Andthen，inthisDecemberoftheyear1910，fellasfromaclearskythelegacyofagrandson。FromSenorMiguelCarlosSperanzatheSnowshadhadnodirectword，hadreceivednothingsavethenewspaperclippingalreadymentioned。Olivehadneverseenhim。
　　herhusbandhadseenhimonlyontheoccasionofthememorableinterviewinthehotelroom。Theyneverspokeofhim，nevermentionedhimtoeachother。Occasionally，intheBostonnewspapers，hislikenessincostumehadappearedamidthemusicnotesortheatricaljottings。Butthesehadnotbeenasnumerousoflate。Ofhisson，theirowndaughter’schild，theyknewnothing。hemightbealiveorhemightbedead。SometimesOlivefoundherselfspeculatingconcerninghim，wonderingifhewasalive，andifheresembledJane。Butsheputthespeculationfromherthoughts。shecouldnotbeartobringbackmemoriesoftheoldhopesandtheirbitterending。SometimesCaptainLoteathisdeskintheofficeofZ。Snow&Co。，LumberandBuilders’Hardware，
　　caughthimselfdreamingofhisidolizeddaughterandthinkinghowdifferentthefuturemighthavebeenforhimhadshemarriedawhiteman，thekindofmanhehadmeantforhertomarry。Theremightbegrandchildrengrowingupnow，fineboysandgirls，tovisittheoldhomeatSouthHarniss。Ahhum！Well！……Labe，howlonghasthisbillofAbnerParker’sbeenhangin’on？Forthundersakes，whydon’thepayup？Hemustthinkwe’rerunnin’ameetin’-houseChristmastree。
　　Theletterfromthelawyerhadcomefirst。ItwaswritteninNewYork，wasaddressedtoCaptainLotusSnow，andbeganbytakingforgrantedthefactthattherecipientknewallaboutmattersofwhichheknewnothing。Speranzawasdead，somuchwasplain，andtheinferencewasthathehadbeenfatallyinjuredinanautomobileaccident，particularsofwhichyouhaveofcoursereadinthepapers。NeitherCaptainLotenorhiswifehadreadanythingofthekindinthepapers。Thecaptainhadbeenverybusyoflateandhadreadlittleexceptpoliticalnews，andMrs。Snowneverreadofmurdersandaccidents，theirdetailsatleast。Shelookedupfromtheletter，whichherhusbandhadhastenedhomefromtheofficetobringher，withastartledface。
　　Oh，Zelotes，shecried，he’sdead！
　　Thecaptainnodded。
　　Seemsso，hesaid。Thatpart’splainenough，butgoon。TherestofitiswhatIcan’tgetahand-holdon。Seewhatyoumakeoftherestofit，Olive。
　　Therestofitwastotheeffectthatthewriter，beingMr。
　　Speranza’sbusinessadviser，thatistosay，asmuchormoresothananyoneelse，hadbeencalledinatthetimeoftheaccident，hadconferredwiththeinjuredman，andhadlearnedhislastwishes。Heexpressedhimselfcoherentlyconcerninghisson，wentontheletter，anditisinregardtothatsonthatIamaskinganinterviewwithyou。Ishouldhavewrittensooner，buthavebeenengagedwithmatterspertainingtoMr。Speranza’sestateandpersonaldebts。Thelatterseemtobelarge——
　　I’LLbetyou！observedCaptainZelotes，sententiously，interruptinghiswife’sreadingbypointingtothissentencewithabigforefinger。
　　’Andtheestate’saffairsmuchtangled，’wentonOlive，readingaloud。’ItseemsbestthatIshouldseeyouconcerningtheboyatonce。Idon’tknowwhetherornotyouareawarethatheisatschoolin——，NewYork。Iaminclinedtothinkthattheestateitselfwillscarcelywarranttheexpenseofhisremainingthere。
　　CouldyoumakeitconvenienttocometoNewYorkandseemeatonce？Or，ifnot，IshallbeinBostononFridayofnextweekandcanyoumeetmethere？Itseemsalmostimpossibleformetocometoyoujustnow，and，ofcourse，youwillunderstandthatIamactingasasortoftemporaryexecutormerelybecauseMr。SperanzawasformerlymyfriendandnotbecauseIhaveanypecuniaryinterestinthesettlementofhisaffairs。
　　’Verytrulyyours，’MARCUSW。WEISSMANN。’
　　Weissman！AnotherPortygee！snortedCaptainLote。
　　But——butwhatdoesitMEAN？beggedMrs。Snow。Why——whyshouldhewanttoseeyou，Zelotes？Andtheboy——why——why，that’sHER
　　boy。It’sJanie’sboyhemustmean，Zelotes。
　　Herhusbandnodded。
　　Hersandthatblastedfurriner’s，hemuttered。Isupposeso。
　　Oh，DON’Tspeakthatway，Zelotes！Don’t！He’sdead。
　　CaptainLote’slipstightened。Ifhe’ddiedtwentyyearsago’twouldhavebeenbetterforallhands，hegrowled。
　　Janie’sboy！repeatedOliveslowly。Why——why，hemustbeabigboynow。Almostgrownup。
　　Herhusbanddidnotspeak。Hewaspacingthefloor，hishandsinhispockets。
　　Andthismanwantstoseeyouabouthim，saidOlive。Then，afteramoment，sheaddedtimidly：Areyougoin’，Zelotes？
　　Goin’？Where？
　　ToNewYork？Toseethislawyerman？
　　I？Notbyajugful！WhatinblazesshouldIgotoseehimfor？
　　Well——well，hewantsyouto，youknow。Hewantstotalkwithyouaboutthe——theboy。
　　Humph！
　　It’sherboy，Zelotes。
　　Humph！YoungPortygee！
　　Don’t，Zelotes！Please！……Iknowyoucan’tforgivethat——
　　thatman。Wecan’teitherofusforgivehim。but——
　　Thecaptainstoppedinhisstride。Forgivehim！herepeated。
　　Mother，don’ttalklikeafool。Didn’thetakeawaytheonethingthatIwasworkin’for，thatIwasplannin’for，thatIwasLIVIN’
　　for？I——
　　Sheinterrupted，puttingahandonhissleeve。
　　Nottheonlything，dear，shesaid。Youhadme，youknow。
　　Hisexpressionchanged。Helookeddownatherandsmiled。
　　That’sright，oldlady，headmitted。Ihadyou，andthanktheAlmightyforit。Yes，Ihadyou……But，hisangerreturning，whenIthinkhowthatdamnedscampstoleourgirlfromusandthenneglectedherandkilledher——
　　ZELOTES！Howyoutalk！HeDIDN’Tkillher。Howcanyou！
　　Oh，Idon’tmeanhemurderedher，ofcourse。ButI’llbetallI’vegotthathemadehermiserable。Lookhere，Mother，youandsheusedtowritebackandforthonceinawhile。Inanyoneofthoselettersdidsheeversayshewashappy？
　　Mrs。Snow’sanswerwassomewhatequivocal。Sheneversaidshewasunhappy，shereplied。Herhusbandsniffedandresumedhispacingupanddown。
　　AfteralittleOlivespokeagain。
　　NewYorkISagoodways，shesaid。Maybe’twouldbebetterforyoutomeetthislawyermaninBoston。Don’tyouthinkso？
