ItoccurredtoWestover，andnotforthefirsttime，thatthefrankestthinginJeffDurginwashisdispositiontousehisfriends。ItseemedtohimthatJeffwasalwaysaskingsomethingofhim，anditdidnotchangethefactthatinthiscasehethoughthimaltogetherintheright。
　　HesaidthatifMrs。Durginspoketohimofthematterhewouldnotkeepthelightfromher。Helookedbehindhim，now，forthefirsttime，inrecognitionoftheplacewheretheyhadstopped。"Why，thisisWhitwell’sClearing。"
　　"Didn’tyouknowit？"Jeffasked。"Itchangesagooddealeveryyear，andyouhaven’tbeenhereforawhile，haveyou？"
　　"NotsinceMrs。Marven’spicnic，"saidWestover，andheadded，quickly，toeffacethepainfulassociationwhichhemusthavecalledupbyhisheedlesswords：
　　"Thewoodshavecrowdedbackuponitso。Itcan’tbemorethanhalfitsoldsize。"
　　"No，"Jeffassented。Hestruckhisheelagainstafragmentofthepineboughhehadbeenwhittling，anddroveitintothesoftgroundbesidethelog，andsaid，withoutlookingupfromit："Imetthatwomanatadancelastwinter。Itwasn’therdance，butshewasrunningitasifitwere，justthewayshedidwiththepicnic。Sheseemedtowanttoletbygonesbebygones，andIdancedwithherdaughter。She’sanicegirl。
　　Ithoughtmotherdidwrongaboutthat。"NowhelookedatWestover。
　　"Shecouldn’thelpit，butitwasn’tthethingtodo。Ahotelisapublichouse，andyoucan’tactasifitwasn’t。Ifmotherhadn’tknownhowtokeepahotelsowellinotherways，shemighthaveruinedthehousebynotknowinginathinglikethat。Butwe’vegotsomeofthepeoplewithusthisyearthatusedtocomeherewhenwefirsttookfarm—
　　boarders；motherdon’tknowthatthey’reeversomuchnicer，socially，thanthepeoplethattakethefifty—dollarrooms。"Helaughed，andthenhesaid，seriously："IfIeverhadason，Idon’tbelieveIshouldletmyprideinhimriskdoinghimmischief。Andifyou’veamindtoletherunderstandthatyoubelieveI’msetagainstthelawforgoodandall——"
　　"IguessIshallnotbeyourambassador，sofarasthat。Whydon’tyoutellheryourself？"
　　"Shewon’tbelieveme，"saidJeff，withalaugh。"ShethinksIdon’tknowmymind。AndIdon’tlikethewaywedifferwhenwediffer。Wediffermorethanwemeanto。Idon’tpretendtosayI’malwaysright。
　　Shewasrightaboutthatotherpicnic——theoneIwantedtomakeforMrs。
　　Vostrand。Isuppose，"heended，unexpectedly，"thatyouhearfromthem，nowandthen？"
　　"No，Idon’t。Ihaven’theardfromthemforayear；notsince——YouknewGenevievewasmarried？"
　　"Yes，Iknewthat，"saidJeff，steadily。
　　"Idon’tquitemakeitallout。Mr。Vostrandwasverymuchopposedtoit，Mrs。Vostrandtoldme；buthemusthavegivenwayatlast；andhemusthaveputupthemoney。"Jefflookedpuzzled，andWestoverexplained。"YouknowtheofficersintheItalianarmy——andalltheotherarmiesinEurope，forthatmatter——havetodepositacertainsumwiththegovernmentbeforetheycanmarryandinthecaseofCountGrassi，Mr。Vostrandhadtofurnishthemoney。"
　　Jeffsaid，afteramoment："Well，shecouldn’thelpthat。"
　　"No，thegirlwasn’ttoblame。Idon’tknowthatanyonewastoblame。
　　ButI’mafraidourgirlswouldn’tmarrymanytitlesiftheirfathersdidn’tputupthemoney。"
　　"Well，Idon’tseewhytheyshouldn’tspendtheirmoneythatwayaswellasanyother，"saidJeff，andthisproofofhisimpartialitysuggestedtoWestoverthathewasnotonlyindifferenttothemercenaryinternationalmarriages，whichareascandaltosomanyofourcasuists，buthadquiteoutlivedhispassionforthegirlconcernedinthis。
