Butthewallswereup，andthestuddinghadalreadygivenskeletonshapetotheinterior。Thefloorswereroughlyboardedover，andthestairwayswereinplace，withprovisionaltreadsrudelylaid。Theyhadnotbeguntolathandplasteryet，buttheclean，freshsmellofthemortarinthewallsminglingwiththepungentfragranceofthepineshavingsneutralisedtheVenetianodourthatdrewinoverthewater。Itwaspleasantlyshadythere，thoughforthematterofthattheheatofthemorninghadallbeenwashedoutoftheatmospherebyatideofeastwindsettinginatnoon，andthethrilling，deliciouscoolofaBostonsummerafternoonbathedeverynerve。
　　TheforemanwentaboutwithMrs。Lapham，showingherwherethedoorsweretobe；butLaphamsoontiredofthis，andhavingfoundapinestickofperfectgrain，heabandonedhimselftothepleasureofwhittlingitinwhatwastobethereception—room，wherehesatlookingoutonthestreetfromwhatwastobethebay—window。Herehewaspresentlyjoinedbyhisgirls，who，afterlocatingtheirownroomonthewatersideabovethemusic—room，hadnomorewishtoenterintodetailsthantheirfather。
　　"Comeandtakeaseatinthebay—window，ladies，"
　　becalledouttothem，astheylookedinathimthroughtheribsofthewall。Hejocoselymaderoomforthemonthetrestleonwhichhesat。
　　Theycamegingerlyandvaguelyforward，asyoungladiesdowhentheywishnottoseemtobegoingtodoathingtheyhavemadeuptheirmindstodo。Whentheyhadtakentheirplacesontheirtrestle，theycouldnothelplaughingwithscorn，openandacceptabletotheirfather；
　　andIrenecurledherchinup，inalittlewayshehad，andsaid，"Howridiculous！"tohersister。
　　"Well，Icantellyouwhat，"saidtheColonel，infondenjoymentoftheiryoungladyishness，"yourmotherwa’n’tashamedtositwithmeonatrestlewhenIcalledherouttolookatthefirstcoatofmypaintthatIevertriedonahouse。"
　　"Yes；we’veheardthatstory，"saidPenelope，witheasysecurityofherfather’slikingwhatshesaid。
　　"Wewerebroughtuponthatstory。"
　　"Well，it’sagoodstory，"saidherfather。
　　Atthatmomentayoungmancamesuddenlyinrange，whobegantolookupatthesignsofbuildingasheapproached。
　　Hedroppedhiseyesincomingabreastofthebay—window，whereLaphamsatwithhisgirls，andthenhisfacelightened，andhetookoffhishatandbowedtoIrene。Sherosemechanicallyfromthetrestle，andherfacelightenedtoo。
　　Shewasaveryprettyfigureofagirl，afterourfashionofgirls，roundandslimandflexible，andherfacewasadmirablyregular。Buthergreatbeauty——anditwasverygreat——wasinhercolouring。
　　Thiswasofaneffectforwhichthereisnowordbutdelicious，asweuseitoffruitorflowers。
　　Shehadredhair，likeherfatherinhisearlierdays，andthetintsofhercheeksandtemplesweresuchassuggestedMay—flowersandapple—blossomsandpeaches。
　　Insteadofthegreythatoftendullsthiscomplexion，hereyeswereofablueatonceintenseandtender，andtheyseemedtoburnonwhattheylookedatwithasoft，lambentflame。ItwaswellunderstoodbyhersisterandmotherthathereyesalwaysexpressedagreatdealmorethanIreneeverthoughtorfelt；butthisisnotsayingthatshewasnotaverysensiblegirlandveryhonest。
　　Theyoungmanfalteredperceptibly，andIrenecamealittleforward，andthentheregushedfromthembothasmilingexchangeofgreeting，ofwhichthesumwasthathesupposedshewasoutoftown，andthatshehadnotknownthathehadgotback。Apauseensued，andflushingagaininheruncertaintyastowhethersheoughtoroughtnottodoit，shesaid，"Myfather，Mr。Corey；andmysister。"
