"The21stofJune。"
　　"Well，he’searlyenoughwithhisinvitation，"shegrumbled。
　　"Yes，heis，"saidCynthia；andshelaughedforshameandpleasureassheconfessed，"Iwasthinkinghewasratherlate。"
　　Shehungherheadandturnedherfaceaway。ButMrs。Durginunderstood。
　　"Yoube’nexpectin’itallalong，then。"
　　"Iguessso。"
　　"Ipresume，"saidtheelderwoman，"thathe’stalkedtoyouaboutit。
　　Henevertellsmemuch。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldwanttogo。What’sitlike？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。Butit’sthedaythegraduatingclasshavetothemselves，andalltheirfriendscome。"
　　"Well，Idon’tknowwhyanybodyshouldwanttogo，"saidMrs。Durgin。
　　"Isha’n’t。Tellhimhewon’twanttoownmewhenheseesme。WhatamI
　　goin’towear，Ishouldliketoknow？Whatyougoin’towear，Cynthy？"
　　XXVIII。
　　Jeff’splaceatHarvardhadbeentoolongfixedamongthejaystoallowthehopeofwhollyretrievinghisconditionnow。Itwastoolateforhimtobechoseninanyofthenicerclubsorsocieties，buthewasnotbeyondthemountingsentimentofcomradery，whichbeginstotellinthelastyearamongcollegemen，andwhichhaditsdueeffectwithhisclass。
　　Oneofthemen，whohadalwayshadafoibleforhumanity，tookadvantageoftheprevailingmoodinanotherman，andwroughtuponhimtoask，amongthefellowshewasaskingtoateaathisrooms，severalfellowswhoweredistinctlyandalmosttypicallyjay。Theteawasfortheauntofthemanwhogaveit，averyprettywomanfromNewYork，anditwassorichlyqualifiedbyyoungpeopleoffashionfromBostonthattheinfusionofthejayflavorcouldnotspoilit，ifitwouldnotratheraddanagreeablepiquancy。Thiscollegemoodcoincidedthatyearwithabenevolentemotioninthelargerworld，fromwhichfashionwasnotexempt。Societyhadjustbeenstirredbythereadingofacertainbook，whichhadthenaverygreatvogue，andseveralpeoplehadbeendownamongthewretchedattheNorthEnddoinggoodinaconscience—strickenefforttoavertthemillenniumwhichthebookinquestionseemedtothreaten。TheladywhomatronizedtheteawassaidtohavedonemoregoodthanyoucouldimagineattheNorthEnd，andshecaughtatthechancetomeetthecollegejaysinaspiritofChristiancharity。Whenthemanwhowasgoingtogivethetearathersheepishlyconfessedwhatthealtruisticmanhadgothiminfor，shepraisedhimsomuchthathewentawayfeelingliketheheroofaholycause。Shepromisedtheassistanceandsympathyofseveralbravegirls，whowouldnotbeafraidofallthejaysincollege。
　　Afterall，onlyoneofthejayscame。Notmany，infact，hadbeenasked，andwhenJeffDurginactuallyappeared，itwasnotknownthathewasboththefirstandthelastofhiskind。Theladywhowasmatronizingthetearecognizedhim，withathroeofherquickenedconscience，astheyoungfellowwhomshehadmettwowintersbeforeatthestudioteawhichMr。
　　WestoverhadgiventothosequeerFlorentinefriendsofhis，andwhomshehadneverthoughtofsince，thoughshehadthenpromisedherselftodosomethingforhim。Shehadthenevengivenhimsomevaguehintsofaprospectivehospitality，andsheconfessedhersinofomissioninaswiftbutgraphicretrospecttooneofherbravegirls，whileJeffstoodblockingoutaspaceforhisstalwartbulkamidthealienelegancejustwithinthedoorway，andthehostwasmakinghiswaytowardhim，withanoutstretchedhandofhardywelcome。
