第1章

ThedayhadbeenveryhotunderthetalltreeswhicheverywhereembowerandstifleSaratoga，fortheyshutouttheairaswellasthesun；andaftertea(theystillhaveanearlydinneratallthehotelsinSaratoga，andteaisthelastmealoftheday)IstrolledovertotheprettyCongressPark，inthehopeofgettingabreathofcoolnessthere。Mrs。Marchpreferredtotakethechancesontheverandahofourpleasantlittlehotel，whereIleftherwiththeotherladies，fortyfanninglikeone，astheyrockedtoandfroundertheroofliftedtothethirdstorybythoseloftyshaftspeculiartotheSaratogaarchitecture。Asfarascoolnesswasconcerned，IthoughtshewaswiseafterIreachedthepark，forI foundnoneofitthere。Itriedfirstachairinthearabesquepavilion(Icallitarabesqueindespair；itmightverywellbeSwiss；itischarming，atallevents)，andstudiedtodeceivemyselfwiththefresh-lookingebullitionofthespringinthevastglassbowlsyourgobletsareservedfrom(peoplesayitispumped，andartificiallyaerated)；butafterafewmomentsthiswouldnotdo，andIwentouttoabench，oftherowsbesidethegravelledwalks。 Itwasnobetterthere；butIfancieditwouldbebetteronthelittleisleinthelittlelake，wherethefountainwasflingingasheafofsprayintothedullair。Thislookedevencoolerthanthebubblingspringintheglassvases，anditsoundedvastlycooler。 Therewouldbemosquitoesthere，ofcourse，IadmittedinthedebateIhadwithmyselfbeforeIdecidedtomakeexperimentoftheplace，andtheeventprovedmeright。TherewerecertainlysomemosquitoesintheGreciantemple(ifitisnotaTurkishkiosk；perhapswehadbettercompromise，andcallitaGreciankiosk)，whichyoureachbyafoot-bridgefromthemainland，andtherewasadampintheairwhichmightpassforcoolness。Therewerethreeorfourpeoplestandingvaguelyaboutinthekiosk；butmyidlemindfixeditselfuponayoungFrench-Canadianmotheroflowdegree，whosat，withhersmallboy，onthevergeofthepavementnearthewater。Shescoldedhimintheirparlanceforhavinggothimselfsodirty，andthenshesmackedhispoor，filthylittlehands，withafrownofsuperiorvirtue，thoughIdidnotfindhersoverymuchcleanerherself。I cannotseechildrenbeatenwithoutaheartache，andIcontinuedtosufferforthissmallwretchevenafterhehadavengedhimselfbyeatingahandfulofpeanutshells，whichwouldbesuretodisagreewithhimandmakehismothermoretrouble。Infact，Iexperiencednorelieftillhismother，havingspentherinsensatepassion，gatheredhimupwithsufficienttenderness，andcarriedhimaway。 Then，forthefirsttime，Inoticedagirlsittinginachairjustoutsidethekiosk，andshowingagracefulyoungfigureasshepartlyturnedtolookafterthedepartingmotherandherchild。Whensheturnedagainandglancedinmydirection，atthenoiseImadeinplacingmychair，Icouldseetwothings——thatshehadasmuchbeautyasgrace，andthatshewasdisappointedinme。Thelatterfactdidnotwoundme，forIfeltitsprofoundimpersonality。Iwasnotwronginmyself；Iwassimplywronginbeinganelderlymanwithagreybeardinsteadofthehandsomeshapeandphaseofyouthwhichherownyoungbeautyhadarighttoinmyplace。Iwasnotonlynotwounded，butIwasnotsorrynottobethatshapeandphaseofyouth，exceptasIhatetodisappointanyone。 Herfacewasverybeautiful；itwasquiteperfectlybeautiful，andofsuchclassicmouldthatshemightwellhavebeenthetutelarygoddessofthattemple(ifitwasatemple，andnotakiosk)，inthewhiteduckcostumewhichthegoddesseswerewearingthatsummer。 HerfeatureswereGreek，butherlookswereAmerican；andshewasnonethelessagoddess，Idecided，becauseofthatairofsomethingexacting，ofnotquitesatisfied，whichmadememoreandmorewillingtobeelderlyandgrey-bearded。