SoAlbert，asheshookhandswithMissFosdick，regardedherwithunusualinterest。And，judgingbythewayinwhichshelookedathim，shetoowasinterested。Aftersomeminutesoftheusualconventionalsummer-timechattheyounggentlemansuggestedthattheyadjourntothedrugstoreforrefreshments。Theinvitationwasaccepted，thevivaciousMissKelseyactingasspokesman——orspokeswoman——inthematter。
Ithinkyoumustbeamind-reader，Mr。Speranza，shedeclared。
IamdyingforasundaeandIhavejustdiscoveredthatIhaven’tmypurseorapennywithme。IshouldhavebeenreducedtothehumiliationofborrowingfromMadelinehere，oraskingthatdeafoldBurgessmantotrustmeuntilto-morrow。Andheissofrightfullydeaf，sheaddedinexplanation，thatwhenIaskedhimthelasttimehemademerepeatituntilIthoughtIshoulddieofshame，orexhaustion，oneortheother。EverytimeIshoutedhewouldsay’Hey？’andIwasobligedtoshoutagain。Ofcourse，theplacewascrowded，and——Oh，well，Idon’tliketoeventhinkaboutit。Blessyou，blessyou，AlbertSperanza！Anddopleaselet’shurry！
Whentheyenteredthedrugstore——italsosold，accordingtoitssign，Cigars，soda，ice-cream，patentmedicines，candy，knick-
knacks，chewinggum，souvenirsandnotions——thesextetteofwhichHelenKendallmadeonewasjustleaving。ShenoddedpleasantlytoAlbertandhenoddedinreturn，butEdRaymond’scarelessbowhedidnotchoosetosee。Hehadhithertoratherlikedthatyounggentleman。nowhefeltasuddenbutviolentdetestationforhim。
Sundaespleasanttothepalateanddisastroustoallbutyouthfuldigestionswereordered。Albert’shadaslightflavorofgallandwormwood，butheendeavoredtocounterbalancethisbythesweetnessderivedfromthesocietyofJaneKelseyandherfriend。Hisconversationwasparticularlybrilliantandsparklingthatevening。
Janelaughedmuchandchattedmore。MissFosdickwasquieter，butshe，too，appearedtobeenjoyingherself。Janedemandedtoknowhowthepoemsweredeveloping。Shebeggedhimtohaveaninspirationnow——Do，PLEASE，sothatMadelineandIcanseeyou。Itseemedtobeherideathathavinganinspirationwassimilartohavingafit。MissFosdicklaughedatthis，butshedeclaredthatsheadoredpoetryandspecifiedcertainpoemswhichwereobjectsofherespecialadoration。TheconversationthereafterbecamewhatMissKelseydescribedashighbrow，andtooktheformofadialoguebetweenMissFosdickandAlbert。ItwasinterruptedbythearrivaloftheKelseylimousine，whichrolledmajesticallyuptothedrugstoresteps。Janespieditfirst。
Oh，mercyme，here’smother！sheexclaimed。Andyourmother，too，Madeline。Wearetrackedtoourlair……No，no，Mr。
Speranza，youmustn’tgoout。No，really，wehadratheryouwouldn’t。Thanks，eversomuch，forthesundaes。Come，Madeline。
MissFosdickheldoutherhand。
Thankyou，Mr。Speranza，shesaid。IhaveenjoyedourpoetrytalkSOmuch。Itmustbewonderfultowriteasyoudo。Goodnight。
Shelookedadmiringlyintohiseyesasshesaidit。InspiteofthegallandwormwoodAlbertfounditnotatallunpleasanttobelookedatinthatwaybyagirllikeMadelineFosdick。Hisreflectionsonthatpointwereinterruptedbyavoicefromthecar。
Come，Madeline，come，itsaid，fussily。WhatAREyouwaitingfor？
Albertcaughtaglimpseofamajesticfigurewhich，seatedbesideMrs。Kelseyontherearseatofthelimousine，toweredabovethatshort，plumpladyasadreadnaughttowersaboveacoalbarge。HesurmisedthisfiguretobethatofthematernalFosdick。Madelineclimbedinbesideherparentandthelimousinerolledaway。
Albert’sgoing-to-bedreflectionsthateveningweredividedinflavor，likeafruitsundae，acombinationofsweetandsour。ThesourwasfurnishedbythoughtsofEdwinRaymondandHelenKendall，theformer’spresumptionindaringtoseekhersocietyashedid，andHelen’samazingsillinessinpermittingsuchathing。Thesweet，ofcourse，wasfurnishedbyavoicewhichrepeatedtohismemorythewords，Itmustbewonderfultowriteasyoudo。Alsothetoneofthatvoiceandthelookintheeyes。
Couldhehavebeenprivilegedtoheartheclosingbitsofaconversationwhichwastakingplaceatthatmomenthisreflectionsmighthavebeenstillfurthersaccharined。MissJaneKelseywassaying：AndNOWwhatdoyouthinkofourCapeCodpoet？Didn’tI
promiseyoutoshowyousomethingyoucouldn’tfindonFifthAvenue？AndtothisMissMadelineFosdickmadereply：IthinkheisthehandsomestcreatureIeversaw。Andsoclever！Why，heiswonderful，Jane！Howintheworlddoeshehappentobelivinghere——allthetime？
Itisperhaps，onthewhole，agoodthingthatAlbertSperanzacouldnothearthis。ItiscertainlyagoodthingthatCaptainZelotesSnowdidnothearit。
AndalthoughthebalanceofsweetandsourinAlbert’smindthatnightwasalmosteven，thesourpredominatednextdayandcontinuedtopredominate。IssacharPricehadsowedtheseedofjealousyinthemindoftheassistantbookkeeperofZ。SnowandCompany，andthatseedtookrootandgrewasitisonlytoolikelytodoundersuchcircumstances。ThateveningAlbertwalkedagaintothepost-
office。Helenwasnotthere，neitherwasMissKelseyorMissFosdick。HewaitedforatimeandthendeterminedtocallattheKendallhome，somethinghehadnotdoneforsometime。Ashecameuptothefrontwalk，betweenthearbor-vitaehedges，hesawthattheparlorwindowswerealight。Thewindowshadewasbutpartiallydrawnandbeneathithecouldseeintotheroom。HelenwasseatedatthepianoandEdwinRaymondwasstandingbesideher，readytoturnthepageofhermusic。
Albertwhirledonhisheelandwalkedoutoftheyardanddownthestreettowardhisownhome。Hisattitudeofmindwasacuriousone。HehadamindtowaituntilRaymondleftandthengointotheKendallparloranddemandofHelentoknowwhatshemeantbylettingthatfellowmakesuchafoolofhimself。Whatrighthadhe——Raymond——tocalluponher，andturnhermusicand——andsetthewholetowntalking？Why——Oh，hecouldthinkofmanythingstoaskandsay。Thetroublewasthatthesayingofthemwould，hefeltsure，bedistinctlybaddiplomacyonhispart。Noone——notevenhe——couldtalktoHelenKendallinthatfashion。notunlesshewishedittobetheirfinalconversation。
Sohewenthome，tofretandtossangrilyandmiserablyhalfthenight。HehadneverbeforeconsideredhimselfintheslightestdegreeinlovewithHelen，buthehadtakenforgrantedthethoughtthatshelikedhimbetterthananyoneelse。Nowhewasbeginningtofearthatperhapsshedidnot，and，withhistemperament，woundedvanityandpoeticimaginationsuppliedtherest。Withinafortnightheconsideredhimselfdesperatelyinlovewithher。
