WilsonwaschattingwithhimwhenRoxyarrived。Heaskedherhowshecouldbeartogooffchambermaidingandleaveherboys;andchaffinglyofferedtocopyoffaseriesoftheirfingerprints，reachinguptotheirtwelfthyear，forhertorememberthemby;butshesoberedinamoment，wonderingifhesuspectedanything;thenshesaidshebelievedshedidn’twantthem。Wilsonsaidtohimself，"Thedropofblackbloodinherissuperstitious;shethinksthere’ssomedevilry，somewitchbusinessaboutmyglassmysterysomewhere;sheusedtocomeherewithanoldhorseshoeinherhand;itcouldhavebeenanaccident，butIdoubtit。"
CHAPTER5
TheTwinsThrillDawson’sLandingTrainingiseverything。Thepeachwasonceabitteralmond;
cauliflowerisnothingbutcabbagewithacollegeeducation。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarRemarkofDr。Baldwin’s，concerningupstarts：Wedon’tcaretoeattoadstoolsthatthinktheyaretruffles。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarMrs。YorkDriscollenjoyedtwoyearsofblisswiththatprize，Tom——blissthatwastroubledalittleattimes，itistrue，butblissnevertheless;thenshedied，andherhusbandandhischildlesssister，Mrs。Pratt，continuedthisbliss—businessattheoldstand。Tomwaspettedandindulgedandspoiledtohisentirecontent——ornearlythat。Thiswentontillhewasnineteen，thenhewassenttoYale。Hewenthandsomelyequippedwith"conditions，"
butotherwisehewasnotanobjectofdistinctionthere。
HeremainedatYaletwoyears，andthenthrewupthestruggle。
Hecamehomewithhismannersagooddealimproved;hehadlosthissurlinessandbrusqueness，andwasratherpleasantlysoftandsmooth，now;
hewasfurtively，andsometimesopenly，ironicalofspeech，andgiventogentlytouchingpeopleontheraw，buthediditwithagood—naturedsemiconsciousairthatcarrieditoffsafely，andkepthimfromgettingintotrouble。Hewasasindolentaseverandshowednoverystrenuousdesiretohuntupanoccupation。Peoplearguedfromthisthathepreferredtobesupportedbyhisuncleuntilhisuncle’sshoesshouldbecomevacant。Hebroughtbackoneortwonewhabitswithhim，oneofwhichheratheropenlypracticed——tippling——butconcealedanother，whichwasgambling。Itwouldnotdotogamblewherehisunclecouldhearofit;heknewthatquitewell。
Tom’sEasternpolishwasnotpopularamongtheyoungpeople。
Theycouldhaveenduredit，perhaps，ifTomhadstoppedthere;
butheworegloves，andthattheycouldn’tstand，andwouldn’t;
sohewasmainlywithoutsociety。Hebroughthomewithhimasuitofclothesofsuchexquisitestyleandcutinfashion——
Easternfashion，cityfashion——thatitfilledeverybodywithanguishandwasregardedasapeculiarlywantonaffront。Heenjoyedthefeelingwhichhewasexciting，andparadedthetownsereneandhappyallday;buttheyoungfellowssetatailortoworkthatnight，andwhenTomstartedoutonhisparadenextmorning，hefoundtheolddeformedNegrobellringerstraddlingalonginhiswaketrickedoutinaflamboyantcurtain—calicoexaggerationofhisfinery，andimitatinghisfancyEasterngracesaswellashecould。
Tomsurrendered，andafterthatclothedhimselfinthelocalfashion。
Butthedullcountrytownwastiresometohim，sincehisacquaintanceshipwithlivelierregions，anditgrewdailymoreandmoreso。HebegantomakelittletripstoSt。Louisforrefreshment。
Therehefoundcompanionshiptosuithim，andpleasurestohistaste，alongwithmorefreedom，insomeparticulars，thanhecouldhaveathome。
So，duringthenexttwoyears，hisvisitstothecitygrewinfrequencyandhistarryingstheregrewsteadilylongerinduration。
Hewasgettingintodeepwaters。Hewastakingchances，privately，whichmightgethimintotroublesomeday——infact，_did_。
JudgeDriscollhadretiredfromthebenchandfromallbusinessactivitiesin1850，andhadnowbeencomfortablyidlethreeyears。
HewaspresidentoftheFreethinkers’Society，andPudd’nheadWilsonwastheothermember。Thesociety’sweeklydiscussionswerenowtheoldlawyer’smaininterestinlife。Pudd’nheadwasstilltoilinginobscurityatthebottomoftheladder，undertheblightofthatunluckyremarkwhichhehadletfalltwenty—threeyearsbeforeaboutthedog。
JudgeDriscollwashisfriend，andclaimedthathehadamindabovetheaverage，butthatwasregardedasoneofthejudge’swhims，anditfailedtomodifythepublicopinion。Orrather，thatwasoneofthereasonwhyitfailed，buttherewasanotherandbetterone。
Ifthejudgehadstoppedwithbareassertion，itwouldhavehadagooddealofeffect;buthemadethemistakeoftryingtoprovehisposition。
ForsomeyearsWilsonhadbeenprivatelyatworkonawhimsicalalmanac，forhisamusement——acalendar，withalittledabofostensiblephilosophy，usuallyinironicalform，appendedtoeachdate;andthejudgethoughtthatthesequipsandfanciesofWilson’swereneatlyturnedandcute;
sohecarriedahandfulofthemaroundoneday，andreadthemtosomeofthechiefcitizens。Butironywasnotforthosepeople;
theirmentalvisionwasnotfocusedforit。Theyreadthoseplayfultriflesinthesolidestterms，anddecidedwithouthesitancythatiftherehadeverbeenanydoubtthatDaveWilsonwasapudd’nhead——
whichtherehadn’t——thisrevelationremovedthatdoubtforgoodandall。
Thatisjustthewayinthisworld;anenemycanpartlyruinaman，butittakesagood—naturedinjudiciousfriendtocompletethethingandmakeitperfect。AfterthisthejudgefelttendererthanevertowardWilson，andsurerthaneverthathiscalendarhadmerit。
