第8章

Mrs。Mandelattemptedadiversion。\"HaveyouheardanyofourgreatNewYorkpreachersyet，Mrs。March?\" \"No，Ihaven\'t，\"Mrs。Marchadmitted；andshetriedtoimplybyhercandidtonethatsheintendedtobeginhearingthemtheverynextSunday。 \"Thereareagreatmanythingshere，\"saidConrad，\"totakeyourthoughtsoffthepreachingthatyouhearinmostofthechurches。Ithinkthecityitselfispreachingthebestsermonallthetime。\" \"Idon\'tknowthatIunderstandyou，\"saidMarch。 Melaansweredforhim。\"Oh，Conradhasgotalotofnotionsthatnobodycanunderstand。Yououghttoseethechurchhegoestowhenhedoesgo。 I\'daboutasliefgotoaCatholicchurchmyself；Idon\'tseeabito\' difference。He\'sthegreatestcronywithoneoftheirpreachers；hedressesjustlikeapriest，andhesaysheisapriest。\"Shelaughedforenjoymentofthefact，andherbrothercastdownhiseyes。 Mrs。March，inherturn，triedtotakefromitthepersonaltonewhichthetalkwasalwaysassuming。\"Haveyoubeentothefallexhibition?\" sheaskedChristine；andthegirldrewherselfupoutoftheabstractionsheseemedsunkin。 \"Theexhibition?\"ShelookedatMrs。Mandel。 \"ThepicturesoftheAcademy，youknow，\"Mrs。Mandelexplained。 \"WhereIwantedyoutogothedayyouhadyourdresstriedon，\" \"No；wehaven\'tbeenyet。Isitgood?\"ShehadturnedtoMrs。Marchagain。 \"Ibelievethefallexhibitionsareneversogoodasthespringones。 Buttherearesomegoodpictures。\" \"Idon\'tbelieveIcaremuchaboutpictures，\"saidChristine。\"Idon\'tunderstandthem。\" \"Ah，that\'snoexcusefornotcaringaboutthem，\"saidMarch，lightly。 \"Thepaintersthemselvesdon\'t，halfthetime。\" Thegirllookedathimwiththatglanceatoncedefiantandappealing，insolentandanxious，whichhehadnoticedbefore，especiallywhenshestoleittowardhimselfandhiswifeduringhersister\'sbabble。InthelightofFulkerson\'shistoryofthefamily，itsoriginanditsambition，heinterpretedittomeanasenseofhersister\'sfollyandanignorantwilltooverridehisopinionofanythingincongruousinthemselvesandtheirsurroundings。Hesaidtohimselfthatshewasdeathlyproud——tooproudtotrytopalliateanything，butcapableofanythingthatwouldputothersunderherfeet。Hereyesseemedhopelesslytoquestionhiswife\'ssocialquality，andhefancied，withnotunkindlyinterest，theinexperiencedgirl\'sdoubtwhethertotreatthemwithmuchorlittlerespect。Helosthimselfinfanciesaboutherandherideals，necessarilysordid，ofherpossibilitiesofsuffering，ofthetriumphsanddisappointmentsbeforeher。Hersisterwouldacceptbothwithalightnessthatwouldkeepnotraceofeither；butinhertheywouldsinklastinglydeep。HecameoutofhisreverietofindMrs。Dryfoossayingtohim，inherhoarsevoice: \"Ithinkit\'sashame，someofthepictur\'sabodyseesinthewinders。 Theysaythere\'salawag\'instthemthings；andifthereis，Idon\'tunderstandwhythepolicedon\'ttakeupthemthatpaints\'em。Ihear182 tell，sinceIbeenhere，thatthere\'swomenthatgoestohavepictur\'stookfromthemthatwaybymenpainters。\"ThepointseemedaimedatMarch，asifhewerepersonallyresponsibleforthescandal，anditfellwithasilencingeffectforthemoment。Nobodyseemedwillingtotakeitup，andMrs。Dryfooswenton，withanoldwoman\'sseverity:\"Isaytheyoughttobealltarredandfeatheredandrodeonarail。They\'dbedrummedoutoftowninMoffitt。\" MissMelasaid，withacrowinglaugh:\"Ishouldthinktheywould!Andtheywouldn\'tanybodygolownecktotheopera-housethere，either——notlowneckthewaytheydohere，anyway。\" \"Andthatpackofworthlesshussies，\"hermotherresumed，\"thatcomeoutonthestage，andbeguntokick\" \"Laws，mother!\"thegirlshouted，\"Ithoughtyousaidyouhadyoureyesshut!\" Allbutthesetwosimplercreatureswereabashedattheindecorumofsuggestinginwordsthecommonplacesofthetheatreandofart。 \"Well，Idid，Mely，assoonasIcouldbelievemyeyes。Idon\'tknowwhatthey\'redoin\'inalltheirchurches，toletsuchthingsgoon，\"saidtheoldwoman。\"It\'sasinandashame，Ithink。Don\'tyou，Coonrod?\" Aringatthedoorcutshortwhateveranswerhewasabouttodeliver。 \"Ifit\'sgoingtobecompany，Coonrod，\"saidhismother，makinganefforttorise，\"IreckonIbettergoup-stairs。