Andnow，"sheadded，"Iwantyoutotellmeeverythingthathappenedthisevening。Don'tomitaword，oralook，oramotion。Iwishtoproceedintelligently。"
　　IhopeIwasaccurateinthehistoryofthehopwhichIgaveMrs。
　　March；IamsureIwasfull。Ithinkmyaccountmaybejustlydescribedashavingacreativetruthfulness，ifnoothermerit。I
　　hadreallynowishtoconcealanythingexceptthefactthatIhadnot，inmyutterhelplessness，eventriedtogetMissGageanyotherpartners。Butinthelargerinterestofthepresentsituation，Mrs。
　　Marchseemedtohavelostthesenseofmyderelictioninthisrespect。Shemerelyasked，"Anditwasafteryouwentbacktotheparlour，justbeforeyoucamehome，thatyouwrotethosenamesonhercard？"
　　"Kendrickswrotehalfofthem，"Isaid。
　　"Idaresay。Well，itwasveryamusing，andifthecircumstancesweredifferent，Icouldhaveenteredintothespiritofittoo。Butyouseeyourself，Basil，thatwecan'tletthisaffairgoanyfurtherwithoutdealingfranklywithher。YOUcan'tspeaktoher，and_I_MUST。Don'tyousee？"
　　IsaidthatIsaw，butIhadsuddenlyawildwishthatitwerepracticableformetospeaktoMissGage。Ishouldhavelikedtohaveapeepintoagirl'sheartatjustsuchamoment，whenitmustbequiveringwiththeunconfessedsenseoflove，andtheconfidenthopeofbeingloved，butwhileasyetnothingwasassured，nothingwasascertained。Ifitwouldnothavebeenshocking，ifitwouldnothavebeensacrilegious，itwouldhavebeeninfinitelyinteresting，andfromanaestheticpointofviewinfinitelyimportant。IthoughtthatIshouldhavebeenwillingtoundergoalltheembarrassmentofsuchaninquiryforthesakeofitspreciousresults，ifithadbeenatallpossible；butIacquiescedthatitwouldnotbepossible。IfeltthatIwasgettingoffprettylightlynottohaveitbroughthometomeagainthatIwasthecauseofallthistrouble，andthatifithadnotbeenformetherewouldhavebeen，asfarasMrs。Marchwasconcerned，noMissGage，andnolove-
　　affairofherstodealwith。IdebatedinmymindamomentwhetherIhadbetterurgehertoletmespeaktoKendricksafterall；butI
　　forbore，andinthemorningIwaitedaboutinmuchperturbation，afterIhadsentMissGagetoher，untilIcouldknowtheresultoftheirinterview。WhenIsawthegirlcomeawayfromherroom，whichshedidrathertrippingly，Iwenttoher，andfoundherbynomeansthewreckIhadexpectedtheordealtoleaveher。
　　"DidyoumeetMissGage？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，"Ireturned，withtremulousexpectation。
　　"Well，don'tyouthinkshelooksperfectlydivineinthatgown？
　　It'soneofMme。Cody's，andwegotitforthirtydollars。ItwouldhavebeenfiftyinNewYork，anditwas，here，earlierintheseason。Ishallalwayscomehereforsomeofmythings；assoonastheseason'salittlepasttheysimplyFLINGthemaway。Well，mydear!"
　　"Well，what？"
　　"Ididn'tspeaktoherafterall。"
　　"Youdidn't!Don'tyouthinkshe'sinlovewithhim，then？"
　　"Dead。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Well，Icouldn'tsomehowseemtoapproachthesubjectasIhadexpectedto。Shewassohappy，andsogood，andsoperfectlyobedient，thatIcouldn'tgetanythingtotakeholdof。Yousee，I
　　didn'tknowbutshemightbealittlerebellious，orresentfulofmyinterference；butinthelittlegingerlyattemptsIdidmakeshewassosubmissive，don'tyouunderstand？AndshewasverymodestaboutMr。Kendricks'attentions，andsoself-depreciatorythat，well——"
　　"Lookhere，Isabel，"Ibrokein，"thisisprettyshamelessofyou。
　　Youpretendtobeinthegreatestkindoffidgeaboutthisgirl；andyoumakemelieawakeallnightthinkingwhatyou'regoingtosaytoher；andnowyouasmuchastellmeyouweresofascinatedwiththemodestwayshewasinlovethatyoucouldn'tsayanythingtoheragainstbeinginloveonourhandsinanysortofway。Doyoucallthisbusiness？"
　　"Well，Idon'tcareifIDIDencourageher——"
　　"Oh，youevenencouragedher!"
