"WEdon't，butHEdoes，"answeredtheyounggirl。"Heconsidersushissocialinferiors。But——hush!"
　　MintySharpehadjustenteredtheroom，andwasadvancingwithsmilingconfidencetowardsthetable。Mainwaringwasalittlestartled；hehadseenMintyinahollandsun-bonnetandturnedupskirtcrossingtheveranda，onlyamomentbefore；inthebriefinstantbetweenthedishing-upofdinneranditsactualannouncementshehadmanagedtochangeherdress，putonacleancollar，cuffs，andalargejetbrooch，andapplysomeodorousunguenttoherrebellioushair。Herface，guiltlessofpowderorcoldcream，wasstillshiningwiththehealthyperspirationofherlastlaborsasshepromptlytookthevacantchairbesideMainwaring。
　　"Don'tmindme，folks，"shesaidcheerfully，restingherplumpelbowonthetable，andaddressingthecompanygenerally，butgazingwithfrankcuriosityintothefaceoftheyoungmanatherside。"Itwasakeenjump，Itellyer，togetoutofmyolddudsinterthese，andlookdecentinsideo'fiveminutes。ButIreckonIain'tkeptyerwaitin'long——leastofallthisyersickstranger。
　　Butyou'relookingpearterthanyoudid。You'rewonderin'likeeznotwhereIeversawyebefore？"shecontinued，laughing。"Well，I'lltellyou。Lastweek!I'dkemoveryeronachanceofseein'
　　JennyBradley，andwhileIwasmeanderin'downtheverandaIsawyoulyin'backinyourchairbythewindowdrownedinsleep，likeababy。Lordy!Imouthevwonapairo'gloves，butIreckonedyouwereLoo'sgame，andnotmine。”
　　TheslightlyconstrainedlaughwhichwentroundthetableafterMissMinty'sspeechwasduequiteasmuchtothefaintflushthathadaccentedMainwaring'sownsmileastotheembarrassingremarkitself。Mrs。BradleyandMissMacyexchangedrapidglances。
　　Bradley，whoaloneretainedhiscomposure，withaslightflickerofamusementinthecornerofhiseyeandnostril，saidquickly:"Yousee，Mainwaring，hownaturestandsreadytohelpyourconvalescenceateveryturn。IfMissMintyhadonlyfollowedupherhealingopportunity，yourcurewouldhavebeencomplete。”
　　"Yemouthevleftsomeo'thatprettytalkforHIMtosay，"saidMinty，takingupherknifeandforkwithaslightshrug，"andyouneedn'tcallmeMISSMintyeither，jestbecausethere'skempenypresent。”
　　"Ihopeyouwon'tlookuponmeascompany，Minty，orIshallbeobligedtocallyou'Miss'too，"saidMainwaring，unexpectedlyregaininghisusualfrankness。
　　Bradley'sfacebrightened；MissMintyraisedherblackeyesfromherplatewithstillbroaderappreciation。
　　"There'snothin'meanaboutthat，"shesaid，showingherwhiteteeth。"Well，what'sYOURfirstname？"
　　"Notasprettyasyours，I'mafraid。It'sFrank。”
　　"Noitain't，it'sFrancis!YoureckontobeSirFrancissomeday，"shesaidgravely。"Youcan'tplayanyFrankoffonme。Youwouldn'tdoitonHER，"sheadded，indicatingLouisewithherelbow。
　　Amomentoussilencefollowed。TheparticularformthatMinty'svulgarityhadtakenhadnotbeenanticipatedbythetwootherwomen。Theyhad，notunreasonably，expectedsomeoriginalaudacityorgaucheriefromtheblacksmith'sdaughter，whichmightastonishyetamusetheirguest，andcondoneforthesituationforceduponthem。Buttheywerenotpreparedforaplayfulnessthatinvolvedthemselvesinaridiculousindiscretion。Mrs。Bradley'seyessoughtherhusband'smeaningly；Louise'sprettymouthhardened。
　　Luckilythecheerfulcauseofitsuddenlyjumpedupfromthetable，andsayingthatthestrangerwasstarving，insisteduponbringingadishfromtheothersideandhelpinghimherselfplentifully。
　　Mainwaringrosegallantlytotakethedishfromherhand，aslightscuffleensuedwhichendedintheyoungmanbeingforceddowninhischairbythepressureofMinty'sstrongplumphandonhisshoulder。"There，"shesaid，"yekinmindyourdinnernow，andI
　　reckonwe'llgivetheothersachancetochipintotheconversation，"
　　andatonceappliedherselftotheplatebeforeher。
　　Theconversationpresentlybecamegeneral，withtheexceptionthatMinty，moreorlessengrossedbyprofessionalanxietyinthequalityofthedinnerandoccasionalhurriedvisitstothekitchen，brieflyansweredthefewpoliteremarkswhichMainwaringfeltcalledupontoaddresstoher。Nevertheless，hewasconscious，malgreherrallyingallusionstoMissMacy，thathefeltnoneofthevagueyethalfpleasantanxietywithwhichLouisewasbeginningtoinspirehim。HefeltateaseinMinty'spresence，andbelieved，rightlyorwrongly，thatsheunderstoodhimaswellasheunderstoodher。Andtherewerecertainlypointsincommonbetweenhistwohostessesandtheirhumblerthoughprouddependent。ThesocialevolutionofMrs。BradleyandLouiseMacyfromsomepreviousMintywasneitherremotenorcomplete；theself-sufficientindependence，ease，andquietself-assertionwerealikeineach。
　　Thesuperiorpositionwasstilltoorecentandaccidentalforeithertoresentorcriticisequalitiesthatwerecommontoboth。
　　Atleast，thiswaswhathethoughtwhennotabandoninghimselftothegratificationofaconvalescentappetite；tothepresenceoftwoprettywomen，thesympathyofagenialfriend，thehealthyintoxicationofthewhitesunlightthatglanceduponthepinewalls，theviewsthatmirroredthemselvesintheopenwindows，andthepureatmosphereinwhichTheLookoutseemedtoswim。Wanderingbreezesofbalmandspicelightlystirredtheflowersonthetable，andseemedtofanhishairandforeheadwithsoftlyhealingbreath。
　　Lookingupinanintervalofsilence，hecaughtBradley'sgrayeyesfixeduponhimwithasubduedlightofamusementandaffection，asofanelderbrotherregardingaschoolboy'sboisterousappetiteatsomefeast。Mainwaringlaiddownhisknifeandforkwithalaughingcolor，touchedequallybyBradley'sfraternalkindlinessandtheconsciousnessofhisgastronomicalpowers。
　　"Hangit，Bradley；lookhere!Iknowmyappetite'sdisgraceful，butwhatcanafellowdo？Insuchair，withsuchviandsandsuchcompany!It'slikethebeesgettingdrunkonHyblaandHymettus，youknow。I'mnotresponsible!"