\" \"It\'sMr。Fulkerson，Iguess，\"saidConrad。\"Hethoughthemightcome\"； andatthementionofthislightspiritMrs。Dryfoossankcontentedlybackinherchair，andarelaxationoftheirpainfultensionseemedtopassthroughthewholecompany。Conradwenttothedoorhimself(theserving-mantentatively，appearedsomeminuteslater)andletinFulkerson\'scheerfulvoicebeforehischeerfulperson。 \"Ah，howdyedo，Conrad?Broughtourfriend，Mr。Beaton，withme，\"thosewithinheardhimsay；andthen，afterasoundofputtingoffovercoats，theysawhimfillthedoorway，withhisfeetsetsquareandhisarmsakimbo。 IX。 \"Ah!hello!hello!\"Fulkersonsaid，inrecognitionoftheMarches。 \"Regulargatheringoftheclans。Howareyou，Mrs。Dryfoos?Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Mandel，MissChristine，Mela，AuntHitty，andallthefolks? Howyouwuz?\"Heshookhandsgaylyallround，andtookachairnexttheoldlady，whosehandhekeptinhisown，andleftConradtointroduceBeaton。ButhewouldnotlettheshadowofBeaton\'ssolemnityfalluponthecompany。HebegantojokewithMrs。Dryfoos，andtomatchrheumatismswithher，andheincludedalltheladiesintherangeofappropriatepleasantries。\"I\'vebroughtMr。Beatonalongto-night，andIwantyoutomakehimfeelathome，likeyoudome，Mrs。Dryfoos。 Hehasn\'tgotanyrheumatismtospeakof；buthisparentsliveinSyracuse，andhe\'sakindofanorphan，andwe\'vejustadoptedhimdownattheoffice。Whenyougoingtobringtheyoungladiesdownthere，Mrs。 Mandel，forachampagnelunch?Iwillhavesomehydro-Mela，andChristineit，heigh?How\'sthatforalittlestarter?Wedroppedinatyourplaceamoment，Mrs。March，andgavetheyoungfolksafewpointersabouttheirstudies。Mygoodness!itdoesmegoodtoseeaboylikethatofyours；business，fromthewordgo；andyourgirljustscoopsmyyouthfulaffections。She\'sabeauty，andIguessshe\'sgood，too。Well，well，whataworlditis!MissChristine，won\'tyoushowMr。Beatonthatsealringofyours?Heknowsaboutsuchthings，andIbroughthimheretoseeitasmuchasanything。It\'sanintaglioIbroughtfromtheotherside，\"heexplainedtoMrs。March，\"andIguessyou\'llliketolookatit。TriedtogiveittotheDryfoosfamily，andwhenIcouldn\'t，Isolditto\'em。BoundtoseeitonMissChristine\'shandsomehow!Holdon! Lethimseeitwhereitbelongs，first!\" Hearrestedthegirlinthemotionshemadetotakeoffthering，andletherhavethepleasureofshowingherhandtothecompanywiththeringonit。Thenhelefthertohearthepainter\'swordsaboutit，whichhecontinuedtodeliverdissyllabicallyashestoodwithherunderagas- jet，twistinghiselasticfigureandbendinghisheadoverthering。 \"Well，Mely，child，\"Fulkersonwenton，withanopentravestyofhermother\'shabitualaddress，\"andhowareyougettingalong?Mrs。Mandelholdyouuptotheproprietiesprettystrictly?Well，that\'sright。 Youknowyou\'dberoamingalloverthepastureifshedidn\'t。\" Thegirlgurgledoutherpleasureinhisfunning，andeverybodytookhim。 onhisowngroundofprivilegedcharacter。Hebroughtthemalltogetherintheirfriendlinessforhimself，andbeforetheeveningwasoverhehadinspiredMrs。Mandeltohavethemservedwithcoffee，andhadmadeboththegirlsfeelthattheyhadfiguredbrilliantlyinsociety，andthattwoyoungmenhadbeendevotedtothem。 \"Oh，Ithinkhe\'sjustaslovelyashecanlive!\"saidMela，asshestoodamomentwithhersisteronthesceneofhertriumph，wheretheothershadleftthemafterthedepartureoftheirguests。 \"Who?\"askedChristine，deeply。Assheglanceddownatherring，hereyesburnedwithasoftenedfire。 ShehadallowedBeatontochangeithimselffromthefingerwhereshehadwornittothefingeronwhichhesaidsheoughttowearit。Shedidnotknowwhetheritwasrighttolethim，butshewasgladshehaddoneit。 \"Who?Mr。Fulkerson，goosie-poosie!NotthatoldstuckupMr。Beatonofyours!\" \"Heisproud，\"assentedChristine，withathrobofexultation。 BeatonandFulkersonwenttotheElevatedstationwiththeMarches；butthepaintersaidhewasgoingtowalkhome，andFulkersonlethimgoalone。 \"Onewayisenoughforme，\"heexplained。\"WhenIwalkup，Idon\'t。 walkdown。Bye-bye，myson!\"HebegantalkingaboutBeatontotheMarchesastheyclimbedthestationstairstogether。