MissEmmelinewroteasshewasdirected。Alonglistofnameswasthenputdown；therehadalreadybeenaprivatefamilymeetinguponthesubject，atwhich，aftermanyendeavoursofMrs。Hilsontounitethetwoadvantagesofextremeexclusiveism，andthelargestnumberofinvitationseverheardofatLongbridge，Mr。
Hubbardhaddecidedthematterbyinsistingthathisdaughtersshouldaskeverypersonwhohadeverbeenaguestattheirhousebefore，andallthosefromwhomtheythemselveshadacceptedinvitations。
“Don\'ttalktomeoffashionablepeople，andexclusivesandinclusives——Ichoosetohaveallmyoldneighbours，doyouhear，girls，andanyoneelseyouplease。“
Thiswastheonlypointuponwhichtheirfatherinsisted；andashelefttheexpenseofthearrangementsentirelytothemselves，theladiesthoughtitmostprudentnottoarguethematter。
Instead，therefore，ofaimingathavingtheirpartyveryselect，itwasnowagreedthatitshouldbeverygeneral。
“Itwillbearegularmob，“saidMrs。Hilson，asshefinishedreadingtohersisterscrapsoflistsofwhichherlapwasfull；
“butwithsolargeavisitingcircleasours，itwasnottobeavoided，Isuppose。Haveyouputdownthebonedturkey，Emmeline？
thatatleastwillgivetotheentertainmentanaristocraticcharacter，atonce。“
“Yes，tobesure，hereitis，“saidEmmeline，takingupanothersheetofpaper。“Wemusthavebonedturkey，ofcourse。“
NowitsohappenedthatneitherMrs。BibbsnorMrs。Tibbs，thoughsuchfascinatingladies，hadeverseen，tasted，orheardofbonedturkeybefore。But，ofcourse，theydidnotconfesssuchshamefulignorance。BonedturkeyhadneveryetfiguredatapartyatLongbridge。Wesayfiguredataparty，andwespeakadvisedly，asallmustknowwhoareawareoftheall-importantpositionoccupiedatanAmericanpartybytherefreshments，intheopinionofbothhostandguests。Thebrilliancyofthelights，theexcellenceofthemusic，thewitandgallantryofthegentlemen，thegraceandbeautyoftheladies——wouldbeofnoavailingivingfametoapartyiftherefreshmentswerenotasabundant，andasvariedaspossible。Itistruethesegoodthingsaregenerallyexcellentintheirway，whichisprobablyonereasonwhytheyreceivesomuchattention。Thehighestdistinctiontobeattainedinthesemattersistheintroductionofsomenewdelicacy；nexttothis，isthehonourofbeingoneofthefirsttofollowsobrilliantanexample；but，ofcourse，thoseunfortunateindividualswhohaveneglectedtoprocurethefavouritedaintyoftheseason，afterithasonceappearedonfashionabletables，loseallclaimtohonourablemention，andsinkbeneathnotice。Inthisway，eachdishhasitsday；ayearortwosince，CharlotteRussewasindispensableatanentertainment；lastwinterBombeswereinhighrequest；andattheperiodoftheHubbardhouse-warming，BonedTurkeyhadreceivedtheplaceofhonourontheNewYorksupper-tables。
Peoplecouldneitherflirtnordance，theycouldtalkneitherpurenonsense，norpurespeculation，withouttheBonedTurkeyinperspective。Thefashionhadindeedspreadsofar，thatithadatlastreachedwhatMrs。Hilsongenerallycalledherclique。
“Pathinksweshallhavesomedifficultyingettingbonedturkeyatthisseason；itisratherearly；butIamdeterminedtohaveitifmoneycanprocureit。YouknowIamveryambitious，Mrs。
Tibbs——Iamnoteasilysatisfied。“
Mrs。Tibbs，aprettylittlewomanwithlighthair，wearingafashionablelilacmuslin，assented，ofcourse。
“Takingforgrantedthen，thatwehavethebonedturkey，whatshallweputdownnext？”askedMissEmmeline。“Terrapin-soup，pickled-oysters，lobsters，chicken-salad，andanythinginthewayofgamethatcanbefoundinthemarket；doyouthinkthatwilldoforthesubstantialdishes，Mrs。Bibbs？”
Mrs。Bibbs，aprettylittlewomanwithblackhair，wearingafashionablegreenmuslin，assented，ofcourse。
“Ithinkthatwilldo，Emmeline，“saidMrs。Hilson；“alargesupplyofeach，youknow。By-the-byewemusthavefourdishesofbonedturkey；nothingsomeanastohaveasmallquantity。“
Thenfollowedalonglistoflighterdelicacies；gallonsofice-creamwitheverypossiblevarietyofflavour；flourandeggs，creamandsugar，preparedineverywayknowntoNewYorkconfectioners。KissesandMottoeswereinsistedupon。Thencamethefruits，beginningwithpeachesandgrapes，andconcludingwithbananasandothertropicalproductions，untilatlengthevenMrs。Hilson\'s“ambition“wasthusfarsatisfied。
{“KissesandMottoes“=wrappedcandiesenclosingshortwittyversesor“mottoes“——ancestorsofthe“fortunecookie“}
“Ithinkourset-outwillhavequiteanaristocraticappearance，Emmeline；including，ofcourse，thebonedturkey。Thenwemusthavecoloredcandles，theyaresomuchmoretasty——allgreenandpink。Alonzowillsecuretheorchestra，thebestinthecity；——
\'sband。Wemusthavetwodressing-roomsinthethirdstory，oneforthegentlemen，onefortheladies——andalittlefainting-roombesides；thesmalleastroomwilldoforthat——wecanputinittheeasy-chair，withthewhitebatistecoverI
broughtoverfromthecity，withapitcheroficed-water，andrestoratives，allready。Itisalwaysbest，Mrs。Bibbs，tohaveaprettylittlefainting-roompreparedbeforehand——itmakesthethingmorecomplete。“
TheladyinthegreenmuslinagreedentirelywithMrs。Hilson；
shethoughtitwouldbeunpardonablenottohaveafainting-room。
“Thethirdstorywillbereservedforthedressing-rooms，thesecondentirelydevotedtothesupperandrefreshments，andthefirstfloorgivenuptothedancersandpromenaders。IdeclareI
shan\'tknowhowtolookifwecan\'tprocurethebonedturkey。“
Theladyinthelilacmuslinagreedthatwheneverythingelsewassogenteel，itwouldbeunfortunateindeedtofailinthebonedturkey。
Thedispositionofthefurniture，thevarietyoflemonades，&c。，wasthensettled，aswellasotherminormatters，whenthefourladiessatdowntowritetheinvitationsontheveryelegantandfancifulnote-paperpreparedfortheoccasion。
“ThefirstthingIshalldo，Emmeline，willbetowritealetterexpresslytoAlonzo，toinsistupontheconfectioner\'sprocuringthebonedturkey。“
Weshallpassoverthelaboursoftheensuingweek，devotedtotheexecutionofwhathadbeenplanned。VariousweretherumoursfloatingaboutLongbridgeintheinterval；itwasassertedbysomepersonsthatasteamboatwastobringtoLongbridgeallthefashionablepeopleinNewYork；thatitwastobeasortof“Mass-Meeting“ofthe“Aristocracy。“Byothers，allthefiddlersinNewYorkandPhiladelphiaweresaidtobeengaged。Infact，however，nothingwasreallyknownaboutthematter。Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbshadconfidedallthedetailstoascoreoffriendsonly，andeveryoneofthesehad，asusual，spreadabroadadifferentversionofthestory。Wehaveit，however，onthebestauthority，thateverydaythatweekaletterinMrs。Hilson\'shandwriting，directedtothemostfashionablecookandconfectionerinNewYork，passedthroughtheLongbridgepost-office，andwehappentoknowthattheywereallwrittenuponthenegotiationforthebonedturkey，whichatthatseasonitwasnoteasytoprocureinperfection。
Theeventfuleveningarrivedatlength。Thefancifulnote-papershadallreachedtheirdestination，thepinkandgreencandleswerelighted，thefainting-roomwasprepared，thekissesandmottoeshadarrived，andthoughlast，surelynotleast，fourdishesofbonedturkeywerealreadyonthesupper-table。Mrs。
