"Whichshallneverhappen！"criedthatgoodlady。"Ifnothingelsecanbedone，itmustbetakenapartandhauledoffincarts。Butnomatterhowitismanaged，itmustbemoved，andthatimmediately。"MissCarsonnowprevaileduponhermothertogointothehouse，andIstayedandtalkedtothemenandafewwomenwhohadgatheredoutside。
　　Whentheyhadsaidalltheyhadtosay，andseenalltherewastosee，thesepeoplewenthometotheirbreakfasts。I
　　enteredmyhouse，butnotbythefrontdoor，fortodothatI
　　wouldhavebeenobligedtotrespassuponMrs。Carson'sbackporch。Igotmyhat，andwasabouttostartforthetown，whenI
　　heardmynamecalled。Turningintothehall，IsawMissCarson，whowasstandingatmyfrontdoor。
　　"Mr。Warren，"saidshe，"youhaven'tanywayofgettingbreakfast，haveyou？"
　　"Oh，no，"saidI。"Myservantsareupthereintheircabin，andIsupposetheyaretoomuchscaredtocomedown。ButIamgoingtotowntoseewhatcanbedoneaboutmyhouse，andwillgetmybreakfastthere。"
　　"It'salongwaytogowithoutanythingtoeat，"shesaid，"andwecangiveyousomebreakfast。ButIwanttoaskyousomething。Iaminagooddealofperplexity。Ourtwoservantsareoutatthefrontofthehouse，buttheypositivelyrefusetocomein；theyareafraidthatyourhousemaybeginslidingagainandcrushthemall，so，Ishallhavetogetbreakfast。Butwhatbothersmeistryingtofindourwell。Ihavebeenoutside，andcanseenosignsofit。"
　　"Wherewasyourwell？"Igasped。
　　"Itoughttobesomewherenearthebackofyourhouse，"shesaid。"MayIgothroughyourhallandlookout？"
　　"Ofcourseyoumay，"Icried，andIprecededhertomybackdoor。
　　"Now，itseemstome，"shesaid，aftersurveyingthesceneofdesolationimmediatelybefore，andlookingfromsidetosidetowardobjectswhichhadremaineduntouched，"thatyourhousehaspasseddirectlyoverourwell，andmusthavecarriedawaythelittleshedandthepumpandeverythingaboveground。Ishouldnotwonderabit，"shecontinuedslowly，"ifitisunderyourporch。"
　　Ijumpedtotheground，forthestepswereshattered，andbegantosearchforthewell，anditwasnotlongbeforeIdiscovereditsrounddarkopening，whichwas，asMissCarsonhadimagined，underoneendofmyporch。
　　"Whatcanwedo？"sheasked。"Wecan'thavebreakfastorgetalongatallwithoutwater。"ItwasaterriblydepressingthingtometothinkthatI，orrathermyhouse，hadgiventhesepeoplesomuchtrouble。ButIspeedily，assuredMissCarsonthatifshecouldfindabucketandaropewhichIcouldlowerintothewell，Iwouldprovideherwithwater。
　　Shewentintoherhousetoseewhatshecouldfind，andItoreawaythebrokenplanksoftheporch，sothatIcouldgettothewell。Andthen，whenshecamewithatinpailandaclothes-
　　line，Iwenttoworktohaulupwaterandcarryittoherbackdoor。
　　"Idon'twantmothertofindoutwhathashappenedtothewell，"shesaid，"forshehasenoughonhermindalready。"
　　Mrs。Carsonwasawomanwithsomegoodpointsinhercharacter。Afteratimeshecalledtomeherself，andtoldmetocomeintobreakfast。ButduringthemealshetalkedveryearnestlytomeabouttheamazingtrespassIhadcommitted，andaboutthemeanswhichshouldbetakentorepairthedamagesmyhousehaddonetoherproperty。IwasasoptimisticasIcouldbe，andtheyoungladyspokeverycheerfullyandhopefullyabouttheaffair，sothatwewerebeginningtogetalongsomewhatpleasantly，when，suddenly，Mrs。Carsonsprangtoherfeet。
　　"Heavensandearth！"shecried，"thishouseismoving！"
　　Shewasnotmistaken。Ihadfeltbeneathmyfeetasuddensharpshock——notsevere，butunmistakable。Irememberedthatbothhousesstooduponslightlyslopingground。Mybloodturnedcold，myheartstoodstill；evenMissCarsonwaspale。
　　Whenwehadrushedoutofdoorstoseewhathadhappened，orwhatwasgoingtohappen，Isoonfoundthatwehadbeenneedlesslyfrightened。Someofthebrokentimbersonwhichmyhousehadbeenpartiallyrestinghadgivenway，andthefrontpartofthebuildinghadslightlydescended，jarringasitdidsotheotherhouseagainstwhichitrested。IendeavoredtoprovetoMrs。Carsonthattheresultwasencouragingratherthanotherwise，formyhousewasnowmorefirmlysettledthanithadbeen。Butshedidnotvaluetheopinionofamanwhodidnotknowenoughtoputhishouseinaplacewhereitwouldbelikelytostay，andshecouldeatnomorebreakfast，andwasevenafraidtostayunderherownroofuntilexperiencedmechanicshadbeensummonedtolookintothestateofaffairs。
　　Ihurriedawaytothetown，anditwasnotlongbeforeseveralcarpentersandmasonswereonthespot。Afterathoroughexamination，theyassuredMrs。Carsonthattherewasnodanger，thatmyhousewoulddonofartherdamagetoherpremises，but，tomakethingscertain，theywouldbringsomeheavybeamsandbracethefrontofmyhouseagainsthercellarwall。Whenthatshouldbedoneitwouldbeimpossibleforittomoveanyfarther。
　　"ButIdon'twantitbraced！"criedMrs。Carson。"Iwantittakenaway。Iwantitoutofmybackyard！"
　　Themastercarpenterwasamanofimaginationandexpedients。
　　"Thatisquiteanotherthing，ma'am，"saidhe。"We'llfixthisgentleman'shousesothatyouneedn'tbeafraidofit，andthen，whenthetimecomestomoveit，there'sseveralwaysofdoingthat。Wemightrigupapowerfulwindlassatthetopofthehill，andperhapsgetasteam-enginetoturnit，andwecouldfastencablestothehouseandhaulherbacktowhereshebelongs。"
　　"Andcanyoutakeyouroaths，"criedMrs。Carson，"thatthoseropeswon'tbreak，andwhenthathousegetshalf-wayupthehillitwon'tcomeslidingdowntentimesfasterthanitdid，andcrashintomeandmineandeverythingIownonearth？No，sir！
　　I'llhavenohousehauledupahillbackofme！"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidthecarpenter，"itwouldbeagreatdealeasiertomoveitonthisground，whichisalmostlevel——"
　　"Andcutdownmytreestodoit！No，sir！"
　　"Well，then，"saidhe，"thereisnowaytodobuttotakeitapartandhaulitoff。"
　　"Whichwouldmakeanawfultimeatthebackofmyhousewhileyouweredoingit！"exclaimedMrs。Carson。
