"Don’tlooklikeIwasmuchatthisgame，doesit？"saidhe。"I
　　wouldn’tpulldownmanypersimmonsoutofthattree。Yourconfoundedman’stoolively；Icouldn’thithimwithashotgun。"
　　Ordehadstoodlikearock，hisfeetplantedtothefloor，whileMurphyhadcircledaroundhimhittingatwill。Ordehitback，butwithoutlanding。NeverthelessMurphy，whenquestionedapart，didnotseemsatisfied。
　　"Theman’spig—iron，"saidhe。"Ipunchedhimplentyhardenough，anditdidn’tseemtojarhdyougetyourtraining，sir？"askedthehandler。
　　"Mytraining？"repeatedOrde，puzzled。"Oh，Isee！Iwasalwaysprettyheavy，andIsupposetheworkontheriverkeepsamaninprettygoodshape。"
　　Gerald’slanguorhadvanished，andaglinthadappearedinhiseyethatwouldhaveremindedOrdeofMissBishop’smostmischievousmoodcouldhehaveseenit。
　　"PutonthegloveswithMurphy，"hesuggested，"willyou？I’dliketoseeyoutwoatit。"
　　"Surely，"agreedOrdegood—naturedly。"I’mnotmuchgoodatit，butI’djustassoontry。"Hewasevidentlynotintheleastafraidtomeetthehandler，thoughasevidentlywithoutmuchconfidenceinhisownskill。
　　"Allright；I’llbewithyouinasecond，"saidGerald，disappearing。Intheanteroomherungabell，andtotheboywholeisurelyanswereditssummonshesaidrapidly：
　　"RunovertotheclubandfindMr。Winslow，Mr。Clark，andwhoeverelseisinthesmokingroom，andtellthemfrommetoconeovertothegymnasium。Tellthemthere’ssomefunon。"
　　Thenhereturnedtothegymnasiumfloor，whereMurphywasansweringOrde’squestionsastotheapparatus。Whilethetwomenwerepullingonthegloves，Geraldmanagedawordapartwiththetrainer。
　　"Canyoudohim，Murph？"hewhispered。
　　"Sure！"saidthehandler。"Themkind’salwaysasslowasdray—
　　horses。Theygetsmuscle—bound。"
　　"Giveittohim，"saidGerald，"butdon’tkilim。"
　　Thegalleryatoneendtherunningtrackhadbyflowhalffilledwithinterestedspectators。
　　"Time！"calledGeraldforroundtwo。
　　ThistimeMurphywentinmoreviciously，aimingandmeasuringhisblowsaccurately。Ordestoodasbefore，ahumouroussmileofself—
　　depreciationonhisface，hittingbackattheelusiveMurphy，butwithoutmucheffect，hisfeetneverstirringintheirtracks。Thehandlerusedhisbesttacticsandlandedalmostatwill，butwithoutapparentdamage。Hegrewugly——finallylosthishead。
　　"Well，ifyewillhaveit！"hemuttered，andaimedwhatwasintendedasaknockoutblow。
　　GeraldutteredahalfcryofwarningashispractisedeyecaughtMurphy’sintention。Theblowlanded。Orde’sheadsnappedback，buttothesurpriseofeveryonethepunchhadnoothereffect，andaquickexchangeofinfightingsentMurphystaggeringbackfromtheencounter。ThesmilehaddisappearedfromOrde’sface，andhiseyehadcalmed。
　　"Lookhere，"hecalledtoGerald，"Idon’tunderstandthisgameverywell。Atschoolweused’taps。’Isamansupposedtohithard？"
　　Geraldhesitated，thenlookedbeyondOrdetothegallery。Toamanitmadefranticandsilentdemonstration。
　　"Ofcourseyouhit，"hereplied。"Youcan’thurtanyonewiththosebiggloves。"
　　Ordeturnedbacktohisantagonist。Thelatteradvancedoncemore，hisbulletheadsunkbetweenhisshoulders，hislittleeyestwinkling。EvidentlyMr。Bishop’sfriendwouldnowtaketheaggressive，andforwardmovementwoulddeliveranextraforcetotheprofessional’sblows。
