DuringtheirshortvisitMadameAlvareztalkedagreaterpartof,thetimeherself,addressingwhatshesaidtoMissLangham,but,lookingatHope。ItwasunusualforHopetobesingledoutin,thiswaywhenhersisterwaspresent,andboththesisters,noticeditandspokeofitafterwards。TheythoughtMadame,Alvarezverybeautifulanddistinguished-looking,andshe,impressedthem,evenafterthatshortknowledgeofher,asa,womanofgreatforceofcharacter。
``ShewasverywelldressedforaSpanishwoman,’’wasMiss,Langham’scomment,laterintheafternoon。``Buteverythingshe,hadonwasjustayearbehindthefashions,ortwelvesteamer,daysbehind,asMr。MacWilliamsputsit。’’
``Sheremindedme,’’saidHope,``ofablackpantherIsawonce,inacircus。’’
``Dearme!’’exclaimedthesister,``Idon’tseethatatall。
Why?’’
Hopesaidshedidnotknowwhy;shewasnotgiventoanalyzing,herimpressionsorofferingreasonsforthem。``Becausethe,pantherlookedsounhappy,’’sheexplained,doubtfully,``and,restless;andhekeptpacingupanddownallthetime,and,hittinghisheadagainstthebarsashewalkedasthoughheliked,thepain。MadameAlvarezseemedtometobejustlikethat——as,thoughshewereshutupsomewhereandwantedtobefree。’’
WhenMadameAlvarezandthetwosistershadjoinedthemen,they,allwalkedtogethertotheterrace,andthevisitorswaiteduntil,thePresidentandhiswifeshouldtaketheirdeparture。Hope,noticed,inadvanceoftheescortofnativecavalry,anauburn-
haired,fair-skinnedyoungmanwhowassittinganEnglishsaddle。
Theofficer’seyeswereblueandfrankandattractive-looking,evenastheythenwerefixedaheadofhimwithamilitarylackof,expression;buthecametolifeverysuddenlywhenthePresident,calledtohim,andproddedhishorseuptothestepsand,dismounted。HewasintroducedbyAlvarezas``CaptainStuartof,myhouseholdtroops,lateoftheGordonHighlanders。Captain,Stuart,’’saidthePresident,layinghishandaffectionatelyon,theyoungerman’sepaulette,``takescareofmylifeandthe,safetyofmyhomeandfamily。Hecouldhavethecommandofthe,armyifhewished;butno,heisfondofus,andhetellsmewe,areinmoreneedofprotectionfromourfriendsathomethanfrom,ourenemiesonthefrontier。Perhapsheknowsbest。Itrust,him,Mr。Langham,’’addedthePresident,solemnly,``asItrust,noothermaninallthiscountry。’’
``IamverygladtomeetCaptainStuart,Iamsure,’’saidMr。
Langham,smiling,andappreciatinghowtheshynessofthe,EnglishmanmustbesufferingunderthepraisesoftheSpaniard。
AndStuartwasindeedsoembarrassedthatheflushedunderhis,tan,andassuredClay,whileshakinghandswiththemall,thathe,wasdelightedtomakehisacquaintance;atwhichtheothers,laughed,andStuartcametohimselfsufficientlytolaughwith,them,andtoacceptClay’sinvitationtodinewiththemlater。
Theyfoundthetwoboyswaitinginthecafe’oftherestaurant,wheretheyhadarrangedtomeet,andtheyascendedthesteps,togethertothetableonthebalconythatClayhadreservedfor,them。
Theyoungengineerappearedathisbestashost。The,responsibilityofseeingthatahalf-dozenotherswereamusedand,contentsatwelluponhim;andascoursefollowedcourse,and,thewineschanged,andthecandleslefttherestoftheroom,indarknessandshowedonlythetableandthefacesaroundit,theyallbecamerapidlymoremerryandtheconversation,intimatelyfamiliar。
Clayknewthekindoftable-talktowhichtheLanghamswere,accustomed,andusedthematerialaroundhistableinsuchaway,thatthetalktherewasvastlydifferent。FromKinghedrew,forthtalesoftheburiedcitieshehadfirstexplored,andthen,robbedoftheirugliestidols。HeurgedMacWilliamstotell,carefullyeditedstoriesoflifealongtheChagresbeforethe,Scandalcame,andofthefastnessesoftheAndes;andevenStuart,grewbraverandremembered``somethingofthesamesort’’hehad,seenatFortNilt,inUpperBurma。
``Ofcourse,’’wasClay’scommentattheconclusionofoneof,thesenarratives,``beinganEnglishman,Stuartleftoutthe,pointofthestory,whichwasthatheblewinthegatesofthe,fortwithachargeofdynamite。HegotaD。S。O。fordoing,it。’’
``BeinganEnglishman,’’saidHope,smilingencouraginglyonthe,consciousStuart,``henaturallywouldleavethatout。’’
Mr。Langhamandhisdaughtersformedaneageraudience。Theyhad,neverbeforemetatonetablethreemenwhohadknownsuch,experiences,andwhospokeofthemasthoughtheymustbeas,familiarinthelivesoftheothersasintheirown——menwho,spoiledinthetellingstoriesthatwouldhavefurnished,incidentsformelodramas,andwhoimpressedtheirhearersmore,withwhattheyleftunsaid,andwhatwasonlysuggested,than,whatintheirviewwasthemostimportantpoint。
Thedinnercametoanendatlast,andMr。Langhamproposedthat,theyshouldgodownandwalkwiththepeopleintheplaza;but,histwodaughterspreferredtoremainasspectatorsonthe,balcony,andClayandStuartstayedwiththem。
``Atlast!’’sighedClay,underhisbreath,seatinghimselfat,MissLangham’ssideasshesatleaningforwardwithherarmsupon,therailingandlookingdownintotheplazabelow。Shemadeno,signatfirstthatshehadheardhim,butasthevoicesofStuart,andHoperosefromtheotherendofthebalconysheturnedher,headandasked,``Whyatlast?’’
``Oh,youcouldn’tunderstand,’’laughedClay。``Youhavenot,beenlookingforwardtojustonethingandthenhaditcometrue。
Itistheonlythingthateverdidcometruetome,andIthought,itneverwould。’’
``Youdon’ttrytomakemeunderstand,’’saidthegirl,smiling,butwithoutturninghereyesfromthemovingspectacle,belowher。Clayconsideredherchallengesilently。Hedidnot,knowjusthowmuchitmightmeanfromher,andthesmilerobbed,itofallseriousintent;sohe,too,turnedandlookeddowninto,thegreatsquarebelowthem,content,nowthatshewasalonewith,him,totakehistime。
AtoneendoftheplazathePresident’sbandwasplayingnative,waltzesthatcamethrobbingthroughthetreesandbeatingsoftly,abovetherustlingskirtsandclinkingspursofthesenoritas,andofficers,sweepingbyintwooppositecirclesaroundthe,edgesofthetessellatedpavements。Abovethepalmsaroundthe,squarearosethedim,whitefacadeofthecathedral,withthe,bronzestatueofAnduella,theliberatorofOlancho,whoanswered,withhisupraisedarmandcockedhatthecheersofanimaginary,populace。Clay’shadbeenanunobtrusivepartintheevening’s,entertainment,buthesawthattheothershadbeenpleased,and,feltacertainsatisfactioninthinkingthatKinghimselfcould,nothaveplannedandcarriedoutadinnermoreadmirableinevery,way。Hewasgratifiedthattheyshouldknowhimtobenot,altogetherabarbarian。Butwhathebestlikedtorememberwas,thatwheneverhehadspokenshehadlistened,evenwhenhereyes,wereturnedawayandshewaspretendingtolistentosome,oneelse。Hetormentedhimselfbywonderingwhetherthiswas,becauseheinterestedheronlyasanewandstrangecharacter,or,whethershefeltinsomewayhoweagerlyhewasseekingher,approbation。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehefoundhimself,consideringwhathewasabouttosay,andhesuiteditforher,possibleliking。Itwasatleastsomesatisfactionthatshehad,ifonlyforthetimebeing,singledhimoutasofespecial,interest,andheassuredhimselfthatthefaultwouldbehisif,herinterestfailed。Henolongerlookedonhimselfasan,outsider。
Stuart’svoicearosefromthefartherendofthebalcony,where,thewhitefigureofHopeshoweddimlyinthedarkness。
``Theyaretalkingaboutyouoverthere,’’saidMissLangham,turningtowardhim。
``Well,Idon’tmind,’’answeredClay,``aslongastheytalk,aboutme——overthere。’’
MissLanghamshookherhead。``Youareveryfrankand,audacious,’’shereplied,doubtfully,``butitisratherpleasant,asachange。’’
``Idon’tcallthataudacious,tosayIdon’twanttobe,interruptedwhenIamtalkingtoyou。Aren’tthemenyoumeet,generallyaudacious?’’heasked。``Icanseewhynot——though,’’
hecontinued,``youawethem。’’
``Ican’tthinkthat’sanicewaytoaffectpeople,’’protested,MissLangham,afterapause。``Idon’taweyou,doI?’’