　　"Atanyrate，"Jeffadded，"Ihaven’tgotanythingtosayagainstit。
　　Mr。Westover，I’vealwayswantedtosayonethingtoyou。ThenIcametoyourroomthatnight，IwantedtocomplainofMrs。Vostrandfornotlettingmeknowabouttheengagement；andIwasn’tmanenoughtoacknowledgethatwhatyousaidwouldaccountfortheirlettingmemakeafoolofmyself。ButIbelieveIamnow，andIwanttosayit。"
　　"I’mgladyoucanseeitinthatway，"saidWestover，"andsinceyoudo，Idon’tmindsayingthatIthinkMrs。Vostrandmighthavebeenalittlefrankerwithyouwithoutbeinglesskind。Shewaskind，butshewasn’tquitefrank。"
　　"Well，it’sallovernow，"saidJeff，andheroseupandbrushedthewhittlingsfromhisknees。"AndIguessit’sjustaswell。"
　　XXI。
　　ThatafternoonWestoversawJeffhelpingCynthiaWhitwellintohisbuckboard，andthen，afterhislivelyhorsehadmadesomepacesofastart，springtotheseatbesideher，andbringittoastand。"CanIdoanythingforyouoveratLovewell，Mr。Westover？"hecalled，andhesmiledtowardthepainter。Thenhelightenedthereinsonthemare’sback；shesquaredherselfforastartinearnest，andflasheddowntheslopinghotelroadtothehighwaybelow，andwaslosttosightintheclumpofwoodstothesouthward。
　　"That’sagoodfriendofyours，Cynthy，"hesaid，leaningtowardthegirlwithasimplecomfortinherproximity。Shewasdressedinapale—pinkcolor，withahatofyetpalerpink；withouthavingagreatdealoffashion，shehadagooddealofstyle。Shelookedbrightandfresh；
　　therewasadashofpinkinhercheeks，whichsuggestedthecolorofthesweetbrier，itspurityandsweetness，andiftherewassomethinginCynthia’scharacterandtemperamentthatsuggesteditsthornstoo，onestillcouldnotdenythatshewaslikethatflower。Shelikedtoshop，andshelikedtorideafteragoodhorse，astheneighborswouldhavesaid；shewasgoingovertoLovewelltobuyanumberofthings，andJeffDurginwasdrivinghertherewiththeswiftmarethatwashispeculiarproperty。Shesmileduponhimwithouttheusualreservationsshecontrivedtoexpressinhersmiles。
　　"Well，Idon’tknowanybodyI’dratherhaveformyfriendthanMr。
　　Westover。"Sheadded："HeactedlikeafriendtheveryfirsttimeIsawhim。"
　　Jefflaughedwithshamelesspleasureinthereminiscenceherwordssuggested。"Well，Ididgetmycome—uppingsthattime。AndIdon’tknowbuthe’sbeenaprettygoodfriendtome，too。I’mnotsurehelikesme；
　　butMr。Westoverisamanthatcouldbeyourfriendifhedidn’tlikeyou。"
　　"Whathaveyoudonetomakehimlikeyou？"askedthegirl。
　　"Nothing！"saidJeff，withashoutoflaughterinhisconviction。
　　"I’vedonealotofthingstomakehimdespisemefromthestart。Butifyoulikeapersonyourself，youwanthimtolikeyouwhetheryoudeserveitornot。"
　　"Idon’tknowasIdo。"
　　"Yousaythatbecauseyoualwaysdeserveit。Youcan’ttellhowitiswithafellowlikeme。Ishouldwantyoutolikeme，Cynthy，whateveryouthoughtofme。"Helookedroundintoherface，butsheturneditaway。
　　Theyhadstruckthelevel，longforthehillcountry，atthefootofthehotelroad，andthemare，thatfoundherselfneithermountingnordescendingasteep，droppedfromthetrotproperforanacclivityintoarapidwalk。
　　"ThismarecanwalklikeaKentuckyhorse，"saidJeff。"IbelieveI
　　couldteachhersingle—foot。"Headded，withalaugh，"IfIknewhow，"
