TheStranger’svoice：\"Well，now，seein’ezI’vebeenwaitin’foryeoveranhour，offandon，andezmybiznesswithyeistwowords，itstrikesmeyerputtin’onalittletoomuchstyleinthisyerinterview，Mr。JeffersonBriggs。\"
Jeff’svoice（alittlehuskywithrestraint）：\"Whatisyerbusiness？\"
Thestranger’svoice（lazily）：\"It’sanat—tachmentonthisyerpropertyforprincipal，interest，andcosts——onehundredandtwelvedollarsand’seventy—fivecents，atthesuitofCyrusParker。\"
Jeff’svoice（inquicksurprise）：\"Parker？Why，Isawhimonlyyesterday，andheagreedtowaitaspelllonger。\"
TheStranger’svoice：\"Mebbeehedid!Mebbeeheheardafterwardssuthin’aboutthegoin’sonupyar。Mebbeeheheardsuthin’o’
propertybein’convertedintoreadycash——sichpropertyezhorses，guns，andsich!Mebbeeheheardo’gayandfestivedoin’s——chickineveryday，fresheggs，butcher’smeat，portwine，andsich!Mebbeeheallowedthathischanceso’gettin’hisownhonestgrubouterhisdebtwaslookin’mightyslim!Mebbee\"（louder）\"hethoughthe’daskthemanwhoboughtyerhorse，andthemanyoupawnedyourgunto，whatwasgoin’on!Mebbeehethoughthe’dliketogetaholtasuthin’himself，evenifitwasonlysomeofthatyarchickinandportwine!\"
Jeff’svoice（earnestlyandhastily）：\"They’renotforme。Ihaveafamilyboardinghere，withasickdaughter。Youdon’tthink——\"
TheStranger’svoice（lazily）：\"Ireckon!Iseedyouandherpre—
ambulatingdownthehill，lockin’arms。Agooddealo’style，Jeff——fancy!expensive!HowdoesAuntSallytakeit？\"
Aslightshakingofthefloorandwindow——adeadsilence。
TheStranger’svoice（veryfaintly）：\"ForGod’ssake，letmeup!\"
Jeff’svoice（verydistinctly）：\"Anotherword!raiseyourvoiceaboveawhisper，andbythelivingG——\"
Silence。
TheStranger’svoice（gasping）：\"I——I——promise!\"
Jeff’svoice（lowanddesperate）：\"Getupoutofthat!Sitdownthar!Nowhearme!I’mnotresistingyourprocess。Ifyouhadallh—llaswitnessesyoudaren’tsaythat。I’veshutupyourfouljaw，andkeptitfrompoisoningtheair，andthar’snolawinCalifornyaginit!Nowlisten。What!Youwill，willyou？\"
Everythingquiet；abirdtwitteringonthewindowledge，nothingmore。
TheStranger’svoice（veryhuskily）：\"Icave!Gimmesomewhiskey。\"
Jeff’svoice：\"Whenwe’rethrough。Nowlisten!Youcantakepossessionofthehouse；youcanstandbehindthebarandtakeeverycentthatcomesin；youcanpreventanythinggoingout；butaslongasMr。Mayfieldandhisfamilystayhere，bythelivingGod——lawornolaw——I’llbebosshere，andtheyshallneverknowit!\"
TheStranger’svoice（weaklyandsubmissively）：\"Thatsoundssquare。
Anythin’notaginthelawandinreason，Jeff!\"
Jeff’svoice：\"Imeantobesquare。HereisallthemoneyIhave，tendollars。Takeitforanyextratroubleyoumayhavetosatisfyme。\"
Apause——theclinkingofcoin。
TheStranger’svoice（deprecatingly）：\"Well!Ireckonthatwouldbeaboutfair。Considerthetrouble\"（aweaklaughhere）\"justnow。
’Tain’teverymanezhezyourgrip。He!he!Efyehadn’ttookmesosuddentlike——he!he!——well!——howaboutthatarwhiskey？\"
Jeff’svoice（coolly）：\"I’llbringit。\"
Steps，silence，coughing，spitting，andthroat—clearingfromthestranger。
Stepsagain，andtheclickofglass。
TheStranger’svoice（submissively）：\"IncourseImustgobacktotheForksandfetchupmyduds。YeknowwhatImean!Tharnow——don’t，Mr。Jeff!\"
Jeff’svoice（sternly）：\"IfIfindyougobackonme——\"
TheStranger’svoice（hurriedly）：\"Thar’smyhandonit。YecancountonJimDodd。\"
Stepsagain。Silence。Abirdlightsonthewindowledge，andpeersintotheroom。Allisatrest。
Jeffandthedeputy—sheriffwalkedthroughthebar—roomandoutontheporch。MissMayfieldinanarm—chairlookedupfromherbook。
\"I’vewrittenalettertomyfatherthatI’dliketohavemailedattheForksthisafternoon，\"shesaid，lookingfromJefftothestranger；\"perhapsthisgentlemanwillobligemebytakingit，ifhe’sgoingthatway。\"
\"I’lltakeit，miss，\"saidJeffhurriedly。
\"No，\"saidMissMayfieldarchly，\"I’vetakenuptoomuchofyourtimealready。\"
\"I’matyourservice，miss，\"saidthestranger，considerablyaffectedbythespectacleofthisprettygirl，whocertainlyatthatmoment，inherbrighteyesandslightlypinkcheeks，beliedthesuggestionofillhealth。
\"Thankyou。Dearme!\"Shewasrummaginginareticuleandinherpocket，etc。\"Oh，Mr。Jeff!\"
\"Yes，miss？\"
\"I’msofrightened!\"
\"How，miss？\"
\"Ihave——yes!——Ihaveleftthatletteronthestumpinthewoods，whereIwassittingwhenyoucame。Wouldyou——\"
Jeffdartedintothehouse，seizedhishat，andstopped。Hewasthinkingofthestranger。
