"Iknowhedidn'tsleeplastnight，afteryouallwentaway，"Conradpursued，"andofcoursethatmadehimmoreirritable；andhewastriedagooddealbysomeofthethingsthatMr。Lindausaid。"
　　"Iwastriedagooddealmyself，"saidMarch。"Lindauoughtnevertohavebeenthere。"
　　"No。"Conradseemedonlypartiallytoassent。
　　"ItoldMr。Fulkersonso。IwarnedhimthatLindauwouldbeapttobreakoutinsomeway。Itwasn'tjusttohim，anditwasn'tjusttoyourfather，toaskhim。"
　　"Mr。Fulkersonhadagoodmotive，"Conradgentlyurged。"Hediditbecausehehurthisfeelingsthatdayaboutthepension。"
　　"Yes，butitwasamistake。HeknewthatLindauwasinflexibleabouthisprinciples，ashecallsthem，andthatoneofhisfirstprinciplesistodenouncetherichinseasonandoutofseason。Idon'trememberjustwhathesaidlastnight；andIreallythoughtI'dkepthimfrombreakingoutinthemostoffensiveway。Butyourfatherseemsverymuchincensed。"
　　"Yes，Iknow，"saidConrad。
　　"Ofcourse，Idon'tagreewithLindau。Ithinkthereareasmanygood，kind，justpeopleamongtherichasthereareamongthepoor，andthattheyareasgenerousandhelpful。ButLindauhasgotholdofoneofthosepartialtruthsthathurtworsethanthewholetruth，and——"
　　"Partialtruth!"theyoungmaninterrupted。"Didn'ttheSaviourhimselfsay，'HowhardlyshalltheythathaverichesenterintothekingdomofGod?'"
　　"Why，blessmysoul!"criedMarch。"DoyouagreewithLindau?"
　　"IagreewiththeLordJesusChrist，"saidtheyoungman，solemnly，andastrangelightoffanaticism，ofexaltation，cameintohiswideblueeyes。
　　"AndIbelieveHemeantthekingdomofheavenuponthisearth，aswellasintheskies。"
　　Marchthrewhimselfbackinhischairandlookedathimwithakindofstupefaction，inwhichhiseyewanderedtothedoorway，wherehesawFulkersonstanding，itseemedtohimalongtime，beforeheheardhimsaying:"Hello，hello!What'stherow?ConradpitchingintoyouonoldLindau'saccount，too?"
　　Theyoungmanturned，and，afteraglanceatFulkerson'slight，smilingface，wentout，asifinhispresentmoodhecouldnotbearthecontactofthatpersiflantspirit。
　　Marchfelthimselfgettingprovisionallyveryangryagain。"Excuseme，Fulkerson，butdidyouknowwhenyouwentoutwhatMr。Dryfooswantedtoseemefor?"
　　"Well，no，Ididn'texactly，"saidFulkerson，takinghisusualseatonachairandlookingoverthebackofitatMarch。"Isawhewasonhiscaraboutsomething，andIthoughtI'dbetternotmonkeywithhimmuch。
　　IsupposedhewasgoingtobringyoutobookaboutoldLindau，somehow。"
　　Fulkersonbrokeintoalaugh。
　　Marchremainedserious。"Mr。Dryfoos，"hesaid，willingtoletthesimplestatementhaveitsownweightwithFulkerson，andnothingmore，"cameinhereandorderedmetodischargeLindaufromhisemploymentonthemagazine——toturnhimoff，asheputit。"
　　"Didhe?"askedFulkerson，withunbrokencheerfulness。"Theoldmanisbusiness，everytime。Well，IsupposeyoucaneasilygetsomebodyelsetodoLindau'sworkforyou。Thistownisjustrunningoverwithhalf-
　　starvedlinguists。Whatdidyousay?"
　　"WhatdidIsay?"Marchechoed。"Lookhere，Fulkerson；youmayregardthisasajoke，butIdon't。I'mnotusedtobeingspokentoasifI
　　weretheforemanofashop，andtoldtodischargeasensitiveandcultivatedmanlikeLindau，asifhewereadrunkenmechanic；andifthat'syourideaofme——"
　　"Oh，hello，now，March!Youmustn'tmindtheoldman'sway。Hedon'tmeananythingbyit——hedon'tknowanybetter，ifyoucometothat。"
　　"ThenIknowbetter，"saidMarch。"IrefusedtoreceiveanyinstructionsfromMr。Dryfoos，whomIdon'tknowinmyrelationswith'EveryOtherWeek，'andIreferredhimtoyou。"
　　"Youdid?，"Fulkersonwhistled。"Heownsthething!"
　　"Idon'tcarewhoownsthething，"saidMarch。"Mynegotiationswerewithyoualonefromthebeginning，andIleavethismatterwithyou。
　　WhatdoyouwishdoneaboutLindau?"
　　"Oh，betterlettheoldfooldrop，"saidFulkerson。"He'lllightonhisfeetsomehow，anditwillsavealotofrumpus。"
　　"AndifIdeclinetolethimdrop?"
　　"Oh，come，now，March；don'tdothat，"Fulkersonbegan。
　　"IfIdeclinetolethimdrop，"Marchrepeated，"whatwillyoudo?"
　　"I'llbedoggedifIknowwhatI'lldo，"saidFulkerson。"Ihopeyouwon'ttakethatstand。Iftheoldmanwentsofarastospeaktoyouaboutit，hismindismadeup，andwemightaswellknockunderfirstaslast。"
　　"AnddoyoumeantosaythatyouwouldnotstandbymeinwhatI
　　consideredmyduty-inamatterofprinciple?"
