ThedayhadbeenveryhotunderthetalltreeswhicheverywhereembowerandstifleSaratoga，fortheyshutouttheairaswellasthesun；andafterteatheystillhaveanearlydinneratallthehotelsinSaratoga，andteaisthelastmealofthedayIstrolledovertotheprettyCongressPark，inthehopeofgettingabreathofcoolnessthere。Mrs。Marchpreferredtotakethechancesontheverandahofourpleasantlittlehotel，whereIleftherwiththeotherladies，fortyfanninglikeone，astheyrockedtoandfroundertheroofliftedtothethirdstorybythoseloftyshaftspeculiartotheSaratogaarchitecture。Asfarascoolnesswasconcerned，IthoughtshewaswiseafterIreachedthepark，forI
　　foundnoneofitthere。ItriedfirstachairinthearabesquepavilionIcallitarabesqueindespair；itmightverywellbeSwiss；itischarming，atallevents，andstudiedtodeceivemyselfwiththefresh-lookingebullitionofthespringinthevastglassbowlsyourgobletsareservedfrompeoplesayitispumped，andartificiallyaerated；butafterafewmomentsthiswouldnotdo，andIwentouttoabench，oftherowsbesidethegravelledwalks。
　　Itwasnobetterthere；butIfancieditwouldbebetteronthelittleisleinthelittlelake，wherethefountainwasflingingasheafofsprayintothedullair。Thislookedevencoolerthanthebubblingspringintheglassvases，anditsoundedvastlycooler。
　　Therewouldbemosquitoesthere，ofcourse，IadmittedinthedebateIhadwithmyselfbeforeIdecidedtomakeexperimentoftheplace，andtheeventprovedmeright。TherewerecertainlysomemosquitoesintheGreciantempleifitisnotaTurkishkiosk；perhapswehadbettercompromise，andcallitaGreciankiosk，whichyoureachbyafoot-bridgefromthemainland，andtherewasadampintheairwhichmightpassforcoolness。Therewerethreeorfourpeoplestandingvaguelyaboutinthekiosk；butmyidlemindfixeditselfuponayoungFrench-Canadianmotheroflowdegree，whosat，withhersmallboy，onthevergeofthepavementnearthewater。Shescoldedhimintheirparlanceforhavinggothimselfsodirty，andthenshesmackedhispoor，filthylittlehands，withafrownofsuperiorvirtue，thoughIdidnotfindhersoverymuchcleanerherself。I
　　cannotseechildrenbeatenwithoutaheartache，andIcontinuedtosufferforthissmallwretchevenafterhehadavengedhimselfbyeatingahandfulofpeanutshells，whichwouldbesuretodisagreewithhimandmakehismothermoretrouble。Infact，Iexperiencednorelieftillhismother，havingspentherinsensatepassion，gatheredhimupwithsufficienttenderness，andcarriedhimaway。
　　Then，forthefirsttime，Inoticedagirlsittinginachairjustoutsidethekiosk，andshowingagracefulyoungfigureasshepartlyturnedtolookafterthedepartingmotherandherchild。Whensheturnedagainandglancedinmydirection，atthenoiseImadeinplacingmychair，Icouldseetwothings——thatshehadasmuchbeautyasgrace，andthatshewasdisappointedinme。Thelatterfactdidnotwoundme，forIfeltitsprofoundimpersonality。Iwasnotwronginmyself；Iwassimplywronginbeinganelderlymanwithagreybeardinsteadofthehandsomeshapeandphaseofyouthwhichherownyoungbeautyhadarighttoinmyplace。Iwasnotonlynotwounded，butIwasnotsorrynottobethatshapeandphaseofyouth，exceptasIhatetodisappointanyone。
　　Herfacewasverybeautiful；itwasquiteperfectlybeautiful，andofsuchclassicmouldthatshemightwellhavebeenthetutelarygoddessofthattempleifitwasatemple，andnotakiosk，inthewhiteduckcostumewhichthegoddesseswerewearingthatsummer。
　　HerfeatureswereGreek，butherlookswereAmerican；andshewasnonethelessagoddess，Idecided，becauseofthatairofsomethingexacting，ofnotquitesatisfied，whichmadememoreandmorewillingtobeelderlyandgrey-bearded。Iatleastshouldnotbeexpectedtosupplytheworshipnecessarytokeepsuchagoddessingoodhumour。