　　Inowputinaword。"There'sonlyonethingtodothatI
　　cansee！"Iexclaimed。"Iwillsellittoamatchfactory。Itisalmostallwood，anditcanbecutupinsectionsabouttwoinchesthick，andthensplitintomatches。"
　　Kittysmiled。"Ishouldliketoseethem，"shesaid，"takingawaythelittlesticksinwheelbarrows！"
　　"Thereisnoneedoftriflingonthesubject，"saidMrs。
　　Carson。"Ihavehadagreatdealtobear，andImustbearitnolongerthanisnecessary。Ihavejustfoundoutthatinordertogetwateroutofmyownwell，Imustgotothebackporchofastranger。Suchthingscannotbeendured。IfmysonGeorgewerehere，hewouldtellmewhatIoughttodo。Ishallwritetohim，andseewhatheadvises。Idonotmindwaitingalittlebit，nowthatIknowthatyoucanfixMr。Warren'shousesothatitwon'tmoveanyfarther。"
　　Thusthematterwasleft。Myhousewasbracedthatafternoon，andtowardeveningIstartedtogotoahotelinthetowntospendthenight。
　　"No，sir！"saidMrs。Carson。"DoyousupposethatIamgoingtostayhereallnightwithagreatemptyhousejammedupagainstme，andeverybodyknowingthatitisempty？Itwillbethesameashavingthievesinmyownhousetohavetheminyours。Youhavecomedownhereinyourproperty，andyoucanstayinitandtakecareofit！"
　　"Idon'tobjecttothatintheleast，"Isaid。"Mytwowomenarehere，andIcantellthemtoattendtomymeals。Ihaven'tanychimney，butIsupposetheycanmakeafiresomewayorother。"
　　"No，sir！"saidMrs。Carson。"Iamnotgoingtohaveanystrangeservantsonmyplace。Ihavejustbeenabletoprevailuponmyownwomentogointothehouse，andIdon'twantanymoretrouble。Ihavehadenoughalready！"
　　"But，mydearmadam，"saidI，"youdon'twantmetogotothetown，andyouwon'tallowmetohaveanycookingdonehere。WhatamItodo？"
　　"Well，"shesaid，"youcaneatwithus。ItmaybetwoorthreedaysbeforeIcanhearfrommysonGeorge，andinthemeantimeyoucanlodgeinyourownhouseandIwilltakeyoutoboard。ThatisthebestwayIcanseeofmanagingthething。ButIamverysureIamnotgoingtobeleftherealoneinthedreadfulpredicamentinwhichyouhaveputme。"
　　WehadscarcelyfinishedsupperwhenJackBrandigercametoseeme。Helaughedagooddealaaboutmysuddenchangeofbase，butthought，onthewhole，myhousehadmadeaverysuccessfulmove。Itmustbemorepleasantinthevalleythanuponthatwindyhill。Jackwasverymuchinterestedineverything，andwhenMrs。Carsonandherdaughterappeared，aswewerewalkingaboutviewingthescene，Ifeltmyselfobligedtointroducehim。
　　"Ilikethoseladies，"saidhetome，afterwards。"Ithinkyouhavechosenveryagreeableneighbors。"
　　"Howdoyouknowyoulikethem？"saidI。"YouhadscarcelyanythingtosaytoMrs。Carson。"
　　"No，tobesure，"saidhe。"ButIexpectIshouldlikeher。
　　Bytheway，doyouknowhowyouusedtotalktomeaboutcomingandlivingsomewherenearyou？Howwouldyoulikemetotakeoneofyourroomsnow？Imightcheeryouup。"
　　"No，"saidI，firmly。"Thatcannotbedone。Asthingsarenow，IhaveasmuchasIcandotogetalongherebymyself。"
　　Mrs。Carsondidnothearfromhersonfornearlyaweek，andthenhewrotethathefounditalmostimpossibletogiveheranyadvice。Hethoughtitwasaveryqueerstateofaffairs。Hehadneverheardofanythinglikeit。Buthewouldtryandarrangehisbusinesssothathecouldcomehomeinaweekortwoandlookintomatters。
　　AsIwasthuscompelledtoforcemyselfuponthecloseneighborhoodofMrs。Carsonandherdaughter，Iendeavoredtomakethingsaspleasantaspossible。Ibroughtsomeofmymendownoutofthevineyard，andsetthemtorepairingfences，puttingthegardeninorder，anddoingallthatIcouldtoremedythedolefulconditionofthingswhichIhadunwillinglybroughtintothebackyardofthisquietfamily。Iriggedupapumponmybackporchbywhichthewaterofthewellcouldbeconvenientlyobtained，andineverywayendeavoredtorepairdamages。
　　ButMrs。Carsonneverceasedtotalkabouttheunparalleleddisasterwhichhadcomeuponher，andshemusthavehadagreatdealofcorrespondencewithhersonGeorge，becauseshegavemefrequentmessagesfromhim。Hecouldnotcomeontolookintothestateofaffairs，butheseemedtobegivingitagreatdealofthoughtandattention。
　　Springweatherhadcomeagain，anditwasverypleasanttohelptheCarsonladiesgettheirflower-gardeninorder——atleast，asmuchaswasleftofit，formyhousewasrestinguponsomeofthemostimportantbeds。AsIwasobligedtogiveupallpresentideaofdoinganythinginthewayofgettingmyresidenceoutofaplacewhereithadnobusinesstobe，becauseMrs。
　　Carsonwouldnotconsenttoanyplanwhichhadbeensuggested，I
　　feltthatIwasofferingsomelittlecompensationinbeautifyingwhatseemedtobe，atthattime，myowngrounds。
　　Mylaborsinregardtovines，bushes，andallthatsortofthingweregenerallycarriedonunderdirectionofMrs。Carsonorherdaughter，andastheelderlyladywasaverybusyhousewife，thehorticulturalworkwasgenerallylefttoMissKittyandme。
　　IlikedMissKitty。Shewasacheerful，whole-souledperson，andIsometimesthoughtthatshewasnotsounwillingtohavemeforaneighborastherestofthefamilyseemedtobe；forifIweretojudgethedispositionofherbrotherGeorgefromwhathermothertoldmeabouthisletters，bothheandMrs。Carsonmustbemakingagreatmanyplanstogetmeoffthepremises。
　　NearlyamonthhadnowpassedsincemyhouseandImadethatremarkablemorningcalluponMrs。Carson。Iwasbecomingaccustomedtomypresentmodeofliving，and，sofarasIwasconcerned，itsatisfiedmeverywell。IcertainlylivedagreatdealbetterthanwhenIwasdependinguponmyoldnegrocook。
　　MissKittyseemedtobesatisfiedwiththingsastheywere，andso，insomerespects，didhermother。ButthelatterneverceasedtogivemeextractsfromsomeofhersonGeorge'sletters，andthiswasalwaysannoyingandworryingtome。Evidentlyhewasnotpleasedwithmeassuchacloseneighbortohismother，anditwasastonishinghowmanyexpedientsheproposedinordertoridherofmyundesirableproximity。
