Fiveminuteslater，VicBurleighwalkedacrossthegridironwithfullcredentialsforhisplaceontheteam。
　　Thelastmantoenterthegroundswasevidentlyatramp，whoseslouchedhathalf-concealedadarkbeardedface。
　　AsVicBurleigh，withBugclingingtohisfinger，hurriedbytheticketwindow，thecrippledstudentwhosoldticketsinsidethelittleroofedboxcalledout:
　　"Come，staywithme，Bug，tillIcangoin，too，andI'llbuyyoupeanuts。”
　　Bugstudiedamoment。Thenwithacomfortablelittle"Umph-humph，"
　　puffingouthispudgycheekswithtightlytucked-inlips，heletgoofVic'sfingerandtrottedovertotheticketbox。
　　Theboylethiminsideandturnedtothewindowtoseethefaceofthetrampclosetoit。Themanpaidforaticket，then，leaningforward，staredeagerlyattheopenmoneybox。
　　Atthesametime，thecripplecaughtsightofarevolverhandleinabeltundertheshabbycoat。Trustacollegeboyforheadwork。
　　InstantlyheseizedlittleBugbytheshouldersandsethimupontheshelfbetweenthewindowandthemoneybox。
　　Bug'shairwasamopofsoftringlets，andhisbrowneyesandinnocentbabyfacewereappealing。Thestrangerstaredhardatthechild，andwithasortoffrightenedexpression，shotthroughthegateandmingledwiththecrowd。
　　"Greatprotectionforacripple，"thestudentthought，ashelockedthemoneybox。"Howstrongababy'shandmaybesometimes!
　　VicBurleigh'sbeefcanwinthegameoutthere，butBughassavedthedayatthisendoftheline。Thattrampseemedscaredatthesightofhim。”
　　"Funnyfolksturnstodames，"Bugobserved。
　　"Yes，Buggie，thelastoneinbeforeyoucamewasayoungwomanwithgrayhair，andshehadabigdogwithher。
　　Theydon'tletindogs，sohe'swaitingoutsidesomewhere。”
　　ThelastmanwhodidnotgoinwasBondSaxon，whocamelateandfoundthegatesdeserted。Butlyingwatchfulintheopenway，wasaGreatDanedog。OldBondhesitated。
　　Itwashislifetimefaulttohesitate。Thenhetrottedbackhome。
　　And，behold，abottleofwhiskywasbesidehisdoorstep。
　　Buttohiscreditforonce，heresistedandsmashedthebottletobitsonthestonestep。
　　Thedaywasmadeforsuchagame。Therewasnowind。
　　Theglareofthesunwastemperedbyagraymistcreepinguptheafternoonskies。Theairwascrispenoughtopreventlanguor。
　　Thecrowdedbleacherswereinspiring；theseasonwasroundingoutinablazeofgloryforSunrise。Thetwoteamswereevenlymatched，AndthesternjoythatwarriorsfeelInfoemenworthyoftheirsteel，spurredeachtoitsbestefforts。Itwasabattleroyal，withalltheturnsofstrategy，andquickness，andstraightphysicalweight，andsuddenshiftingofsignals，fakeplays，forwardpasses，linebucks，andsplendidinterference，flyingtackles，speedyendruns，andmagnificentdefenseofgoalswithlinesofinvinciblestrengthandspirit。
　　Withthekick-offtheenemy'sgoalwasendangeredbyafumbledball，andwithinthreeminutesTrenchhadtornaholeinthedefense，throughwhichtheSunriseteamweresendingVicBurleighforatouchdown。
　　Thebleacherswentwildandthegrandstandwasalmostshipwreckedinthenoise。
　　"Burleigh!Burly!Burlee!"shriekedtheyell-leaderasVicleapedoverthegoallineandtherootersroared:
　　TheSunrisehope!
　　Andthat'sthedope!
　　Neverquails!
　　Neverfails!
　　Burleigh!Burly!Burlee!