\"Thatfellowpuzzlesme。Idon\'tknowanybodythatIhavesuchadesiretokick，andatthesametimethatIwanttoflatterupsomuch。Affectyouthatway?\"heaskedofMarch。 \"Well，asfarasthekickinggoes，yes。\" \"Andhowisitwithyou，Mrs。March?\" \"Oh，Iwanttoflatterhimup。\" \"No；really?Why?Holdon!I\'vegotthechange。\" FulkersonpushedMarchawayfromtheticket-officewindow；andmadethemhisguests，withtheinexorableAmericanhospitality，fortheridedown- town。\"Three!\"hesaidtotheticket-seller；and，whenhehadwalkedthembeforehimoutontheplatformanddroppedhisticketsintotheurn，hepersistedinhisinquiry，\"Why?\" \"Why，becauseyoualwayswanttoflatterconceitedpeople，don\'tyou?\" Mrs。Marchanswered，withalaugh。 \"Doyou?Yes，Iguessyoudo。YouthinkBeatonisconceited?\" \"Well，slightly，Mr。Fulkerson。\" \"Iguessyou\'repartlyright，\"saidFulkerson，withasigh，sounaccountableinitsconnectionthattheyalllaughed。 \"Anideal\'busted\'?\"Marchsuggested。 \"No，notthat，exactly，\"saidFulkerson。\"ButIhadanotionmaybeBeatonwasn\'tconceitedallthetime。\" \"Oh!\"Mrs。Marchexulted，\"nobodycouldbesoconceitedallthetimeasMr。Beatonismostofthetime。Hemusthavemomentsofthedirestmodesty，whenhe\'dbequiteflattery-proof。\" \"Yes，that\'swhatImean。Iguessthat\'swhatmakesmewanttokickhim。 He\'sleftcomplimentsonmyhandsthatnodecentmanwould。\" \"Oh!that\'stragical，\"saidMarch。 \"Mr。Fulkerson，\"Mrs。Marchbegan，withchangeofsubjectinhervoice，\"whoisMrs。Mandel?\" \"Who?Whatdoyouthinkofher?\"herejoined。\"I\'lltellyouaboutherwhenwegetinthecars。Lookatthatthing!Ain\'titbeautiful?\" Theyleanedoverthetrackandlookedupatthenextstation，wherethetrain，juststarting，throbbedouttheflame-shotsteamintothewhitemoonlight。 \"ThemostbeautifulthinginNewYork——theonealwaysandcertainlybeautifulthinghere，\"saidMarch；andhiswifesighed，\"Yes，yes。\" Sheclungtohim，andremainedraptbythesighttillthetraindrewnear，andthenpulledhimbackinapanic。 \"Well，thereain\'treallymuchtotellabouther，\"Fulkersonresumedwhentheywereseatedinthecar。\"She\'saninventionofmine。\" \"Ofyours?\"criedMrs。March。 \"Ofcourse!\"exclaimedherhusband。 \"Yes——atleastinherpresentcapacity。Shesentmeastoryforthesyndicate，backinJulysometime，alongaboutthetimeIfirstmetoldDryfooshere。Itwasalittletoolongformypurpose，andIthoughtI couldexplainbetterhowIwanteditcutinacallthanIcouldinaletter。ShegaveaBrooklynaddress，andIwenttoseeher。Ifoundher，\"saidFulkerson，withavaguedefiance，\"aperfectlady。Shewaslivingwithanauntoverthere；andshehadseenbetterdays，whenshewasagirl，andworseonesafterward。Idon\'tmeantosayherhusbandwasabadfellow；Iguesshewasprettygood；hewashermusic-teacher； shemethiminGermany，andtheygotmarriedthere，andgotthroughherpropertybeforetheycameoverhere。Well，shedidn\'tstrikemelikeapersonthatcouldmakemuchheadwayinliterature。Herstorywaswellenough，butithadn\'tmuchsandinit；kindof-well，academic，youknow。 Itoldherso，andsheunderstood，andcriedalittle；butshedidthebestshecouldwiththething，andItookitandsyndicatedit。Shekindofstuckinmymind，andthefirsttimeIwenttoseetheDryfoosestheywerestoppingatasortoffamilyhotelthentilltheycouldfindahouse——\"Fulkersonbrokeoffaltogether，andsaid，\"Idon\'tknowasIknowjusthowtheDryfoosesstruckyou，Mrs。March?\" \"Can\'tyouimagine?\"sheanswered，withakindly，smile。 \"Yes；butIdon\'tbelieveIcouldguesshowtheywouldhavestruckyoulastsummerwhenIfirstsawthem。My!ohmy!therewasthenativeearthforyou。Melyisaprettywildcoltnow，butyououghttohaveseenherbeforeshewasbrokentoharness。 AndChristine?EverseethatblackleopardtheygotupthereintheCentralPark?ThatwasChristine。Well，Isawwhattheywanted。Theyallsawit——nobodyisafoolinalldirections，andtheDryfoosesareintheirrightsensesagooddealofthetime。Well，tocutalongstoryshort，IgotMrs。Mandeltotake\'eminhand——theoldladyaswellasthegirls。Shewasabornlady，andalwayslivedlikeonetillshesawMandel；andthatsomethingacademicthatkilledherforawriterwasjusttheverythingforthem。