\"Theoldman’sworritshevsortershookoutalittleofhissand，\"
shehadexplained。OnthoseeveningswhenheattendedtheBoard，shesoughthigherconsolationinprayermeetingattheSouthernBaptistChurch，inwhoseexercisesherNorthernandEasternneighbors，thinlydisguisedas\"Baal\"and\"Astaroth，\"weregenerallyoverthrownandtheirtemplesmadedesolate。
IfUncleBen’sprogresswasslower，itwasnolesssatisfactory。
Withoutimaginationandevenwithoutenthusiasm，hekeptonwithadulllaboriouspersistency。WhentheirascibleimpatienceofRupertFilgeeatlastsuccumbedtotheobdurateslownessofhispupil，themasterhimself，touchedbyUncleBen’sperspiringforeheadandperplexedeyebrows，oftendevotedtherestoftheafternoontoagentleelucidationofthemysteriesbeforehim，settingcopiesforhisheavyhand，orevenguidingitwithhisown，likeachild’s，acrossthepaper。AttimestheappallinguselessnessofUncleBen’sendeavorsremindedhimofRupert’stauntingcharge。Washereallydoingthisfromagenuinethirstforknowledge？ItwasinconsistentwithallthatIndianSpringknewofhisantecedentsandhispresentambitions；hewasasimpleminerwithoutscientificortechnicalknowledge；hisalreadyslightacquaintancewitharithmeticandthescrawlthatservedforhissignatureweremorethansufficientforhisneeds。Yetitwaswiththislattersign-manualthatheseemedtotakeinfinitepains。Themaster，oneafternoon，thoughtfittocorrecttheapparentvanityofthisperformance。
\"Ifyoutookasmuchcareintryingtoformyourlettersaccordingtocopy，you’ddobetter。Yoursignatureisfairenoughasitis。\"
\"Butitdon’tlookright，Mr。Ford，\"saidUncleBen，eyingitdistrustfully；\"somehowitain’tallthere。\"
\"Why，certainlyitis。Look，DABNEY——notveryplain，it’strue，buttherearealltheletters。\"
\"That’sjustit，Mr。Ford；themAIN’TallthelettersthatORTERbethere。I’veallowedtowriteitDABNEYtosavetimeandink，butitorterreadDAUBIGNY，\"saidUncleBen，withpainfuldistinctness。
\"Butthatspellsd’Aubigny！\"
\"Itare。\"
\"Isthatyourname？\"
\"Ireckon。\"
ThemasterlookedatUncleBendoubtfully。WasthisonlyanotherformoftheDobellillusion？\"WasyourfatheraFrenchman？\"heaskedfinally。
UncleBenpausedasiftorecallthetriflingcircumstancesofhisfather’snationality。\"No。\"
\"Yourgrandfather？\"
\"Ireckonnot。Atleastyecouldn’tproveitbyme。\"
\"Wasyourfatherorgrandfatheravoyageurortrapper，orCanadian？\"
\"TheywerefromPikeCounty，Mizzoori。\"
ThemasterregardedUncleBenstilldubiously。\"ButyoucallyourselfDabney。Whatmakesyouthinkyourrealnameisd’Aubigny？\"
\"That’sthewayitusterbewritinletterstomeintheStates。
Holdon。I’llshowye。\"Hedeliberatelybegantofeelinhispockets，finallyextractinghisoldpursefromwhichheproducedacrumpledenvelope，andcarefullysmoothingitout，compareditwithhissignature。
\"Thar，yousee。It’sthesame——d’Aubigny。\"
Themasterhesitated。Afterall，itwasnotimpossible。HerecalledotherinstancesofthesingulartransformationofnamesintheCalifornianemigration。Yethecouldnothelpsaying，\"Thenyouconcludedd’AubignywasabetternamethanDabney？\"
\"DoYOUthinkit’sbetter？\"
\"Womenmight。IdaresayyourwifewouldprefertobecalledMrs。
d’AubignyratherthanDabney。\"
Thechanceshottold。UncleBensuddenlyflushedtohisears。
\"Ididn’tthinko’that，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"Ihadanotheridee。
Ireckonedthatonthemattero’holdin’propertyandpassin’inmoneyitwouldbebettertohevyournameputonthesquare，andtosortergodowntobedrockforit，eh？IfIwantedtotakeahandinthemlotsorDitchshares，forinstance——itwouldbeonlylawtohevitmadeoutinthenameo’d’Aubigny。\"
Mr。Fordlistenedwithcertainimpatientcontempt。ItwasbadenoughforUncleBentohaveexposedhisweaknessininventingfictionsabouthisearlyeducation，buttoinvesthimselfnowwithacontingencyofcapitalforthesakeofanotherchildishvanity，waspitiableasitwaspreposterous。Therewasnodoubtthathehadliedabouthisschoolexperiences；itwasbarelyprobablethathisnamewasreallyd’Aubigny，anditwasquiteconsistentwithallthis——evensettingapartthefactthathewasperfectlywellknowntobeonlyapoorminer——thatheshouldlieagain。LikemostlogicalreasonersMr。Fordforgotthathumanitymightbeillogicalandinconsistentwithoutbeinginsincere。Heturnedawaywithoutspeakingasifindicatingawishtohearnomore。
\"Someo’thesedays，\"saidUncleBen，withdullpersistency，\"I’lltellyesuthen’。\"
\"I’dadviseyoujustnowtodropitandsticktoyourlessons，\"
saidthemastersharply。
\"That’sso，\"saidUncleBenhurriedly，hidinghimselfasitwereinanall-encompassingblush。\"Incourselessonsfirst，boys，that’sthemotto。\"Heagaintookuphispenandassumedhisoldlaboriousattitude。Butafterafewmomentsitbecameevidentthateitherthemaster’scurtdismissalofhissubjectorhisownpreoccupationwithit，hadsomewhatunsettledhim。Hecleanedhispenobtrusively，goingtothewindowforabetterlight，andwhistlingfromtimetotimewithademonstrativecarelessnessandadepressinggayety。Heoncebrokeintoamurmuring，meditativechantevidentlyreferringtothepreviousconversation，inits——
