CONTENTS
SALLYDOWS
THECONSPIRACYOFMRS。BUNKER
THETRANSFORMATIONOFBUCKEYECAMP
THEIRUNCLEFROMCALIFORNIA
SALLYDOWS。
PROLOGUE。
THELASTGUNATSNAKERIVER。
Whathadbeeninthecoolgrayofthatsummermorningadewycountrylane,markedonlybyafewwagontracksthatneverencroacheduponitsgrassyborder,andindentedonlybythefaintfootprintsofacrossingfoxorcoon,wasnow,beforehighnoon,alreadycrushed,beatendown,andtrampledoutofallsemblanceofitsformergraciousness。Theheavyspringlessjoltofgun—carriageandcaissonhadcutdeeplythroughthemiddletrack;thehoofsofcrowdingcavalryhadstruckdownandshreddedthewaysidevinesandbushestoburythemunderacloudoffollowingdust,andtheshort,plungingdouble—quickofinfantryhadtroddenoutthishideousruinintoonedustylevelchaos。Alongthatrudelywidenedhighwayuselessmuskets,tornaccoutrements,knapsacks,caps,andarticlesofclothingwerescattered,withhereandtherethelargerwrecksofbroken—downwagons,roughlythrownasideintotheditchtomakewayforthelivingcurrent。Fortwohoursthegreaterpartofanarmycorpshadpassedandrepassedthatway,but,comingorgoing,alwayswithfacesturnedeagerlytowardsanopenslopeontherightwhichranparalleltothelane。Andyetnothingwastobeseenthere。Fortwohoursagrayandbluishcloud,rentandshakenwithexplosionafterexplosion,butalwaysclosingandthickeningaftereachdischarge,wasallthathadmettheireyes。Nevertheless,intothisominouscloudsolidmovingmassesofmeningrayorbluehadthatmorningmeltedaway,oremergedfromitonlyasscatteredfragmentsthatcrept,crawled,ran,orclungtogetheringroups,tobefollowed,andovertakenintherollingvapor。
Butforthelasthalfhourthedesolatedtrackhadstretchedemptyanddeserted。Whiletherewasnocessationoftherattling,crackling,anddetonationsonthefatefulslopebeyond,ithadstillbeensilent。Onceortwiceithadbeencrossedbytimid,hurryingwings,andfrightenedandhesitatinglittlefeet,orlaterbyskulkersandstragglersfromthemaincolumnwhoweretemptedtoenteritfromthehedgesandbusheswheretheyhadbeencreepingandhiding。Suddenlyaprolongedyellfromthehiddenslopebeyond——thenearestsoundthathadyetbeenheardfromthatominousdistance——sentthemtocoveragain。Itwasfollowedbythefuriousgallopingofhorsesinthelane,andahandsome,red—cappedofficer,accompaniedbyanorderly,dasheddownthetrack,wheeled,leapedthehedge,rodeoutontheslopeandhalted。Inanotherinstantacloudofdustcamewhirlingdownthelaneafterhim。Outofitstrainedtheheavyshouldersandtightenedchain—tracesofsixfrantichorsesdraggingtheswayinggunthatinthistempestofmotionaloneseemedpassiveandhelplesswithanawfulforeknowledgeofitspower。Asinobediencetoasignalfromtheofficertheycrashedthroughthehedgeafterhim,asuddenjoltthrewanartillerymanfromthelimberbeforethewheel。Adriverglancedbackonthetensechainandhesitated。\"Goon!\"yelledtheprostrateman,andthewheelwentoverhim。Anotherandanothergunfollowedoutofthedustcloud,untilthewholebatteryhaddeployedontheslope。Beforethedriftingdusthadfairlysettled,thefallingbackofthepantinghorseswiththeirdriversgaveamomentaryglimpseofthenearestgunalreadyinpositionandofthefourerectfiguresbesideit。Theyellthatseemedtohaveevokedthissuddenapparitionagainsoundednearer;ablindingflashbrokefromthegun,whichwasinstantlyhiddenbytheclosinggrouparoundit,andadeafeningcrashwiththehighringingofmetalrandownthelane。Acolumnofwhite,woollysmokearoseasanotherflashbrokebesideit。Thiswasquicklyfollowedbyanotherandanother,witharesponsefromthegunfirstfired,untilthewholeslopeshookandthundered。Andthesmoke,nolongerwhiteandwoolly,butdarkeningandthickeningaswithunburntgrainsofgunpowder,mingledintotheoneominousvapor,anddrivingalongthelanehideventheslopefromview。
Theyellinghadceased,butthegrindingandrattlingheardthroughthedetonationofcannoncamenearerstill,andsuddenlytherewasashowerofleavesandtwigsfromthelowerbranchesofachestnut—
treenearthebrokenhedge。Asthesmokethinnedagainarisingandfallingmedleyofflappinghats,tossinghorses’headsandshiningsteelappearedforaninstant,advancingtumultuouslyuptheslope。Buttheapparitionwasasinstantlyclovenbyflamefromthetwonearestguns,andwentdowninagushofsmokeandroarofsound。Solevelwasthedeliveryandsoclosetheimpactthataspaceseemedsuddenlyclearedbetween,inwhichthewhirlingoftheshatteredremnantsofthechargingcavalrywasdistinctlyseen,andtheshoutsandoathsoftheinextricablystrugglingmassbecameplainandarticulate。Thenagunnerservingthenearestpiecesuddenlydroppedhisswabandseizedacarbine,foroutofthewhirlingconfusionbeforethemasingleriderwasseengallopingfuriouslytowardsthegun。
Thered—cappedyoungofficerrodeforwardandknockedupthegunner’sweaponwithhissword。Forinthatrapidglancehehadseenthattherider’sreinswerehanginglooselyontheneckofhishorse,whowasstilldashingforwardswiththefranticimpetusofthecharge,andthattheyouthfulfigureoftherider,wearingthestripesofalieutenant,——althoughstillerect,exercisednocontrolovertheanimal。Thefacewasboyish,blond,andghastly;
theeyesweresetandglassy。ItseemedasifDeathitselfwerechargingthegun。
Withinafewfeetofitthehorseswervedbeforeabrandishedrammer,andstrikingthecheeksofthegun—carriagepitchedhisinanimaterideracrossthegun。Thehotbloodofthedeadmansmokedonthehotterbrasswiththereekoftheshambles,andbe—
spatteredthehandofthegunnerwhostillmechanicallyservedthevent。Astheyliftedthedeadbodydowntheordercameto\"ceasefiring。\"Fortheyellsfrombelowhadceasedtoo;therattlingandgrindingwererecedingwiththesmokefarthertotheleft。Theominouscentralcloudpartedforabriefmomentandshowedtheunexpectedsunglitteringdowntheslopeuponanearandpeacefulriver。
Theyoungartilleryofficerhaddismountedandwasnowgentlyexaminingthedeadman。Hisbreasthadbeencrushedbyafragmentofshell;hemusthavediedinstantly。Thesamemissilehadcutthechainofalocketwhichslippedfromhisopenedcoat。Theofficerpickeditupwithastrangefeeling——perhapsbecausehewasconscioushimselfofwearingasimilarone,perhapsbecauseitmightgivehimsomecluetotheman’sidentity。Itcontainedonlythephotographofaprettygirl,atendriloffairhair,andtheword\"Sally。\"Inthebreast—pocketwasasealedletterwiththeinscription,\"ForMissSallyDows。TobedeliveredifIfallbythemudsill’shand。\"Afaintsmilecameovertheofficer’sface;
hewasabouttohandthearticlestoasergeant,butchangedhismindandputtheminhispocket。
Meantimethelaneandwoodsbeyond,andeventheslopeitself,werecrowdingwithsupportsandwaitingtroops。Hisownbatterywasstillunlimbered,waitingorders。Therewasaslightcommotioninthelane。
\"Verywelldone,captain。Smartlytakenandgallantlyheld。\"
Itwasthevoiceofageneralofficerpassingwithhisstaff。
Therewasanoteofpleasantreliefinitstone,andthemiddle—
aged,care—drawnfaceofitsownerwasrelaxedinapaternalsmile。
Theyoungcaptainflushedwithpleasure。
\"Andyouseemtohavehadcloseworktoo,\"addedthegeneral,pointingtothedeadman。
Theyoungofficerhurriedlyexplained。Thegeneralnodded,saluted,andpassedon。Butayouthfulaideairilylingered。
\"Theoldman’sfeelinggood,Courtland,\"hesaid。\"We’verolled’emupallalongtheline。It’sallovernow。Inpointoffact,I
reckonyou’vefiredthelastroundinthisparticularfratricidalengagement。\"
Thelastround!Courtlandremainedsilent,lookingabstractedlyatthemanithadcrushedandbrokenathisfeet。
\"AndIshouldn’twonderifyougotyourgold—leafforto—day’swork。Butwho’syoursunnySouthernfriendhere?\"headded,followinghiscompanion’seyes。
Courtlandrepeatedhisstoryalittlemoreseriously,which,however,failedtosubduetheyoungaide’slevity。\"Soheconcludedtostopover,\"heinterruptedcheerfully。\"But,\"lookingattheletterandphotograph,\"Isay——lookhere!’SallyDows?’
Why,therewasanothermanpickedupyesterdaywithalettertothesamegirl!DocMurphyhasit。And,byJove!thesamepicturetoo!——eh?Isay,Sallymusthavegatheredintheboys,andrakeddownthewholepile!Lookhere,Courty!youmightgetDocMurphy’sletterandhuntherupwhenthiscruelwarisover。Sayyou’re’fulfillingasacredtrust!’See?Goodidea,oldman!Ta—ta!\"
andhetrottedquicklyafterhissuperior。
Courtlandremainedwiththeletterandphotographinhishand,gazingabstractedlyafterhim。Thesmokehadrolledquiteawayfromthefieldsontheleft,butstillhungheavilydownthesouthontheheelsoftheflyingcavalry。Alongbuglecallswelledupmusicallyfrombelow。Thefreedsuncaughtthewhiteflagsoftwofieldhospitalsinthewoodsandglancedtranquillyonthebroad,cypress—fringed,lazy—flowing,andcruelbutbeautifulSouthernriver,whichhadallunseencreptsosmilinglythatmorningthroughtheveryheartofthebattle。
CHAPTERI。
Thetwoo’clockexpressfromRedlandstoForestville,Georgia,hadbeenproceedingwiththelanguidplacidityoftheriverwhosebanksitskirtedformorethantwohours。But,unliketheriver,ithadstoppedfrequently;sometimesatrecognizedstationsandvillages,sometimesattheapparitionofstraw—hattedandlinen—coatednativesinthesolitudeofpinewoods,where,afteradecentintervalofcheeryconversationwiththeconductorandengineer,iteithertookthestrangeronboard,orrelievedhimofhisparcel,letter,basket,oreventheverbalmessagewithwhichhewascharged。Muchofthewaylaythroughpine—barrenandswampywoodswhichhadneverbeenclearedorcultivated;muchthroughdecayedsettlementsandruinedvillagesthathadremainedunchangedsincetheWaroftheRebellion,nowthreeyearspast。Therewerevestigesoftheseverityofaformermilitaryoccupation;theblackenedtimbersofrailwaybridgesstillunrepaired;andalongthelineofacertainmemorablemarch,sectionsofironrailstakenfromthetorn—uptrack,roastedinbonfiresandbentwhilered—hotaroundthetrunksoftrees,werestilltobeseen。Thesemementosofdefeatseemedtoexciteneitherrevengenortheenergytoremovethem;thedullapathywhichhadsucceededthedaysofhystericalpassionandconvulsionstilllingered;eventheslowimprovementthatcouldbedetectedwasmarkedbythelanguorofconvalescence。
Thehelplessnessofarace,hithertodependentuponcertainbarbaricconditionsorpoliticalplaceandpower,unskilledininvention,andsuddenlyconfrontedwiththenecessityofpersonallabor,wasvisibleeverywhere。EyesthatbutthreeshortyearsbeforehadturnedvindictivelytotheNorth,nowgazedwistfullytothatquarterforhelpanddirection。Theyscannedeagerlythefacesoftheirenergeticandprosperousneighbors——andquondamfoes——upontheverandasofSouthernhotelsandthedecksofSouthernsteamboats,andwereevennowwatchingfromagroupinthewoodsthewindowsofthehaltedtrain,wherethefacesappearedoftwomenofmanifestlydifferenttypes,butstillalientothecountryindress,features,andaccent。
Twonegroeswereslowlyloadingtheenginetenderfromawoodpile。
Therichbrownsmokeoftheturpentineknotswasfillingthetrainwithitsstingingfragrance。TheelderofthetwoNorthernpassengers,withsharpNewEnglandanglesinhisface,impatientlyglancedathiswatch。
\"Ofallcreatedshiftlessness,thisbeatseverything!Whycouldn’twehavetakeninenoughwoodtolastthetenmilesfarthertotheterminuswhenwelaststopped?Andwhyinthunder,withallthisfiringup,can’twegofaster?\"
Theyoungerpassenger,whosequiet,well—bredfaceseemedtoindicatemoredisciplineofcharacter,smiled。
\"Ifyoureallywishtoknowandaswe’veonlytenmilesfarthertogo——I’llshowyouWHY。Comewithme。\"
Heledthewaythroughthecartotheplatformandleapeddown。
Thenhepointedsignificantlytotherailsbelowthem。Hiscompanionstarted。Themetalwasscalingoffinthinstripsfromtherails,andinsomeplacesitsthicknesshadbeenreducedaquarterofaninch,whileinotherstheprojectingedgesweretornoff,orhanginginironshreds,sothatthewheelsactuallyranonthenarrowcentralstrip。Itseemedmarvelousthatthetraincouldkeepthetrack。
\"NOWyouknowwhywedon’tgomorethanfivemilesanhour,and——
arethankfulthatwedon’t,\"saidtheyoungtravelerquietly。
\"Butthisisdisgraceful!——criminal!\"ejaculatedtheothernervously。
\"Notattheirrateofspeed,\"returnedtheyoungerman。\"Thecrimewouldbeingoingfaster。AndnowyoucanunderstandwhyagooddealoftheotherprogressinthisStateisobligedtogoasslowlyovertheirequallydecayingandrottenfoundations。Youcan’trushthingshereaswedointheNorth。\"
Theotherpassengershruggedhisshouldersastheyremountedtheplatform,andthetrainmovedon。Itwasnotthefirsttimethatthetwofellow—travelershaddiffered,althoughtheirmissionwasacommonone。Theelder,Mr。CyrusDrummond,wasthevice—presidentofalargeNorthernlandandmillcompany,whichhadboughtextensivetractsoflandinGeorgia,andtheyounger,ColonelCourtland,wastheconsultingsurveyorandengineerforthecompany。Drummond’sopinionswereagooddealaffectedbysectionalprejudice,andaself—satisfiedandrighteousignoranceoftheactualconditionsandlimitationsofthepeoplewithwhomhewastodeal;whiletheyoungerman,whohadservedthroughthewarwithdistinction,retainedasoldier’srespectandesteemforhislateantagonists,withaconscientiousandthoughtfulobservationoftheircharacter。Althoughhehadresignedfromthearmy,thefactthathehadpreviouslygraduatedatWestPointwithhighhonorshadgivenhimprefermentinthistechnicalappointment,andhisknowledgeofthecountryanditspeoplemadehimavaluablecounselor。Anditwasafactthatthecountrypeoplehadpreferredthissoldierwithwhomtheyhadoncepersonallygrappledtothecapitalisttheyhadneverknownduringthestruggle。
Thetrainrolledslowlythroughthewoods,soslowlythatthefragrantpinesmokefromtheenginestillhungroundthewindowsofthecars。Graduallythe\"clearings\"becamelarger;theysawthedistantwhitewoodencolonnadesofsomeplanter’shouse,lookingstillopulentandpretentious,althoughthefenceofitsinclosurehadbrokengaps,andthegatesaggedonitssinglehinge。
Mr。Drummondsniffedatthisdamningrecordofneglectandindifference。\"Eveniftheywereruined,theymightstillhavespentafewcentsfornailsandslatstoenablethemtolookdecentbeforefolks,andnotparadetheirpovertybeforetheirneighbors,\"
hesaid。
\"Butthat’sjustwhereyoumisunderstandthem,Drummond,\"saidCourtland,smiling。\"Theyhavenoreasontokeepupanattitudetowardstheirneighbors,whostillknowthemas’Squire’so—and—so,’Colonel’thisandthat,andthe’Judge,’——ownersoftheirvastbutcrippledestates。Theyarenotashamedofbeingpoor,whichisanaccident。\"
\"Buttheyareofworking,whichisDELIBERATION,\"interruptedDrummond。\"Theyareashamedtomendtheirfencesthemselves,nowthattheyhavenoslavestodoitforthem。\"
\"Idoubtverymuchifsomeofthemknowhowtodriveanail,forthematterofthat,\"saidCourtland,stillgood—humoredly,\"butthat’sthefaultofasystemolderthanthemselves,whichthefoundersoftheRepublicretained。Wecannotgivethemexperienceintheirnewconditioninoneday,andinfact,Drummond,Iamverymuchafraidthatforourpurposes——andIhonestlybelieveforTHEIR
good——wemusthelptokeepthemforthepresentastheyare。\"
\"Perhaps,\"saidDrummondsarcastically,\"youwouldliketoreinstateslavery?\"
\"No。ButIshouldliketoreinstatetheMASTER。AndnotforHIS
sakealone,butforfreedom’ssakeandOURS。Tobeplain:sinceI
havetakenupthismatterforthecompany,Ihavesatisfiedmyselffrompersonalobservationthatthenegro——evenmorethanhismaster——cannothandlehisnewcondition。Heisaccustomedtohisoldtraditionaltask—master,andIdoubtifhewillworkfairlyforanyother——particularlyforthosewhodon’tunderstandhim。Don’tmistakeme:Idon’tproposetogobacktothewhip;tothatbrutalinstitution,theirresponsibleoverseer;tothebuyingandselling,andseparationofthefamily,noranyoftheoldwrongs;butI
proposetomaketheoldmasterOUROVERSEER,andresponsibletoUS。
Heisnotafool,andhasalreadylearnedthatitismoreprofitabletopaywagestohisoldslavesandhavethepowerofdismissal,likeanyotheremployer,thanbeobliged,undertheoldsystemofenforcedlaborandlifeservitude,toundergothecostofmaintainingincompetenceandidleness。Theoldsentimentofslave—owninghasdisappearedbeforenaturalcommon—senseandselfishness。Iamsatisfiedthatbysomesuchprocessasthisutilizingoftheoldmasterandthenewfreedomwewillbebetterabletocultivateourlandsthanbybuyinguptheirestates,andsettingtheoldownersadrift,withalittlemoneyintheirpockets,asanidle,discontentedclasstoreviveoldpoliticaldogmas,andfomentnewissues,orperhapssetupadangerousoppositiontous。
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatthoseinfernalniggerswouldgivethepreferencetotheiroldoppressors?\"
\"Dollarfordollarinwages——yes!Andwhyshouldn’tthey?Theiroldmastersunderstandthembetter——andtreatthemgenerallybetter。Theyknowourinterestinthemisonlyanabstractsentiment,notarealliking。Weshowitateveryturn。ButwearenearingRedlands,andMajorReedwill,Ihavenodoubt,corroboratemyimpressions。Heinsistsuponourstayingathishouse,althoughthepooroldfellow,Iimagine,canillaffordtoentertaincompany。Buthewillbeoffendedifwerefuse。\"
\"Heisafriendofyours,then?\"askedDrummond。
\"IfoughtagainsthisdivisionatStonyCreek,\"saidCourtlandgrimly。\"Henevertiresoftalkingofittome——soIsupposeI
am。\"
AfewmomentslaterthetrainglidedbesidetheRedlandsplatform。
AsthetwotravelersdescendedahandwaslaidonCourtland’sshoulder,andastoutfigureintheblackestandshiniestofalpacajackets,andthewhitestandbroadestofPanamahats,welcomedhim。
\"Gladtoseeyo’,cun’nel。IreckonedI’dwaltzoverandbringalongtheboy,\"pointingtoagrizzlednegroservantofsixtywhowasbowingbeforethem,\"tototeyo’rthingsoverinsteadofusingahack。Ihaven’trunmuchonhorsefleshsincethewah——ha!ha!
WhatIdidn’tuseupforremountsIreckonyo’rcommissarygobbledupwiththeotherlivestock,eh?\"Helaughedheartily,asiftherecollectionswerepurelyhumorous,andagainclappedCourtlandontheback。
\"Letmeintroducemyfriend,Mr。Drummond,MajorReed,\"saidCourtland,smiling。
\"Yo’wereinthewah,sir?\"
\"No——I\"——returnedDrummond,hesitating,heknewnotwhy,andangryathisownembarrassment。
\"Mr。Drummond,thevice—presidentofthecompany,\"interposedCourtlandcheerfully,\"wasengagedinfurnishingtousthesinewsofwar。\"
MajorReedbowedalittlemoreformally。\"Mostofusheah,sir,wereinthewahsometimeorother,andifyougentlemenwillhonahmebyjoininginasocialglassatthehotelacrosstheway,I’llintroduceyoutoCaptainPrendergast,wholeftalegatFairOaks。\"
Drummondwouldhavedeclined,butasignificantpressureonhisarmfromCourtlandchangedhisdetermination。Hefollowedthemtothehotelandintothepresenceoftheone—leggedwarrior(whoturnedouttobethelandlordandbarkeeper),towhomCourtlandwashilariouslyintroducedbyMajorReedas\"theman,sir,whohadpoundedmydivisionforthreehoursatStonyCreek!\"
MajorReed’shousewasbutafewminutes’walkdownthedustylane,andwaspresentlyheraldedbythebayingofthreeorfourfoxhoundsandforeshadowedbyadilapidatedconditionofpicket—fenceandstuccoedgatefront。BeyonditstretchedthewoodenDoriccolumnsoftheusualSouthernmansion,dimlyseenthroughthebroadleavesofthehorse—chestnut—treesthatshadedit。Thereweretheusuallistlessblackshadowshauntingtheverandaandouteroffices——
formerslavesandstillattachedhouse—servants,arrestedlikelizardsinbreathlessattitudesattheapproachofstrangefootsteps,andstillholdingthebrush,broom,duster,orhomeimplementtheyhadbeenlazilyusing,intheirfixedhands。Fromthedoorwayofthedetachedkitchen,connectedbyagallerytothewingofthemansion,\"AuntMartha,\"thecook,gazedalso,withasaucepanclaspedtoherbosom,andherrevolvinghandwiththescrubbingclothinitapparentlystoppedonadeadcentre。
Drummond,whosegorgehadrisenattheseevidencesofhopelessincapacityanduttershiftlessness,wasnotrelievedbythepresenceofMrs。Reed——asoured,disappointedwomanofforty,whostillcarriedinhersmalldarkeyesandthinhandsomelipssomethingofthebitternessandantagonismofthetypical\"Southernrights\"woman;norofhertwodaughters,OctaviaandAugusta,whoselanguidatrabiliousnessseemedapartofthemourningtheystillwore。Theoptimisticgallantryandgoodfellowshipofthemajorappearedthemoreremarkablebycontrastwithhiscypress—shadowedfamilyandtheirvenomouspossibilities。PerhapstheremighthavebeenalightveinofSoutherninsincerityinhisgoodhumor。
\"Paw,\"saidMissOctavia,withgloomyconfidencetoCourtland,butwithaprettycurlofthehereditarylip,\"isabouttheonly’reconstructed’oneoftheentirefamily。Wedon’tmake’emmuchaboutyer。ButI’dadviseyo’friend,Mr。Drummond,ifhe’scomingherecarpet—bagging,nottotrusttoomuchtopaw’s’reconstruction。’
Itwon’twash。\"ButwhenCourtlandhastenedtoassureherthatDrummondwasnota\"carpet—bagger,\"wasnotonlyfreefromanyofthepoliticalintrigueimpliedunderthatbalefultitle,butwasawealthyNortherncapitalistsimplyseekinginvestment,theyoungladywasscarcelymorehopeful。\"Isupposehereckonstopaypawforthoseniggersyo’stole?\"shesuggestedwithgloomysarcasm。
\"No,\"saidCourtland,smiling;\"butwhatifhereckonedtopaythoseniggersforworkingforyourfatherandhim?\"
\"Ifpawisgoingintotradingbusinesswithhim;ifMajorReed——aSo’th’ngentleman——isgoingtokeepshop,heain’tsuchafoolastobelieveniggerswillworkwhentheyain’tobligedto。THAT’S
beentriedoveratMirandyDows’s,notfivemilesfromhere,andtheniggersarehalfthetimehangin’roundheretakin’holiday。
Sheputupnewquartersfor’em,andtriedtomake’emeattogetheratalongtablelikethoselow—downfolksupNorth,anddidawaywiththeircabinsandtheirmelonpatches,andalloweditwouldget’emoutoflyingroundtoomuch,andwanted’emtoworkover—timeandgetmo’pay。Andtheresultwasthatsheandherniece,andalotofpoorwhites,IrishandScotch,thatshehadtopickup’’longtheriver,’doallthework。AndhernieceSallywasmo’
thanhalfUnionwomanduringthewah,anduptoallNo’th’ntricksanddodges,andswearin’bythem;andyet,forallthat——thethingwon’twork。\"
\"Butisn’tthatpartlythereason?Isn’therfailureagreatdealduetothislackofsympathyfromherneighbors?Discontentiseasilysown,andthenegroisstillweighteddownbysuperstition;
theFifteenthAmendmentdidnotquiteknockoffALLhischains。\"
\"Yes,butthatisnothingtoHER。Forifthereeverwasapersoninthisworldwhoreckonedshewasjustborntomanageeverythingandeverybody,itisSallyDows!\"
\"SallyDows!\"repeatedCourtland,withaslightstart。
\"Yes,SallyDows,ofPineville。\"
\"YousayshewashalfUnion,butdidshehaveanyrelationsor——
or——friends——inthewar——onyourside?Any——who——werekilledinbattle?\"
\"Theywereallkilled,Ireckon,\"returnedMissReeddarkly。
\"Therewashercousin,JuleJeffcourt,shotinthecemeterywithherbeau,who,theysay,wasSally’stoo;therewereChetBrooksandJoyceMasterton,whowerebothgoneonherandbothkilledtoo;
andtherewasoldCaptainDowshimself,whoneverliftedhisheadagainafterRichmondwastaken,anddrankhimselftodeath。Itwasn’tconsideredhealthytobeMissSally’srelationsinthosetimes,ortobeevenwantin’tobeone。\"
ColonelCourtlanddidnotreply。Thefaceofthedeadyoungofficercomingtowardshimoutofthebluesmokeroseasvividlyasonthatmemorableday。Thepictureandletterhehadtakenfromthedeadman’sbreast,whichhehadretainedeversince;theromanticandfruitlessquesthehadmadeforthefairoriginalinafterdays;andthestrangeandfatefulinterestinherwhichhadgrownupinhisheartsincethen,henowknewhadonlybeenlulledtosleepinthebusypreoccupationofthelastsixmonths,foritallcamebacktohimwithredoubledforce。Hispresentmissionanditspracticalobject,hishonestzealinitspursuit,andthecautiousskillandexperiencehehadbroughttoit,allseemedtobesuddenlydisplacedbythisromanticandunrealfantasy。Oddlyenoughitappearednowtobetheonlyrealityinhislife,therestwasanincoherent,purposelessdream。
\"Is——is——MissSallymarried?\"heasked,collectinghimselfwithaneffort。
\"Married?Yes,tothatfarmofheraunt’s!Ireckonthat’stheonlythingshecaresfor。\"
Courtlandlookedup,recoveringhisusualcheerfulcalm。\"Well,I
thinkthatafterluncheonI’llpaymyrespectstoherfamily。Fromwhatyouhavejusttoldmethefarmiscertainlyanexperimentworthseeing。IsupposeyourfatherwillhavenoobjectiontogivemealettertoMissDows?\"
CHAPTERII。
Nevertheless,asColonelCourtlandrodedeliberatelytowardsDows’
Folly,asthenewexperimentwaslocallycalled,althoughhehadnotabatedhisromanticenthusiasmintheleast,hewasnotsorrythathewasabletovisititunderapracticalpretext。ItwasratherlatenowtoseekoutMissSallyDowswiththeavowedintentofbringingheraletterfromanadmirerwhohadbeendeadthreeyears,andwhosememoryshehadprobablyburied。Neitherwasittactfultorecallasentimentwhichmighthavebeenaweaknessofwhichshewasashamed。Yet,clear—headedandlogicalasCourtlandwasinhisordinaryaffairs,hewasneverthelessnotentirelyfreefromthatpeculiarsuperstitionwhichsurroundseveryman’sromance。Hebelievedtherewassomethingmorethanamerecoincidenceinhisunexpectedlyfindinghimselfinsuchfavorableconditionsformakingheracquaintance。Fortherest——iftherewasanyrest——hewouldsimplytrusttofate。Andso,believinghimselfacool,sagaciousreasoner,butbeingactually,asfarasMissDowswasconcerned,asblind,fatuous,andunreasoningasanyofherpreviousadmirers,herodecomplacentlyforwarduntilhereachedthelanethatledtotheDowsplantation。
Hereabetterkeptroadwayandfence,whosecarefulrepairwouldhavedelightedDrummond,seemedtoaugurwellforthenewenterprise。Presently,eventheold—fashionedlocalformofthefence,aslantingzigzag,gavewaytothemoredirectlineofpostandrailintheNorthernfashion。Beyonditpresentlyappearedalonglowfrontageofmodernbuildingswhich,toCourtland’ssurprise,wereentirelynewinstructureanddesign。TherewasnoreminiscenceoftheusualSouthernporticoedgableorcolumnedveranda。YetitwasnotNortherneither。Thefactory—likeoutlineoffacadewaspartlyhiddeninCherokeeroseandjessamine。
Alongroofedgalleryconnectedthebuildingsandbecameaverandatoone。Abroad,well—rolledgraveldriveledfromtheopengatetothenewestbuilding,whichseemedtobetheoffice;asmallerpathdivergedfromittothecornerhouse,which,despiteitsseveresimplicity,hadamoreresidentialappearance。UnlikeReed’shouse,therewerenoloungingservantsorfieldhandstobeseen;theywereevidentlyattendingtotheirrespectiveduties。
Dismounting,Courtlandtiedhishorsetoapostattheofficedoorandtookthesmallerpathtothecornerhouse。
Thedoorwasopentothefragrantafternoonbreezewaftedthroughtheroseandjessamine。Soalsowasasidedooropeningfromthehallintoalongparlororsitting—roomthatranthewholewidthofthehouse。Courtlandenteredit。Itwasprettilyfurnished,buteverythinghadtheairoffreshnessandofbeinguncharacteristicallynew。Itwasempty,butafainthammeringwasaudibleontherearwallofthehouse,throughthetwoopenFrenchwindowsattheback,curtainedwithtrailingvines,whichgaveuponasunlitcourtyard。
Courtlandwalkedtothewindow。Justbeforeit,ontheground,stoodasmalllightladder,whichhegentlyputasidetogainabetterviewofthecourtyardasheputonhishat,andsteppedoutoftheopenwindow。
Inthisattitudehesuddenlyfelthishattippedfromhishead,followedalmostinstantaneouslybyafallingslipper,andthedistinctimpressionofaverysmallfootonthecrownofhishead。
Anindescribablesensationpassedoverhim。Hehurriedlysteppedbackintotheroom,justasasmallstriped—stockingedfootwasashastilydrawnupabovethetopofthewindowwiththefeminineexclamation,\"Goodgraciousme!\"
Lingeringforaninstant,onlytoassurehimselfthatthefairspeakerhadsecuredherfootholdandwasinnodangeroffalling,Courtlandsnatcheduphishat,whichhadprovidentiallyfalleninsidetheroom,andretreatedingloriouslytotheotherendoftheparlor。Thevoicecameagainfromthewindow,andstruckhimasbeingverysweetandclear:——
\"Sophy,isthatYOU?\"
Courtlanddiscreetlyretiredtothehall。Tohisgreatreliefavoicefromtheoutsideanswered,\"Whar,MissSally?\"
\"Whatdidyo’movetheladderfor?Yo’mighthavekilledme。\"
\"Fo’God,MissSally,Ididn’tmovenoladder!\"
\"Don’ttellme,butgodownandgetmyslipper。Andbringupsomemorenails。\"
Courtlandwaitedsilentlyinthehall。Inafewmomentsheheardaheavyfootstepoutsidetherearwindow。Thiswashisopportunity。
Re—enteringtheparlorsomewhatostentatiously,heconfrontedatallnegrogirlwhowaspassingthroughtheroomcarryingatinyslipperinherhand。\"Excuseme,\"hesaidpolitely,\"butIcouldnotfindanyonetoannounceme。IsMissDowsathome?\"
Thegirlinstantlywhippedtheslipperbehindher。\"Isyo’wantingMissMirandyDows,\"sheaskedwithgreatdignity,\"oahMissSallyDows——herniece?MissMirandy’sbingonetoAtlantaforaweek。\"
\"IhavealetterforMissMiranda,butIshallbeverygladifMissSallyDowswillreceiveme,returnedCourtland,handingtheletterandhiscardtothegirl。
Shereceiveditwithastillgreateraccessofdignityandmarkeddeliberation。\"It’scleangoneoutermymind,sah,efMissSallyisinderesumptionofvisitahsatdishouah。Infac’,sah,\"shecontinued,withintensifiedgravityandanexaggerationofthoughtfulnessasthesoundsofMissSally’shammeringcameshamelesslyfromthewall,\"Idoahnknowexac’lyefshe’sengagedplayin’deharp,practicin’delanguages,orpaintin’inoilandwatahcolors,o’givin’audiencestooffishalsfromdeCourtHouse。
Itmightbedehouahfordeoneordeodder。ButI’llcommunicatewidher,sah,indebudwohondeuppahflo’。\"Shebackeddexterously,soastokeeptheslipperbehindher,butwithnodiminutionofdignity,outofasidedoor。Inanothermomentthehammeringceased,followedbythesoundofrapidwhisperingwithout;afewtinytwigsandleavesslowlyrustledtotheground,andthentherewascompletesilence。Heventuredtowalktothefatefulwindowagain。
Presentlyheheardafaintrustleattheotherendoftheroom,andheturned。Asuddentremulousnesssweptalonghispulses,andthentheyseemedtopause;hedrewadeepbreaththatwasalmostasigh,andremainedmotionless。
HehadnopreconceivedideaoffallinginlovewithMissSallyatfirstsight,norhadhedreamedsuchathingpossible。Eventhegirlishfacethathehadseeninthelocket,althoughithadstirredhimwithasingularemotion,hadnotsuggestedthat。Andtheidealhehadevolvedfromitwasneverapotentpresence。Buttheexquisitelyprettyfaceandfigurebeforehim,althoughitmighthavebeenpaintedfromhisownfancyofher,wasstillsomethingmoreandsomethingunexpected。Allthathadgonebeforehadneverpreparedhimforthebeautifulgirlwhonowstoodthere。
ItwasapoorexplanationtosaythatMissSallywasfourorfiveyearsolderthanherpicture,andthatlaterexperiences,enlargedcapacity,adifferentlife,andnewambitionhadimpressedheryouthfulfacewitharefinedmobility;itwasaweirdfancytoimaginethatthebloodofthosewhohaddiedforherhadinsomevague,mysteriouswayimpartedanactualfascinationtoher,andhedismissedit。Buteventhemostfamiliarspectator,likeSophy,couldseethatMissSallyhadthesoftestpinkcomplexion,thesilkiesthair,thatlookedastheflossoftheIndiancornmightlookifcurled,orgoldenspiderthreadsifmaterialized,andeyesthatwereinbrightgrayharmonywithboth;thatthefrockofIndiamuslin,albeithome—made,fittedherfigureperfectly,fromtheazurebowsonhershoulderstotheribbonaroundherwaist;andthatthehemofitsbillowyskirtshowedafootwhichhadthereputationofbeingthesmallestfootsouthofMasonandDixon’sLine!ButitwassomethingmoreintangiblethanthiswhichkeptCourtlandbreathlessandsilent。
\"I’mnotMissMirandaDows,\"saidthevisionwithafranknessthatwashalfchildlikeandhalfpractical,assheextendedalittlehand,\"butIcantalk’fahm’withyo’aboutaswellasaunty,andI
reckonfromwhatMajorReedsaysheah,\"holdinguptheletterbetweenherfingers,\"aslongasyo’getthepersimmonsyo’don’tmindwhatkindo’poleyo’knock’emdownwith。\"
Thevoicethatcarriedthisspeechwassofresh,clear,andsweetthatIamafraidCourtlandthoughtlittleofitsbluntnessoritsconventionaltransgressions。Butitbroughthimhisowntonguequiteunemotionallyandquietly。\"Idon’tknowwhatwasinthatnote,MissDows,butIcanhardlybelievethatMajorReedeverputmypresentfelicityquiteinthatway。\"
MissSallylaughed。Thenwithacharmingexaggerationshewavedherlittlehandtowardsthesofa。
\"There!Yo’naturallywantedalittleroomforthat,co’nnle,butnowthatyo’’vegotitoff,——andmightypootyitwas,too,——yo’
cansitdown。\"Andwiththatshesankdownatoneendofthesofa,prettilydrewasideawhitebillowofskirtsoastoleaveampleroomforCourtlandattheother,andclaspingherfingersoverherknees,lookeddemurelyexpectant。
\"ButletmehopethatIamnotdisturbingyouunseasonably,\"saidCourtland,catchingsightofthefatefullittleslipperbeneathherskirt,andrememberingthewindow。\"IwassopreoccupiedinthinkingofyourauntasthebusinessmanageroftheseestatesthatIquiteforgetthatshemighthavealady’shoursforreceiving。\"
\"Wehaven’tgotanycompanyhours,\"saidMissSally,\"andwehaven’tjustnowanyservantsforcompanymanners,forwe’reshort—
handedinthefieldsandbarns。Whenyo’cameIwasnailingupthelathsforthevinesoutside,becausewecouldn’tsparecarpentersfromthefactory。But,\"sheadded,withafaintaccessionofmischiefinhervoice,\"yo’cametotalkaboutthefahm?\"
\"Yes,\"saidCourtland,rising,\"butnottointerrupttheworkonit。Willyouletmehelpyounailupthelathsonthewall?I
havesomeexperiencethatway,andwecantalkaswework。Doobligeme!\"
Theyounggirllookedathimbrightly。
\"Well,now,there’snothingmeanaboutTHAT。Yo’meanitforsure?\"
\"Perfectly。IshallfeelsomuchlessasifIwasenjoyingyourcompanyunderfalsepretenses。\"
\"Yo’justwaithere,then。\"
Shejumpedfromthesofa,ranoutoftheroom,andreturnedpresently,tyingthestringofalongstripedcottonblouse——
evidentlyanextraoneofSophy’s——behindherbackasshereturned。
Itwasgatheredunderherovalchinbyatapealsotiedbehindher,whileherfairhairwastuckedundertheusualredbandanahandkerchiefofthenegrohousemaid。Itisscarcelynecessarytoaddthattheeffectwasbewitching。
\"But,\"saidMissSally,eyingherguest’ssmartlyfittingfrock—
coat,\"yo’’llspoilyo’rpootyclothes,sure!Takeoffyo’rcoat——
don’tmindme——andworkinyo’rshirtsleeves。\"
CourtlandobedientlyflungasidehiscoatandfollowedhisactivehostessthroughtheFrenchwindowtotheplatformoutside。Abovethemawoodenledgeorcornice,projectingseveralinches,ranthewholelengthofthebuilding。ItwasonthisthatMissSallyhadevidentlyfoundafootholdwhileshewasnailingupatrellis—workoflathsbetweenitandthewindowsofthesecondfloor。Courtlandfoundtheladder,mountedtotheledge,followedbytheyounggirl,whosmilinglywaivedhisprofferedhandtohelpherup,andthetwogravelysettowork。ButintheintervalsofhammeringandtyingupthevinesMissSally’stonguewasnotidle。Hertalkwasasfresh,asquaint,asoriginalasherself,andyetsopracticalandtothepurposeofCourtland’svisitastoexcusehisdelightinitandherownfascinatingpropinquity。Whethershestoppedtotakeanailfrombetweenherprettylipswhenshespoketohim,orwhetherholdingonperilouslywithonehandtothetrelliswhileshegesticulatedwiththehammer,pointingoutthedivisionsoftheplantationfromhercoignofvantage,hethoughtshewasasclearandconvincingtohisintellectasshewasdistractingtohissenses。
ShetoldhimhowthewarhadbrokenuptheiroldhomeinPineville,sendingherfathertoserveintheConfederatecouncilsofRichmond,andleavingherauntandherselftomanagethepropertyalone;howtheestatehadbeendevastated,thehousedestroyed,andhowtheyhadbarelytimetoremoveafewvaluables;how,althoughSHEhadalwaysbeenopposedtosecessionandthewar,shehadnotgoneNorth,preferringtostaywithherpeople,andtakewiththemthepunishmentofthefollyshehadforeseen。Howafterthewarandherfather’sdeathsheandheraunthaddeterminedto\"reconstructTHEMSELVES\"aftertheirownfashiononthisbitofproperty,whichhadsurvivedtheirfortunesbecauseithadalwaysbeenconsideredvaluelessandunprofitablefornegrolabor。Howatfirsttheyhadundergoneseriousdifficulty,throughtheincompetenceandignoranceofthefreedlaborer,andtheequalapathyandprejudiceoftheirneighbors。Howtheyhadgraduallysucceededwiththeadoptionofnewmethodsandideasthatsheherselfhadconceived,whichshenowbrieflyandclearlystated。
Courtlandlistenedwithanew,breathless,andalmostsuperstitiousinterest:theywereHISOWNTHEORIES——perfectedanddemonstrated!
\"Butyoumusthavehadcapitalforthis?\"
Ah,yes!thatwaswheretheywerefortunate。ThereweresomeFrenchcousinswithwhomshehadoncestayedinParis,whoadvancedenoughtostocktheestate。ThereweresomeEnglishfriendsofherfather’s,oldblockaderunners,whohadtakenshares,providedthemwithmorecapital,andimportedsomeskilledlaborersandakindofstewardoragenttorepresentthem。Buttheyweregettingon,andperhapsitwasbetterfortheirreputationwiththeirneighborsthattheyhadnotbeenBEHOLDENtothe\"No’th。\"SeeingacloudpassoverCourtland’sface,theyoungladyaddedwithanaffectedsigh,andthefirsttouchoffemininecoquetrywhichhadinvadedtheirwholesomecamaraderie:——
\"Yo’oughttohavefoundusoutBEFORE,co’nnle。\"
ForanimpulsivemomentCourtlandfeltliketellingherthenandtherethestoryofhisromanticquest;butthereflectionthattheywerestandingonanarrowledgewithnoroomfortheemotions,andthatMissSallyhadjustputanailinhermouthandastartmightbedangerous,checkedhim。Tothismaybeaddedanewjealousyofherpreviousexperiences,whichhehadnotfeltbefore。
Nevertheless,hemanagedtosaywithsomeeffusion:——
\"ButIhopewearenottoolateNOW。IthinkmyprincipalsarequitereadyandabletobuyupanyEnglishorFrenchinvestornowortocome。\"
\"Yo’mighttryyo’handonthatone,\"saidMissSally,pointingtoayoungfellowwhohadjustemergedfromtheofficeandwascrossingthecourtyard。\"He’stheEnglishagent。\"
Hewassquare—shoulderedandround—headed,freshandcleanlookinginhiswhiteflannels,butwithanairofbeingutterlydistinctandalientoeverythingaroundhim,andmentallyandmorallyirreconcilabletoit。Ashepassedthehouseheglancedshylyatit;hiseyebrightenedandhismannerbecameself—consciousashecaughtsightoftheyounggirl,butchangedagainwhenhesawhercompanion。Courtlandlikewisewasconsciousofacertainuneasiness;itwasonethingtobehelpingMissSallyALONE,butcertainlyanotherthingtobedoingsoundertheeyeofastranger;
andIamafraidthathemetthestonyobservationoftheEnglishmanwithanequallycoldstare。MissSallyaloneretainedherlanguideaseandself—possession。Shecalledout,\"Waitamoment,Mr。
Champney,\"slippedlightlydowntheladder,andleaningagainstitwithonefootonitslowestrungawaitedhisapproach。
\"Ireckonedyo’mightbepassingby,\"shesaid,ashecameforward。
\"Co’nnleCourtland,\"withanexplanatorywaveofthehammertowardshercompanion,whoremainederectandslightlystiffenedonthecornice,\"isnorelationtothosefiguresalongthefriezeoftheRedlandsCourtHouse,butaNo’th’nofficer,afriendofMajorReed’s,who’scomedownheretolookafterSo’th’npropertyforsomeNo’th’ncapitalists。Mr。Champney,\"shecontinued,turningandliftinghereyestoCourtlandassheindicatedChampneywithherhammer,\"whenheisn’ttalkingEnglish,seeingEnglish,thinkingEnglish,dressingEnglish,andwonderingwhyGoddidn’tmakeeverythingEnglish,istryingtodothesameforHISfolks。
Mr。Champney,Co’nnleCourtland。Co’nnleCourtland,Mr。Champney!\"
Thetwomenbowedformally。\"Andnow,Co’nnle,ifyo’llcomedown,Mr。Champneywillshowyo’roundthefahm。Whenyo’’vegotthroughyo’llfindmehereatwork。\"
Courtlandwouldhavepreferred,andhalflookedforhercompanyandcommentaryonthisroundofinspection,butheconcealedhisdisappointmentanddescended。ItdidnotexactlypleasehimthatChampneyseemedrelieved,andappearedtoaccepthimasabonafidestrangerwhocouldnotpossiblyinterferewithanyconfidentialrelationsthathemighthavewithMissSally。Nevertheless,hemettheEnglishman’soffertoaccompanyhimwithpolitegratitude,andtheyleftthehousetogether。
Inlessthananhourtheyreturned。IthadnoteventakenthattimeforCourtlandtodiscoverthattherealimprovementsandthenewmethodshadoriginatedwithMissSally;thatshewasvirtuallythecontrollinginfluencethere,andthatshewasprobablyretardedratherthanassistedbytheold—fashionedandtraditionalconservatismofthecompanyofwhichChampneywassteward。Itwasequallyplain,however,thattheyoungfellowwasdimlyconsciousofthis,andwasfranklycommunicativeaboutit。
\"Yousee,overtheretheyworkthingsinadifferentway,and,byJove!theycan’tunderstandthatthereisanyother,don’tyouknow?They’realwayswiggingmeasifIcouldhelpit,althoughI’vetriedtoexplaintheniggerbusiness,andallthat,don’tyouknow?TheywantMissDowstoreferherplanstome,andexpectmetoreportonthem,andthenthey’llsubmitthemtotheBoardandwaitforitsdecision。FancyMissDowsdoingthat!But,byJove!
theycan’tconceiveofherATALLoverthere,don’tyouknow?\"
\"WhichMissDowsdoyoumean?\"askedCourtlanddryly。
\"MissSally,ofcourse,\"saidtheyoungfellowbriskly。\"SHE
manageseverything——herauntincluded。Shecanmakethoseniggersworkwhennooneelsecan,awordorsmilefromherisenough。Shecanmaketermswithdealersandcontractors——herownterms,too——
whentheywon’tlookatMYfigures。ByJove!sheevengetspointsoutofthosetravelingagentsandinventors,don’tyouknow,whocomealongtheroadwithpatentsandsamples。Shegotoneofthoselightning—rodandwire—fencementoshowherhowtoputupanarborforhertrailingroses。Why,whenIfirstsawYOUuponthecornice,Ithoughtyouweresomeotherchapthatshe’dasked——don’tyouknow——thatis,atfirst,ofcourse!——youknowwhatImean——ha,byJove!——beforewewereintroduced,don’tyouknow。\"
\"IthinkIOFFEREDtohelpMissDows,\"saidCourtlandwithaquicknessthatheatonceregretted。
\"SodidHE,don’tyouknow?MissSallydoesnotASKanybody。
Don’tyousee?afellowdon’tliketostandbyandseeayoungladylikeherdoingsuchwork。\"Vaguelyawareofsomeinfelicityinhisspeech,heawkwardlyturnedthesubject:\"Idon’tthinkIshallstayherelong,myself。\"
\"YouexpecttoreturntoEngland?\"askedCourtland。
\"Oh,no!ButIshallgooutofthecompany’sserviceandtrymyownhand。There’sagoodbitoflandaboutthreemilesfromherethat’sinthemarket,andIthinkIcouldmakesomethingoutofit。
Afellowoughttosettledownandbehisownmaster,\"heansweredtentatively,\"eh?\"
\"ButhowwillMissDowsbeabletospareyou?\"askedCourtland,uneasilyconsciousthathewasassuminganindifference。
\"Oh,I’mnotmuchusetoher,don’tyouknow——atleastnotHERE。
ButImight,ifIhadmyownlandandifwewereneighbors。ItoldyouSHErunstheplace,nomatterwho’shere,orwhosemoneyisinvested。\"
\"IpresumeyouarespeakingnowofyoungMissDows?\"saidCourtlanddryly。
\"MissSally——ofcourse——always,\"saidChampneysimply。\"Sherunstheshop。\"
\"WeretherenotsomeFrenchinvestors——relationsofMissDows?
DoesanybodyrepresentTHEM?\"askedCourtlandpointedly。
Yethewasnotquitepreparedforthenaivechangeinhiscompanion’sface。\"No。TherewasasortofFrenchcousinwhousedtobeagooddealtothefore,don’tyouknow?ButIratherfancyhedidn’tcomeheretolookafterthePROPERTY,\"returnedChampneywithaquicklaugh。\"Ithinktheauntmusthavewrittentohisfriends,forthey’calledhimoff,’andIdon’tthinkMissSallybrokeherheartabouthim。She’snotthatsortofgirl——eh?ShecouldhaveherpickoftheStateifshewentinforthatsortofthing——eh?\"
AlthoughthiswasexactlywhatCourtlandwasthinking,itpleasedhimtoanswerinadistraitsortoffashion,\"Certainly,Ishouldthinkso,\"andtorelapseintoanapparentlybusinessabstraction。
\"IthinkIwon’tgoin,\"continuedChampneyastheynearedthehouseagain。\"Isupposeyou’llhavesomethingmoretosaytoMissDows。Ifthere’sanythingelseyouwantofME,cometotheoffice。
ButSHE’LLknow。And——er——er——ifyou’re——er——stayinglonginthispartofthecountry,rideoverandlookmeup,don’tyouknow?andhaveasmokeandajulep;Ihaveaboywhoknowshowtomixthem,andI’vesomeoldbrandysentmefromtheotherside。Good—by。\"
Moreawkwardinhiskindlinessthaninhissimplebusinessconfidences,butapparentlyequallyhonestinboth,heshookCourtland’shandandwalkedaway。Courtlandturnedtowardsthehouse。Hehadseenthefarmanditsimprovements;hehadfoundsomeofhisownideaspracticallydiscounted;clearlytherewasnothingleftforhimtodobuttothankhishostessandtakehisleave。Buthefeltfarmoreuneasythanwhenhehadarrived;andtherewasasingularsenseofincompletenessinhisvisitthathecouldnotentirelyaccountfor。HisconversationwithChampneyhadcomplicated——heknewnotwhy——hisprevioustheoriesofMissDows,andalthoughhewashalfconsciousthatthishadnothingtodowiththebusinessthatbroughthimthere,hetriedtothinkthatithad。