The yates pride

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TheYatesPride
byMaryE.WilkinsFreeman
July,1997[Etext#978]

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THEYATESPRIDEAROMANCE
BYMARYE.WILKINSFREEMAN


PARTI
THEYATESPRIDE
OppositeMissEudoraYates’soldcolonialmansionwastheperkymodern
QueenAnneresidenceofMrs.JosephGlynn.Mrs.Glynnhadadaughter,Ethel,
andanunmarriedsister,MissJuliaEsterbrook.Allthreewerefondoftalking,
andhadmanycallerswholikedtohearthefeeblyeffervescentnewsof
Wellwood.Thisafternoonthreeladieswerethere:MissAbbySimson,Mrs.John
Bates,andMrs.EdwardLee.TheysatintheGlynnsitting-room,whichshrilled
withtreblevoicesasifaflockofsparrowshadsettledtherein.
TheGlynnsitting-roomwascharming,mainlybecauseofthequantityof
floweringplants.Everywindowwasfilledwiththem,untiltheroomseemedlike
aconservatory.Ivy,too,climbedoverthepictures,andthemantel-shelfwasa
cascadeofwanderingJew,growinginoldchinavases.
“Yourplantsarereallywonderful,Mrs.Glynn,”saidMrs.Bates,“butIdon’tsee
howyoumanagetogetaglimpseofanythingoutsidethehouse,yourwindows
aresofullofthem.”
“Maybeshecanseeandnotbeseen,”saidAbbySimson,whohadaquickwit
andareadytongue.
Mrs.JosephGlynnflushedalittle.“Ihavenottheslightestcuriosityaboutmy
neighbors,”shesaid,“butitisimpossibletolivejustacrosstheroadfromany
housewithoutknowingsomethingofwhatisgoingon,whetheronelooksor
not,”saidshe,withdignity.
“MaandIneverlookoutofthewindowsfromcuriosity,”saidEthelGlynn,with
spirit.EthelGlynnhadagreatdealofspirit,whichwasevincedinherpersonal
appearanceaswellashertongue.Shehadaneyetothefashions;hersleeves
wereneveroutofdate,norwasthearrangementofherhair.

“Forinstance,”saidEthel,“weneverlookatthehouseoppositebecauseweare
atallprying,butwedoknowthatthatoldmaidhasbeendoingamightyqueer
thinglately.”


“Firstthingyouknowyouwillbeanoldmaidyourself,andthenyourstones
willbreakyourownglasshouse,”saidAbbySimson.
“Oh,Idon’tcare,”retortedEthel.“Nowadaysanoldmaidisn’tanoldmaid
exceptfromchoice,andeverybodyknowsit.Butitmusthavebeendifferentin
MissEudora’stime.Why,sheisolderthanyouare,MissAbby.”
“Justfiveyears,”repliedAbby,unruffled,“andshehadchances,andIknowit.”
“Whydidn’tshetakethem,then?”
“Maybe,”saidAbby,“girlshadchoicethenasmuchasnow,butInevercould
makeoutwhyshedidn’tmarryHarryLawton.”
Ethelgaveherheadatoss.“Maybe,”saidshe,“onceinawhile,evensolong
ago,agirlwasn’tsocrazytogetmarriedasfolksthought.Maybeshedidn’t
wanthim.”
“Shedidwanthim,”saidAbby.“Agirldoesn’tgetsopaleandpeaked-looking
fornothingasEudoraYatesdid,aftershehaddismissedHarryLawtonandhe
hadgoneaway,norhauntthepost-officeassheusedto,and,whenshedidn’tget
aletter,goawaylookingasifshewoulddie.”
“Maybe,”saidEthel,“herfolkswereopposed.”
“NobodyeveropposedEudoraYatesexceptherownself,”repliedAbby.“Her
fatherwasdead,andEudora’smathoughtthesunroseandsetinher.Shewould
neverhaveopposedherifshehadwantedtomarryaforeigndukeortheold
Harryhimself.”
“Irememberitperfectly,”saidMrs.JosephGlynn.
“SodoI,”saidJuliaEsterbrook.
“Don’tseewhyyoushouldn’t.Youwereplentyoldenoughtohaveyour
memoryingoodworkingorderifitwasevergoingtobe,”saidAbbySimson.

“Well,”saidEthel,“itisthefunniestthingIeverheardof.Ifagirlwantedaman
enoughtogoalltopiecesoverhim,andhewantedher,whyonearthdidn’tshe
takehim?”


