"Why，ofcourse，Mrs。Deering。It'sapublichouse，likeanyother，andyouhaveasmuchright——"
"ButIdidn'twantyoutothinkthatIwoulddoitwithoutaskingyou，andifitisgoingtobetheleastbitoftroubletoyou。"ThepoorthingwhileshetalkedstoodleaninganxiouslyovertowardMrs。
March，whohadrisen，andpressingthepointsofherfingersnervouslytogether。
"Itwon't，Mrs。Deering。Itwillbenothingbutpleasure。Why，certainly。IshallbedelightedtohaveMissGagehere，andanythingthatMr。MarchandIcando——Why，wehadjustbeentalkingofit，andMr。Marchhasthisminutegotbackfromseeingtheclerk，andshecanhaveaveryniceroom。Wehadbeenintendingtospeaktoyouaboutitassoonaswesawyou。"
Idonotknowwhetherthiswasquitetrueornot，butIwasgladMrs。Marchsaidit，fromtheeffectithaduponMrs。Deering。Tearsofreliefcameintohereyes，andshesaid:"ThenIcangohomeinthemorning。Iwasgoingtostayonadayortwolonger，onJulia'saccount，butIdidn'tfeeljustrightaboutMr。Deering，andnowI
won'thaveto。"
Therefollowedaflutterofpoliteoffersandrefusals，acknowledgmentsanddisavowals，andanunderstandingthatIwouldarrangeitall，andthatwewouldcometoMrs。Deering'shotelaftersupperandseeMissGageaboutthewhenandthehowofhercomingtous。"
"Well，Isabel，"Isaid，afteritwasallover，andMrs。Deeringhadvanishedinamistofhappytears，"Isupposethisiswhatyoucallperfectlyprovidential。DoyoureallybelievethatMissGagedidn'tsendherback？"
"Iknowshedidn't。ButIknowthatsheHADtodoitjustthesameasifMissGagehaddrivenheratthepointofthebayonet。"
Ilaughedatthistragicalimage。"Canshebesuchaterror？"
"Sheisanideal。AndMrs。Deeringisasafraidasdeathofher。
Ofcourseshehastoliveuptoher。It'sprobablybeenthestruggleofherlife，andIcanquiteimagineherlettingherhusbanddiebeforeshewouldtakeMissGageback，unlessshewentbacksatisfied。"
"Idon'tbelieveIcanimaginesomuchasthatexactly，butIcanimagineherbeingafraidofMissGage'stakingitoutofhersomehow。Nowshewilltakeitoutofus。Ihopeyourealisethatyou'vedoneitnow，mydear。Tobesure，youwillhaveallyourlifetorepentofyourrashness。"
"Ishallneverrepent，"Mrs。Marchretortedhardily。"Itwastherightthing，theonlything。Wecouldn'thaveletthatpoorcreaturestayon，whenshewassoanxioustogetbacktoherhusband。"
"No。"
"AndIconfess，Basil，thatIfeelalittlepityforthatpoorgirl，too。Itwouldhavebeencruel，itwouldhavebeenfairlywicked，tolethergohomesosoon，andespeciallynow。"
"Oh!AndIsupposethatbyESPECIALLYNOW，youmeanKendricks，"I
said，andIlaughedmockingly，asthenovelistssay。"HowsickIamofthisstaleoldlove-businessbetweenyoungpeople!Weoughttoknowbetter——we'reoldenough；atleastYOUare。"
Sheseemednottofeelthegibe。"Why，Basil，"sheaskeddreamily，"haven'tyouanyromanceleftinyou？"
"Romance？Bah!It'sthemostridiculousunrealityintheworld。
Ifyouhadsomuchsympathyforthatstupidgirl，inthatpoorwomaninheranxietyaboutherdisappointment，whyhadn'tyoualittleforhersickhusband？Butahusbandisnothing——whenyouhavegothim。"
"Ididsympathisewithher。"
"Youdidn'tsayso。"
"Well，sheisonlyhissecondwife，andIdon'tsupposeit'sanythingserious。Didn'tIreallysayanythingtoher？"
"Notaword。Itiscurious，"Iwenton，"howweletthisidioticlove-passionabsorbustotheverylast。Itiswhollyunimportantwhomarrieswho，orwhetheranybodymarriesatall。Andyetwenosoonerhavethemakingofalove-affairwithinreachthanwereverttothefollyofourownyouth，andabandonourselvestoitasifitwereoneofthegreatinterestsoflife。"
"Whoistalkingaboutlove？Itisn'taquestionofthat。It'saquestionofmakingagirlhaveapleasanttimeforafewdays；andwhatistheharmofit？Girlshaveadullenoughtimeattheverybest。Myheartachesforthem，andIshallneverletachancesliptohelpthem，Idon'tcarewhatyousay。"
"Now，Isabel，"Ireturned，"don'tyoubeahumbug。Thisisaperfectlyplaincase，andyouaregoinginforaveryriskyaffairwithyoureyesopen。Youshallnotpretendyou'renot。"
"Verywell，then，ifIamgoingintoitwithmyeyesopen，Ishalllookoutthatnothinghappens。"
