\"Itwasgoodofyoutocomesopromptly，\"saidshe。\"I’msoanxioustohearallaboutthedearpeopleatRedding。\"
Shesettledgracefullyinoneofthelittlechairs。Ordesatdown，oncemoremasterofhimself，butstillinclinedtodevourherwithhisgaze。Shewasdressedinamorninggown，alllacesandribbonsandlong，flowinglines。Herhairwasdonelowonthebackofherheadandonthenapeofherneck。Thebloodebbedandflowedbeneathherclearskin。Afaintfragranceofcleanlinessdiffuseditselfabouther——thecool，sweetfragranceofdaintiness。Theyenteredbusilyintoconversation。Herattitudeswerenolongerrelaxedandlanguidlygracefulasintheeasychairsunderthelamplight。Shesatforward，herhandscrossedonherlap，afiresmoulderingdeepbeneaththecoolsurfacelightsofhereyes。
Thesoundsinthenextroomincreasedinvolume，asthoughseveralpeoplemusthaveenteredthatapartment。Inamomentorsothecurtainstothehallpartedtoframetheservant。
\"Mrs。Bishopwishestoknow，miss，\"saidthatfunctionary，\"ifyou’renotcomingtobreakfast。\"
Ordesprangtohisfeet。
\"Haven’tyouhadyourbreakfastyet？\"hecried，consciencestricken。
\"Didn’tyougatherthefactthatI’mjustup？\"shemockedhim。\"I
assureyouitdoesn’tmatter。Thefamilyhasjustcomedown。\"
\"But，\"criedOrde，\"Iwasn’thereuntilnineo’clock。Ithought，ofcourse，you’dbearound。I’mmightysorry——\"
\"Oh，lala！\"shecried，cuttinghimshort。\"Whatabotheraboutnothing。Don’tyousee——I’maheadawholehourofgoodtalk。\"
\"Yousee，youtoldmeinyournotetocomeearly，\"saidOrde。
\"Iforgotyouwereoneofthosedreadfuloutdoormen。Youdidn’tseeanyworms，didyou？NexttimeI’lltellyoutocomethedayafter。\"
Ordewasfortakinghisleave，butthisshewouldnothave。
\"Youmustmeetmyfamily，\"shenegatived。\"Forifyou’rehereforsoshortatimewewanttoseesomethingofyou。Comerightoutnow。\"
Ordethereuponfollowedherdownanarrow，darkhall，squeezedbetweenthestairsandthewall，toadoorthatopenedslantwiseintoadining—roomtheexactcounterpartinshapetotheparlourattheothersideofthehouse。Onlyinthiscasethemorningsunandmorediaphanouscurtainslentanairofbrightness，furtherenhancedbyawirestandofflowersinthebow—windows。
Thecentreoftheroomwasoccupiedbyaroundtable，aboutwhichweregroupedseveralpeopleofdifferentages。Withherbacktothebow—windowsatawomanwellbeyondmiddleage，butwithevidentlysomepretensionstoyouth。Shewastall，desiccated，quickinmovement。Darkringsbelowhereyesattestedeitheranervousdisease，anhystericaltemperament，orboth。Immediatelyatherleftsataboyofaboutfourteenyearsofage，hisfaceacuriouscontradictionbetweenanaturallyfrankandopenexpressionandagrowingsullenness。Nexthimstoodavacantchair，evidentlyforMissBishop。Oppositelolledayoungman，holdinganewspaperinonehandandacoffeecupintheother。Hewasveryhandsome，withadroopingblackmoustache，darkeyes，underlashesalmosttooluxuriant，andalong，ovalface，darkincomplexion，andatriflesardonicinexpression。IntheVIS—A—VIStoMrs。Bishop，Ordewassurprisedtofindhisex—militaryfriendofthestreetcar。MissBishopperformedthenecessaryintroductions，whicheachacknowledgedafterhisfashion，butwithanapparentindifferencethatdashedOrde，accustomedtoamoreWesterncordiality。Mrs。
Bishopheldoutalanguidlygracefulhand，theboymumbledagreeting，theyoungmannoddedlazilyoverhisnewspaper。OnlyGeneralBishop，recognisinghim，aroseandgraspedhishand，withareal，thoughratherfussy，warmth。