　　"It'sthefirstsquaremealIbelieveyou'vereallyeateninsixmonths，"saidBradley，gravely。"Ican'tunderstandwhyyourdoctorallowedyoutorundownsodreadfully。”
　　"Ireckonyouain'taskeerfulofyourself，youBritishers，ezus，"
　　saidMinty。"Lordy!Whythere'sPopinvestsinmorepatentmedicinesinonedaythanyouhaveintwoweeks，andhe'dmaketwoofyou。Mebbeyourfolksdon'tlookafteryouenough。”
　　"I'masplendidadvertisementofwhatYOURcareandyourmedicineshavedone，"saidMainwaring，gratefully，toMrs。Bradley；"andifyoueverwanttosetupa'Cure'here，I'mreadywithaten-pagetestimonial。”
　　"Haveacare，Mainwaring，"saidBradley，laughing，"thattheladiesdon'ttakeyouatyourword。LouiseandJennyhavebeendoingtheirbestforthelastyeartogetmetoacceptaflatteringofferfromaSacramentofirmtoputupahotelfortouristsonthesiteofTheLookout。Why，Ibelievethattheyhavealreadysecretlyintheirheartsconcoctedaflamingprospectusof'UnrivalledScenery'
　　and'Health-givingAir，'andarelookingforwardtoSaturdaynighthopsonthepiazza。”
　　"Haveyoureally，though？"saidMainwaring，gazingfromtheonetotheother。
　　"Weshouldcertainlyseemorecompanythanwedonow，andfeelalittlelessoutoftheworld，"saidLouise，candidly。"Therearenoneighborshere——ImeanthepeopleattheSummitarenot，"sheadded，withaslightglancetowardsMinty。
　　"AndMr。Bradleywouldfinditmoreprofitable——nottosaymoresuitabletoamanofhisposition——thanthiswretchedsaw-millandtimberbusiness，"saidMrs。Bradley，decidedly。
　　Mainwaringwasastounded；wasitpossibletheyconsidereditmoredignifiedforalawyertokeepahotelthanasaw-mill？Bradley，asifansweringwhatwaspassinginhismind，saidmischievously，"I'mnotsure，exactly，whatmypositionis，mydear，andI'mafraidI'vedeclinedthehotelonbusinessprinciples。But，bytheway，Mainwaring，IfoundaletteratthemillthismorningfromMr。
　　Richardson。HeisabouttopayusthedistinguishedhonorofvisitingTheLookout，solelyonyouraccount，mydearfellow。”
　　"ButIwrotehimthatIwasmuchbetter，anditwasn'tnecessaryforhimtocome，"saidMainwaring。
　　"Hemakesanexcuseofsomelawbusinesswithme。Isupposeheconsidersthemerefactofhistakingthetroubletocomehere，allthewayfromSanFrancisco，asufficienthonortojustifyanyabsenceofformalinvitation，"saidBradley，smiling。
　　"Buthe'sonly——Imeanhe'smyfather'sbanker，"saidMainwaring，correctinghimself，"and——youdon'tkeepahotel。”
　　"Notyet，"returnedBradley，withamischievousglanceatthetwowomen，"butTheLookoutiselastic，andIdaresaywecanmanagetoputhimup。”
　　Asilenceensued。Itseemedasifsomeshadow，ormomentarydarkeningofthebrilliantatmosphere；somefilmacrossthemirror-
　　likeexpanseoftheopenwindows，ormistydimmingoftheirwholesomelight，hadarisentotheirelevation。Mainwaringfeltthathewaslookingforwardwithunreasoningindignationanduneasinesstothisimpendinginterruptionoftheiridylliclife；
　　Mrs。BradleyandLouise，whohadbecomealittlemoreconstrainedandformalunderMinty'sfreedom，werelesssympathetic；eventheirrepressibleMintyappearedabsorbedintheresponsibilitiesofthedinner。
　　Bradleyalonepreservedhisusualpatientgood-humor。"We'lltakeourcoffeeontheveranda，andtheladieswilljoinusbyandby，Mainwaring；besides，Idon'tknowthatIcanallowyou，asaninvalid，togoentirelythroughMinty'sbountifulmenuatpresent。
　　Youshallhavethesweetsanothertime。”
　　Whentheywerealoneontheveranda，hesaid，betweenthepuffsofhisblackbrier-woodpipe，——apetaversionofMrs。Bradley，——"I
　　wonderhowRichardsonwillacceptMinty!"