　　"Why，ofcourse，March，"saidFulkerson，coaxingly，"Imeantodotherightthing。ButDryfoosownsthemagazine——"
　　"Hedoesn'townme，"saidMarch，rising。"Hehasmadethelittlemistakeofspeakingtomeasifhedid；andwhen"——Marchputonhishatandtookhisovercoatdownfromitsnail——"whenyoubringmehisapologies，orcometosaythat，havingfailedtomakehimunderstandtheywerenecessary，youarepreparedtostandbyme，Iwillcomebacktothisdesk。Otherwisemyresignationisatyourservice。"
　　Hestartedtowardthedoor，andFulkersoninterceptedhim。"Ah，now，lookhere，March!Don'tdothat!Hangitall，don'tyouseewhereitleavesme?Now，youjustsitdownaminuteandtalkitover。Icanmakeyousee——Icanshowyou——Why，confoundtheoldDutchbeer-buzzer!Twentyofhimwouldn'tbeworththetroublehe'smakin'。Lethimgo，andtheoldman'llcomeroundintime。"
　　"Idon'tthinkwe'veunderstoodeachotherexactly，Mr。Fulkerson，"saidMarch，veryhaughtily。"Perhapswenevercan；butI'llleaveyoutothinkitout。"
　　Hepushedon，andFulkersonstoodasidetolethimpass，withadazedlookandamechanicalmovement。TherewassomethingcomicinhisruefulbewildermenttoMarch，whowastemptedtosmile，buthesaidtohimselfthathehadasmuchreasontobeunhappyasFulkerson，andhedidnotsmile。HisindignationkepthimhotinhispurposetosufferanyconsequenceratherthansubmittothedictationofamanlikeDryfoos；
　　hefeltkeenlythedegradationofhisconnectionwithhim，andallhisresentmentofFulkerson'soriginaluncandorreturned；atthesametimehisheartachedwithforeboding。Itwasnotmerelytheworkinwhichhehadconstantlygrownhappierthathesawtakenfromhim；buthefeltthemiseryofthemanwhostakesthesecurityandplentyandpeaceofhomeuponsomecast，andknowsthatlosingwillsweepfromhimmostthatmostmenfindsweetandpleasantinlife。Hefacedthefact，whichnogoodmancanfrontwithoutterror，thathewasriskingthesupportofhisfamily，andforapointofpride，ofhonor，whichperhapshehadnorighttoconsiderinviewofthepossibleadversity。Herealized，aseveryhirelingmust，nomatterhowskillfullyorgracefullythetieiscontrivedforhiswearing，thathebelongstoanother，whosewillishislaw。HisindignationwasshotwithabjectimpulsestogobackandtellFulkersonthatitwasallright，andthathegaveup。Toendtheanguishofhisstrugglehequickenedhissteps，sothathefoundhewasreachinghomealmostatarun。
　　VIII。
　　Hemusthavemademoreclatterthanhesupposedwithhiskeyattheapartmentdoor，forhiswifehadcometolethiminwhenheflungitopen。"Why，Basil，"shesaid，"what'sbroughtyouback?Areyousick?
　　You'reallpale。Well，nowonder!ThisisthelastofMr。Fulkerson'sdinnersyoushallgoto。You'renotstrongenoughforit，andyourstomachwillbealloutoforderforaweek。Howhotyouare!andinadripofperspiration!Nowyou'llbesick。"Shetookhishataway，whichhungdanglinginhishand，andpushedhimintoachairwithtenderimpatience。"Whatisthematter?Hasanythinghappened?"
　　"Everythinghashappened，"hesaid，gettinghisvoiceafteroneortwohuskyendeavorsforit；andthenhepouredoutaconfusedandhuddledstatementofthecase，fromwhichsheonlygotatthesituationbyprolongedcross-questioning。
　　Attheendshesaid，"IknewLindauwouldgetyouintotrouble。"
　　ThiscutMarchtotheheart。"Isabel!"hecried，reproachfully。
　　"Oh，Iknow，"sheretorted，andthetearsbegantocome。"Idon'twonderyoudidn'twanttosaymuchtomeaboutthatdinneratbreakfast。
　　Inoticedit；butIthoughtyouwerejustdull，andsoIdidn'tinsist。
　　IwishIhad，now。IfyouhadtoldmewhatLindauhadsaid，Ishouldhaveknownwhatwouldhavecomeofit，andIcouldhaveadvisedyou——"
　　"Wouldyouhaveadvisedme，"Marchdemanded，curiously，"tosubmittobullyinglikethat，andmeeklyconsenttocommitanactofcrueltyagainstamanwhohadoncebeensuchafriendtome?"
