Overheadthecloudscloakedthesky。araggedcloakitwas，and，hereandthere，astarshonethroughahole，tobeobscuredalmostinstantlyasmorecloudtatterswerehurledacrosstherent。Thepinesthreshedonthehilltops。Thebarebranchesofthewild-
　　cherryandsilverleaftreesscrapedandrattledandtossed。Andthewind，theraw，chillingDecemberwind，drivenin，wetandsalty，fromthesea，toreoverthedunesandbrownuplandsandacrossthefrozensalt-meadows，screamedthroughthetelegraphwires，andmadetheplatformofthedismalSouthHarnissrailwaystationthelonesomest，coldest，darkestandmostmiserablespotonthefaceoftheearth。
　　Atleastthatwastheopinionoftheseventeen-year-oldboywhomthedowntrain——ontimeforonceandawonder——hadjustdepositeduponthatplatform。Hewouldnothavediscountedthestatementoneiota。TheSouthHarnissstationplatformWASthemostmiserablespotonearthandhewasthemostmiserablehumanbeinguponit。
　　Andthislastwasprobablytrue，fortherewerebutthreeotherhumansuponthatplatformand，judgingbyexternals，theyseemedhappyenough。Onewasthestationagent，whowasjustenteringthebuildingpreparatorytolockingupforthenight，andtheotherswereJimYoung，driverofthedepotwagon，andDoctorHolliday，theSouthHarnisshomeopath，whohadbeenuptoaBostonhospitalwithapatientandwasreturninghome。JimwaswhistlingSilverBells，atunemuchinvoguetheprevioussummer，andDoctorHollidaywaspuffingatacigarandknockinghisfeettogethertokeepthemwarmwhilewaitingtogetintothedepotwagon。Theseweretheonlypeopleinsightandtheywerepayingnoattentionwhatevertothelonelyfigureattheotherendoftheplatform。
　　Theboylookedabouthim。Thestation，withitssicklyyellowgleamofkerosenelampbehinditsdingywindowpane，wasapparentlytheonlyinhabitedspotinabarrenwilderness。Attheedgeoftheplatformcivilizationseemedtoendandbeyondwasnothingbutablackearthandablacksky，tossingtreesandhowlingwind，andcold——raw，damp，penetratingcold。Comparedwiththiseventhestuffyplushseatsandsmellywarmthofthecarhehadjustleftappearedtemptinglyhomelikeandluxurious。Allthewaydownfromthecityhehadsneeredinwardlyataone-horserailroadwhichrannoPullmansonitsCapebranchinwintertime。Nowheforgothislongingformahoganyveneerandindividualchairsandwouldgladlyhaveboardedafreightcar，providedtherewereinitalampandastove。
　　Thelightinthestationwasextinguishedandtheagentcameoutwithajinglingbunchofkeysandlockedthedoor。Good-night，Jim，heshouted，andwalkedoffintotheblackness。Jimrespondedwithagood-nightofhisownandclimbedaboardthewagon，intothedarkinteriorofwhichthedoctorhadprecededhim。Theboyattheotherendoftheplatformbegantobereallyalarmed。Itlookedasifalllivingthingswereabandoninghimandhewastobeleftmarooned，tostarveorfreeze，providedhewasnotblownawayfirst。
　　Hepickedupthesuitcase——anexpensivesuitcaseitwas，elaboratelystrappedandbuckled，withatelescopebackandgoldfittings——andhastenedtowardthewagon。Mr。Younghadjustpickedupthereins。
　　Oh，——oh，Isay！falteredtheboy。Wehavecalledhimtheboy
　　allthistime，buthedidnotconsiderhimselfaboy，heesteemedhimselfaman，ifnotfull-grownphysically，certainlysomentally。
　　Aman，withallaman’swisdom，andmorebesides——thegreat，theall-embracingwisdomofhisage，oryouth。
　　Here，Isay！Justaminute！herepeated。JimYoungputhisheadaroundtheedgeofthewagoncurtain。Eh？hequeried。Eh？
　　Who’stalkin’？Oh，wasityou，youngfeller？Didyouwantme？
　　Theyoungfellowrepliedthathedid。ThisisSouthHarniss，isn’tit？heasked。
　　Mr。Youngchuckled。Darnsurething，hedrawled。Igiveinthatitlooksconsider’blelikeBoston，orProvidence，R。I。，orsomeofthemcapitols，butitain’t，it’sSouthHarniss，CapeCod。
　　DoctorHolliday，onthebackseatofthedepotwagon，chuckled。
　　Jimdidnot。heneverlaughedathisownjokes。Andhisquestionerdidnotchuckle，either。
　　Doesa——doesaMr。Snowlivehere？heasked。
　　Theanswerwasprompt，ifratherindefinite。Um-hm，saidthedriver。Noless’nfourteenofhimliveshere。Whichonedoyouwant？
　　AMr。Z。Snow。
　　Mr。Z。Snow，eh？Humph！Idon’tseemtorecollectanyMr。Z。
　　Snowaroundnowadays。ThereusedtobeaZibaSnow，buthe’sdead。
　　’Twan’thimyouwanted，wasit？
　　No。TheoneIwantis——isaCaptainSnow。Captain——hepausedbeforeutteringthenamewhichtohiscriticalmetropolitanearhadseemedsodreadfullycountrifiedandhumiliating。CaptainZelotesSnow，heblurted，desperately。
　　JimYounglaughedaloud。Goodland，Doc！hecried，turningtowardhispassenger。IswanIcleanforgotthatCap’nLote’snamebegunwithaZ。Cap’nLoteSnow？Why，darnsure！I……Eh？
　　Hestoppedshort，evidentlystruckbyanewidea。Sho！hedrawled，slowly。Why，IdeclareIbelieveyou’re……Yes，ofcourse！Iheardtheywasexpectin’you。Doc，youknowwho’tis，don’tyou？Cap’nLote’sgrandson。Janie’sboy。
　　Hetookthelightedlanternfromunderthewagonseatandhelditupsothatitsglowshoneuponthefaceoftheyouthstandingbythewheel。
　　Hum，hemused。Don’tseemtofavorJaniemuch，doeshe，Doc。
　　Kindofgothermouthandchin，though。Rememberthatsortofgood-lookin’settohermouthshehad？AndSHEgotitfromoldCap’nLohimself。Thisboy’sfacemustbemorelikehispa’s，I
　　cal’late。Don’tyoucal’lateso，Doc？
　　WhetherDoctorHollidaycal’latedsoornothedidnotsay。Itmaybethathethoughtthiscoolinspectionofanddiscussionconcerningastranger，evenajuvenilestranger，somewhatembarrassingtoitsobject。Orthelanternlightmayhaveshownhimanominouspuckerbetweentheboy’sblackbrowsandaflashoftemperinthebigblackeyesbeneaththem。Atanyrate，insteadofreplyingtoMr。Young，hesaid，kindly：
　　Yes，CaptainSnowlivesinthevillage。Ifyouaregoingtohishousegetrightinhere。Ilivecloseby，myself。
　　Darnedsure！agreedMr。Young，withenthusiasm。Hoprightin，sonny。
　　Buttheboyhesitated。Then，haughtilyignoringthedriver，hesaid：IthoughtCaptainSnowwouldbeheretomeetme。Hewrotethathewould。
　　TheirrepressibleJimhadnoideaofremainingignored。DidCap’nLotewriteyouthathe’dbeheretothedepot？hedemanded。Allright，thenhe’llbehere，don’tyoufret。Ipresumelikelythateverlastin’mareofhishaseatherselfsickagain。eh，Doc？Bygodfreysdomino，thewaytheypetandstuffthatfoolhorseisasinandashame。Itain’tLote’sfaultsomuchas’tishiswife’s——
　　she’sresponsible。Don’tyoufret，Bub，thecap’n’llbehereforyousometimeto-night。Ifhesaidhe’llcomehe’llcome，evenifhehastohireoneofthemlimmysines。He，he，he！Allyou’vegottodoiswait，and……Hey！……Holdonaminute！……Bub！