　　"IfIcan，IthinkheMUST，"returnedMainwaring，dryly。"ByJove，itwillbegreatfuntoseehim；but"——hestoppedandhesitated——"I
　　don'tknowabouttheladies。Idon'tthink，youknow，thatthey'llstandMintyagainbeforeanotherstranger。”
　　Bradleyglancedquicklyattheyoungman；theireyesmet，andtheybothjoinedinasuperiorand，Ifear，disloyalsmile。AfterapauseBradley，asifinaspiritoffurtherconfidence，tookhispipefromhismouthandpointedtotheblueabyssbeforethem。
　　"Lookatthatprofundity，Mainwaring，andthinkofiteverbeingbulliedandoverawedbyalongveranda-loadofgaping，patronizingtourists，andtheidioticflirtingfemalesoftheirspecies。Thinkofalotofover-dressedcreaturesfloutingthosesevereoutlinesanddeep-toneddistanceswithfripperyandgarishness。Youknowhowyouhavebeenlulledtosleepbythatdelicious，indefinite，far-offmurmurofthecanyonatnight——thinkofitbeingbrokenbyacrazywaltzoramonotonousgerman——bytheclatterofwaitersandthepopofchampagnecorks。Andyet，bythunder，thosewomenarecapableoflikingbothandfindingnodiscordinthem!"
　　"Dancingain'thalfbad，youknow，"saidMainwaring，conscientiously，"ifachap'sgotthewindtodoit；andallAmericans，especiallythewomen，dancebetterthanwedo。ButIsay，Bradley，tohearyoutalk，afellowwouldn'tsuspectyouwereasbigaVandalasanybody，withabeastly，howlingsaw-millintheheartoftheprimevalforest。ByJove，youquitebowledmeoverthatfirstdaywemet，whenyoupoppedyourheadoutofthatdeliriumtremensshakingmill，liketheverygeniusofdestructiveimprovement。”
　　"ButthatwasFIGHTINGNature，notpatronizingher；andit'sabusinessthatpays。ThatremindsmethatImustgobacktoit，"
　　saidBradley，risingandknockingtheashesfromhispipe。
　　"NotAFTERdinner，surely!"saidMainwaring，insurprise。"Comenow，that'stoomuchliketheboltingYankeeofthetravellers'
　　books。”
　　"There'saheavyruntogetthroughtonight。We'reworkingagainsttime，"returnedBradley。Evenwhilespeakinghehadvanishedwithinthehouse，returnedquickly——havingreplacedhisdarksuitbyjeantrouserstuckedinheavyboots，andaredflannelshirtoverhisstarchedwhiteone——and，noddinggaylytoMainwaring，steppedfromthelowerendoftheveranda。"Thebeggaractuallylookspleasedtogo，"saidMainwaringtohimselfinwonderment。
　　"Oh!Jim，"saidMrs。Bradley，appearingatthedoor。
　　"Yes，"saidBradley，faintly，fromthebushes。
　　"Minty'sready。Youmighttakeherhome。”
　　"Allright。I'llwait。”
　　"IhopeIhaven'tfrightenedMissSharpeaway，"saidMainwaring。
　　"Sheisn'tgoing，surely？"
　　"Onlytogetsomebetterclothes，onaccountofcompany。I'mafraidyouaregivingheragooddealoftrouble，Mr。Mainwaring，"
　　saidMrs。Bradley，laughing。
　　"Shewishedmetosaygood-bytoyouforher，asshecouldn'tcomeontheverandainheroldshawlandsun-bonnet，"addedLouise，whohadjoinedthem。"Whatdoyoureallythinkofher，Mr。Mainwaring？
　　Icallherquitepretty，attimes。Don'tyou？"
　　Mainwaringknewnotwhattosay。Hecouldnotunderstandwhytheycouldhaveanyspecialinterestinthegirl，orcaretoknowwhathe，aperfectstranger，thoughtofher。Heavoidedadirectreply，however，byplayfullywonderinghowMrs。BradleycouldsubjectherhusbandtoMissMinty'sundividedfascinations。
　　"Oh，Jimalwaystakesherhome——ifit'sintheevening。Hegetsalongwiththesepeoplebetterthanwedo，"returnedMrs。Bradley，dryly。"But，"sheadded，withareturnofherpiquantQuaker-likecoquettishness，"Jimsayswearetodevoteourselvestoyouto-
　　night——inretaliation，Isuppose。Wearetoamuseyou，andnotletyougetexcited；andyouaretobesenttobedearly。”
　　Itistobefearedthattheselatterwiseprecautions——invaluableforalldefencelessandenfeebledhumanity——werenotcarriedout:
　　anditwaslatewhenMainwaringeventuallyretired，withbrightenedeyesandasomewhatacceleratedpulse。Fortheladies，whohadquiteregainedthatkindlyequanimitywhichMintyhadrudelyinterrupted，hadalsoaddedadelicateandconfidentialsympathyintheirrelationswithMainwaring，——asofpeoplewhohadsufferedincommon，——andheexperiencedthesetenderattentionsattheirhandswhichanytwowomenareemboldenedbyeachother'ssavingpresencetoshowanysinglememberofoursex。Indeed，hehardlyknewifhissatisfactionwasthemorecompletewhenMrs。Bradley，withdrawingforafewmoments，lefthimaloneontheverandawithLouiseandthevast，omnipotentnight。
