Mrs。Mandelattemptedadiversion。\"HaveyouheardanyofourgreatNewYorkpreachersyet，Mrs。March?\"
\"No，Ihaven\'t，\"Mrs。Marchadmitted；andshetriedtoimplybyhercandidtonethatsheintendedtobeginhearingthemtheverynextSunday。
\"Thereareagreatmanythingshere，\"saidConrad，\"totakeyourthoughtsoffthepreachingthatyouhearinmostofthechurches。Ithinkthecityitselfispreachingthebestsermonallthetime。\"
\"Idon\'tknowthatIunderstandyou，\"saidMarch。
Melaansweredforhim。\"Oh，Conradhasgotalotofnotionsthatnobodycanunderstand。Yououghttoseethechurchhegoestowhenhedoesgo。
I\'daboutasliefgotoaCatholicchurchmyself；Idon\'tseeabito\'
difference。He\'sthegreatestcronywithoneoftheirpreachers；hedressesjustlikeapriest，andhesaysheisapriest。\"Shelaughedforenjoymentofthefact，andherbrothercastdownhiseyes。
Mrs。March，inherturn，triedtotakefromitthepersonaltonewhichthetalkwasalwaysassuming。\"Haveyoubeentothefallexhibition?\"
sheaskedChristine；andthegirldrewherselfupoutoftheabstractionsheseemedsunkin。
\"Theexhibition?\"ShelookedatMrs。Mandel。
\"ThepicturesoftheAcademy，youknow，\"Mrs。Mandelexplained。
\"WhereIwantedyoutogothedayyouhadyourdresstriedon，\"
\"No；wehaven\'tbeenyet。Isitgood?\"ShehadturnedtoMrs。Marchagain。
\"Ibelievethefallexhibitionsareneversogoodasthespringones。
Buttherearesomegoodpictures。\"
\"Idon\'tbelieveIcaremuchaboutpictures，\"saidChristine。\"Idon\'tunderstandthem。\"
\"Ah，that\'snoexcusefornotcaringaboutthem，\"saidMarch，lightly。
\"Thepaintersthemselvesdon\'t，halfthetime。\"
Thegirllookedathimwiththatglanceatoncedefiantandappealing，insolentandanxious，whichhehadnoticedbefore，especiallywhenshestoleittowardhimselfandhiswifeduringhersister\'sbabble。InthelightofFulkerson\'shistoryofthefamily，itsoriginanditsambition，heinterpretedittomeanasenseofhersister\'sfollyandanignorantwilltooverridehisopinionofanythingincongruousinthemselvesandtheirsurroundings。Hesaidtohimselfthatshewasdeathlyproud——tooproudtotrytopalliateanything，butcapableofanythingthatwouldputothersunderherfeet。Hereyesseemedhopelesslytoquestionhiswife\'ssocialquality，andhefancied，withnotunkindlyinterest，theinexperiencedgirl\'sdoubtwhethertotreatthemwithmuchorlittlerespect。Helosthimselfinfanciesaboutherandherideals，necessarilysordid，ofherpossibilitiesofsuffering，ofthetriumphsanddisappointmentsbeforeher。Hersisterwouldacceptbothwithalightnessthatwouldkeepnotraceofeither；butinhertheywouldsinklastinglydeep。HecameoutofhisreverietofindMrs。Dryfoossayingtohim，inherhoarsevoice:
\"Ithinkit\'sashame，someofthepictur\'sabodyseesinthewinders。
Theysaythere\'salawag\'instthemthings；andifthereis，Idon\'tunderstandwhythepolicedon\'ttakeupthemthatpaints\'em。Ihear182
tell，sinceIbeenhere，thatthere\'swomenthatgoestohavepictur\'stookfromthemthatwaybymenpainters。\"ThepointseemedaimedatMarch，asifhewerepersonallyresponsibleforthescandal，anditfellwithasilencingeffectforthemoment。Nobodyseemedwillingtotakeitup，andMrs。Dryfooswenton，withanoldwoman\'sseverity:\"Isaytheyoughttobealltarredandfeatheredandrodeonarail。They\'dbedrummedoutoftowninMoffitt。\"
MissMelasaid，withacrowinglaugh:\"Ishouldthinktheywould!Andtheywouldn\'tanybodygolownecktotheopera-housethere，either——notlowneckthewaytheydohere，anyway。\"
\"Andthatpackofworthlesshussies，\"hermotherresumed，\"thatcomeoutonthestage，andbeguntokick\"
\"Laws，mother!\"thegirlshouted，\"Ithoughtyousaidyouhadyoureyesshut!\"
Allbutthesetwosimplercreatureswereabashedattheindecorumofsuggestinginwordsthecommonplacesofthetheatreandofart。
\"Well，Idid，Mely，assoonasIcouldbelievemyeyes。Idon\'tknowwhatthey\'redoin\'inalltheirchurches，toletsuchthingsgoon，\"saidtheoldwoman。\"It\'sasinandashame，Ithink。Don\'tyou，Coonrod?\"
Aringatthedoorcutshortwhateveranswerhewasabouttodeliver。
\"Ifit\'sgoingtobecompany，Coonrod，\"saidhismother，makinganefforttorise，\"IreckonIbettergoup-stairs。\"
\"It\'sMr。Fulkerson，Iguess，\"saidConrad。\"Hethoughthemightcome\"；
andatthementionofthislightspiritMrs。Dryfoossankcontentedlybackinherchair，andarelaxationoftheirpainfultensionseemedtopassthroughthewholecompany。Conradwenttothedoorhimselftheserving-mantentatively，appearedsomeminuteslaterandletinFulkerson\'scheerfulvoicebeforehischeerfulperson。
\"Ah，howdyedo，Conrad?Broughtourfriend，Mr。Beaton，withme，\"thosewithinheardhimsay；andthen，afterasoundofputtingoffovercoats，theysawhimfillthedoorway，withhisfeetsetsquareandhisarmsakimbo。
IX。
\"Ah!hello!hello!\"Fulkersonsaid，inrecognitionoftheMarches。
\"Regulargatheringoftheclans。Howareyou，Mrs。Dryfoos?Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Mandel，MissChristine，Mela，AuntHitty，andallthefolks?