“Maybetheyquarreled,”venturedMrs.EdwardLee,whowasamild,sicklylookingwomanandseldomexpressedanopinion.
“Well,thatmighthavebeen,”agreedAbby,“althoughEudoraalwayshadthe
nameofhavingabeautifuldisposition.”
“Ihavealwaysfound,”saidMrs.JosephGlynn,withanairofwisdom,“thatitis
thebeautifuldispositionswhicharethemostsettheminutetheygetastartthe
wrongway.Itisthealways-flying-outpeoplewhoaretheeasiesttogetonwith
inthelongrun.”
“Well,”saidAbby,“maybethatisso,butfolksmightgetwornalltoafrazzleby
theflying-outonesbeforethelongrun.I’drathertakemychanceswithawoman
likeEudora.Shealwaysseemsjustso,justascalmandsweet.WhentheAmes’s
barn,thatwasnexttohers,burneddownandthewindwasherway,shejust
walkedinandoutofherhouse,carryingthethingsshevaluedmost,andshe
lookedlikeapicture—somehowshehadgotalldressedfittomakecalls—and
therewasn’tamuscleofherfacethatseemedtomove.EudoraYatesistomy
mindthemostbeautifulwomaninthistown,oldoryoung,Idon’tcarewhoshe
is.”
“Isuppose,”saidJuliaEsterbrook,“thatshehasalotofmoney.”
“Iwonderifshehas,”saidMrs.JohnBates.
Theothersstaredather.“Whatmakesyouthinkshehasn’t?”Mrs.Glynn
inquired,sharply.
“Nothing,”saidMrs.Bates,andclosedherthinlips.Shewouldsaynomore,but
theothershadsuspicions,becauseherhusband,JohnBates,wasawealthy
businessman.
“Ican’tbelieveshehaslosthermoney,”saidMrs.Glynn.“Shewouldn’thave
beensuchafoolastodowhatshehasifshehadn’tmoney.”

“Whathasshedone?”askedMrs.Bates,eagerly.
“Whathasshedone?”askedAbby,andMrs.Leelookedupinquiringly.
ThefacesofMrs.Glynn,herdaughter,andhersisterbecameimportant,fullof


slyandtriumphantknowledge.
“Haven’tyouheard?”askedMrs.Glynn.
“Yes,haven’tyou?”askedEthel.
“Haven’tanyofyouheard?”askedJuliaEsterbrook.
“No,”admittedAbby,ratherfeebly.“Idon’tknowasIhave.”
“DoyoumeanaboutEudora’sgoingsooftentotheLancastergirls’totea?”
askedMrs.JohnBates,withaslightbridleofpossibleknowledge.
“Iheardofthat,”saidMrs.Lee,nottobeoutdone.
“Land,no,”repliedMrs.Glynn.“Didn’tshealwaysgothere?Itisn’tthat.Itis
themostunheard-ofthingshehaddone;butnowoman,unlessshehadplentyof
moneytobringitup,wouldhavedoneit.”
“Tobringwhatup?”askedAbby,sharply.Hereyeslookedassmallandbrightas
needles.
Juliaregardedherwithintensesatisfaction.“Whatdowomengenerallybring
up?”saidshe.
“Idon’tknowofanythingtheybringup,whethertheyhaveitornot,excepta
baby,”retortedAbby,sharply.
Juliawiltedalittle;buthersister,Mrs.Glynn,wasnotperturbed.Shelaunched
herthunderboltofnewsatonce,awarethatthecriticalmomenthadcome,when
thequarryofsuspicionhadleftthebushes.
“Shehasadoptedababy,”saidshe,andpausedlikeawomanwhohadfireda
gun,halfscaredherselfandshrinkingfromthereport.
Ethelsecondedhermother.“Yes,”saidshe,“MissEudorahasadoptedababy,
andshehasababy-carriage,andshewheelsitoutanytimeshetakesanotion.”
Ethel’sspeechwasofthenatureofanafter-climax.Thebaby-carriageweakened

thesituation.


