第14章

\"Oh，letTomfindoutwherethey\'refalse，\"saidMarch。\"Itwillbegoodexerciseforhisfacultiesofresearch。Atanyrate，thosethingsaregettingsaidnowadays；he\'llhavetohearthemsoonerorlater。\" \"Hadhebetterhearthemathome?\"demandedhiswife。 \"Why，youknow，asyou\'reheretorefutethem，Isabel，\"heteased，\"perhapsit\'sthebestplace。Butdon\'tmindpooroldLindau，mydear。 Hesayshimselfthathispargisworsethanhispidte，youknow。\" \"Ah，it\'stoolatenowtomindhim，\"shesighed。Inamomentofrashgoodfeeling，orperhapsanexaltedconceptionofduty，shehadherselfproposedthatLindaushouldcomeeveryweekandreadGermanwithTom；andithadbecomeaquestionfirsthowtheycouldgethimtotakepayforit，andthenhowtheycouldgethimtostopit。Mrs。Marchneverceasedtowonderatherselfforhavingbroughtthisabout，forshehadwarnedherhusbandagainstmakinganyengagementwithLindauwhichwouldbringhimregularlytothehouse:theGermansstuckso，andweresounscrupulouslydependent。Yet，thedeedbeingdone，shewouldnotignorethedutyofhospitality，anditwasalwaysshewhomadetheoldmanstaytotheirSunday-eveningteawhenhelingerednearthehour，readingSchillerandHeineandUhlandwiththeboy，inthecleanshirtwithwhichheobservedtheday；Lindau\'slinenwasnottobetrustedduringtheweek。Shenowconcludedaseasonofmournfulreflectionbysaying，\"Hewillgetyouintotrouble，somehow，Basil。\" \"Well，Idon\'tknowhow，exactly。IregardLindauasapoliticaleconomistofanunusualtype；butIshallnotlethimarraymeagainsttheconstitutedauthorities。Shortofthat，IthinkIamsafe。\" \"Well，becareful，Basil；becareful。Youknowyouaresorash。\" \"IsupposeImaycontinuetopityhim?Heissuchapoor，lonelyoldfellow。Areyoureallysorryhe\'scomeintoourlives，mydear?\" \"No，no；notthat。Ifeelasyoudoaboutit；butIwishIfelteasierabouthim——sure，thatis，thatwe\'renotdoingwrongtolethimkeepontalkingso。\" \"Isuspectwecouldn\'thelpit，\"Marchreturned，lightly。\"It\'soneofwhatLindaucallshis\'brincibles\'tosaywhathethinks。\" II。 TheMarcheshadnolongerthegrossappetitefornoveltywhichurgesyouthtoasurfeitofstrangescenes，experiences，ideas；andmakestravel，withallitsannoyancesandfatigues，aninexhaustibledelight。 ButthereisnodoubtthatthechiefpleasureoftheirlifeinNewYorkwasfromitsqualityofforeignness:theflavorofolives，which，oncetasted，canneverbeforgotten。Theolivesmaynotbeofthefirstexcellence；theymaybealittlestale，andsmallandpoor，tobeginwith，buttheyarestillolives，andthefondpalatecravesthem。 ThesortwhichgrewinNewYork，onlowerSixthAvenueandintheregionofJeffersonMarketandonthesoftexposuressouthofWashingtonSquare，werenonethelessacceptablebecausetheywereofthecommonestItalianvariety。 TheMarchesspentagooddealoftimeandmoneyinagroceryofthatnationality，wheretheyfoundallthepatrioticcomestiblesandpotables，andrenewedtheirfadedItalianwiththefriendlyfamilyincharge。 Italiantabled\'hotesformedtheadventureoftheweek，onthedaywhenMrs。Marchletherdomesticsgoout，andwentherselftodineabroadwithherhusbandandchildren；andtheybecameadeptsintherestaurantswheretheywereserved，andwhichtheyvariedalmostfromdinnertodinner。 Theperfectdecorumoftheseplaces，andtheirimmunityfromoffenceinany，emboldenedtheMarchestoexperimentinSpanishrestaurants，whereredpepperandbeansinsistedineverydinner，andwhereoncetheychanceduponanightof\'ollapodrida\'，withsuchappealstoMarch\'smemoryofaboyishambitiontotastethedishthathebecamepoeticandthenpensiveoveritscabbageandcarrots，peasandbacon。Forararecombinationofinternationalmotivestheyprizedmostthetabled\'hoteofaFrenchlady，whohadtakenaSpanishhusbandinasecondmarriage，andhadaCubannegroforhercook，withacross-eyedAlsationforwaiter，andaslimyoungSouth-Americanforcashier。Marchheldthatsomethingofthecatholiccharacteroftheserelationsexpresseditselfinthegenerousandtolerantvarietyofthedinner，whichwassingularlyabundantforfiftycents，withoutwine。AtoneveryneatFrenchplacehegotadinneratthesamepricewithwine，butitwasnotsoabundant；andMarchinquiredinfruitlessspeculationwhythetabled\'hoteoftheItalians，anotoriouslyfrugalandabstemiouspeople，shouldbeusuallymorethanyouwantedatseventy-fivecentsandadollar，andthatoftheFrenchratherlessathalfadollar。Hecouldnotseethatthefrequentersweregreatlydifferentatthedifferentplaces；theyweremostlyAmericans，ofsubduedmannersandconjecturablysubduedfortunes，withhereandthereatablefullofforeigners。Therewasnonoiseandnotmuchsmokinganywhere；MarchlikedgoingtothatneatFrenchplacebecausethereMadamesatenthronedandhighbehinda\'comptoir\'atonesideoftheroom，andeverybodysalutedheringoingout。Itwastherethatagentle-lookingyoungcoupleusedtodine，inwhomtheMarchesbecameeffectlesslyinterested，becausetheythoughttheylookedlikethatwhentheywereyoung。Thewifehadanaestheticdress，anddefinedherprettyheadbywearingherback-hairpulledupverytightunderherbonnet；thehusbandhaddreamyeyessetwideapartunderapureforehead。 \"Theyareartists，August，Ithink，\"Marchsuggestedtothewaiter，whenhehadvainlyaskedaboutthem。\"Oh，hartis，cedenly，\"Augustconsented； butHeavenknowswhethertheywere，orwhattheywere:Marchneverlearned。 Thisimmunityfromacquaintance，thistouch-andgoqualityintheirNewYorksojourn，thisalmostlossofindividualityattimes，aftertheintenseidentificationoftheirBostonlife，wasarelief，thoughMrs。 Marchhadhermisgivings，andquestionedwhetheritwerenotperhapstoorelaxingtothemoralfibre。Marchrefusedtoexplorehisconscience； heallowedthatitmightbeso；buthesaidhelikednowandthentofeelhispersonalityinthatstateofsolution。TheywentandsatagooddealinthesofteningeveningsamongtheinfantsanddotardsofLatinextractioninWashingtonSquare，safefromallwhoeverknewthem，andenjoyedtheadvancingseason，whichthickenedthefoliageofthetreesandflatteredoutofsightthechurchwarden\'sGothicoftheUniversityBuilding。Theinfantsweresometimescross，andcriedintheirwearymothers\'orlittlesisters\'arms；buttheydidnotdisturbthedotards，whoslept，somewiththeirheadsfallenforward，andsomewiththeirheadsfallenback；Marcharbitrarilydistinguishedthosewiththedroopingfacesastipsyandashamedtoconfrontthepublic。 ThesmallItalianchildrenracedupanddowntheasphaltpaths，playingAmericangamesoftagandhideand-whoop；largerboyspassedball，intrainingforpotentialchampionships。