Iatleastshouldnotbeexpectedtosupplytheworshipnecessarytokeepsuchagoddessingoodhumour。 IdonotknowjusthowIcanaccountforastrainofcompassionwhichmingledwiththissenseofirresponsibilityinme；perhapsitwasmyfeelingofsecuritythatattunedmetopity；butcertainlyI didnotlookatthisyounggirllongwithoutbeginningtogrieveforher，andtoweaveaboutherawebofpossibilities，whichgrewcloserandfirmerintexturewhenshewasjoinedbyacouplewhohadapparentlynotleftheragreatwhilebefore，andwhospoke，withoutotherwisesalutingher，astheysatdownoneithersideofher。I instantlyinterpretedherfriendstobetheyoungwifeandmiddle- agedhusbandofasecondmarriage；fortheywereevidentlymanandwife，andhemusthavebeennearlytwiceasoldasshe。Inpersonhetendedtotheweightwhichexpressessettledprosperity，andacertainsolidificationoftemperamentandcharacter；astohisface，itwaskind，anditwasratherhumorous，inspiteofbeingalittleslowinthecastofminditsuggested。Heworeaniron-greybeardonhischeeksandchin，buthehadhisstrongupperlipcleanshaven；somedropsofperspirationstooduponit，anduponhisforehead，whichshoweditselfwelluptowardhiscrownunderthedampstringsofhisscantyhair。Helookedattheyounggoddessinwhiteduckwithasortoftroubleinhisfriendlycountenance，andhiswife(ifitwashiswife)seemedtosharehisconcern，thoughshesmiled，whileheletthecornersofhisstraightmouthdroop。 Shewassmallerthantheyounggirl，andIthoughtalmostasyoung； andshehadtheairofbeingsomehowresponsibleforher，andcowedbyher，thoughthewordsaysrathermorethanImean。Shewasnotsowelldressed；thatis，notsostylishly，thoughdoubtlesshercostumewasmoreexpensive。Itseemedtheinspirationofavillagedressmaker；andherhusband\'slow-cutwaistcoat，andhisexpanseofplaitedshirt-front，betrayedaprovincialidealwhichshewouldneverdecry——whichshewouldperhapsneverfinddifferentfromthemostworldly。Hehadprobably，Iswiftlyimagined，beenwearingjustthatkindofclothesfortwentyyears，andtellinghistailortomakeeachnewsuitlikethelast；hehadbeenbuyingforthesameperiodthesameshapeofPanamahat，regardlessofthecontinuallychangingtypeofstrawhatsonotherheads。Icannotsayjustwhy，ashetiltedhischairbackonitshind-legs，Ifeltthathewaseitherthecashierofthevillagebankathome，oroneoftheprincipalbusinessmenoftheplace。VillagepeopleIwasquiteresolutetohavethemall；butIleftthemfreetohavecomefromsomesmallmanufacturingcentreinwesternMassachusettsorsouthernVermontorcentralNewYork。Itwaseasytoseethattheywerenotinthehabitofcomingawayfromtheirplace，whereveritwas；andI wonderedwhethertheywerefindingtheiraccountinthepresentexcursion。 ImyselfthinkSaratogaoneofthemostdelightfulspectaclesintheworld，andMrs。Marchisofthesamemindaboutit。Welikeallthewaters，anddrinkthemwithoutregardtotheirdifferentproperties； butweratherprefertheCongressspring，becauseitissuchapleasantplacetolistentotheTroymilitarybandintheafternoon，andthemoreorlessvocalconcertintheevening。AlltheSaratogaworldcomesandgoesbeforeus，aswesittherebydayandbynight，andwefindaperpetualinterestinit。Wegoandlookatthedeer(aherdoftwo，Ithink)behindtheirwirenettinginthesouthwardvalleyofthepark，andwewouldfeedthetroutintheirbluetankifwedidnotseethemsufferingwithsurfeit，andhanginginmotionlessmiseryamidtheclearwaterunderacloudofbreadcrumbs。Wearesuchdevoteesofthespecialattractionsofferedfromtimetotimethatwedonotmissasingleballoonascensionorpyrotechnicdisplay。