　　Adifficultkickfromasharpanglesenttheballthroughtheaironeinchwideofthegoalpost，andthebleacherscountedfive。
　　Andthen，cametheforwardswingagain，thestrugglefordowns，thegainandlossofterritory，untilTrench，tooheavyforspeed，failedtobreakthroughtheinterferencequicklyenoughtoholdaswiftlittlequarterback，whoslippedaroundtheendoftheline，and，shakingoffthetackles，swoopedtowardtheSunrisegoal。
　　Thelastdefensewasthrownheadlong，andthefieldwaswideopenfortherun；andthequarterbackwasrunningforthehonorofhisteam，hisschool，hisundyingfameinthecollegeworld。
　　Threeyardstothegoalline，andvictorywouldbehis。
　　AllLagondaLedgehelditsbreathasVicBurleightorethroughatangleoftacklesandsprangforwardwithlong，space-eatingbounds。
　　Heseemedtoleapthroughtenfeetofair，straightoverthequarterback'sheadandlandfourfeetfromthegoalwiththequarterbackinhisgrip，whileaSunrisehalfbackoutbeyondhimwaslyingonthelostball。
　　Thebleachersnowwententirelymad，forfromtheveryedgeofdisaster，thetideofbattlewasturnedintotheenemy'sterritory。
　　BeforetheSunriserootershadtimetoceaserejoicing，however，theinvinciblequarterbackwasawayagain，andwithtwoguardsandacenterontopofBurleigh，nowthepluckyrunnerbrokeacrosstheSunriseline，andaminutelatermissedaprettygoal。
　　Andtheopposingbleacherscountedfive。
　　Thesecondhalfofthegamewasfilledwithatense，fruitlessstrife。
　　Fivepointstofivepoints，andfourminutesoftimetoplay。Thestrugglehadceasedtobeaturningoftricksandtestofspeed。Henceforth，itwasmanagainstman，poundforpound。Suddenly，theopposingteambraceditselfandbeganasteadydrivedownthegridiron。Withdesperateenergy，theSunriseelevenfoughtforground，givingwayslowly，defendingtheirgoalliketrueSpartans，dyingbyinches，untilonlythreeyardsofspacewereleftonwhichtodie。Therootersshrieked，andthegirlssangofcourage。
　　Thenasilencefell。Threeyards，andtheSunriseteamturnedtoarockledgeasinvincibleasthelimestonefoundationoftheirbelovedcollegehalls。
　　ThecenterfromwhichallstrengthradiatedwasVictorBurleigh。Againsthimtheweightoftheline-buckingplunged。Ifhewaveredthelinemustcrumble。
　　Thecrowdhardlybreathed，sotensewasthestrain。Buthedidnotwaver。
　　Theballwaslostandthelaststruggleofthedaybegan。Twominutesmore，thescoretied，andonlyonechancewasleft。
　　Sincethenightofthestorm，Vichadknownlittlerest。
　　Hisdayshadbeenspentinhardstudy，orcontinuouspracticeonthefield；hisnightsinthesickroom。
　　Andwhatwasmoredestructivetostrengththanallofthiswasthenewnessandgriefofablind，overmasteringadorationfortheonegirlofalltheschoolimpossibletohim。
　　Thestrainofthisday'sgame，asthestrainofallthepreparationforit，hadfallenuponhim，andthehalfhourintherotundahadsappedhisenergybeyondeveryotherforce。
　　Love，loss，areputationattacked，possibleexpulsionforassaultingaprofessor，injustice，anger——oh，itwasmorethanaburdenofweariedmusclesandwrackednervesthathehadtoliftinthesetwominutes!
　　Inasecond'spausebeforetheoffensebegan，Vic，whoneversawthebleachers，norheardasoundwhenhewasinthethickofthegame，caughtsightnowofagreatsplashofglowingredcolorinthegrandstand。
　　Inadimway，likeadreamofadream，hethoughtofAmericanBeautyrosesofwhichsomethinghadbeensaidonce——solongago，itseemednow。
　　Andinthatmoment，ElinorWream'ssweetface，withdampdarkhairwhichthelamplightfromDr。Fenneben'sdoorwasillumining，andthesoftlyspokenwords，"IshallalwaysrememberyouasonewithwhomIcouldneverbeafraidagain"——allthiscameswiftlyinaninstant'svision，astheteamcaughtitsbreathforthelastonslaught。
　　"Victor，forvictory。LeadoutBurleigh，"Trenchcriedtohismates，andthesweepofthefieldwason；andLagondaLedgeandthewholeWalnutValleyremembersthatfinalchargeyet。Steady，swift，invincible，itdroveitsstrongfoedownthewhite-crossedsod——
　　solikeawhirlwind，thatthewatchingcrowdsgazedinbewilderment。
　　Almostbeforetheycouldcomprehendthetruth，theenemy'sgoalwasjustbeforetheSunrisewarriors，andhalfaminuteoftimeremainedinwhichtoplay。OnemorelineplungewithBurleighholdingtheball!