　　IdonotknowjusthowIcanaccountforastrainofcompassionwhichmingledwiththissenseofirresponsibilityinme；perhapsitwasmyfeelingofsecuritythatattunedmetopity；butcertainlyI
　　didnotlookatthisyounggirllongwithoutbeginningtogrieveforher，andtoweaveaboutherawebofpossibilities，whichgrewcloserandfirmerintexturewhenshewasjoinedbyacouplewhohadapparentlynotleftheragreatwhilebefore，andwhospoke，withoutotherwisesalutingher，astheysatdownoneithersideofher。I
　　instantlyinterpretedherfriendstobetheyoungwifeandmiddle-
　　agedhusbandofasecondmarriage；fortheywereevidentlymanandwife，andhemusthavebeennearlytwiceasoldasshe。Inpersonhetendedtotheweightwhichexpressessettledprosperity，andacertainsolidificationoftemperamentandcharacter；astohisface，itwaskind，anditwasratherhumorous，inspiteofbeingalittleslowinthecastofminditsuggested。Heworeaniron-greybeardonhischeeksandchin，buthehadhisstrongupperlipcleanshaven；somedropsofperspirationstooduponit，anduponhisforehead，whichshoweditselfwelluptowardhiscrownunderthedampstringsofhisscantyhair。Helookedattheyounggoddessinwhiteduckwithasortoftroubleinhisfriendlycountenance，andhiswifeifitwashiswifeseemedtosharehisconcern，thoughshesmiled，whileheletthecornersofhisstraightmouthdroop。
　　Shewassmallerthantheyounggirl，andIthoughtalmostasyoung；
　　andshehadtheairofbeingsomehowresponsibleforher，andcowedbyher，thoughthewordsaysrathermorethanImean。Shewasnotsowelldressed；thatis，notsostylishly，thoughdoubtlesshercostumewasmoreexpensive。Itseemedtheinspirationofavillagedressmaker；andherhusband'slow-cutwaistcoat，andhisexpanseofplaitedshirt-front，betrayedaprovincialidealwhichshewouldneverdecry——whichshewouldperhapsneverfinddifferentfromthemostworldly。Hehadprobably，Iswiftlyimagined，beenwearingjustthatkindofclothesfortwentyyears，andtellinghistailortomakeeachnewsuitlikethelast；hehadbeenbuyingforthesameperiodthesameshapeofPanamahat，regardlessofthecontinuallychangingtypeofstrawhatsonotherheads。Icannotsayjustwhy，ashetiltedhischairbackonitshind-legs，Ifeltthathewaseitherthecashierofthevillagebankathome，oroneoftheprincipalbusinessmenoftheplace。VillagepeopleIwasquiteresolutetohavethemall；butIleftthemfreetohavecomefromsomesmallmanufacturingcentreinwesternMassachusettsorsouthernVermontorcentralNewYork。Itwaseasytoseethattheywerenotinthehabitofcomingawayfromtheirplace，whereveritwas；andI
　　wonderedwhethertheywerefindingtheiraccountinthepresentexcursion。
　　ImyselfthinkSaratogaoneofthemostdelightfulspectaclesintheworld，andMrs。Marchisofthesamemindaboutit。Welikeallthewaters，anddrinkthemwithoutregardtotheirdifferentproperties；
　　butweratherprefertheCongressspring，becauseitissuchapleasantplacetolistentotheTroymilitarybandintheafternoon，andthemoreorlessvocalconcertintheevening。AlltheSaratogaworldcomesandgoesbeforeus，aswesittherebydayandbynight，andwefindaperpetualinterestinit。Wegoandlookatthedeeraherdoftwo，Ithinkbehindtheirwirenettinginthesouthwardvalleyofthepark，andwewouldfeedthetroutintheirbluetankifwedidnotseethemsufferingwithsurfeit，andhanginginmotionlessmiseryamidtheclearwaterunderacloudofbreadcrumbs。Wearesuchdevoteesofthespecialattractionsofferedfromtimetotimethatwedonotmissasingleballoonascensionorpyrotechnicdisplay。Infact，ithappenedtomeonesummerthatI