Howyouwuz?\"Heshookhandsgaylyallround，andtookachairnexttheoldlady，whosehandhekeptinhisown，andleftConradtointroduceBeaton。ButhewouldnotlettheshadowofBeaton\'ssolemnityfalluponthecompany。HebegantojokewithMrs。Dryfoos，andtomatchrheumatismswithher，andheincludedalltheladiesintherangeofappropriatepleasantries。\"I\'vebroughtMr。Beatonalongto-night，andIwantyoutomakehimfeelathome，likeyoudome，Mrs。Dryfoos。
Hehasn\'tgotanyrheumatismtospeakof；buthisparentsliveinSyracuse，andhe\'sakindofanorphan，andwe\'vejustadoptedhimdownattheoffice。Whenyougoingtobringtheyoungladiesdownthere，Mrs。
Mandel，forachampagnelunch?Iwillhavesomehydro-Mela，andChristineit，heigh?How\'sthatforalittlestarter?Wedroppedinatyourplaceamoment，Mrs。March，andgavetheyoungfolksafewpointersabouttheirstudies。Mygoodness!itdoesmegoodtoseeaboylikethatofyours；business，fromthewordgo；andyourgirljustscoopsmyyouthfulaffections。She\'sabeauty，andIguessshe\'sgood，too。Well，well，whataworlditis!MissChristine，won\'tyoushowMr。Beatonthatsealringofyours?Heknowsaboutsuchthings，andIbroughthimheretoseeitasmuchasanything。It\'sanintaglioIbroughtfromtheotherside，\"heexplainedtoMrs。March，\"andIguessyou\'llliketolookatit。TriedtogiveittotheDryfoosfamily，andwhenIcouldn\'t，Isolditto\'em。BoundtoseeitonMissChristine\'shandsomehow!Holdon!
Lethimseeitwhereitbelongs，first!\"
Hearrestedthegirlinthemotionshemadetotakeoffthering，andletherhavethepleasureofshowingherhandtothecompanywiththeringonit。Thenhelefthertohearthepainter\'swordsaboutit，whichhecontinuedtodeliverdissyllabicallyashestoodwithherunderagas-
jet，twistinghiselasticfigureandbendinghisheadoverthering。
\"Well，Mely，child，\"Fulkersonwenton，withanopentravestyofhermother\'shabitualaddress，\"andhowareyougettingalong?Mrs。Mandelholdyouuptotheproprietiesprettystrictly?Well，that\'sright。
Youknowyou\'dberoamingalloverthepastureifshedidn\'t。\"
Thegirlgurgledoutherpleasureinhisfunning，andeverybodytookhim。
onhisowngroundofprivilegedcharacter。Hebroughtthemalltogetherintheirfriendlinessforhimself，andbeforetheeveningwasoverhehadinspiredMrs。Mandeltohavethemservedwithcoffee，andhadmadeboththegirlsfeelthattheyhadfiguredbrilliantlyinsociety，andthattwoyoungmenhadbeendevotedtothem。
\"Oh，Ithinkhe\'sjustaslovelyashecanlive!\"saidMela，asshestoodamomentwithhersisteronthesceneofhertriumph，wheretheothershadleftthemafterthedepartureoftheirguests。
\"Who?\"askedChristine，deeply。Assheglanceddownatherring，hereyesburnedwithasoftenedfire。
ShehadallowedBeatontochangeithimselffromthefingerwhereshehadwornittothefingeronwhichhesaidsheoughttowearit。Shedidnotknowwhetheritwasrighttolethim，butshewasgladshehaddoneit。
\"Who?Mr。Fulkerson，goosie-poosie!NotthatoldstuckupMr。Beatonofyours!\"
\"Heisproud，\"assentedChristine，withathrobofexultation。
BeatonandFulkersonwenttotheElevatedstationwiththeMarches；butthepaintersaidhewasgoingtowalkhome，andFulkersonlethimgoalone。
\"Onewayisenoughforme，\"heexplained。\"WhenIwalkup，Idon\'t。
walkdown。Bye-bye，myson!\"HebegantalkingaboutBeatontotheMarchesastheyclimbedthestationstairstogether。\"Thatfellowpuzzlesme。Idon\'tknowanybodythatIhavesuchadesiretokick，andatthesametimethatIwanttoflatterupsomuch。Affectyouthatway?\"heaskedofMarch。
\"Well，asfarasthekickinggoes，yes。\"
\"Andhowisitwithyou，Mrs。March?\"
\"Oh，Iwanttoflatterhimup。\"
\"No；really?Why?Holdon!I\'vegotthechange。\"
FulkersonpushedMarchawayfromtheticket-officewindow；andmadethemhisguests，withtheinexorableAmericanhospitality，fortheridedown-
town。\"Three!\"hesaidtotheticket-seller；and，whenhehadwalkedthembeforehimoutontheplatformanddroppedhisticketsintotheurn，hepersistedinhisinquiry，\"Why?\"
\"Why，becauseyoualwayswanttoflatterconceitedpeople，don\'tyou?\"
Mrs。Marchanswered，withalaugh。
