"ButSaulwasuptosomewickedness，wasn’the？"saidtheladysmilingly，"whileYOUweresimplygoingsomewhereonbusiness？"
　　"Yes，"saidHaysthoughtfully，"butmyBUSINESSmighthevseemedlikepersecution。Idon’tmindtellin’youwhatitwasifyou’dcaretolisten。Butmebbeyou’retired。Mebbeyouwanttoretire。
　　Youknow，"hewentonwithasuddenhospitableoutburst，"youneedn’tbeinanyhurrytogo；wekintakecareofyouhereto-
　　night，andit’llcostyounothin’。AndI’llsendyouonwithmysleighinthemornin’。Per’apsyou’dlikesuthin’toeat——acupoftea——or——I’llcallZuleika；"andherosewithanexpressionofawkwardcourtesy。
　　Butthelady，albeitwithaself-satisfiedsparkleinherdarkeyes，herecarelesslyassuredhimthatZuleikahadalreadygivenherrefreshment，and，indeed，wasatthatmomentpreparingherownroomforher。Shebeggedhewouldnotinterrupthisinterestingstory。
　　Hayslookedrelieved。
　　"Well，IreckonIwon’tcallher，forwhatIwasgoin’tosayain’texacklythesorto’thin’foraninnocent，simplesorto’thinglikehertohear——Imean，"heinterruptedhimselfhastily——"thatfolksofmoreexperienceoftheworldlikeyouandmedon’tmindspeakin’of——I’msortertakin’itforgrantedthatyou’reamarriedwoman，ma’am。"
　　Thelady，whohadregardedhimwithasuddenrigidity，hererelaxedherexpressionandnodded。
　　"Well，"continuedHays，resuminghisplacebythefire，"youseethisyermanIwasgoin’toseelivesaboutfourmilesbeyondthesummitonaranchthatfurnishesmostofthehayforthestockthatsideoftheDivide。He’sbinholdin’offhisnextyear’scontractswithme，hopin’tomakebettertermsfromtheprospectsofalatespringandhigherprices。Heheldhisheadmightyhighandtalkedbigofwaitin’hisowntime。Ihappenedtoknowhecouldn’tdoit。"
　　Heputhishandsonhiskneesandstaredatthefire，andthenwenton：——
　　"Yeseethismanhadhadcrossesandfamilytrials。Hehadawifethatlefthimtojinealotofballydancersandpaintedwomeninthe’Friscoplayhouseswhenhewaslivin’inthesoutherncountry。
　　You’llsaythatwaslikeMYowncase，——andmebbethatwaswhyitcametohimtotellmeaboutit，——butthedifferencebetwixtHIM
　　andMEwasthatinsteadofrestin’untotheLordandfindin’Him，andpluckin’outtheeyethatoffendedhim’cordin’toScripter，asIdid，HEfollowedafterHERtryin’togetherback，until，findin’
　　thatwasn’tnouse，hetookabigdisgustandcameupheretohidehisself，wheretherewasn’tnoplayhousenorplay-actors，andnowimmenbutInjinsquaws。Hepre-emptedtheland，andnat’rally，therebein’nooneezcaredtolivetherebuthimself，hehaditallhisownway，madeitpay，and，asIwassayin’before，heldhisheadhighforprices。Well——youain’tgettin’tired，ma’am？"
　　"No，"saidthelady，restinghercheekonherhandandgazingonthefire，"it’sallveryinteresting；andsooddthatyoutwomen，withnearlythesameexperiences，shouldbeneighbors。"
　　"Saybuyerandseller，ma’am，notneighbors——atleastScriptoorily——
　　norfriends。Well，——nowthisiswheretheSpeshalProvidencecomesin，——onlythisafternoonJimBriggs，hearin’mespeakofHorseley’soffishness"——
　　"WHOSEoffishness？"askedthelady。
　　"Horseley’soffishness，——Horseley’sthenameofthemanI’mtalkin’
　　about。Well，hearin’that，hesays："Youholdon，Hays，andhe’llclimbdown。Thatwifeofhishasleftthestage——gotsickofit——
　　andisdriftin’roundin’Friscowithsomefellow。WhenHorseleygetstohearthat，youcan’tkeephimhere，——he’llsettleup，sellout，andrealizeoneverythinghe’sgottogoafterheragin，——youbet。That’swhatBriggssaid。Well，that’swhatsentmeuptoHorseley’sto-night——togetthere，dropthenews，andthenpinhimdowntothatcontract。"
　　"Itlookedlikeagoodstrokeofbusinessandafairone，"saidtheladyinanoddvoice。ItwassooddthatHayslookedup。Butshehadsomewhatalteredherposition，andwasgazingattheceiling，andwithherhandtoherfaceseemedtohavejustrecoveredfromaslightyawn，atwhichhehesitatedwithanewandtimidsenseofpoliteness。
　　"You’regettin’tired，ma’am？"
　　"Ohdear，no！"shesaidinthesamevoice，butclearingherthroatwithalittlecough。"Andwhydidn’tyouseethisMr。Horseleyafterall？Oh，Iforgot！——yousaidyouchangedyourmindfromsomethingyou’dheard。"
　　Hehadturnedhiseyestothefireagain，butwithoutnoticingashedidsothatsheslowlymovedherface，stillhalfhiddenbyherhand，towardshimandwaswatchinghimintently。
　　"No，"hesaid，slowly，"nothin’Iheard，somethin’Ifelt。Itmouthevbeenthatthatsetmeoffthetrack。Itkemtomeallofasuddenthathemightbesittin’tharcalmandpeacefullikeezI
　　mightbehere，hevin’forgotallaboutherandhistrouble，andherewasmegoin’todropdownuponhimandstartitallfreshagin。Itlookedalittlelikepersecution——yes，likepersecution。
　　Igotridofit，sayin’tomyselfitwasbusiness。ButI’dgotofftheroadmeantime，andhadtofinditagain，andwheneverIgotbacktothetrackandwaspointedforhishouse，itallseemedtocomebackonmeandsetmeoffagin。Whenthathadhappenedthreetimes，Iturnedroundandstartedforhome。"
　　"Anddoyoumeantosay，"saidthelady，withadiscordantlaugh，"thatyoubelieve，becauseYOUdidn’tgothereandbreakthenews，thatnobodyelsewill？Thathewon’thearofitfromthefirstmanhemeets？"