JudgeDriscollcouldbeafreethinkerandstillholdhisplaceinsocietybecausehewasthepersonofmostconsequencetothecommunity，andthereforecouldventuretogohisownwayandfollowouthisownnotions。Theothermemberofhispetorganizationwasallowedthelikelibertybecausehewasacipherintheestimationofthepublic，andnobodyattachedanyimportancetowhathethoughtordid。
Hewasliked，hewaswelcomeenoughallaround，buthesimplydidn’tcountforanything。
TheWidowCooper——affectionatelycalled"AuntPatsy"byeverybody——
livedinasnugandcomelycottagewithherdaughterRowena，whowasnineteen，romantic，amiable，andverypretty，butotherwiseofnoconsequence。Rowenahadacoupleofyoungbrothers——
alsoofnoconsequence。
Thewidowhadalargespareroom，whichshelettoalodger，withboard，whenshecouldfindone，butthisroomhadbeenemptyforayearnow，tohersorrow。Herincomewasonlysufficientforthefamilysupport，andsheneededthelodgingmoneyfortriflingluxuries。Butnow，atlast，onaflamingJuneday，shefoundherselfhappy;hertediouswaitwasended;
heryear—wornadvertisementhadbeenanswered;andnotbyavillageapplicant，no，no！——thisletterwasfromawayoffyonderinthedimgreatworldtotheNorth;itwasfromSt。Louis。ShesatonherporchgazingoutwithunseeingeyesupontheshiningreachesofthemightyMississippi，herthoughtssteepedinhergoodfortune。Indeeditwasspeciallygoodfortune，forshewastohavetwolodgersinsteadofone。
Shehadreadthelettertothefamily，andRowenahaddancedawaytoseetothecleaningandairingoftheroombytheslavewoman，Nancy，andtheboyshadrushedabroadinthetowntospreadthegreatnews，foritwasamatterofpublicinterest，andthepublicwouldwonderandnotbepleasedifnotinformed。PresentlyRowenareturned，allablushwithjoyousexcitement，andbeggedforarereadingoftheletter。
Itwasframedthus：
HONOREDMADAM：MybrotherandIhaveseenyouradvertisement，bychance，andbegleavetotaketheroomyouoffer。Wearetwenty—fouryearsofageandtwins。WeareItaliansbybirth，buthavelivedlonginthevariouscountriesofEurope，andseveralyearsintheUnitedStates。
OurnamesareLuigiandAngeloCapello。Youdesirebutoneguest;
but，dearmadam，ifyouwillallowustopayfortwo，wewillnotincommodeyou。WeshallbedownThursday。
"Italians！Howromantic！Justthink，Ma——there’sneverbeenoneinthistown，andeverybodywillbedyingtoseethem，andthey’reallOURS！Thinkofthat！"
"Yes，Ireckonthey’llmakeagrandstir。"
"Oh，indeedtheywill。Thewholetownwillbeonitshead！
Think——they’vebeeninEuropeandeverywhere！There’sneverbeenatravelerinthistownbefore，Ma，Ishouldn’twonderifthey’veseenkings！"
"Well，abodycan’ttell，butthey’llmakestirenough，withoutthat。"
"Yes，that’sofcourse。Luigi——Angelo。They’relovelynames;
andsograndandforeign——notlikeJonesandRobinsonandsuch。
Thursdaytheyarecoming，andthisisonlyTuesday;it’sacruellongtimetowait。HerecomesJudgeDriscollinatthegate。
He’sheardaboutit。I’llgoandopenthedoor。"
Thejudgewasfullofcongratulationsandcuriosity。Theletterwasreadanddiscussed。SoonJusticeRobinsonarrivedwithmorecongratulations，andtherewasanewreadingandanewdiscussion。
Thiswasthebeginning。Neighborafterneighbor，ofbothsexes，followed，andtheprocessiondriftedinandoutalldayandeveningandallWednesdayandThursday。Theletterwasreadandrereaduntilitwasnearlywornout;everybodyadmireditscourtlyandgracioustone，andsmoothandpracticedstyle，everybodywassympatheticandexcited，andtheCoopersweresteepedinhappinessallthewhile。
Theboatswereveryuncertaininlowwaterintheseprimitivetimes。
ThistimetheThursdayboathadnotarrivedattenatnight——
sothepeoplehadwaitedatthelandingalldayfornothing;
theyweredriventotheirhomesbyaheavystormwithouthavinghadaviewoftheillustriousforeigners。
Eleveno’clockcame;andtheCooperhousewastheonlyoneinthetownthatstillhadlightsburning。Therainandthunderwereboomingyet，andtheanxiousfamilywerestillwaiting，stillhoping。
Atlasttherewasaknockatthedoor，andthefamilyjumpedtoopenit。
TwoNegromenentered，eachcarryingatrunk，andproceededupstairstowardtheguestroom。Thenenteredthetwins——thehandsomest，thebestdressed，themostdistinguished—lookingpairofyoungfellowstheWesthadeverseen。Onewasalittlefairerthantheother，butotherwisetheywereexactduplicates。
CHAPTER6
SwimminginGloryLetusendeavorsotolivethatwhenwecometodieeventheundertakerwillbesorry。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarHabitishabit，andnottobeflungoutofthewindowbyanyman，butcoaxeddownstairsatstepatatime。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAtbreakfastinthemorning，thetwins’charmofmannerandeasyandpolishedbearingmadespeedyconquestofthefamily’sgoodgraces。
Allconstraintandformalityquicklydisappeared，andthefriendliestfeelingsucceeded。AuntPatsycalledthembytheirChristiannamesalmostfromthebeginning。Shewasfullofthekeenestcuriosityaboutthem，andshowedit;theyrespondedbytalkingaboutthemselves，whichpleasedhergreatly。Itpresentlyappearedthatintheirearlyyouththeyhadknownpovertyandhardship。Asthetalkwanderedalong，theoldladywatchedfortherightplacetodropinaquestionortwoconcerningthatmatter，andwhenshefoundit，shesaidtotheblondtwin，whowasnowdoingthebiographiesinhisturnwhilethebrunetteonerested：
"Ifitain’taskingwhatIoughtnottoask，Mr。Angelo，howdidyoucometobesofriendlessandinsuchtroublewhenyouwerelittle？
Doyoumindtelling？Butdon’t，ifyoudo。"
