Oneofthem——theonenexttothebarber-shop——hadacrossitsfrontanample，jig-sawedveranda，whereaforetime，nodoubt，thefatherofafamilyhadfannedhimselfwithapalm-leaffanonSundayafternoons，watchingthesurreysgoby，andwherehisdaughterlistenedtomandolinsandbadinageonstarlitevenings；
　　but，althoughyouthstillheldtheveranda，boththeyouthandtheverandawereindecay。Thefourorfiveyoungmenwholoungedtherethisafternoonwereofatypeknowntoshadypool-parlours。Hatsfoundnofavourwiththem；allofthemworecaps；andtheirtightclothes，apparentlyfromacommonsource，showedavivaciousfancyforobliquepockets，falsebelts，andEaster-eggcolourings。Anotherthingcommontothegroupwastheexpressionofeyeandmouth；andAlice，inthemidstofherotherthoughts，hadadistastefulthoughtaboutthis。
　　Theverandawaswithinadozenfeetofthesidewalk，andassheandherescortcamenearer，shetooknoteoftheyoungmen，herfacehardeningalittle，evenbeforeshesuspectedtheremightbearesemblancebetweenthemandanyonesheknew。Thensheobservedthateachoftheseloungersworenotfortheoccasion，butasofhabit，alookoffurtivelyamusedcontempt；themouthsmiledtoonesideasifnottodislodgeacigarette，whiletheeyeskeptlanguidlysuperior。AllatonceAlicewasremindedofWalter；andtheslightfrowncausedbythisideahadjustbeguntodarkenherforeheadwhenWalterhimselfsteppedoutoftheopendoorofthehouseandappearedupontheveranda。Uponhisheadwasanewstrawhat，andinhishandwasaMalaccastickwithanivorytop，forAlicehadfinallydecidedagainstitforherselfandhadgivenittohim。Hismoodwaslively:hetwirledthestickthroughhisfingerslikeadrum-major'sbaton，andwhistledloudly。
　　Moreover，hewasindeedaccompanied。Withhimwasathingirlwhohadmadeaviolentblack-and-whiteposterofherself:blackdress，blackflimsyboa，blackstockings，whiteslippers，greatblackhatdownupontheblackeyes；andbeneaththehatacurveofcheekandchinmadewhiteaswhitewash，andinstrongbilateralmotionwithgum。
　　Theloungersontheverandawerefamiliarsofthepair；hailedthemwithcacklings；andonebegantosing，inavoicealltin:
　　"Thenmyskirt，Sal，andmedidgoRightstraighttothemoving-pitchershow。
　　OH，youbashfulvamp!"
　　Thegirllaughedairily。"God，butyouguysarewise!"shesaid。
　　"Comeon，Wallie。"
　　Walterstaredathissister；thengrinnedfaintly，andnoddedatRussellasthelatterliftedhishatinsalutation。Aliceutteredanincoherentsyllableofexclamation，and，asshebegantowalkfaster，shebitherliphard，notinordertolookwistful，thistime，buttohelpherkeeptearsofangerfromhereyes。
　　Russelllaughedcheerfully。"Yourbrothercertainlyseemstohavefoundtheplacefor'colour'today，"hesaid。"Thatgirl'stalkmustbefullofit。"
　　ButAlicehadforgottenthecoloursheherselfhadusedinaccountingforWalter'speculiarities，andshedidnotunderstand。"What？"shesaid，huskily。
　　"Don'tyouremembertellingmeabouthim？Howhewasgoingtowrite，probably，andwouldgoanywheretopickuptypesandgetthemtotalk？"
　　Shekepthereyesahead，andsaidsharply，"Ithinkhisliterarytastesscarcelycoverthiscase!"
　　"Don'tbetoosure。Hedidn'tlookatalldisconcerted。Hedidn'tseemtomindyourseeinghim。"
　　"That'salltheworse，isn'tit？"
　　"Why，no，"herfriendsaid，genially。"Itmeanshedidn'tconsiderthathewasengagedinanythingoutoftheway。Youcan'texpecttounderstandeverythingboysdoathisage；theydoallsortsofqueerthings，andoutgrowthem。Yourbrotherevidentlyhasatasteforqueerpeople，andverylikelyhe'sbeenatleasthalfsincerewhenhe'smadeyoubelievehehadaliterarymotivebehindit。Weallgothrough——"
　　"Thanks，Mr。Russell，"sheinterrupted。"Let'sdon'tsayanymore。"
　　Helookedatherflushedfaceandenlargedeyes；andhelikedherallthebetterforherindignation:thiswashowgoodsistersoughttofeel，hethought，failingtounderstandthatmostofwhatshefeltwasnotaboutWalter。Heventuredonlyawordmore。"Trynottominditsomuch；itreallydoesn'tamounttoanything。"
　　Sheshookherhead，andtheywentoninsilence；shedidnotlookathimagainuntiltheystoppedbeforeherownhouse。Thenshegavehimonlyoneglimpseofhereyesbeforeshelookeddown。
　　"It'sspoiled，isn'tit？"shesaid，inalowvoice。
　　"What's'spoiled？'"
　　"Ourwalk——well，everything。Somehowitalways——is。"
　　"'Alwaysis'what？"heasked。
　　"Spoiled，"shesaid。
　　Helaughedatthat；butwithoutlookingathimshesuddenlyofferedhimherhand，and，ashetookit，hefeltahurried，violentpressureuponhisfingers，asifshemeanttothankhimalmostpassionatelyforbeingkind。Shewasgonebeforehecouldspeaktoheragain。
　　Inherroom，withthedoorlocked，shedidnotgotohermirror，buttoherbed，flingingherselffacedown，notcaringhowfarthepillowsputherhatawry。Sheergriefhadfollowedheranger；griefforthecalamitousendofherbrightafternoon，griefforthe"endofeverything，"asshethoughtthen。
　　Nevertheless，shegraduallygrewmorecomposed，and，whenhermothertappedonthedoorpresently，letherin。Mrs。Adamslookedatherwithquickapprehension。
　　"Oh，poorchild!Wasn'the——"
　　Alicetoldher。"Youseehowit——howitmademelook，mama，"shequavered，havingconcludedhernarrative。"I'dtriedtocoverupWalter'sawfulnessatthedancewiththatstoryabouthisbeing'literary，'butnostorywasbigenoughtocoverthisup——andoh!
　　itmustmakehimthinkItellstoriesaboutotherthings!"
