Alicelaughedwithanundercurrentofprotest，perhapsbecauseshehadseenherparents’wholelife，sofarassheknewit，passedinthissortofstruggle。“ImeanthatIhatemyownlifebecausethereseemsnothingformetodowithit。Iliketohavepeopledosomething。”
　　“Doyoureally？”askedMaveringsoberly，asifstruckbythenoveltyoftheidea。
　　“Yes！“shesaid，withexaltation。“IfIwereaman——“
　　Heburstintoaringinglaugh。“Ohno;don’t！“
　　“Why？”shedemanded，withprovisionalindignation。
　　“Becausethentherewouldn’tbeanyMissPasmer。”
　　ItseemedtoAlicethatthisjokingwasratheranunwarrantedliberty。
　　Againshecouldnothelpjoininginhislight-heartedness;butshecheckedherselfsoabruptly，andputonalooksoaustere，thathewasquelledbyit。
　　“Imean。”hebegan——“thatistosay——ImeanthatIdon’tunderstandwhyladiesarealwayssayingthat。Iamsuretheycandowhattheylike，asitis。”
　　“Doyoumeanthateverythingisopentothemnow？”sheasked，disentanglingaclusteroftheberriesfromthoseinherlap，andbeginningafreshbunch。
　　“Yes。”saidMavering。“Somethinglikethat——yes。Theycandoanythingtheylike。Lotsofthemdo。”
　　“Ohyes，Iknow。”saidthegirl。“Butpeopledon’tlikethemto。”
　　“Why，whatwouldyouliketobe？”heasked。
　　Shedidnotanswer，butsortedovertheclustersinherlap。“We’vegotenoughnow，haven’twe？”shesaid。
　　“Oh，nothalf。”hesaid。“Butifyou’retiredyoumustletmemakeupsomeofthebunches。”
　　“No，no！Iwanttodothemallmyself。”shesaid，gesturinghisofferedhandsaway，withalittlenetherappealinherlaughingrefusal“Soastofeelthatyou’vebeenofsomeuseintheworld？”hesaid，droppingcontentedlyonthegroundnearher，andwatchingherindustry。
　　“Doyouthinkthatwouldbeverywrong？”sheasked。“Whatmadethatfriendofyours——Mr。Boardman——gointojournalism？”
　　“Oh，virtuouspoverty。You’renotthinkingofbecominganewspaperwoman，MissPasmer！“
　　“Whynot？”Sheputthefinalclusterintothebunchinhand，andbegantowindawitheofsweet-grassaroundthestems。Hedroppedforwardonhiskneestohelpher，andtogethertheymanagedtheknot。Theywerebothflushedalittlewhenitwastied，andwereserious。
　　“Whyshouldn’tonebeanewspaperwoman，ifHarvardgraduatesaretobejournalists？”
　　“Well，youknow，onlyacertainkindare。”
　　“Whatkind？”
　　“Well，notexactlywhatyou’dcallthegentlemanlysort。”
　　“IthoughtMr。Boardmanwasagreatfriendofyours？”
　　“Heis。Heisoneofthebestfellowsintheworld。Butyoumusthaveseenthathewasn’taswell。”
　　“Ishouldthinkhe’dbegladhewasdoingsomethingatonce。IfIwerea——“Shestopped，andtheylaughedtogether。“ImeanthatIshouldhatetobesolonggettingreadytodosomethingasmenare。”
　　“Thenyou’dratherbeginmakingwall-paperatoncethanstudyinglaw？”
　　“Oh，Idon’tsaythat。I’mnotcompetenttoadvise。ButIshouldliketofeelthatIwasdoingsomething。Isupposeit’shereditary。”
　　Maveringstaredalittle。“Oneofmyfather’ssistershasgoneintoasisterhood。She’sinEngland。”
　　“Isshea——Catholic？”askedMavering。
　　“Sheisn’taRomanCatholic。”
　　“Ohyes！“Hedroppedforwardonhiskneesagaintohelphertiethebunchshehadfinished。Itwasnotsoeasyasthefirst。
　　“Oh，thankyou！“shesaid，withunnecessaryfervour。
　　“Butyoushouldn’tliketogointoasisterhood，Isuppose？”saidMavering，readytolaugh。
　　“Oh，Idon’tknow。Whynot？”Shelookedathimwithaflyingglance，anddroppedhereyes。
　　“Oh，noreason，ifyouhaveafancyforthatkindofthing。”
　　“Thatkindofthing？”repeatedAliceseverely。
　　“Oh，Idon’tmeananythingdisrespectfultoit。”saidMavering，throwinghisanxietyoffinthelaughhehadbeenholdingback。“AndIbegyourpardon。ButIdon’tsupposeyou’reinearnest。”
　　“Ohno，I’mnotinearnest。”saidthegirl，lettingherwristsfalluponherknees，andtheclustersdropfromherhands。“I’mnotinearnestaboutanything;that’sthetruth——that’stheshame。Wouldn’tyoulike。”
　　shebrokeoff，“tobeapriest，andgoroundamongthesepeopleuphereontheirfrozenislandsinthewinter？”
　　“No。”shoutedMavering，“Icertainlyshouldn’t。Idon’tseehowanybodystandsit。PonkwassetFallsisbadenoughinthewinter，andcomparedtothisregionPonkwassetFallsisametropolis。Ibelieveingettingallthegoodyoucanoutoftheworldyouwerebornin——ofcoursewithouthurtinganybodyelse。”Hestretchedhislegsoutonthebedofsweet-
　　fern，wherehehadthrownhimself，andrestedhisheadonhishandliftedonhiselbow。“Ithinkthisiswhatthisplaceisfitfor——apicnic;andIwisheveryonewelloutofitforninemonthsoftheyear。”
　　“Idon’t。”saidthegirl，withapassionateregretinhervoice。“Itwouldbeheavenlyherewith——Butyou——no，you’redifferent。Youalwayswanttoshareyourhappiness。”
　　“Ishouldn’tcallthathappiness。Butdon’tyou？”askedMavering。
　　“No。I’mselfish。”
　　“Youdon’texpectmetobebelievethat，Isuppose。”
　　“Yes。”shewenton，“itmustbeselfishness。Youdon’tbelieveI’mso，becauseyoucan’timagineit。Butit’strue。IfIweretobehappy，I
　　shouldbeverygreedyaboutit;Icouldn’tenduretoletanyoneelsehaveapartinit。Soit’sbestformetobewretched，don’tyousee——togivemyselfupentirelytodoingforothers，andnotexpectanyonetodoanythingforme;thenIcanbeofsomeuseintheworld。That’swhyI
　　shouldliketogointoasisterhood。”
　　Maveringtreateditasthebestkindofjoke，andhewasconfirmedinthisviewofitbyherlaughingwithhim，afterafirstglanceofwhathethoughtmockpiteousness。
　　XVI。
　　ThecloudssailedacrosstheirregularspaceofpaleblueNorthernskywhichthebreakinthewoodsopenedforthemoverhead。Itwassostillthattheyheard，andsmiledtohear，thebrokenvoicesoftheothers，whohadgonetogetberriesinanotherdirection——MissAnderson’shoarsemurmurandMunt’sartificialbass。Somewordscamefromthepartyontherocks。
　　“Isn’titperfect？”criedtheyoungfellowinuttercontent。
　　“Yes，tooperfect。”answeredthegirl，rousingherselffromthereverieinwhichtheyhadbothlostthemselves，shedidnotknowhowlong。
　　“Shallyougatheranymore？”
　　“No;Iguessthere’senough。Let’scountthem。”Hestoopedoveronhishand’sandknees，andmadeasmuchofcountingthebunchesashecould。