\"Mydearsir，\"hecried，\"Iamhonouredtoseeyouagain。This，mydear，\"headdressedhiswife，\"istheyoungmanIwastellingyouabout——inthestreetcar，\"heexplained。
\"Howveryinteresting，\"saidMrs。Bishop，withevidentlynocomprehensionandlessinterest。
GeraldBishopcastanironicallyamusedglanceacrossatOrde。Theboylookedupathimquickly，thesullennessforamomentgonefromhisface。
CarrollBishopappearedquiteunconsciousofanatmospherewhichseemedtoOrdestrained，butsankintoherplaceatthetableandunfoldedhernapkin。ThesilentbutlerdrewforwardachairforOrde，andstoodlookingimpassivelyinMrs。Bishop’sdirection。
\"Youwillhavesomebreakfastwithus？\"sheinquired。\"No？Acupofcoffee，atleast？\"
Shebegantomanipulatethecoffeepot，withoutpayingtheslightestattentiontoOrde’sdisclaimer。Thegeneralpuffedouthischeeks，andcoughedabitinembarrassment。
\"Agoodcupofcoffeeisneveramisstoanoldcampaigner，\"hesaidtoOrde。\"It’sasgoodasafullmealinapinch。IrememberwhenIwasamajorintheEleventh，downneartheCityofMexico，in’48，thetimeHardy’scommandwassonearlywipedoutbythatviaduct——\"
HehalfturnedtowardOrde，hisfacelightingup，hisfingersreachingfortheforkwithwhich，afterthecustomofoldsoldiers，totracethechartofhisreminiscences。
Mrs。Bishoprattledhercupandsaucerwithanuncontrollablynervousjerkofherslenderbody。Forsomemomentsshehadawaitedachancetogetthegeneral’sattention。\"Spareus，father，\"shesaidbrusquely。\"Willyouhaveanothercupofcoffee？\"
Theoldgentleman，arrestedinmid—career，swallowed，lookedatriflebewildered，butsubsidedmeekly。
\"No，thankyou，mydear，\"saidhe，andwentfuriouslyathisbreakfast。
Orde，overwhelmedbyembarrassment，discoveredthatnoneoftheothershadpaidtheincidenttheslightestattention。OnlyonthelipsofGeraldBishophesurprisedafine，detachedsmile。
Atthismomentthebutlerenteredbearingthemail。Mrs。Bishoptorehersopenrapidly，droppingthemangledenvelopesatherside。
Thecontentsofoneseemedtovexher。
\"Oh！\"shecriedaloud。\"ThatmiserableMarie！Shepromisedmetohaveitdoneto—day，andnowsheputsitoffuntilMonday。It’stooprovoking！\"SheturnedtoOrdeforsympathy。\"DoyouknowANYTHING
moreaggravatingthantoworkandslavetothelimitofendurance，andthenhaveeverythingupsetbythestupidityofsomeoneelse？\"
Ordemurmuredanappropriatereply，towhichMrs。Bishoppaidnoattentionwhatever。Shestartedsuddenlyupfromthetable。
\"Imustseeaboutit！\"shecried。\"IplainlyseeIshallhavetodoitmyself。IWILLdoitmyself。IpromiseditforSunday。\"
\"Youmustn’tdoanotherstitch，mother，\"putinCarrollBishopdecidedly。\"Youknowwhatthedoctortoldyou。You’llhaveyourselfdownsick。\"
\"Well，seeforyourself！\"criedMrs。Bishop。\"That’swhatcomesofleavingthingstoothers！IfI’ddoneitmyself，itwouldhavesavedmeallthisbotherandfuss，anditwouldhavebeendone。AndnowI’vegottodoitanyway。\"
\"Mydear，\"putinthegeneral，\"perhapsCarrollcanseeMarieaboutit。Inanycase，there’snothingtoworkyourselfupintosuchanexcitementabout。\"
\"It’sveryeasyforyoutotalk，isn’tit？\"criedMrs。Bishop，turningonhim。\"Ilikethewayyouallsitaroundlikelumpsanddonothing，andthentellmehowIoughttohavedoneit。John，havethecarriagearoundatonce。\"SheturnedtenselytoOrde。\"I