BibbsandMrs。Tibbshadgonetheroundswiththetwoladiesofthehouse，andadmiredeverything，afterwhichtheyreturnedtothedrawing-room。Mrs。Bibbsinblue，andMrs。Tibbsinpink，wereplacedinfullarrayonasofa。Mrs。HilsonandMissEmmelinestationedthemselvesinacurtseyingposition，awaitingtheirguests。Mr。andMrs。Clapp，withMissPatseyandCharlie，werethefirsttoarrive。Ourfriend，Patsey，lookedpleasant，good-natured，andneatlydressed，asusual；thesilksheworewasindeedthehandsomestthingofthekindshehadeverowned——itwasapresentfromUncleJosie，whohadinsisteduponhercomingtohishouse-warming。Patsey\'stoilette，however，thoughsomuchmoreelegantthanusual，lookedlikeplainnessandsimplicityitself，comparedwiththegauzesandflowers，thelacesandribbonsofMrs。TibbsandMrs。Bibbs，whoweresittingonthesofabesideher。Presently，athin，dark，sober-lookingyoungmanwalkedinataside-door；itwasAlonzo，Mrs。Hilson\'shusband。
Honest，warm-heartedMr。Hubbardsoonfollowed，lookingasusual，inaverygoodhumour，andmuchpleasedwiththeholidayhehadprovidedforhisdaughters，andthesatisfactionofseeingallhisoldfriendsinhisnewhouse，whichhehadpreparedforhimself。Ifevertherewasamanwhospoilthischildren，itwasMr。JosephHubbard。Hadhehadsons，itmightpossiblyhavebeendifferent；buthiswifehadbeenaverysilly，verypretty，veryfrivolouswoman；thedaughtersresembledherineveryrespect，andMr。Hubbardseemedtohaveadoptedtheopinionthatwomenwereneverotherwisethansillyandfrivolous。Helovedhisdaughters，laughedattheirnonsense，wasindulgenttotheirfolly，andletthemdopreciselyastheypleased；which，ashehadmadeafortune，itwasinhispowertodo。AsforUncleDozie，thebacheler{sic}brother，whohadlivedallhislifewithMr。JosephHubbard，hewasalreadyinthedrawing-room，seatedinacorner，withfoldedarms，takinganap。Itwassingularwhatatalentfornappingthisoldgentlemanpossessed；
hehadbeenknowntodozeoveranewbook，pronouncedbythepapers“thrillinglyinteresting，“and“intenselyexciting；“hehassleptduringapoliticalspeech，reportedasonecontinuedstreamofenchainingeloquence，deliveredamidthundersofapplause；andnow，undertheblazeofastrallamps，andpinkandgreencandles，whilethemusiciansweretuningtheirfiddles，andproducingallsortsofdiscordantsounds，hewasdozingasquietlyasifinhisownrocking-chair。UncleDozieseldomtalkedwhenhecouldhelpit；thechiefbusinessandpleasureofhislifeconsistedinsuperintendinghisbrother\'svegetable-garden；
hehadneverbeenknowntotakeanapamonghisbeetsandcabbages，whichheseemedtoadmireasmuch。ashedidhisnieces。Thevegetables，indeed，engrossedsomuchofhiscareandattention，thatthreetimesinthecourseofhislife，hehadlostbycarelessnessacomfortablelittleindependencewhichhisbrotherhadmadeforhim。
{“astrallamp“=avarietyofArgandlampthebrightestoillampoftheperiodespeciallydesignedtocastitslightdownward}
Thecompanybegantopourin。Mrs。Taylorandthetalkativeoldfriendwereamongtheearliest，andtooktheirseatsonthesofa，nearMissPatsey，Mrs。Bibbs，andMrs。Tibbs。Adeline，withtheSaratogafashionables，soonfollowed；havingremainedlongerinthedressing-room，inordertowaituntileachcouldappearwithabeautoleanon。TheLongbridgeelitearrivedinlargenumbers；
UncleDoziewokeup，andUncleJosieshookhandsashisfriendswishedhimmanyhappyyearsinhisnewhouse。MissEmmelineandMrs。Hilsonflittedhitherandthither；whilethedarkandsober-lookingAlonzooccasionallybenthisheadgentlyononeside，toreceivesomeprivatecommunicationsanddirectionsfromhismoreelegantmoiety。Noonewasreceivedbytheladiesofthehousewithmorefascinatingsmiles，thanatall，slimEnglishman，withaverybushyheadofhair，whohadmadeMrs。Hilson\'sacquaintanceattheirboarding-housenotlongsince，andbeingtiredofoccupyingathirdorfourth-ratepositioninhisowncountry，wasnowdeterminedtoshowoffwhathethoughtairsofthefirstwater，inthis。HewasjusttheattendantinwhomMrs。
Hilsongloried。
“IthinktheWest-Endisfullyrepresentedhere，thisevening，Emmeline，“saidthefairladyasshetrippedpasthersister，followedbyCaptainKockney，aftertheroomswereuncomfortablyfull。
“Someveryprettywomen\'ere，Mrs。\'Ilson，“observedCaptainKockney；“that\'sreallyalovelycreaturejustcomein，andwhatapieceofuglinessitisalongsideofher。“
“MissGraham？Yes，sheisourgreatbeauty。ShallIintroduceyou？”
“Notnow，forpity\'ssake；waittillthatuglyfacehasmovedoutofsight。“
“DoyouthinkMissWyllyssoveryugly？Perhapssheis；butsheisoneofourcountryneighbours，andIhaveseenhersofrequentlythatIamaccustomedtoherappearance——indeedwearequiteintimate。Whenoneknowsher，herconversationisexcessivelydelightful；thoughshewantsmoreassociationwithcity-lifetoappeartoadvantage。“
“Now，praydon\'tintroducemethere，Ibeg。IsawtoomanyuglywomenthelastseasonIwasat\'ome。Ourcolonelhadthreedaughters，\'orridfrights，butofcoursewehadtodothecivilbythem。Italmosttemptedmetosellout；theywereparvenues，too——thatmadethematterworse，youknow。“
{“parvenues“=upstartsFrench}
“Oh，yes，Ihateparvenoos；Iamthoroughlyaristocraticinmynature。Indeed，itisagreatmisfortuneformethatIamso，oneisobliged，inthiscountry，tocomesooftenincontactwithplebeians！Iamafraidyoumustsufferfromthesamecause，whiletravellingintheUnitedStates。“
“What，fromtheplebeians？Oh，ImadeupmymindtothatbeforeI
came，youknow；IbelieveIshallenjoythechangeforatime。
Onedoesn\'texpectanythingelsefromyouYankees；andthenIhadasurfeitofaristocracyinLondon，thelastseason。Wehadhalf-a-dozencrownedheadsthere；andfirstonemetthemeverywhereintown，youknow，andthenateverycountry-house。“
“Howdelightfulitmustbetolivesurroundedbyroyaltyinthatway！”
“Thereyou\'requiteout。It\'sagreatbore；onehastomindtheirp\'sandq\'satcourt，youknow——InevergotoWindsorifIcanhelp，it。“
“Well，Ishouldnevertireofacourt——Iamthoroughlypatricianinmydisposition。Ihaveagoodrighttosuchtastes，CaptainKockney，forIhaveagreatdealofnoblebloodinmyveins。“
“Now，really！whatfamilydoyoubelongto？”
“ThedukeofPercy；anoblefamilyofScotland。Pa\'snameisJosephP。Hubbard。Don\'tyoupitypeoplewhohavenonobilityintheirfamilies？”
“\'Ponmysoul，Idon\'tknowhowamanfeelsundersuchcircumstances。It\'saqueersensation，Idaresay。“
“Dr。VanHorne，“continuedMrs。Hilson，toayoungmanwhocameuptomakehisbowtoher，“Ihaveagreatmindtoaskafavourofyou。Willyouundertaketobleedme？”
“Ishouldbesorryifyourequiredmyservicesinthatway，Mrs。
Hilson。“
“Ah，butitwouldbearealobligation；IwanttogetridofallbutmyPercyblood。Perhapsyoudon\'tknowthatourfamilyisdistinguishedinitsdescent？”
“From\'oldMotherHubbard，\'“thoughtyoungVanHorne；buthemerelybowed。
“Yes，ourancestorsweredukesofPercy，whowerebeheadedinScotlandforbeingfaithfultotheirking。ItisverypossiblewemightclaimthetitleofaScotchPeer。“Mrs。HilsonhadreadtoomanyEnglishnovels，nottohaveasupplyofsuchphrasesatcommand。“Ifyoucouldonlyfindtherightvein，Iwouldinsistuponyourtakingawayallbutmypatricianblood。“
“Wouldnottheoperationleaveyoutooperfect，Mrs。Hilson？”
“Perhapsitmightmakemevain。Butitcouldscarcelyunfitmemoreforlivinginarepublic。HowIwishweweregovernedbyadespot！——don\'tyou？”
“Notintheleast，“——\'butIwishyouwere，\'theyoungmanadded，tohimself，ashemovedawaytowardsJaneandElinor，whowereinacornertalkingtohissisters。“Allthefoolsinthiscountryarenottravelledfools，asIwishmyfatherwouldremember，“hecontinued，asheedgedhiswaythroughthecrowd。