　　Atanearlierperiodofhisneglectandexclusion，Jeffwouldnothaverespondedtothebelatedoverturewhichhadnowbeenmadehim，fornoreasonthathecoulddivine。Buthehadnothingtolosebyacceptingtheinvitation，andhehadpromisedthealtruisticman，whomheratherliked；
　　hedidnotdislikethegiveroftheteasomuchassomeothermen，andsohecame。
　　Thebravegirlwhomthematronwaspreparingtodevotetohimstoodshrinkingwithatrepidationwhichshecouldnotconcealatsightofhisstrangemassiveness，withhisrust—goldhaircomingdowntowardhisthickyellowbrowsandmockingblueeyesinadensebang，andhisjawsquaringitselfundertheratherinsolentsmileofhisfullmouth。Thematronfeltthathervictimteasperhapsgoingtofailher，whenavoiceatherearsaid，asifthequestionwereextorted，"Whointheworldisthat？"
　　Sheinstantlyturned，andflashedoutinafewinspiredsyllablesthefactshehadjustimpartedtohertreacherousheroine。"Doletmeintroducehim，MissLynde。Imustdosomethingforhim，whenhegetsuptome，ifheeverdoes。"
　　"Byallmeans，"saidthegirl，whohadanimpulsetolaughattherudeforceofJeff’sfaceandfigure，sodisproportionedtotheoccasion，andsheventeditatthematron’stribulation。Thematronwasshakinghandswithpeoplerightandleft，andexchanginginaudiblebanalitieswiththem。Shedidnotknowwhatthegirlsaidinanswer，butshewasawarethatsheremainednearher。ShehadprofessedherjoyatseeingJeffagain，whenhereachedher，andsheturnedwithhimandsaid，"LetmepresentyoutoMissLynde，Mr。Durgin，"andsoabandonedthemtoeachother。
　　AsJeffhadnoneoftheanxietyforsocialsuccesswhichhewouldhavefeltatanearlierperiod，henowleftittoMissLyndetobeginthetalk，ornot，asshechose。Heborehimselfwithsomuchindifferencethatshewaspiquedtoanefforttoholdhiseyes，thatwanderedfromhertothisfaceandthatinthecrowd。
　　"Doyoufindmanypeopleyouknow，Mr。Durgin？"
　　"Idon’tfindany。"
　　"Isupposedyoudidn’tfromthewayyoulookedatthem。"
　　"HowdidIlookatthem？"
　　"Asifyouwantedtoeatthem，andoneneverwantstoeatone’sfriends。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。Theywouldn’tagreewithone。"
　　Jeff，laughed，andhenowtookfullernoteoftheslendergirlwhostoodbeforehim，andswayedalittlebackward，inagracefulcurve。Hesawthatshehadadull，thickcomplexion，withliquideyes，setwideapartandslantedupwardslightly，andanosethatwasdeflectedinwardfromthestraightline；buthermouthwasbeautifulandvividlyredlikeacrimsonblossom。
　　"Couldn’tyoufindmesomeplacetositdown，Mr。Durgin？"sheasked。
　　Hehaditonhistonguetosay，"Well，notunlessyouwanttositdownonsomeenemy，"buthedidnotventurethis：whenitcomestodaringofthatsort，theboldestmaniscommonlyalittlebehindatimidwoman。
　　Severalofthefellowshadclubbedtheirrooms，andlentthemtothemanwhowasgivingthetea；heusedoneoftheapartmentsforacloak—room，andhemeanttheotherforthesocialoverflowfromhisown。Butpeoplealwaysprefertoremaindammed—uptogetherintheroomwheretheyarereceived，andMissLyndelookedbetweentheneighboringheads，andovertheneighboringshoulders，andsawtheborrowedapartmentquiteempty。
　　AtthemomentofthisdiscoverythehostcamefightinghiswayuptomakesurethatJeffhadbeenprovidedforinthewayofintroductions。HepromptlyintroducedhimtoMissLynde。Shesaid："Oh，that’sbeendone！
