1877
　　CONTENTS
　　————
　　THEMANWHOLOSTHISNAME
　　THESTORYOFANOUTCAST
　　AGOOD—FOR—NOTHING
　　ASCIENTIFICVAGABOND
　　TRULS，THENAMELESS
　　ASATHOR’SVENGEANCE
　　TALESFROMTWOHEMISPHERES。
　　THEMANWHOLOSTHISNAME。
　　ONtheseconddayofJune，186——，ayoungNorseman，HalfdanBjerkbyname，landedonthepieratCastleGarden。Hepassedthroughthestraightandnarrowgatewherehewasaskedhisname，birthplace，andhowmuchmoneyhehad，——atwhichhegrewverymuchfrightened。
　　"Andyourdestination？"——demandedthegruff—lookingfunctionaryatthedesk。
　　"America，"saidtheyouth，andtouchedhishatpolitely。
　　"DoyouthinkIhavetimeforjoking？"
　　roaredtheofficial，withanoath。
　　TheNorsemanranhishandthroughhishair，smiledhistimidlyconciliatorysmile，andtriedhisbesttolookbrave;buthishandtrembledandhisheartthumpedawayatanalarminglyquickenedtempo。
　　"PuthimdownforNebraska！"criedastoutred—cheekedindividual（inwrappedinthemingledfumesoftobaccoandwhisky）whosefunctionitwastoopenandshutthegate。
　　"ThereaintmanyasgotoNebraska。"
　　"Allright，Nebraska。"
　　Thegateswungopenandthepressurefrombehindurgedthetimidtraveleron，whileanextrapushfromthegate—keepersenthimflyinginthedirectionofaboardfence，wherehesatdownandtriedtorealizethathewasnowinthelandofliberty。
　　HalfdanBjerkwasatall，slender—limbedyouthofverydelicateframe;hehadapairofwonderfullycandid，unreflectingblueeyes，asmooth，clear，beardlessface，andsoft，wavylighthair，whichwaspushedbackfromhisforeheadwithoutparting。Hismouthandchinwerewellcut，buttheirlineswere，perhaps，ratherweakforaman。Wheninrepose，theensembleofhisfeatureswasexceedinglypleasingandsomehowremindedoneofCorreggio’sSt。John。Hehadlefthisnativelandbecausehewasanardentrepublicanandwasabstractlyconvincedthatman，genericallyandindividually，livesmorehappilyinarepublicthaninamonarchy。
　　Hehadanticipatedwithkeenpleasurethelarge，freelybreathinglifehewastoleadinalandwhereeverymanwashisneighbor’sbrother，wherenosenselesstraditionskeptajealouswatchoverobsoletesystemsandshrines，andnochillingprejudiceblightedthespontaneousblossomingofthesoul。
　　Halfdanwasanonlychild。Hisfather，apoorgovernmentofficial，haddiedduringhisinfancy，andhismotherhadgivenmusiclessons，andkeptboarders，inordertogainthemeanstogivehersonwhatiscalledalearnededucation。
　　IntheLatinschoolHalfdanhadenjoyedthereputationofbeingabrightyouth，andattheageofeighteen，hehadenteredtheuniversityunderthemostpromisingauspices。Hecouldmakeveryfairverses，andplayallimaginableinstrumentswithequalease，whichmadehimafavoriteinsociety。Moreover，hepossessedthatveryold—fashionedaccomplishmentofcuttingsilhouettes;andwhatwasmore，hecoulddrawthemostcharminglyfantasticarabesquesforembroiderypatterns，andheevendabbledinportraitandlandscapepainting。
　　Whateverheturnedhishandto，hedidwell，infact，astonishinglywellforadilettante，andyetnotwellenoughtoclaimthetitleofanartist。Nordiditeveroccurtohimtomakesuchaclaim。Asoneofhisfellow—studentsremarkedinafitofjealousy，"OncewhenNaturehadmadethreegeniuses，apoet，amusician，andapainter，shetookalltheremainingoddsandendsandshookthemtogetheratrandomandtheresultwasHalfdanBjerk。"Thisagreeablemelangeofaccomplishments，however，provedveryattractivetotheladies，whoinvitedthepossessortoinnumerableafternoontea—parties，wheretheydrewheavydraftsonhisunflaggingpatience，andkepthimsteadilyengagedwithpatternsanddesignsforembroidery，leatherflowers，andotherdaintyknickknacks。
　　Andinreturnforallhisexertionstheycalledhim"sweet"and"beautiful，"andappliedtohimmanyotherenthusiasticadjectivesseldomheardinconnectionwithmasculinenames。Intheuniversity，talentsofthisordergainedbutslightrecognition，andwhenHalfdanhadforthreeyearsbeenpreparinghimselfinvainfortheexamenphilosophicum，hefoundhimselfslowlyandimperceptiblydriftingintotheranksoftheso—calledstudiosiperpetui，whopreserveasolemnsilenceattheexaminationtables，fraternizewitheverynewgenerationoffreshmen，andatlastbecomepartofthefixedfurnitureoftheirAlmaMater。InthelargerAmericancolleges，suchmenaremercilesslydroppedorsenttoaDivinitySchool;buttheEuropeanuniversities，whosetempersthecenturieshavemellowed，harborintheirspaciousGothicbosomsatendererheartfortheirunfortunatesons。Theretheprofessorsgreetthematthegreentableswithagood—humoredsmileofrecognition;theyaretreatedwithgentleforbearance，andareallowedtolingeron，untiltheydieorbecometutorsinthefamiliesofremoteclergymen，wheretheyinvariablyfallinlovewiththehandsomestdaughter，andthusloungeintoamodestprosperity。