　　Theyoungmantookoffhishatagain，showinghisshapelyhead，withalineofwholesomesunburnceasingwheretherecentlyandcloselyclippedhairbegan。
　　Hewasdressedinafinesummercheck，withabluewhite—
　　dottedneckerchief，andhehadawhitehat，inwhichhelookedverywellwhenheputitbackonhishead。
　　Hiswholedressseemedveryfreshandnew，andinfacthehadcastasidehisTexanhabilimentsonlythedaybefore。
　　"Howdoyoudo，sir？"saidtheColonel，steppingtothewindow，andreachingoutofitthehandwhichtheyoungmanadvancedtotake。"Won’tyoucomein？We’reathomehere。
　　HouseI’mbuilding。"
　　"Oh，indeed？"returnedtheyoungman；andhecamepromptlyupthesteps，andthroughitsribsintothereception—room。
　　"Haveatrestle？"askedtheColonel，whilethegirlsexchangedlittleshocksofterrorandamusementattheeyes。
　　"Thankyou，"saidtheyoungmansimply，andsatdown。
　　"Mrs。Laphamisupstairsinterviewingthecarpenter，butshe’llbedowninaminute。"
　　"Ihopeshe’squitewell，"saidCorey。"Isupposed——I
　　wasafraidshemightbeoutoftown。"
　　"Well，weareofftoNantasketnextweek。Thehousekeptusintownprettylate。"
　　"Itmustbeveryexciting，buildingahouse，"saidCoreytotheeldersister。
　　"Yes，itis，"sheassented，loyallyrefusinginIrene’sinteresttheopportunityofsayinganythingmore。
　　Coreyturnedtothelatter。"Isupposeyou’veallhelpedtoplanit？"
　　"Ohno；thearchitectandmammadidthat。"
　　"Buttheyallowedtherestofustoagree，whenweweregood，"
　　saidPenelope。
　　Coreylookedather，andsawthatshewasshorterthanhersister，andhadadarkcomplexion。
　　"It’sveryexciting，"saidIrene。
　　"Comeup，"saidtheColonel，rising，"andlookroundifyou’dliketo。"
　　"Ishouldliketo，verymuch，"saidtheyoungman。
　　Hehelpedtheyoungladiesovercrevassesofcarpentryandalongnarrowpathsofplanking，onwhichtheyhadmadetheirwayunassistedbefore。Theeldersisterlefttheyoungertoprofitsolelybytheseofficesasmuchaspossible。Shewalkedbetweenthemandherfather，whowentbefore，lecturingoneachapartment，andtakingthecreditofthewholeaffairmoreandmoreashetalkedon。
　　"There！"hesaid，"we’regoingtothrowoutabay—
　　windowhere，soasgetthewaterallthewayupanddown。
　　Thisismygirls’room，"headded，lookingproudlyatthemboth。
　　Itseemedterriblyintimate。Ireneblusheddeeplyandturnedherheadaway。
　　Buttheyoungmantookitall，apparently，assimplyastheirfather。"Whatalovelylookout！"hesaid。
　　TheBackBayspreaditsglassysheetbeforethem，emptybutforafewsmallboatsandalargeschooner，withhersailsclose—furledanddrippinglikesnowfromherspars，whichatugwasrapidlytowingtowardCambridge。
　　Thecarpentryofthatcity，embankedandemboweredinfoliage，sharedthepicturesquenessofCharlestowninthedistance。
　　"Yes，"saidLapham，"Igoinforusingthebestroomsinyourhouseyourself。Ifpeoplecometostaywithyou，theycanputupwiththesecondbest。Thoughwedon’tintendtohaveanysecondbest。Thereain’tgoingtobeanunpleasantroominthewholehouse，fromtoptobottom。"
　　"Oh，Iwishpapawouldn’tbragso！"breathedIrenetohersister，wheretheystood，alittleapart，lookingawaytogether。