\"Couldyoubesokind？\"
Jefflookedinheragitatedface，castameaningglanceatthestranger，andwasofflikeashot。
ThefiredroppedoutofMissMayfield’seyesandcheeks。Sheturnedtowardthestranger。
\"Pleasestepthisway。\"
Shealwayshatedherownchildishtreble。Butjustatthatmomentshethoughtshehadputforceanddignityintoit，andwascorrespondinglysatisfied。Thedeputysheriffwasequallypleased，andcametowardstheuprightlittlefigurewithopenadmiration。
\"YournameisDodd——JamesDodd？\"
\"Yes，miss。\"
\"Youarethedeputysheriffofthecounty？Don’tlookround——thereisnoonehere!\"
\"Well，miss——ifyousayso——yes!\"
\"Myfather——Mr。Mayfield——understoodso。Iregretheisnothere。
IregretstillmoreIcouldnothaveseenyoubeforeyousawMr。
Briggs，ashewishedmeto。\"
\"Yes，miss。\"
\"MyfatherisafriendofMr。Briggs，andknowssomethingofhisaffairs。TherewasadebttoaMr。Parker\"（hereMissMayfieldapparentlyconsultedanentryinhertablets）\"ofonehundredandtwelvedollarsandseventy—fivecents——amIright？\"
Thedeputy，withgreatrespect：\"Thatisthefiggers。\"
\"WhichhewishedtopaywithouttheknowledgeofMr。Briggs，whowouldnothaveconsentedtoit。\"
Theofficialopenedhiseyes。\"Yes，miss。\"
\"Well，asMr。MayfieldisNOThere，Iamheretopayitforhim。
YoucantakeacheckonWells，Fargo&Co。，Isuppose？\"
\"Certainly，miss。\"
Shetookacheck—bookandpenandinkfromherreticule，andfilledupacheck。Shehandedittohim，andthepenandink。\"Youaretogivemeareceipt。\"
Thedeputylookedatthematter—of—factlittlefigure，andsignedandhandedoverthereceiptedbill。
\"MyfathersaidMr。Briggswasnottoknowthis。\"
\"Certainlynot，miss。\"
\"ItwasMr。Briggs’sintentiontoletthejudgmenttakeitscourse，andgiveupthehouse。Youareamanofbusiness，Mr。Dodd，andknowthatthisisridiculous!\"
Thedeputylaughed。\"Incourse，miss。\"
\"AndwhateverMr。Briggsmayhaveproposedtoyoutodo，whenyougobacktotheForks，youaretowritehimaletter，andsaythatyouwillsimplyholdthejudgmentwithoutlevy。\"
\"Allright，miss，\"saidthedeputy，notill—pleasedtoholdhimselfinthissuperiorattitudetoJeff。
\"And——\"
\"Yes，miss？\"
Shelookedsteadilyathim。\"Mr。Briggstoldmyfatherthathewouldpayyoutendollarsfortheprivilegeofstayinghere。\"
\"Yes，miss。\"
\"And，ofcourse，THAT’Snotnecessarynow。\"
\"No—o，miss。\"
Averysmallwhitehand——amerechild’shand——washereextended，palmuppermost。
Theofficial，demoralizedcompletely，lookedatitamoment，thenwentintohispocketsandcountedoutintothepalmthecoinsgivenbyJeff；theycompletelyfilledthetinyreceptacle。
MissMayfieldcountedthemoneygravely，andplaceditinherportemonnaiewithasnap。
Certainqualitiesaffectcertainnatures。Thispracticalbusinessactofthediminutivebeautybeforehim——albeithewasjusttendollarsoutofpocketbyit——strucktheofficialintohelplessadmiration。Hehesitated。
\"That’sall，\"saidMissMayfieldcoolly；\"youneednotwait。TheletterwasonlyanexcusetogetMr。Briggsoutoftheway。\"
\"Iunderstandye，miss。\"Hehesitatedstill。\"Doyoureckontostopinthesepartslong？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"’CauseyeoughttocomedownsomedaytotheForks。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Goodmorning，miss。\"
\"Goodmorning。\"
Yetatthecornerofthehousetherascalturnedandlookedbackatthelittlefigureinthesunlight。Hehadjustbeenphysicallyovercomebyayoungerman——hehadlosttendollars——hehadawifeandthreechildren。Heforgotallthis。HehadbeencaptivatedbyMissMayfield!
Thatpracticalheroinesattherefiveminutes。AttheendofthattimeJeffcameboundingdownthehill，hiscurlsdampwithperspiration；hisfresh，honestfacethepictureofwoe，HERwoe，forthelettercouldnotbefound!
\"Nevermind，Mr。Jeff。Iwroteanotherandgaveittohim。\"
Twotearswerestandingonhercheeks。Jeffturnedwhite。
\"GoodGod，miss!\"
\"It’snothing。Youwereright，Mr。Jeff!Ioughtnottohavewalkeddownherealone。I’mvery，verytired，and——so——somiserable。\"
Whatwomancouldwithstandtheanguishofthathonestboyishface？
IfearMissMayfieldcould，forshelookedathimoverherhandkerchief，andsaid：\"Perhapsyouhadsomethingtosaytoyourfriend，andI’vesenthimoff。\"
\"Nothing，\"saidJeffhurriedly；andshesawthatallhisothertroubleshadvanishedatthesightofherweakness。Sherosetremblinglyfromherseat。\"IthinkIwillgoinnow，butIthink——
Ithink——Imustaskyouto——to——carryme!\"
Oh，lameandimpotentconclusion!
