\"WhosaysIain’t？\"
\"There’sbeensomecomplaintsmade，itappears。MissHatchardsentformethismorning————\"
Charity’ssmoulderingresentmentbrokeintoablaze。\"I
know！OrmaFry，andthattoadofaTargattgirlandBenFry，likeasnot。He’sgoingroundwithher。Thelow—
downsneaks——Ialwaysknewthey’dtrytohavemeout！
Asifanybodyevercametothelibrary，anyhow！\"
\"Somebodydidyesterday，andyouweren’tthere。\"
\"Yesterday？\"shelaughedatherhappyrecollection。\"Atwhattimewasn’tIthereyesterday，I’dliketoknow？\"
\"Roundaboutfouro’clock。\"
Charitywassilent。ShehadbeensosteepedinthedreamyremembranceofyoungHarney’svisitthatshehadforgottenhavingdesertedherpostassoonashehadleftthelibrary。
\"Whocameatfouro’clock？\"
\"MissHatcharddid。\"
\"MissHatchard？Why，sheain’teverbeenneartheplacesinceshe’sbeenlame。Shecouldn’tgetupthestepsifshetried。\"
\"Shecanbehelpedup，Iguess。Shewasyesterday，anyhow，bytheyoungfellowthat’sstayingwithher。Hefoundyouthere，Iunderstand，earlierintheafternoon;andhewentbackandtoldMissHatchardthebookswereinbadshapeandneededattendingto。Shegotexcited，andhadherselfwheeledstraightround;
andwhenshegottheretheplacewaslocked。Soshesentforme，andtoldmeaboutthat，andabouttheothercomplaints。Sheclaimsyou’veneglectedthings，andthatshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian。\"
Charityhadnotmovedwhilehespoke。Shestoodwithherheadthrownbackagainstthewindow—frame，herarmshangingagainsthersides，andherhandssotightlyclenchedthatshefelt，withoutknowingwhathurther，thesharpedgeofhernailsagainstherpalms。
OfallMr。Royallhadsaidshehadretainedonlythephrase：\"HetoldMissHatchardthebookswereinbadshape。\"Whatdidshecarefortheotherchargesagainsther？Maliceortruth，shedespisedthemasshedespisedherdetractors。Butthatthestrangertowhomshehadfeltherselfsomysteriouslydrawnshouldhavebetrayedher！Thatattheverymomentwhenshehadfledupthehillsidetothinkofhimmoredeliciouslyheshouldhavebeenhasteninghometodenouncehershort—comings！
Sherememberedhow，inthedarknessofherroom，shehadcoveredherfacetopresshisimaginedkisscloser;
andherheartragedagainsthimforthelibertyhehadnottaken。
\"Well，I’llgo，\"shesaidsuddenly。\"I’llgorightoff。\"
\"Gowhere？\"SheheardthestartlednoteinMr。Royall’svoice。
\"Why，outoftheiroldlibrary：straightout，andneversetfootinitagain。Theyneedn’tthinkI’mgoingtowaitroundandletthemsaythey’vedischargedme！\"
\"Charity——CharityRoyall，youlisten————\"hebegan，gettingheavilyoutofhischair;butshewavedhimaside，andwalkedoutoftheroom。
Upstairsshetookthelibrarykeyfromtheplacewhereshealwayshiditunderherpincushion——whosaidshewasn’tcareful？——putonherhat，andsweptdownagainandoutintothestreet。IfMr。Royallheardhergohemadenomotiontodetainher：hissuddenragesprobablymadehimunderstandtheuselessnessofreasoningwithhers。
Shereachedthebricktemple，unlockedthedoorandenteredintotheglacialtwilight。\"I’mgladI’llneverhavetositinthisoldvaultagainwhenotherfolksareoutinthesun！\"shesaidaloudasthefamiliarchilltookher。Shelookedwithabhorrenceatthelongdingyrowsofbooks，thesheep—nosedMinervaonherblackpedestal，andthemild—facedyoungmaninahighstockwhoseeffigypinedaboveherdesk。Shemeanttotakeoutofthedrawerherrolloflaceandthelibraryregister，andgostraighttoMissHatchardtoannounceherresignation。Butsuddenlyagreatdesolationovercameher，andshesatdownandlaidherfaceagainstthedesk。Herheartwasravagedbylife’scruelestdiscovery：thefirstcreaturewhohadcometowardheroutofthewildernesshadbroughtheranguishinsteadofjoy。Shedidnotcry;tearscamehardtoher，andthestormsofherheartspentthemselvesinwardly。Butasshesatthereinherdumbwoeshefeltherlifetobetoodesolate，toouglyandintolerable。
\"WhathaveIeverdonetoit，thatitshouldhurtmeso？\"shegroaned，andpressedherfistsagainstherlids，whichwerebeginningtoswellwithweeping。
\"Iwon’t——Iwon’tgotherelookinglikeahorror！\"shemuttered，springingupandpushingbackherhairasifitstifledher。Sheopenedthedrawer，draggedouttheregister，andturnedtowardthedoor。Asshedidsoitopened，andtheyoungmanfromMissHatchard’scameinwhistling。
IV