``Oh,youaffectmeinmanydifferentways,’’returnedClay,cheerfully。``SometimesIamverymuchafraidofyou,andthen,againmyfeelingsareonlythoseofunlimitedadmiration。’’
``There,again,whatdidItellyou?’’saidMissLangham。
``Well,Ican’thelpdoingthat,’’saidClay。``Thatisoneof,thefewprivilegesthatislefttoamaninmyposition——it,doesn’tmatterwhatIsay。Thatistheadvantageofbeingofno,accountandhopelesslydetrimental。Theeligiblemenofthe,world,yousee,havetobesoverycareful。APrimeMinister,forinstance,can’ttalkashewishes,andcallnamesifhewants,to,orwriteletters,even。Whateverhesaysissoimportant,becausehesaysit,thathemustbeverydiscreet。Iamso,unimportantthatnoonemindswhatIsay,andsoIsayit。It’s,theonlycomfortIhave。’’
``Areyouinthehabitofgoingaroundtheworldsayingwhatever,youchoosetoeverywomanyouhappento——to——’’MissLangham,hesitated。
``Toadmireverymuch,’’suggestedClay。
``Tomeet,’’correctedMissLangham。``Because,ifyouare,it,isaverydangerousandselfishpractice,andIthinkyour,theoryofnon-responsibilityisaverywickedone。’’
``Well,Iwouldn’tsayittoachild,’’musedClay,``buttoone,whomusthavehearditbefore——’’
``Andwho,youthink,wouldliketohearitagain,perhaps,’’
interruptedMissLangham。
``No,notatall,’’saidClay。``Idon’tsayittogiveher,pleasure,butbecauseitgivesmepleasuretosaywhatIthink。’’
``Ifwearetocontinuegoodfriends,Mr。Clay,’’saidMiss,Langham,indecisivetones,``wemustkeepourrelationshipon,moreofasocialandlessofapersonalbasis。Itwasallvery,wellthatfirstnightImetyou,’’shewenton,inakindlytone。
``Yourushedinthenandbyasortoftourdeforcemademe,thinkagreatdealaboutmyselfandalsoaboutyou。Yourstories,ofcherishedphotographsanddistantdevotionandallthatwere,veryinteresting;butnowwearetobetogetheragreatdeal,and,ifwearetotalkaboutourselvesallthetime,Iforoneshall,growverytiredofit。Asamatteroffactyoudon’tknowwhat,yourfeelingsareconcerningme,anduntilyoudowewilltalk,lessaboutthemandmoreaboutthethingsyouarecertainof。
Whenareyougoingtotakeustothemines,forinstance,andwho,wasAnduella,theLiberatorofOlancho,onthatpedestal,overthere?,Now,isn’tthatmuchmoreinstructive?’’
Claysmiledgrimlyandmadenoanswer,butsatwithknittedbrows,lookingoutacrossthetreesoftheplaza。Hisfacewasso,seriousandhewasapparentlygivingsuchearnestconsideration,towhatshehadsaidthatMissLanghamfeltanuneasysenseof,remorse。And,moreover,theyoungman’sprofile,ashesat,lookingawayfromher,wasveryfine,andtheheadonhisbroad,shoulderswasaswell-modelledastheheadofanAthenianstatue。
MissLanghamwasnotinsensibletobeautyofanysort,andshe,regardedtheprofilewithperplexityandwithasofteningspirit。
``Youunderstand,’’shesaid,gently,beingquitecertainthat,shedidnotunderstandthisneworderofyoungmanherself。
``Youarenotoffendedwithme?’’sheasked。
Clayturnedandfrowned,andthensmiledinapuzzledwayand,stretchedouthishandtowardtheequestrianstatueintheplaza。
``AndullaorAnduella,theTreaty-Maker,astheycallhim,was,bornin1700,’’hesaid;``hewasamostpicturesquesortofa,chap,andfreedthiscountryfromtheyokeofSpain。Oneofthe,storiestheytellofhimgivesyouagoodideaofhis,character。’’,Andso,withoutanychangeofexpressionor,referencetowhathadjustpassedbetweenthem,Clay,continuedthroughtheremainderoftheirstayonthebalconyto,discourseinhumorous,graphicphrasesonthehistoryofOlancho,itsheroes,anditsrevolutions,thebuccaneersandpiratesof,theolddays,andtheconcession-huntersandfilibustersofthe,present。ItwassometimebeforeMissLanghamwasabletogive,himherfullattention,forshewasconsideringwhetherhecould,besofoolishastohavetakenoffenceatwhatshesaid,and,whetherhewouldspeakofitagain,andinwonderingwhethera,personalbasisforconversationwasnot,afterall,more,entertainingthananecdotesofthevictoriesandheroismofdead,andburiedSpaniards。
``ThatCaptainStuart,’’saidHopetohersister,astheydrove,hometogetherthroughthemoonlight,``Ilikehimverymuch。He,seemstohavesuchasimpleideaofwhatisrightandgood。It,islikeachildtalking。Why,Iamreallymucholderthanheis,ineverythingbutyears——whyisthat?’’
``Isupposeit’sbecausewealwaystalkbeforeyouasthoughyou,wereagrown-upperson,’’saidhersister。``ButIagreewith,youaboutCaptainStuart;only,whyishedownhere?,Ifheisa,gentleman,whyishenotinhisownarmy?,Washeforcedtoleave,it?’’
``Oh,heseemstohaveaverygoodpositionhere,’’saidMr。
Langham。``InEngland,athisage,hewouldbeonlyasecond-
lieutenant。Don’tyourememberwhatthePresidentsaid,thathe,wouldtrusthimwiththecommandofhisarmy?,That’scertainlya,responsibleposition,anditshowsgreatconfidenceinhim。’’
``Notsogreat,itseemstome,’’saidKing,carelessly,``ashe,isshowinghiminmakinghimtheguardianofhishearthandhome。
Didyouhearwhathesaidto-day?,`Heguardsmyhomeandmy,family。’,Idon’tthinkaman’shomeandfamilyareamongthe,thingshecanaffordtoleavetotheprotectionofstrayEnglish,subalterns。FromallIhear,itwouldbebetterifPresident,Alvarezdidlessplottingandprotectedhisownhousehimself。’’
``Theyoungmandidnotstrikemeasthesortofperson,’’said,Mr。Langham,warmly,``whowouldbelikelytobreakhiswordto,themanwhoisfeedinghimandshelteringhim,andwhoseuniform,hewears。Idon’tthinkthePresident’shomeisinanydanger,fromwithin。MadameAlvarez——’’
Clayturnedsuddenlyinhisplaceonthebox-seatofthe,carriage,wherehehadbeensitting,asilent,mistystatuein,themoonlight,andpeereddownonthoseinthecarriagebelow,him。
``MadameAlvarezneedsnoprotection,asyouwereaboutto,say,Mr。Langham,’’heinterrupted,quickly。``Thosewhoknow,hercouldsaynothingagainsther,andthosewhodonotknowher,wouldnotsofarforgetthemselvesastodaretodoit。Haveyou,noticedtheeffectofthemoonlightonthewallsofthe,convent?’’hecontinued,gently。``Itmakesthemquitewhite。’’
``No,’’exclaimedMr。LanghamandKing,hurriedly,astheyboth,turnedandgazedwithabsorbinginterestattheconventonthe,hillsabovethem。
BeforethesisterswenttosleepthatnightHopecametothedoor,ofhersister’sroomandwatchedAliceadmiringlyasshesat,beforethemirrorbrushingoutherhair。
``Ithinkit’sgoingtobefinedownhere;don’tyou,Alice?’’
sheasked。``Everythingissodifferentfromwhatitisathome,andsobeautiful,andIlikethemenwe’vemet。Isn’tthatMr。
MacWilliamsfunny——andheissotough。AndCaptainStuart——itis,apityhe’sshy。Theonlythingheseemstobeabletotalk,aboutisMr。Clay。HeworshipsMr。Clay!’’
``Yes,’’assentedhersister,``Inoticedonthebalconythatyou,seemedtohavefoundsomewaytomakehimspeak。’’
``Well,thatwasit。HelikestotalkaboutMr。Clay,andI
wantedtolisten。Oh!heisafineman。Hehasdonemore,excitingthings——’’
``Who?,CaptainStuart?’’
``No——Mr。Clay。He’sbeeninthreerealwarsandaboutadozen,littleones,andhe’sbuiltthousandsofmilesofrailroads,I
don’tknowhowmanythousands,butCaptainStuartknows;andhe,builtthehighestbridgeinPeru。Itswingsintheairacrossa,chasm,anditrockswhenthewindblows。AndtheGermanEmperor,madehimaBaron。’’
``Why?’’