Thenextmoment，Jeff，pale，strong，passionate，buttenderasamother，liftedherinhisarmsandbroughtherintothesitting—
room。AsimultaneousejaculationbrokefromAuntSallyandMrs。
Mayfield——thepossiblecommentofposterityonthewholeepisode。
\"Well，Jeff，Ireckonedyou’dbeuptosuthin’likethat!\"
\"Well，Jessie!Iknewyoucouldn’tbetrusted。\"
Mr。JamesDodddidnotreturnfromtheForksthatafternoon，toJeff’svagueuneasiness。Towardseveningamessengerbroughtanotefromhim，writtenonthebackofaprintedlegalform，tothiseffect：
DEARSIR——SeeingasyouIntendtoactontheSquareinregardtothatlittleMaterIhavearangedThingssothatIantgottostopwithyoubutI’lldropinonctinawiletokeepupashowforaDrink——respyyours，J。DODD。
InthislattersuggestionourlegalCerberusexhibitedallthreeofhisheadsatonce。OnecouldkeepfaithwithMissMayfield，onecouldseeher\"onctinawile，\"andonecoulddrinkatJeff’sexpense。InnocentJeffsawonlygenerosityandkindnessinthemanhehadhalf—choked，andasenseofremorseandshamealmostoutweighedthereliefofhisabsence。\"Hemighthevbeenugly，\"
saidJeff。Hedidnotknowhow，inthisselfishworld，thereisverylittleroomforgratuitous，activeugliness。
MissMayfielddidnotleaveherroomthatafternoon。Thewindwasgettingup，anditwasgrowingdarkwhenJeff，idlysittingonhisporch，hopingforherappearance，wasquiteastoundedattheapparitionofYubaBillasapedestrian，dustyandthirsty，makingforhisusualrefreshment。Jeffbroughtoutthebottle，butcouldnotrefrainfrommixinghisverbalastonishmentwiththeconventionalcocktail。Bill，partakingofhisliquorandbecomingoncemoreaspeakinganimal，slowlydrewoffhisheavy，baggydrivinggloves。NoonehadeverseenBillwithoutthem——hewascurrentlybelievedtosleepinthem——andwhenhelaidthemonthecountertheystillretainedthegripofhishand，whichgavethemanentertaininglikenesstotwoplethoricandoverfedspiders。
\"EfIconcludedtopassovermylinestoafriendandtakeapasearupyerthisevening，\"saidBill，eyingJeffsharply，\"Idon’tknowezthar’sanylawaginit!Onlessyerkeepin’aprivatebrancho’
theOccidentalHo—tel，andon’ytakeinfash’n’blefammerlies!\"
Jeff，witharisingcolor，protestedagainstsuchasupposition。
\"BecauseefyeARE，\"saidBill，liftinghisvoice，andcrushingoneoftheovergrownspiderswithhisfist，\"I’vegotawordortwotosaytothesonofJoeBriggsofTuolumne。Yes，sir!JoeBriggs——
yerfather——ezblewhisbrainsoutforwantofamanezcouldstandupandsayawordtohimattherighttime。\"
\"Bill，\"saidJeff，inalow，resolutetone——thattoneyieldeduponlyfromthesmittenchordsofdespairanddesperation——\"thar’sasickwomaninthehouse。I’lllistentoanythingyou’vegottosayifyou’llsayitquietly。ButyoumustandSHALLspeaklow。\"
Realmenquicklyrecognizerealmentheworldover；itisonlyyourshamswhofenceandspar。Bill，takinginthevoiceofthespeakermorethanhiswords，droppedhisown。
\"IsaidIhadakeppleofwordstosaytoye。Tharisn’tanytimeinthelastfowermonths——eversinceyetookstockinthisoldshanty，forthemattero’that——thatIcouldn’thevsaidthemtoye。I’veknowedallyourdoin’s。I’veknowedallyourdebts，’spesh’lythatyeowethatsneakin’houndParker；andtharisn’tatimethatIcouldn’tandwouldn’thevchippedinandpaid’emforye——foryourfather’ssake——efI’dallowedittobethesquarethingforye。ButIknowye，Jeff。Iknowwhat’sinyourBLOOD。
Iknewyourfather——allusdreamin’，hopin，’waitin’；IknowYOU，Jeff，dreamin’，hopin’，waitin’tilltheend。AndIstoodby，givin’youafreerein，andletitcome!\"
Jeffburiedhisfaceinhishands。
\"Itain’tyourblame——it’sblood!Itain’taweekagoezthekimpanypassesmeoverahoss。’Three—quartersMorgan，’sezthey。
SezI：’Wot’stheotherquarter？’Sezthey：’AMexicanhalf—
breed。’Well，shewasafairsortofhoss。Comin’downHeavytreeHilllasttrip，wemeetsadroveo’Spanishsteers。Incourseshegoeswilddirectly。Blood!\"
Billraisedhisglass，softlyswirleditscontentsroundandround，tastedit，andsetitdown。
\"Thekeppleo’wordsIhadtosaytoyewasthis：Gitupandgit!\"
SomethinglikethishadpassedthroughJeff’smindthedaybeforetheMayfieldscame。Somethinglikeithadhauntedhimonceortwicesince。Heturnedquicklyuponthespeaker。
\"Ezhow？yousez，\"saidBill，catchingatthehook。\"Idrivesupyersomenight，andyouseztome，’Bill，hevyougottwoseatsovertotheDivideformeandaunty——outonapasear。’AndIsez，’Ihappentohevoneinsideandoneontheboxwithme。’Andyouhandsoutyertrapsandanyvallyblesyedon’twantterleave，andyouputsyourauntinside，andgetsupontheboxwithme。Andyouseztome，ezmantoman，’Bill，’sezyou，’mightyouhevakeppleo’hundreddollarsaboutyethatyecouldlendamanezwasleavingthecounty，deadbroke？’andIsez，’I’vegotit，andIknowofanop’nin’forsuchamaninthenextcounty。’AndyoustepsintoTHATop’nin’，andyourcreditors——’spesh’lyParker——slipsintoTHIS，andinaweektheyofferstosettlewithyetencentsonthedollar。\"
Jeffstarted，flushed，trembled，recoveredhimself，andafteramomentsaid，doggedly：\"Ican’tdoit，Bill；Icouldn’t。\"
\"Incourse，\"saidBill，puttinghishandsslowlyintohispockets，andstretchinghislegsout——\"incourseyecan’tbecauseofawoman!\"
Jeffturneduponhimlikeahuntedbear。Bothmenrose，butBillalreadyhadhishandonJeff’sshoulder。
\"Ireckonedaminuteagotherewasasickgalinthehouse!Who’sgoingtomakearownow!Who’sgoingtostampandtearround，eh？\"
Jeffsankbackonhischair。
\"Isaidtharwasawoman，\"continuedBill；\"tharallusisone!Letamanbehell—bentorheaven—bent，somewhereinhistrackisawoman’sfeet。Idon’tsayanythin’aginthisgal，ezagal。Thebestof’em，Jeff，isonlyguide—poststop’intafellowonhisrightroad，andonlyafooloradrunkenmanholdsonto’emorleansaginem。Allowin’thisgalisallyouthinksheis，howfarisyourguide—postgoin’withye，eh？Isshegoin’toleaveherfatherandmotherforye？Isshegoin’togiveupherselfandhereasywaysandhersicknessesforye？Isshewillin’totakeyeforaperpetooallandlordtherestofherlife？Andifsheis，Jeff，areyethemantolether？Areyewillin’torunonhererrants，tofetchherdinnersezyedo？Tharezmenezdoesit；notyerinCaliforny，butoverintheStatesthar’sfellowsiswillingtotakethatsituation。I’veheard，\"continuedBill，inalow，mysteriousvoice，asofonedescribingthehabitsoftheAnthropophagi——\"I’veheardo’fellowsezcallthemselvesmen，sellin’ofthemselvestorichwomeninthatway。I’veheardo’richgalsbuyin’ofmenfortheirshape；sometimes——butthet’sinfurrin’kintries——fortheirpedigree!I’veheardo’fellowsbein’inthatbusiness，andcallin’themselvesmeninsteado’hosses!Yeain’tthatkindo’
man，Jeff。’Tain’tinyerblood。Yerfatherwasafoolaboutwomen，andincoursetheyruinedhim，astheyallusdothebestmen。It’son’ythefoolsandsneaksezawomanevermakesanythin’
outof。Whenyehearofamanawomanhezmade，yehearsofanincompoop。Andwhentheydoesproduce’eminthewayo’nater，theyain’tresponsiblefor’em，andsezthey’retheimageo’theirfathers!Yeain’tamanezisgoin’totrustyerfatetoawoman!\"
\"No，\"saidJeffdarkly。
\"Ireckonednot，\"saidBill，puttinghishandsinhispocketsagain。\"Yemightifyewasoneo’themkindo’fellowsaskemupfrom’FriscowithhertoSacramento。Oneo’themkindo’fellowsezcouldslingpoetryandFrenchandLatintoher——oneofHERkind——
butyeain’t!No，sir!\"
UnwiseWilliamofYuba!InanyotherbreastbutJeff’sthatrandomshotwouldhaveawakenedtheirregularauxiliaryoflove——jealousy!
