Asshewassteppingfromthethreshold，shewassuddenlyconfrontedbyabriskbusiness-lookingman，whowasabouttoenter。\"Justintimetocatchyou，Mrs。Martin，\"hesaidhurriedly；then，quicklycorrectinghismanifestfamiliarity，headded：\"Imean，Itookthelibertyofrunninginhereonmywaytothestageoffice。Thatmatteryouspokeofisallarranged。Italkeditoverwiththeothertrustees，wrotetoSamBarstow，andhe’sagreeable，andhassentsomebodyup，and，\"herapidlyconsultedhiswatch，\"heoughttobeherenow；andI’monmywaytomeethimwiththeothertrustees。\"
Mrs。Martin，whoatoncerecognizedhervisitorastheChairmanoftheSchoolBoard，receivedtheabruptinformationwiththeslighttremulousness，faintincreaseofcolor，andhurriedbreathingofanervouswoman。
\"But，\"shesaid，\"itwasonlyaSUGGESTIONofmine，Mr。Sperry；I
reallyhavenorighttoask——Ihadnoidea\"——
\"It’sallright，ma’am，——neveryoumind。WeputthecasesquaretoBarstow。Weallowedthattheschoolwasgettingtoolargeforyoutotackle，——Imean，youknow，tosuperintendsingle-handed；andthatthesePikeCountyboysthey’rerunninginonusarealittletoobigandsassyforaladylikeyoutolassoandthrowdown——I
mean，tosortercontrol——don’tyousee？But，blessyou，SamBarstowsawitallinaminit！Hejustjumpedatit。I’vegothisletterhere——holdon\"——hehastilyproducedaletterfromhispocket，glancedeverit，suddenlycloseditagainwithembarrassedquickness，yetnotsoquicklybutthatthewoman’squickereyeswerecaught，andnervouslyfascinatedbytheexpression\"I’md————d\"
inalargebusinesshand——andsaidinawkwardhaste，\"Nomatteraboutreadingitnow——keepyoutoolong——buthe’sagreedallright，youknow。Mustgonow——they’llbewaiting。OnlyIthoughtI’ddropina-passin’，tokeepyouposted；\"and，takingoffhishat，hebegantobackfromtheporch。
\"Is——is——thisgentlemanwhoistoassistme——a——amatureprofessionalman——ora——graduate？\"hesitatedMrs。Martin，withafaintsmile。
\"Don’treallyknow——IreckonSam——Mr。Barstow——fixedthatallright。Mustreallygonow；\"and，stillholdinghishatinhishandasapolitecompromiseforhisundignifiedhaste，hefairlyranoff。
Arrivedatthestageoffice，hefoundthetwoothertrusteesawaitinghim，andthestillmoretardystage-coach。One，alarge，smooth-faced，portlyman，wasthePresbyterianminister；theother，ofthinnerandmoreseriousaspect，wasalargemill-owner。
\"Ipresume，\"saidtheRev。Mr。Peaseley，slowly，\"thatasourgoodbrotherBarstow，intheurgencyoftheoccasion，has，tosomeextent，anticipatedOURfunctionsinengagingthisassistant，heis——a——a——satisfiedwithhiscapacity？\"
\"Samknowswhathe’sabout，\"saidthemill-ownercheerfully，\"andashe’sregularlybuckleddowntotheworkhere，andwillgohisbottomdollaronit，youcansafelyleavethingstohim。\"
\"Hecertainlyhasexhibitedgreatzeal，\"saidthereverendgentlemanpatronizingly。
\"Zeal，\"echoedSperryenthusiastically，\"zeal？Why，herunsPineClearingasherunshisbankandhisexpresscompanyinSacramento，andhe’saswellpostedasifhewerehereallthetime。Why，lookhere；\"henudgedthemill-ownersecretly，and，astheminister’sbackwasmomentarilyturned，pulledouttheletterhehadavoidedreadingtoMrs。Martin，andpointedtoaparagraph。\"I’llbed————d，\"saidthewriter，\"butI’llhavepeaceandquietnessatPineClearing，ifIhavetowipeoutormakeoverthewholePikeCountygang。DrawonmeforapianoifyouthinkMrs。Martincanworkit。
Butdon’tsayanythingtoPeaseleyfirst，orhe’llwantitchangedforaharmonium，andthatletsusinforpsalm-singingtillyoucan’trest。Mind！Idon’tobjecttoChurchinfluence——it’sagoodhold！——butyoumustrunITwithotherthingsequal，andnotletitrunYOU。I’vegottheschoolhouseinsuredforthirtythousanddollars——specialratestoo。\"
Themill-ownersmiled。\"Sam’sheadislevel！But，\"headded，\"hedon’tsaymuchaboutthenewassistanthe’ssending。\"
\"Onlyhere，\"hesays，\"IreckonthemanIsendwilldoallround；
forPikeCountyhasitsclaimsaswellasBoston。\"
\"Whatdoesthatmean？\"askedthemill-owner。
\"Ireckonhemeanshedon’twantPineClearingtogettoohigh-
tonedanymorethanhewantsittoolowdown。He’smightysquareinhisaverages——isSam。\"
Herespeculationwasstoppedbytherapidoncomingofthestage-
coachinalltheimpotentfuryofabelatedarrival。\"HadtogoroundbyMontezumatoletoffJackHill，\"curtlyexplainedthedriver，asheswunghimselffromthebox，andenteredthehotelbar-roomincompanywiththenewexpressman，whohadevidentlytakenHill’splaceonthebox-seat。Autocraticallyindifferenttofurtherinquiry，hecalledoutcheerfully：\"Comealong，boys，andhearthisyerlastnewyarnaboutSamBarstow，——it’sthebiggestthingout。\"Andinanothermomentthewaitingcrowd，withglassesintheirhands，wereeagerlylisteningtotherepetitionofthe\"yarn\"fromthenewexpressman，totheapparentexclusionofothermatters，mundaneandpractical。
Thusdebarredfrominformation，thethreetrusteescouldonlywatchthepassengersastheydescended，andtrytoidentifytheirexpectedstranger。Butinvain：thebulkofthepassengerstheyalreadyknew，theotherswereordinaryminersandlaborers；therewasnoindicationofthenewassistantamongthem。Pendingfurtherinquirytheywereobligedtowaittheconclusionoftheexpressman’shumorousrecital。Thiswasevidentlyaperformanceofsomeartisticmerit，dependinguponacapitalimitationofanIrishman，aGermanJew，andanothervoice，whichwasuniversallyrecognizedandapplaudedasbeing\"Sam’sstyleallover！\"Butforthepresenceoftheminister，Sperryandthemill-ownerwouldhavejoinedtheenthusiasticauditors，andinwardlyregrettedtherespectableobligationsoftheirofficialposition。
Whenthestory-tellerhadconcludedamidstageneralcallformoredrinks，Sperryapproachedthedriver。Thelatterrecognizinghim，turnedtohiscompanioncarelessly，said，\"Here’soneof’em，\"andwasgoingawaywhenSperrystoppedhim。
\"Wewereexpectingayoungman。\"
\"Yes，\"saidthedriver，impatiently，\"andthereheis，Ireckon。\"