　　andnowCynthialaughedwithhim。
　　"Iwasjustgoingtosaythat。"
　　"Yes，youdon’tlosemanychancestogivemeadig，doyou？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknowasIlookforthem。PerhapsIdon’tneedto。"Thepinewoodsweredeeponeitherside。Theywhisperedinthethin，sweetwind，andgaveouttheirodorinthehigh，westeringsun。Theycoveredwiththeirshadowstheroadthatranvelvetybetweenthem。
　　"Thisisnice，"saidJeff，lettinghimselfrestagainstthebackoftheseat。Hestretchedhisleftarmalongthetop，andpresentlyitdroppedandfoldeditselfaboutthewaistofthegirl。
　　"Youmaytakeyourarmaway，Jeff，"shesaid，quietly。
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseithasnorightthere，foronething！"Shedrewherselfalittleasideandlookedroundathim。"Youwouldn’tputitroundatowngirlifyouwereridingwithher。"
　　"Ishouldn’tberidingwithher：Girlsdon’tgobuggy—ridingintownanymore，"saidJeff，brutally。
　　"ThenIshallknowwhattodothenexttimeyouaskme。"
　　"Oh，they’dgoquickenoughifIaskedthemuphereinthecountry。
　　Etiquettedon’tcountwiththemwhenthey’reonavacation。"
　　"I’mnotonavacation；soitcountswithme。Pleasetakeyourarmaway，"saidCynthia。
　　"Oh，allright。ButIshouldn’tobjecttoyourputtingyourarmaroundme。"
　　"Youwillneverhavethechance。"
　　"Whyareyousohardonme，Cynthy？"askedJeff。"Youdidn’tusedtobeso。"
　　"Peoplechange。"
　　"DoI？"
　　"Notforthebetter。"
　　Jeffwasdumb。Shewaspleasedwithherhit，andlaughed。Butherlaughdidnotencouragehimtoputhisarmroundheragain。Heletthemarewalkon，andlefthertoresumetheconversationatwhateverpointshewould。
　　Shemadenohastetoresumeit。Atlastshesaid，withsufficientapparentremotenessfromthesubjecttheyhaddropped："Jeff，Idon’tknowwhetheryouwantmetotalkaboutit。ButIguessIoughtto，evenifitisn’tmyplaceexactly。Idon’tthinkJackson’sverywell，thissummer。"
　　Jefffacedroundtowardher。"Whatmakesyouthinkheisn’twell？"
　　"He’sweaker。Haven’tyounoticedit？"
　　"Yes，Ihavenoticedthat。He’sworkeddown；that’sall。"
　　"No，thatisn’tall。Butifyoudon’tthinkso——"
　　"Iwanttoknowwhatyouthink，Cynthy，"saidJeff，withtheamorousresentmentallgonefromhisvoice。"Sometimesfolksoutsidenoticethesignsmore——Idon’tmeanthatyou’reanoutsider，asfaraswe’reconcerned——"
　　Sheputbythatpoint。"Father’snoticedit，too；andhe’swithJacksonagooddeal。"
　　"I’lllookafterit。Ifheisn’tsowell，he’sgottohaveadoctor。
　　Thatmedium’sstuffcan’tdohimanygood。Don’tyouthinkheoughttohaveadoctor？"
　　"Ohyes。"
　　"Youdon’tthinkadoctorcandohimmuchgood？"
　　"Heoughttohaveone，"saidthegirl，noncommittally。
　　"Cynthia，I’venoticedthatJacksonwasweak，too；andit’snousepretendingthathe’ssimplyworkeddown。Ibelievehe’swornout。Doyouthinkmother’severnoticedit？"
　　"Idon’tbelieveshehas。"
　　"It’stheonethingIcan’tverywellmakeupmymindtospeaktoherabout。Idon’tknowwhatshewoulddo。"Hedidnotsay，"IfshelostJackson，"butCynthiaknewhemeantthat，andtheywerebothsilent。
　　"Ofcourse，"hewenton，"Iknowthatsheplacesagreatdealofdependenceuponyou，butJackson’shermainstay。He’sagoodman，andhe’sagoodson。IwishI’dalwaysbeenhalfasgood。"
