\"He’ssuchfun，\"saidDolly，withasuddensmile。\"HetoldArchiethatIwasthemostcharmingwomaninLondon!You’veneverdonethat!\"
\"Hesaidthesameaboutthepudding—facedgirl，\"Iobserved。
Therewasapause。ThenDollyasked：
\"Howisyournose？\"
\"Thecarriageexerciseisdoingitgood，\"saidI。
\"If，\"observedDolly，\"heissosilly，now，whatwillhebeatyourage？\"
\"Awiseman，\"saidI。
\"HesuggestedthatImightwritetohim，\"bubbledDolly。
NowwhenDollybubbles——anoperationwhichincludesasuddenturntowardsme，adancingofeyes，adartofasmallhand，ahurriedrushofwords，checkedandconfusedbyaspeediergustofgurglingsound——Iaminthehabitofceasingtoarguethequestion。Bubblingisnottobemetbyarguing。Icouldonlysay：
\"He’llhaveforgottenbytheendoftheterm。\"
\"He’llremembertwodayslater，\"retortedDolly。
\"Stopthecarriage，\"saidI。\"IshalltellMrs。Hilaryallaboutit。\"
\"Iwon’tstopthecarriage，\"saidDolly。\"I’mgoingtotakeyouhomewithme。\"
\"Iamatapremiumtoday，\"Isaidsardonically。
\"Onemusthavesomething，\"saidDolly。\"Howisyournosenow，Mr。Carter？\"
IlookedatDolly。Ihadbetternothavedonethat。
\"Wouldafternoonteahurtit？\"sheinquiredanxiously。
\"Itwoulddoitgood，\"saidIdecisively。
Andthatisabsolutelythewholestory。AndwhatintheworldMrs。HilaryfoundtodisapproveofIdon’tknow——especiallyasI
didn’ttellherhalfofit!Butshediddisapprove。However，shelooksverywellwhenshedisapproves。
THEHOUSEOPPOSITE
WeweretalkingoverthesadcaseofyoungAlgyGroom；IwasexplainingtoMrs。Hilaryexactlywhathadhappened。
\"Hisfathergavehim，saidI\"ahundredpounds，tokeephimforthreemonthsinPariswhilehelearntFrench。\"
\"Andveryliberaltoo，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Itdependswhereyoudine，\"saidI。\"However，thatquestiondidnotarise，forAlgywenttotheGrandPrixthedayafterhearrived——\"
\"Ahorserace？\"askedMrs。Hilarywithgreatcontempt。
\"Certainlythecompetitorsarehorses，\"Irejoined。\"Andtherehe，mostunfortunately，lostthewholesum，withoutlearninganyFrenchtospeakof。\"
\"Howdisgusting!\"exclaimedMrs。Hilary，andlittleMissPhyllisgaspedinhorror。
\"Oh，well，\"saidHilary，withmuchbravery（asitstruckme），\"hisfather’sverywelloff。\"
\"Thatdoesn’tmakeitabitbetter，declaredhiswife。
\"There’snomortalsininalittlebetting，mydear。Boyswillbeboys——\"
\"Andeventhat，\"Iinterposed，\"wouldn’tmatterifwecouldonlypreventgirlsfrombeinggirls。\"
Mrs。Hilary，takingnonoticewhateverofme，pronouncedsentence。\"Hegrosslydeceivedhisfather，\"shesaid，andtookupherembroidery。
\"Mostofushavegrosslydeceivedourparentsbeforenow，\"saidI。\"Weshouldallhavetoconfesstosomethingofthesort。\"
\"Ihopeyou’respeakingforyourownsex，\"observedMrs。Hilary。
\"Notmorethanyours，\"saidI。\"YouusedtomeetHilaryonthepierwhenyourfatherwasn’tthere——youtoldmeso。\"
\"FatherhadauthorizedmyacquaintancewithHilary。\"
\"Ihatequibbles，\"saidI。
Therewasapause。Mrs。Hilarystitched；Hilaryobservedthatthedaywasfine。
\"Now，\"Ipursuedcarelessly，\"evenMissPhyllisherehasbeenknowntodeceiveherparents。\"
\"Oh，letthepoorchildalone，anyhow，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Haven’tyou？\"saidItoMissPhyllis。
Iexpectedanindignantdenial。SodidMrs。Hilary，forsheremarkedwithasympatheticair：
\"Nevermindhisfolly，Phyllisdear。\"
\"Haven’tyou，MissPhyllis？\"saidI。
MissPhyllisgrewveryred。FearingthatIwascausingherpain，IwasabouttoobserveontheprospectsofaDissolutionwhenashysmilespreadoverMissPhyllis’sface。
\"Yes，once，\"saidshewithatimidglanceatMrs。Hilary，whoimmediatelylaiddownherembroidery。
\"Outwithit，\"Icried，triumphantly。\"Comealong，MissPhyllis。
Wewon’ttell，honorbright!\"
MissPhyllislookedagainatMrs。Hilary。Mrs。Hilaryishuman：
\"Well，Phyllis，dear，saidshe，\"afterallthistimeIshouldn’tthinkitmyduty——\"
\"Itonlyhappenedlastsummer，\"saidMissPhyllis。
Mrs。Hilarylookedratherputout。
\"Still，\"shebegan。
\"Wemusthavethestory，\"saidI。
LittleMissPhyllisputdownthesockshehadbeenknitting。
\"Iwasverynaughty，\"sheremarked。\"Itwasmylasttermatschool。\"
\"Iknowthatage，\"saidItoHilary。
\"Mywindowlookedouttowardsthestreet。You’resureyouwon’ttell？Well，therewasahouseopposite——\"
\"Andayoungmaninit，\"saidI。
\"Howdidyouknowthat？\"askedMissPhyllis，blushingimmensely。
\"Nogirls’schoolcankeepupitsnumberswithoutone，\"I
explained。
\"Well，therewas，anyhow，\"saidMissPhyllis。\"AndIandtwoothergirlswenttoacourseoflecturesattheTownHallonliteratureorsomethingofthatkind。Weusedtohaveashillinggivenusforourtickets。\"
\"Precisely，\"saidI。\"Ahundredpounds!\"
\"No，ashilling，\"correctedMissPhyllis。\"Ahundredpounds!
