Mr.Mayhewattendedchurchwithhisfamilythatmorning——athingthathehadnotdoneforyears——andintheafternoonIdatookhimtoseeherspiritualbirthplace,andtocallonherspiritualfather.ThewelcomethatoldMr.Eltingegave,andthewordshespoke,didmuchtowardsestablishinginthemanwhohadbeensodisheartened,hopethatanewandbetterfuturewasopeningbeforehim.
Whenabouttopartheputhisleftarmaroundhisdaughter,andgivinghishandtoMr.Eltinge,said,withavoicebrokenbyhisfeelings:
\"Iambewilderedyet.Ican\'tunderstandmyhappiness.YesterdayIwasperishinginaboundlessdesert.To-daythedeserthasvanished,andI\'minthissweetoldgarden.Therearenoflowersorfruitsinit,however,thatcancomparewiththeloveandtruthInowseeinthischild\'sface.Iwon\'tspeakoftheserviceyouhaverenderedusboth.It\'sbeyondallwords.\"
Itwasindeedgreaterthanheknew,forIdhadconcludednevertospeakagainofherterriblesecret.Godhadforgivenher,andnothingwastobegainedbyanyreferencetoasubjectthathadbecomeinexpressiblypainful.\"Remember,\"saidthestaunchandfaithfuloldmanastheywereabouttodriveaway,\"nothinggoodlastsunlessbuiltupfromtheAuthorofallgood.Unlessyouactonthistruthyou\'llfindyourselfinthedesertagain,andallyouarenowenjoyingwillseemlikeamirage.\"
PoorMr.Mayhewcouldnotenduretoloseamomentofhisdaughter\'ssociety,forthelongthirstofyearswastobeslaked.Theytookaround-aboutwayhome,andthesummereveningdeepenedintotwilightandduskbeforetheyapproachedthehotel.
\"See,father,thereisthenewmoon,andithangsoveryourrightshoulder,\"criedIda,gleefully.
\"It\'soveryourrightshoulder,too,andthatthoughtpleasesmebetterstill.IwishIcouldmakeyouveryhappy.TellmewhatIcandoforyou.\"
\"TakemetoNewYorkwithyouto-morrow,\"saidIda,promptly.
\"Nowyouaretryingtomakeamartyrofyourselfforme.YouforgethowhotanddustythecityisinAugust.\"
\"I\'mgoingwithyou,\"shesaiddecisively,\"unlessyousayno.\"
\"I\'mgoingtospendpartofthetimewithyouuntilyourvacationbeginsnextmonth,andthenwe\'llexploreeverynookandcornerofthisregion.\"
\"ThereIda,saynomoreto-day.Mycupisoverflowingnow,andthefearisalreadygrowingthatsuchhappinesswon\'tlast——can\'tlastinaworldlikeours.\"
\"Father,\"saidIda,gently,\"I\'vefoundaFriendthathaspromisedmemorethanpresenthappiness.Hehaspromisedmeeternallife.
Heispledgedtomakeallseeminglyevilresultinmyfinalgood.
HowitcanbeIdon\'tseeatall,butI\'mtryingtotakehimathisword.YoumustnotworryifI\'mnotalwaysingoodspirits.I
supposeeveryoneintheworldhasaburdentocarry,butIdon\'tthinkitcancrushusifourSaviourhelpsuscarryit.Myfaithisverysimple,yousee;IfeelI\'mlikeoneofthoselittlechildrenhetookinhisarmsandblessed,andI\'msurehisblessingisnotanemptyform.Ithasmademeloveandtrusthim,andthat\'sallthereligionIhaveorknowanythingabout.Youmustnotexpectgreatthingsofme;youmustnotwatchmetooclosely.Justletmetakemyownquietwayinlife,forIwantmylifehenceforthtobeasquietandunobtrusiveasthelittlebrookthatrunsthroughMr.Eltinge\'sgarden,thatisoftenintheshade,youknow,aswellasinthelight,butMr.Eltingeletsitflowafteritsownfashion;soyoumustletme.I\'llalwaystrytomakealittlelow,sweetmusicforyou,ifnotfortheworld.Sopleasedonotcommencepuzzlingyourpoortiredbrainhowtomakemehappyorgay,orwanttotakemehereandthere.Justleavemetomyself;
letmehavemyownwayforawhileatleast;andifyoucandoanythingformeIpromisetotellyou.\"
EversinceherdrivewithVanBergthepreviousday,therehadbeenadeepundercurrentofthoughtinIda\'smind,andshehadatlastconcludedthatshecouldscarcelykeephersecretwithanycertaintywhileunderhiseyes,andespeciallythoseofMissBurton.Shewastoodirectandpositiveinhernature,andherlovewastoostrongandabsorbingforthecoolandindifferentbearingshewastryingtomaintain.Hereyes,hercheeks,hertones,andevenwords,mightprovetraitorsatanytimeandbetrayher.Shelongedtobealone,andtehlargeemptycityhouseseemedthequietrefugethatsheneeded.Atthesametimeitwouldgiveherdeepsatisfactiontobewithherfatherafterhsreturnfrombusiness,andmakeamendsforyearsofneglect.
