"Well，ofcoursenot!Ididn'tmeanyouwere。ButIjusthappenedtotellhimwhatIwantedtogointowhenIcouldseemywaytoit，andhecaughtonofhisownaccord。Thefactis，"saidFulkerson，"IguessI'dbettermakeacleanbreastofit，nowI'matit，Dryfooswantedtogetsomethingforthatboyofhistodo。He'sinrailroadshimself，andhe'sinminesandotherthings，andhekeepsbusy，andhecan'tbeartohavehisboyhangingroundthehousedoingnothing，likeasifhewasagirl。
　　Itoldhimthatthegreatobjectofarichmanwastogethissonintojustthatfix，buthecouldn'tseemtoseeit，andtheboyhatedithimself。He'sgotagoodhead，andhewantedtostudyfortheministrywhentheywerealllivingtogetheroutonthefarm；buthisfatherhadtheold-fashionedideasaboutthat。Youknowtheyusedtothinkthatanysortofstuffwasgoodenoughtomakeapreacheroutof；buttheywantedthegoodtimberforbusiness；andsotheoldmanwouldn'tlethim。
　　You'llseethefellow；you'lllikehim；he'snofool，Icantellyou；andhe'sgoingtobeourpublisher，nominallyatfirstandactuallywhenI'vetaughthimtheropesalittle。"
　　XII。
　　FulkersonstoppedandlookedatMarch，whomhesawlapsingintoaserioussilence。Doubtlesshedivinedhisuneasinesswiththefactsthathadbeengivenhimtodigest。Hepulledouthiswatchandglancedatit。
　　"Seehere，howwouldyouliketogouptoForty-sixthstreetwithme，anddropinonoldDryfoos?Now'syourchance。He'sgoingWesttomorrow，andwon'tbebackforamonthorso。They'llallbegladtoseeyou，andyou'llunderstandthingsbetterwhenyou'veseenhimandhisfamily。I
　　can'texplain。"
　　Marchreflectedamoment。Thenhesaid，withawisdomthatsurprisedhim，forhewouldhavelikedtoyieldtotheimpulseofhiscuriosity:
　　"Perhapswe'dbetterwaittillMrs。Marchcomesdown，andletthingstaketheusualcourse。TheDryfoosladieswillwanttocallonherasthelast-comer，andifItreatedmyself'engarcon'now，andpaidthefirstvisit，itmightcomplicatematters。"
　　"Well，perhapsyou'reright，"saidFulkerson。"Idon'tknowmuchaboutthesethings，andIdon'tbelieveMaDryfoosdoes，either。"Hewasonhislegslightinganothercigarette。"Isupposethegirlsaregettingthemselvesupinetiquette，though。Well，then，let'shavealookatthe'EveryOtherWeek'building，andthen，ifyoulikeyourquartersthere，youcangoroundandcloseforMrs。Green'sflat。"
　　March'sdormantallegiancetohiswife'swisheshadbeenrousedbyhisdecisioninfavorofgoodsocialusage。"Idon'tthinkIshalltaketheflat，"hesaid。
　　"Well，don'trejectitwithoutgivingitanotherlook，anyway。Comeon!"
　　HehelpedMarchonwithhislightovercoat，andthelittlestirtheymadefortheirdeparturecaughtthenoticeoftheoldGerman；helookedupfromhisbeeratthem。Marchwasmorethaneverimpressedwithsomethingfamiliarinhisface。IncompensationforhisprudenceinregardtotheDryfooseshenowindulgedanimpulse。Hesteppedacrosstowheretheoldmansat，withhisbaldheadshininglikeivoryunderthegas-jet，andhisfinepatriarchallengthofbeardedmasktakingpicturesquelightsandshadows，andputouthishandtohim。
　　"Lindau!Isn'tthisMr。Lindau?"
　　Theoldmanliftedhimselfslowlytohisfeetwithmechanicalpoliteness，andcautiouslytookMarch'shand。"Yes，mynameisLindau，"hesaid，slowly，whilehescannedMarch'sface。Thenhebrokeintoalongcry。
　　"Ah-h-h-h-h，mydearpoy!mygongfriendt!my-my——IdtisPassilMarge，notzo?Ah，ha，ha，ha!HowgladtIamtozeeyou!Why，Iamgladt!Andyourememberdtme?YourememberSchiller，andGoethe，andUhland?AndIndianapolis?YoustilllifinIndianapolis?Itsheersmyhardttozeeyou。Butyouarelidtleoldt，too?Tventy-fiveyearsmakesadifference。Ah，Iamgladt!Dellme，idtisPassilMarge，notzo?"
　　HelookedanxiouslyintoMarch'sface，withagentlesmileofmixedhopeanddoubt，andMarchsaid:"Assureasit'sBertholdLindau，andIguessit'syou。Andyouremembertheoldtimes?YouwereasmuchofaboyasIwas，Lindau。AreyoulivinginNewYork?Doyourecollecthowyoutriedtoteachmetofence?Idon'tknowhowtothisday，Lindau。Howgoodyouwere，andhowpatient!Doyourememberhowweusedtositupinthelittleparlorbackofyourprinting-office，andreadDieRauberandDieTheilungderErdeandDieGlocke?AndMrs。Lindau?Isshewith——"
　　"Deadt——deadtlongago。RightafterIgothomefromthewar——tventyyearsago。Buttellme，youaremarried?Children?Yes!Goodt!Andhowoldtareyounow?"
　　"Itmakesmeseventeentoseeyou，Lindau，butI'vegotasonnearlyasold。"
　　"Ah，ha，ha!Goodt!Andwheredoyoulif?"
　　"Well，I'mjustcomingtoliveinNewYork，"Marchsaid，lookingoveratFulkerson，whohadbeenwatchinghisinterviewwiththeperfunctorysmileofsympathythatpeopleputonatthemeetingofoldfriends。"IwanttointroduceyoutomyfriendMr。Fulkerson。HeandIaregoingintoaliteraryenterprisehere。"
　　"Ah!zo?"saidtheoldman，withpoliteinterest。HetookFulkerson'sprofferedhand，andtheyallstoodtalkingafewmomentstogether。
　　ThenFulkersonsaid，withanotherlookathiswatch，"Well，March，we'rekeepingMr。Lindaufromhisdinner。"
　　"Dinner!"criedtheoldman。"Idt'sbetterthanbreadtandmeadttoseeMr。Marge!"