　　Forawhiletheysatsilent，inthemidstoftheprofoundandmeasurelesscalm。Lookingdownuponthedimmoonlitabyssattheirfeet，theythemselvesseemedapartofthisnightthatarchedaboveit；thehalf-risenmoonappearedtolingerlongenoughattheirsidetoenwrapandsuffusethemwithitsglory；afewbrightstarsquietlyringedthemselvesaroundthem，andlookedwonderinglyintotheleveloftheirownshiningeyes。Forsomevagueyearningtohumanityseemedtodrawthisdarkandpassionlessvoidtowardsthem。ThevastprotectingmaternityofNatureleanthushedandbreathlessoverthesolitude。Warmcurrentsofairroseoccasionallyfromthevalley，whichonemighthavebelievedweresighsfromitsfullandoverflowingbreast，oragratefulcoolnessswepttheircheeksandhairwhenthetranquilheightsaroundthemweremovedtoslowlyrespond。Odorsfrominvisiblebayandlaurelsometimesfilledtheair；theincenseofsomerareandremotercultivatedmeadowbeyondtheirken，orthestronggerminatingbreathofleaguesofwildoats，thathadyellowedtheuplandbyday。Inthesilenceandshadow，theirvoicestookuponthemselves，almostwithouttheirvolition，afar-offconfidentialmurmur，withintervalsofmeaningsilence——ratherasiftheirthoughtshadspokenforthemselves，andtheyhadstoppedwonderinglytolisten。
　　Theytalkedatfirstvaguelytothisdiscreetaudienceofspaceanddarkness，andthen，growingbolder，spoketoeachotherandofthemselves。Investedbytheinfinitegravityofnature，theyhadnofearofhumanridiculetorestraintheiryouthfulconceitortheextravaganceoftheirunimportantconfessions。Theytalkedoftheirtastes，oftheirhabits，oftheirfriendsandacquaintances。
　　Theysettledsomepointsofdoctrine，duty，andetiquette，withthesweetseriousnessofyouthanditsall-powerfulconvictions。Thelisteningvineswouldhaverecognizednoflirtationorlove-makingintheiranimatedbutimportantconfidences；yetwhenMrs。Bradleyreappearedtowarntheinvalidthatitwastimetoseekhiscouch，theybothcoughedslightlyinthenervousconsciousnessofsomeunaccustomedqualityintheirvoices，andasenseofinterruptionfarbeyondtheirownortheinnocentintruder'sken。
　　"Well？"saidMrs。Bradley，inthesitting-roomasMainwaring'sstepsretreateddownthepassagetohisroom。
　　"Well，"saidLouisewithaslightyawn，leaningherprettyshoulderslanguidlyagainstthedoor-post，assheshadedhermoonlight-accustomedeyesfromthevulgarbrilliancyofMrs。
　　Bradley'sbedroomcandle。"Well——oh，hetalkedagreatdealabout'hispeople'ashecalledthem，andItalkedaboutus。He'sverynice。Youknowinsomethingshe'sreallylikeaboy。”
　　"Helooksmuchbetter。”
　　"Yes；butheisfarfromstrongyet。”
　　Meantime，Mainwaringhadnootherconfidantofhisimpressionsthanhisownthoughts。Mingledwithhisexaltation，whichwasthemoreseductivethatithadnowell-definedfoundationforexisting，andimpliednofutureresponsibility，wasarecurrenceofhisuneasinessattheimpendingvisitofRichardsonthenextday。Strangelyenough，ithadincreasedunderthestimulusoftheevening。Justashewasreallygettingonwiththefamily，hefeltsurethatthisvisitorwouldimportsomeforeignelementintotheirfamiliarity，asMintyhaddone。Itwaspossibletheywouldnotlikehim:nowherememberedtherewasreallysomethingostentatiouslyBritishandinsularaboutthisRichardson——somethingtheywouldlikelyresent。
　　Whycouldn'tthisfellowhavecomelater——orevenbefore？Beforewhat？Butherehefellasleep，andalmostinstantlyslippedfromthisverandaintheSierras，sixthousandmilesaway，toanancientterrace，overgrownwithmossandtradition，thatoverlookedthesedategloryofanEnglishpark。Herehefoundhimself，restrictedpainfullybyhisinconsistentnight-clothes，endeavoringtoimpresshismotherandsisterswiththesingularvirtuesandexcellencesofhisAmericanhostandhostesses——virtuesandexcellencesthathehimselfwasbeginningtofeelconscioushadbecomemoreorlessapocryphalinthatatmosphere。Heheardhismother'svoicesayingseverely，"Whenyoulearn，Francis，torespecttheopinionsandprejudicesofyourfamilyenoughtopreventyourappearingbeforetheminthisuncivilizedaboriginalcostume，wewilllistentowhatyouhavetosayofthefriendswhosehabitsyouseemtohaveadopted；"andhewasfranticallyindignantthathiseffortstoconvincethemthathisnegligencewasapersonaloversight，andnotaCaliforniancustom，wereutterlyfutile。ButeventhenthisvisionwasbrushedawaybythebewilderingsweepofLouise'sprettyskirtacrossthedreamypicture，andherdelicatefeaturesandsoftly-fringedeyesremainedthelasttoslipfromhisfadingconsciousness。