\"That’sso——Yerwego——Lessonsthefirst，boys，Yo，heaveO。\"Therollickingmarinecharacterofthisrefrain，despiteitsutterincongruousness，apparentlystruckhimfavorably，forherepeateditsoftly，occasionallyglancingbehindhimatthemasterwhowascoldlyabsorbedathisdesk。Presentlyhearose，carefullyputhisbooksaway，symmetricallypilingtheminapyramidbesideMr。
Ford’smotionlesselbow，andthenliftinghisfeetwithhighbutgentlestepswenttothepegwherehiscoatandhatwerehanging。
Ashewasabouttoputthemonheappearedsuddenlystruckwithasenseofindecorousnessindressinghimselfintheschool，andtakingthemonhisarmtotheporchresumedthemoutside。Thensaying，\"IcleandisrememberedI’dgottoseeaman。Solong，tillto-morrow，\"hedisappearedwhistlingsoftly。
Theoldwoodlandhushfellbackupontheschool。Itseemedveryquietandempty。Afaintsenseofremorsestoleoverthemaster。
YetherememberedthatUncleBenhadacceptedwithoutreproachandasagoodjokemuchmoredirectaccusationsfromRupertFilgee，andthathehimselfhadactedfromaconscientioussenseofdutytowardstheman。Butaconscientioussenseofdutytoinflictpainuponafellow-mortalforhisowngooddoesnotalwaysbringperfectserenitytotheinflicter——possiblybecause，inthedefectivemachineryofhumancompensation，painistheonlyqualitythatisapttoappearintheillustration。Mr。Fordfeltuncomfortable，andbeingso，wasnaturallyvexedattheinnocentcause。WhyshouldUncleBenbeoffendedbecausehehadsimplydeclinedtofollowhisweakfabricationsanyfurther？Thiswashisreturnforhavingtolerateditatfirst！Itwouldbealessontohimhenceforth。Neverthelesshegotupandwenttothedoor。ThefigureofUncleBenwasalreadyindistinctamongtheleaves，butfromthemotionofhisshouldersheseemedtobestillsteppinghighandsoftlyasifnotyetclearofinsecureandengulfingground。
Thesilencestillcontinuing，themasterbeganmechanicallytolookoverthedesksforforgottenormislaidarticles，andtorearrangethepupils’booksandcopies。AfewheartseasegatheredbythedevotedOctaviaDean，neatlytiedwithablackthreadandregularlyleftintheinkstandcavityofRupert’sdesk，werestilllyingonthefloorwheretheyhadbeenalwayshurledwithequalregularitybythatdisdainfulAdonis。Pickingupaslatefromunderabench，hisattentionwasattractedbyaforgottencartoononthereverseside。Mr。Fordatoncerecognizeditastheworkofthatyouthfulbuteminentcaricaturist，JohnnyFilgee。Broadintreatment，comprehensiveinsubject，liberalindetailandslate-pencil——itrepresentedUncleBenlyingonthefloorwithabookinhishand，tyrannizedoverbyRupertFilgeeandregardedinastrikingprofileoftwofeaturesbyCressyMcKinstry。Thedaringrealismofintroducingthenamesofeachcharacterontheirlegs——perhapsideallyenlargedforthatpurpose——leftnodoubtoftheiridentity。
Equallydaringbutnolesseffectivewastherenderingofalimitedbutdramaticconversationbetweenthepartiesbytheaidofemotionalballoonsattachedtotheirmouthslikeavisiblegulpbearingtherespectivelegends：\"Iluvyou，\"\"Omy，\"and\"Yougit！\"
Themasterwasforamomentstartledatthisunlooked-forbutgraphictestimonytothefactthatUncleBen’svisitstotheschoolwerenotonlyknownbutcommentedupon。Thesmalleyesofthoseyouthfulobservershadbeenkeenerthanhisown。Hehadagainbeenstupidlydeceived，inspiteofhisefforts。Love，albeitdeficientinfeaturesandwearinganimproperlyshortbell-shapedfrock，hadboldlyre-enteredthepeacefulschool，anddisturbingcomplicationsonabnormallegswerefollowingatitsheels。
CHAPTERV。
Whilethissimplepastorallifewascentredaroundtheschool-houseintheclearing，brokenonlybyanoccasionalwarningpistol-shotinthedirectionoftheHarrison-McKinstryboundaries，themorebusinesspartofIndianSpringwasovertakenbyoneofthosespasmsofenterprisepeculiartoallCalifornianminingsettlements。TheopeningoftheEurekaDitchandtheextensionofstagecoachcommunicationfromBigBluffwereeventsofnosmallimportance，andwerecelebratedonthesameday。Thedoubleoccasionovertaxingeventhefluentrhetoricoftheeditorofthe\"Star\"
lefthimstrugglinginthemetaphoricaldifficultiesofaPactolianSpring，whichhehadrashlyturnedintotheDitch，andobligedhimtotransfertheonerousdutyofwritingtheeditorialontheBigBluffExtensiontothehandsoftheHonorableAbnerDean，AssemblymanfromAngel’s。ThelossoftheHonorableMr。Dean’srighteyeinanearlypioneerfracasdidnotpreventhimfromlookingintothedimvistaofthefutureanddiscoveringwiththatsingleunaidedopticenoughtofillthreecolumnsofthe\"Star。\"