　　"Imustbegoing，anyway，"saidMarch。"ButImustseeyouagainsoon，Lindau。Wheredoyoulive?Iwantalongtalk。"
　　"AndI。Youwillfindmehereatdinner-time。"saidtheoldman。"Itisthebestplace"；andMarchfanciedhimreluctanttogiveanotheraddress。
　　Tocoverhisconsciousnessheanswered，gayly:"Then，it's'aufwiedersehen'withus。Well!"
　　"Also!"Theoldmantookhishand，andmadeamechanicalmovementwithhismutilatedarm，asifhewouldhavetakenitinadoubleclasp。Helaughedathimself。"Iwantedtogifyoutheotherhandt，too，butI
　　gafeittoyourgountryagoodtwhileago。"
　　Tomycountry?"askedMarch，withasenseofpain，andyetlightly，asifitwereajokeoftheoldman's。"Yourcountry，too，Lindau?"
　　Theoldmanturnedverygrave，andsaid，almostcoldly，"Whatgountryhassapoormangot，Mr。Marge?"
　　"Well，yououghttohaveashareintheoneyouhelpedtosaveforusrichmen，Lindau，"Marchreturned，stillhumoringthejoke。
　　Theoldmansmiledsadly，butmadenoanswerashesatdownagain。
　　"Seemstobealittlesoured，"saidFulkerson，astheywentdownthesteps。HewasoneofthoseAmericanswhosehabitualconceptionoflifeisunalloyedprosperity。Whenanyexperienceorobservationofhiswentcountertoithesuffered——somethinglikephysicalpain。HeeagerlyshruggedawaytheimpressionleftuponhisbuoyancybyLindau，andaddedtoMarch'scontinuedsilence，"WhatdidItellyouaboutmeetingeverymaninNewYorkthatyoueverknewbefore?"
　　IneverexpectedtomeatLindauintheworldagain，"saidMarch，moretohimselfthantoFulkerson。"Ihadanimpressionthathehadbeenkilledinthewar。Ialmostwishhehadbeen。"
　　"Oh，hello，now!"criedFulkerson。
　　Marchlaughed，butwentonsoberly:"Hewasamanpredestinedtoadversity，though。WhenIfirstknewhimoutinIndianapolishewasstarvingalongwithasickwifeandasicknewspaper。ItwasbeforetheGermanshadcomeovertotheRepublicansgenerally，butLindauwasfightingtheanti-slaverybattlejustasnaturallyatIndianapolisin1858ashefoughtbehindthebarricadesatBerlinin1848。Andyethewasalwayssuchagentlesoul!Andsogenerous!HetaughtmeGermanfortheloveofit；hewouldn'tspoilhispleasurebytakingacentfromme；
　　heseemedtogetenoughoutofmybeingyoungandenthusiastic，andoutofprophesyinggreatthingsforme。Iwonderwhatthepooroldfellowisdoinghere，withthatonehandofhis?"
　　"Notamassingavery'handsomepittance，'Iguess，asArtemusWardwouldsay，"saidFulkerson，gettingbacksomeofhislightness。"Therearelotsoftwo-handedfellowsinNewYorkthatarenotdoingmuchbetter，I
　　guess。MaybehegetssomewritingontheGermanpapers。"
　　"Ihopeso。He'soneofthemostaccomplishedmen!Heusedtobeasplendidmusician——pianist——andknowseightortenlanguages。"
　　"Well，it'sastonishing，"saidFulkerson，"howmuchlumberthoseGermanscancarryaroundintheirheadsalltheirlives，andneverworkitupintoanything。It'sapitytheycouldn'tdotheacquiring，andletouttheuseoftheirlearningtoafewbrightAmericans。Wecouldmakethingshum，ifwecouldarrange'emthatway。"
　　Hetalkedon，unheededbyMarch，whowentalonghalf-consciouslytormentedbyhislightnessinthepensivememoriesthemeetingwithLindauhadcalledup。Wasthisallthatsweet，unselfishnaturecouldcometo?WhatahomelessoldageatthatmeagreItaliantabled'hote，withthattallglassofbeerforahalf-hour'soblivion!Thatshabbydress，thatpatheticmutilation!Hemusthaveapension，twelvedollarsamonth，oreighteen，fromagratefulcountry。Butwhatelsedidheekeoutwith?
　　"Well，hereweare，"saidFulkerson，cheerily。HeranupthestepsbeforeMarch，andopenedthecarpenter'stemporaryvalveinthedoorframe，andledthewayintoadarknesssmellingsweetlyofunpaintedwood-workandnewlydriedplaster；theirfeatslippedonshavingsandgratedonsand。Hescratchedamatch，andfoundacandle，andthenwalkedaboutupanddownstairs，andlecturedontheadvantagesoftheplace。Hehadfittedupbachelorapartmentsforhimselfinthehouse，andsaidthathewasgoingtohaveaflattoletonthetopfloor。
　　"Ididn'tofferittoyoubecauseIsupposedyou'dbetooproudtoliveoveryourshop；andit'stoosmall，anyway；onlyfiverooms。"
　　"Yes，that'stoosmall，"saidMarch，shirkingtheotherpoint。
　　"Well，then，here'stheroomIintendforyouroffice，"saidFulkerson，showinghimintoalargebackparloroneflightup。"You'llhaveitquietfromthestreetnoiseshere，andyoucanbeathomeornot，asyouplease。There'llbeaboyonthestairstofindout。Now，yousee，thismakestheGrosvenorGreenflatpracticable，ifyouwantit。"
　　Marchfelttheforcesoffateclosingabouthimandpushinghimtoadecision。Hefeeblyfoughtthemofftillhecouldhaveanotherlookattheflat。Then，bakedandsubduedstillmorebytheunexpectedpresenceofMrs。GrosvenorGreenherself，whowasoccupyingitsoastobeabletoshowiteffectively，hetookit。Hewasawaremorethaneverofitsabsurdities；heknewthathiswifewouldneverceasetohateit；buthehadsufferedoneofthoseeclipsesoftheimaginationtowhichmenofhistemperamentaresubject，andintowhichhecouldseenofutureforhisdesires。Hefeltacomfortinirretrievablycommittinghimself，andexchangingtheburdenofindecisionfortheburdenofresponsibility。