Theotherwomenseizedupontheideaofthecarriagetocovertheirsurpriseand
preventtoomuchgloatingonthepartofMrs.Glynn,Ethel,andJulia.
“Isitanewcarriage?”inquiredMrs.Lee.
“No,itlookslikeonethatcameoverintheark,”retortedMrs.Glynn.Thenshe
repeated:“Shehasadoptedababy,”butthistimetherewasnoeffectofan
explosion.However,thetreblechorusrosehigh,“Wheredidshegetthebaby?
Wasitaboyoragirl?Whydidsheadoptit?Diditcrymuch?”andother
queries,noneofwhichMrs.Glynn,Ethel,andJuliacouldanswerverydecidedly
exceptthelast.Theyallannouncedthattheadoptedbabywasneverheardtocry
atall.
“Mustbeaverygoodchild,”saidAbby.
“Mustbeaveryhealthychild,”saidMrs.Lee,whohadhadexperiencewith
cryingbabies.
“Well,shehasit,anyhow,”saidMrs.Glynn.
Rightupontheannouncementcameproof.Thebeautifuldooroftheoldcolonial
mansionoppositewasthrownopen,andclumsyandcautiousmotionwas
evident.Presentlyatall,slenderwomancamedownthepathbetweenthebox
borders,pushingababy-carriage.Itwasundoubtedlyaveryoldcarriage.Itmust
havedatedbacktothefifties,ifnottheforties.Itwasmadeofwood,witha
leatherbuggy-top,andwasevidentlyveryheavy.
Abbyeyeditshrewdly.“IfIamnotmistaken,”saidshe,“thatisthevery
carriageEudoraherselfwaswheeledaroundinwhenshewasababy.Iam
almostsureIhaveseenthatidenticalcarriagebefore.WhenweweregirlsIused
togototheYateshousesometimes.Ofcourse,itwasalwaysveryformal,alittle
tea-partyforEudora,withhermotheronhand,butIfeelsurethatIsawthat
carriagethereoneofthosetimes.
“Isupposeitcostalotofmoney,inthetimeofit.TheYatesesalwaysgotthe

verybestforEudora,”saidJulia.“AndmaybeEudoragoesaboutsolittleshe
doesn’trealizehowoutofdatethecarriageis,butIshouldthinkitwouldbe
veryheavytowheel,especiallyifthebabyisagood-sizedone.”
“Itlookslikeaverylargebaby,”saidEthel.“Ofcourse,itissorolledupwe


can’ttell.”
“Haven’tyougoneoutandaskedtoseethebaby?”saidAbby.
“WouldwedareunlessEudoraYatesofferedtoshowit?”saidJulia,witha
surprisedair;andtheothersnoddedassent.Thentheyallcrowdedtothefront
windowsandwatchedfrombehindthescreensofgreenfloweringthings.Itwas
veryearlyinthespring.Fairlyhotdaysalternatedwithlightfrosts.Thetrees
weretouchedwithspraysofroseandgoldandgold-green,butthewindstill
blewcoldfromthenorthernsnows,andtheoccupantofEudora’sancient
carriagewaspresumablywrappedwelltoshelteritfromharm.Therewas,in
fact,nothingtobeseeninthecarriage,exceptalargerollofblueandwhite,as
Eudoraemergedfromtheyardandclosedtheirongateofthetallfencebehind
her.
Throughthisfenceprickedtheevergreenbox,andthedeepyardwasfullofsoft
pasteltintsofreluctantlybuddingtreesandbushes.Therewasonedeepsplash
ofcolorfromayellowbushinfullbloom.
Eudorapaceddownthesidewalkwithamagnificent,statelygait.Therewas
somethingrathermagnificentinherwholeappearance.Herskirtsofold,but
rich,blackfabricsweptaboutherlong,advancinglimbs;sheheldherblackbonnetedheadhigh,asifcrowned.Shepushedthecumbersomebaby-carriage
withnoapparenteffort.AnancientIndiashawlwasdrapedabouthersloping
shoulders.
Eudora,asshepassedtheGlynnhouse,turnedherfaceslightly,sothatitspure
ovalwasevident.Shewasnowabeautyinlatemiddlelife.Herhair,ofan
indeterminateshade,sweptinsoftshadowsoverherears;herfeatureswere
regular;herexpressionwasatonceregalandgentle.Acharmwhichwasneither

ofyouthnorofagereignedinherface;hergracehadsurmountedwith
triumphanteasetheslopeofeveryyear.Eudorapassedoutofsightwiththe
baby-carriage,liftingherproudlady-headunderthesoftdroopofthespring
boughs;andherinspectors,whomshehadnotseen,movedbackfromtheGlynn
windowswithexclamationsofastonishment.
“Iwonder,”saidAbby,“whethershewillhavethatbabycallhermaoraunty.”
MeantimeEudorapasseddownthevillagestreetuntilshereachedtheLancaster
house,abouthalfamileawayonthesameside.TheredwelttheMissesAmelia


