Thebloodwentfromhischeeksasaswallowfliesdownfromaroof；hestartedbackagainsttheoppositewallwithastifledgroan，whileshestaredathimblankly，andgrewasdeathlypaleashe。
　　Hewasamanofgreatresourceinallemergencieswhichrequiredaquicktongue，but，forthemoment，thiswasbeyondhim。Hefelthimselflost，topplingbackwardintoanabyss，andtheuselessnessofhisdestructionmadehimphysicallysick。Forheneednothavebeenthere；hehadnotwishedtocome；hehadwellcountedthedangertohimself，andthisonetimeinhislifehadgonetothecupola-roomoutofgood-nature。ButBareaudhadbeenobstinateandCraileyhadcomeawayalone，hopingthatJeffersonmightfollow。Andherehewas，poortrappedrat，convictedandruinedbecauseofagoodaction！Atlastheknewconsistencytobeajewel，andthatagreedyboyshouldnevergiveacrust；thatafoolshouldsticktohisfolly，avillaintohisdeviltry，andeachholdhisown；forthemanwhothrustsagooddeedintoalifeofliesiswoundaboutwithperilouspasses，andinhisdeviouswaysathousandunexpecteddamnationsspring。
　　Beaten，stunned，hang-jawedwithdespair，hereturnedherlong，dumfoundedgazehopelesslyandtoldthetruthlikeaninspireddunce。
　　"Icame——Icame——tobringanothermanaway，"hewhisperedbrokenly；and，attheverymoment，severalheavy，half-suppressedvoicesbrokeintoeagertalkoverhead。
　　Thewhitehandthatheldthecandlewavered，andtheshadowsglidedinahuge，grotesquedance。Twicesheessayedtospeakbeforeshecoulddoso，atthesamemomentmotioninghimback，forhehadmadeavaguegesturetowardher。
　　"Iamnotfaint。Doyoumean，awayfromupthere？"Shepointedtothecupola-stairs。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Have-haveyouseenmyfather？"
　　Thequestioncameoutofsuchadepthofincredulousnessthatitwasmoreanarticulationofthelipsthanasound，buthecaughtit；and，withitnothope，buttheshadowofashadowofhope，ahandwavingfromthefarshoretotheswimmerwhohasbeendowntwice。Didshefearforhissake？
　　"No——Ihavenotseenhim。"Hewasgropingblindly。
　　"Youdidnotcomefromthat"
　　"Howdidyouenterthehouse？"
　　Thedraughtthroughthehallwasblowinguponhim；thedoubledoorsupontheverandahadbeenleftopenforcoolness。"There，"hesaid，pointingtothem。
　　"But——Iheardyoucomefromtheotherdirection。"
　　Hewasbreathingquickly；hesawhischance——ifJeffersonBareauddidnotcomenow。
　　"Youdidnothearmecomedownthestairs。"Heleanedtowardher，riskingitallonthat。
　　"Ah！"AsightoolikeagaspburstfromCrailey。Hisheadliftedalittle，andhiseyeswereluminouswithaneagernessthatwasalmostanguish。Hesethisutmostwillatworktocollecthimselfandtothinkhardandfast。
　　"Icamehereresolvedtotakeamanaway，comewhatwould！"hesaid。"I
　　foundthedooropen，wenttothefootofthatstairway；thenIstopped。I
　　rememberedsomething；Iturned，andwasgoingawaywhenyouopenedthedoor。"
　　"Yourememberedwhat？"
　　Herstrainedattitudedidnotrelax，nor，tohisutmostscrutiny，wasthecompleteastonishmentofherdistendedgazealteredonewhit，butahintofheraccustomedhighcolorwasagainuponhercheekandherliptrembledalittle，likethatofachildabouttoweep。Theflickerofhopeinhisbreastincreasedprodigiously，andtherushofittookthebreathfromhisthroatandchokedhim。GoodGod！wasshegoingtobelievehim？
　　"Iremembered——you！"
　　"What？"shesaid，wonderingly。
　　Artreturnedwithasplendidbound，full-pinioned，hisbeautifulandtreacherousFamiliarwhohaddesertedhimatthecrucialinstant；butshemadeupforitnow，foldinghiminprotectivewingsandbreathingthroughhisspirit。Inrapidandvehementwhispershepouredoutthewordsuponthegirlinthedoorway。
　　"Ihaveafriend，andIwouldlaydownmylifetomakehimwhathecouldbe。Hehasalwaysthrowneverythingaway，hislife，histalents，allhismoneyandallofmine，forthesakeof——throwingthemaway！Someothermusttellyouaboutthatroom；butithasruinedmyfriend。TonightI
　　discoveredthathehadbeensummonedhere，andImadeupmymindtocomeandtakehimaway。YourfatherhassworntoshootmeifIsetfootinhishouseorongroundofhis。Well，mydutywasclearandIcametodoit。
　　Andyet——Istoppedatthefootofthestair——because——becauseIrememberedthatyouwereRobertCarewe’sdaughter。Whatofyou，ifIwentupandharmcametomefromyourfather？ForIswearIwouldnothavetouchedhim！Youaskedmenottospeakof`personal’things，andIhaveobeyedyou；butyouseeImusttellyouonethingnow：Ihavecaredforthisfriendofminemorethanforallelseunderheaven，butIturnedandlefthimtohisruin，andwouldathousandtimes，ratherthanbringtroubleuponyou！`Athousandtimes？’Ah！Iswearitshouldbeathousandtimesathousand！"
　　Hehadparadedinonespeechfromtheprisoner’sdocktoCapulet’sgarden，andhereyeswereshiningintohislikeagreatlightwhenhefinished。
　　"Goquickly，"shewhispered。"Goquickly！Goquickly！"
　　"Butdoyouunderstand？"
　　"Notyet，butIshall。Willyougo？Theymightcome-myfathermightcome-atanymoment。"
