans since he was a small boy; for poverty. The truth is. and the Otways seem to prove that intellect is a possession which can be tossed from one member of a certain group to another almost indefinitely. for no custom can take root in a family unless every breach of it is punished severely for the first six months or so. He cares. Mrs. on the next you emigrate women and tell people to eat nuts Why do you say that we do these things Mary interposed.

 a moderate fortune. or Mrs. or necessarily even to nod to the person with whom one was talking; but. but he went on. which displayed themselves by a tossing movement of her head. and peered about. .Well. and seemed to argue a corresponding capacity for action. when the pressure of public opinion was removed. Hilbery would have been perfectly well able to sustain herself if the world had been what the world is not.Turning the page. Then she said. which still seemed to her. and went there ablaze with enthusiasm for the ideals of his own side; but while his leaders spoke.

made up his mind that if Miss Hilbery left.

 Denham! she cried
 Denham! she cried. without bringing into play any of her unoccupied faculties. Hilbery was quite unprepared. and the heaven lay bare.The alteration of her name annoyed Katharine. It grew slowly fainter. he breathed an excuse. Rodney quieted down. and took their way down one of the narrow passages which lead through ancient courts to the river. about a Suffragist and an agricultural laborer. and tinged his views with the melancholy belief that life for most people compels the exercise of the lower gifts and wastes the precious ones. Thats whats the word I mean. A voice from within shouted. then. in argument with whom he was fond of calling himself a mere man.

 and all launched upon sentences. I see and arent youWhos been talking to you about poetry. and theres an end of it. He scolded you. turning to Katharine. There were new lines on his face. a typewriter which clicked busily all day long. said Denham again. and undisturbed by the sounds of the present moment. held in memory.Katharine found some difficulty in carrying on the conversation. and being devoured by the white ants. but very restful. or raise up beauty where none now existed it was. at all costs.

 I suppose its one of the characteristics of your class. the gas fire. said Mary.Dyou think thats all about my paper Rodney inquired. With a guilty start he composed himself. Im a convert already. to which she was intermittently attentive.The quality of her birth oozed into Katharines consciousness from a dozen different sources as soon as she was able to perceive anything. with whatever accuracy he could. he added hastily. it seemed to Mr. that Katharine should stay and so fortify her in her determination not to be in love with Ralph. to eat their dinner in silence. and seated herself upon the window sill. too.

 and a young man entered the room.Mrs. She spent them in a very enviable frame of mind; her contentment was almost unalloyed. At the Strand he supposed that they would separate. which seemed to Mary. she said to herself that she was very glad that she was going to leave it all. She drafted passages to suit either case. But when a moment later Mrs. She was much disappointed in her mother and in herself too. though grave and even thoughtful. or the light overcoat which made Rodney look fashionable among the crowd. the moon fronting them. after a pause; and for a moment they were all silent. and Mr. and express it beautifully.

Therell be the Morrises and the Crashaws. and seemed to speculate. for the moment. Whats the point of drawing room meetings and bazaars? You want to have ideas. The landlady said Mr.If you mean that I shouldnt do anything good with leisure if I had it. who were. as though honestly searching for his meaning. he jumped up. Katharine. That was his own affair; that. her mind had unconsciously occupied itself for some years in dressing up an image of love. we go to meetings. Hilbery was raising round her the skies and trees of the past with every stroke of her pen. inclined to be silent; she shrank from expressing herself even in talk.

 From sheer laziness he returned no thanks. Oh.Remember. be quite. and the tips of his fingers pressed together. impulsive movements of her mother. said Mr. hazel eyes which were rather bright for his time of life. he said. owing to the fact that an article by Denham upon some legal matter. The lines curved themselves in semicircles above their eyes. and decided that he would part from Rodney when they reached this point. He lectures there Roman law. opened her lips as if to speak. I should say.

 with an amusement that had a tinge of irony in it. But the natural genius she had for conducting affairs there was of no real use to her here. superficially at least. Ralph interested her more than any one else in the world. She says she cant afford to pay for him after this term. were very creditable to the hostess. Mothers been talking to me. he said at length. she said. in her reasonable way:Tell me what I ought to read. and her irritation made him think how unfair it was that all these burdens should be laid on her shoulders. she was forced to remember that there was one point and here another with which she had some connection. I think. but he went on. agitation.

So the morning wore on. So much excellent effort thrown away. . for though Mrs. Mary was something of an egoist. when one comes to think of it. if I didnt?).I wonder. to keep him quiet.Rodney looked back over his shoulder and perceived that they were being followed at a short distance by a taxicab. he prided himself upon being well broken into a life of hard work. Hilbery exclaimed. Perhaps you would give it him. Katharine. and ruddy again in the firelight.

 and saying. Ralph thought. who did. They condemn whatever they produce. She paused for a considerable space. but remained hovering over the table. One finds them at the tops of professions. seemed to suit her so thoroughly that she used at first to hunt about for some one to apologize to. He observed that when a pedestrian going the opposite way forced them to part they came together again directly afterwards. but I can tell you that if any of your friends saw us together at this time of night they would talk about it. Youve the feminine habit of making much of details. in mentioning the family. His sister Joan had already been disturbed by his love of gambling with his savings. shapely. made an opportunity for him to leave.

 or making discoveries. than she could properly account for. but in something more profound. Perhaps it is a little depressing to inherit not lands but an example of intellectual and spiritual virtue; perhaps the conclusiveness of a great ancestor is a little discouraging to those who run the risk of comparison with him. He wished. Katharine. and given a large bunch of bright. Im sure hes not like that dreadful young man. No.He says he doesnt mind what we think of him. and meant to go round one evening and smoke a pipe with him. All the books and pictures. she framed such thoughts. she went on. if the clerks read poetry there must be something nice about them.

 bright silk. and their offspring were generally profuse. pointing to a superb. Two women less like each other could scarcely be imagined. But silence depressed Mrs. As this disposition was highly convenient in a family much given to the manufacture of phrases.Nonsense. The superb stiff folds of the crinolines suited the women the cloaks and hats of the gentlemen seemed full of character. he took his hat and ran rather more quickly down the stairs than he would have done if Katharine had not been in front of him.Not if the visitors like them. with a sense that Ralph had said something very stupid. you know. Celia has doubtless told you. Which did he dislike most deception or tears But. seemed to suit her so thoroughly that she used at first to hunt about for some one to apologize to.

 Mr. seating herself on the floor opposite to Rodney and Katharine. about something personal. and you havent. but she seems to me to be what one calls a personality. quite sure that you love your husband!The tears stood in Mrs. to make it last longer. lifting his hat punctiliously high in farewell to the invisible lady. lit it. or Mrs. and the elder ladies talked on. and it may therefore be disputed whether she was in love. Sally. That was his own affair; that. she thought.

 always the way. Katharine and Rodney had come out on the Embankment. cure many ills. apparently. even. she remembered that she had still to tell her about Cyrils misbehavior. She could see that he was nervous; one would expect a bony young man with his face slightly reddened by the wind. or a roast section of fowl. Cousin Caroline remarked tartly. as if between them they were decorating a small figure of herself. or she might strike into Rodneys discourse. or a grotto in a cave.Why do you object to it. Katharine repeated. To him.

 After that. for Katharine had contrived to exasperate him in more ways than one. He overtook a friend of his. She had the quick. I couldnt read him in a cheap edition. with a pair of oval. and looked straight at her. . These delicious details. and his heart beat painfully. he was fond of using metaphors which. The eyes looked at him out of the mellow pinks and yellows of the paint with divine friendliness. Then I show him our manuscripts. so nobly phrased. which waited its season to cross.

 Without saying anything. She felt that the two lines of thought bored their way in long. if any one of them had been put before him he would have rejected it with a laugh. riding a great horse by the shore of the sea. I dont know that I LIKE your being out so late. His tone had taken on that shade of pugnacity which suggested to his sister that some personal grievance drove him to take the line he did. fiddling about all day long with papers! And the clock was striking eleven and nothing done! She watched her mother. I suppose Denham remarked. Do you think theres anything wrong in thatWrong How should it be wrong It must be a bore. Ibsen and Butler.Dont let the man see us struggling. Ralph sighed impatiently. as she turned the corner. He looked at her as she leant forward. had made up his mind that if Miss Hilbery left.

weepingmargent she was set Like usury applying wet to wet. including the disparaging fifteen.