TheMarchessatandmused，orquarrelledfitfullyaboutwheretheyshouldspendthesummer，likesparrows，heoncesaid，tilltheelectriclightsbegantoshowdistinctlyamongtheleaves，andtheylookedroundandfoundtheinfantsanddotardsgoneandthebenchesfilledwithlovers。ThatwasthesignalfortheMarchestogohome。Hesaidthatthespectacleofsomuchcourtshipastheeyemighttakeinthereataglancewasnot，perhaps，oppressive，butthethoughtthatatthesamehourthesamethingwasgoingonalloverthecountry，wherevertwoyoungfoolscouldgettogether，wasmorethanhecouldbear；hedidnotdenythatitwasnatural，and，inameasure。 authorized，buthedeclaredthatitwashackneyed；andthefactthatitmustgoonforever，aslongastheracelasted，madehimtired。 Athome，generally，theyfoundthatthechildrenhadnotmissedthem，andwereperfectlysafe。Itwasoneoftheadvantagesofaflatthattheycouldleavethechildrentherewhenevertheylikedwithoutanxiety。Theylikedbetterstayingtherethanwanderingaboutintheeveningwiththeirparents，whoseexcursionsseemedtothemsomewhataimless，andtheirpleasuresinsipid。Theystudied，orread，orlookedoutofthewindowatthestreetsights；andtheirmotheralwayscamebacktothemwithapangfortheirlonesomeness。Bellaknewsomelittlegirlsinthehouse，butinaceremoniousway；TomhadformednofriendshipsamongtheboysatschoolsuchashehadleftinBoston；asnearlyashecouldexplain，theNewYorkfellowscarriedcanesatanagewhentheywouldhavehadthembrokenforthembytheotherboysatBoston；andtheywerebothsissyishandfast。Itwasprobablyprejudice；henevercouldsayexactlywhattheirdemeritswere，andneitherhenorBellawasapparentlysohomesickastheypretended，thoughtheyansweredinquirers，theonethatNewYorkwasahole，andtheotherthatitwashorrid，andthatalltheylivedforwastogetbacktoBoston。Inthemeantimetheywerethrownmuchuponeachotherforsociety，whichMarchsaidwaswellforbothofthem；hedidnotmindtheircultivatingalittlegloomandthesenseofacommonwrong；itmadethembettercomrades，anditwasprovidingthemwithamusingreminiscencesforthefuture。TheyreallyenjoyedBohemianizinginthatharmlessway:thoughTomhadhisdoubtsofitsrespectability；hewasverypunctiliousabouthissister，andwentroundfromhisownschooleverydaytofetchherhomefromhers。Thewholefamilywenttothetheatreagooddeal，andenjoyedthemselvestogetherintheirdesultoryexplorationsofthecity。 TheylivednearGreenwichVillage，andMarchlikedstrollingthroughitsquaintnesstowardthewatersideonaSunday，whenahereditarySabbatarianismkepthiswifeathome；hemadeherobservethatitevenkeptherathomefromchurch。HefoundalingeringqualityofpureAmericanismintheregion，andhesaidtheverybellscalledtoworshipinanasaltone。Helikedthestreetsofsmallbrickhouses，withhereandthereonepaintedred，andthemortarlinespickedoutinwhite，andwithnowandthenafinewoodenportalofflutedpillarsandabowedtransom。Therearofthetenement-housesshowedhimthepicturesquenessofclothes-linesflutteringfaraloft，asinFlorence；andthenewapartment-houses，breakingtheoldsky-linewiththeirtoweringstories，impliedalifeasalientotheAmericanmannerasanythingincontinentalEurope。Infact，foreignfacesandforeigntonguesprevailedinGreenwichVillage，butnolongerGermanorevenIrishtonguesorfaces。 TheeyesandearringsofItalianstwinkledinandoutofthealleywaysandbasements，andtheyseemedtoaboundeveninthestreets，wherelongranksoftrucksdrawnupinSundayrestalongthecurbstonessuggestedthepresenceofaraceofsturdierstrengththantheirs。Marchlikedtheswarthy，strangevisages；hefoundnothingmenacingforthefutureinthem；forwickednesshehadtosatisfyhimselfashecouldwiththesneering，insolent，clean-shavenmugofsomerareAmericanoftheb\'hoytype，nowalmostasextinctinNewYorkasthedodoorthevolunteerfireman。Whenhehadfoundhisway，amongtheash-barrelsandthegroupsofdecentlydressedchurch-goers，tothedocks，heexperiencedasufficientexcitementintherecentarrivalofaFrenchsteamer，whoseshedswerethrongedwithhacksandexpress-wagons，andinatacitinquiryintotheemotionsofthepassengers，freshfromthecleanlinessofParis，andnowdrivingupthroughthefilthofthosestreets。 Someofthestreetswerefilthierthanothers；therewasatleastachoice；therewereboxesandbarrelsofkitchenoffalonallthesidewalks，butnoteverywheremanure-heaps，andinsomeplacesthestenchwasmixedwiththemoresavorysmellofcooking。OneSundaymorning，beforethewinterwasquitegone，thesightofthefrozenrefusemeltinginheaps，andparticularlytheloathsomeedgesoftherottingicenearthegutters，withthestrataofwaste-paperandstrawlitter，andegg- shellsandorangepeel，potato-skinsandcigar-stumps，madehimunhappy。 Hegaveawhimsicalshrugforthesqualoroftheneighboringhouses，andsaidtohimselfratherthantheboywhowaswithhim:\"It\'scurious，isn\'tit，howfondthepoorpeopleareoftheseunpleasantthoroughfares? Youalwaysfindthemlivingintheworststreets。\" \"Theburdenofallthewrongintheworldcomesonthepoor，\"saidtheboy。\"Everysortoffraudandswindlinghurtsthemtheworst。Thecitywastesthemoneyit\'spaidtocleanthestreetswith，andthepoorhavetosuffer，fortheycan\'taffordtopaytwice，liketherich。\" Marchstoppedshort。\"Hallo，Tom!。Isthatyourwisdom?\" \"It\'swhatMr。Lindausays，\"answeredtheboy，doggedly，asifnotpleasedtohavehisideasmockedat，eveniftheyweresecond-hand。 \"Andyoudidn\'ttellhimthatthepoorlivedindirtystreetsbecausetheylikedthem，andweretoolazyandworthlesstohavethemcleaned?\" \"No；Ididn\'t。\" \"I\'msurprised。WhatdoyouthinkofLindau，generallyspeaking，Tom?\" \"Well，sir，Idon\'tlikethewayhetalksaboutsomethings。Idon\'tsupposethiscountryisperfect，butIthinkit\'saboutthebestthereis，anditdon\'tdoanygoodtolookatitsdrawbacksallthetime。\" \"Sound，myson，\"saidMarch，puttinghishandontheboy\'sshoulderandbeginningtowalkon。\"Well?\" \"Well，then，hesaysthatitisn\'tthepublicfraudsonlythatthepoorhavetopayfor，buttheyhavetopayforallthevicesoftherich；thatwhenaspeculatorfails，orabankcashierdefaults，orafirmsuspends，orhardtimescome，it\'sthepoorwhohavetogiveupnecessarieswheretherichgiveupluxuries。\" \"Well，well!Andthen?\" \"Well，thenIthinkthecrankcomesin，inMr。Lindau。Hesaysthere\'snoneedoffailuresorfraudsorhardtimes。It\'sridiculous。Therealwayshavebeenandtherealwayswillbe。Butifyoutellhimthat，itseemstomakehimperfectlyfurious。