"Andyouthinkprevisionwillavail!Iwish，"Isaid，"thatinsteadofcominghomethatnightandtellingyouaboutthisgirl，IhadconfinedmysentimentalisingtothatyoungFrench-Canadianmother，andherdirtylittleboywhoatethepea-nutshells。I'venodoubtitwasreallyamoretragicalcase。Theylookeddreadfullypoorandsqualid。Whycouldn'tIhaveamusedmyidlefancywiththeirfortunes——thesortofhusbandandfathertheyhad，theirshabbyhome，thestruggleoftheirlife？Thatistheappealthatagenuinepersonlistensto。NothingdoesmoretostampmeaposeurthanthefactthatIpreferredtobemoanmyselfforasulkygirlwhoseemednottobehavingagoodtime。"
Therewastruthinmyjoking，butthetruthdidnotsaveme；itlostmerather。"Yes，"saidmywife；"itwasyourfault。Ishouldneverhaveseenanythinginherifithadnotbeenforyou。Itwasyourcomingbackandworkingmeupaboutherthatbeganthewholething，andnowifanythinggoeswrongyouwillhaveyourselftothankforit。"
Sheseizedtheopportunityofmyhavingjestinglytakenupthisloadtobuckleitonmetightandfast，claspingithere，tyingitthere，andgivingafinalpulltotheknotsthatleftmescarcelythepowertodrawmybreath，muchlessthebreathtoprotest。IwasforcedtohearhersayagainthatallherconcernfromthebeginningwasforMrs。Deering，andthatnow，ifshehadofferedtodosomethingforMissGage，itwasnotbecauseshecaredanythingforher，butbecauseshecaredeverythingforMrs。Deering，whocouldneverliftupherheadagainatDeWittPointifshewentbacksocompletelydefeatedinallthepurposesshehadinaskingMissGagetocomewithhertoSaratoga。
IdidnotobservethatthiswaveofcompassioncarriedMrs。MarchsofarastoleaveherstrandedwithMrs。DeeringthateveningwhenwecalledwithKendricks，andaskedherandMissGagetogowithustotheCongressParkconcert。Mrs。Deeringsaidthatshehadtopack，thatshedidnotfeeljustexactlylikegoing；andmytenderheartachedwithaknowledgeofherdistress。MissGagemadeafaint，falsepretenceofrefusingtocomewithus，too；butMrs。Deeringurgedhertogo，andputonthenewdress，whichhadjustcomehome，sothatMrs。Marchcouldseeit。Thegirlcamebacklookingradiant，divine，and——"Willitdo？"shepalpitatedundermywife'scriticalglance。
"Do？ItwillOUTdo!Ineversawanythinglikeit!"Theconnoisseurpatteditalittlethiswayandalittlethat。"Itisadream!Didthehatcometoo？"
Itappearedthatthehathadcometoo。MissGagerematerialisedwithiton，afteramoment'sevanescence，andlookedatmywifewiththeexpressionofbeingsomethingimpersonalwithahaton。
"Simply，thereisnothingtosay!"criedMrs。March。Thegirlputupherhandstoit。"Goodgracious!Youmustn'ttakeitoff!Yourcostumeisperfectfortheconcert。"
"Isit，really？"askedthegirljoyfully；andsheseemedtofindthisthefirstfittingmomenttosay，forsolerecognitionofourself-sacrifice，"I'mmuchobligedtoyou，Mr。March，forgettingmethatroom。"
Ibeggedhernottospeakofit，andturnedanironicaleyeuponmywife；butshewaslostinadmirationofthehat。
"Yes，"shesighed；"it'smuchbetterthantheoneIwantedyoutogetatfirst。"Andsheafterwardexplainedthatthegirlseemedtohaveaperfectinstinctforwhatwentwithherstyle。
Kendrickskepthimselfdiscreetlyinthebackground，and，withhisunfailingrightfeeling，wastalkingtoMrs。Deering，inspiteofhernotpayingmuchattentiontohim。ImustownthatItoowasabsorbedinthespectacleofMissGage。
Shewentoffwithus，anddidnotsayanotherwordtoMrs。Deeringabouthelpinghertopack。Perhapsthiswasbest，thoughitseemedheartless；itmaynothavebeensoheartlessasitseemed。Idaresayitwouldhavebeenmoresufferingtothewomanifthegirlhadmissedthischance。
CHAPTERX