　　Afilmcamebeforehiseyes。Asuddenblanknessoffailureanddespairseizedhim。Inthegrandstand，ElinorWreamstoodclutchingapennantinbothhands，herdarkeyesluminouswithproudhope。
　　Amidalltheyellsandcheers，hersweetvoicerangout:
　　"Victor，Victor!Don'tforgetthenameyourmothergaveyou!"
　　Vicneithersawnorheard。Yetinthatmoment，strengthandprideandindomitablewillpowercamesweepingbacktohim。
　　Onelastplungeagainstthiswallofdefenseuprearedbeforehim，andBurleigh，withhalftheenemy'selevenclinchedtodraghimback，hadhurledhimselfacrossthegoallineandlayhalf-consciousunderaperfectshoweroffragrantcrimsonroses，whilethesongofvictoryinswellingchoruspealedoutontheNovemberair。Halfaminutelater，Trenchhadkickedgoal。
　　Thebleacherschantedelevencounts，thereferee'swhistleblew，andthegamewasdone!
　　SACRIFICE
　　_Theairforthewingofthesparrow，Thebushfortherobinandwren，ButalwaysthepaththatisnarrowAndstraightforthechildrenofmen_——
　　ALICECARY
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEDAYOFRECKONING
　　_Oh，itisexcellentTohaveagiant'sstrength，buttyrannousTouseitlikeagiant_——
　　SHAKESPEARE
　　OFcourse，therecameadayofreckoningforVictorBurleigh，nowtheidoloftheWalnutValleyfootballfans，theprideofLagondaLedge，theheroofSunrise。Butthereckoningwasnotbroughttohim；
　　hebroughthimselfdeliberatelytoit。
　　Thejollificationfollowingthegamethreatenedtowreckthechapelandcrackthelimestoneledgebeneathit。
　　"Dustoffyourhaloandwrapitupincottontillnextfall，Vic，"Trenchwhisperedintheclosingminutes。"We'vegottofacetherealthingnow。
　　We'reciviliansincitizens'clothes，amenabletolawhenceforth；notalotofathleticbrigands，privilegedoutlaws，whoseglorydazzlesallcommonsense。
　　QuitbumpingyourheadagainsttheKansasmottoupinthedome，getyourhob-nailersdownonthesod，andtrotoffandtackleyourGreekverbsawhile。
　　Andsay，Vic，tackleyourselffirstandforgettheprettygirlwhocoveredyouwithrosesdownyonderfivedaysago。Itwasn'tyou，itwasjusttheday'shero。She'dhavedecoratedoldBondSaxonjustthesameifhehadwaddledacrossthelastgoallinethen。You'reaplugandshe'saladyborn，andasgoodasengagedtoBurgessbesides。
　　IhadthatstraightfromDennieSaxon，andyouknowDennie'snogossip。
　　TheywerefargonebeforetheycameWest——theWream-Burgessfolkwere——
　　stiffenup，Burleigh。Youlooklikeadeadman。”
　　"Iwasnevermorealiveinmylife。”Vic'svoiceandeyeswerealiveenough。
　　"Byheck!Ibelieveit，"Trenchexclaimed。"Say，yougotawaywithBurgessaboutthegame。Ifyouwantthegirl，goafterher，too。Butgently，SweetAfton，gogently。
　　Mostgirlswanttodothepursuingthemselves，Ibelieve。
　　I'llblocktheinterference，ifnecessary，andyou'llbethesought-afteryet，nottheseeking，dearchild。”
　　AcircularstairwaywindsfromtheSunrisechapeldownthesouthturrettoDeanFenneben'sstudy，intendedoriginallyasasortoffireescape。
　　Someenterprisingjanitorlaterfixedaspringlockontheupperdoortothisstairwaysurpriseshadbeensprungthroughthisdooruponthechapelstagebyprankishstudentsatinopportunemoments，sothatnowitwasonlyanexit，andwascalledbythestudents"theroadtoperdition，"
　　easytodescendbutbarredfromretreat。
　　IntheconfusionfollowingthechapelexercisesVicslippedintothesouthturret，andthelockclickedbehindhimashehurrieddown"theroadtoperdition。”
　　ThedoortoDeanFenneben'sstudywasslightlyopenandVicheardhisownnamespokenashereachedit。Hehesitated，foragroupofgirlswassurroundingElinorWream，discussinghim。Therewasnoescape。
　　Theupperdoorwaslocked，andhewouldratherhavemetthatunknownvillainousfaceinthedarkcavethantofacethisgroupofprettygirls。
　　Sohewaited。
　　"Oh，Elinor，youmercenarycreature!"