\" Marchrepeatedthesubstanceofthistalktohiswife。\"I\'mgladtoknowthatTomcanseethroughsuchravings。Hehaslotsofgoodcommonsense。\" ItwastheafternoonofthesameSunday，andtheyweresaunteringupFifthAvenue，andadmiringthewideolddoublehousesatthelowerend； atonecornertheygotadistinctpleasureoutofthegnarledelbowsthatapollardedwistarialeaneduponthetopofagardenwall——foritsconvenienceinlookingintothestreet，hesaid。Thelineofthesecomfortabledwellings，oncesofashionable，wascontinuallybrokenbythefacadesofshops；andMarchprofessedhimselfvulgarizedbyawantofstyleinthepeopletheymetintheirwalktoTwenty-thirdStreet。 \"Takemesomewheretomeetmyfellow-exclusives，Isabel，\"hedemanded。 \"Ipineforthesocietyofmypeers。\" Hehailedapassingomnibus，andmadehiswifegetontheroofwithhim。 \"ThinkofourdoingsuchathinginBoston!\"shesighed，withalittleshiverofsatisfactioninherimmunityfromrecognitionandcomment。 \"Youwouldn\'tbeafraidtodoitinLondonorParis?\" \"No；weshouldbestrangersthere——justasweareinNewYork。Iwonderhowlongonecouldbeastrangerhere。\" \"Oh，indefinitely，inourwayofliving。Theplaceisreallyvast，somuchlargerthanitusedtoseem，andsoheterogeneous。\" Whentheygotdownveryfarup-town，andbegantowalkbackbyMadisonAvenue，theyfoundthemselvesinadifferentpopulationfromthattheydweltamong；notheterogeneousatall；veryhomogeneous，andalmostpurelyAmerican；theonlyqualificationwasAmericanHebrew。Suchawell-dressed，well-satisfied，well-fedlookingcrowdpoureddownthebroadsidewalksbeforethehandsome，stupidhousesthatMarchcouldeasilypretendhehadgotamonghisfellow-plutocratsatlast。StillheexpressedhisdoubtswhetherthisSundayafternoonparade，whichseemedtobeathingofcustom，representedthebestformamongtheyoungpeopleofthatregion；hewishedheknew；heblamedhimselfforbecomingofafastidiousconjecture；hecouldnotdenythefashionandtherichnessandtheindigeneityofthespectacle；thepromenaderslookedNew-Yorky；theywerethesortofpeoplewhomyouwouldknowforNew-Yorkerselsewhere，——sowellequippedandsoperfectlykeptatallpoints。Theirsilkhatsshone，andtheirboots；theirfrockshadtherightdistensionbehind，andtheirbonnetsperfectpoiseanddistinction。 TheMarchestalkedoftheseandotherfactsoftheirappearance，andcuriouslyquestionedwhetherthiswerethebestthatagreatmaterialcivilizationcouldcometo；itlookedalittledull。Themen\'sfaceswereshrewdandalert，andyettheylookeddull；thewomen\'swereprettyandknowing，andyetdull。Itwas，probably，theholidayexpressionofthevast，prosperouscommercialclass，withunlimitedmoney，andnoidealsthatmoneycouldnotrealize；fashionandcomfortwereallthattheydesiredtocompass，andtheculturethatfurnishesshowily，thatdecoratesandthattells；theculture，say，ofplaysandoperas，ratherthanbooks。 Perhapstheobserversdidthepromenadersinjustice；theymightnothavebeenascommon-mindedastheylooked。\"But，\"Marchsaid，\"Iunderstandnowwhythepoorpeopledon\'tcomeuphereandliveinthisclean，handsome，respectablequarterofthetown；theywouldbeboredtodeath。 Onthewhole，IthinkIshouldpreferMottStreetmyself。\" InotherwalkstheMarchestriedtofindsomeofthestreetstheyhadwanderedthroughthefirstdayoftheirweddingjourneyinNewYork，solongago。Theycouldnotmakesureofthem；butoncetheyrandowntotheBattery，andeasilymadesureofthat，thoughnotinitsoldaspect。 Theyrecalledthehotmorning，whentheysaunteredoverthetroddenweedthatcoveredthesicklygrass-plotsthere，andsentimentalizedtheswelteringpauperswhohadcreptoutofthesqualidtenementsaboutforabreathofairafterasleeplessnight。Nowthepaupersweregone，andwheretheoldmansionsthathadfallentotheiruseoncestood，theretoweredaloftandabroadthoseheightsandmassesofmany-storiedbrick- workforwhicharchitecturehasyetnoproperformandaestheticsnoname。Thetreesandshrubs，allintheiryoungspringgreen，blewbrisklyovertheguardedturfinthesouthwindthatcameupoverthewater；andinthewell-pavedalleystheghostsofeighteenth-centuryfashionmighthavemeteachotherintheiroldhaunts，andexchangedstatelycongratulationsuponitsvastlybetteredcondition，andperhapspuzzledalittleoverthecolossalladyonBedloe\'sIsland，withherliftedtorch，andstillmoreoverthecurvingtracksandchalet-stationsoftheElevatedroad。Itisanoutlookofunrivalledbeautyacrossthebay，thatsmokesandflasheswiththeinnumerablestacksandsailsofcommerce，tothehillsbeyond，wherethemovingforestofmastshaltsattheshore，androotsitselfinthegrovesofthemanyvillageduplands。 TheMarchespaidthecharmingprospectsawillingduty，andrejoicedinitasgenerouslyasifithadbeentheirown。Perhapsitwas，theydecided。Hesaidpeopleownedmorethingsincommonthantheywereapttothink；andtheydrewtheconsolationsofproprietorshipfromtheexcellentmanagementofCastleGarden，whichtheypenetratedforamoment\'sglimpseofthehugerotunda，wheretheimmigrantsfirstsetfootonourcontinent。Itwarmedtheirhearts，soeasilymovedtoanycheapsympathy，toseethefriendlycarethenationtookofthesehumbleguests；theyfounditevenpathetictoheartheproperauthoritycallingoutthenamesofsuchashadkinoracquaintancewaitingtheretomeetthem。Nooneappearedtroubledoranxious；theofficialshadaconscientiouscivility；thegovernmentseemedtomanagetheirwelcomeaswellasaprivatecompanyorcorporationcouldhavedone。Infact，itwasafterthesimplestrangershadleftthegovernmentcarethatMarchfearedtheirwoesmightbegin；andhewouldhavelikedthegovernmenttofolloweachofthemtohishome，whereverhemeanttofixitwithinourborders。Hemadenoteofthelooksofthelicensedrunnersandtouterswaitingfortheimmigrantsoutsidethegovernmentpremises；heintendedtoworkthemupintoadramaticeffectinsomesketch，buttheyremainedmerematerialinhismemorandum-book，togetherwithsomequaintoldhousesontheSixthAvenueroad，whichhehadnoticedonthewaydown。 Onthewayup，theseweresupersededinhisregardbysomehip-roofstructuresontheNinthAvenue，whichhethoughtmoreDutch-looking。 Theperspectivesofthecross-streetstowardtheriverwereverylively，withtheirturmoiloftrucksandcarsandcartsandhacksandfootpassengers，endinginthechimneysandmastsofshipping，andfinalgleamsofdancingwater。Ataverynoisycorner，clangorouswithsomesortofironworking，hemadehiswifeenjoywithhimthequietsarcasmofaninnthatcalleditselftheHome-likeHotel，andhespeculatedatfantasticlengthonthegentleassociationsofonewhoshouldhavepassedhisyouthunderitsroof。 