　　Theboywaswalkingaway。AndtohailhimasBubwas，althoughJimYoungdidnotknowit，theonewayleastlikelytobringhimback。
　　Bub！shoutedJimagain。Receivingnoreplyheaddedwhathehadintendedsaying。IfIrunafoulofCap’nLoteanywheresontheroad，hecalled，I’lltellhimyou’reherea-waitin’。Solong，Bub。Gitdap，ChainLightnin’。
　　Thehorse，thuscomplimented，prickeduponeear，liftedafoot，andjoggedoff。Thedepotwagonbecamemerelyashadowysmudgeagainstthedarknessofthenight。Forafewminutesthechock，chockofthehoofsuponthefrozenroadandtherattleofwheelsgaveaudibleevidenceofitsprogress。ThenthesediedawayanduponthewindsweptplatformoftheSouthHarnissstationdescendedtheblackgloomoflonesomenesssocompleteastomakethatwhichhadbeenbeforeseem，bycomparison，almostcheerful。
　　Theyouthuponthatplatformturneduphiscoatcollar，thrusthisglovedhandsintohispockets，andshivered。Then，stillshivering，hetookabriskwalkupanddownbesidethesuitcaseand，finally，circumnavigatedthelittlestation。Thevoyageofdiscoverywasunprofitable。therewasnothingtodiscover。Sofarashecouldsee——whichwasbynomeansfar——uponeachsideofthebuildingwasnothingbutbarefieldsandtossingpines，andwindandcoldandblackness。Hecametoanchoroncemorebythesuitcaseanddrewalong，hopelessbreath。
　　Hethoughtofthecheerydiningroomattheschoolhehadleftthedaybefore。Dinnerwouldbenearlyoverbynow。Thefellowswerehavingdessert，or，probably，werefilingoutintothecorridors，theyoungerchapstogotothestudyhallandtheolderones——thelordlyseniors，ofwhomhehadbeenone——onthewaytotheirrooms。
　　Thepictureofhisowncheerful，gayroomintheseniorcorridorwasbeforehismind。ofthatroomasitwasbeforethetelegramcame，beforethelawyercamewiththeletter，beforetheendofeverythingasheknewitandthebeginningof——this。Hehadnotalwayslovedandlongedforthatschoolashelovedandlongedforitnow。Therehadbeentimeswhenhereferredtoitastheoldjail，andprofessedtohateit。ButithadbeentheonlyrealhomehehadknownsincehewaseightyearsoldandnowhelookedbackuponitasafallenangelmighthavelookedbackuponParadise。Hesighedagain，chokedandhastilydrewhisglovedhandacrosshiseyes。Attheageofseventeenitisveryunmanlytocry，but，atthatagealso，manhoodandboyhoodarecloselyintermingled。Hechokedagainandthen，squaringhisshoulders，reachedintohiscoatpocketforthesilvercigarettecasewhich，asarecentacquisition，wastheprideofhissoul。Hehadjustsucceededinlightingacigarettewhen，borneuponthewind，heheardoncemorethesoundofhoofsandwheelsandsawinthedistanceaspeckoflightadvancingtowardthestation。
　　Thesoundsdrewnearer，sodidthelight。Thenanold-fashionedbuggy，drawnbyaplumplittlesorrel，pulledupbytheplatformandahandheldalanternaloft。
　　Hello！hailedavoice。Whereareyou？
　　Thehaildidnothavetoberepeated。Beforethevehiclereachedthestationtheboyhadtossedawaythecigarette，pickedupthesuitcase，andwaswaiting。Nowhestrodeintothelanternlight。
　　HereIam，heanswered，tryinghardnottoappeartooeager。
　　Wereyoulookingforme？
　　Theholderofthelanterntuckedthereinsbetweenthewhip-socketandthedashandclimbedoutofthebuggy。Hewasalittleman，perhapsaboutforty-eightorfifty，withasmooth-shavenfacewrinkledatthecornersofthemouthandeyes。Hisvoicewasthemostcuriousthingabouthim。itwashighandpiping，morelikeawoman’sthanaman’s。Yethiswordsandmannerweremasculineenough，andhemovedandspokewithanervous，jerkyquickness。
　　Heansweredthequestionpromptly。GuessIbe，guessIbe，hesaidbriskly。Anyhow，I’mlookin’foraboynameof——nameof——
　　Mysoultoheavens，I’veforgotitagain，Idobelieve！Whatdidyousayyournamewas？
　　Speranza。AlbertSperanza。
　　Sartin，sartin！Sper——er——um——yes，yes。KnewitjustaswellasIdidmyown。Well，well，well！Ye-es，yes，yes。Getrightaboard，Alfred。Letmetakeyoursatchel。
　　Hepickedupthesuitcase。Theboy，hisfootuponthebuggystep，stillhesitated。Thenyou’re——you’renotmygrandfather？hefaltered。
　　Eh？Who？Yourgrandfather？Me？He，he，he！Hechuckledshrilly。No，no！Nosuchluck。IfIwasCap’nLoteSnow，I’dbesomeolder’nIbenowandadumsightricher。Yes，yes。No，I’mCap’nLote’sbookkeeperoveratthelumberconsarn。He’sgotacold，andOlive——that’shiswife——shesaidheshouldn’tcomeoutto-night。Hesaidheshould，andwhiletheywasKaty-didin’backandforthaboutit，Rachel——Mrs。Ellis——she’sthehiredhousekeeperthere——shetelephonedmetoharnessupandcomemeetyouupheretothedepot。Er——er——littlemitelate，wan’tI？
　　Why，yes，justalittle。Theotherman，theonewhodrivesthemailcart——Ithinkthatwaswhatitwas——saidperhapsthehorsewassick，orsomethinglikethat。
　　No-o，no，thatwan’titthistime。I——er——Alltuckedinandwarmenough，beyou？Ye-es，yes，yes。No，I’mtoblame，I
　　shouldn’twonder。Istoppedatthe——atthestoreaminuteandmetoneortwoofthefellers，andthatkindofheldmeup。Allrightnow？Ye-es，yes，yes。G’long，gal。
　　Thebuggymovedawayfromtheplatform。Itspassenger，hischillyfeetandlegstightlywrappedintherobes，drewabreathofreliefbetweenhischatteringteeth。Hewasactuallygoingsomewhereatlast。whateverhappened，morningwouldnotfindhimproppedfrozenstiffagainstthescarredandmangyclapboardsoftheSouthHarnissstation。
　　Warmenough，beyou？inquiredhisdrivercheerfully。
　　Yes，thankyou。
　　That’sgood，that’sgood，that’sgood。Ye-es，yes，yes。Well——
　　er——Frederick，howdoyouthinkyou’regoin’tolikeSouthHarniss？
　　Theanswerwasrathernon-committal。Theboyrepliedthathehadnotseenverymuchofitasyet。Hiscompanionseemedtofindthestatementhighlyamusing。Hechuckledandslappedhisknee。
　　Ain’tseenmuchofit，eh？No-o，no，no。Iguessyouain’t，guessyouain’t。He，he，he……Um……Let’ssee，whatwasI
　　talkin’about？
　　Why，nothinginparticular，Ithink，Mr——Mr——
　　Didn’tItellyoumyname？Sho，sho！That’sfunny。Myname’sKeeler——LabanB。Keeler。That’smynameandbookkeeperismystation。SouthHarnissismydwellin’place——andIguesslikelyyou’llhavetoseetheministerabouttherestofit。He，he，he！
　　Hispassenger，towhomtheoldschoolbookquatrainwasentirelyunknown，wonderedwhatonearththemanwastalkingabout。
　　However，hesmiledpolitelyandsniffedwithadawningsuspicion。
　　Itseemedtohimtherewasanunusualscentintheair，aspirituousscent，a——
　　Haveapeppermintlozenger，suggestedMr。Keeler，withsuddenenthusiasm。Peppermintisgoodforwhatailsyou，sotheytellme。Ye-es，yes，yes。Haveone。Havetwo，havealot。