Wehadundertakenratheraqueeraffairbutitwasnotsoqueerafterall，whenMissGagewasfairlysettledwithus。Therewereotheryounggirlsinthatpleasanthousewhohadonlyoneanother'sprotectionandthegeneralsafetyofthesocialatmosphere。Wecouldnotconcealfromourselves，ofcourse，thatwehaddonearatherromanticthing，and，inthelightofEurope，whichwehadmoreorlessuponouractions，ratheranabsurdthing；butitwasacomforttofindthatMissGagethoughtitneitherromanticnorabsurd。Shetooktheaffairwithanapparentignoranceofanythingunusualinit——withsomuchignorance，indeed，thatMrs。Marchhadheroccasionalquestionwhethershewasdulyimpressedwithwhatwasbeingdoneforher。Whetherthiswassoornot，itiscertainthatshewasasdocileandasbiddableasneedbe。Shedidnotalwaysaskwhatsheshoulddo；thatwouldnothavebeeninthetraditionofvillageindependence；butshealwaysdidwhatshewastold，anddidnotvaryfromherinstructionsahair's-breadth。Idonotsupposeshealwaysknewwhyshemightdothisandmightnotdothat；andI
donotsupposethatyounggirlsoftenunderstandthereasonsoftheproprieties。Theyaretoldthattheymust，andthattheymustnot，andthisinanastonishingdegreesufficesthemiftheyarenicegirls。
OfcoursetherewasprettyconstantquestionofKendricksinthemanagementofMissGage'samusement，forthatwasreallywhatourenterpriseresolveditselfinto。Heshowedfromthefirstthesweetestdispositiontoforwardallourplansinregardtoher，and，infact，heevenanticipatedourwishes。IdonotmeantogivethenotionthathebehavedfromaninterestedmotiveingoingtothestationthemorningMrs。Deeringleft，andgettingherticketforher，andcheckingherbaggage，andpostingherinthechangesshewouldhavetomake。ThiswassomethingIoughttohavethoughtofmyself，butIdidnotthinkofit，andIamwillingthatheshouldhaveallthecredit。
Iknowthathediditoutofthelovelygenerosityofnaturewhichalwaystookmeinhim。MissGagewastherewithher，andsheremainedtobeconsoledafterMrs。Deeringdeparted。Theycamestraighttousfromthetrain，andthen，whenhehadconsignedMissGagetoMrs。March'scare，heofferedtogoandseethatherthingsweretransferredfromherhoteltoours；theywereallready，shesaid，andthebillwaspaid。
Hedidnotcomebackthatday，and，infact，hedelicatelywaitedforsomesignfromusthathishelpwaswanted。ButwhenhedidcomehehadformulatedSaratogaverycompletely，andhadabetterconceptionofdoingitthanIhad，aftermyrepeatedsojourns。
WewentveryearlyinourexplorationstotheHouseofPansa，whichyoufindinverymuchbetterrepairatSaratogathanyoudoatPompeii，andwecontrivedtopassawholeafternoonthere。MywifeandIhadbeentherebeforemorethanonce；butitalwayspleasantlyrecalledourwander-years，whenwefirstmetinEurope，andwesufferedroundafterthoseyoungthingswithapatiencewhichIhopewillnotbeforgottenatthedayofjudgment。Whenwecametoaseatwesatdown，andletthemgooffbythemselves；butmyrecollectionisthatthereisnotmuchfurnitureintheHouseofPansathatyoucansitdownon，andforthemostpartweallkepttogether。
KendricksandIthoughtalikeaboutthePompeianhouseasamodelofsomethingthatmightbedoneinthewayofaseasidecottageinourowncountry，andwetalkedupalittlepaperthatmightbedoneforEveryOtherWeek，withprettyarchitecturaldrawings，givinganaccountofourimaginaryrealisationofthenotion。
"Havesomebody，"hesaid，"visitpeoplewhohadbeenboringhimtocomedown，orup，orout，andseethem，andfindtheminaPompeianhouse，withtheseainfrontandablue-greengroveoflowpinesbehind。Mighthaveathreadofstory，butmostlytalkabouthowtheycametodoit，andhowdelightfullylivabletheyfoundit。Youcouldworkitupwithsomearchitect，whowouldhelpyouto'keepoffthegrass'inthewayoftechnicalblunders。Withallthistendencytotheclassicinpublicarchitecture，Idon'tseewhythePompeianvillashouldn'tbethenextwordforsummercottages。"
"Well，we'llseewhatFulkersonsays。Hemayseeanad。init。
Wouldyouliketodoit？"
"Whynotdoityourself？Nobodyelsecoulddoitsowell。"
"Thanksforthetaffy；buttheideawasyours。"
"I'lldoit，"saidKendricksafteramoment，"ifyouwon't。"
"We'llsee。"
MissGagestared，andMrs。Marchsaid-
"Ididn'tsupposetheHouseofPansawouldleadtoshopwithyoutwo。"
"Younevercantellwhichwaycopylies，"Ireturned；andIaskedthegirl，"WhatshouldYOUthink，MissGage，ofalittlepaperwithathreadofstory，butmostlytalk，onasupposititiousPompeiancottage？"