　　"No，no，no!"Mrs。Adamsprotested。"Don'tyousee？Attheworst，allHEcouldthinkisthatWaltertoldstoriestoyouaboutwhyhelikestobewithsuchdreadfulpeople，andyoubelievedthem。That'sallHE'Dthink；don'tyousee？"
　　Alice'sweteyesbegantoshowalittlehopefulness。"Youhonestlythinkitmightbethatway，mama？"
　　"Why，fromwhatyou'vetoldmehesaid，IKNOWit'sthatway。
　　Didn'thesayhewantedtocomeagain？"
　　"N-no，"Alicesaid，uncertainly。"ButIthinkhewill。AtleastIbegintothinksonow。He——"Shestopped。
　　"Fromallyoutellme，heseemstobeaverydesirableyoungman，"Mrs。Adamssaid，primly。
　　Herdaughterwassilentforseveralmoments；thennewtearsgathereduponherdowncastlashes。"He'sjust——dear!"shefaltered。
　　Mrs。Adamsnodded。"He'stoldyouheisn'tengaged，hasn'the？"
　　"No。ButIknowheisn't。Maybewhenhefirstcameherehewasnearit，butIknowhe'snot。"
　　"IguessMildredPalmerwouldLIKEhimtobe，allright!"Mrs。
　　Adamswasfrankenoughtosay，rathertriumphantly；andAlice，withaloweredhead，murmured:
　　"Anybody——would。"
　　Thewordswereallbutinaudible。
　　"Don'tyouworry，"hermothersaid，andpattedherontheshoulder。"Everythingwillcomeoutallright；don'tyoufear，Alice。Can'tyouseethatbesideanyothergirlintownyou'rejustaperfectQUEEN？Doyouthinkanyyoungmanthatwasn'tprejudiced，orsomething，wouldneedmorethanjustonelookto——"
　　ButAlicemovedawayfromthecaressinghand。"Nevermind，mama。
　　Iwonderhelooksatmeatall。Andifhedoesagain，afterseeingmybrotherwiththosehorriblepeople——"
　　"Now，now!"Mrs。Adamsinterrupted，expostulatingmournfully。
　　"I'msureWalter'saGOODboy——"
　　"Youare？"Alicecried，withasuddenvigour。"YouARE？"
　　"I'msurehe'sGOOD，yes——andifheisn't，it'snothisfault。
　　It'smine。"
　　"Whatnonsense!"
　　"No，it'strue，"Mrs。Adamslamented。"Itriedtobringhimuptobegood，Godknows；andwhenhewaslittlehewasthebestboyIeversaw。WhenhecamefromSunday-schoolhe'dalwaysruntomeandwe'dgooverthelessontogether；andheletmecomeinhisroomatnighttohearhisprayersalmostuntilhewassixteen。Mostboyswon'tdothatwiththeirmothers——notnearlythatlong。Itriedsohardtobringhimupright——butifanything'sgonewrongit'smyfault。"
　　"Howcoulditbe？You'vejustsaid——"
　　"It'sbecauseIdidn'tmakeyourfatherthis——thisnewstepearlier。ThenWaltermighthavehadalltheadvantagesthatother——"
　　"Oh，mama，PLEASE!"Alicebeggedher。"Let'sdon'tgooverallthatagain。Isn'titmoreimportanttothinkwhat'stobedoneabouthim？Ishegoingtobeallowedtogoondisgracingusashedoes？"
　　Mrs。Adamssighedprofoundly。"Idon'tknowwhattodo，"sheconfessed，unhappily。"Yourfather'ssoupsetabout——aboutthisnewstephe'staking——Idon'tfeelasifweoughtto——"
　　"No，no!"Alicecried。"Papamustn'tbedistressedwiththis，ontopofeverythingelse。ButSOMETHING'SgottobedoneaboutWalter。"
　　"Whatcanbe？"hermotherasked，helplessly。"Whatcanbe？"
　　Aliceadmittedthatshedidn'tknow。
　　Atdinner，anhourlater，Walter'shabituallyveiledglancelifted，nowandthen，totouchherfurtively；——hewaswaiting，ashewouldhavesaid，forherto"springit"；andhehadpreparedabriefandsinceredefensetotheeffectthathemadehisownliving，andwouldliketoinquirewhosebusinessitwastoofferintrusivecommentuponhisprivateconduct。Butshesaidnothing，whilehisfatherandmotherwereassilentasshe。
　　Walterconcludedthattherewastobenoattack，butchangedhismindwhenhisfather，whoateonlyalittle，andbroodinglyatthat，rosetoleavethetableandspoketohim。
　　"Walter，"hesaid，"whenyou'vefinishedIwishyou'dcomeuptomyroom。IgotsomethingIwanttosaytoyou。"
　　Waltershotahardlookathisapatheticsister，thenturnedtohisfather。"Makeitto-morrow，"hesaid。"ThisisSatad'ynightandIgotadate。"
　　"No，"Adamssaid，frowning。"Youcomeupbeforeyougoout。
　　It'simportant。"
　　"Allright；I'vehadallIwanttoeat，"Walterreturned。"Igotafewminutes。Makeitquick。"
　　Hefollowedhisfatherupstairs，andwhentheywereintheroomtogetherAdamsshutthedoor，satdown，andbegantorubhisknees。
　　"Rheumatism？"theboyinquired，slyly。"Thatwhatyouwanttotalktomeabout？"
　　"No。"ButAdamsdidnotgoon；heseemedtobeindifficultiesforwords，andWalterdecidedtohelphim。
　　"Hopaheadandspringit，"hesaid。"Getitoffyourmind:I'lltelltheworld_I_shouldworry!Youaren'tgoin'tobotherME
　　any，sowhybotheryourself？Alicehoppedhomeandtoldyoushesawmeplayin'aroundwithsomeprettygay-lookin'berriesandyou——"
　　"Alice？"hisfathersaid，obviouslysurprised。"It'snothingaboutAlice。"
　　"Didn'tshetellyou——"
　　"Ihaven'ttalkedwithherallday。"
　　"Oh，Isee，"Waltersaid。"Shetoldmotherandmothertoldyou。"
　　"No，neitherof'emhavetoldmeanything。Whatwastheretotell？"
　　Walterlaughed。"Oh，it'snothin'，"hesaid。"Iwasjuststartin'outtobuyagirlfriendo'minearhinestonebuckleI
　　losttoheronabet，thisafternoon，andAlicecamealongwiththatbigRussellfish；andIthoughtshelookedsore。Sheexpectsmetolikethekindshelikes，andIdon'tlike'em。I