Duringthisfortnighthecalledattheparsonage，theKendallhome，severaltimes。OnthefirstoftheseoccasionstheReverendMr。
Kendall，havingjustcompletedasermondealingwiththewarand，beingfullofhissubject，readthesaidsermontohisdaughterandtoAlbert。Thereadingitselflastedforthree-quartersofanhourandMr。Kendall’spost-argumentandgeneraldissertationonGermanperfidyanotherhourafterthat。BythattimeitwaslateandAlbertwenthome。Thesecondcallwasevenworse，forEdRaymondcalledalsoandthetwoyoungmengloweredateachotheruntilteno’clock。Theymighthavecontinuedtoglowerindefinitely，forneithermeanttoleavebeforetheother，butHelenannouncedthatshehadsomehome-studypaperstolookoverandsheknewtheywouldexcuseherunderthecircumstances。Onthathinttheydepartedsimultaneously，separatingatthegateandwalkingwithdeliberatedignityinoppositedirections。
Athisthirdattempt，however，AlbertwassuccessfultotheextentthatHelenwasalonewhenhecalledandtherewasnoschoolworktointerrupt。Butinnootherrespectwastheinterviewsatisfactory。
Allthatweekhehadbeenboilingwiththeindignationofthelandedproprietorwhodiscoversatrespasseronhisestate，andbeforethiscallwasfifteenminutesoldhisfeelingshadboiledover。
WhatISthematterwithyou，Al？askedHelen。Dotellmeandlet’sseeifIcan’thelpyououtofyourtrouble。
Hervisitorflushed。Trouble？herepeated，stiffly。Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。
Ohyes，do。Youmust。WhatISthematter？
Thereisnothingthematterwithme。
Nonsense！Ofcoursethereis。Youhavescarcelyspokenawordofyourownaccordsinceyoucame，andyouhavebeenscowlinglikeathundercloudallthetime。Nowwhatisit？HaveIdonesomethingyoudon’tlike？
Thereisnothingthematter，Itellyou。
Pleasedon’tbesosilly。Ofcoursethereis。Ithoughttheremustbesomethingwrongthelasttimeyouwerehere，thatevening，whenEdcalled，too。Itseemedtomethatyouwereratherqueerthen。Nowyouarequeererstill。Whatisit？
Thisstraightforwardattack，althoughabsolutelycharacteristicofHelen，wasdisconcerting。Albertmetitbyanattackofhisown。
Helen，hedemanded，whatdoesthatRaymondfellowmeanbycomingtoseeyouashedoes？
NowwhetherornotHelenwasentirelyinthedarkastothecauseofhervisitor’squeernessisaquestionnottobeansweredhere。
Shewasfarfrombeingastupidyoungpersonanditisatleastprobablethatshemayhaveguessedalittleofthetruth。But，beingfeminine，shedidnotpermitAlberttoguessthatshehadguessed。Ifherastonishmentatthequestionwasnotentirelysincere，itcertainlyappearedtobeso。
Whatdoeshemean？sherepeated。Whatdoeshemeanbycomingtoseeme？Why，whatdoYOUmean？Ishouldthinkthatwasthequestion。Whyshouldn’thecometoseeme，pray？
NowAlberthasadozenreasonsinhismind，eachofwhichwastohimsufficientlyconvincing。ButexpressingthosereasonstoHelenKendallhefoundsingularlydifficult。Hegrewconfusedandstammered。
Well——well，becausehehasnobusinesstocomeheresomuch，wasthebesthecoulddo。Helen，strangetosay，wasnotsatisfied。
Hasnobusinessto？sherepeated。Why，ofcoursehehas。I
askedhimtocome。
Youdid？Goodheavens，youdon’tLIKEhim，doyou？
OfcourseIlikehim。Ithinkheisaverynicefellow。Don’tyou？
No，Idon’t。
Whynot？
Well——well，becauseIdon’t，that’sall。Hehasnobusinesstomonopolizeyouallthetime。Why，heishereabouteverynightintheweek，oryou’reoutwithhim，downtown，or——orsomewhere。
Everybodyistalkingaboutitand——
Waitaminute，please。YousayeverybodyistalkingaboutEdRaymondandme。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Whataretheysaying？
They’resaying……Oh，they’resayingyouandheare——are——
Arewhat？
Are——are——Oh，they’resayingallsortsofthings。Lookhere，Helen，I——
Wait！Iwanttoknowmoreaboutthis。Whathaveyouheardsaidaboutme？
Oh，alotofthings……Thatis——er——well，nothinginparticular，perhaps，but——
Wait！Whohaveyouheardsayingit？
Oh，nevermind！Helen——
ButIdomind。Whohaveyouheardsayingthis’lotofthings’
aboutme？
Nobody，Itellyou……Oh，well，ifyoumustknow，IssyPricesaid——well，hesaidyouandthisRaymondfellowwerewhathecalled’keepingcompany’and——andthatthewholetownwastalkingaboutit。
Sheslowlyshookherhead。
IssyPrice！sherepeated。AndyoulistenedtowhatIssyPricesaid。IssyPrice，ofallpeople！
Well——well，hesaideveryoneelsesaidthesamething。
Didhesaymorethanthat？
No，butthatwasenough，wasn’tit。Besides，therestwasplain。
Icouldseeitmyself。Heiscallinghereabouteverynightintheweek，and——andbeingaroundeverywherewithyouand——and——Oh，anyonecansee！
Helen’susuallyplacidtemperwasbeginningtoruffle。
Verywell，shesaid，thentheymaysee。Whyshouldn’thecallhereifhewishes——andIwish？Whyshouldn’tIbe’aroundwithhim，’asyousay？Whynot？
Well，becauseIdon’tlikeit。Itisn’ttherightthingforyoutodo。Yououghttobemorecarefulof——ofwhatpeoplesay。
Herealized，almostassoonasthislastsentencewasblurtedout，theabsolutetactlessnessofit。ThequietgleamofhumorhehadsooftennoticedinHelen’seyeswassucceedednowbyalookhehadneverbeforeseenthere。
Oh，I’msorry，headded，hastily。Ibegyourpardon，Helen。I
didn’tmeantosaythat。Forgiveme，willyou？
Shedidnotanswerimmediately。Thenshesaid，Idon’tknowwhetherIshallornot。IthinkIshallhavetothinkitover。
Andperhapsyouhadbettergonow。
ButI’Msorry，Helen。Itwasafoolthingtosay。Idon’tknowwhyIwassuchanidiot。Doforgiveme。come！
Sheslowlyshookherhead。Ican’t——yet，shesaid。Andthisyoumustunderstand：IfEdRaymond，oranyoneelse，callsonmeandIchoosetopermitit，orifIchoosetogooutwithhimanywhereatanytime，thatismyaffairandnot’everyoneelse’s’——
whichincludesIssacharPrice。AndmyFRIENDS——myrealfriends——
willnotlistentomean，ridiculousgossip。Goodnight。
SothatwastheendofthatattemptatassertingtheDivineRightbytheSouthHarnisskingofhearts。Albertwasmoremiserablethanever，angrierthanever——notonlyatRaymondandHelen，butathimself——andhisnewly-discoveredjealousyburnedwithabrighterandgreenerflame。Theideaofthrowingeverythingoverboard，goingtoCanadaandenlistingintheCanadianArmy——anideawhichhadhadastrongandalluringappealeversincethewarbrokeout——
camebackwithredoubledforce。Buttherewastheagreementwithhisgrandfather。Hehadgivenhisword。howcouldhebreakit？
Besides，togoawayandleavehisrivalwithaclearfielddidnotappealtohim，either。