　　"IDIDN'Tencourageher。ImerelypraisedMr。Kendricks，andsaidhowmuchyouthoughtofhimasawriter。"
　　"Oh!thenyougavethesubjectaliterarycast。Isee!DoyouthinkMissGagewasabletofollowyou？"
　　"Thatdoesn'tmatter。"
　　"Andwhatdoyouproposetodonow？"
　　"Iproposetodonothing。IthinkthatIhavedoneallmydutyrequires，andthatnowIcanleavethewholeaffairtoyou。Itwasyouraffairinthebeginning。Idon'tseewhyIshouldworrymyselfaboutit。"
　　"Itseemstomethatthisisaverystrangepositionforaladytotakewhowasnotgoingtocloseaneyelastnightinviewofasituationwhichhasnotchangedintheleast，exceptfortheworse。
　　Don'tyouthinkyouareratherculpablylight-heartedallofasudden？"
　　"Iamlight-hearted，butifthereisanyculpabilityitisyours，Basil。"
　　Ireflected，butIfailedtofindanynoveltyinthefact。"Verywell，then；whatdoyouproposethatIshoulddo？"
　　"Ileavethatentirelytoyourownconscience。"
　　"Andifmyconsciencehasnosuggestiontomake？"
　　"That'syouraffair。"
　　Ireflectedagain，andthenIsaid，morethananythingtomakeheruncomfortable，I'mafraid:"Ifeelperfectlyeasyinmyconscience，personally，butIhaveasocialdutyinthematter，andIhopeI
　　shallperformitwithmorefidelityandcouragethanyouhaveshown。
　　IshallspeaktoKendricks。"
　　Shesaid:"Thatisjustwhatyououghttodo。I'mquitesurprised。"Afterthistouchofironysheaddedearnestly，"AndI
　　dohope，mydear，youwillusejudgmentinspeakingtohim，andtact。Youmustn'tgoatitbluntly。RememberthatMr。Kendricksisnotatalltoblame。Hebegantoshowherattentiontoobligeus，andifshehasfalleninlovewithhimitisourfault。"
　　"Ishallhandlehimwithoutgloves，"Isaid。"Ishalltellhimhehadbettergoaway。"
　　Iwasjoking，butshesaidseriously，"Yes；hemustgoaway。AndI
　　don'tenvyyouhavingtotellhim。Isupposeyouwillbungleit，ofcourse。"
　　"Well，then，youmustadviseme，"Isaid；andwereallybegantoconsiderthequestion。Wecouldhardlyexaggeratethedifficultyanddelicacyofthedutybeforeme。WerecognisedthatbeforeI
　　madeanyexplicitdemandofhimImustfirstascertainthenatureofthewholegroundandthenbegovernedbythefacts。ItwouldbesimpleenoughifIhadmerelytosaythatwethoughtthegirl'saffectionswerebecomingengaged，andthenappealtohiseagergenerosity，hisdelicatemagnanimity；buttherewerepossiblecomplicationsonhissidewhichmustberegarded。Iwastoascertain，weconcluded，theexactnatureofthesituationbeforeI
　　venturedtosayanythingopenly。IwastomakemyapproachesbyaseriesofambushesbeforeIunmaskedmypurpose，andperhapsImustnotunmaskitatall。AsIsetoffonmymission，whichmustbeginwithfindingKendricksathishotel，Mrs。Marchsaidshepitiedme。
　　ShecalledmebacktoaskwhetherIthoughtIhadreallybetterdoanything。Then，asIshowedsignsofweakening，shedrovemefromherwith，"Yes，yes!Youmust!Youmust!"
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　ItwasstillsoearlythatIhadmydoubtswhetherIshouldfindKendricksupafterthelastnight'srevelry，buthemetmehalf-waybetweenourhotelandhis。HesaidhewascomingtoseehowMrs。
　　MarchwasbearingMissGage'simmensesuccessattheball；butperhapsthiswasnothissolemotive。Heaskedfranklyhowtheyoungladywas，andwhetherIthoughtMrs。Marchwouldconsideralunchatarestaurantbythelakeagoodnotion。WhenIsaidIhadverylittledoubtshewould，andproposedtakingaturnintheparkbeforeIwentbackwithhim，helookedathiswatchandlaughed，andsaidhesupposeditWASratherearlyyet，andcameverywillinglywithme。
　　Wehadtheprettyplacealmosttoourselvesatthathour。Therewereahalf-dozenorsonursemaids，pushingtheirperambulatorsabout，orstandingthevehiclesacrossthewalkinfrontofthebencheswheretheysat，inthesimplebeliefofallpeoplewhohavetodowithbabiesthattherestoftheworldmaybefitlydiscommodedintheirbehalf。Buttheydidnotactivelymolestus，andtheyscarcelycircumscribedourchoiceofseats。Wewerebynomeansdriventothelittlekioskinthelakeforthem，andIshouldrathersaythatwewerefatefullyledthere，soaptweretheassociationsoftheplacetomypurpose。NothingcouldhavebeenmorenaturalthanthatIshouldsay，aswesatdownthere，"ThiswaswhereIfirstsawMissGagewithherfriends"；anditwasbyaperfectlynaturaltransitionthatIshouldgoontospeak，inasemi-humorousstrain，oftheresponsibilitywhichMrs。Marchandmyselfhadincurredbylettingoursympathyforherrunawaywithus。IsaidIsupposedthatifwehadnotbeenwillingfromthefirsttotrytorealiseforhersomeoftheexpectationsweimaginedshehadincomingtoSaratoga，sheneverwouldhavefallentoourcharge；thatpeoplereallybroughtagreatmanymorethingsuponthemselvesthantheywerewillingtoown；andthatfatewasperhapsmorethefulfilmentofourtacitambitionsthanourovertacts。