Hestoppedandliftedhishatwithashysmile。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid。\"Ithoughttherewasnoonehere。\"
Charitystoodbeforehim，barringhisway。\"Youcan’tcomein。Thelibraryain’topentothepublicWednesdays。\"
\"Iknowit’snot;butmycousingavemeherkey。\"
\"MissHatchard’sgotnorighttogiveherkeytootherfolks，anymore’nIhave。I’mthelibrarianandIknowtheby—laws。Thisismylibrary。\"
Theyoungmanlookedprofoundlysurprised。
\"Why，Iknowitis;I’msosorryifyoumindmycoming。\"
\"Isupposeyoucametoseewhatmoreyoucouldsaytosetheragainstme？Butyouneedn’ttrouble：it’smylibrarytoday，butitwon’tbethistimetomorrow。I’monthewaynowtotakeherbackthekeyandtheregister。\"
YoungHarney’sfacegrewgrave，butwithoutbetrayingtheconsciousnessofguiltshehadlookedfor。
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"hesaid。\"Theremustbesomemistake。WhyshouldIsaythingsagainstyoutoMissHatchard——ortoanyone？\"
TheapparentevasivenessofthereplycausedCharity’sindignationtooverflow。\"Idon’tknowwhyyoushould。
IcouldunderstandOrmaFry’sdoingit，becauseshe’salwayswantedtogetmeoutofhereeversincethefirstday。Ican’tseewhy，whenshe’sgotherownhome，andherfathertoworkforher;norIdaTargatt，neither，whenshegotalegacyfromherstep—brotheron’ylastyear。Butanywayweallliveinthesameplace，andwhenit’saplacelikeNorthDormerit’senoughtomakepeoplehateeachotherjusttohavetowalkdownthesamestreeteveryday。Butyoudon’tlivehere，andyoudon’tknowanythingaboutanyofus，sowhatdidyouhavetomeddlefor？Doyousupposetheothergirls’dhavekeptthebooksanybetter’nIdid？
Why，OrmaFrydon’thardlyknowabookfromaflat—
iron！AndwhatifIdon’talwayssitroundheredoingnothingtillitstrikesfiveupatthechurch？Whocaresifthelibrary’sopenorshut？Doyousupposeanybodyevercomeshereforbooks？Whatthey’dliketocomeforistomeetthefellowsthey’regoingwithifI’dlet’em。ButIwouldn’tletBillSollasfromoverthehillhangroundherewaitingfortheyoungestTargattgirl，becauseIknowhim……that’sall……evenifIdon’tknowaboutbooksallIoughtto……\"
Shestoppedwithachokinginherthroat。Tremorsofragewererunningthroughher，andshesteadiedherselfagainsttheedgeofthedesklestheshouldseeherweakness。
Whathesawseemedtoaffecthimdeeply，forhegrewredunderhissunburn，andstammeredout：\"But，MissRoyall，Iassureyou……Iassureyou……\"
Hisdistressinflamedheranger，andsheregainedhervoicetoflingback：\"IfIwasyouI’dhavethenervetosticktowhatIsaid！\"
Thetauntseemedtorestorehispresenceofmind。\"I
hopeIshouldifIknew;butIdon’t。Apparentlysomethingdisagreeablehashappened，forwhichyouthinkI’mtoblame。ButIdon’tknowwhatitis，becauseI’vebeenuponEagleRidgeeversincetheearlymorning。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhereyou’vebeenthismorning，butI
knowyouwerehereinthislibraryyesterday;anditwasyouthatwenthomeandtoldyourcousinthebookswereinbadshape，andbroughtherroundtoseehowI’dneglectedthem。\"
YoungHarneylookedsincerelyconcerned。\"Wasthatwhatyouweretold？Idon’twonderyou’reangry。Thebooksareinbadshape，andassomeareinterestingit’sapity。ItoldMissHatchardtheyweresufferingfromdampnessandlackofair;andIbroughtherheretoshowherhoweasilytheplacecouldbeventilated。I
alsotoldheryououghttohavesomeonetohelpyoudothedustingandairing。IfyouweregivenawrongversionofwhatIsaidI’msorry;butI’msofondofoldbooksthatI’dratherseethemmadeintoabonfirethanlefttomoulderawaylikethese。\"
Charityfelthersobsrisingandtriedtostifletheminwords。\"Idon’tcarewhatyousayyoutoldher。AllIknowisshethinksit’sallmyfault，andI’mgoingtolosemyjob，andIwanteditmore’nanyoneinthevillage，becauseIhaven’tgotanybodybelongingtome，thewayotherfolkshave。AllIwantedwastoputasidemoneyenoughtogetawayfromheresometime。
D’yousupposeifithadn’tbeenforthatI’dhavekeptonsittingdayafterdayinthisoldvault？\"
Ofthisappealherhearertookuponlythelastquestion。\"Itisanoldvault;butneeditbe？That’sthepoint。Andit’smyputtingthequestiontomycousinthatseemstohavebeenthecauseofthetrouble。\"Hisglanceexploredthemelancholypenumbraofthelongnarrowroom，restingontheblotchedwalls，thediscolouredrowsofbooks，andthesternrosewooddesksurmountedbytheportraitoftheyoungHonorius。