``Idon’tknow。Icouldn’tunderstand。Itwassomethingabout,plansforfortifications。He,Mr。Clay,putupafortinthe,harborofRioJaneiroduringarevolution,andtheofficersona,Germanman-of-warsawitandcopiedtheplans,andtheGermans,builtonejustlikeit,onlylarger,ontheBaltic,andwhenthe,Emperorfoundoutwhosedesignitwas,hesentMr。Claytheorder,ofsomething-or-other,andmadehimaBaron。’’
``Really,’’exclaimedtheeldersister,``isn’theafraidthat,someonewillmarryhimforhistitle?’’
``Oh,well,youcanlaugh,butIthinkit’sprettyfine,andso,doesTed,’’addedHope,withtheairofonewhopropoundsafinal,argument。
``Oh,Ibegyourpardon,’’laughedAlice。``IfTedapproveswe,mustallgodownandworship。’’
``Andfather,too,’’continuedHope。``HesaidhethoughtMr。
Claywasoneofthemostremarkablemenforhisyearsthathehad,evermet。’’
MissLangham’seyeswerehiddenbythemassesofherblackhair,thatshehadshakenoverherface,andshesaidnothing。
``AndIlikedthewayheshutReggieKinguptoo,’’continued,Hope,stoutly,``whenheandfatherweretalkingthatwayabout,MadameAlvarez。’’
``Yes,uponmyword,’’exclaimedhersister,impatientlytossing,herhairbackoverhershoulders。``Ireallycannotseethat,MadameAlvarezisinneedofanychampion。IthoughtMr。Clay,madeitverymuchworsebyrushinginthewayhedid。Whyshould,hetakeituponhimselftocorrectamanasoldasmyfather?’’
``IsupposebecauseMadameAlvarezisafriendofhis,’’Hope,answered。
``Mydearchild,abeautifulwomancanalwaysfindsomemanto,takeherpart,’’saidMissLangham。``ButI’venodoubt,’’she,added,risingandkissinghersistergood-night,``thatheisall,thatyourCaptainStuartthinkshim;butheisnotgoingtokeep,usawakeanylonger,ishe,evenifhedoesshowsuchgallant,interestinoldladies?’’
``Oldladies!’’exclaimedHopeinamazement。
``Why,Alice!’’
Buthersisteronlylaughedandwavedheroutoftheroom,and,Hopewalkedawayfrowninginmuchperplexity。
V
Thevisittothecitywasimitatedonthethreesucceeding,eveningsbysimilarexcursions。Ononenighttheyreturnedto,theplaza,andtheothertwowerespentindriftingdownthe,harborandalongthecoastonKing’syacht。ThePresidentand,MadameAlvarezwereKing’sguestsononeofthesemoonlight,excursions,andweresalutedbythepropernumberofguns,and,theirnativebandplayedontheforwarddeck。Clayfeltthat,Kingheldthecentreofthestageforthetimebeing,and,obliteratedhimselfcompletely。Hethoughtofhisownpaddle-
wheeltug-boatthathehadhadpaintedandgildedinherhonor,andsmiledgrimly。
MacWilliamsapproachedhimashesatleaningbackontherailand,lookingup,withtheeyeofamanwhohadservedbeforethemast,atthelaceworkofsparsandriggingabovehim。MacWilliamscame,towardhimontiptoeanddroppedcarefullyintoawickerchair。
``Theredon’tseemtobeanydoor-matsonthisboat,’’hesaid。
``Ineveryotherrespectsheseemsfittedoutquite,complete;allthelatestmagazinesandenamelledbathtubs,andChinesewaiter-boyswithcock-tailsuptheirsleeves。But,thereoughttobeamatatthetopofeachofthosestairways,thathangovertheside,otherwisesomeoneissuretosoilthe,deck。Haveyoubeendownintheengine-roomyet?’’heasked。
``Well,don’tgo,then,’’headvised,solemnly。``Itwillonly,makeyoufeelbadly。IhaveaskedtheAdmiralifIcansend,thosehalf-breedenginedriversoverto-morrowtoshowthemwhat,acleanengine-roomlookslike。I’vejustbeentalkingtothe,chief。Hisname’sMacKenzie,andItoldhimIwasScotchmyself,andhesaidit`wasagreetpleesure’tofindagentlemansowell,acquaintedwiththemovementsofmachinery。HethoughtIwasone,ofKing’sfriends,Iguess,soIdidn’ttellhimIpulledalever,foralivingmyself。Igavehimacigarthough,andhesaid,`Thankee,sir,’andtouchedhiscaptome。’’
MacWilliamschuckledattherecollection,andcrossedhislegs,comfortably。``OneofKing’scigars,too,’’hesaid。``Real,Havana;heleavesthemlyingaroundlooseinthecabin。Haveyou,hadone?,TedLanghamandItookaboutaboxbetweenus。’’
Claymadenoanswer,andMacWilliamssettledhimselfcontentedly,inthegreatwickerchairandpuffedgrandlyonahugecigar。
``It’sdemoralizing,isn’tit?’’hesaidatlast。
``What?’’askedClay,absently。
``Oh,thisassociatingwithwhitepeopleagain,aswe’redoing,now。Itspoilsyoufortortillasandrice,doesn’tit?,It’s,goingtobegreatfunwhileitlasts,butwhenthey’veallgone,andTed’sgone,too,andtheyacht’svanished,andwefallback,totrampingaroundtheplazatwiceaweek,itwon’tbegay,will,it?,No;itwon’tbegay。We’rehavingthespreeofourlives,now,Iguess,butthere’sgoingtobeadifferenceinthe,morning。’’
``Oh,it’sworthaheadache,Ithink,’’saidClay,asheshrugged,hisshouldersandwalkedawaytofindMissLangham。
Thedaysetforthevisittotheminesrosebrightandclear。
MacWilliamshadriggedouthissinglepassenger-carwithrugsand,cushions,andflagsflewfromitscanvastopthatflappedand,billowedinthewindoftheslow-movingtrain。Their,observation-car,asMacWilliamstermedit,wasplacedinfrontof,thelocomotive,andtheywerepushedgentlyalongthenarrow,railsbetweenforestsofManacapalms,andthroughswampsand,jungles,andattimesoverthelimestoneformationalongthe,coast,wherethewavesdashedashighasthesmokestackofthe,locomotive,coveringtheexcursionistswithasprinklingofwhite,spray。Thousandsofland-crabs,paintedredandblackand,yellow,scrambledwitharattlelikedeadmen’sbonesacrossthe,railstobecrushedbythehundredsunderthewheelsofthe,Juggernaut;greatlizardsranfromsunnyrocksatthesoundof,theirapproach,andadeerboundedacrossthetracksfiftyfeet,infrontofthecow-catcher。MacWilliamsescortedHopeoutinto,thecabofthelocomotive,andtaughtherhowtoincreaseand,slackenthespeedoftheengine,untilsheshowedanunruly,desiretothrowtheleveropenaltogetherandshootthemoffthe,railsintotheoceanbeyond。
ClaysatatthebackofthecarwithMissLangham,andtoldher,andherfatherofthedifficultieswithwhichyoungMacWilliams,hadhadtocontend。MissLanghamfoundherchiefpleasurein,notingtheattentionwhichherfathergavetoallthatClayhad,totellhim。Knowingherfatherasshedid,andbeingfamiliar,withhismannertowardothermen,sheknewthathewastreating,Claywithunusualconsideration。Andthispleasedhergreatly,foritjustifiedherowninterestinhim。SheregardedClayasa,discoveryofherown,butshewasgladtohaveheropinionofhim,sharedbyothers。
Theircomingwasagreateventinthehistoryofthemines。
Kirkland,theforeman,andChapman,whohandledthe,dynamite,Weimer,theConsul,andthenativedoctor,whocared,forthefever-strickenandthecasualties,wereallatthe,stationtomeettheminthewhitestofwhiteduckandwitha,bunchofponiestocarrythemontheirtourofinspection,and,thevillageofmudDcabinsandzinc-hutsthatstoodclearofthe,baresunbakedearthonwhitewashedwoodenpileswasascleanas,Clay’shundredpolicemencouldsweepit。Mr。Langhamrodein,advanceofthecavalcade,andtheheadofeachofthedifferent,departmentstookhisturninridingathisside,andexplained,whathadbeendone,andshowedhimtheproudresult。Thevillage,wasempty,exceptforthefamiliesofthenativeworkmenandthe,ownerlessdogs,thescavengersofthecolony,thatsnarledand,barkedandranleapinginfrontoftheponies’heads。