　　Bah！
　　Anotherinterval。Then：Zelotes？
　　Yes，impatiently。Whatisit？
　　It’sherboy，afterall，isn’tit？Ourgrandson，yoursandmine。
　　Don’tyouthink——don’tyouthinkit’syourdutytogo，Zelotes？
　　CaptainLotestampedhisfoot。
　　Forthunderationsakes，Olive，letup！hecommanded。Yououghttoknowbythistimethatthere’sonethingIhateworsethandoin’
　　myduty，that’sbein’preachedtoaboutit。Letup！Don’tyousayanotherword。
　　Shedidnot，havinglearnedmuchbyyearsofexperience。Hesaidthenextwordonthesubjecthimself。Atnoon，whenhecamehomefordinner，hesaid，astheyrosefromthetable：Where’smysuitcase，upattic？
　　Why，yes，Iguesslikely’tis。Why？
　　Insteadofansweringheturnedtothehousekeeper，Mrs。Ellis。
　　Rachel，hesaid，goupandgetthatcaseandfetchitdowntothebedroom，willyou？Hurryup！Trainleavesathalf-pasttwoandit’s’mostonenow。
　　Bothwomenstaredathim。Mrs。Ellisspokefirst。
　　Why，Cap’nLote，shecried。beyougoin’away？
　　Heremployer’sanswerwascrispandverymuchtothepoint。IamifIcangetthatcasetimeenoughtopackitandmakethetrain，
　　heobserved。Ifyoustandhereaskin’questionsIprobablyshallstaytohome。
　　Thehousekeepermadeahastyexitbywayofthebackstairs。Mrs。
　　Snowstillgazedwonderinglyatherhusband。
　　Zelotes，shefaltered，areyou——areyou——
　　I’mgoin’toNewYorkonto-night’sboat。I’vetelegraphedthat——
　　thatWeiss——Weiss——what-do-you-call-it——thatPortygeelawyer——thatI’llbetohisofficeto-morrowmornin’。
　　But，Zelotes，wehaven’tscarcelytalkedaboutit，youandI，atall。YoumighthavewaitedtillhecametoBoston。WhydoyougosoSOON？
　　Thecaptain’sheavybrowsdrewtogether。
　　Youwenttothedentist’slastFriday，hesaid。Whydidn’tyouwaittillnextweek？
　　Why——why，whataquestion！MytoothachedandIwantedtohaveitfixedquickaspossible。
　　Um-m，yes。Well，thistoothachesandIwantitfixedorhauledout，oneort’other。Iwantthethingoffmymind……Don’tTALKtome？headded，irritably。IknowI’mafool。And，withaperemptorywaveofthehand，don’tyouDAREsayanythingaboutDUTY！
　　Hewasbackagaintwodayslater。Hiswifedidnotquestionhim，butwaitedforhimtospeak。Thoseyearsofexperiencealreadymentionedhadtaughtherdiplomacy。Helookedatherandpulledhisbeard。Well，heobserved，whentheywerealonetogether，I
　　sawhim。
　　The——theboy？eagerly。
　　No，no！Coursenot！Theboy’satschoolsomewhereupinNewYorkState。howcouldIseehim！IsawthatlawyerandIfoundoutabout——abouttheotherscamp。Hewaskilledinanautoaccident，drunkatthetime，Ical’late。Nigh’sIcangatherhe’sbeendrinkin’prettyheavyforthelastsixorsevenyears。Alwayslivedhigh，sameashiskindgenerallydoes，andspentmoneylikewater，Ijudge——butgoin’downhillfastlately。Hisvoicewasgivin’outonhimandherealizedit，Ipresumelikely。Nowhe’sdeadandleftnothin’buttrunksfullofstageclothesandphotographsand，contemptuously，lettersfromfoolwomen，anddebts——Lord，yes！debtsenough。
　　Buttheboy，Zelotes。Janie’sboy？
　　He’sbeenatthisschoolplaceforprettynightenyears，sothelawyerfellersaid。Thatlawyerwasaprettydecentchap，too，forafurriner。Seemsheusedtoknowthis——Speranzarascal——whenSperanzawasyoungerandmoredecent——ifheeverwasreallydecent，whichIdoubt。Butthislawyermanwashisfriendthenandabouttheonlyonehereallyhadwhenhewashurt。Therewasplentyofmake-believefriendshangin’on，likepilot-fishtoashark，forwhattheycouldgetbyspongin’onhim，butrealfriendswerescarce。
　　Andtheboy——
　　FortheLordsakes，Mother，don’tkeepsayin’’Theboy，’’theboy，’overandoveragainlikeatalkin’machine！Letmefinishaboutthefatherfirst。ThisWeis——er——thingamajig——thelawyer，hadquiteatalkwithSperanzaaforehedied，orwhilehewasdyin’。heonlylivedafewhoursaftertheaccidentandwasoutofhisheadpartofthat。ButhesaidenoughtoletWeiss——er——er——
　　Oh，whyCAN’TIrememberthatPortygee’sname？——tolethimknowthathe’dliketohavehimsettleupwhatwasleftofhisaffairs，andtosendwordtousabout——abouttheboy。There！Ihopeyoufeeleasier，Mother。I’vegot’roundto’theboy’atlast。
　　Butwhydidhewantwordsenttous，Zelotes？Heneverwrotealinetousinhislife。
　　Youbethedidn’t！bitterly。heknewbetter。Whydidhewantwordsentnow？Theanswertothat’seasyenough。’Causehewantedtogetsomethin’outofus，that’sthereason。Fromwhatthatlawyercouldgather，andfromwhathe’sfoundoutsince，thereain’tmoneyenoughfortheboytostayanothersixweeksatthatschool，oranywhereelse，unlesstheyoungfellerearnsithimself。
　　And，leavin’usoutofthecount，thereisn’tarelationthissideofthesaltpond。There’sprobablyamillionorsooverthereinPortygee-land，withaderisivesniff。thoseforeignersbreedlikeflies。ButTHEYdon’tcount。
　　Butdidhewantwordsenttousaboutthe——
　　Sshh！I’mtellin’you，Olive，I’mtellin’you。Hewantedwordsentbecausehewasinhopesthatwe——youandI，Mother——wouldtakethatsonofhisinatourhousehereandgivehimahome。Thecheekofit！Afterwhathe’ddonetoyouandme，blasthim！Thesolidbrassnerveofit！
　　Hestormedupanddowntheroom。HiswifedidnotseemnearlysomuchdisturbedasheatthethoughtoftheSperanzapresumption。
　　Shelookedanxious——yes，butshelookedeager，too，andhergazewasfixeduponherhusband’sface。
　　Oh！shesaid，softly。Oh！……And——andwhatdidyousay，Zelotes？
　　WhatdidIsay？WhatdoyousupposeIsaid？Isaidno，andI
　　saiditgoodandloud，too。
　　Olivemadenocomment。Sheturnedawayherhead，andthecaptain，whonowinhisturnwaswatchingher，sawasuspiciousgleam，asofmoisture，onhercheek。Hestoppedhispacingandlaidahandonhershoulder。
　　There，there，Mother，hesaid，gently。Don’tcry。He’scomin’。
　　Comin’？Sheturnedpale。Comin’？sherepeated。Who？