\"Ofcourseit’sabadjobtodoanythingwithabuildingjammedagainstahilllikethisridiculousmausoleum：youcouldn’tgetagooddraughtthroughitwithoutblowingaholeinthemountain。Butitcanbeventilatedafterafashion，andthesuncanbeletin：
I’llshowyouhowifyoulike……\"Thearchitect’spassionforimprovementhadalreadymadehimlosesightofhergrievance，andheliftedhisstickinstructivelytowardthecornice。Buthersilenceseemedtotellhimthatshetooknointerestintheventilationofthelibrary，andturningbacktoherabruptlyheheldoutbothhands。\"Lookhere——youdon’tmeanwhatyousaid？
Youdon’treallythinkI’ddoanythingtohurtyou？\"
Anewnoteinhisvoicedisarmedher：noonehadeverspokentoherinthattone。
\"Oh，whatDIDyoudoitforthen？\"shewailed。Hehadherhandsinhis，andshewasfeelingthesmoothtouchthatshehadimaginedthedaybeforeonthehillside。
Hepressedherhandslightlyandletthemgo。\"Why，tomakethingspleasanterforyouhere;andbetterforthebooks。I’msorryifmycousintwistedaroundwhatI
said。She’sexcitable，andshelivesontrifles：I
oughttohaverememberedthat。Don’tpunishmebylettingherthinkyoutakeherseriously。\"
ItwaswonderfultohearhimspeakofMissHatchardasifshewereaquerulousbaby：inspiteofhisshynesshehadtheairofpowerthattheexperienceofcitiesprobablygave。ItwasthefactofhavinglivedinNettletonthatmadelawyerRoyall，inspiteofhisinfirmities，thestrongestmaninNorthDormer;andCharitywassurethatthisyoungmanhadlivedinbiggerplacesthanNettleton。
ShefeltthatifshekeptupherdenunciatorytonehewouldsecretlyclassherwithMissHatchard;andthethoughtmadehersuddenlysimple。
\"Itdon’tmattertoMissHatchardhowItakeher。Mr。
Royallsaysshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian;andI’dsoonerresignthanhavethevillagesayshesentmeaway。\"
\"Naturallyyouwould。ButI’msureshedoesn’tmeantosendyouaway。Atanyrate，won’tyougivemethechancetofindoutfirstandletyouknow？ItwillbetimeenoughtoresignifI’mmistaken。\"
Herprideflamedintohercheeksatthesuggestionofhisintervening。\"Idon’twantanybodyshouldcoaxhertokeepmeifIdon’tsuit。\"
Hecolouredtoo。\"IgiveyoumywordIwon’tdothat。
Onlywaittilltomorrow，willyou？\"Helookedstraightintohereyeswithhisshygreyglance。\"Youcantrustme，youknow——youreallycan。\"
Alltheoldfrozenwoesseemedtomeltinher，andshemurmuredawkwardly，lookingawayfromhim：\"Oh，I’llwait。\"
V
TherehadneverbeensuchaJuneinEagleCounty。
Usuallyitwasamonthofmoods，withabruptalternationsofbelatedfrostandmid—summerheat;thisyear，dayfolloweddayinasequenceoftemperatebeauty。Everymorningabreezeblewsteadilyfromthehills。Towardnoonitbuiltupgreatcanopiesofwhitecloudthatthrewacoolshadowoverfieldsandwoods;thenbeforesunsetthecloudsdissolvedagain，andthewesternlightraineditsunobstructedbrightnessonthevalley。
OnsuchanafternoonCharityRoyalllayonaridgeaboveasunlithollow，herfacepressedtotheearthandthewarmcurrentsofthegrassrunningthroughher。
Directlyinherlineofvisionablackberrybranchlaiditsfrailwhiteflowersandblue—greenleavesagainstthesky。Justbeyond，atuftofsweet—fernuncurledbetweenthebeadedshootsofthegrass，andasmallyellowbutterflyvibratedoverthemlikeafleckofsunshine。Thiswasallshesaw;butshefelt，aboveherandabouther，thestronggrowthofthebeechesclothingtheridge，theroundingofpalegreenconesoncountlessspruce—branches，thepushofmyriadsofsweet—fernfrondsinthecracksofthestonyslopebelowthewood，andthecrowdingshootsofmeadowsweetandyellowflagsinthepasturebeyond。Allthisbubblingofsapandslippingofsheathsandburstingofcalyxeswascarriedtoheronmingledcurrentsoffragrance。Everyleafandbudandbladeseemedtocontributeitsexhalationtothepervadingsweetnessinwhichthepungencyofpine—sapprevailedoverthespiceofthymeandthesubtleperfumeoffern，andallweremergedinamoistearth—smellthatwaslikethebreathofsomehugesun—warmedanimal。
Charityhadlaintherealongtime，passiveandsun—
warmedastheslopeonwhichshelay，whentherecamebetweenhereyesandthedancingbutterflythesightofaman’sfootinalargewornbootcoveredwithredmud。
