\"Iwasthinkingthat，asyoucan\'tdomuchwiththosehandsofyours，diggingandshoveling，andnotmuchwithyourfeeteither，overploughedground，youmightdosomeinsidework，thatwouldpayyoubetter，too。Youmighthelpinthediningroom，settingtableandwashingup，helpingmaandme——thoughIdon\'tdomuchexceptoverseeing。Icouldshowyouwhattodoatfirst，andyou\'dlearnquickenough。Ifyousay\'yes，\'I\'llspeaktopato-night。He\'lldowhateverIsay。”
Therageandshamethatfilledhisbreastchokedeventhebitterlaughthatfirstrosetohislips。Ifhecouldhaveturnedonhisheelandleftherwithmarkedindignation，hewouldhavedoneso，buttheywerescarcelyhalfwayacrossthefield；hisstumblingretreatwouldhaveonlyappearedridiculous，andhewasbynomeanssurethatshewouldnothavelookeduponitasmerelyaconfessionofhisinabilitytokeepupwithher。Andyettherewassomethingpeculiarlyfascinatingandtantalizinginthesituation。Shedidnotseethesardonicglitterinhiseyeashesaidbrutally:——
\"Ha!andthatwouldgivemetheexquisitepleasureofbeingnearyou。”
Sheseemedalittleconfused，evenunderherenwrappings，andinsteppingdownherfootslipped。Reddyinstantlyscrambleduptoherandcaughtherasshewaspitchingforwardintothefurrow。
Yetinthestruggletokeephisownfootholdhewasawarethatshewasassistinghim，andalthoughhehadpassedhisarmaroundherwaist，asifforherbettersecurity，itwasonlythroughHERfirmgraspofhiswriststhatheregainedhisownfooting。The\"cloud\"
hadfallenbackfromherheadandshoulders，herheavyhairhadbrushedhischeekandleftitsfaintodorinhisnostrils；theroundedoutlineofherfigurehadbeenslightlydrawnagainsthisown。Hismeanresentmentwavered；herproposition，whichatfirstseemedonlyinsulting，nowtookavagueformofsatisfaction；hisironicalsuggestionseemedanaturalexpression。\"Well，Isay\'yes\'then，\"hesaid，withanaffectedlaugh。\"Thatis，ifyouthinkIcanmanagetodothework；itisnotexactlyinmyline，youknow。”Yethesomehowfeltthathislaughwasfeebleandunconvincing。
\"Oh，it\'seasyenough，\"saidthegirlquietly。\"You\'veonlygottobeclean——andthat\'sinyourline，Ishouldsay。”
\"AndifIthoughtitwouldpleaseyou，\"headded，withanotherattemptatgallantry。
Shedidnotreply，butmovedsteadilyon，hefanciedalittlemorerapidly。Theywerenearingthehouse；hefelthewaslosingtimeandopportunity。Theunevennatureofthegroundkepthimfromwalkingimmediatelybesideher，unlessheheldherhandorarm。
Yetanoddtimiditywasovertakinghim。Surelythiswasthesamegirlwhoseconsciousnessandsusceptibilityweresoapparentamomentago；yetherspeechhadbeeninconsistent，unsympathetic，andcoldlypractical。\"It\'sverykindofyou，\"hebeganagain，scramblinguponesideofthefurrowasshedescendedontheother，\"to——to——takesuchaninterestin——inastranger，andIwishyouknewhow\"(shehadmountedtheridgeagain，andstoodbalancingherselfasifwaitingforhimtofinishhissentence)\"how——howdeeply——I——I\"——Shedroppedquicklydownagainwiththesamemovementofuneasyconsciousness，andheleftthesentenceunfinished。Thehousewasnowonlyafewyardsaway；hehurriedforward，butshereachedthewoodenplatformandstoopuponitfirst。He，however，atthesamemomentcaughtherhand。
\"Iwanttothankyou，\"hesaid，\"andsaygood-night。”
\"Good-night。”Hervoicewasindistinctagain，andshewastrembling。Emboldenedandreckless，hesprangupontheplatform，andencirclingherwithonearm，withhisotherhandheunloosedthewoolencloudaroundherheadandbaredherfaintlyflushedcheekandhalf-open，hurriedlybreathinglips。Butthenextmomentshethrewherheadbackwithasinglepowerfulmovement，and，asitseemedtohim，withscarcelyaneffortcasthimoffwithbothhands，andsenthimtopplingfromtheplatformtotheground。
Hescrambledquicklytohisfeetagain，flushed，angry，and——
frightened!Perhapsshewouldcallherfather；hewouldbeinsulted，orworse，——laughedat!Hehadlosteventhispitifulchanceofbetteringhiscondition。Buthewasasrelievedashewassurprisedtoseethatshewasstandingquietlyontheedgeoftheplatform，apparentlywaitingforhimtorise。Herfacewasstilluncovered，stillslightlyflushed，butbearingnotraceofeitherinsultoranger。Whenhestooderectagain，shelookedathimgravelyanddrewthewoolencloudoverherhead，asshesaidcalmly，\"ThenI\'lltellpayou\'lltaketheplace，andIreckonyou\'llbeginto-morrowmorning。”
II。
