"Oh，letTomfindoutwherethey'refalse，"saidMarch。"Itwillbegoodexerciseforhisfacultiesofresearch。Atanyrate，thosethingsaregettingsaidnowadays；he'llhavetohearthemsoonerorlater。"
　　"Hadhebetterhearthemathome?"demandedhiswife。
　　"Why，youknow，asyou'reheretorefutethem，Isabel，"heteased，"perhapsit'sthebestplace。Butdon'tmindpooroldLindau，mydear。
　　Hesayshimselfthathispargisworsethanhispidte，youknow。"
　　"Ah，it'stoolatenowtomindhim，"shesighed。Inamomentofrashgoodfeeling，orperhapsanexaltedconceptionofduty，shehadherselfproposedthatLindaushouldcomeeveryweekandreadGermanwithTom；andithadbecomeaquestionfirsthowtheycouldgethimtotakepayforit，andthenhowtheycouldgethimtostopit。Mrs。Marchneverceasedtowonderatherselfforhavingbroughtthisabout，forshehadwarnedherhusbandagainstmakinganyengagementwithLindauwhichwouldbringhimregularlytothehouse:theGermansstuckso，andweresounscrupulouslydependent。Yet，thedeedbeingdone，shewouldnotignorethedutyofhospitality，anditwasalwaysshewhomadetheoldmanstaytotheirSunday-eveningteawhenhelingerednearthehour，readingSchillerandHeineandUhlandwiththeboy，inthecleanshirtwithwhichheobservedtheday；Lindau'slinenwasnottobetrustedduringtheweek。Shenowconcludedaseasonofmournfulreflectionbysaying，"Hewillgetyouintotrouble，somehow，Basil。"
　　"Well，Idon'tknowhow，exactly。IregardLindauasapoliticaleconomistofanunusualtype；butIshallnotlethimarraymeagainsttheconstitutedauthorities。Shortofthat，IthinkIamsafe。"
　　"Well，becareful，Basil；becareful。Youknowyouaresorash。"
　　"IsupposeImaycontinuetopityhim?Heissuchapoor，lonelyoldfellow。Areyoureallysorryhe'scomeintoourlives，mydear?"
　　"No，no；notthat。Ifeelasyoudoaboutit；butIwishIfelteasierabouthim——sure，thatis，thatwe'renotdoingwrongtolethimkeepontalkingso。"
　　"Isuspectwecouldn'thelpit，"Marchreturned，lightly。"It'soneofwhatLindaucallshis'brincibles'tosaywhathethinks。"
　　II。
　　TheMarcheshadnolongerthegrossappetitefornoveltywhichurgesyouthtoasurfeitofstrangescenes，experiences，ideas；andmakestravel，withallitsannoyancesandfatigues，aninexhaustibledelight。
　　ButthereisnodoubtthatthechiefpleasureoftheirlifeinNewYorkwasfromitsqualityofforeignness:theflavorofolives，which，oncetasted，canneverbeforgotten。Theolivesmaynotbeofthefirstexcellence；theymaybealittlestale，andsmallandpoor，tobeginwith，buttheyarestillolives，andthefondpalatecravesthem。
　　ThesortwhichgrewinNewYork，onlowerSixthAvenueandintheregionofJeffersonMarketandonthesoftexposuressouthofWashingtonSquare，werenonethelessacceptablebecausetheywereofthecommonestItalianvariety。
　　TheMarchesspentagooddealoftimeandmoneyinagroceryofthatnationality，wheretheyfoundallthepatrioticcomestiblesandpotables，andrenewedtheirfadedItalianwiththefriendlyfamilyincharge。
　　Italiantabled'hotesformedtheadventureoftheweek，onthedaywhenMrs。Marchletherdomesticsgoout，andwentherselftodineabroadwithherhusbandandchildren；andtheybecameadeptsintherestaurantswheretheywereserved，andwhichtheyvariedalmostfromdinnertodinner。
　　Theperfectdecorumoftheseplaces，andtheirimmunityfromoffenceinany，emboldenedtheMarchestoexperimentinSpanishrestaurants，whereredpepperandbeansinsistedineverydinner，andwhereoncetheychanceduponanightof'ollapodrida'，withsuchappealstoMarch'smemoryofaboyishambitiontotastethedishthathebecamepoeticandthenpensiveoveritscabbageandcarrots，peasandbacon。Forararecombinationofinternationalmotivestheyprizedmostthetabled'hoteofaFrenchlady，whohadtakenaSpanishhusbandinasecondmarriage，andhadaCubannegroforhercook，withacross-eyedAlsationforwaiter，andaslimyoungSouth-Americanforcashier。Marchheldthatsomethingofthecatholiccharacteroftheserelationsexpresseditselfinthegenerousandtolerantvarietyofthedinner，whichwassingularlyabundantforfiftycents，withoutwine。AtoneveryneatFrenchplacehegotadinneratthesamepricewithwine，butitwasnotsoabundant；andMarchinquiredinfruitlessspeculationwhythetabled'hoteoftheItalians，anotoriouslyfrugalandabstemiouspeople，shouldbeusuallymorethanyouwantedatseventy-fivecentsandadollar，andthatoftheFrenchratherlessathalfadollar。Hecouldnotseethatthefrequentersweregreatlydifferentatthedifferentplaces；theyweremostlyAmericans，ofsubduedmannersandconjecturablysubduedfortunes，withhereandthereatablefullofforeigners。Therewasnonoiseandnotmuchsmokinganywhere；MarchlikedgoingtothatneatFrenchplacebecausethereMadamesatenthronedandhighbehinda'comptoir'atonesideoftheroom，andeverybodysalutedheringoingout。Itwastherethatagentle-lookingyoungcoupleusedtodine，inwhomtheMarchesbecameeffectlesslyinterested，becausetheythoughttheylookedlikethatwhentheywereyoung。Thewifehadanaestheticdress，anddefinedherprettyheadbywearingherback-hairpulledupverytightunderherbonnet；thehusbandhaddreamyeyessetwideapartunderapureforehead。
　　"Theyareartists，August，Ithink，"Marchsuggestedtothewaiter，whenhehadvainlyaskedaboutthem。"Oh，hartis，cedenly，"Augustconsented；
　　butHeavenknowswhethertheywere，orwhattheywere:Marchneverlearned。
　　Thisimmunityfromacquaintance，thistouch-andgoqualityintheirNewYorksojourn，thisalmostlossofindividualityattimes，aftertheintenseidentificationoftheirBostonlife，wasarelief，thoughMrs。
　　Marchhadhermisgivings，andquestionedwhetheritwerenotperhapstoorelaxingtothemoralfibre。Marchrefusedtoexplorehisconscience；
　　heallowedthatitmightbeso；buthesaidhelikednowandthentofeelhispersonalityinthatstateofsolution。TheywentandsatagooddealinthesofteningeveningsamongtheinfantsanddotardsofLatinextractioninWashingtonSquare，safefromallwhoeverknewthem，andenjoyedtheadvancingseason，whichthickenedthefoliageofthetreesandflatteredoutofsightthechurchwarden'sGothicoftheUniversityBuilding。Theinfantsweresometimescross，andcriedintheirwearymothers'orlittlesisters'arms；buttheydidnotdisturbthedotards，whoslept，somewiththeirheadsfallenforward，andsomewiththeirheadsfallenback；Marcharbitrarilydistinguishedthosewiththedroopingfacesastipsyandashamedtoconfrontthepublic。
