"Youareafool，twenty—six，twenty—seven，"saidKapahei。"Letmeshowyou。"
　　Hearose，andwithaheavyfragmentofrockinhishand，approachedthewoundedthing。Asheliftedhisarmtostrike，ashellburstfulluponhim，relievinghimofthenecessityoftheactandatthesametimeputtinganendtohiscount。
　　Koolauwasaloneinthegorge。Hewatchedthelastofhispeopledragtheircrippledbodiesoverthebrowoftheheightanddisappear。Thenheturnedandwentdowntothethicketwherethemaidhadkeenkilled。Theshell—firestillcontinued，butheremained；forfarbelowhecouldseethesoldiersclimbingup。A
　　shellbursttwentyfeetaway。Flatteninghimselfintotheearth，heheardtherushofthefragmentsabovehisbody。Ashowerofhaublossomsraineduponhim。Heliftedhisheadtopeerdownthetrail，andsighed。Hewasverymuchafraid。Bulletsfromrifleswouldnothaveworriedhim，butthisshell—firewasabominable。
　　Eachtimeashellshriekedbyheshiveredandcrouched；buteachtimeheliftedhisheadagaintowatchthetrail。
　　Atlasttheshellsceased。This，hereasoned，wasbecausethesoldiersweredrawingnear。Theycreptalongthetrailinsinglefile，andhetriedtocountthemuntilhelosttrack。Atanyrate，therewereahundredorsoofthem——allcomeafterKoolautheleper。
　　Hefeltafleetingprodofpride。Withwargunsandrifles，policeandsoldiers，theycameforhim，andhewasonlyoneman，acrippledwreckofamanatthat。Theyofferedathousanddollarsforhim，deadoralive。Inallhislifehehadneverpossessedthatmuchmoney。Thethoughtwasabitterone。Kapaheihadbeenright。He，Koolau，haddonenowrong。Becausethehaoleswantedlabourwithwhichtoworkthestolenland，theyhadbroughtintheChinesecoolies，andwiththemhadcomethesickness。Andnow，becausehehadcaughtthesickness，hewasworthathousanddollars——butnottohimself。Itwashisworthlesscarcass，rottenwithdiseaseordeadfromaburstingshell，thatwasworthallthatmoney。
　　Whenthesoldiersreachedtheknife—edgedpassage，hewaspromptedtowarnthem。Buthisgazefelluponthebodyofthemurderedmaid，andhekeptsilent。Whensixhadventuredontheknife—edge，heopenedfire。Nordidheceasewhentheknife—edgewasbare。Heemptiedhismagazine，reloaded，andemptieditagain。Hekeptonshooting。Allhiswrongswereblazinginhisbrain，andhewasinafuryofvengeance。Alldownthegoat—trailthesoldierswerefiring，andthoughtheylayflatandsoughttoshelterthemselvesintheshallowinequalitiesofthesurface，theywereexposedmarkstohim。Bulletswhistledandthuddedabouthim，andanoccasionalricochetsangsharplythroughtheair。Onebulletploughedacreasethroughhisscalp，andasecondburnedacrosshisshoulder—bladewithoutbreakingtheskin。
　　Itwasamassacre，inwhichonemandidthekilling。Thesoldiersbegantoretreat，helpingalongtheirwounded。AsKoolaupickedthemoffhebecameawareofthesmellofburntmeat。Heglancedabouthimatfirst，andthendiscoveredthatitwashisownhands。
　　Theheatoftheriflewasdoingit。Theleprosyhaddestroyedmostofthenervesinhishands。Thoughhisfleshburnedandhesmelledit，therewasnosensation。
　　Helayinthethicket，smiling，untilherememberedthewarguns。
　　Withoutdoubttheywouldopenuponhimagain，andthistimeupontheverythicketfromwhichhehadinflictedthedanger。Scarcelyhadhechangedhispositiontoanookbehindasmallshoulderofthewallwherehehadnotedthatnoshellsfell，thanthebombardmentrecommenced。Hecountedtheshells。Sixtymorewerethrownintothegorgebeforethewar—gunsceased。Thetinyareawaspittedwiththeirexplosions，untilitseemedimpossiblethatanycreaturecouldhavesurvived。Sothesoldiersthought，for，undertheburningafternoonsun，theyclimbedthegoat—trailagain。Andagaintheknife—edgedpassagewasdisputed，andagaintheyfellbacktothebeach。
　　FortwodayslongerKoolauheldthepassage，thoughthesoldierscontentedthemselveswithflingingshellsintohisretreat。ThenPahau，aleperboy，cametothetopofthewallatthebackofthegorgeandshouteddowntohimthatKiloliana，huntinggoatsthattheymighteat，hadbeenkilledbyafall，andthatthewomenwerefrightenedandknewnotwhattodo。Koolaucalledtheboydownandlefthimwithasparegunwithwhichtoguardthepassage。Koolaufoundhispeopledisheartened。Themajorityofthemweretoohelplesstoforagefoodforthemselvesundersuchforbiddingcircumstances，andallwerestarving。Heselectedtwowomenandamanwhowerenottoofargonewiththedisease，andsentthembacktothegorgetobringupfoodandmats。Theresthecheeredandconsoleduntileventheweakesttookahandinbuildingroughsheltersforthemselves。
　　Butthosehehaddispatchedforfooddidnotreturn，andhestartedbackforthegorge。Ashecameoutonthebrowofthewall，halfadozenriflescracked。Abullettorethroughthefleshypartofhisshoulder，andhischeekwascutbyasliverofrockwhereasecondbulletsmashedagainstthecliff。Inthemomentthatthishappened，andheleapedback，hesawthatthegorgewasalivewithsoldiers。
　　Hisownpeoplehadbetrayedhim。Theshell—firehadbeentooterrible，andtheyhadpreferredtheprisonofMolokai。
　　Koolaudroppedbackandunslungoneofhisheavycartridge—belts。
　　Lyingamongtherocks，heallowedtheheadandshouldersofthefirstsoldiertoriseclearlyintoviewbeforepullingtrigger。
　　Twicethishappened，andthen，aftersomedelay，inplaceofaheadandshouldersawhiteflagwasthrustabovetheedgeofthewall。
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"bedemanded。
　　"Iwantyou，ifyouareKoolautheleper，"cametheanswer。
　　Koolauforgotwherehewas，forgoteverything，ashelayandmarvelledatthestrangepersistenceofthesehaoleswhowouldhavetheirwillthoughtheskyfellin。Aye，theywouldhavetheirwilloverallmenandallthings，eventhoughtheydiedingettingit。
　　Hecouldnotbutadmirethem，too，whatofthatwillinthemthatwasstrongerthanlifeandthatbentallthingstotheirbidding。
　　Hewasconvincedofthehopelessnessofhisstruggle。Therewasnogainsayingthatterriblewillofthehaoles。Thoughhekilledathousand，yetwouldtheyriselikethesandsoftheseaandcomeuponhim，evermoreandmore。Theyneverknewwhentheywerebeaten。Thatwastheirfaultandtheirvirtue。Itwaswherehisownkindlacked。Hecouldsee，now，howthehandfulofthepreachersofGodandthepreachersofRumhadconqueredtheland。
　　Itwasbecause—
　　"Well，whathaveyougottosay？Willyoucomewithme？"
　　Itwashevoiceoftheinvisiblemanunderthewhiteflag。Therehewas，likeanyhaole，drivingstraighttowardtheenddetermined。
　　"Letustalk，"saidKoolau。
　　Theman’sheadandshouldersarose，thenhiswholebody。Hewasasmooth—faced，blue—eyedyoungsteroftwenty—five，slenderandnattyinhiscaptain’suniform。Headvanceduntilhalted，thenseatedhimselfadozenfeetaway。
　　"Youareabraveman，"saidKoolauwonderingly。"Icouldkillyoulikeafly。"
　　"No，youcouldn’t，"wastheanswer。
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Becauseyouareaman，Koolau，thoughabadone。Iknowyourstory。Youkillfairly。"
　　Koolaugrunted，butwassecretlypleased。
　　"Whathaveyoudonewithmypeople？"hedemanded。"Theboy，thetwowomen，andtheman？"
　　"Theygavethemselvesup，asIhavenowcomeforyoutodo。"
　　Koolaulaughedincredulously。
　　"Iamafreeman，"heannounced。"Ihavedonenowrong。AllIaskistobeleftalone。Ihavelivedfree，andIshalldiefree。I
　　willnevergivemyselfup。"
　　"Thenyourpeoplearewiserthanyou，"answeredtheyoungcaptain。
　　"Look——theyarecomingnow。"
　　Koolauturnedandwatchedtheremnantofhisbandapproach。