OnaWednesdayeveninginthemiddleofSeptemberthefinalsocialeventoftheSouthHarnisssummerseasonwastotakeplace。TheSocietyfortheReliefoftheFrenchWoundedwastogiveadanceintheballroomofthehotel，theproceedsfromthesaleofticketstobedevotedtothepurposedefinedbythenameofthisorganization。
Everylastmemberofthesummercolonywastoattend，ofcourse，andallthoseofthepermanentresidentswhoaspiredtosocialdistinctionandcaredtopaythehighpriceofadmission。
Albertwasgoing，naturally。Thatis，hehadatfirstplannedtogo，then——afterthedisastrouscallattheparsonage——decidedthathewouldgoundernocircumstances，andatthelastchangedhismindoncemoretotheaffirmative。MissMadelineFosdick，JaneKelsey’sfriend，wasresponsibleforthefinalchange。Sheitwaswhohadsoldhimhisticketandurgedhimtobepresent。Heandshehadmetseveraltimessincethefirstmeetingatthepost-
office。Usuallywhentheymettheytalkedconcerningpoetryandkindredloftytopics。AlbertlikedMissFosdick。Itishardnottolikeapretty，attractiveyoungladywhotakessuchaflatteringinterestinone’saspirationsandliteraryefforts。Thehighbrowchit-chats——quotingMissKelseyagain——werepleasantinmanyways。
forinstance，theywereinthenatureofatonicforweakenedself-
esteem，andtheSperanzaself-esteemwassufferingjustatthistime，fromshock。
Alberthad，whenhefirstheardthatthedancewastotakeplace，intendedinvitingHelentoaccompanyhim。Hehadtakenheracceptanceforgranted，hehavingactedasherescorttosomanydancesandsocialaffairs。SoheneglectedinvitingherandthencameIssy’smischief-makingremarksandthetroublewhichfollowed。
So，asinvitingherwasoutofthequestion，heresolvednottoattend，himself。ButMissFosdickurgedsoprettilythatheboughthisticketandpromisedtobeamongthosepresent。
Provided，ofcourse，heventured，beinginarecklessmood，thatyousavemeatleastfourdances。Sheraisedherbrowsinmockdismay。
Oh，mygoodness！sheexclaimed。I’mafraidIcouldn’tdothat。
Fourismuchtoomany。OneIwillpromise，butnomore。
However，ashepersisted，sheyieldedanother。Hewastohavetwodancesand，possiblyanextra。
Andyouarealuckyyoungman，declaredJaneKelsey，whohadalsopromisedtwo。Ifyouknewhowmanyfellowshavebeggedforjustone。But，ofcourse，sheadded，THEYwerenotpoets，secondeditionsofTennysonandKeatsandallthat。ItisKeatswhowasthepoet，isn’tit，Madeline？sheadded，turningtoherfriend。
Oh，I’msogladIgotitrightthefirsttime。I’malwaysmixinghimupwithWatts，themanwhoinventedthehymnsandwrotethesteam-engine——orsomething。
TheWednesdayeveninginthemiddleofSeptemberwasabeautifuloneandthehotelwascrowded。TheItem，initsaccountthefollowingweek，enumeratingthosepresent，spokeofOurnewresidents，Mrs。FletcherStoryFosdickandMissMadelineFosdick，whoaretooccupythemagnificentresidencenowaboutbeingbuiltontheInletHillbytheirhusbandandfather，respectively，FletcherStoryFosdick，Esquire，thewell-knownNewYorkbanker。
ThephrasingofthisnewsnotecausedmuchjoyinSouthHarniss，andtheItemgainedseveralnewandhopefulsubscribers。
ButwhenthegushingreporterresponsibleforthisaddedthatMissFosdickwasadreamoflovelinessonthisoccasionhewasstatingonlythetruth。Shewasverybeautifulindeedandacertainyoungmanwhosteppeduptoclaimhisfirstdancerealizedthefact。Thesaidyoungmanwasoutwardlycool，butred-hotwithin，theinternalriseintemperaturebeingcausedbythesightofHelenKendallcrossingthefloorarminarmwithEdwinRaymond。Albert’sfacewaswhitewithanger，exceptfortworedspotsonhischeeks，andhisblackeyesflashed。Consequentlyhe，too，wasconsideredquiteworththelookingatandfeminineglancesfollowedhim。
Whoisthathandsome，foreign-lookingfellowyourfriendisdancingwith？whisperedoneyounglady，aguestatthehotel，toMissKelsey。Janetoldher。
Butheisn’taforeigner，sheadded。HeliveshereinSouthHarnissalltheyear。Heisapoet，Ibelieve，andMadeline，whoknowsaboutsuchthings——inheritsitfromhermother，Isuppose——
sayshispoetryisbeautiful。
Hercompanionwatchedthesubjectoftheirconversationas，withMissFosdick，hemovedlightlyandsurelythroughthecrowdonthefloor。
HeLOOKSlikeapoet，shesaid，slowly。Heiswonderfullyhandsome，sodistinguished，andSUCHadancer！Butwhyshouldapoetlivehere——alltheyear？Isthatallhedoesforaliving——
writepoetry？
Janepretendednottohearherand，amasculinefriendcomingtoclaimhisdance，seizedtheopportunitytoescape。However，anothersitteroutsuppliedtheinformation。
Heisasortofassistantbookkeeperatthelumberyardbytherailroadstation，saidthisperson。Hisgrandfatherownstheplace，Ibelieve。Onewouldneverguessittolookathimnow……
Humph！IwonderifMrs。Fosdickknows。Theysaysheis——well，notdemocraticallyinclined，tosaytheleast。
AlberthadhistwopromiseddanceswithMadelineFosdick，buttheextrahedidnotobtain。Mrs。Fosdick，theeverwatchful，hadseenandmadeinquiries。Thenshecalledherdaughtertoherandissuedanultimatum。
IamSOsorry，saidtheyounglady，inrefusingthepleafortheextra。Ishouldliketo，butI——butMotherhasaskedmetodancewithafriendofoursfromhome。I——IAMsorry，really。
Shelookedasifshemeantit。Albertwassorry，too。Thishadbeenastrangeevening，anothercombinationofsweetandsour。HeglancedacrossthefloorandsawHelenandtheinevitableRaymondemergetogetherfromtheroomwheretherefreshmentswereserved。
Ragingjealousyseizedhimatthesight。Helenhadnotbeennearhim，hadscarcelyspokentohimsincehisarrival。Heforgotthathehadnotbeennearnorspokentoher。
Hedancedtwiceorthricemorewithacquaintances，summerorpermanent，andthendecidedtogohome。MadelineFosdickhesawattheotherendoftheroomsurroundedbyagroupofyoungmasculinity。
Helenhecouldnotseeatthemoment。Hemovedinthedirectionofthecoatroom。JustashereachedthedoorhewassurprisedtoseeEdRaymondstridebyhim，headdownandlookinganythingbutjoyful。
Hewatchedandwasstillmoreastonishedtoseetheyoungmangethiscoatandhatfromtheattendantandwalkoutofthehotel。Hesawhimstrideawayalongthedriveanddownthemoonlitroad。Hewas，apparently，goinghome——goinghomealone。
Hegothisowncoatandhatand，beforeputtingthemon，steppedbackforafinallookattheballroom。Ashestoodbythecloakroomdoorsomeonetouchedhisarm。TurninghesawHelen。