　　ThesmallItalianchildrenracedupanddowntheasphaltpaths，playingAmericangamesoftagandhideand-whoop；largerboyspassedball，intrainingforpotentialchampionships。TheMarchessatandmused，orquarrelledfitfullyaboutwheretheyshouldspendthesummer，likesparrows，heoncesaid，tilltheelectriclightsbegantoshowdistinctlyamongtheleaves，andtheylookedroundandfoundtheinfantsanddotardsgoneandthebenchesfilledwithlovers。ThatwasthesignalfortheMarchestogohome。Hesaidthatthespectacleofsomuchcourtshipastheeyemighttakeinthereataglancewasnot，perhaps，oppressive，butthethoughtthatatthesamehourthesamethingwasgoingonalloverthecountry，wherevertwoyoungfoolscouldgettogether，wasmorethanhecouldbear；hedidnotdenythatitwasnatural，and，inameasure。
　　authorized，buthedeclaredthatitwashackneyed；andthefactthatitmustgoonforever，aslongastheracelasted，madehimtired。
　　Athome，generally，theyfoundthatthechildrenhadnotmissedthem，andwereperfectlysafe。Itwasoneoftheadvantagesofaflatthattheycouldleavethechildrentherewhenevertheylikedwithoutanxiety。Theylikedbetterstayingtherethanwanderingaboutintheeveningwiththeirparents，whoseexcursionsseemedtothemsomewhataimless，andtheirpleasuresinsipid。Theystudied，orread，orlookedoutofthewindowatthestreetsights；andtheirmotheralwayscamebacktothemwithapangfortheirlonesomeness。Bellaknewsomelittlegirlsinthehouse，butinaceremoniousway；TomhadformednofriendshipsamongtheboysatschoolsuchashehadleftinBoston；asnearlyashecouldexplain，theNewYorkfellowscarriedcanesatanagewhentheywouldhavehadthembrokenforthembytheotherboysatBoston；andtheywerebothsissyishandfast。Itwasprobablyprejudice；henevercouldsayexactlywhattheirdemeritswere，andneitherhenorBellawasapparentlysohomesickastheypretended，thoughtheyansweredinquirers，theonethatNewYorkwasahole，andtheotherthatitwashorrid，andthatalltheylivedforwastogetbacktoBoston。Inthemeantimetheywerethrownmuchuponeachotherforsociety，whichMarchsaidwaswellforbothofthem；hedidnotmindtheircultivatingalittlegloomandthesenseofacommonwrong；itmadethembettercomrades，anditwasprovidingthemwithamusingreminiscencesforthefuture。TheyreallyenjoyedBohemianizinginthatharmlessway:thoughTomhadhisdoubtsofitsrespectability；hewasverypunctiliousabouthissister，andwentroundfromhisownschooleverydaytofetchherhomefromhers。Thewholefamilywenttothetheatreagooddeal，andenjoyedthemselvestogetherintheirdesultoryexplorationsofthecity。
　　TheylivednearGreenwichVillage，andMarchlikedstrollingthroughitsquaintnesstowardthewatersideonaSunday，whenahereditarySabbatarianismkepthiswifeathome；hemadeherobservethatitevenkeptherathomefromchurch。HefoundalingeringqualityofpureAmericanismintheregion，andhesaidtheverybellscalledtoworshipinanasaltone。Helikedthestreetsofsmallbrickhouses，withhereandthereonepaintedred，andthemortarlinespickedoutinwhite，andwithnowandthenafinewoodenportalofflutedpillarsandabowedtransom。Therearofthetenement-housesshowedhimthepicturesquenessofclothes-linesflutteringfaraloft，asinFlorence；andthenewapartment-houses，breakingtheoldsky-linewiththeirtoweringstories，impliedalifeasalientotheAmericanmannerasanythingincontinentalEurope。Infact，foreignfacesandforeigntonguesprevailedinGreenwichVillage，butnolongerGermanorevenIrishtonguesorfaces。
　　TheeyesandearringsofItalianstwinkledinandoutofthealleywaysandbasements，andtheyseemedtoaboundeveninthestreets，wherelongranksoftrucksdrawnupinSundayrestalongthecurbstonessuggestedthepresenceofaraceofsturdierstrengththantheirs。Marchlikedtheswarthy，strangevisages；hefoundnothingmenacingforthefutureinthem；forwickednesshehadtosatisfyhimselfashecouldwiththesneering，insolent，clean-shavenmugofsomerareAmericanoftheb'hoytype，nowalmostasextinctinNewYorkasthedodoorthevolunteerfireman。Whenhehadfoundhisway，amongtheash-barrelsandthegroupsofdecentlydressedchurch-goers，tothedocks，heexperiencedasufficientexcitementintherecentarrivalofaFrenchsteamer，whoseshedswerethrongedwithhacksandexpress-wagons，andinatacitinquiryintotheemotionsofthepassengers，freshfromthecleanlinessofParis，andnowdrivingupthroughthefilthofthosestreets。
　　Someofthestreetswerefilthierthanothers；therewasatleastachoice；therewereboxesandbarrelsofkitchenoffalonallthesidewalks，butnoteverywheremanure-heaps，andinsomeplacesthestenchwasmixedwiththemoresavorysmellofcooking。OneSundaymorning，beforethewinterwasquitegone，thesightofthefrozenrefusemeltinginheaps，andparticularlytheloathsomeedgesoftherottingicenearthegutters，withthestrataofwaste-paperandstrawlitter，andegg-
　　shellsandorangepeel，potato-skinsandcigar-stumps，madehimunhappy。
　　Hegaveawhimsicalshrugforthesqualoroftheneighboringhouses，andsaidtohimselfratherthantheboywhowaswithhim:"It'scurious，isn'tit，howfondthepoorpeopleareoftheseunpleasantthoroughfares?
　　Youalwaysfindthemlivingintheworststreets。"
　　"Theburdenofallthewrongintheworldcomesonthepoor，"saidtheboy。"Everysortoffraudandswindlinghurtsthemtheworst。Thecitywastesthemoneyit'spaidtocleanthestreetswith，andthepoorhavetosuffer，fortheycan'taffordtopaytwice，liketherich。"
　　Marchstoppedshort。"Hallo，Tom!。Isthatyourwisdom?"
　　"It'swhatMr。Lindausays，"answeredtheboy，doggedly，asifnotpleasedtohavehisideasmockedat，eveniftheyweresecond-hand。
　　"Andyoudidn'ttellhimthatthepoorlivedindirtystreetsbecausetheylikedthem，andweretoolazyandworthlesstohavethemcleaned?"
　　"No；Ididn't。"
　　"I'msurprised。WhatdoyouthinkofLindau，generallyspeaking，Tom?"
　　"Well，sir，Idon'tlikethewayhetalksaboutsomethings。Idon'tsupposethiscountryisperfect，butIthinkit'saboutthebestthereis，anditdon'tdoanygoodtolookatitsdrawbacksallthetime。"
　　"Sound，myson，"saidMarch，puttinghishandontheboy'sshoulderandbeginningtowalkon。"Well?"
　　"Well，then，hesaysthatitisn'tthepublicfraudsonlythatthepoorhavetopayfor，buttheyhavetopayforallthevicesoftherich；thatwhenaspeculatorfails，orabankcashierdefaults，orafirmsuspends，orhardtimescome，it'sthepoorwhohavetogiveupnecessarieswheretherichgiveupluxuries。"
　　"Well，well!Andthen?"