hopeyou’llexcuseme，\"shesaidverybriefly；\"Ihavesomethingveryimportanttoattendto。\"
Carrollhadalsorisen。Ordeheldouthishand。
\"Imustbegoing，\"saidhe。
\"Well，\"sheconceded，\"IsupposeI’dbetterseeifIcan’thelpmotherout。Butyou’llcomeinagain。Comeanddinewithusthisevening。Motherwillbedelighted。\"
AsMrs。Bishophaddepartedfromtheroom，Ordehadtotakeforgrantedtheexpressionofthisdelight。Hebowedtotheotheroccupantsofthetable。Thegeneralwaseatingnervously。Gerald’seyeswerefixedamusedlyonOrde。
ToOrde’ssurprise，hewasalmostimmediatelyjoinedonthestreetbyyoungMr。Bishop，mostcorrectlyappointed。
\"Goinganywhereinparticular？\"heinquired。\"Let’sgouptheavenue，then。Everybodywillbeout。\"
Theyturnedupthegreatpromenade，atourofwhichwasthen，evenmorethannow，consideredobligatoryonthegracefullyidle。
Neithersaidanything——OrdebecausehewastooabsorbedintheemotionsthissuddenrevelationofCarroll’senvironmenthadarousedinhim；Gerald，apparently，becausehewastooindifferent。
Neverthelessitwastheyoungexquisitewhofinallybrokethesilence。
\"Itwasanaltarcloth，\"saidhesuddenly。
\"What？\"askedOrde，ratherbewildered。
\"MotherisprobablythemostdevoutwomaninNewYork，\"wentonGerald’sevenvoice。\"Sheisoneofthehardestworkersinthechurch。Shekeepsallthefastdays，andattendsalltheservices。
Althoughshehasnostrengthtospeakof，shehasjustcompletedanelaborateembroideredaltarcloth。Theworksheaccomplishedwhileonherknees。Oftenshespentfiveorsixhoursadayinthatposition。Itwasverydevout，butagainstthedoctor’sorders，andsheisatpresentmuchpulleddown。Finallyshegavewaytopersuasiontotheextentofsendingtheembroideryouttobeboundandcorded。Asaresult，thealtarclothwillnotbedonefornextSunday。\"
Hedeliveredthisstatementinavoiceabsolutelycolourless，withoutthefaintesttracediscernibleofeitherapprovalordisapproval，withouttheslightestirony，yetOrdefeltvaguelyuncomfortable。
\"Itmusthavebeenannoyingtoher，\"hesaidgravely，\"andIhopeshewillgetitdoneintime。PerhapsMissBishopwillbeabletodoit。\"
\"That，\"saidGerald，\"isMadisonSquare——orperhapsyouknowNewYork？Mysisterwould，ofcourse，beonlytoogladtofinishthework，butIfearthatmymother’speculiarlyardenttemperamentwillnowinsistonherownaccomplishmentofthetask。Butperhapsyoudonotunderstandtemperaments？\"
\"Verylittle，I’mafraid，\"confessedOrde。
Theywalkedonforsomedistancefarther。
\"YourfatherwasintheMexicanWar？\"saidOrde，tochangethetrendofhisownthoughts。
\"Hewasamostdistinguishedofficer。IbelievehereceivedtheMedalofHonourforapartintheaffairoftheMolinadelRey。\"
\"WhatcommandhadheintheCivilWar？\"askedOrde。\"Ifooledaroundtheoutskirtsofthatalittlemyself。\"
\"Myfatherresignedfromthearmyin’54，\"repliedGerald，withhiscool，impersonalcourtesy。
\"Thatwastoobad；justbeforethechanceformoreservice，\"saidOrde。
\"Armylifewasincompatiblewithmymother’stemperament，\"statedGerald。
Ordesaidnothingmore。ItwasGerald’sturntoendthepause。
\"YouarefromRedding，ofcourse，\"saidhe。\"Mysisterisveryenthusiasticabouttheplace。Youareinbusinessthere？\"
Orderepliedbriefly，but，forcedbythedirect，cold，andpolitecross—questioningofhiscompanion，hegavethelatterasuccinctideaofthesortofoperationsinwhichhewasinterested。