Angered，discomfited，andphysicallyandmorallybeaten，JamesReddystumbledandclamberedbackacrossthefield。Thebeamoflightthathadstreamedoutoverthedarkfieldasthedooropenedandshutonthegirllefthimdoublyconfusedandbewildered。Inhisdullangerandmortification，thereseemedonlyonecourseforhimtopursue。Hewoulddemandhiswagesinthemorning，andcutthewholeconcern。HewouldgobacktoSanFranciscoandworkthere，whereheatleasthadfriendswhorespectedhisstation。
Yet，heoughttohaverefusedthegirl\'sofferbeforeshehadrepulsedhim；hisretreatnowmeantnothing，andmighteventempther，inhervulgarpique，torevealherrebuffofhim。Heraisedhiseyesmechanically，andlookedgloomilyacrossthedarkwasteanddistantbaytotheoppositeshore。Butthefoghadalreadyhiddentheglowofthecity\'slights，and，thickeningaroundthehorizon，seemedtobeslowlyhemminghiminwiththedrearyrancho。
Inhispresentframeofmindtherewasacertainfatefulnessinthisthatprecludedhisoncefreeagency，andtothatextentrelievedandabsolvedHIMofanychoice。Hereachedthedormitoryanditsturned-downlightsinastateoftiredanddulluncertainty，forwhichsleepseemedtooffertheonlyrelief。Herolledhimselfinhisblanketswithananimalinstinctofcomfortandshuthiseyes，buttheirsenseappearedtoopenuponNellyWoodridgeasshestoodlookingdownuponhimfromtheplatform。Eventhroughthedullpainofhisbruisedsusceptibilitieshewasconsciousofastrangesatisfactionhehadnotfeltbefore。Hefellasleepatlast，towakenonlytothesunlightstreamingthroughthecurtainlesswindowsonhisface。Tohissurprisethelongshedwasemptyanddeserted，exceptforasingleChinamanwhowassweepingtheflooratthefartherend。AsReddystartedup，themanturnedandapproachedhimwithacharacteristic，vague，andpatientsmile。
\"Alllity，John，yousleepeeheap!MistelWoodlidgehesayyounogowolkeefieldalleesameMellikanman。YoustoppeeinsidehouseealleesameME。Shabbee？Youcometoglubbee[grub]now\"(pointingtothedistantdining-shed)，\"andthenyouwasheedish。”
ThefullextentofhisnewdegradationflasheduponReddywiththisaddedinsultofhisbrothermenial\'simplicitequality。Heunderstooditall。Hehadbeendetachedfromthefield-workersandwastocometoalaterbreakfast，perhapsthebrokenvictualsofthefirstrepast，andwashthedishes。Herememberedhisnewbargain。Verywell!hewouldrefusepositively，takehisdismissal，andleavethatmorning!Hehurriedlydressedhimself，andfollowedtheChinamanintotheopenair。
Thefogstillhunguponthedistantbayandhidtheoppositepoint。
ButthesunshonewithdryCalifornianbrilliancyovertheleague-
longfieldaroundhim，revealingeverydetailoftheranchowithsharp，matteroffactdirectness，andwithouttheleastillusionofdistanceorromance。Therough，unplaned，unpaintedwallsofthedinner-shedstoodoutclearlybeforehim；thehalf-filledbucketsofwateronthenearplatform，andtheimmensetubspiledwithdirtydishes。Hescowleddarklyashewalkedforward，conscious，nevertheless，oftheinvigoratingdisciplineofthemorningairandthewholesomewhipintheskyabovehim。Heenteredsharplyandaggressively。Tohisrelief，theroomatfirstsightseemed，likethedormitoryhehadjustleft，tobeempty。Butavoice，clear，dry，direct，andpracticalasthemorningitself，spokeinhisear:
\"Mornin\'，Reddy!Mydaughtersaysyou\'rewillin\'totakeanindoorjob，andIreckon，speakin\'square，asmantoman，it\'smoreinyourlinethanwhatyou\'vebindoin\'。Itmayn\'tbehigh-tonedwork，butwork\'sWORKanyhowyoucanfixit；andtheonlydifferenceIkinseeisintheworkthatamandoessquarely，andtheworkthatheshirks。”
\"But，\"saidReddyhurriedly，\"there\'samistake。Icamehereonlyto\"——
\"Workliketheothers，Iunderstand。Well，youseeyouCAN\'T。Youdoyourbest，Iknow。Iain\'tfindin\'fault，butitain\'tinyourline。THISis，andthepayisbetter。”
\"But，\"stammeredReddy，\"MissWoodridgedidn\'tunderstand\"——
\"Yes，shedid，\"returnedWoodridgeimpatiently，\"andshetoldme。
Shesaysshe\'llshowyouroundatfirst。You\'llcatchonallright。Sitdownandeatyourbreakfast，andshe\'llbealongbeforeyou\'rethrough。EzforME，Imustgetupandget。Solong!\"andbeforeReddyhadanopportunitytocontinuehisprotest，heturnedaway。
Theyoungmanglancedvexatiouslyaroundhim。Abreakfastmuchbetterinserviceandqualitythantheonehehadbeenaccustomedtosmokedonthetable。Therewasnooneelseintheroom。HecouldhearthevoicesoftheChinesewaitersinthekitchenbeyond。
Hewashealthilyhungry，andafteramoment\'shesitationsatdownandbeganhismeal。Hecouldexpostulatewithherafterward，andwithdrawhispromise。Hewasentitledtohisbreakfast，anyway!