　　"Idon'tknow，"saidFulkerson，astheywalkedbacktohishoteltogether，"butyoumightfixitupwiththatlonewidowandherprettydaughtertotakepartoftheirhousehere。"Heseemedtoberemindedofitbythefactofpassingthehouse，andMarchlookedupatitsdarkfront。Hecouldnothavetoldexactlywhybefeltapangofremorseatthesight，anddoubtlessitwasmoreregretforhavingtakentheGrosvenorGreenflatthanfornothavingtakenthewidow'srooms。Still，hecouldnotforgetherwistfulnesswhenhiswifeandhewerelookingatthem，andherdisappointmentwhentheydecidedagainstthem。Hehadtoyed，in，hisafter-talktoMrs。March，withasortofhypotheticalobligationtheyhadtomodifytheirplanssoastomeetthewidow'swantofjustsuchafamilyastheirs；theyhadbothsaidwhatablessingitwouldbetoher，andwhatapitytheycouldnotdoit；buttheyhaddecidedverydistinctlythattheycouldnot。Nowitseemedtohimthattheymight；andheaskedhimselfwhetherhehadnotactuallydepartedasmuchfromtheiridealasifhehadtakenboardwiththewidow。Suddenlyitseemedtohimthathiswifeaskedhimthis，too。
　　"Ireckon，"saidFulkerson，"thatshecouldhavearrangedtogiveyouyourmealsinyourrooms，anditwouldhavecometoaboutthesamethingashousekeeping。"
　　"Nosortofboardingcanbethesameashouse-keeping，"saidMarch。
　　"Iwantmylittlegirltohavetherunofakitchen，andIwantthewholefamilytohavethemoraleffectofhousekeeping。It'sdemoralizingtoboard，ineveryway；itisn'tahome，ifanybodyelsetakesthecareofitoffyourhands。"
　　"Well，Isupposeso，"Fulkersonassented；butMarch'swordshadahollowringtohimself，andinhisownmindhebegantoretaliatehisdissatisfactionuponFulkerson。
　　Hepartedfromhimontheusualtermsoutwardly，buthefeltobscurelyabusedbyFulkersoninregardtotheDryfooses，fatherandson。HedidnotknowbutFulkersonhadtakenanadvantageofhiminallowinghimtocommithimselftotheirenterprisewithoutfullyandfranklytellinghimwhoandwhathisbackerwas；heperceivedthatwithyoungDryfoosasthepublisherandFulkersonasthegeneraldirectorofthepapertheremightbeverylittleplayforhisownideasofitsconduct。Perhapsitwasthehurttohisvanityinvolvedbytherecognitionofthisfactthatmadehimforgethowlittlechoicehereallyhadinthematter，andhow，sincehehadnotacceptedtheoffertoedittheinsurancepaper，nothingremainedforhimbuttoclosewithFulkerson。InthismomentofsuspicionandresentmentheaccusedFulkersonofhasteninghisdecisioninregardtotheGrosvenorGreenapartment；henowrefusedtoconsideritadecision，andsaidtohimselfthatifhefeltdisposedtodosohewouldsendMrs。
　　Greenanotereversingitinthemorning。Butheputitallofftillmorningwithhisclothes，whenhewenttobed，heputoffeventhinkingwhathiswifewouldsay；hecastFulkersonandhisconstructivetreacheryoutofhismind，too，andinvitedintoitsomepensivereveriesofthepast，whenhestillstoodatthepartingoftheways，andcouldtakethispathorthat。Inhismiddlelifethiswasnotpossible；hemustfollowthepathchosenlong，ago，wherever，itled。Hewasnotmasterofhimself，asheonceseemed，buttheservantofthoseheloved；ifhecoulddowhatheliked，perhapshemightrenouncethiswholeNewYorkenterprise，andgooffsomewhereoutofthereachofcare；buthecouldnotdowhatheliked，thatwasveryclear。InthepathosofthisconvictionhedweltcompassionatelyuponthethoughtofpooroldLindau；
　　heresolvedtomakehimacceptahandsomesumofmoney——morethanhecouldspare，somethingthathewouldfeelthelossof——inpaymentofthelessonsinGermanandfencinggivensolongago。Attheusualrateforsuchlessons，hisdebt，withinterestfortwenty-oddyears，wouldrunveryfarintothehundreds。Toofar，heperceived，forhiswife'sjoyousapproval；hedeterminednottoaddtheinterest；orhebelievedthatLindauwouldrefusetheinterest；heputafinespeechinhismouth，makinghimdoso；andafterthathegotLindauemploymenton'EveryOtherWeek，'andtookcareofhimtillhedied。
　　ThroughallhismelancholyandmunificencehewasawareofsordidanxietiesforhavingtakentheGrosvenorGreenapartment。Thesebegantoassumevisible，tangibleshapesashedrowsed，andtobecamepersonalentities，fromwhichhewoke，withlittlestarts，toarealizationoftheirtruenature，andthensuddenlyfellfastasleep。
　　Intheaccomplishmentoftheeventswhichhisreverieplayedwith，therewasmuchthatretroactivelystampeditwithprophecy，butmuchalsothatwasbetterthanheforboded。HefoundthatwithregardtotheGrosvenorGreenapartmenthehadnotallowedforhiswife'swillingnesstogetanysortofroofoverherheadagainaftertheremovalfromtheiroldhome，orforthealleviationsthatgrowupthroughmerecustom。Thepracticalworkingsoftheapartmentwerenotsobad；ithaditsgoodpoints，andafterthefirstsensationofoppressioninittheybegantofeeltheconvenienceofitsarrangement。Theywereatthattimeoflifewhenpeoplefirstturntotheirchildren'sopinionwithdeference，and，inthelossofkeennessintheirownlikesanddislikes，consulttheyoungpreferenceswhicharestillsosensitive。ItwentfartoreconcileMrs。
　　Marchtotheapartmentthatherchildrenwerepleasedwithitsnovelty；
　　whenthisworeoffforthem，shehadherselfbeguntofinditmuchmoreeasilymanageablethanahouse。Aftershehadputawayseveralbarrelsofgimcracks，andfoldedupscreensandrugsandskins，andcarriedthemallofftothelittledarkstore-roomwhichtheflatdeveloped，sheperceivedatoncearoominessandcozinessinitunsuspectedbefore。
　　Then，whenpeoplebegantocall，shehadapleasure，asuperiority，insayingthatitwasafurnishedapartment，andindisclaimingallresponsibilityfortheupholsteryanddecoration。IfMarchwasby，shealwaysexplainedthatitwasMr。March'sfancy，andamiablylaugheditoffwithhercallersasamannisheccentricity。Nobodyreallyseemedtothinkitotherwisethanpretty；andthisagainwasatriumphforMrs。