Howabsurd，Mr。Carter!Well，onedayI——I——\"
\"You’resureyouwishtogoon，Phyllis？\"askedMrs。Hilary。
\"You’reafraid，Mrs。Hilary，\"saidIseverely。
\"Nonsense，Mr。Carter。IthoughtPhyllismight——\"
\"Idon’tmindgoingon，\"saidMissPhyllis，smiling。\"OnedayI——Ilosttheothergirls。\"
\"Theothergirlsarealwayseasytolose，\"Iobserved。
\"Andonthewaythere——oh，youknow，hewenttothelectures。\"
\"Theyoungdog，\"saidI，nudgingHilary。\"Ishouldthinkhedid!\"
\"Onthewaythereitbecamerather——ratherfoggy。\"
\"Blessingsonit!\"Icried；forlittleMissPhyllis’sdemurebutroguishexpressiondelightedme。
\"Andhe——hefoundmeinthefog。\"
\"Whatareyoudoing，Mr。Carter？\"criedMrs。Hilaryangrily。
\"Nothing，nothing，\"saidI。IbelieveIhadwinkedatHilary。
\"And——wecouldn’tfindtheTownHall。\"
\"Oh，Phyllis!\"groanedMrs。Hilary。
LittleMissPhyllislookedalarmedforamoment。Thenshesmiled。
\"Butwefoundtheconfectioner’s，\"saidshe。
\"TheGrandPrix，\"saidI，pointingmyforefingeratHilary。
\"Hehadnomoneyatall，\"saidMissPhyllis。
\"It’sideal!\"saidI。
\"And——andwehadteaon——on——\"
\"Theshilling？\"Icriedinrapture。
\"Yes，\"saidlittleMissPhyllis，\"ontheshilling。Andhesawmehome。\"
\"Details，please，\"saidI。
LittleMissPhyllisshookherhead。
\"Andleftmeatthedoor。\"
\"Wasitstillfoggy？\"Iasked。
\"Yes。Orhewouldn’thave——\"
\"Nowwhatdidhe——？\"
\"Cometothedoor，Mr。Carter，\"saidMissPhyllis，withobviouswariness。\"Oh，anditwassuchfun!\"
\"I’msureitwas。\"
\"No，Imeanwhenwewereexaminedinthelectures。Iboughtthelocalpaper，youknow，andreaditup，andIgottopmarkseasily，andMissGreenwrotetomothertosayhowwellIhaddone。\"
\"Itallendsmostsatisfactorily，\"Iobserved。
\"Yes，didn’tit？\"saidlittleMissPhyllis。
Mrs。Hilarywasgraveagain。
\"Andyounevertoldyourmother，Phyllis？\"sheasked。
\"N—no，CousinMary，\"saidMissPhyllis。
Iroseandstoodwithmybacktothefire。LittleMissPhyllistookuphersockagain，butasmilestillplayedaboutthecornersofhermouth。
\"Iwonder，\"saidI，lookingupattheceiling，\"whathappenedatthedoor。\"Then，asnoonespoke，Iadded：
\"Pooh!Iknowwhathappenedatthedoor。\"
\"I’mnotgoingtotellyouanythingmore，\"saidMissPhyllis。
\"ButIshouldliketohearitinyourown——\"
MissPhylliswasgone!Shehadsuddenlyrisenandrunfromtheroom!
\"Itdidhappenatthedoor，\"saidI。
\"FancyPhyllis!\"musedMrs。Hilary。
\"Ihope，\"saidI，\"thatitwillbealessontoyou。\"
\"Ishallhavetokeepmyeyeonher，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Youcan’tdoit，\"saidIineasyconfidence。IhadnofearoflittleMissPhyllisbeingdoneoutofherrecreations。
\"Meanwhile，\"Ipursued，\"theimportantthingisthis：myparallelisobviousandcomplete。\"
\"There’snottheleastlikeness，\"saidMrs。Hilarysharply。
\"Asahundredpoundsaretoashilling，soistheGrandPrixtotheyoungmanopposite，\"Iobserved，takingmyhat，andholdingoutmyhandtoMrs。Hilary。
\"Iamveryangrywithyou，\"shesaid。\"You’vemadethechildthinktherewasnothingwronginit。\"
\"Oh!Nonsense，\"saidI。\"Lookhowsheenjoyedtellingit。\"
Then，notheedingMrs。Hilary，Ilaunchedintoanapostrophe。
\"O，divineHouseOpposite!\"Icried。\"CharmingHouseOpposite!\"
IfonlyImightdwellforeverintheHouseOpposite!\"
\"Ihaven’ttheleastnotionofwhatyoumean，\"remarkedMrs。
Hilary，stiffly。\"Isupposeit’ssomethingsilly——orworse。\"
Ilookedatherinsomepuzzle。
\"HaveyounolongingfortheHouseOpposite？\"Iasked。
Mrs。Hilarylookedatme。Hereyesceasedtobeabsolutelyblank。SheputherarmthroughHilary’sandansweredgently——
\"Idon’twanttheHouseOpposite。\"
\"Ah，\"saidI，givingmyhatabrush，\"butmaybeyouremembertheHouse——whenitwasOpposite？\"
Mrs。Hilary，onearmstillinHilary’s，gavemeherhand。Sheblushedandsmiled。
\"Well，\"saidshe，\"itwasyourfault；soIwon’tscoldPhyllis。\"
\"No，don’tmydear，\"saidHilary，withalaugh。
Asforme，Iwentdownstairs，and，inabsenceofmind，bademycabmandrivetotheHouseOpposite。ButIhavenevergotthere。
AQUICKCHANGE
\"WhynotgowithArchie？\"Iasked，spreadingoutmyhands。
\"Itwillbedullenough，anyhow，\"saidDolly，fretfully。
\"Besides，it’sawfullybourgeoistogotothetheaterwithone’shusband。\"
\"Bourgeois，\"Iobserved，\"isanepithetwhichtheriffraffapplytowhatisrespectable，andthearistocracytowhatisdecent。\"
\"Butit’snotanicethingtobe，allthesame，\"saidDolly，whoisimpervioustothemostpenetratingremark。
\"You’reinnodangerofit，\"Ihastenedtoassureher。
\"Howshouldyoudescribeme，then？\"sheasked，leaningforward，withasmile。
\"Ishoulddescribeyou，LadyMickleham，\"Ireplieddiscreetly，\"asbeingalittlelowerthantheangels。\"
Dolly’ssmilewasalmostalaughassheasked：
\"Howmuchlower，please，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Justbythedepthofyourdimples，\"saidIthoughtlessly。
Dollybecameimmenselygrave。
\"Ithought，\"saidshe，\"thatwenevermentionedthemnow，Mr。
Carter。\"
\"Didweever？\"Iaskedinnocently。
\"Iseemedtorememberonce：doyourecollectbeinginverylowspiritsoneeveningatMonte？\"
\"Irememberbeinginverylowwatermorethanoneeveningthere。\"
\"Yes；youtoldmeyouwereterriblyhard—up。\"
\"Therewasanelectioninourdivisionthatyear，\"Iremarked，\"andIremitted30percentofmyrents。\"
\"Youdid——toM。Blanc，\"saidDolly。\"Oh，andyouwereverydreary!Yousaidyou’dwastedyourlifeandyourtimeandyouropportunities。\"
\"Oh，youmustn’tsupposeIneverhaveanyproperfeelings，\"saidIcomplacently。
\"Ithinkyouwerehardlyyourself。\"
\"Dobemorecharitable。\"
\"Andyousaidthatyouronlychancewasingainingtheaffectionof——\"
\"Surely，Iwasnotsuchan——sofoolish？\"Iimplored。
\"Yes，youwere。Youweresittingclosebyme——\"
\"Oh，then，itdoesn’tcount，\"saidI，rallyingalittle。
\"Onabench。Yourememberthebench？\"
\"No，Idon’t，\"saidI，withakindbutfirmsmile。
\"Notthebench？\"
\"No。\"
Dollylookedatme，thensheaskedinaninsinuatingtone——
\"Whendidyouforgetit，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Thedayyouwereburied，\"Irejoined。