　　Themoonrosehigherandhigherabovethesleepinghouseandsoftlybreathingcanyon。Therewasnothingtomartheidyllicreposeofthelandscape；onlythegrowinglightofthelasttwohourshadbroughtoutinthefareasternhorizonadimwhitepeak，thatgleamedfaintlyamongthestars，likeabridalcouchspreadbetweenthehillsfringedwithfadingnuptialtorches。Noonewouldhavebelievedthatbehindthatimpenetrableshadowtothewest，intheheartoftheforest，thethrobbingsaw-millofJamesBradleywasevenatthatmomenteatingitsdestructivewaythroughtheconservedgrowthofNatureandcenturies，andthattherefinedproprietorofhouseandgreenwood，withtheglowofhisfurnacefiresonhisredshirt，andhisalert，intelligenteyes，wasthegenieofthatdevastation，andthetoilingleaderoftheshadowy，toilingfiguresaroundhim。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　AmidthebeautyofthemostuncultivatedanduntroddenwildernesstherearecertainlocalitieswherethemeanerandmerecommonprocessesofNaturetakeuponthemselvesadegradinglikenesstotheslovenly，wasteful，andimprovidentprocessesofman。Theunrecordedland-slipdisintegratingawholehillsidewillnotonlylaybarethedelicateframeworkofstrataanddeposittothevulgareye，buthurlintothevalleyadebrissomonstrousandunlovelyastoshameeventhehideousruinsleftbydynamite，hydraulic，orpickandshovel；anoverflownandforgottenwoodlandtorrentwillleaveinsomeremotehollowadisturbedandungracefulchaosofinextricablelogs，branches，rock，andsoilthatwillrivaltheunsavorydetailsofsomewreckedorabandonedsettlement。Oflessermagnitudeandimportance，therearecertainnaturaldust-
　　heaps，sinks，andcesspools，wheretheelementshavecollectedthecast-off，broken，andfrayeddisjectaofwoodandfield——thesweepingsofthesylvanhousehold。ItwasremarkablethatNature，sokindlyconsiderateofmerehumanruins，madenoattempttocoverupordisguisethesemonumentsofherownmortality:nograssgrewovertheunsightlylandslides，nomossorivyclothedthestrippedandbleachedskeletonsofoverthrownbranchandtree；thedeadleavesandwitheredhusksrottedintheiropengraveuncrossedbyvineandcreeper。Eventheanimals，exceptthelowerorganizations，shunnedthosehauntsofdecayandruin。
　　ItwasscarcelyahundredyardsfromoneofthosedrearyreceptaclesthatMr。BradleyhadtakenleaveofMissMintySharpe。
　　Thecabinoccupiedbyherfather，herself，andayoungerbrotherstood，infact，ontheveryedgeofthelittlehollow，whichwaspartlyfilledwithdecayedwood，leaves，anddisplacementsofthecrumblingbank，withthecoaldustandasheswhichMr。Sharpehadaddedfromhisforge，thatstoodafewpacesdistantatthecornerofacross-road。Theoccupantsofthecabinhadalsocontributedtothehollowtherefuseoftheirhouseholdinbrokenboxes，earthenware，tincans，andcast-offclothing；anditisnotimprobablethatthesiteofthecabinwaschosenwithreferencetothisconvenientdisposalofuselessandencumberingimpedimenta。
　　Itwastruethatthelocalityofferedlittlechoiceinthewayofbeauty。Anoutcropofbrowngranite——aportentofhigheraltitudes——extendedaquarterofamilefromthenearestfringeofdwarflaureland"brush"inonedirection；intheotheranadvancedfileofBradley'swoodshadsufferedfromsomelong-forgottenfire，andstillraiseditsblackenedmastsandbrokenstumpsoverthescorchedandaridsoil，sweptofolderunderbrushandverdure。Ontheothersideoftheroadadarkravine，tangledwithbriersandhauntedatnightbyowlsandwildcats，struggledwearilyon，untilblunderingatlastupontheedgeoftheGreatCanyon，itslippedandlostitselfforeverinasinglefurrowofthosemightyflanks。
　　WhenBradleyhadonceaskedSharpewhyhehadnotbuilthishouseintheravine，theblacksmithhadreplied:"ThatuntiltheLordhadappointedhistime，hereckonedtokeephisheadabovegroundandthefoundationsthereof。”Howbeit，theravine，orthe"run，"asitwaslocallyknown，wasMinty'sonlySaturdayafternoonresortforrecreationorberries。"Itwas，"shehadexplained，"pow'fulsoothin'，andsolitary。”
　　Sheenteredthehouse——arude，squarebuildingofunpaintedboards——
　　containingasitting-room，akitchen，andtwobedrooms。Aglanceattheserooms，whichwereplainlyfurnished，andwhosecanvas-
　　coloredwallswereadornedwithgorgeousagriculturalimplementcirculars，patentmedicinecalendars，withpolytintedchromosandcheaply-illuminatedScripturaltexts，showedherthatacertainneatnessandorderhadbeenpreservedduringherabsence；and，findingthehouseempty，shecrossedthebarrenandblackenedinterveningspacebetweenthebackdoorandherfather'sforge，andenteredtheopenshed。Thelightwasfadingfromthesky；buttheglowoftheforgelitupthedustyroadbeforeit，andaccentedtheblacknessoftherockyledgebeyond。Asmallcurly-headedboy，bearingasingularlikenesstoasmudgedandblackenedcrayondrawingofMinty，wasmechanicallyblowingthebellowsandobviouslyintentuponsomethingelse；whileherfather——apowerfullybuiltman，withaquaintlydissatisfiedexpressionofcountenance——waswithequalwantofinterestmechanicallyhammeringatahorseshoe。
　　WithoutnoticingMinty'sadvent，helazilybrokeintoaquerulousdrawlingchantofsomevaguereligiouscharacter:
　　"Otur-ren，sinner；tur-ren。
　　FortheLordbidsyouturn——ah!