　　thoughtshe'dprob'lygotyouallstirredupaboutit。"
　　"No，no，"hisfathersaid，peevishly。"Idon'tknowanythingaboutit，andIdon'tcaretoknowanythingaboutit。Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomethingimportant。"
　　Then，ashewasagainsilent，Waltersaid，"Well，TALKaboutit；
　　I'mlistening。"
　　"It'sthis，"Adamsbegan，heavily。"It'saboutmegoingintothisgluebusiness。Yourmother'stoldyou，hasn'tshe？"
　　"Shesaidyouweregoin'toleavetheoldplacedown-townandstartagluefactory。That'sallIknowaboutit；Igotmyownaffairsto'tendto。"
　　"Well，thisisyouraffair，"hisfathersaid，frowning。"Youcan'tstaywithLambandCompany。"
　　Walterlookedalittlestartled。"Whatyoumean，Ican't？Whynot？"
　　"You'vegottohelpme，"Adamsexplainedslowly；andhefrownedmoredeeply，asiftheinterviewweregrowingincreasinglylaboriousforhim。"It'sgoingtobeabigpulltogetthisbusinessonitsfeet。"
　　"Yes!"Walterexclaimedwithasharpskepticism。"Ishouldsayitwas!"Hestaredathisfatherincredulously。"Lookhere；
　　aren'tyoujustalittlebitsudden，thewayyou'regoin'aboutthings？You'veletmothershoveyoualittletoofast，haven'tyou？Doyouknowanythingaboutwhatitmeanstosetupanewbusinessthesedays？"
　　"Yes，Iknowallaboutit，"Adamssaid。"Aboutthisbusiness，I
　　do。"
　　"Howdoyou？"
　　"BecauseImadealongstudyofit。I'mnotafraidofgoingaboutitthewrongway；butit'sahardjobandyou'llhavetoputinallwhateversenseandstrengthyou'vegot。"
　　Walterbegantobreathequickly，andhislipswereagitated；thenhesetthemobstinately。"Oh；Iwill，"hesaid。
　　"Yes，youwill，"Adamsreturned，notnoticingthathisson'sinflectionwassatiric。"It'sgoingtotakeeverybitofenergyinyourbody，andalltheenergyIgotleftinmine，andeverycentofthelittleI'vesaved，besidessomethingI'llhavetoraiseonthishouse。I'mgoingrightatit，nowI'vegotto；andyou'llhavetoquitLamb'sbytheendofnextweek。"
　　"Oh，Iwill？"Walter'svoicegrewlouder，andtherewasashrillnessinit。"IgottoquitLamb'stheendofnextweek，haveI？"Hesteppedforward，angrily。"Listen!"hesaid。"I'mnotwalkin'outo'Lamb's，see？I'mnotquittin'downthere:I
　　staywith'em，see？"
　　Adamslookedupathim，astonished。"You'llleavetherenextSaturday，"hesaid。"I'vegottohaveyou。"
　　"Youdon'tanythingo'thekind，"Waltertoldhim，sharply。"Doyouexpecttopaymeanything？"
　　"I'dpayyouaboutwhatyoubeengettingdownthere。"
　　"Thenpaysomebodyelse；_I_don'tknowanythingaboutglue。Yougetsomebodyelse。"
　　"No。You'vegotto——"
　　Waltercuthimoffwiththeutmostvehemence。"Don'ttellmewhatIgottodo!IknowwhatIgottodobetter'nyou，Iguess!
　　IstayatLamb's，see？"
　　Adamsroseangrily。"You'lldowhatItellyou。Youcan'tstaydownthere。"
　　"Whycan'tI？"
　　"BecauseIwon'tletyou。"
　　"Listen!Keeponnotlettin'me:I'llbetherejustthesame。"
　　Atthathisfatherbrokeintoasourlaughter。"THEYwon'tletyou，Walter!Theywon'thaveyoudownthereaftertheyfindoutI'mgoing。"
　　"Whywon'tthey？Youdon'tthinkthey'regoin'tobeallshottopiecesoverlosin'YOU，doyou？"
　　"Itellyoutheywon'tletyoustay，"hisfatherinsisted，loudly。
　　"Why，whatdotheycarewhetheryougoornot？"
　　"They'llcareenoughtofireYOU，myboy!"
　　"Lookhere，then；showmewhy。"
　　"They'lldoit!"
　　"Yes，"Walterjeered；"youkeepsayin'theywill，butwhenIaskyoutoshowmewhy，youkeepsayin'theywill!ThatmakeslittleheadwaywithME，Icantellyou!"
　　Adamsgroaned，and，rubbinghishead，begantopacethefloor。
　　Walter'srefusalwassomethinghehadnotanticipated；andhefelttheweaknessofhisownattempttomeetit:heseemedpowerlesstodoanythingbututterangrywords，which，asWaltersaid，madelittleheadway。"Oh，my，my!"hemuttered，"OH，my，my!"
　　Walter，usuallysallow，hadgrownpale:hewatchedhisfathernarrowly，andnowtookasuddenresolution。"Lookhere，"hesaid。"WhenyousayLamb'sislikelytofiremebecauseyou'regoin'toquit，youtalklikethepeoplethathavetobelockedup。Idon'tknowwhereyougetsuchthingsinyourhead；LambandCompanywon'tknowyou'regone。Listen:IcanstaytherelongasIwantto。ButI'lltellyouwhatI'lldo:makeitworthmywhileandI'llhookupwithyouroldgluefactory，afterall。"
　　Adamsstoppedhispacingabruptly，andstaredathim。"'Makeitworthyourwhile？'Whatyoumean？"
　　"Igotagooduseforthreehundreddollarsrightnow，"Waltersaid。"LetmehaveitandI'llquitLamb'stoworkforyou。
　　Don'tletmehaveitandISWEARIwon't!"
　　"Areyoucrazy？"
　　"Iseverybodycrazythatneedsthreehundreddollars？"
　　"Yes，"Adamssaid。"TheyareiftheyaskMEforit，whenIgottostretcheverycentIcanlaymyhandsontomakeitlooklikeadollar!"
　　"Youwon'tdoit？"
　　Adamsburstoutathim。"Youlittlefool!IfIhadthreehundreddollarstothrowaway，besidesthepayIexpectedtogiveyou，haven'tyougotsenseenoughtoseeIcouldhireamanworththreehundreddollarsmoretomethanyou'dbe？It'saFINEtimetoaskmeforthreehundreddollars，isn'tit!WhatFOR？
　　Rhinestonebucklestothrowaroundonyour'girlfriends？'Shameonyou!AskmetoBRIBEyoutohelpyourselfandyourownfamily!"