　　"Hedon’tmeetanyoneupwherehelives，andonlyBriggsandmyselfknowit，andI’llseethatBriggsdon’ttell。Butitwasmightyqueerthiswholethingcomin’uponmesuddenly，——wasn’tit？"
　　"Veryqueer，"repliedthelady；"for"——withthesamemetalliclaugh——"youdon’tseemtobegiventothiskindofweaknesswithyourownfamily。"
　　Iftherewasanydoubtastothesarcasticsuggestionofhervoice，therecertainlycouldbenoneinthewickedglitterofhereyesfixeduponhisfaceunderhershadinghand。Buthaplyheseemedunconsciousofboth，andevenacceptedherstatementwithoutanulteriorsignificance。
　　"Yes，"hesaid，communingly，totheglaringembersofthehearth，"itmusthavebeenaspecialrevelation。"
　　Therewassomethingsofatuousandone-idea’dinhisattitudeandexpression，somonstrouslyinconsistentandinadequatetowhatwasgoingonaroundhim，andsohopelesslystupid——ifameresimulation——thattheangrysuspicionthathewasactingapartslowlyfadedfromhereyes，andahystericalsmilebegantotwitchhersetlips。Shestillgazedathim。Thewindhowleddrearilyinthechimney；allthatwaseconomic，grim，andcheerlessintheroomseemedtogatherasflittingshadowsaroundthatcentralfigure。
　　Suddenlyshearosewithsuchaquickrustlingofherskirtsthatheliftedhiseyeswithastart；forshewasstandingimmediatelybeforehim，herhandsbehindher，herhandsome，audaciousfacebentsmilinglyforward，andherbold，brillianteyeswithinafootofhisown。
　　"Now，Mr。Hays，doyouwanttoknowwhatthiswarningorspecialrevelationofyoursREALLYmeant？Well，ithadnothingwhatevertodowiththatmanonthesummit。No。Thewholeinterest，gist，andmeaningofitwassimplythis，thatyoushouldturnroundandcomestraightbackhereand"——shedrewbackandmadehimanexaggeratedtheatricalcurtsey——"havethesupremepleasureofmakingMY
　　acquaintance！Thatwasall。Andnow，asyou’veHADIT，infiveminutesImustbeoff。You’veofferedmealreadyyourhorseandsleightogotothesummit。Iacceptitandgo！Good-by！"
　　Heknewnothingofawoman’scoquettishhumor；heknewstilllessofthatmimicstagefromwhichherpresentvoice，gesture，andexpressionwereborrowed；hehadnoknowledgeoftheburlesqueemotionswhichthatvoice，gesture，andexpressionweresupposedtoportray，andfinallyandfatallyhewasunabletodetectthefemininehystericjaranddiscordthatunderlayitall。Hethoughtitwasstrong，characteristic，andreal，andaccepteditliterally。
　　Herose。
　　"Efyouallowyoucan’tstay，whyI’llgoandgetthehorse。I
　　reckonheain’tbinputupyet。"
　　"Do，please。"
　　Hegrimlyresumedhiscoatandhatanddisappearedthroughthepassageintothekitchen，whence，amomentlater，Zuleikacameflying。
　　"Well，whathashappened？"shesaideagerly。
　　"It’sallright，"saidthewomanquickly，"thoughheknowsnothingyet。ButI’vegotthingsfixedgenerally，sothathe’llbequitereadytohaveitbrokentohimbythistimeto-morrow。Butdon’tyousayanythingtillI’veseenJackandyouhearfromHIM。
　　Remember。"
　　Shespokerapidly；hercheekswerequiteglowingfromsomesuddenenergy；sowereZuleika’swiththeexcitementofcuriosity。
　　Presentlythesoundofsleigh-bellsagainfilledtheroom。ItwasHaysleadingthehorseandsleightothedoor，beneathaskynowstarlitandcrispunderanortheastwind。ThefairstrangercastasignificantglanceatZuleika，andwhisperedhurriedly，"Youknowhemustnotcomewithme。Youmustkeephimhere。"
　　Sherantothedoormuffledandhooded，leapedintothesleigh，andgatheredupthereins。
　　"Butyoucannotgoalone，"saidHays，withawkwardcourtesy。"I
　　waskalkilatin’"——
　　"You’retootiredtogooutagain，dad，"brokeinZuleika’svoicequickly。"Youain’tfit；you’reallgrayandkrinklynow，likeaswhenyouhadoneofyourlastspells。She’llsendthesleighbackto-morrow。"
　　"Icanfindmyway，"saidtheladybriskly；"there’sonlyoneturnoff，Ibelieve，andthat"——
　　"Leadstothestagestationthreemileswest。Youneedn’tbeafraidofgettin’offonthat，foryou’lllikelyseethedownstagecrossin’yourroadezsoonezyougetclearoftheranch。"
　　"Good-night，"saidthelady。Anarcofwhitespraysprangbeforetheforwardrunner，andthesleighvanishedintheroad。
　　Fatheranddaughterreturnedtotheoffice。
　　"Youdidn’tgettoknowher，dad，didye？"queriedZuleika。
　　"No，"respondedHaysgravely，"excepttoseeshewasn’tnobackwoodsormountaineeringsort。Now，there’sthekindofwoman，Zuly，asknowsherownmindandyourstoo；thatamanlikeyourbrotherJackoughterpickoutwhenhemarries。"
　　Zuleika’sfacebeamedbehindherfather。"Youain’tgoin’tositupanylonger，dad？"shesaid，asshenoticedhimresumehisseatbythefire。"It’sgettin’late，andyoulookmightytuckeredoutwithyournight’swork。"
　　"Doyouknowwhatshesaid，Zuly？"returnedherfather，afterapause，whichturnedouttohavebeenalong，silentlaugh。
　　"No。"
　　"Shesaid，"herepeatedslowly，"thatshereckonedIcamebackhereto-nighttohavethepleasureofheracquaintance！"Hebroughthistwohandsheavilydownuponhisknees，rubbingthemdowndeliberatelytowardshisankles，andleaningforwardwithhisfacetothefireandalong-sustainedsmileofcompletethoughtardyappreciation。