"Idon'tbelieveIunderstand，"saidshe，fartooremotefromourliteraryinterests，asIsaw，tobeashamedofherignorance。
"There!"IsaidtoKendricks。"Doyouthinkthegeneralpublicwould？"
"MissGageisn'tthegeneralpublic，"saidmywife，whohadfollowedthecourseofmythought；hertoneimpliedthatMissGagewaswiserandbetter。
"Wouldyouallowyourselftobedrawn，"Iasked，"dreamilyissuingfromanaisleofthepinegroveasthetutelarygoddessofaPompeiancottage？"
Thegirlcastabewilderedglanceatmywife，whosaid，"Youneedn'tpayanyattentiontohim，MissGage。Hehasanideathatheismakingajoke。"
Wefeltthatwehaddoneenoughforoneafternoon，whenwehaddonetheHouseofPansa，andIproposedthatweshouldgoandsitdowninCongressParkandlistentotheTroyband。Iwasnotwithoutthehopethatitwouldplay"WashingtonPost。"
Mywifecontrivedthatweshouldfallinbehindtheyoungpeopleaswewent，andsheasked，"WhatDOyousupposeshemadeofitall？"
"ProbablyshethoughtitwasthehouseofSanchoPanza。"
"No；shehasn'treadenoughtobesoignorantevenasthat。It'sastonishinghowmuchshedoesn'tknow。Whatcanherhomelifehavebeenlike？"
"Philistinetothelastdegree。Wepeoplewhoareneartoliteraturehavenoconceptionhowfarfromitmostpeopleare。Theimmensemajorityof'homes，'asthenewspaperscallthem，havenobooksinthemexcepttheBibleandasemi-religiousvolumeortwo——
thingsyouneverseeoutofsuch'homes'——andtheStatebusinessdirectory。IwasastonishedwhenitcameoutthatsheknewaboutEveryOtherWeek。Itmusthavebeenbyaccident。Thesordidnessofherhomelifemustbesomethingunimaginable。Thedaughterofavillagecapitalist，who'sputtogetherhismoneydollarbydollar，astheydoinsuchplaces，fromthenecessitiesandfolliesofhisneighbours，andhashalfthefarmersoftheregionbythethroatthroughhismortgages——Idon'tthinkthatshe's'onetobedesired'
anymorethan'thedaughterofahundredearls，'ifsomuch。"
"Shedoesn'tseemsordidherself。"
"Oh，thetaintdoesn'tshowitselfatonce——
'IfnatureputnotforthherpowerAbouttheopeningoftheflower，Whoisitthatwouldliveanhour？'
andsheisaflower，beautiful，exquisite"
"Yes，andshehadamotheraswellasthisfatherofhers。Whyshouldn'tshebelikehermother？"
Ilaughed。"Thatistrue!Iwonderwhywealwaysleavethemotheroutofthecountwhenwesumupthehereditarytendencies？I
supposethemotherisasmuchaparentasthefather。"
"Quite。Andthereisnoreasonwhythisgirlshouldn'thavehermother'snature。"
"Wedon'tactuallyKNOWanythingagainstherfather'snatureyet，"I
suggested；"butifhermotherlivedastarvedandstuntedlifewithhim，itmayaccountforthateffectofdisappointedgreedwhichI
fanciedinherwhenIfirstsawher。"
"Idon'tcallitgreedinayounggirltowanttoseesomethingoftheworld。"
"Whatdoyoucallit？"
Kendricksandthegirlwerestoppingatthegateofthepavilion，andlookingroundatus。"Ah，he'sgotenoughforoneday!He'sgoingtoleavehertousnow。"
Whenwecameuphesaid，"I'mgoingtorunoffamoment；I'mgoinguptothebook-storethere，"andhepointedtowardonethathadspreadacrossthesidewalkjustbelowtheCongressHallverandah，withbanksandshelvesofnovels，andacryofbargainsinthemonsignsstickingupfromtheirrows。"IwanttoseeiftheyhavetheLastDaysofPompeii。"
"Wewillfindtheladiesinsidethepark，"Isaid。"Iwillgowithyou——"
"Mr。MarchwantstoseeiftheyhavethelastnumberofEveryOtherWeek，"mywifemockedafterus。Thiswas，indeed，commonlyafoibleofmine。Ihadnewlybecomeoneoftheownersoftheperiodicalaswellastheeditor，andIwasallthetimelookingoutforitatthenews-standsandbook-stores，andjudgingtheirenterprisebyitspresenceorabsence。ButthistimeIhadanothermotive，thoughI
didnotallegeit。
"Isupposeit'sforMissGage？"Iventuredtosay，bywayofprefacingwhatIwishedtosay。"Kendricks，I'mafraidwe'reabusingyourgoodnature。Iknowyou'reupheretolookabout，andyou'relettingususeallyourtime。Youmustn'tdoit。Womenhavenoconscienceaboutthesethings，andyoucan'texpectawomanwhohasayoungladyonherhandstospareyou。Igiveyouthehint。