　　IfthishadbeenthefateofourfriendBjerk，weshouldhavedismissedhimherewithaconfident"vale"onhislife’spilgrimage。But，unfortunately，Bjerkwasinclinedtoholdthegovernmentinsomewayresponsibleforhisownpoorsuccessasastudent，andthis，inconnectionwithanaestheticenthusiasmforancientGreece，graduallyconvincedhimthattherepublicwastheonlyformofgovernmentunderwhichmenofhistastesandtemperamentwereapttoflourish。
　　Itwas，likeeverythingthatpertainedtohim，acheerful，genialconviction，withouttheslightesttingeofbitterness。Theoldinstitutionswereobsolete，rottentothecore，hesaid，andneededaradicalrenovation。HecouldsitforhoursofaneveningintheStudents’Union，anddiscourseoveraglassofmildtoddy，onthebenefitsofuniversalsuffrageandtrialbyjury，whilethepicturesquenessofhislanguage，hisgenialsarcasms，oroccasionalwittyallusionswouldcallforthuproariousapplausefromthrongsofadmiringfreshmen。ThesewerethesunnydaysinHalfdan’scareer，dayslongtoberemembered。TheycametoanabruptendwhenoldMrs。Bjerkdied，leavingnothingbehindherbutherfurnitureandsometriflingdebts。Theson，whowasnotaneminentlypracticalman，underwentlonghoursofmiseryintryingtosettleupheraffairs，andfinallyinamomentofextremedejectionsoldhisentireinheritanceinalumptoapawnbroker（reservingforhimselfafewringsandtrinkets）forthemodestsumof250dollarsspecie。HethentookformalleaveoftheStudents’Unioninabrilliantspeech，inwhichhetracedtheparallelismsbetweenthelivesofPericlesandWashington，——
　　inhisopinionthetwogreatestmentheworldhadeverseen，——expoundedhistheoryofdemocraticgovernment，andexplainedthecausesoftherapidriseoftheAmericanRepublic。
　　ThenextmorningheexchangedhalfofhisworldlypossessionsforatickettoNewYork，andwithinafewdayssetsailforthelandofpromise，inthefarWest。
　　II。
　　FromCastleGarden，HalfdanmadehiswayupthroughGreenwichstreet，pursuedbyaclamoroustroopofconfidencemenandhotelrunners。
　　"KommenSiemitmir。IchbinauchDeutsch，"criedone。"Voila，voila，jeparleFrancais，"shoutedanother，seizingholdofhisvalise。"JegerDansk。TaleDansk，"[1]roaredathird，withanaccentwhichseriouslyimpeachedhistruthfulness。Inordertoescapefromtheseimportunaterascals，whowereeverymomentgettingbolder，hethrewhimselfintothefirststreet—carwhichhappenedtopass;hesatdown，gazedoutofthewindowsandsoonbecamesothoroughlyabsorbedintheanimatedsceneswhichmovedasinapanoramabeforehiseyes，thathequiteforgotwherehewasgoing。
　　Theconductorcalledforfares，andreceivedanEnglishshilling，which，aftersomeineffectualexpostulation，hepocketed，butgavenochange。
　　Atlastafteraboutanhour’sjourney，thecarstopped，theconductorcalledout"CentralPark，"andHalfdanwokeupwithastart。Hedismountedwithatimid，deliberatestep，staredindimbewildermentatthelongrowsofpalatialresidences，andachillsenseoflonelinesscreptoverhim。Thehopelessstrangenessofeverythinghesaw，insteadoffillinghimwithraptureashehadonceanticipated，Sentacoldshivertohisheart。Itisaverylargeaffair，thisworldofours——agooddeallargerthanitappearedtohimgazingoutuponitfromhissnuglittlecornerupunderthePole;anditwasasunsympatheticasitwaslarge;hesuddenlyfeltwhathehadneverbeenawareofbefore——
　　thathewasaverysmallpartofitandofverylittleaccountafterall。Hestaggeredovertoabenchattheentrancetothepark，andsatlongwatchingthefinecarriagesastheydashedpasthim;hesawthehandsomewomeninbrilliantcostumeslaughingandchattinggayly;theapatheticpolicemenpromenadinginstoicdignityupanddownuponthesmoothpavements;thejauntilyattirednurses，whominhisNorseinnocencehetookformothersorauntsofthechil—