　　Can’tyouthinkofsomethingnew？"Jefflikedthestyleofthis。
　　"Idon’tmindit，butI’mafraidMr。Durginmustfinditmonotonous。"
　　"Oh，well，dosomethingoriginalyourself，then，MissLynde！"saidthehost。"Startamovementforthatroomacrossthepassage；that’smine，too，fortheoccasion；andsavesomeofthesepeople’slives。It’ssuffocatinginhere。"
　　"Idon’tmindsavingMr。Durgin’s，"saidthegirl，"ifhewantsitsaved。"
　　"Oh，Iknowhe’sjustdyingtohaveyousaveit，"saidthehost，andheleftthem，toinspireotherpeopletofollowtheirexample。Butsuchasglancedacrossthepassageintotheoverflowroomseemedtothinkitnowthepossessionsolelyofthepioneersofthemovement。Atanyrate，theymadenoshowofjoiningthem；andafterMissLyndeandJeffhadlookedatthepicturesonthewallsandthephotographsonthemanteloftheroomwheretheyfoundthemselves，theysatdownonchairsfrontingtheopendoorandthedooroftheroomtheyhadleft。Thewindow—seatwouldhavebeenmoretoJeff’smind，andhehadproposedit，butthegirlseemednottohaveheardhim；shetookthedeepeasy—chairinfullviewofthecompanyopposite，andlefthimtopullupachairbesideher。
　　"Ialwaysliketoseethepicturesinaman’sroom，"shesaid，withalittlesighofrelieffromtheirinspectionandapartialyieldingofherfiguretotheluxuryofthechair。"ThenIknowwhatthemanis。Thisman——Idon’tknowwhoseroomitis——seemstohavespentagooddealofhistimeatthetheatre。"
　　"Isn’tthatwheremostofthemspendtheirtime？"askedJeff。
　　"I’msureIdon’tknow。Isthatwhereyouspendyours？"
　　"Itusedtobe。I’mnotspendingmytimeanywherejustnow。"Shelookedquestioningly，andheadded，"Ihaven’tgotanytospend。"
　　"Oh，indeed！Isthatareason？Whydon’tyouspendsomebodyelse’s？"
　　"Nobodyhasany，thatIknow。"
　　"You’reallworkingoffconditions，youmean？"
　　"That’swhatI’mdoing，ortryingto。"
　　"Thenit’snevercertainwhetheryoucandoit，afterall？"
　　"Notsocertainastobefreefromexcitement，"saidJeff，smiling。
　　"AndareyouconsumedwiththemelancholythatseemstobeballingupallthemenattheprospectofhavingtoleaveHarvardandgooutintothehard，coldworld？"
　　"Idon’tlookit，doI？Jeffasked：
　　"No，youdon’t。Andyoudon’tfeelit？You’renottryingconcealment，andsoforth？"
　　"No；ifI’dhadmyownway，I’dhaveleftHarvardbeforethis。"Hecouldseethathisboldassumptionofdifference，orindifference，tolduponher。"Icouldn’tgetoutintothehard，coldworldtoosoon。"
　　"Howfearless！Mostofthemdon’tknowwhatthey’regoingtodoinit。"
　　"Ido。"
　　"Andwhatareyougoingtodo？Orperhapsyouthinkthat’sasking！"
　　"Ohno。I’mgoingtokeepahotel。"
　　Hehadhopedtostartleher，butsheasked，ratherquietly，"Whatdoyoumean？"andsheadded，asiftopunishhimfortryingtomystifyher：
　　"I’veheardthatitrequiresgiftsforthat。Isn’ttheresomeproverb？"
　　"Yes。ButI’mgoingtotrytodoitonexperience。"Helaughed，andhedidnotmindhertryingtohithim，forhesawthatbehadmadehercurious。
　　"Doyoumeanthatyouhavekeptahotel？"
　　"Forthreegenerations，"hereturned，withagravitythatmockedherfromhisboldeyes。
　　"I’msureIdon’tknowwhatyoumean，"shesaid，indifferently。"Whereisyourhotel？InBoston——NewYork——Chicago？"