Sheknowstheworldwellenoughtoknowjusthowmuchpolishtheycantakeon，andshedon\'ttrytoputonabitmore。 See?\" \"Yes，Icansee，\"saidMrs。March。 \"Well，shetookholdatonce，asreadyasahospital-trainednurse；andthereain\'tanythingreadieronthisplanet。Sherunsthewholeconcern，sociallyandeconomically，takesallthecareofhousekeepingofftheoldlady\'shands，andgoesroundwiththegirls。By-the-bye，I\'mgoingtotakemymealsatyourwidow\'s，March，andConrad\'sgoingtohavehislunchthere。I\'msickofbrowsingabout。\" \"Mr。March\'swidow?\"saidhiswife，lookingathimwithprovisionalseverity。 \"Ihavenowidow，Isabel，\"hesaid，\"andneverexpecttohave，tillI leaveyouintheenjoymentofmylife-insurance。IsupposeFulkersonmeanstheladywiththedaughterwhowantedtotakeustoboard。\" \"Ohyes。Howaretheygettingon，Idowonder?\"Mrs。MarchaskedofFulkerson。 \"Well，they\'vegotonefamilytoboard；butit\'sasmallone。Iguessthey\'llpullthrough。Theydidn\'twanttotakeanydayboardersatfirst，thewidowsaid；Iguesstheyhavehadtocometoit。\" \"Poorthings!\"sighedMrs。March。\"Ihopethey\'llgobacktothecountry。\" \"Well，Idon\'tknow。Whenyou\'veoncetastedNewYork——Youwouldn\'tgobacktoBoston，wouldyou?\" \"Instantly。\" Fulkersonlaughedoutatolerantincredulity。 X Beatonlithispipewhenhefoundhimselfinhisroom，andsatdownbeforethedullfireinhisgratetothink。Itstruckhimtherewasadullfireinhisheartagreatdeallikeit；andheworkedoutafancifulanalogywiththecoals，stillalive，andtheashescreepingoverthem，andthedeadclayandcinders。Hefeltsickofhimself，sickofhislifeandofallhisworks。HewasangrywithFulkersonforhavinggothimintothatartdepartmentofhis，forhavingboughthimup；andhewasbitteratfatebecausehehadbeenobligedtousethemoneytopaysomepressingdebts，andhadnotbeenabletoreturnthecheckhisfatherhadsenthim。Hepitiedhispooroldfather；heachedwithcompassionforhim；andhesethisteethandsnarledwithcontemptthroughthemforhisownbaseness。Thiswasthekindofworlditwas；buthewashedhishandsofit。Thefaultwasinhumannature，andhereflectedwithpridethathehadatleastnotinventedhumannature；hehadnotsunksolowasthatyet。Thenotionamusedhim；hethoughthemightgetaSatanicepigramoutofitsomeway。Butinthemeantimethatgirl，thatwildanimal，shekeptvisibly，tangiblybeforehim；ifheputouthishandhemighttouchhers，hemightpasshisarmroundherwaist。InParis，inasetheknewthere，whataneffectshewouldbewiththatlookofhers，andthatbeauty，alloutofdrawing!Theywouldrecognizetheflamequalityinher。Heimaginedajokeaboutherbeingafieryspirit，ornymph，naiad，whatever，fromoneofhernativegas-wells。Hebegantosketchonabitofpaperfromthetableathiselbowvaguelinesthatveiledandrevealedalevel，dismallandscape，andavastflameagainstanemptysky，andashapeoutoftheflamethattookonalikenessandfloateddetachedfromit。Thesketchranuptheleftsideofthesheetandstretchedacrossit。Beatonlaughedout。PrettygoodtoletFulkersonhavethatforthecoverofhisfirstnumber!Inblackandreditwouldbeeffective；itwouldcatchtheeyefromthenews-stands。Hemadeamotiontothrowitonthefire，buthelditbackandsliditintothetable-drawer，andsmokedon。HesawthedummywiththeothersketchintheopendrawerwhichhehadbroughtawayfromFulkerson\'sinthemorningandslippedinthere，andhetookitoutandlookedatit。Hemadesomecriticismsinlinewithhispencilonit，correctingthedrawinghereandthere，andthenherespecteditalittlemore，thoughhestillsmiledatthefemininequality——ayoungladyquality。 InspiteofhisexperiencethenighthecalledupontheLeightons，BeatoncouldnotbelievethatAlmanolongercaredforhim。Sheplayedathavingforgottenhimadmirably，butheknewthatafewmonthsbeforeshehadbeenverymindfulofhim。HeknewhehadneglectedthemsincetheycametoNewYork，wherehehadledthemtoexpectinterest，ifnotattention；buthewasusedtoneglectingpeople，andhewassomewhatlessusedtobeingpunishedforit——punishedandforgiven。HefeltthatAlmahadpunishedhimsothoroughlythatsheoughttohavebeensatisfiedwithherworkandtohaveforgivenhiminherheartafterward。