　　dren，wheelingbaby—carriageswhichtoNorseeyesseemedmiraclesofdaintyingenuity，undertheshadycrownsoftheelm—trees。Hedidnotknowhowlonghehadbeensittingthere，whenalittlebright—eyedgirlwithlightkidgloves，asmallblueparasolandabluepolonaise，quitealadyoffashionenminiature，stoppedinfrontofhimandstaredathiminshywonder。Hehadalwaysbeenfondofchildren，andoftenrejoicedintheiraffectionatewaysandconfidentialprattle，andnowitsuddenlytouchedhimwithawarmsenseofhumanfellowshiptohavethislittledaintilybefrilledandcrisplystarchedbeautysinglehimoutfornoticeamongthehundredswhoreclinedinthearbors，orsaunteredtoandfrounderthegreattrees。
　　[1]"IamaDane。IspeakDanish。"
　　"Whatisyourname，mylittlegirl？"heasked，inatoneoffriendlyinterest。
　　"Clara，"answeredthechild，hesitatingly;
　　then，havingbyanotherlookassuredherselfofhisharmlessness，sheadded："Howveryfunnyyouspeak！"
　　"Yes，"hesaid，stoopingdowntotakehetinybeglovedhand。"Idonotspeakaswellasyoudo，yet;butIshallsoonlearn。"
　　Claralookedpuzzled。
　　"Howoldareyou？"sheasked，raisingherparasol，andthrowingbackherheadwithanairofsuperiority。
　　"Iamtwenty—fouryearsold。"
　　Shebegantocounthalfaloudonherfingers：
　　"One，two，three，four，"but，beforeshereachedtwenty，shelostherpatience。
　　"Twenty—four，"sheexclaimed，"thatisagreatdeal。Iamonlyseven，andpapagavemeaponyonmybirthday。Haveyougotapony？"
　　"No;Ihavenothingbutwhatisinthisvalise，andyouknowIcouldnotverywellgetaponyintoit。"
　　Claraglancedcuriouslyatthevaliseandlaughed;thensuddenlyshegrewseriousagain，putherhandintoherpocketandseemedtobesearchingeagerlyforsomething。Presentlyshehauledoutasmallporcelaindoll’shead，thenared—paintedblockwithlettersonit，andatlastapenny。
　　"Doyouwantthem？"shesaid，reachinghimhertreasuresinbothhands。"Youmayhavethemall。"
　　Beforehehadtimetoanswer，ashrill，penetratingvoicecriedout：
　　"Why，gracious！child，whatareyoudoing？"
　　Andthenurse，whohadbeendeeplyabsorbedin"TheNewYorkLedger，"camerushingup，snatchedthechildaway，andretreatedashastilyasshehadcome。
　　Halfdanroseandwanderedforhoursaimlesslyalongtheintertwiningroadsandfootpaths。
　　Hevisitedthemenageries，admiredthestatues，tookaverylightdinner，consistingofcoffee，sandwiches，andice，attheChinesePavilion，and，towardevening，discoveredaninvitingleafyarbor，wherehecouldwithdrawintotheprivacyofhisownthoughts，andponderuponthestillunsolvedproblemofhisdestiny。Thelittleincidentwiththechildhadtakentheedgeoffhisunhappinessandturnedhimintoamoreconciliatorymoodtowardhimselfandthegreatpitilessworld，whichseemedtotakesolittlenoticeofhim。Andhe，whohadcomeherewithsowarmaheartandsoardentawilltojoininthegreatworkofhumanadvancement——tofindhimselfthusharshlyignoredandbuffetedabout，asifhewereahostileintruder！Beforehimlaythehugeunknowncitywherehumanlifepulsatedwithlarge，fullheart—throbs，whereabreathless，weirdintensity，acold，fiercepassionseemedtobehurryingeverythingonwardinamaddeningwhirl，whereagentle，warm—
　　bloodedenthusiastlikehimselfhadnoplaceandcouldexpectnaughtbutaspeedydestruction。
　　Astrange，unconquerabledreadtookpossessionofhim，asifhehadbeencaughtinaswift，strongwhirlpool，fromwhichhevainlystruggledtoescape。Hecroucheddownamongthefoliageandshuddered。Hecouldnotreturntothecity。No，no：heneverwouldreturn。Hewouldremainherehiddenandunseenuntilmorning，andthenhewouldseekavesselboundforhisdearnativeland，wherethegreatmountainsloomedupinserenemajestytowardthebluesky，wherethepine—forestswhisperedtheirdreamilysympatheticlegends，inthelongsummertwilights，wherehumanexistenceflowedonincalmbeautywiththemodestaims，smallvirtues，andsmallviceswhichwerethehappinessofmodest，idyllicsouls。Heevensawhimselfinspiritrecountingtohisastonishedcountrymenthewonderfulthingshehadheardandseenduringhisforeignpilgrimage，andsmiledtohimselfasheimaginedtheirwonderwhenheshouldtellthemaboutthebeautifullittlegirlwhohadbeenthefirstandonlyonetoofferhimafriendlygreetinginthestrangeland。Duringthesereflectionshefellasleep，andsleptsoundlyfortwoorthreehours。Once，heseemedtohearfootstepsandwhispersamongthetrees，andmadeanefforttorousehimself，butwearinessagainovermasteredhimandheslepton。Atlast，hefelthimselfseizedviolentlybytheshoulders，andagruffvoiceshoutedinhisear：
　　"Getup，yousleepydog。"
　　Herubbedhiseyes，and，bythedimlightofthemoon，sawaHerculeanpolicemanliftingastoutstickoverhishead。Hisformerterrorcameuponhimwithincreasedviolence，andhisheartstoodforamomentstill，then，again，hammeredawayasifitwouldbursthissides。