　　Thatboy！……Sshh！shh！impatiently。Nowdon’tgoaskin’mequestionsortellin’mewhatIjustsaidIsaid。ISAIDtherightthing，but——Well，hangitall，whatelsecouldIDO？Iwrotetheboy——Albert——aletterandIwrotethebossoftheschoolanotherone。Isentacheckalongforexpensesand——Well，he’llbehere’mostanydaynow，Ishouldn’twonder。AndWHATinthedevilarewegoin’todowithhim？
　　Hiswifedidnotreplytothisoutburst。Shewastremblingwithexcitement。
　　Is——ishisnameAlbert？shefaltered。
　　Um-hm。Seemsso。
　　Why，that’syourmiddlename！Doyou——doyous’poseJaniecouldhavenamedhimfor——foryou？
　　Idon’tknow。
　　Ofcourse，withsomehesitation，itmaybeshedidn’t。Ifshe’dnamedhimZelotes——
　　Goodheavens，woman！Isn’tonenamelikethatenoughinthefamily？ThanktheLordwe’resparedtwoof’em！Butthere！he’scomin’。Andwhenhegetshere——thenwhat？
　　Oliveputherarmaboutherbighusband。
　　Ihope——yes，I’msureyoudidright，Zelotes，andthatall’sgoin’
　　toturnouttobeforthebest。
　　Areyou？Well，_I_ain’tsure，notbyathousandfathom。
　　He’sJanie’sboy。
　　Yes。Andhe’sthatplay-actor’sboy，too。OneSperanzaprettynighruinedyourlifeandmine，Olive。What’llthisonedo？……
　　Well，Godknows，Isupposelikely，butHewon’ttell。Allwecandoiswaitandsee。ItellyouhonestIain’tveryhopeful。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Abriskraponthedoor。thenaman’svoice。
　　Hello，there！Wakeup。
　　Albertrolledover，openedoneeye，thentheotherandraisedhimselfonhiselbow。
　　Eh？Wh-what？hestammered。
　　Seveno’clock！Timetoturnout。
　　Thevoicewashisgrandfather’s。Oh——oh，allright！heanswered。
　　Understandme，doyou？
　　Yes——yes，sir。I’llberightdown。
　　ThestairscreakedasCaptainZelotesdescendedthem。Albertyawnedcavernously，stretchedandslidonefootoutofbed。Hedrewitbackinstantly，however，forthesensationwasthatofhavingthrustitintoabucketofcoldwater。Theroomhadbeencoldthepreviousevening。plainlyitwascolderstillnow。Thetemptationwastoturnbackandgotosleepagain，buthefoughtagainstit。Somehowhehadafeelingthattodisregardhisgrandfather’ssummonswouldbepoordiplomacy。
　　Hesethisteethand，tossingbackthebedclothes，jumpedtothefloor。Thenhejumpedagain，forthefloorwaslikeice。Thewindowwaswideopenandheclosedit，buttherewasnowarmradiatortocuddleagainstwhiledressing。Hemissedhiscompulsorymorningshower，amisswhichdidnotdistresshimgreatly。Heshookhimselfintohisclothes，sousedhisheadandneckinabasinoficewaterpouredfromapitcher，and，beforebrushinghishair，lookedoutofthewindow。
　　Itwasasharpwintermorning。Thewindhadgonedown，butbeforesubsidingithadblowneverytraceofmistorhazefromtheair，andfromhiswindow-silltothehorizoneverydetailwascleancutanddistinct。Hewaslookingout，itseemed，fromthebackofthehouse。Theroofofthekitchenextensionwasbelowhimand，totheright，thehighroofofthebarn。Overthekitchenroofandtothelefthesawlittlerollinghills，valleys，cranberryswamps，apond。Aroadwoundinandoutand，scatteredalongit，werehouses，mostlywhitewithgreenblinds，butoccasionallyvariedbythegrayofunpainted，weatheredshingles。Along，low-spreadingbuildingahalfmileofflookedasifitmightbeasummerhotel，nowclosedandshuttered。Beyonditwasaclusterofgrayshantiesandagleamofwater，evidentlyawharfandaminiatureharbor。
　　And，beyondthat，thedeep，brilliantblueofthesea。Brownandblueweretheprevailingcolors，but，hereandthere，clumpsandgrovesofpinesgavesplashesofgreen。
　　Therewasanexhilarationinthecrispair。Hefeltanunwontedlivelinessandadesiretobeactivewhichwouldhavesurprisedsomeofhisteachersattheschoolhehadjustleft。Thedepressionofspiritsofwhichhehadbeenconsciousthepreviousnighthaddisappearedalongwithhispremonitionsofunpleasantness。Hefeltoptimisticthismorning。Aftergivinghiscurlsarakewiththecomb，heopenedthedooranddescendedthesteepstairstothelowerfloor。
　　Hisgrandmotherwassettingthebreakfasttable。Hewasalittlesurprisedtoseeherdoingit。Whatwastheuseofhavingservantsifonedidtheworkoneself？Butperhapsthehousekeeperwasill。
　　Goodmorning，hesaid。
　　Mrs。Snow，whohadnotheardhimenter，turnedandsawhim。Whenhecrossedtheroom，shekissedhimonthecheek。
　　Goodmorning，Albert，shesaid。Ihopeyousleptwell。
　　Albertrepliedthathehadsleptverywellindeed。Hewasatrifledisappointedthatshemadenocommentonhispromptnessinansweringhisgrandfather’ssummons。Hefeltsuchpromptnessdeservedcommendation。Atschooltheyrangtwobellsattenminuteintervals，thusgivingafellowasecondchance。Ithadbeenapointofsenioretiquettetoacceptnothingbutthatsecondchance。Here，apparently，hewasexpectedtojumpatthefirst。Therewasamatterofcourseabouthisgrandmother’sattitudewhichwasdisturbing。
　　Shewentonsettingthetable，talkingasshedidso。
　　I’mrealgladyoudidsleep，shesaid。Somefolkscanhardlyeversleepthefirstnightinastrangeroom。Zelotes——Imeanyourgrandpa——’sgoneouttoseetothehorseandfeedthehensandthepig。He’llbeinprettysoon。Thenwe’llhavebreakfast。I
　　supposeyou’reawfulhungry。
　　Asamatteroffacthewasnotveryhungry。Breakfastwasalwaysamoreorlessperfunctorymealwithhim。Buthewassurprisedtoseethevarietyofeatablesuponthattable。Therewerecookiesthere，anddoughnuts，andevenhalfanapplepie。Pieforbreakfast！Ithadbeenanewspaperjokeatwhichhehadlaughedmanytimes。Butitseemednottobeajokehere，ratherasolemnreality。
　　ThekitchendooropenedandMrs。Ellisputinherhead。ToAlbert’sastonishmenttheupperpartofthehead，beginningjustabovethebrows，wasswathedinahugebandage。Thelowerpartwasapictureofhopelessmisery。
　　HasCap’nLotecomeinyet？inquiredthehousekeeper，faintly。
　　Notyet，Rachel，repliedMrs。Snow。He’llbehereinaminute，though。Albert’sdown，soyoucanbegintakin’upthethings。