Heborenoresentmentafterthefirsttinglingmomentswere-past；heratheradmiredherforit；andhewouldhavebeenreadytogobackhalfanhourlaterandacceptpardonandbeonthefootingoflastsummeragain。Evennowhedebatedwithhimselfwhetheritwastoolatetocall；but，decidedly，aquartertotenseemedlate。ThenextdayhedeterminednevertocallupontheLeightonsagain；buthehadnoreasonforthis；itmerelycameintoatransitoryschemeofconduct，ofretirementfromthesocietyofwomenaltogether；andafterdinnerhewentroundtoseethem。 Heaskedfortheladies，andtheyallthreereceivedhim，Almanotwithoutasurprisethatintimateditselftohim，andhermotherwithnoappreciablerelenting；MissWoodburn，withtheneedleworkwhichshefoundeasiertobevolubleoverthanabook，expressedinherwelcomeaneutralitybothcordialtoBeatonandloyaltoAlma。 \"Isitsnowingoutdo\'s?\"sheasked，briskly，afterthegreetingsweretransacted。\"Mahgoodness!\"shesaid，inanswertohisapparentsurpriseatthequestion。\"AhmahghtaswellhavestayedintheSoath，forallthewinterAhhaveseeninNewYorkyet。\" \"Wedon\'toftenhavesnowmuchbeforeNew-Year\'s，\"saidBeaton。 \"MissWoodburniswildforarealNorthernwinter，\"Mrs。Leightonexplained。 \"TheothahnaghtAhwokeupandlookedoatofthewindowandsawalltheroofscoveredwithsnow，anditturnedoattobenothingbutmoonlaght。 Ahwasneversodisappointedinmahlahfe，\"saidMissWoodburn。 \"Ifyou\'llcometoSt。Barnabynextsummer，youshallhaveallthewinteryouwant，\"saidAlma。 \"Ican\'tletyouslanderSt。Barnabyinthatway，\"saidBeaton，withtheairofwishingtobeunderstoodasmeaningmorethanhesaid。 \"Yes?\"returnedAlma，coolly。\"Ididn\'tknowyouweresofondoftheclimate。\" \"Ineverthinkofitasaclimate。It\'salandscape。Itdoesn\'tmatterwhetherit\'shotorcold。\" \"Withthethermometertwentybelow，you\'dfindthatitmattered，\"Almapersisted。 \"IsthatthewayyoufeelaboutSt。Barnaby，too，Mrs。Leighton?\"Beatonasked，withaffecteddesolation。 \"Ishallbegladenoughtogobackinthesummer，\"Mrs。Leightonconceded。 \"AndIshouldbegladtogonow，\"saidBeaton，lookingatAlma。Hehadthedummyof\'EveryOtherWeek\'inhishand，andhesawAlma\'seyeswanderingtowarditwheneverheglancedather。\"IshouldbegladtogoanywheretogetoutofajobI\'veundertaken，\"hecontinued，toMrs。 Leighton。\"They\'regoingtostartsomesortofanewillustratedmagazine，andthey\'vegotmeinfortheirartdepartment。I\'mnotfitforit；I\'dliketorunaway。Don\'tyouwanttoadvisemealittle，Mrs。 Leighton?YouknowhowmuchIvalueyourtaste，andI\'dliketohaveyoulookatthedesignforthecoverofthefirstnumber:they\'regoingtohaveadifferentoneforeverynumber。Idon\'tknowwhetheryou\'llagreewithme，butIthinkthisisrathernice。\" Hefacedthedummyround，andthenlaiditonthetablebeforeMrs。 Leighton，pushingsomeofherworkasidetomakeroomforitandstandingoverherwhileshebentforwardtolookatit。 Almakeptherplace，awayfromthetable。 \"Mahgoodness!Ho\'exciting!\"saidMissWoodburn。\"Mayanybodylook?\" \"Everybody，\"saidBeaton。 \"Well，isn\'titperfectlychoming!\"MissWoodburnexclaimed。\"Comeandlookatthis，MissLeighton，\"shecalledtoAlma，whoreluctantlyapproached。 Whatlinesarethese?\"Mrs。Leightonasked，pointingtoBeaton\'spencilscratches。 \"They\'resuggestionsofmodifications，\"hereplied。 \"Idon\'tthinktheyimproveitmuch。Whatdoyouthink，Alma?\" \"Oh，Idon\'tknow，\"saidthegirl，constraininghervoicetoaneffectofindifferenceandglancingcarelesslydownatthesketch。\"Thedesignmightbeimproved；butIdon\'tthinkthosesuggestionswoulddoit。\" \"They\'remine，\"saidBeaton，fixinghiseyesuponherwithabeautifulsaddreaminessthatheknewhecouldputintothem；hespokewithadreamyremotenessoftone——hiswind-harpstop，Wetmorecalledit。 \"Isupposedso，\"saidAlma，calmly。 \"Oh，mahgoodness!\"criedMissWoodburn。\"Isthatthewayyouawtuststalktoeachothah?Well，Ah\'mgladAh\'mnotanawtust——unlessIcoulddoallthetalking。\" \"Artistscannottellafib，\"Almasaid，\"orevenactone，\"andshelaughedinBeaton\'supturnedface。 Hedidnotunbendhisdreamygaze。\"You\'requiteright。