Why——why，Helen！heexclaimed，insurprise。
Areyougoinghome？sheasked，inalowtone。
Yes，I——
Andyouaregoingalone？
Yes。
Wouldyoumind——wouldittroubleyoutoomuchtowalkwithmeasfarasourhouse？
Why——whyofcoursenot。Ishallbedelighted。ButIthoughtyou——
IthoughtEdRaymond——
No，I’malone。Waithere。Iwillbereadyinjustaminute。
Shehurriedaway。Hegazedafterherinbewilderment。Sheandhehadscarcelyexchangedawordduringtheevening，andnow，whentheeveningwasalmostover，shecameandaskedhimtobeherescort。
Whatinthewideworld——？
Theminuteshehadspecifiedhadhardlyelapsedwhenshereappeared，readyforoutofdoors。Shetookhisarmandtheywalkeddownthestepsofthehotel，pastthegroupoflightsattheheadofthedriveandalongtheroad，withthemoonshiningdownuponitandthedamp，saltbreezefromtheoceanblowingacrossit。Theywalkedforthefirstfewminutesinsilence。Therewereadozenquestionshewouldhavelikedtoask，buthisjealousresentmenthadnotentirelyvanishedandhisprideforbade。Itwasshewhospokefirst。
Albert，shesaid，youmustthinkthisveryodd。
Heknewwhatshemeant，buthedidnotchoosetoadmitit。
What？heasked。
Why，myaskingyoutowalkhomewithme，after——afterourtrouble。
Itisstrange，Isuppose，particularlyasyouhadnotspokenbeforethiswholeevening。
_I_——spokentoYOU？Why，youbowedtomewhenIcameintotheroomandthatwastheonlysignofrecognitionyougavemeuntiljustnow。Notadance——notone。
Didyouexpectmetolookyouupandbegyoutodancewithme？
Didyouexpectmetotrotatthatfellow’sheelsandwaitmychancetogetawordwithyou，totakewhatheleft？Ishouldsaynot！ByGeorge，Helen，I——
Sheinterruptedhim。Hush，hush！shepleaded。Thisisallsosilly，sochildish。Andwemustn’tquarrelanymore。Ihavemadeupmymindtothat。Wemustn’t。
Humph！Allright，_I_hadnothoughtofquarrelinginthebeginning。Buttherearesomethingsaself-respectingchapcan’tstand。IhaveSOMEpride，Ihope。
Shecaughtherbreathquickly。Doyouthink，sheasked，thatitwasnosacrificetomypridetobegyoutowalkhomewithme？
After——afterthethingsyousaidtheotherevening？Oh，Albert，howcouldyousaythem！
Well——hehesitated，andthenadded，ItoldyouIwassorry。
Yes，butyouweren’treallysorry。YoumusthavebelievedthethingsthathatefulIssacharPricesaidoryouwouldn’thaverepeatedthem……Oh，butnevermindthatnow，Ididn’tmeantospeakofitatall。IaskedyoutowalkhomewithmebecauseI
wantedtomakeupourquarrel。Yes，thatwasit。Ididn’twanttogoawayandfeelthatyouandIwerenotasgoodfriendsasever。
So，yousee，IputallMYpridetooneside——andasked。
Onephraseinonesentenceofthisspeechcaughtandheldtheyoungman’sattention。Heforgottheothers。
Youaregoingaway？herepeated。Whatdoyoumean？Whereareyougoing？
IamgoingtoCambridgetostudy。IamgoingtotakesomecoursesatRadcliffe。YouknowItoldyouIhopedtosomeday。Well，ithasbeenarranged。Iamtolivewithmycousin，father’shalfsisterinSomerville。FatheriswellenoughtoleavenowandI
haveengagedacapablewoman，Mrs。Peters，tohelpMariawiththehousework。IamgoingFridaymorning，thedayafterto-morrow。
Hestoppedshorttostareather。
Youaregoingaway？heasked，again。Youaregoingtodothatand——and——Whydidn’tyoutellmebefore？
Itwasacharacteristicreturntohisattitudeofoutragedroyalty。
Shehadmadealltheseplans，hadarrangedtodothisthing，andhehadnotbeeninformed。AtanothertimeHelenmighthavelaughedathim。shegenerallydidwhenhebecamewhatshecalledtheGrandBashaw。Shedidnotlaughnow，however，butansweredquietly。
Ididn’tknowIwasgoingtodoituntilalittlemorethanaweekago，shesaid。AndIhavenotseenyousincethen。
No，you’vebeentoobusyseeingsomeoneelse。
Shelostpatiencefortheinstant。Oh，don’t，don’t，don’t！shecried。Iknowwhoyoumean，ofcourse。YoumeanEdRaymond。
Don’tyouknowwhyhehasbeenatthehousesomuchoflate？WhyheandIhavebeensomuchtogether？Don’tyoureallyknow？
What？……No，Idon’t——exceptthatyouandhewantedtobetogether。
Anditdidn’toccurtoyouthattheremightbesomeotherreason？
Youforgot，Isuppose，thatheandIwereappointedontheTicketCommitteeforthisverydance？
Hehadforgottenitentirely。NowherememberedperfectlythemeetingoftheFrenchReliefSocietyatwhichtheappointmenthadbeenmade。InfactHelenherselfhadtoldhimofitatthetime。
Forthemomenthewasstaggered，butheralliedpromptly。
Committeemeetingsmaydoasanexcuseforsomethings，hesaid，buttheydon’texplaintherest——hiscallshereeveryothereveningand——andsoon。Honestnow，Helen，youknowhehasn’tbeenrunningafteryouinthiswayjustbecauseheisonthatcommitteewithyou。nowdon’tyou？
Theywerealmostattheparsonage。ThelightfromMr。Kendall’sstudywindowshonethroughtheleavesofthelilacbushbehindthewhitefence。Helenstartedtospeak，buthesitated。Herepeatedhisquestion。
Nowdon’tyou？heurged。
Why，why，yes，IsupposeIdo，shesaid，slowly。Idoknow——
now。ButIdidn’teventhinkofsuchathinguntil——untilyoucamethateveningandtoldmewhatIssyPricesaid。
Youmeanyoudidn’tguessatall？
Well——well，perhapsI——Ithoughthelikedtocome——likedto——Oh，whatistheuseofbeingsilly！Ididthinkhelikedtocall，butonlyasafriend。Hewasjollyandlotsoffunandwewerebothfondofmusic。Ienjoyedhiscompany。Ineverdreamedthattherewasanythingmorethanthatuntilyoucameandwereso——disagreeable。
AndeventhenIdidn’tbelieve——untilto-night。
Againshehesitated。To-night？herepeated。Whathappenedto-
night？
Ohnothing。Ican’ttellyou。Oh，whycan’tfriendsbefriendsandnot……ThatiswhyIspoketoyou，Albert，whyIwantedtohavethistalkwithyou。IwasgoingawaysosoonandIcouldn’tbeartogowithanyunfriendlinessbetweenus。Theremustn’tbe。
Don’tyousee？
Heheardbutapartofthis。ThememoryofRaymond’sfaceashehadseenitwhentheyoungmanstrodeoutofthecloakroomandoutofthehotelcamebacktohimandwithitagreatheart-throbbingsenseofrelief，oftriumph。Heseizedherhand。
Helen，hecried，didhe——didyoutellhim——Oh，byGeorge，Helen，you’rethemostwonderfulgirlintheworld！I’m——I——Oh，Helen，youknowI——I——
Itwasnothishabittobeatalossforwords，buthewasjustthen。Hetriedtoretainherhand，toputhisarmabouther。
Oh，Helen！hecried。You’rewonderful！You’resplendid！I’mcrazyaboutyou！Ireallyam！I——
Shepushedhimgentlyaway。Don’t！Pleasedon’t！shesaid。
Oh，don’t！
ButImust。Don’tyouseeI……Why，you’recrying！