　　"MysonGeorge，"saidMrs。Carson，onemorning，"hasbeenwritingtomeaboutjack-screws。Hesaysthatthegreatestimprovementshavebeenmadeinjack-screws。"
　　"Whatdoyoudowiththem，mother？"askedMissKitty。
　　"Youlifthouseswiththem，"saidshe。"Hesaysthatinlargecitiestheyliftwholeblocksofhouseswiththemandbuildstoriesunderneath。Hethinksthatwecangetridofourtroublehereifweusejack-screws。"
　　"Buthowdoesheproposetousethem？"Iasked。
　　"Oh，hehasagoodmanyplans，"answeredMrs。Carson。"Hesaidthatheshouldnotwonderifjack-screwscouldbemadelargeenoughtoliftyourhouseentirelyovermineandsetitoutintheroad，whereitcouldbecarriedawaywithoutinterferingwithanything，except，ofcourse，vehicleswhichmightbecomingalong。Buthehasanotherplan——thatis，toliftmyhouseupandcarryitoutintothefieldontheothersideoftheroad，andthenyourhousemightbecarriedalongrightoverthecellaruntilitgottotheroad。Inthatway，hesays，thebushesandtreeswouldnothavetobeinterferedwith。"
　　"IthinkbrotherGeorgeiscracked！"saidKitty。
　　Allthissortofthingworriedmeverymuch。Mymindwaseminentlydisposedtowardpeaceandtranquillity，butwhocouldbepeacefulandtranquilwithaprospectivejack-screwundertheverybaseofhiscomfortandhappiness？Infact，myhousehadneverbeensuchahappyhomeasitwasatthattime。Thefactofitsunwarrantedpositionuponotherpeople'sgroundshadceasedtotroubleme。
　　ButthecomingsonGeorge，withhisjack-screws，didtroublemeverymuch，andthatafternoonIdeliberatelywentintoMrs。
　　Carson'shousetolookforKitty。Iknewhermotherwasnotathome，forIhadseenhergoout。WhenKittyappearedIaskedhertocomeoutonherbackporch。"Haveyouthoughtofanynewplanofmovingit？"shesaid，withasmile，aswesatdown。
　　"No，"saidI，earnestly。"Ihavenot，andIdon'twanttothinkofanyplanofmovingit。Iamtiredofseeingithere，I
　　amtiredofthinkingaboutmovingitaway，andIamtiredofhearingpeopletalkaboutmovingit。Ihavenotanyrighttobehere，andIamneverallowedtoforgetit。WhatIwanttodoistogoentirelyaway，andleaveeverythingbehindme——exceptonething。"
　　"Andwhatisthat？"askedKitty。
　　"You，"Ianswered。
　　Sheturnedalittlepaleanddidnotreply。
　　"Youunderstandme，Kitty，"Isaid。"ThereisnothingintheworldthatIcareforbutyou。Whathaveyoutosaytome？"
　　Thencamebacktoherherlittlesmile。"Ithinkitwouldbeveryfoolishforustogoaway，"shesaid。
　　ItwasaboutaquarterofanhourafterthiswhenKittyproposedthatweshouldgoouttothefrontofthehouse；itwouldlookqueerifanyoftheservantsshouldcomebyandseeussittingtogetherlikethat。Ihadforgottenthattherewereotherpeopleintheworld，butIwentwithher。
　　Wewerestandingonthefrontporch，closetoeachother，andIthinkwewereholdingeachother'shands，whenMrs。Carsoncameback。Assheapproachedshelookedatusinquiringly，plainlywishingtoknowwhywewerestandingsidebysidebeforeherdoorasifwehadsomespecialobjectinsodoing。
　　"Well？"saidshe，asshecameupthesteps。OfcourseitwasrightthatIshouldspeak，and，inasfewwordsaspossible，I
　　toldherwhatKittyandIhadbeensayingtoeachother。IneversawKitty'smotherlooksocheerfulandsohandsomeaswhenshecameforwardandkissedherdaughterandshookhandswithme。
　　Sheseemedsoperfectlysatisfiedthatitamazedme。AfteralittleKittyleftus，andthenMrs。Carsonaskedmetositbyheronarusticbench。
　　"Now，"saidshe，"thiswillstraightenoutthingsintheverybestway。Whenyouaremarried，youandKittycanliveinthebackbuilding，——for，ofcourse，yourhousewillnowbethesamethingasabackbuilding，——andyoucanhavethesecondfloor。Wewon'thaveanyseparatetables，becauseitwillbeagreatdealnicerforyouandKittytolivewithme，anditwillsimplybeyourpayingboardfortwopersonsinsteadofone。Andyouknowyoucanmanageyourvineyardjustaswellfromthebottomofthehillasfromthetop。Thelowerroomsofwhatusedtobeyourhousecanbemadeverypleasantandcomfortableforallofus。I
　　havebeenthinkingabouttheroomontherightthatyouhadplannedforaparlor，anditwillmakealovelysitting-roomforus，whichisathingwehaveneverhad，andtheroomontheothersideisjustwhatwillsuitbeautifullyforaguest-chamber。Thetwohousestogether，withtheroofofmybackporchproperlyjoinedtothefrontofyourhouse，willmakeabeautifulandspaciousdwelling。Itwasfortunate，too，thatyoupaintedyourhousealightyellow。Ihaveoftenlookedatthetwotogether，andthoughtwhatagoodthingitwasthatonewasnotonecolorandtheotheranother。Astothepump，itwillbeveryeasynowtoputapipefromwhatusedtobeyourbackporchtoourkitchen，sothatwecangetwaterwithoutbeingobligedtocarryit。Betweenuswecanmakeallsortsofimprovements，andsometimeIwilltellyouofagoodmanythatIhavethoughtof。
　　"Whatusedtobeyourhouse，"shecontinued，"canbejack-
　　screwedupalittlebitandagoodfoundationputunderit。I
　　haveinquiredaboutthat。OfcourseitwouldnothavebeenpropertoletyouknowthatIwassatisfiedwiththestateofthings，butIwassatisfied，andthereisnouseofdenyingit。
　　AssoonasIgotovermyfirstscareafterthathousecamedownthehill，andhadseenhoweverythingmightbearrangedtosuitallparties，Isaidtomyself，`WhattheLordhasjoinedtogether，letnotmanputasunder，'andso，accordingtomybelief，thestrongestkindofjack-screwscouldnotputthesetwohousesasunder，anymorethantheycouldputyouandKittyasunder，nowthatyouhaveagreedtotakeeachotherforeachother'sown。"
　　JackBrandigercametocallthatevening，andwhenhehadheardwhathadhappenedhewhistledagooddeal。"Youareafunnykindofafellow，"saidhe。"Yougocourtinglikeasnail，withyourhouseonyourback！"
　　Ithinkmyfriendwasalittlediscomfited。"Don'tbediscouraged，Jack，"saidI。"Youwillgetagoodwifesomeofthesedays——thatis，ifyoudon'ttrytoslideuphilltofindher！"