　　"It’sinthecountry——it’sasummerhotel，"hesaid，asbefore。
　　Shelookedawayfromhimtowardtheotherroom。"There’smybrother。
　　Ididn’tknowhewascoming。"
　　"ShallIgoandtellhimwhereyouare？"Jeffasked，followingthedirectionofhereyes。
　　"No，no；hecanfindme，"saidthegirl，sinkingbackinherchairagain。
　　Helefthertoresumethetalkwhereshechose，andshesaid："Ifit’ssomethingancestral，ofcourse——"
　　"Idon’tknowasit’sthat，exactly。Mygrandfatherusedtokeepacountrytavern，andsoit’sintheblood，butthehotelImeanissomethingthatwe’veworkedupintofromafarmboarding—house。"
　　"Youdon’ttalklikeacountryperson，"thegirlbrokein，abruptly。
　　"NotinCambridge。Idointhecountry。"
　　"Andso，"sheprompted，"you’regoingtoturnitintoahotelwhenyou’vegotoutofHarvard。"
　　"It’sahotelalready，andaprettybigone；butI’mgoingtomaketherightkindofhotelofitwhenItakeholdofit。"
　　"Andwhatistherightkindofahotel？"
　　"That’salongstory。Itwouldmakeyoutired。"
　　"Itmight，butwe’vegottospendthetimesomehow。Youcouldbegin，andthenifIcouldn’tstandityoucouldstop。"
　　"It’seasiertostopfirstandbeginsomeothertime。IguessI’llletyouimaginemyhotel，MissLynde。"
　　"Oh，Iunderstandnow，"saidthegirl。"Thetablewillbethegreatthing。Youwillstuffpeople。"
　　"DoyoumeanthatI’mtryingtostuffyou？"
　　"HowdoIknow？Younevercantellwhatmenreallymean。"
　　Jefflaughedwithmountingpleasureinheraudacity，thatimpartedasenseoftoleranceforhimsuchashehadexperiencedveryseldomfromtheBostongirlshehadmet；afterall，hehadmetbutfew。Itflatteredhimtohaveherdoubtwhathehadtoldherinhisrecklessindifference；
　　itimpliedthathewasfitforbetterthingsthanhotel—keeping。
　　"Younevercantellhowmuchawomanbelieves，"heretorted。
　　"Andyoukeeptryingtofindout？"
　　"No，butIthinkthattheymightbelievethetruth。"
　　"You’dbettertrythemwithit！"
　　"Well，Iwill。DoyoureallywanttoknowwhatI’mgoingtodowhenI
　　getthrough？"
　　"Letmesee！"MissLyndeleanedforward，withherelbowonherkneeandherchininherhand，andsoftlykickedtheedgeofherskirtwiththetoeofhershoe，asifindeepthought。Jeffwaitedforhertoplayhercomedythrough。"Yes，"shesaid，"IthinkIdidwishtoknow——atonetime。"
　　"Butyoudon’tnow？"
　　"Now？HowcanItell？Itwasagreatwhileago！"
　　"Iseeyoudon’t。"
　　MissLyndedidnotmakeanyreply。Sheasked，"Doyouknowmyaunt，Durgin？"
　　"Ididn’tknowyouhadone。"
　　"Yes，everybodyhasanaunt——evenwhentheyhaven’tamother，ifyoucanbelievetheGilbertoperas。IaskbecauseIhappentolivewithmyaunt，andifyouknewhershemight——askyoutocall。"MissLyndescannedJeff’sfacefortheeffectofthis。
　　Hesaid，gravely："Ifyou’llintroducemetoher，I’llaskhertoletme。"
　　"Wouldyou，really？"saidthegirl。"I’vehalfamindtotry。Iwonderifyou’dreallyhavethecourage。"
　　"Idon’tthinkI’measilyrattled。"
　　"YoumeanthatI’mtryingtorattleyou。"
　　"No——"
　　"I’mnot。MyauntisjustwhatI’vesaid。"
　　"Youhaven’tsaidwhatshewas。Isshehere？"
　　"No；that’stheworstofit。Ifshewere，Ishouldintroduceyou，justtoseeifyou’ddare。Well，someothertimeIwill。"
　　"Youthinkthere’llbesomeothertime？"Jeffasked。
　　"Idon’tknow。Thereareallkindsoftimes。By—the—way，whattimeisit？"
　　Jefflookedathiswatch。"Quarteraftersix。"