　　HewasstillinthisattitudewhenZuleikalefthim。Thewindcroonedoverhimconfidentially，buthestillsatthere，givenupapparentlytosomeposthumousenjoymentofhisvisitor’sdepartingwitticism。
　　ItwasscarcelydaylightwhenZuleika，whiledressing，heardaquicktappinguponhershutter。Sheopenedittothescaredandbewilderedfaceofherbrother。
　　"Whathappenedwithherandfatherlastnight？"hesaidhoarsely。
　　"Nothing——why？"
　　"Readthat。Itwasbroughttomehalfanhouragobyamanindad’ssleigh，fromthestagestation。"
　　Hehandedheracrumplednotewithtremblingfingers。Shetookitandread：——
　　"Thegame’supandI’moutofit！Takemyadviceandclearoutofittoo，untilyoucancomebackinbettershape。Don’tbesuchafoolastotryandfollowme。Yourfatherisn’tone，andthat’swhereyou’veslippedup。"
　　"Heshallpayforit，whateverhe’sdone，"saidherbrotherwithanaccessofwildpassion。"Whereishe？"
　　"Why，Jack，youwouldn’tdaretoseehimnow？"
　　"Wouldn’tI？"Heturnedandran，convulsedwithpassion，beforethewindowstowardsthefrontofthehouse。Zuleikaslippedoutofherbedroomandrantoherfather’sroom。Hewasnotthere。
　　Alreadyshecouldhearherbrotherhammeringfranticallyagainstthelockedfrontdoor。
　　Thedooroftheofficewaspartlyopen。Herfatherwasstillthere。Asleep？Yes，forhehadapparentlysunkforwardbeforethecoldhearth。Butthehandsthathehadalwaysbeentryingtowarmwerecolderthanthehearthorashes，andhehimselfneveragainspokenorstirred……
　　Itwasdeemedprovidentialbytheneighborsthathisyoungestandfavoriteson，alarmedbynewsofhisfather’sfailinghealth，hadarrivedfromtheAtlanticStatesjustatthelastmoment。ButitwasthoughtsingularthatafterthedivisionofthepropertyheentirelyabandonedtheRanch，andthatevenpendingthedivisionhisbeautifulbutfastidiousEasternbridedeclinedtovisititwithherhusband。
　　JOHNSON’S"OLDWOMAN。"
　　Itwasgrowingdark，andtheSonoratrailwasbecomingmoreindistinctbeforemeateverystep。Thedifficultyhadincreasedoverthegrassyslope，wheretheoverflowfromsomesmallerwatercourseabovehadwornanumberofdiverginggulliessolikethetrailastobeundistinguishablefromit。Unabletodeterminewhichwastherightone，Ithrewthereinsoverthemule’sneckandresolvedtotrusttothatsuperioranimal’ssagacity，ofwhichI
　　hadheardsomuch。ButIhadnottakenintoaccounttheequallywell-knownweaknessesofsexandspecies，andChuChuhadalreadyshownuncontrollablesignsofwantingherownway。Withoutamoment’shesitation，feelingtherelaxedbridle，shelaydownandrolledover。
　　Inthisperplexitythesoundofhorse’shoofsringingoutoftherockycanyonbeyondwasarelief，evenifmomentarilyembarrassing。
　　Aninstantafterwardsahorseandriderappearedcanteringroundthehillonwhatwasevidentlythelosttrail，andpulledupasI
　　succeededinforcingChuChutoherlegsagain。
　　"IsthatthetrailfromSonora？"Iasked。
　　"Yes；"butwithacriticalglanceatthemule，"Ireckonyouain’tgoingthartonight。"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"It’samatterofeighteenmiles，andmostofitablindtrailthroughthewoodsafteryoutakethevalley。"
　　"Isitworsethanthis？"
　　"What’sthematterwiththistrail？Yeain’texpectingaracecourseorashellroadoverthefoothills——areye？"
　　"No。IsthereanyhotelwhereIcanstop？"
　　"Nary。"
　　"Noranyhouse？"
　　"No。"
　　"Thankyou。Good-night。"
　　Hehadalreadypassedon，whenhehaltedagainandturnedinhissaddle。"Lookyer。Justaspelloveryoncanyonye’llfindapatcho’buckeyes；turntotherightandye’llseeatrail。
　　That’lltakeyetoashanty。Youaskifit’sJohnson’s。"
　　"Who’sJohnson？"
　　"Iam。Youain’tlookin’forVanderbiltorGodAlmightyuphere，areyou？Well，then，youharktome，willyou？Yousaytomyoldwomantogiveyousupperandashakedownsomewharto-night。SayI
　　sentyou。Solong。"
　　HewasgonebeforeIcouldacceptordecline。AnextraordinarynoiseproceededfromChuChu，notunlikeasuppressedchuckle。I
　　lookedsharplyather；shecoughedaffectedly，and，withherheadandneckstretchedtotheirgreatestlength，appearedtocontemplateherneatlittleoffforeshoewithadmiringabstraction。ButassoonasIhadmountedshesetoffabruptly，crossedtherockycanyon，apparentlysightedthepatchofbuckeyesofherownvolition，andwithouttheslightesthesitationfoundthetrailtotheright，andinhalfanhourstoodbeforetheshanty。
　　Itwasalogcabinwithanadditional"lean-to"ofthesamematerial，roofedwithbark，andontheothersidealargerandmoreambitious"extension"builtofrough，unplaned，andunpaintedredwoodboards，lightlyshingled。The"lean-to"wasevidentlyusedasakitchen，andthecentralcabinasaliving-room。ThebarkingofadogasIapproachedcalledfourchildrenofdifferentsizestotheopendoor，wherealreadyanenterprisingbabywasfeeblyessayingtocrawloverabarofwoodlaidacrossthethresholdtorestrainit。
　　"IsthisJohnson’shouse？"