　　"Comealong！"roaredthepoliceman，shakinghimvehementlybythecollarofhiscoat。
　　Inhisbewildermenthequiteforgotwherehewas，and，inhurriedNorsesentences，assuredhispersecutorthathewasaharmless，honesttraveler，andimploredhimtoreleasehim。ButtheofficialHerculeswasinexorable。
　　"Myvalise，myvalise;"criedHalfdan。
　　"Prayletmegetmyvalise。"
　　Theyreturnedtotheplacewherehehadslept，butthevalisewasnowheretobefound。
　　Then，withdumbdespairheresignedhimselftohisfate，andafterabriefrideonastreet—car，foundhimselfstandinginalarge，low—ceiledroom;hecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandburstintotears。
　　"Thegrand—thehappyrepublic，"hemurmured，"spontaneousblossomingofthesoul。
　　Alas！Ihaverootedupmylife;Ifearitwillneverblossom。"
　　Allthehigh—flownadjectiveshehademployedinhispartingspeechintheStudents’Union，whenhepaidhisenthusiastictributetotheGrandRepublic，nowkeptrecurringtohim，andinthismomenttheparadoxseemedcruel。TheGrandRepublic，whatdiditcareforsuchashe？Apairofbrawnyarmsfittowieldthepick—axeandtosteertheplowitreceivedwithaneagerwelcome;forachild—like，lovingheartandagenerouslyfantasticbrain，ithadbutthesterngreetingofthelaw。
　　III。
　　Thenextmorning，HalfdanwasreleasedfromthePoliceStation，havingfirstbeenfinedfivedollarsforvagrancy。Allhismoney，withtheexceptionofafewpoundswhichhehadexchangedinLiverpool，hehadlostwithhisvalise，andhehadtohisknowledgenotasingleacquaintanceinthecityoronthewholecontinent。Inordertoincreasehiscapitalheboughtsomefifty"Tribunes，"but，asitwasalreadylateintheday，hehardlysucceededinsellingasinglecopy。Thenextmorning，heoncemorestationedhimselfonthecornerofMurraystreetandBroadway，hopinginhisinnocencetodisposeofthepapershehadstillonhandfromthepreviousday，andactuallydidfindafewcustomersamongthepeoplewhowerejumpinginandoutoftheomnibusesthatpassedupanddownthegreatthoroughfare。
　　Tohissurprise，however，oneofthesegentlemenreturnedtohimwithaverywrathfulcountenance，shookhisfistathim，andvociferatedwithexcitedgesturessomethingwhichtoHalfdan’searshadaveryunintelligiblesound。
　　Hemadeavainefforttodefendhimself;thesituationappearedsoutterlyincomprehensibletohim，andinhisdumbhelplessnesshelookedpitifulenoughtomovetheheartofastone。
　　NoEnglishphrasesuggesteditselftohim，onlyafewNorseinterjectionsrosetohislips。Theman’sangersuddenlyabated;hepickedupthepaperwhichhehadthrownonthesidewalk，andstoodforawhileregardingHalfdancuriously。
　　"AreyouaNorwegian？"heasked。
　　"Yes，IcamefromNorwayyesterday。"
　　"What’syourname？"
　　"HalfdanBjerk。"
　　"HalfdanBjerk！Mystars！Whowouldhavethoughtofmeetingyouhere！Youdonotrecognizeme，Isuppose。"
　　Halfdandeclaredwithatimidtremorinhisvoicethathecouldnotatthemomentrecallhisfeatures。
　　"No，IimagineImusthavechangedagooddealsinceyousawme，"saidtheman，suddenlydroppingintoNorwegian。"IamGustavOlson，Iusedtoliveinthesamehousewithyouonce，butthatislongagonow。"
　　GustavOlson——tobesure，hewastheporter’ssoninthehouse，wherehismotherhadonceduringhischildhood，takenaflat。Hewellrememberedhavingclandestinelytradedjack—
　　knivesandbuttonswithhim，inspiteofthefrequentwarningshehadreceivedtohavenothingtodowithhim;forGustav，withhisbroadfreckledfaceandredhair，waslookeduponbythegenteelinhabitantsoftheupperflatsasratheradisreputablecharacter。Hehadoncewhippedthesonofacolonelwhohadbeenimpudenttohim，andthrownasnow—ballattheheadofanew—fledgedlieutenant，whichoffenseshehaddulyexpiatedatahouseofcorrection。
　　SincethattimehehadvanishedfromHalfdan’shorizon。Hehadstillthesamebroadfreckledface，nowcoveredwithalustygrowthofcoarseredbeard，thesamerebelliousheadofhair，whichrefusedtoyieldtothesubduinginfluencesofthecomb，thesameplebeianhandsandfeet，anduncouthclumsinessofform。Buthislinenwasirreproachable，andacertaindashinhismanner，andtheloudfashionablenessofhisattire，gaveunmistakableevidencesofprosperity。
　　"Come，Bjerk，"saidheinatoneofgood—
　　fellowship，whichwasnotwithoutitsstingtotheidealisticrepublican，"youmusttakeupabetterbusinessthansellingyesterday’s`Tribune。’