\"Doyou?Yes，Iguessyoudo。YouthinkBeatonisconceited?\"
\"Well，slightly，Mr。Fulkerson。\"
\"Iguessyou\'repartlyright，\"saidFulkerson，withasigh，sounaccountableinitsconnectionthattheyalllaughed。
\"Anideal\'busted\'?\"Marchsuggested。
\"No，notthat，exactly，\"saidFulkerson。\"ButIhadanotionmaybeBeatonwasn\'tconceitedallthetime。\"
\"Oh!\"Mrs。Marchexulted，\"nobodycouldbesoconceitedallthetimeasMr。Beatonismostofthetime。Hemusthavemomentsofthedirestmodesty，whenhe\'dbequiteflattery-proof。\"
\"Yes，that\'swhatImean。Iguessthat\'swhatmakesmewanttokickhim。
He\'sleftcomplimentsonmyhandsthatnodecentmanwould。\"
\"Oh!that\'stragical，\"saidMarch。
\"Mr。Fulkerson，\"Mrs。Marchbegan，withchangeofsubjectinhervoice，\"whoisMrs。Mandel?\"
\"Who?Whatdoyouthinkofher?\"herejoined。\"I\'lltellyouaboutherwhenwegetinthecars。Lookatthatthing!Ain\'titbeautiful?\"
Theyleanedoverthetrackandlookedupatthenextstation，wherethetrain，juststarting，throbbedouttheflame-shotsteamintothewhitemoonlight。
\"ThemostbeautifulthinginNewYork——theonealwaysandcertainlybeautifulthinghere，\"saidMarch；andhiswifesighed，\"Yes，yes。\"
Sheclungtohim，andremainedraptbythesighttillthetraindrewnear，andthenpulledhimbackinapanic。
\"Well，thereain\'treallymuchtotellabouther，\"Fulkersonresumedwhentheywereseatedinthecar。\"She\'saninventionofmine。\"
\"Ofyours?\"criedMrs。March。
\"Ofcourse!\"exclaimedherhusband。
\"Yes——atleastinherpresentcapacity。Shesentmeastoryforthesyndicate，backinJulysometime，alongaboutthetimeIfirstmetoldDryfooshere。Itwasalittletoolongformypurpose，andIthoughtI
couldexplainbetterhowIwanteditcutinacallthanIcouldinaletter。ShegaveaBrooklynaddress，andIwenttoseeher。Ifoundher，\"saidFulkerson，withavaguedefiance，\"aperfectlady。Shewaslivingwithanauntoverthere；andshehadseenbetterdays，whenshewasagirl，andworseonesafterward。Idon\'tmeantosayherhusbandwasabadfellow；Iguesshewasprettygood；hewashermusic-teacher；
shemethiminGermany，andtheygotmarriedthere，andgotthroughherpropertybeforetheycameoverhere。Well，shedidn\'tstrikemelikeapersonthatcouldmakemuchheadwayinliterature。Herstorywaswellenough，butithadn\'tmuchsandinit；kindof-well，academic，youknow。
Itoldherso，andsheunderstood，andcriedalittle；butshedidthebestshecouldwiththething，andItookitandsyndicatedit。Shekindofstuckinmymind，andthefirsttimeIwenttoseetheDryfoosestheywerestoppingatasortoffamilyhotelthentilltheycouldfindahouse——\"Fulkersonbrokeoffaltogether，andsaid，\"Idon\'tknowasIknowjusthowtheDryfoosesstruckyou，Mrs。March?\"
\"Can\'tyouimagine?\"sheanswered，withakindly，smile。
\"Yes；butIdon\'tbelieveIcouldguesshowtheywouldhavestruckyoulastsummerwhenIfirstsawthem。My!ohmy!therewasthenativeearthforyou。Melyisaprettywildcoltnow，butyououghttohaveseenherbeforeshewasbrokentoharness。
AndChristine?EverseethatblackleopardtheygotupthereintheCentralPark?ThatwasChristine。Well，Isawwhattheywanted。Theyallsawit——nobodyisafoolinalldirections，andtheDryfoosesareintheirrightsensesagooddealofthetime。Well，tocutalongstoryshort，IgotMrs。Mandeltotake\'eminhand——theoldladyaswellasthegirls。Shewasabornlady，andalwayslivedlikeonetillshesawMandel；andthatsomethingacademicthatkilledherforawriterwasjusttheverythingforthem。Sheknowstheworldwellenoughtoknowjusthowmuchpolishtheycantakeon，andshedon\'ttrytoputonabitmore。
See?\"
\"Yes，Icansee，\"saidMrs。March。
\"Well，shetookholdatonce，asreadyasahospital-trainednurse；andthereain\'tanythingreadieronthisplanet。Sherunsthewholeconcern，sociallyandeconomically，takesallthecareofhousekeepingofftheoldlady\'shands，andgoesroundwiththegirls。By-the-bye，I\'mgoingtotakemymealsatyourwidow\'s，March，andConrad\'sgoingtohavehislunchthere。I\'msickofbrowsingabout。\"
\"Mr。March\'swidow?\"saidhiswife，lookingathimwithprovisionalseverity。