Infact，ithappenedtomeonesummerthatI studiedsoearnestlyandsocloselythecountenanceoftheladywhowentup(intrunk-hose)，inordertomakeoutjustwhatweretheemotionsofaladywhowentupeveryafternooninaballoon，thatwhenwemetneartheendoftheseasoninBroadwayIthoughtImusthaveseenhersomewhereinsociety，andtookoffmyhattoher(shewasnotatthemomentintrunk-hose)。Welikegoingabouttothegreathotels，andspongingonthemforthemusicintheforenoon；welikethegaudyshopsofmodeskeptbyartistswhoseaddressesareFrenchandwhosesurnamesareIrish；andthebazaarsoftheArmeniansandJapanese，whoserugsandbric-a-bracarenotsuchbargainsasyouwouldthink。Weevengototheracessometimes；wearenotsureitisquiteright，butaswedonotbet，andareneverdecidedastowhichhorsehaswon，itisperhapsnotsowrongasitmightbe。 SomehowIcouldnotpredicatethesesimplejoysofthepeopleIhavebeentalkingof，fortheveryreason，thattheywerethemselvessosimple。Itwasoursophisticationwhichenabledustotastepleasureswhichwouldhavebeeninsipiditiestothem。Theirpalateswouldhavedemandedotherflavours——socialexcitements，balls，flirtations，almostescapades。Ispeakofthetwowomen；theman，doubtless，likemostotherAmericansofhisage，wantednothingbuttogetbacktobusinessinthesmalltownwherehewasimportant； andstillmoreIspeakoftheyounggirl；fortheyoungwifeI fanciedverywillingtogobacktoherhouse-keeping，andtobestayingoninSaratogaonlyonherfriend\'saccount。 CHAPTERII Ihadalreadymadeupmymindthattheyhadbeentheclosestfriendsbeforeoneofthemmarried，andthattheyoungwifestillthoughttheyounggirlworthyofthemostsplendidfatethatmarriagecouldhaveinstoreforanyofhersex。Womenoftenmakeeachothertheidolsofsuchworship；butIcouldnothavejustifiedthislady\'sadorationsofarasitconcernedthementalandmoralqualitiesofherfriend，thoughIfullyshareditinregardtoherbeauty。Tomeshelookedalittledullandalittleselfish，andI chosetothinkthehusbandmodestlyfoundherselfish，ifheweretoomodesttofindherdull。 Yet，afterall，Itacitlyarguedwithhim，whyshouldwecallherselfish？Itwasperfectlyrightandfitthat，asayounggirlwithsuchgreatpersonaladvantages，sheshouldwishtoseetheworld—— eventoshowherselftotheworld，——andfindinitsomeagreeableyouthwhoshouldadmireher，anddesiretomakeherhisownforever。Comparethissimpleandnaturallongingwiththeinsatiategreedandambitionofoneofourownsex，Iurgedhim，andthentalktome，ifyoucan，ofthispoorgirl\'sselfishness!Ayoungmanhasmoreegoisminanhourthanayounggirlhasinherwholelife。Shethinksshewishessomeonetobedevotedtoher，butshereallywishessomeonetoletherbedevotedtohim；andhowpassively，hownegatively，shemustmanagetoaccomplishherself-sacrifice!He，onthecontrary，meanstogoconqueringandenslavingforward；tobeinandoutofloverightandleft，andtoend，aftermanyyearsoftriumph，inthepossessionofthebestandwisestandfairestofhersex。Iknowthebreed，mydearsir；Ihavebeenayoungmanmyself。 Wemenhaveliberty，wehaveinitiative；wearenotchaperoned；wecangotothisoneandthatonefreelyandfearlessly。Butwomenmustsitstill，andbecometoorshiedofffrom。Theycannotcasttheboldeyeofinterest；theycanatmostbridleunderit，andfurtivelyrespondfromthecorneroftheeyeofweakhopeandgentledeprecation。Bepatient，then，withthispoorchildifshedarklesalittleunderthedisappointmentofnotfindingSaratogasopersonallygayasshesupposeditwouldbe，andtakesitoutofyouandyourwife，asifyouweretoblameforit，insomethinglikesulks。 Heremainedsilentunderthesetacitappeals，butattheendheheavedadeepsigh，ashemightifhewereacknowledgingtheirjustice，andwerepromisingtodohisverybestinthecircumstances。