　　Myremarkwasreallyaddressedtotheeldest，aboyofapparentlynineorten，butIfeltthatmyattentionwasundulyfascinatedbythebaby，whoatthatmomenthadtoppledoverthebar，andwascalmlyeyeingmeupsidedown，whilesilentlyandheroicallysuffocatinginitspetticoats。Theboydisappearedwithoutreplying，butpresentlyreturnedwithatallergirloffourteenorfifteen。Iwasstruckwiththewaythat，asshereachedthedoor，shepassedherhandsrapidlyovertheheadsoftheothersasifcountingthem，pickedupthebaby，reversedit，shookoutitsclothes，andreturnedittotheinside，withoutevenlookingatit。
　　Theactwasevidentlyautomaticandhabitual。
　　Irepeatedmyquestiontimidly。
　　Yes，itWASJohnson’s，buthehadjustgonetoKing’sMills。I
　　replied，hurriedly，thatIknewit，——thatIhadmethimbeyondthecanyon。AsIhadlostmywayandcouldn’tgettoSonorato-night，hehadbeengoodenoughtosaythatImightstaythereuntilmorning。MyvoicewasslightlyraisedforthebenefitofMr。
　　Johnson’s"oldwoman，"who，Ihadnodoubt，wasinspectingmefurtivelyfromsomecorner。
　　Thegirldrewthechildrenaway，excepttheboy。Tohimshesaidsimply，"Showthestrangerwhartostakeouthismule，’Dolphus，"
　　anddisappearedinthe"extension"withoutanotherword。I
　　followedmylittleguide，whowasperhapsmoreactivelycurious，butequallyunresponsive。Tomyvariousquestionshesimplyreturnedasmileofexasperatingvacuity。Buthenevertookhiseagereyesfromme，andIwassatisfiedthatnotadetailofmyappearanceescapedhim。Leadingthewaybehindthehousetoalittlewood，whoseonly"clearing"hadbeeneffectedbydecayorstorm，hestoodsilentlyapartwhileIpicketedChuChu，neitherofferingtoassistmenoropposinganyinterruptiontomysurveyofthelocality。Therewasnotraceofhumancultivationinthesurroundingsofthecabin；thewildernessstilltrodsharplyontheheelsofthepioneer’sfreshfootprints，andevenseemedtoobliteratethem。Forafewyardsaroundtheactualdwellingtherewasanunsavoryfringeofcivilizationintheshapeofcast-offclothes，emptybottles，andtincans，andtheadjacentthornandelderbushesblossomedunwholesomelywithbitsoftornwhitepaperandbleachingdish-cloths。Thishideouscircleneverwidened；
　　Naturealwaysappearedtorollbacktheintrudingdebris；nobirdnorbeastcarrieditaway；noanimaleverforcedtheuncleanlybarrier；civilizationremainedgrimlytrenchedinitsownexuvia。
　　Theoldterrifyinggirdleoffirearoundthehunter’scampwasnotmoredeterringtocuriousnightprowlersthanthiscoarseandaccidentaloutwork。
　　WhenIregainedthecabinIfounditempty，thedoorsofthelean-
　　toandextensionclosed，buttherewasastoolsetbeforearudetable，uponwhichsmokedatincupofcoffee，atindishofhotsaleratusbiscuit，andaplateoffriedbeef。Therewassomethingoddanddepressinginthissilentexclusionofmypresence。HadJohnson’s"oldwoman"fromsomedarkpostofobservationtakenadisliketomyappearance，orwasthischurlishwithdrawalapeculiarityofSierranhospitality？OrwasMrs。Johnsonyoungandpretty，andhiddenundertherestrictingbanofJohnson’sjealousy，orwassheadeformedcripple，orevenabedriddencrone？Fromtheextensionattimescameamurmurofvoices，butnevertheaccentsofadultwomanhood。Thegatheringdarkness，relievedonlybyadullglowfromthesmoulderinglogsintheadobechimney，addedtomyloneliness。InthecircumstancesIknewIoughttohaveputasidetherepastandgivenmyselfuptogloomyandpessimisticreflection；butNatureisofteninconsistent，andinthatkeenmountainair，Igrievetosay，myphysicalandmoralconditionwasnotinthatperfectaccordalwaysindicatedbyromancers。IhadanappetiteandIgratifiedit；dyspepsiaandethicalreflectionsmightcomelater。Iatethesaleratusbiscuitcheerfully，andwasmeditativelyfinishingmycoffeewhenagurglingsoundfromtheraftersaboveattractedmyattention。Ilookedup；undertheoverhangofthebarkroofthreepairsofroundeyeswerefixeduponme。TheybelongedtothechildrenIhadpreviouslyseen，who，intheattitudeofRaphael’scherubs，hadevidentlybeendeeplyinterestedspectatorsofmyrepast。Asoureyesmetaninarticulategiggleescapedthelipsoftheyoungest。
　　Inevercouldunderstandwhytheshyamusementofchildrenovertheireldersisnotacceptedasphilosophicallybyitsobjectaswhenitproceedsfromanequal。WefondlybelievethatwhenJonesorBrownlaughsatusitisfrommalice，ignorance，oradesiretoshowhissuperiority，butthereisalwaysahauntingsuspicioninourmindsthattheselittlecriticsREALLYseesomethinginustolaughat。I，however，smiledaffablyinreturn，ignoringanypossiblegrotesquenessinmymannerofeatinginprivate。
　　"Comehere，Johnny，"Isaidblandly。
　　Thetwoelderones，agirlandaboy，disappearedinstantly，asifthecrowningjokeofthisremarkwastoomuchforthem。FromascrapingandkickingagainstthelogwallIjudgedthattheyhadquicklydroppedtothegroundoutside。Theyoungerone，thegiggler，remainedfascinated，butreadytoflyatamoment’swarning。
　　"Comehere，Johnny，boy，"Irepeatedgently。"Iwantyoutogotoyourmother，please，andtellher"——
　　Butherethechild，whohadbeenworkingitsfaceconvulsively，suddenlyutteredalugubrioushowlanddisappearedalso。Irantothefrontdoorandlookedoutintimetoseethetallestgirl，whohadreceivedme，walkingawaywithitunderherarm，pushingtheboyaheadofherandlookingbackoverhershoulder，notunlikeayouthfulshe-bearconductinghercubsfromdanger。Shedisappearedattheendoftheextension，wheretherewasevidentlyanotherdoor。
　　Itwasveryextraordinary。ItwasnotstrangethatIturnedbacktothecabinwithachagrinandmortificationwhichforamomentmademeentertainthewildideaofsaddlingChuChu，andshakingthedustofthattaciturnhousefrommyfeet。Buttheridiculousnessofsuchanact，tosaynothingofitsingratitude，asquicklypresenteditselftome。Johnsonhadofferedmeonlyfoodandshelter；IcouldhaveclaimednomorefromtheinnIhadaskedhimtodirectmeto。Ididnotre-enterthehouse，but，lightingmylastcigar，begantowalkgloomilyupanddownthetrail。Withtheoutcomingofthestarsithadgrownlighter；throughawindopeninginthetreesIcouldseetheheavybulkoftheoppositemountain，andbeyonditasuperiorcrestdefinedbyaredlineofforestfire，which，however，castnoreflectiononthesurroundingearthorsky。
　　Faintwoodlandcurrentsofair，stillwarmfromtheafternoonsun，stirredtheleavesaroundmewithlong-drawnaromaticbreaths。ButtheseintimegavewaytothesteadySierrannightwindsweepingdownfromthehighersummits，androckingthetopsofthetallestpines，yetleavingthetranquillityofthedarkloweraislesunshaken。Itwasveryquiet；therewasnocrynorcallofbeastorbirdinthedarkness；thelongrustleofthetree-topssoundedasfaintasthefar-offwashofdistantseas。Nordidtheresemblanceceasethere；theclose-setfilesofthepinesandcedars，stretchinginillimitablerankstothehorizon，werefilledwiththeimmeasurablelonelinessofanoceanshore。InthisvastsilenceI
　　begantothinkIunderstoodthetaciturnityofthedwellersinthesolitarycabin。
　　WhenIreturned，however，Iwassurprisedtofindthetallestgirlstandingbythedoor。AsIapproachedsheretreatedbeforeme，andpointingtothecornerwhereacommoncotbedhadbeenevidentlyjustputup，said，"Yecanturninthar，onlyye’llhavetorouseoutearlywhen’Dolphusdoesthechores，"andwasturningtowardstheextensionagain，whenIstoppedheralmostappealingly。
　　"Onemoment，please。CanIseeyourmother？"
　　Shestoppedandlookedatmewithasingularexpression。Thenshesaidsharply：——
　　"Youknow，fustrate，she’sdead。"
　　Shewasturningawayagain，butIthinkshemusthaveseenmyconcerninmyface，forshehesitated。"But，"Isaidquickly，"I
　　certainlyunderstoodyourfather，thatis，Mr。Johnson，"Iadded，interrogatively，"tosaythat——thatIwastospeakto"——Ididn’tliketorepeattheexactphrase——"hisWIFE。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhathewasplayin’yefor，"shesaidshortly。"Marhasbeendeadmor’nayear。"
　　"But，"Ipersisted，"istherenogrown-upwomanhere？"
　　"No。"
　　"Thenwhotakescareofyouandthechildren？"
　　"Ido。"
　　"Yourselfandyourfather——eh？"
　　"Dadain’theretwodaysrunning，andthenon’ytosleep。"
　　"Andyoutaketheentirechargeofthehouse？"
　　"Yes，andthelogtallies。"
　　"Thelogtallies？"
　　"Yes；keepcountandmeasurethelogsthatgobytheslide。"
　　ItflasheduponmethatIhadpassedtheslideordeclivityonthehillside，wherelogswereslippeddownintothevalley，andI
　　inferredthatJohnson’sbusinesswascuttingtimberforthemill。
　　"Butyou’reratheryoungforallthiswork，"Isuggested。
　　"I’mgoin’onsixteen，"shesaidgravely。
　　Indeed，forthematterofthat，shemighthavebeenanyage。Herface，onwhichsunburntooktheplaceofcomplexion，wasalreadyhardandset。ButonanearerviewIwasstruckwiththefactthathereyes，whichwerenotlarge，werealmostindistinguishablefromthepresenceofthemostsingulareyelashesIhadeverseen。
　　Intenselyblack，intenselythick，andeventangledintheirprofusion，theybristledratherthanfringedhereyelids，obliteratingeverythingbuttheshiningblackpupilsbeneath，whichwerelikecertainlustroushairymountainberries。Itwasthiswoodlandsuggestionthatseemedtouncannilyconnectherwiththelocality。Iwentonplayfully：——
　　"That’snotVERYold——buttellme——doesyourfather，orDIDyourfather，everspeakofyouashis’oldwoman？’"
　　Shenodded。"ThenyouthoughtIwasmar？"shesaid，smiling。
　　Itwassucharelieftoseeherwornfacerelaxitsexpressionofpatheticgravity——althoughthisoperationquiteburiedhereyesintheirblackthickesthedgeagain——thatIcontinuedcheerfully："Itwasn’tmuchofamistake，consideringallyoudoforthehouseandfamily。"
　　"Thenyoudidn’ttellBilly’togoandbedeadinthegroundwithmar，’ashe’lowsyoudid？"shesaidhalfsuspiciously，yettremblingontheedgeofasmile。
　　No，Ihadnot，butIadmittedthatmyaskinghimtogotohismothermighthavebeenopentothisdismalconstructionbyasensitiveinfantmind。Sheseemedmollified，andagainturnedtogo。
　　"Good-night，Miss——youknowyourfatherdidn’ttellmeyourrealname，"Isaid。
　　"Karline！"
　　"Good-night，MissKarline。"
　　Iheldoutmyhand。
　　Shelookedatitandthenatmethroughherintricateeyelashes。
