Norwerehereffortsconfinedentirelytopubliclife。Incozycornersanddarkenedrecesses，beardedlipswithheldtheamorousdeclarationtomutter"SarahWalker"betweentheirclenchedteeth;
coyandbashfultonguesfoundspeechatlastintherapidformulationof"SarahWalker。"Nobodyeverthoughtofabbreviatingherfullname。Thetwopeopleinthehotel，otherwiseindividualized，butknownonlyas"SarahWalker’sfather"and"SarahWalker’smother，"andneverasMr。andMrs。Walker，addressedheronlyas"SarahWalker";twoanimalsthatwereoccasionallyapartofthispassingpageantwereknownas"SarahWalker’sdog"and"SarahWalker’scat，"andlateritwasmyproudprivilegetosinkmyownindividualityunderthetitleof"thatfriendofSarahWalker’s。"
Itmustnotbesupposedthatshehadattainedthisbalefuleminencewithoutsomeactivecriticism。EveryparentintheGreyportHotelhadheldhisorhertheoryoftheparticulardefectsofSarahWalker’seducation;everyvirginandbachelorhadopenlyexpressedviewsofthepeculiardisciplinethatwasnecessarytohersubjugation。Itmayberoughlyestimatedthatshewouldhavespenttheentirenineyearsofheractivelifeinadarkcupboardonanexclusivedietofbreadandwater，hadthisdisciplineobtained;
while，ontheotherhand，hadtheeducationaltheoriesoftheparentalassemblyprevailed，shewouldhaveerethisshoneanetherealizedessenceintheangelichost。Ineithereventshewouldhave"ceasedfromtroubling，"whichwasthegeneralGreyportideaofhighereducation。ApaperreadbeforeourLiterarySocietyon"SarahWalkerandotherinfantilediseases，"wasreferredtointhecatalogueas"Walker，Sarah，PreventionandCure，"whiletheusualburlesquelegislationofoursummerseasonculminatedintheActentitled"AnActtoamendanActentitledanActfortheabatementofSarahWalker。"Asshewashereafterexclusivelytobefed"onthePROVISIONSofthisAct，"someideaofitsgeneraltonemaybegathered。Itwasasingularfactinthispointofherhistorythathernaturalprogenitorsnotonlyofferednoresistancetothedoubtfulcelebrityoftheiroffspring，but，byhopelesslyacceptingthesituation，tosomeextentPOSEDasSarahWalker’svictims。Mr。andMrs。Walkerwereknowntoberich，respectable，andindulgenttotheironlychild。Theythemselveshadbeenevolvedfromapreviousgenerationofpromiscuouslyacquiredwealthintothereposeofinheritedproperty，butitwascurrentlyacceptedthatSarahhad"castback"andreincarnatedsomewaifonthedeckofanemigrantshipatthebeginningofthecentury。
Suchwasthechildseparatedfrommebythisportentoushistory，anarrowpassage，andaclosednurserydoor。Presently，however，thedoorwaspartlyopenedagainasiftoadmittheair。Thecryinghadceased，butinitsplacethemonotonousVoiceofConscience，forthemomentpersonatedbySarahWalker’snursemaid，keptaliveadrowsyrecollectionofSarahWalker’stransgressions。
"Yousee，"saidtheVoice，"whatadreadfulthingitisforalittlegirltogoonasyoudo。Iamastonishedatyou，SarahWalker。Soiseverybody;soisthegoodladiesnextdoor;soisthekindgentlemanopposite;soisall！Whereyouexpecttogoto，’Evinonlyknows！Howyouexpecttobeforgiven，saintsalonecantell！Butsoitisalways，andyetyoukeepitup。Andwouldn’tyoulikeitdifferent，SarahWalker？Wouldn’tyouliketohaveeverybodyloveyou？Wouldn’tyoulikethemgoodladiesnextdoor，andthatnicegentlemanopposite，alltokinderriseupandsay，’Oh，whatadeargoodlittlegirlSarahWalkeris？’"Theinterpolationofasmackingsoundoflips，asifinunctuousanticipationofSarahWalker’svirtue，hereensued——"Oh，whatadear，good，sw-e-et，lovelylittlegirlSarahWalkeris！"
Therewasadeadsilence。Itmayhavebeenfancy，butIthoughtthatsomeofthedoorsinthepassagecreakedsoftlyasifinlisteningexpectation。Thenthesilencewasbrokenbyasigh。HadSarahWalkeringloriouslysuccumbed？Rashandimpotentconclusion！
"Idon’t，"saidSarahWalker’svoice，slowlyrisinguntilitbrokeonthecrestofamountainoussob，"I——don’t——want——’em——to——loveme。I——don’twant——’em——tosay——whata——dear——good——littlegirl——
SarahWalkeris！"Shecaughtherbreath。"I——want——’em——tosay——
whatanaughty——bad——dirty——horrid——filthy——littlegirlSarahWalkeris——soIdo。There！"
Thedoorsslammedallalongthepassages。Thedreadfulissuewasjoined。IsoftlycrossedthehallandlookedintoSarahWalker’sroom。
Thelightfromahalf-openedshutterfellfulluponherrebelliouslittlefigure。Shehadstiffenedherselfinalargeeasy-chairintotheattitudeinwhichshehadbeenevidentlydepositedtherebythenursewhosetorn-offapronshestillheldrigidlyinonehand。Hershapelylegsstoodoutbeforeher，jointlessandinflexibletothepointofhertinyshoes——aPOSEcopiedwithpatheticfidelitybytheFrenchdollatherfeet。Theattitudemusthavebeendreadfullyuncomfortable，andmaintainedonlyasbeingrepletewithsomevagueinsultstothepersonwhohadputherdown，asexhibitingawildindecorumofsilkenstocking。A
mystifiedkitten——SarahWalker’sinseparable——washeldasrigidlyunderonearmwithequaldumbaggressiveness。Followingthestifflineofherhalf-recumbentfigure，herheadsuddenlyappearedperpendicularlyerect——yettheonlymobilepartofherbody。A
dazzlingsunburstofsilkyhair，thecolorofburnishedcopper，partlyhidherneckandshouldersandthebackofthechair。Hereyeswereadarkershadeofthesamecolor——theorbitsappearingdeeperandlargerfromtherubbinginofhabitualtearsfromlongwetlashes。Nothingsofarseemedinconsistentwithherinfelixreputation，but，strangetosay，herotherfeaturesweremarkedbydelicacyandrefinement，andhermouth——thatsorelyexercisedandjustlydreadedmember——wassmallandpretty，albeitslightlydroppedatthecorners。
Theimmediateeffectofmyintrusionwaslimitedsolelytothenursemaid。SwoopingsuddenlyuponSarahWalker’stooevidentdeshabille，shemadetwoorthreeattemptstopluckherintopropriety;butthechild，recognizingthecauseaswellastheeffect，lookedaskanceatmeandonlystiffenedherselfthemore。
"SarahWalker，I’mshocked。"
"Itain’tHISroomanyway，"saidSarah，eyingmemalevolently。
"What’shedoinghere？"
TherewassomuchtruthinthisthatIinvoluntarilydrewbackabashed。Thenurse-maidejaculated"Sarah！"andliftedhereyesinhopelessprotest。
"Andheneedn’tcomeseeingYOU，"continuedSarah，lazilyrubbingthebackofherheadagainstthechair;"mypapadon’tallowit。
Hewarnedyou’bouttheothergentleman，youknow。"
"SarahWalker！"
Ifeltitwasnecessarytosaysomething。"Don’tyouwanttocomewithmeandlookatthesea？"Isaidwithutterfeeblenessofinvention。Tomysurprise，insteadofactivelyassaultingmeSarahWalkergotup，shookherhairoverhershoulders，andtookmyhand。
"Withyourhairinthatstate？"almostscreamedthedomestic。ButSarahWalkerhadalreadypulledmeintothehall。WhatparticularlyoffensiveformofoppositiontoauthoritywasimpliedinthispromptassenttomyproposalIcouldonlydarklyguess。