　　"Itwasanunluckydaywhenyoumethim。Isupposeweshallhavetogo。
　　AndjustwhenwebadgotusedtoNewYork，andbeguntolikeit。Idon'tknowwhereweshallgonow；Bostonisn'tlikehomeanymore；andwecouldn'tliveontwothousandthere；Ishouldbeashamedtotry。I'msureIdon'tknowwherewecanliveonit。Isupposeinsomecountryvillage，wheretherearenoschools，oranythingforthechildren。I
　　don'tknowwhatthey'llsaywhenwetellthem，poorthings。"
　　EverywordwasastabinMarch'sheart，soweaklytendertohisown；hiswife'stears，aftersomuchexperienceofthecomparativelightnessofthegriefsthatweepthemselvesoutinwomen，alwaysseemedwrungfromhisownsoul；ifhischildrensufferedintheleastthroughhim，hefeltlikeamurderer。Itwasfarworsethanhecouldhaveimagined，thewayhiswifetooktheaffair，thoughhehadimaginedcertainwords，orperhapsonlylooks，fromherthatwerebadenough。Hehadallowedfortrouble，buttroubleonhisaccount:asvmpathythatmightburdenandembarrasshim；buthehadnotdreamedofthismerelydomestic，thispetty，thissordidviewoftheirpotentialcalamity，whichlefthimwhollyoutofthequestion，andembracedonlywhatwasmostcrushinganddesolatingintheprospect。Hecouldnotbearit。Hecaughtuphishatagain，and，withsomehopethathiswifewouldtrytokeephim，rushedoutofthehouse。Hewanderedaimlesslyabout，thinkingthesameexhaustingthoughtsoverandover，tillhefoundhimselfhorriblyhungry；
　　thenhewentintoarestaurantforhislunch，andwhenhepaidhetriedtoimaginehowheshouldfeelifthatwerereallyhislastdollar。
　　Hewenthometowardthemiddleoftheafternoon，baselyhopingthatFulkersonhadsenthimsomeconciliatorymessage，orperhapswaswaitingthereforhimtotalkitover；Marchwasquitewillingtotalkitovernow。Butitwashiswifewhoagainmethimatthedoor，thoughitseemedanotherwomanthantheonehehadleftweepinginthemorning。
　　"Itoldthechildren，"shesaid，insmilingexplanationofhisabsencefromlunch，"thatperhapsyouweredetainedbybusiness。Ididn'tknowbutyouhadgonebacktotheoffice。"
　　"DidyouthinkIwouldgobackthere，Isabel?"askedMarch，withahaggardlook。"Well，ifyousayso，Iwillgoback，anddowhatDryfoosorderedmetodo。I'msufficientlycowedbetweenhimandyou，Icanassureyou。"
　　"Nonsense，"shesaid。"Iapproveofeverythingyoudid。Butsitdown，now，anddon'tkeepwalkingthatway，andletmeseeifIunderstanditperfectly。Ofcourse，Ihadtohavemysayout。"
　　ShemadehimgoalloverhistalkwithDryfoosagain，andreporthisownlanguageprecisely。Fromtimetotime，asshegothispoints，shesaid，"Thatwassplendid，""Goodenoughforhim!"and"Oh，I'msogladyousaidthattohim!"Attheendshesaid:
　　"Well，now，let'slookatitfromhispointofview。Let'sbeperfectlyjusttohimbeforewetakeanotherstepforward。"
　　"Orbackward，"Marchsuggested，ruefully。"Thecaseissimplythis:heownsthemagazine。"
　　"Ofcourse。"
　　"AndhehasarighttoexpectthatIwillconsiderhispecuniaryinterests——"
　　"Oh，thosedetestablepecuniaryinterests!Don'tyouwishtherewasn'tanymoneyintheworld?"
　　"Yes；orelsethattherewasagreatdealmoreofit。AndIwasperfectlywillingtodothat。Ihavealwayskeptthatinmindasoneofmydutiestohim，eversinceIunderstoodwhathisrelationtothemagazinewas。"
　　"Yes，Icanbearwitnesstothatinanycourtofjustice。You'vedoneitagreatdealmorethanIcould，Basil。Anditwasjustthesamewaywiththosehorribleinsurancepeople。"
　　"Iknow，"Marchwenton，tryingtobeproofagainstherflatteries，oratleasttolookasifhedidnotdeservepraise；"IknowthatwhatLindausaidwasoffensivetohim，andIcanunderstandhowhefeltthathehadarighttopunishit。AllIsayisthathehadnorighttopunishitthroughme。"
　　"Yes，"saidMrs。March，askingly。
　　"Ifithadbeenaquestionofmaking'EveryOtherWeek'thevehicleofLindau'speculiaropinions——thoughthey'renotsoverypeculiar；hemighthavegotthemostofthemoutofRuskin——Ishouldn'thavehadanygroundtostandon，oratleastthenIshouldhavehadtoaskmyselfwhetherhisopinionswouldbeinjurioustothemagazineornot。"
　　"Idon'tsee，"Mrs。Marchinterpolated，"howtheycouldhurtitmuchworsethanColonelWoodburn'sarticlecryingupslavery。"
　　"Well，"saidMarch，impartially，"wecouldprintadozenarticlespraisingtheslaveryit'simpossibletohaveback，anditwouldn'thurtus。ButifweprintedonepaperagainsttheslaverywhichLindauclaimsstillexists，somepeoplewouldcallusbadnames，andthecounting-roomwouldbegintofeelit。Butthatisn'tthepoint。Lindau'sconnectionwith'EveryOtherWeek'isalmostpurelymechanical；he'smerelyatranslatorofsuchstoriesandsketchesashefirstsubmitstome，anditisn'tatallaquestionofhisopinionshurtingus，butofmybecominganagenttopunishhimforhisopinions。ThatiswhatIwouldn'tdo；that'swhatIneverwilldo。"
　　"Ifyoudid，"saidhiswife，"Ishouldperfectlydespiseyou。Ididn'tunderstandhowitwasbefore。IthoughtyouwerejustholdingoutagainstDryfoosbecausehetookadictatorialtonewithyou，andbecauseyouwouldn'trecognizehisauthority。ButnowI'mwithyou，Basil，everytime，asthathorridlittleFulkersonsays。Butwhowouldeverhavesupposedhewouldbesobaseastosideagainstyou?"
　　"Idon'tknow，"saidMarch，thoughtfully，"thatwehadarighttoexpectanythingelse。Fulkerson'sstandardsarelow；they'remerelybusinessstandards，andthegoodthat'sinhimisincidentalandsomethingquiteapartfromhismoralsandmethods。He'snaturallyagenerousandright-
　　mindedcreature，butlifehastaughthimtotruckleandtrick，liketherestofus。"
　　"Ithasn'ttaughtyouthat，Basil。"
　　"Don'tbesosure。Perhapsit'sonlythatI'mapoorscholar。ButI
　　don'tknow，really，thatIdespiseFulkersonsomuchforhiscoursethismorningasforhisgrossandfulsomeflatteriesofDryfooslastnight。
　　Icouldhardlystomachit。"
　　Hiswifemadehimtellherwhattheywere，andthenshesaid，"Yes，thatwasloathsome；Icouldn'thavebelieveditofMr。Fulkerson。"
　　"Perhapsheonlydidittokeepthetalkgoing，andtogivetheoldmanachancetosaysomething，"Marchlenientlysuggested。"Itwasaworseeffectbecausehedidn'torcouldn'tfollowupFulkerson'slead。"
　　"Itwasloathsome，allthesame，"hiswifeinsisted。"It'stheendofMr。Fulkerson，asfarasI'mconcerned。"
　　"Ididn'ttellyoubefore，"Marchresumed，afteramoment，"ofmylittleinterviewwithConradDryfoosafterhisfatherleft，"andnowhewentontorepeatwhathadpassedbetweenhimandtheyoungman。
　　"Isuspectthatheandhisfatherhadbeenhavingsomewordsbeforetheoldmancameuptotalkwithme，andthatitwasthatmadehimsofurious。"
　　"Yes，butwhatastrangepositionforthesonofsuchamantotake!
