第1章

MaveringlookedonattheClassDaygaietywiththeadvantagewhichhisstature，gavehimovermostpeoplethere。Hundredsofthesewereprettygirls，inagreatvarietyofcharmingcostumes，suchastheeclecticismofmodernfashionpermits，andallsortsofingeniouscompromisesbetweenwalkingdressandballdress。Itstruckhimthattheyoungmenonwhosearmstheyhung，inpromenadingaroundthelongovalwithinthecrowdofstationaryspectators，wereverymuchyoungerthanstudentsusedtobe，whethertheyworethedress-coatsoftheSeniorsorthecut-awayoftheJuniorsandSophomores;andtheyounggirlsthemselvesdidnotlooksooldasherememberedtheminhisday。Therevasabandplayingsomewhere，andthegallerieswerewellfilledwithspectatorsseatedattheirease，andintentontheparty-colouredturmoilofthefloor，wherefromtimetotimetheyoungerpromenadersbrokeawayfromtheranksintoawaltz，andaftersometurnsdriftedback，smilingandcontrollingtheirquickbreath，andresumedtheirpromenade。Theplacewasintenselylight，inthecandourofasummerdaywhichhadnoreserves;andthebrilliancywasnotbrokenbythesimpledecorations。Ropesofwildlaureltwistedupthepinepostsoftheaisles，andswunginfestoonsoverhead;massesoftropicalplantsinpotsweresetalongbetweenthepostsononesideoftheroom;andontheotherwerethelunchtables，whereagreatmanypeoplewerestandingabout，eatingchickenandsalmonsalads，orstrawberriesandice-cream，anddrinkingclaret-cup。Fromthewholerosethatblendedodourofviands，offlowers，ofstuff’s，oftoiletperfumes，whichisthecharacteristicexpressionof，allsocialfestivities，andwhichexhilaratesordepresses——accordingasoneisneworoldtoit。 ElbridgeMaveringkeptlookingatthefacesoftheyoungmenasifheexpectedtoseeacertainone;thenheturnedhiseyespatientlyupon。 thefacesaroundhim。Hehadbeenintroducedtoagoodmanypersons，buthehadcometothattimeoflifewhenanintroduction;unlesschargedwithsomespecialinterest，onlyaddsthepainofdoubttothewearisomeencounterofunfamiliarpeople;andhehadunconsciouslyputontheseverityofamanwhofindshimselfwithoutacquaintancewhereothersaremeetingfriends，whenasmallman，withaneatlytrimmedreddish-greybeardandprominenteyes，steppedinfrontofhim，andsalutedhimwiththe“Hello，Mavering！“ofacontemporary。 Hisface，afteramomentofquestion，relaxedintojoyfulrecognition。 “Why，JohnMunt！isthatyou？”hesaid，andhetookintohislargemoistpalmthedrylittlehandofhisfriend，whiletheybothbrokeoutintotheincoherenciesofpeoplemeetingafteralongtime。Mr。Maveringspokeinitvoicesoftyetfirm，andwithacertainthicknessoftongue; whichgaveaboyishcharmtohisslow，utterance，andMr。Muntusedthesortofbronchialsnufflesometimescultivatedamongusasachesttone。 ButtheywerecutshortintheirintersectingquestionsandexclamationsbythepresenceoftheladywhodetachedherselffromMr。Munt’sarmasiftoleavehimthefreerforhishand-shaking。 “Oh！“hesaid，suddenlyrecurringtoher;“letmeintroduceyoutoMrs。 Pasmer，Mr。Mavering。”andthelattermadeabowthatcreasedhiswaistcoatatabouttheheightofMrs。Pasmer’sprettylittlenose。 Hiswaistcoathadthecurvewhichwaistcoatsoftendescribeathisage; andhisheavyshoulderswerethrownwellbacktobalancethiscurve。Hiscoathungcarelesslyopen;thePanamahatinhishandsuggestedacertainhabitualinformalityofdress，buthissmoothlyshavenlargehandsomeface，withitsjawsslowlyruminantuponnothing，intimatedtheconsequenceofamanaccustomedtosupremacyinasubordinateplace。 Mrs。Pasmerlookeduptoacknowledgetheintroductionwithasortofpseudo-respectfulnesswhichitwouldbehardotherwisetodescribe。 Whethershedivinedornotthatshewasinthepresenceofamagnateofsomesort，shewasrathersuperfluouslydemureinthefirsttwoorthreethingsshesaid，andwasallsympathyandinterestinthemeetingoftheseoldfriends。Theydeclaredthattheyhadnotseeneachotherfortwentyyears，or，atanyrate，notsince’59。Shelistenedwhiletheydisputedabouttheexactdate，andlookedfromtimetotimeatMr。Munt，asifforsomeexplanationofMr。Mavering;butMunthimself，whenshesawhimlast，hadonlyjustbeguntocommendhimselftosociety，whichhadsincesofullyacceptedhim，andshehadsosuddenly，themomentbefore，foundherselfhandinglovewithhimthatshemightwellhaveappealedtoathirdpersonforsomeexplanationofMunt。Butshewasnotawomantobetroubledmuchbythismomentarymystification，andshewasnotembarrassedatallwhenMuntsaid，asifithadallbeenpre- arranged，“Well，now，Mrs。Pasmer，ifyou’llletmeleaveyouwithMr。 Maveringamoment，I’llgooffandbringthatunnaturalchildtoyou;nousedraggingyouroundthroughthiscrowdlonger。” Hemadeagestureintended，intheAmericanmanner，tobeatoncepoliteandjocose，andwasgone，leavingMrs。Pasmeralittlesurprised，andMr。 Maveringinsomemisgiving，whichhetriedtoovercomepressinghisjawstogethertwoorthreetimeswithoutspeaking。Shehadnotroubleingettinginthefirstremark。“Isn’tallthischarming，Mr。Mavering？” Shespokeinadeeplowvoice，withacaressingmanner，andstoodlookingup，atMr。Maveringwithoneshouldershruggedandtheotherdrooped，andatastefulcompositionofherfanandhandsandhandkerchiefatherwaist。 “Yes，ma’am，itis。”saidMr。Mavering。Heseemedtosayma’amtoherwithapublicorofficialaccent，whichsentMrs。Primer’smindflutteringforthtopoisebrieflyatsuchconjecturesas，“Congressmanfromacountrydistrict？judgeoftheCommonPleas？bankpresident？ railroadsuperintendent？leadingphysicianinalargetown？—— no，Mr。MuntsaidMister。”andthentoreturntoherprettyblueeyes，andtocentrethereinthatpseudo-respectfulattentionunderthearchofherneatbrowsandhersoberlycrinkledgrey-threadedbrownhairandherveryappropriatebonnet。Abonnet，shesaid，wasmuchmorethanhalfthebattleafterforty，anditwasnowquiteafterfortywithMrs。Pasmer; butshewasverywelldressedotherwise。Mr。Maveringwentontosay，withadeliberationthatseemedanelementofhisunknowndignity，whateveritmightbe，“Anumberoftheyoungfellowstogethercangiveamuchfinerspread，andmakemoreoftheday，inaplacelikethis，thanweusedtodoinourrooms。” “Ah，thenyou’reaHarvardmantoo！“saidMrs。Primertoherself，withsurprise，whichshekepttoherself，andshesaidtoMavering:“Ohyes，indeed！It’saltogetherbetter。