\"Itisnottooextravaganttosay，\"heremarkedwithcharmingdeprecation，\"thatIndianSpring，throughitsownperfectlyorganizedsystemofinlandtransportation，theconfluenceofitsNorthForkwiththeSacramentoRiver，andtheircombinedeffluenceintotheillimitablePacific，isthusputnotonlyintodirectcommunicationwithfarCathaybutevenremoterAntipodeanmarkets。
ThecitizenofIndianSpringtakingthe9A。M。PioneerCoachandarrivingatBigBluffat2。40isenabledtoconnectwiththethroughexpresstoSacramentothesameevening，reachingSanFranciscopertheSteamNavigationCompany’spalatialsteamersintimetotakethePacificMailSteamertoYokohamaonthefollowingdayat8。30P。M。\"AlthoughnocitizenofIndianSpringappearedtoavailhimselfofthisadmirableopportunity，nordiditappearatalllikelythatanywould，everybodyvaguelyfeltthataninestimableboonlayinthesuggestion，andeventhemasterprofessionallyintrustingthereadingaloudoftheeditorialtoRupertFilgeewithulteriordesignsofpracticeinthepronunciationoffive-syllablewords，wassomewhataffectedbyit。JohnnyFilgeeandJimmySnyderacceptingitasamysterioussomethingthatmadeDesertIslandsaccessibleatamoment’snoticeandatriflingoutlay，wereround-eyedandattentive。Andtheculminatinginformationfromthemasterthatthiseventwouldbecommemoratedbyahalf-holiday，combinedtomaketheoccasionasexcitingtothesimpleschool-houseintheclearingasitwastothegildedsalooninthemainstreet。
Andsothemomentousdayarrived，withitstwonewcoachesfromBigBluffcontainingthespeciallyinvitedspeakers——alwaysspeciallyinvitedtothoseoccasions，andyetstrangelyenoughneverbeforefeelingtheextreme\"importanceandprivilege\"ofitastheydidthen。Thentherewerethefiringoftwoanvils，thestrainsofabrassband，thehoistingofanewflagontheliberty-pole，andlatertheceremonyoftheDitchopening，whenadistinguishedspeakerinamostunworkman-liketallhat，blackfrockcoat，andwhitecravat，whichgavehimthegeneralairofafestivegrave-
digger，tookaspadefromthehandsofanapparentlyhilariouschiefmournerandthrewoutthefirstsods。Therewereanvils，brassbands，anda\"collation\"atthehotel。Buteverywhere——
overridingthemostextravagantexpectationandeventhelaughteritprovoked——thespiritofindomitableyouthandresistlessenterpriseintoxicatedtheair。ItwasthespiritthathadmadeCaliforniapossible；thathadsownathousandsuchventuresbroadcastthroughitswilderness；thathadenabledthesowertostandhalf-humorouslyamonghisscantorruinedharvestswithoutfearandwithoutrepining，andturnhisundauntedandeverhopefulfacetofurtherfields。WhatmattereditthatIndianSpringhadalwaysbeforeitseyestheabandonedtrenchesandruinedoutworksofitsearlierpioneers？WhatmattereditthattheeloquenteulogistoftheEurekaDitchhadbutafewyearsbeforeasprodigallyscatteredhisadjectivesandhisfortuneontheuselesstunnelthatconfrontedhimontheoppositesideoftheriver？Thesublimeforgetfulnessofyouthignoreditswarningorrecognizeditasajoke。Themaster，freshfromhislittleflockandprematurelyagedbytheircontact，feltastirringofsomethinglikeenvyashewanderedamongthesescarcelyolderenthusiasts。
EspeciallymemorablewastheexcitingdaytoJohnnyFilgee，notonlyforthedelightfullybewilderingclamorofthebrassband，inwhich，betweenthetromboneandthebassdrum，hehadgotinextricablymixed；notonlyforthehalf-frighteningexplosionsoftheanvilsandthemaddeningsmellofthegunpowderwhichhadexaltedhisinfantsoultosuddenandirrelevantwhoopings，butforasingularoccurrencethatwhettedhisalwayskeenperceptions。
HavingbeenshamelesslyabandonedontheverandaoftheEurekaHotelwhilehisbrotherRupertpaidbashfulcourttotheprettyproprietressbyassistingherinherduties，Johnnygavehimselfuptounlimitedobservation。Therosettesofthesixhorses，thenewharness，thelengthofthedriver’swhiplash，hisenormousbuckskinglovesandthewayheheldhisreins；thefascinatingodorofshiningvarnishonthecoach，thegold-headedcaneoftheHonorableAbnerDean：allthesewerestoredawayinthesecretrecessesofJohnny’smemory，evenastheunconsideredtrifleshehadpickedupenrouteweredistendinghiscapaciouspockets。Butwhenayoungmanhadalightedfromthesecondor\"Truly\"coachamongtheREAL
passengers，andstrolledcarelesslyandeasilyintheverandaasifthenoveltyandtheoccasionwerenothingtohim，Johnny，withagulpofsatisfaction，knewthathehadseenaprince！Beautifullydressedinawhiteducksuit，withadiamondringonhisfinger，agoldchainswingingfromhisfob，andaPanamahatwithabroadblackribbonjauntilyrestingonhiscurledandscentedhair，Johnny’seyeshadneverrestedonamoreresplendentvision。HewasmoreromanticthanYubaBill，moreimposingandlessimpossiblethantheHonorableAbnerDean，moreeloquentthanthemaster——farmorebeautifulthananycoloredprintthathehadeverseen。HadhebrushedhiminpassingJohnnywouldhavefeltathrill；hadhespokentohimheknewhewouldhavebeenspeechlesstoreply。
JudgethenofhisutterstupefactionwhenhesawUncleBen——