　　studiedsoearnestlyandsocloselythecountenanceoftheladywhowentupintrunk-hose，inordertomakeoutjustwhatweretheemotionsofaladywhowentupeveryafternooninaballoon，thatwhenwemetneartheendoftheseasoninBroadwayIthoughtImusthaveseenhersomewhereinsociety，andtookoffmyhattohershewasnotatthemomentintrunk-hose。Welikegoingabouttothegreathotels，andspongingonthemforthemusicintheforenoon；welikethegaudyshopsofmodeskeptbyartistswhoseaddressesareFrenchandwhosesurnamesareIrish；andthebazaarsoftheArmeniansandJapanese，whoserugsandbric-a-bracarenotsuchbargainsasyouwouldthink。Weevengototheracessometimes；wearenotsureitisquiteright，butaswedonotbet，andareneverdecidedastowhichhorsehaswon，itisperhapsnotsowrongasitmightbe。
　　SomehowIcouldnotpredicatethesesimplejoysofthepeopleIhavebeentalkingof，fortheveryreason，thattheywerethemselvessosimple。Itwasoursophisticationwhichenabledustotastepleasureswhichwouldhavebeeninsipiditiestothem。Theirpalateswouldhavedemandedotherflavours——socialexcitements，balls，flirtations，almostescapades。Ispeakofthetwowomen；theman，doubtless，likemostotherAmericansofhisage，wantednothingbuttogetbacktobusinessinthesmalltownwherehewasimportant；
　　andstillmoreIspeakoftheyounggirl；fortheyoungwifeI
　　fanciedverywillingtogobacktoherhouse-keeping，andtobestayingoninSaratogaonlyonherfriend'saccount。
　　CHAPTERII
　　Ihadalreadymadeupmymindthattheyhadbeentheclosestfriendsbeforeoneofthemmarried，andthattheyoungwifestillthoughttheyounggirlworthyofthemostsplendidfatethatmarriagecouldhaveinstoreforanyofhersex。Womenoftenmakeeachothertheidolsofsuchworship；butIcouldnothavejustifiedthislady'sadorationsofarasitconcernedthementalandmoralqualitiesofherfriend，thoughIfullyshareditinregardtoherbeauty。Tomeshelookedalittledullandalittleselfish，andI
　　chosetothinkthehusbandmodestlyfoundherselfish，ifheweretoomodesttofindherdull。
　　Yet，afterall，Itacitlyarguedwithhim，whyshouldwecallherselfish？Itwasperfectlyrightandfitthat，asayounggirlwithsuchgreatpersonaladvantages，sheshouldwishtoseetheworld——
　　eventoshowherselftotheworld，——andfindinitsomeagreeableyouthwhoshouldadmireher，anddesiretomakeherhisownforever。Comparethissimpleandnaturallongingwiththeinsatiategreedandambitionofoneofourownsex，Iurgedhim，andthentalktome，ifyoucan，ofthispoorgirl'sselfishness!Ayoungmanhasmoreegoisminanhourthanayounggirlhasinherwholelife。Shethinksshewishessomeonetobedevotedtoher，butshereallywishessomeonetoletherbedevotedtohim；andhowpassively，hownegatively，shemustmanagetoaccomplishherself-sacrifice!He，onthecontrary，meanstogoconqueringandenslavingforward；tobeinandoutofloverightandleft，andtoend，aftermanyyearsoftriumph，inthepossessionofthebestandwisestandfairestofhersex。Iknowthebreed，mydearsir；Ihavebeenayoungmanmyself。
　　Wemenhaveliberty，wehaveinitiative；wearenotchaperoned；wecangotothisoneandthatonefreelyandfearlessly。Butwomenmustsitstill，andbecometoorshiedofffrom。Theycannotcasttheboldeyeofinterest；theycanatmostbridleunderit，andfurtivelyrespondfromthecorneroftheeyeofweakhopeandgentledeprecation。Bepatient，then，withthispoorchildifshedarklesalittleunderthedisappointmentofnotfindingSaratogasopersonallygayasshesupposeditwouldbe，andtakesitoutofyouandyourwife，asifyouweretoblameforit，insomethinglikesulks。