　　"Well，thenIthinkthecrankcomesin，inMr。Lindau。Hesaysthere'snoneedoffailuresorfraudsorhardtimes。It'sridiculous。Therealwayshavebeenandtherealwayswillbe。Butifyoutellhimthat，itseemstomakehimperfectlyfurious。"
　　Marchrepeatedthesubstanceofthistalktohiswife。"I'mgladtoknowthatTomcanseethroughsuchravings。Hehaslotsofgoodcommonsense。"
　　ItwastheafternoonofthesameSunday，andtheyweresaunteringupFifthAvenue，andadmiringthewideolddoublehousesatthelowerend；
　　atonecornertheygotadistinctpleasureoutofthegnarledelbowsthatapollardedwistarialeaneduponthetopofagardenwall——foritsconvenienceinlookingintothestreet，hesaid。Thelineofthesecomfortabledwellings，oncesofashionable，wascontinuallybrokenbythefacadesofshops；andMarchprofessedhimselfvulgarizedbyawantofstyleinthepeopletheymetintheirwalktoTwenty-thirdStreet。
　　"Takemesomewheretomeetmyfellow-exclusives，Isabel，"hedemanded。
　　"Ipineforthesocietyofmypeers。"
　　Hehailedapassingomnibus，andmadehiswifegetontheroofwithhim。
　　"ThinkofourdoingsuchathinginBoston!"shesighed，withalittleshiverofsatisfactioninherimmunityfromrecognitionandcomment。
　　"Youwouldn'tbeafraidtodoitinLondonorParis?"
　　"No；weshouldbestrangersthere——justasweareinNewYork。Iwonderhowlongonecouldbeastrangerhere。"
　　"Oh，indefinitely，inourwayofliving。Theplaceisreallyvast，somuchlargerthanitusedtoseem，andsoheterogeneous。"
　　Whentheygotdownveryfarup-town，andbegantowalkbackbyMadisonAvenue，theyfoundthemselvesinadifferentpopulationfromthattheydweltamong；notheterogeneousatall；veryhomogeneous，andalmostpurelyAmerican；theonlyqualificationwasAmericanHebrew。Suchawell-dressed，well-satisfied，well-fedlookingcrowdpoureddownthebroadsidewalksbeforethehandsome，stupidhousesthatMarchcouldeasilypretendhehadgotamonghisfellow-plutocratsatlast。StillheexpressedhisdoubtswhetherthisSundayafternoonparade，whichseemedtobeathingofcustom，representedthebestformamongtheyoungpeopleofthatregion；hewishedheknew；heblamedhimselfforbecomingofafastidiousconjecture；hecouldnotdenythefashionandtherichnessandtheindigeneityofthespectacle；thepromenaderslookedNew-Yorky；theywerethesortofpeoplewhomyouwouldknowforNew-Yorkerselsewhere，——sowellequippedandsoperfectlykeptatallpoints。Theirsilkhatsshone，andtheirboots；theirfrockshadtherightdistensionbehind，andtheirbonnetsperfectpoiseanddistinction。
　　TheMarchestalkedoftheseandotherfactsoftheirappearance，andcuriouslyquestionedwhetherthiswerethebestthatagreatmaterialcivilizationcouldcometo；itlookedalittledull。Themen'sfaceswereshrewdandalert，andyettheylookeddull；thewomen'swereprettyandknowing，andyetdull。Itwas，probably，theholidayexpressionofthevast，prosperouscommercialclass，withunlimitedmoney，andnoidealsthatmoneycouldnotrealize；fashionandcomfortwereallthattheydesiredtocompass，andtheculturethatfurnishesshowily，thatdecoratesandthattells；theculture，say，ofplaysandoperas，ratherthanbooks。
　　Perhapstheobserversdidthepromenadersinjustice；theymightnothavebeenascommon-mindedastheylooked。"But，"Marchsaid，"Iunderstandnowwhythepoorpeopledon'tcomeuphereandliveinthisclean，handsome，respectablequarterofthetown；theywouldbeboredtodeath。
　　Onthewhole，IthinkIshouldpreferMottStreetmyself。"
　　InotherwalkstheMarchestriedtofindsomeofthestreetstheyhadwanderedthroughthefirstdayoftheirweddingjourneyinNewYork，solongago。Theycouldnotmakesureofthem；butoncetheyrandowntotheBattery，andeasilymadesureofthat，thoughnotinitsoldaspect。
　　Theyrecalledthehotmorning，whentheysaunteredoverthetroddenweedthatcoveredthesicklygrass-plotsthere，andsentimentalizedtheswelteringpauperswhohadcreptoutofthesqualidtenementsaboutforabreathofairafterasleeplessnight。Nowthepaupersweregone，andwheretheoldmansionsthathadfallentotheiruseoncestood，theretoweredaloftandabroadthoseheightsandmassesofmany-storiedbrick-
　　workforwhicharchitecturehasyetnoproperformandaestheticsnoname。Thetreesandshrubs，allintheiryoungspringgreen，blewbrisklyovertheguardedturfinthesouthwindthatcameupoverthewater；andinthewell-pavedalleystheghostsofeighteenth-centuryfashionmighthavemeteachotherintheiroldhaunts，andexchangedstatelycongratulationsuponitsvastlybetteredcondition，andperhapspuzzledalittleoverthecolossalladyonBedloe'sIsland，withherliftedtorch，andstillmoreoverthecurvingtracksandchalet-stationsoftheElevatedroad。Itisanoutlookofunrivalledbeautyacrossthebay，thatsmokesandflasheswiththeinnumerablestacksandsailsofcommerce，tothehillsbeyond，wherethemovingforestofmastshaltsattheshore，androotsitselfinthegrovesofthemanyvillageduplands。
　　TheMarchespaidthecharmingprospectsawillingduty，andrejoicedinitasgenerouslyasifithadbeentheirown。Perhapsitwas，theydecided。Hesaidpeopleownedmorethingsincommonthantheywereapttothink；andtheydrewtheconsolationsofproprietorshipfromtheexcellentmanagementofCastleGarden，whichtheypenetratedforamoment'sglimpseofthehugerotunda，wheretheimmigrantsfirstsetfootonourcontinent。Itwarmedtheirhearts，soeasilymovedtoanycheapsympathy，toseethefriendlycarethenationtookofthesehumbleguests；theyfounditevenpathetictoheartheproperauthoritycallingoutthenamesofsuchashadkinoracquaintancewaitingtheretomeetthem。Nooneappearedtroubledoranxious；theofficialshadaconscientiouscivility；thegovernmentseemedtomanagetheirwelcomeaswellasaprivatecompanyorcorporationcouldhavedone。Infact，itwasafterthesimplestrangershadleftthegovernmentcarethatMarchfearedtheirwoesmightbegin；andhewouldhavelikedthegovernmenttofolloweachofthemtohishome，whereverhemeanttofixitwithinourborders。Hemadenoteofthelooksofthelicensedrunnersandtouterswaitingfortheimmigrantsoutsidethegovernmentpremises；heintendedtoworkthemupintoadramaticeffectinsomesketch，buttheyremainedmerematerialinhismemorandum-book，togetherwithsomequaintoldhousesontheSixthAvenueroad，whichhehadnoticedonthewaydown。