Thesuggestionsarestupid。\" AlmaturnedtoMissWoodburn:\"Youhear?Evenwhenwespeakofourownwork。\" \"Ahnevahhoadanythinglahkeit!\" \"Andthedesignitself?\"Beatonpersisted。 \"Oh，I\'mnotanarteditor，\"Almaanswered，withalaughofexultantevasion。 Atall，dark，grave-lookingmanoffifty，withaswarthyfaceandiron- graymustacheandimperialandgoatee，enteredtheroom。Beatonknewthetype；hehadbeenthroughVirginiasketchingforoneoftheillustratedpapers，andhehadseensuchmeninRichmond。MissWoodburnhardlyneededtosay，\"MayAhintroduceyoutomahfathaw，Co\'nelWoodburn，Mr。 Beaton?\" Themenshookhands，andColonelWoodburnsaid，inthatsoft，gentle，slowSouthernvoicewithoutourNortherncontractions:\"Iamverygladtomeetyou，sir；happytomakeyo\'acquaintance。Donotmove，madam，\"hesaidtoMrs。Leighton，whomadeadeprecatorymotiontolethimpasstothechairbeyondher；\"Icanfindmyway。\"Hebowedabulkthatdidnotlenditselfreadilytothedevotion，andpickeduptheballofyarnshehadletdropoutofherlapinhalfrising。\"Yo\'worsteds，madam。\" \"Yarn，yarn，ColonelWoodburn!\"Almashouted。\"You\'requiteincorrigible。Aspadeisaspade!\" \"Butsometimesitisatrump，mydearyounglady，\"saidtheColonel，withunabatedgallantry；\"andwhenyo\'mothahusesyarn，itisworsteds。ButIrespectworstedsevenunderthenameofyarn:ourladies——myownmothahandsistahs——hadtoknitthesockswewore——allwecouldgetinthewoe。\" \"Yes，andaftahthewoe，\"hisdaughterputin。\"Theknittinghasnotstoppedyetinsomeplaces。HaveyoubeenmuchintheSoath，Mr。Beaton?\" Beatonexplainedjusthowmuch。 \"Well，sir，\"saidtheColonel，\"thenyouhaveseenacountrymakinggiganticstrugglestoretrieveitslosses，sir。TheSouthisadvancingwithenormousstrides，sir。\" \"Toofastforsomeofustokeepup，\"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleaside。\"ThepaceinCharlottesboagispofectlykilling，andwehadtodropoatintoaslowplacelikeNewYork。\" \"TheprogressintheSouthismaterialnow，\"saidtheColonel；\"andthoseofuswhoseinterestsareinanotherdirectionfindourselves——isolated——isolated，sir。TheintellectualcentresarestillintheNo\'th，sir； thegreatcitiesdrawthementalactivityofthecountrytothem，sir。 NecessarilyNewYorkisthemetropolis。\" \"Oh，everythingcomeshere，\"saidBeaton，impatientoftheelder\'sponderosity。AnothersortofmanwouldhavesympathizedwiththeSoutherner\'swillingnesstotalkofhimself，andledhimontospeakofhisplansandideals。ButthesortofmanthatBeatonwascouldnotdothis；heputupthedummyintothewrapperhehadletdroponthefloorbesidehim，andtieditroundwithstringwhileColonelWoodburnwastalking。HegottohisfeetwiththewordshespokeandofferedMrs。 Leightonhishand。 \"Mustyougo?\"sheasked，insurprise。 \"Iamonmywaytoareception，\"hesaid。Shehadnoticedthathewasineveningdress；andnowshefeltthevaguehurtthatpeopleinvitednowherefeelinthepresenceofthosewhoaregoingsomewhere。Shedidnotfeelitforherself，butforherdaughter；andsheknewAlmawouldnothaveletherfeelitifshecouldhavepreventedit。ButAlmahadlefttheroomforamoment，andshetacitlyindulgedthissenseofinjuryinherbehalf。 \"Pleasesaygood-nighttoMissLeightonforme，\"Beatoncontinued。HebowedtoMissWoodburn，\"Goodnight，MissWoodburn，\"andtoherfather，bluntly，\"Goodnight。\" \"Good-night，sir，\"saidtheColonel，withasortofseveresuavity。 \"Oh，isn\'thechoming!\"MissWoodburnwhisperedtoMrs。LeightonwhenBeatonlefttheroom。 Almaspoketohiminthehallwithout。\"Youknewthatwasmydesign，Mr。 Beaton。Whydidyoubringit?\" \"Why?\"Helookedatheringloomyhesitation。 Thenhesaid:\"Youknowwhy。Iwishedtotalkitoverwithyou，toserveyou，pleaseyou，getbackyourgoodopinion。ButI\'vedoneneithertheonenortheother；I\'vemadeamessofthewholething。\" Almainterruptedhim。\"Hasitbeenaccepted?\" \"Itwillbeaccepted，ifyouwillletit。\" \"Letit?\"shelaughed。\"Ishallbedelighted。\"Shesawhimswayedalittletowardher。\"It\'samatterofbusiness，isn\'tit?\" \"Purely。Good-night。\" WhenAlmareturnedtotheroom，ColonelWoodburnwassayingtoMrs。 