\"Andyou，\"hesaidatlast；\"Isupposeyou’reeitherabrokerorlawyer；mostmenaredownhere。\"
\"Iamneitheronenortheother，\"statedGerald。\"Iampossessedofasufficientincomefromalegacytomakebusinessunnecessary。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveI’dcareto——beidle，\"saidOrdevaguely。
\"Thereisplentytooccupyone’stime，\"repliedGerald。\"Ihavemyclubs，mygymnasium，myhorse，andmyfriends。\"
\"Isn’tthereanythingthatparticularlyattractsyou？\"askedOrde。
Theyoungman’slanguideyesgrewthoughtful，andhepuffedmorestronglyonhiscigarette。
\"Ishouldlike，\"saidheslowly，atlast，\"toenterthenavy。\"
\"Whydon’tyou？\"askedOrdebluntly。
\"Certainfamilyreasonsmakeitinexpedientatpresent，\"saidGerald。\"Mymotherisinaverynervousstate；shedependsonus，andanyhintofourleavingherissufficienttorenderherconditionserious。\"
Bythistimethetwoyoungmenwerewelluptown。OnGerald’sinitiative，theyturneddownasidestreet，andshortlycametoastop。
\"Thatismygymnasium，\"saidGerald，pointingtoabuildingacrosstheway。\"Won’tyoucomeinwithme？Iamduenowformypractice。\"
XVII
Orde’seveningwasadisappointmenttohim。Mrs。Bishophad，byCarroll’sreport，workedfeverishlyatthealtarclothalltheafternoon。Asaconsequence，shehadgonetobedwithabadheadache。Thisstateofaffairsseemedtothrowtheentirefamilyintoastateofindecision。Itwasdividedinmindastowhattodo，theabsoluteinutilityofanyeffortbalancingstronglyagainstasenseofwhattheinvalidexpected。
\"Iwonderifmotherwouldn’tlikejustatasteofthisbeef，\"
speculatedthegeneral，movingfussilyinhischair。\"Ibelievesomebodyoughttotakesomeup。SheMIGHTwantit。\"
Themandepartedwiththeplate，butreturnedafewmomentslater，impassive——butstillwiththeplate。
\"Hasshegotherhot—waterbag？\"askedtheboyunexpectedly。
\"Yes，MasterKendrick，\"repliedthebutler。
Afterapreoccupiedsilencethegeneralagainbrokeout：
\"Seemstomesomebodyoughttobeuptherewithher。\"
\"Youknow，father，thatshecan’tstandanyoneintheroom，\"saidCarrollequably。
Towardthecloseofthemeal，however，adistantbelltinkledfaintly。Everyonejumpedasthoughguilty。Carrollsaidahastyexcuseandranout。Afterringingthebell，theinvalidhadevidentlyanticipateditsanswerbyemergingfromherroomtotheheadofthestairs，forOrdecaughtthesharptonesofcomplaint，andoverheardsomethingabout\"takeallnighttoeatasimplemeal，whenI’mlyingheresuffering。\"
AttheendofanintervalamaidappearedinthedoorwaytosaythatMissCarrollsentwordshewouldnotbedownagainforatime，anddidnotcareforanymoredinner。Thisseemedtorelievethegeneral’smindofresponsibility。Heassumedhislittlefussyairofcheerfulness，toldseveralstoriesofthewar，andfinally，afterKendrickhadleft，broughtoutsomewhiskyandwater。HewinkedslylyatOrde。
\"Can’tdothisbeforetheyoungsters，youknow，\"hechirrupedcraftily。
ThroughoutthemealGeraldhadsatbacksilent，afaintamusementinhiseye。Afterdinnerhearose，yawned，consultedhiswatch，anddeparted，pleadinganengagement。Ordelingeredsometime，listeningtothegeneral，inthehopethatCarrollwouldreappear。
Shedidnot，sofinallyhetookhisleave。
