MissEmmelinewroteasshewasdirected。Alonglistofnameswasthenputdown；therehadalreadybeenaprivatefamilymeetinguponthesubject，atwhich，aftermanyendeavoursofMrs。Hilsontounitethetwoadvantagesofextremeexclusiveism，andthelargestnumberofinvitationseverheardofatLongbridge，Mr。
　　Hubbardhaddecidedthematterbyinsistingthathisdaughtersshouldaskeverypersonwhohadeverbeenaguestattheirhousebefore，andallthosefromwhomtheythemselveshadacceptedinvitations。
　　“Don'ttalktomeoffashionablepeople，andexclusivesandinclusives——Ichoosetohaveallmyoldneighbours，doyouhear，girls，andanyoneelseyouplease。“
　　Thiswastheonlypointuponwhichtheirfatherinsisted；andashelefttheexpenseofthearrangementsentirelytothemselves，theladiesthoughtitmostprudentnottoarguethematter。
　　Instead，therefore，ofaimingathavingtheirpartyveryselect，itwasnowagreedthatitshouldbeverygeneral。
　　“Itwillbearegularmob，“saidMrs。Hilson，asshefinishedreadingtohersisterscrapsoflistsofwhichherlapwasfull；
　　“butwithsolargeavisitingcircleasours，itwasnottobeavoided，Isuppose。Haveyouputdownthebonedturkey，Emmeline？
　　thatatleastwillgivetotheentertainmentanaristocraticcharacter，atonce。“
　　“Yes，tobesure，hereitis，“saidEmmeline，takingupanothersheetofpaper。“Wemusthavebonedturkey，ofcourse。“
　　NowitsohappenedthatneitherMrs。BibbsnorMrs。Tibbs，thoughsuchfascinatingladies，hadeverseen，tasted，orheardofbonedturkeybefore。But，ofcourse，theydidnotconfesssuchshamefulignorance。BonedturkeyhadneveryetfiguredatapartyatLongbridge。Wesayfiguredataparty，andwespeakadvisedly，asallmustknowwhoareawareoftheall-importantpositionoccupiedatanAmericanpartybytherefreshments，intheopinionofbothhostandguests。Thebrilliancyofthelights，theexcellenceofthemusic，thewitandgallantryofthegentlemen，thegraceandbeautyoftheladies——wouldbeofnoavailingivingfametoapartyiftherefreshmentswerenotasabundant，andasvariedaspossible。Itistruethesegoodthingsaregenerallyexcellentintheirway，whichisprobablyonereasonwhytheyreceivesomuchattention。Thehighestdistinctiontobeattainedinthesemattersistheintroductionofsomenewdelicacy；nexttothis，isthehonourofbeingoneofthefirsttofollowsobrilliantanexample；but，ofcourse，thoseunfortunateindividualswhohaveneglectedtoprocurethefavouritedaintyoftheseason，afterithasonceappearedonfashionabletables，loseallclaimtohonourablemention，andsinkbeneathnotice。Inthisway，eachdishhasitsday；ayearortwosince，CharlotteRussewasindispensableatanentertainment；lastwinterBombeswereinhighrequest；andattheperiodoftheHubbardhouse-warming，BonedTurkeyhadreceivedtheplaceofhonourontheNewYorksupper-tables。
　　Peoplecouldneitherflirtnordance，theycouldtalkneitherpurenonsense，norpurespeculation，withouttheBonedTurkeyinperspective。Thefashionhadindeedspreadsofar，thatithadatlastreachedwhatMrs。Hilsongenerallycalledherclique。
　　“Pathinksweshallhavesomedifficultyingettingbonedturkeyatthisseason；itisratherearly；butIamdeterminedtohaveitifmoneycanprocureit。YouknowIamveryambitious，Mrs。
　　Tibbs——Iamnoteasilysatisfied。“
　　Mrs。Tibbs，aprettylittlewomanwithlighthair，wearingafashionablelilacmuslin，assented，ofcourse。
　　“Takingforgrantedthen，thatwehavethebonedturkey，whatshallweputdownnext？”askedMissEmmeline。“Terrapin-soup，pickled-oysters，lobsters，chicken-salad，andanythinginthewayofgamethatcanbefoundinthemarket；doyouthinkthatwilldoforthesubstantialdishes，Mrs。Bibbs？”
　　Mrs。Bibbs，aprettylittlewomanwithblackhair，wearingafashionablegreenmuslin，assented，ofcourse。
　　“Ithinkthatwilldo，Emmeline，“saidMrs。Hilson；“alargesupplyofeach，youknow。By-the-byewemusthavefourdishesofbonedturkey；nothingsomeanastohaveasmallquantity。“
　　Thenfollowedalonglistoflighterdelicacies；gallonsofice-creamwitheverypossiblevarietyofflavour；flourandeggs，creamandsugar，preparedineverywayknowntoNewYorkconfectioners。KissesandMottoeswereinsistedupon。Thencamethefruits，beginningwithpeachesandgrapes，andconcludingwithbananasandothertropicalproductions，untilatlengthevenMrs。Hilson's“ambition“wasthusfarsatisfied。
　　{“KissesandMottoes“=wrappedcandiesenclosingshortwittyversesor“mottoes“——ancestorsofthe“fortunecookie“}
　　“Ithinkourset-outwillhavequiteanaristocraticappearance，Emmeline；including，ofcourse，thebonedturkey。Thenwemusthavecoloredcandles，theyaresomuchmoretasty——allgreenandpink。Alonzowillsecuretheorchestra，thebestinthecity；——
　　'sband。Wemusthavetwodressing-roomsinthethirdstory，oneforthegentlemen，onefortheladies——andalittlefainting-roombesides；thesmalleastroomwilldoforthat——wecanputinittheeasy-chair，withthewhitebatistecoverI
　　broughtoverfromthecity，withapitcheroficed-water，andrestoratives，allready。Itisalwaysbest，Mrs。Bibbs，tohaveaprettylittlefainting-roompreparedbeforehand——itmakesthethingmorecomplete。“
　　TheladyinthegreenmuslinagreedentirelywithMrs。Hilson；
　　shethoughtitwouldbeunpardonablenottohaveafainting-room。
　　“Thethirdstorywillbereservedforthedressing-rooms，thesecondentirelydevotedtothesupperandrefreshments，andthefirstfloorgivenuptothedancersandpromenaders。IdeclareI
　　shan'tknowhowtolookifwecan'tprocurethebonedturkey。“
　　Theladyinthelilacmuslinagreedthatwheneverythingelsewassogenteel，itwouldbeunfortunateindeedtofailinthebonedturkey。
　　Thedispositionofthefurniture，thevarietyoflemonades，&c。，wasthensettled，aswellasotherminormatters，whenthefourladiessatdowntowritetheinvitationsontheveryelegantandfancifulnote-paperpreparedfortheoccasion。
　　“ThefirstthingIshalldo，Emmeline，willbetowritealetterexpresslytoAlonzo，toinsistupontheconfectioner'sprocuringthebonedturkey。“
　　Weshallpassoverthelaboursoftheensuingweek，devotedtotheexecutionofwhathadbeenplanned。VariousweretherumoursfloatingaboutLongbridgeintheinterval；itwasassertedbysomepersonsthatasteamboatwastobringtoLongbridgeallthefashionablepeopleinNewYork；thatitwastobeasortof“Mass-Meeting“ofthe“Aristocracy。“Byothers，allthefiddlersinNewYorkandPhiladelphiaweresaidtobeengaged。Infact，however，nothingwasreallyknownaboutthematter。Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbshadconfidedallthedetailstoascoreoffriendsonly，andeveryoneofthesehad，asusual，spreadabroadadifferentversionofthestory。Wehaveit，however，onthebestauthority，thateverydaythatweekaletterinMrs。Hilson'shandwriting，directedtothemostfashionablecookandconfectionerinNewYork，passedthroughtheLongbridgepost-office，andwehappentoknowthattheywereallwrittenuponthenegotiationforthebonedturkey，whichatthatseasonitwasnoteasytoprocureinperfection。
　　Theeventfuleveningarrivedatlength。Thefancifulnote-papershadallreachedtheirdestination，thepinkandgreencandleswerelighted，thefainting-roomwasprepared，thekissesandmottoeshadarrived，andthoughlast，surelynotleast，fourdishesofbonedturkeywerealreadyonthesupper-table。Mrs。