　　"Whatifheisabitcrude？"
　　"Idon'tblameyou。I'mdaffyaboutProfessorBurgessmyself。”
　　"He'sgotthegrandestvoice，Vichas!"
　　"IjustadoreGreek!"
　　"IthinkVicissplendid!"
　　Sotheexclamationsran。
　　"Now，NorrieWream，crossyourheart，hopeyoumaydie，ifbig，handsomeVictorBurleighhadhiscornersknockedoff，andhewassandpapereddownalittle，andhadmoney，wouldn'tyoufeelawholelotdifferentabouthim，Norrie？"
　　"Icertainlywould。Icouldn'thelpit。”
　　Norrie'seyeswereshiningandhercheekswerepinkaspeachblossoms。
　　ToVicsheseemedexquisitelybeautiful。
　　"Butnow？"somebodyqueried。
　　"Oh，now，she'llbesensible，andtheProfessorwilltakeadvantageof`now。'Hewon'twaittillit'stoolate。
　　Greathat!theregoesthebell。”
　　Andthegirlsscuttledaway。
　　Viccameinandsatdownbythewindowthroughwhichonemayfindanempireforthelooking。
　　"Burgesswasright，"hesaidtohimself。
　　I'mnotonlyill-bredontheoutside，I'mthatwayclearthrough。
　　Adisreputableeavesdropper!That'smysize。ButIdidn'tmeanit。
　　Fineexcuse!"Hefrownedindisgust，andturnedtothewindow。
　　TheThanksgivingweatherwasstillblessingtheWalnutValley。WideawaybeyondLagondaLedgerolledthefreeopenprairies，sweptbythefreeairofheavenunderabeneficentsky。
　　AsVicgazedhissternfacesoftened，andthebulldoglook，thathehadwornsincethenightofthestorm，relaxedbeforesomegentlermood。
　　Thebrowneyesheldastrangeglowunderthelongblacklashes，asifanewpurposeweregrowingupinthesoulbehindthem。
　　"Nolimitoutthere。It'saFREELAND，"hemurmured。"Thereshallbenolimitinhere。”Unconsciouslyhestruckhisbreastwithhisfist。
　　"There'sfreedomforsuchasIamsomewhere。”
　　"Hello，Burleigh，whatcanIdoforyou？"AsDr。Fennebencameintothestudyherecalledhowawkwardlythesameboyhadfilledthesamechaironlyafewmonthsbefore。
　　"I'vecomeintobesentenced，"Vicreplied。
　　"Well，pleadyourcasefirst。”
　　Ifeverafather-heartbeatinabachelor'sbreast，LloydFennebenhadsuchaheart。
　　"IwanttosettleaboutThanksgivingDay，"Vicsaid。"Ihadamoralrighttoplayontheteaminthatgame，butIhadtogetthelegalrightbyforce。
　　ProfessorBurgessrefusedtopermitmetoplayuntilIMADEhimdoit。”
　　Fenneben'seyesweresmiling。"Whydidn'tyouknockhimdownandfightitoutwithhim？"
　　"Becausehe'snotinmyclass。WhenIfightIfightmen。
　　And，besides，Iwasinahurry。IfI'mexpectedtoapologizetoProfessorBurgessorbeexpelled，Iwanttoknowit，"
　　Vicadded，hotly。
　　Heknewhewouldnotapologize，andhewantedthesentenceofexpulsiontocomequicklyifitmustcome。
　　"WeneverexpelboysfromSunrise。Theyhavedoneitthemselvessometimes。
　　Nordoweeverexactanapology。Theyofferitthemselvessometimes。
　　Ineithercase，thechoicelieswiththeboy。”
　　"Whatdoyoudowithafellowlikeme？"ViclookedcuriouslyattheDean。
　　"Ifaboyofyourbuildwantstomeetonlymenwhenhefights，wetakeitheissomethingofamanhimself，andthereforeworthtoomuchforSunrisetolose。”
　　Oh!blessedpowerofthecollegemantoleadthehalf-tamedboyintothestrongerplacesoflife；norshovehimtothedangerousgroundwherehisfeetmustsinkinthequicksandorthemire!