　　Thisbitofphilosophy，whichIconfessIthoughtfine，didnotseemtoimpressKendricks。Hemerelysaidthatitmustbegreatfuntohavethechanceofbafflingthemaliceofcircumstanceinacaselikethat，andIperceivedthathefeltnothingcomplexinthesituation。Infact，Idoubtwhetheryouthperceivesanythingcomplexinlife。Totheyoung，lifeisaveryplaincase。Tobesure，theyaremuchmorealarmedthantheireldersatgettingtangledupinitswebattimes，butthatisbecausetheyhavenothadourexperienceingettinguntangled，andthinktheyarenevergoingtogetoutalive。Whentheydo，theythinkthatitistheonlytangletheyareevergoingtobein，anddonotknowthattheyaresimplygoingonfromonetoanotheraslongasthereisenoughofthemlefttobecaughtinamesh。ToKendricksweMarchesweresimplytwoamiablepeople，whohadfancieddoingapleasantthingforabeautifulgirlthataccidenthadthrownitinourpowertobefriend，andwerebynomeansthetremblingarbitersofherdestinywefeltourselvestobe。Thedifferencebetweenhisobjectivesenseandmysubjectivesensewasthedifferencebetweenhistwenty-sevenyearsandmyfifty-two，andwhilethisremainedIsawthatitwouldbeuselesstotrytogetoncommongroundwithhim，ortogivehimourpointofview。IfIweretospeaktohimatall，itmustbewithauthority，withtherightofonewhostoodintheplaceofthegirl'sparents，andhadherhappinessatheart。Thatis，itwassomethinglikethat；butmywordssayittoobluntly。Ifoundmyselfbeginning，"Ihaveratherhadanotionthatherfathermightcomeon，andtaketheenterpriseoffourhands，"though，totellthetruth，Ihadneverimaginedsuchathing，whichcameintomyheadatthatmomentthroughanassociationwiththethoughtofparents。
　　"Haveyouanyideawhatsortofmanheis？"askedKendricks。
　　"Oh，somelittlelocalmagnate，presidentofthevillageandpresidentofthevillagebank；Ifancythechieffigureintheplace，butprobablyasignorantofourworldasaCherokee。"
　　"Well，Idon'tknow，"saidtheyoungfellow。"Doyouthinkthatfollowsbecausehedoesn'tliveinit？"IcouldseethathedidnotquitelikewhatIhadsaid。"Isupposeoursisratherasmallworld。"
　　"Thesmallestofallworlds，"Ianswered。"AndintheeyesofPapaGage，iftheycouldoncebefocuseduponit，ourworldwouldshriveltoanatom。"
　　"Doyouthink，"heasked，withamanifestanxiety，"thatitwouldinhers？"
　　"No；sheisnottheAmericanpeople，andherfatheris，asIfancyhim。ImakeoutfromthevaguehintsthatBrotherDeeringasFulkersonwouldcallhimdroppedwhenhetalkedabouthimthatPapaGageisashrewd，practical，home-keepingbusinessman，withaneyesingletothemainchance，lavish，butnotgenerous，Philistinetothebackbone，blindlydevotedtohisdaughter，andcontemptuousofallthemyriadmysteriesofcivilisationthathedoesn'tunderstand。
　　Idon'tknowwhyIshouldbeauthorisedtoimaginehimpersonallylongandlank，withpossiblyatobaccohabitofsomesort。Hisnaturalhistory，uponnobetterauthority，isthatofahard-headedfarmer，whofoundoutthatfarmingcouldneverbemorethanalivelihood，andcameintothevillage，andbegantolendmoney，andgetgain，tillhewasinapositiontohelpfoundtheDeWittPointNationalBank，andthen，byweightofhismoneyedsolidity，imposedhimselfuponthefreeandindependentvotersofthevillage——amajorityofthemundermortgagetohim——andbecameitspresident。
　　Itisn'tapleasanttype，butit'sideallyAmerican。"
　　"Yes，"saidKendricksruefully。
　　"Buthisdaughter，"Icontinued，"isprobablyaltogetherdifferent。
　　Thereissomethingfineabouther——reallyfine。Ourworldwouldn'tshrivelinhereye；itwouldprobablyswellupandfilltheuniverse，"Iaddedbyanimpulsethatcamefromnowhereirresistiblyuponme:"thatis，ifshecouldseeYOUinit。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"heaskedwithastart。
　　"Oh，nowImusttellyouwhatImean，"Isaiddesperately。"It'syouthathavecomplicatedthiscasesodreadfullyforus。Can'tyouthinkwhy？"
　　"No，Ican't，"hesaid；buthehadtosaythat。
　　Hisfine，sensitivefaceflamedatoncesofire-redthatitcouldonlyturnpaleforachangewhenIplungedon:"I'mafraidwe'vetrifledwithherhappiness"；andthisformulationofthecasedisgustedmesomuchthatIlaughedwildly，andadded，"unlesswe'vetrifledwithyours，too。"
　　"Idon'tknowwhyyoucallittriflingwithhappiness，"hereturnedwithdignity，butwithoutoffence。"Ifyouwillleaveheroutofthequestion，IwillsaythatyouhavegivenmethegreatesthappinessofmylifeinintroducingmetoMissGage。"
　　"Now，"Idemanded，"mayIaskwhatYOUmean？YouknowIwouldn'tifIdidn'tfeelboundforhersake，andifyouhadn'tsaidjustwhatyouhavesaid。Youneedn'tanswermeunlessyoulike!It'spleasanttoknowthatyou'venotbeenbored，andMrs。MarchandI
　　areinfinitelyobligedtoyouforhelpingusout。"
　　Kendricksmadeasifheweregoingtosaysomething，andthenhedidnot。HehunghisheadlowerandlowerinthesilencewhichIhadtobreakforhim——"IhopeIhaven'tbeenintrusive，mydearfellow。
　　ThisissomethingIfeltboundtospeakof。Youknowwecouldn'tletitgoon。Mrs。MarchandIhaveblamedourselvesagooddeal，andwecouldn'tletitgoon。ButI'mafraidIhaven'tbeenasdelicatewithyou——"
　　"Oh!delicate!"Heliftedhisheadandflashedafaceofgenerousself-reproachuponme。"It's_I_thathaven'tbeendelicatewithYOU。I'vebeenmonstrouslyindelicate。ButInevermeanttobe，and——and——Iwascomingtoseeyoujustnowwhenwemet——toseeyou——
　　MissGage——andaskher——tellherthatwe——I——musttellyouandMrs。
　　March——Mr。March!AtthehoplastnightIaskedhertobemywife，andassoonasshecanhearfromherfather——ButthefirstthingwhenIwokethismorning，IsawthatImusttellMrs。Marchandyou。
　　Andyou——youmustforgiveus——orme，rather；foritwasmyfault——
　　fornottellingyoulastnight——atonce——oh，thankyou!thankyou!"