\"Wedon’tmeanthenewexpressman，\"saidtheminister，smilingblandly，\"butayoungmanwho\"——
\"THATain’tnonewexpressman，\"returnedthedriverinscornfuldeprecationofhisinterlocutor’signorance。\"HeonlytookHill’splacefromMontezuma。He’sthenewkidreviverandpolisherforthatUniversityyou’rerunnin’here。Isay——youfellersoughtergethimtotellyouthatstoryofSamBarstowandtheChinaman。
It’dlimberyoufellersuptohearit。\"
\"Ifearthere’ssomeextraordinarymistakehere，\"saidMr。
Peaseley，withachillingChristiansmile。
\"Notabitofit。He’sgotaletterfromSamforoneofye。Yere，Charley——what’syourname！Comyere。Yere’sallyerthreebosseswaitingforye。\"
AndthesupposedexpressmanandlatenarratorofamusingstoriescameforwardandpresentedhiscredentialsastheassistantteacherofPineClearing。
CHAPTERII。
EventhepracticalMr。Sperrywastakenaback。Theyoungmanbeforehimwassquarelybuilt，withbroadshoulders，andacertainairofmuscularactivity。Buthisface，althoughgood-humored，wasremarkableforofferingnottheslightestindicationofstudiouspreoccupationormentaltraining。Alargemouth，lightblueeyes，asquarejaw，theotherfeaturesbeingindistinctive——wereimmobileasamask——exceptthat，unlikeamask，theyseemedtoactuallyreflectthevacuityofthemoodwithin，insteadofconcealingit。
Butashesalutedthetrusteestheyeachhadthesamefeelingthateventhisexpressionwasimportedandnotinstinctive。Hisfacewasclean-shaven，andhishaircutsoshortastosuggestthatawigofsomekindwasnecessarytogiveitcharacteristicorevenordinaryhumansemblance。Hismanner，self-assuredyetlackingreality，andhisdressofrespectablecutandmaterial，yetwornasifitdidnotbelongtohim，completedapictureasunlikeastudentorschoolmasterascouldbepossiblyconceived。
YettherewastheletterinMr。Peaseley’shandsfromBarstow，introducingMr。CharlesTwingasthefirstassistantteacherinthePineClearingFreeAcademy！
Thethreemenlookedhopelesslyateachother。AnairoffatiguedrighteousnessandadesiretobespirituallyatrestfromothertrialspervadedMr。Peaseley。Whetherornottheyoungmanfelttheevidentobjectionhehadraised，heassumedacarelessposition，withhisbackandelbowsagainstthebar；buteventheattitudewasclearlynothisown。
\"AreyoupersonallyknowntoMr。Barstow？\"askedSperry，withaslightbusinessasperity。
\"Yes。\"
\"Thatis——youarequitewellacquaintedwithhim？\"
\"Ifyou’dheardmegaghisstyleaminuteago，sothateverybodyhereknewwhoitwas，you’dsayso。\"
Mr。Peaseley’seyessoughttheceiling，andrestedonthehanginglamp，asifnothingshortofdirectprovidentialinterferencecouldmeettheoccasion。Yet，astheeyesofhisbrothertrusteeswerebentonhimexpectantly，henervedhimselftosaysomething。
\"Isuppose，Mr。——Mr。Twing，youhaveproperlyunderstoodthegreat——
Imaysay，verygrave，intellectual，andmoralresponsibilitiesoftheworkyouseektoundertake——andthenecessityofsupportingitbyEXAMPLE，bypractice，bypersonalinfluencebothintheschoolandOUTOFIT。Sir，Ipresume，sir，youfeelthatyouarefullycompetenttoundertakethis？\"
\"IreckonHEdoes！\"
\"WHOdoes？\"
\"SamBarstow，orhewouldn’thaveselectedme。Ipresume\"（withtheslightestpossibleandalmostinstinctiveimitationofthereverendgentleman’smanner）\"hisheadisconsideredlevel。\"
Mr。Peaseleywithdrewhiseyesfromtheceiling。\"Ihave，\"hesaidtohiscompanions，withapainedsmile，\"animportantchoirmeetingtoattendthisafternoon。IfearImustbeexcused。\"Ashemovedtowardsthedoor，theothersformallyfollowinghim，untiloutofthestranger’shearing，headded：\"Iwashmyhandsofthis。Aftersowantonandunseemlyanexhibitionofutterincompetency，andevenofunderstandingofthetrustimposeduponhim——uponUS——MY
conscienceforbidsmetointerferefurther。Buttherealarbiterinthismatterwillbe——thankHeaven！——themistressherself。Youhaveonlytoconfrontheratoncewiththisman。HERdecisionwillbespeedyandfinal。ForevenMr。Barstowwillnotdaretoforcesooutrageousacharacteruponadelicate，refinedwoman，inafamiliarandconfidentialcapacity。\"
\"That’sso，\"saidSperryeagerly；\"she’llsettleit。And，ofcourse，\"addedthemill-owner，\"thatwillleaveusoutofanydifficultywithSam。\"
Thetwomenreturnedtothehaplessstranger，relieved，yetconstrainedbythesacrificetowhichtheyfelttheywereleadinghim。Itwouldbenecessary，theysaid，tointroducehimtohisprincipal，Mrs。Martin，atonce。Theymightstillfindherattheschoolhouse，distantbutafewsteps。Theysaidlittleelse，thestrangerkeepingupanostentatiouswhistling，andbecomingmoreandmoreincongruous，theythought，astheynearedtheprettyschoolhouse。HeretheyDIDfindMrs。Martin，whohad，naturally，lingeredaftertheinterviewwithSperry。
Shecameforwardtomeetthem，withthenervousshynessandslightlyfastidioushesitationthatwashernature。Theysaw，orfanciedtheysaw，thesamesurpriseanddisappointmenttheyhadthemselvesexperiencedpassoverhersensitiveface，asshelookedathim；theyfeltthattheirvulgarchargeappearedstillmoreoutrageousbycontrastwiththisdelicatewomanandherpretty，refinedsurroundings；buttheysawthatHEenjoyedit，andwaseven——ifsuchawordcouldbeappliedtosoself-consciousaman——
moreateaseinherpresence！
\"Ireckonyouandmewillpulltogetherverywell，ma’am，\"hesaidconfidently。
Theylookedtoseeherturnherbackuponhim；faint，orburstoutcrying；butshedidneither，andonlygazedathimquietly。
\"It’samightyprettyplaceyou’vegothere——andIlikeit，andifWEcan’trunit，Idon’tknowwhocan。OnlyjustletmeknowWHAT
youwant，ma’am，andyoucancountonmeeverytime。\"
TotheirprofoundconsternationMrs。Martinsmiledfaintly。
\"ItrestswithYOUonly，Mrs。Martin，\"saidSperryquicklyandsignificantly。\"It’sYOURsay，youknow；you’retheonlyonetobeconsideredorconsultedhere。\"