andAnnaLancaster,whowereaboutEudora’sage,andawidowedsister,Mrs.
SophiaWilling,whowasmucholder.TheLancasterhousewasalsoacolonial
mansion,muchafterthefashionofEudora’s,butitshowedsignsofcontinued
opulence.Eudora’s,behindhertreesandleafingvines,wasgrayforlackof
paint.Someofthecolonialornamentaldetailsaboutporchesandroofwere
sloughingofforhadalreadydisappeared.TheLancasterhousegleamedbehind
itsgroveofevergreentreesaswhiteandperfectasinitsyouth.Thewindows
showedrichslantsofdraperiesbehindtheirgreenglisterofoldglass.
Agardener,withaboyassistant,wasatworkinthegroundswhenEudora
entered.Hetouchedhiscap.Hewasanoldmanwhohadlivedwiththe
LancasterseversinceEudoracouldremember.Headvancedtowardhernow.
“Sha’n’tTommypush—thebaby-carriageuptothehouseforyou,Miss
Eudora?”hesaid,inhiscrackedoldvoice.
Eudoraflushedslightly,and,asifinresponse,theoldmanflushed,also.“No,I
thankyou,Wilson,”shesaid,andmovedon.
Theboy,whowasrakingdryleaves,stoodgazingatthemwithashrewd,
whimsicalexpression.Hewastheoldman’sgrandson.
“Isthataboyoragirlkid,grandpa?”heinquired,whenthegardenerreturned.
“Holdyourtongue!”repliedtheoldman,irascibly.Suddenlyheseizedtheboy
byhistwothinlittleshoulderswithknottedoldhands.

“Lookathere,Tommy,whateveryouknow,youkeepyourmouthshet,and
whateveryoudon’tknow,youkeepyourmouthshet,ifyouknowwhat’sgood
foryou,”hesaid,inafiercewhisper.
Theboywhistledandshruggedhisshouldersloose.“YouknowIain’tgoin’to
telltales,grandpa,”hesaid,inacuriouslymanlyfashion.
Theoldmannodded.“Allright,Tommy.Idon’tbelieveyoube,nuther,butyou
mayjestaswellgititthroughyourheadwhat’sgoin’tohappenifyoudo.”
“Ain’tgoin’to,”returnedtheboy.Hewhistledcharminglyasherakedthe
leaves.Hiswhistlesoundedlikethecarolofabird.
Eudorapushedthecarriagearoundtothesidedoor,andimmediatelytherewasa


flutteringrushofaslenderwomancladinlavenderdownthesteps.Thiswoman
firstkissedEudorawithgentlefervor,then,withaslylookaroundandvoice
raisedintentionallyhigh,sheliftedtheblueandwhiterollfromthecarriagewith
thetenderestcare.“Didthedarlingcometoseehisaunties?”sheshrilled.
Theoldmanandtheboyinthefrontyardheardherdistinctly.Theoldman’s
facewasimperturbable.Theboygrinned.
Twootherwomen,allcladinlavender,appearedinthedoorway.Theyalsobent
overtheblueandwhitebundle.Theyalsosaidsomethingaboutthedarling
comingtoseehisaunties.Thenthereensuedthesoftestchorusoflady-laughter,
asifatsomehiddenjoke.
“Comein,Eudoradear,”saidAmeliaLancaster.“Yes,comein,Eudoradear,”
saidAnnaLancaster.“Yes,comein,Eudoradear,”saidSophiaWilling.
Sophialookedmucholderthanhersisters,butwiththatexceptionthe
resemblancebetweenallthreewasstartling.Theyalwaysdressedexactlyalike,
too,insilkenfabricofbluishlavender,likemyrtleblossoms.Someofthe
poeticalsoulsinthevillagecalledtheLancastersisters“Theladiesinlavender.”
Therewasanastonishingchangeinthetreatmentoftheblueandwhitebundle
whenthesistersandEudorawereinthestatelyoldsitting-room,withitsheavy

mahoganyfurnitureanditswhite-wainscotedcalls.Ameliasimplytossedthe
bundleintoacornerofthesofa;thenthesistersallsatinalovingcirclearound
Eudora.
“Areyousureyouarenotutterlywornout,dear?”askedAmelia,tenderly;and
theothersrepeatedthequestioninexactlythesametone.TheLancastersisters
werenotpretty,butallhadcharmingexpressionsofgentlenessandadignified
good-willandlovingkindness.TheirblueeyesbeamedloveatEudora,andit
wasasifshesatencircledinasoul-ringofaffection.
Sheresponded,andherbeautifulfaceglowedwithtendernessandpleasure,and
somethingbesides,whichwasasthelightofvictory.
“Iamnotintheleasttired,thankyou,dears,”shereplied.“WhyshouldIbe
tired?Iamverystrong.”
Ameliamurmuredsomethingaboutsuchhardwork.


