diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:14:45 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:14:45 -0700 |
| commit | e75f3d91300b6cea81050c7df09d5aa98d997862 (patch) | |
| tree | b37958d97145ea1bcb730d679c1f2b2498c6e2ad /311-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '311-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 311-h/311-h.htm | 4707 |
1 files changed, 4707 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/311-h/311-h.htm b/311-h/311-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c9db989 --- /dev/null +++ b/311-h/311-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4707 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + Bunner Sisters, by Edith Wharton + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} +.smcap {font-variant:small-caps;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bunner Sisters, by Edith Wharton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bunner Sisters + +Author: Edith Wharton + +Release Date: July 1, 2008 [EBook #311] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNNER SISTERS *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + BUNNER SISTERS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Edith Wharton + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Scribner's Magazine<br /> 60 (Oct. 1916): 439-58;<br /> 60 (Nov. 1916): + 575-96. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART1"> <big><b>PART I</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> VII </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART"> <big><b>PART II</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> XIII </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PART1" id="link2H_PART1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PART I + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I + </h2> + <p> + In the days when New York's traffic moved at the pace of the drooping + horse-car, when society applauded Christine Nilsson at the Academy of + Music and basked in the sunsets of the Hudson River School on the walls of + the National Academy of Design, an inconspicuous shop with a single + show-window was intimately and favourably known to the feminine population + of the quarter bordering on Stuyvesant Square. + </p> + <p> + It was a very small shop, in a shabby basement, in a side-street already + doomed to decline; and from the miscellaneous display behind the + window-pane, and the brevity of the sign surmounting it (merely “Bunner + Sisters” in blotchy gold on a black ground) it would have been difficult + for the uninitiated to guess the precise nature of the business carried on + within. But that was of little consequence, since its fame was so purely + local that the customers on whom its existence depended were almost + congenitally aware of the exact range of “goods” to be found at Bunner + Sisters'. + </p> + <p> + The house of which Bunner Sisters had annexed the basement was a private + dwelling with a brick front, green shutters on weak hinges, and a + dress-maker's sign in the window above the shop. On each side of its + modest three stories stood higher buildings, with fronts of brown stone, + cracked and blistered, cast-iron balconies and cat-haunted grass-patches + behind twisted railings. These houses too had once been private, but now a + cheap lunchroom filled the basement of one, while the other announced + itself, above the knotty wistaria that clasped its central balcony, as the + Mendoza Family Hotel. It was obvious from the chronic cluster of + refuse-barrels at its area-gate and the blurred surface of its curtainless + windows, that the families frequenting the Mendoza Hotel were not exacting + in their tastes; though they doubtless indulged in as much fastidiousness + as they could afford to pay for, and rather more than their landlord + thought they had a right to express. + </p> + <p> + These three houses fairly exemplified the general character of the street, + which, as it stretched eastward, rapidly fell from shabbiness to squalor, + with an increasing frequency of projecting sign-boards, and of swinging + doors that softly shut or opened at the touch of red-nosed men and pale + little girls with broken jugs. The middle of the street was full of + irregular depressions, well adapted to retain the long swirls of dust and + straw and twisted paper that the wind drove up and down its sad untended + length; and toward the end of the day, when traffic had been active, the + fissured pavement formed a mosaic of coloured hand-bills, lids of + tomato-cans, old shoes, cigar-stumps and banana skins, cemented together + by a layer of mud, or veiled in a powdering of dust, as the state of the + weather determined. + </p> + <p> + The sole refuge offered from the contemplation of this depressing waste + was the sight of the Bunner Sisters' window. Its panes were always + well-washed, and though their display of artificial flowers, bands of + scalloped flannel, wire hat-frames, and jars of home-made preserves, had + the undefinable greyish tinge of objects long preserved in the show-case + of a museum, the window revealed a background of orderly counters and + white-washed walls in pleasant contrast to the adjoining dinginess. + </p> + <p> + The Bunner sisters were proud of the neatness of their shop and content + with its humble prosperity. It was not what they had once imagined it + would be, but though it presented but a shrunken image of their earlier + ambitions it enabled them to pay their rent and keep themselves alive and + out of debt; and it was long since their hopes had soared higher. + </p> + <p> + Now and then, however, among their greyer hours there came one not bright + enough to be called sunny, but rather of the silvery twilight hue which + sometimes ends a day of storm. It was such an hour that Ann Eliza, the + elder of the firm, was soberly enjoying as she sat one January evening in + the back room which served as bedroom, kitchen and parlour to herself and + her sister Evelina. In the shop the blinds had been drawn down, the + counters cleared and the wares in the window lightly covered with an old + sheet; but the shop-door remained unlocked till Evelina, who had taken a + parcel to the dyer's, should come back. + </p> + <p> + In the back room a kettle bubbled on the stove, and Ann Eliza had laid a + cloth over one end of the centre table, and placed near the green-shaded + sewing lamp two tea-cups, two plates, a sugar-bowl and a piece of pie. The + rest of the room remained in a greenish shadow which discreetly veiled the + outline of an old-fashioned mahogany bedstead surmounted by a chromo of a + young lady in a night-gown who clung with eloquently-rolling eyes to a + crag described in illuminated letters as the Rock of Ages; and against the + unshaded windows two rocking-chairs and a sewing-machine were silhouetted + on the dusk. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, her small and habitually anxious face smoothed to unusual + serenity, and the streaks of pale hair on her veined temples shining + glossily beneath the lamp, had seated herself at the table, and was tying + up, with her usual fumbling deliberation, a knobby object wrapped in + paper. Now and then, as she struggled with the string, which was too + short, she fancied she heard the click of the shop-door, and paused to + listen for her sister; then, as no one came, she straightened her + spectacles and entered into renewed conflict with the parcel. In honour of + some event of obvious importance, she had put on her double-dyed and + triple-turned black silk. Age, while bestowing on this garment a patine + worthy of a Renaissance bronze, had deprived it of whatever curves the + wearer's pre-Raphaelite figure had once been able to impress on it; but + this stiffness of outline gave it an air of sacerdotal state which seemed + to emphasize the importance of the occasion. + </p> + <p> + Seen thus, in her sacramental black silk, a wisp of lace turned over the + collar and fastened by a mosaic brooch, and her face smoothed into harmony + with her apparel, Ann Eliza looked ten years younger than behind the + counter, in the heat and burden of the day. It would have been as + difficult to guess her approximate age as that of the black silk, for she + had the same worn and glossy aspect as her dress; but a faint tinge of + pink still lingered on her cheek-bones, like the reflection of sunset + which sometimes colours the west long after the day is over. + </p> + <p> + When she had tied the parcel to her satisfaction, and laid it with furtive + accuracy just opposite her sister's plate, she sat down, with an air of + obviously-assumed indifference, in one of the rocking-chairs near the + window; and a moment later the shop-door opened and Evelina entered. + </p> + <p> + The younger Bunner sister, who was a little taller than her elder, had a + more pronounced nose, but a weaker slope of mouth and chin. She still + permitted herself the frivolity of waving her pale hair, and its tight + little ridges, stiff as the tresses of an Assyrian statue, were flattened + under a dotted veil which ended at the tip of her cold-reddened nose. In + her scant jacket and skirt of black cashmere she looked singularly nipped + and faded; but it seemed possible that under happier conditions she might + still warm into relative youth. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Ann Eliza,” she exclaimed, in a thin voice pitched to chronic + fretfulness, “what in the world you got your best silk on for?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza had risen with a blush that made her steel-browed spectacles + incongruous. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Evelina, why shouldn't I, I sh'ld like to know? Ain't it your + birthday, dear?” She put out her arms with the awkwardness of habitually + repressed emotion. + </p> + <p> + Evelina, without seeming to notice the gesture, threw back the jacket from + her narrow shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, pshaw,” she said, less peevishly. “I guess we'd better give up + birthdays. Much as we can do to keep Christmas nowadays.” + </p> + <p> + “You hadn't oughter say that, Evelina. We ain't so badly off as all that. + I guess you're cold and tired. Set down while I take the kettle off: it's + right on the boil.” + </p> + <p> + She pushed Evelina toward the table, keeping a sideward eye on her + sister's listless movements, while her own hands were busy with the + kettle. A moment later came the exclamation for which she waited. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Ann Eliza!” Evelina stood transfixed by the sight of the parcel + beside her plate. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, tremulously engaged in filling the teapot, lifted a look of + hypocritical surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Sakes, Evelina! What's the matter?” + </p> + <p> + The younger sister had rapidly untied the string, and drawn from its + wrappings a round nickel clock of the kind to be bought for a + dollar-seventy-five. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Ann Eliza, how could you?” She set the clock down, and the sisters + exchanged agitated glances across the table. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” the elder retorted, “<i>Ain't</i> it your birthday?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but—” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and ain't you had to run round the corner to the Square every + morning, rain or shine, to see what time it was, ever since we had to sell + mother's watch last July? Ain't you, Evelina?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but—” + </p> + <p> + “There ain't any buts. We've always wanted a clock and now we've got one: + that's all there is about it. Ain't she a beauty, Evelina?” Ann Eliza, + putting back the kettle on the stove, leaned over her sister's shoulder to + pass an approving hand over the circular rim of the clock. “Hear how loud + she ticks. I was afraid you'd hear her soon as you come in.” + </p> + <p> + “No. I wasn't thinking,” murmured Evelina. + </p> + <p> + “Well, ain't you glad now?” Ann Eliza gently reproached her. The rebuke + had no acerbity, for she knew that Evelina's seeming indifference was + alive with unexpressed scruples. + </p> + <p> + “I'm real glad, sister; but you hadn't oughter. We could have got on well + enough without.” + </p> + <p> + “Evelina Bunner, just you sit down to your tea. I guess I know what I'd + oughter and what I'd hadn't oughter just as well as you do—I'm old + enough!” + </p> + <p> + “You're real good, Ann Eliza; but I know you've given up something you + needed to get me this clock.” + </p> + <p> + “What do I need, I'd like to know? Ain't I got a best black silk?” the + elder sister said with a laugh full of nervous pleasure. + </p> + <p> + She poured out Evelina's tea, adding some condensed milk from the jug, and + cutting for her the largest slice of pie; then she drew up her own chair + to the table. + </p> + <p> + The two women ate in silence for a few moments before Evelina began to + speak again. “The clock is perfectly lovely and I don't say it ain't a + comfort to have it; but I hate to think what it must have cost you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it didn't, neither,” Ann Eliza retorted. “I got it dirt cheap, if you + want to know. And I paid for it out of a little extra work I did the other + night on the machine for Mrs. Hawkins.” + </p> + <p> + “The baby-waists?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “There, I knew it! You swore to me you'd buy a new pair of shoes with that + money.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and s'posin' I didn't want 'em—what then? I've patched up the + old ones as good as new—and I do declare, Evelina Bunner, if you ask + me another question you'll go and spoil all my pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, I won't,” said the younger sister. + </p> + <p> + They continued to eat without farther words. Evelina yielded to her + sister's entreaty that she should finish the pie, and poured out a second + cup of tea, into which she put the last lump of sugar; and between them, + on the table, the clock kept up its sociable tick. + </p> + <p> + “Where'd you get it, Ann Eliza?” asked Evelina, fascinated. + </p> + <p> + “Where'd you s'pose? Why, right round here, over acrost the Square, in the + queerest little store you ever laid eyes on. I saw it in the window as I + was passing, and I stepped right in and asked how much it was, and the + store-keeper he was real pleasant about it. He was just the nicest man. I + guess he's a German. I told him I couldn't give much, and he said, well, + he knew what hard times was too. His name's Ramy—Herman Ramy: I saw + it written up over the store. And he told me he used to work at Tiff'ny's, + oh, for years, in the clock-department, and three years ago he took sick + with some kinder fever, and lost his place, and when he got well they'd + engaged somebody else and didn't want him, and so he started this little + store by himself. I guess he's real smart, and he spoke quite like an + educated man—but he looks sick.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina was listening with absorbed attention. In the narrow lives of the + two sisters such an episode was not to be under-rated. + </p> + <p> + “What you say his name was?” she asked as Ann Eliza paused. + </p> + <p> + “Herman Ramy.” + </p> + <p> + “How old is he?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I couldn't exactly tell you, he looked so sick—but I don't + b'lieve he's much over forty.” + </p> + <p> + By this time the plates had been cleared and the teapot emptied, and the + two sisters rose from the table. Ann Eliza, tying an apron over her black + silk, carefully removed all traces of the meal; then, after washing the + cups and plates, and putting them away in a cupboard, she drew her + rocking-chair to the lamp and sat down to a heap of mending. Evelina, + meanwhile, had been roaming about the room in search of an abiding-place + for the clock. A rosewood what-not with ornamental fret-work hung on the + wall beside the devout young lady in dishabille, and after much weighing + of alternatives the sisters decided to dethrone a broken china vase filled + with dried grasses which had long stood on the top shelf, and to put the + clock in its place; the vase, after farther consideration, being relegated + to a small table covered with blue and white beadwork, which held a Bible + and prayer-book, and an illustrated copy of Longfellow's poems given as a + school-prize to their father. + </p> + <p> + This change having been made, and the effect studied from every angle of + the room, Evelina languidly put her pinking-machine on the table, and sat + down to the monotonous work of pinking a heap of black silk flounces. The + strips of stuff slid slowly to the floor at her side, and the clock, from + its commanding altitude, kept time with the dispiriting click of the + instrument under her fingers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II + </h2> + <p> + The purchase of Evelina's clock had been a more important event in the + life of Ann Eliza Bunner than her younger sister could divine. In the + first place, there had been the demoralizing satisfaction of finding + herself in possession of a sum of money which she need not put into the + common fund, but could spend as she chose, without consulting Evelina, and + then the excitement of her stealthy trips abroad, undertaken on the rare + occasions when she could trump up a pretext for leaving the shop; since, + as a rule, it was Evelina who took the bundles to the dyer's, and + delivered the purchases of those among their customers who were too + genteel to be seen carrying home a bonnet or a bundle of pinking—so + that, had it not been for the excuse of having to see Mrs. Hawkins's + teething baby, Ann Eliza would hardly have known what motive to allege for + deserting her usual seat behind the counter. + </p> + <p> + The infrequency of her walks made them the chief events of her life. The + mere act of going out from the monastic quiet of the shop into the tumult + of the streets filled her with a subdued excitement which grew too intense + for pleasure as she was swallowed by the engulfing roar of Broadway or + Third Avenue, and began to do timid battle with their incessant + cross-currents of humanity. After a glance or two into the great + show-windows she usually allowed herself to be swept back into the shelter + of a side-street, and finally regained her own roof in a state of + breathless bewilderment and fatigue; but gradually, as her nerves were + soothed by the familiar quiet of the little shop, and the click of + Evelina's pinking-machine, certain sights and sounds would detach + themselves from the torrent along which she had been swept, and she would + devote the rest of the day to a mental reconstruction of the different + episodes of her walk, till finally it took shape in her thought as a + consecutive and highly-coloured experience, from which, for weeks + afterwards, she would detach some fragmentary recollection in the course + of her long dialogues with her sister. + </p> + <p> + But when, to the unwonted excitement of going out, was added the intenser + interest of looking for a present for Evelina, Ann Eliza's agitation, + sharpened by concealment, actually preyed upon her rest; and it was not + till the present had been given, and she had unbosomed herself of the + experiences connected with its purchase, that she could look back with + anything like composure to that stirring moment of her life. From that day + forward, however, she began to take a certain tranquil pleasure in + thinking of Mr. Ramy's small shop, not unlike her own in its countrified + obscurity, though the layer of dust which covered its counter and shelves + made the comparison only superficially acceptable. Still, she did not + judge the state of the shop severely, for Mr. Ramy had told her that he + was alone in the world, and lone men, she was aware, did not know how to + deal with dust. It gave her a good deal of occupation to wonder why he had + never married, or if, on the other hand, he were a widower, and had lost + all his dear little children; and she scarcely knew which alternative + seemed to make him the more interesting. In either case, his life was + assuredly a sad one; and she passed many hours in speculating on the + manner in which he probably spent his evenings. She knew he lived at the + back of his shop, for she had caught, on entering, a glimpse of a dingy + room with a tumbled bed; and the pervading smell of cold fry suggested + that he probably did his own cooking. She wondered if he did not often + make his tea with water that had not boiled, and asked herself, almost + jealously, who looked after the shop while he went to market. Then it + occurred to her as likely that he bought his provisions at the same market + as Evelina; and she was fascinated by the thought that he and her sister + might constantly be meeting in total unconsciousness of the link between + them. Whenever she reached this stage in her reflexions she lifted a + furtive glance to the clock, whose loud staccato tick was becoming a part + of her inmost being. + </p> + <p> + The seed sown by these long hours of meditation germinated at last in the + secret wish to go to market some morning in Evelina's stead. As this + purpose rose to the surface of Ann Eliza's thoughts she shrank back shyly + from its contemplation. A plan so steeped in duplicity had never before + taken shape in her crystalline soul. How was it possible for her to + consider such a step? And, besides, (she did not possess sufficient logic + to mark the downward trend of this “besides”), what excuse could she make + that would not excite her sister's curiosity? From this second query it + was an easy descent to the third: how soon could she manage to go? + </p> + <p> + It was Evelina herself, who furnished the necessary pretext by awaking + with a sore throat on the day when she usually went to market. It was a + Saturday, and as they always had their bit of steak on Sunday the + expedition could not be postponed, and it seemed natural that Ann Eliza, + as she tied an old stocking around Evelina's throat, should announce her + intention of stepping round to the butcher's. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Ann Eliza, they'll cheat you so,” her sister wailed. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza brushed aside the imputation with a smile, and a few minutes + later, having set the room to rights, and cast a last glance at the shop, + she was tying on her bonnet with fumbling haste. + </p> + <p> + The morning was damp and cold, with a sky full of sulky clouds that would + not make room for the sun, but as yet dropped only an occasional + snow-flake. In the early light the street looked its meanest and most + neglected; but to Ann Eliza, never greatly troubled by any untidiness for + which she was not responsible, it seemed to wear a singularly friendly + aspect. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes' walk brought her to the market where Evelina made her + purchases, and where, if he had any sense of topographical fitness, Mr. + Ramy must also deal. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, making her way through the outskirts of potato-barrels and + flabby fish, found no one in the shop but the gory-aproned butcher who + stood in the background cutting chops. + </p> + <p> + As she approached him across the tesselation of fish-scales, blood and + saw-dust, he laid aside his cleaver and not unsympathetically asked: + “Sister sick?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, not very—jest a cold,” she answered, as guiltily as if + Evelina's illness had been feigned. “We want a steak as usual, please—and + my sister said you was to be sure to give me jest as good a cut as if it + was her,” she added with child-like candour. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right.” The butcher picked up his weapon with a grin. + “Your sister knows a cut as well as any of us,” he remarked. + </p> + <p> + In another moment, Ann Eliza reflected, the steak would be cut and wrapped + up, and no choice left her but to turn her disappointed steps toward home. + She was too shy to try to delay the butcher by such conversational arts as + she possessed, but the approach of a deaf old lady in an antiquated bonnet + and mantle gave her her opportunity. + </p> + <p> + “Wait on her first, please,” Ann Eliza whispered. “I ain't in any hurry.” + </p> + <p> + The butcher advanced to his new customer, and Ann Eliza, palpitating in + the back of the shop, saw that the old lady's hesitations between liver + and pork chops were likely to be indefinitely prolonged. They were still + unresolved when she was interrupted by the entrance of a blowsy Irish girl + with a basket on her arm. The newcomer caused a momentary diversion, and + when she had departed the old lady, who was evidently as intolerant of + interruption as a professional story-teller, insisted on returning to the + beginning of her complicated order, and weighing anew, with an anxious + appeal to the butcher's arbitration, the relative advantages of pork and + liver. But even her hesitations, and the intrusion on them of two or three + other customers, were of no avail, for Mr. Ramy was not among those who + entered the shop; and at last Ann Eliza, ashamed of staying longer, + reluctantly claimed her steak, and walked home through the thickening + snow. + </p> + <p> + Even to her simple judgment the vanity of her hopes was plain, and in the + clear light that disappointment turns upon our actions she wondered how + she could have been foolish enough to suppose that, even if Mr. Ramy <i>did</i> + go to that particular market, he would hit on the same day and hour as + herself. + </p> + <p> + There followed a colourless week unmarked by farther incident. The old + stocking cured Evelina's throat, and Mrs. Hawkins dropped in once or twice + to talk of her baby's teeth; some new orders for pinking were received, + and Evelina sold a bonnet to the lady with puffed sleeves. The lady with + puffed sleeves—a resident of “the Square,” whose name they had never + learned, because she always carried her own parcels home—was the + most distinguished and interesting figure on their horizon. She was + youngish, she was elegant (as the title they had given her implied), and + she had a sweet sad smile about which they had woven many histories; but + even the news of her return to town—it was her first apparition that + year—failed to arouse Ann Eliza's interest. All the small daily + happenings which had once sufficed to fill the hours now appeared to her + in their deadly insignificance; and for the first time in her long years + of drudgery she rebelled at the dullness of her life. With Evelina such + fits of discontent were habitual and openly proclaimed, and Ann Eliza + still excused them as one of the prerogatives of youth. Besides, Evelina + had not been intended by Providence to pine in such a narrow life: in the + original plan of things, she had been meant to marry and have a baby, to + wear silk on Sundays, and take a leading part in a Church circle. Hitherto + opportunity had played her false; and for all her superior aspirations and + carefully crimped hair she had remained as obscure and unsought as Ann + Eliza. But the elder sister, who had long since accepted her own fate, had + never accepted Evelina's. Once a pleasant young man who taught in + Sunday-school had paid the younger Miss Bunner a few shy visits. That was + years since, and he had speedily vanished from their view. Whether he had + carried with him any of Evelina's illusions, Ann Eliza had never + discovered; but his attentions had clad her sister in a halo of exquisite + possibilities. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, in those days, had never dreamed of allowing herself the luxury + of self-pity: it seemed as much a personal right of Evelina's as her + elaborately crinkled hair. But now she began to transfer to herself a + portion of the sympathy she had so long bestowed on Evelina. She had at + last recognized her right to set up some lost opportunities of her own; + and once that dangerous precedent established, they began to crowd upon + her memory. + </p> + <p> + It was at this stage of Ann Eliza's transformation that Evelina, looking + up one evening from her work, said suddenly: “My! She's stopped.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, raising her eyes from a brown merino seam, followed her + sister's glance across the room. It was a Monday, and they always wound + the clock on Sundays. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure you wound her yesterday, Evelina?” + </p> + <p> + “Jest as sure as I live. She must be broke. I'll go and see.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina laid down the hat she was trimming, and took the clock from its + shelf. + </p> + <p> + “There—I knew it! She's wound jest as <i>tight</i>—what you suppose's + happened to her, Ann Eliza?” + </p> + <p> + “I dunno, I'm sure,” said the elder sister, wiping her spectacles before + proceeding to a close examination of the clock. + </p> + <p> + With anxiously bent heads the two women shook and turned it, as though + they were trying to revive a living thing; but it remained unresponsive to + their touch, and at length Evelina laid it down with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Seems like somethin' <i>dead</i>, don't it, Ann Eliza? How still the room is!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ain't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'll put her back where she belongs,” Evelina continued, in the + tone of one about to perform the last offices for the departed. “And I + guess,” she added, “you'll have to step round to Mr. Ramy's to-morrow, and + see if he can fix her.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's face burned. “I—yes, I guess I'll have to,” she + stammered, stooping to pick up a spool of cotton which had rolled to the + floor. A sudden heart-throb stretched the seams of her flat alpaca bosom, + and a pulse leapt to life in each of her temples. + </p> + <p> + That night, long after Evelina slept, Ann Eliza lay awake in the + unfamiliar silence, more acutely conscious of the nearness of the crippled + clock than when it had volubly told out the minutes. The next morning she + woke from a troubled dream of having carried it to Mr. Ramy's, and found + that he and his shop had vanished; and all through the day's occupations + the memory of this dream oppressed her. + </p> + <p> + It had been agreed that Ann Eliza should take the clock to be repaired as + soon as they had dined; but while they were still at table a weak-eyed + little girl in a black apron stabbed with innumerable pins burst in on + them with the cry: “Oh, Miss Bunner, for mercy's sake! Miss Mellins has + been took again.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Mellins was the dress-maker upstairs, and the weak-eyed child one of + her youthful apprentices. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza started from her seat. “I'll come at once. Quick, Evelina, the + cordial!” + </p> + <p> + By this euphemistic name the sisters designated a bottle of cherry brandy, + the last of a dozen inherited from their grandmother, which they kept + locked in their cupboard against such emergencies. A moment later, cordial + in hand, Ann Eliza was hurrying upstairs behind the weak-eyed child. + </p> + <p> + Miss Mellins' “turn” was sufficiently serious to detain Ann Eliza for + nearly two hours, and dusk had fallen when she took up the depleted bottle + of cordial and descended again to the shop. It was empty, as usual, and + Evelina sat at her pinking-machine in the back room. Ann Eliza was still + agitated by her efforts to restore the dress-maker, but in spite of her + preoccupation she was struck, as soon as she entered, by the loud tick of + the clock, which still stood on the shelf where she had left it. + </p> + <p> + “Why, she's going!” she gasped, before Evelina could question her about + Miss Mellins. “Did she start up again by herself?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no; but I couldn't stand not knowing what time it was, I've got so + accustomed to having her round; and just after you went upstairs Mrs. + Hawkins dropped in, so I asked her to tend the store for a minute, and I + clapped on my things and ran right round to Mr. Ramy's. It turned out + there wasn't anything the matter with her—nothin' on'y a speck of + dust in the works—and he fixed her for me in a minute and I brought + her right back. Ain't it lovely to hear her going again? But tell me about + Miss Mellins, quick!” + </p> + <p> + For a moment Ann Eliza found no words. Not till she learned that she had + missed her chance did she understand how many hopes had hung upon it. Even + now she did not know why she had wanted so much to see the clock-maker + again. + </p> + <p> + “I s'pose it's because nothing's ever happened to me,” she thought, with a + twinge of envy for the fate which gave Evelina every opportunity that came + their way. “She had the Sunday-school teacher too,” Ann Eliza murmured to + herself; but she was well-trained in the arts of renunciation, and after a + scarcely perceptible pause she plunged into a detailed description of the + dress-maker's “turn.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina, when her curiosity was roused, was an insatiable questioner, and + it was supper-time before she had come to the end of her enquiries about + Miss Mellins; but when the two sisters had seated themselves at their + evening meal Ann Eliza at last found a chance to say: “So she on'y had a + speck of dust in her.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina understood at once that the reference was not to Miss Mellins. + “Yes—at least he thinks so,” she answered, helping herself as a + matter of course to the first cup of tea. + </p> + <p> + “On'y to think!” murmured Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “But he isn't <i>sure</i>,” Evelina continued, absently pushing the teapot toward + her sister. “It may be something wrong with the—I forget what he + called it. Anyhow, he said he'd call round and see, day after to-morrow, + after supper.” + </p> + <p> + “Who said?” gasped Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Mr. Ramy, of course. I think he's real nice, Ann Eliza. And I don't + believe he's forty; but he <i>does</i> look sick. I guess he's pretty lonesome, + all by himself in that store. He as much as told me so, and somehow”—Evelina + paused and bridled—“I kinder thought that maybe his saying he'd call + round about the clock was on'y just an excuse. He said it just as I was + going out of the store. What you think, Ann Eliza?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't har'ly know.” To save herself, Ann Eliza could produce + nothing warmer. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't pretend to be smarter than other folks,” said Evelina, + putting a conscious hand to her hair, “but I guess Mr. Herman Ramy + wouldn't be sorry to pass an evening here, 'stead of spending it all alone + in that poky little place of his.” + </p> + <p> + Her self-consciousness irritated Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “I guess he's got plenty of friends of his own,” she said, almost harshly. + </p> + <p> + “No, he ain't, either. He's got hardly any.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he tell you that too?” Even to her own ears there was a faint sneer + in the interrogation. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he did,” said Evelina, dropping her lids with a smile. “He seemed to + be just crazy to talk to somebody—somebody agreeable, I mean. I + think the man's unhappy, Ann Eliza.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” broke from the elder sister. + </p> + <p> + “He seems such an educated man, too. He was reading the paper when I went + in. Ain't it sad to think of his being reduced to that little store, after + being years at Tiff'ny's, and one of the head men in their + clock-department?” + </p> + <p> + “He told you all that?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes. I think he'd a' told me everything ever happened to him if I'd + had the time to stay and listen. I tell you he's dead lonely, Ann Eliza.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III + </h2> + <p> + Two days afterward, Ann Eliza noticed that Evelina, before they sat down + to supper, pinned a crimson bow under her collar; and when the meal was + finished the younger sister, who seldom concerned herself with the + clearing of the table, set about with nervous haste to help Ann Eliza in + the removal of the dishes. + </p> + <p> + “I hate to see food mussing about,” she grumbled. “Ain't it hateful having + to do everything in one room?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Evelina, I've always thought we was so comfortable,” Ann Eliza + protested. + </p> + <p> + “Well, so we are, comfortable enough; but I don't suppose there's any harm + in my saying I wisht we had a parlour, is there? Anyway, we might manage + to buy a screen to hide the bed.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza coloured. There was something vaguely embarrassing in Evelina's + suggestion. + </p> + <p> + “I always think if we ask for more what we have may be taken from us,” she + ventured. + </p> + <p> + “Well, whoever took it wouldn't get much,” Evelina retorted with a laugh + as she swept up the table-cloth. + </p> + <p> + A few moments later the back room was in its usual flawless order and the + two sisters had seated themselves near the lamp. Ann Eliza had taken up + her sewing, and Evelina was preparing to make artificial flowers. The + sisters usually relegated this more delicate business to the long leisure + of the summer months; but to-night Evelina had brought out the box which + lay all winter under the bed, and spread before her a bright array of + muslin petals, yellow stamens and green corollas, and a tray of little + implements curiously suggestive of the dental art. Ann Eliza made no + remark on this unusual proceeding; perhaps she guessed why, for that + evening her sister had chosen a graceful task. + </p> + <p> + Presently a knock on the outer door made them look up; but Evelina, the + first on her feet, said promptly: “Sit still. I'll see who it is.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza was glad to sit still: the baby's petticoat that she was + stitching shook in her fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Sister, here's Mr. Ramy come to look at the clock,” said Evelina, a + moment later, in the high drawl she cultivated before strangers; and a + shortish man with a pale bearded face and upturned coat-collar came + stiffly into the room. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza let her work fall as she stood up. “You're very welcome, I'm + sure, Mr. Ramy. It's real kind of you to call.” + </p> + <p> + “Nod ad all, ma'am.” A tendency to illustrate Grimm's law in the + interchange of his consonants betrayed the clockmaker's nationality, but + he was evidently used to speaking English, or at least the particular + branch of the vernacular with which the Bunner sisters were familiar. “I + don't like to led any clock go out of my store without being sure it gives + satisfaction,” he added. + </p> + <p> + “Oh—but we were satisfied,” Ann Eliza assured him. + </p> + <p> + “But I wasn't, you see, ma'am,” said Mr. Ramy looking slowly about the + room, “nor I won't be, not till I see that clock's going all right.” + </p> + <p> + “May I assist you off with your coat, Mr. Ramy?” Evelina interposed. She + could never trust Ann Eliza to remember these opening ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, ma'am,” he replied, and taking his thread-bare over-coat and + shabby hat she laid them on a chair with the gesture she imagined the lady + with the puffed sleeves might make use of on similar occasions. Ann + Eliza's social sense was roused, and she felt that the next act of + hospitality must be hers. “Won't you suit yourself to a seat?” she + suggested. “My sister will reach down the clock; but I'm sure she's all + right again. She's went beautiful ever since you fixed her.” + </p> + <p> + “Dat's good,” said Mr. Ramy. His lips parted in a smile which showed a row + of yellowish teeth with one or two gaps in it; but in spite of this + disclosure Ann Eliza thought his smile extremely pleasant: there was + something wistful and conciliating in it which agreed with the pathos of + his sunken cheeks and prominent eyes. As he took the lamp, the light fell + on his bulging forehead and wide skull thinly covered with grayish hair. + His hands were pale and broad, with knotty joints and square finger-tips + rimmed with grime; but his touch was as light as a woman's. + </p> + <p> + “Well, ladies, dat clock's all right,” he pronounced. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure we're very much obliged to you,” said Evelina, throwing a glance + at her sister. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” Ann Eliza murmured, involuntarily answering the admonition. She + selected a key from the bunch that hung at her waist with her cutting-out + scissors, and fitting it into the lock of the cupboard, brought out the + cherry brandy and three old-fashioned glasses engraved with vine-wreaths. + </p> + <p> + “It's a very cold night,” she said, “and maybe you'd like a sip of this + cordial. It was made a great while ago by our grandmother.” + </p> + <p> + “It looks fine,” said Mr. Ramy bowing, and Ann Eliza filled the glasses. + In her own and Evelina's she poured only a few drops, but she filled their + guest's to the brim. “My sister and I seldom take wine,” she explained. + </p> + <p> + With another bow, which included both his hostesses, Mr. Ramy drank off + the cherry brandy and pronounced it excellent. + </p> + <p> + Evelina meanwhile, with an assumption of industry intended to put their + guest at ease, had taken up her instruments and was twisting a rose-petal + into shape. + </p> + <p> + “You make artificial flowers, I see, ma'am,” said Mr. Ramy with interest. + “It's very pretty work. I had a lady-vriend in Shermany dat used to make + flowers.” He put out a square finger-tip to touch the petal. + </p> + <p> + Evelina blushed a little. “You left Germany long ago, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me yes, a goot while ago. I was only ninedeen when I come to the + States.” + </p> + <p> + After this the conversation dragged on intermittently till Mr. Ramy, + peering about the room with the short-sighted glance of his race, said + with an air of interest: “You're pleasantly fixed here; it looks real + cosy.” The note of wistfulness in his voice was obscurely moving to Ann + Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we live very plainly,” said Evelina, with an affectation of grandeur + deeply impressive to her sister. “We have very simple tastes.” + </p> + <p> + “You look real comfortable, anyhow,” said Mr. Ramy. His bulging eyes + seemed to muster the details of the scene with a gentle envy. “I wisht I + had as good a store; but I guess no blace seems home-like when you're + always alone in it.” + </p> + <p> + For some minutes longer the conversation moved on at this desultory pace, + and then Mr. Ramy, who had been obviously nerving himself for the + difficult act of departure, took his leave with an abruptness which would + have startled anyone used to the subtler gradations of intercourse. But to + Ann Eliza and her sister there was nothing surprising in his abrupt + retreat. The long-drawn agonies of preparing to leave, and the subsequent + dumb plunge through the door, were so usual in their circle that they + would have been as much embarrassed as Mr. Ramy if he had tried to put any + fluency into his adieux. + </p> + <p> + After he had left both sisters remained silent for a while; then Evelina, + laying aside her unfinished flower, said: “I'll go and lock up.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV + </h2> + <p> + Intolerably monotonous seemed now to the Bunner sisters the treadmill + routine of the shop, colourless and long their evenings about the lamp, + aimless their habitual interchange of words to the weary accompaniment of + the sewing and pinking machines. + </p> + <p> + It was perhaps with the idea of relieving the tension of their mood that + Evelina, the following Sunday, suggested inviting Miss Mellins to supper. + The Bunner sisters were not in a position to be lavish of the humblest + hospitality, but two or three times in the year they shared their evening + meal with a friend; and Miss Mellins, still flushed with the importance of + her “turn,” seemed the most interesting guest they could invite. + </p> + <p> + As the three women seated themselves at the supper-table, embellished by + the unwonted addition of pound cake and sweet pickles, the dress-maker's + sharp swarthy person stood out vividly between the neutral-tinted sisters. + Miss Mellins was a small woman with a glossy yellow face and a frizz of + black hair bristling with imitation tortoise-shell pins. Her sleeves had a + fashionable cut, and half a dozen metal bangles rattled on her wrists. Her + voice rattled like her bangles as she poured forth a stream of anecdote + and ejaculation; and her round black eyes jumped with acrobatic velocity + from one face to another. Miss Mellins was always having or hearing of + amazing adventures. She had surprised a burglar in her room at midnight + (though how he got there, what he robbed her of, and by what means he + escaped had never been quite clear to her auditors); she had been warned + by anonymous letters that her grocer (a rejected suitor) was putting + poison in her tea; she had a customer who was shadowed by detectives, and + another (a very wealthy lady) who had been arrested in a department store + for kleptomania; she had been present at a spiritualist seance where an + old gentleman had died in a fit on seeing a materialization of his + mother-in-law; she had escaped from two fires in her night-gown, and at + the funeral of her first cousin the horses attached to the hearse had run + away and smashed the coffin, precipitating her relative into an open + man-hole before the eyes of his distracted family. + </p> + <p> + A sceptical observer might have explained Miss Mellins's proneness to + adventure by the fact that she derived her chief mental nourishment from + the Police Gazette and the Fireside Weekly; but her lot was cast in a + circle where such insinuations were not likely to be heard, and where the + title-role in blood-curdling drama had long been her recognized right. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she was now saying, her emphatic eyes on Ann Eliza, “you may not + believe it, Miss Bunner, and I don't know's I should myself if anybody + else was to tell me, but over a year before ever I was born, my mother she + went to see a gypsy fortune-teller that was exhibited in a tent on the + Battery with the green-headed lady, though her father warned her not to—and + what you s'pose she told her? Why, she told her these very words—says + she: 'Your next child'll be a girl with jet-black curls, and she'll suffer + from spasms.'” + </p> + <p> + “Mercy!” murmured Ann Eliza, a ripple of sympathy running down her spine. + </p> + <p> + “D'you ever have spasms before, Miss Mellins?” Evelina asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am,” the dress-maker declared. “And where'd you suppose I had + 'em? Why, at my cousin Emma McIntyre's wedding, her that married the + apothecary over in Jersey City, though her mother appeared to her in a + dream and told her she'd rue the day she done it, but as Emma said, she + got more advice than she wanted from the living, and if she was to listen + to spectres too she'd never be sure what she'd ought to do and what she'd + oughtn't; but I will say her husband took to drink, and she never was the + same woman after her fust baby—well, they had an elegant church + wedding, and what you s'pose I saw as I was walkin' up the aisle with the + wedding percession?” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” Ann Eliza whispered, forgetting to thread her needle. + </p> + <p> + “Why, a coffin, to be sure, right on the top step of the chancel—Emma's + folks is 'piscopalians and she would have a church wedding, though <i>his</i> + mother raised a terrible rumpus over it—well, there it set, right in + front of where the minister stood that was going to marry 'em, a coffin + covered with a black velvet pall with a gold fringe, and a 'Gates Ajar' in + white camellias atop of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Goodness,” said Evelina, starting, “there's a knock!” + </p> + <p> + “Who can it be?” shuddered Ann Eliza, still under the spell of Miss + Mellins's hallucination. + </p> + <p> + Evelina rose and lit a candle to guide her through the shop. They heard + her turn the key of the outer door, and a gust of night air stirred the + close atmosphere of the back room; then there was a sound of vivacious + exclamations, and Evelina returned with Mr. Ramy. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's heart rocked like a boat in a heavy sea, and the dress-maker's + eyes, distended with curiosity, sprang eagerly from face to face. + </p> + <p> + “I just thought I'd call in again,” said Mr. Ramy, evidently somewhat + disconcerted by the presence of Miss Mellins. “Just to see how the clock's + behaving,” he added with his hollow-cheeked smile. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she's behaving beautiful,” said Ann Eliza; “but we're real glad to + see you all the same. Miss Mellins, let me make you acquainted with Mr. + Ramy.” + </p> + <p> + The dress-maker tossed back her head and dropped her lids in condescending + recognition of the stranger's presence; and Mr. Ramy responded by an + awkward bow. After the first moment of constraint a renewed sense of + satisfaction filled the consciousness of the three women. The Bunner + sisters were not sorry to let Miss Mellins see that they received an + occasional evening visit, and Miss Mellins was clearly enchanted at the + opportunity of pouring her latest tale into a new ear. As for Mr. Ramy, he + adjusted himself to the situation with greater ease than might have been + expected, and Evelina, who had been sorry that he should enter the room + while the remains of supper still lingered on the table, blushed with + pleasure at his good-humored offer to help her “glear away.” + </p> + <p> + The table cleared, Ann Eliza suggested a game of cards; and it was after + eleven o'clock when Mr. Ramy rose to take leave. His adieux were so much + less abrupt than on the occasion of his first visit that Evelina was able + to satisfy her sense of etiquette by escorting him, candle in hand, to the + outer door; and as the two disappeared into the shop Miss Mellins + playfully turned to Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, Miss Bunner,” she murmured, jerking her chin in the direction + of the retreating figures, “I'd no idea your sister was keeping company. + On'y to think!” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, roused from a state of dreamy beatitude, turned her timid eyes + on the dress-maker. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you're mistaken, Miss Mellins. We don't har'ly know Mr. Ramy.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Mellins smiled incredulously. “You go 'long, Miss Bunner. I guess + there'll be a wedding somewheres round here before spring, and I'll be + real offended if I ain't asked to make the dress. I've always seen her in + a gored satin with rooshings.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza made no answer. She had grown very pale, and her eyes lingered + searchingly on Evelina as the younger sister re-entered the room. + Evelina's cheeks were pink, and her blue eyes glittered; but it seemed to + Ann Eliza that the coquettish tilt of her head regrettably emphasized the + weakness of her receding chin. It was the first time that Ann Eliza had + ever seen a flaw in her sister's beauty, and her involuntary criticism + startled her like a secret disloyalty. + </p> + <p> + That night, after the light had been put out, the elder sister knelt + longer than usual at her prayers. In the silence of the darkened room she + was offering up certain dreams and aspirations whose brief blossoming had + lent a transient freshness to her days. She wondered now how she could + ever have supposed that Mr. Ramy's visits had another cause than the one + Miss Mellins suggested. Had not the sight of Evelina first inspired him + with a sudden solicitude for the welfare of the clock? And what charms but + Evelina's could have induced him to repeat his visit? Grief held up its + torch to the frail fabric of Ann Eliza's illusions, and with a firm heart + she watched them shrivel into ashes; then, rising from her knees full of + the chill joy of renunciation, she laid a kiss on the crimping pins of the + sleeping Evelina and crept under the bedspread at her side. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V + </h2> + <p> + During the months that followed, Mr. Ramy visited the sisters with + increasing frequency. It became his habit to call on them every Sunday + evening, and occasionally during the week he would find an excuse for + dropping in unannounced as they were settling down to their work beside + the lamp. Ann Eliza noticed that Evelina now took the precaution of + putting on her crimson bow every evening before supper, and that she had + refurbished with a bit of carefully washed lace the black silk which they + still called new because it had been bought a year after Ann Eliza's. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ramy, as he grew more intimate, became less conversational, and after + the sisters had blushingly accorded him the privilege of a pipe he began + to permit himself long stretches of meditative silence that were not + without charm to his hostesses. There was something at once fortifying and + pacific in the sense of that tranquil male presence in an atmosphere which + had so long quivered with little feminine doubts and distresses; and the + sisters fell into the habit of saying to each other, in moments of + uncertainty: “We'll ask Mr. Ramy when he comes,” and of accepting his + verdict, whatever it might be, with a fatalistic readiness that relieved + them of all responsibility. + </p> + <p> + When Mr. Ramy drew the pipe from his mouth and became, in his turn, + confidential, the acuteness of their sympathy grew almost painful to the + sisters. With passionate participation they listened to the story of his + early struggles in Germany, and of the long illness which had been the + cause of his recent misfortunes. The name of the Mrs. Hochmuller (an old + comrade's widow) who had nursed him through his fever was greeted with + reverential sighs and an inward pang of envy whenever it recurred in his + biographical monologues, and once when the sisters were alone Evelina + called a responsive flush to Ann Eliza's brow by saying suddenly, without + the mention of any name: “I wonder what she's like?” + </p> + <p> + One day toward spring Mr. Ramy, who had by this time become as much a part + of their lives as the letter-carrier or the milkman, ventured the + suggestion that the ladies should accompany him to an exhibition of + stereopticon views which was to take place at Chickering Hall on the + following evening. + </p> + <p> + After their first breathless “Oh!” of pleasure there was a silence of + mutual consultation, which Ann Eliza at last broke by saying: “You better + go with Mr. Ramy, Evelina. I guess we don't both want to leave the store + at night.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina, with such protests as politeness demanded, acquiesced in this + opinion, and spent the next day in trimming a white chip bonnet with + forget-me-nots of her own making. Ann Eliza brought out her mosaic brooch, + a cashmere scarf of their mother's was taken from its linen cerements, and + thus adorned Evelina blushingly departed with Mr. Ramy, while the elder + sister sat down in her place at the pinking-machine. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Ann Eliza that she was alone for hours, and she was + surprised, when she heard Evelina tap on the door, to find that the clock + marked only half-past ten. + </p> + <p> + “It must have gone wrong again,” she reflected as she rose to let her + sister in. + </p> + <p> + The evening had been brilliantly interesting, and several striking + stereopticon views of Berlin had afforded Mr. Ramy the opportunity of + enlarging on the marvels of his native city. + </p> + <p> + “He said he'd love to show it all to me!” Evelina declared as Ann Eliza + conned her glowing face. “Did you ever hear anything so silly? I didn't + know which way to look.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza received this confidence with a sympathetic murmur. + </p> + <p> + “My bonnet <i>is</i> becoming, isn't it?” Evelina went on irrelevantly, smiling + at her reflection in the cracked glass above the chest of drawers. + </p> + <p> + “You're jest lovely,” said Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + Spring was making itself unmistakably known to the distrustful New Yorker + by an increased harshness of wind and prevalence of dust, when one day + Evelina entered the back room at supper-time with a cluster of jonquils in + her hand. + </p> + <p> + “I was just that foolish,” she answered Ann Eliza's wondering glance, “I + couldn't help buyin' 'em. I felt as if I must have something pretty to + look at right away.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sister,” said Ann Eliza, in trembling sympathy. She felt that special + indulgence must be conceded to those in Evelina's state since she had had + her own fleeting vision of such mysterious longings as the words betrayed. + </p> + <p> + Evelina, meanwhile, had taken the bundle of dried grasses out of the + broken china vase, and was putting the jonquils in their place with + touches that lingered down their smooth stems and blade-like leaves. + </p> + <p> + “Ain't they pretty?” she kept repeating as she gathered the flowers into a + starry circle. “Seems as if spring was really here, don't it?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza remembered that it was Mr. Ramy's evening. + </p> + <p> + When he came, the Teutonic eye for anything that blooms made him turn at + once to the jonquils. + </p> + <p> + “Ain't dey pretty?” he said. “Seems like as if de spring was really here.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't it?” Evelina exclaimed, thrilled by the coincidence of their + thought. “It's just what I was saying to my sister.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza got up suddenly and moved away; she remembered that she had not + wound the clock the day before. Evelina was sitting at the table; the + jonquils rose slenderly between herself and Mr. Ramy. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” she murmured with vague eyes, “how I'd love to get away somewheres + into the country this very minute—somewheres where it was green and + quiet. Seems as if I couldn't stand the city another day.” But Ann Eliza + noticed that she was looking at Mr. Ramy, and not at the flowers. + </p> + <p> + “I guess we might go to Cendral Park some Sunday,” their visitor + suggested. “Do you ever go there, Miss Evelina?” + </p> + <p> + “No, we don't very often; leastways we ain't been for a good while.” She + sparkled at the prospect. “It would be lovely, wouldn't it, Ann Eliza?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes,” said the elder sister, coming back to her seat. + </p> + <p> + “Well, why don't we go next Sunday?” Mr. Ramy continued. “And we'll invite + Miss Mellins too—that'll make a gosy little party.” + </p> + <p> + That night when Evelina undressed she took a jonquil from the vase and + pressed it with a certain ostentation between the leaves of her + prayer-book. Ann Eliza, covertly observing her, felt that Evelina was not + sorry to be observed, and that her own acute consciousness of the act was + somehow regarded as magnifying its significance. + </p> + <p> + The following Sunday broke blue and warm. The Bunner sisters were habitual + church-goers, but for once they left their prayer-books on the what-not, + and ten o'clock found them, gloved and bonneted, awaiting Miss Mellins's + knock. Miss Mellins presently appeared in a glitter of jet sequins and + spangles, with a tale of having seen a strange man prowling under her + windows till he was called off at dawn by a confederate's whistle; and + shortly afterward came Mr. Ramy, his hair brushed with more than usual + care, his broad hands encased in gloves of olive-green kid. + </p> + <p> + The little party set out for the nearest street-car, and a flutter of + mingled gratification and embarrassment stirred Ann Eliza's bosom when it + was found that Mr. Ramy intended to pay their fares. Nor did he fail to + live up to this opening liberality; for after guiding them through the + Mall and the Ramble he led the way to a rustic restaurant where, also at + his expense, they fared idyllically on milk and lemon-pie. + </p> + <p> + After this they resumed their walk, strolling on with the slowness of + unaccustomed holiday-makers from one path to another—through budding + shrubberies, past grass-banks sprinkled with lilac crocuses, and under + rocks on which the forsythia lay like sudden sunshine. Everything about + her seemed new and miraculously lovely to Ann Eliza; but she kept her + feelings to herself, leaving it to Evelina to exclaim at the hepaticas + under the shady ledges, and to Miss Mellins, less interested in the + vegetable than in the human world, to remark significantly on the probable + history of the persons they met. All the alleys were thronged with + promenaders and obstructed by perambulators; and Miss Mellins's running + commentary threw a glare of lurid possibilities over the placid family + groups and their romping progeny. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza was in no mood for such interpretations of life; but, knowing + that Miss Mellins had been invited for the sole purpose of keeping her + company she continued to cling to the dress-maker's side, letting Mr. Ramy + lead the way with Evelina. Miss Mellins, stimulated by the excitement of + the occasion, grew more and more discursive, and her ceaseless talk, and + the kaleidoscopic whirl of the crowd, were unspeakably bewildering to Ann + Eliza. Her feet, accustomed to the slippered ease of the shop, ached with + the unfamiliar effort of walking, and her ears with the din of the + dress-maker's anecdotes; but every nerve in her was aware of Evelina's + enjoyment, and she was determined that no weariness of hers should curtail + it. Yet even her heroism shrank from the significant glances which Miss + Mellins presently began to cast at the couple in front of them: Ann Eliza + could bear to connive at Evelina's bliss, but not to acknowledge it to + others. + </p> + <p> + At length Evelina's feet also failed her, and she turned to suggest that + they ought to be going home. Her flushed face had grown pale with fatigue, + but her eyes were radiant. + </p> + <p> + The return lived in Ann Eliza's memory with the persistence of an evil + dream. The horse-cars were packed with the returning throng, and they had + to let a dozen go by before they could push their way into one that was + already crowded. Ann Eliza had never before felt so tired. Even Miss + Mellins's flow of narrative ran dry, and they sat silent, wedged between a + negro woman and a pock-marked man with a bandaged head, while the car + rumbled slowly down a squalid avenue to their corner. Evelina and Mr. Ramy + sat together in the forward part of the car, and Ann Eliza could catch + only an occasional glimpse of the forget-me-not bonnet and the + clock-maker's shiny coat-collar; but when the little party got out at + their corner the crowd swept them together again, and they walked back in + the effortless silence of tired children to the Bunner sisters' basement. + As Miss Mellins and Mr. Ramy turned to go their various ways Evelina + mustered a last display of smiles; but Ann Eliza crossed the threshold in + silence, feeling the stillness of the little shop reach out to her like + consoling arms. + </p> + <p> + That night she could not sleep; but as she lay cold and rigid at her + sister's side, she suddenly felt the pressure of Evelina's arms, and heard + her whisper: “Oh, Ann Eliza, warn't it heavenly?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI + </h2> + <p> + For four days after their Sunday in the Park the Bunner sisters had no + news of Mr. Ramy. At first neither one betrayed her disappointment and + anxiety to the other; but on the fifth morning Evelina, always the first + to yield to her feelings, said, as she turned from her untasted tea: “I + thought you'd oughter take that money out by now, Ann Eliza.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza understood and reddened. The winter had been a fairly prosperous + one for the sisters, and their slowly accumulated savings had now reached + the handsome sum of two hundred dollars; but the satisfaction they might + have felt in this unwonted opulence had been clouded by a suggestion of + Miss Mellins's that there were dark rumours concerning the savings bank in + which their funds were deposited. They knew Miss Mellins was given to vain + alarms; but her words, by the sheer force of repetition, had so shaken Ann + Eliza's peace that after long hours of midnight counsel the sisters had + decided to advise with Mr. Ramy; and on Ann Eliza, as the head of the + house, this duty had devolved. Mr. Ramy, when consulted, had not only + confirmed the dress-maker's report, but had offered to find some safe + investment which should give the sisters a higher rate of interest than + the suspected savings bank; and Ann Eliza knew that Evelina alluded to the + suggested transfer. + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes, to be sure,” she agreed. “Mr. Ramy said if he was us he + wouldn't want to leave his money there any longer'n he could help.” + </p> + <p> + “It was over a week ago he said it,” Evelina reminded her. + </p> + <p> + “I know; but he told me to wait till he'd found out for sure about that + other investment; and we ain't seen him since then.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's words released their secret fear. “I wonder what's happened to + him,” Evelina said. “You don't suppose he could be sick?” + </p> + <p> + “I was wondering too,” Ann Eliza rejoined; and the sisters looked down at + their plates. + </p> + <p> + “I should think you'd oughter do something about that money pretty soon,” + Evelina began again. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I know I'd oughter. What would you do if you was me?” + </p> + <p> + “If I was <i>you</i>,” said her sister, with perceptible emphasis and a rising + blush, “I'd go right round and see if Mr. Ramy was sick. <i>You</i> could.” + </p> + <p> + The words pierced Ann Eliza like a blade. “Yes, that's so,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “It would only seem friendly, if he really <i>is</i> sick. If I was you I'd go + to-day,” Evelina continued; and after dinner Ann Eliza went. + </p> + <p> + On the way she had to leave a parcel at the dyer's, and having performed + that errand she turned toward Mr. Ramy's shop. Never before had she felt + so old, so hopeless and humble. She knew she was bound on a love-errand of + Evelina's, and the knowledge seemed to dry the last drop of young blood in + her veins. It took from her, too, all her faded virginal shyness; and with + a brisk composure she turned the handle of the clock-maker's door. + </p> + <p> + But as she entered her heart began to tremble, for she saw Mr. Ramy, his + face hidden in his hands, sitting behind the counter in an attitude of + strange dejection. At the click of the latch he looked up slowly, fixing a + lustreless stare on Ann Eliza. For a moment she thought he did not know + her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you're sick!” she exclaimed; and the sound of her voice seemed to + recall his wandering senses. + </p> + <p> + “Why, if it ain't Miss Bunner!” he said, in a low thick tone; but he made + no attempt to move, and she noticed that his face was the colour of yellow + ashes. + </p> + <p> + “You <i>are</i> sick,” she persisted, emboldened by his evident need of help. + “Mr. Ramy, it was real unfriendly of you not to let us know.” + </p> + <p> + He continued to look at her with dull eyes. “I ain't been sick,” he said. + “Leastways not very: only one of my old turns.” He spoke in a slow + laboured way, as if he had difficulty in getting his words together. + </p> + <p> + “Rheumatism?” she ventured, seeing how unwillingly he seemed to move. + </p> + <p> + “Well—somethin' like, maybe. I couldn't hardly put a name to it.” + </p> + <p> + “If it <i>was</i> anything like rheumatism, my grandmother used to make a tea—” + Ann Eliza began: she had forgotten, in the warmth of the moment, that she + had only come as Evelina's messenger. + </p> + <p> + At the mention of tea an expression of uncontrollable repugnance passed + over Mr. Ramy's face. “Oh, I guess I'm getting on all right. I've just got + a headache to-day.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's courage dropped at the note of refusal in his voice. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry,” she said gently. “My sister and me'd have been glad to do + anything we could for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you kindly,” said Mr. Ramy wearily; then, as she turned to the + door, he added with an effort: “Maybe I'll step round to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll be real glad,” Ann Eliza repeated. Her eyes were fixed on a dusty + bronze clock in the window. She was unaware of looking at it at the time, + but long afterward she remembered that it represented a Newfoundland dog + with his paw on an open book. + </p> + <p> + When she reached home there was a purchaser in the shop, turning over + hooks and eyes under Evelina's absent-minded supervision. Ann Eliza passed + hastily into the back room, but in an instant she heard her sister at her + side. + </p> + <p> + “Quick! I told her I was goin' to look for some smaller hooks—how is + he?” Evelina gasped. + </p> + <p> + “He ain't been very well,” said Ann Eliza slowly, her eyes on Evelina's + eager face; “but he says he'll be sure to be round to-morrow night.” + </p> + <p> + “He will? Are you telling me the truth?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Evelina Bunner!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't care!” cried the younger recklessly, rushing back into the + shop. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza stood burning with the shame of Evelina's self-exposure. She was + shocked that, even to her, Evelina should lay bare the nakedness of her + emotion; and she tried to turn her thoughts from it as though its + recollection made her a sharer in her sister's debasement. + </p> + <p> + The next evening, Mr. Ramy reappeared, still somewhat sallow and + red-lidded, but otherwise his usual self. Ann Eliza consulted him about + the investment he had recommended, and after it had been settled that he + should attend to the matter for her he took up the illustrated volume of + Longfellow—for, as the sisters had learned, his culture soared + beyond the newspapers—and read aloud, with a fine confusion of + consonants, the poem on “Maidenhood.” Evelina lowered her lids while he + read. It was a very beautiful evening, and Ann Eliza thought afterward how + different life might have been with a companion who read poetry like Mr. + Ramy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII + </h2> + <p> + During the ensuing weeks Mr. Ramy, though his visits were as frequent as + ever, did not seem to regain his usual spirits. He complained frequently + of headache, but rejected Ann Eliza's tentatively proffered remedies, and + seemed to shrink from any prolonged investigation of his symptoms. July + had come, with a sudden ardour of heat, and one evening, as the three sat + together by the open window in the back room, Evelina said: “I dunno what + I wouldn't give, a night like this, for a breath of real country air.” + </p> + <p> + “So would I,” said Mr. Ramy, knocking the ashes from his pipe. “I'd like + to be setting in an arbour dis very minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, wouldn't it be lovely?” + </p> + <p> + “I always think it's real cool here—we'd be heaps hotter up where + Miss Mellins is,” said Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I daresay—but we'd be heaps cooler somewhere else,” her sister + snapped: she was not infrequently exasperated by Ann Eliza's furtive + attempts to mollify Providence. + </p> + <p> + A few days later Mr. Ramy appeared with a suggestion which enchanted + Evelina. He had gone the day before to see his friend, Mrs. Hochmuller, + who lived in the outskirts of Hoboken, and Mrs. Hochmuller had proposed + that on the following Sunday he should bring the Bunner sisters to spend + the day with her. + </p> + <p> + “She's got a real garden, you know,” Mr. Ramy explained, “wid trees and a + real summer-house to set in; and hens and chickens too. And it's an + elegant sail over on de ferry-boat.” + </p> + <p> + The proposal drew no response from Ann Eliza. She was still oppressed by + the recollection of her interminable Sunday in the Park; but, obedient to + Evelina's imperious glance, she finally faltered out an acceptance. + </p> + <p> + The Sunday was a very hot one, and once on the ferry-boat Ann Eliza + revived at the touch of the salt breeze, and the spectacle of the crowded + waters; but when they reached the other shore, and stepped out on the + dirty wharf, she began to ache with anticipated weariness. They got into a + street-car, and were jolted from one mean street to another, till at + length Mr. Ramy pulled the conductor's sleeve and they got out again; then + they stood in the blazing sun, near the door of a crowded beer-saloon, + waiting for another car to come; and that carried them out to a thinly + settled district, past vacant lots and narrow brick houses standing in + unsupported solitude, till they finally reached an almost rural region of + scattered cottages and low wooden buildings that looked like village + “stores.” Here the car finally stopped of its own accord, and they walked + along a rutty road, past a stone-cutter's yard with a high fence + tapestried with theatrical advertisements, to a little red house with + green blinds and a garden paling. Really, Mr. Ramy had not deceived them. + Clumps of dielytra and day-lilies bloomed behind the paling, and a crooked + elm hung romantically over the gable of the house. + </p> + <p> + At the gate Mrs. Hochmuller, a broad woman in brick-brown merino, met them + with nods and smiles, while her daughter Linda, a flaxen-haired girl with + mottled red cheeks and a sidelong stare, hovered inquisitively behind her. + Mrs. Hochmuller, leading the way into the house, conducted the Bunner + sisters the way to her bedroom. Here they were invited to spread out on a + mountainous white featherbed the cashmere mantles under which the + solemnity of the occasion had compelled them to swelter, and when they had + given their black silks the necessary twitch of readjustment, and Evelina + had fluffed out her hair before a looking-glass framed in pink-shell work, + their hostess led them to a stuffy parlour smelling of gingerbread. After + another ceremonial pause, broken by polite enquiries and shy ejaculations, + they were shown into the kitchen, where the table was already spread with + strange-looking spice-cakes and stewed fruits, and where they presently + found themselves seated between Mrs. Hochmuller and Mr. Ramy, while the + staring Linda bumped back and forth from the stove with steaming dishes. + </p> + <p> + To Ann Eliza the dinner seemed endless, and the rich fare strangely + unappetizing. She was abashed by the easy intimacy of her hostess's voice + and eye. With Mr. Ramy Mrs. Hochmuller was almost flippantly familiar, and + it was only when Ann Eliza pictured her generous form bent above his + sick-bed that she could forgive her for tersely addressing him as “Ramy.” + During one of the pauses of the meal Mrs. Hochmuller laid her knife and + fork against the edges of her plate, and, fixing her eyes on the + clock-maker's face, said accusingly: “You hat one of dem turns again, + Ramy.” + </p> + <p> + “I dunno as I had,” he returned evasively. + </p> + <p> + Evelina glanced from one to the other. “Mr. Ramy <i>has</i> been sick,” she said + at length, as though to show that she also was in a position to speak with + authority. “He's complained very frequently of headaches.” + </p> + <p> + “Ho!—I know him,” said Mrs. Hochmuller with a laugh, her eyes still + on the clock-maker. “Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Ramy?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ramy, who was looking at his plate, said suddenly one word which the + sisters could not understand; it sounded to Ann Eliza like “Shwike.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hochmuller laughed again. “My, my,” she said, “wouldn't you think + he'd be ashamed to go and be sick and never dell me, me that nursed him + troo dat awful fever?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I <i>should</i>,” said Evelina, with a spirited glance at Ramy; but he was + looking at the sausages that Linda had just put on the table. + </p> + <p> + When dinner was over Mrs. Hochmuller invited her guests to step out of the + kitchen-door, and they found themselves in a green enclosure, half garden, + half orchard. Grey hens followed by golden broods clucked under the + twisted apple-boughs, a cat dozed on the edge of an old well, and from + tree to tree ran the network of clothes-line that denoted Mrs. + Hochmuller's calling. Beyond the apple trees stood a yellow summer-house + festooned with scarlet runners; and below it, on the farther side of a + rough fence, the land dipped down, holding a bit of woodland in its + hollow. It was all strangely sweet and still on that hot Sunday afternoon, + and as she moved across the grass under the apple-boughs Ann Eliza thought + of quiet afternoons in church, and of the hymns her mother had sung to her + when she was a baby. + </p> + <p> + Evelina was more restless. She wandered from the well to the summer-house + and back, she tossed crumbs to the chickens and disturbed the cat with + arch caresses; and at last she expressed a desire to go down into the + wood. + </p> + <p> + “I guess you got to go round by the road, then,” said Mrs. Hochmuller. “My + Linda she goes troo a hole in de fence, but I guess you'd tear your dress + if you was to dry.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll help you,” said Mr. Ramy; and guided by Linda the pair walked along + the fence till they reached a narrow gap in its boards. Through this they + disappeared, watched curiously in their descent by the grinning Linda, + while Mrs. Hochmuller and Ann Eliza were left alone in the summer-house. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hochmuller looked at her guest with a confidential smile. “I guess + dey'll be gone quite a while,” she remarked, jerking her double chin + toward the gap in the fence. “Folks like dat don't never remember about de + dime.” And she drew out her knitting. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza could think of nothing to say. + </p> + <p> + “Your sister she thinks a great lot of him, don't she?” her hostess + continued. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's cheeks grew hot. “Ain't you a teeny bit lonesome away out here + sometimes?” she asked. “I should think you'd be scared nights, all alone + with your daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, I ain't,” said Mrs. Hochmuller. “You see I take in washing—dat's + my business—and it's a lot cheaper doing it out here dan in de city: + where'd I get a drying-ground like dis in Hobucken? And den it's safer for + Linda too; it geeps her outer de streets.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Ann Eliza, shrinking. She began to feel a distinct aversion for + her hostess, and her eyes turned with involuntary annoyance to the + square-backed form of Linda, still inquisitively suspended on the fence. + It seemed to Ann Eliza that Evelina and her companion would never return + from the wood; but they came at length, Mr. Ramy's brow pearled with + perspiration, Evelina pink and conscious, a drooping bunch of ferns in her + hand; and it was clear that, to her at least, the moments had been winged. + </p> + <p> + “D'you suppose they'll revive?” she asked, holding up the ferns; but Ann + Eliza, rising at her approach, said stiffly: “We'd better be getting home, + Evelina.” + </p> + <p> + “Mercy me! Ain't you going to take your coffee first?” Mrs. Hochmuller + protested; and Ann Eliza found to her dismay that another long gastronomic + ceremony must intervene before politeness permitted them to leave. At + length, however, they found themselves again on the ferry-boat. Water and + sky were grey, with a dividing gleam of sunset that sent sleek opal waves + in the boat's wake. The wind had a cool tarry breath, as though it had + travelled over miles of shipping, and the hiss of the water about the + paddles was as delicious as though it had been splashed into their tired + faces. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza sat apart, looking away from the others. She had made up her + mind that Mr. Ramy had proposed to Evelina in the wood, and she was + silently preparing herself to receive her sister's confidence that + evening. + </p> + <p> + But Evelina was apparently in no mood for confidences. When they reached + home she put her faded ferns in water, and after supper, when she had laid + aside her silk dress and the forget-me-not bonnet, she remained silently + seated in her rocking-chair near the open window. It was long since Ann + Eliza had seen her in so uncommunicative a mood. + </p> + <p> + The following Saturday Ann Eliza was sitting alone in the shop when the + door opened and Mr. Ramy entered. He had never before called at that hour, + and she wondered a little anxiously what had brought him. + </p> + <p> + “Has anything happened?” she asked, pushing aside the basketful of buttons + she had been sorting. + </p> + <p> + “Not's I know of,” said Mr. Ramy tranquilly. “But I always close up the + store at two o'clock Saturdays at this season, so I thought I might as + well call round and see you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm real glad, I'm sure,” said Ann Eliza; “but Evelina's out.” + </p> + <p> + “I know dat,” Mr. Ramy answered. “I met her round de corner. She told me + she got to go to dat new dyer's up in Forty-eighth Street. She won't be + back for a couple of hours, har'ly, will she?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza looked at him with rising bewilderment. “No, I guess not,” she + answered; her instinctive hospitality prompting her to add: “Won't you set + down jest the same?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ramy sat down on the stool beside the counter, and Ann Eliza returned + to her place behind it. + </p> + <p> + “I can't leave the store,” she explained. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess we're very well here.” Ann Eliza had become suddenly aware + that Mr. Ramy was looking at her with unusual intentness. Involuntarily + her hand strayed to the thin streaks of hair on her temples, and thence + descended to straighten the brooch beneath her collar. + </p> + <p> + “You're looking very well to-day, Miss Bunner,” said Mr. Ramy, following + her gesture with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Ann Eliza nervously. “I'm always well in health,” she added. + </p> + <p> + “I guess you're healthier than your sister, even if you are less + sizeable.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know. Evelina's a mite nervous sometimes, but she ain't a bit + sickly.” + </p> + <p> + “She eats heartier than you do; but that don't mean nothing,” said Mr. + Ramy. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza was silent. She could not follow the trend of his thought, and + she did not care to commit herself farther about Evelina before she had + ascertained if Mr. Ramy considered nervousness interesting or the reverse. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Ramy spared her all farther indecision. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Miss Bunner,” he said, drawing his stool closer to the counter, “I + guess I might as well tell you fust as last what I come here for to-day. I + want to get married.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, in many a prayerful midnight hour, had sought to strengthen + herself for the hearing of this avowal, but now that it had come she felt + pitifully frightened and unprepared. Mr. Ramy was leaning with both elbows + on the counter, and she noticed that his nails were clean and that he had + brushed his hat; yet even these signs had not prepared her! + </p> + <p> + At last she heard herself say, with a dry throat in which her heart was + hammering: “Mercy me, Mr. Ramy!” + </p> + <p> + “I want to get married,” he repeated. “I'm too lonesome. It ain't good for + a man to live all alone, and eat noding but cold meat every day.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Ann Eliza softly. + </p> + <p> + “And the dust fairly beats me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the dust—I know!” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ramy stretched one of his blunt-fingered hands toward her. “I wisht + you'd take me.” + </p> + <p> + Still Ann Eliza did not understand. She rose hesitatingly from her seat, + pushing aside the basket of buttons which lay between them; then she + perceived that Mr. Ramy was trying to take her hand, and as their fingers + met a flood of joy swept over her. Never afterward, though every other + word of their interview was stamped on her memory beyond all possible + forgetting, could she recall what he said while their hands touched; she + only knew that she seemed to be floating on a summer sea, and that all its + waves were in her ears. + </p> + <p> + “Me—me?” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + “I guess so,” said her suitor placidly. “You suit me right down to the + ground, Miss Bunner. Dat's the truth.” + </p> + <p> + A woman passing along the street paused to look at the shop-window, and + Ann Eliza half hoped she would come in; but after a desultory inspection + she went on. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe you don't fancy me?” Mr. Ramy suggested, discountenanced by Ann + Eliza's silence. + </p> + <p> + A word of assent was on her tongue, but her lips refused it. She must find + some other way of telling him. + </p> + <p> + “I don't say that.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I always kinder thought we was suited to one another,” Mr. Ramy + continued, eased of his momentary doubt. “I always liked de quiet style—no + fuss and airs, and not afraid of work.” He spoke as though dispassionately + cataloguing her charms. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza felt that she must make an end. “But, Mr. Ramy, you don't + understand. I've never thought of marrying.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ramy looked at her in surprise. “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't know, har'ly.” She moistened her twitching lips. “The fact + is, I ain't as active as I look. Maybe I couldn't stand the care. I ain't + as spry as Evelina—nor as young,” she added, with a last great + effort. + </p> + <p> + “But you do most of de work here, anyways,” said her suitor doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, that's because Evelina's busy outside; and where there's only + two women the work don't amount to much. Besides, I'm the oldest; I have + to look after things,” she hastened on, half pained that her simple ruse + should so readily deceive him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess you're active enough for me,” he persisted. His calm + determination began to frighten her; she trembled lest her own should be + less staunch. + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she repeated, feeling the tears on her lashes. “I couldn't, Mr. + Ramy, I couldn't marry. I'm so surprised. I always thought it was Evelina—always. + And so did everybody else. She's so bright and pretty—it seemed so + natural.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you was all mistaken,” said Mr. Ramy obstinately. + </p> + <p> + “I'm so sorry.” + </p> + <p> + He rose, pushing back his chair. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better think it over,” he said, in the large tone of a man who + feels he may safely wait. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no. It ain't any sorter use, Mr. Ramy. I don't never mean to + marry. I get tired so easily—I'd be afraid of the work. And I have + such awful headaches.” She paused, racking her brain for more convincing + infirmities. + </p> + <p> + “Headaches, do you?” said Mr. Ramy, turning back. + </p> + <p> + “My, yes, awful ones, that I have to give right up to. Evelina has to do + everything when I have one of them headaches. She has to bring me my tea + in the mornings.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm sorry to hear it,” said Mr. Ramy. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you kindly all the same,” Ann Eliza murmured. “And please don't—don't—” + She stopped suddenly, looking at him through her tears. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right,” he answered. “Don't you fret, Miss Gunner. Folks + have got to suit themselves.” She thought his tone had grown more resigned + since she had spoken of her headaches. + </p> + <p> + For some moments he stood looking at her with a hesitating eye, as though + uncertain how to end their conversation; and at length she found courage + to say (in the words of a novel she had once read): “I don't want this + should make any difference between us.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my, no,” said Mr. Ramy, absently picking up his hat. + </p> + <p> + “You'll come in just the same?” she continued, nerving herself to the + effort. “We'd miss you awfully if you didn't. Evelina, she—” She + paused, torn between her desire to turn his thoughts to Evelina, and the + dread of prematurely disclosing her sister's secret. + </p> + <p> + “Don't Miss Evelina have no headaches?” Mr. Ramy suddenly asked. + </p> + <p> + “My, no, never—well, not to speak of, anyway. She ain't had one for + ages, and when Evelina <i>is</i> sick she won't never give in to it,” Ann Eliza + declared, making some hurried adjustments with her conscience. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't have thought that,” said Mr. Ramy. + </p> + <p> + “I guess you don't know us as well as you thought you did.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, no, that's so; maybe I don't. I'll wish you good day, Miss Bunner”; + and Mr. Ramy moved toward the door. + </p> + <p> + “Good day, Mr. Ramy,” Ann Eliza answered. + </p> + <p> + She felt unutterably thankful to be alone. She knew the crucial moment of + her life had passed, and she was glad that she had not fallen below her + own ideals. It had been a wonderful experience; and in spite of the tears + on her cheeks she was not sorry to have known it. Two facts, however, took + the edge from its perfection: that it had happened in the shop, and that + she had not had on her black silk. + </p> + <p> + She passed the next hour in a state of dreamy ecstasy. Something had + entered into her life of which no subsequent empoverishment could rob it: + she glowed with the same rich sense of possessorship that once, as a + little girl, she had felt when her mother had given her a gold locket and + she had sat up in bed in the dark to draw it from its hiding-place beneath + her night-gown. + </p> + <p> + At length a dread of Evelina's return began to mingle with these musings. + How could she meet her younger sister's eye without betraying what had + happened? She felt as though a visible glory lay on her, and she was glad + that dusk had fallen when Evelina entered. But her fears were superfluous. + Evelina, always self-absorbed, had of late lost all interest in the simple + happenings of the shop, and Ann Eliza, with mingled mortification and + relief, perceived that she was in no danger of being cross-questioned as + to the events of the afternoon. She was glad of this; yet there was a + touch of humiliation in finding that the portentous secret in her bosom + did not visibly shine forth. It struck her as dull, and even slightly + absurd, of Evelina not to know at last that they were equals. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART" id="link2H_PART"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PART II + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII + </h2> + <p> + Mr. Ramy, after a decent interval, returned to the shop; and Ann Eliza, + when they met, was unable to detect whether the emotions which seethed + under her black alpaca found an echo in his bosom. Outwardly he made no + sign. He lit his pipe as placidly as ever and seemed to relapse without + effort into the unruffled intimacy of old. Yet to Ann Eliza's initiated + eye a change became gradually perceptible. She saw that he was beginning + to look at her sister as he had looked at her on that momentous afternoon: + she even discerned a secret significance in the turn of his talk with + Evelina. Once he asked her abruptly if she should like to travel, and Ann + Eliza saw that the flush on Evelina's cheek was reflected from the same + fire which had scorched her own. + </p> + <p> + So they drifted on through the sultry weeks of July. At that season the + business of the little shop almost ceased, and one Saturday morning Mr. + Ramy proposed that the sisters should lock up early and go with him for a + sail down the bay in one of the Coney Island boats. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza saw the light in Evelina's eye and her resolve was instantly + taken. + </p> + <p> + “I guess I won't go, thank you kindly; but I'm sure my sister will be + happy to.” + </p> + <p> + She was pained by the perfunctory phrase with which Evelina urged her to + accompany them; and still more by Mr. Ramy's silence. + </p> + <p> + “No, I guess I won't go,” she repeated, rather in answer to herself than + to them. “It's dreadfully hot and I've got a kinder headache.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, I wouldn't then,” said her sister hurriedly. “You'd better jest + set here quietly and rest.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I'll rest,” Ann Eliza assented. + </p> + <p> + At two o'clock Mr. Ramy returned, and a moment later he and Evelina left + the shop. Evelina had made herself another new bonnet for the occasion, a + bonnet, Ann Eliza thought, almost too youthful in shape and colour. It was + the first time it had ever occurred to her to criticize Evelina's taste, + and she was frightened at the insidious change in her attitude toward her + sister. + </p> + <p> + When Ann Eliza, in later days, looked back on that afternoon she felt that + there had been something prophetic in the quality of its solitude; it + seemed to distill the triple essence of loneliness in which all her + after-life was to be lived. No purchasers came; not a hand fell on the + door-latch; and the tick of the clock in the back room ironically + emphasized the passing of the empty hours. + </p> + <p> + Evelina returned late and alone. Ann Eliza felt the coming crisis in the + sound of her footstep, which wavered along as if not knowing on what it + trod. The elder sister's affection had so passionately projected itself + into her junior's fate that at such moments she seemed to be living two + lives, her own and Evelina's; and her private longings shrank into silence + at the sight of the other's hungry bliss. But it was evident that Evelina, + never acutely alive to the emotional atmosphere about her, had no idea + that her secret was suspected; and with an assumption of unconcern that + would have made Ann Eliza smile if the pang had been less piercing, the + younger sister prepared to confess herself. + </p> + <p> + “What are you so busy about?” she said impatiently, as Ann Eliza, beneath + the gas-jet, fumbled for the matches. “Ain't you even got time to ask me + if I'd had a pleasant day?