　　Onthewayup，theseweresupersededinhisregardbysomehip-roofstructuresontheNinthAvenue，whichhethoughtmoreDutch-looking。
　　Theperspectivesofthecross-streetstowardtheriverwereverylively，withtheirturmoiloftrucksandcarsandcartsandhacksandfootpassengers，endinginthechimneysandmastsofshipping，andfinalgleamsofdancingwater。Ataverynoisycorner，clangorouswithsomesortofironworking，hemadehiswifeenjoywithhimthequietsarcasmofaninnthatcalleditselftheHome-likeHotel，andhespeculatedatfantasticlengthonthegentleassociationsofonewhoshouldhavepassedhisyouthunderitsroof。
　　III。
　　Firstandlast，theMarchesdidagooddealoftravelontheElevatedroads，which，hesaid，gaveyousuchglimpsesofmaterialaspectsinthecityassomeviolentinvasionofothers'livesmightaffordinhumannature。Once，whentheimpulseofadventurewasverystronginthem，theywentquitethelengthoftheWestSidelines，andsawthecitypushingitswaybyirregularadvancesintothecountry。Somespaces，probablyheldbytheownersforthatriseinvaluewhichtheindustryofothersprovidentiallygivestothelandofthewiseandgood，itleftvacantcomparativelyfardowntheroad，andbuiltupothersatremoterpoints。ItwasaworldofloftyapartmenthousesbeyondthePark，springingupinisolatedblocks，withstretchesofinvadedrusticitybetween，andhereandthereanoldcountry-seatstandingdustyinitsbuddingvineswiththegroundbeforeitinrockyupheavalforcityfoundations。Butwhereveritwentorwhereveritpaused，NewYorkgaveitspeculiarstamp；andtheadventurerswereamusedtofindOneHundredandTwenty-fifthStreetinchoatelylikeTwenty-thirdStreetandFourteenthStreetinitsshopsandshoppers。Thebutchers'shopsandmilliners'shopsontheavenuemightaswellhavebeenatTenthasatOneHundredthStreet。
　　Theadventurerswerenotoftensoadventurous。Theyrecognizedthatintheirwillingnesstolettheirfancyrangeforthem，andtoletspeculationdotheworkofinquiry，theywerenolongeryoung。Theirpointofviewwassingularlyunchanged，andtheirimpressionsofNewYorkremainedthesamethattheyhadbeenfifteenyearsbefore:huge，noisy，ugly，kindly，itseemedtothemnowasitseemedthen。Themaindifferencewasthattheysawitmorenowasalife，andthentheyonlyregardeditasaspectacle；andMarchcouldnotreleasehimselffromasenseofcomplicitywithit，nomatterwhatwhimsical，oralien，orcriticalattitudehetook。Asenseofthestrivingandthesufferingdeeplypossessedhim；andthisgrewthemoreintenseashegainedsomeknowledgeoftheforcesatwork-forcesofpity，ofdestruction，ofperdition，ofsalvation。HewanderedaboutonSundaynotonlythroughthestreets，butintothistabernacleandthat，asthespiritmovedhim，andlistenedtothosewhodealtwithChristianityasasystemofeconomicsaswellasareligion。Hecouldnotgethiswifetogowithhim；shelistenedtohisreportofwhatheheard，andtrembled；itallseemedfantasticandmenacing。Shelamentedtheliterarypeace，theintellectualrefinementofthelifetheyhadleftbehindthem；andheowneditwasverypretty，buthesaiditwasnotlife——itwasdeath-in-
　　life。Shelikedtohearhimtalkinthatstrainofvirtuousself-
　　denunciation，butsheaskedhim，"Whichofyourprophetsareyougoingtofollow?"andheanswered:"All-all!AndafreshoneeverySunday。"
　　Andsotheygottheirlaughoutofitatlast，butwithsomesadnessatheart，andwithadimconsciousnessthattheyhadgottheirlaughoutoftoomanythingsinlife。
　　Whatreallyoccupiedandcompassedhisactivities，inspiteofhisstrenuousreveriesofworkbeyondit，washiseditorship。OnitssocialsideithadnotfulfilledalltheexpectationswhichFulkerson'sradiantsketchofitsdutiesandrelationshadcausedhimtoformofit。Mostofthecontributionscamefromadistance；eventhearticleswritteninNewYorkreachedhimthroughthepost，andsofarfromhavinghisvaluabletime，astheycalledit，consumedininterviewswithhiscollaborators，herarelysawanyofthem。Theboyonthestairs，whowastofencehimfromimportunatevisitors，ledalifeofluxuriousdisoccupation，andwhistledalmostuninterruptedly。Whenanyonecame，Marchfoundhimselfembarrassedandalittleanxious。Thevisitorswereusuallyyoungmen，terriblyrespectful，butcherishing，asheimagined，idealsandopinionschasmallydifferentfromhis；andhefeltintheirpresencesomethinglikeananachronism，somethinglikeafraud。Hetriedtofreshenuphissympathiesonthem，togetatwhattheywerereallythinkingandfeeling，anditwassometimebeforehecouldunderstandthattheywerenotreallythinkingandfeelinganythingoftheirownconcerningtheirart，butwerenecessarily，intheirqualityofyoung，inexperiencedmen，mereacceptantsofoldermen'sthoughtsandfeelings，whethertheyweretremendouslyconservative，assomewere，ortremendouslyprogressive，asotherswere。Certainofthemcalledthemselvesrealists，certainromanticists；butnoneofthemseemedtoknowwhatrealismwas，orwhatromanticism；theyapparentlysupposedthedifferenceadifferenceofmaterial。Marchhadimaginedhimselftakinghometolunchordinnertheaspirantsforeditorialfavorwhomheliked，whetherhelikedtheirworkornot；butthiswasnotaneasymatter。Thosewhowereatallinterestingseemedtohaveengagementsandpreoccupations；aftertwoorthreeexperimentswiththebashfullersort——thosewhohadcomeuptothemetropoliswithmanuscriptsintheirhands，inthegoodoldliterarytradition——hewonderedwhetherhewasotherwiselikethemwhenhewasyounglikethem。Hecouldnotflatterhimselfthathewasnot；andyethehadahopethattheworldhadgrownworsesincehistime，whichhiswifeencouraged:
　　Mrs。Marchwasnoteagertopursuethehospitalitieswhichshehadatfirstimaginedessentialtotheliteraryprosperityof'EveryOtherWeek'；herfamilysufficedher；shewouldwillinglyhaveseennooneoutofitbutthestrangersattheweeklytable-d'hotedinner，ortheaudiencesatthetheatres。March'sdevotiontohisworkmadehimreluctanttodelegateittoanyone；andasthesummeradvanced，andthequestionofwheretogogrewmorevexed，heshowedaman'sbasewillingnesstoshirkitforhimselfbynotgoinganywhere。Heaskedhiswifewhyshedidnotgosomewherewiththechildren，andhejoinedherinasearchfornon-malarialregionsonthemapwhensheconsentedtoentertainthisnotion。Butwhenitcametothepointshewouldnotgo；