　　Ihadseizedhishand，andwaswringingitvehementlyinexpressionofmypleasureinwhathehadtoldme。InthatfirstmomentIfeltnothingbutpurejoyandanimmeasurablerelief。Idrewmybreath，averydeepandfullone，inasudden，absolutefreedomfromanxietieswhichhadbeennonethelessrealandconstantbecausesooftenburlesqued。Afterwardconsiderationspresentedthemselvestoalloymyrapture，butforthatmoment，asIsay，itwasnothingbutrapture。Therewasnoquestioninitofthelovers'fitnessforeachother，oftheiracceptabilitytotheirrespectivefamilies，oftheirgeneralconduct，oroftheirespecialbehaviourtowardus。
　　AllthatIcouldrealisewasthatitwasagreatescapeforbothofus，andagreattriumphforme。IhadbeenafraidthatIshouldnothavethecouragetospeaktoKendricksofthematteratall，muchlessaskhimtogoaway；andhereIhadactuallyspokentohim，withthesplendidresultthatIneedonlycongratulatehimonhisengagementtotheladywhoseunrequitedaffectionsIhadbeenwishinghimtospare。Idon'trememberjustthetermsIusedindoingthis，buttheyseemedsatisfactorytoKendricks；probablyarepetitionofthelettersofthealphabetwouldhavebeenequallyacceptable。AtlastIsaid，"Well，nowImustgoandtellthegreatnewstoMrs。March，"andIshookhandswithhimagain；wehadbeenshakinghandsathalf-minutelyintervalseversincethefirsttime。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　IsawMrs。Marchwaitingformeonthehotelverandah。Sheworeherbonnet，andshewarnedmenottoapproach，andthenrandowntomeetme。
　　"Well，mydear，"shesaid，asshepushedherhandthroughmyarmandbegantopropelmeawayfromthesightandhearingofpeopleonthepiazza，"Ihopeyoudidn'tmakeafoolofyourselfwithKendricks。
　　They'reengaged!"
　　Sheapparentlyexpectedmetobeprostratedbythisstroke。"Yes，"
　　Isaidverycoolly；"Iwasjustcomingtotellyou。"
　　"Howdidyouknowit？Whotoldyou？DidKendricks？Idon'tbelieveit!"shecriedinanexcitementnotunmixedwithresentment。
　　"Noonetoldme，"Isaid。"Isimplydivinedit。"
　　Shedidn'tmindthatforamoment。"Well，I'mgladhehadthegracetodoso，andIhopehediditbeforeyouaskedhimanyleadingquestions。"Withoutwaitingtohearwhetherthiswassoornot，shewenton，withanemphasisonthenextwordthatalmostblotteditoutofthelanguage，"SHEcamebacktomealmosttheinstantyouweregone，andtoldmeeverything。Shesaidshewantedtotellmelastnight，butshehadn'tthecourage，andthismorning，whenshesawthatIwasbeginningtohintuptoMr。Kendricksalittle，shehadn'tthecourageatall。Isentherstraightofftotelegraphforherfather。Sheisbehavingsplendidly。Andnow，whatarewegoingtodo？"
　　"Whattherestoftheworldis——nothing。Itseemstomethatweareoutofthestory，mydear。Atanyrate，Ishan'tattempttocompetewithMissGageinsplendidbehaviour，andIhopeyouwon't。Itwouldbesoeasyforus。IwonderwhatPapaGageisgoingtobelike。"
　　Ifeltmythrillofapprehensionimpartitselftoher。"Yes!"shegasped；"whatifheshouldn'tlikeit？"
　　"Well，then，that'shisaffair。"ButIdidnotfeelsolightlyaboutitasIspoke，andfromtimetotimeduringthedayIwasovertakenwithacolddismayatthethoughtoftheunknownquantityintheproblem。
　　Whenwereturnedtothehotelafteratouroftheblock，wesawKendricksinourcorneroftheverandahwithMissGage。Theywerebothlaughingconvulsively，andtheyrandowntomeetusinyetwilderthroesofmerriment。
　　"We'vejustbeencomparingnotes，"hesaid，"andattheverymomentwhenIwastellingyou，Mr。March，JuliawastellingMrs。March。"
　　"Wonderfulcaseoftelepathy，"Imocked。
　　"GiveittothePsychicalResearch。"
　　Theybothseemedalittledaunted，andMissGagesaid，"IknowMr。
　　Marchdoesn'tlikethewaywe'vedone。"
　　"Likeit!"criedMrs。March，contrivingtoshakemealittlewiththehandshestillhadinmyarm。"Ofcoursehelikesit。Hewasjustsayingyouhadbehavedsplendidly。HesaidHEwouldn'tattempttocompetewithyou。Butyoumustn'tregardhimintheleast。"
　　IadmiredtheskillwithwhichIsabelsavedherconscienceinthisstatementtoomuchtodisputeit；andIsupposethatwhatevershehadsaid，MissGagewouldhavebeenreassured。Icannotparticularlypraisethewisdomofherbehaviourduringthatday，or，forthematterofthat，thebehaviourofKendrickseither。Theidealthingwouldhavebeenforhimtokeepawaynowtillherfathercame，butitseemedtomethathewasaboutunderourfeetallthewhile，andthatshe，sofarfrommakinghimremainathisownhotel，encouragedhimtopassthetimeatours。Withoutconsultingme，Mrs。Marchaskedhimtostaytodinnerafterhehadstayedalltheforenoon，andhemadethisapretextforspendingtheafternooninourcorneroftheverandah。ShemademegiveituptohimandMissGage，sothattheycouldbealonetogether，thoughImustsaytheydidnotseemtomindusagreatdealwhenwewerepresent；hewasalwaysleaningonthebackofherchair，orsittingnextherwithhishanddanglingoveritinamannerthatmademesick。IwonderedifIwaseversuchanassasthat，andIquitelosttherespectforKendricks'sgoodsenseandgoodtastewhichhadbeenthegroundofmylikingforhim。