　　Thatwon’tpayhere，youknow。ComealongtoourofficeandIwillseeifsomethingcan’tbedoneforyou。"
　　"ButIshouldbesorrytogiveyoutrouble，"
　　stammeredHalfdan，whosenativepride，eveninhispresentwretchedness，protestedagainstacceptingafavorfromonewhomhehadbeenwonttoregardashisinferior。
　　"Nonsense，myboy。Hurryup，Ihaven’tmuchtimetospare。Theofficeisonlytwoblocksfromhere。Youdon’tlookasifyoucouldaffordtothrowawayafriendlyoffer。"
　　ThelastwordssuddenlyrousedHalfdanfromhisapathy;forhefeltthattheyweretrue。A
　　drowningmancannotaffordtomakenicedistinctions——cannotaffordtoaskwhetherthehelpinghandthatisextendedtohimbethatofanequaloraninferior。SoheswallowedhishumiliationandthreadedhiswaythroughthebewilderingturmoilofBroadway，bythesideofhisofficiousfriend。
　　Theyenteredalarge，elegantlyfurnishedoffice，whereclerkswithsleekandseverelyapatheticcountenancesstoodscribblingattheirdesks。
　　"Youwillhavetoamuseyourselfasbestyoucan，"saidOlson。"Mr。VanKirkwillbehereintwentyminutes。Ihaven’ttimetoentertainyou。"
　　Adrearyhalfhourpassed。Thenthedooropenedandatall，handsomeman，withafullgrayishbeard，andacommandingpresence，enteredandtookhisseatatadeskinasmalleradjoiningoffice。Heopened，withgreatdispatch，apileofletterswhichlayonthedeskbeforehim，calledoutinasharp，ringingtoneforaclerk，whopromptlyappeared，handedhimhalf—a—dozenletters，accompanyingeachwithabriefdirection，tooksomecleanpaperfromadrawerandfelltowriting。Therewassomethingbrisk，determined，andbusiness—likeinhismanner，whichmadeitseemveryhopelesstoHalfdantoappearbeforehimasapetitioner。
　　PresentlyOlsonenteredtheprivateoffice，closingthedoorbehindhim，andafewminuteslaterre—appearedandsummonedHalfdanintothechief’spresence。
　　"YouareaNorwegian，Ihear，"saidthemerchant，lookingaroundoverhisshoulderatthesupplicant，withapreoccupiedair。"Youwantwork。Whatcanyoudo？"
　　Whatcanyoudo？Afatalquestion。Butherewasclearlynoopportunityformentaldebate。So，summoningallhiscourage，butfeelingneverthelessveryfaint，heanswered：
　　"Ihavepassedbothexamenartiumandphilosophicum，[2]andgotmylaudclearintheformer，butinthelatterhaudonthefirstpoint。"
　　[2]ExamenartiumistheentranceexaminationtotheNorwegianUniversity，andphilosophicumthefirstdegree。TheranksgivenattheseareLaudabilispraeceteris（instudent’sparlance，prae），laudabilisorlaud，haudillaudabilis，orhaud，etc。
　　Mr。VanKirkwheeledroundonhischairandfacedthespeaker：
　　"ThatisallGreektome，"hesaid，inaseveretone。"Canyoukeepaccounts？"
　　"No。Iamafraidnot。"
　　KeepingaccountswasnotdeemedaclassicalaccomplishmentinNorway。Itwasonly"trade—
　　rats"whotroubledthemselvesaboutsuchgrossthings，andifourNorsemanhadnotbeentooabsorbedwiththeproblemofhisdestiny，hewouldhavebeenjustlyindignantathavingsuchaquestionputtohim。
　　"Thenyoudon’tknowbook—keeping？"
　　"Ithinknot。Inevertriedit。"
　　"Thenyoumaybesureyoudon’tknowit。
　　Butyoumustcertainlyhavetriedyourhandatsomething。Istherenothingyoucanthinkofwhichmighthelpyoutogetaliving？"
　　"Icanplaythepiano——and——andtheviolin。"
　　"Verywell，then。Youmaycomethisafternoontomyhouse。Mr。Olsonwilltellyoutheaddress。IwillgiveyouanotetoMrs。VanKirk。Perhapsshewillengageyouasamusicteacherforthechildren。Goodmorning。"
　　IV。
　　Athalf—pastfouro’clockintheafternoon，Halfdanfoundhimselfstandinginalarge，dimlylighteddrawing—room，whosebrilliantupholstery，luxuriouscarpets，andfantasticallytwistedfurnituredazzledandbewilderedhissenses。Allwassostrange，sostrange;nowhereafamiliarobjecttogiveresttotheweariedeye。Whereverhelookedhesawhisshabbilyattiredfigurerepeatedinthelongcrystalmirrors，andhebecameuncomfortablyconsciousofhisthreadbarecoat，hisuncouthboots，andthegeneralincongruityofhisappearance。Witheverymomenthisuneasinessgrew;andhewasvaguelyconsideringtheproprietyofaprecipitateflight，whentherustleofadressatthefartherendoftheroomstartledhim，andasmall，plumplady，ofadaintilyexquisiteform，sweptuptowardhim，gaveaslightinclinationofherhead，andsankdownintoaneasy—chair：
　　"YouareMr。————，theNorwegian，whowishestogivemusiclessons？"shesaid，holdingapairofgold—framedeyeglassesuptohereyes，andrunningoverthenotewhichsheheldinherhand。Itreadasfollows：