\"Ihavenowidow，Isabel，\"hesaid，\"andneverexpecttohave，tillI
leaveyouintheenjoymentofmylife-insurance。IsupposeFulkersonmeanstheladywiththedaughterwhowantedtotakeustoboard。\"
\"Ohyes。Howaretheygettingon，Idowonder?\"Mrs。MarchaskedofFulkerson。
\"Well，they\'vegotonefamilytoboard；butit\'sasmallone。Iguessthey\'llpullthrough。Theydidn\'twanttotakeanydayboardersatfirst，thewidowsaid；Iguesstheyhavehadtocometoit。\"
\"Poorthings!\"sighedMrs。March。\"Ihopethey\'llgobacktothecountry。\"
\"Well，Idon\'tknow。Whenyou\'veoncetastedNewYork——Youwouldn\'tgobacktoBoston，wouldyou?\"
\"Instantly。\"
Fulkersonlaughedoutatolerantincredulity。
X
Beatonlithispipewhenhefoundhimselfinhisroom，andsatdownbeforethedullfireinhisgratetothink。Itstruckhimtherewasadullfireinhisheartagreatdeallikeit；andheworkedoutafancifulanalogywiththecoals，stillalive，andtheashescreepingoverthem，andthedeadclayandcinders。Hefeltsickofhimself，sickofhislifeandofallhisworks。HewasangrywithFulkersonforhavinggothimintothatartdepartmentofhis，forhavingboughthimup；andhewasbitteratfatebecausehehadbeenobligedtousethemoneytopaysomepressingdebts，andhadnotbeenabletoreturnthecheckhisfatherhadsenthim。Hepitiedhispooroldfather；heachedwithcompassionforhim；andhesethisteethandsnarledwithcontemptthroughthemforhisownbaseness。Thiswasthekindofworlditwas；buthewashedhishandsofit。Thefaultwasinhumannature，andhereflectedwithpridethathehadatleastnotinventedhumannature；hehadnotsunksolowasthatyet。Thenotionamusedhim；hethoughthemightgetaSatanicepigramoutofitsomeway。Butinthemeantimethatgirl，thatwildanimal，shekeptvisibly，tangiblybeforehim；ifheputouthishandhemighttouchhers，hemightpasshisarmroundherwaist。InParis，inasetheknewthere，whataneffectshewouldbewiththatlookofhers，andthatbeauty，alloutofdrawing!Theywouldrecognizetheflamequalityinher。Heimaginedajokeaboutherbeingafieryspirit，ornymph，naiad，whatever，fromoneofhernativegas-wells。Hebegantosketchonabitofpaperfromthetableathiselbowvaguelinesthatveiledandrevealedalevel，dismallandscape，andavastflameagainstanemptysky，andashapeoutoftheflamethattookonalikenessandfloateddetachedfromit。Thesketchranuptheleftsideofthesheetandstretchedacrossit。Beatonlaughedout。PrettygoodtoletFulkersonhavethatforthecoverofhisfirstnumber!Inblackandreditwouldbeeffective；itwouldcatchtheeyefromthenews-stands。Hemadeamotiontothrowitonthefire，buthelditbackandsliditintothetable-drawer，andsmokedon。HesawthedummywiththeothersketchintheopendrawerwhichhehadbroughtawayfromFulkerson\'sinthemorningandslippedinthere，andhetookitoutandlookedatit。Hemadesomecriticismsinlinewithhispencilonit，correctingthedrawinghereandthere，andthenherespecteditalittlemore，thoughhestillsmiledatthefemininequality——ayoungladyquality。
InspiteofhisexperiencethenighthecalledupontheLeightons，BeatoncouldnotbelievethatAlmanolongercaredforhim。Sheplayedathavingforgottenhimadmirably，butheknewthatafewmonthsbeforeshehadbeenverymindfulofhim。HeknewhehadneglectedthemsincetheycametoNewYork，wherehehadledthemtoexpectinterest，ifnotattention；buthewasusedtoneglectingpeople，andhewassomewhatlessusedtobeingpunishedforit——punishedandforgiven。HefeltthatAlmahadpunishedhimsothoroughlythatsheoughttohavebeensatisfiedwithherworkandtohaveforgivenhiminherheartafterward。Heborenoresentmentafterthefirsttinglingmomentswere-past；heratheradmiredherforit；andhewouldhavebeenreadytogobackhalfanhourlaterandacceptpardonandbeonthefootingoflastsummeragain。Evennowhedebatedwithhimselfwhetheritwastoolatetocall；but，decidedly，aquartertotenseemedlate。ThenextdayhedeterminednevertocallupontheLeightonsagain；buthehadnoreasonforthis；itmerelycameintoatransitoryschemeofconduct，ofretirementfromthesocietyofwomenaltogether；andafterdinnerhewentroundtoseethem。