　　Cynthiadidnotprotestagainsthisself—reproachashepossiblyhopedshewould。Shesaid："IthinkJackson’sgotaverygoodmind。Hereadsagreatdeal，andhe’sthoughtagreatdeal，andwhenitcomestotalking，Ineverheardanyoneexpressthemselvesbetter。Theothernight，wewereoutlookingatthestars——Icamepartofthewayhomewithhim；Ididn’tliketolethimgoalone，heseemedsofeebleandhegottoshowingmeMars。Hethinksit’sinhabited，andhe’sreadallthattheastronomerssayaboutit，andtheseasandthecanalsthatthey’vefoundonit。Hespokeverybeautifullyabouttheotherlife，andthenhespokeaboutdeath。"Cynthia’svoicebroke，andshepulledherhandkerchiefoutofherbelt，andputittohereyes。Jeff’sheartmeltedinhimatthesight；hefeltatenderaffectionforher，veryunlikethegrosscontenthehadenjoyedinherpresencebefore，andheputhisarmroundheragain，butthistimealmostunconsciously，anddrewhertowardhim。Shedidnotrepelhim；sheevenallowedherheadtorestamomentonhisshoulder；thoughshequicklyliftedit，anddrewherselfaway，notresentfully，itseemed，butforhergreaterfreedomintalking。
　　"Idon’tbelievehe’sgoingtodie，"Jeffsaid，consolingly，moreasifitwereherbrotherthanhisthathemeant。"Buthe’saverysickman，andhe’sgottoknockoffandgosomewhere。Itwon’tdoforhimtopassanotherwinterhere。HemustgotoCalifornia，orColorado；they’dbegladtohavehimthere，eitherofthem；orhecangotoFlorida，orovertoItaly。Itwon’tmatterhowlonghestays——"
　　"Whatareyoutalkingabout，JeffDurgin？"Cynthiademanded，severely。"
　　Whatwouldyourmotherdo？Whatwouldshedothiswinter？"
　　"Thatbringsmetosomething，Cynthia，"saidJeff，"andIdon’twantyoutosayanythingtillI’vegotthrough。IguessIcouldhelpmotherruntheplaceaswellasJackson，andIcouldstayherenextwinter。"
　　"You？"
　　"Now，youletmetalk！Mymind’smadeupaboutonething：I’mnotgoingtobealawyer。Idon’twanttogobacktoHarvard。I’mgoingtokeepahotel，and，ifIdon’tkeeponehereatLion’sHead，I’mgoingtokeepitsomewhereelse。"
　　"Haveyoutoldyourmother？"
　　"Notyet：Iwantedtohearwhatyouwouldsayfirst。"
　　"I？Oh，Ihaven’tgotanythingtodowithit，"saidCynthia。
　　"Yes，youhave！You’vegoteverythingtodowithit，ifyou’llsayonethingfirst。Cynthia，youknowhowIfeelaboutyou。It’sbeensoeversincewewereboyandgirlhere。Iwantyoutopromisetomarryme。
　　Willyou？"
　　Thegirlseemedneithersurprisednorverygreatlypleased；perhapsherpleasurehadspentitselfinthatmomentoftriumphantexpectationwhensheforesawwhatwascoming，orperhapsshewaspreoccupiedinclearingthewayinherownmindtoadefiniteresult。
　　"Whatdoyousay，Cynthia？"Jeffpursued，withmoreinjurythanmisgivinginhisvoiceatherdelayinanswering。"Don’tyou—careforme？"
　　"Ohyes，IpresumeI’vealwaysdonethat——eversincewewereboyandgirl，asyousay。But————"
　　"Well？"saidJeff，patiently，butnotinsecurely。
　　"Haveyou？"
　　"HaveIwhat？"
　　"Alwayscaredforme。"
　　Hecouldnotfindhisvoicequiteaspromptlyasbefore。Heclearedhisthroatbeforeheasked："HasMr。Westoverbeensayinganythingaboutme？"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，exactly；butIpresumeyoudo。"
　　"Well，then——Ialwaysexpectedtotellyou——Ididhaveafancyforthatgirl，forMissVostrand，andItoldherso。It’slikesomethingthatneverhappened。Shewouldn’thaveme。That’sall。"
　　"Andyouexpectmetotakewhatshewouldn’thave？"