　　OURARCHERYCLUB
　　Whenanarcheryclubwasformedinourvillage，Iwasamongthefirsttojoinit。ButIshouldnot，onthisaccount，claimanyextraordinaryenthusiasmonthesubjectofarchery，fornearlyalltheladiesandgentlemenoftheplacewerealsoamongthefirsttojoin。
　　Fewofus，Ithink，hadacorrectideaofthepopularityofarcheryinourmidstuntilthesubjectofaclubwasbroached。
　　Thenweallperceivedwhatastronginterestwefeltinthestudyanduseofthebowandarrow。Theclubwasformedimmediately，andourthirtymembersbegantodiscusstherelativemeritsoflancewood，yew，andgreenheartbows，andtosurveyyardsandlawnsforsuitablespotsforsettinguptargetsforhomepractice。
　　Ourweeklymeetings，atwhichwecametogethertoshowinfriendlycontesthowmuchourhomepracticehadtaughtus，werehelduponthevillagegreen，orratheruponwhathadbeenintendedtobethevillagegreen。Thisprettypieceofground，partlyinsmoothlawnandpartlyshadedbyfinetrees，wasthepropertyofagentlemanoftheplace，whohadpresentedit，undercertainconditions，tothetownship。Butasthetownshiphadneverfulfilledanyoftheconditions，andhaddonenothingtowardtheimprovementofthespot，furtherthantomakeitagrazing-placeforlocalcowsandgoats，theownerhadwithdrawnhisgift，shutoutthecowsandgoatsbyapicketfence，and，havinglockedthegate，hadhungupthekeyinhisbarn。Whenourclubwasformed，thegreen，asitwasstillcalled，wasofferedtousforourmeetings，and，withpropergratitude，weelecteditsownertobeourpresident。
　　Thisgentlemanwaseminentlyqualifiedforthepresidencyofanarcheryclub。Inthefirstplace，hedidnotshoot：thisgavehimtimeandopportunitytoattendtotheshootingofothers。Hewasatallandpleasantman，alittleelderly。This"elderliness，"ifImaysoputit，seemed，inhiscase，toresemblesomemilddisorder，likeagentlerheumatism，which，whileitpreventedhimfromindulginginallthewildhilaritiesofyouth，gavehim，incompensation，aposition，asoneentitledtoacertainconsideration，whichwasveryagreeabletohim。Hislittlediseasewaschronic，itistrue，anditwasgrowinguponhim；butitwas，sofar，apleasantailment。
　　Andso，withasmuchinterestinbowsandarrowsandtargetsandsuccessfulshotsasanyofus，heneverfittedanarrowtoastring，nordrewabow。Butheattendedeverymeeting，settlingdisputedpointsforhestudiedallthebooksonarchery，encouragingthedisheartened，holdingbacktheeageroneswhowouldruntothetargetsassoonastheyhadshot，regardlessofthefactthatotherswerestillshootingandthatthehumanbodyisnotarrow-proof，andsheddingabouthimthatgeneralaidandcomfortwhichemanatesfromagoodfellow，nomatterwhathemaysayordo。
　　Therewerepersons——outsiders——whosaidthatarcheryclubsalwaysselectedladiesfortheirpresidingofficers，butwedidnotcaretobetoomuchbounddownandtrammelledbycustomsandtraditions。Anotherclubmightnothaveamongitsmemberssuchagenialelderlygentlemanwhoownedavillagegreen。
　　Isoonfoundmyselfgreatlyinterestedinarchery，especiallywhenIsucceededinplantinganarrowsomewherewithintheperipheryofthetarget，butIneverbecamesuchanenthusiastinbow-shootingasmyfriendPepton。
　　IfPeptoncouldhavearrangedmatterstosuithimself，hewouldhavebeenbornanarcher。Butasthisdidnothappentohavebeenthecase，heemployedeverymeansinhispowertorectifywhatheconsideredthisseriouserrorinhisconstruction。Hegavehiswholesoul，andthegreaterpartofhissparetime，toarchery，andashewasayoungmanofenergy，thishelpedhimalongwonderfully。
　　Hisequipmentswereperfect。Noonecouldexcelhimin，thisrespect。Hisbowwassnakewood，backedwithhickory。Hecarefullyrubbeditdowneveryeveningwithoilandbeeswax，andittookitsreposeinagreenbaizebag。HisarrowswerePhilipHighfield'sbest，hisstringsthefinestFlandershemp。Hehadshooting-gloves，andlittleleathertipsthatcouldbescrewedfastontheendsofwhathecalledhisstring-fingers。Hehadaquiverandabelt，andwhenequippedfortheweeklymeetings，hecarriedafancy-coloredwiping-tassel，andalittleebonygrease-
　　pothangingfromhisbelt。Hewore，whenshooting，apolishedarm-guardorbracer，andifhehadheardofanythingelsethatanarchershouldhave，hestraightwaywouldhaveprocuredit。
　　Peptonwasasingleman，andhelivedwithtwogoodoldmaidenladies，whotookasmuchcareofhimasiftheyhadbeenhismothers。Andhewassuchagood，kindfellowthathedeservedalltheattentiontheygavehim。Theyfeltagreatinterestinhisarcherypursuits，andsharedhisanxioussolicitudeintheselectionofasuitableplacetohanghisbow。
　　"Yousee，"saidhe，"afinebowlikethis，whennotinuse，shouldalwaysbeinaperfectlydryplace。"
　　"Andwheninuse，too，"saidMissMartha，"forIamsurethatyououghtn'ttobestandingandshootinginanydampspot。
　　There'snosurerwayofgettin'chilled。"
　　TowhichsentimentMissMariaagreed，andsuggestedwearingrubbershoes，orhavingaboardtostandon，whentheclubmetafterarain。