Helookedatherwistfully,feeling,inavagueway,thathedidnotunderstandheryet.Therewasaminorchordinhervoice,andtherehadbeenasadnessinhereyesattimeswhichbegantosuggesttohimthathehadnotlearnedallthecausesthatweresomarvellouslytransformingherformheroldself.Hermotherwouldquestionandquestion.He,onthecontrary,wouldwaitpatientlytilltheconfidencewasgiven,andsohemerelysaidgently,\"Allright,littlegirl;I\'lltrytomakeyouhappyinyourownway.\"
VanBerg,goingoutforawalkaftertea,againheardthegirlishvoicesingingthequainthymntunethathadawakenedthememoriesofhischildhoodthepreviousday.Heinstantlyconcealedhimselfbytheroadside,andinamomentortwoIdaandherfatherdroveby.Hewasableinthedusktonoteonlythatherheadrestedonherfather\'sshoulder,andhervoicewassweetandplaintiveasshesangwordsthathecouldnotheardistinctly,butwhichwereasfollows,asfarashecouldcatchthem:
IknownotthewayheisleadingmeButIknowheisleadingmehome;
Thoughlonelythepathanddarktome,Itissafeanditwendstomyhome.
Homeoftheblest,HomethatisrestTothewearypilgrim\'sfeet,tothewearypilgrim\'sheart.
andthenherwordswerelostinthedistance.
Withanimpulsehedidnotthinkofresistinghefollowedthembacktothehotelandwaitedpatientlytillsheandherfathercameoutfromsupper.
\"MissMayhew,\"hesaid,alittlediscontentedly,\"Ihavescarcelyhadachancetosayawordtoyouto-day,anditseemstomethatIhaveagreatdealtosay.\"
Shelookedathimwithsomesurpriseasshereplied,\"Well,IthinkImightatleastbecomeagoodlistener.\"
\"Doyoumeanapatientone?\"
\"Ineverhadanypatience,\"sheanswered,withsomethinglikeasmile.
\"AndIwasneversopossessedbythedemonofimpatienceasIhavebeenthisafternoon.Therehasn\'tbeenasoularoundthatIcaredtotalkwith,andifyouknewhowoutofconceitIamwithmyowncompany,youwouldfeelsomecommiseration.HowIenviedyouyourvisittothegardenthisafternoon,forIfeltsureyoutookyourfatherthither.MayInotgowithyouagainto-morrow,orsoon?I
wishtomakemysketchmoreaccuratebeforebeginningyourpicture.\"
Shehesitatedamoment,andhelittleknowhowhewastemptingher.