ButJeff，beingatonceproudandhumble，hadneithervanitynorconceit，withoutwhichjealousyisimpossible。Yethewincedalittle，forhehadfeeling，andthensaidearnestly：
\"Doyouthinkthatopeningyouspokeofwouldholdforadayortwolonger？\"
\"Ireckon。\"
\"Well，then，IthinkIcansettleupmattersheremyownway，andgowithyou，Bill。\"
Hehadrisen，andyethesitatinglykepthishandonthebackofhischair。\"Bill!\"
\"Jeff!\"
\"Iwanttoaskyouaquestion；speakup，anddon’tmindme，butsaythetruth。\"
OurcraftyUlysses，believingthathewasabouttobeentrapped，ensconcedhimselfinhispockets，cockedoneeye，andsaid：\"Goon，Jeff。\"
\"WasmyfatherVERYbad？\"
Billtookhishandsfromhispockets。\"Tharisn’tamanezcrawlsabovehisgraveezisworthytolieinthesamegroundwithhim!\"
\"Thankyou，Bill。Goodnight；I’mgoingtoturnin!\"
\"Lookyar，boy!G—dd——nitall，Jeff!whatdoyemean？\"
Thereweretwotears——twinsistersofthoseinhissweetheart’seyesthatafternoon——nowstandinginJeff’s!
Billcaughtbothhishandsinhisown。HadtheybeenoftheLatinracetheywouldhave，righthonestly，takeneachotherintheirarms，andperhapskissed!BeingAnglo—Saxons，theygrippedeachother’shandshard，andone，asabovestated，swore!
WhenJeffascendedtohisroomthatnighthewentdirectlytohistrunkandtookoutMissMayfield’sslipper。Alack!duringthedayAuntSallyhad\"putthingstorights\"inhisroom，andthetrunkhadbeenmoved。Thishadsomewhatdisordereditscontents，andMissMayfield’sslippercontainedadozenshotfromabrokenEley’scartridge，afewquininepills，fourpostagestamps，partofacoralearringwhichJeff——onthemostapocryphalauthority——fondlybelievedbelongedtohismother，whomhehadneverseen，andasmallsilverschoolmedalwhichJeffhadoncereceivedfor\"goodconduct，\"muchtohisownsurprise，butwhichhestillreligiouslykeptasevidenceofformerconventionalcharacter。Hecoloredalittle，rubbedthemedalandearringruefullyonhissleeve，replacedtheminhistrunk，andthenhastilyemptiedtherestoftheslipper’scontentsonthefloor。Thisdone，hedrewoffhisboots，and，glidingnoiselesslydownthestair，hungtheslipperontheknobofMissMayfield’sdoor，andglidedbackagainwithoutdetection。
Rollinghimselfinhisblankets，helaydownonhisbed。Butnottosleep!Staringlywideawake，heatlastfeltthelullingofthewindthatnightlyshookhiscasement，andlistenedwhilethegreat，rambling，creaking，disjointed\"Half—wayHouse\"slowlysettleditselftorepose。Hethoughtofmanythings；ofhimself，ofhispast，ofhisfuture，butchiefly，Ifear，ofthepaleproudfacenowsleepingcontentedlyinthechamberbelowhim。Hetossedwithmanyplansandprojects，moreorlessimpracticable，andthenbegantodoze。Whereatthemoon，creepinginthewindow，laidacoldwhitearmacrosshim，andeventuallydriedafewfoolishtearsuponhissleepinglashes。
IV。
AuntSallywasmakingpiesinthekitchenthenextmorningwhenJeffhesitatinglystoleuponher。Themomentwasnotafelicitousone。Pie—makingwasusuallyanaggressivepursuitwithAuntSally，enteredintoseverely，andprosecuteduntothebitterend。AfterwatchingherafewmomentsJeffcameupandplacedhisarmstenderlyaroundher。Peopleverymuchinlovefindrelief，Iamtold，inthisvicariousexpression。
\"Aunty。\"
\"Well，Jeff!Thar，now——yergittin’alldough!\"Nevertheless，thehardfacerelaxedalittle。Somethingofasmilestoleroundhermouth，showingwhatshemighthavebeenbeforetheologyandbittershadsuppliedthenaturalfemininelongings。
\"Auntydear!\"
\"You——boy!\"
ItWASaboy’sface——albeitbeardedlikethepard，withanextrafiercenessinthemustaches——thatlookeduponhers。Shecouldnothelpbestowingagrimflourykissuponit。
\"Well，whatisitnow？\"
\"I’mthinking，aunty，it’shightimeyouandmepackedupourtrapsand’shook’thisyarshanty，andlocatedsomewhereelse。\"Jeff’svoicewasostentatiouslycheerful，buthiseyeswerealittleanxious。
\"WhatforNOW？\"
Jeffhastilyrecountedhisillluck，andthevariousreasons——
exceptingofcoursethedominantone——forhisresolution。
\"Andwhendoyoukalkilatetogo？\"
\"Ifyou’lllookarterthingshere，\"hesitatedJeff，\"IreckonI’llgoupalongwithBillto—morrow，andlookroundabit。\"
\"Andhowlongdoyoureckonthatgalwouldstayhereafteryargone？\"
ThiswasanewandstartlingideatoJeff。Butinhishumilityhesawnothinginittoflatterhisconceit。Ratherthereverse。Hecolored，andthensaidapologetically，——
\"IthoughtthatyouandJinnycouldgetalongwithoutme。ThebutcherwillpacktheprovisionsoverfromtheFork。\"
Layingdownherrolling—pin，AuntSallyturneduponJeffwithostentatiousdeliberation。\"Yeain’t，\"shebeganslowly，\"eztakingamanwithwimmenezyourfatherwas——that’safact，JeffBriggs!Theyusedtosaythatnowomanashewentforcouldgetawayfromhim。Butyedon’tmeantosayyerthinkyernotgoodenough——suchasyeare——forthissnipofanoldmaid，ezbigasagolddollar，andasyaller？\"
\"Aunty，\"saidJeff，droppinghisboyishmanner，andhiscolorassuddenly，\"I’dratheryewouldn’ttalkthatwayofMissMayfield。
Yedon’tknowher；andthere’stimes，\"headded，withasigh，\"ezI