Herfacehad，foramoment，beenupturned。Themoonatthatmomenthadslippedbehindacloud，butthelamplightfromthewindowhadshownhimthetearsinhereyes。Hewasamazed。Hecouldhaveshouted，havelaughedaloudfromjoyortriumphantexultationjustthen，buttoweep！Whatoccasionwastherefortears，exceptonEdRaymond’spart？
You’recrying！herepeated。Why，Helen——！
Don’t！shesaid，again。Oh，don’t！Pleasedon’ttalkthatway。
Butdon’tyouwantmeto，Helen？I——IwantyoutoknowhowI
feel。Youdon’tunderstand。I——
Hush！……Don’t，Al，don’t，please。Don’ttalkinthatway。I
don’twantyouto。
Butwhynot？
Oh，becauseIdon’t。It’s——itisfoolish。You’reonlyaboy，youknow。
Aboy！I’mmorethanayearolderthanyouare。
Areyou？Whyyes，Isupposeyouare，really。Butthatdoesn’tmakeanydifference。Iguessgirlsareolderthanboyswhentheyareourage，lotsolder。
Oh，botherallthat！Wearen’tkids，eitherofus。Iwantyoutolisten。Youdon’tunderstandwhatI’mtryingtosay。
Yes，Ido。ButI’msureyoudon’t。YouaregladbecauseyouhavefoundyouhavenoreasontobejealousofEdRaymondandthatmakesyousay——foolishthings。ButI’mnotgoingtohaveourfriendshipspoiledinthatway。Iwantustoberealfriends，always。Soyoumustn’tbesilly。
I’mnotsilly。Helen，ifyouwon’tlistentoanythingelse，willyoulistentothis？Willyoupromisemethatwhileyouareawayyouwon’thaveotherfellowscallingonyouor——oranythinglikethat？AndI’llpromiseyouthatI’llhavenothingtosaytoanothergirl——inanywaythatcounts，Imean。Shallwepromiseeachotherthat，Helen？Come！
Shepausedforsomemomentbeforeanswering，butherreply，whenitcame，wasfirm。
No，shesaid，Idon’tthinkweshouldpromiseanything，excepttoremainfriends。Youmightpromiseandthenbesorry，later。
_I_might？Howaboutyou？
Perhapswebothmight。Sowewon’ttaketherisk。Youmaycomeandseemeto-morroweveningandsaygood-by，ifyoulike。Butyoumustn’tstaylong。ItismylastnightwithfatherforsometimeandImustn’tcheathimoutofit。Goodnight，Albert。I’msogladourmisunderstandingisover，aren’tyou？
OfcourseIam。But，Helen——
Imustgoinnow。Goodnight。
ThereflectionsofAlbertoSperanzaduringhiswalkbacktotheSnowplacewerevariedbutwonderful。HethoughtofRaymond’shumiliationandgloriedinit。HethoughtofHelenandrhapsodized。
Andif，occasionally，hethoughtalsoofthedanceandofMadelineFosdick，forgivehim。Hewasbarelytwenty-oneandthemoonwasshining。
CHAPTERIX
Thegood-bycallthefollowingeveningwas，tohimatleast，notverysatisfactory。Helenwastired，havingbeenbusyalldaywiththefinalpreparationsforleaving，andoldMr。KendallinsistedonbeingpresentduringtheentirevisitandintellinglongandinvolvedstoriesofthetripabroadhehadmadewhenayoungmanandtheunfavorableopinionwhichhehadthenformedofPrussiansastravelingcompanions。Albert’sopinionofPrussianswasatleastasunfavorableashisown，buthiscompleteandeveneageragreementwitheachoftheoldgentleman’sstatementsdidnothavetheeffectofchokingthelatteroff，butratherseemedtoactasencouragementformore。Whenteno’clockcameanditwastimetogoAlbertfeltasifhehadbeenlisteningtoalectureontheHohenzollerns。GreatScott，Helen，hewhispered，asshecametothedoorwithhim，Idon’tfeelasifIhadtalkedwithyouaminute。Why，Iscarcely——
ButjusthereMr。Kendallcamehurryingfromthesitting-roomtotellofoneincidentwhichhehadhithertoforgotten，andsoeventhisbriefintervalofprivacywasdenied。ButAlbertmadeonemoreattempt。
I’mgoingtorunovertothestationto-morrowmorningtoseeyouoff，hecalledfromthegate。Goodnight。
Themorningtrainleftatnineo’clock，andataquartertonineAlbert，whohadkepthiseyeontheclockeversinceeight，hishourofarrivingattheoffice，calledtoMr。Price。
Isay，hesaid，inalowtoneandoneascasualashecouldassume，Iamgoingtorunoutforafewminutes。I’llberightback。
Issachar’sresponsewasasusualanythingbutlow。
Eh？heshouted。Goin’out？Whereyougoin’？
Oh，I’mjustgoingout——er——onanerrand。
Whatkindofanerrand？Iwascal’latin’torunoutmyselfforalittlespell。Can’tIdoyourerrandforyou？
No，no……There，there，don’tbothermeanymore。I’minahurry。
Hurry！So’mIinahurry。Iwascal’latin’torunacrosttothedeepoandseeHelenKendallstartforBoston。She’sgoin’thismorning。didyouknowit？
BeforethesomewhatflusteredassistantbookkeepercouldreplyCaptainZelotescalledfromtheinneroffice：
Wouldn’twonderifthatwaswhereAlwasbound，too，heobserved。
AndIwasthinkin’ofthesamething。Supposeweallgotogether。
Labe’llkeepshop，won’tyou，Labe？
Mr。Keelerlookedoverhisspectacles。Eh？heobserved。Oh，yes，yes……yes，yes，yes。Andsaygood-bytoHelenforme，someofyou，ifyouhappentothinkofit。Notthat’twillmakemuchdifferencetoher，headded，whethershegetsmygood-bysornot，butitmightmakesometome……Um，yes，yes。
Mr。Pricewaseagertooblige。
I’lltellheryousent’em，Labe，hesaid，patronizingly。Setyourmindtorest。I’lltellher。
Laban’sliptwitched。Muchobliged，Is，hechirruped。That’sagreatrelief！Mymind’srestedsomealready。
So，insteadofgoingalonetotherailwaystation，Albertmadeoneofadelegationofthree。AndatthestationwasMr。Kendall，andtwooftheschoolcommittee，andoneortwomembersofthechurchsewingcircle，andthepresidentandsecretaryoftheSocietyfortheReliefoftheFrenchWounded。Sofarfrombeinganintimateconfidentialfarewell，Helen’sdeparturewasinthenatureofapublicceremonywithspeech-making。Mr。Pricemademostofthespeeches，infactthelowerportionofhiscountenancewasinviolentmotionmostofthetenminutes。
Takecareofyourself，Helen，heurgedloudly。Don’tyouworryaboutyourpa，we’lllookoutforhim。Anddon’tletnoneofthemBostonfellerscarryyouoff。We’llwatchandseethatEddieRaymondandAlheredon’tgetintomischiefwhileyou’regone。
I……Crimustee！JimYoung，whatintime’sthematterwithyou？
Can’tyeseenothin’？
Thislastoutburstwasdirectedatthedriverofthedepot-wagon，who，wheelingatrunkonabaggagetruck，hadbumpedviolentlyintotherearofMr。Price’slegs，justatthekneejoint，causingtheirownertobendbackwardunexpectedly，andwithenthusiasm。
Can’tyouseenothin’whenit’srightinfrontofye？demandedIssachar，righteouslyindignant。
JimYoungwinkedoverhisshoulderatAlbert。Sorry，Is，hesaid，ashecontinuedtowardthebaggagecar。Ididn’tnoticeyouWASinfrontofme。
Well，then，you’dbetter……Eh？Seehere，whatdoyoumeanbythat？