　　Heproceededtohavealothimself，andthebuggywasstraightwayreflavored，sotospeak。Theboy，hissuspicionsbynomeansdispelled，leanedbackinthecornerbehindthecurtainsandawaiteddevelopments。Hewaswarmer，thatwasarealphysicalandconsequentlyaslightmentalcomfort，butthefeelingoflonesomenesswasstillacute。SofarhisacquaintanceshipwiththecitizensofSouthHarnisshadnotfilledhimwithenthusiasm。Theywerewhathe，inhisformerandveryrecentstateofexistence，wouldhavecalledRubes。Werethegrandparentswhomhehadnevermetthissortofpeople？Itseemedprobable。WhatsortofaplacewasthistowhichFatehadconsignedhim？Thesenseofutterhelplessnesswhichhadhadhiminitsclutchessincethedaywhenhereceivedthenewsofhisfather’sdeathwasasdreadfullyrealasever。Hehadnotbeenconsultedatall。Noonehadaskedhimwhathewishedtodo，orwherehewishedtogo。Theletterhadcomefromthesepeople，theCapeCodgrandparentsofwhom，uptothattime，hehadneverevenheard，andhehadbeenshippedtothemasthoughhewereapieceofmerchandise。Andwhatwastobecomeofhimnow，afterhereachedhisdestination？Whatwouldtheyexpecthimtodo？Orbe？Howwouldhebetreated？
　　Inhisextensivereading——hehadbeenanomnivorousreader——therewerenumerousexamplesofyouthsleft，likehim，tothecareofdistantrelatives，orstep-parents，orutterstrangers。Theirexperiences，generallyspeaking，hadnotbeencheerfulones。Mostofthemhadrunaway。Hemightrunaway。butsomehowtheideaofrunningaway，withnomoney，tofacehardshipandpovertyandalltherest，didnotmakeanalluringappeal。Hehadbeenusedtocomfortandluxuryeversincehecouldremember，andhisimagination，anunusuallyactiveone，visualizedmuchmorekeenlythantheaveragethetribulationsandstrugglesofarunaway。DavidCopperfield，heremembered，hadrunaway，buthediditwhenakid，notamanlikehimself。NicholasNickleby——no，Nicholashadnotrunawayexactly，buthisfatherhaddiedandhehadbeenlefttoanuncle。ItwouldbedreadfulifhisgrandfathershouldturnouttobeamanlikeRalphNickleby。YetNicholashadgottenonwellinspiteofhiswickedrelative。Yes，andhowgloriouslyhehaddefiedtheoldrascal，too！Hewonderedifhewouldeverbecalledupontodefyhisgrandfather。Hesawhimselfdoingit——quietly，aperfectgentlemanalways，butwiththenobledeterminationofoneperformingadisagreeableduty。Hischinliftedandhisshoulderssquaredagainstthebackofthebuggy。
　　Mr。Keeler，whohadapparentlyforgottenhispassengeraltogether，brokeintosong，She’smydarlin’hanky-pankyAndshewearsanumbertwo，HerfatherkeepsabarbershopWayoutinKalamazoo。
　　Hesangtheforegoingtwiceoverandthenaddedachorus，plainlyimprovised，madeupofDidoosandDidumsadlib。Andthebuggyrolledupandovertheslopeofalittlehilland，inthefaceofascreamingseawind，descendedalong，gentleslopetowhere，scatteredalongatwo-milewaterfrontage，thelightsofSouthHarnisstwinkledsparsely。
　　Diddoodum，deedum，doodumDidoodum，doodumdee。
　　SosangMr。Keeler。Thenhebrokeoffhissoloasthelittlemareturnedinbetweenapairofhighwoodenpostsborderingadrive，joggedalongthatdriveforperhapsfiftyfeet，andstoppedbesidethestonestepofawhitefrontdoor。Throughthearchedwindowabovethatdoorshonelamplightwarmandyellow。
　　Whoa！commandedMr。Keeler，mostunnecessarily。Then，asifhimselfabituncertainastohisexactwhereabouts，hepeeredoutatthedoorandthehouseofwhichitwasapart，afterwardsettlingbacktoannouncetriumphantly：Andherewebe！Yes，sir，herewebe！
　　Thenthedooropened。Afloodoflamplightpoureduponthebuggyanditsoccupants。Andtheboysawtwopeoplestandinginthedoorway，amanandawoman。
　　Itwasthewomanwhospokefirst。Itwasshewhohadopenedthedoor。Themanwasstandingbehindherlookingoverhershoulder——
　　overherheadreally，forhewastallandbroadandsheshortandslender。
　　Isit——？shefaltered。
　　Mr。Keeleranswered。Yes，ma’am，hedeclaredemphatically，that’swho’tis。Herewebe——er——er——what’s-your-name——Edward。
　　Jumprightout。
　　Hispassengeralightedfromthebuggy。Thewomanbentforwardtolookathim，herhandsclasped。
　　It——it’sAlbert，isn’tit？sheasked。
　　Theboynodded。Yes，hesaid。
　　Thehandsunclaspedandsheheldthemouttowardhim。Oh，Albert，shecried，I’myourgrandmother。I——
　　Themaninterrupted。Waittillwegethiminside，Olive，hesaid。Comein，son。Then，addressingthedriver，heordered：
　　Labe，takethehorseandteamouttothebarnandunharnessforme，willyou？
　　Ye-es，yes，yes，repliedMr。Keeler。Yesindeed，Cap’n。Takeherrightalong——rightoff。Yesindeedy。Gitdap！
　　Hedroveofftowardtheendoftheyard，wherealargebuilding，presumablyabarn，loomedblackagainstthedarksky。Hesangashedroveandthebigmanonthesteplookedafterhimandsniffedsuspiciously。
　　Meanwhiletheboyhadfollowedthelittlewomanintothehousethroughasmallfronthall，fromwhichanarrowflightofstairsshotaloftwithalmostunbelievablesteepness，andintoalargeroom。Alberthadaswiftimpressionofbigwindowsfullofplants，ofpicturesofshipsandschoonersonthewalls，ofatablesetforfour。
　　Takeyourthingsrightoff，criedhisgrandmother。Here，I’lltake’em。There！nowturn’roundandletmelookatyou。Don’tmovetillIgetagoodlook。
　　Hestoodperfectlystillwhilesheinspectedhimfromheadtofoot。
　　You’vegothermouth，shesaidslowly。Yes，you’vegothermouth。Herhairandeyeswerebrownandyoursareblack，but——butITHINKyoulooklikeher。Oh，Ididsowantyouto！MayIkissyou，Albert？I’myourgrandmother，youknow。
　　Withembarrassedshynessheleanedforwardwhilesheputherarmsabouthisneckandkissedhimonthecheek。Ashestraightenedagainhebecameawarethatthebigmanhadenteredtheroomandwasregardinghimintentlybeneathapairofshaggygrayeyebrows。
　　Mrs。Snowturned。
　　Oh，Zelotes，shecried，he’sgotJanie’smouth，don’tyouthinkso？AndheDOESlooklikeher，doesn’the？
　　Herhusbandshookhishead。Maybeso，Mother，hesaid，withahalfsmile。Iain’tagreathandforlocatin’whofolkslooklike。Howareyou，boy？Gladtoseeyou。I’myourgrandfather，youknow。
　　Theyshookhands，whileeachinspectedandmadeamentalestimateoftheother。Albertsawasquare，beardedjaw，afirmmouth，grayeyeswithmanywrinklesatthecorners，andashockofthickgrayhair。Theeyeshadawayoflookingstraightatyou，throughyou，asifreadingyourthoughts，diviningyourmotivesandmakingageneralappraisalofyouandthem。
　　CaptainZelotesSnow，forhispart，sawatallyoungfellow，slimandstraight，withblackcurlyhair，largeblackeyesandregularfeatures。Agood-lookingboy，ahandsomeboy——almosttoohandsome，perhaps，orwithjustatouchoftheeffeminateinthegoodlooks。
　　Thecaptain’sglancetookinthewell-fittingsuitofclothes，theexpensivetie，thegoldwatchchain。