actuallyUncleBen！——approachthisparagonofperfection，albeitwithsomeembarrassment，andafterawordortwoofunintelligibleconversationwalkawaywithhim！NeeditbewonderedthatJohnny，forgetfulatonceofhisbrother，thehorses，andeventhecollationwithitspossible\"goodies，\"instantlyfollowed。
Thetwomenturnedintothesidestreet，which，afterafewhundredyards，openeduponthedesertedminingflat，crossedandbrokenbytheburrowsandmoundsmadebytheforgottenenginesoftheearlygold-seekers。Johnny，attimeshiddenbytheseirregularities，keptcloselyintheirrear，saunteringwheneverhecamewithintherangeoftheireyesinthatsidelong，spasmodicandgenerallydiagonalfashionpeculiartosmallboys，butreadyatanymomenttoassumeutterunconsciousnessandtheappearanceofgoingsomewhereelseorofsearchingforsomethingontheground。Inthiswayappearing，ifnoticedatall，eachtimeinsomedifferentpositiontotherightorleftofthem，Johnnyfollowedthemtothefringeofwoodlandwhichenabledhimtodrawclosertotheirheels。
Utterlyobliviousofthisartistic\"shadowing\"intheinsignificantpersonofthesmallboywhoonceortwiceevencrossedtheirpathwithaffectedtimidity，theycontinuedanapparentlyconfidentialpreviousinterview。Thewords\"stocks\"and\"shares\"werealoneintelligible。Johnnyhadheardthemduringtheday，buthewasstruckbythefactthatUncleBenseemedtobeseekinginformationfromtheparagonandwasperfectlysubmissiveandhumble。ButtheboywasconsiderablymystifiedwhenafteratrampofhalfanhourtheyarriveduponthedebatablegroundoftheHarrison-McKinstryboundary。Havingbeenespeciallywarnednevertogothere，Johnnyasamatterofcoursewasperfectlyfamiliarwithit。Butwhatwastheincomprehensiblestrangerdoingthere？WashebroughtbyUncleBenwithaviewofparalyzingbothofthecombatantswiththespectacleofhisperfections？Washeayouthfulsheriff，ayoungjudge，ormaybethesonoftheGovernorofCalifornia？OrwasitthatUncleBenwas\"silly\"anddidn’tknowthelocality？Herewasanopportunityforhim，Johnny，tointroducehimself，andexplainandevenmagnifythedanger，withperhapsaslightallusiontohisownfearlessfamiliaritywithit。Unfortunately，ashewasmakinguphissmallmindbehindatree，theparagonturnedandwiththeeasydisdainthatsowellbecamehim，said：
\"Well，Iwouldn’tofferadollaranacreforthewholeranch。ButifYOUchoosetogiveafancyprice——that’syourlookout。\"
ToJohnny’salreadyprejudicedmind，UncleBenreceivedthisjustcontemptsubmissively，asheought，butneverthelesshemutteredsomething\"silly\"inreply，whichJohnnywasreallytoodisgustedtolistento。Oughthenottostepforwardandinformtheparagonthathewaswastinghistimeonamanwhocouldn’tevenspell\"ba-ker，\"andwhowastaughthislettersbyhis，Johnny’s，brother？
Theparagoncontinued：
\"Andofcourseyouknowthatmerelyyourbuyingthetitletothelanddon’tgiveyoupossession。You’llhavetofightthesesquattersandjumpersjustthesame。It’llbethreeinsteadoftwofighting——that’sall！\"
UncleBen’simbecilereplydidnottroubleJohnny。Hehadearsnowonlyforthesuperiorintellectbeforehim。ITcontinuedcoolly：
\"Nowlet’stakealookatthatyieldofyours。Ihaven’tmuchtimetogiveyou，asIexpectsomementobelookingformehere——andI
supposeyouwantthisthingstillkeptasecret。Idon’tseehowyou’vemanagedtodoitsofar。Isyourclaimnear？Youliveonit——Ithinkyousaid？\"
Butthatthelittlelistenerwassopreoccupiedwiththestranger，thissuggestionofUncleBen’shavingaclaimworththeattentionofthatdistinguishedpresencewouldhavesethimthinking；thelittlethatheunderstoodhesetdowntoUncleBen’s\"gassin’。\"Asthetwomenmovedforwardagain，hefollowedthemuntilUncleBen’shousewasreached。
Itwasarudeshantyofboardsandroughboulders，halfburrowinginoneofthelargestmoundsofearthandgravel，whichhadoncerepresentedthetailingsorrefuseoftheabandonedIndianSpringPlacer。InfactitwascasuallyallegedbysomethatUncleBenekedoutthescanty\"grubwages，\"hemadebyactualmining，inreworkingandsiftingthetailingsatoddtimes——adegradingworkhithertopractisedonlybyChinese，andunworthytheCaucasianambition。Theminingcodeofhonorheldthatamanmightacceptthesmallestresultsofhisdailylabor，aslongashewassustainedbytheprospectofalarger\"strike，\"butcondemnedhiscontentmentwithamodestcertainty。Neverthelessalittleofthissuspicionencompassedhisdwellingandcontributedtoitsloneliness，evenasalongditch，theformertail-raceoftheclaim，separatedhimfromhisneighbors。Prudentlyhaltingattheedgeofthewood，Johnnysawhisresplendentvisioncrossthestripofbarrenflat，andenterthecabinwithUncleBenlikeanyothermortal。Hesatdownonastumpandawaiteditsreturn，whichhefondlyhopedmightbealone！Attheendofhalfanhourhemadeashortexcursiontoexaminetheconditionofablackberrybramble，andreturnedtohispostofobservation。Buttherewasneithersoundnormotioninthedirectionofthecabin。Whenanothertenminuteshadelapsed，thedooropenedandtoJohnny’sintensediscomfiture，UncleBenappearedaloneandwalkedleisurelytowardsthewoods。BurningwithanxietyJohnnythrewhimselfinUncleBen’sway。Buthereoccurredoneofthosesurprisinginconsistenciesknownonlytochildren。AsUncleBenturnedhissmallgrayeyesuponhiminahalfastonished，halfquestioningmanner，thepotentspiritofchildishsecretivenesssuddenlytookpossessionoftheboy。Wildhorsescouldnotnowhavetornfromhimthatquestionwhichonlyamomentbeforewasonhislips。