FormyselfIknewImustappeartoheraweakimpostor。WhatwouldtherepossiblybeintheseatointerestSarahWalker？ForthemomentIprayedforawater-spout，ashipwreck，awhale，oranymarinemiracletoastoundherandredeemmycharacter。Iwalkedguiltilydownthehall，holdingherhandbashfullyinmine。I
noticedthatherbreastbegantoheaveconvulsively;ifshecriedI
knewIshouldminglemytearswithhers。Wereachedtheverandaingloomysilence。AsIexpected，thesealaybeforeusglitteringinthesun——vacant，staring，flat，andhopelesslyandunquestionablyuninteresting。
"Iknewitallalong，"saidSarahWalker，turningdownthecornersofhermouth;"thereneverwasanythingtosee。Iknowwhyyougotmetocomehere。YouwanttotellmeifI’magoodgirlyou’lltakemetosailsomeday。YouwanttosayifI’mbadtheseawillswallowmeup。That’sallyouwant，youhorridthing，you！"
"Hush！"Isaid，pointingtothecorneroftheveranda。
Adesperateideaofescapehadjustseizedme。Boltuprightintherecessofawindowsatanursemaidwhohadsuccumbedtosleepequallywithherhelplesschargeintheperambulatorbesideher。I
instantlyrecognizedtheinfant——apopularorganismknownas"BabyBuckly"——theprodigyoftheGreyportHotel，thepetofitsenthusiasticwomanhood。Fatandfeatureless，pinkandpincushiony，itwasborrowedbygushingmaidenhood，exchangedbyidioticmaternity，andhadgrownunctuousandtumefacientunderthekissesandembracesofhalfthehotel。Eveninitspresentreposeitlookedmoistandshinyfromindiscriminateandpromiscuousosculation。
"Let’sborrowBabyBuckly，"Isaidrecklessly。
SarahWalkeratoncestoppedcrying。Idon’tknowhowshedidit，butthecessationwasinstantaneous，asifshehadturnedoffatapsomewhere。
"AndputitinMr。Peters’bed！"Icontinued。
Petersbeingnotoriouslyagrimbachelor，thebaresuggestionbristledwithoutrage。SarahWalker’seyessparkled。
"Youdon’tmeanit！——go’way！"——shesaidwithaffectedcoyness。
"ButIdo！Come。"
Weextracteditnoiselesslytogether——thatis，SarahWalkerdid，withdeftwomanliness——carrieditdarklyalongthehalltoNo。27，anddepositeditinPeters’bed，whereitlaylikeafreshlyopenedoyster。Wethenreturnedhandinhandtomyroom，wherewelookedoutofthewindowonthesea。ItwasobservablethattherewasnolackofinterestinSarahWalkernow。
Beforefiveminuteshadelapsedsomeonebreathlesslypassedtheopendoorwhilewewerestillengagedinmarineobservation。Thiswasfollowedbyreturnfootstepsandasuccessionofswiftlyrustlinggarments，untilthemajorityofthewomeninourwinghadapparentlypassedourroom，andwesawanirregularstreamofnursemaidsandmothersconvergingtowardsthehoteloutofthegratefulshadowofarbors，trees，andmarquees。InfactwewerestillengagedinobservationwhenSarahWalker’snursecametofetchheraway，andtoinformherthat"byrights"BabyBuckly’snurseandMr。Petersshouldbothbemadetoleavethehotelthatverynight。SarahWalkerpermittedherselftobeledoffwithdrybutexpressiveeyes。Thateveningshedidnotcry，but，onbeingtakenintotheusualcustodyfordisturbance，wasfoundtobepurplewithsuppressedlaughter。
ThiswasthebeginningofmyintimacywithSarahWalker。ButwhileitwasevidentthatwhateverinfluenceIobtainedoverherwasduetomybeingparticepscriminis，Ithinkitwasacceptedthataregularabductionofinfantsmightbecomeintimemonotonousifnotdangerous。SoshewassatisfiedwiththeknowledgethatIcouldnotnow，withoutthemostglaringhypocrisy，obtrudeamoralsuperiorityuponher。Idonotthinkshewouldhaveturnedstateevidenceandaccusedme，butIwasbynomeansassuredofherdisinterestedregard。Shecontentedherself，forafewdaysafterwards，withmeetingmeprivatelyandmysteriouslycommunicatingunctuousreminiscencesofourjointcrime，withoutsuggestingarepetition。Herintimacywithmedidnotseemtointerferewithhergeneralrelationstoherownspeciesintheotherchildreninthehotel。PerhapsIshouldhavesaidbeforethatherpopularitywiththemwasbynomeansprejudicedbyherinfelixreputation。Butwhileshewassecretlyadmiredbyall，shehadfewprofessedfollowersandnoregularassociates。Whetherthefewwhomsheselectedforthatbalefulpreeminencewereeithertornfromherbyhorrifiedguardians，orcametogriefthroughherdangerouscounsels，orwhethershereallydidnotcareforthem，I
couldnotsay。Theirelevationwasbrief，theirretirementunregretted。Itwashoweverpermittedme，throughfelicitouscircumstances，tobecomeacquaintedwiththeprobableexplanationofherunsociability。
Theveryhotweatherculminatedoneafternooninadeadfaintofearthandseaandsky。AnAlpinecloudlandofsnowthathadmockedtheupturnedeyesofGreyportforhours，begantodarkenunderthefoldingshadowofablackandvelvetywing。Theatmosphereseemedtothickenasthegloomincreased;thelazydust，thrownupbyhurryingfeetthatsoughtarefuge，hungalmostmotionlessintheair。Suddenlyitwasblowntothefourquartersinonefiercegustthatasquicklydispersedtheloungersdroopinginshadeandcover。
Forafewsecondsthelongavenuewaslostinflyingcloudsofdust，andthenwasleftbareoflifeormotion。Raindropsinhugestarsandrosettesappearednoiselesslyandmagicallyuponthesidewalks——goutsofmoistureapparentlydroppedfrommid-air。Andthentheominoushushreturned。
Amileawayalongtherocks，Iturnedforshelterintoacavernouspassageoftheoverhangingcliff，whereIcouldstillwatchthecomingstormuponthesea。Amurmurofvoicespresentlyattractedmyattention。Ithenobservedthatthepassageendedinakindofopengrotto，whereIcoulddimlydiscernthelittlefiguresofseveralchildren，who，separatedfromtheirnursesinthesuddenonsetofthestorm，hadtakenrefugethere。Asthegloomdeepenedtheybecamesilentagain，untilthestillnesswasbrokenbyafamiliarvoice。Therewasnomistakingit。——ItwasSarahWalker’s。
Butitwasnotliftedinlamentation，itwasraisedonlyasifresumingasuspendednarrative。
"Hername，"saidSarahWalkergloomily，"wasKribbles。Shewastheonlychild——of——oforphanedparentage，andfairtosee，butshewasbad，andGoddidnotloveher。Andonedayshewasseparatedfromhernurseonadesertislandliketothis。Andthencameahidgeousthunderstorm。Andagreatbigthunderboltcamegalumpingafterher。Anditketehedherandrolledalloverher——so！andthenitcamebackandketchedherandrolledherover——so！AndwhentheycametopickheruptherewasnotsomuchasTHATleftofher。Allburntup！"
"Wasn’ttherejustalittlebitofhershoe？"suggestedacautiousauditor。
"Notabit，"saidSarahWalkerfirmly。Alltheotherchildrenechoed"Notabit，"indignantly，inevidentgratificationatthecompletenessofKribbles’catastrophe。Atthismomentthesurroundingdarknesswassuddenlyfilledwithaburstofbluecelestialfire;theheavyinkyseabeyond，theblack-edgedmourninghorizon，thegleamingsands，eachnookandcornerofthedrippingcave，withthefrightenedfacesofthehuddledgroupofchildren，startedintovividlifeforaninstant，andthenfellbackwithadeafeningcrashintothedarkness。