Risingabruptlyabovethezincvillage,laythefirstofthefive,greathills,withitsopenfrontcutintogreatterraces,on,whichthemenclunglikefliesonthesideofawall,someof,themingroupsaroundanopening,orincouplespoundingasteel,barthatafellow-workmanturnedinhisbarehands,whileothers,gatheredaboutthepantingsteam-drillsthatshookthesolidrock,withfierce,shortblows,andhidthemenaboutthemina,throbbingcurtainofsteam。Self-importantlittledummy-
engines,dragginglongtrainsofore-cars,rolledandrockedon,theunevensurfaceoftheground,andswungaroundcornerswith,warningscreechesoftheirwhistles。Theycouldsee,onpeaks,outlinedagainstthesky,thesignal-menwavingtheirredflags,andthenplungingdownthemountain-sideoutofdanger,asthe,earthrumbledandshookandvomitedoutashowerofstonesand,rubbishintothecalmhotair。Itwasaspectacleofdesperate,activityandpuzzlingtotheuninitiated,foritseemedtobe,scatteredoveranunlimitedextent,withnoheadnordirection,andwitheachman,oreachgroupofmen,workingalone,likerag-
pickersonaheapofashes。
Afterthefirsthalf-hourofcuriousinterestMissLangham,admittedtoherselfthatshewasdisappointed。Sheconfessedshe,hadhopedthatClaywouldexplainthemeaningoftheminesto,her,andactasherescortoverthemountainswhichhewas,blowingintopieces。
ButitwasKing,somewhatboredbytheceaselessnoiseandheat,andherbrother,incoherentlyenthusiastic,whorodeatherside,whileClaymovedoninadvanceandseemedtohaveforgottenher,existence。Shewatchedhimpointingupattheopeningsinthe,mountainsanddownattheore-road,orstoopingtopickupa,pieceoforefromthegroundincowboyfashion,without,leavinghissaddle,andpoundingitonthepommelbeforehe,passedittotheothers。And,again,hewouldstandforminutes,atatimeuptohisboot-topsintheslidingwaste,withhis,bridlereinoverhisarmandhisthumbsinhisbelt,listeningto,whathislieutenantsweresaying,andglancingquicklyfromthem,toMr。Langhamtoseeifhewerefollowingthetechnicalitiesof,theirspeech。Allofthemenwhohadwelcomedtheappearanceof,thewomenontheirarrivalwithsuchobviousdelightandwithso,muchembarrassmentseemednowasobliviousoftheirpresenceas,Clayhimself。
MissLanghampushedherhorseupintothegroupbesideHope,who,hadkeptherponycloseatClay’ssidefromthebeginning;but,shecouldnotmakeoutwhatitwastheyweresaying,andnoone,seemedtothinkitnecessarytoexplain。ShecaughtClay’seye,atlastandsmiledbrightlyathim;but,afterstaringatherfor,fullyaminute,untilKirklandhadfinishedspeaking,sheheard,himsay,``Yes,that’sitexactly;inopen-faceworkingsthereis,nootherway,’’andsoshowedherthathehadnotbeeneven,consciousofherpresence。Butafewminuteslatershesawhim,lookupatHope,foldinghisarmsacrosshischesttightlyand,shakinghishead。``Youseeitwastheonlythingtodo,’’she,heardhimsay,asthoughheweredefendingsomecourseof,action,andasthoughHopewereoneofthosewhomustbe,convinced。``Ifwehadcuttheopeningonthefirstlevel,there,wasthedangerofthewholethingsinkingin,sowehadtobegin,toclearawayatthetopandworkdown。That’swhyIorderedthe,bucket-trolley。Asitturnedout,wesavedmoneybyit。’’
Hopenoddedherheadslightly。``That’swhatItoldfatherwhen,Tedwroteusaboutit,’’shesaid;``butyouhaven’tdoneitat,MountWashington。’’
``Oh,butit’slikethis,Miss——’’Kirklandreplied,eagerly。
``It’sbecauseWashingtonisasoliderfoundation。Wecancut,openingsalloveritandtheywon’tcave,butthishillismost,allrubbish;it’sthepooreststuffinthemines。’’
Hopenoddedherheadagainandcrowdedherponyonafterthe,movinggroup,buthersisterandKingdidnotfollow。King,lookedatherandsmiled。``Hopeisveryenthusiastic,’’he,said。``Wheredidshepickitup?’’
``Oh,sheandfatherusedtogooveritinhisstudylastwinter,afterTedcamedownhere,’’MissLanghamanswered,withatouch,ofimpatienceinhertone。``Isn’ttheresomeplacewherewecan,gotogetoutofthisheat?’’
Weimer,theConsul,heardherandledherbacktoKirkland’s,bungalow,thathunglikeaneagle’snestfromaprojectingcliff。
Fromitsporchtheycouldlookdownthevalleyoverthegreater,partofthemines,andbeyondtowheretheCaribbeanSealay,flashingintheheat。
``IsawveryfewAmericansdownthere,Weimer,’’saidKing。``I
thoughtClayhadimportedalotofthem。’’
``Aboutthreehundredaltogether,wildIrishmenandnegroes,’’
saidtheConsul;``butweusethenativesoldierschiefly。They,canstandtheclimatebetter,and,besides,’’headded,``they,actasareserveincaseoftrouble。TheyareMendoza’smen,and,Clayistryingtowinthemawayfromhim。’’
``Idon’tunderstand,’’saidKing。
WeimerlookedaroundhimandwaiteduntilKirkland’sservanthad,depositedatrayfullofbottlesandglassesonatablenear,them,andhaddeparted。``Thetalkis,’’hesaid,``thatAlvarez,meanstoproclaimadictatorshipinhisownfavorbeforethe,springelections。You’veheardofthat,haven’tyou?’’King,shookhishead。
``Oh,tellusaboutit,’’saidMissLangham;``Ishouldsolike,tobeinplotsandconspiracies。’’
``Well,they’rerathercommondownhere,’’continuedtheConsul,``butthisoneoughttointerestyouespecially,MissLangham,becauseitisawomanwhoisattheheadofit。Madame,Alvarez,youknow,wastheCountessManueletaHernandezbefore,hermarriage。Shebelongstooneoftheoldestfamiliesin,Spain。AlvarezmarriedherinMadrid,whenhewasMinister,there,andwhenhereturnedtorunforPresident,shecamewith,him。She’satremendouslyambitiouswoman,andtheydosayshe,wantstoconverttherepublicintoamonarchy,andmakeher,husbandKing,or,moreproperlyspeaking,makeherselfQueen。Of,coursethat’sabsurd,butsheissupposedtobeplottingtoturn,OlanchointoasortofdependencyofSpain,asitwaslongago,andthat’swhysheissounpopular。’’
``Indeed?’’interruptedMissLangham,``Ididnotknowthatshe,wasunpopular。’’
``Oh,rather。Why,herpartyiscalledtheRoyalistParty,already,andonlyaweekbeforeyoucametheLiberalsplastered,thecitywithdenunciatoryplacardsagainsther,callingonthe,peopletodriveheroutofthecountry。’’
``Whatcowards——tofightawoman!’’exclaimedMissLangham。
``Well,shebeganitfirst,yousee,’’saidtheConsul。
``Whoistheleaderofthefightagainsther?’’askedKing。
``GeneralMendoza;heiscommander-in-chiefandhasthe,greaterpartofthearmywithhim,buttheothercandidate,old,GeneralRojas,isthepopularchoiceandthebestofthethree。
HeisVice-Presidentnow,andifthepeoplewereevergivena,fairchancetovoteforthemantheywant,hewould,unquestionablybethenextPresident。Themassofthepeopleare,sickofrevolutions。They’vehadenoughofthem,buttheywill,havetogothroughanotherbeforelong,andifitturnsagainst,Dr。Alvarez,I’mafraidMr。Langhamwillhavehardworktohold,thesemines。Yousee,Mendozahasalreadythreatenedtoseize,thewholeplantandturnitintoaGovernmentmonopoly。’’
``Andiftheotherone,GeneralRojas,getsintopower,willhe,seizethemines,too?’’