　　Heremainedsilentunderthesetacitappeals，butattheendheheavedadeepsigh，ashemightifhewereacknowledgingtheirjustice，andwerepromisingtodohisverybestinthecircumstances。Hiswifelookedroundathim，butdidnotspeak。Infact，theynoneofthemspokeafterthefirstwordsofgreetingtothegirl，asIcanverywelltestify；forIsateavesdroppingwithallmymight，resolvednottoloseasyllable，andIamsureIlostnone。
　　Theyounggirldidnotlookroundatthatdeep-drawnsighoftheman's；shedidnotliftherheadevenwhenheclearedhisthroat:
　　butIwasintentuponhim，forIthoughtthatthesesoundspreludedanovertureIamnotsureofthefiguretomyacquaintance，andinfactheactuallyasked，"Doyouknowjustwhentheconcertbegins？"
　　Iwasoverjoyedathisquestion，forIwaspoignantlyinterestedinthelittlesituationIhadcreated，andImadehastetoanswer:
　　"Well，nominallyateighto'clock；butthefirsthalf-hourisusuallytakenupintuningtheinstruments。Ifyougetintothepavilionataquartertonineyouwon'tlosemuch。Itisn'tsobadwhenitreallybegins。"
　　ThemanpermittedhimselfasmileofthepleasureweAmericansallfeelathavingathingunderstatedinthatway。Hiswifeaskedtimidly，"Dowehavetoengageourseatsinthe——pavilion？"
　　"Oh，no，"Ilaughed；"there'snosuchrushasthat。Haven'tyoubeenattheconcertsbefore？"
　　Themanansweredforher:"Wehaven'tbeenherebutafewdays。I
　　shouldthink，"headdedtoher，"itwouldbeaboutascomfortableoutsideofthehouse。"Iperceivedthathemaintainedhisindependenceofmysuperiorknowledgebyrefusingtosay"pavilion"；
　　andinfactIdonotknowwhetherthatistherightnameforthebuildingmyself。
　　"Itwillbehotenoughanywhere，"Iassented，asiftheremarkhadbeenmadetome；buthereIdrewthelineoutofself-respect，andresolvedthatheshouldmakethenextadvances。
　　Theyounggirllookedupatthefirstsoundofmyvoice，andverifiedmeastheelderlymanwhomshehadseenbefore；andthenshelookeddownatthewateragain。Iunderstood，andIfreelyforgaveher。IfmybeardhadbeenbrowninsteadofgreyIshouldhavebeenanadventure；buttotheeyeofgirlhoodadventurecanneverwearagreybeard。Iwastrulysorryforher；IcouldreadinthepensivedroopofheravertedfacethatIwasagainadisappointment。
　　Theyallthreesat，withoutspeakingagain，inthemannerlesssilenceofAmericans。ThemanwasnotgoingtofeelboundinfurthercivilitytomebecauseIhadcivillyansweredaquestionofhis。Idivinedthathewouldbegladtowithdrawfromtheoverturehehadmade；hemayhavethoughtfrommyreadinesstomeethimhalfwaythatImightbeoneofthosesharpersinwhomSaratogaprobablyabounded。Thisdidnotoffendme；itamusedme；IfanciedhisconfusionifhecouldsuddenlyknowhowhelplesslyandirreparablyhonestIwas。
　　"Idon'tknowbutit'salittletoodamphere，Rufus，"saidthewife。
　　"Idon'tknowbutitis，"heanswered；butnoneofthemmoved，andnoneofthemspokeagainforsomeminutes。Thenthewifesaidagain，butthistimetothefriend，"Idon'tknowbutit'salittletoodamphere，Julia，"andthefriendanswered，asthehusbandhad-
　　"Idon'tknowbutitis。"
　　Ihadtwosurprisesinthisslightevent。IcouldneverhaveimaginedthatthegirlhadsobrunetteanameasJulia，oranythinglessblondinsoundthan，say，Evadne，attheverydarkest；andI
　　hadmadeupmymind——Heavenknowswhy——thathervoicewouldbeharsh。PerhapsIthoughtitunfairthatsheshouldhaveasweetvoiceaddedtoallthatbeautyandgraceofhers；butshehadasweetvoice，verytenderandmelodious，withaplangentnoteinitthattouchedmeandcharmedme。Beautifulandgracefulasshewas，shehadlackedatmospherebefore，andnowsuddenlyshehadatmosphere。IresolvedtokeepasneartothesepeopleasIcould，andnottoleavetheplaceaslongastheystayed；butIdidnotthinkitwelltoletthemfeelthatIwasaestheticallyshadowingthem，andIgotupandstrolledawaytowardthepavilion，keepinganeyeinthebackofmyheaduponthem。