　　Peptonfirsthunghisbowinthehall，butafterhehadarrangeditsymmetricallyupontwolongnailsboundwithgreenworsted，lesttheyshouldscratchthebowthroughitswoollencover，hereflectedthatthefrontdoorwouldfrequentlybeopen，andthatdampdraftsmustoftengothroughthehall。Hewassorrytogiveupthisplaceforhisbow，foritwasconvenientandappropriate，andforaninstanthethoughtthatitmightremain，ifthefrontdoorcouldbekeptshut，andvisitorsadmittedthroughalittlesidedoorwhichthefamilygenerallyused，andwhichwasalmostasconvenientastheother——except，indeed，onwash-days，whenawetsheetorsomearticleofwearingapparelwasapttobehunginfrontofit。Butalthoughwash-dayoccurredbutonceaweek，andalthoughitwascomparativelyeasy，afteralittlepractice，tobobunderahigh-proppedsheet，Pepton'sheartwastookindtoallowhismindtodwelluponthisplan。Sohedrewthenailsfromthewallofthehall，andputthemupinvariousplacesaboutthehouse。Hisownroomhadtobeairedagreatdealinallweathers，andsothatwouldnotdoatall。Thewallabovethekitchenfireplacewouldbeagoodlocation，forthechimneywasnearlyalwayswarm。ButPeptoncouldnotbringhimselftokeephisbowinthekitchen。Therewouldbenothingestheticaboutsuchadispositionofit，and，besides，thegirlmightbetemptedtostringandbendit。Theoldladiesreallydidnotwantitintheparlor，foritslengthanditsgreenbaizecoverwouldmakeitanencroachingandunbecomingneighbortothelittleengravingsandthebigsamplers，thepicture-framesofacornsandpine-cones，thefancifullypatternedornamentsofcleanwheatstraw，andallthequaintadornmentswhichhadhunguponthosewallsforsomanyyears。Buttheydidnotsayso。Ifithadbeennecessary，tomakeroomforthebow，theywouldhavetakendownthepencilledprofilesoftheirgrandfather，theirgrandmother，andtheirfatherwhenalittleboy，whichhunginarowoverthemantelpiece。
　　However，Peptondidnotaskthissacrifice。Inthesummereveningstheparlorwindowsmustbeopen。Thedining-roomwasreallyverylittleusedintheevening，exceptwhenMissMariahadstockingstodarn，andthenshealwayssatinthatapartment，andofcourseshehadthewindowsopen。ButMissMariawasverywillingtobringherworkintotheparlor，——itwasfoolish，anyway，tohaveafeelingaboutdarningstockingsbeforechancecompany，——andthenthedining-roomcouldbekeptshutupaftertea。SointothewallofthatneatlittleroomPeptondrovehisworsted-coverednails，andonthemcarefullylaidhisbow。AllthenextdayMissMarthaandMissMariawentaboutthehouse，coveringthenail-holeshehadmadewithbitsofwall-
　　paper，carefullysnippedouttofitthepatterns，andpastedonsoneatlythatnoonewouldhavesuspectedtheywerethere。
　　Oneafternoon，asIwaspassingtheoldladies'house，saw，orthoughtIsaw，twomencarryinginacoffin。Iwasstruckwithalarm。
　　"What！"Ithought。"Caneitherofthosegoodwomen——OrcanPepton——"
　　Withoutamoment'shesitation，Irushedinbehindthemen。
　　There，atthefootofthestairs，directingthem，stoodPepton。
　　Thenitwasnothe！Iseizedhimsympatheticallybythehand。
　　"Which？"Ifaltered。"Which？Whoisthatcoffinfor？"
　　"Coffin！"criedPepton。"Why，mydearfellow，thatisnotacoffin。Thatismyascham。"
　　"Ascham？"Iexclaimed。"Whatisthat？"
　　"Comeandlookatit，"hesaid，whenthemenhadsetitonendagainstthewall。"Itisanuprightclosetorreceptacleforanarcher'sarmament。Hereisaplacetostandthebow，herearesupportsforthearrowsandquivers，hereareshelvesandhooks，onwhichtolayorhangeverythingthemerrymancanneed。Yousee，moreover，thatitislinedwithgreenplush，thatthedoorfitstightly，sothatitcanstandanywhere，andthereneedbenofearofdraftsordampnessaffectingmybow。Isn'titaperfectthing？Yououghttogetone。"
　　Iadmittedtheperfection，butagreednofurther。IhadnottheincomeofmygoodPepton。
　　Peptonwas，indeed，mostwonderfullywellequipped；andyet，littledidthosedearoldladiesthink，whentheycarefullydustedandreverentiallygazedatthebunchesofarrows，thearm-
　　bracers，thegloves，thegrease-pots，andalltherestoftheparaphernaliaofarchery，asithungaroundPepton'sroom，orwhentheyafterwardsallowedaparticularfriendtopeepatit，allarrangedsoorderlywithintheascham，orwhentheylookedwithsympathetic，lovingadmirationonthebeautifulpolishedbow，whenitwastakenoutofitsbag——littledidtheythink，I
　　say，thatPeptonwastheverypoorestshotintheclub。Inallthesurfaceofthemuch-perforatedtargetsoftheclub，therewasscarcelyaholethathecouldputhishanduponhisheartandsayhemade。
　　Indeed，IthinkitwasthetruththatPeptonwasbornnottobeanarcher。TherewereyoungfellowsintheclubwhoshotwithbowsthatcostnomorethanPepton'stassels，butwhocouldstandupandwhangarrowsintothetargetsalltheafternoon，iftheycouldgetachance；andtherewereladieswhomadehitsfivetimesoutofsix；andtherewerealsoallthegradesofarcherscommontoanyclub。ButtherewasnoonebuthimselfinPepton'sgrade。Hestoodalone，anditwasneveranytroubletoadduphisscore。
　　Yethewasnotdiscouraged。HepractisedeverydayexceptSundays，andindeedhewastheonlypersonintheclubwhopractisedatnight。Whenhetoldmeaboutthis，Iwasalittlesurprised。
　　"Why，it'seasyenough，"saidhe。"Yousee，Ihungalantern，withareflector，beforethetarget，justalittletooneside。Itlightedupthetargetbeautifully，andIbelievetherewasabetterchanceofhittingitthanbydaylight，fortheonlythingyoucouldseewasthetarget，andsoyourattentionwasnotdistracted。Tobesure，"hesaid，inanswertoaquestion，"itwasagooddealoftroubletofindthearrows，butthatIalwayshave。WhenIgetsoexpertthatIcanputallthearrowsintothetarget，therewillbenotroubleofthekind，nightorday。However，"hecontinued，"Idon'tpractiseanymorebynight。TheothereveningIsentanarrowslam-bangintothelantern，andbrokeitalltoflinders。Borrowedlantern，too。
　　Besides，IfounditmadeMissMarthaverynervoustohavemeshootingaboutthehouseafterdark。Shehadafriendwhohadalittleboywhowashitinthelegbyanarrowfromabow，which，shesays，accidentallywentoffinthenight，ofitsownaccord。
　　Sheiscertainlyalittlemixedinhermindinregardtothismatter，butIwishtorespectherfeelings，andsoshallnotuseanotherlantern。"
　　AsIhavesaid，thereweremanygoodarchersamongtheladiesofourclub。Someofthem，afterwehadbeenorganizedforamonthortwo，madescoresthatfewofthegentlemencouldexcel。
　　ButtheladywhoattractedthegreatestattentionwhensheshotwasMissRosa。
　　Whenthisveryprettyyoungladystoodupbeforetheladies'