Thenshereplied,soquietlyanddecisivelyastoseemalmostcold,\"Mr.Eltinge,I\'msure,willbeverygladtoseeyou,butIshallgotothecitywithmyfatherinthemorningandremainintownalltheweek.\"Shewaspuzzledathisunmistakableexpressionofregretanddisappointment,andadded,hastily,\"Mr.VanBerg,youaretakingfartoomuchtrouble.Iwouldbemoresatisfied——I
wouldbedelightedwithsuchasketchasyoumadeto-day,withtheomissionofmyself.\"
\"Butif,insteadofbeingtrouble,itgavemegreatpleasuretomakethepicturewiththeutmostcare?\"
\"Isuppose,\"shereplied,\"thatyouhaveahighartisticsensethatmustbesatisfied,andthatyouseeimperfectionsthatIcannot.\"
\"Youaretoosevereuponme,MissMayhew,butsinceyouhavesuchgoodreason,Icannotcomplain.Still,injusticetomyself,I
mustsaythatsatisfyingmyartisticsensewasnotmymotive.\"
\"Ididnotmeantobesevere——Idonotmeanwhatyouthink,\"Idabegan,veryeagerly.Thenshecheckedherselfandadded,afteramoment,withaslighttingeofsadnessinhertone,\"Ifearwearefatedtomisunderstandeachother.Good-night,Mr.VanBerg,\"andsheturneddecisivelyawayandjoinedherfatherwhowastalkingwithStanton.
Theartistwasbothhurtandperplexed,andheabruptlyleftthehallandstartedagainonthewalkwhichhadbeensounexpectedlyinterrupted.Hestrodeawaythroughthestarlightwithaswiftnessthatwasscarcelyinharmonywiththewarm,stillsummernight.
Beforehewasawareofithewasamileaway.Stoppingsuddenlyhemuttered:
\"Iwon\'tbesobaffledandpuzzled.IwilllearntounderstandthisIdaMayhewbeforethissummerisover.It\'sridiculousthatIshouldbesodullandstupid.Shesaysshefearsweare\'fatedtomisunderstandeachother.\'Idefysuchablindstupidfate.I
usedtohavesomebrainsandtactbeforeIcametothisplace,andIscarcelythinkI\'vebecomeanidiot.Iamdeterminedtowinthatgirl\'sfriendship,andIintendtofollowhercareerandwatchtherareandbeautifuldevelopmentofhercharacter.Thatonehourinthegardenyesterdaytaughtmewhataninspirationherexquisitebeautycanbeinmyprofession,andsurelywiththevantage-groundI
alreadypossessIoughttohaveskillenoughtowinaplaceamongherfriends,\"andhewalkedbackalmostasquicklyashehadstalkedaway.
Idahadseenhisdepartureandrecognizedthefactthatshehadhurthisfeelings.Itwasstrangethatsolittleathingcoulddepresshersogreatly,forshefeltthatthefirstrealSabbathshehadeverspentandwhichhadbeenintruthaSUN-daytoherthusfar,wasnowendinginshadowsdarkerthanthenight.\"HowweakIam,\"shethought;\"Imustgoawayassoonaspossible,orelseIshallbesorry.ThecompanionshipthathecangivesoeasilyandfranklywhenMissBurtonisnotathandtooccupyhimisimpossibleforme,andwouldonlyendinthebetrayalofasecretthatIwouldhideevenmoreanxiouslythanthecrimeIcouldnotconcealfromhim.Mydutyandmyfathermustbeeverythinghereafter,\"andsheturnedresolutelytohim,saying:
\"Father,takeaseatintheparlorwhileIgoandfindmother.I
wantthesepeopletoseethatyouhaveafamilywhoatleastshowthattheyappreciatealltheluxuriesandcomfortsyouareprovidingforthem.\"
Mr.Mayhewwasmoredeeplygratifiedbyherwordsthanshecouldunderstand,foranyrecognitionofhismanhoodandrightfulpositionwhichwasquietandunobtrusive,wasbalmandhealingtohiswoundedself-respect.Hithertohehadbelievedcorrectlythathisfamilywishedtokeephimoutofsight,andatnotimebeforehadherealizedthechangethathadtakenplaceinIdamorekeenlythanwhenshemadethissimpleandnaturalproposition.Hisgratefulsmileashecompliedwithherrequestdidhergood,butshesoondiscoveredthatinhermothershehadaverydifficultsubjecttomanage.Shefoundthatladyinherroomwearingagloomyandinjuredexpression.
\"YouhavecondescendedatlasttocomeandseewhetherIwasalive,Isee,\"shesaid,asIdaenteredtheroom.
Herdaughterwentdirectlytoherandkissingherreplied,\"Wehaven\'tintendedtoleaveyousolongortoneglectyouintheleast,andI\'llexplain.\"
\"Oh,noneedofexplaining.Excusesalwaysmakemattersworse.