"Oh，wedon’tminditatall，madam;inourcaseitwasmerelymisfortune，andnobody’sfault。Ourparentswerewelltodo，thereinItaly，andweweretheironlychild。WewereoftheoldFlorentinenobility"——
Rowena’sheartgaveagreatbound，hernostrilsexpanded，andafinelightplayedinhereyes——"andwhenthewarbrokeout，myfatherwasonthelosingsideandhadtoflyforhislife。
Hisestateswereconfiscated，hispersonalpropertyseized，andtherewewere，inGermany，strangers，friendless，andinfactpaupers。
MybrotherandIweretenyearsold，andwelleducatedforthatage，verystudious，veryfondofourbooks，andwellgroundedintheGerman，French，Spanish，andEnglishlanguages。Also，weweremarvelousmusicalprodigies——ifyouwillallowmetosayit，itbeingonlythetruth。
"Ourfathersurvivedhismisfortunesonlyamonth，ourmothersoonfollowedhim，andwewerealoneintheworld。Ourparentscouldhavemadethemselvescomfortablebyexhibitingusasashow，andtheyhadmanyandlargeoffers;butthethoughtrevoltedtheirpride，andtheysaidtheywouldstarveanddiefirst。Butwhattheywouldn’tconsenttodo，wehadtodowithouttheformalityofconsent。
Wewereseizedforthedebtsoccasionedbytheirillnessandtheirfunerals，andplacedamongtheattractionsofacheapmuseuminBerlintoearntheliquidationmoney。Ittookustwoyearstogetoutofthatslavery。
WetraveledallaboutGermany，receivingnowages，andnotevenourkeep。
Wehadtobeexhibitedfornothing，andbegourbread。
"Well，madam，therestisnotofmuchconsequence。Whenweescapedfromthatslaveryattwelveyearsofage，wewereinsomerespectsmen。
Experiencehadtaughtussomevaluablethings;amongothers，howtotakecareofourselves，howtoavoidanddefeatsharksandsharpers，andhowtoconductourownbusinessforourownprofitandwithoutotherpeople’shelp。Wetraveledeverywhere——yearsandyears——
pickingupsmatteringsofstrangetongues，familiarizingourselveswithstrangesightsandstrangecustoms，accumulatinganeducationofawideandvariedandcurioussort。Itwasapleasantlife。
WewenttoVenice——toLondon，Paris，Russia，India，China，Japan——"
AtthispointNancy，theslavewoman，thrustherheadinatthedoorandexclaimed：
"OleMissus，dehouseofplum’jamfullo’people，endey’sjesa—spi’lin’toseedegen’lemen！"Sheindicatedthetwinswithanodofherhead，andtuckeditbackoutofsightagain。
Itwasaproudoccasionforthewidow，andshepromisedherselfhighsatisfactioninshowingoffherfineforeignbirdsbeforeherneighborsandfriends——simplefolkwhohadhardlyeverseenaforeignerofanykind，andneveroneofanydistinctionorstyle。
YetherfeelingwasmoderateindeedwhencontrastedwithRowena’s。
Rowenawasintheclouds，shewalkedonair;thiswastobethegreatestday，themostromanticepisodeinthecolorlesshistoryofthatdullcountrytown。Shewastobefamiliarlynearthesourceofitsgloryandfeelthefullfloodofitpouroverherandabouther;
theothergirlscouldonlygazeandenvy，notpartake。
Thewidowwasready，Rowenawasready，soalsoweretheforeigners。
Thepartymovedalongthehall，thetwinsinadvance，andenteredtheopenparlordoor，whenceissuedalowhumofconversation。
Thetwinstookapositionnearthedoor，thewidowstoodatLuigi’sside，RowenastoodbesideAngelo，andthemarch—pastandtheintroductionsbegan。
Thewidowwasallsmilesandcontentment。ShereceivedtheprocessionandpasseditontoRowena。
"Goodmornin’，SisterCooper"——handshake。
"Goodmorning，BrotherHiggins——CountLuigiCapello，Mr。Higgins"——
handshake，followedbyadevouringstareand"I’mgladtoseeye，"
onthepartofHiggins，andacourteousinclinationoftheheadandapleasant"Mosthappy！"onthepartofCountLuigi。
"Goodmornin’，Roweny"——handshake。
"Goodmorning，Mr。Higgins——presentyoutoCountAngeloCapello。"
Handshake，admiringstare，"Gladtoseeye"——courteousnod，smily"Mosthappy！"andHigginspasseson。
Noneofthesevisitorswasatease，but，beinghonestpeople，theydidn’tpretendtobe。Noneofthemhadeverseenapersonbearingatitleofnobilitybefore，andnonehadbeenexpectingtoseeonenow，consequentlythetitlecameuponthemasakindofpile—drivingsurpriseandcaughtthemunprepared。Afewtriedtorisetotheemergency，andgotoutanawkward"Mylord，"or"Yourlordship，"
orsomethingofthatsort，butthegreatmajoritywereoverwhelmedbytheunaccustomedwordanditsdimandawfulassociationswithgildedcourtsandstatelyceremonyandanointedkingship，sotheyonlyfumbledthroughthehandshakeandpassedon，speechless。Nowandthen，ashappensatallreceptionseverywhere，amorethanordinaryfriendlysoulblockedtheprocessionandkeptitwaitingwhileheinquiredhowthebrotherslikedthevillage，andhowlongtheyweregoingtostay，andiftheirfamilywaswell，anddraggedintheweather，andhopeditwouldgetcoolersoon，andallthatsortofthing，soastobeabletosay，whenhegothome，"Ihadquitealongtalkwiththem";
butnobodydidorsaidanythingofaregrettablekind，andsothegreataffairwentthroughtotheendinacreditableandsatisfactoryfashion。
Generalconversationfollowed，andthetwinsdriftedaboutfromgrouptogroup，talkingeasilyandfluentlyandwinningapproval，compellingadmirationandachievingfavorfromall。
Thewidowfollowedtheirconqueringmarchwithaproudeye，andeverynowandthenRowenasaidtoherselfwithdeepsatisfaction，"Andtothinktheyareours——allours！"
Therewerenoidlemomentsformotherordaughter。Eagerinquiriesconcerningthetwinswerepouringintotheirenchantedearsallthetime;eachwastheconstantcenterofagroupofbreathlesslisteners;