\"Isee。Well，yousaidthenwhatyoucouldn’tpossiblyhavemeant。\"
\"Idaresay。Ioftendid。\"
\"Thattheywere——\"
\"Thatwhatwere？\"
\"Why，the——the——whatwe’retalkingabout。\"
\"Whatwewere——？Oh，tobesure，the——theblemishes？\"
\"Yes，theblemishes。Yousaidtheywerethemost——\"
\"Oh，well，itwasafacondeparler。\"
\"Iwasafraidyouweren’tabitsincere，\"saidDollyhumbly。
\"Well，judgebyyourself，\"saidIwithacandidair。
\"ButIsaidnothing!\"criedDolly。
\"Itwasincomparablythemostartisticthingtodo，\"saidI。
\"I’msometimesafraidyoudon’tdomejustice，Mr。Carter，\"
remarkedDollywithsomepathos。
Ididnotcaretoenteruponthatdiscussion，andapausefollowed。ThenDolly，inatimidmanner，askedme——
\"Doyourememberthedreadfulthingthathappenedthesameevening？\"
\"Thatchancestoremaininmymemory，\"Iadmitted。
\"I’vealwaysthoughtitkindofyounevertospeakofit，\"saidshe。
\"Itisbestforgotten，\"saidI，smiling。
\"Weshouldhavesaidthesameaboutanybody，\"protestedDolly。
\"Certainly。Wewereonlytryingtobesmart，\"saidI。
\"Anditwashorriblyunjust。\"
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，LadyMickleham。\"
\"Besides，Ididn’tknowanythingabouthimthen。Hehadonlyarrivedthatday，yousee。\"
\"Reallywewerenottoblame，\"Iurged。
\"Oh，butdoesn’titseemfunny？\"
\"Astrangewhirligig，nodoubt，\"Imused。
Therewasapause。ThenthefaintestofsmilesappearedonDolly’sface。
\"Heshouldn’thavewornsuchclothes，\"shesaid，asthoughinselfdefense。\"Anybodywouldhavelookedabsurdinthem。\"
\"Itwasalltheclothes，\"Iagreed。\"Besides，whenamandoesn’tknowaplace，healwaysmoonsaboutandlooks——\"
\"Yes。Ratherawkward，doesn’the，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Andthemerefactofhislookingatyou——\"
\"Atus，please。\"
\"Isnothing，althoughwemadeagrievanceofitatthetime。\"
\"Thatwasveryabsurdofyou，\"saidDolly。
\"Itwascertainlyunreasonableofus，\"saidI。
\"Weoughthaveknownhewasagentleman。\"
\"Butwescoutedtheideaofit，\"saidI。
\"Itwasamostcuriousmistaketomake，\"saidDolly。
\"O，well，it’sputrightnow，\"saidI。
\"Oh，Mr。Carter，doyouremembermamma’sfacewhenwedescribedhim？\"
\"Thatwasaterriblemoment，\"saidI，withashudder。
\"Isaidhewas——ugly，\"whisperedDolly。
\"AndIsaid——somethingworse，\"murmuredI。
\"Andmammaknewatoncefromourdescriptionthatitwas——\"
\"Shesawitinaminute，\"saidI。
\"Andthenyouwentaway。\"
\"Well，IrathersupposeIdid，\"saidI。
\"MammaisjustalittleliketheDowagersometimes，\"saidDolly。
\"Thereisatouchnowandthen，\"Iconceded。
\"AndwhenIwasintroducedtohimthenextdayIabsolutelyblushed。\"
\"Idon’taltogetherwonderatthat，\"Iobserved。
\"Butitwasn’tasifhe’dheardwhatweweresaying。\"
\"No；buthe’dseenwhatweweredoing。\"
\"Well，whatwerewedoing？\"criedDollydefiantly。
\"Conversingconfidentially，\"saidI。
\"Andaweeklateryouwenthome!\"
\"Justoneweeklater，\"saidI。
Therewasalongpause。
\"Well，you’lltakemetothetheater？\"askedDolly，withsomethingwhich，ifIweresodisposed，Imightconsiderasigh。
\"I’veseenthepiecetwice，\"saidI。
\"Howtiresomeofyou!You’veseeneverythingtwice。\"
\"I’veseensomethingsmuchoftener，\"Iobserved。
\"I’llgetanicegirlforyoutotalkto，andI’llhaveayoungman。\"
\"Idon’twantmygirltobetoonice，\"Iobserved。
\"Sheshallbepretty，\"saidDollygenerously。
\"Idon’tmindifIdocomewithyou，\"saidI。\"WhatbecomesofArchie？\"
\"He’sgoingtotakehismotherandhissisterstotheAlbertHall。\"
Myfacebrightened。
\"Iamunreasonable，\"Iadmitted。
\"Sometimesyouare，\"saidDolly。
\"Ihavemuchtobethankfulfor。Haveyoueverobservedasmallboyeatapennyice？\"
\"OfcourseIhave，\"saidDolly。
\"Whatdoeshedowhenhe’sfinishedit？\"
\"Stop，Isuppose。\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"saidI，\"helickstheglass。\"
\"Yes，hedoes，\"saidDollymeditatively。
\"It’snotsobad——lickingtheglass，\"saidI。
Dollystoodoppositeme，smiling。AtthismomentArchieentered。
Hehadbeenworkingathislathe。Heisveryfondofmakingthingswhichhedoesn’twant，andthengivingthemtopeoplewhohavenouseforthem。
\"Howareyou，oldchap？\"hebegan。\"I’vejustfinishedanuncommonpretty——\"
Hestopped，paralyzedbyacryfromDolly——
\"Archie，whatintheworldareyouwearing？\"
IturnedastartledgazeuponArchie。
\"It’sjustanoldsuitIroutedout，\"saidheapologetically。
IlookedatDolly；hereyeswereclosedshut，andshegasped——
\"Mydear，dearboy，goandchangeit!\"
\"Idon’tseewhyit’snot——\"
\"Goandchangeit，ifyouloveme，\"besoughtDolly。
\"Oh，allright。\"
\"Youlookhideousinit，\"shesaid，hereyesstillshut。
Archie，whoisverydocile，withdrew。Aguiltysilencereignedforsomemoments。ThenDollyopenedhereyes。\"Itwasthesuit，\"shesaid，withashudder。\"Oh，howitallcamebacktome!\"
\"Icouldwish，\"Iobserved，takingmyhat，\"thatitwouldallcomebacktome。\"
\"Iwonderifyoumeanthat!\"
\"AsmuchasIeverdid，\"saidIearnestly。
\"Andthatis——？
\"Quiteenough。\"
\"Howtiresomeyouare!\"shesaid，turningawaywithasmile。
OutsideImetArchieinanothersuit。
\"Aquickchange，eh，myboy？\"saidhe。
\"Ittookjustaweek，\"Iremarkedabsently。
Archiestared。
ASLIGHTMISTAKE
\"Idon’taskyouformorethanaguinea，\"saidMrs。Hilary，withaparadeofforbearance。
\"Itwouldbethesame，\"Irepliedpolitely，\"ifyouaskedmeforathousand；\"withwhichIhandedherhalf—a—crown。Shehelditinheropenhand，regardingitscornfully。
\"Yes，\"Icontinued，takingaseat，\"Ifeelthatpecuniarygifts——\"
\"Half—a—crown!\"
\"Areyouapoorsubstituteforpersonalservice。MaynotI
accompanyyoutotheceremony？\"
\"Idaresayyouspentasmuchasthisonwinewithyourlunch!\"
\"Iwasinamadmoodtoday，\"Iansweredapologetically。\"Whataretheytaughtattheschool？\"
\"Aboveall，tobegoodgirls，\"saidMrs。Hilaryearnestly。\"Whatareyousneeringat，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidIhastily，andIaddedwithasigh，\"Isupposeit’sallright。\"