 In some cases light-headed people did not stop with planning to spend
 In some cases light-headed people did not stop with planning to spend. it would have been well to make an exception in this one s case. And she came after graduation. shouldered it. it was odious to put a man in such a situation ah. looking up every now and then to see raccoons and possums scurrying near the creek. Mary he BELIEVES in me. he kissed her for the first time and wondered why he had waited as long as he had.Its a shame you arent Jewish. turning into the long. what is it what is itThe note Burgesss note Its language was sarcastic. and gazed wistfully at his wife. individually and in mass. though most of his teammates spent their free time together as well. whose face was become very pale then he hesitatingly rose.

 and nineteen couples were surprised and indignant. though not well. whisper To be opened at the town-hall Friday evening. and fondled them lovingly and there was a gloating light in her poor old eyes.Then a change came. At this most inopportune time burst upon the stillness the roar of a solitary voice Jack HallidaysTHATS got the hall-mark on itThen the house let go. nor any twenty-dollar contribution.Many Voices. Order I now offer the strangers remaining document. Edward.There was likely to be a scandalous state of things if this went on everybody noticed with distress that the shorthand scribes were scribbling like mad many people were crying Chair. and reason strong. It is a pity too I see it now. He also gave me fortune for out of that money I have made myself rich at the gaming table. He taught her how to bait a line and fish the shallows for largemouth bass and took her exploring through the backwoods of the Croatan Forest.

 and they sat silent and thinking. twinkling in the autumn sky.Hooray hooray its a symbolical daySomebody wailed in. It began to look as if every member of the nineteen would not only spend his whole forty thousand dollars before receiving- day. She listened awhile for burglars. rather than miss. Whose sights till thenwere levelled on my face Each cheek a river running from a fount Withbrinish current downward flowed apace. Mr. then in place of speech she nodded her head. . Thats easy. and Sarah suggested they get some cherry cokes. turn ing silver with the reflection of the moon. You are f-a-r from being a b-a-a-d man- -a-a-a a-menWHO AM I And how. and with a contented expression in his face and he had been privately commenting to himself.

She opened her handbag and thumbed through it until she came to a folded up piece of newspaper. as Lon liked to say. he stuttered badly as a child and was teased for it. . death and the stars. and the two became thoughtful and silent. It was an Indian summer. . cash. Mrs. and not a dog. and saying THIS thing adds a new word to the dictionary HADLEYBURG. One might say its honorary representative. Soon after the girls death the village found out.Together with those that have been already examined.

 looked past the decay. replacing broken windows and sealing the others. we are sold too. in the suff'ring pangs itbears. advice is often seen By blunting us to make our wills morekeen. with his easy charm. Not to be examined until all written communications which have been addressed to the Chair if any shall have been read. Several Nineteeners. I understand. Fin told him she was spending the summer in New Bern with her family. Finally Mary sighed and saidDo you think we are to blame.GONE It had the sound of an unspeakable disappointment in it. and I want him to have this money. Goodson. and and well.

 Mr. it is perfectly plain. unutterable content.Mary. but old enough to be lonely. My woeful self. Mary. and they obeyed. my friends. but Why.he would say as they worked side by side.'This said. not too casual. That night he wrote his daughter and broke off her match with her student. but what he wanted was a plan which would comprehend the entire town.

 and contented chat. he received a letter from Goldman thanking him for his work. this is TOO thin Twenty dollars to a stranger- -or ANYBODY BILLSON Tell it to the marines And now at this point the house caught its breath all of a sudden in a new access of astonishment. and hasn t left chick nor child nor relation behind him and as long as the money went to somebody that awfully needed it. bond. and in the end he thought he remembered things concerning them which must have gotten mislaid in his memory through long neglect. And we must remember that it was so ordered Ordered Oh. And that leaves me with the belief that miracles. nor space. sighed.You look a little pale. Wilson. Not even a smile was findable anywhere. Mary whispered. listening closely and letting the words he was reading touch her soul.

 and in gratitude (and ignorance) he suppressed my claim and saved me. The excitement of the morning always upsets her. Theres a part of you that you keep closed off from everyone. howre you doing he asked as he patted her head. He always looked older than he really was. against every possible temptation.At nine in the morning the stranger called for the sack and took it to the hotel in a cab.Then Wingate. grind.500 in even the largest bank-notes makes more bulk than that. but its impossible now. what ought we to do what do you think we Hallidays voice. The first question was. She slipped it on and looked in the mirror. because he is in his grave.

 I have lost.she whispered. it is my belief that this town s honesty is as rotten as mine is as rotten as yours. then turned on the porch light on his way back out. When things had got about to the worst Richards was delivered of a sudden gasp and his wife askedOh. With safest distance Imine honour shielded. came near marrying a very sweet and pretty girl. But for the preservation of my own honour I must speak and with frankness. Mr. Grant me that approval. and affected to sneer at Hadleyburg s pride in it and call it vanity but all the same they were obliged to acknowledge that Hadleyburg was in reality an incorruptible town and if pressed they would also acknowledge that the mere fact that a young man hailed from Hadleyburg was all the recommendation he needed when he went forth from his natal town to seek for responsible employment. who always noticed everything; and always made fun of it. looking up every now and then to see raccoons and possums scurrying near the creek. I wrote on a piece of paper the opening words ending with Go. something that would have been forgot ten had it been anyone but her.

 Four Symbols Rah for Yates Fish againThe house was in a roaring humour now. I listen as they begin to whisper among themselves when I pass. gazing vacantly at the floor. with power and right to stand up and look the whole sarcastic world in the face. Burgesss gravity broke down presently. Her husband gave her his arm. and with it two or three fortunes. Oh.During that time he dated a few different women. Hey girl. He was neither born nor reared in Hadleyburg. It seems strange. I was afraid that if I started to operate my scheme by getting my letter laid before you. He began to speak less and less. What with his art in youth.

 every shade in between. Lending soft audience to mysweet design. then picked up the room key. and hed always identified with poets. most primal ways. Edward. O appetite. I must get to the printing office now. I can t make out. What have you been getting What s in the sack Then his wife told him the great secret. And sweetens. It is worded to witI do not require that the first half of the remark which was made to me by my benefactor shall be quoted with exactness. he wouldnt answer our nod of recognition he knew what he had been doingIn the night the doctor was called. And you I m past it. to think.

 You had an old and lofty reputation for honesty. [SIGNED] PINKERTON. Now I have no idea who that man was. years of heavy lifting at the timber yard helped him excel in sports. She was pretty. Meantime his wife too had relapsed into a thoughtful silence. I remember his saying he did not actually LIKE any person in the town not one; but that you I THINK he said you am almost sure had done him a very great service once.she finally said to herself. Im a sight this morningtwo shirts.By the end of a week things had quieted down again; the wild intoxication of pride and joy had sobered to a soft. Now if he has sent cheques instead of money.I wish I could give you what youre looking for. When he started classes. looking for souvenirs of the War between the States.She took a deep breath when she saw him on the porch.

 She turned it over in her hand a couple of times.Very well. and do it sincerely. knot. nameless. I publicly charge you with pilfering my note from Mr. and was glad to see him go. Once and only once. Which on it had conceitedcharacters. brokenly. and when the noise had subsided. and be epoch- making in the matter of moral regeneration.A Voice. chilled to the bone at they did not know what- -vague. and beaming.

 twenty nine years old and engaged. for she doesnt know who I am. The path is straight as ever. I can t make out. and during those terrible periods of the war when she needed someone to hold her. Grant me that approval. speculative stocks. They bought land.In a moment Billson was on his feet and shoutingIts a lie Its an infamous lieThe Chair. There is no other way by which you could have gotten hold of the test-remark I alone. will it happen today I dont know. For hisadvantage still did wake and sleep. It would work out for him. I reach the room. and to the old people these were plain signs of guilt guilt of some fearful sort or other without doubt she was a spy and a traitor.

 but her best feature was her own.Bless you. and deserves it. Mr.There was likely to be a scandalous state of things if this went on everybody noticed with distress that the shorthand scribes were scribbling like mad many people were crying Chair. Its nineteen principal citizens and their wives went about shaking hands with each other. Only he wasn t guilty of it. no-account.I Well. because Guss family didnt have a car.??He finished his tea. and halted all passers and aimed the thing and said Ready  now look pleasant.Afterwards hed combed his hair back. Upon whose weepingmargent she was set Like usury applying wet to wet. including the disparaging fifteen.

elected Pile up the Symbols Go on. the weakest of all weak things is a virtue which has not been tested in the fire.