　　BibbsandMrs。Tibbshadgonetheroundswiththetwoladiesofthehouse，andadmiredeverything，afterwhichtheyreturnedtothedrawing-room。Mrs。Bibbsinblue，andMrs。Tibbsinpink，wereplacedinfullarrayonasofa。Mrs。HilsonandMissEmmelinestationedthemselvesinacurtseyingposition，awaitingtheirguests。Mr。andMrs。Clapp，withMissPatseyandCharlie，werethefirsttoarrive。Ourfriend，Patsey，lookedpleasant，good-natured，andneatlydressed，asusual；thesilksheworewasindeedthehandsomestthingofthekindshehadeverowned——itwasapresentfromUncleJosie，whohadinsisteduponhercomingtohishouse-warming。Patsey'stoilette，however，thoughsomuchmoreelegantthanusual，lookedlikeplainnessandsimplicityitself，comparedwiththegauzesandflowers，thelacesandribbonsofMrs。TibbsandMrs。Bibbs，whoweresittingonthesofabesideher。Presently，athin，dark，sober-lookingyoungmanwalkedinataside-door；itwasAlonzo，Mrs。Hilson'shusband。
　　Honest，warm-heartedMr。Hubbardsoonfollowed，lookingasusual，inaverygoodhumour，andmuchpleasedwiththeholidayhehadprovidedforhisdaughters，andthesatisfactionofseeingallhisoldfriendsinhisnewhouse，whichhehadpreparedforhimself。Ifevertherewasamanwhospoilthischildren，itwasMr。JosephHubbard。Hadhehadsons，itmightpossiblyhavebeendifferent；buthiswifehadbeenaverysilly，verypretty，veryfrivolouswoman；thedaughtersresembledherineveryrespect，andMr。Hubbardseemedtohaveadoptedtheopinionthatwomenwereneverotherwisethansillyandfrivolous。Helovedhisdaughters，laughedattheirnonsense，wasindulgenttotheirfolly，andletthemdopreciselyastheypleased；which，ashehadmadeafortune，itwasinhispowertodo。AsforUncleDozie，thebacheler{sic}brother，whohadlivedallhislifewithMr。JosephHubbard，hewasalreadyinthedrawing-room，seatedinacorner，withfoldedarms，takinganap。Itwassingularwhatatalentfornappingthisoldgentlemanpossessed；
　　hehadbeenknowntodozeoveranewbook，pronouncedbythepapers“thrillinglyinteresting，“and“intenselyexciting；“hehassleptduringapoliticalspeech，reportedasonecontinuedstreamofenchainingeloquence，deliveredamidthundersofapplause；andnow，undertheblazeofastrallamps，andpinkandgreencandles，whilethemusiciansweretuningtheirfiddles，andproducingallsortsofdiscordantsounds，hewasdozingasquietlyasifinhisownrocking-chair。UncleDozieseldomtalkedwhenhecouldhelpit；thechiefbusinessandpleasureofhislifeconsistedinsuperintendinghisbrother'svegetable-garden；
　　hehadneverbeenknowntotakeanapamonghisbeetsandcabbages，whichheseemedtoadmireasmuch。ashedidhisnieces。Thevegetables，indeed，engrossedsomuchofhiscareandattention，thatthreetimesinthecourseofhislife，hehadlostbycarelessnessacomfortablelittleindependencewhichhisbrotherhadmadeforhim。
　　{“astrallamp“=avarietyofArgandlampthebrightestoillampoftheperiodespeciallydesignedtocastitslightdownward}
　　Thecompanybegantopourin。Mrs。Taylorandthetalkativeoldfriendwereamongtheearliest，andtooktheirseatsonthesofa，nearMissPatsey，Mrs。Bibbs，andMrs。Tibbs。Adeline，withtheSaratogafashionables，soonfollowed；havingremainedlongerinthedressing-room，inordertowaituntileachcouldappearwithabeautoleanon。TheLongbridgeelitearrivedinlargenumbers；
　　UncleDoziewokeup，andUncleJosieshookhandsashisfriendswishedhimmanyhappyyearsinhisnewhouse。MissEmmelineandMrs。Hilsonflittedhitherandthither；whilethedarkandsober-lookingAlonzooccasionallybenthisheadgentlyononeside，toreceivesomeprivatecommunicationsanddirectionsfromhismoreelegantmoiety。Noonewasreceivedbytheladiesofthehousewithmorefascinatingsmiles，thanatall，slimEnglishman，withaverybushyheadofhair，whohadmadeMrs。Hilson'sacquaintanceattheirboarding-housenotlongsince，andbeingtiredofoccupyingathirdorfourth-ratepositioninhisowncountry，wasnowdeterminedtoshowoffwhathethoughtairsofthefirstwater，inthis。HewasjusttheattendantinwhomMrs。
　　Hilsongloried。
　　“IthinktheWest-Endisfullyrepresentedhere，thisevening，Emmeline，“saidthefairladyasshetrippedpasthersister，followedbyCaptainKockney，aftertheroomswereuncomfortablyfull。
　　“Someveryprettywomen'ere，Mrs。'Ilson，“observedCaptainKockney；“that'sreallyalovelycreaturejustcomein，andwhatapieceofuglinessitisalongsideofher。“
　　“MissGraham？Yes，sheisourgreatbeauty。ShallIintroduceyou？”
　　“Notnow，forpity'ssake；waittillthatuglyfacehasmovedoutofsight。“
　　“DoyouthinkMissWyllyssoveryugly？Perhapssheis；butsheisoneofourcountryneighbours，andIhaveseenhersofrequentlythatIamaccustomedtoherappearance——indeedwearequiteintimate。Whenoneknowsher，herconversationisexcessivelydelightful；thoughshewantsmoreassociationwithcity-lifetoappeartoadvantage。“
　　“Now，praydon'tintroducemethere，Ibeg。IsawtoomanyuglywomenthelastseasonIwasat'ome。Ourcolonelhadthreedaughters，'orridfrights，butofcoursewehadtodothecivilbythem。Italmosttemptedmetosellout；theywereparvenues，too——thatmadethematterworse，youknow。“
　　{“parvenues“=upstartsFrench}
　　“Oh，yes，Ihateparvenoos；Iamthoroughlyaristocraticinmynature。Indeed，itisagreatmisfortuneformethatIamso，oneisobliged，inthiscountry，tocomesooftenincontactwithplebeians！Iamafraidyoumustsufferfromthesamecause，whiletravellingintheUnitedStates。“
　　“What，fromtheplebeians？Oh，ImadeupmymindtothatbeforeI
　　came，youknow；IbelieveIshallenjoythechangeforatime。
　　Onedoesn'texpectanythingelsefromyouYankees；andthenIhadasurfeitofaristocracyinLondon，thelastseason。Wehadhalf-a-dozencrownedheadsthere；andfirstonemetthemeverywhereintown，youknow，andthenateverycountry-house。“
　　“Howdelightfulitmustbetolivesurroundedbyroyaltyinthatway！”
　　“Thereyou'requiteout。It'sagreatbore；onehastomindtheirp'sandq'satcourt，youknow——InevergotoWindsorifIcanhelp，it。“
　　“Well，Ishouldnevertireofacourt——Iamthoroughlypatricianinmydisposition。Ihaveagoodrighttosuchtastes，CaptainKockney，forIhaveagreatdealofnoblebloodinmyveins。“
　　“Now，really！whatfamilydoyoubelongto？”
　　“ThedukeofPercy；anoblefamilyofScotland。Pa'snameisJosephP。Hubbard。Don'tyoupitypeoplewhohavenonobilityintheirfamilies？”
　　“'Ponmysoul，Idon'tknowhowamanfeelsundersuchcircumstances。It'saqueersensation，Idaresay。“
　　“Dr。VanHorne，“continuedMrs。Hilson，toayoungmanwhocameuptomakehisbowtoher，“Ihaveagreatmindtoaskafavourofyou。Willyouundertaketobleedme？”
　　“Ishouldbesorryifyourequiredmyservicesinthatway，Mrs。
　　Hilson。“
　　“Ah，butitwouldbearealobligation；IwanttogetridofallbutmyPercyblood。Perhapsyoudon'tknowthatourfamilyisdistinguishedinitsdescent？”
　　“From'oldMotherHubbard，'“thoughtyoungVanHorne；buthemerelybowed。
　　“Yes，ourancestorsweredukesofPercy，whowerebeheadedinScotlandforbeingfaithfultotheirking。ItisverypossiblewemightclaimthetitleofaScotchPeer。“Mrs。HilsonhadreadtoomanyEnglishnovels，nottohaveasupplyofsuchphrasesatcommand。“Ifyoucouldonlyfindtherightvein，Iwouldinsistuponyourtakingawayallbutmypatricianblood。“
　　“Wouldnottheoperationleaveyoutooperfect，Mrs。Hilson？”
　　“Perhapsitmightmakemevain。Butitcouldscarcelyunfitmemoreforlivinginarepublic。HowIwishweweregovernedbyadespot！——don'tyou？”
　　“Notintheleast，“——'butIwishyouwere，'theyoungmanadded，tohimself，ashemovedawaytowardsJaneandElinor，whowereinacornertalkingtohissisters。“Allthefoolsinthiscountryarenottravelledfools，asIwishmyfatherwouldremember，“hecontinued，asheedgedhiswaythroughthecrowd。