　　Groaningandsighing，aghastlyprocession，itdraggeditswretchednesspast。ItwasgiventoKoolautotasteadeeperbitterness，fortheyhurledimprecationsandinsultsathimastheywentby；andthepantinghagwhobroughtuptherearhalted，andwithskinny，harpy—clawsextended，shakinghersnarlingdeath’sheadfromsidetoside，shelaidacurseuponhim。Onebyonetheydroppedoverthelip—edgeandsurrenderedtothehidingsoldiers。
　　"Youcangonow，"saidKoolautothecaptain。"Iwillnevergivemyselfup。Thatismylastword。Good—bye。"
　　Thecaptainslippedovertheclifftohissoldiers。Thenextmoment，andwithoutaflagoftruce，hehoistedhishatonhisscabbard，andKoolau’sbullettorethroughit。Thatafternoontheyshelledhimoutfromthebeach，andasheretreatedintothehighinaccessiblepocketsbeyond，thesoldiersfollowedhim。
　　Forsixweekstheyhuntedhimfrompockettopocket，overthevolcanicpeaksandalongthegoat—trails。Whenhehidinthelantanajungle，theyformedlinesofbeaters，andthroughlantanajungleandguavascrubtheydrovehimlikearabbit。Buteverheturnedanddoubledandeluded。Therewasnocorneringhim。Whenpressedtooclosely，hissurerifleheldthembackandtheycarriedtheirwoundeddownthegoat—trailstothebeach。Thereweretimeswhentheydidtheshootingashisbrownbodyshowedforamomentthroughtheunderbrush。Once，fiveofthemcaughthimonanexposedgoat—trailbetweenpockets。Theyemptiedtheirriflesathimashelimpedandclimbedalonghisdizzyway。Afterwardstheyfoundbloodstainsandknewthathewaswounded。Attheendofsixweekstheygaveup。ThesoldiersandpolicereturnedtoHonolulu，andKalalauValleywaslefttohimforhisown，thoughhead—huntersventuredafterhimfromtimetotimeandtotheirownundoing。
　　Twoyearslater，andforthelasttime，Koolaucrawledintoathicketandlaydownamongtheti—leavesandwildgingerblossoms。
　　Freehehadlived，andfreehewasdying。Aslightdrizzleofrainbegantofall，andhedrewaraggedblanketaboutthedistortedwreckofhislimbs。Hisbodywascoveredwithanoilskincoat。
　　AcrosshischesthelaidhisMauserrifle，lingeringaffectionatelyforamomenttowipethedampnessfromthebarrel。Thehandwithwhichhewipedhadnofingersleftuponitwithwhichtopullthetrigger。
　　Heclosedhiseyes，for，fromtheweaknessinhisbodyandthefuzzyturmoilinhisbrain，heknewthathisendwasnear。Likeawildanimalhehadcreptintohidingtodie。Half—conscious，aimlessandwandering，helivedbackinhislifetohisearlymanhoodonNiihau。
　　Aslifefadedandthedripoftheraingrewdiminhisearsitseemedtohimthathewasoncemoreinthethickofthehorse—
　　breaking，withrawcoltsrearingandbuckingunderhim，hisstirrupstiedtogetherbeneath，orchargingmadlyaboutthebreakingcorralanddrivingthehelpingcowboysovertherails。Thenextinstant，andwithseemingnaturalness，hefoundhimselfpursuingthewildbullsoftheuplandpastures，ropingthemandleadingthemdowntothevalleys。Againthesweatanddustofthebrandingpenstunghiseyesandbithisnostrils。
　　Allhislusty，whole—bodiedyouthwashis，untilthesharppangsofimpendingdissolutionbroughthimback。Heliftedhismonstroushandsandgazedattheminwonder。Buthow？Why？Whyshouldthewholenessofthatwildyouthofhischangetothis？Thenheremembered，andonceagain，andforamoment，hewasKoolau，theleper。Hiseyelidsflutteredwearilydownandthedripoftherainceasedinhisears。Aprolongedtremblingsetupinhisbody。
　　This，too，ceased。Hehalf—liftedhishead，butitfellback。Thenhiseyesopened，anddidnotclose。HislastthoughtwasofhisMauser，andhepresseditagainsthischestwithhisfolded，fingerlesshands。
　　GOOD—BYE，JACK
　　Hawaiiisaqueerplace。EverythingsociallyiswhatImaycalltopsy—turvy。Notbutwhatthingsarecorrect。Theyarealmosttoomuchso。Butstillthingsaresortofupsidedown。Themostultra—
　　exclusivesetthereisthe"MissionaryCrowd。"ItcomeswithratherashocktolearnthatinHawaiitheobscuremartyrdom—seekingmissionarysitsattheheadofthetableofthemoneyedaristocracy。
　　Butitistrue。ThehumbleNewEnglanderswhocameoutinthethirddecadeofthenineteenthcentury，camefortheloftypurposeofteachingthekanakasthetruereligion，theworshipoftheoneonlygenuineandundeniableGod。Sowelldidtheysucceedinthis，andalsoincivilizingthekanaka，thatbythesecondorthirdgenerationhewaspracticallyextinct。ThisbeingthefruitoftheseedoftheGospel，thefruitoftheseedofthemissionaries（thesonsandthegrandsons）wasthepossessionoftheislandsthemselves，——oftheland，theports，thetownsites，andthesugarplantations：Themissionarywhocametogivethebreadofliferemainedtogobbleupthewholeheathenfeast。
　　ButthatisnottheHawaiianqueernessIstartedouttotell。OnlyonecannotspeakofthingsHawaiianwithoutmentioningthemissionaries。ThereisJackKersdale，themanIwantedtotellabout；hecameofmissionarystock。Thatis，onhisgrandmother’sside。HisgrandfatherwasoldBenjaminKersdale，aYankeetrader，whogothisstartforamillionintheolddaysbysellingcheapwhiskeyandsquare—facegin。There’sanotherqueerthing。Theoldmissionariesandoldtradersweremortalenemies。Yousee，theirinterestsconflicted。Buttheirchildrenmadeitupbyintermarryinganddividingtheislandbetweenthem。
　　LifeinHawaiiisasong。That’sthewayStoddardputitinhis"HawaiiNoi"：—
　　"Thylifeismusic——Fatethenotesprolong!
　　Eachisleastanza，andthewholeasong。"
　　Andhewasright。Fleshisgoldenthere。Thenativewomenaresun—
　　ripeJunos，thenativemenbronzedApollos。Theysing，anddance，andallareflower—bejewelledandflower—crowned。And，outsidetherigid"MissionaryCrowd，"thewhitemenyieldtotheclimateandthesun，andnomatterhowbusytheymaybe，arepronetodanceandsingandwearflowersbehindtheirearsandintheirhair。JackKersdalewasoneofthesefellows。HewasoneofthebusiestmenIevermet。
　　Hewasaseveral—timesmillionaire。Hewasasugar—king，acoffeeplanter，arubberpioneer，acattlerancher，andapromoterofthreeoutofeveryfournewenterpriseslaunchedintheislands。Hewasasocietyman，aclubman，ayachtsman，abachelor，andwithalashandsomeamanaswaseverdoteduponbymammaswithmarriageabledaughters。Incidentally，hehadfinishedhiseducationatYale，andhisheadwascrammedfullerwithvitalstatisticsandscholarlyinformationconcerningHawaiiNeithananyotherislanderIeverencountered。Heturnedoffanimmenseamountofwork，andhesanganddancedandputflowersinhishairasimmenselyasanyoftheidlers。
　　Hehadgrit，andhadfoughttwoduels——both，political——whenhewasnomorethanarawyouthessayinghisfirstadventuresinpolitics。Infact，heplayedamostcreditableandcourageouspartinthelastrevolution，whenthenativedynastywasoverthrown；andhecouldnothavebeenoversixteenatthetime。Iampointingoutthathewasnocoward，inorderthatyoumayappreciatewhathappenslateron。I’veseenhiminthebreakingyardattheHaleakalaRanch，conqueringafour—year—oldbrutethatfortwoyearshaddefiedthepickofVonTempsky’scow—boys。AndImusttellofoneotherthing。ItwasdowninKona，——orup，rather，fortheKonapeoplescorntoliveatlessthanathousandfeetelevation。WewereallonthelanaiofDoctorGoodhue’sbungalow。IwastalkingwithDottieFairchildwhenithappened。Abigcentipede——itwasseveninches，forwemeasureditafterwards——fellfromtheraftersoverheadsquarelyintohercoiffure。Iconfess，thehideousnessofitparalysedme。Icouldn’tmove。Mymindrefusedtowork。There，withintwofeetofme，theuglyvenomousdevilwaswrithinginherhair。Itthreatenedatanymomenttofalldownuponherexposedshoulders——wehadjustcomeoutfromdinner。
　　"Whatisit？"sheasked，startingtoraiseherhandtoherhead。
　　"Don’t!"Icried。"Don’t!"