　　Doyousupposehesayssuchthingstohisfather?"
　　"Idon'tknow；butIsuspectthatinhismeekwayConradwouldsaywhathebelievedtoanybody。Isupposewemustregardhimasakindofcrank。"
　　"Pooryoungfellow!Healwaysmakesmefeelsad，somehow。Hehassuchapatheticface。Idon'tbelieveIeversawhimlookquitehappy，exceptthatnightatMrs。Horn's，whenhewastalkingwithMissVance；andthenhemademefeelsadderthanever。"
　　"Idon'tenvyhimthelifeheleadsathome，withthoseconvictionsofhis。Idon'tseewhyitwouldn'tbeastolerablethereforoldLindauhimself。"
　　"Well，now，"saidMrs。March，"letusputthemalloutofourmindsandseewhatwearegoingtodoourselves。"
　　Theybegantoconsidertheirwaysandmeans，andhowandwheretheyshouldlive，inviewofMarch'sseveranceofhisrelationswith'EveryOtherWeek。'Theyhadnotsavedanythingfromthefirstyear'ssalary；
　　theyhadonlypreparedtosave；andtheyhadnothingsolidbuttheirtwothousandtocountupon。ButtheybuiltafutureinwhichtheyeasilylivedonthatandonwhatMarchearnedwithhispen。Hebecameafreelance，andfoughtinwhatevercausehethoughtjust；hehadnoties，nochains。TheywentbacktoBostonwiththeheroicwilltodowhatwasmostdistasteful；theywouldhavereturnedtotheirownhouseiftheyhadnotrenteditagain；but，anyrate，Mrs。Marchhelpedoutbytakingboarders，orperhapsonlylettingroomstolodgers。Theyhadsomehardstruggles，buttheysucceeded。
　　"Thegreatthing，"shesaid，"istoberight。I'mtentimesashappyasifyouhadcomehomeandtoldmethatyouhadconsentedtodowhatDryfoosaskedandhehaddoubledyoursalary。"
　　"Idon'tthinkthatwouldhavehappenedinanyevent，"saidMarch，dryly。
　　"Well，nomatter。Ijustuseditforanexample。"
　　Theybothexperiencedabuoyantrelief，suchasseemstocometopeoplewhobeginlifeanewonwhateverterms。"Ihopeweareyoungenoughyet，Basil，"shesaid，andshewouldnothaveitwhenhesaidtheyhadoncebeenyounger。
　　Theyheardthechildren'sknockonthedoor；theyknockedwhentheycamehomefromschoolsothattheirmothermightletthemin。"Shallwetellthematonce?"sheasked，andrantoopenforthembeforeMarchcouldanswer。
　　Theywerenotalone。Fulkerson，smilingfromeartoear，waswiththem。
　　"IsMarchin?"heasked。
　　"Mr。Marchisathome，yes，"shesaidveryhaughtily。"He'sinhisstudy，"andsheledthewaythere，whilethechildrenwenttotheirrooms。
　　"Well，March，"Fulkersoncalledoutatsightofhim，"it'sallright!
　　Theoldmanhascomedown。"
　　"Isupposeifyougentlemenaregoingtotalkbusiness——"Mrs。Marchbegan。
　　"Oh，wedon'twantyoutogoaway，"saidFulkerson。"IreckonMarchhastoldyou，anyway。"
　　"Yes，I'vetoldher，"saidMarch。"Don'tgo，Isabel。Whatdoyoumean，Fulkerson?"
　　"He'sjustgoneonuphome，andhesentmeroundwithhisapologies。
　　Heseesnowthathehadnobusinesstospeaktoyouashedid，andhewithdrawseverything。He'd'a'comeroundhimselfifI'dsaidso，butI
　　toldhimIcouldmakeitallright。"
　　Fulkersonlookedsohappyinhavingthewholeaffairputright，andtheMarchesknewhimtobesokindlyaffectedtowardthem，thattheycouldnotrefuseforthemomenttosharehismood。Theyfeltthemselvesslippingdownfromthemoralheightwhichtheyhadgained，andMarchmadeaclutchtostayhimselfwiththequestion，"AndLindau?"
　　"Well，"saidFulkerson，"he'sgoingtoleaveLindautome。Youwon'thaveanythingtodowithit。I'lllettheoldfellowdowneasy。"
　　"Doyoumean，"askedMarch，"thatMr。Dryfoosinsistsonhisbeingdismissed?"