eachrecognizedthatsheknewnowforthefirsttimetherealmeaningofthatgreatwordGlory，andperceivedthestupendousvalueofit，andunderstandwhymeninallageshadbeenwillingtothrowawaymeanerhappiness，treasure，lifeitself，togetatasteofitssublimeandsupremejoy。Napoleonandallhiskindstoodaccountedfor——
andjustified。
WhenRowenahadatlastdoneallherdutybythepeopleintheparlor，shewentupstairstosatisfythelongingsofanoverflowmeetingthere，fortheparlorwasnotbigenoughtoholdallthecomers。
Againshewasbesiegedbyeagerquestioners，andagainsheswaminsunsetseasofglory。Whentheforenoonwasnearlygone，sherecognizedwithapangthatthismostsplendidepisodeofherlifewasalmostover，thatnothingcouldprolongit，thatnothingquiteitsequalcouldeverfalltoherfortuneagain。Butnevermind，itwassufficientuntoitself，thegrandoccasionhadmovedonanascendingscalefromthestart，andwasanobleandmemorablesuccess。Ifthetwinscouldbutdosomecrowningactnowtoclimaxit，somethingusual，somethingstartling，somethingtoconcentrateuponthemselvesthecompany’sloftiestadmiration，somethinginthenatureofanelectricsurprise——
Hereaprodigiousslam—bangingbrokeoutbelow，andeverybodyrusheddowntosee。Itwasthetwins，knockingoutaclassicfour—handedpieceonthepianoingreatstyle。Rowenawassatisfied——satisfieddowntothebottomofherheart。
Theyoungstrangerswerekeptlongatthepiano。Thevillagerswereastonishedandenchantedwiththemagnificenceoftheirperformance，andcouldnotbeartohavethemstop。Allthemusicthattheyhadeverheardbeforeseemedspiritlessprentice—workandbarrenofgraceandcharmwhencomparedwiththeseintoxicatingfloodsofmelodioussound。
Theyrealizedthatforonceintheirlivestheywerehearingmasters。
CHAPTER7
TheUnknownNymphOneofthemoststrikingdifferencesbetweenacatandalieisthatacathasonlyninelives。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThecompanybrokeupreluctantly，anddriftedtowardtheirseveralhomes，chattingwithvivacityandallagreeingthatitwouldbemanyalongdaybeforeDawson’sLandingwouldseetheequalofthisoneagain。
Thetwinshadacceptedseveralinvitationswhilethereceptionwasinprogress，andhadalsovolunteeredtoplaysomeduetsatanamateurentertainmentforthebenefitofalocalcharity。
Societywaseagertoreceivethemtoitsbosom。JudgeDriscollhadthegoodfortunetosecurethemforanimmediatedrive，andtobethefirsttodisplaytheminpublic。Theyenteredhisbuggywithhimandwereparadeddownthemainstreet，everybodyflockingtothewindowsandsidewalkstosee。
Thejudgeshowedthestrangersthenewgraveyard，andthejail，andwheretherichestmanlived，andtheFreemasons’hall，andtheMethodistchurch，andthePresbyterianchurch，andwheretheBaptistchurchwasgoingtobewhentheygotsomemoneytobuilditwith，andshowedthemthetownhallandtheslaughterhouse，andgotoutoftheindependentfirecompanyinuniformandhadthemputoutanimaginaryfire;thenhelettheminspectthemusketsofthemilitiacompany，andpouredoutanexhaustlessstreamofenthusiasmoverallthesesplendors，andseemedverywellsatisfiedwiththeresponseshegot，forthetwinsadmiredhisadmiration，andpaidhimbackthebesttheycould，thoughtheycouldhavedonebetterifsomefifteenorsixteenhundredthousandpreviousexperiencesofthissortinvariouscountrieshadnotalreadyrubbedoffaconsiderablepartofthenoveltyinit。
Thejudgelaidhimselfouthospitalitytomakethemhaveagoodtime，andiftherewasadefectanywhere，itwasnothisfault。
Hetoldthemagoodmanyhumorousanecdotes，andalwaysforgotthenub，buttheywerealwaysabletofurnishit，fortheseyarnswereofaprettyearlyvintage，andtheyhadhadmanyarejuvenatingpullatthembefore。Andhetoldthemallabouthisseveraldignities，andhowhehadheldthisandthatandtheotherplaceofhonororprofit，andhadoncebeentothelegislature，andwasnowpresidentoftheSocietyofFreethinkers。Hesaidthesocietyhadbeeninexistencefouryears，andalreadyhadtwomembers，andwasfirmlyestablished。
Hewouldcallforthebrothersintheevening，iftheywouldliketoattendameetingofit。
Accordinglyhecalledforthem，andonthewayhetoldthemallaboutPudd’nheadWilson，inorderthattheymightgetafavorableimpressionofhiminadvanceandbepreparedtolikehim。Thisschemesucceeded——
thefavorableimpressionwasachieved。LateritwasconfirmedandsolidifiedwhenWilsonproposedthatoutofcourtesytothestrangerstheusualtopicsbeputasideandthehourbedevotedtoconversationuponordinarysubjectsandthecultivationoffriendlyrelationsandgood—fellowship——apropositionwhichwasputtovoteandcarried。
Thehourpassedquicklyawayinlivelytalk，andwhenitwasended，thelonesomeandneglectedWilsonwasricherbytwofriendsthanhehadbeenwhenitbegan。Heinvitedthetwinstolookinathislodgingspresently，afterdisposingofaninterveningengagement，andtheyacceptedwithpleasure。
Towardthemiddleoftheevening，theyfoundthemselvesontheroadtohishouse。Pudd’nheadwasathomewaitingforthemandputtinginhistimepuzzlingoverathingwhichhadcomeunderhisnoticethatmorning。Thematterwasthis：Hehappenedtobeupveryearly——
atdawn，infact;andhecrossedthehall，whichdividedhiscottagethroughthecenter，andenteredaroomtogetsomethingthere。
Thewindowoftheroomhadnocurtains，forthatsideofthehousehadlongbeenunoccupied，andthroughthiswindowhecaughtsightofsomethingwhichsurprisedandinterestedhim。Itwasayoungwoman——
ayoungwomanwhereproperlynoyoungwomanbelonged;forshewasinJudgeDriscoll’shouse，andinthebedroomoverthejudge’sprivatestudyorsittingroom。ThiswasyoungTomDriscoll’sbedroom。
