"Don'tspeakofit，madam，"saidthegentleman，"ifyoucanoverlookthetroubleweawegivingyouatsuchanunseasonablehouah。"
　　"Ah'mahoasekeepahmahself，"MissWoodburnjoinedin，"andAhknowho'
　　toaccyoantfo'everything。"
　　Mrs。Leightonledthewayup-stairs，andtheyoungladydecideduponthelargefrontroomandsmallsideroomonthethirdstory。Shesaidshecouldtakethesmallone，andtheotherwassolargethatherfathercouldbothsleepandworkinit。SheseemednotashamedtoaskifMrs。
　　Leighton'spricewasinflexible，butgavewaylaughingwhenherfatherrefusedtohaveanybargaining，withahaughtyself-respectwhichhesoftenedtodeferenceforMrs。Leighton。Hisimpulsivenessopenedthewayforsomeconfidencefromher，andbeforetheaffairwasarrangedshewasenjoyinginherqualityofclericalwidowthebalmoftheVirginians'
　　reverentsympathy。Theysaidtheywerechurchpeoplethemselves。
　　"Ahdon'tknowwhatyo'mothahmeansbyyo'hoasenotbeinginoddah，"
　　theyoungladysaidtoAlmaastheywentdown-stairstogether。"Ah'magreathoasekeepahmahself，andAhmeanwhatAhsay。"
　　TheyhadallturnedmechanicallyintotheroomwheretheLeightonsweresittingwhentheWoodburnsrang:Mr。Woodburnconsentedtositdown，andheremainedlisteningtoMrs。LeightonwhilehisdaughterbustleduptothesketchespinnedroundtheroomandquestionedAlmaaboutthem。
　　"Ahsupposeyouawegoingtobeagreatawtust?"shesaid，infriendlybanter，whenAlmaownedtohavingdonethethings。"Ah'veagreatnotiontotakeafewlessonsmahself。Who'syo'teachah?"
　　AlmasaidshewasdrawinginMr。Wetmore'sclass，andMissWoodburnsaid:
　　"Well，it'sjustbeautiful，MissLeighton；it'sgrand。Ahsupposeit'sraghtexpensive，now?Mahgoodness!wehavetocyoantthecoastsomuchnowadays；itseemstomewedonothingbutcyoantit。Ah'dliketohahsomethingoncewithoutaskin'theprice。"
　　"Well，ifyoudidn'taskit，"saidAlma，"Idon'tbelieveMr。Wetmorewouldeverknowwhatthepriceofhislessonswas。Hehastothink，whenyouaskhim。"
　　"Why，hemostbechomming，"saidMissWoodburn。"PerhapsAhmaghtgetthelessonsfornothingfromhim。Well，AhbelieveinmysoulAh'lltrah。Nowho'didyoubegin?andho'doyouexpecttogetanythingoatofit?"SheturnedonAlmaeyesbrimmingwithashrewdmixtureoffunandearnest，andAlmamadenoteofthefactthatshehadanearlynineteenth-centuryface，round，arch，alittlecoquettish，butextremelysensibleandunspoiled-looking，suchasusedtobepaintedagooddealinminiatureatthatperiod；atendencyofherbrownhairtotwineandtwistatthetempleshelpedtheeffect；ahighcombwouldhavecompletedit，Almafelt，ifshehadherbonnetoff。ItwasalmostaYankeecountry-
　　girltype；butperhapsitappearedsotoAlmabecauseitwas，likethat，pureAnglo-Saxon。Almaherself，withherdull，darkskin，slenderinfigure，slowinspeech，witharistocraticformsinherlonghands，andtheovalofherfinefacepointedtoalongchin，feltherselfmuchmoreSoutherninstylethanthisblooming，bubbling，bustlingVirginian。
　　"Idon'tknow，"sheanswered，slowly。
　　"Goingtotakepo'traits，"suggestedMissWoodburn，"orjustpainttheahdeal?"Ademureburlesquelurkedinhertone。
　　"IsupposeIdon'texpecttopaintatall，"saidAlma。"I'mgoingtoillustratebooks——ifanybodywillletme。"
　　"Ahshouldthinkthey'djustjoampatyou，"saidMissWoodburn。"Ah'lltellyouwhatlet'sdo，MissLeighton:youmakesomepictures，andAh'llwrahteabookfo'them。Ah'vegottodosomething。Alimaghtaswellwrahteabook。YouknowweSouthernershaveallhadtogotowoak。ButAhdon'tmandit。ItellpapaIshouldn'tca'fo'thedisgraceofbein'
　　poo'ifitwasn'tfo'theinconvenience。"
　　"Yes，it'sinconvenient，"saidAlma；"butyouforgetitwhenyou'reatwork，don'tyouthink?"