　　"Why，thereisn'tanydismissingaboutit，"Fulkersonargued。"Ifyoudon'tsendhimanymorework，hewon'tdoanymore，that'sall。Orifhecomesround，youcan——He'stobereferredtome。"
　　Marchshookhishead，andhiswife，withasigh，feltherselfpluckedupfromthesoftcircumstanceoftheirlives，whichshehadsunkbackintosoquickly，andsetbesidehimonthatcoldpeakofprincipleagain。
　　"Itwon'tdo，Fulkerson。It'sverygoodofyou，andallthat，butitcomestothesamethingintheend。IcouldhavegoneonwithoutanyapologyfromMr。Dryfoos；hetranscendedhisauthority，butthat'saminormatter。Icouldhaveexcusedittohisignoranceoflifeamonggentlemen；butIcan'tconsenttoLindau'sdismissal——itcomestothat，whetheryoudoitorIdoit，andwhetherit'sapositiveoranegativething——becauseheholdsthisopinionorthat。"
　　"Butdon'tyousee，"saidFulkerson，"thatit'sjustLindau'sopinionstheoldmancan'tstand?Hehasn'tgotanythingagainsthimpersonally。
　　Idon'tsupposethere'sanybodythatappreciatesLindauinsomewaysmorethantheoldmandoes。"
　　"Iunderstand。Hewantstopunishhimforhisopinions。Well，Ican'tconsenttothat，directlyorindirectly。Wedon'tprinthisopinions，andhehasaperfectrighttoholdthem，whetherMr。Dryfoosagreeswiththemornot。"
　　Mrs。Marchhadjudgeditdecorousforhertosaynothing，butshenowwentandsatdowninthechairnextherhusband。
　　"Ah，dogonit!"criedFulkerson，rumplinghishairwithbothhishands。
　　"WhatamItodo?Theoldmansayshe'sgottogo。"
　　"AndIdon'tconsenttohisgoing，"saidMarch。
　　"Andyouwon'tstayifhegoes。"
　　Fulkersonrose。"Well，well!I'vegottoseeaboutit。I'mafraidtheoldmanwon'tstandit，March；Iam，indeed。Iwishyou'dreconsider。
　　I——I'dtakeitasapersonalfavorifyouwould。Itleavesmeinafix。
　　YouseeI'vegottosidewithoneortheother。"
　　Marchmadenoreplytothis，excepttosay，"Yes，youmuststandbyhim，oryoumuststandbyme。"
　　"Well，well!Holdonawhile!I'llseeyouinthemorning。Don'ttakeanysteps——"
　　"Oh，therearenostepstotake，"saidMarch，withamelancholysmile。
　　"Thestepsarestopped；that'sall。"HesankbackintohischairwhenFulkersonwasgoneanddrewalongbreath。"Thisisprettyrough。I
　　thoughtwehadgotthroughit。"
　　"No，"saidhiswife。"ItseemsasifIhadtomakethefightalloveragain。"
　　"Well，it'sagoodthingit'saholywar。"
　　"Ican'tbearthesuspense。Whydidn'tyoutellhimoutrightyouwouldn'tgobackonanyterms?"
　　"Imightaswell，andgottheglory。He'llnevermoveDryfoos。I
　　supposewebothwouldliketogoback，ifwecould。"
　　"Oh，Isupposeso。"
　　Theycouldnotregaintheirlostexaltation，theirlostdignity。AtdinnerMrs。MarchaskedthechildrenhowtheywouldliketogobacktoBostontolive。
　　"Why，we'renotgoing，arewe?"askedTom，withoutenthusiasm。
　　"Iwasjustwonderinghowyoufeltaboutit，now，"shesaid，withanunderlookatherhusband。
　　"Well，ifwegoback，"saidBella，"IwanttoliveontheBackBay。It'sawfullyMickyattheSouthEnd。"
　　"IsupposeIshouldgotoHarvard，"saidTom，"andI'droomoutatCambridge。ItwouldbeeasiertogetatyouontheBackBay。"
　　Theparentssmiledruefullyateachother，and，inviewofthesegrandexpectationsofhischildren，MarchresolvedtogoasfarashecouldinmeetingDryfoos'swishes。Heproposedthetheatreasadistractionfromtheanxietiesthatheknewwerepressingequallyonhiswife。"Wemightgotothe'OldHomestead，'"hesuggested，withasadirony，whichonlyhiswifefelt。
　　"Ohyes，let's!"criedBella。
　　Whiletheyweregettingready，someonerang，andBellawenttothedoor，andthencametotellherfatherthatitwasMr。Lindau。"Hesayshewantstoseeyoujustamoment。He'sintheparlor，andhewon'tsitdown，oranything。"
　　"Whatcanhewant?"groanedMrs。March，fromtheircommondismay。
　　Marchapprehendedastormintheoldman'sface。Butheonlystoodinthemiddleoftheroom，lookingverysadandgrave。"YouareGoingoudt，"hesaid。"Iwon'tgeepyoulong。Ihafgometopringpackdosemacassinesanddismawney。Ican'tdoanymorevoarkforyou；andI
　　can'tgeepthemawneyyouhafbaidmea'ready。Itissnothawnestmawney——thathassbeenoarnedpyvoark；itissmawneythathasspeenmatepysbeculation，andtheobbressionofflapor，andthenecessityoftheboor，pyaman——Hereitis，eferytollar，eferyzent。Dakeit；Ifeelasifderevasploodtonit。"
　　"Why，Lindau，"Marchbegan，buttheoldmaninterruptedhim。
　　"Ton'tdalktome，Passil!Icouldnothafbelievedtitofyou。WhenyouknowhowIfeelaboutdosetings，whytidn'tyoudellmewhosemawneyyoubayoudttome?Ach，Iton'tplameyou——Iton'trebroachyou。Youhafneferthoughtofit；boatIhavethought，andIshouldbeGuilty，Imustsharethatman'sGuilt，ifIgepthissmawney。Ifyouhattoldtmeatthepeginning——ifyouhatpeenfrankwithmeboatitissallrighdt；
　　youcangoon；youton'tseedesetingsasIseethem；andyouhafcotafamily，andIamafreeman。Ivoarktomyself，andwhenIton'tvoark，Isdarfetomyself。But。Igeepmyhandtsglean，voarkorsdarfe。Gifhimhissmawneypack!Iamsawryforhim；Iwouldnothoarthissfeelings，boatIcouldnotpeartodouchhim，andhissmawneyisslikeboison!"