　　Vicsatlookingthoughtfullyatthemanbeforehim。
　　"Yourconfessionhereisallright。YourclaimtoaplaceontheteaminThursday'sgamewasjust。”ThesimplefairnessofFenneben'swordsmadetheirappeal，yet，itwassounlikewhatVichadcountedonhecouldhardlyacceptitasgenuine。
　　"Youhavemadeagreatnameforyourselfasanathlete。Ipaidfortheroses。Iknowsomethingofthedegreeofthatgreatness。”
　　Dr。Fennebensmiledgenially。"YouplayedamarvelousgameandI
　　amproudofyou。”
　　Vicdidnotlookproudofhimselfjustthen，andLloydFennebenknewitwasoneoflife'scrucialmomentsfortheboy。
　　"ThebigletterScutoverthedoorwayouttherestandsformorethanSunrise，yourememberItoldyou。”Fennebenspokeearnestly。
　　"Itmeansalsothestrifewhichyouhavealreadymetandmustexpecttomeetallalongtheway。But，Burleigh"——LloydFennebenstooduptohisfullheight，anidealofgraceandpower——
　　"ifyouexpecttomakeyourwaythroughcollegewithyourfists，cometome。”
　　"You？"Vic'seyeswidened。
　　"Yes，I'llmeetyouonanygrounds。Andifyouevertrytocoerceaprofessorhereagain，I'llmeetyouanyhow，andwe'llhaveitout。”
　　Fennebenwassternnow。
　　"Iwouldn'twanttoscrapwithyou，Dr。Fenneben，"Vicstammered。
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Iamtoomuchofagentlemanforthat。”
　　"WhenIfight，Ifightmen。Youareinmyclass，"Fennebenquotedwithasmileinhiseyes，whichfadedawaywiththenextwords。
　　"Youareright，Burleigh。Agentlemandoesn'twanttousehisstrengthlikeabeasttodestroy。Theonlylegitimatebattleiswhenamanmustfightwithamanashewouldfightwithabeast，tosavehimself，orsomethingdearertohimthanhimself，frombeastlydestruction。Getintothebiggergame，myboy，wherethestrifeisforlargerscores，andaddtoaproudathleticrecord，theprouderrecordofself-control。Theprairieshavegivenyouanobleheritage，butculturecomesmostfromcontactwithcul-turedmen。Don'ttakeonairsbecauseyouhavemoreredbloodthanourHarvardman。
　　Theinfluenceofthegreatuniversities，directlyorindirectly，onalifelikeyoursisessentialtoyourusefulnessandpower。
　　Youmayeducateyourconsciencetochoosetherightbeforethewrong，but，remember，aneducatedconsciencedoesnotalwayssaveamanfrombeingafoolnowandthen。
　　Heneedsaneducatedbrainsometimesbywhichtosavehissoul。
　　Meantime，settlewithyourconscience，ifyouoweitanything。
　　Itisatroublesomecreditor。I'llleaveyounowtosquareyourselfwiththatfellowyoumustlivewitheveryday——
　　VictorBurleigh。We'lldropeverythingelsehenceforthandfacetowardtomorrow，notyesterday。”
　　LloydFennebengraspedtheboy'shandinafirm，assuringgripandlefthim。
　　"IfSunrisemeansStrife，I'llfaceit，"Vicsaidtohimself。
　　"Astomoney，IhaveonlymytwohandsandthatoldmortgagedquadrangleofprairiesodoutWest。ButifculturelikeFenneben'smightwinElinorWream，Godhelpmetowinit。”