　　DEARMARTHA，——ThebearerofthisnoteisayoungNorwegian，Iforgottoascertainhisname，afriendofOlson’s。Hewishestoteachmusic。Ifyoucanhelpthepoordevilandgivehimsomethingtodo，youwilloblige，Yours，H。V。K。
　　Mrs。VanKirkwasevidently，byatleasttwelveyears，herhusband’sjunior，andapparentlynotveryfaradvancedintheforties。Herblondehair，whichwasfreshlycrimped，felllightlyoverhersmooth，narrowforehead;hernose，mouthandchinhadaneatdistinctnessofoutline;hercomplexionwaseithernaturallyorartificiallyperfect，andhereyes，whichwereofthepurestblue，had，owingtotheirnear—sightedness，acertainpinchedandscrutinizinglook。
　　Thislook，whichwaswithouttheslightesttouchofseverity，indicatingmerelyalivelydegreeofinterest，wasfurtheremphasizedbythreesmallperpendicularwrinkles，whichdeepenedandagainrelaxedaccordingtothevaryingintensityofobservationshebestowedupontheobjectwhichforthetimeengagedherattention。
　　"Yourname，ifyouplease？"saidMrs。VanKirk，havingforawhilemeasuredhervisitorwithaglanceofmildscrutiny。
　　"HalfdanBjerk。"
　　"Half—danB————，howdoyouspellthat？"
　　"B—j—e—r—k。"
　　"B—jerk。Well，butImean，whatisyournameinEnglish？"
　　Halfdanlookedblank，andblushedtohisears。
　　"Iwishtoknow，"continuedtheladyenergetically，evidentlyanxioustohelphimout，"whatyournamewouldmeaninplainEnglish。
　　Bjerk，itcertainlymustmeansomething。"
　　"Bjerkisatree——abirch—tree。"
　　"Verywell，Birch，——thatisaveryrespectablename。Andyourfirstname？Whatdidyousaythatwas？
　　"H—a—l—f—d—a—n。"
　　"HalfDan。WhynotawholeDanandbedonewithit？DanBirch，orratherDanielBirch。Indeed，thatsoundsquiteChristian。"
　　"Asyouplease，madam，"falteredthevictim，;
　　lookingveryunhappy。
　　"Youwillpardonmystraightforwardness，won’tyou？B—jerk。Icouldneverpronouncethat，youknow。"
　　"Whatevermaybeagreeabletoyou，madam，willbesuretopleaseme。"
　　"Thatisverywellsaid。Andyouwillfindthatitalwayspaystotrytopleaseme。Andyouwishtoteachmusic？IfyouhavenoobjectionIwillcallmyoldestdaughter。Sheisanexcellentjudgeofmusic，andifyourplayingmeetswithherapproval，Iwillengageyou，asmyhusbandsuggests，nottoteachEdith，youunderstand，butmyyoungestchild，Clara。"
　　Halfdanbowedassent，andMrs。VanKirkrustledoutintothehallwheresherangabell，andre—entered。Aservantindress—coatappeared，andagainvanishedasnoiselesslyashehadcome。ToourNorsemantherewassomethingweirdanduncannyaboutthesesilententrancesandexits;hecouldhardlysuppressashudder。Hehadbeenaccustomedtoheartheclatterofpeople’sheelsuponthebarefloors，astheyapproached，andtheaudiblecrescendooftheirfootstepsgaveonewarning，andpreventedonefrombeingtakenbysurprise。Whileabsorbedinthesereflections，hissensesmusthavebeendormant;forjustthenMissEdithVanKirkentered，unheraldedbyanythingbutahoveringperfume，theeffectofwhichwastolullhimstilldeeperintohiswonderingabstraction。
　　"Mr。Birch，"saidMrs。VanKirk，"thisismydaughterMissEdith，"andasHalfdansprangtohisfeetandbowedwithvisibleembarrassment，shecontinued：
　　"Edith，thisisMr。DanielBirch，whomyourfatherhassentheretoknowifhewouldbeserviceableasamusicteacherforClara。Andnow，dear，youwillhavetodecideaboutthemeritsofMr。Birch。Idon’tknowenoughaboutmusictobeanythingofajudge。"
　　"IfMr。Birchwillbekindenoughtoplay，"
　　saidMissEdithwithalanguidlymusicalintonation，"Ishallbehappytolistentohim。"
　　Halfdansilentlysignifiedhiswillingnessandfollowedtheladiestoasmallerapartmentwhichwasseparatedfromthedrawing—roombyfoldingdoors。Theapparitionofthebeautifulyounggirlwhowaswalkingathissidehadsuddenlyfilledhimwithastrangeburningandshudderinghappiness;hecouldnottearhiseyesawayfromher;sheheldhimasbyapowerfulspell。Andstill，allthewhilehehadapainfulsub—consciousnessofhisownunfortunateappearance，whichwasthrownintocruelreliefbyhersplendor。Thetall，lithemagnificenceofherform，theairyeleganceofhertoilet，whichseemedtheperfectionofself—concealingart，theelasticdeliberatenessofherstep——allwroughtlikeagentle，deliciouslysoothingopiateupontheNorseman’sfancyandliftedhimintohithertounknownregionsofmingledmiseryandbliss。Sheseemedacombinationofthemostdivinecontradictions，onemomentsupremelyconscious，andinthenextadorablychild—likeandsimple，nowfullofartsandcoquettishinnuendoes，thenagainnave，unthinkingandalmostboyishlybluntanddirect;inaword，oneofthosemiraculousNewYorkgirlswhomabstractlyonemaydisapproveof，butintheconcretemustabjectlyadore。Thiseasypredominanceofthemasculineheartoverthemas—