reckonyedon’tquiteknowMEeither。Thatyounglady，bein’sick，likestobelookedafter。Anyonecandothatforher。Shedon’tmindwhoitis。Shedon’tcareformeexceptforthat，and，\"addedJeffhumbly，\"it’squitenatural。\"
\"Ididn’tsayshedid，\"returnedAuntSallyviciously；\"butseeingezyou’vegotanemptyhouseyeronyerhands，andmea—slavin’
hereonjistnothin’，ifthisgal，forthesakeo’gallivantin’
withyeforaspell，choosestostayhereandkeepherfamilyhere，andpayhighforit，Idon’tseewhyitain’tyerdutytoProvidenceandmetotakeadvantageofit。\"
Jeffraisedhiseyestohisaunt’sface。Forthefirsttimeitstruckhimthatshemightbehisfather’ssisterandyethavenobloodinherveinsthatansweredtohis。Therearefewshocksmorestartlingandoverpoweringtooriginalnaturesthanthissuddensenseofloneliness。Jeffcouldnotspeak，butremainedlookingfiercelyather。
AuntSallymisinterpretedhissilence，andreturnedtoherworkonthepies。\"Thegalain’tnofool，\"shecontinued，rollingoutthecrustasifshewerelayingdownbroadpropositions。\"SHEreckonsonittoo，ezifitwaschargedinthebillwiththeboardandlodging。Why，didn’tshesaytome，lastnight，thatshekalkilatedaforeshewentawaytobringupsomefriendsfrom’Friscoforafewdays’visit？anddidn’tshesay，inthatpipin’，affectedvoiceo’hers，’Ioughtermakesomereturnforyerkindnessandyernephew’skindness，AuntSally，byshowingpeoplethatcanhelpyou，andkeepyourhousefull，howpleasantitisuphere。’Sheain’tnofool，withallherfaintin’sanddyin’saway!
No，JeffBriggs。Andifshewantstoshowyeoffaginthemcityfellowsezsheknows，andyeain’tgotspunkenoughtostandupandshowoffwithher——why\"——sheturnedherheadimpatiently，buthewasgone。
IfJeffhadeverwaveredinhisresolutionhewouldhavebeensteadyenoughNOW。Buthehadneverwavered；theconvictionsandresolutionsofsuddenlyawakenedcharacterareseldommovedbyexpediency。Hewaseagertotastethebitterdregsofhiscupatonce。Hebegantopackhistrunk，andmakehispreparationsfordeparture。WithoutavoidingMissMayfieldinthisnewexcitement，henolongerfelttheneedofherpresence。Hehadsatisfiedhisfeverishanxietiesbyplacinghistrunkinthehallbesidehisopendoor，andwassittingonhisbed，wrestlingwithafadedandovertaskedcarpet—bagthatwouldnotcloseandaccepthishardconditions，whenasmallvoicefromthestaircasethrilledhim。Hewalkedtothecorridor，and，lookingdown，beheldMissMayfieldmidwayonthestepsofthestaircase。
Shehadneverlookedsobeautifulbefore!Jeffhadonlyseenherinthosesoftenwrappingsandhalf—deshabillethatbelongtoinvalidfemininity。Alwaysrefinedandmodestthus，inherpresentwalking—costumetherewasaddedaslighttouchofcoquettishadornment。Therewasabrightnessofcolorinhercheekandeye，partlytheresultofclimbingthestaircase，partlytheresultofthataudaciousimpulsethathadledher——amodestvirgin——toseekagentlemaninthispersonalfashion。Modestyinayounggirlhasacomfortablesatisfyingcharm，recognizedeasilybyallhumanity；
buthemustbeasorryknaveoraworseprigwhoisnotdeliciouslythrilledwhenModestyputshercharminglittlefootjustoverthethresholdofPropriety。
\"ThemountainwouldnotcometoMohammed，soMohammedmustcometothemountain，\"saidMissMayfield。\"Motherisasleep，AuntSallyisatworkinthekitchen，andhereamI，alreadydressedforarambleinthisbrightafternoonsunshine，andnoonetogowithme。
But，perhaps，you，too，arebusy？\"
\"No，miss。Iwillbewithyouinamoment。\"
IwishIcouldsaythathewentbacktocalmhispulses，whichthedangerousmusicofMissMayfield’svoicehadsettothrobbing，byafewmoments’calmanddispassionatereflection。Butheonlyreturnedtobrushhiscurlsoutofhiseyesandears，andtobuttonoverhisblueflannelshirtawhitelinencollar，whichhethoughtmightbetterharmonizewithMissMayfield’sattire。
Shewassittingonthestaircase，pokingherparasolthroughthebalusters。\"Youneednothavetakenthattrouble，Mr。Jeff，\"shesaidpleasantly。\"YOUareapartofthismountainpictureatalltimes；butIamobligedtothinkofdress。\"
\"Itwasnotrouble，miss。\"
Somethinginthetoneofhisvoicemadeherlookinhisfaceassherose。Itwasatriflepaler，andalittleolder。Theresult，doubtless，thoughtMissMayfield，ofhisyesterday’sexperiencewiththedeputy—sheriff。
Suchwasherrapiddeduction。Nevertheless，afterthefashionofhersex，sheimmediatelybegantoarguefromquiteanotherhypothesis。
\"Youareangrywithme，Mr。Jeff。\"
\"What，I——MissMayfield？\"
\"Yes，you!\"
\"MissMayfield!\"
\"Ohyes，youare。Don’tdenyit？\"
\"Uponmysoul——\"
\"Yes!Yougivemepunishmentsand——penances!\"
Jeffopenedhisblueeyesonhistormentor。CouldAuntSallyhavebeensayinganything？
\"Ifanybody，MissMayfield——\"hebegan。
\"Nobodybutyou。Lookhere!\"
Sheextendedherlittlehandwithasmile。InthecentreofherpalmlayfourshiningdoubleBSHOT。
\"There!Ifoundthoseinmyslipperthismorning!\"Jeffwasspeechless。
\"OfcourseYOUdidit!OfcourseitwasYOUwhofoundmyslipper!\"
saidMissMayfield，laughing。\"Butwhydidyouputshotinit，Mr。
Jeff？InsomeCatholiccountries，whenpeoplehavedonewrong，thepriestsmakethemdopenancebywalkingwithpeasintheirshoes!