　　Ifeltmyselfwithdrawnfromtheaffairfartherandfartherinsympathy，sinceithadnowpassedbeyondmycontrol；andIresentedthestrainoftheresponsibilitywhichIhadthrownoff，Ifound，onlyforamoment，andmustcontinuetosufferuntilthegirl'sfatherappearedandfinallyrelievedme。TheworstwasthatIhadtobearitalone。ItwasimpossibletodetachMrs。March'sinterestfromMissGage，asagirlwhohadbeenmadeloveto，longenoughtoenablehertorealiseherasadaughterwithfilialtiesandduties。
　　Shedidtryinaperfunctorywaytodoit，butIcouldseethatshenevergavehermindtoit。Icouldnotevenmakehersharemysenseofmyownculpability，athingshewasonlytoowillingtodoinmostmatters。SheadmittedthatitwasabsurdformetohaveletmyfancyplayaboutthegirlwhenIfirstsawheruntilwefeltthatI
　　mustdosomethingforher；butIcouldnotgethertoownthatwehadbothactedpreposterouslyinlettingMrs。DeeringleaveMissGageinourcharge。Inthefirstplace，shedeniedthatshehadbeenleftinourcharge。Shehadsimplybeenleftinthehotelwherewewerestaying，andweshouldhavebeenperfectlyfreetodonothingforher。ButwhenKendricksturnedupsounexpectedly，itwasquitenaturalweshouldaskhimtobepolitetoher。Mrs。Marchsawnothingstrangeinallthat。WhatwasIworryingabout？Whatshehadbeenafraidofwasthathehadnotbeeninlovewiththegirlwhenshewassoclearlyinlovewithhim。Butnow!
　　"Andsupposeherfatherdoesn'tlikeit!"
　　"NotlikeMr。Kendricks!"Shestaredatme，andIcouldseehowinfatuatedshewas。
　　Iwasmyselfalwayscharmedwiththeyoungfellow。Hewasnotonlygoodandgenerousandhandsome，andclever——Ineverthoughthimafirst-classtalent——buthewasbeautifullywellbred，andhewasverywellborn，asthosethingsgowithus。Thatis，hecameofpeoplewhohadnotdonemuchofanythingforageneration，andhadacquiredmeritwiththemselvesforit。Theywerenotveryrich，buttheyhadarighttothinkthathemighthavedonenothing，ordonesomethingbetterthanliterature；andIwishIcouldsetforthexactlytheterms，tacitandexplicit，inwhichhismotherandsisterscondonedhisderelictiontomeatareceptionwherehepresentedmetothem。Invirtueofhiswishtodosomething，hehadbecomeahumanbeing，andtheycouldnotquitefollowhim；buttheywereverypoliteintoleratingme，andtryingtomakemefeelthatI
　　wasnotatallodd，thoughhewassoqueerinbeingproudofwritingformypaper，astheycalledit。HewassounlikethemallthatI
　　likedhimmorethaneveraftermeetingthem。Still，Icouldimagineafondfather，asIimaginedMissGage'sfathertobe，objectingtohim，onsomegroundsatleast，tillheknewhim，andMrs。Marchapparentlycouldnotimagineeventhis。
　　IdonotknowwhyIshouldhaveprefiguredMissGage'sfatherastallandlank。Shewasnotherselfsoverytall，thoughshewasrathertallthanshort，andthoughshewasratheroftheDianaorgirlishtypeofgoddess，shewasbynomeanslank。YetitwasinthisshapethatIhadalwaysthoughtofhim，perhapsthroughanobscureassociationwithhisfellow-villager，Deering。Ihadfanciedhimsaturnineofspirit，slovenlyofdress，andloungingofhabit，uponnoauthoritythatIcouldallege，andIwaswhollyunpreparedfortheneat，smallfigureofaman，verypreciseofmannerandscrupulousofaspect，whosaid，"Howdoyoudo，sir？I
　　hopeIseeyouwell，sir，"whenhisdaughterpresentedustoeachother，themorningaftertheeventfuldaydescribed，andheshookmyhandwithhisverysmall，dryhand。
　　Icouldnotmakeoutfromtheirmannerwitheachotherwhethertheyhadbeenspeakingofthegreatmatterinhandornot。IamratheratalossaboutpeopleofthatPhilistinemakeastowhattheirprocedurewillbeincircumstanceswhereIknowjustwhatpeopleofmyownsortofsophisticationwoulddo。Thesewouldcomestraightatthetrouble，butIfancythatwiththeothersorttheconventionisapreliminaryreserve。IfoundMr。Gagedisposedtoprolong，withmeatleast，adiscussionoftheweather，andtheaspectsofSaratoga，theeventsofhisjourneyfromDeWittPoint，andthehardshipofhavingtorideallthewaytoMooer'sJunctioninastage-coach。Ifeltmoreandmore，whilewebandiedthesefutilities，asifMr。Gagehadanoverduenoteofmine，andwaswaitingforme，sinceIcouldnotpayit，tomakesomepropositiontowarditsrenewal；andhedidreallytiremeoutatlast，sothatI