　　Isatdowninacommandingposition，andwatchedthepeoplegatheringfortheconcert；andinthedramaofagroupofCubans，orofSouthAmericans，Ialmostforgotforamomentthepaleidylofmycompatriotsatthekiosk。Therewasashort，stoutlittleSpanishwomanspeakingintheshapelysentenceswhichtheLatinraceeverywheredelightsin，andaroundherwasanincreasingnumberofseriousSpanishmen，listeningasiftoimportantthings，andpayingherthatrespectfulattentionwhichalwaysamusesandpuzzlesme。
　　Inviewofwhatwethinktheirlowestimateofwomen，Icannotmakeoutwhetheritisapersonaltributetosomespecificwomanwhomtheyregarddifferentlyfromalltherestofhersex，orwhethertheychoosetoknowinherforthenoucetheabstractwomanwhoisbetterthanwomanintheconcrete。IamsureIhaveneverseenmenofanyotherraceabandonthemselvestosuchaluxuryofrespectastheseblackandgreybeardedSpaniardsofleadencomplexionshowedthisdumpypersonificationofwomanhood，withtheirprominenteyesbentinhomageuponher，andtheirhandstremblingwithreadinesstoseizetheirhatsoffinreverence。Itappearedpresentlythatthemattertheywereallcanvassingsodevoutlywasthequestionofwheresheshouldsit。Itseemedtobedecidedthatshecouldnotdobetterthansitjustatthatpoint。Whensheactuallytookachairthestatelyconvocationended，anditsmembers，withlowobeisances，dispersedthemselvesindifferentdirections。TheyhadprobablyallbeensittingwithherthewholeafternoonontheverandahoftheEverettHouse，wheretheirracechieflyresortsinSaratoga，andtheywereavailingthemselvesofthisoccasiontoappeartobemeetingher，afteralonginterval，insociety。
　　IsaidtomyselfthatofcoursetheybelievedSaratogawasstillthatcentreofAmericanfashionwhichitoncewas，andthattheycameandwenteverysummer，probablyinthebeliefthattheysawagreatdealofsocialgaietythere。Thismademethink，byanaturalseriesoftransitions，ofthepersonsofmyAmericanidyl，andI
　　lookedaboutthepavilioneverywhereforthemwithoutdiscovering，tillthelast，thattheywerejustbehindme。
　　Ifoundthefacttouching。Theyhadnotwishedtobeinanywisebeholdentome，andhadeventriedtorejectmyfriendlyreadinesstoknowthembetter；buttheyhadprobablysoughtmyvicinityinasenseoftheirlonelinessandhelplessness，whichtheyhopedIwouldnotdivine，butwhichIdivinedinstantly。Still，Ithoughtitbestnottoshowanyconsciousnessofthem，andwesatthroughthefirstpartoftheconcertwithouttakingnoticeofoneanother。Thenthemanleanedforwardandtouchedmeontheshoulder。
　　"Willyouletmetakeyourprogrammeaminute？"
　　"Why，certainly，"saidI。
　　Hetookit，andafteravagueglanceatithepassedittohiswife，whogaveitinturntotheyounggirl。Shestudieditverybriefly，andthen，afteraquestioninglook，offereditbacktome。
　　"Won'tyoukeepit？"Ientreated。"I'vequitedonewithit。"
　　"Oh，thankyou，"sheansweredinhertendervoice，andsheandthewifelookedhardattheman，whomtheyseemedtouniteinpushingforwardbythatmeans。
　　Hehemmed，andasked，"HaveyoubeeninSaratogamuch？"
　　"Why，yes，"Isaid；"ratheragooddeal。MywifeandIhavebeenherethreeorfoursummers。"
　　Attheconfessionofmymarriedstate，whichthisstatementimplicated，thewomenexchangedaglance，Ifancied，oftriumph，asiftheyhadbeentalkingaboutme，andIhadnowconfirmedthegroundtheyhadtakenconcerningme。Thentheyjoinedingoadingthemanonagainwiththeireyes。
　　"Whichhotel，"heasked，"shouldyousayhadthemostgoingon？"
　　Theyounggirlandthewifetransferredtheirgazetome，withanintensifiedappealinit。Themanlookedawaywithacertainshame——