Aren’ttheynicelookingfellows？”shesaid，puttingupherglasstolookatthepromenaders。 “Yes。”Mr。Maveringassented。“Isuppose。”headded，outoftheconsciousnessofhisownrelationtotheaffair——“Isupposeyou’veasonsomewherehere？” “Ohdear，no！“criedMrs。Primer，withamingling，superhuman，butforherofironicaldeprecationandderision。“Onlyadaughter，Mr。 Mavering。” AtthisfeatofMrs。Pasmer’s，Mr。Maveringlookedatherwithquestionastoherpreciseintention，andendedbyrepeating，hopelessly，“Onlyadaughter？” “Yes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，withasighofthesameirony，“onlyapoor，despisedyounggirl，Mr。Mavering。” “Youspeak。”saidMr。Mavering，beginningtocatchonalittle，“asifitwereamisfortune。”andhis，dignitybrokeupintoasmilethathaditsqueerfascination。 “Why，isn’tit？”askedMrs。Pasmer。 “Well，Ishouldn’thavethoughtso。” “Thenyoudon’tbelievethatallthatold-fashionedchivalryanddevotionhavegoneout？Youdon’tthinktheyoungmenareallspoilednowadays，andexpecttheyoungladiestoofferthemattentions？” “No。”saidMr。Maveringslowly，asifrecoveringfromtheshockofthenovelideas。“Doyou？” “Oh，I’msuchastrangerinBoston——I’velivedabroadsolong——thatI don’tknow。Onehearsallkindsofthings。ButI’msogladyou’renotoneofthose——pessimists！“ “Well。”saidMr。Mavering，stillthoughtfully，“Idon’tknowthatIcanspeakbythecardexactly。Ican’tsayhowitisnow。Ihaven’tbeenataClassDayspreadsincemyownClassDay;Ihaven’tevenbeenatCommencementmorethanonceortwice。Butinmytimeherewedidn’texpecttheyoungladiestoshowusattentions;atanyrate，wedidn’twaitforthemtodoit。Wewereveryglad，tobeaskedtomeetthem，andwethoughtitanhonouriftheyoungladieswouldletustalkordancewiththem，ortakethemtopicnics。Idon’tthinkthatanyofthemcouldcomplainofwantofattention。” “Yes。”saidMrs。Pasmer，“that’swhatIpreached，that’swhatI prophesied，whenIbroughtmydaughterhomefromEurope。Itoldherthatagirl’slifeinAmericawasonelongtriumph;buttheysaynowthatgirlshavemoreattentioninLondoneventhaninCambridge。Onehearssuchdreadfulthings！“ “Likewhat？”askedMr。Mavering，withtheunseriousinterestwhichMrs。 Primermademostpeoplefeelinhertalk。 “Oh;it’stoovastasubject。ButtheytellyouaboutcharminggirlsmopingthewholeeveningthroughatBostonparties，withnoyoungmentotalkwith，andsittingfromthebeginningtotheendofanassemblyandnotgoingontheflooronce。Theysaythatunlessagirlfairlythrowsherselfattheyoungmen’sheadssheisn’tnoticed。It’sthisterribledisproportionofthesexesthat’sattherootofit，Isuppose;itreverseseverything。Therearen’tenoughyoungmentogohalfround，andtheyknowit，andtakeadvantageofit。Isupposeitbeganinthewar。” Helaughed，and，“Ishouldthink。”hesaid，layingholdofasingleideaoutofseveralwhichshehadpresented，“thattherewouldalwaysbeenoughyoungmeninCambridgetogoround。” Mrs。Pasmergavealittlecry。“InCambridge！“ “Yes;whenIwasincollegeoursuperioritywasentirelynumerical。” “Butthat’sallpassedlongago，fromwhatIhear。”retortedMrs。Pasmer。 “IknowverywellthatitusedtobethoughtagreatadvantageforagirltobebroughtupinCambridge，becauseitgaveherindependenceandeaseofmannertohavesomanyyoungmenattentivetoher。ButtheysaythestudentsallgointoBostonnow，andiftheCambridgegirlswanttomeetthem，theyhavetogotheretoo。Oh，Iassureyouthat，fromwhatI hear，they’vechangedallthatsinceourtime，Mr。Mavering。” Mrs。Pasmerwascertainlylettingherselfgoalittlemorethanshewouldhaveapprovedofinanother。TheresultwasapparentinthejocosityofthisheavyMr。Mavering’sreply。 “Well，then，I’mgladthatIwasofourtime，andnotofthiswickedgeneration。ButIpresumethatunnaturalsupremacyoftheyoungmenisbroughtlow，sotospeak，aftermarriage？” Mrs。Primerletherselfgoalittlefurther。“Oh，giveusanequalchance。”shelaughed，“andwecanalwaystakecareofourselves，andsomethingmore。Theysay。”sheadded，“thattheyoungmarriedwomennowhavealltheattentionthatgirlscouldwish。” “H’m！“saidMr。Mavering，frowning。“IthinkIshouldbetemptedtoboxmyboy’searsifIsawhimpayinganotherman’swifeattention。” “WhataRomanfather！“criedMrs。Pasmer，greatlyamused，andlettingherselfgoalittlefurtheryet。ShesaidtoherselfthatshereallymustfindoutwhothisremarkableMr。Maveringwas，andshecasthereyeoverthehallforsomeglimpseoftheabsentMunt，whosearmshemeanttotake，andwhoseearshemeanttofillwithquestions。Butshedidnotseehim，andsomethingelsesuggesteditself。“Heprobablywouldn’tletyouseehim，orifhedid，youwouldn’tknowit。” “Hownotknowit？” Mrs。Primerdidnotanswer。“Onehearssuchdreadfulthings。Whatdoyousay——oryou’llthinkI’materriblegossip——“ “Ohno;“saidMr:Mavering，impatientforthedreadfulthing，whateveritwas。 Mrs。Primerresumed:“——totheyoungmarriedwomenmeetinglastwinterjustafteralotofprettygirlshadcameout，andmagnanimouslyresolvingtogivetheBudsachanceinsociety？” “TheBuds？” “Yes，theRose-buds——thedebutantes;it’sanodiouslittleword，buteverybodyusesit。Don’tyouthinkthat’sastrangestateofthingsforAmerica？ButIcan’tbelieveallthosethings。”saidMrs。Pasmer，flingingofftheshadowofthisluridsocialcondition。“Isn’tthisaprettyscene？” “Yes，itis。”Mr。Maveringadmitted，withdrawinghismindgraduallyfromaconsiderationofMrs。Pasmer’sawfulinstances。“Yes！“headded，infinalself-possession。“Theyoungfellowscertainlydothingsinagreatdealbetterstylenowadaysthanweusedto。” “Ohyes，indeed！Andallthoseprettygirlsdoseemtobehavingsuchagoodtime！“ “Yes;theydon’thavethedespisedandrejectedappearancethatyou’dliketohaveonebelieve。” “Notintheleast！“Mrs。Pasmerreadilyconsented。“Theylookradiantlyhappy。Itshowsthatyoucan’ttrustanythingthatpeoplesaytoyou。” Sheabandonedthegroundshehadjustbeentakingwithoutapparentshameforherinconsistency。“Ifancyit’sprettymuchasit’salwaysbeen:ifagirlisattractive，theyoungmenfinditout。” “Perhaps。”saidMr:Mavering，unbendingwithdignity，“theyoungmarriedwomenhaveheldanothermeeting，andresolvedtogivetheBudsonemorechance。” “Oh，therearesomeprettymatureRoseshere。”saidMrs。Pasmer，laughingevasively。“ButIsupposeClassDaycanneverbetakenfromtheyounggirls。” “Ihopenot。”saidMr。