Hetrudgedbacktohishotelgloomily。Thedayhadpassedinamostunsatisfactorymanner，accordingtohiswayoflookingatit。Yethehadcomemoreclearlytoanunderstandingofthegirl；hercheerfulness，herunselfishness，and，aboveall，thesweet，beautifulphilosophyoflifethatmustlieback，torenderhersouncomplaininglytheslaveoftheself—willedwoman，yetwithouttheindifferentcynicismofGerald，thesullen，yetreal，partisanshipofKendrick，orthegeneral’sweek—kneedacquiescence。
ThenextmorninghesucceededinmakinganarrangementbyletterforanexcursiontothenewlyprojectedCentralPark。Promptlyattwoo’clockhewasattheBishops’house。TohisinquirythebutlersaidthatMrs。Bishophadrecoveredfromherindisposition，andthatMissBishopwouldbedownimmediately。Ordehadnotlongtowaitforher。TheSWISH，PAT—PATofherjoyousdescentofthestairsbroughthimtohisfeet。Shesweptasidetheportieres，andstoodbetweentheirfolds，biddinghimwelcome。
\"I’msosorryaboutlastnight，\"saidshe，\"butpoormotherdoesdependonmesoatsuchtimes。Isn’titagorgeousdaytowalk？Itwon’tbemuchlikeOURwoods，willit？Butitwillbesomething。
OH，I’msogladtogetout！\"
Shewasinoneofherelfishmoods，thelanguidgraceofhersleepy—
eyedmomentsforgotten。Withalittlecryofrapturesherantothepiano，anddashedintoagay，tinklingairwithbrilliancyandabandon。Herhead，surmountedbyaperky，high—peaked，narrow—
brimmedhat，withaflamingredbirdinfront，glorifiedbythebraidand\"waterfall\"ofthatday，bentforwardandturnedtoflashanappealforsympathytowardOrde。
\"There，Ifeelmoreabletostayonearth！\"shecried，springingtoherfeet。\"NowI’llgetonmyglovesandwe’llstart。\"
Sheturnedslowlybeforethemirror，examiningquitefranklythehangofherskirt，thefitofherclose—cutwaist，theturnoftheadorableround，low—cutcollarsthatwerethenthemode。
\"Itpaystobeparticular；weareinNewYork，\"sheanswered，orparried，Orde’sglanceofadmiration。
Theglovesfinallydrawnonandbuttoned，Ordeheldasidetheportieres，andshepassedfairlyunderhisupliftedhand。Hewantedtodrophisarmabouther，thisslendergirlwithherquaintdignity，herbird—likeways，hergentle，graceful，mysterious，femininesoul。Theflame—redbirdlentitscolourtohercheeks；
hereyes，blackandfathomless，thepupilswideinthisdimlight，shonewithtwostarsofdelight。
But，astheymovedtowardthemassivefrontdoors，Mrs。Bishopcamedownthestairsbehindthem。She，too，wasdressedforthestreet。
ShereceivedOrde’sgreetingandcongratulationoverherimprovedhealthinratheranabsentmanner。Indeed，assoonasshecouldhurrythispreliminaryover，sheplungedintowhatevidentlysheconsideredamoreimportantmatter。
\"Youaren’tthinkingofgoingout，areyou？\"sheaskedCarroll。
\"Itoldyou，mother；don’tyouremember？Mr。OrdeandIaregoingtogetalittleairinthepark。\"
\"I’msorry，\"saidMrs。Bishop，withgreatbrevityanddecision，\"butI’mgoingtotherectorytohelpMr。Merritt，andIshallwantyoutogotoo，toseeaboutthesilver。\"
\"But，mother，\"expostulatedCarroll，\"wouldn’tMariedojustaswell？\"
\"Youknowverywellshecan’tbetrustedwithoutdirection。\"
\"IDOsowanttogotothepark，\"saidCarrollwistfully。Mrs。
Bishop’sthin，nervousfigurejerkedspasmodically。\"Thereisverylittleaskedofyoufrommorninguntilnight，\"shesaid，withsomeasperity，\"andIshouldthinkyou’dhavesomeslightconsiderationforthefactthatI’mjustupfromasickbedtosparemeallyoucould。Besideswhich，youdoverylittleforthechurch。Iwon’tinsist。Doexactlyasyouthinkbest。\"
CarrollthrewapatheticglanceatOrde。