\"Oh，don’t！\"sheexclaimed，raisingherselfonherelbowandstretchingoutawarninghand。
\"Don’twhat？\"ahoarsevoiceaskedaboveherhead。
\"Don’tstamponthosebrambleflowers，youdolt！\"sheretorted，springingtoherknees。Thefootpausedandthendescendedclumsilyonthefrailbranch，andraisinghereyesshesawaboveherthebewilderedfaceofaslouchingmanwithathinsunburntbeard，andwhitearmsshowingthroughhisraggedshirt。
\"Don’tyoueverSEEanything，LiffHyatt？\"sheassailedhim，ashestoodbeforeherwiththelookofamanwhohasstirredupawasp’snest。
Hegrinned。\"Iseenyou！That’swhatIcomedownfor。\"
\"Downfromwhere？\"shequestioned，stoopingtogatherupthepetalshisfoothadscattered。
Hejerkedhisthumbtowardtheheights。\"BeencuttingdowntreesforDanTargatt。\"
Charitysankbackonherheelsandlookedathimmusingly。ShewasnotintheleastafraidofpoorLiffHyatt，thoughhe\"camefromtheMountain，\"andsomeofthegirlsranwhentheysawhim。Amongthemorereasonablehepassedforaharmlesscreature，asortoflinkbetweenthemountainandcivilizedfolk，whooccasionallycamedownanddidalittlewoodcuttingforafarmerwhenhandswereshort。Besides，sheknewtheMountainpeoplewouldneverhurther：Liffhimselfhadtoldhersooncewhenshewasalittlegirl，andhadmethimonedayattheedgeoflawyerRoyall’spasture。\"Theywon’tanyof’emtouchyouupthere，f’everyouwastocomeup……ButIdon’ts’poseyouwill，\"hehadaddedphilosophically，lookingathernewshoes，andattheredribbonthatMrs。Royallhadtiedinherhair。
Charityhad，intruth，neverfeltanydesiretovisitherbirthplace。ShedidnotcaretohaveitknownthatshewasoftheMountain，andwasshyofbeingseenintalkwithLiffHyatt。Buttodayshewasnotsorrytohavehimappear。AgreatmanythingshadhappenedtohersincethedaywhenyoungLuciusHarneyhadenteredthedoorsoftheHatchardMemorial，butnone，perhaps，sounforeseenasthefactofhersuddenlyfindingitaconveniencetobeongoodtermswithLiffHyatt。Shecontinuedtolookupcuriouslyathisfreckledweather—
beatenface，withfeverishhollowsbelowthecheekbonesandthepaleyelloweyesofaharmlessanimal。\"I
wonderifhe’srelatedtome？\"shethought，withashiverofdisdain。
\"Isthereanyfolkslivinginthebrownhousebytheswamp，upunderPorcupine？\"shepresentlyaskedinanindifferenttone。
LiffHyatt，forawhile，consideredherwithsurprise;
thenhescratchedhisheadandshiftedhisweightfromonetatteredsoletotheother。
\"There’salwaysthesamefolksinthebrownhouse，\"hesaidwithhisvaguegrin。
\"They’refromupyourway，ain’tthey？\"
\"Theirname’sthesameasmine，\"herejoineduncertainly。
Charitystillheldhimwithresoluteeyes。\"Seehere，Iwanttogotheresomedayandtakeagentlemanwithmethat’sboardingwithus。He’supinthesepartsdrawingpictures。\"
Shedidnotoffertoexplainthisstatement。ItwastoofarbeyondLiffHyatt’slimitationsfortheattempttobeworthmaking。\"Hewantstoseethebrownhouse，andgoalloverit，\"shepursued。
Liffwasstillrunninghisfingersperplexedlythroughhisshockofstraw—coloredhair。\"Isitafellowfromthecity？\"heasked。
\"Yes。Hedrawspicturesofthings。He’sdowntherenowdrawingtheBonnerhouse。\"Shepointedtoachimneyjustvisibleoverthedipofthepasturebelowthewood。
\"TheBonnerhouse？\"Liffechoedincredulously。
\"Yes。Youwon’tunderstand——anditdon’tmatter。AllIsayis：he’sgoingtotheHyatts’inadayortwo。\"
Lifflookedmoreandmoreperplexed。\"Bashisuglysometimesintheafternoons。\"
Shethrewherheadback，hereyesfullonHyatt’s。\"I’mcomingtoo：youtellhim。\"
\"Theywon’tnoneofthemtroubleyou，theHyattswon’t。
Whatd’youwantatakeastrangerwithyouthough？\"
I’vetoldyou，haven’tI？You’vegottotellBashHyatt。\"
Helookedawayatthebluemountainsonthehorizon;
thenhisgazedroppedtothechimney—topbelowthepasture。
\"He’sdowntherenow？\"
\"Yes。\"
Heshiftedhisweightagain，crossedhisarms，andcontinuedtosurveythedistantlandscape。\"Well，solong，\"hesaidatlast，inconclusively;andturningawayheshambledupthehillside。Fromtheledgeaboveher，hepausedtocalldown：\"Iwouldn’tgothereaSunday\";thenheclamberedontillthetreesclosedinonhim。Presently，fromhighoverhead，Charityheardtheringofhisaxe。