　　"ThenImustgo。"Shejumpedtoherfeet，andfacedaboutforaglimpseofherselfinthelittleglassonthemantel，andputherhandonthelargepinkrosesmassedatherwaist。Oneheavybuddroppedfromitsstemtothefloor，where，whileshestood，theedgeofherskirtpulledandpushedit。Shemovedalittleasidetopeeroverataphotograph。
　　Jeffstoopedandpickeduptheflower，whichheofferedher。
　　"Youdroppedit，"hesaid，bowingoverit。
　　"DidI？"Shelookedatitwithaneffectofsurpriseanddoubt。
　　"Ithoughtso，butifyoudon’t，Ishallkeepit。"
　　Thegirlremovedhercarelesseyesfromit。"Whentheybreakoffsoshort，theywon’tgoback。"
　　"IfIwerearose，Ishouldwanttogoback，"saidJeff。
　　Shestoppedinoneofhermanyaversionsandreversions，andlookedathimsteadilyacrosshershoulder。"Youwon’thavetokeepapoet，Mr。
　　Durgin。"
　　"Thankyou。Ialwaysexpectedtowritethecircularsmyself。I’llsendyouone。"
　　"Do。"
　　"Withthisrosepressedbetweentheleaves，soyou’llknow。"
　　"Thatwould，beverypretty。ButyoumusttakemetoMrs。Bevidge，now，ifyoucan。"
　　"IguessIcan，"saidJeff；andinaminuteortwotheystoodbeforethematronizinghostess，afterapassagethroughthebabblingandlaughinggroupsthatlookedasimpossibleaftertheyhadmadeitasitlookedbefore。
　　Mrs。Bevidgegavethegirl’shandapressuredistinctfromtheofficialtouchofparting，andcontrivedtosay，forherhearingalone："Thankyousomuch，Bessie。You’vedonemissionarywork。"
　　"Ishouldn’tcallitthat。"
　　"Itwilldoforyoutosayso！Hewasn’treallysobad，then？Thankyouagain，dear！"
　　Jeffhadwaitedhisturn。Butnow，afterthegirlhadturnedaway，asifshehadforgottenhim，hiseyesfollowedher，andhedidnotknowthatMrs。Bevidgewasspeakingtohim。MissLyndehadslimlylostherselfinthemass，tillshewasonlyagracefultiltofhat，beforesheturnedwithadistraughtair。WhenhereyesmetJeff’stheylightedupwithalookthatcomesintothefacewhenonerememberswhatonehasbeentryingtothinkof。Shegavehimabrilliantsmilethatseemedtoilluminehimfromheadtofoot，andbeforeitwasquenchedhefeltasifshehadkissedherhandtohimfromherrichmouth。
　　ThenheheardMrs。Bevidgeaskingsomethingaboutahall，andhewasawareofherbendinguponhimalookofthedaringhumanitythathadcarriedhertriumphantlythroughhergoodworksattheNorthEnd。
　　"Oh，I’mnotintheYard，"saidJeff，withbelatedintelligence。
　　"ThenwilljustCambridgereachyou？"
　　Hegavehisnumberandstreet，andshethankedhimwiththebenevolencethatavailedsomuchwiththelowerclasses。Hewentawaythrillingandtingling，withthatgirl’stonesinhisear，hermotionsinhisnerves，andthecolorsofherfacefillinghissight，whichheprintedontheairwheneverheturned，asonedoeswithavividlightafterlookingatit。
　　XXIX
　　WhenJeffreachedhisroomhefelttheneedofwritingtoCynthia，withwhateverobscureintentionofatonement。Hetoldherofthecollegeteahehadjustcomefrom，andmadefunofit，andthekindofpeoplehehadmet，especiallytheaffectedgirlwhohadtriedtorattlehim；hesaidheguessedshedidnotthinkshehadrattledhimagreatdeal。