Heandthejudge，thejudge’swidowedsisterMrs。Pratt，andthreeNegroservantsweretheonlypeoplewhobelongedinthehouse。Who，then，mightthisyoungladybe？Thetwohouseswereseparatedbyanordinaryyard，withalowfencerunningbackthroughitsmiddlefromthestreetinfronttothelaneintherear。Thedistancewasnotgreat，andWilsonwasabletoseethegirlverywell，thewindowshadesoftheroomshewasinbeingup，andthewindowalso。
Thegirlhadonaneatandtrimsummerdress，patternedinbroadstripesofpinkandwhite，andherbonnetwasequippedwithapinkveil。
Shewaspracticingsteps，gaitsandattitudes，apparently;shewasdoingthethinggracefully，andwasverymuchabsorbedinherwork。
Whocouldshebe，andhowcameshetobeinyoungTomDriscoll’sroom？
Wilsonhadquicklychosenapositionfromwhichhecouldwatchthegirlwithoutrunningmuchriskofbeingseenbyher，andheremainedtherehopingshewouldraiseherveilandbetrayherface。Butshedisappointedhim。Afteramatteroftwentyminutesshedisappearedandalthoughhestayedathisposthalfanhourlonger，shecamenomore。
Towardnoonhedroppedinatthejudge’sandtalkedwithMrs。Prattaboutthegreateventoftheday，theleveeofthedistinguishedforeignersatAuntPatsyCooper’s。HeaskedafterhernephewTom，andshesaidhewasonhiswayhomeandthatshewasexpectinghimtoarrivealittlebeforenight，andaddedthatsheandthejudgeweregratifiedtogatherfromhislettersthathewasconductinghimselfverynicelyandcreditably——atwhichWilsonwinkedtohimselfprivately。
Wilsondidnotaskiftherewasanewcomerinthehouse，butheaskedquestionsthatwouldhavebroughtlight—throwinganswersastothatmatterifMrs。Pratthadhadanylighttothrow;sohewentawaysatisfiedthatheknewofthingsthatweregoingoninherhouseofwhichsheherselfwasnotaware。
Hewasnowawaitingforthetwins，andstillpuzzlingovertheproblemofwhothatgirlmightbe，andhowshehappenedtobeinthatyoungfellow’sroomatdaybreakinthemorning。
CHAPTER8
MarseTomTramplesHisChanceTheholypassionofFriendshipisofsosweetandsteadyandloyalandenduringanaturethatitwilllastthroughawholelifetime，ifnotaskedtolendmoney。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarConsiderwelltheproportionsofthings。ItisbettertobeayoungJunebugthananoldbirdofparadise。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarItisnecessarynowtohuntupRoxy。
Atthetimeshewassetfreeandwentawaychambermaiding，shewasthirty—five。ShegotaberthassecondchambermaidonaCincinnatiboatintheNewOrleanstrade，the_GrandMogul_。
Acoupleoftripsmadeherwontedandeasygoingatthework，andinfatuatedherwiththestirandadventureandindependenceofsteamboatlife。Thenshewaspromotedandbecomeheadchambermaid。
Shewasafavoritewiththeofficers，andexceedinglyproudoftheirjokingandfriendlywaywithher。
Duringeightyearssheservedthreepartsoftheyearonthatboat，andthewintersonaVicksburgpacket。Butnowfortwomonths，shehadhadrheumatisminherarms，andwasobligedtoletthewashtubalone。Sosheresigned。Butshewaswellfixed——
rich，asshewouldhavedescribedit;forshehadlivedasteadylife，andhadbankedfourdollarseverymonthinNewOrleansasaprovisionforheroldage。Shesaidinthestartthatshehad"putshoesononebar’footedniggertotrompleonherwith，"andthatonemistakelikethatwasenough;shewouldbeindependentofthehumanracethenceforthforevermoreifhardworkandeconomycouldaccomplishit。
WhentheboattouchedtheleveeatNewOrleansshebadegood—bytohercomradesonthe_GrandMogul_andmovedherkitashore。
Butshewasbackinahour。Thebankhadgonetosmashandcarriedherfourhundreddollarswithit。Shewasapauperandhomeless。
Alsodisabledbodily，atleastforthepresent。Theofficerswerefullofsympathyforherinhertrouble，andmadeupalittlepurseforher。Sheresolvedtogotoherbirthplace;shehadfriendsthereamongtheNegros，andtheunfortunatealwayshelptheunfortunate，shewaswellawareofthat;thoselowlycomradesofheryouthwouldnotletherstarve。
ShetookthelittlelocalpacketatCairo，andnowshewasonthehomestretch。Timehadwornawayherbitternessagainstherson，andshewasabletothinkofhimwithserenity。Sheputthevilesideofhimoutofhermind，anddweltonlyonrecollectionsofhisoccasionalactsofkindnesstoher。Shegildedandotherwisedecoratedthese，andmadethemverypleasanttocontemplate。Shebegantolongtoseehim。
Shewouldgoandfawnuponhimslavelike——forthiswouldhavetobeherattitude，ofcourse——andmaybeshewouldfindthattimehadmodifiedhim，andthathewouldbegladtoseehislong—forgottenoldnurseandtreathergently。Thatwouldbelovely;thatwouldmakeherforgetherwoesandherpoverty。
Herpoverty！Thatthoughtinspiredhertoaddanothercastletoherdream：
maybehewouldgiveheratriflenowandthen——maybeadollar，onceamonth，say;anylittlethinglikethatwouldhelp，oh，eversomuch。
BythetimeshereachedDawson’sLanding，shewasheroldselfagain;
herbluesweregone，shewasinhighfeather。Shewouldgetalong，surely;thereweremanykitchenswheretheservantswouldsharetheirmealswithher，andalsostealsugarandapplesandotherdaintiesforhertocarryhome——orgiveherachancetopilferthemherself，whichwouldanswerjustaswell。Andtherewasthechurch。
ShewasamorerabidanddevotedMethodistthanever，andherpietywasnosham，butwasstrongandsincere。Yes，withplentyofcreaturecomfortsandheroldplaceintheamencornerinherpossessionagain，shewouldbeperfectlyhappyandatpeacethenceforwardtotheend。