EvenafterMr。Pricehadthusbeenpushedoutoftheforeground，sotospeak，AlbertwasdeniedtheopportunityoftakinghisplacebyHelen’sside。Herfatherhadafewlastmessagestodeliver，thenCaptainZelotesshookherhandandtalkedforamoment，and，afterthat，theladiesofthesewingcircleandthewarworksocietyfeltittheirdutyto，severallyandjointly，kisshergood-by。Thislastwasatryingoperationtowatch。
Thentheenginebellrangandthetrainbegantomove。Albert，runningbesidetheplatformofthelastcar，helduphishandforafarewellclasp。
Good-by，hesaid，andaddedinawhisper，You’llwrite，won’tyou？
Ofcourse。Andsomustyou。Good-by。
Thelastcarandthehandkerchiefwavingfigureonitsplatformdisappearedaroundthecurve。Thelittlegroupbythestationbrokeup。Albertandhisgrandfatherwalkedovertotheofficetogether。
Theregoesagoodgirl，Al，wasCaptainLote’sonlycomment。A
mightygoodcapablegirl。
Albertnodded。Amomentlaterheliftedhishattoagroupinapassingautomobile。
Whowerethosefolks？askedtheCaptain。
TheFosdicks，wasthereply。ThepeoplewhoaregoingtobuilddownbytheInlet。
ItwasMadelineandhermother。Thelatterhadbeenserenelyindifferent，buttheyoungladyhadsmiledandbowedbehindthematernalshoulders。
Oh。thatso？observedCaptainZelotes，lookingaftertheflyingcarwithinterest。That’swho’tis，eh？Nicelookin’，theyoungone，ain’tshe？
Albertdidnotanswer。WiththenoiseofthetrainwhichwascarryingHelenoutofhislifestillringinginhisearsitseemedwickedeventomentionanothergirl’sname，tosaynothingofcommentinguponhergoodlooks。Fortherestofthatdayhewasagloomyspirit，adarkshadowintheofficeofZ。SnowandCo。
BeforetheendofanotherfortnighttheseasonatSouthHarnisswasdefinitelyover。ThehotelclosedontheSaturdayfollowingthedance，andbyOctoberfirstthelastofthecottageswaslockedandshuttered。TheKelseyswentonthetwentiethandtheFosdickswentwiththem。AlbertmetMadelineandJaneatthepost-officeintheeveningofthenineteenthandtheremorefarewellsweresaid。
Don’tforgetusdownhereinthesand，willyou？hesuggestedtoMissFosdick。ItwasJaneKelseywhoanswered。
Oh，shewon’tforget，returnedthatyounglady。Whyshehasyourphotographtorememberyouby。
Madelinecoloredbecominglyandwas，asJanedescribedit，awfullyfussed。
Nonsense！sheexclaimed，withmuchindignation，Ihaven’tanysuchthing。YouknowIhaven’t，Jane。
Yes，youhave，mydear。Youhaveaphotographofhimstandinginfrontofthedrugstoreandlookingdreamilyinat——atthestrawberrysundaes。Itisamostromanticpose，really。
Albertlaughed。Herememberedthephotograph。ItwasoneofaseriesofsnapshotstakenwithMissKelsey’scameraoneSaturdayafternoonwhenapartyofyoungpeoplehadmetinfrontofthesundaedispensary。Janehadinsistedonsnappingeveryone。
ThatremindsmethatIhaveneverseentherestofthosephotographs，hesaid。
Haven’tyou？exclaimedJane。Well，yououghttoseethem。I
haveMadeline’swithme。Itisadream，ifIdosayitasItookit。
Sheproducedthesnapshot，whichshowedherfriendstandingbesidethesilver-leaftreebeforethedruggist’swindowandsmilingatthecamera。Itwasagoodlikenessand，consequently，averyprettypicture。
Isn’titadream，justasIsaid？demandedtheartist。Honestnow，isn’tit？
Albertofcoursedeclaredittobebeyondpraise。
MayIhavethisone？heasked，ontheimpulseofthemoment。
Don’taskme，stupid，commandedJane，mischievously。Itisn’tmyfuneral——ormyportrait，either。
MayI？herepeated，turningtoMadeline。Shehesitated。
Why——whyyes，youmay，ifyoucareforit，shesaid。ThatparticularoneisJane’s，anyway，andifshechoosestogiveitawayIdon’tseehowIcanpreventher。ButwhyyoushouldwanttheoldthingIcan’tconceive。Ilookasstiffandwoodenasasign-post。
Janeheldupaprotestingfinger。
Fibs，fibs，fibs，sheobserved。Can’tconceivewhyheshouldwantit！Asifyouweren’tperfectlyawarethathewillwearitnexthisheartand——Oh，don’tputitinTHATpocket！Isaidnextyourheart，andthatisn’tonyourRIGHTside。
Alberttookthephotographhomeandstuckitbetweentheframeandglassofhisbureau。ThencameasuddenremembranceofhispartingwithHelenandwithitatwingeofconscience。Hehadbeggedhertohavenothingtodowithanyotherfellow。Trueshehadrefusedtopromiseandconsequentlyhealsowasunbound，butthatmadenodifference——shouldnotmakeany。Soheputthephotographatthebackofthedrawerwherehekepthiscollarsandties，witharesolvenevertolookatit。Hedidnotlookatit——veryoften。
Thencameanotherlongwinter。Hegroundawayatthebookkeeping——
hewasmoreproficientatit，buthehateditasheartilyasever——
andwroteagooddealofverseandsomeprose。Forthefirsttimehesoldaprosearticle，ashortstory，toaminormagazine。HewrotelongletterstoHelenandshereplied。Shewasstudyinghard，shelikedherwork，andshehadbeenofferedtheopportunitytotutorinagirls’summercampinVermontduringJulyandAugustandmeanttoacceptprovidedherfather’shealthcontinuedgood。
AlbertprotestedviolentlyagainstherbeingabsentfromSouthHarnissforsolong。Youwillscarcelybehomeatall，hewrote。
Ishallhardlyseeyou。WhatamIgoingtodo？AsitisnowI
missyou——andsoonforfourcloselywrittenpages。Havinggottenintothespiritofcompositionhe，sotospeak，gloriedinhisloneliness，somuchsothatHelenwasmovedtoremonstrate。
Yourlettermademealmostmiserable，shewrote，untilIhadreaditovertwice。ThenIbegantosuspectthatyouwereenjoyingyourwretchedness，orenjoyingwritingaboutit。Itrulydon’tbelieveanyone——youespecially——couldbequiteaslonesomeasallthat。Honestlynow，Albert，weren’tyouexaggeratingalittle？I
ratherthinkyouwere？
Hehadbeen，ofcourse，butitirritatedhimtothinkthatsherecognizedthefact。Shehadanuncannyfacultyofseeingthroughhiseverypretense。Inhisnextletterhesaidnothingwhateveraboutbeinglonesome。
Athome，andattheoffice，thewarwaswhatpeopletalkedaboutmostofthetime。SincetheLusitania’ssinkingCaptainZeloteshadbeenabattlechargerchafingatthebit。Hewantedtofightandtofightatonce。
We’vegottodoit，Mother，hedeclared，overandoveragain。
Soonerorlaterwe’vegottofightthatKaisergang。Whatarewewaitin’for。willsomebodytellmethat？
Olive，asusual，wasmildandunruffled。
ProbablythePresidentknowsasmuchaboutitasyouandme，Zelotes，shesuggested。Ipresumelikelyhehashisownreasons。
Humph！WhenSethBassettgotupinthenightandtookadrinkoutofthebottleofParisGreenbymistake’BialCahoonaskedhimwhatintimehekeptParisGreeninhisbedroomfor，anyhow。AllthatSethwouldsaywasthathehadhisownreasons。Therestofthetownwaslefttoguesswhatthosereasonswas。That’swhatthePresident’sdoin’——keepin’usguessin’。Bytheeverlastin’，ifI