　　“AndhethatayehaslivedfreeMaynotwellknowthemisery，Thewrath，thestrife，thehate，andall，That'scompassedinthenameofthrall。“
　　{Ihavenotidentifiedthisverse}
　　“Youhavemusteredquiteaprettysetoflittleplebeians'ereto-night。Now，that'squiteanice-lookinglittlecreaturestandingbythedoor，“continuedCaptainKockney；“whatdoyoucallher？”
　　“HernameisTaylor——AdelineTaylor；theybelongtothearistocracytoo；shallIintroduceyou？”
　　“Isshemarried？Ifsheis，I'venoobjections；butifsheisn't，Ihadrathernot。It'ssuchabore，youknow，talkingtogirls——bread-and-buttermisses！”
　　“Howungallantyouare！”
　　“Ungallant！Why？Isupposeyouknowit'sasettledthingthatnoneofUStalktogirlsinsociety。Mostofthemaresomilk-and-water，andtherestaresodeep，they'realwaysfancyingamanmeanssomething。Why，lastspringwecutLordAdolphusFitzFlummery，ofOURS，justbecausehemadeafoolofhimself，danglingafterthegirls。“
　　“Butdon'tgentlemeneverspeaktoanunmarriedladyinEngland？”
　　“Thesapsdo——butnotyourknowingones。Wemakeanexceptionthough，infavourofaregularbeauty，suchasthatlittlegirlontheothersideoftheroom；thatThomsongirl，didn'tyoucallher？”
　　“MissGraham——youaredifficulttopleaseifnothingelsewillsuityou。Butofcourseitisnaturalforaristocraticmindstobefastidious。“
　　“Tobesureitis，that'swhatmakesusEnglisharistocratssoexclusive。IfthatlittleGrahamgirlcomesinourwaythough，I'venoobjectiontomakingheracquaintance。Andifyouhavegotagreatfortunehereto-night，I'llmakeanexceptionforher——youmayintroduceme。Istheresuchathingasanheiressintheroom？”
　　“Anheiress？No，Ibelievenot——butMissTaylorisquiteafortune。“
　　“Isshe？Wellthen，youmayintroducemetheretoo。Wehavetodotheciviltotherichgirls，youknow；becauseafterawhilemostofusaredrivenintomatrimony。That'sthegovernor，Itakeit，nearthedoor。“
　　“Thegovernor？Oh，no，ourgovernordoesnotliveatLongbridge。“
　　“Doesn'the？Well，Ithoughtyouintroducedhimjustnowasthegovernor，andIfanciedsomeonecalledhim'Ubbard；that'sthegovernor'sname，isn'tit？”
　　“No，indeed。That'sPayouarespeakingof。“
　　“Justso——thatiswhatIsaid。YoucallyourpaternitiesPA，doyou？——wealwayscalltheoldfellowsgovernors，inEngland。“
　　“DoyoucallyourfatherGov。Kockney？IdidnotknowthatgovernorwasanEnglishtitle；itsoundsveryplebeianinmyears。“
　　“Now，whatDOyoumean？ha！ha！——youaredelightful。Youputmeinmindofagoodsceneatthedrawing-room，lastJune。Though，perhaps，youdon'tknowwhatthedrawing-roomis？”
　　“Oh，yes；IknowthatitmeansCourt。Mytastesaresoexclusive，thatImaysayIhavelivedinEnglishHigh-LifefromthetimeI
　　married，andbecameintimatewithMrs。Bagman。Ifeelquiteathomeinsuchscenes，forIreadeverynovelthatcomesoutwithLordsandLadiesinit。WhatwereyougoingtotellmeaboutCourt？”
　　ThestorywasinterruptedbyMissHubbard，whotrippedacrosstheroomtocarryhersisteroffwithher。
　　“Nowyouarenotgoing，Ihope？Whynotstay'ere；Iamsurethissofaisthemostcomfortablethingintheroom。“
　　“Imustgotoreceivesomefriendsofmine，comeoverexpresslyfromthecity。“
　　“Pray，keepmeclearofthecits！Butnow，ifyouwillgo，justleavemeyourbouquetasaaconsolation。Thankyou——Oh，yes，I'lltakegoodcareofit。“
　　“Ihopeyouwill，forit'satendollarbouquet，andI'mveryproudofit。Youmustnotstealasingleflower，mind。“
　　“Mustn'tI？——Doyoudareme？”andtheagreeableCaptainbegantopulloutseveralflowers。Mrs。Hilson，however，washurriedaway。
　　Mr。Taylor，Mr。Hubbard，andAlonzomovedtowardsthesofawhereshehadbeensitting。
　　“DoyouthinkthatStewartwillbechosenPresidentoftheFranklinInsurance？”inquiredMr。Hubbard。
　　“Ithinknot，sir——herathermismanagedtheaffairsoftheHobokenBank。LippincottwillbethePresident，Itakeit。Hehasmagnificenttalentsforbusiness。Youknowhehaspurchasedthethirtylotsin50thstreet，thatweresoldatauction，yesterday。“
　　“Agoodpurchase，Ishouldsay。“
　　“How'stheHobokenstocknow？”inquiredAlonzo。Amurmuringabout'fivepercent。'——'sixpercent。'——'par'——'premium，'followed，andwasonlyinterruptedbytheapproachofyoungVanHorneandElinor。
　　“Ibegyourpardon，MissWyllys，“saidMr。Hubbard，makingroomforher。“Oh，yes，Mr。VanHorne，hereisaplaceforyou，andanothercouplebesides。Whomareyoulookingfor？”
　　“CharlesHubbard，sir；Iwanthimforavis-a-vis。“
　　“Charlieisalreadyplaced，Isee；buthereisagentleman；
　　perhapsyouwouldliketodance，sir？”——addressingCaptainKockney，whowasstillinpossessionofthesofaandtheflowers。
　　“Ihopemydaughterhasintroducedyoutosomeoftheyoungladies。“
　　“Now，really；ifIamtodance，IpreferMrs。'Ilson。“
　　And，accordingly，theCaptain，bynomeanssorrytobeforcedtodance，rosewithavictim-likelook，halfstrode，halfsidledtowardsMrs。Hilson，andputtinghiselbowinherfacebywayofaninvitation，ledhertothequadrille。Thecontrastbetweenthesetwocouples，placedoppositetoeachother，wasstriking，andyetcommonenoughinamixedballroom。CaptainKockneywasdesperatelynonchalant，hispartnerfullofairsandgraces；
　　theirconversationwassilly，ignorant，andconceited，beyondthereachofimagination——suchthingsmustbeheardtobebelieved。
　　YoungVanHornewasclever，andappearedtolessadvantageindancingthaninmostthings。Elinorthereaderknowsalready；itwasapleasuretofollowherasshemovedaboutwiththehappygracewhichbelongedtohernature。Herpartner，halfinjoke，halfinearnest，wasengagingherinterestwithhisfatherinbehalfofthevisittoEurope。Elinorpromisedtodoallinherpower；andtheychattedawaycheerfullyandgaily，fortheywereyoungandlight-hearted；andyet，eveninaball-room，theymeantwhattheysaid，andknewwhattheyweretalkingabout，forbothweresensibleandwelleducated。JaneandyoungBernardwerenexttoMrs。Hilson；AdelineandCharlieHubbardnexttoElinor。MissTaylorhaddeclaredthatshewouldallownoonebutherselftofilltheplaceoppositetoJane，causingbyherdecisionnolittleflirtation，andrattlingmerriment；but，ofcourse，thiswasjustwhattheyoungladyaimedat。Thesetwopretty，thoughtlesscreatures，thebelleandthebeauty，heldamiddlepositionbetweenMrs。HilsonandElinor。Frivolousastheywere，therewasmorelatentgoodaboutthem，thancouldbefoundinthe'citylady，'whowasonefrothycompoundofignorantvanity，andvulgaraffectation。Theclasssherepresentedwasfortunatelyassmallinitsextremefolly，asthattowhichElinorbelonged，initssimpleexcellence。
　　Anyone，indifferenttodancingorspeculation，seekingamusementasalooker-on，wouldhavebeenstruck，atUncleJosie'shouse-warming，withthegenerallyfeminineandpleasingappearanceofthewomen；therewerefewfaces，indeed，thatcouldbecalledpositivelyugly。Then，again，oneremarked，thatpuerileasthegeneraltonemightbe，mixedasthecompanywas，therewerenotraceswhateverofcoarseness，noneofthatboldvulgaritywhichissorevolting。
　　Therewasacertainproportionofelderlymencollectedontheoccasion——theywereseen，withafewexceptions，standinginknots，talkinggreatspeculationsandlittlepolitics，andlookingratheranxiousforsupper，andthebonedturkey。Ofthemothersandchaperons，whofilledthesofas，asrepresentativesofahalf-forgottencustom，somewerewatchingtheflirtations，otherslookingonandenjoyingthegaietyoftheyoungpeople。