“AndhethatayehaslivedfreeMaynotwellknowthemisery，Thewrath，thestrife，thehate，andall，That\'scompassedinthenameofthrall。“
{Ihavenotidentifiedthisverse}
“Youhavemusteredquiteaprettysetoflittleplebeians\'ereto-night。Now，that\'squiteanice-lookinglittlecreaturestandingbythedoor，“continuedCaptainKockney；“whatdoyoucallher？”
“HernameisTaylor——AdelineTaylor；theybelongtothearistocracytoo；shallIintroduceyou？”
“Isshemarried？Ifsheis，I\'venoobjections；butifsheisn\'t，Ihadrathernot。It\'ssuchabore，youknow，talkingtogirls——bread-and-buttermisses！”
“Howungallantyouare！”
“Ungallant！Why？Isupposeyouknowit\'sasettledthingthatnoneofUStalktogirlsinsociety。Mostofthemaresomilk-and-water，andtherestaresodeep，they\'realwaysfancyingamanmeanssomething。Why，lastspringwecutLordAdolphusFitzFlummery，ofOURS，justbecausehemadeafoolofhimself，danglingafterthegirls。“
“Butdon\'tgentlemeneverspeaktoanunmarriedladyinEngland？”
“Thesapsdo——butnotyourknowingones。Wemakeanexceptionthough，infavourofaregularbeauty，suchasthatlittlegirlontheothersideoftheroom；thatThomsongirl，didn\'tyoucallher？”
“MissGraham——youaredifficulttopleaseifnothingelsewillsuityou。Butofcourseitisnaturalforaristocraticmindstobefastidious。“
“Tobesureitis，that\'swhatmakesusEnglisharistocratssoexclusive。IfthatlittleGrahamgirlcomesinourwaythough，I\'venoobjectiontomakingheracquaintance。Andifyouhavegotagreatfortunehereto-night，I\'llmakeanexceptionforher——youmayintroduceme。Istheresuchathingasanheiressintheroom？”
“Anheiress？No，Ibelievenot——butMissTaylorisquiteafortune。“
“Isshe？Wellthen，youmayintroducemetheretoo。Wehavetodotheciviltotherichgirls，youknow；becauseafterawhilemostofusaredrivenintomatrimony。That\'sthegovernor，Itakeit，nearthedoor。“
“Thegovernor？Oh，no，ourgovernordoesnotliveatLongbridge。“
“Doesn\'the？Well，Ithoughtyouintroducedhimjustnowasthegovernor，andIfanciedsomeonecalledhim\'Ubbard；that\'sthegovernor\'sname，isn\'tit？”
“No，indeed。That\'sPayouarespeakingof。“
“Justso——thatiswhatIsaid。YoucallyourpaternitiesPA，doyou？——wealwayscalltheoldfellowsgovernors，inEngland。“
“DoyoucallyourfatherGov。Kockney？IdidnotknowthatgovernorwasanEnglishtitle；itsoundsveryplebeianinmyears。“
“Now，whatDOyoumean？ha！ha！——youaredelightful。Youputmeinmindofagoodsceneatthedrawing-room，lastJune。Though，perhaps，youdon\'tknowwhatthedrawing-roomis？”
“Oh，yes；IknowthatitmeansCourt。Mytastesaresoexclusive，thatImaysayIhavelivedinEnglishHigh-LifefromthetimeI
married，andbecameintimatewithMrs。Bagman。Ifeelquiteathomeinsuchscenes，forIreadeverynovelthatcomesoutwithLordsandLadiesinit。WhatwereyougoingtotellmeaboutCourt？”
ThestorywasinterruptedbyMissHubbard，whotrippedacrosstheroomtocarryhersisteroffwithher。
“Nowyouarenotgoing，Ihope？Whynotstay\'ere；Iamsurethissofaisthemostcomfortablethingintheroom。“
“Imustgotoreceivesomefriendsofmine，comeoverexpresslyfromthecity。“
“Pray，keepmeclearofthecits！Butnow，ifyouwillgo，justleavemeyourbouquetasaaconsolation。Thankyou——Oh，yes，I\'lltakegoodcareofit。“
“Ihopeyouwill，forit\'satendollarbouquet，andI\'mveryproudofit。Youmustnotstealasingleflower，mind。“
“Mustn\'tI？——Doyoudareme？”andtheagreeableCaptainbegantopulloutseveralflowers。Mrs。Hilson，however，washurriedaway。
Mr。Taylor，Mr。Hubbard，andAlonzomovedtowardsthesofawhereshehadbeensitting。
“DoyouthinkthatStewartwillbechosenPresidentoftheFranklinInsurance？”inquiredMr。Hubbard。
“Ithinknot，sir——herathermismanagedtheaffairsoftheHobokenBank。LippincottwillbethePresident，Itakeit。Hehasmagnificenttalentsforbusiness。Youknowhehaspurchasedthethirtylotsin50thstreet，thatweresoldatauction，yesterday。“
“Agoodpurchase，Ishouldsay。“
“How\'stheHobokenstocknow？”inquiredAlonzo。Amurmuringabout\'fivepercent。\'——\'sixpercent。\'——\'par\'——\'premium，\'followed，andwasonlyinterruptedbytheapproachofyoungVanHorneandElinor。
“Ibegyourpardon，MissWyllys，“saidMr。Hubbard，makingroomforher。“Oh，yes，Mr。VanHorne，hereisaplaceforyou，andanothercouplebesides。Whomareyoulookingfor？”
“CharlesHubbard，sir；Iwanthimforavis-a-vis。“
“Charlieisalreadyplaced，Isee；buthereisagentleman；
perhapsyouwouldliketodance，sir？”——addressingCaptainKockney，whowasstillinpossessionofthesofaandtheflowers。
“Ihopemydaughterhasintroducedyoutosomeoftheyoungladies。“
“Now，really；ifIamtodance，IpreferMrs。\'Ilson。“
And，accordingly，theCaptain，bynomeanssorrytobeforcedtodance，rosewithavictim-likelook，halfstrode，halfsidledtowardsMrs。Hilson，andputtinghiselbowinherfacebywayofaninvitation，ledhertothequadrille。Thecontrastbetweenthesetwocouples，placedoppositetoeachother，wasstriking，andyetcommonenoughinamixedballroom。CaptainKockneywasdesperatelynonchalant，hispartnerfullofairsandgraces；
theirconversationwassilly，ignorant，andconceited，beyondthereachofimagination——suchthingsmustbeheardtobebelieved。
YoungVanHornewasclever，andappearedtolessadvantageindancingthaninmostthings。Elinorthereaderknowsalready；itwasapleasuretofollowherasshemovedaboutwiththehappygracewhichbelongedtohernature。Herpartner，halfinjoke，halfinearnest，wasengagingherinterestwithhisfatherinbehalfofthevisittoEurope。Elinorpromisedtodoallinherpower；andtheychattedawaycheerfullyandgaily，fortheywereyoungandlight-hearted；andyet，eveninaball-room，theymeantwhattheysaid，andknewwhattheyweretalkingabout，forbothweresensibleandwelleducated。JaneandyoungBernardwerenexttoMrs。Hilson；AdelineandCharlieHubbardnexttoElinor。MissTaylorhaddeclaredthatshewouldallownoonebutherselftofilltheplaceoppositetoJane，causingbyherdecisionnolittleflirtation，andrattlingmerriment；but，ofcourse，thiswasjustwhattheyoungladyaimedat。Thesetwopretty，thoughtlesscreatures，thebelleandthebeauty，heldamiddlepositionbetweenMrs。HilsonandElinor。Frivolousastheywere，therewasmorelatentgoodaboutthem，thancouldbefoundinthe\'citylady，\'whowasonefrothycompoundofignorantvanity，andvulgaraffectation。Theclasssherepresentedwasfortunatelyassmallinitsextremefolly，asthattowhichElinorbelonged，initssimpleexcellence。
Anyone，indifferenttodancingorspeculation，seekingamusementasalooker-on，wouldhavebeenstruck，atUncleJosie\'shouse-warming，withthegenerallyfeminineandpleasingappearanceofthewomen；therewerefewfaces，indeed，thatcouldbecalledpositivelyugly。Then，again，oneremarked，thatpuerileasthegeneraltonemightbe，mixedasthecompanywas，therewerenotraceswhateverofcoarseness，noneofthatboldvulgaritywhichissorevolting。
Therewasacertainproportionofelderlymencollectedontheoccasion——theywereseen，withafewexceptions，standinginknots，talkinggreatspeculationsandlittlepolitics，andlookingratheranxiousforsupper，andthebonedturkey。Ofthemothersandchaperons，whofilledthesofas，asrepresentativesofahalf-forgottencustom，somewerewatchingtheflirtations，otherslookingonandenjoyingthegaietyoftheyoungpeople。