　　"I'llgiveyoualastchance，"Waltersaid。"EitheryoudowhatIwant，orIwon'tdowhatyouwant。Don'taskmeagainafterthis，because——"
　　Adamsinterruptedhimfiercely。"'Askyouagain!'Don'tworryaboutthat，myboy!AllIaskyouistogetouto'myroom。"
　　"Lookhere，"Waltersaid，quietly；andhislopsidedsmiledistortedhislividcheek。"Lookhere:IexpectYOUwouldn'tgivemethreehundreddollarstosavemylife，wouldyou？"
　　"Youmakemesick，"Adamssaid，inhisbitterness。"Getoutofhere。"
　　Walterwentout，whistling；andAdamsdroopedintohisoldchairagainasthedoorclosed。"OH，my，my!"hegroaned。"Oh，Lordy，Lordy!Thewayofthetransgressor——"
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　Hemeanthisowntransgressionandhisownway；forWalter'sstubbornrefusalappearedtoAdamsjustthenasoneoftheinexplicablebutrighteousbesettingshemustencounterinfollowingthatway。"Oh，Lordy，Lord!"hegroaned，andthen，asresentmentmovedhim——"Thatdangboy!Dangidiot"YetheknewhimselfforagreateridiotbecausehehadnotbeenabletotellWalterthetruth。Hecouldnotbringhimselftodoit，noreventostatehiscaseinitsbestterms；andthatwasbecausehefeltthateveninitsbesttermsthecasewasabadone。
　　Ofallhisregretsthegreatestwasthatinamomentofvanityandtenderness，twenty-fiveyearsago，hehadtoldhisyoungwifeabusinesssecret。Hehadwantedtoshowhowimportantherhusbandwasbecoming，andhowmuchtheheadoftheuniverse，J。
　　A。Lamb，trustedtohisintegrityandability。Thegreatmanhadanidea:hethoughtof"branchingoutalittle，"hetoldAdamsconfidentially，andtherewerepossibilitiesofprofitinglue。
　　Whathewantedwasaliquidgluetobeputintolittlebottlesandsoldcheaply。"Thekindofthingthatsellsitself，"hesaid；"thekindofthingthatpaysitsownsmallwayasitgoesalong，untilithasprofitsenoughtobeginadvertisingitright。
　　Everybodyhastouseglue，andifImakemineconvenientandcheap，everybody'llbuymine。Butit'sgottobegluethat'llSTICK；it'sgottobethebest；andifwefindhowtomakeitwe'vegot，tokeepitabigsecret，ofcourse，oranybodycanstealitfromus。Therewasamanherelastmonth；heknewaformulahewantedtosellme，'sightunseen'；buthewasinsuchahurryIgotsuspicious，andIfoundhe'dmanagedtostealit，workingforthebigpackersintheirglue-works。We'vegottofindabettergluethanthat，anyhow。I'mgoingtosetyouandCampbellatit。You'reapractical，wide-awakeyoungfeller，andCampbell'samightygoodchemist；Iguessyoutwoboysoughttomakesomethinghappen。"
　　Hisguesswasshrewdenough。Workinginashedalittlewayoutsidethetown，wheretheircheeryemployervisitedthemsometimestostudytheirmalodorousstews，thetwoyoungmenfoundwhatLambhadsetthemtofind。ButCampbellwasthoughtfuloverthediscovery。"Lookhere，"hesaid。"Whyain'tthisjustaboutyoursandmine？Afterall，itmaybeLamb'smoneythat'spaidforthestuffwe'veused，butithasn'tcostmuch。"
　　"ButhepaysUS，"Adamsremonstrated，horrifiedbyhiscompanion'sidea。"Hepaidustodoit。Itbelongsabsolutelytohim。"
　　"Oh，IknowheTHINKSitdoes，"Campbelladmitted，plaintively。
　　"Isupposewe'vegottolethimtakeit。It'snotpatentable，andhe'llhavetodoprettywellbyuswhenhestartshisfactory，becausehe'sgottodependonustorunthemakingofthestuffsothattheworkmencan'tgetontotheprocess。YoubetteraskhimthesamesalaryIdo，andmine'sgoingtobehigh。
　　Butthehighsalary，thuspleasantlyimagined，wasneverpaid。
　　Campbelldiedoftyphoidfever，thatsummer，leavingAdamsandhisemployertheonlypossessorsoftheformula，anunwrittenone；andAdams，pleasedtothinkhimselfmoreimportanttothegreatmanthanever，toldhiswifethattherecouldbelittledoubtofhisbeingputinsolechargeoftheprospectiveglue-works。Unfortunately，theenterpriseremainedprospective。
　　Itsprojectorhadalreadybecome"inveigledintoanotherside-line，"ashetoldAdams。Oneofhissonshadpersuadedhimtotakeupa"cough-lozenge，"tobecalledthe"JalambBalmTrochee"；andthelozengedidwellenoughtoamuseMr。Lambandoccupyhissparetime，whichwasreallyaboutallhehadaskedoftheglueproject。Hehad"alltheMONEYanybodyoughttowant，"
　　hesaid，whenAdamsurgedhim；andhecould"startupthislittleglueside-line"atanytime；theformulawassafeintheirtwoheads。
　　AtintervalsAdamswouldseekopportunitytospeakof"thelittleglueside-line"tohispatron，andtosuggestthattheyearswerepassing；butLamb，pettingotherhobbies，hadlostinterest。
　　"Oh，I'llstartitupsomeday，maybe。IfIdon't，Imayturnitovertomyheirs:it'salwaysanasset，worthsomethingorother，ofcourse。We'llprobablytakeitupsomeday，though，youandI。"
　　Thesunpersistentlydeclinedtoriseonthatday，and，astimewenton，Adamssawthathisrathertimidurgingsboredhisemployer，andheceasedtobringupthesubject。Lambapparentlyforgotallaboutglue，butAdamsdiscoveredthatunfortunatelytherewassomeoneelsewhorememberedit。
　　"It'sreallyYOURS，"sheargued，thatpainfuldaywhenforthefirsttimeshesuggestedhisusinghisknowledgeforthebenefitofhimselfandhisfamily。"Mr。Campbellmighthavehadarighttopartofit，buthediedanddidn'tleaveanykin，soitbelongstoyou。"
　　"SupposeJ。A。Lambhiredmetosawsomewood，"Adamssaid。
　　"Wouldthesticksbelongtome？"
　　"Hehasn'tgotanyrighttotakeyourinventionandburyit，"sheprotested。"Whatgoodisitdoinghimifhedoesn'tDOanythingwithit？WhatgoodisitdoingANYBODY？Noneintheworld!Andwhatharmwoulditdohimifyouwentaheadanddidthisforyourselfandforyourchildren？Noneintheworld!AndwhatcouldhedotoyouifheWASoldpigenoughtogetangrywithyoufordoingit？Hecouldn'tdoasinglething，andyou'veadmittedhecouldn't，yourself。Sowhat'syourreasonfordeprivingyourchildrenandyourwifeofthebenefitsyouknowyoucouldgive'em？"
　　"Nothingbutdecency，"heanswered；andshehadherreplyreadyforthat。Itseemedtohimthat，striveashewould，hecouldnotreachhermindwitheventheplainestlanguage；whileeverythingthatshesaidtohim，withsuchvehemence，soundedlikesomuchobstinategibberish。Overandoverhepressedherwiththesameillustration，onthepointofownership，thoughhethoughthewasvaryingit。
　　"Supposehehiredmetobuildhimahouse:wouldthatbeMY
　　house？"
　　"Hedidn'thireyoutobuildhimahouse。YouandCampbellinvented——"
　　"Lookhere:supposeyougiveacookasoup-boneandsomevegetables，andpayhertomakeyouasoup:hasshegotarighttotakeandsellit？Youknowbetter!"