Hiswifelookedroundathim，butdidnotspeak。Infact，theynoneofthemspokeafterthefirstwordsofgreetingtothegirl，asIcanverywelltestify；forIsateavesdroppingwithallmymight，resolvednottoloseasyllable，andIamsureIlostnone。 Theyounggirldidnotlookroundatthatdeep-drawnsighoftheman\'s；shedidnotliftherheadevenwhenheclearedhisthroat: butIwasintentuponhim，forIthoughtthatthesesoundspreludedanoverture(Iamnotsureofthefigure)tomyacquaintance，andinfactheactuallyasked，\"Doyouknowjustwhentheconcertbegins？\" Iwasoverjoyedathisquestion，forIwaspoignantlyinterestedinthelittlesituationIhadcreated，andImadehastetoanswer: \"Well，nominallyateighto\'clock；butthefirsthalf-hourisusuallytakenupintuningtheinstruments。Ifyougetintothepavilionataquartertonineyouwon\'tlosemuch。Itisn\'tsobadwhenitreallybegins。\" ThemanpermittedhimselfasmileofthepleasureweAmericansallfeelathavingathingunderstatedinthatway。Hiswifeaskedtimidly，\"Dowehavetoengageourseatsinthe——pavilion？\" \"Oh，no，\"Ilaughed；\"there\'snosuchrushasthat。Haven\'tyoubeenattheconcertsbefore？\" Themanansweredforher:\"Wehaven\'tbeenherebutafewdays。I shouldthink，\"headdedtoher，\"itwouldbeaboutascomfortableoutsideofthehouse。\"Iperceivedthathemaintainedhisindependenceofmysuperiorknowledgebyrefusingtosay\"pavilion\"； andinfactIdonotknowwhetherthatistherightnameforthebuildingmyself。 \"Itwillbehotenoughanywhere，\"Iassented，asiftheremarkhadbeenmadetome；buthereIdrewthelineoutofself-respect，andresolvedthatheshouldmakethenextadvances。 Theyounggirllookedupatthefirstsoundofmyvoice，andverifiedmeastheelderlymanwhomshehadseenbefore；andthenshelookeddownatthewateragain。Iunderstood，andIfreelyforgaveher。IfmybeardhadbeenbrowninsteadofgreyIshouldhavebeenanadventure；buttotheeyeofgirlhoodadventurecanneverwearagreybeard。Iwastrulysorryforher；IcouldreadinthepensivedroopofheravertedfacethatIwasagainadisappointment。 Theyallthreesat，withoutspeakingagain，inthemannerlesssilenceofAmericans。ThemanwasnotgoingtofeelboundinfurthercivilitytomebecauseIhadcivillyansweredaquestionofhis。Idivinedthathewouldbegladtowithdrawfromtheoverturehehadmade；hemayhavethoughtfrommyreadinesstomeethimhalfwaythatImightbeoneofthosesharpersinwhomSaratogaprobablyabounded。Thisdidnotoffendme；itamusedme；IfanciedhisconfusionifhecouldsuddenlyknowhowhelplesslyandirreparablyhonestIwas。 \"Idon\'tknowbutit\'salittletoodamphere，Rufus，\"saidthewife。 \"Idon\'tknowbutitis，\"heanswered；butnoneofthemmoved，andnoneofthemspokeagainforsomeminutes。Thenthewifesaidagain，butthistimetothefriend，\"Idon\'tknowbutit\'salittletoodamphere，Julia，\"andthefriendanswered，asthehusbandhad- \"Idon\'tknowbutitis。\" Ihadtwosurprisesinthisslightevent。IcouldneverhaveimaginedthatthegirlhadsobrunetteanameasJulia，oranythinglessblondinsoundthan，say，Evadne，attheverydarkest；andI hadmadeupmymind——Heavenknowswhy——thathervoicewouldbeharsh。PerhapsIthoughtitunfairthatsheshouldhaveasweetvoiceaddedtoallthatbeautyandgraceofhers；butshehadasweetvoice，verytenderandmelodious，withaplangentnoteinitthattouchedmeandcharmedme。Beautifulandgracefulasshewas，shehadlackedatmospherebefore，andnowsuddenlyshehadatmosphere。IresolvedtokeepasneartothesepeopleasIcould，andnottoleavetheplaceaslongastheystayed；butIdidnotthinkitwelltoletthemfeelthatIwasaestheticallyshadowingthem，andIgotupandstrolledawaytowardthepavilion，keepinganeyeinthebackofmyheaduponthem。 