　　Thenshestruckitasidebriskly，butnotunkindly，said"Quitfoolin’，now，"asshemighthavesaidtooneofthechildren，anddisappearedthroughtheinnerdoor。Notknowingwhethertobeamusedorindignant，Iremainedsilentamoment。ThenItookaturnoutsideintheincreasingdarkness，listenedtothenowhurryingwindoverthetree-tops，re-enteredthecabin，closedthedoor，andwenttobed。
　　Butnottosleep。Perhapstheresponsibilitytowardsthesesolitarychildren，whichJohnsonhadsolightlyshakenoff，devolveduponmeasIlaythere，forIfoundmyselfimaginingadozenemergenciesoftheirunprotectedstate，withwhichtheeldergirlcouldscarcelygrapple。Therewaslittletofearfromdepredatorymanorbeast——desperadoesofthemountaintrailneverstoopedtoignobleburglary，bearorpantherseldomapproachedacabin——buttherewasthechanceofsuddenillness，fire，theaccidentsthatbesetchildhood，tosaynothingofthenarrowingmoralandmentaleffectoftheirisolationatthattenderage。ItwasscandalousinJohnsontoleavethemalone。
　　InthesilenceIfoundIcouldhearquitedistinctlythesoundoftheirvoicesintheextension，anditwasevidentthatCarolinewasputtingthemtobed。Suddenlyavoicewasuplifted——herown！Shebegantosingandtheotherstojoinher。Itwastherepetitionofasingleverseofawell-knownlugubriousnegromelody。"Alltheworldamsadanddreary，"wailedCaroline，inahighhead-note，"everywhereIroam。""Oh，darkieth，"lispedtheyoungergirlinresponse，"howmyheartgrowthweary，farfromtheoldfolkthath-o-o-me。"Thiswasrepeatedtwoorthreetimesbeforetheothersseemedtogetthefullswingofit，andthenthelinesroseandfellsadlyandmonotonouslyinthedarkness。Idon’tknowwhy，butIatoncegottheimpressionthatthosemotherlesslittlecreatureswereunderavaguebeliefthattheirperformancewasdevotional，andwasreallyfillingtheplaceofaneveninghymn。Abriefandindistinctkindofrecitation，followedbyadeadsilence，brokenonlybytheslowcreakingofnewtimber，asifthehousewerestretchingitselftosleeptoo，confirmedmyimpression。Thenallbecamequietagain。
　　ButIwasmorewideawakethanbefore。FinallyIrose，dressedmyself，anddraggingmystooltothefire，tookabookfrommyknapsack，andbythelightofagutteringcandle，whichI
　　discoveredinabottleinthecornerofthehearth，begantoread。
　　PresentlyIfellintoadoze。HowlongIsleptIcouldnottell，foritseemedtomethatadreamyconsciousnessofadogbarkingatlastforceditselfuponmesostronglythatIawoke。ThebarkingappearedtocomefrombehindthecabininthedirectionoftheclearingwhereIhadtetheredChuChu。Iopenedthedoorhurriedly，ranroundthecabintowardsthehollow，andwasalmostatoncemetbythebulkofthefrightenedChuChu，plungingoutofthedarknesstowardsme，keptonlyincheckbyherreatainthehandofablanketedshapeslowlyadvancingwithagunoveritsshoulderoutofthehollow。BeforeIhadtimetorecoverfrommyastonishmentIwasthrownintogreaterconfusionbyrecognizingtheshapeasnoneotherthanCaroline！
　　Withouttheleastembarrassmentorevenself-consciousnessofherappearance，shetossedtheendofthereatatomewiththecurtestexplanationasshepassedby。Someprowlingbearorcatamounthadfrightenedthemule。Ihadbettertetheritbeforethecabinawayfromthewind。
　　"ButIthoughtwildbeastsnevercamesonear，"Isaidquickly。
　　"Mulemeat’smightytemptin’，"saidthegirlsententiouslyandpassedon。Iwantedtothankher；IwantedtosayhowsorryIwasthatshehadbeendisturbed；Iwantedtocomplimentheronherquietmidnightcourage，andyetwarnheragainstrecklessness；I
　　wantedtoknowwhethershehadbeenaccustomedtosuchalarms；andifthegunshecarriedwasreallyanecessity。ButIcouldonlyrespectherreticence，andIwasturningawaywhenIwasstruckbyamoreinexplicablespectacle。AsshenearedtheendoftheextensionIdistinctlysawthetallfigureofaman，movingwithacertaindiffidenceandhesitationthatdidnot，however，suggestanyintentionofconcealment，amongthetrees；thegirlapparentlysawhimatthesamemomentandslightlyslackenedherpace。Notmorethanadozenfeetseparatedthem。Hesaidsomethingthatwasinaudibletomyears，——butwhetherfromhishesitationorthedistanceIcouldnotdetermine。Therewasnosuchuncertaintyinherreply，however，whichwasgiveninherusualcurtfashion："Allright。Youcantrapsealonghomenowandturnin。"
　　Sheturnedthecorneroftheextensionanddisappeared。Thetallfigureofthemanwaveredhesitatinglyforamoment，andthenvanishedalso。ButIwastoomuchexcitedbycuriositytoacceptthisunsatisfactoryconclusion，and，hastilypicketingChuChuafewrodsfromthefrontdoor，Iranafterhim，withaninstinctivefeelingthathehadnotgonefar。Iwasright。Afewpacesdistanthehadhaltedinthesamedubious，lingeringway。"Hallo！"
　　Isaid。
　　Heturnedtowardsmeinthelikeawkwardfashion，butwithneitherastonishmentnorconcern。
　　"Comeupandtakeadrinkwithmebeforeyougo，"Isaid，"ifyou’renotinahurry。I’malonehere，andsinceIHAVEturnedoutIdon’tseewhywemightn’thaveasmokeandatalktogether。"
　　"Idursn’t。"
　　Ilookedupatthesixfeetofstrengthbeforemeandrepeatedwonderingly，"Darenot？"
　　"SHEwouldn’tlikeit。"Hemadeamovementwithhisrightshouldertowardstheextension。