III。 Firstandlast，theMarchesdidagooddealoftravelontheElevatedroads，which，hesaid，gaveyousuchglimpsesofmaterialaspectsinthecityassomeviolentinvasionofothers\'livesmightaffordinhumannature。Once，whentheimpulseofadventurewasverystronginthem，theywentquitethelengthoftheWestSidelines，andsawthecitypushingitswaybyirregularadvancesintothecountry。Somespaces，probablyheldbytheownersforthatriseinvaluewhichtheindustryofothersprovidentiallygivestothelandofthewiseandgood，itleftvacantcomparativelyfardowntheroad，andbuiltupothersatremoterpoints。ItwasaworldofloftyapartmenthousesbeyondthePark，springingupinisolatedblocks，withstretchesofinvadedrusticitybetween，andhereandthereanoldcountry-seatstandingdustyinitsbuddingvineswiththegroundbeforeitinrockyupheavalforcityfoundations。Butwhereveritwentorwhereveritpaused，NewYorkgaveitspeculiarstamp；andtheadventurerswereamusedtofindOneHundredandTwenty-fifthStreetinchoatelylikeTwenty-thirdStreetandFourteenthStreetinitsshopsandshoppers。Thebutchers\'shopsandmilliners\'shopsontheavenuemightaswellhavebeenatTenthasatOneHundredthStreet。 Theadventurerswerenotoftensoadventurous。Theyrecognizedthatintheirwillingnesstolettheirfancyrangeforthem，andtoletspeculationdotheworkofinquiry，theywerenolongeryoung。Theirpointofviewwassingularlyunchanged，andtheirimpressionsofNewYorkremainedthesamethattheyhadbeenfifteenyearsbefore:huge，noisy，ugly，kindly，itseemedtothemnowasitseemedthen。Themaindifferencewasthattheysawitmorenowasalife，andthentheyonlyregardeditasaspectacle；andMarchcouldnotreleasehimselffromasenseofcomplicitywithit，nomatterwhatwhimsical，oralien，orcriticalattitudehetook。Asenseofthestrivingandthesufferingdeeplypossessedhim；andthisgrewthemoreintenseashegainedsomeknowledgeoftheforcesatwork-forcesofpity，ofdestruction，ofperdition，ofsalvation。HewanderedaboutonSundaynotonlythroughthestreets，butintothistabernacleandthat，asthespiritmovedhim，andlistenedtothosewhodealtwithChristianityasasystemofeconomicsaswellasareligion。Hecouldnotgethiswifetogowithhim；shelistenedtohisreportofwhatheheard，andtrembled；itallseemedfantasticandmenacing。Shelamentedtheliterarypeace，theintellectualrefinementofthelifetheyhadleftbehindthem；andheowneditwasverypretty，buthesaiditwasnotlife——itwasdeath-in- life。Shelikedtohearhimtalkinthatstrainofvirtuousself- denunciation，butsheaskedhim，\"Whichofyourprophetsareyougoingtofollow?\"andheanswered:\"All-all!AndafreshoneeverySunday。\" Andsotheygottheirlaughoutofitatlast，butwithsomesadnessatheart，andwithadimconsciousnessthattheyhadgottheirlaughoutoftoomanythingsinlife。 Whatreallyoccupiedandcompassedhisactivities，inspiteofhisstrenuousreveriesofworkbeyondit，washiseditorship。OnitssocialsideithadnotfulfilledalltheexpectationswhichFulkerson\'sradiantsketchofitsdutiesandrelationshadcausedhimtoformofit。Mostofthecontributionscamefromadistance；eventhearticleswritteninNewYorkreachedhimthroughthepost，andsofarfromhavinghisvaluabletime，astheycalledit，consumedininterviewswithhiscollaborators，herarelysawanyofthem。Theboyonthestairs，whowastofencehimfromimportunatevisitors，ledalifeofluxuriousdisoccupation，andwhistledalmostuninterruptedly。Whenanyonecame，Marchfoundhimselfembarrassedandalittleanxious。Thevisitorswereusuallyyoungmen，terriblyrespectful，butcherishing，asheimagined，idealsandopinionschasmallydifferentfromhis；andhefeltintheirpresencesomethinglikeananachronism，somethinglikeafraud。Hetriedtofreshenuphissympathiesonthem，togetatwhattheywerereallythinkingandfeeling，anditwassometimebeforehecouldunderstandthattheywerenotreallythinkingandfeelinganythingoftheirownconcerningtheirart，butwerenecessarily，intheirqualityofyoung，inexperiencedmen，mereacceptantsofoldermen\'sthoughtsandfeelings，whethertheyweretremendouslyconservative，assomewere，ortremendouslyprogressive，asotherswere。Certainofthemcalledthemselvesrealists，certainromanticists；butnoneofthemseemedtoknowwhatrealismwas，orwhatromanticism；theyapparentlysupposedthedifferenceadifferenceofmaterial。Marchhadimaginedhimselftakinghometolunchordinnertheaspirantsforeditorialfavorwhomheliked，whetherhelikedtheirworkornot；butthiswasnotaneasymatter。Thosewhowereatallinterestingseemedtohaveengagementsandpreoccupations；aftertwoorthreeexperimentswiththebashfullersort——thosewhohadcomeuptothemetropoliswithmanuscriptsintheirhands，inthegoodoldliterarytradition——hewonderedwhetherhewasotherwiselikethemwhenhewasyounglikethem。Hecouldnotflatterhimselfthathewasnot；andyethehadahopethattheworldhadgrownworsesincehistime，whichhiswifeencouraged: Mrs。Marchwasnoteagertopursuethehospitalitieswhichshehadatfirstimaginedessentialtotheliteraryprosperityof\'EveryOtherWeek\'；herfamilysufficedher；shewouldwillinglyhaveseennooneoutofitbutthestrangersattheweeklytable-d\'hotedinner，ortheaudiencesatthetheatres。March\'sdevotiontohisworkmadehimreluctanttodelegateittoanyone；andasthesummeradvanced，andthequestionofwheretogogrewmorevexed，heshowedaman\'sbasewillingnesstoshirkitforhimselfbynotgoinganywhere。Heaskedhiswifewhyshedidnotgosomewherewiththechildren，andhejoinedherinasearchfornon-malarialregionsonthemapwhensheconsentedtoentertainthisnotion。Butwhenitcametothepointshewouldnotgo； heofferedtogowithherthen，andthenshewouldnotlethim。Shesaidsheknewhewouldbeanxiousabouthiswork；heprotestedthathecouldtakeitwithhimtoanydistancewithinafewhours，butshewouldnotbepersuaded。Shewouldratherhestayed；theeffectwouldbebetterwithMr。Fulkerson；theycouldmakeexcursions，andtheycouldallgetoffaweekortwototheseashorenearBoston——theonlyrealseashore——inAugust。TheexcursionswerepracticallyconfinedtoasingledayatConeyIsland；andoncetheygotasfarasBostononthewaytotheseashorenearBoston；thatis，Mrs。Marchandthechildrenwent；aneditorialexigencykeptMarchatthelastmoment。TheBostonstreetsseemedveryqueerandcleanandemptytothechildren，andthebuildingslittle；inthehorse-carstheBostonfacesseemedtoarraigntheirmotherwithadown-drawnseveritythatmadeherfeelveryguilty。