　　March，becauseitshowedhowinferiortheNewYorktastewastotheBostontasteinsuchmatters。
　　Marchsubmittedsilentlytohispunishment，andlaughedwithherbeforecompanyathisowneccentricity。Shehadbeensopreoccupiedwiththeadjustmentofthefamilytoitsnewquartersandcircumstancesthatthetimepassedforlayinghismisgivings，iftheyweremisgivings，aboutFulkersonbeforeher，andwhenanoccasioncameforexpressingthemtheyhadthemselvespassedintheanxietiesofgettingforwardthefirstnumberof'EveryOtherWeek。'Hekeptthesefromher，too，andthebusinessthatbroughtthemtoNewYorkhadapparentlydroppedintoabeyancebeforethequestionsofdomesticeconomythatpresentedandabsentedthemselves。Marchknewhiswifetobeawomanofgoodmindandinperfectsympathywithhim，butheunderstoodthelimitationsofherperspective；andifhewasnottoowise，hewastooexperiencedtointrudeuponitanyaffairsofhistillherownwerereducedtotherightorderandproportion。ItwouldhavebeenfollytotalktoherofFulkerson'sconjecturableuncandorwhileshewasindoubtwhetherhercookwouldlikethekitchen，orhertwoservantswouldconsenttoroomtogether；andtillitwasdecidedwhatschoolTomshouldgoto，andwhetherBellashouldhavelessonsathomeornot，therelationwhichMarchwastobeartotheDryfooses，asownerandpublisher，wasnottobediscussedwithhiswife。Hemightdragitin，buthewasawarethatwithherminddistractedbymoreimmediateinterestshecouldnotgetfromherthatjudgment，thatreasoneddivination，whichherelieduponsomuch。
　　Shewouldtry，shewoulddoherbest，buttheresultwouldbeaviewcloudedanddiscoloredbytheeffortshemustmake。
　　Heputthewholematterby，andgavehimselftothedetailsoftheworkbeforehim。Inthishefoundnotonlyescape，butreassurance，foritbecamemoreandmoreapparentthatwhateverwasnominallythestructureofthebusiness，amanofhisqualificationsandhisinstinctscouldnothaveaninsignificantplaceinit。Hehadalsotheconsolationoflikinghiswork，andofgettinganinstantgraspofitthatgrewconstantlyfirmerandcloser。Thejoyofknowingthathehadnotmadeamistakewasgreat。Ingivingreintoambitionslongforborneheseemedtogetbacktotheyouthwhenhehadindulgedthemfirst；andafterhalfalifetimepassedinpursuitsalientohisnature，hewasfeelingtheserenehappinessofbeingmatedthroughhisworktohisearlylove。Fromtheoutsidethespectaclemighthavehaditspathos，anditisnoteasytojustifysuchanexperimentashehadmadeathistimeoflife，exceptuponthegroundwhereherestedfromitsconsideration——thegroundofnecessity。
　　Hisworkwasmoreinhisthoughtsthanhimself，however；andasthetimeforthepublicationofthefirstnumberofhisperiodicalcamenearer，hiscaresallcentreduponit。Withoutfixinganydate，Fulkersonhadannouncedit，andpushedhisannouncementswiththeshamelessvigorofabornadvertiser。Heworkedhisinterestwiththepresstotheutmost，andparagraphsofavarietythatdidcredittohisingenuitywereafloateverywhere。Someofthemwerespeciouslyunfavorableintone；theycriticisedandevenridiculedtheprinciplesonwhichthenewdepartureinliteraryjournalismwasbased。Othersdefendedit；othersyetdeniedthatthisrumoredprinciplewasreallytheprinciple。Allcontributedtomaketalk。Allproceededfromthesamefertileinvention。
　　MarchobservedwithadegreeofmortificationthatthetalkwasverylittleofitintheNewYorkpress；therethereferencestothenovelenterprisewereslightandcold。ButFulkersonsaid:"Don'tmindthat，oldman。It'sthewholecountrythatmakesorbreaksathinglikethis；
　　NewYorkhasverylittletodowithit。Nowifitwereaplay，itwouldbedifferent。NewYorkdoesmakeorbreakaplay；butitdoesn'tmakeorbreakabook；itdoesn'tmakeorbreakamagazine。ThegreatmassofthereadersareoutsideofNewYork，andtheruraldistrictsarewhatwehavegottogofor。Theydon'treadmuchinNewYork；theywrite，andtalkaboutwhatthey'vewritten。Don'tyouworry。"
　　TherumorofFulkerson'sconnectionwiththeenterpriseaccompaniedmanyoftheparagraphs，andhewasabletostayMarch'sthirstforemploymentbyturningovertohimfromdaytodayheapsofthemanuscriptswhichbegantopourinfromhisoldsyndicatewriters，aswellasfromadventurousvolunteersalloverthecountry。WiththeseinhandMarchbeganpracticallytoplanthefirstnumber，andtoconcreteageneralschemefromthematerialandtheexperiencetheyfurnished。Theyhadintendedtoissuethefirstnumberwiththenewyear，andifithadbeenanaffairofliteraturealone，itwouldhavebeenveryeasy；butitwastheartlegtheylimpedon，asFulkersonphrasedit。Theyhadnotmerelytodealwiththequestionofspecificillustrationsforthisarticleorthat，buttodecidethewholecharacteroftheirillustrations，andfirstofalltogetadesignforacoverwhichshouldbothensnaretheheedlessandcaptivatethefastidious。ThesethingsdidnotcomeproperlywithinMarch'sprovince——thathadbeenclearlyunderstood——andforawhileFulkersontriedtoruntheartleghimself。Thephrasewasagainhis，butitwassimplertomakethephrasethantoruntheleg。Thedifficultgeneration，atoncestiff-backedandslippery，withwhichhehadtodointhisendeavor，reducedevensobuoyantanoptimisttodespair，andafterwastingsomevaluableweeksintryingtoworktheartistshimself，hedeterminedtogetanartisttoworkthem。Butwhatartist?Itcouldnotbeamanwithfixedreputationandafollowing:hewouldbetoocostly，andwouldhavetoomanyenemiesamonghisbrethren，evenifhewouldconsenttoundertakethejob。Fulkersonhadamaninmind，anartist，too，whowouldhavebeentheverythingifhehadbeenthethingatall。
