ATRIBUTE
　　EvennowIcannotrealizethatheisdead，andofteninthecitystreets——onFifthAvenueinparticular——Ifindmyselfglancingaheadforaglimpseofthetall，boyish，familiarfigure——experienceonceagainaflashoftheoldhappyexpectancy。
　　Ihavelivedinmanylands，andhaveknownmen。IneverknewafinermanthanGrahamPhillips。
　　Hisweretheclearest，bluest，mosthonesteyesIeversaw——eyesthatscorneduntruth——eyesthatpenetratedallsham。
　　Inreposehishandsomefeatureswereatriflestern——andthemagicofhissmilewasthemorewonderful——suchasunny，youthful，engagingsmile。
　　Hismerepresenceinaroomwasexhilarating。Itseemedtofreshentheveryairwithakeensweetnessalmostpungent。
　　Hewastall，spare，leisurely，iron-strong；yetfigure，featuresandbearingweredelightfullyboyish。
　　Menlikedhim，womenlikedhimwhenhelikedthem。
　　HewasthemosthonestmanIeverknew，cleaninmind，clean-cutinbody，alittleover-seriousperhaps，exceptwhenamongintimates；alittlepronetohoisttheburdensoftheworldonhisyoungshoulders。
　　Hiswasaknightlymind；apaladincharacter。Buthecouldunbend，andthememoryofsuchhourswithhim——hoursthatcanneverbeagain——hurtsmorekeenlythanthememoryofcalmerandmoresobermoments。
　　Weagreedinmanymatters，heandI；inmanywediffered。Tomeitwasagreaterhonortodifferinopinionwithsuchamanthantofindanentiresynodofmyownmind。
　　Because——andofcoursethisistheopinionofonemanandworthnomorethanthat——IhavealwaysthoughtthatGrahamPhillipswasheadandshouldersaboveusallinhisprofession。
　　Hewastohavebeenreallygreat。Heis——byhislastbook，“SusanLenox。”
　　Notthat，whenhesometimesdiscussedthewritingofitwithme，Iwasinsympathywithit。Iwasnot。Wealwaysweretruthfultoeachother。
　　Butwhenagiantmoldsalumpofclayintotremendousmasses，lessermenbecomeconfusedbythehugecontours，thevastdistances，theterrificspaces，themajesticscopeoftheensemble。SoI。Buthewentonabouthisbusiness。
　　Idonotknowwhatthepublicmaythinkof“SusanLenox。”I
　　scarcelyknowwhatIthink。
　　Itisaterriblebook——terribleandtrueandbeautiful。
　　Underthedepthsthereareunspeakablethingsthatwrithe。Hisplumb-linetouchesthemandtheysquirm。Hebendshisheadfromthecloudstodoit。Isitworthdoing？Idon”tknow。
　　ButthisIdoknow——thatwithintherangeofallfictionofalllandsandofalltimesnocharacterhassooverwhelmedmeasthecharacterofSusanLenox。
　　Sheisasrealaslifeandasunreal。SheisLife。HerswastheconcentratednobilityofHeavenandHell。Andthedivinityoftheoneandthetragedyoftheother。Forshehadknownboth——thisgirl——themostpathetic，themosthuman，themosthonestcharactereverdrawnbyanAmericanwriter。
　　Inthepresenceofhislastwork，sooverwhelming，sostupendous，welessermenareleftataloss。Itsmagnitudedemandstheperspectivethattimeonlycanlendit。Itsdignityandausterityanditspitilesstruthimposeuponusthathonestandintelligentsilencewhicheventhequickestmindsconcedeisnecessarybeforeanhonestverdict。
　　Truthwashisgoddess；hewroughthonestlyandonlyforher。
　　Heisdead，butheistohavehisdayincourt。Andwhatevertheverdict，ifitbeatrueone，werehelivinghewouldrestcontent。
　　ROBERTW。CHAMBERS。
　　BEFORETHECURTAIN
　　Afewyearsago，astothemostimportantandmostinterestingsubjectintheworld，therelationsofthesexes，anauthorhadtochoosebetweensilenceandtellingthosedistortedtruthsbesidewhichplainlyingseemsalmostwhiteandquiteharmless。
　　Andasnoauthorcouldaffordtobesilentonthesubjectthatunderliesallsubjects，ourliterature，insofarasitattemptedtodealwiththemostvitalphasesofhumannature，wasbeneathcontempt。Theauthorswhoknewtheywerelyingsankalmostaslowasthenasty-nicepurveyorsoffakeidealismandcandiedpruriencywhofanciedtheywerewritingthetruth。Nowitalmostseemsthatthedayoflyingconsciousandunconsciousisaboutrun。“Andyeshallknowthetruth，andthetruthshallmakeyoufree。”
　　Therearethreewaysofdealingwiththesexrelationsofmenandwomen——twowrongandoneright。
　　ForlackofmoreaccuratenamesthetwowrongwaysmaybecalledrespectivelytheAnglo-SaxonandtheContinental。Bothareinessenceprocessesofspicingupandcoloringupperfectlyinnocuousfactsofnaturetomakethempoisonouslyattractivetopervertedpalates。Thewishy-washyliteratureandthewishy-washymoralityonwhichitisbasedarenotonestagemore——orless——rottenthanthelibertineliteratureandthelibertinemoralityonwhichitisbased。Sofarasdegradingeffectisconcerned，the“pure，sweet“storyorplay，falsetonature，falsetotruemorality，propagandistofindecentemotionsdisguisedasidealism，needyieldnothingtotheso-called“strong“story。Bothpandertodifferentformsofthesamediseasedcravingfortheunnatural。Bothproducemoralatrophy。Theonetendstoencouragetheshallowandunthinkinginignoranceoflifeandsocausesthemtosufferthemercilesspenaltiesofignorance。Theothertendstomiseducatetheshallowandunthinking，togivethemaruinouslyfalsenotionofthedelightsofvice。TheAnglo-Saxon“morality“islikeanudefiguresalaciouslydraped；theContinental“strength“islikeanudefiguresalaciouslydistorted。TheAnglo-Saxonarticlereeksthestenchofdisinfectants；theContinentalreeksthestenchofdegenerateperfume。TheContinentalshouts“Hypocrisy！“attheAnglo-Saxon；theAnglo-Saxonshouts“Filthiness！“attheContinental。Bothareright；theyaretwinsistersofthesamehorridmother。Andanauthorofeitherallegiancehastohavemanyaredeeminggraceofstyle，ofcharacterdrawing，ofphilosophy，togainhimtoleranceinacleanmind。
　　Thereisthethirdandrightwayofdealingwiththesexrelationsofmenandwomen。Thatisthewayofsimplecandorandnaturalness。Treatthesexquestionasyouwouldanyotherquestion。Don”ttreatitreverently；don”ttreatitrakishly。
　　Treatitnaturally。Don”tinsultyourintelligenceandloweryourmoraltonebythinkingabouteitherthedecencyortheindecencyofmattersthatarefamiliar，undeniable，andunchangeablefactsoflife。Don”tlookonwomanasmerefemale，butashumanbeing。Rememberthatshehasamindandaheartaswellasabody。Inasentence，don”tjoinintheprurientclamorof“purity“hypocritesand“strong“libertinesthatexaggeratesanddistortsthemostcommonplace，ifthemostimportantfeatureoflife。Letustrytobeassensibleaboutsexaswearetryingtobeaboutalltheotherphenomenaoftheuniverseinthismoreenlightenedday。
　　Nothingsosweetensasinorsodelightsasinnerasgettingbig-eyedaboutitandhim。Thoseofuswhoarenaughtyaren”tnearlysonaughtyasweliketothink；norarethoseofuswhoarenicenearlysonice。Ourvirtuesandourfailingsare——perhapstoanunsuspecteddegree——theresultofthecircumstancesinwhichweareplaced。Thewaytoimproveindividualsistoimprovethesecircumstances；andthewaytostartatimprovingthecircumstancesisbylookinghonestlyandfearlesslyatthingsastheyare。Wemustknowourworldandourselvesbeforewecanknowwhatshouldbekeptandwhatchanged。Andthebeginningofthiswisdomisinseeingsexrelationsrationally。Untilthatfundamentalmatterisbroughtundertheswayofgoodcommonsense，improvementinotherdirectionswillbeslowindeed。Letusstoplying——toothers——toourselves。
　　D。G。P。
　　July，1908。
　　SUSANLENOX：HERRISEANDFALL
　　byDavidGrahamPhillipsVolumeI
　　SUSANLENOX
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEchild”sdead，“saidNora，thenurse。Itwastheupstairssitting-roominoneofthepretentioushousesofSutherland，oldestandmostcharmingofthetownsontheIndianabankoftheOhio。Thetwobigwindowswereopen；theirlimpandlistlessdraperiesshowedthattherewasnottheleastmotioninthestiflinghumidairoftheJulyafternoon。Atthecenteroftheroomstoodanoblongtable；overitwereneatlyspreadseveralthicknessesofwhitecottoncloth；nakeduponthemlaythebodyofanewborngirlbaby。AtonesideofthetablenearerthewindowstoodNora。Herswerethehardfeaturesandcorrugatedskinpopularlyregardedastheresultofalifeoftoil，butinfacttheresultofalifeofdefiancetothelawsofhealth。Asadditionalpenaltiesforthatsameself-indulgenceshehadanenormousbustandhips，thinfaceandarms，hollow，sinew-stripedneck。Theyoungman，blondandsmoothfaced，attheothersideofthetableandfacingthelight，wasDoctorStevens，arecentlygraduatedpupilofthefamousSchulzeofSaintChristopherwhoasmuchasanyotheronemanisresponsiblefortherejectionofhocus-pocusandtheinjectionofcommonsenseintoAmericanmedicine。ForupwardsofanhouryoungStevens，coatoffandshirtsleevesrolledtohisshoulders，hadbeentoilingwiththelifelessformonthetable。
　　Hehadtriedeverythinghistraining，hisreadingandhisexperiencesuggested——allthemoreorlessfamiliardevicessimilartothoseindicatedforcasesofdrowning。Norahadwatchedhim，atfirstwithinterestandhope，thenwithinterestalone，finallywithswiftlydeepeningdisapproval，ashercompressedlipsandangryeyesplainlyrevealed。Itseemedtoherhiseffortwasdegeneratingintosacrilege，intodefianceofanobviousdecreeoftheAlmighty。However，shehadnotventuredtospeakuntiltheyoungman，withamutteredejaculationsuspiciouslylikeanimprecation，straightenedhisstockyfigureandbegantomopthesweatfromhisface，handsandbaredarms。
　　Whenshesawthatherverdicthadnotbeenheard，sherepeateditmoreemphatically。“Thechild”sdead，“saidshe，“asItoldyoufromtheset-out。”Shemadethesignofthecrossonherforeheadandbosom，whileherfat，drylipsmovedina“Hail，Mary。”
　　Theyoungmandidnotrousefromhisreverie。Hecontinuedtogazewithabaffledexpressionatthetinyform，solikeawhimsicalcaricatureofhumanity。Heshowedthathehadheardthewoman”sremarkbysaying，tohimselfratherthantoher，“Dead？What”sthat？Merelyanothernameforignorance。”Butthecurrentofhisthoughtdidnotswerve。Itheldtotheonecourse：Whatwouldhismaster，thedauntless，theinfinitelyresourcefulSchulze，doifhewereconfrontedbythisintolerableobstacleofaperfectmachinerefusingtodoitsdutyandpumpvitalforcethroughaneagerlywaitingbody？
　　“He”d_make_itgo，I”dbetmylife，“theyoungmanmuttered。
　　“I”mashamedofmyself。”
　　Asifthereproachwerejustthespurhiscourageandhisintelligencehadneeded，hisfacesuddenlyglowedwiththeupshootingfireofaninspiration。Hethrustthebigwhitehandkerchiefintohishippocket，laidonelargestronghanduponthesmall，beautifullyarchedchestofthebaby。Nora，rousedbyhisexpressionevenmorethanbyhisgesture，gaveanexclamationofhorror。“Don”ttouchitagain，“shecried，betweenentreatyandcommand。“You”vedoneallyoucan——andmore。”
　　Stevenswasnotlistening。“Suchafinebaby，too，“hesaid，hesitating——theoldwomanmistakenlyfancieditwasherwordsthatmadehimpause。“Ifeelnogoodatall，“hewenton，asifreasoningwithhimself，“nogoodatall，losingboththemotherandthechild。”
　　“_She_didn”twanttolive，“repliedNora。Herglancesstolesomewhatfearfullytowardthedooroftheadjoiningroom——thebedroomwherethemotherlaydead。
　　“Therewasn”tnothingbutdisgraceaheadforbothofthem。
　　Everybody”llbeglad。”
　　“Suchafinebaby，“mutteredtheabstractedyoungdoctor。
　　“Love-childrenalwaysis，“saidNora。Shewaslookingsadlyandtenderlydownatthetiny，symmetricalform——symmetricaltoherandthedoctor”sexperteyes。“Suchadeepchest，“shesighed。
　　“Suchprettyhandsandfeet。Areallove-child。”Theresheglancednervouslyatthedoctor；itwasmeetandproperandpioustospeakwellofthedead，butshefeltshemightbegoingratherfarfora“goodwoman。”
　　“I”lltryit，“criedtheyoungmaninaresolutetone。“Itcan”tdoanyharm，and——”
　　Withoutfinishinghissentencehelaidholdofthebodybytheankles，swungitclearofthetable。AsNorasawitdanglingheaddownwardslikeadressedsucklingpigonabutcher”shooksheventedascreamanddartedroundthetabletostopbymainforcethisrevoltingdesecrationofthedead。Stevenscalledoutsternly：“Mindyourbusiness，Nora！Pushthetableagainstthewallandgetoutoftheway。Iwantalltheroomthereis。”
　　“Oh，Doctor——fortheblessedJesus”sake——”
　　“Pushbackthattable！“
　　Norashrankbeforehisfierceeyes。Shethoughthisexertions，hisdisappointmentandtheheathadcombinedtotopplehimoverintoinsanity。Sheretreatedtowardthefartheroftheopenwindows。WithacurseatherstupidityStevenskickedoverthetable，usedhisfootvigorouslyinthrustingittothewall。
　　“Now！“exclaimedhe，takinghisstandinthecenteroftheroomandgaugingthedistanceofceiling，floorandwalls。
　　Nora，herbackagainstthewindowframe，herfingerssunkinherbigloosebosom，staredpetrified。Stevens，likeanathleteswinginganindianclub，whirledthebodyroundandroundhishead，atthefulllengthofhispowerfularms。Moreandmorerapidlyheswungit，untilhisbreathcameandwentingaspsandthesweatwastricklinginstreamsdownhisfaceandneck。Roundandroundbetweenceilingandfloorwhirledthenakedbodyofthebaby——roundandroundforminutesthatseemedhourstothehorrifiednurse——roundandroundwithallthestrengthandspeedtheyoungmancouldputforth——roundandrounduntiltheroomwasablurbeforehisthrobbingeyes，untilhisexpressionbecamefullyasdemoniacasNorahadbeenfancyingit。Justasshewasrecoveringfromherparalysisofhorrorandwasabouttoflyshriekingfromtheroomshewashaltedbyasoundthatmadeherdrawinairuntilherbosomswelledasifitwouldburstitsginghamprison。ShecranedeagerlytowardStevens。Hewaswhirlingthebodymorefuriouslythanever。
　　“Wasthatyou？“askedNorahoarsely。“Orwasit——”Shepaused，listened。
　　Thesoundcameagain——thesoundofadrowningpersonfightingforbreath。
　　“It”s——it”s——”mutteredNora。“Whatisit，Doctor？“
　　“Life！“pantedStevens，triumphinhisglistening，streamingface。“Life！“
　　Hecontinuedtowhirlthelittleform，butnotsorapidlyorsovigorously。Andnowthesoundwaslouder，or，rather，lessfaint，lessuncertain——wasacry——wasthecryofalivingthing。
　　“She”salive——alive！“shriekedthewoman，andintimewithhismovementssheswayedtoandfrofromsidetoside，laughing，weeping，wringingherhands，pattingherbosom，hercheeks。Shestretchedoutherarms。“Myprayersareanswered！“shecried。
　　“Don”tkillher，youbrute！Givehertome。Youshan”ttreatababythatway。”
　　Theunheedingdoctorkeptonwhirlinguntilthecrywascontinuous，alowbutlustywailofangryprotest。Thenhestopped，caughtthebabyupinbotharms，burstoutlaughing。
　　“Youlittleminx！“hesaid——or，rather，gasped——atendernessquitematernalinhiseyes。“ButIgotyou！Nora，thetable。”
　　Norarightedthetable，spreadandsmoothedthecloths，extendedherscrawnyeagerarmsforthebaby。Stevenswithajerkoftheheadmotionedheraside，laidthebabyonthetable。Hefeltforthepulseatitswrist，benttolistenattheheart。Quiteuseless。Thatstrong，risinghowlofhelplessfurywasproofenough。Hermajestythebabywasmadthroughandthrough——thereforealivethroughandthrough。
　　“Grandheartaction！“saidtheyoungman。Hestoodaloof，handsonhiships，headataproudangle。“Youneversawahealthierspecimen。It”llbemanyayear，baraccidents，beforeshe”sthatneardeathagain。”
　　ButitwasNora”sturnnottohear。Shewassoothingandswaddlingtheoutragedbaby。“There——there！“shecrooned。
　　“Nora”lltakecareofyou。Thebadmanshan”tcomenearmylittleprecious——no，thewickedmanshan”ttouchheragain。”
　　Thebedroomdooropened。AttheslightnoisesuperstitiousNorapaled，shriveledwithinhergreenandwhitecheckedgingham。Sheslowlyturnedherheadasifonthisdayofmiraclessheexpectedyetanother——theresurrectionoftheresurrectedbaby”smother，“poorMissLorella。”ButLorellaLenoxwasforevertranquilinthesleepthatengulfedherandthesorrowsinwhichshehadbeenentangledbyanimpetuous，trustingheart。
　　Theapparitioninthedoorwaywascommonplace——themistressofthehouse，Lorella”selderandmarriedsisterFanny——neitherfairnordark，neithertallnorshort，neitherthinnorfat，neitherprettynorhomely，neitherstupidnorbright，neitherneatnordowdy——oneofthatmultitudeofexcellent，unobtrusivehumanbeingswhomaketherestfulstretchesinaworldofagitations——andwhorespondtotheimpetusofcircumstanceasunresistinglyascloudtowind。
　　AsthewailofthechildsmoteuponFanny”searssheliftedherhead，startled，andcriedoutsharply，“What”sthat？“
　　“We”vesavedthebaby，Mrs。Warham，“repliedtheyoungdoctor，beamingonherthroughhisglasses。
　　“Oh！“saidMrs。Warham。Andsheabruptlyseatedherselfonthebigchintz-coveredsofabesidethedoor。
　　“Andit”salovelychild，“pleadedNora。Herwoman”sinstinctguidedherstraighttothesecretoftheconflictragingbehindMrs。Warham”sunhappyface。
　　“Thefinestgirlintheworld，“criedStevens，well-meaningbuttactless。
　　“Girl！“exclaimedFanny，startingupfromthesofa。“Isita_girl_？“
　　Noranodded。Theyoungmanlookeddowncast；hewasrealizingthepracticalsideofhisvictoryforscience——theconsequencestothegirlchild，toalltherelatives。
　　“Agirl！“moanedFanny，sinkingtothesofaagain。“Godhavemercyonus！“
　　Louderandangrierrosethewail。Fanny，afterabriefstrugglewithherself，hurriedtothetable，lookeddownatthetinyhelplessness。Herfacesoftened。Shehadbeenamotherfourtimes。Onlyonehadlived——herfairlittletwo-year-oldRuth——andshewouldneverhaveanymorechildren。Thetearsglistenedinhereyes。“Whatailsyou，NoraMulvey？“shedemanded。“Whyaren”tyou”tendingtothispoorlittlecreature？“
　　Norasprangintoaction，butshewrappedthebabyherself。Thedoctorindeepembarrassmentwithdrewtothefartherwindow。Shefussedoverthebabylingeringly，butfinallyresignedittothenurse。“Takeitintothebathroom，“shesaid，“whereeverything”sreadytofeedit——thoughIneverdreamed——”AsNorawasabouttodepart，shedetainedher。“Letmelookatitagain。”
　　ThenurseunderstoodthatFannyWarhamwassearchingforevidenceofthemysteriousbutsuspectedpaternitywhosesecretLorella，withtrueLenoxobstinacy，hadguardedtotheend。Thetwowomenscannedthefeatures。Amanwouldataglancehaveabandonedhopeofdiscoveringanythingfromachartsovagueandconfusedasthatwrinkled，twisted，swollenfaceofthenewborn。
　　Notsoawoman。SaidNora：“SheseemstometofavortheLenoxes。ButIthink——I_kind_o”think——Iseea_trace_
　　of——of——”Thereshehalted，waitingforencouragement。
　　“OfGalt？“suggestedFanny，inanundertone。
　　“OfGalt，“assentedNora，hertoneequallydiscreet。“ThatnoseisGalt-likeandthesetoftheears——andakindofsomethingtotheneckandshoulders。”
　　“Maybeso，“saidFannydoubtfully。Sheshookherheaddrearily，sighed。“What”stheuse？Lorella”sgone。AndthismorningGeneralGaltcamedowntoseemyhusbandwithaletterhe”dgotfromJimmie。Jimmiedeniesit。Perhapsso。Again，perhapstheGeneralwrotehimtowritethat，andthreatenedhimifhedidn”t。Butwhat”stheuse？We”llneverknow。”
　　Andtheyneverdid。
　　WhenyoungStevenswasleaving，GeorgeWarhamwaylaidhimatthefrontgate，separatedfromthespaciousoldcreeper-cladhousebylonglawnsandanavenueofelms。“Ihearthechild”sgoingtolive，“saidheanxiously。
　　“I”veneverseenanythingmorealive，“repliedStevens。
　　Warhamstaredgloomilyattheground。Hewasevidentlyashamedofhisfeelings，yetconvincedthattheywerehumanandnatural。
　　Amoment”ssilencebetweenthemen，thenStevensputhishandonthegatelatch。“Did——did——mywife——”beganWarham。“Didshesaywhatshecalculatedtodo？“
　　“Notaword，George。”Afterasilence。“Youknowhowfondsheisofbabies。”
　　“Yes，Iknow，“repliedWarham。“Fannyisatruewomanifevertherewasone。”Withacertaindefiance，“AndLorella——shewasasweet，womanlygirl！“
　　“Assweetandgoodasshewaspretty，“repliedStevensheartily。
　　“Thewayshekepthermouthshutaboutthathound，whoeverheis！“Warham”sRomanfacegrewsavage，revealedinstartlingapparitionastubborncrueltyofwhichtherewasnotatraceuponthesurface。“IfIevercatchthe——I”llfillhimfullofholes。”
　　“He”dbelynched——_whoever_heis，“saidStevens。
　　“That”sright！“criedWarham。“ThisistheNorth，butit”snearenoughtoKentuckytoknowwhattodowithawretchofthatsort。”Hisfacebecamecalmer。“Thatpoorlittlebaby！He”llhaveahardrowtohoe。”
　　Stevensflushedaguiltyred。“It”s——it”s——agirl，“hestammered。
　　Warhamstared。“A_girl_！“hecried。Thenhisfacereddenedandinafurioustoneheburstout：“Nowdon”tthatbeatthedevilforluck！……Agirl！GoodLord——agirl！“
　　“Nobodyinthistown”llblameher，“consoledStevens。
　　“Youknowbetterthanthat，Bob！Agirl！Why，it”sdownrightwicked……IwonderwhatFannyallowstodo？“HeshowedwhatfearwasinhismindbywheelingsavagelyonStevenswithastormy，“Wecan”tkeepher——wesimplycan”t！“
　　“What”stobecomeofher？“protestedStevensgently。
　　Warhammadeawildvaguegesturewithbotharms。“DamnifI
　　know！I”vegottolookoutformyowndaughter。Iwon”thaveit。
　　Damnit，Iwon”thaveit！“Stevensliftedthegatelatch。“Well——
　　“Good-by，George。I”lllookinagainthisevening。”Andknowingthemoralideasofthetown，allhecouldmusterbywayofencouragementwasahalf-hearted“Don”tborrowtrouble。”
　　ButWarhamdidnothear。Hewasmovingupthetanbarkwalktowardthehouse，mutteringtohimself。WhenFanny，unablelongertoconcealLorella”splight，hadtoldhim，pityandaffectionforhissweetsister-in-lawwhohadmadeherhomewiththemforfiveyearshadtriumphedoverhisprinciples。HehadhimselfarrangedforFannytohideLorellainNewYorkuntilshecouldsafelyreturn。Butjustasthesisterswereabouttosetout，Lorella，lowinbodyandinmind，fellill。ThenGeorge——andFanny，too——hadstrivenwithhertogivethemthenameofherbetrayer，thathemightbecompelledtodoherjustice。Lorellarefused。“Itoldhim，“shesaid，“andhe——I
　　neverwanttoseehimagain。”Theypleadedthedisgracetothem，butsherepliedthathewouldnotmarryherevenifshewouldmarryhim；andsheheldtoherrefusalwiththefirmnessforwhichtheLenoxeswerefamous。TheysuspectedJimmieGalt，becausehehadbeenaboutthemostattentiveoftheyoungmenuntiltwoorthreemonthsbefore，andbecausehehadabruptlydepartedforEuropetostudyarchitecture。Lorelladeniedthatitwashe。“Ifyoukillhim，“shesaidtoWarham，“youkillaninnocentman。”Warhamwassoexasperatedbyherobstinacythathewasatfirstfortakingheratherofferandlettinghergoaway。ButFannywouldnothearofit，andheacquiesced。
　　Now”Thischildmustbesentawayoffsomewhere，andneverbeheardofagain，“hesaidtohimself。“Ifit”dbeenaboy，perhapsitmighthavegotalong。Butagirl——
　　“There”snothingcanbedonetomakethingsrightforagirlthat”sgotnofatherandnoname。”
　　ThesubjectdidnotcomeupbetweenhimandhiswifeuntilaboutaweekafterLorella”sfuneral。Buthewasthinkingofnothingelse。Athisbiggrocerystore——wholesaleandretail——hesatmoroselyinhisoffice，broodingoverthedisgraceandthedangerofdeeperdisgrace——forhesawwhataholdthebabyalreadyhaduponhiswife。Hewasashamedtoappearinthestreets；heknewwhatwasgoingonbehindthesympatheticfaces，heardthewhisperingsasiftheyhadbeentrumpetings。Andhewasasmuchafraidofhisownsoftheartasofhiswife”s。Butforthesakeofhisdaughterhemustbefirmandjust。
　　Onemorning，ashewasleavingthehouseafterbreakfast，heturnedbackandsaidabruptly：“Fan，don”tyouthinkyou”dbettersendthebabyawayandgetitoverwith？“
　　“No，“saidhiswifeunhesitatingly——andheknewhisworstsuspicionwascorrect。“I”vemadeupmymindtokeepher。”
　　“Itisn”tfairtoRuth。”
　　“Senditaway——where？“
　　“Anywhere。GetitadoptedinChicago——Cincinnati——Louisville。”
　　“Lorella”sbaby？“
　　“WhensheandRuthgrowup——whatthen？“
　　“Peopleain”tsolowassomethink。”
　　“`Thesinsoftheparentsarevisitedonthechildrenunto——”“
　　“Idon”tcare，“interruptedFanny。“Iloveher。I”mgoingtokeepher。Waithereaminute。”
　　Whenshecamebackshehadthebabyinherarms。“Justlook，“
　　shesaidsoftly。
　　Georgefrowned，triednottolook，butwassoondrawnandheldbythesweet，fresh，bloomingface，sosmooth，sowinning，soinnocent。
　　“Andthinkhowshewassentbacktolife——frombeyondthegrave。
　　Itmusthavebeenforsomepurpose。”
　　Warhamgroaned，“Oh，Lord，Idon”tknow_what_todo！But——itain”tfairtoourRuth。”
　　“Idon”tseeitthatway……Kissher，George。”
　　Warhamkissedoneofthesoftcheeks，swellinglikearipeningapple。Thebabyopenedwideapairofwonderfuldarkeyes，threwupitschubbyarmsandlaughed——suchalaugh！……Therewasnomoretalkofsendingheraway。
　　CHAPTERII
　　NOTquiteseventeenyearslater，onafineJunemorning，RuthWarhamissuedhastilyfromthehouseandstarteddownthelongtanbarkwalkfromthefrontverandatothestreetgate。Shewasnownineteen——nearertwenty——andaveryprettyyoungwoman，indeed。Shehadgrownuponeofthosesmallslenderblondes，exquisiteanddoll-like，whocannothelpseemingfreshandsweet，whateverthetruthaboutthem，withoutorwithin。Thismorningshehadonanewsummerdressofabluethatmatchedhereyesandharmonizedwithhercoloring。Shewaslookingherbest，andshehadthesatisfying，confidence-givingsensethatitwasso。Likemostoftheunattachedgirlsofsmalltowns，shewasalwaysdreamingofthehandsomestrangerwhowouldfallinlove——thethrilling，love-storykindofloveatfirstsight。Theweatherplaysaconspicuouspartintheromancingsofyouth；shefeltthatthiswaspreciselythekindofdayfatewouldbemostlikelytoselectforthemeeting。Justbeforedressingshehadbeenreadingaboutthewonderful_him_——inRobertChambers”
　　lateststory——andshehadspentfullfifteenminutesofblissfulreverieovertheaccompanyingFisherillustration。Nowshewasissuinghopefullyforth，ashopefullyasifadventureweretheruleandorderoflifeinSutherland，insteadofadesperatemonotonymadethehardertobearbythegloryofitsscenery。
　　Shehadgotonlyfarenoughfromthehousetobevisibletothesecond-storywindowswhenayoungvoicecalled：
　　“Ruthie！Aren”tyougoingtowaitforme？“
　　Ruthhalted；anexpressionanythingbutharmoniouswiththeprettybluecostumestormedacrossherface。“Iwon”thaveheralong！“shemuttered。“Isimplywon”t！“Sheturnedslowlyand，assheturned，effacedeverytraceoftemperwithadexteritywhichmighthavegivenanonlookerapooreropinionofhercharacterthanperhapsthefactsastohumannaturejustify。Thecountenanceshepresentlyrevealedtothoseupperwindowswassunnyandsweet。Noonewasvisible；butthehorizontalslatsinoneoftheonlyclosedpairofshuttersandavaguesuggestionofmovementratherthanformbehindthemgavetheimpressionthatawoman，notfarenoughdressedtoriskbeingseenfromthestreet，washiddenthere。EvidentlyRuthknew，foritwastowardthiswindowthatshedirectedhergazeandtheremark：“Can”twait，dear。I”minagreathurry。MammawantsthesilkrightawayandI”vegottomatchit。”
　　“ButI”llbeonlyaminute，“pleadedthevoice——amuchmoreinteresting，moremusicalvoicethanRuth”srathershrillandthinhighsoprano。
　　“No——I”llmeetyouupatpapa”sstore。”
　　“Allright。”
　　Ruthresumedherjourney。Shesmiledtoherself。“Thatmeans，“
　　saidshe，halfaloud，“I”llsteerclearofthestorethismorning。”
　　Butasshewasleavingthegateintothewide，shady，sleepystreet，whoshouldcomedrivingpastinavillagecartbutLottieWright！AndLottiereinedherponyintothesidewalkandintheshadeofasymmetricalwalnuttreeproceededtoinviteRuthtoadance——alongstory，asLottiehadtotellallaboutit，thedecorations，thefavors，thefood，whowouldbethere，whatshewasgoingtowear，andsoonandon。Ruthwasintenselyinterestedbutkeptrememberingsomethingthatcausedhertoglanceuneasilyfromtimetotimeupthetanbarkwalkunderthearchingboughstowardthehouse。Evenifshehadnotbeeninterested，shewouldhardlyhaveventuredtobreakoff；LottieWrightwastheonlydaughteroftherichestmaninSutherlandand，therefore，socialarbitertotheyoungerset。
　　Lottiestoppedabruptly，said：“Well，Ireallymustgeton。Andthere”syourcousincomingdownthewalk。Iknowyou”vebeenwaitingforher。”
　　Ruthtriedtokeepincountenance，butablushofshameandafrownofirritationcameinspiteofher。
　　“I”msorryIcan”taskSusie，too，“pursuedLottie，inavoiceofhypocriticalregret。“Buttherearetobeexactlyeighteencouples——andIcouldn”t。”
　　“Ofcoursenot，“saidRuthheartily。“Susan”llunderstand。”
　　“Iwouldn”tfortheworlddoanythingtohurtherfeelings，“
　　continuedLottiewiththeself-complacentrighteousnessofadeacontellingthecongregationhowgood“grace“hasmadehim。
　　Herprominentcommonplacebrowneyesweregazingupthewalk，anexpressiondistressinglylikeenviousangerinthem。Shehadathick，pudgyface，anoilyskin，anoutcroppingofdullredpimplesonthechin。Manywomencanindulgetheirpassionforsweetsatmealsandsweetsbetweenmealswithoutseriousinjury——tocomplexion；LottieWright，unluckily，couldn”t。
　　“IfeelsorryforSusie，“shewenton，intheludicrouspatronizingtonethatneedsnodescribingtoanyoneacquaintedwithanyfashionablesetanywherefromChinatoPeru。“AndI
　　thinkthewayyoualltreatherissimplybeautiful。But，then，everybodyfeelssorryforherandtriestobekind。Sheknows——aboutherself，Imean——doesn”tshe，Ruthie？“
　　“Iguessso，“repliedRuth，almosthangingherheadinhermortification。“She”sverygoodandsweet。”
　　“Indeed，sheis，“saidLottie。“Andfathersaysshe”sfarandawaytheprettiestgirlintown。”
　　Withthispartingshot，whichstruckpreciselywhereshehadaimed，Lottiegatheredupthereinsanddroveon，callingoutafriendly“Hello，Susiedearie，“toSusanLenox，who，onherpurposelylaggingwayfromthehouse，hadnearlyreachedthegate。
　　“WhatanastythingLottieWrightis！“exclaimedRuthtohercousin。
　　“Shehasameantongue，“admittedSusan，tallandslimandstraight，withgloriousdarkhairandaskinhealthilypallidandassmoothasclear。“Butshe”sgotagoodheart。Shegivesalotawaytopoorpeople。”
　　“Becauseshelikestopatronizeandbekowtowedto，“retortedRuth。“She”smean，Itellyou。”Then，withaviciousgleamintheblueeyesthathintedadeeperandlesspresentablemotiveforthetelling，sheadded：“Why，she”snotgoingtoaskyoutoherparty。”
　　Susanwasobviouslyunmoved。“Shehastherighttoaskwhomshepleases。And“——shelaughed”ifIweregivingapartyI”dnotwanttoaskher——thoughImightdoitforfearshe”dfeelleftout。”
　　“Don”tyoufeel——leftout？“
　　Susanshookherhead。“Iseemnottocaremuchaboutgoingtopartieslately。Theboysdon”tliketodancewithme，andIgettiredofsittingthedancesout。”
　　ThistouchedRuth”simpulsivelygenerousheartandwoman”seasytearsfilledhereyes；hercousin”sremarkwassopathetic，themorepatheticbecauseitspathoswasabsolutelyunconscious。
　　RuthshotapityingglanceatSusan，buttheinstantshesawthelovelinessofthefeaturesuponwhichthatexpressionofunconsciousnesslaylikeinnocenceuponabedofroses，thepityvanishedfromhereyestobereplacedbyadisfiguringenvyashatefulasanevilemotioncanbeatnineteen。Susanstilllackednearlyamonthofseventeen，butsheseemedolderthanRuthbecausehermindandherbodyhaddevelopedbeyondheryears——or，perhapsitwouldbemoreaccuratetosaybeyondtheaverageofgrowthatseventeen。Also，herpersonalitywasstronger，farmoredefinite。Ruthtriedtobelieveherselftheclevererandthemorebeautiful，attimeswithacertainsuccess。Butasshehappenedtobeashrewdyoungperson——aninheritancefromtheWarhams——shewashauntedbymisgivings——andworse。Thosewhosevanityneversuffersfromthesetormentswill，ofcourse，condemnher；butwhoeverhasknownthepainofhavingtoconcedesuperioritytosomeonewithwhomsheorhe——isconstantlycontrastedwillnotbealtogetherwithoutsympathyforRuthinherstruggles，oftenvainstruggles，againstthemortalsinofjealousy。
　　Thetruthis，SusanwasbeyondquestionthebeautyofSutherland。Hereyes，verydarkatbirth，hadchangedtoasoft，dreamyviolet-gray。Hairandcoloring，lashesandeyebrowsremaineddark；thushereyesandtheintenseredofherlipshadthatvicinageofcontrastwhichisnecessarytodistinction。Tolookatherwastobeatoncefascinatedbythoseviolet-grayeyes——bytheircolor，bytheirclearness，bytheirregardofcalm，graveinquiry，bytheirmysterynotuntouchedbyacertainsadness。Shehadathickabundanceofwavyhair，notsolongasRuth”sgoldenbraids，butgrowingbeautifullyinsteadofthinlyaboutherlowbrow，aboutherdelicatelymodeledears，andatthebackofherexquisiteneck。Herslimnosedepartedenoughfromtheclassiclinetopreventthesuggestionofmonotonythatisinallpurelyclassicfaces。Hernostrilshadthesensitivenessthatmorethananyotheroutwardsignindicatestheimaginativetemperament。Herchinandthroat——tolookatthemwastoknowwhereherloverwouldchoosetokissherfirst。
　　Whenshesmiledherlargeeventeethweredazzling。Andthesmileitselfwasexceedinglysweetandwinning，withtheviolet-grayeyescastingoveritthatseriousnessvergingonsadnesswhichisthenaturaloutlookofahighlyintelligentnature。Forwhilestupidvainpeoplearesuspiciousandeasilyoffended，onlytheintelligentaretrulysensitive——keenlysusceptibletoallsensations。Thedullearissuspicious；theacuteearissensitive。
　　Theintenseredofherlips，attimessovividthatitseemedartificial，andtheirsinuous，sensitivecurveindicatedatemperamentthatwasfranklyproclaimedinherfigure——sensuous，graceful，slender——thefigureofgirlhoodinitsperfectionandofperfectwomanhood，too——likethosetropicalflowersthatlookinnocentandyoungandfresh，yetstirinthebeholderpassionatelongingsandvisions。Herwalkwasworthyoffaceandfigure——freeandfirmandgraceful，thesmallheadcarriedproudlywithouthaughtiness。
　　Thisphysicalbeautyhadasanaureoletoilluminateitandtosetitoffamannerthatwaswhollydevoidofmannerisms——ofthosethatmenandwomenthinkoutandexhibittogiveaddedcharmtothemselves——tricksofcuteness，aslispandbabystare；
　　tricksofdignity，asgravebrowandbodyalwayscarriedrigidlyerect；tricksofsweetnessandkindliness，astheeverreadysmileandthewarmhandclasp。Susan，theinterestedintheworldabouther，Susan，theself-unconscious，hadnoneofthesetricks。Shewasatalltimesherownself。Beautyisanythingbutrare，likewiseintelligence。Butthisqualityofnaturalnessisthegreatestofallqualities。ItmadeSusanLenoxunique。
　　Itwasnotstrange——norinexcusablethatthegirlsandtheirparentshadbeguntopitySusanassoonasthisbeautydevelopedandthispersonalityhadbeguntoexhaleitsdeliciousperfume。
　　Itwasbutnaturalthattheyshouldstartthewholetownto“beingkindtothepoorthing。”Anditwasequallythematterofcoursethattheyshouldhaveachievedtheirobject——shouldhaveimpressedtheconventionalmasculinemindofthetownwithsuchasenseofthe“poorthing”s“socialisolationand“impossibility“thattheboysceasedtobehereagerlyadmiringfriends，wereafraidtobealonewithher，toaskhertodance。
　　Womenareconventionalasabusiness；butwithmenconventionalityisagrovelingsuperstition。TheyouthsofSutherlandlongedfor，sighedforthealluring，sweet，brightSusan；buttheydarednot，withallthewomensaying“Poorthing！Whatapityanicemancan”taffordtohaveanythingtodowithher！“Itwasaninterestingtypicalexampleoftheprofoundsnobbishnessofthemalecharacter。Rarely，afterSusanwassixteen，didanyoftheboysventuretoaskhertodanceandsogivehimselfthejoyofencirclingthatlovelyformofhers；
　　yetfrombabyhoodherfascinationforthemalesex，regardlessofageortemperament，hadbeenuncanny”naturally，shebeingalove-child，“saidtheoldwomen。Andfromfourteenon，itgrewsteadily。
　　ItwouldbedifficultforonewhohasnotlivedinasmalltowntounderstandexactlythekindofisolationtowhichSutherlandconsignedthegirlwithoutherrealizingit，withouttheirfullyrealizingitthemselves。Everyonewasfriendlywithher。A
　　strangerwouldnothavenoticedanydifferenceinthetreatmentofherandofhercousinRuth。Yetnotoneoftheyoungmenwouldhavethoughtofmarryingher，wouldhaveregardedherashisequalortheequalofhissisters。Shewenttoallthegeneralentertainments。Shewasinvitedtoallthehouseswhenfailuretoinviteherwouldhaveseemedpointed——butonlythen。
　　Shedidnotthinkmuchaboutherself；shewasfondofstudy——fonderofreading——fondest，perhaps，ofmakingdressesandhats，especiallyforRuth，whomshethoughtmuchprettierthanherself。Thus，shewasonlyvaguely，subconsciouslyconsciousoftherebeingsomethingpeculiarandmysteriousinherlot。
　　Thisisolation，ratherthanherdominantqualityofself-effacingconsiderationforothers，wasthechiefcauseoftheextraordinaryinnocenceofhermind。Noservant，nogirl，noaudaciousboyeverventuredtoraisewithheranyquestionremotelytouchingonsex。AllthosequestionsseemedtoPuritanSutherlandinanycircumstanceshighlyindelicate；inrelationtoSusantheyseemedworsethanindelicate，dreadfulthoughthethoughtwasthattherecouldbeanythingworsethanindelicacy。
　　Atfifteensheremainedasunawareofeventheexistenceofthemysteriesofsexasshehadbeenatbirth。Nothingdefiniteenoughtoarousehercuriosityhadeverbeensaidinherhearing；andsuchreferencestothosemattersasshefoundinherreadingpassedherby，asanymatterofwhichhehasnotthebeginningsofknowledgewillfailtoarresttheattentionofanyreader。Itwasgenerallyassumedthatsheknewallaboutherorigin，thatsomeonehad，sometimeorother，toldher。EvenherAuntFannythoughtso，thoughtshewashidingtheknowledgedeepinherheart，explainedinthatwayhercontentwiththesolitudeofbooksandsewing。
　　SusanwastheworstpossibleinfluenceinRuth”slife。Ourcharacterisourself，isbornwithus，clingstousasthefleshtoourbones，persistsunchangeduntilwedie。Butuponthecircumstancesthatsurroundusdependswhatpartofourcharactershallshowitself。Ruthwasbornwithperhapssomethingmorethanthenormaltendencytobeenviousandpetty。
　　ButthesequalitiesmightneverhaveshownthemselvesconspicuouslyhadtherebeennoSusanforhertoenvy。TheveryqualitiesthatmadeSusanlovablereacteduponthepretty，pertblondcousintomakeherthemoreunlovable。Againandagain，whensheandSusanwereabouttostartouttogether，andSusanwouldappearinbeautyandgraceofpersonanddress，Ruthwouldexcuseherself，wouldflytoherroomtolockherselfinandweepandrageandhate。Andatthehighschool，whenSusanscoredinarecitationorinsomedramaticentertainment，Ruthwouldsitwithbittenlipandsurgingbosom，palewithjealousy。
　　Susan”sisolation，thewaytheboysavoidedhavingwithherthefriendlyrelationsthatspringupnaturallyamongyoungpeoplethesegaveRuthapartialrevenge。ButSusan，seeminglyunconscious，risingsweetlyandserenelyaboveallpettiness——
　　Ruth”shatreddeepened，thoughshehiditfromeveryone，almostfromherself。AndshedependedmoreandmoreutterlyuponSusantoselectherclothesforher，todressher，tomakeherlookwell；forSusanhadtasteandRuthhadnot。
　　OnthatbrightJunemorningasthecousinswentupMainStreettogether，Susangaveherselfovertothedelightofsunandairandofthefloweringgardensbeforetheattractivehousestheywerepassing；Ruth，withthedayquitedarkforher，allitsjoysgone，wasfightingagainstahatredofhercousinsoviciousthatitmadeherafraid。“I”llhavenochanceatall，“
　　herangryheartwassaying，“solongasSusie”saround，keepingeverybodyremindedofthefamilyshame。”Andthatwasatruthshecouldnotdownface，meanandungenerousthoughthinkingitmightbe。TheworstofallwasthatSusan，inasimplewhitedressandanalmostuntrimmedwhitestrawhatwithagracefulcurvetoitsbrimandsetattherightangleuponthatwavydarkhair，wasmakingthebeautyofhershortblondcousindimandsomehowcommon。
　　AtthecornerofMapleStreetRuth”sself-controlreacheditslimit。Shehalted，tookthesampleofsilkfromherglove。Therewasnotahintofherfeelingsinhercountenance，forshameandthedesiretoseemtobebetterthanshewaswerefastmakingheranadeptinhypocrisy。“Yougoaheadandmatchitformamma，“saidshe。“I”vegottoruninandseeBessieAndrews。”
　　“ButIpromisedUncleGeorgeI”dcomeandhelphimwiththemonthlybills，“objectedSusan。
　　“Youcandoboth。It”lltakeyouonlyaminute。Ifmotherhadknownyouweregoinguptown，she”dneverhavetrusted_me_。”AndRuthhadtuckedthesampleinSusan”sbeltandwashurryingoutMapleStreet。TherewasnothingforSusantodobutgoonalone。
　　Twosquares，andshewaspassingtheshowplaceofSutherland，thehomeoftheWrights。Shepausedtoregaleherselfwithaglanceintothegroveofmagnificentelmswithlawnsandbrightgardensbeyond——fortheWrightplacefilledtheentiresquarebetweenBroadandMyrtleStreetsandfromMaintoMonroe。Shewasstartingonwhenshesawamongthetreesayoungmaninstripedflannels。Atthesameinstanthesawher。
　　“Hel-_lo_，Susie！“hecried。“Iwasthinkingaboutyou。”
　　Susanhalted。“Whendidyougetback，Sam？“sheasked。“IheardyouweregoingtostayonintheEastallsummer。”
　　Aftertheyhadshakenhandsacrossthehedgethatcamealmosttotheirshoulders，Susanbegantomoveon。Samkeptpacewithheronhissideofthecarefullytrimmedboxwoodbarrier。“I”mgoingbackEastinabouttwoweeks，“saidhe。“It”sawfullydullhereafterYale。Ijustblewin——haven”tseenLottieorfatheryet。
　　ComingtoLottie”sparty？“
　　“No，“saidSusan。
　　“Whynot？“
　　Susanlaughedmerrily。“Thebestreasonintheworld。Lottiehasonlyinvitedjustsomanycouples。”
　　“I”llseeaboutthat，“criedSam。“You”llbeaskedallright，allright。”
　　“No，“saidSusan。Shewasoneofthosewhosewayofsayingnogivesitsfullmeaningandintent。“I”llnotbeasked，thankyou——andI”llnotgoifIam。”
　　Bythistimetheywereatthegate。Heopenedit，cameoutintothestreet。Hewasatallish，athleticyouth，dark，andpleasingenoughoffeaturetobecalledhandsome。Hewasdressedwithagreatdealofstyleoftheefflorescentkindcalledsophomoric。
　　HewasaSophomoreatYale。Butthatwasnotsolargelyresponsibleforhisself-complacentexpressionasthedeferencehehadgotfrombabyhoodthroughbeingheirapparenttotheWrightfortune。HehadasophisticatedwayofinspectingSusan”scharmsoffigurenolessthancharmsoffacethatmighthavemadeadisagreeableimpressionuponanexperiencedonlooker。Thereisatimeforfeelingwithoutknowingwhyonefeels；andthatperiodoughtnottohavebeenpassedforyoungWrightformanyayear。
　　“My，butyou”relookingfine，Susie！“exclaimedhe。“Ihaven”tseenanyonethatcouldholdacandletoyouevenintheEast。”
　　Susanlaughedandblushedwithpleasure。“Goon，“saidshewithraillery。“Iloveit。”
　　“ComeinandsitunderthetreesandI”llfillallthetimeyou”llgiveme。”
　　Thisremindedher。“Imusthurryuptown，“shesaid。“Good-by。”
　　“Holdon！“criedhe。“Whathaveyougottodo？“Hehappenedtoglancedownthestreet。“Isn”tthatRuthcoming？“
　　“Soitis，“saidSusan。“IguessBessieAndrewswasn”tathome。”
　　SamwavedatRuthandcalled，“Hello！Gladtoseeyou。”
　　Ruthwasallsweetnessandsmiles。Sheandhermother——quiteprivatelyandwithnothingopenlysaidoneitherside——hadcanvassedSamasa“possibility。”Therehadbeenkeendisappointmentatthenewsthathewasnotcominghomeforthelongvacation。“Howareyou，Sam？“saidshe，astheyshookhands。“My，Susie，_doesn”t_helookNewYork？“
　　Samtriedtoconcealthathewasswellingwithpride。“Oh，thisisnothing，“saidhedeprecatingly。
　　Ruth”sheartwasa-flutter。TheFisherpictureoftheChamberslove-maker，thoughtshe，mightalmostbeaphotographofSam。
　　Shewasgladshehadobeyedthemysteriousimpulsetomakeatoiletteofunusualelegancethatmorning。HowgetridofSusan？
　　“_I_”lltakethesample，Susie，“saidshe。“Thenyouwon”thavetokeepfatherwaiting。”
　　Susiegaveupthesample。Herfacewasnolongersobrightandinterested。
　　“Oh，dropit，“criedSam。“Comein——bothofyou。I”lltelephoneforJoeAndrewsandwe”lltakeadrive——oranythingyoulike。”
　　HewaslookingatSusan。
　　“Can”tdoit，“repliedSusan。“IpromisedUncleGeorge。”
　　“Oh，bother！“urgedSam。“Telephonehim。It”llbeallright——won”tit，Ruth？“
　　“Youdon”tknowSusie，“saidRuth，withaqueer，strainedlaugh。
　　“She”dratherdiethanbreakapromise。”
　　“Imustgo，“Susannowsaid。“Good-by。”
　　“Comeon，Ruth，“criedSam。“Let”swalkuptownwithher。”
　　“Andyoucanhelpmatchthesilk，“saidRuth。
　　“Notforme，“repliedyoungWright。ThentoSusan，“What”ve_you_
　　gottodo？Maybeit”ssomethingIcouldhelpat。”
　　“No。It”sforUncleGeorgeandme。”
　　“Well，I”llgoasfarasthestore。Then——we”llsee。”
　　TheywerenowinthebusinesspartofMainStreet，wereatWilson”sdrygoodsstore。“Youmightfindithere，“suggestedtheinnocentSusantohercousin。
　　Ruthcolored，veiledhereyestohidetheirflash。“I”vegottogotothestorefirst——togetsomemoney，“shehastilyimprovised。
　　Samhadbeenwalkingbetweenthetwogirls。Henowchangedtotheoutsideand，so，puthimselfnextSusanalone，putSusanbetweenhimandRuth。Themaneuverseemedtobeamerepoliteness，butRuthknewbetter。Whatfatehadintendedasherluckydaywasbeingchangedintounluckybythiscousinofhers。
　　Ruthwalkedsullenlyalong，hottearsinhereyesandachokeinherthroat，asshelistenedtoSam”sflatteringsofhercousin，andtoSusan”slaughing，delightedreplies。Shetriedtogatherherselftogether，tothinkupsomethingfunnyoratleastinterestingwithwhichtobreakintothe_tete-a-tete_anddrawSamtoherself。Shecouldthinknothingbutenvious，hatefulthoughts。AtthedoorsofWarhamandCompany，wholesaleandretailgrocers，thethreehalted。
　　“IguessI”llgotoVandermark”s，“saidRuth。“Ireallydon”tneedmoney。Comeon，Sam。”
　　“No——I”mgoingbackhome。IoughttoseeLottieandfather。My，butit”sdullinthistown！“
　　“Well，solong，“saidSusan。Shenodded，sparklingofhairandskinandeyes，andwentintothestore。
　　SamandRuthwatchedherasshewalkeddownthebroadaislebetweenthecounters。Fromthestorecameaminglingofodorsoffruit，ofspices，offreshlygroundcoffee。“Susan”sanawfulprettygirl，isn”tshe？“declaredSamwithrudeenthusiasm。
　　“Indeedsheis，“repliedRuthasheartily——andwithanhonestifdiscouragedefforttofeelenthusiastic。
　　“Whatafigure！Andshehassuchagoodwalk。Mostwomenwalkhorribly。”
　　“ComeontoVandermark”swithmeandI”llstrollbackwithyou，“
　　offeredRuth。Samwasstillgazingintothestorewhere，fartotherear，Susancouldbeseen；thegracefulhead，thegentlyswellingbust，thesoftlinesofthewhitedress，theprettyanklesrevealedbytheshortskirt——therewas，indeed，aprofileworthaman”slookingatonafineJuneday。Ruth”seyeswereuponSam，handsome，dressedintheEasternfashion，anideallover。“Comeon，Sam，“urgedRuth。
　　“No，thanks，“herepliedabsently。“I”llgoback。Goodluck！“
　　Andnotglancingather，heliftedhisstrawhatwithitsbandofYaleblueandsetout。
　　Ruthmovedslowlyanddisconsolatelyintheoppositedirection。
　　Shewasashamedofherthoughts；butshameneveryetwithheldanybodyfrombeinghumaninthought。AssheturnedtoenterVandermark”ssheglanceddownthestreet。TherewasSam，returnedandgoingintoherfather”sstore。Shehesitated，coulddevisenoplanofaction，hurriedintothedrygoodsstore。
　　Sinclair，theheadsalesmanandthebeauofSutherland，wasanespecialfriendofhers。Thetall，slender，hungry-lookingyoungman，devouredwithambitionforspeedywealth，hadnomindtoneglectsoeasyanaidtothatambitionasnaturegavehiminmakinghimalady-charmer。HehadresolvedtomarryeitherLottieWrightorRuthWarham——Ruthpreferred，because，whileLottiewouldhavemanytimesmoremoney，herskinmadeherastiffdoseforayoungmanbroughtuptotheAmericantraditionthatthefaceisthewoman。ButthatmorningSinclairexertedhischarmsinvain。Ruthwasinahurry，wasdistinctlyrude，cutshortwhatinothercircumstanceswouldhavebeenaprolongedanddelightfulflirtationbytossingthesampleonthecounterandaskinghimtodothematchingforherandtosendthesilkrightaway。Whichsaid，shefairlyboltedfromthestore。
　　Shearrivedbarelyintime。YoungWrightwasissuingfromWarhamandCompany。Hesmiledfriendlyenough，butRuthknewwherehisthoughtswere。“Getwhatyouwanted？“inquiredhe，andwentontoexplain：“IcamebacktofindoutifyouandSusieweretobeathomethisevening。ThoughtI”dcall。”
　　Ruthpaledwithangrydismay。ShewasgoingtoapartyattheSinclairs”——onetowhichSusanwasnotinvited。“Aren”tyougoingtoSinclairs”？“saidshe。
　　“Iwas。ButIthoughtI”drathercall。PerhapsI”llgotherelater。”
　　HewascomingtocallonSusan！AllthewaydownMainStreettotheWrightplaceRuthfoughtagainsthermoodofangryanddepressedsilence，triedtomakethebestofherchancetoimpressSam。ButSamwasabsentandhumiliatinglyneartocurt。
　　Hehaltedathisfather”sgate。Shehaltedalso，searchedthegroundswithanxiouseyesforsignofLottiethatwouldgivehertheexcuseforentering。
　　“Solong，“saidSam。
　　“DocometoSinclairs”early。Youalwaysdiddancesowell。”
　　“Oh，dancingboresme，“saidtheblaseSophomore。“ButI”llberoundbeforetheshindy”sover。I”vegottotakeLothome。”
　　HeliftedthehatagainwithwhatbothheandRuthregardedasagestureofmostelegantcarelessness。Ruthstrolledreluctantlyon，feelingasifhertoilethadbeensplashedorcrushed。Assheenteredthefrontdoorhermother，inawrapperandcurlpapers，appearedattheheadofthestairs。“Why！“criedshe。“Where”sthesilk？It”sforyourdresstonight，youknow。”
　　“It”llbealong，“wasRuth”sanswer，hertonedreary，herlipquivering。“ImetSamWright。”
　　“Oh！“exclaimedhermother。“He”sback，ishe？“
　　Ruthdidnotreply。Shecameonupthestairs，wentintothesitting-room——theroomwhereDoctorStevensseventeenyearsbeforehadtornthebabySusanfromtheveryclawsofdeath。Sheflungherselfdown，buriedherheadinherarmsuponthatsametable。Sheburstintoastormoftears。
　　“Why，deariedear，“criedhermother，“whateveristhematter？“
　　“It”swickedandhateful，“sobbedthegirl，“but——Oh，mamma，I
　　_hate_Susan！Shewasalong，andSamhardlynoticedme，andhe”scomingherethiseveningtocall。”
　　“Butyou”llbeatSinclairs”！“exclaimedMrs。Warham。
　　“NotSusan，“sobbedRuth。“Hewantstoseeonlyher。”
　　ThemembersoftheSecondPresbyterianChurch，ofwhichFannyWarhamwasaboutthemostexemplaryandassiduousfemalemember，wouldhardlyhaverecognizedthefaceencircledbythattriplerowofcurl-paperedlocks，shinilyplasteredwithquince-seedliquor。Shewasatwoman”ssecondcriticalage，andthestrangeemotionsworkinginhermind——ofwhosedisordernoonehadaninkling——wereuponthesurfacenow。Sheventuredthisfreedomoffacialexpressionbecauseherdaughter”sfacewashid。Shedidnotspeak。Shelaidatenderdefendinghandforaninstantuponherdaughter”sshoulder——likethecaressofloveandencouragementthelionessgiveshercubassheisabouttogivebattleforit。Thenshelefttheroom。Shedidnotknowwhattodo，butsheknewshemustandwoulddosomething。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEtelephonewasdownstairs，intherearendofthehallwhichdividedthelowerfloorintotwoequalparts。ButhardlyhadMrs。WarhamgiventheSinclairs”numbertotheexchangegirlwhenRuthcalledfromtheheadofthestairs：
　　“What”reyoudoingthere，mamma？“
　　“I”lltellMrs。Sinclairyou”resickandcan”tcome。ThenI”llsendSusaninyourplace。”
　　“Don”t！“criedRuth，inanagitated，angryvoice。“Ringoff——quick！“
　　“Now，Ruth，letme——”
　　“Ringoff！“orderedRuth。“Youmustn”tdothat。You”llhavethewholetowntalkingabouthowI”mthrowingmyselfatSam”shead——andthatI”mjealousofSusan。”
　　Mrs。Warhamsaid，“Nevermind“intothetelephonesenderandhungupthereceiver。Shewasfrightened，butnotconvinced。
　　Herswasaslow，old-fashionedmind，andtoittheschemeithadworkedoutseemedamodelofskillfulduplicity。ButRuth，oftheyoungerandsubtlergeneration，realizedinstantlyhowtransparentthethingwas。Mrs。Warhamwasabashedbutnotangeredbyherdaughter”scurtcontempt。
　　“It”stheonlywayIcanthinkof，“saidshe。“AndIstilldon”tsee——”
　　“Ofcourseyoudon”t，“cutinRuth，ruffledbytheperilouslynarrowescapefrombeingthelaughingstockofthetown。“Peoplearen”tasbigfoolsastheyusedtobe，mamma。Theydon”tbelievenowadayseverythingthat”stoldthem。Thereisn”tanybodythatdoesn”tknowI”mneversick。No——we”llhaveto——”
　　Shereflectedamoment，pausinghalfwaydownthestairs，whilehermotherwatchedherswollenandtear-stainedface。
　　“WemightsendSusanawayfortheevening，“suggestedthemother。
　　“Yes，“assentedthedaughter。“PapacouldtakeherwithhimforadrivetoNorthSutherland——toseetheProvosts。ThenSam”dcomestraightontotheSinclairs”。”
　　“I”llcallupyourfather。”
　　“No！“criedRuth，stampingherfoot。“CallupMr。Provost，andtellhimpapa”scoming。Thenyoucantalkwithpapawhenhegetshometodinner。”
　　“Butmaybe——”
　　“Ifthatdoesn”tworkoutwecandosomethingelsethisafternoon。”
　　Themotherandthedaughteravoidedeachother”seyes。Bothfeltmeanandsmall，guiltytowardSusan；butneitherwasforthatreasondisposedtodrawback。AsMrs。Warhamwastryingthenewdressonherdaughter，shesaid：
　　“Anyhow，Sam”dbewastingtimeonSusan。He”dhangroundherfornogood。She”dsimplygettalkedabout。Thepoorchildcan”tbelivelyorsmilebutwhatpeoplebegintowonderifshe”sgoingthewayof——ofLorella。”
　　“That”sso，“agreedRuth，andbothfeltbetter。“WasAuntLorella_very_pretty，mamma？“
　　“Lovely！“repliedFanny，andhereyesgrewtender，forshehadadoredLorella。“Youneversawsuchacomplexion——likeSusan”s，onlysnow-white。”Nervouslyandhastily，“Mostasfineasyours，Ruthie。”
　　Ruthgazedcomplacentlyintothemirror。“I”mgladI”mfair，andnotbig，“saidshe。
　　“Yes，indeed！Ilikethewomanlywoman。Andsodomen。”
　　“Don”tyouthinkweoughttosendSusanawaytovisitsomewhere？“askedRuthatthenextopportunityfortalkthefittinggave。“It”sgettingmoreandmore——pointed——thewaypeopleact。Andshe”ssosweetandgood，I”dhatetohaveherfeelingshurt。”Inaburstofgenerosity，“She”sthemostconsideratehumanbeingIeverknew。She”dgiveupanythingratherthanseesomeoneelseputout。She”stoomuchthatway。”
　　“Wecan”tbetoomuchthatway，“saidMrs。WarhaminmechanicalChristianreproof。
　　“Oh，Iknow，“retortedRuth，“that”sallverywellforchurchandSundays。ButIguessifyouwanttogetalongyou”vegottolookoutforNumberOne……Yes，sheoughttovisitsomewhere。”
　　“I”vebeentryingtothink，“saidhermother。“Shecouldn”tgoanyplacebutyourUncleZeke”s。Butit”ssolonesomeoutthereIhaven”tthehearttosendher。Besides，shewouldn”tknowwhattomakeofit。”
　　“What”dfathersay？“
　　“That”sanotherthing。”Mrs。Warhamhadlatterlygrownjealous——
　　notwithoutreason——ofherhusband”spartialityforSusan。
　　Ruthsighed。“Oh，dear！“criedshe。“Idon”tknowwhattodo。
　　How”ssheevergoingtogetmarried！“
　　“Ifshe”donlybeenaboy！“saidMrs。Warham，onherknees，takingtheunevennessoutofthefrontoftheskirt。“Agirlhastosufferforhermother”ssins。”
　　Ruthmadenoreply。Shesmiledtoherself——thecommentoftheyoungergenerationupontheolder。Sinitmighthavebeen；but，worsethanthat，itwasastupidity——toletamanmakeafoolofher。Lorellamusthavebeenapoorweak-mindedcreature。
　　BydinnertimeRuthhadcompletelysoothedandsmoothedhervanity。SamhadbeencaughtbySusansimplybecausehehadseenSusanbeforehesawher。
　　Allthatwouldbenecessarywasagoodchanceathim，andhewouldneverlookatSusanagain。HehadbeenintheEast，wheretheadmiredtypewasherown——refined，ladylike，thewomanofthedaintyappearanceandmannersandtastes。AbriefundisturbedexposuretohercharmsandSusanwouldseemcoarseandcountrifiedtohim。TherewasnodenyingthatSusanhadstyle，butitwasfullyeffectiveonlywhenappliedtoasunnyfairy-likebeautysuchashers。
　　Butatmidday，whenSusancameinwithWarham，Ruth”sjealousyopenedallherinward-bleedingwoundsagain。Susan”smerryeyes，herlaughingmouth，herfunnywayofsayingevencommonplacethings——howcouldquiet，unobtrusive，ladylikecharmssuchasRuth”shaveachanceifSusanwereabout？Shewaited，silentandanxious，whilehermotherwashavingthetalkwithherfatherinthesitting-room。Warham，mereman，wasamusedbyhiswife”sscheming。
　　“Don”tputyourselfout，Fanny，“saidhe。“IftheboywantsRuthandshewantshim，why，wellandgood。Butyou”llonlymakeamessinterfering。Lettheyoungpeoplealone。”
　　“I”msurprised，GeorgeWarham，“criedFanny，“thatyoucanshowsolittlesenseandheart。”
　　“Tohearyoutalk，I”dthinkmarriagewasabusiness，likegroceries。”
　　Mrs。Warhamthoughtitwas，inasense。Butshewouldneverhavedaredsaysoaloud，eventoherhusband——or，rather，especiallytoherhusband。Inmattersofmenandwomenhewasthoroughlyinnocent，withthesimplicityoftheold-timemanofthesmalltownandthecountry；hefanciedthat，whileingrocerymattersandtheliketheworldwasfullofguile，inmattersoftheheartitwasidyllic，Arcadian，withneverathoughtofduplicity，exceptamongafewobviouslywickedanddesigningpeople。
　　“IguesswebothwanttoseeRuthmarriedwell，“wasallshecouldventure。
　　“I”dratherthegirlsstayedwithus，“declaredWarham。“I”dhatetogivethemup。”
　　“Ofcourse，“hastilyagreedFanny。“Still——it”stheregularorderofnature。”
　　“Oh，Ruth”llmarry——onlytoosoon，“saidWarham。“Andmarrywell。I”mnotsosure，though，thatmarryinganyofoldWright”sbreedwouldbemarryingwhatoughttobecalledwell。Moneyisn”teverything——notbyalongsight——though，ofcourse，it”scomfortable。”
　　“IneverheardanythingagainstSam，“protestedMrs。Warham。
　　“You”veheardwhatI”veheard——thathe”swildandloose。Butthenyouwomenlikethatinaman。”
　　“We”vegottoputupwithit，youmean，“criedFanny，indignant。
　　“Womenlikeit，“persistedWarham。“AndIguessSam”sonlysowingtheusualwildoats，gettingreadytosettle。No，mother，youletRuthalone。Ifshewantshim，she”llgethim——sheorSusan。”
　　Mrs。Warhamcompressedherlipsandloweredhereyes。RuthorSusan——asifitdidn”tmatterwhich！“Susanisn”t_ours_，“shecouldnotrefrainfromsaying。
　　“Indeed，sheis！“retortedGeorgewarmly。“Why，shecouldn”tbemoreourown——”
　　“Yes，certainly，“interruptedFanny。
　　Shemovedtowardthedoor。Shesawthatwithoutrevealingherentirescheme——hersandRuth”s——shecouldmakenoheadwaywithGeorge。Andifshedidrevealithewouldsternlyvetoit。Soshegaveupthatdirection。Shewentupstairs；Georgetookhishatfromthefronthallrackandpushedopenthescreendoor。AsheappearedontheverandaSusanwaspickingdeadleavesfromoneofthehangingbaskets；Ruth，seatedinthehammock，handsinlap，herwholeattitudeintenselystill，waswatchingherwithnarrowedeyes。
　　“What”sthisIhear，“criedWarham，laughing，“aboutyoutwogirlssettingyourcapsforSamWright？“Andhisgood-humoredbrowneyesglancedatRuth，passedontoSusan”swealthofwavydarkhairandlong，roundedform，andlingeredthere。
　　Ruthloweredhereyesandcompressedherlips，atrickshehadborrowedfromhermotheralongwiththepeculiaritiesofhermother”sdispositionthatitfitted。Susanflungalaughingglanceoverhershoulderatheruncle。“NotRuth，“saidshe。
　　“Onlyme。Isawhimfirst，sohe”smine。He”scomingtoseemethisevening。”
　　“SoIhear。Well，themoon”sfullandyourauntandI”llnotinterrupt——atleastnottillteno”clock。Nocallersonachildlikeyouafterten。”
　　“Oh，Idon”tthinkI”llbeabletoholdhimthatlong。”
　　“Don”tyoufret，Brownie。ButImustn”tmakeyouvain。Comingalongtothestore？“
　　“No。Tomorrow，“saidSusan。“Icanfinishinthemorning。I”mgoingtowearmywhitedresswithembroidery，andit”sgottobepressed——andthatmeansImustdoitmyself。”
　　“PoorSam！AndIsuppose，whenhecalls，you”llcomedownasifyou”dputonanyoldthinganddidn”tcarewhetherhecameornot。Andyou”llhaveprimpedforanhour——andhe，too——shavingandcombingandtryingdifferentties。”
　　Susansparkledattheideaofayoungman，and_such_ayoungman，takingtroubleforher。Ruth，pale，kepthereyesdownandherlipscompressed。ShewaspicturingthegallantappearancetheyoungSophomorefromYale，awayoffinthegorgeousfashionableEast，wouldmakeashecameinatthatgateyonderandupthewalkandseatedhimselfontheveranda——withSusan！
　　Evidentlyhermotherhadfailed；Susanwasnottobetakenaway。
　　WhenWarhamdeparteddownthewalkRuthrose；shecouldnotbearbeingalonewithhertriumphantrival——triumphantbecauseunconscious。SheknewthattogetSamtoherselfallshewouldhavetodowouldbetohinttoSusan，thegenerous，whatshewanted。Butprideforbadethat。Asherhandwasontheknobofthescreendoor，Susansaid：“Whydon”tyoulikeSam？“
　　“Oh，Ithinkhe”sstuck-up。He”sbeenspoiledintheEast。”
　　“Why，Idon”tseeanysignofit。”
　　“Youweretooflatteredbyhistalkingtoyou，“saidRuth，withasweet-sourlittlelaugh——anaspofasneerhidinabasketofflowers。
　　Susanfeltthesting；but，seeingonlytheflowers，didnotdreamwhenceithadcome。“It_was_nice，wasn”tit？“saidshe，gayly。“Maybeyou”rerightabouthim，butIcan”thelplikinghim。Youmustadmithe”shandsome。”
　　“Hehasabadlookinhiseyes，“repliedRuth。SuchrageagainstSusanwasswellingwithinherthatitseemedtohershewouldfaintifshedidnotreleaseatleastpartofit。“Youwanttolookoutforhim，Susie，“saidshe，calmlyandevenly。“Youdon”twanttotakewhathesaysseriously。”
　　“Ofcoursenot，“saidSusan，quitehonestly，thoughshe，nomorethanthenexthumanbeing，couldavoidtakingseriouslywhateverwaspleasantlyflattering。
　　“He”dneverthinkofmarryingyou。”Ruthtrembledbeforeandafterdeliveringthisvenomousshaft。
　　“Marrying！“criedSusan，againquitehonestly。“Why，I”monlyseventeen。”
　　Ruthdrewabreathofrelief。Theshafthadglancedoffthearmorofinnocencewithoutmakingthefaintestdent。Sherushedintothehouse。Shedidnotdaretrustherselfwithhercousin。
　　Whatmightthedemonwithinhertempthertosaynext？
　　“Comeup，Ruth！“calledhermother。“Thedressisreadyforthelasttry-on。Ithinkit”sgoingtohangbeautifully。”
　　Ruthdraggedherselfupthestairs，laggedintothesitting-room，gazedatthedresswithascowl。“Whatdidfathersay？“sheasked。
　　“It”snousetryingtodoanythingwithyourfather。”
　　Ruthflungherselfinacornerofthesofa。
　　“TheonlythingIcanthinkof，“saidhermother，humblyandtimidly，“isphonetheSinclairsasIoriginallysetouttodo。”
　　“Andhavethewholetownlaughingatme……Oh，whatdoI
　　care，anyhow！“
　　“ArthurSinclair”stallerandasighthandsomer。Rightintheface，Sam”sasplainasDick”shatband。Hislooksisallclothesandpolish——andmightypoorpolish，Ithink。Arthur”sgotriseinhim，too，whileSam——well，Idon”tknowwhat”dbecomeofhimifoldWrightlosthismoney。”
　　ButArthur，amerepromise，seemedpoorindeedbesideSam，theactuallyarrived。TomarrySamwouldbetostepatonceintograndeur；tomarryArthurwouldmeanyearsofstruggle。
　　Besides，Arthurwasheavy，atleastseemedheavytolightRuth，whileSamwasheridealofgayelegance。“I_detest_ArthurSinclair，“shenowannounced。
　　“YoucangetSamifyouwanthim，“saidhermotherconfidently。“OneeveningwithamerechildlikeSusieisn”tgoingtoamounttomuch。”
　　Ruthwinced。“DoyousupposeIdon”tknowthat？“criedshe。
　　“Whatmakesmesomadishisimpudence——comingheretoseeherwhenhewouldn”tmarryherortakeheranyplace。It”sinsultingtousall。”
　　“Oh，Idon”tthinkit”sasbadasallthat，Ruthie，“soothedhermother，toosimple-mindedtoacceptimmediatelythiscleversubtletyofself-deception。
　　“Youknowthistown——howpeopletalk。Why，hissister——”andsherelatedtheirconversationatthegatethatmorning。
　　“Yououghttohavesatonherhard，Ruth，“saidMrs。Warham，withdangerouslysparklingeyes。“Nomatterwhatwemaythinkprivately，itgivespeoplealowopinionofusto——”
　　“Don”tIknowthat！“shrilledRuth。Shebegantoweep。“I”mashamedofmyself。”
　　“Butwemusttrythedresson。”Mrs。Warhamspreadtheskirt，usingherselfasform。“Isn”tittoolovely！“
　　Ruthdriedhereyesasshegazed。Thedresswasindeedlovely。
　　ButherpleasureinitwasshadowedbytheremembrancethatmostofthelovelinesswasduetoSusan”ssuggestions。Still，shetriediton，andfeltbetter。ShewouldlingeruntilSamcame，wouldexhibitherselftohim；andsurelyhewouldnottarrylongwithSusan。Thisprojectimprovedthesituationgreatly。Shebeganhertoiletfortheeveningatonce，thoughitwasonlythreeo”clock。Susanfinishedherpressingandstartedtodressatfive——becausesheknewRuthwouldbeappealingtohertocomeinandhelpputthefinishingtouchestothetoiletfortheparty。And，sureenough，athalf-pastfive，beforeshehadnearlyfinished，Ruth，withasneakinghumility，beggedhertocome“forhalfaminute——ifyoudon”tmind——andhavegottime。”
　　SusandidRuth”shairover，madeherchangetoanothercolorofstockingsandslippers，putthedressonher，didnearlyanhour”srefittingandredraping。Bothwerelateforsupper；andaftersupperSusanhadtomakecertainfinalamendmentstothewonderfultoilet，andthengetherselfready。SoitwasRuthalonewhowentdownwhenSamWrightcame。“My，butyoudolookalltothegood，Ruth！“criedSam。Andhiseyesnolessthanhistoneshowedthathemeantit。Hehadn”trealizedwhatasoftwhitenecktheblondcousinhad，orhowperfectlyhershouldersroundedintoherslimarms。AsRuthmovedtodepart，hesaid：
　　“Don”tbeinsucharush。WaittillSusiefinishesherprimpingandcomesdown。”
　　“Shehadtohelpme，“saidRuth，witharighteousnessshecouldjustlyplumeherselfupon。“That”swhyshe”slate。No，Imustgetalong。”Shewaswiseenoughtoresistthetemptationtoimproveuponanalreadysplendidimpression。“Comeassoonasyoucan。”
　　“I”llbethereinafewminutes，“Samassuredherconvincingly。
　　“Savesomedancesforme。”
　　Ruthwentawayhappy。Atthegatesheglancedfurtivelyback。
　　Samwaslookingafterher。Shemarcheddownthestreetwithlightstep。“Imustwearlow-neckeddressesmoreintheevenings，“shesaidtoherself。“It”sfoolishforagirltohideagoodneck。”
　　Sam，attheedgeoftheveranda，regrettinghispromisetocallonSusan，wasrousedbyhervoice：“DidyoueverseeanythingaslovelyasRuth？“
　　Sam”sregretvanishedtheinstanthelookedather，andthegreedyexpressioncameintohissensual，confidentyoungface。