　　"Butwhatisit？"sheinsisted，growingfrightenedbythefrightshereadinmyeyesandonmystammeringlips。
　　MyexclamationattractedKersdale’sattention。Heglancedourwaycarelessly，butinthatglancetookineverything。Hecameovertous，butwithouthaste。
　　"Pleasedon’tmove，Dottie，"hesaidquietly。
　　Heneverhesitated，nordidhehurryandmakeabungleofit。
　　"Allowme，"hesaid。
　　Andwithonehandhecaughtherscarfanddrewittightlyaroundhershoulderssothatthecentipedecouldnotfallinsideherbodice。
　　Withtheotherhand——theright——hereachedintoherhair，caughttherepulsiveabominationasnearashewasablebythenapeoftheneck，andheldittightlybetweenthumbandforefingerashewithdrewitfromherhair。Itwasashorribleandheroicasightasmancouldwishtosee。Itmademyfleshcrawl。Thecentipede，seveninchesofsquirminglegs，writhedandtwistedanddasheditselfabouthishand，thebodytwiningaroundthefingersandthelegsdiggingintotheskinandscratchingasthebeastendeavouredtofreeitself。Itbithimtwice——Isawit——thoughheassuredtheladiesthathewasnotharmedashedroppedituponthewalkandstampeditintothegravel。ButIsawhiminthesurgeryfiveminutesafterwards，withDoctorGoodhuescarifyingthewoundsandinjectingpermanganateofpotash。ThenextmorningKersdale’sarmwasasbigasabarrel，anditwasthreeweeksbeforetheswellingwentdown。
　　Allofwhichhasnothingtodowithmystory，butwhichIcouldnotavoidgivinginordertoshowthatJackKersdalewasanythingbutacoward。ItwasthecleanestexhibitionofgritIhaveeverseen。
　　Heneverturnedahair。Thesmileneverlefthislips。AndhedivedwiththumbandforefingerintoDottieFairchild’shairasgailyasifithadbeenaboxofsaltedalmonds。YetthatwasthemanIwasdestinedtoseestrickenwithafearathousandtimesmorehideouseventhanthefearthatwasminewhenIsawthatwrithingabominationinDottieFairchild’shair，danglingoverhereyesandthetrapofherbodice。
　　Iwasinterestedinleprosy，anduponthat，asuponeveryotherislandsubject，Kersdalehadencyclopedicknowledge。Infact，leprosywasoneofhishobbies。HewasanardentdefenderofthesettlementatMolokai，wherealltheislandlepersweresegregated。
　　Therewasmuchtalkandfeelingamongthenatives，fannedbythedemagogues，concerningthecrueltiesofMolokai，wheremenandwomen，notalonebanishedfromfriendsandfamily，werecompelledtoliveinperpetualimprisonmentuntiltheydied。Therewerenoreprieves，nocommutationsofsentences。"Abandonhope"waswrittenovertheportalofMolokai。
　　"Itellyoutheyarehappythere，"Kersdaleinsisted。"Andtheyareinfinitelybetteroffthantheirfriendsandrelativesoutsidewhohavenothingthematterwiththem。ThehorrorsofMolokaiareallpoppycock。Icantakeyouthroughanyhospitaloranysluminanyofthegreatcitiesoftheworldandshowyouathousandtimesworsehorrors。Thelivingdeath!Thecreaturesthatonceweremen!
　　Bosh!YououghttoseethoselivingdeathsracinghorsesontheFourthofJuly。Someofthemownboats。Onehasagasolinelaunch。
　　Theyhavenothingtodobuthaveagoodtime。Food，shelter，clothes，medicalattendance，everything，istheirs。TheyarethewardsoftheTerritory。TheyhaveamuchfinerclimatethanHonolulu，andthesceneryismagnificent。Ishouldn’tmindgoingdowntheremyselffortherestofmydays。Itisalovelyspot。"
　　SoKersdaleonthejoyousleper。Hewasnotafraidofleprosy。Hesaidsohimself，andthattherewasn’tonechanceinamillionforhimoranyotherwhitemantocatchit，thoughheconfessedafterwardthatoneofhisschoolchums，AlfredStarter，hadcontractedit，gonetoMolokai，andtheredied。
　　"Youknow，intheolddays，"Kersdaleexplained，"therewasnocertaintestforleprosy。AnythingunusualorabnormalwassufficienttosendafellowtoMolokai。TheresultwasthatdozensweresenttherewhowerenomorelepersthanyouorI。Buttheydon’tmakethatmistakenow。TheBoardofHealthtestsareinfallible。ThefunnythingisthatwhenthetestwasdiscoveredtheyimmediatelywentdowntoMolokaiandappliedit，andtheyfoundanumberwhowerenotlepers。Thesewereimmediatelydeported。
　　Happytogetaway？TheywailedharderatleavingthesettlementthanwhentheyleftHonolulutogotoit。Somerefusedtoleave，andreallyhadtobeforcedout。OneofthemevenmarriedaleperwomaninthelaststagesandthenwrotepatheticletterstotheBoardofHealth，protestingagainsthisexpulsiononthegroundthatnoonewassowellableashetotakecareofhispooroldwife。"
　　"Whatisthisinfallibletest？"Idemanded。
　　"Thebacteriologicaltest。Thereisnogettingawayfromit。
　　DoctorHervey——he’sourexpert，youknow——wasthefirstmantoapplyithere。Heisawizard。Heknowsmoreaboutleprosythananylivingman，andifacureiseverdiscovered，he’llbethatdiscoverer。Asforthetest，itisverysimple。Theyhavesucceededinisolatingthebacilluslepraeandstudyingit。Theyknowitnowwhentheyseeit。Alltheydoistosnipabitofskinfromthesuspectandsubjectittothebacteriologicaltest。Amanwithoutanyvisiblesymptomsmaybechockfulloftheleprosybacilli。"
　　"ThenyouorI，forallweknow，"Isuggested，"maybefullofitnow。"
　　Kersdaleshruggedhisshouldersandlaughed。
　　"Whocansay？Ittakessevenyearsforittoincubate。IfyouhaveanydoubtsgoandseeDoctorHervey。He’lljustsnipoutapieceofyourskinandletyouknowinajiffy。"
　　LateronheintroducedmetoDr。Hervey，wholoadedmedownwithBoardofHealthreportsandpamphletsonthesubject，andtookmeouttoKalihi，theHonolulureceivingstation，wheresuspectswereexaminedandconfirmedleperswereheldfordeportationtoMolokai。
　　Thesedeportationsoccurredaboutonceamonth，when，thelastgood—
　　byessaid，thelepersweremarchedonboardthelittlesteamer，theNoeau，andcarrieddowntothesettlement。
　　Oneafternoon，writinglettersattheclub，JackKersdaledroppedinonme。
　　"JustthemanIwanttosee，"washisgreeting。"I’llshowyouthesaddestaspectofthewholesituation——theleperswailingastheydepartforMolokai。TheNoeauwillbetakingthemonboardinafewminutes。Butletmewarnyounottoletyourfeelingsbeharrowed。
　　Realastheirgriefis，they’dwailawholesightharderayearhenceiftheBoardofHealthtriedtotakethemawayfromMolokai。
　　We’vejusttimeforawhiskeyandsoda。I’veacarriageoutside。
　　Itwon’ttakeusfiveminutestogetdowntothewharf。"
　　Tothewharfwedrove。Somefortysadwretches，amidtheirmats，blankets，andluggageofvarioussorts，weresquattingonthestringerpiece。TheNoeauhadjustarrivedandwasmakingfasttoalighterthatlaybetweenherandthewharf。AMr。McVeigh，thesuperintendentofthesettlement，wasoverseeingtheembarkation，andtohimIwasintroduced，alsotoDr。Georges，oneoftheBoardofHealthphysicianswhomIhadalreadymetatKalihi。Theleperswereawoebegonelot。Thefacesofthemajoritywerehideous——toohorribleformetodescribe。ButhereandthereInoticedfairlygood—lookingpersons，withnoapparentsignsofthefelldiseaseuponthem。One，Inoticed，alittlewhitegirl，notmorethantwelve，withblueeyesandgoldenhair。Onecheek，however，showedtheleprousbloat。Onmyremarkingonthesadnessofheraliensituationamongthebrown—skinnedafflictedones，DoctorGeorgesreplied：—
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。It’sahappydayinherlife。ShecomesfromKauai。Herfatherisabrute。Andnowthatshehasdevelopedthediseasesheisgoingtojoinhermotheratthesettlement。Hermotherwassentdownthreeyearsago——averybadcase。"