\"Onlyjustsaywhatyouwantmetodo，\"continuedTwing，apparentlyignoringthetrustees；\"pickoutthestyleofjob；givemeahintortwohowtoworkit，orwhatyou’dthinkwouldbethepropergagtofetch’em，andI’mthere，ma’am。Itmaybenewatfirst，butI’llgetatthebusinessofitquickenough。\"
Mrs。Martinsmiled——thistimequiteperceptibly——withtheleastlittlecolorinhercheeksandeyes。\"Thenyou’vehadnoexperienceinteaching？\"shesaid。
\"Wellno。\"
\"Youarenotagraduateofanycollege？\"
\"Notmuch。\"
Thetwotrusteeslookedateachother。EvenMr。Peaseleyhadnotconceivedsuchadamningrevelation。
\"Well，\"saidMrs。Martinslowly，\"perhapsMr。TwinghadbetterCOME
EARLYTOMORROWMORNINGANDBEGIN。\"
\"Begin？\"gaspedMr。Sperryinbreathlessastonishment。
\"Certainly，\"saidMrs。Martinintimidexplanation。\"Ifheisnewtotheworkthesoonerthebetter。\"
Mr。Sperrycouldonlygazeblanklyathisbrotherofficial。Hadtheyheardaright？Wasthistherecklessnessofnervousexcitementinawomanofdelicatehealth，orhadtheimpostorcastsomeglamouruponher？OrwasshefrightenedofSamBarstowandafraidtorejecthiscandidate？Thelastthoughtwasaninspiration。Hedrewherquicklyaside。\"Onemoment，Mrs。Martin！Yousaidtomeanhouragothatyoudidn’tintendtohaveaskedMr。Barstowtosendyouanassistant。Ihopethat，merelybecauseheHASdoneso，youdon’tfeelobligedtoacceptthismanagainstyourbetterjudgment？\"
\"Ohno，\"saidMrs。Martinquietly。
Thecaseseemedhopeless。AndSperryhadthemiserableconvictionthatbyhavinginsisteduponMrs。Martin’sjudgmentbeingfinaltheyhadestoppedtheirownrighttoobject。Buthowcouldtheyhaveforeseenherextraordinarytaste？He，however，rousedhimselfforalastappeal。
\"Mrs。Martin，\"hesaidinalowervoice，\"IoughttotellyouthattheReverendMr。Peaseleystronglydoubtsthecompetencyofthatyoungman。\"
\"Didn’tMr。Barstowmakeaselectionatyourrequest？\"askedMrs。
Martin，withafaintlittlenervouscough。
\"Yes——but\"——
\"ThenhiscompetencyonlyconcernsME——andIdon’tseewhatMr。
Peaseleyhastosayaboutit。\"
Couldhebelievehissenses？Therewasadecidedflushinthewoman’spaleface，andthefirstnoteofindependenceandasperityinhervoice。
Thatnight，intheprivacyofhisconjugalchamber，Mr。Sperryrelievedhismindtoanotheroftheenigmaticalsex，——thestoutSouthwesternpartnerofhisjoysandtroubles。Buttheresultwasequallyunsatisfactory。\"Well，Abner，\"saidthelady，\"Inevercouldsee，forallyourmen’spraisesofMrs。Martin，whatthatfellercanseeinHERtolike！\"
CHAPTERIII。
Mrs。Martinwasearlyattheschoolhousethenextmorning，yetnotsoearlybutthatshediscoveredthatthenewassistanthadbeentherebeforeher。Thiswasshowninsomerearrangementoftheschoolseatsandbenches。Theywereplacedsoastoformahorseshoebeforeherdesk，andatthefurtherextremityofthissemicirclewasachairevidentlyforhimself。Shewasalittlenettledathisprematureaction，althoughadmittingtheutilityofthechange，butshewasstillmoreannoyedathisabsenceatsuchamoment。Itwasnearlytheschoolhourwhenheappeared，tohersurprise，marshalingafileofsomeofthesmallerchildrenwhomhehadevidentlypickedupenroute，andwhowere，tohergreatersurprise，apparentlyonthebestoftermswithhim。\"ThoughtI’dbetterrake’emin，introducemyselfto’em，andget’emtoknowmebeforeschoolbegins。Excuseme，\"hewentonhastily，\"butI’vealotmorecomingup，andI’dbettermakemyselfsquarewiththemOUTSIDE。\"ButMrs。Martinhadapparentlydevelopedacertaindegreeofstiffnesssincetheirevening’sinterview。
\"Itseemstomequiteasimportant，Mr。Twing，\"shesaiddrily，\"thatyoushouldfirstlearnsomeofyourownduties，whichIcamehereearlytoteachyou。\"
\"Notatall，\"hesaidcheerfully。\"TodayItakemyseat，asI’vearrangedit，yousee，overtherewiththem，andwatch’emgothroughthemotions。Onerehearsal’senoughforME。Atthesametime，Icanchipinifnecessary。\"Andbeforeshecouldreplyhewasoutoftheschoolhouseagain，hailingthenew-comers。Thiswasdonewithapparentlysuchdelighttothechildrenandwithsomeevidentlyimportedexpressionintohissmoothmask-likeface，thatMrs。Martinhadtocontentherselfwithwatchinghimwithequalcuriosity。Shewasturningawaywithasuddensenseofforgottendignity，whenashoutofjoyous，childishlaughterattractedherattentiontothewindow。Thenewassistant，withhalfadozensmallchildrenonhissquareshoulders，walkingwithbentbackandeverysimulationofadvancedsenility，wasevidentlypersonating，withtheassistanceofastonishinglydistortedfeatures，theogreofaChristmaspantomime。Ashiseyecaughtherstheexpressionvanished，themask-likefacereturned；hesetthechildrendown，andmovedaway。Andwhenschoolbegan，althoughhemarshaledthemtriumphantlytotheverydoor，——withwhatcontortionoffaceorsimulationofcharactershewasunabletoguess，——afterhehadenteredtheschoolroomandtakenhisseateveryvestigeofhispreviousfacialaberrationwasgone，andonlyhisusualstolidityremained。Invain，asMrs。Martinexpected，thehundreddelightedlittleeyesbeforeherdweltatfirsteagerlyandhopefullyuponhisface，but，assheHADNOTexpected，recognizingfromtheblanknessofhisdemeanorthatthepreviousperformancewasintendedforthemexclusively，thesameeagereyeswerepresentlydroppedagainupontheirbooksinsimpleimitation，asifhewereoneofthemselves。Mrs。Martinbreathedfreely，andlessonsbegan。
Yetshewasnervouslyconscious，meanwhile，ofamoreill-omenedoccurrence。Thiswasthenon-arrivalofseveralofheroldestpupils，notably，therefractoryandincorrigiblePikeCountycontingenttowhomSperryhadalluded。Forthepastfewdaystheyhadhoveredonthevergeofactiveinsubordination，andhadindulgedinvaguemutteringswhichshehadresolutelydeterminednottohear。Itwas，therefore，withsomeinwardtrepidations，notentirelyrelievedbyTwing’spresence，thatshesawthethreeMackinnonsandthetwoHardeesslouchintotheschoolafullhourafterthelessonshadbegun。Theydidnotevenexcusethemselves，butwereproceedingwithasurlyandostentatiousdefiancetotheirseats，whenMrs。Martinwasobligedtolookup，and——astheeldestHardeefiledbeforeher——todemandanexplanation。Theculpritaddressed——adull，heavy-lookingyouthofnineteen——hesitatedwithanairofmingleddoggednessandsheepishness，andthen，withoutreplying，nudgedhiscompanion。Itwasevidentlyapreconcertedsignalofrebellion，fortheboynudgedstopped，and，turningamoreintelligent，butequallydissatisfied，faceupontheschoolmistress，begandeterminedly：——