Onceortwice，whilethusengaged，heheardthedoorofthekitchenopenandtheclippingtreadoftheChinesewaiters，whodepositedsomerattlingburdenontheadjacenttables，buthethoughtitprudentnottoseemtonoticethem。Whenhehadfinished，thepleasant，hesitating，boyishcontraltoofMissWoodridgefelluponhisear。
\"Whenyou\'reready，I\'llshowyouhowtobeginyourwork。”
Heturnedquickly，withaflushofmortificationatbeingdiscoveredathisrepast，andhisangerreturned。Butashiseyesfelluponherdelicatelycoloredbuttranquilface，herwell-shapedfigure，coquettishlyandspotlesslycuffed，collared，andaproned，andherclearbluebuthalf-avertedeyes，heagainunderwentachange。Shecertainlywasverypretty——thatmostseductiveprettinesswhichseemedtobewarmedintolifebyherconsciousnessofhimself。Whyshouldhetakeherorhimselfsoseriously？Whynotplayoutthefarce，andletthosewhowouldcriticisehimandthinkhisacceptanceoftheworkdegradingunderstandthatitwasonlyanaffairofgallantry。HecouldaffordtoserveWoodridgeatleastafewweeksforthefavorofthisRachel!Forgetfulofhisrebuffofthenightbefore，hefixedhisbrowneyesonherswithanaudaciouslevity。
\"Ohyes——thework!Letusseeit。I\'mreadyinnameandnatureforanythingthatMissWoodridgewantsofme。I\'mjustdyingtobegin。”
Hisvoicewasraisedslightly，withahighcomedyjauntiness，forthebenefitoftheChinesewaiterswhomightbelingeringtoseethe\"Mellicanman\"assumetheirfunctions。Butitfailedineffect。Withtheircharacteristiccalmacceptanceofanyeccentricityina\"foreigndevil，\"theyscarcelyliftedtheireyes。
Theyounggirlpointedtoadeepbasketfilledwithdisheswhichhadbeenplacedonthelargertable，andsaid，withoutlookingatReddy:——
\"Youhadbetterbeginby\'checking\'thecrockery。Thatis，countingthepiecesseparatelyandthenarrangingtheminsetsastheycomebackfromwashing。There\'sthebooktocomparethemwithandtosetdownwhatisbroken，missing，orchipped。You\'llhaveacleantowelwithyoutowipethepiecesthathavenotbeencleanedenough；or，iftheyaretoodirty，you\'llsendthembacktothekitchen。”
\"Couldn\'tIwashthemmyself？\"saidReddy，continuinghisostentatiouslevity。
\"Notyet，\"saidthegirl，withgravehesitation；\"you\'dbreakthem。”
Shestoodwatchinghim，aswithaffectedhilarityhebegantotakethedishesfromthebasket。Butshenoticedthatinspiteofthisjocularsimulationhisgraspwasfirmanddelicate，andthattherewasnoclatter——whichwouldhaveaffectedhersensitiveear——asheputthemdown。Shelaidapencilandaccountbookbesidehimandturnedaway。
\"Butyouarenotgoing？\"hesaid，ingenuinesurprise。
\"Yes，\"shesaidquietly，\"untilyougetthrough\'checking。\'ThenI\'llcomebackandshowyouwhatyouhavetodonext。You\'regettingonverywell。”
\"Butthatwasbecauseyouwerewithme。”
Shecoloredslightlyand，withoutlookingathim，movedslowlytothedooranddisappeared。
Reddywentbacktohiswork，disappointedbutnotdiscomfited。Hewasgettingaccustomedtothegirl\'seccentricities。Whetheritwasthefreshnessofthemorningairandsunlightstreaminginattheopenwindows，theunlooked-forsolitudeandsecurityoftheemptyroom，orthattherewasnothingreallyunpleasantinhisoccupation，hewentoncheerfully\"checking\"thedishes，narrowlyexaminingthemforchipsandcracks，andnotingtheminthebook。
Againdiscoveringthatafewwereimperfectlycleanedandwiped，herepairedthedefectwithcoldwaterandatowelwithouttheleastthoughtoftheoperationbeingdegrading。Hehadfinishedhistaskinhalfanhour；shehadnotreturned；whyshouldhenotgoonandsetthetable？Ashestraightenedandturnedthecoarsetable-
cloth，hemadethediscoverythatthelongtablewasreallycomposedofhalfadozensmallerones，andthatthehideousparallelogramwhichhadalwayssooffendedhimwasmerelytheoutcomeofcarelessnessandwantoftaste。Withoutamoment\'shesitationhesetatworktobreakupthemonotonouslineandrearrangedthetableslaterally，withsmallopenspacesbetweenthem。Thetaskwasnolightone，evenforastrongerman，butheperseveredinitwithanew-foundenergyuntilhehadchangedthewholeaspectoftheroom。Itlookedlarger，wider，andlesscrowded；itshardpractical，workhouse-likeformalityhaddisappeared。Hehadpausedtosurveyit，pantingstillwithhisunusualexertion，whenavoicebrokeuponhissolitude。
\"Well，Iwanterknow!\"