Mavering。Hiswanderingeyefelluponsomeyoungmenbringingrefreshmentsacrossthenavetowardthem，andhewasremindedtoaskMrs。Pasmer，“Willyouhavesomethingtoeat？”Hehadhimselfhadagooddealtoeat，beforehetookuphispositionattheadvantageouspointwhereJohnMunthadfoundhim。 “Why，yes，thankyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer。“Ioughttosay，’Anice，please，’butI’mreallyhungry，and——“ “I’llgetyousomeofthesalad。”saidMr。Mavering，withtheincreasedlikingamanfeelsforawomanwhensheownstoanappetite。“Sitdownhere。”headded，andhecaughtavacantchairtowardher。Whenheturnedaboutfromdoingso，heconfrontedayounggentlemancominguptoMrs。 Pasmerwithayoungladyonhisarm，andmakingaverylowbowofrelinquishment。 II。 Themenlookedsmilinglyateachotherwithoutsayinganything;andtheyoungertookindueformtheintroductionwhichtheyoungladygavehim。 “Mymother，Mr。Mavering。” “Mr。Mavering！“criedMrs。Pasmer，inapureastonishment，beforeshehadtimetocolouritwithapolitevarietyofmoreconventionalemotions。 Sheglancedatthetwomen，andgavealittle“Oh？”ofinquiryandresignation，andthensaid，demurely，“LetmeintroduceyoutoMr。 Mavering，Alice。”whiletheyoungfellowlaughednervously，andpulledouthishandkerchief，partlytohidetheplayofhislaughter，andpartlytowipeawaytheperspirationwhichagreatdealmorelaughinghadalreadygatheredonhisforehead。Hehadaveinthatshowedprominentlydownitscentre，andlarge，mobile，girlishblueeyesundergoodbrows，anarchednose，andratheralongfaceandnarrowchin。Hehadbeautifulwhiteteeth;ashelaughedthesewereseensetinajawthatcontractedverymuchtowardthefront。Hewastallandslim，andheworewithelegancetheeveningdresswhichClassDaycustomprescribesfortheSeniors;inhisbutton-holehehadaclubbutton。 “IshallnothavetoaskanintroductiontoMr。Mavering;andyou’verobbedmeofthepleasureofgivinghimonetoyou，Mrs。Pasmer。”hesaid。 Sheheardtheyoungmaninthecourseofaswiftreviewofwhatshehadsaidtohisfather，andwithaformlessresentmentofthefather’snothavingtoldherhehadasonthere;butsheansweredwiththeflatteringsympathyshehadtheuseof，“Oh，butyouwon’tmissonepleasureoutofsomanyto-day，Mr。Mavering;andthinkofthelittledramaticsurprise！“ “Oh，perfect。”hesaid，withanotherlaugh。“ItoldMissPasmeraswecameup。” “Oh，thenyouwereinthesurprise，Alice！“saidMrs。Pasmer，searchingherdaughter’seyesforconfessionordenialofthislittlecommunityofinterest。Thegirlsmiledslightlyupontheyoungman，butnotdisapprovingly，andmadenootheranswertohermother，whowenton: “Whereintheworldhaveyoubeen？DidMr。Muntfindyou？WhotoldyouwhereIwas？Didyouseeme？HowdidyouknowIwashere？Wasthereeveranythingsodroll？”Shedidnotmeanherquestionstobeanswered，oratleastnotthen;for，whileherdaughtercontinuedtosmilerathermoreabsently，andyoungMaveringbrokeoutcontinuouslyinhisnervouslaugh，andhisfatherstoodregardinghimwithvisiblesatisfaction，shehummedon，turningtotheyoungman:“ButI’mquiteappalledatAlice’shavingmonopolisedevenforafewminutesawholeSenior——andprobablyanofficialSenioratthat。”shesaid，withaglanceatthepinkandwhiteclubbuttoninhiscoatlapel，“andIcan’tletyoustayanotherinstant，Mr。Mavering。Iknowverywellhowmanydemandsyouhaveuponyouandyoumustgobackdirectlytoyoursistersandyourcousinsandyouraunts，andalltherestofthem;youmustindeed。” “Ohno！Don’tdrivemeaway，Mrs。Pasmer。”pleadedtheyoungman，laughingviolently，andthenwipinghisface。“IassureyouthatI’venoencumbrancesofanykindhereexceptmyfather，andheseemstohavebeentakingverygoodcareofhimself。”Theyalllaughedatthis，andtheyoungfellowhurriedon:“Don’tbealarmedatmybutton;itonlymeansaloveofpersonaldecoration，ifthat’swhereyougotthenotionofmybeinganofficialSenior。Thisisn’tmyspread;IshallhopetowelcomeyouatBeckHallaftertheTree;andIwishyou’dletmebeofusetoyou。Wouldn’tyouliketogoroundtosomeofthesmallerspreads？I thinkitwouldamuseyou。AndhaveyougotticketstotheTree，toseeusmakefoolsofourselves？It’sworthseeing，Mrs。Pasmer，Iassureyou。” Herattledonveryrapidlybutwithsuchafranknessinhisurgency，suchamiablekindliness，thatMrs。Pasmercouldnotfeelthatitwaspushing。 Shelookedatherdaughter，butshestoodaspassiveinthetransactionastheelderMavering。Shewastallerthanhermother，andasshewaited，hersupplefiguredescribedthatfinelateralcurvewhichoneseesinsomeLouisQuinzeportraits;thiseffectwasenhancedbythefashionofherdressofpalesagegreen，withawidestripeorsashofwhitedroppingdownthefront，fromherdelicatewaist。Thesamesimplecombinationofcolourswascarriedupintoherhat，whichsurmounteddarkerhairthanMrs。Pasmer’s，andacomplexionofwholesomepallor;hereyesweregreyandgrave，withblackbrows，andherface，whichwasrathernarrow，hadapleasingirregularityinthesharpjutofthenose; inprofilethepartingoftheredlipsshowedwellbackintothecheek，“Idon’tknow。”saidMrs。Pasmer，inherownbehalf;andsheaddedinhis，“aboutlettingyoutakesomuchtrouble。”sosmoothlythatitwouldhavebeenquiteimpossibletodetectthepointofunioninthetwoutterances。 “Well，don’tcallitnames，anyway，Mrs。Pasmer。”pleadedtheyoungman。 “Ithoughtitwasnothingbutapleasureandaprivilege——“ “Thefactis。”sheexplained，neitherconsentingnorrefusing，“thatwewereexpectingtomeetsomefriendswhohadticketsforus“——youngMavering’sfacefell——“andIcan’timaginewhat’shappened。” “Oh，let’shopesomethingdreadful。”hecried。 Perhapsyouknowthem。”shedelayedfurther。“ProfessorSaintsbury！“ “Well，rather！Why，theywerehereaboutanhourago——bothofthem。 Theymusthavebeenlookingforyou。” “Yes;weweretomeetthemhere。Wewaitedtocomeoutwithotherfriends，andIwasafraidwewerelate。”Mrs。Pasmer’sfaceexpressedatempereddisappointment，andshelookedatherdaughterforindicationsofherwishesinthecircumstances;seeinginhereyeawillingnesstoacceptyoungMavering’sinvitation，shehesitatedmoredecidedlythanshehadyetdone，forshewas，otherthingsbeingequal，quitewillingtoacceptitherself。Butotherthingswerenotequal，andthewholesituationwasveryodd。AllthatsheknewofMr。