　　TheColonelwenton。"No，sir，"heswelledout，"Ihavegoneinformakingaregularjobofit。I’vegotthebestarchitectinBoston，andI’mbuildingahousetosuitmyself。
　　Andifmoneycandoit，guessI’mgoingtobesuited。"
　　"Itseemsverydelightful，"saidCorey，"andveryoriginal。"
　　"Yes，sir。Thatfellowhadn’ttalkedfiveminutesbeforeIsawthatheknewwhathewasabouteverytime。"
　　"Iwishmammawouldcome！"breathedIreneagain。
　　"Ishallcertainlygothroughthefloorifpapasaysanythingmore。"
　　"Theyaremakingagreatmanyveryprettyhousesnowadays，"
　　saidtheyoungman。"It’sverydifferentfromtheold—fashionedbuilding。"
　　"Well，"saidtheColonel，withalargetolerationoftoneandadeepbreaththatexpandedhisamplechest，"wespendmoreonourhousesnowadays。Istartedouttobuildaforty—thousand—dollarhouse。Well，sir！thatfellowhasgotmeinformorethansixtythousandalready，andIdoubtifIgetoutofitmuchunderahundred。
　　Youcan’thaveanicehousefornothing。It’sjustlikeorderingapictureofapainter。Youpayhimenough，andhecanaffordtopaintyouafirst—classpicture；
　　andifyoudon’t，hecan’t。That’sallthereisofit。
　　Why，theytellmethatA。T。StewartgaveoneofthoseFrenchfellowssixtythousanddollarsforalittleseven—by—ninepicturetheotherday。Yes，sir，giveanarchitectmoneyenough，andhe’llgiveyouanicehouseeverytime。"
　　"I’veheardthatthey’resharpatgettingmoneytorealisetheirideas，"assentedtheyoungman，withalaugh。
　　"Well，Ishouldsayso！"exclaimedtheColonel。
　　"Theycometoyouwithanimprovementthatyoucan’tresist。
　　Ithasgoodlooksandcommon—senseandeverythinginitsfavour，andit’slikethrowingmoneyawaytorefuse。
　　Andtheyalwaysmanagetogetyouwhenyourwifeisaround，andthenyou’rehelpless。"
　　TheColonelhimselfsettheexampleoflaughingatthisjoke，andtheyoungmanjoinedhimlessobstreperously。
　　Thegirlsturned，andhesaid，"Idon’tthinkIeversawthisviewtobetteradvantage。ItssurprisinghowwelltheMemorialHallandtheCambridgespiresworkup，overthere。Andthesunsetsmustbemagnificent。"
　　Laphamdidnotwaitforthemtoreply。
　　"Yes，sir，it’saboutthesightliestviewIknowof。
　　IalwaysdidlikethewatersideofBeacon。LongbeforeI
　　ownedpropertyhere，oreverexpectedto，m’wifeandIusedtoridedownthisway，andstopthebuggytogetthisviewoverthewater。WhenpeopletalktomeabouttheHill，Icanunderstand’em。It’ssnug，andit’sold—fashioned，andit’swherethey’vealwayslived。ButwhentheytalkaboutCommonwealthAvenue，Idon’tknowwhattheymean。
　　Itdon’tholdacandletothewatersideofBeacon。
　　You’vegotjustasmuchwindoverthere，andyou’vegotjustasmuchdust，andalltheviewyou’vegotistheviewacrossthestreet。No，sir！whenyoucometotheBackBayatall，givemethewatersideofBeacon。"
　　"Oh，Ithinkyou’requiteright，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"Theviewhereiseverything。"
　　Irenelooked"Iwonderwhatpapaisgoingtosaynext！"
　　athersister，whentheirmother’svoicewasheardoverhead，approachingtheopeninginthefloorwherethestairsweretobe；andshepresentlyappeared，withonesubstantialfootalongwayahead。Shewasfollowedbythecarpenter，withhisrulestickingoutofhisoverallspocket，andshewasstilltalkingtohimaboutsomemeasurementstheyhadbeentaking，whentheyreachedthebottom，sothatIrenehadtosay，"Mamma，Mr。Corey，"beforeMrs。Laphamwasawareofhim。