ThevoicewasnotNelly\'s，butthatofhermother，——alarge-boned，angularwomanoffifty，——whohadenteredtheroomunperceived。Theaccentsweresimplythoseofsurprise，butonJamesReddy\'spresentsensitivemood，coupledwiththefeelingthatherewasanewwitnesstohisdegradation，hemighthaveresentedit；buthedetectedthehandsome，reservedfigureofthedaughterafewstepsbehindher。Theireyesmet；wonderfultorelate，theyounggirl\'snolongerevadedhim，butlookedsquarelyintohiswithabrightexpressionofpleasurehehadnotseenbefore。Hecheckedhimselfwithasuddenthrillofgratification。
\"Well，Ideclare，\"continuedMrs。Woodridge；\"isthatYOURidea——oryours，Helen？\"
HereReddysimplypointedouttheadvantagesforservingaffordedbythenewarrangement；thatallthetableswereequallyandquicklyaccessiblefromtheserving-tableandsideboard，andthatitwasnolongernecessarytogothewholelengthoftheroomtoservetheuppertable。Hetactfullydidnotrefertotheimprovedappearanceoftheroom。
\"Well，aslongasitain\'tmerefinikin，\"saidtheladygraciously，\"andseemstobringthefolksandtheirvittlesnearertogether——
we\'lltryitto-day。ItdoeslookkinderCITYFIED——andIreckonedthatwasallthegooditwas。ButIcalkilatedyouweregoin\'tocheckthecrockerythismorning。”
\"It\'sdone，\"saidReddy，smilinglyhandinghertheaccount-book。
Mrs。Woodridgeglancedoverit，andthensurveyedhernewassistant。
\"Andyoudidn\'tfindanyplatesthatweredirtyandthathadtobesentback？\"
\"Yes，twoorthree，butIcleanedthemmyself。”
Mrs。Woodridgeglancedathimwithalookofapprovingcuriosity，buthiseyeswerejustthenseekingherdaughter\'sforamoregratefulsympathy。Allofwhichthegoodladynoted，andasitapparentlyansweredtheunaskedquestioninherownmind，sheonlyutteredthesingleexclamation，\"Humph!\"
Buttheapprobationhereceivedlateratdinner，inthesatisfactionofhisoldcompanionswiththenewarrangement，hadalsotheeffectofdivertingfromhimthecriticismhehadfearedtheywouldmakeinfindinghiminstalledasanassistanttoMrs。
Woodridge。Onthecontrary，theyappearedonlytorecognizeinhimsomeespecialandsuperiorfacultyutilizedfortheircomfort，andwhenthesuperintendent，equallypleased，saiditwas\"allReddy\'sownidea，\"noonedoubtedthatitwasthisparticularstrokeofgeniuswhichgainedhimtheobviouspromotion。IfhehadstillthoughtofofferinghisflirtationwithNellyasanexcuse，therewasnownonecessityforany。Havingshowntohisemployershiscapacityforthehighestandlowestwork，theynaturallypreferredtousehisbestabilities——andhewaskeptfromanymenialservice。
Hisaccountsweresocarefullyandintelligentlyrenderedthattheentirecareofthebuildinganditsappointmentswasintrustedtohim。AttheendoftheweekMr。Woodridgetookhimaside。
\"Isay，youain\'tgotanyjobinviewarteryoufinishuphere，hevye？\"
Reddystarted。Scarcelytendaysagohehadahundredprojects，schemes，andspeculations，moreorlesswildandextravagant，wherewithhewastoavengeandrecouphimselfinSanFrancisco。
Nowtheyweregoneheknewnotwhereandhow。Hebrieflysaidhehadnot。
\"Because，\"continuedWoodridge，\"I\'vegotanideaofstartin\'ahotelintheOakGrove，justontheslopebacko\'therancho。Thecompany\'sboundtomakesomesorto\'settlementtherefortheregularhands，andtheplaceispootyenoughfor\'Friscopeoplewhowanttorunoverhereandgetsetupforadayortwo。Thar\'splentyofwoodandwaterupthar，andthecompany\'ssuretohaveawharfdownontheshore。I\'llprovidethecapital，ifyouwillputinyourtime。Youcanslinginezmuchstyleasyoulikethere\"
(thiswasanallusiontoReddy\'sattempttoenliventheblankwallswithcoloredpicturesfromtheillustratedpapersandgreenceanothusspraysfromtheslope)；\"infact，themorestylethebetterforthemcityfolks。Well，youthinkitover。”
Hedid。Butmeantimeheseemedtomakelittleprogressinhiscourtofthesuperintendent\'sdaughter。Hetriedtothinkitwasbecausehehadallowedhimselftobedivertedbyhiswork，butalthoughshealwaysbetrayedthesameoddphysicalconsciousnessofhispresence，itwascertainthatsheneverencouragedhim。Shegavehimthefewdirectionsthathisnewoccupationstillmadenecessary，andlookedherapprovalofhissuccess。Butnothingmore。Hewasforcedtoadmitthatthiswasexactlywhatshemighthavedoneasthesuperintendent\'sdaughtertoadeservingemployee。
Whereat，forafewdaysheassumedanairofcoldandceremoniouspoliteness，untilperceivingthat，farfrompiquingthegirl，itseemedtogratifyher，andeventorenderherlesssensitiveinhiscompany，hesulkedingoodearnest。Thisprovingineffectivealso，——excepttoproduceakindofcompassionatecuriosity，——hisformerdullragereturned。Theplantingoftheranchowasnearlyover；hisservicewouldbeendednextweek；hehadnotyetgivenhisanswertoWoodridge\'sproposition；hewoulddeclineitandcutthewholeconcern!