Therewasaslightsoundofwhimpering。SarahWalkerapparentlypouncedupontheculprit，foritceased。
"Sniffling’tracts’lectricity，"shesaidsententiously。
"ButyouthaiditwathDod！"lispedacasuistofseven。
"It’sallthesame，"saidSarahsharply，"andso’saskingquestions。"
Thisobscurestatementwashoweverapparentlyunderstood，forthecasuistlapsedintosilentsecurity。"Lotsofthings’tractsit，"
continuedSarahWalker。"Goldandsilver，andmetalsandknivesandrings。"
"Andpennies？"
"Andpenniesmostofall！Kribbleswasthatvain，sheusedtowearjewelryandflyinthefaceofProvidence。"
"Butyouthaid——"
"Willyou？——There！youhearthat？"Therewasanotherblindingflashandboundingrollofthunderalongtheshore。"Iwonderyoudidn’tketchit。Youwould——onlyI’mhere。"
Allwasquietagain，butfromcertainindicationsitwasevidentthatacollectionofthosedangerousarticlesthathadprovedfataltotheunhappyKribbleswasbeingtakenup。Icouldheartheclinkofcoinsandjingleofornaments。ThatSarahherselfwasthecustodianwaspresentlyshown。"Butwon’tthelightningcometoyounow？"askedatimidvoice。
"No，"saidSarah，promptly，"’causeIain’tafraid！Look！"
Afrightenedprotestfromthechildrenhereensued，butthenextinstantsheappearedattheentranceofthegrottoandrandowntherockstowardsthesea。Skippingfrombowldertobowldershereachedthefurthestprojectionoftheledge，nowpartlysubmergedbytherisingsurf，andthenturnedhalftriumphantly，halfdefiantly，towardsthegrotto。Theweirdphosphorescenceofthestormlituptheresolutelittlefigurestandingthere，gorgeouslybedeckedwiththechains，rings，andshinytrinketsofhercompanions。Withatinyhandraisedinmockdefianceoftheelements，sheseemedtoleanconfidinglyagainstthepantingbreastofthegale，withflutteringskirtandflyingtresses。Thenthevaultbehindhercrackedwiththreejaggedburningfissures，aweirdflameleapeduponthesand，therewasacryofterrorfromthegrotto，echoedbyascreamofnursesonthecliff，adelugeofrain，aterrificonsetfromthegale——and——SarahWalkerwasgone？
Nothingofthekind！WhenIreachedtheledge，afteraseverestrugglewiththestorm，IfoundSarahontheleewardside，drenchedbutdelighted。Iheldhertightly，whilewewaitedforalulltoregainthecliff，andtookadvantageofthesympatheticsituation。
"ButyouknowyouWEREfrightened，Sarah，"Iwhispered;"youthoughtofwhathappenedtopoorKribbles。"
"DoyouknowwhoKribbleswas？"sheaskedconfidentially。
"No。"
"Well，"shewhispered，"ImadeKribblesup。Andthehidgeousstormandthunderbolt——andtheburning！Alloutofmyownhead。"
TheonlyimmediateeffectofthisescapadewasapparentlytoprecipitateandbringintonotorietythegrowingaffectionofanobscureloverofSarahWalker’s，hithertounsuspected。Hewasamildinoffensiveboyoftwelve，knownas"Warts，"solelyfromaninordinateexhibitionoftheseyouthfulexcrescences。OnthedayofSarahWalker’sadventurehispassionculminatedinasuddenandillogicalattackuponSarah’snurseandparentswhiletheywerebewailingherconduct，andinassaultingthemwithhisfeetandhands。Whetherheassociatedtheminsomevaguewaywiththecauseofhermomentaryperil，orwhetherheonlywishedtoimpressherwiththetouchingflatteryofageneralimitationofherstyle，I
cannotsay。Forhislovemakingwaspeculiar。Adayortwoafterwardshecametomyopendoorandremainedforsomemomentsbashfullylookingatme。ThenextdayIfoundhimstandingbymychairinthepiazzawithanembarrassedairandinutterinabilitytoexplainhisconduct。Attheendofarapidwalkonthesandonemorning，Iwasstartledbythesoundofhurriedbreath，andlookingaround，discoveredthestaggeringWartsquiteexhaustedbyendeavoringtokeepupwithmeonhisshortlegs。Atlastthedailyrecurrenceofhishauntingpresenceforcedadreadfulsuspicionuponme。WartswascourtingMEforSarahWalker！Yetitwasimpossibletoactuallyconnectherwiththesemuteattentions。
"YouwantmetogivethemtoSarahWalker，"Isaidcheerfullyoneafternoon，ashelaiduponmydesksomepeculiarlyuninvitingcrustaceawhichlookednotunlikeafewdetachedexcrescencesfromhisownhands。Heshookhisheaddecidedly。"Iunderstand，"I
continued，confidently;"youwantmetokeepthemforher。""No，"
saidWarts，doggedly。"Thenyouonlywantmetotellherhownicetheyare？"Theideawasapparentlysoshamelesslytruethatheblushedhimselfhastilyintothepassage，andceasedanyfuturecontribution。NaturallystillmoreineffectivewastheslightestattempttobringhisdevotionintothephysicalpresenceofSarahWalker。Themostingeniousschemestolurehimintomyroomwhileshewastherefailedutterly。Yethemusthaveatonetimebaskedinherbalefulpresence。"DoyoulikeWarts？"Iaskedheronedaybluntly。"Yes，"saidSarahWalkerwithcheerfuldirectness;"ain’tHEgotalotof’em？——thoughheusedtohavemore。But，"sheaddedreflectively，"doyouknowthelittleIlseyboy？"Iwascompelledtoadmitmyignorance。"Well！"shesaidwithareminiscentsighofsatisfaction，"HE’Sgotonlytwotoesonhisleftfoot——showed’emtome。Andhewasbornso。"NeeditbesaidthatinthesefewwordsIreadthedismalsequelofWarts’unfortunateattachment？
Hisaccidentaleccentricitywasnolongerattractive。Whatwerehisevanescentaccretions，subjecttoimprovementorremoval，besidethehereditaryandsettledmalformationsofhisrival？
Onceonly，inthisbriefsummerepisode，didSarahWalkerattracttheimpulsiveandgeneralsympathyofGreyport。Itisonlyjusttoherconsistencytosayitwasthroughnofaultofhers，unlessacharacteristicexposurewhichbroughtonachillanddiphtheriacouldbecalledherownact。Howbeit，towardsthecloseoftheseason，whenasuddensuggestionofthecomingautumnhadcrept，oneknewnothow，intotheheartofaperfectday;whenevenareturnofthesummerwarmthhadasuspicionofhectic，——ononeofthesedaysSarahWalkerwasmissedwiththebeesandthebutterflies。Fortwodayshervoicehadnotbeenheardinhallorcorridor，norhadthesunshineofherFrenchmarigoldheadlitupherfamiliarplaces。Thetwodaysweredaysofrelief，yetmitigatedwithacertainuneasyapprehensionofthereturnofSarahWalker，or——morealarmingthought！——theSarahWalkerelementinamoreappallingform。Sostrongwasthisimpressionthatanunhappyinfantwhounwittinglybrokethisintervalwithhismaidenoutcrywasnearlylynched。"We’renotgoingtostandthatfromYOU，youknow，"wasthecrystallizedsentimentofabrutalbachelor。Infact，itbegantobeadmittedthatGreyporthadbeenaccustomedtoSarahWalker’sways。Inthemidstofthis，itwassuddenlywhisperedthatSarahWalkerwaslyingdangerouslyill，andwasnotexpectedtolive。
Thenoccurredoneofthosestrangerevulsionsofhumansentimentwhichatfirstseemtopointthedawningofamillenniumofpoeticjustice，butwhich，inthiscase，endedinmerelystirringthelanguidpulsesofsocietyintoahecticfever，andinmakingsympathyforSarahWalkeraninsincereandexaggeratedfashion。