　　"Mah，yes!Perhapsthat'sonereasonwhypoo'peoplehavetowoaksohawd-tokeeptheirwandsofftheirpoverty。"
　　Thegirlsbothtittered，andturnedfromtalkinginalowtonewiththeirbackstowardtheirelders，andfacedthem。
　　"Well，Madison，"saidMr。Woodburn，"itistimeweshouldgo。Ibidyougood-night，madam，"hebowedtoMrs。Leighton。"Good-night，"hebowedagaintoAlma。
　　Hisdaughtertookleaveoftheminformalphrase，butwithajollycordialityofmannerthatdeformalizedit。"Weshallberoandraghtsooninthemawning，then，"shethreatenedatthedoor。
　　"Weshallbeallreadyforyou，"Almacalledafterherdownthesteps。
　　"Well，Alma?"hermotherasked，whenthedoorcloseduponthem。
　　"Shedoesn'tknowanymoreaboutart，"saidAlma，"than——nothingatall。
　　Butshe'sjollyandgood-hearted。Shepraisedeverythingthatwasbadinmysketches，andsaidshewasgoingtotakelessonsherself。Whenapersontalksabouttakinglessons，asiftheycouldlearnit，youknowwheretheybelongartistically。"
　　Mrs。Leightonshookherheadwithasigh。"IwishIknewwheretheybelongedfinancially。Weshallhavetogetintwogirlsatonce。I
　　shallhavetogooutthefirstthinginthemorning，andthenourtroubleswillbegin。"
　　"Well，didn'tyouwantthemtobegin?Iwillstayhomeandhelpyougetready。Ourprosperitycouldn'tbeginwithoutthetroubles，ifyoumeanboarders，andboardersmeanservants。Ishallbeverygladtobeafflictedwithacookforawhilemyself。"
　　"Yes；butwedon'tknowanythingaboutthesepeople，orwhethertheywillbeabletopayus。Didshetalkasiftheywerewelloff?"
　　"Shetalkedasiftheywerepoor；poo'shecalledit。"
　　"Yes，howqueerlyshepronounced，"saidMrs。Leighton。"Well，IoughttohavetoldthemthatIrequiredthefirstweekinadvance。"
　　"Mamma!Ifthat'sthewayyou'regoingtoact!"
　　"Oh，ofcourse，Icouldn't，afterhewouldn'tletherbargainfortherooms。Ididn'tlikethat。"
　　"Idid。Andyoucanseethattheywereperfectladies；oratleastoneofthem。"Almalaughedatherself，buthermotherdidnotnotice。
　　"Theirbeingladieswon'thelpifthey'vegotnomoney。It'llmakeitalltheworse。"
　　"Verywell，then；wehavenomoney，either。We'reamatchforthemanydaythere。Wecanshowthemthattwocanplayatthatgame。"
　　III。
　　ArnusBeaton'sstudiolookedatfirstglancelikemanyotherpainters'
　　studios。Agraywallquadrangularlyvaultedtoalargenorthlight；
　　castsoffeet，hands，faceshungtonailsabout；prints，sketchesinoilandwater-colorstuckhereandtherelowerdown；aricketytable，withpaintandpalettesandbottlesofvarnishandsiccativetossedcomfortlesslyonit；aneasel，withastripofsomefadedmediaevalsilktrailingfromit；alayfiguresimperinginincompletenakedness，withitsheadononeside，andastockingononeleg，andaJapanesedressdroppedbeforeit；dustyrugsandskinskickingoverthevarnishedfloor；
　　canvasesfacedtothemop-board；anopentrunkoverflowingwithcostumes:
　　thesefeaturesonemightnoticeanywhere。But，besides，therewasabookcasewithanunusualnumberofbooksinit，andtherewasanopencolonialwriting-desk，claw-footed，brass-handled，andscutcheoned，withforeignperiodicals——FrenchandEnglish——litteringitsleaf，andsomepagesofmanuscriptscatteredamongthem。Aboveall，therewasasculptor'srevolvingstand，supportingabustwhichBeatonwasmodelling，withaneyefixedassimultaneouslyaspossibleontheclayandontheheadoftheoldmanwhosatontheplatformbesideit。
　　Fewmenhavebeenabletogetthroughtheworldwithseveralgiftstoadvantageinall；andmostmenseemhandicappedfortheraceiftheyhavemorethanone。Buttheyareapparentlyimmenselyinterestedaswellasdistractedbythem。WhenBeatonwaswriting，hewouldhaveagreed，uptoacertainpoint，withanyonewhosaidliteraturewashisproperexpression；but，then，whenhewaspainting，uptoacertainpoint，hewouldhavemaintainedagainsttheworldthathewasacolorist，andsupremelyacolorist。Atthecertainpointineitherarthewasapttobreakawayinafrenzyofdisgustandwreakhimselfuponsomeother。
　　Inthesemoodshesometimesdesignedelevationsofbuildings，verystriking，veryoriginal，verychic，veryeverythingbuthabitable。
　　Itwasinthiswaythathehadtriedhishandonsculpture，whichhehadatfirstapproachedratherslightinglyasameredecorativeaccessoryofarchitecture。Butithadgrowninhisrespecttillhemaintainedthattheaccessorybusinessoughttobealltheotherway:thattemplesshouldberaisedtoenshrinestatues，notstatuesmadetoornamenttemples；thatwasputtingthecartbeforethehorsewithavengeance。ThiswaswhenhehadcarriedaplasticstudysofarthatthesculptorswhosawitsaidthatBeatonmighthavebeenanarchitect，butwouldcertainlyneverbeasculptor。Atthesametimehedidsomehurried，nervousthingsthathadapopularcharm，andthatsoldinplasterreproductions，totheprofitofanother。Beatonjustlydespisedthepopularcharminthese，aswellasinthepaintingshesoldfromtimetotime；hesaiditwasflatburglarytohavetakenmoneyforthem，andhewouldhavebeenlivingalmostwhollyuponthebountyoftheoldtombstone-cutterinSyracuseifithadnotbeenforthesyndicateletterswhichhesuppliedtoFulkersonfortendollarsaweek。
　　Theywereverywelldone，buthehateddoingthemafterthefirsttwoorthree，andhadtobepunchedupforthembyFulkerson，whodidnotceasetoprizethem，andwhoneverfailedtopunchhimup。Beatonbeingwhathewas，Fulkersonwashiscreditoraswellaspatron；andFulkersonbeingwhathewas，hadanenthusiasticpatiencewiththeelusive，facile，adaptable，unpracticalnatureofBeaton。Hewasveryproudofhisart-