\"Wot’sourexcuseforcominganhourlate？Well，weain’tgotnone。WEdon’tcallitanhourlate——WEdon’t。Wecallittherighttime。WecallittherighttimeforOURlessons，forwedon’tallowtocomeheretosinghymnswithbabbies。Wedon’twanttoknow’where，ohwhere，aretheHebrewchildren？’Theyain’tnothin’tousAmericans。Andwedon’twantanymoreDanielsintheLions’Denplayedoffonus。Wehaveenoughof’eminSunday-
school。Weain’thankerin’muchforgrammaranddictionaryhogwash，andwedon’twantnoBostonpartso’speechrunginonusthefirstthinginthemo’nin’。Weain’tBoston——we’rePikeCounty——WEare。Wereckontodooursums，andourfiggerin’，andoursaleandbarter，andourinteresttablesandweightsandmeasureswhenthetimecomes，andourgeograffywhenit’son，andourreadin’andwritin’andtheAmericanConstitutioninreg’larhours，andthenwecalkilatetogitupandgitaforethepo’tryandtheBostonairsandgracescomeround。That’sourrightsandwhatourfatherspayschooltaxesfor，andwewant’em。\"
Hestopped，lookinglesstowardstheschoolmistressthantohiscompanions，forwhomperhaps，aftertheschoolboyfashion，thisattitudewastaken。Mrs。Martinsat，quitewhiteandself-
contained，withhereyesfixedonthefrayedrimoftherebel’sstrawhatwhichhestillkeptonhishead。Thenshesaidquietly：——
\"Takeoffyourhat，sir。\"
Theboydidnotmove。
\"Hecan’t，\"saidavoicecheerfully。
Itwasthenewassistant。Thewholeschoolfacedrapidlytowardshim。Therebelleaderandhisfollowers，whohadnotnoticedhimbefore，staredattheinterrupter，whodidnot，however，seemtoexhibitanyoftheauthorityofoffice，butratherthecommentandcriticismofoneofthemselves。\"Wotyoumean？\"askedtheboyindignantly。
\"Imeanyoucan’ttakeoffyourhatbecauseyou’vegotsomethingsstowedawayinityoudon’twantseen，\"saidTwing，withanimmovableface。
\"Wotthings？\"exclaimedtheboyangrily。Thensuddenlyrecollectinghimself，headded，\"Goalong！Youcan’tfoolme！
Thinkyou’llmakemetakeoffmyhat——don’tyou？\"
\"Well，\"saidTwing，advancingtothesideoftherebel，\"lookherethen！\"Withadexterousmovementandaslightstrugglefromtheboy，heliftedthehat。Ahalf-dozenapples，abird’snest，twobirds’eggs，andaflutteringhalf-fledgedbirdfellfromit。A
waveofdelightandastonishmentranalongthebenches，ablanklookofhopelessbewildermentsettledupontheboy’sface，andthegravityofthesituationdisappearedforeverintheirrepressibleburstoflaughter，inwhichevenhisbrotherrebelsjoined。Thesmallestchildwhohadbeenhalf-frightened，half-fascinatedbythebold，bad，heroicattitudeofthemutineer，wasquicktoseetheridiculousnessofthatfigurecrownedwithcheapschoolboyplunder。
Theeloquentprotestofhiswrongswaslostintheludicrousappearanceoftheprotester。EvenMrs。Martinfeltthatnothingshecouldsayatthatmomentcouldlifttherebellionintoseriousnessagain。ButTwingwasevidentlynotsatisfied。
\"BegMrs。Martin’spardon，andsayyouwerefoolin’withtheboys，\"
hesaidinalowvoice。
Thediscomfitedrebelhesitated。
\"Sayit，orI’llSHOWWHATYOU’VEGOTINYOURPOCKETS！\"saidTwinginaterriblysignificantaside。
TheboymumbledanapologytoMrs。Martin，scrambledinablank，hopelesswaytohisseat，andthebriefrebellionignominiouslyended。ButtwothingsstruckMrs。Martinaspeculiar。Sheoverheardtheculpritsay，withbatedbreathandevidentsincerity，tohiscomrades：\"Hadn’tnothinginmyhat，anyway！\"andoneoftheinfantclasswasheardtocomplain，inadeeply-injuredway，thatthebird’snestwasHIS，andhadbeen\"stoled\"fromhisdesk。
AndtherestillremainedthefactforwhichTwing’sundoubtedfascinationoverthechildrenhadsomewhatpreparedher——thatatrecessthemalcontents——oneandall——seemedtohaveforgiventhemanwhohadovercomethem，andgatheredroundhimwithunmistakableinterest。Allthis，however，didnotblindhertotheseriousintentoftherebellion，orofTwing’sunaccountableassumptionofherprerogative。Whilehewasstillrompingwiththechildrenshecalledhimin。
\"Imustremindyou，\"shesaid，withaslightnervousasperity，\"thatthisoutrageousconductofTomHardeewasevidentlydeliberatedandpreparedbytheothers，andcannotendinthisway。\"
Helookedatherwithafacesoexasperatinglyexpressionlessthatshecouldhaveslappeditasifithadbelongedtooneoftheolderscholars，andsaid，——\"ButitHASended。It’sadeadfrost。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean；andImustremindyoualsothatinthisschoolweneitherteachnorlearnslang。\"
Hisimmobilefacechangedforaninstanttoalookofsuchdecidedadmirationthatshefelthercolorrise；buthewipedhisexpressionawaywithhishandasifithadbeensomeartificialmake-up，andsaidawkwardly，butearnestly：——
\"Excuseme——won’tyou？But，lookhere，Mrs。Martin，Ifoundoutearlythismorning，whenIwassquaringmyselfwiththeotherchildren，thattherewasthisrowhangin’on——infact，thattherewasasortofideathatPikeCountywasn’thavingafairshow——
excuseme——intherunningoftheschool，andthatPeaseleyandBarstowwerealittletoomuchonineveryscene。Infact，yousee，itwasjustwhatTomsaid。\"
\"Thisisinsufferable，\"saidMrs。Martin，hereyesgrowingdarkerashercheeksgrewred。\"Theyshallgohometotheirparents，andtellthemfromme\"——
\"Thatthey’reallmistaken——excuseme——butthat’sjustwhatTHEY’RE
GOIN’TODO。Itellyou，Mrs。Martin，theirlittlegame’sbusted——I
begpardon——butit’sallover。You’llhavenomoretroublewiththem。\"