MaveringtheelderwasthathewastheoldfriendofJohnMunt，andsheknewfartoolittleofJohnMunt，exceptthatheseemedtogoeverywhere，andtobewelcome，nottofeelthathisintroductionwashardlyawarrantforwhatlookedlikeanimpendingintimacy。ShedidnotdislikeMr。Mavering;hewasevidentlyacountrypersonofgreatself-respect，andnodoubtofentirerespectability。Heseemedveryintelligent，too。HewasaHarvardman; hehadratheracultivatedmanner，orelsenaturallyacleverwayofsayingthings。Butallthatwasreallynothing，ifsheknewnomoreabouthim，andshecertainlydidnot。IfshecouldonlyhaveaskedherdaughterwhoitwasthatpresentedyoungMaveringtoher，thatmighthaveformedsomeclew，buttherewasnoearthlychanceofaskingthis，and，besides，itwasprobablyoneofthosehaphazardintroductionsthatpeoplegiveonsuchoccasions。YoungMavering’sbehaviourgaveherstillgreaterquestion:hisself-possession，hisentireabsenceofanxiety; oranyexpectationofrebufforsnub，mightbetheeaseofunimpeachablesocialacceptance，oritmightbemerelyadventurouseffrontery;onlysomethingingenuousandgoodintheyoungfellow’shandsomefaceforbadethisconclusion。Thathisfacewassohandsomewasanotherofthecomplications。Sherecalled，inthedreamlikeswiftnesswithwhichallthesethingspassedthroughhermind，whatherfriendshadsaidtoAliceaboutherbeingsuretomeetherfateonClassDay，andshelookedatheragaintoseeifshehadmetit。 “Well，mamma？”saidthegirl，smilingathermother’slook。 Mrs。PasmerthoughtshemusthavebeenkeepingyoungMaveringwaitingalongtimeforhisanswer。“Why，ofcourse，Alice。ButIreallydon’tknowwhattodoabouttheSaintsburys。”Thiswasnotintheleasttrue，butitinstantlyseemedsotoMrs。Pasmer，asaplausibleexcusewillwhenwemakeit。 “Why，I’lltellyouwhat，Mrs。Pasmer。”saidyoungMavering，withacordialunsuspicionthatbothwonandreassuredher，“we’llbesuretofindthematsomeofthespreads。Letmebeofthatmuchuse，anyway; youmust。” “Wereallyoughtn’ttoletyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer，makingalastefforttoclingtoherreluctance，butfeelingitfail，withasensationthatwasnotdisagreeable。Shecouldnothelpbeingpleasedwiththepleasurethatshesawinherdaughter’sface。 YoungMavering’swasradiant。“I’llbebackinjusthalfaminute。”hesaid，andhetookagayleaveoftheminrunningtospeaktoanotherstudentattheoppositeendofthehall。 III。 “Youmustallowmetogetyousomethingtoeatfirst，Mrs。Pasmer。”saidtheelderMavering。 “Ohno，thankyou。”Mrs。Pasmerbegan。Butshechangedhermindandsaid，“Or，yes;Iwill，Mr。Mavering:averylittlesalad，please。”Shehadreallyforgottenherhunger，asawomanwillinthepresenceofanysocialinterest;butshesuddenlythoughthisgoingwouldgiveherachancefortwowordswithherdaughter，andsoshesenthim。Ashecreakedheavilyacrossthesmoothfloorofthenave;“Alice。”shewhispered，“Idon’tknowexactlywhatI’vedone:WhointroducedthisyoungMr。Maveringtoyou？” “Mr。Munt。” “Mr。Munt！“ “Yes;hecameforme;hesaidyousenthim。HeintroducedMr。Mavering，andhewasverypolite。Mr。Maveringsaidweoughttogoupintothegalleryandseehowitlooked;andMr。Muntsaidhe’dbeenup，andMr。 Maveringpromisedtobringmebacktohim，buthewasnottherewhenwegotback。Mr。Maveringgotmesomeicecreamfirst，andthenhefoundyouforme。” “Really。”saidMrs。Pasmertoherself，“thecombatthickens！“Toherdaughtershesaid，“He’sveryhandsome。” “Helaughstoomuch。”saidthedaughter。Hermotherrecognisedheruncandourwithaglance。“Buthewaltzeswell。”addedthegirl。 “Waltzes？”echoedthemother。“Didyouwaltzwithhim，Alice？” “Everybodyelsewasdancing。Heaskedmeforaturnortwo，andofcourseIdidit。Whatdifference？” “Oh，none——none。Only——Ididn’tseeyou。” “Perhapsyouweren’tlooking。” “Yes，Iwaslookingallthetime。” “Whatdoyoumean，mamma？” “Well。”saidMrs。Pasmer，inafinaldespair，“wedon’tknowanythingaboutthem。” “We’retheonlypeopleherewhodon’t，then。”saidherdaughter。“Theladieswerebowingrightlefttohimallthetime，andhekeptaskingifIknewthisoneandthatone，andallIcouldsaywasthatsomeofthemweredistantcousins，butIwasn’tacquaintedwiththem。Iwouldthinkhe’dwonderwhowewere。” “Yes。”saidthemotherthoughtfully。 “There！he’slaughingwiththatotherstudent。Butdon’tlook！“ Mrs。PasmersawwellenoughoutofthecornerofhereyethejokingthatwentonbetweenMaveringandhisfriend，anditdidnotdispleasehertothinkthatitprobablyreferredtoAlice。Whiletheyoungmancamehurryingbacktothemsheglancedatthegirlstandingnearherwithakeenlycriticalinspection，fromwhichshewasabletoexcludeallmaternalpartiality，andjustlydecidedthatshewasoneofthemosteffectivegirlsintheplace。Thatcostumeofherswasperfect。Mrs。 Pasmerwishednowthatshecouldhavecompareditmorecarefullywithothercostumes;shehadnoticedsomeveryprettyones;andafeelingofvexationthatAliceshouldhavepreventedthisbybeingawaysolongjustwhenthecrowdwasdensestqualifiedhersatisfaction。Thepeopleweregoingveryfastnow。Thelineoftheovalinthenavewasbrokenintogroupsoflingeringtalkers，whowereconspicuoustoeachother，andMrs。 Pasmerfeltthatsheandherdaughterwereconspicuoustoalltherestwheretheystoodapart，withthetwoMaveringsconverginguponthemfromdifferentpoints，thesonnoddingandlaughingtofriendsofbothsexesashecame，thefatherwhollyabsorbedinnotspillingtheglassofclaretpunchwhichhecarriedinonehand，andnotfallingdownontheslipperyfloorwiththeplateofsaladwhichheboreintheother。Shehadthoughtsoffeigningunconsciousness;shewouldhavehadnoscrupleinpractisingthisoranyothersocialstratagem，forthoughshekeptaconscienceinregardtocertainmatters——whatsheconsideredessentials—— shelivedathousandlittlelieseveryday，andtaughtherdaughterbypreceptandexampletodothesame。Youmustseemtobelookingonewaywhenyouwerereallylookinganother;youmustsaythiswhenyoumeantthat;youmustactasifyouwerethinkingonethingwhenyouwerethinkingsomethingquitedifferent;andalltonoend，for，assheconstantlysaid，peoplealwaysknowperfectlywellwhatyouwereabout，whicheverwayyoulookedorwhateveryousaid，ornomatterhowwellyouactedthepartofthinkingwhatyoudidnotthink。Now，althoughsheseemednottolook，shesawallthathasbeendescribedataglance，andatanothershesawyoungMaveringslideeasilyuptohisfatherandrelievehimoftheplateandglass，withalaughaspleasantandashowofteethasdazzlingashebestoweduponanyoftheladieshehadpassed。 