　　UpinthelibraryaweeklaterProfessorBurgesscameinwhileDennieSaxonwasputtingthebooksinorder。BurgesswasoftentobefoundwhereDenniewas，butBurgesshimselfhadnotnotedit，andnobodyelseknewit，exceptTrench。Trenchwasalazyfellow，whoalwayslivedinthemiddleofhispasture，wherethefeedingwasgood。
　　Thatgavehimtimetostudymankindasitworriedabouttheouteredges。
　　"Don'tyougettiredsometimes，MissDennie？"theProfessorasked。
　　Hewasnothappyhimselfformanyreasons，andtwoofthemwereElinorandVic，whoseparately，anddifferently，seemedtowearouthisenergy。
　　DennieSaxonneverworeonanybody'snerves。
　　"Yes，Ido，often，"Dennieanswered。
　　"Whydoyoudothis？"hequeried。
　　"Togetmycollegeeducation。”Denniesmiled，hopefully。
　　"Ilikethenicethingsandnicewaysoflife。
　　SoI'mworkingforthem。”
　　"Elinorhasallthesewithoutworkingforthem，"Vincentthought。
　　ThenfornoreasonatallhismindleapedtoDennie'sfatherandhisownvowonthestormynightinOctober。
　　"Whatwouldyoudoifyourfatherweretakenfromyou，MissDennie？"heasked。
　　"I'vealwayshadtodependonmyselfsomewhat。Iwouldkeepon，Isuppose。”
　　Dennielookedupbravely。Herfatherwasherjoyandhershame。
　　Well，whathadBurgessexpected？Thatshewoulddependonhim？
　　HewasinlovewithElinorWream。Whyshouldhefeeldisappointed？
　　Andwhyshouldhiseyefollowthesoftlittleripplesofhersunnyhair，givingaprettyoutlinetoherfaceandneck。
　　"Couldyoureallytakecareofyourself？Hewastalkingatrandom。
　　"ImightdolikethatwomanoutatPigeonPlace。”Burgessdidn'tcatchthepathosinDennie'stone。Hewasonlyaman。
　　"How'sthat？"heasked。
　　"Oh，livealoneandkeepabigdog，andsellchickens。
　　That'swhatMrs。Mariandoes。Bytheway，shelooksjustalittlebitlikeyou。”
　　"Thankyou!"
　　"ShewasatthegameonThanksgivingDay，strangetosay，forsheseldomleaveshome。Didyouseeaprettywhite-hairedwoman，rightsouthofwherewewere？"
　　"IsthathowIlook？No，Ididn'tseeher。Iwasn'tatthegame。”
　　"Youweren't？Whynot？Youmissedawonderfulthing。”
　　AndBurgesstoldherthewholestoryfromhisviewpoint，ofcourse。
　　WhathewastooproudtomentiontoDr。FennebenorElinorhespokeoffreelytoDennie，andhefeltasiftheweightofthelimestoneledgewasliftedfromhimwiththetelling。
　　"Don'tyouthinktheyoungruffianwasprettyhardonme？"heasked。
　　"No，Idon't，"Denniesaid，frankly。"Ithinkyouwereprettyhardonhim。”
　　AsuddenresolveseizedBurgess。HecamearoundtoDennie'ssideofthetable。
　　"MissDennie，Iwanttotellyousomething，unimportantinitself，butbettersharedthankept。OnthenightofourpicnicinOctoberyourfather，whowasnotquitehimself——"
　　"Yes，Iunderstand，"Denniesaid，withdowncasteyes。
　　"Pardonme，Dennie，Iwouldnothurtyourfeelings。”
　　Hisvoicewasverygentle，andDennielookedupgratefully。
　　"Onthatnightyourfathermademepromise——mademeholdupmyhandandswear——I'measilyforced，youwillthink——
　　tolookafteryouifheweretakenaway。Ididittopacifyhim，nottoeverembarrassyou。HealsotoldmeenoughaboutyoungBurleightomakemewish，intheofficeofprotector，towarnyou。”