“Ineverthoughtitwouldbehardworktakingcareofababy,”repliedEudora,
“andespeciallysuchaverylightbaby.”
SomethingwhimsicalcreptintoEudora’svoice;somethingwhimsicalcreptinto
thelove-lightoftheotherwomen’seyes.Againasoftrippleofmirthsweptover
them.
“Especiallyababywhonevercries,”saidAmelia.
“No,heneverdoescry,”saidEudora,demurely.
Theylaughedagain.ThenAmeliaroseandlefttheroomtogetthetea-things.
Theoldserving-womanwhohadlivedwiththemformanyyearswassuffering
fromrheumatism,andwascaredforbyherdaughterinthelittlecottageacross
theroadfromtheLancasterhouse.Herhusbandandgrandsonwerethemanand
boyatworkinthegrounds.Thethreesisterstookcareofthemselvesandtheir
housewiththeeleganteaseandlackofflusterofgentlewomenbornandbred.
MissAmelia,bringinginthetea-tray,wasanunclassedbeing,neithermaidnor
mistress,butoutrankingeither.Shehadtiedonawhiteapron.Sheborethesilver

traywithaneasewhichbespokeeithernerveormuscleinherlace-drapedarms.
Shepouredthetea,holdingthesilverpothighandlettingtheamberfluidtrickle
slowly,andthepearlsanddiamondsonherthinhandsshonedully.Sophia
passedlittlechinaplatesandfringednapkins,andAnnaasilverbasketwith
goldensquaresofsponge-cake.
Theladiesateanddrank,andtheblueandwhitebundleonthesofaremained
motionless.Eudora,aftershehadfinishedhertea,leanedbackgracefullyinher
chair,andherdarkeyesgleamedwithitsmildstimulus.Sheremainedanhouror
more.Whenshewentout,Ameliaslippedanenvelopeintoherhandandatthe
sametimeembracedandkissedher.SophiaandAnnafollowedherexample.
Eudoraopenedhermouthasiftospeak,butsmiledinstead,afond,proudsmile.
DuringthelastfifteenminutesofherstayAmeliahadslippedoutoftheroom
withtheblueandwhitebundle.Nowshebroughtitoutandlaiditcarefullyin
thecarriage.
“Wearealwayssogladtoseeyou,dearestEudora,”saidshe,“butyou
understand—”
“Yes,”saidSophia,“youunderstand,Eudoradear,thatthereisnottheslightest


haste.”
Eudoranodded,andherlongneckseemedtogrowlonger.
Whenshewassteppingregallydownthepath,Ameliasaidinahastywhisperto
Sophia:“Didyoutellher?”
Sophiashookherhead.“No,sister.”
“Ididn’tknowbutyoumighthave,whileIwasoutoftheroom.”
“Ididnot,”saidSophia.ShelookeddoubtfullyatAmelia,thenatAnna,and
doubtflashedbackandforthbetweenthethreepairsofblueeyesforasecond.
ThenSophiaspokewithauthority,becauseshewastheonlyoneofthemallwho
hadenteredtheestateofmatrimony,andhadconsequentlyobviouscognizance
ofsuchmatters.

“Ithink,”saidshe,“thatEudorashouldbetoldthatHarryLawtonhascomeback
andisboardingattheWellwoodInn.”
“Youthink,”falteredAmelia,“thatitispossibleshemightmeethim
unexpectedly?”
“Icertainlydothinkso.Andshemightshowherfeelingsinawaywhichshe
wouldeverafterwardregret.”
“Youthink,then,thatshe—”
Sophiagavehersisteralook.AmeliafledafterEudoraandthebaby-carriage.
Sheovertookheratthegate.ShelaidherhandonEudora’sarm,drapedwith
Indiashawl.
“Eudora!”shegasped.
Eudoraturnedherserenefaceandregardedherquestioningly.
“Eudora,”saidAmelia,“haveyouheardofanybody’scomingtostayattheinn
lately?”
“No,”repliedEudora,calmly.“Why,dear?”


“Nothing,only,Eudora,adearandoldfriendofyours,ofours,isthere,soI
hear.”
Eudoradidnotinquirewhotheoldfriendmightbe.“Really?”sheremarked.
Thenshesaid,“Goodby,Ameliadear,”andresumedherprogresswiththebabycarriage.


PARTII
“Sheneverevenaskedwhoitwas,”Ameliareportedtohersisters,whenshehad
returnedtothehouse.“Becausesheknew,”repliedSophia,sagely;“therehas
neverbeenanyoldfriendbutthatoneoldfriendtocomebackintoEudora
Yates’slife.”
“Hashecomebackintoherlife,Iwonder?”saidAmelia.
“WhatdidhereturntoWellwoodforifhedidn’tcomeforthat?Allhisrelatives