Bothfathersandmothers，however，wereverydecidedlyintheminority，and，accordingtoAmericanprinciples，theyallowedthemajorityundisputedsway。Theyoungpeople，ingeneral，heldlittlecommunicationwiththeirelders，andamusedthemselvesaftertheirownfashion；theyoungladies\'bouquetsaffordedafavouritesubjectforsmall-talk；theywereallcarefullyanalysed——notbotanically，butaccordingtothelasteditionofthatelegantwork，theLanguageofFlowers，whichafforded，ofcourse，awidefieldfortheexerciseofgallantryandflirtation。
{Probably，FredericShoberl1775-1853，“TheLanguageofFlowers，“numerouseditions，somepublishedbytheCooperfamily\'sregularpublisherinPhiladelphia——butthereweremanysimilarbooksonthe“poeticmeaning“ofdifferentflowers}
Amongthedancers，thefouryoungladieswehavepointedoutwereacknowledgedthemostconspicuous。AccordingtoMrs。TibbsandMrs。Bibbs，Jane\'swasthemostbeautifulfaceintheroom，althoughthereweretwoorthreecompetitorsforthetitle；
Adelinewaspronouncedthemostsuccessfuloftherivalbelles；
Mrs。Hilsonthemostelegantandairy；Elinortheplainestofthegaytroop。Probably，mostofthosewhothoughtaboutthematter，wouldhavedecidedastheLongbridgeladiesdid——although，onthepointofMrs。Hilson\'selegance，manywouldhaveprotested。Therewasoneperson，atleast，whofollowedElinor\'sgracefulfigurewithpartialinterest；MissAgnesfoundsomuchthatwaspleasingtoher，inthefresh，youthfulappearanceofheradoptedchild——inthesimplegood-tasteofherwhitedress——intheintelligenceandcharacterofherexpression——inherengagingmanner，thatsheforgottoregretherwantofbeauty；shenolongerwondered，asshehadsometimesdone，thatHarryshouldsoearlyhaveappreciatedherniece。ThosewhoknewElinorthoroughly，lovedherfortheexcellenceofhercharacter；
strangersneglectedherforanyprettyfaceatherside；buteveryonethrowninhersociety，musthaveacknowledgedthecharmofhermanner。Thispleasingmanner，however，sofrank，yetsofeminine，sosimple，yetsograceful，wasonlythenaturalresultofhercharacter，andherverywantofbeauty。Shewasnevertroubledbytheflutteringhopesandfearsofvanity；sheneverseemedtothinkofeffect；wheninsociety，herattentionwasalwaysgiveninthesimplestandmostamiablewaytoothers。
Forgetfulofself，shewasastrangertoeveryforwardaffectation，toeveryawkwardnessofmauvaisehonte；hergoodsense，hergaiety，asweetdisposition，andanactivemindwereallowedfullplay，undernootherrestraintsthanthoseofagoodeducation；thoseofprinciple，andthoseofyouthful，womanlymodesty。SuchwasElinorintheeyesofheraunt，butitmustnotbesupposedthatthiswasthegeneralopinionofUncleJosie\'sguests；bynomeans；manyremarksweremadeuponMissWyllys\'sbeingsodecidedlyplain；andevenherdancingwasthoughtinferiorbysomeofthecompanytothemorelabouredgracesofMrs。Hilson，orthedownrightindifferenceofAdeline：asforJane，sheunfortunatelyneverdancedintime。
{“mauvaisehonte“=bashfulness，falseshameFrench}
Atthepropermomentsupperwasannounced——thebonedturkeyappearedinfullglory。“Whatisthat？”——“Bonedturkey“——“ShallI
giveyoubonedturkey？”“I\'llthankyouforalittlebonedturkey“——weresoundsheardineverydirection。Itwasveryevidentthebonedturkeywasfullyappreciated，andgavegreatsatisfaction——thusputtingthefinishingtouchtothepleasuresofUncleJosie\'shouse-warming。Wemustnotforgettomentionthemottoes，whichwerehandedaboutinsilverbaskets，for，asusual，theycausedmanytenderandwittyspeeches。ThiswasapartoftheentertainmentinwhichAdelinedelighted；Janeseemedquitesatisfiedwithit，andMrs。Hilsonwasinherelementamongtheselittlebitsofpinkpaperandsentiment。
Beforethesupperwasmorethanhalfover，however，therattlingofspoonsandplates，therequestsfor“bonedturkey，“andtheflirtingovermottoesweresuddenlyinterrupted，andeverythinghushedforamoment，bycallsforadoctor！“WhereisDr。VanHorne？”“HaveyouseenDr。A？”“ThereisDr。B。“
“Alonzo，thefainting-room；remember，“saidMrs。Hilson。
Butitprovedtobenoneofthecompanywhorequiredaphysician。
Astranger，asailor，someonesaid，whohadbeenforthelastweekatalowtavernopposite，hadbeenseizedwithafit；Dr。
VanHornewassoonfound，andhastenedtothereliefofthesickman。Theinterruptionwassoonforgotten；themottoesandbonedturkeywereagainindemand。Dr。VanHornedidnotreturn，however；hisfamilywenthomewithouthim；andMrs。Clapp，onlookingaroundforherhusband，foundthathealsohaddisappeared。
“IsawClappgoingintothetavernlastevening，“observedUncleJosie。“Perhapsthispoorfellowissomeclientofhis；hemayhavegonetolookafterhim。“
Mrs。ClappwasobligedtoaskUncleDozietoaccompanyherhome；
andashewasnosomnambulist，withallhisnapping，hecarriedhisniecesafelytoherowndoor。
MissWyllyswasoneofthosewholeftthehouseimmediatelyaftersupper。AdelineandJaneranupstairsbeforeElinorandherself——liketheSiamesetwins，eachwithanarmencirclingtheother\'swaist。ThecloseintimacybetweenJaneandAdelinecontinuedtosurpriseElinor。Shebegantothinktheremustbesomethingmorethancommon，somethingoftheimportanceofamysterywhichdrewthemsooftentogether，causingsomanyconfidentialmeetings。Evenwhenthetwogirlswereinsociety，shecouldnotbutobservethatAdelineoftenmadesomeallusion，orwhisperedsomeremarkthatseemedbothpleasingandembarrassingtoJane。MissTaylorwasevidentlyplayingconfidante，andoccasionallyJaneappearedtowishherlessopenandperseveringintheaffair。AsforMrs。Graham，shewastoomuchoccupiedwiththecareofheryoungerchildrentopaymuchattentiontoherdaughter\'sintimacies。SheratherdislikedAdelineandallherfamily，andMr。GrahamhadarealantipathyforMr。Taylor；stillJanewasallowedtodoasotheryounggirlsabouther，selectwhomshepleasedforherassociates。Mrs。
Grahamwasoneofthosemotherswhodevotethemselveswithgreatassiduitytothecareoftheirchildrens\'{sic}bodies，theirfoodandraiment，painsandaches——leavingallanxietyfortheirmindstotheschool-mistress，andtheircharacterstothemselves。
Withtheeldestdaughterthisplanhadsucceededverywell；
LouisaGrahamwascleverandwell-disposed，andhadtakenofherownaccordwhatiscalledagoodturn；andMr。RobertHazlehursthadeveryreasontocongratulatehimselfuponhischoiceofawife。Mrs。Grahamseemedtotakeitasamatterofcoursethatthesamesystemwouldsucceedequallywellwithallherfamily。
ButJane\'sdispositionwasverydifferentfromhersisterLouisa\'s；shehadnostrengthofcharacter，andwaseasilyledbythoseabouther。Thegreatestfaultinherdispositionwasthoughtbyherfamilytobeindolence；butMissWyllyssometimeswishedthatshehadlessselfishness，andmorefrankness。
{“Siamesetwins“=ChangandEng1811-1874，bornjoinedtogetherinThailandSiam，ofChineseparents，whowereexhibitedinAmericaformanyyearsbyP。T。Barnum；theconditionwasnamedafterthem}
ElinorwasnotalittlestartledatsomethingwhichpassedinMissHubbard\'sdressing-room，betweenJaneandMissTaylor，andwhichsheaccidentallyoverheard，beforeshewasawaretheconversationwasconfidential。
“Don\'tpretendanylonger，Jane，thatyoudidn\'tknowit，“
whisperedAdeline，astheywerestoopingtogetheroverabundleofhoodsandshawls。Janemadenoanswer。“Now，confessthatyouknewhewasseriousbeforeyouleftParis。“