Isatdowninacommandingposition，andwatchedthepeoplegatheringfortheconcert；andinthedramaofagroupofCubans，orofSouthAmericans，Ialmostforgotforamomentthepaleidylofmycompatriotsatthekiosk。Therewasashort，stoutlittleSpanishwomanspeakingintheshapelysentenceswhichtheLatinraceeverywheredelightsin，andaroundherwasanincreasingnumberofseriousSpanishmen，listeningasiftoimportantthings，andpayingherthatrespectfulattentionwhichalwaysamusesandpuzzlesme。 Inviewofwhatwethinktheirlowestimateofwomen，Icannotmakeoutwhetheritisapersonaltributetosomespecificwomanwhomtheyregarddifferentlyfromalltherestofhersex，orwhethertheychoosetoknowinherforthenoucetheabstractwomanwhoisbetterthanwomanintheconcrete。IamsureIhaveneverseenmenofanyotherraceabandonthemselvestosuchaluxuryofrespectastheseblackandgreybeardedSpaniardsofleadencomplexionshowedthisdumpypersonificationofwomanhood，withtheirprominenteyesbentinhomageuponher，andtheirhandstremblingwithreadinesstoseizetheirhatsoffinreverence。Itappearedpresentlythatthemattertheywereallcanvassingsodevoutlywasthequestionofwheresheshouldsit。Itseemedtobedecidedthatshecouldnotdobetterthansitjustatthatpoint。Whensheactuallytookachairthestatelyconvocationended，anditsmembers，withlowobeisances，dispersedthemselvesindifferentdirections。TheyhadprobablyallbeensittingwithherthewholeafternoonontheverandahoftheEverettHouse，wheretheirracechieflyresortsinSaratoga，andtheywereavailingthemselvesofthisoccasiontoappeartobemeetingher，afteralonginterval，insociety。 IsaidtomyselfthatofcoursetheybelievedSaratogawasstillthatcentreofAmericanfashionwhichitoncewas，andthattheycameandwenteverysummer，probablyinthebeliefthattheysawagreatdealofsocialgaietythere。Thismademethink，byanaturalseriesoftransitions，ofthepersonsofmyAmericanidyl，andI lookedaboutthepavilioneverywhereforthemwithoutdiscovering，tillthelast，thattheywerejustbehindme。 Ifoundthefacttouching。Theyhadnotwishedtobeinanywisebeholdentome，andhadeventriedtorejectmyfriendlyreadinesstoknowthembetter；buttheyhadprobablysoughtmyvicinityinasenseoftheirlonelinessandhelplessness，whichtheyhopedIwouldnotdivine，butwhichIdivinedinstantly。Still，Ithoughtitbestnottoshowanyconsciousnessofthem，andwesatthroughthefirstpartoftheconcertwithouttakingnoticeofoneanother。Thenthemanleanedforwardandtouchedmeontheshoulder。 \"Willyouletmetakeyourprogrammeaminute？\" \"Why，certainly，\"saidI。 Hetookit，andafteravagueglanceatithepassedittohiswife，whogaveitinturntotheyounggirl。Shestudieditverybriefly，andthen，afteraquestioninglook，offereditbacktome。 \"Won\'tyoukeepit？\"Ientreated。\"I\'vequitedonewithit。\" \"Oh，thankyou，\"sheansweredinhertendervoice，andsheandthewifelookedhardattheman，whomtheyseemedtouniteinpushingforwardbythatmeans。 Hehemmed，andasked，\"HaveyoubeeninSaratogamuch？\" \"Why，yes，\"Isaid；\"ratheragooddeal。MywifeandIhavebeenherethreeorfoursummers。\" Attheconfessionofmymarriedstate，whichthisstatementimplicated，thewomenexchangedaglance，Ifancied，oftriumph，asiftheyhadbeentalkingaboutme，andIhadnowconfirmedthegroundtheyhadtakenconcerningme。Thentheyjoinedingoadingthemanonagainwiththeireyes。 \"Whichhotel，\"heasked，\"shouldyousayhadthemostgoingon？\" Theyounggirlandthewifetransferredtheirgazetome，withanintensifiedappealinit。Themanlookedawaywithacertainshame—— theshameofamanwhofeelsthathiswifehasmadehimmakeanassofhimself。