Hereisthefact——I\'vebeenleftalltheafternoontomyself.\"
\"Haveyounoticednootherfactto-day,mother?\"askedIda,gravely.
\"Yes,I\'venoticedthatyouandyourfatherhavebeensowrappedupineachotherthatI\'mnobody,andmightaswellbeMrs.JohnSmithasMrs.Mayhew.\"
\"Pardonme,mother,youareexaggerating,\"saidIda,firmly.
\"Fatherwasverypolitetoyouatbreakfastanddinner,andhewenttochurchwithyouthismorning,andIcanscarcelyrememberwhenhehasdonethisbefore.Iamchieflytoblameforkeepinghimawaysolongthisafternoon,forIwantedhimtoseeandtalkwithmyfriendMr.Eltinge,whohasdonemesomuchgood.Ithoughthemighthelpfathertoo,andItrulybelievehehas.Irepeattoyouagain,inallsincerityandlove,thatwehavenotintendedtoneglectyou,andfathernowwishesyoutocomedownandjoinhimintheparlor,sothatwecan,asafamily,atlastappearasweoughtbeforetheworld.Inthenameofallthatissacred,encouragedearfathernowthatheistryingtobewhatwehavesooftenwished.\"
ButMrs.Mayhew\'spetswerelikespellsofbadweatherandwouldruntheircourse.Sheonlylookedmoregloomyandinjuredthaneverasshereplied:
\"It\'sallverywelltotalk.Mr.Mayhewmustbeencouragedandcoaxedtodowhatanymanoughttodo.Imighthaveenjoyedaridethiseveningaswellasyourfather.\"
\"Yousaiditwastoowarmtogooutafterdinner.\"
\"Well,youmighthavewaitedtillitwasn\'ttoowarm.\"
AsuddenscarletburnedinIda\'scheeks,andtherecameanominoussparkleinhereyes.\"Mother,\"shesaidsoabruptlyandsternlythattheladylookedupwonderingly,andencounteredanexpressioninherdaughter\'sfacethatawakenedanundefinedfear.Intonesthatwerelow,indignant,andauthoritativeIdacontinued:
\"Irequest——Idemandthatyouceasethisnonsenseatonce.AsaChristianwomanyououghttobeonyourkneesthankingGodthatyourhusbandisnotlyingintoxicatedonthatsofa,ashewaslastSundayatthistime.YououghttobethankingGodthatheisbecominghisformerself,andwinningrespectbyactinglikeatruegentleman.Itwasourunutterablefollythatwasdestroyinghim,andIsaythisfollymustandshallcease.Iwillnotpermitmyfather\'ssensitivenaturetobewoundedasithasbeen.Youshallnotspoilthisfirstbrightdayhehashadaftersomanyyears.
Ifyoucareforhimwhydon\'tyoutrytowinhisaffection?andwhoeverheardofaheartbeingwonbywhiningandfault-finding?
Butofthisbesure,youshallnotspoilthisday.Ichargeyouasawifeandaladytoceasethischildishpetulance,andcomedownatonce.\"
\"Oh!\"saidMrs.Mayhew,risingmechanically,\"ifyouaregoingtomakeascene——\"
\"Iamgoingtopreventscenes,\"saidIda,withallheroldtimeimperiousness.\"Iinsistthatweappearinthefuturelikeaquiet,well-bredfamily,andIwarnyouthatIwillpermitmyfathertobetrifledwithnolonger.HeSHALLhaveachance.Wait,letmehelpyoumakeamorebecomingtoiletforSundayevening.\"
Idawasverystronglyaroused,andthesuperiornaturemasteredtheweaker.Mrs.Mayhewbecameaswaxinherhands,althoughshemademanynaturalandirritableprotestsagainstherdaughterspeakingtoherasshehaddone.Idapaidnoheedtohermother\'swords,andaftergivingafewfinishingtouchestoherdressrelievedhersternnessbyajudiciouscompliment,\"Iwishyoutotaketheseatfatherisreservingforyou,\"shesaid,\"andappearthecharmingladythatyouknowhowtobesowell;\"andwithoutfurtherparleytheywentdowntogether.