ItwasacrispSundaymorning。Thebreakfasthourwaslateronthatdaytoallowthemenmoretimefortheirholiday，which，however，theygenerallyspentincards，gossip，orreadingintheirsleepingsheds。ItusuallydelayedReddy\'swork，butashecaredlittleforthecompanionshipofhisfellows，itenabledhim，withoutashowofunsociability，tosecludehimselfinthedining-
room。Andthismorninghewasearlyapproachedbyhisemployer。
\"I\'mgoin\'totakethewomenfolksovertoOakdaletochurch，\"saidMr。Woodridge；\"efyekeertojoinusthar\'saseatinthewagon，andI\'llturnonacoupleofChinamentodotheworkforyou，justnow；andNellyortheoldwomanwillgiveyoualiftthisafternoonwiththecountingup。”
Reddyfeltinstinctivelythattheinvitationhadbeeninstigatedbytheyounggirl。Aweekbeforehewouldhaverejoicedatit；amonthagohewouldhaveaccepteditifonlyasarelieftohisdegradedposition，butinthepiqueofthisnewpassionhealmostrudelydeclinedit。AnhourlaterhesawNelly，becominglyandeventastefullydressed，——withtheAmericangirl\'striumphantsuperioritytoherconditionandsurroundings，——ridepastinherfather\'ssmart\"carryall。”Hewasstartledtoseethatshelookedsolikealady。Then，withanewandjealousinconsistency，significantoftheprogressofhispassion，heresolvedtogotochurchtoo。Sheshouldseethathewasnotgoingtoremainbehindlikeamereslave。Herememberedthathehadstillcertainremnantsofhispastfineryinhistrunk；hewouldarrayhimselfinthem，walktoOakdale，andmakeoneofthecongregation。Hemanagedtochangehisclotheswithoutattractingtheattentionofhisfellows，andsetout。
Theairwaspurebutkeen，withnoneofthelanguorofspringinitsbreath，althoughafewflowerswerebeginningtostartheweedywagon-trackedlane，andtherewasanawakeningspiceinthewaysidesouthernwoodandmyrtle。Hefeltinvigorated，althoughitseemedonlytowhethisjealouspique。Hehurriedonwithoutevenglancingtowardthedistantcoast-lineofSanFranciscooreventhinkingofit。Thebittermemoriesofthepasthadbeenobliteratedbythebitternessofthepresent。Henolongerthoughtof\"thatwoman；\"evenwhenhehadthreatenedtohimselftoreturntoSanFrancisco，hewasvaguelyconsciousthatitwasnotSHEwhowasagaindrawinghimthere，butNellywhowasdrivinghimaway。
Theservicewasnearlyoverwhenhearrivedatthechillylittlecorrugated-zincchurchatOakdale，butheslippedintooneofthebackseats。Afewworshipersturnedroundtolookathim。Amongthemwerethedaughtersofaneighboringmiller，whowereslightlyexercisedovertheunusualadventofagood-lookingstrangerwithcertainexteriorsignsofelegance。Theirexcitementwascommunicatedbysomemysteriousinstincttotheirneighbor，NellyWoodridge。Shealsoturnedandcaughthiseye。Buttoallappearancesshenotonlyshowednosignsofherusualagitationathispresence，butdidnotseemtoevenrecognizehim。Intheacerbityofhispiquehewasforamomentgratifiedatwhathebelievedtobetheexpressionofherwoundedpride，buthisuneasinessquicklyreturned，andattheconclusionoftheserviceheslippedoutofthechurchwithoneortwoofthemorerestlessinthecongregation。Ashepassedthroughtheaisleheheardtheescortofthemiller\'sdaughters，inresponsetoawhisperedinquiry，saydistinctly:\"Onlythehead-waiteroveratthecompany\'srancho。”WhateverhesitatingideaReddymighthavehadofwaitingatthechurchdoorfortheappearanceofNellyvanishedbeforethebrutaltruth。Hisbrowdarkened，andwithflushedcheeksheturnedhisbackuponthebuildingandplungedintothewoods。Thistimetherewasnohesitationinhisresolve；hewouldleavetheranchoattheexpirationofhisengagement。Eveninahigheroccupationhefelthecouldneverlivedownhisreputationthere。
Inhismoroseabstractionhedidnotknowhowlongorhowaimlesslyhehadwanderedamongthemossylive-oaks，hisheadandshouldersoftenimperiledbythedowncurvingofsomehugeknottedlimb；hisfeetstrayingblindlyfromthefainttrackoverthethicklymattedcarpetofchickweedwhichhidtheirroots。Butitwasnearlyanhourbeforeheemergeduponawide，open，woodedslope，and，fromthedistantviewoffieldandshore，knewthathewasatOakGrove，thesiteofWoodridge\'sprojectedhotel。Andthere，surely，atalittledistance，wastheWoodridges\'wagonandteamtieduptoasapling，whilethesuperintendentandhiswifewereslowlyclimbingtheslope，andapparentlyexaminingtheprospect。WithoutwaitingtoseeifNellywaswiththem，Reddyinstantlyturnedtoavoidmeetingthem。Buthehadnotproceededahundredyardsbeforehecameuponthatyounglady，whohadevidentlystrayedfromtheparty，andwhowasnowunconsciouslyadvancingtowardhim。A