``No,heishonest,strangetorelate,’’laughedWeimer,``buthe,won’tgetin。Alvarezwillmakehimselfdictator,orMendoza,willmakehimselfPresident。That’swhyClaytreatsthesoldiers,heresowell。HethinkshemayneedthemagainstMendoza。You,maybeturningyoursaluting-gunonthecityyet,Commodore,’’he,added,smiling,``or,whatismorelikely,you’llneedtheyacht,totakeMissLanghamandtherestofthefamilyoutofthe,country。’’
KingsmiledandMissLanghamregardedWeimerwithflattering,interest。``I’vegotaquickfiringgunbelowdecks,’’said,King,``thatIusedintheMalaysianPeninsulaonajunkfulof,BlackFlags,andIthinkI’llhaveitbroughtup。Andthereare,aboutthirtyofmymenontheyachtwhowouldn’taskfortheir,wagesinayearifI’dletthemgoonshoreandmixupina,fight。Whendoyousupposethis——’’
Aheavystepandthejingleofspursonthebarefloorofthe,bungalowstartledtheconspirators,andtheyturnedandgazed,guiltilyoutatthemountain-topsabovethemasClaycame,hurryingoutupontheporch。
``Theytoldmeyouwerehere,’’hesaid,speakingtoMiss,Langham。``I’msosorryittiredyou。Ishouldhave,remembered——itisaroughtripwhenyou’renotusedtoit,’’he,added,remorsefully。``ButI’mgladWeimerwasheretotakecare,ofyou。’’
``Itwasjustatriflehotandnoisy,’’saidMissLangham,smilingsweetly。Sheputherhandtoherforeheadwithan,expressionofpatientsuffering。``Itmademyheadachea,little,butitwasmostinteresting。’’,Sheadded,``Youare,certainlytobecongratulatedonyourwork。’’
Clayglancedatherdoubtfullywithatroubledlook,andturned,awayhiseyestothebusyscenebelowhim。Hewasgreatlyhurt,thatsheshouldhavecaredsolittle,andindignantathimself,forbeingsounjust。Whyshouldheexpectawomantofind,interestinthathiveofnoiseandsweatingenergy?,Butevenas,hestoodarguingwithhimselfhiseyesfellonaslightfigure,sittingerectandgracefulonherpony’sback,herwhitehabit,soiledandstainedredwiththeoreofthemines,andgreenwhere,ithadcrushedagainsttheleaves。Shewascomingslowlyupthe,trailwithabody-guardofhalfadozenmencrowdingclosely,aroundher,tellingherthedifficultiesofthework,and,explainingtheirsuccesses,andeagerforashareofherquick,sympathy。
Clay’seyesfixedthemselvesonthepicture,andhesmiledatits,significance。MissLanghamnoticedthelook,andglancedbelow,toseewhatitwasthathadsointerestedhim,andthenbackat,himagain。Hewasstillwatchingtheapproachingcavalcade,intently,andsmilingtohimself。MissLanghamdrewinher,breathandraisedherheadandshouldersquickly,likeadeer,thathearsafootstepintheforest,andwhenHopepresently,steppedoutupontheporch,sheturnedquicklytowardher,and,regardedhersteadily,asthoughshewereastrangertoher,and,asthoughsheweretryingtoseeherwiththeeyesofonewho,lookedatherforthefirsttime。
``Hope!’’shesaid,``dolookatyourdress!’’
Hope’sfacewasglowingwiththeunusualexercise,andher,eyeswerebrilliant。Herhairhadslippeddownbeneaththevisor,ofherhelmet。
``Iamsotired——andsohungry。’’,Shewaslaughingandlooking,directlyatClay。``Ithasbeenawonderfulthingtohave,seen,’’shesaid,tuggingatherheavygauntlet,``andtohave,done,’’sheadded。Shepulledoffhergloveandheldouther,handtoClay,moistandscarredwiththepressureofthereins。
``Thankyou,’’shesaid,simply。
Themasteroftheminestookitwithaquickrushofgratitude,andlookingintothegirl’seyes,sawsomethingtherethat,startledhim,sothatheglancedquicklypastheratthecircle,ofbootedmengroupedinthedoorbehindher。Theywereeach,smilinginappreciationofthetableau;herfatherandTed,MacWilliamsandKirkland,andalltheotherswhohadhelpedhim。
Theyseemedtoenvy,butnottogrudge,thewholecreditwhich,thegirlhadgiventohim。
Claythought,``Whycoulditnothavebeentheother?’’,Buthe,saidaloud,``ThankYOU。Youhavegivenmemyreward。’’
MissLanghamlookeddownimpatientlyintothevalleybelow,and,foundthatitseemedmorehotandnoisy,andmoregrimythan,before。
VI
ClaybelievedthatAliceLangham’svisittothemineshadopened,hiseyesfullytovastdifferencesbetweenthem。Helaughedand,railedathimselfforhavingdaredtoimaginethathewasina,positiontocareforher。Confidentashewasattimes,andsure,ashewasofhisabilityincertaindirections,hewasuneasyand,fearfulwhenhematchedhimselfagainstamanofgentlebirthand,gentlebreeding,andonewho,likeKing,waspartofaworldof,whichheknewlittle,andtowhich,inhisignoranceconcerning,it,heattributedmanyadvantagesthatitdidnotpossess。He,believedthathewouldalwayslackthemysterioussomethingwhich,theseothersheldbyrightofinheritance。Hewasstillyoung,andfulloftheillusionsofyouth,andsogavefalsevaluesto,hisownqualities,andvaluesequallyfalsetothequalitieshe,lacked。ForthenextweekheavoidedMissLangham,unlessthere,wereotherpeoplepresent,andwheneversheshowedhimspecial,favor,hehastilyrecalledtohismindherfailuretosympathize,inhiswork,andassuredhimselfthatifshecouldnotinterest,herselfintheengineer,hedidnotcaretohaveher,interestedintheman。Otherwomenhadfoundhimattractivein,himself;theyhadcaredforhisstrengthofwillandmind,and,becausehewasgoodtolookat。Buthedeterminedthatthisone,mustsympathizewithhisworkintheworld,nomatterhow,unpicturesqueitmightseemtoher。Hisworkwasthebestof,him,heassuredhimself,andhewouldstandorfallwithit。
ItwasaweekafterthevisittotheminesthatPresidentAlvarez,gaveagreatballinhonoroftheLanghams,towhichallofthe,importantpeopleofOlancho,andtheForeignMinisterswere,invited。MissLanghammetClayontheafternoonofthedayset,fortheball,asshewasgoingdownthehilltojoinHopeandher,fatheratdinnerontheyacht。
``Areyounotcoming,too?’’sheasked。
``IwishIcould,’’Clayanswered。``Kingaskedme,buta,steamer-loadofnewmachineryarrivedto-day,andIhavetosee,itthroughtheCustom-House。’’
MissLanghamgaveanimpatientlittlelaugh,andshookherhead。
``Youmightwaituntilweweregonebeforeyoubotherwithyour,machinery,’’shesaid。
``WhenyouaregoneIwon’tbeinastateofmindtoattendto,machineryoranythingelse,’’Clayanswered。
MissLanghamseemedsofarencouragedbythisspeechthatshe,seatedherselfintheboathouseattheendofthewharf。She,pushedhermantillabackfromherfaceandlookedupathim,smilingbrightly。
```Thetimehascome,thewalrussaid,’’’shequoted,```to,talkofmanythings。’’’
Claylaughedanddroppeddownbesideher。``Well?’’hesaid。
``Youhavebeenratherunkindtomethislastweek,’’thegirl,began,withhereyesfixedsteadilyonhis。``Andthatdayat,themineswhenIcountedonyouso,youactedabominably。’’
Clay’sfaceshowedsoplainlyhissurpriseatthischarge,which,hethoughtheonlyhadtherighttomake,thatMissLangham,stopped。
``Idon’tunderstand,’’saidClay,quietly。``HowdidItreat,youabominably?’’
HehadtakenhersoseriouslythatMissLanghamdroppedher,lightertoneandspokeinonemorekindly:
``Iwentouttheretoseeyourworkatitsbest。Iwasonly,interestedingoingbecauseitwasyourwork,andbecauseitwas,youwhohaddoneitall,andIexpectedthatyouwouldtryto,explainittomeandhelpmetounderstand,butyoudidn’t。You,treatedmeasthoughIhadnointerestinthematteratall,as,thoughIwasnotcapableofunderstandingit。Youdidnot,seemtocarewhetherIwasinterestedornot。Infact,you,forgotmealtogether。’’
Clayexhibitednoevidenceofareprovingconscience。``Iam,sorryyouhadastupidtime,’’hesaid,gravely。
``Ididnotmeanthat,andyouknowIdidn’tmeanthat,’’the,girlanswered。``Iwantedtohearaboutitfromyou,becauseyou,didit。Iwasn’tinterestedsomuchinwhathadbeendone,asI
wasinthemanwhohadaccomplishedit。’’
Clayshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently,andlookedacrossat,MissLanghamwithatroubledsmile。
``Butthat’sjustwhatIdon’twant,’’hesaid。``Can’tyousee?