　　"Who？"
　　"MissKarline。"
　　"Nonsense！"Isaid。"Sheisn’tinthecabin，——youwon’tseeHER。
　　Comealong。"Hehesitated，althoughfromwhatIcoulddiscernofhisbeardedfaceitwasweaklysmiling。
　　"Come。"
　　Heobeyed，followingmenotunlikeChuChu，Ifancied，withthesamesenseofsuperiorsizeandstrengthandaslightwhiteningoftheeye，asifreadytoshyatanymoment。Atthedoorhe"backed。"Thenheenteredsideways。Inoticedthatheclearedthedoorwayatthetopandthesidesonlybyahair’sbreadth。
　　BythelightofthefireIcouldseethat，inspiteofhisfullfirstgrowthofbeard，hewasyoung，——evenyoungerthanmyself，——
　　andthathewasbynomeansbad-looking。Ashestillshowedsignsofretreatingatanymoment，Itookmyflaskandtobaccofrommysaddle-bags，handedthemtohim，pointedtothestool，andsatdownmyselfuponthebed。
　　"Youlivenearhere？"
　　"Yes，"hesaidalittleabstractedly，asiflisteningforsomeinterruption，"atTenMileCrossing。"
　　"Why，that’stwomilesaway。"
　　"Ireckon。"
　　"Thenyoudon’tlivehere——ontheclearing？"
　　"No。Ib’longtothemillat’TenMile。’"
　　"Youwereonyourwayhome？"
　　"No，"hehesitated，lookingathispipe；"Ikindermeanderroundhereatthistime，whenJohnson’saway，toseeifeverything’sgoin’straight。"
　　"Isee——you’reafriendofthefamily。"
　　"’Deedno！"Hestopped，laughed，lookedconfused，andadded，apparentlytohispipe，"Thatis，asorterfriend。Notmuch。
　　SHE"——heloweredhisvoiceasifthatpotentialpersonalityfilledthewholecabin——"wouldn’tlikeit。"
　　"Thenatnight，whenJohnson’saway，youdosentrydutyroundthehouse？"
　　"Yes，’sentrydooty，’that’sit，"——heseemedimpressedwiththesuggestion——"that’sit！Sentrydooty。You’vestruckit，pardner。"
　　"AndhowoftenisJohnsonaway？"
　　"’Bouttwoorthreetimesaweekonanaverage。"
　　"ButMissCarolineappearstobeabletotakecareofherself。Shehasnofear。"
　　"Fear！Fearwasn’thangin’roundwhenSHEwasborn！"Hepaused。
　　"No，sir。Didyeeverlookintothemeyes？"
　　Ihadn’t，onaccountofthelashes。ButIdidn’tcaretosaythis，andonlynodded。
　　"Thereain’tthecreatedthinglivin’ordead，thatshecan’tstandstraightuptoandlookat。"
　　Iwonderedifhehadfanciedsheexperiencedanydifficultyinstandingupbeforethatinnocentlygood-humoredface，butIcouldnotresistsaying：——
　　"ThenIdon’tseetheuseofyourwalkingfourmilestolookafterher。"
　　Iwassorryforitthenextminute，forheseemedtohaveawkwardlybrokenhispipe，andhadtobenddownforalongtimeafterwardstolaboriouslypickupthesmallestfragmentsofit。Atlasthesaid，cautiously：
　　"Yenoticedthembitso’flannin’roundthechillern’sthroats？"
　　IrememberedthatIhad，butwasuncertainwhetheritwasintendedasapreventiveofcoldorachild’sideaofdecoration。Inodded。
　　"That’stheirtrouble。Onenight，whenoldJohnsonhadbeenoffforthreedaystoCoulterville，IwasprowlingroundhereandI
　　didn’tgittoseenoone，thoughtherewasalightburnin’intheshantyallnight。ThenextnightIwashereagain，——thesamelighttwinklin’，butnooneabout。Ireckonedthatwasmightyqueer，andIjesscrep’uptothehousean’listened。Iheardsuthin’likealittlecoughoncetinawhile，andattimessuthin’likealittlemoan。Ididn’tdursttosingoutforIknewSHEwouldn’tlikeit，butwhistledkeerlesslike，toletthechillernknowIwasthere。
　　Butitdidn’tseemtotake。Iwasjessgoin’off，when——darnmyskin！——ifIdidn’tcomeacrossthebucketofwaterI’dfetchedupfromthespringTHATMORNIN’，standin’therefull，andNEVERTAKEN
　　IN！WhenIsawthatIreckonedI’djesswadein，anyhow，andI
　　knocked。Pootysoonthedoorwashalfopened，andIsawhereyesblazin’atmelikethemcoals。ThenSHE’lowedI’dbetter’gitupandgit，’andshetthedoorto！ThenI’lowedshemighttellmewhatwasup——throughthedoor。Thenshesaid，throughthedoor，ashowthechillernlayallsickwiththathoss-distemper，diphthery。
　　Thenshe’lowedshe’duseadoctorefI’dfetchhim。Thenshe’lowedagainI’dbettertakethebabythathadn’tketchedityetalongwithme，andleaveitwhereitwassafe。Thenshepassedoutthebabythroughthedoorallwrappedupinablankitlikeapapoose，andyoubetImadetrackswithit。Iknowedtharwasn’tnogoodgoingtothemill，soIletoutforWhite’s，fourmilesbeyond，whartherewasWhite’soldmother。Itoldherhowthingswerepointin’，andshelentmeahoss，andIjessroundedonDoctorGreenatMountainJim’s，andhadhimbackhereaforesun-up！AndthenIheardshewilted，——regularlyplayedout，yousee，——forshehaditallalongwussthanthelot，andneverletonorwhimpered！"
　　"Itwaswellyoupersistedinseeingherthatnight，"Isaid，watchingtheraptexpressionofhisface。Helookedupquickly，becameconsciousofmyscrutiny，anddroppedhiseyesagain，smiledfeebly，anddrawingacircleintheasheswiththebrokenpipe-
　　stem，said：——
　　"ButSHEdidn’tlikeit，though。"
　　Isuggested，alittlewarmly，thatifsheallowedherfathertoleaveheraloneatnightwithdelicatechildren，shehadnorighttochooseWHOshouldassistherinanemergency。Itstruckmeafterwardsthatthiswasnotverycomplimentarytohim，andIaddedhastilythatIwonderedifsheexpectedsomeyoungladytobepassingalongthetrailatmidnight！ButthisremindedmeofJohnson’sstyleofargument，andIstopped。