WhathaveIeverdonetoyou？AndwhySHOT？They’reeversomuchharderthanpeas。\"
Seeingonlythemischievous，laughingfacebeforehim，andtheopenpalmcontainingthedamningevidenceofthebrokenEley’scartridge，Jeffstammeredoutthetruth。
\"Ifoundtheslipperinthebear—skin，MissMayfield。Iputitinmytrunktokeep，thinkingyerwouldn’tmissit，andit’sbeingakindofremembranceafteryou’regoneaway——of——ofthenightyoucamehere。Somebodymovedthetrunkinmyroom，\"andhehunghisheadhere。\"Thethingsinsideallgotmixedup。\"
\"Andthatmadeyouchangeyourmindaboutkeepingit？\"saidMissMayfield，stillsmiling。
\"No，miss。\"
\"Whatwasit，then？\"
\"Igaveitbacktoyou，MissMayfield，becauseIwasgoingaway。\"
\"Indeed!Where？\"
\"I’mgoingtofindanotherlocation。Maybeyou’venoticed，\"hecontinued，fallingbackintohisoldapologeticmannerinspiteofhisprideofresolution——\"maybeyou’venoticedthatthisplaceherehasnoadvantagesforahotel。\"
\"Ihadnot，indeed。Ihavebeenverycomfortable。\"
\"Thankyou，miss。\"
\"Whendoyougo？\"
\"To—night。\"
Forallhisprideandfixedpurposehecouldnothelplookingeagerlyinherface。MissMayfield’seyesmethispleasantlyandquietly。
\"I’msorrytopartwithyousosoon，\"shesaid，asshesteppedbackapaceortwowithfoldedhands。\"Ofcourseeverymomentofyourtimenowisoccupied。Youmustnotthinkofwastingitonme。\"
ButJeffhadrecoveredhissadcomposure。\"I’dliketogowithyou，MissMayfield。It’sthelasttime，youknow，\"headdedsimply。
MissMayfielddidnotreply。Itwasatacitassent，however，althoughshemovedsomewhatstifflyathissideastheywalkedtowardsthedoor。QuiteconvincedthatJeff’sresolutioncamefromhispecuniarytroubles，MissMayfieldwaswonderingifshehadnotbetterassurehimofhissecurityfromfurtherannoyancefromDodd。
Wonderfulcomplexityoffemaleintellect!shewasalittlehurtathisingratitudetoherforakindnesshecouldnotpossiblyhaveknown。MissMayfieldfeltthatinsomewayshewasunjustlytreated。Howmanyofourmiserablesex，incapableofdivination，havebeencrushedunderthatunreasonablefemininereproof，\"Yououghttohaveknown!\"
Theafternoonsunwasindeedshiningbrightlyastheysteppedoutbeforethebleakangleofthe\"Half—wayHouse\"；butitfailedtomitigatethehabituallypracticalausterityofthemountainbreeze——
afactwhichMissMayfieldhadneverbeforenoticed。Thehousewascertainlybleakandexposed；thesitebynomeansapoeticalone。Shewonderedifshehadnotputaromanceintoit，andperhapsevenintothemanbesideher，whichdidnotbelongtoeither。Itwasamomentofdangerousdoubt。
\"Idon’tknowbutthatyou’reright，Mr。Jeff，\"shesaidfinally，astheyfacedthehill，andbegantheascenttogether。\"Thisplaceisalittlequeer，andbleak，and——unattractive。\"
\"Yes，miss，\"saidJeff，withdirectsimplicity，\"I’vealwayswonderedwhatyousawinittomakeyoucontenttostay，whenitwouldbesomuchprettier，andmoresuitableforyouatthe’Summit。’\"
MissMayfieldbitherlip，andwassilent。Afterafewmoments’
climbingshesaid，almostpettishly，\"Whereisthisfamous’Summit’？\"
Jeffstopped。Theyhadreachedthetopofthehill。Hepointedacrossanolive—greenchasmtoahigherlevel，where，baskinginthedecliningsun，clusteredthelongramblingoutbuildingsaroundthewhiteblinkingfacadeofthe\"SummitHouse。\"Framedinpinesandhemlocks，tenderwithsoftgrayshadows，andnestlingbeyondaforegroundofcultivatedslope，itwasacharmingrusticpicture。
MissMayfield’squickeyetookinitsdetails。Herquickintellecttookinsomethingelse。Shehadseatedherselfontheroad—bank，and，claspingherkneesbetweenherlockedfingers，shesuddenlylookedupatJeff。\"Whatpossessedyoutocomehalf—wayupamountain，insteadofgoingontothetop？\"
\"Poverty，miss!\"
MissMayfieldflushedalittleatthispracticaldirectanswertoherhalf—figurativequestion。However，shebegantothinkthatmoralAlpine—climbingyouthmighthavepecuniaryrestrictionsintheirhighambitions，andthattheheroof\"Excelsior\"mighthavesuccumbedtomorepowerfuloppositionthanthewisdomofAgeortheblandishmentsofBeauty。
\"Youmeanthatpovertyupthereismoreexpensive？\"
\"Yes，miss。\"
\"Butyouwouldliketolivethere？\"
\"Yes。\"
Theywerebothsilent。MissMayfieldglancedatJeffunderthecornersofherlashes。Hewasleaningagainstatree，absorbedinthought。Accustomedtolookuponhimasapleasingpicturesqueobject，quitefresh，original，andcharacteristic，shewassomewhatdisturbedtofindthatto—dayhepresentedcertainotherqualitieswhichclearlydidnotagreewithherpreconceivedideasofhiscondition。Hehadabandonedhisusuallargetop—bootsforlowshoes，andshecouldnothelpnoticingthathisfeetweresmallandslenderaswerehishands，albeitbrownedbyexposure。Hisruddycolorwasgonetoo，andhisface，palewithsorrowandexperience，hadanewexpression。Hisbuttoned—upcoatandwhitecollar，sounlikehisusualself，alsohaditssuggestions——whichMissMayfieldwasatfirstinclinedtoresent。Womenarequicktonoticeandaugurmoreorlesswiselyfromthesesmalldetails。