　　Theheaddisappeared。Asighofcompletewretchednessdriftedinasthedoorclosed。Albertlookedathisgrandmotherinalarm。
　　Isshesick？hefaltered。
　　Who？Rachel？No，sheain’texactlysick……Dearme！WheredidIputthatcleannapkin？
　　Theboystaredatthekitchendoor。Ifhisgrandmotherhadsaidthehousekeeperwasnotexactlydeadhemighthaveunderstood。Buttosayshewasnotexactlysick——
　　But——butwhatmakesherlookso？hestammered。And——andwhat’sshegotthatonherheadfor？Andshegroaned！Why，sheMUSTbesick！
　　Mrs。Snow，havingfoundthecleannapkin，laiditbesideherhusband’splate。
　　No，shesaidcalmly。It’soneofhersympatheticattacks。
　　that’swhatshecalls’em，sympatheticattacks。Shehas’emeverytimeLabanKeelerstartsinononeofhisperiodics。It’snerves，Isuppose。Cap’nZelotes——yourgrandfather——saysit’severlastin’
　　foolishness。Whatever’tis，it’sanuisance。Andshe’ssosensibleothertimes，too。
　　Albertwasmorepuzzledthanever。WhyintheworldMrs。EllisshouldtieupherheadandgroanbecausethelittleKeelerpersonhadgoneonaspreewasbeyondhiscomprehension。
　　Hisgrandmotherenlightenedhimatrifle。
　　Yousee，shewenton，sheandLabanhavebeenengagedtobemarriedeversincetheywereyoungfolks。It’sLaban’sweaknessforliquorthat’skept’emapartsolong。Shewon’tmarryhimwhilehedrinksandhekeepsswearin’offandthenbreakingdown。
　　He’sagoodman，too。anawfulgoodmanandcapableasallget-outwhenhe’ssober。Latelythatis，forthelastsevenoreightyears，beginnin’withthetimewhenthatlectureronmesmerismandtelegraphy——no，telepathy——thought-transfersandsuch——wasatthetownhall——Rachelhasbeenhavin’thesesympatheticattacksofhers。Shedeclaresthatalcohol-takin’isadiseaseandthatLabansufferswhenhe’stipsyandthatsheandhearesobounduptogetherthatshesuffersjustthesameashedoes。ImustsayI
　　nevernoticedhimsufferin’verymuch，notatthebeginnin，’
　　anyhow——actsmoreashewashavin’agoodtime——butsheseemsto。
　　Idon’twonderyousmile，sheadded。’Tisfunny，inaway，andit’squeerthatsuchapractical，common-sensewomanasRachelEllisis，shouldhavesuchanotion。It’shardonus，though。
　　Don’tsayanythingtoheraboutit，anddon’tlaughather，whateveryoudo。
　　Albertwantedtolaughverymuch。But，Mrs。Snow——hebegan。
　　Mercysakesalive！Youain’tgoin’tocallme’Mrs。Snow，’I
　　hope。
　　No，ofcoursenot。But，GrandmotherwhydoyouandCaptain——youandGrandfatherkeepherandKeeleriftheyaresomuchtrouble？
　　Whydon’tyouletthemgoandgetsomeoneelse？
　　Let’emgo？Getsomeoneelse！Why，weCOULDN’Tgetanybodyelse，anyonewhowouldbelikethem。They’realmostapartofourfamily。thatis，Rachelis，she’sbeenheresincegoodnessknowswhen。And，whenhe’ssoberLabanalmostrunsthelumberbusiness。
　　Besides，they’renicefolks——almostalways。
　　PlainlythewaysofSouthHarnisswerenotthewaysoftheworldhehadknown。CertainlythesepeoplewereRubesandqueerRubes，too。Thenherememberedthattwoofthemwerehisgrandparentsandthathisimmediatefuturewas，sotospeak，intheirhands。Thethoughtwasnotentirelycomfortingordelightful。Hewasstillponderinguponitwhenhisgrandfathercameinfromthebarn。
　　Thecaptainsaidgoodmorninginthesamewayhehadsaidgoodnight，thatis，heandAlbertshookhandsandtheboywasagainconsciousofthegazewhichtookhiminfromheadtofootandofthequiettwinkleinthegrayeyes。
　　Sleepwell，son？inquiredCaptainZelotes。
　　Yes……Yes，sir。
　　That’sgood。Ijudgedyouwasmakin’aprettygoodtryatitwhenIthumpedonyourdoorthismornin’。Somethin’newforyoutobeturnedoutatseven，eh？
　　No，sir。
　　Eh？Itwasn’t？
　　No，sir。Therisingbellrangatsevenupatschool。Weweresupposedtobedownatbreakfastataquarterpast。
　　Humph！Youwere，eh？Supposedtobe？Doesthatmeanthatyouwerethere？
　　Yes，sir。
　　Therewasasurprisedlookinthegrayeyesnow，afactwhichAlbertnoticedwithinwarddelight。Hehadtakenoneriseoutofhisgrandfather，atanyrate。Hewaited，hopingforanotheropportunity，butitdidnotcome。Insteadtheysatdowntobreakfast。
　　Breakfast，inspiteofthemorningsunshineatthewindows，wassomewhatgloomy。Thehomesickness，althoughnotasacuteasonthepreviousnight，wasstillinevidence。Albertfeltlost，outofhiselement，lonely。And，toaddatouchofrealmiserableness，thehousekeeperservedandatelikeanearrelativeofthedeceasedatafuneralfeast。Shemovedslowly，shesighedheavily，andthebandageuponherforeheadloomedlargeandportentous。Whenspokentosheseldomrepliedbeforethethirdattempt。CaptainZeloteslostpatience。
　　Haveanotheregg？heroared，brandishingthespooncontainingitatarm’slengthandalmostunderhernose。Egg！Egg！EGG！Ifyoucan’thearit，smellit。Onlyanswer，forheavensakes！
　　Theeffectofthisoutburstwasobviouslynotwhathehadhoped。
　　Mrs。Ellisstaredfirstattheeggquiveringbeforeherface，thenatthecaptain。Thensheroseandmarchedmajesticallytothekitchen。Thedoorclosed，butaheartrendingsniffdriftedinthroughthecrack。Olivelaiddownherknifeandfork。
　　There！sheexclaimed，despairingly。Nowseewhatyou’vedone。
　　Oh，Zelotes，howmanytimeshaveItoldyouyou’vegottotreathertactfulwhenshe’sthisway？
　　CaptainLoteputtheeggbackinthebowl。
　　DAMN！heobserved，withintenseenthusiasm。
　　Hiswifeshookherhead。
　　Swearin’don’thelpitamite，either，shedeclared。BesidesI
　　don’tknowwhatAlbertheremustthinkofyou。Albert，who，betweenastonishmentandawilddesiretolaugh，wasinacriticalcondition，appearedratherembarrassed。Hisgrandfatherlookedathimandsmiledgrimly。
　　Ical’lateonedamnwon’tscarehimtodeath，heobserved。
　　Maybehe’sheardsomethin’likeitafore。Ordotheysay，’Oh，sugar！’upatthatschoolyoucomefrom？headded。
　　Albert，notknowinghowtoreply，lookedmoreembarrassedthanever。Oliveseemedonthepointofweeping。
　　Oh，Zelotes，howCANyou！shewailed。Andto-day，ofalldays！