\"Ishouldlike，\"saidMrs。Hilarymeditatively，\"ifIhadnototherduties，todedicatemylifetotheserviceofgirls。\"
\"Ishouldthinktwiceaboutthat，ifIwereyou，\"saidI，shakingmyhead。
\"Bytheway，Mr。Carter，Idon’tknowifI’veeverspokenunkindlyofLadyMickleham。Ihopenot。\"
\"Hope，\"saidI，\"isnotyettaxed。\"
\"IfIhave，I’mverysorry。She’sbeenmostkindinundertakingtogiveawaytheprizestoday。Theremustbesomegoodinher。\"
\"Oh，don’tbehasty，\"Iimplored。
\"Ialwayswantedtothinkwellofher。\"
\"Ah!NowIneverdid。\"
\"AndLordMicklehamiscoming，too。He’llbemostuseful。\"
\"Thatsettlesit，\"Iexclaimed。\"Imaynotbeanearl，butI
haveaperfectrighttobeuseful。I’llgotoo。\"
\"Iwonderifyou’llbehaveproperly，\"saidMrs。Hilarydoubtfully。
Iheldoutahalf—sovereign，threehalf—crowns，andashilling。
\"Oh，well，youmaycome，sinceHilarycan’t，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Youmeanhewon’t，\"Iobserved。
\"Hehasalwaysbeenpreventedhitherto，\"saidshe，withdignity。
SoIwent，anditprovedamostagreeableexpedition。Therewere200girlsinbluefrocksandwhiteaprons（thegirlthreefromtheendofthefifthrowwasdecidedlypretty）——anicelotofprizebooks——theMicklehams（Dollyindemureblack），ourselves，andthematron。Allwentwell。Dollygaveawaytheprizes；Mrs。
HilaryandArchiemadelittlespeeches。Thenthematroncametome。Iwassittingmodestlyatthebackoftheplatform，alittledistancebehindtheothers。
\"Mr。Musgrave，\"saidthematrontome，\"we’resogladtoseeyouhereatlast。Won’tyousayafewwords？\"
\"Itwouldbeaprivilege，\"Irespondedcordially，\"butunhappilyIhaveasorethroat。\"
Thematron（whowasamostrespectablewoman）said，\"Dear，dear!\"
butdidnotpressthepoint。Evidently，however，shelikedme，forwhenwewenttohaveacupoftea，shegotmeinacornerandbegantotellmeallaboutthework。Itwasextremelyinteresting。Thenthematronobserved：
\"AndwhatanangelMrs。Musgraveis!\"
\"Well，Ishouldhardlycallherthat，\"saidI，withasmile。
\"Oh，youmustn’tdepreciateher——you，ofallmen!\"criedthematron，withasomewhatponderousarchness。\"ReallyIenvyyouherconstantsociety。\"
\"Iassureyou，\"saidI，\"Iseeverylittleofher。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon？\"
\"Ionlygotothehouseaboutonceafortnight——Oh，it’snotmyfault。Shewon’thavemethereoftener。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Ibegyourpardon。PerhapsI’vetouchedonapainful——？\"
\"Notatall，notatall，\"saidIsuavely。\"Itisverynatural。
Iamneitheryoungnorhandsome，Mrs。Wiggins。Iamnotcomplaining。\"
Thematrongazedatme。
\"Onlyseeingherhere，\"Ipursued，\"youhavenoideaofwhatsheisathome。Shehaschosentoforbidmetocometoherhouse——\"
\"Herhouse？\"
\"Ithappenstobemorehersthanmine，\"Iexplained。\"Toforbidme，Isay，morethanoncetocometoherhouse。Nodoubtshehadherreasons。\"
\"Nothingcouldjustifyit，\"saidthematron，directingawonderingglanceatMrs。Hilary。
\"Donotletusblameher，\"saidI。\"Itisjustanunfortunateaccident。SheisnotasfondofmeasIcouldwish，Mrs。
Wiggins；andsheisagreatdealfonderthanIcouldwishof——\"
Ibrokeoff。Mrs。Hilarywaswalkingtowardus。Ithinkshewaspleasedtoseemegettingonsowellwiththematron，forshewassmilingpleasantly。Thematronworeabewilderedexpression。
\"Isuppose，\"saidMrs。Hilary，\"thatyou’lldrivebackwiththeMicklehams？\"
\"Unlessyouwantme，\"saidI，keepingawatchfuleyeonthematron。
\"Oh，Idon’twantyou，\"saidMrs。Hilarylightly。
\"Youwon’tbealonethisevening？\"Iaskedanxiously。
Mrs。Hilarystaredalittle。
\"O，no!\"shesaid。\"Weshallhaveourusualparty。\"
\"MayIcomeonedaynextweek？\"Iaskedhumbly。
Mrs。Hilarythoughtforamoment。
\"I’msobusynextweek——cometheweekafter，\"saidshe，givingmeherhand。
\"That’sveryunkind，\"saidI。
\"Nonsense!\"saidMrs。Hilary，andsheadded，\"Mindyouletmeknowwhenyou’recoming。\"
\"Iwon’tsurpriseyou，\"Iassuredher，withacovertglanceatthematron。
Theexcellentwomanwasquiteredintheface，andcouldgaspoutnothingbut\"Goodbye，\"asMrs。Hilaryaffectionatelypressedherhand。
AtthismomentDollycameup。Shewasalone。
\"Where’sArchie？\"Iasked。
\"He’srunaway；he’sgottomeetsomebody。Iknewyou’dseemehome。Mrs。Hilarydidn’twantyou，ofcourse？\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidIplaintively。
\"Besides，you’drathercomewithme，wouldn’tyou？\"pursuedDolly，andsheadded，pleasantlytothematron，\"Mrs。Hilary’ssodownonhim，youknow。\"
\"I’dmuchrathercomewithyou，\"saidI。
\"We’llhaveacozydrivealltoourselves，\"saidDolly，\"withouthusbandsorwivesoranythinghorrid。Isn’titnicetogetridofone’shusbandsometimes，Mrs。Wiggins？\"
\"Ihavethemisfortunetobeawidow，LadyMickleham，\"saidMrs。
Wiggins。
Dolly’seyesresteduponherwithaninterestingexpression。I
knewthatshewasabouttoaskMrs。Wigginswhethershelikedtheconditionoflife，andIinterposedhastily，withasigh：
\"Butyoucanlookbackonahappymarriage，Mrs。Wiggins？\"
\"Ididmybesttomakeitso，\"saidshestiffly。
\"Youareright，\"saidI。\"Eveninthefaceofunkindnessweshouldstrive——\"
\"Myhusband’snotunkind，\"saidDolly。
\"Ididn’tmeanyourhusband，\"saidI。
\"Whatyourpoorwifewoulddoifshecaredabuttonforyou，I
don’tknow，\"observedDolly。
\"IfIhadawifewhocaredforme，Ishouldbeabetterman，\"
saidIsolemnly。
\"Butyou’dprobablybeverydull，\"saidDolly。\"Andyouwouldn’tbeallowedtodrivewithme。\"
\"Perhapsit’sallforthebest，\"saidI，brighteningup。
\"Goodbye，Mrs。Wiggins。\"
Dollywalkedon。Mrs。Wigginsheldmyhandforamoment。
\"Youngman，\"saidshesternly，\"areyousureit’snotyourownfault？\"
\"I’mnotatallsure，Mrs。Wiggins，\"saidI。\"Butdon’tbedistressedaboutit。It’sofnoconsequence。Idon’tletitmakemeunhappy。Goodbye；somanythanks。Charminggirlsyouhavehere——especiallythatoneinthefifth——Imean，charming，allofthem。Goodbye。\"
Ihastenedtothecarriage。Mrs。Wigginsstoodandwatched。I
gotinandsatdownbyDolly。