Don'tcountuponMrs。Marchinthismatter。"
"Oh，Ithinkyouareverygoodtoallowmetobotherround，"saidtheyoungfellow，withthatindefatigablepolitenessofhis。Headdedvaguely，"It'sveryinteresting。"
"Seeingitthroughsuchafreshmind？"Isuggested。"Well，I'llownthatIdon'tthinkyoucouldhavefoundamuchfresherone。HasshereadtheLastDaysofPompeii？"
"Shethoughtshehadatfirst，butitwastheFallofGranada。"
"Howdelightful!Don'tyouwishwecouldreadbookswiththatutterlyunliterarysenseofthem？"
"Don'tyouthinkwomengenerallydo？"heaskedevasively。
"IdaresaytheydoatDeWittPoint。"
Hedidnotanswer；Isawthathewasnotwillingtotalktheyoungladyover，andIcouldnothelppraisinghistastetomyselfatthecostofmyown。Hisdelicacyforbadehimtheindulgencewhichmyownprotestedagainstinvain。Heshowedhistasteagaininbuyingacheapcopyofthebook，whichhemeanttogiveher，andofcoursehehadtobeallthemoreattentivetoherbecauseofmydeprecatinghisself-devotion。
CHAPTERXI
IntheintimacythatgrewupbetweenmywifeandMissGageIfoundmyselflessandlessincluded。ItseemedtomeattimesthatI
mighthavegoneawayfromSaratogaandnotbeenseriouslymissedbyanyone，butperhapsthiswasnottakingsufficientaccountofmyvalueasaspectator，bywhomMrs。Marchcouldverifyherownimpressions。
Thegirlhadneverknownamother'scare，anditwasaffectingtoseehowwillingshewastobemotheredbythechancekindnessofastranger。SheprobablyfeltmoreandmoreherignoranceoftheworldasitunfoldeditselftoherintermssoaltogetherstrangetothelifeofDeWittPoint。Iwasnotsurethatshewouldhavebeensogratefulfortheeffortsmadeforherenjoymentiftheyhadfailed，butasthecasestoodshewascertainlygrateful；mywifesaidthat，andIsawit。Sheseemedtohavewrittenhomeaboutustoherfather，forshereadmywifepartofaletterfromhimconveyinghis"respects，"andaskinghertothankusforhim。Shecametomewiththechequeitenclosed，andaskedmetogetitcashedforher；itwasforahandsomeamount。Butshecontinuedtogoaboutatourcost，quiteunconsciously，tillonedayshehappenedtowitnessacontestofcivilitybetweenKendricksandmyselfastowhichshouldpaythecarriageweweredismissing。ThatnightshecametoMrs。March，and，withmanyblushes，askedtobeallowedtopayforthepastandfutureherfullshareoftheexpenseofourjointpleasures。Shesaidthatshehadneverthoughtofitbefore，andshefeltsomuchashamed。Shecouldnotbeconsoledtillshewaspromisedthatsheshouldbeindulgedforthefuture，andthatI
shouldbeobligedtoaveragetheoutlayalreadymadeandletherpayafourth。Whenshehadgainedherpoint，Mrs。Marchsaidthatsheseemedalittlescared，andsaid，"Ihaven'toffendedyou，Mrs。
March，haveI？Becauseifitisn'trightformetopay——"
"It'squiteright，mydear，"saidmywife，"andit'sveryniceofyoutothinkofit。"
"Youknow，"thegirlexplained，"I'veneverbeenoutagreatdealathomeeven；andit'salwaysthecustomthereforthegentlementopayforaride——ordance——oranything；butthisisdifferent。"
MrsMarchsaid"Yes，"and，intheinterestofcivilisation，shedidalittlemissionarywork。ShetoldherthatinBostontheyoungladiespaidfortheirticketstotheHarvardassemblies，andpreferredtodoit，becauseitleftthemwithoutevenatacitobligation。
MissGagesaidshehadneverheardofsuchathingbefore，butshecouldseehowmuchbetteritwas。
IdonotthinkshegotonwiththeLastDaysofPompeiiveryrapidly；itsimmediateinterestwassupersededbyotherthings。Butshealwayshadthebookaboutwithher，andIfanciedthatshetriedtoreaditinthosemomentsofrelaxationfromourpleasuringwhenshemightbetterhavebeenday-dreaming，thoughIdaresayshedidenoughofthattoo。
Whatamusedmeintheaffairwastheceleritywithwhichittookitselfoutofourhands。InanincrediblyshorttimewehadnolongerthetroubleofthinkingwhatweshoulddoforMissGage；thatwasprovidedforbytheforethoughtofKendricks，andourconcernwashoweachcouldmaketheothergowiththeyoungpeopleontheirexcursionsandexpeditions。Wehadseenanddoneallthethingsthattheyweredoing，anditpresentlyboredustochaperonthem。