Itriedtotreathisquestion，bythequantityandqualityofmyanswer，asoneofthemostnaturalthingsintheworld；andIprobablydeceivedthemallbythiseffort，thoughIamsurethatIwasmosttruthfulandjustconcerningtheclaimsofthedifferenthotelstobethecentreofexcitement。IthoughtIhadearnedtherighttoaskattheend，\"AreyoustoppingattheGrandUnion？\" \"No，\"hesaid；andhementionedoneofthesmallerhotels，whichdependuponthegreathousesfortheentertainmentoftheirguests。 \"Areyouthere？\"heasked，meaningtheGrandUnion。 \"Ohno，\"Isaid；\"wecouldn\'tdothatsortofthing，evenifwewanted。\"AndinmyturnInamedthemodesthotelwherewewere，andsaidthatIthoughtitbyalloddsthepleasantestplaceinSaratoga。\"ButIcan\'tsay，\"Iadded，\"thatthereisagreatdealgoingonthere，either。Ifyouwantthatsortofthingyouwillhavetogotosomeofthegreathotels。Wehaveourlittleamusements，butthey\'reallrathermild。\"Ikepttalkingtotheman，butreallyaddressingmyselftothewomen。\"There\'ssomethingnearlyeveryevening:prestidigitating，orelocutioning，oralittleconcert，orcharades，orimpromptutheatricals，orsomethingofthatsort。Ican\'tsaythere\'sdancing，thoughreally，I suppose，ifanyonewantedtodancetherewouldbedancing。\" Iwasawarethatthewomenlistenedintelligently，evenifthemandidnot。Thewifedrewalongbreath，andsaid，\"Itmustbeverypleasant。\" Thegirlsaid——rathermorehungrily，Ifancied——\"Yes，indeed。\" Idon\'tknowwhytheirinterestshouldhavepromptedmetogoonandpaintthelilyalittle，butIcertainlydidso。Ididnotstoptillthemusicbeganagain，andIhadtostop。BythetimethepiecewasfinishedIhadbeguntohavemymisgivings，andIprofitedbythebriefintervalofsilencetosaytotheyounggirl，\"I wouldn\'thaveyouthinkweareawhirlofgaietyexactly。\" \"Ohno，\"sheansweredpathetically，asifshewerequitepastexpectingthatoranythinglikeit。 Weweresilentagain。Attheendofthenextpiecetheyallrose，andthewifesaidtimidlytome，\"Well，good-evening，\"asifshemightbeventuringtoofar；andherhusbandcametoherrescuewith\"Well，good-evening，sir。\"Theyounggirlmerelybowed。 Ididnotstaymuchlonger，forIwaseagertogethomeandtellmywifeaboutmyadventure，whichseemedtomeofaveryrareandthrillingkind。IbelievedthatifIcouldpresentittoherduly，itwouldinterestherasmuchasithadinterestedme。Butsomehow，asIwentonwithitinthelamplightofherroom，itseemedtolosecolourandspecificcharacter。 \"YouarealwaysmakinguptheseromancesaboutyounggirlsbeingoffanddisappointedofagoodtimeeversincewesawthatpoorlittleKittyEllisonwithhercousinsatNiagara，\"saidMrs。March。\"Youseemtohaveitonthebrain。\" \"Becauseit\'sthemosttragicalthingintheworld，andthecommonestinourtransitionstate，\"Iretorted。Iwassomewhatexasperatedtohavemyromancetreatedassostaleasituation，thoughIwasconsciousnowthatitdidwantperfectnovelty。\"It\'spreciselyforthatreasonthatIliketobreakmyheartoverit。I seeiteverysummer，anditkeepsmeinapassionofpity。 Somethingoughttobedoneaboutit。\" \"Well，don\'tYOUtrytodoanything，Basil，unlessyouwritetothenewspapers。\" \"Isuppose，\"Isaid，\"thatifthenewspaperscouldbegottotakeholdofit，perhapssomethingmightbedone。\"Thenotionamusedme； Iwentontoplaywithit，andimaginedSaratoga，byajointeffortoftheleadingjournals，recolonisedwiththesociallifethatoncemadeittheparadiseofyoungpeople。 \"Ihavebeenwritingtothechildren，\"saidmywife，\"andtellingthemtostayonatYorkHarbouriftheHerrickswantthemsomuch。 Theywouldhateithere。Yousaythegirllookedcross。Ican\'texactlyimagineacrossgoddess。