　　OrdedidnotwaitforMurphy，however。Likeatigerhesprangforward，hittingoutfiercely，firstwithonehandthenwiththeother。Murphygaveground，blocked，ducked，exertedallaringgeneral’sskilleithertostoporavoidtherush。Ordefollowedhiminsistent。Severaltimeshelanded，butalwayswhenMurphywasontheretreat，sotheblowshadnotmuchweight。SeveraltimesMurphyduckedinandplantedanumberofshort—armjabsatcloserange。
　　Theroundendedalmostimmediatelytoastormofapplausefromthegalleries。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofhisbeingmuscle—bound？"GeraldaskedMurphy，asthelatterflunghimselfpantingonthewrestlingmatforhisrest。
　　"He’squickaschainedlightning，"acknowledgedtheothergrudgingly。"ButI’llgethim。Hecan’tkeepthatup；he’llbewindedinhalfaminute。"
　　Ordesatdownonarollofmat。Hissmilehadquitevanished，andheseemedtobeawaitingeagerlythebeginningofthenextround。
　　"Time！"calledGeraldforthethird。
　　Ordeimmediatelysprangathisadversary，repeatingtheheadlongrushwithwhichthepreviousroundhadended。Murphyblocked，ducked，andkeptaway，occasionallydeliveringajoltasopportunityoffered，awaitingthetimewhenOrde’swearinesswouldleavehimattheother’smercy。Thatmomentdidnotcome。Theyoungmanhammeredawaytirelessly，insistently，deliveringahurricaneofhistwo—handedblows，pressingrelentlesslyinasMurphyshiftedandgaveground，hisheadup，hiseyessteady，oblivioustothereturnhammeringthenowdesperatehandleropposedtohim。Twominutespassedwithoutperceptibleslackeninginthisterrificpace。Thegallerywasinanuproar，andsomeofthememberswerepilingdownthestairstothefloor。PerspirationstoodoutalloverMurphy’sbody。Hisblowsfailedoftheireffect，andsomeofOrde’swerelanding。Atlength，bewilderedmorebythecontinuancethantheviolenceoftheattack，hedroppedhisringtacticsandclosedintostraightslugging，blowagainstblow，standup，giveandtake。
　　Ashesawhisopponentstand，Ordeutteredasoundofsatisfaction。
　　Hedroppedslightlyhisrightshoulderbehindhisnextblow。Theglovecrashedstraightasapile—driverthroughMurphy’supraisedhandstohisface，whichitmetwithasmack。Thetrainer，liftedbodilyfromtheground，washurledthroughtheair，tolanddoubledupagainstthesupportsofaparallelbars。Therehelayquitestill，hispalmsup，hisheadsunkforward。
　　Ordestaredathimamomentinastonishment，asthoughexpectinghimtoarise。When，however，heperceivedthatMurphywasinrealityunconscious，hetoreofftheglovesandranforwardtokneelbytheprofessional’sside。
　　"Ididn’tsupposeonepunchlikethatwouldhurthim，"hemutteredtothemencrowdingaround。"Especiallywiththegloves。Doyousupposehe’skilled？"
　　ButalreadyMurphy’sarmsweremakingaimlessmotions，andadeepbreathraisedhischest。
　　"He’sjustknockedout，"reassuredoneofthemen，examiningtheprostratehandlerwithaprofessionalattention。"He’llbeasgoodaseverinfiveminutes。Here，"hecommandedoneofthegymnasiumrubberswhohadappeared，"lendahandherewithsomewater。"
　　Theclubmencrowdedabout，alltalkingatonce。
　　"You’reawonder，myfriend，"saidone。
　　"ByJove，he’shardlybreathingfastafterallthatrushing，"saidasecond。
　　"Soyoudidn’tthinkonepunchlikethatwouldhurthim，"quotedanotherwithgood—naturedsarcasm。
　　"No，"saidOrde，simply。"I’vehitmenthathardbeforewithmybarefist。"
　　"Didtheysurvive？"
　　"Surely。"
　　"Whatkindofarmour—plateswerethey，inheaven’sname？"