“Ididnotthinkmuchofitforsometime，“saidJane。
“Well，Isupposedfromyourlettersthatyouknewlongagothathewasdesperatelyinlovewithyou。Trustme，we\'llsettleitallbetweenus。“
“Oh，hush，“saidJane，“thereissomebodycoming——Iknowit\'swrong——“
“Nonsense——wrongindeed！Ishouldliketoknowwhereisthegreatharmifhedoesbreakhisengagement？”
Elinormovedawaywhenshefoundtheconversationwasmeanttobeprivate。ButshehadunintentionallyheardenoughtomakeheranxiousforJane。“WasnotAdelineleadingherintodifficulty？”
Shefeltuneasy，andthoughtofnothingelseduringherdrivehome。ItwouldnotdotoconsultMissWyllys；butshedeterminedtospeaktoJaneherself，thefirsttimeshesawher。
Unfortunately，hercousinwasgoingtoNewYork，andnothingcouldbedoneuntilshereturnedtopassafortnightatWyllys-Roofbeforegoingtotownforthewinter。
CHAPTERXV——
“therewardIsintheracewerun，notintheprize。“
ROGERS。
{SamuelRogersEnglishpoet，1763-1855，“Italy：ACharacter“
lines39-40}
MISSPATSEYhadnever，inherlife，beentoaregularball，beforethishouse-warmingofUncleJosie\'s；butnoteventhenoveltyofaballcouldkeepherinbedanhourlaterthanusual。
Charlieandherselfhadreturnedhomesometimeaftermidnight，withtheWyllyses；butthenextmorningsherosewiththechickens，andbeforetheOctobersun，topursue，asusual，herdailylabours。ItwastrulysurprisinghowmuchPatseyHubbardfoundtimetodoinasingleday，andthatwithoutbeingoneofyourfussy，utilitarianbusy-bodies，whoseactivityisallphysical，andwholookuponhalfanhourpassedinquietthought，orinnocentrecreation，assomuchtimethrownaway。OurfriendPatsey\'scareer，fromchildhood，hadbeenoneofhumbleindustry，self-forgetfulness，andactivecharity；hertimeinthegayhoursofyouth，aswellasinthecalmeryearsofmatureexperience，hadbeendevotedtothewelfareandhappinessofherparents，herbrothersandsisters。Fromalonghabitofconsideringthewantsandpleasuresofothersfirst，shealwaysseemedtothinkofherselflast，asamatterofcourse。Shehadhadmanylaborious，anxioushours，manycares；butitisfarfrombeingthosewhohavethemosttroubleinthisworld，whocomplaintheloudest；noonehadfewerwants，fewervanities，feweridlehoursthanMissPatsey，and，consequently，noonecouldbemoregenerallycheerfulandcontented。Thereisnothingsoconducivetotrue，healthfulcheerfulness，astheconsciousnessoftimewell-spent：
thereisnobettercureforthedullspiritofFrenchENNUI，orthegloomofEnglishBLUES，thanregular，usefuloccupation，followedbyharmlessrecreation。
AnyonewhohadfollowedPatseyHubbardthroughthevarieddutiesofasingleday，wouldhaveacknowledgedthatthereisnospectacleinthisworldmorepleasant，thanthatofahumanbeing，dischargingwithuntiringfidelity，andsinglenessofheart，duties，howeverhumble。Thesimplepietyofherfirstmorningprayer，theplaingoodsenseofherdomesticarrangements，andthoroughperformanceofallherhouseholdtasks，herrespectful，consideratekindnesstoherstep-mother，andevenashadeofundueindulgenceofCharlie——allspokehercharacter——allwasconsistent。
HappywasPatsey\'slittleflockofscholars。Everymorning，atnineo\'clock，theyassembled；theTaylorchildrenusuallyappearedinLeghorngipsies，andsilkaprons；therestofthetroopingingham“sun-bonnets，“andlargeapronsofthesamematerial。Therewereseverallittleboysjustoutofpetticoats，andhalf-a-dozenlittlegirls——enoughtofilltwobenches。TheinstructionPatseygaveherlittlepeoplewasofthesimplestkind；reading，spelling，writing，andarithmetic，learningafewsimpleverses，withsewingandmarkingforthegirls，madeuptheamountofit。Mostpeople，inthesedaysofenlightenment，wouldhavebeenverymuchdissatisfiedwithherplan，foritactuallyexcludedallthesciences，andalltheaccomplishments。Patseyhadtworeasonsforconfiningherselftotheplainestbranchesofeducationonly；inthefirstplace，shedidnotthinkherselfcapableofteachinganythingelse；and，secondly，shedoubtedwhetherherscholarswerecapableoflearninganythingbetterormoreusefulforthemselves。Mr。Taylorthoughtshehadverylowviewsofinfanteducation；andyet，youcouldnothavefoundanywhereasetofchildren，betweenthreeandten，whoweremorethoroughlytaughtwhattheirinstructorprofessedtoteach。Happywoulditbefortheselittlecreatures，iftheyneveracquiredanyworseknowledgethantheygainedunderPatsey\'scare！Shehadaneyetotheirtempers，theirmorals，andtheirmanners；shetrainedthelittlegirlstobemodestandgentle——thelittleboystoberespectfulandobliging；whilesheendeavouredtomakeallalikehonest，open，cheerful，andsincere。Werenottheselessonsquiteasimportanttomostchildren，betweentheagesofthreeandten，aschemistry，astronomy，andnaturalphilosophy？
{“Leghorngipsies“=fashionablehatsnamedafterLeghorn，Italywithlargesideflaps；“marking“=embroideringidentifyingnamesorinitialsonlinen}
ThedayfollowingUncleJosie\'shouse-warming，MissPatseyreleasedherlittleflockanhourearlierthanusual；theywereallowedtopassthetimeplayinginanadjoiningmeadow，untilsentforbytheirparents。Therewastobeatea-partyatthe“oldgrayhouse“thatevening——averyunusualevent；teninvitationshadbeensentout。Thefactis，MissPatseyhadreceivedabasketofnoblepeaches，thedaybefore，fromoneofherneighbours；andUncleJosiehadalready，earlyinthemorning，sentoverawagon-loadofgoodthingstoreplenishhisniece\'slarder——theremainsofthelastnight\'ssupper；amongotherdelicaciestherewasabitofbonedturkey，forMrs。
Hubbard\'sespecialbenefit。Patseyscarcelyknewwhattodowithsomanyluxuries。Shesentabasketoffruitsandjelliestoacoupleofsickneighbours，byCharlie；still，therewasmorethanhermother，Charlie，andherself，couldpossiblydojusticetoinaweek。Shedeterminedtogivealittletea-party；itwaseighteenmonthssinceshehadhadone，andthathadbeenonlyfortheWyllyses。Dr。andMrs。VanHorne，theTaylors，theWyllyses，andtheClappswereaccordinglyinvited；andPatseyproceededtoburnsomecoffee，andmakeshort-cake。Thelittleparlourwasmorecarefullysweptanddustedthanever，fiveadditionalchairswerebroughtin，andafirewasmade，onaccountofMrs。Hubbard。
Then，aboutfouro\'clock，theladiesmadetheirtoilette；Mrs。
Hubbardwasdressedinasmartnewcalico，withacap，madebyElinor，andwasthenseatedinthebestrocking-chair。AsforPatsey，herself，shecouldnotthinkofwearingtheelegantnewdress，UncleJosie\'spresent——thatwasmuchtoofine；shepreferredwhathadnowbecomehersecond-best——ablacksilk，whichlookedsomewhatrustyandwell-worn。Totellthetruth，thisgownhadseengoodservice；ithadbeennotonlyturned，butre-turned——havingtwicegonethroughtheoperationofrippingandsponging；anddoubtfulasthefactmayappeartothereader，yetwehaveMissPatsey\'swordforit，thatagoodsilkwillbeartwiceturning，butthenitmustbeasilkofafirst-ratequality，likeherown。Ithadbeen，indeed，thestandingopinionofthefamilyforthelastfiveyears，thatthisparticulardresswasstill“asgoodasnew。“Asforthechangesinfashionthatthisblacksilkhadoutlived，whoshalltellthem？Itwaspurchasedinthedaysofshortwaistsandbelts，“gig-ohs，“and“pal-reens，“astheywerecalledbythecountrydamsel，whosescissorsfirstshapedtheglossy“grodenap。“Waists，long，longer，longest，succeeded；sleeves，full，fuller，fullest，followed；beltswerediscarded，boddices{sic}begantoappear；