Heaskedfortheladies，andtheyallthreereceivedhim，Almanotwithoutasurprisethatintimateditselftohim，andhermotherwithnoappreciablerelenting；MissWoodburn，withtheneedleworkwhichshefoundeasiertobevolubleoverthanabook，expressedinherwelcomeaneutralitybothcordialtoBeatonandloyaltoAlma。
\"Isitsnowingoutdo\'s?\"sheasked，briskly，afterthegreetingsweretransacted。\"Mahgoodness!\"shesaid，inanswertohisapparentsurpriseatthequestion。\"AhmahghtaswellhavestayedintheSoath，forallthewinterAhhaveseeninNewYorkyet。\"
\"Wedon\'toftenhavesnowmuchbeforeNew-Year\'s，\"saidBeaton。
\"MissWoodburniswildforarealNorthernwinter，\"Mrs。Leightonexplained。
\"TheothahnaghtAhwokeupandlookedoatofthewindowandsawalltheroofscoveredwithsnow，anditturnedoattobenothingbutmoonlaght。
Ahwasneversodisappointedinmahlahfe，\"saidMissWoodburn。
\"Ifyou\'llcometoSt。Barnabynextsummer，youshallhaveallthewinteryouwant，\"saidAlma。
\"Ican\'tletyouslanderSt。Barnabyinthatway，\"saidBeaton，withtheairofwishingtobeunderstoodasmeaningmorethanhesaid。
\"Yes?\"returnedAlma，coolly。\"Ididn\'tknowyouweresofondoftheclimate。\"
\"Ineverthinkofitasaclimate。It\'salandscape。Itdoesn\'tmatterwhetherit\'shotorcold。\"
\"Withthethermometertwentybelow，you\'dfindthatitmattered，\"Almapersisted。
\"IsthatthewayyoufeelaboutSt。Barnaby，too，Mrs。Leighton?\"Beatonasked，withaffecteddesolation。
\"Ishallbegladenoughtogobackinthesummer，\"Mrs。Leightonconceded。
\"AndIshouldbegladtogonow，\"saidBeaton，lookingatAlma。Hehadthedummyof\'EveryOtherWeek\'inhishand，andhesawAlma\'seyeswanderingtowarditwheneverheglancedather。\"IshouldbegladtogoanywheretogetoutofajobI\'veundertaken，\"hecontinued，toMrs。
Leighton。\"They\'regoingtostartsomesortofanewillustratedmagazine，andthey\'vegotmeinfortheirartdepartment。I\'mnotfitforit；I\'dliketorunaway。Don\'tyouwanttoadvisemealittle，Mrs。
Leighton?YouknowhowmuchIvalueyourtaste，andI\'dliketohaveyoulookatthedesignforthecoverofthefirstnumber:they\'regoingtohaveadifferentoneforeverynumber。Idon\'tknowwhetheryou\'llagreewithme，butIthinkthisisrathernice。\"
Hefacedthedummyround，andthenlaiditonthetablebeforeMrs。
Leighton，pushingsomeofherworkasidetomakeroomforitandstandingoverherwhileshebentforwardtolookatit。
Almakeptherplace，awayfromthetable。
\"Mahgoodness!Ho\'exciting!\"saidMissWoodburn。\"Mayanybodylook?\"
\"Everybody，\"saidBeaton。
\"Well，isn\'titperfectlychoming!\"MissWoodburnexclaimed。\"Comeandlookatthis，MissLeighton，\"shecalledtoAlma，whoreluctantlyapproached。
Whatlinesarethese?\"Mrs。Leightonasked，pointingtoBeaton\'spencilscratches。
\"They\'resuggestionsofmodifications，\"hereplied。
\"Idon\'tthinktheyimproveitmuch。Whatdoyouthink，Alma?\"
\"Oh，Idon\'tknow，\"saidthegirl，constraininghervoicetoaneffectofindifferenceandglancingcarelesslydownatthesketch。\"Thedesignmightbeimproved；butIdon\'tthinkthosesuggestionswoulddoit。\"
\"They\'remine，\"saidBeaton，fixinghiseyesuponherwithabeautifulsaddreaminessthatheknewhecouldputintothem；hespokewithadreamyremotenessoftone——hiswind-harpstop，Wetmorecalledit。
\"Isupposedso，\"saidAlma，calmly。
\"Oh，mahgoodness!\"criedMissWoodburn。\"Isthatthewayyouawtuststalktoeachothah?Well，Ah\'mgladAh\'mnotanawtust——unlessIcoulddoallthetalking。\"
\"Artistscannottellafib，\"Almasaid，\"orevenactone，\"andshelaughedinBeaton\'supturnedface。
Hedidnotunbendhisdreamygaze。\"You\'requiteright。Thesuggestionsarestupid。\"
AlmaturnedtoMissWoodburn:\"Youhear?Evenwhenwespeakofourownwork。\"
\"Ahnevahhoadanythinglahkeit!\"
\"Andthedesignitself?\"Beatonpersisted。
\"Oh，I\'mnotanarteditor，\"Almaanswered，withalaughofexultantevasion。
Atall，dark，grave-lookingmanoffifty，withaswarthyfaceandiron-