Nevertheless，shebeganinquiteanothertone。
\"Doyourememberyourmother——MR。——MR。——BRIGGS？\"
Jeffnoticedthenewepithet。\"No，miss；shediedwhenIwasquiteyoung。\"
\"Yourfather，then？\"
Jeff’seyekindledalittle，aggressively。\"IrememberHIM。\"
\"Whatwashe？\"
\"MissMayfield!\"
\"Whatwashisbusinessorprofession？\"
\"He——hadn’t——any!\"
\"Oh，Isee——agentlemanofproperty。\"
Jeffhesitated，lookedatMissMayfieldhurriedly，colored，anddidnotreply。
\"Andlosthisproperty，Mr。Briggs？\"Withoneofthoserareimpulsesofanovertaskedgentlenature，Jeffturneduponheralmostsavagely。\"Myfatherwasagambler，andshothimselfatagamblingtable。\"
MissMayfieldrosehurriedly。\"I——Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Jeff。\"
Jeffwassilent。
\"Youknow——youMUSTknow——Ididnotmean——\"
Noreply。
\"Mr。Jeff!\"
Herlittlehandflutteredtowardhim，andlituponhissleeve，whereitwassuddenlycapturedandpressedpassionatelytohislips。
\"Ididnotmeantobethoughtlessorunkind，\"saidMissMayfield，discreetlykeepingtothepoint，andtryingweaklytodisengageherhand。\"YouknowIwouldn’thurtyourfeelings。\"
\"Iknow，MissMayfield。\"（Anotherkiss。）
\"Iwasignorantofyourhistory。\"
\"Yes，miss。\"（Akiss。）
\"AndifIcoulddoanythingforyou，Mr。Jeff——\"Shestopped。
Itwasaverytryingposition。Beingsmall，shewasdrawnafterherhandquiteuptoJeff’sshoulder，whilehe，assentinginmonosyllables，waspartingthefingers，andkissingthemseparately。Reasonablediscourseinthisattitudewasoutofthequestion。Shehadrecoursetostrategy。
\"Oh!\"
\"MissMayfield!\"
\"Youhurtmyhand。\"
Jeffdroppeditinstantly。MissMayfieldputitinthepocketofhersacqueforsecurity。Besides，ithadbeensobekissedthatitseemedunpleasantlyconscious。
\"Iwishyouwouldtellmeallaboutyourself，\"shewenton，withacertaincharmingfemininesubmissionofmannerquiteunlikeherordinaryspeech；\"Ishouldliketohelpyou。PerhapsIcan。YouknowIamquiteindependent；Imean——\"
Shepaused，forJeff’sfacebetrayednosignsofsympatheticfollowing。
\"ImeanIamwhatpeoplecallrichinmyownright。IcandoasI
pleasewithmyown。Ifanyofyourtrouble，Mr。Jeff，arisesfromwantofmoney，orcapital；ifanyconsiderationofthatkindtakesyouawayfromyourhome；ifIcouldsaveyouTHATTROUBLE，andfindforyou——perhapsalittlenearer——thatwhichyouareseeking，I
wouldbesogladtodoit。Youwillfindtheworldverywide，andverycold，Mr。Jeff，\"shecontinued，withacertainairofpracticalsuperiorityquitenaturaltoher，butexplicabletoherfriendsandacquaintancesonlyastheconsciousnessofpecuniaryindependence；\"andIwishyouwouldbefrankwithme。AlthoughI
amawoman，Iknowsomethingofbusiness。\"
\"Iwillbefrankwithyou，miss，\"saidJeff，turningacolorlessfaceuponher。\"IfyouwasezrichastheBankofCalifornia，andcouldthrowyourmoneyonanyfancyorwhimthatstruckyouatthemoment；ifyoufeltyoucouldbuyupanymanandwomaninCaliforniathatwaswillingtobeboughtup；andifmeandmyauntwerestarvingintheroad，wewouldn’ttouchthemoneythatwehadn’tearnedfairly，anddidn’tbelongtous。No，miss，Iain’tthatsorto’man!\"
Howmuchofthisspeech，initsbrusquenessandslang，wasanechoofYubaBill’steaching，howmuchofitwasapartofJeff’sinwardweakness，Icannotsay。HesawMissMayfieldrecoilfromhim。Itaddedtohisbitternessthathisthought，forthefirsttimevoiced，appearedtohimbynomeansaseffectiveorpowerfulashehadimagineditwouldbe，buthecouldnotrecedefromit；andtherewasthereliefthattheworsthadcome，andwasovernow。
MissMayfieldtookherhandoutofherpocket。\"Idon’tthinkyouquiteunderstandme，Mr。Jeff，\"shesaidquietly；\"andIHOPEI
don’tunderstandyou。\"Shewalkedstifflyathissideforafewmoments，butfinallytooktheothersideoftheroad。Theyhadbothturned，halfunconsciously，backagaintothe\"Half—wayHouse。\"
Jefffelt，likeallquarrel—seekers，righteousorunrighteous，thefullburdenofthefight。Ifhecouldhaverelievedhismind，andatthenextmomentleapeduponYubaBill’scoach，andsopassedaway——withoutafurtherwordofexplanation——allwouldhavebeenwell。Buttowalkbackwiththisgirl，whomhehadjustshakenoff，andwhomustnowthoroughlyhatehim，wassomethinghehadnotpreconceived，inthatdelightfulforecastoftheimagination，whenwedeterminewhatWEshallsayanddowithouttheleastconsiderationofwhatmaybesaidordonetousinreturn。Noquarrelproceedsexactlyasweexpect；peoplehavesuchawayofbehavingillogically!