SheknewthatthiswasmerelythePuritanmask，thecastofadeadcivilization，whichpeopleofveryamiableandtolerantmindsweredoomedtowear，andshesighedtothinkthatlessthanayearoftheheterogeneousgayetyofNewYorkshouldhavemadeherafraidofit。Theskyseemedcoldandgray； theeastwind，whichshehadalwaysthoughtsodeliciousinsummer，cuthertotheheart。ShetookherchildrenuptotheSouthEnd，andintheprettysquarewheretheyusedtolivetheystoodbeforetheiralienatedhome，andlookedupatitsclose-shutteredwindows。Thetenantsmusthavebeenaway，butMrs。Marchhadnotthecouragetoringandmakesure，thoughshehadalwayspromisedherselfthatshewouldgoalloverthehousewhenshecameback，andseehowtheyhadusedit；shecouldpretendadesireforsomethingshewishedtotakeaway。Sheknewshecouldnotbearitnow；andthechildrendidnotseemeager。Shedidnotpushontotheseaside；itwouldbeforlorntherewithouttheirfather；shewasgladtogobacktohimintheimmense，friendlyhomelessnessofNewYork，andholdhimanswerableforthechange，inherheartorhermind，whichmadeitsshapelesstumultarefugeandaconsolation。 Shefoundthathehadbeengivingthecookaholiday，anddiningabouthitherandthitherwithFulkerson。Oncehehaddinedwithhimatthewidow\'s(astheyalwayscalledMrs。Leighton)，andthenhadspenttheeveningthere，andsmokedwithFulkersonandColonelWoodburnonthegalleryoverlookingthebackyard。TheywereallspendingthesummerinNewYork。ThewidowhadgotsogoodanofferforherhouseatSt。 Barnabyforthesummerthatshecouldnotrefuseit；andtheWoodburnsfoundNewYorkawatering-placeofexemplarycoolnessaftertheburningAugustsandSeptembersofCharlottesburg。 \"Youcanstanditwellenoughinourclimate，sir，\"thecolonelexplained，\"tillyoucometotheSeptemberheat，thatsometimesrunswellintoOctober；andthenyoubegintoloseyourtemper，sir。It\'sneverquitesohotasitisinNewYorkattimes，butit\'shotlonger，sir。\" Healleged，asifsomethingofthesortwerenecessary，theexampleofafamousSouthwesterneditorwhospentallhissummersinaNewYorkhotelasthemostluxuriousretreatonthecontinent，consultingtheweatherforecasts，andrunningoffontorriddaystothemountainsorthesea，andthenhurryingbackatthepromiseofcoolerweather。Thecolonelhadnotfounditnecessarytodothisyet；andhehadbeenreluctanttoleavetown，wherehewasworkingupabranchoftheinquirywhichhadsolongoccupiedhim，inthelibraries，andstudyingthegreatproblemoflaborandpovertyasitcontinuallypresenteditselftohiminthestreets。 Hesaidthathetalkedwithallsortsofpeople，whomhefoundmonstrouslycivil，ifyoutookthemintherightway；andhewenteverywhereinthecitywithoutfearandapparentlywithoutdanger。Marchcouldnotfindoutthathehadriddenhishobbyintothehomesofwantwhichhevisited，orhadproposedtheirenslavementtotheinmatesasashortandsimplesolutionofthegreatquestionoftheirlives；heappearedtohavecontentedhimselfwiththecollectionoffactsforthepersuasionofthecultivatedclasses。ItseemedtoMarchaconfirmationofthisimpressionthatthecolonelshouldaddresshisdeductionsfromthesefactssounsparinglytohim；helistenedwitharespectfulpatience，forwhichFulkersonafterwardpersonallythankedhim。 Fulkersonsaiditwasnotoftenthecolonelfoundsuchagoodlistener； generallynobodylistenedbutMrs。Leighton，whothoughthisideaswereshocking，buthonoredhimforholdingthemsoconscientiously。FulkersonwasgladthatMarch，astheliterarydepartment，hadtreatedtheoldgentlemansowell，becausetherewasanopenfeudbetweenhimandtheartdepartment。Beatonwasoutrageouslyrude，Fulkersonmustsay；thoughasforthat，theoldcolonelseemedquiteabletotakecareofhimself，andgaveBeatonanunqualifiedcontemptinreturnforhisunmannerliness。 Theworstofitwas，itdistressedtheoldladyso；sheadmiredBeatonasmuchassherespectedthecolonel，andsheadmiredBeaton，Fulkersonthought，rathermorethanMissLeightondid；heaskedMarchifhehadnoticedthemtogether。Marchhadnoticedthem，butwithoutanyverydefiniteimpressionexceptthatBeatonseemedtogivethewholeeveningtothegirl。Afterwardherecollectedthathehadfanciedherratherharassedbyhisdevotion，anditwasthispointthathewishedtopresentforhiswife\'sopinion。 \"Girlsoftenputonthatair，\"shesaid。\"It\'soneoftheirwaysofteasing。Butthen，ifthemanwasreallyverymuchinlove，andshewasonlyenoughinlovetobeuncertainofherself，shemightverywellseemtroubled。Itwouldbeaveryseriousquestion。Girlsoftendon\'tknowwhattodoinsuchacase。\" \"Yes，\"saidMarch，\"I\'veoftenbeengladthatIwasnotagirl，onthataccount。ButIguessthatongeneralprinciplesBeatonisnotmoreinlovethansheis。Icouldn\'timaginethatyoungmanbeingmoreinlovewithanybody，unlessitwashimself。Hemightbemoreinlovewithhimselfthananyoneelsewas。\" \"Well，hedoesn\'tinterestmeagreatdeal，andIcan\'tsayMissLeightondoes，either。Ithinkshecantakecareofherself。Shehasherselfverywellinhand。\" \"Whysocensorious?\"pleadedMarch。\"Idon\'tdefendherforhavingherselfinhand；butisitafault?\" Mrs。Marchdidnotsay。Sheasked，\"AndhowdoesMr。Fulkerson\'saffairgeton?\" \"Hisaffair?Youreallythinkitisone?Well，I\'vefanciedsomyself，andI\'vehadanideaofsometimeaskinghim；Fulkersonstrikesoneastrulydomesticable，conjugableatheart；butI\'vewaitedforhimtospeak。\" \"Ishouldthinkso。\" \"Yes。He\'sneveropenedonthesubjectyet。Doyouknow，IthinkFulkersonhashismomentsofdelicacy。\" \"Moments!He\'salldelicacyinregardtowomen。\" \"Well，perhapsso。Thereisnothinginthemtorousehisadvertisinginstincts。\" IV TheDryfoosfamilystayedintowntillAugust。ThenthefatherwentWestagaintolookafterhisinterests；andMrs。MandeltookthetwogirlstooneofthegreathotelsinSaratoga。FulkersonsaidthathehadneverseenanythinglikeSaratogaforfashion，andMrs。Mandelrememberedthatinherownyoungladyhoodthiswassoforatleastsomeweeksoftheyear。Shehadbeentoofarwithdrawnfromfashionsincehermarriagetoknowwhetheritwasstillsoornot。Inthis，asinsomanyothermatters，theDryfoosfamilyhelplesslyrelieduponFulkerson，inspiteofDryfoos\'sangrydeterminationthatheshouldnotrunthefamily，andinspiteofChristine\'sdoubtofhisomniscience；ifhedidnotknoweverything，shewasawarethatheknewmorethanherself。ShethoughtthattheyhadarighttohavehimgowiththemtoSaratoga，oratleastgoupandengagetheirroomsbeforehand；butFulkersondidnotoffertodoeither，andshedidnotquiteseeherwaytocommandinghisservices。 