　　Hisveryfirstmornin’！
　　CaptainLoterelented。
　　There，there，Mother！hesaid。I’msorry。Forgetit。SorryifIshockedyou，Albert。There’stimeswhensalt-waterlanguageistheonlythingthatseemstohelpmeout……Well，Mother，whatnext？What’llwedonow？
　　YouknowjustaswellasIdo，Zelotes。There’sonlyonethingyoucando。That’sgooutandbegherpardonthisminute。There’sadozenplacesshecouldgetrighthereinSouthHarnisswithoutturnin’herhandover。AndifsheshouldleaveIdon’tknowWHAT
　　I’ddo。
　　Leave！Sheain’tgoin’toleaveanymore’nthantheship’scat’sgoin’tojumpoverboard。She’sbeenheresolongshewouldn’tknowhowtoleaveifshewantedto。
　　Thatdon’tmakeanydifference。Thepitcherthatgoestothewell——er——er——
　　Shehadevidentlyforgottentherestoftheproverb。Herhusbandhelpedherout。
　　Flockstogetherorgathersnomoss，orsomethin’，eh？Allright，Mother，don’tfret。Thereain’treallyanyoccasionto，considerin’
　　we’vebeenthroughsomethin’likethisatleastonceeverysixmonthsfortenyears。
　　Zelotes，won’tyouPLEASEgoandaskherpardon？
　　Thecaptainpushedbackhischair。I’llbehangedifitain’tahealthynote，hegrumbled，whentheskipperhastogoandapologizetothecookbecausethecook’smadeafoolofherself！
　　I’dliketoknowwhatkindofrumLabedrinks。Ineversawanybuthiskindthatwouldgotosomebodyelse’shead。Twopeoplegettin’
　　tightandonlyoneof’emdrinkin’issomethin’——
　　Hedisappearedintothekitchen，stillmuttering。Mrs。Snowsmiledfeeblyathergrandson。
　　Iguessyouthinkwe’refunnyfolks，Albert，shesaid。ButRachelisonehiredhelpinathousandandshehastobetreatedjustso。
　　FiveminuteslaterCap’n’Lotereturned。Heshruggedhisshouldersandsatdownathisplace。
　　Allright，Mother，allright，heobserved。I’vebeenheavin’
　　ileonthetroubledwatersandthesea’ssmoothin’down。She’llbekindandcondescendin’enoughtoeatwithusinaminuteorso。
　　Shewas。Shecameintothedining-roomwiththeairofasaintgoingtomartyrdomandtheremainderofthemealwaseatenbythequartetalmostinsilence。Whenitwasoverthecaptainsaid：
　　Well，Al，feellikewalkin’，doyou？
　　Why，why，yes，sir，Iguessso。
　　Humph！Youdon’tseemverywildattheprospect。Walkin’ain’tmuchinyourline，maybe。Moreusedtoautoin’，perhaps？
　　Mrs。Snowputinaword。Don’ttalkso，Zelotes，shesaid。
　　He’llthinkyou’remakin’funofhim。
　　Who？Me？Notabitofit。Well，Al，doyouwanttowalkdowntothelumberyardwithme？
　　Theboyhesitated。Thequietnoteofsarcasminhisgrandfather’svoicewasmakinghimfuriouslyangryoncemore，justasithaddoneonthepreviousnight。
　　Doyouwantmeto？heasked，shortly。
　　Why，yes，Ical’lateIdo。
　　Albert，withoutanotherword，walkedtothehat-rackinthehallandbeganputtingonhiscoat。CaptainLotewatchedhimforamomentandthenputonhisown。
　　We’llbebacktodinner，Mother，hesaid。Heaveahead，Al，ifyou’reready。
　　TherewaslittleconversationbetweenthepairduringthehalfmilewalktotheofficeandyardsofZ。SnowandCo。，LumberandBuilders’Hardware。Onlyoncedidthecaptainofferaremark。
　　Thatwasjustastheycameoutbythebigpostsattheentrancetothedriveway。Thenhesaid：
　　Al，Idon’twantyoutogettheideafromwhathappenedatthetablejustnow——thatfoolishnessaboutRachelEllis——thatyourgrandmotherain’tasensiblewoman。Sheis，andthere’snobetteroneonearth。Don’tletthatfactslipyourmind。
　　Albert，somewhatstartledbytheabruptnessoftheobservation，lookedupinsurprise。Hefoundthegrayeyeslookingdownathim。
　　Inoticedyoulookin’ather，wentonhisgrandfather，asifyouwaskindofwonderin’whethertolaughatherorpityher。Youneedn’tdoeither。She’skind-heartedandthatmakesherputupwithRachel’ssilliness。Then，besides，Rachelherselfiscommonsenseandpracticalnine-tenthsofthetime。It’salwaysagoodidea，son，tosailonev’yagealongwithapersonbeforeyoudecidewhethertoclass’emasA。B。orjustroustabout。
　　Thebloodrushedtotheboy’sface。Hefeltguiltyandthefeelingmadehimangrierthanever。
　　Idon’tseewhy，heburstout，indignantly，youshouldsayIwaslaughingat——atMrs。Snow——
　　Atyourgrandmother。
　　Well——yes——atmygrandmother。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldsaythat。Iwasn’t。
　　Wasn’tyou？Good！I’mgladofit。Iwouldn’t，anyhow。She’sliabletobeaboutthebestfriendyou’llhaveinthisworld。
　　ToAlbert’smindflashedtheaddition：Betterthanyou，thatmeans，buthekeptittohimself。
　　Thelumberyardswereonaspurtracknotveryfarfromtherailwaystationwherehehadspentthatmiserablehalfhourthepreviousevening。Thedarknessthenhadpreventedhisseeingthem。Notthathewouldhavebeengreatlyinterestedifhehadseenthem，norwashemoreinterestednow，althoughhisgrandfathertookhimonapersonallyconductedtourbetweenthepilesofspruceandpineandhemlockandpointedoutwhichwaswhichandaddedfurtherdetails。
　　Thosearetwobyfours，hesaid。Or，Thosearelargerjoist，differentsizes。Thisisgood，clearstock，asgoodalotofwhitepineaswe’vegotholdofforalongspell。Hegaveparticularsconcerningthehandiestwaytodriveateamtooneortheotherofthepiles。Albertfounditratherboring。HelongedtospeakconcerningenormouslumberyardshehadseeninNewYorkorChicagoorelsewhere。Hefeltalmostapityingcondescensiontowardthisprovincialgrandparentwhoseemedtothinkhislittlepilesoftwobyfourssoimportant。
　　Itwasmuchthesame，perhapsalittleworse，whentheyenteredthehardwareshopandtheoffice。Therowsandrowsoflittledrawersandboxes，eachwithsamplesofitscontents——screws，orbolts，orhooks，orknobs——affixedtoitsfront，wereevenmoreboringthanthelumberpiles。Therewasacountryfied，middle-agedpersoninoverallssweepingouttheshopandCaptainZelotesintroducedhim。
　　Albert，hesaid，thisisMr。IssacharPrice，whoworksaroundtheplacehere。Issy，letmemakeyouacquaintedwithmygrandson，Albert。