\" \"Therewerelotsofcrossgoddesses，\"Isaidrathercrosslymyself； forIsawthat，afterhavingtroddenmyromanceinthedust，shewaswillingIshouldpickitupagainandshakeitoff，andIwishedtoshowherthatIwasnottobesolightlyappeased。 \"PerhapsIwasthinkingofangels，\"shemurmured。 \"Idistinctlydidn\'tsayshewasanangel，\"Ireturned。 \"Now，come，Basil；Iseeyou\'rekeepingsomethingback。Whatdidyoutrytodoforthosepeople？Didyoutellthemwhereyouwerestopping？\" \"Yes，Idid。Theyaskedme，andItoldthem。\" \"Didyoubragtheplaceup？\" \"Onthecontrary，Iunderstateditsmerits。\" \"Oh，verywell，then，\"shesaid，quiteasifIhadconfessedmyguilt；\"theywillcomehere，andyouwillhaveyourromanceonyourhandsfortherestofthemonth。I\'mthankfulwe\'regoingawaythefirstofAugust。\" CHAPTERIII Thenextafternoon，whileweweresittingintheparkwaitingfortheTroybandtobeginplaying，andIwaswonderingjustwhentheywouldreachthe\"WashingtonPostMarch，\"whichIlikebecauseIcanalwaysbesureofit，myunknownfriendscamestrollingourway。 Themanlookedbewilderedandbored，withsomethingofdesperationinhistroubledeye，andhiswifelookedtiredanddisheartened。 Theyounggirl，stillinwhiteduck，worethesameairofpassiveinjuryIhadnotedinherthenightbefore。Theirfacesallthreelightedupatsightofme；buttheyfadedagainatthecoldandmeagreresponseImadetotheirsmilesundercorrectionofmywife\'sfearsofthem。Iownitwasbaseofme；butIhadbeguntofeelmyselfthatitmightbetoolargeacontracttoattempttheirconsolation，and，infact，afteroneisfiftyscarcelyanyromancewillkeepovernight。 Mywifeglancedfromthemtome，andreadmycowardlymind；butshewaitedtilltheypassed，astheydidafteraninvoluntaryfalteringinfrontofus，andwerekeepingondownthepath，lookingatthebenches，whichwerefilledoneitherhand。Shesaid，\"Weren\'tthoseyourfriends？\" \"Theywerethepersonsofmyromance。\" \"Nomatter。Goaftertheminstantlyandbringthembackhere，poorthings。Wecanmakeroomforthem。\" Irose。\"Isn\'tthisalittletooidyllic？Aren\'tyouratheroverdoingit？\" \"Don\'tspeaktome，Basil!Ineverheardofanythingsoatrocious。 Goonyourkneestothemiftheyrefuse!Theycansitherewithme，andyouandhecanstand。Fly!\" Iknewshewaspunishingmeforherownreluctance；butIflew，inthatsenseoftheterm，andeasilyoverhauledtheminthetangleofpeoplecomingandgoinginthepath，andthenursemaidspushingtheirperambulatorsineitherdirection。HatinhandIdeliveredmymessage。Icouldseethatitgavethewomengreatpleasureandthemansomedoubt。Hismouthfellopenalittle；theircheeksflushedandtheireyesshone。 \"Idon\'tknowaswebetter，\"thewifehesitated；\"I\'mafraidwe\'llcrowdyou。\"Andshelookedwistfullytowardmywife。Theyounggirllookedather。 \"Notatall!\"Icried。\"There\'sanabundanceofroom。Mywife\'skeepingtheplacesforyou，\"——infact，Isawherputtingherarmoutalongthebench，andexplainingtoacouplewhohadhaltedinfrontofherthattheseatsweretaken——\"andshe\'llbedisappointed。\" \"Well，\"thewomanconsented，withalittlesighoftriumphthattouchedme，andreanimatedallmyinterestinherandinherfriend。 Shesaid，withasortofshy，instinctivepoliteness，\"Idon\'tknowasyouandMr。Deeringgotacquaintedlastnight。\" \"MynameisMarch，\"Isaid，andIshookthehandofMr。Deering。Itwasratherthick。 \"Andthis——isourfriend，\"Mrs。Peeringwenton，inpresentationofmetotheyounglady，\"MissGage，that\'scomewithus。\" IwasdelightedthatIhadguessedtheirrelativequalitiessoperfectly，andwhenwearrivedatMrs。MarchIgliblypresentedthem。MywifewasallthatIcouldhavewishedhertobeofsympatheticandintelligent。