TheyoungladiestookwhatMelacalledsplendiddresseswiththem；theysatintheparkoftall，slimtreeswhichthehotel\'squadrangleenclosed，andlistenedtothemusicinthemorning，oronthelongpiazzaintheafternoonandlookedatthedrivinginthestreet，orinthevastparlorsbynight，wherealltheotherladieswere，andtheyfeltthattheywereofthebestthere。Buttheyknewnobody，andMrs。MandelwassoparticularthatMelawaspreventedfromcontinuingtheacquaintanceevenofthefewyoungmenwhodancedwithherattheSaturday-nighthops。 Theydroveabout，buttheywenttoplaceswithoutknowingwhy，exceptthatthecarriagemantookthem，andtheyhadalltheprivilegesofaproudexclusivismwithoutdesiringthem。Onceamotherlymatronseemedtoperceivetheirisolation，andmadeoverturestothem，butthendesisted，asifrepelledbyChristine\'ssuspicion，orbyMela\'stooinstantandhilariousgood-fellowship，whichexpresseditselfinhoarselaughterandinaflowoftalkfulloftopicalandsyntacticalfreedom。 FromtimetotimesheofferedtobetChristinethatifMr。Fulkersonwasonlytheretheywouldhaveagoodtime；shewonderedwhattheywerealldoinginNewYork，whereshewishedherself；sheralliedhersisteraboutBeaton，andaskedherwhyshedidnotwriteandtellhimtocomeupthere。 MelaknewthatChristinehadexpectedBeatontofollowthem。Somebanterhadpassedbetweenthemtothiseffect；hesaidheshouldtaketheminonhiswayhometoSyracuse。Christinewouldnothavehesitatedtowritetohimandremindhimofhispromise；butshehadlearnedtodistrustherliteraturewithBeatonsincehehadlaughedatthespellinginascrapofwritingwhichdroppedoutofhermusic-bookonenight。Shebelievedthathewouldnothavelaughedifhehadknownitwashers；butshefeltthatshecouldhidebetterthedeficiencieswhichwerenotcommittedtopaper； shecouldmanagewithhimintalking；shewastooignorantofherignorancetorecognizethemistakesshemadethen。Throughherownpassionsheperceivedthatshehadsomekindoffascinationforhim；shewasgraceful，andshethoughtitmustbethat；shedidnotunderstandthattherewasakindofbeautyinhersmall，irregularfeaturesthatpiquedandhauntedhisartisticsense，andalookinherblackeyesbeyondherintelligenceandintention。Oncehesketchedherastheysattogether，andflatteredtheportraitwithoutgettingwhathewantedinit；hesaidhemusttryhersometimeincolor；andhesaidthingswhich，whenshemadeMelarepeatthem，couldonlymeanthatheadmiredhermorethananybodyelse。Hecamefitfully，buthecameoften，andsherestedcontentinagirl\'sindefinitenessconcerningtheaffair；ifherthoughtwentbeyondlovemakingtomarriage，shebelievedthatshecouldhavehimifshewantedhim。Herfather\'smoneycountedinthis；shedivinedthatBeatonwaspoor；butthatmadenodifference；shewouldhaveenoughforboth；themoneywouldhavecountedasanirresistibleattractioniftherehadbeennoother。 TheaffairhadgoneoninspiteofthesidelonglooksofrestlessdislikewithwhichDryfoosregardedit；butnowwhenBeatondidnotcometoSaratogaitnecessarilydropped，andChristine\'scontentwithit。Sheborethetrialaslongasshecould；sheusedprideandresentmentagainstit；butatlastshecouldnotbearit，andwithMela\'shelpshewrotealetter，banteringBeatononhisstayinNewYork，andplayfullyboastingofSaratoga。Itseemedtothemboththatitwasaverybrightletter，andwouldbesuretobringhim；theywouldhavehadnoscrupleaboutsendingitbutforthedoubttheyhadwhethertheyhadgotsomeofthewordsright。MelaofferedtobetChristineanythingshedaredthattheywereright，andshesaid，Senditanyway；itwasnodifferenceiftheywerewrong。ButChristinecouldnotenduretothinkofthatlaughofBeaton\'s，andthereremainedonlyMrs。Mandelasauthorityonthespelling。Christinedreadedherauthorityonotherpoints，butMelasaidsheknewshewouldnotinterfere，andsheundertooktogetroundher。 Mrs。Mandelpronouncedthespellingbad，andthetasteworse；sheforbadethemtosendtheletter；andMelafailedtogetroundher，thoughshethreatened，ifMrs。Mandelwouldnottellherhowtospellthewrongwords，thatshewouldsendtheletterasitwas；thenMrs。MandelsaidthatifMr。BeatonappearedinSaratogashewouldinstantlytakethembothhome。WhenMelareportedthisresult，Christineaccusedherofhavingmismanagedthewholebusiness；shequarrelledwithher，andtheycalledeachothernames。ChristinedeclaredthatshewouldnotstayinSaratoga，andthatifMrs。MandeldidnotgobacktoNewYorkwithhersheshouldgoalone。TheyreturnedthefirstweekinSeptember；butbythattimeBeatonhadgonetoseehispeopleinSyracuse。 ConradDryfoosremainedathomewithhismotherafterhisfatherwentWest。Hehadalreadytakensuchavacationashehadbeenwillingtoallowhimself，andhadspentitonacharityfarmnearthecity，wherethefatherswithwhomheworkedamongthepoorontheEastSideinthewinterhadsentsomeoftheirwardsforthesummer。Itwasnotpossibletokeephisrecreationasecretattheoffice，andFulkersonfoundapleasureinfiguringthejollytimeBrotherConradmusthaveteachingfarmworkamongthosepaupersandpotentialreprobates。Heinventeddetailsofhisexperienceamongthem，andMarchcouldnotalwayshelpjoininginthelaughatConrad\'shumorlesshelplessnessunderFulkerson\'sburlesquedenunciationofasummeroutingspentinsuchdissipation。 TheyhadtimeforagreatdealofjokingattheofficeduringtheseasonofleisurewhichpenetratesinAugusttotheveryheartofbusiness，andtheyallgotontermsofgreaterintimacyifnotgreaterfriendlinessthanbefore。Fulkersonhadnothadsolongtodowiththeadvertisingsideofhumannaturewithoutdevelopingaveinofcynicism，ofnogreatdepth，perhaps，butbroad，andunderlyinghiswholepointofview；hemadelightofBeaton\'ssolemnity，ashemadelightofConrad\'shumanity。 Thearteditor，withabundantsarcasm，hadnomorehumorthanthepublisher，andwasaneasypreyinthemanager\'shands；butwhenhehadbeenledonbyFulkerson\'sflatteriestomakesomebetrayalofegotism，hebroodedoverittillhehadthoughthowtorevengehimselfinelaborateinsult。ForBeaton\'stalentFulkersonneverlosthisadmiration；buthisjokewastoencouragehimtogivehimselfairsofbeingthesolesourceofthemagazine\'sprosperity。NobaitofthissortwastooobviousforBeatontoswallow；hecouldbecaughtwithitasoftenasFulkersonchose；thoughhewasordinarilysuspiciousastothemotivesofpeopleinsayingthings。WithMarchhegotonnobetterthanatfirst。Heseemedtobelyinginwaitforsomeencroachmentoftheliterarydepartmentontheartdepartment，andhemetitnowandthenwithanticipativereprisal。Aftertheserebuffs，theeditordeliveredhimovertothemanager，whocouldturnBeaton\'scontrary-mindednesstoaccountbyaskingthereverseofwhathereallywanteddone。