\"AndyouthinkthatjustbecauseyoufoundTomhadsomethinginhishat，andexposedhim？\"saidMrs。Martinscornfully。
\"TomHADN’Tanythinginhishat，\"saidTwing，wipinghismouthslowly。
\"Nothing？\"repeatedMrs。Martin。
\"No。\"
\"ButISAWyoutakethethingsout。\"
\"ThatwasonlyaTRICK！HehadnothingexceptwhatIhadupmysleeve，andforcedonhim。Heknewit，andthatfrightenedhim，andmadehimlooklikeafool，andsobursteduphisconspiracy。
There’snothin’boysaremoreafraidofthanridicule，orthemanorboythatmake’emridiculous。\"
\"Iwon’taskyouifyoucallthisFAIRtotheboy，Mr。Twing？\"saidMrs。Martinhotly；\"butisthisyourideaofdiscipline？\"
\"Icallitfair，becauseTomknewitwassomekindofatrick，andwasn’tdeceived。Icallitdisciplineifitmadehimdowhatwasrightafterwards，andmakeshimafraidorunwillingtodoanythingtooffendmeoryouagain。HelikesmenonetheworseforgivinghimachanceofbeinglaughedoutofathinginsteadofbeingDRIVENoutofit。And，\"headded，withawkwardearnestness，\"ifyou’lljustleaveallthistoME，andonlyconsidermeheretotakethissortofworkwhichain’talady’s——offyourhands，we’lljuststrikeourownlinebetweenthePeaseleysandPikeCounty——andrunthisschoolinspiteofboth。\"
Alittlemollified，agooddealpuzzled，andperhapsmoreinfluencedbytheman’smannerthanshehadimagined，Mrs。Martinsaidnothing，butletthedaypasswithoutdismissingtheoffenders。Andonreturninghomethateveningshewasconsiderablysurprisedtoreceiveherlandlady’sextravagantcongratulationsontheadventofhernewassistant。\"Andtheydosay，Mrs。Martin，\"continuedthatladyenthusiastically，\"thatyourjustsettingyourfootdownsquareonthatPeaseleyandthatBarstow，BOTHOF’EM——andchoosingyourownassistantyourself——aplainyoungfellowwithnofrillsandfancies，butonethatyoucouldsetaboutmakingallthechangesyoulike，wasjustthebiggestthingyoueverdidforPineClearing。\"
\"And——they——considerhimquite——competent？\"saidMrs。Martin，withtimidcolorandhesitatingaudacity。
\"Competent！YouaskmyJohnny。\"
Nevertheless，Mrs。Martinwassomewhatformallyearlyattheschoolhousethenextmorning。\"Perhaps，\"shesaid，withanoddmixtureofdignityandtimidity，\"we’dbetter，beforeschoolcommences，gooverthelessonsfortheday。\"
\"IHAVE，\"hesaidquickly。\"ItoldyouONErehearsalwasenoughforme。\"
\"Youmeanyouhavelookedoverthem？\"
\"Got’embyheart。Letterperfect。Wanttohearme？Listen。\"
Shedid。Hehadactuallycommittedtomemory，andwithoutalapse，theentiretextofrules，questions，answers，andexamplesofthelessonsfortheday。
CHAPTERIV。
Beforeamonthhadpassed，Mr。Twing’ssuccesswassecureandestablished。Sowereafewofthechangeshehadquietlyinstituted。ThedevotionalsingingandScripturereadingwhichhadexcitedthediscontentofthePikeCountychildrenandtheirparentswasnotdiscontinued，buthalfanhourbeforerecesswasgivenuptosomesecularchoruses，patrioticortopical，inwhichthelittleonesunderTwing’sreallywonderfulpracticaltuitionexhibitedsuchquickandpleasingproficiency，thatacertainnegrominstrelcamp-meetingsongattainedsufficientpopularitytobeliftedbygeneralaccordtopromotiontothedevotionalexercises，whereiteventuallyoustedtheobjectionable\"Hebrewchildren\"onthequestionofmelodyalone。GrammarwasstilltaughtatPineClearingSchoolinspiteoftheHardeesandMackinnons，butTwinghadmanagedtoimportintothecognateexercisesofrecitationawonderfuldegreeofenthusiasmandexcellence。DialecticalPikeCounty，thathadrefusedtorecognizethegoverningpowersofthenominativecase，neverthelesscameoutstronginclassicalelocution，andTomHardee，whohaddeliveredhisungrammaticalprotestonbehalfofPikeCounty，wasnolessstrong，ifmoreelegant，inhisimpeachmentofWarrenHastingsasEdmundBurke，withtheequalsanctionofhisparents。Thetrustees，SperryandJackson，hadmarveled，butweregladenoughtoacceptthepopularverdict——onlyMr。Peaseleystillretainedanattitudeofmartyr-
likeforbearanceandfatiguedtolerationtowardsthenewassistantandhischanges。AstoMrs。Martin，sheseemedtoaccepttheworkofMr。Twingafterhisowndefinitionofit——asofamasculinequalityill-suitedtoalady’stastesandinclinations；butitwasnoticeablethatwhileshehadatfirstrepelledanycriticismofhimwhatever，shehadlatelybeengiventoexplaininghispositiontoherfriends，andhadspokenofhimwithsomewhatlaboredandostentatiouspatronage。Yetwhentheywerealonetogethershefranklyfoundhimveryamusing，andhispresumptionandvulgaritysoclearlyunintentionalthatitnolongeroffendedher。Theyweregoodfriendswithouthavinganyconfidencesbeyondthedutiesoftheschool；shehadaskednofurtherexplanationofthefactthathehadbeenselectedbyMr。Barstowwithoutreferencetoanyspecialantecedenttraining。Whathisactualantecedentswereshehadnevercaredtoknow，norheapparentlytoreveal；thathehadbeenengagedinsomeotheroccupationsofsuperiororinferiorqualitywouldnothavebeenremarkableinacommunitywheretheprincipallawyerhadbeenasoldier，andthemilleradoctor。ThefactthatheadmiredherwasplainenoughtoHER；thatitpleasedher，butcarriedwithitnoulteriorthoughtorresponsibility，mighthavebeenequallycleartoothers。PerhapsitwassotoHIM。