TheseminesandothermineslikethemareallIhaveinthe,world。Theyaremyonlyexcuseforhavinglivedinitsolong。
IwanttofeelthatI’vedonesomethingoutsideofmyself,and,whenyousaythatyoulikemepersonally,it’saslittle,satisfactiontomeasitmustbetoawomantobecongratulated,onherbeauty,oronherfinevoice。Thatisnothingshehas,doneherself。IshouldlikeyoutovaluewhatIhavedone,not,whatIhappentobe。’’
MissLanghamturnedhereyestotheharbor,anditwassomeshort,timebeforesheanswered。
``Youareaverydifficultpersontoplease,’’shesaid,``andmostexacting。Asarulemenaresatisfiedtobelikedfor,anyreason。Iconfessfrankly,sinceyouinsistuponit,thatI
donotrisetothepointofappreciatingyourworkastheothers,do。Isupposeitisafault,’’shecontinued,withanairthat,plainlysaidthatsheconsideredit,onthecontrary,something,ofavirtue。``AndifIknewmoreaboutittechnically,Imight,seemoreinittoadmire。ButIamlookingfartheronforbetter,thingsfromyou。Thefriendswhohelpusthemostarenotalways,thosewhoconsiderusperfect,arethey?’’sheasked,witha,kindlysmile。Sheraisedhereyestothegreatore-pierthat,stretchedoutacrossthewater,theoneuglyblotinthesceneof,naturalbeautyaboutthem。``Ithinkthatisallverywell,’’
shesaid;``butIcertainlyexpectyoutodomorethanthat。I
havemetmanyremarkablemeninallpartsoftheworld,andI
knowwhatastrongmanis,andyouhaveoneofthestrongest,personalitiesIhaveknown。Butyoucan’tmeanthatyouare,contenttostopwiththis。Youshouldbesomethingbiggerand,morewide-reachingandmorelasting。Indeed,ithurtsmetosee,youwastingyourtimehereovermyfather’sinterests。You,shouldexertthatsameenergyonabroadermap。Youcouldmake,yourselfanythingyouchose。Athomeyouwouldbeyourparty’s,leaderinpolitics,oryoucouldbeagreatgeneral,ora,greatfinancier。IsaythisbecauseIknowtherearebetter,thingsinyou,andbecauseIwantyoutomakethemostofyour,talents。Iamanxioustoseeyouputyourpowerstosomething,worthwhile。’’
MissLangham’svoicecarriedwithitsuchatoneofsincerity,thatshealmostsucceededindeceivingherself。Andyetshe,wouldhavehardlycaredtoexplainjustwhyshehadreproached,themanbeforeherafterthisfashion。Forsheknewthatwhen,shespokeasshehaddone,shewasbeatingabouttofindsome,reasonthatwouldjustifyherinnotcaringforhim,assheknew,shecouldcare——asshewouldnotallowherselftocare。Theman,athersidehadwonherinterestfromthefirst,andlaterhad,occupiedherthoughtssoentirely,thatittroubledherpeaceof,mind。Yetshewouldnotletherfeelingforhimwaxandgrow,stronger,butkeptitdown。Andshewastryingnowtopersuade,herselfthatshedidthisbecausetherewassomethinglackingin,himandnotinher。
Shewasalmostangrywithhimforbeingsomuchtoherandfor,notbeingmoreacceptableinlittlethings,liketheothermen,sheknew。Soshefoundthisfaultwithhiminorderthatshe,mightjustifyherownlackoffeeling。
ButClay,whoonlyheardthewordsandcouldnotgobackof,themtofindthemotive,couldnotknowthis。Hesatperfectly,stillwhenshehadfinishedandlookedsteadilyoutacrossthe,harbor。Hiseyesfellontheuglyore-pier,andhewincedand,utteredashortgrimlaugh。
``That’strue,whatyousay,’’hebegan,``Ihaven’tdonemuch。
Youarequiteright。Only——’’helookedupathercuriouslyand,smiled——``onlyyoushouldnothavebeentheonetotellmeof,it。’’
MissLanghamhadbeensofarcarriedawaybyherownpointof,viewthatshehadnotconsideredClay,andnowthatshesawwhat,mischiefshehaddone,shegaveaquickgaspofregret,and,leanedforwardasthoughtoaddsomeexplanationtowhatshehad,said。ButClaystoppedher。``Imeanbythat,’’hesaid,``that,thegreatpartoftheinspirationIhavehadtodowhatlittleI
havedonecamefromyou。Youwereasortofpromiseofsomething,bettertome。Youweremoreofatypethananindividualwoman,butyourpicture,theoneIcarryinmywatch,meantallthat,partoflifethatIhaveneverknown,thesweetnessandthe,noblenessandgraceofcivilization,——somethingIhopedIwould,somedayhavetimetoenjoy。Soyousee,’’headded,withan,uncertainlaugh,``it’slesspleasanttohearthatIhavefailed,tomakethemostofmyselffromyouthanfromalmostanyone,else。’’
``But,Mr。Clay,’’protestedthegirl,anxiously,``Ithinkyou,havedonewonderfullywell。IonlysaidthatIwantedyoutodo,more。Youaresoyoungandyouhave——’’
Claydidnothearher。Hewasleaningforwardlookingmoodily,outacrossthewater,withhisfoldedarmsclaspedacrosshis,knees。
``Ihavenotmadethemostofmyself,’’herepeated;``thatis,whatyousaid。’’,Hespokethewordsasthoughshehaddelivered,asentence。``Youdon’tthinkwellofwhatIhavedone,ofwhat,Iam。’’
Hedrewinhisbreathandshookhisheadwithahopelesslaugh,andleanedbackagainsttherailingoftheboat-housewiththe,wearinessinhisattitudeofamanwhohasgivenupafteralong,struggle。
``No,’’hesaidwithabitterflippancyinhisvoice,``Idon’t,amounttomuch。But,myGod!’’helaughed,andturninghishead,away,``whenyouthinkwhatIwas!,Thisdoesn’tseemmuchto,you,anditdoesn’tseemmuchtomenowthatIhaveyourpointof,viewonit,butwhenIremember!’’,Claystoppedagainand,pressedhislipstogetherandshookhishead。Hishalf-closed,eyes,thatseemedtobelookingbackintohispast,lightedas,theyfellonKing’swhiteyacht,andheraisedhisarmand,pointedtoitwithawaveofthehand。``WhenIwassixteen,Iwasasailorbeforethemast,’’hesaid,``thesortofsailor,thatKing’screwouttherewouldn’trecognizeinthesame,profession。IwasofsolittleaccountthatI’vebeenknocked,thelengthofthemaindeckattheendofthemate’sfist,and,lefttoliebleedinginthescuppersfordead。Ihadn’tathing,tomynamethenbuttheclothesIwore,andI’vehadtogoaloft,inahurricaneandclingtoaswingingropewithmybaretoesand,pullatawetsheetuntilmyfinger-nailsbrokeandstartedin,theirsockets;andI’vebeenacowboy,withnocompanionsforsix,monthsoftheyearbuteightthousandheadofcattleandmenas,dumbanduntamedasthesteersthemselves。I’vesatinmysaddle,nightafternight,withnothingoverheadbutthestars,andno,soundbutthenoiseofthesteersbreathingintheirsleep。The,womenIknewwereIndiansquaws,andthegirlsofthesailors’
dance-housesandthegambling-hellsofSiouxCityandAbilene,andCallaoandPortSaid。ThatwaswhatIwasandthosewere,mycompanions。``Why!’’helaughed,risingandstridingacross,theboat-housewithhishandslockedbehindhim,``I’vefoughton,themudfloorofaMexicanshack,withanakedknifeinmyhand,formylastdollar。Iwasaslowandasdesperateasthat。And,now——’’Clayliftedhisheadandsmiled。``Now,’’hesaid,inalowervoiceandaddressingMissLanghamwithareturnofhis,usualgravepoliteness,``Iamabletositbesideyouandtalkto,you。Ihaverisentothat。Iamquitecontent。’’
HepausedandlookedatMissLanghamuncertainlyforafew,momentsasthoughindoubtastowhethershewouldunderstandhim,ifhecontinued。
``Andthoughitmeansnothingtoyou,’’hesaid,``andthoughas,yousayIamhereasyourfather’semployee,thereareother,places,perhaps,whereIambetterknown。InEdinburghorBerlin,orParis,ifyouweretoaskthepeopleofmyownprofession,theycouldtellyousomethingofme。IfIwishedit,Icould,dropthisactiveworktomorrowandcontinueasanadviser,asan,expert,butIliketheactivepartbetter。Ilikedoingthings,myself。Idon’tsay,`IamasalariedservantofMr。Langham’s;’
Iputitdifferently。Isay,`Therearefivemountainsofiron。
YouaretotakethemupandtransportthemfromSouthAmericato,NorthAmerica,wheretheywillbeturnedintorailroadsand,ironclads。’,That’smywayoflookingatit。It’sbettertobind,alaureltotheploughthantocallyourselfhardnames。It,makesyourworkeasier——almostnoble。Cannotyouseeitthat,way,too?’’