　　Bothfathersandmothers，however，wereverydecidedlyintheminority，and，accordingtoAmericanprinciples，theyallowedthemajorityundisputedsway。Theyoungpeople，ingeneral，heldlittlecommunicationwiththeirelders，andamusedthemselvesaftertheirownfashion；theyoungladies'bouquetsaffordedafavouritesubjectforsmall-talk；theywereallcarefullyanalysed——notbotanically，butaccordingtothelasteditionofthatelegantwork，theLanguageofFlowers，whichafforded，ofcourse，awidefieldfortheexerciseofgallantryandflirtation。
　　{Probably，FredericShoberl1775-1853，“TheLanguageofFlowers，“numerouseditions，somepublishedbytheCooperfamily'sregularpublisherinPhiladelphia——butthereweremanysimilarbooksonthe“poeticmeaning“ofdifferentflowers}
　　Amongthedancers，thefouryoungladieswehavepointedoutwereacknowledgedthemostconspicuous。AccordingtoMrs。TibbsandMrs。Bibbs，Jane'swasthemostbeautifulfaceintheroom，althoughthereweretwoorthreecompetitorsforthetitle；
　　Adelinewaspronouncedthemostsuccessfuloftherivalbelles；
　　Mrs。Hilsonthemostelegantandairy；Elinortheplainestofthegaytroop。Probably，mostofthosewhothoughtaboutthematter，wouldhavedecidedastheLongbridgeladiesdid——although，onthepointofMrs。Hilson'selegance，manywouldhaveprotested。Therewasoneperson，atleast，whofollowedElinor'sgracefulfigurewithpartialinterest；MissAgnesfoundsomuchthatwaspleasingtoher，inthefresh，youthfulappearanceofheradoptedchild——inthesimplegood-tasteofherwhitedress——intheintelligenceandcharacterofherexpression——inherengagingmanner，thatsheforgottoregretherwantofbeauty；shenolongerwondered，asshehadsometimesdone，thatHarryshouldsoearlyhaveappreciatedherniece。ThosewhoknewElinorthoroughly，lovedherfortheexcellenceofhercharacter；
　　strangersneglectedherforanyprettyfaceatherside；buteveryonethrowninhersociety，musthaveacknowledgedthecharmofhermanner。Thispleasingmanner，however，sofrank，yetsofeminine，sosimple，yetsograceful，wasonlythenaturalresultofhercharacter，andherverywantofbeauty。Shewasnevertroubledbytheflutteringhopesandfearsofvanity；sheneverseemedtothinkofeffect；wheninsociety，herattentionwasalwaysgiveninthesimplestandmostamiablewaytoothers。
　　Forgetfulofself，shewasastrangertoeveryforwardaffectation，toeveryawkwardnessofmauvaisehonte；hergoodsense，hergaiety，asweetdisposition，andanactivemindwereallowedfullplay，undernootherrestraintsthanthoseofagoodeducation；thoseofprinciple，andthoseofyouthful，womanlymodesty。SuchwasElinorintheeyesofheraunt，butitmustnotbesupposedthatthiswasthegeneralopinionofUncleJosie'sguests；bynomeans；manyremarksweremadeuponMissWyllys'sbeingsodecidedlyplain；andevenherdancingwasthoughtinferiorbysomeofthecompanytothemorelabouredgracesofMrs。Hilson，orthedownrightindifferenceofAdeline：asforJane，sheunfortunatelyneverdancedintime。
　　{“mauvaisehonte“=bashfulness，falseshameFrench}
　　Atthepropermomentsupperwasannounced——thebonedturkeyappearedinfullglory。“Whatisthat？”——“Bonedturkey“——“ShallI
　　giveyoubonedturkey？”“I'llthankyouforalittlebonedturkey“——weresoundsheardineverydirection。Itwasveryevidentthebonedturkeywasfullyappreciated，andgavegreatsatisfaction——thusputtingthefinishingtouchtothepleasuresofUncleJosie'shouse-warming。Wemustnotforgettomentionthemottoes，whichwerehandedaboutinsilverbaskets，for，asusual，theycausedmanytenderandwittyspeeches。ThiswasapartoftheentertainmentinwhichAdelinedelighted；Janeseemedquitesatisfiedwithit，andMrs。Hilsonwasinherelementamongtheselittlebitsofpinkpaperandsentiment。
　　Beforethesupperwasmorethanhalfover，however，therattlingofspoonsandplates，therequestsfor“bonedturkey，“andtheflirtingovermottoesweresuddenlyinterrupted，andeverythinghushedforamoment，bycallsforadoctor！“WhereisDr。VanHorne？”“HaveyouseenDr。A？”“ThereisDr。B。“
　　“Alonzo，thefainting-room；remember，“saidMrs。Hilson。
　　Butitprovedtobenoneofthecompanywhorequiredaphysician。
　　Astranger，asailor，someonesaid，whohadbeenforthelastweekatalowtavernopposite，hadbeenseizedwithafit；Dr。
　　VanHornewassoonfound，andhastenedtothereliefofthesickman。Theinterruptionwassoonforgotten；themottoesandbonedturkeywereagainindemand。Dr。VanHornedidnotreturn，however；hisfamilywenthomewithouthim；andMrs。Clapp，onlookingaroundforherhusband，foundthathealsohaddisappeared。
　　“IsawClappgoingintothetavernlastevening，“observedUncleJosie。“Perhapsthispoorfellowissomeclientofhis；hemayhavegonetolookafterhim。“
　　Mrs。ClappwasobligedtoaskUncleDozietoaccompanyherhome；
　　andashewasnosomnambulist，withallhisnapping，hecarriedhisniecesafelytoherowndoor。
　　MissWyllyswasoneofthosewholeftthehouseimmediatelyaftersupper。AdelineandJaneranupstairsbeforeElinorandherself——liketheSiamesetwins，eachwithanarmencirclingtheother'swaist。ThecloseintimacybetweenJaneandAdelinecontinuedtosurpriseElinor。Shebegantothinktheremustbesomethingmorethancommon，somethingoftheimportanceofamysterywhichdrewthemsooftentogether，causingsomanyconfidentialmeetings。Evenwhenthetwogirlswereinsociety，shecouldnotbutobservethatAdelineoftenmadesomeallusion，orwhisperedsomeremarkthatseemedbothpleasingandembarrassingtoJane。MissTaylorwasevidentlyplayingconfidante，andoccasionallyJaneappearedtowishherlessopenandperseveringintheaffair。AsforMrs。Graham，shewastoomuchoccupiedwiththecareofheryoungerchildrentopaymuchattentiontoherdaughter'sintimacies。SheratherdislikedAdelineandallherfamily，andMr。GrahamhadarealantipathyforMr。Taylor；stillJanewasallowedtodoasotheryounggirlsabouther，selectwhomshepleasedforherassociates。Mrs。
　　Grahamwasoneofthosemotherswhodevotethemselveswithgreatassiduitytothecareoftheirchildrens'{sic}bodies，theirfoodandraiment，painsandaches——leavingallanxietyfortheirmindstotheschool-mistress，andtheircharacterstothemselves。
　　Withtheeldestdaughterthisplanhadsucceededverywell；
　　LouisaGrahamwascleverandwell-disposed，andhadtakenofherownaccordwhatiscalledagoodturn；andMr。RobertHazlehursthadeveryreasontocongratulatehimselfuponhischoiceofawife。Mrs。Grahamseemedtotakeitasamatterofcoursethatthesamesystemwouldsucceedequallywellwithallherfamily。
　　ButJane'sdispositionwasverydifferentfromhersisterLouisa's；shehadnostrengthofcharacter，andwaseasilyledbythoseabouther。Thegreatestfaultinherdispositionwasthoughtbyherfamilytobeindolence；butMissWyllyssometimeswishedthatshehadlessselfishness，andmorefrankness。
　　{“Siamesetwins“=ChangandEng1811-1874，bornjoinedtogetherinThailandSiam，ofChineseparents，whowereexhibitedinAmericaformanyyearsbyP。T。Barnum；theconditionwasnamedafterthem}
　　ElinorwasnotalittlestartledatsomethingwhichpassedinMissHubbard'sdressing-room，betweenJaneandMissTaylor，andwhichsheaccidentallyoverheard，beforeshewasawaretheconversationwasconfidential。
　　“Don'tpretendanylonger，Jane，thatyoudidn'tknowit，“
　　whisperedAdeline，astheywerestoopingtogetheroverabundleofhoodsandshawls。Janemadenoanswer。“Now，confessthatyouknewhewasseriousbeforeyouleftParis。“