Leighton:\"Idonotcontendthatitisimpossible，madam，butitisverydifficultinathoroughlycommercializedsociety，likeyours，tohavethefeelingsofagentleman。Howcanabusinessman，whoseprosperity，whoseearthlysalvation，necessarilyliesintheadversityofsomeoneelse，bedelicateandchivalrous，orevenhonest?IfwecouldhavehadtimetoperfectoursystemattheSouth，toeliminatewhatwasevilanddevelopwhatwasgoodinit，weshouldhavehadaperfectsystem。Butthevirusofcommercialismwasinus，too；itforbadeustomakethebestofadivineinstitution，andtemptedustomaketheworst。Nowthecurseisonthewholecountry；thedollaristhemeasureofeveryvalue，thestampofeverysuccess。Whatdoesnotsellisafailure；andwhatsellssucceeds。\" \"Thehobbyisoat，mahdeah，\"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleasidetoAlma。 \"Wereyouspeakingofme，ColonelWoodburn?\"Almaasked。 \"Surelynot，mydearyounglady。\" \"Buthe\'sbeensayingthatawtustsarejustasgreedyaboatmoneyasanybody，\"saidhisdaughter。 \"Thelawofcommercialismisoneverythinginacommercialsociety，\"theColonelexplained，softeningthetoneinwhichhisconvictionswerepresented。\"Thefinalrewardofartismoney，andnotthepleasureofcreating。\" \"Perhapstheywouldbewillingtotakeitalloatinthatifothahpeoplewouldletthempaytheirbillsinthepleasureofcreating，\"hisdaughterteased。 \"Theyarehelpless，likealltherest，\"saidherfather，withthesamedeferencetoherastootherwomen。\"Idonotblamethem。\" \"Oh，mahgoodness!Didn\'tyousay，sir，thatMr。Beatonhadbadmanners?\" Almarelievedaconfusionwhichheseemedtofeelinreferencetoher。 \"Badmanners?Hehasnomanners!Thatis，whenhe\'shimself。Hehasprettygoodoneswhenhe\'ssomebodyelse。\" MissWoodburnbegan，\"Oh，mah-\"andthenstoppedherself。Alma\'smotherlookedatherwithdistressedquestion，butthegirlseemedperfectlycoolandcontented；andshegavehermindprovisionallytoapointsuggestedbyColonelWoodburn\'stalk。 \"Still，Ican\'tbelieveitwasrighttoholdpeopleinslavery，towhipthemandsellthem。Itneverdidseemrighttome，\"sheadded，inapologyforherextremesentimentstothegentlenessofheradversary。 \"Iquiteagreewithyou，madam，\"saidtheColonel。\"Thoseweretheabusesoftheinstitution。ButifwehadnotbeenvitiatedontheonehandandthreatenedontheotherbythespiritofcommercialismfromtheNorth——andfromEurope，too——thoseabusescouldhavebeeneliminated，andtheinstitutiondevelopedinthedirectionofthemildpatriarchalismofthedivineintention。\"TheColonelhitchedhischair，whichfiguredahobbycareeringuponitshindlegs，alittletowardMrs。Leightonandthegirlsapproachedtheirheadsandbegantowhisper；theyfelldeferentiallysilentwhentheColonelpausedinhisargument，andwentonagainwhenhewenton。 AtlasttheyheardMrs。Leightonsaying，\"Andhaveyouheardfromthepublishersaboutyourbookyet?\" ThenMissWoodburncutin，beforeherfathercouldanswer:\"Thecoaseofcommercialismisonthat，too。Theyaretrahingtofahndoatwhethahitwillpay。\" \"Andtheyareright-quiteright，\"saidtheColonel。\"Thereisnolongeranyothercriterion；andevenaworkthatattacksthesystemmustbesubmittedtothetestsofthesystem。\" \"Thesystemwon\'tacceptdestructiononanyothahtomes，\"saidMissWoodburn，demurely。 XI。 Atthereception，wheretwomeninliverystoodasidetolethimpassuptheoutsidestepsofthehouse，andtwomorehelpedhimoffwithhisovercoatindoors，andafifthmiscalledhisnameintothedrawing-room，theSyracusestone-cutter\'ssonmetthenieceofMrs。Horn，andbeganatoncetotellherabouthiseveningattheDryfooses\'。Hewasinverygoodspirits，forsofarashecouldhavebeenelatedordepressedbyhispartingwithAlmaLeightonhehadbeenelated；shehadnottreatedhisimpudencewiththecontemptthathefeltitdeserved；shemuststillbefondofhim；andthewarmsenseofthis，byoperationofanobscurebutwell-recognizedlawofthemasculinebeing，disposedhimtoberatherfondofMissVance。Shewasaslendergirl，whosesemi-aestheticdressflowedaboutherwithanaccentuationofherlongforms，andredeemedthemfromcensurebytheveryfranknesswithwhichitconfessedthem； nobodycouldhavesaidthatMargaretVancewastootall。