rencontrewasinevitable。
Shestartedslightly，andthenstopped，withallheroldagitationandembarrassment。But，tohisownsurprise，hewasalsoembarrassedandeventongue-tied。
Shespokefirst。
\"Youwereatchurch。Ididn\'tquiteknowyouin——in——theseclothes。”
InherownfineryshehadundergonesuchachangetoReddy\'sconsciousnessthathe，forthefirsttimeintheiracquaintance，nowaddressedherasonhisownlevel，andasifshehadnounderstandingofhisownfeelings。
\"Oh，\"hesaid，witheasybitterness，\"OTHERSdid，ifyoudidnot。
Theyalldetectedthe\'head-waiter\'attheUnionCompany\'srancho。
EvenifIhadacceptedyourkindnessinofferingmeaseatinyourwagonitwouldhavemadenodifference。”Hewasgladtoputthisconstructiononhispreviousrefusal，forinthenewrelationswhichseemedtobeestablishedbytheirSundayclotheshewasobligedtosoftenthechurlishnessofthatrefusalalso。
\"Idon\'tthinkyou\'dlooknicesettingthetableinkidgloves，\"
shesaid，glancingquicklyathisfineryasifacceptingitastherealissue；\"butyoucanwearwhatyoulikeatothertimes。I
neverfoundfaultwithyourworkingclothes。”
Therewassuchapleasantsuggestioninheremphasisthathisill-
humorsoftened。Hereyeswanderedovertheoppositegrove，whereherunconsciousparentshadjustdisappeared。
\"Papa\'sverykeenaboutthehotel，\"shecontinued，\"andisgoingtohavetheworkmenbreakgroundto-morrow。Hesayshe\'llhaveitupintwomonthsandreadytoopen，ifhehastomakethemenworkdoubletime。Whenyou\'remanager，youwon\'tmindwhatfolkssay。”
Therewasnoexcuseforhisfurtherhesitation。Hemustspeakout，buthediditinahalf-heartedway。
\"ButifIsimplygoaway——WITHOUTbeingmanager——Iwon\'theartheircriticismeither。”
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"shesaidquickly。
\"I\'ve——I\'vebeenthinkingof——ofgoingbacktoSanFrancisco，\"
hestammeredawkwardly。
Aslightflushofcontemptuousindignationpassedoverherface，andgaveitastrengthandexpressionhehadneverseentherebefore。\"Oh，you\'venotreformedyet，then？\"shesaid，underherscornfullashes。
\"Idon\'tunderstandyou，\"hesaid，flushing。
\"Fatheroughttohavetoldyou，\"shewentondryly，\"thatthatwomanhasgoneofftotheSpringswithherhusband，andyouwon\'tseeHERatSanFrancisco。”
\"Idon\'tknowwhatyoumean——andyourfatherseemstotakeanunwarrantableinterestinmyaffairs，\"saidReddy，withanangerthathewasconscious，however，washalfsimulated。
\"Nomorethanheoughtto，ifheexpectstotrustyouwithallHIS
affairs，\"saidthegirlshortly；\"butyouhadbettertellhimyouhavechangedyourmindatonce，beforehemakesanyfurthercalculationsonyourstaying。He\'sjustoverthehillthere，withmother。”
Sheturnedawaycoldlyasshespoke，butmovedslowlyandinthedirectionofthehill，althoughshetookalessdirecttrailthantheoneshehadpointedtohim。Buthefollowedher，albeitstillembarrassedly，andwiththatnewsenseofrespectwhichhadcheckedhisformersurliness。Therewasherstrong，healthy，well-
developedfiguremovingbeforehim，butthemodishgraydressseemedtogiveitspronouncedoutlinessomethingofthedignityofagoddess。Eventhefirmhandshadthedistinguishmentofcharacter。
\"Youunderstand，\"hesaidapologetically，\"thatImeannodiscourtesytoyourfatherorhisoffer。And\"——hehesitated——
\"neitherismyreasonwhatyouwouldinfer。”
\"Thenwhatisit？\"sheasked，turningtohimabruptly。\"Youknowyouhavenootherplacewhenyouleavehere，noranychanceasgoodastheonefatheroffersyou。Youarenotfitforanyotherwork，andyouknowit。Youhavenomoneytospeculatewith，norcanyougetany。Ifyoucould，youwouldhaveneverstayedhere。”
Hecouldnotevadetheappallingtruthfulnessofhercleareyes。
Heknewitwasnousetolietoher；shehadevidentlythoroughlyinformedherselfregardinghispast；morethanthat，sheseemedtoreadhispresentthoughts。Butnotallofthem!No!hecouldstartleherstill!Itwasdesperate，buthehadnothingnowtolose。Andshelikedthetruth，——sheshouldhaveit!
\"Youareright，\"hesaidshortly；\"thesearenotmyreasons。”
\"Thenwhatreasonhaveyou？\"
\"You!\"
\"Me？\"sherepeatedincredulously，yetwitharisingcolor。
\"Yes，YOU!Icannotstayhere，andhaveyoulookdownuponme。”
\"Idon\'tlookdownonyou，\"shesaidsimply，yetwithoutthehasteofrepellinganunjustaccusation。\"WhyshouldI？MotherandI
havedonethesameworkthatyouaredoing，——ifthat\'swhatyoumean；andfather，whoisamanlikeyourself，helpedusatfirst，untilhecoulddootherthingsbetter。”Shepaused。\"PerhapsyouthinksobecauseYOUlookeddownonuswhenyoufirstcamehere。”