　　Mr。Price，lookingoverhisspectacles，extendedahornyhandandobserved：Yus，yus。Pleasedtomeetyou，Albert。I’veheardtellofyou。
　　Albert’sprivateappraisalofIssywasthatthelatterwasanotherfunnyRube。WhateverIssy’sestimateofhisemployer’sgrandsonmighthavebeen，he，also，keptittohimself。
　　CaptainZeloteslookedabouttheshopandglancedintotheoffice。
　　Humph！hegrunted。NosignorsymptomsofLabanthismornin’，I
　　presumelikely？
　　Issacharwentonwithhissweeping。
　　Naryone，washislaconicreply。
　　Humph！Heardanythingabouthim？
　　Mr。Pricemoistenedhisbroominabucketofwater。IseeTimKelleyonmywaydownstreet，hesaid。TimsaidherunafoulofLabanalongabouttenlastnight。Saidhecal’latedLabewasonhisway。Hewassingin’’HyannisontheCape’andsoTimfiggeredhe’dgotaprettyfairstartalready。
　　Thecaptainshookhishead。Tut，tut，tut！hemuttered。Well，thatmeansI’llhavetodoofficeworkforthenextweekorso。
　　Humph！Ideclareit’stoobadjustnowwhenIwascountin’onhimto——Hedidnotfinishthesentence，butinsteadturnedtohisgrandsonandsaid：Al，whydon’tyoulookaroundthehardwarestoreherewhileIopenthemailandthesafe。Ifthere’sanythingyouseeyoudon’tunderstandIssy’lltellyouaboutit。
　　Hewentintotheoffice。Albertsaunteredlistlesslytothewindowandlookedout。Sofarasnotunderstandinganythingintheshopwasconcernedhewasquitewillingtoremaininignorance。Itdidnotinteresthimintheleast。Amomentlaterhefeltatouchonhiselbow。Heturned，tofindMr。Pricestandingbesidehim。
　　I’mallreadytotellyouaboutitnow，volunteeredtheunsmilingIssy。Sweepin’sallfinishedup。
　　Albertwasamused。IguessIcangetalong，hesaid。
　　Don’tworry。
　　_I_ain’tworriednone。Idon’tbelieveinworryin’。worryin’
　　don’tdofolksnogood，thewayIlookatit。Butlong’sCap’nLotewantsmetotellyouaboutthehardwareI’drutherdoitnow，thananytime。HenryCahoon’steam’llbehereforaloadoflathinabouttenminutesorso，andthenI’llhavetoleaveyou。Thishere’stheshelfwherewekeepthebutts——hinges，youunderstand。
　　Brassalonghere，andironhere。Gotquiteastock，ain’twe。
　　Hetookthevisitor’sarminhismightypawandledhimfromshelvestodrawersandfromdrawerstoboxes，talkingallthetime，sotheboythought，likeacatalogue。Alberttriedgentlytobreakawayseveraltimesandyawnedoften，butyawnsandhintswerequitelostonhisguide，whowasintentonlyuponthebusiness——andvictim——inhand。AtthewindowlookingacrosstowardthemainroadAlbertpausedlongest。Therewasagirlinsight——shelooked，atthatdistance，asifshemightbearatherprettygirl——andtheyoungmanwaslanguidlyinterested。Hehadrecentlymadethediscoverythatprettygirlsmaybequiteinteresting。and，moreover，oneortwoofthemwhomhehadmetattheschooldances——whentheyoungladiesfromtheMissesBradshaws’seminaryhadcomeover，dulyguardedandchaperoned，toone-stepandfox-trotwiththeyounggentlemenoftheschool——oneortwooftheseyoungladieshadintimatedacertaininterestinhim。Sothefemininepossibilityacrosstheroadattractedhisnotice——onlyslightly，ofcourse。thesophisticatedmetropolitannoticeisnoteasilyaroused——butstill，slightly。
　　Comeon，comeon，urgedIssacharPrice。Iain’tbeguntoshowyethewholeofityet……Eh？Oh，Lord，therecomesCahoon’steamnow！Well，Igottogo。Showyoutherestsomeothertime。
　　Solong……Eh？Cap’nLote’scallin’you，ain’the？
　　Albertwentintotheofficeinresponsetohisgrandfather’scalltofindthelatterseatedatanold-fashionedroll-topdesk，piledwithpapers。
　　I’vegottogodowntothebank，Al，hesaid。SomebusinessaboutanotethatLabanoughttobeheretoseeto，butain’t。
　　I’llbebackprettysoon。Youjuststayhereandwaitforme。Youmightbelookin’overthebooks，ifyouwantto。Itook’emoutofthesafeandthey’reonLabe’sdeskthere，pointingtothehighstandingdeskbythewindow。They’reworthlookin’at，ifonlytoseehowneatthey’rekept。Asetofbookslikethatisanexampletoanyyoungman。Youmightbelookin’’emover。
　　Hehurriedout。Albertsmiledcondescendinglyand，insteadoflookingoverMr。Keeler’sbooks，walkedovertothewindowandlookedoutofthat。Thegirlwasnotinsightnow，butshemightbesoon。Atanyratewatchingforherwasasexcitingasanyamusementhecouldthinkofaboutthatdullhole。Ahhum！hewonderedhowthefellowswereatschool。
　　Thegirldidnotreappear。Signsofanimationalongthemainroadwerelimited。Oneortwomenwentby，thenagroupofchildrenobviouslyontheirwaytoschool。Albertyawnedagain，tookthesilvercigarettecasefromhispocketandlookedlonginglyatitscontents。Hewonderedwhathisgrandfather’sideasmightbeonthetobaccoquestion。Buthisgrandfatherwasnottherethen……
　　andhemightnotreturnforsometime……and……Hetookacigarettefromthecase，tapped，withcarefulcarelessness，itsenduponthecase——hewouldnothavedreamedofsmokingwithoutfirstgoingthroughthetappingprocess——lightedthecigaretteandblewalargeandsatisfyingcloud。Betweenpuffshesang：
　　Toyou，beautifullady，Iraisemyeyes。
　　Myheart，beautifullady，Toyourheartcries：
　　Come，come，beautifullady，ToPar-a-dise，Asthesweet，sweet——’
　　Someonebehindhimsaid：Excuseme。Theappealtothebeautifulladybrokeoffinthemiddle，andhewhirledabouttofindthegirlwhomhehadseenacrosstheroadandforwhosereappearancehehadbeenwatchingatthewindow，standingintheofficedoorway。Helookedatherandshelookedathim。Hewasembarrassed。Shedidnotseemtobe。
　　Excuseme，shesaid：IsMr。Keelerhere？
　　Shewasaprettygirl，sohishastyestimatemadewhenhehadfirstsightedherwascorrect。Herhairwasdark，sowerehereyes，andhercheekswerebecominglycoloredbythechillofthewinterair。