　　Hecameforwardwithasmuchgraceandspeedastheuncertainfootingwouldallow，andMrs。Laphamgavehimastoutsqueezeofhercomfortablehand。
　　"Why，Mr。Corey！Whendidyougetback？"
　　"Yesterday。IthardlyseemsasifIHADgotback。
　　Ididn’texpecttofindyouinanewhouse。"
　　"Well，youareourfirstcaller。Ipresumeyouwon’texpectIshouldmakeexcusesforthestateyoufinditin。
　　HastheColonelbeendoingthehonours？"
　　"Ohyes。AndI’veseenmoreofyourhousethanIevershallagain，Isuppose。"
　　"Well，Ihopenot，"saidLapham。"There’llbeseveralchancestoseeusintheoldoneyet，beforeweleave。"
　　Heprobablythoughtthisaneat，off—handwayofmakingtheinvitation，forhelookedathiswoman—kindasifhemightexpecttheiradmiration。
　　"Ohyes，indeed！"saidhiswife。"WeshallbeverygladtoseeMr。Corey，anytime。"
　　"Thankyou；Ishallbegladtocome。"
　　HeandtheColonelwentbefore，andhelpedtheladiesdownthedifficultdescent。Ireneseemedlesssure—
　　footedthantheothers；sheclungtotheyoungman’shandanimperceptiblemomentlongerthanneedbe，orelsehedetainedher。Hefoundopportunityofsaying，"It’ssopleasantseeingyouagain，"adding，"allofyou。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidthegirl。"Theymustallbegladtohaveyouathomeagain。"
　　Coreylaughed。
　　"Well，Isupposetheywouldbe，iftheywereathometohaveme。Butthefactis，there’snobodyinthehousebutmyfatherandmyself，andI’monlyonmywaytoBarHarbour。"
　　"Oh！Aretheythere？"
　　"Yes；itseemstobetheonlyplacewheremymothercangetjustthecombinationofseaandmountainairthatshewants。"
　　"WegotoNantasket——it’sconvenientforpapa；andI
　　don’tbelieveweshallgoanywhereelsethissummer，mamma’ssotakenupwithbuilding。Wedonothingbuttalkhouse；andPensaysweeatandsleephouse。
　　Shesaysitwouldbeasortofrelieftogoandliveintentsforawhile。"
　　"Sheseemstohaveagooddealofhumour，"theyoungmanventured，upontheslenderevidence。
　　Theothershadgonetothebackofthehouseamoment，tolookatsomesuggestedchange。IreneandCoreywereleftstandinginthedoorway。Alovelylightofhappinessplayedoverherfaceandetherealiseditsdeliciousbeauty。
　　Shehadsomeadotokeepherselffromsmilingoutright，andtheeffortdeepenedthedimplesinhercheeks；
　　shetrembledalittle，andthependantsshookinthetipsofherprettyears。
　　Theotherscamebackdirectly，andtheyalldescendedthefrontstepstogether。TheColonelwasabouttorenewhisinvitation，buthecaughthiswife’seye，and，withoutbeingabletointerpretitswarningexactly，wasabletoarresthimself，andwentaboutgatheringupthehitching—weight，whiletheyoungmanhandedtheladiesintothephaeton。Thenheliftedhishat，andtheladiesallbowed，andtheLaphamsdroveoff，Irene’sblueribbonsflutteringbackwardfromherhat，asiftheywereherclingingthoughts。
　　"Sothat’syoungCorey，isit？"saidtheColonel，lettingthestatelystepping，tallcoupehorsemakehiswayhomewardatwillwiththebeach—wagon。"Well，heain’tabad—lookingfellow，andhe’sgotagood，fairandsquare，honesteye。ButIdon’tseehowafellowlikethat，that’shadeveryadvantageinthisworld，canhangroundhomeandlethisfathersupporthim。