　　Ordehadrecoveredhisbalanceandhumour。
　　"Justplainordinaryrivermen，"saidhewithalaugh。
　　"Gentlemen，"struckinGerald，"Iwanttointroduceyoutomyfriend。"Heperformedtheintroductions。ItwasnecessaryforhimtoexplainapartthatOrdewasinrealityhisfriend，anamateur，achancevisitorinthecity。Allinall，theaffairmadequitealittlestir，andwentfartogiveOrdeastandingwiththesesport—
　　lovingyouths。
　　FinallyGeraldandOrdewerepermittedtofinishtheirgymnasiumpractice。Murphyhadrecovered，andcameforward。
　　"Youhaveastrongpunch，sir，andyou’reabornnaturalfighter，sir，"saidhe。"Ifyouhadafewlessonsinboxing，sir，I’dputyouagainstthebest。"
　　Butlater，whentheyoungmenwereresting，eachunderhissheetafterarub—down，thetruesignificanceoftheaffairforOrdecameout。Sincethefight，Gerald’scustomarylassitudeofmannerseemedquitetohavelefthim。Hiseyewasbright，acolourmountedbeneaththepaleoliveofhisskin，thealmosteffeminatebeautyofhiscountenancehadanimated。HelookedacrossatOrdeseveraltimes，hesitated，andatlastdecidedtospeak。
　　"Lookhere，Orde，"saidhe，"Iwanttoconfesssomethingtoyou。
　　Whenyoufirstcameherethreedaysago，Ihadlotsoffunwithmyselfaboutyou。Youknowyourclothesaren’tquitethething，andIthoughtyourmannerwasqueer，andallthat。Iwasacad。Iwanttoapologise。You’reaman，andIlikeyoubetterthananyfellowI’vemetforalongtime。Andifthere’sanytrouble——inthefuture——thatis——oh，hangit，I’monyourside——youknowwhatI
　　mean！"
　　Ordesmiledslowly。
　　"Bishop，"washisunexpectedreply，"you’renotnearsomuchofadandyasyouthinkyouare。"
　　XVIII
　　Affairswentthusforaweek。OrdewasmuchattheBishopresidence，wherehewascordiallyreceivedbythegeneral，wherehegainedanoccasionalhalf—hourwithCarroll，andwherehewasalmostignoredbyMrs。Bishopinhercompleteself—absorption。Indeed，itistobedoubtedwhetherheattainedanyrealindividualitytothatlady，wholookedonalltheworldoutsideherfamilyasusefuloruselesstothechurch。
　　InthecourseofthehappymomentshehadalonewithCarroll，hearrivedatamoreintimateplaneofconversationwithher。HecametoanunderstandingofherunquestioningacceptanceofMrs。Bishop’sattitude。Carrolltrulybelievedthatnonebutherselfcouldperformforhermotherthevariouspettyofficesthatladydemandedfromhernextofkin，andthatherpracticalslaverywasduebyeveryconsiderationoffilialaffection。ToOrde’soccasionaltentativesuggestionthattheservicewasofasortbettersuitedtoapaidcompanionorevenahousemaid，sheansweredquiteseriouslythatitmademothernervoustohaveothersabouther，andthatitwasbettertodothesethingsthantothrowherintoa"spell。"
　　Ordechafedatfirstoverseeinghispreciousopportunitiesthusfilchedfromhim；laterhefrettedbecauseheperceivedthatCarrollwasforced，howeverwillingly，tolaboursbeyondherstrength，toirksomeconfinement，andtothatintimateandwearingcloseassociationwiththeabnormalwhichinthelongrunisboundtodeadenthespirit。Helostsightofhisowngrievanceinthematter。Withperhapssomewhatofexaggerationhecamemightilytodesireforhermoreoftheopenair，bothofbodyandspirit。Oftenwhentrampingbacktohishotelhecommunedsavagelywithhimself，turningtheproblemoverandoverinhisminduntil，likeasnowball，ithadgatheredtoitselfcolossalproportions。