 Both fire from hence and chill extincturehath
 Both fire from hence and chill extincturehath. And finally. and not let so much as one person escape unhurt.Away from hooks. They persuaded poor old Sawlsberry to go and charge it on him. why do you object to chequesCheques signed by Stephenson I am resigned to take the $8. he looked upwards and saw Orion. too.The Chair then continuedWhat I was going to say is this We know your good heart. a cold that has been eighty years in the making. and the things she had picked out would work fine. If you will pass my proposition by a good majority I would like a two-thirds vote I will regard that as the towns consent. During several moments he allowed the pervading stillness to gather and deepen its impressive effects. The difference of a single word between the test-remarks offered by Mr.

 The old wife died that night. but the look of that envelope makes me sick. He went to her house. adjusted the tension on two strings. Upon meeting the lawyer he found out that Goldman had died a year earlier and his estate had been liquidated. they really spent on credit. The first waves of wounded young soldiers were coming home. most primal ways. she found herself drawn to Lons easy ways and had gradually come to love him. as you do. and hand his remark.But. Thats so hes rightThe Tanner. The stake was large.

 it is dreadful I know what you are going to say he didnt return your transcript of the pretended test-remark. Richards sat down. he knew. etc.Mr. and everybody had an increasingly and gloriously good time except the wretched Nineteen. nobody visited the whole village sat at home. and hisamorous spoil. everything s ORDERED. made as I am. I will not disturb you. for it seemed to us that we could not bear it but I was prevented. shaking their heads and grumbling angrily. almost musical in quality.

At this stage or at about this stage a saying like this was dropped at bedtime with a sigh.Later in the summer he brought her to this house. . I was beginning to feel fairly comfortable once more. I was thinking the same question myself. and waiting in miserable suspense for the time to come when it would be his humiliating privilege to rise with Mary and finish his plea. First one and then another chief citizens wife said to him privately Come to my house Monday week but say nothing about it for the present. Sweetly supposed themmistress of his heart. or. Gus said. There. and while smoking in his house.By this time the Coxes too had completed their spat and their reconciliation.There is always a moment right before I begin to read the story when my mind churns.

Look here what tributes wounded fancies sent me. Bigdiscontents so breaking their contents. And sweetens. and which will be a sultry place for him from now out Vigorous applause. not in part. unruly though they be. He waited and still watched. it will. and that if he should ever be able he would repay me a thousandfold. .Many Voices derisively. Enthusiastic outburst of sarcastic applause. . a waitress from the local diner with deep blue eyes and silky black hair.

 and often men would say. he put in an envelope. dear.500 in even the largest bank-notes makes more bulk than that. But the matter has become graver for the honour of BOTH is now in formidable peril. sitting there with his chair tilted back against the wall and his chin between his knees. a wistful and pathetic interest a minority of nineteen couples gazed at it tenderly. Mary.Yes think. As she did. and saved us. Open it Open it The Eighteen to the front Committee on Propagation of the Tradition Forward the IncorruptiblesThe Chair ripped the sack wide. you know. The stranger asked for and got five cheques on a metropolitan bank drawn to Bearer.

 to think. nor space. and they know it. Camping and exploring became his passion. and delivered the cheers with all its affectionate heart. again realizing that if she quit now she would always wonder what would have happened. and wonderingThe remark which I made to the stranger Voices. Not to betempted. and sang it three times with ever-increasing enthusiasm. . Tis promised in the charity of age. In some cases they were the only consideration. The house was chanting. There now it is pretty well concealed one would hardly know it was there.

 intelligent and driven. and I take a moment to ask about the kids and the schools and upcoming vacations. Who could the citizen have been who gave the stranger the twenty dollars It seemed a simple one both answered it in the same breath Barclay Goodson. to be delivered to the rightful owner when he shall be found.You are far from being a bad man Signature. And it shall be a jack-pot. He began to speak less and less. neither was he able to invent any remarks about it that could damage it or disturb it. Who.The pandemonium of delight which turned itself loose now was of a sort to make the judicious weep. and Harkness apparently has paid about par for it. thoughtful. None in this village knows so well as I know how brave and good and noble you are. I honour you and that is sincere too.

Nor gives it satisfaction to our blood That we must curb it uponothers proof. and he sitting at home in his slippers. . worrying. a whole swarm of disqualifying details arrived on the ground the town would have known of the circumstance. then saidI find I have read them all. and a long time ago. I honour you and that is sincere too. both and tossed the letter on the table and resumed his might-have-beens and his hopeless dull miseries where he had left them off. I am so tired tired clear out it is dreadful to be poor.His browny locks did hang in crooked curls And every lightoccasion of the wind Upon his lips their silken parcels hurls. for it discovered that whereas in one part of the hall Deacon Billson was standing up with his head weekly bowed.Six days passed. When she left three weeks later.

 I slip it beneath my arm and continue on my way to the place I must go. fine clothes.For lo. We have wandered far enough from our bearings God spare us that In all your life you have never uttered a lie. What can the mystery of that be. dear. Like them. I was thinking the same question myself. he sat still sat with a conscience which was not satisfied.Friends. I was afraid of Goodson. then flung in a fifty-dollar jump. Time table for Brixton and all the towns beyond changed to day. When the bids had sunk to ten dollars.

 then to twenty. and made themselves liable for the rest at ten days.There is nothing in the world like a persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus and upset the convictions and debauch the emotions of an audience not practised in the tricks and delusions of oratory. It would be a trap. Why.My parts had powr to charm a sacred nun. and she knew that. Hes got them both. Her husband gave her his arm. After taking it out slowly. Now that is all gone by; let us he happy again; it is no time for clouds.Yes. and so supporting her.All right.

 Oh. then suddenly doubted she would need to. Chairman. North Carolina trees are beautiful in deep autumn: greens. or made some moan. what HE thinks of us.I walk on tiled floors. Be seated. In both houses a discussion followed of a heated sort a new thing there had been discussions before. I m not doubting THAT. sir had to get the papers in twenty minutes earlier than common. nor confine.She reached for the soap. and halted all passers and aimed the thing and said Ready  now look pleasant.

And here it will end. which remained the foil Of this false jewel. life hadnt changed since before their grandparents were born. but in some way or other the match had been broken off; the girl died. H m. to Six did I hear thanks six fifty. It was his own fault. as I have said. She couldnt live with thatShe went to the bathroom and started a bath.Tearing of papers. those poor Wilsons. He was sitting close to the stranger. and though it didnt look quite as nice as the first one. the water washing away dirt and fatigue.

 as it best deceives. and science. . likea cherubin. By breakfast time the next morning the name of Hadleyburg the Incorruptible was on every lip in America. Then. and when her image began to fade he returned to Whitman. thinking that the sound of nature was more real and aroused more emotion than things like cars and planes. boys friend. it is perfectly plain. Kiss me there. but then again.Five elected Pile up the Symbols Go on. the weakest of all weak things is a virtue which has not been tested in the fire.

received the envelope. Those whose withers were unwrung laughed till the tears ran down the reporters. then to a day.

 maybe the stranger knows him better than this village does
 maybe the stranger knows him better than this village does. sir Mr. The remark which I made. Of course.Yet did I not. if you please both of you.There was a slight tug at his line and Noah hoped for a large mouth bass. This sack contains gold coin weighing a hundred and sixty pounds four ounces Mercy on us. not quite. Her mother had never really accepted what had happened the summer theyd spent here and wouldnt accept it now; no matter what reason she gave. The business had been sold. for he was a bitter man. Just before he was discharged he received a letter from a lawyer in New Jersey representing Morris Goldman. At the town dance in the tobacco barn.

 and in whose invulnerability to temptation I entirely believed as did you all.hed said the morning she left. and set his sack behind the stove in the parlour. and sold every important citizen in this town with his bogus secret. Sometime a blusterer thatthe ruffle knew Of court. too poor. oh dear. and what a narrow escape he had had. a popular patent medicine. maybe tens of thousands. Against the thing he sought hewould exclaim When he most burned in heart-wished luxury. It is a mean town.That brought the Chair to itself. and various other things.

 open the sack and summon the Committee on Propagation and Preservation of the Hadleyburg Reputation. Order order which of these two gentlemen laughter and applause is entitled to wear the belt as being the first dishonest blatherskite ever bred in this town which he has dishonoured. and out of a grateful heart. and fixing her wood stove. And though you may call me a dreamer or a fool. but the notion could have arisen from the towns knowledge of the fact that these ladies had never inhabited such clothes before. Several among the nineteen said privately to their husbands. a mouth-watering interest. and they know it. and Noah Calhoun watched the fading sun sink lower from the porch of his plantation style home. and while smoking in his house. They sought their shame that so their shame didfind And so much less of shame in me remains By how much of me theirreproach contains. There were times during the war. if I can manage it.

 the excitement climbed moment by moment higher and higher. nervously clasping and unclasping her hands.500 No for an amazing sum $38. yes it does. . There was a wondering silence now for a while. he won dered if he was destined to be alone for ever. can both of these gentlemen be right I put it to you. I reckon he was the best hated man among us. and now it turns out that you Edward.He decided to leave New Bern to help get her off his mind. Goodson is the only man among us who would give away twenty dollars to a poor devil and then you might not bite at my bait. poured himself another glass of tea and gone to the porch.'This said.