SheownedtoherreconditeheartthatshelikedthisinyoungMavering，thoughatthesametimesheaskedherselfwhatmotivehereallyhadinbeingsopolitetohisfatherbeforepeople。Butshehadnotimetodecide;shehadonlytimetopackthequestionhurriedlyawayforfutureconsideration，whenyoungMaveringarrivedatherelbow，andsheturnedwithalittle“Oh！“ofsurprisesoperfectlyactedthatitgaveherthegreatestpleasure。 IV。 “Idon’tthinkmyfatherwouldhavegotherealivewiththesethings。” saidyoungMavering。“DidyouseehowIcametohisrescue？” Mrs。Pasmerinstantlythrewawayallpretextofnothavingseen。“Ohyes！myheartwasinmymouthwhenyouboredownuponhim，Mr。Mavering。 Itwasabeautifulinstanceoffilialdevotion。” “Well，dositdownnow，Mrs。Pasmer，andtakeitcomfortably。”saidtheyoungfellow;andhegotheroneofthemanyemptychairs，andwouldnotgiveherthethings，whichheputinanother，tillshesatdownandlethimspreadanapkinoverherlap。 “Really。”shesaid，“IfeelasifIwerestoppingallthewheelsofClassDay。AmIkeepingthemfromclosingtheGymnasium，Mr。Mavering？” “Notquite。”saidtheyoungman，withoneofhislaughs。“Idon’tbelievetheywillturnusout，andI’llseethattheydon’tlockusin。 Don’thurry，Mrs。Pasmer。I’monlysorryyouhadn’tsomethingsooner。” “Oh，yourfatherproposedgettingmesomethingagoodwhileago。” “Didhe？ThenIwonderyouhaven’thadit。He’susuallyontime。” “You’rebothveryenergetic，Ithink。”saidMrs。Pasmer。 He’sthefatherofhisson。”saidtheyoungfellow，assumingthemeritwithabowofburlesquemodesty。 ItwenttoMrs。Pasmer’sheart。“Let’shopehe’llneverforgetthat。” shesaid，inanenjoymentoftheexcitementandthesaladthatwasbeginningtoleaveherquestionoftheseMaveringsalight，diaphanouscloudonthevergeofthehorizon。 TheelderMaveringhadbeentrying，withoutsuccess，tothinkofsomethingtosaytoMissPasmer，hehadtwiceclearedhisthroatforthatpurpose。Butthiscomedybetweenhissonandtheyounglady’smotherseemedsomuchlighterandbrighterthananythinghecouldhavesaid，thathesaidnothing，andlookedonwithhismouthsetinitsqueersmile，whilethegirllistenedwiththegravityofadaughterwhoseesthathermotherislosingherhead。Mrs。Pasmerbuzzedoninherbadinagewiththeyoungman，andallowedhimtogoforacupofcoffeebeforesherosefromherchair，andshookoutherskirtswithanairofpleasantexpectationofwhatevershouldcomenext。 Hecamebackwithoutit。“Thecoffeeurnhasdrieduphere，Mrs。Pasmer。 Butyoucangetsomeattheotherspreads;they’dbeinconsolableifyoudidn’ttakesomethingeverywhere。” Theyallstartedtowardthedoor，buttheelderMaveringsaid，holdingbackalittle，“Dan，IthinkI’llgoandsee——“ “Ohno，youmustn’t，father。”criedtheyoungman，layinghishandwithcaressingentreatyonhisfather’scoatsleeve。“Idon’twantyoutogoanywheretillyou’veseenProfessorSaintsbury。Weshallbesuretomeethimatsomeofthespreads。Iwantyoutohavethattalkwithhim——“ Hecorrectedhimselffortheinstant’sdeflectionfromtheinterestsofhisguest，andadded，“IwantyoutohelpmehunthimupforMrs。Pasmer。 Now，Mrs。Pasmer，you’renottothinkit’stheleasttrouble，oranythingbutaboon，muchlesssayit。”hecried，turningtothedeprecationinMrs。Pasmer’sface。Heturnedawayfromittoacknowledgethesmilesandbowsofpeoplegoingoutoftheplace，andhereturnedtheirsalutationswithcharmingheartiness。 Inthevestibuletheymetthefriendstheyweregoinginsearchof。 V。 “WithMr。Mavering，ofcourse！“exclaimedMrs。Saintsbury:“Imighthaveknownit。”Mrs。Pasmerwouldhavegivenanythingshecouldthinkoftobeabletoaskwhyherfriendmighthaveknownit;butforthepresenttheycouldonlyfalluponeachotherwithflashesofself-accusalandexplanation，andrejoicingfortheirdeferredandnowaccomplishedmeeting。TheProfessorstoodbywiththesatiricalsmilewithwhichmenwitnesstheeffusionofwomen。YoungMavering，aftersharingtheladies’ excitementfullywiththem，rewardedhimselfbyanexclusivemomentwithMissPasmer。 “YoumustgetMrs。PasmertoletmeshowyouallofClassDaythataSeniorcan。Ididn’tknowwhataperfectserpent’stoothitwastobeonebefore。Mrs。Saintsbury。”hebrokeoff，“haveyougotticketsfortheTree？Ah，shedoesn’thearme！“ Mrs。SaintsburywasjustthensayingtotheelderMavering，“I’msogladyoudecidedtocometoday。Itwouldhavebeenashameifnoneofyouwerehere。”Shemadeafeintofdroppinghervoice，withaglanceatDanMavering。“He’ssuchaniceboy。”whichmadehimlaugh，andcryout—— “Oh，now？Don’tpoisonmyfather’smind，Mrs。Saintsbury。” “Oh，someonewouldbesuretotellhim。”retortedtheProfessor’swife，“andhe’dbetterhearitfromafriend。” Theyoungfellowlaughedagain，andthenheshookhandswithsomeladiesgoingout，andaskedweretheygoingsosoon，fromanabstracthospitality，apparently，forhewasnotoneofthehosts;andsoturnedoncemoretoMissPasmer。“Wemustgetawayfromhere，ortheafternoonwillgetawayfromus，andleaveusnothingtoshowforit。Supposewemakeastart，MissPasmer？” Heledthewaywithheroutofthevestibule，bankedroundwithpotsofpalmandfern，anddownthestepsintotheglareoftheCambridgesunshine，blownfull，asisthecaseonClassDay，offineCambridgedust，whichhaddrawnadelicategreyveiloverthegrassoftheGymnasiumlawn，andmountedinlightcloudsfromthewheelspowderingitfinerandfinerinthestreet。Alongthesidewalksdustyhacksandcarriageswereranged，andothersweredrivinguptoletpeopledismountattheentrancestothecollegeyard。Withinthetemporarypicket- fences，secludingapartofthegroundsforthestudentsandtheirfriends，wereseenstretchingfromdormitorytodormitorylonglinesofChineselanterns，tobelitafternightfall，swungbetweentheelms。 Groupsofladiescameandwent，nearlyalwaysundertheescortofsomestudent;thecaterers’carts，disburdenedoftheirice-creamsandsalads，werewithdrawnundertheshadeinthestreet，andtheirdriversloungedordrowsedupontheseats;nowandthenablackwaiter，brilliantasabobolinkinhiswhitejacketandapron，appearedonsomeerrand;thelarge，mildCambridgepolicemenkepttheentrancestotheyardwithabenevolentvigilancewhichwasnotharshwiththelittleIrishchildrencomingupfromtheMarshintheirbesttoenjoythesightofotherpeople’spleasure。 “Isn’titaperfectClassDay？”