\"Hullo，Johnny！Whatareyedoin’here？\"saidUncleBenkindly。
\"Nothin’。\"Afterapause，inwhichhewalkedallroundUncleBen’slargefigure，gazingupathimasifhewereamonument，headded，\"Huntin’blackberrieth。\"
\"Whyain’tyouoveratthecollation？\"
\"Ruperththere，\"heansweredpromptly。
Theideaofbeingthusvicariouslypresentinthepersonofhisbrotherseemedasufficientexcuse。Heleap-froggedoverthestumponwhichhehadbeensittingasaneasyunembarrassingpauseforthenextquestion。ButUncleBenwasapparentlyperfectlysatisfiedwithJohnny’sreply，andnoddingtohim，walkedaway。
Whenhisfigurehaddisappearedinthebushes，Johnnycautiouslyapproachedthecabin。Atacertaindistancehepickedupastoneandthrewitagainstthedoor，immediatelytakingtohisheelsandthefriendlycopseagain。Nooneappearingherepeatedtheexperimenttwiceandeventhricewithalargerstoneandatanearerdistance。Thenheboldlyskirtedthecabinanddroppedintotherace-wayatitsside。Followingitafewhundredyardshecameuponalongdisusedshaftopeningintoit，whichhadbeencoveredwitharoughtrapofoldplanks，asiftoprotectincautiouswayfarersfromfallingin。HereasuddenandinexplicablefearovertookJohnny，andheranaway。Whenhereachedthehotel，almostthefirstsightthatmethisastoundedeyeswasthespectacleoftheparagon，apparentlystillinundisturbedpossessionofallhisperfections——drivingcoollyoffinabuggywithafreshcompanion。
MeantimeMr。Ford，howevertouchedbythesentimentalsignificanceofthecelebration，becameslightlyweariedofitsdetails。AshisownroomintheEurekaHotelwasactuallythrilledbythebrassbandwithoutandtheeloquenceofspeakersbelow，andhadbecomeredolentofgunpowderandchampagneexplodedaroundit，hedeterminedtoreturntotheschool-houseandavailhimselfofitswoodlandquiettowriteafewletters。
Thechangewasgrateful，thedistantmurmuroftheexcitedsettlementcameonlyasthesoothingsoundofwindamongtheleaves。Thepureairofthepinesthatfilledeverycrannyofthequietschool-room，andseemedtodispersealltaintofhumantenancy，madethefar-offcelebrationsasunrealasadream。Theonlyrealityofhislifewashere。
Hetookfromhispocketafewlettersoneofwhichwaswornandsoiledwithfrequenthandling。Here-readitinahalfmethodical，halfpatientway，asifhewerewaitingforsomerevelationitinspired，whichwasslowthatafternoonincoming。Atothertimesithadcalledupayouthfulenthusiasmwhichwaswonttotransfigurehisgraveandprematurelyreservedfacewithanewexpression。
To-daytherevelationandexpressionwerebothwanting。Heputtheletterbackwithaslightsigh，thatsoundedsopreposterousinthesilentroomthathecouldnotforegoanembarrassedsmile。Butthenextmomenthesethimselfseriouslytoworkonhiscorrespondence。
Presentlyhestopped；onceortwicehehadbeenovertakenbyavagueundefinablesenseofpleasure，eventothedreamyhaltingofhispen。Itwasasensationinnowayconnectedwiththesubjectofhiscorrespondence，orevenhispreviousreflections——itwaspartlyphysical，andyetitwasinsomesensesuggestive。Itmustbetheintoxicatingeffectofthewoodlandair。Heevenfanciedhehadnoticeditbefore，atthesamehourwhenthesunwasdecliningandthefreshodorsoftheundergrowthwererising。Itcertainlywasaperfume。Heraisedhiseyes。Therelaythecauseonthedeskbeforehim——alittlenosegayofwildCalifornianmyrtleencirclingarose-budwhichhadescapedhisnotice。
Therewasnothingunusualinthecircumstance。Thechildrenwereinthehabitofmakingtheirofferingsgenerallywithoutparticularreferencetotimeoroccasion，anditmighthavebeenoverlookedbyhimduringschool-hours。Hefeltapityfortheforgottenposyalreadybeginningtogrowlimpinitsneglectedsolitude。Herememberedthatinsomefolk-loreofthechildren’s，perhapsatraditionoftheoldassociationofthemyrtlewithVenus，itwasbelievedtobeemblematicoftheaffections。Herememberedalsothathehadeventoldthemofthisprobableoriginoftheirsuperstition。Hewasstillholdingitinhishandwhenhewasconsciousofasilkensensationthatsentamagneticthrillthroughhisfingers。Lookingatitmorecloselyhesawthatthesprigswereboundtogether，notbythreadorribbon，butbylongfilamentsofsoftbrownhairtightlywoundaroundthem。Heunwoundasinglehairandheldittothelight。Itslength，color，texture，andaboveallacertaininexplicableinstinct，toldhimitwasCressyMcKinstry’s。Helaiditdownquickly，asifhehad，inthatact，familiarlytouchedherperson。