　　"Ifyouliketocallitthat。ButIshouldcallittakingamanthathadbeenoutofhisheadforawhile，andhadcometohissensesagain。"
　　"Idon’tknowasIshouldeverfeelsafewithamanthathadbeenoutofhisheadonce。"
　　"Youwouldn’tfindmanymenthathadn’t，"saidJeff，withalaughthatwasratherscornfulofherignorance。
　　"No，Ipresumenot，"shesighed。"Shewasbeautiful，andIbelieveshewasgood，too。Shewasverynice。PerhapsIfeelstrangelyaboutit。
　　But，ifshehadn’tbeensonice，Ishouldn’thavebeensowillingthatyoushouldhavecaredforher。"
　　"IsupposeIdon’tunderstand，"saidJeff，"butIknowIwashardhit。
　　What’stheuse？It’sover。She’smarried。Ican’tgobackandunliveitall。Butifyouwanttimetothink——ofcourseyoudo——I’vetakentimeenough——"
　　Hewasabouttoliftthereinsonthemare’sbackasasigntoherthatthetalkwasoverforthepresent，andtoquickenherpace，whenCynthiaputoutherhandandlaiditonhis，andsaidwithacertaineffectofauthority："Ishouldn’twantyoushouldgiveupyourlastyearinHarvard。"
　　"Justasyousay，Cynthy；"andintokenofintelligencehewoundhisarmroundherneckandkissedher。Itwasnotthefirstkissbyanymeans；
　　inthecountrykissesarenotcountedveryserious，oratallbinding，andCynthiawasacountrygirl；buttheybothfeltthatthiskisssealedasolemntrothbetweenthem，andthatacommonlifebeganforthemwithit。
　　XXII。
　　Cynthiacamebackintimetogointothedining—roomandseethatallwasinorderthereforsupperbeforethedooropened。Thewaitressesknewthatshehadbeenoutriding，astheycalledit，withJeffDurgin；thefacthadspreadelectricallytothemwheretheysatinashadyangleofthehotellisteningtoonewhoreadanovelaloud，andskippedallbutthemostexcitingloveparts。TheyconjecturedthatthepairhadgonetoLovewell，buttheyknewnothingmore，andthesubtlestofthemwouldnothavefoundreasonforfurtherconjectureinCynthia’sbehavior，whenshecameinandscannedthetablesandthegirls’dressesandhair，wheretheystoodrangedagainstthewall。Shewasneitherwhiternorredderthanusual，andhernervesandhertoneswereunderasgoodcontrolasagirl’severareaftershehasbeenoutridingwithafellow。Itwasnotsuchagreatthing，anyway，toridewithJeffDurgin。Firstandlast，nearlyalltheyoungladyboardershadbeenoutwithhim，upononeerrandoranothertoLovewell。
　　Aftersupper，whenthegirlshadgoneovertotheirroomsinthehelps’
　　quarters，andtheguestshadgatheredinthewide，lowoffice，inthelightofthefirekindledonthehearthtobreaktheeveningchill，JeffjoinedCynthiainherinspectionofthedining—room。Shealwaysgaveitalastlook，toseethatitwasinperfectorderforbreakfast，beforeshewenthomeforthenight。Jeffwenthomewithher；hewasimpatientofherduties，buthewasinnohurrywhentheystoleoutofthesidedoortogetherunderthestars，andbegantostraysidelongdownthehilloverthedewlessgrass。
　　Helingeredmoreandmoreastheydrewnearherfather’shouse，intheabandonofaman’slove。Hewishedtogivehimselfsolelyuptoit，tothinkandtotalkofnothingelse，afteraman’sfashion。Butawoman’sloveisnosuchmeredelight。Itisserious，practical。Forheritisallfuture，andshecannotgiveherselfwhollyuptoanypresentmomentofit，asamandoes。
　　"Now，Jeff，"shesaid，afteracertainnumberofpartings，inwhichshehadapparentlykepthisdutyclearlyinmind，"youhadbettergohomeandtellyourmother。"