wasyoungerI’dshipaboardaBritishlime-juicerandgoandfight，myself！
ItwasRachelElliswhocausedtheCaptaintobeabitmorerestrainedinhisremarks。
Youhadn’toughttotalkthatway，Cap’nLote，shesaid。NotwhenAlbert’saround，youhadn’t。
Eh？Whynot？
Becausethefirstthingyouknowhe’llbestartin’forCanadatoenlist。He’sbeencrazytodoitfor’mostayear。
Hehas？Howdoyouknowhehas？
Becausehe’stoldmeso，more’nonce。
Heremployerlookedather。
Humph！hegrunted。Heseemstotellyouagoodmanythingshedoesn’ttelltherestofus。
Thehousekeepernodded。Yes，shesaidgravely，Ishouldn’twonderifhedid。Amomentlatersheadded，Cap’nLote，youwillbecareful，won’tyou？Youwouldn’twantAltogooffandleaveZ。
SnowandCompanywhenhimandyouaregettin’onsomuchbetter。
YouAREgettin’onbetter，ain’tyou？
Thecaptainpulledathisbeard。
Yes，headmitted，seemsasifwewas。Heain’tanywonderatbookkeepin’，buthe’sbetter’nheusedtobe。andhedoesseemtotryhard，I’llsaythatforhim。
Rachaelbeamedgratification。He’llbeaRobertPenfoldyet，shedeclared。seeifheisn’t。Soyoumusn’tencouragehimintoenlistin’intheCanadianarmy。Youwouldn’twanthimtodothatanymore’ntherestofuswould。
Thecaptaingazedintentlyintothebowlofthepipewhichhehadbeencleaning。Hemadenoanswer。
Youwouldn’twanthimtodothat，wouldyou？repeatedthehousekeeper。
CaptainLoteblewthroughthepipestem。Thenhesaid，No，I
wouldn’t……butI’mdarngladhe’sgotthespunktoWANTtodoit。WemaygetthatPortygeestreakoutofhim，poetryandall，giveustime。eh，Rachael？
ItwasthefirsttimeinmonthsthathehadusedthewordPortygee
inconnectionwithhisgrandson。Mrs。Ellissmiledtoherself。
InAprilthearbutusbudsbegantoappearabovetheleafmoldbetweenthescruboaksinthewoods，andthewallsofFletcherFosdick’snewsummerhomebegantoriseabovetheyoungpinesonthehillbytheInletintheBayRoad。TheItemkeptitsreadersinformed，byweeklyinstallments，oftheprogressmadebythebuilders。
ThelumberforMr。FletcherFosdick’snewcottageisbeginningtobehauledtohispropertyonInletHillinthistown。OurenterprisingfirmofSouthHarnissdealers，Z。Snow&Co。，arefurnishingsaidlumber。Mr。NehemiahNickersonistodothemasonwork。Mr。Fosdickshowsgoodjudgmentaswellasacommendablespiritinengaginglocaltalentinthisway。Weventuretosayhewillneverregretit。
Aweeklater：
Mr。FletcherFosdick’snewresidenceisbeginningbuilding，thefoundationbeingprettynearlaid。
Andthefollowingweek：
TheFosdickmansionisgrowingfast。SouthHarnissmaywellbeproudofitsnewornament。
TheriseinthreesuccessivenumbersfromcottagetomansionisperhapssufficienttoindicatethattheFosdicksummerhomewastobe，asIssacharPricedescribedit，Someconsiderablehouse！Yessir，bycrimus，someconsiderable！
InJune，Helencamehomeforaweek。AttheendoftheweekshelefttotakeuphernewdutiesatthesummercampforgirlsinVermont。Albertandsheweretogetheragooddealduringthatweek。Anticipatingherarrival，theyoungman’sardentimaginationhadagainfannedwhathedelightedtothinkofashisloveforherintoflame。Duringthelastmonthsofthewinterhehadnotplayedthelanguishingswainasconscientiouslyasduringtheautumn。
Likethesailorinthesongis’eartwastruetoPollalways，buthehadbrokenawayfromhisself-imposedhermitageinhisroomattheSnowplaceseveraltimestoattendsociables，entertainmentsand，even，dances。Now，whenshereturnedhewaseagerlyawaitingherandwouldhavehauntedtheparsonagebeforeandafterworkinghoursofeverydayaswellastheevening，ifshehadpermitted，andwhenwithherassumedaproprietaryairwhichwassoobviousthatevenMr。Pricefeltcalledupontocommentonit。
Say，Al，drawledIssachar，cal’lateyou’vecutoutEddieRaymondalongwithHelen，ain’tye？Don’tseehimhangin’aroundanysinceshegotback，andthewayyouwasactin’whenIseeyoustruttin’
intotheparsonageyardlastnightaforemailtimemademethinkyoumusthaveafirstmortgageonHelenandherpaandthehouseandthemeetin’-houseandtwo-thirdsofthegraveyard。Ineverseesuchanimportant-lookin’critterinMYlife。Haw，haw！Eh？How’boutit？
AlbertdidnotmindthePricesarcasm。insteadhefeltrathergratefultohavetheproletariatrecognizethathehadtriumphedagain。Theflyinhisointment，sotospeak，wasthefactthatHelenherselfdidnotintheleastrecognizethattriumph。Shelaughedathim。
Don’tlookatmelikethat，please，please，don’t，shebegged。
Whynot？witharepetitionofthelook。
Becauseitissilly。
Silly！Well，Ilikethat！Aren’tyouandIengaged？Orjustthesameasengaged？
No，ofcoursewearenot。
Butwepromisedeachother——
No，wedidnot。Andyouknowwedidn’t。
Helen，whydoyoutreatmethatway？Don’tyouknowthat——thatI
justworshipthegroundyoutreadon？Don’tyouknowyou’retheonlygirlinthisworldIcouldevercarefor？Don’tyouknowthat？
TheywerewalkinghomefromchurchSundaymorningandhadreachedthecornerbelowtheparsonage。There，screenedbythethicketofyoungsilver-leafs，shestoppedmomentarilyandlookedintohisface。Thenshewalkedon。
Don’tyouknowhowmuchIcare？herepeated。
Sheshookherhead。Youthinkyoudonow，perhaps，shesaid，butyouwillchangeyourmind。
Whatdoyoumeanbythat？HowdoyouknowIwill？
BecauseIknowyou。There，there，Albert，wewon’tquarrel，willwe？Andwewon’tbesilly。You’reanawfullyniceboy，butyouarejustaboy，youknow。
Hewaslosinghistemper。
Thisisridiculous！hedeclared。I’mtiredofbeinggrandmotheredbyyou。I’molderthanyouare，andIknowwhatI’mdoing。Come，Helen，listentome。
Butshewouldnotlisten，andalthoughshewasalwayskindandfrankandfriendly，sheinvariablyrefusedtopermithimtobecomesentimental。Itirritatedhim，andaftershehadgonetheirritationstillremained。Hewroteherasbefore，althoughnotquitesooften，andtheletterswerepossiblynotquitesolong。
HispridewashurtandtheSperanzapridewasatenderandimportantpartoftheSperanzabeing。IfHelennotedanychangeinhislettersshedidnotrefertoitnorpermitittoinfluenceherown，whichwere，asalways，lengthy，cheerful，andfullofinterestinhimandhisworkandthoughts。