　　“Ididnotthinkmuchofitforsometime，“saidJane。
　　“Well，Isupposedfromyourlettersthatyouknewlongagothathewasdesperatelyinlovewithyou。Trustme，we'llsettleitallbetweenus。“
　　“Oh，hush，“saidJane，“thereissomebodycoming——Iknowit'swrong——“
　　“Nonsense——wrongindeed！Ishouldliketoknowwhereisthegreatharmifhedoesbreakhisengagement？”
　　Elinormovedawaywhenshefoundtheconversationwasmeanttobeprivate。ButshehadunintentionallyheardenoughtomakeheranxiousforJane。“WasnotAdelineleadingherintodifficulty？”
　　Shefeltuneasy，andthoughtofnothingelseduringherdrivehome。ItwouldnotdotoconsultMissWyllys；butshedeterminedtospeaktoJaneherself，thefirsttimeshesawher。
　　Unfortunately，hercousinwasgoingtoNewYork，andnothingcouldbedoneuntilshereturnedtopassafortnightatWyllys-Roofbeforegoingtotownforthewinter。
　　CHAPTERXV——
　　“therewardIsintheracewerun，notintheprize。“
　　ROGERS。
　　{SamuelRogersEnglishpoet，1763-1855，“Italy：ACharacter“
　　lines39-40}
　　MISSPATSEYhadnever，inherlife，beentoaregularball，beforethishouse-warmingofUncleJosie's；butnoteventhenoveltyofaballcouldkeepherinbedanhourlaterthanusual。
　　Charlieandherselfhadreturnedhomesometimeaftermidnight，withtheWyllyses；butthenextmorningsherosewiththechickens，andbeforetheOctobersun，topursue，asusual，herdailylabours。ItwastrulysurprisinghowmuchPatseyHubbardfoundtimetodoinasingleday，andthatwithoutbeingoneofyourfussy，utilitarianbusy-bodies，whoseactivityisallphysical，andwholookuponhalfanhourpassedinquietthought，orinnocentrecreation，assomuchtimethrownaway。OurfriendPatsey'scareer，fromchildhood，hadbeenoneofhumbleindustry，self-forgetfulness，andactivecharity；hertimeinthegayhoursofyouth，aswellasinthecalmeryearsofmatureexperience，hadbeendevotedtothewelfareandhappinessofherparents，herbrothersandsisters。Fromalonghabitofconsideringthewantsandpleasuresofothersfirst，shealwaysseemedtothinkofherselflast，asamatterofcourse。Shehadhadmanylaborious，anxioushours，manycares；butitisfarfrombeingthosewhohavethemosttroubleinthisworld，whocomplaintheloudest；noonehadfewerwants，fewervanities，feweridlehoursthanMissPatsey，and，consequently，noonecouldbemoregenerallycheerfulandcontented。Thereisnothingsoconducivetotrue，healthfulcheerfulness，astheconsciousnessoftimewell-spent：
　　thereisnobettercureforthedullspiritofFrenchENNUI，orthegloomofEnglishBLUES，thanregular，usefuloccupation，followedbyharmlessrecreation。
　　AnyonewhohadfollowedPatseyHubbardthroughthevarieddutiesofasingleday，wouldhaveacknowledgedthatthereisnospectacleinthisworldmorepleasant，thanthatofahumanbeing，dischargingwithuntiringfidelity，andsinglenessofheart，duties，howeverhumble。Thesimplepietyofherfirstmorningprayer，theplaingoodsenseofherdomesticarrangements，andthoroughperformanceofallherhouseholdtasks，herrespectful，consideratekindnesstoherstep-mother，andevenashadeofundueindulgenceofCharlie——allspokehercharacter——allwasconsistent。
　　HappywasPatsey'slittleflockofscholars。Everymorning，atnineo'clock，theyassembled；theTaylorchildrenusuallyappearedinLeghorngipsies，andsilkaprons；therestofthetroopingingham“sun-bonnets，“andlargeapronsofthesamematerial。Therewereseverallittleboysjustoutofpetticoats，andhalf-a-dozenlittlegirls——enoughtofilltwobenches。TheinstructionPatseygaveherlittlepeoplewasofthesimplestkind；reading，spelling，writing，andarithmetic，learningafewsimpleverses，withsewingandmarkingforthegirls，madeuptheamountofit。Mostpeople，inthesedaysofenlightenment，wouldhavebeenverymuchdissatisfiedwithherplan，foritactuallyexcludedallthesciences，andalltheaccomplishments。Patseyhadtworeasonsforconfiningherselftotheplainestbranchesofeducationonly；inthefirstplace，shedidnotthinkherselfcapableofteachinganythingelse；and，secondly，shedoubtedwhetherherscholarswerecapableoflearninganythingbetterormoreusefulforthemselves。Mr。Taylorthoughtshehadverylowviewsofinfanteducation；andyet，youcouldnothavefoundanywhereasetofchildren，betweenthreeandten，whoweremorethoroughlytaughtwhattheirinstructorprofessedtoteach。Happywoulditbefortheselittlecreatures，iftheyneveracquiredanyworseknowledgethantheygainedunderPatsey'scare！Shehadaneyetotheirtempers，theirmorals，andtheirmanners；shetrainedthelittlegirlstobemodestandgentle——thelittleboystoberespectfulandobliging；whilesheendeavouredtomakeallalikehonest，open，cheerful，andsincere。Werenottheselessonsquiteasimportanttomostchildren，betweentheagesofthreeandten，aschemistry，astronomy，andnaturalphilosophy？
　　{“Leghorngipsies“=fashionablehatsnamedafterLeghorn，Italywithlargesideflaps；“marking“=embroideringidentifyingnamesorinitialsonlinen}
　　ThedayfollowingUncleJosie'shouse-warming，MissPatseyreleasedherlittleflockanhourearlierthanusual；theywereallowedtopassthetimeplayinginanadjoiningmeadow，untilsentforbytheirparents。Therewastobeatea-partyatthe“oldgrayhouse“thatevening——averyunusualevent；teninvitationshadbeensentout。Thefactis，MissPatseyhadreceivedabasketofnoblepeaches，thedaybefore，fromoneofherneighbours；andUncleJosiehadalready，earlyinthemorning，sentoverawagon-loadofgoodthingstoreplenishhisniece'slarder——theremainsofthelastnight'ssupper；amongotherdelicaciestherewasabitofbonedturkey，forMrs。
　　Hubbard'sespecialbenefit。Patseyscarcelyknewwhattodowithsomanyluxuries。Shesentabasketoffruitsandjelliestoacoupleofsickneighbours，byCharlie；still，therewasmorethanhermother，Charlie，andherself，couldpossiblydojusticetoinaweek。Shedeterminedtogivealittletea-party；itwaseighteenmonthssinceshehadhadone，andthathadbeenonlyfortheWyllyses。Dr。andMrs。VanHorne，theTaylors，theWyllyses，andtheClappswereaccordinglyinvited；andPatseyproceededtoburnsomecoffee，andmakeshort-cake。Thelittleparlourwasmorecarefullysweptanddustedthanever，fiveadditionalchairswerebroughtin，andafirewasmade，onaccountofMrs。Hubbard。
　　Then，aboutfouro'clock，theladiesmadetheirtoilette；Mrs。
　　Hubbardwasdressedinasmartnewcalico，withacap，madebyElinor，andwasthenseatedinthebestrocking-chair。AsforPatsey，herself，shecouldnotthinkofwearingtheelegantnewdress，UncleJosie'spresent——thatwasmuchtoofine；shepreferredwhathadnowbecomehersecond-best——ablacksilk，whichlookedsomewhatrustyandwell-worn。Totellthetruth，thisgownhadseengoodservice；ithadbeennotonlyturned，butre-turned——havingtwicegonethroughtheoperationofrippingandsponging；anddoubtfulasthefactmayappeartothereader，yetwehaveMissPatsey'swordforit，thatagoodsilkwillbeartwiceturning，butthenitmustbeasilkofafirst-ratequality，likeherown。Ithadbeen，indeed，thestandingopinionofthefamilyforthelastfiveyears，thatthisparticulardresswasstill“asgoodasnew。“Asforthechangesinfashionthatthisblacksilkhadoutlived，whoshalltellthem？Itwaspurchasedinthedaysofshortwaistsandbelts，“gig-ohs，“and“pal-reens，“astheywerecalledbythecountrydamsel，whosescissorsfirstshapedtheglossy“grodenap。“Waists，long，longer，longest，succeeded；sleeves，full，fuller，fullest，followed；beltswerediscarded，boddices{sic}begantoappear；
　　stillMissPatsey'ssilkkeptupwiththechanges，orrather，didnotentirelylosesightofthem。Ifyouhadseenheratalittletea-partyatWyllys-Roof，wearingthissilk，“nearlyasgoodasnew，“withaneatandprettycollarofElinor'swork，youwouldhavebeenobligedtoconfessthatherdressansweredarulegivenbyacelebratedphilosopher——youwouldnothaveremarkedit。HadyouchancedtomeetherofaSunday，inMr。Wyllys'scarriage——theWyllysesalwaysstoppedontheirwaytoSt。John'sChurch，atLongbridge，toofferacoupleofseatstotheHubbards，whoweresetdownatthedooroftheirfather'soldMeeting-house——hadyouseenherofaSunday，withaneatstrawhat，andtheblacksilkgown，youwouldhavebeenobligedtoacknowledgethatherdresshadthedoublemerit，bynomeanscommon，ofaccordingwithhercircumstances，andthesacreddutiesshewasgoingtofulfil；thedevotionofherneighbourswouldnotbedisturbedbyadmirationofhertoilette。
　　{“burnsomecoffee“=roastsomecoffee；“gig-oh“=apuffed“gigot“or“legofmutton“sleeve；“pal-reen“=“pelerine“，acapeormantle；“grodenap“=“grosdeNaples“，aweaveofsilkwithacordedeffectFrench}
　　Atfiveo'clock，MissPatsey'scompanybegantoassemble；theWyllyseswerethefirsttoappear；thencameMrs。Taylor，Mrs。
　　VanHorne，andMrs。Clapp；Adelineexcusedherself，shethoughtitabore，Charliewasnotworthflirtingwith。Thedoctor，Mr。
　　Taylor，andMr。Clapp，wereexpectedaftertea。Andapleasant，good-naturedeveningitprovedtobe。MissPatsey'scoffeewasexcellent；thelittleblackgirl，engagedfortheoccasion，performedherdutiestoadmiration。Mrs。Taylorthoughtthatshehadscarcelypassedsuchaquiet，pleasantafternoon，sincethehalcyondaysbeforeherhusbandwasarichman；shewasmuchinterestedindiscussingwithMissPatsey，andMissWyllys，andMrs。VanHorne，variousrecipesformakingbread，hoe-cake，andothergoodthings。AsforElinor，shetoldCharlieshehadleftherworkathome，onpurposethatshemighthavetimeenoughtolookoverallhissketches——everythinghehadtoshow，oldandnew。Thedrawings，andseveraloil-paintingswereaccordinglyproduced，andlookedoverbytheyoungpeople，andMr。Wyllys，whohadtakenachairbythetable，andjoinedthem。Elinorknewnothingofdrawing，buthergeneraltastewasgood；sheaskedmanyquestionsaboutthedetailsoftheart，andwasamusedandinterestedbyCharlie'sremarks。
　　{“leftherworkathome“=theknittingorsimilarhand-workengagedinbyladieswhiletheyconversed}
　　“Showuseverything，Charlie，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Ibefriendedyourgenius，youknow，inthedaysoftheslateandcompoundinterest；and，ofcourse，Ishallthinkitduetomyowndiscernmenttoadmireallyourworks。“
　　“Ofcourse，youarenotafraidofmycriticisms，“saidElinor；“I
　　don'tknowenoughtobesevere。“
　　“Peoplewhoknowlittle，mychild，generallymakeveryseverecritics，“saidMr。Wyllys。
　　“WhentheyknowLITTLE，grandpapa；butmineishonest，humbleignorance。Iknownothingatallonthesubject。“
　　“Doyouremember，MissElinor，thatHogarthsaidanybodypossessingcommonsensewasabetterjudgeofapicturethanaconnoisseur？”
　　{“Hogarth“=WilliamHogarth1697-1764，Englishartistandprintmaker。}
　　“DidHogarthsayso？——Ishallbegintofeelqualifiedtofindfault。Thatisaveryprettygroupofchildren，grandpapa。“
　　“Verypretty；——someofMissPatsey'slittlepeople。Andhereisanother，quitenaturalandgraceful，Charlie。“
　　“Ineverseemysister'slittlescholarsbutIamtemptedtosketchthem。Childrenaresuchacharmingstudy；butIamneversatisfiedwithwhatIdo；apictureofchildrenthatisnotthoroughlychildlikeisdetestable。Thosearemerescratches。“
　　“Whatarethesefaintoutlinesoffigures，withdashesofcolouringhereandthere？”askedElinor。
　　“Oh，thosearemerefancies，madeentirelyforamusement。TheyarerudesketchesofmyownideasofcelebratedpicturesthatI
　　haveneverseen，ofcourse；onlyasexercisesforidlemoments——onewayofpractisingattitudesoffigures，andcomposition。Ikeepthemmoreasalessonofhumilitythananythingelse，formetoremembermyownpoorconceitswhenIseetheoriginals，ifthathappydayevercome。“
　　“Ithoughtyougaveyourselfupentirelytolandscapes，Charlie——doyouthinkseriouslyofpursuingbothbranches？”askedMr。Wyllys。
　　“No，sir；Igivethepreferencetolandscapes；Ifind，atleast，thatfieldquitewideenough。Itseemsscarcelypossibletouniteboth，theyaresodifferentincharacteranddetail，andrequiresuchadifferentcourseofstudy。“
　　“Thatisthegreatpointwithyou，myboy；youmustnotwastetoomuchtimeupontheidealportionoftheart；youmustrememberthatthemostbeautifulideasintheworldwillbelost，iftheexecutionisnotinsomemeasureworthyofthem。“
　　“Iamsowellawareofthat，sir，thatIhavedonenothingbutstudythepracticalpartofmytradeforthelastthreemonths，andIfeelthatithasbeenofservicetome。“
　　“Thereiswaterinallyoursketches，Ibelieve，“saidElinor。
　　“Youmustbeverypartialtoit。“
　　“Iam，indeed——itisamostdelightfulstudy——IshouldbeafraidtotellyouallthepleasureIhaveinpaintingwater——youwouldlaughatme，ifIoncesetoffuponmyhobby。“
　　“Notatall；youhavemademeanhonestadmirerofeveryvarietyoflakesandrivers，sinceIhaveseenyourpictures。“
　　“Whendidyoufirsttaketowater，Charlie？”askedMr。Wyllys。
　　Oh，longago，sir，whenIwasalittlebitofashaver。Haveyouneverwhenachild，MissElinor，receivedgreatpleasure，perhapsalastingimpression，fromsomenaturalobjectthatyoustillrememberdistinctly？”
　　“Yes，Iknowwhatyoumean——Irecollectperfectlyseveralthingsofthekind。Ibelievechildrenhavemoreobservation，andfeelingforwhatisbeautiful，thanisgenerallysupposed。“
　　“Itisveryprobablethatmostchildrenhavesimilarsensations。
　　Iamgladthatyoudonotlaughatme；therearefewpersonstowhomIconfessmyviolentpartialityforwater；mostpeoplewouldthinkitridiculous。“
　　“Youareright，Charlie；onecantalktotheworldinactiononly；itneverbelievesthetruthinanyshape，untilforcedtoacknowledgeit。Youarepursuingtherightcourse，however；youhavespokenquiteclearlyinyourviewfromNahant——yourfriendshaveeveryreasontourgeyoutopersevere。ButdoesnotMr——
　　tellyoutopaymoreattentiontoyourfoliageandbuildings？youratherneglectthemforthewater。“
　　“Yes，sir；Iamwellawareofmydefectsinthatrespect，andnextsummerIhopetodevoteagreatdealoftimetofoliage。“
　　TheconversationwashereinterruptedbythearrivalofMr。VanHorneandMr。Taylor，followedshortlyafterbyMr。Clapp。
　　“Youarelate，William，“saidprettylittleMrs。Clapptoherhusband。“Didyouleavethechildrenallsafe？Didthebabycryforme？”
　　“Perfectlysafe——allsoundasleep，“repliedMr。Clapp，passinghisfingersthroughhiscurls。Buthiswife，whokneweveryexpressionofthefaceshethoughtsohandsome，fanciedWilliamlookedpaleanduneasy；somebusinesshadgonewrong，perhaps。
　　“Quiteaselectcircle，“observedMr。Taylor，sittingdownbyMissWyllys，leaninghischairback，androllinghisthumbs，oneovertheother。
　　“Ihavenothadapleasantereveninginagreatwhile，“saidMrs。
　　Taylor。“Itputsmeinmind，husband，ofoldfashionedtea-parties，whenwelivedaltogetherinthecountry。Weusedtogoattwoo'clock，andstayuntilsunset。Ithinksuchsociablepartiesaremuchpleasanterthanlate，crowdedballs。“
　　“Ha！ha！——thatmaybeyouropinion，Mrs。Taylor；aquietpartydoesverywellwhereoneisintimate，nodoubt；butIconcludethatyoungerladies，Adeline，andherfriendsMissGrahamandMissWyllys，wouldgiveadifferentverdict。“