　　Humph！gruntedCaptainZelotes。Well，yourgrandmaandIaregladtohaveyouwithus。Letmesee，Albert——that’syourrightname，ain’tit——Albert？
　　Somethinginhisgrandfather’slooksortonearousedacuriousfeelingintheyouth。Itwasnotafeelingofantagonism，exactly，butmoreofdefiance，ofobstinacy。Hefeltasifthisbigman，regardinghimsokeenlyfromundertheheavybrows，waslookingforfaults，wasexpectingtofindsomethingwrong，mightalmostbedisappointedifhedidnotfindit。Hemetthegazeforamoment，thecolorrisingtohischeeks。
　　Myname，hesaiddeliberately，isAlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanza。
　　Mrs。Snowutteredalittleexclamation。Oh！sheejaculated。Andthenadded：Why——why，Ithought——we——weunderstood’twas’Albert。’Wedidn’tknowtherewas——wedidn’tknowtherewasanymoretoit。Whatdidyousayitwas？
　　Hergrandsonsquaredhisshoulders。AlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanza，herepeated。Myfather——therewasprideinhisvoicenow——myfather’snamewasMiguelCarlos。Ofcourseyouknewthat。
　　Hespokeasifallcreationmusthaveknownit。Mrs。Snowlookedhelplesslyatherhusband。CaptainZelotesrubbedhischin。
　　We——ll，hedrawleddryly，Iguesslikelywe’llgetalongwith’Albert’foraspell。Ical’late’twillcomemorehandytousCapefolks。We’rekindofplainandeveryday’roundhere。Sapper’sready，ain’tit，Mother？Almustbehungry。I’mplagueysure_I_
　　am。
　　But，Zelotes，maybehe’dliketogouptohisbedroomfirst。He’sbeenridin’alongwaysinthecarsandmaybehe’dliketowashuporchangehisclothes？
　　Changehisclothes！Lordsakes，Olive，whatwouldhewanttochangehisclothesthistimeofnightfor？Youdon’twanttochangeyourclothes，doyou，boy？
　　No，sir，Iguessnot。
　　Sartinsureyoudon’t。Wanttowash？There’sabasinandsoapandtowelrightoutthereinthekitchen。
　　Hepointedtothekitchendoor。Atthatmomentthedoorwaspartiallyopenedandabriskfemininevoicefrombehinditinquired：Howabouteatin’？Areyouallreadyinthere？
　　ItwasCaptainSnowwhoanswered。
　　Youbetweare，Rachel！hedeclared。Allreadyandthensome。
　　Trotherout。Sitdown，Mother。Sitdown，Al。Nowthen，Rachel，allaboard。
　　Rachel，itappeared，wastheownerofthebriskfemininevoicejustmentioned。Shewasbriskherself，astoageaboutforty，plump，rosyandverybusiness-like。Shewhiskedtheplatteroffriedmackerelandthedishesofbakedpotatoes，stewedcorn，hotbiscuitsandalltherest，tothetableisnotime，andthen，toAlbert’sastonishment，satdownatthattableherself。Mrs。Snowdidthehonors。
　　Albert，shesaid，thisisMrs。Ellis，whohelpsmekeephouse。
　　Rachel，thisismygrandson，Albert——er——Speranza。
　　Shepronouncedthesurnameinatonealmostapologetic。Mrs。Ellisdidnotattempttopronounceit。Sheextendedaplumphandandobserved：Isthatso？Realgladtoknowyou，Albert。Howdoyouthinkyou’regoin’tolikeSouthHarniss？
　　Consideringthathisacquaintancewiththevillagehadbeensodecidedlylimited，Albertwassomewhatpuzzledhowtoreply。Hisgrandfathersavedhimthetrouble。
　　Lordsakes，Rachel，hedeclared，heain’tseenmore’nthreesquarefootofityet。It’sdarker’ntheinsideofanigger’sundershirtoutdoorsto-night。Well，Al——Albert，Imean，howareyouonmackerel？Prettygoodstowageroombelowdecks？Aboutsomuch，eh？
　　Mrs。Snowinterrupted。
　　Zelotes，shesaidreprovingly，ain’tyouforgettin’somethin’？
　　Eh？Forgettin’？HeavenstoBetsy，soIam！Lord，wethanktheefortheseandallothergifts，Amen。WhatdidIdowiththefork。
　　swallowit？
　　AslongashelivesAlbertSperanzawillnotforgetthatfirstmealinthehomeofhisgrandparents。Itwassostrange，sodifferentfromanyothermealhehadevereaten。Thefoodwasgoodandtherewasanabundanceofit，butthesurroundingsweresoqueer。
　　Insteadofthewell-orderedandsedateschoolmeal，herealltheeatablesfromfishtopiewereputuponthetableatthesametimeandtheservant——orhousekeeper，whichtohismindwereoneandthesame——satdown，notonlytoeatwiththefamily，buttotakeatleastanequalpartintheconversation。Andtheconversationitselfwassodifferent。BeginningwithquestionsconcerninghisownjourneyfromtheNewYorktownwheretheschoolwaslocated，itatlengthreachedSouthHarnissandtherecenteredaboutthediminutivepersonofLabanKeeler，hisloquaciousandtunefulrescuerfromtheplatformoftherailwaystation。
　　Whereareyourthings，Albert？askedMrs。Snow。Yourtrunkortravelin’bag，orwhateveryouhad，Imean？
　　Mytrunksarecomingbyexpress，begantheboy。CaptainZelotesinterruptedhim。
　　Yourtrunks？herepeated。Gotmore’none，haveyou？
　　Why——why，yes，therearethree。Mr。Holden——heistheheadmaster，youknow——
　　Eh？Headmaster？Oh，youmeanthebossteacherupthereattheschool？Yes，yes。Um-hm。
　　Yes，sir。Mr。Holdensaysthetrunksshouldgethereinafewdays。
　　Mrs。Ellis，thehousekeeper，madethenextremark。DidI
　　understandyoutosayyouhadTHREEtrunks？shedemanded。
　　Why，yes。
　　Threetrunksforoneboy！Formercysakes，whathaveyougotin’em？
　　Why——why，mythings。Myclothesand——and——everything。
　　Everything，orjustabout，Ishouldsay。Goodnessgraciousme，whenIgouptoBostonIhaveallIcandotofilluponetrunk。
　　AndI’mbigger’nyouare——bigger’round，anyway。
　　Therewasnodoubtaboutthat。CaptainZeloteslaughedshortly。
　　Thatstatementain’twhatI’dcallexaggerated，Rachel，hedeclared。EverytimeIseeyouandLabanoutwalkin’togetherhehastokeeponthesunnysideorbeinatotaleclipse。And，bytheway，speakin’ofLaban——Say，son，howdidyouandhegetalongcomin’downfromthedepot？
　　Allright。Itwasprettydark。
　　I’llbetyou！Labanwasn’tverytalkative，washe？
　　Why，yes，sir，hetalkedagooddealbuthesangmostofthetime。
　　Thissimplestatementappearedtocauseamostsurprisingsensation。
　　TheSnowsandtheirhousekeeperlookedateachother。CaptainZelotesleanedbackinhischairandwhistled。
　　Whew！heobserved。Hum！Sho！Thunderation！
　　Oh，dear！exclaimedhiswife。
　　Mrs。Ellis，thehousekeeper，drewalongbreath。Imighthaveexpectedit，shesaidtartly。It’spasttime。He’sprettynighamonthoverdue，as’tis。
　　CaptainSnowrosetohisfeet。Iwaskindofsuspiciouswhenhestartedforthebarn，hedeclared。Seemedtomehewassingin’
　　then。WHATdidhesing，boy？heasked，turningsuddenlyuponhisgrandson。
　　Why——why，Idon’tknow。Ididn’tnoticeparticularly。Yousee，itwasprettycoldand——
　　Mrs。Ellisinterrupted。Didhesinganythingaboutsomebody’sbein’hisdarlin’hanky-pankyandwearin’anumbertwo？shedemandedsharply。
　　Why——why，yes，hedid。
　　Apparentlythatsettledit。Mrs。Snowsaid，Oh，dear！againandthehousekeeperalsorosefromthetable。