　　theshameofamanwhofeelsthathiswifehasmadehimmakeanassofhimself。Itriedtotreathisquestion，bythequantityandqualityofmyanswer，asoneofthemostnaturalthingsintheworld；andIprobablydeceivedthemallbythiseffort，thoughIamsurethatIwasmosttruthfulandjustconcerningtheclaimsofthedifferenthotelstobethecentreofexcitement。IthoughtIhadearnedtherighttoaskattheend，"AreyoustoppingattheGrandUnion？"
　　"No，"hesaid；andhementionedoneofthesmallerhotels，whichdependuponthegreathousesfortheentertainmentoftheirguests。
　　"Areyouthere？"heasked，meaningtheGrandUnion。
　　"Ohno，"Isaid；"wecouldn'tdothatsortofthing，evenifwewanted。"AndinmyturnInamedthemodesthotelwherewewere，andsaidthatIthoughtitbyalloddsthepleasantestplaceinSaratoga。"ButIcan'tsay，"Iadded，"thatthereisagreatdealgoingonthere，either。Ifyouwantthatsortofthingyouwillhavetogotosomeofthegreathotels。Wehaveourlittleamusements，butthey'reallrathermild。"Ikepttalkingtotheman，butreallyaddressingmyselftothewomen。"There'ssomethingnearlyeveryevening:prestidigitating，orelocutioning，oralittleconcert，orcharades，orimpromptutheatricals，orsomethingofthatsort。Ican'tsaythere'sdancing，thoughreally，I
　　suppose，ifanyonewantedtodancetherewouldbedancing。"
　　Iwasawarethatthewomenlistenedintelligently，evenifthemandidnot。Thewifedrewalongbreath，andsaid，"Itmustbeverypleasant。"
　　Thegirlsaid——rathermorehungrily，Ifancied——"Yes，indeed。"
　　Idon'tknowwhytheirinterestshouldhavepromptedmetogoonandpaintthelilyalittle，butIcertainlydidso。Ididnotstoptillthemusicbeganagain，andIhadtostop。BythetimethepiecewasfinishedIhadbeguntohavemymisgivings，andIprofitedbythebriefintervalofsilencetosaytotheyounggirl，"I
　　wouldn'thaveyouthinkweareawhirlofgaietyexactly。"
　　"Ohno，"sheansweredpathetically，asifshewerequitepastexpectingthatoranythinglikeit。
　　Weweresilentagain。Attheendofthenextpiecetheyallrose，andthewifesaidtimidlytome，"Well，good-evening，"asifshemightbeventuringtoofar；andherhusbandcametoherrescuewith"Well，good-evening，sir。"Theyounggirlmerelybowed。
　　Ididnotstaymuchlonger，forIwaseagertogethomeandtellmywifeaboutmyadventure，whichseemedtomeofaveryrareandthrillingkind。IbelievedthatifIcouldpresentittoherduly，itwouldinterestherasmuchasithadinterestedme。Butsomehow，asIwentonwithitinthelamplightofherroom，itseemedtolosecolourandspecificcharacter。
　　"YouarealwaysmakinguptheseromancesaboutyounggirlsbeingoffanddisappointedofagoodtimeeversincewesawthatpoorlittleKittyEllisonwithhercousinsatNiagara，"saidMrs。March。"Youseemtohaveitonthebrain。"
　　"Becauseit'sthemosttragicalthingintheworld，andthecommonestinourtransitionstate，"Iretorted。Iwassomewhatexasperatedtohavemyromancetreatedassostaleasituation，thoughIwasconsciousnowthatitdidwantperfectnovelty。"It'spreciselyforthatreasonthatIliketobreakmyheartoverit。I
　　seeiteverysummer，anditkeepsmeinapassionofpity。
　　Somethingoughttobedoneaboutit。"
　　"Well，don'tYOUtrytodoanything，Basil，unlessyouwritetothenewspapers。"
　　"Isuppose，"Isaid，"thatifthenewspaperscouldbegottotakeholdofit，perhapssomethingmightbedone。"Thenotionamusedme；
　　Iwentontoplaywithit，andimaginedSaratoga，byajointeffortoftheleadingjournals，recolonisedwiththesociallifethatoncemadeittheparadiseofyoungpeople。
　　"Ihavebeenwritingtothechildren，"saidmywife，"andtellingthemtostayonatYorkHarbouriftheHerrickswantthemsomuch。
　　Theywouldhateithere。Yousaythegirllookedcross。Ican'texactlyimagineacrossgoddess。"