　　Andinhishotelroomhebroodedoverthestateofaffairsuntilhisthoughtstookaverygloomytingeindeed。Tobeginwith，inspiteofhismother’sassurance，hehadnofaithinhisowncause。HisacquaintancewithCarrollwasbutanaffairofmonths，andtheiractualmeetingscomprisedincrediblyfewdays。Ordewasnaturallyhumble—minded。Itdidnotseemconceivabletohimthathecouldwinherwithoutalongcourtship。AndsuperaddedwasthealmostintolerableweightofCarroll’sideasastoherdomesticduties。
　　AlthoughOrdeheldMrs。Bishop’sexactionsinveryslightesteem，andwasmostscepticalinregardtothedisastersthatwouldfollowtheirthwarting，neverthelesshehadtoconfesstohimselfthatallCarroll’straining，life，theverypurityandsweetnessofherdispositionlentthesituationanironrealityforher。Hebecamemuchdiscouraged。
　　Nevertheless，attheverymomentwhenhehadmadeuphismindthatitwouldbeutterlyuselesseventoindulgeinhopeforsomeyearstocome，hespoke。Itcameaboutsuddenly，andentirelywithoutpremeditation。
　　Thetwohadescapedforabreathofairlateintheevening。
　　Followingtheconventions，theymerelystrolledtotheendoftheblockandback，alwayswithinsightofthehouse。FifthAvenuewasgaywithilluminationandtheprancingofhorsesreturninguptownordowntotheWashingtonSquaredistrict。Incontrastthesidestreet，withitsaustererowsofbrownstonehouses，eachwithitsareaandflightofsteps，itsspacedgaslamps，itsdesertedroadway，seemedverystillandquiet。Carrollwasinatiredandpensivemood。Sheheldherheadback，breathingdeeply。
　　It’sonlyalittlestrip，butit’sthestars，"saidshe，lookinguptotheskybetweenthehouses。"They’resoquietandcalmandbig。"
　　SheseemedtoOrdeforthefirsttimelikealittlegirl。Thematurercomplexitieswhichweputonwithyears，withexperience，andwiththeknowledgeoflifehadforthemomentfallenfromher，leavingmerelythesimplesoulofchildhoodgazinginitseternalwonderatthestars。AwaveoftendernessliftedOrdefromhisfeet。Heleanedover，hisbreathcomingquickly。
　　"Carroll！"hesaid。
　　Shelookedupathim，andshrankback。
　　"No，no！Youmustn’t，"shecried。Shedidnotpretendtomisunderstand。Thepreliminariesseemedinsomemysteriousfashiontohavebeensaidlongago。
　　"It’slifeordeathwithme，"hesaid。
　　"Imustnot，"shecried，flutteringlikeabird。"IpromisedmyselflongagothatImustalways，ALWAYStakecareofmother。"
　　"Please，please，dear，"pleadedOrde。Hehadnothingmoretosaythanthis，justthesimpleincoherentsymbolsofpleading；butinsuchcrisesitisratherthesoulthanthetonguethatspeaks。Hishandmethersandclosedaboutit。Itdidnotrespondtohisgrasp，nordiditdrawaway，butlaylimpandwarmandhelplessinhisown。
　　Sheshookherheadslowly。
　　"Don’tyoucareforme，dear？"askedOrdeverygently。
　　"Ihavenorighttotellyouthat，"answeredshe。"Ihavetried，oh，sohard，tokeepyoufromsayingthis，forIknewIhadnorighttohearyou。"
　　Orde’sheartleapedwithawildexultation。
　　"Youdocareforme！"hecried。
　　Theyhadmountedthestepsandstoodjustwithinthevestibule。
　　Ordedrewhertowardhim，butsherepulsedhimgently。
　　"No，"sheshookherhead。"Pleasebeverygoodtome。I’mveryweak。"
　　"Carroll！"criedOrde。"Tellmethatyouloveme！Tellmethatyou’llmarryme！"
　　"ItwouldkillmotherifIshouldleaveher，"shesaidsadly。
　　"Butyoumustmarryme，pleadedOrde。"Wearemadeforeachother。
　　Godmeantusforeachother。"
　　"Itwouldhavetobeafteragreatmanyyears，"shesaiddoubtfully。