Howbeit，thiseasymutualintercoursewasonedayinterruptedbywhatseemedatriflingincident。Thepiano，whichMr。Barstowhadpromised，dulymadeitsappearanceintheschoolhouse，tothedelightofthescholarsandthegentlesatisfactionofMrs。Martin，who，inadditiontotherudimentarymusicalinstructionoftheyoungergirls，occasionallyplayeduponitherselfinaprim，refined，andconscientiousfashion。Tothis，whenshewasaloneafterschoolhours，shesometimesaddedafaint，colorlessvoiceoflimitedrangeandgentlewomanlyexpression。ItwasononeoftheseoccasionsthatTwing，becominganaccidentalauditorofthischaste，sadpiping，wasnotonlypermittedtoremaintoheartheendofalovesongofstrictlyguardedpassioninthesubjunctivemood，butattheclosewasinvitedtotryhishand——aquick，ifnotacultivatedone——attheinstrument。Hedidso。Likeher，headdedhisvoice。Likehers，itwasalovesong。Buttherethesimilitudeended。Negroindialect，illiterateinconstruction，idioticinpassion，andpresumablyaddressedtothe\"RoseofAlabama，\"intheveryextravaganceofitschildishinfatuationitmighthavebeenamockeryoftheschoolmistress’ssongbutforonetremendousfact！Inunrestrainedfeeling，patheticyearning，andexquisitetendernessofexpression，itwasunmistakablyandappallinglypersonalandsincere。Itwastruethelipsspokenofwere\"lubly，\"theeyesalludedtowerelike\"lightenin’bugs，\"butfromthevoiceandgesturesofthesingerMrs。MartinconfusedlyfeltthattheywereintendedforHERS，andeventherefrainthat\"shedressedsoneatandlookedsosweet\"wasglaringlyallusivetoherownmodishmourning。Alternatelyflushingandpaling，withahystericsmilehoveringroundhersmallreservedmouth，theunfortunategentlewomanwasfaintoturntothewindowtokeephercountenanceuntilitwasconcluded。Shedidnotaskhimtorepeatit，nordidsheagainsubjectherselftothispalpableserenade，butafewdaysafterwards，asshewasidlystrikingthekeysintheintervalofamusiclesson，oneofherlittlepupilsbrokeout，\"Why，Mrs。Martin，ifyoain’tapickin’outthatpow’fulprettytunethatMr。Twingsings！\"
Nevertheless，whenTwing，aweekortwolater，suggestedthathemightsingthesamesongasasoloatacertainperformancetobegivenbytheschoolchildreninaidofalocalcharity，shedrilyintimatedthatitwashardlyofacharactertosuittheentertainment。\"But，\"sheadded，moregently，\"yourecitesowell；
whynotgivearecitation？\"
Helookedatherwithquestioningandtroubledeyes，——theoneexpressionheseemedtohavelatelyacquired。\"ButthatwouldbeINPUBLIC！There’llbealotofpeoplethere，\"hesaiddoubtfully。
Alittleamusedatthisfirstapparentsignofawantofconfidenceinhimself，shesaid，withareassuringsmile，\"Somuchthebetter，——youdoitreallytoowelltohaveitthrownawayentirelyonchildren。\"
\"DoYOUwishit？\"hesaidsuddenly。
Somewhatconfused，butmoreirritatedbyhisabruptness，shereplied，\"Whynot？\"Butwhenthedaycame，andbeforeacrowdedaudience，inwhichtherewasafairsprinklingofstrangers，sheregrettedherrashsuggestion。Forwhenthepupilshadgonethroughcertaincalisthenicexercises——admirablytaughtandarrangedbyhim——and\"spokentheirpieces，\"hearose，and，fixinghiseyesonher，beganOthello’sdefensebeforetheDukeandCouncil。Here，asonthepreviousoccasion，shefeltherselfpersonallyalludedtoinhisaccountofhiswooing。Desdemona，forsomeoccultreason，vicariouslyappearedforherintheunwarrantablepictureofhispassion，andtothiswasaddedtheabsurdconsciousnesswhichshecouldnotputasidethattheaudience，followingwithenthusiasmhisreallystrongdeclamation，wasalsofollowinghissuggestionandadoptingit。Yetshewasalsoconscious，and，asshethought，asinconsistently，ofbeingpleasedandevenproudofhissuccess。Attheconclusiontheapplausewasgeneral，andavoiceaddedwithhuskyadmirationandfamiliarity：——
\"Brayvo，JohnnyWalker！\"
Twing’sfacebecamesuddenlywhiteasaPierrotmask。Therewasadeadsilence，inwhichthevoicecontinued，\"Giveus’SugarintheGourd，’Johnny。\"
Afewhisses，andcriesof\"Hush！\"\"Puthimout！\"followed。Mrs。
Martinraisedhereyesquicklytowhereherassistanthadstoodbowinghisthanksamomentbefore。Hewasgone！
Moreconcernedthanshecaredtoconfess，vaguelyfearfulthatshewasinsomewayconnectedwithhisabruptwithdrawal，andperhapsalittleremorsefulthatshehadallowedherpersonalfeelingstointerferewithherfrankrecognitionofhistriumph，sheturnedbacktotheschoolroom，afterthelittleperformersandtheiraudiencehaddeparted，inthehopethathemightreturn。Itwasgettinglate，thenearlylevelraysofthesunwerelyingontheemptybenchesatthelowerendoftheroom，butthedeskwhereshesatwithitslidraisedwasindeepshadow。Suddenlysheheardhisvoiceinarearhall，butitwasaccompaniedbyanother’s，——thesamevoicewhichhadinterruptedtheapplause。Beforeshecouldeitherwithdraw，ormakeherselfknown，thetwomenhadenteredtheroom，andwerepassingslowlythroughit。SheunderstoodatoncethatTwinghadslippedoutintoajanitor’sroomintherear，wherehehadevidentlyforcedaninterviewandexplanationfromhisinterrupter，andnowhadbeenwaitingfortheaudiencetodispersebeforeemergingbythefrontdoor。Theyhadevidentlyoverlookedherintheshadow。
\"But，\"saidthestranger，asiffollowinganaggrievedlineofapology，\"ifBarstowknewwhoyouwere，andwhatyou’ddone，andstillthoughtyougoodenoughtorastleroundhereandsquareupthemPikeCountyfellersandthemkids——whatinthunderdoyoucareiftheothersDOfindyouout，aslongasBarstowstickstoyou？\"
\"I’vetoldyouwhy，Dick，\"returnedTwinggloomily。
\"Oh，theschoolma’am！\"
\"Yes，she’sasaint，anangel。Morethanthat——she’salady，Dick，tothetipofherfingers，whoknowsnothingoftheworldoutsideaparson’sstudy。Shetookmeontrust——withoutaword——whenthetrusteeshungbackandstared。She’sneveraskedmeaboutmyself，andnowwhensheknowswhoandwhatIhavebeen——she’llloatheme！\"
\"Butlookhere，Jim，\"saidthestrangeranxiously。\"I’llsayit’sallalie。I’llcomehereandapologizetoyouaforeHER，andsayItookyouforsomebodyelse。I’ll\"——
\"It’stoolate，\"saidTwingmoodily。
\"Andwhat’llyoudo？\"
\"Leavehere。\"
Theyhadreachedthedoortogether。ToMrs。Martin’sterror，asthestrangerpassedout，Twing，insteadoffollowinghimassheexpected，said\"Good-night，\"andgloomilyre-enteredtheschoolroom。
Herehepausedamoment，andthenthrowinghimselfononeofthebenches，droppedhisheaduponadeskwithhisfaceburiedinhishands——likeaveryschoolboy。
WhatpassedthroughMrs。Martin’smindIknownot。Foramomentshesaterectandrigidatherdesk。Thensheslippedquietlydown，and，softlyasoneofthelastshadowscastbythedyingsun，glidedacrossthefloortowherehesat。