　　"Therewerelotsofcrossgoddesses，"Isaidrathercrosslymyself；
　　forIsawthat，afterhavingtroddenmyromanceinthedust，shewaswillingIshouldpickitupagainandshakeitoff，andIwishedtoshowherthatIwasnottobesolightlyappeased。
　　"PerhapsIwasthinkingofangels，"shemurmured。
　　"Idistinctlydidn'tsayshewasanangel，"Ireturned。
　　"Now，come，Basil；Iseeyou'rekeepingsomethingback。Whatdidyoutrytodoforthosepeople？Didyoutellthemwhereyouwerestopping？"
　　"Yes，Idid。Theyaskedme，andItoldthem。"
　　"Didyoubragtheplaceup？"
　　"Onthecontrary，Iunderstateditsmerits。"
　　"Oh，verywell，then，"shesaid，quiteasifIhadconfessedmyguilt；"theywillcomehere，andyouwillhaveyourromanceonyourhandsfortherestofthemonth。I'mthankfulwe'regoingawaythefirstofAugust。"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Thenextafternoon，whileweweresittingintheparkwaitingfortheTroybandtobeginplaying，andIwaswonderingjustwhentheywouldreachthe"WashingtonPostMarch，"whichIlikebecauseIcanalwaysbesureofit，myunknownfriendscamestrollingourway。
　　Themanlookedbewilderedandbored，withsomethingofdesperationinhistroubledeye，andhiswifelookedtiredanddisheartened。
　　Theyounggirl，stillinwhiteduck，worethesameairofpassiveinjuryIhadnotedinherthenightbefore。Theirfacesallthreelightedupatsightofme；buttheyfadedagainatthecoldandmeagreresponseImadetotheirsmilesundercorrectionofmywife'sfearsofthem。Iownitwasbaseofme；butIhadbeguntofeelmyselfthatitmightbetoolargeacontracttoattempttheirconsolation，and，infact，afteroneisfiftyscarcelyanyromancewillkeepovernight。
　　Mywifeglancedfromthemtome，andreadmycowardlymind；butshewaitedtilltheypassed，astheydidafteraninvoluntaryfalteringinfrontofus，andwerekeepingondownthepath，lookingatthebenches，whichwerefilledoneitherhand。Shesaid，"Weren'tthoseyourfriends？"
　　"Theywerethepersonsofmyromance。"
　　"Nomatter。Goaftertheminstantlyandbringthembackhere，poorthings。Wecanmakeroomforthem。"
　　Irose。"Isn'tthisalittletooidyllic？Aren'tyouratheroverdoingit？"
　　"Don'tspeaktome，Basil!Ineverheardofanythingsoatrocious。
　　Goonyourkneestothemiftheyrefuse!Theycansitherewithme，andyouandhecanstand。Fly!"
　　Iknewshewaspunishingmeforherownreluctance；butIflew，inthatsenseoftheterm，andeasilyoverhauledtheminthetangleofpeoplecomingandgoinginthepath，andthenursemaidspushingtheirperambulatorsineitherdirection。HatinhandIdeliveredmymessage。Icouldseethatitgavethewomengreatpleasureandthemansomedoubt。Hismouthfellopenalittle；theircheeksflushedandtheireyesshone。
　　"Idon'tknowaswebetter，"thewifehesitated；"I'mafraidwe'llcrowdyou。"Andshelookedwistfullytowardmywife。Theyounggirllookedather。
　　"Notatall!"Icried。"There'sanabundanceofroom。Mywife'skeepingtheplacesforyou，"——infact，Isawherputtingherarmoutalongthebench，andexplainingtoacouplewhohadhaltedinfrontofherthattheseatsweretaken——"andshe'llbedisappointed。"
　　"Well，"thewomanconsented，withalittlesighoftriumphthattouchedme，andreanimatedallmyinterestinherandinherfriend。
　　Shesaid，withasortofshy，instinctivepoliteness，"Idon'tknowasyouandMr。Deeringgotacquaintedlastnight。"
　　"MynameisMarch，"Isaid，andIshookthehandofMr。Deering。Itwasratherthick。
　　"Andthis——isourfriend，"Mrs。Peeringwenton，inpresentationofmetotheyounglady，"MissGage，that'scomewithus。"