　　Shepulledthebell，whichjangledfaintlyinthedepthsofthehouse。
　　"Good—night，"shesaid。"Cometometo—morrow。No，youmustnotcomein。"ShecutshortOrde’sinsistenceandtheeloquencethathadjustfounditslifebyslippinginsidethehalf—opendoorandclosingitafterher。
　　Ordestoodforamomentuncertain；thenturnedawayandwalkedupthestreet，hiseyessoblindedbythegreaterglorythatheallbutrandownaninoffensivepasser—by。
　　Atthehotelhewrotealonglettertohismother。Thefirstpartwasfulloftheexultationofhisdiscovery。Hetoldofhisgoodfortunequiteassomethingjustborn，utterlyforgettinghismother’spredictionsbeforehecameEast。Thenasthefirsteffervescencedied，amoregloomyviewofthesituationcameuppermost。Tohisheatedimaginationthedeadlockseemedcomplete。
　　Carroll’sdevotiontowhatsheconsideredherdutyappearedunbreakable。InthereactionOrdedoubtedwhetherhewouldhaveitotherwise。Andthenhisfightingbloodsurgedbacktohisheart。
　　Alltheeloquence，thearguments，thepleadingsheshouldhavecommandedearlierintheeveninghurriedbelatedtotheirposts。
　　Afterthemanneroftheyoungandimaginativewheninthewhitefireofemotion，hebegandramatisingscenesbetweenCarrollandhimself。
　　Hesawthemplainly。Heheardthesoundofhisownvoiceasherehearsedtheargumentswhichshouldbreakherresolution。A
　　woman’sdutytoherownsoul；herobligationtowardthemanshecouldmakeormarbyherlove；herself—respect；thenecessityofabreaksometime；theadvantageofhavingthecrisisoverwithnowratherthanlater；abeliefintheultimategoodeventoMrs。Bishopofthrowingthatladymoreonherownresources；andsoforthandsoondownalistofargumentsobviousenoughortrivialenough，butallinspiredbythesouloffervour，allennobledbythespiritoftruththatliesbackofthemajorpremisethatawomanshouldcleavetoaman，forsakingallothers。Ordesatbackinhischair，hiseyesvacant，hispenallbutfallingfromhishand。Hedidnotfinishthelettertohismother。Afterawhilehewentupstairstohisownroom。
　　Thefeveroftheargumentcoursedthroughhisveinsallthatlongnight。Overandoveragainherehearseditinwearisomerepetitionuntilithadassumedacertainandalmostinvariableform。Andwhenhehadreachedtheendofhispleadinghebeganitoveragain，untilthedaylightfoundhimwearyandfevered。Hearoseanddressedhimself。Hecouldeatnobreakfast。ByatremendouseffortofthewillherestrainedhimselffromgoingovertoNinthStreetuntilthemiddleofthemorning。
　　Heenteredthedrawing—roomtofindherseatedatthepiano。Hisheartbounded，andforaninstanthestoodstill，summoninghisforcestothestruggleforwhichhehadsopainfullygatheredhisammunition。Shedidnotlookupasheapproacheduntilhestoodalmostathershoulder。Thensheturnedtohimandheldoutbothherhands。
　　"Itisnouse，Jack，"shesaid。"Icareforyoutoomuch。Iwillmarryyouwheneveryousay。"
　　XIX
　　Ordeleftthateveningearly。ThiswasatCarroll’srequest。Shepreferredherselftoinformherfamilyofthenews。
　　"Idon’tknowyethowmotherisgoingtogetalong，"saidshe。
　　"Comebackto—morrowafternoonandseethemall。"
　　ThenextmorningOrde，havingatlastfinishedanddespatchedthelettertohismother，drifteduptheavenueandintotheclub。AshepassedthesmokingroomhecaughtsightofGeraldseatedinanarmchairbythewindow。Heenteredtheroomandtookaseatoppositetheyoungfellow。