　　letters，ashecalledthem；butthenFulkersonwasproudofeverythinghesecuredforhissyndicate。Thefactthathehadsecureditgaveitvalue；hefeltasifhehadwrittenithimself。
　　Onearttroduponanother'sheelswithBeaton。Thedaybeforehehadrusheduponcanvastheconceptionofapicturewhichhesaidtohimselfwasglorious，andtoothersatthetabled'hoteofMaroniwasnotbad。
　　Hehadworkedatitinafurytillthelightfailedhim，andheexecratedthedyingday。ButhelithislampandtransferredtheprocessofhisthinkingfromthecanvastotheopeningofthesyndicateletterwhichbeknewFulkersonwouldbecomingforinthemorning。Heremainedtalkingsolongafterdinnerinthesamestrainashehadpaintedandwritteninthathecouldnotfinishhisletterthatnight。Thenextmorning，whilehewasmakinghisteaforbreakfast，thepostmanbroughthimaletterfromhisfatherenclosingalittlecheck，andbegginghimwithtender，almostdeferential，urgencetocomeaslightlyuponhimaspossible，forjustnowhisexpenseswereveryheavy。ItbroughttearsofshameintoBeaton'seyes——thefine，smouldering，floatingeyesthatmanyladiesadmired，underthethickbang——andhesaidtohimselfthatifhewerehalfamanhewouldgohomeandgotoworkcuttinggravestonesinhisfather'sshop。Buthewouldwait，atleast，tofinishhispicture；andasasoptohisconscience，tostayitsimmediateravening，heresolvedtofinishthatsyndicateletterfirst，andborrowenoughmoneyfromFulkersontobeabletosendhisfather'scheckback；or，ifnotthat，thentoreturnthesumofitpartlyinFulkerson'scheck。WhilehestillteemedwithbothofthesegoodintentionstheoldmanfromwhomhewasmodellinghisheadofJudascame，andBeatonsawthathemustgetthroughwithhimbeforehefinishedeitherthepictureortheletter；hewouldhavetopayhimforthetime，anyway。HeutilizedtheremorsewithwhichhewastinglingtogivehisJudasanexpressionwhichhefoundnovelinthetreatmentofthatcharacter——alookofsuchtouching，appealingself-
　　abhorrencethatBeaton'sartisticjoyinitamountedtorapture；betweenthebreathlessmomentswhenheworkedindeadsilenceforaneffectthatwastryingtoescapehim，hesangandwhistledfragmentsofcomicopera。
　　InoneofthehushestherecameablowontheoutsideofthedoorthatmadeBeatonjump，andswearwithamodifiedprofanitythatmergeditselfinapostrophicprayer。HeknewitmustbeFulkerson，andafterroaring"Comein!"hesaidtothemodel，"That'lldothismorning，Lindau。"
　　FulkersonsquaredhisfeetinfrontofthebustandcompareditbyfleetingglanceswiththeoldmanashegotstifflyupandsufferedBeatontohelphimonwithhisthin，shabbyovercoat。
　　"Canyoucometo-morrow，Lindau?"
　　"No，notto-morrow，Mr。Peaton。Ihaftozitfortheyoungladties。"
　　"Oh!"saidBeaton。"Wet-more'sclass?IsMissLeightondoingyou?"
　　"Idon'tknowtheirnamess，"Lindaubegan，whenFulkersonsaid:
　　"Hopeyouhaven'tforgottenmine，Mr。Lindau?ImetyouwithMr。MarchatMaroni'sonenight。"Fulkersonofferedhimauniversallyshakablehand。
　　"Ohyes!Iamgladttozeeyouagain，Mr。Vulkerson。AndMr。Marge——hedon'tzeemtogomeanymore?"
　　"Uptohiseyesinwork。BeenmovingonfromBostonandgettingsettled，andstartinginonourenterprise。Beatonherehasn'tgotaveryflatteringlikenessofyou，hey?Well，good-morning，"hesaid，forLindauappearednottohaveheardhimandwasescapingwithabowthroughthedoor。
　　Beatonlitacigarettewhichhepinchednervouslybetweenhislipsbeforehespoke。"You'vecomeforthatletter，Isuppose，Fulkerson?Itisn'tdone。"
　　Fulkersonturnedfromstaringatthebusttowhichhehadmounted。"Whatyoufrettingaboutthatletterfor?Idon'twantyourletter。"
　　Beatonstoppedbitinghiscigaretteandlookedathim。"Don'twantmyletter?Oh，verygood!"hebristledup。Hetookhiscigarettefromhislips，andblewthesmokethroughhisnostrils，andthenlookedatFulkerson。
　　"No；Idon'twantyourletter；Iwantyou。"
　　Beacondisdainedtoaskanexplanation，butheinternallyloweredhiscrest，whilehecontinuedtolookatFulkersonwithoutchanginghisdefiantcountenance。ThissuitedFulkersonwellenough，andhewentonwithrelish，"I'mgoingoutofthesyndicatebusiness，oldman，andI'monanewthing。"Heputhislegoverthebackofachairandrestedhisfootonitsseat，and，withonehandinhispocket，helaidtheschemeof'EveryOtherWeek'beforeBeatonwiththehelpoftheother。Theartistwentabouttheroom，meanwhile，withaneffectofindifferencewhichbynomeansoffendedFulkerson。Hetooksomewaterintohismouthfromatumbler，whichheblewinafinemistovertheheadofJudasbeforeswathingitinadirtycottoncloth；hewashedhisbrushesandsethispalette；heputuponhiseaselthepicturehehadblockedonthedaybefore，andstaredatitwithagloomyface；thenhegatheredthesheetsofhisunfinishedlettertogetherandslidthemintoadrawerofhiswriting-desk。BythetimehehadfinishedandturnedagaintoFulkerson，Fulkersonwassaying:"IdidthinkwecouldhavethefirstnumberoutbyNew-Year's；butitwilltakelongerthanthat——amonthlonger；butI'mnotsorry，fortheholidayskilleverything；andbyFebruary，orthemiddleofFebruary，peoplewillgettheirbreathagainandbegintolookroundandaskwhat'snew。Thenwe'llreplyinthelanguageofShakespeareandMilton，'EveryOtherWeek；anddon'tyouforgetit。'"
　　Hetookdownhislegandasked，"Gotapipeof'baccyanywhere?"