Morningandafternoonvisitstoherapartment，withextravagantofferings，werederigueur;bulletinswereissuedthreetimesaday;anallusiontoherconditionwastherecognizedpreliminarytoallconversation;advice，suggestions，andpetitionstorestorethebalefulexistence，flowedreadilyfromthesamefacileinventionthathadonceproposeditsbanishment;untiloneafternoontheshadowhaddrawnsoclosethatevenFollywithhelditscarelessfeetbeforeit，andlaiddownitsfeebletinklingbellsandgaudycaptremblinglyonthethreshold。Butthesequelmustbetoldinmorevividwordsthanmine。
"WhinIsawthatangellyin’there，"saidSarahWalker’snurse，"aswhite，ifyeplaze，asifthewholeblessedbloodofherbodyhadgonetomakeupthebeautifulgloryofherhair;speechlessasshewas，IthoughtIsawasortoflongin’inhereyes。
"’Isitanythin’you’llbewantin’，Sarahdarlint’，sezhermotherwithathremblin’voice，’aforeit’slavin’usyeare？Isittheministheryeraskin’for，love？’sezshe。
"AndSarahlookedatme，andifitwasthelastwordsIspake，herlipsmovedandshewhispered’Scotty。’
"’Wirra！wirra！’sezthemother，’it’swanderin’sheis，thedarlin’;’forScotty，don’tyesee，wasthegrandbarkeeperofthehotel。
"’Savin’yerpresence，ma’am，’sezI，’andthechild’shere，ezishalfasaintalready，it’sthruthshe’sspakin’——it’sScottyshewants。’Andwiththatmyangelblinkswidherblackeyes’yes。’
"’Bringhim，’saysthedocthor，’atonce。’
"Andtheybringhiminwidallthemustachiosandmoightyfinecurlsofhim，andhisdiamonds，rings，andpinsalla-glisteningjustlikehiseyeswhenheset’emonthatsufferingsaint。
"’Isitanythin’you’rewantin，’Sarahdear？’sezhe，thryin’tospakefirm。AndSarahlooksathim，andthenlooksatatumbleronthetable。
"’Isitabitofacocktail，thelikesoftheoneImadeforyelastSundayunbeknownst？’sezhe，lookingroundmortalafraidoftheparents。AndSarahWalker’seyessaid，’Itis。’Thentheministhergroaned，butthedocthorjumpstohisfeet。
"’Bringit，’sezhe，’andhowldyourjaw，anye’saChristiansowl。’Andhebroughtit。An’aftherthefirstsip，thechildliftsherselfupononearm，andsez，withaswatesmileandatossoftheglass：
"’Ilookstowardsyou，Scotty，’sezshe。
"’Iobservesyouandbows，miss，’sezhe，makin’asifhewasdhrinkin’widher。
"’Here’sanothernailinyercoffin，oldman，’sezshewinkin’。
"’Andhere’sthehairalloffyourhead，miss，’sezhequiteaisily，tossin’backthejokebetwixt’em。
"Andwiththatshedhrinksitoff，andliesdownandgoestosleeplikealamb，andwakesupwidderosydawninhercheeks，andthemorthalseeknessgoneforever。"……
ThusSarahWalkerrecovered。Whetherthefactwereessentialtothemoralconveyedinthesepages，Ileavethereadertojudge。
IwasleaningontheterraceoftheKronprinzen-HofatRolandseckonehotsummerafternoon，lazilywatchingthegroupsoftouristsstrollingalongtheroadthatranbetweentheHofandtheRhine。
TherewascertainlylittleintheplaceoritsatmospheretorecalltheGreyportepisodeoftwentyyearsbefore，whenIwassuddenlystartledbyhearingthenameof"SarahWalker。"
Intheroadbelowmewerethreefigures，——alady，agentleman，andalittlegirl。Asthelatterturnedtowardstheladywhoaddressedher，Irecognizedtheunmistakablecopper-coloredtresses，trimfigure，delicatecomplexion，andrefinedfeaturesofthefriendofmyyouth！Iseizedmyhat，butbythetimeIhadreachedtheroad，theyhaddisappeared。
TheutterimpossibilityofitsbeingSarahWalkerherself，andtheglaringfactthattheverycoincidenceofnamewouldbeinconsistentwithanyconventionaldescentfromtheoriginalSarah，Iadmitconfusedme。ButIexaminedthebookoftheKronprinzen-
Hofandtheotherhotels，andquestionedmyportier。Therewasno"Mees"nor"MadameWalkiere"extantinRolandseck。YetmightnotMonsieurhaveheardincorrectly？TheCzaraWalkawasevidentlyRussian，andRolandseckwasaresortforRussianprinces。Butpardon！DidMonsieurreallymeantheyoungdemoisellenowapproaching？Ah！thatwasadifferentaffair。ShewasthedaughteroftheItalianPrinceandPrincessMonteCastellostayinghere。TheladywithherwasnotthePrincess，butaforeignfriend。ThegentlemanwasthePrince。WouldhepresentMonsieur’scard？
Theywereenteringthehotel。ThePrincewasalittle，inoffensive-lookingman，theladyanevidentcountrywomanofmyown，andthechild——was，yetwasNOT，Sarah！Therewastheface，theoutline，thefigure——butthelife，theverve，theaudacity，waswanting！Icouldcontainmyselfnolonger。
"Pardonaninquisitivecompatriot，madam，"Isaid;"butIheardyouafewmomentsagoaddressthisyoungladybythenameofaverydearyoungfriend，whomIknewtwentyyearsago——SarahWalker。AmIright？"
ThePrincestoppedandgazedatusbothwithevidentaffright;thensuddenlyrecognizinginmyfreedomsomewildAmericanindecorum，doubtlessprovokedbythepresenceofanotherofmyspecies，whichhereallywasnotexpectedtocountenance，retreatedbehindtheportier。Thecircumstancebynomeansincreasedthegood-willofthelady，assherepliedsomewhathaughtily：——
"ThePrincipessinaisnamedSarahWalker，afterhermother’smaidenname。"
"ThenthisISSarahWalker’sdaughter！"Isaidjoyfully。
"SheisthedaughterofthePrinceandPrincessofMonteCastello，"
correctedtheladyfrigidly。
"Ihadthepleasureofknowinghermotherverywell。"Istoppedandblushed。DidIreallyknowSarahWalkerverywell？AndwouldSarahWalkerknowmenow？Orwoulditnotbeverylikehertogobackonme？Therewascertainlyanythingbutpromiseinthefeeble-minded，vacuouscopyofSarahbeforeme。Iwasyethesitating，whenthePrince，whohadpossiblyreceivedsomequietingassurancefromtheportier，himselfsteppedforward，stammeredthatthePrincesswould，withoutdoubt，becharmedtoreceivemelater，andskippedupstairs，leavingtheimpressiononmymindthathecontemplatedorderinghisbillatonce。Therewasnoexcuseforfurtherprolongingtheinterview。"Saygood-bytothestrangegentleman，Sarah，"suggestedSarah’scompanionstiffly。
IlookedatthechildinthewildhopeofrecognizingsomepromptresistancetothesuggestionthatwouldhaveidentifiedherwiththelostSarahofmyyouth——butinvain。"Good-by，sir，saidtheaffectedlittlecreature，droppingamechanicalcurtsey。"Thankyouverymuchforrememberingmymother。""Good-by，Sarah！"Itwasindeedgood-byforever。
ForonmywaytomyroomIcamesuddenlyuponthePrince，inarecessoftheupperhall，addressingsomebodythroughanopendoorwithaquerulousprotest，whosewildextravaganceofstatementwasgrotesquelybalancedbyitsutterfeebletimidityofmanner。"Itis，"saidthePrince，"indeedagraveaffair。Wehaveherehundredsofsocialists，emissariesfromlawlesscountriesandimpossibleplaces，whotravelthousandsofmilestofalluponourheartsandembraceus。Theyestablishanespionageoverus;theyhauntourwalksinincrediblenumbers;theyhangindrovesuponourfootsteps;Heavenalonesavesusfromapublicosculationatanymoment！Theyopenlyallegethattheyhavedandledusontheirkneesatrecentperiods;washedanddressedus，andwoulddosostill。Ourhappiness，oursecurity——"