　　IwasdelightedthatIhadguessedtheirrelativequalitiessoperfectly，andwhenwearrivedatMrs。MarchIgliblypresentedthem。MywifewasallthatIcouldhavewishedhertobeofsympatheticandintelligent。Shedidnotoverdoitbyshakinghands，butshemadeplacesfortheladies，smilingcordially；andMrs。DeeringmadeMissGagetaketheseatbetweenthem。HerhusbandandIstoodawhileinfrontofthem，andthenIsaidwewouldgooffandfindchairssomewhere。
　　Wedidnotfindanytillwehadclimbedtotheuplandatthesouth-
　　eastofthepark，andthenonlytwoironones，whichitwasuselesstothinkoftransporting。Buttherewasnoreasonwhyweshouldnotsitinthemwheretheywere:wecouldkeeptheladiesinplainsight，andIcouldnotmistake"WashingtonPost"whenthebandcametoit。Mr。Deeringsankintooneofthechairswithasighofsatisfactionwhichseemedtocompleteitselfwhenhediscoveredinthethickgrassathisfeetatwigfromoneofthetall，slimpinesaboveus。Hebentoverforit，andthen，ashetookouthispenknifeandclickedopenabladetobeginwhittling，hecastupacriticalglanceatthetrees。
　　"Prettynicepines，"hesaid；andheputhishandontheonenexttouswithasortofappreciationthatinterestedme。
　　"Yes；thetreesofSaratogaarethegloryoftheplace，"Ireturned。
　　"Ineversawthemgrowanywhereelsesotallandslim。Itdoesn'tseemtheeffectofcrowdingeither。It'sasiftherewassomechemicalforceinthesoilthatshotthemup。They'relikerocketsthathaven'tleftthegroundyet。"
　　"It'sthecrowding，"hesaidseriously，asifthesubjectwerenottobetrifledwith。"It'sthehabitofallthesetrees——pinesandoaksandmaples，Idon'tcarewhattheyare——tospread，andthat'swhatwetellourcustomers。Givethetreesplentyofroom；don'tplant'emtoothickifyouwanttogetallthegoodoutof'em。"Asifhesawaquestioninmyeye，hewenton:"Wedoaforest-treebusinessexclusively；theseshade-trees，andwalnuts，hickories，chestnuts，andallkinds。It'sabigtrade，gettingtobe，andgrowingallthetime。Folkshavebeguntofindoutwhatfoolstheyweretodestroytheforests，andthechildrenwanttobuybackwhatthefathersthrewaway。"
　　Iscarcelyneededtoprompthim；hewasonlytoogladtotalkonabouthisbusiness，andhespokewithasortofhomesickfondness。
　　HetoldmethathehadhisnurseriesatDeWittPoint，upontheSt。
　　Lawrence，wherehecouldraisestockhardyenoughforanyclimate，andshipbylandorwater。
　　"I'vegottobegettinghomerightawaynow，"hesaidfinally，clickinghisknife-bladehalfshutandopenwithhisthumb。
　　"It'sabouttimeforourevergreentrade，andIdon'twantthetreestostayaminuteinthegroundafterthemiddleofthemonth。"
　　"Won'ttheladiesfindithardtotearthemselvesawayfromthegaietiesofSaratoga？"Iaskedwithapparentvagueness。
　　"Well，that'sit，"saidMr。Deering；andheshuthisknifeandslippeditintohispocket，inordertotakehiskneebetweenhisclaspedhandsandlifthislegfromtheground。Ihavenoticedthatthisisaphilosophicalattitudewithsomepeople，andIwaspreparedbyitforsomethoughtfulgeneralisingfrommycompanion。
　　"Womenwouldbewillingtostayoninaplaceforayeartoseeifsomethingwouldn'thappen；andifyoutake'emawaybeforeanythinghappens，they'llalwaysthinkthatifthey'dstayedsomethingwouldhavehappenedthenextday，ormaybethedaytheyleft。"
　　Hestaredupwardintothepineboughs，andIsaid:"Yes，that'sso。
　　Isupposeweshouldbelikethemifwehadthesameconditions。
　　Theirwholelifeisanexpectationofsomethingtohappen。Menhavetheprivilegeofmakingthingshappen——ortryingto。"
　　"Oh，Idon'tknowasIwanttocriticise'em。Asyousay，IguessWEshouldbejustso。"Hedroppedhisleg，andbentoverasiftoexaminethegrass；heendedbytakingabladeofitbetweenhisteethbeforehespokeagain，withhisheadstilldown。"Idon'twanttohurry'em；Iwanttogive'emafairshownowwe'rehere，andI'llletthestockgoaslongasIcan。ButIdon'tseeverymuchgaietyaround。"