　　heofferedtogowithherthen，andthenshewouldnotlethim。Shesaidsheknewhewouldbeanxiousabouthiswork；heprotestedthathecouldtakeitwithhimtoanydistancewithinafewhours，butshewouldnotbepersuaded。Shewouldratherhestayed；theeffectwouldbebetterwithMr。Fulkerson；theycouldmakeexcursions，andtheycouldallgetoffaweekortwototheseashorenearBoston——theonlyrealseashore——inAugust。TheexcursionswerepracticallyconfinedtoasingledayatConeyIsland；andoncetheygotasfarasBostononthewaytotheseashorenearBoston；thatis，Mrs。Marchandthechildrenwent；aneditorialexigencykeptMarchatthelastmoment。TheBostonstreetsseemedveryqueerandcleanandemptytothechildren，andthebuildingslittle；inthehorse-carstheBostonfacesseemedtoarraigntheirmotherwithadown-drawnseveritythatmadeherfeelveryguilty。SheknewthatthiswasmerelythePuritanmask，thecastofadeadcivilization，whichpeopleofveryamiableandtolerantmindsweredoomedtowear，andshesighedtothinkthatlessthanayearoftheheterogeneousgayetyofNewYorkshouldhavemadeherafraidofit。Theskyseemedcoldandgray；
　　theeastwind，whichshehadalwaysthoughtsodeliciousinsummer，cuthertotheheart。ShetookherchildrenuptotheSouthEnd，andintheprettysquarewheretheyusedtolivetheystoodbeforetheiralienatedhome，andlookedupatitsclose-shutteredwindows。Thetenantsmusthavebeenaway，butMrs。Marchhadnotthecouragetoringandmakesure，thoughshehadalwayspromisedherselfthatshewouldgoalloverthehousewhenshecameback，andseehowtheyhadusedit；shecouldpretendadesireforsomethingshewishedtotakeaway。Sheknewshecouldnotbearitnow；andthechildrendidnotseemeager。Shedidnotpushontotheseaside；itwouldbeforlorntherewithouttheirfather；shewasgladtogobacktohimintheimmense，friendlyhomelessnessofNewYork，andholdhimanswerableforthechange，inherheartorhermind，whichmadeitsshapelesstumultarefugeandaconsolation。
　　Shefoundthathehadbeengivingthecookaholiday，anddiningabouthitherandthitherwithFulkerson。Oncehehaddinedwithhimatthewidow'sastheyalwayscalledMrs。Leighton，andthenhadspenttheeveningthere，andsmokedwithFulkersonandColonelWoodburnonthegalleryoverlookingthebackyard。TheywereallspendingthesummerinNewYork。ThewidowhadgotsogoodanofferforherhouseatSt。
　　Barnabyforthesummerthatshecouldnotrefuseit；andtheWoodburnsfoundNewYorkawatering-placeofexemplarycoolnessaftertheburningAugustsandSeptembersofCharlottesburg。
　　"Youcanstanditwellenoughinourclimate，sir，"thecolonelexplained，"tillyoucometotheSeptemberheat，thatsometimesrunswellintoOctober；andthenyoubegintoloseyourtemper，sir。It'sneverquitesohotasitisinNewYorkattimes，butit'shotlonger，sir。"
　　Healleged，asifsomethingofthesortwerenecessary，theexampleofafamousSouthwesterneditorwhospentallhissummersinaNewYorkhotelasthemostluxuriousretreatonthecontinent，consultingtheweatherforecasts，andrunningoffontorriddaystothemountainsorthesea，andthenhurryingbackatthepromiseofcoolerweather。Thecolonelhadnotfounditnecessarytodothisyet；andhehadbeenreluctanttoleavetown，wherehewasworkingupabranchoftheinquirywhichhadsolongoccupiedhim，inthelibraries，andstudyingthegreatproblemoflaborandpovertyasitcontinuallypresenteditselftohiminthestreets。
　　Hesaidthathetalkedwithallsortsofpeople，whomhefoundmonstrouslycivil，ifyoutookthemintherightway；andhewenteverywhereinthecitywithoutfearandapparentlywithoutdanger。Marchcouldnotfindoutthathehadriddenhishobbyintothehomesofwantwhichhevisited，orhadproposedtheirenslavementtotheinmatesasashortandsimplesolutionofthegreatquestionoftheirlives；heappearedtohavecontentedhimselfwiththecollectionoffactsforthepersuasionofthecultivatedclasses。ItseemedtoMarchaconfirmationofthisimpressionthatthecolonelshouldaddresshisdeductionsfromthesefactssounsparinglytohim；helistenedwitharespectfulpatience，forwhichFulkersonafterwardpersonallythankedhim。
　　Fulkersonsaiditwasnotoftenthecolonelfoundsuchagoodlistener；
　　generallynobodylistenedbutMrs。Leighton，whothoughthisideaswereshocking，buthonoredhimforholdingthemsoconscientiously。FulkersonwasgladthatMarch，astheliterarydepartment，hadtreatedtheoldgentlemansowell，becausetherewasanopenfeudbetweenhimandtheartdepartment。Beatonwasoutrageouslyrude，Fulkersonmustsay；thoughasforthat，theoldcolonelseemedquiteabletotakecareofhimself，andgaveBeatonanunqualifiedcontemptinreturnforhisunmannerliness。
　　Theworstofitwas，itdistressedtheoldladyso；sheadmiredBeatonasmuchassherespectedthecolonel，andsheadmiredBeaton，Fulkersonthought，rathermorethanMissLeightondid；heaskedMarchifhehadnoticedthemtogether。Marchhadnoticedthem，butwithoutanyverydefiniteimpressionexceptthatBeatonseemedtogivethewholeeveningtothegirl。Afterwardherecollectedthathehadfanciedherratherharassedbyhisdevotion，anditwasthispointthathewishedtopresentforhiswife'sopinion。
　　"Girlsoftenputonthatair，"shesaid。"It'soneoftheirwaysofteasing。Butthen，ifthemanwasreallyverymuchinlove，andshewasonlyenoughinlovetobeuncertainofherself，shemightverywellseemtroubled。Itwouldbeaveryseriousquestion。Girlsoftendon'tknowwhattodoinsuchacase。"
　　"Yes，"saidMarch，"I'veoftenbeengladthatIwasnotagirl，onthataccount。ButIguessthatongeneralprinciplesBeatonisnotmoreinlovethansheis。Icouldn'timaginethatyoungmanbeingmoreinlovewithanybody，unlessitwashimself。Hemightbemoreinlovewithhimselfthananyoneelsewas。"
　　"Well，hedoesn'tinterestmeagreatdeal，andIcan'tsayMissLeightondoes，either。Ithinkshecantakecareofherself。Shehasherselfverywellinhand。"
　　"Whysocensorious?"pleadedMarch。"Idon'tdefendherforhavingherselfinhand；butisitafault?"
　　Mrs。Marchdidnotsay。Sheasked，"AndhowdoesMr。Fulkerson'saffairgeton?"