"Don’tbeafool，Prince。Doshutup！"
ThePrincecollapsedandshrankaway，andIhurriedpasttheopendoor。Atall，magnificent-lookingwomanwasstandingbeforeaglass，arrangingherheavyredhair。Theface，whichhadbeenimpatientlyturnedtowardsthedoor，hadchangedagaintoprofile，withafrownstillvisibleonthebentbrow。OureyesmetasI
passed。Thenextmomentthedoorslammed，andIhadseenthelastofSarahWalker。
ASHIPOF’49
IthadrainedsopersistentlyinSanFranciscoduringthefirstweekofJanuary，1854，thatacertainquagmireintheroadwayofLongWharfhadbecomeimpassable，andaplankwasthrownoveritsdangerousdepth。Indeed，sotreacherouswasthespotthatitwasalleged，ongoodauthority，thatahastilyembarkingtravelerhadoncehopelesslylosthisportmanteau，andwasfaintodisposeofhisentireinterestinitforthesumoftwodollarsandfiftycentstoaspeculativestrangeronthewharf。Asthestranger’ssearchwasrewardedafterwardsonlybythediscoveryofthebodyofacasualChinaman，whohadevidentlyendeavoredwickedlytoanticipatehim，afeelingofcommercialinsecuritywasaddedtotheothereccentricitiesofthelocality。
Theplankledtothedoorofabuildingthatwasamarveleveninthechaoticfrontierarchitectureofthestreet。Thehousesoneitherside——irregularframesofwoodorcorrugatediron——boreevidenceofhavingbeenquicklythrowntogether，tomeettherequirementsofthegoodsandpassengerswhowereoncedisembarkedonwhatwasthemuddybeachoftheinfantcity。Butthebuildinginquestionexhibitedacertainelaborationofformanddesignutterlyinconsistentwiththisidea。Thestructureobtrudedabowedfronttothestreet，withacurvinglineofsmallwindows，surmountedbyelaboratecarvingsandscrollworkofvinesandleaves，whilebelow，infadedgiltletters，appearedthelegend"Pontiac——Marseilles。"Theeffectofthisincongruitywasstartling。Itisrelatedthataninebriatedminer，impededbymudanddrinkbeforeitsdoor，wasfoundgazingatitsremarkablefacadewithanexpressionofthedeepestdespondency。"Ihevlivedafreelife，pardner，"heexplainedthicklytotheSamaritanwhosuccoredhim，"andeverytimesinceI’vebeenonthissixweeks’
jamboreemighthavekalkilateditwouldcometothis。SnakesI’veseenaforenow，andratsI’mnotunfamiliarwith，butwhenitcomestothestarnofashiprisin’upoutofthestreet，Ireckonit’stimetopassinmychecks。""ItISaship，youblastedoldsoaker，"saidtheSamaritancurtly。
Itwasindeedaship。Ashiprunashoreandabandonedonthebeachyearsbeforebyhergold-seekingcrew，withthedebrisofherscatteredstoresandcargo，overtakenbythewildgrowthofthestrangecityandthereclamationofthemuddyflat，whereinshelayhopelesslyimbedded;herretreatcutoffbywharvesandquaysandbreakwater，jostledatfirstbysheds，andthenimpactedinablockofsolidwarehousesanddwellings，herrudder，port，andcounterboardedin，andnowgazinghopelesslythroughhercabinwindowsuponthebusystreetbeforeher。Butstillashipdespitehertransformation。Thefaintestlineofcontouryetleftvisiblespokeofthebuoyancyofanotherelement;thebalustradeofherroofwasunmistakablyataffrail。Therainslippedfromherswellingsideswithacertainlingeringtouchofthesea;thesoilaroundherwasstilltreacherouswithitssuggestions，andeventhewindwhistlednauticallyoverherchimney。If，inthefuryofsomesouthwesterlygale，shehadonenightslippedherstrangemooringsandleftashiningtrackthroughthelowertowntothedistantsea，noonewouldhavebeensurprised。
Leastofall，perhaps，herpresentownerandpossessor，Mr。AbnerNott。Forbytheironyofcircumstances，Mr。NottwasaFarWesternfarmerwhohadneverseenashipbefore，noralargerstreamofwaterthanatributaryoftheMissouriRiver。Inaspirit，halfoffascination，halfofspeculation，hehadboughtheratthetimeofherabandonment，andhadsincemortgagedhisranchatPetalumawithhislivestock，todefraytheexpensesoffillinginthelandwhereshestood，andtheimprovementsofthevicinity。
Hehadtransferredhishouseholdgoodsandhisonlydaughtertohercabin，andhaddividedthespace"betweendecks"andherholdintolodging-rooms，andloftsforthestorageofgoods。Itcouldhardlybesaidthattheinvestmenthadbeenprofitable。Histenantsvaguelyrecognizedthathisoccupancywasasentimentalratherthanacommercialspeculation，andoftengenerouslylentthemselvestotheillusionbynotpayingtheirrent。Otherstreatedtheirowntenancyasajoke，——aquaintrecreationbornofthechildlikefamiliarityoffrontierintercourse。Afewhadleftcarelesslyabandoningtheirunsalablegoodstotheirlandlord，withgreatcheerfulnessandasenseoffavor。OccasionallyMr。AbnerNott，inapracticalrelapse，ragedagainstthederelicts，andtalkedofdispossessingthem，orevendismantlinghistenement，buthewaseasilyplacatedbyacomplimenttothe"dearoldship，"oraneffortmadebysometenanttoidealizehisapartment。A
photographerwhohadingeniouslyutilizedtheforecastleforagallery（accessiblefromthebowsinthenextstreet），paidnofurthertributethanaportraitoftheprettyfaceofRoseyNott。
ThesuperstitiousreverenceinwhichAbnerNottheldhismonstrousfancywasnaturallyenhancedbyhispurelybucolicexaggerationofitsrealfunctionsanditsnativeelement。"Thisyerkeelhassailed，andsailed，andsailed，"hewouldexplainwithsomeincongruityofillustration，"inabeeline，makin’tracksfordaysrunnin’。Ireckonmorestormsandblizzardsheztackledherthenyoukenshakeastickat。She’sstampededwhalesaforenow，andsloshedroundwithpiratesandfreebootersinandoutertheSpanishMain，andacrosslotsfromMarcelleyswhereshewasrared。Andyershesitspeaceful-likejustezifshe’dneverbeenouterapertaterpatch，andhadn’tploughedtheseawithfo’sailsandstuddin’sailsandthemthingscavortin’roundhermasts。"
AbnerNott’senthusiasmwassharedbyhisdaughter，butwithmoreimagination，andanintelligencestimulatedbythescantliteratureofherfather’semigrantwagonandthefewbooksfoundonthecabinshelves。Buttoherthestrangeshellsheinhabitedsuggestedmoreofthegreatworldthantherude，chaoticcivilizationshesawfromthecabinwindowsormetinthepersonsofherfather’slodgers。