　　BeatonnoddedataclaystemstickingoutofaJapanesevaseofbronzeonhismantel。"There'syours，"hesaid；andFulkersonsaid，"Thanks，"andfilledthepipeandsatdownandbegantosmoketranquilly。
　　Beatonsawthathewouldhavetospeaknow。"Andwhatdoyouwantwithme?"
　　"You?Ohyes，"Fulkersonhumorouslydramatizedareturntohimselffromapensiveabsence。"Wantyoufortheartdepartment。"
　　Beatonshookhishead。"I'mnotyourman，Fulkerson，"hesaid，compassionately。"Youwantamorepracticalhand，onethat'sintouchwithwhat'sgoing。I'mgettingfurtherandfurtherawayfromthiscenturyanditsclaptrap。Idon'tbelieveinyourenterprise；Idon'trespectit，andIwon'thaveanythingtodowithit。Itwould-chokeme，thatkindofthing。"
　　"That'sallright，"saidFulkerson。Heesteemedamanwhowasnotgoingtolethimselfgocheap。"Orifitisn't，wecanmakeit。YouandMarchwillpulltogetherfirst-rate。Idon'tcarehowmuchidealyouputintothething；themorethebetter。Icanlookaftertheotherendoftheschoonermyself。"
　　"Youdon'tunderstandme，"saidBeaton。"I'mnottryingtogetariseoutofyou。I'minearnest。Whatyouwantissomemanwhocanhavepatiencewithmediocrityputtingonthestyleofgenius，andwithgeniusturningmediocrityonhishands。Ihaven'tanyluckwithmen；Idon'tgetonwiththem；I'mnotpopular。"Beatonrecognizedthefactwiththesatisfactionwhichitsomehowalwaysbringstohumanpride。
　　"Somuchthebetter!"Fulkersonwasreadyforhimatthispoint。
　　"Idon'twantyoutoworktheold-establishedracketthereputations。
　　WhenIwantthemI'llgotothemwithapocketfulofrocks——knock-downargument。Butmyideaistodealwiththevolunteermaterial。Lookatthewaytheperiodicalsarecarriedonnow!Names!names!names!Inacountrythat'sjustboilingoverwithliteraryandartisticabilityofeverykindthenewfellowshavenochance。Theeditorsallengagetheirmaterial。Idon'tbelievetherearefiftyvolunteercontributionsprintedinayearinalltheNewYorkmagazines。It'sallwrong；it'ssuicidal。'EveryOtherWeek'isgoingbacktothegoodoldanonymoussystem，theonlyfairsystem。It'sworkedwellinliterature，anditwillworkwellinart。"
　　"Itwon'tworkwellinart，"saidBeaton。"Thereyouhaveatotallydifferentsetofconditions。Whatyou'llgetbyinvitingvolunteerillustrationswillbealotofamateurtrash。Andhowareyougoingtosubmityourliteratureforillustration?Itcan'tbedone。Atanyrate，Iwon'tundertaketodoit。"
　　"We'llgetupaSchoolofIllustration，"saidFulkerson，withcynicalsecurity。"Youcanreadthethingsandexplain'em，andyourpupilscanmaketheirsketchesunderyoureye。Theywouldn'tbemuchfurtheroutthanmostillustrationsareiftheyneverknewwhattheywereillustrating。Youmightselectfromwhatcomesinandmakeupasortofpictorialvariationstotheliteraturewithoutanyparticularreferencetoit。Well，Iunderstandyoutoaccept?"
　　"No，youdon't。"
　　"Thatis，toconsenttohelpuswithyouradviceandcriticism。That'sallIwant。Itwon'tcommityoutoanything；andyoucanbeasanonymousasanybody。"AtthedoorFulkersonadded:"By-the-way，thenewman——thefellowthat'stakenmyoldsyndicatebusiness——willwantyoutokeepon；
　　butIguesshe'sgoingtotrytobeatyoudownonthepriceoftheletters。He'sgoinginforretrenchment。Ibroughtalongacheckforthisone；I'mtopayforthat。"HeofferedBeatonanenvelope。
　　"Ican'ttakeit，Fulkerson。Theletter'spaidforalready。"Fulkersonsteppedforwardandlaidtheenvelopeonthetableamongthetubesofpaint。
　　"Itisn'tthelettermerely。Ithoughtyouwouldn'tobjecttoalittleadvanceonyour'EveryOtherWeek'worktillyoukindofgotstarted。"
　　Beatonremainedinflexible。"Itcan'tbedone，Fulkerson。Don'tItellyouIcan'tsellmyselfouttoathingIdon'tbelievein?Can'tyouunderstandthat?"
