R。H。D。
\"Andtheyrisetotheirfeetashepasses，gentlemenunafraid。\"
Hewasalmosttoogoodtobetrue。Inaddition，thegodslovedhim，andsohehadtodieyoung。Somepeoplethinkthatamanoffifty—twoismiddle—aged。ButifR。H。D。hadlivedtobeahundred，hewouldneverhavegrownold。ItisnotgenerallyknownthatthenameofhisotherbrotherwasPeterPan。
Withintheyearwehaveplayedatpiratestogether，atthetakingofspermwhales；andwehaveransackedtheWestchesterHillsforgunsitesagainsttheMexicaninvasion。Andwehavemadelistsofguns，andmedicines，andtinnedthings，incaseweshouldeverhappentogoelephantshootinginAfrica。Butweweren’tgoingtohurttheelephants。OnceR。H。D。shotahippopotamusandhewasalwaysashamedandsorry。Ithinkheneverkilledanythingelse。Hewasn’tthatkindofasportsman。Ofhunting，asofmanyotherthings，hehassaidthelastword。DoyouremembertheHappyHuntingGroundin\"TheBarSinister\"？——\"Wherenobodyhuntsus，andthereisnothingtohunt。\"
Experiencedpersonstellusthataman—huntisthemostexcitingofallsports。R。H。D。huntedmeninCuba。Hehuntedforwoundedmenwhowereoutinfrontofthetrenchesandstillunderfire，andfoundsomeofthemandbroughtthemin。TheRoughRidersdidn’tmakehimanhonorarymemberoftheirregimentjustbecausehewascharmingandafaithfulfriend，butlargelybecausetheywerealotofdaredevilsandhewasanother。
Tohearhimtalkyouwouldn’thavethoughtthathehadeverdoneabravethinginhislife。Hetalkedagreatdeal，andhetalkedevenbetterthanhewrote（athisbesthewrotelikeanangel），butIhavedustedeverycornerofmymemoryandcannotrecallanystoryofhisinwhichheplayedaheroicorsuccessfulpart。Alwayshewasrunningattopspeed，orhidingbehindatree，orlyingfacedowninafootofwater（forhours！）soasnottobeseen。Alwayshewasgettingtheworstofit。Butabouttheotherfellowshetoldthewholetruthwithlightningflashesofwitandcharacterbuildingandadmirationorcontempt。Untiltheinventionofmovingpicturestheworldhadnothingintheleastlikehistalk。Hiseyehadphotographed，hismindhaddevelopedandpreparedtheslides，hiswordssentthelightthroughthem，andloandbehold，theywerereproducedonthescreenofyourownmind，exactindrawingandcolor。Withthewrittenwordorthespokenwordhewasthegreatestrecorderandreporterofthingsthathehadseenofanyman，perhaps，thateverlived。Thehistoryofthelastthirtyyears，itsmannersandcustomsanditsleadingeventsandinventions，cannotbewrittentruthfullywithoutreferencetotherecordswhichhehasleft，tohisspecialarticlesandtohisletters。ReadoveragaintheQueen’sJubilee，theCzar’sCoronation，theMarchoftheGermansthroughBrussels，andseeforyourselfifIspeaktoozealously，evenforafriend，towhom，nowthatR。H。D。isdead，theworldcanneverbethesameagain。
ButIdidnotsetouttoestimatehisgenius。Thatmatterwillcomeinduetimebeforetheunerringtribunalofposterity。
OnesecretofMr。Roosevelt’sholduponthosewhocomeintocontactwithhimishisenergy。Retainingenoughforhisownuse（heusesagooddeal，becauseeverydayhedoestheworkoffiveorsixmen），hedistributestheinexhaustibleremainderamongthosewhomostneedit。Mengotohimtiredanddiscouraged，hesendsthemawaygladtobealive，stillgladderthatheisalive，andreadytofightthedevilhimselfinagoodcause。UponhisfriendsR。H。D。hadthesameeffect。Anditwasnotonlyinproximitythathecoulddistributeenergy，butfromafar，byletterandcable。Hehadsomeintuitivewayofknowingjustwhenyouwereslippingintoasloughoflazinessanddiscouragement。Andatsuchtimesheeitherappearedsuddenlyuponthescene，ortherecameaboyonabicycle，withayellowenvelopeandabooktosign，orthepostmaninhisbuggy，orthetelephonerangandfromthereceivertherepouredintoyouaffectionandencouragement。
Butthegreattimes，ofcourse，werewhenhecameinperson，andthetemperatureofthehouse，whichamomentbeforehadbeentoohotortoocold，becamejustright，andasenseofcheerfulnessandwell—beinginvadedtheheartsofthemasterandthemistressandoftheservantsinthehouseandintheyard。Andtheolderdaughterrantohim，andthebaby，whohadbeenfrettingbecausenobodywouldgiveheradouble—
barrelledshotgun，climbeduponhiskneeandforgotallaboutthedisappointmentsofthisuncompromisingworld。
Hewastouchinglysweetwithchildren。Ithinkhewasalittleafraidofthem。Hewasafraidperhapsthattheywouldn’tfindouthowmuchhelovedthem。Butwhentheyshowedhimthattheytrustedhim，and，unsolicited，climbeduponhimandlaidtheircheeksagainsthis，thentheloveliestexpressioncameoverhisface，andyouknewthatthegreatheart，whichtheotherdayceasedtobeat，throbbedwithanexquisitebliss，akintoanguish。
OneofthehappiestdaysIrememberwaswhenIandminereceivedatelegramsayingthathehadababyofhisown。AndIthankGodthatlittleMissHopeistooyoungtoknowwhatanappallinglossshehassuffered……
Perhapshestayedtodine。Thenperhapstheolderdaughterwasallowedtositupanextrahalf—hoursothatshecouldwaitonthetable（andthoughIsayit，thatshouldn’t，shecoulddothisbeautifully，withdignityandwithoutgiggling），andperhapsthedinnerwasgood，orR。H。D。
thoughtitwas，andinthateventhemustabandonhisplaceandstormthekitchentotellthecookallaboutit。Perhapsthegardenerwastakinglifeeasyonthekitchenporch。He，too，cameinforpraise。R。H。D。hadneverseenourJapaneseirissobeautiful；asforhis，theywouldn’tgrowatall。Itwasn’ttheiris，itwasthemanbehindtheiris。Andthenbackhewouldcometous，withawonderfulstoryofhisadventuresinthepantryonhiswaytothekitchen，andleavingbehindhimacooktowhomtherehadbeenissuedanewleaseoflife，andagardenerwhoblushedandsmiledinthedarknessundertheActinidiavines。
ItwasinourlittlehouseatAiken，inSouthCarolina，thathewaswithusmostandwelearnedtoknowhimbest，andthatheandIbecamedependentuponeachotherinmanyways。
Events，intowhichIshallnotgo，hadmadehislifeverydifficultandcomplicated。Andhewhohadgivensomuchfriendshiptosomanypeopleneededalittlefriendshipinreturn，andperhaps，too，heneededforatimetoliveinahousewhosemasterandmistresslovedeachother，andwheretherewerechildren。Beforehecamethatfirstyearourhousehadnoname。Nowitiscalled\"Let’sPretend。\"
Nowthechimneyintheliving—roomdraws，butinthosefirstdaysofthebuilt—overhouseitdidn’t。Atleast，itdidn’tdrawallthetime，butwepretendedthatitdid，andwithmuchpretensecamefaith。Fromthefireplacethatsmokedtotheseriousthingsoflifeweextendedourpretendings，untilrealtroubleswentdownbeforethem——downandout。
ItwasoneofAiken’sverybestwinters，andtheearliestspringIeverlivedanywhere。R。H。D。cameshortlyafterChristmas。Thespireaswereinbloom，andthemonthlyroses；
youcouldalwaysfindasweetvioletortwosomewhereintheyard；hereandtheresplotchesofdeeppinkagainstgraycabinwallsprovedthatprecociouspeach—treeswereinbloom。
Itneverrained。Atnightitwascoldenoughforfires。Inthemiddleofthedayitwashot。Thewindneverblew，andeverymorningwehadafourfortennisandeveryafternoonwerodeinthewoods。Andeverynightwesatinfrontofthefire（thatdidn’tsmokebecauseofpretending）andtalkeduntilthenextmorning。
Hewasoneofthoserarelygiftedmenwhofindtheirchiefestpleasurenotinlookingbackwardorforward，butinwhatisgoingonatthemoment。WeeksdidnothavetopassbeforeitwasforceduponhisknowledgethatTuesday，thefourteenth（letussay），hadbeenagoodTuesday。Heknewitthemomenthewakedat7A。M。andperceivedtheTuesdaysunshinemakingpatternsofbrightlightuponthefloor。Thesunshinerejoicedhimandtheknowledgethatevenbeforebreakfasttherewasvouchsafedtohimawholehouroflife。Thatdaybeganwithattentionstohisphysicalwell—being。Therewereexercisesconductedwithgreatvigorandrejoicing，followedbyatub，artesiancold，andaloudandjoyoussingingofballads。
AtfiftyR。H。D。mighthaveposedtosomePraxitelesand，copiedinmarble，gonedowntheagesas\"statueofayoungathlete。\"Hestoodsixfeetandover，straightasaSiouxchief，anobleandleonineheadcarriedbyasplendidtorso。
Hisskinwasasfineandcleanasachild’s。Heweighednearlytwohundredpoundsandhadnofatonhim。Hewastheweight—throwingratherthantherunningtypeofathlete，butsotenaciouslyhadheclungtothesupplenessofhisadolescentdaysthathecouldstandstiff—leggedandlayhishandsflatuponthefloor。
Thesingingover，silencereigned。Butifyouhadlistenedathisdooryoumusthaveheardapengoing，swiftlyandboldly。
Hewashardatwork，doinguntootherswhatothershaddoneuntohim。Youwereastrangertohim；somemagazinehadacceptedastorythatyouhadwrittenandpublishedit。
R。H。D。hadfoundsomethingtolikeandadmireinthatstory（verylittleperhaps），anditwashisdutyandpleasuretotellyouso。Ifhehadlikedthestoryverymuchhewouldsendyouinsteadofanoteatelegram。Oritmightbethatyouhaddrawnapicture，or，asacubreporter，hadshowngoldenpromiseinahalfcolumnofunsignedprint，R。H。D。
wouldfindyouout，andfindtimetopraiseyouandhelpyou。
Soitwasthatwhenheemergedfromhisroomatsharpeighto’clock，hewaswide—awakeandhappyandhungry，andwhistledanddouble—shuffledwithhisfeet，outofexcessiveenergy，andcarriedinhishandsawholesheafofnotesandlettersandtelegrams。
BreakfastwithhimwasnottheusualAmericanbreakfast，asullen，dyspepticgatheringofpersonswhoonlythenightbeforehadrejoicedineachother’ssociety。Withhimitwasthetimewhenthemindis，oroughttobe，atitsbest，thebodyatitsfreshestandhungriest。Discussionsofthelatestplaysandnovels，thedoingsandundoingsofstatesmen，laughterandsentiment——tohim，atbreakfast，thesethingswereasimportantassausagesandthickcream。
Breakfastover，therewasnodawdlingandputtingoffoftheday’swork（elsehow，atelevensharp，couldtennisbeplayedwithafreeconscience？）。Loving，ashedid，everythingconnectedwithanewspaper，hewouldnowpassbythoseonthehall—tablewithneversomuchasawistfulglance，andhurrytohisworkroom。
Hewrotesittingdown。Hewrotestandingup。And，almostyoumaysay，hewrotewalkingupanddown。Somepeople，accustomedtothedeliciouseaseandclarityofhisstyle，imaginethathewroteveryeasily。Hedidandhedidn’t。
Letters，easy，clear，tothepoint，andgorgeouslyhuman，flowedfromhimwithoutletorhindrance。Thatmasterpieceofcorresponding，\"TheGermanMarchThroughBrussels，\"wasprobablywrittenalmostasfastashecouldtalk（nexttoPhillipsBrooks，hewasthefastesttalkerIeverheard），butwhenitcametofictionhehadnofacilityatall。PerhapsI
shouldsaythatheheldincontemptanyfacilitythathemayhavehad。ItwasowingtohisincomparableenergyandJoblikepatiencethatheevergaveusanyfictionatall。Everyphraseinhisfictionwas，ofallthemyriadphraseshecouldthinkof，thefittestinhisrelentlessjudgmenttosurvive。
Phrases，paragraphs，pages，wholestorieseven，werewrittenoverandoveragain。Heworkeduponaprincipleofelimination。Ifhewishedtodescribeanautomobileturninginatagate，hemadefirstalongandelaboratedescriptionfromwhichtherewasomittednodetail，whichthemostobservantpairofeyesinChristendomhadevernotedwithreferencetojustsuchaturning。Thereuponhewouldbeginaprocessofomittingonebyonethosedetailswhichhehadbeenatsuchpainstorecall；andaftereachomissionhewouldaskhimself：\"Doesthepictureremain？\"Ifitdidnot，herestoredthedetailwhichhehadjustomitted，andexperimentedwiththesacrificeofsomeother，andsoon，andsoon，untilafterHerculeanlaborthereremainedforthereaderoneofthoseswiftlyflashed，ice—clearpictures（completeineverydetail）withwhichhistalesandromancesaresodelightfullyandcontinuouslyadorned。
Butitisquartertoeleven，and，thisbeingatimeofholiday，R。H。D。emergesfromhisworkroomhappytothinkthathehasplacedonehundredandsevenwordsbetweenhimselfandthewolfwhohangsabouteverywriter’sdoor。Heisn’tsatisfiedwiththosehundredandsevenwords。Heneverwasintheleastsatisfiedwithanythingthathewrote，buthehassearchedhismindandhisconscienceandhebelievesthatunderthecircumstancestheyaretheverybestthathecando。Anyway，theycanstandintheirpresentorderuntil——
afterlunch。
Asignofhisyouthwasthefactthattothedayofhisdeathhehaddeniedhimselftheluxuryandslothfulnessofhabits。
Ihaveneverseenhimsmokeautomaticallyasmostmendo。Hehadtoomuchrespectforhisownpowersofenjoymentandforthesensibilities，perhaps，ofthebestHavanatobacco。Atatimeofhisowndeliberatechoosing，oftenaftermanyhoursofhankeringandrenunciation，hesmokedhiscigar。Hesmokeditwithdelight，withasenseofbeingrewarded，andheusedallthesmoketherewasinit。
Hedearlylovedthebestfood，thebestchampagne，andthebestScotchwhiskey。Butthesethingswerefriendstohim，andnotenemies。HehadtowardfoodanddrinktheContinentalattitude；namely，thatqualityisfarmoreimportantthanquantity；andhegothisexhilarationfromthefactthathewasdrinkingchampagneandnotfromthechampagne。PerhapsI
shalldowelltosaythatonquestionsofrightandwronghehadawillofiron。Allhislifehemovedresolutelyinwhicheverdirectionhisconsciencepointed；and，althoughthateverpresentandneverobtrusiveconscienceofhismademistakesofjudgmentnowandthen，asmustallconsciences，I
thinkitcanneveroncehavetrickedhimintoanyactionthatwasimpureorunclean。Somecriticsmaintainthattheheroesandheroinesofhisbooksareimpossiblypureandinnocentyoungpeople。R。H。D。nevercalleduponhischaractersforanytraitofvirtue，orrenunciation，orself—masteryofwhichhisownlifecouldnotfurnishexamples。
Fortunately，hedidnothaveforhisfriendsthesameconsciencethathehadforhimself。Hisgreatgiftofeyesightandobservationfailedhiminhisjudgmentsuponhisfriends。Ifonlyyoulovedhim，youcouldgetyourbiggestfailuresofconductsomewhatmorethanforgiven，withoutanytroubleatall。Andofyourmole—hillvirtueshemadesplendidmountains。Heonlyinterferedwithyouwhenhewasafraidthatyouweregoingtohurtsomeoneelsewhomhealsoloved。OnceIhadatelegramfromhimwhichurgedmeforheaven’ssakenottoforgetthatthenextdaywasmywife’sbirthday。WhetherIhadforgottenitornotismyownprivateaffair。AndwhenIdeclaredthatIhadreadastorywhichI
likedvery，verymuchandwasgoingtowritetotheauthortotellhimso，healwayskeptatmetilltheletterwaswritten。
HaveIsaidthathehadnohabits？Everyday，whenhewasawayfromher，hewrotealettertohismother，andnoswiftscrawlatthat，for，nomatterhowcrowdedandeventfultheday，hewroteherthebestletterthathecouldwrite。Thatwastheonlyhabithehad。Hewasaslavetoit。
OnceIsawR。H。D。greethisoldmotherafteranabsence。
Theythrewtheirarmsabouteachotherandrockedtoandfroforalongtime。Andithadn’tbeenalongabsenceatthat。
Nooceanhadbeenbetweenthem；herhearthadnotbeeninhermouthwiththethoughtthathewasunderfire，orabouttobecomeavictimofjunglefever。Hehadonlybeenawayuponalittleexpedition，amerematterofdiggingforburiedtreasure。Wehadfoundthetreasure，partofitachipmunk’sskullandabrokenarrow—head，andR。H。D。hadbeenabsentfromhismotherfornearlytwohoursandahalf。
IsetaboutthisarticlewiththeknowledgethatImustfailtogivemorethanafewhintsofwhathewaslike。Thereisn’tmuchmorespaceatmycommand，andthereweresomanysidestohimthattotouchuponthemallwouldfillavolume。
TherewerethepatriotismandtheAmericanism，asmuchapartofhimasthemarrowofhisbones，andfromwhichsprangallthosebrilliantheadlongletterstothenewspapers；thosetrenchantassaultsuponevil—doersinpublicoffice，thosequixoticeffortstoredresswrongs，andthosesimpleanddexterousexposuresofthisandthat，fromanabsolutelyunexpectedpointofview。Hewasaquickenerofthepublicconscience。Thatpeoplearebeginningtothinktolerantlyofpreparedness，thatanationwhichatonetimelookedyellowasadandelionisbeginningtoturnRed，White，andBlueisowinginsomemeasuretohim。
R。H。D。thoughtthatwarwasunspeakablyterrible。Hethoughtthatpeaceatthepricewhichourcountryhasbeenforcedtopayforitwasinfinitelyworse。Andhewasoneofthosewhohavegraduallytaughtthiscountrytoseethematterinthesameway。
Imustcometoaclosenow，andIhavehardlyscratchedthesurfaceofmysubject。AndthatisafailurewhichIfeelkeenlybutwhichwasinevitable。AsR。H。D。himselfusedtosayofthosedeplorable\"personalinterviews\"whichappearinthenewspapers，andinwhichtheimportantpersoninterviewedismadebythecubreportertosaythingswhichheneversaid，orthought，ordreamedof——\"Youcan’texpectafifteen—
dollar—a—weekbraintodescribeathousand—dollar—a—weekbrain。\"
Thereis，however，onequestionwhichIshouldattempttoanswer。Notwomenarealike。InwhatonesalientthingdidR。H。D。differfromothermen——differinhispersonalcharacterandinthecharacterofhiswork？AndthatquestionIcanansweroffhand，withouttakingthought，andbesurethatIamright。
Ananalysisofhisworks，astudyofthatbookwhichtheRecordingAngelkeepswillshowonedominantcharacteristictowhichevenhisbrilliancy，hisclarityofstyle，hisexcellentmechanismasawriteraresubordinate；andtowhich，asaman，evenhissenseofduty，hispowersofaffection，offorgiveness，ofloving—kindnessaresubordinate，too；andthatcharacteristiciscleanliness。
Thebiggestforceforcleanlinessthatwasintheworldhasgoneoutoftheworld——gonetothatHappyHuntingGroundwhere\"Nobodyhuntsusandthereisnothingtohunt。\"
GOUVERNEURMORRIS。
Chapter1
THEREDCROSSGIRL
WhenSpencerFlagglaidthefoundation—stoneforthenewmillion—dollarwinghewasaddingtotheFlaggHomeforConvalescents，onthehillsaboveGreenwich，theNewYorkREPUBLICsentSamWardtocoverthestory，andwithhimReddingtotakephotographs。Itwasacrisp，beautifuldayinOctober，fullofsunshineandthejoyofliving，andfromthegreatlawninfrontoftheHomeyoucouldseehalfoverConnecticutandacrossthewatersoftheSoundtoOysterBay。
UponSamWard，however，thebeautiesofNaturewerewasted。
When，thenightprevious，hehadbeengiventheassignmenthehadsulked，andhewasstillsulking。OnlyayearbeforehehadgraduatedintoNewYorkfromasmallup—statecollegeandasmallup—statenewspaper，butalreadyhewasa\"star\"man，andHewitt，thecityeditor，humoredhim。
\"What’sthematterwiththestory？\"askedthecityeditor。
\"Withthespeechesandlistsofnamesitoughttoruntotwocolumns。\"
\"Supposeitdoes！\"exclaimedWard；\"anybodycancollecttype—writtenspeechesandlistsofnames。That’samessengerboy’sjob。Where’sthereanyheart—interestinaWallStreetbrokerlikeFlaggwavingasilvertrowelandsinging，’Seewhatagoodboyam！’andalotofgrownupmeninpinaforessaying，’Thisstoneiswellandtrulylaid。’Where’sthestoryinthat？\"
\"WhenIwasareporter，\"declaredthecityeditor，\"Iusedtobegladtogetadayinthecountry。\"
\"Becauseyou’dneverlivedinthecountry，\"returnedSam。\"Ifyou’dwastedtwenty—sixyearsinthebackwoods，asIdid，you’dknowthateveryminuteyouspendoutsideofNewYorkyou’rerobbingyourself。\"
\"Ofwhat？\"demandedthecityeditor。\"There’snothingtoNewYorkexceptcement，irongirders，noise，andzincgarbagecans。YouneverseethesuninNewYork；youneverseethemoonunlessyoustandinthemiddleofthestreetandbendbackward。WeneverseeflowersinNewYorkexceptonthewomen’shats。Weneverseethewomenexceptincagesintheelevators——theyspendtheirlivesshootingupanddownelevatorshaftsindepartmentstores，inapartmenthouses，inofficebuildings。AndweneverseechildreninNewYorkbecausethejanitorswon’tletthewomenwholiveinelevatorshavechildren！Don’ttalktome！NewYork’saLittleNemonightmare。It’sajoke。It’saninsult！\"
\"Howcurious！\"saidSam。\"NowIseewhytheytookyouoffthestreetandmadeyouacityeditor。Idon’tagreewithanythingyousay。Especiallyareyouwrongaboutthewomen。
Theyoughttobecagedinelevators，butthey’renot。
Instead，theyflashpastyouinthestreet；theyshineuponyoufromboxesinthetheatre；theyfrownatyoufromthetopsofbuses；theysmileatyoufromthecushionsofataxi，acrossrestauranttablesunderredcandleshades，whenyouofferthemaseatinthesubway。TheyaretheonlythinginNewYorkthatgivesmeanytrouble。\"
Thecityeditorsighed。\"Howyoungyouare！\"heexclaimed。
\"However，to—morrowyouwillbefreefromyouronlytrouble。
Therewillbefewwomenatthecelebration，andtheywillbeinterestedonlyinconvalescents——andyoudonotlooklikeaconvalescent。\"
SamWardsatattheouteredgeofthecrowdofoverdressedfemalesandoverfedmen，and，withasardonicsmile，listenedtoFlaggtellinghisassembledfriendsandsycophantshowgladhewastheyweretheretoseehimgiveawayamilliondollars。
\"Aren’tyougoingtogethisspeech？\"，askedRedding，thestaffphotographer。
\"GetHISspeech！\"saidSam。\"TheyhavePinkertonsalloverthegroundstoseethatyoudon’tescapewithlessthanthreecopies。I’mwaitingtoheartheritualtheyalwayshave，andthenI’mgoingtosprintforthefirsttrainbacktothecentreofcivilization。\"
\"There’sgoingtobeafinelunch，\"saidRedding，\"andreportersareexpected。Iaskedthepolicemanifwewere，andhesaidwewere。\"
Samrose，shookhistrousersintoplace，stuckhisstickunderhisarmpitandsmoothedhisyellowgloves。Hewasverythoughtfulofhisclothesandalwaystreatedthemwithcourtesy。
\"Youcanhavemyshare，\"hesaid。\"IcannotforgetthatIamfifty—fiveminutesfromBroadway。AndevenifIwerestarvingIwouldratherhaveaclubsandwichinNewYorkthanaThanksgivingturkeydinnerinNewRochelle。\"
Henoddedandwitheager，athleticstridesstartedtowardtheirongates；buthedidnotreachtheirongates，forontheinstanttroublebarredhisway。Troublecametohimwearingthebluecambricuniformofanursingsister，witharedcrossonherarm，withawhitecollarturneddown，whitecuffsturnedback，andatinyblackvelvetbonnet。Abowofwhitelawnchuckedherimpudentlyunderthechin。Shehadhairlikegolden—rodandeyesasblueasflax，andacomplexionofsuchhealthandcleanlinessanddewinessasbloomsonlyontrainednurses。
ShewassolovelythatReddingswunghishoodedcameraatherasswiftlyasacowboycouldhavecoveredherwithhisgun。
Reportersbecomestarreportersbecausetheyobservethingsthatotherpeoplemissandbecausetheydonotletitappearthattheyhaveobservedthem。Whenthegreatmanwhoisbeinginterviewedblurtsoutthatwhichisindiscreetbutmostimportant，thecubreportersays：\"That’smostinteresting，sir。I’llmakeanoteofthat。\"Andsowarnsthegreatmanintosilence。Butthestarreporterreceivestheindiscreetutteranceasthoughitboredhim；andthegreatmandoesnotknowhehasblundereduntilhereadsofitthenextmorningunderscreamingheadlines。
Othermen，onbeingsuddenlyconfrontedbySisterAnne，whichwastheofficialtitleofthenursingsister，wouldhavefallenbackward，orswooned，orgazedatherwithsoulful，worshippingeyes；or，weretheythatsortofbeast，wouldhaveogledherwithimpertinentapproval。NowSam，becausehewasastarreporter，observedthattheladybeforehimwasthemostbeautifulyoungwomanhehadeverseen；butnoonewouldhaveguessedthatheobservedthat——leastofallSisterAnne。Hestoodinherwayandliftedhishat，andevenlookedintotheeyesofblueasimpersonallyandascalmlyasthoughshewerehisgreat—aunt——asthoughhisheartwasnotbeatingsofastthatitchokedhim。
\"IamfromtheREPUBLIC，\"hesaid。\"Everybodyissobusyhereto—daythatI’mnotabletogetwhatIneedabouttheHome。
Itseemsapity，\"headdeddisappointedly，\"becauseit’ssowelldonethatpeopleoughttoknowaboutit。\"Hefrownedatthebighospitalbuildings。Itwasapparentthattheignoranceofthepublicconcerningtheirexcellencegreatlyannoyedhim。
WhenagainhelookedatSisterAnneshewasregardinghiminalarm——obviouslyshewasuponthepointofinstantflight。
\"Youareareporter？\"shesaid。
Somepeopleliketoplacethemselvesinthehandsofareporterbecausetheyhopehewillprinttheirnamesinblackletters；afewothers——onlyreportersknowhowfew——wouldassoonplacethemselvesinthehandsofadentist。
\"AreporterfromtheREPUBLIC，\"repeatedSam。
\"ButwhyaskME？\"demandedSisterAnne。
Samcouldseenoreasonforherquestion；inextenuationandexplanationheglancedatheruniform。
\"Ithoughtyouwereatworkhere，\"hesaidsimply。\"Ibegyourpardon。\"
Hesteppedasideasthoughhemeanttoleaveher。Ingivingthatimpressionhewasdistinctlydishonest。
\"Therewasnootherreason，\"persistedSisterAnne。\"Imeanforspeakingtome？\"
ThereasonforspeakingtoherwassoobviousthatSamwonderedwhetherthiscouldbetheheightofinnocenceorthemostbanalcoquetry。Thehostilelookintheeyesoftheladyproveditcouldnotbecoquetry。
\"Iamsorry，\"saidSam。\"Imistookyouforoneofthenurseshere；and，asyoudidn’tseembusy，IthoughtyoumightgivemesomestatisticsabouttheHomenotreallystatistics，youknow，butlocalcolor。\"
SisterAnnereturnedhislookwithoneassteadyashisown。
Apparentlyshewasweighinghisstatement。Sheseemedtodisbelieveit。Inwardlyhewasaskinghimselfwhatcouldbethedarksecretinthepastofthisyoungwomanthatatthemereapproachofareporter——evenofsuchanice—lookingreporterashimself——sheshouldshakeandshudder。\"Ifthat’swhatyoureallywanttoknow，\"saidSisterAnnedoubtfully，\"
I’lltryandhelpyou；but，\"sheadded，lookingathimasonewhoissuesanultimatum，\"youmustnotsayanythingaboutme！\"
Samknewthatawomanoftheself—advertising，club—
organizingclasswillalwayssaythattoareporteratthetimeshegiveshimhercardsothathecanspellhernamecorrectly；butSamrecognizedthatthisyoungwomanmeantit。
Besides，whatwastherethathecouldwriteabouther？Muchashemightliketodoso，hecouldnotbeginhisstorywith：
\"TheFlaggHomeforConvalescentsisalsothehomeofthemostbeautifulofalllivingwomen。\"Nocopyeditorwouldletthatgetbyhim。So，astherewasnothingtosaythathewouldbeallowedtosay，hepromisedtosaynothing。SisterAnnesmiled；anditseemedtoSamthatshesmiled，notbecausehispromisehadsethermindatease，butbecausethepromiseamusedher。Samwonderedwhy。
SisterAnnefellintostepbesidehimandledhimthroughthewardsofthehospital。Hefoundthatitexistedforandrevolvedentirelyaboutoneperson。Hefoundthatamilliondollarsandsomeacresofbuildings，containingsun—roomsandhundredsofrigidwhitebeds，hadbeendonatedbySpencerFlaggonlytoprovideabackgroundforSisterAnne——onlytoexhibitthedepthofhercharity，thekindnessofherheart，theunselfishnessofhernature。
\"Doyoureallyscrubthefloors？\"hedemanded——\"Imeanyouyourself——downonyourknees，withapailandwaterandscrubbingbrush？\"
SisterAnneraisedherbeautifuleyebrowsandlaughedathim。
\"Wedothatwhenwefirstcomehere，\"shesaid——\"whenweareprobationers。Isthereanewerwayofscrubbingfloors？\"
\"Andtheseawfulpatients，\"demandedSam——\"doyouwaitonthem？Doyouhavetosubmittotheircomplaintsandwhiningsandingratitude？\"Heglaredattheunhappyconvalescentsasthoughbythatglancehewouldannihilatethem。\"It’snotfair！\"exclaimedSam。\"It’sridiculous。I’dliketochokethem！\"
\"That’snotexactlytheobjectofahomeforconvalescents，\"
saidSisterAnne。
\"YouknowperfectlywellwhatImean，\"saidSam。\"Hereareyou——ifyou’llallowmetosayso——amagnificent，splendid，healthyyoungperson，wearingoutyouryounglifeoveralotoflameducks，failures，andcripples。\"
\"Noristhatquitethewaywelookat，\"saidSisterAnne。
\"We？\"demandedSam。
SisterAnnenoddedtowardagroupofnurse\"I’mnottheonlynursehere，\"shesaid\"Thereareoverforty。\"
\"Youaretheonlyonehere，\"saidSam，\"whoisnot！That’sJustwhatImean——Iappreciatetheworkofatrainednurse；I
understandtheministeringangelpartofit；butyou——I’mnottalkingaboutanybodyelse；I’mtalkingaboutyou——youaretooyoung！Somehowyouaredifferent；youarenotmeanttowearyourselfoutfightingdiseaseandsickness，measuringbeefbrothandmakingbeds。\"
SisterAnnelaughedwithdelight。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidSamstiffly。
\"No——pardonme，\"saidSisterAnne；\"butyourideasofthedutiesofanursearesoquaint。\"
\"Nomatterwhatthedutiesare，\"declaredSam；\"Youshouldnotbehere！\"
SisterAnneshruggedhershoulders；theywerecharmingshoulders——asdelicateasthepinionsofabird。
\"Onemustlive，\"saidSisterAnne。
Theyhadpassedthroughthelastcoldcorridor，betweenthelastrowsofrigidwhitecots，andhadcomeoutintothesunshine。BelowthemstretchedConnecticut，paintedinautumncolors。SisterAnneseatedherselfuponthemarblerailingoftheterraceandlookeddownupontheflashingwatersoftheSound。
\"Yes；that’sit，\"sherepeatedsoftly——\"onemustlive。\"
Samlookedather——but，findingthattodosomadespeechdifficult，lookedhurriedlyaway。Headmittedtohimselfthatitwasoneofthoseoccasions，onlytoofrequentwithhim，whenhisindignantsympathywasheightenedbythefactthat\"thewoman。wasveryfair。\"Heconcededthat。HewasnotgoingtopretendtohimselfthathewasnotprejudicedbytheoutrageousbeautyofSisterAnne，bytheassaultuponhisfeelingsmadebyheruniform——madebytheappealofherprofession，thegentlestandmostgraciousofallprofessions。Hewashonestlydisturbedthatthisyounggirlshoulddevoteherlifetotheserviceofselfishsickpeople。
\"Ifyoudoitbecauseyoumustlive，thenitcaneasilybearranged；forthereareotherwaysofearningaliving。\"
Thegirllookedathimquickly，buthewasquitesincere——andagainshesmiled。
\"Nowwhatwouldyousuggest？\"sheasked。\"Yousee，\"shesaid，\"Ihavenoonetoadviseme——nomanofmyownage。Ihavenobrotherstogoto。Ihaveafather，butitwashisideathatIshouldcomehere；andsoIdoubtifhewouldapproveofmychangingtoanyotherwork。Yourownworkmustmakeyouacquaintedwithmanywomenwhoearntheirownliving。Maybeyoucouldadviseme？\"
Samdidnotatonceanswer。Hewascalculatinghastilyhowfarhissalarywouldgotowardsupportingawife。Hewastryingtorememberwhichofthemenintheofficeweremarried，andwhethertheywerethosewhosesalariesweresmallerthanhisown。Collins，oneofthecopyeditors，heknew，wasveryill—paid；butSamalsoknewthatCollinswasmarried，becausehiswifeusedtowaitforhimintheofficetotakehertothetheatre，andoftenSamhadthoughtshewasextremelywelldressed。OfcourseSisterAnnewassobeautifulthatwhatshemightwearwouldbeamatterofindifference；butthenwomendidnotalwayslookatitthatway。SamwassolongconsideringofferingSisterAnnealifepositionthathissilencehadbecomesignificant；andtocoverhisrealthoughtshesaidhurriedly：
\"Taketype—writing，forinstance。Thatpaysverywell。Thehoursarenotdifficult。\"
\"Andmanicuring？\"suggestedSisterAnne。
Samexclaimedinhorror。
\"You！\"hecriedroughly。\"Foryou！Quiteimpossible！\"
\"Whyforme？\"saidthegirl。
InthedistressatthethoughtSamwasjabbinghisstickintothegravelwalkasthoughdrivingthemanicuringideaintoadeepgrave。Hedidnotseethatthegirlwassmilingathimmockingly。
\"You？\"protestedSam。\"Youinabarber’sshopwashingmen’sfingerswhoarenotfittowashthestreetsyouwalkonI
GoodLord！\"Hisvehemencewasquitehonest。Thegirlceasedsmiling。Samwasstilljabbingatthegravelwalk，hisprofiletowardher——and，unobserved，shecouldstudyhisface。Itwasanattractivefacestrong，clever，almostillegallygood—looking。Itexplainedwhy，as，hehadcomplainedtothecityeditor，hischieftroubleinNewYorkwaswiththewomen。Withhiseyesfullofconcern，Samturnedtoherabruptly。\"Howmuchdotheygiveyouamonth？\"\"Fortydollars，\"answeredSisterAnne。\"Thisiswhathurtsmeaboutit，\"saidSam。
Itisthatyoushouldhavetoworkandwaitonotherpeoplewhentherearesomanystrong，hulkingmenwhowouldcountitGod’sblessingtoworkforyou，towaitonyou，andgivetheirlivesforyou。However，probablyyouknowthatbetterthanIdo。\"
\"No；Idon’tknowthat，\"saidSisterAnne。
Samrecognizedthatitwasquiteabsurdthatitshouldbeso，butthisstatementgavehimasenseofgreatelation，adelightfulthrillofrelief。Therewaseveryreasonwhythegirlshouldnotconfideinacompletestranger——eventodeceivehimwasquitewithinherrights；but，thoughSamappreciatedthis，hepreferredtobedeceived。
\"Ithinkyouareworkingtoohard，\"hesaid，smilinghappily。
\"Ithinkyououghttohaveachange。Yououghttotakeadayoff！Dotheyevergiveyouadayoff？\"
\"NextSaturday，\"saidSisterAnne。\"Why？\"
\"Because，\"explainedSam，\"ifyouwon’tthinkittoopresumptuous，Iwasgoingtoprescribeadayoffforyou——adayentirelyawayfromiodoformandwhiteenamelledcots。Itiswhatyouneed，adayinthecityandalunchwheretheyhavemusic；andamatinee，whereyoucanlaugh——orcry，ifyoulikethatbetter——andthen，maybe，somefreshairintheparkinataxi；andafterthatdinnerandmoretheatre，andthenI’llseeyousafeonthetrainforGreenwich。Beforeyouanswer，\"headdedhurriedly，\"IwanttoexplainthatIcontemplatetakingadayoffmyselfanddoingallthesethingswithyou，andthatifyouwanttobringanyoftheotherfortynursesalongasachaperon，Ihopeyouwill。Only，honestly，Ihopeyouwon’t！\"
TheproposalapparentlygaveSisterAnnemuchpleasure。Shedidnotsayso，buthereyesshoneandwhenshelookedatSamshewasalmostlaughingwithhappiness。
\"Ithinkthatwouldbequitedelightful，\"saidSisterAnne，\"
——quitedelightful！Onlyitwouldbefrightfullyexpensive；
evenifIdon’tbringanothergirl，whichIcertainlywouldnot，itwouldcostagreatdealofmoney。Ithinkwemightcutoutthetaxicab——andwalkintheparkandfeedthesquirrels。\"
\"Oh！\"exclaimedSamindisappointment，——\"thenyouknowCentralPark？\"
SisterAnne’seyesgrewquiteexpressionless。
\"Ioncelivednearthere，\"shesaid。
\"InHarlem？\"
\"NotexactlyinHarlem，butnearit。Iwasquiteyoung，\"saidSisterAnne。\"SincethenIhavealwayslivedinthecountryorin——otherplaces。\"
Sam’sheartwassingingwithpleasure。
\"It’ssokindofyoutoconsent，\"hecried。\"Indeed，youarethekindestpersoninalltheworld。IthoughtsowhenIsawyoubendingoverthesesickpeople，and，nowIknow。\"
\"Itisyouwhoarekind，\"protestedSisterAnne，\"totakepityonme。\"
\"Pityonyou！\"laughedSam。\"Youcan’tpityapersonwhocandomorewithasmilethanoldmanFlaggcandowithallhismillions。Now，\"hedemandedinhappyanticipation，\"wherearewetomeet？\"
\"That’sit，\"saidSisterAnne。\"Wherearewetomeet？\"
\"LetitbeattheGrandCentralStation。Thedaycan’tbegintoosoon，\"saidSam；\"andbeforethentelephonemewhattheatreandrestaurantsyouwantandI’llreserveseatsandtables。Oh，\"exclaimedSamjoyfully，\"itwillbeawonderfulday——awonderfulday！\"
SisterAnnelookedathimcuriouslyand，so，itseemed，alittlewistfully。Sheheldoutherhand。
\"Imustgobacktomyduties，\"shesaid。\"Good—by。\"
\"Notgood—by，\"saidSamheartily，\"onlyuntilSaturday——andmyname’sSamWardandmyaddressisthecityroomoftheREPUBLIC。What’syourname？\"
\"SisterAnne，\"saidthegirl。\"InthenursingordertowhichIbelongwehavenolastnames。\"
\"So，\"askedSam，\"I’llcallyouSisterAnne？\"
\"No；justSister，\"saidthegirl。
\"Sister！\"repeatedSam，\"Sister！\"Hebreathedthewordratherthanspokeit；andthewayhesaiditandthewayhelookedwhenhesaiditmadeitcarryalmostthetouchofacaress。
Itwasasifhehadsaid\"Sweetheart！or\"Beloved！\"\"I’llnotforget，\"saidSam。
SisterAnnegaveanimpatient，annoyedlaugh。
\"NorI，\"shesaid。
SamreturnedtoNewYorkinthesmoking—car，puffingfeverishlyathiscigarandglaringdreamilyatthesmoke。Hewaslivingthedayoveragainand，inanticipation，thedayoff，stilltocome。Herehearsedtheirnextmeetingatthestation；heconsideredwhetherornothewouldmeetherwithahugebunchofvioletsorwouldhaveitbroughttoherwhentheywereatluncheonbytheheadwaiter。Hedecidedthelatterwaywouldbemoreofapleasantsurprise。Heplannedtheluncheon。Itwastobethemostmarvellousrepasthecouldevolve；and，lestthereshouldbetheslightesterror，hewouldhaveitpreparedinadvance——anditshouldcosthalfhisweek’ssalary。
Theplacewheretheyweretodinehewouldleavetoher，becausehehadobservedthatwomenhadstrangeideasaboutclothes——someofthemthinkingthatcertainclothesmustgowithcertainrestaurants。Someofthemseemedtobelievethat，insteadoftheirconferringdistinctionupontherestaurant，therestaurantconferreddistinctionuponthem。
HewassureSisterAnnewouldnotbesofoolish，butitmightbethatshemustalwayswearhernurse’suniformandthatshewouldprefernottobeconspicuous；sohedecidedthatthechoiceofwheretheywoulddinehewouldleavetoher。Hecalculatedthatthewholedayoughttocostabouteightydollars，which，asstarreporter，waswhathewasthenearningeachweek。Thatwaslittleenoughtogiveforadaythatwouldbethebirthdayofhislife！No，hecontradicted——
thedayhehadfirstmethermustalwaysbethebirthdayofhislife；forneverhadhemetonelikeherandhewassurethereneverwouldbeonelikeher。Shewassoentirelysuperiortoalltheothers，sofine，sodifficult——inhermannertherewassomethingthatrenderedherunapproachable。Evenhersimplenurse’sgownwaswornwithadifference。Shemighthavebeenaprincessinfancydress。
Andyet，howhumbleshehadbeenwhenhebeggedhertolethimforonedaypersonallyconductheroverthegreatcity！
\"Youaresokindtotakepityonme，\"shehadsaid。Hethoughtofmanyclever，prettyspeecheshemighthavemade。
Hewassoannoyedhehadnotthoughtofthematthetimethathekickedviolentlyattheseatinfrontofhim。
Hewonderedwhatherhistorymightbe；hewassureitwasfullofbeautifulcourageandself—sacrifice。Itcertainlywasoutrageousthatonesogloriousmustworkforherliving，andforsuchapaltryliving——fortydollarsamonth！Itwasworththatmerelytohavehersitintheflatwhereonecouldlookather；foralreadyhehaddecidedthat，whentheyweremarried，theywouldliveinaflat——probablyinoneoverlookingCentralPark，onCentralParkWest。Heknewofseveralattractivesuitesthereatthirty—fivedollarsaweek——or，ifshepreferredthesuburbs，hewouldforsakehisbelovedNewYorkandreturntothecountry。Inhisgratitudetoherforbeingwhatshewas，heconcededeventhatsacrifice。
WhenhereachedNewYork，fromthespeculatorsheboughtfront—rowseatsatfivedollarsforthetwomostpopularplaysintown。Heputthemawaycarefullyinhiswaistcoatpocket。Possessionofthemmadehimfeelthatalreadyhehadobtainedanoptiononsixhoursofcompletehappiness。
AftersheleftSam，SisterAnnepassedhurriedlythroughthehospitaltothematron’sroomand，wrappingherselfinaraccooncoat，madeherwaytoawaitingmotorcarandsaid，\"Home！\"tothechauffeur。HedrovehertotheFlaggfamilyvault，asFlagg’senviousmillionaireneighborscalledthepileofwhitemarblethattoppedthehighesthillaboveGreenwich，andwhichforyearshadservedasalandfalltomarinersontheSound。
Therewereanumberofpeopleatteawhenshearrivedandtheygreetedhernoisily。
\"Ihavehadamostsplendidadventure！\"saidSisterAnne。
\"Thereweresixofus，youknow，dressedupasRedCrossnurses，andwegaveawayprogrammes。Well，oneoftheNewYorkreportersthoughtIwasarealnurseandinterviewedmeabouttheHome。OfcourseIknewenoughaboutittokeepitup，andIkeptitupsowellthathewasterriblysorryforme；and……\"
OneoftheteadrinkerswaslittleHollisHolworthy，whopridedhimselfonknowingwho’swhoinNewYork。HehadmetSamWardatfirstnightsandprizefights。Helaughedscornfully。
\"Don’tyoubelieveit！\"heinterrupted。\"ThatmanwhowastalkingtoyouwasSamWard。He’sthesmartestnewspapermaninNewYork；hewasjustleadingyouon。Doyousupposethere’sareporterinAmericawhowouldn’tknowyouinthedark？WaituntilyouseetheSundaypaper。\"
SisterAnneexclaimedindignantly。
\"Hedidnotknowme！\"sheprotested。\"ItquiteupsethimthatIshouldbewastingmylifemeasuringoutmedicinesandmakingbeds。\"
Therewasashriekofdisbeliefandlaughter。
\"Itoldhim，\"continuedSisterAnne，\"thatIgotfortydollarsamonth，andhesaidIcouldmakemoreasatypewriter；andIsaidIpreferredtobeamanicurist。\"
\"Oh，Anita！\"protestedtheadmiringchorus。
\"Andhewasmostindignant。Heabsolutelyrefusedtoallowmetobeamanicurist。AndheaskedmetotakeadayoffwithhimandlethimshowmeNewYork。Andheoffered，asattractions，moving—pictureshowsandadriveonaFifthAvenuebus，andfeedingpeanutstotheanimalsinthepark。
AndifIinsisteduponachaperonImightbringoneofthenurses。We’retomeetatthesoda—waterfountainintheGrandCentralStation。Hesaid，’Thedaycannotbegintoosoon。’\"
\"Oh，Anita！\"shriekedthechorus。
LordDeptford，whoasthenewspapershadrepeatedlyinformedtheAmericanpublic，hadcometotheFlaggs’country—placetotrytomarryAnitaFlagg，wasamused。
\"Whatanawfullyjollyrag！\"hecried。\"Andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidAnitaFlagg。\"Thereportershavebeenmakingmeridiculousforthelastthreeyears；nowIhavegotbackatoneofthem！\"And，\"sheadded，\"that’sallthereistothat！\"
Thatnight，however，whenthehousepartywasmakingtowardbed，SisterAnnestoppedbythestairsandsaidtoLordDeptford：\"IwanttohearyoucallmeSister。\"
\"Callyouwhat？\"exclaimedtheyoungman。\"Iwilltellyou，\"
hewhispered，\"whatI’dliketocallyou！\"
\"Youwillnot！\"interruptedAnita。\"DoasItellyouandsaySisteronce。Sayitasthoughyoumeantit。\"
\"ButIdon’tmeanit，\"protestedhislordship。\"I’vesaidalreadywhatI……\"
\"Nevermindwhatyou’vesaidalready，\"commandedMissFlagg。
\"I’veheardthatfromalotofpeople。SaySisterjustonce。\"
Hislordshipfrownedinembarrassment。
\"Sister！\"heexclaimed。Itsoundedlikethepopofacork。
AnitaFlagglaughedunkindlyandherbeautifulshouldersshiveredasthoughshewerecold。
\"Notabitlikeit，Deptford，\"shesaid。\"Good—night。\"
LaterHelenPage，whocametoherroomtoaskheraboutahorseshewastorideinthemorning，foundherreadyforbedbutstandingbytheopenwindowlookingouttowardthegreatcitytothesouth。
WhensheturnedMissPagesawsomethinginhereyesthatcausedthatyoungwomantoshriekwithamazement。
\"Anita！\"sheexclaimed。\"Youcrying！WhatinHeaven’snamecanmakeyoucry？\"
Itwasnotakindspeech，nordidMissFlaggreceiveitkindly。Sheturneduponthetactlessintruder。
\"Suppose，\"criedAnitafiercely，\"amanthoughtyouwereworthfortydollarsamonth——honestlydidn’tknow！——honestlybelievedyouwerepoorandworkedforyourliving，andstillsaidyoursmilewasworthmorethanallofoldmanFlagg’smillions，notknowingtheywereYOURmillions。Supposehedidn’taskanymoneyofyou，butjusttotakecareofyou，toslaveforyou——onlywantedtokeepyourprettyhandsfromworking，andyourprettyeyesfromseeingsicknessandpain。
Supposeyoumetthatmanamongthisrottenlot，whatwouldyoudo？Whatwouldn’tyoudo？\"
\"Why，Anita！\"exclaimedMissPage。
\"Whatwouldyoudo？\"demandedAnitaFlagg。\"Thisiswhatyou’ddo：You’dgodownonyourkneestothatmanandsay：
’Takemeaway！Takemeawayfromthem，andpityme，andbesorryforme，andloveme——andloveme——andloveme！\"
\"Andwhydon’tyou？\"criedHelenPage。
\"BecauseI’masrottenastherestofthem！\"criedAnitaFlagg。\"BecauseI’macoward。Andthat’swhyI’mcrying。
Haven’tItherighttocry？\"
AttheexactmomentMissFlaggwasproclaimingherselfamoralcoward，inthelocalroomoftheREPUBLICCollins，thecopyeditor，waseditingSam’sstory’ofthelayingofthecorner—stone。Thecopyeditor’scigarwastiltednearhislefteyebrow；hisbluepencil，likeaguillotinereadytofallupontheguiltywordorparagraph，wassuspendedinmid—
air；andcontinually，likeahawkpreparingtostrike，thebluepencilswoopedandcircled。Butpageafterpagefellsoftlytothedeskandthebluepencilremainedinactive。Asheread，thevoiceofCollinsroseinmutteredejaculations；
and，ashecontinuedtoread，theseexplosionsgrewlouderandmoreamazed。Atlasthecouldendurenomoreand，swingingswiftlyinhisrevolvingchair，hisglanceswepttheoffice。\"InthenameofMike！\"heshouted。\"WhatISthis？\"
Thereportersnearesthim，busywithpencilandtypewriters，frownedinimpatientprotest。SamWard，swinginghislegsfromthetopofatable，wasgazingattheceiling，wrappedindreamsandtobaccosmoke。Uponhisclever，clean—cutfeaturestheexpressionwasfar—awayandbeatific。Hecamebacktoearth。
\"What’swhat？\"Samdemanded。
AtthatmomentElliott，themanagingeditor，waspassingthroughtheroomhishandsfilledwithfreshlypulledproofs。
HeswungtowardCollinsquicklyandsnatchedupSam’scopy。
Thestoryalreadywaslate——anditwasimportant。
\"What’swrong？\"hedemanded。Overtheroomtherefellasuddenhush。
\"Readtheopeningparagraph，\"protestedCollins。\"It’slikethatforacolumn！It’sallaboutagirl——aboutaRedCrossnurse。NotawordaboutFlaggorLordDeptford。Nospeeches！
Nonews！It’snotanewsstoryatall。It’saneditorial，andanessay，andaspringpoem。Idon’tknowwhatitis。And，what’sworse，\"wailedthecopyeditordefiantlyandtotheamazementofall，\"it’ssodarnedgoodthatyoucan’ttouchit。You’vegottoletitgoorkillit。\"
Theeyesofthemanagingeditor，maskedbyhisgreenpapershade，wereracingoverSam’swrittenwords。HethrustthefirstpagebackatCollins。
\"Isitalllikethat？\"
\"There’sacolumnlikethat！\"
\"Runitjustasitis，\"commandedthemanagingeditor。\"Useitforyourintroductionandgetyourstoryfromtheflimsy。
And，inyourhead，cutoutFlaggentirely。Callit’TheRedCrossGirl。’Andplayitupstrongwithpictures。\"HeturnedonSamandeyedhimcuriously。
\"What’stheidea，Ward？\"hesaid。\"Thisisanewspaper——notamagazine！\"
Theclickofthetypewriterswassilent，thehecticrushofthepencilshadceased，andthestaff，expectant，smiledcynicallyuponthestarreporter。Samshovedhishandsintohistrouserspocketsandalsosmiled，butunhappily。
\"Iknowit’snotnews，Sir，\"hesaid；butthat’sthewayI
sawthestory——outsideonthelawn，thebandplaying，andthegovernorandthegovernor’sstaffandtheclergyburningincensetoFlagg；andinside，thisgirlrightonthejob——
takingcareofthesickandwounded。Itseemedtomethatamillionfromamanthatwon’tmissamilliondidn’tstackupagainstwhatthisgirlwasdoingforthesesickfolks！WhatI
wantedtosay，\"continuedSamstoutly\"wasthatthemovingspiritofthehospitalwasnotinthemanwhosignedthechecks，butinthesewomenwhodothework——thenurses，liketheoneIwroteabout；theoneyoucalled’TheRedCrossGirl。’\"
Collins，strongthroughmanyyearsoffaithfulservice，backedbythetraditionsoftheprofession，snortedscornfully。
\"Butit’snotnews！\"
\"It’snotnews，\"saidElliottdoubtfully；\"butit’sthekindofstorythatmadeFrankO’Malleyfamous。It’sthekindofstorythatdrivesmenoutofthisbusinessintothearmsofwhatKiplingcalls’theillegitimatesister。’\"
Itseldomisgrantedtoamanonthesamedaytogivehiswholehearttoagirlandtobepattedonthebackbyhismanagingeditor；anditwasthiscombination，andnotthedrinkshedispensedtothestaffinreturnforitscongratulations，thatsentSamhomewalkingonair。Helovedhisbusiness，hewasproudofhisbusiness；butneverbeforehaditservedhimsowell。Ithadenabledhimtotellthewomanheloved，andincidentallyamillionotherpeople，howdeeplyhehonoredher；howclearlyheappreciatedherpowerforgood。NoonewouldknowhemeantSisterAnne，savetwopeople——SisterAnneandhimself；butforherandforhimthatwasasmanyasshouldknow。Inhisstoryhehadusedrealincidentsoftheday；hehaddescribedherasshepassedthroughthewardsofthehospital，cheeringandsympathetic；
hehadtoldofthelittleactsofconsiderationthatendearedhertothesickpeople。
Thenextmorningshewouldknowthatitwassheofwhomhehadwritten；andbetweenthelinesshewouldreadthatthemanwhowrotethemlovedher。Sohefellasleep，impatientforthemorning。InthehotelatwhichhelivedtheREPUBLIC
wasalwaysplacedpromptlyoutsidehisdoor；and，aftermanyexcursionsintothehall，heatlastfoundit。Onthefrontpagewashisstory，\"TheRedCrossGirl。\"Ithadtheplaceofhonor——right—handcolumn；butmoreconspicuousthantheheadlinesofhisownstorywasoneofRedding’s，photographs。
ItwastheonehehadtakenofSisterAnnewhenfirstshehadapproachedthem，inheruniformofmercy，advancingacrossthelawn，walkingstraightintothefocusofthe，camera。
Therewasnomistakingherforanyotherlivingwoman；butbeneaththepicture，inbold，staring，uncompromisingtype，wasastrangeandgrotesquelegend。
\"DaughterofMillionaireFlagg，\"itread，\"inaNewRole，MissAnitaFlaggasTheRedCrossGirl。\"
ForalongtimeSamlookedatthepicture，andthen，foldingthepapersothatthepicturewashidden，hewalkedtotheopenwindow。Frombelow，Broadwaysentupatumultuousgreeting——cablecarsjangled，taxishooted；and，onthesidewalks，ontheirwaytowork，processionsofshop—girlssteppedoutbriskly。Itwasthestreetandthecityandthelifehehadfoundfascinating，butnowitjarredandaffrontedhim。Agirlheknewhaddied，hadpassedoutofhislifeforever——worsethanthathadneverexisted；andyetthecitywentorjustasthoughthatmadenodifference，orjustaslittledifferenceasitwouldhavemadehadSisterAnnereallylivedandreallydied。
Atthesameearlyhour，anhourfartooearlyfortherestofthehouseparty，AnitaFlaggandHelenPage，bootedandriding—habited，sataloneatthebreakfasttable，theirteabeforethem；andinthehandsofAnitaFlaggwastheDAILY
REPUBLIC。MissPagehadbroughtthepapertothetableand，withaffectedindignationattheimpertinenceofthepress，hadpointedatthefront—pagephotograph；butMissFlaggwasnotlookingatthephotograph，ordrinkinghertea，orshowinginherimmediatesurroundingsanyinterestwhatsoever。Instead，herlovelyeyeswerefastenedwithfascinationuponthecolumnundertheheading\"TheRedCrossGirl\"；and，assheread，thelovelyeyeslostalltraceofrecentslumber，herlovelylipspartedbreathlessly，andonherlovelycheeksthecolorflowedandfadedandglowedandbloomed。Whenshehadreadasfarasaparagraphbeginning，\"WhenSisterAnnewalkedbetweenthemthosewhosufferedraisedtheireyestohersasflowerslifttheirfacestotherain，\"shedroppedthepaperandstartedfortelephone。