\"Mrs。Martin，\"hesaid，startingtohisfeet。
\"Ihaveheardall，\"shesaidfaintly。\"Icouldn’thelpit。Iwasherewhenyoucamein。ButIwanttotellyouthatIamcontenttoknowyouonlyasyouseemtobe，——asIhavealwaysfoundyouhere，——
strongandloyaltoadutylaiduponyoubythosewhohadafullknowledgeofallyouhadbeen。\"
\"Didyou？DoyouknowwhatIhavebeen？\"
Mrs。Martinlookedfrightened，trembledamoment，and，recoveringherselfwithaneffort，saidgently，\"Iknownothingofyourpast。\"
\"Nothing？\"herepeated，withamirthlessattemptatlaughter，andaquickbreath。\"NotthatI’vebeena——a——mountebank，avarietyactor——aclown，youknow，fortheamusementofthelowest，attwenty-fivecentsaticket。ThatI’m’JohnnyWalker，’thesonganddanceman——theall-roundman——selectedbyMr。Barstowtoteachtheseboorsalessonastowhattheywanted！\"
Shelookedathimamoment——timidly，yetthoughtfully。\"Thenyouareanactor——apersonwhosimulateswhathedoesnotfeel？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andallthetimeyouhavebeenhereyouhavebeenactingtheschoolmaster——playingapart——for——forMr。Barstow？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Always？\"
\"Yes。\"
Thecolorcamesoftlytoherfaceagain，andhervoicewasverylow。\"Andwhenyousangtomethatday，andwhenyoulookedatme——
asyoudid——anhourortwoago——whileyouwereentertaining——youwere——only——acting？\"
Mr。Twing’sanswerwasnotknown，butitmusthavebeenafullandcompleteone，foritwasquitedarkwhenhelefttheschoolroom——
NOTforthelasttime——withitsmistressonhisarm。
INAPIONEERRESTAURANT。
CHAPTERI。
Therewasprobablynoearthlyreasonwhythe\"PocoMasoMenos\"
ClubofSanFranciscoshouldhaveeverexisted，orwhyitsfiveharmless，indistinctivemembersshouldnothavemetanddinedtogetherasordinaryindividuals。Stilllesswasthereanyjustificationforthegratuitousopinionwhichobtained，thatitwasbold，bad，andbrilliant。Lookingbackuponitoveraquarterofacenturyandhalfaglobe，IconfessIcannotrecallasinglewitticism，audacity，orhumorouscharacteristicthatbelongedtoit。Yettherewasnodoubtthatwewerethoughttobeextremelycriticalandsatirical，andIaminclinedtothinkwehonestlybelievedit。TotakeourseatsonWednesdaysandSaturdaysataspeciallyreservedtableattherestaurantwepatronized，tobeconsciousofbeingobservedbytheotherguests，andofourwaiterconfidentiallyimpartingourfametostrangersbehindtheshaken-
outfoldsofanapkin，andofknowingthatthefaintestindicationofmerrimentfromourtablethrilledtheotherguestswithanticipatorysmiles，was，Iamfirmlyconvinced，allthatweeverdidtojustifyourreputations。Nor，strictlyspeaking，wereweremarkableasindividuals；anassistanteditor，alawyer，ayoungarmyquartermaster，abankclerkandaminingsecretary——wecouldnotseparatelychallengeanyspecialsocialorliterarydistinction。
YetIamsatisfiedthattheverynameofourClub——acommonSpanishcolloquialism，literallymeaning\"alittlemoreorless，\"andadoptedinCalifornianslangtoexpressanunknownquantity——wassupposedtoberepletewithdeepandconvulsinghumor。
Myimpressionisthatourextravagantreputation，and，indeed，ourcontinuedexistenceasaClub，wasduesolelytotheproprietoroftherestaurantandtwoofhiswaiters，andthatwewereactually\"run\"bythem。Whenthesuggestionofourmeetingregularlytherewasfirstbroachedtotheproprietor——aGermanofslowbutdeepemotions——hereceiveditwitha\"So\"ofsuchimpressivesatisfactionthatitmighthavebeenthebeginningofourvainglory。Fromthatmomenthebecameatonceourpatronandourdevotedslave。Tolingernearourtableonceortwiceduringdinnerwithanairofrespectfulvacuity，——asofonewhoknewhimselftoowelltobeguiltyofthepresumptionofattemptingtounderstandourbrilliancy，——towearacertainparentalprideandunconsciousnessinourfame，andyettonevergofurtherinseemingtocomprehenditthantoobliginglytranslatethenameoftheClubas\"aleedlemoreandnodquidesomuch\"——wastohimsufficienthappiness。ThatheeverexperiencedanybusinessprofitfromthecustomoftheClub，oritsadvertisement，maybegreatlydoubted；onthecontrary，thatafewplaincustomers，nettledatourself-satisfaction，mighthaveresentedhisfavoritismseemedmoreprobable。Equallyvague，disinterested，andloyalwastheattachmentofthetwowaiters，——oneanItalian，faintlyreminiscentofbetterdaysandpossiblysuperiorextraction；theotheraroughbutkindlyWesternman，whomighthavetakenthismenialpositionfromtemporarystressofcircumstances，yetwhocontinuedinitfromsheerdominanceofhabitandsomefeeblenessofwill。Theybothviedwitheachothertopleaseus。
Itmayhavebeentheyconsideredtheirattendanceuponareputedintellectualcompanylessdegradingthanministeringtothepurelyanimalandsilentwantsoftheaveragecustomers。Itmayhavebeenthattheywereattractedbyourgeneralyouthfulness。Indeed，IaminclinedtothinkthattheythemselvesweremuchmoredistinctiveandinterestingthananymembersoftheClub，anditistointroduceTHEMthatIventuretorecallsomuchofitshistory。
Afewmonthsafterouradventattherestaurant，oneevening，JoeTallant，theminingsecretary，oneofourliveliestmembers，wasobservedtobeawkwardanddistraitduringdinner，forgettingeventooffertheusualgratuitytotheItalianwaiterwhohandedhimhishat，althoughhestaredathimwithanimbecilesmile。Aswechancedtoleavetherestauranttogether，Iwasrallyinghimuponhisabstraction，whentomysurprisehesaidgravely：\"Lookhere，oneoftwothingshasgottohappen：eitherwemustchangeourrestaurantorI’mgoingtoresign。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Well，tomakemattersclear，I’mobligedtotellyousomethingthatinourbusinessweusuallykeepasecret。AboutthreeweeksagoIhadanoticetotransfertwentyfeetofGoldHilltoafellownamed’Tournelli。’Well，Tournellihappenedtocallforithimself，andwhothedevildoyousupposeTournelliwas？WhyourItalianwaiter。Iwasregularlystartled，andsowashe。Butbusinessisbusiness；soIpassedhimoverthestockandsaidnothing——nordidhe——neithertherenorhere。Daybeforeyesterdayhehadthirtyfeetmoretransferredtohim，andsoldout。\"