　　MarchtriedtoreasonwithLindau，toshowhimthefolly，theinjustice，theabsurdityofhiscourse；itendedintheirbothgettingangry，andinLindau'sgoingawayinawhirlofGermanthatincludedBasilintheguiltofthemanwhomLindaucalledhismaster。
　　"Well，"saidMrs。March。"Heisacrank，andIthinkyou'rewellridofhim。NowyouhavenoquarrelwiththathorridoldDryfoos，andyoucankeeprighton。"
　　"Yes，"saidMarch，"Iwishitdidn'tmakemefeelsosneaking。Whatalongdayit'sbeen!ItseemslikeacenturysinceIgotup。"
　　"Yes，athousandyears。Isthereanythingelselefttohappen?"
　　"Ihopenot。I'dliketogotobed。"
　　"Why，aren'tyougoingtothetheatre?"wailedBella，cominginuponherfather'sdesperateexpression。
　　"Thetheatre?Ohyes，certainly!Imeantafterwegothome，"andMarchamusedhimselfatthepuzzledcountenanceofthechild。"Comeon!
　　IsTomready?"
　　IX。
　　FulkersonpartedwiththeMarchesinsuchtroubleofmindthathedidnotfeelabletomeetthatnightthepeoplewhomheusuallykeptsogayatMrs。Leighton'stable。HewenttoMaroni'sforhisdinner，forthisreasonandforothersmoreobscure。HecouldnotexpecttodoanythingmorewithDryfoosatonce；heknewthatDryfoosmustfeelthathehadalreadymadeanextremeconcessiontoMarch，andhebelievedthatifhewastogetanythingmorefromhimitmustbeafterDryfooshaddined。
　　Buthewasnotwithoutthehope，vagueandindefiniteasitmightbe，thatheshouldfindLindauatMaroni's，andperhapsshouldgetsomeconcessionfromhim，somewordofregretorapologywhichhecouldreporttoDryfoos，andatlestmakethemeansofreopeningtheaffairwithhim；
　　perhapsLindau，whenheknewhowmattersstood，wouldbackdownaltogether，andforMarch'ssakewouldwithdrawfromallconnectionwith'EveryOtherWeek'himself，andsoleaveeverythingserene。Fulkersonfeltcapable，inhisdesperation，ofdelicatelysuggestingsuchacoursetoLindau，orevenofplainlyadvisingit:hedidnotcareforLindauagreatdeal，andhedidcareagreatdealforthemagazine。
　　ButhedidnotfindLindauatMaroni's；heonlyfoundBeaton。HesatlookingatthedoorwayasFulkersonentered，andFulkersonnaturallycameandtookaplaceathistable。SomethinginBeaton'slarge-eyedsolemnityofaspectinvitedFulkersontoconfidence，andhesaid，ashepulledhisnapkinopenandstrungit，stillalittledampasthescanty，often-washedlinenatMaroni'swasapttobe，acrosshisknees，"Iwaslookingforyouthismorning，totalkwithyouabouttheChristmasnumber，andIwasagooddealworkedupbecauseIcouldn'tfindyou；butIguessImightaswellhavesparedmyselfmyemotions。"
　　"Why?"askedBeaton，briefly。
　　"Well，Idon'tknowasthere'sgoingtobeanyChristmasnumber。"
　　"Why?"Beatonaskedagain。
　　"Rowbetweenthefinancialangelandtheliteraryeditoraboutthechieftranslatorandpolyglotsmeller。"
　　"Lindau?"
　　"Lindauishisname。"
　　"WhatdoestheliteraryeditorexpectafterLindau'sexpressionofhisviewslastnight?"
　　"Idon'tknowwhatheexpected，butthegroundhetookwiththeoldmanwasthat，asLindau'sopinionsdidn'tcharacterizehisworkonthemagazine，hewouldnotbemadetheinstrumentofpunishinghimforthemtheoldmanwantedhimturnedoff，ashecallsit。"
　　"Seemstobeprettygoodground，"saidBeaton，impartially，whilehespeculated，withadulltroubleatheart，ontheeffecttherowwouldhaveonhisownfortunes。Hislatevisithomehadmadehimfeelthattheclaimofhisfamilyuponhimforsomerepaymentofhelpgivencouldnotbemuchlongerdelayed；withhismothersickandhisfathergrowingold，hemustbegintodosomethingforthem，butuptothistimehehadspenthissalaryevenfasterthanhehadearnedit。WhenFulkersoncameinhewaswonderingwhetherhecouldgethimtoincreaseit，ifhethreatenedtogiveuphiswork，andhewishedthathewasenoughinlovewithMargaretVance，orevenChristineDryfoos，tomarryher，onlytoendinthesorrowfulconvictionthathewasreallyinlovewithAlmaLeighton，whohadnomoney，andwhohadapparentlynowishtobemarriedforlove，even。"Andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit?"heasked，listlessly。
　　"BedoggedifIknowwhatI'mgoingtodoaboutit，"saidFulkerson。
　　"I'vebeenroundallday，tryingtopickupthepieces——rowbeganrightafterbreakfastthismorning——andonetimeIthoughtI'dgotthethingallputtogetheragain。IgottheoldmantosaythathehadspokentoMarchalittletooauthoritativelyaboutLindau；that，infact，heoughttohavecommunicatedhiswishesthroughme；andthathewaswillingtohavemegetridofLindau，andMarchneedn'thaveanythingtodowithit。
　　Ithoughtthatwasprettywhite，butMarchsaystheapologiesandregretsareallwellenoughintheirway，buttheyleavethemainquestionwheretheyfoundit。"
　　"Whatisthemainquestion?"Beatonasked，pouringhimselfoutsomeChianti。AshesettheflaskdownhemadethereflectionthatifhewoulddrinkwaterinsteadofChiantihecouldsendhisfatherthreedollarsaweek，onhisbackdebts，andheresolvedtodoit。
　　"Themainquestion，asMarchlooksatit，isthequestionofpunishingLindauforhisprivateopinions；hesaysthatifheconsentstomybouncingtheoldfellowit'sthesameasifhebouncedhim。"
　　"Itmighthavethatcomplexioninsomelights，"saidBeaton。HedrankoffhisChianti，andthoughthewouldhaveittwiceaweek，ormakeMaronikeepthehalf-bottlesoverforhim，andsendhisfathertwodollars。"Andwhatareyougoingtodonow?"