Shutupfordaysinthisquainttenement，shehadseenitchangefromtheenchantedplaygroundofherchildishfancytothetheatreofheractivemaidenhood，butwithoutlosingheridealromanceinit。Shehadtranslateditshistoryinherownway，readitsquaintnauticalhieroglyphicsafterherownfashion，andpossessedherselfofitssecrets。Shehadinfancymadevoyagesinittoforeignlands;hadheardtheaccentsofasoftertongueonitsdecks，andonsummernights，fromtheroofofthequarter-deck，hadseenmellowerconstellationstaketheplaceofthehardmetallicglitteroftheCalifornianskies。Sometimes，inherisolation，thelong，cylindricalvaultsheinhabitedseemed，likesomevastsea-shell，tobecomemusicalwiththemurmuringsofthedistantsea。Socompletelyhadittakentheplaceoftheusualinstinctsoffeminineyouththatshehadforgottenshewaspretty，orthatherdresseswereoldinfashionandscantinquantity。Afterthefirstsurpriseofadmirationherfather’slodgersceasedtofollowtheabstractednymphexceptwiththeireyes，——partlyrespectingherspiritualshyness，partlyrespectingthejealoussupervisionofthepaternalNott。Sheseldompenetratedthecrowdedcentreofthegrowingcity;herrareexcursionswereconfinedtotheoldranchatPetaluma，whenceshebroughtflowersandplants，andevenextemporizedahanging-gardenonthequarter-deck。
Itwasstillraining，andthewind，whichhadincreasedtoagale，wasdashingthedropsagainsttheslantingcabinwindowswithasoundlikespraywhenMr。AbnerNottsatbeforeatableseriouslyengagedwithhisaccounts。Foritwas"steamernight，"——asthatmomentousdayofreckoningbeforethesailingoftheregularmailsteamerwasbrieflyknowntocommercialSanFrancisco，——andMr。
Nottwassubjectatsuchtimestoseverelypracticalrelapses。A
swinginglightseemedtobringintogreaterreliefthatpeculiarencasedcasket-likesecurityofthelow-timbered，tightly-fittingapartment，withitstoy-likeutilitiesofspace，andmadetheprettyovalfaceofRoseyNottappearacharacteristicornament。
Theslidingdoorofthecabincommunicatedwiththemaindeck，nowroofedinandpartitionedoffsoastoformasmallpassagethatledtotheopenstarboardgangway，whereanarrow，inclosedstaircasebuiltontheship’ssidetooktheplaceoftheship’sladderunderhercounter，andopenedinthestreet。
AdashofrainagainstthewindowcausedRoseytolifthereyesfromherbook。
"It’smuchnicerherethanattheranch，father，"shesaidcoaxingly，"evenleavingaloneitsbeingabeautifulshipinsteadofashanty;thewinddon’twhistlethroughthecracksandblowoutthecandlewhenyou’rereading，northerainspoilyourthingshungupagainstthewall。Andyoulookmorelikeagentlemansittinginhisown——ship——youknow，lookingoverhisbillsandgettingreadytogivehisorders。"
VagueandgeneralasMissRosey’scomplimentwas，ithaditsfulleffectuponherfather，whowasattimesdimlyconsciousofhishopelessrusticityanditsincongruitywithhissurroundings。
"Yes，"hesaidawkwardly，withaslightrelaxationofhisaggressiveattitude;"yes，incourseit’smorebang-upstyle，butitdon’tpay——Rosey——itdon’tpay。Yer’sthePontiacthatoughterbebringin’in，ezrentsgo，atleastthreehundredamonth，don’tmakehertaxes。Ibinthinkin’seriouslyofsellin’her。"
AsRoseyknewherfatherhadexperiencedthisseriouscontemplationonthefirstofeverymonthforthelasttwoyears，andcheerfullyignoreditthenextday，sheonlysaid，"I’msurethevacantroomsandloftsareallrented，father。"
"That’sit，"returnedMr。Nottthoughtfully，pluckingathisbushywhiskerswithhisfingersandthumbasifhewereremovingdeadandsaplessincumbraneesintheirgrowth，"that’sjustwhatitis——
them’sezinitthemselvesdon’tpay，andthemezhazlefttheirgoods——thegoodsdon’tpay。Thefellerezstoredthemironsugarkettlesintheforehold，aftertryingtogetmetomakeanotheradvanceon’em，sezhebelieveshe’llhavetosacrifice’emtomeafterall，andonlybegsI’dgivehimachanceofbuyingbackthehalfof’emtenyearsfromnow，atdoublewhatIadvancedhim。Thechapthatleftthemfivehundredcasesofhairdye’tweendecksandthenskippedouttoSacramento，metmetheotherdayinthestreetandadvisedmetouseabottleezanadvertisement，ortryitonthestarnofthePontiacforfire-proofpaint。Thatfoolishnessezallhe’sgoodfor。Andyettharmightbesuthin’inthepaint，ifafellerhadniggerluck。Ther’sthatNewYorkchapezboughtupthemdamagedboxesofplugterbakerforfiftydollarsathousand，andsold’emforfoundationsforthatnewbuildinginSansomeStreetatathousandclearprofit。It’sallluck，Rosey。"
Thegirl’seyeshadwanderedagaintothepagesofherbook。
Perhapsshewasalreadyfamiliarwiththetextofherfather’smonologue。Butrecognizinganadditionalquerulousnessinhisvoice，shelaidthebookasideandpatientlyfoldedherhandsinherlap。
"That’sright——forI’vesuthin’totellye。ThefactisSleightwantstobuythePontiacoutandoutjustezshestandswiththetwofiftyvaralotsshestandson。"
"Sleightwantstobuyher？Sleight？"echoedRoseyincredulously。
"Youbet！Sleight——thebigfinancier，thesmartestmanin’Frisco。"
"Whatdoeshewanttobuyherfor？"askedRosey，knittingherprettybrows。
TheapparentlysimplequestionsuddenlypuzzledMr。Nott。Heglancedfeeblyathisdaughter’sface，andfrownedinvacantirritation。"That’sso，"hesaid，drawingalongbreath;"there’ssuthin’inthat。"
"WhatdidheSAY？"continuedtheyounggirl，impatiently。
"Notmuch。’You’vegotthePontiac，Nott，’sezhe。’Youbet！’sezI。’What’llyoutakeforherandthelotshestandson？’sezhe，shortandsharp。Somefellers，Rosey，"saidNott，withacunningsmile，"wouldhevblurtedoutabigfiggerandbeencotched。Thatain’tmystyle。Ijustlookedathim。’I’llwaitfuryourfiggersuntilnextsteamerday，’sezhe，andoffhegoeslikeashot。He’sawfullysharp，Rosey。"
"Butifheissharp，father，andhereallywantstobuytheship，"
returnedRosey，thoughfully，"it’sonlybecauseheknowsit’svaluableproperty，andnotbecausehelikesitaswedo。Hecan’ttakethatvalueawayevenifwedon’tsellittohim，andallthewhilewehavethecomfortofthedearoldPontiac，don’tyousee？"
ThisexhaustivecommercialreasoningwassosympathetictoMr。
Nott’sinstinctsthatheaccepteditasconclusive。He，however，deemeditwisetostillpreservehispracticalattitude。"Butthatdon’tmakeitpaybythemonth，Rosey。Suthin’mustbedone。I’mthinkingI’llcleanoutthatphotographer。"
"Notjustafterhe’stakensuchaprettyviewofthecabinfrontofthePontiacfromthestreet，father！No！he’sgoingtogiveusacopy，andputtheotherinashopwindowinMontgomeryStreet。"
"That’sso，"saidMr。Nott，musingly;"it’snoslouchofanadvertisement。’ThePontiac，’thepropertyofA。Nott，Esq。，ofSt。Jo，Missouri。SenditontoyourAuntPhoebe;sortermaketheoldfolksopentheireyes——oh？Well，seein’he’sbeentosomeexpensefittin’upanentrancefromtheotherstreet，we’lllethimslide。Butastothatd————doldFrenchmanFerrers，inthenextloft，withhisstuck-upairsandhigh-falutinstyle，wemustgetquitofhim;he’sregularlygougedmeinthaterehorsehairspekilation。"
"Howcanyousaythat，father！"saidRosey，withaslightincreaseofcolor。"Itwasyourownoffer。Youknowthosebalesofcurledhorsehairwereleftbehindbythelatetenanttopayhisrent。
WhenMr。deFerrieresrentedtheroomafterwards，youtoldhimyou’dthrowtheminintheplaceofrepairsandfurniture。Itwasyourownoffer。"
"Yes，butIdidn’treckonther’deverbeabigpriceperpoundpaidforthedarnedstuffforsofysandcushionsandsich。"