aregone.Henevermarried.Yes,hehascomebacktoseeEudoraandmarryher,
ifshewillhavehim.NomanwhoeverlovedEudorawouldevergetoverloving
her.Andhewillnotbeshockedwhenheseesher.Sheisnomorechangedthana
beautifuloldstatue.”
“HEischanged,though,”saidAmelia.“Isawhimtheotherday.Hedidn’tsee
me,andIwouldhardlyhaveknownhim.Hehasgrownstout,andhishairis
gray.”
“Eudora’shairisgray,”saidSophia.
“Yes,butyoucanseethegoldthroughEudora’sgray.Itjustlooksasifashadow
wasthrownoverit.Itdoesn’tchangeher.HarryLawton’sgrayhairdoeschange
him.”
“If,”saidAnna,sentimentally,“EudorathinksHarry’shairturnedgrayforlove
ofher,youcantrustheroranywomantoseethegoldthroughit.”
“Harry’shairwasnevergold—justanordinarybrown,”saidAmelia.“Anyway,
theLawtonsturnedgrayyoung.”
“Shewon’tthinkofthatatall,”saidSophia.
“IwonderwhyEudoraalwaysavoidedhimso,yearsago,”saidAmelia.
“Whydoesn’tagirlinafieldofdaisiesstoptopickone,whichshenever
forgets?”saidSophia.“Eudorahadsomanychances,andIdon’tthinkherheart
wasfixedwhenshewasveryyoung;atleast,Idon’tthinkitwasfixedsoshe


knewit.”
“Iwonder,”saidAmelia,“ifhewillgoandcallonher.”
AmeliaprivatelywishedthatshelivednearenoughtoknowifHarryLawtondid
call.She,aswellasMrs.JosephGlynn,wouldhaveenjoyedwatchingoutand
knowingsomethingofthevillagehappenings,buttheLancasterhousewas
situatedsofarfromtheroad,behinditsgroveoftrees,thatnothingwhatever
couldbeseen.
“IdoubtifEudoratells,ifhedoescall—thatis,notunlesssomethingdefinite

happens,”saidAnna.
“No,”remarkedAmelia,sadly.“Eudoraisadear,butsheisverysilentwith
regardtoherownaffairs.”
“Sheoughttobe,”saidSophia,withhermarriedauthority.Shewas,toher
sisters,asonewhohadpassedwithintheshrineandwasdignifiedlysilentwith
regardtoitsintimatemysteries.
“Isupposeso,”assentedAnna,withasoftsigh.Ameliasighedalso.Thenshe
tookthetea-trayoutoftheroom.Shehadtomakesomebiscuitsforsupper.
MeantimeEudorawaspacinghomewardwiththebaby-carriage.Hersereneface
wasalittleperturbed.Herovalcheekswereflushed,andhermouthnowand
thentrembled.Shehad,ifshefollowedherusualcourse,topasstheWellwood
Inn,butshecoulddiverge,andbytakingasidestreetandwalkingahalf-mile
fartherreachhomewithoutcominginsightoftheinn.Shedidsoto-day.
Whenshereachedthesidestreetsheturnedratherswiftlyandgavealittlesigh
ofrelief.ShewasafraidthatshemightmeetHarryLawton.Itwasalonelyway.
Therewasabrookononeside,borderedthicklywithbushywillowswhichwere
turninggold-green.Ontheothersidewereundulatingpasture-landsonwhich
grazedafewsheep.Therewerenohousesuntilshereachedtheturnwhich
wouldleadbacktothemainstreet,onwhichherhomewaslocated.
Eudorawasaboutmidwayofthisstreetwhenshesawamanapproaching.He
wasalargemancladingray,andhewasswinginganumbrella.Somehowthe
swingofthatumbrella,evenfromadistance,gaveanimpressionof
embarrassmentandboyishhesitation.Eudoradidnotknowhimatfirst.Shehad


expectedtoseethesameHarryLawtonwhohadgoneaway.Shedidnotexpect
toseeastout,middle-agedman,butaslimyouth.
However,astheydrewnearereachother,sheknew;andcuriouslyenoughitwas
thatswingofthetightlyfurledumbrellawhichgavehertheclue.Sheknew
Harrybecauseofthat.Itwasalittleboyishtrickwhichhadsurvivedtime.Itwas