　　"That'swhatIdon'tknow，"saidFulkerson，ruefully。Afteramomenthesaid，desperately，"Beaton，you'vegotaprettygoodhead；whydon'tyousuggestsomething?"
　　"Whydon'tyouletMarchgo?"Beatonsuggested。
　　"Ah，Icouldn't，"saidFulkerson。"IgothimtobreakupinBostonandcomehere；Ilikehim；nobodyelsecouldgetthehangofthethinglikehehas；he's——afriend。"Fulkersonsaidthiswiththenearestapproachhecouldmaketoseriousness，whichwasakindofunhappiness。
　　Beatonshrugged。"Oh，ifyoucanaffordtohaveideals，Icongratulateyou。They'retooexpensiveforme。Then，supposeyougetridofDryfoos?"
　　Fulkersonlaughedforlornly。"Goon，Bildad。Liketosprinkleafewashesovermyboils?Don'tmindme!"
　　Theybothsatsilentalittlewhile，andthenBeatonsaid，"Isupposeyouhaven'tseenDryfoosthesecondtime?"
　　"No。IcameinheretogirdupmyloinswithalittledinnerbeforeI
　　tackledhim。ButsomethingseemstobethematterwithMaroni'scook。
　　Idon'twantanythingtoeat。"
　　"Thecooking'saboutasbadasusual，"saidBeaton。Afteramomentheadded，ironically，forhefoundFulkerson'smiseryakindofrelieffromhisown，andwaswillingtoprotractitaslongasitwasamusing，"Whynottryanenvoyextraordinaryandministerplenipotentiary?"
　　"Whatdoyoumean?"
　　"GetthatotheroldfooltogotoDryfoosforyou!"
　　"Whichotheroldfool?Theoldfoolsseemtobeasthickasflies。"
　　"ThatSouthernone。"
　　"ColonelWoodburn?"
　　"Mmmmm。"
　　"Hedidseemtorathertaketothecolonel!"Fulkersonmusedaloud。
　　"Ofcoursehedid。Woodburn，withhisidiotictalkaboutpatriarchalslavery，isthemanonhorsebacktoDryfoos'smuddyimagination。He'dlistentohimabjectly，andhe'ddowhateverWoodburntoldhimtodo。"
　　Beatonsmiledcynically。
　　Fulkersongotupandreachedforhiscoatandhat。"You'vestruckit，oldman。"Thewaitercameuptohelphimonwithhiscoat；Fulkersonslippedadollarinhishand。"Nevermindthecoat；youcangivetherestofmydinnertothepoor，Paolo。Beaton，shake!You'vesavedmylife，littleboy，thoughIdon'tthinkyoumeantit。"HetookBeaton'shandandsolemnlypressedit，andthenalmostranoutofthedoor。
　　TheyhadjustreachedcoffeeatMrs。Leighton'swhenhearrivedandsatdownwiththemandbegantoputsomeofthelifeofhisnewhopeintothem。Hisappetiterevived，and，afterprotestingthathewouldnottakeanythingbutcoffee，hewentbackandatesomeoftheearliercourses。
　　Butwiththepressureofhispurposedrivinghimforward，hedidnotconcealfromMissWoodburn，atleast，thathewaseagertogetherapartfromtherestforsomereason。Whenheaccomplishedthis，itseemedasifhehadcontriveditallhimself，butperhapshehadnotwhollycontrivedit。
　　"I'msogladtogetachancetospeaktoyoualone，"hesaidatonce；andwhileshewaitedforthenextwordhemadeapause，andthensaid，desperately，"Iwantyoutohelpme；andifyoucan'thelpme，there'snohelpforme。"
　　"Mahgoodness，"shesaid，"isthecasesobadasthat?Whatinthewoaldisthetrouble?"
　　"Yes，it'sabadcase，"saidFulkerson。"Iwantyourfathertohelpme。"
　　"Oh，Ithoatyousaidme!"
　　"Yes；Iwantyoutohelpmewithyourfather。IsupposeIoughttogotohimatonce，butI'malittleafraidofhim。"
　　"Andyouawenotafraidofme?Idon'tthinkthat'sveryflattering，Mr。
　　Fulkerson。YououghttothinkAh'mtwahceasawfulaspapa。"
　　"Oh，Ido!Yousee，I'mquiteparalyzedbeforeyou，andsoIdon'tfeelanything。"
　　"Well，it'saprettylahvelykyandofparalysis。But——goon。"
　　"Iwill——Iwill。IfIcanonlybegin。"
　　"PohapsAhmaghtbeginfo'you。"
　　"No，youcan't。Lordknows，I'dliketoletyou。Well，it'slikethis。"
　　Fulkersonmadeaclutchathishair，andthen，afteranotherhesitation，heabruptlylaidthewholeaffairbeforeher。HedidnotthinkitnecessarytostatetheexactnatureoftheoffenceLindauhadgivenDryfoos，forhedoubtedifshecouldgraspit，andhewasprofuseofhisexcusesfortroublingherwiththematter，andofwonderathimselfforhavingdoneso。Intheraptureofhisconcernathavingperhapsmadeafoolofhimself，heforgotwhyhehadtoldher；butsheseemedtolikehavingbeenconfidedin，andshesaid，"Well，Ahdon'tseewhatyoucandowithyou'ahdealsoffriendshipexceptstandbahMr。Mawch。"
　　"Myidealsoffriendship?Whatdoyoumean?"