stillMissPatsey\'ssilkkeptupwiththechanges，orrather，didnotentirelylosesightofthem。Ifyouhadseenheratalittletea-partyatWyllys-Roof，wearingthissilk，“nearlyasgoodasnew，“withaneatandprettycollarofElinor\'swork，youwouldhavebeenobligedtoconfessthatherdressansweredarulegivenbyacelebratedphilosopher——youwouldnothaveremarkedit。HadyouchancedtomeetherofaSunday，inMr。Wyllys\'scarriage——theWyllysesalwaysstoppedontheirwaytoSt。John\'sChurch，atLongbridge，toofferacoupleofseatstotheHubbards，whoweresetdownatthedooroftheirfather\'soldMeeting-house——hadyouseenherofaSunday，withaneatstrawhat，andtheblacksilkgown，youwouldhavebeenobligedtoacknowledgethatherdresshadthedoublemerit，bynomeanscommon，ofaccordingwithhercircumstances，andthesacreddutiesshewasgoingtofulfil；thedevotionofherneighbourswouldnotbedisturbedbyadmirationofhertoilette。
{“burnsomecoffee“=roastsomecoffee；“gig-oh“=apuffed“gigot“or“legofmutton“sleeve；“pal-reen“=“pelerine“，acapeormantle；“grodenap“=“grosdeNaples“，aweaveofsilkwithacordedeffectFrench}
Atfiveo\'clock，MissPatsey\'scompanybegantoassemble；theWyllyseswerethefirsttoappear；thencameMrs。Taylor，Mrs。
VanHorne，andMrs。Clapp；Adelineexcusedherself，shethoughtitabore，Charliewasnotworthflirtingwith。Thedoctor，Mr。
Taylor，andMr。Clapp，wereexpectedaftertea。Andapleasant，good-naturedeveningitprovedtobe。MissPatsey\'scoffeewasexcellent；thelittleblackgirl，engagedfortheoccasion，performedherdutiestoadmiration。Mrs。Taylorthoughtthatshehadscarcelypassedsuchaquiet，pleasantafternoon，sincethehalcyondaysbeforeherhusbandwasarichman；shewasmuchinterestedindiscussingwithMissPatsey，andMissWyllys，andMrs。VanHorne，variousrecipesformakingbread，hoe-cake，andothergoodthings。AsforElinor，shetoldCharlieshehadleftherworkathome，onpurposethatshemighthavetimeenoughtolookoverallhissketches——everythinghehadtoshow，oldandnew。Thedrawings，andseveraloil-paintingswereaccordinglyproduced，andlookedoverbytheyoungpeople，andMr。Wyllys，whohadtakenachairbythetable，andjoinedthem。Elinorknewnothingofdrawing，buthergeneraltastewasgood；sheaskedmanyquestionsaboutthedetailsoftheart，andwasamusedandinterestedbyCharlie\'sremarks。
{“leftherworkathome“=theknittingorsimilarhand-workengagedinbyladieswhiletheyconversed}
“Showuseverything，Charlie，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Ibefriendedyourgenius，youknow，inthedaysoftheslateandcompoundinterest；and，ofcourse，Ishallthinkitduetomyowndiscernmenttoadmireallyourworks。“
“Ofcourse，youarenotafraidofmycriticisms，“saidElinor；“I
don\'tknowenoughtobesevere。“
“Peoplewhoknowlittle，mychild，generallymakeveryseverecritics，“saidMr。Wyllys。
“WhentheyknowLITTLE，grandpapa；butmineishonest，humbleignorance。Iknownothingatallonthesubject。“
“Doyouremember，MissElinor，thatHogarthsaidanybodypossessingcommonsensewasabetterjudgeofapicturethanaconnoisseur？”
{“Hogarth“=WilliamHogarth1697-1764，Englishartistandprintmaker。}
“DidHogarthsayso？——Ishallbegintofeelqualifiedtofindfault。Thatisaveryprettygroupofchildren，grandpapa。“
“Verypretty；——someofMissPatsey\'slittlepeople。Andhereisanother，quitenaturalandgraceful，Charlie。“
“Ineverseemysister\'slittlescholarsbutIamtemptedtosketchthem。Childrenaresuchacharmingstudy；butIamneversatisfiedwithwhatIdo；apictureofchildrenthatisnotthoroughlychildlikeisdetestable。Thosearemerescratches。“
“Whatarethesefaintoutlinesoffigures，withdashesofcolouringhereandthere？”askedElinor。
“Oh，thosearemerefancies，madeentirelyforamusement。TheyarerudesketchesofmyownideasofcelebratedpicturesthatI
haveneverseen，ofcourse；onlyasexercisesforidlemoments——onewayofpractisingattitudesoffigures，andcomposition。Ikeepthemmoreasalessonofhumilitythananythingelse，formetoremembermyownpoorconceitswhenIseetheoriginals，ifthathappydayevercome。“
“Ithoughtyougaveyourselfupentirelytolandscapes，Charlie——doyouthinkseriouslyofpursuingbothbranches？”askedMr。Wyllys。
“No，sir；Igivethepreferencetolandscapes；Ifind，atleast，thatfieldquitewideenough。Itseemsscarcelypossibletouniteboth，theyaresodifferentincharacteranddetail，andrequiresuchadifferentcourseofstudy。“
“Thatisthegreatpointwithyou，myboy；youmustnotwastetoomuchtimeupontheidealportionoftheart；youmustrememberthatthemostbeautifulideasintheworldwillbelost，iftheexecutionisnotinsomemeasureworthyofthem。“
“Iamsowellawareofthat，sir，thatIhavedonenothingbutstudythepracticalpartofmytradeforthelastthreemonths，andIfeelthatithasbeenofservicetome。“
“Thereiswaterinallyoursketches，Ibelieve，“saidElinor。
“Youmustbeverypartialtoit。“
“Iam，indeed——itisamostdelightfulstudy——IshouldbeafraidtotellyouallthepleasureIhaveinpaintingwater——youwouldlaughatme，ifIoncesetoffuponmyhobby。“
“Notatall；youhavemademeanhonestadmirerofeveryvarietyoflakesandrivers，sinceIhaveseenyourpictures。“
“Whendidyoufirsttaketowater，Charlie？”askedMr。Wyllys。
Oh，longago，sir，whenIwasalittlebitofashaver。Haveyouneverwhenachild，MissElinor，receivedgreatpleasure，perhapsalastingimpression，fromsomenaturalobjectthatyoustillrememberdistinctly？”
“Yes，Iknowwhatyoumean——Irecollectperfectlyseveralthingsofthekind。Ibelievechildrenhavemoreobservation，andfeelingforwhatisbeautiful，thanisgenerallysupposed。“
“Itisveryprobablethatmostchildrenhavesimilarsensations。
Iamgladthatyoudonotlaughatme；therearefewpersonstowhomIconfessmyviolentpartialityforwater；mostpeoplewouldthinkitridiculous。“
“Youareright，Charlie；onecantalktotheworldinactiononly；itneverbelievesthetruthinanyshape，untilforcedtoacknowledgeit。Youarepursuingtherightcourse，however；youhavespokenquiteclearlyinyourviewfromNahant——yourfriendshaveeveryreasontourgeyoutopersevere。ButdoesnotMr——
tellyoutopaymoreattentiontoyourfoliageandbuildings？youratherneglectthemforthewater。“
“Yes，sir；Iamwellawareofmydefectsinthatrespect，andnextsummerIhopetodevoteagreatdealoftimetofoliage。“
TheconversationwashereinterruptedbythearrivalofMr。VanHorneandMr。Taylor，followedshortlyafterbyMr。Clapp。
“Youarelate，William，“saidprettylittleMrs。Clapptoherhusband。“Didyouleavethechildrenallsafe？Didthebabycryforme？”
“Perfectlysafe——allsoundasleep，“repliedMr。Clapp，passinghisfingersthroughhiscurls。Buthiswife，whokneweveryexpressionofthefaceshethoughtsohandsome，fanciedWilliamlookedpaleanduneasy；somebusinesshadgonewrong，perhaps。
“Quiteaselectcircle，“observedMr。Taylor，sittingdownbyMissWyllys，leaninghischairback，androllinghisthumbs，oneovertheother。
“Ihavenothadapleasantereveninginagreatwhile，“saidMrs。
Taylor。“Itputsmeinmind，husband，ofoldfashionedtea-parties，whenwelivedaltogetherinthecountry。Weusedtogoattwoo\'clock，andstayuntilsunset。Ithinksuchsociablepartiesaremuchpleasanterthanlate，crowdedballs。“