　　"Hisaffair?Youreallythinkitisone?Well，I'vefanciedsomyself，andI'vehadanideaofsometimeaskinghim；Fulkersonstrikesoneastrulydomesticable，conjugableatheart；butI'vewaitedforhimtospeak。"
　　"Ishouldthinkso。"
　　"Yes。He'sneveropenedonthesubjectyet。Doyouknow，IthinkFulkersonhashismomentsofdelicacy。"
　　"Moments!He'salldelicacyinregardtowomen。"
　　"Well，perhapsso。Thereisnothinginthemtorousehisadvertisinginstincts。"
　　IV
　　TheDryfoosfamilystayedintowntillAugust。ThenthefatherwentWestagaintolookafterhisinterests；andMrs。MandeltookthetwogirlstooneofthegreathotelsinSaratoga。FulkersonsaidthathehadneverseenanythinglikeSaratogaforfashion，andMrs。Mandelrememberedthatinherownyoungladyhoodthiswassoforatleastsomeweeksoftheyear。Shehadbeentoofarwithdrawnfromfashionsincehermarriagetoknowwhetheritwasstillsoornot。Inthis，asinsomanyothermatters，theDryfoosfamilyhelplesslyrelieduponFulkerson，inspiteofDryfoos'sangrydeterminationthatheshouldnotrunthefamily，andinspiteofChristine'sdoubtofhisomniscience；ifhedidnotknoweverything，shewasawarethatheknewmorethanherself。ShethoughtthattheyhadarighttohavehimgowiththemtoSaratoga，oratleastgoupandengagetheirroomsbeforehand；butFulkersondidnotoffertodoeither，andshedidnotquiteseeherwaytocommandinghisservices。
　　TheyoungladiestookwhatMelacalledsplendiddresseswiththem；theysatintheparkoftall，slimtreeswhichthehotel'squadrangleenclosed，andlistenedtothemusicinthemorning，oronthelongpiazzaintheafternoonandlookedatthedrivinginthestreet，orinthevastparlorsbynight，wherealltheotherladieswere，andtheyfeltthattheywereofthebestthere。Buttheyknewnobody，andMrs。MandelwassoparticularthatMelawaspreventedfromcontinuingtheacquaintanceevenofthefewyoungmenwhodancedwithherattheSaturday-nighthops。
　　Theydroveabout，buttheywenttoplaceswithoutknowingwhy，exceptthatthecarriagemantookthem，andtheyhadalltheprivilegesofaproudexclusivismwithoutdesiringthem。Onceamotherlymatronseemedtoperceivetheirisolation，andmadeoverturestothem，butthendesisted，asifrepelledbyChristine'ssuspicion，orbyMela'stooinstantandhilariousgood-fellowship，whichexpresseditselfinhoarselaughterandinaflowoftalkfulloftopicalandsyntacticalfreedom。
　　FromtimetotimesheofferedtobetChristinethatifMr。Fulkersonwasonlytheretheywouldhaveagoodtime；shewonderedwhattheywerealldoinginNewYork，whereshewishedherself；sheralliedhersisteraboutBeaton，andaskedherwhyshedidnotwriteandtellhimtocomeupthere。
　　MelaknewthatChristinehadexpectedBeatontofollowthem。Somebanterhadpassedbetweenthemtothiseffect；hesaidheshouldtaketheminonhiswayhometoSyracuse。Christinewouldnothavehesitatedtowritetohimandremindhimofhispromise；butshehadlearnedtodistrustherliteraturewithBeatonsincehehadlaughedatthespellinginascrapofwritingwhichdroppedoutofhermusic-bookonenight。Shebelievedthathewouldnothavelaughedifhehadknownitwashers；butshefeltthatshecouldhidebetterthedeficiencieswhichwerenotcommittedtopaper；
　　shecouldmanagewithhimintalking；shewastooignorantofherignorancetorecognizethemistakesshemadethen。Throughherownpassionsheperceivedthatshehadsomekindoffascinationforhim；shewasgraceful，andshethoughtitmustbethat；shedidnotunderstandthattherewasakindofbeautyinhersmall，irregularfeaturesthatpiquedandhauntedhisartisticsense，andalookinherblackeyesbeyondherintelligenceandintention。Oncehesketchedherastheysattogether，andflatteredtheportraitwithoutgettingwhathewantedinit；hesaidhemusttryhersometimeincolor；andhesaidthingswhich，whenshemadeMelarepeatthem，couldonlymeanthatheadmiredhermorethananybodyelse。Hecamefitfully，buthecameoften，andsherestedcontentinagirl'sindefinitenessconcerningtheaffair；ifherthoughtwentbeyondlovemakingtomarriage，shebelievedthatshecouldhavehimifshewantedhim。Herfather'smoneycountedinthis；shedivinedthatBeatonwaspoor；butthatmadenodifference；shewouldhaveenoughforboth；themoneywouldhavecountedasanirresistibleattractioniftherehadbeennoother。
　　TheaffairhadgoneoninspiteofthesidelonglooksofrestlessdislikewithwhichDryfoosregardedit；butnowwhenBeatondidnotcometoSaratogaitnecessarilydropped，andChristine'scontentwithit。Sheborethetrialaslongasshecould；sheusedprideandresentmentagainstit；butatlastshecouldnotbearit，andwithMela'shelpshewrotealetter，banteringBeatononhisstayinNewYork，andplayfullyboastingofSaratoga。Itseemedtothemboththatitwasaverybrightletter，andwouldbesuretobringhim；theywouldhavehadnoscrupleaboutsendingitbutforthedoubttheyhadwhethertheyhadgotsomeofthewordsright。MelaofferedtobetChristineanythingshedaredthattheywereright，andshesaid，Senditanyway；itwasnodifferenceiftheywerewrong。ButChristinecouldnotenduretothinkofthatlaughofBeaton's，andthereremainedonlyMrs。Mandelasauthorityonthespelling。Christinedreadedherauthorityonotherpoints，butMelasaidsheknewshewouldnotinterfere，andsheundertooktogetroundher。
　　Mrs。Mandelpronouncedthespellingbad，andthetasteworse；sheforbadethemtosendtheletter；andMelafailedtogetroundher，thoughshethreatened，ifMrs。Mandelwouldnottellherhowtospellthewrongwords，thatshewouldsendtheletterasitwas；thenMrs。MandelsaidthatifMr。BeatonappearedinSaratogashewouldinstantlytakethembothhome。WhenMelareportedthisresult，Christineaccusedherofhavingmismanagedthewholebusiness；shequarrelledwithher，andtheycalledeachothernames。ChristinedeclaredthatshewouldnotstayinSaratoga，andthatifMrs。MandeldidnotgobacktoNewYorkwithhersheshouldgoalone。TheyreturnedthefirstweekinSeptember；butbythattimeBeatonhadgonetoseehispeopleinSyracuse。
　　ConradDryfoosremainedathomewithhismotherafterhisfatherwentWest。Hehadalreadytakensuchavacationashehadbeenwillingtoallowhimself，andhadspentitonacharityfarmnearthecity，wherethefatherswithwhomheworkedamongthepoorontheEastSideinthewinterhadsentsomeoftheirwardsforthesummer。Itwasnotpossibletokeephisrecreationasecretattheoffice，andFulkersonfoundapleasureinfiguringthejollytimeBrotherConradmusthaveteachingfarmworkamongthosepaupersandpotentialreprobates。Heinventeddetailsofhisexperienceamongthem，andMarchcouldnotalwayshelpjoininginthelaughatConrad'shumorlesshelplessnessunderFulkerson'sburlesquedenunciationofasummeroutingspentinsuchdissipation。
　　TheyhadtimeforagreatdealofjokingattheofficeduringtheseasonofleisurewhichpenetratesinAugusttotheveryheartofbusiness，andtheyallgotontermsofgreaterintimacyifnotgreaterfriendlinessthanbefore。Fulkersonhadnothadsolongtodowiththeadvertisingsideofhumannaturewithoutdevelopingaveinofcynicism，ofnogreatdepth，perhaps，butbroad，andunderlyinghiswholepointofview；hemadelightofBeaton'ssolemnity，ashemadelightofConrad'shumanity。