criedyoungMavering，ashecrossedKirklandStreetwithMissPasmer，andglanceddownitsvaultedperspectiveofelms，throughwhichthesunlightbroke，andlayintheroadinpoolsandwashesasfarastheeyereached。“Didyoueverseeanythingbluerthantheskyto-day？Ifeelasifwe’dorderedtheweather，withtherestofthethings，andIhadsomecreditforitashost。Domakeitalittlecompliment，MissPasmer;IassureyouI’llbeverymodestaboutit。” “Ah，Ithinkit’sfullyuptotheoccasion。”saidthegirl，catchingthespiritofhisamiablesatisfaction。“IsittheusualClassDayweather？” “Youspoileverythingbyaskingthat。”criedtheyoungman;“itobligesmetomakeaconfession——it’salwaysgoodweatheronClassDay。Therehaven’tbeenmorethanadozenbadClassDaysinthecentury。Butyou’lladmitthattherecan’thavebeenabetterClassDaythanthis？” “Ohyes;it’scertainlythepleasantestClassDayI’veseen;“saidthegirl;andnowwhenMaveringlaughedshelaughedtoo。 “Thankyousomuchforsayingthat！Ihopeitwillpassoffinuncloudedbrilliancy;itwill，ifIcanmakeit。Why，hallo！They’reontheothersideofthestreetyet，andlookingaboutasiftheywerelost。” Hepulledhishandkerchieffromhispocket，andwaveditattheothersoftheirparty。 Theycaughtsightofit，andcamehurryingoverthroughthedust。 Mrs。Saintsburysaid，apparentlyasthesumofherconsultationswithMrs。Pasmer:“TheTreeistobeathalf-pastfive;andafterwe’veseenafewspreads，I’mgoingtotaketheladieshoneforalittlerest。” “Ohno;don’tdothat。”pleadedtheyoungman。Aftermakingthisprotestheseemednottohaveanythingtosayimmediatelyinsupportofit。Hemerelyadded:“ThisisMissPasmer’sfirstClassDay，andIwanthertoseeitall。” “Butyou’llhavetoleaveusverysoontogetyourselfreadyfortheTree“suggestedtheProfessor’slady，withamotherlyprevision。 “Ishallwantjustfifteenminutesforthat。” “Iknow，better，Mr。Mavering。”saidMrs。Saintsbury，withfinality。 “Youwillwantagoodthree-quartersofanhourtomakeyourselfasdisreputableasyou’lllookattheTree;andyou’llhavetotaketimeforcounselandmeditation。Youmaystaywithusjusthalfanhour，andthenweshallpartinexorably。I’veseenagreatmanymoreClassDaysthanyouhave，andIknowwhattheyareintheirdemandsupontheSeniors。” “Oh;well！Thenwewon’tthinkaboutthetime。”saidtheyoungman，startingonwithMissPasmer。 “Well，don’tundertaketoomuch。”saidthelady。Shecamelastinthelittleprocession，withtheelderMavering，andherhusbandandMrsPasmerprecededher。 “What？”youngMaveringcalledback，withhissmilingfaceoverhisshoulder。 “Shesaysnottobiteoffmorethanyoucanchew。”theprofessoransweredforher。 Maveringbrokeintoaconsciouslaugh，butfullofdelight，andwithhishandkerchieftohisfacehadalmostmissedthegreetingofsomeladieswhobowedtohim。Hehadtoturnroundtoacknowledgeit，andhewassalutingandreturningsalutationsprettywellallalongthelineoftheirprogress。 “I’mafraidyou’llthinkI’meverybody’sfriendbutmyown，MissPasmer，butIassureyouallthisispurelyaccidental。Idon’tknowsomanypeople，afterall;onlyallthatIdoknowseemtobeherethismorning。” “Idon’tthinkit’sathingtobesorryfor。”saidthegirl。“Iwishweknewmorepeople。It’sratherforlorn——“ “Oh，willyouletmeintroducesomeofthefellowstoyou？They’llbesoglad。” “Ifyou’lltellthemhowforlornIsaidIwas。”saidthegirl，withasmile。 “Oh，no，no，no！Iunderstandthat。AndIassureyouthatIdidn’tsuppose——Butofcourse！“hearrestedhimselfinthesuperfluousreassurancehewasoffering，“Allthatgoeswithoutsaying。Onlytherearesomeofthefellowscomingbacktothelawschool，andifyou’llallowme——“ “Weshallbeveryhappyindeed，Mr。Mavering。”saidMrs。Pasmer，behindhim。 “Oh，thankyoueversomuch，Mrs。Pasmer。”Thiswasoccasionforanotherburstoflaughterwithhim。Heseemedfilledwiththeintoxicationofyouth，whosespiritwasinthebrightairofthedayandradiantintheyoungfaceseverywhere。Thepathsintersectingoneanotherbetweenthedifferentdormitoriesunderthedroopingelmswerethrongedwithpeoplecomingandgoinginpairsandgroups;andtheacademicfete，theprettiestflowerofourtougholdPuritanstem，hadthatcharm，atoncesylvanandelegant，whichenrapturesinthepicturedfablesoftheRenaissance。Itfallsatthatmomentoftheyearwhentheolduniversitytown，oftensocommonplaceandsometimessougly，becomesbrieflyandalmostpatheticallybeautifulundertheleafageofherhoveringelmsandin，theperfumeofhersyringas，andbathedinthisjoyfultideofyouththatoverflowsherheart。Sheseemsfitthentobethehomeofthepoetswhohavelovedherandsungher，andtheregretofanyfriendofthehumanitieswhohaslefther。 “Alice。”saidMrs。Pasmer，leaningforwardalittletospeaktoherdaughter，andignoringaremarkoftheProfessor’s，“didyoueverseesomanyprettycostumes？” “Never。”saidthegirl，withequalintensity。 “Well，itmakesyoufeelthatyouhavegotacountry，afterall。”sighedMrs。Pasmer，inasortofapostrophetoherEuropeanself。“Youseesplendiddressingabroad，butit’smostlyuponoldpeoplewhooughttobesickandashamedoftheirpompsandvanities。Buthereit’stheyounggirlswhodress;andhowlovelytheyare！IthoughttheywerecharmingintheGymnasium，butIseeyoumustgetthemout-of-doorstohavethefulleffect。Mr。Mavering，aretheyalwayssoprettilydressedonClassDay？” “Well，I’mbeginningtofeelasifitwouldn’tbeexactlymodestformetosayso，whateverIthink。You’dbetteraskMrs。Saintsbury;shepretendstoknowallaboutit。” “No，I’mboundtosaythey’renot。”saidtheProfessor’swifecandidly。 “Yourdaughter。”sheadded，inalowtoneforalltohear，“decidesthatquestion。” “I’msogladyousaidthat，Mrs。Saintsbury。”saidtheyoungman。Helookedatthegirl;whoblushedwithapleasurethatseemedtothrilltothelastfibreofherprettycostume。 Shecouldnotsayanything，buthermotherasked，withaneffortatself- denial:“Doyouthinksoreally？It’soneofthoseLondonthings。Theyhavesomuchtastetherenow。”sheaddedyieldingtoherownprideinthedress。 “Yes;Isupposeditmustbe。”saidMrs。Saintsbury，“Weusedtocomeinmuslinsandtremendoushoops——don’tyouremember？” “Didyoulooklikeyourphotographs？”askedyoungMavering，overhisshoulder。 “Yes;butwedidn’tknowitthen。”saidtheProfessor’swife。 “Neitherdidwe。”saidtheProfessor。“Wesupposedthattherehadneverbeenanythingequaltothosehoopsandwhitemuslins。” “Thankyou，mydear。”