　　Shewasacountrygirl，herhatandcoatprovedthat。notthattheywereinbadtasteorunbecoming，buttheyweresimpleandtheirstyleperhapsnearertothatwhichtheyoungladiesoftheMissesBradshaws’seminaryhadwornthepreviouswinter。AllthisAlbertnoticedindetaillateron。Justthentheparticularpointwhichattractedhisembarrassedattentionwasthelookinthedarkeyes。
　　Theyseemedtohavealmostthesamedisturbingqualitywhichhehadnoticedinhisgrandfather’sgrayones。Hermouthwasveryproperandgrave，buthereyeslookedasifshewerelaughingathim。
　　Nowtobelaughedatbyanattractiveyoungladyisdisturbingandunpleasant。Itisparticularlysowhenthelaughterisfromtheprovincesandthelaughee——sotospeak——adignifiedandsophisticatedcityman。Albertsummonedthesaiddignityandsophisticationtohisrescue，knockedtheashesfromhiscigaretteandsaid，haughtily：
　　Ibegyourpardon？
　　IsMr。Keelerhere？repeatedthegirl。
　　No，heisout。
　　Willhebebacksoon，doyouthink？
　　RecollectionsofMr。Price’srecentremarkconcerningthemissingbookkeeper’sgoodstartcametoAlbert’smindandhesmiled，slightly。Ishouldsaynot，heobserved，withdelicateirony。
　　IsIssy——ImeanMr。Price，busy？
　　He’soutintheyardtheresomewhere，Ibelieve。Wouldyouliketohavemecallhim？
　　Why，yes——ifyouplease——sir。
　　Thesirwasflattering，ifitwassincere。Heglancedather。
　　Theexpressionofthemouthwasasgraveasever，buthewasstilluncertainaboutthoseeyes。However，hewasdisposedtogiveherthebenefitofthedoubt，so，steppingtothesidedooroftheoffice——thatleadingtotheyards——heopeneditandshouted：
　　Price！……Hey，Price！
　　Therewasnoanswer，althoughhecouldhearIssachar’svoiceandanotherabovetherattleoflathbundles。
　　Price！heshouted，again。Pri-i-ce！
　　Therattlingceased。Then，inthemiddledistance，aboveapileoftwobyfours，appearedIssachar’shead，thefeaturesagitatedandtheforeheadbedewedwiththemoistureofhonesttoil。
　　Huh？yelledIssy。What’sthematter？Beyouhollerin’tome？
　　Yes。There’ssomeoneherewantstoseeyou。
　　Hey？
　　Isaythere’ssomeoneherewhowantstoseeyou。
　　Whatfor？
　　Idon’tknow。
　　Well，findout，can’tye？I’mbusy。
　　WasthatalaughwhichAlbertheardbehindhim？Heturnedaround，buttheyounglady’sfaceworethesamegrave，evendemure，expression。
　　Whatdoyouwanttoseehimfor？heasked。
　　Iwantedtobuysomething。
　　Shewantstobuysomething，repeatedAlbert，shouting。
　　Hey？
　　Shewantsto——BUY——something。Itwashumiliatingtohavetoscreaminthisway。
　　Buy？Buywhat？
　　Whatdoyouwanttobuy？
　　Ahook，that’sall。Ahookforourkitchendoor。Wouldyoumindaskinghimtohurry？Ihaven’tmuchtime。
　　Shewantsahook。
　　Eh？Wedon’tkeepbooks。Whatkindofabook？
　　Notbook——HOOK。H-O-O-K！Oh，greatScott！Hook！HOOK！Hookforadoor！Andshewantsyoutohurry。
　　Eh？Well，Ican’thurrynowfornobody。Igottoloadtheselathsandthat’sallthereistoit。Can’tyouwaitonhim？
　　Evidentlythecustomer’ssexhadnotyetbeenmadecleartothePriceunderstanding。Youcangetahookforhim，can’tye？Youknowwheretheybe，Ishowedye。Ain’tforgotsosoon，’tain’tlikely。
　　Theheaddisappearedbehindthetwobyfours。Itsfacewasred，butnoredderthanMr。Speranza’satthatmoment。
　　Foolrube！hesnorted，disgustedly。
　　Excuseme，butyou’vedroppedyourcigarette，observedtheyounglady。
　　Albertsavagelyslammeddownthewindowandturnedaway。Thedroppedcigarettestumplaywhereithadfallen，smudgingandsmelling。
　　Hiscallerlookedatitandthenathim。
　　I’dpickitup，ifIwereyou，shesaid。Cap’nSnowHATES
　　cigarettes。
　　Albert，hisdignityandindignationforgotten，returnedherlookwithoneofanxiety。
　　Doeshe，honest？heasked。
　　Yes。Hehatesthemworsethananything。
　　Thecigarettestumpwashastilypickedupbyitsowner。
　　Where’llIputit？heasked，hurriedly。
　　Whydon’tyou——Oh，don’tputitinyourpocket！Itwillsetyouonfire。Putitinthestove，quick。
　　Intothestoveitwent，allbutitsfragrance，whichlingered。
　　DoyouthinkyouCOULDfindmethathook？askedthegirl。
　　I’lltry。_I_don’tknowanythingabouttheconfoundedthings。
　　Oh！innocently。Don’tyou？
　　No，ofcourseIdon’t。WhyshouldI？
　　Aren’tyouworkinghere？
　　Here？WorkHERE？ME？Well，I——should——say——NOT！
　　Oh，excuseme。Ithoughtyoumustbeanewbookkeeper，or——oranewpartner，orsomething。
　　Albertregardedherintentlyandsuspiciouslyforsomesecondsbeforemakinganotherremark。Shewasasdemurelygraveasever，buthissuspicionswereagainaroused。However，sheWASpretty，therecouldbenodoubtaboutthat。
　　MaybeIcanfindthehookforyou，hesaid。Icantry，anyway。
　　Oh，thankyoueversomuch，gratefully。It’sVERYkindofyoutotakesomuchtrouble。
　　Oh，airily，that’sallright。Comeon。perhapswecanfindittogether。
　　TheywerestilllookingwhenMr。Pricecamepantingin。
　　Whew！heobserved，withemphasis。Ifanybodytellsyouheavin’
　　bundlesoflathsaboardatruck-wagonain’thardworkyoutellhimformehe’saliar，willye。Whew！AndIhadtodotheheftofeverything，’causeCahoonsentthatone-armednephewofhistodrivetheteam。Ahealthylotofgoodaone-armedmanistohelpheavelumber！Isaystohim，saysI：’Whatintimedid——’Eh？
　　Why，hello，Helen！Goodmornin’。Landsakes！you’reoutairly，ain’tye？
　　Theyoungladynodded。Goodmorning，Issachar，shesaid。Yes，IamprettyearlyandI’minadreadfulhurry。Thewindblewourkitchendoorbackagainstthehouselastnightandbrokethehook。
　　IpromisedFatherIwouldrunoverhereandgethimanewoneandbringitbacktohimbeforeIwenttoschool。Andit’squartertoninenow。
　　Landsakes，so’tis！Ain’t——er——er——what’s-his-name——Alberthere，founditforyouyet？Heain’tnokindofahandtofindthings，ishe？We’llhavetolarnhimbetter’nthat。Yesindeed！
　　Albertlaughed，sarcastically。HewasabouttomakeasatisfyinglycrushingreprooftothispieceofimpertinencewhenMr。Pricebegantosnifftheair。
　　Whatintunket？hedemanded。Sn’f！Sn’f！Who’sbeensmokin’