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza turned with a quiet smile. “I guess I don't have to. Seems to me + it's pretty plain you have.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't know. I don't know <i>how</i> I feel—it's all so queer. I + almost think I'd like to scream.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess you're tired.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I ain't. It's not that. But it all happened so suddenly, and the boat + was so crowded I thought everybody'd hear what he was saying.—Ann + Eliza,” she broke out, “why on earth don't you ask me what I'm talking + about?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, with a last effort of heroism, feigned a fond incomprehension. + </p> + <p> + “What <i>are</i> you?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I'm engaged to be married—so there! Now it's out! And it + happened right on the boat; only to think of it! Of course I wasn't + exactly surprised—I've known right along he was going to sooner or + later—on'y somehow I didn't think of its happening to-day. I thought + he'd never get up his courage. He said he was so 'fraid I'd say no—that's + what kep' him so long from asking me. Well, I ain't said yes <i>yet</i>—leastways + I told him I'd have to think it over; but I guess he knows. Oh, Ann Eliza, + I'm so happy!” She hid the blinding brightness of her face. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, just then, would only let herself feel that she was glad. She + drew down Evelina's hands and kissed her, and they held each other. When + Evelina regained her voice she had a tale to tell which carried their + vigil far into the night. Not a syllable, not a glance or gesture of + Ramy's, was the elder sister spared; and with unconscious irony she found + herself comparing the details of his proposal to her with those which + Evelina was imparting with merciless prolixity. + </p> + <p> + The next few days were taken up with the embarrassed adjustment of their + new relation to Mr. Ramy and to each other. Ann Eliza's ardour carried her + to new heights of self-effacement, and she invented late duties in the + shop in order to leave Evelina and her suitor longer alone in the back + room. Later on, when she tried to remember the details of those first + days, few came back to her: she knew only that she got up each morning + with the sense of having to push the leaden hours up the same long steep + of pain. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ramy came daily now. Every evening he and his betrothed went out for a + stroll around the Square, and when Evelina came in her cheeks were always + pink. “He's kissed her under that tree at the corner, away from the + lamp-post,” Ann Eliza said to herself, with sudden insight into + unconjectured things. On Sundays they usually went for the whole afternoon + to the Central Park, and Ann Eliza, from her seat in the mortal hush of + the back room, followed step by step their long slow beatific walk. + </p> + <p> + There had been, as yet, no allusion to their marriage, except that Evelina + had once told her sister that Mr. Ramy wished them to invite Mrs. + Hochmuller and Linda to the wedding. The mention of the laundress raised a + half-forgotten fear in Ann Eliza, and she said in a tone of tentative + appeal: “I guess if I was you I wouldn't want to be very great friends + with Mrs. Hochmuller.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina glanced at her compassionately. “I guess if you was me you'd want + to do everything you could to please the man you loved. It's lucky,” she + added with glacial irony, “that I'm not too grand for Herman's friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” Ann Eliza protested, “that ain't what I mean—and you know it + ain't. Only somehow the day we saw her I didn't think she seemed like the + kinder person you'd want for a friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess a married woman's the best judge of such matters,” Evelina + replied, as though she already walked in the light of her future state. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, after that, kept her own counsel. She saw that Evelina wanted + her sympathy as little as her admonitions, and that already she counted + for nothing in her sister's scheme of life. To Ann Eliza's idolatrous + acceptance of the cruelties of fate this exclusion seemed both natural and + just; but it caused her the most lively pain. She could not divest her + love for Evelina of its passionate motherliness; no breath of reason could + lower it to the cool temperature of sisterly affection. + </p> + <p> + She was then passing, as she thought, through the novitiate of her pain; + preparing, in a hundred experimental ways, for the solitude awaiting her + when Evelina left. It was true that it would be a tempered loneliness. + They would not be far apart. Evelina would “run in” daily from the + clock-maker's; they would doubtless take supper with her on Sundays. But + already Ann Eliza guessed with what growing perfunctoriness her sister + would fulfill these obligations; she even foresaw the day when, to get + news of Evelina, she should have to lock the shop at nightfall and go + herself to Mr. Ramy's door. But on that contingency she would not dwell. + “They can come to me when they want to—they'll always find me here,” + she simply said to herself. + </p> + <p> + One evening Evelina came in flushed and agitated from her stroll around + the Square. Ann Eliza saw at once that something had happened; but the new + habit of reticence checked her question. + </p> + <p> + She had not long to wait. “Oh, Ann Eliza, on'y to think what he says—” + (the pronoun stood exclusively for Mr. Ramy). “I declare I'm so upset I + thought the people in the Square would notice me. Don't I look queer? He + wants to get married right off—this very next week.” + </p> + <p> + “Next week?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. So's we can move out to St. Louis right away.” + </p> + <p> + “Him and you—move out to St. Louis?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't know as it would be natural for him to want to go out there + without me,” Evelina simpered. “But it's all so sudden I don't know what + to think. He only got the letter this morning. <i>Do</i> I look queer, Ann + Eliza?” Her eye was roving for the mirror. + </p> + <p> + “No, you don't,” said Ann Eliza almost harshly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's a mercy,” Evelina pursued with a tinge of disappointment. + “It's a regular miracle I didn't faint right out there in the Square. + Herman's so thoughtless—he just put the letter into my hand without + a word. It's from a big firm out there—the Tiff'ny of St. Louis, he + says it is—offering him a place in their clock-department. Seems + they heard of him through a German friend of his that's settled out there. + It's a splendid opening, and if he gives satisfaction they'll raise him at + the end of the year.” + </p> + <p> + She paused, flushed with the importance of the situation, which seemed to + lift her once for all above the dull level of her former life. + </p> + <p> + “Then you'll have to go?” came at last from Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + Evelina stared. “You wouldn't have me interfere with his prospects, would + you?” + </p> + <p> + “No—no. I on'y meant—has it got to be so soon?” + </p> + <p> + “Right away, I tell you—next week. Ain't it awful?” blushed the + bride. + </p> + <p> + Well, this was what happened to mothers. They bore it, Ann Eliza mused; so + why not she? Ah, but they had their own chance first; she had had no + chance at all. And now this life which she had made her own was going from + her forever; had gone, already, in the inner and deeper sense, and was + soon to vanish in even its outward nearness, its surface-communion of + voice and eye. At that moment even the thought of Evelina's happiness + refused her its consolatory ray; or its light, if she saw it, was too + remote to warm her. The thirst for a personal and inalienable tie, for + pangs and problems of her own, was parching Ann Eliza's soul: it seemed to + her that she could never again gather strength to look her loneliness in + the face. + </p> + <p> + The trivial obligations of the moment came to her aid. Nursed in idleness + her grief would have mastered her; but the needs of the shop and the back + room, and the preparations for Evelina's marriage, kept the tyrant under. + </p> + <p> + Miss Mellins, true to her anticipations, had been called on to aid in the + making of the wedding dress, and she and Ann Eliza were bending one + evening over the breadths of pearl-grey cashmere which in spite of the + dress-maker's prophetic vision of gored satin, had been judged most + suitable, when Evelina came into the room alone. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza had already had occasion to notice that it was a bad sign when + Mr. Ramy left his affianced at the door. It generally meant that Evelina + had something disturbing to communicate, and Ann Eliza's first glance told + her that this time the news was grave. + </p> + <p> + Miss Mellins, who sat with her back to the door and her head bent over her + sewing, started as Evelina came around to the opposite side of the table. + </p> + <p> + “Mercy, Miss Evelina! I declare I thought you was a ghost, the way you + crep' in. I had a customer once up in Forty-ninth Street—a lovely + young woman with a thirty-six bust and a waist you could ha' put into her + wedding ring—and her husband, he crep' up behind her that way jest + for a joke, and frightened her into a fit, and when she come to she was a + raving maniac, and had to be taken to Bloomingdale with two doctors and a + nurse to hold her in the carriage, and a lovely baby on'y six weeks old—and + there she is to this day, poor creature.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't mean to startle you,” said Evelina. + </p> + <p> + She sat down on the nearest chair, and as the lamp-light fell on her face + Ann Eliza saw that she had been crying. + </p> + <p> + “You do look dead-beat,” Miss Mellins resumed, after a pause of + soul-probing scrutiny. “I guess Mr. Ramy lugs you round that Square too + often. You'll walk your legs off if you ain't careful. Men don't never + consider—they're all alike. Why, I had a cousin once that was + engaged to a book-agent—” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe we'd better put away the work for to-night, Miss Mellins,” Ann + Eliza interposed. “I guess what Evelina wants is a good night's rest.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” assented the dress-maker. “Have you got the back breadths run + together, Miss Bunner? Here's the sleeves. I'll pin 'em together.” She + drew a cluster of pins from her mouth, in which she seemed to secrete them + as squirrels stow away nuts. “There,” she said, rolling up her work, “you + go right away to bed, Miss Evelina, and we'll set up a little later + to-morrow night. I guess you're a mite nervous, ain't you? I know when my + turn comes I'll be scared to death.” + </p> + <p> + With this arch forecast she withdrew, and Ann Eliza, returning to the back + room, found Evelina still listlessly seated by the table. True to her new + policy of silence, the elder sister set about folding up the bridal dress; + but suddenly Evelina said in a harsh unnatural voice: “There ain't any use + in going on with that.” + </p> + <p> + The folds slipped from Ann Eliza's hands. + </p> + <p> + “Evelina Bunner—what you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Jest what I say. It's put off.” + </p> + <p> + “Put off—what's put off?” + </p> + <p> + “Our getting married. He can't take me to St. Louis. He ain't got money + enough.” She brought the words out in the monotonous tone of a child + reciting a lesson. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza picked up another breadth of cashmere and began to smooth it + out. “I don't understand,” she said at length. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's plain enough. The journey's fearfully expensive, and we've got + to have something left to start with when we get out there. We've counted + up, and he ain't got the money to do it—that's all.” + </p> + <p> + “But I thought he was going right into a splendid place.” + </p> + <p> + “So he is; but the salary's pretty low the first year, and board's very + high in St. Louis. He's jest got another letter from his German friend, + and he's been figuring it out, and he's afraid to chance it. He'll have to + go alone.” + </p> + <p> + “But there's your money—have you forgotten that? The hundred dollars + in the bank.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina made an impatient movement. “Of course I ain't forgotten it. On'y + it ain't enough. It would all have to go into buying furniture, and if he + was took sick and lost his place again we wouldn't have a cent left. He + says he's got to lay by another hundred dollars before he'll be willing to + take me out there.” + </p> + <p> + For a while Ann Eliza pondered this surprising statement; then she + ventured: “Seems to me he might have thought of it before.” + </p> + <p> + In an instant Evelina was aflame. “I guess he knows what's right as well + as you or me. I'd sooner die than be a burden to him.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza made no answer. The clutch of an unformulated doubt had checked + the words on her lips. She had meant, on the day of her sister's marriage, + to give Evelina the other half of their common savings; but something + warned her not to say so now. + </p> + <p> + The sisters undressed without farther words. After they had gone to bed, + and the light had been put out, the sound of Evelina's weeping came to Ann + Eliza in the darkness, but she lay motionless on her own side of the bed, + out of contact with her sister's shaken body. Never had she felt so coldly + remote from Evelina. + </p> + <p> + The hours of the night moved slowly, ticked off with wearisome insistence + by the clock which had played so prominent a part in their lives. + Evelina's sobs still stirred the bed at gradually lengthening intervals, + till at length Ann Eliza thought she slept. But with the dawn the eyes of + the sisters met, and Ann Eliza's courage failed her as she looked in + Evelina's face. + </p> + <p> + She sat up in bed and put out a pleading hand. + </p> + <p> + “Don't cry so, dearie. Don't.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I can't bear it, I can't bear it,” Evelina moaned. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza stroked her quivering shoulder. “Don't, don't,” she repeated. + “If you take the other hundred, won't that be enough? I always meant to + give it to you. On'y I didn't want to tell you till your wedding day.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX + </h2> + <p> + Evelina's marriage took place on the appointed day. It was celebrated in + the evening, in the chantry of the church which the sisters attended, and + after it was over the few guests who had been present repaired to the + Bunner Sisters' basement, where a wedding supper awaited them. Ann Eliza, + aided by Miss Mellins and Mrs. Hawkins, and consciously supported by the + sentimental interest of the whole street, had expended her utmost energy + on the decoration of the shop and the back room. On the table a vase of + white chrysanthemums stood between a dish of oranges and bananas and an + iced wedding-cake wreathed with orange-blossoms of the bride's own making. + Autumn leaves studded with paper roses festooned the what-not and the + chromo of the Rock of Ages, and a wreath of yellow immortelles was twined + about the clock which Evelina revered as the mysterious agent of her + happiness. + </p> + <p> + At the table sat Miss Mellins, profusely spangled and bangled, her head + sewing-girl, a pale young thing who had helped with Evelina's outfit, Mr. + and Mrs. Hawkins, with Johnny, their eldest boy, and Mrs. Hochmuller and + her daughter. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hochmuller's large blonde personality seemed to pervade the room to + the effacement of the less amply-proportioned guests. It was rendered more + impressive by a dress of crimson poplin that stood out from her in + organ-like folds; and Linda, whom Ann Eliza had remembered as an uncouth + child with a sly look about the eyes, surprised her by a sudden blossoming + into feminine grace such as sometimes follows on a gawky girlhood. The + Hochmullers, in fact, struck the dominant note in the entertainment. + Beside them Evelina, unusually pale in her grey cashmere and white bonnet, + looked like a faintly washed sketch beside a brilliant chromo; and Mr. + Ramy, doomed to the traditional insignificance of the bridegroom's part, + made no attempt to rise above his situation. Even Miss Mellins sparkled + and jingled in vain in the shadow of Mrs. Hochmuller's crimson bulk; and + Ann Eliza, with a sense of vague foreboding, saw that the wedding feast + centred about the two guests she had most wished to exclude from it. What + was said or done while they all sat about the table she never afterward + recalled: the long hours remained in her memory as a whirl of high colours + and loud voices, from which the pale presence of Evelina now and then + emerged like a drowned face on a sunset-dabbled sea. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Mr. Ramy and his wife started for St. Louis, and Ann + Eliza was left alone. Outwardly the first strain of parting was tempered + by the arrival of Miss Mellins, Mrs. Hawkins and Johnny, who dropped in to + help in the ungarlanding and tidying up of the back room. Ann Eliza was + duly grateful for their kindness, but the “talking over” on which they had + evidently counted was Dead Sea fruit on her lips; and just beyond the + familiar warmth of their presences she saw the form of Solitude at her + door. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza was but a small person to harbour so great a guest, and a + trembling sense of insufficiency possessed her. She had no high musings to + offer to the new companion of her hearth. Every one of her thoughts had + hitherto turned to Evelina and shaped itself in homely easy words; of the + mighty speech of silence she knew not the earliest syllable. + </p> + <p> + Everything in the back room and the shop, on the second day after + Evelina's going, seemed to have grown coldly unfamiliar. The whole aspect + of the place had changed with the changed conditions of Ann Eliza's life. + The first customer who opened the shop-door startled her like a ghost; and + all night she lay tossing on her side of the bed, sinking now and then + into an uncertain doze from which she would suddenly wake to reach out her + hand for Evelina. In the new silence surrounding her the walls and + furniture found voice, frightening her at dusk and midnight with strange + sighs and stealthy whispers. Ghostly hands shook the window shutters or + rattled at the outer latch, and once she grew cold at the sound of a step + like Evelina's stealing through the dark shop to die out on the threshold. + In time, of course, she found an explanation for these noises, telling + herself that the bedstead was warping, that Miss Mellins trod heavily + overhead, or that the thunder of passing beer-waggons shook the + door-latch; but the hours leading up to these conclusions were full of the + floating terrors that harden into fixed foreboding. Worst of all were the + solitary meals, when she absently continued to set aside the largest slice + of pie for Evelina, and to let the tea grow cold while she waited for her + sister to help herself to the first cup. Miss Mellins, coming in on one of + these sad repasts, suggested the acquisition of a cat; but Ann Eliza shook + her head. She had never been used to animals, and she felt the vague + shrinking of the pious from creatures divided from her by the abyss of + soullessness. + </p> + <p> + At length, after ten empty days, Evelina's first letter came. + </p> + <p> + “<span class="smcap">My dear Sister</span>,” she wrote, in her pinched Spencerian hand, “it seems + strange to be in this great City so far from home alone with him I have + chosen for life, but marriage has its solemn duties which those who are + not can never hope to understand, and happier perhaps for this reason, + life for them has only simple tasks and pleasures, but those who must take + thought for others must be prepared to do their duty in whatever station + it has pleased the Almighty to call them. Not that I have cause to + complain, my dear Husband is all love and devotion, but being absent all + day at his business how can I help but feel lonesome at times, as the poet + says it is hard for they that love to live apart, and I often wonder, my + dear Sister, how you are getting along alone in the store, may you never + experience the feelings of solitude I have underwent since I came here. We + are boarding now, but soon expect to find rooms and change our place of + Residence, then I shall have all the care of a household to bear, but such + is the fate of those who join their Lot with others, they cannot hope to + escape from the burdens of Life, nor would I ask it, I would not live + alway but while I live would always pray for strength to do my duty. This + city is not near as large or handsome as New York, but had my lot been + cast in a Wilderness I hope I should not repine, such never was my nature, + and they who exchange their independence for the sweet name of Wife must + be prepared to find all is not gold that glitters, nor I would not expect + like you to drift down the stream of Life unfettered and serene as a + Summer cloud, such is not my fate, but come what may will always find in + me a resigned and prayerful Spirit, and hoping this finds you as well as + it leaves me, I remain, my dear Sister, + </p> + <p> + “Yours truly, + </p> + <p> + “<span class="smcap">Evelina B. Ramy</span>.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza had always secretly admired the oratorical and impersonal tone + of Evelina's letters; but the few she had previously read, having been + addressed to school-mates or distant relatives, had appeared in the light + of literary compositions rather than as records of personal experience. + Now she could not but wish that Evelina had laid aside her swelling + periods for a style more suited to the chronicling of homely incidents. + She read the letter again and again, seeking for a clue to what her sister + was really doing and thinking; but after each reading she emerged + impressed but unenlightened from the labyrinth of Evelina's eloquence. + </p> + <p> + During the early winter she received two or three more letters of the same + kind, each enclosing in its loose husk of rhetoric a smaller kernel of + fact. By dint of patient interlinear study, Ann Eliza gathered from them + that Evelina and her husband, after various costly experiments in + boarding, had been reduced to a tenement-house flat; that living in St. + Louis was more expensive than they had supposed, and that Mr. Ramy was + kept out late at night (why, at a jeweller's, Ann Eliza wondered?) and + found his position less satisfactory than he had been led to expect. + Toward February the letters fell off; and finally they ceased to come. + </p> + <p> + At first Ann Eliza wrote, shyly but persistently, entreating for more + frequent news; then, as one appeal after another was swallowed up in the + mystery of Evelina's protracted silence, vague fears began to assail the + elder sister. Perhaps Evelina was ill, and with no one to nurse her but a + man who could not even make himself a cup of tea! Ann Eliza recalled the + layer of dust in Mr. Ramy's shop, and pictures of domestic disorder + mingled with the more poignant vision of her sister's illness. But surely + if Evelina were ill Mr. Ramy would have written. He wrote a small neat + hand, and epistolary communication was not an insuperable embarrassment to + him. The too probable alternative was that both the unhappy pair had been + prostrated by some disease which left them powerless to summon her—for + summon her they surely would, Ann Eliza with unconscious cynicism + reflected, if she or her small economies could be of use to them! The more + she strained her eyes into the mystery, the darker it grew; and her lack + of initiative, her inability to imagine what steps might be taken to trace + the lost in distant places, left her benumbed and helpless. + </p> + <p> + At last there floated up from some depth of troubled memory the name of + the firm of St. Louis jewellers by whom Mr. Ramy was employed. After much + hesitation, and considerable effort, she addressed to them a timid request + for news of her brother-in-law; and sooner than she could have hoped the + answer reached her. + </p> + <p> + “<span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>, + </p> + <p> + “In reply to yours of the 29th ult. we beg to state the party you refer to + was discharged from our employ a month ago. We are sorry we are unable to + furnish you wish his address. + </p> + <p> + “Yours Respectfully, + </p> + <p> + “<span class="smcap">Ludwig And Hammerbusch</span>.