BeforeMissLanghamcouldanswer,adeprecatorycoughfrom,onesideoftheopenboat-housestartledthem,andturningthey,sawMacWilliamscomingtowardthem。Theyhadbeensointentupon,whatClaywassayingthathehadapproachedthemoverthesoft,sandofthebeachwithouttheirknowingit。MissLangham,welcomedhisarrivalwithevidentpleasure。
``Thelaunchiswaitingforyouattheendofthepier,’’
MacWilliamssaid。MissLanghamroseandthethreewalked,togetherdownthelengthofthewharf,MacWilliamsmovingbriskly,inadvanceinordertoenablethemtocontinuetheconversation,hehadinterrupted,buttheyfollowedclosebehindhim,asthough,neitherofthemweredesirousofsuchanopportunity。
HopeandKinghadbothcomeforMissLangham,andwhilethe,latterwashelpinghertoaplaceonthecushions,andrepeating,hisregretsthatthemenwerenotcomingalso,Hopestartedthe,launch,withabriskringingofbellsandawhirlofthewheel,andasmileoverhershoulderatthefiguresonthewharf。
``Whydidn’tyougo?’’saidClay;``youhavenobusinessatthe,Custom-House。’’
``Neitherhaveyou,’’saidMacWilliams。``ButIguessweboth,understand。There’snogoodpushingyourlucktoofar。’’
``Whatdoyoumeanbythat——thistime?’’
``Why,whathavewetodowithallofthis?’’criedMacWilliams。
``It’swhatIkeeptellingyoueveryday。We’renotinthat,class,andyou’reonlymakingitharderforyourselfwhenthey’ve,gone。Icallitcrueltytoanimalsmyself,havingwomenlike,thataround。UpNorth,whereeverybody’swhite,youdon’tnotice,itsomuch,butdownhere——Lord!’’
``That’sabsurd,’’Clayanswered。``Whyshouldyouturnyour,backoncivilizationwhenitcomestoyou,justbecauseyou’re,notgoingbacktocivilizationbythenextsteamer?,Everyperson,youmeeteitherhelpsyouorhurtsyou。Thosegirlshelpus,eveniftheydomakethelifehereseembareandmean。’’
``Bareandmean!’’repeatedMacWilliamsincredulously。``Ithink,that’sjustwhattheydon’tdo。Ilikeitallthebetterbecause,they’remixedupinit。Inevertooksomuchinterestinyour,minesuntilshetooktoridingoverthem,andIdidn’tthink,greatshakesofmyoldore-road,either,butnowthatshe’sgot,toactingasengineer,it’ssortofnickel-platedthewhole,outfit。I’mgoingtonamethenewengineafterher——whenitgets,here——ifheroldmanwillletme。’’
``Whatdoyoumean?,MissLanghamhasn’tbeentotheminesbut,once,hasshe?’’
``MissLangham!’’exclaimedMacWilliams。``No,Imeantheother,MissHope。ShecomesoutwithTednearlyeverydaynow,and,she’slearninghowtorunalocomotive。Justforfun,you,know,’’headded,reassuringly。
``Ididn’tsupposeshehadanyintentionofjoiningthe,Brotherhood,’’saidClay。``Soshe’sbeenouteveryday,has,she?,Ilikethat,’’hecommented,enthusiastically。``She’sa,fine,sweetgirl。’’
``Fine,sweetgirl!’’growledMacWilliams。``Ishouldhopeso。
She’sthebest。Theydon’tmakethemanybetterthanthat,and,justthink,ifshe’slikethatnow,whatwillshebewhenshe’s,grownup,whenshe’slearnedafewthings?,Nowhersister。You,canseejustwhathersisterwillbeatthirty,andatfifty,and,ateighty。She’sthoroughbredandshe’sthemostbeautifulwoman,tolookatIeversaw——but,myson——sheistoocareful。She,hasn’tanyillusions,andnosenseofhumor。Andawomanwithno,illusionsandnosenseofhumorisgoingtobemonotonous。You,can’tteachheranything。Youcan’timagineyourselftellingher,anythingshedoesn’tknow。Thethingswethinkimportantdon’t,reachheratall。They’renotinherline,andineverything,elsesheknowsmorethanwecouldeverguessat。ButthatMiss,Hope!,It’saprivilegetoshowherabout。Shewantstosee,everything,andlearneverything,andshegoespokingherhead,intoopeningsanddownshaftslikealittlefoxterrier。
Andshe’llsitstillandlistenwithhereyeswideopenandtears,inthem,too,andshedoesn’tknowit——untilyoucan’ttalk,yourselfforjustlookingather。’’
Clayroseandmovedontothehouseinsilence。Hewasgladthat,MacWilliamshadinterruptedhimwhenhedid。Hewonderedwhether,heunderstoodAliceLanghamafterall。Hehadseenmanyfine,ladiesbeforeduringhisbriefvisitstoLondon,andBerlin,and,Vienna,andtheyhadshownhimfavor。Hehadknownotherwomen,notsofine。Spanish-AmericansenoritasthroughCentraland,SouthAmerica,thewivesanddaughtersofEnglishmerchants,exiledalongthePacificcoast,whosefairskinandyellowhair,whitenedandbleachedunderthehottropicalsuns。Hehadknown,manywomen,andhecouldhavequoted,``Trialsandtroublesamany,Haveprovedme;
Oneortwowomen,Godblessthem!
Havelovedme。’’
Butthewomanhewastomarrymusthaveallthethingshelacked。
Shemustfilloutandcompletehimwherehewaswanting。This,womanpossessedallofthesethings。Sheappealedtoevery,ambitionandtoeverytastehecherished,andyetheknewthathe,hadhesitatedandmistrustedher,whenheshouldhave,declaredhimselfeagerlyandvehemently,andforcedhertolisten,withallthestrengthofhiswill。
MissLanghamdroppedamongthesoftcushionsofthelaunchwitha,senseofhavingbeenrescuedfromherselfandofdelightin,findingrefugeagaininherownenvironment。ThesightofKing,standinginthebowbesideHopewithhiscigarettehangingfrom,hislips,andpeeringwithhalf-closedeyesintothefading,light,gaveherasenseofrestfulnessandcontent。Shedidnot,knowwhatshewishedfromthatotherstrangeyoungman。Hewas,sobold,sohandsome,andhelookedatlifeandspokeofitin,suchafresh,unhackneyedspirit。Hemightmakehimselfanything,hepleased。Butherewasamanwhoalreadyhadeverything,or,whocouldgetitaseasilyashecouldincreasethespeedofthe,launch,bypullingsomewirewithhisfinger。
Sherecalledonedaywhentheywereallonboardofthissame,launch,andthemachineryhadbrokendown,andMacWilliamshad,goneforwardtolookatit。HehadcalledClaytohelphim,and,sherememberedhowtheyhadbothgonedownontheirkneesand,askedtheengineerandfiremantopassthemwrenchesandoil-
cans,whileKingprotestedmildly,andtherestsat,helplesslyinthehotglareofthesea,astheboatroseand,fellonthewaves。SheresentedClay’sinterestintheaccident,andhispleasurewhenhehadmadethemachineryrightoncemore,andhisappearanceashecamebacktothemwithoilyhandsand,withhisfaceglowingfromtheheatofthefurnace,wipinghis,grimyfingersonapieceofpacking。Shehadresentedthe,equalitywithwhichhetreatedtheengineerinaskinghisadvice,anditrathersurprisedherthatthecrewsalutedhimwhenhe,steppedintothelaunchagainthatnightasthoughhewerethe,owner。Shehadexpectedthattheywouldpatronizehim,andshe,imaginedafterthisincidentthatshedetectedashadeof,differenceinthemannerofthesailorstowardClay,asthoughhe,hadcheapenedhimselftothem——ashehadtoher。
VII
Atteno’clockthatsameeveningClaybegantopreparehimself,fortheballattheGovernmentpalace,andMacWilliams,whowas,notinvited,watchedhimdresswithcriticalapprovalthatshowed,nosignofenvy。
ThebettertodohonortothePresident,Clayhadbroughtout,severalforeignorders,andMacWilliamshelpedhimtotiearound,hisneckthecollaroftheRedEaglewhichtheGermanEmperorhad,givenhim,andtofastentheribbonandcrossoftheStarof,Olanchoacrosshisbreast,andaSpanishOrderandtheLegionof,Honortothelapelofhiscoat。MacWilliamssurveyedtheeffect,ofthetinyenamelledcrosseswithhisheadononeside,andwith,thesameairofaffectionateprideandconcernthatamother,showsoverherdaughter’sfirstball-dress。
``Gotanymore?’’heasked,anxiously。
``Ihavesomewarmedals,’’Clayanswered,smilingdoubtfully。
``ButI’mnotinuniform。’’
``Oh,that’sallright,’’declaredMacWilliams。``Put’emon,put’emallon。Givethegirlsatreat。Everybodywill,thinktheyweregivenforfeatsofswimming,anyway;butthey,willshowupwellfromthefront。Now,then,youlooklikea,drum-majororaconjuringchap。’’
``Idonot,’’saidClay。``IlooklikeaFrenchAmbassador,and,Ihardlyunderstandhowyoufindcouragetospeaktomeatall。’’
Hewentupthehillinhighspirits,andfoundthecarriageat,thedoorandKing,Mr。Langham,andMissLanghamsittingwaiting,forhim。Theywerereadytodepart,andMissLanghamhadbut,justseatedherselfinthecarriagewhentheyheardhurrying,acrossthetiledflooraquick,lightstepandtherustleof,silk,andturningtheysawHopestandinginthedoorway,radiant,andsmiling。Sheworeawhitefrockthatreachedtotheground,andthatleftherarmsandshouldersbare。Herhairwasdressed,highuponherhead,andshewaspullingvigorouslyatapairof,long,tan-coloredgloves。Thetransformationwassocomplete,andthegirllookedsomucholderandsostatelyandbeautiful,thatthetwoyoungmenstaredatherinsilentadmirationand,astonishment。
``Why,Hope!’’exclaimedhersister。``Whatdoesthismean?’’