　　“There’saboutonebunchandahalfapiece。Howshallwecarrythem？
　　Weoughttocomeintocampasimpressivelyaspossible。”
　　“Yes。”saidAlice，lookingintohisfacewithdreamyabsence。Itwasgoingthroughhermind，fromsomeromanceshehadread，Whatifheweresomesylvancreature，withthatgaiety，thatnaturalgladnessandsweetnessofhis，sofarfromanyhappinessthatwaspossibletoher？
　　Oughtnotshetobeafraidofhim？Shewasthinkingshewasnotafraid。
　　“I’lltellyou。”hesaid。“Tiethestemsofallthebunchestogether，andswingthemoverapole，likegrapesofEshcol。Don’tyouknowthepicture？”
　　“Ohyes。”
　　“Holdon！I’llgetthepole。”Hecutawhitebirchsapling，andsweptoffitstwigsandleaves，thenhetiedthebunchestogether，andslungthemoverthemiddleofthepole。
　　“Well？”sheasked。
　　“Nowwemustresttheendsonourshoulders。”
　　“Doyouthinkso？”sheasked，withthereluctancethatcomplies。
　　“Yes，butnotrightaway。I’llcarrythemoutofthewoods，andwe’llformtheprocessionjustbeforewecomeinsight。”
　　Everyoneontheledgerecognisedthetableauwhenitappeared，andsaluteditwithcheersandhand-clapping。Mrs。Pasmerbentalookonherdaughterwhichshefacedimpenetrably。
　　“Wherehaveyoubeen？”“Wethoughtyouwerelost！““Wewerejustorganisingasearchexpedition！“differentonesshoutedatthem。
　　Theladywiththecoffee-potwaskneelingoveritwithherhandonit。
　　“Havesomecoffee，youpoorthings！Youmustbealmoststarved。”
　　“Welookedaboutforyoueverywhere。”saidMunt，“andshoutedourselvesdumb。”
　　MissAndersonpassednearAlice。“Iknewwhereyouwereallthetime！“
　　Thenthewholepartyfelltopraisingthenovelconceptionofthebouquetsofblueberries，andthetalkbegantoflowawayfromAliceandMaveringinvariouschannels。
　　Allthathadhappenedafewminutesagointheblueberrypatchseemedafar-offdream;therealityhaddiedoutofthelooksandwords。
　　Heranaboutfromonetoanother，servingeveryone;inalittlewhilethewholeaffairwasinhishospitablehands，andhislaughinterspersedandbrightenedthetalk。
　　Shegotalittlebackoftheothers，andsatlookingwistfullyoutoverthebay，withherhandsinherlap。
　　“Holdonjusthalfaminute，MissPasmer！don’tmove！“exclaimedtheamateurphotographer，whoisnowofallexcursions;hejumpedtohisfeet，andranforhisapparatus。Shesatstill，topleasehim;butwhenhehaddevelopedhispicture，inadarkcorneroftherocks，roofedwithawaterproof，heaccusedherofhavingchangedherposition。“Butit’sgoingtobesplendid。”hesaid，withanotherlookatit。
　　Hetookseveralpicturesofthewholeparty，forwhichtheyfellintovariousattitudesofconsciousness。Thenheshoutedtoaboat-loadofsailorswhohadbeachedtheircraftwhiletheygatheredsomedriftfortheirgalleyfire。Theyhadflungtheirarm-loadsintotheboat，andhadbentthemselvestoshoveitintothewater。
　　“Keepstill！don’tmove！“heyelledatthem，withtheimperiousnessoftheamateurphotographer，andtheyobeyedwiththehelplessnessofhisvictims。Buttheylookedround。
　　“Oh，idiots！“groanedtheartist。
　　“Ialwayswonderwhatthatkindofpeoplethinkofuskindofpeople。”
　　saidMrs。Brinkley，withhereyeonthephotographer’ssubjects。
　　“Yes，Iwonderwhattheydo？”saidMissCotton，pleasedwiththespeculativeturnwhichthetalkmighttakefromthis。“Isupposetheyenvyus？”shesuggested。
　　“Well，notallofthem;andthosethatdo，notrespectfully。Theyview，usasthepossessorsofill-gottengains，whowouldbeinaverydifferentplaceifwehadourdeserts。”
　　“Doyoureallythinkso？”
　　“Yes，Ithinkso;butIdon’tknowthatIreallythinkso。That’sanothermatter。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withthewhimsicalresentmentwhichMissCotton’sconscientiouspursuitseemedalwaystorouseinher。
　　“Isupposed。”continuedMissCotton，“thatitwasonlyamongthepoorinthecities，whohavebeginmisledbyagitators，thatthe-well-to-doclasseswereregardedwithsuspicion。”
　　“Itseemstohavebegunagreatwhileago。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“andnotexactlywithagitators。Itwasconsideredverydifficultforustogetintothekingdomofheaven，youknow。”
　　“Yes，Iknow。”assentedMissCotton。
　　“Andtherecertainlyaresomethingsagainstus。Evenwhenthechancewasgivenustosellallwehadandgiveittothepoor，wecouldn’tbringourmindstoit，andwentawayexceedingsorrowful。”
　　“Iwonder。”saidMissCotton，“whetherthosethingswereeverintendedtobetakenliterally？”
　　“Let’shopenot。”saidJohnMunt，seeinghischancetomakealaugh。
　　Mrs。Stamwellsaid，“Well，Ishalltakeanothercupofcoffee，atanyrate。”andherhardihoodraisedanotherlaugh。
　　“ThatalwaysseemstomethemostpitifulthinginthewholeBible。”saidAlice，fromherplace。“Toseetherightsoclearly，andnottobestrongenoughtodoit。”
　　“Mydear，ithappenseveryday。”saidMrs。Brinkley。
　　“Ialwaysfeltsorryforthatpoorfellow，too。”saidMavering。“Heseemedtobeagoodfellow，anditwasprettyhardlinesforhim。”
　　Alicelookedroundathimwithdeepeninggravity。
　　“Confoundthosefellows！“saidthephotographer，glancingathishastilydevelopedplate。“Theymoved。”
　　XVII。
　　Thepicnicpartygathereditselfupafterthelunch，andwhilesomeofthemen，emulousofMavering’spublicspirit，helpedsomeoftheladiestopackthedishesandbasketsawayunderthewagonseats，othersthrewacorkedbottleintothewater，andthrewstonesatit。Afewoftheladiesjoinedthem，butnobodyhitthebottle，whichwasfinallyleftbobbingaboutonthetide。
　　Mrs。Brinkleyaddressedthedefeatedgroup，ofwhomherhusbandwasone，astheycameupthebeachtowardthewagons。“Doyouthinkthatdisplaywascalculatedtoinspirethelowermiddleclasseswithrespectfulenvy？”
　　Herhusbandmadehimselfspokesmanfortherest:“No;butyoucan’ttellhowthey’dhavefeltifwe’dhitit。”
　　Theyallnowclimbedtoahigherlevel，grassyandsmooth，onthebluff，fromwhichtherewasaparticularview;andMaveringcame，carryingthewrapsofMrs。PasmerandAlice，withwhichheassociatedhisovercoat。A