Afteragooddealoftalkingwearrivedataroughdivisionofduty，andIwentwiththemwalkingandeatinganddrinking，andforanythinginvolvinglatehours，andMrs。Marchpresidedatsuchthingsascarriageexercise，concerts，andshopping。
TherearenotmanypublicentertainmentsatSaratoga，exceptsuchasthehotelssupply；butaseriesofSalvationArmymeetingsdiddutyasamusements，andtherewasonetheatricalperformance——aperformanceofEastLynneentirelybypeopleofcolour。Thesentimentsandincidentsoftheheart-breakingmelodrama，asthecolouredmindinterpretedthem，wereofverycuriouseffect。Itwasasiftheversionweredyedwiththesamepigmentthatdarkenedtheplayers'skins:itallcameoutnegro。Yettheyhadtriedtomakeitwhite；Icouldperceivehowtheyaimednotattheimitationofournature，butattheimitationofourconvention；itwasliketheplayofchildreninthat。Ishouldhavesaidthatnothingcouldbemorefalsethanthemotivesandemotionsofthedramaastheauthorimaginedthem，butIhadtoownthattheirrenditionbythesesinceresoulswasyetmoreartificial。Therewasnothingtraditional，nothingarchaic，nothingautochthonicintheirpoorart。Ifthescenecouldatanymomenthaveresolvedmyselfintoawalk-round，withaninterspersionofspirituals，itwouldhavehadthecharmofthese；itwouldhaveconsoledandedified；butasitwasIhaveseldombeensobored。Ibegantomakesomesadreflections，asthatourAmericansociety，initsendeavourfortheeffectofEuropeansociety，wasofnotrueridealthanthesecolouredcomedians，andIaccusedmyselfofafinalabsurdityinhavingcometherewiththeseyoungpeople，who，accordingtoourgoodnativeusage，couldhavecomeperfectlywellwithoutme。AttheendofthefirstactIbrokeintotheirtalkwithmyconclusionthatwemustnotcountthehistrionictalentamongthegiftsoftheAfricanracejustyet。Wecouldconcedethemmusic，Isupposed，andthereseemedtobehopeforthem，fromwhattheyhadsomeofthemdone，intheregionoftheplasticarts；butapparentlythestagewasnotforthem，andthiswasallthestrangerbecausetheyweresoimitative。Perhaps，Isaid，itwasanexcessofself-consciousnesswhichpreventedtheirgivingthemselveswhollytotheart，andI
begantospeakofthesubjectiveandtheobjective，oftherealandtheideal；andwhetheritwasthatIbecameunintelligibleasI
becamemetaphysical，IfoundKendricksobviouslynotfollowingmeintheincoherentreplieshegave。MissGagehadhonestlymadenoattempttofollowme。Heasked，Why，didn'tIthinkitwasprettywelldone？Theyhadenjoyeditverymuch，hesaid。Icouldonlystareinanswer，andwonderwhathadbecomeoftheman'stastesorhisprinciples；hewaseitherhumbugginghimselforhewashumbuggingme。AfterthatIleftthemalone，andsufferedthroughtherestoftheplaywithwhatreliefIcouldgetfromlaughingwhenthepatheticemotionsofthedramabecametoopoignant。IdecidedthatKendrickswasabsorbedinthestudyofhiscompanion'smind，whichmustbeopentohiscontemporaneouseyeasitcouldneverhavebeentomyold-sightedglasses，andIenviedhimtheknowledgehewasgainingofthattypeofAmericangirl。Itsuddenlycametomethathemustbefindinghisaccountinthis，andIfeltalittlelessregretforthewasteofcivilities，ofattentions，whichsometimesseemedtomebeyondherappreciation。
I，formypart，gavemyselftothestudyofthetypesaboutme，andIdweltlongandluxuriouslyuponthevisionofafloridandmassivematronindiaphanouseveningdress，whomIimaginedtoberevisitingtheglimpsesofhergirlhoodintheancientwatering-place，andtobegettingallthegaietyshecouldoutofit。ThesearethefiguresonemostlyseesatSaratoga；thereisverylittleyouthofthepresentdaythere，buttheyouthofthepastabounds，withthebelatedyellowhairandthepurplemoustaches，whichgaveanotionofgreaterwickednessinaformergeneration。
Imademyobservationthatthedress，eveninextremecasesofelderlyprime，wasverygood——inthecaseofthewomen，Imean；thementhere，aseverywherewithus，weremostlyslovens；andIwasgladtofindthatthegoodtasteandthecorrectfashionwerewithoutacolour-line；thereweresomemulattoladiespresentasstylishastheirwhitesisters，orstep-sisters。