Shelayonthewarmridge，thinkingofmanythingsthatthewoodsman’sappearancehadstirredupinher。Sheknewnothingofherearlylife，andhadneverfeltanycuriosityaboutit：onlyasullenreluctancetoexplorethecornerofhermemorywherecertainblurredimageslingered。Butallthathadhappenedtoherwithinthelastfewweekshadstirredhertothesleepingdepths。
Shehadbecomeabsorbinglyinterestingtoherself，andeverythingthathadtodowithherpastwasilluminatedbythissuddencuriosity。
ShehatedmorethaneverthefactofcomingfromtheMountain;butitwasnolongerindifferenttoher。
Everythingthatinanywayaffectedherwasaliveandvivid：eventhehatefulthingshadgrowninterestingbecausetheywereapartofherself。
\"IwonderifLiffHyattknowswhomymotherwas？\"shemused;anditfilledherwithatremorofsurprisetothinkthatsomewomanwhowasonceyoungandslight，withquickmotionsofthebloodlikehers，hadcarriedherinherbreast，andwatchedhersleeping。Shehadalwaysthoughtofhermotherassolongdeadastobenomorethananamelesspinchofearth;butnowitoccurredtoherthattheonce—youngwomanmightbealive，andwrinkledandelf—lockedlikethewomanshehadsometimesseeninthedoorofthebrownhousethatLuciusHarneywantedtodraw。
Thethoughtbroughthimbacktothecentralpointinhermind，andshestrayedawayfromtheconjecturesrousedbyLiffHyatt’spresence。Speculationsconcerningthepastcouldnotholdherlongwhenthepresentwassorich，thefuturesorosy，andwhenLuciusHarney，astone’sthrowaway，wasbendingoverhissketch—book，frowning，calculating，measuring，andthenthrowinghisheadbackwiththesuddensmilethathadsheditsbrightnessovereverything。
Shescrambledtoherfeet，butasshedidsoshesawhimcomingupthepastureanddroppeddownonthegrasstowait。Whenhewasdrawingandmeasuringoneof\"hishouses，\"asshecalledthem，sheoftenstrayedawaybyherselfintothewoodsorupthehillside。Itwaspartlyfromshynessthatshedidso：fromasenseofinadequacythatcametohermostpainfullywhenhercompanion，absorbedinhisjob，forgotherignoranceandherinabilitytofollowhisleastallusion，andplungedintoamonologueonartandlife。Toavoidtheawkwardnessoflisteningwithablankface，andalsotoescapethesurprisedstareoftheinhabitantsofthehousesbeforewhichhewouldabruptlypulluptheirhorseandopenhissketch—book，sheslippedawaytosomespotfromwhich，withoutbeingseen，shecouldwatchhimatwork，oratleastlookdownonthehousehewasdrawing。Shehadnotbeendispleased，atfirst，tohaveitknowntoNorthDormerandtheneighborhoodthatshewasdrivingMissHatchard’scousinaboutthecountryinthebuggyhehadhiredoflawyerRoyall。
Shehadalwayskepttoherself，contemptuouslyalooffromvillagelove—making，withoutexactlyknowingwhetherherfiercepridewasduetothesenseofhertaintedorigin，orwhethershewasreservingherselfforamorebrilliantfate。Sometimessheenviedtheothergirlstheirsentimentalpreoccupations，theirlonghoursofinarticulatephilanderingwithoneofthefewyouthswhostilllingeredinthevillage;butwhenshepicturedherselfcurlingherhairorputtinganewribbononherhatforBenFryoroneoftheSollasboysthefeverdroppedandsherelapsedintoindifference。
Nowsheknewthemeaningofherdisdainsandreluctances。ShehadlearnedwhatshewasworthwhenLuciusHarney，lookingatherforthefirsttime，hadlostthethreadofhisspeech，andleanedreddeningontheedgeofherdesk。Butanotherkindofshynesshadbeenborninher：aterrorofexposingtovulgarperilsthesacredtreasureofherhappiness。Shewasnotsorrytohavetheneighborssuspectherof\"goingwith\"
ayoungmanfromthecity;butshedidnotwantitknowntoallthecountrysidehowmanyhoursofthelongJunedaysshespentwithhim。WhatshemostfearedwasthattheinevitablecommentsshouldreachMr。Royall。
Charitywasinstinctivelyawarethatfewthingsconcerningherescapedtheeyesofthesilentmanunderwhoseroofshelived;andinspiteofthelatitudewhichNorthDormeraccordedtocourtingcouplesshehadalwaysfeltthat，onthedaywhensheshowedtooopenapreference，Mr。Royallmight，asshephrasedit，makeher\"payforit。\"How，shedidnotknow;andherfearwasthegreaterbecauseitwasundefinable。Ifshehadbeenacceptingtheattentionsofoneofthevillageyouthsshewouldhavebeenlessapprehensive：Mr。
Royallcouldnotpreventhermarryingwhenshechoseto。Buteverybodyknewthat\"goingwithacityfellow\"