　　bookfelloutofoneofthepocketswhenhethrewitdown。
　　MissAndersonpickedthevolumeup。“Browning！HereadsBrowning！
　　Superioryoungman！“
　　“Oh，don’tsaythat！“pleadedMavering。
　　“Oh，readsomethingaloud！“criedanotheroftheyoungladies。
　　“Isn’tBrowningratherseriousforapicnic？”heasked，withaglanceatAlice;hestillhadadoubtoftheeffectoftherheumaticuncle’sdanceuponher，andwouldhavebeengladtogivehersomeotheraestheticimpressionofhim。
　　“Ohno！“saidMrs。Brinkley，“nothingismoreappropriatetoapicnicthanconundrums;theyalwayshavethem。Chooseagoodtoughone。”
　　“Idon’tknowanythingtougherthanthe’LegendofPernik’——orlovelier。”
　　hesaid，andhebegantoread，simply，andwithapassionatepleasureinthesubtlestudy，feelingitscontroloverhishearers。
　　Thegentlemenlaysmokingaboutattheirease;attheendadeepsighwentupfromtheladies，cutshortbythequestionwhichtheyimmediatelyfellinto。
　　Theycouldnotagree，buttheysaid，oneafteranother:“Butyoureadbeautifully，Mr。Mavering！““Beautifully！““Yes，indeed！“
　　“Well，I’mgladthereisonepointclear。”hesaid，puttingthebookaway，and“I’mafraidyou’llthinkI’mrathersentimental。”headded，inalowvoicetoAlice，“carryingpoetryaroundwithme。”
　　“Ohno！“sherepliedintensely;“Ithankyou。”
　　“Ithankyou。”heretorted，andtheireyesmetinadeeplook。
　　Oneoftheoutercircleofsmokerscameupwithhiswatchinhishand，andaddressedthecompany，“Doyouknowwhattimeit’sgottobe？It’sfouro’clock。”
　　Theyallsprangupwithaclamourofsurprise。
　　Mrs。Pasmer，undercoverofthenoise，said，inalowtone，toherdaughter，“Alice，Ithinkyou’dbetterkeepalittlemorewithmenow。”
　　“Yes。”saidthegirl，inasympathywithhermotherinwhichshedidnotalwaysfindherself。
　　ButwhenMavering，whomtheirtacittreatyconcerned，turnedtowardthem，andputhimselfinchargeofAlice，Mrs。Pasmerfoundherselfdispossessedbythecharmofhisconfidence，andrelinquishedhertohim。
　　TheyweregoingtowalktotheCastleRocksbythepaththatnowlosesandnowfindsitselfamongthefastnessesoftheforest，stretchingtotheloftiestoutlookonthebay。Thesavagewoodlandispenetratedonlybythisforgetfulpath，thatpassesnowandthenaverthebridgeofaravine，andofferstotheeyeoneitherhandthemysterydeepeningintowilderandweirdertractsofsolitude。Thepartyresolveditselfintotwosandthrees，andthesestraggledfarapart，outofconversationalreachofoneanother。Mrs。PasmerfoundherselfwalkingandtalkingwithJohnMunt。
　　“Mr。Pasmerhasn’tmuchinterestintheseexcursions。”hesuggested。
　　“No;henevergoes。”sheanswered，and，byoneoftheagileintellectualprocessesnaturaltowomen，shearrivedatthequestion，“YouandtheMaveringsareoldfriends，Mr。Munt？”
　　“Ican’tsayabouttheson，butI’mhisfather’sfriend，andIsupposethatI’mhisfriendtoo。Everybodyseemstobeso。”suggestedMunt。
　　“OhYes。”Mrs。Pasmerassented;“heappearstobeauniversalfavourite。”
　　“WeusedtoexpectgreatthingsofElbridgeMaveringincollege。WewererathermoreromanticthantheHarvardmenarenowadays，andwebelievedinoneanothermorethantheydo。Perhapsweidealisedoneanother。
　　But，anyway，ourclassthoughtMaveringcoulddoanything。Youknowabouthistasteforetchings？”
　　“Yes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withasighofdeepappreciation。“Whatgiftedpeople！“
　　“Iunderstandthatthesoninheritsallhisfather’stalent。”
　　“Hesketchesdelightfully。”
　　“AndMaveringwrote。Why，hewasourclasspoet！“criedMunt，rememberingthefactwithsurpriseandgratificationtohimself。“Hewasatremendoussatirist。”
　　“Really？Andheseemssoamiablenow。”
　　“Oh，itwasonlyonpaper。”
　　“Perhapshestillkeepsitup——onwall-paper？”suggestedMrs。Pasmer。
　　Muntlaughedatthelittlejokewithagood-willthatflatteredtheveteranflatterer。“Ishouldliketoaskhimthatsometime。Willyoulendittome？”
　　“Yes，ifsuchasayerofgoodthingswilldeigntoborrow——“
　　“Oh，Mrs。Pasmer！“criedMunt，otherwisespeechless。
　　“Andthemother？DoyouknowMrs。Mavering？”
　　“Mrs。MaveringI’veneverseen。”
　　“Oh！“saidMrs。Pasmer，withadisappointmentforwhichMunttriedtoconsoleher。
　　“I’veneverevenbeenattheirplace。Heaskedmeonceagreatwhileago;butyouknowhowthosethingsare。I’veheardthatsheusedtobeveryprettyandverygay。Theywentaboutagreatdeal，toSaratogaandCapeMayandsuchplaces——ratheroutofourbeat。”
　　“Andnow？”
　　“Andnowshe’sbeenaninvalidforagreatmanyyears。Bedridden，I
　　believe。Paralysis，Ithink。”
　　Yes;Mrs。Saintsburysaidsomethingofthekind。”
　　“Well。”saidMunt，anxioustoaddtothestoreofknowledgewhichthisremarklethimunderstandhehadnotmateriallyincreased，“IthinkMrs。
　　Maveringwastheoriginofthewall-paper——orhermoney。Maveringwaspoor;herfatherhadstartedit，andMaveringturnedinhistalent。”
　　“Howveryinteresting！Andisthatthereason——itsbeingancestral——thatMr。Maveringwisheshissontogointoit？”
　　“Ishegoingintoit？”askedMunt。
　　“He’scomeupheretothinkaboutit。”
　　“Ishouldsupposeitwouldbeaverygoodthing。”saidMunt。
　　“Whataveryremarkableforest！“saidMrs。Pasmer，examiningitoneitherside，andturningquiteround。Thisgaveher，fromherplaceinthevanofthestragglingprocession，aglimpseofAliceandDanMaveringfarintherear。
　　“Don’tyouknow。”hewassayingtothegirlatthesamemoment，“it’slikesomeofthoseDoreillustrationstotheInferno，ortheWanderingJew。”
　　“Ohyes。IwastryingtothinkwhatitwasmademethinkIhadseenitbefore。”sheanswered。“Itmustbethat。Buthowstrangeitis！“sheexclaimed，“thatsensationofhavingbeentherebefore——insomeplacebeforewhereyoucan’tpossiblyhavebeen。”
　　“Anddoyoufeelithere？”heasked，asvividlyinterestedasiftheytwohadbeenthefirsttonoticethephenomenonwhichhasbeenapsychicalconsolationtosomanyyoungobservers。
　　“Yes。”shecried。
　　“IhopeIwaswithyou。”hesaid，withasuddenturnoflevity，whichdidnotdispleaseher，forthereseemedtobeatenderearnestnesslurkinginit。“Icouldn’tbeartothinkofyourbeingaloneinsuchahowlingwilderness。”