　　Otur-ren，sinner；tur-ren。
　　Whywillyoudie？"
　　Themusicalaccentadapteditselftothemonotonousfallofthesledge-hammer；andateveryrepetitionoftheword"turn"hesuitedtheactiontothewordbyturningthehorseshoewiththeironinhislefthand。Aslightgruntattheendofeverystroke，andthesimultaneousrepetitionof"turn"seemedtoofferhimamusementandrelief。Minty，withoutspeaking，crossedtheshop，andadministeredasoundboxonherbrother'sear。"Takethat，andletmeketchyouagenlayin'lowwhenmyback'sturned，toputonyourstorepants。”
　　"Theothershadfetchedawayinthelaig，"saidtheboy，opposingakneeandelbowatacuteangletofurtherattack。
　　"Youjestgetandchange'em，"saidMinty。
　　ThesuddencollapseofthebellowsbrokeinuponthesoothingrefrainofMr。Sharpe，andcausedhimtoturnalso。
　　"It'sMinty，"hesaid，replacingthehorseshoeonthecoals，andsettinghispowerfularmsandthesledgeontheanvilwithanexaggeratedexpressionofweariness。
　　"Yes；it'sme，"saidMinty，"andCreationknowsit'stimeIDID
　　come，tokeepthatboyfromruinin'uswithhisairsandconceits。”
　　"Didyebringoveranyo'thatfevermixter？"
　　"No。Bradleysezyou'reloadingyerselfupwithsomucho'thatbitterbark——kuininetheycallitoverthere——thatyou'lllifttheruffoffyourheadnext。Heallowsyeain'tgotnoague；it'sjestwindanddyspepsy。Hesezyer'sstrongezahoss。”
　　"Bradley，"saidSharpe，layingasidehissledgewithanaggrievedmannerwhichwas，however，ascomplacentashisfatigueanddiscontent，"ezoneofthemnat'ralbornfinikinskunksezI
　　despise。Ireckonhebegantogivep'intstohisparentswhenhewasaboutknee-hightoRichelieuthere。He'sonthemconfidentialtermswithhisselfandtheAlmightythathereckonshekenrunasaw-millandaman'sinsidesatthesametimewithonehandtiedbehindhim。Andthisfinikinisuptohisconceit:hewantedtotellmethatthatyerhandybrushdumpoutsideourshantywasunhealthy。Giveamanwithfrillslikethathisownwayandhe'dbeasprinklingodorcologneandpeppermintalloverthecountry。”
　　"Hesetyourshoulderaswellasanydoctor，"saidMinty。
　　"That'sbone-settin'，andanat'ralgift，"returnedSharpe，astriumphantlyashishabitualdepressionwouldadmit；"itain'tconceitandfinikingotouto'books!Well，"headded，afterapause，"wot'shappened？"
　　Minty'sfaceslightlychanged。"Nothin'；Ikembacktogetsomethings，"shesaidshortly，movingaway。
　　"AndyesawHIM？"
　　"Ye-e-s，"drawledMinty，carelessly，stillretreating。
　　"Bixbywasalonghereaboutnoon。Hesaysthestrangerwassuthin'
　　highandmightyinhisowncountry，andthem'Friscomillionairesarequitesweetonhim。Whereareyegoin'？"
　　"Inthehouse。”
　　"Well，lookyer，Minty。Nowthatyou'rehere，yemightgetupabatcho'hotbiscuitforsupper。Dinnerwasthatpromiscousandexperimentalto-day，alongo'Richelieu'snat'ralfoolin'，thatI
　　thinkIcouldgitoutsideofalittlesuthin'now，ifonlytopropupakindofinnardsinkin'thattakesme。Yekentellmethenewsatsupper。”
　　Later，however，whenMr。Sharpehadquittedhisforgeforthenightand，seatedathisdomesticboard，was，withadismalpresentimentoffutureindigestion，voraciouslyabsorbinghisfavoritemealofhotsaleratusbiscuitsswimminginbutter，hehadapparentlyforgottenhiscuriosityconcerningMainwaringandsettledhimselftoacomplainingchronicleoftheday'smishaps。"Nat'rally，havin'anextraloto'workonhandandnotimeforfoolin'，whatdoesthatorneryRichelieugetupanddothismornin'？Yeknowthemridiklusspecimensthathe'sbeenchippin'outerthatledgethattheyearthslippedfromdowntherun，andlitterin'upthewholeshantywith'em。Well，darnmyskin!ifhedidn'trunaheapof'em，mixedupwithcoal，unbeknownedtome，intheforge，tomakewhathecalleda'fireessay'of'em。Nat'rally，Icouldn'tgetablessedironhot，anddidn'tknowwhathadgoneofthefire，orthecoaleither，fortwohours，tillIstoppedworkandrakedoutthecoal。Thatcomesfromhishangin'roundthatsaw-millinthewoods，andlistenin'toBradley'shigh-falutin'talkaboutrocksandstrataandsich。”
　　"ButBradleydon'tgoacentonminin'，Pop，"saidMinty。"Hesezthewoodsisgoodenoughforhim；andthere'smillionstobemadewhentherailroadcomesalong，andtimber'swanted。”