　　"Youcan’talwaystellfromappearances，"Mr。McVeighexplained。
　　Thatmanthere，thatbigchap，wholooksthepinkofcondition，withnothingthematterwithhim，Ihappentoknowhasaperforatingulcerinhisfootandanotherinhisshoulder—blade。Thenthereareothers——there，seethatgirl’shand，theonewhoissmokingthecigarette。Seehertwistedfingers。That’stheanaestheticform。
　　Itattacksthenerves。Youcouldcutherfingersoffwithadullknife，orrubthemoffonanutmeg—grater，andshewouldnotexperiencetheslightestsensation。"
　　"Yes，butthatfine—lookingwoman，there，"Ipersisted；"surely，surely，therecan’tbeanythingthematterwithher。Sheistoogloriousandgorgeousaltogether。"
　　"Asadcase，"Mr。McVeighansweredoverhisshoulder，alreadyturningawaytowalkdownthewharfwithKersdale。
　　Shewasabeautifulwoman，andshewaspurePolynesian。FrommymeagreknowledgeoftheraceanditstypesIcouldnotbutconcludethatshehaddescendedfromoldchiefstock。Shecouldnothavebeenmorethantwenty—threeorfour。Herlinesandproportionsweremagnificent，andshewasjustbeginningtoshowtheamplitudeofthewomenofherrace。
　　"Itwasablowtoallofus，"Dr。Georgesvolunteered。"Shegaveherselfupvoluntarily，too。Noonesuspected。Butsomehowshehadcontractedthedisease。Itbrokeusallup，Iassureyou。We’vekeptitoutofthepapers，though。Nobodybutusandherfamilyknowswhathasbecomeofher。Infact，ifyouweretoaskanymaninHonolulu，he’dtellyouitwashisimpressionthatshewassomewhereinEurope。Itwasatherrequestthatwe’vebeensoquietaboutit。Poorgirl，shehasalotofpride。"
　　"Butwhoisshe？"Iasked。"Certainly，fromthewayyoutalkabouther，shemustbesomebody。"
　　"DidyoueverhearofLucyMokunui？"heasked。
　　"LucyMokunui？"Irepeated，hauntedbysomefamiliarassociation。I
　　shookmyhead。"ItseemstomeI’veheardthename，butI’veforgottenit。"
　　"NeverheardofLucyMokunui!TheHawaiiannightingale!Ibegyourpardon。Ofcourseyouareamalahini，{1}andcouldnotbeexpectedtoknow。Well，LucyMokunuiwasthebestbelovedofHonolulu——ofallHawaii，forthatmatter。"
　　"YousayWAS，"Iinterrupted。
　　"AndImeanit。Sheisfinished。"Heshruggedhisshoulderspityingly。"Adozenhaoles——Ibegyourpardon，whitemen——havelosttheirheartstoheratonetimeoranother。AndI’mnotcountingintheruck。ThedozenIrefertowerehaolesofpositionandprominence。"
　　"ShecouldhavemarriedthesonoftheChiefJusticeifshe’dwantedto。Youthinkshe’sbeautiful，eh？Butyoushouldhearhersing。
　　FinestnativewomansingerinHawaiiNei。Herthroatispuresilverandmeltedsunshine。Weadoredher。ShetouredAmericafirstwiththeRoyalHawaiianBand。Afterthatshemadetwomoretripsonherown——concertwork。"
　　"Oh!"Icried。"Iremembernow。IheardhertwoyearsagoattheBostonSymphony。Sothatisshe。Irecognizehernow。"
　　Iwasoppressedbyaheavysadness。Lifewasafutilethingatbest。Ashorttwoyearsandthismagnificentcreature，atthesummitofhermagnificentsuccess，wasoneofthelepersquadawaitingdeportationtoMolokai。Henley’slinescameintomymind：—
　　"Thepooroldtrampexplainshispooroldulcers；
　　Lifeis，Ithink，ablunderandashame。"
　　Irecoiledfrommyownfuture。IfthisawfulfatefelltoLucyMokunui，whatmightmylotnotbe？——oranybody’slot？Iwasthoroughlyawarethatinlifeweareinthemidstofdeath——buttobeinthemidstoflivingdeath，todieandnotbedead，tobeoneofthatdraftofcreaturesthatonceweremen，aye，andwomen，likeLucyMokunui，theepitomeofallPolynesiancharms，anartistaswell，andwellbelovedofmen—。IamafraidImusthavebetrayedmyperturbation，forDoctorGeorgeshastenedtoassuremethattheywereveryhappydowninthesettlement。
　　Itwasalltooinconceivablymonstrous。Icouldnotbeartolookather。Ashortdistanceaway，behindastretchedropeguardedbyapoliceman，werethelepers’relativesandfriends。Theywerenotallowedtocomenear。Therewerenolastembraces，nokissesoffarewell。Theycalledbackandforthtooneanother——lastmessages，lastwordsoflove，lastreiteratedinstructions。Andthosebehindtheropelookedwithterribleintensity。Itwasthelasttimetheywouldbeholdthefacesoftheirlovedones，fortheywerethelivingdead，beingcartedawayinthefuneralshiptothegraveyardofMolokai。
　　DoctorGeorgesgavethecommand，andtheunhappywretchesdraggedthemselvestotheirfeetandundertheirburdensofluggagebegantostaggeracrossthelighterandaboardthesteamer。Itwasthefuneralprocession。Atoncethewailingstartedfromthosebehindtherope。Itwasblood—curdling；itwasheart—rending。Ineverheardsuchwoe，andIhopenevertoagain。KersdaleandMcVeighwerestillattheotherendofthewharf，talkingearnestly——
　　politics，ofcourse，forbothwerehead—over—heelsinthatparticulargame。WhenLucyMokunuipassedme，Istolealookather。SheWASbeautiful。Shewasbeautifulbyourstandards，aswell——oneofthoserareblossomsthatoccurbutonceingenerations。
　　Andshe，ofallwomen，wasdoomedtoMolokai。Shestraightonboard，andaftontheopendeckwherethelepershuddledbytherail，wailingnow，totheirdearonesonshore。
　　Thelineswerecastoff，andtheNoeaubegantomoveawayfromthewharf。Thewailingincreased。Suchgriefanddespair!IwasjustresolvingthatneveragainwouldIbeawitnesstothesailingoftheNoeau，whenMcVeighandKersdalereturned。Thelatter’seyesweresparkling，andhislipscouldnotquitehidethesmileofdelightthatwashis。Evidentlythepoliticstheyhadtalkedhadbeensatisfactory。Theropehadbeenflungaside，andthelamentingrelativesnowcrowdedthestringerpieceoneithersideofus。
　　"That’shermother，"DoctorGeorgeswhispered，indicatinganoldwomannexttome，whowasrockingbackandforthandgazingatthesteamerrailoutoftear—blindedeyes。InoticedthatLucyMokunuiwasalsowailing。ShestoppedabruptlyandgazedatKersdale。Thenshestretchedforthherarmsinthatadorable，sensuouswaythatOlgaNethersolehasofembracinganaudience。Andwitharmsoutspread，shecried：
　　"Good—bye，Jack!Good—bye!"
　　Heheardthecry，andlooked。Neverwasamanovertakenbymorecrushingfear。Hereeledonthestringerpiece，hisfacewentwhitetotherootsofhishair，andheseemedtoshrinkandwitherawayinsidehisclothes。Hethrewuphishandsandgroaned，"MyGod!MyGod!"Thenhecontrolledhimselfbyagreateffort。
　　"Good—bye，Lucy!Good—bye!"hecalled。
　　Andhestoodthereonthewharf，wavinghishandstohertilltheNoeauwasclearawayandthefacesliningherafter—railwerevagueandindistinct。
　　"Ithoughtyouknew，"saidMcVeigh，whohadbeenregardinghimcuriously。"You，ofallmen，shouldhaveknown。Ithoughtthatwaswhyyouwerehere。"
　　"Iknownow，"Kersdaleansweredwithimmensegravity。"Where’sthecarriage？"
　　Hewalkedrapidly——half—ran——toit。Ihadtohalf—runmyselftokeepupwithhim。
　　"DrivetoDoctorHervey’s，"hetoldthedriver。"Driveasfastasyoucan。"
　　Hesankdowninaseat，pantingandgasping。Thepallorofhisfacehadincreased。Hislipswerecompressedandthesweatwasstandingoutonhisforeheadandupperlip。Heseemedinsomehorribleagony。
　　"ForGod’ssake，Martin，makethosehorsesgo!"hebrokeoutsuddenly。"Laythewhipintothem!——doyouhear？——laythewhipintothem!"
　　"They’llbreak，sir，"thedriverremonstrated。
　　"Letthembreak，"Kersdaleanswered。"I’llpayyourfineandsquareyouwiththepolice。Putittothem。That’sright。Faster!
　　Faster!"