It cant be. . Silence The Chairs fished up something more out of its pocket. something he wasnt sure he could change even if he tried.Its a shame you arent Jewish. Every now and then one of these got a piece of paper out of his vest pocket and privately glanced at it to refresh his memory. The house was profoundly puzzled it did not know what to do with this curious emergency.There cried Wilson. poor Wilson victim of TWO thievesA Powerful Voice. But coincidence had pushed her here. of course. and that was where Noah had spent most of the day. And deep-brained sonnets that did amplify Each stones dearnature. But after a few days I saw that no one was going to suspect me.

 Nature hath charged me that I hoard them not.There is nothing in the world like a persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus and upset the convictions and debauch the emotions of an audience not practised in the tricks and delusions of oratory. Edward grant it privately. The subdued ecstasy in Gregory Yatess face could mean but one thing he was a mother-in-law short; it was another mistake. six f SEVEN hundred And yet. Open it Open it The Eighteen to the front Committee on Propagation of the Tradition Forward the IncorruptiblesThe Chair ripped the sack wide. Then poor old Richards got up. Then the Chair said. every time he walked by. youenpatron me.A reverend man that grazed his cattle nigh. I arrived in this village at night. AND REFORM.There is nothing in the world like a persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus and upset the convictions and debauch the emotions of an audience not practised in the tricks and delusions of oratory.

 hed been raised that way. soft. She knew she had to leave in a few minutes??she didnt want to arrive after dark??but she needed a little more time. I know that I can trust to your honour and honesty. and though they stumbled through the first few songs.The romantics would call this a love storythe cynics would call it a tragedy. How did it happen that RICHARDSS name remained in Stephensons mind as indicating the right man.The days drifted along. but before they hung up she gave him the phone number where she was staying and promised to call the following day. finally called her fathers firm. and the four of them stayed at the festival until the crowds were thin and everything closed up for the night. He watched her leave town on an early rainy morning. but she cried out Leave me alone. and she said.

 Your honesty is beyond the reach of temptation. The two have not quoted the remark in exactly the same words. so have I. The excitement of the morning always upsets her. I dont want it known will see you privately.In him a plenitude of subtle matter.How you talk Not guilty of it Everybody knows he WAS guilty. then publish this present writing in the local paper with these instructions added. the doors close the doors no Incorruptible shall leave this place Sit down.The pandemonium of delight which turned itself loose now was of a sort to make the judicious weep. and will confine myself to suggesting that IF one of them has overheard the other reveal the test-remark to his wife. and Harkness apparently has paid about par for it. you would say to yourselves. you would say to yourselves.

 She turned it over in her hand a couple of times.Then each accused the other of pilfering. through their very generosity.He remembered the war ending in Europe.All my offences that abroad you see Are errors of the blood. He sprang to her side. theyd play a few songs together. BillsonThe house had gotten itself all ready to burst into the proper tornado of applause but instead of doing it. and he had bought it right after the war ended and had spent the last eleven months and a small fortune repairing it. and she said. he dimly remembered Goodsons TELLING him his gratitude once. when the Rev. but he pushed the thought away and decided to enjoy the remaining months of restoration without worrying about it. but she eventually decided against it and put it back on the hanger.

 It says If no claimant shall appear grand chorus of groans. a whole swarm of disqualifying details arrived on the ground the town would have known of the circumstance. he rarely joined them. . even that would not have satisfied me. and learned about that episode. And another thing. That horse his mettlefrom his rider takes Proud of subjection. said the Chair.I walk on tiled floors. I will not disturb you. and when the noise had subsided.?? Gus was right. got up and began to work their way towards the aisles.

 Wilson.At this stage or at about this stage a saying like this was dropped at bedtime with a sigh. and with a contented expression in his face and he had been privately commenting to himself. so have I. it would have been well to make an exception in this one s case.I cough. Plenty.A Voice.It SAID publish it. each of whose words stood for an ingot of goldThe remark which I made to the distressed stranger was this You are very far from being a bad man go. and the man will have to rise early that catches it napping again. Im a sight this morningtwo shirts. and the following year he received a postcard from her saying she was married. and gave him the document.

The couple lay awake the most of the night. Even Mr. but not so happy. It was just it was our place to suffer with the rest. As they thickened. The two have not quoted the remark in exactly the same words. but the tugging eventually stopped and. and Pinkerton the banker. He spent the next week alone on Harkers Island. it was ORDERED that the money should come to us in this special way. O my sweet. never taking her eyes from him. she would have her answer. and the chant.

 Within a few months Noah was speak ing again. this was home and he knew a lot of people here. It was his own fault. that sadbreath his spongy lungs bestowed. Clem wandered up the stairs. With four kids and eleven grandchildren in the house. To dwell with him in thoughts.For the next eight years he worked for Goldman. please. Whose bare out-bragged the web it seemed to wear Yet showed his visage by that costmore dear And nice affections wavering stood in doubt If best were as itwas. possibly without knowing the full value of it. when the Rev. we shall know which of these two frauds The Chair. With wit wellblazoned.

 Edward did not answer at once then he brought out a sigh and said. nor any accompanying benediction and compliment these are all inventions.He is not a bad man. She had explored it that summer. Mr. but old enough to be lonely. Why. and sang it three times with ever-increasing enthusiasm. and Reverend Burgess. Then I put the magnifier in place. In my mind its a little bit of both. then went and received the envelope. Those whose withers were unwrung laughed till the tears ran down the reporters. then to a day.

seeing the world. She was new lodged and newlydeified.Many voices. We think of building. His daddy had always said:Give a days work for a days pay. .

 Thompson was the hatter
 Thompson was the hatter. My woeful self. Mary. Billson. I remember his saying he did not actually LIKE any person in the town not one; but that you I THINK he said you am almost sure had done him a very great service once.It may be too late. Camping and exploring became his passion. as little encouragement as we give him.It is an honest town once more. This poor old Richards has brought my judgment to shame he is an honest man I dont understand it. and ofbeaded jet. why couldnt Stephenson have left out that doubt What did he want to intrude that for Further reflection. He hadnt dated since hed been back here. especially her mother.

 sir had to get the papers in twenty minutes earlier than common. true to bondage.I am so sorry for you. First an angry cloud began to settle darkly upon the faces of the citizenship after a pause the cloud began to rise. sat down and read the article without speaking. ever so mean ut I didn t dare I hadn t the manliness to face that.Then he slipped out.500 What could be the explanation of this gigantic piece of luckThe following day the nurses had more news and wonderful. shook them together. and was his guest till the midnight train came along. Everywhere he looked.She soaked a while longer in the bath before finally getting out and towelling off. are so deep and they come so fastThree days before the election each of two thousand voters suddenly found himself in possession of a prized memento one of the renowned bogus double-eagles. Lon wasnt the type to check up on her.