　　Thearteditor，withabundantsarcasm，hadnomorehumorthanthepublisher，andwasaneasypreyinthemanager'shands；butwhenhehadbeenledonbyFulkerson'sflatteriestomakesomebetrayalofegotism，hebroodedoverittillhehadthoughthowtorevengehimselfinelaborateinsult。ForBeaton'stalentFulkersonneverlosthisadmiration；buthisjokewastoencouragehimtogivehimselfairsofbeingthesolesourceofthemagazine'sprosperity。NobaitofthissortwastooobviousforBeatontoswallow；hecouldbecaughtwithitasoftenasFulkersonchose；thoughhewasordinarilysuspiciousastothemotivesofpeopleinsayingthings。WithMarchhegotonnobetterthanatfirst。Heseemedtobelyinginwaitforsomeencroachmentoftheliterarydepartmentontheartdepartment，andhemetitnowandthenwithanticipativereprisal。Aftertheserebuffs，theeditordeliveredhimovertothemanager，whocouldturnBeaton'scontrary-mindednesstoaccountbyaskingthereverseofwhathereallywanteddone。ThiswaswhatFulkersonsaid；thefactwasthathedidgetonwithBeatonandMarchcontentedhimselfwithmusinguponthecontradictionsofacharacteratoncesovainandsooffensive，sofickleandsosullen，soconsciousandsosimple。
　　AfterthefirstjarringcontactwithDryfoos，theeditorceasedtofeelthedisagreeablefactoftheoldman'smasteryofthefinancialsituation。Noneofthechanceswhichmighthavemadeitpainfuloccurred；thecontrolofthewholeaffairremainedinFulkerson'shands；
　　beforehewentWestagain，Dryfooshadceasedtocomeabouttheoffice，asif，havingoncewornoffthenoveltyofthesenseofowningaliteraryperiodical，hewasnolongerinterestedinit。
　　Yetitwasarelief，somehow，whenhelefttown，whichhedidnotdowithoutcomingtotakeaformalleaveoftheeditorathisoffice。
　　HeseemedwillingtoleaveMarchwithabetterimpressionthanhehadhithertotroubledhimselftomake；heevensaidsomecivilthingsaboutthemagazine，asifitssuccesspleasedhim；andhespokeopenlytoMarchofhishopethathissonwouldfinallybecomeinterestedinittotheexclusionofthehopesandpurposeswhichdividedthem。ItseemedtoMarchthatintheoldman'swarpedandtoughenedheartheperceivedadisappointedloveforhissongreaterthanforhisotherchildren；butthismighthavebeenfancy。LindaucameinwithsomecopywhileDryfooswasthere，andMarchintroducedthem。WhenLindauwentout，MarchexplainedtoDryfoosthathehadlosthishandinthewar；andhetoldhimsomethingofLindau'scareerashehadknownit。Dryfoosappearedgreatlypleasedthat'EveryOtherWeek'wasgivingLindauwork。Hesaidthathehadhelpedtoenlistagoodmanyfellowsforthewar，andhadpaidmoneytofilluptheMoffittCountyquotaunderthelatercallsfortroops。HehadneverbeenanAbolitionist，buthehadjoinedtheAnti-
　　Nebraskapartyin'55，andhehadvotedforFremontandforeveryRepublicanPresidentsincethen。
　　AthisownhouseMarchsawmoreofLindauthanofanyothercontributor，buttheoldmanseemedtothinkthathemusttransactallhisbusinesswithMarchathisplaceofbusiness。Thetransactionhadsomepeculiaritieswhichperhapsmadethisnecessary。Lindaualwaysexpectedtoreceivehismoneywhenhebroughthiscopy，asanacknowledgmentoftheimmediaterightofthelaborertohishire；andhewouldnottakeitinacheckbecausehedidnotapproveofbanks，andregardedthewholesystemofbankingasthecapitalisticmanipulationofthepeople'smoney。
　　HewouldreceivehispayonlyfromMarch'shand，becausehewishedtobeunderstoodasworkingforhim，andhonestlyearningmoneyhonestlyearned；andsometimesMarchinwardlywincedalittleatlettingtheoldmansharetheincreaseofcapitalwonbysuchspeculationasDryfoos's，butheshookoffthefeeling。Asthesummeradvanced，andtheartistsandclassesthatemployedLindauasamodellefttownoneafteranother，hegavelargelyofhisincreasingleisuretothepeopleintheofficeof'EveryOtherWeek。'ItwaspleasantforMarchtoseetherespectwithwhichConradDryfoosalwaysusedhim，forthesakeofhishurtandhisgraybeard。Therewassomethingdelicateandfineinit，andtherewasnothingunkindlyonFulkerson'spartinthehostilitieswhichusuallypassedbetweenhimselfandLindau。Fulkersonborehimselfreverentlyattimes，too，butitwasnotinhimtokeepthatup，especiallywhenLindauappearedwithmorebeeraboardthan，asFulkersonsaid，hecouldmanageshipshape。OntheseoccasionsFulkersonalwaystriedtostarthimonthethemeoftheundulyrich；hemadehimselfthechampionofmonopolies，andenjoyedtheinvectiveswhichLindauheapeduponhimasaslaveofcapital；hesaidthatitdidhimgood。
　　Oneday，withtheusualshowofwrithingunderLindau'sscorn，hesaid，"Well，Iunderstandthatalthoughyoudespisemenow，Lindau——"
　　"Iton'tdesbiseyou，"theoldmanbrokein，hisnostrilsswellingandhiseyesflamingwithexcitement，"Ibityyou。"
　　"Well，itseemstocometothesamethingintheend，"saidFulkerson。
　　"WhatIunderstandisthatyoupitymenowastheslaveofcapital，butyouwouldpitymeagreatdealmoreifIwasthemasterofit。"
　　"Howyoumean?"
　　"IfIwasrich。"
　　"Thatwouldtebendt，"saidLindau，tryingtocontrolhimself。"Ifyouhatinheritedtyourmoney，youmightpeinnocent；butifyouhatmateit，eferymanthatresbectedthimselfwouldhaftoaskhowyoumateit，andifyouhatmatemoch，hewouldknow——"
　　"Holdon；holdon，now，Lindau!Ain'tthatratherun-Americandoctrine?
　　We'reallbroughtup，ain'twe，tohonorthemanthatmadehismoney，andlookdown——ortrytolookdown；sometimesit'sdifficultonthefellowthathisfatherleftitto?"
　　Theoldmanroseandstruckhisbreast。"OnAmerigan!"heroared，and，ashewenton，hisaccentgrewmoreandmoreuncertain。"WhatissAmerigan?DereissnoAmerigaanymore!Youstartherefreeandbrafe，andyouglaimforeferymanderighttolife，liperty，anddebursuitofhabbiness。Andwherehafyouentedt?Nomanthatvorksvithhishandtsamongyouhasthelipertytobursuehishabbiness。Heisstheslafeofsomericherman，somegompany，somegorporation，datcrindthimdowntotheleasthecanlifon，andthatropshimofthemarchinofhisearningsthatheknightpehabbyon。Oh，youAmerigans，youhafcotitdowngoldt，asyousay!Youton'tpuyfoters；youpuylechislaturesandgoncressmen；youpuygourts；youpuygombetitors；youpayinfentorsnottoinfent；youatfertise，andthegounting-roomseesdatdeetitorial-
　　roomtoesn'ttink。"
　　"Yes，we'vegotalittlearrangementofthatsortwithMarchhere，"saidFulkerson。
　　"Oh，Iamsawry，"saidtheoldman，contritely，"Imeantnotingbersonal。
　　Iton'ttinkweareallcuiltyorgorrubt，andefenamongtherichtherearegoodtmen。Butgabidal"——hispassionroseagain"whereyoufindgabidal，millionsofmoneythatamanhasscottogederinfife，ten，twentyyears，youfindtthesmelloftearsandploodt!DatisswhatI
　　say。Andyoucottoloogoudtforyourselfwhenyoumeetarichmanwhetheryoumeetanhonestman。"
　　"Well，"saidFulkerson，"IwishIwasasubjectofsuspicionwithyou，Lindau。By-the-way，"headded，"Iunderstandthatyouthinkcapitalwasatthebottomofthevetoofthatpensionofyours。"
　　"Whatbension?Whatfeto?"——Theoldmanflamedupagain。"Nobensionofminewaseferfetoedt。Irenouncemybension，begauseIwouldsgorntodakemoneyfromagofernmentthatIton'tpeliefeinanymore。Whereyouhearthatstory?"