Hefinishedhisletter，butpresentlyfoundhimselfagainlookingatthemyrtleandthinkingaboutit。Fromthepositioninwhichithadbeenplaceditwasevidentlyintendedforhim；thefancyofbindingitwithhairwasalsointentionalandnotanecessity，asheknewhisfemininescholarswereusuallywellprovidedwithbitsofthread，silk，orribbon。Ifithadbeensomenewabsurdityofchildishfashionintroducedintheschool，hewouldhavenoticediterethis。Foritwasthisobtrusionofapersonalitythatvaguelytroubledhim。HerememberedCressy’shair；itwascertainlyverybeautiful，inspiteofheroccasionalvagariesofcoiffure。Herecalledhow，oneafternoon，ithadcomedownwhenshewasrompingwithOctaviaintheplay-ground，andwassurprisedtofindwhatavividpictureheretainedofherlingeringintheporchtoputitup；herroundedarmsheldaboveherhead，herprettyshoulders，fullthroat，andglowingfacethrownback，andawispoftheveryhairbetweenherwhiteteeth！Hebegananotherletter。
Whenitwasfinishedtheshadowofthepine-branchbeforethewindow，thrownbythenearlylevelsunacrosshispaper，hadbegunslowlytoreachtheoppositewall。Heputhisworkaway，lingeredforamomentinhesitationoverthemyrtlesprays，andthenlockedtheminhisdeskwithanoddfeelingthathehadsecuredinsomevaguewayaholduponCressy’sfuturevagaries；thenreflectingthatUncleBen，whomhehadseenintown，wouldprobablykeepholidaywiththeothers，heresolvedtowaitnolonger，butstrolledbacktothehotel。TheacthoweverhadnotrecalledUncleBentohimbyanyassociationofideas，forsincehisdiscoveryofJohnnyFilgee’scaricaturehehadfailedtodetectanythingtocorroboratethecaricaturist’ssatire，andhaddismissedthesubjectfromhismind。
OnenteringhisroomatthehotelhefoundRupertFilgeestandingmoodilybythewindow，whilehisbrotherJohnny，overcomebyarepletionofexcitementandcollation，wasasleeponthesinglearm-chair。Theirpresencewasnotunusual，asMr。Ford，touchedbythelonelinessofthesemotherlessboys，hadofteninvitedthemtocometohisroomstolookoverhisbooksandillustratedpapers。
\"Well？\"hesaidcheerfully。
Rupertdidnotreplyorchangehisposition。Mr。Ford，glancingathimsharply，sawafamiliarangrylightintheboy’sbeautifuleyes，slightlydimmedbyatear。LayinghishandgentlyonRupert’sshoulderhesaid，\"What’sthematter，Rupert？\"
\"Nothin’，\"saidtheboydoggedly，withhiseyesstillfixedonthepane。
\"Has——has——Mrs。Tripp\"（thefairproprietress）\"beenunkind？\"hewentonlightly。
Noreply。
\"Youknow，Rupe，\"continuedMr。Forddemurely，\"shemustshowSOME
reservebeforecompany——liketo-day。Itwon’tdotomakeascandal。\"
Rupertmaintainedanindignantsilence。Butthedimple（whichheusuallydespisedasafeminineblot）onthecheeknearerthemasterbecameslightlyaccented。Onlyforamoment；thedarkeyescloudedagain。
\"IwishIwasdead，Mr。Ford。\"
\"Hallo！\"
\"Or——doin’suthin’。\"
\"That’sbetter。Whatdoyouwanttodo？\"
\"Towork——makealivin’myself。Quittoten’woodandwaterathome；quitcookin’andmakin’beds，likeayallerChinaman；quitnussin’babiesanddressin’’emandundressin’’em，likeagirl。
LookatHIMnow，\"pointingtothesweetlyunconsciousJohnny，\"lookathimthere。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？ItmeansI’vegottopackhimhomethroughthetownjistezheisthar，andthenmakeafireandbilehisfoodforhim，andwashhimandundresshimandputhimtobed，and’NowIlaymedowntosleep’him，andtuckhimup；andDadallthewhile’scootin’roundtownwithotheridjits，jawin’about’progress’andthe’futureofInjinSpring。’Muchfuturewe’vegotoverourownhouse，Mr。Ford。Muchfuturehe’sgotlaidupforme！\"
Themaster，towhomthoseoccasionaloutbreaksfromRupertwerenotunfamiliar，smiled，albeitwithseriouseyesthatbeliedhislips，andconsoledtheboyashehadoftendonebefore。ButhewasanxioustoknowthecauseofthisrecentattackanditsprobablerelationstothefascinatingMrs。Tripp。
\"Ithoughtwetalkedallthatoversometimeago，Rupe。Inafewmonthsyou’llbeabletoleaveschool，andI’lladviseyourfatheraboutputtingyouintosomethingtogiveyouachanceforyourself。
Patience，oldfellow；you’redoingverywell。Consider——there’syourpupil，UncleBen。\"
\"Oh，yes！That’sanotherbigbabytototroundinschoolwhenI
ain’tniggerin’athome。\"
\"AndIdon’tseeexactlywhatelseyoucoulddoatIndianSpring，\"
continuedMr。Ford。
\"No，\"saidRupertgloomily，\"butIcouldgetawaytoSacramento。
YubaBillsaystheytakeboysnobiggernormeintharexpressofficesorbanks——andinayearortwothey’reasgoodezanybodyandgetpaidasbig。Why，therewasafellowhere，justnow，noolderthanyou，Mr。Ford，andnothalfyourlearnin’，andhedressedtodeathwithjewelry，andeverybodybowin’andscrapin’tohim，thatitwasperfectlysickenin’。\"
Mr。Fordliftedhiseyebrows。\"Oh，youmeantheyoungmanofBenhamandCo。，whowastalkingtoMrs。Tripp？\"hesaid。
AquickflushofangryconsciousnesscrossedRupert’sface。
\"Maybe；hehasjustcheekenoughforanythin’。\"
\"Andyouwanttobelikehim？\"saidMr。Ford。