　　You’dbettergorightouttothebarnthisminute，Cap’nLote，
　　shesaid，andIguesslikelyI’dbettergowithyou。
　　Thecaptainalreadyhadhiscaponhishead。
　　No，Rachel，hesaid，Idon’tneedyou。Cal’lateIcantakecareof’mostanythingthat’sliabletohavehappened。Ifheain’tputthebridletobedinthestallandhungthemareupontheharnesspegsIjudgeIcanhandlethejob。Wonderhowfuralonghe’dgot。
　　Didn’thearhimsingin’anythingabout’HyannisontheCape，’didyou，boy？
　　No。
　　That’ssomecomfort。Now，don’tyouworry，Mother。I’llbebackinafewminutes。
　　Mrs。Snowclaspedherhands。Oh，IHOPEhehasn’tsetthebarnafire，shewailed。
　　Nodangerofthat，Iguess。No，Rachel，you’tendtoyoursupper。
　　Idon’tneedyou。
　　Hetrampedoutintothehallandthedoorclosedbehindhim。Mrs。
　　Snowturnedapologeticallytoherpuzzledgrandson，whowasentirelyatalosstoknowwhatthetroublewasabout。
　　Yousee，Albert，shehesitatinglyexplained，Laban——Mr。Keeler——
　　themanwhodroveyoudownfromthedepot——he——he’sanawfulnicemanandyourgrandfatherthinkstheworldandallofhim，but——buteveryonceinawhilehe——Oh，dear，Idon’tknowhowtosayittoyou，but——
　　EvidentlyMrs。Ellisknewhowtosayit，forshebrokeintotheconversationandsaiditthenandthere。
　　Everyonceinawhilehegetstipsy，shesnapped。AndIonlywishIhadmyfingersthisminuteinthehairofthescampthatgavehimtheliquor。
　　AlightbrokeuponAlbert’smind。Oh！Oh，yes！heexclaimed。
　　Ithoughtheactedalittlequeer，andonceIthoughtIsmelt——
　　Oh，thatwaswhyhewaseatingthepeppermints！
　　Mrs。Snownodded。Therewasamomentofsilence。Suddenlythehousekeeper，whohadresumedherseatincompliancewithCaptainZelotes’order，slammedbackherchairandstoodup。
　　I’vehatedthesmellofpeppermintfortwenty-twoyear，shedeclared，andwentoutintothekitchen。Albert，lookingafterher，felthisgrandmother’stouchuponhissleeve。
　　Iwouldn’tsayanymoreaboutitbeforeher，shewhispered。
　　She’sawfulsensitive。
　　Whyintheworldthehousekeepershouldbeparticularlysensitivebecausethemanwhohaddrivenhimfromthestationatepeppermintwasquitebeyondtheboy’scomprehension。NorcouldhethoroughlyunderstandwhythesuspicionofMr。Keeler’sslightinebrietyshouldcausesuchasensationintheSnowhousehold。Hewasinclinedtothinkthetipsinessratherfunny。Ofcoursealcoholwaslecturedagainstoftenenoughatschoolandononeoccasionamemberoftheseniorclass——atwenty-year-oldhold-overwhoshouldhavegraduatedthefallbefore——hadbeenexpelledforhavingbeerinhisroom。butduringhislongsummervacations，spentprecariouslyathotelsorinshortvisitstohisfather’sfriends，youngSperanzahadlearnedtobetolerant。TolerancewasanecessaryvirtueinthecirclesurroundingSperanzaSenior，inhislateryears。Thepoppingofcorksatallhoursofthenightandbottlesfull，halffullorempty，weresoundsandsightstowhichAlberthadbeenwellaccustomed。Whenonehasmorethanonceseenhisownfatherovercomebyconvivialityandtheaffairtreatedasahugejoke，oneisnotinclinedtobetoocensoriouswhenothersslip。WhatifthequeeroldKeelerguywastight？Wasthatanythingtoraisesucharowabout？
　　Plainly，hedecided，thiswasastrangeplace，thishouseholdofhisgrandparents。HispremonitionthattheymightbeRubes
　　seemedlikelytohavebeenwellfounded。Whatwouldhisfather——
　　hisgreat，world-famousfather——havethoughtofthem？Bah！theseYankeebourgeoisie！Hecouldalmosthearhimsayit。MiguelCarlosSperanzadetested——inprivate——theYankeebourgeoisie。Hetooktheirmoneyandhemarriedoneoftheirdaughters，buthedetestedthem。Duringhislastyears，whenthemoneyhadnotflowedhiswayascopiously，thedetestgrew。
　　Youwon’tsayanythingaboutLabanbeforeMrs。Ellis，willyou，Albert？persistedMrs。Snow。She’sdreadfulsensitive。I’llexplainbyandby。
　　Hepromised，repressingacondescendingsmile。
　　BoththehousekeeperandCaptainSnowreturnedinafewminutes。
　　Thelatterreportedthatthemarewassafeandsoundinherstall。
　　Theharnesswasmostlyonthefloor，butJesswasallright，thanktheLord，observedthecaptain。
　　Jessisourhorse’sname，Albert，explainedMrs。Snow。Thatis，hername’sJessamine，butZelotescan’teverseemtosaythewholeofanyname。WhenwefirstboughtJessamineInamedherMagnolia，buthecalledher’Mag’allthetimeandICOULDN’Tstandthat。
　　Havesomemorepreserves，Albert，do。
　　AllthroughthemealAlbertwasuneasilyconsciousthathisgrandfatherwaslookingathimfromundertheshaggybrows，measuringhim，estimatinghim，readinghimthroughandthrough。Heresentedthescrutinyandthetwinkleofsardonichumorwhich，itseemedtohim，accompaniedit。Hiswayofhandlinghisknifeandfork，hisclothes，histie，hismannerofeatinganddrinkingandspeaking，alltheseCaptainZelotesseemedtonoteandappraise。
　　Butwhatevertheresultsofhisscrutinyandappraisalmightbehekeptthementirelytohimself。Whenheaddressedhisgrandsondirectly，whichwasnotoften，hisremarksweretrivialcommonplacesand，althoughpleasantenough，wereterseandtothepoint。
　　SeveraltimesMrs。SnowwouldhavequestionedAlbertconcerningthelifeatschool，buteachtimeherhusbandinterfered。
　　Notnow，notnow，Mother，hesaid。Theboyain’tgoin’torunawayto-night。He’llbehereto-morrowandagoodmanyto-morrows，if——andhereagainAlbertseemedtodetecttheslightsarcasmandthetwinkle——ifweold-fashioned’downeasters’ain’ttoocommonandevery-dayforahigh-tonedyoungchaplikehimtoputupwith。
　　No，no，don’tmakehimtalkto-night。Can’tyouseehe’ssosleepythatit’sonlytheexerciseofopenin’hismouthtoeatthatkeepshiseyesfromshuttin’？Howaboutthat，son？
　　Itwasperfectlytrue。Thelongtrainride，theexcitement，thecoldwaitonthestationplatformandthesubsequentwarmthoftheroom，theheartymeal，allthesecombinedtomakeforsleepinesssooverpoweringthatseveraltimestheboyhadcaughthisnosedescendingtowardhisplateinamostinelegantnod。Butithurthispridetothinkhisgrandfatherhadnoticedhiscondition。
　　Oh，I’mallright，hesaid，withdignity。
　　SomehowthedignityseemedtohavelittleeffectuponCaptainZelotes。
　　Um——yes，Iknow，observedthelatterdryly，butIguesslikelyyou’llbemoreallrightinbed。Mother，you’llshowAlbertwheretoturnin，won’tyou？There’syoursuitcaseoutthereinthehall，son。Ifetcheditinfromthebarnjustnow。
　　Mrs。Snowventuredaprotest。
　　Oh，Zelotes，shecried，ain’twegoin’totalkwithhimatALL？
　　Why，thereissomuchtosay！
　　’Twillsayjustaswellto-morrowmornin’，Mother。better，becausewe’llhavealldaytosayitin。Getthelamp。
　　Albertlookedathiswatch。
　　Why，it’sonlyhalf-pastnine，hesaid。