\"Howsoonareyougoing？\"sheaskedhermother。
\"Inabouttenminutes，\"repliedMrs。Bishop；\"assoonasI’veseenHonorineaboutthedinner。\"Sheseemedabruptlytorealisethattheamenitiesdemandedsomethingofher。\"I’msorrywemustgososoon，\"shesaidbrieflytoOrde，\"butofcoursechurchbusiness——Weshallhopetoseeyouoften。\"
OncemoreOrdeheldasidethecurtains。Theflame—birddroopedfromthetwilightofthehallintothedimnessoftheparlour。Allthebrightnessseemedtohavedrainedfromtheday，andallthejoyoflifeseemedtohavefadedfromthegirl’ssoul。Shesankintoachair，andtriedpatheticallytosmileacrossatOrde。
\"I’msuchababyaboutdisappointments，\"saidshe。
\"Iknow，\"hereplied，verygently。
\"Andit’ssuchablueandgoldday。\"
\"Iknow，\"herepeated。
Shetwistedhergloveinherlap，abrightspotofcolourburningineachcheek。
\"Motherisnotwell，andshehasagreatdealtotryher。Poormother！\"shesaidsoftly，herheadcastdown。
\"Iknow，\"saidOrdeinhisgentletones。
Afteramomenthearosetogo。Sheremainedseated，herheaddown。
\"I’msorryaboutthisafternoon，\"saidhecheerfully，\"butitcouldn’tbehelped，couldit？Janeusedtotellmeaboutyourharpplaying。I’mgoingtocomeintohearyouthisevening。MayI？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，inastifledvoice，andheldoutherhand。Shesatquitestilluntilsheheardthefrontdoorcloseafterhim；thensherantothecurtainsandlookedafterhissturdy，squarefigure，asitswungupthestreet。
\"Welldone；oh，welldone，gentleheart！\"shebreathedafterhim。
Thenshewentbacktothepiano。
ButOrde’smouth，couldshehaveseenit，wassetingrimlines，andhisfeet，couldshehaveheardthem，rangonthepavementwithquitesuperfluousvigour。Heturnedtotheleft，and，withoutpause，walkedsometenortwelvemiles。
Theeveningturnedoutverywell，fortunately；Ordecouldnothavestoodmuchmore。Theyhadtheparlourquitetothemselves。Carrolltookthecoverfromthetallharp，and，leaninghercheekagainstit，sheplayeddreamilyforahalfhour。Herarmswerebare，andasherfingersreachedoutlingeringlyandcaressinglytodrawthepure，goldenchordsfromthegoldeninstrument，hersoftbosompressedagainstthebroadsoundingboard。Thereisaboutthetonesofaharpwellplayedsomethingluminous，likerich，warmsunlight。
Whenthegirlmutedthestringsatlast，itseemedtoOrdeasthoughallatoncetheroomhadperceptiblydarkened。Hetookhisleavefinally，hisspiritsoothedandrestored。
Tranquillitywasnotforlong，however。Orde’svisitswere，naturally，asfrequentaspossible。TothemalmostinstantlyMrs。
Bishopopposedthestrongandintuitivejealousyofegotism。Shehadasyetnofearsastotheyoungman’sintentions，butinstinctivelyshefeltaninfluencethatopposedherownsupremedominance。Inconsequence，Ordehadmuchtimetohimself。Carrollandtherestofthefamily，withthepossibleexceptionofGerald，sharedthebeliefthattheslightestrealoppositiontoMrs。Bishopwouldsufficetothrowherintooneofher\"spells，\"aconditionofalarmingandpossiblygenuinecollapse。\"Todrivemotherintoaspell\"wasanexpressionoftheworstpossibledomesticcrime。Itaccusedtheperpetrator——throughMrs。Bishop——offorgettingthestateofaffairs，ofingratitudeforcareandaffection，ofcommoninhumanity，andofimpietyinrenderingimpossibleofperformancethemultifariouschurchdutiesMrs。Bishophadinventedandassumedassomanyparticularlyshiningvirtues。