"HowdoyouknowHEknewit，father？"respondedRosey。
"Thenwhydidhelooksosillyatfirst，andthenputonairswhenIjokedhimaboutit，eh？"
"Perhapshedidn’tunderstandyourjoking，father。He’saforeigner，andshyandproud，and——notliketheothers。Idon’tthinkheknewwhatyoumeantthen，anymorethanhebelievedhewasmakingabargainbefore。Hemaybepoor，butIthinkhe’sbeen——a——
a——gentleman。"
Theyounggirl’sanimationpenetratedevenMr。Nott’sslowcomprehension。Hernovelopposition，andeventheprettinessitenhanced，gavehimadullpremonitionofpain。Hissmallroundeyesbecameabstracted，hismouthremainedpartlyopen，evenhisfreshcolorslightlypaled。
"Youseemtohavebeentakin’stockofthisyerman，Rosey，"hesaid，withafaintattemptatarchness;"ifhewarn’tezoldezacrow，forallhisyoungfeathers，I’dthinkhewasmakin’uptoyou。"
Butthepassingglowhadfadedfromheryoungcheeks，andhereyeswanderedagaintoherbook。"Hepayshisrentregularlyeverysteamernight，"shesaid，quietly，asifdismissinganexhaustedsubject，"andhe’llbehereinamoment，Idaresay。"Shetookupherbook，andleaningherheadonherhand，oncemorebecameabsorbedinitspages。
Anuneasysilencefollowed。Therainbeatagainstthewindows，thetickingofaclockbecameaudible，butstillMr。Nottsatwithvacanteyesfixedonhisdaughter’sface，andtheconstrainedsmileonhislips。Hewasconsciousthathehadneverseenherlooksoprettybefore，yethecouldnottellwhythiswasnolongeranunalloyedsatisfaction。Notbutthathehadalwaysacceptedtheadmirationofothersforherasamatterofcourse，butforthefirsttimehebecameconsciousthatshenotonlyhadaninterestinothers，butapparentlyasuperiorknowledgeofthem。Howdidsheknowthesethingsaboutthisman，andwhyhadsheonlynowaccidentallyspokenofthem？HEwouldhavedoneso。Allthispassedsovaguelythroughhisunreflectivemind，thathewasunabletoretainanydecidedimpression，butthefar-reachingonethathislodgerhadobtainedsomeoccultinfluenceoverherthroughtheexhibitionofhisbalefulskillinthehorsehairspeculation。
"Themtricksislikelytotakeayounggirl’sfancy。Imustlookarterher，"hesaidtohimselfsoftly。
Aslowregularstepinthegangwayinterruptedhispaternalreflections。Hastilybuttoningacrosshischestthepea-jacketwhichheusuallyworeathomeasasingleconcessiontohisnauticalsurroundings，hedrewhimselfupwithsomethingoftheassumptionofaship-master，despitecertainbucolicsuggestionsofhisbootsandlegs。Thefootstepsapproachednearer，andatallfiguresuddenlystoodinthedoorway。
Itwasafiguresoextraordinarythateveninthestrangemasqueradeofthatearlycivilizationitwasremarkable;afigurewithwhomfatheranddaughterwerealreadyfamiliarwithoutabatementofwonder——thefigureofarejuvenatedoldman，padded，powdered，dyed，andpaintedtothevergeofcaricature，butwithoutasinglesuggestionofludicrousnessorhumor。Afacesoartificialthatitseemedalmostamask，but，likeamask，morepatheticthanamusing。Hewasdressedintheextremeoffashionofadozenyearsbefore;hispearlgraytrousersstrappedtightlyoverhisvarnishedboots，hisvoluminoussatincravatandhighcollarembracedhisrougedcheeksanddyedwhiskers，hisclosely-buttonedfrockcoatclingingtoawaistthatseemedaccentedbystays。
Headvancedtwostepsintothecabinwithanuprightprecisionofmotionthatmighthavehidtheinfirmitiesofage，andsaiddeliberatelywithaforeignaccent：——
"You-r-rac-coumpt？"
IntheactualpresenceoftheapparitionMr。Nott’sdignifiedresistancewavered。Butglancinguneasilyathisdaughterandseeinghercalmeyesfixedonthespeakerwithoutembarrassment，hefoldedhisarmsstiffly，andwithaloftysimulationofexaminingtheceiling，said，——
"Ahem！Rosa！Thegentleman’saccount。"
Itwasaninfelicitousaction。Forthestranger，whoevidentlyhadnotnoticedthepresenceoftheyounggirlbefore，started，tookastepquicklyforward，bentstifflybutprofoundlyoverthelittlehandthatheldtheaccount，raisedittohislips，andwith"athousandpardons，mademoiselle，"laidasmallcanvasbagcontainingtherentbeforethedisorganizedMr。Nottandstifflyvanished。
Thatnightwasatroubledonetothesimple-mindedproprietorofthegoodshipPontiac。Unabletovoicehisuneasinessbyfurtherdiscussion，butfeelingthathislatediscomposinginterviewwithhislodgerdemandedsomemarkedprotest，heabsentedhimselfonthepleaofbusinessduringtherestoftheevening，happilytohisdaughter’sutterobliviousnessofthereason。Lightswereburningbrilliantlyincounting-roomsandoffices，thefeverishlifeofthemercantilecitywasatitsheight。WithavagueideaofenteringintoimmediatenegotiationswithMr。Sleightforthesaleoftheship——asadirectwayoutofhispresentperplexity，hebenthisstepstowardsthefinancier’soffice，butpausedandturnedbackbeforereachingthedoor。Hemadehiswaytothewharfandgazedabstractedlyatthelightsreflectedinthedark，tremulous，jelly-
likewater。Butwhereverhewenthewasaccompaniedbytheabsurdfigureofhislodger——afigurehehadhithertolaughedatorhalfpitied，butwhichnow，tohisbewilderedcomprehension，seemedtohaveafatefulsignificance。Hereanewideaseizedhim，andhehurriedbacktotheship，slackeninghispaceonlywhenhearrivedathisowndoorway。Herehepausedamomentandslowlyascendedthestaircase。Whenhereachedthepassagehecoughedslightlyandpausedagain。Thenhepushedopenthedoorofthedarkenedcabinandcalledsoftly：——
"Rosey！"
"Whatisit，father？"saidRosey’svoicefromthelittlestate-roomontheright——Rosey’sownbower。
"Nothing！"saidMr。Nott，withanaffectationoflanguidcalmness;
"Ionlywantedtoknowifyouwascomfortable。It’sanawfulbusynightintown。"
"Yes，father。"
"Ireckonthar’stonso’goldgoin’totheStatestomorrow。"
"Yes，father。"
"Prettycomfortable，eh？"
"Yes，father。"
"Well，I’llbrowseroundaspell，andturninmyself，soon。"
"Yesfather。"
Mr。Notttookdownahanginglantern，litit，andpassedoutintothegangway。Anotherlamphungfromthecompanionhatchtolightthetenantstothelowerdeck，whencehedescended。Thisdeckwasdividedforeandaftbyapartitionedpassage，——theloftsorapartmentsbeinglightedfromtheports，andoneortwobyadoorcutthroughtheship’ssidecommunicatingwithanalleyoneitherside。ThiswasthecasewiththeloftoccupiedbyMr。Nott’sstrangelodger，which，besidesadoorinthepassage，hadthisindependentcommunicationwiththealley。Notthadneverknownhimtomakeuseofthelatterdoor;onthecontrary，itwashisregularhabittoissuefromhisapartmentatthreeo’clockeveryafternoon，dressedashehasbeendescribed，stridedeliberatelythroughthepassagetotheupperdeckandthenceintothestreet，wherehisstrangefigurewasafeatureoftheprincipalpromenadefortwoorthreehours，returningasregularlyateighto’clocktotheshipandtheseclusionofhisloft。Mr。Nottpausedbeforethedoor，underthepretenceofthrowingthelightbeforehimintotheshadowsoftheforecastle;allwassilentwithin。Hewasturningbackwhenhewasimpressedbytheregularrecurrenceofapeculiarrustlingsoundwhichhehadatfirstreferredtotherubbingofthewiresoftheswinginglanternagainsthisclothing。Hesetdownthelightandlistened;thesoundwasevidentlyontheothersideofthepartition;thesoundofsomeprolonged，rustling，scrapingmovement，withregularintervals。WasitduetoanotherofMr。