graymustacheandimperialandgoatee，enteredtheroom。Beatonknewthetype；hehadbeenthroughVirginiasketchingforoneoftheillustratedpapers，andhehadseensuchmeninRichmond。MissWoodburnhardlyneededtosay，\"MayAhintroduceyoutomahfathaw，Co\'nelWoodburn，Mr。
Beaton?\"
Themenshookhands，andColonelWoodburnsaid，inthatsoft，gentle，slowSouthernvoicewithoutourNortherncontractions:\"Iamverygladtomeetyou，sir；happytomakeyo\'acquaintance。Donotmove，madam，\"hesaidtoMrs。Leighton，whomadeadeprecatorymotiontolethimpasstothechairbeyondher；\"Icanfindmyway。\"Hebowedabulkthatdidnotlenditselfreadilytothedevotion，andpickeduptheballofyarnshehadletdropoutofherlapinhalfrising。\"Yo\'worsteds，madam。\"
\"Yarn，yarn，ColonelWoodburn!\"Almashouted。\"You\'requiteincorrigible。Aspadeisaspade!\"
\"Butsometimesitisatrump，mydearyounglady，\"saidtheColonel，withunabatedgallantry；\"andwhenyo\'mothahusesyarn，itisworsteds。ButIrespectworstedsevenunderthenameofyarn:ourladies——myownmothahandsistahs——hadtoknitthesockswewore——allwecouldgetinthewoe。\"
\"Yes，andaftahthewoe，\"hisdaughterputin。\"Theknittinghasnotstoppedyetinsomeplaces。HaveyoubeenmuchintheSoath，Mr。Beaton?\"
Beatonexplainedjusthowmuch。
\"Well，sir，\"saidtheColonel，\"thenyouhaveseenacountrymakinggiganticstrugglestoretrieveitslosses，sir。TheSouthisadvancingwithenormousstrides，sir。\"
\"Toofastforsomeofustokeepup，\"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleaside。\"ThepaceinCharlottesboagispofectlykilling，andwehadtodropoatintoaslowplacelikeNewYork。\"
\"TheprogressintheSouthismaterialnow，\"saidtheColonel；\"andthoseofuswhoseinterestsareinanotherdirectionfindourselves——isolated——isolated，sir。TheintellectualcentresarestillintheNo\'th，sir；
thegreatcitiesdrawthementalactivityofthecountrytothem，sir。
NecessarilyNewYorkisthemetropolis。\"
\"Oh，everythingcomeshere，\"saidBeaton，impatientoftheelder\'sponderosity。AnothersortofmanwouldhavesympathizedwiththeSoutherner\'swillingnesstotalkofhimself，andledhimontospeakofhisplansandideals。ButthesortofmanthatBeatonwascouldnotdothis；heputupthedummyintothewrapperhehadletdroponthefloorbesidehim，andtieditroundwithstringwhileColonelWoodburnwastalking。HegottohisfeetwiththewordshespokeandofferedMrs。
Leightonhishand。
\"Mustyougo?\"sheasked，insurprise。
\"Iamonmywaytoareception，\"hesaid。Shehadnoticedthathewasineveningdress；andnowshefeltthevaguehurtthatpeopleinvitednowherefeelinthepresenceofthosewhoaregoingsomewhere。Shedidnotfeelitforherself，butforherdaughter；andsheknewAlmawouldnothaveletherfeelitifshecouldhavepreventedit。ButAlmahadlefttheroomforamoment，andshetacitlyindulgedthissenseofinjuryinherbehalf。
\"Pleasesaygood-nighttoMissLeightonforme，\"Beatoncontinued。HebowedtoMissWoodburn，\"Goodnight，MissWoodburn，\"andtoherfather，bluntly，\"Goodnight。\"
\"Good-night，sir，\"saidtheColonel，withasortofseveresuavity。
\"Oh，isn\'thechoming!\"MissWoodburnwhisperedtoMrs。LeightonwhenBeatonlefttheroom。
Almaspoketohiminthehallwithout。\"Youknewthatwasmydesign，Mr。
Beaton。Whydidyoubringit?\"
\"Why?\"Helookedatheringloomyhesitation。
Thenhesaid:\"Youknowwhy。Iwishedtotalkitoverwithyou，toserveyou，pleaseyou，getbackyourgoodopinion。ButI\'vedoneneithertheonenortheother；I\'vemadeamessofthewholething。\"
Almainterruptedhim。\"Hasitbeenaccepted?\"
\"Itwillbeaccepted，ifyouwillletit。\"
\"Letit?\"shelaughed。\"Ishallbedelighted。\"Shesawhimswayedalittletowardher。\"It\'samatterofbusiness，isn\'tit?\"
\"Purely。Good-night。\"
WhenAlmareturnedtotheroom，ColonelWoodburnwassayingtoMrs。