　　said，"Well，Mr。Gage，IsupposeMissGagehastoldyousomethingofthetremendoussituationthathasdevelopeditselfhere？"
　　IthoughtIhadbettergivetheaffairsuchsmilingcharacterasajocosetreatmentmightimpart，andthedrylittlemantwinkledupresponsivelysofarasmannerwasconcerned。"Well，yes，yes。
　　Therehasbeensometalkofitbetweenus，"andagainheleftthewordtome。
　　"Mrs。Marchurgedyourdaughtertosendforyouatoncebecausethatwastherightandfitthingtodo，andbecausewefeltthattheaffairhadnowquitetranscendedourpowers，suchastheywere，andnobodycouldreallycopewithitbutyourself。Ihopeyouwerenotundulyalarmedbythesummons？"
　　"Notatall。Shesaidinthedespatchthatshewasnotsick。IhadbeenanticipatingashortvisittoSaratogaforsomedays，andmybusinesswasinashapesothatIcouldleave。"
　　"Oh!"Isaidvaguely，"Iamveryglad。Mrs。Marchfelt，asIdid，thatcircumstanceshadgivenusacertainobligationinregardtoMissGage，andwewereanxioustodischargeitfaithfullyandtotheutmost。Weshouldhavewrittentoyou，summonedyou，before，ifwecouldhavesupposed——orbeensure；butyouknowthesethingsgoonsoobscurely，andweactedattheveryfirstpossiblemoment。I
　　wishyoutounderstandthat。Wetalkeditoveragreatdeal，andI
　　hopeyouwillbelievethatwestudiedthroughout——thatweweremostsolicitousfrombeginningtoendforMissGage'shappiness，andthatifwecouldhaveforeseenorimagined——ifwecouldhavetakenanysteps——Itrustyouwillbelieve——"Iwasfuriousatmyselfforbeingsoconfoundedlyapologetic，forIwasthinkingallthetimeofthebotherandafflictionwehadhadwiththegirl；andtheresatthatlittlewoodenimageacceptingmyself-inculpations，andapparentlydemandingmoreofme；butIcouldnothelpgoingoninthesamestrain:"Wefeltespeciallyboundinthematter，fromthefactthatMr。Kendrickswasapersonalfriendofours，whomweareveryfondof，andwebothareveryanxiousthatyoushouldnotsupposethatwepromoted，orthatwewerenotmostvigilant——thatwewereforamomentforgetfulofyourrightsinsuchanaffair——"
　　Istopped，andMr。Gagepassedhishandacrosshislittlemeagre，smilingmouth。
　　"Thenheisnotaconnectionofyours，Mr。March？"
　　"Blessme，no!"Isaidingreatrelief；"wearenotsoswellasthat。"AndItriedtogivehimsomenotionofKendricks'slocalquality，repeatingalistofagglutinatedNewYorksurnamestowhichhiswasmoreorlessaffiliated。Theyalwaysamuseme，thosenames，whichmorethananyintheworldgivethenotionofsocialstraining；butIdoubtiftheyaffectedtheimaginationofMr。Gage，eitherinthiswayorinthewayImeanlymeantthemtoaffecthim。
　　"Andwhatdidyousayhisbusinesswas？"heasked，withthatimplicationofapreviousstatementonyourpartwhichsomepeoplethinkitsoclevertomakewhentheyquestionyou。
　　Ialwayshateit，andIavengedmyselfbyansweringsimply，"Blessmysoul，hehasnobusiness!"andlettinghimtakeupthewordnowornot，asheliked。
　　"Thenheisamanofindependentmeans？"
　　Icouldnotresistanswering，"Independentmeans？Kendrickshasnomeanswhatever。"Buthavingdealtthisblow，Icouldadd，"I
　　believehismotherhassomemoney。Theyarepeoplewholivecomfortably"
　　"Thenhehasnoprofession？"askedMr。Gage，withalittlemorestringencyinhissmile。
　　"Idon'tknowwhetheryouwillcallitaprofession。Heisawriter。"
　　"Ah!"Mr。Gagesoftlybreathed。"Doeshewriteforyour——paper？"
　　InotedthatastotheliterarytechnicalitiesheseemednottobemuchmoreignorantthanKendricks'sownfamily，andIsaid，tolerantly，"Yes；hewritesforourmagazine。"
　　"Magazine——yes；Ibegyourpardon，"heinterrupted。
　　"Andforanyotherswherehecanplacehismaterial。"
　　ThisapparentlydidnotconveyanyveryluminousideatoMr。Gage'smind，andheaskedafteramoment，"Whatkindofthingsdoeshewrite？"
　　"Oh，stories，sketches，poems，reviews，essays——almostanything，infact。"
　　Thelightlefthisface，andIperceivedthatIhadcarriedmyrevengetoofar，atleastforKendricks'sadvantage，andI
　　determinedtotakeanewdepartureatthefirstchance。Thechancedidnotcomeimmediately。
　　"Andcanamansupportawifebythatkindofwriting？"askedMr。
　　Gage。
　　Ilaugheduneasily。"Somepeopledo。Itdependsuponhowmuchofithecansell。Itdependsuponhowhandsomelyawifewishestobesupported。Theresultisn'tusuallybeyondthedreamsofavarice，"
　　Isaid，withadesperatelevity。
　　"Excuseme，"returnedthelittleman。"Doyouliveinthatway？Byyourwritings？"
　　"No，"Isaidwithsomestate，whichItriedtosubdue；"IamtheeditorofEveryOtherWeek，andpartowner。Mr。Kendricksismerelyacontributor。"