saidhiswife，tappinghimbetweentheshoulderswithherfan。“Nowdon’tgoanyfurther。” “DoyoumeanaboutourfirstmeetinghereonClassDay？”askedherhusband。 “They’llthinksonow。”saidMrs。Saintsburypatiently，withaplayfulthreatofconsequencesinhertone。 “WhenIfirstsawthepresentMrs。Saintsbury。”pursuedtheProfessor——itwashisjokingway，ofdescribingher，asiftherehadbeenseveralotherMrs。Saintsburys——“shewasdancingonthegreenhere。” “Ah，theydon’tdanceonthegreenanymore，Ihear。”sighedMrs。Pasmer。 “No，theydon’t。”saidtheotherlady;“andIthinkit’sjustaswell。 Itwasalwaysaridiculousaffectationofsimplicity。” “Itmusthavebeenratherpublic。”saidyoungMavering，inalowvoice，toMissPasmer。 “Itdoesn’tseemasifitcouldeverhavebeenincharacterquite。”sheanswered。 “We’reathoroughlyindoorspeople。”saidtheProfessor。“Anditseemsasifwehadn’treallybeguntogetwellasaracetillwehadcomeinoutoftheweather。” “Howcanyousaythatonadaylikethis？”criedMrs。Pasmer。“Ididn’tsupposeanyonecouldbesounromantic。” “Don’tflatterhim。”criedhiswife。 “Doesheconsiderthatacompliment？” “Notpersonally。”heanswered:“Butit’sthefirstdutyofaProfessorofComparativeLiteraturetobeunromantic。” “Idon’tunderstand。”falteredMrs。Pasmer。 “Hewillbehappytoexplain，atthegreatestpossiblelength。”saidMrs。 Saintsbury。“Butyoushan’tspoilourpleasurenow，John。” Theyalllaughed，andtheProfessorlookedproudofthewitathisexpense;theAmericanhusbandisso，andthepublicattitudeoftheAmericanhusbandandwifetowardeachotherisapttobeamiablysatirical;theirrelationseemsnevertohavelostitsnovelty，ortolackdrollandsurprisingcontrastsforthem。 Besidesthesepassageswithherhusband，Mrs。SaintsburykeptupafullflowoftalkwiththeelderMavering，whichMrs。Pasmerdidherbesttooverhear，foritrelatedlargelytohisson，whom，itseemed，fromthefather’sexpressions，theSaintsburyshadbeenespeciallykindto。 No，Iassureyou，“Mrs。Pasmerheardherprotest，“Mr。Saintsburyhas，beenverymuchinterestedinhim。Ihopehehasnotputanytroublesomeideasintohishead。Ofcoursehe’sverymuchinterestedinliterature，fromhispointofview，andhe’sgladtofindanyoftheyoungmeninterestedinit，andthat’sapttomakehimoverdomattersalittle。” “Danwishedmetotalkwithhim，andIshallcertainlybegladtodoso。” saidthefather，butinatonewhichconveyedtoMrs。Pasmertheimpressionthatthoughhewasalwaysopentoconviction，hismindwasmadeuponthispoint，whateveritwas。 VI。 Thepartywenttohalfadozenspreads，someofwhichwereonascaleofpublicgrandeurapproachingthatoftheGymnasium，andothersofasubduedelegancebefittingthemoreprivatehospitalitiesinthestudents’rooms。Mrs。Pasmerwasverymuchinterestedintheserooms，whoseluxuriousappointmentstestifiedtotheadvanceofrichesandofthetastetoapplythemsincesheusedtovisitstudents’roomsinfar- offClassDays。Thedeepwindownooksandeasy-chairsupholsteredintheleatherthatseemssacredaliketotheseatsandtheshelvesoflibraries;theaestheticbookcases，lowandtoppedwithbric-a-brac;theetchingsandprintsonthewalls，whichtheelderMaveringwentuptolookatwithamystifyingairofunderstandingsuchthings;thefoilscrossedoverthechimney，andthemantelwithitspipes，anditsphotographsoftheatricalcelebritiestiltedaboutoverit——spokeofconditionsmostlyforeigntoMrs。Pasmer’smemoriesofHarvard。Thephotographedcelebritiesseemedtobechosenchieflyfortheirbeauty，andforasmuchoftheirbeautyaspossible，Mrs。Pasmerperceived，withanobscuremisgivingofthesortwhichanoldergenerationalwayslikestofeelconcerningtheyounger，butwithatolerance，too，whichwaspersonaltoherself;itwastobeconsideredthatthemassivethoughtandhonestamiabilityofSalvini’sface，andthedeepandspiritualizedpowerofBooth’s，variedtheeffectofthesecompaniesofposturingnymphs。 Atmanyplacessheeithermetoldfriendswithwhomsheclamouredoverthewonderoftheirencounterthere，orwasmadeacquaintedwithnewpeoplebytheSaintsburys。Shekeptamother’seyeonherdaughter，towhomyoungMaveringpresentedeverybodywithinhailorreach，andwhomshecouldsee，whenevershelookedather，aradiantcentreofadmiration。Shecouldhearhertalksometimes，andshesaidtoherselfthatreallyAlicewascomingout;shehadneverheardhersaysomanygoodthingsbefore;shedidnotknowitwasinher。Shevasverygladthenthatshehadletherwearthatdress;itwascertainlydistinguished，andthegirlcarrieditoff，tohermother’samusement，withtheairofasuperbladyoftheperiodfromwhichitdated。ShethoughtwhatasimplechildAlicereallywas，allthetimethoseotherchildren，theSeniors，werestealingtheirglancesofboldortimidworshipather，anddoubtlessthinkingherabrilliantwomanoftheworld。Buttherecouldbenomistakethatshewasasuccess。 PartofhertriumphwasofcourseduetoMrs。Saintsbury;whosechaperonage;Mrs。Pasmercouldsee，waseverywhereofeffect。ButitwasalsolargelyduetothevigilantpolitenessofyoungMavering，whoseemedbentonmakingherhavegoodtime，andwholetnochancesliphim。Mrs。 Pasmerfelthiskindnesstruly;andshedidnotfeelitthelessbecausesheknewthattherewasbutonethingthatcould，athisfranklyselfishage，makeayoungfellowwishtomakeagirlhaveagoodtime;exceptforthatreasonhemustbebendingthewholesoulofegotisticyouthtomakingsomeothergirlhaveagoodtime。Butallthesame，itgaveherpausewhensomeonetowhomshewasintroducedspoketoherofherfriendstheMaverings，asiftheywerefriendsoftheoldeststandinginsteadofacquaintancesofveryrecentaccident。Shedidnotthinkofdisclaimingtheintimacy，but“ReallyIshalldieoftheseMaverings。” shesaidtoherself，“unlessIfindoutsomethingaboutthemprettysoon。” “I’mnotgoingtotakeyoutotheOmicronspread，Mrs。Pasmer。”saidyoungMavering，cominguptoherwithsuchaneffectofsympatheticdevotionthatshehadtoaskherself，“Aretheymyfriends，theMaverings？”“TheSaintsburyshavebeentherealready，anditisalittletoocommon。”ThetoneofsuperioritygaveMrs。Pasmercourage。“They’regoodfellows;andallthat，butIwantyoutoseethebest。Isupposeitwillgetbacktogivingthespreadsallinthefellows’roomsagain。 It’sagooddealpleasanter，don’tyouthink？” “Ohyes，indeed。”assentedMrs。Pasmer，thoughshehadreallybeenthinkingtheprivatespreadswerenotnearlysoamusingasthelargespreadshehadseenattheGymnasium。