　　CaptainZelotes，whoalsohadbeenlookingatthewatch，whichwasaveryfineandveryexpensiveone，smiledslightly。Half-pastninesomenights，hesaid，isequaltohalf-pasttwelveothers。
　　Thisisoneofthesome。There，there，son，you’resosleepythisminutethatyou’vegotalisttostarboard。WhenyouandIhavethattalkthat’scomin’touswewanttobeshipshapeandonanevenkeel。Rachel，lightthatlamp。
　　Thehousekeeperbroughtinandlightedasmallhandlamp。Mrs。
　　Snowtookitandledthewaytothehallandthenarrow，breakneckflightofstairs。CaptainZeloteslaidahandonhisgrandson’sshoulder。
　　Good-night，son，hesaidquietly。
　　Albertlookedintothegrayeyes。Theirexpressionwasnotunkindly，buttherewas，orheimaginedtherewas，thesamequizzical，sardonictwinkle。Heresentedthattwinklemorethanever。itmadehimfeelveryyoungindeed，andcorrespondinglyobstinate。Somethingofthatobstinacyshowedinhisowneyesashereturnedhisgrandfather’slook。
　　Good-night——sir，hesaid，andforthelifeofhimhecouldnotresisthesitatingbeforeaddingthesir。Asheclimbedthesteepstairshefanciedheheardashortsnifforchuckle——hewasnotcertainwhich——fromthebigmaninthedining-room。
　　Hisbedroomwasagood-sizedroom。thatis，itwouldhavebeenofgoodsizeifthepersonwhodesignedithadknownwhatthetermsquaremeant。Apparentlyhedidnot，andhadbuilttheapartmentonthehit-or-miss，higglety-piggletypattern，withunexpectedalcovescutintothewallsandclosetsandchimneysbuiltoutfromthem。Therewerethreewindows，abigbed，anold-fashionedbureau，achestofdrawers，awashstand，andseveralold-fashionedchairs。Mrs。Snowputthelampuponthebureau。Shewatchedhimanxiouslyashelookedabouttheroom。
　　Do——doyoulikeit？sheasked。
　　Albertrepliedthatheguessedhedid。Perhapstherewasnottoomuchcertaintyinhistone。Hehadneverbeforeseenaroomlikeit。
　　Oh，Ihopeyouwilllikeit！Itwasyourmother’sroom，Albert。
　　Shesleptherefromthetimeshewassevenuntil——untilshewentaway。
　　Theboylookedabouthimwithanewinterest，anoddthrill。Hismother’sroom。Hismother。Hecouldjustrememberher，butthatwasall。Thememorieswerechildishandunsatisfactory，buttheywerememories。Andshehadsleptthere。thishadbeenherroomwhenshewasagirl，beforeshemarried，before——longbeforesuchapersonasAlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanzahadbeenevendreamedof。
　　Thatwasstrange，itwasqueertothinkabout。Longbeforehewasborn，whenshewasyearsyoungerthanheashestoodtherenow，shehadstoodthere，hadlookedfromthosewindows，had——
　　Hisgrandmotherthrewherarmsabouthisneckandkissedhim。Hercheekwaswet。
　　Good-night，Albert，shesaidchokingly，andhurriedoutoftheroom。
　　Heundressedquickly，fortheroomwasverycold。Heopenedthewindow，afteradesperatestruggle，andclimbedintobed。Thewind，whistlingin，obliginglyblewoutthelampforhim。Itshriekedandhowledabouttheeavesandtheoldhousesqueakedandgroaned。Albertpulledthecomforterupabouthisneckandconcentrateduponthebusinessofgoingtosleep。He，whocouldscarcelyrememberwhenhehadhadarealhome，wasdesperatelyhomesick。
　　Downstairsinthedining-roomCaptainZelotesstood，hishandsinhispockets，lookingthroughthemicapanesofthestovedooratthefirewithin。Hiswifecameupbehindhimandlaidahandonhissleeve。
　　Whatareyouthinkin’about，Father？sheasked。
　　Herhusbandshookhishead。Iwaswonderin’，hesaid，whatmygranddad，theoriginalCap’nLoteSnowthatbuiltthishouse，wouldhavesaidifhe’dknownthathe’dhaveagreat-great-grandsoncometoliveinitwhowas，scornfully，ahalf-breed。
　　Olive’sgriptightenedonhisarm。
　　Oh，DON’Ttalkso，Zelotes，shebegged。He’sourJanie’sboy。
　　Thecaptainopenedthestovedoor，regardedthered-hotcoalsforaninstant，andthenslammedthedoorshutagain。
　　Iknow，Mother，hesaidgrimly。It’sforthesakeofJanie’shalfthatI’mtakin’intheother。
　　But——but，Zelotes，don’tyouthinkheseemslikeaniceboy？
　　ThetwinklereappearedinCaptainLote’seyes。
　　IthinkHEthinkshe’saniceboy，Mother，hesaid。There，there，let’sgotobed。
　　CHAPTERII
　　Thestoryoftheeventswhichleduptothecoming，onthisDecembernight，ofahalf-breedgrandsontotheSnowhomestead，wasanoldstoryinSouthHarniss。Thedateofitsbeginningwasasfarbackastheyear1892。
　　InthefallofthatyearCaptainZelotesSnowwasinSavannah。
　　HewasincommandofthecoastingschoonerOliveS。andthesaidschoonerwasthendischargingageneralcargo，preparatorytoloadingwithriceandcottonforPhiladelphia。WiththecaptaininSavannahwashisonlydaughter，JaneOlivia，ageascanteighteen，pretty，charming，romanticandheadoverheelsinlovewithahandsomebaritonethensinginginapopular-pricedgrandoperacompany。Itwasbecauseofthishandsomebaritone，who，bytheway，wasaSpaniardnamedMiguelCarlosSperanza，thatJaneSnowwasthenaboardherfather’svessel。CaptainLotewasnotinthehabitoftakinghiswomen-folksonhisvoyageswithhim。Skirtsclutterupthedecktoomuch，washisopinion。
　　HehadtakenJane，however，notonlyonthisvoyage，butonthatprecedingit，whichhadbeentoRio。ItwasCaptainLote’sbelief，andhiswife’shope，thatasuccessionofseawindsmightblowawayrecollectionsofSenorSperanza——fanthegarlicoutofherhead，
　　asthecaptaininelegantlyexpressedit。JanehadspenthersixteenthandseventeenthyearsataschoolforgirlsnearBoston。
　　TheoperacompanyofwhichSperanzawasamemberwasperformingatoneoftheminortheaters。Apartyoftheschoolgirls，dulychaperonedandfaculty-guarded，ofcourse，attendedaseriesofmatinees。AtthesematineesJanefirstsawherhero，braveindoubletandhose，andbraverstillinmelodyandromance。Sheandhermateslookedandlistenedandworshipedfromafar，asisthehabitofmaidenlyyouthundersuchcircumstances。Thereisnoparticulardangerinsuchworshipprovidedtheworshiperremainsalwaysatasafelyremotedistancefromtheidol。ButinJane’scasethissafety-barwasremovedbyFate。Thewifeofafriendofherfather’s，thefriendbeingaBostonmerchantnamedColewithwhomCaptainZeloteshadhadbusinessdealingsformanyyears，wasamusiclover。Shewasinthehabitofgivingwhatshewaspleasedtocallmusicalteasatherhome。Jane，towhomMr。andMrs。
　　Colehadtakenamarkedfancy，wasofteninvitedtothoseteasand，becausetheColeswereamongournicestpeople，shewaspermittedbytheschoolauthoritiestoattend。