　　"IknowONEthing:ifthatoldmantriedtokeepyourowninventionfromyouhe'snobetterthanarobber!"
　　Theyneverfoundanypointofcontactinalltheirpassionatediscussionsofthisethicalquestion；andthequestionwasnomoresettledbetweenthem，nowthatAdamshadsuccumbed，thanithadeverbeen。Butatleastthewranglingaboutitwasover:
　　theyweregravetogether，almostsilent，andanuneasinessprevailedwithherasmuchaswithhim。
　　Hehadalreadybeenoutofthehouse，towalkaboutthesmallgreenyard；andonMondayafternoonhesentforataxicabandwentdown-town，butkeptalongwayfromthe"wholesalesection，"
　　wherestoodtheformidableoldoblongpileofLambandCompany。
　　Hearrangedforthesaleofthebondshehadlaidaway，andforplacingamortgageuponhishouse；andonhiswayhome，afterfiveo'clock，hewenttoseeanoldfriend，amanwhosetermofservicewithLambandCompanywasevenalittlelongerthanhisown。
　　Thisveteran，returnedfromtheday'swork，wassittinginfrontoftheapartmenthousewherehelived，butwhenthecabstoppedatthecurbheroseandcameforward，offeringajoculargreeting。"Well，well，VirgilAdams!Ialwaysthoughtyouhadasportystreakinyou。Travelinyourownhiredprivateautomobilenowadays，doyou？Pamperin'yourselfbecauseyou'restilllayin'offsick，Iexpect。"
　　"Oh，I'mwellenoughagain，CharleyLohr，"Adamssaid，ashegotoutandshookhands。Then，tellingthedrivertowait，hetookhisfriend'sarm，walkedtothebenchwithhim，andsatdown。"I
　　beenpracticallywellforsometime，"hesaid。"I'mfixin'togetintoharnessagain。"
　　"Bein'sickhascertainlyproducedachangeofheartinyou，"hisfriendlaughed。"You'rethelastmanIeverexpectedtoseeblowin'yourself——oranybodyelsetoataxicab!Forthatmatter，Ineverheardofyoubein'inANYkindofacab，'less'nitmightbewhenyoubeenpall-bearerforsomebody。What'scomeoveryou？"
　　"Well，Igottoturnoveranewleaf，andthat'safact，"Adamssaid。"Igotalottodo，andtheonlywaytoaccomplishit，it'sgottobedonesoon，orIwon'thaveanythingtoliveonwhileI'mdoingit。"
　　"Whatyoutalkin'about？Whatyougottodoexcepttogetstrongenoughtocomebacktotheoldplace？"
　　"Well——"Adamspaused，thencoughed，andsaidslowly，"Factis，CharleyLohr，IbeenthinkinglikelyIwouldn'tcomeback。"
　　"What!Whatyoutalkin'about？"
　　"No，"saidAdams。"IbeenthinkingImightlikelykindofbranchoutonmyownaccount。"
　　"Well，I'llbedoggoned!"OldCharleyLohrwasamazed；heruffleduphisgraymoustachewiththumbandforefinger，leavinghismouthopenbeneath，likeadarkcaveunderatangledwintrythicket。"Why，that'sthedoggonedestthingIeverheard!"hesaid。"Ialreadyamtheoldestinhabitantdownthere，butifyougo，therewon'tbeanybodyelseoftheoldgenerationatall。
　　Whatonearthyouthinkin'ofgoin'into？"
　　"Well，"saidAdams，"Iratheryoudidn'tmentionittillIgetstartedofcourseanybody'llknowwhatitisbythen——butIHAVE
　　beenkindofplanningtoputaliquidglueonthemarket。"
　　Hisfriend，stillrufflingthegraymoustacheupward，staredathiminfrowningperplexity。"Glue？"hesaid。"GLUE!"
　　"Yes。Ibeensortofmillingovertheideaoftakingupsomethinglikethat。"
　　"Handlin'itforsomefirm，youmean？"
　　"No。Makingit。Sortofaglue-workslikely。"
　　Lohrcontinuedtofrown。"Letmethink，"hesaid。"Didn'ttheolemanhavesomesuchideaonce，himself？"
　　Adamsleanedforward，rubbinghisknees；andhecoughedagainbeforehespoke。"Well，yes。Factis，hedid。Thatistosay，amightylongwhileagohedid。"
　　"Iremember，"saidLohr。"HeneversaidanythingaboutitthatI
　　knowof；butseemstomeIrecollectwehadsortofarumouraroundtheplacehowyouandthatman——le'ssee，wasn'thisnameCampbell，thatdiedoftyphoidfever？Yes，thatwasit，Campbell。Didn'ttheolemanhaveyouandCampbellworkin'sortofprivateonsomegluepropositionorother？"
　　"Yes，hedid。"Adamsnodded。"Ifoundoutagooddealaboutgluethen，too。"
　　"Beenworkin'onitsince，Isuppose？"
　　"Yes。Keptitinmymindandstudiedoutnewthingsaboutit。"
　　Lohrlookedserious。"Well，butseehere，"hesaid。"Ihopeitain'tanythingtheoleman'llthinkmightinfringeonwhateverhehadyoudoin'forHIM。Youknowhowheis:broad-minded，liberal，free-handedmanaswalksthisearth，andifhethoughtheowedyouacenthe'dsellhisrighthandforapork-choptopayit，ifthatwastheonlyway；butifhegottheideaanybodywastryin'togetthebetterofhim，he'dsellBOTHhishands，ifhehadto，tokeep'emfromdoin'it。Yes，ateighty，hewould!