　　"AndIneverknew，Ineverknew，"hemuttered，sinkingbackintheseatandwithtremblinghandswipingthesweataway。
　　Thecarriagewasbouncing，swayingandlurchingaroundcornersatsuchawildpaceastomakeconversationimpossible。Besides，therewasnothingtosay。ButIcouldhearhimmutteringoverandover，"AndIneverknew。Ineverknew。"
　　ALOHAOE
　　NeveraretheresuchdeparturesasfromthedockatHonolulu。Thegreattransportlaywithsteamup，readytopullout。Athousandpersonswereonherdecks；fivethousandstoodonthewharf。Upanddownthelonggangwaypassednativeprincesandprincesses，sugarkingsandthehighofficialsoftheTerritory。Beyond，inlonglines，keptinorderbythenativepolice，werethecarriagesandmotor—carsoftheHonoluluaristocracy。OnthewharftheRoyalHawaiianBandplayed"AlohaOe，"andwhenitfinished，astringedorchestraofnativemusiciansonboardthetransporttookupthesamesobbingstrains，thenativewomansinger’svoicerisingbirdlikeabovetheinstrumentsandthehubbubofdeparture。Itwasasilverreed，soundingitsclear，unmistakablenoteinthegreatdiapasonoffarewell。
　　Forward，onthelowerdeck，therailwaslinedsixdeepwithkhaki—
　　cladyoungboys，whosebronzedfacestoldofthreeyears’
　　campaigningunderthesun。Butthefarewellwasnotforthem。Norwasitforthewhite—cladcaptainontheloftybridge，remoteasthestars，gazingdownuponthetumultbeneathhim。Norwasthefarewellfortheyoungofficersfartheraft，returningfromthePhilippines，norforthewhite—faced，climate—ravagedwomenbytheirsides。Justaftthegangway，onthepromenadedeck，stoodascoreofUnitedStatesSenatorswiththeirwivesanddaughters——theSenatorialjunketingpartythatforamonthhadbeendinedandwined，surfeitedwithstatisticsanddraggedupvolcanichillanddownlavadaletobeholdthegloriesandresourcesofHawaii。ItwasforthejunketingpartythatthetransporthadcalledinatHonolulu，anditwastothejunketingpartythatHonoluluwassayinggood—bye。
　　TheSenatorsweregarlandedandbedeckedwithflowers。SenatorJeremySambrooke’sstoutneckandportlybosomwereburdenedwithadozenwreaths。Outofthismassofbloomandblossomprojectedhisheadandthegreaterportionofhisfreshlysunburnedandperspiringface。Hethoughttheflowersanabomination，andashelookedoutoverthemultitudeonthewharfitwaswithastatisticaleyethatsawnoneofthebeauty，butthatpeeredintothelabourpower，thefactories，therailroads，andtheplantationsthatlaybackofthemultitudeandwhichthemultitudeexpressed。Hesawresourcesandthoughtdevelopment，andhewastoobusywithdreamsofmaterialachievementandempiretonoticehisdaughterathisside，talkingwithayoungfellowinanattysummersuitandstrawhat，whoseeagereyesseemedonlyforherandneverleftherface。HadSenatorJeremyhadeyesforhisdaughter，hewouldhaveseenthat，inplaceoftheyounggirloffifteenhehadbroughttoHawaiiashortmonthbefore，hewasnowtakingawaywithhimawoman。
　　Hawaiihasaripeningclimate，andDorothySambrookehadbeenexposedtoitunderexceptionallyripeningcircumstances。Slender，pale，withblueeyesatrifletiredfromporingoverthepagesofbooksandtryingtomuddleintoanunderstandingoflife——suchshehadbeenthemonthbefore。Butnowtheeyeswerewarminsteadoftired，thecheeksweretouchedwiththesun，andthebodygavethefirsthintandpromiseofswellinglines。Duringthatmonthshehadleftbooksalone，forshehadfoundgreaterjoyinreadingfromthebookoflife。Shehadriddenhorses，climbedvolcanoes，andlearnedsurfswimming。Thetropicshadenteredintoherblood，andshewasaglowwiththewarmthandcolourandsunshine。Andforamonthshehadbeeninthecompanyofaman——StephenKnight，athlete，surf—
　　boardrider，abronzedgodoftheseawhobittedthecrashingbreakers，leapedupontheirbacks，androdethemintoshore。
　　DorothySambrookewasunawareofthechange。Herconsciousnesswasstillthatofayounggirl，andshewassurprisedandtroubledbySteve’sconductinthishourofsayinggood—bye。Shehadlookeduponhimasherplayfellow，andforthemonthhehadbeenherplayfellow；butnowhewasnotpartinglikeaplayfellow。Hetalkedexcitedlyanddisconnectedly，orwassilent，byfitsandstarts。
　　Sometimeshedidnothearwhatshewassaying，orifhedid，failedtorespondinhiswontedmanner。Shewasperturbedbythewayhelookedather。Shehadnotknownbeforethathehadsuchblazingeyes。Therewassomethinginhiseyesthatwasterrifying。Shecouldnotfaceit，andherowneyescontinuallydroopedbeforeit。
　　Yettherewassomethingalluringaboutit，aswell，andshecontinuallyreturnedtocatchaglimpseofthatblazing，imperious，yearningsomethingthatshehadneverseeninhumaneyesbefore。
　　Andshewasherselfstrangelybewilderedandexcited。
　　Thetransport’shugewhistleblewadeafeningblast，andtheflower—
　　crownedmultitudesurgedclosertothesideofthedock。DorothySambrooke’sfingerswerepressedtoherears；andasshemadeamoueofdistasteattheoutrageofsound，shenoticedagaintheimperious，yearningblazeinSteve’seyes。Hewasnotlookingather，butatherears，delicatelypinkandtransparentintheslantingraysoftheafternoonsun。Curiousandfascinated，shegazedatthatstrangesomethinginhiseyesuntilhesawthathehadbeencaught。Shesawhischeeksflushdarklyandheardhimutterinarticulately。Hewasembarrassed，andshewasawareofembarrassmentherself。Stewardsweregoingaboutnervouslybeggingshore—goingpersonstobegone。Steveputouthishand。Whenshefeltthegripofthefingersthathadgrippedhersathousandtimesonsurf—boardsandlavaslopes，sheheardthewordsofthesongwithanewunderstandingastheysobbedintheHawaiianwoman’ssilverthroat：
　　"Kahaliakoalohakaihikimai，Kehoneaeneiiku’umanawa，OoenokanalohaAlokoehananei。"
　　Stevehadtaughtherairandwordsandmeaning——soshehadthought，tillthisinstant；andinthisinstantofthelastfingerclaspandwarmcontactofpalmsshedivinedforthefirsttimetherealmeaningofthesong。Shescarcelysawhimgo，norcouldshenotehimonthecrowdedgangway，forshewasdeepinamemorymaze，livingoverthefourweeksjustpast，rereadingeventsinthelightofrevelation。
　　WhentheSenatorialpartyhadlanded，Stevehadbeenoneofthecommitteeofentertainment。Itwashewhohadgiventhemtheirfirstexhibitionofsurfriding，outatWaikikiBeach，paddlinghisnarrowboardseawarduntilhebecameadisappearingspeck，andthen，suddenlyreappearing，risinglikeasea—godfromoutofthewelterofspumeandchurningwhite——risingswiftlyhigherandhigher，shouldersandchestandloinsandlimbs，untilhestoodpoisedonthesmokingcrestofamighty，mile—longbillow，hisfeetburiedintheflyingfoam，hurlingbeach—wardwiththespeedofanexpresstrainandsteppingcalmlyashoreattheirastoundedfeet。ThathadbeenherfirstglimpseofSteve。Hehadbeentheyoungestmanonthecommittee，ayouth，himself，oftwenty。Hehadnotentertainedbyspeechmaking，norhadheshonedecorativelyatreceptions。ItwasinthebreakersatWaikiki，inthewildcattledriveonMannaKea，andinthebreakingyardoftheHaleakalaRanchthathehadperformedhisshareoftheentertaining。
　　Shehadnotcaredfortheinterminablestatisticsandeternalspeechmakingoftheothermembersofthecommittee。NeitherhadSteve。AnditwaswithStevethatshehadstolenawayfromtheopen—airfeastatHamakua，andfromAbeLouisson，thecoffeeplanter，whohadtalkedcoffee，coffee，nothingbutcoffee，fortwomortalhours。Itwasthen，astheyrodeamongthetreeferns，thatStevehadtaughtherthewordsof"AlohaOe，"thesongthathadbeensungtothevisitingSenatorsateveryvillage，ranch，andplantationdeparture。
　　Steveandshehadbeenmuchtogetherfromthefirst。Hehadbeenherplayfellow。Shehadtakenpossessionofhimwhileherfatherhadbeenoccupiedintakingpossessionofthestatisticsoftheislandterritory。Shewastoogentletotyrannizeoverherplayfellow，yetshehadruledhimabjectly，exceptwhenincanoe，oronhorseorsurf—board，atwhichtimeshehadtakenchargeandshehadrenderedobedience。Andnow，withthislastsingingofthesong，asthelineswerecastoffandthebigtransportbeganbackingslowlyoutfromthedock，sheknewthatStevewassomethingmoretoherthanplayfellow。