OnceinthesocialeyeitwouldbeMrs.Mayhew\'sstrongestimpulsetomakeagoodimpression,andshebehavedbeautifully.SomethinginIda\'smannerpuzzledherfather,butshesmiledsoreassuringlythathegavehimselfuptothequietenjoymentofthesituationthatwassonaturalandyetsonovel.Helistenedwithapleasedexpressiontothemusic,andnoted,withdeepsatisfaction,thefriendlyandrespectfulbearingofthosenear,towardsbothhiswifeandhimself;butheexultedintheevidentadmirationthathisdaughterexcited.ThepeopleattheLakeHousehadalreadydiscoveredthattherewasadecidedchangeforthebetterintheMayhewfamily,andtheygreetedtheimprovementwithakindlybutwell-bredandunobtrusivewelcomethatwascreditabletohumannature.Ofcoursetherewasagreatdealofwhisperedsurmise,butnothingoffensivetotheeye.
StantoncameandaskedIdatojoininthesingingatthepiano,butsheshookherheaddecidedly.
\"Whohasbeenhurtingyourfeelings?\"heasked,inalowtone.
Byascarcelyperceptiblegesture,sheputherfingeronherlipsandsaidquietly,\"Theyarewaitingforyou,CousinIk.\"Thensheadded,withasmile,\"SomewhereI\'veheardaproverbexpressingsurprisethatSaulshouldbeamongtheprophets.Ihardlythinkitwillbeingoodtasteformetoappearamongthemjustyet.\"
\"AndIoncebelievedhertobeafool,\"thoughtStantonashereturnedtohisplace.
Again,onthisSundayevening,keeneyeswerewatchingherfromtheduskypiazza,butsofarfrombeingwolfishandravenous,theywerefullofsympathyandadmiration.
AsVanBergapproachedtheparlorwindowsafterhisreturn,hesawStantonstandingbythepianoatJennieBurton\'sside,andshewaslookinguptohimandspeakinginaveryfriendlymanner.Hewasnotconsciousofanyappropriatepangsofjealousy,andindeeddidnotmisstheirabsence,buthelookedeagerlyaroundfortheproblemhisphilosophicalmindwassobentonsolving.
Atfirstthefavorableimpressionmadebythereunitedfamilycaughthisattention,andhemuttered,\"Thereissomemoreofhermagic.
ButwhatisthematterwithMissMayhewherself.Hereyesareburningwithafirethatisanythingbuttenderandsacred,andtherearemomentswhenherfaceisalmoststern,andagainitisfulloftrouble.\"
Someonediscoveredhimonthepiazza,andtherewasageneralwishexpressedthatheshouldsingwithMissBurtonaduetthathadbecomeafavorite.Afterthisandoneortwootherpieces,heagainsoughthisplaceofobservation.ThecolorandfirehadnowwhollyfadedfromMissMayhew\'sface,andshelookedpaleandsad.Herfatherturnedtoher,andsaid:
\"Ida,Ifearyoudon\'tfeelwell.\"
\"I\'mverytired,andthinkIhadbettergotomyroom.\"
Heroseinstantly,andgaveherhisarm,butonthewayshereassuredhim:\"Anight\'ssleep,andtherestIshallhavewithyouinthecityarejustwhatIneed;sodon\'tworry,forIshallbereadytotakethetrainwithyouinthemorning;\"andMr.Mayhewrejoinedhiswife,andcompletedahappierdaythanheeverexpectedtoseeagain.
ButpoorIda,whenleftalone,buriedherfaceinherhandsandsobbed,\"I\'vewoundedHISfeelings,I\'vegivenwaytomyoldpassionateanger,I\'vespokentomotherasadaughternevershould.
WhatwilleverbecomeoffaultyIdaMayhew?Theworm-eatenemblemistrueofmestill.\"
Then,asifwhisperedtoherbysomegoodangel,thewordsMr.
Eltingehadspokenrecurredtoher.\"YourSaviourwillbeastenderandpatientwithyouasamotherwithherbabythatislearningtowalk.\"
\"Oh,\"shecried,inalow,passionatetone,\"thatisthekindofaGodIneed!\"
ShealsorememberedthereassuringwordsthatMr.Eltingehadquoted——\"AsonewhomhismothercomfortethsowillIcomfortyou,\"
andthepromisewasmadegoodtoher.