“Ha！ha！——thatmaybeyouropinion，Mrs。Taylor；aquietpartydoesverywellwhereoneisintimate，nodoubt；butIconcludethatyoungerladies，Adeline，andherfriendsMissGrahamandMissWyllys，wouldgiveadifferentverdict。“
“MissTaylorseemsquitepartialtolargeparties，“saidElinor，quietly，fortheremarkwasaddressedtoher。
“Yes，Adelineandher\'chum\'bothlikeplentyofballsandbeaux，Ireckon。“
“Whathasbecomeofyourpatient，doctor？”inquiredMissPatsey。
“Thepoormanatthetavern——doyouthinkhewillgetwell？”
“Ihavenodoubtthefellowwilloutlivehalf-a-dozensuchfits。
Ilefthimlastnightunderguardoftwomen，tokeephimfromhanginghimself；andthismorning，whenIwenttolookafterhim，hewasoff。Hewassomuchbetter，thathehadbeenpersuadedbysomemessmatetoshipforacruize——onlyathreeyears\'whalingvoyage。RegularJack-tarfashion——afroliconeday，afitthenext，andofffortheendoftheworldthethird。“
“HehasleftLongbridge，hashe？”saidMr。Wyllys。“Iwasjustgoingtoinquireafterhim，fortheyhaveastorygoingabout，thatheusedverythreateninglanguageinspeakingofmyselfandHazlehurst。Didyouhappentohearhim，doctor？”
“Hedidusesomewild，incoherentexpressions，sir，tothateffect，whenIwaswithhim；butthethreatsofaravingmanarenotofmuchconsequence。“
“Certainlynot。ButIhavenoideawhothemancanbe；Idon\'tknowasinglecommonseamanbysightorname——atleast，theonlyoneIeverknewislongsincedead。Itissingularthatthisfellowshouldhaveknownmynameeven；theysayhewasastrangeratLongbridge。“
“Entirelyso，Ibelieve。“
“Whatwashisname？”
“WilliamThompson，theytoldme。“
“Ifheisasailor，heprobablyhasadozenaliases，“interposedMr。Clapp，whohadbeenlisteningveryattentively。
“By-the-bye，Clapp，theysayheincludedyouinhiskindwishes。“
“Yes，sir，soIunderstand。“
“William，younevermentionedittome！”saidhiswife。
“No，mydear；Ididnotattachanyimportancetothestory，“
repliedthelawyer，pullingouthishandkerchiefwithonehand，andrunningtheotherthroughhishair——lookingalittlenervousanduneasy，notwithstanding。
“Hedidnotexactlythreatenyou，Mr。Clapp，whileIwaswithhim，“saidthedoctor；“heseemedrathertodependuponyouasanally。“
“Stillmoresingular，“saidMr。Clapp，withaglanceatMr。
Wyllys。
“Thatwasverystrange！”exclaimedhiswife——“whatcouldthemanmean？”
“Itisbynomeanseasytoexplainthemeaningofadrunkenman，mydear。Itisjustpossiblehemayhaveheardmynameasamanofbusiness。Ihavehadseveralsailorsforclients，andonequiterecently，stayingatthesametavern。“
“Idaresay，ifexplained，itwouldprovetobeMuchadoaboutNothing，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Sincethefellowwasdrunkatthetime，andwentoffassoonashegrewsober，thedangerdoesnotseemveryimminent。“
{“MuchadoaboutNothing“=anallusiontoShakespeare\'splayofthatname}
“Preciselymyopinion，sir，“saidMr。Clapp。
“Grandpapa，doyourememberthesailorwhowasfoundnearourhouse，onenight，abouttwoyearsago？Itwasmybirth-day，andwehadalittleparty——haveyouforgotten？”
“True，mychild；Ihaveneverthoughtofthefellowsince；butnowyouspeakofhim，Irememberthefact。“
“Doyounotthinkitisprobablythesameperson？——youknowHarryhadhimlockedup：perhapsheowesyoubothagrudgeforthetreatmenthereceivedatWyllys-Roof，uponthatoccasion。“
“Thataccountsforthewholeaffair，MissElinor——youhaveclearedupthemysteryentirely，“saidMr。Clapp，lookingmuchrelieved。HenotonlyappearedgratefultoElinorfortheexplanationgiven，butseemedtoextendtheobligationtoallthefamily；forhewasparticularlyattentivetoMr。Wyllys，andMissAgnes，duringthewholeevening——andthenextmorning，early，droveouttoWyllys-Roof，expresslytocarrysomebrook-trout，forMr。Wyllys\'sbreakfast。Thelawyerinformedseveralpersons，whoalludedtothestory，ofthissimpleexplanation，whichseemedtosatisfyallwhoheardit。Thewholeaffairwassoonforgotten，foratime，atleast。
CHAPTERXVI。
“Weakandirresoluteisman；
Thepurposeofto-dayWovenwithpainsintohisplan，To-morrowrendsaway。“
COWPER。
{WilliamCowperEnglishpoet，1731-1800，“HumanFrailty“lines1-4}
AFTERanabsenceofaweek，ortendays，HarryreturnedtoWyllys-Roof，notatallsorrytohearthathewastoolatetoseetheGrahams，astheyweregoingtoNewYorkthenextmorning。HewasveryattentivetoElinor——pointedlyso。Onceortwice，shewasgoingtojestwithhimuponthesubject，andinquirethecauseofthisstudiedgallantry；butobservinghewasstillalittleoutofspirits，shecontentedherselfwiththankinghimforthebookshehadbroughther。
Thenextdayprovedsomild，sohazy，andIndian-summer-like，thatHazlehurstproposedtotakeadvantageofit，togivetheladiesarowontheriver。Theywereoutforacoupleofhours，landedontheoppositebank，andpaidavisittotheirfriends，theBernards，wholivedamileortwobelowthem。Theairwasdelightful，thecountrylookedbeautiful——fresher，perhaps，thanatmidsummer；fortheheatwasnolongerparching，andtheSeptembershowershadwashedawaythedust，andbroughtoutthegreengrassagain。Harryhadbecomeinterestedintheconversation，andwasparticularlyagreeable；MissAgneswaspleasedwithhisremarks，andElinorthoughtshehadneverpassedapleasantermorning；shewaslittleawarethatitwastobefollowedbymanyanxious，painfuldays。
Theylanded，asusual，attheboat-house；andtheladiespreparedtowalkslowlyacrossthelawn，whileHarrysecuredtheboatandoars。Astheyapproachedthehouse，theyweresurprisedtoseeseveraloftheservantscollectedonthepiazza，listeningsointentlytoaladthattheydidnotseetheladies。OldHetty，asuperannuatednegrocook，whohadlivedallherlifeinthefamily，waswringingherhandsandwipinghereyeswithherapron；whileMammySarah，Elinor\'sformernurse，arespectablewhitewoman，wastalkingtotheboy。
Elinorquickenedherpace，andhastenedbeforeheraunt，toinquireintothecauseofthisdistress。
“Whatisit，Mammy？”sheasked，onreachingthepiazza。“Whatisthematter？”
“Oh，dearieme；MissElly，MissElly！”exclaimedoldHetty；withafreshburstoftears。
“Tellus——Hetty——Mammy——whathashappened？”saidMissWyllys，assheapproached。
“Oh，MissAggess，MissAggess——dreadfulnews！”saidtheoldnegrowoman，buryingherfaceinherapron。
“Myfather？”askedMissAgnes，faintly，andtremblingwithalarm。
“No，ma\'am，“saidMammySarah，lookingverysad，however；“Mr。
Wyllysisverywell，andwewerehopinghewouldcomeinbeforeyou，sothatwecouldgetatthetruth。“
“Letushearwhatyouhavetosay，atonce，Mammy，“continuedMissAgnes，anxiously。
“Billy，here，hasbroughtbadnewsfromLongbridge。“
“Dreadfulnews！”interposedoldHetty。“Oh，MissAggess！BillysayMissJane——“
“Whatisit？——Speakplainly！”criedMissWyllys。
“There\'sanaccidenthappenedtothesteamboat，“addedMammy。
“B\'ilerbust——dearieme——MissJane\'sscalltodeath！”exclaimedHetty。
AcryofhorrorburstfromElinorandheraunt，andtheyturnedtowardsMammySarah。
“Ihopeitisn\'tquitesobad，ma\'am，“saidMammy；“butBillysaysthesteamboatboilerdidreallyburstaftershehadgotonlyhalfamilefromthewharf。“
AsecondsufficedforMissAgnesandElinortorememberHetty\'sfondnessformarvelsanddisasters，andtheyhopedardentlythatthepresentaccountmightbeexaggerated。Theyturnedtotheboy：
“Whathadheheard？”“Whomhadheseen？”Billyreportedthathehadseentheboathimself；thathehadheardthecriesfromherdecks，whichthepeopleinthestreetthoughthadcomefromsomehorsesonboard，thatmusthavebeenscalded；thatanotherboathadgoneouttotheLongbridgesteamer，andhadtowedhertoawharfafewrodsfromthespotwheretheaccidenthappened；thathehadseen，himself，amanonhorseback，comingforthedoctor；