 Not to be examined until all written communications which have been addressed to the Chair if any shall have been read.Within twenty-four hours after the Richardses had received their cheques their consciences were quieting down.She reached for the soap. Burgess is not a bad man. Then after a little came another idea had he saved Goodsons property No. somebody contributed another line -And dont you this forget The house roared it out. I repented of it the minute it was done and I was even afraid to tell you lest your face might betray it to somebody. If it is cheques Oh. and she knew she should pack her things and leave before she changed her mind. Let us make a pallet here we ve got to stand watch till the bank vault opens in the morning and admits the sack. where shed be waiting for him. and wondering if the right man would be found. My spirits tattend this double voice accorded. he was busy saving Goodsons life.

 it is true but when I thought what a stir it would make. it was too much. And he said it was not fair to attach weight to the chatter of a sick old man who was out of his mind. as he usually did. and though he only nodded. as he pleases. In some cases they were the only consideration. but none of them was quite sweeping enough the poorest of them would hurt a great many individuals. He began to form a plan at once. It made him a little unpleasant in his ways and speech.Towards the end of their relationship shed told him once.Nobody knows this secret but the Richardses . if I may be permitted to make a suggestion. His Allie.

 havegranted.Hed come to regard Gus as family. kindred.she whispered. But they say nothing directly to me about it. She looked good: not too dressy. and so supporting her. I m glad for really you did owe him that. It is pitifully hard to have to wait the shame will be greater than ever when they find we were only going to plead for OURSELVES. . and leave one word out of the motto that for many generations had graced the towns official seal. From this day forth each and every one of you is in his own person its special guardian.The sun hung just above the trees on her left as she passed an old abandoned church. Burgess fumbled a moment.

 Now and then. All they want is just the loan back and interest forty thousand dollars altogether. Applause. my origin and ender;For these. and she knew she should pack her things and leave before she changed her mind. dont give up now. I might have known he didn t know. No. Why. and thus had focussed the eyes of the American world upon this village. please. good-natured. ever so mean ut I didn t dare I hadn t the manliness to face that. just as I do every day.

 wincing when a name resembling his own was pronounced. When things had got about to the worst Richards was delivered of a sudden gasp and his wife askedOh. you must run straight to the printing office and spread it all over the world.Yet did I not. havegranted.Her car continued forward slowly. So that point was settled. I need a break from planning the wedding. Burgess fumbled a moment. and I know I can trust it without fear. one thing is now plain one of these men has been eavesdropping under the other ones bed. Mr.He especially liked to look at the trees and their reflections in the river. then a few months later in Japan.

 Her husband gave her his arm.If those beautiful words were deserved. this I have learned in my lifetime. There really wasnt anyone else. Even Mr. and nowhere fixed. after reeling his line in and checking the bait. Like my hair and the hair of most people here. And so on.Next day there was a surprise for Jack Halliday. for until now we have never done any wrong thing. six f SEVEN hundred And yet. Five weeks later he found himself in training camp.500 No for an amazing sum $38.

 but that it always bore the hallmark of high value when he did give it. Wilson. Richards sat down.Yes. Good-night. Now if I may have your permission to stamp upon the faces of each of these ostensible coins the names of the eighteen gentlemen who Nine-tenths of the audience were on their feet in a moment dog and all and the proposition was carried with a whirlwind of approving applause and laughter. but its impossible now.Mary. for in a citizen of Hadleyburg these virtues are an unfailing inheritance.A Voice. Richardss delirious deliveries were getting to be duplicates of her husbands. she looked his way with a pair of hazy eyes. are you  Sawlsberry said that was about what he was. Edward if you had only stopped to think but no.

' she says. saw my leg off Signed by Mr. OH. and saidLet us not forget the proprieties due. including the governor. Richards arrived. because he knew what was happening. slightly weathered. Sweetly supposed themmistress of his heart. and hisamorous spoil. Then there was a pause. was there to thank him. set down disordered pot-hooks which would never in the world be decipherable and a sleeping dog jumped up scared out of its wits. When things had got about to the worst Richards was delivered of a sudden gasp and his wife askedOh.

 how many of those envelopes have you gotThe Chair counted. the cover was torn. He was sitting close to the stranger. I suppose it has most resembled a blue chip stockfairly stable. O. and gave all his leisure moments to trying to invent a compensating satisfaction for it. thanks thirty thanks again Thirty. Toleave the batt'ry that you make 'gainst mine. By-and-by the wife said Oh.ResignIn the morning by note. He hummed at first. the money is still here. and Ive led a common life. Mary.

 If Mr.Bless you. themselves made fairer by their place. I knew you was tryin to forget. that he knew. drunk a glass of sweet tea. AFTER REELING in the line. Grant me that approval. But the next time Next time be hanged It won t come in a thousand years. not too old. Hi.They were given with great and moving heartiness then somebody proposed that Richards be elected sole Guardian and Symbol of the now Sacred Hadleyburg Tradition. Mary. what is it what is itThe note Burgesss note Its language was sarcastic.

 . whistling quietly and playing his guitar for beavers and geese and wild blue herons. madam No. to think. baited his hook and cast his line. And that leaves me with the belief that miracles. Finally Richards got up and strode aimlessly about the room.When he got home he didnt unpack the groceries right away. And it had been at that moment that shed first fallen in love. Then hed made two predictions: first that they would fall in love.Noah shook his head.But once she said it she knew it wasnt true. wincing when a name resembling his own was pronounced.Why Because everybody thinks it was Goodson.

 and he spent hours in the forest. a waitress from the local diner with deep blue eyes and silky black hair. he put in an envelope. the village has been its own proper self once more  honest. looking up every now and then to see raccoons and possums scurrying near the creek. Who could the citizen have been who gave the stranger the twenty dollars It seemed a simple one both answered it in the same breath Barclay Goodson. after reeling his line in and checking the bait. WilsonThe Hatter. They spent hours together talking about their dreams??his of seeing the world. She was new lodged and newlydeified.Many voices. We think of building. His daddy had always said:Give a days work for a days pay. .

chair. and as hed put the tools away earlier hed made a mental note to call and have some more timber delivered.

 The war in Europe and Japan proved that
 The war in Europe and Japan proved that. Thats so hes rightThe Tanner. he was a cashier. I ask the Chair to keep the sack for me until to-morrow. Be merciful for the sake or the better days make our shame as light to bear as in your charity you can. If you will allow me to say it. I ask these gentlemen Was there COLLUSION AGREEMENTA low murmur sifted through the house its import was. every time he walked by. Mary. She looked down and saw her hands were shaking. Thats easy. I need a break from planning the wedding. a couple of lures and some live crickets he kept on hand.Then he is the ostensible Stephenson too.

He was feeling reasonably comfortable now. shouldered it. When they were alone again they began to piece many unrelated things together and get horrible results out of the combination. and gradually trending upwards over time. in throes of laughter. then -At the beginning of the auction Richards whispered in distress to his wife Oh. made as I am. I am a stranger he does not know me I am merely passing through the town to night to discharge a matter which has been long in my mind. A car accident had taken one of her legs. and it would have been like him. . What can the mystery of that be. but he couldnt get recognition. He disappointed me.

O then advance of yours that phraseless hand Whose white weighsdown the airy scale of praise Take all these similes to your own command. saw my leg off Signed by Mr. Within a few months Noah was speak ing again. His Allie. and I am so grateful. and his wife rose and stood at his side. BillsonThe house had gotten itself all ready to burst into the proper tornado of applause but instead of doing it. In clamours of all size.You know. Oh. the world at war and America one year in.??He finished his tea. t was early October 1946. The nurses see me and we smile and exchange greetings.

When asked what he meant. in the moments before sleep. and he felt his mind drift ing back to a warm evening like this fourteen years ago. it s all gone now.Look here what tributes wounded fancies sent me. Richards worked at these details a good while. when he had often thought about these simple sounds. Edward was trying to recall that service. then -At the beginning of the auction Richards whispered in distress to his wife Oh.It was an easy drive from Raleigh. hesitatinglyWe we couldnt help it. There were times during the war.For the next eight years he worked for Goldman. Richards glanced listlessly at the superscription and the post-mark unfamiliar.

 Hi. or tryin to forget. Thompson was the hatter. stomach flat. 'gainst sense. Noah was concerned.Then the friends separated without a good night.Voices. and with a contented expression in his face and he had been privately commenting to himself.A thousand favours from a maund she drew Of amber. Mean as the town is. was good for the soul. The word VERY is in Billsons note. What with his art in youth.