ThemostamiableofthehumanraceisingreatforceatSaratoga，wherethevasthotelserviceiswhollyinitshands，andithadhonouredtheeffortofthecomediansthatnightwithafullhouseoftheirowncomplexion。Wewhowerenotofitshowedstrangelyenoughinthedarkmass，wholetusleadtheapplause，however，asifdoubtfulthemselveswhereitoughttocomein，andwhomIfoundwillingeventosharesomemisplacedlaughterofmine。Theyformedtwo-thirdsoftheaudienceonthefloor，andtheywereacloudinthegallery，scarcelybrokenbyagleamofwhite。
Ientertainedmyselfwiththemagooddeal，andIthoughthowmuchmoredelightfultheywereintheirownkindlycharacterthanintheirassumptionofwhitecharacter，andItriedtodefinemysufferingfromtheperformanceasaneffectfrommytormentedsympathiesratherthanfrommyoffendedtastes。Whenthelongstresswasover，andweroseandstoodtoletthecrowdgetout，I
askedMissGageifshedidnotthinkthismustbethecase。Idonotsupposeshewasreallymuchmoreexperiencedinthetheatrethanthepeopleonthestage，someofwhomIdoubtedtohaveeverseenaplaytilltheytookpartinEastLynne。ButIthoughtIwouldaskherthatinordertohearwhatshewouldsay；andshesaidverysimplythatshehadseensofewplaysshedidnotknowwhattothinkofit，andIcouldseethatshewasabashedbythefact。Kendricksmusthaveseenittoo，forhebeganatoncetosaveherfromherself，withallhissubtlegenerosity，andtoturnhershametopraise。Myheart，whichremainedsufficientlycoldtoher，warmedmorethanevertohim，andIshouldhavelikedtotellherthatherewasthefinestandraresthumanporcelainusingitselflikecommonclayinherbehalf，andtodemandwhethershethoughtshewasworthit。
Ididnotthinkshewas，andIhadaluridmomentwhenIwastemptedtopushonandmakehershowherselfsomehowatherworst。Wehadundertakenapreposterousthinginbefriendingheraswehaddone，andourcourseinbringingKendricksinwaswhollyunjustifiable。
HowcouldIleadherontosomebetrayalofheressentialPhilistinism，andmakehersoimpossibleinhiseyesthatevenhe，withallhissweetnessandgoodness，musttakethefirsttrainfromSaratogainthemorning？
Wehadofcoursejoinedthecrowdinpushingforward；peoplealwaysdo，thoughtheypromisethemselvestowaittillthelastoneisout。
Igotcaughtinadarkeddyonthefirststair-landing；butIcouldseethemfartherdown，andIknewtheywouldwaitformeoutsidethedoor。
WhenIreacheditatlasttheywerenowheretobeseen；Ilookedupthisstreetanddownthat，buttheywerenotinsight。
CHAPTERXII
Ididnotafflictmyselfverymuch，norpretendtodoso。Theyknewthewayhome，andafterIhadblunderedaboutinsearchofthemthroughthelampshotdarkness，Isettledmyselftowalkbackatmyleisure，comfortablysurethatIshouldfindthemontheverandahwaitingformewhenIreachedthehotel。Itwasquiteathicknight，andIalmostranintoacoupleatacornerofourquieterstreetwhenIhadgottoitoutofBroadway。Theyseemedtobestandingandlookingabout，andwhenthemansaid，"Hemusthavethoughtwetookthefirstturn，"andthewoman，"Yes，thatmusthavebeentheway，"Irecognisedmyestrays。
IthoughtIwouldnotdiscovermyselftothem，butfollowon，andsurprisethembyarrivingatourstepsatthesamemomenttheydid，andIpreparedmyselftohurryafterthem。Buttheyseemedinnohurry，andIhadevensomedifficultyinaccommodatingmypacetotheslownessoftheirs。
"Won'tyoutakemyarm，MissGage？"heaskedastheymovedon。
"It'ssoVERYdark，"sheanswered，andIknewshehadtakenit。"I
canhardlyseeastep，andpoorMr。Marchwithhisglasses——Idon'tknowwhathe'lldo。"
"Oh，heonlyusesthemtoreadwith；hecanseeaswellaswecaninthedark。"
"He'sveryyounginhisfeelings，"saidthegirl；"heputsmeinmindofmyownfather。"
"He'sveryyounginhisthoughts，"saidKendricks；"andthat'smuchmoretothepurposeforamagazineeditor。Thereareveryfewmenofhisagewhokeepintouchwiththetimesashedoes。"
"Still，Mrs。Marchseemsagooddealyounger，don'tyouthink？I