　　culinereasoninthepresenceofanimpressivewoman，hasbeenthemotifofathousandtragediesintimespast，andwillinspireathousandmoreintimestocome。
　　HalfdansatdownatthegrandpianoandplayedChopin’sNocturneinGmajor，flingingoutthatelaboratefiligreeofsoundwithanimpetuosityandsuperbABANDONwhichcausedtheladiestoexchangeastonishedglancesbehindhisback。Thetransitionsfromthelightandetherealtextureofmelodytothesimple，moreconcretetheme，whichherenderedwithdelicateshadingsofarticulation，weresufficientlystartlingtoimpressevenalesscultivatedearthanthatofEdithVanKirk，whohad，indeed，exhaustedwhatevermusicalresourcesNewYorkhastooffer。Andshewasmostprofoundlyimpressed。Asheglidedoverthelastpianissimonotestowardthetwoconcludingchords（anendingsocharacteristicofChopin）sheroseandhurriedtohissidewithaheedlesseagerness，whichwasmoreeloquentthanemphaticwordsofpraise。
　　"Won’tyoupleaserepeatthispassage？"shesaid，hummingtheairwithsoftmodulations;
　　"Ihavealwaysregardedthemonotonousrepetitionofthisstrain"（andsheindicateditlightlybyafewtouchesofthekeys）"asratherablemishofanotherwiseperfectcomposition。
　　Butasyouplayit，itisanythingbutmonotonous。
　　YouputintothissinglephraseamoreintensemeaningandagreatervarietyofthoughtthanIeversuspecteditwascapableofexpressing。"
　　"Itismyfavoritecomposition，"answeredhe，modestly。"IhavebestowedmorethoughtuponitthanuponanythingIhaveeverplayed，unlessperhapsitbetheoneinGminor，which，withallitsdifferenceofmoodandphraseology，expressesanessentiallykindredthought。"
　　"MydearMr。Birch，"exclaimedMrs。VanKirk，whomhisskillfulemploymentoftechnicalterms（inspiteofhisindifferentaccent）hadimpressedevenmorethanhisrenderingofthemusic，——"youareacomsummate{sic}artist，andweshalldeemitagreatprivilegeifyouwillundertaketoinstructourchild。Ihavelistenedtoyouwithprofoundsatisfaction。"
　　Halfdanacknowledgedthecomplimentbyabowandablush，andrepeatedthelatterpartofthenocturneaccordingtoEdith’srequest。
　　"Andnow，"resumedEdith，"mayItroubleyoutoplaytheGminor，whichhasevenpuzzledmemorethantheoneyouhavejustplayed。"
　　"Itoughtreallytohavebeenplayedfirst，"
　　repliedHalfdan。"Itisfarintenserinitscoloringandhasamorepassionatering，butitsconclusiondoesnotseemtobefinal。Thereisnorestinit，anditseemsoddlyenoughtobeameretransitionintothemajor，whichisitspropersupplementandcompletesthefragmentarythought。"
　　Motheranddaughteroncemoretelegraphedwonderinglooksateachother，whileHalfdanplungedintotheimpetuousmovementsoftheminornocturne，whichheplayedtotheendwithever—increasingfervorandanimation。
　　"Mr。Birch，"saidEdith，ashearosefromthepianowithaflushedface，andtheagitationofthemusicstilltinglingthroughhisnerves。
　　"Youareafargreatermusicianthanyouseemtobeawareof。Ihavenotbeentakinglessonsforsometime，butyouhavearousedallmymusicalambition，andifyouwillacceptmetoo，asapupil，Ishalldeemitafavor。"
　　"IhardlyknowifIcanteachyouanything，"
　　answeredhe，whilehiseyesdweltwithkeendelightonherbeautifulform。"ButinmypresentpositionIcanhardlyaffordtodeclinesoflatteringanoffer。"
　　"Youmeantosaythatyouwoulddeclineitifyouwereinapositiontodoso，"saidshe，smiling。
　　"No，onlythatIshouldquestionmyconveniencemoreclosely。"
　　"Ah，nevermind。Itakealltheresponsibility。
　　Ishallcheerfullyconsenttobeingimposeduponbyyou。"
　　Mrs。VanKirkinthemeanwhilehadbeenexaminingthecontentsofafragrantRussia—leatherpocket—book，andshenowdrewouttwocrispten—dollarnotes，andheldthemouttowardhim。
　　"Iprefertomakesureofyoubypayingyouinadvance，"saidshe，withacheerfullyfamiliarnod，andacriticalglanceathisattire，themeaningofwhichhedidnotfailtodetect。"Somebodyelsemightmakethesamediscoverythatwehavemadeto—day，andoutbidus。Andwedonotwanttobecheatedoutofourgoodfortuneinhavingbeenthefirsttosecuresovaluableaprize。"