AndherewasMissMayfield，whowasclearlyderelict，andwhoshouldhaveactedunderthatconviction，walkingalongontheothersideoftheroad，trailingthesplendorofherparasolinthedustlikeanoffendedgoddess。
Theyhadalmostreachedthehouse。\"Atwhattimedoyougo，Mr。
Briggs？\"askedtheyoungladyquietly。
\"Atelevento—night，bytheupstage。\"
\"Iexpectsomefriendsbythatstage——comingwithmyfather。\"
\"Myauntwilltakegoodcareofthem，\"saidJeff，alittlebitterly。
\"Ihavenodoubt，\"respondedMissMayfieldgravely；\"butIwasnotthinkingofthat。Ihadhopedtointroducethemtoyouto—morrow。
ButIshallnotbeupsolateto—night。AndIhadbettersaygood—bytoyounow。\"
Sheextendedtheunkissedhand。Jefftookit，butpresentlyletthelimpfingersfallthroughhisown。
\"Iwishyougoodfortune，Mr。Briggs。\"
Shemadeagravelittlebow，andvanishedintothehouse。Buthere，Iregrettosay，herlady—likecalmalsovanished。SheupbraidedhermotherpeevishlyforobliginghertoseektheescortofMr。Briggsinhernecessaryexercise，andflungherselfwithaninjuredairuponthesofa。
\"ButIthoughtyoulikedthisMr。Briggs。Heseemsanaccommodatingsortofperson。\"
\"Veryaccommodating。Goingawayjustasweareexpectingcompany!\"
\"Goingaway？\"saidMrs。Mayfieldinalarm。\"Surelyhemustbetoldthatweexpectsomepreparationforourfriends？\"
\"Oh，\"saidMissMayfieldquickly，\"hisauntwillarrangeTHAT。\"
Mrs。Mayfield，habituallymystifiedatherdaughter’smoods，saidnomore。She，however，fulfilledherdutyconscientiouslybyrising，throwingawrapovertheyounggirl，tuckingitinatherfeet，andhaving，asitwere，drawnacharitableveiloverherpeculiarities，leftheralone。
Athalfpasttenthecoachdasheduptothe\"Half—wayHouse，\"withaflashoflightsandaburstofcheeryvoices。Jeff，comingupontheporch，wasmetbyMr。Mayfield，accompanyingaladyandtwogentlemen，——evidentlytheguestsalludedtobyhisdaughter。
AccustomedasJeffhadbecometoMr。Mayfield’spatronizingsuperiority，itseemedunbearablenow，andtheeasyindifferenceofthegueststohisownpresencetouchedhimwithanewbitterness。
HerewereHERfriends，whoweretotakehisplace。ItwasarelieftograspYubaBill’slargehandandstandwithhimalonebesidethebar。
\"I’mreadytogowithyouto—night，Bill，\"saidJeff，afterapause。
Billputdownhisglass——asignofabsorbinginterest。
\"AndtheseyarstrangersIfetched？\"
\"Auntywilltakecareofthem。I’vefixedeverything。\"
BilllaidbothhispowerfulhandsonJeff’sshoulders，backedhimagainstthewall，andsurveyedhimwithgreatgravity。
\"Briggs’ssonclarthrough!Alittleoffcolor，butthegritallthar!Bullyforyou，Jeff。\"HewrungJeff’shandbetweenhisown。
\"Bill!\"saidJeffhesitatingly。
\"Jeff!\"
\"Youwouldn’tmindmygettingupontheboxNOW，beforeallthefolksgetround？\"
\"Ireckonnot。Thar’sthebox—seatallreadyforye。\"
Climbingtohishighperch，Jeff，indistinguishableinthedarkness，lookedoutupontheporchandthemovingfiguresofthepassengers，onBillgrowlingouthisorderstohisactivehostler，andonthetwinklinglightsofthehotelwindows。Inthemysteryofthenightandthebitternessofhisheart，everythinglookedstrange。TherewasalightinMissMayfield’sroom，butthecurtainsweredrawn。Oncehethoughttheymoved，butthen，fearfulofthefascinationofwatchingthem，heturnedhisfaceresolutelyaway。
Then，tohisrelief，thehourcame；thepassengersre—enteredthecoach；Billhadmountedthebox，andwasslowlygatheringhisreins，whenashrillvoicerosefromtheporch。
\"Oh，Jeff!\"
Jeffleanedananxiousfaceoutoverthecoachlamps。
ItwasAuntSally，breathlessandontiptoe，reachingwithaletter。\"Suthin’youforgot!\"Then，inahoarsestagewhisper，perfectlyaudibletoeveryone：\"FromHER!\"
Jeffseizedtheletterwithaburningface。Thewhipsnapped，andthestageplungedforwardintothedarkness。PresentlyYubaBillreacheddown，coollydetachedoneofthecoachlamps，andhandedittoJeffwithoutaword。
Jefftoreopentheenvelope。ItcontainedCyrusParker’sbillreceipted，andthewrit。Anothersmallinclosurecontainedtendollars，andafewlineswritteninpencilinalargemasculinebusinesshand。BythelightofthelampJeffreadasfollows：——
\"Ihopeyouwillforgivemeforhavingtriedtohelpyoueveninthisaccidentalway，beforeIknewhowstrongwereyourobjectionstohelpfromme。Nobodyknowsthisbutmyself。EvenMr。Doddthinksmyfatheradvancedthemoney。Thetendollarstherascalwouldhavekept，butImadehimdisgorgeit。Ididitallwhileyouwerelookingfortheletterinthewoods。Prayforgetallaboutit，andanypainyoumayhavehadfromJ。M。\"
Frankandpracticalasthisletterappearedtobe，and，doubtless，asitwasintendedtobebyitswriter，thereaderwillnotfailtonoticethatMissMayfieldsaidnothingofhavingoverheardJeff’squarrelwiththedeputy，andlefthimtoinferthatthatfunctionaryhadbetrayedhim。Itwassimplyoneofthoseunpleasantdetailsnotaffectingtheresult，usuallyoverlookedinfeminineethics。
ForamomentJeffsatpaleanddumb，crushedundertheruinsofhisprideandself—love。ForamomenthehatedMissMayfield，smallandtriumphant!Howshemusthaveinwardlylaughedathisspeechthatmorning!Withwhatrefinedcrueltyshehadsavedthisevidenceofhishumiliation，toworkhervengeanceonhimnow。Hecouldnotstandit!Hecouldnotliveunderit!Hewouldgobackandsellthehouse——hisclothes——everything——topaythiswicked，heartless，cruelgirl，thatwaskilling——yes，killing——
Astronghandtooktheswinging—lanternfromhisunsteadyfingers，astronghandpossesseditselfofthepapersandMissMayfield’snote，astrongarmwasdrawnaroundhim，——forhisfigurewasswayingtoandfro，hisheadwasgiddy，andhishathadfallenoff，——andastrongvoice，albeitalittlehusky，whisperedinhisear，——
\"Easy，boy!easyonthedowngrade。It’llbealloneinaminit。\"
Jefftriedtocomprehendhim，buthisbrainwaswhirling。