　　"Butuntilthenhe'sgottokeephisself，topaywages，andkeepthemillrunnin'。Onlessit's，ezBixbysays，thathehopestogetthatEnglishmantoropeinsomeo'them'Friscofriendsofhistotakeahand。Yedidn'thaveanyo'thatkindo'talk，didye？"
　　"No；notTHATkindo'talk，"saidMinty。
　　"NotTHATkindo'talk!"repeatedherfatherwithaggrievedcuriosity，"Wotkind，then？"
　　"Well，"saidMinty，liftingherblackeyestoherfather's；"I
　　ain'tnoaccount，andyouain'tnoaccounteither。Youain'tgotnocollegeeducation，ain'tgotnofriendsin'Frisco，andain'tgotnohigh-tonedstyle；Ican'tplaythepianner，jabberFrench，norgetFrenchdresses。Weain'tgotnofancy'Shallet，'astheycallit，withafirst-classviewofnothing；butonlyashantyondryrock。But，aforeI'Dtakeadvantageofalazy，gawkyboy——foritain'tanythingelse，thoughhe'sgoodmeanin'enough——thathappenedtofallsickinMYhouse，andcoaxandcossethim，andwraphiminwhitecotton，andmotherhim，andsisterhim，andAuntSukeyhim，andalmostdry-nusshimgin'rally，jisttogethimsweetonmeandonmine，andtaketheinsidetrackofothers——I'DbeanInjin!Andifyou'dallowit，Pop，you'dbewussnoranigger!"
　　"Sho!"saidherfather，kindlingwiththatintensegratificationwithwhichthemalereceivesanyintimationofalienfeminineweakness。"Itain'tthat，Minty，Iwanterknow!"
　　"It'sjistthat，Pop；andIezgoodezlet'emknowIseedit。I
　　ain'tafool，ifsomefolksdodroptheireyesandpertendtowipethelaughoutoftheirnoseswithahandkerchiefwhenIletouttospeak。Imayn'tbegoodenoughkempany——"
　　"Lookyer，Minty，"interruptedtheblacksmith，sternly，halfrisingfromhisseatwitheverytraceofhisformerweaknessvanishedfromhishardsetface；"doyoumeantosaythattheyputonairstoye——
　　toMYdarter？"
　　"No，"saidMintyquickly；"themendidn't；anddon'tyou，aman，mixyourselfupwithwomen'smeannesses。Ikenmanage'em，Pop，withonehand。”
　　Mr。Sharpelookedathisdaughter'sflashingblackeyes。PerhapsanuneasyrecollectionofthelateMrs。Sharpe'sremarkablecapacityinthatrespectcheckedhisfurtherrage。
　　"No。WotIwassayin'，"resumedMinty，"ezthatImayn'tbethoughtbyothersgoodenoughtokeepkempanywithbaronettsezistobe——thoughbaronettsmightn'tobject——butIain'tmeanenoughtotrytostealawaysomeolewoman'sdarlingboyinEngland，orsnatchsomelikelyyoungEnglishgirl'sbigbrotherouterthefamilywithoutsayin'byyourleave。How'dyoulikeitifRichelieuwasgrowedup，andwenttosea，——anditwouldbelikehispeartness，——
　　andhefellsickinsomeforeignland，andsomeprincessorotherskyulgedHIMunderhandawayfromus？"
　　Probablyowingtotheaffairofthespecimens，theelderSharpedidnotseemtoregardthepossiblemesallianceofRichelieuwithextraordinarydisfavor。"Thatboyisconceitedenoughwithhairileandfineclothesforanything，"hesaidplaintively。"Butdidn'tthatLouiseMacyhevafelleralready——thatCaptainGreyson？
　　Wot'sgoneo'him？"
　　"That'sit，"saidMinty:"hekingooutinthewoodsandwhistlenow。Butallthesame，shecouldhitchhiminagainatanytimeiftheotherstrangerkickedoverthetraces。That'sthestyleoverthereatTheLookout。Thereain'tezmuchheartinthemtwowomenputtogetherezwouldmakeagreengalflushupplayin'forfeits。
　　It'sallintheirbreed，Pop。Loveain'tgoingtospiletheirappetitesandcomplexions，give'emnose-bleed，norputadropo'
　　waterintotheireyesinalltheirnaturalborndays。That'swotmakesmemad。EfIthoughtthatLoocaredabitforthatchildI
　　wouldn'tmind；I'djustadvisehertomakehimgetupandget——packhisdudsouto'camp，andgohomeandnotcomebackuntilhehadawrittenpermitfromhismother，ortheotherbaronetinoffice。”
　　"Lookssorterefsomeoneorterinterfere，"saidtheblacksmith，reflectively。"'Tain'texacklyacaseforavigilancecommittee，tho'it'saginpublicmorals，thissorterkidnappin'o'strangers。
　　LooksezifitmightbringthecountryintodiscreditinEngland。”