　　AtoneofthoseteasSenorMiguelCarlosSperanzawasthebrighteststar。TheSenor，theninhistwenty-ninthyear，handsome，talentedandpicturesque，shonerefulgent。OtherandfarmoreexperiencedfeminineheartsthanJaneSnow’swereflutteringlydisturbedbythegloryofhisrays。Janeandhemet，theyshookhands，theyconversed。Andatsubsequentteastheymetagain，forSperanza，onhispart，wasstronglyattractedtothesimple，unaffectedCapeCodschoolgirl。Itwasnotherbeautyalone——thoughbeautyshehadandofanunusualtype——itwassomethingelse，apersonalitywhichattractedallwhomether。ThehandsomeSpaniardhadhadmanyloveaffairsofamoreorlessperfunctorykind，butherewassomethingdifferent，somethinghehadnotknown。Hebeganbyexertinghispowersoffascinationinalazy，carelessway。Tohisastonishmentthesaidpowerswerenotoverwhelming。IfJanewasfascinatedshewasnotconquered。Sheremainedsweet，simple，direct，charminglyaloof。
　　AndSperanzawasatfirstpuzzled，thenpiqued，thenhimselfmadlyfascinated。Hewrotefervidletters，hebeggedforinterviews，hehauntedeachoneofMrs。Cole’steas。And，atlast，hewrungfromJaneaconfessionofherlove，herpromisetomarryhim。AndthatveryweekMissDonaldson，theheadoftheschool，discoveredandreadapackageoftheSenor’sletterstoherpupil。
　　CaptainZeloteshappenedtobeathomefromavoyage。BeingsummonedfromSouthHarniss，hecametoBostonandheardthetalefromMissDonaldson’sagitatedlips。Janewashisjoy，hispride。
　　herfuturewasthegreathopeanddreamofhislife。WHENshemarried——whichwasnottobethoughtofforanindefinitenumberofyearstocome——shewouldofcoursemarrya——well，notaPresidentoftheUnitedStates，perhaps——butanadmiralpossibly，oramillionaire，ortheownerofafleetofsteamships，orsomethinglikethat。Theideathatsheshouldeventhinkofmarryingaplay-actorwasunbelievable。Thecaptainhadneverattendedtheperformanceofanopera。whatwasmore，heneverexpectedtoattendone。Hehadbeengiventounderstandthataparcelofplay-actin’
　　menandwomenholleredandscreamedtomusicforacoupleofhours。Olive，hiswife，hadattendedanoperaonceand，accordingtoher，itwasmorelikeacatfightthananythingelse。Nobodybutforeignerseverhadanythingtodowithoperas。Andforforeignersofallkinds——buttheLatinvarietyofforeignerinparticular——CaptainZelotesSnowcherishedadetestwhichwasalmostfanatic。
　　Andnowhisdaughter，hisownJanie，wasreceivingardentlovelettersfromaplay-actingforeigner，aSpaniard，aPortygee，amacaroni-eater！Whenfinallyconvincedthatitwastrue，thatthelettershadreallybeenwrittentoJane，whichtooksometime，hedemandedfirstofalltobeshownthePortygee。MissDonaldsoncouldnot，ofcourse，producethelatterforthwith，butshedirectedheriratevisitortothetheaterwheretheoperacompanywasthenperforming。TothetheaterCaptainZeloteswent。
　　HedidnotfindSperanzathere，butfromafrightenedattendanthebrowbeattheinformationthatthesingerwasstayingatacertainhotel。Sothecaptainwenttothehotel。Itwaseleveno’clockinthemorning，SenorSperanzawasinbedandcouldnotbedisturbed。
　　Couldn’t，eh？Bythegreatandeverlastingetceteraandcontinuedhewasgoingtobedisturbedthenandthere。Andunlesssomeofthehotel’shiredhelpsetaboutthedisturbingitwouldbedoneforthem。So，ratherthansummonthepolice，thehotelmanagementsummoneditsguest，andthefirst，andonly，interviewbetweenthefatherandloverofJaneSnowtookplace。
　　Itwasnotalonginterview，butitwasspirited。CaptainZelotesbeganbybeingwhatheconsidereddiplomatic。Havingassuredhiswifebeforeleavinghome，andthealarmedMissDonaldsonsubsequently，thattherewastobenotroublewhatever——everythingwouldbesettledassmoothandeasyasslidin’downhill。thatfellerwon’tmakeanyfuss，you’llsee——havingthusprophesied，thecaptainfeltitincumbentuponhimselftoseetothefulfillment。Sohebeganbycondescendinglyexplainingthatofcoursehewaskindofsorryfortheyoungmanbeforehim，youngfolkswereyoungfolksandofcoursehepresumedlikely’twasnaturalenough，andthelikeofthat，youunderstand。ButofcoursealsoMr。Speranzamustrealizethatthethingcouldnotgoonanyfurther。Janewashisdaughterandherpeoplewerenicepeople，andnaturally，thatbeingthecase，hermotherandhewouldbeprettyparticularastowhoshekeptcompanywith，tosaynothingofmarrying，whicheventwasnottobethoughtoffortenyears，anyway。Nowhedidn’twanttobe——er——personaloranythinglikethat，andofcoursehewouldn’tthinkofsayingthatMr。
　　Speranzawasn’taniceenoughmanfor——well，for——for……Yousee，everybodywasn’tasparticularasheandMrs。Snowwere。But——
　　HereSenorSperanzainterrupted。Hepolitelydesiredtoknowifthepersonspeakingwasendeavoringtoconveytheideathathe，MiguelCarlosSperanza，wasnotofsufficientposeetion，goodness，standing，whatitis？tobeconsideredassuitorforthatperson’sdaughter’shand。DidMeesterSnowcomprehendtowhomheaddressedhimself？
　　Theinterviewterminatednotlongafter。Thecaptain’spartingremarkwasinthenatureofanultimatum。ItwastotheeffectthatifSperanza，oranyothercondemnedundesirablelikehim，daredtosomuchaslookinthedirectionofJaneOliviaSnow，hisdaughter，hepersonallywouldseethatthereturnforthatlookwasachargeofbuckshot。Speranza，white-facedandfuriouslygesticulative，commandedtheastonishedbellboytoputthatBah！
　　pig-idiot！outintothehallandairtheroomimmediatelyafterward。
　　Having，asheconsidered，satisfactorilyattendedtothepresumptuouslover，CaptainZelotesreturnedtotheschoolandtowhathebelievedwouldbethecomparativelyeasytask，thebringingofhisdaughtertoreason。Janehadalwaysbeenanobedientgirl，shewasdevotedtoherparents。Ofcourse，althoughshemightfeelratherdisappointedatfirst，shewouldsoongetoverit。Theideathatshemightflatlyrefusetogetoverit，thatshemighthaveawillofherown，andadeterminationequaltothatofthefatherfromwhomsheinheritedit，didnotoccurtothecaptainatall。
　　Buthisenlightenmentwaspromptandcomplete。Janedidnotrageorbecomehysterical，shedidnotevenweepinhispresence。But，quietly，withasetofhersquarelittlechin，sheinformedCaptainZelotesthatshelovedSperanza，thatshemeanttomarryhimandthatsheshouldmarryhim，somedayorother。Thecaptainraged，commanded，pleaded，begged。Whatwasthematterwithher？Whathadcomeoverher？Didn’tsheloveherfatherandmotheranymorethatsheshouldsetouttoactthisway？Yes，shedeclaredthatshelovedthemasmuchasever，butthatshelovedherlovermorethanalltheworld，andnoone——notevenherparents——shouldseparatethem。