wasadifferentandlessstraightforwardaffair：almosteveryvillagecouldshowavictimoftheperilousventure。AndherdreadofMr。Royall’sinterventiongaveasharpenedjoytothehoursshespentwithyoungHarney，andmadeher，atthesametime，shyofbeingtoogenerallyseenwithhim。
Asheapproachedsherosetoherknees，stretchingherarmsaboveherheadwiththeindolentgesturethatwasherwayofexpressingaprofoundwell—being。
\"I’mgoingtotakeyoutothathouseupunderPorcupine，\"sheannounced。
\"Whathouse？Oh，yes;thatramshackleplaceneartheswamp，withthegipsy—lookingpeoplehangingabout。
It’scuriousthatahousewithtracesofrealarchitectureshouldhavebeenbuiltinsuchaplace。
Butthepeoplewereasulky—lookinglot——doyousupposethey’llletusin？\"
\"They’lldowhateverItellthem，\"shesaidwithassurance。
Hethrewhimselfdownbesideher。\"Willthey？\"herejoinedwithasmile。\"Well，Ishouldliketoseewhat’sleftinsidethehouse。AndIshouldliketohaveatalkwiththepeople。WhowasitwhowastellingmetheotherdaythattheyhadcomedownfromtheMountain？\"
Charityshotasidewardlookathim。ItwasthefirsttimehehadspokenoftheMountainexceptasafeatureofthelandscape。Whatelsedidheknowaboutit，andaboutherrelationtoit？Herheartbegantobeatwiththefierceimpulseofresistancewhichsheinstinctivelyopposedtoeveryimaginedslight。
\"TheMountain？Iain’tafraidoftheMountain！\"
Hertoneofdefianceseemedtoescapehim。Helaybreast—downonthegrass，breakingoffsprigsofthymeandpressingthemagainsthislips。Faroff，abovethefoldsofthenearerhills，theMountainthrustitselfupmenacinglyagainstayellowsunset。
\"Imustgouptheresomeday：Iwanttoseeit，\"hecontinued。
Herheart—beatsslackenedandsheturnedagaintoexaminehisprofile。Itwasinnocentofallunfriendlyintention。
\"What’dyouwanttogouptheMountainfor？\"
\"Why，itmustberatheracuriousplace。There’saqueercolonyupthere，youknow：sortofout—laws，alittleindependentkingdom。Ofcourseyou’veheardthemspokenof;butI’mtoldtheyhavenothingtodowiththepeopleinthevalleys——ratherlookdownonthem，infact。Isupposethey’reroughcustomers;buttheymusthaveagooddealofcharacter。\"
Shedidnotquiteknowwhathemeantbyhavingagooddealofcharacter;buthistonewasexpressiveofadmiration，anddeepenedherdawningcuriosity。ItstruckhernowasstrangethatsheknewsolittleabouttheMountain。Shehadneverasked，andnoonehadeverofferedtoenlightenher。NorthDormertooktheMountainforgranted，andimplieditsdisparagementbyanintonationratherthanbyexplicitcriticism。
\"It’squeer，youknow，\"hecontinued，\"that，justoverthere，ontopofthathill，thereshouldbeahandfulofpeoplewhodon’tgiveadamnforanybody。\"
Thewordsthrilledher。Theyseemedthecluetoherownrevoltsanddefiances，andshelongedtohavehimtellhermore。
\"Idon’tknowmuchaboutthem。Havetheyalwaysbeenthere？\"
\"Nobodyseemstoknowexactlyhowlong。DownatCrestontheytoldmethatthefirstcolonistsaresupposedtohavebeenmenwhoworkedontherailwaythatwasbuiltfortyorfiftyyearsagobetweenSpringfieldandNettleton。Someofthemtooktodrink，orgotintotroublewiththepolice，andwentoff——
disappearedintothewoods。AyearortwolatertherewasareportthattheywerelivingupontheMountain。
ThenIsupposeothersjoinedthem——andchildrenwereborn。Nowtheysaythereareoverahundredpeopleupthere。Theyseemtobequiteoutsidethejurisdictionofthevalleys。Noschool，nochurch——andnosheriffevergoesuptoseewhatthey’reabout。Butdon’tpeopleevertalkofthematNorthDormer？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Theysaythey’rebad。\"
Helaughed。\"Dothey？We’llgoandsee，shallwe？\"
Sheflushedatthesuggestion，andturnedherfacetohis。\"Youneverheard，Isuppose——Icomefromthere。
TheybroughtmedownwhenIwaslittle。\"
\"You？\"Heraisedhimselfonhiselbow，lookingatherwithsuddeninterest。\"You’refromtheMountain？Howcurious！Isupposethat’swhyyou’resodifferent……\"
Herhappybloodbathedhertotheforehead。Hewaspraisingher——andpraisingherbecauseshecamefromtheMountain！
\"AmI……different？\"shetriumphed，withaffectedwonder。
\"Oh，awfully！\"Hepickedupherhandandlaidakissonthesunburntknuckles。
\"Come，\"hesaid，\"let’sbeoff。\"Hestoodupandshookthegrassfromhisloosegreyclothes。\"Whatagoodday！Whereareyougoingtotakemetomorrow？\"
VI
ThateveningaftersupperCharitysataloneinthekitchenandlistenedtoMr。RoyallandyoungHarneytalkingintheporch。