Shedidnotoverdoitbyshakinghands，butshemadeplacesfortheladies，smilingcordially；andMrs。DeeringmadeMissGagetaketheseatbetweenthem。HerhusbandandIstoodawhileinfrontofthem，andthenIsaidwewouldgooffandfindchairssomewhere。 Wedidnotfindanytillwehadclimbedtotheuplandatthesouth- eastofthepark，andthenonlytwoironones，whichitwasuselesstothinkoftransporting。Buttherewasnoreasonwhyweshouldnotsitinthemwheretheywere:wecouldkeeptheladiesinplainsight，andIcouldnotmistake\"WashingtonPost\"whenthebandcametoit。Mr。Deeringsankintooneofthechairswithasighofsatisfactionwhichseemedtocompleteitselfwhenhediscoveredinthethickgrassathisfeetatwigfromoneofthetall，slimpinesaboveus。Hebentoverforit，andthen，ashetookouthispenknifeandclickedopenabladetobeginwhittling，hecastupacriticalglanceatthetrees。 \"Prettynicepines，\"hesaid；andheputhishandontheonenexttouswithasortofappreciationthatinterestedme。 \"Yes；thetreesofSaratogaarethegloryoftheplace，\"Ireturned。 \"Ineversawthemgrowanywhereelsesotallandslim。Itdoesn\'tseemtheeffectofcrowdingeither。It\'sasiftherewassomechemicalforceinthesoilthatshotthemup。They\'relikerocketsthathaven\'tleftthegroundyet。\" \"It\'sthecrowding，\"hesaidseriously，asifthesubjectwerenottobetrifledwith。\"It\'sthehabitofallthesetrees——pinesandoaksandmaples，Idon\'tcarewhattheyare——tospread，andthat\'swhatwetellourcustomers。Givethetreesplentyofroom；don\'tplant\'emtoothickifyouwanttogetallthegoodoutof\'em。\"Asifhesawaquestioninmyeye，hewenton:\"Wedoaforest-treebusinessexclusively；theseshade-trees，andwalnuts，hickories，chestnuts，andallkinds。It\'sabigtrade，gettingtobe，andgrowingallthetime。Folkshavebeguntofindoutwhatfoolstheyweretodestroytheforests，andthechildrenwanttobuybackwhatthefathersthrewaway。\" Iscarcelyneededtoprompthim；hewasonlytoogladtotalkonabouthisbusiness，andhespokewithasortofhomesickfondness。 HetoldmethathehadhisnurseriesatDeWittPoint，upontheSt。 Lawrence，wherehecouldraisestockhardyenoughforanyclimate，andshipbylandorwater。 \"I\'vegottobegettinghomerightawaynow，\"hesaidfinally，clickinghisknife-bladehalfshutandopenwithhisthumb。 \"It\'sabouttimeforourevergreentrade，andIdon\'twantthetreestostayaminuteinthegroundafterthemiddleofthemonth。\" \"Won\'ttheladiesfindithardtotearthemselvesawayfromthegaietiesofSaratoga？\"Iaskedwithapparentvagueness。 \"Well，that\'sit，\"saidMr。Deering；andheshuthisknifeandslippeditintohispocket，inordertotakehiskneebetweenhisclaspedhandsandlifthislegfromtheground。Ihavenoticedthatthisisaphilosophicalattitudewithsomepeople，andIwaspreparedbyitforsomethoughtfulgeneralisingfrommycompanion。 \"Womenwouldbewillingtostayoninaplaceforayeartoseeifsomethingwouldn\'thappen；andifyoutake\'emawaybeforeanythinghappens，they\'llalwaysthinkthatifthey\'dstayedsomethingwouldhavehappenedthenextday，ormaybethedaytheyleft。\" Hestaredupwardintothepineboughs，andIsaid:\"Yes，that\'sso。 Isupposeweshouldbelikethemifwehadthesameconditions。 Theirwholelifeisanexpectationofsomethingtohappen。Menhavetheprivilegeofmakingthingshappen——ortryingto。\" \"Oh，Idon\'tknowasIwanttocriticise\'em。Asyousay，IguessWEshouldbejustso。\"Hedroppedhisleg，andbentoverasiftoexaminethegrass；heendedbytakingabladeofitbetweenhisteethbeforehespokeagain，withhisheadstilldown。\"Idon\'twanttohurry\'em；Iwanttogive\'emafairshownowwe\'rehere，andI\'llletthestockgoaslongasIcan。ButIdon\'tseeverymuchgaietyaround。\"