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza read and re-read the curt statement in a stupor of distress. She + had lost her last trace of Evelina. All that night she lay awake, + revolving the stupendous project of going to St. Louis in search of her + sister; but though she pieced together her few financial possibilities + with the ingenuity of a brain used to fitting odd scraps into patch-work + quilts, she woke to the cold daylight fact that she could not raise the + money for her fare. Her wedding gift to Evelina had left her without any + resources beyond her daily earnings, and these had steadily dwindled as + the winter passed. She had long since renounced her weekly visit to the + butcher, and had reduced her other expenses to the narrowest measure; but + the most systematic frugality had not enabled her to put by any money. In + spite of her dogged efforts to maintain the prosperity of the little shop, + her sister's absence had already told on its business. Now that Ann Eliza + had to carry the bundles to the dyer's herself, the customers who called + in her absence, finding the shop locked, too often went elsewhere. + Moreover, after several stern but unavailing efforts, she had had to give + up the trimming of bonnets, which in Evelina's hands had been the most + lucrative as well as the most interesting part of the business. This + change, to the passing female eye, robbed the shop window of its chief + attraction; and when painful experience had convinced the regular + customers of the Bunner Sisters of Ann Eliza's lack of millinery skill + they began to lose faith in her ability to curl a feather or even “freshen + up” a bunch of flowers. The time came when Ann Eliza had almost made up + her mind to speak to the lady with puffed sleeves, who had always looked + at her so kindly, and had once ordered a hat of Evelina. Perhaps the lady + with puffed sleeves would be able to get her a little plain sewing to do; + or she might recommend the shop to friends. Ann Eliza, with this + possibility in view, rummaged out of a drawer the fly-blown remainder of + the business cards which the sisters had ordered in the first flush of + their commercial adventure; but when the lady with puffed sleeves finally + appeared she was in deep mourning, and wore so sad a look that Ann Eliza + dared not speak. She came in to buy some spools of black thread and silk, + and in the doorway she turned back to say: “I am going away to-morrow for + a long time. I hope you will have a pleasant winter.” And the door shut on + her. + </p> + <p> + One day not long after this it occurred to Ann Eliza to go to Hoboken in + quest of Mrs. Hochmuller. Much as she shrank from pouring her distress + into that particular ear, her anxiety had carried her beyond such + reluctance; but when she began to think the matter over she was faced by a + new difficulty. On the occasion of her only visit to Mrs. Hochmuller, she + and Evelina had suffered themselves to be led there by Mr. Ramy; and Ann + Eliza now perceived that she did not even know the name of the laundress's + suburb, much less that of the street in which she lived. But she must have + news of Evelina, and no obstacle was great enough to thwart her. + </p> + <p> + Though she longed to turn to some one for advice she disliked to expose + her situation to Miss Mellins's searching eye, and at first she could + think of no other confidant. Then she remembered Mrs. Hawkins, or rather + her husband, who, though Ann Eliza had always thought him a dull + uneducated man, was probably gifted with the mysterious masculine faculty + of finding out people's addresses. It went hard with Ann Eliza to trust + her secret even to the mild ear of Mrs. Hawkins, but at least she was + spared the cross-examination to which the dress-maker would have subjected + her. The accumulating pressure of domestic cares had so crushed in Mrs. + Hawkins any curiosity concerning the affairs of others that she received + her visitor's confidence with an almost masculine indifference, while she + rocked her teething baby on one arm and with the other tried to check the + acrobatic impulses of the next in age. + </p> + <p> + “My, my,” she simply said as Ann Eliza ended. “Keep still now, Arthur: + Miss Bunner don't want you to jump up and down on her foot to-day. And + what are you gaping at, Johnny? Run right off and play,” she added, + turning sternly to her eldest, who, because he was the least naughty, + usually bore the brunt of her wrath against the others. + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps Mr. Hawkins can help you,” Mrs. Hawkins continued + meditatively, while the children, after scattering at her bidding, + returned to their previous pursuits like flies settling down on the spot + from which an exasperated hand has swept them. “I'll send him right round + the minute he comes in, and you can tell him the whole story. I wouldn't + wonder but what he can find that Mrs. Hochmuller's address in the + d'rectory. I know they've got one where he works.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd be real thankful if he could,” Ann Eliza murmured, rising from her + seat with the factitious sense of lightness that comes from imparting a + long-hidden dread. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X + </h2> + <p> + Mr. Hawkins proved himself worthy of his wife's faith in his capacity. He + learned from Ann Eliza as much as she could tell him about Mrs. Hochmuller + and returned the next evening with a scrap of paper bearing her address, + beneath which Johnny (the family scribe) had written in a large round hand + the names of the streets that led there from the ferry. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza lay awake all that night, repeating over and over again the + directions Mr. Hawkins had given her. He was a kind man, and she knew he + would willingly have gone with her to Hoboken; indeed she read in his + timid eye the half-formed intention of offering to accompany her—but + on such an errand she preferred to go alone. + </p> + <p> + The next Sunday, accordingly, she set out early, and without much trouble + found her way to the ferry. Nearly a year had passed since her previous + visit to Mrs. Hochmuller, and a chilly April breeze smote her face as she + stepped on the boat. Most of the passengers were huddled together in the + cabin, and Ann Eliza shrank into its obscurest corner, shivering under the + thin black mantle which had seemed so hot in July. She began to feel a + little bewildered as she stepped ashore, but a paternal policeman put her + into the right car, and as in a dream she found herself retracing the way + to Mrs. Hochmuller's door. She had told the conductor the name of the + street at which she wished to get out, and presently she stood in the + biting wind at the corner near the beer-saloon, where the sun had once + beat down on her so fiercely. At length an empty car appeared, its yellow + flank emblazoned with the name of Mrs. Hochmuller's suburb, and Ann Eliza + was presently jolting past the narrow brick houses islanded between vacant + lots like giant piles in a desolate lagoon. When the car reached the end + of its journey she got out and stood for some time trying to remember + which turn Mr. Ramy had taken. She had just made up her mind to ask the + car-driver when he shook the reins on the backs of his lean horses, and + the car, still empty, jogged away toward Hoboken. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, left alone by the roadside, began to move cautiously forward, + looking about for a small red house with a gable overhung by an elm-tree; + but everything about her seemed unfamiliar and forbidding. One or two + surly looking men slouched past with inquisitive glances, and she could + not make up her mind to stop and speak to them. + </p> + <p> + At length a tow-headed boy came out of a swinging door suggestive of + illicit conviviality, and to him Ann Eliza ventured to confide her + difficulty. The offer of five cents fired him with an instant willingness + to lead her to Mrs. Hochmuller, and he was soon trotting past the + stone-cutter's yard with Ann Eliza in his wake. + </p> + <p> + Another turn in the road brought them to the little red house, and having + rewarded her guide Ann Eliza unlatched the gate and walked up to the door. + Her heart was beating violently, and she had to lean against the door-post + to compose her twitching lips: she had not known till that moment how much + it was going to hurt her to speak of Evelina to Mrs. Hochmuller. As her + agitation subsided she began to notice how much the appearance of the + house had changed. It was not only that winter had stripped the elm, and + blackened the flower-borders: the house itself had a debased and deserted + air. The window-panes were cracked and dirty, and one or two shutters + swung dismally on loosened hinges. + </p> + <p> + She rang several times before the door was opened. At length an Irish + woman with a shawl over her head and a baby in her arms appeared on the + threshold, and glancing past her into the narrow passage Ann Eliza saw + that Mrs. Hochmuller's neat abode had deteriorated as much within as + without. + </p> + <p> + At the mention of the name the woman stared. “Mrs. who, did ye say?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Hochmuller. This is surely her house?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it ain't neither,” said the woman turning away. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but wait, please,” Ann Eliza entreated. “I can't be mistaken. I mean + the Mrs. Hochmuller who takes in washing. I came out to see her last + June.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the Dutch washerwoman is it—her that used to live here? She's + been gone two months and more. It's Mike McNulty lives here now. Whisht!” + to the baby, who had squared his mouth for a howl. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's knees grew weak. “Mrs. Hochmuller gone? But where has she + gone? She must be somewhere round here. Can't you tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure an' I can't,” said the woman. “She wint away before iver we come.” + </p> + <p> + “Dalia Geoghegan, will ye bring the choild in out av the cowld?” cried an + irate voice from within. + </p> + <p> + “Please wait—oh, please wait,” Ann Eliza insisted. “You see I must + find Mrs. Hochmuller.” + </p> + <p> + “Why don't ye go and look for her thin?” the woman returned, slamming the + door in her face. + </p> + <p> + She stood motionless on the door-step, dazed by the immensity of her + disappointment, till a burst of loud voices inside the house drove her + down the path and out of the gate. + </p> + <p> + Even then she could not grasp what had happened, and pausing in the road + she looked back at the house, half hoping that Mrs. Hochmuller's once + detested face might appear at one of the grimy windows. + </p> + <p> + She was roused by an icy wind that seemed to spring up suddenly from the + desolate scene, piercing her thin dress like gauze; and turning away she + began to retrace her steps. She thought of enquiring for Mrs. Hochmuller + at some of the neighbouring houses, but their look was so unfriendly that + she walked on without making up her mind at which door to ring. When she + reached the horse-car terminus a car was just moving off toward Hoboken, + and for nearly an hour she had to wait on the corner in the bitter wind. + Her hands and feet were stiff with cold when the car at length loomed into + sight again, and she thought of stopping somewhere on the way to the ferry + for a cup of tea; but before the region of lunch-rooms was reached she had + grown so sick and dizzy that the thought of food was repulsive. At length + she found herself on the ferry-boat, in the soothing stuffiness of the + crowded cabin; then came another interval of shivering on a street-corner, + another long jolting journey in a “cross-town” car that smelt of damp + straw and tobacco; and lastly, in the cold spring dusk, she unlocked her + door and groped her way through the shop to her fireless bedroom. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Mrs. Hawkins, dropping in to hear the result of the trip, + found Ann Eliza sitting behind the counter wrapped in an old shawl. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Miss Bunner, you're sick! You must have fever—your face is + just as red!” + </p> + <p> + “It's nothing. I guess I caught cold yesterday on the ferry-boat,” Ann + Eliza acknowledged. + </p> + <p> + “And it's jest like a vault in here!” Mrs. Hawkins rebuked her. “Let me + feel your hand—it's burning. Now, Miss Bunner, you've got to go + right to bed this very minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but I can't, Mrs. Hawkins.” Ann Eliza attempted a wan smile. “You + forget there ain't nobody but me to tend the store.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess you won't tend it long neither, if you ain't careful,” Mrs. + Hawkins grimly rejoined. Beneath her placid exterior she cherished a + morbid passion for disease and death, and the sight of Ann Eliza's + suffering had roused her from her habitual indifference. “There ain't so + many folks comes to the store anyhow,” she went on with unconscious + cruelty, “and I'll go right up and see if Miss Mellins can't spare one of + her girls.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, too weary to resist, allowed Mrs. Hawkins to put her to bed and + make a cup of tea over the stove, while Miss Mellins, always + good-naturedly responsive to any appeal for help, sent down the weak-eyed + little girl to deal with hypothetical customers. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, having so far abdicated her independence, sank into sudden + apathy. As far as she could remember, it was the first time in her life + that she had been taken care of instead of taking care, and there was a + momentary relief in the surrender. She swallowed the tea like an obedient + child, allowed a poultice to be applied to her aching chest and uttered no + protest when a fire was kindled in the rarely used grate; but as Mrs. + Hawkins bent over to “settle” her pillows she raised herself on her elbow + to whisper: “Oh, Mrs. Hawkins, Mrs. Hochmuller warn't there.” The tears + rolled down her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “She warn't there? Has she moved?” + </p> + <p> + “Over two months ago—and they don't know where she's gone. Oh + what'll I do, Mrs. Hawkins?” + </p> + <p> + “There, there, Miss Bunner. You lay still and don't fret. I'll ask Mr. + Hawkins soon as ever he comes home.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza murmured her gratitude, and Mrs. Hawkins, bending down, kissed + her on the forehead. “Don't you fret,” she repeated, in the voice with + which she soothed her children. + </p> + <p> + For over a week Ann Eliza lay in bed, faithfully nursed by her two + neighbours, while the weak-eyed child, and the pale sewing girl who had + helped to finish Evelina's wedding dress, took turns in minding the shop. + Every morning, when her friends appeared, Ann Eliza lifted her head to + ask: “Is there a letter?” and at their gentle negative sank back in + silence. Mrs. Hawkins, for several days, spoke no more of her promise to + consult her husband as to the best way of tracing Mrs. Hochmuller; and + dread of fresh disappointment kept Ann Eliza from bringing up the subject. + </p> + <p> + But the following Sunday evening, as she sat for the first time bolstered + up in her rocking-chair near the stove, while Miss Mellins studied the + Police Gazette beneath the lamp, there came a knock on the shop-door and + Mr. Hawkins entered. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's first glance at his plain friendly face showed her he had news + to give, but though she no longer attempted to hide her anxiety from Miss + Mellins, her lips trembled too much to let her speak. + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Miss Bunner,” said Mr. Hawkins in his dragging voice. “I've + been over to Hoboken all day looking round for Mrs. Hochmuller.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Hawkins—you <i>have</i>?” + </p> + <p> + “I made a thorough search, but I'm sorry to say it was no use. She's left + Hoboken—moved clear away, and nobody seems to know where.” + </p> + <p> + “It was real good of you, Mr. Hawkins.” Ann Eliza's voice struggled up in + a faint whisper through the submerging tide of her disappointment. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hawkins, in his embarrassed sense of being the bringer of bad news, + stood before her uncertainly; then he turned to go. “No trouble at all,” + he paused to assure her from the doorway. + </p> + <p> + She wanted to speak again, to detain him, to ask him to advise her; but + the words caught in her throat and she lay back silent. + </p> + <p> + The next day she got up early, and dressed and bonneted herself with + twitching fingers. She waited till the weak-eyed child appeared, and + having laid on her minute instructions as to the care of the shop, she + slipped out into the street. It had occurred to her in one of the weary + watches of the previous night that she might go to Tiffany's and make + enquiries about Ramy's past. Possibly in that way she might obtain some + information that would suggest a new way of reaching Evelina. She was + guiltily aware that Mrs. Hawkins and Miss Mellins would be angry with her + for venturing out of doors, but she knew she should never feel any better + till she had news of Evelina. + </p> + <p> + The morning air was sharp, and as she turned to face the wind she felt so + weak and unsteady that she wondered if she should ever get as far as Union + Square; but by walking very slowly, and standing still now and then when + she could do so without being noticed, she found herself at last before + the jeweller's great glass doors. + </p> + <p> + It was still so early that there were no purchasers in the shop, and she + felt herself the centre of innumerable unemployed eyes as she moved + forward between long lines of show-cases glittering with diamonds and + silver. + </p> + <p> + She was glancing about in the hope of finding the clock-department without + having to approach one of the impressive gentlemen who paced the empty + aisles, when she attracted the attention of one of the most impressive of + the number. + </p> + <p> + The formidable benevolence with which he enquired what he could do for her + made her almost despair of explaining herself; but she finally + disentangled from a flurry of wrong beginnings the request to be shown to + the clock-department. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman considered her thoughtfully. “May I ask what style of clock + you are looking for? Would it be for a wedding-present, or—?” + </p> + <p> + The irony of the allusion filled Ann Eliza's veins with sudden strength. + “I don't want to buy a clock at all. I want to see the head of the + department.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Loomis?” His stare still weighed her—then he seemed to brush + aside the problem she presented as beneath his notice. “Oh, certainly. + Take the elevator to the second floor. Next aisle to the left.” He waved + her down the endless perspective of show-cases. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza followed the line of his lordly gesture, and a swift ascent + brought her to a great hall full of the buzzing and booming of thousands + of clocks. Whichever way she looked, clocks stretched away from her in + glittering interminable vistas: clocks of all sizes and voices, from the + bell-throated giant of the hallway to the chirping dressing-table toy; + tall clocks of mahogany and brass with cathedral chimes; clocks of bronze, + glass, porcelain, of every possible size, voice and configuration; and + between their serried ranks, along the polished floor of the aisles, moved + the languid forms of other gentlemanly floor-walkers, waiting for their + duties to begin. + </p> + <p> + One of them soon approached, and Ann Eliza repeated her request. He + received it affably. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Loomis? Go right down to the office at the other end.” He pointed to + a kind of box of ground glass and highly polished panelling. + </p> + <p> + As she thanked him he turned to one of his companions and said something + in which she caught the name of Mr. Loomis, and which was received with an + appreciative chuckle. She suspected herself of being the object of the + pleasantry, and straightened her thin shoulders under her mantle. + </p> + <p> + The door of the office stood open, and within sat a gray-bearded man at a + desk. He looked up kindly, and again she asked for Mr. Loomis. + </p> + <p> + “I'm Mr. Loomis. What can I do for you?” + </p> + <p> + He was much less portentous than the others, though she guessed him to be + above them in authority; and encouraged by his tone she seated herself on + the edge of the chair he waved her to. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you'll excuse my troubling you, sir. I came to ask if you could + tell me anything about Mr. Herman Ramy. He was employed here in the + clock-department two or three years ago.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Loomis showed no recognition of the name. + </p> + <p> + “Ramy? When was he discharged?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't har'ly know. He was very sick, and when he got well his place had + been filled. He married my sister last October and they went to St. Louis, + I ain't had any news of them for over two months, and she's my only + sister, and I'm most crazy worrying about her.” + </p> + <p> + “I see.” Mr. Loomis reflected. “In what capacity was Ramy employed here?” + he asked after a moment. + </p> + <p> + “He—he told us that he was one of the heads of the + clock-department,” Ann Eliza stammered, overswept by a sudden doubt. + </p> + <p> + “That was probably a slight exaggeration. But I can tell you about him by + referring to our books. The name again?” + </p> + <p> + “Ramy—Herman Ramy.” + </p> + <p> + There ensued a long silence, broken only by the flutter of leaves as Mr. + Loomis turned over his ledgers. Presently he looked up, keeping his finger + between the pages. + </p> + <p> + “Here it is—Herman Ramy. He was one of our ordinary workmen, and + left us three years and a half ago last June.” + </p> + <p> + “On account of sickness?” Ann Eliza faltered. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Loomis appeared to hesitate; then he said: “I see no mention of + sickness.” Ann Eliza felt his compassionate eyes on her again. “Perhaps + I'd better tell you the truth. He was discharged for drug-taking. A + capable workman, but we couldn't keep him straight. I'm sorry to have to + tell you this, but it seems fairer, since you say you're anxious about + your sister.” + </p> + <p> + The polished sides of the office vanished from Ann Eliza's sight, and the + cackle of the innumerable clocks came to her like the yell of waves in a + storm. She tried to speak but could not; tried to get to her feet, but the + floor was gone. + </p> + <p> + “I'm very sorry,” Mr. Loomis repeated, closing the ledger. “I remember the + man perfectly now. He used to disappear every now and then, and turn up + again in a state that made him useless for days.” + </p> + <p> + As she listened, Ann Eliza recalled the day when she had come on Mr. Ramy + sitting in abject dejection behind his counter. She saw again the blurred + unrecognizing eyes he had raised to her, the layer of dust over everything + in the shop, and the green bronze clock in the window representing a + Newfoundland dog with his paw on a book. She stood up slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I'm sorry to have troubled you.” + </p> + <p> + “It was no trouble. You say Ramy married your sister last October?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; and they went to St. Louis right afterward. I don't know how to + find her. I thought maybe somebody here might know about him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, possibly some of the workmen might. Leave me your name and I'll + send you word if I get on his track.” + </p> + <p> + He handed her a pencil, and she wrote down her address; then she walked + away blindly between the clocks. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI + </h2> + <p> + Mr. Loomis, true to his word, wrote a few days later that he had enquired + in vain in the work-shop for any news of Ramy; and as she folded this + letter and laid it between the leaves of her Bible, Ann Eliza felt that + her last hope was gone. Miss Mellins, of course, had long since suggested + the mediation of the police, and cited from her favourite literature + convincing instances of the supernatural ability of the Pinkerton + detective; but Mr. Hawkins, when called in council, dashed this project by + remarking that detectives cost something like twenty dollars a day; and a + vague fear of the law, some half-formed vision of Evelina in the clutch of + a blue-coated “officer,” kept Ann Eliza from invoking the aid of the + police. + </p> + <p> + After the arrival of Mr. Loomis's note the weeks followed each other + uneventfully. Ann Eliza's cough clung to her till late in the spring, the + reflection in her looking-glass grew more bent and meagre, and her + forehead sloped back farther toward the twist of hair that was fastened + above her parting by a comb of black India-rubber. + </p> + <p> + Toward spring a lady who was expecting a baby took up her abode at the + Mendoza Family Hotel, and through the friendly intervention of Miss + Mellins the making of some of the baby-clothes was entrusted to Ann Eliza. + This eased her of anxiety for the immediate future; but she had to rouse + herself to feel any sense of relief. Her personal welfare was what least + concerned her. Sometimes she thought of giving up the shop altogether; and + only the fear that, if she changed her address, Evelina might not be able + to find her, kept her from carrying out this plan. + </p> + <p> + Since she had lost her last hope of tracing her sister, all the activities + of her lonely imagination had been concentrated on the possibility of + Evelina's coming back to her. The discovery of Ramy's secret filled her + with dreadful fears. In the solitude of the shop and the back room she was + tortured by vague pictures of Evelina's sufferings. What horrors might not + be hidden beneath her silence? Ann Eliza's great dread was that Miss + Mellins should worm out of her what she had learned from Mr. Loomis. She + was sure Miss Mellins must have abominable things to tell about + drug-fiends—things she did not have the strength to hear. + “Drug-fiend”—the very word was Satanic; she could hear Miss Mellins + roll it on her tongue. But Ann Eliza's own imagination, left to itself, + had begun to people the long hours with evil visions. Sometimes, in the + night, she thought she heard herself called: the voice was her sister's, + but faint with a nameless terror. Her most peaceful moments were those in + which she managed to convince herself that Evelina was dead. She thought + of her then, mournfully but more calmly, as thrust away under the + neglected mound of some unknown cemetery, where no headstone marked her + name, no mourner with flowers for another grave paused in pity to lay a + blossom on hers. But this vision did not often give Ann Eliza its negative + relief; and always, beneath its hazy lines, lurked the dark conviction + that Evelina was alive, in misery and longing for her. + </p> + <p> + So the summer wore on. Ann Eliza was conscious that Mrs. Hawkins and Miss + Mellins were watching her with affectionate anxiety, but the knowledge + brought no comfort. She no longer cared what they felt or thought about + her. Her grief lay far beyond touch of human healing, and after a while + she became aware that they knew they could not help her. They still came + in as often as their busy lives permitted, but their visits grew shorter, + and Mrs. Hawkins always brought Arthur or the baby, so that there should + be something to talk about, and some one whom she could scold. + </p> + <p> + The autumn came, and the winter. Business had fallen off again, and but + few purchasers came to the little shop in the basement. In January Ann + Eliza pawned her mother's cashmere scarf, her mosaic brooch, and the + rosewood what-not on which the clock had always stood; she would have sold + the bedstead too, but for the persistent vision of Evelina returning weak + and weary, and not knowing where to lay her head. + </p> + <p> + The winter passed in its turn, and March reappeared with its galaxies of + yellow jonquils at the windy street corners, reminding Ann Eliza of the + spring day when Evelina had come home with a bunch of jonquils in her + hand. In spite of the flowers which lent such a premature brightness to + the streets the month was fierce and stormy, and Ann Eliza could get no + warmth into her bones. Nevertheless, she was insensibly beginning to take + up the healing routine of life. Little by little she had grown used to + being alone, she had begun to take a languid interest in the one or two + new purchasers the season had brought, and though the thought of Evelina + was as poignant as ever, it was less persistently in the foreground of her + mind. + </p> + <p> + Late one afternoon she was sitting behind the counter, wrapped in her + shawl, and wondering how soon she might draw down the blinds and retreat + into the comparative cosiness of the back room. She was not thinking of + anything in particular, except perhaps in a hazy way of the lady with the + puffed sleeves, who after her long eclipse had reappeared the day before + in sleeves of a new cut, and bought some tape and needles. The lady still + wore mourning, but she was evidently lightening it, and Ann Eliza saw in + this the hope of future orders. The lady had left the shop about an hour + before, walking away with her graceful step toward Fifth Avenue. She had + wished Ann Eliza good day in her usual affable way, and Ann Eliza thought + how odd it was that they should have been acquainted so long, and yet that + she should not know the lady's name. From this consideration her mind + wandered to the cut of the lady's new sleeves, and she was vexed with + herself for not having noted it more carefully. She felt Miss Mellins + might have liked to know about it. Ann Eliza's powers of observation had + never been as keen as Evelina's, when the latter was not too self-absorbed + to exert them. As Miss Mellins always said, Evelina could “take patterns + with her eyes”: she could have cut that new sleeve out of a folded + newspaper in a trice! Musing on these things, Ann Eliza wished the lady + would come back and give her another look at the sleeve. It was not + unlikely that she might pass that way, for she certainly lived in or about + the Square. Suddenly Ann Eliza remarked a small neat handkerchief on the + counter: it must have dropped from the lady's purse, and she would + probably come back to get it. Ann Eliza, pleased at the idea, sat on + behind the counter and watched the darkening street. She always lit the + gas as late as possible, keeping the box of matches at her elbow, so that + if any one came she could apply a quick flame to the gas-jet. At length + through the deepening dusk she distinguished a slim dark figure coming + down the steps to the shop. With a little warmth of pleasure about her + heart she reached up to light the gas. “I do believe I'll ask her name + this time,” she thought. She raised the flame to its full height, and saw + her sister standing in the door. + </p> + <p> + There she was at last, the poor pale shade of Evelina, her thin face + blanched of its faint pink, the stiff ripples gone from her hair, and a + mantle shabbier than Ann Eliza's drawn about her narrow shoulders. The + glare of the gas beat full on her as she stood and looked at Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “Sister—oh, Evelina! I knowed you'd come!” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza had caught her close with a long moan of triumph. Vague words + poured from her as she laid her cheek against Evelina's—trivial + inarticulate endearments caught from Mrs. Hawkins's long discourses to her + baby. + </p> + <p> + For a while Evelina let herself be passively held; then she drew back from + her sister's clasp and looked about the shop. “I'm dead tired. Ain't there + any fire?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Of course there is!” Ann Eliza, holding her hand fast, drew her into the + back room. She did not want to ask any questions yet: she simply wanted to + feel the emptiness of the room brimmed full again by the one presence that + was warmth and light to her. + </p> + <p> + She knelt down before the grate, scraped some bits of coal and kindling + from the bottom of the coal-scuttle, and drew one of the rocking-chairs up + to the weak flame. “There—that'll blaze up in a minute,” she said. + She pressed Evelina down on the faded cushions of the rocking-chair, and, + kneeling beside her, began to rub her hands. + </p> + <p> + “You're stone-cold, ain't you? Just sit still and warm yourself while I + run and get the kettle. I've got something you always used to fancy for + supper.” She laid her hand on Evelina's shoulder. “Don't talk—oh, + don't talk yet!” she implored. She wanted to keep that one frail second of + happiness between herself and what she knew must come. + </p> + <p> + Evelina, without a word, bent over the fire, stretching her thin hands to + the blaze and watching Ann Eliza fill the kettle and set the supper table. + Her gaze had the dreamy fixity of a half-awakened child's. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza, with a smile of triumph, brought a slice of custard pie from + the cupboard and put it by her sister's plate. + </p> + <p> + “You do like that, don't you? Miss Mellins sent it down to me this + morning. She had her aunt from Brooklyn to dinner. Ain't it funny it just + so happened?” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't hungry,” said Evelina, rising to approach the table. + </p> + <p> + She sat down in her usual place, looked about her with the same wondering + stare, and then, as of old, poured herself out the first cup of tea. + </p> + <p> + “Where's the what-not gone to?” she suddenly asked. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza set down the teapot and rose to get a spoon from the cupboard. + With her back to the room she said: “The what-not? Why, you see, dearie, + living here all alone by myself it only made one more thing to dust; so I + sold it.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina's eyes were still travelling about the familiar room. Though it + was against all the traditions of the Bunner family to sell any household + possession, she showed no surprise at her sister's answer. + </p> + <p> + “And the clock? The clock's gone too.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I gave that away—I gave it to Mrs. Hawkins. She's kep' awake so + nights with that last baby.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you'd never bought it,” said Evelina harshly. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza's heart grew faint with fear. Without answering, she crossed + over to her sister's seat and poured her out a second cup of tea. Then + another thought struck her, and she went back to the cupboard and took out + the cordial. In Evelina's absence considerable draughts had been drawn + from it by invalid neighbours; but a glassful of the precious liquid still + remained. + </p> + <p> + “Here, drink this right off—it'll warm you up quicker than + anything,” Ann Eliza said. + </p> + <p> + Evelina obeyed, and a slight spark of colour came into her cheeks. She + turned to the custard pie and began to eat with a silent voracity + distressing to watch. She did not even look to see what was left for Ann + Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “I ain't hungry,” she said at last as she laid down her fork. “I'm only so + dead tired—that's the trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you'd better get right into bed. Here's my old plaid dressing-gown—you + remember it, don't you?” Ann Eliza laughed, recalling Evelina's ironies on + the subject of the antiquated garment. With trembling fingers she began to + undo her sister's cloak. The dress beneath it told a tale of poverty that + Ann Eliza dared not pause to note. She drew it gently off, and as it + slipped from Evelina's shoulders it revealed a tiny black bag hanging on a + ribbon about her neck. Evelina lifted her hand as though to screen the bag + from Ann Eliza; and the elder sister, seeing the gesture, continued her + task with lowered eyes. She undressed Evelina as quickly as she could, and + wrapping her in the plaid dressing-gown put her to bed, and spread her own + shawl and her sister's cloak above the blanket. + </p> + <p> + “Where's the old red comfortable?” Evelina asked, as she sank down on the + pillow. + </p> + <p> + “The comfortable? Oh, it was so hot and heavy I never used it after you + went—so I sold that too. I never could sleep under much clothes.” + </p> + <p> + She became aware that her sister was looking at her more attentively. + </p> + <p> + “I guess you've been in trouble too,” Evelina said. + </p> + <p> + “Me? In trouble? What do you mean, Evelina?” + </p> + <p> + “You've had to pawn the things, I suppose,” Evelina continued in a weary + unmoved tone. “Well, I've been through worse than that. I've been to hell + and back.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Evelina—don't say it, sister!” Ann Eliza implored, shrinking + from the unholy word. She knelt down and began to rub her sister's feet + beneath the bedclothes. + </p> + <p> + “I've been to hell and back—if I <i>am</i> back,” Evelina repeated. She + lifted her head from the pillow and began to talk with a sudden feverish + volubility. “It began right away, less than a month after we were married. + I've been in hell all that time, Ann Eliza.” She fixed her eyes with + passionate intentness on Ann Eliza's face. “He took opium. I didn't find + it out till long afterward—at first, when he acted so strange, I + thought he drank. But it was worse, much worse than drinking.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sister, don't say it—don't say it yet! It's so sweet just to + have you here with me again.” + </p> + <p> + “I must say it,” Evelina insisted, her flushed face burning with a kind of + bitter cruelty. “You don't know what life's like—you don't know + anything about it—setting here safe all the while in this peaceful + place.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Evelina—why didn't you write and send for me if it was like + that?” + </p> + <p> + “That's why I couldn't write. Didn't you guess I was ashamed?” + </p> + <p> + “How could you be? Ashamed to write to Ann Eliza?” + </p> + <p> + Evelina raised herself on her thin elbow, while Ann Eliza, bending over, + drew a corner of the shawl about her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Do lay down again. You'll catch your death.” + </p> + <p> + “My death? That don't frighten me! You don't know what I've been through.” + And sitting upright in the old mahogany bed, with flushed cheeks and + chattering teeth, and Ann Eliza's trembling arm clasping the shawl about + her neck, Evelina poured out her story. It was a tale of misery and + humiliation so remote from the elder sister's innocent experiences that + much of it was hardly intelligible to her. Evelina's dreadful familiarity + with it all, her fluency about things which Ann Eliza half-guessed and + quickly shuddered back from, seemed even more alien and terrible than the + actual tale she told. It was one thing—and heaven knew it was bad + enough!—to learn that one's sister's husband was a drug-fiend; it + was another, and much worse thing, to learn from that sister's pallid lips + what vileness lay behind the word. + </p> + <p> + Evelina, unconscious of any distress but her own, sat upright, shivering + in Ann Eliza's hold, while she piled up, detail by detail, her dreary + narrative. + </p> + <p> + “The minute we got out there, and he found the job wasn't as good as he + expected, he changed. At first I thought he was sick—I used to try + to keep him home and nurse him. Then I saw it was something different. He + used to go off for hours at a time, and when he came back his eyes kinder + had a fog over them. Sometimes he didn't har'ly know me, and when he did + he seemed to hate me. Once he hit me here.” She touched her breast. “Do + you remember, Ann Eliza, that time he didn't come to see us for a week—the + time after we all went to Central Park together—and you and I + thought he must be sick?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that was the trouble—he'd been at it then. But nothing like + as bad. After we'd been out there about a month he disappeared for a whole + week. They took him back at the store, and gave him another chance; but + the second time they discharged him, and he drifted round for ever so long + before he could get another job. We spent all our money and had to move to + a cheaper place. Then he got something to do, but they hardly paid him + anything, and he didn't stay there long. When he found out about the baby—” + </p> + <p> + “The baby?” Ann Eliza faltered. + </p> + <p> + “It's dead—it only lived a day. When he found out about it, he got + mad, and said he hadn't any money to pay doctors' bills, and I'd better + write to you to help us. He had an idea you had money hidden away that I + didn't know about.” She turned to her sister with remorseful eyes. “It was + him that made me get that hundred dollars out of you.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, hush. I always meant it for you anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I wouldn't have taken it if he hadn't been at me the whole time. + He used to make me do just what he wanted. Well, when I said I wouldn't + write to you for more money he said I'd better try and earn some myself. + That was when he struck me.... Oh, you don't know what I'm talking about + yet!... I tried to get work at a milliner's, but I was so sick I couldn't + stay. I was sick all the time. I wisht I'd ha' died, Ann Eliza.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Evelina.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do. It kept getting worse and worse. We pawned the furniture, and + they turned us out because we couldn't pay the rent; and so then we went + to board with Mrs. Hochmuller.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza pressed her closer to dissemble her own tremor. “Mrs. + Hochmuller?” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you know she was out there? She moved out a month after we did. + She wasn't bad to me, and I think she tried to keep him straight—but + Linda—” + </p> + <p> + “Linda—?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, when I kep' getting worse, and he was always off, for days at a + time, the doctor had me sent to a hospital.” + </p> + <p> + “A hospital? Sister—sister!” + </p> + <p> + “It was better than being with him; and the doctors were real kind to me. + After the baby was born I was very sick and had to stay there a good + while. And one day when I was laying there Mrs. Hochmuller came in as + white as a sheet, and told me him and Linda had gone off together and + taken all her money. That's the last I ever saw of him.” She broke off + with a laugh and began to cough again. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza tried to persuade her to lie down and sleep, but the rest of her + story had to be told before she could be soothed into consent. After the + news of Ramy's flight she had had brain fever, and had been sent to + another hospital where she stayed a long time—how long she couldn't + remember. Dates and days meant nothing to her in the shapeless ruin of her + life. When she left the hospital she found that Mrs. Hochmuller had gone + too. She was penniless, and had no one to turn to. A lady visitor at the + hospital was kind, and found her a place where she did housework; but she + was so weak they couldn't keep her. Then she got a job as waitress in a + down-town lunch-room, but one day she fainted while she was handing a + dish, and that evening when they paid her they told her she needn't come + again. + </p> + <p> + “After that I begged in the streets”—(Ann Eliza's grasp again grew + tight)—“and one afternoon last week, when the matinees was coming + out, I met a man with a pleasant face, something like Mr. Hawkins, and he + stopped and asked me what the trouble was. I told him if he'd give me five + dollars I'd have money enough to buy a ticket back to New York, and he + took a good look at me and said, well, if that was what I wanted he'd go + straight to the station with me and give me the five dollars there. So he + did—and he bought the ticket, and put me in the cars.” + </p> + <p> + Evelina sank back, her face a sallow wedge in the white cleft of the + pillow. Ann Eliza leaned over her, and for a long time they held each + other without speaking. + </p> + <p> + They were still clasped in this dumb embrace when there was a step in the + shop and Ann Eliza, starting up, saw Miss Mellins in the doorway. + </p> + <p> + “My sakes, Miss Bunner! What in the land are you doing? Miss Evelina—Mrs. + Ramy—it ain't you?” + </p> + <p> + Miss Mellins's eyes, bursting from their sockets, sprang from Evelina's + pallid face to the disordered supper table and the heap of worn clothes on + the floor; then they turned back to Ann Eliza, who had placed herself on + the defensive between her sister and the dress-maker. + </p> + <p> + “My sister Evelina has come back—come back on a visit. She was taken + sick in the cars on the way home—I guess she caught cold—so I + made her go right to bed as soon as ever she got here.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza was surprised at the strength and steadiness of her voice. + Fortified by its sound she went on, her eyes on Miss Mellins's baffled + countenance: “Mr. Ramy has gone west on a trip—a trip connected with + his business; and Evelina is going to stay with me till he comes back.