　　Seemstome，ifIhadhishealthandhiseducation，Ishouldwanttostrikeoutanddosomethingformyself。"
　　Thegirlsonthebackseathadholdofeachother’shands，andtheyexchangedelectricalpressuresatthedifferentpointstheirfathermade。
　　"Ipresume，"saidMrs。Lapham，"thathewasdowninTexaslookingaftersomething"
　　"He’scomebackwithoutfindingit，Iguess。"
　　"Well，ifhisfatherhasthemoneytosupporthim，anddon’tcomplainoftheburden，Idon’tseewhyWEshould。"
　　"Oh，Iknowit’snoneofmybusiness，butIdon’tliketheprinciple。IliketoseeamanACTlikeaman。
　　Idon’tliketoseehimtakencareoflikeayounglady。
　　Now，Isupposethatfellowbelongstotwoorthreeclubs，andhangsaround’emallday，lookin’outthewindow，——I’veseen’em，——insteadoftryin’tohuntupsomethingtodoforanhonestlivin’。"
　　"IfIwasayoungman，"Penelopestruckin，"Iwouldbelongtotwentyclubs，ifIcouldfindthemandIwouldhangaroundthemall，andlookoutthewindowtillIdropped。"
　　"Oh，youwould，wouldyou？"demandedherfather，delightedwithherdefiance，andtwistinghisfatheadaroundoverhisshouldertolookather。"Well，youwouldn’tdoitonmymoney，ifyouwereasonofMINE，younglady。"
　　"Oh，youwaitandsee，"retortedthegirl。
　　Thismadethemalllaugh。ButtheColonelrecurredseriouslytothesubjectthatnight，ashewaswindinguphiswatchpreparatorytoputtingitunderhispillow。
　　"Icouldmakeamanofthatfellow，ifIhadhiminthebusinesswithme。There’sstuffinhim。ButIspokeupthewayIdidbecauseIdidn’tchooseIreneshouldthinkIwouldstandanykindofaloafer’round——Idon’tcarewhoheis，orhowwelleducatedorbroughtup。
　　AndIguess，fromthewayPenspokeup，that’RenesawwhatIwasdrivingat。"
　　Thegirl，apparently，waslessanxiousaboutherfather’sideasandprinciplesthanabouttheimpressionwhichhehadmadeupontheyoungman。Shehadtalkeditoverandoverwithhersisterbeforetheywenttobed，andsheaskedindespair，asshestoodlookingatPenelopebrushingoutherhairbeforetheglass——
　　"Doyousupposehe’llthinkpapaalwaystalksinthatbraggingway？"
　　"He’llberightifhedoes，"answeredhersister。
　　"It’sthewayfatheralwaysdoestalk。Younevernoticeditsomuch，that’sall。AndIguessifhecan’tmakeallowanceforfather’sbragging，he’llbealittletoogood。
　　IenjoyedhearingtheColonelgoon。"
　　"Iknowyoudid，"returnedIreneindistress。
　　Thenshesighed。"Didn’tyouthinkhelookedverynice？"
　　"Who？TheColonel？"Penelopehadcaughtupthehabitofcallingherfathersofromhermother，andsheusedhistitleinallherjocoseandperversemoods。
　　"YouknowverywellIdon’tmeanpapa，"poutedIrene。
　　"Oh！Mr。Corey！Whydidn’tyousayMr。CoreyifyoumeantMr。Corey？IfImeantMr。Corey，IshouldsayMr。Corey。
　　Itisn’tswearing！Corey，Corey，Co————"
　　Hersisterclappedherhandoverhermouth"WillyouHUSH，youwretchedthing？"shewhimpered。"Thewholehousecanhearyou。"
　　"Ohyes，theycanhearmealloverthesquare。
　　Well，Ithinkhelookedwellenoughforaplainyouth，whohadn’ttakenhishairoutofcurl—papersforsometime。"
　　"ItWASclippedprettyclose，"Ireneadmitted；andtheybothlaughedatthedrabeffectofMr。Corey’sskull，astheyrememberedit。"Didyoulikehisnose？"
　　askedIrenetimorously。
　　"Ah，nowyou’reCOMINGtosomething，"saidPenelope。
　　"Idon’tknowwhether，ifIhadsomuchofanose，IshouldwantitallRoman。"