　　inhere？Andcigarettes，too，bycrimus！Sn’f！Sn’f！Yes，sir，cigarettes，bycrimustee！Who’sbeensmokin’cigarettesinhere？
　　IfCap’nLoteknewanybody’dsmokedacigaretteinhereIdon’tknow’shewouldn’tkill’em。Whodoneit？
　　Albertshivered。Thegirlwiththedarkblueeyesflashedaquickglanceathim。Ithinkperhapssomeonewentbythewindowwhenitwasopenjustnow，shesuggested。Perhapstheyweresmokingandthesmokeblewin。
　　Eh？Well，maybeso。Musthavebeenamightyrankcigarettetosmellupthewholepremiseslikethisjustgoin’pastawindow。
　　Whew！Gosh！nowondertheysaythemthingsarerankpison。I’dsoonersmokeskunk-cabbagemyself。’twouldn’tsmellnoworseand’twouldbeadumsightsafer。Whew！……Well，Helen，there’saboutthekindofhookIcal’lateyouneed。Fifteencents’llletyououtonthat。Cheapenoughforhalfthemoney，eh？Givemyrespectstoyourpa，willye。TellhimthatsermonhepreachedlastSundaywasfine，butI’dlikeitbetterifhe’dlaiditontotheUniver’listsalittleharder。Folksthatdon’tbelieveinhelldon’tdeservenoconsideration，’cordin’tomynotion。Solong，Helen……Ohsay，headded，asanafterthought，IguessyouandAlbertain’tbeenintroduced，haveye？Albert，thisisHelenKendall，she’sourOrthodoxminister’sdaughter。Helen，thisyoungfellerisAlbert——er——er——Consarnit，I’veaskedCap’nLotethatnameadozentimesifIhaveonce！Whatisit，anyway？
　　Speranza，repliedtheownerofthename。
　　That’sit，Sperandy。ThisisAlbertSperandy，Cap’nLote’sgrandson。
　　AlbertandMissKendallshookhands。
　　Thanks，saidtheformer，gratefullyandsignificantly。
　　Theyoungladysmiled。
　　Oh，you’rewelcome，shesaid。Iknewwhoyouwereallthetime——
　　orIguessedwhoyoumustbe。Cap’nSnowtoldmeyouwerecoming。
　　Shewentout。Issachar，staringafterher，chuckledadmiringly。
　　SmartestgirlinTHIStown，heobserved，withemphasis。Headofherclassuptohighschoolandonlysixteenandthree-quartersatthat。
　　CaptainZelotescamebustlinginafewminuteslater。Hewenttohisdesk，payinglittleattentiontohisgrandson。Thelatterloiteredidlyupanddowntheofficeandhardwareshop，watchingIssacharwaitoncustomersorrushshoutingintotheyardtoattendtothewantsofothersthere。PlainlythiswasIssachar’sbusyday。
　　Crimus！heexclaimed，returningfromonesuchexcursionandmoppinghisforehead。Thisdoin’twomen’sworkain’tnofun。
　　EverytimeLabegoesonatimeseem’siftradewasbrisker’nit’sbeenforamonth。SeemsasifallcreationandpartofEastHarnisshadbeenhangin’backwaitin’tillhehadashadeon’foretheycometotrade。Makesafellerfeellikevotin’theProhibitionticket。IWOULDvoteit，bycrimustee，ifIthought’twoulddoanygood。’Twouldn’tthough。Labewouldtaketodrinkin’bayrumorFloridawaterorsomethin’，sameasHoppyRogersdonewhenhewasalive。JimYoungsayshewentintoHoppy’sbarber-shoponceandtherewasHoppywithabottleofanewkindofhair-tonicinhishand。’Drummerthatwashereleftitforasample，’saysHoppy。’Wantedmetotryitand，ifIlikedit，hecal’latedmaybeI’dbuysome。Idon’tthinkIshall，though，’hesays。’don’ttasterighttome。’Yes，sir，JimYoungswearsthat’strue。Wan’tenoughsnake-killerinthathairtonictosuitHoppy。
　　I——Yes，Cap’nLote，whatisit？Wantme，doye？
　　Butthecaptaindidnot，asithappened，wantMr。Priceatthattime。ItwasAlbertwhosenamehehadcalled。Theboywentintotheofficeandhisgrandfatherroseandshutthedoor。
　　Sitdown，Al，hesaid，motioningtowardachair。WhenhisgrandsonhadseatedhimselfCaptainZelotestiltedbackhisowndeskchairuponitsspringsandlookedathim。
　　Well，son，hesaid，afteramoment，whatdoyouthinkofit？
　　Thinkofit？Idon’tknowexactlywhat——
　　Oftheplacehere。Shop，yards，thewholebusiness。Z。SnowandCompany——whatdoyouthinkofit？
　　PrivatelyAlbertwasinclinedtoclassifytheentireoutfitasone-
　　horseandcountrified，buthedeemeditwisernottoexpressthisopinion。Sohecompromisedandrepliedthatitseemedtobeallright。
　　Hisgrandfathernodded。Thanks，heobserved，dryly。Gladyoufinditthatway。Well，then，changin’thesubjectforaminuteortwo，whatdoyouthinkaboutyourself？
　　Aboutmyself？Aboutme？Idon’tunderstand？
　　No，Idon’tsupposeyoudo。That’swhatIgotyouoverherethismornin’for，soaswecouldunderstand——youandme。Al，haveyougivenanythoughttowhatyou’regoin’todofromthison？Howyou’regoin’tolive？
　　Albertlookedathimuncomprehendingly。
　　HowI’mgoingtolive？herepeated。Why——why，Ithought——I
　　supposedIwasgoingtolivewithyou——withyouandGrandmother。
　　Um-hm，Isee。
　　Ijustkindoftookthatforgranted，Iguess。Yousentformetocomehere。Youtookmeawayfromschool，youknow。
　　Yes，soIdid。YouknowwhyItookyoufromschool？
　　No，I——IguessIDON’T，exactly。Ithought——Isupposeditwasbecauseyoudidn’twantmetogothereanymore。
　　’Twasn’tthat。Idon’tknowwhetherIwouldhavewantedyoutogothereornotifthingshadbeendifferent。FromwhatIhearitwasaprettyextravagantplace，andlookin’atitfromtheoutsidewithoutknowin’toomuchaboutit，Ishouldsayitwasliabletoputalotoffoolishandexpensivenotionsintoaboy’shead。I
　　maybewrong，ofcourse。Ihavebeenwrongatleastafewtimesinmylife。
　　Itwasevidentthatheconsideredthechancesofhisbeingwronginthisinstanceveryremote。Histoneagainarousedintheyouththefeelingofobstinacy，ofrebellion，ofdesiretotaketheotherside。
　　Itisoneofthebestschoolsinthiscountry，hedeclared。Myfathersaidso。
　　CaptainZelotespickedupapencilonhisdeskandtappedhischinlightlywiththebluntend。Um，hemused。Well，Ipresumelikelyheknewallaboutit。
　　Heknewasmuchas——mostpeople，withaslightbutsignificanthesitationbeforethemost。
　　Um-hm。Naturally，havin’beenschooledtherehimself，Isuppose。
　　Hewasn’tschooledthere。MyfatherwasaSpaniard。
　　SoI’veheard……Well，we’rekindofoffthesubject，ain’twe？Let’sleaveyourfather’snationalityoutofitforawhile。