　　"Ah，"hebreathedagain。"Andifheweresuccessfulinsellinghiswritings，howmuchwouldheprobablymakeinayear？"
　　"Inayear？"Irepeated，togaintime。"Mr。Kendricksiscomparativelyabeginner。Sayfifteenhundred——twothousand——
　　twenty-fivehundred。"
　　"AndthatwouldnotgoveryfarinNewYork。"
　　"No；thatwouldnotgofarinNewYork。"Iwasbeginningtofindacertainpleasureindealingsofranklywiththishardlittleman。I
　　likedtoseehimsuffer，andIcouldseethathedidsuffer；hesufferedasafathermustwholearnsthatfromapecuniarypointofviewhisdaughterisimprudentlyinlove。Whyshouldwealwaysregardsuchasuffererasacomicfigure？Heis，ifwethinkofitrightly，amostserious，eventragicalfigure，andatalleventsamostrespectablefigure。Helovesher，andhisheartistornbetweenthewishtoindulgeherandthewishtodowhatwillbefinallybestforher。Whyshouldoursympathies，insuchacase，beallforthefoolishyounglovers？Theyoughtingreatmeasuretobeforthefather，too。Somethinglikeasenseofthissmoteme，andI
　　wasashamedinmypleasure。
　　"ThenIshouldsay，Mr。March，thatthisseemsamostundesirableengagementformydaughter。Whatshouldyousay？Iaskyoutomakethecaseyourown。"
　　"Excuseme，"Ianswered；"Iwouldmuchrathernotmakethecasemyown，Mr。Gage，andImustdeclinetohaveyouconsultme。IthinkthatinthismatterIhavedoneallthatIwascalledupontodo。I
　　havetoldyouwhatIknowofMr。Kendricks'scircumstancesandconnections。Astohischaracter，IcantrulysaythatheisoneofthebestmenIeverknew。Ibelieveinhisabsolutepurityofheart，andheisthemostunselfish，themostgenerous——"
　　Mr。Gagewavedthefactsasidewithhishand。"Idon'tundervaluethosethings。IfIcouldbemaster，nooneshouldhavemygirlwithoutthem。Buttheydonotconstitutealivelihood。FromwhatyoutellmeofMr。Kendricks'sprospects，IamnotpreparedtosaythatIthinktheoutlookisbrilliant。Ifhehascounteduponmysupplyingadeficiency——"
　　"Oh，excuseme，Mr。Gage!Yourinsinuation——"
　　"ExcuseME!"heretorted。"Iammakingnoinsinuation。Imerelywishtosaythat，whilemymeansaresuchastoenablemetoliveincomfortatDeWittPoint，IamwellawarethatmuchmorewouldbeneededinNewYorktoenablemydaughtertoliveinthesamecomfort。I'mnotwillingsheshouldliveinless。IthinkitismydutytosaythatIamnotatallarichman，andiftherehasbeenanysuppositionthatIamso，itisamistakethatcannotbecorrectedtoosoon。"
　　ThistimeIcouldnotresenthisinsinuation，forsincehehadbeguntospeakIhadbecomeguiltilyawareofhavingfeltasortofeaseinregardtoKendricks'smodestyofcompetencefromabelief，givenme，Isuspect，bythetalkofDeering，thatMr。Gagehadplentyofmoney，andcouldcometotherescueinanyamountneeded。Icouldonlysay，"Mr。Gage，allthisissofarbeyondmycontrolthatI
　　oughtnottoallowyoutosayittome。ItissomethingthatyoumustsaytoMr。Kendricks。"
　　AsIspokeIsawtheyoungfellowcomeroundthecornerofthestreet，andmountthehotelsteps。Hedidnotseeme，forhedidnotlooktowardthelittlecorneroflawnwhereMr。GageandIhadputourchairsforthesakeofthemorningshade，andfortheseclusionthatthespotaffordedus。Itwasattheangleofthehousefarthestfromourpeculiarcornerofthepiazza，whitherIhadthebeliefthatthegirlhadwithdrawnwhensheleftmetoherfather。IwassurethatKendrickswouldseekherthere，farenoughbeyondeyeshotorearshotofus，andIhadnodoubtthatshewasexpectinghim。
　　"YouareMr。Kendricks'sfriend——"
　　"IhavetriedmuchmoretobeMissGage'sfriend；andMrs。March——"
　　Itcameintomymindthatshewasmostselfishlyandshamelesslykeepingoutoftheway，andIcouldnotgoonandcelebratehermagnanimousimpartiality，hereagerandsleeplessvigilance。
　　"Ihavenodoubtofthat，"saidthelittleman，"andIamverymuchobligedtoyouforallthetroubleyouhavetakenonmydaughter'saccount。Butyouarehisfriend，andIcanspeaktoyoumuchmorefullyandfranklythanIcouldtohim。"
　　Ididnotknowjustwhattosaytothis，andhewenton:"Inpointoffact，Idon'tthinkthatIshallspeaktohimatall。"
　　"Thatisquiteyouraffair，mydearsir，"Isaiddryly。"Itisn'ttobesupposedthatyouwouldseekaninterviewwithhim。"
　　"Andifheseeksaninterviewwithme，Ishalldeclineit。"Helookedatmedefiantlyandyetinterrogatively。Icouldseethathewasveryangry，andyetuncertain。
　　"Imustsay，then，Mr。Gage，thatIdon'tthinkyouwouldberight。"
　　"How，notright？"
　　"Ishouldsaythatinequityhehadafullandperfectrighttomeetyou，andtotalkthismatteroverwithyou。Hehasdoneyounowrongwhateverinadmiringyourdaughter，andwishingtomarryher。