　　"Idon’tseehowyoucanexpecttohaveanosepartonekindandpartanother，"arguedIrene。
　　"Oh，Ido。Lookatmine！"Sheturnedasideherface，soastogetathree—quartersviewofhernoseintheglass，andcrossingherhands，withthebrushinoneofthem，beforeher，regardeditjudicially。"Now，mynosestartedGrecian，butchangeditsmindbeforeitgotoverthebridge，andconcludedtobesnubtherestoftheway。"
　　"You’vegotaveryprettynose，Pen，"saidIrene，joininginthecontemplationofitsreflexintheglass。
　　"Don’tsaythatinhopesofgettingmetocomplimentHIS，Mrs。"——shestopped，andthenaddeddeliberately——"C。！"
　　Irenealsohadherhair—brushinherhand，andnowshesprangathersisterandbeatherverysoftlyontheshoulderwiththeflatofit。"Youmeanthing！"
　　shecried，betweenhershutteeth，blushinghotly。
　　"Well，D。，then，"saidPenelope。"You’venothingtosayagainstD。？ThoughIthinkC。isjustasniceaninitial。"
　　"Oh！"criedtheyounger，forallexpressionofunspeakablethings。
　　"Ithinkhehasverygoodeyes，"admittedPenelope。
　　"Oh，heHAS！Anddidn’tyoulikethewayhissackcoatset？Soclosetohim，andyetfree——kindofpeelingawayatthelapels？"
　　"Yes，Ishouldsayhewasayoungmanofgreatjudgment。
　　Heknowshowtochoosehistailor。"
　　Irenesatdownontheedgeofachair。"Itwassoniceofyou，Pen，tocomein，thatway，aboutclubs。"
　　"Oh，Ididn’tmeananythingbyitexceptopposition，"
　　saidPenelope。"Icouldn’thavefatherswellingonso，withoutsayingsomething。"
　　"Howhedidswell！"sighedIrene。"Wasn’titarelieftohavemammacomedown，evenifshedidseemtobeallstockingatfirst？"
　　Thegirlsbrokeintoawildgiggle，andhidtheirfacesineachother’snecks。"IthoughtISHOULDdie，"
　　saidIrene。
　　"’It’sjustlikeorderingapainting，’"saidPenelope，recallingherfather’stalk，withaneffectofdreamyabsent—mindedness。"’Yougivethepaintermoneyenough，andhecanaffordtopaintyouafirst—classpicture。
　　Giveanarchitectmoneyenough，andhe’llgiveyouafirst—classhouse，everytime。’"
　　"Oh，wasn’titawful！"moanedhersister。"Noonewouldeverhavesupposedthathehadfoughttheveryideaofanarchitectforweeks，beforehegavein。"
　　Penelopewenton。"’IalwaysdidlikethewatersideofBeacon，——longbeforeIownedpropertythere。
　　WhenyoucometotheBackBayatall，givemethewatersideofBeacon。’"
　　"Ow—w—w—w！"shriekedIrene。"DOstop！"
　　Thedooroftheirmother’schamberopenedbelow，andthevoiceoftherealColonelcalled，"Whatareyoudoingupthere，girls？Whydon’tyougotobed？"
　　Thisextortednervousshrieksfrombothofthem。
　　TheColonelheardasoundofscurryingfeet，whiskingdrapery，andslammingdoors。Thenheheardoneofthedoorsopenedagain，andPenelopesaid，"IwasonlyrepeatingsomethingyousaidwhenyoutalkedtoMr。Corey。"
　　"Verywell，now，"answeredtheColonel。"Youpostponetherestofittillto—morrowatbreakfast，andseethatyou’reupintimetoletMEhearit。"
　　V。
　　ATthesamemomentyoungCoreylethimselfinathisowndoorwithhislatch—key，andwenttothelibrary，wherehefoundhisfatherturningthelastleavesofastoryintheRevuedesDeuxMondes。Hewasawhite—moustachedoldgentleman，whohadneverbeenabletoabandonhispince—nezforthesuperiorcomfortofspectacles，evenintheprivacyofhisownlibrary。Heknockedtheglassesoffashissoncameinandlookedupathimwithlazyfondness，rubbingthetworedmarksthattheyalwaysleaveonthesideofthenose。