\"Stanton,\"saidVanBerg,alittleabruptly,beforetheypartedthatevening,\"Ifear,fromyourcousin\'sappearance,shewasillwhenshelefttheparlor.\"
\"I\'vegivenuptryingtounderstandIda.Whenshecamedownwithhermother,shelookedlikeanincensedgoddess,andwhenshereturnedsheremindedmeofthefadingwhitelilysheworeinherhair.Igiveitup,\"concludedStanton,whoselanguagehadbecomeatriflefigurativeandpoeticoflate.
\"Idon\'t,\"mutteredtheartist,aftersmokingthethirdconsecutivecigarinsolitude.
ChapterXLVII.TheConcertGardenAgain.
VanBerghadscarcelyeverknownadaytopassmoreslowlyandheavilythanMonday.HehadtakenpainstobepresentatIda\'sdeparturewithherfather,andithaddepressedhimunaccountablythatshehadbeensoquietastoseemevenalittlecoldinherfarewell.Shewouldnotlooktowardshim,norcouldhecatchhereyeorobtainonefriendlyexpression.Hedidnotknowthatthepoorgirldarednotsmileorspeaklestsheshouldbetoofriendly,andthatsheavoidedhimwiththeinstinctofself-preservation.
Hisconclusionwas:\"Shefinds,afterthinkingitallover,thatshehasfarmoretoforgivethanshethought,andmypresenceremindsherofeverythingshewouldbegladtoforget.\"
HetriedonceortwicetofindJennieBurton,butdidnotsucceed.
Shemadenoapparentefforttoavoidhim,andwassocordialinhermannerwhentheymetthathehadseverecompunctionsthathedidnotseekhersocietyresolutelyandpresshissuit.\"Thesummerisdrawingtoaclose,\"hemuttered,\"andnothingissettled.Confounditall!I\'mtheleastsettledofanything.ThebestchanceIshalleverhaveispassingswiftly.EverfacultyIpossessassuresmethatsheistheonewomanofalltheworld.Ihonorher,Ireverenceher,Iadmireherandeverythingshedoesandsays.Itrustherimplicitly,eventhoughsheissoshroudedinmystery.Whatthemischiefisthematterwithmyoldwater-loggedheartthatitshouldbesoheavyanddumpish?\"
Butsoitwas.JennieBurtonsmiledonhimandothersasbrightlyasever,andyetheknewherheartwasbreaking,forshewasgrowingslighterandmorespirit-likedaily.Hisdesiretocomforther,however,byalife-longeffortebbedaway,tillhewascursinghimselfforafickle,cold-bloodedwretch.\"Ihadbettershutmyselfupinmystudio,\"hesaidtohimself.\"Imaymakeapainter,butI
neverwillanythingelse;\"andearlyonTuesdayhewentdoggedlytoworkonMr.Eltinge\'spicture.
Hisperplexedandjarringthoughtsgraduallyceasedtheirdiscordashebecameabsorbedinhislovedandfamiliartasks.Sweetandlowatfirst,andinthefaint,brokensuggestionofhiskindlingfancy,thesymphonicpoemhehadheardinthegardenbeganagain,butatlasthisimaginationmadeitalmostreal.HelistenedoncemoretoIda\'sgirlish,plaintivevoiceblendingwiththemurmurofthebrook,thesighingwindandrustlingleaves,andtheoccasionaltrillofabird.Heleanedbackinhischair,andhiseyesbecamefullofdeepanddreamypleasure.Graduallyaheavyfrowncontractedhisbrow,andhisfacegrewwhiteandsternasherepeatedwordsthatsheoncehadspokentohim:\"Imeanttocompelyourrespect,andIthoughttherewasnootherway.\"
\"Pharisee,foolthatIwas!IfIhadbeenkindandtrustfulatthetimeherfamilywrongedher,shewouldnotnowshrinkfrommeasifIsummedupinmypersonthewholeofthatwretchedexperience.