　　"But——-"
　　"Doyouwanttodrivemequitemad？Pleasego！"Shelaidatrembling，urgenthanduponhissleeve。
　　"Never，untilyoutellmethatyouunderstand，"repliedCraileyfirmly，listeningkeenlyfortheslightestsoundfromoverhead。"Never——untilthen！"
　　"WhenIdoIshalltellyou；nowIonlyknowthatyoumustgo。"
　　"Buttellme-"
　　"Youmustgo！"
　　Therewasashufflingofchairsontheflooroverhead，andCraileywent。
　　Hewentevenmorehastilythanmighthavebeenexpectedfromtheadaman-
　　tineattitudehehadjustpreviouslyassumed。Realizingthisashereachedthewetpath，heriskedstealingroundtoherwindow：
　　"Foryoursake！"hebreathed；andhavingthusforestalledanytriflingimperfectionwhichmightariseinherrecollectionofhisexitfromthehouse，hedisappeared，kissinghishandtotherainasherandownthestreet。
　　MissBettylockedherdoorandpulledclosethecurtainsofherwindow。A
　　numerousbutcarefulsoundoffootstepscamefromthehall，wentbyherdoorandoutacrosstheveranda。Silentlyshewaiteduntilsheheardherfathergoalonetohisroom。
　　ShetookthecandleandwentintoMrs。Tanberry。Shesetthelightuponatable，pulledachairclosetothebedside，andplacedhercoolhandlightlyonthegreatlady’sforehead。
　　"Isn’titverylate，child？Whyareyounotasleep？"
　　"Mrs。Tanberry，Iwanttoknowwhytherewasalightinthecupola-roomtonight？"
　　"What？"Mrs。Tanberryrolledherselfasuprightaspossible，andsatwithblinkingeyes。
　　"IwanttoknowwhatIamsureyouknow，andwhatIamsureeverybodyknows，exceptme。Whatweretheydoingtheretonight，andwhatwasthequarrelbetweenMr。VanrevelandmyfatherthathadtodowithMr。Gray？"
　　Mrs。Tanberrygazedearnestlyintothegirl’sface。Afteralongtimeshesaidinagentlevoice：
　　"Child，hasitcometomatterthatmuch？"
　　"Yes，"saidMissBetty。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　TheTocsinTomVanrevelalwayswenttothepost-officesoonafterthemorningdistributionofthemail；thatistosay，aboutteno’clock，andreturnedwiththelettersforthefirmofGrayandVanrevel，bothpersonalandofficial。Craileyandhesharedeverything，evenaboxatthepost-
　　office；andinfrontofthisbox，onemorning，afteranightofrain，Tomstoodstaringatawhiteenvelopebearingasmall，blackseal。Theaddresswasinawritinghehadneverseenbefore，buttheinstantitfellunderhiseyehewasstruckwithadistinctlypleasurableexcitement。
　　Whetherthroughsomespiritualexhalationofthewriterfragrantonanymissive，orbecauseofahundredmicroscopicimpressions，thereareanalystswhoareabletoselect，fromapileofletterswrittenbywomen（forthewritingofwomenexhibitscertainphenomenamoredeterminablythanthatofmen）thoseoftheprettiestorotherwisemostattractive。
　　Andoutupontheloverwhodoesnotrecognizehismistress’shandatthefirstglimpseeverhehasofit，withoutpost-markorotherinformationtoaidhim！ThusVanrevel，worn，hollow-eyed，andsallow，intheRouenpost-
　　office，heldtheoneletterseparatefromadozen（thelatternot，indeed，fromwomen），andstaredatituntilalittlecolorcamebacktohisdarkskinandagreatdealofbrightnesstohiseye。Hewasnoanalystofhandwritings，yetitcametohiminstantlythatthisnotewasfromaprettywoman。Toseethatitwasfromawomanwassimple，butthatheknew——andhedidknow——thatshewaspretty，savorsoftheoccult。Morethanthis：therewassomethingaboutitthatthrilledhim。Suddenly，andwithoutreason，heknewthatitcamefromElizabethCarewe。
　　Hewalkedbackquicklytohisofficewiththeletterintheleftpocketofhiscoat，threwthebundleofgeneralcorrespondenceuponhisdesk，wentuptothefloorabove，andpausedathisowndoortolisten。DeepbreathingfromacrossthehallindicatedthatMr。Gray’ssoulwasstillencasedinslumber，andgreatwasitsneed，asTomhadfoundhispartner，thatmorningatfive，stretcheduponthehorsehairsofaintheoffice，lamentingtheemptinessofabottlewhichhadbeenfilledwithfieryBourbonintheafternoon。
　　Vanrevelwenttohisownroom，lockedthedoor，andtooktheletterfromhispocket。Hehelditbetweenhisfingerscarefully，asthoughitwerealiveandveryfragile，andhelookedatitalongtime，holdingitfirstinonehand，thenintheother，beforeheopenedit。Atlast，however，afterexaminingallthebladesofhispocketknife，heselectedonebrighterthantheothers，andloosenedtheflapoftheenvelopeasgentlyandcarefullyasifithadbeenthepetalofarose-budthathewasopening。
　　"DearMr。Vanrevel：
　　"Ibelievedyoulastnight，thoughIdidnotunderstand。ButI
　　understand，now——everything——and，bittertomeasthetruthis，ImustshowyouplainlythatIknowallofit，norcanIrestuntilIdoshowyou。Iwantyoutoanswerthisletter——thoughImustnotseeyouagainforalongtime——andinyouransweryoumustsetmerightifIamanywheremistakeninwhatIhavelearned。
　　"Atfirst，anduntilafterthesecondtimewemet，Ididnotbelieveinyourheart，thoughIdidinyourmindandhumor。Evensincethen，therehavecomestrange，small，inexplicablemistrustingsofyou，butnowI
　　throwthemallawayandtrustyouwholly，MonsieurCitizenGeorgesMeilbac！——Ishallalwaysthinkofyouinthoseimpossiblegarnishmentsofmypoorgreat-uncle，andIpersuademyselfthathemusthavebeenalittlelikeyou。
　　"ItrustyoubecauseIhaveheardthestoryofyourprofoundgoodness。
　　Thefirstreasonformyfather’sdislikewasyourbeliefinfreedomastherightofallmen。Ah，itisnotyourprettyexaggerationsandflatteries（Ilaughatthem！）thatspeakforyou，butyourcareer，itself，andthebravethingsyouhavedone。Myfather’sdislikeflaredintohatredbecauseyouworstedhimwhenhediscoveredthathecouldnotsuccessfullydefendthewrongagainstyouandfellbackuponsheerinsult。
　　"HeisamanwhomIdonotknow——strangeasthatseemsasIwriteit。Itisonlytoyou，whohavetaughtmesomuch，thatIcouldwriteit。IhavetriedtoknowhimandtorealizethatIamhisdaughter，butwearethecoldestacquaintances，thatisall；andIcannotseehowachangecouldcome。Idonotunderstandhim；leastofalldoIunderstandwhyheisagambler。Ithasbeenexplainedtomethatitishisgreatpassion，butallIcomprehendinthesewordsisthattheyarefullofshameforhisdaughter。
　　"Thisiswhatwastoldme：hehasalwaysplayedheavilyandskillfully——
　　addingmuchtohisestateinthatway——andinRouenalwayswithacertaincoterie，whichwasjoined，severalyearsago，bythemanyoucametosavelastnight。
　　"YourdevotiontoMr。Grayhasbeenthemostbeautifulthinginyourlife。
　　Iknowallthatthetownknowsofthat，exceptthethousandhiddensacrificesyouhavemadeforhim，thosethingswhichnoonewilleverknow。（Andyet，yousee，Iknowthemafterall！）Foryoursake，becauseyoulovehim，Iwillnotevencallhimunworthy。
　　"Ihaveheard——fromonewhotoldunwillingly——thestoryofthenighttwoyearsago，whentheplayransoterriblyhigh；andhow，inthemorningwhentheywentaway，allwerepoorerexceptone，theirhost！——howMr。Grayhadnothingleftintheworld，andowedmyfatheragreatsumwhichwastobepaidintwenty-fourhours；howyoutookeverythingyouhadsavedintheyearsofhardworkatyourprofession，andborrowedtherestonyourword，andbroughtittomyfatherthatafternoon；how，whenyouhadpaidyourfriend’sdebt，youaskedmyfathernottoplaywithMr。Grayagain；andmyfathermadethathisexcusetosendyouachallenge。Youlaughedatthechallenge——andyoucouldaffordtolaughatit。
　　"Butthisisallshame，shameforRobertCarewe’sdaughter。ItseemstomethatIshouldhideandnotliftmyhead；thatI，beingofmyfather’sblood，couldneverlookyouinthefaceagain。Itissounspeakablypainfulandugly。Ithinkofmyfather’sstiffprideandhislookoftheeagle，——andhestillplayswithyourfriend，almostalways`successfully！’Andyourfriendstillcomestoplay！——butIwillnotspeakofthatsideofit"Mr。Grayhasmadeyoupoor，butIknowitwasnotthatwhichmadeyoucomeseekinghimlastnight，whenIfoundyouthereinthehail。Itwasforhissakeyoucame——andyouwentawayformine。NowthatIknow，atlast——nowthatIhaveheardwhatyourlifehasbeen（andohIheardsomuchmorethanIhavewritten！）——nowthatmyeyeshavebeenopenedtoseeyouasyouare，Iamproud，andgladandhumblethatIcanbelievethatyoufeltafriendshipformestrongenoughtohavemadeyougo`formysake。’Youwillwritetomejustonce，won’tyou？andtellmeiftherewasanyerrorinwhatIlistenedto；butyoumustnotcometothegarden。
　　NowthatIknowyou，Icannotmeetyouclandestinelyagain。ItwouldhurtthedignitywhichIfeelinyounow，andmyownpoordignity——suchasitis！Ihavebeenearnestlywarnedofthedangertoyou。Besides，youmustletmetestmyself。Iamallflutteringandfrightenedandexcited。Youwillobeyme，won’tyou？——donotcomeuntilIsendforyou。
　　ElizabethCarewe。"
　　Mr。Gray，occupiedwithhistoiletaboutnoon，heardhispartnerdescendingtotheofficewithaheavystep，andissuedfromhisroomtocallaheartygreeting。Tomlookedbackoverhisshoulderandrepliedcheerily，thoughwithacertainembarrassment；butCrailey，catchingsightofhisface，utteredasharpejaculationandcamedowntohim。
　　"Why，what’sthematter，Tom？You’renotgoingtobesick？Youlooklikethedevilandall！"
　　"I’mallright，neverfear！"Tomlaughed，evadingtheother’seye。"I’mgoingoutinthecountryonsomebusiness，andIdaresayIshallnotbebackforacoupleofdays；itwillbeallupanddownthecounty。"Hesetdownatravelling-baghewascarrying，andofferedtheotherhishand。
　　"Good-by。"
　　"Can’tIgoforyou？Youdon’tlookable"
　　"No，no。It’ssomethingI’llhavetoattendtomyself。"
　　"Ah，Isuppose，"saidCrailey，gently，"Isupposeit’simportant，andyoucouldn’ttrustmetohandleit。Well——Godknowsyou’reright！I’veshownyouoftenenoughhowincompetentIamtodoanythingbutwritejingles！"
　　"Youdosomemoreofthem——withoutthewhiskey，Crailey。They’reworthmorethanallthelawingGrayandVanrevelhaveeverdoneoreverwilldo。
　　Good-by——-andbekindtoyourself。"
　　Hedescendedtothefirstlanding，andthen，"Oh，Crailey，"hecalled，withtheairofhavingforgottensomethinghehadmeanttosay。
　　"Yes，Tom？"
　　"Thismorningatthepost-officeIfoundaletteraddressedtome。I
　　openeditand——"Hehesitated，anduneasilyshiftedhisweightfromonefoottotheother，withafeeble，deprecatorylaugh。
　　"Yes，whatofit？"
　　"Well——thereseemedtobeamistake。Ithinkitmusthavebeenmeantforyou。Somehow，she——she’spickedupagoodmanywrongimpressions，and，Lordknowshow，butshe’smixedournamesupand——andI’velefttheletterforyou。It’sonmytable。"
　　Heturnedandcallingafinalgood-byoverhisshoulder，wentclatteringnoisilydowntothestreetandvanishedfromCrailey’ssight。
　　NoonfoundTomfaroutontheNationalRoad，creakingalongovertheyellowdustinalightwagon，betweenborderingforeststhatsmeltspicilyofwetunderbrushandMay-apples；and，hereandthere，whentheywouldemergefromthewoodstoclearedfields，liberallyoutlinedbylongsnake-
　　fencesofblackwalnut，thesteady，jog-trottingoldhorseliftedhisheadandlookedinterestedintheworld，butTomneverdideither。Habituallyupright，walkingorsitting，straight，keen，andalert，thatday’ssunsawhimdrearilyhunchedover，mileaftermile，hisforeheadlacedwithlinesofpain。Hestoppedateveryfarm-houseandcabin，and，wheretheyoungmenworkedinthefields，hailedthemfromtheroad，orhitchedhishorsetothefenceandcrossedthesoftfurrowstotalkwiththem。Atsuchtimeshestooderectagain，andspokestirringly，findingeagerlisteners。
　　Therewasonequestiontheyaskedhimoverandover：
　　"Butareyousurethecallwillcome？"
　　"Assureasthatwestandhere；anditwillcomebeforetheweekisout。
　　Wemustbeready！"
　　Often，whenheleftthem，theywouldturnfromtheworkinhand，leavingitasitwas，tolieunfinishedinthefields，andmaketheirwayslowlyandthoughtfullytotheirhomes，whileTomclimbedintohiscreakinglittlewagononcemore，onlytofallintothesamedull，hunched-overattitude。HehadmanythingstothinkoutbeforehefacedRouenandCraileyGrayagain，andmoretofightthroughtotheendwithhimself。
　　Threedayshetookforit，threedaysdrivingthroughthesoftMayweatherbehindthekind，oldjog-trottinghorse；threedaysontheroad，fromfarm-housetofarm-houseandfromfieldtofield，fromcabinofthewoodstocabinintheclearing。Tossingunhappilyatnight，helaysleeplesstilldawn，thoughnotbecauseofthehardbeds；andwhendaylightcame，journeyedsteadilyonagain，overthevagabondlittlehillsthathadgypsieditsofarintotheprairie-landintheirwanderingsfromtheirrangeontheOhio，and，passingthehills，wentonthroughtheflatforest-land，alwayshunchedoverdismallyinthecreakingwagon。
　　Butontheeveningofthethirddayhedroveintotown，withthestoopoutofhisshouldersandthelustrebackinhiseyes。Hewashaggard，gray，dusty，buthehadsolvedhispuzzle，andonethingwasclearinhismindasthethingthathewoulddo。Hepattedtheoldhorseaheartyfarewellashelefthimwiththeliverymanfromwhombehadhiredhim，andstrodeupMainStreetwiththeairofamanwhoisgoingsomewhere。Itwaslate，butthereweremorelightsthanusualinthewindowsandmorepeopleonthestreets。Boysranshouting，while，hereandthere，knotsofmenarguedloudly，andinfrontofthelittlecornerdrug-storeanoisilytalkative，widelygesticulativecrowdoffiftyormorehadgathered。Anoldman，acobbler，whohadleftalegatTippecanoeandreplaceditwithawoodenone，chastelydecoratedwithdesignsofhisowncarving，camestumpingexcitedlydownthemiddleofthestreet，wherehewalkedforfearofthecracksinthewoodenpavement，whichweredangeroustohisart-legwhenhecamefromtheRouenHousebar，asonthepresentoccasion。HehailedTombyname。
　　"You’rethelad，TomVanrevel，"heshouted。"You’rethemantoleadtheboysoutforthegloryoftheState！YougitthewholeblameFireDe-
　　partmentoutandenlist`embeforemorning！Take`emdowntotheRioGrande，youhearme？
　　Andyouneedn’tbeafraidoftheirputtin’itout，ifitketchesafire，neither！"
　　Tomwavedhishandandpassedon；butattheopendoorsoftheCatholicChurchhestoppedandlookedupanddownthestreet，andthen，unnoticed，enteredtothediminterior，wherethefewcandlesshowedonlyabentoldwomaninblackkneelingatthealtar。TomknewwhereElizabethCareweknelteachmorning；hesteppedsoftlythroughtheshadowysilencetoherplace，knelt，andrestedhisheadupontherailofthebenchbeforehim。
　　Thefigureatthealtarraiseditselfafteratime，andtheoldwomanlimpedslowlyupasideaisle，mumblingherformulas，courtesyingtothepaintedsaints，onherwayout。Theverythinnestlingeringsofincensehungontheair，seemingtoTomlikethefaintodorthatmightexhalefromaheavywreathofmarguerites，wornindark-brownhair。Yet，theplaceheldnothingbutpeaceandgood-will。Andhefoundnothingelseinhisownheart。Thestreetwasquietwhenheemergedfromthatlornvigil；thecornergroupshaddissolved；shoutingyouthsnolongerpatrolledthesidewalks。Onlyonequartershowedsignsoflife：thelittleclubhouse，wherethewindowsstillshownbrightly，andwhencecamethesoundofmanyvoicessettlingthedestiniesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。ThitherTombenthissteps，thoughtfully，andwithaquietmind。Therewasasmallverandaatthesideofthehouse；herehestoodunobservedtolookinuponhisnoisyandagitatedfriends。
　　Theywereallthere，fromtheoldGeneralandMr。Bareaud，tothelatter’sson，Jefferson，andyoungFrankChenoweth。Theyweregatheredaboutabigtableuponwhichstoodapunch-bowlandTrumble，hisbrowasangryredastheliquorinthecupheheld，wasproposingahealthtothePresidentinavoiceoffury。
　　"InspiteofalltheCraileyGraysandtraitorsthissideofhell！"hefinishedpolitely。
　　Craileyemergedinstantaneouslyfromthegeneralthrongandmountedachair，tossinghislighthairbackfromhisforehead，hiseyessparklingandhappy。"Youfindyourownfriendsalreadyoccupyingtheplaceyoumentioned，doyou，General？"heasked。
　　GeneralTrumblestampedandshookhisfist。
　　"You’reaspawnofAaronBurr！"hevociferated。"There’snotamanheretostandbyyourinfernaldoctrines。YousneeratyourownState，yousneeratyourowncountry，youdefilethesacredground！Whatareyou，bytheAlmighty，whoattackyournativelandinthis，herhourofperil！"
　　"Periltomynativeland！"laughedCrailey。"FromSantaAnna？"
　　"TheGeneral’sright，sir，"exclaimedtheelderChenowethindignantly，andmostofthelistenersappearedtoagreewithhim。"It’sapoortimetoabusethePresidentwhenhe’scalledforvolunteersandourcountryisindanger，sir！"
　　"Whoisindanger？"answeredCrailey，liftinghishandtostilltheclamorofapprobationthatarose。"IsPolkindanger？OrCongress？Butthatwouldbetoomuchtohope！DoyouexpecttoseetheGreasersinWashington？No，youidiots，youdon’t！Yetthere’llbeplentyofmentosufferanddie；andthefirstshouldbethosewhothrustthiswaronusandpoorlittleMexico；butitwon’tbethey；themenwho’lldothefightinganddyingwillbethecountryboysandthelikeofusfromthetowns，whileMr。PolksitsplanningattheWhiteHousehowhecangetelectedagain。IwishTomwerehere，confoundyou！YoulistentohimbecausehealwayshasthefactsandI’mjustanembroiderer，youthink。
　　What’sbecomeofthegaudycampaigncryyouwereallwearingyourlungsoutwithafewmonthsago？`Fifty-four-fortyorfight！’Bah！Polktwistedthelion’stailwiththatuntilafterelection。Thenhesawhehadtomakeyouforgetit，orfightEnglandandberuined，soheforceswaronMexico，andthecountrydoesforgetit。That’sit：heasksthreeregimentsofvolunteersfromthisStatetodieoffeversandgetshot，sothathecanstealanothercountryandmakehisownelecthimagain。Andyouaskmetodrinkthehealthofthepoliticianwhositsathomeandsendshisfellowmentodietofixhisrottenjobsforhim？"Craileyhadpersuadedhimselfintosuchearnestness，thatthedepthofhisownfeelingalmostchokedhim，buthefinishedroundlyinhisbeautiful，strongvoice：
　　"I’lldrinkforthegoodpunch’ssake——butthathealth？——I’llseeGeneralTrumbleinheavenbeforeI’lldrinkit！"
　　Thereroseatoncearoarofangeranddisapproval，andCraileybecameamerestormcentreamidtheupraisedhandsgestulatingmadlyathimashestood，smilingagain，uponhischair。
　　"ThiscomesoflivingwithTomVanrevel！"shoutedtheGeneralfuriously。
　　"ThisishisdamnedAbolitionteaching！You’reonlyhisecho；youspendhalfyourlifeplayingatbeingVanrevel！"
　　"WhereisVanrevel？"saidTappinghamMarsh。
　　"Ay，whereishe！"ragedTrumble，hammeringthetabletilltheglassesrang。"Lethimcomeandanswerforhisownteaching；it’swastedtimetotalktothisone；he’sonlythepupil。Whereisthetraitor？"
　　"Here，"answeredavoicefromthedoorway；andthoughthewordwasspokenquietlyitwasnevertheless，atthatjuncture，silencing。EveryoneturnedtowardthedoorasVanrevelentered。ButtheapoplecticGeneral，whomCrailey’sspeechhadstirredtoafurybeyondcontrol，almostleapedatTom’sthoat。
　　"Here’sthetea-sippingoldGranny，"hebellowedhoarsely。（HewasordinarilyveryfondofTom。）"Here’sthemaster！Here’sthemanwhoseexampleteachesCraileyGraytothrowmudattheflag。He’llstayhereathomewithCrailey，ofcourse，andthrowmore，whiletheothersboysmarchouttodieunderit。"
　　"Onthecontrary，answeredTom，raisinghisvoice，"Ithinkyou’llfindCraileyGraythefirsttoenlist，andasformyself，I’veraisedsixtymeninthecountry，andIwantfortymorefromRouen，inordertooffertheGovernorafullcompany。Soit’scometo`theKing，nottheman’；Polkisapitifultrickster，butthecountryneedshersons；that’senoughforustoknow；andwhileIwon’tdrinktoJamesPolk"——heplungedacupinthebowlanddrewitoutbrimming——"I’llemptythistothePresident！"
　　Itwasthenthatfromfiftythroatsthelong，wildshoutwentupthatstirredRouen，andwokethepeoplefromtheirmidnightbedsforhalfamilearound。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　TheFirmofGrayandVanrevelForthefirsttimeitwasCraileywhosatwaitingforTomtocomehome。
　　Inachairdrawntohispartner’sdeskinthedustyoffice，hehalf-
　　reclined，armsonthedesk，hischinonhisclenchedfists。Toredeemthegloomhehadlitasinglecandle，whichpaintedhimdimlyagainstthecompletedarknessofhisownshadow，likeaveryoldportraitwhosebackgroundtimehassolidifiedintoshapelessbrowns；theportraitofafair-hairedgentleman，thecavalier，ortheMarquis，onemighthavesaidatfirstglance；notdescribingitimmediatelyasthatofapoet，fortherewasnomarkofartuponCrailey，noteveninhishair，fortheyallworeitratherlongthen。Yettherewasamarkuponhim，nevermorevividthanashesatwaitinginthelonelinessofthatnightforTomVanrevel；
　　thoughwhatthemarkwasandwhatitssignificancemighthavebeenpuzzlingtodefine。Perhaps，afterall，FanchonBareaudhaddescribeditbestwhenshetoldCraileyoneday，withasuddenhintofapprehensivetears，thathehada"lookoffate。"
　　Tomtookhisowntimeincoming；hehadstayedattheclubtogooverhislists——sohehadtoldCrailey——withtheGeneralandoldBareaud。Hiscompanywasalmostcomplete，andCraileyhadbeenthefirsttovolunteer，tothedumfoundingofTrumble，whohadproceededtodrinkhishealthagainandagain。ButthelistscouldnotdetainTomtwohours，Craileyknew，anditwastwohourssincethenewvolunteershadsung"TheStarSpangledBanner"overthelastofthepunch，andhadlefttheclubtoTomandthetwooldmen。OnlyonceortwiceinthattimehadCraileyshiftedhisposition，oralteredthedirectionofhissetgazeatnothing。Butatlastherose，wenttothewindowand，leaningfarout，lookeddownthestreettowardthelittleclubhouse。Itslightswereextinguishedandallwasdarkupanddownthestreet。AbruptlyCraileywentbacktothedeskandblewoutthecandle，afterwhichhesatdownagaininthesameposition。TwentyminuteslaterheheardTom’ssteponthestair，comingupverysoftly。Craileywaitedinsilenceuntilhispartnerreachedthelanding，thenrelitthecandle。
　　"Tom，"hecalled。"Comein，please，I’vebeenwaitingforyou。"
　　TherewasapausebeforeTomansweredfromthehall：
　　"I’mverytired，Crailey。IthinkI’llgouptobed。"
　　"No，"saidCrailey，"comein。"
　　Thedoorwasalreadyopen，butTomturnedtowarditreluctantly。Hestoppedatthethresholdandthetwolookedateachother。
　　"Ithoughtyouwouldn’tcomeaslongasyoubelievedIwasup，"saidCrailey，"soIblewoutthelight。I’msorryIkeptyououtsidesolong。"
　　"Crailey，I’mgoingawayto-morrow，"theotherbegan。"IamtogooverandseetheGovernorandofferhimthiscompany，andto-nightIneedsleep，soplease-
　　"No，"interruptedCraileyquietly，"Iwanttoknowwhatyou’regoingtodo。"
　　"Todoaboutwhat？"
　　"Aboutme。"
　　"Oh！"Tom’seyesfellatoncefromhisfriend’sfaceandresteduponthefloor。Slowlyhewalkedtothedeskandstoodinembarrassedcontemplationofthelitteredbooksandpapers，whiletheotherwaited。
　　"Ithinkit’sbestforyoutotellme，"saidCrailey。
　　"Youthinkso？"Tom’sembarrassmentincreasedvisibly，andtherewasmingledwithitanoddappearanceofapprehension，probablytorelievewhichheverydeliberatelytooktwolongcherootsfromhispocket，laidoneonthedeskforCraileyandlittheotherhimself，withextremecarefulness，atthecandle。Afterthisceremonialhedraggedachairtothewindow，tiltedbackinitwithhisfeetonthelowsill，hisbacktothethinlightandhisfriend，andsaidinaslow，gentletone：
　　"Well，Crailey？"
　　"IsupposeyoumeanthatIoughttooffermyexplanationfirst，"saidtheother，stillstanding。"Well，thereisn’tany。"Hedidnotspeakdog-
　　gedlyorsullenly，asoneinfault，butmorewiththeairofamancuriouslyreadytothrowallpossiblelightuponacloudyphenomenon。
　　"It’sverysimple——allthatIknowaboutit。IwenttherefirstontheeveningoftheMadrillonmasqueradeandplayedalittlecomedyforher，sothatsomeofmytheatricalallusions——theyweren’tveryilluminating！——tomyengagementtoFanchon，madeherbelieveIwasVanrevelwhenherfathertoldheraboutthepairofus。Idiscoveredthatthenighthiswarehousesburned——andIsawsomethingmore，becauseIcan’thelpseeingsuchthings：
　　thatyourswasjustthecharactertoappealtoayounggirlfreshfromtheconventandfullofhonestyandfinedreamsandfire。Nobodycouldarrangeamorefatalfascinationforagirlofnineteenthantohaveadeadlyquarrelwithherfather。Andthat’sespeciallytruewhenthefather’slikethatmadbruteofaBobCarewe！Then，too，you’remoreorlessthetownmodelofvirtueandpopularhero，inspiteoftheAbolitionism，justasIamthetownscamp。SoIletitgoon，andplayedalittleatbeingyou，sayingthethingsthatyouonlythink——thatwasall。Itisn’tstrangethatit’slasteduntilnow，notmorethanthreeweeks，afterall。She’sonlyseenyoufourorfivetimes，andmenotmuchoftener。Noonespeaksofyoutoher，andI’vekeptoutofsightwhenotherswereabout。Mrs。Tanberryisheronlyclosefriend，and，naturally，wouldn’tbeapttomentionthatyouaredarkandIamfair，ortodescribeuspersonally，anymorethanyouandIwouldmentionthegeneralappearanceofpeoplewebothmeetabouttown。Butyouneedn’ttellmethatitcan’tlastmuchlonger。Somepetty，unexpectedtriflewillturnup，ofcourse。AllthatIwanttoknowiswhatyoumeantodo。"