　　Geraldheldouthishandsilently，whichtheothertook。
　　"I’mgladtohearit，"saidGeraldatlast。"Veryglad。ItoldyouIwasonyourside。"Hehesitated，thenwentongravely："PoorCarrollishavingahardtime，though。Ithinkit’sworsethansheexpected。It’snoworsethanIexpected。Youaretobeoneofthefamily，soIamgoingtogiveyouapieceofadvice。It’ssomething，naturally，Iwouldn’tspeakofotherwise。ButCarrollismyonlysister，andIwanthertobehappy。Ithinkyouarethemantomakeherso，butIwantyoutoavoidonemistake。Fightitoutrightnow，andnevergivebackthegroundyouwin。"
　　"Ifeelthat，"repliedOrdequietly。
　　"Mothermadefatherresignfromthearmy；andwhilehe’sadearoldboy，he’sneverdoneanythingsince。Sheholdsme——althoughIseethroughher——possiblybecauseI’mweakorindifferent，possiblybecauseIhaveasillyideaIcanmakeabadsituationbetterbyhangingaround。SheisrapidlyturningKendrickintoasullenlittleprig，becausehebelievesimplicitlyallthegrievancesagainsttheworldandtheindividualshepoursouttohim。Yousee，Ihavenoillusionsconcerningmyfamily。OnlyCarrollhasheldtoherfreedomofsoul，becausethat’sthejoyous，free，sweetnatureofher，blessher！Forthefirsttimeshe’spittedherwillagainstmother’s，andit’sabadclash。"
　　"Yourmotherobjected？"askedOrde。
　　Geraldlaughedalittlebitterly。"Itwasverybad，"saidhe。
　　"You’vegrownhorns，hoofs，andatailovernight。There’snothingtoocriminaltohaveescapedyournotice。Ihavebeenforbiddentoconsortwithyou。Sohasthegeneral。Thebattleoflastnighthadtodowithyourcomingtothehouseatall。AsitisnotCarroll’shouse，naturallyshehasnorighttoinsist。"
　　"Ishallnotbepermittedtoseeher？"criedOrde。
　　"Ididnotsaythat。Carrollannouncedthenquiteopenlythatshewouldseeyououtside。Ifancythatwasthecruxofthematter。
　　Don’tyousee？Thewholeaffairshiftedground。Carrollhasoffereddirectdisobedience。Oh，she’sabullylittlefighter！"hefinishedinadmiringaccents。"Youcan’tquiterealisewhatshe’sdoingforyoursake；she’snotonlyfightingmother，butherownheart。"
　　Ordefoundanoteatthehotel，askinghimtobeinWashingtonSquareathalf—pasttwo。
　　Carrollmethimwithabrightsmile。
　　"Thingsaren’tquiterightathome，"shesaid。"Itisagreatshocktopoormotheratfirst，andshefeelsverystrongly。Oh，itisn’tyou，dear；it’sthenotionthatIcancareforanybodybuther。Yousee，she’sbeenusedtotheotherideasolongthatIsupposeitseemedapartoftheuniversetoher。She’llgetusedtoitafteralittle，butittakestime。"
　　Ordeexaminedherfaceanxiously。Twobrightredspotsburnedonhercheeks；hereyesflashedwithanervousanimation，andafaintshadehadsketcheditselfbeneaththem。
　　"Youhadahardtime，"hemurmured，"youpoordear！"
　　Shesmiledupathim。
　　"Wehavetopayforthegoodthingsinlife，don’twe，dear？Andtheyareworthit。Thingswillcomerightafteralittle。Wemustnotbetooimpatient。Now，let’senjoytheday。Theparkisn’tsobad，isit？"
　　Atfiveo’clockOrdetookherbacktoherdoorstep，wherehelefther。
　　Thiswentonforseveraldays。