　　NotthatImeanIthinkyoumightbetryin'togetthebetterofhim，Virg。You'reamightycloseolecodger，butsuchathingain'tinyou。WhatImean:Ihopethereain'tanychancefortheolemantoTHINKyoumightbe——"
　　"Oh，no，"Adamsinterrupted。"Asamatteroffact，Idon'tbelievehe'lleverthinkaboutitatall，andifhedidhewouldn'thaveanyrealrighttofeeloffendedatme:theprocessI'mgoingtouseisoneIexpecttochangeandimprovealotdifferentfromtheoneCampbellandIworkedonforhim。"
　　"Well，that'sgood，"saidLohr。"Ofcourseyouknowwhatyou'reupto:you'reoldenough，Godknows!"Helaughedruefully。"My，butitwillseemfunnytome——downtherewithyougone!IexpectyouandIbothbeengettin'tobeprettymuchdead-woodintheplace，thewaytheyoungfellowslookatit，andtheonlyonethat'dmisseitherofuswouldbetheotherone!Haveyoutoldtheolemanyet？"
　　"Well——"Adamsspokelaboriously。"No。No，Ihaven't。I
　　thought——well，that'swhatIwantedtoseeyouabout。"
　　"WhatcanIdo？"
　　"IthoughtI'dwritehimaletterandgetyoutohandittohimforme。"
　　"Mysoul!"hisfriendexclaimed。"Whyonearthdon'tyoujustgodownthereandtellhim？"
　　Adamsbecamepitiablyembarrassed。Hestammered，coughed，stammeredagain，wrinklinghisfacesodeeplyheseemedabouttoweep；butfinallyhecontrivedtoutteranapologeticlaugh。"I
　　oughttodothat，ofcourse；butinsomewayorotherIjustdon'tseemtobeableto——tomanageit。"
　　"Whyintheworldnot？"themystifiedLohrinquired。
　　"Icouldhardlytellyou——'less'nitistosaythatwhenyoubeenwithonebossallyourlifeit'sso——sokindofembarrassing——toquithim，Ijustcan'tmakeupmymindtogoandspeaktohimaboutit。No；Igotitinmyheadaletter'stheonlysatisfactorywaytodoit，andIthoughtI'daskyoutohandittohim，"
　　"Well，ofcourseIdon'tminddoin'thatforyou，"Lohrsaid，mildly。"Butwhyintheworlddon'tyoujustmailittohim？"
　　"Well，I'lltellyou，"Adamsreturned。"Youknow，likethat，it'dhavetogothroughaclerkandthatsecretaryofhis，andI
　　don'tknowwhoall。There'sacoupleofkindofdelicatepointsIwanttoputinit:forinstance，IwanttoexplaintohimhowmuchimprovementandsoonI'mgoingtointroduceontheoldprocessIhelpedtoworkoutwithCampbellwhenwewereworkingforhim，so'the'llunderstandit'sadifferentarticleandnoinfringementatall。Thenthere'sanotherthing:youseeallduringwhileIwassickhehadmysalarypaidtomeitamountstoconsiderable，Iwasonmybacksolong。Underthecircumstances，becauseI'mquitting，Idon'tfeelasifIoughttoacceptit，andsoI'llhaveacheckforhiminthelettertocoverit，andI
　　wanttobesureheknowsit，andgetsitpersonally。Ifithadtogothroughalotofotherpeople，thewayitwouldifIputitinthemail，why，youcan'ttell。SowhatIthought:ifyou'dhandittohimforme，andmaybeifhehappenedtoreaditrightthen，oranything，itmightbeyou'dnoticewhateverhe'dhappentosayaboutit——andyoucouldtellmeafterward。"
　　"Allright，"Lohrsaid。"Certainlyifyou'dratherdoitthatway，I'llhandittohimandtellyouwhathesays；thatis，ifhesaysanythingandIhearhim。Gotitwritten？"
　　"No；I'llsenditaroundtoyoulastoftheweek。"Adamsmovedtowardhistaxicab。"Don'tsayanythingtoanybodyaboutit，Charley，especiallytillafterthat。"
　　"Allright。"
　　"And，Charley，I'llbemightyobligedtoyou，"Adamssaid，andcamebacktoshakehandsinfarewell。"There'sonethingmoreyoumightdo——ifyou'deverhappentofeellikeit。"Hekepthiseyesrathervaguelyfixedonapointabovehisfriend'sheadashespoke，andhisvoicewasnotwellcontrolled。"Ibeen——IbeendownthereagoodmanyyearsandImaynot'a'beensomuchuselatelyasIwasatfirst，butIalwaystriedtodomybestfortheoldfirm。Ifanythingturnedoutso'stheyDIDkindoftakeoffensewithme，downthere，why，justsayagoodwordforme——ifyou'dhappentofeellikeit，maybe。"
　　OldCharleyLohrassuredhimthathewouldspeakagoodwordifopportunitybecameavailable；then，afterthecabhaddrivenaway，hewentuptohissmallapartmentonthethirdfloorandmutteredruminativelyuntilhiswifeinquiredwhathewastalkingtohimselfabout。
　　"OleVirgAdams，"hetoldher。"He'soutagainafterhislongspellofsickness，andthewayitlookstomehe'dbetterstayedinbed。"
　　"Youmeanhestilllookstoobadtobeout？"
　　"Oh，Iexpecthe'sgettin'hisHEALTHback，"Lohrsaid，frowning。
　　"Thenwhat'sthematterwithhim？Youmeanhe'slosthismind？"
　　"Mygoodness，butwomendojumpatconclusions!"heexclaimed。
　　"Well，"saidMrs。Lohr，"whatotherconclusiondidyouleavemetojumpat？"
　　Herhusbandexplainedwithalittleheat:"PeoplecanhaveasicknessthatAFFECTStheirmind，can'tthey？Theirmindcangetsomeaffectedwithoutbein'LOST，can'tit？"
　　"Thenyoumeanthepoorman'sminddoesseemaffected？"
　　"Why，no；I'dscarcelygoasfarasthat，"Lohrsaid，inconsistently，anddeclinedtobemoredefinite。
　　Adamsdevotedthelatterpartofthateveningtothecompositionofhisletter——adisquietingtasknotcompletedwhen，ateleveno'clock，heheardhisdaughtercomingupthestairs。Shewassingingtoherselfinalow，sweetvoice，andAdamspausedtolistenincredulously，withhispenliftedandhismouthopen，asifheheardthestrangestsoundintheworld。Thenhesetdownthepenuponablotter，wenttohisdoor，andopenedit，lookingoutatherasshecame。
　　"Well，dearie，youseemtobefeelingprettygood，"hesaid。
　　"Whatyoubeendoing？"
　　"Justsittingoutonthefrontsteps，papa。"
　　"Allalone，Isuppose。"
　　"No。Mr。Russellcalled。"
　　"Oh，hedid？"Adamspretendedtobesurprised。"Whatallcouldyouandhefindtotalkabouttillthishouro'thenight？"
　　Shelaughedgaily。"Youdon'tknowme，papa!"