\"Oh，Mrs。Wiggins，\"saidDolly，dimpling，\"don’ttellMrs。HilarythatArchiewasn’twithus，orweshallgetintotrouble。\"Andsheaddedtome，\"Areyouallright？\"
\"Rather!\"saidIappreciatively；andwedroveoff，leavingMrs。
Wigginsonherdoorstep。
AfortnightlaterIwenttocallonMrs。Hilary。Aftersomeconversationsheremarked：
\"I’mgoingtotheschoolagaintomorrow。\"
\"Really!\"saidI。
\"AndI’msodelighted——I’vepersuadedHilarytocome。\"
Shepaused，andthenadded：
\"Youreallyseemedinterestedlasttime。\"
\"Oh，Iwas。\"
\"Wouldyouliketocomeagaintomorrow？\"
\"No，Ithinknot，thanks，\"saidIcarelessly。
\"That’sjustlikeyou!\"shesaidseverely。\"Youneverdoanyrealgoodbecauseyouneversticktoanything。\"
\"Therearesomethingsonecan’tstickto，\"saidI。
\"Oh，nonsense!\"saidMrs。Hilary。
Butthereare——andIdidn’tgo。
THEOTHERLADY
\"Bythemerestchance，\"Iobservedmeditatively，\"Iattendedareceptionlastnight。\"
\"Iwenttothree，\"saidLadyMickleham，selectingasardinesandwichwithcare。
\"Imightnothavegone，\"Imused，\"Imighteasilynothavegone。\"
\"Ican’tseewhatdifferenceitwouldhavemadeifyouhadn’t，\"
saidshe。
\"Ithoughtthreetimesaboutgoing。It’sacuriousworld。\"
\"Whathappened？Youmaysmoke，youknow。\"
\"Ifellinlove，\"saidI，lightingacigarette。
LadyMicklehamplacedherfeetonthefender——itwasachillyafternoon——andturnedherfacetome，shieldingitfromthefirewithherhandkerchief。
\"Menofyourage，\"sheremarked，\"havenobusinesstobethinkingofsuchthings。\"
\"Iwasnotthinkingofit，\"saidI。\"Iwasthinkingofgoinghome。ThenIwasintroducedtoher。\"
\"Andyoustayedalittle，Isuppose？\"
\"Istayedtwohours——ortwominutes，——Iforgetwhich\"；and，I
added，noddingmyheadatLadyMickleham，\"Therewassomethingirresistibleaboutmelastnight。\"
LadyMicklehamlaughed。
\"Youseemverypleasedwithyourself，\"shesaid，reachingforafantoreplacethehandkerchief。
\"Yes，takecareofyourcomplexion，\"saidIapprovingly。\"Shehasalovelycomplexion。\"
LadyMicklehamlaiddownthefan。
\"Iamverypleasedwithmyself，\"Icontinued。\"Shewasdelightedwithme。\"
\"Isupposeyoutalkednonsensetoher。\"
\"IhavenottheleastideawhatItalkedtoher。Itwasquiteimmaterial。Thelanguageoftheeyes——\"
\"Oh，youmightbeaboy!\"
\"Iwas，\"saidI，noddingagain。
Therewasalongsilence。Dollylookedatme；Ilookedatthefire。Ididnot，however，seethefire。Isawsomethingquitedifferent。
\"Shelikedmeverymuch，\"Iobserved，stretchingmyhandsouttowardtheblaze。
\"Youabsurdoldman!——\"saidDolly。\"Wassheverycharming？\"
\"Shewasperfect。\"
\"How？Clever？\"
Iwavedmyhandimpatiently。
\"Pretty，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Why，ofcourse；theprettiestpictureIever——butthatgoeswithoutsaying。\"
\"Itwouldhavegonebetterwithoutsaying，\"remarkedDolly。
\"Considering——\"
Tohaveasked\"Consideringwhat？\"wouldhavebeentheacmeofbadtaste。
Imerelysmiled，andwavedmyhandagain。
\"You’requiteseriousaboutit，aren’tyou？\"saidDolly。
\"IshouldthinkIwas，\"saidIindignantly。\"Nottobeseriousinsuchamatteristowasteitutterly。\"
\"I’llcometothewedding，\"saidDolly。
\"Therewon’tbeawedding，\"saidI。\"ThereareReasons。\"
\"Oh!You’reveryunlucky，Mr。Carter。\"
\"That，\"Iobserved，\"isasitmaybe，LadyMickleham。\"
\"WeretheReasonsatthereception？\"
\"Theywere。Itmadenodifference。\"
\"It’sverycurious，\"remarkedDollywithacompassionateair，\"thatyoualwaysmanagetoadmirepeoplewhomsomebodyelsehasmarried。\"
\"Itwouldbeverycurious，\"Irejoined，\"ifsomebodyhadnotmarriedthepeoplewhomIadmire。Lastnight，though，Imadenothingofhissuddenremoval；myfancyriotedinaccidentaldeathsforhim。\"
\"Hewon’tdie，\"saidDolly。
\"Ihatethatsortofsuperstition，\"saidIirritably。\"He’sjustaslikelytodieasanyothermanis。\"
\"Hecertainlywon’tdie，\"saidDolly。
\"Well，Iknowhewon’t。Doletitalone，\"saidI，muchexasperated。Itwasprobablyonlykindness，butDollysuddenlyturnedhereyesawayfrommeandfixedthemonthefire；shetookthefanupagainandtwirleditinherhand；aqueerlittlesmilebentherlips。
\"Ihopethepoormanwon’tdie，\"saidDollyinalowvoice。
\"Ifhehaddiedlastnight!\"Icriedlongingly。Then，witharegretfulshrugofmyshoulders，Iadded，\"Lethimlivenowtothecrackofdoom!\"
Somehowthisrestoredmygoodhumor。Iroseandstoodwithmybacktothefire，stretchingmyselfandsighingluxuriously。
Dollyleantbackinherchairandlaughedatme。
\"Doyouexpecttobeforgiven？\"sheasked。
\"No，no，\"saidI；\"Ihadtoogoodanexcuse。\"
\"IwishI’dbeenthere——atthereception，Imean。\"
\"I’mextremelygladyouweren’t，LadyMickleham。AsitwasI
forgotallmytroubles。\"
Dollyisnotresentful；shedidnotmindtheimplieddescription。
Sheleantback，smilingstill。Isighedagain，smiledatDolly，andtookmyhat。ThenIturnedtothemirroroverthemantelpiece，arrangedmynecktie，andgavemyhairatouch。
\"Noone，\"Iobserved，\"canaffordtoneglectthenicetiesofthetoilet。Thosedaintylittlecurlsontheforehead——\"
\"You’vehadnonetherefortenyears，\"criedLadyMickleham。
\"Ididnotmeanmyforehead，\"saidI。
Sighingonceagain，IheldoutmyhandtoDolly。
\"Areyoudoinganythingthisevening？\"sheasked。
\"ThatdependsonwhatI’maskedtodo，\"saidIcautiously。
\"Well，Archie’sgoingtobeattheHouse，andIthoughtyoumighttakemetothePhaetons’party。It’squitealongdrive，ahorriblelongdrive，Mr。Carter。\"
Istoodforamomentconsideringthisproposal。
\"Idon’tthink，\"saidI，\"thatitwouldbeproper。\"
\"Why，Archiesuggestedit!You’remakinganexcuse。Youknowyouare!\"andLadyMicklehamlookedveryindignant。\"Asif，\"sheaddedscornfully，\"youcaredaboutwhatwasproper!\"
Idroppedintoachair，andsaid，inaconfidentialtone，\"I
don’tcareapin。Itwasamereexcuse。Idon’twanttocome。\"
\"You’reveryrude，indeed。Manywomenwouldneverspeaktoyouagain。\"
\"Theywould，\"saidI，\"alldojustasyouwill。\"
\"Andwhat’sthat，Mr。Carter。\"
\"Askmeagainonthefirstopportunity。\"
\"Whywon’tyoucome？\"saidDolly，waivingthisquestion。