ShehadremainedindoorsafterthetablehadbeenclearedandoldVerenahadhobbleduptobed。Thekitchenwindowwasopen，andCharityseatedherselfnearit，heridlehandsonherknee。Theeveningwascoolandstill。Beyondtheblackhillsanamberwestpassedintopalegreen，andthentoadeepblueinwhichagreatstarhung。Thesofthootofalittleowlcamethroughthedusk，andbetweenitscallsthemen’svoicesroseandfell。
Mr。Royall’swasfullofasonoroussatisfaction。ItwasalongtimesincehehadhadanyoneofLuciusHarney’squalitytotalkto：Charitydivinedthattheyoungmansymbolizedallhisruinedandunforgottenpast。WhenMissHatchardhadbeencalledtoSpringfieldbytheillnessofawidowedsister，andyoungHarney，bythattimeseriouslyembarkedonhistaskofdrawingandmeasuringalltheoldhousesbetweenNettletonandtheNewHampshireborder，hadsuggestedthepossibilityofboardingattheredhouseinhiscousin’sabsence，CharityhadtrembledlestMr。
Royallshouldrefuse。Therehadbeennoquestionoflodgingtheyoungman：therewasnoroomforhim。ButitappearedthathecouldstillliveatMissHatchard’sifMr。Royallwouldlethimtakehismealsattheredhouse;andafteraday’sdeliberationMr。Royallconsented。
Charitysuspectedhimofbeinggladofthechancetomakealittlemoney。Hehadthereputationofbeinganavariciousman;butshewasbeginningtothinkhewasprobablypoorerthanpeopleknew。Hispracticehadbecomelittlemorethanavaguelegend，revivedonlyatlengtheningintervalsbyasummonstoHepburnorNettleton;andheappearedtodependforhislivingmainlyonthescantproduceofhisfarm，andonthecommissionsreceivedfromthefewinsuranceagenciesthatherepresentedintheneighbourhood。Atanyrate，hehadbeenpromptinacceptingHarney’soffertohirethebuggyatadollarandahalfaday;andhissatisfactionwiththebargainhadmanifesteditself，unexpectedlyenough，attheendofthefirstweek，byhistossingaten—dollarbillintoCharity’slapasshesatonedayretrimmingheroldhat。
\"Here——gogetyourselfaSundaybonnetthat’llmakealltheothergirlsmad，\"hesaid，lookingatherwithasheepishtwinkleinhisdeep—seteyes;andsheimmediatelyguessedthattheunwontedpresent——theonlygiftofmoneyshehadeverreceivedfromhim——
representedHarney’sfirstpayment。
Buttheyoungman’scominghadbroughtMr。Royallotherthanpecuniarybenefit。Itgavehim，forthefirsttimeinyears，aman’scompanionship。Charityhadonlyadimunderstandingofherguardian’sneeds;butsheknewhefelthimselfabovethepeopleamongwhomhelived，andshesawthatLuciusHarneythoughthimso。
Shewassurprisedtofindhowwellheseemedtotalknowthathehadalistenerwhounderstoodhim;andshewasequallystruckbyyoungHarney’sfriendlydeference。
Theirconversationwasmostlyaboutpolitics，andbeyondherrange;buttonightithadapeculiarinterestforher，fortheyhadbeguntospeakoftheMountain。Shedrewbackalittle，lesttheyshouldseeshewasinhearing。
\"TheMountain？TheMountain？\"sheheardMr。Royallsay。
\"Why，theMountain’sablot——that’swhatitis，sir，ablot。Thatscumupthereoughttohavebeenruninlongago——andwouldhave，ifthepeopledownherehadn’tbeencleanscaredofthem。TheMountainbelongstothistownship，andit’sNorthDormer’sfaultifthere’sagangofthievesandoutlawslivingoverthere，insightofus，defyingthelawsoftheircountry。Why，thereain’tasherifforatax—collectororacoroner’ddurstgoupthere。WhentheyhearoftroubleontheMountaintheselectmenlooktheotherway，andpassanappropriationtobeautifythetownpump。Theonlymanthatevergoesupistheminister，andhegoesbecausetheysenddownandgethimwheneverthere’sanyofthemdies。TheythinkalotofChristianburialontheMountain——butIneverheardoftheirhavingtheministeruptomarrythem。AndtheynevertroubletheJusticeofthePeaceeither。Theyjustherdtogetherliketheheathen。\"
Hewenton，explaininginsomewhattechnicallanguagehowthelittlecolonyofsquattershadcontrivedtokeepthelawatbay，andCharity，withburningeagerness，awaitedyoungHarney’scomment;buttheyoungmanseemedmoreconcernedtohearMr。Royall’sviewsthantoexpresshisown。
\"Isupposeyou’veneverbeenupthereyourself？\"hepresentlyasked。
\"Yes，Ihave，\"saidMr。Royallwithacontemptuouslaugh。\"ThewiseacresdownheretoldmeI’dbedoneforbeforeIgotback;butnobodyliftedafingertohurtme。AndI’djusthadoneoftheirgangsentupforsevenyearstoo。\"