　　It'sforyouandhertodecidewhetheryouwilllethim。Butasfarashiswishgoes，andhisexpressionofittoher，heisquitewithinhisrights。Youmustseethatyourself。"
　　"Iconsider，"heanswered，"thathehasdonemeawronginthatverything。Amanwithoutmeans，oranystatedoccupation，hehadnobusinesstospeaktomydaughterwithoutspeakingtome。Hetookadvantageofthecircumstances。Whatdoeshethink？DoeshesupposeIamMADEofmoney？DoeshesupposeIwanttosupportason-in-law？IcantellyouthatifIwerepossessedofunlimitedmeans，Ishouldnotdoit。"IbegantosuspectthatDeeringwasnearerright，afterall，inhisrepresentationsoftheman'sfinancialability；Ifanciedsomethingoftheanxiety，thetremorofavarice，inhisresentmentofpoorKendricks'spossible，orratherimpossible，designsuponhispocket。"Ifhehadanyprofession，oranykindofbusiness，Ishouldfeeldifferently，andIshouldbewillingtoassisthimtoareasonabledegree；orifhehadabusinesstraining，Imighttakehiminwithme；butasitis，I
　　shouldhaveahelplessburdenonmyhands，andIcantellyouIamnotgoinginforthatsortofthing。Ishallmakeshortworkofit。
　　IshalldeclinetomeetMr。Hendricks，orKendricks，andIshallaskyoutosayasmuchtohimfromme。"
　　"AndIshalldeclinetobethebearerofanysuchmessagefromyou，Mr。Gage，"Ianswered，andIsaw，notwithoutpleasure，thebewildermentthatbegantomixwithhisarrogance。
　　"Verywell，then，sir，"heanswered，afteramoment；"Ishallsimplytakemydaughterawaywithme，andthatwillendit。"
　　Theprimlittle，grimlittlemanlookedatmewithhishardeyes，andsethislipssoclosethatthebeardontheloweronestuckoutatmewithasortofadditionalmenaceIfeltthathewastoocapableofdoingwhathesaid，andIlostmyselfinasenseofhissordidness，asensewhichwasalmostwithoutatraceofcompassion。
　　ItseemedasifIwerealongtimeunderthespellofthis，andthesightofhisrepugnantface；butitcouldreallyhavebeenmerelyamoment，whenIheardastirofdraperyonthegrassnearus，andthesoft，richvoiceofMissGagesaying，"Papa!"
　　Webothstartedtoourfeet。Idonotknowwhethershehadheardwhathesaidornot。Wehadspokenlow，andintheutmostvehemenceofhisspeechhedidnotlifthisvoice。Inanycase，shedidnotheedwhathesaid。
　　"Papa，"sherepeated，"IwantyoutocomeupandseeMrs。Marchonthepiazza。And——Mr。Kendricksisthere。"
　　Ihadawilddesiretolaughatwhatfollowed，andyetitwasnotwithoutitspathos。"I——I——hm!hm!I——cannotseeMr。Kendricksjustatpresent。I——thefactis，Idonotwanttoseehim。Itisbetter——not。Ithinkyouhadbettergetreadytogohomewithmeatonce，daughter。I——hm!——cannotapproveofanyengagementtoMr。
　　Kendricks，andI——prefernottomeethim。"Hestopped。
　　MissGagesaidnothing，andIcannotsaythatshelookedanything。
　　ShesimplyCLOUDEDUP，ifImaysoexpresstheeffectthatcameandremaineduponhercountenance，whichwasnowthecountenanceshehadshownmethefirsteveningIsawher，whenIsawtheDeeringscoweringinitsshadow。Ihadnoneedtolookattheadamantinelittlemanbeforehertoknowthathewassofteningintowax，and，infact，Ifeltasortofindecencyinbeholdinghisinteneration，forIknewthatitcamefromhisheart，andhaditsconsecrationthroughhisloveforher。
　　ThatiswhyIturnedaway，anddonotknowtothismomentjusthowthechangeshedesiredinhimwasbroughtabout。IwillnotsaythatIdidnotlookbackfromadiscreetdistance，andcontinuelookinguntilIsawthemstartawaytogetherandmoveinthedirectionofthatcornerofthepiazzawhereKendrickswaswaitingwithMrs。March。
　　Itappeared，fromheraccount，thatMr。Gage，withnouncommonshowofill-will，butwithmerelyanaturaldryness，sufferedKendrickstobepresentedtohim，andentereduponsomepreliminarybanalitieswithhim，suchashehadusedinopeningaconversationwithme。
　　BeforethesecametoacloseMrs。Marchhadthoughtitwelltoleavethethreetogether。
　　Afterward，whenweknewtheonlyresultthattheaffaircouldhave，shesaid，"Thegirlhasapowerfulwill。Iwonderwhatthemotherwaslike。"
　　"Yes；evidentlyshedidn'tgetthatwillfromherfather。Ihavestillasenseofexhaustionfromitinourowncase。WhatdoyouthinkitportendsforpoorKendricks!"
　　"PoorKendricks!"sherepeatedthoughtfully。"Yes；inthatsenseI
　　supposeyoumightcallhimpoor。Itisn'tanequalthingasfarasnature，ascharacter，goes。Butisn'titalwaysdreadfultoseetwopeoplewhohavemadeuptheirmindstogetmarried？"
　　"It'sverycommon，"Isuggested。
　　"Thatdoesn'tchangethefact，orlessentherisk。Sheisverybeautiful，andnowheisinlovewithherbeautifulgirlhood。Butafterawhilethegirlhoodwillgo。"
　　"Andthegirlwillremain，"Isaid。