andthepeopletoldhimfivehorseshadbeenkilled，twomenbadlyhurt，andMr。Graham\'seldestdaughterwasscaldedsobadlythatshewasnotexpectedtolive。
MissWyllys\'sanxietyincreasedonhearingtheboy\'sstory；sheorderedthecarriageinstantly，determinedthatunderanycircumstances，itwouldbebesttogotoLongbridgeatonce，eithertodiscoverthetruth，ortoassistMrs。GrahaminnursingJane，ifshewerereallybadlyinjured。Atthismoment，Harryreturnedfromtheboat-house。
“Whatisthematter？”heexclaimed，springingupthepiazzasteps，andlookingrounduponthesadandanxiousfaces。
“WehaveheardbadnewsfromLongbridge，“saidMissWyllys；butbeforeshecouldexplainherself，oldHettyburstintotearsagain，andturningtoHazlehurst，exclaimed：
“Oh，MassaHarry！——dreadfulnews！——MissJanescalltodeathinsteamboat！”
MissWyllyswassomuchstruckwiththeeffectofthesewordsonHarry，thatforaninstantsheforgottosay“shetrustedthestoryhadbeenexaggerated。“Hazlehurstlostallcolour——stoodspeechlessandmotionlessforamoment。Elinorwastoomuchagitatedherselftospeak。Suddenly，HarrymetMissAgnes\'eye；
heturnedfromher，rushedthroughthehouse，andcontinuedwalkingrapidlyupanddowntheavenue，apparentlyforgetfulofeverythingbuthisownfeelings。AmidallheranxietyforJane，MissWyllyscouldnotbutremarkHazlehurst\'smanner——heseemedentirelyovercome，byhisemotion；andyethehadnotaskedonequestion，normadeoneoffertodoanythingforElinor，orherself；andonewouldhavethoughtitmorenaturalthatatsuchamomentheshouldhaveremainedwiththem，painedanddistressedastheywere。ElinoronlythoughtthatHazlehurst\'sfeelingsdidcredittohisheart；herownwasfullofgriefforthesufferingofherplayfellowandcompanion，whomshehadlovedalmostasasister。
Sometwentyminuteswerepassedinthismannerbytheauntandniece，withfeelingsbetterunderstoodthandescribed。Theywerewaitingforthecarriage，andnothingcouldbedoneinthemeantime；itseemedanagetoElinorbeforethecoachmancouldbefound，andthehorsesharnessed。Whileherauntandherselfwereintears，pacingthepiazzatogether，theyweresurprisedbytheappearance，ontheLongbridgeroad，oftheold-fashionedchairinwhichMr。Wyllysusuallydroveabouthisfarm。MissAgnesdistinctlysawherfatherdriving，withaladyathisside。Theywereapproachingataverysteady，quietpace。Astheyenteredthegate，MissAgnesandElinorhastenedtomeetthem；theysawHarrystoppingtospeaktoMr。Wyllys，andthenMissWyllysheardherfather\'svoicecallingtoherself。
{“chair“=alight，one-horsecarriage}
“Allsafe！”hecried。“Itwasamisunderstanding；Janeisquitewell；thoughapooryoungwoman，bearingthesamename，hasbeenscalded。“
“Wewereinhopesthenewshadnotreachedyouyet，“saidMrs。
GeorgeWyllys，whoaccompaniedherfather-in-law。“Wewerealldreadfullyalarmed，atfirst，fortheaccidentwasverymuchexaggerated。“
MissWyllysandElinorweretoothankfulforJane\'sescape，toexpressanythingbuttherelieftheyfeltonhearingofhersafety。
“Noonekilled，“continuedMr。Wyllys。“Theylostacoupleofhorses；twoofthemenwerehurt，butnotdangerously；andthenewchambermaid，whosenameisJaneGraham，hadherfeetbadlyscalded。Butthereissolittleharmdone，consideringwhatmighthavehappened，thatwehavereasontobeverythankfulforeveryoneonboard。“
“YoumayimaginehowmuchalarmedIwas，“continuedMrs。Wyllys；
“forIhappenedtobesittingatmyownwindow，whichoverlookstheriver，youknow，andIheardthenoiseandcriesfromtheboat，andknewtheGrahamswereonboard。“
Longexplanationsfollowed：Mr。Wyllyshadhadhisfrighttoo。Hehadheardatthesaddler\'s，thathalfMr。Graham\'sfamilywerekilled。Now，however，itonlyremainedforthemtobethankfulthattheirfriendshadallescaped，andtohopeJane\'snamesakewouldsoonrecover。
“Buthowlongisitsinceyouheardthestory？whydidyounotsendHarryoffatonce，togetatthetruth？”askedMr。Wyllys。
“Weweregoingourselves，“repliedMissAgnes。
“WhathasbecomeofHarry？——Whereishe？”askedherfather。
ButHarryhaddisappeared。
“Hewasmuchdistressedatthenews，“saidElinor。
“Nowonder；itwasahorribleidea。Butheshouldhavejumpedonhorseback，androdeovertoLongbridgetofindoutthetruth。“
ElinorlookedroundoncemoreforHazlehurst，astheyenteredthehouse；buthewascertainlynotthere。
“AndwhataretheGrahamsgoingtodo？”askedMissWyllys。
“Theyareoffagainthisafternoon，“repliedherfather，takingaseatonthesofa。
Hazlehurstwasnotseenagainallthemorning。Dinnercame，andhehadnotjoinedthefamily。
“Heisinhisroom，“saidElinor；“IheardhimwalkingasI
passedhisdoor。Iamafraidheisnotwell。“
Theservantwhowassenttolethimknowthatdinnerwasontable，returnedwiththeanswer，thatMr。Hazlehursthadabadhead-ache，andbeggedMissWyllyswouldexcusehim。
“ThatlongrowinthesunmusthavegivenHarryahead-ache，AuntAgnes，“saidElinor；“Iamsorrywewentsofar。“
“Perhapsso，“saidMissAgnes；althoughshedidnotseemwhollytobeofElinor\'sopinion。
“Hazlehurstisnosuchtenderchicken，Nelly；youmustnotspoilhim，child——doyouhear？”saidhergrandfather，smilinginawaythatmadeElinorcolour。MissAgneswassilentduringdinner；butasthewholefamilyhadscarcelyrecoveredfromthealarmofthemorning，theshadeofanxietyonherfacewasnotremarked。
Harryremainedinhisroom。Ashehadrequestednottobedisturbed，hewasleftalone。Once，however，inthecourseoftheevening，aknockwasheardathisdoor，andaservantappeared。
“MissElinorsendsyouacupoftea，sir，andhopesyourheadisbetter，“saidThomas。
“MissElinorisverygood——Iammuchobligedtoher，“wasHarry\'sanswer，inalow，thickvoice；butthecupoftearemaineduntasted，whileHazlehurstresumedhiswalkacrosstheroom。
When，shortlyafter，Elinor\'svoicewasheardsinginghergrandfather\'sfavouriteairofRobinAdairinlowertonesthanusual，Harryagainstartedfromthetable，wherehehadlaidpenandpaperpreparatorytowriting，andstrikinghishandagainsthisforehead，heexclaimed：
{“RobinAdair“=Irishfolksong，thoughoftenidentifiedwithScotland，withwordsca。1750byLadyCarolineKeppel；itistheonlyspecifictuneElinoriseverheardtosing}
“Ungratefulwretch，thatIam！”
ThenextmorningElinorwasupearly，andtakingthegardenbasket，shewentouttogatherallthelateflowersshecouldfind，tofillajarforthedrawing-room——singinggaily，asshewentfrombushtobush，andgatheringhereasprigofhoneysuckle，therevioletsoralaterose，bloomingoutofseason，andafewotherstragglingblossoms。Afterloiteringaboutthegardenforhalfanhour，shereturnedtothehouse。Shewassurprisedtoseethecoachman，atthatearlyhour，drivinguptheavenueinthelittlewagonusedforerrandsaboutthecountry。
“Wherehaveyoubeen，Williams？”sheasked，ashedrovepasthertowardsthestable。
“TocarryMr。HazlehurstovertoUpperLewiston，intimeforthesixo\'clockboat，Miss。“
Elinorcouldscarcelybelievewhatshehadheard。Atthesamemoment，Mr。Wyllyssteppedoutonthepiazza。
“Whatisthis，Elinor？”heasked。“TheytellmeHarryisoff；didyouseehimthismorning？”
Elinorwasobligedtosayshehadnot。
“Whatcanitmean！didhegetanylettersbylastnight\'smail？”
“NotthatIknowof，“saidElinor，muchsurprised，andalittlealarmed。