　　AttheendofthattimeOrdecouldnotconcealfromhimselfthatthestrainwasbeginningtotell。Carroll’sworriedexpressiongrewfromdaytoday，whiletheanimationthatcharacterisedhermannerwhenfreedfromtherestraintbecamemoreandmoreforced。Shewasasthoughdominatedbysomeinnertensity，whichshedarednotrelaxevenforamoment。ToOrde’squestioningssherepliedasevasivelyasshecould，assuringhimalwaysthatmattersweregoingaswellasshehadexpected；thatmotherwasverydifficult；thatOrdemusthavepatience，forthingswouldsurelycomeallright。Shebeggedhimtoremainquiescentuntilshegavehimtheword；andsheimploreditsoearnestlythatOrde，thoughhechafed，wasforcedtoawaittheturnofevents。Everyafternoonshemethim，fromtwotofive。Thesituationgavelittleopportunityforlovers’
　　demonstrations。Sheseemedentirelyabsorbedbytheinnerstressofthestruggleshewasgoingthrough，sothathardlydidsheseemabletofollowcoherentlyevenplansforthefuture。Sheappeared，however，togainamysteriousrefreshmentfromOrde’smereproximity；sograduallyhe，withthatstreakofalmostfeminineintuitionwhichistheespecialgifttolovers，cametothepointofsittingquitesilentwithher，claspingherhandoutofsightofthechancepasser—by。Whenthetimecametoreturn，theyaroseandwalkedbacktoNinthStreet，stillinsilence。Atthedoortheysaidgood—bye。Hekissedherquitesoberly。
　　"IwishIcouldhelp，sweetheart，"saidhe。
　　Sheshookherheadathim。
　　"Youdohelp，"shereplied。
　　FromGeraldattheclub，Ordesoughtmoreintimatenewsofwhatwasgoingon。Forseveraldays，however，theyoungmanabsentedhimselffromhisusualhaunts。ItwasonlyattheendoftheweekthatOrdesucceededinfindinghim。
　　"No，"Geraldansweredhisgreeting，"Ihaven’tbeenaroundmuch。
　　I’vebeenstickingprettyclosehome。"
　　Littlebylittle，Orde’seagerquestionsdrewoutthetruthofthesituation。Mrs。Bishophadshutherselfupinablindandincredibleobstinacy，whenceshesalliedwithfloodsofcomplaints，tears，accusations，despairs，reproaches，vows，hysterics——allthebatteryofthewomanmisunderstood，butinwhichsherefusedtolistentoaconsecutiveconversation。IfCarrollundertooktosayanything，thethirdwordwouldstarthermotheroffintooneofherlongandhystericaltirades。Itwasverywearing，andthereseemedtobenothinggainedfromdaytoday。Herchildhaddisobeyedher。
　　Andasaclimax，shehadassumedtheimpregnablepositionofacompleteprostration，whereinshedemandedtheminutecareofaninvalidinthecrisisofadisorder。Shecouldbearnofaintestrayofillumination，nolightestfootfall。Inahushedtwilightshelay，hereyesswathed，moaningfeeblythatherearlydissolutionatthehandsofingratitudewasimminent。Thussheestablishedadeadlockwhichwaslikelytocontinueindefinitely。ThemerementionofthesubjectnearestCarroll’sheartbroughtthefeeblecomplaint：
　　"Doyouwanttokillme？"
　　TheonlyscrapofvictorytobesnatchedfromthisstrickenfieldwasthefactthatCarrollinsistedongoingtomeetherlovereveryafternoon。Theinvaliddemandedeverymomentofhertime，eitherforpersonalattendanceorinfulfilmentofnumerousandexactingchurchduties。Anattempt，however，toencroachthusontheafternoonhoursmetastonewallofresolutiononCarroll’spart。
　　ThiswasthesituationOrdegatheredfromhistalkwithGerald。
　　Thoughhefrettedunderthetyrannyexacted，hecouldseenothingwhichcouldrelievethesituationsavehisownwithdrawal。Hehadalreadylongover—stayedhisvisit；importantaffairsconnectedwithhisworkdemandedhisattention，hehadthecomfortofCarroll’sloveassured；andthelapseoftimealonecouldbedependedontochangeMrs。Bishop’sattitude，aconsummationonwhichCarrollseemedset。AlthoughOrdefeltallthelivelydissatisfactionnaturaltoanewlyacceptedloverwhohadgainedslightopportunityforfavours，forconfidences，evenforthemakingofplans，neverthelesshecouldseeforthepresentnothingelsetodo。