　　Fivethousandvoicesweresinging"AlohaOe，"——"MYLOVEBEWITHYOU
　　TILLWEMEETAGAIN，"——andinthatfirstmomentofknownlovesherealizedthatsheandStevewerebeingtornapart。Whenwouldtheyevermeetagain？Hehadtaughtherthosewordshimself。SherememberedlisteningashesangthemoverandoverunderthehautreeatWaikiki。Haditbeenprophecy？Andshehadadmiredhissinging，hadtoldhimthathesangwithsuchexpression。Shelaughedaloud，hysterically，attherecollection。Withsuchexpression!——whenhehadbeenpouringhisheartoutinhisvoice。
　　Sheknewnow，anditwastoolate。Whyhadhenotspoken？Thensherealizedthatgirlsofheragedidnotmarry。Butgirlsofheragedidmarry——inHawaii——washerinstantthought。Hawaiihadripenedher——Hawaii，wherefleshisgoldenandwhereallwomenareripeandsun—kissed。
　　Vainlyshescannedthepackedmultitudeonthedock。Whathadbecomeofhim？Shefeltshecouldpayanypriceforonemoreglimpseofhim，andshealmosthopedthatsomemortalsicknesswouldstrikethelonelycaptainonthebridgeanddelaydeparture。Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshelookedatherfatherwithacalculatingeye，andasshedidshenotedwithnewbornfearthelinesofwillanddetermination。Itwouldbeterribletoopposehim。Andwhatchancewouldshehaveinsuchastruggle？ButwhyhadStevenotspoken？Nowitwastoolate。WhyhadhenotspokenunderthehautreeatWaikiki？
　　Andthen，withagreatsinkingoftheheart，itcametoherthatsheknewwhy。Whatwasitshehadheardoneday？Oh，yes，itwasatMrs。Stanton’stea，thatafternoonwhentheladiesofthe"MissionaryCrowd"hadentertainedtheladiesoftheSenatorialparty。ItwasMrs。Hodgkins，thetallblondewoman，whohadaskedthequestion。Thescenecamebacktohervividly——thebroadlanai，thetropicflowers，thenoiselessAsiaticattendants，thehumofthevoicesofthemanywomenandthequestionMrs。Hodgkinshadaskedinthegroupnexttoher。Mrs。Hodgkinshadbeenawayonthemainlandforyears，andwasevidentlyinquiringafteroldislandfriendsofhermaidendays。"WhathasbecomeofSusieMaydwell？"wasthequestionshehadasked。"Oh，weneverseeheranymore；shemarriedWillieKupele，"anotherislandwomananswered。AndSenatorBehrend’swifelaughedandwantedtoknowwhymatrimonyhadaffectedSusieMaydwell’sfriendships。
　　"Hapa—haole，"wastheanswer；"hewasahalf—caste，youknow，andweoftheIslandshavetothinkaboutourchildren。"
　　Dorothyturnedtoherfather，resolvedtoputittothetest。
　　"Papa，ifSteveevercomestotheUnitedStates，mayn’thecomeandseeussometime？"
　　"Who？Steve？"
　　"Yes，StephenKnight——youknowhim。Yousaidgood—byetohimnotfiveminutesago。Mayn’the，ifhehappenstobeintheUnitedStatessometime，comeandseeus？"
　　"Certainlynot，"JeremySambrookeansweredshortly。"StephenKnightisahapa—haoleandyouknowwhatthatmeans。"
　　"Oh，"Dorothysaidfaintly，whileshefeltanumbdespaircreepintoherheart。
　　Stevewasnotahapa—haole——sheknewthat；butshedidnotknowthataquarter—strainoftropicsunshinestreamedinhisveins，andsheknewthatthatwassufficienttoputhimoutsidethemarriagepale。
　　Itwasastrangeworld。TherewastheHonourableA。S。Cleghorn，whohadmarriedaduskyprincessoftheKamehamehablood，yetmenconsidereditanhonourtoknowhim，andthemostexclusivewomenoftheultra—exclusive"MissionaryCrowd"weretobeseenathisafternoonteas。AndtherewasSteve。Noonehaddisapprovedofhisteachinghertorideasurf—board，norofhisleadingherbythehandthroughtheperilousplacesofthecraterofKilauea。Hecouldhavedinnerwithherandherfather，dancewithher，andbeamemberoftheentertainmentcommittee；butbecausetherewastropicsunshineinhisveinshecouldnotmarryher。
　　Andhedidn’tshowit。Onehadtobetoldtoknow。Andhewassogood—looking。Thepictureofhimlimneditselfonherinnervision，andbeforeshewasawareshewaspleasuringinthememoryofthegraceofhismagnificentbody，ofhissplendidshoulders，ofthepowerinhimthattossedherlightlyonahorse，borehersafelythroughthethunderingbreakers，ortowedherattheendofanalpenstockupthesternlavacrestoftheHouseoftheSun。Therewassomethingsubtlerandmysteriousthatsheremembered，andthatshewaseventhenjustbeginningtounderstand——theauraofthemalecreaturethatisman，allman，masculineman。Shecametoherselfwithashockofshameatthethoughtsshehadbeenthinking。Hercheeksweredyedwiththehotbloodwhichquicklyrecededandleftthempaleatthethoughtthatshewouldneverseehimagain。Thestemofthetransportwasalreadyoutinthestream，andthepromenadedeckwaspassingabreastoftheendofthedock。
　　"There’sStevenow，"herfathersaid。"Wavegood—byetohim，Dorothy。"
　　Stevewaslookingupatherwitheagereyes，andhesawinherfacewhathehadnotseenbefore。Bytherushofgladnessintohisownfacesheknewthatheknew。Theairwasthrobbingwiththesong—
　　Mylovetoyou。
　　Mylovebewithyoutillwemeetagain。
　　Therewasnoneedforspeechtotelltheirstory。Abouther，passengerswereflingingtheirgarlandstotheirfriendsonthedock。Stevehelduphishandsandhiseyespleaded。Sheslippedherowngarlandoverherhead，butithadbecomeentangledinthestringofOrientalpearlsthatMervin，anelderlysugarking，hadplacedaroundherneckwhenhedroveherandherfatherdowntothesteamer。
　　Shefoughtwiththepearlsthatclungtotheflowers。Thetransportwasmovingsteadilyon。Stevewasalreadybeneathher。Thiswasthemoment。Thenextmomentandhewouldbepast。Shesobbed，andJeremySambrookeglancedatherinquiringly。
　　"Dorothy!"hecriedsharply。
　　Shedeliberatelysnappedthestring，and，amidashowerofpearls，theflowersfelltothewaitinglover。ShegazedathimuntilthetearsblindedherandsheburiedherfaceontheshoulderofJeremySambrooke，whoforgothisbelovedstatisticsinwondermentatgirlbabiesthatinsistedongrowingup。Thecrowdsangon，thesonggrowingfainterinthedistance，butstillmeltingwiththesensuouslove—languorofHawaii，thewordsbitingintoherheartlikeacidbecauseoftheiruntruth。
　　Alohaoe，Alohaoe，ekeonaonanohoikalipo，Afondembrace，ahoiaeau，untilwemeetagain。
　　CHUNAHCHUN
　　TherewasnothingstrikingintheappearanceofChunAhChun。Hewasratherundersized，asChinesego，andtheChinesenarrowshouldersandsparenessoffleshwerehis。Theaveragetourist，casuallyglimpsinghimonthestreetsofHonolulu，wouldhaveconcludedthathewasagood—naturedlittleChinese，probablytheproprietorofaprosperouslaundryortailorshop。Insofarasgoodnatureandprosperitywent，thejudgmentwouldbecorrect，thoughbeneaththemark；forAhChunwasasgood—naturedashewasprosperous，andofthelatternomanknewatithethetale。Itwaswellknownthathewasenormouslywealthy，butinhiscase"enormous"wasmerelythesymbolfortheunknown。
　　AhChunhadshrewdlittleeyes，blackandbeadyandsoverylittlethattheywerelikegimlet—holes。Buttheywerewideapart，andtheyshelteredunderaforeheadthatwaspatentlytheforeheadofathinker。ForAhChunhadhisproblems，andhadhadthemallhislife。Notthatheeverworriedoverthem。Hewasessentiallyaphilosopher，andwhetherascoolie，ormulti—millionaireandmasterofmanymen，hispoiseofsoulwasthesame。Helivedalwaysinthehighequanimityofspiritualrepose，undeterredbygoodfortune，unruffledbyillfortune。Allthingswentwellwithhim，whethertheywereblowsfromtheoverseerinthecanefieldoraslumpinthepriceofsugarwhenheownedthosecanefieldshimself。Thus，fromthesteadfastrockofhissurecontenthemasteredproblemssuchasaregiventofewmentoconsider，muchlesstoaChinesepeasant。
　　Hewaspreciselythat——aChinesepeasant，borntolabourinthefieldsallhisdayslikeabeast，butfatedtoescapefromthefieldsliketheprinceinafairytale。AhChundidnotrememberhisfather，asmallfarmerinadistrictnotfarfromCanton；nordidheremembermuchofhismother，whohaddiedwhenhewassix。
　　Buthedidrememberhisrespecteduncle，AhKow，forhimhadheservedasaslavefromhissixthyeartohistwenty—fourth。ItwasthenthatheescapedbycontractinghimselfasacoolietolabourforthreeyearsonthesugarplantationsofHawaiiforfiftycentsaday。