　　“Oh，Iwaswithalargepicnic。”sheretortedgaily。“Youmighthavebeenamongtherest。Ididn’tnotice。”
　　“Well，thenexttime，Iwishyou’dlookcloser。Idon’tlikebeingleftout。”Theyweresofarbehindtherestthathedevotedhimselfentirelytoher，andtheyhadgrownmoreandmoreconfidential。
　　Theycametoanarrowfoot-bridgeoveradeepgorge。Thehand-railhadfallenaway。Hesprangforwardandgaveherhishandforthepassage。
　　“Whohelpedyouoverhere？”hedemanded。“Don’tsayIdidn’t。”
　　“Perhapsitwasyou。”shemurmured，lettinghimkeepthefingerstowhichheclungamomentaftertheyhadcrossedthebridge。Thenshetookthemaway，andsaid:“ButIcan’tbesure。Thereweresomanyothers。”
　　“Otherfellows？”hedemanded，placinghimselfbeforeheronthenarrowpath，sothatshecouldnotgetby。“Trytoremember，MissPasmer。Thisisveryimportant。Itwouldbreakmyheartifitwasreallysomeoneelse。”Shestoleaglanceathisface，butitwassmiling，thoughhisvoicewassoearnest。“Iwanttohelpyouoverallthebadplaces，andI
　　don’twantanyoneelsetohaveahandinit。”
　　Thevoiceandthefacestillbeliedeachother，andbetweenthemthegirlchosetofeelherselftrifledwithbytheartistictemperament。“Ifyou’llpleasestepoutoftheway，Mr。Mavering。”shesaidseverely，“I
　　shallnotneedanybody’shelpjusthere。”
　　Heinstantlymovedaside，andtheywerebothsilent，tillshesaid，asshequickenedherpacetoovertaketheothersinfront，“Idon’tseehowyoucanhelplikingnatureinsuchaplaceasthis。”
　　“Ican’t——humannature。”hesaid。Itwasmerefolly;andanabstractfollyatthat;butthefacethatshehelddownandawayfromhimflushedwithsweetconsciousnessasshelaughed。
　　Onthecliffbeetlingabovethebay，whereshesattolookoutoverthesadnorthernsea，litwiththefishingsailtheyhadseenbefore，andthesurgewashedintotherockycovesfarbeneaththem，hethrewhimselfatherfeet，andmadeheraloneinthecompanythatcameandwentandtriedthisviewandthatfromthedifferentpointswherethepicnichostessinsistedtheyshouldenjoyit。Shelefttheyoungcoupletothemselves，andMrs。PasmerseemedtohaveforgottenthatshehadbiddenAlicetobealittlemorewithher。
　　Alicehadforgottenittoo。ShesatlisteningtoMavering’stalkwithacertainfascination，butnotsomuchapparentlybecausethemeaningofthewordspleasedherasthesoundofhisvoice，themotionofhislipsinspeaking，charmedher。Atfirsthewasserious，andevenmelancholy，asifhewereafraidhehadoffendedher;butapparentlyhesoonbelievedthathehadbeenforgiven，andbegantoburlesquehisownmood，butstillwithadeferenceandawatchfulobservanceofherchangesoffeelingwhichwasdelicatelyflatteringinitsway。Nowandthenwhensheansweredsomethingitwasnotalwaystothepurpose;heaccusedherofnothearingwhathesaid，butshewouldhaveitthatshedid，andthenhetriedtotestherbyproofsandquestions。Itdidnotmatterforanythingthatwasspokenordone;speechandactionofwhateversortweremeremasksoftheiryoungjoyineachother，sothatwhenhesaid，afterhehadquotedsomelinesbefittingthescenetheylookedouton;“NowwasthatfromTennysonorfromTupper？”andsheanswered，“Neither;itwasfromShakespeare。”theyjoined，inthesamehappylaugh，andtheylaughednowandthenwithoutsayinganything。Neitherthisnorthatmadethemmoregladorless;theywereinatrance，vulnerabletonothingbutthesummonswhichmustcometoleavetheirdreambehind，andissueintothewakingworld。
　　Inhopeorinexperiencesuchamomenthascometoall，anditissoprettytothosewhorecogniseitfromtheoutsidethatnoonehasthehearttohurryitawaywhileitcanbehelped。TheaffairbetweenAliceandMaveringhadevidentlyhermother’ssanction，andalltherestwereeagertohelpiton。Whenthepartyhadstartedtoreturn，theycalledtothem，andletthemcomebehindtogether。AtthecarriagestheyhadwhatMissAndersoncalledanewdeal，andAliceandMaveringfoundthemselvestogetherintherearseatofthelast。
　　Thefogbegantocomeinfromthesea，andfollowedthemthroughthewoods。Whentheyemergeduponthehighwayitwrappedthemdenselyround，andformedalittleworld，cosy，intimate，wheretheytwodweltalonewiththesefriendsoftheirs，eachofwhomtheypraisedfordelightfulqualities。Thehorsesbeatalongthroughthemist，inwhichthereseemednoprogress，andtheylivedinablissfularrestoftime。MissAndersoncalledbackfromthefrontseat，“Myearbuyns;you’retalkin’aboutme。”
　　“Whichear？”criedMavering。
　　“Oh，theleft，ofcouyse。”
　　“Thenit’smerelyhabit，Julie。Yououghttohaveheardthenicethingsweweresayingaboutyou。”Alicecalled。
　　“I’dliketohearallthenicethingsyou’vebeensaying。”
　　Thisseemedthelasteffectofsubtlewit。Maveringbrokeoutinhislaugh，andAlice’slaughrangaboveit。
　　Mrs。Pasmerlookedinvoluntarilyroundfromthecarriageahead。
　　“Theyseemtobehavingagoodtime。”saidMrs。Brinkleyatherside。
　　“Yes;IhopeAliceisn’toverdoing。”
　　“I’mafraidyou’redreadfullytired。”saidMaveringtothegirl，inalowvoice，asheliftedherfromherplacewhentheyreachedthehotelthroughtheprovisionaldarkness，andfoundthatafterallitwasonlydinner-time。
　　“Ohno。Ifeelasifthepicnicwerejustbeginning。”
　　“Thenyouwillcometo-night？”
　　“Iwillseewhatmammasays。”
　　“ShallIaskher？”
　　“Oh，perhapsnot。”saidthegirl，repressinghisardour，butnotseverely。
　　XVIII。
　　Theyweregoingtohavesometheatricalsatoneofthecottages，andtheladyatwhosehousetheyweretobegivenmadehastetoinviteallthepicnicpartybeforeitdispersed。Mrs。Pasmeracceptedwithamentalreservation，meaningtosendanexcuselaterifshechose;andbeforeshedecidedthepointshekeptherhusbandfromgoingafterdinnerintothereading-room，wherehespentnearlyallhistimeoverapaperandacigar，orinsittingabsolutelysilentandunoccupied，andmadehimgototheirownroomwithher。
　　“ThereissomethingthatImustspeaktoyouabout。”shesaid，closingthedoor，“andyoumustdecideforyourselfwhetheryouwishtoletitgoanyfurther。”