EvenStantonappreciatedmyunutterablefolly,forhesaid:\"YoulookedatherinawaythatwouldhavefrozenevenJezebelherself,\"
andnowwheneverIglancetowardshersheisremindedofthataccursedstare.Woulditbepossible,inpaintingherlikenessforMr.Eltinge,tomakeherfacesonoble,womanly,andpure,thatshewouldrecognizemypresentestimateofhercharacter,andsoforgivemeinverytruth?\"
Thecareandearnestnesswithwhichhefilledintheoutlinesofhissketchprovedhowzealouslyhewouldmaketheeffort.Intheafternoonhedroveovertothegardenagain,andmadeacarefuldrawingofthetreeandofMr.Eltingesittingbeneathit,forIda,andhedeterminedtogotothecitythefollowingdaythehemightavailhimselfoftheresourcesofhisstudio,andbytheaidofthishastysketchmakeasfineacrayonpictureaswouldbepossible,beforeherreturnonSaturday.
Theoldgentleman\'sheartwasnaturallywarmtowardshisprotege,whomtheybothmissedgreatly,andhespokeofheroften.Hecouldnothelpnoticingthattheartistwaseveranexcellentlisteneratsuchtimesandwouldevensuspendhisworkforamomentthathemightnotloseaword.\"Itseemstomehetakesawonderfuldealofinterestinherforamanwhoisseekingtoengagehimselftoanotherlady,\"musedMr.Eltinge.\"Ithinktheotherladyhadbetterbelookingafterhim.\"
AsVanBergapproachedthehotel,hesawMissBurtonmountingthestepswithaquantityoffernsinherhands.Sheevidentlywasreturningfromalongramble,andwhenshecamedowntosupperhesawthatshehadnotbeenabletoremovewhollyalltracesofgrief.
Hisconsciencesmotehimsorely.Hehesitatedinhispurposeofgoingtothecity,anddeterminedtospeakofitfrankly,andabandonit,ifsheshowed,evenbytheexpressionofherface,thatshewouldpreferhewouldremain,buthefoundhimselfbothsurprisedandrelievedthat,sofarfrommanifestingtheleastreluctancetohavehimgo,sheencouragedtheplan.
\"Youhaveanobletheme,\"shesaidcordially,\"andyoucan\'tdoitjusticeintheroomofasummerhotel.BesidesIdothinkyouoweittoMissMayhewtomakealltheamendsinyourpower,andafinepictureofthatemblematictree,andherkindoldfriendbeneathit,maybeofverygreathelptoherinhernewlife.I
hopeyouwilltakemetoseeMr.Eltingeonyourreturn.\"
\"I\'llwaitoveradayandtakeyouthereto-morrow,\"hesaidpromptly.
\"No,\"shereplieddecisively;\"youhavenotenoughtimeasitis,beforeSaturday,todojusticetoyourwork,andIwantyoutomakeMissMayhew\'sfriendlookasifhewerespeakingtoher.\"
\"MissJennie,\"saidtheartistratherimpulsively,\"youhaven\'tadropofselfishbloodinyourlittlebody.\"
\"IamundertheimpressionthatMr.VanBerg\'sestimatesofhisladyacquaintancesarenotalwayscorrect.NotthatIwasanywiser,butthensuchpositiveassertionsseemhardlythethingfrompeoplewhohaveshownthemselvessofallible.\"
\"I\'mrightforonce,\"VanBerginsisted.\"DoyouknowthatMissMayhewandInearlyhadafallingout.Indeedshehasbeenrathercooltowardsmeeversince,andyouwerethecause.IbelievedwithabsolutecertaintythatthenewIdaMayhewthatIhadlearnedtoknowinMr.Eltinge\'sgardenwouldgravitatetowardsyouassurelyastwodropsofdewruntogetherwhenbroughtsufficientlynear,andIbegantospeakquiteenthusiasticallyofwhatfriendsyouwouldsurelybecome,whenMissMayhew\'smannertaughtmeIhadbetterchangethesubject.Oddlyenough,shehasneverlikedyou,andyet,injusticetoher,Imustaddthatsheactedconscientiously,andIhaveneverheardoneladyspeakofanothermorefavorablyandsincerely,thanshespokeofyou,thoughitseeminglycostheraneffort.\"
AsuddenmoisturecameintoJennieBurton\'seyes,andshesaidunderherbreath:\"Poorchild!thatwasnobleandgenerousofhertospeaksoofme.Oh,howblindheis!\"Butwithmockgravitysheansweredhim:
