CONTENTS
DRIFTFROMTWOSHORES
THEMANONTHEBEACH
TWOSAINTSOFTHEFOOT-HILLS
\"JINNY\"
ROGERCATRON’SFRIEND
\"WHOWASMYQUIETFRIEND？\"
AGHOSTOFTHESIERRAS
THEHOODLUMBAND
THEMANWHOSEYOKEWASNOTEASY
MYFRIEND，THETRAMP
THEMANFROMSOLANO
THEOFFICESEEKER
ASLEEPING-CAREXPERIENCE
MORNINGONTHEAVENUE
WITHTHEENTREES
DRIFTFROMTWOSHORES
THEMANONTHEBEACH
I
Helivedbesideariverthatemptiedintoagreatocean。Thenarrowstripoflandthatlaybetweenhimandtheestuarywascoveredathightidebyashiningfilmofwater，atlowtidewiththecast-upofferingsofseaandshore。Logsyetgreen，andsaplingswashedawayfrominlandbanks，batteredfragmentsofwrecksandorangecratesofbamboo，brokenintotinyraftsyetodorouswiththeirlostfreight，layinlongsuccessivecurves，——
thefringesandoverlappingsofthesea。Athighnoontheshadowofaseagull’swing，orasuddenflurryandgraysquallofsand-
pipers，themselvesbutshadows，wasallthatbrokethemonotonousglareofthelevelsands。
Hehadlivedtherealoneforatwelvemonth。Althoughbutafewmilesfromathrivingsettlement，duringthattimehisretirementhadneverbeenintrudedupon，hisseclusionremainedunbroken。Inanyothercommunityhemighthavebeenthesubjectofrumororcriticism，buttheminersatCampRogueandthetradersatTrinidadHead，themselvesindividualandeccentric，wereprofoundlyindifferenttoallotherformsofeccentricityorheterodoxythatdidnotcomeincontactwiththeirown。Andcertainlytherewasnoformofeccentricitylessaggressivethanthatofahermit，hadtheychosentogivehimthatappellation。Buttheydidnotevendothat，probablyfromlackofinterestorperception。Tothevarioustraderswhosuppliedhissmallwantshewasknownas\"Kernel，\"
\"Judge，\"and\"Boss。\"Tothegeneralpublic\"TheManontheBeach\"
wasconsideredasufficientlydistinguishingtitle。Hisname，hisoccupation，rank，orantecedents，nobodycaredtoinquire。Whetherthisarosefromafearofreciprocalinquiryandinterest，orfromtheprofoundindifferencebeforereferredto，Icannotsay。
Hedidnotlooklikeahermit。Amanyetyoung，erect，well-
dressed，clean-shaven，withalowvoice，andasmilehalfmelancholy，halfcynical，wasscarcelytheconventionalideaofasolitary。Hisdwelling，arudeimprovementonafisherman’scabin，hadallthesevereexteriorsimplicityoffrontierarchitecture，butwithinitwascomfortableandwholesome。Threerooms——akitchen，alivingroom，andabedroom——wereallitcontained。
Hehadlivedtherelongenoughtoseethedullmonotonyofoneseasonlapseintothedullmonotonyoftheother。Thebleaknorthwesttrade-windshadbroughthimmorningsofstaringsunlightandnightsoffogandsilence。Thewarmersouthwesttradeshadbroughthimclouds，rain，andthetransientgloriesofquickgrassesandodorousbeachblossoms。Butsummerorwinter，wetordryseason，ononesiderosealwaysthesharplydefinedhillswiththeirchangelessbackgroundofevergreens；ontheothersidestretchedalwaystheillimitableoceanassharplydefinedagainstthehorizon，andasunchanginginitshue。Theonsetofspringandautumntides，somechangesamonghisfeatheredneighbors，thefootprintsofcertainwildanimalsalongtheriver’sbank，andthehangingoutofparty-coloredsignalsfromthewoodedhillsidefarinland，helpedhimtorecordtheslowmonths。Onsummerafternoons，whenthesunsankbehindabankoffogthat，movingsolemnlyshoreward，atlastencompassedhimandblottedoutseaandsky，hisisolationwascomplete。Thedampgrayseathatflowedaboveandaroundandabouthimalwaysseemedtoshutoutanintangibleworldbeyond，andtobetheonlyrealpresence。Theboomingofbreakersscarceadozenrodsfromhisdwellingwasbutavagueandunintelligiblesound，ortheechoofsomethingpastforever。Everymorningwhenthesuntoreawaythemistycurtainheawoke，dazedandbewildered，asuponanewworld。Thefirstsenseofoppressionover，hecametoloveatlastthissubtlespiritofoblivion；andatnight，whenitscloudywingswerefoldedoverhiscabin，hewouldsitalonewithasenseofsecurityhehadneverfeltbefore。Onsuchoccasionshewasapttoleavehisdooropen，andlistenasforfootsteps；forwhatmightnotcometohimoutofthisvague，nebulousworldbeyond？PerhapsevenSHE，——forthisstrangesolitarywasnotinsanenorvisionary。Hewasneverinspiritalone。Fornightandday，sleepingorwaking，pacingthebeachorcrouchingoverhisdriftwoodfire，awoman’sfacewasalwaysbeforehim，——thefaceforwhosesakeandforcauseofwhomhesattherealone。Hesawitinthemorningsunlight；itwasherwhitehandsthatwereliftedfromthecrestedbreakers；itwastherustlingofherskirtwhentheseawindsweptthroughthebeachgrasses；itwasthelovingwhisperofherlowvoicewhenthelongwavessankanddiedamongthesedgeandrushes。Shewasasomnipresentasseaandskyandlevelsand。Hencewhenthefogwipedthemaway，sheseemedtodrawclosertohiminthedarkness。
Ononeortwomoregraciousnightsinmidsummer，whentheinfluenceofthefervidnoondaysunwasstillfeltontheheatedsands，thewarmbreathofthefogtouchedhischeekasifithadbeenhers，andthetearsstartedtohiseyes。
Beforethefogscame——forhearrivedthereinwinter——hehadfoundsurceaseandrestinthesteadyglowofalighthouseuponthelittlepromontoryaleaguebelowhishabitation。Evenonthedarkestnights，andinthetumultsofstorm，itspoketohimofapatiencethatwasenduringandasteadfastnessthatwasimmutable。
Lateronhefoundacertaindumbcompanionshipinanuprootedtree，which，floatingdowntheriver，hadstrandedhopelesslyuponhisbeach，butintheeveninghadagaindriftedaway。Rowingacrosstheestuaryadayortwoafterward，herecognizedthetreeagainfroma\"blaze\"ofthesettler’saxestilluponitstrunk。Hewasnotsurprisedaweeklatertofindthesametreeinthesandsbeforehisdwelling，orthatthenextmorningitshouldbeagainlaunchedonitspurposelesswanderings。Andso，impelledbywindortide，butalwayshauntinghisseclusion，hewouldmeetitvoyaginguptheriverattheflood，orseeittossingamongthebreakersonthebar，butalwayswiththeconfidenceofitsreturningsoonerorlatertoananchoragebesidehim。Afterthethirdmonthofhisself-imposedexile，hewasforcedintoamorehumancompanionship，thatwasbriefbutregular。Hewasobligedtohavemenialassistance。Whilehemighthaveeatenhisbread\"insorrow\"carelesslyandmechanically，ifithadbeenpreparedforhim，theoccupationofcookinghisownfoodbroughtthevulgarityandmaterialnessofexistencesoneartohismorbidsensitivenessthathecouldnoteatthemealhehadhimselfprepared。Hedidnotyetwishtodie，andwhenstarvationorsocietyseemedtobetheonlyalternative，hechosethelatter。AnIndianwoman，sohideousastoscarcelysuggesthumanity，atstatedtimesperformedforhimtheseoffices。Whenshedidnotcome，whichwasnotinfrequent，hedidnoteat。
SuchwasthementalandphysicalconditionoftheManontheBeachonthe1stofJanuary，1869。
Itwasastill，brightday，followingaweekofrainandwind。Lowdownthehorizonstilllingeredafewwhiteflecks——theflyingsquadronsofthestorm——asvagueasdistantsails。Southwardtheharborbarwhitenedoccasionallybutlazily；eventheturbulentPacificswellstretcheditslengthwearilyupontheshore。Andtoilingfromthesettlementoverthelowsanddunes，acarriageatlasthaltedhalfamilefromthesolitary’sdwelling。
\"Ireckonye’llhevtogitouthere，\"saidthedriver，pullinguptobreathehispantinghorses。\"Yecan’tgitanynigher。\"
Therewasagroanofexecrationfromtheinteriorofthevehicle，ahystericallittleshriek，andoneortwoshrillexpressionsoffemininedisapprobation，butthedrivermovednot。Atlastamasculineheadexpostulatedfromthewindow：\"Lookhere；youagreedtotakeustothehouse。Why，it’samileawayatleast！\"
\"Thar，ortharabouts，Ireckon，\"saidthedriver，coollycrossinghislegsonthebox。
\"It’snousetalking；Icanneverwalkthroughthissandandhorridglare，\"saidafemalevoicequicklyandimperatively。Then，apprehensively，\"Well，ofalltheplaces！\"
\"Well，Inever！\"
\"ThisDOESexceedeverything。\"
\"It’sreallyTOOidioticforanything。\"
Itwasnoticeablethatwhilethevoicesbetrayedthedifferenceofageandsex，theyboreasingularresemblancetoeachother，andacertainquerulousnessofpitchthatwasdominant。
\"IreckonI’vegoneaboutasfurasIallowtogowiththemhosses，\"continuedthedriversuggestively，\"andastime’svallyble，ye’dbetterunload。\"
\"Thewretchdoesnotmeantoleaveusherealone？\"saidafemalevoiceinshrillindignation。\"You’llwaitforus，driver？\"saidamasculinevoice，confidently。
\"Howlong？\"askedthedriver。
Therewasahurriedconsultationwithin。Thewords\"Mightsenduspacking！\"\"Maytakeallnighttogethimtolistentoreason，\"
\"Bother！wholethingoverintenminutes，\"camefromthewindow。
Thedrivermeanwhilehadsettledhimselfbackinhisseat，andwhistledinpatientcontemptofafashionablefarethatdidn’tknowitsownmindnordestination。Finally，themasculineheadwasthrustout，and，withacertainpotentialairofjudiciallyendingadifficulty，said：——
\"You’retofollowusslowly，andputupyourhorsesinthestableorbarnuntilwewantyou。\"
Anironicallaughburstfromthedriver。\"Oh，yes——inthestableorbarn——incourse。But，myeyessorterfailin’me，mebbee，now，someevyouyoungerfolkswillkindlypintoutthestableorbarnoftheKernel’s。Woa！——willye？——woa！Givemeachancetopickoutthattherebarnorstabletoputyein！\"Thisinarchconfidencetothehorses，whohadnotmoved。
Herethepreviousspeaker，rotund，dignified，andelderly，alightedindignantly，closelyfollowedbytherestoftheparty，twoladiesandagentleman。Oneoftheladieswaspasttheage，butnotthefashion，ofyouth，andherParisiandressclungoverherwastedfigureandwell-bredbonesartisticallyifnotgracefully；theyoungerlady，evidentlyherdaughter，wascrispandpretty，andcarriedofftheaquilinenoseandaristocraticemaciationofhermotherwithacertainpiquancyandadashthatwascharming。Thegentlemanwasyoung，thin，withthefamilycharacteristics，butotherwiseindistinctive。
Withoneaccordtheyallfaceddirectlytowardthespotindicatedbythedriver’swhip。Nothingbutthebare，bleak，rectangularoutlinesofthecabinoftheManontheBeachmettheireyes。Allelsewasadesolateexpanse，unrelievedbyanystructurehigherthanthetussocksofscantbeachgrassthatclothedit。Theyweresoutterlyhelplessthatthedriver’sderisivelaughtergavewayatlasttogoodhumorandsuggestion。\"Lookyer，\"hesaidfinally，\"I
don’tknowezit’syourfaultyoudon’tknowthiskentryezwellezyoudoYurup；soI’lldragthisyerteamovertoRobinson’sontheriver，givethehorsesabite，andthenmeanderdownthisyerridge，andwaitforye。Ye’llseemefromtheKernel’s。\"Andwithoutwaitingforareply，heswunghishorses’headstowardtheriver，androlledaway。
Thesamequerulousprotestthathadcomefromthewindowsarosefromthegroup，butvainly。Thenfollowedaccusationsandrecrimination。\"It’sYOURfault；youmighthavewritten，andhadhimmeetusatthesettlement。\"\"Youwantedtotakehimbysurprise！\"\"Ididn’t。YouknowifI’dwrittenthatwewerecoming，he’dhavetakengoodcaretorunawayfromus。\"\"Yes，tosomemoreinaccessibleplace。\"\"Therecanbenoneworsethanthis，\"etc。，etc。Butitwassoclearlyevidentthatnothingwastobedonebuttogoforward，thateveninthemidstoftheirwranglingtheystraggledoninIndianfiletowardthedistantcabin，sinkingankle-deepintheyieldingsand，punctuatingtheirverbalaltercationwithsighs，andonlyabatingitatascreamfromtheelderlady。
\"Where’sMaria？\"
\"Goneonahead！\"gruntedtheyoungergentleman，inabassvoice，soincongruouslylargeforhimthatitseemedtohavebeenaventriloquisticcontributionbysomebodyelse。
Itwastootrue。Maria，afteraddingherpungencytothegeneralconversation，haddartedonahead。Butalas！thatswiftCamilla，afterscouringtheplainsometwohundredfeetwithherdemitrain，cametogriefonanunbendingtussockandsatdown，pantingbutsavage。Astheyploddedwearilytowardher，shebitherredlips，smackedthemonhercruellittlewhiteteethlikeafestiveandsprightlyghoul，andlisped：——
\"YouDOlooksolikeguys！ForalltheworldlikethoseEnglishshopkeeperswemetontheRighi，doingthethree-guineaexcursionintheirSundayclothes！\"
Certainlythespectacleoftheseexoticallyplumedbipeds，whosefinefeatherswerealreadybedrabbledbysandandgrowinglimpintheseabreeze，wassomewhatdissonantwiththerudenessofseaandskyandshore。Afewgullsscreamedatthem；aloon，startledfromthelagoon，aroseshriekingandprotesting，withpainfullyextendedlegs，inobviousburlesqueoftheyoungergentleman。Theelderladyfeltthejusticeofhergentledaughter’scriticism，andretaliatedwithsimpledirectness：——
\"Yourskirtisruined，yourhairiscomingdown，yourhatishalfoffyourhead，andyourshoes——inHeaven’sname，Maria！whatHAVE
youdonewithyourshoes？\"
Mariahadexhibitedaslimstockingedfootfromunderherskirt。
Itwasscarcelythreefingersbroad，withanarchaspatricianashernose。\"Somewherebetweenhereandthecarriage，\"sheanswered；
\"Dickcanrunbackandfindit，whileheislookingforyourbrooch，mamma。Dick’ssoobliging。\"
TherobustvoiceofDickthundered，butthewastedfigureofDickfeeblyplougheditswayback，andreturnedwiththemissingbuskin。
\"ImayaswellcarrytheminmyhandlikethemarketgirlsatSaumur，forwehavegottowadesoon，\"saidMissMaria，sinkingherownterrorsinthedelightfulcontemplationofthehorrorinherparent’sface，asshepointedtoashiningfilmofwaterslowlydeepeninginanarrowswaleinthesandsbetweenthemandthecabin。
\"It’sthetide，\"saidtheeldergentleman。\"Ifweintendtogoonwemusthasten；permitme，mydearmadam，\"andbeforeshecouldreplyhehadliftedtheastoundedmatroninhisarms，andmadegallantlyfortheford。ThegentleMariacastanominouseyeonherbrother，who，withmanifestreluctance，performedforherthesameoffice。Butthatacuteyoungladykepthereyesupontheprecedingfigureoftheeldergentleman，andseeinghimsuddenlyandmysteriouslydisappeartohisarmpits，unhesitatinglythrewherselffromherbrother’sprotectingarms，——anactionwhichinstantlyprecipitatedhimintothewater，——andpaddledhastilytotheoppositebank，wheresheeventuallyassistedinpullingtheelderlygentlemanoutofthehollowintowhichhehadfallen，andinrescuinghermother，whofloatedhelplesslyonthesurface，upheldbyherskirts，likeagiganticandvariegatedwater-lily。
Dickfollowedwithasinglegaiter。Inanotherminutetheyweresafeontheoppositebank。
Theelderladygavewaytotears；Marialaughedhysterically；Dickmingledabassoathwiththenowaudiblesurf；theeldergentleman，whosefloridfacethesaltwaterhadbleached，andwhosedignityseemedtohavebeenwashedaway，accountedforbothbysayinghethoughtitwasaquicksand。
\"Itmighthavebeen，\"saidaquietvoicebehindthem；\"youshouldhavefollowedthesandduneshalfamilefurthertotheestuary。\"
Theyturnedinstantlyatthevoice。ItwasthatoftheManontheBeach。Theyallrosetotheirfeetandutteredtogether，saveone，thesingleexclamation，\"James！\"Theeldergentlemansaid\"Mr。
North，\"and，withaslightresumptionofhisformerdignity，buttonedhiscoatoverhisdampshirtfront。
Therewasasilence，inwhichtheManontheBeachlookedgravelydownuponthem。Iftheyhadintendedtoimpresshimbyanysuggestionofagay，brilliant，andsensuousworldbeyondintheirownpersons，theyhadfailed，andtheyknewit。Keenlyaliveastheyhadalwaysbeentoexternalprepossession，theyfeltthattheylookedforlornandludicrous，andthatthesituationlayinhishands。Theelderlyladyagainburstintotearsofgenuinedistress，Mariacoloredoverhercheek-bones，andDickstaredatthegroundinsullendisquiet。
\"Youhadbettergetup，\"saidtheManontheBeach，afteramoment’sthought，\"andcomeuptothecabin。Icannotofferyouachangeofgarments，butyoucandrythembythefire。\"
Theyallrosetogether，andagainsaidinchorus，\"James！\"butthistimewithanevidentefforttorecallsomespeechoractionpreviouslyresolveduponandcommittedtomemory。Theelderladygotsofarastoclaspherhandsandadd，\"Youhavenotforgottenus——James，oh，James！\"；theyoungergentlemantoattemptabrusque\"Why，Jim，oldboy，\"thatendedinquerulousincoherence；theyoungladytocastahalf-searching，half-coquettishlookathim；andtheoldgentlemantobegin，\"Ourdesire，Mr。North\"——buttheeffortwasfutile。Mr。JamesNorth，standingbeforethemwithfoldedarms，lookedfromtheonetotheother。
\"Ihavenotthoughtmuchofyouforatwelvemonth，\"hesaid，quietly，\"butIhavenotforgottenyou。Come！\"
Heledthewayafewstepsinadvance，theyfollowingsilently。Inthisbriefinterviewtheyfelthehadresumedtheolddominanceandindependence，againstwhichtheyhadrebelled；morethanthat，inthishalffailureoftheirfirstconcertedactiontheyhadchangedtheirquerulousbickeringstoasullendistrustofeachother，andwalkedmoodilyapartastheyfollowedJamesNorthintohishouse。
Afireblazedbrightlyonthehearth；afewextraseatswerequicklyextemporizedfromboxesandchests，andtheelderlady，withtheskirtofherdressfoldedoverherknees，——lookingnotunlikeanexceedinglyoverdressedjointeddoll，——driedherflouncesandhertearstogether。MissMariatookinthescantappointmentsofthehouseinonesingleglance，andthenfixedhereyesuponJamesNorth，who，theleastconcernedoftheparty，stoodbeforethem，graveandpatientlyexpectant。
\"Well，\"begantheelderladyinahighkey，\"afterallthisworryandtroubleyouhavegivenus，James，haven’tyouanythingtosay？
Doyouknow——haveyoutheleastideawhatyouaredoing？whategregiousfollyyouarecommitting？whateverybodyissaying？Eh？
Heavensandearth！——doyouknowwhoIam？\"
\"Youaremyfather’sbrother’swidow，AuntMary，\"returnedJames，quietly。\"IfIamcommittinganyfollyitonlyconcernsmyself；ifIcaredforwhatpeoplesaidIshouldnotbehere；ifIlovedsocietyenoughtoappreciateitsgoodreportIshouldstaywithit。\"
\"Buttheysayyouhaverunawayfromsocietytopinealoneforaworthlesscreature——awomanwhohasusedyou，asshehasusedandthrownawayothers——a——\"
\"Awoman，\"chimedinDick，whohadthrownhimselfonJames’sbedwhilehispatentleathersweredrying，\"awomanthatallthefellersknowneverintended\"——here，however，hemetJamesNorth’seye，andmutteringsomethingabout\"wholethingbeingtooidiotictotalkabout，\"relapsedintosilence。
\"Youknow，\"continuedMrs。North，\"thatwhileweandalloursetshutoureyestoyourveryobviousrelationswiththatwoman，andwhileImyselfoftenspokeofittoothersasasimpleflirtation，andavertedascandalforyoursake，andwhentheclimaxwasreached，andsheherselfgaveyouanopportunitytoseveryourrelations，andnobodyneedhavebeenwiser——andshe’dhavehadalltheblame——andit’sonlywhatshe’saccustomedto——you——you！you，JamesNorth！——youmustnonsensicallygo，and，bythisextravagantpieceofidiocyandsentimentaltomfoolery，leteverybodyseehowseriousthewholeaffairwas，andhowdeepithurtyou！andhereinthisawfulplace，alone——whereyou’rehalfdrownedtogettoitandarewillingtobewhollydrownedtogetaway！Oh，don’ttalktome！Iwon’thearit——it’sjusttooidioticforanything！\"
Thesubjectofthisoutburstneitherspokenormovedasinglemuscle。
\"Youraunt，Mr。North，speaksexcitedly，\"saidtheeldergentleman；
\"yetIthinkshedoesnotoverestimatetheunfortunatepositioninwhichyouroddfancyplacesyou。Iknownothingofthereasonsthathaveimpelledyoutothisstep；Ionlyknowthatthepopularopinionisthatthecauseisutterlyinadequate。Youarestillyoung，withafuturebeforeyou。Ineednotsayhowyourpresentconductmayimperilthat。Ifyouexpectedtoachieveanygood——
eventoyourownsatisfaction——butthisconduct——\"
\"Yes——iftherewasanythingtobegainedbyit！\"brokeinMrs。
North。
\"Ifyoueverthoughtshe’dcomeback！——butthatkindofwomandon’t。Theymusthavechange。Why\"——beganDicksuddenly，andassuddenlylyingdownagain。
\"Isthisallyouhavecometosay？\"askedJamesNorth，afteramoment’spatientsilence，lookingfromonetotheother。
\"All？\"screamedMrs。North；\"isitnotenough？\"
\"Nottochangemymindnormyresidenceatpresent，\"repliedNorth，coolly。
\"Doyoumeantocontinuethisfollyallyourlife？\"
\"Andhaveacoroner’sinquest，andadvertisementsandallthefactsinthepapers？\"
\"AndhaveHERreadthemelancholydetails，andknowthatyouwerefaithfulandshewasnot？\"
ThislastshotwasfromthegentleMaria，whobitherlipsasitglancedfromtheimmovableman。
\"Ibelievethereisnothingmoretosay，\"continuedNorth，quietly。
\"Iamwillingtobelieveyourintentionsareasworthyasyourzeal。Letussaynomore，\"headded，withgraveweariness；\"thetideisrising，andyourcoachmanissignalingyoufromthebank。\"
Therewasnomistakingtheunshakenpositivenessoftheman，whichwasallthemorenoticeablefromitsgentlebututterindifferencetothewishesoftheparty。Heturnedhisbackuponthemastheygatheredhurriedlyaroundtheeldergentleman，whilethewords，\"Hecannotbeinhisrightmind，\"\"It’syourdutytodoit，\"\"It’ssheerinsanity，\"\"Lookathiseye！\"allfellunconsciouslyuponhisear。
\"Onewordmore，Mr。North，\"saidtheeldergentleman，alittleportentously，toconcealanevidentembarrassment。\"Itmaybethatyourconductmightsuggesttomindsmorepracticalthanyourowntheexistenceofsomeaberrationoftheintellect——sometemporarymania——thatmightforceyourbestfriendsintoaquasi-legalattitudeof——\"
\"Declaringmeinsane，\"interruptedJamesNorth，withtheslightimpatienceofamanmoreanxioustoendaprolixinterviewthantocombatanargument。\"Ithinkdifferently。Asmyaunt’slawyer，youknowthatwithinthelastyearIhavedeededmostofmypropertytoherandherfamily。IcannotbelievethatsoshrewdanadviserasMr。EdmundCarterwouldeverpermitproceedingsthatwouldinvalidatethatconveyance。\"
MariaburstintoalaughofsuchwickedgratificationthatJamesNorth，forthefirsttime，raisedhiseyeswithsomethingofinteresttoherface。Shecoloredunderthem，butreturnedhisglancewithanotherlikeabayonetflash。Thepartyslowlymovedtowardthedoor，JamesNorthfollowing。
\"Thenthisisyourfinalanswer？\"askedMrs。North，stoppingimperiouslyonthethreshold。
\"Ibegyourpardon？\"queriedNorth，halfabstractedly。
\"Yourfinalanswer？\"
\"Oh，certainly。\"
Mrs。Northflouncedawayadozenrodsinrage。ThiswasunfortunateforNorth。Itgavethemthefinalattackindetail。
Dickbegan：\"Comealong！Youknowyoucanadvertiseforherwithapersonaldownthereandtheoldwomanwouldn’tobjectaslongasyouwerecarefulandputinanappearancenowandthen！\"
AsDicklimpedaway，Mr。Carterthought，inconfidence，thatthewholematter——eventosuitMr。North’ssensitivenature——mightbesettledthere。\"SHEevidentlyexpectsyoutoreturn。MyopinionisthatsheneverleftSanFrancisco。Youcan’ttellanythingaboutthesewomen。\"
Withthislastsentenceonhisindifferentear，JamesNorthseemedtobeleftfree。Mariahadrejoinedhermother；butastheycrossedtheford，andaninterveningsand-hillhidtheothersfromsight，thatpiquantyoungladysuddenlyappearedonthehillandstoodbeforehim。
\"Andyou’renotcomingback？\"shesaiddirectly。
\"No。\"
\"Never？\"
\"Icannotsay。\"
\"Tellme！whatisthereaboutsomewomentomakemenlovethemso？\"
\"Love，\"repliedNorth，quietly。
\"No，itcannotbe——itisnotTHAT！\"
Northlookedoverthehillandroundthehill，andlookedbored。
\"Oh，I’mgoingnow。Butonemoment，Jem！Ididn’twanttocome。
Theydraggedmehere。Good-by。\"
Sheraisedaburningfaceandeyestohis。Heleanedforwardandimprintedtheperfunctorycousinlykissoftheperioduponhercheek。
\"Notthatway，\"shesaidangrily，clutchinghiswristswithherlong，thinfingers；\"youshan’tkissmeinthatway，JamesNorth。\"
Withthefaintest，ghost-likepassingofatwinkleinthecornersofhissadeyes，hetouchedhislipstohers。Withthecontact，shecaughthimroundtheneck，pressedherburninglipsandfacetohisforehead，hischeeks，theverycurvesofhischinandthroat，and——withalaughwasgone。
II
HadthekinsfolkofJamesNorthanyhopethattheirvisitmightrevivesomelingeringdesirehestillcombatedtoenteroncemoretheworldtheyrepresented，thathopewouldhavesoondied。
Whatevereffectthisepisodehaduponthesolitary，——andhehadbecomesoself-indulgentofhissorrow，andsocarelessofallthatcamebetweenhimandit，astomeetoppositionwithprofoundindifference，——theonlyappreciableresultwasagreaterattractionforthesolitudethatprotectedhim，andhegreweventolovethebleakshoreandbarrensandsthathadprovedsoinhospitabletoothers。Therewasanewmeaningtotheroarofthesurges，anhonest，loyalsturdinessintheunchangingpersistencyoftheuncouthandblusteringtrade-winds，andamutefidelityintheshiningsands，treacheroustoallbuthim。Withsuchbandogstolieinwaitfortrespassers，shouldhenotbegrateful？
Ifnobitternesswasawakenedbytherepeatedavowaloftheunfaithfulnessofthewomanheloved，itwasbecausehehadalwaysmadetheobservationandexperienceofothersgivewaytothedominanceofhisowninsight。Noarrayofcontradictoryfactsevershookhisbelieforunbelief；likeallegotists，heacceptedthemastruthscontrolledbyalargertruthofwhichhealonewascognizant。Hissimplicity，whichwasbutanotherformofhisegotism，wassocompleteastobaffleordinarymaliciouscunning，andsohewassparedtheexperienceandknowledgethatcometoalowernature，andhelpdebaseit。
Exerciseandthestimulusofthefewwantsthatsenthimhuntingorfishingkeptuphisphysicalhealth。Neveraloverofrudefreedomoroutdoorlifehissedentarypredilectionsandnicetasteskepthimfromlapsingintobarbarianexcess；neverasportsmanhefollowedthechasewithnofeverishexaltation。Evendumbcreaturesfoundouthissecret，andattimes，stalkingmoodilyovertheupland，thebrowndeerandelkwouldcrosshispathwithoutfearormolestation，or，idlylounginginhiscanoewithintheriverbar，flocksofwildfowlwouldsettlewithinstrokeofhislistlessoar。Andsothesecondwinterofhishermitagedrewnearitsclose，andwithitcameastormthatpassedintolocalhistory，andisstillremembered。Ituprootedgianttreesalongtheriver，andwiththemthetinyrootletsofthelifehewasidlyfostering。
Themorninghadbeenfitfullyturbulent，thewindveeringseveralpointssouthandwest，withsuspicionslulls，unlikethesteadyonsetoftheregularsouthwesttrades。Highoverheadthelongmanesofracingcirrostratusstreamedwithflyinggullsandhurryingwater-fowl；ploverpipedincessantly，andaflockoftimoroussand-piperssoughtthelowridgeofhiscabin，whileawreckingcrewofcurlewhastilymannedtheuprootedtreethattossedwearilybeyondthebar。Bynoontheflyingcloudshuddledtogetherinmasses，andthenweresuddenlyexplodedinonevastopaquesheetovertheheavens。Theseabecamegray，andsuddenlywrinkledandold。Therewasadumb，half-articulatecryintheair，——ratheraconfusionofmanysounds，asoftheboomingofdistantguns，theclangorofabell，thetramplingofmanywaves，thecreakingoftimbersandsoughingofleaves，thatsankandfellereyoucouldyetdistinguishthem。Andthenitcameontoblow。
Fortwohoursitblewstrongly。Atthetimethesunshouldhavesetthewindhadincreased；infifteenminutesdarknessshutdown，eventhewhitesandslosttheiroutlines，andseaandshoreandskylayinthegripofarelentlessandaggressivepower。
Withinhiscabin，bytheleapinglightofhisgustyfire，Northsatalone。Hisfirstcuriositypassed，theturmoilwithoutnolongercarriedhisthoughtbeyonditsoneconvergingcentre。SHEhadcometohimonthewingsofthestorm，evenasshehadbeenbornetohimonthesummerfog-cloud。Nowandthenthewindshookthecabin，butheheededitnot。Hehadnofearsforitssafety；itpresenteditslowgabletothefullfuryofthewindthatyearbyyearhadpiled，andevennowwaspiling，protectingbuttressesofsandagainstit。Witheachsucceedinggustitseemedtonestlemorecloselytoitsfoundations，inthewhirlofflyingsandthatrattledagainstitsroofandwindows。Itwasnearlymidnightwhenasuddenthoughtbroughthimtohisfeet。WhatifSHEwereexposedtothefuryofsuchanightasthis？Whatcouldhedotohelpher？
Perhapsevennow，ashesatthereidle，she——Hark！wasnotthatagun——No？Yes，surely！
Hehurriedlyunboltedthedoor，butthestrengthofthewindandtheimpactofdriftedsandresistedhisefforts。Withanewandfeverishstrengthpossessinghimheforceditopenwideenoughtopermithisegresswhenthewindcaughthimasafeather，rolledhimoverandover，andthen，grapplinghimagain，heldhimdownhardandfastagainstthedrift。Unharmed，butunabletomove，helaythere，hearingthemultitudinousroarofthestorm，butunabletodistinguishonefamiliarsoundinthesavagemedley。Atlasthemanagedtocrawlflatonhisfacetothecabin，andrefasteningthedoor，threwhimselfuponhisbed。
HewasawakenedfromafitfuldreamofhisCousinMaria。Shewithasupernaturalstrengthseemedtobeholdingthedooragainstsomeunseen，unknownpowerthatmoanedandstrovewithout，andthrewitselfindespairingforceagainstthecabin。Hecouldseethelitheundulationsofherformasshealternatelyyieldedtoitspower，andagaindrewthedooragainstit，coilingherselfaroundthelog-hewndoorpostwithahideous，snake-likesuggestion。Andthenastruggleandaheavyblow，whichshooktheveryfoundationsofthestructure，awokehim。Heleapedtohisfeet，andintoaninchofwater！Bytheflickeringfirelighthecouldseeitoozinganddrippingfromthecrevicesofthelogsandbroadeningintoapoolbythechimney。Ascrapofpapertornfromanenvelopewasfloatingidlyonitscurrent。Wasittheoverflowofthebacked-upwatersoftheriver？Hewasnotleftlongindoubt。Anotherblowuponthegableofthehouse，andatorrentofsprayleapeddownthechimney，scatteredtheembersfarandwide，andlefthiminutterdarkness。Someofthesprayclungtohislips。Itwassalt。Thegreatoceanhadbeatendowntheriverbarandwasuponhim！
Wasthereaughttoflyto？No！Thecabinstooduponthehighestpointofthesandspit，andthelowswaleononesidecrossedbyhislatevisitorswasaseethingmassofbreakers，whiletheestuarybehindhimwasnowtheoceanitself。Therewasnothingtodobuttowait。
Theveryhelplessnessofhissituationwas，toamanofhispeculiartemperament，anelementofpatientstrength。Theinstinctofself-preservationwasstillstronginhim，buthehadnofearofdeath，nor，indeed，anypresentimentofit；yetifitcame，itwasaneasysolutionoftheproblemthathadbeentroublinghim，anditwipedofftheslate！Hethoughtofthesarcasticpredictionofhiscousin，anddeathintheformthatthreatenedhimwastheobliterationofhishomeandeventhegrounduponwhichitstood。
Therewouldbenothingtorecord，nostaincouldcomeupontheliving。TheinstinctthatkepthimtruetoHERwouldtellherhowhedied；ifitdidnot，itwasequallywell。Andwiththissimplefatalismhisonlybelief，thisstrangemangropedhiswaytohisbed，laydown，andinafewmomentswasasleep。Thestormstillroaredwithout。Onceagainthesurgesleapedagainstthecabin，butitwasevidentthatthewindwasabatingwiththetide。
Whenheawokeitwashighnoon，andthesunwasshiningbrightly。
Forsometimehelayinadeliciouslanguor，doubtingifhewasaliveordead，butfeelingthrougheverynerveandfibreanexquisitesenseofpeace——aresthehadnotknownsincehisboyhood——areliefhescarcelyknewfromwhat。Hefeltthathewassmiling，andyethispillowwaswetwiththetearsthatglitteredstillonhislashes。Thesandblockinguphisdoorway，heleapedlightlyfromhiswindow。Afewcloudswerestillsailingslowlyintheheavens，thetrailingplumesofagreatbenedictionthatlayonseaandshore。Hescarcelyrecognizedthefamiliarlandscape；anewbarhadbeenformedintheriver，andanarrowcausewayofsandthatcrossedthelagoonandmarshestotheriverbankandtheuplandtrailseemedtobringhimnearertohumanityagain。Hewasconsciousofafresh，childlikedelightinallthis，andwhen，amomentlater，hesawtheolduprootedtree，nowapparentlyforevermooredandimbeddedinthesandbesidehiscabin，herantoitwithasenseofjoy。
Itstrailingrootswerefestoonedwithclingingsea-weedandthelong，snaky，undulatingstemsofthesea-turnip；andfixedbetweentwocrossingrootswasabambooorangecrate，almostintact。Ashewalkedtowarditheheardastrangecry，unlikeanythingthebarrensandshadbornebefore。Thinkingitmightbesomestrangeseabirdcaughtinthemeshesofthesea-weed，herantothecrateandlookedwithin。Itwashalffilledwithsea-mossandfeatheryalgae。Thecrywasrepeated。Hebrushedasidetheweedswithhishands。Itwasnotawoundedseabird，butalivinghumanchild！
Ashelifteditfromitsdampenwrappingshesawthatitwasaninfanteightorninemonthsold。Howandwhenithadbeenbroughtthere，orwhatforcehadguidedthatelfishcradletohisverydoor，hecouldnotdetermine；butitmusthavebeenleftearly，foritwasquitewarm，anditsclothingalmostdriedbytheblazingmorningsun。Towraphiscoataboutit，toruntohiscabinwithit，tostartoutagainwiththeappallingconvictionthatnothingcouldbedoneforitthere，occupiedsomemoments。HisnearestneighborwasTrinidadJoe，a\"logger，\"threemilesuptheriver。
Herememberedtohaveheardvaguelythathewasamanoffamily。
Tohalfstranglethechildwithafewdropsfromhiswhiskyflask，toextricatehiscanoefromthemarsh，andstrikeoutintotheriverwithhiswaif，wasatleasttodosomething。InhalfanhourhehadreachedthestragglingcabinandshedsofTrinidadJoe，andfromthefewscantyflowersthatmingledwiththebrushwoodfence，andasurplusoflinenflutteringontheline，heknewthathissurmiseastoTrinidadJoe’sdomesticestablishmentwascorrect。
Thedooratwhichheknockedopeneduponaneat，plainly-furnishedroom，andthefigureofabuxomwomanoftwenty-five。Withanawkwardnessnewtohim，Northstammeredoutthecircumstancesofhisfindingtheinfant，andtheobjectofhisvisit。Beforehehadfinished，thewoman，bysomefemininetrick，hadtakenthechildfromhishandsereheknewit；andwhenhepaused，outofbreath，burstintoafitoflaughter。Northtriedtolaughtoo，butfailed。
Whenthewomanhadwipedthetearsfromapairofveryfrankblueeyes，andhiddentworowsofverystrongwhiteteethagain，shesaid：——
\"Lookyar！You’rethatlooneysorta’chapthatlivesaloneoveronthespityonder，ain’tye？\"
Northhastenedtoadmitallthatthestatementmightimply。
\"Andsoye’vehadababyleftyetokeepyoucompany？Lordy！\"
Hereshelookedasifdangerouslyneararelapse，andthenadded，asifinexplanationofherconduct，——
\"WhenIsawyepaddlin’downhere，——youthetezshyaselkinsummer，——Isez，’He’ssick。’Butababy，——Oh，Lordy！\"
ForamomentNorthalmosthatedher。Awomanwho，inthispathetic，perhapsalmosttragic，picturesawonlyaludicrousimage，andthatimagehimself，wasofanotherracethanthathehadevermingledwith。Profoundlyindifferentashehadalwaysbeentothecriticismofhisequalsinstation，themischievouslaughterofthisilliteratewomanjarreduponhimworsethanhiscousin’ssarcasm。Itwaswithalittledignitythathepointedoutthefactthatatpresentthechildneedednourishment。\"It’sveryyoung，\"
headded。\"I’mafraiditwantsitsnaturalnourishment。\"
\"Wharisittogetit？\"askedthewoman。
JamesNorthhesitated，andlookedaround。Thereshouldbeababysomewhere！thereMUSTbeababysomewhere！\"Ithoughtthatyou，\"
hestammered，consciousofanawkwardcoloring，——\"I——thatis——I——\"
Hestoppedshort，forshewasalreadycrammingherapronintohermouth，toolate，however，tostopthelaughthatoverflowedit。
Whenshefoundherbreathagain，shesaid，——
\"Lookyar！Idon’twondertheysaidyouwaslooney！I’mTrinidadJoe’sonmarrieddarter，andtheonlywomaninthishouse。Anyfoolcouldhavetoldyouthat。Now，efyoucanrigusupababyouto’
themfacts，I’dliketoseeitdone。\"
Inwardlyfuriousbutoutwardlypolite，JamesNorthbeggedherpardon，deploredhisignorance，and，withacourtlybow，madeamovementtotakethechild。Butthewomanasquicklydrewitaway。
\"Notmuch，\"shesaid，hastily。\"What！trustthatpoorcrittertoyou？No，sir！Thar’smorewaysoffeedingababy，youngman，thanyouknowson，withallyour’nat’ralnourishment。’Butitlookskinderlogyandstupid。\"
Northfreezinglyadmittedthathehadgiventheinfantwhiskyasastimulant。