　　“Whatgoanyfurther？”askedMr。Pasmer，sittingdownandputtinghishandtothepocketthatheldhiscigar-casewiththesameseriesofmotions。
　　“No，don’tsmoke。”shesaid，stayinghishandimpatiently。“Iwantyoutothink。”
　　“HowcanIthinkifIdon’tsmoke？”
　　“Verywell;smoke，then。DoyouwantthisaffairwithyoungMaveringtogoanyfarther？”
　　“Oh！“saidPasmer，“Ithoughtyouhadbeenlookingafterthat。”Hehadinfactrelegatedthattothecompanyofthegreatquestionsexteriortohispersonalcomfortwhichshealwaysdecided。
　　“Ihavebeenlookingafterit，butnowthetimehascomewhenyoumust，asafather，takesomeinterestinit。”
　　Pasmer’snoblemaskofaface，fromthepointofhisfullwhitebeardtohisfineforehead，crossedbyhisimpressiveblackeyebrows，expressedallthedignifiedconcernwhichafatheroughttofeelinsuchanaffair;
　　butwhathewasreallyfeelingwasagravereluctancetohavetointerveneinanyway。“Whatdoyouwantmetosaytohim？”heasked。
　　“Why，Idon’tknowthathe’sgoingtoaskyouanything。Idon’tknowwhetherhe’ssaidanythingtoAliceyet。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withsomeexasperation。
　　Herhusbandwassilent，buthissilenceinsinuatedadegreeofwonderthatsheshouldapproachhimprematurelyonsuchapoint。
　　“Theyhavebeenthrowntogetherallday，andthereisnousetoconcealfromourselvesthattheyareverymuchtakenwitheachother？”
　　“Ithought。”Pasmersaid，“thatyousaidthatfromthebeginning。Didn’tyouwantthemtobetakenwitheachother？”
　　“Thatiswhatyouaretodecide。”
　　Pasmersilentlyrefusedtoassumetheresponsibility。
　　“Well？”demandedhiswife，afterwaitingforhimtospeak。
　　“Wellwhat？”
　　“Whatdoyoudecide？”
　　“Whatistheuseofdecidingathingwhenitisallover？”
　　“Itisn’toveratall。Itcanbebrokenoffatanymoment。”
　　“Well，breakitoff，then，ifyoulike。”
　　Mrs。Pasmerresumedtheresponsibilitywithasigh。Shefelttheburden，thepenalty，ofpower，afterhavingsolongenjoyeditssweets，andshewouldwillinglyhaveabdicatedthesovereigntywhichshehadspentherwholemarriedlifeinestablishing。Buttherewasnoonetotakeitup。
　　“No，Ishallnotbreakitoff。”shesaidresentfully;“Ishallletitgoon。”Thenseeingthatherhusbandwasnotshakenbyherthreatfromhislong-confirmedsubjection，sheadded:“Itisn’tanidealaffair，butI
　　thinkitwillbeaverygoodthingforAlice。HeisnotwhatIexpected，butheisthoroughlynice，andIshouldthinkhisfamilywasnice。I’vebeentalkingwithMr。Muntaboutthemto-day，andheconfirmsallthatEttaSaintsburysaid。Idon’tthinktherecanbeanydoubtofhisintentionsincominghere。Heisn’taparticularlyartlessyoungman，buthe’sbeensufficientlyfrankaboutAlicesincehe’sbeenhere。”Herhusbandsmokedon。“Hisfatherseemstohavetakenupthebusinessfromtheartisticside，andMr。Maveringwon’tbeexpectedtoenterintothecommercialpartatonce。Ifitwasn’tforAlice，Idon’tbelievehewouldthinkofthebusinessforamoment;hewouldstudylaw。Ofcourseit’salittleembarrassingtohaveherengagedatoncebeforeshe’sseenanythingofsocietyhere，butperhapsit’sallforthebest，afterall:
　　themainthingisthatsheshouldbesatisfied，andIcanseethatshe’sonlytoomuchso。Yes，she’sverymuchtakenwithhim;andIdon’twonder。Heischarming。”
　　ItwasnotthefirsttimethatMrs。Pasmerhadreasonedinthisround;
　　buttheutteranceofherthoughtsseemedtothrowanewlightonthem，andshetookacouragefromthemthattheydidnotalwaysimpart。Shearrivedatthefinalopinionexpressed，withathroboftendernessfortheyoungfellowwhomshebelievedeagertotakeherdaughterfromher，andnowforthefirsttimesheexperiencedadesolationintheprospect，asifitwereanaccomplishedfact。Shewasmorallyabundleoffinesses，butatthebottomofherheartherdaughterwasalltheworldtoher。Shehadmadethegirlheridol，andif，likesomeotherheathen，shehadnotalwaysusedheridolwiththegreatestdeference，ifshehadoftenexpectedtheimpossiblefromit，andmadeitpayforherdisappointment，stillshehadneverswervedfromherworshipofit。Shesuddenlyaskedherself，Whatifthisyoungfellow，socharmingandsogood，shouldsowhollymonopoliseherchildthatsheshouldnolongerhaveanyshareinher？WhatifAlice，whohadsolongformedherfirstcareandchiefobjectinlife，shouldcontentedlyloseherselfintheloveandcareofanother，andbothshouldignoreherrighttoher？SheansweredherselfwithapangthatthismighthappenwithanyoneAlicemarried，andthatitwouldbenoworse，attheworst，withDanMaveringthanwithanother，whileherhusbandremainedimpartiallysilent。Alwayskeepingwithinthelinestowhichhiswife’ssupremacyhaddrivenhim，hefeltsafethere，andwasnottobeeasilycoaxedoutofthem。
　　Mrs。Pasmerroseandlefthim，withhisperfectacquiescence，andwentintoherdaughter’sroom。ShefoundAlicethere，withaprettyeveningdresslaidoutonherbed。Mrs。Pasmerwasveryfondofthatdress，andatthethoughtofAliceinitherspiritsroseagain。
　　“Oh，areyougoing，Alice？”
　　“Why，yes。”answeredthegirl。“Didn’tyouaccept？”
　　“Why，yes。”Mrs。Pasmeradmitted。“Butaren’tyoutired？”
　　“Oh，notintheleast。IfeelasfreshasIdidthismorning。Don’tyouwantmetogo？”
　　“Ohyes，certainly，Iwantyoutogo——ifyouthinkyou’llenjoyit。”
　　“Enjoyit？Why，whyshouldn’tIenjoyit，mamma！“Whatareyouthinkingabout？It’sgoingtobethegreatestkindoffun。”
　　“Butdoyouthinkyououghttolookateverythingsimplyasfun？”askedthemother，withunwonteddidacticism。
　　“Howeverything？Whatareyouthinkingabout，mamma？”
　　“Oh，nothing！I’msogladyou’regoingtowearthatdress。”
　　“Why，ofcourse！It’smybest。Butwhatarcyoudrivingat，mamma？”
　　Mrs。Pasmerwasreallyseekinginherdaughterthatcomfortofadistinctvolitionwhichshehadfailedtofindinherhusband，andshewishedtoassureherselfofitmoreandmore，thatshemightsharewithsomeonetheresponsibilitywhichhehadrefusedanypartin。
　　“Nothing。ButI’mgladyouwishsomuchtogo。”Thegirldroppedherhandsandstared。“Youmusthaveenjoyedyourselfto-day。”sheadded，asifthatwereanexplanation。
　　“OfcourseIenjoyedmyself！Butwhathasthattodowithmywantingtogoto-night？”
　　“Oh，nothing。ButIhope，Alice，thatthereisonethingyouhavelookedfullyintheface。”
　　“Whatthing？”falteredthegirl，andnowshowedherselfunabletoconfrontitbydroppinghereyes。
　　“Well，whateveryoumayhaveheardorseen，nobodyelseisindoubtaboutit。WhatdoyousupposehasbroughtMr。Maveringhere！“
　　“Idon’tknow。”Thedenialnotonlyconfessedthatshedidknow，butitinformedhermotherthatallwasasyettacitbetweentheyoungpeople。
　　“Verywell，then，Iknow。”saidMrs。Pasmer;“andthereisonethingthatyoumustknowbeforelong，Alice。”
　　“What？”sheaskedfaintly。
　　“Yourownmind。”saidhermother。“Idon’taskyouwhatitis，andI
　　shallwaittillyoutellme。OfcourseIshouldn’thavelethimstayhereifIhadobjected——“
　　“Omamma！“murmuredthegirl，dyedwithshametohavethefactssoboldlytouched，butnot，probably，toodeeplydispleased。
　　“Yes。AndIknowthathewouldneverhavethoughtofgoingintothatbusinessifhehadnotexpected——hoped——“
　　“Mamma！“
　　“Andyououghttoconsider——“
　　“Oh，don’t！don’t！don’t！“imploredthegirl。
　　“That’sall。”saidhermother，turningfromAlice，whohadhiddenherfaceinherhands，toinspectthecostumeonthebed。Sheliftedonepieceofitafteranother，turneditover，lookedatit，andlaiditdown。“Youcannevergetsuchadressinthiscountry。”
　　Shewentoutoftheroom，asthegirldroppedherfaceinthepillow。Anhourlatertheymetequippedfortheevening’spleasure。Tothekeenglancethathermothergaveher，thedaughter’seyeshadthebrightnessofeyesthathavebeenweeping，buttheywerealsobrightwiththatknowledgeofherownmindwhichMrs。Pasmerhaddesiredforher。Shemethermother’sglancefearlessly，evenproudly，andshecarriedherstylishcostumewithasplendourtowhichonlyoccasionscouldstimulateher。
　　Theydramatisedaperfectunconsciousnesstoeachother，butMrs。Pasmerwasbynomeanssatisfiedwiththedecisionwhichshehadreadinherdaughter’slooks。Somehowitdidnotrelieveheroftheresponsibility，anditdidnotchangethenatureofthecase。Itwasgratifying，ofcourse，toseeAlicetheobjectofapassionsosincereandsoardent;sofarthetriumphwascomplete，andtherewasreallynothingobjectionableintheyoungmanandhiscircumstances，thoughtherewasnothingverydistinguished。ButtheaffairwasaltogetherdifferentfromanythingthatMrs。Pasmerhadimagined。ShehadsupposedandintendedthatAliceshouldmeetsomeoneinBoston，andgothroughacourseofsocietybeforereachinganydecisivestep。Therewastobeawholeseasoninwhichtolookthegroundcarefullyover，andthegroundwastobeallwithincertainwell-ascertainedandguardedprecincts。Butthisthathadhappenedwasoutsideoftheseprecincts，ofatleastontheirmereoutskirts。ClassDay，ofcourse，wasallright;andshecouldnotsaythatthesummercolonyatCampobellowasnotthoroughlyandessentiallyBoston;andyetshefeltthatcertaininfluences，certainsanctions，wereabsent。Totellthetruth，shewouldnothavecaredforthefeelingsofMavering’sfamilyinregardtothematter，exceptastheymightafterwardconcernAlice，andthetimehadnotcomewhenshecouldrecognisetheirexistenceinregardtotheaffair;andyetshecouldhavewishedthatevenasitwashisfamilycouldhaveseenandapproveditfromthestart。
　　Itwouldhavebeenmoreregular。
　　WithAliceitwasasimplermatter，andofcoursedeeper。Forheritwasonlyaquestionofhimselfandherself;nooneelseexistedtothesublimeegotismofherlove。Shedidnotcallitbythatname;shedidnotpermitittoassertitselfbyanyname;itwasamereformlessjoyinhersoul，atrustfulandblissfulexpectance，whichshenownomorebelievedhecoulddisappointthanthatshecoulddiewithinthathour。
　　Alltherebellionthatshehadsometimesfeltattheanomalousattitudeexactedofhersexinregardtosuchmatterswasgone。Shenolongerthoughtitstrangethatagirlshouldbeexpectedtoignoretheadmirationofayoungmantillheexplicitlydeclaredit，andshouldthenbefullypossessedofallthematerialsofadecisiononthemostmomentousquestioninlife;forsheknewthatthisstateofignorancecouldneverreallyexist;shehadknownfromthefirstmomentthathehadthoughtherbeautiful。To-nightshewasradiantforhim。Hereyesshonewiththelookinwhichtheyshouldmeetandgivethemselvestoeachotherbeforetheyspoke——thelookinwhichtheyhadmetalready，inwhichtheyhadlivedthatwholeday。
　　XIX。
　　Theevening’sentertainmentwassomethingthatmustfailbeforeanaudiencewhichwasnotverykind。Theyweretopresentaburlesqueofclassicfable，andtheparts，withtheirgeneralintention，hadbeendistributedtothedifferentactors;butnothinghadbeenwrittendown，and，beyondthesituationsandafewpointsofdialogue，allhadtobeimprovised。Thecostumesandpropertieshadbeeninventedfromsuchthingsascametohand。Sheetssculpturesquelydrapedthedeitieswhotookpart;afox-peltfromthehearthdiddutyastheleopardskinofBacchus;afeatherdusterservedNeptuneforatrident;thelyreofApollowasadust-pan;agull’sbreastfurnishedJovewithhisgreybeard。
　　Thefablewasadaptedtomodernlife，andthescenehadbeenlaidinCampobello，thepeculiaritiesofwhichweretobesatirisedthroughout。
　　TheprincipalsituationwastobeapassagebetweenJupiter，representedbyMavering，andJuno，whomMissAndersonpersonated;itwastobeasceneofconjugalreproachesandreprisals，andtoendinreconciliation，inwhichthefatherofthegodssacrificedhimselfonthealtarofdomesticpeacebypromisingtobringhisfamilytoCampobelloeveryyear。
　　ThiswastobefollowedbyasketchoftheJudgmentofParis，inwhichJunoandPallasweretobepersonatedbytwoyoungmen，andMissAndersontookthepartofVenus。