Leighton:\"Idonotcontendthatitisimpossible，madam，butitisverydifficultinathoroughlycommercializedsociety，likeyours，tohavethefeelingsofagentleman。Howcanabusinessman，whoseprosperity，whoseearthlysalvation，necessarilyliesintheadversityofsomeoneelse，bedelicateandchivalrous，orevenhonest?IfwecouldhavehadtimetoperfectoursystemattheSouth，toeliminatewhatwasevilanddevelopwhatwasgoodinit，weshouldhavehadaperfectsystem。Butthevirusofcommercialismwasinus，too；itforbadeustomakethebestofadivineinstitution，andtemptedustomaketheworst。Nowthecurseisonthewholecountry；thedollaristhemeasureofeveryvalue，thestampofeverysuccess。Whatdoesnotsellisafailure；andwhatsellssucceeds。\"
\"Thehobbyisoat，mahdeah，\"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleasidetoAlma。
\"Wereyouspeakingofme，ColonelWoodburn?\"Almaasked。
\"Surelynot，mydearyounglady。\"
\"Buthe\'sbeensayingthatawtustsarejustasgreedyaboatmoneyasanybody，\"saidhisdaughter。
\"Thelawofcommercialismisoneverythinginacommercialsociety，\"theColonelexplained，softeningthetoneinwhichhisconvictionswerepresented。\"Thefinalrewardofartismoney，andnotthepleasureofcreating。\"
\"Perhapstheywouldbewillingtotakeitalloatinthatifothahpeoplewouldletthempaytheirbillsinthepleasureofcreating，\"hisdaughterteased。
\"Theyarehelpless，likealltherest，\"saidherfather，withthesamedeferencetoherastootherwomen。\"Idonotblamethem。\"
\"Oh，mahgoodness!Didn\'tyousay，sir，thatMr。Beatonhadbadmanners?\"
Almarelievedaconfusionwhichheseemedtofeelinreferencetoher。
\"Badmanners?Hehasnomanners!Thatis，whenhe\'shimself。Hehasprettygoodoneswhenhe\'ssomebodyelse。\"
MissWoodburnbegan，\"Oh，mah-\"andthenstoppedherself。Alma\'smotherlookedatherwithdistressedquestion，butthegirlseemedperfectlycoolandcontented；andshegavehermindprovisionallytoapointsuggestedbyColonelWoodburn\'stalk。
\"Still，Ican\'tbelieveitwasrighttoholdpeopleinslavery，towhipthemandsellthem。Itneverdidseemrighttome，\"sheadded，inapologyforherextremesentimentstothegentlenessofheradversary。
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，madam，\"saidtheColonel。\"Thoseweretheabusesoftheinstitution。ButifwehadnotbeenvitiatedontheonehandandthreatenedontheotherbythespiritofcommercialismfromtheNorth——andfromEurope，too——thoseabusescouldhavebeeneliminated，andtheinstitutiondevelopedinthedirectionofthemildpatriarchalismofthedivineintention。\"TheColonelhitchedhischair，whichfiguredahobbycareeringuponitshindlegs，alittletowardMrs。Leightonandthegirlsapproachedtheirheadsandbegantowhisper；theyfelldeferentiallysilentwhentheColonelpausedinhisargument，andwentonagainwhenhewenton。
AtlasttheyheardMrs。Leightonsaying，\"Andhaveyouheardfromthepublishersaboutyourbookyet?\"
ThenMissWoodburncutin，beforeherfathercouldanswer:\"Thecoaseofcommercialismisonthat，too。Theyaretrahingtofahndoatwhethahitwillpay。\"
\"Andtheyareright-quiteright，\"saidtheColonel。\"Thereisnolongeranyothercriterion；andevenaworkthatattacksthesystemmustbesubmittedtothetestsofthesystem。\"
\"Thesystemwon\'tacceptdestructiononanyothahtomes，\"saidMissWoodburn，demurely。
XI。
Atthereception，wheretwomeninliverystoodasidetolethimpassuptheoutsidestepsofthehouse，andtwomorehelpedhimoffwithhisovercoatindoors，andafifthmiscalledhisnameintothedrawing-room，theSyracusestone-cutter\'ssonmetthenieceofMrs。Horn，andbeganatoncetotellherabouthiseveningattheDryfooses\'。Hewasinverygoodspirits，forsofarashecouldhavebeenelatedordepressedbyhispartingwithAlmaLeightonhehadbeenelated；shehadnottreatedhisimpudencewiththecontemptthathefeltitdeserved；shemuststillbefondofhim；andthewarmsenseofthis，byoperationofanobscurebutwell-recognizedlawofthemasculinebeing，disposedhimtoberatherfondofMissVance。Shewasaslendergirl，whosesemi-aestheticdressflowedaboutherwithanaccentuationofherlongforms，andredeemedthemfromcensurebytheveryfranknesswithwhichitconfessedthem；