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XII + </h2> + <p> + What measure of belief her explanation of Evelina's return obtained in the + small circle of her friends Ann Eliza did not pause to enquire. Though she + could not remember ever having told a lie before, she adhered with rigid + tenacity to the consequences of her first lapse from truth, and fortified + her original statement with additional details whenever a questioner + sought to take her unawares. + </p> + <p> + But other and more serious burdens lay on her startled conscience. For the + first time in her life she dimly faced the awful problem of the inutility + of self-sacrifice. Hitherto she had never thought of questioning the + inherited principles which had guided her life. Self-effacement for the + good of others had always seemed to her both natural and necessary; but + then she had taken it for granted that it implied the securing of that + good. Now she perceived that to refuse the gifts of life does not ensure + their transmission to those for whom they have been surrendered; and her + familiar heaven was unpeopled. She felt she could no longer trust in the + goodness of God, and there was only a black abyss above the roof of Bunner + Sisters. + </p> + <p> + But there was little time to brood upon such problems. The care of Evelina + filled Ann Eliza's days and nights. The hastily summoned doctor had + pronounced her to be suffering from pneumonia, and under his care the + first stress of the disease was relieved. But her recovery was only + partial, and long after the doctor's visits had ceased she continued to + lie in bed, too weak to move, and seemingly indifferent to everything + about her. + </p> + <p> + At length one evening, about six weeks after her return, she said to her + sister: “I don't feel's if I'd ever get up again.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza turned from the kettle she was placing on the stove. She was + startled by the echo the words woke in her own breast. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you talk like that, Evelina! I guess you're on'y tired out—and + disheartened.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I'm disheartened,” Evelina murmured. + </p> + <p> + A few months earlier Ann Eliza would have met the confession with a word + of pious admonition; now she accepted it in silence. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe you'll brighten up when your cough gets better,” she suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—or my cough'll get better when I brighten up,” Evelina retorted + with a touch of her old tartness. + </p> + <p> + “Does your cough keep on hurting you jest as much?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see's there's much difference.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess I'll get the doctor to come round again,” Ann Eliza said, + trying for the matter-of-course tone in which one might speak of sending + for the plumber or the gas-fitter. + </p> + <p> + “It ain't any use sending for the doctor—and who's going to pay + him?” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” answered the elder sister. “Here's your tea, and a mite of toast. + Don't that tempt you?” + </p> + <p> + Already, in the watches of the night, Ann Eliza had been tormented by that + same question—who was to pay the doctor?—and a few days before + she had temporarily silenced it by borrowing twenty dollars of Miss + Mellins. The transaction had cost her one of the bitterest struggles of + her life. She had never borrowed a penny of any one before, and the + possibility of having to do so had always been classed in her mind among + those shameful extremities to which Providence does not let decent people + come. But nowadays she no longer believed in the personal supervision of + Providence; and had she been compelled to steal the money instead of + borrowing it, she would have felt that her conscience was the only + tribunal before which she had to answer. Nevertheless, the actual + humiliation of having to ask for the money was no less bitter; and she + could hardly hope that Miss Mellins would view the case with the same + detachment as herself. Miss Mellins was very kind; but she not unnaturally + felt that her kindness should be rewarded by according her the right to + ask questions; and bit by bit Ann Eliza saw Evelina's miserable secret + slipping into the dress-maker's possession. + </p> + <p> + When the doctor came she left him alone with Evelina, busying herself in + the shop that she might have an opportunity of seeing him alone on his way + out. To steady herself she began to sort a trayful of buttons, and when + the doctor appeared she was reciting under her breath: “Twenty-four horn, + two and a half cards fancy pearl...” She saw at once that his look was + grave. + </p> + <p> + He sat down on the chair beside the counter, and her mind travelled miles + before he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Bunner, the best thing you can do is to let me get a bed for your + sister at St. Luke's.” + </p> + <p> + “The hospital?” + </p> + <p> + “Come now, you're above that sort of prejudice, aren't you?” The doctor + spoke in the tone of one who coaxes a spoiled child. “I know how devoted + you are—but Mrs. Ramy can be much better cared for there than here. + You really haven't time to look after her and attend to your business as + well. There'll be no expense, you understand—” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza made no answer. “You think my sister's going to be sick a good + while, then?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes—possibly.” + </p> + <p> + “You think she's very sick?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes. She's very sick.” + </p> + <p> + His face had grown still graver; he sat there as though he had never known + what it was to hurry. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza continued to separate the pearl and horn buttons. Suddenly she + lifted her eyes and looked at him. “Is she going to die?” + </p> + <p> + The doctor laid a kindly hand on hers. “We never say that, Miss Bunner. + Human skill works wonders—and at the hospital Mrs. Ramy would have + every chance.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it? What's she dying of?” + </p> + <p> + The doctor hesitated, seeking to substitute a popular phrase for the + scientific terminology which rose to his lips. + </p> + <p> + “I want to know,” Ann Eliza persisted. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of course; I understand. Well, your sister has had a hard time + lately, and there is a complication of causes, resulting in consumption—rapid + consumption. At the hospital—” + </p> + <p> + “I'll keep her here,” said Ann Eliza quietly. + </p> + <p> + After the doctor had gone she went on for some time sorting the buttons; + then she slipped the tray into its place on a shelf behind the counter and + went into the back room. She found Evelina propped upright against the + pillows, a flush of agitation on her cheeks. Ann Eliza pulled up the shawl + which had slipped from her sister's shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “How long you've been! What's he been saying?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he went long ago—he on'y stopped to give me a prescription. I + was sorting out that tray of buttons. Miss Mellins's girl got them all + mixed up.” + </p> + <p> + She felt Evelina's eyes upon her. + </p> + <p> + “He must have said something: what was it?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, he said you'd have to be careful—and stay in bed—and + take this new medicine he's given you.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he say I was going to get well?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Evelina!” + </p> + <p> + “What's the use, Ann Eliza? You can't deceive me. I've just been up to + look at myself in the glass; and I saw plenty of 'em in the hospital that + looked like me. They didn't get well, and I ain't going to.” Her head + dropped back. “It don't much matter—I'm about tired. On'y there's + one thing—Ann Eliza—” + </p> + <p> + The elder sister drew near to the bed. + </p> + <p> + “There's one thing I ain't told you. I didn't want to tell you yet because + I was afraid you might be sorry—but if he says I'm going to die I've + got to say it.” She stopped to cough, and to Ann Eliza it now seemed as + though every cough struck a minute from the hours remaining to her. + </p> + <p> + “Don't talk now—you're tired.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be tireder to-morrow, I guess. And I want you should know. Sit down + close to me—there.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza sat down in silence, stroking her shrunken hand. + </p> + <p> + “I'm a Roman Catholic, Ann Eliza.” + </p> + <p> + “Evelina—oh, Evelina Bunner! A Roman Catholic—<i>you</i>? Oh, + Evelina, did <i>he</i> make you?” + </p> + <p> + Evelina shook her head. “I guess he didn't have no religion; he never + spoke of it. But you see Mrs. Hochmuller was a Catholic, and so when I was + sick she got the doctor to send me to a Roman Catholic hospital, and the + sisters was so good to me there—and the priest used to come and talk + to me; and the things he said kep' me from going crazy. He seemed to make + everything easier.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sister, how could you?” Ann Eliza wailed. She knew little of the + Catholic religion except that “Papists” believed in it—in itself a + sufficient indictment. Her spiritual rebellion had not freed her from the + formal part of her religious belief, and apostasy had always seemed to her + one of the sins from which the pure in mind avert their thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “And then when the baby was born,” Evelina continued, “he christened it + right away, so it could go to heaven; and after that, you see, I had to be + a Catholic.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see—” + </p> + <p> + “Don't I have to be where the baby is? I couldn't ever ha' gone there if I + hadn't been made a Catholic. Don't you understand that?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza sat speechless, drawing her hand away. Once more she found + herself shut out of Evelina's heart, an exile from her closest affections. + </p> + <p> + “I've got to go where the baby is,” Evelina feverishly insisted. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza could think of nothing to say; she could only feel that Evelina + was dying, and dying as a stranger in her arms. Ramy and the day-old baby + had parted her forever from her sister. + </p> + <p> + Evelina began again. “If I get worse I want you to send for a priest. Miss + Mellins'll know where to send—she's got an aunt that's a Catholic. + Promise me faithful you will.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise,” said Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + After that they spoke no more of the matter; but Ann Eliza now understood + that the little black bag about her sister's neck, which she had + innocently taken for a memento of Ramy, was some kind of sacrilegious + amulet, and her fingers shrank from its contact when she bathed and + dressed Evelina. It seemed to her the diabolical instrument of their + estrangement. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIII + </h2> + <p> + Spring had really come at last. There were leaves on the ailanthus-tree + that Evelina could see from her bed, gentle clouds floated over it in the + blue, and now and then the cry of a flower-seller sounded from the street. + </p> + <p> + One day there was a shy knock on the back-room door, and Johnny Hawkins + came in with two yellow jonquils in his fist. He was getting bigger and + squarer, and his round freckled face was growing into a smaller copy of + his father's. He walked up to Evelina and held out the flowers. + </p> + <p> + “They blew off the cart and the fellow said I could keep 'em. But you can + have 'em,” he announced. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza rose from her seat at the sewing-machine and tried to take the + flowers from him. + </p> + <p> + “They ain't for you; they're for her,” he sturdily objected; and Evelina + held out her hand for the jonquils. + </p> + <p> + After Johnny had gone she lay and looked at them without speaking. Ann + Eliza, who had gone back to the machine, bent her head over the seam she + was stitching; the click, click, click of the machine sounded in her ear + like the tick of Ramy's clock, and it seemed to her that life had gone + backward, and that Evelina, radiant and foolish, had just come into the + room with the yellow flowers in her hand. + </p> + <p> + When at last she ventured to look up, she saw that her sister's head had + drooped against the pillow, and that she was sleeping quietly. Her relaxed + hand still held the jonquils, but it was evident that they had awakened no + memories; she had dozed off almost as soon as Johnny had given them to + her. The discovery gave Ann Eliza a startled sense of the ruins that must + be piled upon her past. “I don't believe I could have forgotten that day, + though,” she said to herself. But she was glad that Evelina had forgotten. + </p> + <p> + Evelina's disease moved on along the usual course, now lifting her on a + brief wave of elation, now sinking her to new depths of weakness. There + was little to be done, and the doctor came only at lengthening intervals. + On his way out he always repeated his first friendly suggestion about + sending Evelina to the hospital; and Ann Eliza always answered: “I guess + we can manage.” + </p> + <p> + The hours passed for her with the fierce rapidity that great joy or + anguish lends them. She went through the days with a sternly smiling + precision, but she hardly knew what was happening, and when night-fall + released her from the shop, and she could carry her work to Evelina's + bedside, the same sense of unreality accompanied her, and she still seemed + to be accomplishing a task whose object had escaped her memory. + </p> + <p> + Once, when Evelina felt better, she expressed a desire to make some + artificial flowers, and Ann Eliza, deluded by this awakening interest, got + out the faded bundles of stems and petals and the little tools and spools + of wire. But after a few minutes the work dropped from Evelina's hands and + she said: “I'll wait until to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + She never again spoke of the flower-making, but one day, after watching + Ann Eliza's laboured attempt to trim a spring hat for Mrs. Hawkins, she + demanded impatiently that the hat should be brought to her, and in a trice + had galvanized the lifeless bow and given the brim the twist it needed. + </p> + <p> + These were rare gleams; and more frequent were the days of speechless + lassitude, when she lay for hours silently staring at the window, shaken + only by the hard incessant cough that sounded to Ann Eliza like the + hammering of nails into a coffin. + </p> + <p> + At length one morning Ann Eliza, starting up from the mattress at the foot + of the bed, hastily called Miss Mellins down, and ran through the smoky + dawn for the doctor. He came back with her and did what he could to give + Evelina momentary relief; then he went away, promising to look in again + before night. Miss Mellins, her head still covered with curl-papers, + disappeared in his wake, and when the sisters were alone Evelina beckoned + to Ann Eliza. + </p> + <p> + “You promised,” she whispered, grasping her sister's arm; and Ann Eliza + understood. She had not yet dared to tell Miss Mellins of Evelina's change + of faith; it had seemed even more difficult than borrowing the money; but + now it had to be done. She ran upstairs after the dress-maker and detained + her on the landing. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Mellins, can you tell me where to send for a priest—a Roman + Catholic priest?” + </p> + <p> + “A priest, Miss Bunner?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. My sister became a Roman Catholic while she was away. They were kind + to her in her sickness—and now she wants a priest.” Ann Eliza faced + Miss Mellins with unflinching eyes. + </p> + <p> + “My aunt Dugan'll know. I'll run right round to her the minute I get my + papers off,” the dress-maker promised; and Ann Eliza thanked her. + </p> + <p> + An hour or two later the priest appeared. Ann Eliza, who was watching, saw + him coming down the steps to the shop-door and went to meet him. His + expression was kind, but she shrank from his peculiar dress, and from his + pale face with its bluish chin and enigmatic smile. Ann Eliza remained in + the shop. Miss Mellins's girl had mixed the buttons again and she set + herself to sort them. The priest stayed a long time with Evelina. When he + again carried his enigmatic smile past the counter, and Ann Eliza rejoined + her sister, Evelina was smiling with something of the same mystery; but + she did not tell her secret. + </p> + <p> + After that it seemed to Ann Eliza that the shop and the back room no + longer belonged to her. It was as though she were there on sufferance, + indulgently tolerated by the unseen power which hovered over Evelina even + in the absence of its minister. The priest came almost daily; and at last + a day arrived when he was called to administer some rite of which Ann + Eliza but dimly grasped the sacramental meaning. All she knew was that it + meant that Evelina was going, and going, under this alien guidance, even + farther from her than to the dark places of death. + </p> + <p> + When the priest came, with something covered in his hands, she crept into + the shop, closing the door of the back room to leave him alone with + Evelina. + </p> + <p> + It was a warm afternoon in May, and the crooked ailanthus-tree rooted in a + fissure of the opposite pavement was a fountain of tender green. Women in + light dresses passed with the languid step of spring; and presently there + came a man with a hand-cart full of pansy and geranium plants who stopped + outside the window, signalling to Ann Eliza to buy. + </p> + <p> + An hour went by before the door of the back room opened and the priest + reappeared with that mysterious covered something in his hands. Ann Eliza + had risen, drawing back as he passed. He had doubtless divined her + antipathy, for he had hitherto only bowed in going in and out; but to day + he paused and looked at her compassionately. + </p> + <p> + “I have left your sister in a very beautiful state of mind,” he said in a + low voice like a woman's. “She is full of spiritual consolation.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza was silent, and he bowed and went out. She hastened back to + Evelina's bed, and knelt down beside it. Evelina's eyes were very large + and bright; she turned them on Ann Eliza with a look of inner + illumination. + </p> + <p> + “I shall see the baby,” she said; then her eyelids fell and she dozed. + </p> + <p> + The doctor came again at nightfall, administering some last palliatives; + and after he had gone Ann Eliza, refusing to have her vigil shared by Miss + Mellins or Mrs. Hawkins, sat down to keep watch alone. + </p> + <p> + It was a very quiet night. Evelina never spoke or opened her eyes, but in + the still hour before dawn Ann Eliza saw that the restless hand outside + the bed-clothes had stopped its twitching. She stooped over and felt no + breath on her sister's lips. + </p> + <p> + The funeral took place three days later. Evelina was buried in Calvary + Cemetery, the priest assuming the whole care of the necessary + arrangements, while Ann Eliza, a passive spectator, beheld with stony + indifference this last negation of her past. + </p> + <p> + A week afterward she stood in her bonnet and mantle in the doorway of the + little shop. Its whole aspect had changed. Counter and shelves were bare, + the window was stripped of its familiar miscellany of artificial flowers, + note-paper, wire hat-frames, and limp garments from the dyer's; and + against the glass pane of the doorway hung a sign: “This store to let.” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza turned her eyes from the sign as she went out and locked the + door behind her. Evelina's funeral had been very expensive, and Ann Eliza, + having sold her stock-in-trade and the few articles of furniture that + remained to her, was leaving the shop for the last time. She had not been + able to buy any mourning, but Miss Mellins had sewed some crape on her old + black mantle and bonnet, and having no gloves she slipped her bare hands + under the folds of the mantle. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful morning, and the air was full of a warm sunshine that + had coaxed open nearly every window in the street, and summoned to the + window-sills the sickly plants nurtured indoors in winter. Ann Eliza's way + lay westward, toward Broadway; but at the corner she paused and looked + back down the familiar length of the street. Her eyes rested a moment on + the blotched “Bunner Sisters” above the empty window of the shop; then + they travelled on to the overflowing foliage of the Square, above which + was the church tower with the dial that had marked the hours for the + sisters before Ann Eliza had bought the nickel clock. She looked at it all + as though it had been the scene of some unknown life, of which the vague + report had reached her: she felt for herself the only remote pity that + busy people accord to the misfortunes which come to them by hearsay. + </p> + <p> + She walked to Broadway and down to the office of the house-agent to whom + she had entrusted the sub-letting of the shop. She left the key with one + of his clerks, who took it from her as if it had been any one of a + thousand others, and remarked that the weather looked as if spring was + really coming; then she turned and began to move up the great + thoroughfare, which was just beginning to wake to its multitudinous + activities. + </p> + <p> + She walked less rapidly now, studying each shop window as she passed, but + not with the desultory eye of enjoyment: the watchful fixity of her gaze + overlooked everything but the object of its quest. At length she stopped + before a small window wedged between two mammoth buildings, and + displaying, behind its shining plate-glass festooned with muslin, a varied + assortment of sofa-cushions, tea-cloths, pen-wipers, painted calendars and + other specimens of feminine industry. In a corner of the window she had + read, on a slip of paper pasted against the pane: “Wanted, a Saleslady,” + and after studying the display of fancy articles beneath it, she gave her + mantle a twitch, straightened her shoulders and went in. + </p> + <p> + Behind a counter crowded with pin-cushions, watch-holders and other + needlework trifles, a plump young woman with smooth hair sat sewing bows + of ribbon on a scrap basket. The little shop was about the size of the one + on which Ann Eliza had just closed the door; and it looked as fresh and + gay and thriving as she and Evelina had once dreamed of making Bunner + Sisters. The friendly air of the place made her pluck up courage to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Saleslady? Yes, we do want one. Have you any one to recommend?” the young + woman asked, not unkindly. + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza hesitated, disconcerted by the unexpected question; and the + other, cocking her head on one side to study the effect of the bow she had + just sewed on the basket, continued: “We can't afford more than thirty + dollars a month, but the work is light. She would be expected to do a + little fancy sewing between times. We want a bright girl: stylish, and + pleasant manners. You know what I mean. Not over thirty, anyhow; and + nice-looking. Will you write down the name?” + </p> + <p> + Ann Eliza looked at her confusedly. She opened her lips to explain, and + then, without speaking, turned toward the crisply-curtained door. + </p> + <p> + “Ain't you going to leave the <i>ad</i>-dress?” the young woman called out after + her. Ann Eliza went out into the thronged street. The great city, under + the fair spring sky, seemed to throb with the stir of innumerable + beginnings. She walked on, looking for another shop window with a sign in + it. + </p> + <p> + THE END. <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bunner Sisters, by Edith Wharton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNNER SISTERS *** + +***** This file should be named 311-h.htm or 311-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/311/ + +Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |