Thenextdayhepackedatrunkandleftfortheneighboringcity。Hisapartmentsweretobekeptinreadinessforhisreturnatanytime。Ifyouhadseenhimwalkingovertotherailroaddepot，youwouldhavetakenhimforamanofforty-five。
　　Whenhearrivedathisdestination，Mr。Tolmanestablishedhimselftemporarilyatahotel，andspentthenextthreeorfourdaysinwalkingaboutthecitylookingforwhathewanted。Whathewantedwasratherdifficulttodefine，butthewayinwhichheputthemattertohimselfwassomethinglikethis：
　　"Iwouldliketofindasnuglittleplacewhere，Icanlive，andcarryonsomebusinesswhichIcanattendtomyself，andwhichwillbringmeintocontactwithpeopleofallsorts——peoplewhowillinterestme。Itmustbeasmallbusiness，becauseI
　　don'twanttohavetoworkveryhard，anditmustbesnugandcomfortable，becauseIwanttoenjoyit。Iwouldlikeashopofsomesort，becausethatbringsamanfacetofacewithhisfellow-creatures。"
　　Thecityinwhichhewaswalkingaboutwasoneofthebestplacesinthecountryinwhichtofindtheplaceofbusinesshedesired。Itwasfullofindependentlittleshops。ButMr。
　　Tolmancouldnotreadilyfindonewhichresembledhisideal。A
　　smalldry-goodsestablishmentseemedtopresupposeafemaleproprietor。Agrocerystorewouldgivehimmanyinterestingcustomers；buthedidnotknowmuchaboutgroceries，andthebusinessdidnotappeartohimtopossessanyaestheticfeatures。
　　Hewasmuchpleasedbyasmallshopbelongingtoataxidermist。Itwasexceedinglycosey，andthebusinesswasprobablynotsogreatastooverworkanyone。Hemightsendthebirdsandbeastswhichwerebroughttobestuffedtosomepracticaloperator，andhavehimputtheminproperconditionforthecustomers。Hemight——Butno。Itwouldbeveryunsatisfactorytoengageinabusinessofwhichheknewabsolutelynothing。Ataxidermistoughtnottoblushwithignorancewhenaskedsomesimplequestionaboutalittledeadbirdoradefunctfish。Andsohetorehimselffromthewindowofthisfascinatingplace，where，hefancied，hadhiseducationbeendifferentlymanaged，hecouldintimehaveshowntheworldthespectacleofacheerfulandunblightedMr。Venus。
　　Theshopwhichatlastappearedtosuithimbestwasonewhichhehadpassedandlookedatseveraltimesbeforeitstruckhimfavorably。Itwasinasmallbrickhouseinasidestreet，butnotfarfromoneofthemainbusinessavenuesofthecity。
　　Theshopseemeddevotedtoarticlesofstationeryandsmallnotionsofvariouskindsnoteasytobeclassified。Hehadstoppedtolookatthreepenknivesfastenedtoacard，whichwasproppedupinthelittleshow-window，supportedononesidebyachess-boardwith"HistoryofAsia"ingiltlettersontheback，andontheotherbyasmallviolinlabelled"1dollar。"Andashegazedpastthesearticlesintotheinterioroftheshop，whichwasnowlightedup，itgraduallydawneduponhimthatitwassomethinglikehisidealofanattractiveandinterestingbusinessplace。Atanyrate，hewouldgoinandlookatit。Hedidnotcareforaviolin，evenatthelowpricemarkedontheoneinthewindow，butanewpocket-knifemightbeuseful。
　　Sohewalkedinandaskedtolookatpocket-knives。
　　Theshopwasinchargeofaverypleasantoldladyofaboutsixty，whosatsewingbehindthelittlecounter。Whileshewenttothewindowandverycarefullyreachedoverthearticlesdisplayedthereintogetthecardofpenknives，Mr。Tolmanlookedabouthim。Theshopwasquitesmall，butthereseemedtobeagooddealinit。Therewereshelvesbehindthecounter，andtherewereshelvesontheoppositewall，andtheyallseemedwellfilledwithsomethingorother。Inthecornerneartheoldlady'schairwasalittlecoalstovewithabrightfireinit，andatthebackoftheshop，atthetopoftwosteps，wasaglassdoorpartlyopen，throughwhichhesawasmallroom，witharedcarpetonthefloor，andalittletableapparentlysetforameal。
　　Mr。Tolmanlookedatthekniveswhentheoldladyshowedthemtohim，andafteragooddealofconsiderationheselectedonewhichhethoughtwouldbeagoodknifetogivetoaboy。Thenhelookedoversomethingsinthewayofpaper-cutters，whist-
　　markers，andsuchsmallmatters，whichwereinaglasscaseonthecounter。Andwhilehelookedatthemhetalkedtotheoldlady。
　　Shewasafriendly，sociablebody，verygladtohaveanyonetotalkto，andsoitwasnotatalldifficultforMr。Tolman，bysomegeneralremarks，todrawfromheragreatmanypointsaboutherselfandhershop。Shewasawidow，withasonwho，fromherremarks，musthavebeenfortyyearsold。Hewasconnectedwithamercantileestablishment，andtheyhadlivedhereforalongtime。Whilehersonwasasalesman，andcamehomeeveryevening，thiswasverypleasant。Butafterhebecameacommercialtraveller，andwasawayfromthecityformonthsatatime，shedidnotlikeitatall。Itwasverylonelyforher。
　　Mr。Tolman'sheartrosewithinhim，buthedidnotinterrupther。
　　"IfIcoulddoit，"saidshe，"Iwouldgiveupthisplace，andgoandlivewithmysisterinthecountry。Itwouldbebetterforbothofus，andHenrycouldcometherejustaswellasherewhenhegetsbackfromhistrips。"
　　"Whydon'tyousellout？"askedMr。Tolman，alittlefearfully，forhebegantothinkthatallthiswastooeasysailingtobeentirelysafe。
　　"Thatwouldnotbeeasy，"saidshe，withasmile。"Itmightbealongtimebeforewecouldfindanyonewhowouldwanttotaketheplace。Wehaveafairtradeinthestore，butitisn'twhatitusedtobewhentimeswerebetter。Andthelibraryisfallingoff，too。Mostofthebooksaregettingprettyold，anditdon'tpaytospendmuchmoneyfornewonesnow。"
　　"Thelibrary！"saidMr。Tolman。"Haveyoualibrary？"
　　"Oh，yes，"repliedtheoldlady。"I'vehadacirculatinglibraryherefornearlyfifteenyears。Thereitisonthosetwouppershelvesbehindyou。"
　　Mr。Tolmanturned，andbeheldtwolongrowsofbooksinbrown-papercovers，withashortstep-ladder，standingnearthedooroftheinnerroom，bywhichtheseshelvesmightbereached。
　　Thispleasedhimgreatly。Hehadhadnoideathattherewasalibraryhere。
　　"Ideclare！"saidhe。"Itmustbeverypleasanttomanageacirculatinglibrary——asmallonelikethis，Imean。Ishouldn'tmindgoingintoabusinessofthekindmyself。"
　　Theoldladylookedup，surprised。Didhewishtogointobusiness？Shehadnotsupposedthat，justfromlookingathim。
　　Mr。Tolmanexplainedhisviewstoher。Hedidnottellwhathehadbeendoinginthewayofbusiness，orwhatMr。Canterfieldwasdoingforhimnow。Hemerelystatedhispresentwishes，andacknowledgedtoherthatitwastheattractivenessofherestablishmentthathadledhimtocomein。
　　"Thenyoudonotwantthepenknife？"shesaidquickly。
　　"Oh，yes，Ido，"saidhe。"AndIreallybelieve，ifwecancometoterms，thatIwouldlikethetwootherknives，togetherwiththerestofyourstockintrade。"
　　Theoldladylaughedalittlenervously。Shehopedverymuchindeedthattheycouldcometoterms。Shebroughtachairfromthebackroom，andMr。Tolmansatdownwithherbythestovetotalkitover。Fewcustomerscameintointerruptthem，andtheytalkedthematteroververythoroughly。Theybothcametotheconclusionthattherewouldbenodifficultyaboutterms，noraboutMr。Tolman'sabilitytocarryonthebusinessafteraverylittleinstructionfromthepresentproprietress。WhenMr。
　　Tolmanleft，itwaswiththeunderstandingthathewastocallagaininacoupleofdays，whenthesonHenrywouldbeathome，andmatterscouldbedefinitelyarranged。
　　Whenthethreemet，thebargainwassoonstruck。Aseachpartywassodesirousofmakingit，fewdifficultieswereinterposed。Theoldlady，indeed，wasinfavorofsomedelayinthetransferoftheestablishment，asshewouldliketocleananddusteveryshelfandcornerandeveryarticleintheplace。ButMr。Tolmanwasinahurrytotakepossession；andasthesonHenrywouldhavetostartoffonanothertripinashorttime，hewantedtoseehismothermovedandsettledbeforeheleft。Therewasnotmuchtomovebuttrunksandbandboxes，andsomeantiquatedpiecesoffurnitureofspecialvaluetotheoldlady，forMr。Tolmaninsistedonbuyingeverythinginthehouse，justasitstood。Thewholethingdidnotcosthim，hesaidtohimself，asmuchassomeofhisacquaintanceswouldpayforahorse。ThemethodicalsonHenrytookanaccountofstock，andMr。Tolmantookseverallessonsfromtheoldlady，inwhichsheexplainedtohimhowtofindoutthesellingpricesofthevariousarticlesfromthemarksonthelittletagsattachedtothem。Andsheparticularlyinstructedhiminthemanagementofthecirculatinglibrary。Sheinformedhimofthecharacterofthebooks，and，asfaraspossible，ofthecharacteroftheregularpatrons。Shetoldhimwhomhemighttrusttotakeoutabookwithoutpayingfortheonebroughtin，iftheydidn'thappentohavethechangewiththem，andsheindicatedwithlittlecrossesoppositetheirnamesthosepersonswhoshouldberequiredtopaycashdownforwhattheyhadhad，beforereceivingfurtherbenefits。
　　ItwasastonishingtoseewhatinterestMr。Tolmantookinallthis。Hewasreallyanxioustomeetsomeofthepeopleaboutwhomtheoldladydiscoursed。Hetried，too，torememberafewofthemanythingsshetoldhimofhermethodsofbuyingandselling，andthegeneralmanagementofhershop；andheprobablydidnotforgetmorethanthreefourthsofwhatshetoldhim。
　　Finallyeverythingwassettledtothesatisfactionofthetwomalepartiestothebargain，——althoughtheoldladythoughtofahundredthingsshewouldyetliketodo，——andonefinefrostyafternoonacart-loadoffurnitureandbaggageleftthedoor，theoldladyandhersontookleaveoftheoldplace，andMr。Tolmanwasleftsittingbehindthelittlecounter，thesolemanagerandproprietorofacirculatinglibraryandastationeryandnotionshop。Helaughedwhenhethoughtofit，butherubbedhishandsandfeltverywellsatisfied。
　　"Thereisnothingreallycrazyaboutit，"hesaidtohimself。
　　"IfthereisathingthatIthinkIwouldlike，andIcanaffordtohaveit，andthere'snoharminit，whynothaveit？"
　　Therewasnobodytheretosayanythingagainstthis，soMr。
　　Tolmanrubbedhishandsagainbeforethefire，androsetowalkupanddownhisshop，andwonderwhowouldbehisfirstcustomer。
　　Inthecourseoftwentyminutesalittleboyopenedthedoorandcamein。Mr。Tolmanhastenedbehindthecountertoreceivehiscommands。Thelittleboywantedtwosheetsofnote-paperandanenvelope。
　　"Anyparticularkind！"askedMr。Tolman。
　　Theboydidn'tknowofanyparticularvarietybeingdesired。
　　Hethoughtthesamekindshealwaysgotwoulddo。AndhelookedveryhardatMr。Tolman，evidentlywonderingatthechangeintheshopkeeper，butaskingnoquestions。
　　"Youarearegularcustomer，Isuppose，"saidMr。Tolman，openingseveralboxesofpaperwhichhehadtakendownfromtheshelves。"Ihavejustbegunbusinesshere，anddon'tknowwhatkindofpaperyouhavebeeninthehabitofbuying。ButI
　　supposethiswilldo。"Andhetookoutacoupleofsheetsofthebest，withanenvelopetomatch。Thesehecarefullytiedupinapieceofthinbrownpaper，andgavetotheboy，whohandedhimthreecents。Mr。Tolmantookthem，smiled，andthen，havingmadearapidcalculation，hecalledtotheboy，whowasjustopeningthedoor，andgavehimbackonecent。
　　"Youhavepaidmetoomuch，"hesaid。
　　Theboytookthecent，lookedatMr。Tolman，andthengotoutofthestoreasquicklyashecould。
　　"Suchprofitsasthatareenormous，"saidMr。Tolman，"butI
　　supposethesmallsalesbalancethem。"ThisMr。Tolmansubsequentlyfoundtobethecase。
　　Oneortwoothercustomerscameininthecourseoftheafternoon，andaboutdarkthepeoplewhotookoutbooksbegantoarrive。ThesekeptMr。Tolmanverybusy。Henotonlyhadtodoagooddealofenteringandcancelling，buthehadtoansweragreatmanyquestionsaboutthechangeinproprietorship，andtheprobabilityofhisgettinginsomenewbooks，withsuggestionsastothequantityandcharacterofthese，mingledwithafewdissatisfiedremarksinregardtothevolumesalreadyonhand。
　　Everyoneseemedsorrythattheoldladyhadgoneaway。ButMr。Tolmanwassopleasantandanxioustoplease，andtooksuchaninterestintheirselectionofbooks，thatonlyoneofthesubscribersappearedtotakethechangeverymuchtoheart。Thiswasayoungmanwhowasforty-threecentsinarrears。Hewasalongtimeselectingabook，andwhenatlasthebroughtittoMr。Tolmantobeentered，hetoldhiminalowvoicethathehopedtherewouldbenoobjectiontolettinghisaccountrunonforalittlewhilelonger。Onthefirstofthemonthhewouldsettleit，andthenhehopedtobeabletopaycashwheneverhebroughtinabook。
　　Mr。Tolmanlookedforhisnameontheoldlady'slist，and，findingnocrossagainstit，toldhimthatitwasallright，andthatthefirstofthemonthwoulddoverywell。Theyoungmanwentawayperfectlysatisfiedwiththenewlibrarian。ThusdidMr。Tolmanbegintobuilduphispopularity。Astheeveninggrewonhefoundhimselfbecomingveryhungry。Buthedidnotliketoshutuptheshop，foreverynowandthensomeonedroppedin，sometimestoaskwhattimeitwas，andsometimestomakealittlepurchase，whiletherewerestillsomelibrarypatronscominginatintervals。
　　However，takingcourageduringashortrestfromcustomers，heputuptheshutters，lockedthedoor，andhurriedofftoahotel，wherehepartookofamealsuchasfewkeepersoflittleshopseverthinkofindulgingin。
　　ThenextmorningMr。Tolmangothisownbreakfast。Thiswasdelightful。Hehadseenhowcosilytheoldladyhadspreadhertableinthelittlebackroom，wheretherewasastovesuitableforanycookinghemightwishtoindulgein，andhelongedforsuchacoseymeal。Therewereplentyofstockprovisionsinthehouse，whichhehadpurchasedwiththerestofthegoods，andhewentoutandboughthimselfafreshloafofbread。Thenhebroiledapieceofham，madesomegoodstrongtea，boiledsomeeggs，andhadabreakfastonthelittleroundtablewhich，thoughplainenough，heenjoyedmorethananybreakfastathisclubwhichhecouldremember。Hehadopenedtheshop，andsatfacingtheglassdoor，hoping，almost，thattherewouldbesomeinterruptiontohismeal。Itwouldseemsomuchmoreproperinthatsortofbusinessifhehadtogetupandgoattendtoacustomer。
　　BeforetheeveningofthatdayMr。Tolmanbecameconvincedthathewouldsoonbeobligedtoemployaboyorsomeonetoattendtotheestablishmentduringhisabsence。Afterbreakfast，awomanrecommendedbytheoldladycametomakehisbedandcleanupgenerally，butwhenshehadgonehewasleftalonewithhisshop。Hedeterminednottoallowthisresponsibilitytoinjurehishealth，andsoatoneo'clockboldlylockedtheshopdoorandwentouttohislunch。Hehopedthatnoonewouldcallduringhisabsence，butwhenhereturnedhefoundalittlegirlwithapitcherstandingatthedoor。Shecametoborrowhalfapintofmilk。
　　"Milk！"exclaimedMr。Tolman，insurprise。"Why，mychild，I
　　havenomilk。Idon'tevenuseitinmytea。"
　　Thelittlegirllookedverymuchdisappointed。"IsMrs。
　　Walkergoneawayforgood？"saidshe。
　　"Yes，"repliedMr。Tolman。"ButIwouldbejustaswillingtolendyouthemilkasshewouldbe，ifIhadany。Isthereanyplacenearherewhereyoucanbuymilk？"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidthegirl。"Youcangetitroundinthemarket-house。"
　　"Howmuchwouldhalfapintcost？"heasked。
　　"Threecents，"repliedthegirl。
　　"Well，then，"saidMr。Tolman，"herearethreecents。Youcangoandbuythemilkforme，andthenyoucanborrowit。Willthatsuit？"
　　Thegirlthoughtitwouldsuitverywell，andawayshewent。
　　EventhislittleincidentpleasedMr。Tolman。Itwassoverynovel。Whenhecamebackfromhisdinnerintheevening，hefoundtwocirculatinglibrarysubscribersstampingtheirfeetonthedoor-step，andheafterwardsheardthatseveralothershadcalledandgoneaway。Itwouldcertainlyinjurethelibraryifhesuspendedbusinessatmeal-times。Hecouldeasilyhavehischoiceofahundredboysifhechosetoadvertiseforone，butheshrankfromhavingayoungsterintheplace。Itwouldinterferegreatlywithhiscosinessandhisexperiences。Hemightpossiblyfindaboywhowenttoschool，andwhowouldbewillingtocomeatnoonandintheeveningifhewerepaidenough。Butitwouldhavetobeaverysteadyandresponsibleboy。Hewouldthinkitoverbeforetakinganysteps。
　　Hethoughtitoverforadayortwo，buthedidnotspendhiswholetimeindoingso。Whenhehadnocustomers，hesaunteredaboutinthelittleparlorovertheshop，withitsoddoldfurniture，itsquaintprintsonthewalls，anditsabsurdornamentsonthemantelpiece。Theotherlittleroomsseemedalmostasfunnytohim，andhewassorrywhenthebellontheshopdoorcalledhimdownfromtheircontemplation。Itwaspleasanttohimtothinkthatheownedalltheseoddthings。Theownershipofthevariedgoodsintheshopalsogavehimanagreeablefeelingwhichnoneofhisotherpossessionshadeveraffordedhim。Itwasallsooddandnovel。
　　Helikedmuchtolookoverthebooksinthelibrary。Manyofthemwereoldnovels，thenamesofwhichwerefamiliarenoughtohim，butwhichhehadneverread。Hedeterminedtoreadsomeofthemassoonashefeltfixedandsettled。
　　Inlookingoverthebookinwhichthenamesandaccountsofthesubscriberswereentered，heamusedhimselfbywonderingwhatsortofpersonstheywerewhohadoutcertainbooks。Who，forinstance，wantedtoread"TheBookofCats，"andwhocouldpossiblycarefor"TheMysteriesofUdolpho"？ButtheunknownpersoninregardtowhomMr。Tolmanfeltthegreatestcuriositywasthesubscriberwhonowhadinhispossessionavolumeentitled"Dormstock'sLogarithmsoftheDiapason。"
　　"Howonearth，"exclaimedMr。Tolman，"didsuchabookgetintothislibrary？Andwhereonearthdidthepersonspringfromwhowouldwanttotakeitout？Andnotonlywanttotakeit，"hecontinued，asheexaminedtheentryregardingthevolume，"butcomeandhaveitrenewedone，two，three，four——ninetimes！Hehashadthatbookforeighteenweeks！"
　　Withoutexactlymakinguphismindtodoso，Mr。TolmandeferredtakingstepstowardgettinganassistantuntilP。
　　Glascow，thepersoninquestion，shouldmakeanappearance，anditwasnearlytimeforthebooktobebroughtinagain。
　　"IfIgetaboynow，"thoughtMr。Tolman，"GlascowwillbesuretocomeandbringthebookwhileIamout。"
　　Inalmostexactlytwoweeksfromthedateofthelastrenewalofthebook，P。Glascowcamein。Itwasthemiddleoftheafternoon，andMr。Tolmanwasalone。Thisinvestigatorofmusicalphilosophywasaquietyoungmanofaboutthirty，wearingalight-browncloak，andcarryingunderonearmalargebook。
　　P。Glascowwassurprisedwhenheheardofthechangeintheproprietorshipofthelibrary。Still，hehopedthattherewouldbenoobjectiontohisrenewingthebookwhichhehadwithhim，andwhichhehadtakenoutsometimeago。
　　"Oh，no，"saidMr。Tolman，"noneintheworld。Infact，I
　　don'tsupposethereareanyothersubscriberswhowouldwantit。
　　Ihavehadthecuriositytolooktoseeifithadeverbeentakenoutbefore，andIfindithasnot。"
　　Theyoungmansmiledquietly。"No，"saidhe，"Isupposenot。Itisnoteveryonewhowouldcaretostudythehighermathematicsofmusic，especiallywhentreatedasDormstocktreatsthesubject。"
　　"Heseemstogointoitprettydeeply，"remarkedMr。Tolman，whohadtakenupthebook。"Atleast，Ishouldthinkso，judgingfromallthesecalculations，andproblems，andsquares，andcubes。"
　　"Indeedhedoes，"saidGlascow。"AndalthoughIhavehadthebooksomemonths，andhavemorereadingtimeatmydisposalthanmostpersons，Ihaveonlyreachedthefifty-sixthpage，anddoubtifIshallnothavetoreviewsomeofthatbeforeIcanfeelthatIthoroughlyunderstandit。"
　　"Andtherearethreehundredandfortypagesinall！"saidMr。Tolman，compassionately。
　　"Yes，"repliedtheother。"ButIamquitesurethatthematterwillgroweasierasIproceed。IhavefoundthatoutfromwhatIhavealreadydone。"
　　"Yousayyouhaveagooddealofleisure？"remarkedMr。
　　Tolman。"Isthemusicalbusinessdullatpresent？"
　　"Oh，I'mnotinthemusicalbusiness，"saidGlascow。"Ihaveagreatloveformusic，andwishtothoroughlyunderstandit。
　　Butmybusinessisquitedifferent。Iamanightdruggist，andthatisthereasonIhavesomuchleisureforreading。"
　　"Anightdruggist？"repeatedMr。Tolman，inquiringly。
　　"Yes，sir，"saidtheother。"Iaminalargedowntowndrugstorewhichiskeptopenallnight，andIgoondutyafterthedayclerksleave。"
　　"Anddoesthatgiveyoumoreleisure？"askedMr。Tolman。
　　"Itseemsto，"answeredGlascow。"Isleepuntilaboutnoon，andthenIhavetherestoftheday，untilseveno'clock，tomyself。Ithinkthatpeoplewhoworkatnightcanmakeamoresatisfactoryuseoftheirowntimethanthosewhoworkinthedaytime。InthesummerIcantakeatripontheriver，orgosomewhereoutoftown，everyday，ifIlike。"
　　"Daylightismoreavailableformanythings，thatistrue，"
　　saidMr。Tolman。"Butisitnotdreadfullylonelysittinginadrugstoreallnight？Therecan'tbemanypeopletocometobuymedicineatnight。Ithoughttherewasgenerallyanight-belltodrugstores，bywhichaclerkcouldbeawakenedifanybodywantedanything。"
　　"It'snotverylonelyinourstoreatnight，"saidGlascow。"Infact，it'softenmorelivelythenthaninthedaytime。Yousee，wearerightdownamongthenewspaperoffices，andthere'salwayssomebodycominginforsoda-water，orcigars，orsomethingorother。Thestoreisabright，warmplaceforthenighteditorsandreporterstomeettogetherandtalkanddrinkhotsoda，andthere'salwaysaknotof'emaroundthestoveaboutthetimethepapersbegintogotopress。Andthey'realivelyset，Icantellyou，sir。I'veheardsomeofthebeststoriesI
　　everheardinmylifetoldinourplaceafterthreeo'clockinthemorning。"
　　"Astrangelife！"saidMr。Tolman。"Doyouknow，Ineverthoughtthatpeopleamusedthemselvesinthatway——andnightafternight，Isuppose。"
　　"Yes，sir，nightafternight，Sundaysandall。"
　　Thenightdruggistnowtookuphisbook。
　　"Goinghometoread？"askedMr。Tolman。
　　"Well，no，"saidtheother。"It'srathercoldthisafternoontoread。IthinkI'lltakeabriskwalk。"
　　"Can'tyouleaveyourbookuntilyoureturn！"askedMr。
　　Tolman。"Thatis，ifyouwillcomebackthisway。It'sanawkwardbooktocarryabout。"
　　"Thankyou，Iwill，"saidGlascow。"Ishallcomebackthisway。"
　　Whenhehadgone，Mr。Tolmantookupthebook，andbegantolookoveritmorecarefullythanhehaddonebefore。Buthisexaminationdidnotlastlong。
　　"Howanybodyofcommonsensecantakeanyinterestinthisstuffisbeyondmycomprehension，"saidMr。Tolman，asheclosedthebookandputitonalittleshelfbehindthecounter。
　　WhenGlascowcameback，Mr。Tolmanaskedhimtostayandwarmhimself。Andthen，aftertheyhadtalkedforashorttime，Mr。Tolmanbegantofeelhungry。Hehadhiswinterappetite，andhadlunchedearly。Sosaidhetothenightdruggist，whohadopenedhis"Dormstock，""Howwouldyouliketosithereandreadawhile，whileIgoandgetmydinner？Iwilllightthegas，andyoucanbeverycomfortablehere，ifyouarenotinahurry。"
　　P。Glascowwasinnohurryatall，andwasverygladtohavesomequietreadingbyawarmfire；andsoMr。Tolmanlefthim，feelingperfectlyconfidentthatamanwhohadbeenallowedbytheoldladytorenewabookninetimesmustbeperfectlytrustworthy。
　　WhenMr。Tolmanreturned，thetwohadsomefurtherconversationinthecornerbythelittlestove。
　　"Itmustberatherannoying，"saidthenightdruggist，"nottobeabletogoouttoyourmealswithoutshuttingupyourshop。
　　Ifyoulike，"saidhe，ratherhesitatingly，"Iwillstopinaboutthistimeintheafternoon，andstayherewhileyougotodinner。
　　I'llbegladtodothisuntilyougetanassistant。Icaneasilyattendtomostpeoplewhocomein，andotherscanwait。"
　　Mr。Tolmanjumpedatthisproposition。Itwasexactlywhathewanted。
　　SoP。Glascowcameeveryafternoonandread"Dormstock"whileMr。Tolmanwenttodinner；andbeforelonghecameatlunch-timealso。Itwasjustasconvenientasnot，hesaid。Hehadfinishedhisbreakfast，andwouldliketoreadawhile。Mr。
　　Tolmanfanciedthatthenightdruggist'slodgingswere，perhaps，notverywellwarmed，whichideaexplainedthedesiretowalkratherthanreadonacoldafternoon。Glascow'snamewasenteredonthefreelist，andhealwaystookawaythe"Dormstock"
　　atnight，becausehemighthaveachanceoflookingintoitatthestore，whencustombegantogrowslackinthelatterpartoftheearlymorning。
　　Oneafternoontherecameintotheshopayounglady，whobroughtbacktwobookswhichshehadhadformorethanamonth。
　　Shemadenoexcusesforkeepingthebookslongerthantheprescribedtime，butsimplyhandedtheminandpaidherfine。
　　Mr。Tolmandidnotliketotakethismoney，foritwasthefirstofthekindhehadreceived；buttheyoungladylookedasifshewerewellabletoaffordtheluxuryofkeepingbooksovertheirtime，andbusinesswasbusiness。Sohegravelygaveherherchange。Thenshesaidshewouldliketotakeout"Dormstock'sLogarithmsoftheDiapason。"
　　Mr。Tolmanstaredather。Shewasabright，handsomeyounglady，andlookedasifshehadverygoodsense。Hecouldnotunderstandit。Buthetoldherthebookwasout。
　　"Out！"shesaid。"Why，it'salwaysout。Itseemsstrangetomethatthereshouldbesuchademandforthatbook。Ihavebeentryingtogetitforeversolong。"
　　"ItISstrange，"saidMr。Tolman，"butitiscertainlyindemand。DidMrs。Walkerevermakeyouanypromisesaboutit？"
　　"No，"saidshe，"butIthoughtmyturnwouldcomearoundsometime。AndIparticularlywantthebookjustnow。"
　　Mr。Tolmanfeltsomewhattroubled。Heknewthatthenightdruggistoughtnottomonopolizethevolume，andyethedidnotwishtodisobligeonewhowassousefultohim，andwhotooksuchanearnestinterestinthebook。Andhecouldnottemporizewiththeyounglady，andsaythathethoughtthebookwouldsoonbein。Heknewitwouldnot。Therewerethreehundredandfortypagesofit。Sohemerelyremarkedthathewassorry。
　　"SoamI，"saidtheyounglady，"verysorry。ItsohappensthatjustnowIhaveapeculiaropportunityforstudyingthatbookwhichmaynotoccuragain。"
　　TherewassomethinginMr。Tolman'ssympatheticfacewhichseemedtoinviteherconfidence，andshecontinued。
　　"Iamateacher，"shesaid，"andonaccountofcertaincircumstancesIhaveaholidayforamonth，whichIintendedtogiveupalmostentirelytothestudyofmusic，andIparticularlywanted"Dormstock。"Doyouthinkthereisanychanceofitsearlyreturn，andwillyoureserveitforme？"
　　"Reserveit！"saidMr。Tolman。"MostcertainlyIwill。"Andthenhereflectedasecondortwo。"Ifyouwillcomeherethedayafterto-morrow，Iwillbeabletotellyousomethingdefinite。"
　　Shesaidshewouldcome。
　　Mr。Tolmanwasoutalongtimeatlunch-timethenextday。
　　Hewenttoalltheleadingbook-storestoseeifhecouldbuyacopyofDormstock'sgreatwork。Buthewasunsuccessful。Thebooksellerstoldhimthattherewasnoprobabilitythathecouldgetacopyinthecountry，unless，indeed，hefounditinthestockofsomesecond-handdealer，andthatevenifhesenttoEnglandforit，whereitwaspublished，itwasnotlikelyhecouldgetit，forithadbeenlongoutofprint。Therewasnodemandatallforit。Thenextdayhewenttoseveralsecond-
　　handstores，butno"Dormstock"couldhefind。
　　WhenhecamebackhespoketoGlascowonthesubject。Hewassorrytodoso，butthoughtthatsimplejusticecompelledhimtomentionthematter。Thenightdruggistwasthrownintoaperturbedstateofmindbytheinformationthatsomeonewantedhisbelovedbook。
　　"Awoman！"heexclaimed。"Why，shewouldnotunderstandtwopagesoutofthewholeofit。Itistoobad。Ididn'tsupposeanyonewouldwantthisbook。"
　　"Donotdisturbyourselftoomuch，"saidMr。Tolman。"Iamnotsurethatyououghttogiveitup。"
　　"Iamverygladtohearyousayso，"saidGlascow。"Ihavenodoubtitisonlyapassingfancywithher。Idaresayshewouldreallyratherhaveagoodnewnovel。"Andthen，havingheardthattheladywasexpectedthatafternoon，hewentouttowalk，withthe"Dormstock"underhisarm。
　　Whentheyoungladyarrived，anhourorsolater，shewasnotatallsatisfiedtotakeoutanewnovel，andwasverysorryindeednottofindthe"LogarithmsoftheDiapason"waitingforher。Mr。Tolmantoldherthathehadtriedtobuyanothercopyofthework，andforthissheexpressedherselfgratefully。Healsofoundhimselfcompelledtosaythatthebookwasinthepossessionofagentlemanwhohadhaditforsometime——allthetimeithadbeenout，infact——andhadnotyetfinishedit。
　　Atthistheyoungladyseemedsomewhatnettled。
　　"Isitnotagainsttherulesforanypersontokeeponebookoutsolong？"sheasked。
　　"No，"saidMr。Tolman。"Ihavelookedintothat。Ourrulesareverysimple，andmerelysaythatabookmayberenewedbythepaymentofacertainsum。"
　　"ThenIamnevertohaveit？"remarkedtheyounglady。
　　"Oh，Iwouldn'tdespairaboutit，"saidMr。Tolman。"Hehasnothadtimetoreflectuponthematter。Heisareasonableyoungman，andIbelievethathewillbewillingtogiveuphisstudyofthebookforatimeandletyoutakeit。"
　　"No，"saidshe，"Idon'twishthat。Ifheisstudying，asyousayheis，dayandnight，Idonotwishtointerrupthim。I
　　shouldwantthebookatleastamonth，andthat，Isuppose，wouldupsethiscourseofstudyentirely。ButIdonotthinkanyoneshouldbegininacirculatinglibrarytostudyabookthatwilltakehimayeartofinish；for，fromwhatyousay，itwilltakethisgentlemanatleastthattimetofinishDormstock'sbook。"
　　Soshewentherway。
　　WhenP。Glascowheardallthisintheevening，hewasverygrave。Hehadevidentlybeenreflecting。
　　"Itisnotfair，"saidhe。"Ioughtnottokeepthebooksolong。Inowgiveitupforawhile。Youmayletherhaveitwhenshecomes。"Andheputthe"Dormstock"onthecounter，andwentandsatdownbythestove。
　　Mr。Tolmanwasgrieved。Heknewthenightdruggisthaddoneright，butstillhewassorryforhim。"Whatwillyoudo？"heasked。"Willyoustopyourstudies？"
　　"Oh，no，"saidGlascow，gazingsolemnlyintothestove。
　　"IwilltakeupsomeotherbooksonthediapasonwhichIhave，andsowillkeepmyideasfreshonthesubjectuntilthisladyisdonewiththebook。Idonotreallybelieveshewillstudyitverylong。"Thenheadded："Ifitisallthesametoyou，I
　　willcomearoundhereandread，asIhavebeendoing，untilyoushallgetaregularassistant。"
　　Mr。Tolmanwouldbedelightedtohavehimcome，hesaid。Hehadentirelygivenuptheideaofgettinganassistant，butthishedidnotsay。
　　Itwassometimebeforetheladycameback，andMr。Tolmanwasafraidshewasnotcomingatall。Butshedidcome，andaskedforMrs。Burney's"Evelina。"Shesmiledwhenshenamedthebook，andsaidthatshebelievedshewouldhavetotakeanovel，afterall，andshehadalwayswantedtoreadthatone。
　　"Iwouldn'ttakeanovelifIwereyou，"saidMr。Tolman；andhetriumphantlytookdownthe"Dormstock"andlaiditbeforeher。
　　Shewasevidentlymuchpleased，butwhenhetoldherofMr。
　　Glascow'sgentlemanlyconductinthematter，hercountenanceinstantlychanged。
　　"Notatall，"saidshe，layingdownthebook。"Iwillnotbreakuphisstudy。Iwilltakethe`Evelina'ifyouplease。"
　　AndasnopersuasionfromMr。Tolmanhadanyeffectuponher，shewentawaywithMrs。Burney'snovelinhermuff。
　　"Now，then，"saidMr。TolmantoGlascow，intheevening，"youmayaswelltakethebookalongwithyou。Shewon'thaveit。"
　　ButGlascowwoulddonothingofthekind。"No，"heremarked，ashesatlookingintothestove。"WhenIsaidIwouldletherhaveit，Imeantit。She'lltakeitwhensheseesthatitcontinuestoremaininthelibrary。"
　　Glascowwasmistaken：shedidnottakeit，havingtheideathathewouldsoonconcludethatitwouldbewiserforhimtoreaditthantoletitstandidlyontheshelf。
　　"Itwouldservethembothright，"saidMr。Tolmantohimself，"ifsomebodyelseshouldcomeandtakeit。"Buttherewasnooneelseamonghissubscriberswhowouldeventhinkofsuchathing。
　　Oneday，however，theyoungladycameinandaskedtolookatthebook。"Don'tthinkthatIamgoingtotakeitout，"shesaid，noticingMr。Tolman'slookofpleasureashehandedherthevolume。"IonlywishtoseewhathesaysonacertainsubjectwhichIamstudyingnow。"AndsoshesatdownbythestoveonthechairwhichMr。Tolmanplacedforher，andopened"Dormstock。"
　　Shesatearnestlyporingoverthebookforhalfanhourormore，andthenshelookedupandsaid："Ireallycannotmakeoutwhatthispartmeans。Excusemytroublingyou，butIwouldbeverygladifyouwouldexplainthelatterpartofthispassage。"
　　"Me！"exclaimedMr。Tolman。"Why，mygoodmadam，——miss，I
　　mean，——Icouldn'texplainittoyouifitweretosavemylife。
　　Butwhatpageisit？"saidhe，lookingathiswatch。
　　"Pagetwenty-four，"answeredtheyounglady。
　　"Oh，well，then，"saidhe，"ifyoucanwaittenorfifteenminutes，thegentlemanwhohashadthebookwillbehere，andI
　　thinkhecanexplainanythinginthefirstpartofthework。"
　　Theyoungladyseemedtohesitatewhethertowaitornot；butasshehadacertaincuriositytoseewhatsortofapersonhewaswhohadbeensoabsorbedinthebook，sheconcludedtositalittlelongerandlookintosomeotherpartsofthevolume。
　　Thenightdruggistsooncamein，andwhenMr。Tolmanintroducedhimtothelady，hereadilyagreedtoexplainthepassagetoherifhecould。SoMr。Tolmangothimachairfromtheinnerroom，andhealsosatdownbythestove。
　　Theexplanationwasdifficult，butitwasachievedatlast，andthentheyoungladybroachedthesubjectofleavingthebookunused。Thiswasdiscussedforsometime，butcametonothing，althoughMr。Tolmanputdownhisafternoonpaperandjoinedintheargument，urging，amongotherpoints，thatasthematternowstoodhewasdeprivedbythedead-lockofallincomefromthebook。Buteventhisstrongargumentprovedofnoavail。
　　"ThenIwilltellyouwhatIwishyouwoulddo，"saidMr。
　　Tolman，astheyoungladyrosetogo："comehereandlookatthebookwheneveryouwishtodoso。Iwouldliketomakethismoreofareading-room，anyway。Itwouldgivememorecompany。"
　　Afterthistheyoungladylookedinto"Dormstock"whenshecamein；andasherholidayshadbeenextendedbythecontinuedabsenceofthefamilyinwhichshetaught，shehadplentyoftimeforstudy，andcamequitefrequently。SheoftenmetGlascowintheshop，andonsuchoccasionstheygenerallyconsulted"Dormstock，"andsometimeshadquitelengthytalksonmusicalmatters。Oneafternoontheycameintogether，havingmetontheirwaytothelibrary，andenteredintoaconversationondiapasoniclogarithms，whichcontinuedduringthelady'sstayintheshop。
　　"Theproperthing，"thoughtMr。Tolman，"wouldbeforthesetwopeopletogetmarried。Thentheycouldtakethebookandstudyittotheirheart'scontent。Andtheywouldcertainlysuiteachother，fortheyarebothgreatlyattachedtomusicalmathematicsandphilosophy，andneitherofthemeitherplaysorsings，astheyhavetoldme。Itwouldbeanadmirablematch。"
　　Mr。Tolmanthoughtoverthismatteragooddeal，andatlastdeterminedtomentionittoGlascow。Whenhedidso，theyoungmancolored，andexpressedtheopinionthatitwouldbeofnousetothinkofsuchathing。Butitwasevidentfromhismannerandsubsequentdiscoursethathehadthoughtofit。
　　Mr。Tolmangraduallybecamequiteanxiousonthesubject，especiallyasthenightdruggistdidnotseeminclinedtotakeanystepsinthematter。Theweatherwasnowbeginningtobewarmer，andMr。Tolmanreflectedthatthelittlehouseandthelittleshopwereprobablymuchmorecoseyandcomfortableinwinterthaninsummer。Therewerehigherbuildingsallaboutthehouse，andevennowhebegantofeelthatthecirculationofairwouldbequiteasagreeableasthecirculationofbooks。Hethoughtagooddealabouthisairyroomsintheneighboringcity。
　　"Mr。Glascow，"saidhe，oneafternoon，"Ihavemadeupmymindtoselloutthisbusinessshortly。"
　　"What！"exclaimedtheother。"Doyoumeanyouwillgiveitupandgoaway——leavetheplacealtogether？"
　　"Yes，"repliedMr。Tolman，"Ishallgiveuptheplaceentirely，andleavethecity。"
　　Thenightdruggistwasshocked。Hehadspentmanyhappyhoursinthatshop，andhishourstherewerenowbecomingpleasanterthanever。IfMr。Tolmanwentaway，allthismustend。Nothingofthekindcouldbeexpectedofanynewproprietor。
　　"Andconsideringthis，"continuedMr。Tolman，"IthinkitwouldbewellforyoutobringyourlovematterstoaconclusionwhileIamheretohelpyou。"
　　"Mylovematters！"exclaimedMr。Glascow，withaflush。
　　"Yes，certainly，"saidMr。Tolman。"Ihaveeyes，andIknowallaboutit。NowletmetellyouwhatIthink。Whenathingistobedone，itoughttobedonethefirsttimethereisagoodchance。That'sthewayIdobusiness。Nowyoumightaswellcomearoundhereto-morrowafternoonpreparedtoproposetoMissEdwards。Sheisdueto-morrow，forshehasbeentwodaysaway。
　　Ifshedoesn'tcome，wewillpostponethematteruntilthenextday。Butyoushouldbereadyto-morrow。Idon'tbelieveyoucanseehermuchwhenyoudon'tmeetherhere，forthatfamilyisexpectedbackverysoon，andfromwhatIinferfromheraccountofheremployers，youwon'tcaretovisitherattheirhouse。"
　　Thenightdruggistwantedtothinkaboutit。
　　"Thereisnothingtothink，"saidMr。Tolman。"Weknowallaboutthelady。"Hespoketruly，forhehadinformedhimselfaboutbothpartiestotheaffair。"Takemyadvice，andbehereto-morrowafternoon——andcomeratherearly。"
　　ThenextmorningMr。Tolmanwentuptohisparloronthesecondfloor，andbroughtdowntwobluestuffedchairs，thebesthehad，andputtheminthelittleroombackoftheshop。Healsobroughtdownoneortwoknickknacksandputthemonthemantelpiece，andhedustedandbrighteneduptheroomaswellashecould。Heevencoveredthetablewitharedclothfromtheparlor。
　　Whentheyoungladyarrived，heinvitedhertowalkintothebackroomtolookoversomenewbookshehadjustgotin。Ifshehadknownheproposedtogiveupthebusiness，shewouldhavethoughtitratherstrangethatheshouldbebuyingnewbooks。
　　Butsheknewnothingofhisintentions。Whenshewasseatedatthetablewhereonthenewbookswerespread，Mr。TolmansteppedoutsideoftheshopdoortowatchforGlascow'sapproach。Hesoonappeared。
　　"Walkrightin，"saidMr。Tolman。"She'sinthebackroomlookingoverbooks。I'llwaithere，andkeepoutcustomersasfaraspossible。It'spleasant，andIwantalittlefreshair。
　　I'llgiveyoutwentyminutes。"
　　Glascowwaspale，buthewentinwithoutaword，andMr。
　　Tolman，withhishandsunderhiscoat-tail，andhisfeetratherfarapart，establishedablockadeonthedoorstep。Hestoodthereforsometime，lookingatthepeopleoutside，andwonderingwhatthepeopleinsideweredoing。Thelittlegirlwhohadborrowedthemilkofhim，andwhohadneverreturnedit，wasabouttopassthedoor；butseeinghimstandingthere，shecrossedovertotheothersideofthestreet。Buthedidnotnoticeher。Hewaswonderingifitwastimetogoin。Aboycameuptothedoor，andwantedtoknowifhekeptEastereggs。
　　Mr。Tolmanwashappytosayhedidnot。Whenhehadallowedthenightdruggistaveryliberaltwentyminutes，hewentin。Asheenteredtheshopdoor，givingthebellaverydecidedringashedidso，P。Glascowcamedownthetwostepsthatledfromtheinnerroom。Hisfaceshowedthatitwasallrightwithhim。
　　AfewdaysafterthisMr。Tolmansoldouthisstock，goodwill，andfixtures，togetherwiththefurnitureandleaseofthehouse。AndwhoshouldhesellouttobuttoMr。Glascow！Thispieceofbusinesswasoneofthehappiestpointsinthewholeaffair。Therewasnoreasonwhythehappycoupleshouldnotbemarriedverysoon，andtheyoungladywascharmedtogiveupherpositionasteacherandgovernessinafamily，andcomeandtakechargeofthatdelightfullittlestoreandthatcunninglittlehouse，withalmosteverythinginitthattheywanted。
　　OnethingintheestablishmentMr。Tolmanrefusedtosell。
　　ThatwasDormstock'sgreatwork。Hemadethecoupleapresentofthevolume，andbetweentwooftheearlierpagesheplacedabank-notewhichinvaluewasverymuchmorethanthatoftheordinaryweddinggift。
　　"WhatareYOUgoingtodo？"theyaskedofhim，whenallthesethingsweresettled。Andthenhetoldthemhowhewasgoingbacktohisbusinessintheneighboringcity，andhetoldthemwhatitwas，andhowhehadcometomanageacirculatinglibrary。Theydidnotthinkhimcrazy。Peoplewhostudiedthelogarithmsofthediapasonwouldnotbeapttothinkamancrazyforsuchalittlethingasthat。
　　WhenMr。TolmanreturnedtotheestablishmentofPusey&
　　Co。，hefoundeverythinggoingonverysatisfactorily。
　　"Youlooktenyearsyounger，sir，"saidMr。Canterfield。"Youmusthavehadaverypleasanttime。Ididnotthinktherewasenoughtointerestyouin——forsolongatime。"
　　"Interestme！"exclaimedMr。Tolman。"Why，objectsofinterestcrowdedonme。Ineverhadamoreenjoyableholidayinmylife。"
　　Whenhewenthomethateveningandhefoundhimselfquitewillingtogo，hetoreupthewillhehadmade。Henowfeltthattherewasnonecessityforprovinghissanity。
　　MYUNWILLINGNEIGHBOR
　　Iwasabouttwenty-fiveyearsoldwhenIbeganlifeastheownerofavineyardinwesternVirginia。Iboughtalargetractofland，thegreaterpartofwhichlayupontheslopingsideofoneofthefoot-hillsoftheBlueRidge，theexposurebeingthatmostfavorabletothegrowthofthevine。Iamanenthusiasticloverofthecountryandofcountrylife，andbelievedthatIshouldderivemorepleasureaswellasprofitfromthecultureofmyfar-stretchingvineyardthanIwouldfromordinaryfarmoperations。
　　Ibuiltmyselfagoodhouseofmoderatesizeuponalittleplateauonthehigherpartofmyestate。Sittinginmyporch，smokingmypipeafterthelaborsoftheday，Icouldlookdownovermyvineyardintoabeautifulvalley，withhereandtherealittlecurlingsmokearisingfromsomeofthefewdwellingswhichwerescatteredaboutamongthegrovesandspreadingfields，andabovethisbeautyIcouldimagineallmyhillsideclothedingreenandpurple。
　　Myfamilyconsistedofmyselfalone。ItistruethatI
　　expectedsomedaythattherewouldbeothersinmyhousebesidesmyself，butIwasnotreadyforthisyet。
　　DuringthesummerIfounditverypleasanttolivebymyself。Itwasanovelty，andIcouldarrangeandmanageeverythinginmyownfashion，whichwasapleasureIhadnotenjoyedwhenIlivedinmyfather'shouse。ButwhenwintercameIfounditverylonely。Evenmyservantslivedinacabinatsomelittledistance，andthereweremanydarkandstormyeveningswhenthecompanyevenofaborewouldhavebeenwelcometome。SometimesIwalkedovertothetownandvisitedmyfriendsthere，butthiswasnotfeasibleonstormynights，andthewinterseemedtomeaverylongone。
　　Butspringcame，outdooroperationsbegan，andforafewweeksIfeltagainthatIwasall-sufficientformyownpleasureandcomfort。Thencameachange。Oneofthoseseasonsofbadandstormyweatherwhichsofrequentlyfollowanearlyspringsettleddownuponmyspiritsandmyhillside。Itrained，itwascold，fiercewindsblew，andIbecamemoreanxiousforsomebodytotalktothanIhadbeenatanytimeduringthewinter。
　　Onenight，whenaverybadstormwasraging，Iwenttobedearly，andasIlayawakeIrevolvedinmymindaschemeofwhichIhadfrequentlythoughtbefore。Iwouldbuildaneatlittlehouseonmygrounds，notveryfarawayfrommyhouse，butnottoonear，andIwouldaskJackBrandigertocomethereandlive。
　　Jackwasafriendofminewhowasreadinglawinthetown，anditseemedtomethatitwouldbemuchmorepleasant，andevenmoreprofitable，toreadlawonaprettyhillsideoverlookingacharmingvalley，withwoodsandmountainsbehindandabovehim，wherehecouldrambletohisheart'scontent。
　　IhadthoughtofaskingJacktocomeandlivewithme，butthisideaIsoondismissed。Iamaveryparticularperson，andJackwasnot。Helefthispipesaboutinallsortsofplaces——sometimeswhentheywerestilllighted。Whenhecametoseemehewasquiteaslikelytoputhishatovertheinkstandastoputitanywhereelse。ButifJacklivedatalittledistance，andwecouldgobackwardandforwardtoseeeachotherwheneverwepleased，thatwouldbequiteanotherthing。Hecoulddoashepleasedinhisownhouse，andIcoulddoasIpleasedinmine，andwemighthavemanypleasanteveningstogether。Thiswasacheeringidea，andIwasplanninghowwemightarrangewiththenegrowomanwhomanagedmyhouseholdaffairstoattendalsotothoseofJackwhenIfellasleep。
　　IdidnotsleeplongbeforeIwasawakenedbytheincreasedviolenceofthestorm。Myhouseshookwiththefuryofthewind。
　　Therainseemedtobepouringonitsroofandnorthernsideasiftherewereawaterfallaboveus，andeverynowandthenIcouldhearashowerofhailstonesrattlingagainsttheshutters。Mybedroomwasoneoftheroomsonthelowerfloor，andeventhereI
　　couldhearthepoundingofthedelugeandthehailstonesupontheroof。
　　Allthiswasverydoleful，andhadatendencytodepressthespiritsofamanawakeandaloneinagood-sizedhouse。ButI
　　shookoffthisdepression。Itwas，notagreeabletobeupherebymyselfinsuchaterriblestorm，buttherewasnothingtobeafraidof，asmyhousewasnewandverystronglybuilt，beingconstructedoflogs，weather-boardedoutsideandceiledwithin。
　　Itwouldrequireahurricanetoblowofftheroof，andIbelievedmyshutterstobehail-proof。So，astherewasnoreasontostayawake，Iturnedoverandwenttosleep。
　　IdonotknowhowlongitwasbeforeIwasawakenedagain，thistimenotbythenoiseofthestorm，butbyacuriousmovementofmybedstead。Ihadoncefelttheslightshockofanearthquake，anditseemedtomethatthismustbesomethingofthekind。Certainlymybedmovedunderme。Isatup。Theroomwaspitchydark。InamomentIfeltanothermovement，butthistimeitdidnotseemtometoresembleanearthquakeshock。Suchmotion，Ithink，isgenerallyinhorizontaldirections，whilethatwhichIfeltwasmorelikethemovementofashipuponthewater。Thestormwasatitsheight；thewindragedandroared，andtherainseemedtobepouringdownasheavilyasever。
　　Iwasabouttogetupandlightthelamp，foreventhefaintestcandle-flamewouldbesomesortofcompanyatsuchagrewsomemoment，whenmybedsteadgaveanothermovement，moreshiplikethanbefore。Itactuallylurchedforwardasifitweredescendingintothetroughofthesea，but，unlikeaship，itdidnotriseagain，butremainedinsuchaslantingpositionthatI
　　begantoslidedowntowardthefoot。Ibelievethatifithadnotbeenabedsteadprovidedwithafootboard，Ishouldhaveslippedoutuponthefloor。
　　Ididnotjumpoutofbed。Ididnotdoanything。Iwastryingtothink，tounderstandthesituation，tofindoutwhetherIwasasleeporawake，whenIbecameawareofnoisesintheroomandalloverthehousewhicheventhroughthedinofthestormmadethemselvesnoticedbytheirpeculiarity。Tables，everythingintheroom，seemedtobegratingandgrindingonthefloor，andinamomenttherewasacrash。Iknewwhatthatmeant；mylamphadslippedoffthetable。Anydoubtonthatpointwouldhavebeendispelledbythesmellofkerosenewhichsoonfilledtheairoftheroom。
　　Themotionofthebed，whichInowbelievemusthavebeenthemotionofthewholehouse，stillcontinued；butthegratingnoisesintheroomgraduallyceased，fromwhichIinferredthatthefurniturehadbroughtupagainstthefrontwalloftheroom。
　　Itnowwasimpossibleformetogetupandstrikealight，fortodosowithkeroseneoilallovertheflooranditsvapordiffusedthroughtheroomwouldprobablyresultinsettingthehouseonfire。SoImuststayindarknessandwait。IdonotthinkIwasverymuchfrightened——Iwassoastonishedthattherewasnoroominmymindforfear。Infact，allmymentalenergieswereoccupiedintryingtofindoutwhathadhappened。Itrequired，however，onlyafewmoreminutesofreflection，andafewmoreminutesofthegrating，bumping，tremblingofmyhouse，toenablemetomakeupmymindwhatwashappening。Myhousewasslidingdownhill！
　　Thewindmusthaveblownthebuildingfromitsfoundations，andupontheslipperysurfaceofthehillside，probablylashedintoliquidmudbythepouringrain，itwasmakingitswaydowntowardthevalley！Inaflashmymind'seyeranoverthewholesurfaceofthecountrybeneathmeasfarasIknewit。Iwasalmostpositivethattherewasnoprecipice，noterriblechasmintowhichmyhousemightfall。Therewasnothingbutslopinghillside，andbeneaththatawidestretchoffields。
　　Nowtherewasanewandsuddennoiseofheavyobjectsfallingupontheroof，andIknewwhatthatmeant：mychimneyhadbeenwrenchedfromitsfoundations，andtheupperpartofithadnowtoppledover。Icouldhear，throughthestorm，thebricksbangingandslidingupontheslantingroof。Continuoussoundsofcrackingandsnappingcametomethroughtheclosedfrontwindows，andthesewerecaused，Isupposed，bythedestructionofthestakesofmyvinesastheheavyhousemovedoverthem。
　　Ofcourse，whenIthoroughlyunderstoodthestateofthecase，myfirstimpulsewastospringoutofbed，and，asquicklyaspossible，togetoutofthatthumpingandslidinghouse。ButIrestrainedmyself。Thefloormightbecoveredwithbrokenglass，Imightnotbeabletofindmyclothesinthedarknessandinthejumbleoffurnitureattheendoftheroom，andevenifI
　　coulddressmyself，itwouldbefollytojumpoutinthemidstofthatragingstormintoaprobablemassofwreckagewhichIcouldnotsee。Itwouldbefarbettertoremaindryandwarmundermyroof。Therewasnoreasonwhatevertosupposethatthehousewouldgotopieces，orthatitwouldturnover。Itmuststopsometimeorother，and，untilitdidso，Iwouldbesaferinmybedthananywhereelse。ThereforeinmybedIstayed。
　　Sittingupright，withmyfeetpressedagainstthefootboard，Ilistenedandfelt。Thenoisesofthestorm，andthecrackingandthesnappingandgrindingbeforemeandunderme，stillcontinued，althoughIsometimesthoughtthatthewindwasmoderatingalittle，andthatthestrangemotionwasbecomingmoreregular。Ibelievedthehousewasmovingfasterthanwhenitfirstbeganitsstrangecareer，butthatitwasslidingoverasmoothsurface。NowInoticedasuccessionofloudcracksandsnapsatthefrontofthehouse，and，fromthecharacterofthesounds，Iconcludedthatmylittlefrontporch，whichhadbeenactingasacutwateratthebowofmyshiplikehouse，hadyieldedatlasttotheroughcontactwiththeground，andwouldprobablysoonbetornaway。Thisdidnotdisturbme，forthehousemuststillbefirm。
　　ItwasnotlongbeforeIperceivedthattheslantingofmybedwasbecominglessandless，andalsoIwasquitesurethatthehousewasmovingmoreslowly。Thenthecrackingsandsnappingsbeforemyfrontwallceasedaltogether。Thebedresumeditsordinaryhorizontalposition，andalthoughIdidnotknowatwhatmomentthehousehadceasedslidingandhadcometoastandstill，Iwassurethatithaddoneso。Itwasnowrestinguponalevelsurface。Theroomwasstillperfectlydark，andthestormcontinued。Itwasuselessformetogetupuntildaylightcame，——Icouldnotseewhathadhappened，——soIlaybackuponmypillowandtriedtoimagineuponwhatlevelportionofmyfarmI
　　hadstranded。WhiledoingthisIfellasleep。
　　WhenIwoke，alittlelightwasstealingintotheroomthroughtheblindsofmyshutters。Iquicklyslippedoutofbed，openedawindow，andlookedout。Daywasjustbreaking，therainandwindhadceased，andIcoulddiscernobjects。ButitseemedasifIneededsomelightinmybraintoenablemetocomprehendwhatIsaw。Myeyesfelluponnothingfamiliar。
　　Ididnotstoptoinvestigate，however，frommywindow。
　　Ifoundmyclotheshuddledtogetherwiththefurnitureatthefrontendoftheroom，andassoonasIwasdressedIwentintothehallandthentomyfrontdoor。Iquicklyjerkedthisopenandwasabouttostepoutsidewhen，suddenly，Istopped。Iwaspositivethatmyfrontporchhadbeendestroyed。ButthereIsawaporchalittlelowerthanmineandagreatdealwider，andontheothersideofit，notmorethaneightfeetfromme，wasawindow——thewindowofahouse，andontheothersideofthewindowwasaface——thefaceofayounggirl！AsIstoodstaringinblankamazementatthehousewhichpresenteditselfatmyfrontdoor，thefaceatthewindowdisappeared，andIwaslefttocontemplatethescenebymyself。Irantomybackdoorandthrewitopen。ThereIsaw，stretchingupthefieldsandfarupthehillside，thewidepathwhichmyhousehadmadeasitcamedownfromitselevatedpositiontothevalleybeneath，whereithadendeditsonwardcareerbystoppingupagainstanotherhouse。AsIlookedfromthebackporchIsawthatthegroundstillcontinuedtoslope，sothatifmyhousehadnotfoundinitspathanotherbuilding，itwouldprobablyhaveproceededsomewhatfartheronitscourse。Itwaslighter，andIsawbushesandfencesandoutbuildings——Iwasinabackyard。
　　Almostbreathlesswithamazementandconsternation，Iranagaintothefrontdoor。WhenIreacheditIfoundayoungwomanstandingontheporchofthehousebeforeme。Iwasabouttosaysomething——Iknownotwhat——whensheputherfingeronherlipsandsteppedforward。
　　"Pleasedon'tspeakloudly，"shesaid。"Iamafraiditwillfrightenmother。Sheisasleepyet。Isupposeyouandyourhousehavebeenslidingdownhill？"
　　"Thatiswhathashappened，"saidI。"ButIcannotunderstandit。Itseemstomethemostamazingthingthatevertookplaceonthefaceoftheearth。"
　　"Itisveryqueer，"saidshe，"buthurricanesdoblowawayhouses，andthatmusthavebeenahurricanewehadlastnight，forthewindwasstrongenoughtoloosenanyhouse。Ihaveoftenwonderedifthathousewouldeverslidedownhill。"
　　"Myhouse？"
　　"Yes，"shesaid。"SoonafteritwasbuiltIbegantothinkwhatanicecleansweepitcouldmakefromtheplacewhereitseemedtobestucktothesideofthemountain，rightdownhereintothevalley。"
　　Icouldnottalkwithagirllikethis；atleast，Icouldnotmeetheronherownconversationalgrounds。IwassoagitatedmyselfthatitseemedunnaturalthatanyonetowhomIshouldspeakshouldnotalsobeagitated。
　　"Whoareyou？"Iaskedratherbrusquely。"Atleast，towhomdoesthishousebelong？"
　　"Thisismymother'shouse，"saidshe。"MymotherisMrs。
　　Carson。Wehappenjustnowtobelivingherebyourselves，soI
　　cannotcallonanymantohelpyoudoanything。Mybrotherhasalwayslivedwithus，butlastweekhewentaway。"
　　"Youdon'tseemtobeabitastonishedatwhathashappened，"
　　saidI。
　　Shewasratheraprettygirl，ofacheerfuldisposition，I
　　shouldsay，forseveraltimesshehadsmiledasshespoke。
　　"Oh，Iamastonished，"sheanswered；"or，atleast，I
　　was。ButIhavehadtimeenoughtogetoversomeofit。ItwasatleastanhouragowhenIwasawakenedbyhearingsomethingcrackintheyard。Iwenttoawindowandlookedout，andcouldjustbarelyseethatsomethinglikeabigbuildinghadgrownupduringthenight。ThenIwatchedit，andwatchedit，untilI
　　madeoutitwasawholehouse；andafterthatitwasnotlongbeforeIguessedwhathadhappened。Itseemedasimplerthingtome，youknow，thanitdidtoyou，becauseIhadoftenthoughtaboutit，andprobablyyouneverhad。"
　　"Youarerightthere，"saidI，earnestly。"Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleformetoimaginesuchathing。"
　　"AtfirstIthoughttherewasnobodyinthehouse，"saidshe，"butwhenIheardsomeonemovingabout，Icamedowntotellwhoeverhadarrivednottomakeanoise。Isee，"sheadded，withanotherofhersmiles，"thatyouthinkIamaverystrangepersonnottobemoreflurriedbywhathashappened。ButreallyI
　　cannotthinkofanythingelsejustnow，exceptwhatmotherwillsayanddowhenshecomesdownandfindsyouandyourhousehereatthebackdoor。Iamverysureshewillnotlikeit。"
　　"Likeit！"Iexclaimed。"Whoonearthcouldlikeit？"
　　"Pleasespeakmoregently，"shesaid。"Motherisalwaysalittleirritablewhenhernight'sresthasbeenbroken，andI
　　wouldnotliketohaveherwakenedupsuddenlynow。Butreally，Mr。Warren，Ihaven'ttheleastideaintheworldhowshewilltakethisthing。Imustgoinandbewithherwhenshewakes，sothatIcanexplainjustwhathashappened。"
　　"Onemoment，"Isaid。"Youknowmyname。"
　　"OfcourseIknowyourname，"sheanswered。"Couldthathousebeupthereonthehillsideformorethanayearwithoutmyknowingwholivedinit？"Withthisshewentindoors。
　　IcouldnothelpsmilingwhenIthoughtoftheyoungladyregrettingthattherewasnomaninthehousewhomighthelpmedosomething。Whatcouldanybodydoinacaselikethis？I
　　turnedandwentintomyhouse。Ienteredthevariousroomsonthelowerfloor，andsawnosignsofanyparticulardamage，exceptthateverythingmovableineachroomwasjumbledtogetheragainstthefrontwall。ButwhenIlookedoutofthebackdoorI
　　foundthattheporchtherewasagooddealwrecked，whichIhadnotnoticedbefore。
　　Iwentup-stairs，andfoundeverythingverymuchasitwasbelow。Nothingseemedtohavebeeninjuredexceptthechimneyandtheporches。IthankedmystarsthatIhadusedhardwoodinsteadofmortarfortheceilingsofmyrooms。
　　Iwasabouttogointomybedroom，whenIheardawomanscream，andofcourseIhurriedtothefront。ThereonthebackporchofherhousestoodMrs。Carson。Shewasawomanofmiddleage，and，asIglancedather，Isawwhereherdaughtergothergoodlooks。Buttheplacidityandcheerfulnessoftheyoungerfacewereentirelywantinginthemother。Hereyessparkled，hercheekswerered，hermouthwaspartlyopened，anditseemedtomethatIcouldalmostseethatherbreathwashot。
　　"Isthisyourhouse？"shecried，themomenthereyesfelluponme。"Andwhatisitdoinghere？"Ididnotimmediatelyanswer，Ilookedattheangrywoman，andbehindherIsaw，throughtheopendoor，thedaughtercrossingthehallway。Itwasplainthatshehaddecidedtoletmehaveitoutwithhermotherwithoutinterference。AsbrieflyandasclearlyasIcould，I
　　explainedwhathadhappened。
　　"Whatisallthattome？"shescreamed。"Itdoesn'tmattertomehowyourhousegothere。Therehavebeenstormseversincethebeginningoftheworld，andIneverheardofanyofthemtakingahouseintoaperson'sbackyard。Yououghtnottohavebuiltyourhousewhereanysuchthingcouldhappen。Butallthisisnothingtome。Idon'tunderstandnowhowyourhousedidgethere，andIdon'twanttounderstandit。AllIwantisforyoutotakeitaway。"
　　"Iwilldothat，madam，justassoonasIcan。YoumaybeverysureIwilldothat。But——"
　　"Canyoudoitnow？"sheasked。"Canyoudoitto-day？I
　　don'twantaminutelost。Ihavenotbeenoutsidetoseewhatdamagehasbeendone，butthefirstthingtodoistotakeyourhouseaway。"
　　"Iamgoingtothetownnow，madam，tosummonassistance。"
　　Mrs。Carsonmadenoanswer，butsheturnedandwalkedtotheendofherporch。Thereshesuddenlygaveascreamwhichquicklybroughtherdaughterfromthehouse。"Kitty！Kitty！"criedhermother。"Doyouknowwhathehasdone？Hehasgonerightovermyroundflower-garden。Hishouseissittingonitthisminute！"
　　"Buthecouldnothelpit，mother，"saidKitty。
　　"Helpit！"exclaimedMrs。Carson。"Ididn'texpecthimtohelpit。WhatIwant——"Suddenlyshestopped。Hereyesflashedbrighter，hermouthopenedwider，andshebecamemoreandmoreexcitedasshenoticedtheabsenceofthesheds，fences，orvegetable-bedswhichhadfoundthemselvesinthecourseofmyall-destroyingdwelling。
　　Itwasnowwelloninthemorning，andsomeoftheneighborshadbecomeawareofthestrangedisasterwhichhadhappenedtome，althoughiftheyhadheardthenewsfromMrs。Carsontheymighthavesupposedthatitwasadisasterwhichhadhappenedonlytoher。Astheygazedatthetwohousessocloselyjammedtogether，allofthemwondered，someofthemevenlaughed，butnotoneofferedasuggestionwhichaffordedsatisfactiontoMrs。
　　Carsonormyself。Thegeneralopinionwasthat，nowmyhousewasthere，itwouldhavetostaythere，fortherewerenotenoughhorsesintheStatetopullitbackupthatmountainside。Tobesure，itmightpossiblybedrawnoffsidewise。Butwhetheritwasmovedonewayortheother，alotofMrs。Carson'streeswouldhavetobecutdowntoletitpass。