Nott’sunprofitabletenants——therats？No。AbrightideaflasheduponMr。Nott’stroubledmind。ItwasdeFerrieressnoring！Hesmiledgrimly。"WonderifRosey’dcallhimagentlemanifsheheardthat，"hechuckledtohimselfasheslowlymadehiswaybacktothecabinandthesmallstate-roomoppositetohisdaughter’s。
DuringtherestofthenighthedreamedofbeingcompelledtogiveRoseyinmarriagetohisstrangelodger，whoaddedinsulttotheoutragebysnoringaudiblythroughthemarriageservice。
Meantime，inhercradle-likenestinhernauticalbower，MissRoseyslumberedaslightly。WakingfromavividdreamofVenice——achild’sVenice——seenfromtheswellingdeckoftheproudly-ridingPontiac，shewassoimpressedastoriseandcrossontiptoetothelittleslantingporthole。Morningwasalreadydawningovertheflat，stragglingcity，butfromeverycounting-houseandmagazinethevotivetapersofthefeverishworshipersoftradeandmammonwerestillflaringfiercely。
II
Thedayfollowing"steamernight"wasusuallystaleandflatatSanFrancisco。Thereactionfromthefeverishexaltationoftheprevioustwenty-fourhourswasseeninthelistlessfacesandloungingfeetofpromenaders，andwasnotableinthedesertedofficesandwarehousesstillredolentoflastnight’sgas，andstrewnwiththedeadashesoflastnight’sfires。
Therewasabriefpausebeforethebusylifewhichranitscoursefrom"steamerday"tosteamerdaywasoncemoretakenup。Inthatintervalafewanxiousspeculatorsandinvestorsbreathedfreely，somecriticalsituationwasrelieved，orsomeimpendingcatastrophemomentarilyaverted。Inparticular，asingularstrokeofgoodfortunethatmorningbefellMr。Nott。Henotonlysecuredanewtenant，but，ashesagaciouslybelieved，introducedintothePontiacacounteractinginfluencetothesubtlefascinationsofdeFerrieres。
Thenewtenantapparentlypossessedacombinationofbusinessshrewdnessandbrusquefranknessthatstronglyimpressedhislandlord。"Yousee，Rosey，"saidNott，complacentlydescribingtheinterviewtohisdaughter，"whenIsorterintimatedinakeerlesskindo’waythatsugarkettlesandhairdyewasaboutplayedoutezsecurities，hejustplankeddownthemoneyfortwomonthsinadvance。’There，’sezhe，’that’sYOURSECURITY——nowwhere’sMINE？’’IreckonIdon’thitchon，pardner，’sezI;’securitywhatfor？’’’Sposeyouselltheship？’sezhe，’aforethetwomonthsisup。I’veheardthatoldSleightwantstobuyher。’’Thenyougetsbackyourmoney，’sezI。’Andlosemyroom，’sezhe;’notmuch，oldman。Yousignapaperthatwhoeverbuystheshipinsideo’twomonthsheztobuyMEezatenantwithit;that’sonthesquare。’
SoIsignthepaper。Itwasmightycuteintheyoungfeller，wasn’tit？"hesaid，scanninghisdaughter’sprettypuzzledfacealittleanxiously;"anddon’tyouseeezIain’tgoin’tosellthePontiac，it’sjustaboutezcuteinme，eh？He’sacontractorsomewherearoundyer，andwantstobenearhiswork。SohetakestheroomnexttotheFrenchman，thatthatshipcaptainquitforthemines，andsucceedsnaterallytohischestandthings。He’smightpeart-lookin，thatyoungfeller，Rosey——longblackmoustaches，allhisowncolor，Rosey——andhe’saregularhigh-stepper，youbet。I
reckonhe’snotonlybeenagentleman，butezNOW。Someo’themcontractorsareveryhigh-toned！"
"Idon’tthinkwehaveanyrighttogivehimthecaptain’schest，father，"saidRosey;"theremaybesomeprivatethingsinit。
Thereweresomelettersandphotographsinthehair-dyeman’strunkthatyougavethephotographer。"
"That’sjustit，Rosey，"returnedAbnerNottwithsublimeunconsciousness，"photographsandlovelettersyoucan’tsellforcash，andIdon’tmindgivin’’emaway，iftheykinmakeafellercreaturehappy。"
"But，father，havewetheRIGHTtogive’emaway？"
"They’recollateralsecurity，Rosey，"saidherfathergrimly。"Co-
la-te-ral，"hecontinued，emphasizingeachsyllablebytappingthefistofonehandintheopenpalmoftheother。"Co-la-te-ralisthewordthebigbusinesssharpsyeraboutcall’em。Youcan’tgetroundthat。"Hepausedamoment，andthen，asanewideaseemedtobepainfullyborneinhisroundeyes，continuedcautiously："Wasthatthereasonwhyyouwoudn’ttouchanyofthemdressesfromthetrunksofthatoperygalezskedaddledforSacramento？AndyetthemtrunksIregularlyboughtatauction——Rosey——atauction，onspec——andtheydidn’trealizethecostofdrayage。"
AslightcolormountedtoRosey’sface。"No，"shesaid，hastily，"notthat。"Hesitatingamomentshethendrewsoftlytohisside，and，placingherarmsaroundhisneck，turnedhisbroad，foolishfacetowardsherown。"Father，"shebegan，"whenmotherdied，wouldYOUhavelikedanybodytotakehertrunksandpawaroundherthingsandwearthem？"
"Whenyourmotherdied，justthissideo’Sweetwater，Rosey，"saidMr。Nott，withbeamingunconsciousness，"shehadn’tanytrunks。I
reckonshehadn’tevenanextragownhangingupinthewagin，’ceptthepetticoatezshehadwrappedaroundyer。ItwasaboutezmuchezwecoulddotoskirmishroundwithInjins，alkali，andcold，andwesorterforgottodressfordinner。Sheneverthought，Rosey，thatyouandmewouldlivetobeinhabitin’apalissofarealship。Efshehadshewouldhavediedaproudwoman。"
Heturnedhissmall，loving，boar-likeeyesuponherasapreternaturallyinnocentandtrustingcompanionofUlyssesmighthaveregardedthetransformingCirce。Roseyturnedawaywiththefaintestsigh。Thehabituallookofabstractionreturnedtohereyesasifshehadoncemoretakenrefugeinherownidealworld。
Unfortunatelythechangedidnotescapeeitherthesensitiveobservationorthefatuousmisconceptionofthesagaciousparent。
"Ye’llbemountin’afewfurbelowsandfixins，Rosey，Ireckon，ezonlynatural。Mabbeeye’llhavetoprinkupalittlenowthatwe’vegotagentlemancontractorintheship。I’llseewhatIkinpickupinMontgomeryStreet。"Andindeedhesucceededafewhourslaterinaccomplishingwithequalinfelicityhisgenerousdesign。
Whenshereturnedfromherhouseholdtasksshefoundonherberthapurplevelvetbonnetofextraordinarymake，andapairofwhitesatinslippers。"They’lldoforastartoff，Rosey，"heexplained，"andIgot’ematmyfiggers。"
"ButIgooutsoseldom，father，andabonnet——"
"That’sso，"interruptedMr。Nott，complacently，"itmightbejestezwellforayounggallikeyertoappearezifsheDIDgoout，orwouldgooutifshewantedto。Soyoukinbewearin’thatarheadstallkinderlikethiseveningwhenthecontractor’shere，ezifyou’djestcomeinfromapasear。"
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