　　Theprettydrawing-roomoftheTrevors——youngpeoplefromAlbany，andcousinsofMissAnderson——wascurtainedoffatoneendforastage，andbeyondtheslidingdoorswhichdivideditinhalfweresetchairsforthespectators。Peoplehadcomeinwhateverdresstheyliked;themenweremostlyinmorningcoats;theladieshadgenerallymadesomeattemptateveningtoilet，buttheyjoinedinadmiringAlicePasmer’scostume，andoneofthemsaidthattheywouldletitrepresentthemall，andexpresswhateachmighthavedoneifshewould。Therewasnotmuchtimefortheirtributes;allthelampswerepresentlytakenawayandsetalongthefloorinfrontofthecurtainasfoot-lights，leavingthecompanyinadarknesswhichMrs。Brinkleypronouncedsepulchral。Shemadeherreproachestothemasterofthehouse，whohadeffectedthistranspositionofthelamps。“Iwasjustthinkingsomeveryprettyandvaluablethingsaboutyourcharmingcottage，Mr。Trevor:arugonabarefloor，atrimofvarnishedpine，awallwithhalfadozensimpleetchingsonit，anopenfire，andamantelpiecewithoutbric-a-brac，howentirelysatisfyingitallis！Andhowitupbraidsusforheapingupupholsteryaswedointown！“
　　“Goon。”saidthehost。“Thosearebeautifulthoughts。”
　　“ButIcan’tgooninthedark。”retortedMrs。Brinkley。“Youcan’tthinkinthedark，muchlesstalk！Canyou，Mrs。Pasmer？”Mrs。Pasmer，withAlicenexttoher，satjustinfrontofMrs。Brinkley。
　　“No。”sheassented;“butifIcould——YOUcanthickanywhere，Mrs。
　　Brinkley——Mrs。Trevor’slovelyhousewouldinspiremetoit。”
　　“Twobirdswithonestone——thankyou，Mrs。Pasmer，formypartofthecompliment。Pickyourselfup，Mr。Trevor。”
　　“Oh，thankyou，I’mallright。”saidTrevor，pantingaftertheladies’
　　meanings，asamanmust。“Isupposethinkingandtalkinginthedarkisagooddeallikesmokinginthedark。”
　　“No;thinkingandtalkingarenotatalllikesmokingunderanyconditions。Whyintheworldshouldtheybe？”
　　“Oh，Ican’tgetanyfunoutofacigarunlessIcanseethesmoke。”thehostexplained。
　　“Doyoufollowhim，Mrs。Pasmer？”
　　“Yes，perfectly。”
　　“Thankyou，Mrs。Pasmer。”saidTrevor。
　　“I’llgetyoutotellmehowyoudiditsometime。”saidMrs。Brinkley。
　　“Butyourhouseisagem，Mr。Trevor。”
　　“Isn’tit？”criedTrevor。“Iwantmywifetoliveheretheyearround。”
　　ItwastheTrevors’firstsummerintheircottage，andtheexperiencedreaderwilleasilyrecognisehismood。“Butshe’ssuchaworldlyspirit，shewon’t。”
　　“Oh，Idon’tknowabouttheyearround。Doyou，Mrs。Pasmer？”
　　“Ishould。”saidAlice，withthesuddennessofyouth，breakingintothetalkwhichshehadnotbeensupposedtotakeanyinterestin。
　　“Isitpropertokissayounglady’shand？”saidTrevorgratefully，appealingtoMrs。Brinkley。
　　“Itisn’tverycustomaryinthenineteenthcentury。”saidMrs。Brinkley。
　　“Butyoumightkissherfan。Hemightkissherfan，mightn’the，Mrs。
　　Pasmer？”
　　“Certainly。Alice，holdoutyourfaninstantly。”
　　Thegirlhumouredthejoke，laughing。
　　Trevorpressedhislipstotheperfumedsticks。“IwilltellMrs。
　　Trevor。”hesaid，“andthatwilldecideher。”
　　“Itwilldecidehernottocomehereatallnextyearifyoutellherall。”
　　“Henevertellsmeall。”saidMrs。Trevor，catchingsomuchofthetalkasshecameinfromsomehospitablecaresinthedining-room。“They’reincapableofit。Whathashebeendoingnow？”
　　“Nothing。OrIwilltellyouwhenwearealone，Mrs。Trevor。”saidMrs。
　　Brinkley，withburlesquesympathy。“Weoughtn’ttohaveasceneonbothsidesofthefoot-lights。”
　　Aboyishface，allexcitement，wasthrustoutbetweenthecurtainsformingtheprosceniumofthelittletheatre。“Allready，Mrs。Trevor？”
　　“Yes，allready，Jim。”
　　Hedashedthecurtainsapart，andmarredtheeffectofhisowndisappearancefromthescenebytrippingoverthelonglegsofJove，stretchedouttothefront，wherehesatonMrs。Trevor’srichestrug，proppedwithsofacushionsoneitherhand。
　　“Soperishalltheimpiousraceoftitans，enemiesofthegods！“saidMaveringsolemnly，astheboyfellsprawling。“Picktheearth-borngiantup，Vulcan，myson。”
　　Theboywasverysmallforhisage;everyonesawthattheaccidenthadnotbeenpremeditated，andwhenVulcanappeared，withanexaggeratedlimp，andcarriedtheboyoff，aburstoflaughterwentupfromthecompany。
　　Itdidnotmatterwhattheplaywastohavebeenafterthat;itallturnedupontheaccident。Junocameon，andbegantoreproachJupiterforhiscarelessness。“I’vesentMercuryupstairsfortheaynica;buthesaysit’snouse:thatboywon’tbeabletopassballforaweek。HowoftenhaveItoldyounottositwithyourfeetoutthatway！Iknewyou’dhurtsomebody。”
　　“Ididn’thavemyfeetout。”retortedJupiter。“Besides。”headded，withdignity，andaburlesqueofmaritalspecialpleadingwhicheverywifeandhusbandrecognised，“Ialwayssitwithmyfeetoutso，andIalwayswill，solongasI’vethespiritofagod。”
　　“Isn’thedelicious？”buzzedMrs。Pasmer，leaningbackwardtowhispertoMrs。Brinkley;itwasnotthatshethoughtwhatDanhadjustsaidwassoveryfanny，butpeopleareimmoderatelyapplausiveofamateurdramatics，andshewasfeelingveryfondoftheyoungfellow。
　　Theimprovisationwentwildlyandadventurouslyon，andthecurtainsdroppedtogetheramidstthefacileacclaimoftheaudience:
　　“It’sverywellforJupiterthathehappenedtothinkofthecurtain。”
　　saidMrs。Brinkley。“Theycouldn’thavekeptitupatthatlevelmuchlonger。”
　　“Oh，doyouthinkso？”softlymurmuredMrs。Pasmer。“Itseemedasiftheycouldhavekeptitupallnightiftheyliked。”
　　“Idoubtit。Mr。Trevor。”saidMrs。Brinkleytothehost，whohadcomeupforhercongratulations，“doyoualwayshavesuchbrilliantperformances？”
　　“Well，wehavesofar。”heansweredmodestly;andMrs。Brinkleylaughedwithhim。ThiswasthefirstentertainmentatTrevorcottage。
　　“’Sh！“wentupallroundthem，andMrs。Trevorcalledacrosstheroom，inareproachfulwhisperloudenoughforeveryonetohear，“Mydear！——
　　enjoyingyourself！“whileMaveringstoodbetweenthepartedcurtainswaitingfortheattentionofthecompany。
　　“Onaccountofanaccidenttothecall-boyandthementalexhaustionofsomeofthedeities，thenextpiecewillbeomitted，andtheperformancewillbeginwiththeoneafter。Whiletheaudienceiswaiting，Mercurywillgoroundandtakeupacollectionforthevictimoftherecentaccident，whowillprobablybeindisposedforlife。Thecollectorwillbeaccompaniedbyapoliceman，andmaybesafelytrusted。”
　　HedisappearedbehindthecurtainwithapasandrswirlofhisdraperiesliketheLordChancellorinIolanthe，andtheaudienceagainabandoneditselftoapplause。