\"ButIdidn\'t，\"saidReddyquickly。
\"Youdid，\"saidtheyounggirlquietly。\"That\'swhyyouactedtowardmeasyoudidthenightyouwalkedhomewithme。YouwouldnothavebehavedinthatwaytoanySanFranciscoyounglady——andI\'mnotoneofyour——fast——MARRIEDWOMEN。”
Reddyfeltthehotbloodmounttohischeek，andlookedaway。\"I
wasfoolishandrude——andIthinkyoupunishedmeatthetime，\"hestammered。\"ButyouseeIwasrightinsayingyoulookeddownonme，\"heconcludedtriumphantly。
Thiswasatbestafeeblesequitur，buttheargumentoftheaffectionsisnotalwayslogical。Andithaditseffectonthegirl。
\"Iwasn\'tthinkingofTHAT，\"shesaid。\"It\'sthatyoudon\'tknowyourownmind。”
\"IfIsaidthatIwouldstayandacceptyourfather\'soffer，wouldyouthinkthatIdid？\"heaskedquickly。
\"IshouldwaitandseewhatyouactuallyDIDdo，\"shereplied。
\"ButifIstayed——and——and——ifItoldyouthatIstayedonYOUR
account——tobewithyouandnearyouonly——wouldyouthinkthataproof？\"Hespokehesitatingly，forhislipsweredrywithanervousnesshehadnotknownbefore。
\"Imight，ifyoutoldfatheryouexpectedtobeengagedonthoseterms。ForitconcernsHIMasmuchasme。AndHEengagesyou，andnotI。OtherwiseI\'dthinkitwasonlyyourtalk。”
Reddylookedatherinastonishment。Therewasnottheslightesttraceofcoyness，coquetry，orevenrailleryinherclear，honesteyes，andyetitwouldseemasifshehadtakenhispropositioninitsfullestsenseasamatrimonialdeclaration，andactuallyreferredhimtoherfather。Hewaspleased，frightened，andutterlyunprepared。
\"ButwhatwouldYOUsay，Nelly？\"Hedrewclosertoherandheldoutbothhishands。Butsheretreatedastepandslippedherownbehindher。
\"Betterseewhatfathersaysfirst，\"shesaidquietly。\"YoumaychangeyourmindagainandgobacktoSanFrancisco。”
Hewasconfused，andreddenedagain。Buthehadbecomeaccustomedtoherways；rather，perhaps，hehadbeguntorecognizethequaintjusticethatunderlaidthem，or，possibly，somebetterselfofhisown，thathadbeenburiedunderbitternessandslothandstruggledintolife。\"Butwhateverhesays，\"hereturnedeagerly，\"cannotaltermyfeelingstoYOU。Itcanonlyaltermypositionhere，andyousayyouareabovebeinginfluencedbythat。Tellme，Nelly——
dearNelly!haveyounothingtosaytome，ASIAM，orisitonlytoyourfather\'smanagerthatyouwouldspeak？\"Hisvoicehadanunmistakableringofsincerityinit，andevenstartledhim——halfrascalashewas!
Theyounggirl\'sclear，scrutinizingeyessoftened；herredresolutelipstrembledslightlyandthenparted，theupperonehoveringalittletoonesideoverherwhiteteeth。ItwasNelly\'sownpeculiarsmile，anditsseriouspiquancyalwaysthrilledhim。
Butshedrewalittlefartherbackfromhisbrighteningeyes，herhandsstillcurledbehindher，andsaid，withthefaintestcoquettishtossofherheadtowardthehill:\"Ifyouwanttoseefather，you\'dbetterhurryup。”
Withasuddendeterminationasnewtohimasitwasincomprehensible，Reddyturnedfromherandstruckforwardinthedirectionofthehill。Hewasnotquitesurewhathewasgoingfor。Yetthathe，whohadonlyamomentbeforefullydeterminedtoleavetheranchoandher，wasnowgoingtoherfathertodemandherhandasacontingencyofhisremainingdidnotstrikehimassoextravagantandunexpectedadenouementasitwasadifficultone。HewasonlyconcernedHOW，andinwhatway，heshouldapproachhim。Inamomentofembarrassmenthehesitated，turned，andlookedbehindhim。
Shewasstandingwherehehadlefther，gazingafterhim，leaningforwardwithherhandsstillheldbehindher。Suddenly，aswithaninspiration，sheraisedthemboth，carriedthemimpetuouslytoherlips，blewhimadozenriotouskisses，andthen，loweringherheadlikeacolt，whiskedherskirtbehindher，andvanishedinthecover。
III。
ItwasonlyMay，butthefreshnessofearlysummeralreadyclothedthegreatfieldsoftherancho。Theoldresemblancetoaseawasstillthere，moreaccented，perhaps，bytheundulationsofbluish-
greengrainthatrolledfromtheactualshore-linetothefoothills。Thefarmbuildingswerehalfsubmergedinthisglowingtideofcolorandlosttheiruncouthangularitywiththeirhiddenrudefoundations。Thesamesea-breezeblewchillyandsteadilyfromthebay，yetsoftenedandsubduedbythefreshodorsofleafandflower。Theoutlyingfringeofoakswerestarredthroughtheirunderbrushwithanemonesanddog-roses；therewerelupinesgrowingranklyintheopenspaces，andalongthegentleslopesofOakGrovedaisieswerealreadyscattered。And，asifitwerepartofthisvernalefflorescence，theeminenceitselfwascrownedwiththatlatestflowerofprogressandimprovement，——thenewOakGroveHotel!