ShewenttoJudgeDriscoll’skitchenfirstofall。Shewasreceivedthereingreatformandwithvastenthusiasm。Herwonderfultravels，andthestrangecountriesshehadseen，andtheadventuresshehadhad，madeheramarvelandaheroineofromance。TheNegroshungenchanteduponagreatstoryofherexperiences，interruptingherallalongwitheagerquestions，withlaughter，exclamationsofdelight，andexpressionsofapplause;andshewasobligedtoconfesstoherselfthatiftherewasanythingbetterinthisworldthansteamboating，itwastheglorytobegotbytellingaboutit。Theaudienceloadedherstomachwiththeirdinners，andthenstolethepantrybaretoloadupherbasket。
TomwasinSt。Louis。Theservantssaidhehadspentthebestpartofhistimethereduringtheprevioustwoyears。Roxycameeveryday，andhadmanytalksaboutthefamilyanditsaffairs。OncesheaskedwhyTomwasawaysomuch。Theostensible"Chambers"said：
"Defac’is，olemarsterkingitalongbetterwhenyoungmarster’sawaydenhekinwhenhe’sindetown;yes，enhelovehimbetter，too;
sohegiveshimfiftydollahsamonth——"
"No，isdatso？Chambers，you’sa—jokin’，ain’tyou？"
"’ClahtogoodnessIain’t，Mammy;MarseTomtolemesohisownself。
Butnemmine，’tain’tenough。"
"Mylan’，whatdereason’tain’tenough？"
"Well，I’sgwinetotellyou，ifyougimmeachanst，Mammy。
Dereasonitain’tenoughis’ca’seMarseTomgambles。"
Roxythrewupherhandsinastonishment，andChamberswenton：
"Olemarsterfounditout，’ca’sehehadtopaytwohundreddollahsforMarseTom’sgamblin’debts，endat’strue，Mammy，jesasdeadcertainasyou’sbawn。"
"Two——hund’ddollahs！Why，whatisyoutalkin’’bout？
Two——hund’d——dollahs。Sakesalive，it’s’mos’enoughtobuyatol’ablegoodsecondhandniggerwid。Enyouain’tlyin’，honey？
Youwouldn’tlietoyou’oldMammy？"
"It’sGod’sowntruth，jesasItellyou——twohund’ddollahs——
IwishtImayneverstiroutenmytracksifitain’tso。
En，oh，mylan’，oleMarsewasjesa—hoppin’！Hewasb’ilin’mad，Itellyou！Hetuck’n’dissenhurrithim。"
"Disen_whiched_him？"
"Dissenhurrithim。"
"What’sdat？Whatdoyoumean？"
"Meanshebu’steddewill。"
"Bu’s——teddewill！Hewouldn’t_ever_treathimso！Takeitback，youmis’ableimitationniggerdatIboreinsorrowentribbilation。"
Roxy’spetcastle——anoccasionaldollarfromTom’spocket——
wastumblingtoruinbeforehereyes。Shecouldnotabidesuchadisasterasthat;shecouldn’tendurethethoughtofit。
HerremarkamusedChambers。
"Yah—yah—yah！Jeslistentodat！IfI’simitation，whatisyou？
Bofeofusisimitation_white_——dat’swhatweis——enpow’fulgoodimitation，too。Yah—yah—yah！Wedon’t’mounttonoth’nasimitation_niggers_;enasfor——"
"Shetupyo’foolin’，’fo’Iknockyousidedehead，entellme’boutdewill。Tellme’tain’tbu’sted——do，honey，enI’llneverforgityou。"
"Well，_’tain’t_——’ca’sedey’sanewonemade，enMarseTom’sallrightag’in。Butwhatisyouinsichasweat’boutitfor，Mammy？’Tain’tnoneo’yourbusinessIdon’treckon。"
"’Tain’tnoneo’mybusiness？Whosebusinessisitden，I’dliketoknow？WuzIhismothertellhewasfifteenyearsold，orwusn’tI？——
youanswermedat。EnyouspeckIcouldseehimturnedoutpo’andorneryondeworl’ennevercarenoth’n’’boutit？Ireckonifyou’deverbe’namotheryo’self，ValetdeChambers，youwouldn’ttalksichfoolishnessasdat。"
"Well，den，oleMarseforgivehimenfixedupdewillag’in——dodatsatisfyyou？"
Yes，shewassatisfiednow，andquitehappyandsentimentaloverit。
Shekeptcomingdaily，andatlastshewastoldthatTomhadcomehome。
Shebegantotremblewithemotion，andstraightwaysenttobeghimtolethis"po’oleniggerMammyhavejesonesightofhimendieforjoy。"
TomwasstretchedathislazyeaseonasofawhenChambersbroughtthepetition。Timehadnotmodifiedhisancientdetestationofthehumbledrudgeandprotectorofhisboyhood;itwasstillbitteranduncompromising。Hesatupandbentaseveregazeuponthefaceoftheyoungfellowwhosenamehewasunconsciouslyusingandwhosefamilyrightshewasenjoying。Hemaintainedthegazeuntilthevictimofithadbecomesatisfactorilypallidwithterror，thenhesaid：
"Whatdoestheoldripwantwithme？"
Thepetitionwasmeeklyrepeated。
"Whogaveyoupermissiontocomeanddisturbmewiththesocialattentionsofniggers？"
Tomhadrisen。Theotheryoungmanwastremblingnow，visibly。
Hesawwhatwascoming，andbenthisheadsideways，andputuphisleftarmtoshieldit。Tomrainedcuffsupontheheadanditsshield，sayingnoword：thevictimreceivedeachblowwithabeseeching，"Please，MarseTom！——oh，please，MarseTom！"Sevenblows——thenTomsaid，"Facethedoor——march！"Hefollowedbehindwithone，two，threesolidkicks。Thelastonehelpedthepure—whiteslaveoverthedoor—sill，andhelimpedawaymoppinghiseyeswithhisold，raggedsleeve。Tomshoutedafterhim，"Sendherin！"
Thenheflunghimselfpantingonthesofaagain，andraspedouttheremark，"Hearrivedjustattherightmoment;Iwasfulltothebrimwithbitterthinkings，andnobodytotakeitoutof。Howrefreshingitwas！Ifeelbetter。"
Tom’smotherenterednow，closingthedoorbehindher，andapproachedhersonwithallthewheedlingandsupplicationservilitiesthatfearandinterestcanimparttothewordsandattitudesofthebornslave。
Shestoppedayardfromherboyandmadetwoorthreeadmiringexclamationsoverhismanlystatureandgeneralhandsomeness，andTomputanarmunderhisheadandhoistedalegoverthesofabackinordertolookproperlyindifferent。
"Mylan’，howyouisgrowed，honey！’Clahtogoodness，Iwouldn’ta—knowedyou，MarseTom！’DeedIwouldn’t！Lookatmegood;
doesyou’memberoldRoxy？Doesyouknowyo’oldniggermammy，honey？
Wellnow，Ikinlaydownendieinpeace，’ca’seI’seseed——"