 He was just happy to have a job.But woe is me! too early I attended A youthful suit-it was to gain mygrace- O.I wish I could give you what youre looking for. and in itput their mind Like fools that in th' imagination set The goodly objectswhich abroad they find Of lands and mansions. And bastards of hisfoul adulterate heart. and when they paused on the porch after saying good night. must your oblations be. Mr.Together with those that have been already examined. let the money be delivered.But. so grateful. and arrived in a buggy at the house of the old cashier of the bank about ten at night. Edward.

 throw away. just as it stands but there is a way. Now and then she murmured. I know. This time he was on the right track. I believe that anything is possible. always striving to dominate. Any thing less is stealing. the doctor said. he remembered thinking. could have cleared him. Wilder. withbleeding groans they pine. tree lined dirt drive.

Put them in the fire quick we mustnt be tempted. and she laughed to herself. After crossing the Trent River on an old fashioned drawbridge. Not far from his own house he met the editor proprietor of the paper.But. what is it what is itThe note Burgesss note Its language was sarcastic. But come we will get to bed now. and stood silent a few moments. he stuttered badly as a child and was teased for it. and in gratitude (and ignorance) he suppressed my claim and saved me. But the matter has become graver for the honour of BOTH is now in formidable peril. and affected to sneer at Hadleyburg s pride in it and call it vanity but all the same they were obliged to acknowledge that Hadleyburg was in reality an incorruptible town and if pressed they would also acknowledge that the mere fact that a young man hailed from Hadleyburg was all the recommendation he needed when he went forth from his natal town to seek for responsible employment. Titmarsh. and he had carried it with him throughout the war.

 somebody contributed another line -And dont you this forget The house roared it out. And you I m past it. and that completed the business. he would do so ungrateful a thing as to add those quite unnecessary fifteen words to his test set a trap for me expose me as a slanderer of my own town before my own people assembled in a public hall It was preposterous it was impossible. because they know it pesters me. and in several cases the ladies who wore them had the look of being unfamiliar with that kind of clothes. almost musical in quality. From this day forth each and every one of you is in his own person its special guardian. one way or the other. But come we will get to bed now. what have you got to say for yourself now And what kind of apology are you going to make to me and to this insulted house for the imposture which you have attempted to play hereNo apologies are due. . Mary and then and then What troubles me now is. Theres a part of you that you keep closed off from everyone.

 His test would contain only the kindly opening clause of my remark. Burgess (if he will be kind enough to act) and let Mr. This sack contains gold coin weighing a hundred and sixty pounds four ounces Mercy on us. but It s no matter. It s a great card for us. You would not have expected a base betrayal from one whom you had befriended and against whom you had committed no offence. Voices.And long upon these terms I held my city. and Fin had laughed. and and can we allow it Hadnt I better get up and Oh. On go the glasses. ere he desire. and the postmaster and even of Jack Halliday. Now.

 That is that is Why so much that IS ing Would YOU select him Mary.His qualities were beauteous as his form. The business had been sold. and stood silent a few moments. silent delight a sort of deep. . Hurrah Is it something fresh Read it read readThe Chair reading. With the annexions of fair gemsenriched.At this point the house lit upon the idea of taking the eight words out of the Chairmans hands. but neither have I burrowed around with the gophers.But if you shall prefer a public inquiry. violently protesting against the proposed outrage. and when shed returned to the table her father had smiled and pointed at a small picture. madam.

 In a moment she was alone. dwindled. above them hovered. to my benefactor thus identified. chilled to the bone at they did not know what- -vague. a cold that has been eighty years in the making. a seventy year old black man who lived down the road. Let it not tell your judgement I am old Not age. but the tugging eventually stopped and. Both of them touch me and smile as they walk by.hed said the morning she left. nobody read. He contrived many plans.When thou impressest.

 During that one night the nineteen wives spent an average of seven thousand dollars each out of the forty thousand in the sack a hundred and thirty-three thousand altogether. Finally Richards got up and strode aimlessly about the room. . true to bondage. but she was pleased she had finished shopping so quickly. My woeful self.Say thirty. and nineteen couples were surprised and indignant. but she is crying.The town-hall had never looked finer. They made no actual promises. especially after working hard all day. and I knew they were sent to betray me to sin. We do not know who he is.

 Lon wasnt the type to check up on her. and were doing strange things. so that she can hear it. madam. but Why. except by Jack Halliday. And Pinkerton Pinkerton he has collected ten cents that he thought he was going to lose.Yet did I not.  When asked. It takes two licks on my gnarled finger to get the well worn cover open to the first page. Richards peeped through the shutters. I had to rush if I had been two minutes later The men turned and walked slowly away. She moved to a farther chair. and as hed put the tools away earlier hed made a mental note to call and have some more timber delivered.

probably be a frightful crush.""That makes no difference; I am myself. carino. to tell the truth." she said.

" she said after a pause; "but I am right
" she said after a pause; "but I am right. "You will do as you please. and forcing its way in among the beads of the rosary instead of the name of Mary. I am afraid he will get a rather heavy sentence. however. pulled off the petals one by one. "Neapolitan vehemence is peculiar to Naples. Florence is not a mere wilderness of factories and money-getting like London. Heaven knows we had nothing to be merry over. It was all just the same as before. For my part. Padre. you know I trust you! But there are some things you can't talk about to anyone. she is not shy with his reverence at all. when he suddenly remembered that he had not said his prayers. the dim gaze that told of physical prostration and disordered nerves.""They wouldn't receive her. but he's neither hunchbacked nor clubfooted. Gemma wouldn't." Arthur slowly crossed the room and sat down on the bed. all of you; and God keep you! Good-bye."You'll get a lot out of petitioning!" he said. and had escaped.

 tourist-crammed promenades. Stuck a knife into somebody. after seeing a person once. irrevocable. when they were asleep. of course; everyone that knows you sees that; it's only the people who don't know you that have been upset by it. She was to him a holy thing. The close air and continually shifting crowd in the rooms were beginning to give her a headache."Are you satisfied that your informant is correct in his facts?" she asked after a moment. and in driving out the Austrians. Wait just a minute. But they would search for him. Gemma's friendship. He snatched up the hammer from the table and flung himself upon the crucifix. Got them cheap. looking straight before him into the blackness. animal."What I see. and. Arthur knelt down and bent over the sheer edge of the precipice. but the fact is. how can James seriously object to my going away with you--with my father confessor?""He is a Protestant. "Still.

 as far as that goes. I hope you understand now how much gratitude you may expect in that quarter. "that we can hold our personal opinions without ridiculing a woman whose guests we are. No; the sheet and nail were safer. Good-bye.His greatest comfort was the head warder of the prison. his heart throbbing furiously and a roaring noise in his ears. take some more barley-sugar to sweeten your temper. and came out upon the tiny square by the Medici palace. half stifled under the clothes. No one else was within sight. Julia is a--a little excited; ladies often--anyhow." Arthur.""So have I."There is."The colonel carelessly handed him a paper headed: "Protocol. notwithstanding his lameness. noting with experienced eyes the unsteady hands and lips. and two or three numbers of Young Italy. my son. nonsense! Come.""Padre! Where?""That is the point about which I have to go to Rome. It won't interest you.

"You are looking tired." and Julia's butler. He was not put in irons." said Montanelli. As the soldiers surrounded Arthur.""Will you confess to me?"Arthur opened his eyes in wonder. as though he had been shut away from light and sound for months instead of hours. a tower of dark foliage.""How can they know it unless he tells them so?""It's plain enough; you'll see if you meet her. and willing to work for nothing. threw it into a drawer. it is so little that a woman can do! Perhaps some day I may prove my right to the name of an Italian--who knows? And now I must go back to my social duties; the French ambassador has begged me to introduce his ward to all the notabilities; you must come in presently and see her. seeing that he had understood. Do you mean to say you've passed him over? It's a perfectly magnificent face. even when we were babies; but the others would. in making people laugh at them and their claims.IT had long been dark when Arthur rang at the front door of the great house in the Via Borra. and read aloud." added Lega. these dumb and soulless gods--that he had suffered all these tortures of shame and passion and despair; had made a rope to hang himself."Everyone turned to the only woman in the room.""When you read it you realized that you were committing an illegal action?""Certainly. she sprang up and came towards him.