　　"Oh，don'tyousupposeweknow?Mr。Beatonsaidyouwe'apofectBahyardinfriendship，andyouwouldsacrificeanythingtoit。"
　　"Isthatso?"saidFulkerson，thinkinghoweasilyhecouldsacrificeLindauinthiscase。Hehadneversupposedbeforethathewaschivalrousinsuchmatters，buthenowbegantoseeitinthatlight，andhewonderedthathecouldeverhaveentertainedforamomenttheideaofthrowingMarchover。
　　"ButAhmostsay，"MissWoodburnwenton，"Ahdon'tenvyyouyou'nextinterviewwithMr。Dryfoos。Ahsupposeyou'llhavetoseehimatonceaboatit。"
　　TheconjecturerecalledFulkersontotheobjectofhisconfidences。
　　"Ah，there'swhereyourhelpcomesin。I'veexhaustedalltheinfluenceIhavewithDryfoos——"
　　"Goodgracious，youdon'texpectAhcouldhaveany!"
　　Theybothlaughedatthecomicdismaywithwhichsheconveyedthepreposterousnotion；andFulkersonsaid，"IfIjudgedfrommyself，Ishouldexpectyoutobringhimroundinstantly。"
　　"Oh，thankyou，Mr。Fulkerson，"shesaid，withmockmeekness。
　　"Notatall。Butitisn'tDryfoosIwantyoutohelpmewith；it'syourfather。IwantyourfathertointerviewDryfoosforme，andI-I'mafraidtoaskhim。"
　　"Poo'Mr。Fulkerson!"shesaid，andsheinsinuatedsomethingthroughherburlesquecompassionthatliftedhimtotheskies。Hesworeinhisheartthatthewomanneverlivedwhowassowitty，sowise，sobeautiful，andsogood。"Comeraghtwithmethisminute，ifthecyoast'sclea'。"Shewenttothedoorofthediningroomandlookedinacrossitsgloomtothelittlegallerywhereherfathersatbesidealampreadinghiseveningpaper；Mrs。Leightoncouldbeheardincolloquywiththecookbelow，andAlmahadgonetoherroom。ShebeckonedFulkersonwiththehandoutstretchedbehindher，andsaid，"Goandaskhim。"
　　"Alone!"hepalpitated。
　　"Oh，whatacyowahd!"shecried，andwentwithhim。"Ahsupposeyou'llwantmetotellhimaboatit。"
　　"Well，Iwishyou'dbegin，MissWoodburn，"hesaid。"Thefactis，youknow，I'vebeenoveritsomuchI'mkindofsickofthething。"
　　MissWoodburnadvancedandputherhandonherfather'sshoulder。"Lookheah，papa!Mr。Fulkersonwantstoaskyousomething，andhewantsmetodoitfo'him。"
　　Thecolonellookedupthroughhisglasseswiththesortofferocityelderlymensometimeshavetoputoninordertokeeptheirglassesfromfallingoff。Hisdaughtercontinued:"He'sgotintoanawfuldifficultywithhisedito'andhisproprieto'，andhewantsyoutopacifythem。"
　　"IdonotknowwhethahIunderstandthecaseexactly，"saidthecolonel，"butMr。Fulkersonmaycommandmetotheextentofmyability。"
　　"Youdon'tunderstanditaftahwhatAh'vesaid?"criedthegirl。"ThenAhdon'tseebutwhatyou'llhavetoexplainityou'self，Mr。Fulkerson。"
　　"Well，MissWoodburnhasbeensoluminousaboutit，colonel，"saidFulkerson，gladofthejokingshapeshehadgiventheaffair，"thatIcanonlythrowinalittleside-lighthereandthere。"
　　ThecolonellistenedasFulkersonwenton，withagravediplomaticsatisfaction。Hefeltgratified，honored，even，hesaid，byMr。
　　Fulkerson'sappealtohim；andprobablyitgavehimsomethingofthehighjoythatanaffairofhonorwouldhavebroughthiminthedayswhenhehadarrangedformeetingsbetweengentlemen。Nexttobearingachallenge，thisworkofcomposingadifficultymusthavebeengrateful。
　　Buthegavenooutwardsignofhissatisfactioninmakingaresumeofthecasesoastogetthepointsclearlyinhismind。
　　"Iwasafraid，sir，"hesaid，withthestateduetotheseriousnatureofthefacts，"thatMr。LindauhadgivenMr。Dryfoosoffencebysomeofhisquestionsatthedinner-tablelastnight。"
　　"Perfectredragtoabull，"Fulkersonputin；andthenhewantedtowithdrawhiswordsatthecolonel'slookofdispleasure。
　　"IhavenoreflectionstomakeuponMr。Landau，"ColonelWoodburncontinued，andFulkersonfeltgratefultohimforgoingon；"IdonotagreewithMr。Lindau；Itotallydisagreewithhimonsociologicalpoints；butthecourseoftheconversationhadinvitedhimtotheexpressionofhisconvictions，andhehadarighttoexpressthem，sofarastheyhadnopersonalbearing。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidFulkerson，whileMissWoodburnperchedonthearmofherfather'schair。
　　"Atthesametime，sir，IthinkthatifMr。DryfoosfeltapersonalcensureinMr。Lindau'squestionsconcerninghissuppressionofthestrikeamonghisworkmen，hehadarighttoresentit。"
　　"Exactly，"Fulkersonassented。
　　"Butitmustbeevidenttoyou，sir，thatahigh-spiritedgentlemanlikeMr。March——Iconfessthatmyfeelingsarewithhimverywarmlyinthematter——couldnotsubmittodictationofthenatureyoudescribe。"
　　"Yes，Isee，"saidFulkerson；and，withthatstrangeduplexactionofthehumanmind，hewishedthatitwashishair，andnotherfather's，thatMissWoodburnwaspokingapartwiththecornerofherfan。
　　"Mr。Lindau，"thecolonelconcluded，"wasrightfromhispointofview，andMr。Dryfooswasequallyright。ThepositionofMr。Marchisperfectlycorrect——"
　　Hisdaughterdroppedtoherfeetfromhischair-arm。"Mahgoodness!
　　Ifnobody'sinthewrong，ho'aweyouevahgoingtogetthemattahstraight?"