Duringthepreviousfall，whileunderthenewinfluencearousedinhimbyhisdiscoverythatHelenKendallwasthemostwonderfulgirlintheworld，saiddiscoveryofcoursehavingbeenpreviouslymadeforhimbytheunfortunateRaymond，hehaddevelopedahabitofwanderingoffintothewoodsorbytheseashoretobealoneandtoseekinspiration。Whenayoungpoetisinlove，orfancieshimselfinlove，inspirationisusuallytobefoundwhereversought，butevenatthatageandtooneinthatconditionsolitudeisamarkedaidinthesearch。ThereweretwoorthreespotswhichhadbecomeAlbertSperanza’sfavorites。Onewasahigh，wind-sweptknoll，overlookingthebay，aboutahalfmilefromthehotel，anotherwasasecludednookinthepinegrovebesideCarver’sPond，aprettylittlesheetofwaterontheBayportboundary。OnpleasantSaturdayafternoonsorSundays，whenthepoeticfitwasonhim，Albert，withahalfdozenpencilsinhispocket，andarhymingdictionaryandascribblingpadinanother，waswonttostrolltowardsoneortheotherofthesetworetreats。Therehewouldsprawlamidthebeachgrassoruponthepine-needlesanddreamandthinkand，perhaps，ultimatelywrite。
OnefairSaturdayinlateJunehewasatthefirstoftheserespectivepoints。Lyingproneonthebeachgrassatthetopoftheknollandpeeringidlyoutbetweenitsstemsatthewatershimmeringinthesummersun，hewasendeavoringtofindasubjectforapoemwhichshoulddealwithloveandwarasrequestedbytheeditoroftheColumbianMagazine。Giveussomethingwithagirlandasoldierinit，theeditorhadwritten。Albert’smindwaslazilydriftinginsearchofthepleasingcombination。
Thesunwaswarm，thebreezewaslight，thehorizonwasveiledwithaliquidhaze。Albert’smindwasveiledwithasimilarhazeandtheideahewantedwouldnotcome。Hewaslosinghisdesiretofinditandwas，infact，droppingintoadozewhenarousedbyablood-curdlingoutburstofbarksandyelpsandgrowlsbehindhim，athisveryheels。Hecameoutofhisnapwithajumpand，scramblingtoasittingpositionandturning，hesawasmallBostonbull-terrierstandingwithinayardofhisanklesand，apparently，tryingtoturnhisbrindledoutsidein，orhisinsideout，withspitefulferocity。Plainlythedoghadcomeuponhimunexpectedlyandwasexpressingalarm，suspicionanddisapproval。
AlbertjerkedhisanklesoutofthewayandsaidHello，boy，inascheerfullycordialatoneashecouldmusteratsuchshortnotice。Thedogtookastepforward，evidentlywiththeideaofalwayskeepingtheankleswithinjumpingdistance，showedadoublerowofhealthyteethandgrowledandbarkedwithrenewedviolence。
Nicedog，observedAlbert。Thenicedogmadeasnapatthenearestankleand，balkedofhispreybyafrenziedkickofthefootattachedtotheankle，shrieked，snarledandgurgledlikeacaninelunatic。
Gohome，youuglybrute，commandedtheyoungman，losingpatience，andlookingaboutforastoneorstick。Onthetopofthatknollthelargeststonewasthesizeofabuckshotandtheneareststickwas，tobeIrish，astraw。
Nicedoggie！Niceoldboy！Comeandbepatted！……Clearoutwithyou！Gohome，youbeast！
Flatteriesandthreatswerealikeintheirresult。Thedogcontinuedtosnarlandgrowl，dartingtowardtheanklesoccasionally。
Evidentlyhewasmusteringcouragefortheattack。Albertindesperationscoopedupahandfulofsand。Ifworstcametoworsthemightblindthecreaturetemporarily。Whatwouldhappenafterthatwasnotclear。Unlesshemightbyaluckycastfillthedog’sinteriorsofullofsandthat——likethefamousJumpingFrog——itwouldbetooheavytonavigate，hesawnowayofescapefromapainfulbite，probablymorethanone。WhatCaptainZeloteshadformerlycalledhisPortygeetemperflaredup。
Oh，damnyou，clearout！heshouted，springingtohisfeet。
Fromalittlewaybelowhim。infact，frombehindthenextdune，betweenhimselfandthebeach，afemininevoicecalledhisname。
Oh，Mr。Speranza！itsaid。Isityou？I’msoglad！
Albertturned，butthemomenthedidsothedogmadeadashathislegs，sohewasobligedtoturnbackagainandkickviolently。
Oh，Iamsogladitisyou，saidthevoiceagain。Iwassureitwasadreadfultramp。Googooloathestramps。
Asanarticleofdietthatmeant，probably。Googoo——ifthatwasthedog’sname——waspassionatelyfondofpoets，thatwasself-
evident，andintendedtomakeamealofthisone，forthwith。HeflewattheSperanzaankles。Albertperformedamostundignifiedwardance，anddashedhishandfulofsandintoGoogoo’sopencountenance。Foraminuteorsotherewasalivelyshindyontopofthatknoll。Attheendoftheminutethedog，heldtightlyinapairoffemininearms，wasemittinggrowlsandcoughsandsand，whileMadelineFosdickandAlbertSperanzawerekneelinginmoresandandlookingateachother。
Oh，didhebiteyou？beggedMissFosdick。
No……no，Iguessnot，wasthereply。I——Iscarcelyknowyet……Why，whendidyoucome？Ididn’tknowyouwereintown。
Wecameyesterday。Motoredfromhome，youknow。I——bestill，Goo，youbadthing！ItwassuchalovelydaythatIcouldn’tresistgoingforawalkalongthebeach。ItookGoogoobecausehedoesloveitso，and——Goo，bestill，Itellyou！Iamsurehethinksyouareatramp，outhereallaloneinthe——inthewilderness。Andwhatwereyoudoinghere？
Albertdrewalongbreath。Iwashalfasleep，Iguess，hesaid，whenhebrokelooseatmyheels。Iwokeupquickenoughthen，asyoumayimagine。Andsoyouarehereforthesummer？Yournewhouseisn’tfinished，isit？
No，notquite。MotherandGooandIareatthehotelforamonth。
Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestion。Whatwereyoudoingoffhereallalone？Haveyoubeenforawalk，too？
Notexactly。I——well，Icomehereprettyoften。Itisoneofmyfavoritehidingplaces。Yousee，I……don’tlaughifItellyou，willyou？
Ofcoursenot。Goon。thisisverymysteriousandinteresting。
Well，Icomeheresometimesonpleasantdays，tobealone——andwrite。
Write？Writepoetry，doyoumean？
Yes。
Oh，howwonderful！WereyouwritingwhenI——whenGoointerruptedyou？
No。Ihadmadetwoorthreeattempts，butnothingthatIdidsatisfiedme。Ihadjustaboutdecidedtotearthemupandtogiveuptryingforthisafternoon。
Oh，Ihopeyouwon’ttearthemup。I’msuretheyshouldn’tbe。
Perhapsyouwerenotinapropermoodtojudge，yourself。
Perhapsnot。Perhapstheymightlookalittlelesshopelesstosomeoneelse。Butthatpersonwouldhavetobereallyinterested，andtherearefewpeopleinSouthHarnisswhoknoworcareanythingaboutpoetry。
Isupposethatistrue。I——Idon’tsupposeyouwouldcaretoshowthemtome，wouldyou？
Why，eagerly，wouldyoureallycaretoseethem？
IndeedIshould！Notthatmyjudgmentoradviceisworthanything，ofcourse。ButIamvery，veryfondofpoetry，andtoseehowarealpoetwrotewouldbewonderful。AndifIcouldhelpyou，eventheleastlittlebit，itwouldbesuchanhonor。