OrdesoondiscoveredthatCarrollwentoutinsocietyverylittleforthesimplereasonthatshecouldnevergiveanunqualifiedacceptancetoaninvitation。Atthelastmoment，whenshehaddonnedherstreetwrapsandthecarriagewasatthedoor，shewasliabletobecalledback，eithertoassistatsomereligiousfunction，which，byitssacredcharacter，wassupposedtohaveprecedenceovereverything，ortoattendanervouscrisis，broughtonbysomememberofthehousehold，orbymereuntowardcircumstances。Thegirlalwaysacquiescedmostsweetlyintheserecurrentdisappointments。AndtheveryfactthatsheacceptedfewinvitationsgaveOrdemanymorechancestoseeher，inspiteofMrs。Bishop’sincreasingexactions。Hedidnotrealisethisfact，however，butgroundhisteethandclungblind—eyedtohistemperwheneverthemothercutshorthisvisitsorannulledhisengagementsonsomepettyexcuseofherown。Hecouldalmostbelievetheseinterruptionsmalicious，wereitnotthathesoondiscoveredMrs。Bishopwelldisposedtowardhimpersonallywheneverheshowedhimselfreadytomeetherevenquarterwayonthetopicsthatinterestedher——thechurchandherhealth。
Inthismannertheweekpassed。OrdesawasmuchashecouldofMissBishop。TheremainderofthetimehespentwalkingthestreetsandreadingintheclubroomstowhichGerald’scourtesyhadgivenhimaccess。Geraldhimselfseemedtobemuchoccupied。Preciselyateleveneverymorning，however，heappearedatthegymnasiumforhispractice；andinthisOrdedroppedintothehabitofjoininghim。Whentheyoungmenfirststrippedineachother’spresence，theyeyedeachotherwithasecretsurprise。Gerald’sslenderandelegantbodyturnedouttobesmoothlyandgracefullymuscledonthelonglinesoftheFlyingMercury。Hisbonesweresmall，buthisfleshwashard，andhisskinhealthywiththeflowofbloodbeneath。
Orde，ontheotherhand，hadearnedfromtheriverthetorsoofanancientathlete。Theround，fullarchofhischestwastoppedbyamassofclean—cutmuscle；acrosshisback，beneaththesmoothskin，themusclesrippledandridgedanddimpledwitheverymovement；thebeautifulcurveofthedeltoids，fromthepointoftheshouldertothearm，mettheotherbeautifulcurveoftheunflexedbicepsandthatfulnessofthebackarmsooftenlackinginaone—sideddevelopment；thesurfaceoftheabdomenshowedthepeculiarcorrugationoftheverystrongman；theround，columnarneckarosemassive。
\"ByJove！\"saidGerald，rousedatlastfromhishabitualapathy。
\"What’sthematter？\"askedOrde，lookingupfromtyingtherubber—
soledshoesthatGeraldhadlenthim。
\"Murphy，\"calledGerald，\"comehere。\"
Averyhairy，thick—set，bullet—headedman，thetypeofsemi—
professional\"handlers，\"emergedfromsomewhereacrossthegymnasium。
\"Doyouthinkyoucoulddownthisfellow？\"askedGerald。
MurphylookedOrdeovercritically。
\"Whoyeringin’inonme？\"heinquired。
\"Thisisafriendofmine，\"saidGeraldseverely。
\"Begyourpardon。Thegentlemaniswellputup。Howmuchexperiencehashehad？\"
\"Everboxmuch？\"GeraldaskedOrde。
\"Box？\"Ordelaughed。\"Neverhadtimeforthatsortofthing。Hadtheglovesonafewtimes。\"
\"Wheredilhim。He’safriendofmine。\"
Thenhesteppedback，thesamejoyinhissoulthatinspiresarivermanwhenheencountersahigh—banker；ahunterwhenhetakesoutagreenhorn，oracowboyashewatchesthetenderfootabouttoclimbthebronco。
\"Time！\"saidhe。
Thefirstroundwassharp。WhenGeraldcalledtheend，Ordegrinnedathimcheerfully。