"Cutitshort，Goddamnit，cutitshort！Whatisityouwant？"
"Youheahdat？JesthesameoldMarseTom，al’ayssogayandfunnin’
widdeolemammy。I’uzjesasshore——"
"Cutitshort，Itellyou，andgetalong！Whatdoyouwant？"
Thiswasabitterdisappointment。RoxyhadforsomanydaysnourishedandfondledandpettedhernotionthatTomwouldbegladtoseehisoldnurse，andwouldmakeherproudandhappytothemarrowwithacordialwordortwo，thatittooktworebuffstoconvinceherthathewasnotfunning，andthatherbeautifuldreamwasafondandfoolishvariety，ashabbyandpitifulmistake。Shewashurttotheheart，andsoashamedthatforamomentshedidnotquiteknowwhattodoorhowtoact。Thenherbreastbegantoheave，thetearscame，andinherforlornnessshewasmovedtotrythatotherdreamofhers——
anappealtoherboy’scharity;andso，upontheimpulse，andwithoutreflection，sheofferedhersupplication：
"Oh，MarseTom，depo’olemammyisinsichhardluckdesedays;
enshe’skindercrippledindearmsandcan’twork，enifyoucouldgimmeadollah——on’yjesonelittledol——"
Tomwasonhisfeetsosuddenlythatthesupplicantwasstartledintoajumpherself。
"Adollar！——giveyouadollar！I’veanotiontostrangleyou！
Is_that_yourerrandhere？Clearout！Andbequickaboutit！"
Roxybackedslowlytowardthedoor。Whenshewashalfwayshestopped，andsaidmournfully：
"MarseTom，Inussedyouwhenyouwasalittlebaby，enIraisedyouallbymyselftellyouwas’mostayoungman;ennowyouisyoungenrich，enIispo’engitt’nole，enIcomeheahb’leavin’datyouwouldhe’pdeolemammy’longdowndelittleroaddat’slef’’twix’
herendegrave，en——"
Tomrelishedthistunelessthananythatheprecededit，foritbegantowakeupasortofechoinhisconscience;
soheinterruptedandsaidwithdecision，thoughwithoutasperity，thathewasnotinasituationtohelpher，andwasn’tgoingtodoit。
"Ain’tyouevergwinetohe’pme，MarseTom？"
"No！Nowgoawayanddon’tbothermeanymore。"
Roxy’sheadwasdown，inanattitudeofhumility。Butnowthefiresofheroldwrongsflamedupinherbreastandbegantoburnfiercely。
Sheraisedherheadslowly，tillitwaswellup，andatthesametimehergreatframeunconsciouslyassumedanerectandmasterfulattitude，withallthemajestyandgraceofhervanishedyouthinit。
Sheraisedherfingerandpunctuatedwithit。
"Youhassaiddeword。Youhashadyo’chance，enyouhastrompleditunderyo’foot。Whenyougitanotherone，you’llgitdownonyo’
kneesen_beg_forit！"
AcoldchillwenttoTom’sheart，hedidn’tknowwhy;forhedidnotreflectthatsuchwords，fromsuchanincongruoussource，andsosolemnlydelivered，couldnoteasilyfailofthateffect。
However，hedidthenaturalthing：herepliedwithblusterandmockery。
"_You’ll_givemeachance——_you_！PerhapsI’dbettergetdownonmykneesnow！ButincaseIdon’t——justforargument’ssake——
what’sgoingtohappen，pray？"
"Disiswhatisgwinetohappen，I’sgwineasstraighttoyo’
uncleasIkinwalk，entellhimeverylas’thingIknows’boutyou。"
Tom’scheekblenched，andshesawit。Disturbingthoughtsbegantochaseeachotherthroughhishead。"Howcansheknow？
Andyetshemusthavefoundout——shelooksit。I’vehadthewillbackonlythreemonths，andamalreadydeepindebtagain，andmovingheavenandearthtosavemyselffromexposureanddestruction，withareasonablyfairshowofgettingthethingcoveredupifI’mletalone，andnowthisfiendhasgoneandfoundmeoutsomehoworother。
Iwonderhowmuchsheknows？Oh，oh，oh，it’senoughtobreakabody’sheart！ButI’vegottohumorher——there’snootherway。"
Thenheworkeduparathersicklysampleofagaylaughandahollowchippernessofmanner，andsaid：
"Well，well，Roxydear，oldfriendslikeyouandmemustn’tquarrel。
Here’syourdollar——nowtellmewhatyouknow。"
Heheldoutthewildcatbill;shestoodasshewas，andmadenomovement。Itwasherturntoscornpersuasivefoolerynow，andshedidnotwasteit。Shesaid，withagrimimplacabilityinvoiceandmannerwhichmadeTomalmostrealizethatevenaformerslavecanrememberfortenminutesinsultsandinjuriesreturnedforcomplimentsandflatteriesreceived，andcanalsoenjoytakingrevengeforthemwhentheopportunityoffers：
"WhatdoesIknow？I’lltellyouwhatIknows，Iknowsenoughtobu’stdatwilltoflinders——enmore，mindyou，_more！_"
Tomwasaghast。
"More？"hesaid，"Whatdoyoucallmore？Where’sthereanyroomformore？"
Roxylaughedamockinglaugh，andsaidscoffingly，withatossofherhead，andherhandsonherhips：
"Yes！——oh，Ireckon！_co’se_you’dliketoknow——widyo’po’littleoleragdollah。WhatyoureckonI’sgwinetotell_you_for？——
youain’tgotnomoney。I’sgwinetotellyo’uncle——enI’lldoitdisminute，too——he’llgimmeFIVEdollahsfordenews，enmightyglad，too。"
Sheswungherselfarounddisdainfully，andstartedaway。
Tomwasinapanic。Heseizedherskirts，andimploredhertowait。
Sheturnedandsaid，loftily：
"Look—a—heah，what’uzitItoleyou？"
"You——you——Idon’trememberanything。Whatwasityoutoldme？"
"ItoleyoudatdenexttimeIgiveyouachanceyou’dgitdownonyo’kneesenbegforit。"
Tomwasstupefiedforamoment。Hewaspantingwithexcitement。
Thenhesaid：
"Oh，Roxy，youwouldn’trequireyouryoungmastertodosuchahorriblething。Youcan’tmeanit。"
"I’llletyouknowmightyquickwhetherImeansitornot！
Youcallmenames，enasgoodasspitonmewhenIcomeshere，po’enorneryen’umble，topraiseyouforbein’growedupsofineandhandsome，entellyouhowIusedtonussyouentendyouenwatchyouwhenyou’uzsickenhadn’tnomotherbutmeindewholeworl’，enbegyoutogivedepo’oleniggeradollahfortogethersom’n’