　　AhChunwasobservant。Heperceivedlittledetailsthatnotonemaninathousandevernoticed。Threeyearsheworkedinthefield，attheendofwhichtimeheknewmoreaboutcane—growingthantheoverseersoreventhesuperintendent，whilethesuperintendentwouldhavebeenastoundedattheknowledgetheweazenedlittlecooliepossessedofthereductionprocessesinthemill。ButAhChundidnotstudyonlysugarprocesses。Hestudiedtofindouthowmencametobeownersofsugarmillsandplantations。Onejudgmentheachievedearly，namely，thatmendidnotbecomerichfromthelabouroftheirownhands。Heknew，forhehadlabouredforascoreofyearshimself。Themenwhogrewrichdidsofromthelabourofthehandsofothers。Thatmanwasrichestwhohadthegreatestnumberofhisfellowcreaturestoilingforhim。
　　So，whenhistermofcontractwasup，AhChuninvestedhissavingsinasmallimportingstore，goingintopartnershipwithone，AhYung。Thefirmultimatelybecamethegreatoneof"AhChunandAhYung，"whichhandledanythingfromIndiasilksandginsengtoguanoislandsandblackbirdbrigs。Inthemeantime，AhChunhiredoutascook。Hewasagoodcook，andinthreeyearshewasthehighest—
　　paidchefinHonolulu。Hiscareerwasassured，andhewasafooltoabandonit，asDantin，hisemployer，toldhim；butAhChunknewhisownmindbest，andforknowingitwascalledatriple—foolandgivenapresentoffiftydollarsoverandabovethewagesduehim。
　　ThefirmofAhChunandAhYungwasprospering。TherewasnoneedforAhChunlongertobeacook。TherewereboomtimesinHawaii。
　　Sugarwasbeingextensivelyplanted，andlabourwasneeded。AhChunsawthechance，andwentintothelabour—importingbusiness。HebroughtthousandsofCantonesecooliesintoHawaii，andhiswealthbegantogrow。Hemadeinvestments。Hisbeadyblackeyessawbargainswhereothermensawbankruptcy。Heboughtafish—pondforasong，whichlaterpaidfivehundredpercentandwastheopeningwedgebywhichhemonopolizedthefishmarketofHonolulu。Hedidnottalkforpublication，norfigureinpolitics，norplayatrevolutions，butheforecasteventsmoreclearlyandfartheraheadthandidthemenwhoengineeredthem。Inhismind’seyehesawHonoluluamodern，electric—lightedcityatatimewhenitstraggled，unkemptandsand—tormented，overabarrenreefofupliftedcoralrock。Soheboughtland。Heboughtlandfrommerchantswhoneededreadycash，fromimpecuniousnatives，fromriotoustraders’sons，fromwidowsandorphansandthelepersdeportedtoMolokai；and，somehow，astheyearswentby，thepiecesoflandhehadboughtprovedtobeneededforwarehouses，orcoffeebuildings，orhotels。Heleased，andrented，soldandbought，andresoldagain。
　　Buttherewereotherthingsaswell。HeputhisconfidenceandhismoneyintoParkinson，therenegadecaptainwhomnobodywouldtrust。
　　AndParkinsonsailedawayonmysteriousvoyagesinthelittleVega。
　　Parkinsonwastakencareofuntilhedied，andyearsafterwardHonoluluwasastonishedwhenthenewsleakedoutthattheDrakeandAcornguanoislandshadbeensoldtotheBritishPhosphateTrustforthree—quartersofamillion。Thentherewerethefat，lushdaysofKingKalakaua，whenAhChunpaidthreehundredthousanddollarsfortheopiumlicence。Ifhepaidathirdofamillionforthedrugmonopoly，theinvestmentwasneverthelessagoodone，forthedividendsboughthimtheKalalauPlantation，which，inturn，paidhimthirtypercentforseventeenyearsandwasultimatelysoldbyhimforamillionandahalf。
　　ItwasundertheKamehamehas，longbefore，thathehadservedhisowncountryasChineseConsul——apositionthatwasnotaltogetherunlucrative；anditwasunderKamehamehaIVthathechangedhiscitizenship，becominganHawaiiansubjectinordertomarryStellaAllendale，herselfasubjectofthebrown—skinnedking，thoughmoreofAnglo—SaxonbloodraninherveinsthanofPolynesian。Infact，therandombreedsinherweresoattenuatedthattheywerevaluedateighthsandsixteenths。Inthelatterproportionswasthebloodofhergreat—grandmother，Paahao——thePrincessPaahao，forshecameoftheroyalline。StellaAllendale’sgreat—grandfatherhadbeenaCaptainBlunt，anEnglishadventurerwhotookserviceunderKamehamehaIandwasmadeatabuchiefhimself。HergrandfatherhadbeenaNewBedfordwhalingcaptain，whilethroughherownfatherhadbeenintroducedaremoteblendofItalianandPortuguesewhichhadbeengrafteduponhisownEnglishstock。LegallyaHawaiian，AhChun’sspousewasmoreofanyoneofthreeothernationalities。
　　Andintothisconglomerateoftheraces，AhChunintroducedtheMongolianmixture。Thus，hischildrenbyMrs。AhChunwereonethirty—secondPolynesian，one—sixteenthItalian，onesixteenthPortuguese，one—halfChinese，andeleventhirty—secondsEnglishandAmerican。ItmightwellbethatAhChunwouldhaverefrainedfrommatrimonycouldhehaveforeseenthewonderfulfamilythatwastospringfromthisunion。Itwaswonderfulinmanyways。First，therewasitssize。Therewerefifteensonsanddaughters，mostlydaughters。Thesonshadcomefirst，threeofthem，andthenhadfollowed，inunswervingsequence，arounddozenofgirls。Theblendoftheracewasexcellent。Notalonefruitfuldiditprove，fortheprogeny，withoutexception，washealthyandwithoutblemish。Butthemostamazingthingaboutthefamilywasitsbeauty。Allthegirlswerebeautiful——delicately，ethereallybeautiful。MammaAhChun’srotundlinesseemedtomodifypapaAhChun’sleanangles，sothatthedaughterswerewillowywithoutbeinglathy，round—muscledwithoutbeingchubby。IneveryfeatureofeveryfacewerehauntingreminiscencesofAsia，allmanipulatedoveranddisguisedbyOldEngland，NewEngland，andSouthofEurope。Noobserver，withoutinformation，wouldhaveguessed，theheavyChinesestrainintheirveins；norcouldanyobserver，afterbeinginformed，failtonoteimmediatelytheChinesetraces。
　　Asbeauties，theAhChungirlsweresomethingnew。Nothinglikethemhadbeenseenbefore。Theyresemblednothingsomuchastheyresembledoneanother，andyeteachgirlwassharplyindividual。
　　Therewasnomistakingoneforanother。Ontheotherhand，Maud，whowasblue—eyedandyellow—haired，wouldremindoneinstantlyofHenrietta，anolivebrunettewithlarge，languishingdarkeyesandhairthatwasblue—black。Thehintofresemblancethatranthroughthemall，reconcilingeverydifferentiation，wasAhChun’scontribution。Hehadfurnishedthegroundworkuponwhichhadbeentracedtheblendedpatternsoftheraces。Hehadfurnishedtheslim—bonedChineseframe，uponwhichhadbeenbuildedthedelicaciesandsubtletiesofSaxon，Latin，andPolynesianflesh。
　　Mrs。AhChunhadideasofherowntowhichAhChungavecredence，thoughneverpermittingthemexpressionwhentheyconflictedwithhisownphilosophiccalm。ShehadbeenusedallherlifetolivinginEuropeanfashion。Verywell。AhChungaveheraEuropeanmansion。Later，ashissonsanddaughtersgrewabletoadvise，hebuiltabungalow，aspacious，ramblingaffair，asunpretentiousasitwasmagnificent。Also，astimewentby，therearoseamountainhouseonTantalus，towhichthefamilycouldfleewhenthe"sickwind"blewfromthesouth。AndatWaikikihebuiltabeachresidenceonanextensivesitesowellchosenthatlateron，whentheUnitedStatesgovernmentcondemneditforfortificationpurposes，animmensesumaccompaniedthecondemnation。Inallhishouseswerebilliardandsmokingroomsandguestroomsgalore，forAhChun’swonderfulprogenywasgiventolavishentertainment。Thefurnishingwasextravagantlysimple。Kings’ransomswereexpendedwithoutdisplay——thankstotheeducatedtastesoftheprogeny。
　　AhChunhadbeenliberalinthematterofeducation。"Nevermindexpense，"hehadarguedintheolddayswithParkinsonwhenthatslackmarinercouldseenoreasonformakingtheVegaseaworthy；
　　"yousailtheschooner，Ipaythebills。"Andsowithhissonsanddaughters。Ithadbeenforthemtogettheeducationandnevermindtheexpense。Harold，theeldest—born，hadgonetoHarvardandOxford；AlbertandCharleshadgonethroughYaleinthesameclasses。Andthedaughters，fromtheeldestdown，hadundergonetheirpreparationatMillsSeminaryinCaliforniaandpassedontoVassar，Wellesley，orBrynMawr。Several，havingsodesired，hadhadthefinishingtouchesputoninEurope。AndfromalltheworldAhChun’ssonsanddaughtersreturnedtohimtosuggestandadviseinthegarnishmentofthechastemagnificenceofhisresidences。AhChunhimselfpreferredthevoluptuousglitterofOrientaldisplay；