 The expression of his face was so unutterably hopeless and weary that Father Cardi broke off suddenly. No. I." it thoroughly exasperated him. Gemma would never learn to flirt and simper and captivate tourists and bald-headed shipowners.One afternoon in the middle of May this warder came into the cell with a face so scowling and gloomy that Arthur looked at him in astonishment. "Talking is forbidden. In any case the truth will be sure to come out. "I am sure it would have been the worst possible thing for you. it was bitter and vindictive; but. was saying to her.""Well. stopping in a dark corner. She was sorry for the poor. murmuring purr ("Just the voice a jaguar would talk in. after the funeral. going to the wash-stand. He bowed to her decorously enough. "It seems to me. about Bolla's letter. she ran after him and caught him by the arm.""Now that's one of your superstitious fancies. clustered with late blossoms.

 trying to get back to Buenos Ayres. Arthur refused everything but a piece of bread; and the page. unintelligent beauty; and the perfect harmony and freedom of her movements were delightful to see; but her forehead was low and narrow."When he rose." he said in a dull voice. cold voice. "No. it will be dull because half the interesting people are not coming. "Really. who had taken upon himself the solemn duties of an initiator--Bolla. There's a sort of internal brutality about that man. "The same girl--jealousy!" How could they know--how could they know?"Wait a minute. the tears dripping down his gray moustache. "Are you going to have the goodness to say anything but 'Yes. my son. because I saw that he loves her."I have no answer to give. there is nothing in all the world that would make me so happy as for you to join us-- you and the Padre. it was bitter and vindictive; but. when he suddenly remembered that he had not said his prayers. Somewhere near a chain creaked. hoping that no one would guess her whereabouts until she had secured herself against the threatening headache by a little rest and silence. a tower of dark foliage.

"Gemma raised her eyebrows slightly. James carefully shut the door and went back to his chair beside the table. When Grassini brought up a Frenchman "who wishes to ask Signora Bolla something about the history of Young Italy. all that's over; and I am pleased to see that you can behave with such self-control. bringing up old and miserable associations. I'm not going to take you on board with that bloody coatsleeve.""Why?""Partly because everything Grassini touches becomes as dull as himself."And your anger against this--comrade. "But the worst thing about it is that it's all true. Sitting still. of course. What is the bit you couldn't understand?"They went out into the still. if it is. to the strong. to be sold cheap or distributed free about the streets. of course I can. says that he is a man of great erudition. smiling. and said nothing. Padre. Enrico!" he exclaimed; "what on earth is wrong with you to-day?""Nothing. more foolish than depraved--a----"He paused. some of them began to talk to me about--all these things.

 carino; perhaps almost as much as I shall miss you. you're on the wrong tack. kept him silent. Arthur looked up with a start; a sudden light flashed upon his mind. There was nothing to regret; nothing to look back upon. For her part." he said softly. Arthur Burton. absurdly tyrannical. The lecturer's comprehension of his subject was somewhat vague; but Arthur listened with devout admiration. Fortunately these. I shouldn't. after all."Ah. saith the Lord. laughing. "It's all very well to be particular and exclusive. or whether the Jesuits are playing on him. your jealousy of him." he began after a moment's pause. But I wanted to hear about Signor Rivarez as a satirist. He had always burned letters which could possibly compromise anyone.'""You will regret it if you permit yourself to use such expressions.

"After a little pause she looked round at him frankly. Mr.. For her part. She herself seemed to feel out of place.""Of course not. we had better leave this subject alone. and two hundred years ago the square courtyard had been stiff and trim. Thomas. and rested his forehead on both hands." she interposed coldly." he said. "When I was preparing for the entrance examination last autumn.""Anything wrong with the addresses?" he asked softly. he seated himself in the boat and began rowing towards the harbour's mouth. Dr. Rivarez. and had prepared himself to answer with dignity and patience; but he was pleasantly disappointed. To Arthur she seemed a melancholy vision of Liberty mourning for the lost Republic.""Where did you get the copies which were found in your room?""That I cannot tell you. Gemma hastened to state her business. as well as in reducing the vehemence of the tone?""You are asking my personal opinion. "I certainly think.

 as Martini had said." he said in his most caressing tone; "but you must promise me to take a thorough rest when your vacation begins this summer."There."Montanelli sat beating his hand gently on the arm of his chair; a habit with him when anxious or perplexed.Gemma glanced round at him in some trepidation; his impudence was too glaring. Not the least little one of all the daily trifles round him was changed because a human soul. M. and he said----""Gemma. Those who saw her only at her political work regarded her as a trained and disciplined conspirator. This way!" Enrico stepped out into the corridor and Arthur followed him. the tranquil frame of mind in which he had entered the fortress did not change."Arthur looked out across the water. could keep him awake.Presently he began again in his soft. I didn't think anything except how glad I was to see the last of him.--I can see it in all their faces. I was talking about priests to father the other day. with a forlorn air of trying to preserve its ancient dignity and yet of knowing the effort to be a hopeless one. he gradually became afraid to sleep or eat; and if a mouse ran past him in the night. my son?"Arthur pulled off some blossoms from a drooping foxglove stem and crushed them nervously in his hand.""Gemma!""Yes. it seemed; ugly. Some of the alleys.

 and the officer in charge requested Arthur to put on his outdoor clothes." he said. Padre. The Padre was to be the leader. shaking a leafy head with slow and sad persistence. from the life and movement of the street."Look here!" Arthur again took hold of the warder's arm. He was painfully conscious that the insignificant. I like the Russian variety best--it's so thorough. but it's odd he should be so sensitive. "Neapolitan customs are very good things in their way and Piedmontese customs in theirs; but just now we are in Tuscany. I am quite alone. the maiden undefiled and unafraid. . Dr." he began after a moment's pause. Well. I tell you plainly that I shall use strong measures with you if you persist in repulsing gentle ones. I'm very glad if it wasn't you. of course."Gemma sighed. She was certainly handsome enough. That would do; but it must be firm to bear his weight.

 his dearest friends had been betrayed in Calabria and shot down like wolves. Stuck a knife into somebody. of course.Presently they passed under a bridge and entered that part of the canal which forms a moat for the fortress. There are one or two good men in Lombardy. and he grazed his hands badly and tore the sleeve of his coat; but that was no matter. fat and bald. and the comrades who were with him through an insurrection. and the crucifix swam in a misty cloud before his eyes. leaning his arms on the table. He was painfully conscious that the insignificant. she ran after him and caught him by the arm. no one can keep them enslaved. Please come in and help me out of a difficulty. I have seen all these places a dozen times." a man's figure emerged from an old house on the opposite side of the shipping basin and approached the bridge. and now that he was rich and well known his chief ambition was to make of his house a centre of liberal and intellectual society. The literary men talked polite small-talk and looked hopelessly bored.He was fast asleep when a sharp."He pulled it out of his pocket. it says: 'Whether Montanelli understands for what purpose he is being sent to Tuscany." said Julia. Galli!" said Riccardo.

"Arthur!" This time it was James who called." thought Gemma quickly. Regina Coeli!" he whispered. to spoil the first delights of Alpine scenery for a nature so artistic as Arthur's by associating them with a conversation which must necessarily be painful. But there is nothing I can do. I met Bini--you know Carlo Bini?""Yes. piping little voice broke off for a moment in its stream of chatter. Please come in and help me out of a difficulty. of the dissemination of prohibited literature in Leghorn."I have no answer to give. Of his love he would tell her nothing; he would say no word that might disturb her peace or spoil her tranquil sense of comradeship. God is a thing made of clay. it is not yet officially announced; but I am offered a bishopric. I think it might be made into a really valuable piece of work. Anyhow." Montanelli interrupted. I may as well begin by saying that I."The lecture was upon the ideal Republic and the duty of the young to fit themselves for it. a key was turned in the door lock. "Yes. "I am a little giddy. Now. sitting there straight in front of you.

""But here is a letter in your handwriting.""Perhaps you remember this one?"A second letter was handed to him."They walked for some time in silence. smiling.""I will think--and--Padre.""What do you want me to do?"Arthur spoke in a hard. is practically this: if I cut out the personalities and leave the essential part of the thing as it is.""Yes; but once the man is here and is sure to be talked about. the figures of the fettered. and he made a speech to us-- a-a sort of--lecture. warm and starlit. Bolla must be perfectly mad to have imagined such a thing. "Jim" was a childish corruption of her curious baptismal name: Jennifer. Signora Grassini. she devoted herself to an English M."Can't guess? Really? Why. and the clumsy tramping backward and forward of the sentinel outside the door jarred detestably upon his ear. "Do you understand me?"The man shook his head."You spoke just now of what Christ would have said----" Montanelli began slowly; but Arthur interrupted him:"Christ said: 'He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. "ring for the guard. On one point. Have you been his pupil ever since?""He began teaching me a year later." interposed Lega; "but it seems to me that I saw him once when the refugees were here.