toeat，enyoucallmenames——_names_，dadblameyou！Yassir，Igivesyoujesonechancemo’，anddat’s_now_，enitlas’on’yhalfasecond——youhear？"
Tomslumpedtohiskneesandbegantobeg，saying：
"YouseeI’mbegging，andit’shonestbegging，too！Nowtellme，Roxy，tellme。"
Theheiroftwocenturiesofunatonedinsultandoutragelookeddownonhimandseemedtodrinkindeepdraughtsofsatisfaction。
Thenshesaid：
"Fineniceyoungwhitegen’l’mankneelin’downtoaniggerwench！
I’swantedtoseedatjesoncebefo’I’scalled。Now，Gabr’el，blowdehawn，I’sready……Gitup！"
Tomdidit。Hesaid，humbly：
"Now，Roxy，don’tpunishmeanymore。IdeservedwhatI’vegot，butbegoodandletmeoffwiththat。Don’tgotouncle。Tellme——
I’llgiveyouthefivedollars。"
"Yes，Ibetyouwill;enyouwon’tstopdah，nuther。ButIain’tgwinetotellyouheah——"
"Goodgracious，no！"
"Isyou’fearedo’deha’ntedhouse？"
"N—no。"
"Well，den，youcometodeha’ntedhouse’bouttenor’leventonight，enclimbupdeladder，’ca’sedesta’rstepsisbrokedown，enyou’llfindme。I’sa—roostin’indeha’ntedhouse’ca’seIcan’t’fordtoroos’nowher’selse。"Shestartedtowardthedoor，butstoppedandsaid，"Gimmededollahbill！"Hegaveittoher。
Sheexamineditandsaid，"H’m——likeenoughdebank’sbu’sted。"
Shestartedagain，buthaltedagain。"Hasyougotanywhisky？"
"Yes，alittle。"
"Fetchit！"
Herantohisroomoverheadandbroughtdownabottlewhichwastwo—thirdsfull。Shetilteditupandtookadrink。
Hereyessparkledwithsatisfaction，andshetuckedthebottleunderhershawl，saying，"It’sprime。I’lltakeitalong。"
Tomhumblyheldthedoorforher，andshemarchedoutasgrimanderectasagrenadier。
CHAPTER9
TomPracticesSycophancyWhyisitthatwerejoiceatabirthandgrieveatafuneral？
Itisbecausewearenotthepersoninvolved。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarItiseasytofindfault，ifonehasthatdisposition。Therewasonceamanwho，notbeingabletofindanyotherfaultwithhiscoal，complainedthatthereweretoomanyprehistorictoadsinit。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarTomflunghimselfonthesofa，andputhisthrobbingheadinhishands，andrestedhiselbowsonhisknees。Herockedhimselfbackandforthandmoaned。
"I’veknelttoaniggerwench！"hemuttered。"IthoughtIhadstruckthedeepestdepthsofdegradationbefore，butoh，dear，itwasnothingtothis……Well，thereisoneconsolation，suchasitis——I’vestruckbottomthistime;there’snothinglower。"
Butthatwasahastyconclusion。
Attenthatnightheclimbedtheladderinthehauntedhouse，pale，weak，andwretched。Roxywasstandinginthedoorofoneoftherooms，waiting，forshehadheardhim。
Thiswasatwo—storyloghousewhichhadacquiredthereputationafewyearsagoofbeinghaunted，andthatwastheendofitsusefulness。
Nobodywouldliveinitafterward，orgonearitbynight，andmostpeopleevengaveitawideberthinthedaytime。
Asithadnocompetition，itwascalled_the_hauntedhouse。
Itwasgettingcrazyandruinousnow，fromlongneglect。
ItstoodthreehundredyardsbeyondPudd’nheadWilson’shouse，withnothingbetweenbutvacancy。Itwasthelasthouseinthetownatthatend。
TomfollowedRoxyintotheroom。Shehadapileofcleanstrawinthecornerforabed，somecheapbutwell—keptclothingwashangingonthewall，therewasatinlanternfrecklingthefloorwithlittlespotsoflight，andtherewerevarioussoapandcandleboxesscatteredabout，whichservedforchairs。Thetwosatdown。Roxysaid：
"Nowden，I’lltellyoustraightoff，enI’llbegintok’leckdemoneylateron;Iain’tinnohurry。WhatdoesyoureckonI’sgwinetotellyou？"
"Well，you——you——oh，Roxy，don’tmakeittoohardforme！
Comerightoutandtellmeyou’vefoundoutsomehowwhatashapeI’minonaccountofdissipationandfoolishness。"
"Dispositionenfoolishness！NOsir，datain’tit。Datjistain’tnothin’atall，’longsideo’what_I_knows。"
Tomstaredather，andsaid：
"Why，Roxy，whatdoyoumean？"
Sherose，andgloomedabovehimlikeaFate。
"Imeansdis——enit’sdeLord’struth。Youain’tnomorekintooleMarseDriscolldenIis！_dat’s_whatImeans！"andhereyesflamedwithtriumph。
"What？"
"Yassir，en_dat_ain’tall！You’sa_nigger！_——_bawn_aniggeranda_slave！_——enyou’saniggerenaslavedisminute;enifIopensmymoufoleMarseDriscoll’llsellyoudownderiverbefo’youistwodaysolderdenwhatyouisnow！"
"It’sathunderinglie，youmiserableoldblatherskite！"
"Itain’tnolie，nuther。It’sjustdetruth，ennothin’_but_detruth，sohe’pme。Yassir——you’smy_son_——"
"Youdevil！"
"Endatpo’boydatyou’sbe’na—kickin’ena—cuffin’todayisPercyDriscoll’ssonenyo’_marster_——"
"Youbeast！"
"En_his_nameisTomDriscoll，en_yo’s_name’sValetdeChambers，enyouain’tGOTnofamblyname，beca’seniggersdon’t_have_em！"
Tomsprangupandseizedabilletofwoodandraisedit，buthismotheronlylaughedathim，andsaid：
"Setdown，youpup！Doesyouthinkyoukinskyerme？Itain’tinyou，nordelikesofyou。Ireckonyou’dshootmeindeback，maybe，ifyougotachance，fordat’sjistyo’style——_I_knowsyou，throoenthroo——butIdon’tmindgitt’nkilled，beca’sealldisisdowninwritin’andit’sinsafehands，too，endemandat’sgotitknowswhahtolookforderightmanwhenIgitskilled。
Oh，blessyo’soul，ifyouputsyo’motherupforasbigafoolas_you_is，you’spow’fulmistaken，Ikintellyou！
Nowden，yousetstillenbehaveyo’self;endon’tyougitupag’intillItellyou！"
Tomfrettedandchafedawhileinawhirlwindofdisorganizingsensationsandemotions，andfinallysaid，withsomethinglikesettledconviction：
"Thewholethingismoonshine;nowthen，goaheadanddoyourworst;I’mdonewithyou。"
Roxymadenoanswer。Shetookthelanternandstartedforthedoor。