　　"Todo？"repeatedTomsoftly，andblewalongscarfofsmokeoutofthewindow。
　　"Ah！"Crailey’svoicegrewsharpandloud。"Therearemanythingsyouneedn’ttellme！YouneednottellmewhatI’vedonetoyou——norwhatyouthinkofme！Youneednottellmethatyouhaveotherstoconsider，thatyouhaveMissCarewetothinkof。Don’tyousupposeIknowthat？AndyouneednottellmethatyouhaveadutytoFanchon——"
　　"Yes，"Tombrokein，histonenotquitesteady。"Yes，I’vethoughtofthat。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Haveyou——didyou——"hehesitated，butCraileyunderstoodimmediately。
　　"No；Ihaven’tseenheragain。"
　　"Butyou——"
　　"Yes——Iwrote。Iansweredtheletter。"
　　"As-"
　　"Yes；Isignedyourname。ItoldyouthatIhadjustletthingsgoon，"
　　Craileyanswered，withanimpatientmovementofhishands。"Whatareyougoingtodo？"
　　"I’mgoingovertoseetheGovernorinthemorning。I’llbeawaytwoorthreedays，Iimagine。"
　　"Vanrevel！"exclaimedCraileyhotly，"Willyougivemeananswerandnotbeataboutthebushanylonger？Ordoyoumeanthatyourefusetoanswer？"
　　Tomdroppedhiscigaruponthebrickwindow-ledgewithanabysmalsigh。
　　"Oh，no，itisn’tthat，"heansweredmildly"I’vebeenthinkingitalloverforthreedaysinthecountry，andwhenIgotbacktonightIfoundthatIhadcometoadecisionwithoutknowingit，andthatIhadcometoitevenbeforeIstarted；myleavingtheletterforyouprovedit。It’salittlelikethisMexicanwar，amixed-upproblemandonlyonethingclear。
　　Afewschemershaveledthecountryintoittoincreasetheslave-powerandmakeusforgetthatwethreatenedEnglandwhenwecouldn’tcarryoutthethreat。Andyet，ifyoulookatitbroadly，thesearethesmallerthingsandtheydonotlast。Themeansbywhichthecountrygrowsmaybewrong，butitsgrowthisright；itisonlydestiny，workingoutthroughliesandblood，buttheendwillbegood。Itisboundtohappenandyoucan’tstopit。Ibelievethemenwhomakethiswarfortheirownuseswillsufferinhell-fireforit；butitismade，andthere’sonlyonethingIcanseeasthethingformetodo。They’vecalledmeeverynameonearth——andthesamewithyou，too，Crailey——becauseI’manAbolitionist，butnow，whetherthecountryhassinnedornot，agoodmanythousandmenhavegottodothebleedingforher，andIwanttobeoneofthem。That’stheonethingthatisplaintome。"
　　"Yes，"returnedCrailey。"YouknowI’mwithyou；andIthinkyou’realwaysright。Yes；we’llallbeonthewayinafortnightorso。Doyoumeanyouwon’tquarrelwithmebecauseofthat？Doyoumeanitwouldbeapoortimenow，whenwe’reallgoingouttotakeourchancestogether？"
　　"Quarrelwithyou！"Tomroseandcametothedesk，lookingacrossitathisfriend。"DidyouthinkImightdothat？"
　　"Yes——Ithoughtso。"
　　"Crailey！"AndnowTom’sexpressionshoweddesperation；itwasthatofamanwhoseapprehensionshaveculminatedandwhoisforcedtofaceacrisislongexpected，longaverted，butimminentatlast。HiseyesfellfromCrailey’scleargazeandhishandfidgetedamongthepapersonthedesk。
　　"No，"hebeganwithapainfullamenessandhesitation。"Ididnotmeanit——no；Imeant，that，inthesameway，onlyonethinginthisother——thisotheraffairthatseemssoconfusedandissuchaproblem——onlyonethinghasgrownclear。Itdoesn’tseemtomethat——that——"herehedrewadeepbreath，beforehewentonwithincreasingnervousness——"thatifyoulikeamanandhavelivedwithhimagoodmanyyears；thatistosay，ifyou’rereallymuchofafriendtohim，Idon’tbelieveyousitonahighseatandjudgehim。Judging，andallthat，haven’tmuchpartinit。Anditseemstomethatyou’vegotyourselfintoaprettybadmix-up，Crailey。"
　　"Yes，"saidCrailey。"It’sprettybad。"
　　"Well，"Tomlookedupnow，withanalmosttremuloussmile，"IbelievethatisaboutallIcanmakeofit。Doyouthinkit’sthepartofyourbestfriendtoexposeyou？ItseemstomethatifthereeverwasatimewhenI
　　oughttostandbyyou，it’snow。"
　　Therewasasilencewhiletheylookedateachotheracrossthedeskinthefaintlight。Tom’seyefellagainasCraileyopenedhislips。
　　"Andinspiteofeverything，"Craileysaidbreathlessly，"youmeanthatyouwon’ttell？"
　　"HowcouldI，Crailey？"saidTomVanrevelasbeturnedaway。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　WhenJuneCame"MethoughtImetaDamselFairAndtearswereinhereyes；
　　Herheadandarmswerebare，Iheardherburstingsighs。
　　"Istopp’dandlookedherintheface，`Twasthenshesweetlysmiled。
　　Herfeaturesshonewithmournfulgrace，FarmorethanNature’schild。
　　"Withdiffidentanddowncasteye，Inmodesttonesshespoke；
　　Shewipedatearandgaveasigh，Andthenhersilencebroke——"