　　"Wasmyfatherquitehimselfthen？"Dennieasked。
　　"Notquite，"Burgessreplied。
　　"Listentohimsomedaywhenheis。Heisanothermanthen。But，"sheadded，"Iknowyoumeanwell。”
　　Inspiteofhercouragehereyeswerefulloftears，andforthefirsttimeinhisshelteredpleasantlifetherealspiritofsympathywokeinthesoulofVincentBurgess。
　　"Youareabrave，goodgirl，Dennie。IfIcaneverserveyouinanyway，itwillbeaprivilegetometodoit。”
　　TenminutesaftertheyhadleftthelibraryTrench，whohadbeenstationaryinthenorthalcove，slowlycametolife。
　　Hehadbeenposingasastatue，WingedVictorywithaheadon，hedeclaredafterwardtoVicBurleigh，towhomhetoldthewholestory。
　　"Letmesingmyswansong，"hedeclared。"ThenmeforLagonda'swhirlpool。
　　I'mnotfittoliveinadecentcommunity，ablitheringidiotandrascallyvillain，wholiesinwaittohearandseelikeafool。
　　IthoughtDennieknewIwasthereandwouldbeintodustmeoutinaminute。
　　AndwhenitwastoolateIturnedtoapillarofsaltandwaited。
　　ButIbelieveI'llchangemymind，afterall。I'lllive；
　　andifProfessorBurgess，A。B。ofCambridge-by-the-bean-patch，darestomakelovetoDennieSaxon——ontheside——he'llgoheadforemostintothewhirlpooltofeedLagonda'srapaciousspirit。
　　I'vesaidit。”
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　LOSS，ORGAIN？
　　_Wecannotmakebargainsforblisses，Norcatchthemlikefishesinnets，AndsometimesthethingourlifemissesHelpsmorethanthethingwhichitgets_——
　　CARY
　　ELINORWREAMspenttheholidaysintheEastandwastwoweekslateinenteringschoolagain。ThenherUncleLloydtightenedtherules，exactingfullmeasureforlosttime，untilshebewailedtohergirlfriendsthatshehadnoopportunityeventomakefudgeorwashherhair。
　　"Wereyousorrytocomeback，then，Norrie？"heruncleaskedoneeveningwhentheywerealoneintheirlibrary，andElinorwaslamentingherhardlot。
　　"No，Iwanttobewithyou，UncleLloyd。”
　　Shewassittingonthearmofhismorrischair，softlystrokinghisheavyhairawayfromhisforehead。
　　"Lookslikeit，thewayyouhurriedback，"Dr。Fennebensaid，smiling。
　　"ButUncleJoshuaisn'twell，although，tobehonest，hedidn'tseemabitanxioustohavemestay。He'ssowrappedupinSanscrithehasnotimetoliveinthepresent。
　　Whydidn'theevermarry？"
　　"Youhavejustsaidwhy，"heruncleansweredher。
　　"Whydidn'tyouevermarry。Wereyoueverinlove？"
　　ThelibrarylampcastonlyashadedlightoverLloydFennebenloungingcomfortablyinhischair。Toawoman'seyehewouldhaveseemedthepictureofanidealhusband。
　　"Yes，Iwasinloveonce。Ididn'tmarrybecause——because——Ididn't。”
　　"Howromantic!Wasitunrequited，ormoney，orwhat？"
　　Norrieasked，eagerly。
　　"Orwhat，"heanswered，andherfinersensemadeherchangethesubject。
　　"Say，UncleLloyd，UncleJoshuasayshewantsmetomarry。”
　　"What'sheuptonow？Tellmeaboutit。”
　　Norriewascharmingtonightinadaintyredeveninggownthatsetoffherprettyface，crownedwithbeautifuldarkhair。