　　"Tom，"hesaid，"wheredidyougetsuchgoodclothes？"
　　"IstoppedoveradayinNewYork，"repliedtheson，findinghimselfachair。"I’mgladyoulikethem。"
　　"Yes，Ialwaysdolikeyourclothes，Tom，"returnedthefatherthoughtfully，swinginghisglasses，"ButIdon’tseehowyoucanafford’em，Ican’t。"
　　"Well，sir，"saidtheson，whodroppedthe"sir"intohisspeechwithhisfather，nowandthen，inanold—
　　fashionedwaythatwasrathercharming，"yousee，Ihaveanindulgentparent。"
　　"Smoke？"suggestedthefather，pushingtowardhissonaboxofcigarettes，fromwhichhehadtakenone。
　　"No，thankyou，"saidtheson。"I’vedroppedthat。"
　　"Ah，isthatso？"Thefatherbegantofeelaboutonthetableformatches，inthepurblindfashionofelderlymen。
　　Hissonrose，lightedone，andhandedittohim。
　　"Well，——oh，thankyou，Tom！——Ibelievesomestatisticiansprovethatifyouwillgiveupsmokingyoucandressverywellonthemoneyyourtobaccocosts，evenifyouhaven’tgotanindulgentparent。ButI’mtoooldtotry。
　　Though，Iconfess，Ishouldratherliketheclothes。
　　Whomdidyoufindattheclub？"
　　"Therewerealotoffellowsthere，"saidyoungCorey，watchingtheaccomplishedfumigationofhisfatherinanabsentway。
　　"It’sastonishingwhatahardybreedtheyoungclub—menare，"
　　observedhisfather。"Allsummerthrough，inweatherthatsendsthesturdiestfemaleflyingtothesea—shore，youfindtheclubsfilledwithyoungmen，whodon’tseemtomindtheheatintheleast。"
　　"Bostonisn’tabadplace，attheworst，insummer，"
　　saidtheson，decliningtotakeupthematterinitsironicalshape。
　　"Idaresayitisn’t，comparedwithTexas，"returnedthefather，smokingtranquillyon。"ButIdon’tsupposeyoufindmanyofyourfriendsintownoutsideoftheclub。"
　　"No；you’rerequestedtoringatthereardoor，allthewaydownBeaconStreetandupCommonwealthAvenue。
　　It’sratherablankreceptionforthereturningprodigal。"
　　"Ah，theprodigalmusttakehischanceifhecomesbackoutofseason。ButI’mgladtohaveyouback，Tom，evenasitis，andIhopeyou’renotgoingtohurryaway。
　　Youmustgiveyourenergiesarest。"
　　"I’msureyouneverhadtoreproachmewithabnormalactivity，"
　　suggestedtheson，takinghisfather’sjokesingoodpart。
　　"No，Idon’tknowthatIhave，"admittedtheelder。
　　"You’vealwaysshownafairdegreeofmoderation，afterall。
　　Whatdoyouthinkoftakingupnext？ImeanafteryouhaveembracedyourmotherandsistersatMountDesert。
　　Realestate？Itseemstomethatitisabouttimeforyoutoopenoutasareal—estatebroker。Ordidyoueverthinkofmatrimony？"
　　"Well，notjustinthatway，sir，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"Ishouldn’tquiteliketoregarditasacareer，youknow。"
　　"No，no。Iunderstandthat。AndIquiteagreewithyou。
　　ButyouknowI’vealwayscontendedthattheaffectionscouldbemadetocombinepleasureandprofit。Iwouldn’thaveamanmarryformoney，——thatwouldberatherbad，——butIdon’tseewhy，whenitcomestofallinginlove，amanshouldn’tfallinlovewitharichgirlaseasilyasapoorone。Someoftherichgirlsareverynice，andIshouldsaythatthechancesofaquietlifewiththemwererathergreater。They’vealwayshadeverything，andtheywouldn’tbesoambitiousanduneasy。Don’tyouthinkso？"