　　target——herleftsidewelladvanced，herbowfirmlyheldoutinherstrongleftarm，whichneverquivered，herheadalittlebenttotheright，herarrowdrawnbackbythreewell-glovedfingerstothetipofherlittleear，herdarkeyessteadilyfixeduponthegold，andherdress，wellfittedoverherfineandvigorousfigure，fallingingracefulfoldsaboutherfeet，weallstoppedshootingtolookather。
　　"Thereissomethingstatuesqueabouther，"saidPepton，whoardentlyadmiredher，"andyetthereisn't。Astatuecouldneverequalherunlessweknewtherewasaprobabilityofmovementinit。AndtheonlystatueswhichhavethataretheJarleywax-
　　works，whichshedoesnotresembleintheleast。Thereisonlyonethingthatthatgirlneedstomakeheraperfectarcher，andthatistobeabletoaimbetter。"
　　Thiswastrue。MissRosadidneedtoaimbetter。Herarrowshadacurioushabitofgoingonallsidesofthetarget，anditwasveryseldomthatonechancedtostickintoit。Forifshedidmakeahit，weallknewitwaschanceandthattherewasnoprobabilityofherdoingitagain。Oncesheputanarrowrightintothecentreofthegold，——oneofthefinestshotsevermadeontheground，——butshedidn'thitthetargetagainfortwoweeks。ShewasalmostasbadashotasPepton，andthatissayingagooddeal。
　　OneeveningIwassittingwithPeptononthelittlefrontporchoftheoldladies'house，whereweweretakingourafter-
　　dinnersmokewhileMissMarthaandMissMariawerewashing，withtheirownwhitehands，thechinaandglassinwhichtheytooksomuchpride。IoftenusedtogooverandspendanhourwithPepton。Helikedtohavesomeonetowhomhecouldtalkonthesubjectswhichfilledhissoul，andIlikedtohearhimtalk。
　　"Itellyou，"saidhe，asheleanedbackinhischair，withhisfeetcarefullydisposedontherailingsothattheywouldnotinjureMissMaria'sMadeira-vine，"Itellyou，sir，thattherearetwothingsIcravewithallmypowerofcraving——twogoalsI
　　fainwouldreach，twodiademsIwouldwearuponmybrow。Oneoftheseistokillaneagle——orsomelargebird——withashaftfrommygoodbow。Iwouldthenhaveitstuffedandmounted，withtheveryarrowthatkilleditstillstickinginitsbreast。ThistrophyofmyskillIwouldhavefastenedagainstthewallofmyroomormyhall，andIwouldfeelproudtothinkthatmygrandchildrencouldpointtothatbird——whichIwouldcarefullybequeathtomydescendants——andsay，`Mygrand'thershotthatbird，andwiththatveryarrow。'Woulditnotstiryourpulsesifyoucoulddoathinglikethat？"
　　"IshouldhavetostirthemupagooddealbeforeIcoulddoit，"Ireplied。"Itwouldbeahardthingtoshootaneaglewithanarrow。Ifyouwantastuffedbirdtobequeath，you'dbetterusearifle。"
　　"Arifle！"exclaimedPepton。"Therewouldbenogloryinthat。Therearelotsofbirdsshotwithrifles——eagles，hawks，wildgeese，tomtits——"
　　"Oh，no！"Iinterrupted，"nottomtits。"
　　"Well，perhapstheyaretoolittleforarifle，"saidhe。"ButwhatImeantosayisthatIwouldn'tcareatallforaneagleI
　　hadshotwitharifle。Youcouldn'tshowtheballthatkilledhim。Ifitwereputinproperly，itwouldbeinside，whereitcouldn'tbeseen。No，sir。Itiseversomuchmorehonorable，andfarmoredifficult，too，tohitaneaglethantohitatarget。"
　　"Thatisverytrue，"Ianswered，"especiallyinthesedays，whentherearesofeweaglesandsomanytargets。Butwhatisyourotherdiadem？"
　　"That，"saidPepton，"istoseeMissRosawearthebadge。"
　　"Indeed！"saidI。AndfromthatmomentIbegantounderstandPepton'shopesinregardtothegrandmotherofthosechildrenwhoshouldpointtotheeagle。
　　"Yes，sir，"hecontinued，"Ishouldbetrulyhappytoseeherwinthebadge。Andsheoughttowinit。Nooneshootsmorecorrectly，andwithabetterunderstandingofalltherules，thanshedoes。Theremusttrulybesomethingthematterwithheraiming。I'vehalfamindtocoachheralittle。"
　　Iturnedasidetoseewhowascomingdowntheroad。IwouldnothavehadhimknowIsmiled。
　　ThemostobjectionablepersoninourclubwasO。J。
　　Hollingsworth。Hewasagoodenoughfellowinhimself，butitwasasanarcherthatweobjectedtohim。
　　Therewas，sofarasIknow，scarcelyaruleofarcherythathedidnothabituallyviolate。Ourpresidentandnearlyallofusremonstratedwithhim，andPeptonevenwenttoseehimonthesubject，butitwasalltonopurpose。Withaquietdisregardofotherpeople'sideasaboutbow-shootingandotherpeople'sopinionsabouthimself，heperseveredinastyleofshootingwhichappearedabsolutelyabsurdtoanyonewhoknewanythingoftherulesandmethodsofarchery。
　　Iusedtoliketolookathimwhenhisturncamearoundtoshoot。HewasnotsuchapleasingobjectofvisionasMissRosa，buthisstylewassoentirelynoveltomethatitwasinteresting。Heheldthebowhorizontally，insteadofperpendicularly，likeotherarchers，andhehelditwelldown——aboutoppositehiswaistband。Hedidnotdrawhisarrowbacktohisear，buthedrewitbacktothelowerbuttonofhisvest。Insteadofstandingupright，withhisleftsidetothetarget，hefaceditfull，andleanedforwardoverhisarrow，inanattitudewhichremindedmeofaRomansoldierabouttofalluponhissword。Whenhehadseizedthenockofhisarrowbetweenhisfingerandthumb，helanguidlyglancedatthetarget，raisedhisbowalittle，andletfly。Theprovokingthingaboutitwasthathenearlyalwayshit。Ifhehadonlyknownhowtostand，andholdhisbow，anddrawbackhisarrow，hewouldhavebeenaverygoodarcher。But，asitwas，wecouldnothelplaughingathim，althoughourpresidentalwaysdiscountenancedanythingofthekind。
　　Ourchampionwasatallman，verycoolandsteady，whowenttoworkatarcheryexactlyasifhewerepaidasalary，andintendedtoearnhismoneyhonestly。Hedidthebesthecouldineveryway。Hegenerallyshotwithoneofthebowsownedbytheclub，butifanyoneonthegroundhadabetterone，hewouldborrowit。HeusedtoshootsometimeswithPepton'sbow，whichhedeclaredtobeamostcapitalone。ButasPeptonwasalwaysverynervouswhenhesawhisbowinthehandsofanotherthanhimself，thechampionsoonceasedtoborrowit。