wonderhowsoontheybegintofeelold？"
"Oh，nottillalongintheforties，Ishouldsay。It'sagooddealintemperament。Idon'tsupposethateitherofthemrealisesyetthatthey'reold，andtheymustbenearlyfifty。"
"Howstrangeitmustbe，"saidthegirl，"fiftyyearsold!Twentyseemsoldenough，goodnessknows。"
"Howshouldyouliketobeadotardoftwenty-seven？"Kendricksasked，andshelaughedathisjoke。
"Idon'tsupposeIshouldminditsomuchifIwereaman。"
IhadpromisedmyselfthatifthetalkbecameatallconfidentialI
woulddropbehindoutofearshot；butthoughitwascuriouslyintimateformetobeputapartinthemindsoftheseyoungpeopleonaccountofmyyearsasnotofthesameraceorfateasthemselves，therewasnothinginwhattheysaidthatImightnotinnocentlyoverhear，asfarastheywereconcerned，andIlistenedon。
Buttheyhadapparentlygivenmequiteenoughattention。Aftersomemutuallaughteratwhatshesaidlast，theyweresilentamoment，andthenhesaidsoberly，"There'ssomethingfineinthisisolationthedarkgivesyou，isn'tthere？You'reasremoteinitfromourowntimeandplaceasifyouwerewanderingininterplanetaryspace。"
"IsupposeweAREdoingthatallthetime——ontheearth，"shesuggested。
"Yes；buthowharditistorealisethatweareontheearthnow。
SometimesIhaveasenseofit，though，whenthemoonbreaksfromoneflyingcloudtoanother。ThenitseemsasifIwereapassengeronsomevast，shapelessshipsailingthroughtheair。What，"heasked，withnorelevancythatIcouldperceive，"wasthestrangestfeelingYOUeverhad？"IrememberedaskinggirlssuchquestionswhenIwasyoung，andtheirnotapparentlythinkingitatallodd。
"Idon'tknow，"shereturnedthoughtfully。"TherewasonetimewhenIwaslittle，andithadsleeted，andthesuncameoutjustbeforeitset，andseemedtosetallthewoodsonfire。Ithoughttheworldwasburningup。"
"Itmusthavebeenveryweird，"saidKendricks；andIthought，"Oh，goodheavens!Hashegottotalkingofweirdthings？"
"It'sstrange，"headded，"howweallhavethatbeliefwhenwearechildrenthattheworldisgoingtoburnup!Idon'tsupposeanychildescapesit。DoyourememberthatpoemofThompson's——theCityofDreadfulNightman——wherehedescribestheendoftheworld？"
"No，Ineverreadit。"
"Well，merely，hesayswhentheconflagrationbeganthelittleflameslookedlikecrocusesbreakingthroughthesod。IfiteverhappenedIfancyitwouldbequiteassimpleasthat。Butperhapsyoudon'tlikegloomypoetry？"
'Yes，yes，Ido。It'stheonlykindthatIcareabout。"
"Thenyouhatefunnypoetry？"
"Ithinkit'sdisgusting。Papaisalwayscuttingitoutofthepapersandwantingtosendittome，andwehavethegreatestTIMES!"
"Isuppose，"saidKendricks，"itexpressessomemoods，though。"
"Ohyes；itexpressessomemoods；andsometimesitmakesmelaughinspiteofmyself，andashamedofanythingserious。"
"That'salwaystheeffectofafarcewithme。"
"ButthenI'mashamedofbeingashamedafterward，"saidthegirl。
"IsupposeyougotothetheatreagreatdealinNewYork。"
"It'saschooloflife，"saidKendricks。"Imeantheaudience。"
"Iwouldliketogototheoperaonce。Iamgoingtomakepapatakemeinthewinter。"Shelaughedwithagaysenseofpower，andhesaid-
"Youseemtobegreatfriendswithyourfather。"
"Yes，we'realwaystogether。Ialwayswenteverywherewithhim；
thisisthefirsttimeI'vebeenawaywithouthim。ButIthoughtI'dcomewithMrs。DeeringandseewhatSaratogawaslike；Ihadneverbeenhere。"
"Andisitlikewhatyouthought？"
"No。Thefirstweekwedidn'tdoanything。ThenwegotacquaintedwithMr。andMrs。March，andIbegantoreallyseesomething。ButI
supposeditwasallballsandgaiety。"
"Wemustgetupafewifyou'resofondofthem，"Kendricksplayfullysuggested。
"Oh，Idon'tknowasIam。Ineverwentmuchathome。Papadidn'tcaretohaveme。"
"Ah，doyouthinkitwasrightforhimtokeepyoualltohimself？"
Thegirldidnotanswer，andtheyhadbothhaltedsoabruptlythatI
almostranintothem。"Idon'tquitemakeoutwhereweare。"
Kendricksseemedtobepeeringabout。Iplungedacrossthestreetlestheshouldaskme。Iheardhimadd，"Ohyes；Iknownow，"andthentheypressedforward。