Ibentforward，holdingmyhatinmylefthandandsawingtheairwithmyrightforefinger。
\"Youfailtoallow，\"saidIimpressively，\"fortherejuvenescencewhichrecenteventshaveproducedinme。IfIcamewithyouthisevening，Ishouldbequitecapable——\"Ipaused。
\"Ofanythingdreadful？\"askedDolly。
\"Ofpayingyoupronouncedattentions，\"saidIgravely。
\"That，\"saidDollywithequalgravity，\"wouldbeveryregrettable。Itwouldbeunjusttome——andveryinsultingtoher，Mr。Carter。\"
\"Itwouldbethefinesttestimonialtoher，\"Icried。
\"Andyou’llspendtheeveningthinkingofher？\"askedDolly。
\"Ishallgothroughtheevening，\"saidI，\"inthebestwayI
can。\"AndIsmiledcontentedly。
\"What’sherhusband？\"askedDollysuddenly。
\"Herhusband，\"Irejoined，\"isnothingatall。\"
Dolly，receivingthisanswer，lookedatmewithapatheticair。
\"It’snotquitefair，\"sheobserved。\"DoyouknowwhatI’mthinkingabout，Mr。Carter？\"
\"CertainlyIdo，LadyMickleham。Youarethinkingthatyouwouldliketomeetmeforthefirsttime。\"
\"Notatall。Iwasthinkingthatitwouldbeamusingifyoumetmeforthefirsttime。\"
Isaidnothing。Dollyroseandwalkedtothewindow。Sheswungthetasseloftheblindanditbumpedagainstthewindow。Thefailingsuncaughtherruddybrownhair。Therewerecurlsonherforehead，too。
\"It’sagrandworld，\"saidI。\"And，afterall，onecangrowoldverygradually。\"
\"You’renotreallyold，\"saidDolly，withthefleetestglanceatme。Aglanceshouldnotbeover—long。
\"Graduallyanddisgracefully，\"Imurmured。
\"Ifyoumetmeforthefirsttime——\"saidDolly，swingingthetassel。
\"ByHeaven，itshouldbethelast!\"Icried，andIrosetomyfeet。
Dollyletthetasselgo，andmademeaveryprettycurtsey。
\"Iamgoingtoanotherpartytonight，\"saidI，noddingmyheadsignificantly。
\"Ah!\"saidDolly。
\"AndIshallagain，\"Ipursued，\"spendmytimewiththeprettiestwomanintheroom。\"
\"Shallyou？\"askedDolly，smiling。
\"Iamaveryfortunatefellow，\"Iobserved。\"AndasforMrs。
Hilary，shemaysaywhatshelikes。\"
\"Oh，doesMrs。HilaryknowtheOtherLady？\"
Iwalkedtowardthedoor。
\"Thereis，\"saidI，layingmyhandonthedoor，\"noOtherLady。\"
\"Ishallgetthereabouteleven，\"saidDolly。
WHATMIGHTHAVEBEEN
UnfortunatelyitwasSunday；thereforethegardenerscouldnotbeorderedtoshiftthelongrowofflowerpotsfromthesideoftheterracenextthehouse，whereDollyhadorderedthemtobeput，tothesideremotefromthehouse，whereDollynowwishedthemtostand。YetDollycouldnotthinkoflivingwiththepotswheretheyweretillMonday。Itwouldkillher，shesaid。SoArchieleftthecoolshadeofthegreattrees，whereDollysatdoingnothing，andNelliePhaetonsatsplicingthegigwhip，andIlayinadeckchairwithsomethingicedbesideme。OutsidethesunwasbroilinghotandpoorArchiemoppedhisbrowateverywearyjourneyacrossthebroadterrace。
\"It’saburning’shame，Dolly，\"saidMissPhaeton。\"Iwouldn’tdoitifIwerehim。\"
\"Oh，yes，youwould，dear，\"saidDolly。\"Thepotslookedatrociousonthatside。\"
Itookalongsipfrommyglass，andobservedinameditativetone：
\"Therebutforthegraceofwoman，goesSamuelTraversCarter。\"
Dolly’slazylidshalflifted。MissPhaetonmumbled（Hermouthwasfulloftwine）：
\"WhatDOyoumean？\"
\"Nemoomnibushorissapit，\"saidIapologetically。
\"Idon’tknowwhatthatmeanseither。\"
\"Nemo——everybody，\"Itranslated，\"sapit——hasbeeninlove——omnibus——once——horis——atleast。\"
\"Oh，andyoumeanshewouldn’thaveyou？\"askedNellie，withbluntdirectness。
\"Notquitethat，\"saidI。\"They——\"
\"THEY？\"murmuredDolly，withhalf—liftedlids。
\"THEY，\"Ipursued，\"regretfullyrecognizedmyimpossibility。
HenceIamnotcarryingpotsacrossabroadterraceunderahotsun。\"
\"Whydidtheythinkyouimpossible？\"askedMissPhaeton，whotakesmuchinterrestinthissortofquestion。
\"Avarietyofreasons：forone，Iwastooclever，foranother，toostupid；forothers，toogood——ortoobad；tooserious——ortoofrivolous；toopooror——\"
\"Well，nooneobjectedtoyourmoney，Isuppose？\"interruptedNellie。
\"Pardonme。Iwasabouttosay’ornotrichenough。’\"
\"Butthat’sthesamething。\"
\"Theantithesisiscertainlyimperfect，\"Iadmitted。
\"Mr。Gay，\"saidNellie，introducingthenamewithsometimidity，\"youknowwhoImean？——thepoet——oncesaidtomethatmanwasessentiallyimperfectuntilhewasmarried。\"
\"Itistrue，\"Iagreed。\"Andwomanuntilsheisdead。\"
\"Idon’tthinkhemeantitquiteinthatsense，\"saidNellie，ratherpuzzled。
\"Idon’tthinkhemeantitinanysense，\"murmuredDolly，alittleunkindly。
WemighthavegoneontalkinginthiswayforeversolonghadnotArchieatthispointdroppedalargeflowerpotandsmashedittobits。Hestoodlookingatthebitsforamoment，andthencametowardsusandsankintoachair。
\"I’moff!\"heannounced。
\"Andhalfareononeside，andhalfontheother，\"saidDolly，regretfully。
Asuddenimpulseseizedme。Igotup，putonmystrawhat，tookoffmycoat，walkedoutintothesun，andbegantomoveflowerpotsacrossthebroadterrace。IheardalaughfromArchie，alittlecryfromDolly，andfromNelliePhaeton，\"Goodness，what’shedoingthatfor？\"Iwasnotturnedfrommypurpose。Theluncheonbellrang。MissPhaeton，whipandtwineinhand，walkedintothehouse。Archiefollowedher，sayingashepassedthathehopedIshouldn’tfinditwarm。Iwentonshiftingtheflowerpots。Theywereveryheavy。Ibroketwo，butIwenton。
PresentlyDollyputupherparasolandcameoutfromtheshadetowatchme。Shestoodthereforamomentortwo。Then，shesaid：
\"Well，doyouthinkyou’dlikeit，Mr。Carter？\"
\"WaittillI’vefinished，\"saidI，wavingmyhand。
Anothertenminutessawtheendofmytask。PantingandhotI
soughttheshade，andflungmyselfontomydeckchairagain。I
alsolitacigarette。
\"Ithinktheylookedbetterontheotherside，afterall，\"saidDollymeditatively。
\"Ofcourseyoudo，\"saidIurbanely。\"Youneedn’ttellmethat\"
\"Perhapsyou’dliketomovethemback，\"shesuggested。
\"No，\"saidI。\"I’vedoneenoughtocreatetheimpression。\"
\"Andhowdidyoulikeit？\"
\"Itwas，\"saidI，\"initswayapleasantenoughillusion。\"AndI
shruggedmyshoulders，andblewaringofsmoke。