　　"How'sthat？"
　　"You'veneverfoundoutthatIalwaysdoallthetalking。"
　　"Didn'tyoulethimgetawordinallevening？"
　　"Oh，yes；everynowandthen。"
　　Adamstookherhandandpettedit。"Well，whatdidhesay？"
　　Alicegavehimaradiantlookandkissedhim。"Notwhatyouthink!"shelaughed；thenslappedhischeekwithsaucyaffection，pirouettedacrossthenarrowhallandintoherownroom，andcurtsiedtohimassheclosedherdoor。
　　Adamswentbacktohiswritingwithalighterheart；forsinceAlicewasbornshehadbeentohimtheappleofhiseye，hisownphraseinthinkingofher；andwhathewasdoingnowwasforher。
　　Hesmiledashepickeduphispentobeginanewdraftofthepainfulletter；butpresentlyhelookedpuzzled。Afterall，shecouldbehappyjustasthingswere，itseemed。Thenwhyhadhetakenwhathiswifecalled"thisnewstep，"whichhehadsolongresisted？
　　Hecouldonlysighandwonder。"Lifeworksoutprettypeculiarly，"hethought；forhecouldn'tgobacknow，thoughthereasonhecouldn'twasnotclearlyapparent。Hehadtogoahead。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　Hewasoutinhistaxicabagainthenextmorning，andbynoonhehadsecuredwhathewanted。
　　Itwascuriouslysignificantthatheworkedsoquickly。Alltheyearsduringwhichhiswifehadpressedhimtowardhispresentshifthehadsworntohimself，aswellastoher，thathewouldneveryield；andyetwhenhedidyieldhehadnoplanstomake，becausehefoundthemalreadypreparedandworkedoutindetailinhismind；asifhehadlongcontemplatedthe"step"hebelievedhimselfincapableoftaking。
　　Sometimeshehadthoughtofimprovinghisincomebyexchanginghislittlecollectionofbondsfora"smallrentalproperty，"ifhecouldfind"agoodbuy"；andhehadspentmanyofhissparehoursramblingovertheenormouslyspreadingcityanditspurlieus，lookingfortheideal"buy。"Itremainedunattainable，sofarashewasconcerned；buthefoundotherthings。
　　Nottwiceacrow'smilefromhisownhousetherewasadismalandslummishquarter，adecayed"industrialdistrict"ofearlierdays。Mostoftheindustriesweresmall；someofthemdied，perishingofbankruptcyorfire；andafewhadmoved，leavingtheirshells。Oftherelics，thebestwasabrickbuildingwhichhadbeenthelargestandmostimportantfactoryinthequarter:
　　ithadbeeninjuredbyalongvacancyalmostasseriousasafire，ineffect，andAdamshadoftenguessedatthesumneededtoputitinrepair。
　　Whenhepassedit，hewouldlookatitwithaninterestwhichhesupposeddetachedandidlyspeculative。"That'dbejustthething，"hethought。"Ifafellowhadmoneyenough，andtookanotiontosetupsomenewbusinessonabigscale，thiswouldbeaprettygoodplace——tomakeglue，forinstance，ifthatwasn'toutofthequestion，ofcourse。Itwouldtakealotofmoney，though；agreatdealtoomuchformetoexpecttohandle——evenifI'deverdreamofdoingsuchathing。"
　　Oppositethedismantledfactorywasamuddy，openlotoftwoacresorso，andnearthemiddleofthelot，alongbrickshedstoodinadesolateabandonment，nothappilydecoratedbyoldcoatingsoftheatricalandmedicinaladvertisements。Butthebrickshedhadtwowoodenells，and，thoughbothshedandellswereofasinglestory，herewasemptyspaceenoughforamodestenterprise——"spaceenoughforalmostanything，tostartwith，"
　　Adamsthought，ashewalkedthroughthelowbuildings，oneday，whenhewasprospectinginthatsection。"Yes，IsupposeICOULD
　　swingthis，"hethought。"Iftheprocessbelongedtome，say，insteadofbeingoutofthequestionbecauseitisn'tmyproperty——orifIwasthekindofmantodosuchathinganyhow，herewouldbesomethingIcouldprobablygetholdofprettycheap。They'dwantalotofmoneyforaleaseonthatbigbuildingovertheway——butthis，why，Ishouldthinkit'dbepracticallynothingatall。"
　　Then，bychance，meetinganagentheknew，hemadeinquiries——merelytosatisfyacasualcuriosity，hethought——andhefoundmattersmuchashehadsupposed，exceptthattheownersofthebigbuildingdidnotwishtolet，buttosellit，andthisatapricesoexorbitantthatAdamslaughed。Butthelongbrickshedinthegreatmuddylotwasforsaleortolet，or"prettyneartobegivenaway，"helearned，ifanybodywouldtakeit。
　　Adamstookitnow，thoughwithoutseeingthathehadbeendestinedtotakeit，andthatsomedrearywizardinthebackofhisheadhadforeseenallalongthathewouldtakeit，andplannedtobeready。Hedroveinhistaxicabtolooktheplaceoveragain，thendown-towntoarrangeforalease；andcamehometolunchwithhiswifeanddaughter。Thingswere"moving，"hetoldthem。
　　Heboastedalittleofhavingactedsodecisively，andsaidthatsincethedangthinghadtobedone，itwas"goingtobedoneRIGHT!"Hewasalmostcheerful，inafeverishway，andwhenthecabcameforhimagain，soonafterlunch，heexplainedthatheintendednotonlytogetthingsdoneright，butalsoto"get'emdonequick!"Alice，followinghimtothefrontdoor，lookedathimanxiouslyandaskedifshecouldn'thelp。Helaughedathergrimly。
　　"Thenletmegoalongwithyouinthecab，"shebegged。"Youdon'tlookabletostartinsohard，papa，justwhenyou'rebarelybeginningtogetyourstrengthback。DoletmegowithyouandseeifIcan'thelp——oratleasttakecareofyouifyoushouldgettofeelingbadly。"
　　Hedeclined，butuponpressureletherputatinybottleofspiritsofammoniainhispocket，andpromisedtomakeuseofitifhe"feltfaintorany-thing。"Thenhewasoffagain；andthenextmorninghadmenatworkinhissheds，thoughthewageshehadtopayfrightenedhim。
　　Hedirectedtheworkmenineverydetail，hurryingthembyexampleandexhortations，andreceiving，inconsequence，severaldeclarationsofindependence，aswellasoneresignation，whichtookeffectimmediately。"Youscapitalustsseemtothinkaman'sgotnothin'todobutbreakhisbackp'doosin'wealthferyoustosquander，"theresigningpersonloudlycomplained。"Youlookout:thetoiler'sdayisa-comin'，anditain'tsofuroff，neither!"Butthecapitalistwasalreadyoutofhearing，gonetofindamantotakethisorator'splace。