　　Hehadtalentenough，andhissortoftalentwouldreachroundthewholesituation，but，asFulkersonsaid，hewasasmanykindsofanassashewaskindsofanartist。
　　EndAHazardofNewFortunesV2
　　ByWilliamDeanHowellsPARTSECOND
　　I。
　　TheeveningwhenMarchclosedwithMrs。Green'sreducedoffer，anddecidedtotakeherapartment，thewidowwhoselodgingshehadrejectedsatwithherdaughterinanupperroomatthebackofherhouse。Intheshadedglowofthedrop-lightshewassewing，andthegirlwasdrawingatthesametable。Fromtimetotime，astheytalked，thegirlliftedherheadandtilteditalittleononesidesoastogetsomedesiredeffectofherwork。
　　"It'samercythecoldweatherholdsoff，"saidthemother。"Weshouldhavetolightthefurnace，unlesswewantedtoscareeverybodyawaywithacoldhouse；andIdon'tknowwhowouldtakecareofit，orwhatwouldbecomeofus，everyway。"
　　"Theyseemtohavebeenscaredawayfromahousethatwasn'tcold，"saidthegirl。"Perhapstheymightlikeacoldone。Butit'stooearlyforcoldyet。It'sonlyjustinthebeginningofNovember。"
　　"TheMessengersaysthey'vehadasprinklingofsnow。"
　　"Ohyes，atSt。Barnaby!Idon'tknowwhentheydon'thavesprinklingsofsnowthere。I'mawfullygladwehaven'tgotthatwinterbeforeus。"
　　Thewidowsighedasmothersdowhofeelthecontrasttheirexperienceopposestothehopefulrecklessnessofsuchtalkasthis。"Wemayhaveaworsewinterhere，"shesaid，darkly。
　　"ThenIcouldn'tstandit，"saidthegirl，"andIshouldgoinforlightingouttoFloridadouble-quick。"
　　"AndhowwouldyougettoFlorida?"demandedhermother，severely。
　　"Oh，bytheusualconveyancePullmanvestibuledtrain，Isuppose。Whatmakesyousoblue，mamma?"Thegirlwasallthetimesketchingaway，rubbingout，liftingherheadfortheeffect，andthenbendingitoverherworkagainwithoutlookingathermother。
　　"Iamnotblue，Alma。ButIcannotendurethis——thishopefulnessofyours。"
　　"Why?Whatharmdoesitdo?"
　　"Harm?"echoedthemother。
　　Pendingtheeffortshemustmakeinsaying，thegirlcutin:"Yes，harm。
　　You'vekeptyourdespairdustedoffandreadyforuseataninstant'snoticeeversincewecame，andwhatgoodhasitdone?I'mgoingtokeeponhopingtothebitterend。That'swhatpapadid。"
　　ItwaswhattheRev。ArchibaldLeightonhaddonewithalltheconsumptive'sbuoyancy。Themorninghediedhetoldthemthatnowhehadturnedthepointandwasreallygoingtogetwell。Thecheerfulnesswasnotonlyinhisdisease，butinhistemperament。Itsexcesswasalwaysalittleagainsthiminhischurchwork，andMrs。Leightonwasrightenoughinfeelingthatifithadnotbeenfortheballastofherinstinctivedespondencyhewouldhavemadeshipwreckofsuchsmallchancesofprosperityasbefellhiminlife。Itwasnotfromhimthathisdaughtergothertalent，thoughhehadleftherhistemperamentintactofhiswidow'slegalthirds。Hewasoneofthosemenofwhomthecountrypeoplesaywhenheisgonethatthewomangetsalongbetterwithouthim。Mrs。
　　Leightonhadlongekedouttheirincomebytakingasummerboarderortwo，asagreatfavor，intoherfamily；andwhenthegreaterneedcame，shefranklygaveupherhousetothesummer-folksastheycalltheminthecountry，andmanageditfortheircomfortfromthesmallquarterofitinwhichsheshutherselfupwithherdaughter。
　　Thenotionofshuttingupisanexigencyoftheroundedperiod。Thefactis，ofcourse，thatAlmaLeightonwasnotshutupinanysensewhatever。
　　Shewasthepervadinglight，ifnotforce，ofthehouse。Shewasagoodcook，andshemanagedthekitchenwiththehelpofanIrishgirl，whilehermotherlookedaftertherestofthehousekeeping。Butshewasnotsystematic；shehadinspirationbutnotdiscipline，andhermothermournedmoreoverthedayswhenAlmaleftthewholedinnertotheIrishgirlthansherejoicedinthosewhenoneofAlma'sgreatthoughtstookforminachicken-pieofincomparablesavororinamatchlesspudding。
　　Theoff-dayscamewhenherartisticnaturewasexpressingitselfincharcoal，forshedrewtotheadmirationofallamongtheladyboarderswhocouldnotdraw。Theothershadtheirreserves；theyreadilyconcededthatAlmahadgenius，buttheyweresuresheneededinstruction。Ontheotherhand，theywerenotsoradicalastoagreewiththeoldpainterwhocameeverysummertopainttheelmsoftheSt。Barnabymeadows。Hecontendedthatsheneededtobeamaninordertoamounttoanything；butinthistheoryhewasopposedbyanauthority，ofhisownsex，whomtheladysketchersbelievedtospeakwithmoreimpartialityinamatterconcerningthemasmuchasAlmaLeighton。Hesaidthatinstructionwoulddo，andhewasnotonly，youngerandhandsomer，buthewasfresherfromtheschoolsthanoldHarrington，who，eventheladysketcherscouldsee，paintedinanobsolescentmanner。HisnamewasBeaton——AngusBeaton；buthewasnotScotch，ornotmoreScotchthanMaryQueenofScotswas。HisfatherwasaScotchman，butBeatonwasborninSyracuse，NewYork，andithadtakenonlythreeyearsinParistoobliteratemanytracesofnativeandancestralmannerinhim。Heworehisblackbeardcutshorterthanhismustache，andalittlepointed；hestoodwithhisshoulderswellthrownbackandwithalateralcurveofhispersonwhenhetalkedaboutart，whichwouldalonehavecarriedconvictionevenifhehadnothadathick，darkbangcomingalmosttothebrowsofhismobilegrayeyes，andhadnotspokenEnglishwithquick，staccatoimpulses，soastogiveittheeffectofepigrammaticandsententiousFrench。OneoftheladiessaidthatyoualwaysthoughtofhimashavingspokenFrenchafteritwasover，andaccusedherselfofwronginnotbeingabletofeelafraidofhim。Noneoftheladieswasafraidofhim，thoughtheycouldnotbelievethathewasreallysodeferentialtotheirworkasheseemed；andtheyknew，whenhewouldnotcriticiseMr。Harrington'swork，thathewasjustactingfromprinciple。