toolateforhertodrawback,forhehadseenher,andEudorawaskeenlyaliveto
theindignityofabruptlyturningandscuttlingawaywiththetailofherblacksilk
swishing,herIndiashawltrailing,andthebaby-carriagebumpingoverthe
furrows.Shecontinued,andHarryLawtoncontinued,andtheymet.
HarryLawtonhadknownEudoraatonce.Shelookedthesametohimaswhen
shehadbeenagirl,andhelookedthesametoherwhenhespoke.
“Hullo,Eudora,”saidHarryLawton,inaludicrouslyboyishfashion.Hisface
flushed,too,likeaboy.Heextendedhishandlikeaboy.Theman,seennearat
hand,wasaboy.Inrealityhehimselfhadnotchanged.Afewlayersoffleshand
achangeofcolor-cellsdonotmakeanotherman.Hehadalwaysbeenasimple,
sincere,friendlysoul,belovedofmenandwomenalike,andhewasthatnow.
Eudoraheldoutherhand,andhereyesfellbeforetheeyesoftheman,inan
absurdfashionforsuchastatelycreatureasshe.Butthemanhimselfactedlikea
greathappyovergrownschool-boy.
“Hullo,Eudora,”hesaidagain.
“Hullo,”saidshe,falteringly.
Itwasinconceivablethattheyshouldmeetinsuchwiseaftertheyearsof
separationandlongingwhichtheyhadbothundergone;buteachtookrefuge,as
itwere,inalong-pastyouth,evenchildhood,fromthefiercetensionofage.
Whentheywerebothchildrentheyhadbeenaccustomedtopasseachotheron
thevillagestreetwithexactlysuchsalutation,andnowbothrevertedtoit.The
tall,regalwomaninherIndiashawlandthestout,middle-agedmanhadboth
steppedbacktotheirvantage-groundofspringtimetomeet.
However,afteramoment,Eudorareassertedherself.“Ionlyheardashorttime
agothatyouwerehere,”shesaid,inherusualevenvoice.Thefairovalofher
facewasassereneandproudtowardthemanasthefaceofthemoon.
Themanswunghisumbrella,thenbeganproddingthegroundwithit.“Hullo,


Eudora,”hesaidagain;thenheadded:“Howareyou,anyway?Fineandwell?”

“Iamverywell,thankyou,”saidEudora.“Soyouhavecomehometo
Wellwoodafterallthistime?”
Themanmadeaneffortandrecoveredhimself,althoughhishandsomefacewas
burning.
“Yes,”heremarked,withconsiderableeaseanddignity,towhichhehadaright,
forHarryLawtonhadnotmadeafailureofhislife,eventhoughithadnot
includedEudoraandafulfilleddream.
“Yes,”hecontinued,“Ihadsomeleisure;infact,Ihavethisspringretiredfrom
business;andIthoughtIwouldhavealookattheoldplace.VerylittlechangedI
amhappytofindit.”
“Yes,itisverylittlechanged,”assentedEudora;“atleast,itseemssotome,but
itisnotforalife-longdwellerinanyplacetojudgeofchange.Itisfortheone
whogoesandreturnsaftermanyyears.”
TherewasafainthintofproudsadnessinEudora’svoiceasshespokethelast
twowords.
“Ithasbeenmanyyears,”saidLawton,gravely,“andIwonderifithasseemed
sotoyou.”
Eudoraheldherheadproudly.“Timepassesswiftly,”saidshe,tritely.
“Butsometimesitmayseemlonginthepassing,howeverswift,”saidLawton,
“thoughIsupposeithasnottoyou.Youlookjustthesame,”headded,regarding
heradmiringly.
Eudoraflushedalittle.“Imustbechanged,”shemurmured.
“Notabit.Iwouldhaveknownyouanywhere.ButI—”
“Iknewyoutheminuteyouspoke.”
“Didyou?”heasked,eagerly.“IwasafraidIhadgrownsostoutyouwouldnot
remembermeatall.Queerhowamanwillgrowstout.Iamnotsuchabigeater,


either,andIhaveworkedhard,and—well,Imighthavebeenworseoff,butI
mustsayIhaveseenmenwhoseemedtomehappier,thoughIhavemadethe

bestofthings.Ialwaysdiddespiseaflunk.Butyou!Iheardyouhadadopteda
baby,”hesaid,withasuddenglanceattheblueandwhitebundleinthecarriage,
“andIthoughtyouweremightysensible.Whenpeoplegrowoldtheywant
youngpeoplegrowingaroundthem,staffsforoldage,youknow,andallthat
sortofthing.Don’tknowbutIshouldhaveadoptedaboymyselfifithadn’t
beenfor—”
Themanstopped,andhisfacewaspink.Eudoraturnedherfaceslightlyaway.
“Bytheway,”saidtheman,inasuddenlyhushedvoice,“Isupposethekid
you’vegotthereisasleep.Wouldn’tdotowakehim?”
“IthinkIhadbetternot,”repliedEudora,inahesitatingvoice.Shebeganto
walkalong,andHarryLawtonfellintostepbesideher.
“Isupposeitisn’tbesttowakeupbabies;makesthemcross,andtheycry,”he
said.“Say,Eudora,ishemuchtrouble?”
“Verylittle,”repliedEudora,stillinthatstrangevoice.
“Doesn’tkeepyouawakenights?”
“Ohno.”
“Becauseifhedoes,Ireallythinkyoushouldhaveanurse.Idon’tthinkyou
oughttolosesleeptakingcareofhim.”
“Idonot.”
“Well,IwasmightygladwhenIheardyouhadadoptedhim.Isupposeyou
madesureabouthisparentage,wherehehailedfromandwhatsortofpeople?”
“Ohyes.”Eudorawasverypale.
“That’sright.Maybesometimeyouwilltellmeallaboutit.Iamcomingover
Thursdaytohavealookattheyoungster.Ihavetogotothecityonbusinesstomorrowandcan’tgetbackuntilThursday.Iwascomingoverto-nighttocallon
you,butIhaveamancomingtotheinnthisevening—hecalledmeuponthe