Long，low，dazzlingwithwhitecolonnades，verandas，andbalconieswhichretained，however，enoughofthedampnessofrecentcreationtomakethemtoocoolforloungers，exceptathighnoon，thehotelneverthelesshadthecharmsoffreshness，youth，andcleanliness。
Reddy\'sfastidiousneatnessshoweditselfinalltheappointments，fromthemirroredandmarbledbarroom，gildedparlors，andsnowydining-room，tothechintzandmaplefurnishingofthebedroomsabove。Reddy\'staste，too，hadselectedtheprettysite；hisgoodfortunehadafterwarddiscoveredinanadjoiningthicketaspringofblandlytherapeuticqualities。AcomplaisantmedicalfacultyofSanFranciscoattestedtoitsmerits；asympatheticpressadvertisedtheexcellenceofthehotel；anovelty-seeking，fashionablecircle——asyetwithoutlawsandblindlyimitative——
foundthenewhotelanadmirablevariationtothevulgarordinary\"acrossthebay\"excursion，andanacceptedexcuseforanovelsocialdissipation。Anumberofdistinguishedpeoplehadalreadyvisitedit；certainexclusivefamilieshadsecuredthebestrooms；
therewereascoreofprettywomentobeseeninitsparlors；therehadalreadybeenaslightscandal。Nothingseemedwantingtoinsureitssuccess。
ReddywaspassingthroughthelittlewoodwherefourmonthsbeforehehadpartedfromKellyWoodridgetolearnhisfatefromherfather。HerememberedthatinterviewtowhichNelly\'swaftedkisshadinspiredhim。Herecalledto-day，ashehadmanytimesbefore，thesingularcomplacencywithwhichMr。Woodridgehadreceivedhissuit，asifitwereaslightandunimportantdetailofthebusinessinhand，andhowhehadtoldhimthatKellyandhermotherweregoingtothe\"States\"forathreemonths\'visit，butthatafterherreturn，iftheywereboth\"stillagreed，\"he，Woodridge，wouldmakenoobjection。HerememberedtheslightshockwhichthisannouncementofKelly\'sseparationfromhimduringhisprobationarylaborshadgivenhim，andhissuddensuspicionthathehadbeenpartlytrickedofhispreliminaryintenttosecurehercompanytosolacehim。Buthehadlatersatisfiedhimselfthatsheknewnothingofherfather\'sintentionsatthetime，andhewasfaintocontenthimselfwithawalkthroughthefieldsathersidethedayshedeparted，andasinglekiss——whichlefthimcold。Andnowinafewdaysshewouldreturntowitnessthesuccessfulfufillmentofhislabors，and——
rewardhim!
Itwascertainlyacomplacentprospect。Hecouldlookforwardtoasensible，prosperous，respectablefuture。Hehadwonbackhisgoodname，hisfortune，andposition，——notperhapsexactlyinthewayhehadexpected，——andhehadstilledthewanton，foolishcravingsofhispassionatenatureinthecalm，virginalloveofanhonest，handsomegirlwhowouldmakehimapracticalhelpmeet，andacomfortable，trustworthywife。Heoughttobeveryhappy。Hehadneverknownsuchperfecthealthbefore；hehadlosthisrecklesshabits；hishandsome，nervousfacehadgrownmoreplacidandcontented；hislongcurlshadbeenconventionallyclipped；hehadgainedfleshunmistakably，andthelowerbuttonsoftheslimwaistcoathehadworntochurchthatmemorableSundayweretootightforcomfortorlooks。HEWAShappy；yetasheglancedoverthematerialspringlandscape，fullofpracticalhealth，blossom，andpromiseoffruition，itstruckhimthatthebreezethatblewoveritwaschilly，evenifhealthful；andheshiveredslightly。
Hereachedthehotel，enteredtheoffice，glancedattheregister，andpassedthroughintohisprivateroom。Hehadbeenawayfortwodays，andnoticedwithgratificationthattheinfluxofvisitorswasstillincreasing。Hisclerkfollowedintotheroom。
\"There\'saladyin56whowantedtoseeyouwhenyoureturned。Sheaskedparticularlyforthemanager。”
\"Whoisshe？\"
\"Don\'tknow。It\'saMrs。Merrydew，fromSacramento。Expectingherhusbandonthenextsteamer。”
\"Humph!You\'llhavetoberathercarefulaboutthesesolitarymarriedwomen。Wedon\'twantanotherscandal，youknow。”
\"Sheaskedforyoubyname，sir，andIthoughtyoumightknowher，\"
returnedtheclerk。
\"Verywell。I\'llgoup。”
Hesentawaiteraheadtoannouncehim，andleisurelymountedthestairs。No。56wasthesitting-roomofaprivatesuiteonthefirstfloor。Thewaiterwasholdingthedooropen。Asheapproacheditafaintperfumefromtheinteriormadehimturnpale。
Butherecoveredhispresenceofmindsufficientlytoclosethedoorsharplyuponthewaiterbehindhim。
\"Jim，\"saidavoicewhichthrilledhim。
Helookedupandbeheldwhatanyastutereaderofromancewillhavealreadysuspected——thewomantowhomhebelievedheowedhisruininSanFrancisco。Shewasasbeautifulandalluringasever，albeitshewasthinnerandmorespiritualthanhehadeverseenher。Shewastastefullydressed，asshehadalwaysbeen，acertainstyleoflanguoroussilkendeshabillewhichshewaswonttoaffectinbetterhealthnowbecameherpalercheekandfeverishlybrillianteyes。Therewasthesameopulenceoflaceandornament，and，whetherbyaccidentordesign，claspedaroundtheslightwristofherextendedhandwasabraceletwhichherememberedhadsweptawaythelastdregsofhisfortune。
Hetookherhandmechanically，yetknowingwhateverragewasinhishearthehadnotthestrengthtorefuseit。
\"TheytoldmeitwasMrs。Merrydew，\"hestammered。
\"Thatwasmymother\'sname，\"shesaid，withalittlelaugh。\"I
thoughtyouknewit。Butperhapsyoudidn\'t。WhenIgotmydivorcefromDick——youdidn\'tknowthateither，Isuppose；it\'sthreemonthsago，——Ididn\'tcaretotakemymaidennameagain；toomanypeoplerememberedit。SoafterthedecreewasmadeIcalledmyselfMrs。Merrydew。Youhaddisappeared。TheysaidyouhadgoneEast。”
\"ButtheclerksaysyouareexpectingyourHUSBANDonthesteamer。
Whatdoesthismean？Whydidyoutellhimthat？\"Hehadsofarcollectedhimselfthattherewasaringofinquisitioninhisvoice。