　　TheymayormaynothaveknownthedeferencewithwhichhetreatedAlma'swork；butthegirlherselffeltthathisabrupt，impersonalcommentrecognizedherasarealsisterinart。HetoldhersheoughttocometoNewYork，anddrawintheLeague，orgetintosomepainter'sprivateclass；anditwasthesenseofdutythusappealedtowhichfinallyresultedinthehazardousexperimentsheandhermotherwerenowmaking。
　　TherewerenologicalbreaksinthechainoftheirreasoningfrompastsuccesswithboardersinSt。BarnabytofuturesuccesswithboardersinNewYork。Ofcoursetheoutlaywasmuchgreater。Therentofthefurnishedhousetheyhadtakenwassuchthatiftheyfailedtheirexperimentwouldbelittlelessthanruinous。
　　Buttheywerenotgoingtofail；thatwaswhatAlmacontended，withahardycouragethathermothersometimesfeltalmostinvitedfailure，ifitdidnotdeserveit。Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhobelievethatifyoudreadharmenoughitislesslikelytohappen。Sheactedonthissuperstitionasifitwereareligion。
　　"Ifithadnotbeenformydespair，asyoucallit，Alma，"sheanswered，"Idon'tknowwhereweshouldhavebeennow。"
　　"IsupposeweshouldhavebeeninSt。Barnaby，"saidthegirl。"Andifit'sworsetobeinNewYork，youseewhatyourdespair'sdone，mamma。
　　Butwhat'stheuse?Youmeantwell，andIdon'tblameyou。Youcan'texpectevendespairtocomeoutalwaysjustthewayyouwantit。Perhapsyou'veusedtoomuchofit。"Thegirllaughed，andMrs。Leightonlaughed，too。Likeeveryoneelse，shewasnotmerelyaprevailingmood，aspeopleareapttobeinbooks，butwasanirregularlyspheroidalcharacter，withsurfacesthatcaughtthedifferentlightsofcircumstanceandreflectedthem。Almagotupandtookaposebeforethemirror，whichshethentransferredtohersketch。Theroomwaspinnedaboutwithothersketches，whichshowedwithfantasticindistinctnessintheshadedgaslight。Almaheldupthedrawing。"Howdoyoulikeit?"
　　Mrs。Leightonbentforwardoverhersewingtolookatit。"You'vegottheman'sfaceratherweak。"
　　"Yes，that'sso。EitherIseeallthehiddenweaknessthat'sinmen'snatures，andbringittothesurfaceintheirfigures，orelseIputmyownweaknessintothem。Eitherway，it'sadrawbacktotheirpresentingatrulymanlyappearance。AslongasIhaveoneofthemiserableobjectsbeforeme，Icandrawhim；butassoonashisback'sturnedIgettoputtingladiesintomen'sclothes。Ishouldthinkyou'dbescandalized，mamma，ifyouwereareallyfeminineperson。Itmustbeyourdespairthathelpsyoutobearup。Butwhat'sthematterwiththeyoungladyinyounglady'sclothes?Anydustonher?"
　　"Whatexpressions!"saidMrs。Leighton。"Really，Alma，forarefinedgirlyouarethemostunrefined!"
　　"Goon——aboutthegirlinthepicture!"saidAlma，slightlyknockinghermotherontheshoulder，asshestoodoverher。
　　"Idon'tseeanythingtoher。What'sshedoing?"
　　"Oh，justbeingmadeloveto，Isuppose。"
　　"She'sperfectlyinsipid!"
　　"You'reawfullyarticulate，mamma!Now，ifMr。Wetmoreweretocriticisethatpicturehe'ddrawacirclerounditintheair，andlookatitthroughthat，andtilthisheadfirstononesideandthenontheother，andthenlookatyou，asifyouwereafigureinit，andthencollapseawhile，andmoanalittleandgasp，'Isn'tyouryoungladyalittletoo-
　　too——'andthenhe'dtrytogetthewordoutofyou，andgroanandsuffersomemore；andyou'dsay，'Sheis，rather，'andthatwouldgivehimcourage，andhe'dsay，'Idon'tmeanthatshe'ssovery——''Ofcoursenot。''Youunderstand?''Perfectly。Iseeitmyself，now。''Well，then'——
　　andhe'dtakeyourpencilandbegintodraw——'Ishouldgiveheralittlemore——Ah?''Yes，Iseethedifference。''Youseethedifference?'
　　Andhe'dgoofftosomeoneelse，andyou'dknowthatyou'dbeendoingthewishy-washiestthingintheworld，thoughhehadn'tspokenawordofcriticism，andcouldn't。Buthewouldn'thavenoticedtheexpressionatall；he'dhaveshownyouwhereyourdrawingwasbad。Hedoesn'tcareforwhathecallstheliteratureofathing；hesaysthatwilltakecareofitselfifthedrawing'sgood。Hedoesn'tlikemydoingthesechicthings；butI'mgoingtokeepitup，forIthinkit'sthenearestwaytoillustrating。"
　　Shetookhersketchandpinnedituponthedoor。
　　"AndhasMr。Beatonbeenabout，yet?"askedhermother。
　　"No，"saidthegirl，withherbackstillturned；andsheadded，"Ibelievehe'sinNewYork；Mr。Wetmore'sseenhim。"
　　"It'salittlestrangehedoesn'tcall。"
　　"Itwouldbeifhewerenotanartist。Butartistsneverdoanythinglikeotherpeople。Hewasonhisgoodbehaviorwhilehewaswithus，andhe'sagreatdealmoreconventionalthanmostofthem；butevenhecan'tkeepitup。That'swhatmakesmereallythinkthatwomencanneveramounttoanythinginart。Theykeepalltheirappointments，andfulfilalltheirdutiesjustasiftheydidn'tknowanythingaboutart。Well，mostofthemdon't。We'vegotthatnewmodelto-day。"
　　"Whatnewmodel?"