　　"Ohyes；Icanunderstandthatfirst-rate。Idon'twanttobuyyou；I
　　wanttoborrowyou。It'sallright。See?Comeroundwhenyoucan；I'dliketointroduceyoutooldMarch。That'sgoingtobeouraddress。"Heputacardonthetablebesidetheenvelope，andBeatonallowedhimtogowithoutmakinghimtakethecheckback。Hehadrememberedhisfather'splea；thatunnervedhim，andhepromisedhimselfagaintoreturnhisfather'spoorlittlecheckandtoworkonthatpictureandgiveittoFulkersonforthecheckhehadleftandforhisbackdebts。Heresolvedtogotoworkonthepictureatonce；hehadsethispaletteforit；butfirsthelookedatFulkerson'scheck。Itwasforonlyfiftydollars，andthecannyScotchbloodinBeatonrebelled；hecouldnotletthispicturegoforanysuchmoney；hefeltalittlelikeamanwhosegenerosityhasbeentrifledwith。Theconflictofemotionsbrokehimup，andhecouldnotwork。
　　IV
　　ThedaywastedawayinBeaton'shands；athalf-pastfouro'clockhewentouttoteaatthehouseofaladywhowasAtHomethatafternoonfromfourtillseven。BythistimeBeatonwasinpossessionofoneofthoseotherselvesofwhichweeachhaveseveralaboutus，andwasagainthelaconic，staccato，ratherworldlifiedyoungartistwhosemomentsofacontrolledutteranceandacertaindistinctionofmannerhadcommendedhimtoMrs。Horn'sfancyinthesummeratSt。Barnaby。
　　Mrs。Horn'sroomswerelarge，andtheyneverseemedveryfull，thoughthisperhapswasbecausepeoplewerealwayssoquiet。Theladies，whooutnumberedthemententoone，astheyalwaysdoataNewYorktea，weredressedinsympathywiththelowtoneeveryonespokein，andwiththesubduedlightwhichgaveacrepuscularuncertaintytothefewobjects，thedimpictures，theunexcitedupholstery，oftherooms。Onebreathedfreeofbric-a-bracthere，andthenew-comerbreathedsoftlyasonedoesongoingintochurchafterservicehasbegun。Thismightbeasuggestionfromthevoicelessbehavioroftheman-servantwholetyouin，butitwasalsobecauseMrs。Horn'sAtHomewasaceremony，adecorum，andnotfestival。Atfargreaterhousestherewasmoregayety，atricherhousestherewasmorefreedom；thesuppressionatMrs。Horn'swasapersonal，notasocial，effect；itwasaneffluxofhercharacter，demure，silentious，vague，butverycorrect。
　　Beatoneasilyfoundhiswaytoheraroundthegroupedskirtsandamongthedetachedfigures，andreceivedapressureofwelcomefromthehandwhichshemomentarilyrelaxedfromthetea-pot。Shesatbehindatableputcrosswiseofaremotecorner，andofferedteatopeoplewhomanieceofhersreceivedprovisionallyorspedfinallyintheouterroom。Theydidnotusuallytaketea，andwhentheydidtheydidnotusuallydrinkit；butBeatonwas，feverishlygladofhiscup；hetookrumandlemoninit，andstoodtalkingatMrs。Horn'ssidetillthenextarrivalshoulddisplacehim:hetalkedinhisFrenchmanner。
　　"Ihavebeenhopingtoseeyou，"shesaid。"IwantedtoaskyouabouttheLeightons。Didtheyreallycome?"
　　"Ibelieveso。Theyareintown——yes。Ihaven'tseenthem。"
　　"Thenyoudon'tknowhowthey'regettingon——thatprettycreature，withhercleverness，andpoorMrs。Leighton?Iwasafraidtheywereventuringonarashexperiment。Doyouknowwheretheyare?"
　　"InWestEleventhStreetsomewhere。MissLeightonisinMr。Wetmore'sclass。"
　　"Imustlookthemup。Doyouknowtheirnumber?"
　　"Notatthemoment。Icanfindout。"
　　"Do，"saidMrs。Horn。"Whatcouragetheymusthave，toplungeintoNewYorkasthey'vedone!Ireallydidn'tthinktheywould。Iwonderifthey'vesucceededingettinganybodyintotheirhouseyet?"