ThiswaswhatFulkersonsaid；thefactwasthathedidgetonwithBeatonandMarchcontentedhimselfwithmusinguponthecontradictionsofacharacteratoncesovainandsooffensive，sofickleandsosullen，soconsciousandsosimple。 AfterthefirstjarringcontactwithDryfoos，theeditorceasedtofeelthedisagreeablefactoftheoldman\'smasteryofthefinancialsituation。Noneofthechanceswhichmighthavemadeitpainfuloccurred；thecontrolofthewholeaffairremainedinFulkerson\'shands； beforehewentWestagain，Dryfooshadceasedtocomeabouttheoffice，asif，havingoncewornoffthenoveltyofthesenseofowningaliteraryperiodical，hewasnolongerinterestedinit。 Yetitwasarelief，somehow，whenhelefttown，whichhedidnotdowithoutcomingtotakeaformalleaveoftheeditorathisoffice。 HeseemedwillingtoleaveMarchwithabetterimpressionthanhehadhithertotroubledhimselftomake；heevensaidsomecivilthingsaboutthemagazine，asifitssuccesspleasedhim；andhespokeopenlytoMarchofhishopethathissonwouldfinallybecomeinterestedinittotheexclusionofthehopesandpurposeswhichdividedthem。ItseemedtoMarchthatintheoldman\'swarpedandtoughenedheartheperceivedadisappointedloveforhissongreaterthanforhisotherchildren；butthismighthavebeenfancy。LindaucameinwithsomecopywhileDryfooswasthere，andMarchintroducedthem。WhenLindauwentout，MarchexplainedtoDryfoosthathehadlosthishandinthewar；andhetoldhimsomethingofLindau\'scareerashehadknownit。Dryfoosappearedgreatlypleasedthat\'EveryOtherWeek\'wasgivingLindauwork。Hesaidthathehadhelpedtoenlistagoodmanyfellowsforthewar，andhadpaidmoneytofilluptheMoffittCountyquotaunderthelatercallsfortroops。HehadneverbeenanAbolitionist，buthehadjoinedtheAnti- Nebraskapartyin\'55，andhehadvotedforFremontandforeveryRepublicanPresidentsincethen。 AthisownhouseMarchsawmoreofLindauthanofanyothercontributor，buttheoldmanseemedtothinkthathemusttransactallhisbusinesswithMarchathisplaceofbusiness。Thetransactionhadsomepeculiaritieswhichperhapsmadethisnecessary。Lindaualwaysexpectedtoreceivehismoneywhenhebroughthiscopy，asanacknowledgmentoftheimmediaterightofthelaborertohishire；andhewouldnottakeitinacheckbecausehedidnotapproveofbanks，andregardedthewholesystemofbankingasthecapitalisticmanipulationofthepeople\'smoney。 HewouldreceivehispayonlyfromMarch\'shand，becausehewishedtobeunderstoodasworkingforhim，andhonestlyearningmoneyhonestlyearned；andsometimesMarchinwardlywincedalittleatlettingtheoldmansharetheincreaseofcapitalwonbysuchspeculationasDryfoos\'s，butheshookoffthefeeling。Asthesummeradvanced，andtheartistsandclassesthatemployedLindauasamodellefttownoneafteranother，hegavelargelyofhisincreasingleisuretothepeopleintheofficeof\'EveryOtherWeek。\'ItwaspleasantforMarchtoseetherespectwithwhichConradDryfoosalwaysusedhim，forthesakeofhishurtandhisgraybeard。Therewassomethingdelicateandfineinit，andtherewasnothingunkindlyonFulkerson\'spartinthehostilitieswhichusuallypassedbetweenhimselfandLindau。Fulkersonborehimselfreverentlyattimes，too，butitwasnotinhimtokeepthatup，especiallywhenLindauappearedwithmorebeeraboardthan，asFulkersonsaid，hecouldmanageshipshape。OntheseoccasionsFulkersonalwaystriedtostarthimonthethemeoftheundulyrich；hemadehimselfthechampionofmonopolies，andenjoyedtheinvectiveswhichLindauheapeduponhimasaslaveofcapital；hesaidthatitdidhimgood。 Oneday，withtheusualshowofwrithingunderLindau\'sscorn，hesaid，\"Well，Iunderstandthatalthoughyoudespisemenow，Lindau——\" \"Iton\'tdesbiseyou，\"theoldmanbrokein，hisnostrilsswellingandhiseyesflamingwithexcitement，\"Ibityyou。\" \"Well，itseemstocometothesamethingintheend，\"saidFulkerson。 \"WhatIunderstandisthatyoupitymenowastheslaveofcapital，butyouwouldpitymeagreatdealmoreifIwasthemasterofit。\" \"Howyoumean?\" \"IfIwasrich。\" \"Thatwouldtebendt，\"saidLindau，tryingtocontrolhimself。\"Ifyouhatinheritedtyourmoney，youmightpeinnocent；butifyouhatmateit，eferymanthatresbectedthimselfwouldhaftoaskhowyoumateit，andifyouhatmatemoch，hewouldknow——\" \"Holdon；holdon，now，Lindau!Ain\'tthatratherun-Americandoctrine? We\'reallbroughtup，ain\'twe，tohonorthemanthatmadehismoney，andlookdown——ortrytolookdown；sometimesit\'sdifficultonthefellowthathisfatherleftitto?\" Theoldmanroseandstruckhisbreast。\"OnAmerigan!\"heroared，and，ashewenton，hisaccentgrewmoreandmoreuncertain。\"WhatissAmerigan?DereissnoAmerigaanymore!Youstartherefreeandbrafe，andyouglaimforeferymanderighttolife，liperty，anddebursuitofhabbiness。Andwherehafyouentedt?Nomanthatvorksvithhishandtsamongyouhasthelipertytobursuehishabbiness。Heisstheslafeofsomericherman，somegompany，somegorporation，datcrindthimdowntotheleasthecanlifon，andthatropshimofthemarchinofhisearningsthatheknightpehabbyon。Oh，youAmerigans，youhafcotitdowngoldt，asyousay!Youton\'tpuyfoters；youpuylechislaturesandgoncressmen；youpuygourts；youpuygombetitors；youpayinfentorsnottoinfent；youatfertise，andthegounting-roomseesdatdeetitorial- roomtoesn\'ttink。\" \"Yes，we\'vegotalittlearrangementofthatsortwithMarchhere，\"saidFulkerson。 \"Oh，Iamsawry，\"saidtheoldman，contritely，\"Imeantnotingbersonal。 Iton\'ttinkweareallcuiltyorgorrubt，andefenamongtherichtherearegoodtmen。Butgabidal\"——hispassionroseagain\"whereyoufindgabidal，millionsofmoneythatamanhasscottogederinfife，ten，twentyyears，youfindtthesmelloftearsandploodt!DatisswhatI say。Andyoucottoloogoudtforyourselfwhenyoumeetarichmanwhetheryoumeetanhonestman。\" \"Well，\"saidFulkerson，\"IwishIwasasubjectofsuspicionwithyou，Lindau。By-the-way，\"headded，\"Iunderstandthatyouthinkcapitalwasatthebottomofthevetoofthatpensionofyours。\" \"Whatbension?Whatfeto?\"——Theoldmanflamedupagain。\"Nobensionofminewaseferfetoedt。Irenouncemybension，begauseIwouldsgorntodakemoneyfromagofernmentthatIton\'tpeliefeinanymore。Whereyouhearthatstory?\" \"Well，Idon\'tknow，\"saidFulkerson，ratherembarrassed。\"It\'scommontalk。\" \"It\'sagommonlie，then!Whenthetimegomedatdisissafreegountryagain，thenIdakeabensionagainformywoundts；butIwouldsdarfebeforeIdakeabensionnowfromarebublicdatissboughtoapbymonobolies，andronbydrustsandgompines，andrailroadtsandtoilgompanies。