　　"Youneedhavenofearonthatscore，madam，"retortedHalfdan，withavividblush，andpurposelymisinterpretingthepolitesubterfuge。
　　"Youmayrelyuponmypromise。Ishallbehereagain，assoonasyouwishmetoreturn。"
　　"Then，ifyouplease，weshalllookforyouto—morrowmorningatteno’clock。"
　　AndMrs。VanKirkhesitatinglyfoldeduphernotesandreplacedtheminherpocket—book。
　　Toouridealisttherewassomethingextremelyodiousinthissuddenofferofmoney。Itwasthefirsttimeanyonehadofferedtopayhim，anditseemedtoputhimonalevelwithacommonday—laborer。Hisfirstimpulsewastoresentitasagratuitoushumiliation，butaglanceatMrs。VanKirk’scountenance，whichwasallaglowwithofficiousbenevolence，re—assuredhim，andhisindignationdiedaway。
　　ThatsameafternoonOlson，havingbeeninformedofhisfriend’sgoodfortune，volunteeredaloanofahundreddollars，andaccompaniedhimtoafashionabletailor，whereheunderwentapleasingmetamorphosis。
　　V。
　　InNorwaytheladiesdresswiththeinnocentpurposeofprotectingthemselvesagainsttheweather;ifthispurposeisstillremotelypresentinthetoiletsofAmericanwomenofto—day，itis，atallevents，sufficientlydisguisedtochallengedetection，verymuchlikeaprimitiveSanscritrootinitsFrenchandEnglishderivatives。
　　ThiswasthereflectionwhichwasuppermostinHalfdan’smindasEdith，ravishingtobeholdintheairygraceofherfragrantmorningtoilet，attheappointedtimetookherseatathissidebeforethepiano。Herpresenceseemedsointense，soall—absorbing，thatitleftnothoughtforthemusic。Awoman，withallthespiritualmysterieswhichthatnameimplies，hadalwaysappearedtohimratheracompositephenomenon，evenapartfromthosevariedaccessoriesofdress，inwhichasbyaninevitableanalogy，sheseesfittoexpresstheinnermultiformityofherbeing。Nevertheless，thisformerconceptionofhis，whencomparedtothatwonderfulcomplexityofethereallines，colors，tintsandhalf—
　　tintswhichgotomakeupthemodernNewYorkgirl，seemedinexpressiblysimple，almostwhatplainarithmeticmustappeartoamanwhohasmasteredcalculus。
　　Edithhadopenedoneofthosesmallred—
　　coveredvolumesofChopinwheretherich，wondrousmelodiesliepeacefullyfoldeduplikestrangeexoticflowersinanherbarium。Shebegantoplaythefantasiaimpromtu，whichoughttobedashedoffatasingle"heat，"whosepassionateimpulsehurriesitonbreathlesslytowarditsabruptfinale。ButEdithtoiledconsiderablywithherfingering，andblurredthekeenedgesofeachswiftphrasebyherindistinctar—
　　ticulation。Andstilltherewasasufficientlyardentintentioninherplaytosaveitfrombeingafailure。Shemadeagestureofdisgustwhenshehadfinished，shutthebook，andletherhandsdropcrosswiseinherlap。
　　"Ionlywantedtogiveyouaproofofmyincapacity，"
　　shesaid，turningherlargeluminousgazeuponherinstructor，"inordertomakeyoudulyappreciatewhatyouhaveundertaken。
　　Now，tellmetrulyandhonestly，areyounotdiscouraged？"
　　"Notbyanymeans，"repliedhe，whiletheraptureofherpresencerippledthroughhisnerves，"youhavefireenoughinyoutomakeanadmirablemusician。Butyourfingers，asyet，refusetocarryoutyourfineintentions。
　　Theyonlyneeddiscipline。"
　　"Anddoyousupposeyoucandisciplinethem？Theyareafearfullyobstinateset，andcausemeinfinitemortification。"
　　"Wouldyouallowmetolookatyourhand？"
　　Sheraisedherrighthand，andwithasortofimpulsiveheedlessnessletitdropintohis。Anexclamationofsurpriseescapedhim。
　　`{`}Ifyouwillpardonme，"hesaid，"itisasuperbhand——ahandcapableofperformingmira—
　　cles——musicalmiraclesImean。Onlylookhere"
　　——（andhedrewtheforeandsecondfingersapart）
　　——"sofirmlysetinthejointandstillsoflexible。
　　IdoubtifLiszthimselfcanboastafinerrowoffingers。YourhandswillsurelynotpreventyoufrombecomingasecondVonBulow，whichtomymindmeansagooddealmorethanasecondLiszt。"
　　"Thankyou，thatisquiteenough，"sheexclaimed，withanincredulouslaugh;"youhavedonebravely。Thatatalleventsthrowsthewholeburdenofresponsibilityuponmyself，ifIdonotbecomeasecondsomebody。Ishallbeperfectlysatisfied，however，ifyoucanonlymakemeasgoodamusicianasyouareyourself，sothatIcanrenderanottoodifficultpiecewithoutfeelingallthewhilethatIamcommittingsacrilegeinmutilatingthefinethoughtsofsomegreatcomposer。"
　　"Youaretoomodest;youdonot——"
　　"No，no，Iamnotmodest，"sheinterruptedhimwithanimpetuositywhichstartledhim。