nobodycouldhavesaidthatMargaretVancewastootall。Herprettylittlehead，whichshehadaneffectofchoosingtohavelittleinthesamespiritofjudiciousdefiance，hadagooddealofreadinginit；shewasproudtoknowliteraryandartisticfashionsaswellassocietyfashions。ShelikedbeingsingledoutbyanexteriordistinctionsoobviousasBeaton\'s，andshelistenedwithsympatheticinteresttohisaccountofthosepeople。Hegavetheirnaturalhistoryrealitybydrawinguponhisown；hereconstructedtheirplebeianpastfromtheexperiencesofhischildhoodandhisyouthofthepre-Parisianperiod；
andhehadapangofsuicidaljoyininsultingtheirignoranceoftheworld。
\"Whatdifferentkindsofpeopleyoumeet!\"saidthegirlatlast，withanenvioussigh。Herreadinghadenlargedtheboundsofherimagination，ifnotherknowledge；thenovelsnowadaysdealtsomuchwithverycommonpeople，andmadethemseemsoverymuchmoreworthwhilethanthepeopleonemet。
ShesaidsomethinglikethistoBeaton。Heanswered:\"YoucanmeetthepeopleI\'mtalkingofveryeasily，ifyouwanttotakethetrouble。
It\'swhattheycametoNewYorkfor。Ifancyit\'sthegreatambitionoftheirlivestobemet。\"
\"Ohyes，\"saidMissVance，fashionably，andlookeddown；thenshelookedupandsaid，intellectually:\"Don\'tyouthinkit\'sagreatpity?Howmuchbetterforthemtohavestayedwheretheywereandwhattheywere!\"
\"Thenyoucouldneverhavehadanychanceofmeetingthem，\"saidBeaton。
\"Idon\'tsupposeyouintendtogoouttothegascountry?\"
\"No，\"saidMissVance，amused。\"NotthatIshouldn\'tliketogo。\"
\"Whatadaringspirit!Yououghttobeonthestaffof\'EveryOtherWeek，\'\"saidBeaton。
\"Thestaff-EveryOtherWeek?Whatisit?\"
\"Themissinglink；thelong-feltwantofatiebetweentheArtsandtheDollars。\"Beatongaveheraverypicturesque，averydramaticsketchofthetheory，thepurpose，andthepersonnelofthenewenterprise。
MissVanceunderstoodtoolittleaboutbusinessofanykindtoknowhowitdifferedfromotherenterprisesofitssort。Shethoughtitwasdelightful；shethoughtBeatonmustbegladtobepartofit，thoughhehadrepresentedhimselfsobored，soinjured，byFulkerson\'sinsistinguponhavinghim。\"Andisitasecret?Isitathingnottobespokenof?\"
\"\'Tutt\'altro\'!Fulkersonwillbeenrapturedtohaveitspokenofinsociety。Hewouldpayanyreasonablebillfortheadvertisement。\"
\"Whatadelightfulcreature!Tellhimitshallallbespentincharity。\"
\"Hewouldlikethat。Hewouldgettwoparagraphsoutofthefact，andyournamewouldgointothe\'LiteraryNotes\'ofallthenewspapers。\"
\"Oh，butIshouldn\'twantmynameused!\"criedthegirl，halfhorrifiedintofancyingthesituationreal。
\"Thenyou\'dbetternotsayanythingabout\'EveryOtherWeek\'。Fulkersonispreternaturallyunscrupulous。\"
Marchbegantothinksotoo，attimes。Hewasperpetuallysuggestingchangesinthemake-upofthefirstnumber，withaviewtoitsgreatervividnessofeffect。Onedayhecameandsaid:\"Thisthingisn\'tgoingtohaveanysortofgetupandhowlaboutit，unlessyouhaveapaperinthefirstnumbergoingforBevans\'snovels。BettergetMaxwelltodoit。\"
\"Why，IthoughtyoulikedBevans\'snovels?\"
\"SoIdid；butwherethegoodof\'EveryOtherWeek\'isconcernedIamaRomanfather。ThepopulargagistoabuseBevans，andMaxwellisthemantodoit。Therehasn\'tbeenanewmagazinestartedforthelastthreeyearsthathasn\'thadanarticlefromMaxwellinitsfirstnumbercuttingBevansalltopieces。Ifpeopledon\'tseeit，they\'llthink\'EveryOtherWeek\'issomeoldthing。\"
MarchdidnotknowwhetherFulkersonwasjokingornot。Hesuggested，\"Perhapsthey\'llthinkit\'sanoldthingiftheydoseeit。\"
\"Well，getsomebodyelse，then；orelsegetMaxwelltowriteunderanassumedname。Or——Iforgot!He\'llbeanonymousunderoursystem，anyway。Nowthereain\'tamorepopularracketforustoworkinthatfirstnumberthanagood，swingingattackonBevans。Peoplereadhisbooksandquarrelover\'em，andthecriticsareallagainsthim，andaregularflaying，withsaltandvinegarrubbedinafterward，willtellmorewithpeoplewholikegoodold-fashionedfictionthananythingelse。
IlikeBevans\'sthings，but，dadburnit!whenitcomestothatfirstnumber，I\'dofferupanybody。\"
\"Whatanimmorallittlewretchyouare，Fulkerson!\"saidMarch，withalaugh。