\"Youwentupafterthat？\"
\"Yes，sir：rightafterit。ThefellowcamedowntoNettletonandranamuck，thewaytheysometimesdo。
Afterthey’vedoneawood—cuttingjobtheycomedownandblowthemoneyin;andthismanendedupwithmanslaughter。Igothimconvicted，thoughtheywerescaredoftheMountainevenatNettleton;andthenaqueerthinghappened。Thefellowsentformetogoandseehimingaol。Iwent，andthisiswhathesays：
’Thefoolthatdefendedmeisachicken—liveredsonofa——andalltherestofit，’hesays。’I’vegotajobtobedoneformeupontheMountain，andyou’retheonlymanIseenincourtthatlooksasifhe’ddoit。’
Hetoldmehehadachildupthere——orthoughthehad——
alittlegirl;andhewantedherbroughtdownandrearedlikeaChristian。Iwassorryforthefellow，soIwentupandgotthechild。\"Hepaused，andCharitylistenedwithathrobbingheart。\"That’stheonlytimeIeverwentuptheMountain，\"heconcluded。
Therewasamoment’ssilence;thenHarneyspoke。\"Andthechild——hadshenomother？\"
\"Oh，yes：therewasamother。Butshewasgladenoughtohavehergo。She’dhavegivenhertoanybody。Theyain’thalfhumanupthere。Iguessthemother’sdeadbynow，withthelifeshewasleading。Anyhow，I’veneverheardofherfromthatdaytothis。\"
\"MyGod，howghastly，\"Harneymurmured;andCharity，chokingwithhumiliation，sprangtoherfeetandranupstairs。Sheknewatlast：knewthatshewasthechildofadrunkenconvictandofamotherwhowasn’t\"halfhuman，\"andwasgladtohavehergo;andshehadheardthishistoryofheroriginrelatedtotheonebeinginwhoseeyesshelongedtoappearsuperiortothepeopleabouther！ShehadnoticedthatMr。Royallhadnotnamedher，hadevenavoidedanyallusionthatmightidentifyherwiththechildhehadbroughtdownfromtheMountain;andsheknewitwasoutofregardforherthathehadkeptsilent。Butofwhatusewashisdiscretion，sinceonlythatafternoon，misledbyHarney’sinterestintheout—lawcolony，shehadboastedtohimofcomingfromtheMountain？Noweverywordthathadbeenspokenshowedherhowsuchanoriginmustwidenthedistancebetweenthem。
Duringhistendays’sojournatNorthDormerLuciusHarneyhadnotspokenawordoflovetoher。Hehadintervenedinherbehalfwithhiscousin，andhadconvincedMissHatchardofhermeritsasalibrarian;
butthatwasasimpleactofjustice，sinceitwasbyhisownfaultthatthosemeritshadbeenquestioned。HehadaskedhertodrivehimaboutthecountrywhenhehiredlawyerRoyall’sbuggytogoonhissketchingexpeditions;butthattoowasnaturalenough，sincehewasunfamiliarwiththeregion。Lastly，whenhiscousinwascalledtoSpringfield，hehadbeggedMr。
Royalltoreceivehimasaboarder;butwhereelseinNorthDormercouldhehaveboarded？NotwithCarrickFry，whosewifewasparalysed，andwhoselargefamilycrowdedhistabletoover—flowing;notwiththeTargatts，wholivedamileuptheroad，norwithpooroldMrs。Hawes，who，sincehereldestdaughterhaddesertedher，barelyhadthestrengthtocookherownmealswhileAllypickedupherlivingasaseamstress。
Mr。Royall’swastheonlyhousewheretheyoungmancouldhavebeenofferedadecenthospitality。Therehadbeennothing，therefore，intheoutwardcourseofeventstoraiseinCharity’sbreastthehopeswithwhichittrembled。ButbeneaththevisibleincidentsresultingfromLuciusHarney’sarrivalthererananundercurrentasmysteriousandpotentastheinfluencethatmakestheforestbreakintoleafbeforetheiceisoffthepools。
ThebusinessonwhichHarneyhadcomewasauthentic;
CharityhadseentheletterfromaNewYorkpublishercommissioninghimtomakeastudyoftheeighteenthcenturyhousesinthelessfamiliardistrictsofNewEngland。Butincomprehensibleasthewholeaffairwastoher，andhardasshefoundittounderstandwhyhepausedenchantedbeforecertainneglectedandpaintlesshouses，whileothers，refurbishedand\"improved\"bythelocalbuilder，didnotarrestaglance，shecouldnotbutsuspectthatEagleCountywaslessrichinarchitecturethanheaverred，andthatthedurationofhisstay（whichhehadfixedatamonth）wasnotunconnectedwiththelookinhiseyeswhenhehadfirstpausedbeforeherinthelibrary。Everythingthathadfollowedseemedtohavegrownoutofthatlook：hiswayofspeakingtoher，hisquicknessincatchinghermeaning，hisevidenteagernesstoprolongtheirexcursionsandtoseizeoneverychanceofbeingwithher。