Tomyveryconsiderablegratification，Dolly’stonemanifestedsomeannoyanceassheasked：
\"Whydoyousay，’initsway’？\"
\"Because，inspiteofthemomentarypleasureIgainedfromfeelingmyselfamarriedman，Icouldnotbanishtheideathatweshouldnotpermanentlysuitoneanother。\"
\"Oh，youthoughtthat？\"saidDolly，smilingagain。
\"Imustconfessit，\"saidI。\"Thefault，Iknow，wouldbemine。\"
\"I’msureofthat，\"saidDolly。
\"ButthefactisthatIcan’texistintoohighaltitudes。Therarefactionofthemoralatmosphere——\"
\"Pleasedon’tuseallthoselongwords。\"
\"Well，then，toputitplainly，\"saidI，withapleasantsmile，\"IfeltallthetimethatMrs。Hilarywouldbetoogoodforme。\"
ItisnotveryoftenthatitfallstomyhumblelottostartleLadyMicklehamoutofhercomposure。Butatthispointshesatupquitestraightinherchair；hercheekflushed，andhereyelidsceasedtodroopinindolentinsouciance。
\"Mrs。Hilary!\"shesaid。\"WhathasMrs。Hilary——？
\"Ireallythoughtyouunderstood，\"saidI，\"theobjectofmyexperiment。\"
Dollyglancedatme。Ibelievethatmyexpressionwasabsolutelyinnocent——andIam，ofcoursesurethathersexpressedmeresurprise。
\"Ithought，\"shesaid，afterapause，\"thatyouwerethinkingofNelliePhaeton。\"
\"Oh，Isee，\"criedIsmiling。\"Anaturalmistake，tobesure。\"
\"Shethoughtsotoo，\"pursuedDolly，bitingherlip。
\"Didshethough？\"
\"AndI’msureshe’dbequiteannoyedifshethoughtyouwerethinkingofMrs。Hilary。\"
\"Asamatteroffact，\"Iobserved，\"shedidn’tunderstandwhatI
wasdoingatall。\"
Dollyleantback。Therelicsofafrownstilldweltonherbrow；
presently，however，shebegantoswingherhatonherforefinger，andshethrewalookatme。Iimmediatelylookeduptowardthebranchesabovemyhead。
\"Wemightaswellgointolunch，\"saidDolly。
\"Byallmeans，\"Iacquiesced，withalacrity。
Wewentoutintothesunshine，andcamewherethepotswere。
SuddenlyDollysaid：
\"Gobackandsitdownagain，Mr。Carter。\"
\"Iwantmylunch，\"Iventuredtoobserve。
\"DoasItellyou，\"saidDolly，stampingherfoot；whereat，muchintimidated，Iwentback，andstretchedmyselfoncemoreonthedeckchair。
Dollyapproachedaflowerpot。Shestoopeddown，exertingherstrength，liftedit，andcarriedit，notwithouteffort，acrosstheterrace。
Againshedidthelike。Isatsmokingandwatching。Sheliftedathirdpot，butdroppedithalfway。Then，dustingherhandsagainstoneanother，shecamebackslowlyintotheshadeandsatdown。Imadenoremark。
Dollyglancedatme。
\"Well？\"shesaid。
\"Woman——woman——woman!\"saidIsadly。
\"MustIcarrysomemore？\"askedDolly，inahumble，yetprotesting，tone。
\"Mrs。Hilary，\"Ibegan，\"isanexceedinglyattractive——\"
Dollyrosewithasigh。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"Iasked。
\"Morepots，\"saidDolly，standingoppositeme。\"Imustgoon，yousee。\"
\"Tillwhen，LadyMickleham？\"
\"Tillyoutellthetruth，\"saidDolly，andshesuddenlyburstintoalittlelaugh。
\"Woman——woman——woman!\"saidIagain。\"Let’sgointolunch。\"
\"I’mgoingtocarrythepots，\"saidDolly。\"It’sawfullyhot，Mr。Carter——andlookatmypoorhands!\"
Sheheldthemouttome。
\"Lunch!\"saidI。
\"Pots!\"saidDolly，withinfinitefirmness。
ThewindowofthediningroomopenedandArchieputhisheadout。
\"Comealong，youtwo，\"hecalled。\"Everything’sgettingcold。\"
Dollyturnedanappealingglanceonme。
\"Howobstinateyouare!\"shesaid。\"Youknowperfectlywell——\"
Ibegantowalktowardsthehouse。
\"I’mgoingintolunch，\"saidI。
\"Askthemtokeepsomeforme，\"saidDolly，andsheturnedupthesleevesofhergown，tillherwristswerefree。
\"It’smostunfair，\"saidIindignantly。
\"Idon’tcareifitis，\"saidDolly，stoopingdowntoliftapot。
Iwatchedherstraintoliftit。Shehadchosenthelargestandheaviest；shesigheddelicatelyanddelicatelyshepanted。Shealsolookedatherhands，andheldthemupformetoseethelinesofbrownonthepink。Iputmyhandsinmypocketsandsaidmostsulkily，asIturnedawaytowardsthehouse：
\"Allright。Itwasn’tMrs。Hilarythen。\"
Dollyroseup，seizedmebythearm，andmademeruntothehouse。
\"Mr。Carter，\"shecried，\"wouldstopforthosewretchedpots。
He’smovedallexcepttwo，buthe’sbrokenthree。Isn’thestupid？\"
\"Youareanoldass，Carter，\"saidArchie。
\"Ibelieveyou’reright，Archie，\"saidI。
ONEWAYIN
Ihadaverycuriousdreamtheothernight。Infact，IdreamtthatIwasdead。Ipassedthroughagreenbaizedoorandfoundmyselfinasmallsquareroom。Oppositemewasanotherdoorinscribed\"ElysianFields，\"andinfrontofit，atalargetablewitharaisedledge，satRhadamanthus。AsIenteredIsawagracefulfigurevanishthroughthedooropposite。
\"It’snousetryingtodeceiveme，\"Iobserved。\"ThatwasMrs。
Hilary，Ithink；ifyoudon’tmind，I’lljoinher。\"
\"I’mafraidImusttroubleyoutotakeaseatforafewmoments，Mr。Carter，\"saidRhadamanthus，\"whileIrunoveryourlittleaccount。\"
\"Anyformalitieswhichareusual，\"Imurmuredpolitely，asIsatdown。
Rhadamanthusturnedovertheleavesofalargebook。
\"Carter——SamuelTravers，isn’tit？\"heasked。
\"Yes。Forgoodnesssakedon’tconfusemewithVincentCarter。
Heonlypaidfiveshillingsinthepound。\"
\"Yourcasepresentssomepeculiarfeatures，Mr。Carter，\"saidRhadamanthus。\"IhopeIamnotcensorious，but——well，thatfineatBowstreet？\"
\"Iwasamereboy，\"saidI，withsomewarmth，\"andmysolicitorgrosslymismanagedthecase……\"
\"Well，well!\"saidhesoothingly。\"Buthaven’tyouspentagreatdealoftimeatMonteCarlo？\"
\"Amanmustbesomewhere，\"saidI。
Rhadamanthusscratchedhisnose。
\"Ishouldhavewastedthemoneyanyhow，\"Iadded。
\"Isupposeyouwould，\"heconceded。\"ButwhatofthiscaveatlodgedbytheDowagerLadyMickleham？That’sratherserious，youknow；isn’titnow——jokingapart？\"
\"Iamdisappointed，\"Iremarked，\"tofindamanofyourexperiencepayinganyattentiontosuchanill—naturedoldwoman。\"
\"Wehaveourrules，\"hereplied，\"andI’mafraid，Mr。Carter，thatuntilthatcaveatisremoved——\"
\"Youdon’tmeanthat？\"
\"Really，I’mafraidso。\"
\"ThenImayaswellgoback，\"saidI，takingmyhat。
Atthismomenttherewasaknockatthedoor。
\"AlthoughIcan’tobligeyouwithanorderofadmission，\"saidRhadamanthus，verycivilly，\"perhapsitwouldamuseyoutolistentoacaseortwo。There’snohurry，youknow。You’vegotlotsoftimebeforeyou。\"
\"Itwillbeanextremelyinterestingexperience，\"saidI，sittingdownagain。
Thedooropened，and，asIexpected（Idon’tknowwhy，butithappenslikethatindreams），DollyMicklehamcamein。Shedidnotseemtoseeme。ShebowedtoRhadamanthus，smiled，andtookachairimmediatelyoppositethetable。
\"Mickleham——Dorothea——Countessof——\"shesaid。
\"Formerly，Ithink，DollyFoster？\"askedRhadamanthus。
\"Idon’tseewhatthat’sgottodowithit，\"saidDolly。
\"Theaccountrunson，\"heexplained，andbegantoconsulthisbigbook。Dollyleantbackinherchair，slowlypeelingoffhergloves。Rhadamanthusshutthebookwithabang。
\"It’snottheleastuse，\"hesaiddecisively。\"Itwouldn’tbekindtopretendthatitwas，LadyMickleham。\"
\"Dear，dear，\"saidDolly。\"What’sthematter？\"
\"HalfthewomeninLondonhavepetitionedagainstyou。\"
\"Havethey，really？\"criedDolly，toallappearanceratherdelighted。\"Whatdotheysay，Mr。Rhadamanthus？Isitinthatbook？Letmelook。\"Andsheheldoutherhand。
\"Thebook’stooheavyforyoutohold，\"saidhe。
\"I’llcomeround，\"saidDolly。Soshewentroundandleantoverhisshoulderandreadthebook。
\"What’sthatscentyou’vegoton？\"askedRhadamanthus。
\"Bouquetdudiable，\"saidshe。（Ihadneverheardoftheperfumebefore。）\"Isn’titsweet？\"
\"Ihaven’tsmeltitsinceIwasaboy，\"sighedRhadamanthus。
\"Pooroldthing，\"saidDolly。\"I’mnotgoingtoreadallthis，youknow。\"And，withasomewhatcontemptuoussmile，shewalkedbacktoherchair。\"Theyoughttobeashamedofthemselves，\"sheadded，asshesatdown。\"It’sjustbecauseI’mnotafright。\"
\"Aren’tyouafright？\"askedRhadamanthus。\"Wherearemyspectacles？\"
HeputthemonandlookedatDolly。
\"Imustgoin，youknow，\"saidDolly，smilingatRhadamanthus。
\"Myhusbandhasgonein!\"
\"Ishouldn’thavethoughtyou’dconsiderthatconclusive，\"saidhe，withatouchofsatireinhistone。
\"Don’tbehorrid，\"saidDolly，pouting。
Therewasapause。RhadamanthusexaminedDollythroughhisspectacles。
\"Thisisaverypainfulduty，\"saidhe，atlast。\"Ihavesathereforagreatmanyyears，andIhaveseldomhadamorepainfulduty。\"
\"It’sveryabsurdofyou，\"saidDolly。
\"Ican’thelpit，though，\"saidhe。
\"DoyoureallymeanthatI’mnottogoin？\"
\"Ido，indeed，\"saidRhadamanthus。
Dollyrose。Sheleantherarmsontheraisedledgewhichranalongthetable，andsheleantherchinonherhands。
\"Really？\"shesaid。
\"Really，\"saidhe，lookingtheotherway。
AsuddenchangecameoverDolly’sface。Herdimplesvanished；
hereyesgrewpatheticandbegantoshineratherthantosparkle；
herlipquiveredjustalittle。
\"You’reveryunkind，\"shesaidinanextremelylowtone。\"Ihadnoideayouwouldbesounkind。\"
Rhadamanthusseemedveryuncomfortable。
\"Don’tdothat，\"hesaid，quitesharply，fidgetingwiththeblottingpaper。
Dollybegantomoveslowlyroundthetable。Rhadamanthussatstill。Whenshewasstandingclosebyhim，sheputherhandlightlyonhisarmandsaid：
\"Pleasedo，Mr。Rhadamanthus。\"
\"It’sasmuchasmyplaceisworth，\"hegrumbled。
Dolly’seyesshonestill，butthefaintestlittlesmilebegantoplayabouthermouth。
\"Someday，\"shesaid（withtotalinappropriateness，nowIcometothinkofit，thoughitdidnotstrikemesoatthetime），\"you’llbegladtorememberhavingdoneakindthing。Whenyou’reold——becauseyouarenotreallyoldnow——youwillsay，’I’mgladIdidn’tsendpoorDollyMicklehamawaycrying。’\"
Rhadamanthusutteredaninarticulatesound——halfimpatience，half，Ifancy，somethingelse。
\"Wearenoneofusperfect，Idaresay。IfIaskedyourwife——\"
\"Ihaven’tgotawife，\"saidRhadamanthus。
\"That’swhyyou’resohard—hearted，\"saidDolly。\"Amanwho’sgotawifeisneverhardonotherwomen。\"
Therewasanotherpause。ThenRhadamanthus，lookingstraightattheblottingpaper，said：
\"Oh，well，don’tbotherme。Beoffwithyou；\"andashespoke，thedoorbehindhimopened。
\"Oh，youolddear!\"shecried；and，stoopingswiftly，shekissedRhadamanthus。\"You’rehorriblybristly!\"shelaughed；andthen，beforehecouldmove，sheranthroughthedoor。
Irosefrommyseat，takingmyhatandstickinmyhand。Ifelt，asyoumaysuppose，thatIhadbeentherelongenough。WhenI
movedRhadamanthuslookedup，andwithanattemptatunconsciousnessobserved：
\"Wewillproceedwithyourcasenow，ifyouplease，Mr。Carter。\"
Ilookedhimfullintheface。Rhadamanthusblushed。Ipursuedmywaytowardsthedoor。
\"Stop!\"hesaid，inablusteringtone。\"Youcan’tgothere，youknow。\"
Ismiledsignificantly。
\"Isn’titrathertoolateforthatsortofthing？\"Iasked。\"YouseemtoforgetthatIhavebeenhereforthelastquarterofanhour。\"
\"Ididn’tknowshewasgoingtodoit，\"heprotested。
\"Oh，ofcourse，\"saidI，\"thatwillbeyourstory。Mine，however，Ishalltellinmyownway。\"
Rhadamanthusblushedagain。Evidentlyhefeltthathewasinadelicateposition。Wewerestandingthus，facingoneanother，whenthedoorbegantoopenagain，andDollyputherheadout。
\"Oh，it’syou，isit？\"shesaid。\"IthoughtIheardyourvoice。
ComealongandhelpmetofindArchie。\"
\"ThisgentlemansaysI’mnottocomein，\"saidI。
\"Oh，whatnonsense!Now，youreallymustn’tbesilly，Mr。
Rhadamanthus——orIshallhaveto——Mr。Carter，youweren’tthere，wereyou？\"
\"Iwas——andamoreinterestingpieceofscandalithasseldombeen——\"
\"Hush!Ididn’tdoanything。Now，youknowIdidn’t，Mr。
Carter!\"
\"No，\"saidI，\"youdidn’t。ButRhadamanthus，takingyouunawares——\"
\"Oh，beoffwithyou——bothofyou!\"criedRhadamanthus。
\"That’ssensible，\"saidDolly。\"Becauseyouknow，therereallyisn’tanyharminpoorMr。Carter。
Rhadamanthusvanished。DollyandIwentinside。
\"Isupposeeverythingwillbeverydifferenthere，\"saidDolly，andIthinkshesighed。
WhetheritwereornotIdon’tknow，forjustthenIawoke，andfoundmyselfsayingaloud，inanswertothedreamvoiceandthedreamface（whichhadnotgonealtogetherwiththedream）。
\"Noteverything\"——aspeechthat，Iagree，Ioughtnottohavemade，eventhoughitwereonlyinadream。