　　CaptainZelotesgaveitupatlast。Thatis，hegaveuptheappealtoreasonandthepleadings。Buthedidnotgiveuptheideaofhavinghisownwayinthematter。beingZelotesSnow，hecertainlydidnotgivethatup。InsteadhetookhisdaughterhomewithhimtoSouthHarniss，whereatearfulandheart-brokenOliveaddedherpersuasionstohis。But，whenshefoundJaneobdurate，Mrs。Snowmighthavesurrendered。Notherhusband，however。Insteadheconceivedabrilliantidea。HewasabouttostartonavoyagetoRioJaneiro。hewouldtakehiswifeanddaughterwithhim。UndertheirimmediateobservationandfarremovedfromtheinfluenceofthatPortygee，Janewouldbeinnodangerandmightforget。
　　Janemadenoremonstrance。ShewenttoRioandreturned。Shewasalwayscalm，outwardlypleasantandquiet，nevermentionedherloverunlessinanswertoaquestion。butsheneveroncevariedfromherdeterminationnottogivehimup。TheSnowsremainedathomeforamonth。ThenZelotes，Janeaccompanyinghim，sailedfromBostontoSavannah。Olivedidnotgowiththem。shehatedtheseaandbythistimebothsheandherhusbandweresomewhatreassured。
　　Sofarastheycouldlearnbywatchfulobservationoftheirdaughter，thelatterhadnotcommunicatedwithSperanzanorreceivedcommunicationsfromhim。Ifshehadnotforgottenhimitseemedlikelythathehadforgottenher。Thethoughtmadethecaptainfuriouslyangry，butitcomfortedhim，too。
　　DuringthevoyagetoSavannahthissenseofcomfortbecamestronger。Janeseemedinbetterspirits。Shewasalwaysobedient，butnowshebegantoseemalmostcheerful，tospeak，andevenlaughoccasionallyjustassheusedto。CaptainZelotespattedhimselfontheback，figuratively。Hisschemehadbeenagoodone。
　　AndinSavannah，oneafternoon，Janemanagedtoeludeherfather’sobservation，toleavetheschoonerandtodisappearcompletely。
　　Andthatnightcamealetter。SheandMiguelCarlosSperanzahadbeenincorrespondenceallthetime，howorthroughwhoseconnivanceisamysteryneverdisclosed。HehadcometoSavannah，inaccordancewithmutualarrangement。theyhadmet，weremarried，andhadgoneawaytogether。
　　Iloveyou，Father，Janewroteintheletter。IloveyouandMothersovery，VERYmuch。Oh，PLEASEbelievethat！ButIlovehim，too。AndIcouldnotgivehimup。Youwillseewhywhenyouknowhim，reallyknowhim。IfitwerenotforyouIshouldbeSO
　　happy。Iknowyoucan’tforgivemenow，butsomedayIamsureyouwillforgiveusboth。
　　CaptainZeloteswasfar，farfromforgivenessashereadthatletter。Hisfirstmate，whowasbesidehimwhenheopenedandreadit，wasactuallyfrightenedwhenhesawthelookontheskipper’sface。Hewentwhite，saidthemate。notpale，butwhite，sameasadeadman，or——ortheundersideofaflatfish，orsomethin’。
　　’FortheLordsakes，Cap’n，’saysI，’what’sthematter？’Heneveransweredme，stoodstarin’attheletter。Thenhelookedup，notatme，butasifsomebodyelsewasstandin’thereont’othersideofthecabintable。’Forgivehim！’hesays，kindofslowandunderhisbreath。’Iwon’tforgivehisblacksoulinhell。’WhenI
　　heardhimsayitIgiveyoumywordmyhairrizundermycap。Ifevertherewaskillin’inaman’svoiceandinhislooks’twasinCap’nLote’sthatnight。WhenIaskedhimagainwhatwasthematterhedidn’tansweranymorethanhehadthefirsttime。Afewminutesafterwardshewentintohisstateroomandshutthedoor。I
　　didn’tseehimagainuntilthenextmornin’。
　　CaptainZelotesmadenoattempttofollowtherunawaycouple。Hedidtakepainstoascertainthattheywerelegallymarried，butthatwasall。HelefthisschoonerinchargeofthemateatSavannahandjourneyednorthtoSouthHarnissandhiswife。Aweekheremainedathomewithher，thenreturnedtotheOliveS。andtookuphiscommandanditsdutiesasifnothinghadhappened。Butwhathadhappenedchangedhiswholelife。Hebecamemoretaciturn，atriflelesscharitable，alittleharderandmoreworldly。Beforethecatastrophehehadbeeninterestedinbusinesssuccessandthemakingofmoneychieflybecauseofhisplansforhisdaughter’sfuture。Nowheworkedevenharderbecauseithelpedhimtoforget。
　　HebecamesoleowneroftheOliveS。，thenofotherschooners。
　　Peoplespokeofhimasonedestinedtobecomeawealthyman。
　　Janelivedonlyafewyearsafterhermarriage。Shediedatthebirthofhersecondchild，whodiedwithher。Herfirst，aboy，wasbornayearaftertheelopement。ShewrotehermothertotellthatnewsandOliveansweredtheletter。ShebeggedpermissionofherhusbandtoinviteJaneandthebabytovisittheoldhome。AtfirstZelotessaidno，flatly。thegirlhadmadeherbed，letherlieinit。ButayearlaterhehadsofarrelentedastogivereluctantconsentforJaneandthechildtocome，providedhercondemnedhusbanddidnotaccompanythem。Ifthatlow-livedPortygeesetsfootonmypremises，sohelpmeGod，I’llkillhim！
　　declaredthecaptain。InhisvernacularallforeignerswerePortygees。
　　ButJanewasasproudandstubbornashe。Whereherhusbandwasnotwelcomeshewouldnotgo。Andalittlelatershehadgoneonthelongestofalljourneys。Speranzadidnotnotifyherparentsexcepttosendaclippednewspaperaccountofherdeathandburial，whicharrivedaweekafterthelatterhadtakenplace。ThenewsprostratedOlive，whowasillforamonth。CaptainZelotesboreit，ashehadbornetheothergreatshock，withoutwardcalmandquiet。YetayearafterwardhesuddenlyannouncedhisdeterminationofgivinguptheseaandhisprosperousandgrowingshippingbusinessandofspendingtherestofhisdaysontheCape。
　　Olivewasdelighted，ofcourse。Riches——thatis，morethanacomfortablecompetency——hadnotemptationsforher。Theoldhouse，homeofthreegenerationsofSnows，waspainted，repairedand，tosomeextent，modernized。ForanotheryearCaptainZelotesloafed，ashecalledit，althoughothersmighthaveconsideredhisactivitiesabouttheplaceanythingbutthat。AttheendofthatyearhesurprisedeveryonebybuyingfromtheheirsoftheestatethebusinessequipmentofthelateEbenRaymond，hardwaredealerandlumbermerchantofSouthHarniss，saidequipmentcomprisinganoffice，astoreandlumberyardsneartherailwaystation。Gottohavesomethin’tokeepmefromgettin’
　　barnacled，declaredCaptainLote。There’senougholdhulksrottin’attheirmoorin’sdownhereas’tis。Idon’tknowanythingaboutlumberandhalfasmuchabouthardware，butIcal’lateIcanlearn。AsanaidinthelearningprocessheretainedasbookkeeperLabanKeeler，whohadactedinthatcapacityfortheformerproprietor。
　　Theyearsslippedaway，adozenofthem，assmoothlyandlazilyasSouthHarnissyearshavealwaysslipped。CaptainZeloteswaspastsixtynow，butasvigorousaswhenforty，stubbornasever，fondofusingquarter-deckmethodsonshoreandespeciallyintown-meeting，andveryoftenintroubleinconsequence。HewasamemberoftheBoardofSelectmenandwasinthehabitofcharacterizingthosewhoseopinionsdifferedfromhisasnarrow-minded。Theyretortedbyaccusinghimofbeingpig-headed。Therewassometruthonbothsides。Hisdetestofforeignershadnotabatedintheleast。