　　“MissTaylorseemsquitepartialtolargeparties，“saidElinor，quietly，fortheremarkwasaddressedtoher。
　　“Yes，Adelineandher'chum'bothlikeplentyofballsandbeaux，Ireckon。“
　　“Whathasbecomeofyourpatient，doctor？”inquiredMissPatsey。
　　“Thepoormanatthetavern——doyouthinkhewillgetwell？”
　　“Ihavenodoubtthefellowwilloutlivehalf-a-dozensuchfits。
　　Ilefthimlastnightunderguardoftwomen，tokeephimfromhanginghimself；andthismorning，whenIwenttolookafterhim，hewasoff。Hewassomuchbetter，thathehadbeenpersuadedbysomemessmatetoshipforacruize——onlyathreeyears'whalingvoyage。RegularJack-tarfashion——afroliconeday，afitthenext，andofffortheendoftheworldthethird。“
　　“HehasleftLongbridge，hashe？”saidMr。Wyllys。“Iwasjustgoingtoinquireafterhim，fortheyhaveastorygoingabout，thatheusedverythreateninglanguageinspeakingofmyselfandHazlehurst。Didyouhappentohearhim，doctor？”
　　“Hedidusesomewild，incoherentexpressions，sir，tothateffect，whenIwaswithhim；butthethreatsofaravingmanarenotofmuchconsequence。“
　　“Certainlynot。ButIhavenoideawhothemancanbe；Idon'tknowasinglecommonseamanbysightorname——atleast，theonlyoneIeverknewislongsincedead。Itissingularthatthisfellowshouldhaveknownmynameeven；theysayhewasastrangeratLongbridge。“
　　“Entirelyso，Ibelieve。“
　　“Whatwashisname？”
　　“WilliamThompson，theytoldme。“
　　“Ifheisasailor，heprobablyhasadozenaliases，“interposedMr。Clapp，whohadbeenlisteningveryattentively。
　　“By-the-bye，Clapp，theysayheincludedyouinhiskindwishes。“
　　“Yes，sir，soIunderstand。“
　　“William，younevermentionedittome！”saidhiswife。
　　“No，mydear；Ididnotattachanyimportancetothestory，“
　　repliedthelawyer，pullingouthishandkerchiefwithonehand，andrunningtheotherthroughhishair——lookingalittlenervousanduneasy，notwithstanding。
　　“Hedidnotexactlythreatenyou，Mr。Clapp，whileIwaswithhim，“saidthedoctor；“heseemedrathertodependuponyouasanally。“
　　“Stillmoresingular，“saidMr。Clapp，withaglanceatMr。
　　Wyllys。
　　“Thatwasverystrange！”exclaimedhiswife——“whatcouldthemanmean？”
　　“Itisbynomeanseasytoexplainthemeaningofadrunkenman，mydear。Itisjustpossiblehemayhaveheardmynameasamanofbusiness。Ihavehadseveralsailorsforclients，andonequiterecently，stayingatthesametavern。“
　　“Idaresay，ifexplained，itwouldprovetobeMuchadoaboutNothing，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Sincethefellowwasdrunkatthetime，andwentoffassoonashegrewsober，thedangerdoesnotseemveryimminent。“
　　{“MuchadoaboutNothing“=anallusiontoShakespeare'splayofthatname}
　　“Preciselymyopinion，sir，“saidMr。Clapp。
　　“Grandpapa，doyourememberthesailorwhowasfoundnearourhouse，onenight，abouttwoyearsago？Itwasmybirth-day，andwehadalittleparty——haveyouforgotten？”
　　“True，mychild；Ihaveneverthoughtofthefellowsince；butnowyouspeakofhim，Irememberthefact。“
　　“Doyounotthinkitisprobablythesameperson？——youknowHarryhadhimlockedup：perhapsheowesyoubothagrudgeforthetreatmenthereceivedatWyllys-Roof，uponthatoccasion。“
　　“Thataccountsforthewholeaffair，MissElinor——youhaveclearedupthemysteryentirely，“saidMr。Clapp，lookingmuchrelieved。HenotonlyappearedgratefultoElinorfortheexplanationgiven，butseemedtoextendtheobligationtoallthefamily；forhewasparticularlyattentivetoMr。Wyllys，andMissAgnes，duringthewholeevening——andthenextmorning，early，droveouttoWyllys-Roof，expresslytocarrysomebrook-trout，forMr。Wyllys'sbreakfast。Thelawyerinformedseveralpersons，whoalludedtothestory，ofthissimpleexplanation，whichseemedtosatisfyallwhoheardit。Thewholeaffairwassoonforgotten，foratime，atleast。
　　CHAPTERXVI。
　　“Weakandirresoluteisman；
　　Thepurposeofto-dayWovenwithpainsintohisplan，To-morrowrendsaway。“
　　COWPER。
　　{WilliamCowperEnglishpoet，1731-1800，“HumanFrailty“lines1-4}
　　AFTERanabsenceofaweek，ortendays，HarryreturnedtoWyllys-Roof，notatallsorrytohearthathewastoolatetoseetheGrahams，astheyweregoingtoNewYorkthenextmorning。HewasveryattentivetoElinor——pointedlyso。Onceortwice，shewasgoingtojestwithhimuponthesubject，andinquirethecauseofthisstudiedgallantry；butobservinghewasstillalittleoutofspirits，shecontentedherselfwiththankinghimforthebookshehadbroughther。
　　Thenextdayprovedsomild，sohazy，andIndian-summer-like，thatHazlehurstproposedtotakeadvantageofit，togivetheladiesarowontheriver。Theywereoutforacoupleofhours，landedontheoppositebank，andpaidavisittotheirfriends，theBernards，wholivedamileortwobelowthem。Theairwasdelightful，thecountrylookedbeautiful——fresher，perhaps，thanatmidsummer；fortheheatwasnolongerparching，andtheSeptembershowershadwashedawaythedust，andbroughtoutthegreengrassagain。Harryhadbecomeinterestedintheconversation，andwasparticularlyagreeable；MissAgneswaspleasedwithhisremarks，andElinorthoughtshehadneverpassedapleasantermorning；shewaslittleawarethatitwastobefollowedbymanyanxious，painfuldays。
　　Theylanded，asusual，attheboat-house；andtheladiespreparedtowalkslowlyacrossthelawn，whileHarrysecuredtheboatandoars。Astheyapproachedthehouse，theyweresurprisedtoseeseveraloftheservantscollectedonthepiazza，listeningsointentlytoaladthattheydidnotseetheladies。OldHetty，asuperannuatednegrocook，whohadlivedallherlifeinthefamily，waswringingherhandsandwipinghereyeswithherapron；whileMammySarah，Elinor'sformernurse，arespectablewhitewoman，wastalkingtotheboy。
　　Elinorquickenedherpace，andhastenedbeforeheraunt，toinquireintothecauseofthisdistress。
　　“Whatisit，Mammy？”sheasked，onreachingthepiazza。“Whatisthematter？”
　　“Oh，dearieme；MissElly，MissElly！”exclaimedoldHetty；withafreshburstoftears。
　　“Tellus——Hetty——Mammy——whathashappened？”saidMissWyllys，assheapproached。
　　“Oh，MissAggess，MissAggess——dreadfulnews！”saidtheoldnegrowoman，buryingherfaceinherapron。
　　“Myfather？”askedMissAgnes，faintly，andtremblingwithalarm。
　　“No，ma'am，“saidMammySarah，lookingverysad，however；“Mr。
　　Wyllysisverywell，andwewerehopinghewouldcomeinbeforeyou，sothatwecouldgetatthetruth。“
　　“Letushearwhatyouhavetosay，atonce，Mammy，“continuedMissAgnes，anxiously。
　　“Billy，here，hasbroughtbadnewsfromLongbridge。“
　　“Dreadfulnews！”interposedoldHetty。“Oh，MissAggess！BillysayMissJane——“
　　“Whatisit？——Speakplainly！”criedMissWyllys。
　　“There'sanaccidenthappenedtothesteamboat，“addedMammy。
　　“B'ilerbust——dearieme——MissJane'sscalltodeath！”exclaimedHetty。
　　AcryofhorrorburstfromElinorandheraunt，andtheyturnedtowardsMammySarah。
　　“Ihopeitisn'tquitesobad，ma'am，“saidMammy；“butBillysaysthesteamboatboilerdidreallyburstaftershehadgotonlyhalfamilefromthewharf。“
　　AsecondsufficedforMissAgnesandElinortorememberHetty'sfondnessformarvelsanddisasters，andtheyhopedardentlythatthepresentaccountmightbeexaggerated。Theyturnedtotheboy：
　　“Whathadheheard？”“Whomhadheseen？”Billyreportedthathehadseentheboathimself；thathehadheardthecriesfromherdecks，whichthepeopleinthestreetthoughthadcomefromsomehorsesonboard，thatmusthavebeenscalded；thatanotherboathadgoneouttotheLongbridgesteamer，andhadtowedhertoawharfafewrodsfromthespotwheretheaccidenthappened；thathehadseen，himself，amanonhorseback，comingforthedoctor；