\"Well？\"Isaidimpatiently。
\"Well，\"repeatedTallantindignantly。\"GoldHill’sworthsixhundreddollarsafoot。That’seighteenthousanddollarscash。
Andamanwho’sgoodenoughforthatmuchmoneyistoogoodtowaituponme。Fancyamanwhocouldpaymywholeyear’ssalarywithfivefeetofstockslinginghashtoME。FancyYOUtippinghimwithaquarter！\"
\"ButifHEdon’tmindit——andpreferstocontinueawaiter——whyshouldYOUcare？AndWE’REnotsupposedtoknow。\"
\"That’sjustit，\"groanedTallant。\"That’sjustwherethesellcomesin。Thinkhowhemustchuckleoverus！No，sir！There’snothingaristocraticaboutme；but，bythunder，ifIcan’teatmydinner，andfeelIamasgoodasthemanwhowaitsonme，I’llresignfromtheClub。\"
Afterendeavoringtopointouttohimthefollyofsuchaproceeding，IfinallysuggestedthatweshouldtaketheothermembersofourClubintoourconfidence，andabidebytheirdecision；towhichheagreed。But，tohischagrin，theothers，farfromparticipatinginhisdelicacy，seemedtoenjoyTournelli’sunexpectedwealthwithavicarioussatisfactionandincreaseofdignityasifwewerepersonallyresponsibleforit。Althoughithadbeenunanimouslyagreedthatweshouldmakenoallusions，jocoseorserious，tohim，norbetrayanyknowledgeofitbeforehim，Iamafraidourattitudeatthenextdinnerwassingularlyartificial。Anervousexpectancywhenheapproachedus，andacertainrestraintduringhispresence，adispositiontocheckanydiscussionofsharesor\"strikes\"inmininglestheshouldthinkitpersonal，anavoidanceofunnecessaryortrifling\"orders，\"andasingularpatienceinawaitingtheirexecutionwhengiven；avaguehoveringbetweensympatheticrespectandtheotherextremeofindifferentbluntnessinourrequests，tended，Ithink，tomakethatmealfarfromexhilarating。Indeed，theunusualdepressionaffectedtheunfortunatecauseofit，whoaddedtoourconfusionbyincreasedsolicitudeofserviceand——asiffearfulofsomefault，orhavingincurredourdisfavor——byadeprecatoryandexaggeratedhumilitythatinoursensitivestateseemedlikethekeenestirony。
Atlast，evidentlyinterpretingourconstraintbeforehimintoadesiretobealone，heretiredtothedoorofadistantpantry，whencehesurveyeduswithdarkandsorrowfulSoutherneyes。
Tallant，whointhisgeneralembarrassmenthadbeenimperfectlyserved，andhadeatennothing，herefelthisgrievancereachitsclimax，andinasuddenoutbreakofrecklessnessheroaredout，\"Hi，waiter——you，Tournelli。Hemay，\"headded，turningdarklytous，\"buyupenoughstocktocontroltheboardanddismissME；but，bythunder，ifitcostsmemyplace，I’mgoingtohavesomemorechicken！\"
Itwasprobablythissensitivenessthatkeptusfromquestioninghim，evenindirectly，andperhapsledusintothewildestsurmises。
Hewasactingsecretlyforabrotherhoodorsocietyofwaiters；hewasasilentpartnerofhisGermanemployer；hewasadisguisedItalianstockbroker，gaining\"points\"fromtheunguardedconversationof\"operating\"customers；hewasapoliticalrefugeewithcapital；hewasafugitiveSicilianbandit，investinghisill-
gottengainsinCalifornia；hewasadissipatedyoungnobleman，followingsomeamorousintrigueacrosstheocean，andactingashisownFigaroorLeporello。Ithinkamajorityofusfavoredthelatterhypothesis，possiblybecausewewereyoung，andhisappearancegaveitcolor。Histhinblackmustachesanddarkeyes，wefelt，wereTuscanandaristocratic；atleast，theywerelikethebaritonewhoplayedthoseparts，andHEoughttoknow。Yetnothingcouldbemoreexemplaryandfastidiousthanhisconducttowardsthefewladyfrequentersofthe\"PoodleDog\"restaurant，who，Iregrettosay，werenotpuritanicallyreservedorconventualinmanner。
Butanunexpectedcircumstancepresentlychangedanddividedourinterest。ItwasallegedbyClay，theassistanteditor，thatenteringtherestaurantoneeveninghesawthebackandtailsofacoatthatseemedfamiliartohimhalf-fillingadoorwayleadingtotherestaurantkitchen。ItwasunmistakablythefigureofoneofourClubmembers，——theyounglawyer，——JackManners。Butwhatwashedoingthere？WhiletheEditorwasstillgazingafterhim，hesuddenlydisappeared，asifsomeonehadwarnedhimthathewasobserved。Ashedidnotreappear，whenTournellienteredfromthekitchenafewmomentslater，theEditorcalledhimandaskedforhisfellow-member。TohissurprisetheItaliananswered，witheveryappearanceoftruthfulness，thathehadnotseenMr。Mannersatall！TheEditorwasstaggered；butashechanced，somehourslater，tomeetManners，heplayfullyralliedhimonhismysteriousconferencewiththeItalian。MannersrepliedbrieflythathehadhadnointerviewwhateverwithTournelli，andchangedthesubjectquickly。Themystery——aswepersistedinbelievingit——washeightenedwhenanothermemberdeposedthathehadseen\"Tom，\"theWesternwaiter，comingfromManners’soffice。AsMannershadvolunteerednoinformationofthis，wefeltthatwecouldnotwithoutindelicacyaskhimifTomwasaclient，oramessengerfromTournelli。TheonlyresultwasthatourClubdinnerwasevenmoreconstrainedthanbefore。Notonlywas\"Tom\"nowinvestedwithadarkimportance，butitwasevidentthattheharmonyoftheClubwasdestroyedbythesesingularsecretrelationsoftwoofitsmemberswiththeiremployes。
Itchancedthatonemorning，arrivingfromadelayedjourney，I
droppedintotherestaurant。Itwasthatslackhourbetweenthelingeringbreakfastandcomingluncheonwhenthetablesarepartlystrippedandunknowndoors，openedforventilation，revealthedistantkitchen，andamingledflavorofcoldcoffee-groundsandlukewarmsoupshangsheavyontheair。Tothischeerlessnesswasaddedagustyrainwithout，thatfilmedthepanesofthewindowsanddoors，andveiledfromthepasser-bytheusualtemptingdisplayofsnowyclothsandchina。