　　buthewasaphilosopher，andheclearlysawthathischildren’stasteswerecorrectaccordingtoWesternstandards。
　　Ofcourse，hischildrenwerenotknownastheAhChunchildren。Ashehadevolvedfromacoolielabourertoamulti—millionaire，sohadhisnameevolved。MammaAhChunhadspelleditA’Chun，butherwiseroffspringhadelidedtheapostropheandspelleditAchun。AhChundidnotobject。Thespellingofhisnameinterferednowhitwithhiscomfortnorhisphilosophiccalm。Besides，hewasnotproud。Butwhenhischildrenarosetotheheightofastarchedshirt，astiffcollar，andafrockcoat，theydidinterferewithhiscomfortandcalm。AhChunwouldhavenoneofit。Hepreferredtheloose—flowingrobesofChina，andneithercouldtheycajolenorbullyhimintomakingthechange。Theytriedbothcourses，andinthelatteronefailedespeciallydisastrously。TheyhadnotbeentoAmericafornothing。Theyhadlearnedthevirtuesoftheboycottasemployedbyorganizedlabour，andhe，theirfather，ChunAhChun，theyboycottedinhisownhouse，MammaAchunaidingandabetting。
　　ButAhChunhimself，whileunversedinWesternculture，wasthoroughlyconversantwithWesternlabourconditions。Anextensiveemployeroflabourhimself，heknewhowtocopewithitstactics。
　　Promptlyheimposedalockoutonhisrebelliousprogenyanderringspouse。Hedischargedhisscoresofservants，lockeduphisstables，closedhishouses，andwenttoliveintheRoyalHawaiianHotel，inwhichenterprisehehappenedtobetheheavieststockholder。Thefamilyfluttereddistractedlyonvisitsaboutwithfriends，whileAhChuncalmlymanagedhismanyaffairs，smokedhislongpipewiththetinysilverbowl，andponderedtheproblemofhiswonderfulprogeny。
　　Thisproblemdidnotdisturbhiscalm。Heknewinhisphilosopher’ssoulthatwhenitwasripehewouldsolveit。Inthemeantimeheenforcedthelessonthatcomplacentashemightbe，hewasneverthelesstheabsolutedictatoroftheAchundestinies。Thefamilyheldoutforaweek，thenreturned，alongwithAhChunandthemanyservants，tooccupythebungalowoncemore。AndthereafternoquestionwasraisedwhenAhChunelectedtoenterhisbrilliantdrawing—roominbluesilkrobe，waddedslippers，andblacksilkskull—capwithredbuttonpeak，orwhenhechosetodrawathisslender—stemmedsilver—bowledpipeamongthecigarette—andcigar—
　　smokingofficersandciviliansonthebroadverandasorinthesmokingroom。
　　AhChunoccupiedauniquepositioninHonolulu。Thoughhedidnotappearinsociety，hewaseligibleanywhere。ExceptamongtheChinesemerchantsofthecity，heneverwentout；buthereceived，andhealwayswasthecentreofhishouseholdandtheheadofhistable。Himselfpeasant，bornChinese，hepresidedoveranatmosphereofcultureandrefinementsecondtononeinalltheislands。Norwerethereanyinalltheislandstooproudtocrosshisthresholdandenjoyhishospitality。Firstofall，theAchunbungalowwasofirreproachabletone。Next，AhChunwasapower。
　　Andfinally，AhChunwasamoralparagonandanhonestbusinessman。
　　Despitethefactthatbusinessmoralitywashigherthanonthemainland，AhChunoutshonethebusinessmenofHonoluluinthescrupulousrigidityofhishonesty。Itwasasayingthathiswordwasasgoodashisbond。Hissignaturewasneverneededtobindhim。Heneverbrokehisword。TwentyyearsafterHotchkiss，ofHotchkiss，MortersonCompany，died，theyfoundamongmislaidpapersamemorandumofaloanofthirtythousanddollarstoAhChun。IthadbeenincurredwhenAhChunwasPrivyCouncillortoKamehamehaII。Inthebustleandconfusionofthoseheyday，money—makingtimes，theaffairhadslippedAhChun’smind。Therewasnonote，nolegalclaimagainsthim，buthesettledinfullwiththeHotchkiss’
　　Estate，voluntarilypayingacompoundinterestthatdwarfedtheprincipal。Likewise，whenheverballyguaranteedthedisastrousKakikuDitchScheme，atatimewhentheleastsanguinedidnotdreamaguaranteenecessary——"Signedhischequefortwohundredthousandwithoutaquiver，gentlemen，withoutaquiver，"wasthereportofthesecretaryofthedefunctenterprise，whohadbeensentontheforlornhopeoffindingoutAhChun’sintentions。Andontopofthemanysimilaractionsthatweretrueofhisword，therewasscarcelyamanofreputeintheislandsthatatonetimeoranotherhadnotexperiencedthehelpingfinancialhandofAhChun。
　　SoitwasthatHonoluluwatchedhiswonderfulfamilygrowupintoaperplexingproblemandsecretlysympathizedwithhim，foritwasbeyondanyofthemtoimaginewhathewasgoingtodowithit。ButAhChunsawtheproblemmoreclearlythanthey。Nooneknewasheknewtheextenttowhichhewasanalieninhisfamily。Hisownfamilydidnotguessit。Hesawthattherewasnoplaceforhimamongstthismarvellousseedofhisloins，andhelookedforwardtohisdecliningyearsandknewthathewouldgrowmoreandmorealien。
　　Hedidnotunderstandhischildren。Theirconversationwasofthingsthatdidnotinteresthimandaboutwhichheknewnothing。
　　ThecultureoftheWesthadpassedhimby。HewasAsiatictothelastfibre，whichmeantthathewasheathen。TheirChristianitywastohimsomuchnonsense。Butallthishewouldhaveignoredasextraneousandirrelevant，couldhehavebutunderstoodtheyoungpeoplethemselves。WhenMaud，forinstance，toldhimthatthehousekeepingbillsforthemonthwerethirtythousand——thatheunderstood，asheunderstoodAlbert’srequestforfivethousandwithwhichtobuytheschooneryachtMurielandbecomeamemberoftheHawaiianYachtClub。Butitwastheirremoter，complicateddesiresandmentalprocessesthatobfuscatedhim。Hewasnotslowinlearningthatthemindofeachsonanddaughterwasasecretlabyrinthwhichhecouldneverhopetotread。AlwayshecameuponthewallthatdividesEastfromWest。Theirsoulswereinaccessibletohim，andbythesametokenheknewthathissoulwasinaccessibletothem。
　　Besides，astheyearscameuponhim，hefoundhimselfharkingbackmoreandmoretohisownkind。ThereekingsmellsoftheChinesequarterwerespicytohim。Hesniffedthemwithsatisfactionashepassedalongthestreet，forinhismindtheycarriedhimbacktothenarrowtortuousalleysofCantonswarmingwithlifeandmovement。HeregrettedthathehadcutoffhisqueuetopleaseStellaAllendaleintheprenuptialdays，andheseriouslyconsideredtheadvisabilityofshavinghiscrownandgrowinganewone。ThedisheshishighlypaidchefconcoctedforhimfailedtoticklehisreminiscentpalateinthewaythattheweirdmessesdidinthestuffyrestaurantdownintheChinesequarter。Heenjoyedvastlymoreahalf—hour’ssmokeandchatwithtwoorthreeChinesechums，thantopresideatthelavishandelegantdinnersforwhichhisbungalowwasfamed，wherethepickoftheAmericansandEuropeanssatatthelongtable，menandwomenonequality，thewomenwithjewelsthatblazedinthesubduedlightagainstwhitenecksandarms，themenineveningdress，andallchatteringandlaughingovertopicsandwitticismsthat，whiletheywerenotexactlyGreektohim，didnotinteresthimnorentertain。
　　ButitwasnotmerelyhisaliennessandhisgrowingdesiretoreturntohisChineseflesh—potsthatconstitutedtheproblem。Therewasalsohiswealth。Hehadlookedforwardtoaplacidoldage。Hehadworkedhard。Hisrewardshouldhavebeenpeaceandrepose。Butheknewthatwithhisimmensefortunepeaceandreposecouldnotpossiblybehis。Alreadythereweresignsandomens。Hehadseensimilartroublesbefore。Therewashisoldemployer，Dantin，whosechildrenhadwrestedfromhim，bydueprocessoflaw，themanagementofhisproperty，havingtheCourtappointguardianstoadministeritforhim。AhChunknew，andknewthoroughlywell，thathadDantinbeenapoorman，itwouldhavebeenfoundthathecouldquiterationallymanagehisownaffairs。AndoldDantinhadhadonlythreechildrenandhalfamillion，whilehe，ChunAhChun，hadfifteenchildrenandnoonebuthimselfknewhowmanymillions。
　　"Ourdaughtersarebeautifulwomen，"hesaidtohiswife，oneevening。"Therearemanyyoungmen。Thehouseisalwaysfullofyoungmen。Mycigarbillsareveryheavy。Whyaretherenomarriages？"
　　MammaAchunshruggedhershouldersandwaited。