\"YouknowwhatImean，Mr。Ford。NotLIKEhim。WhyYOU’REasgoodasheis，anyday，\"continuedRupertwithrelentlessnaivete；\"butifajay-birdlikethatcangeton，whycouldn’tI？\"
TherewasnodoubtthatthemasterherepointedoutthedefectivenessofRupert’slogicandthebeneficenceofpatienceandstudy，asbecametheirrelationsofmasterandpupil，butwiththeadditionofacertainfellowsympathyandsomeamusingrecitalofhisownboyishexperiences，thathadtheeffectofcallingRupert’sdimplesintoactionagain。Attheendofhalfanhourtheboyhadbecomequitetractable，and，gettingreadytodepart，approachedhissleepingbrotherwithsomethinglikeresignation。ButJohnny’snapseemedtohavehadtheeffectoftransforminghimintoaninertjelly-likemass。ItrequiredthejointexertionsofboththemasterandRuperttotransferhimbodilyintothelatter’sarms，where，withasinglelimpelbowencirclinghisbrother’sneck，helaywithhisunfinishedslumberstillvisiblydistendinghischeeks，hiseyelids，andevenliftinghiscurlsfromhismoistforehead。ThemasterbadeRupert\"good-night，\"andreturnedtohisroomastheboydescendedthestairswithhisburden。
ButhereProvidence，with，Ifear，itsoccasionaldisregardofmerehumanmorality，rewardedRupertafterhisownfoolishdesires。
Mrs。TrippwasatthefootofthestairsasRupertcameslowlydown。Hesawher，andwascoveredwithshame；shesawhimandhisburden，andwastouchedwithkindliness。WhetherornotshewasalsomischievouslyawareofRupert’sadmiration，andwasnotaltogetherdispleasedwithit，Icannotsay。Inavoicethatthrilledhim，shesaid：——
\"What！Rupert，areyougoingsosoon？\"
\"Yes，ma’am——-onaccountofJohnny。\"
\"Butletmetakehim——Icankeephimhereto-night。\"
Itwasagreattemptation，butRuperthadstrengthtorefuse，albeitwithhishatpulledoverhisdowncasteyes。
\"Poordear，howtiredhelooks。\"
SheapproachedherstillfreshandprettyfaceclosetoRupertandlaidherlipsonJohnny’scheek。Thensheliftedheraudaciouseyestohisbrother，andpushingbackhiswell-wornchiphatfromhisclusteringcurls，shekissedhimsquarelyontheforehead。
\"Good-night，dear。\"
Theboystumbled，andthenstaggeredblindlyforwardintotheouterdarkness。Butwithagentleman’sdelicacyheturnedalmostinstantlyintoasidestreet，asiftokeepthisconsecrationofhimselffromvulgareyes。Thepathhehadchosenwasroughandweary，thenightwasdark，andJohnnywasridiculouslyheavy，buthekeptsteadilyon，thewoman’skissinthefancyofthefoolishboyshiningonhisforeheadandlightinghimonwardlikeastar。
CHAPTERVI。
WhenthedoorclosedonRupertthemasterpulleddowntheblind，and，trimminghislamp，triedtocomposehimselfbyreading。
Outside，the\"GreatDayforIndianSpring\"wasslowlyevaporatinginpalemistsfromtheriver，andthecelebrationitselfspasmodicallytakingflighthereandthereinRomancandlesandrockets。Anoccasionaloutbreakfromrevellersinthebar-roombelow，astumblingstraggleralongtheplankedsidewalkbeforethehotel，onlyseemedtointensifytherusticstillness。ForthefutureofIndianSpringwasstillsoremotethatNatureinsensiblyre-investeditsboundariesontheslightestrelaxationofcivicinfluence，andMr。Fordliftedhisheadfromtheglowingcolumnsofthe\"Star\"tolistentothefar-offyelpofacoyoteontheoppositeshore。
Hewasalsoconsciousoftherecurrenceofthatvague，pleasurablerecollection，soindefinitethat，whenhesoughttoidentifyitwithanything——eventhefindingofthemyrtlespraysonhisdesk——
itevadedhim。Hetriedtowork，withthesameinterruption。ThenanuneasysensationthathehadnotbeensufficientlykindtoRupertinhisfoolishlove-troublesremorsefullyseizedhim。A
halfpathetic，halfhumorouspictureofthemiserableRupertstaggeringunderthedoubleburdenofhissleepingbrotherandamisplacedaffection，orpossiblyabandoningtheoneorbothinthenearestditchinarecklessaccessofboyishfrenzyandfleeinghishomeforever，rosebeforehiseyes。Heseizedhishatwiththeintentionofseekinghim——orforgettinghiminsomeotheroccupationbytheway。ForMr。Fordhadthesensitiveconscienceofmanyimaginativepeople；anunfailingmonitor，itwasalwayscallinghiswholemoralbeingintoplaytoevadeit。
AshecrossedthepassagehecameuponMrs。Tripphoodedandelaboratelyattiredinawhiteballdress，whichhoweverdidnot，tohisownfancy，becomeheraswellasherordinarycostume。Hewaspassingherwithabow，whenshesaid，withcomplacentconsciousnessofherappearance，\"Aren’tyougoingtotheballto-
night？\"
Herememberedthenthat\"anopeningball\"attheCourt-housewasapartofthecelebration。\"No，\"hesaidsmiling；\"butitisapitythatRupertcouldn’thaveseenyouinyourcharmingarray。\"
\"Rupert，\"saidthelady，withaslightlycoquettishlaugh；\"youhavemadehimasmuchawoman-haterasyourself。Iofferedtotakehiminourparty，andheranawaytoyou。\"Shepaused，andgivinghimafurtivecriticalglancesaid，withaneasyminglingofconfidenceandaudacity，\"Whydon’tYOUgo？Nobody’llhurtyou。\"
\"I’mnotsosureofthat，\"repliedMr。Fordgallantly。\"There’sthemelancholyexampleofRupertalwaysbeforeme。\"
Mrs。Tripptossedherchignonanddescendedastepofthestairs。
\"You’dbettergo，\"shecontinued，lookingupoverthebalusters。
\"Youcanlookonifyoucan’tdance。\"
NowMr。FordCOULDdance，anditsochanced，ratherwell，too。
Withthisconsciousnessheremainedstandinginhalfindignanthesitationonthelandingasshedisappeared。Whyshouldn’thego？
Itwastrue，hehadhalftacitlyacquiescedinthereservewithwhichhehadbeentreated，andhadnevermingledsociallyinthegatheringsofeithersexatIndianSpring——butthatwasnoreason。
Hecouldatleastdresshimself，walktotheCourt-houseand——lookon。
AnyblackcoatandwhiteshirtwassufficientlyderigueurforIndianSpring。Mr。Fordaddedthesuperfluouseleganceofaforgottenwhitewaistcoat。Whenhereachedthesidewalkitwasonlynineo’clock，butthewindowsoftheCourt-housewerealreadyflaringlikeastrandedsteameronthebarrenbankwhereithadstruck。Onthewaythitherhewasonceortwicetemptedtochangehismind，andhesitatedevenattheverydoor。Butthefearthathishesitationwouldbenoticedbythefewloungersbeforeit，andthefactthatsomeofthemwerealreadyhesitatingthroughbashfulness，determinedhimtoenter。
Theclerks’officeandjudges’chambersonthelowerfloorhadbeeninvadedbywraps，shawls，andrefreshments，butthedancingwasreservedfortheupperfloororcourtroom，stillunfinished。
Flags，laurel-wreaths，andappropriatefloralinscriptionshiditsbarewalls；butthecoatofarmsoftheState，alreadyplacedoverthejudges’daiswithitsillimitablegoldensunset，itstriumphantgoddess，anditsimplacablegrizzly，seemedfigurativelytotypifytheoccasionbetterthantheinscriptions。Theroomwascloseandcrowded。Theflickeringcandlesintinsconcesagainstthewalls，ordependinginrudechandeliersofbarrel-hoopsfromtheceiling，litupthemostastoundingdiversityoffemalecostumethemasterhadeverseen。Gownsofbygonefashions，creasedandstainedwithpackinganddisuse，toiletsofforgottenfestivityrevisedwithmodernadditions；garmentsinandoutofseason——afur-trimmedjacketandatulleskirt，avelvetrobeunderapiquesacque；freshyoungfacesbeneathfadedhead-dresses，andmatureandbuxomcharmsinvirgin’white。Thesmallspaceclearedforthedancerswascontinuallyinvadedbythelookers-on，whoinfilesofthreedeeplinedtheroom。
Asthemasterpushedhiswaytothefront，ayounggirl，whohadbeenstandinginthesidesofaquadrille，suddenlydartedwithanymph-likequicknessamongthecrowdandwasforaninstanthidden。
Withoutdistinguishingeitherfaceorfigure，Mr。Fordrecognizedinthequick，impetuousactionacharacteristicmovementofCressy’s；withanembarrassinginstinctthathecouldnotaccountfor，heknewshehadseenhim，andthat，forsomeinexplicablereason，hewasthecauseofhersuddendisappearance。
Butitwasonlyforamoment。Evenwhilehewasvaguelyscanningthecrowdshereappearedandtookherplacebesidehermystifiedpartner——thefascinatingstrangerofJohnny’sdevotionandRupert’sdislike。Shewaspale；hehadneverseenhersobeautiful。Allthathehadthoughtdistastefulandincongruousinherwerebutaccessoriesofherlovelinessatthatmoment，inthatlight，inthatatmosphere，inthatstrangeassembly。Evenherfullpinkgauzedress，fromwhichherfairyoungshouldersslippedasfromasunsetcloud，seemedonlytheperfectionofvirginalsimplicity；
hergirlishlengthoflimbandthelongcurvesofherneckandbackwerenowtheoutlinesofthoroughbreeding。Theabsenceofcolorinherusuallyfreshfacehadbeenreplacedbyafaintmagneticaurorathatseemedtohimhalfspiritual。Hecouldnottakehiseyesfromher；hecouldnotbelievewhathesaw。YetthatwasCressyMcKinstry——hispupil！Hadheeverreallyseenher？Didheknowhernow？Smallwonderthatalleyeswerebentuponher，thatamurmurofunspokenadmiration，orstillmoreintensehushofsilencemovedthepeoplearoundhim。Heglancedhurriedlyatthem，andwasoddlyrelievedbythisevidentparticipationinhisemotions。
Shewasdancingnow，andwiththatsamepalerestraintandcuriousquietthathadaffectedhimsostrongly。Shehadnotevenlookedinhisdirection，yethewasawarebythesameinstinctthathadatfirstpossessedhimthatsheknewhewaspresent。Hisdesiretocatchhereyewasbecomingmingledwithacertaindread，asifinasingleinterchangeofglancestheillusionsofthemomentwouldeithervanishutterlyorbecomeirrevocablyfixed。Heforcedhimself，whenthesetwasfinished，toturnaway，partlytoavoidcontactwithsomeacquaintanceswhohaddriftedbeforehim，andwhompolitenesswouldhaveobligedhimtoasktodance，andpartlytocollecthisthoughts。Hedeterminedtomakeatouroftheroomsandthengoquietlyhome。Thosewhorecognizedhimmadewayforhimwithpassivecuriosity；themiddle-agedandolderaddingaconfidentialsympathyandequalitythatpositivelyirritatedhim。
ForaninstanthehadanideaofseekingoutMrs。Trippandclaimingherasapartner，merelytoshowherthathedanced。