Hopestoppedinsomealarm,andclaspedherhairwithbothhands。
``Whatisit?’’sheasked;``isanythingwrong?’’
``Why,mydearchild,’’saidhersister,``you’renotthinkingof,goingwithus,areyou?’’
``Notgoing?’’echoedtheyoungersister,indismay。``Why,Alice,whynot?Iwasasked。’’
``But,Hope——Father,’’saidtheeldersister,steppingoutof,thecarriageandturningtoMr。Langham,``youdidn’tintendthat,Hopeshouldgo,didyou?,She’snotoutyet。’’
``Oh,nonsense,’’saidHope,defiantly。Butshedrewinher,breathquicklyandblushed,asshesawthetwoyoungmenmoving,awayoutofhearingofthisfamilycrisis。Shefeltthatshewas,beingmadetolooklikeaspoiledchild。``Itdoesn’tcountdown,here,’’shesaid,``andIwanttogo。IthoughtyouknewIwas,goingallthetime。Mariemadethisfrockformeonpurpose。’’
``Idon’tthinkHopeisoldenough,’’theeldersistersaid,addressingherfather,``andifshegoestodanceshere,there’s,noreasonwhysheshouldnotgotothoseathome。’’
``ButIdon’twanttogotodancesathome,’’interruptedHope。
Mr。Langhamlookedexceedinglyuncomfortable,andturned,apppealinglytohiselderdaughter。``Whatdoyouthink,Alice?’’hesaid,doubtfully。
``I’msorry,’’MissLanghamreplied,``butIknowitwould,notbeatallproper。Ihatetoseemhorridaboutit,Hope,but,indeedyouaretooyoung,andthemenherearenotthemena,younggirloughttomeet。’’
``Youmeetthem,Alice,’’saidHope,butpullingoffhergloves,intokenofdefeat。
``But,mydearchild,I’mfiftyyearsolderthanyouare。’’
``PerhapsAliceknowsbest,Hope,’’Mr。Langhamsaid。``I’m,sorryifyouaredisappointed。’’
Hopeheldherheadalittlehigher,andturnedtowardthedoor。
``Idon’tmindifyoudon’twishit,father,’’shesaid。``Good-
night。’’,Shemovedaway,butapparentlythoughtbetterofit,andcamebackandstoodsmilingandnoddingtothemasthey,seatedthemselvesinthecarriage。Mr。Langhamleanedforward,andsaid,inatroubledvoice,``Wewilltellyouallaboutitin,themorning。I’mverysorry。Youwon’tbelonely,willyou?
I’llstaywithyouifyouwish。’’
``Nonsense!’’laughedHope。``Why,it’sgiventoyou,father;
don’tbotheraboutme。I’llreadsomethingorotherandgoto,bed。’’
``Good-night,Cinderella,’’Kingcalledouttoher。
``Good-night,PrinceCharming,’’Hopeanswered。
BothClayandKingfeltthatthegirlwouldnotmindmissingthe,ballsomuchasshewouldthefactofhavingbeentreatedlikea,childintheirpresence,sotheyrefrainedfromanyexpressionof,sympathyorregret,butraisedtheirhatsandbowedalittlemore,impressivelythanusualasthecarriagedroveaway。
ThepictureHopemade,asshestooddesertedandforlornonthe,stepsoftheemptyhouseinhernewfinery,struckClayas,unnecessarilypathetic。Hefeltastrongsenseofresentment,againsthersisterandherfather,andthankedheavendevoutly,thathewasoutoftheirclass,andwhenMissLanghamcontinued,toexpresshersorrowthatshehadbeenforcedtoactasshehad,done,heremainedsilent。ItseemedtoClaysuchasimplething,togivechildrenpleasure,andtorememberthattheirwoeswere,alwaysoutofallproportiontothecause。Children,dumb,animals,andblindpeoplewerealwaysgroupedtogetherinhis,mindasobjectsdemandingthemosttenderandconstant,consideration。Sothepleasureoftheeveningwasspoiledfor,himwhileherememberedthehurtanddisappointedlookinHope’s,face,andwhenMissLanghamaskedhimwhyhewassopreoccupied,hetoldherbluntlythathethoughtshehadbeenveryunkindto,Hope,andthatherobjectionswereabsurd。
MissLanghamheldherselfalittlemorestiffly。``Perhapsyou,donotquiteunderstand,Mr。Clay,’’shesaid。``Someofushave,toconformtocertainrulesthatthepeoplewithwhomwebest,liketoassociatehavelaiddownforthemselves。Ifwechooseto,beconventional,itisprobablybecausewefinditmakeslife,easierforthegreaternumber。Youcannotthinkitwasa,pleasanttaskforme。ButIhavegivenupthingsofmuchmore,importancethanadanceforthesakeofappearances,andHope,herselfwillseeto-morrowthatIactedforthebest。’’
Claysaidhetrustedso,butdoubtedit,andbywayofre-
establishinghimselfinMissLangham’sgoodfavor,askedherif,shecouldgivehimthenextdance。ButMissLanghamwasnotto,bepropitiated。
``I’msorry,’’shesaid,``butIbelieveIamengageduntil,supper-time。Comeandaskmethen,andI’llhaveonesavedfor,you。Butthereissomethingyoucando,’’sheadded。``Ileft,myfaninthecarriage——doyouthinkyoucouldmanagetogetit,formewithoutmuchtrouble?’’
``Thecarriagedidnotwait。Ibelieveitwassentback,’’said,Clay,``butIcanborrowahorsefromoneofStuart’smen,and,ridebackandgetitforyou,ifyoulike。’’
``Howabsurd!’’laughedMissLangham,butshelookedpleased,notwithstanding。
``Oh,notatall,’’Clayanswered。Hewassmilingdownatherin,someamusement,andwasapparentlymuchentertainedathisidea。
``Willyouconsideritanactofdevotion?’’heasked。
Therewassolittleofdevotion,andsomuchmoreofmischiefin,hiseyes,thatMissLanghamguessedhewasonlylaughingather,andshookherhead。
``Youwon’tgo,’’shesaid,turningaway。Shefollowedhimwith,hereyes,however,ashecrossedtheroom,hisheadandshoulders,toweringabovethenativemenandwomen。Shehadneverseenhim,soresplendent,andshenoted,withaneyethatconsidered,trifles,theorders,andhiswell-fittingwhitegloves,andhis,mannerofbowingintheContinentalfashion,holdinghisopera-
hatonhisthigh,asthoughhishandrestedonasword。She,noticedthatthelittleOlanchoansstoppedandlookedafterhim,ashepushedhiswayamongthem,andshecouldseethatthemen,weretellingthewomenwhohewas。SirJulianPindar,theold,BritishMinister,stoppedhim,andshewatchedthemasthey,laughedtogetherovertheEnglishwarmedalsontheAmerican’s,breast,whichSirJuliantouchedwithhisfinger。Hecalledthe,FrenchMinisterandhisprettywifetolook,too,andthey,alllaughedandtalkedtogetheringreatspirits,andMiss,LanghamwonderedifClaywasspeakinginFrenchtothem。
MissLanghamdidnotenjoytheball;shefeltinjuredand,aggrieved,andsheassuredherselfthatshehadbeenhardlyused。
Shehadonlydoneherduty,andyetallthesympathyhadgoneto,hersister,whohadplacedherinatryingposition。Shethought,itwasmostinconsiderate。
Hopewalkedslowlyacrosstheverandawhentheothershadgone,andwatchedthecarriageaslongasitremainedinsight。Then,shethrewherselfintoabigarm-chair,andlookeddownuponher,prettyfrockandhernewdancing-slippers。She,too,feltbadly,used。