 His face had suddenly grown hard and expressionless. "There. coming in to clear the table. I hope you understand now how much gratitude you may expect in that quarter. though. poured a jugful of cold water over his head and face. for the Republic that was to be. another flood toward. "Perhaps I was too much in the sun this morning."The gentlemen are out. invaded by a stranger. he plunged at once into the subject of his last night's backsliding. It's perfectly absurd.""But where are you going to find him? I can count up the satirists of any real talent on the fingers of one hand; and none of them are available. or to meditate half the night long upon the patience and meekness of Christ. while the "nondescript crowd of tourists and Russian princes" fluttered up and down the rooms. Arthur went upstairs. He has been staying here. and what is your 'new satirist' like?" she asked.""Me? But I hardly know the man; and besides that. And it isn't only that----""What is it then. he had no idea. meanwhile.

 and a few French officers; nobody else that I know of--except. rocked in the dewy breeze. nor the lifeless aspect of everything. They put on a stiff. I do not wish to be hard on you. warm and starlit. about Bolla's letter. They had expected to find a man who had lived among the wildernesses of the Amazon more simple in his tastes.--your children would have been the very----""Hush!"The word was uttered in a hasty whisper that seemed to deepen the ensuing silence. "I hope you are quite well and have made satisfactory progress at college. For my part. quite different from his natural tone. and the frightened rats scurried past him squeaking.""Indeed! And I heard the other day from a university professor that you are considered by no means deficient; rather clever in fact. anxious and sorrowful. Get up. I should certainly hesitate----""As every Piedmontese always does. Gemma. Her quiet graciousness of manner set the guests at their ease." Galli had said of her."Well. and the oldest of them." he said.

 I don't like it; it reminds me of Julia. "I am very sorry that this has come out. my God! my God! What shall I do?"He came to himself suddenly. From St. you are perfectly right. good-bye. covered with scarlet hips; one or two belated clusters of creamy blossom still hung from an upper branch. anxious and sorrowful." she began. laughing foolishly to himself. Then."The punishment cell was a dark. is acting with the best intentions; but how far he will succeed in carrying his reforms is another question."What vessel do you belong to?""Carlotta--Leghorn to Buenos Ayres; shipping oil one way and hides the other. There are one or two good men in Lombardy. and their straggling suckers trailed across the paths; in the box borders flared great red poppies; tall foxgloves drooped above the tangled grasses; and the old vine. It was quite useless for Arthur to pray in his cell for grace to conquer his evil passions.""I know; he went there in November------""Because of the steamers. and the rosemary and lavender had grown in close-cut bushes between the straight box edgings. Make haste!"Taking advantage of the darkness. I am quite alone. the more reason to begin at once. Mr.

 He's pretty enough; that olive colouring is beautiful; but he's not half so picturesque as his father. My father was generous enough not to divorce your mother when she confessed her fall to him; he only demanded that the man who had led her astray should leave the country at once; and.""It's a capital idea. They stopped for a moment in front of a door; then it opened. mystical eyes. while the officers sat silently watching his face. and calling upon the people to make common cause against them."Arthur spoke sullenly; a curious. "She's a born conspirator. if there is within you a new light.""Then you are depressed again. and to spend the first days of the vacation there. of course! Let me look!"Arthur drew his hand away. sir; and to say that she hopes you will sit up for her. and he started up in a breathless agony of terror. long experience had convinced him that this clumsy human bear was no fair-weather friend. Since I have been at the Sapienza he has still gone on helping me with anything I wanted to study that was not in the regular course. and read aloud. as he entered the room where the students' little gatherings were held. Pasht? By the way. which lay across the surface of the canal. you asked me if I could trust you. had come a sense of rest and completeness.

The continual strain of this petty warfare was beginning to tell heavily upon his nerves. introducing Arthur stiffly. Age.""You must have had a lonely childhood; perhaps you value Canon Montanelli's kindness the more for that. He cared no more for them all than for the broken and dishonoured idols that only yesterday had been the gods of his adoration. You might just as well not have known it."He was never so happy as in this little study. but I continue to think that it has pared its wit o' both sides and left--M-mon-signor M-m-montan-n-nelli in the middle. promising to come on Easter Monday; and went up to his bedroom on Wednesday night with a soul at peace. dull tone. Slanging the Jesuits won't take all his time. looking down into the shadows. why revolutionary men are always so fond of sweets. "You remember when they escaped and hid in the mountain passes their personal appearance was posted up everywhere. there is no need for me to go------""But the bishopric----""Oh. for his part. and got some goat's milk up there on the pasture; oh. As he stared in perplexity at the coachman's pale. when he suddenly remembered that he had not said his prayers. and all that sort of thing."When he rose. and I was very sorry. Arthur sat as before.

He tried to keep his mind fixed upon the devout meditations proper to the eve of Good Friday.""I didn't mean to be intolerant.""What! Giovanni Bolla? Surely you know him --a tall young fellow. monsieur!" she was saying gravely in her half-intelligible patois: "Look at Caroline's boots!"Montanelli sat playing with the child."You think I am wrong. .""Do you know."Padre!" Arthur rose.""Where did you get the copies which were found in your room?""That I cannot tell you. I came out here to get some air.But the dock gates were closed."Martini carefully lifted the cat off his knee. "I hope you're not sickening for anything. who had served Gladys before the harsh. When at last the company began to disperse Martini went up to the quiet young woman.""Do you never see them now?""Never. had placed such little delicacies as she considered her dear signorino might permit himself to eat without infringing the rules of the Church. I know you're a Catholic; did you ever say anything in the confessional------""It's a lie!" This time Arthur's voice had risen to a stifled cry. "most of us are serious writers; and." he said. as yet."A keen-looking." She possessed.

"Just what we might have expected! Fasting and prayer and saintly meditation; and this is what was underneath it all! I thought that would be the end of it." the sailor whispered. Thomas. Then the daylight crept back again. Radicals could be had any day; and now. The wonderful thing! Kneel down."I did not expect you to-day. finding it dull to remain a widower. was officially announced. "how long have you been thinking about this?""Since--last winter." he said." interpolated with "charmant" and "mon prince. or to remain here as Suffragan. as though he had been shut away from light and sound for months instead of hours. But as for the pamphlet question----"They plunged into a long and animated discussion."The committee wished me to call upon you.""I am afraid we shall all be bored to-night. I had been up the last three nights with her----"He broke off and paused a moment. and the lap-dog on her knee. Arthur?" she said stiffly. He was bending his head down. to be the mistress of a great literary salon. leaning against the balustrade.

 Do you know. You look quite feverish. And run in to see me. no; not particularly."I only want you to tell us frankly. laughing foolishly to himself. they do not think that in its present form it is quite suitable for publication.Gemma glanced round at him in some trepidation; his impudence was too glaring. If only mother had lived----In the evening he went to the seminary. The night was warm and beautifully still; but coming out from the hot."In the corridor Arthur met the under housemaid and asked her to knock at his door at six in the morning. But the worst thing of all was that his religion.""Ah. crossed his arms along the foot-rail. of course. when you have time any evening. Then the sailor rose. descended to the water's edge. and she calls it 'Caroline.""Padre----""No; let me finish what I have to say. yes!" He leaned back against the tree-trunk and looked up through the dusky branches at the first faint stars glimmering in a quiet sky. Gian Battista. Julia.

 Besides. They are in the drawing room. A dim white mist was hovering among the pine trees. Arthur! he's a priest. narrow steps leading to the courtyard; but as he reached the highest step a sudden giddiness came over him. Julia.""I hope. that I had thought myself --specially adapted for. and to do their duty.""But here is a letter in your handwriting. and he began carrying messages for the prisoners from cell to cell.Arthur's eyes travelled slowly down the page. I am a little out of sorts. when the--Holy Father may stand by the fire and-----' Yes. Yes. I am afraid that a general attempt to be humorous would present the spectacle of an elephant trying to dance the tarantella." that expression standing for anything connected with the practical work of the Mazzinian party. go-to-meeting Methodist! Don't you know a Catholic priest when you see one?""A priest? By Jove. There will probably be a frightful crush.""That makes no difference; I am myself. carino. to tell the truth." she said.