telephonejustnow—oneofthemenwhohavetakenmyplaceinthebusiness;
andaslongasIhavemetyouIwilljustwalkalongwithyou,andcome
Thursday.Isupposethebabywon’tbelikelytowakeupjustyet,andwhenhe

doesyou’llhavetogethissupperandputhimtobed.Isthatthewaytherule
goes?”
Eudoranoddedinashamed,speechlesssortofway.
“Allright.I’llcomeThursday-butsay,lookhere,Eudora.Thisisaquietroad,
notasoulinsight,justlikeanoutdoorroomtoourselves.Whyshouldn’tIknow
nowjustaswellaswait?Say,Eudora,youknowhowIusedtofeelaboutyou.
Well,ithaslastedalltheseyears.TherehasneverbeenanotherwomanIeven
caredtolookat.Youarealone,exceptforthatbaby,andIamalone.Eudora—”
Themanhesitated.Hisflushedfacehadpaled.Eudorapacedsilentlyand
waveringlyathisside.
“Eudora,”themanwenton,“youknowyoualwaysusedtorunawayfromme—
nevergavemeachancetoreallyask;andIthoughtyoudidn’tcare.But
somehowIhavewondered—perhapsbecauseyounevergotmarried—ifyou
didn’tquitemeanit,ifyoudidn’tquiteknowyourownmind.You’llthinkI’ma
conceitedass,butI’mnotabadsort,Eudora.IwouldbeasgoodtoyouasI
knowhow,and—wecouldbringhimuptogether.”Hepointedtothecarriage.“I
haveplentyofmoney.Wecoulddoanythingwewantedtodoforhim,andwe
shouldnothavetolivealone.Say,Eudora,youmaynotthinkit’sthethingfora
mantoownupto,but,hangitall!I’malone,andIdon’twanttofacetherestof
mylifealone.Eudora,doyouthinkyoucouldmakeupyourmindtomarryme,
afterall?”
Theyhadreachedtheturnintheroad.Justbeyondrosethestatelypileoftheold
Yatesmansion.Eudorastoodstillandgaveonedesperatelookatherlover.“I
willletyouknowThursday,”shegasped.Thenshewasgone,trundlingthe
baby-carriagewithincrediblespeed.
“But,Eudora—”
“Imustgo,”shecalledback,faintly.Themanstoodstaringafterthehurrying
figurewithitsswishingblackskirtsanditsflyingpointsofrichIndiashawl,and
hesmiledhappilyandtenderly.Thateveningattheinnhiscaller,ayoungfellow
justmarriedandbeamingwithhappiness,sawanansweringbeamintheolder

man’sface.Hebrokeoffinthemidstofasentenceandstaredathim.
“Don’tgivemeawayuntilItellyouto,Ned,”hesaid,“butIdon’tknowbutI
amgoingtofollowyourexample.”
“Myexample?”
“Yes,goingtogetmarried.”
Theyoungmangasped.Alookofsurprise,ofamusement,thenofgenerous
sympathycameoverhisface.HegraspedLawton’shand.
“Whoisshe?”
“Oh,awomanIwantedmorethananythingintheworldwhenIwasaboutyour
age.”
“Thensheisn’tyoung?”
“Sheisbetterthanyoung.”
“Well,”agreedtheyoungman,“beingyoungandprettyisnoteverything.”
“Pretty!”saidHarryLawton,scornfully,“pretty!Sheisagreatbeauty.”
“Andnotyoung?”
“Sheisagreatbeauty,andbetterthanyoung,becausetimehasnottouchedher
beauty,andyoucanseeforyourselfthatitlasts.”
Theyoungmanlaughed.“Oh,well,”hesaid,withatenderinflection,“Idaresay
thatmyAmywilllooklikethattome.”
“Ifshedoesn’tyoudon’tloveher,”saidLawton.“ButmyEudoraISthat.”
“Thatisaqueer-soundingGreekname.”
“SheisGreek,likehername.Suchbeautynevergrowsold.Shestandsonher
pedestal,andtimeonlylooksathertoloveher.”
“Ithoughtyouwereabusinessmanashardasnails,”saidtheyoungman,