ShehadalsowonderedwhereallMr。Mavering’srelationsandfriendswere，andthepeoplewhohadsocialclaimsonhim，thathecouldbegivinguphisClassDayinthisrecklessfashiontostrangers。Alicewouldaccountforagooddeal，butshewouldnotaccountforeverything。Mrs。Pasmerwouldhavebeenwillingtotakehimfromothers，butifheweresoanomalousastohavenoonetobetakenfrom，ofcourseitlessenedhisvalueasatrophy。Thesethingswentinandoutofhermind，withafinalresolutiontogetafullexplanationfromMrs。Saintsbury，whileshestoodandsmiledherwinningassentupintotheyoungman’shandsomeface。 Mrs。Saintsbury，caughtsightofthem，andasifsuddenlyremindedofaforgottenduty，rushedvividlyuponhim。 “Mr。Mavering，Ishallnotletyoustaywithusanotherminute。Youmustgotoyourroomnowandgetready。Yououghttohavealittlerest。” Hebrokeoutinhislaugh。“DoyouthinkIwanttogoandliedownawhile，likealadybeforeaparty？” “I’msureyou’dbethestrongerforit。”saidMrs。Saintsbury。“Butgo，uponanytheory。Don’tyouseethereisn’taSeniorleft？” Hewouldnotlookround。“They’vegonetootherspreads。”hesaid。 “ButnowI’lltellyou:itispretty，neartime，andifyou’lltakemetomyroom，I’llgo。” “You’reaspoiledboy。”saidMrs。Saintsbury。 “ButIwantMrs。Pasmertoseetheroomofarealstudent——areadingman，andallthat——andwe’llcome，tohumouryou。” “Well，comeuponanytheory。”saidyoungMavering。 Hisfather，andProfessorSaintsbury，whohadbeeninstructedbyhiswifenottolosesightofher，wereathand，andtheycrossedtothatoldhallwhichkeepsitsfavourwiththestudentsinspiteoftherivalryofthenewerdormitories——itwouldbehardtosaywhy。 Mrs。Pasmerwillinglyassentedtoitsbeingmuchbetter，outofpurecomplaisance，thoughtheceilingswerelowandthewindowssmall，anditdidnotseemtoherthattheFranklinstoveandtheaestheticpaperingandpaintingofyoungMavering’sroombroughtituptothelevelofthoseothersthatshehadseen。Butwithherhabitofsayingsomefriendlylyingthing，nomatterwhatherimpressionswere，sheexclaimed;“Oh，howcosy！“andgladoftheword，shewentaboutfromonetoanother，asking，“Isn’tthiscosy？” Mrs。Saintsburysaid:“It’ssupposedtobethecellofarecluse;butitiscosy——yes。” “Itlooksasifsomehermithadbeenusingitasastore-room。”saidherhusband;fortherewereoddsandendsoffurnitureandclothesandboxesandhandbagsscatteredaboutthefloor。 “IforgotallaboutthemwhenIaskedyou。”criedMavering，laughingouthisdelight。“Theybelongtosomefellowsthataregivingspreadsintheirrooms，andIletthemputtheminhere。” “Doyoucommonlyletpeopleputthingsinyourroomthattheywanttogetridoff？”askedMrs。Pasmer。 “Well，notwhenI’mexpectingcompany。” “Hecouldn’trefuseeventhen，iftheypressedthematter。”saidMrs。 Saintsbury，lecturinguponhimtoherfriend。 “I’mafraidyou’retooamiablealtogether，Mr。Mavering。I’msureyouletpeopleimposeuponyou。”saidtheotherlady。“Youhavebeenlettingusimposeuponyou。” “Ah！nowthatprovesyou’reallwrong，Mrs。Pasmer。” “Itprovesthatyouknowhowtosaythingsveryprettily。” “Oh，thankyou。IknowwhenI’mhavingagoodtime，andIdomybesttoenjoyit。”Heendedwiththenervouslaughwhichseemedhabitualwithhim。 “He，doeslaughagooddeal;“thoughtMrs。Pasmer，surveyinghimwithsmilingsteadiness。“IsupposeittiresAlice。Someofhisteetharefilledatthesides。Thatveininhisforehead——theysaythatmeansgenius。”Shesaidtohim:“Ihopeyouknowwhenothersarehavingagoodtimetoo，Mr。Mavering？Yououghttohavethatreward。” TheybothlookedatAlice。“Oh，Ishouldbesohappytothinkyouhadn’tbeenboredwithitall，Mrs:Pasmer。”hereturned;——with-deepfeeling。 Alicewaslookingatoneofthesketcheswhichwereprettyplentifullypinnedaboutthewall，andapparentlyseeingitandapparentlylisteningtowhatProfessorSaintsburywassaying;buthermotherbelievedfromatremoroftheribbonsonherhatthatshewasconsciousofnothingbutyoungMavering’sgazeandthesoundofhisvoice。 “We’vebeendelighted，simplyenchanted。”saidMrs。Pasmer。Andshethought;“NowifAliceweretoturnroundjustasshestands，hecouldseeallthebestpointsofherface。Iwonderwhatshereallythinksofhim？Whatisityouhavethere;Alice？”sheaskedaloud。 ThegirlturnedherfaceoverhershouldersoexactlyinthewayhermotherwishedthatMrs。Pasmercouldscarcelyrepressacryofjoy。“A sketchofMr。Mavering’s。” “Oh，howveryinteresting！“saidMrs。Pasmer。“Doyousketch，Mr。 Mavering？Butofcourse。”Shepressedforward，andstudiedthesketchinattentively。“Howvery，verygood！“shebuzzeddeepinherthroat，while，withaglanceatherdaughter，shethought，“HowimpassiveAliceis！Butshebehaveswithgreatdignity。Yes。Perhapsthat’sbest。 Andareyougoingtobeanartist？”sheaskedofMavering。 “Notifitcanbeprevented。”heanswered，laughingagain。 “Buthislaughisverypleasant。”reflectedMrs。Pasmer。“DoesAlicedislikeitsomuch？”Sherepeatedaloud，“Ifitcanbeprevented？” “TheythinkImightspoilagreatlawyerintheattempt。” “Oh，Isee。Andareyougoingtobealawyer？Buttobeagreatpainter！AndAmericahassofewofthem。”Sheknewquitewellthatshewastalkingnonsense，butshewasaware，throughherownindifferencetothetopicthathewasnotmindingwhatshesaid，butwastryingtobringhimselfintotalkwithAliceagain。ThegirlpersistentlylistenedtoProfessorSaintsbury。 “Isshepunishinghimforsomething？”hermotheraskedherself。“Whatcanitbefor。Doesshethinkhe’salittletoopushing？Perhaps，heisalittlepushing。”Shereflected，withaninwardsigh，thatshewouldknowwhetherhewasifsheonlyknewmoreabouthim。 Hedidthehonoursofhisroomverysimplyandnicely，andhesaiditwasprettyroughtothinkthiswasthelastofit。Afterwhichhefaltered，andsomethingoccurredtoMrsSaintsbury。 “Why，we’rekeepingyou！It’stimeforyoutodressfortheTree。 John“——shereproachedherhusband——“howcouldyouletusdoit？” “Farbeitfrommetohurryladiesoutofotherpeople’shouses—— especiallyladieswhohaveputthemselvesinchargeofotherpeople。” “No，don’thurry。”pleadedMavering;“there’splentyoftime。” “Howmuchtime？”askedMrs。Saintsbury。 Helookedathiswatch。“Well，agoodquarterofanhour。” “AndIwastohavetakenMrs。PasmerandAlicehomeforalittlerestbeforetheTree！“criedMrsSaintsbury。Andnowwemustgoatonce，orweshallgetnosortofplaces。”