　　"TheoneMr。WetmorewastellingusabouttheoldGerman；he'ssplendid。
　　He'sgotthemostbeautifulhead；justliketheoldmasters'things。HeusedtobeHumphreyWilliams'smodelforhisBiblical-pieces；butsincehe'sdead，theoldmanhardlygetsanythingtodo。Mr。Wetmoresaysthereisn'tanybodyintheBiblethatWilliamsdidn'tpainthimas。
　　He'stheLawandtheProphetsinallhisOldTestamentpictures，andhe'sJoseph，Peter，JudasIscariot，andtheScribesandPhariseesintheNew。"
　　"It'sagoodthingpeopledon'tknowhowartistswork，orsomeofthemostsacredpictureswouldhavenoinfluence，"saidMrs。Leighton。
　　"Why，ofcoursenot!"criedthegirl。"Andtheinfluenceisthelastthingapainterthinksof——orsupposeshethinksof。Whatheknowshe'sanxiousaboutisthedrawingandthecolor。Butpeoplewillneverunderstandhowsimpleartistsare。WhenIreflectwhatacomplexandsophisticatedbeingIam，I'mafraidIcannevercometoanythinginart。
　　OrIshouldbeifIhadn'tgenius。"
　　"DoyouthinkMr。Beatonisverysimple?"askedMrs。Leighton。
　　"Mr。Wetmoredoesn'tthinkhe'sverymuchofanartist。Hethinkshetalkstoowell。Theybelievethatifamancanexpresshimselfclearlyhecan'tpaint。"
　　"Andwhatdoyoubelieve?"
　　"Oh，Icanexpressmyself，too。"
　　Themotherseemedtobesatisfiedwiththisevasion。Afterawhileshesaid，"Ipresumehewillcallwhenhegetssettled。"
　　Thegirlmadenoanswertothis。"Oneofthegirlssaysthatoldmodelisaneducatedman。Hewasinthewar，andlostahand。Doesn'titseemapityforsuchamantohavetosittoaclassofaffectedgeeselikeusasamodel?Ideclareitmakesmesick。Andweshallkeephimaweek，andpayhimsixorsevendollarsfortheuseofhisgrandoldhead，andthenwhatwillhedo?ThelasttimehewasregularlyemployedwaswhenMr。MacewasworkingathisDamascusMassacre。ThenhewantedsomanyArabsheiksandChristianeldersthathekeptoldMr。Lindausteadilyemployedforsixmonths。Nowhehastopickupoddjobswherehecan。"
　　"Isupposehehashispension，"saidMrs。Leighton。
　　"No；oneofthegirls"——thatwasthewayAlmaalwaysdescribedherfellow-students——"sayshehasnopension。Hedidn'tapplyforitforalongtime，andthentherewasahitchaboutit，anditwassomethinged——vetoed，Ibelieveshesaid。"
　　"Whovetoedit?"askedMrs。Leighton，withsomecuriosityabouttheprocess，whichsheheldinreserve。
　　"Idon'tknow-whoevervetoesthings。IwonderwhatMr。Wetmoredoesthinkofus——hisclass。Wemustseemperfectlycrazy。Thereisn'toneofusreallyknowswhatshe'sdoingitfor，orwhatsheexpectstohappenwhenshe'sdoneit。Isupposeeveryonethinksshehasgenius。IknowtheNebraskawidowdoes，forshesaysthatunlessyouhavegeniusitisn'ttheleastuse。Everybody'spuzzledtoknowwhatshedoeswithherbabywhenshe'satwork——whethershegivesitsoothingsyrup。IwonderhowMr。Wetmorecankeepfromlaughinginourfaces。Iknowhedoesbehindourbacks。"
　　Mrs。Leighton'smindwanderedbacktoanotherpoint。"ThenifhesaysMr。Beatoncan'tpaint，Ipresumehedoesn'trespecthimverymuch。"
　　"Oh，heneversaidhecouldn'tpaint。ButIknowhethinksso。Hesayshe'sanexcellentcritic。"
　　"Alma，"hermothersaid，withtheeffectofbreakingoff，"whatdoyousupposeisthereasonhehasn'tbeennearus?"
　　"Why，Idon'tknow，mamma，exceptthatitwouldhavebeennaturalforanotherpersontocome，andhe'sanartistatleast，artistenoughforthat。"
　　"Thatdoesn'taccountforitaltogether。HewasveryniceatSt。
　　Barnaby，andseemedsointerestedinyou——yourwork。"
　　"PlentyofpeoplewereniceatSt。Barnaby。ThatrichMrs。Horncouldn'tcontainherjoywhensheheardwewerecomingtoNewYork，butshehasn'tpouredinuponusagreatdealsincewegothere。"
　　"Butthat'sdifferent。She'sveryfashionable，andshe'stakenupwithherownset。ButMr。Beaton'soneofourkind。"
　　"Thankyou。Papawasn'tquiteatombstone-cutter，mamma。"
　　"Thatmakesitallthehardertobear。Hecan'tbeashamedofus。
　　Perhapshedoesn'tknowwhereweare。"
　　"Doyouwishtosendhimyourcard，mamma?"Thegirlflushedandtoweredinscornoftheidea。
　　"Why，no，Alma，"returnedhermother。
　　"Well，then，"saidAlma。
　　ButMrs。Leightonwasnotsoeasilyquelled。ShehadgothermindonMr。
　　Beaton，andshecouldnotdetachitatonce。Besides，shewasoneofthosewomentheyarecommonerthanthesamesortofmenwhomitdoesnotpaintotakeouttheirmostintimatethoughtsandexaminetheminthelightofotherpeople'sopinions。"ButIdon'tseehowhecanbehaveso。
　　Hemustknowthat——"
　　"Thatwhat，mamma?"demandedthegirl。
　　"Thatheinfluencedusagreatdealincoming——"
　　"Hedidn't。Ifhedaredtopresumetothinksuchathing——"
　　"Now，Alma，"saidhermother，withtheclingingpersistenceofsuchnatures，"youknowhedid。Andit'snouseforyoutopretendthatwedidn'tcountuponhimin——ineveryway。Youmaynothavenoticedhisattentions，andIdon'tsayyoudid，butotherscertainlydid；andImustsaythatIdidn'texpecthewoulddropusso。"
　　"Dropus!"criedAlma，inafury。"Oh!"