　　"Idon'tknow，"saidBeaton。
　　"IdiscouragedtheircomingallIcould，"shesighed，"andIsupposeyoudid，too。Butit'squiteuselesstryingtomakepeopleinaplacelikeSt。Barnabyunderstandhowitisintown。"
　　"Yes，"saidBeaton。Hestirredhistea，whileinwardlyhetriedtobelievethathehadreallydiscouragedtheLeightonsfromcomingtoNewYork。PerhapsthevexationofhisfailuremadehimcallMrs。Horninhisheartafraud。
　　"Yes，"shewenton，"itisvery，veryhard。Andwhentheywon'tunderstand，andrushontheirdoom，youfeelthattheyaregoingtoholdyourespons——"
　　Mrs。Horn'seyeswanderedfromBeaton；hervoicefalteredinthefadedinterestofherremark，andthenrosewithrenewedvigoringreetingaladywhocameupandstretchedhergloveacrossthetea-cups。
　　Beatongothimselfawayandoutofthehousewithamuchbrieferadieutotheniecethanhehadmeanttomake。ThepatronizingcompassionofMrs。
　　HornfortheLeightonsfilledhimwithindignationtowardher，towardhimself。Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnothaveignoredthemashehaddone；buttherewasafeeling。Itwashisnaturetobecareless，andhehadbeenspoiledintorecklessness；heneglectedeverybody，andonlyrememberedthemwhenitsuitedhiswhimorhisconvenience；buthefiercelyresentedtheinattentionsofotherstowardhimself。Hehadnoscrupleaboutbreakinganengagementorfailingtokeepanappointment；
　　hemadepromiseswithoutthinkingoftheirfulfilment，andnotbecausehewasafaithlessperson，butbecausehewasimaginative，andexpectedatthetimetodowhathesaid，butwasfickle，andsodidnot。Asmostofhisshortcomingswereofasocietysort，nogreatharmwasdonetoanybodyelse。Hehadcontractedsomewhatthecircleofhisacquaintancebywhatsomepeoplecalledhisrudeness，butmostpeopletreateditashisoddity，andwerepatientwithit。Oneladysaidshevaluedhiscomingwhenhesaidhewouldcomebecauseithadthecharmoftheunexpected。"Onlyitshowsthatitisn'talwaystheunexpectedthathappens，"sheexplained。
　　Itdidnotoccurtohimthathisbehaviorwasimmoral；hedidnotrealizethatitwascreatingareputationifnotacharacterforhim。Whilewearestillyoungwedonotrealizethatouractionshavethiseffect。Itseemstousthatpeoplewilljudgeusfromwhatwethinkandfeel。Laterwefindoutthatthisisimpossible；perhapswefinditouttoolate；
　　someofusneverfinditoutatall。
　　InspiteofhisshameabouttheLeightons，BeatonhadnopresentintentionoflookingthemuporsendingMrs。Horntheiraddress。Asamatteroffact，heneverdidsendit；buthehappenedtomeetMr。Wetmoreandhiswifeattherestaurantwherehedined，andhegotitofthepainterforhimself。HedidnotaskhimhowMissLeightonwasgettingon；butWetmorelaunchedout，withAlmaforatacittext，onthefutilityofwomengenerallygoinginforart。"Evenwhentheyhavetalentthey'vegottoomuchagainstthem。Whereagirldoesn'tseemverystrong，likeMissLeighton，noamountofchicisgoingtohelp。"
　　Hiswifedisputedhimonbehalfofhersex，aswomenalwaysdo。
　　"No，Dolly，"hepersisted；"she'dbetterbehomemilkingthecowsandleadingthehorsetowater。"
　　Doyouthinkshe'dbetterbeuptilltwointhemorningatballsandgoingalldaytoreceptionsandluncheons?"
　　"Oh，guessitisn'taquestionofthat，evenifsheweren'tdrawing。
　　Youknewthemathome，"hesaidtoBeaton。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Iremember。Hermothersaidyousuggestedme。Well，thegirlhassomenotionofit；there'snodoubtaboutthat。But——she'sawoman。Thetroublewiththesetalentedgirlsisthatthey'reallwoman。Iftheyweren't，therewouldn'tbemuchchanceforthemen，Beaton。Butwe'vegotProvidenceonourownsidefromthestart。I'mabletowatchalltheirinspirationswithperfectcomposure。Iknowjusthowsoonit'sgoingtoendinnervousbreakdown。Somebodyoughttomarrythemallandputthemoutoftheirmisery。"
　　"Andwhatwillyoudowithyourstudentswhoaremarriedalready?"hiswifesaid。Shefeltthatshehadlethimgoonlongenough。
　　"Oh，theyoughttogetdivorced。"
　　"Yououghttobeashamedtotaketheirmoneyifthat'swhatyouthinkofthem。"
　　"Mydear，Ihaveawifetosupport。"
　　Beatonintervenedwithaquestion。"DoyoumeanthatMissLeightonisn'tstandingitverywell?"
　　"HowdoIknow?Sheisn'tthekindthatbends；she'sthekindthatbreaks。"
　　AfteralittlesilenceMrs。Wetmoreasked，"Won'tyoucomehomewithus，Mr。Beaton?"
　　"Thankyou；no。Ihaveanengagement。"
　　"Idon'tseewhythatshouldpreventyou，"saidWetmore。"Butyoualwayswereapunctiliouscuss。Well!"
　　Beatonlingeredoverhiscigar；butnooneelsewhomheknewcamein，andheyieldedtothethreefoldimpulseofconscience，ofcuriosity，ofinclination，ingoingtocallattheLeightons'。Heaskedfortheladies，andthemaidshowedhimintotheparlor，wherehefoundMrs。
　　LeightonandMissWoodburn。
　　Thewidowmethimwithawelcomeneatlymarkedbyresentment；shemeanthimtofeelthathisnotcomingsoonerhadbeennoticed。MissWoodburnbubbledandgurgledon，anddidwhatshecouldtomitigatehispunishment，butshedidnotfeelauthorizedtostayit，tillMrs。
　　Leighton，bystudiedavoidanceofherdaughter'sname，obligedBeatontoaskforher。ThenMissWoodburncaughtupherwork，andsaid，"Ah'llgoandtellher，Mrs。Leighton。"AtthetopofthestairsshefoundAlma，andAlmatriedtomakeitseemasifshehadnotbeenstandingthere。
　　"Mahgoodness，chald!there'sthehandsomestyoungmanaskingforyoudownthereyouevahsaw。Alhtoldyou'mothahAhwouldcomeupfo'you。"
　　"What——whoisit?"