\" \"Lookout，Lindau，\"saidFulkerson。\"Youbiteyourselfmitdatdogsomeday。\"Butwhentheoldman，withaferociousgestureofrenunciation，whirledoutoftheplace，headded:\"IguessIwentalittletoofarthattime。Itouchedhimonasoreplace；Ididn\'tmeanto；IheardsometalkabouthispensionbeingvetoedfromMissLeighton。\"HeaddressedtheseexculpationstoMarch\'sgraveface，andtothepityingdeprecationintheeyesofConradDryfoos，whomLindau\'sroaringwrathhadsummonedtothedoor。\"ButI\'llmakeitallrightwithhimthenexttimehecomes。I didn\'tknowhewasloaded，orIwouldn\'thavemonkeyedwithhim。\" \"Lindaudoeshimselfinjusticewhenhegetstotalkinginthatway，\"saidMarch。\"Ihatetohearhim。He\'sasgoodanAmericanasanyofus；andit\'sonlybecausehehastoohighanidealofus——\" \"Oh，goon!Rubitin——rubitin!\"criedFulkerson，clutchinghishairinsuffering，whichwasnotaltogetherburlesque。\"HowdidIknowhehadrenouncedhis\'bension\'?Whydidn\'tyoutellme?\" \"Ididn\'tknowitmyself。Ionlyknewthathehadnone，andIdidn\'task，forIhadanotionthatitmightbeapainfulsubject。\" Fulkersontriedtoturnitofflightly。\"Well，he\'sanobleoldfellow； pityhedrinks。\"Marchwouldnotsmile，andFulkersonbrokeout:\"Dogonit!I\'llmakeituptotheoldfoolthenexttimehecomes。Idon\'tlikethatdynamitetalkofhis；butanymanthat\'sgivenhishandtothecountryhasgotmineinhisgripforgood。Why，March!Youdon\'tsupposeIwantedtohurthisfeelings，doyou?\" \"Why，ofcoursenot，Fulkerson。\" Buttheycouldnotgetawayfromacertainruefulnessforthattime，andintheeveningFulkersoncameroundtoMarch\'stosaythathehadgotLindau\'saddressfromConrad，andhadlookedhimupathislodgings。 \"Well，thereisn\'tsomuchbric-a-bracthere，quite，asMrs。Greenleftyou；butI\'vemadeitallrightwithLindau，asfarasI\'mconcerned。 ItoldhimIdidn\'tknowwhenIspokethatway，andIhonoredhimforstickingtohis\'brinciples\'；Idon\'tbelieveinhis\'brincibles\'； andweweptoneachother\'snecks——atleast，hedid。Doggedifhedidn\'tkissmebeforeIknewwhathewasupto。HesaidIwashischenerousgongfriendt，andhebeggedmybartonifhehadsaidanythingtowoundme。Itellyouitwasanaffectingscene，March；andratsenoughroundinthatoldbarrackswherehelivestofitoutafirst-classcaseofdeliriumtremens。Whatdoeshestaytherefor?He\'snotobligedto?\" Lindau\'sreasons，asMarchrepeatedthem，affectedFulkersonasdeliciouslycomical；butafterthatheconfinedhispleasantriesattheofficetoBeatonandConradDryfoos，or，ashesaid，hespenttherestofthesummerinkeepingLindausmoothedup。 ItisdoubtfulifLindaualtogetherlikedthisaswell。PerhapshemissedtheoccasionsFulkersonusedtogivehimofburstingoutagainstthemillionaires；andhecouldnotwellgoondenouncingastheslafeofgabidalamanwhohadbehavedtohimasFulkersonhaddone，thoughFulkerson\'sservilerelationstocapitalhadbeeninnowisechangedbyhisnoplegonduct。 Theirrelationscontinuedtowearthisirksomecharacterofmutualforbearance；andwhenDryfoosreturnedinOctoberandFulkersonrevivedthequestionofthatdinnerincelebrationofthesuccessof\'EveryOtherWeek，\'hecarriedhiscomplaisancetoanextremethatalarmedMarchfortheconsequences。 V。 \"Yousee，\"Fulkersonexplained，\"Ifindthattheoldmanhasgotanideaofhisownaboutthatbanquet，andIguessthere\'ssomesenseinit。Hewantstohaveapreliminarylittledinner，wherewecantalkthethingupfirst-halfadozenofus；andhewantstogiveusthedinnerathishouse。Well，that\'snoharm。Idon\'tbelievetheoldmanevergaveadinner，andhe\'dliketoshowoffalittle；there\'sagooddealofhumannatureintheoldman，afterall。Hethoughtofyou，ofcourse，andColonelWoodburn，andBeaton，andmeatthefootofthetable；andConrad；andIsuggestedKendricks:he\'ssuchanicelittlechap；andtheoldmanhimselfbroughtuptheideaofLindau。Hesaidyoutoldhimsomethingabouthim，andheaskedwhycouldn\'twehavehim，too；andI jumpedatit。\" \"HaveLindautodinner?\"askedMarch。 \"Certainly；whynot?FatherDryfooshasanotionofpayingtheoldfellowacomplimentforwhathedoneforthecountry。Therewon\'tbeanytroubleaboutit。Youcansitalongsideofhim，andcutuphismeatforhim，andhelphimtothings——\" \"Yes，butitwon\'tdo，Fulkerson!Idon\'tbelieveLindaueverhadonadress-coatinhislife，andIdon\'tbelievehis\'brincibles\'wouldlethimwearone。\" \"Well，neitherhadDryfoos，forthematterofthat。He\'sashigh- principledasoldPan-Electrichimself，whenitcomestoadress-coat，\" saidFulkerson。\"We\'reallgoingtogoinbusinessdress；theoldmanstipulatedforthat。 \"Itisn\'tthedress-coatalone，\"Marchresumed。\"LindauandDryfooswouldn\'tgeton。Youknowthey\'reoppositepolesineverything。Youmustn\'tdoit。DryfooswillbesuretosaysomethingtooutrageLindau\'s\'brincibles，\'andthere\'llbeanexplosion。It\'sallwellenoughforDryfoostofeelgratefultoLindau，andhiswishtohonorhimdoeshimcredit；buttohaveLindautodinnerisn\'ttheway。Atthebest，theoldfellowwouldbeveryunhappyinsuchahouse；hewouldhaveabadconscience；andIshouldbesorrytohavehimfeelthathe\'dbeenrecreanttohis\'brincibles\'；they\'reaboutallhe\'sgot，andwhateverwethinkofthem，we\'reboundtorespecthisfidelitytothem。\"MarchwarmedtowardLindauintakingthisviewofhim。\"IshouldfeelashamedifIdidn\'tprotestagainsthisbeingputinafalseposition。Afterall，he\'smyoldfriend，andIshouldn\'tliketohavehimdohimselfinjusticeifheisacrank。\" \"Ofcourse，\"saidFulkerson，withsometroubleinhisface。 \"Iappreciateyourfeeling。Butthereain\'tanydanger，\"headded，buoyantly。\"Anyhow，youspoketoolate，astheIrishmansaidtothechickenwhenheswallowedhiminafreshegg。I\'veaskedLindau，andhe\'sacceptedwithblayzure；that\'swhathesays。\" Marchmadenoothercommentthanashrug。 \"You\'llsee，\"Fulkersoncontinued，\"it\'llgooffallright。I\'llengagetomakeit，andIwon\'tholdanybodyelseresponsible。\" InthecourseofhismarriedlifeMarchhadlearnednottocensuretheirretrievable；butthiswasjustwhathiswifehadnotlearned；andshepouredoutsomuchastonishmentatwhatFulkersonhaddone，andsomuchdisapproval，thatMarchbegantopalliatethesituationalittle。 \"Afterall，itisn\'taquestionoflifeanddeath；and，ifitwere，I don\'tseehowit\'stobehelpednow。\" \"Oh，it\'snottobehelpednow。ButIamsurprisedatMr。Fulkerson。\" \"Well，Fulkersonhashismomentsofbeingmerelyhuman，too。\" Mrs。Marchwouldnotdeignadirectdefenceofherfavorite。\"Well，I\'mgladtherearenottobeladies。\"