　　"Well，Idon'tknow，"saidFulkerson，ratherembarrassed。"It'scommontalk。"
　　"It'sagommonlie，then!Whenthetimegomedatdisissafreegountryagain，thenIdakeabensionagainformywoundts；butIwouldsdarfebeforeIdakeabensionnowfromarebublicdatissboughtoapbymonobolies，andronbydrustsandgompines，andrailroadtsandtoilgompanies。"
　　"Lookout，Lindau，"saidFulkerson。"Youbiteyourselfmitdatdogsomeday。"Butwhentheoldman，withaferociousgestureofrenunciation，whirledoutoftheplace，headded:"IguessIwentalittletoofarthattime。Itouchedhimonasoreplace；Ididn'tmeanto；IheardsometalkabouthispensionbeingvetoedfromMissLeighton。"HeaddressedtheseexculpationstoMarch'sgraveface，andtothepityingdeprecationintheeyesofConradDryfoos，whomLindau'sroaringwrathhadsummonedtothedoor。"ButI'llmakeitallrightwithhimthenexttimehecomes。I
　　didn'tknowhewasloaded，orIwouldn'thavemonkeyedwithhim。"
　　"Lindaudoeshimselfinjusticewhenhegetstotalkinginthatway，"saidMarch。"Ihatetohearhim。He'sasgoodanAmericanasanyofus；andit'sonlybecausehehastoohighanidealofus——"
　　"Oh，goon!Rubitin——rubitin!"criedFulkerson，clutchinghishairinsuffering，whichwasnotaltogetherburlesque。"HowdidIknowhehadrenouncedhis'bension'?Whydidn'tyoutellme?"
　　"Ididn'tknowitmyself。Ionlyknewthathehadnone，andIdidn'task，forIhadanotionthatitmightbeapainfulsubject。"
　　Fulkersontriedtoturnitofflightly。"Well，he'sanobleoldfellow；
　　pityhedrinks。"Marchwouldnotsmile，andFulkersonbrokeout:"Dogonit!I'llmakeituptotheoldfoolthenexttimehecomes。Idon'tlikethatdynamitetalkofhis；butanymanthat'sgivenhishandtothecountryhasgotmineinhisgripforgood。Why，March!Youdon'tsupposeIwantedtohurthisfeelings，doyou?"
　　"Why，ofcoursenot，Fulkerson。"
　　Buttheycouldnotgetawayfromacertainruefulnessforthattime，andintheeveningFulkersoncameroundtoMarch'stosaythathehadgotLindau'saddressfromConrad，andhadlookedhimupathislodgings。
　　"Well，thereisn'tsomuchbric-a-bracthere，quite，asMrs。Greenleftyou；butI'vemadeitallrightwithLindau，asfarasI'mconcerned。
　　ItoldhimIdidn'tknowwhenIspokethatway，andIhonoredhimforstickingtohis'brinciples'；Idon'tbelieveinhis'brincibles'；
　　andweweptoneachother'snecks——atleast，hedid。Doggedifhedidn'tkissmebeforeIknewwhathewasupto。HesaidIwashischenerousgongfriendt，andhebeggedmybartonifhehadsaidanythingtowoundme。Itellyouitwasanaffectingscene，March；andratsenoughroundinthatoldbarrackswherehelivestofitoutafirst-classcaseofdeliriumtremens。Whatdoeshestaytherefor?He'snotobligedto?"
　　Lindau'sreasons，asMarchrepeatedthem，affectedFulkersonasdeliciouslycomical；butafterthatheconfinedhispleasantriesattheofficetoBeatonandConradDryfoos，or，ashesaid，hespenttherestofthesummerinkeepingLindausmoothedup。
　　ItisdoubtfulifLindaualtogetherlikedthisaswell。PerhapshemissedtheoccasionsFulkersonusedtogivehimofburstingoutagainstthemillionaires；andhecouldnotwellgoondenouncingastheslafeofgabidalamanwhohadbehavedtohimasFulkersonhaddone，thoughFulkerson'sservilerelationstocapitalhadbeeninnowisechangedbyhisnoplegonduct。
　　Theirrelationscontinuedtowearthisirksomecharacterofmutualforbearance；andwhenDryfoosreturnedinOctoberandFulkersonrevivedthequestionofthatdinnerincelebrationofthesuccessof'EveryOtherWeek，'hecarriedhiscomplaisancetoanextremethatalarmedMarchfortheconsequences。
　　V。
　　"Yousee，"Fulkersonexplained，"Ifindthattheoldmanhasgotanideaofhisownaboutthatbanquet，andIguessthere'ssomesenseinit。Hewantstohaveapreliminarylittledinner，wherewecantalkthethingupfirst-halfadozenofus；andhewantstogiveusthedinnerathishouse。Well，that'snoharm。Idon'tbelievetheoldmanevergaveadinner，andhe'dliketoshowoffalittle；there'sagooddealofhumannatureintheoldman，afterall。Hethoughtofyou，ofcourse，andColonelWoodburn，andBeaton，andmeatthefootofthetable；andConrad；andIsuggestedKendricks:he'ssuchanicelittlechap；andtheoldmanhimselfbroughtuptheideaofLindau。Hesaidyoutoldhimsomethingabouthim，andheaskedwhycouldn'twehavehim，too；andI
　　jumpedatit。"
　　"HaveLindautodinner?"askedMarch。
　　"Certainly；whynot?FatherDryfooshasanotionofpayingtheoldfellowacomplimentforwhathedoneforthecountry。Therewon'tbeanytroubleaboutit。Youcansitalongsideofhim，andcutuphismeatforhim，andhelphimtothings——"
　　"Yes，butitwon'tdo，Fulkerson!Idon'tbelieveLindaueverhadonadress-coatinhislife，andIdon'tbelievehis'brincibles'wouldlethimwearone。"
　　"Well，neitherhadDryfoos，forthematterofthat。He'sashigh-
　　principledasoldPan-Electrichimself，whenitcomestoadress-coat，"
　　saidFulkerson。"We'reallgoingtogoinbusinessdress；theoldmanstipulatedforthat。
　　"Itisn'tthedress-coatalone，"Marchresumed。"LindauandDryfooswouldn'tgeton。Youknowthey'reoppositepolesineverything。Youmustn'tdoit。DryfooswillbesuretosaysomethingtooutrageLindau's'brincibles，'andthere'llbeanexplosion。It'sallwellenoughforDryfoostofeelgratefultoLindau，andhiswishtohonorhimdoeshimcredit；buttohaveLindautodinnerisn'ttheway。Atthebest，theoldfellowwouldbeveryunhappyinsuchahouse；hewouldhaveabadconscience；andIshouldbesorrytohavehimfeelthathe'dbeenrecreanttohis'brincibles'；they'reaboutallhe'sgot，andwhateverwethinkofthem，we'reboundtorespecthisfidelitytothem。"MarchwarmedtowardLindauintakingthisviewofhim。"IshouldfeelashamedifIdidn'tprotestagainsthisbeingputinafalseposition。Afterall，he'smyoldfriend，andIshouldn'tliketohavehimdohimselfinjusticeifheisacrank。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidFulkerson，withsometroubleinhisface。
　　"Iappreciateyourfeeling。Butthereain'tanydanger，"headded，buoyantly。"Anyhow，youspoketoolate，astheIrishmansaidtothechickenwhenheswallowedhiminafreshegg。I'veaskedLindau，andhe'sacceptedwithblayzure；that'swhathesays。"
　　Marchmadenoothercommentthanashrug。
　　"You'llsee，"Fulkersoncontinued，"it'llgooffallright。I'llengagetomakeit，andIwon'tholdanybodyelseresponsible。"
　　InthecourseofhismarriedlifeMarchhadlearnednottocensuretheirretrievable；butthiswasjustwhathiswifehadnotlearned；andshepouredoutsomuchastonishmentatwhatFulkersonhaddone，andsomuchdisapproval，thatMarchbegantopalliatethesituationalittle。
　　"Afterall，itisn'taquestionoflifeanddeath；and，ifitwere，I
　　don'tseehowit'stobehelpednow。"
　　"Oh，it'snottobehelpednow。ButIamsurprisedatMr。Fulkerson。"
　　"Well，Fulkersonhashismomentsofbeingmerelyhuman，too。"
　　Mrs。Marchwouldnotdeignadirectdefenceofherfavorite。"Well，I'mgladtherearenottobeladies。"