　　"Don'tyouknow?Butbo'couldyou?He'sgotthemostbeautifuleyes，andhewea'shishai'inabang，andhetalksEnglishlikeitwassomethingelse，andhisname'sMr。Beaton。"
　　"Didhe-askforme?"saidAlma，withadreamytone。Sheputherhandonthestairsrail，andalittleshiverranoverher。
　　"Didn'tItellyou?Ofcoasehedid!Andyououghttogoraghtdownifyouwanttosavethepoo'fellah'slahfe；you'mothah'sjustfreezin'himtodeath。"
　　V。
　　"Sheis?"criedAlma。"Tchk!"Sheflewdownstairs，andflittedswiftlyintotheroom，andfluttereduptoBeaton，andgavehimacrushinghand-
　　shake。
　　"Howverykind，ofyoutocomeandseeus，Mr。Beaton!WhendidyoucometoNewYork?Don'tyoufinditwarmhere?We'veonlyjustlightedthefurnace，butwiththismildweatheritseemstooearly。Mammadoeskeepitsohot!"Sherushedaboutopeningdoorsandshuttingregisters，andthencamebackandsatfacinghimfromthesofawithamaskofradiantcordiality。"Howhaveyoubeensincewesawyou?"
　　"Verywell，"saidBeaton。"Ihopeyou'rewell，MissLeighton?"
　　"Oh，perfectly!IthinkNewYorkagreeswithusbothwonderfully。I
　　neverknewsuchair。Andtothinkofournothavingsnowyet!Ishouldthinkeverybodywouldwanttocomehere!Whydon'tyoucome，Mr。Beaton?"
　　Beatonliftedhiseyesandlookedather。"I——IliveinNewYork，"hefaltered。
　　"InNewYorkCity!"sheexclaimed。
　　"Surely，Alma，"saidhermother，"yourememberMr。Beaton'stellingushelivedinNewYork。"
　　"ButIthoughtyoucamefromRochester；orwasitSyracuse?。Ialwaysgetthoseplacesmixedup。"
　　"ProbablyItoldyoumyfatherlivedatSyracuse。I'vebeeninNewYorkeversinceIcamehomefromParis，"saidBeaton，withtheconfusionofamanwhofeelshimselfplayeduponbyawoman。
　　"FromParis!"Almaechoed，leaningforward，withhersmilingmasktighton。"Wasn'titMunichwhereyoustudied?"
　　"IwasatMunich，too。ImetWetmorethere。"
　　"Oh，doyouknowMr。Wetmore?"
　　"Why，Alma，"hermotherinterposedagain，"itwasMr。BeatonwhotoldyouofMr。Wetmore。"
　　"Wasit?Why，yes，tobesure。ItwasMrs。HornwhosuggestedMr。
　　Ilcomb。Iremembernow。Ican'tthankyouenoughforhavingsentmetoMr。Wetmore，Mr。Beaton。Isn'thedelightful?Ohyes，I'maperfectWetmorian，Icanassureyou。Thewholeclassisthesameway。"
　　"IjustmethimandMrs。Wetmoreatdinner，"saidBeaton，attemptingtherecoveryofsomethingthathehadlostthroughthegirl'sshiningeaseandsteelysprightliness。Sheseemedtohimsosmoothandhard，witharepellentelasticityfromwhichhewasflungoff。"Ihopeyou'renotworkingtoohard，MissLeighton?"
　　"Ohno!Ienjoyeveryminuteofit，andgrowstrongeronit。DoIlookverymuchwastedaway?"Shelookedhimfullintheface，brilliantlysmiling，andintentionallybeautiful。
　　"No，"hesaid，withaslowsadness；"Ineversawyoulookingbetter。"
　　"PoorMr。Beaton!"shesaid，inrecognitionofhisdolefultune。"Itseemstobequiteablow。"
　　"Ohno——"
　　"Irememberallthegoodadviceyouusedtogivemeaboutnotworkingtoohard，andprobablyit'sthatthat'ssavedmylife——thatandthehouse-
　　hunting。Hasmammatoldyouofouradventuresingettingsettled?
　　Sometimewemust。Itwassuchfun!Anddidn'tyouthinkwewerefortunatetogetsuchaprettyhouse?Youmustseebothourparlors。"
　　Shejumpedup，andhermotherfollowedherwithabewilderedlookassheranintothebackparlorandflashedupthegas。
　　"Comeinhere，Mr。Beaton。Iwanttoshowyouthegreatfeatureofthehouse。"Sheopenedthelowwindowsthatgaveuponaglazedverandastretchingacrosstheendoftheroom。"JustthinkofthisinNewYork!
　　Youcan'tseeitverywellatnight，butwhenthesouthernsunpoursinherealltheafternoon——"
　　"Yes，Icanimagineit，"hesaid。Heglancedupatthebird-cagehangingfromtheroof。"IsupposeGypsyenjoysit。"
　　"YourememberGypsy?"shesaid；andshemadeacooing，kissinglittlenoiseupatthebird，whorespondeddrowsily。"PooroldGypsum!Well，hesha'n'tbedisturbed。Yes，it'sGyp'sdelight，andColonelWoodburnlikestowritehereinthemorning。Thinkofushavingarealliveauthorinthehouse!AndMissWoodburn:I'msogladyou'veseenher!