　　Thereweretwobadges，oneofgreensilkandgoldfortheladies，andoneofgreenandredforthegentlemen，andthesewereshotforateachweeklymeeting。Withtheexceptionofafewtimeswhentheclubwasfirstformed，thechampionhadalwayswornthegentlemen'sbadge。Manyofustriedhardtowinitfromhim，butwenevercouldsucceed；heshottoowell。
　　Onthemorningofoneofourmeetingdays，thechampiontoldme，asIwasgoingtothecitywithhim，thathewouldnotbeabletoreturnathisusualhourthatafternoon。Hewouldbeverybusy，andwouldhavetowaitforthesix-fifteentrain，whichwouldbringhimhometoolateforthearcherymeeting。Sohegavemethebadge，askingmetohandittothepresident，thathemightbestowitonthesuccessfulcompetitorthatafternoon。
　　Wewereallrathergladthatthechampionwasobligedtobeabsent。Herewasachanceforsomeoneofustowinthebadge。
　　Itwasnot，indeed，anopportunityforustowinagreatdealofhonor，forifthechampionweretobethereweshouldhavenochanceatall。Butweweresatisfiedwiththismuch，havingnoreason——inthepresent，atleast——toexpectanythingmore。
　　Sowewenttothetargetswithanewzeal，andmostofusshotbetterthanwehadevershotbefore。InthisnumberwasO。
　　J。Hollingsworth。Heexcelledhimself，and，whatwasworse，heexcelledalltherestofus。Heactuallymadeascoreofeighty-
　　fiveintwenty-fourshots，whichatthattimewasremarkablygoodshooting，forourclub。Thiswasdreadful！Tohaveafellowwhodidn'tknowhowtoshootbeatusallwastoobad。Ifanyvisitorwhoknewanythingatallofarcheryshouldseethatthememberwhoworethechampion'sbadgewasamanwhoheldhisbowasifhehadthestomach-ache，itwouldruinourcharacterasaclub。Itwasnottobeborne。
　　Peptoninparticularfeltgreatlyoutraged。Wehadmetverypromptlythatafternoon，andhadfinishedourregularshootingmuchearlierthanusual；andnowaknotofusweregatheredtogether，talkingoverthisunfortunateoccurrence。
　　"Idon'tintendtostandit，"Peptonsuddenlyexclaimed。"I
　　feelitasapersonaldisgrace。I'mgoingtohavethechampionherebeforedark。Bytherules，hehasarighttoshootuntilthepresidentdeclaresitistoolate。Someofyoufellowsstayhere，andI'llbringhim。"
　　Andawayheran，firstgivingmechargeofhispreciousbow。
　　Therewasnoneedofhisaskingustostay。Wewereboundtoseethefunout，andtofillupthetimeourpresidentofferedaspecialprizeofahandsomebouquetfromhisgardens，tobeshotforbytheladies。
　　Peptonrantotherailroadstation，andtelegraphedtothechampion。Thiswashismessage：
　　"Youareabsolutelyneededhere。Ifpossible，takethefive-
　　thirtytrainforAckford。Iwilldriveoverforyou。Answer。"
　　Therewasnotrainbeforethesix-fifteenbywhichthechampioncouldcomedirectlytoourvillage；butAckford，asmalltownaboutthreemilesdistant，wasonanotherrailroad，onwhichtherewerefrequentafternoontrains。
　　Thechampionanswered：
　　"Allright。Meetme。"
　　ThenPeptonrushedtoourliverystable，hiredahorseandbuggy，anddrovetoAckford。
　　Alittleafterhalf-pastsix，whenseveralofuswerebeginningtothinkthatPeptonhadfailedinhisplans，hedroverapidlyintothegrounds，makingaveryshortturnatthegate，andpulleduphispantinghorsejustintimetoavoidrunningoverthreeladies，whowereseatedonthegrass。Thechampionwasbyhisside！
　　Thelatterlostnotimeintalkingorsalutations。Heknewwhathehadbeenbroughttheretodo，andheimmediatelysetabouttryingtodoit。HetookPepton'sbow，whichthelatterurgeduponhim。Hestoodup，straightandfirmontheline，atthirty-fiveyardsfromthegentlemen'starget；hecarefullyselectedhisarrows，examiningthefeathersandwipingawayanybitofsoilthatmightbeadheringtothepointsaftersomeonehadshotthemintotheturf；withvigorousarmhedreweacharrowtoitshead；hefixedhiseyesandhiswholemindonthecentreofthetarget；heshothistwenty-fourarrows，handedtohim，onebyone，byPepton，andhemadeascoreofninety-one。
　　Thewholeclubhadbeenscoringtheshots，astheyweremade，andwhenthelastarrowplumpedintotheredring，acheerarosefromeverymemberexceptingthree：thechampion，thepresident，andO。J。Hollingsworth。ButPeptoncheeredloudlyenoughtomakeupthesedeficiencies。
　　"Whatinthemischiefdidtheycheerhimfor？"askedHollingsworthofme。"Theydidn'tcheermewhenIbeateverybodyonthegroundsanhourago。Andit'snonewthingforhimtowinthebadge；hedoesiteverytime。"
　　"Well，"saidI，frankly，"Ithinktheclub，ASaclub，objectstoyourwearingthebadge，becauseyoudon'tknowhowtoshoot。"
　　"Don'tknowhowtoshoot！"hecried。"Why，Icanhitthetargetbetterthananyofyou。Isn'tthatwhatyoutrytodowhenyoushoot？"
　　"Yes，"saidI，"ofcoursethatiswhatwetrytodo。Butwetrytodoitintheproperway。"
　　"Propergrandmother！"heexclaimed。"Itdoesn'tseemtohelpyoumuch。Thebestthingyoufellowscandoistolearntoshootmyway，andthenperhapsyoumaybeabletohitoftener。"
　　Whenthechampionhadfinishedshootinghewenthometohisdinner，butmanyofusstoodabout，talkingoverourgreatescape。
　　"IfeelasifIhaddonethatmyself，"saidPepton。"IamalmostasproudasifIhadshot——well，notaneagle，butasoaringlark。"
　　"Why，thatoughttomakeyouprouderthantheother，"saidI，"foralark，especiallywhenit'ssoaring，mustbeagooddealhardertohitthananeagle。"
　　"That'sso，"saidPepton，reflectively。"ButI'llsticktothelark。I'mproud。"
　　Duringthenextmonthourstyleofarcheryimprovedverymuch，somuch，indeed，thatweincreasedourdistance，forgentlemen，tofortyyards，andthatforladiestothirty，andalsohadseriousthoughtsofchallengingtheAckfordclubtoamatch。Butasthiswasgenerallyunderstoodtobeacrackclub，wefinallydeterminedtodeferourchallengeuntilthenextseason。
　　WhenIsayweimproved，Idonotmeanallofus。IdonotmeanMissRosa。Althoughherattitudeswereasfineasever，andeverymotionastruetoruleasever，sheseldommadeahit。