　　"Yes，"hesaidmeekly，"andefshedidn’tkeerenoughforherselfandherbrothersandsisters，sheorterrememberthemBeazeleychillern。"
　　"Beazeleychildren？"Irepeatedwonderingly。
　　"Yes；themtwolittleones，thesizeofMirandy；they’reBeazeley’s。"
　　"WhoisBeazeley，andwhatarehischildrendoinghere？"
　　"Beazeleyupanddiedatthemill，andshebedevilledherfathertolethertakehistwoyoung’unshere。"
　　"Youdon’tmeantosaythatwithherotherworkshe’stakingcareofotherpeople’schildrentoo？"
　　"Yes，andeddicatin’them。"
　　"Educatingthem？"
　　"Yes；teachin’themtoreadandwriteanddosums。Oneofourloggersketchedheratitwhenshewaskeepin’tally。"
　　Wewerebothsilentforsomemoments。
　　"IsupposeyouknowJohnson？"Isaidfinally。
　　"Notmuch。"
　　"Butyoucallhereatothertimesthanwhenyou’rehelpingher？"
　　"Neverbeeninthehousebefore。"
　　Helookedslowlyaroundhimashespoke，raisinghiseyestothebareraftersabove，anddrawingafewlongbreaths，asifhewereinhalingtheauraofsomeunseenpresence。Heappearedsoperfectlygratifiedandcontented，andIwassoimpressedwiththishumbleandsilentabsorptionofthesacredinterior，thatIfeltvaguelyconsciousthatanyinterruptionofitwasaprofanation，andIsatstill，gazingatthedyingfire。Presentlyhearose，stretchedouthishand，shookminewarmly，said，"IreckonI’llmeanderalong，"tookanotherlongbreath，thistimesecretly，asifconsciousofmyeyes，andthenslouchedsidewaysoutofthehouseintothedarknessagain，whereheseemedsuddenlytoattainhisfullheight，andsolooming，disappeared。Ishutthedoor，wenttobed，andsleptsoundly。
　　SosoundlythatwhenIawokethesunwasstreamingonmybedfromtheopendoor。Onthetablebeforememybreakfastwasalreadylaid。WhenIhaddressedandeatenit，struckbythesilence，I
　　wenttothedoorandlookedout。’DolphuswasholdingChuChubythereataafewpacesfromthecabin。
　　"Where’sCaroline？"Iasked。
　　Hepointedtothewoodsandsaid："Overyon：keepingtally。"
　　"Didsheleaveanymessage？"
　　"SaidIwastogityourmuleforyou。"
　　"Anythingelse？"
　　"Yes；saidyouwastogo。"
　　Iwent，butnotuntilIhadscrawledafewwordsofthanksonaleafofmynotebook，whichIwrappedaboutmylastSpanishdollar，addresseditto"MissJohnson，"andlaidituponthetable……
　　Itwasmorethanayearlaterthatinthebar-roomoftheMariposaHotelahandwaslaiduponmysleeve。Ilookedup。ItwasJohnson。
　　HedrewfromhispocketaSpanishdollar。"Ireckoned，"hesaid，cheerfully，"I’drunagainyesomewharsometime。MyoldwomantoldmetogiveyethatwhenIdid，andsaythatshe’didn’tkeepnohotel。’Butsheallowedshe’dkeeptheletter，andhasspelleditouttothechillern。"
　　HerewastheopportunityIhadlongedfortotouchJohnson’sprideandaffectioninthebravebutunprotectedgirl。"IwanttotalktoyouaboutMissJohnson，"Isaid，eagerly。
　　"Ireckonso，"hesaid，withanexasperatingsmile。"Mostfellersdo。Butsheain’tMissJohnsonnomore。She’smarried。"
　　"NottothatbigchapoverfromTenMileMills？"Isaidbreathlessly。
　　"What’sthematterwithHIM，"saidJohnson。"Yedidn’texpecthertomarryanobleman，didye？"
　　IsaidIdidn’tseewhysheshouldn’t——andbelievedthatsheHAD。
　　THENEWASSISTANTATPINECLEARINGSCHOOL。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　TheschoolmistressofPineClearingwastakingalastlookaroundherschoolroombeforeleavingitfortheday。Shemighthavedonesowithpride，fortheschoolroomwasconsideredamarvelofarchitecturalelegancebythecitizens，andeventotheordinaryobserverwasapretty，villa-likestructure，withanopencupolaandoverhangingroofofdiamond-shapedshinglesandadeepElizabethanporch。Butitwasthemonumentofafiercestrugglebetweenanewercivilizationandabarbarismoftheolddays，whichhadresultedintheclearingawayofthepines——andafewotherthingsasincongruoustothenewlifeandfarlessinnocent，thoughnolesssincere。Ithadcostthecommunityfifteenthousanddollars，andthelivesoftwoofitscitizens。
　　Happilytherewasnostainofthisonthecleanwhitewalls，thebeautifully-writtengilttexts，ortheshiningblackboardthathadofferednorecordwhichcouldnotbedailywipedaway。And，certainly，thelastpersonintheworldtosuggestanyreminiscencesofitsbelligerentfoundationwasthepersonoftheschoolmistress。
　　Mature，thin，precise，——notprettyenoughtohaveexcitedHomericfeuds，noryetsoplainastoprecludecertainsoothinggraces，——
　　shewasthewidowofapoorCongregationalminister，andhadbeenexpresslyimportedfromSanFranciscotosquarelymarktheissuebetweentheregenerateandunregeneratelife。Low-voiced，gentlewomanly，withthepallorofill-healthperhapsundulyaccentedbyhermourning，whichwasstillcutmodishlyenoughtoshowoffhersparebutgoodfigure，shewassupposedtorepresentthemodelofpious，scholasticrefinement。TheOpposition——sulleninditchesandatthedoorsofsaloons，orinthefieldstruculentastheirowncattle——neverthelesshadloweredtheircrestsandbuttonedtheircoatsovertheirrevolutionaryredshirtswhenSHEwentby。