Herprettylittlehead，whichshehadaneffectofchoosingtohavelittleinthesamespiritofjudiciousdefiance，hadagooddealofreadinginit；shewasproudtoknowliteraryandartisticfashionsaswellassocietyfashions。ShelikedbeingsingledoutbyanexteriordistinctionsoobviousasBeaton\'s，andshelistenedwithsympatheticinteresttohisaccountofthosepeople。Hegavetheirnaturalhistoryrealitybydrawinguponhisown；hereconstructedtheirplebeianpastfromtheexperiencesofhischildhoodandhisyouthofthepre-Parisianperiod； andhehadapangofsuicidaljoyininsultingtheirignoranceoftheworld。 \"Whatdifferentkindsofpeopleyoumeet!\"saidthegirlatlast，withanenvioussigh。Herreadinghadenlargedtheboundsofherimagination，ifnotherknowledge；thenovelsnowadaysdealtsomuchwithverycommonpeople，andmadethemseemsoverymuchmoreworthwhilethanthepeopleonemet。 ShesaidsomethinglikethistoBeaton。Heanswered:\"YoucanmeetthepeopleI\'mtalkingofveryeasily，ifyouwanttotakethetrouble。 It\'swhattheycametoNewYorkfor。Ifancyit\'sthegreatambitionoftheirlivestobemet。\" \"Ohyes，\"saidMissVance，fashionably，andlookeddown；thenshelookedupandsaid，intellectually:\"Don\'tyouthinkit\'sagreatpity?Howmuchbetterforthemtohavestayedwheretheywereandwhattheywere!\" \"Thenyoucouldneverhavehadanychanceofmeetingthem，\"saidBeaton。 \"Idon\'tsupposeyouintendtogoouttothegascountry?\" \"No，\"saidMissVance，amused。\"NotthatIshouldn\'tliketogo。\" \"Whatadaringspirit!Yououghttobeonthestaffof\'EveryOtherWeek，\'\"saidBeaton。 \"Thestaff-EveryOtherWeek?Whatisit?\" \"Themissinglink；thelong-feltwantofatiebetweentheArtsandtheDollars。\"Beatongaveheraverypicturesque，averydramaticsketchofthetheory，thepurpose，andthepersonnelofthenewenterprise。 MissVanceunderstoodtoolittleaboutbusinessofanykindtoknowhowitdifferedfromotherenterprisesofitssort。Shethoughtitwasdelightful；shethoughtBeatonmustbegladtobepartofit，thoughhehadrepresentedhimselfsobored，soinjured，byFulkerson\'sinsistinguponhavinghim。\"Andisitasecret?Isitathingnottobespokenof?\" \"\'Tutt\'altro\'!Fulkersonwillbeenrapturedtohaveitspokenofinsociety。Hewouldpayanyreasonablebillfortheadvertisement。\" \"Whatadelightfulcreature!Tellhimitshallallbespentincharity。\" \"Hewouldlikethat。Hewouldgettwoparagraphsoutofthefact，andyournamewouldgointothe\'LiteraryNotes\'ofallthenewspapers。\" \"Oh，butIshouldn\'twantmynameused!\"criedthegirl，halfhorrifiedintofancyingthesituationreal。 \"Thenyou\'dbetternotsayanythingabout\'EveryOtherWeek\'。Fulkersonispreternaturallyunscrupulous。\" Marchbegantothinksotoo，attimes。Hewasperpetuallysuggestingchangesinthemake-upofthefirstnumber，withaviewtoitsgreatervividnessofeffect。Onedayhecameandsaid:\"Thisthingisn\'tgoingtohaveanysortofgetupandhowlaboutit，unlessyouhaveapaperinthefirstnumbergoingforBevans\'snovels。BettergetMaxwelltodoit。\" \"Why，IthoughtyoulikedBevans\'snovels?\" \"SoIdid；butwherethegoodof\'EveryOtherWeek\'isconcernedIamaRomanfather。ThepopulargagistoabuseBevans，andMaxwellisthemantodoit。Therehasn\'tbeenanewmagazinestartedforthelastthreeyearsthathasn\'thadanarticlefromMaxwellinitsfirstnumbercuttingBevansalltopieces。Ifpeopledon\'tseeit，they\'llthink\'EveryOtherWeek\'issomeoldthing。\" MarchdidnotknowwhetherFulkersonwasjokingornot。Hesuggested，\"Perhapsthey\'llthinkit\'sanoldthingiftheydoseeit。\" \"Well，getsomebodyelse，then；orelsegetMaxwelltowriteunderanassumedname。Or——Iforgot!He\'llbeanonymousunderoursystem，anyway。Nowthereain\'tamorepopularracketforustoworkinthatfirstnumberthanagood，swingingattackonBevans。Peoplereadhisbooksandquarrelover\'em，andthecriticsareallagainsthim，andaregularflaying，withsaltandvinegarrubbedinafterward，willtellmorewithpeoplewholikegoodold-fashionedfictionthananythingelse。 IlikeBevans\'sthings，but，dadburnit!whenitcomestothatfirstnumber，I\'dofferupanybody。\" \"Whatanimmorallittlewretchyouare，Fulkerson!\"saidMarch，withalaugh。