　　Peptonactuallydidtrytoteachherhowtoaim，butthevariousmethodsofpointingthearrowwhichhesuggestedresultedinsuchwildshootingthattheboyswhopickedupthearrowsneverdaredtostickthepointsoftheirnosesbeyondtheirboardedbarricadeduringMissRosa'sturnsatthetarget。Butshewasnotdiscouraged，andPeptonoftenassuredherthatifshewouldkeepupagoodheart，andpractiseregularly，shewouldgetthebadgeyet。Asarule，Peptonwassohonestandtruthfulthatalittlestatementofthiskind，especiallyunderthecircumstances，mightbeforgivenhim。
　　OnedayPeptoncametomeandannouncedthathehadmadeadiscovery。
　　"It'saboutarchery，"hesaid，"andIdon'tmindtellingyou，becauseIknowyouwillnotgoabouttellingeverybodyelse，andalsobecauseIwanttoseeyousucceedasanarcher。"
　　"Iamverymuchobliged，"Isaid，"andwhatisthediscovery？"
　　"It'sthis，"heanswered。"Whenyoudrawyourbow，bringthenockofyourarrow"——hewasalwaysveryparticularabouttechnicalterms——"welluptoyourear。Havingdonethat，don'tbotheranymoreaboutyourrighthand。Ithasnothingtodowiththecorrectpointingofyourarrow，foritmustbekeptclosetoyourrightear，justasifitwerescrewedthere。Thenwithyourlefthandbringaroundthebowsothatyourfist——withthearrow-
　　head，whichisrestingontopofit——shallpoint，asnearlyasyoucanmakeit，directlyatthecentreofthetarget。Thenletfly，andtentooneyou'llmakeahit。Now，whatdoyouthinkofthatforadiscovery？I'vethoroughlytestedtheplan，anditworkssplendidly。"
　　"Ithink，"saidI，"thatyouhavediscoveredthewayinwhichgoodarchersshoot。Youhavestatedthecorrectmethodofmanagingabowandarrow。"
　　"Thenyoudon'tthinkit'sanoriginalmethodwithme？"
　　"Certainlynot，"Ianswered。
　　"Butit'sthecorrectway？"
　　"There'snodoubtofthat，"saidI。
　　"Well，"saidPepton，"thenIshallmakeitmyway。"
　　Hedidso，andtheconsequencewasthatoneday，whenthechampionhappenedtobeaway，Peptonwonthebadge。Whentheresultwasannounced，wewereallsurprised，butnonesomuchsoasPeptonhimself。Hehadbeensteadilyimprovingsincehehadadoptedagoodstyleofshooting，buthehadhadnoideathathewouldthatdaybeabletowinthebadge。
　　Whenourpresidentpinnedtheemblemofsuccessuponthelapelofhiscoat，Peptonturnedpale，andthenheflushed。Hethankedthepresident，andwasabouttothanktheladiesandgentlemen；butprobablyrecollectingthatwehadhadnothingtodowithit，——unless，indeed，wehadshotbadlyonhisbehalf，——herefrained。Hesaidlittle，butIcouldseethathewasveryproudandveryhappy。Therewasbutonedrawbacktohistriumph：
　　MissRosawasnotthere。Shewasaveryregularattendant，butforsomereasonshewasabsentonthismomentousafternoon。I
　　didnotsayanythingtohimonthesubject，butIknewhefeltthisabsencedeeply。
　　Butthiscloudcouldnotwhollyovershadowhishappiness。Hewalkedhomealone，hisfacebeaming，hiseyessparkling，andhisgoodbowunderhisarm。
　　ThateveningIcalledonhim，forIthoughtthatwhenhehadcooleddownalittlehewouldliketotalkovertheaffair。
　　Buthewasnotin。MissMariasaidthathehadgoneoutassoonashehadfinishedhisdinner，whichhehadhurriedthroughinawaywhichwouldcertainlyinjurehisdigestionifhekeptupthepractice；anddinnerwaslate，too，fortheywaitedforhim，andthearcherymeetinglastedalongtimetoday；anditreallywasnotrightforhimtostayoutafterthedewbegantofallwithonlyordinaryshoeson，forwhat'sthegoodofknowinghowtoshootabowandarrow，ifyou'relaidupinyourbedwithrheumatismordiseaseofthelungs？Goodoldlady！ShewouldhavekeptPeptoninagreenbaizebag，hadsuchathingbeenpossible。
　　Thenextmorning，fulltwohoursbeforechurch-time，Peptoncalledonme。Hisfacewasstillbeaming。Icouldnothelpsmiling。
　　"Yourhappinesslastswell，"Isaid。
　　"Lasts！"heexclaimed。"Whyshouldn'titlast！"
　　"There'snoreasonwhyitshouldnot——atleast，foraweek，"
　　Isaid，"andevenlonger，ifyourepeatyoursuccess。"
　　IdidnotfeelsomuchlikecongratulatingPeptonasIhadonthepreviousevening。Ithoughthewasmakingtoomuchofhisbadge-winning。
　　"Lookhere！"saidPepton，seatinghimself，anddrawinghischairclosetome，"youareshootingwild——verywildindeed。Youdon'tevenseethetarget。Letmetellyousomething。LasteveningIwenttoseeMissRosa。Shewasdelightedatmysuccess。Ihadnotexpectedthis。Ithoughtshewouldbepleased，butnottosuchadegree。Hercongratulationsweresowarmthattheysetmeonfire。"
　　"Theymusthavebeenverywarmindeed，"Iremarked。
　　"`MissRosa，'saidI，"continuedPepton，withoutregardingmyinterruption，"`ithasbeenmyfondesthopetoseeyouwearthebadge。'`ButInevercouldgetit，youknow，'shesaid。`Youhavegotit，'Iexclaimed。`Takethis。Iwonitforyou。Makemehappybywearingit。'`Ican'tdothat，'shesaid。`Thatisagentleman'sbadge。'`Takeit，'Icried，`gentlemanandall！'
　　"Ican'ttellyouallthathappenedafterthat，"continuedPepton。"Youknow，itwouldn'tdo。Itisenoughtosaythatshewearsthebadge。Andwearebothherown——thebadgeandI！"
　　NowIcongratulatedhimingoodearnest。Therewasareasonforit。
　　"Idon'toweasnapnowforshootinganeagle，"saidPepton，springingtohisfeetandstridingupanddownthefloor。"Let'emallflyfreeforme。Ihavemadethemostgloriousshotthatmancouldmake。Ihavehitthegold——hititfairintheverycentre！Andwhat'smore，I'veknockeditcleanoutofthetarget！Nobodyelsecanevermakesuchashot。Therestofyoufellowswillhavetobecontenttohitthered，theblue，theblack，orthewhite。Thegoldismine！"
　　Icalledontheoldladies，sometimeafterthis，andfoundthemalone。Theyweregenerallyaloneintheeveningsnow。WetalkedaboutPepton'sengagement，andIfoundthemresigned。
　　Theyweresorrytolosehim，buttheywantedhimtobehappy。
　　"Wehavealwaysknown，"saidMissMartha，withalittlesigh，"thatwemustdie，andthathemustgetmarried。Butwedon'tintendtorepine。Thesethingswillcometopeople。"Andherlittlesighwasfollowedbyasmile，stillsmaller。
　　TheEnd