　　"Yes，dropus，Alma。Hemustknowwhereweare。Ofcourse，Mr。
　　Wetmore'sspokentohimaboutyou，andit'sashamethathehasn'tbeennearus。Ishouldhavethoughtcommongratitude，commondecency，wouldhavebroughthimafter——afterallwedidforhim。"
　　"Wedidnothingforhim——nothing!Hepaidhisboard，andthatendedit。"
　　"No，itdidn't，Alma。Youknowwhatheusedtosay——aboutitsbeinglikehome，andallthat；andImustsaythatafterhisattentionstoyou，andallthethingsyoutoldmehesaid，Iexpectedsomethingverydif——"
　　Asharppealofthedoor-bellthrilledthroughthehouse，andasifthepullofthebell-wirehadtwitchedhertoherfeet，Mrs。Leightonsprangupandgrappledwithherdaughterintheircommonterror。
　　Theybothglaredattheclockandmadesurethatitwasfiveminutesafternine。Thentheyabandonedthemselvessomemomentstotheunrestrictedplayoftheirapprehensions。
　　II。
　　"Why，Alma，"whisperedthemother，"whointheworldcanitbeatthistimeofnight?Youdon'tsupposehe——"
　　"Well，I'mnotgoingtothedoor，anyhow，mother，Idon'tcarewhoitis；
　　and，ofcourse，hewouldn'tbesuchagooseastocomeatthishour。"
　　Sheputonalookofmiserabletrepidation，andshrankbackfromthedoor，whilethehumofthebelldiedaway，inthehall。
　　"Whatshallwedo?"askedMrs。Leighton，helplessly。
　　"Lethimgoaway——whoevertheyare，"saidAlma。
　　Anotherandmoreperemptoryringforbadethemrefugeinthissimpleexpedient。
　　"Oh，dear!whatshallwedo?Perhapsit'sadespatch。"
　　TheconjecturemovedAlmatonomorethanarigidstare。"Ishallnotgo，"shesaid。Athirdringmoreinsistentthantheothersfollowed，andshesaid:"Yougoahead，mamma，andI'llcomebehindtoscreamifit'sanybody。Wecanlookthroughtheside-lightsatthedoorfirst。"
　　Mrs。Leightonfearfullyledthewayfromthebackchamberwheretheybadbeensitting，andslowlydescendedthestairs。Almacamebehindandturnedupthehallgas-jetwithasuddenflashthatmadethembothjumpalittle。Thegasinsiderendereditmoredifficulttotellwhowasonthethreshold，butMrs。Leightondecidedfromatimorouspeepthroughthescrimsthatitwasaladyandgentleman。Somethinginthisdistributionofsexemboldenedher；shetookherlifeinherhand，andopenedthedoor。
　　Theladyspoke。"DoesMrs。Leightonliveheah?"shesaid，inarich，throatyvoice；andshefeignedareferencetotheagent'spermitsheheldinherhand。
　　"Yes，"saidMrs。Leighton；shemechanicallyoccupiedthedoorway，whileAlmaalreadyquiveredbehindherwithimpatienceofherimpoliteness。
　　"Oh，"saidthelady，whobegantoappearmoreandmoreayounglady，"Ahdidn'tknowbutAhhadmistakenthehoase。Ahsupposeit'sratherlatetoseetheapawtments，andAhmostaskyoutopawdonus。"Sheputthistentatively，withadelicatelygrowingrecognitionofMrs。Leightonastheladyofthehouse，andahumorousintelligenceofthesituationintheglanceshethrewAlmaoverhermother'sshoulder。"Ah'mafraidwemosthavefrightenedyou。"
　　"Oh，notatall，"saidAlma；andatthesametimehermothersaid，"Willyouwalkin，please?"
　　ThegentlemanpromptlyremovedhishatandmadetheLeightonsaninclusivebow。"Youaweverykind，madam，andIamsorryforthetroubleweawegivingyou。"Hewastallandsevere-looking，withagray，trooperishmustacheandiron-grayhair，and，asAlmadecided，iron-grayeyes。Hisdaughterwasshort，plump，andfresh-colored，withaneffectoflivelinessthatdidnotallexpressitselfinherbroad-vowelled，ratherformalspeech，withitsoddvaluationsofsomeoftheauxiliaryverbs，anditstotalelisionofthecanineletter。
　　"WeawefromtheSoath，"shesaid，"andwearrivedthismawning，butwegotthiscyahdfromthebrokahjustbefo'dinnah，andsoweawerathahlate。"
　　"Notatall；it'sonlynineo'clock，"saidMrs。Leighton。Shelookedupfromthecardtheyoungladyhadgivenher，andexplained，"Wehaven'tgotinourservantsyet，andwehadtoanswerthebellourselves，and——"
　　"Youwerefrightened，ofcoase，"saidtheyounglady，caressingly。
　　Thegentlemansaidtheyoughtnottohavecomesolate，andheofferedsomeformalapologies。
　　"Weshouldhavebeenjustasmuchscaredanytimeafterfiveo'clock，"
　　Almasaidtothesympatheticintelligenceinthegirl'sface。
　　Shelaughedout。"Ofcoase!Ahwouldhavemyhawtinmymoathalldaylong，too，ifAhwaslivinginabighoasealone。"
　　Amomentofstiffnessfollowed；Mrs。Leightonwouldhavelikedtowithdrawfromtheintimacyofthesituation，butshedidnotknowhow。
　　Itwasverywellforthesepeopletoassumetobewhattheypretended；
　　but，shereflectedtoolate，shehadnoproofofitexcepttheagent'spermit。Theywereallstandinginthehalltogether，andsheprolongedtheawkwardpausewhilesheexaminedthepermit。"YouareMr。Woodburn?"
　　sheasked，inawaythatAlmafeltimpliedhemightnotbe。
　　"Yes，madam；fromCharlottesboag，Virginia，"heanswered，withtheslightumbrageamanshowswhenthestrangecashierturnshischeckoverandquestionshimbeforecashingit。
　　Almawrithedinternally，butoutwardlyremainedsubordinate；sheexaminedtheothergirl'sdress，anddecidedinasuperficialconsciousnessthatshehadmadeherownbonnet。
　　"Ishallbegladtoshowyoumyrooms，"saidMrs。Leighton，withanirrelevantsigh。"YoumustexcusetheirbeingnotjustasIshouldwishthem。We'rehardlysettledyet。"