　　andthepeopletoldhimfivehorseshadbeenkilled，twomenbadlyhurt，andMr。Graham'seldestdaughterwasscaldedsobadlythatshewasnotexpectedtolive。
　　MissWyllys'sanxietyincreasedonhearingtheboy'sstory；sheorderedthecarriageinstantly，determinedthatunderanycircumstances，itwouldbebesttogotoLongbridgeatonce，eithertodiscoverthetruth，ortoassistMrs。GrahaminnursingJane，ifshewerereallybadlyinjured。Atthismoment，Harryreturnedfromtheboat-house。
　　“Whatisthematter？”heexclaimed，springingupthepiazzasteps，andlookingrounduponthesadandanxiousfaces。
　　“WehaveheardbadnewsfromLongbridge，“saidMissWyllys；butbeforeshecouldexplainherself，oldHettyburstintotearsagain，andturningtoHazlehurst，exclaimed：
　　“Oh，MassaHarry！——dreadfulnews！——MissJanescalltodeathinsteamboat！”
　　MissWyllyswassomuchstruckwiththeeffectofthesewordsonHarry，thatforaninstantsheforgottosay“shetrustedthestoryhadbeenexaggerated。“Hazlehurstlostallcolour——stoodspeechlessandmotionlessforamoment。Elinorwastoomuchagitatedherselftospeak。Suddenly，HarrymetMissAgnes'eye；
　　heturnedfromher，rushedthroughthehouse，andcontinuedwalkingrapidlyupanddowntheavenue，apparentlyforgetfulofeverythingbuthisownfeelings。AmidallheranxietyforJane，MissWyllyscouldnotbutremarkHazlehurst'smanner——heseemedentirelyovercome，byhisemotion；andyethehadnotaskedonequestion，normadeoneoffertodoanythingforElinor，orherself；andonewouldhavethoughtitmorenaturalthatatsuchamomentheshouldhaveremainedwiththem，painedanddistressedastheywere。ElinoronlythoughtthatHazlehurst'sfeelingsdidcredittohisheart；herownwasfullofgriefforthesufferingofherplayfellowandcompanion，whomshehadlovedalmostasasister。
　　Sometwentyminuteswerepassedinthismannerbytheauntandniece，withfeelingsbetterunderstoodthandescribed。Theywerewaitingforthecarriage，andnothingcouldbedoneinthemeantime；itseemedanagetoElinorbeforethecoachmancouldbefound，andthehorsesharnessed。Whileherauntandherselfwereintears，pacingthepiazzatogether，theyweresurprisedbytheappearance，ontheLongbridgeroad，oftheold-fashionedchairinwhichMr。Wyllysusuallydroveabouthisfarm。MissAgnesdistinctlysawherfatherdriving，withaladyathisside。Theywereapproachingataverysteady，quietpace。Astheyenteredthegate，MissAgnesandElinorhastenedtomeetthem；theysawHarrystoppingtospeaktoMr。Wyllys，andthenMissWyllysheardherfather'svoicecallingtoherself。
　　{“chair“=alight，one-horsecarriage}
　　“Allsafe！”hecried。“Itwasamisunderstanding；Janeisquitewell；thoughapooryoungwoman，bearingthesamename，hasbeenscalded。“
　　“Wewereinhopesthenewshadnotreachedyouyet，“saidMrs。
　　GeorgeWyllys，whoaccompaniedherfather-in-law。“Wewerealldreadfullyalarmed，atfirst，fortheaccidentwasverymuchexaggerated。“
　　MissWyllysandElinorweretoothankfulforJane'sescape，toexpressanythingbuttherelieftheyfeltonhearingofhersafety。
　　“Noonekilled，“continuedMr。Wyllys。“Theylostacoupleofhorses；twoofthemenwerehurt，butnotdangerously；andthenewchambermaid，whosenameisJaneGraham，hadherfeetbadlyscalded。Butthereissolittleharmdone，consideringwhatmighthavehappened，thatwehavereasontobeverythankfulforeveryoneonboard。“
　　“YoumayimaginehowmuchalarmedIwas，“continuedMrs。Wyllys；
　　“forIhappenedtobesittingatmyownwindow，whichoverlookstheriver，youknow，andIheardthenoiseandcriesfromtheboat，andknewtheGrahamswereonboard。“
　　Longexplanationsfollowed：Mr。Wyllyshadhadhisfrighttoo。Hehadheardatthesaddler's，thathalfMr。Graham'sfamilywerekilled。Now，however，itonlyremainedforthemtobethankfulthattheirfriendshadallescaped，andtohopeJane'snamesakewouldsoonrecover。
　　“Buthowlongisitsinceyouheardthestory？whydidyounotsendHarryoffatonce，togetatthetruth？”askedMr。Wyllys。
　　“Weweregoingourselves，“repliedMissAgnes。
　　“WhathasbecomeofHarry？——Whereishe？”askedherfather。
　　ButHarryhaddisappeared。
　　“Hewasmuchdistressedatthenews，“saidElinor。
　　“Nowonder；itwasahorribleidea。Butheshouldhavejumpedonhorseback，androdeovertoLongbridgetofindoutthetruth。“
　　ElinorlookedroundoncemoreforHazlehurst，astheyenteredthehouse；buthewascertainlynotthere。
　　“AndwhataretheGrahamsgoingtodo？”askedMissWyllys。
　　“Theyareoffagainthisafternoon，“repliedherfather，takingaseatonthesofa。
　　Hazlehurstwasnotseenagainallthemorning。Dinnercame，andhehadnotjoinedthefamily。
　　“Heisinhisroom，“saidElinor；“IheardhimwalkingasI
　　passedhisdoor。Iamafraidheisnotwell。“
　　Theservantwhowassenttolethimknowthatdinnerwasontable，returnedwiththeanswer，thatMr。Hazlehursthadabadhead-ache，andbeggedMissWyllyswouldexcusehim。
　　“ThatlongrowinthesunmusthavegivenHarryahead-ache，AuntAgnes，“saidElinor；“Iamsorrywewentsofar。“
　　“Perhapsso，“saidMissAgnes；althoughshedidnotseemwhollytobeofElinor'sopinion。
　　“Hazlehurstisnosuchtenderchicken，Nelly；youmustnotspoilhim，child——doyouhear？”saidhergrandfather，smilinginawaythatmadeElinorcolour。MissAgneswassilentduringdinner；butasthewholefamilyhadscarcelyrecoveredfromthealarmofthemorning，theshadeofanxietyonherfacewasnotremarked。
　　Harryremainedinhisroom。Ashehadrequestednottobedisturbed，hewasleftalone。Once，however，inthecourseoftheevening，aknockwasheardathisdoor，andaservantappeared。
　　“MissElinorsendsyouacupoftea，sir，andhopesyourheadisbetter，“saidThomas。
　　“MissElinorisverygood——Iammuchobligedtoher，“wasHarry'sanswer，inalow，thickvoice；butthecupoftearemaineduntasted，whileHazlehurstresumedhiswalkacrosstheroom。
　　When，shortlyafter，Elinor'svoicewasheardsinginghergrandfather'sfavouriteairofRobinAdairinlowertonesthanusual，Harryagainstartedfromthetable，wherehehadlaidpenandpaperpreparatorytowriting，andstrikinghishandagainsthisforehead，heexclaimed：
　　{“RobinAdair“=Irishfolksong，thoughoftenidentifiedwithScotland，withwordsca。1750byLadyCarolineKeppel；itistheonlyspecifictuneElinoriseverheardtosing}
　　“Ungratefulwretch，thatIam！”
　　ThenextmorningElinorwasupearly，andtakingthegardenbasket，shewentouttogatherallthelateflowersshecouldfind，tofillajarforthedrawing-room——singinggaily，asshewentfrombushtobush，andgatheringhereasprigofhoneysuckle，therevioletsoralaterose，bloomingoutofseason，andafewotherstragglingblossoms。Afterloiteringaboutthegardenforhalfanhour，shereturnedtothehouse。Shewassurprisedtoseethecoachman，atthatearlyhour，drivinguptheavenueinthelittlewagonusedforerrandsaboutthecountry。
　　“Wherehaveyoubeen，Williams？”sheasked，ashedrovepasthertowardsthestable。
　　“TocarryMr。HazlehurstovertoUpperLewiston，intimeforthesixo'clockboat，Miss。“
　　Elinorcouldscarcelybelievewhatshehadheard。Atthesamemoment，Mr。Wyllyssteppedoutonthepiazza。
　　“Whatisthis，Elinor？”heasked。“TheytellmeHarryisoff；didyouseehimthismorning？”
　　Elinorwasobligedtosayshehadnot。
　　“Whatcanitmean！didhegetanylettersbylastnight'smail？”
　　“NotthatIknowof，“saidElinor，muchsurprised，andalittlealarmed。