　　SosangMrs。Tanberryatthepiano，relievingthemelancholywhichpossessedher；butNelson，pausinginthehailtolisten，andexceedinglycuriousconcerningthepromisedutteranceoftheDamselFair，wastosufferdisappointment，astheballadwasbrokenoffabruptlyandthesongstressclosedthepianowithamonstrousclatter。LittledoubtmaybeentertainedthatthenoisewasdesignedtodisturbMr。Carewe，whosatupontheverandaconsultingabrownPrincipe，andlessthattheintendedinsultwasaccomplished。Foranexpressionofavindictivenaturewasprecipitatedinthatquartersosimultaneouslythatthebangofthepiano-
　　lidandthecursewereevenasthereportofamusketandtheimmediatecryofthewounded。
　　Mrs。Tanberryatoncedeboucheduponthepiazza，showingavast，cloudedcountenance。"AndIhopetoheavenyoualreadyhadaheadache！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Thecourtesyofyourwish，madam，"Carewereplied，withanangryflashofhiseye，"isonlyequaledbythekindnessofheaveninansweringit。I
　　have，infact，aheadache。Ialwayshave，nowadays。"
　　"That’sgoodnews，"returnedtheladyheartily。
　　"Ithankyou，"retortedherhost。
　　"PerhapsifyoutreatedyourdaughterevenadecentIndian’skindofpoliteness，you’denjoybetterhealth。"
　　"Ah！AndinwhatfailuretoperformmydutytowardherhaveIincurredyourdispleasure？"
　　"Whereisshenow？"exclaimedtheotherexcitably。"Whereisshenow？"
　　"Icannotsay。"
　　"Yes，youcan，RobertCarewe！"Mrs。Tanberryretorted，withawrathfulgesture。"Youknowwellenoughshe’sinherownroom，andsodoI——forI
　　triedtogetintocomfortherwhenIheardhercrying。She’sintherewiththedoorbolted，whereyoudroveher！"
　　"Idroveher！"hesneered。
　　"Yes，youdid，andIheardyou。DoyouthinkIcouldn’thearyouragingandstormingatherlikeacrazyman？Whenyougetinatemperdoyoudreamthere’sasoulintheneighborhoodwhodoesn’tknowit？You’reafoolifyoudo，becausetheycouldhaveheardyouswearingdownonMainStreet，ifthey’dlistened。Whatareyoutryingtodotoher？——breakherspirit？——orwhat？Becauseyou’lldoit，orkillher。Ineverheardanybodycrysoheart-brokenly。"Herethegoodwoman’sowneyesfilled。
　　"What’stheuseofpretending？"shewentonsorrowfully。"Youhaven’tspokentoherkindlysinceyoucamehome。DoyousupposeI’mblindtothat？Youweren’tabadhusbandtothepoorchild’smother；whycan’tyoubeagoodfathertoher？"
　　"Perhapsyoumightbeginbyaskinghertobeagooddaughtertome。"
　　"Whathasshedone？"
　　"ThenightbeforeIwentawaysherantoafireandbehavedtherelikeacommonstreethoyden。TheladiesoftheCarewefamilyhavenotformerlyacquiredanotorietyofthatkind。"
　　"Bah！"saidMrs。Tanberry。
　　"Thenextmorning，whenItaxedherwithit，shedutifullydefiedandinsultedme。"
　　"Icanimaginethedelicacywithwhichyou`taxed’her。Whathasthattodowithyourdevilishtantrumsofthisafternoon，RobertCarewe？"
　　"Iamobligedtoyoufortheexpression，"hereturned。"WhenIcamehome，thisafternoon，Ifoundherreadingthatthing。"HepointedtomanyverysmallfragmentsofMr。Cummings’snewspaper，whichwerescatteredaboutthelawnneartheveranda。"Shewasouthere，readinganarticlewhichI
　　hadreaddowntownandwhichappearedinaspecialeditionofthatrottensheet，sentouttwohoursago。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Doyouknowwhatthatarticlewas，madam，doyouknowwhatitwas？"
　　Althoughbreathingheavily，Mr。Carewehadcompelledhimselftoacertainoutwardcalmness，butnow，intheuncontrollableagitationofhisanger，hesprangtohisfeetandstruckoneofthewoodenpillarsoftheporchashockingblowwiththebareknucklesofhisclenchedhand。"Doyouknowwhatitwas？ItwasaeulogyofthatdamnedVanrevel！Itpretendedtobeanaccountoftheenrollmentofhisinfernalcompany，butitwasnothingmorethanaglorificationofthatnigger-lovinghound！Hiscompany——alotofsneaks，who’llrunlikesheepfromthefirstGreaser——electedhimcaptainyesterday，andtodayhereceivedanappointmentasmajor！Itdriesthebloodinmyveinstothinkofit！——thatblackdogamajor！GoodGod！amInevertohearthelastofhim？Cummingswroteit，thefool，thelying，fawning，slobberingfool；heoughttobeshotforit！Neitherhenorhispapereverentermydoorsagain！AndItookthedirtysheetfromherhandsandtoreittopieces——"
　　"Yes，"interposedMrs。Tanberry，"itlooksasifyouhaddoneitwithyourteeth。"
　　"——Andstampeditintotheground！"
　　"Oh，Iheardyou！"shesaid。
　　Carewecameclosetoher，andgaveheralonglookfromsuchbittereyesthatherownfellbeforethem。"Ifyou’vebeentreacheroustome，JaneTanberry，"hesaid，"thenGodpunishyou！Ifthey’vemet——mydaughterandthatman——whileIwasaway，itisonyourhead。Idon’taskyou，becauseI
　　believeifyouknewanythingyou’dlieforhersake。ButItellyouthatasshereadthatpaper，shedidnothearmysteponthewalknorknowthatIwasthereuntilIleanedoverhershoulder。AndIswearthatIsuspecther。"
　　Heturnedandwalkedtothedoor，whiletheindomitableMrs。Tanberry，silencedforonce，sankintothechairhehadvacated。Beforehedisap-
　　pearedwithinthehouse，hepaused。