　　Bytheendoftheweek，Adamsfeltthathehadmovedsatisfactorilyforwardinhispreparationsforthesimpleequipmentheneeded；buthehatedthepauseofSunday。Hedidn'tWANTanyrest，hetoldAliceimpatiently，whenshesuggestedthattheidledaymightbegoodforhim。
　　LatethatafternoonhewalkedovertotheapartmenthousewhereoldCharleyLohrlived，andgavehisfriendtheletterhewantedtheheadofLambandCompanytoreceive"personally。""I'lltakeitasamightygreatfavourinyoutohandittohimpersonally，Charley，"hesaid，inparting。"Andyouwon'tforget，incasehesaysanythingaboutit——andrememberifyoueverdogetachancetoputinagoodwordformelater，youknow——"
　　OldCharleypromisedtoremember，and，whenMrs。Lohrcameoutofthe"kitchenette，"afterthedoorclosed，hesaidthoughtfully，"Justskinandbones。"
　　"YoumeanMr。Adamsis？"Mrs。Lohrinquired。
　　"Who'dyouthinkImeant？"hereturned。"Oneo'thesepartridgesinthewall-paper？"
　　"Didhelooksobadly？"
　　"Lookedkindofdistractedtome，"herhusbandreplied。"Theselittlethinfellerscanstandaheapsometimes，though。He'llbeoverhereagainMonday。"
　　"Didhesayhewould？"
　　"No，"saidLohr。"Buthewill。You'llsee。He'llbeovertofindoutwhatthebigbosssayswhenIgivehimthisletter。
　　ExpectI'dbekindofanxious，myself，ifIwashim。"
　　"Whywouldyou？What'sMr。Adamsdoingtobesoanxiousabout？"
　　Lohr'sexpressionbecameoneofreserve，thelookofamanwhohasfoundthatwhenhespeakshisinnerthoughtshiswifejumpstoofartoconclusions。"Oh，nothing，"hesaid。"Ofcourseanymanstartingupanewbusinessisboundtobeprettynervousawhile。He'llbeoverhereto-morrowevening，allright；you'llsee。"
　　Thepredictionwasfulfilled:AdamsarrivedjustafterMrs。Lohrhadremovedthedinnerdishestoher"kitchenette"；butLohrhadlittleinformationtogivehiscaller。
　　"Hedidn'tsayaword，Virgil；naryaword。Itookitintohisofficeandhandedittohim，andhejustsatandreadit；that'sall。IkindofstoodaroundaslongasIcould，buthewassittin'athisdeskwithhissidetome，andheneverturnedaroundfulltowardme，asitwere，soIcouldn'thardlyeventellanything。AllIknow:hejustreadit。"
　　"Well，butseehere，"Adamsbegan，nervously。"Well——"
　　"Wellwhat，Virg？"
　　"Well，butwhatdidhesaywhenheDIDspeak？"
　　"Hedidn'tspeak。NotsolongIwasinthere，anyhow。Hejustsatthereandreadit。Readkindofslow。Then，whenhecametotheend，heturnedbackandstartedtoreaditalloveragain。
　　Bythattimetherewasthreeorfourothermenstandin'aroundintheofficewaitin'tospeaktohim，andIhadtogo。"
　　Adamssighed，andstaredatthefloor，irresolute。"Well，I'llbegettingalongbackhomethen，Iguess，Charley。Soyou'resureyoucouldn'ttellanythingwhathemighthavethoughtaboutit，then？"
　　"Notathingintheworld。I'vetoldyouallIknow，Virg。"
　　"Iguessso，Iguessso，"Adamssaid，mournfully。"Ifeelmightyobligedtoyou，CharleyLohr；mightyobliged。Good-nighttoyou。"Andhedeparted，sighinginperplexity。
　　Onhiswayhome，preoccupiedwithmanythoughts，hewalkedsoslowlythatonceortwicehestoppedandstoodmotionlessforafewmoments，withoutbeingawareofit；andwhenhereachedthejunctureofthesidewalkwiththeshortbrickpaththatledtohisownfrontdoor，hestoppedagain，andstoodformorethanaminute。"Ah，IwishIknew，"hewhispered，plaintively。"IdowishIknewwhathethoughtaboutit。"
　　Hewasrousedbyalaughthatcamelightlyfromthelittleverandanearby。"Papa!"Alicecalledgaily。"Whatareyoustandingtheremutteringtoyourselfabout？"
　　"Oh，areyouthere，dearie？"hesaid，andcameupthepath。A
　　tallfigurerosefromachairontheveranda。
　　"Papa，thisisMr。Russell。"
　　Thetwomenshookhands，Adamssaying，"Pleasedtomakeyouracquaintance，"astheylookedateachotherinthefaintlightdiffusedthroughtheopaqueglassintheupperpartofthedoor。
　　Adams'simpressionwasofastrongandtallyoungman，fashionablebutgentle；andRussell'swasofadried，littleoldbusinessmanwithagrizzledmoustache，worriedbrighteyes，shapelessdarkclothes，andahomelymanner。
　　"Niceevening，"Adamssaidfurther，astheirhandsparted。"Nicetimeo'yearitis，butwedon'talwayshaveasgoodweatherasthis；that'sthetroubleofit。Well——"Hewenttothedoor。
　　"Well——Ibidyougoodevening，"hesaid，andretiredwithinthehouse。
　　Alicelaughed。"He'stheold-fashionedestmanintown，Isupposeandfrightfullyimpressedwithyou，Icouldsee!"
　　"Whatnonsense!"saidRussell。"Howcouldanybodybeimpressedwithme？"
　　"Whynot？Becauseyou'requiet？Goodgracious!Don'tyouknowthatyou'rethemostimpressivesort？Wechatterersspendallourtimeplayingtoyouquietpeople。"
　　"Yes；we'reonlytheaudience。"
　　"'Only!'"sheechoed。"Why，weliveforyou，andwecan'tlivewithoutyou。"
　　"Iwishyoucouldn't，"saidRussell。"Thatwouldbeanewexperienceforbothofus，wouldn'tit？"
　　"Itmightbearatherbleakoneforme，"sheanswered，lightly。
　　"I'mafraidI'llmissthesesummereveningswithyouwhenthey'reover。I'llmissthemenough，thanks!"
　　"Dotheyhavetobeoversometime？"heasked。
　　"Oh，everything'soversometime，isn'tit？"
　　Russelllaughedather。"Don'tlet'slooksofaraheadasthat，"
　　hesaid。"Wedon'tneedtobealreadythinkingofthecemetery，dowe？"
　　"Ididn't，"shesaid，shakingherhead。"Oursummereveningswillbeoverbeforethen，Mr。Russell。"
　　"Why？"heasked。
　　"Goodheavens!"shesaid。"THERE'Slaconiceloquence:almostaproposalinasingleword!Nevermind，Ishan'tholdyoutoit。
　　Buttoansweryou:well，I'malwayslookingahead，andsomehowI
　　usuallyseeabouthowthingsarecomingout。"
　　"Yes，"hesaid。"Isupposemostofusdo；atleastitseemsasifwedid，becausewesoseldomfeelsurprisedbythewaytheydocomeout。Butmaybethat'sonlybecauselifeisn'tlikeaplayinatheatre，andmostthingscomeaboutsograduallywegetusedtothem。"
　　"No，I'msureIcanseequitealongwayahead，"sheinsisted，gravely。"Anditdoesn'tseemtomeasifoursummereveningscouldlastverylong。Something'llinterfere——somebodywill，I