　　WhilehewrotehekeptthinkinghowthisMissLyndewasnearerhisearlyidealoffashion，ofhighlife，whichWestoverhadprettywellsnubbedoutofhim，thananywomanhehadseenyet；sheseemedagirlwhowoulddowhatshepleased，andwouldnotbeafraidifitdidnotpleaseotherpeople。Helikedherhavingtriedtorattlehim，andhesmiledtohimselfinrecallingherfailure。Itwasasifshehadlaidholdofhimwithherlittlehandstoshakehim，andhadshakenherself。Helaughedoutinthedarkwhenthisimagecameintohismind；itsintimacyflatteredhim；andhebelievedthatitwasuponsomehintfromherthatMrs。Bevidgehadaskedhisaddress。Shemustbegoingtoaskhimtoherhouse，andverysoon，foritwaspartofJeff’smeagresocialexperiencethatthiswasthewayswellsdid；theymightneveraskyoutwice，buttheywouldaskyoupromptly。
　　ThethingthatMrs。BevidgeaskedJeffto，whenhernotereachedhimtheseconddayafterthetea，wasameetingtointerestyoungpeopleintheworkattheNorthEnd，andJeffsworeunderhisbreathatthedisappointmentandindignityputuponhim。Hehadreckoneduponanafternoontea，atleast，oreven，intheflightsoffancywhichhenowdisownedtohimself，adanceaftertheMid—Years，orpossiblyanearlierreceptionofsomesort。Heburnedwithshametothinkofatheatre—
　　party，whichhehadfondlyspecialized，withaseatnextMissLynde。
　　HetoreMrs。Bevidge’snotetopieces，anddecidednottoansweritatall，asthebestwayofshowinghowhehadtakenherinvitation。ButMrs。Bevidge’sbenevolencewasnotwantingincourage；shebelievedthatJeffshouldpayhisfootinginsociety，suchasitwas，andshouldallowhimselftobemadeuseof，thefirstthing；whenshehadnoreplyfromhim，shewrotehimagain，askinghimtoanadjournedmeetingofthefirstconvocation，whichhadbeensosuccessfulineverythingbutnumbers。
　　Thistimeshebaitedherhook，inhopingthattheyoungmenwouldfeelsomethingoftheinteresttheyoungladieshadalreadyshowninthematter。SheexpressedthefearthatMr。Durginhadnotgotherearlierletter，andshesentthissecondtothecareofthemanwhohadgiventhetea。
　　Jeff’sresentmentwasnowsofarpastthathewouldhavecivillydeclinedtogotothewoman’shouse；butallhishopesofseeingthatgirl，ashealwayscalledMissLyndeinhisthought，wererevivedbythementionoftheyoungladiesinterestedinthecause。Heaccepted，thoughallthewayintoBostonhelaidwagerswithhimselfthatshewouldnotbethere；
　　anduptothemomentoftakingherhandherefusedhimselfanyhopeofwinning。
　　Therewasnotmuchbusinessbeforethemeeting；thathadreallybeenalltransactedbefore；itwasmainlytomakesureoftheyoungmen，whowerepresentintheproportionofonetofiveyoungladiesatleast。Mrs。
　　Bevidgeexplainedthatshehadseenthewastefulnessofamateureffortamongthepoor，andannouncedthathereaftershewasgoingtoworkwiththeestablishedcharities。Thesewereverymuchinwantofvisitors，especiallyyoungmen，togoaboutamongtheapplicantsforrelief，andinquireintotheirrealnecessities，andgetworkforthem。Shewashersselfgoingtoactassecretaryforthemeetingsduringthecomingmonth，andapparentlyshewishedtosignalizeheraccessiontotheregularforcesofcharitybybringingintocampaslargeabodyofrecruitsasshecould。
　　ButJeffhadnotcometobemadeuseof，orasajaywhowaswillingtoworkforhisfootinginsociety。HehadcomeinthehopeofmeetingMissLynde，andnowthathehadmetherhehadnogratitudetoMrs。Bevidgeasameans，andnoregretforthedefeatofhergoodpurposessofarassheintendedtheirfulfilmentinhim。Hewassocoolandself—possessedinexcusinghimself，forreasonsthathetooknopainstomakeseemunselfish，thatthealtruisticmanwhohadgothimaskedtothecollegeteaasafriendlessjayfeltitlaiduponhimtoapologizeforMrs。