　　"Oh，there’stimeenoughforthat，"hebegan。
　　"Iwantyoutotellherrightaway，ortherewon’tbeanythingtotell。"
　　"Isthatso？"hejokedback。"Well，ifImust，Imust，Isuppose。ButI
　　didn’tthinkyou’dtakethewhip—handsosoon，Cynthia。"
　　"Oh，Idon’teverwanttotakethewhip—handwithyou，Jeff。Don’tmakeme！"
　　"Well，Iwon’t，then。Butwhatareyouinsuchahurrytohavemotherknowfor？She’snotgoingtoobject。Andifshedoes——"
　　"Itisn’tthat，"saidthegirl，quickly。"IfIhadtogoroundasingledaywithyourmotherhidingthisfromher，Ishouldbegintohateyou。
　　Icouldn’tbeartheconcealment。IshalltellfatherassoonasIgoin。"
　　"Oh，yourfather’llbeallright，ofcourse。"
　　"Yes，he’llbeallright，butifhewouldn’t，andIknewit，Ishouldhavetotellhim，allthesame。Now，good—night。Well，there，then；
　　andthere！Now，letmego！"
　　Shepausedforamomentinherownroom，tosmoothhertumbledhair，andtrytoidentifyherselfinherglass。Thenshewentintothesitting—
　　room，whereshefoundherfatherpulleduptothetable，withhishaton，andporingoverasheetofhieroglyphics，whichrepresentedtheusualeveningwithplanchette。
　　"HaveyoubeentohelpJacksonup？"sheasked。
　　"Well，Iwantedto，buthewouldn’thearofit。He’sfeelin’eversomuchbetterto—night，andhewantedtogoalone。Ijustcomein。"
　　"Yes，you’vegotyourhatonyet。"
　　Whitwellputhishandupandfoundthathisdaughterwasright。Helaughed，andsaid："IguessImust’a’forgotit。We’vehadthemostinterestin’seasonwithplantchettethatIguesswe’veabouteverhad。
　　She’ssaidsomethinghere——"
　　"Well，nevermind；I’vegotsomethingmoreimportanttosaythanplantchettehas，"saidCynthia，andshepulledthesheetawayfromunderherfather’seyes。
　　Thismadehimlookupather。"Why，what’shappened？"
　　"Nothing。JeffDurginhasaskedmetomarryhim。"
　　"Hehas！"TheNewEnglandtrainingisnotsuchastofitpeoplefortheexpressionofstrongemotion，andthebestthatWhitwellfoundhimselfabletodoinviewofthefactwastopuckerhismouthforawhistlewhichdidnotcome。
　　"Yes——thisafternoon，"saidCynthia，lifelessly。Thetensionofhernervesrelaxedinalanguorwhichwasevidenteventoherfather，thoughhiseyesstillwanderedtothesheetshehadtakenfromhim。
　　"Well，youdon’tseemoverandaboveexcitedaboutit。Did——didyour——
　　Whatdidyousay——"
　　"HowshouldIknowwhatIsaid？Whatdoyouthinkofit，father？"
　　"Idon’tknowasIevergivethesubjectmuchattention，"saidthephilosopher。"Ialwaysmeanttotakeitoutofhim，somehow，ifhegottoplayin’thefool。"
　　"ThenyouwantedIshouldaccepthim？"
　　"Whatdifference’ditmakewhatIwanted？Thatwhatyoudone？"
　　"Yes，I’veacceptedhim，"saidthegirl，withasigh。"IguessI’vealwaysexpectedto。"
　　"Well，Ithoughtlikelyitwouldcometothat，myself。AllIcansay，Cynthy，is’the’saluckyfeller。"
　　Whitwellleanedback，bracinghiskneesagainstthetable，whichwasoneofhisphilosophicposes。"IhavesometimesbelievedthatJeffDurginwasgoin’toturnoutablackguard。He’sgotitinhim。He’saslikehisgran’fatherastwopeas，andhewasanolddevil。Butyougottoaccountinalltheseherehereditycasesforcounteractin’influences。
　　TheDurginsareasgoodaswheat，rightalong，allof’em；andIguessMis’Durgin’smothermusthavebeenaprettygoodwomantoo。Mis’