　　“Howverywittyheis！“saidMissCotton，whosatnearJohnMunt。“Don’tyouthinkhe’sreallywitty？”
　　“Yes。”Muntassentedcritically。“Butyoushouldhaveknownhisfather。”
　　“Oh，doyouknowhisfather？”
　　“Iwasincollegewithhim。”
　　“Oh，dotellmeabouthim，andallMr。Mavering’sfamily。We’resointerested，youknow，onaccountof——Isn’titprettytohavethatlittleloveidylgoingonhere？Iwonder——I’vebeenwonderingallthetime——
　　whatshethinksofallthis。Doyousupposeshequitelikesit？”Hiscostumeissoveryremarkable！“MissCotton，intheabsenceofanyladyofherintimatecircle，wasappealingconfidentiallytoJohnMunt。
　　“Why，doyouthinkthere’sanythingseriousbetweenthem？”heasked，droppinghisheadforwardaspeopledoinchurchwhentheywishtowhispertosomeoneinthesamepew。
　　“Why，yes，itseemsso。”murmuredMissCotton。“Hisadmirationisquiteundisguised，isn’tit？”
　　“Amannevercantell。”saidMunt。“Wehavetoleavethosethingstoyouladies。”
　　“Oh，everyone’stalkingofit，Iassureyou。Andyouknowhisfamily？”
　　“Iknewhisfatheronceratherbetterthananybodyelse。”
　　“Indeed！“
　　“Yes。”MuntsketchedratheraflatteredportraitoftheelderMavering，hisability，hisgoodness，hisshyness，whichhehadalwayshadtomakesuchahardfightwith。MuntwassensibleofanaccessofpopularityinknowingDanMavering’speople，andhedidnotsparehiscolours。
　　“Thenitisn’tfromhisfatherthathegetseverything。Heisn’tintheleastshy。”saidMissCotton。
　　“Thatmustbethemother。”
　　“Andthemother？”
　　“ThemotherIdon’tknow。”
　　MissCottonsighed。“SometimesIwishthathedidshowalittlemoretrepidation。ItwouldseemasifheweremorealivetothegreatdifferencethatthereisbetweenAlicePasmerandothergirls。”
　　Muntlaughedaman’slaugh。“Iguesshe’sprettywellalivetothat，ifhe’sinlovewithher。”
　　“Oh，inacertainway，ofcourse，butnotinthehighestway。Now，forinstance，ifhefeltallherfinenessas——aswedo，Idon’tbelievehe’dbewillingtoappearbeforeherjustlikethat。”Thefatherofthegodsworeadamasktableclothofapalegoldenhueandaclassicpattern;hisarmswerebare，andratherabsurdlywhite;onhisfeetapairoflawn-
　　tennisshoeshadaverystrikingeffectofsandals。
　　“Itseemstome。”MissCottonpursued;“thatifhereallyappreciatedherinthehighestway，hewouldwishnevertodoanundignifiedortrivialthinginherpresence。”
　　“Oh，perhapsit’sthatthatpleasesherinhim。Theysaywe’realwaystakenwithopposites。”
　　“Yes——doyouthinkso？”askedMissCotton。
　　Thecurtainswereflungapart，andtheJudgmentofParisfollowedrathertamelyuponwhathadgonebefore，thoughthetwoyoungfellowswhodidJunoandMinervawereveryamusing，andthedialoguewasfullofhits。
　　Someoftheaudience，anappreciativeminority，wereofopinionthatMaveringandMissAndersonsurpassedthemselvesinit;shepromisedhimthemostbeautifulandculturedwifeinGreece。“Thatsettlesit。”heanswered。Theycameoutarminarm，andParis，havingputonastripedtenniscoatoverhisshort-sleevedGreektunic，movedroundamongthecompanyfortheircongratulations，Venusostentatiouslyshowingtheappleshehadwon。
　　“Icanhaydlykeepfromeatingit。”sheexplainedtoAlice;beforewhomshedroppedMavering’sarm。“I’mawfullyhungry。It’shaydwoyk。”
　　Alicestoodwithherheaddrawnback，lookingattheexcitedgirlwithasmile，inwhichseemedtohoversomewherealatentbitterness。
　　Mavering，withaflushedfaceandaflyingtongue，wasexchangingsallieswithhermother，whosmotheredhiminflatteries。
　　Mrs。Trevorcametowardthegroup，andannouncedsupper。“Mr。Paris，willyoutakeMissAphroditeout？”
　　MissAndersonsweptalowbowofrenunciation，andtacitlyrelinquishedMaveringtoAlice。
　　“Oh，no，no！“saidAlice，shrinkingbackfromhim，withanintensificationofheruncertainsmile。“Ameremortal？”
　　“Oh，howverygood！“saidMrs。Trevor。
　　Therebegantobe，withoutanyone’sintendingit，thatsortoftacitmisunderstandingwhichisalltheworsebecauseitcanonlyfollowuponatacitunderstandinglikethatwhichhadestablisheditselfbetweenAliceandMavering。Theylaughedandjokedtogethergailyaboutallthatwenton;theywereperfectlygoodfriends;hesawthatsheandhermotherwerepromptlyserved;hebroughtthemsaladandice-creamandcoffeehimself，onlywaitingofficiallyuponMissAndersonfirst，andAlicethankedhim，withthepolitestdeprecationofhisdevotion;butiftheireyesmet，itwasdefensively，andthesecuritybetweenthemwasgone。Maveringvaguelyfelttheloss，withoutknowinghowtoretrieveit，anditmadehimgoonmoredesperatelywithMissAnderson。Helaughedandjokedrecklessly，andAlicebegantomarkamoreexplicitdispleasurewithher。
　　Shemadehermothergoratherearly。
　　Onherpart，MissAndersonseemedtofindreasonforresentmentinAlice’sbearingtowardher。Asifshehadsaidtoherselfthatherfrankloyaltyhadbeenthrownawayuponacoldandunresponsivenature，andthatherharmlessfolliesintheplayhadbeenmetwithunjustsuspicions，shebegantomakereprisals，shebeganindeadearnesttoflirtwithMavering。Beforetheeveningpassedshehadmadehimseemtakenwithher;buthowjustlyshehaddonethis，andwithhowmuchfaultofhis，noonecouldhavesaid。Thereweresomewhodidnotnoticeitatall，butthesewerenotpeoplewhoknewMavering，orknewAliceverywell。
　　XX。
　　ThenextmorningAlicewaswalkingslowlyalongtheroadtowardthefishingvillage，whensheheardrapid，plungingstridesdownthewoodedhillsideonherright。SheknewthemforMavering’s，andshedidnotaffectsurprisewhenhemadeafinalleapintotheroad，andshortenedhispacebesideher。
　　“MayIjoinyou，MissPasmer？”
　　“Iamonlygoingdowntotheherring-houses。”shebegan。
　　“Andyou’llletmegowithyou？”saidtheyoungfellow。“Thefactis——
　　you’realwayssofrankthatyoumakeeverythingelseseemsilly——I’vebeenwaitingupthereinthewoodsforyoutocomeby。Mrs。Pasmertoldmeyouhadstartedthisway，andIcutacrosslotstoovertakeyou，andthen，whenyoucameinsight，IhadtoletyoupassbeforeIcouldscrewmycourageuptothepointofrunningafteryou。Howisthatforopen-
　　mindedness？”