　　Bevidge’swantoftact。
　　"Shemeanswell，andshe’sverymuchinearnest，inthiswork；butImustsayshecanmakeherselfveryoffensive——whenshedoesn’ttry！Shehasarighttoaskourhelp，butnottoparadeusasthecaptivesofherbowandspear。"
　　"Oh，that’sallright，"saidJeff。HeperceivedthattheamiablefellowwasclaimingforallaneffectthatJeffknewreallyimplicatedhimselfalone。"Icouldn’tloadupwithanythingofthatsort，ifI’mtoworkoffmyconditions，youknow。"
　　"Areyouinthatboat？"saidthealtruist，asifhewere，too；andheputhishandcompassionatelyonJeff’sironshoulder，andlefthimtoMissLynde，whosesidehehadnotstirredfromsincehehadfoundher。
　　"Itseemstome，"shesaid，"thatwheretherearesomanyofyouinthesameboat，youmightmanagetogetashoresomehow。"
　　"Yes，orallgodowntogether。"Jefflaughed，andateMrs。Bevidge’sbread—and—butter，anddrankhertea，witharelishunaffectedbyhisrefusaltodowhatsheaskedhim。Hewasright，perhaps，andperhapsshedeservednothingbetterathishands，butthealtruist，whenheglancedathimfromtheothersideoftheroom，thoughtthathehadpossiblywastedhisexcusesuponJeff’sself—complacence。
　　Hewentawayinahaloofyoungladies；severaloftheothergirlsgroupedthemselvesintheirdeparture；andithappenedthatMissLyndeandJefftookleavetogether。Mrs。Bevidgesaidtoher，withthecaressingtendernessofoneinthesameset，"Good—bye，dear！"ToJeffshesaid，withthecoldconscienceofthosewhomtheirnobilityobliges，"IamalwaysathomeonThursdays，Mr。Durgin。"
　　"Oh，thankyou，"saidJeff。Heunderstoodwhatthewordsandthemannermeanttogether，butbothwereinstantlyindifferenttohimwhenhegotoutsideandfoundthatMissLyndewasnotdriving。Something，whichwasneitherlook，norsmile，norword，ofcourse，butnothingmoreatmostthanacertainpullandtiltoftheshoulder，assheturnedtowalkawayfromMrs。Bevidge’sdoor，toldhimfromherthathemightwalkhomewithherifhewouldnotseemtodoso。
　　Itwasoneofthepinkevenings，dryandclear，thatcomeintheBostonDecember，andtheywalkeddownthesidehillstreet，underthedelicatetraceryoftheelmboughsinthefaceofthemetallicsunset。InthesectionoftheCharlesthattheperspectiveofthestreetblockedout，thewrinkledcurrentshowedasifglazedwiththehardcolor。Jeff’sstrongframerejoicedinthecoldwithahalepleasurewhenhelookedroundintothefaceofthegirlbesidehim，withthegrayfilmofherveilpressedsoftlyagainstherredmouthbyherswiftadvance。Theirfaceswerenearlyonalevel，astheylookedintoeachother’seyes，andhekeptseeingtheplayoftheveil’sedgeagainstherlipsastheytalked。
　　"Whysha’n’tyougotoMrs。Bevidge’sThursdays？"sheasked。"They’reverynice。"
　　HowdoyouknowI’mnotgoing？"heretorted。
　　"Bythewayyouthankedher。"
　　"Doyouadvisemetogo？"
　　"Ihaven’tgotanythingtodowithit。Whatdomeanbythat？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Curiosity，Isuppose。"
　　"Well，Idoadviseyoutogo，"saidthegirl。ShallyoubetherenextThursday？"
　　"I？InevergotoMrs。Bevidge’sThursdays！"
　　"Touche，"saidJeff，andtheybothlaughed。"Canyoualwaysgetinatanenemythatway？"