　　Durgin’sallright，too，ifshehasgotawillofherown。"Whitwellreturnedfromhisscientificinquirytoask："How’llshetakeit？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidCynthia，dreamily，butwithoutapparentmisgiving。
　　"That’sJeff’slookout。"
　　"So’tis。Iguessshewon’tmakemuchfuss。Awomanneverlikestoseehersongetmarried；butyou’vebeenakindofdaughtertohersolong。
　　Well，Iguessthatpartofit’llbeallright。Jackson，"saidWhitwell，inatoneofrelief，asifturningfromanirrelevantmattertosomethingofrealimportance，"wasdownhereto—nighttryin’toringupsomethemspiritsfromtheplanetMars。Martians，hecalls’em。Hismind’sgottorunnin’agooddealonMarslately。Iguessit’sthisappositionthattheytalkaboutthatdoesit。Marscomin’somuchnearertheearthbyamillionofmilesorso，itstandstoreasonthatheshouldbemoreinfluencedbythemindsonit。Iguessit’sacaseo’thattelepathythatMr。Westovertellsabout。IjudgethatifhekeptatitbeforeMarsgitsofftoofaragainhemightmakesomethingoutofit。Icouldn’tseemtofindmuchsenseinwhatplantchettedoneto—night；wecouldn’teitherofus；butshehasherspellswhenyoucan’tmakeheadortailofher。Butmebbeshe’sjustleadin’uptosomething，thewayshedidaboutthatbrokenshaftwhenJeffcomehome。Weha’n’tevermadeoutexactlywhatshemeantbythatyet。"
　　Whitwellpaused，andCynthiaseizedtheadvantageofhisgettingroundtoJeffagain。"HewantedtogiveupgoingtoHarvardthislastyear，butI
　　wouldn’tlethim。"
　　"Jeffdid？"askedherfather。"Well，youdoneagoodthingthattime，anyway，Cynthy。Hismother’dnevergetoverit。"
　　"There’ssomethingelseshe’sgottogetover，andIdon’tknowhowsheeverwill。He’sgoingtogiveupthelaw。"
　　"Giveupthelaw！"
　　"Yes。Don’ttease，father！Hesayshe’snevercaredaboutit，andhewantstokeepahotel。IthoughtthatI’doughttotellhimhowwefeltaboutJackson’shavingarestandgoingoffsomewhere；andhewantedtobeginatonce。ButIsaidifheleftoffthelastyearatHarvardI
　　wouldn’thaveanythingtodowithhim。"
　　Whitwellputhishandinhispocketforhisknife，andmechanicallylookeddownforasticktowhittle。Indefaultofany，hescratchedhishead。"Iguessshe’llmakeitwarmforhim。She’shadhermindsetonhisstudyin’lawsolong，’tshewon’tgiveupinahurry。Shecan’tseethatJacksonain’tfittohelpherrunthehotelanymore——tillhe’shadarest，anyway——andIbelieveshethinksherandFrankcouldrunit——andyou。She’llmakeanawfulkick，"saidWhitwell，solemnly。"Ihopeyoudidn’tencouragehim，Cynthy？"
　　"Ishouldencouragehim，"saidthegirl。"He’sgottherighttoshapehisownlife，andnobodyelsehasgottherighttodoit；andIshouldtellhismotherso，ifsheeversaidanythingtomeaboutit。"
　　"Allright，"saidWhitwell。"Isupposeyouknowwhatyou’reabout。"
　　"Ido，father。Jeffwouldmakeagoodlandlord；he’sgotideasaboutahotel，andIcanseethatthey’retherightones。He’sbeenoutintheworld，andhe’skepthiseyesopen。HewillmakeLion’sHeadthebesthotelinthemountains。"
　　"It’sthatalready。"
　　"Hedoesn’tthinkit’shalfasgoodashecanmakeit。"
　　"Itwouldn’tbehalfwhatitisnow，ifitwa’n’tforyouandFrank。"
　　"Iguessheunderstandsthat，"saidCynthia。"Frankwouldbetheclerk。"
　　"Gotitallmappedout！"saidWhitwell，proudly，inhisturn。"Lookoutyoudon’tslipupinyourcalculations。That’sall。"
　　"Iguesswecha’n’tslipup。"