　　They'reSouthernpeople。"
　　"Yes，thatwasobviousinhercase。"
　　"Fromheraccent?Isn'titfascinating?Ididn'tbelieveIcouldeverendureSoutherners，butwe'relikeonefamilywiththeWoodburns。I
　　shouldthinkyou'dwanttopaintMissWoodburn。Don'tyouthinkhercoloringisdelicious?Andsuchaquaintkindofeighteenth-centurytypeofbeauty!Butshe'sperfectlylovelyeveryway，andeverythingshesaysissofunny。TheSouthernersseemtobesuchgreattalkers；betterthanweare，don'tyouthink?"
　　"Idon'tknow，"saidBeaton，inpensivediscouragement。Hewassensibleofbeingmanipulated，operated，buthewashelplesstoescapefromtheperformerortofathomhermotives。Hispensivenesspassedintogloom，andwasdegeneratingintosulkyresentmentwhenhewentaway，afterseveralfailurestogetbacktotheoldgroundhehadheldinrelationtoAlma。HeretrievedsomethingofitwithMrs。Leighton；butAlmaglittereduponhimtothelastwithakeenimpenetrablecandor，achild-
　　likesinglenessofglance，coveringunfathomablereserve。
　　"Well，Alma，"saidhermother，whenthedoorhadcloseduponhim。
　　"Well，mother。"Then，afteramoment，shesaid，witharush:"DidyouthinkIwasgoingtolethimsupposewewerepiquedathisnotcoming?
　　DidyousupposeIwasgoingtolethimpatronizeus，orthinkthatwewereintheleastdependentonhisfavororfriendship?"
　　Hermotherdidnotattempttoanswerher。Shemerelysaid，"Ishouldn'tthinkhewouldcomeanymore。"
　　"Well，wehavegotonsofarwithouthim；perhapswecanlivethroughtherestofthewinter。"
　　"Icouldn'thelpfeelingsorryforhim。Hewasquitestupefied。Icouldseethathedidn'tknowwhattomakeofyou。"
　　"He'snotrequiredtomakeanythingofme，"saidAlma。
　　"Doyouthinkhereallybelievedyouhadforgottenallthosethings?"
　　"Impossibletosay，mamma。"
　　"Well，Idon'tthinkitwasquiteright，Alma。"
　　"I'llleavehimtoyouthenexttime。MissWoodburnsaidyouwerefreezinghimtodeathwhenIcamedown。"
　　"Thatwasquitedifferent。But，therewon'tbeanynexttime，I'mafraid，"sighedMrs。Leighton。
　　Beatonwenthomefeelingsuretherewouldnot。Hetriedtoreadwhenhegottohisroom；butAlma'slooks，tones，gestures，whirredthroughandthroughthewoofofthestorylikeshuttles；hecouldnotkeepthemout，andhefellasleepatlast，notbecauseheforgotthem，butbecauseheforgavethem。Hewasabletosaytohimselfthathehadbeenjustlycutofffromkindnesswhichheknewhowtovalueinlosingit。HedidnotexpectevertorighthimselfinAlma'sesteem，buthehopedsomedaytoletherknowthathehadunderstood。Itseemedtohimthatitwouldbeagoodthingifsheshouldfinditoutafterhisdeath。Heimaginedherbeingtouchedbyitunderthosecircumstances。
　　VI。
　　InthemorningitseemedtoBeatonthathehaddonehimselfinjustice。
　　WhenheuncoveredhisJudasandlookedatit，hecouldnotbelievethatthemanwhowascapableofsuchworkdeservedthepunishmentMissLeightonhadinflicteduponhim。Hestillforgaveher，butinthepresenceofathinglikethathecouldnothelprespectinghimself；hebelievedthatifshecouldseeitshewouldbesorrythatshehadcutherselfofffromhisacquaintance。Hecarriedthisstrainofconvictionallthroughhissyndicateletter，whichhenowtookoutofhisdeskandfinished，withanincreasingsecurityofhisopinionsandamountingseverityinhisjudgments。Heretaliateduponthegeneralconditionofartamongusthepangsofwoundedvanity，whichAlmahadmadehimfeel，andhefoldeduphismanuscriptandputitinhispocket，almosthealedofhishumiliation。Hehadbeenabletoescapefromitsstingsoentirelywhilehewaswritingthatthenotionofmakinghislifemoreandmoreliterarycommendeditselftohim。Asitwasnowevidentthatthefuturewastobeoneofrenunciation，ofself-forgetting，anobliviontingedwithbitterness，heformlesslyreasonedinfavorofreconsideringhisresolutionagainstFulkerson'soffer。Onemustcallitreasoning，butitwasratherthatswiftinternaldramatizationwhichconstantlygoesoninpersonsofexcitablesensibilities，andwhichnowseemedtosweepBeatonphysicallyalongtowardthe'EveryOtherWeek'office，andcarriedhismindwithlightningcelerityontoatimewhenheshouldhavegiventhatjournalsuchqualityandauthorityinmattersofartashadneverbeenenjoyedbyanyinAmericabefore。Withtheprosperitywhichhemadeattendhisworkhechangedthecharacteroftheenterprise，andwithFulkerson'senthusiasticsupporthegavethepublicanartjournalofashighgradeas'LesLettresetlesArts'，andverymuchthatsortofthing。AllthisinvolvednowtheunavailingregretofAlmaLeighton，andnowhisreconciliationwithhertheyweremarriedinGraceChurch，becauseBeatonhadonceseenamarriagethere，andhadintendedtopaintapictureofitsometime。