　　ThemorningafterhehadreachedthisconclusionheagainmetGeraldatthegymnasium。Thatyoungman，whileasimperturbableandlanguidinmovementasever，concealedanexcitement。Heexplainednothinguntilthetwo，afterashowerandrub—down，wereclothingthemselvesleisurelyintheemptycouch—room。
　　"Orde，"saidGeraldsuddenly，"I’mworriedaboutCarroll。"
　　OrdestraightenedhisbackandlookedsteadilyatGerald，butsaidnothing。
　　"Motherhascommencedbotheringheragain。Itwasn’tsobadaslongasshestucktodaytime，butnowshe’stakentoprowlinginadozentimesanight。Iheartheirvoicesforanhourorsoatatime。
　　I’mafraidit’sbeginningtowearonCarrollmorethanyourealise。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidOrdebriefly。
　　ThatafternoonwithCarrollhetooktheaffairfirmlyinhand。
　　"Thisthinghascometothepointwhereitmuststop，"saidhe，"andI’mgoingtostopit。IhavesomerightsinthematterofthehealthandcomfortofthegirlIlove。"
　　"Whatdoyouintendtodo？"askedCarroll，frightened。
　　"Ishallhaveitoutwithyourmother，"repliedOrde。
　　"Youmustn’tdothat，"imploredCarroll。"Itwoulddoabsolutelynogood，andwouldjustresultinaquarrelthatcouldneverbepatchedup。"
　　"Idon’tknowasIcareparticularly，"saidOrde。
　　"ButIdo。Think——sheismymother。"
　　Ordestirreduneasilywithamentalreservationastoselfishness，butsaidnothing。
　　"Andthinkwhatitmeanstoagirltobemarriedandgoawayfromhomefinallywithoutherparent’sconsent。It’sthemostbeautifulandsacredthinginherlife，andshewantsittobeperfect。It’sworthwaitingandfightingalittlefor。Afterall，wearebothyoung，andwehaveknowneachothersuchaveryshorttime。"
　　Soshepleadedwithhim，bringingforwardalltheunanswerableargumentsbuiltbythelongaverageexperienceoftheworld——
　　argumentswhichOrdecouldnotrefute，butwhosefalsitytothesituationhefeltmostkeenly。HecouldnotspecifywithoutbetrayingGerald’sconfidence。Raginginwardly，heconsentedtoafurtherarmistice。
　　Athishotelhefoundatelegram。Hedidnotopenituntilhehadreachedhisownroom。Itwasfromhome，urginghisimmediatereturnfortheacceptanceofsomecontractedwork。
　　"Tohellwiththecontractedwork！"hemutteredsavagely，andcallingabell—boy，sentananswerverymuchtothateffect。Thenheplungedhishandsintohispockets，stretchedouthislegs，andfellintoadeepandgloomymeditation。
　　Hewasinterruptedbyaknockonthedoor。
　　"Comein！"hecalled，withoutturninghishead。
　　Heheardthedooropenandshut。Afteramomenthelookedaround。
　　KendrickBishopstoodwatchinghim。
　　Ordelitthegas。
　　"Hello，Kendrick！"saidhe。"Sitdown。"Theboymadenoreply。
　　Ordelookedathimcuriously，andsawthathewassufferingfromanintenseexcitement。Hisframetrembledconvulsively，hislipswerewhite，hisfacewentredandpalebyturns。Evidentlyhehadsomethingtosay，butcouldnotyettrusthisvoice。Ordesatdownandwaited。
　　"You’vegottoletmymotheralone，"hemanagedtosayfinally。
　　"Ihavedonenothingtoyourmother，Kendrick，"saidOrdekindly。
　　"You’vebroughthertothepointofdeath，"assertedKeudrickviolently。"You’rehoundinghertohergrave。You’returningthoseshelovesbestagainsther。"