　　"Well，don'tYOUgoandinterfereandhavin'folkssayezmynosewasputouto'jintoverthere，"saidMinty，curtly。"There'sanotherEnglishmancomin'upfrom'Friscotoseehimto-morrow。Efheain'tscoopedupbyJennyBradleyhe'llguessthere'saniggerinthefencesomewhere。Butthere，Pop，letitdrop。It'sabadaig，anyway，"sheconcluded，risingfromthetable，andpassingherhandsdownherfrockandhershapelyhips，asiftowipeofffurthercontaminationofthesubject。"Where'sRichelieuagin？"
　　"Saidhedidn'twantsupper，andlikeeznothe'sgoneovertoseethatfammerlyattheSummit。There'salittlegirltharhe'ssparkin'，abouthisownage。”
　　"Hisownage!"saidMinty，indignantly。"Why，she'sdoublethat，ifshe'saday。Well——ifheain'tthetriflinest，conceitednestlittlelimbthatevergrew!I'dliketoknowwherehegotitfrom——
　　itwasn'tmar'sstyle。”
　　Mr。Sharpesmileddarkly。Richelieu'sprecociousgallantryevidentlywasnotconsideredasgratuitousashisexperimentalmetallurgy。Butashiseyesfollowedhisdaughter'swholesome，Phyllis-likefigure，anewideatookpossessionofhim:needlesstosay，however，itwasinthelineofanotherpersonalaggrievement，albeitittooktheformofreligiousreflection。
　　"It'scurous，Minty，wot'sforeordained，andwotain't。Now，yer'soneofthemhighandmightyfellows，aftertheLord，ezcomesmeanderin'aroundhere，anddropsoff——ezfurezIkinhear——inakindo'faintatthefirsthousehekemsto，andistakeninandlodgedandsumptuouslyfed；and，nat'rally，theygetstheirrewardforit。Nowwot'stohevkeptthatyoungfellerfromcomingHERE
　　anddroppin'downinmyforge，orinthisveryroom，andYOUatendin'him，andjistlayin'overthemfolksatTheLookout？"
　　"Wot'sgotholdo'ye，Pop？Don'tItellyehehadalettertoJimBradley？"saidMinty，quickly，withanangryflashofcolorinhercheek。
　　"Thatain'tit，"saidSharpeconfidently；"it'scosheWALKED。
　　Nat'rally，you'dthinkhe'dRIDE，beinghighandmighty，andthat'swhere，eztheparsonwilltellye，wot'smerelyfi-niteandhumanwisdomerrs!Efthatfellerhadridden，he'dhavehadtocomebythisyerroad，andbythisyerforge，andstopaspelllikeanyother。Butitwasforeordainedthatheshouldwalk，jestcositwasn'tgenerallykalkilatedandreckonedon。So，YOUhadnoshow。”
　　Foramoment，Mintyseemedstruckwithherfather'soriginaltheory。Butwithavigorousshakeofhershouldersshethrewitoff。Hereyesdarkened。
　　"Ireckonyouain'tthinking，Pop——"shebegan。
　　"Iwasonlysayin'itwascurous，"berejoinedquietly。
　　Nevertheless，afterapause，herose，coughed，andgoinguptotheyounggirl，assheleanedoverthedresser，benthispowerfularmaroundher，and，drawingherandtheplateshewasholdingagainsthisbreast，laidhisbeardedcheekforaninstantsoftlyuponherrebellioushead。"It'sallright，Minty，"hesaid；"ain'tit，pet？"Minty'seyelidsclosedgentlyunderthefamiliarpressure。
　　"Wot'sthatinyourhair，Minty？"hesaidtactfully，breakinganembarrassingpause。
　　"Bar'sgrease，father，"murmuredMinty，inachild'svoice——thegrown-upwoman，underthatmagictouch，havinglapsedagainintoherfather'smotherlesschargeoftenyearsbefore。
　　"It'spow'fulsoothin'，andpretty，"saidherfather。
　　"Imadeitmyself——doyouwantsome？"askedMinty。
　　"Notnow，girl!"Foramomenttheyslightlyrockedeachotherinthatattitude——themandexterously，thewomanwithinfinitetenderness——andthentheyseparated。
　　Latethatnight，afterRichelieuhadreturned，andherfatherwrestledinhisfitfulsleepwiththeremorseofhisguiltyindulgenceatsupper，Mintyremainedaloneinherroom，hardatwork，surroundedbythecontentsofoneofhermother'strunksandthefragmentsofcertainripped-upandnewly-turneddresses。ForMintyhadconceivedtheboldideaofalteringoneofhermother'sgownstothefashionofacertainfascinatingfrockwornbyLouiseMacy。Itwaslatewhenherself-imposedtaskwascompleted。Withanervoustrepidationthatwasnoveltoher，Mintybegantodisrobeherselfpreparatorytotryingonhernewcreation。Thelightofatallowcandleandalargeswinginglantern，borrowedfromherfather'sforge，fellshylyonhermilkyneckandshoulders，andshoneinhersparklingeyes，asshestoodbeforeherlargestmirror——thelongglazeddoorofakitchenclockwhichshehadplaceduponherchestofdrawers。HadpoorMintybeencontentwiththefull，free，andgoddess-likeoutlinesthatitreflected，shewouldhavebeensparedherimpendingdisappointment。For，alas!